1220 by Jewish News

Anne, frankly Iconic diarist is animated for a new generation P23

She’s losing her religion A Charedi view of My Unorthodox Life P19

VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY 22 July 2021

•

13 Av 5781

•

Issue No.1220

•

@JewishNewsUK

Gold standard Jewish Olympians set to be big in Japan, p14 & 15

It’s a cold war Kosher shops boycott Ben & Jerry’s ice cream by James Konn @Konnj

British kosher retailers are freezing out Ben & Jerry’s ice cream after the American food giant decided to stop selling its products in the West Bank. The Vermont-based firm issued a statement this week that it would cease retailing in Israeli settlements in “Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)”, but it would remain in Israel – albeit “through a different arrangement”. Hendon retailer Tapuach has said the store is “considering” its position on the matter, while Kosher City in Manchester is going a step further, announcing it intends to return any freezers on its premises branded with the ice cream maker’s logo. Its manager Menachem Leitner said: “The freezers are being collected as soon as possible. It is very wrong what they [Ben & Jerry’s] is doing.” In a full statement published on Monday, Ben & Jerry’s said: “We believe it is inconsistent with our values for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

We also hear and recognise the concerns shared their demand to stop distribution in Israel. We urge the Israeli government and consumers — with us by our fans and trusted partners. “We have a longstanding partnership with don’t let them boycott Israel. Keep ice cream our licencee, who manufactures Ben & Jerry’s out of politics.” ice cream in Israel and distributes it in the Ben & Jerry’s West Bank boycott was region. condemned by Israeli Foreign Min“We have been working to ister Yair Lapid who called it change this, and so we have a “disgraceful capitulation”, while Prime Minister Naftali informed our licencee that Bennett described the brand we will not renew the licence as “anti-Israel ice cream”. agreement when it expires at Lapid added: “This decithe end of next year. Although Ben & Jerry’s sion is an endorsement of will no longer be sold in the BDS, to all that is evil in the OPT, we will stay in Israel anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish through a different arrangediscourse. ment. We will share an update “We won’t be silent. Over 30 on this as soon as we’re ready.” states in the United States have Ben & Jerry’s Israel distribpassed anti-BDS legislation in utor condemned the decision, recent years. I plan on asking calling it “entirely unacceptable”. each of them to enforce these It added: “Ben & Jerry’s interlaws against Ben & Jerry’s. So they national decided not to renew their won’t treat us in such ways.” agreement with us in a year Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanand a half after we refused Unilever: frosty reception

while, tweeted: “Now we Israelis know which ice cream NOT to buy.” Kosher supermarkets in America said they will also boycott the brand while in Australia the kashrut authority KA has delisted the ice cream, which operates globally as a fully owned subsidiary of Unilever. Glatt Express Supermarket in New Jersey and Aron’s Kissena Farms in New York are among the leading kosher companies to drop the brand in the United States. “We will no longer sell any Ben & Jerry products, effective immediately,” Glatt Express Supermarket said. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, childhood friends from New York, opened their first ice cream scoop shop in a renovated fuel station in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978. Ben & Jerry’s owners are both Jewish and have long sided with so-called progressive causes in the US. In 2018 they received criticism for promoting an event called The Women’s March and Linda Sarsour – a Women’s March board member – who is also a BDS supporter who once tweeted “Nothing is creepier than Zionism.” � Analysis, p5; editorial comment, p16

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

News / Police pledge / Tweet anger / Bournemouth twinning

Police chief: We’ll bring those behind vile abuse to justice by Lee Harpin lee@jewishnews.co.uk @lmharpin

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick this week confirmed she expects those responsible for “vile antisemitic attacks” on the streets of London during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas to be brought to justice. The commissioner said her officers were “working really hard” on the cases and “still have a number of investigations to complete” into the incidents that took place in May. She added: “I expect we will be bringing people to justice.” Among the allegations Dame Cressida confirmed were still under investigation were “a very offensive placard” and “somebody who was shouting vile abuse as they were driving along”. This appeared to be a reference to the convoy of cars that drove through north London, with indi-

viduals shouting vile abuse about Jewish women. Dame Cressida was responding to a question from Jerry Lewis, of Israel Radio, who asked what measures police were taking following the “extraordinary” rise of antisemitic hate crime on the streets of London during the conflict. She praised the Community Security Trust (CST) as a “worldleading organisation” as well as the capital’s Jewish community, which she said the Met were “proud to be protecting”. “Antisemitic attacks are obviously vile – we all wish they didn’t happen,” she added. “We are working really hard to make sure we get ahead of the problem.” Dame Cressida conceded that the tensions that erupted during the 11-day conflict in the Middle East were “very difficult”, but added this had been the case for people in many parts of the world. She said: “We saw, yes a spike, a high in reported antisemitic crime.”

The Met’s chief said that “a fair proportion of reported crime was online” but added this “does not excuse it”. She added: “This is one of the things that nowadays accounts for a higher volume of crimes because it’s a relatively easy and obviously cowardly way to perpetrate something.” She confirmed the Met had worked “very hard” with the CST as well as other organisations “that we didn’t know” to ensure that there were high-profile police patrols on the streets and online “particularly during the large-scale protests we had in London”. She said that while most of those attending had been “protesting against Israeli action”, she accepted “there were some who were

Dame Cressida Dick with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Inset: The car convoy

protesting in other directions”. Dame Cressida added: “Policing those protests was challenging, although the amount of disorder associated with [them] was very much much less than on the last two occasions when tensions had been particularly high in that region.” Earlier in the briefing to Westmin-

ster lobby journalists, the Commissioner had said the current national terror level in the UK remained at “substantial” – which means an attack is “still likely”. It had been downgraded from “severe” in February. She said that as lockdown eased there “may be greater opportunities” for terrorists to exploit the situation.

Rights Watch boss ‘offered excuses for antisemitism’ ‫ ְבּ ַה ְצ ָל ָחה‬to our outgoing Year 6 Class of 2021, as they leave us feeling proud and confident in each of them as they head for their next challenge. ‫ כל הכבוד‬to all our pupils, and their families, for conquering the challenges of the past year – we’re looking forward to seeing everyone back in September. Everyone at Sacks Morasha is excited for our new Reception class to commence their journey to being SMART. Best wishes, Mrs Gross and Mr Kett

smart values

cha midot achdut ruach tora h

t: 0203 115 1900 e: office.administrator@morashajps.org.uk w: sacksmorasha.org.uk

The executive director of Human Rights Watch caused anger this week after being accused of offering “excuses” for antisemitism. Kenneth Roth shared an article about the spike of Jew-hate in the UK during the recent war between Israel and Gaza. He wrote on Twitter: “Antisemitism is always wrong, and it long preceded the creation of Israel, but the surge in UK antisemitic incidents during the recent Gaza conflict gives the lie to those who pretend that the Israeli government’s conduct doesn’t affect antisemitism.” The Community Security Trust reported that May was the worst month on record for antisemitism. Of the 628 incidents recorded, 585 involved language, imagery or behaviour linked to Israel and Gaza. Responding to criticism, he said: “Interesting how many people pretend this tweet justifies antisemitism (it doesn’t and I don’t under any circumstances) rather than address the cor-

Kenneth Roth’s controversial tweet

relation noted in the Haaretz article between recent Israeli government conduct in Gaza and the rise of UK antisemitic incidents. Mark Gardener of CST said: “Excuses and supposed reasons are offered for antisemitism that would be held socially and politically unacceptable for other forms of racism.”

‘TOWN SHOULD DETWIN’ ROW Bournemouth’s branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) aims to get 10 percent of local people to sign a petition backing a process to “detwin” Bournemouth with the Israeli city of Netanya in protest at what they call “apartheid”. A counter-petition has accused campaigners of spreading lies about Israel.

In a video posted online, PSC activists said: “We’re running a campaign and a petition, which we are trying to raise 10 percent of Bournemouth and Christchurch’s population, in order to take this petition down to the square and put it on the mayor’s desk. “We don’t think that such a lovely place as Bournemouth

should be associated with war crimes and genocide.” The online counter-petition urges town hall bosses not to sever ties and has since reached 250 signatures. The twinning agreement dates from 1995. Town hall officials have confirmed that there are no plans to detwin Bournemouth.

22 July 2021 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Labour landmark / Groups banned / News

Cautious welcome for Labour’s ‘independent’ complaint system by Lee Harpin lee@jewishnews.co.uk @lmharpin

Leading communal organisations this week “cautiously welcomed” the Labour Party’s announcement of proposals for a new “independent complaints handling process” for cases involving antisemitism. Representatives from the Jewish Labour Movement, Community Security Trust, Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council, (JLC) along with Antisemitism Policy Trust (APT) had all been consulted about the plans ahead of Tuesday’s announcement. The proposals involve the use of an Independent Reviews Panel (IRP) and Independent Appeal Board (IAB), which will be involved in complaints on antisemitism, Islamophobia, other forms of racism and sexual harassment on grounds of disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief. The plan, which Labour said meets standards required of it by the Equality and Human Rights Commission

(EHRC), does not make the party’s complaints system fully independent. One communal source told Jewish News: “It’s fair to say there has been robust debate on Labour’s proposals around a new and fairer complaints system. We could have done with more time in discussing some of the concerns aired – but it would not be incorrect to suggest that the overall plans have been cautiously welcomed.” In October 2020, the EHRC report into antisemitism in Labour had highlighted “serious failings in the antisemitism complaint handling system.” One communal source, who was supportive of the new proposals in general, said they amounted to a “semi-independent process”. The source accepted that outside of statutory bodies, it was hard to find an organisation that had a fully independent system for handling all complaints, with most handled internally. Labour’s complaints process proposals still need to be rubber-stamped at the annual conference in October. Jewish News understands that

most communal representatives have accepted that on the grounds of cost and protection of members’ human rights it was not realistic to expect a political organisation to farm out every single complaint to an external body. Concerns were raised during meetings with communal leaders about the possibility that panels for the board involved in assessing complaints could still be open to political interference. The IAB will be comprised of a pool of 12: four lawyers, four lay members and four human resources experts. A panel of three – one from each of the categories – will hear cases now referred to them. It is understood that, as during the Jeremy Corbyn era, lawyers who had shown clear political views and who were Labour members could be used on sensitive disciplinary cases. “What you need is independence built into the new system so that it does not get politically controlled,” reasoned one communal source. After the proposals were announced at a mammoth session of the NEC,

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BANS THREE GROUPS

Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) has agreed to ban three organisations that have repeatedly played down allegations of antisemitism within the party in a decision backed by leader Sir Keir Starmer, writes Lee Harpin. Resist, Labour Against the Witch-hunt (LAW) and Labour In Exile Network were all deemed to be proscribed following an NEC vote. Another group, Socialist Appeal, which describes itself as Marxist, was also proscribed at the meeting on Tuesday. Jewish News understands that voting at the NEC meeting went 22 in favour of banning Labour In Exile Network, with 10 against. This was also the result regarding banning LAW. For the Resist group – founded by ex-Labour MP Chris Williamson – voting is understood to have been 23 to 9, while for Socialist Appeal it is believed to have been 20 to 12 against. Letters of “auto-exclusion” are expected to be sent to members within days to inform them they face expulsion for belonging to any of these groups. Labour staff have scanned social media platforms run by the groups to gather evidence of membership. Its governance and legal unit has also kept records of those involved with the groups – some of whom resigned from the party ahead of disciplinary cases. The NEC also agreed to set up a panel assessing whether other fringe groups operating within the party should also be proscribed. A Labour spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday: “Labour is a broad, welcoming and democratic party and we are committed to ensuring it stays that way. The NEC has decided these organisations are not compatible with Labour’s rules or our aims and values.”

Piers Corbyn and Tony Greenstein at the protest to coincide with the meeting

A protest outside Labour headquarters organised by groups opposing the expulsions included a speech by Coviddenier Piers Corbyn. People from groups including Jewish Voice for Labour and LAW were joined by former party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s brother. Piers praised Anti-Israel banner expelled former Labour activist Tony Greenstein – who Campaign Against Antisemitism described as a “notorious antisemite” and was among the 100 or so activists present. Greenstein claimed the demo was “just a start” and called for those gathered to put the “nail in the coffin” on Starmer. Video report at jewishnews.co.uk

Representatives from the Jewish Labour Movement were consulted

party chair Anneliese Dodds MP said it “will be the fairest, most robust process of any political party that we know of”. She added that the party would continue to consult with “groups and individuals who have been subject to harassment, abuse and discrimination” before finalising the plan. JLM said it would be “working with Labour, the Jewish community and other Socialist societies to ensure

the new complaints process works as best as possible for our members and all who experience discrimination and harassment in the party.” It also emerged that the NEC approved a recommendation for “compulsory antisemitism training” for all elected representatives and party staff, to be delivered by the JLM, or other stakeholders including the CST.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

News / Peterborough MP / News briefs

Tory MP faces questions over links to suspended councillor by Lee Harpin lee@jewishnews.co.uk @lmharpin

A Tory MP is facing further questions about his association with a local councillor suspended by the party over claims of “abhorrent” antisemitism. Paul Bristow, MP for Peterborough, attended an event in Leeds at which Ishfaq Hussain was present, after he was suspended pending an inquiry into his social media posts. The MP and Hussain were also among a group who dined at a restaurant in Leeds – before they travelled back to their home city in the same car. Hussain was suspended by the Conservatives after his social media posts attacking “Zionists” and questioning whether citizens of Israel were “true Jews” were revealed in newspaper reports. Last week, Jewish News

told how Bristow – who issued a statement calling for the stain of antisemitism to be erased from Peterborough – had joined Hussain on a “site visit” in the city on 17 June. This was not the only time the pair had been at an engagement together since Hussain’s suspension alongside other Tory and Labour activists over antisemitism claims ahead of the May local election. Photos show the MP and councillor, who was elected to represent the Dogsthorpe ward despite his suspension from the local Tory group, at the British Muslim Heritage event in Leeds on 29 May. Bristow confirmed he was also present with Hussain at the Mumtaz restaurant and said he was there in his capacity as the co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims. Hussain, Bristow and others travelled back to Peterborough in the same vehicle.

Peterborough Tories suspended Hussain in April. He had posted that Israel is part of a “Zionist trilogy” alongside America and Saudi Arabia which “breed terrorists”. Hussain had also previously turned his profile picture into an image with the caption: “This person does not recognise the State of Israel”, and said “Zionism is one of the worst afflictions on the world”. After viewing Hussain’s posts, the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) issued a statement branding them “abhorrent and antisemitic”. Following the suspension of Hussain and several other local councillors ahead of the local elections in May, Bristow issued a statement saying: “As Peterborough’s MP, I take the suspensions of councillors and candidates very seriously. “The Jewish Leadership Council is right to say that ‘there is a specific and identifi-

Israel’s new quarantine rules for Brit travellers Travellers returning to Israel from Britain from next week will be required to quarantine for a sevenday period even if they are vaccinated and can produce a negative test result.The decision was taken by the coronavirus cabinet, a grouping of ministers who decide the rules on containing the spread of Covid-19 in Israel, as cases rise in Israel despite a successful vaccination programme.

Chelsea FC pledge on discrimination

Councilor Ishfaq Hussain, left, with MP Paul Bristow

able problem’ of antisemitism in our city’s politics. “I have invited JLC representatives to come to Peterborough to meet me and address this problem directly.” Jewish News understands the meeting with the JLC has yet to take place and no date has been agreed for it.

When approached by his local paper about his Facebook posts Hussain said in April: “At times in the past I reacted irresponsibly on social media. My comments at those moments do not reflect my settled view.” The Conservative Party have been approached for comment.

Chelsea football chiefs this week pledged to continue standing up to discrimination despite charting a “disappointing” rise in antisemitism in football. The club hosted a seminar on Tuesday, where industry leaders charted the way forward in the fight against racism. The club’s Jewish owner, Roman Abramovich, was subjected to almost 3,000 abusive messages on social media in May.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

22 July 2021 Jewish News

Covid-19 measures / School isolations / News

Masks and other measures to remain in communal settings by Josh Salisbury josh@jewishnews.co.uk @josh_salisbury

Masks and social distancing are likely to remain in many communal settings, with Jewish figures and organisations stressing caution this week – despite most legal restrictions being scrapped. In synagogue, while the United Synagogue, Liberal and Reform movements have issued guidance, leaders are largely free to set their own policy, with some synagogues opting for no masks, and others both masks and social distancing. At Mill Hill Synagogue, both masks and one-metre social distancing measures are being kept mandatory, members have been told, despite its Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet previously urging them to be dropped and vowing to “personally sponsor the first kiddush”. At Bushey United Synagogue, leaders hope to conduct services outside in a marquee, at which no masks would be required until

Deborah Eder and Yoav Low were married on Monday’s ‘Freedom Day’ in front of 230 guests in North Mymms Park

Pupils wash their hands as they arrive at primary school

Yom Kippur, while Golders Green Synagogue members will only be required to wear them on Shabbat mornings owing to high numbers. Some, however, are ditching mask requirements, such as the Alei Tzion Synagogue in Hendon, which is still asking members to keep a two-metre distance. Synagogues within the Reform movement have been told they have the right to set their own

Covid rules “that are appropriate to their settings,” while Liberal synagogues are also setting their own policies “in a way that is Covid safe”, said the movement. Visitors will no longer be restricted to many of the Jewish Care homes, but will still have to wear masks, take a lateral flow test before attending, and will be told not to come if they recently travelled from a “high-risk” country.

WJR’s £470k for aid Almost half-a-million pounds has been raised by World Jewish Relief to support the global pandemic recovery. The charity generated £470,000 in 36 hours which will go towards its partners in 18 countries. Donations came from 1,300 people with the total matched by a group of funders. The funds will go towards

everything from PPE to hygiene equipment, including in countries such as Bangladesh, which has already been hit by natural disasters or forced displacement of people. The charity also supports Jewish communities in eastern Europe, where 60 percent of those it helps struggle with access to healthcare. So far, WJR has reached

29,530 people in 13 countries to help their covid recoveries. Chief executive Paul Anticoni said: “I’m astounded at the response and generosity of so many supporters to our campaign. When there is such pressure on our services this support will enable us and our partners to scale up our response to the crisis.”

DOWNING SPOONS IN WEST BANK BY MICHAEL DAVENTRY

FOREIGN EDITOR Ben & Jerry’s statement on where its ice cream will no longer be sold was easy enough to declare. The company promised it would “stay in Israel through a different arrangement” after the end of next year, when the licence agreement with its local Israeli partner expires. That part will be harder to crack than an old tub of chocolate chip in your freezer. The global community may not treat West Bank settlements as part of Israel, but Israeli business does. It all comes down to what Ben & Jerry’s considers – to use its phrase – an “Occupied Palestinian Territory”. There’s a complex but important point to make here about terminology. Many countries use the designation “Palestinian Territories” in the plural to cover the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Britain routinely adds the word “Occupied”; the US

does not. Ben & Jerry’s, the latest authority on the matter, has opted to use OPT in the singular. It’s seldom used these days because it is so imprecise: which Palestinian territory, and under whose control? This matters because Israeli and Palestinian customers will want to know where they can still buy or avoid a tub of frozen cookie dough. Tel Aviv? Eilat? They’re fine, they’re in Israel. Ariel? That’s a vast West Bank settlement, so no. But what about towns exclusively managed by Palestinians, such as Ramallah? There are many places where that boundary set in 1967, the line used as a basis for most peace proposals, has become blurred in the last half-century. Nowhere is this more apparent than Jerusalem, where stores and supermarkets on either side of the line are supplied in the same way. Jewish News repeatedly asked Ben & Jerry’s to clarify which lands it considers Israeli and which are Palestinian. It’s no surprise we have not had an answer: the question has stumped many more than a humble ice cream maker.

Its community centres will gradually reopen to in-person activity. A similar return is taking place in cultural centres, including Jewish Museum London, which said it would operate limited capacity inside, with masks being encouraged. JW3 events are running at reduced capacity with visitors urged to take a test beforehand. Summer camps are also set to take place under new Covid rules.

COVID CASES FORCE PUPILS TO ISOLATE Jewish schools were hit by a wave of Covid isolations just days before breaking up for the summer holidays this week, forcing some to move to online learning only. At least two schools were forced to shut their doors early and take classes remotely, while at one secondary school, two year groups were sent home to isolate. As cases surge, large numbers of people are being told to self-isolate through Test and Trace or through notifications on the NHS Covid app, in what has been dubbed the ‘pingdemic’. Wolfson Hillel Primary was among those to move to online learning because of Covid. The Southgate school told parents it would move to a remote form of learning from Monday – socalled ‘Freedom Day’ – after discussion with public health officials at Enfield Council. Secondary school Yavneh College in Borehamwood also moved to remote learning because a “large” outbreak meant 250 pupils and staff were told to isolate. Parents of pupils at the secondary were told by headteacher Spencer Lewis in a letter: “I am so very sorry that I have had to take this decision, which is the last thing I wanted to do.” Meanwhile, all students in years eight and nine at JCoSS in New Barnet were told to isolate over cases, according to headteacher Patrick Moriarty.

Wheelchair Loans Wheelchairs are the most requested item at Yad Sarah lending branches. They are at the top of our wish list each year!

Your donation can help provide a wheelchair for someone in need in Israel.

“We are delighted to say thank you to Yad Sarah for all the help you continue to give us.” Barbara and Stanley Green, Tel Aviv.

To make your donation visit www.yadsarah.org.uk/donation or call 020 3397 3363

Thank you Reg. Charity No. 294801

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

News / Mosque application / News briefs Rabbi Dweck to chair Wingate Literary Prize

The head of Britain’s Sephardi community will chair the judging panel for the Wingate Literary Prize 2022. The £4,000 prize run with JW3 is now in its 45th year and crowns the book that translates Jewishness to the general reader. Rabbi Joseph Dweck said: “The prize is a beautiful way to recognise excellence and embrace Jewish diversity and its contribution to the literary world and is especially needed at this time.”

Neo-Nazi student is jailed for seven years

A neo-Nazi student who carved a swastika into his girlfriend’s buttock was sentenced to seven years in prison, with a further three years on extended licence yesterday for his leading role in an extreme right-wing group. Judge Mark Dennis QC said Andrew Dymock, 24, the middle-class son of academics, had been an “active and committed proponent for right wing neoNazi extremism”. He was found guilty of 15 charges.

Decision on Golders Green Islamic centre is postponed by Lee Harpin lee@jewishnews.co.uk @lmharpin

A decision on whether to approve plans for an Islamic centre in Golders Green at the former Hippodrome has been postponed after Conservative councillors requested further details. The Markaz El-Tathgheef El-Eslami group (MTE), which owns the building, has been attempting to open an Islamic community centre at the site since 2017. But Barnet Council planners agreed on Monday evening to defer the decision on a change of use application for the building. Eva Greenspan, who chaired the Site of the proposed Islamic centre strategic planning meeting, refused One councillor suggested the to discuss the referral decision when Jewish News contacted her on Tuesday. deferral could give time for a public Sources who attended allege that inquiry into the application to go ahead. Greenspan had used a request for fur- Another communal source, who supther information on fire safety and ports the application, believed Barnet evacuation points to delay a final deci- Conservatives wanted to delay the decision until after next May’s local elections. sion on the application. A representative of Golders Green They added she also requested further information on traffic planning. Residents Environment Group said

it welcomed the decision to wait “until Markaz do what they have to date resisted and produce travel, transport, noise and crowd control plans”. The group also claimed: “Markaz and their supporters have repeatedly sought to weaponise religion as a factor in this application. “To be clear, residents do not object to the users of the Hippodrome at all, but they do object to the proposed intensification of use and the impact it will have on traffic, parking, local amenity and the loss of the Hippodrome.” Before the meeting, the council had been expected to give the green light to the Shia Muslim centre. Barnet officers had last month recommended approval of the application – which has been supported by progressive synagogues and leading figures from the Jewish community. Some Labour councillors accused Conservative officials of “Islamophobia” over the postponement. Barnet Labour Group leader Barry Rawlings told Jewish News he was exploring “referring

the whole episode” to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Rawlings claimed: “The way Barnet Council has handled this application is shameful, with completely unnecessary delays and spurious requests for additional information. “They have clearly treated this Muslim organisation in a different way to other religious organisations and most people will see this – and the disgraceful deferral of the application – as Islamophobia. The actions of both the council and the Conservative administration make a mockery of the council’s recent updated Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion policy.” Conservative Council leader Dan Thomas said: “Rawlings’ accusations are nonsense and he knows it. This is a planning application and will be decided as all planning applications are, in the context of planning law. “We’re proud of our diverse borough and are conscious of supporting all our communities in every decision we take. We look forward to the Markaz team working with officers and bringing this back to be further considered.”

Will services, estate planning and friendship, all at no charge KKL, JNF UK’s legacy department, has been serving the Jewish community for over 70 years. Our highly qualified team combines first-rate executorship and trustee services with personalised pastoral care. We can take on the role of close family when needed, keeping in regular contact with you and taking care of any Jewish needs in accordance with your wishes. For a no-obligation and confidential consultation, and to find out more about supporting JNF UK’s vital work in Israel, please get in touch.

Call 020 8732 6101 or email enquiries@kkl.org.uk

KKL Executor and Trustee Company Ltd (a Company registered in England No. 453042) is a subsidiary of JNF Charitable Trust (Charity No. 225910) and a registered Trust Corporation (authorised capital £250,000).

JN Half Page - KKL - Friendship Advert.indd 1

11/02/2021 15:15:34

22 July 2021 Jewish News

Northern Ireland / Police appeal / News

UK aims to rewrite Brexit protocol to help NI Jews by Lee Harpin lee@jewishnews.co.uk @lmharpin

The UK government is attempting to substantially rewrite the Northern Ireland Brexit protocol – after fears were raised it had put the future of the small Belfast Jewish community in doubt. In the Commons yesterday, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis, and in the Lords Brexit Minister David Frost both read out statements arguing “we cannot go on as we are” given the “ongoing febrile political climate” in the region. Lewis spoke of the widespread disruption to businesses and communities owing to the unresolved dispute with the European Union, adding: “We will continue to do what is right for the United Kingdom – we want to work with our partners in the EU. “At the moment when

you have even got the Chief Rabbi [Ephraim Mirvis] and the president of the Board of Deputies coming together to make it clear the substantial problem to the Jewish community of Northern Ireland – we should make it clear this is a problem for communities right across Northern Ireland – we have a duty to resolve it.” Earlier this month, Boris Johnson had himself warned of the possible “exodus” of Jews from Belfast over a crisis in supplies of kosher food under post-Brexit trade rules that he negotiated and signed in 2019 and which began coming into effect in January. Mirvis had also said the challenges faced by Northern Ireland’s Jewish community were an example of “inadvertent collateral damage arising out of current trade differences between Britain and the EU”. Last weekend, new Israeli

The Prince of Wales met Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis in 2019 during a visit to Belfast Hebrew Congregation

President Isaac Herzog had pledged to look into the problem and write to the UK prime minister expressing concern after meeting Board president Marie van der Zyl. In their statement, they said: “We have seen reductions in supermarket product lines. We have seen more than 200 suppliers decide they would no longer sell to Northern

Ireland. We have seen difficulties not just on the chilled meats but also on medicines, on pets, on movements of live animals, on seeds and plants.” Frost called for a temporary “standstill” period including the suspension of all legal action by the EU and for the operation of grace periods to allow continued trade of goods such as chilled meats.

APPEAL TO TRACE MAN LINKED TO BUS ABUSE Detectives have renewed an appeal to trace a man following an incident of antisemitic abuse on a bus in London. A researcher from north London, known only as Yosef, was sitting on a bus to Oxford Street at 11.33pm on 3 July when he was subject to a “torrent of antisemitic abuse” and “threats” by another passenger. The Metropolitan Police have released an image of a man they want to identify in connection with the incident. No arrests have been made and officers have been in contact with the victim. Detective chief inspector Michael Dougall said: “The victim of this abuse was simply on his way home on the bus. No one should have to go through that experience and we will act quickly and robustly in response to all reported crimes of this nature. “Someone must recognise this man so please do the right thing and contact police.” Later that evening, Yosef left the bus and while walking down the escalator at Oxford

Circus Tube station, he was subject to “antisemitic behaviour” in a separate incident, British Transport Police said. A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of religiously aggravated harassment. He has since been released on bail while investigations continue. Siwan Hayward, director of compliance, policing operations and security at Transport for London, said: “We urge anyone who experiences or witnesses hate crime to report it to the police immediately. It’s important that people tell us so we can stop it from happening again.” Anyone with information about the bus incident should call 101, quoting CAD 1440/4July, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Prestige Apartments International

Looking to obtain a better return on you savings? We offer depositors a capital protected, guaranteed 10% P/A income with interest paid monthly over a three year term as against the 1.50% paid by the Banks, Post Office and Building Societies. In addition depositors will also receive150 stakeholder shares [current issue value 1$] in the companies luxury rented apartment business. Capital and Interest payments are fully protected with the rental income from the apartments and is set aside to protect depositors. Capital and revalued Shares are repaid in full at end of the term. Phone 07711051181.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

News / Court case

Sole Practitioner Chartered Accountant looking to rent an office within an established Chartered Accountancy practice. Catchment area between St. Albans and Finchley. If you have availability please email:

linda@lcooper.co.uk

Struggling to cope is more normal than you think. Uncertainty and isolation can cause any of us to experience feelings of distress or anxiety. Whatever you are going through, you don’t have to face it alone.

Sudden death of man accused of matricide A man accused of murdering his 85-year-old Jewish mother has died while awaiting trial, writes Adam Decker. Mark Herman, 54, was charged over the death of his mother, Loretta Herman, after she was found unresponsive at the family home in Rushden Gardens, Ilford, on 9 April. Last week, Judge Mark Lucraft QC was asked to formally close the case after an officer confirmed to the court that Herman had died. Although a formal post-mortem examination had yet to take place, it was believed he had taken his own life, a court heard. At a previous preliminary hearing, the court heard that Herman had called 999 at 10.51am on 9 April. He said he wanted to report a murder and that he had just drowned his mother. However a postmortem found she had died from compression to the neck. Herman, who was arrested at the family home, was remanded into custody to await trial for murder on a date to be fixed. The court heard Herman had a history of contact with mental health services in Ilford and had attempted to take his own life in May and June last year. As a result, he posed a risk to the public and to his own life, the court heard. The defendant was initially held at Pentonville prison in north London.

Mark Herman at the time of his arrest and (inset) his late mother Loretta Herman

On 16 June, he was transferred to the John Howard Centre, a mental health facility in north London, over concern he had expressed suicidal thoughts, the Old Bailey was told. On 1 July, police were alerted to his sudden death, the court heard.

If you need support or are supporting someone who needs help, contact Jami. jamiuk.org/get-support or call 020 8458 2223

If you’re struggling to cope or need immediate help, contact Shout’s 24/7 crisis text service. Text Jami to 85258

Free, safe and anonymous online counselling and support. qwell.io/jami

Change the life of someone living with mental illness. Donate today at jamiuk.org/donate Registered charity no. 1003345

www.jewishnews.co.uk

22 july 2021 Jewish News

COME ON IN! It’s been a while!

We’re so excited that we are ready to open our community centres again.

From July through to October, we will carefully and safely be reopening all of our dementia day centres, community centres and Connect@ services. However, our Meals on Wheels, telephone befriending, online activities and social work and family carers support services will all also still be there to support our community.

For more information about when a service local to you will be opening, please call 020 8922 2222, or email helpline@jcare.org or visit jewishcare.org Charity Reg No. 802559

JN 330x260mm Come on in advert v1.indd 1

20/07/2021 11:54

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

News / War hero / Domestic abuse

Tributes to ‘special’ Dambuster hero Heartfelt tributes have been paid to war hero and Dambuster pilot Lawrence ‘Benny’ Goodman, who has died aged 100, writes Jack Mendel. The former 617 Squadron Leader, famous for its daring 1943 raids on dams in Germany, led 30 operations during the Second World War – including the attempted bombing of Hitler’s ‘Eagle’s Nest’ compound. After his distinguished career in the Royal Air Force spanning 24 years, he dedicated his later life to educating about the conflict and the Jewish community’s contribution to victory. Born in London in 1920, he volunteered to join the RAF aged 18 at the outbreak of war in September 1939.

After training as a pilot, he was recognised for his ability and sent to Canada to train others, before returning in 1942 to Britain, where he became the first pilot without operational experience to join the ‘Dambusters’ 617 squadron. Among the operations in which he participated was the demolition of the Arnsberg railway viaduct with a 10,000kg Grand Slam bomb. A member of the Association of Jewish ex-Servicemen and Women (AJEX), he regularly spoke at its events detailing his amazing career, and participated in the Hidden Heroes project run by the RAF Museum. The project highlighted the often untold stories of Jewish members of the armed forces,

and partnered with Chelsea FC in its campaign against antisemitism. AJEX national chairman Mike Bluestone said: “His service as a Jewish RAF flyer will always be remembered, and the entire Jewish community is proud of his heroism, which was recognised by France through his award of the Légion d’Honneur after carrying out 30 operations against enemy targets in the Second World War. RAF Museum CEO Maggie Appleton said: “Benny was a special man who brought joy and inspiration to many.”

Support for male abuse victims An organisation helping male Jewish domestic abuse victims has launched, writes Jack Mendel. Kavod, which is seeking charitable status, was created by Mordy Pee (a pseudonym, as Jewish News has withheld his real name owing to an active legal case), who asked Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA) for help dealing with what he terms a “coercive relationship”. Pee said that JWA could not help him as he is not a woman. “There was no support in the community for male victims,” he said, but

added that JWA has helped his new charity by “providing policies and procedures”. According to latest government figures, 757,000 men in the UK suffer domestic abuse every year. A JWA spokesperson said: “Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. We are very occasionally contacted by a Jewish man seeking support. When this happens we refer them to organisations with a wealth of experience in helping male victims, such as the UK charity Respect.”

Lawrence ‘Benny’ Goodman. Inset: a dam raid in 1943

Holocaust survivor project involving celebrities awarded

A project pairing Holocaust survivors with celebrities to educate people about the genocide has won two awards. March of the Living UK’s ‘Meet the Survivors’ campaign with Frank PR agency received two honours at the UK Content Awards. The initiative, launched on Yom HaShoah in a bid to continue Holocaust education during the pandemic, featured a series of videos with Holocaust survivors giving their testimony to high-profile celebrities.

United Synagogue announces re-elections and new roles

The United Synagogue (US)’s president has been re-elected for a second term. Michael Goldstein was unopposed in his bid to lead the Orthodox synagogue movement, for which he will serve another four-year term. The decision was made at a US council meeting, where Maxwell Nisner was re-elected as treasurer and Fleurise Lewis and Saul Taylor re-elected as trustees. Claire Lemer stepped down after two four-year terms as a trustee, and is replaced by Rachel Hartog.

P E N E, N2 O NOWAVENU PS O H BIS

welcome home...

Join us in our new home, providing compassionate residential, nursing, dementia and respite care. REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

020 8673 3495

INFO@NIGHTINGALEHAMMERSON.ORG NIGHTINGALEHAMMERSON.ORG

Registered Charity 207316

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Did we save your family? If your family escaped Germany or Austria in the 1930s and 40s we may have their original case files. World Jewish Relief (as The CBF) rescued 65,000 people from the Nazis including many who arrived on the Kindertransport and 732 child Holocaust survivors known as The Boys.

We are returning these files to family members for free. Apply now! Find out if we helped your family at: www.worldjewishrelief.org/archives 020 8736 1250 “I am so moved to have received the files. I really can’t express adequately the emotions I felt, reading the words about my mother. I am alive today because of the generosity of so many” Mona Golabek

22 july 2021 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

News / Cancer challenge / Schools contest / Beauty spot

Mum joins celeb charity trek by Candice Krieger @CandiceKrieger

A mother-of-two who recently finished cancer treatment will join TV presenter Emma Willis, actress Gemma Atkinson, and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here 2020 winner Giovanna Fletcher on a 100km charity trek. Carly Moosah, who was diagnosed with Stage 2 Grade 3 breast cancer in 2019 – the day before her daughter’s fourth birthday – was chosen from hundreds of applicants to take part in the five-day trek in the Highlands in aid of CoppaFeel!, to raise awareness of the importance of checking for early signs of the disease.

Carly with husband Daniel and kids

The former talent agent, 39, from north London, says: “With my mum dying from breast cancer in 2010, and her mum dying from it before I

Pupils boost future, win big Kantor King Solomon and JFS were the big winners when pupils pitched projects aimed at improving their peers’ experiences post-lockdown. The two-hour virtual competition, compered live from JW3 by its CEO Raymond Simonson, was run this week by Partnerships for Jewish Schools and supported by Genesis Philanthropy Group. After sifting through entries from six secondaries, judges decided to

award the joint winners £6,000 and one runner-up was given £3,000. Joint first were a Kantor King Solomon team who pitched an outdoor area where students could relax in order to improve mental health. A JFS team, consisting of year 12 and year 10 pupils, were successful in their suggestion for free music lessons in the wake of the pandemic. Second place was awarded to Year 12 students from Immanuel College.

met her, I was always aware to check my boobs. I thought I was very aware of the symptoms, but even I didn’t know that it can present as a pain and swelling in your armpit.” Carly was on the chemotherapy ward with her sister, who was having treatment for ovarian cancer at the time, when she mentioned the pain under her arm to a doctor. “I urge people who notice any change in their body to get checked, which is why CoppaFeel! is so important. I want to help spread the message of early detection, particularly among young women.” Carly in fact inherited the BRCA1 gene from her father’s side. She has

endured 16 rounds of chemotheramy, surgery – a double mastectomy and reconstruction using tummy tissue, and lymph node removal – and radiotherapy. Her last surgery was in March. The co-founder of Keepemquiet – which provides entertainment packs for children and is used by members of the Royal Family – says: “My body has been through a lot and I get very breathless. The trek will be very uphill, so I am trying to build up my endurance by walking up and down Primrose Hill.” She will be joined by close friend Alex Thrussell, whose mother Nicki Waterman, the celebrity fitness trainer and The Sun columnist, died from a brain tumour in 2016.

AJEX RAISES £165K IN 36 HOURS More than £165,000 was raised in 36 hours for a charity supporting Jewish military veterans. The Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (AJEX) held its first online fundraiser on Sunday, with donations doubled by donors. Its campaign is aimed at ensuring the charity can continue educating young people about the duty of British Jews in the armed forces, while providing elderly veterans with care, and

EILAT TO BE CENTRE OF THE BEAUTY UNIVERSE

Eilat is to host this year’s Miss Universe competition, due to take place in December. Pictured is Israeli model Adar Gandelsman, dressed as a Maccabee warrior, who took part in the 2017 pageant.

fighting modern-day antisemitism. National chairman Mike Bluestone said: “We are proud to remember our heritage of military service, share the history of servicemen and women and support the veteran community.”

PRECIOUS STONES

PAINTINGS/ART WORK

FURNITURE

PAINTINGS/ARTWORK

JEWELLERY

PORCELAIN

COSTUME PROPERT Y JEWELLERY PROPERTY

MEN’S & LADIES WATCHES HIGH-END FASHION WINE &

MEN’S & LADIES CARS & CLOCKS ALCOHOL HIGH-END FASHION QUALIT Y CARS SCULPTURE & BRONZES NAMED GLASS QUALITY NAMED GLASS

GOLD

SCULPTURE & BRONZES

PROBATE VALUATIONS

SILVER

DEAR SINGLE WOMAN

Our illustrious Jewish client is London-based, kind, charismatic and dreams of having a family. Could you be his perfect match? Any potential introduction would be complimentary.

Selling items value has has never simpler. Selling items ofofvalue neverbeen been simpler. WHETHER YOU’RE CLEARING A HOME, MOVING, REMODELLING, I WILL GET

WHETHER YOU’RE CLEARING A HOME, MOVING, REMODELLING, I WILL GET THE BEST PRICES FOR ANY ITEMS OF VALUE YOU’RE LOOKING TO SELL THE BEST PRICES FOR ANY ITEMS OF VALUE YOU’RE LOOKING TO SELL •

I AM A INDEPENDENT BROKER ACTING SOLELY ON YOUR BEHALF

•

I AM• A IINDEPENDENT BROKER ACTING SOLELY ON YOUR BEHALF SELL THROUGH MANY DIFFERENT AUCTION HOUSES, HIGH-END

•

DEALERS, COLLECTORS AND PRIVATE CLIENTS HOUSES, HIGH-END I SELL THROUGH MANY DIFFERENT AUCTION

•

MANY CLIENTS YOU WILLFOR ALWAYS RECEIVE MY PERSONAL DISCREET HAVING BEEN IN BUSINESS OVER 15 YEARS LOOKING AFTER MANY,

• HAVING BEEN IN BUSINESS OVER 10 YEARS LOOKING AFTER MANY, DEALERS, COLLECTORS AND FOR PRIVATE CLIENTS ONE-TO-ONE SERVICE (REFERENCES AVAILABLE)

MANY CLIENTS YOU WILL ALWAYS RECEIVE MY PERSONAL DISCREET •

THERE IS NO COST OR OBLIGATION MEETING WITH ME AT YOUR HOME

ONE-TO-ONE SERVICE (REFERENCES AVAILABLE) • • •

Club 1942 - Matchmakers Privé 0207 504 1329 ejh@club1942.com

OR STORAGE FACILITY

THERE IS NO COST OR OBLIGATION MEETING WITH ME AT YOUR HOME • PROBATE VALUATIONS CARRIED OUT OR STORAGE FACILITY • BASED IN ST JOHNS WOOD, CLIENTS IN THE UK AND EUROPE PROBATE VALUATIONS CARRIED OUT Perry IN Field 07802WOOD, 157500 CLIENTS IN THE UK AND EUROPE BASED ST |JOHNS

NEW HOME SERVICE AVALIABLE : I WILL BUY YOUR SILVER, GOLD Perry Field | 07802 157500 AND JEWLLERY FROM THE COMFORT AND SAFETY OF YOUR HOME.

Under the current government guidelines as of 4th January 2021, House clearances DISCRETION GUARANTEED, and probates should continue, so please IMMEDIATE don’t hesitatePAYMENT to contactMADE. me at any time for a home visit, or you can also send photos of any items you might like to sell to me via WhatsApp on 07802 157500 or my email: perryfield@hotmail.com. MOST IMPORTANTLY I AM HAVING REGULAR COVID TESTS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY CLIENTS.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

22 July 2021 Jewish News

Festival prayers / Kotel anger / World News

Temple Mount visit upsets by Michael Daventry mike@jewishnews.co.uk @michaeldaventry

Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett has denied claims a decades-old ban on Jewish prayer atop the Temple Mount was being rolled back after hundreds of worshippers visited for Tisha B’Av. Visitors last Sunday were seen reciting scripture on the compound without intervention from Israeli police. Police cleared away Muslim worshippers opposed to In previous years Jews have the tours of the Temple Mount. Inset: Naftali Bennett been allowed to visit but not There were brief clashes earlier on pray at the holy site, with officers enforcing the ban Sunday between Israeli police by searching visitors for pocket psalm books. Muslim worshippers The Temple Mount is known to Muslims as and Haram al-Sharif and hosts the Al-Aqsa mosque, the opposed to the Tisha B’Av visits. No serious injuries third-holiest site in Islam.

were reported in what police described as stonethrowing incidents early in the day by Palestinian youngsters who, they said, were then dispersed. The Palestinian Authority called the Jewish visits provocative and a “serious threat to security and stability” while Palestinian officials said police forcefully evacuated Muslim worshippers to clear the way for the Jewish visitors and fired rubbercoated bullets. The visit of more than 1,600 Jews, most of them Orthodox, was mostly peaceful, prompting Bennett to thank police for “maintaining freedom of worship for Jews on the Mount”. But his office said he had misspoken by suggesting both Muslims and Jews should have freedom to worship at the holy site. It added the religious status quo would remain in place at the site, Times of Israel reported. Video report at jewishnews.co.uk

Orthodox group installs Kotel barriers Progressive Jewish leaders this disrupt Tisha B’Av prayers. Members of the far-right group week condemned ‘appalling’ scenes at the Western Wall after an Liba arrived with wooden panels Orthodox group forced their way in a bid to divide the Masorti men women who were gathering to into a progressive prayer to and HALF PAGE ADVERT JAN space 2020:Layout 1 09/01/2020 16:04 Page 1

mark the fast day, which mourns the destruction of the two Jewish temples in Jerusalem. The barriers were installed in the egalitarian prayer space, a sepa-

rate site from the main Western Wall Plaza. Video report at jewishnews.co.uk

Pope restricts Latin Mass that calls for conversion of Jews Pope Francis has restricted the use of the Latin Mass, a form of the liturgy favoured by traditionalist Catholics that calls for the conversion of the Jews and that until 2008 included a reference to Jewish “blindness.” Francis’ declaration on Friday is a repudiation of an earlier decree by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who in 2007 made it easier to use the Latin Mass. Now in order to use the Latin Mass, priests must get permission from their local bishop, who must also make sure those using the Latin Mass accept the Second Vatican Council.

Argentina’s VP argues against imminent trial

On the 27th anniversary of the AMIA Jewish centre bombing in Buenos Aires that killed 85 and injured hundreds, Argentina’s Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called the imminent trial into her alleged efforts to cover up Iran’s role in the attack a “monumental scandal”. “This is a judicial panel to persecute opponents of Mauricio Macri,” she said last Friday, referencing Argentina’s previous president, in a speech given during the annual commemoration ceremony.

Aliyah Investment & Tax Planning for UK Olim ✓ 10 years tax free income ✓ No tax on pension income

✓ No inheritance tax ✓ Specialist investment management for Olim

• The leading provider of Aliyah investment services for over 15 years • Unrivalled expertise advising UK Olim • Considering Aliyah? Contact our specialist team who will be pleased to share their knowledge and experience with you 020 8202 1944 RJUKGoldersGreen@RaymondJames.com www.goldersgreen.raymondjames.uk.com 843 Finchley Road, London, NW11 8NA

Simon Benarroch FCSI Chartered Wealth Manager

Golders Green

Raymond James Investment Services Ltd is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales number 3669657. Registered office: Ropemaker Place, 25 Ropemaker St, London EC2Y 9LY.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

Special Report / Tokyo Summer Olympics

Could it be a golden sum The 2020 Tokyo Olympics begin on Friday, a full year after they were planned (they’re still being called the 2020 Olympics, even though they’re taking place this summer). The Jewish athletes competing — and there are many (although none in the Great Britain team) — are products of inspiring journeys and have reached the pinnacle of their sport. There’s the fencer looking for redemption, Israel’s first Olympic surfer, one of the greatest canoe paddlers of all time, a teen track star para-athlete, and so many more. Here, Emily Burack profiles some of the impressive Jewish athletes for whom we can root.

SUE BIRD

BASKETBALL, USA

Going for gold: Alex Klineman, Jemima Montag, Eli Dershwitz, Diego Schwartzman, Maru Teferi, Linoy Ashram and Ezra Frech

Sue Bird returns for her fifth Olympic Games

Is Sue Bird one of the greatest Jewish athletes of all time? Perhaps. The basketball legend has won gold medals with the US women’s basketball team in the past four – yes, four – Olympics. (The team has not lost at the games since 1992.) Bird, now 40, is back for her fifth, and likely last, Olympics. The child of a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother, Bird was born and raised in Syosset, Long Island. She’s been a basketball star since her debut for the University of Connecticut in 1998 and selection as the WNBA’s No. 1 overall draft pick in 2002 by the Seattle Storm. In her nearly 20 years as a pro, Bird has won four WNBA championships (including last year in the Covid-19 bubble) and is a 12-time All-Star. Bird also gained Israeli citizenship in 2006 in a basketballmotivated decision, so she could play for European teams. Her citizenship also allowed her to connect to her Jewish identity. “It was cool because what I found was in this effort to create an opportunity in my basketball career, I was able to learn a lot about a culture that I probably wouldn’t have tapped into otherwise,” Bird told the Washington Jewish Museum.

LINOY ASHRAM

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS, ISRAEL

Israel’s best chance at winning a medal is 22-year-old Linoy Ashram. The Mizrahi and Sephardi gymnast (her father is Yemeni and her mother is Greek) is set to compete in her first Olympics after winning in the individual rhythmic category at the European Championships in 2020 — the first athlete to take the gold medal in decades who was not from a former Soviet country or Bulgaria. Ashram has many firsts for her country: She’s the first rhythmic gymnast from Israel to win an individual all-around medal at the World Championships, the first to win gold in the World Cup series and the first to win a European All-Around title. Can she be the first to win gold in gymnastics at the Olympics?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN TENNIS, ARGENTINA

Diego is the highest-ranked Jewish tennis player in the world. Last year, he broke into the top 10 for the first time, becoming the shortest top 8 player since 5ft6 Harold Solomon, also Jewish, in

1981. The Argentine’s listed height of 5ft7 is called “one of the more generous measurements in professional sports” – he likely stands around 5ft4 (the US Open lists him at 5ft5). Watching him go shot to shot with players who are over a foot taller is nothing short of remarkable. Nicknamed “El Peque” or “Shorty” the 28-yearold is set to play in his first Olympics. (For tennis, qualifications are based on world rankings, with the top 56 players becoming eligible.) Schwartzman is open about and proud of his Jewish identity. Last year, he wrote movingly on his family’s Holocaust history and how his great-grandfather escaped a train car headed for a concentration camp and ended up in Argentina. “I am Jewish and in Argentina, we have many Jewish [people] there, and all the people there know me,” he told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in 2017.

ALIX KLINEMAN

BEACH VOLLEYBALL, USA

Alix played indoor volleyball for Stanford in college and professionally after graduating in 2011. However, in 2016, she failed to make the US Olympic Volleyball Team and vowed to find another way to compete at the games. So she switched to beach volleyball. Unlike indoor volleyball, which has teams with squads selected by coaches, beach volleyball is a two-person sport dependent on your own results with a partner. “I looked at the beach as a new opportunity and a chance to chase my dreams without anybody having to give me approval or put me on a roster,” Klineman said in 2019. “The biggest thing was pursuing the Olympics and getting a new shot at that.” The beach volleyball player teamed with two-time Olympian April Ross and they quickly rose in the rankings. They are entering the Tokyo Games with a world ranking of No. 2, with a more than solid chance of winning gold. The 31-year-old was raised in Southern California in a Jewish family. In 2015, she was inducted into the SoCal Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

summer. Lelior ((pictured left, inset), 21, qualified as the highestranked female surfer from Europe (Israel competes in European leagues). Lelior, who hails from Tel Aviv and served in the started surfing at five, and by Israeli national champion-

Israeli military, 12 she had won the ships. “I know people aren’t aware of surfing in Israel, and the fact that I get to be the one to show people we’re capable of more than they think, that’s just amazing,” Lelior told Surfline. “I want to show kids, women, everyone from everywhere that they can do anything they want. There’s no limits. I mean, look at me. I had no idea this would happen, and now I’m going to the freaking Olympics.”

TEAM ISRAEL

BASEBALL, ISRAEL

The Cinderella story continues. In 2017, Israel’s national baseball team – which included several American Jewish players who became Israeli citizens to represent the country — surprised observers by placing sixth at the World Baseball Classic, an international tournament of the world’s best teams, with wins over top squads from South Korea, Chinese Taipei, the Netherlands and Cuba. Israel was far from a top 10 powerhouse at the time, not even ranked in the top 10 teams in Europe. That made sense, as few Israelis play the sport. Along the way, the team ginned up enthusiasm for baseball in Israel and gave some under-the-radar Jewish players, many who had spent several years in the minor leagues, new chances to shine. Oh, and there was that endearing mascot – a life-sized Mensch on a Bench. In 2019, Team Israel won the European Baseball Championship to qualify for the Olympics. The current squad is anchored by de facto captain Danny Valencia – who has Cuban

ANAT LELIOR

SURFING, ISRAEL

Anat is Israel’s first – and only – Olympic surfer. Surfing is new to the Olympics, and only 20 men and 20 women will compete this

Members of the Team Israel baseball squad

22 July 2021 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Tokyo Summer Olympics / Special Report

mmer for Jewish athletes?

JEMIMA MONTAG

RACEWALKING, AUSTRALIA

Jemima was perhaps destined for Jewish athletic greatness. Her parents, Ray and Amanda, met at the 1989 Maccabiah Games – the Olympics for Jewish athletes held in Israel – where Amanda was competing in the heptathlon and Ray was a cricketer. They hit it off on the flight home to Australia. Growing up, the Montags encouraged their daughters (Jemima is one of three) to try everything, from long jump to shot put to ballet. But for Montag, race walking just clicked. “I found my combination of endurance, hypermobile joints and fiery competitiveness were a great trio for racewalking,” she said. Montag soon became one of the best racewalkers in Australia, but after the World Youth Championships in 2015, she decided to step away from the sport. A family ski trip to Japan in 2017 reignited her competitive spirit. Her sister joked she’d love to return to the country for the Olympics, and her mother encouraged her to go for it. A year

Born in north-western Ethiopia and immigrated to Israel with his Jewish family when he was 14. He the Israeli record holder in six distances, including the half marathon and the marathon. His fastest marathon time of 2:07:20, run right before the pandemic in February 2020 – is just six minutes off the world record. Now he’s set to compete in his second Olympics. This time he’ll be joined by his wife, Selamawit “Selam” Dagnachew Teferi. They’ll be the first married couple to represent Israel at the Olympics. Teferi, 28, met now-wife Selam while training in Ethiopia in 2012. Selam, 27, is not Jewish, but moved to Israel in 2017 after they married and became an Israeli citizen.

Br on ze TO TA L

JEWISH MULTIPLE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS Name

Country

Sport

Olympics

Si lv er

Eli is returning to the Olympic Games in search of redemption. At the 2016 Rio Games, the Jewish sabre fencer lost in the opening round. In 2021, he’s ranked No. 2 in the world and hoping to medal. Dershwitz, who started fencing aged nine, would win back-toback National Collegiate Athletic Association championships for Harvard in 2017 and 2018. In Tokyo, he aims to become the fifth US man to win a medal in sabre fencing. No American man has ever won gold in the category. Born and raised in Sherborn, Massachusetts, into a Jewish family, Dershwitz’s maternal grandparents are Holocaust survivors. He has a twin sister, Sally, who worked on the front lines caring for patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Dershwitz grew up attending a Conservative synagogue in Natick, Massachusetts, and told Hillel International before the Rio Games that he considers himself a “proud member of the Jewish community”. “The Jewish community has been very supportive throughout my journey to the Olympics, and I look forward to representing them on the world stage,” he said in 2016.

MARATHON, ISRAEL

FENCING, USA

MARU TEFERI

Mark Spitz

USA

Swimming

1968, 1972

Agnes Keleti

Hungary

Gymnastics

1952, 1956

Dara Torres

USA

Swimming

1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2008

Jason Lezak

USA

Swimming

2000, 2004, 2008, 2012

Sue Bird

USA

Basketball

2004, 2008, 2012, 2016

Lenny Krayzelburg

USA

Swimming

2000, 2004

Dr Jeno Fuchs

Hungary

Fencing

1908, 1912

Irena Kirzentstein-Szewinska

Poland

Track & Field

1964, 1968, 1972, 1976

Alexandra Raisman

USA

Gymnastics

2012, 2016

Anthony Ervin

USA

Swimming

2000, 2016

Valentin Mankin

USSR

Yachting

1968, 1972, 1976, 1980

Alfred Flatow

Germany

Gymnastics

1896

Meyer Prinstein

USA

Track & Field

1900, 1904

Tamara Press

USSR

Track & Field

1960, 1964

Endre Kabos

Hungary

Fencing

1932, 1936

Maria Gorokhovskaya

USSR

Gymnastics

1952

Alexandre Lippmann

France

Fencing

1908, 1920, 1924

Mark Rakita

USSR

Fencing

1964, 1968, 1972

Yelena Shushunova

USSR

Gymnastics

1988

Sergei Sharikov

Russia

Fencing

1996, 2000, 2004

Deszo Foldes

Hungary

Fencing

1908, 1912

Attila Petscheauer

Hungary

Fencing

1928, 1932

Eduard Vinokurov

USSR

Fencing

1968, 1972, 1976

Leon Rotman

Romania

Canoe

1956, 1960

Tatania Lysenko

Russia

Gymnastics

1992

Dr. Oszkar Gerde

Hungary

Fencing

1908, 1912

Lajos Werkner

Hungary

Fencing

1908, 1912

Gyorgy Brody

Hungary

Water Polo

1932, 1936

Miklos Sarkany

Hungary

Water Polo

1932, 1936

Wally Wolfe

USA

Swimming

1948, 1952

Boris Gurevitsch

USSR

Wrestling

1952, 1968

Mark Midler

USSR

Fencing

1960, 1964

Irving Jaffee

USA

Speed Skating

1932

Irina Press

USSR

Track & Field

1960, 1964

Georgy Mondzolevsky

USSR

Volleyball

1964, 1968

Nicolas Massu

Chile

Tennis

2004

Garrett Weber-Gale

USA

Swimming

2008

Gustav Felix Flatov

Germany

Gymnastics

1896

Alfred Hajos-Guttman

Hungary

Gymnastics

1896

ELI DERSHWITZ

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Or “Ori” Sasson won bronze in the men’s heavyweight judo competition and became a national hero overnight – not just for his skill but also for his sportsmanship after one of his opponents, from Egypt, refused to shake his hand following a match. “Every boy and girl saw not only a great athlete but a man with values,” then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Sasson in a phone call that was broadcast live on Israeli TV. “You showed the true face of Israel, its beautiful face.” Sasson, who is a Kurdish Jew, spent the pandemic year delay competing on Israel’s version of The Masked Singer – his costume was a falafel sandwich – and finished third. This year, Sasson – now aged 30 and likely in his last Olympics – is set to compete in the heavyweight competition and in the team competition, an addition to the Olympics judo line-up. Judo has been the pride of Israel’s Olympic fortunes, winning five of the nation’s nine overall medals. (See more on one of Sasson’s teammates below.)

Sagi made headlines when he befriended an Iranian judoka, Saeid Mollaei, who was forced to throw a match to avoid competing against an Israeli athlete. Mollaei fled Iran as a dissident and received refugee status in Germany. The story of their friendship is now being made into a TV show. Born in Netanya to a Yemeni Jewish family, Muki, 29, focused on judo aged of eight. He is an Olympic medal contender in his own right: The half-middleweight judoka is a two-time Israeli national champion,a2019worldchampion,andthe2017and2018European champion. He was expected to win a medal at the 2016 Games but was hampered by an injury.

Jessica is known as the greatest paddler of all time: She has 10 World Championship medals, including seven gold medals, and seven overall World Cup titles. Her parents, Richard Fox and Myriam Jerusalmi, also were Olympic canoeists — Myriam, a French-Jewish athlete, won bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Mum is now coaching daughter. Born in Marseille, France, Fox moved to Australia aged four, so her dad could take up a coaching position with the Australian Olympic team. “Both my parents competing in the Olympic Games is something pretty special,” she said. “It definitely inspired me to get to this position. Winning a medal is something you dream [of] and I’m proud to follow in my mother’s footsteps.” Fox, 27, won silver in the K-1 slalom competition at the 2012 London Olympics and bronze in the 2016 Rio Games. This year, for the first time, women will also be competing in C-1 slalom – so Fox, who is ranked No. 1 in the world, is favoured to win two gold medals. In 2012, Fox became the the second Australian Jewish athlete to win an Olympic medal.

JUDO, ISRAEL

CANOE SLALOM, AUSTRALIA

ORI SASSON

SAGI MUKI

tio

JESSICA FOX

later, at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Montag won gold in the 20km event. Montag credits her Holocaust survivor grandparents for her work ethic and resilience. When a training session or race feels tough, she thinks about them and reminds herself that “grit and perseverance are in my DNA”.

Po si

and Jewish heritage and hit no fewer than 96 home runs over eight Major League Baseball seasons – and Ian Kinsler, a former four-time MLB All-Star who made it to Israel on one of the last flights before Covid-19 shutdowns last year to earn his Israeli citizenship. Only six teams are in play (the field also includes South Korea, Japan, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the United States), so Team Israel has a chance of snagging a medal.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

Editorial comment and letters ISSUE NO.

1220

VOICE OF THE JEWISH NEWS

It’s a rocky road

As the hottest week of the year so far steered many of us towards the supermarket freezers for a tub of ice cream, some in the Jewish community will have hesitated over the tubs of Ben & Jerry’s. Britain’s second-favourite ice cream brand has come a long way from its humble roots in the US, where the eponymous Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield first sold their ice cream in pint-sized tubs in the 1980s. The two Jewish entrepreneurs are progressive campaigners and their company has a history of activism on the environment and social justice. The company was a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and has donated funds to groups that raise awareness of climate change. The pair have dabbled in politics before. They supported Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, while last year the firm criticised home secretary Priti Patel’s handling of the migrant crisis in the English Channel. Yet the decision to pull out of West Bank settlements is a new front. Israelis take their ice cream seriously and have spawned a whole idiom – “third time, ice cream” – from its use as a social lubricant. Many will simply buy other brands because of Ben & Jerry’s political stance; others will not change their habits. But now that Ben & Jerry’s has decided to wade into the turbulent politics of the Middle East, the question is whether it will do the same for other global hotspots. Will it, for example, speak about human rights abuses against the Uyghurs in China’s Xinjiang province, a topic about which the Jewish News has been vocal? Ultimately, it’s deeply regrettable that a mere ice cream maker has chosen to associate itself with the brutalist arguments of BDS, the Israel boycott movement. Ben & Jerry’s says it is defending its progressive values, but it might come to regret the friends it has gathered along the way.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send us your comments PO Box 815, Edgware, HA8 4SX | letters@jewishnews.co.uk

Honouring virus victims After a respite of nearly three months, the Board of Deputies registered the first reports of funerals where the deceased have contracted Covid. Unfortunately, my family belongs to this group of people. My father was probably one of the first to die, apparently from Covid-19, although he didn’t realise it at the time, having suddenly collapsed on the morning of the first lockdown. As he lay dying in the next room, I was sitting in the relatives’ room at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington watching Boris Johnson on my mobile announcing to the

country that we were now in lockdown. I would very much like to honour the memories of those who died from all sectors of the Jewish community. I am fortunate that I can go to visit my father’s grave in Willesden Cemetery whenever I want, even though I was forbidden – owing to being in a high-risk group – to attend his funeral. There must be so many of us, families and friends, who wish to pay their respects to those who have died within the cross communal Jewish community in a suitable location. Juliet Moss, By email

Sketches & kvetches

GOOD IDEA FOR BETH DIN

CONTACT DETAILS Publisher and Editor Richard Ferrer 020 8148 9703

richard@jewishnews.co.uk

Political Editor Lee Harpin

lee@jewishnews.co.uk

Reporter Publisher and News Editor Joshua Salisbury Justin Cohen josh@jewishnews.co.uk 020 8148 9700 justin@jewishnews.co.uk Supplements Editor Brigit Grant Features Editor 020 8148 9696 Francine Wolfisz brigit@jewishnews.co.uk 020 8148 9698 francine@jewishnews.co.uk Sub Editor Alex Galbinski Foreign Editor alex@jewishnews.co.uk Michael Daventry 020 8148 9704 Online Editor mike@jewishnews.co.uk Jack Mendel 020 8148 9699

Design Manager Diane Spender 020 8148 9697

Sales Yael Schlagman 020 8148 9705 yael@jewishnews.co.uk

Production Designer John Nicholls john@jewishnews.co.uk

Sales Matt Serember 020 8148 9706 matt@jewishnews.co.uk

diane@jewishnews.co.uk

Production Designer Daniel Elias

daniel@jewishnews.co.uk

Sales Manager Marc Jacobs 020 8148 9701

Accounts Benny Shahar 020 8148 9694

benny@jewishnews.co.uk

marc@jewishnews.co.uk

Operations Manager Alon Pelta 020 8148 9693

alon@jewishnews.co.uk

jack@jewishnews.co.uk

THIS WEEKEND'S SHABBAT TIMES... Shabbat comes in Friday night 8.48pm

Shabbat goes out Saturday night 10pm

Sedra: V aetchanan

“...And the...ahem...third tablet!”

SEND A HAPPY NEW YEAR E-CARD WITH MDA UK With Rosh Hashanah fast approaching, why not send an e-card to your loved ones whilst supporting MDA UK. Choose from a variety of designs and select the date you would like the e-card to arrive. To send an e-card today, visit mdauk.org/e-cards or scan this code on your smart phone Registered Charity No. 1113409

I was sad to read the reactions to the statement from the Federation of Synagogues Beth Din (rabbinic court) that it could not approve a get (religious divorce) for agunot who seek legal redress through the courts, as this would amount to a divorce given ‘under duress’ (Jewish News, 8 July 2021). The classic halachic remedy for recalcitrant husbands who ignore a Beth Din’s instructions is makkat mardut [unlimited flogging for contempt of court], although I imagine that merely explaining to them the procedure and showing them the whip would be sufficient. Perhaps the only solution is that suggested by Professor Geoffrey Alderman, in your newspaper of 15 July. He suggests that we “follow [Chief Rabbi] Nathan Adler’s advice, and enact that a marriage contracted under the auspices of a Beth Din may only be dissolved under the authority of a Beth Din”, as was the case prior to the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857, though it might be necessary to add a waiver that it should have the right to apply any penalties it may see fit without liability for assault under English law. Martin D Stern, Salford

22 July 2021 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Editorial comment and letters

Antiques Buyers WE BUY ANTIQUES VERY HIGH PRICES PAID. FREE HOME VISITS.

Maskless worship risky indeed cannot, be vaccinated. There is nothing inherent about wearing masks that puts people off attending shul, but the converse (absence of masks) is not true for vulnerable community members. By pursuing such policies, rabbis may find themselves reaping new funerals or significant disability of previously health community members, in return for the maskless environments they themselves sowed. Photo by Marc Morris

I was disappointed to read the enthusiasm for maskless shul services (Jewish News, 8 July). Covid rates are rising, there are large percentages of the general population – and therefore Jewish community – not fully vaccinated (two shots plus 14 days). A rabbi remarking that most of his community is young and he does not see the point of masks is, I would argue, failing in their job of recognising the essence of community. A synagogue should be welcoming for all its members, including those who have not, or

Michael Gilmont, N12

RABBI’S DAMAGE BLM MARXISTS Did I hear Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner correctly on BBC’s Sunday Morning Live on 11 July when she appeared to say: “Muslims hate Jews and Jews hate Muslims”? I have witnessed Muslims shouting “Kill Jews” and “rape their women”, but I have yet to see Jews driving cars through Bradford calling for murder and rape. When an eminent rabbi says such a thing it causes untold damage to us. Adrian Korsner, Whestone

Melanie Phillips, not known for her reticence, is correct in her assertion that some of the Black Lives Matter movement policies are anti-Zionist. Some BLM leaders are self-proclaimed Marxists and support the left-wing political doctrine that is antiZionist. It has swept up strong support in attempting to relay a worthy message. Ms Phillips is right to speak up on behalf of those who speak out against it. Stephen Vishnick, Tel Aviv

WI WI NN NO TH ING RW OO D With you at Norwood’s side, together we can achieve so much more. So whether you want to test your endurance levels in an exotic location, push yourself to the limit here at home or just want to fundraise while having fun, join #TeamNorwood and let your Challenge change the lives of children and families with challenges of their own and people of any age with learning disabilities or autism.

To find out more, please email Julie at challenges@norwood.org .uk or visit norwood.org.uk/challenges

Patron Her Majesty The Queen Reg Charity No. 1059050

All Antique Furniture Diamond Jewellery, Gold, Silver, Paintings, Porcelain, Glass, Bronzes, Clocks, Oriental Antiques etc. Full house clearances organised. Please look at our website for more details

www.antiquesbuyers.co.uk FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL SUE ON:

0800 840 2035 or 07956268290 OPEN 8am TO 9pm 7 DAYS. PORTOBELLO RD LONDON.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

Opinion

Proof that social media has gone to the dogs ❝

JENNI FRAZER

was going to write this week about one more high-flown, portentous issue to which we all ought to be paying more attention, but the truth is it’s too hot and I'm just putting off the evil hour when I have to go and do something towards tidying and cleaning – which I very much don’t want to do. Instead, I draw your attention to the case of Mark Zuckerberg’s dog, who is winningly named Beast, and is a Hungarian Puli (pictured). Think of a white kitchen mop with legs, or Boris Johnson’s hair-don’t, whichever comes to mind sooner. Anyhow, for reasons best known to himself, Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive and co-founder of Facebook, decided to dress up the hapless hound. Bad enough that the poor benighted animal has a pelt so overgrown that current weather must be unspeakable for it. And bad enough that anyone thinks dressing up dogs at all, or

ZUCKERBERG GOT A BARRAGE OF ABUSE OVER HIS PET POOCH

anthropomorphising them any more than is strictly necessary, is a good idea. But, you know, rich men and their toys and all that. So Zuckerberg decided to display Beast in his full glory: in a kippah and dog-sized tallit, just to show that his given name is (probably) Beast Ben-Moshe Zuckerberg, in other words a Jewish dog in a Jewish household and aaww, isn’t that cute? Well, no. No, it isn’t. Not even halfway to

cute. Because, predictably enough to everyone except, presumably, Mark Zuckerberg, who appears to live on another planet when it comes to social media and its adjunct effect, he got hit with a ton of abuse about the picture of Beast. Actual, 24-carat antisemitism and antiIsrael abuse, even, as some pained defenders tried to point out, when the dog and its kippah “had nothing to do with Israel”. Goodness knows what would have happened if Zuckerberg had tried to dress Beast in an Israel Defense Forces uniform. It would, as has so often been said, take a heart of stone not to laugh at Zuckerberg and his ridiculous cosplay pet, though I ought to say my ridicule is reserved for the Facebook head honcho and not the animal, which

presumably had no say in the matter. A po-faced report recorded: “Some of the responses included antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Many contained the phrase 'Israel ISREAL terrorism’, and some contained caricatures with large noses. One showed a foot stomping on an image of the Israeli flag”. Stop, stop, it’s too hot to laugh. Then the American Jewish Committee waded in with a stern reminder that “no one is safe from Jewhatred. Not even Mark Zuckerberg’s dog”, as though Zuckerberg and his pet were some sort of protected species about whom nothing even faintly critical must be uttered. There is a faintly serious point to this. For some, there is absolutely nothing positive that can be said about Jews online, without triggering an avalanche of looney-tunes propaganda, frequently, though not always, nothing to do with the original commonplace posting. And these people are… come on, now, all together: BARKING mad.They did not PAWS for thought. They are DOGGED in their dislike. I told you it was hot.

Need cash fast?

Sell your gold and coins today!

We wish to purchase any Diamond & Gold Jewellery

9 ct per gram £15.34 14 ct per gram £23.92 18 ct per gram £30.67 21 ct per gram £35.78 22 ct per gram £37.46 24 ct per gram £40.89

Platinum 950 per gram £21.84

Silver 925ag per gram £0.47

Half Sovereigns £149.84

Full Sovereigns £299.68 Krugerrands £1271.87

We also purchase any sterling silver candlesticks and any other sterling silver tableware

Can’t choose the diamond ring you are looking for? Come and see us in our North London showroom for the best engagement ring selection. We can create the design of your dreams... and at a wholesale price! We can supply any certificated GIA or HRD diamond of your choice.

Personal & confidential Customer Service Price Offered Instantly Same Day payment A free valuation from our in house gemmologist and gold experts on anything you may wish to sell. If you are thinking of selling, the price of diamonds has never been higher! In any shape, size, clarity or colour. WE PAY MORE than all our competitors. Try us, and you will not be disappointed!

Jewellery Cave Ltd, 48b Hendon Lane, London N3 1TT T: 020 8446 8538 E:jonathan@jewellerycave.co.uk www.howcashforgold.co.uk Open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm (anytime) and Saturday 9am to 1pm (by appointment)

22 July 2021 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Opinion

Charedi and secular, each way of life has its flipside IZZY POSEN

FORMER MEMBER OF STAMFORD HILL’S CHAREDI COMMUNITY

n My Unorthodox Life (Netflix), we see a fascinating woman who felt trapped in the Orthodox Jewish community, “kick ass” (as her daughter puts it) in the secular world of fashion and feel liberated to express herself and her sexuality. Many parts of this ‘reality’ show are clearly staged – and yet moments of authenticity shine through. Julia Haart is clearly a fearless woman, but she is also a woman of contradictions, not least when, in the name of freedom and choice, she emotionally manipulates her son to abandon his religious beliefs and practices which he claims to have chosen freely. She claims that he is brainwashed by the religious, yet there is more than a little hint of brainwashing in her imposing stance with her children. The show's heroine sees Orthodox Judaism as inherently oppressive, especially towards women, which has sparked a response from many successful and happy Orthodox women

who don't see themselves as oppressed. These women are called “apologists” by critics and leavers of Orthodox Judaism. When I first left Orthodox Judaism, I also saw things this way. Many years and a philosophy degree later I see a more relativist picture. I don't think Orthodox communities, including strictlyOrthodox ones, are better or worse than other communities. Nor do I think their flaws or attributes are, overall, more significant than those in other communities. I have seen no research suggesting people living an Orthodox life are either more or less happy than people not living that life, or life satisfaction is more or less than in other communities. This is the kind of research needed to change my mind. Each and every community or society in the world has its own norms and values. These will affect people in the community in different ways, sometimes beneficially and sometimes harmfully. The same norms that can harm some can be beneficial to others. The same values that can produce negative effects can also produce positive effects. Take, for example, the insularity and xenophobia that exists in many strictly-Orthodox

communities. I’d argue that this is one side of a coin whose other side is unparalleled support systems and safety nets. No other community I know of exhibits that level of support for community members, which includes a private first-resolve system, free AA service, interestfree loans, lending organisations for any and every need, volunteers to visit the sick – and the list goes on and on. Since leaving the strictly-Orthodox community and suffering pain through shunning, I have still found, time and time again, that in times of need, it is often Orthodox Jews who stand by my side and offer a helping hand. Just to be clear, I am not saying that the good excuses or cancels out the bad. But I am asking: what if they come as a package deal? What if those tremendous, unparalleled community support comes hand in hand with insularity? What if the reason we don’t see this level of communal support in wider society is because we are more individualistic? Every community has its own good and bad. Since leaving the community, I am freer, but I am also less supported. I am less judged, but I am also less looked after. I can make more choices, but I am more lonely. In other words,

I have gained the benefits of individualism and suffered its negative consequences too. That was my choice and I’d do it all over again, but I wouldn’t judge those who find the other option more appealing, nor would I claim mine is the universally better choice. I’m no apologist for the Charedi community and have written and spoken a lot about its problems with regards to education, benefits and tax fraud, insularity and so on. But there’s a difference between pointing out individual shortcomings of a community and its wholesale demonisation. When you start seeing members of the Charedi community as oppressed victims, rather than as ordinary folk going about their lives, trying to make a living and support their family, that's when your criticism has gone into demonisation. Julia Haart felt “oppressed” in her Charedi community. So did I. But she also says she sees Charedim as victims. That’s where she’s wrong. My mother, a proud and happy house mother, is no victim, nor are thousands of happy men and women in the community who live their best lives with beautiful family values and profound meaning. Let’s put to rest this lazy trope of Charedim as oppressed and miserable, shall we?

10 Golders Green Road London NW11 8LL Opposite Cafe Nero

Suits from £79.50 REOPENING SPECIAL OFFERS, CRAZY PRICES! Overcoats from £79.50

SPORTS JACKETS AND SUITS ALL ½ PRICE Trouser Bargains £25

KNITWEAR OFFERS £15 ANY 2 FOR £20 Raincoats from £49.50

SUMMER CASUAL JACKETS FROM £20

SHIRT BARGAINS! £10 EACH OR 3 FOR £20

LIGHTWEIGHT CHINOS £20 EACH 2 PAIRS FOR £35 Large Sizes a RAINCOATS FROMspeciality £29.50 POLO SHIRTS £8 EACH 2 FOR £12 Open everyday & Sundays til 5:00pm

We accept

t ver d a his tie. t E ng bri a FRE e r as Ple in fo

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

Opinion

Let's balance our rights with the common good RABBI DAVID MASON MUSWELL HILL SYNAGOGUE

ommunity has been at the centre of Jewish life for millennia. It is a serious part of our history – and we have seen the importance of community over the past year and a half of journeying together through the pandemic. Jewish communities have stuck together, helped each other in a deep and meaningful way, and shown support for local communities outside the Jewish world, too. I have been so proud of my community, Muswell Hill Synagogue, for both setting up the structures that ensure welfare and care is dispensed within the community and for connecting with local food and homeless support charities to offer them help. Community, however, is a concept, and one very much a part of Jewish life. The obligations of Jewish religious life devolve onto individuals, who are obligated to perform and keep commandments. But the concept of

community is always there in concert with this individualist role. I remember being inspired reading from the writings of Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik on the atonement we receive from God on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This atonement is granted by God to those who take part in Yom Kippur, who fast, who ask God for forgiveness. But what about someone who doesn’t fast, or who doesn’t connect to the day itself – can they receive atonement? Rav Soloveitchik pushes forward the opinion that they receive atonement both as individuals – and as being part of the community itself. This concept of community plays out in my community, and many others in the United Synagogue. There may well be a difference in the level of observance of many members than that held by the community as a concept. So in mine, levels of kashrut and of keeping the laws of Shabbat are kept, which will be different than that kept in the homes of many members. As long as the community concept, the community contract almost, does not overwhelm how people behave in their private, individual lives; and as long as individuals are

❝

WE KNOW NUMBERS OF THOSE INFECTED WITH COVID ARE GROWING FAST

respectful of the difference and keep to the unspoken community contract to maintain an Orthodox approach in the community spaces – then a positive balance exists. This allows both individuals to reflect on their way of Jewish life; and allows community leaders to not be too distant from the lives of their members. The government has suspended legal regulation, moving from a communal concept where the common good was more important to a position where individual choice is more important. In a communal space, where the community concept is more relevant, we should not solely by guided by individual choice but consider

leadership regarding the common good. We know numbers of those infected with Covid are growing fast, although it not clear that hospitalisation will reach the heights of early 2021 due to the massive vaccine drive. But having people sit in close proximity, without wearing masks, should clearly raise the possibility of people contracting Covid in synagogue spaces. So decisions may need to be taken for instance, that expect those attending certain services to wear a mask, or to leave a seat between them and others around them. We can look for communal get-togethers where masks will not be expected, for example small numbers meeting inside or larger numbers outdoors We have been creative in order to be inclusive before while protecting our community – we can surely do that again. So we can’t ‘force’ people to wear masks or to not sit next to each other in synagogue. But let’s not forget that while the conversation is around individual legal requirements, we are part of communities too. Maybe our balanced approach will have an impact on how other community spaces act.

Keep listening to honour the Srebrenica victims STEPHEN SMITH FOUNDER, UK HOLOCAUST CENTRE

he date of 11 July should live in infamy. On that day in 1995, the Srebrenica genocide began. By the time it was over, less than two weeks later, 8,373 Muslim men and boys were dead in the city of Srebrenica, which was supposed to be a UN-protected enclave within Bosnia-Herzegovina. They were massacred by Bosnian Serb military and paramilitary forces, at the direction of the Serbian colonel-general Ratko Mladić. In 2004, in a unanimous ruling, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia declared the massacre a genocide. The ruling was later upheld by the International Court of Justice. The Srebrenica genocide remains a moral stain on Europe, a state-sponsored mass murder of a religious minority, perpetrated at the centre of the continent, 50 years after the world vowed “Never again.” When the massacre began, my brother, Dr James Smith, and I were preparing to open the UK Holocaust Centre and Museum. A half-century after the liberation of the camps,

❝

WE ALL SUFFER IN DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT WE CAN HELP TO BEAR EACH OTHER’S BURDENS British society was finally ready to meaningfully reckon with that atrocity. The centre was to open on 17 September 1995; at the start of the summer, we were putting finishing touches to the exhibitions and memorial gardens. Then the news came from Bosnia. A new European genocide. I didn’t see how we could open a centre focused on crimes of the past when one was happening less than 1,000 miles away. I wanted to delay the opening, travel to Bosnia, create a record of what was happening. I arranged a press pass from the BBC, permission from the UN, transport from the RAF. My brother told me I was nuts. He is also a scholar of genocide; today he runs the Aegis Trust, which works to prevent crimes against humanity. “You’re not going to Bosnia,” he said. “They need NATO; not you.” Instead, he reminded me, we needed to do what we were best qualified to do. Open the

centre. Educate. Commemorate. “Every young person who comes through the door will know what genocide is and what they’re supposed to do about it,” he said. He was right – and keeping alive stories of genocide has become my life’s work. After launching the Holocaust Centre, I came to America to lead USC Shoah Foundation, which preserves testimonies from survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides. Years later, I visited the Srebrenica memorial and met survivors. The Holocaust survivors I knew were in their 70s and 80s –many spoke English, had moved to the US, Britain or Israel, and were far from where their lives had been torn apart, in terms of time, location and even mindset. For the Srebrenica survivors, still in the Balkans, only a decade or so after the massacre, the past was painfully present. But I also found their stories, on a basic level, were similar. There were the same themes of loss and grief, trauma and survival. There was a similar feeling of a lack of justice, the same difficulties rebuilding trust and families. And it reminded me the work we do – of commemoration, education and justice – is work we must do together. We all suffer in different ways, but we can help to bear each other’s burdens. That’s why USC Shoah Foundation has embarked on a testimony programme in

A mass funeral for victims of the genocide

Bosnia. It’s why we are launching an education programme throughout the Balkans. A team at the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial will record 500 survivor testimonies –parents, wives, children of the men and boys murdered in 1995. They will index the testimonies to use them to educate the next generation. We must approach the sacred task of collecting life histories with humility – to ask questions, to listen, to learn. Testimony is a deeply personal process and it can be a therapeutic one. To survivors, giving testimony – telling a listener simply what happened – can be rehumanising. They get the final word. This July, in honour of the victims of Srebrenica, let’s learn to listen to one another’s stories. Let’s keep learning. Let’s continue to build human connections.

22 July 2021 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Community / Scene & Be Seen

1 HIGH FLYER

Jewish grandmother Elana Overs has flown on the wing of an aeroplane for charity, following the tragic loss of her daughter Natalie’s partner to cancer. She took to the skies above Gloucestershire, experiencing speeds of up to 140mph to raise funds in aid of Darel Bryan, who died five years ago from the disease, aged 34. “I wanted to do something for all those diagnosed with a brain tumour and facing a very uncertain future,” said Elana, who has raised more than £9,000.

And be seen! The latest news, pictures and (virtual) social events from across the community

2HEATH CLEAN

Email us at community@jewishnews.co.uk

Kesher’s ‘Pick Yourself Up’ campaign of helping remove litter from Hampstead Heath started last Sunday, with a 15-strong group led by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Rashi and Ruthie Simon. Participants equipped with extension arms and Barnet waste bags set out through the fields, meadows, ponds and paths combing the area for two hours. They returned with bags full of all kinds of waste and litter.

Video report at jewishnews.co.uk

3AISH EXPERIENCE

University students across the UK went on the trip of a lifetime to Israel with internships organised by Aish on Campus. During the two-month experience, students completed a twoweek course of experiences in Israel with Aish, before heading off to six-week internships in their field of choice. The trip so far has featured laser challenges, jeeping in the desert, a political tour and kayaking on the Jordan River.

4YY TRIBUTE

On Sunday, the last few letters were written for a new Sefer Torah commissioned by Shabaton L’menucha, a learning disabilities charity, in memory of one of its members who passed away from coronavirus. Yechiel Yosef Rothschild, 21 – also known as ‘YY’ – sadly died last year after Pesach. The Sefer Torah will be available for the organisation whenever they go away. It was completed at a gathering in YY’s family home in London, which was attended by many of his friends and family.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

JDA’s hearing aid maintenance clinic is now open again!

d got extra an y da to A JD to t en w e sh me ld to ma nd ra G . ies or st my of re mo in e ez ue sq to , aid ing ar memory space in her he I love her. e us ca be ng alo y pla I t bu up it g kin ma e’s I know sh Thanks to JDA, everyone can have clean, working hearing aids and remain connected to their loved ones and the world around them. Extra memory space by special order! Appointments every Monday 10am to 1pm in North Finchley Telephone 020 8446 0214 or email andrew@jdeaf.org.uk

020 8446 0502 www.jdeaf.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1105845 Company Limited by Guarantee 4983830

22 July 2021 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Film / Weekend

Did we forget the real Anne? A new animated film attempts to reclaim the legacy of teenage diarist Anne Frank for a new generation, writes Cnaan Lipshiz

disoriented teenage girl lies on Anne Frank’s bed as people swarm the family house. But these people are not Nazis; they’re modern-day tourists. And the girl on the bed isn’t Anne, but Kitty – the imaginary friend to whom she addressed her now world-famous diary. Magically resurrected from the page and transported into modern-day Europe, Kitty is appalled by how society has fetishised her best friend, hawking cheap merchandise and endless inaccurate reinterpretations of her words. Eventually she takes it upon herself to reclaim Anne’s legacy by any means. This is the bold reimagining of Anne Frank’s story found in the new animated film Where is Anne Frank, which premiered last week at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was made by acclaimed Israeli director Ari Folman, best known for his 2008 Oscar-nominated animated documentary hybrid Waltz With Bashir about the lasting memories of Israel’s first Lebanon War. Now Folman has tackled what many consider the sacred text of the Holocaust — rewriting Anne Frank in order to interpret her true lasting legacy. Made in partnership with the Anne Frank Fonds, the Swiss non-profit founded by Anne’s father, Otto, that holds the copyright to her diary, the film is aimed at younger audiences. But it also enters surprising political territory, as Kitty comes to understand Europe’s modern-day immigration crisis and begins to consciously relate the continent’s millions of asylum seekers to Anne’s story. “The main goal of the film is to help young audiences today connect with Anne Frank’s story in the way previous generations connected with the diary,” said Yves Kugelmann, a member of the Fonds board and a key producer of the film. “That’s mostly how I look at the film. If this objective is achieved, then it’s a success.” A fiery redhead with rosy cheekbones, Kitty is not just a silent observer – she speaks her mind, loudly, about the creeping commercialisation of her best friend as a brand. “Anne did not write this diary so that you can worship her,” she tells Dutch police in a climactic

scene, following an incident in which she heckles a stage production of the diary. “Or name bridges and schools and theatres and train stations after her.” Kitty also begins dating a boy who pickpockets tourists at the Anne Frank House and later becomes a pro-immigration activist. As he did with Waltz With Bashir,, Folman blends spectacular fantasy sequences with a factually grounded narrative. Kitty’s journey through 2021 Amsterdam and a meticulously detailed Anne Frank House is paired with allusions to Greek mythology and the Roman Empire, both of which fascinated Anne. In flashbacks, the Nazis are portrayed as robotlike ghouls wearing death masks, patrolling the streets of Amsterdam with neither hate nor pity for the people they hunt and victimise – a reference to how Anne herself never met a Nazi prior to her capture and wrote about how she had trouble visualising them. Folman told The Hollywood Reporter that his own mother, a Holocaust survivor from Lodz, Poland, was eager for him to take the project. “I actually didn’t want to do it at all,” Folman said. “I thought there were too many adaptations and she was too iconic. But I read the diary again, the first time since I was a teenager, and I went to visit my mother (both my parents were Holocaust survivors). She said: ‘Look, we never interfered in your choices, but if you don’t take this project, I will die over the weekend; you can come and collect my body on Sunday. But if you do it, I will stay around until the premiere.’” While doing research for the project: His parents arrived in Auschwitz the same week as Anne’s parents, Otto and Edith. Although Kitty continually decries the endless modern-day reinterpretations of Anne’s story that exist to burnish her status as a symbol rather than a person, it could be argued that the film is another such effort, keen on drawing simplistic parallels between the Holocaust and the modern refugee crisis. The film differs from the text in other ways.

The animated film, by Israeli director Ari Folman, draws parallels between the Holocaust and the modern-day refugee crisis

Although Anne’s diary contains a good deal of humour, the film has at least one character in distress in every scene, be it in modern-day Amsterdam or during the Holocaust. Where Is Anne Frank also alleges, without proof, that Auguste van Pels, who also hid with the Franks, concealed an expensive vase in the house, conceivably to avoid having to sell it for food. But then Folman’s vision for the film was never about merely relaying the facts of the story. “I was looking for a new dimension, a new way to tell the story,” he said. “And I tried to figure out how to bring it to the youngest audience I could. And when you start a movie with a miracle, like with this creation of Kitty, you build the fairytale.” Folman also collaborated with the Anne Frank Fonds on a graphic novel adaptation of Anne’s diary, illustrated by David Polonsky and published in 2017. The film and the book will be part of a new educational package the Fonds will share with hundreds of schools worldwide to which it provides Holocausteducation programmes and materials. In keeping with the charter of the non-profit and Otto Frank’s wishes that none of the Fonds projects be commercial, any proceeds from the film will go to supporting the organisation’s work, which includes many educational programmes and projects with UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children’s welfare, Kugelmann said. In Kitty, the project hopes it has found its newest ambassador to a younger generation – straight from the 80-year-old pages of Anne’s diary.  This article was first published by Jewish Telegraphic Agency

A look

Inside Through the ages: Alex Wolff stars in M Night Shyamalan thriller Old

Waxing lyrical: The best Ruby Wax interviews from the 90s

Melt in the mouth: Lemon-Speculoos ice cream

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

Weekend / Entertainment

IN THE PIPELINE

SKY CINEMA

When Ruby Met… Ruby Wax will take a wry look back at some of her most “extraordinary” interviews of the 1990s with famous – and infamous – personalities in a new three-part series for BBC Two. Before social media and reality television and with the cameras always turned on, the AmericanBritish actress and comedian interviewed a who’s who of 90s stardom, including Grace Jones, Pamela Anderson, Roseanne Barr,, Evander Holyfield, Carrie Fisher,, Imelda Marcos, OJ Simpson, Sharon Stone, Tom Hanks, Madonna, the Spice Girls and one particularly memorable encounter

with a future US president and his new girlfriend – Donald Trump and Melania. But how did Wax secure such an unrivalled guest list and get them to play along in such a revealing, unguarded and, at times, jaw-dropping way? More than 25 years have since passed, and not only have the shows never been repeated, but Wax herself has never watched them back. Executive producer Clive Tulloh says: “We are thrilled to be looking back at Ruby’s interviews with her for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer; the guest list is extraordinary and they are even more revealing 25 years later. There has been no interviewer like Ruby Wax before or since.”

NETFLIX

Red Notice From Wonder Woman to Super Snatcher: Gal Gadot is set to play the world’s most wanted art thief in a new crime caper coming to Netflix this autumn. The 36-year-old Israeli actress, who welcomed her third daughter with husband Yaron Varsano earlier this month, stars in Red Notice alongside Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds. Written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber (We’re The Millers, DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story) the film revolves around the FBI’s top profiler (Johnson), who crosses paths with two rival criminals: Gadot’s art thief and the greatest conman the world has ever seen (Reynolds). Gadot has plenty of projects in the pipeline, including Kenneth Branagh’s Death On The Nile, period drama Cleopatra and a biopic miniseries based on the life of Hedy Lamarr. Red Notice arrives on Netflix from 12 November

RADIO

Just A Minute Former Great British Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins has been unveiled as the new host of BBC Radio 4’s iconic show, Just A Minute. The 51-year-old, who was raised Catholic but is Jewish through her maternal line, follows in the footsteps of the late Nicholas Parsons, who presided over the programme for more than 50 years. She said: “I’m beyond delighted to be asked to host this most legendary of shows. “Nicholas’ shoes are way too big to fill, but I shall bring my own shoes and work my socks off in them to keep our listeners entertained.” Perkins first appeared on the show in 2000, following many years as a regular panellist and her first turn at the helm took place as part of a series of guests hosts earlier in 2021.

Adjudicating playfully fought rounds, Perkins oversaw a line-up of Stephen Fry, Jenny Eclair, Desiree Burch and Paul Merton. Merton returns for the new series, alongside long-standing panellist Gyles Brandreth. Perkins revealed in her 2015 memoir, Spectacles, that her maternal grandmother was so scarred by her experience of antisemitism in Britain that she denied her Judaism. However, as she told The Sunday Times, her grandmother would slip into Yiddish when drunk on Harveys Bristol Cream sherry, “which probably gave the game away”. The next series of Just A Minute begins on Monday, 6 September, on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Knives Out

Jamie Lee Curtis stars in murder mystery Knives Out, which arrives on Sky Cinema next week. Israeli producer Ram Bergman teamed up with writer and director Rian Johnson for the Agatha Christie-inspired film, which also stars Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Christopher Plummer, Ana de Armas, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette and LaKeith Stanfield. When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Plummer) is found dead at his

THRILLER

Old M Night Shyamalan’s chilling new mystery thriller, Old, which has been adapted from a graphic novel by Pierre Oscar Lévy and Frederik Peeters, is released in cinemas on Friday. The pair’s Sandcastle inspired the Glass filmmaker’s latest work, which tells the story of a family who discover the secluded beach they’ve visited causes them to age rapidly, reducing their entire lives to a single day. Golden Globe winner Gael García Bernal leads an all-star cast that includes Vicky Krieps, Rufus Sewell, Ken Leung, Nikki AmukaBird, Abbey Lee, Aaron Pierre, Alex Wolff, Embeth Davidtz and Eliza Scanlen, among others. The much-anticipated film was slated to premiere in February, but has been pushed back to a global release tomorrow. Shyamalan is best known for his other mystery thrillers, which include The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, The Village and After Earth. Old (15) is released in cinemas tomorrow, Friday

estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Craig, with a southern accent so thick you could eat it with a spoon) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death. Knives Out is available from Friday, 30 July, on Sky Cinema and Now TV

www.jewishnews.co.uk

elgians have their own version of gingersnaps, called speculoos (SPEC-ou-looze). They’re meant to be nibbled alongside the copious amounts of beer that Belgians drink, which was one of the many lessons I learned when I went to chocolate school there. Belgians like their beer so much that outdoor beer gardens are busy all year long, even during the freezing cold winters. Back home, I found that speculoos go equally well with lemon ice cream when the cookies are crumbled and folded in. Like Belgian beer, this can be consumed any time of the year and it’s especially good when served frosty cold. MAKES ABOUT 1½ LITRES

22 July 2021 Jewish News

Food & Drink / Weekend

S ICE CREAM LEMON-SPECULOO

FOR THE ICE CREAM: 3 large lemons, preferably unsprayed ¾cup (150g) sugar 1 cup (250ml) whole milk 2 cups (500ml) double cream Pinch of kosher or sea salt 5 large egg yolks 1 batch Speculoos crumbled (see below)

1. Zest the lemons directly into a food processor or blender. Add the sugar and blend until the lemon zest is very fine. 2. Warm the milk with the lemon-scented sugar, ½ cup (125ml) of the double cream and the salt in a medium saucepan. Cover, remove from the heat and let infuse for one hour. 3. Rewarm the lemon-infused mixture. Pour the remaining 1½ cups (375ml) cream into a large bowl and set a mesh strainer on top. 4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm lemon-infused milk into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks into the saucepan. Stir the mixture constantly with a heatproof spatula over medium heat, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula. 5. Pour the custard through the strainer and stir it into the cream. Discard the lemon zest and stir over an ice bath until cool. 6. Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. As you remove the ice cream from the machine, fold in the crumbled speculoos.

FOR THE SPECULOOS: Makes 1½ cups (200g) 2 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature 3 tablespoons packed light or dark brown sugar 1 tablespoon molasses 1 large egg yolk ½ cup (70g) flour ¼ teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground allspice

TO MAKE THE SPECULOOS 1. Preheat the oven to 175°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. 2. Beat together the butter and brown sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Stir in the molasses and egg yolk. 3. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda and spices. Stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture and mix until smooth. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet and, using your hands, pat it into a circle about 12cm in diameter. Bake for 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

Photos by Ed Anderson

INGREDIENTS

Extracted from The Perfect Scoop Revised and Updated by David Lebovitz. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, priced £19.99 (hardback)

SUMMER MENU | BURGER DEALS | EVENT BOOKINGS 96 GOLDERS GREEN RD LONDON NW11 8HB SOYODINER.CO.UK

GET IN TOUCH TO BOOK YOUR SUMMER PARTY

Jewish News 22 July 2021

Business / Hotel working

candicekrieger@googlemail.com

With Candice Krieger

STAYCATIONERS EYE UP BUSINESS-ONLY HOTELS The co-founder of a new hotel group tells Candice Krieger why an increasing number of people are opting to work from hotels rather than home

f you thought WFH The demographic of those meant craving checking in to hotels Monday to human interacThursday evenings has changed tion and those significantly, says Benjamin. water cooler “Working remotely and from moments, think home can be very difficult for again. For a growing number many. Unreliable connectivity and of people are choosing to Work background noise are consistently From Hotels, fuelling a new Lionel Benjamin raised as stressful issues. Younger ‘WFH’ trend, says hotel veteran people are the most likely to live in Lionel Benjamin, the co-founder of new flats and share workspaces, amplifying the UK hotels group, AGO Hotels. challenges of working from home. Parents and The message from the government from children requiring space and internet access Monday was no longer to work from home, simultaneously creates a breeding ground for but Benjamin, who has worked in the hotel tension. Especially among these demographics, sector for nearly three decades, says: “There is we are seeing people opting to work from a growth in the market for people who need a hotels, which offer outstanding connectivity break from working at home and may not be and quiet spaces, the ability to enjoy a snack ready to return to the office – those looking to or even squeeze in a gym session. This is a new WFH – work from hotels. Hotels provide the version of work-life balance. service corporates are looking for, as long as “Young professionals will often opt to work they have great Wi–Fi and you can have food from a specific hotel as a springboard for their and drink delivered safely.” weekend. In addition to quiet working space,

AGO Hotels works with Ibis budget hotels to offer accommodation for working staycationers

holiday days are at a premium. We are increasingly seeing people choosing a well-located economy hotel near the coast, a national park, or a new city, knowing they will be able to work productively and then get out and explore as soon as they turn off the laptop.” And it’s the rise of these ‘third offices’, alongside a surge in staycations that will help drive the recovery of the UK’s hotel sector, which has been decimated by the pandemic. AGO, which specialises in budget hotels and includes several ‘Ibis budget’ hotels in its portfolio, has seen business bookings pick up from ‘staycationers’ for hotels that were previously seen as business only. And even though restrictions on international travel have eased for double-jabbed tourists, Benjamin is noticing a sustained interest in UK breaks. “Location is key – hence we’re seeing interest in our Portishead marina hotel to access some of the country’s most outstanding beaches, and our Lancaster hotel as a gateway hub, only 30 mins outside the Lake District.” Benjamin co-founded the company in July 2020 as an alternative platform for hotel owners and operators in the budget hotels sector. The idea was to offer a hybrid lease model, meaning that asset owners are offered a guaranteed priority-paid rent as downside protection, and also profit participation for when hotels are doing well. This differs from the current model – asset owners are the first to have rents reduced in a downturn, but have no share in the profits when markets are performing well. AGO’s first brand is with international hotels group Accor and includes nine Ibis hotels. Formerly, Benjamin managed Sol and Eddie Zakay’s Topland’s £1bn hotel portfolio, and has held management roles at the Athenaeum, the Grand Hyatt Jerusalem and The Savoy. He prepared the Hilton London Metropole for sale in 2006, the company’s then-largest asset. But his focus is now on the industry’s economy sector, which according to a PwC report will return to pre-pandemic levels faster than the top end, owing to shifts towards lower-priced travel. “Financial and job uncertainty in the wake of the pandemic has shifted people’s focus to

affordable and competitively priced travel,” acknowledges Benjamin. “People choosing economy options are discerning travellers looking for value who will select a hotel with a few non-negotiables – convenience, hygiene and comfort. All quality economy hotels should meet these standards. After an extended period of economic uncertainty, people will be looking for an affordable place to stay. “Some travellers will only ever be looking for luxury. For others, a luxury hotel is an option for a significant birthday or anniversary, not a casual weekend away or a longer family holiday. Economy hotels that can consistently deliver a high-quality and good value product will appeal very strongly to many astute travellers and can attract a wider market share, which is why the economy sector is set to play a major part in the wider hotel industry’s bounce back.” Benjamin is optimistic about the revival of the hotel sector, which he says could get back to 2019 levels by 2023 if consumer certainty returns and vaccination programmes continue successfully.  www.agohotels.co.uk

Favoured: hotels by the coast or national parks

22 July 2021 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Orthodox Judaism

SEDRA

Vaetchanan

Torah For Today What does the Torah say about: Losing

RABBI JEFF BERGER Is the Book of Devarim just an early example of a great leader in the twilight of his career writing a professional memoir? Instead of giving courage to the Hebrew nation poised to enter the Land of Canaan, Vaetchanan is filled with frustrations: Moshe pleading with God to accompany them and repeatedly warning the Israelites not to stray into idol worship. His reflections occasionally differ widely from the stories told in Shemot or Bamidbar. A careful reader of Devarim will spot these and cry out for explanations. One example is Moshe’s statement that he was denied entry to Canaan – not because he ‘struck the rock’ but because of his leadership failure during the Sin of the Spies. Another is changing the fourth of the 10 commandments – from Remember (Zakhor) to Guard (Shamor). The fifth book of the Torah

presents a spiritual challenge to the generation that would inherit the land of Canaan. And to us, 3,300 years later, it offers insight into the relationship between God, Moshe and the Jewish people. Moshe repeatedly referred to God’s promises made to our forefathers. He explained that ‘fulfilling God’s mitzvot will be considered righteousness’ (Deut 6:25). This links back to God taking Abraham to look at the stars and promising “so too will be the abundance of your offspring” (Gen 15:6) where Abraham’s belief in God’s promise was also considered ‘righteousness’. The Shema commands we love God with ‘all our heart, all our soul and all our might”. In doing so, we engender God’s love for us – an invaluable lesson from Moshe’s 40 years of leadership experience. ◆ Rabbi Jeff Berger can be reached at rabbijefflondon@gmail.com

RABBI ALEX CHAPPER The contrast could not have been starker. After the euphoria of England reaching the Euro Finals came the national disappointment of losing it on penalties. It is at moments like these we may find ourselves asking the question: Does losing make you a loser? Or can we ever take something positive from failure and disappointment? The Jewish people know about losing because we have lost a lot. We lost the first and second Temples, we lost so many in pogroms and from persecutions and exiles and, of course, millions in the Holocaust. At the same time, we have lost countless souls to assimilation and intermarriage.

Freehold Residential Building with three self contained flats for sale in N15, near Stamford Hill Overground station. Three flats: 1 x 3 bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms( Second & Third Floor, approximately 82 square metres), 1 x 2 bedrooms ( Ground Floor, approximately 95 square metres, with a small decked garden), & 1 x 1 bedroom (First Floor, approximately 39 square metres), All let out on AST Agreements, producing an excellent rental income. Immaculate condition throughout, and good sized accommodation. Offers in excess of £1,600.000 For more information: email – akhp60@hotmail.com

Does that make us losers? Are the Jewish people a collective of losers? Nobody likes to lose – it’s ingrained in the human condition and we’re conditioned to win. In fact, studies show that the body releases chemicals when we win, which make us feel good. In contrast, when we lose, cortisol – the stress hormone – is released and that is why it is unpleasant and no one likes it. But it’s nothing to be ashamed of. When we have tried our best, given our all and done everything that has been asked of us, then, even if we do not win, we can and should be proud of ourselves. There’s a beautiful verse in Proverbs: “Although a rightEngland manager Gareth Southgate comforts Bukayo Saka

eous person may fall seven times, they still get up but the wicked are tripped by one misfortune.” These are not just the words of a parent comforting their child after they have lost a game: “Don’t worry dear, better luck next time”. This is the great wisdom of King Solomon that speaks about attitude and determination. Because we learn more about ourselves when we lose than when we win. It is only us who determines whether or not we’re a loser when we’ve lost. But when we are determined to rectify the mistakes, learn the lessons of the past and grow from the experience, then there is hope. Because it is the commitment to try again after failing, the courage not to give up and the will to succeed that is the greatest of human victories. ◆ Rabbi Alex Chapper serves Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue

SOCIAL WORK TEAM LEADER, 35 hours £37,500, SOCIAL WORKERS, 35 hours £32,219.72 - £34,019.00 In line with Norwood’s vision of ‘Taking on Life Together’, Children & Family Services are looking to recruit a Social Work Team Leader and Social Workers to join our team during an exciting period of development within Norwood. Norwood is a charity that delivers a range of holistic, multi-disciplinary support services to Jewish children and families who are impacted by learning disability, Autism, SEND, mental health, social and emotional challenges throughout their lives. Providing a range of support to individuals and groups, through training, advice and peer support. Social Work Team Leader supervising a team of social workers. You will be joining a diverse, cohesive team of professionals, receive strong leadership, regular supervision and training. Social Workers undertake assessments of need and plan responses in partnership with service users and their families where appropriate. Work with statutory and other organisations to the benefit of the user. Both roles are based in Norwood’s Kennedy Leigh centre in Hendon. Please note: We reserve the right to close the advert, once we receive sufficient applications, so recommend an early application Benefits of working for a leading UK charity include: • Friendly and supportive service • Regular supervision and CPD opportunities • Opportunities for developing skills across a wide range of needs • Well-resourced service • Early finish on a Friday (all year round 1pm close) • Jewish holidays in addition to annual leave • Pension scheme To apply please send you CV and Cover Letter to jobs@norwood.org.uk Closing date: 4 August 2021 Norwood is a disability confident employer. This means we are committed to employing people with disabilities. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. Registered Charity No: 1059050.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

Progressive Judaism

The Bible Says What? ‘The Ten Commandments misses out the most important commandment’

BY RABBI YUVAL KEREN The Ten Commandments are regarded as the pillars of Jewish – and indeed human – faith and conduct. Yet if we examine them one by one, we will find none of them easy or straightforward. ‘Do not have other gods before Me’ seems to be broken daily when some of us worship pop idols or make routine offerings to the god of Mammon (money and material wealth). So many of us casually take God’s name in vain (OMG) and, no matter how hard we try, we all fail at honouring our parents. Yet in my eyes the most challenging of all is the last on the list: Do not covet your neighbour’s house, your neighbour’s wife, servants, animals, and all that is your neighbour’s. (Exodus 20:17) It is challenging because it involves thought rather than action – and it is impossible to stop this thought. Also, why does it begin with details and conclude with

“and all that is your neighbour’s”? Perhaps when we look at someone else, we tend to judge them by one or two characters we feel we lack in ourselves. This might be their house, their status, sports car, good looks, age, health or their greener grass. Jealousy is then easy to settle and the feeling we would have loved to be in their shoes. If we examine the person as a whole, we will find that no other person’s world is perfect. One successful way of applying the commandment ‘do not covet’ is to look at others as if they were not different from us, with all our flaws and faults. This is the essence of the most important of all commandments and the one missing from the grand list of 10, but ever present in all ethical rules: ‘Love your fellow as yourself’ (Leviticus 19:18).

◆ Rabbi Yuval Keren serves Southgate Progressive Synagogue

Progressively Speaking ‘When you win you’re English, when you lose you’re black’ BY RABBI DEBORAH BLAUSTEN The above tweet, from researcher Ahmed Ali, and its succinct commentary on the experience of some of Britain’s footballing heroes after the Euro 2020 defeat, is a reflection worth dwelling on. The idea of conditional acceptance, whether in academia, sports, politics or any other field, is a strong and present one for many who experience discrimination. It is part of the experience of being a ‘model minority’, whereby people with a particular identity are lauded and celebrated in wider society, as long as they prove their value. Like many forms of racism, it’s not necessarily obvious, and sometimes it takes an incident such as the response to the Euro finals to help us understand this is the experience of many black people and those from other ethnic and religious backgrounds. It’s something that has historically been a part of the Jewish experience, where Jews who excelled in

Rashford, Saka and Sancho

their fields were made exceptions and admitted to spaces that generally excluded them. Their ability to exist in those spaces was conditional on that success. We saw this with the way Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford were the best of the nation in the eyes of some one day, and abused and vilified online by the same individuals the next. This was not an experience shared by white members of the team. Our Jewish tradition calls us to resist any notion that someone’s humanity is in any way conditional. A person’s value is absolute, regard-

less of any other intersection of their identity. The oft-cited value of btzelem Elohim, being created all in the image of God, from the Genesis creation narrative, is complemented by midrash that teaches in response to the Genesis 2 story that all humans were created with a common ancestor so no person could ever claim that they were better than another. We should be able to celebrate each other’s excellence and commiserate defeat. We should be able to celebrate the histories and identities of individuals and at the same notice when we perpetuate tropes like someone rising to success as if it is moving above or beyond their racial identity. We need each other’s help to do so, to reflect back to one another when we speak the language of racist structures, so we can ensure the notion of btzelem Elohim is upheld in deed as well as in word. ◆ Rabbi Deborah Blausten serves Finchley Reform Synagogue

IF YOUR BUSINESS IS STILL IN BUSINESS, YOU NEED OUR HELP. In these difficult times our readers can’t find you without a personal introduction. We can provide the opportunity by creating sharp and interesting editorial in an original layout that tells the story of your company. Presented in print and online with links to your website or service. CREATE YOUR BESPOKE ADVERTORIAL NOW and spread the word about you. sales@jewishnews.co.uk or call 0207 692 6929

www.jewishnews.co.uk

22 July 2021 Jewish News

Ask our

Professional advice from our panel / Ask Our Experts

Our trusty team of advisers answers your questions about everything from law and finance to dating and dentistry. This week: Mistakes made when people divorce, hernia repair options and an electric company car VANESSA LLOYD PLATT DIVORCE & FAMILY SOLICITOR

LLOYD PLATT & COMPANY SOLICITORS

Dear Vanessa What are eight common divorce mistakes? Kate Dear Kate 1. Trying to do the case yourself without legal advice. Typical mistakes are failing to give proper information, settling on unfavourable terms, cutting off maintenance claims and failing to draw up the proper orders. 2. If you remarry before finances are resolved, if you are the respondent you are prevented from applying to court for finances. This can cause huge problems unless your ex applies. 3. No one should apply for a decree absolute until finances are dealt with, either by a

SIMON MARSH BREAST, GROIN & HERNIA SURGEON

108 HARLEY STREET Dear Simon Does my hernia need an operation? Patrick Dear Patrick Usually, is the short answer, but the problem at the moment is where to get it done. In normal times, around 80,000 inguinal hernia operations are done in the NHS every year,

98 percent of which will be in men and, by the age of 70, 25 percent will get one. Even before the pandemic, many clinical commissioning groups were rationing hernia surgery and now, as the NHS struggles to recover, there may be more than 10 million people waiting for routine operations, with increasing waiting times. Getting things back to anything approaching normal could take years. If you have a small hernia with no symptoms, it can be safe to wait but, even then, most will get bigger and become uncomfortable or painful. Just as some people have turned to the private sector to help with, for example, hip and knee replacements, there is also that choice for hernia operations.

consent order or order of the court. 4. Forgetting that court orders relating to children only last one year. This means either party can apply to the Child Maintenance Service for a review upwards or downwards. 5. Forgetting to deal with pensions or financial planning – there are many tax implications. 6. Believing mediation is the only route. If you are married to someone who never tells the truth, or has a controlling or narcissistic personality, court or arbitration may be far better routes, setting a structure and timetable to which your partner will have to adhere. 7. Thinking transfer of assets to third parties or family imminently before divorce will protect you. Unless you have proof of repayment of hard debts, the court can set these transactions aside or treat the assets as yours. 8. Thinking you will get maintenance for life. The courts normally now impose maintenance for set periods and rarely grant life terms.

The Gilmore Groin and Hernia Clinic, at 108 Harley Street (which is celebrating its 30th year in 2021) has a team of experienced surgeons who can provide a range of approaches for hernia surgery, from open repair to laparoscopic techniques. It is also one of the few places where non-mesh hernia repair is available. This method is based on the world famous Shouldice Repair and reduces the risk of mesh-related complications. It uses a selection of different stitches to repair the hernia, all of which eventually dissolve to leave only the body’s natural tissues. Having a range of options available means you can choose the one that suits you.

ADAM SHELLEY ACCOUNTANT

SOBELL RHODES LLP Dear Adam I am a director of a limited company and have a recruitment business. I’m considering buying a company car and want to know the pros and cons of an electric one for myself and staff. Lucy Dear Lucy Despite the potentially high personal tax charge, many employees still enjoy

Struggling to hear the TV? Missing out on family phone chats? Hearing just not what it used to be?

Get the very best out of life

and prefer the convenience of being offered the use of a company car by their employer. Those employers familiar with the benefit-inkind tax rules will be aware the tax impact on the employee is much lower for those choosing lower emission cars. Last year, new benefitin-kind percentage bands were introduced that took into account very low-emission cars and electric cars, favouring full electric cars. When assessing whether a company-provided electric car is tax efficient, it needs to be considered from both the employer and employee perspective. When providing a company car, a tax charge is assessed on the individual based on the benefit-in-kind and this is subject to income

Jewish Deaf Association

tax at the employee’s marginal rate. The employer will also be assessed on Class 1A National Insurance contributions at 13.8 percent on the benefitin-kind’s value. Therefore, both parties have an interest in the assessed benefit-in-kind being as low as possible. The lower the car emission, the lower the benefit-in-kind. When we calculate the benefit-in-kind, we apply a percentage to the car value (UK list price) based on the car’s CO2 emissions in grams per kilometre (g/km). Car range and travel distances can be important issues, and more planning may be needed in terms of the charging points location. Costs may still be a barrier for employers as electric cars can be more expensive.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

Ask Our Experts / Professional advice from our panel

Our Experts Got a question for a member of our team? Email: editorial@jewishnews.co.uk PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SPECIALIST

BREAST, GROIN & HERNIA SURGEON

TELECOMS SPECIALIST BENJAMIN ALBERT Qualifications: • Co-Founder and Technical Director of ADWConnect – a specialist in business telecommunications, serving customers worldwide. • Independent consultant and supplier of Telephone & Internet services. • Client satisfaction is at the heart of everything my team and I do, always striving to find the most cost-effective solutions.

ADWCONNECT 0208 089 1111 www.adwconnect.com hello@adwconnect.com

EMPLOYMENT LAW AND DATA PROTECTION

TREVOR GEE Qualifications: • Managing Director, consultant specialists in affordable family health insurance. • Advising on maximising cover, lower premiums, pre-existing conditions. • Excellent knowledge of health insurers, cover levels and hospital lists. • LLB solicitors finals. • Member of Chartered Insurance Institute.

SIMON MARSH Qualifications: • Consultant General Surgeon with specialist interest in dealing with both breast cancer and non-cancer breast conditions. • Surgical Director of the Gilmore Groin and Hernia Clinic experienced in hernia surgery, including “non-mesh” hernia repair and Sportsman’s Hernia. • Local anaesthetic surgery including lipomas, cysts and skin cancers.

EMMA GROSS Qualifications: • Specialist in claims of unfair dismissal, redundancy and discrimination. • Negotiate out-of-court settlements and handle complex tribunal cases. • HR services including drafting contracts and policies, advising on disciplinaries, grievances and providing staff training. • Contributor to The Times, HR Magazine and other titles.

PATIENT HEALTH 020 3146 3444/5/6 www.patienthealth.co.uk trevor.gee@patienthealth.co.uk

108 HARLEY STREET 0207 563 1234 www.108harleystreet.co.uk info@108harleystreet.co.uk

SPENCER WEST LLP 020 7925 8080 www.spencer-west.com emma.gross@spencer-west.com

DIRECTOR OF LEGACIES

JEWELLER

CAROLYN ADDLEMAN Qualifications: Lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in will drafting and trust and estate administration. Last 14 years at KKL Executor and Trustee Company. In close contact with clients to ensure all legal and pastoral needs are cared for. Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

• •

JONATHAN WILLIAMS Qualifications: • Jewellery manufacturer since 1980s. • Expert in the manufacture and supply of diamond jewellery, wedding rings and general jewellery. • Specialist in supply of diamonds to the public at trade prices.

KKL EXECUTOR AND TRUSTEE COMPANY 020 8732 6101 www.kkl.org.uk enquiries@kkl.org.uk

JEWELLERY CAVE LTD 020 8446 8538 www.jewellerycave.co.uk jonathan@jewellerycave.co.uk

•

Got a question for a member of our team? Email: editorial@jewishnews.co.uk

COMMERCIAL LAWYER ADAM LOVATT Qualifications: • Lawyer with more than 11 years of experience working in the legal sector. Specialist in corporate, commercial, media, sport and start-ups. • Master’s degree in Intellectual Property Law from the University of London. • Non-Executive Director of various companies advising on all governance matters.

LOVATT LEGAL LIMITED 07753 802 804 adam@lovattlegal.co.uk

CONSULTANT DERMATOLOGIST

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

DR LAURENCE LEVER Qualifications: • MBBS FRCP, private practice at 108 Harley Street The Skin Clinic. • Consultant Dermatologist with a special interest in the management of malignant and pre-malignant conditions of the skin • Looks after all dermatological conditions, including dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, moles, warts, cysts, skin tumours/cancer/oncology, dermatological surgery.

SUE CIPIN Qualifications: • 20 years+ hands-on experience, leading JDA in significant growth and development. • Understanding of the impact of deafness on people, including children, at all stages. • Extensive services for people affected by hearing loss/tinnitus. • Technology room with expert advice on and facilities to try out the latest equipment. Hearing aid advice, support and maintenance.

108 HARLEY STREET SKIN CLINIC 0207 563 1234 www.108harleystreet.co.uk info@108harleystreet.co.uk

JEWISH DEAF ASSOCIATION 020 8446 0502 www.jdeaf.org.uk mail@jdeaf.org.uk

REMOVALS MANAGING DIRECTOR

PRINCIPAL, PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL

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 19 years ago.

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

DANCING WITH LOUISE 075 0621 7833 www.dancingwithlouise.co.uk Info@dancingwithlouise.com

22 July 2021 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Professional advice from our panel / Ask Our Experts

FINANCIAL SERVICES (FCA) COMPLIANCE

ACCOUNTANT

KITCHEN CONSULTANCY

JACOB BERNSTEIN Qualifications: • A member of the APCC, specialising in financial services compliance for: • Mortgage, protection and general insurance intermediaries; • Lenders, credit brokers, debt counsellors and debt managers; • Alternative Investment Fund managers; • E-Money, payment services, PISP, AISP and grant-making charities.

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.

SHANTI PANCHANI Qualifications: • Experienced designer with 25+ years’ experience in German and English kitchens. • We provide a full-circle approach: from designing and supplying to installing your new kitchen including appliances and speciality worktops. • Our suppliers are flexible in design, ensuring the customer remains the priority. • We have been supplying kosher-friendly kitchens for over 15 years.

RICHDALE CONSULTANTS LTD 020 7781 8019 www.richdale.co.uk jacob@richdale.co.uk

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

THE KITCHEN CONSULTANCY 07738 067 671 www.thekitchenconsultancy.com shanti@thekitchenconsultancy.com

INTERNATIONAL PAYMENTS SPECIALIST

IT SPECIALIST

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

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.

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.

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.

CURRENCIES DIRECT 07922 131 152 / 020 7847 9447 www.currenciesdirect.com/jn naomifeltham93@hotmail.com

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

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

ISRAELI ACCOUNTANT

INSURANCE CONSULTANCY

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. • Leon’s motto is: Our numbers speak your language!

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.

HARRIS HOROVIZ CONSULTING & TAX LTD +972-3-6123153 / + 972-54-6449398 leon@h2cat.com

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

ALIYAH ADVISER

If you would like to advertise your services here email: sales@ jewishnews.co.uk

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.

ERIC SALAMON Qualifications: • Provides free professional one-to-one advice at Resource to help unemployed into work. • Offers mock interviews and workshops to maximise job prospects. • Expert in corporate management holding director level marketing, commercial and general management roles.

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

Why are some premiums higher than others? Patient Health is London’s health insurance intermediary of choice specialising in trying to find you higher cover for less money. If you do not have an intermediary like Patient Health, representing you it becomes extremely difficult to find the right policy at an affordable premium. There are never any charges for our services

DIVORCE & FAMILY SOLICITOR

DIRECTOR OF HOMECARE AND OPERATIONS

VANESSA LLOYD PLATT Qualifications: • Qualification: 40 years experience as a matrimonial and divorce solicitor and mediator, specialising in all aspects of family matrimonial law, including: • Divorce, pre/post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, domestic violence, children’s cases, grandparents’ rights to see grandchildren, pet disputes, family disputes. • Frequent broadcaster on national and International radio and television.

MATT MILLS Qualifications: • Started his career as a support worker, including residential and dementia care, as well as supported living for adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs and autism. • Completed a range of care qualifications, achieving a Level 5 Diploma in leadership and management in Health and Social Care. • He is passionate about supporting people to live independently within the community, and being involved in their lives in a positive way.

LLOYD PLATT & COMPANY SOLICITORS 020 8343 2998 www.divorcesolicitors.com lloydplatt@divorcesolicitors.com

SWEETTREE HOME CARE SERVICES 020 7644 9522 www.sweettree.co.uk info@sweettree.co.uk

Call Patient Health today for better peace of mind Call Patient Health today for expert medical Insurance advice Patient Health for a company that has the patience for every client

Call Trevor Gee for Free Expert Advice

020 3146 3444

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021

The first deaf person I met was my beautiful baby Layla.

“ When Layla was diagnosed deaf at birth,

we were in complete shock and didn't know what to do. JDA was there for us when we needed them most. They've shown us we're not alone, helped us to cope and given Layla the best start in life. ”

Your donation will help Layla and all children with hearing loss get the very best out of life.

020 8446 0502 02 www.jdeaf.org.uk k Registered Charity No. 1105845 Company Limited by Guarantee 4983830

22 July 2021 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Fun, games and prizes

THE JEWISH NEWS CROSSWORD 1

13 15 16 19 21 22 23

16 17

8 Grumpily (7) 9 Chimney pipe (4) 10 ___ and the Man, GB Shaw play (4)

ACROSS 1 Stonecutter (5) 4 Turkish meat dish (5) 7 Alternatively named (inits)(3)

S W F T

L A E V S

B A N A N A S E B E

N R E S E N G O L O B P L

H B O Q Z A G Q U K T B N

E X

L C B C C N E K O E K

S T

B C D O E

D T R U O M X H

A T E E R L D E C T E V

P E M P U T

E B E B A

D B P O N U A U E F B S U

BAGELS BAGUETTE BANANAS BEANS BEEF

BEER BEETROOT BISCUITS BLOOMER BLUE CHEESE

BOLOGNESE BRAN BREAD BRIE BROCCOLI

Last issue’s solutions Crossword ACROSS: 1 Jade 3 Afraid 8 Play-act 9 Own 10 Balderdash 13 Telepathic 17 Ear 18 Peevish 19 Flambe 20 Emit DOWN: 1 Jape 2 Drama 4 Fat 5 Aroma 6 Dinghy 7 Paid-up 11 Rather 12 Itself 14 Larva 15 Idiom 16 Whit 18 Pub

R B BUN BUTTER

5 4 7 2 3 1 9 8 6

1 6 9 5 4 8 3 2 7

22 16

9 2

22 17

3 7 4 9 2 6 8 5 1

9 1 6 8 5 3 2 7 4

4 3 2 6 8 5 7 1 9

9 6 8

6 3 7 9 4 2 5 6

1 3 1

Each cell in an outlined block must contain a digit: a two-cell block contains the digits 1 and 2, a three-cell block contains the digits 1, 2 and 3; and so on. The same digit must not appear in neighbouring cells, not even diagonally.

4 2

26 14

22 8

1 5

13 8

22 8

SUGURU

13 22

7 8 5 4 1 6 8

14 15

15 4

T A

Suguru 2 5 8 4 1 7 6 9 3

See next issue for puzzle solutions.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Sudoku 8 2 3 7 6 9 1 4 5

A R Q L R G T Z S F E X Y I

9 16

14 4

R R B

L O O M E R B B E

J O J

U C S

In this finished crossword, every letter of the alphabet appears as a code number. All you have to do is crack the code and fill in the grid. Replacing the decoded numbers 7, 8 and 22 with their letters in the grid will help you to guess the identity of other letters.

The foods beginning with B can all be found in the grid. Words may run either forwards or backwards, in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction, but always in a straight, unbroken line.

U R R W N Y G V

CODEWORD

WORDSEARCH

N F O B H S G A J

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

Cut the top off (3) ___ of Court, legal societies (4) Remaining (4) Baby tree (7) Vex (3) UK snake (5) Close, compact (5)

DOWN 1 Honey‑based drink (4) 2 Angela ___, Your Garden Made Perfect presenter (7) 3 US coin (6) 4 Unit of sea speed (4) 5 Passenger‑carrying road vehicle (3) 6 Still looking young (6) 11 Searching quickly (through) (7) 12 Saint’s day, carnival (6) 14 Difficult situation (6) 17 Billy ___, comedy by Keith Waterhouse (4) 18 Piece of staged banter (4) 20 Shell (peas) (3)

SUDOKU

6 9 5 1 7 2 4 3 8

7 8 1 3 9 4 5 6 2

1 4 1 2 3 2

5 2 3 5 4 1

4 1 4 1 2 3

Wordsearch 2 3 2 3 5 1

1 5 1 4 2 4

3 2 3 5 1 3

3 4 2 1 4 2

2 1 5 3 5 3

4 3 2 1 4 1

2 1 4 5 3 5

4 5 2 1 4 1

2 1 3 5 3 2

S E Y M I L S P E L B H D

P S I D E J C T O U O L D

O L H A D P O B L I S N P

R C G U X O R C Y M N D X

T U G U T Z E V R E S T F

E S G R X T R A C K E T P

Y L L A R R L F F J B C B

Codeword E W T O F E I E I H C S Q

M L T P L Y N J C O G U B

A C B G A A H C U O A Q R

G Z N U M L K R R N C U J

U I S N O P T K E V V K Q

S W Y V M D A Q Z W L A K

E D RO A WE I NO G H A GR O GA

V O L A U T OR I E K D X T I F R R E R E M E I Z Z S E ME

V E M B R A Y O Y F R A L Y E A D

L A I D M C E R U S QU E U M E S T I R T P L P I S T O L A A I V A L R Y I B D I S CO E I Y J OU R N

P F A Z T X E L NM I BG O V Q H Y D R J S U W C K22/07

Jewish News 22 July 2021

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Business Services Directory ANTIQUES 44

The Jewish News 22 September 2016

Stirling BUSINESS SERVICES DIRECTORY Antique – Reproduction – Retro Furniture Top prices paid (any condition)

WE BUY ANTIQUES VERY HIGH PRICES PAID. FREE HOME VISITS. All Antique Furniture Hille & Epstein Diamond Jewellery, Gold, Silver, Paintings, Porcelain, Glass, Bronzes, Ivories, Oriental & Judaica Antiques etc. Full house clearances organised. Please look at our website for more details

www.antiquesbuyers.co.uk FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL SUE ON: 0800 840 2035 or 07956268290 OPEN 8am TO 9pm 7 DAYS. PORTOBELLO RD LONDON.

Hille, G Plan, etc. CarerEpstein, Archie Shine,Clothing

Dining Suites, Lounges Suites, Bookcases, Desks, Cabinets, Mirrors, Lights, etc. Carer FURS WANTED Auxiliary Nurse Cash paid for Mink House clearances Available to support

jackets, coats, you in your home. boleros, stoles, Single items to complete homes also fox coats, Days/nights. jackets etc. MARYLEBONE rates. ANTIQUES - 8 CHURCH STREET NW8 8ED Very reasonable Wardrobes cleared Call 0208 07866 958 2939 614 744 (ANYTIME) Call 01277 352 560 or 07495 026 168

Computer

0207 723 7415 (SHOP) closed Sunday & Monday

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

Man on a Bike will get MAKE SURE YOUfast! CONTACT US BEFORE SELLING you working Rapid Response IT support for your PC & Mac

CHARITY & WELFARE

Networks, virus problems, broadband, wireless systems, new computers and everything else you may need. For small businesses & home users.

of Kensal Green

Antiques

Established over 60 years. Know who you are dealing with.

All quality furniture bought & sold. Best prices paid for complete house clearances including china, books, WE BUY ANTIQUES clothing etc. Also rubbish clearance VERY HIGH PRICES PAID. FREE HOME VISITS. service, lofts, sheds, garages etc

Bereavement Counselling for adults and children individually. Support Groups available. During the pandemic, we offer telephone and online counselling. Contact Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service in confidence. 0208 951 3881 enquiries@jbcs.org.uk | www.jbcs.org.uk

Full house clearances organised. 020 8960 5401 or 07825 224144

www.antiquesbuyers.co.uk FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL SUE ON:

HOUSE CLEARANCE 0800 840 2035 or 07956268290 OPEN 8am TO 9pm 7 DAYS.

Labels are for jars. Refer yourself or a loved one by YOU BEREAVED? ARE Not people. calling 020 8458 2223 or visit Counselling for adults & children who are www.jamiuk.org

experiencing loss. Support groups offered. REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1003345 Call The Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service in confidence

020 8951 3881 • 07765 693 160 E: enquiries@jbcs.org.uk

Sheltered Accommodation

For all your heating and plumbing requirements

We have an open waiting list in our friendly and comfortable warden assisted sheltered housing schemes in Ealing, East Finchley and Hendon. We provide 24-hour warden support, seven days a week; a residents’ lounge and kitchen, laundry, a sunny patio and garden.

07860 881505 or 0800 610 12 12

For further details and application forms, please contact Westlon Housing Association on 020 8201 8484 or email: johnsilverman@btconnect.com

Not shabbat

PLUMBSAFEUK.COM

Dave & Eve House Clearance Friendly Family Company established for 30 years

For confidential advice, information and support don’t forget Jewish Care Direct.

020 8922 2222 jcdirect@jcare.org

jewishcare.org/helpline

We hav warden a in Eal warden

For furth West

Charity Reg No. 802559

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

A Wi

#jamithinkahead

Give support • Get support • Get involved

020 8458 2223 | info@jamiuk.org www.jamiuk.org

Reg Charity No. 1003345

HOME & MAINTENANCE

PLUMBSAFE (UK) LTD

No further, your

LOCAL PLUMBERS

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

MOTOR VEHICLES PURCHASED CLASSIC OR CARS for vehicles over 10 years old preferably with low mileage Contact: Anthony – 07850 590415

All NW-London postcodes covered

07860 881505 or 0800 610 12 12

020 8953 2094 office

Home & Maintenance AUTOMOTIVE

“Better Safe Than Sorry”

Hall & Randall Plumbers

hallandrandallplumbers.com

For a free quote please phone Dave on 07913405315 any time.

IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN, REMEMBER OUR HELPLINE.

Home & Maintenance

Not shabbat

020 8207 3286 home 020 8386 8798

We clear houses, flats, sheds, garages etc. No job too big or too small! Rubbish cleared as part of a full clearance. We have a waste licence. We buy items including furniture bric a brac.

MAKE

WESTLON HOUSING ASSOCIATION

“Better Safe Than Sorry”

HOUSE CLEARANCE

PORTOBELLO RD LONDON.

Charity & Welfare

PLUMBSAFE (UK) LTD All NW-London postcodes covered

Email: Please lookgordonstirling65@gmail.com at our website for more details

020 8731 6171 • www.manonabike.co.uk

CHARITY & WELFARE

Ep Dini D

All Antique Furniture Hille & Epstein Diamond Jewellery, Gold, Silver, Paintings, Porcelain, Please contact Gordon Stirling Glass, Bronzes, Ivories, Oriental & Judaica Antiques etc.

Call Ian Green, Man on a Bike on

ARE YOU BEREAVED?

Anti

office@hallandrandall.com

PLUMBSAFEUK.COM

STONEMASON

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING, DECORATING & PAPER HANGING

Over 20 years experience Friendly, reliable & The specialist masons in creating bespoke Granite service. personal and Marble Memorials for all Cemeteries. competitive rates Very Clayhall Showroom 14 Claybury Broadway Ilford. IG5 0LQ T: 0208 551 6866

Edgware Showroom 41 Manor Park Crescent Edgware. HA8 7LY T: 0208 381 1525

STEPHEN: 07973 342 422 srindsmc@hotmail.com

Email : info@garygreenmemorials.co.uk

www.garygreenmemorials.co.uk

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

18/03/2019 12:50:51

A. ELFES LTDGuilds Elect City and

All types of electrical work un

New memorials Rewiring, extrainscriptions sockets, BT points, Economy 7 Additional storage Shabbat time switches, securi & heaters, renovations

LED spotlights, fault finding, CCTVportable ap Gants Hill Edgware landlord tests and house buyer’s surveys.

12 Beehive Lane 130 High Street Gants 3RD Edgware, HA8 7EL For Hill, anIG1 efficient reliable and friendly Telephone Telephone Call Harvey Solomons on

0207 754 4646 0207 4659 020 754 8958 6495 / 07836 648 554

www.memorialgroup.co.uk

22 July 2021 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Business Services Directory SILVER

INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER

Inspirational speaker available to book

ADVERTISE IN THE UK’S BIGGEST JEWISH NEWSPAPER FOR LESS THAN £24 A WEEK

Enhance your special event. With a unique & meaningful presentation or speech by Elie Schwartz

Email Sales today at sales@jewishnews.co.uk

Contact me 07973696548 Or email eitzeh4u@gmail.com

OFFICE FURNITURE

CLEANING

Professional standard with elegant finishing. End of tenancy, deep cleaning, post renovation cleaning services. We create a clean environment with our clean projects.

Need to furnish your home or office?

Call us on 07907 017869 or email us via our website, www.cleanthecity.co.uk, to discuss your specific requirements – we are happy to provide a free quote.

London’s leading supplier of new and reconditioned furniture. Free assembly and delivery next working day on most items – call now!

LEGACY- LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR MEMORY

JEWISH WAR VETERANS

Leave the legacy of independence to people like Joel.

& THEIR DEPENDANTS NEED

YOUR LEGACY

PLease remember us in your wiLL.

eNABLeD

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

visit www.Jbd.org

Call 0800 559 3917 Email sales@andrewsofficefurniture.com www.andrewsofficefurniture.com

Registered Charity

or caLL 020 8371 6611 No. 259480 Legacy Classified advert v1.qxp_Legacy 16/06/2021 10:57 Page 1

Registered Charity No: 1082148

HELP US CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR OUR COMMUNITY WITH A GIFT IN YOUR WILL. Call our Legacy Team on 020 8922 2840 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

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

Charity Reg No. 802559

HOME CARE legacy@cst.org.uk ► www.cst.org.uk ► 0208 457 3700 ►

Together

we protect our children’s future Please include CST in your will

Charity no. 1042391 and SC043612

COMPUTER Legacy advert 84x40.indd 1

16/04/2021 10:55

ADVERTISE IN THE UK’S BIGGEST JEWISH NEWSPAPER FOR LESS THAN

£24 A WEEK

Quality care in your home for independent living.

Outstanding live-in and hourly care in

Providing outstanding care and helping basedindependently in Primrose Hill, peopleLocally to live at home for PillarCare’s friendly, experienced 20 years

your home at flexible, affordable rates. team have been helping people live

Outstanding live-in andin their hourly care in as independently as possible own homes since 1999. Our fees your home at flexible, affordable rates. are fully inclusive with care service provision 365 days a year.

Outstanding live-in andOutstanding hourly care live-in in and hourly care in find out more 020rates. 7482 2188. your home atToflexible, affordable yourcall home at flexible, affordable rates.

020 7482 2188

pillarcare.co.uk

enquiries@pillarcare.c

Email Sales today at sales@jewishnews.co.uk

020 7482 2188

pillarcare.co.uk 020 7482 2188 www.pillarcare.co.uk | enquiries@pillarcare.co.uk

020 7482 2188

pillarcare.co.uk

Jewish News 22 July 2021