Shofar November 2017 by Finchley Progressive

November 2017

Shofar

‫שופר‬

the magazine of finchley progressive synagogue

MBE for FPS member, Peggy Sherwood

Peggy Sherwood, MBE O

n 17 October, FPS member Peggy Sherwood, received her MBE in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list in recognition of her work as President of the Jewish Gay and Lesbian Group (JGLG) serving the LGBT+ community. Peggy joined the JGLG twenty years ago when there were ‘very, very few women members’ and was surprised to be the only woman at the first party she attended. She was told that at each event, one woman would turn up but then didn’t return as there were no other women! Undeterred, Peggy organised a ‘women only’ event at the Angel Pub (a lesbian and gay pub in Angel). That was in 1996. Thirty women turned up and the event went from strength to strength. Peggy’s vision was to increase membership and “to make it more representative of the community”. Her friendly, hard-working, approach soon led to membership comprising 50% women from orthodox and progressive backgrounds as well as those from no religious affiliation. Peggy also reached out to younger members and, with her guidance, the Young Jewish Lesbians group was formed, responsible for developing and coordinating events for younger women and men. Peggy also made JGLG a welcoming place by reaching out to Trans Jews. As well as monthly services led by lesbian, gay, or student Rabbis, Peggy and the Committee arranged impressive after-service speakers, including Peter Tachell (author, human rights campaigner, founder of Outrage!) and Holocaust

Shofar is always interested in hearing your news and including photos of FPS members, and their families, near and far. We welcome your articles on any relevant topic. Please send these to shofar@fps.org 2

cathy burnstone

educator and survivor, Zigi Shipper (see bio-doc on YouTube). Peggy recalls her proudest moment making links with ‘Imman’ (an Imam), and the LGBT+ Muslim Group. Twenty LGBT+ Muslims and many Jews attended Friday night service at the London headquarters of Liberal Judaism, The Montagu Centre. On three occasions, Peggy was invited to the LGBT+ celebration at Downing Street. Peggy also arranged Orthochavs: Strictly Kosher, Orthodox Friday night dinners, in people’s homes. Annual Seders and Chanukah parties feature in the JGLG calendar, and Peggy’s energy extends to supporting the members with an annual fireworks party, an annual Valentine’s party, women’s dinners, coffee evenings, and sponsoring films at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, and the Jewish Film Festival. Members’ partners, both Jewish and non-Jewish, are welcomed at all events. Although no longer President of the group, Peggy plays an active role. When asked how she sees the future, Peggy replied: “With such positive recognition from the Progressive and Reform Movements and the advent of the internet, together with general recognition of the LGBT+ community, things have changed over the 45 years of the JGLG. But I strongly feel a group is still needed for Jews to come out and mix with other likeminded people”. I am sure the community joins me in congratulating Peggy for her great achievements and for her MBE.

Cover: Photo by Alison Rees and Mark Cohen

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

From the Rabbi

student rabbi nathan godleman

ritually speaking

I’m happy to be writing my first column in Shofar in the space normally reserved for Rabbi Rebecca. Having introduced myself in an earlier edition— fifth year rabbinic student, Liberal Jew, native of Willesden, former humanities teacher—I would like to share more of my dissertation topic with you. Student rabbis undertake an MA in Applied Rabbinic Theology at Leo Baeck College, awarded alongside Semichah, ordination. My interest is in embodiment in Liberal Judaism. This column’s current subtitle is ‘Where the body went and why it is making a comeback’ or Habeas Corpus, in its literal sense. For we do have a body, set aside by our founders in favour of the mind, of the intellect. Along with the outward signs of religion (kippah, tallit, tefillin etc.), synagogue ritual, such as the Torah procession, was discarded and the praying Jew limited to sitting or standing at verbal and/or written prompts. Actions were supposed to flow from prayer, meaning actions in the world. They were not supposed to accompany worship. The swaying Jew was an anachronism and decorum was all. How things have changed! A growing sense of Jewishness as ethnicity, and of pride in the State of Israel after the Six Day War, saw the kippah make a comeback, and perhaps much else with it. Ritual seems to be the order of the day. It certainly does as we make our way out of the High Holy Days and through the chagim. Shofarot, lulavim, Torah scrolls, even kittels, are worn, pointed out, waved and sounded, and the balance has definitely shifted. How well considered has this shift towards tradition been? If we understand more, from a psychological or anthropological point of view,

about the interconnectivity of mind and body, how much has this been part of a discussion in Liberal circles? My intuition, at this stage, is that we are often adopting or rediscovering practices that feel somehow more authentic, without applying the intellectual rigour that our Liberal values surely require. Why, for instance, are we exaggeratedly rising up on our toes three times during the Kedushah? Are we satisfied by the explanation that we are mimicking the angels? What is it doing for our spiritual lives? Do we, indeed, need to ask such questions of ourselves, or can we simply ‘let go’ during prayer and allow ourselves to feel good about it? Of course, letting go is not so easy for the average British Progressive Jew, certainly not in a physical sense, feeling like the religious equivalent of ‘dad dancing’ at first! There may, however, be spiritual benefits to be gained from it, as flowed, in my case, from a semester in Israel. What is unfamiliar soon feels natural and comfortable. While we might not be dancing on the bimah together during Rebecca’s sabbatical (We might! Who knows?), I would certainly like to explore and discuss issues around ritual with you, formally and informally. Do let me know what you think, and feel free to differ!

From the Chair September

and October were busy with a full synagogue during the High Holy Days. It is thanks to our Rabbi, the community and everyone who participated, that they were memorable months. Thank you, to Josie Kinchin, our Honorary Secretary, who gives so much to ensure that services run smoothly, rotas are filled, that large print prayer books are available, to name but a few of the roles Josie undertakes. Our Selichot Service was also very special with our guest Rabbi, Mark Solomon, leading the study session and the service. Thank you too, to Michael Lassman, who cooked us a delicious Indian meal with all the trimmings. It is now two years since Rabbi Rebecca— together with Citizens UK— inspired our community, along with FPS and other faith communities, to participate

cathy burnstone

in the work that led to the London Borough of Barnet accepting 50 Syrians into Barnet. They have now formed a supportive network of friendships, are learning English and becoming settled. We are fortunate to play a part in their lives, with Nisreen celebrating her 27th birthday with us during the Friday Coffee Club a couple of weeks ago. The Board’s work includes supporting the eco synagogue initiative: next meeting 11th November, 9.45am. Details for services and Rabbinical support during Rabbi Rebecca’s sabbatical are in the October Shofar. The forthcoming Board Meeting will discuss the request to host the Christmas Night Shelter for a few days over the bank holidays. Carmen Menegazzi will present a detailed proposal to the December Council, together with estimates for improving our building and grounds.

christmas shelter

FPS is again involved in the Christmas Homeless Shelter running at Finchley Reform Synagogue from 22nd to 27th December. As usual we are looking for a range of volunteers, (hosts, entertainers, over-nighters, and cooks). However, due to a slight delay concerning the sign-up sheets, sign up details are delayed and will have to follow (soon).

I am organising the Christmas stockings and daily newspapers. If you would like to contribute small gifts for the stockings, or sponsor the daily newspaper delivery please contact me, Andrea Narcin, andrea_narcin@yahoo.co.uk 07969 471522. Thank you so much for your support!

The Art of a Good Quiz Night O

ur accomplished quiz makers at FPS’s bumper Fish and Chips Quiz on 14 October applied impeccably the theory of Simon O’Hagan, quiz master extraordinaire, who proposed that answers to the best quiz questions are “not about knowledge but the application of knowledge, and it’s when people get an answer right that was only ever an educated guess that they experience real quiz satisfaction.” So when our team was whooping and trilling like Barn Owls, it was because we’d correctly guessed that it was James Bond 007 who was the action hero named after an ornithologist who wrote Birds of the West Indies in 1936 (a book you no doubt have on your bedside table). A bonus to the proceedings was we all learnt many useful facts. Did you know that mock turtle soup is made from a calf’s head (yum)? That Doménikos Theotokópoulos was the real name of El Greco? That a cropped picture of Rabbi Danny Rich could have him mistaken for both Tom

Cruise and John Mann, MP? And do you know the price of 1st and 2nd Class stamps or how long it takes from Woodside Park to Leicester square by tube? We do. And did you know that Daniel Lassman, Laura’s son, makes delicious chocolate brownies? That was not a quiz question, but we vouch for his amazing catering and thank him for being at the helm in the galley – he and his team worked hard to cater to our food and drink needs to fuel us for quizzing.

simone lee

We were eight tables and numbered 70 competitors. Quiz rounds included Geography, Sport, Art and Literature, Music, Food and Drink and Numbers. Josie Kinchin and her team organised a smoothly run, fun evening. Josie sourced the raffle prizes including a unique piece of silver jewellery by Eden Silver-Myer. And the grand auction prizes, proffered through Danny Rich’s consummate auctioneering, included delights such as a holiday in Italy, a private flight across London, a two-night stay in a 5 star Mayfair hotel. To be bid for, too, was a chance to see Manchester United and Tottenham play from the Directors box at Old Trafford with a dining experience thrown in; “How much not to go?” quipped one punter; “£500,” replied Danny. The quiz masters managed to keep us in order with good humour, great time-management and, as they say, a good evening was had by all. This was a super ‘fundraiser’ (14 points on the Scrabble board if no bonus squares) for FPS, raising around £3500 which will go towards beautifying our entrance hall and bimah. Thank you, donors, so very much and to all who came along. The sweet and chocolate punning round prompts me to say that not only were the guests Smarties, but the helpers were real Poppets. Our quiz makers were Jeremy Kahn and Edward and Karen Levy, with Karen and Jeremy doing the marking. Catering and drinks were down to Jacquie Fawcett, Laura Lassman, Daniel Lassman and Danny Rich (Danny was the wine merchant!). Thanks also to Paul Silver-Myer, Michael Lassman, Deborah Laikin (who made a mountain of delicious coleslaw), Paula KinchinSmith, Louise Gellman, Sharon Silver-Myer, Pauline and Braham Fredman and Josie! (who did so many things we’d need an extended Shofar to list them all).

Beit Tefillah

services at fps

services – november Friday 3 November 6.30pm

Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday 4 November 11.00am

Shabbat B’Yachad

Friday 10 November 6.30pm

Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday 11 November 11.00am

Shabbat Service

Friday 17 November 6.30pm

Shabbat Resouled

Saturday 18 November 11.00am

Shabbat Service

Friday 24 November 6.30pm

Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday 25 November 11.00am

Shabbat Service

Friday 1 December 6.30pm

Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday 2 December 11.00am

Shabbat B’Yachad

people a warm welcome to our new members

our deepest condolences to

Alice Prinsley and Nathan Murray

Ann and Ollie Pelham on the untimely death of David who will be greatly missed by FPS and the Liberal Judaism movement

mazal tov to

Diane & Peter Block on the birth of a second grandson The following who have significant birthdays in November: Hilda Hart, Harry Roberts, Malcolm Gerber, Vilma Kaplan, Malcolm Fox, Michael Melbourne

The family of Sheila Isenberg who died in October The family of Gordon Graham who died in October

Tony & Dorothy Hill on their 40th wedding anniversary and Irene & David Kahan on their 65th

Beit Knesset bridge group

Mondays @ 7.30pm, £4. There are even small prizes for winners! (How good is that?) For details contact Gunter Lawson via the synagogue office on 020 8446 4063 chair yoga

November 21, Tuesday @ 5.30-6.30pm. A free sampler class to demonstrate how Yoga can be used as a therapeutic tool for people with less mobility who are unable to participate in a traditional mat-based class. This is with a view to running permanent classes next year. As we age our mobility declines. Less flexibility and weaker muscles lead to more pain, and because of this, seniors often rule out Yoga as a viable exercise. Chair Yoga helps people improve mobility, flexibility and strength. Contact Richard on 020 8349 9602. Please note there will be no Yoga during November & December rosh chodesh

Next meeting Tuesday 21 November @ 8.00pm, FPS library. The topic is ‘Modern Families’, and the discussion is facilitated by Estelle & Corinne. book club

The Book Club meetings are held in people’s homes @ 8.00pm on the second Wednesday of each month. 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 fps breakfast shiurim autumn 2017

Saturday 4 November @ 8.30am ‘Eternity in a Moment’ Speaker: Paul Silver-Myer Why does eternity seem so important to us? Do we ever die? Of course we do. Each of us. We know that our time will come to an end, hopefully later than sooner, for we know that our bodies reach

community events, all welcome!

loved it!) and that it is available in paperback. For more information: Sheila King Lassman sheila@waitrose.com or Edgar Jacobsberg e.jacobsberg@gmail.com learn

Thursdays, 12.00-1.00pm. Fortnightly. 2 & 16 November. Rabbi Harry Jacobi leads an hour’s learning in the small hall which is followed by lunch hosted by Nicola at Café Thursday for anyone who chooses to stay. cafe thursday

Thursdays @ 1.00pm. £6 for a freshly-prepared 3-course lunch. For menus or more information contact Nicky Marzell via the synagogue office 020 8446 4063 pilates

Thursdays @ 6.30-7.15pm. A small group led by Tali Swart, beginner to intermediate level, individually tailored instruction is given. Payment is in blocks of six lessons, roughly £8 per lesson depending on numbers. Next term we will use the large hall so there will be plenty of space available for non-members. If you would like to join or come for a trial session, contact Tali taliswort@btconnect.com or the office, in advance: 020 8446 4063 cafe ivriah

Saturdays (Term time), 9.45-10.45am Informal discussion over coffee and biscuits, between Ivriah drop-off and morning service. old age and expire. But what of history and the future? Are we part of that too? Do our thoughts and actions last forever? Are they a moment in eternity or do they simply pass away with the wind, lost forever? In this shiur we will explore thoughts of the eternity of the human being and the essence of God in time. Continued on Page 11

Beit Midrash

learning at fps

Israel’s Six Day War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Event Sunday 19 November 2017, 7.45pm £7.50 with Israeli-style refreshments • Interview with Professor Colin Shindler (SOAS): How the war changed the Middle East up to the present day • Day by day film as events unfolded • Video message from Israelis who were there For tickets Contact Pauline at FPS 020 8446 4063 / administrator@fps.org For information, or to help, contact Alan Milner 07792778192 or Stanley Volk 07871258557

Continuing The Balfour Declaration - 100 years on 2 November 9 November

‘From Balfour to Independence: A tale of Two Declarations.’ Speaker: Robin Moss ‘The Balfour Declaration and the Jewish Legion: The Origins of the Jewish Defence Forces.’ Speaker: Professor Colin Shindler

Then begins a six-part series: ‘Episodes from Jewish History’ with Lionel Lassman 30 November

‘The Panama Canal Scandal.’ In 1879 Ferdinand de Lesseps is engaged by the French Government to construct a canal in Panama. A company is formed and public subscription to bonds and shares raises 1.3 billion gold francs. As a result of fraud 400,000 francs is diverted to politicians and civil servants and the company collapses. Baron Jacques Reinach, a banker and financier, and Cornelius Herz, both Jews, are scapegoated. Reinach commits suicide and Herz dies in exile.

7 December 14 December 11 January 18 January 25 January

‘The Dreyfus Affair’ 1864-1906 ‘Leo Frank’ ‘L’Affaire Finaly’ ‘Jonathon Jay Pollard’ ‘Jewish lawyers and the Nuremberg trials’

All on Thursdays at 7.30 pm. £5 voluntary donation at the door including refreshments.

Notice Board mitzvah day

Come in to FPS – and what do you see? A sanctuary for those who wish to pray, a kitchen for those who wish to cook and share their food, a meeting room for those who wish to discuss, classrooms for those who wish to learn, a garden for those who wish to nurture. For every member of our community the shul is a home. And this Mitzvah Day our family seeks to nurture what’s closest to us. Join us from 10.00am-1.00pm on Sunday 19 November, and choose between four fabulous mitzvah teams, each one making our home or our community feel cherished. Whether you’re a seasoned allotment digger, a keen cook, a heavenly handyman or a crochet queen, you will be welcomed along with the hopelessly unskilled, uncoordinated, or just-give-it-a-goers, too! From aged 1 to 101 why not come together and share the TLC with our community. So if you’d like to be involved in Mitzvah Day— enthusiasm and appropriate clothing (largely stuff you don’t mind getting mucky) counts for more than talent—contact zoe@fps.org Zoe Jacobs

Gardening: clearing, weeding, digging (hot chocolate/tea provided!) Baking: cooking for the lonely and housebound... and then chatting to them while you eat it!

Caring and repairing: fixing prayer books, washing tableclothes etc

Knitting: creating toys to welcome the youngest members in our community

Bring-and-share lunch @1

calling all photographers!

Shofar would like you to send good-resolution photos for future publications. If you’ve snapped an event and you want to share the moment, send to shofar@fps.org along with topic (or names of those ‘snapped’) and name of photographer.

breakfast shiurim / cont. from p.8

Saturday 2 December @ 8.30am ‘The Early Palestine Mandate’ Speaker: Jonathan Ellis Jonathan asks ‘Why Britain did it?’ Jonathan’s expertise and thesis on this subject sparks exciting new insight into this well-trodden

path which generally seems incompletely understood. The discussion will explore the motivation behind the Balfour Declaration and that of the figures involved. Please join us for a scrumptious breakfast. All are welcome.

Renzo Fantoni

sarah rosen-webb

part two: 1954 to the present

Renzo arrived in London in June 1954. His English contact had arranged work for him in a very small London hotel and he started work immediately, earning about £6 a week. As we know, Renzo loves chatting to people. He quickly discovered that the Mayfair Hotel was looking for a Junior Receptionist, so he applied for the job and got it. Promotions to Reception Manager and then Assistant Manager in other hotels followed quickly. Still young and, of course, a bit lonely at first, it wasn’t long before Renzo struck lucky again. He met up with two of his girl cousins who were working as au pairs, and one of them said she knew a nice Jewish girl who would like to learn Italian. That was all Renzo needed to know. He agreed to meet her and to try help her. Then, as Renzo says, “That was it!” Renzo and Adele met in Summer 1954 and by October 1955 they were married. Renzo and Adele joined the then new liberal synagogue in 1959 when it was still meeting at North Finchley Library and in people’s homes. Renzo recalls, “We had a parents’ meeting once and I don’t know why but I opened my big mouth. Tessa Sampson, another ‘young member’ of the group said ‘You seem to have a lot to say for yourself. Why don’t you join the committee?’” Of course, he did, and from then on Renzo was always involved in one way or another with the growth and development of our community, and for some years served

as chair of FPS. The years flew past. Renzo continued working in the hotel business. In 1971, he and Adele established their own company, Hotel Promotion Services (HPS), here in Finchley. Life was good, and the wartime troubles seemed far behind him. That was until one day in 1975 when Renzo went to town to meet a business colleague at the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane. He was a few minutes early for his appointment and went to admire the flower display in the lobby. Fortunately for Renzo, he walked away from the display minutes before the IRA bomb planted in it exploded! Lucky again. Adele and Renzo raised their three sons, Renato, Daniel and Lucien in Finchley and at FPS. Carrying on with the family’s involvement Renato and family are also members of FPS. Nowadays, you can often see Renzo at services accompanied by one or another of his Englandbased grandchildren. As adults, both Renato and Lucien joined the business with Renzo, continuing to link clients here with bespoke hotel arrangements in Italy and elsewhere around the world. Daniel and his family live and work in northern Italy and meet up with the rest of the family every year. When Adele developed Alzheimer’s disease, Renzo cared for her, thus enabling her to continue contributing to the family and FPS. (One of Adele’s tapestries hangs in our library.) Sadly, Adele died at the end of Continued on next page

Renzo Fantoni

sarah rosen-webb

renzo fantoni / cont.

2001, and Renzo carried on, continuing to work at HPS in the mornings, and gardening or socialising in the afternoons. One day in March 2004, Renzo received a surprising telephone call. A woman’s voice announced, “Hello. This is Ruth. Do you remember me?” and he said “Ruth who?” before he realised that the caller was, in fact, the beautiful girl he had met in the sanatorium at the end of the war – his first love. The conversation between Renzo and Ruth moved quickly. Ruth explained that she had gone to Israel in 1950 and married, but not had any children. Her husband had died recently, and feeling a bit lonely her thoughts had turned to him. Renzo needed little encouragement. “Where in Israel do you live? I’ll come to meet you.” When Ruth replied, “Don’t bother. I am coming to Paris in May to see my brother and I can meet you there,” Renzo said, “see you in France.” He hung up the phone and—I expect—broke into song: Il Primo Amore Non Si Scorda Mai

for 13 years. Then, sadly she died in July 2016 of pancreatic cancer.” Now it is 2017 and Renzo has this to say about his life so far: “I’ve always liked people. I’m very open, I guess.” When you see or hear the friendly gentleman with the operatic voice, give him a smile and wish him continuing good health, good luck and joy in life. n.b. For more about the history and treatment

of Tuberculosis (and for a good romance too), I recommend Linda Grant’s novel The Dark Circle (Virago: 2016), which tells the story of tubercular east London twin Jewish teenagers who were sent to convalesce in a post-WW2 sanatorium in Kent.

When you see or hear the friendly gentleman with the operatic voice, give him a smile & wish him continuing good health, good luck & joy in life. (‘The First Love You Never Forget’), and off he went to Paris, looking for the 18-year-old girl he remembered. Renzo recalls, “I recognised her immediately. We talked and talked. I suggested she come here to live with me, and she said ‘Yes.’ We lived together very happily

The plaque at FPS that Renzo installed on behalf of two of his cousins

sukkot sleepover

This year we ran two sukkot sleepovers for our intrepid B’nei Mitzvah and KT classes...in the sukkah! Only mildly afraid of the Finchley wildlife, the threat of rain, and potential snoring, they took to the outdoors – or at least to the patio! Both groups learned about the sukkah as a representation of fragility, of how easy it is to forget that our lives of instant hot water, rainproof ceilings and comfy sofas is a privilege and a blessing. The B’nei Mitzvah group wrote letters to their classmate, Ollie, enfolding him in deep empathy regarding the recent loss of his father, David. (A eulogy for David was posted on Some of the East Finchley Wildlife, from left to right: Elana Luxon, Sadie Gellman, Jacob Kinchin-Smith, Tom Hargil, Toby Levy, Sam Conroy

the FPS website, in October). The KT group wrote letters to our twinned community in Mogilev, describing their lives, their Jewish experiences, and their exciting sleepover. Of course, there were silly games, lots of chocolate, sleeping bag races and midnight feasts. I am delighted that both groups overcame their initial fears and slept outside – it really is a fantastic experience. With plenty of blankets, duvets and sleeping bags we were all warm – and a few people even got some sleep. Zoe Jacobs

Fun Page Construct the scenes in the story of Jacob in the correct order (#6 & #12 are filled in to help you).

nNumbe

12 6

Our Genesis readings this month tell the story of Jacob. In the boxes below, the story is all out of order. Put it in order by correctly numbering the boxes from 1 to 19? To help, two numbers are already entered.

When Jacob met Esau again he gave him many gifts and Esau did not kill him after all Rebecca helped Jacob disguise himself as hairy Esau so he would get the blessing of the first born On his return from Haran to see his parents, Jacob wrestled with an angel for two days During his escape to his uncle Laban’s house, Jacob had a dream of a ladder reaching into heaven with angels going up and down it Jacob worked another seven years for Uncle Laban to marry Rachel Jacob was deceived by his uncle Laban and married Leah instead of Rachel Jacob was born and became his mother’s favourite Esau agreed to give up his rights as the first-‐born son for a bowl of stew Jacob had a son by Rachel named Joseph Jacob had a second son by Rachel named Benjamin Jacob had 10 sons by Leah and Bilhah and Zilphah Jacob fell in love with Rachel and worked seven years for Laban to marry her Isaac became blind and knew he was going to die and wanted to give Esau the blessing of the first born Isaac and Rebecca waited 20 years before they had their twin sons. Esau was so angry he wanted to kill his brother, so Jacob had to flee Esau was born covered in red hair and became a hunter and the favourite of his father Esau found out that he had been deceived and brother had been blessed instead of him Esau came back from hunting and was very, very hungry Esau and Jacob together buried their father Isaac in the Caves of the Patriarch

answers: The correct order for the story of Jacob: 17,7,16,10,13,12,3,5,15,18,14,11,6,1,9, 2,8,4,19 15

Contacts

fps website: www.fps.org

finchley progressive synagogue

Life President: Sheila King Lassman

54 Hutton Grove N12 8DR 020 8446 4063 www.fps.org facebook.com/finchleyprog Rabbi Rebecca Birk – rabbi@fps.org

Vice Presidents: Renzo Fantoni, Josie Kinchin, Laura Lassman, Lionel King Lassman, John Lewis, David Pelham, Paul Silver-Myer, Andrea Rappoport, Joan Shopper

Emeritus Rabbi: Dr Frank Hellner

contacts

Community Development Manager: Zoe Jacobs – zoe@fps.org

Board of Deputies Reps: Janet Tresman, Stanley Volk

Musicians in residence: Franklyn Gellnick, Dean Staker

Beit Midrash (Adult Education): Adrian Lister adulteducation@fps.org

Synagogue Manager: Pauline Gusack pauline@fps.org

Beit Tefillah (Rites & Practices): Valerie Joseph

Premises Manager: Howard Hamerton

Care in the Community: Jacquie Fawcett jacquie@fps.org

executive

Chair: Cathy Burnstone – chair@fps.org Vice-Chairs: Paul Silver-Myer vicechair@fps.org, Louise Gellman vicechairlg@fps.org Treasurer: Martin Silk – treasurer@fps.org Honorary Secretary: Josie Kinchin honsec@fps.org board members

Phillip Raphael, Samantha King, Maureen Lobatto, Louise Gellman, Katy Jackson

Café Thursday: Nicky Marzell

Website Editor: Philip Karstadt fpswebsite@fps.org Shofar Editor: CA. Cranston – shofar@fps.org Shofar Team: Sarah Rosen-Webb, Wika Dorosz FPS Office: administrator@fps.org The Finchley Progressive Synagogue is a company limited by guarantee (Company No 9365956) and a registered charity (Charity No 1167285) whose registered office is 54 Hutton Grove, Finchley, London N12 8DR

President: Alan Banes

ashley page

janet tresman

insurance brokers

mediator & collaborative family law solicitor

Commerce House 2a Litchfield Grove London N3 2TN

Altermans Solicitors 239 Regents Park Road, London N3 3LF

Tel. 020 8349 5100

Direct dial: 0203 1820121 Email: janet@altermans.co.uk