Afternoon Meditation

In the Torah portion of Chayei Sarah (which we will read in shul on November 14th), we are told how Isaac initiated the idea of Mincha- the afternoon prayer.

It is perhaps fitting that as we are about to approach this Torah portion we have initiated Barnet Synagogue's first Lunchtime Mincha Minyan Monday-Thursday at 12.45pm.

In the summer months (April-September) we are able to daven Mincha together with the Mariv evening prayer at 7.30pm. However, as the nights draw in the window of opportunity to daven Mincha becomes smaller and we are left at this time of the year with a time between about 12.15pm and 4.15pm. As these times are right in the middle of the work day it is often difficult to ensure that you can pray with a Minyan and it is difficult for communities to rustle up a Minyan.

But Barnet Synagogue always punches above her weight and we have had a strong Minyan both yesterday and today and the hope is that as time goes on more people will become part of this afternoon meditation!

When I went to Mincha this afternoon the weather was awful and it was raining and grey. When I left Mincha 10 minutes later the sky was blue, the sun was out and I felt great.

I know one of the integral roles of the Rabbi is to inspire his community but with the launch of our lunchtime Mincha Minyan and the commitment of those who have come, it is the community of Barnet which continues to inspire me.

Take time out in the middle of your day and connect with God. I am sure that you too will be inspired!

Rabbi BB Lerer

Hello everybody out there!

This is my first venture into Blogdom!

I have to tell you that I am the least technically minded individual that I know and I while I am trapped firmly in the 20th Century I feel very 21st Century about writing a Blog! (Mainly because in the 20th Century I am sure nobody would have read a Blog I might have written anyway!)

To be honest I am still not sure what a Blog is so I will just use it to tell you what's going on at Barnet Shul and keep you up to date of all the activities at the Synagogue and maybe if I am being generous throw in a story or two!

Well now that the Yamim Tovim are finished the weekly programmes at the Synagogue have recommenced.

Last Shabbat saw the first in our new project of Torah From Barnet where members of the community are volunteering to write a Dvar Torah on the weekly portion or Haftara. The bar was set very high with an excellent piece by Yoav Gordon (Thanks!). If you are interested in writing one please contact me at rabbi@barnetsynagogue.org.uk and I will match you up with a portion!

At Barnet we want to ensure that the Synagogue is used each day and by as many different people as possible. We have therefore made a programme where everyone can find something for them!

Sunday saw the Bar Mitzvah Brekfast for upcoming Bar Mitzvah boys and their dads enjoying prayers and Breakfast together.

Mondays sees the return of the Barnet Social and Cultural Club for active retired people and the Tortillas and Talmud Shiur for the Youth!

Tuesdays we have our wonderful Jewish History course with Alastair Falk looking at 20th Century Anglo Jewish History. For those a litte more sports minded we also have Table Tennis with Mo Greenberg.

Wednesdays is a Talmud Shiur for EVERYONE.

Thursdays is JAM the Toddler Group for pre schoolers. There is also the Retired Persons Lunchtime Shiur with Lunch thrown in! There is also the Barnet Tribe iClub for the Youth.

All this coupled with Youth and Chidlren's services each Shabbat morning as well as Bnei Akiva and a Halacha Shiur on Shabbat Afternoon shows and proves that Barnet is much more than just a place to come and pray ....it is a true Bet Knesset a place of gathering to meet, eat, learn, and socialise for all ages in our community.

I think that's all for now!

Chodesh Tov


Rabbi Lerer