September 17th, 2015

​Thanks to everyone who came together to create a special and uplifting Rosh Hashanah in our very own own 'ohel moed'. Special thanks to those who helped build and decorate our ohel, to those who assured a minyan in time for barechu, and to our new ba'al Shacharit Gavriel, who has made us all very proud. Looking forward to seeing you all again for Yom Kippur and Succot.
 
Thanks to our kiddush sponsors: Mike and Liz Jacobs (in memory of Mike’s mother) as well as Lionel and Melanie Dean. Rebbetzin Shira promises that more cherry drizzle cake and honey cake will be available at the break fast after Neilah!
 
The Berkshire Community Cheder has now resumed classes.  Find out how we can help your child get the most of his/her Jewish identity by contacting our head teacher, Rebbetzin Shira.  For information on our GCSE class in Jewish Studies, contact Rabbi Zvi.
 
Rabbi Zvi’s Rosh Hashanah Broadcast on Radio Berkshire can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03195rh From 1:47:30 for a few minutes. Have a listen.
 
Yom Kippur Services at JCoB Central

Join us for wonderful Yom Kippur services filled with music and traditional melody. The services will be musical and intellectually stimulating, the shofar (at the end of Neilah) is the best blast for miles, and we have a break fast after Neilah to enhance your experience. There are explanations to make sure you are up with what is happening, and the community is welcoming and friendly.
 
Kol Nidrei 7:00pm sharp on Tuesday evening 22 September (minchah at 6:45pm). Services resume Wednesday 9:30am and will continue throughout the day with a break after musaph. Neilah will finish at approximately 8pm, followed by cake and tea/coffee.
 
Besides the services themselves, Rabbi Zvi is happy for you to browse his extensive library of Jewish literature and philosophy, so that you can learn while taking in the atmosphere. The services will follow the Koren Machzor, according to the traditional Anglo-Jewish minhag, as in the old Routledge machzorim.
 
Children on Yom Kippur at JCoB Central

As usual, Rebbetzin Shira will run a children's programme from 11:30am with lunch available for your children so that you do not need to run home.  There are also games and books to keep children entertained while you daven, as well as swings and a climbing frame in the garden.  This year, all children’s provision is at JCoB Central.
 
If you are an adult who cannot fast, then as usual, Rebbetzin Shira can arrange food for you. Please contact Rebbetzin Shira with your needs.
 
Note to Goldsmid Road members:  In the spirit of communal unity we have repeatedly approached Goldsmid Road offering our services for free, most particularly to ensure halachically kosher services in the Reading area over Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but have not received any positive responses. 

Yom Tov Meals at JCoB Central

As always, you are welcome to join us for meals over yom tov.  We have the largest Sukkah in Berkshire and it is always a hub of activity.  As always, we ask for a contribution so that we can afford to have an open house.  Please let us know which meals you wish to attend . 

Thanks to a generous donation, there is currently no charge for children, students or low income adults attending meals at JCoB Central.  

For working adults, standard donations are: Dinners £15  Fancy lunches £10.  Light lunches £5.
We welcome your sponsorship so that we can continue to offer hospitality.

Shake that Lulav!   

Lulavim and Etrog are available through Rabbi Zvi as usual this year.  Student sets only £18!  Standard £25.  Fancy sets also available for £35+ (ask for details).  For the first time ever, we can also offer a limited number of mid-week fresh replacement aravot for £5.   Contact Rabbi Zvi by 24 September to order your set. 
 
KOSHER FOOD NEWS

JustKosher.com will deliver to Reading on Sunday 20 September.  We will also be doing a Golders Green trip between Yom Kippur and Succot.  Please contact Rebbetzin Shira if you require any items.