Author Archives: Josh Shindler

1. Hampstead AGM – 18 May 2015

   23rd February 2015 10:49 am Comments Off on Hampstead AGM – 18 May 2015

   All members are invited to this year’s Annual General Meeting at 8pm on 18 May 2015. Voting from 6.30pm.

2. 10 teams compete to be ‘Cholent Fest Master’

   22nd February 2015 9:15 am Comments Off on 10 teams compete to be ‘Cholent Fest Master’

   Hampstead United Synagogue hosted its third annual Cholent Fest, in an event that has been dubbed “the world’s largest celebration of cholent”.

   This year, 10 teams competed for the title of ‘Cholent Fest Master’, with 250 people attending the event.

   The steamy competition was judged by Harry Lomas OBE of the Grove Hotel, formerly the personal chef to the Queen.

   At his side were cholent experts Jack Bendahan of Kosher Deli and Cholent Fest founder Josh Zaitschek.

   There was also a food market, including wine tastings and a biltong station. “I look forward to this night all year long,” said Josh Zaitschek. “Seeing our amazing community coming together to enjoy the foods that have been there with us throughout the ages, makes me feel all warm and chulenty!”

   

   

   

   

   
   

   

   

   

   

   
   

   

   

   

   

   
   

   

   

   

   

   
   

   

   

   

   

   
   

   

   

   
   

    

3. Certificate of Religious Practice – Jewish School Admissions

   17th February 2015 4:45 pm Leave a Comment

   Recording Attendance at Synagogue for the purpose of completing a Certificate of Religious Practice (“CRP”)

   1. Any person who wishes to have their attendance recorded for the purposes of a CRP (“the Attendee”) must submit his/her, and his/her child’s, full name, address and date of birth to the synagogue administrator, as soon as possible, but not later than 10 am two days before the first Sabbath or Yom Tov on which he/she wishes his/her attendance to be recorded.
   2. The Shul administrator will create a Register of Attendance to be used for each Shabbat and Yom Tov service.
   3. A Registration Officer (RO) has been appointed who is responsible for the Register and will ensure that attendances are properly recorded.
   4. On Shabbat and Yom Tov the Attendee and his/her child must report in person to the RO on each occasion they attend synagogue, and may be asked to confirm their address and date of birth. Please ask at the Shul door for further details. The Register will be open between 10am and noon.
   5. For weekday attendance, please report to either the Rabbi or Honorary Officer who will make an appropriate record which will be retained for future reference.
   6. All records will be confidential, and will only be used to enable the authorised official to sign the CRP.

   NOTE: A copy of this Procedure will be displayed in the synagogue and on our website, and is also available on request. It has been made public so that visitors to the synagogue can be clear at an early stage about what they will need to do in order to comply.

4. Synagogue restored

   4:43 pm Leave a Comment

   The first service in our restored synagogue since its multi-million pound restoration was a truly historic event. Rabbi Harris introduced Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks who inspired a large congregation which included dignitaries from the United Synagogue and people central to the building project. It was standing room only on the ground floor. The service was conducted by Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld and Chazan Jonny Turgel accompanied by the Shabbaton Choir. The boy soloist was Eli Baigel whose voice was so beautiful that there were even a few men with tears in their eyes. What a wonderful way to start the second chapter of Hampstead Synagogue’s illustrious history!

5. Hampstead US Chair Wins President’s Award

   4:41 pm Leave a Comment

   The award was instigated by Stephen Pack, President of the United Synagogue, to recognise the importance of the tireless work of Honorary Officers across the United Synagogue, past and present. Their commitment to these voluntary roles is highly valued but often overlooked and it is hoped that the award will give prominence to the commitment of United Synagogue Honorary Officers.

   Nominated by his Board of Management and Rabbi, Michael Haringman has been chairman of Hampstead Synagogue since 1997. He has overseen many positive developments in the community over the last 15 years, with his greatest achievement being the driving force behind the spectacular renovation of the Synagogue.

   Michael Haringman commented: “My thanks go to Stephen Pack for honouring me with this award. Without the support of my community, Rabbi Dr Michael Harris, the Honorary Officers and Board of Management, this would not have been possible. I look forward to continuing my work at Hampstead and helping the community grow from strength to strength.”

   Stephen Pack commented: “I am delighted to present the first ever US President’s Award to Michael Haringman, Chairman of Hampstead Synagogue. Since I have taken up my role as President of the US, I can really appreciate the huge amount of hard work by our Honorary Officers and Lay Leaders in all the communities. Whilst the Centre provides the infrastructure, it is the Shuls that are the heart of the organisation. I would like to congratulate all of the other nominees for their hard work in making their synagogues a place where all community members feel proud to be a part of.”

6. Josh and Yocheved Zaitchek Join the Team

   17th March 2014 4:47 pm Leave a Comment

   Hampstead has the first ever Living and Learning couple.  The role is the first of its kind to be funded centrally by The US.  Josh and Yocheved Zaitchek will be inspiring local Jewish professionals in their 20s and 30s who may have grown up as members of the United Synagogue but are no longer affiliated.

   The new role, which will involve running special services on Shabbat, hosting Friday night dinners and organising social and educational programmes, was conceived by the US’ Living and Learning team, in the knowledge that an increasing number of young people are becoming less affiliated once they leave home. The Zaitchecks will be based at Hampstead Synagogue.

   Originally from New York, Josh trained as a chef before studying in Israel at the Yeshivat Ohr Yerushalayim, Kollel Moshav Matisyahu as well as at the Chafetz Chaim, the Rabbinical Seminary of America. He is currently studying for his semicha.  He adds;

   “Yocheved and I are really excited to be moving to Hampstead and we can’t wait to get to know everyone. It seems like the perfect community for us and we can’t wait to build on what Rabbi Harris and others have already created at Hampstead Synagogue.”

   David Collins, Community Liaison Manager for the US explained;

   “It has become clear that there is a huge number of young singles and young married couples living in Hampstead from communities across the UK, who are proud Jews but for various reasons, are less involved in the community. Josh and Yocheved live and breathe authentic, inclusive Judaism and are the perfect role models for young Jewish professionals.”

   Our chairman Michael Haringman said:

   “I am delighted to confirm that Josh has agreed to join us as Living & Learning Liaison with special responsibility for our 20/30 year olds.This is a very significant moment for our shul. The development of our LAUNCH membership is crucial to the shul’s success. Josh has many exciting plans for our community and we look forward to working with him to bring those plans to a successful realisation. We have needed to be patient in our search for the right candidate but we believe that the wait has been worthwhile and that we have now made an exceptional appointment for Hampstead.

   We are grateful to the United Synagogue for facilitating Josh’s appointment.”