Religion School News

In January, all teaching staff a6ended a fantastic training session, organised jointly by Liberal Judaism and the Reform Movement, returning to SPS re-invigorated by training with and exchanging ideas with colleagues from so many other communities. January also saw the Bar Mitzvah of Ben Jeckel. Congratulations to Ben and to all his family! 

In February, Ruach celebrated the New Year for Trees with a lovely Tu B’Shevat Seder. Many thanks to Rachelle Ellenby for helping to prepare everything so beautifully. 

We always plant a tree on Tu B’Shevat, but this year was very special, in spite of the rain, because we planted a tree in the Memorial Garden in memory of Hilda Schindler, who died in 2017, and who for many years was the Head Teacher of the religion school. Our Bnei Mitzvah students helped to lead the brief service. Alice Dack and Ilana Keren planted the tree on behalf of the students at Ruach, and one of our teachers, Stuart Finesilver, who is also a former student of Hilda’s, put down the memorial plaque. 

Looking forward to March, there will be lots of celebrations, with another Family Service, as well as celebrating Purim and Pesach. We are always delighted to welcome young families to join us for our Pesach Seder, which will be on 24th March. Please contact our administrator, Shelley Samuels, if you would like to come along. 

Meanwhile, we are still looking for volunteers to get involved with our programme of activities for our youngest members and their friends. Even if you cannot make a regular commitment, please let me know if you might be available occasionally to fill in, for example, when one of the regular volunteers is ill. 

Gwendolen Burton

Religion School News

In December, Ruach took part in a fantastic Family Service, which included a prayer that the primary school age students had written in class. Graham Carpenter led the music during the service, and beforehand he ran a fun teaching session, when everyone was invited to come along and learn new tunes, ready for the service itself. 

December also saw the Bat Mitzvah of Ella Green. Congratulations to Ella and to all her family! 

At the beginning of January, all teaching staff will be attending the annual training session organised jointly by Liberal Judaism and the Reform Movement. We look forward to returning for the new term re-invigorated by training and exchanging ideas with colleagues from other communities. 

Meanwhile, we are still looking for volunteers to get involved with our programme of activities for our youngest members and their friends. Even if you cannot make a regular commitment, please let me know if you might be available occasionally to fill in, for example, when one of the regular volunteers is ill. 

Religion School News

During the first half of term, we have focussed on the High Holidays. Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we took some of the younger students to Oakwood Park to do Tashlich: symbolically throwing away our mistakes from the past year, in the form of bird seed, which of course pleased the local ducks on the pond in Oakwood Park. However, we didn’t just focus on our mistakes. We celebrated our achievements in the past year, and chose some positive aims for the year ahead, all sealed by eating Honey Cake. Other highlights of the trip were the excellent playground, and the opportunity to wave to the trains from the railway bridge (see photograph), with one train driver whistling in response.

During Sukkot, we had Tefillah in the SPS Sukkah, and found out about the four species that make up the Lulav. Several students waved the Lulav, and we wondered whether we could grow our own Lulav in future. We will be looking into buying a Willow or perhaps a Myrtle to plant in the synagogue garden this Tu Bishevat. However, both the Palm and Etrog are used to warmer climates, and will need to grow in a greenhouse or conservatory. Before Simchat Torah, we had a fantastic visit from the Liberal Judaism youth group, LJY-Netzer, who ran fun educational activities for the students. LJY-Netzer also have a full range of holiday activities, including Hadrachah (leadership training), and you can find more details on their website: www.ljy-netzer.org. 

On Simchat Torah itself, we organised activities for children, including making our own Torah Mantle costumes, and creating model Torah Scrolls out of sweets! During November, Ruach will be visiting the Hugh Myddelton nursing home, as our Mitzvah Day project. Throughout the term, we will be collecting Tsedakah contributions for World Jewish Relief’s International Disaster Appeal. You can read more about the charity’s work at: www.worldjewishrelief.org/support-us/appeals. 

For our very youngest members and their friends, our parent and toddler group, Mini-Ruach, was back in October, after a short break for the High Holidays. The next session of Mini-Ruach will be on Friday 10th November at 10am. Meanwhile, our popular Friday Children’s Service will be on Friday 3rd November at 4.15pm, and our monthly Tots Service will be on Saturday 18th November at 10am. 

Finally, after the Chanukah break, we hope to repeat the success of last year’s History Project, where we asked adult members of the congregation to come into class to talk about their childhood memories. This time the theme will be “Israel,” to tie in with the younger students’ Jewish Studies curriculum. 

Religion School News

 In July, Ruach celebrated the end of term with an excellent interactive storytelling workshop, run by Amie Taylor, who came highly recommended by the book charity, PJ Library. 

Congratulations also to our prize winners: Oliver, Andrew, Arthur, Ella, Max and Ilana, and many thanks to the SPS Chairman, Bob Dulin, who presented the prizes. 

The new term starts on 9th September, when we will be welcoming three new teachers. Charlotte Golding and Ben Pick who grew up in our community, and have worked in Ruach as teaching assistants for the last two years. I am delighted to announce that they will be starting their new role as teachers from September, working with the younger students. 

Meanwhile, Peter Luijendijk will be joining us from Leo Baeck College, where he is a second year rabbinic student. Peter will be teaching the older students in the run up to their Bnei Mitzvah. 

For our very youngest members and their friends, our parent and toddler group, Mini-Ruach, connues to grow, with 24 children coming along on the last Friday session before the summer holidays. The next session of Mini-Ruach will be on Friday 8th September at 10am. 

Religion School News

We are now recruiting staff for September, so please get in touch with me, if you are interested in teaching, or if you know anyone who might be suitable: headteacher@sps.uk.com.

A highlight for Ruach in June was the Family Service. While Philip and Jane provided coffee for parents, the students spent the first part of the morning with Graham Carpenter, in a fun music workshop, before joining parents and the regular congregation in the sanctuary for a truly uplifting service. Thank you to everyone who took part.

The next Family Service will be a Friday Family Service on Friday 7th July at 4.15pm. Natalie and Katie will be providing refreshments again. We look forward to seeing you there!

July will also see the end of term for Ruach, and we will be holding a celebration and prize giving (prize winners will be reported in the next issue of the Gate). We will also be welcoming Amie Taylor, who comes highly recommended by the book charity, PJ Library. Amie will be running interactive storytelling workshops for the students on Jewish themes.

Sadly, at the end of term, we will also be saying good-bye to two very valued members of staff. Phoebe Cohen, who has grown up in our community, was a student and an assistant at Ruach, and has been teaching Jewish Studies for the last two years. Phoebe will be starting her university course in the autumn. Rachel Vogler came to us from Finchley Reform Synagogue, and has been teaching the Bnei Mitzvah class this year. Rachel will also be concentrating on her studies next year. We will miss Phoebe and Rachel, and we wish them every success in the future.

Finally, our parent and toddler group, Mini-Ruach, is going from strength to strength, with over 20 children coming on a Friday morning. The last Friday session before the summer holidays will be on 14th July at 10am.

Ruach Teacher Required

Teacher Required for Ruach - Southgate Progressive Synagogue Religion School

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and dynamic Religion School teacher to teach Jewish Studies, starting in September 2017.
We are a friendly, caring, Liberal Jewish community with an ethos of inclusion and equal opportunities for all. Ruach meets on Saturday mornings during school term-times.

Children’s safety and welfare is of paramount importance to us and you will require a full Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

For an application form, please apply in confidence to our Honorary Secretary Mrs Jane Greenfield (secretary@sps.uk.com). To arrange a visit or to discuss the job in more detail, please contact the Head Teacher, Gwendolen Burton: Headteacher@sps.uk.com.

Religion School News

In May, we celebrated Yom Ha-atsma’ut (Israeli Independence Day), with help from the Liberal Judaism youth movement, LJY Netzer. 
Everyone had a fantastic morning! 

The younger students went to Oakwood Park, where we learnt about Israel through an educational game. When we returned to SPS, we tried our hand at decorating kosher marshmallows with blue edible pen and sparkles (see picture), and ate a yummy cake, decorated in blue and white to look like the 
Israeli flag. 

Later in the morning, we saw a film about LJY Netzer, which got our students interested in joining the LJY Netzer summer scheme this year 
(available for students age 8 upwards, from 14th – 27th August). There is also a full day of activities run by LJY Netzer in June, alongside the Liberal Judaism Day of Celebration. For more information see: www.ljy-netzer.org 

We are now recruiting staff for September, so please get in touch with me, if you know anyone suitable: headteacher@sps.uk.com. 

Finally, our parent and toddler group, Mini-Ruach, is going from strength to strength, with over 20 children coming on a Friday morning. The next Friday session will be on 9th June at 10am, and the next Saturday session will be on 17th June at 10am. 

Gwendolen Burton

Religion School News

During March, Ruach students celebrated both Purim and Pesach (rather early), on each occasion with a whole morning of activities.

On 11th March, students were invited to come to Ruach in costume for our Purim celebrations. 

Congratulations to the winners of the fancy dress parade: Alice and David. 

As well as dressing up, we also baked tradi,onal homentaschen, and tried our hand at palmiers. These pastries, which look a lile like ears, are a delicious idea for Purim, apparently originating in France. At the end of the morning, we made Mishloach Manot (tradi,onal Purim gifts containing food, including homentaschen), which the students then gave to members of the Shabbat morning congregation, somewhat to their surprise! Many thanks to Barbara Ostermeyer, who made a batch of homentaschen to supplement our own baking endeavours. 

Other activities during the morning were a lively Megillah reading, accompanied by lots of noise from our home-made graggers; an illustrated Megillah, which can be seen on the notice board in the Baron Harris Room; and a Purim Photo Booth (see pictures). 

On 25th March, we celebrated the Ruach Pesach Seder. This was a “bring a friend event.” We were able to include our visitors in the reading of the Haggadah, as well as in a number of other activities, including baking our own Matzah, and the now tradi,onal hard-boiled egg championship. 

April is a quiet month for Ruach, as it includes the Pesach break. However, we are already making plans for May, when LJY Netzer will be joining us in Oakwood Park, for a joint celebration of Yom Ha-atsma’ut and Lag Ba’omer. Also in May, we will be welcoming a new member of Ruach staff, George Panayiotou. George will be teaching the GCSE class when Gerry is away.

Religion School News

For Ruach staff, the Spring Term started with an inspiring training day, organised jointly by Liberal Judaism and Reform Judaism. We had the opportunity to learn with a wide variety of experts and to meet colleagues from across London and the South East. Everyone came home energised and enthused for the coming term. 

The Spring term is a short term, but it includes a number of festival celebrations. On 11th March we will be celebrating Purim, and on 25th 
March we will hold our Ruach Pesach Seder. All children in the community are welcome. Please let Shelley know if you want to bring your child along: religionschool@sps.uk.com 

Meanwhile, during February, Ruach students and their guests celebrated Tu Bishevat, the New Year for Trees, with a Tu Bishevat Seder on 4th February. The youngest and oldest students (Lucy Grant and Ilana and Daniel Keren) also planted a plum tree in the garden, next to the olive tree that we planted last year on Tu Bishevat. Many thanks to Rachelle Ellenby for preparing all the fruit that 

we tasted during the Seder, and also to Natalie Baynes for choosing the plum tree. 

Meanwhile, our parent and toddler group, Mini-Ruach, 
is continuing on the second and fourth Friday of the month, together with occasional Saturdays. Come along and join the fun! (Please add pictures) 
Mini-Ruach is open to both members and to non-members. It is for babies and children under 5, accompanied by an adult.

Religion School News

The January term starts, as usual, with an INSET training day for Ruach staff. We attend a Limmud-style day, with a choice of sessions, for teachers working in religion schools within Progressive Judaism. The day is organised jointly by Liberal Judaism and the Movement for Reform Judaism. Apart from being a fantastic learning opportunity, it also gives us a chance to compare notes with our colleagues, and benefit from their experiences. 

Also during January, Ruach is holding one of its regular PACT mornings (Parents And Children Together). This is an opportunity for parents to spend part of the morning in class with their child, and to meet their teachers. 

When they do come into class, parents will find us preparing to make a short film as an entry for the Liberal Judaism LAFTAs competition. The film will be on the theme: what would your community look like in the Messianic Age? To prepare for making the film, we have been studying the special LAFTAs curriculum, designed by Rabbi Margaret Jacobi, covering the topics of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Justice and Kindness, as well as learning what we mean by the Messianic Age. 

Meanwhile, our parent and toddler group, Mini-Ruach, is running regularly. During December, we took delivery of some fantastic soft play equipment. Dates for Mini-Ruach sessions can be found on the SPS website and on the Mini-Ruach noticeboard in the Kiddush Room. 

Religion School News

During November, Ruach invited adult members of the congregation to come into class and share their memories with the students, as part of a History Project. 

We had a fantastic morning with our guests, and the session turned out to be both informative and fun for the students and for staff members, as well as an opportunity for Ruach and the regular congregants to get to know each other. Many thanks to Pearl, Jane, Jonathan and Bob for spending the morning with us. We hope that this will become a regular feature of the Ruach curriculum. 

Many thanks also to Jill Newton, who organised the SPS Book Sale, to coincide with Mitzvah Day. The Book Sale was for the benefit of Magen David Adom, the charity chosen by Ruach students as this term's tzedakah project. 

In December, we will be raising money again for Magen David Adom, and for Mini-Ruach, our parent and toddler group, during our Chanukah celebrations, with a cake sale and a toy sale on December 17th. We would like to welcome all children in the community to these Chanukah celebrations, so please do let Shelley know if you want to bring your child along: religionschool@sps.uk.com 

Meanwhile, our parent and toddler group, Mini-Ruach, has started up again, with regular weekly sessions, after a break during the High Holy Days, when the Hall was unavailable. Mini-Ruach is for babies and children under 5, accompanied by an adult, and is open to both members and to non-members.

Religion School News

During October, Ruach made a trip to Oakwood Park to do Tashlich before Yom Kippur (symbolically throwing away our mistakes from last year). There was also an opportunity to play in the fantastic playground there. 

We started by thinking of something positive that happened last year, something positive that we want to keep with us as we go into the new year. Then we chose a mistake or a bad habit that we wanted to get rid of, and we threw bird seed into the water, as a symbolic way of throwing away that negative experience. Finally, we made a resolution for the new year, something positive for the future, and sealed the deal by eating honey cake. 

Also during October, we had a visit from LJY-Netzer, who ran a fun packed morning of activities on the theme of Sukkot. There was also an element of training for our assistants. Thank you to Sam Alston of LJY-Netzer for planning it all and for spending the morning with us. 

During November, there will be a Book Sale for the benefit of Magen David Adom, the charity chosen by Ruach students as this term's tzedakah project. The Book Sale will be on 26th November, to coincide with Mitzvah Day (see flyer). There is a Family Service on the same day, so please do come and join us. Now that the Hall has re-opened, our parent and toddler group, Mini-Ruach, will be meeting regularly throughout November and December. Our pilot sessions during September had an excellent response from SPS parents, as well as from parents outside the SPS community. The Hall is a fantastic space for our youngest members to play (see picture), and for parents to meet and chat, and offer each other support. 

I am delighted to report that the NLPS Trust has given us some funding specifically to support the parent and toddler group, so we will be buying some larger items to supplement the very generous donations of toys that we have already received. 

Religion School News

I am delighted to report that Mini-Ruach started on 9th September. This is our new parent and toddler group for children from birth to age 5. Grandparents also welcome! 

Future dates for Mini-Ruach are adversed in the weekly newsletter, and on the Mini-Ruach noctieboard in the Baron Harris room.

Thank you to everyone who has donated toys and equipment, so far, with a special thank you to Barbara and Gerry Ostermeyer. Ruach started on 10th September, and we were very pleased to welcome a new member of staff, Rachel Vogler, who will be teaching Kalanit (years 6-8).

The morning finished with an opportunity to practise our circus skills, with the help of an outside entertainer. Both students and staff enjoyed this, with tight rope walking one of the most popular experiences.

Religion School News

Last term ended with a celebration of our students’ work, with awards handed out by our Chairman, Bob Dulin. Sadly, we also had to say good-bye and thank you to some members of staff, three of whom are moving away to pursue their studies. 

We finished the morning by practicing our circus skills, with the help of an outside entertainer. Both students and staff enjoyed this, with the tight rope one of the most popular experiences. 

The new Ruach term starts on 10th September, when we will be welcoming back our students and also a new member of our teaching staff, Rachel Vogler, who will be teaching Kalanit (years 6-8). 
I am pleased to report that our students will continue to take part in the SPS Family Services during 2016-17. The September service will be on 24th September, when we hope to welcome parents and other members to the service, and to a Coffee Morning before the service. 

Finally, I am delighted to announce that we will be starting Mini-Ruach this autumn, a new playgroup for babies and toddlers, from birth to age five, attending with their parents or grandparents. We are currently appealing for donations of toys and equipment, so please do help us, if you can. Dates for Mini-Ruach will be advertised in the weekly newsletter, and on the Mini-Ruach noticeboard in the Baron Harris room. 

Gwendolen Burton (Ruach Head Teacher)

Religion School News

We have just launched our Buddy Scheme, which involves putting families in the congregation who have children the same age in touch with each other. We hope that when the children come along to SPS there will be familiar faces and the children will immediately feel at home in the community. Several families have been invited to take part in the Buddy Scheme.

We recently had a visit from LJY-Netzer, who spoke to parents and students about the youth movement and in particular Kadimah, the summer camp which will be running in August 2016. Some of our own teenagers will be taking part as youth leaders, and it's not too late to sign up for the camp.

This term we have had several successful Family Services, and a children Shavuot Service, which was followed by an Open Morning where visiting children were able to join in one of the classes and get to know the students and staff. 

Religion School

Every Saturday morning from 9:30 till 12:30 there is a Religion School for all children aged 5 to 16. 

The children learn Hebrew as well as understanding Judaism including the Jewish history and laws. The aim of the syllabus is for all the children to gain knowledge of what it means to be a Liberal Jew, the skills to follow a Liberal Jewish lifestyle and an appreciation of out Jewish values and heritage. The school's syllabus covers The Bible and Jewish literature, customs and traditions, festivals, Shabbat, life cycle, history and Hebrew. 

Throughout the school year there are times when the whole school comes together, typically on festivals where there are themed activities for the whole school. On Purim everyone dresses up and some of the activities include acting, singing and crafts. On Pesach a 'Cheder Seder' is held giving the children the opportunity to experience a Seder night as well as practicing for their own. Not only on festivals but also other occasions such as Mitzvah Day where the children help out those in the community.

From the youngest class the children begin to learn the Hebrew letters, prayers and about the festivals. We are introducing the opportunity to develop a basic knowledge of spoken, modern Hebrew that the students will be able to use when they visit Israel. 

After their Bar/Bat Mitzvah there is the Kabbalat Torah class where they go into more depth about Jewish traditions and ethics. This gives the children a deeper understanding of Judaism and a chance to express their own views. This class lasts two years and at the end the students have the opportunity to take the GCSE exam based on what they have learnt in the two years. 

Once the children have left Religion School they are given the opportunity to stay on as a helper and eventually become a teacher. This gives them a chance to continue helping within the community as well as developing their knowledge further.

Each week an assembly is conducted (Tefillah) where the whole school comes together with prayer and ethical discussions based on Jewish traditions.