August is usually a quiet and calm period for us at the US centre. Not so this year! As you might have read, there are rather challenging times at the Borehamwood and Elstree US Community, and the professional team have been pulling out all of the stops to help the Shul manage. We have been sending staff to the Shul office to help them cope with the administration that needs to continue and working closely with the remaining Honorary Officer and the Board of Management to get them through this period. It is hardly ideal, but I am so pleased we have the resources centrally to cope with unusual situations such as this.

This week was “rabbi” week, as I had a chance to sit down with a few of our stars. The numbers of Rabbis in the United Synagogue continues to grow and the new group is starting to make a significant impact on their communities and to the general thrust of US activity at the Centre.

By Rabbi Dov Kaplan, Senior Rabbi at Hampstead Garden Suburb United Synagogue. Anyone following the recent news in Israel would have come across quite a bit about the Tal Law. If you have never heard of the Tal law, you would have been stunned to learn that the controversy surrounding it nearly brought about the collapse of Netanyahu’s coalition government. However, with a bit more understanding you’ll quickly realise that it relates to one of the most sensitive and sore points in Israeli society.