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AN AUDIENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT On a ﬂying visit to London at the end of November, board members and donors of Magen David Adom UK had the honour to meet the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin in an intimate gathering in London. The President discussed the various ongoing projects that MDA UK is currently supporting and was given an update on fundraising eﬀorts for the new National Blood and Logistics Centre in Ramla. President Rivlin reiterated his acknowledgement of the outstanding work of MDA, making special mention of the values and ethos that runs through the organisation. As he furthers his own plans for a more socially cohesive society, he lauded MDA as a beacon for the good that is brought by diversity and |

inclusivity. This was echoed with the gift presented to the President, a specially commissioned photo book highlighting the varied people and backgrounds that make up MDA today. President Rivlin also underlined the courage of all the medics, paramedics and 22,000 volunteers, no matter what the situation. It was clear that Magen David Adom is an organisation close to President Rivlin’s heart. He even told MDA UK supporters that, in Israel, there are two sets of three letters that keep the country safe. One being ‘I.D.F.’ and the other, ‘M.D.A.’

President Rivlin closed the meeting by personally thanking Magen David Adom UK’s staﬀ, lay leadership and donors for their hard work and dedication. The President commented that, without this support, Magen David Adom would not be able to save lives across the length and breadth of Israel.

As well as incoming MDA UK Chair, Russell Jacobs, Chief Executive, Daniel Burger and numerous board members and donors, Eli Bin, the Director General of Magen David Adom in Israel, was also present. Bin had been in Paris the night before for a local fundraising event and travelled to London en route back to Israel.

SAVE MORE LIVES IN ISRAEL TODAY CALL 020 8201 5900 OR VISIT WWW.MDAUK.OR G/DONATE

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Q&A WITH RUSSELL JACOBS We sat down with our new Chairman, Russell Jacobs, to discuss his connection to MDA and his vision for the future. Why MDA?

REMEMBERING ELI BENSON A new Magen David Adom station was inaugurated in Ramat Beit Shemesh over Sukkot in memory of Eli Benson z”l, the former Chief Executive of Magen David Adom UK. The station was funded by the generosity of MDA UK’s donors and will help improve response times within the area. The station is named The Anita and Eli Benson MDA Station and Eli’s wife Anita together with their children and numerous dignitaries, attended the event.

MDA was always in the family DNA. Growing up, Israel always seemed to be in crisis and MDA was the first response to loss of, or injury to, the lives of Jews in Israel. But as I grew up and started to understand the wider narrative of Israel and its people, I realised that its role went beyond Jewish lives. And it has been this diversity of its mission which has held my fascination – and, now, energy and drive to move that story forward. The second most impactful episode was doing two ambulance shifts in Israel. Why and how did you get involved? It was the usual story – fund an ambulance in dedication of lost loved ones (first, my mother, Sandra; secondly, my father, Malcolm). But, that wasn’t enough, as writing a cheque is easy – it’s passive. I wanted to make a difference in (and to) Israel. So, as we prepare for making Aliya when I retire, I wanted to engage with Israeli institutions in a way in which I could make a difference. Just as with a terrorist or road traffic incident, climate change is drastically affecting the People of Israel and its neighbours – badly and urgently. It is yet another existential crisis affecting Israel, in which MDA has a major role to play.

neighbours, refugee crises in Jordan and Syria, climate change (drought in Jordan) and so on. I want to make MDA a humanitarian response to the region, centred on Israel, but showcasing the strengths of Israel and its humanity to the rest of the world. This narrative has the great potential to counter the otherwise anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist propaganda which undermines the confidence of Jews in the Diaspora and makes Israelis domestically more defensive as a result. I want MDA to be the metaphor for Israeli aggression – on the humanitarian war front! That is why we are working more closely with, for example, the Jordanian Red Crescent, as strong, healthy and successful neighbours will inevitably lead to a strong, resilient and thriving Israel. What are you planning on focusing on? Expanding the narrative and platform for Israel (and for the Israel-facing Jews in the UK and Diaspora generally) so that we can proudly stand up to the negative forces which militate against Jewry and Israel (in the UK or abroad) and showcase the amazing work of MDA and its staff and volunteers – to redefine what the UK understands as the PEOPLE of Israel (all ethnicities from all corners of Israel and the region) through the work of MDA.

What would you like to achieve in your role as Chairman? I want to reach out to a wider group of supporters – especially the supporters and donors of tomorrow – to expand the narrative to make MDA more relevant as we move forward into a new era where Israel is a strong economic and diplomatic force, but nevertheless the challenges facing Israel on a humanitarian scale get bigger – civil war in its

ISRAEL 360 TREKKERS RAISE £85K The inaugural ‘Israel360’ challenge took place between 9th-14th November. 18 Magen David Adom UK supporters trekked across Israel and raised in excess of £85,000. The money raised will go towards rebuilding the MDA Ambulance Station at Rahat. The Rahat Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) provides backup to MDA’s BeerSheva station, especially during cases of rocket fire from Gaza or terror attacks in the city. The importance of this new Ambulance Station was unfortunately very apparent to the trekkers. There were red alerts and sirens heard across the country as rockets and missiles were fired from Gaza.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM UK’S WORK, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE ON 020 8201 5900 |

The trek included tours of the Blood Centre at Tel Hashomer, an overnight stay in Bedouin tents, a hike in the Ramon Crater, climbing Masada and all 18 trekkers took part in ambulance shifts. Trekkers also dedicated a MICU in BeerSheva that was bought with the money raised by the 2018 trekkers. All participants got under the skin of Israel as they visited MDA UK projects and saw the work of medics, paramedics and volunteers up close. Trekker, Suzi West said it was an “absolutely humbling experience to meet the MDA teams on the ground and truly understand why we must go back and spread the word”.

To find out more about Israel360 in 2020 email elysiapolin@mdauk.org

On his return, MDA UK Chief Executive Daniel Burger said: “As we climbed Masada, much of Israel was running into bomb shelters. Sadly, there was no better time for the trekkers to witness the importance of Magen David Adom’s work. It was a source of immense pride to witness first-hand how MDA responds and saves lives.”

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Oy to the world!

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST JEWISH NEWSPAPER 12 December 2019

• 14 Kislev 5780 •

Issue No.1136

•

It’s time to unwrap our festive, fun-packed 24-page Chanukah supplement See inside

@JewishNewsUK

OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM CAN HELP YOU WITH: COMPANY COMMERCIAL & EMPLOYMENT FAMILY LITIGATION PROPERTY PRIVATE CLIENT & ELDER LAW T: +44 (0)20 8349 0321 www.ogrstockdenton.com

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

News / General Election 2019 ELECTION BRIEFS

LABOUR CANDIDATE SORRY FOR MESSAGE A Scottish Labour candidate has apologised for sharing a “clearly antisemitic” message accusing the BBC journalist Nick Robinson of political bias due to his Jewish heritage. Jean Anne Mitchell shared a message to a WhatsApp group in the wake of the leadership debate chaired by the broadcaster last week. It reportedly read: We thought he (Robinson) was biased... His mother was born in Shanghai, where her German-Jewish parents fled during the 1930s. That makes him Jewish.” Mitchell issued an apology on Monday.

LEWIS LENDS A HAND IN CHIPPING BARNET Former Labour MP Ivan Lewis urged voters in Chipping Barnet to back the Tories, as he joined local candidate Theresa Villiers on the campaign trail this week. Supporting the environment secretary on the doorstep, the kippah-wearing ex-Labour minister called on constituents to defend her slender 2017 majority of just 353 votes. “If you vote for anything other than Theresa and the Conservative Party, the risk is you allow Jeremy Corbyn’s candidate in,” he said.

SNP: We’d back Corbyn, if he sorts antisemitism The Scottish National Party’s (SNP) leader in Westminster has criticised Jeremy Corbyn for showing a “lack of leadership” on antisemitism, but refused to rule out helping him into Downing Street, writes Mathilde Frot. When asked whether the SNP would prop up a Labour government, Ian Blackford categorically ruled out entering into a coalition with any party, including Labour. “The way that the Labour Party has dealt with antisemitism, the way that Jeremy Corbyn has dealt with antisemitism needs to be called out. I think there has been a failure of leadership,” he told Jewish News. But Blackford also said the SNP would be willing to “work with” other parties on specific issues such as Brexit and Scottish independence. “We would be willing to talk with people but I think

Blackford said his party would be willing to work with Corbyn

it is important in that context that we call out anyone that doesn’t show effective leadership against antisemitism,” he said. “Labour has to acknowledge the situation that it’s in with the Jewish community and the fact that it hasn’t shown leadership on

the antisemitism issue and that’s something that we would seek quite strongly, but would we be willing to lock the Conservatives out of power to stop us being taken out of Europe? Of course we would, and course we’re going to have to work with others in order to do that,” he added.

Last month, the sincesuspended SNP candidate Neale Hanvey apologised for sharing a post in 2016 depicting the Jewish philanthropist George Soros as a puppet master. Hanvey, whose name will remain on the ballot paper but would sit as an independent if elected, said he was “genuinely and deeply sorry.” When challenged on the allegations, Blackford said: “I’m led to believe that your colleagues in the Jewish community were pleased that at least in this situation, we acted promptly.” “The information wasn’t known to us at the time… Immediately when it was brought to attention, we took action to suspend him,” he added. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said that she would offer her support to a Labour minority government with certain conditions attached.

ELECTION BRIEFS

TORIES INVESTIGATE THREE CANDIDATES The Conservative Party is investigating three parliamentary candidates over allegations of antisemitism. Sally-Ann Hart, who is standing as a Tory candidate in Hastings and Rye, shared a video which implied Jewish George Soros controls the EU. St Helens South and Whiston candidate Richard Short questioned in a tweet whether journalist Melanie Phillips’s allegiance was to the UK or Israel.And Lee Anderson, running in Ashfield and Eastwood, is said to be an active member of a Facebook group where Soros conspiracies are promoted.

BREXIT PARTY AXES DENIAL CANDIDATE The Brexit Party has withdrawn its support for an election candidate who shared Holocaust denial on social media. James Edward Buckley has been dropped as the candidate for Blackley and Broughton after antisemitic content he posted was exposed by Jewish News. The candidate created an online profile under the name ‘Man Chester’ on Facebook, and claimed “there’s not enough evidence they [Jews] were gassed”. He also said: “Hitler was a Zionist helping build Israel”.

Charedi leader ‘deceived’ into lambasting Chief Rabbi

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The head of the strictly-Orthodox Jewish community was “deceived” into signing a letter distancing Charedi Jews from the Chief Rabbi’s criticism of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, according to those involved. Rabbi Ephraim Padwa, the rabbinic head of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations (OUHC), who is currently in poor health, signed – then withdrew – a letter which appeared to call the Chief Rabbi’s recent comments “irresponsible”. Jewish News had earlier been sent correspondence from both the general-secretary and president of the UOHC calling the letter “a forgery,” after having been sent a copy of Padwa’s letter by Corbyn-supporting Charedi activist Shraga Stern. On Monday, after hours of claim and counter-claim, the UOHC said: “It is

shocking that a few irresponsible hotheads would seek to take advantage of the Rov’s current poor health by deceiving him into signing a letter that has now been twisted into an endorsement of Jeremy Corbyn and circulated widely. The Rov does not involve himself in such partisan political matters.” Earlier, Chaim Schneck, general-secretary of the UOHC, emailed heads of the Charedi community with a message from UOHC president Rabbi Dovid Frand, informing the executive that the letter was a “forgery”. Jewish News approached Stern and Tambor for comment.

200 JEWS RALLY FOR LABOUR A group of almost 200 British Jews have said they will still be voting for the Labour Party today, despite concerns over institutional antisemitism. They pledged their support in an open letter signed by Turner prize winner Tai Shani, leading barrister Sir Geoffrey Bindman, actress Miriam Margolyes, children’s author Michael Rosen and psychotherapist Susie Orbach among others. Businessman Henry Stewart, one of the signatories, said: “We feel it is very important to show that there is an alternative voice to the mainstream view of near-universal hos-

tility to Labour and that this is consistent with Jewish values.” The signatories continue: “We are extremely concerned by recent antisemitic attacks, but recognise that all minorities will be safest when the wider community feels secure. “This cannot happen when the government pursues divisive policies, completely at odds with the Jewish tradition of social justice and likely to fuel the rise of the far-right. We urge all our fellow citizens, Jewish and non-Jewish, who wish to see a fairer and more cohesive society, to vote Labour.”

12 December 2019 Jewish News

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General Election 2019 / News ELECTION BRIEFS

ACTOR CANVASSES ALONGSIDE BERGER Jason Isaacs was the latest celebrity to lend his support to Finchley and Golders Green candidate Luciana Berger. The Jewish actor, who played Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, went door-knocking with the Lib Dem hopeful last weekend. Isaacs, who was born in Liverpool and brought up in north London where he attended Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, praised Berger as “brilliant, brave and ballsy”. She has also been endorsed by actor Hugh Grant and historian Simon Schama.

Corbyn accused at JN talk Liberal Democrat hopeful Chuka Umunna accused the Labour leader of being “guilty of racism” at Jewish News’ election hustings. In a seemingly unscripted remark, Umunna denied that Jeremy Corbyn had “gone on a journey” of atonement similar to that described by Labour’s Naz Shah, who apologised “unequivocally” in 2016 for antisemitic comments made on social media. Speaking at the JW3, at the hustings jointly hosted by Jewish News, the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council, Umunna – along-

side Labour’s Shah and the Conservatives’ Robert Jenrick – said he was “so angry” and “disappointed with good people in the Labour Party defending the indefensible”, eliciting a round of applause from the audience. He added: “Naz is a mate of mine, a dear friend of mine. I think she’s a fantastic parliamentarian but I’m fed up hearing this from Labour colleagues who should know better. “He is guilty of racism. He is guilty of it.” Referring to previous comments made by Corbyn, he continued:

“Imagine if you had a member of parliament, a member of parliament, defending a mural depicting black and Asian people in a particular way. Obviously racist on the face of it. Imagine having a parliamentarian who picks on two people who happen to be black in an audience and says, they don’t get an English sense of irony. “I could go through the list. It is

racism, pure and simple, and people keep making excuses for him, and they are sponsoring him to become prime minister.” In her response, Shah said: “On the mural, we’ve had an apology from Jeremy Corbyn. On every thing that you’ve [Umunna] mentioned, there’s a whole list of where he has got it wrong and he’s apologised.”

‘300,000 DEAD’ ON MIKE FREER’S BOARD The Conservative candidate in Finchley and Golders Green whose election poster was defaced with the words “300,000 dead” has said it may be a reference to Jews. Mike Freer, who is defending his seat and whose election boards were previously defaced, alerted Jewish News to the new vandalism on Friday. “I’m not sure what [300,000 dead] is referring to but my heart sank when I thought the person might be referring to the Jewish population in the UK.”

JAM TODAY! BORIS DISHES OUT THE DOUGHNUTS

Naz Shah, Robert Jenrick, Chuka Umunna and chair Tamara Cohen at JW3

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Boris Johnson greets customers at Grodzinski’s in Golders Green where he iced the slogan ‘Get Brexit Done’ on doughnuts and handed them out. The prime minister joined Finchley and Golders Green Tory hopeful Mike Freer, defending a 1,652-majority in the seat contested by Lib Dem candidate Luciana Berger and Labour’s Ross Houston, on the campaign trail.

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General Election 2019 / The battle for Harrow East

Which party will hit the ma By Ben Finlay

Bob Blackman is taking nothing for granted. The Conservative candidate for Harrow East at today’s election has represented the area since 2010 but says he is fighting much harder this time than in previous elections. The marginal seat is a target for Labour, which is focusing significant energy on winning it. The Tories are forecast to hold on, despite a majority last time of 1,757, but a good night for Labour could leave the result on a knife-edge. “We’re working hard,” Blackman tells Jewish News during a break from campaigning. “We’re doing substantially more work than we did in 2017 and before polling day we will have knocked on every single door in the constituency in the last five weeks. “It was closer than it should’ve been last time and we’re not leaving anything to chance. Plus, Labour are throwing everything at it – bussing people in from everywhere…But the response on the doorstep is much, much better than it was in 2017, and better than in 2015 as well.” He says the campaign has also been “nastier” than before and accuses his rivals of spreading “all sorts of terrible smears” about him. The row centres on allegations of Islamophobia. In 2016, Blackman shared a tweet by far-right activist Tommy Robinson about Muslim violence against Hindus in India. He

deleted it after realising who the original post was from. He also previously apologised for the offence caused by what he called his “error” in posting an article on Facebook headlined “Muslim Somali sex gang say raping white British children ‘part of their culture’.” Blackman rejects any suggestion of Islamophobia and accuses Labour of “trying to deflect from their own problems”. “There’s been so much about Labour’s antisemitism problem that they’re now going on about Islamophobia, in a ridiculous way which doesn’t help anyone, particularly when it’s not true,” he says. “It’s just a joke, frankly.” Blackman is determined to shine a light on what he sees as Labour’s own failings, and says many voters are doing it for him. “Jewish people are saying that when Labour people come round, they just point at the mezuzah and say ‘Goodbye’. It’s that sort of feeling – they’re not even interested in talking to them.” The Tory candidate contrasts this with his own record, saying: “I have stuck up for the state of Israel and for Jewish people in general and will continue to do so, so I’m a known commodity. I have been solid with that position over the last nine and a half years.” Blackman says he is also benefiting from a row about Labour’s position on Kashmir. A motion was passed at the party’s conference in September that the region be given the right to self-determination – a move that has gone

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Pamela Fitzpatrick with supporters. Jeremy Corbyn helped launch her campaign

down badly in Harrow East, where 28 percent of voters are Hindu.“We’re saying very clearly: Labour is anti-Indian,” Blackman says. “The fact is they passed a motion unanimously at their conference attacking India and then they tried to wriggle out of it. [Among] the Indian population in the constituency the word has gone out: don’t vote Labour.”

More widely, he is telling voters he will help deliver Brexit, insisting that most people “want to get it over and done with”. He is also focusing on concerns about Corbyn’s leadership. “We’ve said your choice is Corbyn or Boris, at which point everyone goes, ‘Well it’s not a choice.’ ” This argument, he says, is made easier by the fact that the Labour candidate, Pamela

12 December 2019 Jewish News

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The battle for Harrow East / General Election 2019

ark today in Harrow East? Fitzpatrick, was endorsed by John McDonnell, who said she was “the sort of principled socialist the Labour Party needs”, and had Corbyn turn up to help launch her campaign. Fitzpatrick, a Labour councillor in Harrow, has worked in the voluntary sector for 25 years and runs a charity that gives legal support. She says it was the issues she found herself dealing with in this role that prompted her to go into local government and, if things go her way on 12 December, national politics. She is campaigning on poverty and public services, arguing that years of Conservativeimposed austerity have been devastating. “There’s so much need in Harrow,” she says. “People don’t really think of Harrow as being an area that’s disadvantaged at all but it so is… “I’ve never seen things as bad as they are now. There’s no real safety net for people. In Harrow we have families sleeping in cars. It’s dire.” She also says people are waiting three weeks for a GP appointment, hospital waiting lists have worsened and a local walk-in centre has closed. “There’s such a need for investment to change things and Labour will do that. It’s a message of hope rather than negativity.” She says “a surprising amount” of former Tory voters are switching: “The Conservative policies have impacted on so many people that it’s driven a desire for change. Labour is the only one that is going to deliver that.” As elsewhere, though, Labour is suffering

Bob Blackman, Conservative candidate in Harrow East, had a majority of just 1,757 in 2017

from concerns among some minorities. Fitzpatrick concedes that the Kashmir issue has caused problems. Last month, the party leadership was forced to clarify that a Labour government would not take a formal position on the dispute. Then, of course, there is antisemitism. Fitzpatrick says the initial response to allegations was too slow but insists that matters have improved since Corbyn ally Jennie Formby was appointed general secretary last year. “Suspensions have increased fourfold – they are being dealt with quite rapidly now,” she says. “Any suggestion of antisemitism would

be dealt with immediately, but we need to reassure people and that’s what I’m trying to do.” One man hoping to benefit from voters’ doubts about both main parties is Liberal Democrat candidate Adam Bernard, a north London Jew who works as a software developer. The party came a distant third in 2017. His main message now is about Brexit: “We’re the party that actually wants to stop the whole thing, not just push it forwards another step and let it go on for potentially decades.” He says: “There’s a certain amount of hostility from Jewish voters to Jeremy Corbyn but

Lib Dem Adam Bernard knocks on doors

there’s also generally a sense that the Conservatives and Labour are plumbing the depths of how appallingly they can conduct themselves. “I have limited respect for the Conservatives crowing about antisemitism when they have ... systemic issues about how they treat Muslims and how they treat foreigners, and immigrants in particular….Unless you’re opposing all bigotry and all violence and hatred against all minority groups, you’re doing it wrong.” “While I’m glad in some respects that we’re sometimes the beneficiary of that, it’s quite a depressing landscape.”

PLEASE WILL YOU CONTINUE TO BRING LIGHT INTO THE LIVES OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS LIKE IVOR, MIRIAM AND RENEE THIS CHANUKAH AND BEYOND? For more than 25 years, Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre has been a beacon of hope for our survivor community who have lived through some of the worst experiences in history. But it receives no Government funding at all, so please make a gift today to help us continue to bring light into people’s lives this Chanukah.

To make your gift, please call 020 8922 2600, or visit jewishcare.org/donate Charity Reg No. 802559 04/12/2019 12:20

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News / General Election 2019

3,000 attend Westminster demo Thousands braved the cold weather on Sunday to join a rally against antisemitism that organisers said attracted 3,200 people, writes Mathilde Frot. Protesters held placards marked “Together against antisemitism” and bearing slogans such as “Antisemitism = Racism / Mr Corbyn – J’accuse” and “racist Corbyn unfit to be PM” during the rally in Parliament Square, led by Campaign Against Antisemitism. The group said many had travelled from Glasgow, Liverpool, Wales and Manchester for the demonstration, which sought to raise awareness of growing “Jew-hatred in politics and mounting anti-Jewish hate crime”. Gideon Falter, chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, told the crowd: “Today we are here standing before the Mother of Parliaments in the country of the Magna Carta, the country that stood alone as a light in Europe as the hatred of Nazi Germany enveloped the continent. “We stand here to say that Britain is better than this. We stand here to ask all the people of our country to stand with us.” Daniel Anderson, 52, a Labour councillor from New Southgate, said the event was his first rally against antisemitism. “I thought that this time

Robert Rinder, inset right, addressed the crowd at the Parliament Square rally on Sunday

we really need to make a stand,” he said. “What we’re talking about here is so fundamental to the future, not just of Jews, but I think of many rightminded people that frankly, there is a major concern on what the outcome could be,” he added. Sara Gibbs, 32, a vocal antisemitism campaigner on social media, said the rally was an opportunity to meet and show solidarity with others amid what she described as a “stressful and difficult time” for the Jewish community. “I think sometimes just the feeling of togetherness and feeling like there

are other people around to understand what you’re going through, it’s really important, because you know when you’re online and you’re fighting this stuff, it can feel very isolating,” she said. Student Louis Elton, 23, from Bayswater, said: “I came because my family are Jewish and I find it very upsetting that antisemitism is going to be drowned out as one issues of many.” Actress Tracy Ann Oberman, a vocal critic of the Labour Party over the antisemitism row, delivered an emotive speech punctuated by applause. She said: “The Jewish community is

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caught between the pincer grip of the far right and the hard left. Things that used to be mumbled into pints of beers in pubs, or behind closed doors of gentlemen’s clubs are now spoken about and shared freely, without shame. “I have been called a Jewish b***h, a Zio shill, a paid Israeli Mossad operative with too many shekels in my bank account, that I speak out because I am a tax evader, that like all Jews, I just want to hide my money. “This is our home. We have a right to be here. We have a right to feel welcome, and we have a right to feel safe.”

Barrister and TV personality Robert Rinder, whose grandfather was a Holocaust survivor, said: “The fact you are here is an act of courage. Being a Jew shouldn’t be an act of courage... That’s how it feels to be Jewish, that [it] requires us to be brave, that to be Jewish is something which is dirty furtive and dangerous. Well, we’re here today to say that it’s not.” Interfaith campaigner and founder of Muslims Against Antisemitism, Fiyaz Mughal warned Jew-hate was “the canary in the coal mine”, saying: “Not only is it a fact that it doesn’t start and stop there, it affects all of us, and that is why it is essential all people stand up for the decent human centred British values we are defending at this election.”

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12 December 2019

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News / Palace reception

Charles hosts right royal palace simcha

Banding together: Charles with members of the JLGB band at Buckingham Palace

Prince Charles has spoken of the “immense blessings” British Jews have brought to the country – and said his support for communal causes “is the least I can do to try to repay” them, writes Justin Cohen. The heir to the throne also described how his father Prince Philip helped a Jewish boy facing antisemitic bullying in 1930s Germany, as he addressed a varied guest-list of 400 at the first Buckingham Palace celebrating the community’s contribution. Describing the ties between Anglo-Jewry and the Crown as “special and precious”, he added: “I say this from a particular and personal perspective because I have grown up being deeply touched by the fact that British synagogues have, for centuries, remembered my family in your weekly prayers. And as you remember my family, so we, too, remember and celebrate you.” Guests at the reception – organised over several months with the support of the Board of Deputies – included the Chief Rabbi, the author Howard Jacobson, journalist Robert Peston and food writer Nigella Lawson. But the prince said he wanted to offer “particular gratitude” to the lesser-known volunteers and charity workers who made up the bulk of the guest list. He said the festive season was a fitting moment to celebrate the “contribution of our Jewish community to the health, wealth and happiness of the nation. In every walk of life, in every field of endeavour, our nation could have had no more generous citizens, and no more faithful friends.” The UK, he said, is “enriched by the diversity of its constituent parts. Its whole is much greater than its parts”. Addressing the gathering – which included

rabbis from all denominations but no political candidates amid sensitivity in the lead-up to today’s election – the prince said he was “immensely proud” of his grandmother Princess Alice who is recognised by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations for hiding a Jewish family during the war. He told a lesser-known story of courage in his own family in 1933 when Prince Philip was spending a year in school in Germany. “He helped an older schoolboy who had been identified as a Jew and badly mistreated by other boys,” Charles recalled. “His act of compassion is a source of pride and inspiration.” Recalling how Britain welcomed Jews fleeing pogroms or the Nazis, he said: “In turn, many thousands of Jewish people played a vital role in the war effort. My own great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, was enormously proud of the airman, RAF Flight Sergeant Jack Nissenthall, whose missions behind enemy lines would have been a death sentence had he ever been captured. This is a legacy we all share.” He spoke of his work with Jewish causes, attending Kindertransport reunions organised by the Association of Jewish Refugees and being patron of World Jewish Relief and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. “I see this as the least I can do to try to repay, in some small way, the immense blessings the Jewish people have brought to this land and, indeed, to humanity,” he said. Guests were serenaded on arrival at the palace by the sounds of a JLGB band. In an extra historic twist, a group of around 20 guests took part in an impromptu evening prayer service by the throne room – led by Jewish Leadership Council chief executive Simon Johnson.

...BEFORE BOOKING ISRAEL TRIP? Rumours of a pending Israel visit from Prince Charles swirled this week as sources indicated the future king was making plans to visit the Jewish state. He last visited Israel in September 2016 for the funeral of former president, Shimon Peres, and before that in 1995, for the funeral of slain Israeli premier Yitzhak Rabin, meaning any new visit – if confirmed in the coming weeks – would be his third.

A Royal visit had recently been hinted at by Neil Wigan, Britain’s new ambassador in Tel Aviv, and would closely follow Prince William’s hugely popular visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories in 2018. The Duke of Cambridge’s official trip last year, during which he was greeted by President Reuven Rivlin and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, was carefully choreographed to be as “non-political” as possible.

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12 December 2019 Jewish News

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12 December 2019

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News / Social media / Joint prayer / Chigwell assault

Warning over Instagram grooming Jewish schools have urged parents to be vigilant over their children’s online safety and report concerns to police after two boys were allegedly sent sexual messages on Instagram. An email to parents across

several schools including JCoSS and Yavneh College said an Instagram account initially called “nwlondon_jcohen” and apparently renamed “JCoSScouples2019” sent inappropriate messages to children.

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“Over the coming days it would be prudent, also, for parents and pupils to remain alert to this user changing their account name once again and to ensure that their children block anyone who sends or requests content of this nature,” the email read. The email urged families with older siblings to ask them to be sensitive and prevent the topic from being discussed with young children. Parents were encouraged to report concerns to police on 101 or

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Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders have co-authored a prayer to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January, the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The prayer, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Chief Rabbi and the Senior Imam at the Makkah Mosque, encourages communities to stop division and prevent the spread of hate in society. It acknowledges that genocidal regimes have deliberately fractured societies by marginalising certain

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violating community guidelines. Facebook said: “Inappropriate contact with minors is not allowed on Instagram. “In the coming weeks we’ll be rolling out a new setting on Direct that will give people the choice to no longer receive messages or be added to chat groups by people they don’t follow.”

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at www.ceop.police.uk/ceopreporting. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the force was investigating after two 11-year-olds allegedly received messages “of a sexual nature” on Instagram in an incident reported on 2 December. Officers spoke to the victims and shared safety advice, the spokesperson confirmed. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, revealed that an account had been removed for

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groups, and is available on the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website. Chief Rabbi Mirvis said: “I can think of no better way to begin preparations for HMD 2020 than this prayer – a sincere call to each of us to bring a little more light into the world.” Imam Qari Asim said: “Society is becoming increasingly polarised and respect for difference appears to be declining. It is therefore critically important that HMD is marked by all and lessons are learnt so that compassion can prevail over hatred.”

US BURIAL CHIEF STRUCK ON HEAD Police are investigating after United Synagogue’s head of burials Melvyn Hartog was allegedly struck on the head and kicked in Chigwell at the weekend. Essex Police confirmed reports that a man in his seventies was assaulted in the street in Warren Court on 7 December before 6.20pm. The victim suffered superficial wounds after being allegedly hit on the back of the head with a branch and was kicked after falling to the floor, a spokesperson said. If you can help the police, call 101 and quote crime reference number 42/193586/19

Brum student to lead UJS A Birmingham student has been elected as the next president of the Union of Jewish Students after only two candidates entered the race. James Harris, who beat Etan Feingold by 361 votes, will take over from Israeli student Esther Offenberg in June for the one-year presidency. He has promised to get universities to pay the security costs of controversial Israeli speakers on campus. Harris, a student at the University of Birmingham who is president of its Jewish Society, also said he wanted to engage more Jewish students in the union as it marks 100 years since its founding. His victory over Feingold, from the University of Not-

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tingham, was announced on Sunday at the annual UJS Conference, in which the peer and former Labour MP John Mann spoke about the importance of fighting antisemitism. In his manifesto, Harris, from London, said he would lobby all universities to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and train every Student Union officer on the topic. Harris went to Jewish primary and secondary schools before starting in 2017 at Birmingham, where the Jewish student population is so large Jews dub it a “Jewniversity”. The Board of Deputies congratulated Harris.

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CHIEF RABBI MOURNS FATHER’S DEATH Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis flew to Israel this week for the funeral of his father Lionel, who died following a period of illness. Lionel Mirvis was the rabbi of the Claremont and the Wynberg Hebrew Congregations in Cape Town where he notably preached against the apartheid system and visited political prisoners on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other ANC leaders were held.

DEATH THREATS TO TEENAGER ON TUBE A man allegedly threatened to kill a teenage boy, thought to be Jewish, on board a Northern Line train at around 9.20pm on 7 December. British Transport Police said officers took the victim home and spoke with his family, who did not wish to make a complaint.

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A “Nazi-level hate” group was removed by Facebook after it was reported over alleged racism by Countdown star Rachel Riley. Truthers Against Zionist Lobbies, which had 8,700 members, posted caricatured images of Jewish people with evil expressions and hooked noses.

12 December 2019 Jewish News

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School warning / Cat’s ordeal / News

JCoSS cancels after-school activities following muggings Parents at a Jewish school in north London have been urged to remain vigilant after a series of attacks in Barnet’s Victoria Park, writes Mathilde Frot. A number of students returning home from JCoSS, named Greater London’s top state secondary by the Sunday Times, were targeted in the area in recent weeks, including an alleged attempted robbery at knifepoint. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Wednesday that officers were called to reports of an attempted robbery on Park Road last Thursday. It is alleged a 15-year-old boy was

approached by two suspects and threatened with a knife, the spokesperson confirmed. There were no reported injuries, and the victim was allowed to leave with his possessions. In one of several emails to parents over recent days, the school’s headteacher Patrick Moriarty said the homework club and late detention sessions are to be put on hold. “In addition, due to the recent crime in the park we feel that students should leave school together at normal time, with Year 11 acting as role models for the younger students who may be more intimidated,”

he wrote. In a statement, a spokesperson for the school said several attacks on members of the public, including JCoSS students returning home from school, were reported in Victoria Park. Security in the local area has been increased, including police presence and patrols by school staff and Community Security Trust (CST) advisers. The spokesperson added: “Routine advice to students to avoid the park has been strongly reiterated, together with advice to walk in groups and with an air of purpose, keeping phones out of sight.

JCoSS was named Greater London’s top state secondary school

“A local bus passes the school, and security has been increased at the stop with the recommendation that it is the safest mode of travel. All incidents have been reported to police and to CST, and the school is in close

ISRAELI CAT NOW A BRITISH KITTI-ZEN! A stowaway cat was found at a British port after surviving a 12-day sea journey from Israel. The tortoiseshell cat, (pictured), thought to be about a year old, was discovered in a container which arrived at Southampton in April. Following a four-month quarantine stay, she has been named

Izzy and is being cared for at the Cats Protection Newbury Adoption Centre, in Thatcham, Berkshire, which is hoping to find her a new home. Thea Eld, the centre’s deputy manager, said: “Izzy is quite a shy cat, and we think she must have been a street cat in Israel – used to being around people, but not han-

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and regular contact with both. One arrest has been made so far.” uAnyone with information that may help police is asked to call 101 with the crime reference number 4893/5Dec

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12 December 2019

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News / Riley trial / Student anger

Judge examines Riley libel case “Vox Political, politics for the people”, on 26 January 2019, entitled, “Serial abuser Rachel Riley to receive ‘extra protection’— on grounds that she is receiving abuse”. He contended that the narrative of Riley as a victim, as portrayed in the press, was wrong and suggested that she, and the actress Tracy-Ann Oberman, had spearheaded online abuse themselves against a 16-year-old girl. In a complex ruling in a “Determination of Meaning” hearing, Mr JusJUST ONE CALL AWAY tice Nicklin told barristers David Mitchell, for Sivier, and William Bennett QC for Riley, that he accepted that some parts of Sivier’s article were factual allegations and CALL NOW FOR YOUR DREAM others opinion. He ruled that FLIGHTS & HOLIDAYS TO Sivier’s description of Riley

A High Court judge heard pre-trial submissions on Wednesday over a pending libel case between the TV presenter Rachel Riley and the blogger and activist Michael Sivier, writes Jenni Frazer. Sivier published an article on his website,

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as having acted “obscenely by subjecting a vulnerable 16-year-old girl to serial abuse and has recklessly acted in such a way as to encourage her followers to make death threats against the girl and to subject her to an appalling amount abuse” was a factual allegation. But the judge said that he believed other parts of Sivier’s comments fell into the category of opinion. At one point Sivier wrote: “I’m not saying Ms Riley intentionally tried to get her followers to threaten this girl with death, But nobody can deny that her irresponsibility has encouraged others to do so, and that she has been reckless as to the consequences of her behaviour”. Mr Justice Nicklin declared this to be an opinion, and therefore not subject to the claim of libel. Mr Sivier also called Ms Riley a “hypocrite” which the judge said was “a value judgment” on her conduct. Much of Wednesday’s hearing was taken up with a detailed discussion of three “hyperlinks”

Rachel Riley speaking on Channel 4

in Sivier’s article, two of which would take the reader to more than 100 pages of in-depth analysis by commentator Shaun Lawson of Riley’s and Oberman’s actions. Sivier now has until 29 January to prepare his full defence. He has launched a crowdfunding appeal to pay for his costs.

Jewish students abused at Labour rally Jewish students at the University of Bristol say they were verbally abused while holding placards accusing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of being “racist” and “loving terrorists” during a Labour rally in the city. The incident took place at College Green on Monday with Jewish pro-

testers alleging that they were called “filthy Zionists” and asked: “Who funds you?” Chloe, a third-year Jewish politics student, told the local Epigram newspaper that “someone just screamed at me ‘you dirty, filthy Zio’… I was also called a puppet of the Zionist lobby”.

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It is the latest political skirmish involving Jewish students there. In September the university caused anger after rejecting a complaint about a sociology lecturer who had reportedly taught his students that parts of the so-called “Zionist lobby” funds Islamophobia.

12 December 2019 Jewish News

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Jewish Volunteering Awards / News

Honour for refugee who’s helped 60,000 Dozens of Jews who give their time to help others were honoured at the Jewish Volunteering Network’s annual awards night in London, writes Mathilde Frot. Fifty individuals and teams received trophies during a ceremony at Allianz Park on 4 December hosted by BBC World News broadcaster Samantha Simmonds. “It’s important to fully understand the power of volunteering and that is why we decided to celebrate it in an evening of simcha,” said JVN chief executive Nicky Goldman. “Volunteering makes people happy and is an essential part of the Jewish and wider community … All our winners are inspiring and we wanted to show the whole community how much we appreciate them.” Kindertransport refugee Harry Heber received Edwards Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in Volunteering award and a standing ovation. The retired optician made 60,000 prescription glasses for vulnerable Jews across the world. He volunteered for World Jewish

Hertsmere’s Mayor Alan Plancey with volunteer Flora Frank of Norwood

Relief for more than 20 years after discovering the organisation had helped to rescue him and his family from Nazi-occupied Europe. “I saw an opportunity to give something back and I would recommend that to everyone,” he said. “It gives great satisfaction to know you’re helping people in a much worse situation.” Hilary Castle, who has supervised at special needs school Kisharon during lunch once a week for six years, was Volunteer of the Year. “Hilary is always smiling and happy and I can tell she enjoys her time

here,” said administrator Bhavna Adatia, who nominated Castle. Dimitri Raziev, of GIFT, was honoured for running the charity’s tutoring club over seven years, and a team of 50 who run Jewish Women’s Aid’s helpline were Edwards Outstanding Volunteer Team of the Year. Other winners included Charlotte Balazs, of the Association of Jewish Refugees, Yael Chana Unsdorfer, of camp simcha, Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, of the Israel Guide Dog Centre, and Sidney Austin, of Jewish Care.

VOLUNTEERING HAS THREE-WAY BENEFIT BY NICKY GOLDMAN

CEO, JEWISH VOLUNTEERING NETWORK

Last week I was lucky to attend three simchas: a wedding, a barmitzvah and the Jewish Volunteering Network’s Celebration of Volunteering Awards. In much the same way as guests came together to elevate and share the joy of the barmitzvah and the newlyweds, 275 community members and friends gathered at the awards to honour not just our 50 winners but also the thread that unites them. For me, volunteering has three anchors: the person volunteering, the charity they volunteer for, and the socalled beneficiary. And when someone volunteers, the actual benefit is felt by all three corners of the triangle. We often hear volunteers say how hugely they benefit from what they do, with improved mental health or confidence to receiving relevant training, all of which may open up employment or academic opportunities, and from discovering new passions to building lifelong friendships. What’s more, anyone can volunteer. In fact, our differences empower us to

volunteer: no matter their age, gender, ability or personal circumstance, every person has something to give. For those who might feel they are on society’s sidelines, volunteering can help them to rediscover their place in the world. When it comes to organisations, they have shown how much they value volunteers: 42 charity leaders wrote pages and pages of testimony to put forward 50 nominees for the awards. Their message is clear: volunteers are the backbone of their work. The people whose lives have been changed by charities have, more often than not, been helped by volunteers. Turning to the beneficiaries (for want of a better word), research shows they can gain more when they are supported by a volunteer than by somebody who is ‘paid to help them’. Volunteers do not just add capacity to organisations; they are often credited with bringing a jovial, family feel. Such an atmosphere encourages long-term engagement, so beneficiaries are supported for as long as they need it. So, while we are exceptionally proud to have recognised 50 award winners last week, the true hero – of every single day – is volunteering itself, and the incredible difference it makes to everyone connected to it.

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

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World’s Big Sleep Out / News

Faith leaders camp out to raise homeless cash

INDEPENDENCE. DIGNITY. CHOICE.

Faith leaders and activists take part in the World’s Big Sleep Out in Trafalgar Square

Rabbis Herschel Gluck and David Mason were among hundreds to sleep rough in the heart of the capital on Saturday to raise money to tackle homelessness, writes Mathilde Frot. As the mercury dropped to about 10 degrees and amid heavy rain, the pair were joined by leaders from Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist faith communities in hunkering down for the night in a sleeping bag in Trafalgar Square at the World’s Big Sleep Out. The campaign to end rough sleeping, created by Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of the charity Social Bite, led thousands to take part around the world this year, with camp-outs in 52 cities, including New York, Dublin and Brisbane. In London, the actress Dame Helen Mirren read a bedtime story to those in the square and musicians Tom Walker, Rag ‘N’ Bone Man and Travis performed on stage. After the event, Rabbi Gluck described the experience as “very moving”. “The adverse weather conditions gave us a glimpse into the horrible suffering of so many people,” he said. “I learnt a lot from speaking to other people there, particularly those whom have slept rough for long periods.”

Rabbi Mason, of Muswell Hill Synagogue, said the “it was really important for the Jewish voice to be represented” in what he described as a “global act of solidarity.” “We were proudly joined by clerics and representatives from other faiths. At my shul, we participate in a charity’s scheme to provide shelter for the homeless during winter months,” he said.. “My community has responded magnificently to my fundraising efforts. As Jews, we need to get stuck in to tackling these social problems.” Interfaith activist Zaki Cooper, who also attended the camp-out, said: “Sleeping in the cold with an increasingly wet sleeping bag, as the rain came down, gave us a taste of the horror faced by so many. It’s a travesty that over 700 homeless people died in the UK in the last calendar year.” He added: “There is so much talk of disagreements between faiths but, as Jews, we were able to come together with other faith groups and say – our religions tell us that homelessness in unacceptable. The importance our faiths place on social justice tells us we have to act.”

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A GLIMPSE OF LIFE AS A ROUGH SLEEPER — FOR JUST ONE NIGHT BY RABBI DAVID MASON & ZAKI COOPER On Saturday night, we had a unique and important experience. After spending Shabbat at home and in our respective communities, we travelled to Trafalgar Square to take part in the World’s Big Sleep Out. We slept out in the cold and the rain as part of a global campaign to highlight the problem of homelessness and to raise money for relevant charities. It was a powerful experience, in a sleeping bag and an orange survivor bag, which theoretically protected us from the rain. We were fortunate to have warm homes to go to in the morning. Homeless people have to face the vagaries of the weather night after night, which is debilitating, mentally and physically. Among the 2,000 participants in Trafalgar Square were people who had slept rough for

long periods in the past and were now turning their lives round. We were part of a multifaith group which included a canon of Westminster Abbey and an imam running a domestic abuse charity. It makes sense to work together to tackle social problems. There is much focus on division between faiths, but we can join constructively in projects like this for the common good. Returning home on Sunday morning, bleary eyed, we felt proud to have been part of this symbolic event and were reminded how blessed we are in our own lives. Homelessness can’t be solved overnight, of course. And we don’t claim to know what it feels like: we had a glimpse into the discomfort for one night only. But by showing alertness to the suffering of others, we showed that Judaism can be part of the solution to this problem. Next time you pass a homeless person, remember he or she is human too and our religion sees homelessness as a social injustice we must all strive to correct.

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

World News / Deadly shootings / Terror payments

Four killed in kosher supermarket shooting The American Jewish community was once again coming to terms with another deadly shooting this week, after gunmen entered a kosher supermarket in Jersey and killed Jewish shoppers. Following the rampage, which left four victims dead, including one police officer, the tight-knit Orthodox community of Greenville in Jersey City was left reeling after a shoot-out moved from a cemetery to JC Kosher Supermarket. Among the Jewish victims named by Wednesday afternoon were Moshe Deutch, 24, and Leah Ferentz, 33. Deutch was reportedly in Stamford Hill in London last week, attending a wedding. Dramatic video footage of the shooting was uploaded online showing an injured police officer being dragged to safety and police back-up arriving, amid a hail of gunfire in the largely African-American neighbourhood. Two gunmen armed with high-powered rifles are understood to have holed up in the shop, which is next door to a synagogue and a yeshiva, exchanging hundreds of rounds of ammunition with police before being shot dead. Jewish victims were confirmed by Mordechai Rubin, a member of the local

Norway calls for PA money suspension Parliament members in Norway, one of the world’s main donors to the Palestinian Authority (PA), demanded contributions be suspended over incitement in school textbooks. Members of the ruling coalition said in a statement last Thursday it is instructing the government to “reduce or withhold financial support to the PA if they do not provide satisfactory improvements in school materials” soon. The instruction is not legally binding, but is politically difficult to ignore for the centreright government under Prime

Minister Erna Solberg. If implemented, it spells a loss of $24million (£18m) in funding for the PA according to a statement by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education. The coalition’s statement cites a recent review, by the Institute, of textbooks used in PA schools. “Examples of content in the books include references to violence, martyrdom and terror,” the statement read. “The coalition considers this to be devastating to the peace process and development of democracy.”

The shooting spree on Tuesday night claimed four victims

Jewish emergency medical services Hatzolah. They are believed to have been bystanders. One survivor from the shooting is understood to have injuries. Initially police believed the gunmen ran into the kosher supermarket at random but within hours of the incident Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who is Jewish, said: “We believe the shooters targeted the location they attacked.” Wednesday’s New York Times reported that one of the gunmen had

posted antisemitic content online. British Jewish leaders reacted with horror and sympathy. Senior Reform Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner said: “Another violent tragedy must never numb our capacity to feel shock nor our duty to bring people together and to counter hatred wherever it appears.” Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl said: “Our hearts go out to the victims of this heinous attack.” uEditorial comment, page 20

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

World News / March madness / Sharansky award / Research risk

Will three be lucky number for Israel? Ballot-weary Israelis this week faced the prospect of a third general election in 12 months on 2 March after politicians again failed to come up with a unity government. Hopes of a last-minute deal were dashed as the blame game between the chief protagonists began in earnest, each blaming the other for intransigence in negotiations. The Blue and White party, led by former Israel Defence Forces chief Benny Gantz and former Finance Minister Yair Lapid, won the most The Netanyahus voting earlier this year Avigdor Lieberman, whose right-wing secseats in September’s election, closely followed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, ular party Yisrael Beitenu won eight of the 120 whose allies include right-wing nationalists and Knesset seats in September, was proclaimed kingmaker by Israel’s press, but has failed to get Israel’s two big strictly Orthodox parties. Both Netanyahu and Gantz have been unable the kings to agree. “Netanyahu and Gantz are playing a blame to get the required parliamentary majority of 61 seats in order to govern, and have not been able game,” he said. “I tried to apply real pressure to to agree to share government on a rotation basis. them, but unfortunately both of them have made The idea behind a unity government is for a strategic decision not to go to unity, so both parGantz to serve two years of the four-year parlia- ties bear responsibility for another election.” Netanyahu, who has been indicted on corrupmentary term as prime minister, with Netanyahu serving the other two years, but both men tion charges, blamed the failure of talks on “Blue and White’s opposition”, but Gantz said about had said they want to serve first. In addition, Netanyahu has insisted his allies Netanyahu: “No prime minister has ever placed join any coalition, despite this having always himself and his needs before those of Israel like Netanyahu is doing.” been unacceptable to Gantz and Lapid.

Some Jews ‘don’t love Israel enough’ Donald Trump has criticised American Jews who do not sufficiently “love Israel”. The president spoke for almost an hour at the IsraeliAmerican Council’s annual conference last week and said: “You have people — Jewish people — and they are great

people and they don’t love Israel enough... So many of you voted for people in the last administration... who don’t like Israel too much.” More than 4,000 people attended the four-day conference, which featured sessions on topics including the Israeli-

American relationship and antisemitism. Trump surveyed his record of Israel-related policies, including moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem, recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan and ending US policy labelling settlements as illegal.

SHARANSKY HANDED JEWISH NOBEL The Genesis Prize Foundation has announced that Natan Sharansky, a Jewish Refusenik, prolific leader in the Soviet Jewry emigration movement and former Israeli politician, will be awarded the 2020 Genesis Prize in June. The Genesis Prize, dubbed the “Jewish Nobel”, was started

in 2013 and is financed through a permanent $100 million endowment. The annual award honours “extraordinary individuals for their outstanding professional achievement, contribution to humanity and commitment to Jewish values.” Sharansky was selected to

honour “his extraordinary lifelong struggle for political and religious freedoms, emphasizing the relevance of his work in today’s world”. In 1977, Sharansky was jailed by the communist authorities for his pro-Zionist, pro-democracy efforts and spent nine years in a Soviet prison.

Pregnant smokers’ diabetes risk Israeli scientists have found that pregnant women who smoke are 50 percent more likely to develop gestational diabetes, which can lead to abnormally large babies. To reach their findings, which were published in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, the Hebrew University team

studied data from 222,000 US pregnancies from 2009-15 of which more than five percent developed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). They found female smokers who did not cut down during pregnancy were nearly 50 percent more likely to develop GDM. Those who did reduce

but did not stop had a 22 percent higher risk than those who never smoked or quit two years before becoming pregnant.

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12 December 2019 Jewish News

Camp visit / Prague tourism / Anti-hate campaign / Diaspora News

Merkel visits Auschwitz with ‘deep sense of shame’

Angela Merkel met with a camp survivor and the Polish prime minister

mittee called Merkel’s visit “especially important” as a sign of solidarity with Holocaust survivors, while Poland’s foreign ministry said her visit was “historic”. Merkel has been praised by Jewish groups for her support for the Jewish people and was awarded the Leo Baeck Medal in 2010 and the Elie Wiesel

PRAGUE’S JEWISH MUSEUM AMONG TOP TOURIST SPOTS The Jewish Museum in Prague is one of the Czech capital’s most visited tourist destinations, according to a recently-released report. More than 721,000 tourists visited Prague’s Jewish museum last year, which is more than visited the National Museum and the National Gallery. News of its runaway success follows publication of the annual report from the European Group on Museum Statistics, which uses national data to measure and compare visitor num-

Your weekly digest of stories from the international press.

Photo by @ AuschwitzMuseum - Twitter

Angela Merkel has visited the site of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp for the first time since taking office and pledged £51million to help preserve it. The German chancellor, who will soon step down after 14 years in the job, met a camp survivor and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, six weeks before the 75-year anniversary of the camp’s liberation by Soviet troops on 27 January. She said the money would go to the foundation running the site, to help preserve the physical remnants such as the barracks, the guard towers and personal items. The chancellor has already visited Dachau and Buchenwald, camps located in present-day Germany, as well as Israel’s Yad Vashem. Auschwitz is in present-day Poland, which was occupied by Nazi forces in the period when 1.1 million people were killed there. Merkel’s visit last Friday, which she said filled her with a “deep sense of shame”, was the first by a German chancellor in 24 years and follows a deadly attack on a synagogue in the central city of Halle on Yom Kippur. A 27-year-old neo-Nazi has admitted to killing two people. The International Auschwitz Com-

WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF

bers in 30 countries. Located in the Josefov Quarter, the museum is in fact a complex of synagogues and interactive exhibits that tell the story of the city’s large and influential Jewish community, dating back to the tenth century. It maintains the Pinkas, Spanish, Maisel and Klaus Synagogues, alongside the Ceremonial Hall and Old Jewish Cemetery as part of its permanent exhibition, with one of the largest collections of Judaica in the world.

Award from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2017. Before setting off, Merkel said her government was “prioritising the fight against antisemitism and all forms of hate,” adding people could expect her “determination” to help Jewish life in Germany flourish.

CROATIA

SWEDEN

ITALY

The Jewish museum in Basel has opened an exhibition documenting how Polish diplomats saved Jews during the Second World War. Acting under the guidance of Ambassador Alexander Łado, they showed “unparalleled bravery and humanity” to rescue up to 10,000 Jews by issuing falsified Latin American passports.

The city of Malmo has allocated £1.5million to protect its small Jewish community after a series of antisemitic incidents in recent years. In June, two donors stumped up £3 million for the same cause. A third of Malmo’s population hails from Muslim-majority countries, whereas the Jewish community numbers around 1,500.

US-based Jewish groups have praised the Croatian government for its recent work “protecting, preserving and promoting the country’s Jewish legacy”. Among those heralding the culture ministry’s efforts were the US Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues Cherrie Daniels and US Ambassador William Robert Kohorst.

An Italian town has rejected an application for a Holocaust memorial, calling it “divisive”. Schio Council said no to three little brass plaques called Stolpersteine being embedded in the pavement outside three houses whose former Jewish residents were deported. Councillors said it ‘risked generating new hatred’. The rejection sparked outrage among both Jewish and nonJewish groups.

Shoah in Soviet lands film opens A film about how and why the Soviets shelved the publication of a book detailing the murder of almost three million Jews under Nazi occupation has premiered. The Mystery of the Black Book by Israeli director Boris Maftsir was presented in Moscow, Russia, at the International Film Festival for Creative Documentaries – ArtDocFest – on Saturday evening. In October 1947, the ‘Black Book’ was due to hit Moscow bookshelves, but authorities halted publication, just as leader Josef Stalin was beginning to purge state institutions of Jews in senior positions. Over 500 pages compiled by famous Soviet writers Ilya Erenburg and Vasily Grossman in 1944, horrific instances are documented

summed up as: we all suffered, we were all victorious.” “The veil of silence over the Holocaust in the Soviet Union remains an especially tragic chapter in the history of Jews, one that has still not been fully reflected on, and studied,” said Ilia Salita, president and CEO of Genesis PhiThe film details the plight of Soviet Jews lanthropy Group, which such as how hundreds of bodies supported the film’s production. “This film has tremendous eduwere “thrown into cesspits like puppies” with “children thrown cational potential, not just for the alive into pits” but Soviet authori- young but for those who didn’t ties did not want it published as have a chance to learn about their it did not fit the official narrative, own history.”

Yeshiva founder is jailed for rape

More than 721,000 tourists have visited the Jewish Museum in Prague

SWITZERLAND

The founder of an Orthodox yeshiva in Connecticut, USA, and vocal opponent of gay rights has been jailed for 20 years for raping and molesting a young boy when he was a student there. Rabbi Daniel Greer, 79, was found guilty of sexually assaulting Eliyahu Mirlis, now 31, hundreds of times from 2001 to 2005 and on Monday he was sentenced to two decades in prison, which he is set to appeal. Greer, an activist who campaigned for Soviet refuseniks and who later founded the New Haven yeshiva, was ordered to be detained while his appeal proceeded, because he is considered a significant flight risk.

BEAUTY QUEEEN BACKS ANTI-HATE CAMPAIGN A Jewish beauty queen in Germany spearheaded an anti-racism campaign across Europe to coincide with Human Rights Day on Tuesday. Tamar Morali, the first Jewish contestant in the Miss Germany Cooperation (MGC) contest, is involved in the ‘Shalom’ campaign highlighting racist or antisemitic incidents and rhetoric plaguing parts of Germany and

the EU. Morali brings a substantial online profile to the initiative, with her 30 million social media followers, and has used her brand-power to bring other influencers and celebrities on board in recent weeks. “In recent years there have been several racist and antisemitic incidents in Germany and Europe, which impacted all of us,” Morali said, highlighting the attack on a synagogue in Halle in October.

Jewish News 12 December 2019

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Editorial comment and letters ISSUE NO.

1136

VOICE OF THE JEWISH NEWS

Do not succumb to the numbness

A British Jewish leader summed up the community’s collective reaction to the latest killing Jews – along with a police officer – in the United States this week: numbness. Her point was that the frequency with which we now see deadly attacks on Jewish buildings, with Jewish victims of violence across the world, must not dull our sense of shock at these events. Although the full circumstances and motives of the Jersey City attack remained unclear as Jewish News went to press on Wednesday evening, the city’s mayor has said that authorities believe the kosher supermarket was “targeted” so there is clearly a bigger picture. These Jewish bystanders are now but the latest to die, less than two months after a deadly synagogue shooting in central Germany, and a little more than a year after a far-right gunman walked into a Pittsburgh synagogue, killing 11 and wounding seven. She is right: we cannot succumb to numbness, remarking how “it’s happening more and more” before idly turning to read the sports pages. Our shock and disgust must reverberate, as must our commitment to stand in solidarity with the Jersey City Jewish community, comprised in part by an overflow from the huge Orthodox population of nearby Williamsburg in Brooklyn. What is most numbing about the Jersey killings? The realisation that if Jews are being killed in safe havens such as Germany and the US, every community is vulnerable.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send us your comments PO Box 815, Edgware, HA8 4SX | letters@thejngroup.com

The fight’s with the right Those urging the Jewish community to vote for Boris Johnson today are making a big mistake. Historically it’s the right, not the left, that poses the biggest danger to the Jewish community. This is as true today as it was in Germany in the 1930s or now, for example, in the USA. By contrast, consider the role of the Jews in the Soviet Union. In spite of Russia’s historic levels of antisemitism (and before Stalin became completely paranoid), Jews were to be found in the highest levels of the Soviet Union’s government and its army. In the UK, in spite of attempts by antisemites to infiltrate the Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn’s feeble attempts to deal with this, it has always been the

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Thursday’s election is most probably the most momentous for our community in the UK. The politics of envy by the leader of the opposition has allowed antisemitism to rise in his own party. Fortunately in northwest London we have been served by good local Conservative MPs who are standing again this time – Bob Blackman, Mike Freer, Matthew Offord and Theresa Villiers. They have been very supportive of our

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Maurice Jay NW11

ONLY ONE CHOICE TODAY

CONTACT DETAILS Publisher and Editor Richard Ferrer 020 7692 6929 richardf@thejngroup.com

left – especially the extreme left – that has supported the Jewish community in its battles with the antisemites. The covert antisemitism endemic among England’s upper class, seen in the Conservative Party, is far more dangerous than the rants of left-wing antisemites infiltering Labour. The former are men and women of power whose supporters are the xenophobes of Middle England. The latter may imagine that they are winning support from the working class but underestimate the cynicism and humour of the English worker who sometimes uses harmless banter to conceal these virtues.

community, helping secure funding for CST protection of schools and synagogues, which reduced parental contributions – something Labour never did. And the Lib Dems passed a motion in 2017 saying schools should not select pupils by religion, which would bring an end to faith education. There is only one way to vote and that is to support Conservative candidates.

Richard Martyn By email

TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED “Following a mix up at the printers, I can tell you that 40,124 people will be attending the Greenblatt wedding, 16,007 are unable to attend and eight have selected the vegetarian option!”

We are at the end of this general election campaign. The biggest risk, not only to the Jewish community but also to the general population, is complacency and be-

lief that the election is in the bag or even in a “harmless” vote for the Lib Dems. Elect a Conservative Government with a working majority.

Brian Gedalla, Finchley

12 December 2019 Jewish News

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PART-TIME MID-LEVEL/SENIOR PAEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS - (MINIMUM 17.5 HOURS PER WEEK) FTE Salary for 35 hours/week: £32,000 to £37,000 dependent on experience

THE COMPANY ONE KEEPS Two correspondents in last week’s edition of Jewish News, Maurice Jay and Ros Kane, seem to have a naïve and skewed vision of life within the far left, and blatant systematic antisemitism within the Labour Party. Abused Jewish MPs, week in week out labour members continually making anti Semitic comments, tells its own tale. Jon Ware’s insightful and damning documentary shook Mr Corbyn and his acolytes to the core. So much so that they demanded the BBC stop showing it. What a chutzpah, sometimes the truth is hard to bear. The news that the Labour Party are not being very cooperative with the “Equalities and Human Rights Association” a watchdog

set up by labour, speaks volumes about the dark side of its misconduct.. Antisemitism has always lurked in society’s background and very often comes to the surface. However, Mr Jays assertion that the far left have always supported the Jewish community, and his peculiar rant about England’s upper classes, makes me think he is in cloud cuckoo land. The same applies to Ros Kane, for all Mr Corbyn’s supposed good deeds, his denial that antisemitism within his party is not commonplace, allied to his association with so many nefarious people, is incriminating beyond measure.

Robert Dulin Brickett Wood

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On the letters page last week, Elaine Allouf asked “Would we do the same?” regarding the actions of brave Muslim lady, Asma Shuweikh, who went to the defence of a Jewish family on a train. I would answer a resounding “yes” and believe I speak on behalf of many Jews, otherwise it would make a mockery of all our hard campaigning and clamouring for an end to institutionalised antisemitism and racism.

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The fact that the Jewish family have not released their name is surely a sad reflection of the fear under which many Jews live in these troubled times. It is good to remind ourselves that we Jews have always tried to help the oppressed and persecuted. We would definitely do the same as heroic Asma.

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

Opinion

Labour betrayed the Jews who supported it CHARLES FALCONER LABOUR PEER & BARRISTER

oale Zion, which became the Jewish Labour Movement in 2004, and the Labour Party fought fascism and for workers’ right together for close to 100 years. The Labour Party and the trade union movement were a consistent, reliable and trusted support for the victims of antisemitism throughout the rest of Europe in those years. Support for Poale Zion in Britain came from immigrants who had suffered antisemitism in their native countries. Many of them lived in the East End of London. Clement Attlee’s political career was promoted by the head of the Labour Party in Stepney, a Romanian Jew called Oscar Tobin, who became the first Jewish mayor of the borough in 1921. Together they fought, along with the whole Labour and trade union movement, for the tens of thousands of people fleeing Russian and Nazi pogroms. That history has been betrayed and forgotten. The evidence put in

by the JLM to the Equality and Human Rights Commission inquiry is a damning catalogue of antisemitism in the Labour Party today. There are evidenced descriptions of the antisemitic bullying of members, councillors and MPs who are either Jewish or stand up for Jews, and of the Labour Party corrupting the disciplinary process to ensure that antisemites in the party go unpunished. It is chilling. It is not denied. It is said that things are getting better and proper procedures have now been put in place. Yet complaints of antisemitism go undealt with today. A National Executive Committee member who said on tape that the complaints of antisemitism in the Labour Party were orchestrated by the Israeli embassy goes unpunished six months after the tape came to light. And a few weeks ago Dame Louise Ellman, former Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, felt compelled to resign because of antisemitism. It is said that the allegations of antisemitism are inventions and exaggerations of our enemies in politics and the media. Our enemies certainly use them against us, and are able to do so because the case against us is compelling. The leadership being clear that it will do

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WE NEED A LABOUR GOVERNMENT BUT THE ANTISEMITISM MUST BE DEAL WITH everything in its power to stop antisemitism is the key step to bringing it to an end. But the reverse is happening. The JLM evidence documents that signals are being sent by the leadership for the Labour Party to take a lenient attitude to antisemitism, a message received by perpetrators and victims alike. The JLM evidence has been put into the public domain, maybe to try to influence today’s election. Even if that is the motive, it would be wrong to stay silent and not call for the party to act now to deal with the antisemitism. Words are no longer enough. The leadership, win or lose this election, has to demonstrate by action it is serious about its opposition to antisemitism. It should as quickly as

possible set up or adopt a complaints process to deal with antisemitism which is demonstrably independent of the party machine, and hand over all existing and future complaints to that body; it should publish its response to the EHRC; and it should commit now to accepting all the recommendations that the EHRC makes when it reports next year. Does the antisemitism make it impossible to support Labour in this election? Does it make Jeremy Corbyn unfit to be PM, as the Chief Rabbi says? I would vote Labour were I not disqualified from voting as a peer because I believe that the country will be much better off with a Labour government – a softer Brexit, fundamental economic change to deal with the things which led to Brexit, proper funding of our public services and less chance of Scotland voting for independence. The antisemitism has to be dealt with. The vast majority of the party are as virulently opposed to antisemitism as I am. The party must regain the trust of the people whose families over the last century found in the Labour Party and the trade union movement a fast friend against antisemitism and exploitation. Urgently.

Jewish Britain group not the Jewish Britain I want JENNI FAZER

a, la, la… all I want for Chanukah is that this political whirligig, merrygoround thingamajig should stop. It won’t, of course, but no matter when you read this, be it before or after election day, my main emotion remains (oh, mustn’t use that word, it’s copyrighted to the antiBrexit crowd), bloody angry. I’m angry that I can’t, in all good conscience, vote for the political party I have put my faith in all my adult life. I’m angry at the lying and manipulation and the false choices offered by the manifestly dishonest leaders of both Labour and Conservative; and angry that the present, first-past-thepost system means that it’s almost impossible, except in rare circumstances, to hear a third voice. I’m angry that the lazy candidates allegedly seeking my vote have barely bothered to make contact, apart from a derisory few leaflets from one party, one leaflet from another party and nothing at all from anyone else.

I’m angry at the unbelievable stupidity of some of the candidates who are putting themselves forward to represent us in Parliament – the Richard Burgons, the Mark Francoises, the yes, the Diane Abbotts (I no longer care that I’m dissing the shadow home secretary because for unstated reasons she has blocked me on social media). Angry at the entitlement of people such as Jacob Rees-Mogg who, mercifully, has been kept in a cupboard for most of this campaign. But my anger is not confined to the torrid lunacy of those in public life. I’m pretty angry at people who are apparently members of our community who use a Facebook group called Jewish Britain to denounce anyone and everyone who does not follow their hard-right nonsense. Chief among Jewish Britain’s targets, lately, is the Board of Deputies, closely followed by the left-wing group Yachad. According to these people the Board “are a bunch of armchair Zionists”, while Yachad, in the same vein, are “just a bunch of fifth columnists”. So hated is the Board by this crowd that they advocate setting up “a representative

body” for “pro-Israel British Jews, called the Jewish Forum. It will always support the best interests of Israel and will never even contemplate the ridiculous notion of a ‘two-state solution’.” The Board, they claim, is “obsequious” and its Jewish manifesto “shameful” — this is the manifesto, by the way, which the Board asked all candidates standing for the election to endorse. Most breathtaking of all is the Jewish Forum’s intention to “repudiate using the word “Palestinian”. I really wish I couldn’t imagine what words the Forum would prefer to use. I daresay that, like Diane Abbott, the Forumites have already written me off as a lost cause, and I certainly would hope so. But before they self-detonate in an explosion of self-righteous fury, I do have to wonder

❝

at the pot and kettle nonsense of calling the Board of Deputies “armchair Zionists”. For what are these people if not armchair Zionists, taking refuge behind a keyboard to abuse the dedicated Board activists? I’m sure that they would point to their repeated street protests and ask where are the warriors of the organised Jewish community. But, occasionally, you have to use a bit of seichel (common sense). Either just go on aliyah and peddle your ludicrous theories there, or shut up. There are other ways to catch a fish. Meanwhile, my blood pressure is rising. But now I do know what I want for Chanukah — the dissolution of the Jewish Britain Facebook page. Because, guys, this is not the Jewish Britain I know or want or like.

ACCORDING TO THIS GROUP, THE BOARD IS A BUNCH OF ARMCHAIR ZIONISTS AND YACHAD FIFTH COLUMNISTS

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12 December 2019 Jewish News

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

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12 December 2019 Jewish News

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Hosted by award winning Comedian Rachel Creeger Twas the night before Chanukah, all through the square The city lay peaceful, the flagstones were bare. The cables and staging were laid out with care, In hopes that we could build a grand event there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of dreidels spun round in their heads. And me in my tichel fried latkes (in truth - I’d drunk a large Palwins and hoped for a schluf). Then out in Westminster arose such a clatter. Nelson looked down to see what was the matter. The lions all turned on their plinths in a flash. And in the fountains fell pigeons with a splash. The moon shone on workers of every persuasion, As they started to set up for this grand occasion. Tables, gazebos and food trucks appearing, Scaffolding, mics and security clearing.

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Neighbours around open windows and stared. It was busy and noisy but nobody cared. The joy was obvious in all who worked there To bring Chanukah right to Trafalgar Square I jumped on a tube train, my journey was quick. I felt so excited (a teeny bit sick). As we all arrived, cameras filmed for The News A Chanukah party not just for the Jews Now, latkes! Now, doughnuts! Now, speakers, musicians! On Dreidel Man! On singers! Take your positions! To the stage with the candles! Equipment bring near! Let›s winch in the main star, a huge Chanukiah! Then like a tornado, a flood, hurricane, The audience came, never minding the rain. They gathered together, sang strong, said a prayer, Then spoke the Chief Rabbi, and then spoke the Mayor And I got to play my part as the compere To welcome, to host Chanukah in the Square And we›ll soon once again Unite Under the Light And I›ll say Happy Chanukah - to all a good night!

05/12/2019 21:34

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

Opinion

So many special needs pledges, so little action RICHARD FRANKLIN

CHIEF EXECUTIVE, KISHARON

he general election campaign, in the immediate aftermath of the publication of a report by the House of Commons Select Committee into Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), perhaps unsurprisingly superseded the report’s findings. While endless headlines have been dedicated to the spending commitments of the various political parties, there has been too little conversation about the 1.4 million people living with learning disabilities in the UK, a sizeable constituency for any future government. The report was uncompromising in its criticisms of years of political neglect of our ailing social care system, which the committee concluded must be redressed through crossparty co-operation. Recommending culture shifts spanning higher funding, institutional collaboration and alternative SEND provision, the report made

clear that we have to be more ambitious for people with SEND if we’re to meet the UK-ratified obligations prescribed by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In my experience, society benefits from and embraces change which positively impacts on people with learning disabilities. But our community’s willingness to include people with learning disabilities into our schools, shuls and workplaces – while commendable – can only take us so far. Just ask the parents of the people we support about the challenges they faced in accessing funding for appropriate support. The status quo has stretched resources too far at local level, compelling organisations such as ours to focus on “making up the deficit”, where precious resources would be better applied to focusing on education, creating opportunity and appropriate support. The reality is that the status quo isn’t strategic or sustainable and our experience has shown that some of the most innovative of approaches moving forward will come from collective creativity – even in the most

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WE NEED A SHIFT IN MINDSET FROM WHAT AT ITS WORST IS TOKENISM TO EQUAL RESPECT straightened of circumstances. Simply put, we are faced with a question of individual and collective leadership, of our deciding on and delivering the society we wish to live in. Paramount for the people we support with learning disabilities is the shift in mindset from what, at its worst, is often perceived as tokenism, to equal respect for citizens who, it should be said, have an equal voice in the imminent election. The Dilnot Commission on social care funding is seven years old and remains unimplemented. Sir Stephen Bubb’s A Time For Change report to transform service commis-

sioning for people with learning disabilities shamefully gathers dust. The tragedy is that while the main political parties have all made social care pledges in their easy-read manifestos, experience shows that learning disability commitments are all too often sacrificed to more pressing priorities post-election. A true measure of leadership both nationally and communally will be in the commitment to cross-party collaboration in an effort to deliver the long-term solutions outlined in the many consultations carried out to date. Change is much needed for the UK’s 1.4 million people with learning disabilities and their families. Those who care about 7,000 SEND people and their families impacted in our core communities alone have a role to play. If we are to succeed in making our social care provision sustainable and making our society truly inclusive, that means listening to and acknowledging the needs and wishes of individuals with learning disabilities, so that together we can achieve real and tangible change which honours the values of community, dignity and respect we champion.

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12 December 2019 Jewish News

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

Opinion

Another year, another 750 Jewish women flee abuse NAOMI DICKSON CHIEF EXECUTIVE, JEWISH WOMEN’S AID

o we reach the end of another year, still fraught with the uncertainties of Brexit and a never-ending stream of antisemitic slurs from those who should know better. And at Jewish Women’s Aid we have supported another 750 women. Yes, 750. That’s 25 percent more than last year and probably fewer than next year. What have we done to provoke the increase? Without this reading like an Oscars speech, I need to pay tribute to the absolute commitment, dedication and relentless hard work of JWA’s staff. It’s not easy working in a domestic abuse organisation in the heart of a small community. Our services have to be top notch in terms of quality, professionalism and confidentiality, and they are. We have pushed out our message that

domestic abuse happens to Jewish women, and we are here to help via social media, dozens of training courses and educational talks across the breadth of the community and beyond. Additionally, each year at the end of November, to mark the UN’s International Day for Ending Violence Against Women, we ask rabbis, leaders and community members to speak out about what we do. As a mark of familiarity, this is becoming known as JWA Shabbat – it’s becoming ingrained, and it’s gaining traction. This year, more rabbis have spoken to their communities about violence against women than ever before. More have sent us films of themselves encouraging women to seek support, and more of our supporters have asked their friends — real and virtual — to support Jewish Women’s Aid. Jewish women are still waiting far too long to ask for this vital help; we know that the women we work with are abused for on average 11 and a half years. This is still shockingly long.

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THE WOMEN WE WORK WITH ARE ABUSED FOR AN AVERAGE OF 11-AND-A-HALF YEARS. WE NEED TO KEEP SPEAKING OUT They are often experiencing regular and horrendous abuse and fear. So for them, we need to keep speaking out in our community, acknowledging that violence against women is something we must deal with, and telling women that it’s all right to ask for help. One woman – Jo – had been married to her husband for seven years, and they had two young children. He had become increasingly controlling: he wanted to know when she left and returned to the house, who she spoke to and what she wore. While she could generally appease him when he became angry, he was becoming more and more controlling.

She became scared for her life when he punched her in the face when she was holding one of the children. Since her colleague put her in touch with Jewish Women’s Aid she has benefited from legal support, safety planning, housing advice, counselling and her children have had therapy. Jo is now divorced and she and her children are living in safety. With your help, more women will be emboldened to seek the support they so desperately need. They will be able to take the first steps to free themselves from danger and abuse. Talking about violence against women can save lives. Please keep speaking out.

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Community / Scene & Be Seen

1&2MONKEY MAGIC

Volunteers at Camp Simcha’s toy drive packing day were greeted by a new helper. Simi the Monkey, the charity’s new mascot, joined more than 100 volunteers at Yavneh College on Sunday. They sorted and packed some 10,000 new toys and gifts donated for distribution to seriously ill children of all denominations spending the festive season in hospital. Camp Simcha’s head of services Daniel Gillis said: “This year’s toy drive has been a huge success, with people giving so generously to help us reach as many children in hospital as possible this December. Simi the Monkey is a welcome addition to the team and will hopefully bring plenty of smiles to make a difference to the children we support.” Meanwhile, broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky joined close to 200 guests at Camp Simcha’s fundraising lunch at JW3, which raised more than £80,000. Kaplinsky said about the charity, which is approaching its 25th anniversary: “In such a relatively short amount of time, to have such an extraordinary profile and such a reach is really quite remarkable.” A founding member of the event’s organising committee spoke of her family’s sudden need for Camp Simcha’s support after her son was diagnosed with cancer. She told the audience: “Never once did I imagine that one day my family would need their services and I too would have a story to tell.”

And be seen! The latest news, pictures and social events from across the community Email us at community@thejngroup.com

Meir Panim’s UK fundraising branch, Manna, raised a record £250,000 at a sold-out dinner, with a menu created by Israeli chef Yossi Elad of restaurants Palomar in London and Machneyuda in Jerusalem. Israeli mind reader Ron First entertained the 300 guests who attended in aid of the more than 1.7 million Israelis living below the poverty line. All money raised will go towards donating pre-paid food shopping cards, hot meals and festival food packages to adults, Holocaust survivors and children. Pictured is Israeli Ambassador Mark Regev with his wife Vered and Elad and Gaby Blauer, executive director of Manna.

Photo by Grainge Photography

3FESTIVE FOOD

Photo by Giora Hirsch

Children at Simon Marks Jewish Primary brought their fathers to school for a day, where they attended assembly, sat in class and sampled lunches. “It is great to see the positive impact male role models have when taking an active role in our children’s education,” said one of the visitors. In more recent years, the Hackney school has hosted children’s male relatives and fathers. “It’s a real treat for the children to host their significant males for a day,” said headteacher Gulcan Metin Asdoyuran. “All our male visitors learnt a bit more about what school life is like for their child.”

Photo by Amanda Ward

4 ROLE MODELS

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

Scene & Be Seen / Community 5

5 PINK POWER

Pink-coloured food and challah was enjoyed by all at Reading Liberal Jewish Community (RLJC) at a surprise pink Shabbat to celebrate the awarding of a PhD to Rabbi Dr Miri Lawrence. The shul was decorated by the cheder class, with many congregants wearing pink, the rabbi’s favourite colour. Lawrence said: “It was one illustration of the warmth and creativity of the wonderful community at RLJC.”

6 KISHARON SWIM 7

Barmitzvah boy Josh Robeson raised more than £2,700 for Kisharon after doing a 13-mile swim, a challenge spread out over 31 sessions since June. Josh said the decision for a swimming challenge was made more poignant by a visit to Kisharon School, which opened his eyes to things he took for granted. “I met a boy who was in a wheelchair whose dream it was to be able to swim,” he said.

7 TRUE FRIENDSHIP 9

Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg spoke at an interfaith event co-hosted by Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) and Muslims Against Antisemitism. Wittenberg, who hosted Syrian refugees, told how his parents were taken in by a Christian family as refugees from Nazi Germany, who told them they could repay them by doing the same for others. Imam Mamadou Bocoum told of his shock when encountering antisemitism on his arrival to the UK. KLS’ Rabbi René Pfertzel said: “These two demonstrated that where there is true friendship such as this there is real hope”. The speak-

ers are pictured with Pfertzel and Fiyaz Mughal of Muslims Against Antisemitism.

8 DINNER DATE

Four El Al crew members told around 60 Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue members, during a one-night layover, of their wackiest moments on board. The crew (pictured) were fed by the community. Rabbi Lea Mühlstein said: “[It was] a wonderful opportunity to engage with Israel in a multi-faceted way rather than focusing solely on the politics.”

9 LIVE SUPPORT

More than 150 young professionals attended a live gig at Tileyard Studios in London’s King’s Cross, raising around £3,000 for Ohel Sarah and disabled people in Israel. Ohel Sarah UK’s Debbie Cowen said: “When many young Jewish people fear the uncertain political landscape in the UK, it was remarkable to see so many come together and help a charity in Israel.”

10 LEADER LAUNCH Students, headteachers, community leaders and university chaplains gathered for the launch of the London School of Jewish Studies’ new “teach to lead” programme, a two-year paid leadership and teaching programme for graduates with an interest in teaching Jewish Studies looking to jump start their career in education or the corporate world. Pictured are Rabbi Joseph Dweck of the S&P Sephardi Community with Spencer Lewis, Krish Raval and Brett Wigdortz.

Your family announcements Maxi Riedl was barmitzvah at Radlett Reform Synagogue

Rafi Levy was barmitzvah at Edgware Adath Photo by Jonathan Abrahams Photography

Photo by Kate Swerdlow Photography

Photo by Gary Perlmutter

Harris Michaelson was barmitzvah at New North London Synagogue

Photo by Jonathan Abrahams Photography

Sam Rickless was barmitzvah at Edgware United Synagogue

Have you had a recent simcha? Send your picture to picturedesk@thejngroup.com

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12 December 2019 Jewish News

Community / Scene & Be Seen

Celebrating community heroes

Photos by Emma Ziff Photography

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s JVN Celebration of Volunteering Awards saw 50 individuals, teams and lifetime achievers collect awards for amazing work in the community. The Outstanding Volunteer and Volunteer Team of the Year awards were voted for on the night, while Harry Heber of World Jewish Relief won the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

Weekend / Television

More tea, tiger! Francine Wolfisz hears about the muchanticipated TV adaptation of Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came To Tea

or readers of any age, Judith Kerr’s beloved tale, The Tiger Who Came To Tea, presents a curious, if not tantalising puzzle that has lasted more than 50 years. In short, a little girl named Sophie sits down to enjoy afternoon tea and cake with her mother, when there’s a sudden ring at the door. Sophie’s mummy says, “I wonder who that can be…?” Never could the pair have imagined it would be a large tiger, or a tea-guzzling tiger, who steps inside and literally eats every last crumb of food and drinks every last drop of drink the family possess. And then he abruptly leaves. Years ago, children’s author Michael Rosen attempted to unravel the thread of this surprising tale by suggesting the tiger reflects Kerr’s experiences as a young child in Nazi Germany – but it was an assertion the writer herself always denied. Writer and illustrator Kerr (pictured, inset) – best known for her Mog series and her semi-autobiographical When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit – did, however, say the story about a tiger was simply that – with all the joy and wonderment of having a tiger turning up unannounced at your house conjures up in a child’s imagination. It was from that starting point that Ruth Fielding, producer and joint managing director of Lupus Films, approached Kerr and her publisher at Harper Collins to turn the book into a hand-drawn animation that stays faithful to the original story and illustrations. The result is an enchanting 30-minute film set to air on Channel 4 on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Kerr died aged 95 earlier this year, but was involved in the entire process of producing the film, from adding comments on the script to helping choose the star-studded cast, which includes Friday Night Dinner actress Tamsin Greig as Mummy, Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch as Daddy and Selma actor David Oyelowo as Tiger. They are joined by David Walliams as the narrator, Paul Whitehouse as the milkman and seven-year-old actress Clara

Ross as Sophie. Speaking about taking on the task of adapting one of Kerr’s mostloved books, which has charmed generations of readers since it was published in 1968, Fielding says she felt “huge responsibility, but huge joy”. She tells me: “The burden of responsibility is huge, but we weren’t worried, because we had Judith’s help. She was involved right from the very beginning. She was involved in the script, she saw the design, was involved in choosing the cast – and even the lyrics for the theme song. We knew her views across the whole process.” As for interpreting the meaning of the book, Fielding, who recalls repeatedly borrowing The Tiger Who Came To Tea from her library as a young child, says she only looked to Kerr’s own explanation on this, having come up with the idea to entertain her young daughter, Tacy. “Judith was very clear when she wrote it that she was home looking after a four-year-old girl and as such, you have to use all the power of imagination to entertain a young child. It’s about turning lemons into lemonade, being happy entertaining a little girl and imagining what might happen if a tiger came to tea.” Director Robin Shaw equally reveals that he “didn’t have any interpretation of the book”. “[The Tiger] is enough of a character not to have to read anything else into him. He just turns up, waltzes in, cheeky, but charming. “He’s one of those people you admire, but also feel abused by at the same time, someone who can get what he wants without even having to ask for it, or try hard for it. You don’t need to put some deeper meaning into it – it’s just fun.” Staying true to Kerr’s original intentions, the animation vivaciously bounces along thanks to the energetic, Henry Mancini-inspired music from composer David Arnold, including the standout song, Hey Tiger, co-written with lyricist Don Black and voiced by Robbie Williams. The sumptuous hand-drawn animation – which would have taken one person 22.5 years to complete – are also in keeping with Kerr’s illustrations in the book, down to the white space framing the scenes. Even the obvious anachronisms – such as the baker’s boy, the milkman and the 1960s

Sumptuous:

fashions – are left untouched, Scenes from even for today’s child who The Tiger Who might be unfamiliar with Came To Tea such things. “Although there are certain things very much of their time in the book and the film, the things that are most important in there are timeless,” says Shaw. “You have a child’s imagination, a giant tiger and this relationship between Sophie and her mum, so there’s a lot for us to recognise and relate to, no matter what age you are.” u The Tiger Who Came To Tea airs on Channel 4 on Tuesday, 24 December, at 7.30pm and is repeated on Wednesday, 25 December, at 1.50pm

In association with

A look

Inside A Miracle of Miracles: The story behind how Fiddler on the Roof became a hit show Travel: Winter wonderland for the family in Serfaus Competition: Win a bouquet of flowers for six months with Appleyard!

12 December 2019 Jewish News

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Entertainment / Weekend

TELEVISION

Digging For Britain

THEATRE Peter Pan Goes Wrong Following their multi awardwinning success with The Play That Goes Wrong and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Mischief Theatre has teamed up with producer Kenny Wax once again for their riotous spin on a timeless classic, Peter Pan Goes Wrong. The members of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are back on stage, battling technical hitches, flying mishaps and cast disputes as they attempt to present JM Barrie’s much-loved tale. But will they ever make it to Neverland? Peter Pan Goes Wrong runs at Alexandra Palace, from Monday, 13 December to Sunday, 5 January, www.alexandrapalace.com

DOCUMENTARY

Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles “Who would want do a musical about a bunch of old Jews in Russia going through a pogrom – what are you, out of your mind?,” cried the naysayers, while Variety mercilessly slated the show, condemning it for having “no memorable songs.” In the aftermath of such a damning verdict, actor Austin Pendleton recalls cast members weeping away in the dressing room. “I remembered thinking, ‘Oh God, we’ll be out of work in a couple of months.’” And yet, they were proven exceptionally wrong. Fifty-five years after it first exploded onto the stage, Fiddler On The Roof has won nine Tony Awards, spawned five Broadway revivals and a critically-acclaimed film and held the record for the longest-running musical for nearly a decade. Not bad for a show that many thought wouldn’t last a week. Now the extraordinary story of the beloved musical is told in a new in-depth documentary, Fiddler: A Miracle Of Miracles, which opens in UK cinemas on Friday. Based on the short stories of Shalom Aleichem, Fiddler On The Roof is at its heart a story of persecution, immigration and the fraying of tradition in the face of a rapidly-changing world, woven together with iconic songs, including To Life, Sunrise, Sunset, Matchmaker and, famously, If I Were A Rich Man. Directed by Max Lewkowicz, the revealing film features interviews with lyricist Sheldon Harnick, Chaim Topol (pictured top), who played the leading role of Tevye on stage and film, as well as Harvey Fierstein, Fran Lebowitz, Calvin Trillin and Nathan Englander. Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles is released in UK Cinemas from tomorrow (Friday).

OUR COMMUNITY

THEN

COMING SOON

NOW

Doctor Who

Stephen Fry has expressed his “sweet excitement” over making his Doctor Who debut, alongside Sir Lenny Henry, in the new series of the long-running sci-fi drama. The pair were announced as the first guest stars of the series, which returns early next year and stars Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor. Speaking ahead of his appearance, Fry says: “Short of being picked for a British space exploration programme and I readily concede that I’m past the age where I’d be considered (if I was ever the right age for such a posting) – then being in an episode of Doctor Who will certainly do as a very sweet second-place excitement.” Showrunner Chris Chibnall, says: “Doctor Who is coming back with a bang. Stephen and Lenny are two of my favourite actors and to be able to bring them into the show is an absolute thrill.”

1960 Golders Green’s War Memorial was first dedicated in 1923 and commemorates both First and Second World Wars

2019

Photo by The Francis Frith Collection

Archaeologists descended on a site in the Lake District, which was once home to hundreds of orphaned children liberated from Nazi camps, for a special episode of BBC Four’s Digging for Britain, which aired earlier this week. Britain Some 300 child survivors, known as the Windermere Boys (pictured left), were taken in 1945 to recuperate in since-demolished hostels originally built for local aircraft factory workers. Over the summer, historical experts spent two weeks excavating the site at Calgarth Estate, now The Lakes School, searching for potential artefacts below ground. The dig, conducted with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is explored in a segment of the Digging for Britain episode, which is dedicated to the Second World War and artefacts from the period. The episode, presented by Professor Alice Roberts (pictured right), is available to view now on BBC iPlayer.

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

Weekend / Travel

Ski it for yourself!

Caron Bluestone enjoys a family adventure on the Austrian slopes of Serfaus

ooking around at my fellow, expert skiers on the pistes of Serfaus in Tyrol, it’s almost as if they were born to ski – not an exaggeration given how many threeyear-olds I’ve already spied on the slopes. They literally ski with their dummies here! This Austrian hotspot for ski tourists is just 90 minutes from Innsbruck and snow-sure all season long, as well as offering up 200km of pistes, so plenty to suit every skill level. Among them are the youngsters, nurtured by The Ski School Serfaus, which offers a magnificent variety of children’s runs and each level having its very own ‘magic carpet’ to transport the kids back up the slope, from babies in skis to the ones almost ready for the chairlifts. Our teacher for the week was Paul. He took Gabriel, our threeyear-old and transformed him into a skier, which was well beyond his ambitious mummy’s

wildest dreams!  Whether playing or skiing, no time here is wasted. There’s also a dedicated children’s restaurant where they can eat with their newfound friends and teachers. Serfaus is a truly family-friendly resort. The village is car-free, the mountain plays host to a fun animal trail, and even has its own mascot, Murmli. We rented skis from Patscheider Sport. With a ski shop in town beside the hotel and at the bottom of the cable car station and the top, these guys provide a red carpet service. Not only is the equipment top notch, but there is a ski concierge – a real game changer in a bigger resort, because it means going from the hotel to the ski run in your shoes, then swapping for skis and boots on the mountain. Aside from the pretty much perfect skiing conditions, we were attracted to Serfaus for The Hotel Furgler, located right in the centre

The Hotel Furgler features a magnificent outdoor spa pool

Top: Caron and family in Serfaus; and above, enjoying the slopes

of the village. During our stay there, we met many guests who had returned multiple times – some for 30 years running – and it’s easy to see why. This is the ultimate family hotel, run by a family. There’s a happy feeling that starts when you arrive and it doesn’t wane. From the minute we parked outside, when our cases were whisked away and our car was taken to be parked (never to be seen again until we were ready to leave), to the efficient chambermaid who kept our room spotless, the small but perfectly-formed hotel provided us with everything we could want from a family holiday. For younger children, there is a large soft play area set over two floors in the basement, complete with slide and trampoline, safe enough to let the children find their

own way down to play happily after dinner, to a fully supervised Furgli kids club, that takes babies from six months onwards and operates from 8.30am to 9pm. There are supervised activities and meals can be taken together there too, allowing parents time alone. For older children, there are PlayStations, table football, table tennis, a bowling alley and much more, all arranged nicely over the lower floors. Trying to tear my children away from the triple water slide next to the main pool wasn’t easy either! There’s a splash pool for the youngest guests and a magnificent outdoor spa pool looking directly out to the mountains. A brand new sauna, steam room and family sauna top off the relaxation area. This hotel has its offering honed to perfection. The bedrooms are comfortable and cosy, and we loved the children’s room with bunk beds, cleverly separated from our room by a partition that could be opened or closed whenever needed, and a balcony looking out onto the peaceful village beyond. An oversized bath and plenty of hanging and cupboard space made for relaxing and practical family accommodation. The dining rooms form an integral part of the hotel, where good times and good food are had by all.

Seated next to huge windows with views, each meal surpassed our expectations, from the Tyrollean platters groaning with interesting local cheeses, meats and crunchy pickles, to homemade cakes and dinner featuring sumptuous buffets. A real winner with the kids was the ever-popular ice cream bar, complete with sauces and toppings! Imaginative choices and gourmet ingredients make up five-course menus, and there is a separate, fully vegan and vegetarian menu available. As a foodie, I was blown away by the quality and attention to detail. Simply put, the food was exquisite. While our visit coincided with the ski season, the Hotel Furgler is just as appealing in the summer, when tourists take to hiking, biking, flying high on a zip-wire or staying closer to the village for pony rides, trampolines, sandpits and petting zoos. Families can’t help but have fun in these mountains – whatever the season.

CARON’S TRAVEL TIPS Caron and her family stayed at the Hotel Furgler in Serfaus, where a family suite for two adults and two children starts from €3, 633 (£3,059) for six nights, all inclusive. For more information, visit www.furgler.at or call +43 5476-6201. For tourist information, visit www.austria.info

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12 December 2019 Jewish News

Food & Drink / Weekend

t is now pumpkin season and the shops are full of different varieties both in shape and colour. This salad uses both the pumpkin flesh and seeds. You can eat them raw – remove the outer skin and they taste like sunflower seeds. However, to roast them, simmer in boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain and pat dry. Transfer to an oven tray, drizzle with a thin layer of oil and season if you wish, and then bake for five to 20 minutes at 200°C or until golden. Cool before eating. SERVES: 6 PREPARATION TIME: 20 MINUTES COOKING TIME: 25 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS 900g pumpkin flesh – peeled and cut into cubes 1 tablespoon olive oil 175g rocket leaves 1 large pomegranate – halved and deseeded 150g goat’s cheese – crumbled 75g pumpkin seeds Salt and freshly-ground black pepper

& PUMPKIN, ROCKET LAD POMEGRANATE SA 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 400°F/ Gas mark 6. 2. Put the pumpkin in a roasting tin, drizzle with olive oil, salt and freshly-ground black pepper. 3. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once during cooking. 4. To make the dressing, mix all the ingredients together and season to taste. 5. Put the pumpkin in a bowl with the rocket, pomegranate seeds and goat’s cheese. To serve the stylish way: Drizzle over the dressing and sprinkle over the pumpkin seeds. NEXT COOKERY CLASS: Wed, 15 January: Gluten-free cooking

Dressing 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon sugar – or to taste 2 teaspoons mustard – of any variety 1 teaspoon lemon juice Salt and freshly-ground black pepper – to taste For more recipes with Denise Phillips visit: www.jewishcookery.com

denises_kitchen

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Jewish News 12 December 2019

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SEDRA Vayishlach BY GARRY WAYLAND The reunion went, by all accounts, in the best possible manner. Jacob, having fled for his life, returns home after 20 years, ready to face his brother Esau again. Esau accepts the bribes of animals, and declares he is no longer angry, and they can proceed as brothers: “Let us journey and go, and I will proceed at your pace.” (34.12) This offer is one that Jacob cannot counter. Attempting to raise his children as the future leaders of the Tribes of Israel, Jacob remembers Esau’s murderous tendencies, his association with idolatry and his marriages into tribes that proved bitter. Rebuffing his brother directly – Esau was accompanied by 400 armed cronies – would be foolish, so Jacob suggests it would be prudent to proceed separately: “My master knows the children are frail… Let my master pass ahead of his servant; I will travel at the slow pace of the cattle and children...” This placates Esau, who swiftly departs. Of course, Jacob never makes it to Seir. Rashi points out that the only time we find another encounter is in the days of the Messiah, when “the saviours ascend Mount Zion, to judge Mount Esau”. This comment, says Rav Hutner, encapsulates the depth of Jacob’s vision: he was always gazing to the future. At the very beginning of the story, Esau sold his future for a bowl of lentils: immediate gratification at the cost of faith in the future. Jacob does have to proceed at a slow pace, but these steps into the future echo deep for generations.

◆ Rabbi Garry Wayland is a teacher and educator for US Living and Learning

Torah For Today What does the Torah say about: Boris Johnson and ( kosher) Brexit doughnuts BY RABBI ARIEL ABEL Boris Johnson recently appeared in a Golders Green bakery to make Get Brexit Done doughnuts. What does the Torah say about that? Feeding the stranger is a Torah commandment. “They shall eat in your gates and be satisfied.” So long as a foreign national wishes to live among Jews, the stranger among us shall be “like a citizen, one of us”. Many kosher bakeries employ citizens from Eastern Europe. Whereas some might be fortunate enough to stay should Brexit occur, others might not satisfy the requirements. So is it sensitive on our part, under rules abiding by the Torah, to sanction the making of kosher doughnuts by those to whom we are closing our borders post-Brexit? The Torah commands us to be sensi-

tive to the feelings of the ger, the noncitizen who dwells among us, for example a convert. Torah observing Jews are told not to remind a stranger of their origins, up to 10 generations. Brexit is not only about the economy, it is about closing borders to workers in the hope of saving those jobs for the rest of us. If Boris had lived 100 years ago, I am sure the former generations of now-established families owning East End bakeries would not have entertained the idea of

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crowning Chanukah doughnuts with a message that effectively puts Polish and Lithuanian migrants out the door. The Yiddish workers’ unions would certainly not have been in favour! Boris and Grodzinski’s are perfectly entitled to delight the Pro-Brexit public, and the fact of Remainers not liking a preChanukah gimmick is not morally objectionable in itself. However, kosher food, which stands for the Jewish concept of solidarity and togetherness, should only be sold to the public if we are not estranging in doing so. Beyond the excitement of meeting Boris over a decorated doughnut, we need to ask: what if we were the newly-arrived foreigner? How would we feel on either side of that bakery counter? I believe such a test question should be as much a concern to a kashrut authority as the technical status of ingredients. ◆ Rabbi Ariel Abel CF serves Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation and is padre to Merseyside Army Cadet Force

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Progressive Judaism

Progressively Speaking

The Bible Says What?

Chanukah coincides with Christmas this year, so should we celebrate both?

‘Jethro was more forwardthinking than Moses’ BY RABBI CHARLEY BAGINSKY Moses’ father-in-law said: “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” All those who have ever led a cheder, school or youth movement class will know that session 101 is often to look to the Torah to provide role models for great leaders. But as we move through life and learn that leadership is far more nuanced, a deeper examination shows our ancestral leaders were complex characters who were, at times, deeply flawed. The Torah does also, however, reflect a different type of leadership than the one that relies on one person, struggling on their own. It is a communal system that sought to divide power. The best example is perhaps found in the advice that is given to Moses by his father-in-law, Jethro (Exodus 18:14-23). Jethro dismisses Moses’ attempts

BY RABBI MIRIAM BERGER “Oh I love Yom Kippur – it’s such a great detox day. Fasting, goal setting, mindfulness, 25 hours of me time. I know I’m not Jewish, but there’s nothing religious about Yom Kippur, it’s just what people do.” I’d find it offensive if people told me there was nothing Jewish about Yom Kippur, so don’t tell me there is nothing Christian about Christmas. Cultural appropriation is definitely a no-no according to Leviticus 19. Taking on the lifestyles of those around us isn’t a new problem and us rabbis raging against it is just par for the course. Yet my predecessors didn’t preach for this to stop. In 1930s America, when the new Jewish immigrant kids wanted to fit in by drinking Coke to live the “all American dream”, Rabbi Geffen of Atlanta was charged with working with the Coca Cola company to ensure the drink was kosher. They realised it would be easier to work with the most closely-guarded

to do everything on his own, telling him clearly he will not only wear himself out, but also the people. He instructs him to delegate authority to trusted judges to help him govern. Jethro doesn’t get credit today. His sage advice obviously isn’t as sexy as parting the Red Sea or killing a giant with only a slingshot. Yet, it is immensely forward-thinking. As we come to the end of a year during which polarisation and leadership cults increasingly grow, I recall the Jethro passage and am inspired to be part of a Jewish tradition in which we aspire to share power and benefit from others’ skills and experiences. I want to bring back those models, to think how we can shape the next generation of leaders who collaborate, embrace a multiplicity of perspectives and, most of all, feel part of the move to the future.

Rabbi Charley Baginsky is Liberal Judaism’s director of strategy and partnerships Everything you need

to create the perfect

holiday

No getting around it – even Santa comes from a Christian tradition

secret in the history of industry, the recipe for the drink, than expect the Jewish community to give it up. The rabbis of the Talmud fought the same battle. Their flock were already celebrating bringing light into the darkness of this time of year and yet it had a much more pagan feel than rabbis were comfortable with. Did they insist they stopped celebrating? No, enter God’s miracle with the oil into the Maccabean revolt and hey presto you have a distinctly Jewish celebration, which coincides with the neighbouring celebrations.

The article I’d like to write is that sometimes it’s OK to “miss out”, to let others own Christmas and not try to take it on for ourselves because it is Christian, however many people tell me twinkling lights on a festive bush has nothing to do with Jesus’ birth. I’d also like to get on my soapbox about there being “no such thing as a kosher turkey” if it’s eaten on 25 December (despite the parev brandy butter). However, I am going to learn from my wise colleagues of old by telling you how wonderful it is that on 25 December we can celebrate Chanukah with even more gusto, because families will be gathered and with presents ready to exchange. I can simply encourage putting the latke, driedel and candle lighting into the day others call Christmas and for us to have a very Jewish Chanukah on 25 December. Rabbi Miriam Berger serves Finchley Reform Synagogue

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BRITAIN 10 November 2016

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Israel • Mexico

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• 24% of American Jews voted Trum p • ‘End of era’ for Pales tinian state hopes • Fury over UK Jewis h ‘congratulations’

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The popular consensus elect Donald Trump’s on President- more like a statesman surprise march during his victory to the White House speech on Wednesday has been shock and morning, but this horror. How can won’t begin to wash a man who says what away the unstateshe manlike bravado says and behaves how he that marred his campaign displaying the emotionalbehaves – while from start to finish. maturity of a 12-year-old – be If this man has allowed to have his fin- certainly didn’t any hidden depths they ger on the nuclear codes? emerge during his battle with Hillary Clinton. He may have looked and sounded a little The often-vile personality we witnessed

JEWISH NEWS

somehow managed to gain the trust and votes of 50 million Pragmatic politicians Americans – a quite are, of course, staggering statistic. making the best of it, insisting the new leader of the free Most politicians – world should be judged Vladamir Putin and Nigel Farage aside on future actions – didn’t want to see rather than the wicked the words that billionaire reality brought him to power. TV star anywhere near the White House. Theresa May said Now that’s where the UK and US he’s will remain heading, the world “strong and close will simply have partto ners on trade, knuckle down and deal with him. security and defence” Continued on page 12

Reports and reaction,

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Brent Hoberman / Business

candicekrieger@googlemail.com

With Candice Krieger

‘SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS HAVE SOMETHING TO PROVE’

Since selling lastminute.com, Brent Hoberman hasn’t stopped. The entrepreneur makes it his business to help start-ups (and set up a few of his own). He talks to Candice Krieger about how to stand out, missing out on the chance to invest in Airbnb and why Jews make great entrepreneurs

Tech4Good

t’s the million, or even billion, dollar question; when it comes to taking a punt on a successful start-up, is it more about the person or the idea? Few are more qualified to ask than serial entrepreneur and investor Brent Hoberman, who credits the person. Better still, a slightly unhinged one. Known to many for cofounding lastminute. com – Hoberman grew the legendary late-deals travel company to more than $2 billion in revenue and was CEO from its inception in 1998 until it sold to Sabre in 2005 for $1.1bn (£600m) – he has since set up other companies including online furniture retailer Made.com. But most of his time is spent fielding pitches from aspiring entrepreneurs as chairman of Founders Factory, his corporate-backed start-up incubator and accelerator. Hoberman says: “There are positive benefits of being a bit unhinged as it were, and some of that is passion, excitement, enthusiasm and falling in love with the business you are building and that helps you attract people to it, whether it’s investors, clients or talent.” He also runs Founders Forum, an exclusive community for leading entrepreneurs and investors. And there’s firstminute capital, his $100m European earlystage investment fund and robotic restaurant Karakuri. So South African-born Hoberman knows a thing or two (billion) about start-ups, and it’s the person, he says, who is key. “There are some good businesses that people I know have passed on because they’re over-analysing the idea and saying ‘this idea could only be this big in year five’, whereas if you’re batting on the person, you’re saying ‘their first part of this idea might only be a market worth x hundred million, but they’re

smart enough to find the market that’s even bigger’.” Hoberman, who co-chairs the Prime Minister’s Business Sector Council for Britain in entrepreneurship, scale-ups and small business, says a principal thing he learnt during his time at lastminute, was the importance of the team. “We went with inexperience and talent over experience and that proved to be wise.” Hoberman wasn’t yet 30 when he founded lastminute with Martha Lane Fox. It became one of the world’s most recognised websites. He acknowledges it has become easier to launch a business today, making it harder for entrepreneurs to stand out. “You need to differentiate earlier. You create the lifetime DNA for your company with the first five hires, and it’s very hard to change, so getting that right is gold dust.” He set up Founders Factory with Henry Lane Fox, Martha’s younger brother, to help start-ups get it right. It partners with corporates including L’Oréal, easyJet and Johnson & Johnson – the first United Statesbased partnership. The idea is that the start-ups learn from the corporates to help them scale, while the corporates get early access to R&D to help them innovate. Founders Forum is a series of intimate invite-only events. Previous attendees include Eric Schmidt (Google) Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn) and Net-a-Porter’s Natalie Massenet. Firstminute is backed by Atomico – Skype co-founder Niklas Zennström’s investment firm – Tencent and more than 30 unicorn founders. Hoberman was awarded a CBE for services to entrepreneurship in 2015 and has become one of the UK’s best-connected tech entrepreneurs. So much so that the founder of Uber approached him for advice. He recalls: “Travis (Kalanick) came to see me after starting Uber to ask about how to enter Europe. I told the person who introduced me: ‘Next time you send me someone like that, tell them to ask me for money, not advice!’” He was also offered the opportunity to invest in Airbnb. “It was already worth 200 million but that still would have been a good deal! I’m more of a seed investor so that’s why I didn’t do that one. “I have been close to touching some of those mega ones but if you’re in investment games, there will

Restaurant robotics company Karakuri is a graduate of Hoberman’s Founders Factory

always be ones – that’s why some people don’t love investing because you’re always going to miss some.” A father-of-three, Hoberman studied at Eton and holds an MA in French and German literature from Oxford, where he learnt to “think differently”, a trait, he suggests, makes good founders. When it comes to successful entrepreneurs, the illustrious Israeli investor Yossi Vardi has said that Israel has so many because of the hard-to-please Jewish mothers who make their children feel insecure and want to prove themselves. Is this true? “Nine times out of 10 most successful entrepreneurs are trying to prove something. That’s why so many fantastic entrepreneurs are immigrants and I think why so many Jewish people are successful. There is lots of research, in the UK and Silicon Valley, showing immigrants are disproportionately successful.” As for the best ideas, he says they are from people who can see the future when others can’t. “That’s where Airbnb is interesting – most smart investors said no to it, and I am hoping Karakuri will be like that. Most

smart investors said no until we got Ocado saying yes, which will make everyone think ‘oh this isn’t actually Brent smoking something and maybe they are onto something.’” He continues: “It’s a great founder combined with a great ‘why now?’ slide. Why is this the moment to do this business and why are you better placed than anyone else to do it now?” Would he ever go back to lastminute? “What, to go and buy it?” he jokes. “No, it would be too frustrating. One of the exciting things about lastminute.com was how we were so early at so many things and lots of those still haven’t been done and it’s too frustrating. “But it’s not just them who have squandered the opportunity – it’s many of their competitors too. Travel is a very crowded space with notoriously low margins except for hotels, so that’s why, when I looked at furniture.com with Made.com, I was like ‘wow, look at these margins, you can do something with that.” And doing something with that, and dozens of others, he most certainly is.

40 Jewish News

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12 December 2019

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Professional advice from our panel / Ask Our Experts

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words, but we will do our best! There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this documentary, but the first thing you have to remember is that any real documentary takes opinions from both sides, presents evidence and lets the viewer formulate their own opinion. That's not the case here! This was a story-based narrative that twisted scientific information for their own personal gain. Did you know that James Cameron (executive producer) is the founder of an organic pea protein company? Or that Arnold Schwarzenegger is part-owner of a supplement company that sell vegan products? Everyone involved had skin in the game and a financial incentive. Let’s be clear, a diet full of plants and fibre are super good

for you, however, going vegan is not necessarily the answer or as easy as it sounds. As a runner, you will need to be taking in plenty of protein to repair and recover your muscles from each run. By going vegan, you will struggle to hit your protein requirements, which means you will have to cook a variety of foods to ensure you are taking in all your essential amino acids. The bottom line is that you can be a healthy meat eater and an unhealthy vegan or vice versa. If you are looking to go vegan for ethical reasons, then go for it. However, if it’s to improve your runs we wouldn’t recommend it. Stick to a healthy diet of lean proteins, dairy, eggs and plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

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Dear Susan Of course your daughter can enjoy her drama classes and reap the rewards of her training, including working on clear diction, self- expression and developing acting skills, without doing exams. That said, I am a staunch supporter of examinations and, at DWL, we have been offering for years the opportunity to take LAMDA exams in our musical and drama classes. LAMDA offers students the choice to study in different performance styles, offering a really well-balanced training, enabling students to study a range of performance skills, which they can take forward

into any career they choose. LAMDA examinations can be used to gain UCAS points at the higher levels. This gives your child another string to their bow, especially when applying to higher education. Personally, I think drama should be an obligatory school subject – you can be the brightest in the class, but if you are not confident in articulating and expressing your ideas, this can hold you back in the future. Also bear in mind that a good school would never enter a child unless they are ready and that they will succeed and achieve. I would definitely go for it! The experience and confidence gained will be priceless and the qualification will last a lifetime.

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CAROLYN ADDLEMAN Qualifications: Lawyer with more than 15 years’ experience in will drafting and trust and estate administration, eight years at KKL Executor and Trustee Company. Keeps in close contact with clients to ensure all legal and pastoral needs are cared for. Member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

•

STEPHEN MORRIS Qualifications: • Managing Director of Stephen Morris Shipping Ltd. • 45 years’ experience in shipping household and personal effects. • Chosen mover for four royal families and three UK prime ministers. • Offering proven quality specialist advice for moving anyone across the world or round the corner.

LOUISE LEACH Qualifications: • Professional choreographer qualified in dance, drama and Zumba (ZIN, ISTD & LAMDA), gaining an honours degree at Birmingham University. • Former contestant on ITV’s Popstars, reaching bootcamp with Myleene Klass, Suzanne Shaw and Kym Marsh. • Set up Dancing with Louise 10 years ago.

KKL EXECUTOR AND TRUSTEE COMPANY 0800 358 3587 www.kkl.org.uk wills@kkl.org.uk

STEPHEN MORRIS SHIPPING LTD 020 8832 2222 www.shipsms.co.uk stephen@shipsms.co.uk

DANCING WITH LOUISE 020 8203 5242 www.dancingwithlouise.co.uk louise@dancingwithlouise.co.uk

• •

12 December 2019 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Professional advice from our panel / Ask Our Experts

ACCOUNTANT ADAM SHELLEY Qualifications: • FCCA chartered certified accountant. • Accounting, taxation and business advisory services. • Entrepreneurial business specialist including start-up businesses. • Specialises in charities; Personal tax returns. • Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation Volunteer of the Year JVN award

SOBELL RHODES 020 8429 8800 www.sobellrhodes.co.uk a.shelley@sobellrhodes.co.uk

IT SPECIALIST

HEALTH & FITNESS ANNA SCHUCHMAN & CHARLOTTE WIKLER Qualifications: • Founders of aceLIFESTYLE, offering practical solutions for becoming and remaining fit, strong and healthy. • Creators of the aceTRANSFORMATION 12-week weight-loss program. • Level 3 Personal Trainers and Nutritional Consultants. • Qualified to help ante and postnatal clients, teenagers and those of all abilities and ages.

MAN ON A BIKE 020 8731 6171 www.manonabike.co.uk mail@manonabike.co.uk

ACELIFESTYLE 07968 484501 www.ace-lifestyle.com info@ace-lifestyle.com

INTERNATIONAL PAYMENTS SPECIALIST

IAN GREEN Qualifications: • Launched Man on a Bike IT consultancy 15 years ago to provide computer support for the home and small businesses. • Clients range from legal firms in the City to families, small business owners and synagogues. • More than 18 years’ experience.

SOCIAL WORKER

INSURANCE CONSULTANCY

NAOMI FELTHAM Qualifications: • Leading currency transfer provider since 1996 with over 500 expert employees. • Excellent exchange rates on your transfers to/from Israel. • Offices worldwide, with local support in Israel, the UK, mainland Europe and the USA. • Free expert guidance from your dedicated Account. Manager

CAROLYN COHEN Qualifications: • Supports couples dealing with infertility and reproductive health. • Strictly confidential helpline. • Specialist medical support and information. • Counselling for individuals and couples and educational events. • Expert medical advisory panel.

ASHLEY PRAGER Qualifications: • Professional insurance and reinsurance broker. Offering PI/D&O cover, marine and aviation, property owners, ATE insurance, home and contents, fine art, HNW. • Specialist in insurance and reinsurance disputes, utilising Insurance backed products. (Including non insurance business disputes). • Ensuring clients do not pay more than required.

CURRENCIES DIRECT 07922 131 152 / 020 7847 9447 www.currenciesdirect.com/jn Naomi.feltham@currenciesdirect.com

CHANA 020 8203 8455 Helpline: 020 8201 5774 / 020 8800 0018 www.chana.org.uk info@chana.org.uk

RISK RESOLUTIONS 020 3411 4050 www.risk-resolutions.com ashley.prager@risk-resolutions.com

ISRAELI ACCOUNTANT LEON HARRIS Qualifications: • Leon is an Israeli and UK accountant based in Ramat Gan, Israel.

• He is a Partner at Harris Horoviz Consulting & Tax Ltd. • The firm specializes in Israeli and international tax advice, accounting and tax reporting for investors, Olim and businesses.

PHOTOGRAPHER HARRISON GALGUT Qualifications: • Experienced wedding and event photographer. • Specialism in portraits and light management. • BSc(Hons), BTEC music tech, specialising in film, and member of Royal Photographic Society.

LISA WIMBORNE Qualifications: Able to draw on the charity’s 50 years of experience in enabling people with physical disabilities or impaired vision to live independently, including: • The provision of specialist accommodation with 24/7 on site support. • Knowledge of the innovations that empower people and the benefits available. • Understanding of the impact of a disability diagnosis.

EDIT6 07962599154 www.edit6.co.uk harrison@edit6.co.uk

JEWISH BLIND & DISABLED 020 8371 6611 www.jbd.org Lisa@jbd.org

• Leon’s motto is: Our numbers speak your language! HARRIS HOROVIZ CONSULTING & TAX LTD +972-3-6123153 / + 972-54-6449398 leon@h2cat.com

ALIYAH ADVISER

CAREER ADVISER

DOV NEWMARK Qualifications: • Director of UK Aliyah for Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organisation that helps facilitate aliyah from the UK. • Conducts monthly seminars and personal aliyah meetings in London. • An expert in working together with clients to help plan a successful aliyah.

CLAIRE STRAUS Qualifications: • Free professional one-to-one advice at Resource to help unemployed into work. • Practical support, workshops and networking opportunities to maximise prospects. • Career coach with MSc in career management and coaching with a background in human resources and general management and experience of private, public and voluntary sectors.

NEFESH B’NEFESH 0800 075 7200 www.nbn.org.il dov@nbn.org.il

RESOURCE 020 8346 4000 www.resource-centre.org office@resource-centre.org

ISRAEL PROPERTY EXPERT

PALLIATIVE CARE MANAGER

DARREN RICH Qualifications: Broker based in Israel who escorts clients throughout the process. All real estate solutions under one roof. Specialist in sales and rentals all over Israel. In house legal and financial experts. Best after-sales service in Israel.

POLLY LANDSBERG Qualifications: • Polly has worked in health and social care for over 35 years. • Has a degree in nursing and a diploma in health visiting. • Polly is responsible for the day-to-day management of the palliative and end of life care service.

HOME IN ISRAEL REAL ESTATE GROUP 020 8089 1446 www.homeinisrael.com darren@homeinisrael.net

SWEETTREE HOME CARE SERVICES 020 7644 9500 www.sweettree.co.uk polly.landsberg@sweettree.co.uk

• • • • •

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

Got a question for a member of our team? Email: editorial@thejngroup.com

Man on a Bike will get you working fast! Rapid Response IT support for your PC & Mac • networks • virus problems • • broadband & wireless systems • New computers and everything else you may need for small businesses & home users Call Ian Green, Man on a Bike on

020 8731 6171 www.manonabike.co.uk

REMOVAL SERVICE

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 12 December 2019

HOUSE OR OFFICE

REMO VAL SDomestic E RVRemoval ICE HOUSE OR OFFICE

Office Removal

Packing Service

Storage »» Domestic Removal »» Office Removal

»» Packing Service »» Storage

Call for a FREE quote we offer competitive rates

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12 December 2019 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Win a monthly hand-tied bouquet! / Fun, games and prizes

WIN SIX MONTHS OF FLOWERS FROM APPLEYARD LONDON Jewish News and Appleyard London have teamed up to offer one lucky reader a luxury hand-styled bouquet for six months, worth £168! Appleyard London was born out of a passion for cutting-edge floral design and luxury craftsmanship, focusing on creating unique bouquets with exclusive and unusual blooms. Everything about the floral arrangements oozes style and sophistication to create an accessory for the home, as well as a beautiful gift. The company prides itself on its florists’ expertise, craftsmanship, and attention to detail, allowing Appleyard to offer the very best in boutique floral design.

This Chanukah, Appleyard London is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a luxury hand-styled bouquet sent to their home each and every month, with this flower subscription prize. Every bouquet is created with fresh seasonal flowers, designed by expert florists, and hand-tied for a true luxury feel. This flower subscription is the perfect way to brighten up your home with stunning and elegant blooms. The prize includes free delivery, and the winner can choose a suitable delivery date each month.

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING, SIMPLY ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: Which flower provides the title of a chart-topping Post Malone song? A. Rose B. Tulip C. Sunflower

ENTER ONLINE:

jewishnews.co.uk Closing date 2 January 2020

u For more information, visit www.appleyardflowers.com

THEJewishNews JEWISH NEWS CROSSWORD THE CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

Fill the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 block contains the numbers 1 to 9.

12 13

18 19

ACROSS 1 General footwear (5)

4 Examine the accounts (5) 7 Brusque (7) 8 Legume (3)

9 Bee’s sound (3) 11 Pester (6) 14 Seasonally cold (6) 17 Cube root of 1000 (3) 19 Head of sweetcorn (3) 20 Cook in boiling oil (4‑3) 22 Fit for a king (5) 23 Two in cards (5) DOWN 1 Relieve, ease (6) 2 Absent, away (3) 3 Shatter (5) 4 Tree of the birch family (5) 5 Put or set down (7) 6 Melting period (4) 10 Sack containing letters (7) 12 Express, state (3) 13 Biochemical catalyst (6) 15 Concerning ebb and flow (5) 16 Concede defeat (5) 18 Disfigure (4) 21 Contagious disease (3)

8 4 9

2 6 2 7 8 7 9

4 8 2

3 2 6 8 3 9 4 1 7 9 1 8

Last issue’s solutions Crossword

Sudoku

ACROSS: 1 Cork 3 Latter 8 Bivouac 9 Rub 10 Lead the way 13 Accusatory 17 Emu 18 Ice pick 19 Untrue 20 Town DOWN: 1 Cubs 2 Revue 4 Arc 5 Throw 6 Rib‑eye 7 Guides 11 Hatred 12 Gateau 14 Cruet 15 Rhino 16 Skin 18 IOU

See next issue for puzzle solutions.

8 4 2 3 7 5 9 6 1

6 3 9 2 1 8 4 7 5

1 5 7 4 6 9 8 2 3

3 8 1 6 5 4 7 9 2

5 9 4 1 2 7 3 8 6

2 7 6 9 8 3 1 5 4

7 6 3 8 4 2 5 1 9

4 2 8 5 9 1 6 3 7

9 1 5 7 3 6 2 4 8

12/12 COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

By Paul Solomons

One winner will receive a luxury hand-styled bouquet from Appleyard for six months, worth £168. Bouquet may vary from image provided. Owing to the fresh nature of Appleyard’s products, deliveries are not available to these postcodes: AB, DD6-DD11, EH35-EH36, FK14, FK17-FK21, GY, HS, IM, IV, JE, KA27-KA28, KW, KY9-KY16, PA20-A80, PH6-PH99, TR21-TR25, ZE. Prize is as stated, not transferable, not refundable and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or exchanged in whole/ part for cash. By supplying your email address, you agree to receive marketing from the JN Media Group or any of its affiliates and carefully-selected third parties. The promotion excludes employees of Miroma and the promoter, their immediate families, agents or anyone professionally connected to the promotion. Proof of eligibility must be provided on request. For full Ts and Cs, see jewishnews. co.uk and appleyardflowers.com. Closing date: 2 Jan 2020

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 12 December 2019

Business Services Directory ANTIQUES 44

The Jewish News 22 September 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Top prices paid

BUSINESS SERVICES DIRECTORY

Antique â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Reproduction â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Retro Furniture (any condition)

Carer

Clothing

WE BUY ANTIQUES Carer FURS WANTED Auxiliary Nurse VERY HIGH PRICES PAID. FREE HOME VISITS.

Epstein, Archie Shine, Hille, G Plan, etc. Antiques

Dining Suites, Lounges Suites, Bookcases, Desks, Cabinets, Mirrors, Lights, etc.

Cash paid for Mink Available support Allto Antique Furniture Hille & Epstein jackets, coats, you in your home. Diamond Jewellery, Gold, Silver,boleros, Paintings, stoles, Porcelain, also fox coats, etc. Glass,Days/nights. Bronzes, Ivories, Oriental & Judaica Antiques jackets etc. Very reasonable rates. Full house clearances organised. Wardrobes cleared Call Please 0208 look 958 at 2939 our website for more details Call 01277 352 560 or 07495 026 168

House clearances Single items to complete homes MARYLEBONE ANTIQUES - 8 CHURCH STREET NW8 8ED

WE BUY ANTIQUES

07866 614 744 (ANYTIME)

www.antiquesbuyers.co.uk

VERY HIGH PRICES PAID. FREE HOME VISITS. All Antique Hille & Epstein 0207Furniture 723 7415 (SHOP) Diamond Jewellery, Gold, Silver, Paintings, Porcelain, closed Sunday & Monday Glass, Bronzes, Ivories, Oriental & Judaica Antiques etc.

Computer FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL SUE ON:

0800 840 2035 or 07956268290

STUART SHUSTER - e-mail - info@maryleboneantiques.co.uk

Man on aOPEN Bike8am will TOget 9pm 7 DAYS. you working fast! RD LONDON. PORTOBELLO

Full house clearances organised.

MAKE SURE CONTACT BEFORE SELLING Please look YOU at our websiteUS for more details www.antiquesbuyers.co.uk

Rapid Response IT support for your PC & Mac Networks, virus problems, broadband, wireless systems, new computers and everything else you may need. CHILDREN For small businesses & home users.

FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL SUE ON: CAR REPAIR 0800 840 2035 or 07956268290 OPEN 8am TO 9pm 7 DAYS.

Call Ian Green, Man on a Bike on

We have a community 020 8731 6171 â&#x20AC;˘ www.manonabike.co.uk

PORTOBELLO RD LONDON.

nursery shop offering our customers top brands with a personal service.

Charity & Welfare

Stirling of Kensal Green Established over 60 years. Know who you are dealing with.

Top prices paid

All quality furniture bought & sold.

Antique â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Reproduction â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Retro Furniture (any condition)

Best prices paid for complete house clearEpstein, Archie Shine, Hille, G Plan, etc. ances Lounges includingSuites, china, Bookcases, books, Dining Suites, clothing etc. Also rubbish clearance Desks, Cabinets, Mirrors, Lights, etc. service, lofts, sheds, garages etc House clearances Single items to complete Please contact Gordonhomes Stirling

020 8960 5401 or 07825 224144 CHURCH STREET ANTIQUES â&#x20AC;? 8 CHURCH STREET NW8 8ED

Í&#x201D;Í&#x203A;Í&#x153;Í&#x161;Í&#x161; Í&#x161;Í&#x2022;Í&#x2DC; Í&#x203A;Í&#x2DC;Í&#x2DC; (ANYTIME) Email: gordonstirling65@gmail.com 0207 723 7415 (SHOP) closed Sunday & Monday

CHARITY & WELFARE STUART SHUSTER â&#x20AC;? eâ&#x20AC;?mail â&#x20AC;? stuart@churchstreetantiques.net 17-443-ER Helpline advert v1.qxp_Helpline 85x45mm 24/11/2017

MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT US BEFORE SELLING

10:02

WHEN YOU NEED HELP, CALL OUR HELPLINE.

Present this ad for a 5% discount. and conditions apply.) (TermsBEREAVED? ARE YOU

Vehicle Repair Services to meet our clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; individual needs. Friendly, reliable, trustworthy and efficient. Courtesy vehicles Non Fault Accident Specialist. We also offer a Claims Management Service. Catering for All Types of Vehicles.

IF YOU DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN, REMEMBER OUR HELPLINE. â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

1-2 Russell Parade, Golders Green&Road, London. Counselling for adults children whoNW11 are 9NN experiencing offered. Telephone: 020 8201loss. 8870, Support Website: groups www.yummykids.co.uk

Full Re-Spray Paintwork Repair Stone Chip Repairs

â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

Restoration Dent Repairs Alloy wheels restoration

For confidential advice, information and support 10 Ballards Mews, Edgware HA8 7BZ donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t | Call: forget 020 8951Jewish 0800 Care Direct.

020 8922 2222

Call The Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service in confidence

jcdirect@jcare.org

jewishcare.org/helpline

020 8951 3881 â&#x20AC;˘ 07765 693 160 CHARITY & WELFARE E: enquiries@jbcs.org.uk

For confidential advice, information and support contact us on WESTLON 020HOUSING 8922 2222ASSOCIATION Sheltered Accommodation helpline@jcare.org

We have an open waiting list for our friendly and comfortable warden Charityassisted Reg No. 802559sheltered housing schemes for Jewish people in Ealing, East Finchley and Hendon. We provide 24-hour warden support, seven days a week; a residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lounge and kitchen, laundry, a sunny patio and garden.

For further details and application forms, please contact Westlon Housing Association on 020 8201 8484

Charity Reg No. 802559

WESTLON HOUSING ASSOCIATION

ARE YOU BEREAVED?

Sheltered Accommodation

Jami supports and represents people with mental illness across the Jewish community.

Counselling for adults & children who are experiencing loss, and support groups. Contact The Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service in confidence

Labels are for jars. Not people.

#jamithinkahead

Refer yourself or a loved one by Give support â&#x20AC;˘ Get support â&#x20AC;˘ Get involved calling 020 8458 2223 or visit 020 8458 2223 | info@jamiuk.org www.jamiuk.org

020 8951 3881 enquiries@jbcs.org.uk | www.jbcs.org.uk

We have an open waiting list for our friendly and comfortable warden assisted housing domestic schemes in Ealing, East Are you a Jewishsheltered woman experiencing violence? Finchley and provide warden support, With abuse in Hendon. your home,We do you worry 24-hour about your children? seven days a week; residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Weaare here tolounge help and kitchen, laundry, a sunny patio and garden.counselling. with free support, advice and information and confidential Kosher Refuge available for women and children in need.

www.jamiuk.org

REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1003345

Reg Charity No. 1003345

For further details and application forms, please contact Free Confidential Helpline 0808 801 0500 Westlon HousingNational Association on 020 8201 8484 advice@jwa.org.uk â&#x20AC;˘ www.jwa.org.uk

HOME & MAINTENANCE

Home & Maintenance

PLUMBSAFE (UK) LTD

No further, your

LOCAL PLUMBERS

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Better Safe Than Sorryâ&#x20AC;?

Hall & Randall Plumbers

CENTRAL HEATING, PLUMBING REPAIRS & ADVISORY SERVICE EMERGENCY REPAIRS, BLOCKED PIPES DRAINAGE GUTTERING, ROOFING, CENTRAL HEATING AND BOILERS 12 MONTHS GUARANTEE, 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE

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07860 881505 or 0800 610 12 12

020 8953 2094 office

Not shabbat

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Home & Maintenance

STONEMASON

BUILDER

PROFESSIONAL A. ELFES LTD PAINTING, DECORATING memorials & New PAPER HANGING Additional inscriptions Over & 20renovations years experience Friendly, reliable & Gants Hill service. Edgware personal

The specialist masons in creating bespoke Granite and Marble Memorials for all Cemeteries. Edgware Showroom 41 Manor Park Crescent Edgware. HA8 7LY T: 0208 381 1525

Email : info@garygreenmemorials.co.uk

12Very Beehive Lane 130rates High Street competitive Gants Hill, IG1 3RD Edgware, HA8 7EL Telephone Telephone

STEPHEN: 07973 342 422 0207 754 4659 0207 754 4646

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Gary Green ad 84 x 40mm JM Group v2.indd 1

! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Better

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and ! For all your heating plumbing requirements "

| boiler repairs and installation | complete central heating | " #

flushing | complete bathroom service | | power

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office@hallandrandall.com

Clayhall Showroom 14 Claybury Broadway Ilford. IG5 0LQ T: 0208 551 6866

(UK)

P LUMBSAFE LTD

LONDON

18/03/2019 12:50:51

srindsmc@hotmail.com

www.memorialgroup.co.uk

London 020 8485 8176

PLUMBSAFEUK.COM

PET SITTER

City and Guilds Electrician K. L BUILDING CAPITAL All types of electrical work undertaken SERVICES Rewiring, extra sockets, BT points, Economy 7 PET SITTING storage heaters, Shabbat time switches, security lighting, â&#x20AC;˘ Brick work & Pointing LED spotlights, fault finding, CCTVportable appliance tests, â&#x20AC;˘ Rendering & Plastering Caring for your landlord tests &and house buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surveys. â&#x20AC;˘ Painting Decorating

best friend in your own home

â&#x20AC;˘ Driveway & Fencing For an efficient reliable and friendly service.

Call Harvey Solomons on

Call us for your quote 648 554e: capitalpetsittinguk@gmail.com 020 8958 6495free / 07836 07956381433 k.l.plastering@hotmail.co.uk

t: 07472 464240

ADVERTISE IN THE UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BIGGEST ADVERTISE IN THE JEWISH NEWSPAPER UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BIGGEST THANJEWISH LESS FOR NEWSPAPER FOR LESS A WEEK ÂŁ24.00

ÂŁ24today A WEEK CallTHAN Marc on 020Email 7692Sales 6943

today at sales@thejngroup.com

Jewish

12 December 2019 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Business Services Directory COMPUTER

SILVER

CLOTHING

Man on a Bike will get you working fast!

FURS WANTED Mink, fox, coats, jackets, boleros etc Also jewellery costume and real Designer bags and clothing Anything vintage

Rapid Response IT support for your PC & Mac Networks, virus problems, broadband, wireless systems, new computers and everything else you may need. For small businesses & home users.

Call Ian Green, Man on a Bike on

FREE CARE if you book before 31st October 2019, for every 4 hours of care booked the 5th hour will be 50% Free.

HOME CARE AGENCY Established Over 30 years

Professional Care at Home Day & Night Care available North and Central London

7 Station Close Potters Bar EN6 1TL

T: 020 8088 2789

01707 643 388

info@kells-care.com kells-care.com

PROPERTY

LEGACY- LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR MEMORY

JEWISH WAR VETERANS

Leave the legacy of independence to people like Joel.

eNABLeD visit www.Jbd.org or caLL 020 8371 6611

Registered Charity No. 259480

HELP US CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR OUR COMMUNITY WITH A GIFT IN YOUR WILL. Call Alison on 020 8922 2833 for more information or email legacyteam@jcare.org Chancellors House, Brampton Lane, London, NW4 4AB Tel: 020 8903 8746 | Fax: 020 8795 2240 www.bﬁwd.org | email: info@bﬁwd.org

children’s future

Please include

Charity no. 1042391

Every gift makes a difference 020 8457 3700

ISRAEL PROPERTY

Legacy advert 84x40.indd 1

Ramat Bet Shemesh Aleph. New Project from ₪1,290,000

We modernise property, rent and manage it. We finance it all. No upfront fees. No ownership changes. We’re a family team. 30 years in North London property and letting services. Lots of references. We’ll make any property work for you. 020 8830 1870 | MrAndMrsSimons.com

Charity Reg No. 802559

Secure our

legacy@cst.org.uk

Your outdated property can be your income

PLease remember us in your wiLL.

18-361-JM Small legacy advert v1.qxp_Legacy 09/10/2018 10:27 Page 1

CST in your Will

020 8953 4539

DOMICILIARY CARE

Situated next to Sainsburys and close to train station

Registered Charity No: 1082148

• Sky & Freesat

MOT

MOT - SERVICE - REPAIRS - BODYWORK - TYRES

Tel: 020 8202 2323 Web: www.ajex.org.uk Email: headoffice@ajex.org.uk

• Any work under taken

01277 352 560

A family run business in the heart of Potters Bar. All makes and models welcome.

YOUR LEGACY

AERIALS & SATELLITE • Repairs & Installs

020 8731 6171 • www.manonabike.co.uk

Potters Bar MOT Service Centre

& THEIR DEPENDANTS NEED

AERIAL REPAIR

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ADVERTISE IN THE UK’S BIGGEST JEWISH NEWSPAPER FOR LESS THAN £24 A WEEK Email Sales today at sales@thejngroup.com

07/04/2017 14:47

Rannana New Project from ₪2590,000

Hertzlia Pituach New Project ₪12, 999, 000

Jerusalem New Project From ₪1999, 000

www.israel-properties.com

WASTE REMOVAL

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 12 December 2019

FESTIVAL

viv Festival A l Te in n o d n o L The Virgin t of gratitude n u o m a s u o rm o ress an en Would like to exp the events of in rt a p k o to o h To all those w VIV FESTIVAL: LONDON in TEL A

atives, e r C d n a s t is t r A ants, To all the Particip lved o v in s r o n o D d n Sponsors a sible. s o p it e d a m e v couldn’t ha e w u o y t u o h it w

Department ts n e v E ty li a ip ic Tel Aviv Mun especially d n a y s s a b m E h The Britis Neil Wigan Ambassador Mr. il in Israel. The British Counc e to take part m a c o h w s d n a s u all the Tho Special thanks to performances. d n a ts n e v e s u o in the vari r Gourvitch a m a It d n a y k s in ch, Daniela Brov a m e z T li Ta to s k Than s With warm regard

! L L A O T S K N THA

& Chairman Marc Worth CEO oav Zemach Y s n o ti c u d ro p S.Zemach Festival Producers of the

‫חסות ראשית‬

‫בתמיכת‬

12 December 2019 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

70TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER RAISES £2.5M

yria, on. I e to the he st of the to ist ence of

On Monday 26th November over 400 guests attended the Magen David Adom UK Lifeblood Dinner at The Dorchester on Park Lane. Donors had the opportunity to explore the kitted-out ambulance and medicycle situated in the ballroom. The ambulance was generously donated by Alan Rind in honour of HRH Prince William’s visit to Israel.

ant MDA on the working an Red

Guest speaker, Noam Gershony told guests about how MDA “saved my life” when his Apache helicopter collided with another helicopter during the 2006 Lebanon War. No-one thought that the then 23-year-old would survive. Incredibly, Noam rehabilitated and went on to win Israel’s first gold medal in the men’s singles quad tennis tournament

esilient

at the 2012 London Paralympics. An emotional Noam said: “I owe my life to MDA – the guarding angels of the people in Israel.” Noam received a standing ovation by all in the room. Star of BBC’s Live at the Apollo, ground-breaking ventriloquist, Nina Conti, provided some light entertainment later into the night. Speaking after the event, MDA UK Chief Executive Daniel Burger said: “It was incredible to hear about the lifesaving work that MDA does through Noam’s experience and to have HRH’s ambulance in the room really conveyed how important MDA’s work is. We are so thankful to our incredible donors who enable us to save lives in Israel, here’s to another fantastic 70 years ahead of saving more lives.”

ael d stand ainst staff

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WELCOME TO THE TEAM We are thrilled to announce that there are three new members on our Board: Russell Jacobs, Chairman, Ian Langdon, Dinner Chairman, and Robert Ordever. We look forward to a great future together.

5564 MDA RedShield Winter 2019 JN Wrap v1.indd 3

10/12/2019 09:06

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 12 December 2019

CELEBRATING AT SEVENTY

THAT’S DEDICATION This year Magen David Adom UK supporters donated in excess of £1.8m of vehicles to Magen David Adom in Israel. Here are a few of the dedications that took place over Sukkot.

As 2019 draws to a close, it brings to an end two landmark years of celebration for Magen David Adom UK. In 2018 Israel celebrated its seventieth birthday and this year was the seventieth anniversary of MDA UK. The past twelve months have been jam-packed with fundraising activity. The recent ‘70th Anniversary Dinner’ was a record breaker. We raised more money than ever before and, for the first time, we showcased a new ambulance in the room. The ambulance was donated by Alan Rind to honour HRH Prince William’s landmark visit to Israel last year. The event gave our donors an opportunity to hear from our new Chairman, Russell Jacobs, who set out his vision for the future of the organisation (more of which in our Q&A with Russell on page 5). We also welcomed Al Sharifeh Noor Bint Ali (First Secretary to the Jordanian Ambassador), whose presence represented the latest phase of close cooperation between MDA UK and the Jordanian Red Crescent. Earlier in the year Russell Jacobs and I visited Amman to meet with HE Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid, President of the Jordanian Red Cross to further the collaboration between our two organisations. Magen David Adom UK has never been so active. Thanks to our donors and supporters who keep us energised, we are a very young seventy year-old! Thank you for your commitment and continued support.

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE DEDICATIONS THAT TOOK PLACE: The Edwards family dedicated The Anita and Eli Benson MDA Station in Ramat Beit Shemesh, where the Carter Bomb Shelter was also dedicated.

The answer is in the New Testament, which starts, “Four men carried a paralysed man to Jesus for healing”. The Latin for walk is ambulo, ambulare, which gives ambulance. Today the ambulance principle is the same, except that it is four wheels that carry a person who need healing.

Judy Saphra dedicated a medicycle in loving memory of Izhak and Lotti Saphra by their beloved son, David Saphra.

A medicycle was dedicated in loving memory of Ronnie Cohen from his devoted family and friends in Manchester.

Barry & Batya Segal (Vision for Israel & The Joseph Storehouse Trust) continued their support to Magen David Adom by donating a MICU to celebrate 70 years of Israel.

Barbara & Stanley Green (The Harbour Charitable Trust) dedicated an ambulance and a MICU in memory of Fay and Bert Harbour who taught their family the importance of philanthropy.

Christian Friends of MDA (CMFDA) dedicated four medicycles. Why four? To answer that question, another needs to be asked, namely, ‘Where is the oldest written record of an ambulance?’.

Daniel Burger Chief Executive

LEGACY UP FOR AUCTION

We are so very grateful to our incredible donors for enabling us to continue saving more lives. Thank you!

Harry Fuld Jr was an industrialist who lost everything to the Nazis. When he left his estate to his housekeeper Gisela Martin, he had no idea that, decades later, the art that was stolen from him would find its way back to its rightful owners - Fuld’s heirs and the numerous beneficiaries of his estate, including Magen David Adom UK. On December 3rd, two Di Paolo panels from the Fuld collection were sold for an astonishing £7.5m at Christie’s, London. Fuld’s collection continues to bring a lifesaving legacy to the people of Israel.

Magen David Adom UK, Winston House, 2 Dollis Park, London N3 1HF | T 020 8201 5900 | E info@mdauk.org | www.mdauk.org 5564 MDA RedShield Winter 2019 JN Wrap v1.indd 4

10/12/2019 09:06