Reading the Book of Ruth on Shavuot

Alongside the episode of giving the Torah, on Shavuot we also read the seemingly less spectacular story of Ruth.

However, even without a smoking mountain or the Ten Commandments, Ruth is still a powerful tale of embracing Judaism.

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The Jewish Calendar

Friday, May 25 (Sivan 4), Shabbat begins in London at 8.46; Bournemouth 8.43; Leeds 8.58; Manchester 9.04; Tyneside 9.10; Glasgow 9.25; Jerusalem 6.55 (local time).

Saturday, May 26 (Sivan 5), erev Shavuot. Portion of the Law (Torah): Bemidbar, Numbers 1:1 to 4: 20. Portion of the Prophets (Haftarah): Hosea 2:1-22. Ethics 6.

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Apology: Mr McTernan

On May 13 2011, we published an article entitled "Pears funded charity which hosted jihadist" which related to the Pears Foundation, a charity called Forward Thinking, and an individual called Tafazal Mohammed.

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Fears over commercial plans for Serbia death camp

Historians and Jewish leaders who met this week in Serbia to discuss the future of the country’s largest death camp are concerned that the site could be subsumed in a commercial development.

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Failing the test

You are a pupil who has been studying hard for your GCSE examinations. Today you face the Religious Studies exam.

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That's democracy

It is difficult to admire Avigdor Lieberman. He holds views which many British Jews find, to say the least, difficult. He appears certain to be indicted for corruption. He behaves as if his political mission is to create enemies rather than allies for Israel.

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Lithuanian youth head backs Nazi leader

The head of Lithuania’s national youth association (ULNY) has denied that the country’s wartime puppet leader authorised the transportation of thousands of Jews to the Kaunas ghetto — and maintained that Jews cannot join his movement.

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Warner's a winner

Adam Warner maintained his excellent run of form with victory in the 1,500m time trials at Crystal Palace Sports Centre.

A victorious Warner also broke the sub-17-minute barrier in his third 1,500m race in six weeks. During this time he has knocked 21 seconds of his personal best time. Warner will now start the outdoor season with a 10K at the Olympic venue at Dorney Lake.

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MAL's misfiring batsman disappoint against SKLP

MAL's batsmen continued to misfire as they were soundly beaten by SKLP on Sunday in Division One of the Middlesex Sunday Cricket League.

SKLP won the toss and chose to bat on a slow pitch with a very sluggish outfield. They started aggressively, taking 10 off the first over, but Yoav Lebens and Kev Venter slowed the scoring rate, until Venter made the breakthrough, bowling Hiran for 5.

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Two out of two for LM Vale under-13's

London Maccabi Vale under-13's made it two out of two with a comfortable win over Southgate Adelaide.

LMV record a superb victory against a promising Southgate team, with Gidon Katten (31) and Aron Gale leading the way with a record-breaking opening partnership of 61.

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LM Vale under-13's off to a flyer

London Maccabi Vale under-13's got their season off to an excellent start with victory over Cockfosters at Rowley Lane.

After a long rain-delayed start to the season, the teams lined-up on a very damp pitch, with scoring for both teams proving very difficult due to the long outfield. LMVCC won the toss and elected to bowl.

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Rusty Chigwell & Hainault beaten by Old Parkonians

Chigwell & Hainault Synagogue CC started off their season in disappointing fashion with a 32-run loss against Old Parkonians Sunday ‘B’ side.

Despite the loss there were a number of positives to be taken from the bowling and fielding performance in particular.

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Flowers on shavuot

Florists in Israel and in Jewish communities around the world will be busy next week in the run-up to Shavuot. Why do we celebrate the festival of receiving of the Torah and of bringing the first fruits (bikkurim) to the Temple by decorating synagogues with flowers?

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Kisharon launches national helpline

Special needs charity Kisharon unveiled a helpline scheme at its gala dinner in central London on Sunday, which raised £450,000.

Chairman Philip Goldberg told the 500 guests that the service would give “Jewish people from around the country somewhere to phone when they need emotional support on issues relating to learning difficulties. It is in response to an identified need.”

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