Shofar May 2016 by Finchley Progressive

May 2016

Shofar

‫שופר‬

the magazine of finchley progressive synagogue

Fresh Blooms

From the Editor pat lehner As I’m packing away our Seder plate – homemade, papermachéd and loved by all of us, I’m in an odd, thoughtful mood. Pesach always has that effect on me - on most of us, I think. It is such a richly symbolic festival, with its themes of escaping slavery and the difficult journey towards freedom. Freedom was also the theme of our communal Seder. If you didn’t have a chance to be there on the night I invite you to read Simone’s lively account of it on page 7! What a busy Spring it’s been. In our family we usually can’t wait for the first Spring days, for our chance to get out of the house and go exploring, whether in the forest or by the canal - even by the beach, when we have a bit more time. We pack thermoses and enough sandwiches to feed a small village, and an industrial strength picnic blanket, and armed with wellies and waterproofs we go adventuring, singing “we’re going on a bear hunt” as we go. The piles of washing at the end of the day are just beyond description, and I really mean that, from the bottom of my heart. Wishing you all happy journeys and fresh, bright Spring days!

Shofar is always interested in including photos of FPS members, either at synagogue events, with their families or on their travels near and far. Please remember to send them to us: pat@ericlehner.com

Cover: Fresh blooms & spring tea, Photo: Eric Lehner

Copy deadline is the 10th of each month. Please email all content to shofar@fps.org

From the Rabbi rabbi rebecca qassim birk

his month we vote for a new mayor and next month sees the Referendum on Europe, possibly the most critical vote of my lifetime. And yet the question is interesting, as we are so very much part of and connected to Europe. The regrowth of European Judaism is not new, it’s been happening steadily over the past 70 years. But I still find it arresting. I could see this in action myself here last month at the European Union of Progressive Judaism 2016 conference. Over coffee in the Kensington Holiday Inn I leapt on two unsuspecting gentlemen because they had Bruxelles on their badges. Whilst I know and was in contact with Marc Neiger, Rabbi of the French speaking community, there

Travel is a good thing and even more meaningful when done together, and I, for one, can’t wait! is actually an English speaking community as well in tiny Bruxelles, although we have two within a mile here in Finchley! There is growing and strengthening Jewish life in Belgium not just the historical Haredim community (a big one in Antwerp), who are seen as an historical heirloom and shown off as such. I was glad to have the opportunity to chat about our upcoming FPS trip to Antwerp with a couple of “locals”, so to speak. I explained to them that what began as a ‘jolly’ to test the waters of trips away together for our community now feels an act of solidarity and empathy. “No man is an island”, as the poet

John Donne put it, in a prescient manner as we contemplate the June referendum and the identity of this country. Whilst we will look at diamonds and Rubens and Haredi Jews living comfortably with Belgians, whilst we may eat waffles and turn down mussels we will also be exploring the European city that has historical meaning for Jew and non-Jew alike. Travel is a good thing and even more meaningful when done together, and I, for one, can’t wait! This trip was the idea of our dear friend and fellow member Elaine Borish. Elaine and Martin, both Americans, made this corner of a ‘foreign field’ their home for 35 years. They brought song, American musicals, culture, books and ‘over 100 things to do with a courgette’ into this community. They will return to the US early this Summer to live closer to their two sons. I know I will not be the only member who will feel the gap they’ll leave very keenly. They hope to join us in Antwerp, and I hope more of you will too.

From the Chair alex kinchin-smith

In my Chair’s notes to date I have sought to avoid ‘political’ issues, but rather have chosen to focus on community matters. I hope it is not too risky a departure this month to comment on the upcoming EU referendum, an issue which is particularly pertinent for me as in my day job I work to promote London in international markets. Whilst one can debate the long term merits or not of ‘Brexit’, it would certainly have an impact on my work in the short-term. But rather than consider the economic and sovereignty arguments for and against, I also found myself asking whether there is a Jewish angle to the question we will all be asked on the 23rd June, should we remain in or leave the European Union. So I did a little reading, mainly looking at the Jewish press and it seems the issues can be summed up in the following way. Firstly, potential impacts on Israel. It could be argued that the EU is not always sympathetic to Israel, the issue of labelling of products from the West Bank and Gaza being a recent case in point. One might say that the UK’s influence in Europe is on the whole more sympathetic to Israel than some other countries and that our exit would reduce this influence

leaving Israel with less backing across its major trading partner. So what about domestic community issues? Does our membership of the EU play any role in potential regulations around Brit Milah or Shechita? Well, there has been opposition to Brit Milah in Scandinavia but not to the point of any serious influencing of policy here. On Shechita the European Commission values religious communities and has been supportive on the labelling of Kosher meat. It seems overall that UK government policy, currently supportive on both areas, is a much more important factor than EU regulations – at least for now. How about moral issues? Part of the EU’s mission is about promoting harmony and cooperation across the continent. How much has the EU contributed to peace and security and the protection of the rights of all citizens over the past forty years? So all in all, not that conclusive. However, as we approach Pesach and through the telling of the story of the Exodus from Egypt consider our own journey as a people, I can’t help thinking that working together with other nations seems to be a better approach than going it alone. I wish you a happy Pesach (possibly over when you get to be reading this) and a considered deliberation in advance of June’s referendum vote.

FPS Antwerp Trip Join Rabbi Rebecca and members of FPS community for a short trip to the Belgian city of Antwerp: medieval architecture, Diamond District, Jewish community, Rubens Museum, good food... date: 17 – 18 May 2016 transport: Eurostar from London St. Pancras (self-booking) departure: Tues. 08:04, change in Brussels, arrival in Antwerp

12:21. return: from Antwerp Wednesday 18:09, change in Brussels,

arrival St. Pancras 21:03. You may choose to arrange your return earlier or later (check Eurostar website for other connections)

accommodation: 4* Mercure Antwerpen Centrum Opera hotel note: it is cheaper to book individually than via agents. This hotel has a special deal on our date for £69 per room, but note that prices change constantly. please note: You are welcome to join us for one day only.

Please contact the office for more information.

liberal judaism BIENNIAL CONFERENCE 2016

THINKING

BOOK

THE

ST. JOHNS HOTEL, SOLIHULL July 1-3 2015

http://tinyurl.com/bien2016 0207 631 9830

h"p://&nyurl.com/bien2016 0207 631 9830 5

Café Thursday It’s Thursday - can’t be late for lunch! - must be at FPS at 12.45 so that Nicky knows the numbers! Don’t worry, somehow she always has enough food for a first-class meal. Delicious home-made soup - different each week. Then the main course - fish or omelettes (no meat or poultry) with vegetables followed by a ‘guess what’ dessert. Sometimes if someone has a ‘Special Birthday’ a birthday cake appears! All this for £6!!

Nicky Marzell, Club host writes:

Nicky calls this her Thursday Club and welcomes anyone who cares to come. Just pop in and enjoy the companionship - ALL AGES ARE WELCOME. No need to commit yourself for every week - just come when you can. See you there!

For more information please phone the office and let us know you’re able to come!

Tessa Samson P.S. It might be a good if you advise Nicky if it is your first visit.

Dear all, Café Thursday invites one and all to join us any Thursday from 12.45pm for a three course lunch, lots of fun, laughter and chat. We are all inclusive and you are welcome to bring along friends. Please join us and give it a try, the more the merrier. Still only £6 for all this!

shia ismaili community’s house of prayer visit

12 May 4.30pm FPS visit to Shia Ismaili community’s Jamatkhana (house of prayer) in East Finchley. Contact Wika Dorosz vdorosz@gmail.com if you’d like to come, as we will need to provide them with a list of names for security purposes.

Pesach Seder at FPS simone lee As luck would have it, I was a slave in Egypt, but, very fortunately, I was redeemed with a strong hand and an outstretched arm (not to mention the great deeds of terror and signs and wonders). Had I not been rescued, I would not have been able to join other free men, women and children at FPS’s seder night and that would have been a terrible shame as it was a wondrous commemoration of our exodus, a fitting celebration of our freedom; and the food and company were excellent too. Rabbi Rebecca tuned us in to the theme of freedom, by inviting a delightful young man, Adam, to take a large bowl and go round the assembled company inviting them to place something in it that represented their freedom. Trustingly, car keys, credit cards, a lipgloss, a red corkscrew, a travel pass and various other items were deposited. Later people were asked to share what freedom their item represented for them. Their possessions were duly returned, I assume. We dipped and leaned and blessed and sang and sandwiched and ate and beat each other with spring onions (Syrian and Afghani tradition) and asked questions and dipped some more and ate and drank our four glasses of wine and chased our eggs in saltwater round the bowl. We recited the 10 plagues and speculated what the eleventh might have been. We marvelled at a container of live locusts which did the rounds of the tables. We left wine for Elijah and water for Miriam. The afikoman was retrieved from the piano and we had a crumb each. The children were involved, injecting fun and naivety into the proceedings. Chad Gadya, a song which centres on a goat that was bought

for two zuzim (with inflation it’d probably cost more now), was performed and no one seemed fazed at having to act out water, a stick and fire and The Holy One, Blessed by He, among other things. An inclusion I particularly enjoyed was the “Just a Minute” show, with contestants given topics such as Chicken Soup and Freedom to speak about for one minute without hesitation, repetition, digression and kvetching: that’s a lot to ask of Jewish people and they were very funny. And there were the jokes, including this gem: A British Jew is waiting in line to be knighted by the Queen. He is to kneel in front of her and recite a sentence in Latin when she taps him on the shoulders with her sword. However, when his turn comes, he panics in the excitement of the moment and forgets the Latin. Then, thinking fast, he recites the only other sentence he knows in a foreign language, which he remembers from the Passover seder: “Ma nishtana ha layla ha zeh mi kol ha laylot.” Puzzled, Her Majesty turns to her advisor and whispers, “Why is this knight different from all other knights?” Thank you Rabbi Rebecca for putting so much thought and effort into making us feel so much at home, and to Dean, and all the people who “slaved away”, preparing, cooking, serving and clearing up. Next year in Jerusalem? I say “Nay, next year at FPS”. I’ve already put the date in my diary. Btw, one of the guests has not seen her Bentley Continental, number plate DAYANU 1, since Saturday night; if you see it please get in touch with the office. 7

Beit Tefillah services at fps

services - may Friday 6 May

Kabbalat Shabbat service

Saturday 7 May

Generations Shabbat welcoming grandparents Shabbat B’Yachad with Czech Scroll celebration

Friday 13 May

Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday 14 May

Shabbat service celebrating Rebekah Treganna Bat Mitzvah

Friday 20 May

Shabbat Resouled

Saturday 21 May

10.15 Musical Shabbatots for 0-4’s Shabbat service

Friday 27 May

Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday 28 May

Shabbat service

breakfast shiur

Saturday 18 june 8.45 am Spinoza: the Eternity of the Mind and the Intellectual Love of God - Presented by John Heyderman Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) was expelled by the Jewish community of Amsterdam and reviled in his lifetime and in the century following his death as an atheist. Yet, to the German romantic poet Novalis, Spinoza was nothing short of ‘God-intoxicated’ and Albert Einstein professed a belief in ‘Spinoza’s God’. We will be exploring what Spinoza meant by Deus sive Natura (God or Nature), looking at his curious notion of the ‘eternal part of the mind’ and considering the possibility of our participating in his ‘intellectual’ love of God.

philosophy at Birkbeck College where he wrote his dissertation on ‘Spinoza, Davidson and the mind/body problem’ under the supervision of the leading Spinoza scholar Susan James. Since graduating with first class honours in 2010, he has given lectures and led workshops on Spinoza and other philosophers, for Philosophy for All, Pinner Philosophy Group, Gerrards Cross Philosophy Group, to name a few. He has taught courses on Spinoza and on the philosophy of religion at the London School of Philosophy. He is currently studying for the MA in philosophy and religion at University of London and intends to return to Birkbeck College in the autumn to commence his doctoral studies on the topic of Spinoza and the intellectual love of God.

John Heyderman undertook the BA in

www.philosophicalbibliotherapy.org

Beit Knesset people congratulations & mazal tov

Rebekah Treganna who celebrates her Bat Mitzvah on 14 May Bradley Reback & Stuart Lawrence who will be married on 29 May

may stone settings at edgwarebury cemetery

8 May at 12.30 pm 29 May at 1.30 pm

Brian Rees Pat Silver

Both will be officiated by Rabbi Rebecca Birk

we warmly welcome new members

Claire & Michael Pierce with Gabriella Yulya & Alex Goryachev with Daniel & Sophia Jo Grant & John Webb

edgwarebury cemetery

burial or cremation?

Because of the shortage of space at Jewish cemeteries, for the past five years it has been Liberal Judaism policy not to accept grave reservations but instead to offer the alternative to bury in depth. This means that on the death of the first spouse, burial is carried out in depth leaving the upper space for eventual use by the partner or another close member of the family. There is no longer the option to reserve graves. However, it is still possible to make grave reservations in the LJ section at Cheshunt Cemetery and this is an option you may wish to consider.

FPS records do not consistently show whether members wish to be buried or cremated. Because of the information above and the choices now available, please ensure that we have a record of your preference by contacting Pauline in FPS office. Joan Shopper, Burials Officer

woodland burials

There is now a woodland burial area at Edgwarebury available to all members. The cost of a woodland plot is ÂŁ1700 which is the cost charged to Liberal Judaism by West London who are making this area available to Progressive Jews. Woodland burials are also available at Cheshunt Cemetery for LJ members. Please remember that following a woodland burial no headstones are allowed.

FPS Seder, practising the Syrian and Afghani tradition of beating each other with spring onions!

Beit Midrash learning at fps Beit Midrash presents: closing the gap: interfaith dialogue in an age of conflict

19 May Mike Long (Methodist Minister, Muswell Hill) - How has the Methodist Church responded to conflict? 26 May Imam Mohammed (leader of North Finchley Mosque) - Islam and Extremism 2 June Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko (Deputy Chair, Council of Christians and Jews) Building a shared society: one woman’s story after 25 years of living in Israel. 9 June Stefan Chrysostomou and Philip Davidson (Priests at St Mary’s C of E, Finchley) What does Christianity offer to the conversation?

Celebrating the 9th Anniversary of Shabbat Resouled!

16 June Mohammed Amin (Co-Chair, Manchester Muslim-Jewish Forum) Muslim-Jewish relations in the UK Thursdays, 7.30-9.30 pm, with a break for refreshments. £5 donation on the door, or £25 for the series in advance contact administrator@fps.org also at beit midrash... pilates

6.30 - 7.15pm Get fit in our small, friendly class, under the expert guidance of Tali Swart. Cost £60 for a series of six sessions. To arrange a trial session, contact Pauline in FPS office cafe ivriah

Saturdays 9.45 – 10.45am Informal discussion over coffee and biscuits, between Ivriah dropoff and morning service.

Beit Knesset arts at fps sunday may 8 - the end of an era at the screen on the grove!

After nearly eight years of managing the synagogue’s monthly Film Club, the team of Elaine & Martin Borish, Wika Dorosz & John Norman have decided it is time for a new team to take over. So Sunday 8 May at 7:15pm will be their last Film Night. Traditionally the last film of the year is a musical film and this one will be a very special one: Showboat. It has special significance in the history of the American Musical as the very first one to have a proper plot as well as utterly fantastic music. There were several attempts to film Showboat, including a second-rate MGM version, but we will be showing the original version that featured several members of the stage cast, including Paul Robeson, Helen Morgan, Charles Winninger, and Irene Dunne. As with the previous musical films, Martin will make introductory comments. Because of the historic importance of this film, there is a lot to say and he hopes the audience will indulge him, on this very last night, by arriving at 7:15pm.

book club

The Book Club meetings are held in people’s homes at 8pm on the second Wednesday of each month (recently changed from 7.30pm). We choose a wide variety of books, many – but by no means all – of Jewish interest: the only condition is that the person who recommends a book has read it (and loved it!) and that it is available in paperback. For more information contact Sheila King Lassman on sheila@waitrose.com or Edgar Jacobsberg on e.jacobsberg@gmail.com cafe thursday

Thursdays @ 12.45pm, £6, for details contact Nicky Marzell via the synagogue office. (See also Page 6 of Shofar for special feature!) bridge group

Mondays @ 7.30pm £4, for details contact Gunter Lawson on 020 8346 5208 rosh chodesh

Celebration of the new moon by women gathering for sharing, learning and spiritual exploration. We meet in the FPS Library at 8pm. For details about the next Rosh chodesh please phone the office.

yoga

Tuesdays @ 7.30pm Contact Richard on 020 8349 9602

IT IS A TREE OF LIFE(PROVERBS 3:18) ….JUDAISM A S CONTINUITY. GRANDPARENT & GENERATION SHABBAT AT FPS FPS SATURDAY 7 MAY 2016 9.45AM -‐12.30PM

STORYTELLING, STUDY AND SERVICE

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. (Proverbs 17:6) FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: PAULINE@FPS.ORG

From 0ur Members living alone?

Hate the hassle of the supermarket? Last month I wrote of the values of home deliveries and promised to review the range of services. When making your choice, there are a few points you may wish to explore. Does your order get supplied by a local supermarket? If it does, some customers have found that, frequently, there are ‘substitions’ or gaps in the delivery, because the supermarket is out of stock. It can be frustrating to have to go shopping after a home delivery. If you order from a firm that has a large warehouse, the chances are that you will get everything you wanted. I have never yet been disappointed in this respect. Delivery slots vary in length; from one to two hours. I have been very satisfied with deliveries that are always on time. I receive text messages, on the previous day, as

a reminder, and on the delivery day confirming the time and that everything ordered has been included. I am also told the name of the person delivering! Most dealers have a system where the placed order can be altered, or added to, right up to the previous evening. You might want to ‘shop around’ to find a method of payment that suits you. Some suppliers offer incentive schemes and each one has a minimum charge. Every supplier has a helpline and I’ve found that the ‘customer service’ staff are extremely helpful and patient with, as in my case, a dotty old lady. I am not recommending names, but would be happy to do so on the telephone. Please get in touch if you would like some help, or if you are prepared to give help to others. Rochelle Simmons 020 8959 1065 / rosimmons@btinternet.com

fps night shelter

Alison and I got involved in the FPS Night Shelter for the first time last year. This year I agreed to organise the rota – a bit like doing a jigsaw puzzle but more difficult! We also hosted breakfast one morning, delivered bags to the next location and helped to host dinner during Pesach – somewhat with trepidation but the guests seemed to really enjoy matzah! In fact we also heard that FPS is very popular with the guests which is great feedback to get. It’s been a real privilege being involved in the Night Shelter. Although we never ask questions, one guest wanted to tell me her story.

Sometimes people pre-judge people who are homeless – maybe I have done in the past – but after listening to her story I never will again. It’s been a humbling experience and I will definitely be involved again next year. Thank you to the wide range of FPS members who volunteered this year – the FPS Shelter all went very smoothly and was doubtless a huge success. I urge all FPS members to help – it’s a really different and exciting volunteering opportunity and great to be part of. Thank you to Andrea, Sarah and Pauline who were all a delight to liaise with. Peggy Sherwood 13

FPS CAMP OUT 2016 IS SHAVUOT IN THE WOODS

Outdoor bush craft. Remembering agricultural seed of the festival. Festival lunch cooked outside. Judaism on the ground

Earthly Judaism Explored.

SUNDAY 12 JUNE 10.30 -‐4.30 PET SHAVUOT IN THE WOODS AM

Dramatic Torah Revelation in the Trees

FINCHLEY PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE EMAIL PAULINE@FPS.ORG FOR SECRET COORDINATES IN HERTFORDHIRE. 30 MINUTES FROM FPS.

Community Event. HAVE DOG BRING IT. OR FERRET OR OTTER OR MOUSE. Everyone stood at Sinai, even the animals! Bring food to grill, cook and eat. AND your favourite piece of Jewish story or Torah

WWW.FPS.ORG PAULINE@FPS.ORG

12/06/2016 10.30-‐4.30PM

shavuot term – ivriah classes

additional family dates

30 April 7 May 14 May 21 May 12 June (Sunday) Shavuot in the Woods 18 June 25 June 2 July 9 July 16 July

Saturday 7 May - Generations Shabbat with Czech scroll celebration All grandparents invited for 9.45 am Please bring a special family item to share Sunday 12 June - FPS Shavuot in the Woods – for everyone Saturday 16 July - Last Ivriah of the year Celebration in the Park

rebekah treganna bat mitzvah

I’m Rebekah and my Bat Mitzvah is on the 14th of May 2016. I love acting, swimming and a band called The Vamps. I am really excited about my Bat Mitzvah.

Contacts fps whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who finchley progressive synagogue

Wika Dorosz, Braham Fredman, Phillip Raphael

54 Hutton Grove N12 8DR 020 8446 4063 www.finchleyprogressivesynagogue.org

President: Alan Banes

Rabbi Rebecca Qassim Birk - rabbi@fps.org Emeritus Rabbi: Dr Frank Hellner Ivriah Principal: Rabbi Rebecca Qassim Birk Musicians in residence: Franklyn Gellnick, Dean Staker Synagogue Manager: Pauline Gusack pauline@fps.org Premises Manager: Howard Hamerton executive & council

Life Presidents: Clive Winston and Sheila King Lassman Vice Presidents: Renzo Fantoni, Josie Kinchin, Lionel King Lassman, John Lewis, David Pelham, Paul Silver-Myer, Andrea Rappoport, Joan Shopper contacts

Board of Deputies Reps: Janet Tresman, Stanley Volk Beit Midrash (Education): Adrian Lister, Louise Gellman

Chair: Alex Kinchin-Smith - chair@fps.org

Beit Tefillah (Rites & Practices): Michael Lassman, Josie Kinchin

Treasurer: Martin Silk

CafĂŠ Thursday: Nicky Marzell

Honorary Secretary: Josie Kinchin honsec@fps.org

Shofar Editor: Pat Lehner - shofar@fps.org

Vice-Chairs: Louise Gellman, Adrian Lister

Website editor: Viktoria Dorosz

Council members: Jacquie Fawcett,

ashley page insurance brokers Commerce House 2a Litchfield Grove London N3 2TN Tel. 020 8349 5100

janet tresman mediator & collaborative family law solicitor now back in finchley! Altermans Solicitors 239 Regents Park Road, London N3 3LF Direct dial: 0203 1820121 Email: janet@altermans.co.uk