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Welcome to the HWPS Hamakom (Cheder) Page

Pictured above are the 100 students and teachers, including HWPS youngsters, who comprise the new 4-way merged 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!

HaMakom, is jointly run with that of Middlesex New and Kol Chai Reform and Hatch End Masorti, Synagogues. It is a great place for all 5 to 16 year olds to learn about Judaism. 

HaMakom reflects the coming together of 4 communities to educate our children and young adults in Progressive Judaism. As a pluralistic school, we fully respect and honour the Liberal, Reform and Masorti approaches and values with respect to Jewish practice and status/descent.

The Religion School Aims

• To create and foster a sense of Jewish identity and commitment, manifested in seeking further learning and maintaining involvement in Judaism throughout the lives of its pupils;
  
  To teach a core knowledge of Judaism within the areas of Jewish practice, history and Hebrew;
  
  To imbue the pupils with a clear sense of high ethical values, by way of learning and in their behaviour in the class such as sharing, generosity, compassion and fairness;
  
  To introduce the students to the challenges of becoming knowledgeable, independently enquiring, committed and socially involved Progressive Jews;
  
  To develop students’ potential for enhanced spiritual growth by developing awareness of the fundamental questions of life raised by human experiences and how Jewish teachings relate to them, reflecting on their own beliefs, values and experiences in the light of study, enabling pupils to participate fully in services and congregational life, and developing an understanding of Jewish values that help them to form their own informed, independent decisions regarding moral issues;
  
  To develop a Jewish perspective on other faith communities that they may encounter, so that they may live confidently as Jews in a pluralistic society, comfortable in their interaction with those of other faiths or no faith, while maintaining a positive attitude to being Jewish.

Please contact Ann Simon or e-mail admin@hwps.org.uk for further information about the HaMakom.

Class Times
Starts : 09:45
Break : 11:00-11:30
Finish : 12:30


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.

For Purim HaMakom met as usual on 24 February although many of its teachers, assistants and children did not look quite as they normally do! Many had come dressed to take part in the Megilah reading. Each class was given a part of the story to tell. Some acted their bit out, others had turned events into a news report and two scenes were shown on the big screen. Parents joined us during the morning and the congregation was swelled by adults who had come along to hear the story as well as younger children and their parents and some children who had brought their grandparents along. After all the acting everyone tucked into Hamantashen and popcorn.

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!

The Class of 2011

MITZVAH DAY! ..........On 20th November 2011 our Cheder took part in this annual event from which contributions are made across the Jewish community.  Pictured below are a number of our Cheder participants, together with a refugee, a victim of torture in his resident country.

KABBALAT TORAH GRADUATION!......On the 11th December 2010, following their visit to Berlin in August, our five Kabbalat Torot led the Shabbat 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 afterward with our Rabbi. Mazel Tov to them all.

FAMILY SERVICE......A sizeable congregation saw some of our children lead a successful Family Service on the Shabbat morning of May 15th 2010. The kids were supported by their friends and family. They all read very well, having worked hard to perfect their reading. It was a pleasure to see our next generation leading a service.

KABBALAT TORAH GRADUATION!......On the 5th July 2009, following their visit to Berlin in April, our four Kabbalat Torot led the service and addressed the packed congregation. They are pictured below with Rabbi Frank preparing for what was a wonderful service.  Afterwards, our Chairman, Adrian Cohen, presented each of them with a High Holy Days Machzor.

SHABBAT FAMILY SERVICE......On the 13th June 2009, the Cheder children led a memorable morning service. The congregation who attended felt privileged to be there and were impressed by the high standards of reading in  both Hebrew and English. Many thanks to Abbie, Alexandra, Sam, Sarah, Alexander, Rachel, Noah and Tommy.

BACK TO OUR ROOTS!.....Pictured above are the parents, teachers and children of our Cheder on their trip to the Jewish east end of London on 11th February 2007. 35 people visited former Synagogues, the former Yiddish theatre, Brick lane and the site of a Soup Kitchen for the Jewish poor. A worthwhile and enlightening trip for 3 generations!

Pictured above are our four 2006 confirmees, who led the KABBALAT TORAH service on 15th July 2006. A 150 strong congregation enjoyed a moving service. All 4 read from the scroll and told us of their visit to Berlin in April, and of those righteous men and women who had saved Jews during the Nazi period. Alan Solomon, Synagogue Chairman, presented each confirmee with a Machzor after the service.

Get your parents to join.....THE HEBREW SQUAD!!

Can your parents read, write or speak Hebrew? Are you over 16 and want to pass on your knowledge to a new generation of our Synagogue's kids? Why not come and help our Cheder on a Sunday morning? Teach the kids on a one to one basis and watch their Hebrew improve and help them become a source of pride to our Synagogue. A true mitzvah! Just ring Lindsay Cohen or the Synagogue office if you can help.

The Class of 2004

The Class of 2002 (sorry it's a bit fuzzy!)

Policy on Photographs of Children

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