Czech mates meet again in London

Czech Ambassador Michael Žantovský hosted the annual reunion of Holocaust survivors and their families originating from Ostrava, organised by Kingston Synagogue's Ostrava Scroll Group.

Seventy "Ostrawaks" attended, some travelling from the Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium and Germany.

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School for south London?

Promoters of a plan to set up a Jewish primary in south London have been encouraged by the initial response to a survey to gauge demand.

Kingston Liberal Synagogue's Ben Baginsky, who is co-chairman of the school group, said that most of the 100 responses received to date were positive. But a bigger sample was needed to assess the viability of the idea.

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Odessa files

There was a large turnout at a Kenton, Kingsbury and Wembley adult education programme meeting for an illustrated account of a visit by Kenton Synagogue members to the Tikva children's home in Odessa.

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Fighting Israel's corner

Kingston United and Liberal communities have joined forces to produce a response to the controversial Methodist Church report, Justice for Palestine and Israel.

A working party under the leadership of Peter Brady and Jack Green has issued a 60-page document, dealing "with various inaccuracies and bias contained in the report".

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Kingston professionals hit right note

Kingston Synagogue's decision to bring in professional chazanim over the High Holy Days has been rewarded with significantly increased attendances.

Three hundred people were at a midnight selichot service with renowned American cantor Moshe Schulhof. To avoid impacting on shul funds, the event was sponsored by anonymous donors.

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American selichot star

Kingston Synagogue brought in a star attraction for its first midnight selichot service on Saturday.

Chazan Moshe Schulhof flew over from Miami to take the lead role. He was accompanied by the 25-strong London Cantorial Singers under the direction of David Druce and with boy soloist Amitai Kerbel.

An audience of 300 included guests from other south London communities.

Also present was United Synagogue chief executive Jeremy Jacobs, who was among the speakers.

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Czech Jewish heritage visit

A mayoral reception, concert and an art exhibition were features of the programme organised by the Ostrava municipality for an international party of descendants of the Czech city's pre-war 30,000 Jewish community. The visit was arranged through Kingston Synagogue's Ostrava group.

Tour leader David Lawson was astonished by the huge media interest in the trip - it was reported on Czech TV and radio and in the country's leading daily newspaper.

"It was very emotional for the visitors to discover their roots in Ostrava," he said.

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Kingston synagogue's memorial in Ostrava

Kingston United Synagogue's Ostrava Group has been instrumental in the establishment of a memorial to Holocaust victims from the Czech town.

Cobblestone-sized shiny brass plates, recording the name, date of birth, deportation destination and date of death have been installed on the pavements outside their former homes.

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Kingston synagogue helps Czech Jewish archive

America's Holocaust Memorial Museum is to fund the digitisation of a Czech archive assembled by Kingston Synagogue's Ostrava group.The support was announced on Sunday at the group's annual reception for survivors and descendants of Ostrava Jewry.

The group was set up five years ago to find out more about the history of Ostrava and its Jewish community after a Sefer Torah once used there was offered to the Kingston shul on permanent loan by the Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust.

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Mosaic unveiled at Kingston shul

A giant mosaic was unveiled at Kingston Liberal Synagogue, the product of six months work by congregants.

Installed on a wall at the entrance to the shul’s new extension, the mosaic was conceived by KLS member Sandra Webber. The 120 KLS members across the age spectrum cut and glued the tiny tiles which make up the work. It features biblical symbols such as the dove of peace — designed by 14-year-old Liane Aviram — and a tree of life comprising 613 mirrored leaves.

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Kingston hosting Czech mates

More than 60 people with connections to the one-time 10,000 Jewish population of the Czech city of Ostrava gathered at Kingston Synagogue to share memories and review research by the shul’s Ostrava group.

The group was set up four years ago after a Sefer Torah once used in Ostrava was offered to Kingston on permanent loan by the Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust. In that time, the team has developed links with families originating from the region and has heard remarkable survival stories of Ostrava Jews.

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Kingston United Synagogue members joine former congregants for celebratory lunch

Kingston United Synagogue members joined former congregants who are now Nightingale House residents for a celebratory lunch organised as part of an "Israel at 60" programme at the South London home. Among the lunch guests was centenarian Flora Moss, who is life president of the Kingston ladies' guild. Guest speaker was Kingston board member Colin Green, who highlighted Israel's achievements in world-transforming technologies.

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New rabbi for Kingston

Kingston Synagogue members have ratified the appointment of American-born Michael Rosenfeld as their new rabbi at an EGM. The 30-year-old, who impressed during a trial weekend with the community last month, is expected to start in October.

The vacancy was created by the imminent departure of Rabbi David Mason for Muswell Hill Synagogue.
Like his predecessor at Kingston, Rabbi Rosenfeld trained at Yeshivat Ha-mivtar in Efrat.

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Chief Superintendent Laura Nicholson guest speaker at Kingston Wizo’s summer lunch

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Kingston rabbi's new arrivals

Kingston Synagogue minister Rabbi David Mason celebrated two arrivals at the weekend. Late on Shabbat, his wife Elisheva gave birth to their third child, a son. And Sunday saw the advent of another of his “babies” — the consecration of the community’s first new Sefer Torah.

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