There is a wide range of activities and organisations within the Stanmore Synagogue Community.

For more details please contact the activity organisers directly. Their individual contact details can be found on our [directory] page.

The Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men & Women

The second world war may have finished over 60 years ago, but the 1945 objectives to which we aspired are far from reality.

A.J.E.X (The Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men & Women) has to remain in the forefront of Jewish Defence, Social Service, Justice for Israel as well as our kith and kin throughout the world.

Remembrance of comrades lost in battle takes place alongside welfare and housing of those who survived but now need a helping hand. A unique Roll of honour is being produced recording those who served.

If you served in the forces at any time, you should be a member of the local AJEX Branch. The annual membership subscription is very small but will enable you to participate and make your dignified mark on the events of today.

Please see the AJEX Notice Board in the Synagogue foyer for further information.

Please also visit our website at [www.ajex.org.uk]

Unlock those hidden talents. You don't need to be artistic, just come.

Different workshops every week; encaustic painting, 3D cards, glass painting, gift wrapping, fruit carving etc, etc.

You'll be surprised at what you can do.

If you are able to draw or paint, come and join us at our Art Class.

With our teacher we will help you to release your hidden talent.

We draw or paint from still-life or photographs, with subjects ranging from landscapes to aircraft, using pencils, crayons, watercolours or oils.

There is great satisfaction to be had from creating a picture that you will be pleased to have framed and hung in your home.

There is now only one Brownie Pack at Stanmore Shul. We have the 6th Stanmore Brownie Pack (now incorporating the 2nd Stanmore Brownie Pack)

In order to accommodate all those on the waiting list, we have enlarged the Pack to 30 girls rather than 24.

Each meeting is subtly planned to assist the girls to define their own skills, but at the same time encourage them to develop an awareness of other people's needs and requirements. We continue to hope that we can offer the girls an out-of-school activity that encourages them, not only to meet new friends, but also to learn to 'think of others before themselves' which is one of the fundamental Guiding ideals.

We are always delighted to hear from parents how much their girls look forward to each meeting and we try to make each one a happy, eventful and enjoyable experience.

Where in Stanmore shul can one hear the service davened backwards on the shabbat before Purim? Where in our shul might one walk in and find the men's and women's sections unexpectedly swapped around? Where might one be given the honour of opening the ark each and every shabbat? Sound too good to be true? Then try out the Stanmore Shul Children's service for 5-9 year olds on a Shabbat morning.

Listening to the young voices daven with confidence is a pleasure for all the adults privileged to attend the children's service.

The children have their own siddur with which they are very familiar. They are able to lead the service with instructions like "Please stand and face the ark" or "Turn to page 3 in the middle-ish for Ashreinu".

Teffilot often include actions or friendly rivalry between girls and boys. Boys take out the torah with aplomb, girls read the prayers for the Queen and the State of Israel with real feeling.

Simchas and birthdays are celebrated with singing and mazal tovs.

It is a special kehilla down there in the last classroom on the left.

We play a few games at a social level against local shul teams, so all are welcome to join in, even if you have not played for many years.

We also run some practice nets in the Spring to help clear away the cobwebs!

[Stanmore Cricket]

The CST works throughout Britain to protect and defend the Jewish community and is endorsed and supported by the Police. We help to protect you, your family and your community by providing security advice and training for synagogues, Jewish schools, and communal organisations.

Professional and trained volunteers provide security at no cost for hundreds of Jewish events and communal locations each year.

How can you help keep your community safe?

• Volunteer: You can become a trained volunteer and help us keep communal events secure or you can participate in your school or synagogue security rota.
• Report incidents: Report antisemitic incidents that may have happened to you or that you may have witnessed. These could be anything from antisemitic emails to verbal abuse shouted at you in the street. The CST records and analyses antisemitic incidents and publishes these figures annually in an Antisemitic Incidents Report. We offer support to victims of incidents and assist the Police in their investigations. In 2005 we recorded 455 incidents, the second highest figure since records began.

It is hard to believe we are entering the 45th year of the Club - although, sadly, with diminished numbers.

When we first opened, we had an occasional member turning 80. Now that seems to be quite young.

If anyone would like to play Kalooki or chat with lively company, they will be very welcome - just come along - we are always open - see [directory] for times - except on the Yomim Tovim.

Feeling a bit down?

Then get along to Stanmore Synagogue and join a group of friendly ladies for one hour of gentle exercise. You will feel very different at the end of the short time it takes to make everything right for the day, and even the week, until we meet again the following week.

The Stanmore Ladies Guild has a regular programme of events and activities.

We cater for the Shul's Shabbat and Yom Tov Kiddushim, and we mark each festival in its own traditional way.

We arrange an Israeli Breakfast for Yom Ha'Atzmaut.

We hold an annual Hat Show, including stalls for jewellery and greeting cards before Rosh Hashanah.

We also hold our very popular Annual Quiz in the autumn - please look out for more details on the [communal diary] page and make a note in your diary to give your support for this very enjoyable evening.

Grateful thanks to all the members who work so hard to ensure the success of our events, and to their dedication in helping each week at the Kiddush.

Stanmore & Edgware League of Jewish Women continues to have monthly meetings with very interesting speakers.

Our monthly Reading Group is highly successful and is working through a variety of authors. Irene Nemirovsky's highly acclaimed, Suite Francaise has been the subject of discussion at one of the meetings.

League Artz is one of our great successes, with outings to museums, art galleries, theatres and concerts.

We continue with our work for Norwood Twins & Triplets group, helping Mums have a break whilst we care for the children. Recently J-MUMS, a new group for young Mums, had their meetings at the Princess Alexandra Home in Bushey.

Our members regularly help out at The Edgware & Harrow Day Centre, Princess Alexandra Home, transportation for hospital appointments and shopping. We are continuing with the Kosher Meal delivery service in Harrow.

As you can see, a lot can be gained by coming along to a League meeting. Please come and see for yourselves.

1st Stanmore Rainbows meets every week - see [directory] for times - as an introduction to Girl Guiding for girls aged 5 to 7.

Stanmore Synagogue Community Care

Stanmore Synagogue Community Care offers support to the members of the community in all sorts of ways - [We Can ...] If you need help in any way whatsoever, or if you know anyone who is ill or housebound, please contact us in total confidence.

Our professionally trained volunteers are always available with advice and practical help no matter what your concerns are.

Just give us a call, and we will arrange for you to meet an advisor specialising in your particular problem or concern. This service is free and totally confidential.

This year we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary as the first Group of the JACS organisation. We continue to attract 60 to 70 members each week, who enjoy programmes of music, discussion and talks of interest.

The introduction of the lift at the Synagogue has greatly helped our less mobile members.

The one problem we face is finding members to take positions on the Committee,(a common feature in many of the Groups). We would also like to suggest that members could bring along a friend or relative to help swell our Group.

We do, however, look forward to continued success with an even larger membership.

Where else in London would you find 30 to 40 Jewish women ready to pray on a Shabbat morning at 9.45?

This groundbreaking service started 15 years ago and still provides a nurturing, safe space for women to express themselves through prayer. This service has become a regular feature in Stanmore, and is much loved by the women who attend. Many women participate in the beautiful and spiritual service. Many others come just to be there and enjoy the quiet and peace that it brings.

We say special prayers for the passing of dear ones and for yahrzeits. We are able to say our own prayers for the sick, agunot (divorcees without a get) and for Israel.

The divrei torah (talk on a religious subject) is usually connected to something relevant to women. Hardly a service goes by without a tear being shed -whetherof sadness or joy!

Our menfolk can join us for Kiddush after our service as it is just a short walk from the shul.

All women, whether knowledgeable or not, are warmly invited to attend one of our services. We meet approximately every two months.

Q: Who Is the Toddler Service for?
A: The Toddler Service is for all children under the age of five

Q: What happens there?
A: At the Toddler Service we sing songs, learn new words in Hebrew, play games, say our tefillot (prayers) and learn about the week's parsha (Torah portion) and the chagim (festivals).

Q: Can I stay with my child?
A: We welcome parents, carers and grandparents and enjoy their participation!

Q: What about younger siblings, can they come too?
A: Of course! The toddler service is for all young children even babies and we often have babies crawling around the room. We gear our service to the attendance each week. So if we have lots of older children, we can expect more participation and can teach the children new songs and stories. If the children are all very young, then we will concentrate on the action songs and an age-appropriate story.

Q: Who takes the service?
A: We are really lucky to have a super team of parents who take turns to take the service on Shabbat and Yom Tov.

Q: What time is the service?
A: Please see [directory] for times.

Q: Where does the service take place?
A: The Toddler Service takes place in the last classroom on the right hand side of the Community Centre.

Q: What happens at the end of the service?
A: We join the Children's Service in the room opposite ours for 'Adon Olam', birthdays and of course a slap-up kiddush!