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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Muswell Hill Synagogue
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261014T141500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261014T170000
DTSTAMP:20261009T142308Z
CREATED:20261009T142308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261009T142308Z
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SUMMARY:Top of the Hill Programme - October to December 2026
DESCRIPTION:Wednesday 14th October\, at Shul at 2.15 pm \nMarc De Leuw: GET BACK TO THE BEATLES \n60 years on\, the Beatles are still as big as they have ever been. Performing a song from each of their albums\, Marc De Lieu will take us on a magical history tour of the Fab Four’s epic journey\, revealing some unknown Jewish connections along the way.…. plus a fun trivia quiz to bring the 60’s to life.\nSo say ‘Yea\,Yea\,Yeah’ to celebrate the greatest decade ever and bring these memories back to life! \nMarc De Leuw used to work in Radio as a presenter and Producer. He had an overnight show on LBC and he then ran a video company. \nWednesday 28th October\, at Shul at 2.15 pm \nVivi Lachs:  WHAT’S G-D GOT TO DO\, TO DO WITH IT \nThe Yiddish East End was a hubbub of immigrant life where devoutly religious\, traditional\, socialists\, secular\, anti-religious all haggled over the price in the same markets and worked long hours in the same sweatshops. The Yiddish writers published sketches in the papers\, wrote songs for the stage and anthems for demonstrations. Whether or not they were observant\, they all engaged with religious ideas\, such as dancing in a Torah parade in the streets; trying to teach non-religious boys their barmitzvah\, or a socialist poet railing against class inequalities in the synagogues. This talk will showcase and analyse some of this material\, with readings and song. \nVivi Lachs is a social historian\, translator and Yiddish pop singer\, an associate researcher at University College London and a Yiddish Book Center Translation Fellow (2026). Her books Whitechapel Noise\, London Yiddishtown and East End Jews explore Jewish history through popular culture. She co-hosts the triple-award winning Cockney Yiddish Podcast\, co-organises the new London Yiddish Shpilers\, runs the Great Yiddish Parade\, leads East End tours and sings the Cockney-Yiddish repertoire with the bands Klezmer Klub and Katsha’nes. \nWednesday 11th November\, at Shul at 2.15 pm \nAndrew Whitehead – A DEVILISH KIND OF COURAGE – “Anarchists\, Aliens and the Siege of Sidney Street” \nThis is the story of a dramatic shoot-out in 1911 in the streets of London’s East End. Two Latvian emigrés wanted for the murder of three London police officers held armed police and then the army at bay for six hours. The home secretary\, Winston Churchill\, came to the scene to help direct operations. The siege caused a sensation – newsreel footage of the incident was being shown in London cinemas that same day. This talk will explain the context of the shoot-out\, look at who the gunmen were\, and also explain the upsurge in antisemitism after the incident and how the Liberal government of the day resisted calls for tighter restrictions on immigration. \nAndrew Whitehead was a news editor at the BBC World Service and is a historian of London. His book A Devilish Kind of Courage: Anarchists\, Aliens and the Siege of Sidney Street was published by Reaktion in 2024. \nWednesday 25th November\, at Shul at 2.15 pm \nJonathan Bergwerk – FAGIN: “Villain\, Stereotype and Musical Star” \nA lively\, illustrated romp through Oliver Twist\, following Fagin from Dickens’s to Lionel Bart’s beloved musical Oliver!. We explore how one of literature’s most controversial Jewish characters was created\, why Dickens was accused of antisemitism\, and how a remarkable Jewish woman changed his mind. \nJonathan Bergwerk is an occupational psychologist who talks widely on the lives of eminent Jews\, both ancient and modern. Each presentation outlines the individual’s life and psychology\, their contribution to society and impact on Jewish life. \nWednesday 9th December\, at Shul at 2.15 pm \nCHANUKAH PARTY \nWe have invited the members of the Muswell Hill Methodist Church to join us. \nPlease note that we make a charge of £5 for all meetings in Shul . 
URL:https://muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk/event/top-of-the-hill-programme-october-to-december-2026
LOCATION:MHS Tetherdown
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260701T133000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260701T170000
DTSTAMP:20260612T112909Z
CREATED:20260612T112909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260612T112909Z
UID:10000239-1782912600-1782925200@muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk
SUMMARY:Top of the Hill - Re-scheduled Outing to the British Museum  - 1 July 2026
DESCRIPTION:Dear Tothites \nI am running the re-scheduled trip to The British Museum on Wednesday 1 July and hoping that this will be third time lucky as on the last two occasions I have had to cancel due to tube strikes!  Here are details:- \nWednesday 1 July \nGuided tour of the Egyptian artefacts at the British Museum. \n1.30pm for a 2.00pm start at the British Museum\, Great Russell Street\, WC1B 3DG. \nAlec Nacamuli\, a volunteer guide at the British Museum\, will be leading this tour for us. \nMany of you may remember the very successful talk that Alec gave to TotH in February 2024 entitled “The Jews from Egypt: Exodus to Exodus.” \nAlec was born in Alexandria\, which he left in 1956 following the Suez crisis.  He is a retired IT executive.  He co-founded the Association Internationale Nebi Daniel dedicated to the preservation of the Jewish religious and cultural heritage in Egypt\, which organised a trip for 180 people in February 2020 to rededicate the Eliahu Hanavi synagogue in Alexandria and hold Shabbat services following restoration by the Ministry of Antiquities. \nHe is chair of Sephardi Voices UK\, an oral history project recording testimonies of Jews born in the Middle East\, North Africa and Iran who resettled in the UK. \nCost: £12 \nAs the two  previous outings to the museum had to be cancelled due to tube strike and we are now into the holiday season\, I am left with a few places. \nPlease let me know if you wish to come by emailing me at jandmgoodman2025@gmail.com \nBest wishes \nJanet\n\n\n\n  \n  \n 
URL:https://muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk/event/top-of-the-hill-re-scheduled-outing-to-the-british-museum-1-july-2026
LOCATION:Muswell Hill United Synagogue
CATEGORIES:Top of the Hill
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260325T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260325T170000
DTSTAMP:20260227T121254Z
CREATED:20260227T121254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T121254Z
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SUMMARY:Top of the Hill - Wednesday\, 25 March
DESCRIPTION:Wednesday 25th March 2026 \nDr Robin Howard \nPLAGUE AND THE JEWS – A MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE \nRecurrent outbreaks of plague have torn through societies from antiquity through the medieval and early modern periods\, leaving profound demographic\, social\, and economic devastation in their wake. Far from being confined to the distant past\, plague continued to exert destructive effects well into the twentieth century\, shaping public health responses\, state authority\, and medical thought. Within this long history\, Jewish communities experienced particularly severe consequences. They suffered not only from the disease itself but also from persecution\, scapegoating\, and violence\, as widespread fear and limited medical understanding led many to blame Jews for the spread of infection. \nYet this history is not solely one of victimhood. Jews played a significant and often underappreciated role in responding to plague. Jewish physicians\, scholars\, and communal leaders contributed to contemporary medical knowledge\, public health practices\, and practical strategies for disease management. \nRobin Howard is a senior physician based in London. He has extensive experience in treating neurological disease and disability. \nPlease note we make a charge of £5\, to cover our overheads \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk/event/top-of-the-hill-wednesday-25-march
LOCATION:Muswell Hill United Synagogue
CATEGORIES:Top of the Hill
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260311T170000
DTSTAMP:20260227T121355Z
CREATED:20260220T114511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T121355Z
UID:10000198-1773237600-1773248400@muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk
SUMMARY:Top of the Hill - Wednesday\, 11 March
DESCRIPTION:Wednesday 11th March 2026 \nAlan Brodie \nA theatrical journey from ‘north of the border’ to Broadway. \nA rare glimpse into the world of the literary agent with Glasgow born Alan Brodie who represents some of the most successful contemporary writers including Emma Rice\, Tim Firth of Calendar Girls fame\, and David Edgar.  He also represents authors’ estates including many of the greatest names in 20th century drama\, such as Terence Rattigan and Noel Coward. \nSteeped in theatre through his parents involvement in the reknown Glasgow jewish theatre group – the Avrom Greenbaum Players – Alan left the world of law to head to London to work for literary agent Michael Imison. \nIn 1997 he launched his own agency Alan Brodie Representation Ltd. He is Chair of The Noël Coward Foundation\, a Trustee of Denville Hall\, the retirement home for members of the theatrical and entertainment industries and an Ambassador for Acting For Others. He was a Trustee of Chichester Festival Theatre for 11 years. \nAlan was our guide at the TOTH outing to the Noel Coward exhibition at the Guildhall Gallery some five years ago and it is wonderful he will be discussing his role in managing his roster of clients and sharing more of his theatrical stories with us in Muswell Hill. \nPlease note we make a charge of £5\, to cover our overheads \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk/event/top-of-the-hill-wednesday-11-25-march
LOCATION:Muswell Hill United Synagogue
CATEGORIES:Top of the Hill
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260225T141500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260225T170000
DTSTAMP:20260130T113621Z
CREATED:20260130T113621Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260130T113621Z
UID:10000189-1772028900-1772038800@muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk
SUMMARY:Top of the Hill - Next Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Wednesday 25th February 2026 \nInterfaith meeting with Methodist Church\, Pages Lane. \nMore info to follow
URL:https://muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk/event/top-of-the-hill-next-meeting-2
LOCATION:Muswell Hill United Synagogue
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260211T141500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260211T170000
DTSTAMP:20260130T113531Z
CREATED:20260130T113255Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260130T113531Z
UID:10000188-1770819300-1770829200@muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk
SUMMARY:Top of the Hill - Next Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Wednesday 11th February 2026 \n  \n2.15 pm at Shul \nSpeaker:  Rachel Kolsky \n  \nTitle:  The Festival of Britain\, 1951: A tonic for the nation \n  \nExciting and futuristic\, the Festival of Britain brought fun and colour to post-war austerity London with its Skylon\, Dome of Discovery\, Battersea Pleasure Gardens (an iconic emblem with specially commissioned artworks from emerging artists and sculptors\, yet to be household names). Fabulous memories remain particularly at the Royal Festival Hall\, the South Bank and the Lansbury Housing Estate in Poplar.  \n  \nEngaging\, knowledgeable and entertaining\, Rachel Kolsky is a popular social historian\, a prize-winning London Blue Badge Tourist Guide and author. Focussing on the ‘human stories behind the buildings’ Rachel’s talks are known to be fun and informative\, filled with anecdotes past and present. From off-the-beaten track London and famous personalities to cinemas and shopping\, memories of all aspects of London’s rich and varied social history come flooding back.  \n  \nBefore embarking on her career as Guide and Lecturer\, Rachel\, a qualified librarian\, worked as an information professional in the financial services industry for over 25 years\, being recognised at industry level with the information Professional of the Year award in 2006. Her professional organisation\, SLA\, awarded her the Membership Achievement Award in 2008. \n  \nWhile not working or guiding she supports her local independent cinema\, The Phoenix\, East Finchley\, where she was a trustee for over 20 years. Rachel has published seven books\, including ‘Jewish London’\, ‘London’s South Bank in 50 Buildings’\, ‘Secret Whitechapel’ and ‘Women’s London’ and is thrilled to have been a guest lecturer on cruises since 2009.
URL:https://muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk/event/top-of-the-hill-next-meeting
LOCATION:Muswell Hill United Synagogue
CATEGORIES:Top of the Hill
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260114T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260114T170000
DTSTAMP:20260109T141027Z
CREATED:20260109T113330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T141027Z
UID:10000169-1768399200-1768410000@muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk
SUMMARY:Top of the Hill - Film Show:  Cabaret
DESCRIPTION:We hope that you have enjoyed the festive season. \nWe now start our spring programme\, having had some excellent  events over the winter. \nWe will be starting with the iconic film “Cabaret”\, This will be a rare opportunity to revisit this amazing film set in Germany as the Nazis were taking power. \nPlease join us for our first meeting to kick off our new season \nWednesday 14th January 2026 \nFilm “Cabaret” at Shul  \nFilm to start at 2.15 pm prompt. Please arrive at 2.00pm. \nWe will watch the film in true “Cabaret” style and break for tea in the middle. \nFilm duration:  2 hours \nThe plot of “Cabaret” follows American writer Cliff Bradshaw arriving in 1930s Berlin\, where he encounters the captivating\, hedonistic English singer Sally Bowles at the infamous Kit Kat Club\, overseen by the enigmatic ‘Emcee’ (Master of Ceremonies); their tumultuous romance unfolds as they indulge in the city’s decadent nightlife\, oblivious to the chilling rise of Nazism\, while a parallel story shows the doomed love between boarding house owner Fräulein Schneider and Jewish fruit vendor Herr Schultz\, symbolising society’s unravelling and complicity in the face of encroaching fascism. \nAs usual we will charge £5 to cover our expenses. \nWe do hope that many of you will join us for what promises to be a most enjoyable afternoon. \nIt is important for security and catering that you let me know that you will be coming at jandmgoodman2025@gmail.com \nBest wishes\,Janet Goodman \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk/event/top-of-the-hill-film-show-cabaret
LOCATION:Muswell Hill United Synagogue
CATEGORIES:Top of the Hill
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251217T141500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251217T163000
DTSTAMP:20251210T164149Z
CREATED:20251128T124348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251210T164149Z
UID:10000157-1765980900-1765989000@muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk
SUMMARY:Top of the Hill - Chanukah Tea Party
DESCRIPTION:Wednesday 17 December at 2.15 pm – at Shul \n  \nChanukah Tea Party \nCome and meet friends\, chat and enjoy a special  Chanukah  \n Tea and candle lighting and let’s all celebrate together. \n  \nPlease note we make a charge of £5 at each meeting\, to cover our overheads.
URL:https://muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk/event/top-of-the-hill-chanukah-tea-party
LOCATION:Muswell Hill United Synagogue
CATEGORIES:Top of the Hill
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251203T141500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251203T170000
DTSTAMP:20251113T180704Z
CREATED:20251113T165449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T180704Z
UID:10000145-1764771300-1764781200@muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk
SUMMARY:Top of the Hill - Lawrence Cohen – “You Be The Judge!”
DESCRIPTION:Lawrence will present some legal cases to everyone. He will give a basic description of each case and will then ask everybody to pretend to be the judge and tell everyone else what they would do.  Lawrence will then add a little more information to the case and will ask again what people would do. \nLawrence was born and raised in Liverpool and took a law degree at Manchester University in the mid-1970s. He qualified as a solicitor in 1982\, and in that year moved to London with Deborah. He worked for 16 years in North London\, eventually starting his own firm in the early 1990s. \nHe was appointed a Deputy District Judge in 1993 and ceased being a solicitor when he was appointed a full-time District Judge in 1998. \nFor 27 years\, he was a resident judge at Edmonton County Court\, eventually retiring earlier this year. At his retirement\, he was the longest serving Judge in England and Wales.
URL:https://muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk/event/lawrence-cohen-you-be-the-judge
LOCATION:MHS Tetherdown
CATEGORIES:Top of the Hill
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251119T141500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251119T170000
DTSTAMP:20251113T165241Z
CREATED:20251113T140528Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T165241Z
UID:10000143-1763561700-1763571600@muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk
SUMMARY:Top of the Hill – Maurice Gran – “From Crouch End to Hollywood”
DESCRIPTION:We are honoured to have the well-known script-writer Maurice Gran speaking to us. \nMaurice was born in  London and lived in Finsbury Park as a child. His father managed a fabric shop in Soho.  In her youth\, in the 1920’s\, Maurice’s mother was a keen essayist\, writing poems and articles\, mostly for Zionist magazines.  She very much encouraged Maurice’s writing while he was still at school and with her encouragement he was able to consider this as a career.  He attended William Ellis Grammar School in Highgate.  \nMaurice will speak about his and his partner Lawrence Marks’ short but eventful sojourn to Hollywood\, in the USA\, back in 1985 and what happened when they returned. \nTogether with Lawrence\, Maurice has written many scripts. They are best known as TV scriptwriters – Shine on Harvey Moon\, The New Statesman\, Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart are perhaps the best remembered.  The New Statesman won both a BAFTA and an International Emmy. \nThis century they have moved into writing for the theatre – the play “Dr Freud Will See You Now\, Mrs Hitler” is their latest effort and this will be showing at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate throughout September.  It was originally broadcast on Radio 4 as radio drama is another of their loves. \nThe duo had begun writing together after they met at a drama group called “Player-Playrights”. It is here that they first had their work performed and discussed.  They are now Presidents of that organisation\, having learnt many of their skills there. The organisation still meets most weeks in Kilburn.
URL:https://muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk/event/top-of-the-hill-maurice-gran-from-crouch-end-to-hollywood
LOCATION:MHS Tetherdown
CATEGORIES:Top of the Hill
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