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WELCOME TO HARROW & WEMBLEY PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE

PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM FOR NORTH WEST LONDON

This is the home page for HWPS, an inclusive, friendly and caring community, that welcomes all Jews and non-Jewish spouses and partners and their children.

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HARROW FOODBANK SUPPORTED BY 4-WAY COMMUNITY OPENS IN JUNE.......To support those in need in our local area, 2 collection points are being established at 39 Bessborough and 434 Uxbridge, Road. Using a shopping list of suggested items, it is hoped to contribute to the warehouse tins and packets, to be stored for the food bank. Volunteers are wanted to support this worthy cause, helping at the warehouse, delivering donated goods and in many other ways. There are many ways in which you could get involved. Please contact the Synagogue office or email info@harrow.foodbank.org.uk

NEED A LIFT?......Do you need a lift to enable you to attend our services? Or can you offer a lift to others? If you fall into either of these categories, please contact Lindsey Cohen via the Synagogue Office and she will include you on the rota!

Help the Shul! Buy your Judaica or any books or products through clicking on this link to Amazon and the Shul gets a contribution at no additional cost to you! 

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HWPS is pleased to support applications from parents wishing to register their child for entry to a Jewish School.
Please contact admin@hwps.org for further information.

For a Diary of Events see below or click Here! 

For Legal and Administrative details click Here! 

For the latest news on our Members click Here!

Would you like a permanent memory to recall a loved one or to commemorate a happy occasion? If so, click here for details of how to contribute to the Synagogue's Tree of Life. 

To read the latest Bulletin on-line, click here! You can also read previous months' Hakols by visiting our Bulletin Archive!

Want to hire our Hall for a function of any sort? Very competitive rates and a fine hall with excellent kitchen and other facilities. Contact Ann Simon at the Synagogue office on the phone the number below. For further details and a Lettings Guide click HERE!

'OUTREACH' - We are an inclusive community and welcome mixed faith couples and families to our 
community. The Rabbi also conducts acts of prayer at weddings for mixed faith couples, according to the guidelines of the Liberal Judaism Rabbinic Conference. Please contact Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith at the Synagogue (details below) for more information about questions involving Jewish status and acts of prayer.

39 Bessborough Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA1 3BS

Tel: 020 8864 5323

Email: info@hwps.org

Registered Charity No. 251172

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YOM HA'SHOAH ..........On Saturday evening 6th April members from all 4 communities packed the HWPS sanctuary. A short service was followed by a study of documents relating to the Warsaw Ghetto uprising which took place 70 years ago. This chilling reminder of those dark days was presented most movingly by Rabbis Kathleen de Magtige-Middleton, Frank Dabba Smith and Michael Hilton. A most moving and successful 4-way event.

HWPS AND 4-WAY COMMUNITY WORK WITH MUSLIM GROUPS TO SAVE RIVER JORDAN AND PROMOTE PEACE......Harrow and Wembley, Middlesex New, Kol Chai, and Hatch End Masorti Synagogues, together with Wembley Central Masjid, are working together with EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East and Brent North MP Barry Gardiner, to press the regional and British governments to intervene and save the historic River. Diversion of the River's waters for intensive farming and domestic use, coupled with sewage and agricultural runoff being discharged into it, has left the River's flow at under 5% of its capacity, and extremely polluted. For the full press release click HERE

Rabbi Frank and Shahab Hussein, Secretary General of the Wembley Central Mosque at BBC London radio were interviewed about their involvement with Friends of the Earth Middle East events. Very early morning, Sunday 7th April. With them for moral support are daughters Sarah and Sara!

Pictured above are Class Hay from our 4-way Cheder, HaMakom, who led a family service on the Shabbat of 16th March at HWPS. The service was well attended and enjoyed by all. Thanks to the members of Class Hay and their teachers. If you are interested in your child joining HaMakom please contact the Synagogue Office on 020-8864-5323.

Successful Communal Seder.......On Tuesday 26th March HWPS and MNS joined together to celebrate Pesach. As you can see below, everyone who attended enjoyed the event led by our 2 Rabbis. We recalled our shared history, ate wonderful food and enjoyed friendly company. Thanks to Hana Schlesinger and all those involved in its organisation.

OVER £2,000 raised for Comic Relief! ..........The Synagogue was a sea of red on Erev Shabbat March 15th. Donning red robes, instead of her usual black, Rabbi Kathleen de Magtige Middleton led the service, having raised sponsorship on her 'Rabbi in Red' website. Money was also raised from donations made by HWPS and MNS members who dressed up for the occasion on Red Nose Day. They all enjoyed a meal of vegetarian bakes and salads. The food was paid for by an anonymous donor and all profits from the meal went to charity.

Kiev Koppers.......Kiev Koppers........Kiev Koppers
Bring your loose change to Shul and support our sister community in Kiev, Ukraine. Rabbi Alex Duchovny, previously an assistant Rabbi of HWPS and now the full time rabbi for the Kiev community will be extremely grateful for every penny we can give to help this young community. There is a jar at the back of the sanctuary for donations.  Stop press......Over £14,000 raised to date!!!

PURIM 4-Way Celebrations 2013!.......Everyone enjoyed  PURIM at Bessborough Road on the 24th February. We had fun (as you can see in the picture below), read the Megillah and ate Hamantaschen! Everyone enjoyed themselves, from the youngest to the oldest! 

FABULOUS 4-WAY CHANUKAH CELEBRATIONS......... All 4 communities gathered at Kol Chai Synagogue on 9th December. Together we sang songs, took part in a quiz, were instructed by erudite rabbis, lit candles and 'noshed'! All these ingredients led to the feeling that there was a bright future for our 4-Way community. More joint events are on the way!

COME IN TO OUR NEW LIBRARY! ..........Next time you come to Synagogue at Bessborough Road why not pop in to our new library and take a look? Better still, it is open every day and provides a quiet haven of relaxation in a light, airy room. The Library, which adjoins our sanctuary, has been completely redecorated and refitted, and now houses an impressive selection of books on all Jewish topics. We also have an excellent selection of children's books. You will find many books not widely available so come on in and have a read!

HAMAKOM IS FOUR-MIDABLE! .........Pictured above are the 100 students and teachers, including HWPS youngsters, who comprise our 4-way Progressive Cheder based at Bessborough Road. HaMakom is accepting and inclusive; each student receives a wide and grounded Jewish education, forms a love and emotional attachment to Judaism, and retains a connection with their own Synagogue and community. If you are interested in your child joining HaMakom please contact the Synagogue Office on 020-8864-5323. See us also in the Jewish Chronicle!

News....News.....Would you like to make a donation or legacy to the future of the Synagogue?  Please send a cheque to the Synagogue office. Gift Aid forms are also available from the office, which can increase the value of your donations by 28p for every £ you give. As HWPS is a registered charity, a legacy is exempt from Inheritance Tax and will be deducted from your estate before IHT is calculated. If you would like to leave a legacy to future generations, please click here. Your donation at this time would be greatly appreciated.

MITZVAH DAY!  MITZVAH DAY! ..........On 18th November 2012 our Cheder (HaMakom) took part in this annual event from which contributions are made across the Jewish community. All four communities, along with HaMakom, joined together. Adults and children wrapped 54 boxes and filled them with toys and gifts which were taken to the Barnardo Freeman Family Centre in Harlesden. Another group of adults and children wrapped themselves up warmly and went to Little Stanmore Common where they cleared woodland under the direction of Stephen Bolsover from the Harrow Nature Conservation Forum. A third group of children and adults went to Pocklington House in Northwood which is a residential home for the blind and partially sighted. There they entertained the residents with some songs and a special flute solo and some stand up comedy. Afterwards they chatted to the residents whist handing round fruit and cake. The fourth activity was collecting shopping outside Tesco in Pinner Green. A team of adults asked shoppers to buy an extra item of grocery which we collected on behalf of the Watford New Hope Trust. Thanks to their generosity we collected 12 very full trolleys of goods in the four hours. Back at Kol Chai everyone chatted about their morning over a hot cup of soup agreeing that they had all enjoyed their morning and would be back next year to help some more. Mitzvah Day has become an International event with communities in Israel, America, Poland, Argentina Zimbabwe and Germany, as well as all over the UK, taking part in a variety of activities. Next year’s Mitzvah Day is November 17th!

HWPS LOTTERY GOING GREAT GUNS!.....Congratulations to our latest winners, David and Gina Greenglass. For just £5.00 a month you too can be entered in the monthly draw and win £100! To join ring the Synagogue office or contact Robert Gellman.

SUPPER QUIZ A SUPER SUCCESS - On Sunday 28th October over 120 people enjoyed excellent food and company and some challenging questions from our quiz maestros Alan Hunt and Janet Solomon, ably supported by their scoring team. After fish & chips, red cabbage, challah rolls, lasagne and salad, the teams battled it out, and at the end it was a very close result! But the table led by Jane and Nick Prentice came out trumps...just! The evening raised nearly £1,400 for HWPS and MNS, some of which will be donated to charity. Thanks to all who came and all who were involved in the organisation and catering. Looking forward to next year already!

OUR HONOURED CHATANIM for SIMCHAT TORAH 2012 were Karen Brown (Chatan Torah) and Julian Hunt (Chatan Bereshit). Mazel Tov to them both. At our Simchat Torah services on 7th and 8th October Karen and Julian read the end of the Book of Deuteronomy and the start of the Book of Genesis. (Soft!) sweets were thrown! The scrolls were paraded, and there was also Israeli dancing! Lots of food and sweets at the Kiddush afterwards as well!

YOM KIPPUR APPEAL - On Wednesday 26th September 2012, as part of our Yom Kippur morning service, Adrian Cohen, Chairman of HWPS, delivered the Appeal. Our 4 main charities were the Karen Morris Memorial Trust (providing homes and care for leukaemia patients), Friends of the Middle East (protecting the environment, especially water, of Israel/Jordan/Palestine),  Harrow Mencap (helping local people with learning disabilities and their families) and Hatikva (the Progressive Congregations of Ukraine). Thank you for your generosity, which raised over £7,000. With this we have been able to donate £1,750 to these 4 selected and most worthwhile main charities, with a little held back for other worthy charities through the year. Many thanks in advance to everyone who donated. Every donation, large or small, is much appreciated. For copies of this and previous Appeals click HERE. For a Gift Aid form to increase the value of your donation, if you are a tax payer, click HERE. It is not too late to give. Please send donations to the Synagogue Office.

AGM APPROVES 'OR CHADASH' ACCORD... ACCORD SIGNED!...... On 19th April 2012 HWPS held its 62nd AGM, its first at Bessborough Road. The meeting included the unanimous endorsement of a 4-way Accord between ourselves, Middlesex New Synagogue, Kol Chai Reform and Hatch End Masorti Synagogue (HEMS). The Accord documents the key principles and framework for a new joint community, currently known as 'Or Chadash'. Then, on Monday 23rd April, the Chairs of the 4 Synagogues met in the HWPS sanctuary and signed the Accord. This is a significant moment for each Community. (See attached JC article!) Now more detailed work is required to turn these principles into a concrete proposal to formally institute and create Or Chadash. Ten cross-communal working groups have been formed covering the key questions and essential planning needed in order to come up with detailed plans for the future, and to set out key proposals for approval by each community towards the end of 2012. There will be a number of meetings arranged to review and discuss the findings of each of the groups over the coming months. In the mean time if you have any questions or comments, or wish to be involved in any way, including joining one of the 10 working groups, please contact Adrian Cohen or the Synagogue office.

SUCCESSFUL JOINT EREV SHAVUOT.......On 26th MAY 2012 over 70 people, including many HWPS members, as well as members from Middlesex New, Kol Chai and Hatch End Masorti Synagogues, joined together to celebrate Shavuot at 434 Uxbridge Road. There were 3 separate services followed by a joint Tikkun Leyl led by the respective Rabbis of each community. A series of traditional Shavuot study sessions took place in what may be the first of its kind, a Tikkun that straddled all branches of Progressive Judaism.

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FIRST SERVICES HELD AT BESSBOROUGH ROAD ..........Our first Shabbat services were held at our new home on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th June 2011. The atmosphere was very warm and friendly, with the strong and willing participation of all congregants. A wonderful start to this new era in the history of HWPS.

IN JUNE 2011 WE MOVED!.......FROM 326 TO 39!.......In June 2011 HWPS sold its old building at 326 Preston Road and moved to its new dedicated sanctuary and offices at 39 Bessborough Road, Harrow. Pictures of the move are shown below. 

Pictured above are highlights of the move on 12th June 2011, from the deconsecration of Preston Road and the removal of the mezzuzah, the parade of the scrolls to the waiting Routemaster bus, the Chuppah style reception at Bessborough Road, and taking the scrolls upstairs to our new sanctuary, after which the mezzuzah was banged into place on the door of our new home.  

A farewell service and Kiddush at Preston Road, pictured above,  was held on Saturday 11th June, attended by over 200 people. Our scrolls were transported on 12th June to their new home. A consecration service at Bessborough Road was then held, also attended by over 200, including the Mayor of Harrow.

A farewell dinner took place at 326 Preston Road that evening, at which Rosita Rosenberg, former Executive Director of Liberal Judaism and HWPS member, was the excellent guest speaker. It was also attended by 7 Rabbis, pictured below, including Rabbi Danny Rich, Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism.  

 These are changing, but exciting times at HWPS with great hope for our future, and for that of Progressive Judaism in Harrow and Wembley.

KABBALAT TORAH GRADUATION!......On the 11th December 2010, following their visit to Berlin in August, our Kabbalat Torah class led the service and addressed a large congregation, telling us about their trip, both of the places they visited and of their personal experiences.  They are pictured below at the Kiddush afterwards with our Rabbi. Mazel Tov to them all. 

 13 YEARS.....13 YEARS...RABBI FRANK'S BAR-MITZVAH!...On Shabbat morning, 24th July 2010, over 150 people commemorated  the 13th anniversary of our Rabbi's appointment as the spiritual leader of HWPS. This was a special service, followed by a celebratory Kiddush. A presentation was made to Frank of a replica 'Ernst Leitz' street sign on behalf of the community, to mark this milestone. Frank and his wife Cathy are pictured below with Chairman, Adrian Cohen and former Synagogue Secretary, Barbara Liff, and his gift!

Ernst Leitz was the German Creator of the Leica Camera who also saved hundreds of Jews from the Nazis. As early as 1933 and continuing as late as 1943, Leitz quietly established what has become known as the "Leica Freedom Train", a covert means of allowing his Jewish employees, their families, and even non-Jews to leave Germany under the guise of being 'assigned' overseas Rabbi Frank's enthusiasm for Leica cameras led him to research Leitz's wartime  altruism.

News.....News.....A Synagogue dedication service was held on 5th September 2004 when we moved from our original building at Preston Road to our new building there. For images of how that building evolved click here! Now we have moved again, to our new home at Bessborough Road. Pictures from that move are shown further up of the page!

On 24th July 2004 the Synagogue bade farewell to its original building. The pictures below capture the final service and kiddush. This building is no more and a sheltered housing development was constructed there, in which some of our members reside. 

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If you want to find out more about Harrow and Wembley or have any questions please contact us or write to the Secretary or the Rabbi at the address below; or you could email the Rabbi.