Live music, food and family fun. Face painting, decorate your own donut and also enjoy latkes, schnitzel and chips.

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Kindly sponsored by the Kline & Joel families in memory of George Kline ob'm.

At Chanukah, we celebrate the redemption of the Jewish people from the yoke of their oppressors. In the darkness we light candles to represent freedom and hope. Never has Chanukah been more meaningful than this year. Israel was plunged into darkness on 7 October 2023 by the most appalling terrorist massacre that the country has ever experienced. We have all grieved for those lost and abducted and continue to pray for the safe return of the hostages still in the clutches of Hamas.

With antisemitism at record levels, this has also been a difficult time for  Jewish communities here and around the world. Jews have been abused in the streets, antisemitic graffiti has appeared, schools have been defaced and Jewish students and schoolchildren have been so intimidated that they feel unable to wear visible Jewish symbols. However, if Chanukah teaches us anything it is that dark periods in our history always pass and that light returns.

We wish you and your families a happy and above all a peaceful Chanukah.

For all those that are in need of a Refuah Shlema (רפואה שלמה) - may they be granted a complete and speedy recovery.
Please let us know of anyone that you feel should be included in our weekly prayers. (Please provide their Hebrew name and their mothers Hebrew name.).

Parashat Vayeshev in a Nutshell

Genesis 37:1–40:23

The name of the Parshah, "Vayeshev," means "And he dwelt" and it is found in Genesis 37:1.

Jacob settles in Hebron with his twelve sons. His favorite is seventeen-year-old Joseph, whose brothers are jealous of the preferential treatment he receives from his father, such as a precious many-colored coat that Jacob makes for Joseph. Joseph relates to his brothers two of his dreams which foretell that he is destined to rule over them, increasing their envy and hatred towards him.

Simeon and Levi plot to kill him, but Reuben suggests that they throw him into a pit instead, intending to come back later and save him. While Joseph is in the pit, Judah has him sold to a band of passing Ishmaelites. The brothers dip Joseph’s special coat in the blood of a goat and show it to their father, leading him to believe that his most beloved son was devoured by a wild beast.

Judah marries and has three children. The eldest, Er, dies young and childless, and his wife, Tamar, is given in levirate marriage to the second son, Onan. Onan sins by spilling his seed, and he too meets an early death. Judah is reluctant to have his third son marry her. Determined to have a child from Judah’s family, Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute and seduces Judah himself. Judah hears that his daughter-in-law has become pregnant and orders her executed for harlotry, but when Tamar produces some personal effects he left with her as a pledge for payment, he publicly admits that he is the father. Tamar gives birth to twin sons, Peretz (an ancestor of King David) and Zerach.

Joseph is taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, the minister in charge of Pharaoh’s slaughterhouses. G‑d blesses everything he does, and soon he is made overseer of all his master’s property. Potiphar’s wife desires the handsome and charismatic lad; when Joseph rejects her advances, she tells her husband that the Hebrew slave tried to force himself on her, and has him thrown into prison. Joseph gains the trust and admiration of his jailers, who appoint him to a position of authority in the prison administration.

In prison, Joseph meets Pharaoh’s chief butler and chief baker, both incarcerated for offending their royal master. Both have disturbing dreams, which Joseph interprets; in three days, he tells them, the butler will be released and the baker hanged. Joseph asks the butler to intercede on his behalf with Pharaoh. Joseph’s predictions are fulfilled, but the butler forgets all about Joseph and does nothing for him.

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