Muswell Hill Synagogue
Vayikra 22/23 March 6.02pm 7.06pm

Rosh Chodesh Group

The Rosh Chodesh Group meets at the beginning of each month in the Jewish calendar, usually in people's houses.

The RCG provides an opportunity for women of all ages in the community to get to know one another better whilst discussing a topical subject of Jewish interest, always followed, of course, by delicious refreshments! Usually we have a guest speaker, either a member of Muswell Hill Shul or a visitor, and we welcome suggested topics and speakers. If you haven’t come before, or are new to the shul, or thinking of becoming a member, do come along. Email Judith Devons if you’d like to join our mailing list.

ROSH CHODESH GROUP CONTINUES! – Shvat 5783 – Monday 23rd January           ‘COOK FOR GOOD’ – Karen Mattison talks about her amazing new venture.Cook for Good is a social enterprise project. It tackles food poverty and social isolation, connecting businesses with local communities, for the benefit of both. They’ve built a community kitchen on an estate in Kings Cross, where they run free cooking classes, community meals and a surplus food pantry. They also host cooking-based team-building experiences, sharing the profits (and the food) with local residents.Please join us at the home of  Helen Style, 38 Lynmouth Road N2 9LS at 8pm.  Refreshments provided. £3 contribution.DETAILS OF THE NEXT MEETING TO FOLLOW

All women and girls welcome. 

Zoom details will be provided on request

For further  information, contact Judith Devons

0757 243 7766

Some ideas for future Meetings, from an informal discussion of opportunities for empowering women through learning – suggestions below and anything else that you think of. 

SOME SUGGESTIONS:

1-  We can all gain in Jewish knowledge – individually and/or by forming a study group.

2 – We can improve our level of Hebrew in conversation groups.

3 – We can learn to say kaddish.

4 – We can acquire practical skills for the women’s services, such as leyning and leading davening.

5 – We can bring courses from LSJS (the London School of Jewish Studies).

6 – We can design and publicise a bat mitzvah programme – with booklets for families that incorporate a commitment for the girl that goes beyond the bat mitzvah year – eg reading at least 3 verses at least twice over the following two years.

7 –  We can form a focus group – parents and youth – to find out what they want and how to make it exciting.

8 –  We can create intergenerational learning programme – perhaps including shared films, discussions on moral issues, etc.

9 –  We can have a women’s kaddish co-ordinator for women to offer 5-min communal learning in someone’s memory – as well as kaddish.

10 – We can have a baby blessing co-ordinator for women to write something to say communally.

11 – We can organise women’s readings of Ruth, Shir Hashirim and Kohelet at the appropriate festivals.

12  – YOUR IDEAS……

Previous meetings:

WHO APPOINTS THE JUDGES? And how diverse are they? – a talk by Deborah Cohen

MANAGING VOLUNTEERS- from judges to vicars – A talk by Gill Hyatt, Volunteer Team Manager at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead

BE THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE – even if it takes five career transformations! – Presented by Annette Kurer

AN EVENING WITH MARGARET BREARLEY

TWO STRANDS OF A JEWISH FAMILY REUNITED:  With journalist Nadia Ragozhina

I AM ESTHER AND THIS IS MY STORY:  Narrative and discussion with Hela Shamash

WHAT WERE SERVICES LIKE BEFORE WE HAD SYNAGOGUES?:  Illustrated talk and discussion with Esther Livingstone

A LIFE WITH HUMAN RIGHTS AND WRONGS:  Talk and discussion with Irene Mansfield, who shared anecdotes about her life in politics and education, race relations and women’s issues.

BLESS YOU, BLESS ME! – Talk and discussion led by Rebbetzin Shuli Liss

BUILDING RESILIENCE IN CHANGING TIMES – Talk and discussion with Judith Krichefski

GABY KOPPEL shares her story – MY BRILLIANT TV CAREER: Fabulously name-dropping memories of my life in broadcasting

JUDAISM AND ASTROLOGY: Is it written in the stars?  A thought-provoking discussion lead by Jewish educator, Mimi Meyer

JOURNEYS: Leaving the ultra-orthodox world  – A talk given by Linda Turner, Toni Marcus and Judith Ellenbogen

CAN WOMEN HAVE IT ALL: top job, happy family, healthy body and Friday night dinner on the table? – A talk by Rachel Anticoni

‘JUDAISM FOR SCHOOLS’ – Talk and hands-on activities led by Ruth Jampel

GRANDCHILDREN OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS: continuing impact?  Talk and discussion led by psychotherapist Judi Bauernfreund.

CONNECTING HEAVEN AND EARTH: Exploring personal and collective meaning.  A discussion led by Judith Devons with writing, Shavuot references and visual explorations.

FEMALE, JEWISH AND AN ENGINEER:  Opportunities and challenges of a male-dominated profession – Rachel Morris shared her experiences and led a discussion on breaking down professional stereotypes.

FOLLOWING OUR PROFESSIONAL DREAMS – Interior designers who mix vintage and modern:  A talk by Tamara Broido and Julia Alexander

NURTURING AND HUMANKIND: CELEBRATION OF WOMEN:  Talk and discussion with Esther Livingstone

DANCE MIDRASH – EXPLORING AND UNDERSTANDING TORAH TEXT THROUGH MOVEMENT:  An overview, practical experience (for those who wanted!) and video clips with Jackie Waltz

UNRAVELLING MINDS: Cake before therapy – A Talk and Discussion with Emma Levinson

RASHI AND HIS VIEWS ON WOMEN – A talk and discussion led by Michelle Sint

STORIES FROM “JEWISH LONDON”, “SECRET WHITECHAPEL” AND “WOMEN’S LONDON” – A presentation by Rachel Kosky, Blue Badge Guide

NEW HORIZONS – ISRAELI ART IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL – Talk and discussion with Helena Miller

THE SACRIFICE OF ESTHER: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT ESTHER’S ROLE IN THE PURIM STORY – With guest speaker Mimi Meyer

MINDFULNESS:  THE BENEFITS AND PRACTICE – with Jo Kaye, an accredited mindfulness coach

HITLER’S GIFT: THE SCIENTISTS (MOSTLY JEWS) WHO BUILT THE ATOMIC BOMB – More back stories of science from Amalia Michaels

US WOMEN AND ITS RELEVANCE FOR US – November 2017 – Talk and discussion with Co-Chair Jacqui Zinkin and Treasurer Helen Style

“BRITAIN – THE SACRED REFUGE OF MANKIND?” CURRENT RESPONSES IN BRITAIN TO ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES – October 2017 – Talk given by Margaret Brearley

FROM CONSULTANCY TO CRIME with novelist Karen Millie-JamesJanuary 2017. 8pm

WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?  Patient Choice and Confidentiality – Talk given by Dr Nicola Marks

EINSTEIN – THE SCIENTIST AND THE MAN  A talk given by Amalia Michaels

Women’s Shabbat service leyning:

Following the development of the women’s shabbat service, we would like to increase opportunities for women who would like to learn to leyn a part of the sedra.  If you are interested in taking part in a session where you can learn to leyn (open to women and girls) please email Ruth Teacher