1353 - 8th Feb 2024 by Jewish News

Pa F peree ro W f t ee he k l Yey ar

Life and soul! Vanessa’s

LI FE March 2024

L♥VE EDITION

FOR THE LOVE OF

Barry Manilow Charity Travel

Stanley Kubrick

Weddings

WIN a stay at The Grove

His Jewish movies

The Tattooist of Nova Skin deep love for Israel

PROUD VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY

Julius Dein

GET UP, STA

The magician conjures up schools

ND UP !

We’re a magazine next week – don’t miss the March issue of Life!

lockdown The key to keeping the hostages in our hearts

Fifth of pupils harbour anti-Jewish prejudice 8 February 2024 • 29 Shvat 5784 • Issue No.1353 •

@JewishNewsUK

The spectacular

rise of Kingsley

Ben-Adir

Half of all teachers avoid talking about Gaza war and 8% of students attend anti-Israel rallies, poll finds

by Lee Harpin lee@jewishnews.co.uk @lmharpin

Teachers are struggling to deal with the impact of Israel’s war with Hamas in classrooms and the Gaza conflict is leading to an alarming rise in antisemitic behaviour from students, a new poll has revealed. Anti-racism charity HOPE Not Hate surveyed 4,646 secondary school teachers to find out how they were handling issues arising from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the classroom. While 52 percent of teachers said students are discussing the conflict in Israel and Gaza, a worrying 50 percent said they do not feel confident in addressing the issues arising among pupils about the conflict in the Middle East. The poll, conducted on 29 January via the platform Teacher Tapp, also showed antisemitic and Islamophobic views have surged among pupils in recent months. In London, 17 percent of said students were displaying behaviour which could be considered antisemitic when discussing the conflict, while 11 percent of teachers across all regions also confirmed anti-Jewish racism in pupils. Meanwhile, seven percent of teachers said

students were displaying behaviour which could be considered Islamophobic when discussing the current conflict. In response to the demonstrations taking place, both in support of the Palestinians and in support of Israel, just one percent of teachers said that students were joining public demonstrations in solidarity with the Jewish state. While eight percent said that students were joining demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinians. Responding to the poll, Dave Rich, director of policy at the Community Security Trust, said: “We have seen a worrying rise in antisemitic activity in schools since 7 October, much of it linked to the conflict, and it is vital that schools and teachers know how to recognise any antisemitic language and behaviour when it occurs and take appropriate action. “Schools should be places of learning where all children are treated equally and fairly, and it is important that discussions about this issue are managed in a balanced and sensitive way so that Jewish students do not feel isolated or targeted.” The revealing survey also confirmed that the Israel-Palestine conflict is a polarising issue that teachers are struggling to deal with in schools. Continued on page 6

BOUND TOGETHER BY LOVE Tied-up women covered in fake blood staged a ‘Rape Is Not Resistance’ demonstration outside BBC headquarters in central London this week, accusing the broadcaster of a lack of vocal support for 14 women among those still being held in Gaza. Full story, page 5

‘I EMBRACED THE COMMUNITY AND THEY EMBRACED ME’ Mike Freer insists he would not dilute his support for Israel and British Jews if he had his time as MP again – as he pledged not to abandon the community after deciding to quit politics at the next election, writes Justin Cohen. After 14 years as MP for Finchley and Golders Green, the justice minister announced last Thursday that

he would not seek re-election after facing years of threats, safety scares and an arson attack on his constituency office. Even this week, following the surprise announcement, a man was arrested over a “threatening and abusive phone call” to the MP’s office. And while he insisted it was hard to imagine that antisemitism and his pro-Israel stance have not con-

tributed to some incidents over the years, the former Barnet council leader told Jewish News: “More than 30 years ago I embraced the community and they embraced me. I wouldn’t change my approach.” Expressions of regret that Freer had felt compelled to stand down came from across the political divide, with the prime minister’s spokesman describing the abuse he had faced as

an assault on democracy. “My inbox has been flooded with messages of support,” Freer said. “I wonder if I made the right decision. It’s incredibly hard to walk away from a job you love. Have I allowed them to win? They’ve not silenced me but they’ve driven me out of a position of influence.” In his three decades of support for Continued on page 6

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 8 Febuary 2024

News / Hostages in Gaza

Fifty hostages in Gaza are now presumed to be dead by Jotam Confino in Israel

Fifty of the remaining 136 hostages held in Gaza are presumed dead, according to reports that emerged this week. In addition to the 31 hostages confirmed dead by the IDF on Tuesday, a New York Times report said Israeli intelligence officers were also assessing “unconfirmed information that indicated that at least 20 other hostages may have also been killed”, citing four officials. Some were killed on 7 October and their bodies dragged to Gaza, while others died of their injuries or were killed by terrorists while in captivity, according to the report. Hamas and Israel have been engaged in tense negotiations over a renewed ceasefire/hostage deal, with Qatar, the US and Egypt as mediators. Reuters revealed that Hamas has proposed a ceasefire in three phases, each lasting 45 days. In this period, all hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, as well as a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a reconstruction of the enclave. Israeli women hostages, males under 19, older and sick captives would be freed during the first phase in exchange for Palestinian women and children in Israeli prisons. The second phase would see the release of remaining male hostages.

Families of Israelis murdered by Hamas at the Nova festival march towards the Knesset

Bodies of hostages would be released in exchange for 1,500 Palestinian prisoners in the last phase. Israel has refused to withdraw completely from Gaza and end the war following a ceasefire, insisting on “total victory” over Hamas. Sky News Arabia, meanwhile, reported that Israel would be ready to free 3,000-5,000 Palestinian prisoners in a hostage deal, contradicting Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow not to release thousands of prisoners. Israeli soldiers continued to

attack Hamas and other terrorists in Khan Younis, killing dozens in the beginning of the week. IDF said reached most Hamas’ strategic compounds underground. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari also revealed that soldiers had found evidence indicating a direct “connection” from Iran to Hamas and in particular to terror leader Yahya Sinwar. “We found official Hamas documents from 2020 detailing the funds transferred by Iran between the years 2014 and 2020 to Hamas and to

Sinwar. More than one hundred and fifty million dollars were transferred from Iran to Hamas,” Hagari said. Soldiers found a safe with banknotes and bags containing more than 20m shekels. Special forces also found another tunnel in Khan Younis in which Israel believes 12 hostages were held at different times along with high-ranking Hamas members. According to defence minister Gallant, 18 Hamas battalions are dismantled and no longer function as fighting military frameworks.

He also claimed that Sinwar “goes from hideout to hideout, and is unable to communicate with his surroundings”. Meanwhile, Hamas said that more than 27,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October, still refusing to clarify how many of those are members of terror groups. 227 Israeli soldiers have been killed so far during the army’s ground invasion in Gaza. According to Israeli estimates, more than 10,000 terrorists have been killed so far. While rights groups continue to warn about a looming famine, more than 11,000 lorries with humanitarian aid have entered Gaza during the past four months. This includes 140,000 tons of food, 1,000 water trucks, 17,000 tons of medical supplies and 23,000 tons of tents and shelter equipment. Israel believes that half of aid is hijacked by Hamas, according to a report by Channel 12. Meanwhile, Israel is still not able to verify whether medical aid has been sent to hostages, despite Qatar brokering a deal on 16 January. In recent weeks hundreds of demonstrators have tried to block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza from the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing. The demonstrators demand that Israel withhold aid to Gaza until the hostages are released.

MOST ISRAELIS WANT ‘Houthis’ reckless UK SENDS ENVOY TO DEAL TO BE PRIORITY attacks must stop’ UAE CEASEFIRE TALKS A majority of Israelis believe that bringing back the 136 hostages from Gaza should be the main goal of the war, according to a new poll, writes Jotam Confino. Only 36 percent believe that toppling Hamas should be the main goal, compared to 51 percent saying the hostages should be prioritised. The poll, conducted by the Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research at the Israel Democracy Institute, comes amid big demonstrations against the government’s failure to bring back the remaining hostages and its insistence that only military pressure on Hamas can secure their release. Some 87 percent of respondents who voted for the United Arab List said that

releasing hostages should be the top priority, compared with just 19 percent among those who voted for the farright Religious Zionism party. The poll also found that 71 percent of respondents believe that elections should be brought forward.

The foreign secretary has implored the Houthis to stop their “reckless” attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea following the latest UK-US air strikes. Lord Cameron said the third wave of joint UK and US assaults on Houthi positions in Yemen on Saturday took place after “repeated warnings” for the rebel group to cease its harassment campaign. The Ministry of Defence confirmed Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s were supported by Voyager tankers during the allied mission as they targeted locations in Yemen used by the Iranbacked militants. More than 30 sites across 13 locations were hit by coalition forces, according to a joint statement by the eight

nations involved. Cameron tweeted on Sunday: “[The Houthis’] reckless actions are putting innocent lives at risk, threatening the freedom of navigation and destabilising the region. The Houthi attacks must stop.” But rebel leaders said the latest air strikes would not deter them from targeting commercial ships in an operation they say is backing Palestinians in Gaza. Houthi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree said: “These attacks will not discourage Yemeni forces and the nation from maintaining their support for Palestinians in the face of the Zionist occupation and crimes. “The aggressors’ air strikes will not go unanswered.”

A Foreign Office minister will travel to the United Arab Emirates to continue talks with partners in the Middle East about establishing a “sustainable ceasefire” in the war between Israel and Hamas. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon will return to the region on Monday to continue British engagement over the conflict, the Foreign Office said. He will visit Abu Dhabi, where he is expected to meet foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss how to secure an “immediate pause” in the fighting, and alleviate the “desperate” humanitarian situation in Gaza. Officials said he will try to “build momentum” on the

UK initiative for an international contact group that can work towards long-term peace and stability in the region. Foreign secretary Lord Cameron has been advancing the concept in recent weeks. Middle East minister Lord Ahmad said: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is desperate and there is an urgent need for an immediate pause to get life-saving aid in and hostages out. “The UK remains firmly committed to working with our key partners, like the UAE, to secure an immediate pause in fighting, make progress towards a sustainable ceasefire, and build momentum towards a longterm political solution to the crisis.”

www.jewishnews.co.uk

8 February 2024 Jewish News

Hostages in Gaza / News

Sunak meets families of Britons still held captive Rishi Sunak this week met with families of hostages held by Hamas as he promised to do “all we can” to get the captives held in Gaza released, writes Joy Falk. He spoke with the sister of one British citizen still being held by terrorists as well as the aunt of another British hostage. Relatives and friends of two other hostages with close ties to the UK were also at the meeting. The prime minister, in a post on X (Twitter), said: “To have a loved one taken hostage by terrorists is an unthinkable horror. “Today I met again with British families still going through that harrowing ordeal. We will continue to do all we can to bring hostages held by Hamas in Gaza safely home.” It comes as the United States secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Egyptian leaders as part of his efforts to secure a ceasefire in the conflict in exchange for the release of hostages.

More than 100 captives, mostly women and children, were released during a week-long ceasefire in November in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Efforts continue to secure the release of further hostages. A spokeswoman for Sunak said: “The prime minister has this afternoon met the families of the two British hostages held in Gaza and hostages with links to the UK at No 10. “The prime minister wanted to reassure them that securing the safe release of hostages, and particularly British and UK-linked hostages, remains an absolute priority and is the focus of ongoing sustained negotiations alongside the importance of agreeing a humanitarian pause.” The meeting with the families and friends was hosted by Middle East minister Lord Ahmad, with Sunak joining for part of the discussion.

The prime minister said: ‘We will continue to do all we can to bring hostages held by Hamas in Gaza safely home’

PM BACKS COMMENTS ON PALESTINIAN STATE

A demonstration in central London for the release of hostages held in Gaza

Board launches ‘Adopt a Hostage’ campaign The Board of Deputies has launched an ‘Adopt a Hostage’ campaign, drawing attention to the 136 people still held in Gaza. Some 48 synagogues and organisations have each chosen a hostage to adopt. They are encouraged to remember them “by name in prayers, to post on social media and reach out to local press regarding the hostage they are specifically championing, and to reserve a seat in the synagogue with a photograph of the hostage”. Hundreds of Jews and non-Jews have signed up to join the Board’s vigils outside parliament which draws attention to the hostages. The vigils take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays while parliament is in session.

Board president Marie van der Zyl said: “We are now about to enter the third month of our vigils for the hostages, and it is more important than ever that people join us in ensuring that they are not forgotten. “More than 130 hostages are still believed to be held by the brutal terrorists of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. We invite everyone who cares about the liberty and safety of those who have been held in captivity to stand with us in maintaining the knowledge and understanding of their plight. “We also invite more communities to come forward to ‘adopt’ a hostage, to ensure that every single one of those remaining in Gaza has a specific community to champion them.”

Rishi Sunak this week gave his backing to his Foreign Secretary after Lord David Cameron suggested the UK could look at recognising a Palestinian state. The remarks were seen in some quarters as a shift in tone and policy from the UK Government, an interpretation Downing Street has rejected. But the comments still sparked a backlash from Tory MPs, with some suggesting such a move would “reward Hamas’s atrocities”. The foreign secretary told a Conservative Middle East Council reception in Westminster last week that formal recognition could help end the Israel-Hamas conflict and make a two-state solution in the Middle East “irreversible”. The prime minister indicated that he believed Lord Cameron’s words had been over-interpreted, as he also declined to explicitly say whether he thought his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu listens to his concerns about the situation in Gaza. Sunak said: “Our position is the same, and as David was saying, we are committed to a two-state solution, we are absolutely committed. “That has been a long-standing position of the UK government, and actually what has happened over the last few months has reminded us that we need to redouble our efforts to bring that about, working with all our partners in the region. “I went very soon after the attacks to meet with everyone in the region to talk about this,

and we are playing a role. I met with the president of the Palestinian Authority specifically to talk about this. “But we have to think about that in the context of what is going on right now and that is why the immediate priority is to get aid in, get hostages out, build the conditions for a sustainable ceasefire.” Sunak, pressed about the British position in an interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, said: “At the moment what we are looking to do is build the conditions to get hostages out, aid in, a sustainable ceasefire – that looks forward to the future that the foreign secretary talked about, where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side, both with dignity, with peace, with security and opportunity.” Last month Netanyahu publicly said he opposed American calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state when the conflict comes to an end. Sunak was asked directly by the TalkTV host if Netanyahu listened to his advice. He said: “Actually we have managed over time to increase the number of trucks which are going into Gaza. “It is still not enough but compared to where we were in the beginning we have persuaded him to open up the crossing, to get hundreds of trucks in, but we need hundreds more. “So, look, there is progress that is being made, but it is nowhere near enough, and I will keep pushing so that we can get the support that we need to help people.”

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 8 February 2024

INVEST IN ISRAEL

with Israel Bonds NOW IS THE TIME!

5.65% 4.60% 4.57%

2-year GBP Jubilee bond

£1,000 min.

5-year GBP eMazel Tov bond

£36 min.

2-year US Jubilee bond

$25,000 min.

Jubilee rates as posted valid to 14 Feb. 2024. eMazel Tov rate valid to 29 Feb. 2024. Subject to conditions.

New! Buy Online:

https://online.israelbondsintl.com infoEN@israelbondsintl.com 020 3936 2712

Development Company for Israel (International) Ltd.

Your capital may be at risk.

This advertisement has been issued by the Development Company for Israel (International) Ltd., which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and registered in England No. 01415853. This is not an offering, which could only be made by prospectus. Your capital is at risk, the rules under FSMA for the protection of retail clients do not apply. An investment in any of these bonds will not be covered by the provisions of the Financial Services Compensation scheme, nor by any similar scheme. Israel bonds are intended as a long-term investment as they are not listed or admitted to dealing on any recognised investment or stock exchange nor is there any established secondary market, as a consequence Israel bonds are not readily realisable before their maturity date. DCI (International) Ltd is not the issuer of these bonds, they are issued by the State of Israel. In the event that the information regarding offered bonds on the State of Israel’s official records differs from the information contained here, the information on the State of Israel’s records shall control and take precedence. 02-24

www.jewishnews.co.uk

8 February 2024 Jewish News

Lovelock Hostage Bridge / BBC protest / News

Our lockdown in support of the hostages by Vanessa Feltz On 7 October, about 250 innocent people experienced the unimaginably distressing nightmare of being dragged from the tranquility of Israel into Gaza. For more than 120 days vulnerable old men and women, teenagers and a baby, for God’s sake, have been suffering in excruciating conditions. Hostages released from Gaza have reported horrendous conditions: food deprived; tormented; no access to showers; without medication; and relentlessly assaulted by their captors. Often in dark, cold and intimidating tunnels. I have been privileged to capitalise upon various platforms advocating for their release – and not so privileged to have been insulted and trolled with an ongoing cascade of toxic abuse, insults, threats and curses in return. And yet, like many in the community, feel a constant undercurrent of inadequacy and impotence.

I also don’t think I’ve been the only one to be perturbed and concerned by the lack of exposure the hostage plight is securing in the media. This is one of the most outrageous, savage and momentous events imaginable and yet, after a few days of intense coverage, the news agenda has moved on and eclipsed this desperate situation. So, when my best friend Marcel recently mentioned he was working on a creative initiative to support the hostages, I didn’t hesitate to offer help. When chairing Young Jewish Care, Marcel challenged committees to shake off the oldfashioned ways and deliver fresh and innovative fundraising events. He trumpeted the mantra: ‘Spit in the face of convention’. Well, Marcel’s idea to generate awareness and sympathy for the hostages’ plight certainly does that. The Lovelock Hostage Bridge will be visually reminiscent of the padlock-covered bridges sproutingup all over the world, with each

padlock symbolising the everlasting bond between lovers. However, this bridge (linking JW3’s entrance to Finchley Road) will be an evergrowing display of love and solidarity towards the hostages. On Sunday 11 February more than 100 padlocks carrying the names of hostages will be attached to the bridge. Alongside these padlocks, those signed by hostage family members will also be added, as will ones signed by: me; Alan Yentob; Alastair Campbell; Howard Jacobson; Lily Ebert; Manor Solomon; Sir Martin Sorrell; Dame Maureen Lipman; Nick Ferrari; Rachel Riley; Simon Sebag Montefiore; Sir Simon Schama and Tracy-Ann Oberman. Plus a padlock signed by Uri Geller, bent of course! From 2.30pm anyone who wants to support the hostages in this imaginative and powerful way is invited to come to the Lovelock Hostage Bridge and attach their own padlock. You may well wish to bring your own padlock or you can pick one

Vanessa with the padlock she will add to the Lovelock Hostage Bridge

up from JW3’s reception. Every participant will be contributing to the creation of an ever-growing display of love for the hostages. And those who are abroad are encouraged to send signed padlocks to JW3, which will ensure that their padlocks also populate this emotive work of art. How wonderful it will be to have a place where we can not only demonstrate love for the hostages but we can contemplate and connect; it will be a cathartic experience.

Most importantly, I’m convinced that with the support of the community and sympathisers around, the Lovelock Hostage Bridge will secure media coverage globally and increase the volume of the call to bring them home now.  From 2.30pm on Sunday 11 February (and from 10am to 10pm every day except for Friday and Saturday) at The Lovelock Hostage Bridge; JW3, 341, Finchley Road, NW3 lovelockhostagebridge.com

FEMALE HOSTAGE DEMO OUTSIDE BBC Conservative MP Nicola Richards joined the deputy mayor of Jerusalem and protesters who posed in blood-soaked trousers t a protest held in front of the BBC London headquarters, writes Michelle Rosenberg. The rally, organised by the grassroots organisation 7/10 Human Chain Project, called on media outlets such as the BBC, as well as women’s groups, to address more strongly the ongoing plight of the 14 female hostages still held by Hamas. Attendees held up banners and posters of hostages, and used their voices to amplify the message that rape is never ‘a form of resistance’, and that the silence of media and women’s groups is unacceptable. It also called for an end to the general ‘culture of silence’ regarding the gender-based and sexual violence prevalent in this conflict. Richards, MP for West Bromwich East, said at the event: “My generation have been silent for so long, and this is exactly why I will not be silent. As women we know what it is like to

Photo : @amandarosephoto

feel vulnerable. We are usually good at standing shoulder to shoulder against gender based violence. “Hamas raped women and then murdered them. They used rape as a weapon of war. “Those who decide to stay silent about the sexual assaults of Hamas are continuing the very disrespect to Jewish women that Hamas

attempted in their butchering and rape.” Deputy mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, who also spoke at the event, said: “For the last few decades, we lobbied the world to believe and support women who were victims of abuse. It seems we advanced the cause for everyone –

except Israeli women. On October 7 the men of Hamas very clearly demonstrated that they had no boundaries or limits when it comes to rape, sexual violence, degradation and brutality towards women. “We all know that right now, there are 14 women, from age 18 upwards, being held captive by this terrifying group of men. We all know that they have been their captives for almost four months now. We all know that these women could be being routinely raped by their captors – and yet still the women’s groups, the BBC and others stay silent.” The rally took place a few days after an event at parliament which featured a range of informed speakers who provided searing insights into the tragic experiences of sexual violence during the attack on Israel by terrorists on 7 October.

Also speaking at Sunday’s rally was Ayelet Razin Bet Or, human rights lawyer and leader of the advocacy group to the United Nations regarding the 7/10 sex crimes. Ayelet, the former director of the Authority For The Advancement of The Status Of Women, said: “In the face of the most violent and widespread gender-based violence in recent history, it has started to feel like we are experiencing a certain form of silencing and gaslighting around this issue. Many who should be committed to impartiality appear to be engaging in this. “It feels as though these Israeli women have been abandoned, and their story is not worthy to be told. Silenced by politics, their pain, suffering, and abuse has not been put into context. This generation has come so far in its bid to believe survivors of sexual assault. “This issue goes beyond politics. Being silent is not an option. In the face of terror, silence is complicity, and we must not be quiet.”

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 8 February 2024

News / MP resigns / Charity drive

‘I wouldn’t change a thing’, says MP Freer Continued from page 1 In his three decades of support for the community his efforts that helped lead to increased security funding for communal buildings stands out. Following a visit to JW3 shortly after its opening in 2013, he realised there was a need for funding for commercial security guards at all communal buildings – and not just some schools. “I lobbied the David Cameron and Theresa May with the CST and others to introduce a Government grant although they recognised the need immediately.” That grant started off at £2m and rose to Mike Freer’s office after the arson over £12m annually. In 2014, his sup- attack and, inset, in the Commons port for Israel led to him resigning as a parliamentary private secretary to vote nostic centre. against a backbench motion to recognise a The 63-year-old was first state of Palestine – arguing that such a move threatened the year after his election by should only come at the end of a process Muslims Against Crusades before years rather than at the start. later escaping “by the skin of my teeth” On a national level, he was at the fore- when it emerged Ali Harbi, the killer of Sir front of the push for gay marriage, and David Amess, had previously watched his locally his achievements include success- constituency office. fully campaigning for a permanent breast Freer had worn a stab proof vest at conscreening unit at Finchley Memorial Hos- stituency surgeries and other public events pital, which paved the way for a wider diag- since. But he had been planning to stand

until a suspected arson attack on office around Christmas – a moment he describes as “the last straw” which made him realise that he could no longer put his husband through the worry of wondering if he’d return each day. “As public figures to a large degree we accept we will face some abuse. For Angelo to worry when he sees me put on a stab vest is another thing. Angelo preferred me to drive to and from the Commons or would insist on collecting me from the station. If was on the street and someone stopped me I noticed I started to put distance between myself and them.” Although he says it’s too early to know what challenges await him after the next election, for now he plans to feed into Government ideas for tackling hate including the need for the Met to make more arrests in real time at pro-Palestine demos. Doing so at the demos rather than afterwards would create more of a deterrent, he insisted.

TEACHERS STRUGGLE WITH IMPACT OF WAR Continued from page 1 While 52 percent of teachers said that students are discussing the conflict in Israel and Gaza, 22 percent said that pupils were distressed at what they were viewing. Meanwhile, 21 percent of teachers said that pupils were angry with what they’re viewing. The poll also saw 18 percent of teachers confirming they had witnessed pupils arguing with others about the conflict. The results appear to back claims by teachers who say they need more support to address issues arising among students about the conflict. Some 58 percent of teachers said their school is not willing to appropriately address issues that might emerge related to the Middle East conflict. This fell to 47 percent for teachers in private schools. Only three percent of teachers said they had the training to deal with issues like the Middle East conflict, while 11 percent said that their school had the resources to support them in dealing with issues or problems in school related to the issue. Meanwhile, 18 percent said they know where to go externally to get assistance. Headteachers (67 percent) and those in a senior leadership team (59 percent) had higher levels of confidence than classroom teachers (36 percent), the lowest ranking teachers in seniority, to deal with issues arising from the conflict. Misbah Malik, senior policy officer at HOPE Not Hate said: “Schools are important places to foster cohesion and fight hate, but they need the right support, training and resources to be able to do so.”

Aliyah: Building Dreams & Saving Tax ✓ Tax efficient investing before and after Aliyah ✓ 10 years tax free income ✓ 10 years tax free gains

✓ No inheritance tax ✓ Receive your entire pension pot tax free ✓ Specialist portfolio management for Olim

• The leading provider of Aliyah financial planning for 20 years • Helped thousands of UK Olim • To maximise the generous tax advantages and investment opportunities, contact our specialist team. 230 Golders Green Road London NW11 9AT

020 8202 1944 GoldersGreen@RaymondJames.com GoldersGreen.RaymondJames.UK.com

With investing, your capital is at risk. 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

8 February 2024 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 8 February 2024

News / King’s cancer / Racial inclusivity

Chief sends King his prayers Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has issued a statement on behalf of the community wishing King Charles “a refuah sheleima” after Buckingham Palace confirmed he had been diagnosed with cancer. Mirvis said he was “saddened to have heard about the King’s diagnosis”, adding: “I know that the Jewish communities of Great Britain and the Commonwealth will join me in wishing him a refuah sheleima – a complete and swift recovery.” Charles, 75, has begun treatment for the cancer, Buckingham Palace said on Monday, a week after he had surgery for an enlarged prostate.

The Board of Deputies tweeted: “Our thoughts are with His Majesty and the Royal Family at this time. “We wish the King a refuah sheleimah – a full and speedy recovery. ” Progressive Judaism sent a message, wishing the king “a speedy return to full health and the service of our country”. Mitzvah Day CEO Stuart Diamond said: “May strength and resilience guide him through this difficult period.” The Jewish Leadership Council also issued its own “speedy recovery” plea to the King, who had long been known for his close and supportive relationship with the community.

Following the announcement, Charles’s younger son, Prince Harry, made it known that he had spoken with the King. Harry, who lives in California with his wife, Meghan, flew to London on Tuesday to see his father. Charles and Harry met for about 45 minutes before the King left for a flight to Sandringham. Israel’s president Isaac Herzog wrote on social media that he wished Charles a “full and speedy recovery”, adding: “I have greatly appreciated my recent conversations and the opportunities to meet with His Majesty, and have always greatly benefited from his wisdom and insight. I

look forward to seeing His Majesty’s swift return to public engagements.” Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent “heartfelt well wishes to King Charles III and our prayers for his good health”. The Palace says the King’s cancer was identified during his recent treatment for a benign prostate problem. A separate issue of concern was noted,” the Palace confirmed, and “subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.” Prince William returned to royal duties yesterday, his first public service since wife Kate had abdominal surgery last month.

Chief Rabbi Mirvis receives his knighthood from the King

RACIAL INCLUSIVITY REPORT TO BE REVISITED A follow-up report on the implementation of the Board of Deputies’ 2021 racial inclusivity inquiry has been delayed but is due to be published in the spring, Jewish News was told this week, writes Lee Harpin. The Commission on Racial Inclusivity was launched by the Board under the chairmanship of journalist Stephen Bush, then a leading writer with the New Statesman and now

associate editor and columnist at the in rabbinic training should encourage members of under-represented Financial Times. Its report said 17 different areas ethnic groups to put themselves forward for communal roles”, and of communal life had been conthat “Jewish schools should sidered, leading to 119 recomensure that their secular mendations “with profound curriculum engages with implications for British black history, enslavement Jewry”. Among the recomand the legacy of colonialism, mendations were that “repand review their curriculum resentative bodies and organisations involved Stephen Bush through a process led by stu-

dents, particularly those who define as black or of colour”. There is little or no indication that any of these recommendations have been followed up. This week, Deputies vice-president Edwin Shuker said some of the recommendations referred specifically to changes which needed to be made at the Board. He said: “We are pleased to say that the Board has

taken on all the recommendations that applied to it.” But the Board had “also engaged with its own deputies and Jewish community stakeholders” to find out what synagogues and other bodies had done and what extra action they need to do. Shuker told Jewish News that “a report summarising the entire process is currently in draft form and will be published in the spring”.

INDEPENDENT ALIYAH CONSULTANT

L e t ' s t a l k I S R A E L / A L I YA H

Free Consultations SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH DOV IN NORTH WEST LONDON 11th - 13th - 14th FEBRUARY Call, Email or Scan...

www.jewishnews.co.uk

8 February 2024 Jewish News

Bristol tribunal / Rochdale by-election / News

TO STAND AT Miller censured but GALLOWAY ROCHDALE BY-ELECTION sacking was unfair Prof David Miller was unfairly dismissed by Bristol University and had experienced discrimination based on his anti-Zionist beliefs, a tribunal has ruled, writes Lee Harpin. In a judgment delivered on Monday by regional employment judge Rohan Pirani, the tribunal found in favour of Miller in his claim against the university. In his 108-pageruling, the judge concluded that Miller’s “anti-Zionist beliefs qualified as a philosophical belief and a protected characteristic” under the 2010 Equality Act. Miller suffered “direct discrimination” from the university in relation to the decision to dismiss him and to reject an appeal from him against the decision. He was also said to have been wrongfully dismissed when there was no payment of notice made to him. However, further claims for indirect and direct discrimination were dismissed. The judgment notes that, had he still been employed, there was a “30 percent chance” Miller would have been dismissed two months after he

David Miller: Still blameworthy

made further comments on social media in August 2023. The Union of Jewish Students said it was “disappointed” by the decision which could set a “dangerous precedent” about what can be said on campus about Jewish students and JSocs. This would “make Jewish students less safe”, it said. But UJS noted that the ruling also said Miller contributed to his own downfall, labelling him “culpable and blameworthy”. The academic, who sparked fury

among Jewish students at the university with his remarks in relation to Zionism, claimed he “suffered discrimination based on his philosophical belief that Zionism is inherently racist, imperialist, and colonial”. Celebrating the judgment his lawyers claimed that it established for the first time the protection of anti-Zionist beliefs in the workplace. In 2019, Miller sparked anger in the community after it emerged that during a lecture he had described the Zionist movement as one of five pillars driving Islamophobia in the UK. A CST spokesperson said: “Despite finding in Miller’s favour, the tribunal still said that he was equally to blame for his own dismissal. Since then he has continued to express his obnoxious opinions on Iranian State TV, which is exactly where he belongs.” Miller was sacked in 2021 after a campaign of complaints against him by the Union of Jewish Students, the Community Security Trust and the Board of Deputies over comments including the claim Israel wanted to “impose [its] will all over the world”.

George Galloway is trying to entice Muslim trying to turn a byvoters into backing him election this month in as the “pro-Palestine Greater Manchester candidate”. into a vote on Labour’s Galloway’s latest stance on Israel, writes campaign includes the Lee Harpin. suggestion on his leaflet The leader of the that “the people of Gaza “anti-woke” Workers don’t have a vote in this Party – who was election – you do”. expelled from Labour One source in Rochin 2003 – has delivered dale claimed to Jewish George Galloway thousands of camNews: “Galloway’s paign leaflets to voters in Rochdale leaflet is full of lies, lies and more lies. claiming the by-election is a “straight But what’s new there?” choice between George who will fight The Rochdale by-election, on 29 for Palestine… and Keir Starmer who February, has been called following will fight for Israel”. the death in January of the MP, Sir In inflammatory and conten- Tony Lloyd, with a general electious claims, it also claims Starmer tion also set to take place this year. has “proven that he is in the pocket Lloyd was last elected in 2019 with a of Israel” and that when he stood as 9,668 majority over the Conservative a candidate in the July 2021 by-elec- Atifa Shah, who came in second with tion in Batley and Spen, “George was 14,807 votes. just a few votes shy of winning”. Labour will hope to retain the seat In fact, Galloway finished in third it has held since 2010, having selected place after votes were counted in the its Lancashire group leader, Azhar West Yorkshire seat, 5,000 votes shy Ali as the candidate. But Galloway is of the winner, Kim Leadbetter. hoping to capitalise on claims that The former Respect Party leader Labour support among Muslims has had also tried a similar tactic in dipped in response to its stance on Batley as he now is in Rochdale, Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza.

10 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

E K TA

Applications are now open for Israel Tour 2024. Tour may look different this year but, thanks to the efforts of our partners both in Israel and the UK, we are delighted to be able to launch.

R U O Y

E C 4 2 A R L TOU L E A R IS

All logistics are now ﬁnalised and the Youth Movements and organisations have planned incredible itineraries for a an amazing and empowering experience. Israel Tour strengthens Jewish identity and deepens our connection to Israel. To find out more and for information about the UJIA Access Israel Fund visit

ujia.org/israel-tour-2024

ujia.org

United Jewish Israel Appeal is a registered charity no. 1060078 (England & Wales) and SC 039181 (Scotland).

“I just hope to survive the winter” Hanna’s home was destroyed by a bomb. This winter, temperatures will reach -20°C in Ukraine. She needs your help. Will you repair Hanna’s home and keep her warm this winter?

SCAN TO DONATE NOW

T: 020 8736 1250 E: info@worldjewishrelief.org

worldjewishrelief.org/winter

www.jewishnews.co.uk

8 February 2024 Jewish News

Podcast launch / Bevis Marks / News

planning approval JN partners on Jews New ‘threat’ to Bevis Marks Do Count podcasts The Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) and JW3 London are launching a new podcast series, Jews Do Count, media partnered with Jewish News, writes Michelle Rosenberg. Featuring JPR executive director Dr Jonathan Boyd and JW3 chief executive Raymond Simonson, the series explores different aspects of Jewish identity today, and discusses how the community might build a more robust and vibrant future for itself in the UK. The podcast show will consist of seven halfhour episodes, with a new one released on a Thursday. All episodes will be available on the JW3 and JPR websites. The podcast, produced by Richard Miron from Earshot Strategies, will include interviews with several experts from the UK Jewish community, as well as the opinions of numerous British Jews who shared their thoughts and feelings with us. It will draw on some of the key findings from JPR’s recent landmark report ‘Jews in the UK today,’ using the data to discuss some of the most fundamental issues facing Jews in the UK today. JPR executive director Dr Jonathan Boyd said: “The research we do is meant to serve as a resource to anchor and inform the numerous debates and discussions that happen across the Jewish community every day. This podcast series is a new mechanism to achieve that, and in JW3,

City of London’s planning committee has voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of a proposal which could again threaten the historic Bevis Marks Synagogue, built in 1701. Last Wednesday, members of the committee agreed to consider a plan from developer Welput, which wants to build a skyscraper block in Bury Street, yards away from Bevis Marks. The synagogue’s Rabbi Shalom Morris, who led a successful campaign against a broadly similar plan in 2021, said the new one “feels like a miscarriage of justice”. “We are shocked that the City of London

Raymond Simonson (left) and Jonathan Boyd

we have the perfect partner to help bring the data to life, and to spark new conversations about how best to sustain and build Jewish life in the UK.” JW3 chief executive officer Raymond Simonson said: “I’m very excited to host this exciting new podcast. JW3 as the home of Jewish culture and conversation makes us and JPR the ideal partners. We hope that this podcast will trigger conversations, not only in the board rooms but around Shabbat tables, allowing the community at large to engage in the most pressing issues.” For a preview of the first episode, ‘What makes a Jewish identity’, visit shorturl.at/iFWY2

is attempting to erode the synagogue’s protections and acting in such an underhanded manner,” he added. “This is an abuse of power and a breach of our community’s trust.” If the current plans are carried out as envisaged, the skyscraper will cut out any natural light from the sanctuary. A City of London spokesman denied a threat to Bevis Marks, saying the new plan recognises its importance and gives it “appropriate protection”. He added that a consultation will take place in spring following by an examination in public by an independent inspector later this year.

ISRAEL SOLIDARITY SUCCESS Three prominent Jewish Futures organisations, GIFT, JRoots, and Aish, have successfully concluded a series of solidarity and volunteering trips in Israel. JRoots organised and facilitated the trips, GIFT promoted volunteering initiatives, and Aish Young Professionals focused on fostering identity and connection to Israel. The joint endeavours of these organisations included diverse and essential activities such as farming, demonstrating solidarity with local communities, hosting BBQs for soldiers, distributing donated items, and visiting mourners sitting shiva. The col-

Rob and Jennifer Airley with Rabbi Schiff

lective impact of these initiatives emphasised the power of collaboration in making a meaningful difference. One highlight of the trip was the profound engagement with survivors and families affected by both historical and recent events.

12 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

News / Archbishop acts / Empathy plea / Memorial vandalism

Chaplain disciplined over ‘extreme’ posts who retired from The Archbishop of York paid duties in Southhas withdrawn permiswark diocese some sion to officiate from years ago but after a chaplain exposed by moving to York conJewish News over his tinued to perform extreme social media duties at the catheposts about “Ziondral as a volunteer. ists”, “Jews” and Keir Dean of York the Starmer’s Labour Party, Very Rev Dominic writes Lee Harpin. Barrington acknowlYork Minster conArchbishop of York edged “how disfirmed on Monday Stephen Cottrell tressing and proit had been told the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cot- foundly harmful Mr Griffith’s trell, had acted in response to the comments had been, particularly conduct of Rev Stephen Griffith, towards those in the Jewish com-

OWN

Now’s the time to secure your future in Israel

munity”. He added Griffith had ceased to be a volunteer chaplain at York Minister which “enjoys good relationships with our Jewish brothers and sisters and remains committed to working for peace, reconciliation and understanding against the background of the continuing conflict in Israel and Gaza”. Among his posts on X/Twitter, Griffith responded to Labour MP Chris Bryant last December by writing: “As Israeli-owned Labour MPs continue to take the shekel of genocide, more and more people

Some of the social media posts from Stephen Griffith

are abandoning Labour ... Zionist Labour is an abomination .” Earlier posts saw Griffith condemn the existence of a “Jewish” state and claim: “Israel murders children daily. Like a vampire needing the blood of the living.” He also posted: “That’s the

JERUSALEM

SOUTH NETANYA

MEKOR HAIM Fix Price

NIS 3.14MIL

FLO

IR YAMIM

From

NIS 4.9MIL

20% deposit to secure the deal with linear payments until delivery

Top producer in appeal for WAR MEMORIAL THUGS ‘empathy for the innocent’ COULD FACE JAIL TERM The producer of the acclaimed film The Zone of Interest has used his speech at an awards ceremony to stress “innocent people killed in Ukraine or south Israel are as deserving of empathy as innocent people being killed in Gaza or Yemen or anywhere else”. James Wilson, who produced the acclaimed film, which focuses on the lives of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Hoss and his wife Hedwig, was speaking after it was named Best Film at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards. Much of the work, loosely based on the 2014 novel by Martin Amis, was shot at Auschwitz. Receiving the award alongside director Jonathan Glazer, Wilson said: “One of the questions of

James Wilson, producer of The Zone Of Interest

the film boils down to selective empathy, whether we care more about the health and safety and violence against innocent groups of people more than other innocent people.”

He added that “in the world right now innocent people being killed in Ukraine or south Israel are as deserving of empathy as innocent people being killed in Gaza or Yemen or anywhere else. “Thank you for your recognition of a film posing that question.” On social media on Monday, Wilson’s comments were reported wrongly as suggesting not enough empathy was given to the suffering of the people in Gaza. Musician Mica Levi, speaking after The Zone of Interest won the technical achievement award, was applauded for wishing for a “ceasefire” and “change” in the region. Glazer joined the winners’ list by taking home the director of the year prize.

SOU

South Netanya

Jerusalem

10% deposit to secure the deal with linear payments until delivery

problem when you have a Jewish state” and in October 2022 claimed of Israel: “Most Jews choose to live elsewhere: why would they want to live by stealing land, burning crops, shooting children when they could live decent lives making the world a better place?”

Protesters who climb on war memorials could face three months in prison and a £1,000 fine under plans being proposed by the home secretary. James Cleverly said climbing memorials was “an insult” and “cannot continue”. He vowed last year to look into giving police new powers to protect remembrance sites after pro-Palestine protesters climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in London following a demonstration at Parliament on 15 November. Downing Street described the behaviour as an “affront”, but Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said arresting protesters would have been unlawful. The Home Office said under new plans to criminalise such activity, climbing on war memorials will

become a specific public order offence which would “stop protesters disrespecting those who have given their lives for our country”. The announcement comes after 10,000 pro-Palestine supporters again marched in central London on Saturday calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Cleverly, an ex-Territorial Army officer in the Royal Artillery, said: “Recent protests have seen a small minority dedicated to causing damage and insulting those who paid the ultimate price for their freedom to protest ... climbing on our war memorials is an insult to these monuments of remembrance and cannot continue. “That is why I am giving police the powers they need to ensure they have the tools to keep order and peace on our streets.”

From

10% deposit linear

8 February 2024 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Students praised / BBC sacking / News

RILEY AND RIFKIND PRAISE STUDENTS

Speakers address the UJS event at Hammerson House

The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) welcomed more than 100 guests to a debate about campus life with Countdown presenter Rachel Riley and journalist Hugo Rifkind, writes Michelle Rosenberg. The event at Hammerson House in north London saw UJS president Edward Isaacs and the two celebrities in a wideranging discussion across politics, campus life, 7 October and media bias. Isaacs told the assembled guests 7 October had been a “turning point for Jewish students’ engagement”. Noting there was always a correlating upswing in challenges for Jewish students on campus after any military action or war in Israel, he added: “I knew this would be different.” Reflecting on her experiences, Rachel Riley said: “I could have shut up but I didn’t want to be a bystander.” After 7 October, “there wasn’t a choice this time” and she

was “stunned by the scale of media bias” in the UK following the Hamas atrocities. Riley told Jewish News she felt “Jewish students were on the sharp end of the rise in antisemitism. That’s my biggest concern for young people.” She added that in speaking to young people on campus, much of the abuse was from “their best friends, friends they grew up with since they were children. They’re not saying anything strong and they’re being cut off and blocked for being Jewish.” Joking her “mum is Jewish but my dad is Man United”, she said she felt “genuinely sad” some students considered hiding their Jewishness and it was up to univerrsity leadership to “show that is not acceptable. We’re in an age where we value difference. I want to be proudly Jewish because I think courage breeds courage.” Rifkind said the Jewish community

“had been let down by the liberal left” and instead were left with support from farright elements. On the challenges of social media, he said: “It’s a genre I’ve defined as antisemites antisemitically explaining why it isn’t antisemitic to be antisemitic.” Recalling his earlier journalistic work covering student politics, Rifkind said: “I was aware back then that in the pantheon of student-y, left-wing causes, which were anti-racism and anti-homophobia, there was already a fairly strong anti-Zionist element. And I remember thinking at the time, ‘that’s unfortunate, I hope that goes away’, not really dwelling on it.” Despite students facing unprecedented antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on campus, Isaacs said “we’ve seen immense resilience and glimmers of hope”. He added: “I hope we’ve reassured students that there is a place for them on campus.”

Integrity and trust are the foundation of the relationships we’ve built with clients over the past 25 years. We will help you fulfill your dream of owning property in Israel.

ORENTIN

UTH TEL AVIV

CONNECT Let’s start a conversation.

HAIFA JULIAN NATHAN

BENBINISHTI 7 Florentin

NIS 2.93MIL

t to secure the deal with payments until delivery

COMMUNITY HAIFA Haifa Port

PRE-SALE PRICES

From

NIS 1.45MIL

20% deposit to secure the deal with linear payments until delivery

Managing Director

NICCI RAZ

Head of Marketing & Sales

Scan the QR code

Disclaimer - Specific apartments and prices are subject to availability, and advertised materials are as of the date of advertising. Prices and availability could change and vary from time to time without prior notice. We cannot guarantee a specific apartment or price without signing a registration form.

BBC fires employee over online rants A BBC staff member at the centre of widespread outrage over unhinged antisemitic posts has been fired, Jewish News understands. Dawn Queva, who has worked in children’s programming, promoted a number of wild antisemitic and anti-Israel tropes. She called Jews “genocidal parasites” and “thieves” on her publicly-available Facebook page until last week, when the account was made private. It now appears to have been deleted. The BBC move comes after days of inaction amid disgust and outrage at her posts, which made references to the “subcontinental melanin recessive European CaucAsian invader so called “Jew”.” Queva also proudly displayed a “Facebook Jail Veteran” badge in reference to the number of times

she had been restricted by the platform for hate speech, bullying and harassment. Jewish News emails to Queva’s BBC work account were bouncing back this week and the broadcaster’s switchboard advised no one by the name of Dawn Queva was working at the organisation. Her LinkedIn profile featuring her employment at the BBC is no longer available. In a previous statement, the BBC refused to address Queva’s postings directly, saying: “We don’t comment on individual members of staff and we have well-established and robust processes in place to handle such issues. “We do not tolerate antisemitism, Islamophobia, or any form of abuse and we take any such allegations seriously.”

Some of the unhinged Facebook posts by Dawn Queva

14 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Get LIFE magazine delivered FREE to your door!

8 February 2024 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Israeli art / News

Heart to heart

A sale of donated work by Israeli artists is raising funds for therapy projects in the Negev, writes Beatrice Sayers Everything has small beginnings, they say, and so it was for this week’s starstudded exhibition of Israeli art at a gallery in London. A curator in Jaffa, Iris Elhanani, was handing over some work her British friend had bought at the previous week’s show, a planned encounter one Sunday last autumn that would have been unremarkable. But the day the two old friends were meeting was 8 October. Both arrived with a determination born of the ‘black Sabbath’ the day before. “I took the pictures to her and I said, ‘Let’s do something,’” Iris recalls. That something has come to fruition over the past week in a charity art sale and accompanying exhibition of work generously donated by 60 Israeli artists based both in Israel and in London, and which includes big names from the international art scene. Iris’ friend, Susan Coller, a former events organiser and fundraiser, was the perfect partner for their project, alongside co-curator

Ilana Wegrzyn, an Israeli based in London. Iris and Ilana have both been superheroes, Susan said. “Iris has worked tirelessly. I get phone calls at four o’clock in the morning – two o’clock for me because she’s up at four o’clock.” Iris and Ilana approached the artists they knew, and many they did not yet know, to ask whether they’d be willing to donate a work or works to be sold to help Israel’s communities in the western Negev. Susan found a venue – it took the Catto Gallery in Hampstead no more than five minutes to agree to donateits space, and plenty of its own time – sponsorship from the UJIA for mailings and masses of support from the Israeli community in London. As the Israel–Hamas war raged, the project gained momentum. The paintings, sculptures, photography and

craft art were at the gallery in Heath Street 1 -5 February, and can be viewed online until 1 March. They include works by artists with an international standing such as Zadok BenDavid, Ron Arad, Ori Gersht, Gideon Rubin and others still making their names. Women are well represented, and among the works that have been brought to the UK are pieces by the founders and members of an artists’ hub in the south of Israel. Sharon Ken-Dor and Limor Zarfaty Max, who came to London for the exhibition, founded Umm Culture in 2014. They are both from kibbutzes in the south: Sharon is from Erez – less than a mile from the Gaza border – and has been evacuated to Mitzpe Ramon, and Limor is from Kibbutz Rachama, to the east. Both lost friends in the 7 October attacks. Since that date, the organisation’s activities have been focused on using art to heal and empower, as well as on managing emergency aid to support the artists in the Gaza Envelope, facilitating access to equipment and art materials. The money raised from the sale of the works donated by the artists will go towards art therapy and creative programmes in the

Untitled by Hadass Shlagman and October 7th by Limor Zarfaty Max. Inset: co-curators Iris Elhanani (right) with Ilana Wegrzyn

I go to Chai for the big

*Care

is at the heart of everything we do.

We are providing face-to-face counselling, therapies and complementary therapies at Chai centres across the UK. This is in addition to all the specialised support and care that we continue to offer our clients through telephone, Skype & Zoom. For more information please call 0208 202 2211 or visit www.chaicancercare.org. Together we can cope. Together we will care.

Registered Charity No. 1078956

Western Negev communities run by Umm Culture. “This is just the perfect opportunity for us,” Sharon said. With both having now spent much time at centres for relocated families, they see how art is helping. “It enables people to express their trauma, without words, but by creating.” They are drawing on the work they have been using for years during rocket attacks from Gaza. “We’ve translated these techniques to help people being OK with not having control,” Sharon says. ”When people are stressed, and can’t be in the present, they touch the material and they calm down. They have a relief.” With the Israeli art scene very much based in Tel Aviv, they are happy to extend its influence to the south of the country – and now to London. For their work, the exhibition in Hampstead brought a extra bonus: a donor walked into the event with a pledge to fund a mammad (safe room), for children at their art therapy centre in Sderot, which will enable them to return far quicker than anticipated. In addition to the art sales, donations are being sought for Back Home Art Aid, a partnership with Tel Aviv Artists’ House. The ‘back home’ is a reference to the future, and the eventual return of Israelis from areas in the south that were evacuated after 7 October. The aim is to buy Israeli artworks that will then be placed in the new homes built in the Western Negev. During these dark days, Susan said, it has been lovely to see beauty coming from Israel. The exhibition in London has also emphasised that the Jewish community in the UK “is Israel’s too”, as she put it. “Am Yisrael chai. We are one.”  The art sale continues online until 1 March at artaidnow.com

16 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

He ali

xie ty An

Tr au ma

re ss

HELP GET THIS THERAPY BUS ON THE ROAD

TREATING TRAUMA THROUGH MUSIC More than 2,500 traumatised children will benefit from therapy provided by trained professionals on this repurposed public bus. The bus will move between communities most affected by the aftermath of October 7th. Please donate so that the bus can be kitted out as a mobile music therapy studio that will help thousands of children across Israel.

DONATE AT

myisraelcharity.org

UK registered charity number 1121960

Myisrael Music Therapy Bus Jnews advert 260mmx330mm_AW.indd 1

New Burlington House, 1075 Finchley Road, London NW11 0PU

30/01/2024 11:50

www.jewishnews.co.uk

8 February 2024 Jewish News

Murray defiant / News

Murray: I won’t be bullied’ A capacity audience of nearly 1,000 heard journalist and commentator Douglas Murray in defiant mood after a Technion fundraiser event was moved at the last minute from the Apollo Theatre in the West End to a north London synagogue, writes Jenni Frazer. In conversation with actress Louisa Clein, Murray, who has spent the past two months in Israel interviewing politicians and victims of the 7 October attacks, was pugnacious, calling Israel’s opponents, particularly in the UK, “moral buffoons”. He was particularly contemptuous of those he called the “lunatics” of the “Jews for Suicide Groups”, despising them as “the gay Neturei Karta”. Murray, who has won a reputation for trenchant, hard-line defence of Israel, received sustained applause throughout the evening from the packed synagogue audience – which included actor Kevin Spacey. Murray noted “it seems that if you support Hamas openly on the streets of Britain, the terrorists of October 7, the streets are yours. “If you are on the side of the Jews, they are not. That is a generational

failing, by politicians, by police and others. It should never have come to this. But I, at any rate, will not be bullied into silence.” He insisted: “I’m not shutting up or going anywhere”. Murray’s trademark is a waspish mocking of Israel’s enemies, saying scornfully “there are loads of people in London who have just learned about the Houthis: they discover a new terror group every week and they’re on their side in no time. Fantastic! These guys are shelling British and American ships, what’s not to like?” Later, he said “the people who call themselves anti-fascists are actually calling for the eradication of the Jewish state, they would finish the work of Adolf Hitler”. He said that when he first started travelling to Israel at the time of the 2006 Lebanon war, he had been “stunned by the disconnect” between what he was seeing and what was reported. He was particularly “stunned by the unbelievable lack of empathy for Israel. Most people, if you fired a rocket at them, they’d respond, and that would be regarded as a perfectly legitimate thing to do.

A packed synagogue audience listens to Murray (inset)

“But it was only Israel described as ‘retaliating’.” Murray asked, rhetorically: “What were they retaliating for? How about reporting the first rockets and who fired them?” He described Israel today as a country with “millions of stories every day”, and shared details of many painful conversations with survivors of the Hamas attacks and with released hostages. He concluded that “the feeling

of unity in Israel is very strong. The country is full of people who know what they need to do [in defence of the Jewish state]”. In the diaspora, however, Murray was highly critical of the way opposition to Israel was policed. The Jewish community should be doing more to protest. Describing the climbing on to war memorials during anti-Israel protests as “very sinister” for Britain

as well as the Jewish community, Murray said that “the British police have this view, which is not to escalate things. “This is different from the view of the French police… in France, the president is allowed to ban protests. “Macron banned the [anti-Israel] marches, and in the first week they happened the police intervened and they didn’t happen again. “The police in the UK believe, don’t make a fuss, record it and maybe go in afterwards. The problem is that nobody notices when you do a morning arrest at a house in east London. “What they notice is people standing in London calling for a Muslim army and that footage goes around the world”. Asked by Clein what she should say to her friends on the left, about how to balance their political beliefs with what Murray was saying about Israel and Hamas, the commentator was in no doubt: “Ask them to tell the truth. Look frankly at what is actually happening. I don’t care if I’m thought of as right-wing or not”.

18 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

News / Community profile

Report reveals snapshot of UK Jewish life on eve of war by Jenni Frazer

he number of British Jews identifying as Zionists fell from 72 percent 10 years ago to 63 percent in 2022, according to a new report from the Institute of Jewish Policy Research (JPR). Yet the report’s authors, Dr David Graham and Dr Jonathan Boyd, acknowledge that the data was gathered in November and December 2022, months before the 7 October Hamas terror attacks. Accordingly, they admit: “It’s highly likely this war has had an impact on Jewish people’s perspectives of Zionism and/or attachment to Israel, at least in the short to mediumterm.” They invite readers to view the findings as “a snapshot of UK Jewish opinion on the eve of that war”. The JPR report, launched today, offers a warts-and-all picture of British Jews — from the strictly Orthodox to the completely secular, from Hebrew speakers to Yiddish speakers, from Christmas tree owners to those poised to emigrate to Israel because of antisemitism. The figures show that 88 percent of British Jews have been to Israel at least once, and 73 percent say that they feel very or somewhat attached to the country. And the survey also says that the top four markers of Jewish identity — the way that British Jews see themselves — are “remembering the Holocaust, combating antisemitism, feeling part of the Jewish people, and strong moral and ethical behaviour”. Supporting Israel comes ninth in this list, out of 18 possible markers. Coming at the bottom of this list are keeping kosher, prayer, socialising in predominantly Jewish circles, and studying Jewish religious texts. All the findings in the report are designed to help community leaders plan for the next decade and more. The survey, known as the National Jewish Identity Survey, or NJIS, was carried out between 16 November and 23 December 2022, with 4,891 self-identifying Jewish people aged 16 and over and living in the UK. Factored in to some of the findings, such as synagogue attendance, for example, or Jewish cultural uptake, was the then continuing presence of Covid — leading to “virtual” participation in communal practice, which had not been available at the time of the last major JPR survey of this kind in 2013. “Jews in the UK” covers almost every known type of Jewish affiliation, from religious belief to festival celebration. Suffice it to say that there is bad news and good news for community planners: bad news for kosher butchers, perhaps, as when respondents were asked “whether kosher meat was purchased for their homes and whether they separated milk and meat utensils at home”, only 40 percent of households buy only kosher meat for their homes, and 39 percent separate milk and meat uten-

Eighty-eight percent of British Jews have visited Israel, and 73 percent feel ‘attached’ to it

sils. Only 29 percent of those polled ranked “keeping kosher” as very important in terms of their Jewish identity. But bakers can be a little more sanguine: four in five (79 percent) British Jews report having bought a challah in the last year. Close to one third (32 percent) of all British Jews said they had experienced some kind of antisemitic incident in the calendar year 2021. This figure, say the report’s authors, is higher than the figures that police or communal security figures have. Fourteen percent had experienced a “verbal” antisemitic attack, and 11 percent said they had “experienced online antisemitic abuse or harassment targeted at them personally because they are Jewish”. Younger people were much more likely

❝

57 PERCENT BELONG TO A SYNAGOGUE, YET JUST 18 PERCENT BELIEVE THE TORAH TO BE THE WORD OF GOD

than older people to have experienced an antisemitic incident. Thirty-nine percent of those aged 16 to 19 and 32 percent of those in their 20s said they had experienced one in 2021, compared with three percent of those aged in their 80s. Similarly, those currently in school, college or university were far more likely (35 percent) to have experienced an antisemitic incident than those who were employed or retired. Though more than half those surveyed — 52 percent — said it was “extremely unlikely” that they would make aliyah in the next five

years, the report also shows that Jews who did not “feel safe as a Jewish person living in the UK” or who had experienced an antisemitic incident, were notably more likely to consider making aliyah than others. There is mixed news for religious denominations: 47 percent of Jews consider the Torah to be a human creation while just 18 percent believe it to be the actual word of God, and 25 percent don’t believe in God at all. The report adds: “Supporters of the Conservative Party are far more likely to believe in God and the divine origins of the Torah than supporters of either the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats or the Green Party. Education is also associated with belief among Jews: those holding a degree are far less likely to believe in God or the divinity of the Torah than those who do not hold a degree.” However, “a majority of respondents said they belonged to a synagogue (57 percent), with a further 13 percent claiming an informal affiliation with one. Almost three in 10 (29 percent) said they were not shul members”. The report notes that “despite declining synagogue membership, when JPR last asked this question in 2013, we found exactly the same attendance results, with a minority (41 percent) of Jews attending frequently (monthly or more often) and most (59 percent) attending infrequently or not at all. “Notwithstanding the fact that, in 2022, online ‘attendance’ was an option which was unavailable in 2013, it does look as if there has been a level of stability in this regard, despite concerns that the pressures of secularism, assimilation and the Covid-19 pandemic (with the associated impact of synagogue closures under lockdown), may have impacted people’s habitual attendance routine.” Fasting on Yom Kippur has changed somewhat since 2013. Though 56 percent of all Jews say they fast every year, three percent more than a decade ago, a lot fewer — 18

percent — say they never fast, a decline from 26 percent in 2013. The report shows British Jews stepping inside and outside their Jewish identity. For example, 28 percent of all British Jews say they have a Christmas tree at home, and the younger Jews are, the more likely they are to do so. On the other hand, 85 percent of British Jews who have had a son, had him circumcised, including 60 percent of those who describe themselves as non-practising, secular or cultural Jews. And when it comes to death, the report says, “almost all Jews wish to have a Jewish funeral when the time comes. This desire is more or less universal among Charedi, Orthodox, traditional and Reform/Progressive Jews, and very high among those identifying as Just Jewish (88 percent). Only among non-practising secular/cultural Jews is the attitude different: only about half of this group (49 percent) say they want a Jewish funeral.” More cheerfully, the authors discern many links between happiness and being Jewish, both in levels of religious observance and engagement in Jewish communal life. In his introduction to the survey, JPR’s executive director, Jonathan Boyd, writes: “It

is important to note that the data for this study were collected several months before the barbaric attack on Israel by Hamas on 7 October 2023, but the report is being published after that. That event, and the war it has prompted, loom very large at the time of writing. “Jews around the world, including here in the UK, are reeling both from the sheer scale and brutality of the assault and from public reaction to it, which has included a significant spike in recorded antisemitic incidents. “It is distinctly possible that people’s Jewish identities will have shifted somewhat in response, perhaps particularly on variables related to Israel and antisemitism, although it is equally possible that any such changes will be temporary; one of the more striking aspects of the findings here is that many attitudes and behaviours appear to have shifted little over the past decade. Time will tell, and this report will provide a very important baseline against which to make future assessments”. • Professor Jonathan Boyd, page 22

www.jewishnews.co.uk

8 February 2024 Jewish News

BRCA testing / Board bid / Football rabbi / News

New cancer hope with launch of genetic test Thousands of lives may be saved in England as a new ground-breaking genetic testing programme is formally rolled out, writes Jenni Frazer. In a co-operation between NHS England and two Jewish charities, Jnetics and Chai Cancer Care, the tests are aimed at people with Jewish ancestry who may carry faulty BRCA genes and thus be more likely to develop cancer. At a House of Lords reception hosted by Lord Wolfson and Lord Pannick, guests – including doctors, nurses, lab technicians and counsellors who will work on the programme – heard the two men at the heart of the research speak of “delight” that the venture was finally under way. As Lord Wolfson made clear, the statistics say it all: “In the general population, approximately one in 200 to 250 people have a BRCA gene mutation. In the Sephardi Jewish population, that goes down to about one in 140. In the Ashkenazi population it goes down to one in 40. Look around the room and do the maths.” Two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, repair DNA damage and normally

The test kits are aimed at people with at least one Jewish grandparent

help to protect against cancer. A fault in one of these genes, increases the likelihood of developing certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer. Peter Johnson, professor of medical oncology at Southampton, and national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said: “It is fantastic to have got to this point and to deliver for the first time a genetic testing programme across the population.” Critically, he said, identification of faulty BRCA genes would enhance NHS screening and preventive measures. “It represents a step-change in

2,500 FIRST RESPONDER OXYGEN TANKS

dealing with this kind of heredity and to see what we can do. “We have designed [this] as a most convenient programme: people [aged over 18] can register online or phone to register. They get a saliva test through the post and send it back. And they have access to a counselling hotline to deal with any concerns they may have.” Since the soft roll-out began last year, 5,200 tests have been sent out and more than than 3,800 have already been returned. People with at least one Jewish grandparent can ask for a kit to be sent to their home at jewishbrca.org

Michael Ziff is the latest confirmed name to stand for election as president of the Board of Deputies. Current treasurer of the Board, Leeds-born Ziff said: “The president must listen to and empower its committed, talented and dedicated Deputies to support and advocate for our community.” He said that after the death of his mother this year he committed himself to say Kaddish in 200 different minyanim. This allowed him to travel the UK, and visit Israel, where he said

he “learned so much about our different communities and I listened to your challenges and concerns”. Pledging to unite the community, Ziff said the fight against the rise in antisemitism “must go beyond statements and complaints”, adding: “We must form a united, combined front. Strong partnerships and listening to those on the ground will achieve real results against hate.” Ziff joins Amanda Bowman, Phil Rosenberg and Sheila Gewolb in the election to be held in May.

RABBI BACK CHAIRING FA’S FAITH IN FOOTBALL GROUP The rabbi who resigned as chair of had been taking place whose concluthe Football Association’s Faith sions had enabled him to return in Football group within days to working with the FA. He of the Hamas massacre wrote: “Over the last three in Israel has changed his months, the FA has put into mind and will be returning action a zero-tolerance to work with the FA. approach to antisemitism On 13 October, Rabbi and worked hard to repair Alex Goldberg — who had their relationship with worked with the FA for 16 Rabbi Alex Goldberg the Jewish community. years — gave up his post Responding to demands in protest at the FA’s stance over hon- from Lord Mann, Maccabi and myself, ouring victims of the Hamas attacks. the FA is committed to making stadia This week, in a social media post, and the game a safe space for Jewish he disclosed that intense discussions players, staff and supporters.”

OCTOBER - A LIFESAVING RESPONSE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

9 PUBLIC DEFIBRILLATORS

‫חובש‬

400 BULLETPROOF HELMETS

595 FIRST RESPONDER ADVANCED LIFESAVING KITS BLOOD TESTING KITS FOR 160,000 UNITS

ZIFF CONFIRMS BID TO BE NEXT BOARD PRESIDENT

VEHICLES

13 MOBILE INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

MAGEN DAVID ADOM

26 AMBULANCES

7 4X4 AMBULANCES

OPERATION SWORDS OF IRON

1,000 BULLETPROOF VESTS

3 MOTORBIKES

30 FIRST RESPONDER CARS

Thanks to the generosity of our community, Magen David Adom UK has made a substantial and immediate lifesaving impact to the people of Israel. Your donations allowed us to buy a host of essential vehicles and equipment including 1,000 bulletproof vests and 46 ambulances. To further support the lifesaving work of Magen David Adom visit mdauk.org/donate, call 020 8201 5900 or scan the QR code. Registered Charity No. 1113409

20 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Editorial comment and letters

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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

ISRAEL’S THE ELEPHANT Your columnist Laura Marks waxes lyrical about the value of freedom, but then rants about the impact of the Gaza war being felt here “with incidents of both antisemitism and Islamophobia at an all-time high” (Jewish News, 24 January). She accuses “extremists” of seizing on the conflict, “blaming and committing hate crimes against these two communities right here in the UK”, adding that it is “critically important to stand up for the freedom of each other”. Bunkum! Who are the “extremists” she blames for unprecedented levels of antisemitism against British Jews, experiencing by far the highest level of hate crimes of any community? Like it or not, today’s antisemitism comes in no small part from the Muslim community. Where was the public demonstration of solidarity with Israel by any Muslim group, including Marks’s, for the war that, as always, was waged against Israel so cruelly? Even the Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, a seasoned diplomat, has called for Jews to be “brave” and to challenge Muslims over “deeply disappointing” criticism of the Jewish state since 7 October. He advocated a “seismic shift” in Jewish interfaith with Muslims, whereby Israel is no longer the elephant in the room. Warren S Grossman Leytonstone

Exaggeration of the far-right Your writer Adam Schwarz sticky wicket, writing: “It’s the grossly exaggerates the far-right’s ideological mission role of the far-right, and that ultimately compromises its alleged exploitation of long-term Jewish welfare.” antisemitism, in its attempt It so happens that Hungary’s to widen the base from which Jews under Orbán enjoy their it operates (24 January). religious and cultural freedoms, To bolster his specious unthreatened, in a way other argument, he quotes European Jews can only dream analyst PhD candidate, about. They do not have to Hannah Rose, who claims Tommy Robinson at a pro-Israel rally be guarded by security, and that far-right groups they wear traditional Jewish have “reframed Jewish people as a victim garb unmolested in public, proving Orbán’s of an allegedly invading Muslim force, recent statement that there “is a very clear link which enables the far-right to advance an between terrorist acts and (Muslim) migration”, Islamophobic agenda, while presenting itself because Orbán does not allow it. Unpalatable as supporting victims of racism”. as his policy is to our libertarian mindset, he To support his polemic, he mentions some has proved that it is Muslim migrants bringing “far-right” prominent European politicians, with them the virus of antisemitism, which has such as Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s Prime Minister, so conspicuously compromised Jewish safety in Holland’s Geert Wilders and France’s Marine countries such as France and Sweden, with their le Pen. Of those, only Orbán holds power. huge Muslim immigrant communities. Regarding Hungary’s Jews, Schwarz is on a Colin Rossiter WC2

ICJ RULING CONFUSES BIBI TO BLAME MEMORIAL CRITICISM AND AND MUST GO SUPPORTING JEWISH LIFE

Shabbat goes out Saturday night 5.54pm

Sedra: Mishpatim

I agree with the sentiments expressed in Linda Davidson’s letter, “Why I had to go to Israel” (Jewish News, 1 February 2024) and believe many others do too. The inability to obtain health insurance is a major impediment for many of us, who are desperate to visit and see family there. I want to be assured that any pre-existing conditions will be covered and no blanket exclusions are operational with any Israeli health insurance. This is indeed an added concern and, for some, too much of a risk to take. J D Milaric, By email

Support your Jewish community. Support your Jewish News Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Unlike other Jewish media, we do not charge for content. That won’t change. Because we are charity-owned and free, we rely on advertising to cover our costs. This vital lifeline, which has dropped in recent years, has fallen further due to coronavirus. Today we’re asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do. For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain. Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life. You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with. 100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity.

Support Jewish News by visiting our donor page at jewishnews.co.uk

27 May 2020

BRITAIN’S BLIND SPO T •

16 Sivan 5781

•

Issue No.1212

•

@JewishNews

We’ve never been racism, so why so focused on fighting the deafenin g silence as antisemitism spirals out of control? • Hospital probes ‘cutth

• Driver with Israel roat gesture’ to Jewish patient attacked in Golders Green • Cruciﬁxion banneri ﬂataghuge pro-Palesti • BBC journalist’s #Hitle nian demo • Nearly 300 antisemitic rwasright tweet revealed

ANTI-JEWISH

RACISM – THE

incidents in under

MADNESS SPREAD

‘It’s okay not to be okay’ BOO KVE DRI

S: Pages 2,

3 weeks

3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

8, 20, 22 &

DONATE ONLINE

AT ORTUK.O Alternatively, RG/BOOKS to donate via text Text 8ORT to donate £8 or 16ORT to donate £16 to 70085

Help ORT UK raise £50,000 children’s FR books to gift 7,000 across the globe

Journey’s end Fredd ie’s Covid

cancels Israel tours for second summer Page 10

VOICE 22 April 2021

•

OF TH E COM M

10 Iyar 5781

•

Issue No.1207

23 1105254

Shabbat comes in Friday night 4.49pm

INSURANCE CONCERNS

Charity number

THIS WEEKEND'S SHABBAT TIMES...

Marvin Shaw in last week’s letters says we should all back Benjamin Netanyahu. I suggest he removes his blinkers. The events of 7 October happened on his watch. He divided the country with his judicial reforms and passed laws to save his skin at the expense of decency. He thought he could ignore the Palestinian issue by sucking up to Saudi Arabia etc. He got into bed with rabid racists Ben Gvir and Smotrich, who bring shame on the state of Israel and ammunition to her enemies. They are still in his government with 10 other ministers who attended a conference calling for actual ethnic cleansing of Gaza and re-establishing settlements there. He is pushing away our greatest allies. Bibi has to go – and with him the blackmailing by the religious far-right. Adam Caplin, Radlett

century! UK registered

Once again, or should I say, continually, we read about the idea of erecting a meaningful Holocaust Memorial in Victoria Tower Gardens. I met some of the organisers of this project when they toured the Jewish Museum in Camden Town looking at artefacts on display there. This was a time when the fresh idea was considered vital and the site chosen seemed ideal. Over the years, there have been numerous objections not just from neighbours but, as I have read in your report in last week’s paper on the select committee meetings in the House of Commons, also from some of the survivors themselves. I note that Jewish News supports this project. As we remember the atrocities of the camps and see today the antisemitism in our midst, now is the time to display our support of Jewish life here, and in Israel, and to protect our homeland. Norma Neville Hendon

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) granted six out of the nine ‘provisional measures’ South Africa requested and of the three it chose not to grant, one stood high and mighty at the list’s summit: “(1) The state of Israel shall immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza”. Why did the ICJ decide explicitly not to grant that one? It is plain that the ICJ’s ruling is a legal blow for Israel – but it is by no means what the very people who brought these proceedings appear to think it is. Naji Tilley, Hendon

Beloved survivor’s 100th birthday P31

THE JACOB FOUNDATION Jewish News is owned by The Jacob Foundation, a registered UK charity promoting

UNITY

Time to en the divide d •

@JewishNews

Landmark revie racism in the w of Jewish community calls for:

Jewish community and between British Jews and wider society. Jewish News promotes these

• End to racial

at communal profiling events • Synagogues ‘welcoming to create committees’ • Word ‘Shvart understood zer’ to be as a racial slur • Sephardi, Mizrah songs in Ashken i and Yemenite azi • Schools to increas synagogues e focus on colonialism and black history • ...and Facebo ok group Jewish Britain is named and shamed Jewish News

aims by delivering dependable and balanced

LIFE FULL REPORT

cohesion and common ground across the UK

& EXPERT

ANALYSIS

ON PAGES

Commission chair Stephen authored the Bush Board of Deputies report

6, 7 &September 26 2021 • ISSUE NO.6

Magazine

news reporting and analysis and celebrating the achievements of its vibrant and varied readership. Through the Jacob Foundation, Jewish News acts as a reliable and independent advocate for British Jews and a crucial communication vehicle for other communal charities.

DRESSING

Inside Julia’s

WITH HAART

unorthodox wardrob: e

YIZKOR – Living

with loss

New Beginnings

Pink Rabbit

turns 50

8 February 2024 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Editorial comment and letters

“And the Oscar for best Jewface goes to... ”

MP’s resignation is a dire warning for our country RUSSELL LANGER

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, JEWISH LEAERSHIP COUNCIL

ews that Mike Freer MP is to resign his seat at the next general election is sad for our country and our democracy. In his letter, Mr Freer referenced various incidents which have threatened his personal safety and made clear it is the effect this has on his husband and wider family which influenced his decision, noting: “Sadly the serious incidents place intolerable stress on them too.” Mr Freer doesn’t exaggerate the risk he is under as MP for Finchley and Golders Green. In 2021, Ali Harbi Ali carried out reconnaissance on a location where Mr Freer was due to hold a constituency surgery. A last-minute change of plans meant Mr Freer wasn’t there on the day Ali visited. A month later, Ali would go on to murder Sir David Amess MP in his Southend constituency. In court, Ali directly referenced Sir David’s membership of Conservative Friends of Israel as a “big problem”. In the aftermath of Sir David’s murder,

MPs met to pay tributes to the veteran backbencher. Then prime minister Boris Johnson said: “We will never allow those who commit acts of evil to triumph over the democracy and the Parliament that Sir David Amess loved so much”. Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer added: “Our response must always be to show that we will never be cowed, that our bonds to one another can never be eroded, that the hatred that took Sir David’s life will never win.” Following Mike Freer’s resignation, I’m left wondering if these words are hollow. Those of us who engage regularly with public officials have been told countless times since 7 October about the growing abuse and intimidation they are subjected to. Those who have defended Israel’s right to defend itself, have criticised Hamas’ barbarity and have stood with Jewish people against antisemitism have been targeted. Indeed, even those who are not seen to be anti-Israel enough are not safe from onslaught. As long as this continues, there are three immediate responses available to MPs. The first is to heed the words of the former prime minister and Sir Keir not to be cowed. To double down on taking the course of action which they believe is in

the best interests of our nation despite the personal danger associated. These MPs – who I hope are a majority – recognise the danger of violent extremism but know our democracy fails if we give in to it. The second option is to do what Mr Freer has done. None of us can, nor should we, judge him for standing down and I’m sure many would do the same if faced with a similar situation. The third option is the one which concerns me most and it is the most difficult to identify. These are the MPs who would prefer to take a position in line with their beliefs but, maybe even subconsciously, have shifted their public positions to stay out of the spotlight and avoid potential adverse reactions. This is the real threat to our democracy. Of course, there is a fourth path. MPs are anything but powerless. If our system of law and order is failing their personal safety, then they are the very people with both the power and responsibility to change that system. This course of action isn’t without its own challenges but that is the job we have elected them to do. In our system of representative democracy, it is entirely right that MPs hear from their constituents and this includes when

there are disagreements. However, our system is built on the principle that MPs are our representatives and not our delegates. We elect them to be more informed than us and empower them to make decisions on our behalf. They are ultimately accountable for their actions at the ballot box, not through the use of abuse, intimidation or violence. The political journalist Isabel Hardman writes in detail in her book Why We Get the Wrong Politicians, published in 2018, about why our system often puts off people from entering politics. Reflecting on the murder of Jo Cox MP and the fears serving MPs have for the safety of their family members, she notes: “Next time we ask why we get the wrong politicians, perhaps we should ask why any of the right ones want to put themselves in this kind of danger.” As we approach a general election, I find myself wondering, why do any of the ‘right ones’ who would stand with Israel and the Jewish community want to put themselves in this type of danger? Thankfully, many of them are still committed to active public service despite the risks, but we can and should never take that for granted.

22 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Opinion

Our tiny population has to focus on its strengths DR JONATHAN BOYD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR JEWISH POLICY

bout 300,000 Jews live in the UK today – a small number compared with the seven million in Israel and six million in the United States – and a tiny minority in Britain, comprising less than half a percent of the population of the country as a whole. At the same time, the UK is home to the fifth-largest Jewish population in the world and London houses the 14th-largest urban Jewish population globally. So, our perceptions of size are relative. The British Jewish community is both large and small: large enough to have built a vibrant and dynamic Jewish life in the country with numerous synagogues, Jewish schools, youth movements, cultural centres, festivals and events, but small enough to see many regional communities struggling to maintain their infrastructure, and for indi-

vidual Jews to sometimes feel vulnerable and isolated in the face of an antisemitic threat that appears to be growing. British Jews continue to grapple with the tension between being out and proud in multicultural Britain and toning down or hiding their Jewishness for fear of falling victim to hostility. At the same time, when one scratches beneath the surface of the Jewish population, one quickly finds tremendous diversity. At one end of the spectrum is the rapidly growing Charedi community, who are living intensely religious Jewish lives informed by unfailing belief in God and extensive study of Jewish religious texts. At the other end one finds a large proportion of self-identifying Jews who are entirely secular, rarely, if ever, setting foot in a synagogue, but nonetheless finding significant meaning and pride in some of the cultural aspects of Jewish life and history. In between these poles are numerous shades of Jewishness; those who seek to strike their preferred balance between their Jewish and British identities, their spiritual

and rational beliefs, and their commitments to the community and the wider world. All this can be seen in the Institute for Jewish Policy Research’s new report on British Jewish identity. But what it does not and cannot do is to tell us what the future holds. That chapter remains to be written. Yet amid all the data in this first major study of Jewish identity here for a decade, several stories provide hints of where we may be heading, some of which should concern us deeply. We see evidence of our struggles to retain our Jewishness in a secular society, of our weakening connection with Israel, and of our common inclination to build our identities on the foundations of antisemitism and the Holocaust, rather than on Jewish values, ideas, traditions and community. We cannot avoid these issues. But right now, when our collective sense of hope has been shattered by the attacks by Hamas in southern Israel on 7 October, perhaps it is more important to focus on the positive stories within the report. And there are many.

Alongside the challenges, the data also reveal a portrait of a community guided by moral principles, deeply committed to giving to others, and remarkably engaged in maintaining and building Jewish communal life. We see clear evidence of widespread community engagement, continued participation in educational and cultural activities, and a profound sense that our Jewishness really matters to us. So, however desperate our times may be at the moment, and however anxious we may be about our future both here and in Israel, when I look at who we are from my vantage point as a researcher and analyst of contemporary Jewish life, I can see that we have a tremendous amount to be proud of, and indeed to fight for. These new data tell that story, and if we use the findings judiciously to guide communal planning in the years to come, we are more than capable of securing our future, both here and in Israel. There are many contrasting ways to see who we are. It’s time, I think, to focus on our many strengths and get building.

10 Golders Green Road London NW11 8LL Opposite Cafe Nero

Suits from £79.50 MENSWEARS AT QUALITY DISCOUNT Overcoats from £79.50 PRICES.

OVERCOATS FROM £39.50 Trouser Bargains £25 WARM PADDED CASUAL JACKETS FROM £20 Raincoats from £49.50 BODYWARMERS £20 SUITS £85 ANY 2 FOR £150

Large KNITWEAR BARGAINS Sizes £20 ANY a 2 FOR £30 speciality TROUSERS £25 ANY 2 FOR £35 Open everyday & Sundays til 5:00pm

We accept

SHIRT BARGAIN S £

15 EACH O 2 FOR £2 R 5

23 ize s o p t ck u s rt in sto Shi

www.jewishnews.co.uk

8 February 2024 Jewish News

Opinion

Hate prevails only when its targets feel isolated DAN TOMLINSON

LABOUR PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE FOR CHIPPING BARNET

he theme for last month’s Holocaust Memorial Day was “fragility of freedom”. Many in Barnet’s Jewish community may not need to be reminded how fragile freedom is, the very worst consequences of a loss of freedom being etched into so many family histories. But it is an imperative that the atrocities of eight decades ago are not confined to history, and certainly not just the history of those whose families were torn apart. That is why Holocaust Memorial Day is so important. We must tell and re-tell the events of the Holocaust; we must continue to educate younger generations about what took place and of the evil of antisemitism, and we must never let anyone downplay those darkest years in European history. Holocaust Memorial Day asks us all to

pause and consider the past, and have it inform our present. Along with institutions such as Yad Vashem in Israel, it plays a vital role in turning us all to face the worst of humanity to renew our determination to protect and defend freedom today. I had the honour of visiting Yad Vashem last September, and attended a deeply moving remembrance ceremony in the Hall of Names. I would never have thought that, only weeks later, the biggest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust would unfold. Since that tragic day, levels of antisem-

❝

TO PRESERVE FREEDOM, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT INDIFFERENCE AND APATHY ARE NOT VICTIMLESS CRIMES

itism here in the UK have soared. Listening to Jewish residents across Chipping Barnet, I’ve heard how many have experienced more fear, more anxiety and more discomfort in their own city than in a very long time. We must be willing to challenge the indifference that enables hate to grow. This needs to happen in local communities, in public spaces when we see unacceptable behaviour and, yes, in our political parties too. Today, we are fortunate to be in a very different position from those who resisted the Nazis – but we face the same moral imperative not to stand by when freedom starts to be eroded. It’s never been – and it must never be – the responsibility of Jews alone to tackle antisemitism. Hatred only succeeds when its targets are isolated from their friends, neighbours and communities. To preserve our precious freedom, to build a better future in Barnet and in Britain, we must remember that indifference, negligence and apathy are not victimless crimes. Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to stop,

Take Care of Your Mental Wellbeing This February

Dan Tomlinson at Yad Vashem in 2023

think and learn. The rest of the year is the time to act.

This was a thorough

ly vital course.

“Four days after the course, I was with so mebody who had a panic att ack, and using this kn owledge I was able to support them through it.”

Course Dates

FEB

Wed 7th @ 10am

Mon 19th @ 8pm

(90 mins)

Hundreds of people have joined one of our FREE professional 90 minute or 3-hour Zoom training sessions. Places are limited so book now from a choice of Top-Line or In-Depth Introduction to adult mental health and learn how best to care for your own and others’ mental wellbeing.

Book now at projectlily.org.uk Project Lily, 52 Portland Place, London W1B 1NH

Honorary Patron: Lady Elaine Sacks

020 3627 2422 • training@projectlily.org.uk

Trustees: David Coffer, Rabbi Danny Kirsch & Lisa Radford

Reg. Charity No. 1171723

Book one of our FREE CPD Accredited Training dates now

24 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Opinion

Western democracy is at stake in culture war MARC CAVE

DIRECTOR, THE NATIONAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM

ne year ago I wrote about the next Jewish genocide. Today, we are one year closer to it. It is not being organised on the far-right. It is not sponsored as in previous centuries by Western states. It’s part of a movement against the Western system: an alliance between radical political Islamists and leftists. It is chilling that today’s far-left regurgitates Nazi ideology. It promotes the same anti-Jewish money, blood and power libels. It demonises the same Jewish ‘other’. Don’t take it from me; take it from the Marxist, non-Jewish academic Dr Camilla Bassi in her 2023 book Outcast: How Jews Were Banished from the Anti-Racist Imagination: “… ‘the Jewish question’ [is] the idea that something must be done with the harmful Jewish collective. Laid bare, ‘the Jewish question’ is antisemitism: the world is imagined to be run by Jewish elites, who operate on a supranational scale, through an invisible reality behind a visible reality, managing the fate of not just Palestinians, but all humankind”.

‘The Jewish question’?! The question that triggered Hitler’s Final Solution was identically worded. So I am at pains to stress this article is not about the HamasIsrael war but about the bigger anti-Jewish race war it foreshadows. Like most ordinary Jews everywhere, I’d like to see two states and my stomach churns at the bloodshed on both sides of the Middle East conflict. But we must recognise the ‘final solution’ coded in the slogan ‘From the river to sea Palestine will be free’. The leftists say they have no issue with “Jews as Jews”, yet thugs among them have smashed up a menorah in Willesden Green and beaten a Jewish woman unconscious in Stamford Hill. For radical Islamists, violently replacing the world’s only Jewish country with a 49th Muslim one is but a stepping stone to a global caliphate. For the far left, it is to strike the head of the Western serpent. Through a tragic massaging of history to suit its monomania, Israel is the ultimate embodiment of Western capitalism, imperialism and so-called elitism. And for one reason only. Because it is Jewish. What can we do about all this? Very simply, help the public and our civic institutions to decode what seem like attractive slogans. They might want to do more to prevent the next Jewish genocide than they

did the last one: it’s a declaration of war against their own way of life. This means helping the public to relearn the critical thinking skills abolished by the great dictator of the post-Truth age: The Algorithm. We need to be more innovative. To deny something is to reinforce it. To campaign is merely to complain. It needs a counter-narrative. Let us cross-examine anti-Jewish conspiracy theorists. Let us expose the beliefs that today’s so-called peace protesters share with the Nazis. This is a crucial new role for Shoah education. Let us also offer counter-evidence that shows how silly they can be. We, the National Holocaust Museum, are touring a pop-up exhibition, I Say British, You Say Jewish, which celebrates the reality of Jews playing an enthusiastic part in British culture while maintaining Jewish culture. The racist imagination has been unable to grasp dual identity and the anti-Jewish leftist’s snide expression “the Zionist lobby” is code for ‘the Jews’. Its definite pronoun says all Jews are the same. Meanwhile, our civic institutions are largely onlookers in the culture war. Yet they are the apparatus of the very state the extreme Islamist-leftist alliance despises. Our Racism Response Unit is here to

empower the staff of our universities, schools, councils, media outlets, unions and police forces. Where they struggle to recognise what is antisemitism, we show how it is antiJewish racism, like any other racism. When that anti-Jewish racism comes in code, we will help them decode it. When it presents as attractive ‘human rights campaigning’, we will help them uncover the exterminatory agenda behind it. We have trialled this training for a year with 400 staff at the University of Nottingham. Scales fell from their eyes. Israel reinforces – not creates – what the extreme leftist-Islamist alliance believes about Jews. For them, to eliminate Israel is to reduce ‘global Jewish power’ and then to overthrow the West. So their coded call for a new Jewish extermination is a threat to us all. On Holocaust Memorial Day, we pledged to combat the same theories that led to the Shoah but are now being wielded by a new group of anti-Jewish racists. The 2024 theme was the Fragility of Freedom. Many Jews know how fragile are their freedoms. The freedom to wear a star of David on campus. The freedom from a beating. The freedom from abuse and death threats online. But let none of us forget the fragility of Western democracy itself.

A sobering wake-up call for safety in public life SARAH SACKMAN

LABOUR PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE, FINCHLEY & GOLDERS GREEN

fter years of service to people in North London and to our community, Mike Freer’s announcement that he will be stepping down at the next general election has shocked me and many others. In 2015, I ran against Mike to be the MP for Finchley and Golders Green. I remember us jousting at hustings and community events. While we have different political views, we knew how to disagree with civility. In his statement last week, he cited repeated death threats and security concerns, adding that that his fears have extended to his family. It is deeply chilling that the threats and abuse have, in part, been motivated by his support for the Jewish community and for Israel. That he feels this way is troubling not

just for Mike personally, but for what it says about the state of our public life and our democracy. As we know from the terrible murders of MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, being an elected politician puts you at risk. Their murders showed that the threat comes from no one part of the political spectrum: David was murdered by an Islamist, Jo by a farright extremist. Politicians expect scrutiny, criticism and protest. We go into it with our eyes open. But violent threats and intimidation of any politician represent an attack on our democracy. I absolutely respect Mike’s decision. But we should have been able to face each other at the polls on our policies and our individual merits. Instead, politics is now skewed by violent language, hate and the worst excesses of social media. I saw first-hand the way in which the brave Jewish women parliamentarians who fought against antisemitism in the Labour Party, such as Luciana Berger and Dame

Margaret Hodge, faced horrendous – even criminal – abuse and threats to their lives. We must never accept this as the cost of standing up for the Jewish community and being visibly Jewish in the political sphere. That is why it remains so important that we take action so that people across our community can still feel empowered to put themselves forward into public life. Despite the abuse that I and many others receive, I still believe in politics. I believe in its power to make the world better and to give people a voice to shape the society they want to see – something that is needed now more than ever. These things matter, especially in an election year. Friends from abroad have often remarked to me on the accessibility of British politicians: from knocking on doors to holding constituents’ surgeries. I don’t want to see us lose that part of our political culture. But if we value our democracy, then we have to actively protect it. Mike’s resignation is a wake-up call. All

parties need to come together to ensure the safety of our politicians and our democracy. We must seek cross-party agreement to ensure the security of politicians and their staff. We must hold to account social media giants that give a platform to extremist content. And we should consider creating a specific offence for threatening or harming an elected public official. It’s remarkable that no such crime exists unless the threat is to the King or his heir. The creation of a particular offence, with tougher sentences against those who threaten or attack politicians, would reflect the fact that threats to a politician do not just harm the individual, they harm our entire democratic system. Finally, we should recommit to calling out the sort of hate speech that incites hate in others – on all sides. We should all think carefully about how language affects not just the tone of debate, but the safety of others. The stakes are high for anyone willing to speak up for what they believe in. But I am determined for this to change.

8 February 2024 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Community / Scene & Be Seen

1JEWISH TEEN HELPLINE.

JTeen secured more than £400,000 in a 36-hour match-funding “More Than a Hotline” campaign to expand support line services and education programmes around mental well-being. The support from individuals, businesses, and organisations highlighted the community’s commitment to addressing rising mental health challenges among Jewish teenagers. A significant portion of the funds will be allocated to expand JTeen’s education programmes, which aim to raise awareness, reduce stigma and equip teenagers with vital coping mechanisms to foster understanding and empathy. In its three-year journey, JTeen has engaged more than 4,000 individual teenagers, expanded its preventive efforts through JTeen Prevent, and responded promptly to community needs, including recent troubles in Israel.

And be seen!

The latest news, pictures and social events from across the community

2SPLITTING THE SEA

Email us at community@jewishnews.co.uk

Manchester Hillel House presented an evening in the “Pizza with Parsha” series on Sunday 4 February. The events focus on a combination of social and educational interaction for the residents of Hillel, with other members of the Jewish Society. After a gourmet meal (by student standards) of pizza and salad and fish and chips, students were treated to an interactive talk by Hillel chairman, Rabbi Dr Neil Joseph entitled Splitting the Sea with Fluid Dynamics - Modern Science Meets Torah. He explained the supernatural elements in the splitting of the Red Sea as the Children of Israel left Egypt, but combined with modern scientific concepts.

3FATHER AND SON

Lord Finkelstein and his son, Moishe House Hackney resident Sam Finkelstein, discussed their family history following the release of Lord Finkelstein’s book Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad. Guests attended the event to learn more about Moishe House and how it engages young Jewish adults through home-based Jewish experiences. Sam, who has been a resident for over a year, has been instrumental in building a Jewish community for young Jews in their 20s from all religious backgrounds. The event saw father and son reflect on the community Sam is now part of building in East London.

4COMMUNAL JOY

Kisharon Langdon marked Tu BiShvat with fruit seders, lively parties, fruit carving competitions and education sessions. People supported by the charity ventured to the local park to take part in litter collections, followed by a festival-themed art session making creations from recycled materials.

5MASTERING THE CHUMASH

Rebbetzin Zimmerman was guest of honour at the Hasmonean Girls School assembly for a special prizegiving, with 12 pupils awarded certificates and a unique prize for their learning in the Master the Chumash programme. This is an initiative in the Hasmonean Midrasha (Sixth Form Jewish Studies programme) where the girls learn the entire parsha with Rashi each week.

6SUPPORTING THE SOLDIERS

Some 120 members and guests came together at Loughton Synagogue to raise money for Beit Halochem UK with entertainment by the nine-piece band Replay, led by shul member Stephen Selby. With dinner and dancing, the event raised more than £3,000 for the charity dedicated to rehabilitating soldiers. More than 54,000 members of Beit Halochem (including 3,000 new members since 7 October) are given a new lease of life at facilities in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Beer Sheva.

26 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Scene & Be Seen / Community

Ivrit – with grit and wit! Twenty-eight schools, 68 performances and more than 5,000 pupils and students – with the addition of six talented actors in three superb shows – created the perfect recipe for the sixth Festival of Spoken Ivrit. Once again the Israel Hour Theatre company came up with wonderful shows, all three of which kept audiences captivated. A secondary school teacher expressed the importance of the messages in each play. “The moral resonated deeply with our students, prompting reflections on empathy, resilience, and the enduring values that unite us as a community. These messages not only complemented our educational curriculum but also inspired discussions that will undoubtedly continue long after the curtains have closed.” The three very different performances wove their magic in nurseries, primary and secondary schools, bringing Ivrit and Israeli theatre to life. Mamoushi Rabbit, with its oversized puppets, could make the audience forget there was only one actor on stage, teaching the value of friendship. Through the play and puppets, the children were introduced to names of woodland animals in Ivrit and were able to follow the story. Uzo and Muzo, based on the book by Ephraim Sidon, tells the story of twin brothers with a special bond, until a fierce argument erupts. This ridiculous feud was passed down through the generations, as can happen. So, the moral is to admit mistakes and compromise when possible. A true lesson for life. Theodor – The Boy Who Dared to Dream was about Herzl as he was growing up. It gave students an opportunity to reflect on the current situation through a historical perspective and reflect on their own Jewish identity. This year’s festival has played an additional role in these troubled times. With Rosh Chodesh Adar only a few days away, the hope is that, as the song has it, it really will be mishenichnas Adar marbim b’simcha – ‘When Adar comes we increase our joy’.

Organised by WZO and Tzemach Productions

www.jewishnews.co.uk

8 February 2024 Jewish News

Community / Scene & Be Seen

28 Jewish News 8 February 2024

Your Local Kitchens and Wardrobes Specialist

Showroom: 5 Queens Parade Queens Road, NW4 3AP Call: 020 3397 9767

www.Oliver-Talbot.com

www.jewishnews.co.uk

8 February 2024 Jewish News 29

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Inside A look

Slap-shtick romance on stage Beautiful baklava

Single middle-aged matriarch Lettice Liebling asks her mates for help in finding a man

t’s a scientific (and troubling) fact that time goes faster as we get older. One minute we’re lighting the Chanukah candles and seconds later we’re sitting down for a candlelit Valentine’s Day dinner. Or meant to be. Well, it’s here and my internal dialogue has gone into overdrive: “Meh, don’t need all that relationship tzorus! I’m middle-aged, menopausal and moody stick to volunteering!” But also... “The animals went into the ark two by two, not in friendship groups… better find a man before my memory goes completely and I forget why I might even want one.” My lovely matriarch friends and I often complain about how hard it is to find a decent older gentleman. I’ve been half-heartedly looking following my second divorce. Jane (Meryl Streep) and Jake (Alec Baldwin) got back together for a while post-divorce in It’s Complicated; I’m looking for a new romance. My friend Geri says I need a dating strategy. My sister-in-law says to leave no stone unturned. They’re both right. It is hard to meet someone nice, especially if you’re a woman of a certain age, so try everything. And yes, I find a lot of creepycrawlies under rocks. Act fast must be part of the strategy, says my colleague Cheryl. Newly single guys just hook up with the first available female they stumble across. Unlike women, they don’t waste time reflecting and ruminating. Good point. Does it really matter who I choose in the long run? Settle for someone who ticks at least one of my boxes, says the strategy – for example, has a well-groomed beard, enjoys chicken soup with matzah balls – and then go for it. Lying about your age is a must, I discover. Sharp intake of breath. Close (younger) friends warn that a relationship is based on honesty and trust. But here’s the thing. Regard-

less of their own age or appearance, I keep coming across men who assume they can have a woman who is attractive, skinny and much younger. That means I must box clever, shave off a couple of decades, pay for as much surgery as I can afford, borrow my daughter’s wardrobe and style it out. Strategy in place, next a plan. First up – online dating. I browse JDate. I like that if someone posts a photo and says they live in Borehamwood I can use my community spies to check they’re kosher. Some of the men can be amusing too: “Looking for someone to grow even older with.” Mind you, I’m pretty fed-up reading the phrase “still have all my own hair and teeth”, specially the one who adds “although both a bit grey now”. On the downside, JDate men have an annoying tendency to post a photo of themselves with a beautiful young woman (wife, ex-wife, daughter, girlfriend?) and profiles can be a bit scary: “My ideal date is one without any appointments for doctor, hospital, nurse, dentist, physio, consultant, chiropractor or psychologist.” Also, the gene pool is small – when I log-in today, I see all the same faces I saw six months ago. Add ‘non-Jewish’ dating site to the plan? The larger ones cater for all cultures and creeds but what Jewish person can define their religious identity in a single tick box? That requires hours of conversation, with shouting. ‘Aaron’ has a good try though, reusing his JDate photo on eHarmony. Identity and passion are clear as he is draped head to toe in an Israeli flag. But I fear he’s just inviting trolling. Add to the list: try to meet a partner IRL (In Real Life). I’m advised to ask family and friends for introductions. Great idea, but am I really going to go back to all those ‘please God by you’ relatives who harassed me in my youth, or badgering the shul council? Will they have the first idea what I’m looking for?

Meryl Streep as Jane and Alec Baldwin as Jake, who got back together briefly in 2009’s It’s Complicated

Another friend swears by speeddating. I like this idea. Why spend a whole evening with someone when you can decide they’re a shlemiel in four minutes? My neighbour Julia tells me it works for her to hang around one of the nicer delis in Temple Fortune and initiate fascinating conversations with anyone who looks vaguely eligible. Go on Naked Attraction? I consider this. Not least because you can easily spot the Jewish men. But no, I’d catch my death of cold. And I know that even channelling my inner Vanessa Feltz, I’m a proud introvert and these ideas won’t make it into the plan. A non-Jewish friend recommends old-fashioned matchmaking services. Strange, as she paid £12,000 to an agency for three completely unsuitable introductions last year. I find a free, new-ish Jewish matchmaking service called We go Together. Caters for clients aged (somewhat randomly) up to 78. I try to register, only to receive an email explaining that they are having difficulty finding men…. Welcome to my world! More hopefully, a new Facebook initiative – Jewish Singles Community by Sarah Davies – offers a dif-

ferent approach including group chat, face-to-face events and expert support, so kol hakavod to that! So I have my strategy, an Excel spreadsheet documenting the details and the battle scars of lived experience. What have I learned? • God loves a trier. Or, as Churchill said: “When you’re going through hell, keep going.” • Must maintain a GSOH (that good sense of humour we all refer to on our profiles). When I receive yet

another cringey online message from a 23-year-old who “enjoys open-minded older ladies” or have a date that goes horribly wrong, I take a breath, embellish the story and know that next time I meet up with the girls I’ll have their full attention. • If all else fails, I remind myself that Valentine was an ancient Roman martyr, co-opted by Christianity to be the patron saint of love. So the rabbi will be quite happy if I ignore Valentine’s Day altogether.

MEET, GREET AND LOVE The newly-formed Facebook group Jewish Singles Community Group, spearheaded by lead generator Sarah Davies and supported by well-known matchmaker Genevieve Gresset, has swiftly become a go-to destination for singles navigating the complexities of solo life. In just four months since launch, it has garnered more than 1,600 members, indicating a strong demand for more than just casual dating discussions. The group hosts two to three events monthly, including a successful Christmas party with 150 participants. Workshops on personal growth, relationship skills and interactive seminars are on the agenda, emphasising a different approach to connections. Coaching services, online ice-breaking events and expert matchmaking have resulted in more than 40 couples forming in just four months. The group provides a safe space for those seeking a life partner or wanting to expand their social circles, garnering praise for its refreshing and supportive environment.

30 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

JN LIFE

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick live up to The Plaza hotel’s five-star rating, says Richard Ferrer

arah Jessica Parker found fame playing a single woman with more on-off relationships than a light switch, but in real life she found her happy-ever-after long ago as half of one of Hollywood’s most enduring couples. Married for nearly 30 years to Matthew Broderick, the Sex And The City star and her real Mr Big share a chemistry that lights up the West End stage in this exuberant revival of Neil Simon’s slapstick 1960s comedy. Plaza Suite, a sort of theatre version of Lenny Henry’s Premier Inn TV commercials (you know the ones, where different people feel at home in the same hotel room), sees three different twosomes check into suite 719 in Manhattan’s iconic Plaza Hotel – with Parker and Broderick playing all six parts. Couple number one (as Cilla Black would say), are Karen and Sam, trying to rekindle their marriage on their 23rd (or 24th – Karen’s unsure) anniversary by rebooking their honeymoon suite. Couple two arrive for a dangerous liaison while the third are fretful parents of a cold-footed bride who fears turning into her mother.

The couple on stage as Norma and Roy

Three scenes and two stars in one swanky suite. Neil Simon’s signature wisecracks and wordplay embellish every act – his scripts exude Yiddishkeit – but Plaza Suite is not among his greatest hits. It hasn’t aged as gracefully as his first masterpiece, The Odd Couple, or one of his last, Laughter on the 42nd Floor. It teeters between clownish comedy and dark farce, often leaning on both at once. Broderick’s slap-shtick delivery hinders genuine emotion, particularly in the opening scene when his roving-eyed husband faces a decision that makes or breaks his marriage. In act two, the suite is home to high school sweethearts Muriel and Jesse. Parker’s bored housewife struggles to resist Broderick’s schmoozy Hollywood playboy in a slightly icky 20-minute retelling of the 1940s song Baby, It’s Cold Outside. The finale, starring Norma and Roy as frazzled parents facing their daughter’s pre-wedding jitters, delivers the most laughs. Broderick’s flamboyance and hammy tone (reminiscent of Cameron’s impression of Abe Froman, the Sausage King of Chicago, in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) steals the stage from his (real) wife as he tries to prise his daughter out of the loo and down the aisle. Plaza Suite might not be one of Simon’s comedic triumphs, but this unique production’s X-factor lies in its headliners rather than humour. Audiences seem only too happy stumping up a wallet-walloping £300 for the best seats to watch two showbiz giants share the stage, following in the footsteps of Jewish couples who have trodden the boards together like George Burns and Gracie Allen, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, and Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Little wonder that virtually the entire audience waited excitedly outside the backstage door in the drizzle long after the final curtain to catch a glimpse of the couple. There’s something special – moving even – about witnessing the genuine connection between two gifted performers who have been married for so long. It brings an authenticity even the most skilled actors cannot fake and provides the secret ingredient that elevates this one-of-a-kind show to must-see status. Like the Plaza hotel itself, this production deserves a five-star rating. Watching it will leave you yearning for your own lavish getaway at a posh Manhattan hotel. Or, if your budget is tight after shelling out £600 for a pair of tickets, a cosy night at a Premier Inn.  Plaza Suite is at the Savoy Theatre, London, until 13 April. For tickets see thesavoytheatre.com/shows/plaza-suite

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick as Muriel and Jessie

We need a sweet treat or two when we go to the theatre so check out the special Valentine’s range from Sweets 4 My Sweet 1, featuring all sorts of chocolate-covered goodies. Prices from £38, with collection from Radlett. Find them on Facebook or Instagram or phone Amanda on 07958 316936 to order. Afternoon tea in a theatre before a show or after a matinee keeps the momentum going. Theatre Royal Drury Lane is the only theatre in London that serves afternoon tea, and it does so in the beautifully restored Grand Saloon, a marble-lined Regency room with twinkling chandeliers and a fine art collection, surely one of the most romantic places in London to splice your scones and slather on the clotted cream. Afternoon tea starts at £59 per person. Visit thelane.co.uk

8 February 2024 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

JN LIFE

Rose and cardamom are a marriage made in heaven – they love each other almost as much as I love baklava. I have never been a fan of dessert as such and so, when I’m entertaining, I like to serve a platter of delicious sweet little bites with some tea, which go down well after a big meal. There is something about an abundant table of little treats to show my guests my love and nothing tells it more than a little sticky calorific treat that took some time and a little faff to make. These freeze well so it is worth taking the time to make them and keeping them in the freezer for whenever you have guests.

Rose and Cardamom Baklava Makes: 30 pieces Cooking time: 1 hour

Prep time: 45 minutes

Ingredients 200g ground almonds 150g ground pistachios 100g ground walnuts 2 tsp cinnamon, ground 2 tsp cardamom, ground ½ cup honey or brown sugar 1 pack filo dough sheets 2 cups of neutral oil or

For the syrup: 1 ½ cup honey or 1 cup sugar ¾ cup water juice of half a lemon rind of 1 lemon 1 cinnamon stick 5 cardamom pods 2 tbsp rosewater

Method 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Mix the ground nuts and add the cinnamon, cardamom and honey. Stir to combine. 2. Take the filo out of the packaging and lay down flat with a damp cloth on top to stop it drying out. Using a pastry brush, oil the bottom and sides of the pan. Lay the first sheet of filo on it and brush with oil again. Lay another sheet of filo on top and repeat until you have used 10 sheets in total. 3. On the next sheet, spread 1/2 of the nut mixture on top with your hands. Try to make sure that the nuts are covering the entire sheet and press down. 4. Cover the nuts with another layer of the filo and, like before, brush each sheet with oil before laying the next. Continue this until you have five sheets. Pour over the remaining nut mixture and press down again. Layer another 10 sheets of filo, brushing each one with the oil mixture. 5. Brush the top layer with oil. Using a sharp knife, gently cut rows lengthwise, being careful to keep the filo/nut mixture intact. Using the same knife, cut diagonally across, creating diamond shapes. 6. Put into the oven for approximately 45 minutes, until the top is golden. Once done, take out of the oven and let cool. 7. While this is cooling, prepare the syrup by combining all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Once the honey or sugar has dissolved, simmer for five minutes and allow to cool. 8. Once the baklava is cool, drizzle the syrup all over. Let it sink in before serving at room temperature.

By Joanna Nissim

melted butter

10 Golders Green Road London NW11 8LL Opposite Cafe Nero

Suits from £79.50 MENSWEARS AT QUALITY DISCOUNT Overcoats from £79.50 PRICES.

OVERCOATS FROM £39.50 Trouser Bargains £25 WARM PADDED CASUAL JACKETS FROM £20 Raincoats from £49.50 BODYWARMERS £20 SUITS £85 ANY 2 FOR £150

Large KNITWEAR BARGAINS Sizes £20 ANY a 2 FOR £30 speciality TROUSERS £25 ANY 2 FOR £35 Open everyday & Sundays til 5:00pm

We accept

SHIRT BARGAIN S £

15 EACH O 2 FOR £2 R 5

23 e z si to k p u c rts in sto i h S

32 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Business / Pomvom-ISRL

candicekrieger@googlemail.com

With Candice Krieger

THRILLING RIDE FOR THEME PARK TECH GIANTS Two start-up entrepreneurs whose companies’ merger will complete this year have a message for the world: Israel is staying strong, writes Candice Krieger hen Israeli amusement since news of the merger park technology broke, Shay, whose son company Pomvom Yaron was killed by Hamas and Israel Acquisitions Corp announced their merger this year, it was not only a milestone moment for the business community but a message to the rest of the world: “Israel is very much open for business.” Pomvom, which develops photo and Yehuda Minkovicz video solutions for some of the world’s most popular theme park and attraction operaon 7 October tors including Warner Bros, Six Flags and Merlin while serving in Entertainment, was co-founded by Yehuda the IDF, told Jewish Izhar Shay Minkovicz in 2015. It is merging with Izhar News: “This was one Shay’s Israel Acquisitions Corp (ISRL) at a total of the most significant equity value of $125m. The combined company positive pieces of news in the high-tech ecosystem will de-list from the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in Israel last month and it was accepted in such (TASE) to trade exclusively on the Nasdaq once manner, with much excitement, but there is also the deal is completed later this year. a subtext to this news – that Israel is very much In Minkovicz and Shay’s first joint interview open for business.

l nie Da by oto Ph

r Elo

“This is a clear message to the world that Israeli business continues to run despite the geopolitical conflict and significant challenges that we are going through. It’s a reflection of the Israeli resilience, optimism and entrepreneurship.” Israel Acquisitions Corp is special purpose acquisition company (Spac), a publicly traded ‘shell’ company set up with the sole purpose of acquiring or merging with an existing entity. It was set up last year by a group of entrepreneurs led by Shay, the former Israeli minister for science and technology and went public on the Nasdaq in New York, raising $143m in the midst of high demand. The cash raised was earmarked for investment in a ‘promising Israeli technology company’. Cue Pomvom – an acronym of ‘picture of me, video of me’. The company uses AI image recognition that connects guests to photos and videos of themselves that have been captured in real-time by the park’s or venue’s cameras. Visitors can then view and purchase their memories of their visits via the theme parks’ apps on their phones. The Tel Aviv-based startup has partnered with some of the world’s most popular attractions, of which 17 are in the UK. These include Peppa Pig World, Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Legoland, Warner Bros’ Harry Potter Studios, Madame Tussauds and the London Eye. The company is expected to increase its number of partner sites to 47 by the end of 2024 — a 23 percent increase from its current 38 locations. Is there a need for Pomvom when most people now have cameras on their phones? CEO Minkovicz has the answer: “It’s about capturing that priceless moment while being in the moment. “We are often in this trade-off between the two – having to stop what we’re doing to take the picture. We are living in a world of ‘pic it or it didn’t happen’ and what we see with these attractions is that priceless moment, so that’s why there is still a huge industry around that.” The pandemic accelerated the digitisation of the theme park and amusement experience. “If you consider Legoland or Warner Bros Studio Tours today, almost 100 percent of visitors book online before they go and will download the attraction’s app,” noted Minkovicz. “What we are providing is a full fit into today’s customer’s digitisation experience and

helping the theme parks to engage with their customers in a more seamless way.” It was during the pandemic in 2020 that Pomvom bought Picsolve, a leading digital content capture partner for top attraction sites. It was considered a bold move given the tourism, hospitality and leisure industry was closed for such a substantial chunk of time. “I guess it was a combination of Israeli chutzpah and the courage of young entrepreneurs. But we saw an opportunity and I believe it was the right decision, and enabled us to work with the best theme parks and attractions.” Quite. Last year, Pomvom signed a partnership with the American theme park giant Six Flags, reportedly the biggest deal in its history, worth an estimated $21m in annual revenues, and catapulting the company into the US market, the focus of Pomvom’s expansion plans. “Delisting from TASE and on to the Nasdaq is part of that,” says Minkovicz, who spent eight years at Deloitte before setting up Pomvom. Pomvom shares on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange jumped more than 30 percent when the merger was announced. The deal is seen as a huge nod of confidence in the Israeli market amid a challenging backdrop. “We are proud to be both an Israeli company and a global company,” said Minkovicz. “We have many people and their families that have been called to reserves and people that have lost loved ones, but our role is to keep going. “War and terror are not just trying to hurt people but also to hurt the economy, and the message that the business keeps growing is a message to the world that we will not break. This is something all Pomvom individuals, whether they live in Tel Aviv, London or New York, are a part of.” He added: “While what we are seeing right now is focused on Israel, it is not an Israeli problem, or a Jewish problem. “There are times in life where you can’t sit aside, and this is one of those times. I think every person in the ‘normal world’ knows that what happened on 7 October is not acceptable and part of proving that is to keep up the courage. “I don’t know how long it will take, but I know that after the war everything will be better. The fact that we are still staying strong, not just for Pomvom as a business but as part of the wider economy, is a crucial part of that win.” pomvom.com

The World of Harry Potter at Warner Bros

One of the rides at Alton Towers

8 February 2024 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Orthodox Judaism

MAKING SENSE OF THE SEDRA In our thought-provoking series, rabbis and educators relate the week’s parsha to the way we live today BY BENJY MORGAN

JEWISH LEARNING EXCHANGE

Helping people to help themselves As a rabbi in the community, I often grapple with a dilemma. There are people genuinely in need, seeking our assistance, advice and guidance. However, it becomes challenging to discern the boundary between providing independent, genuine help and inadvertently fostering dependency by enabling the person to outsource responsibility to the rabbi or supporter to whom they are reaching out. During a recent visit to the Jewish Learning Exchange, home secretary James Cleverly noted that our community, while seeking

government support, does not rely solely on it. We actively contribute. This is deeply reflected and deeprooted in our heritage and culture. In this week’s parsha, Mishpatim, the Torah emphasises aiding someone in need, highlighting the principle of azov tazov imo (you should help him). The scene is set when you come across someone broken down and immobile on the side of the road, with his donkey, bicycle or Porsche convertible. The Torah says “azov tazov imo”. The sages learn from this that you should only help the person in need if they actively take part to the best of their ability, discouraging a passive approach. They can’t escape to the nearest Costa and ask you to text them when it’s all done.

Therapists in the community to whom I have spoken echo a similar sentiment, emphasising the importance of individuals actively participating in their healing process. Even if someone has limited funds, paying a small contribution is deemed crucial. This active involvement demonstrates a willingness to help oneself, fostering a more productive healing journey. A recent trip to Israel provided inspiration as I met a parent seeking support to lobby for their kidnapped child in Gaza. Despite the emotional turmoil, what stood out was the parent’s sense of responsibility for their child’s release. While seeking assistance from others, they were actively engaged in their own efforts, not shirking their responsibilities.

In a breakdown, we should only help a person who actively takes part

It is incumbent on all of us to avoid helicopter parenting. Intervening without allowing individuals to help themselves can be detrimental.

Teaching and enabling others to be self-sufficient is a crucial aspect of contributing to a healthier society, for ourselves and for future generations.

Selling items of value has never been simpler. Whether you’re clearing a home, moving, remodelling, I will get the best prices for any items of value you’re looking to sell. I am a independent broker acting solely on your behalf • I sell through many different auction houses, high-end dealers, collectors and private clients • Having been in business for over 10 years looking after many, many clients you will always receive my personal discreet one-to-one service (references available) • There is no cost or obligation meeting with me at your home or storage facility • Probate valuations carried out • Based in St Johns Wood, clients in the UK and Europe

Perry Field | 07802 157500 | E: perryfield@hotmail.com (Independent renowned antiques expert BBC’s Dealing with Dickinson, Antiques Master and ITV’s Storage Hoarders.)

34 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Progressive Judaism

LEAP OF FAITH

A stimulating series where progressive rabbis consider how to navigate Judaism in the face of 21st-century issues

BY RABBI AARON GOLDSTEIN THE ARK SYNAGOGUE, NORTHWOOD

Superpower of tech is creating community “The formulations of the highest truth need a constant revision, and even more surely do the forms in which that truth is clothed.” So wrote the distinguished 19-20th century scholar Israel Abrahams in Aspects of Judaism. One of the highest truths is the power of living in relationship, in community. It is one of Judaism’s superpowers. Struck down by a horrible virus this Shabbat, three households of our family did not miss out. We were able to be part of our congregation’s service, wish everyone Shabbat Shalom and ‘join’ Kiddush and Havdalah. How could we do

this while spluttering and without infecting our fellow congregants? We were of course online. From the first Shabbat of lockdown, my synagogue, The Ark, along with many other Progressive communities, moved online. That didn’t end with the pandemic – we have just celebrated our 200th online Havdalah. Our adult learning numbers have increased tenfold and our congregations for services are more than double what they were. We are now a fully hybrid community, meeting and valuing our personal connections in The Ark Sanctuary and fusing all the small Ark Sanctuaries of our homes. Technology at its best is there to support the development of human life, including Judaism. The emergence of online tools such as Sefaria is an example. The challenges of technology are more

Need Cash Fast?

Sell your gold and coins today!

GOLD PRICES AT RECORD HIGH!!!

Receive the best prices for your unwanted gold today! Call Jonathan 020 8446 8538

9 ct per gram - £18.61

£29.03 18 ct per gram - £37.22 21 ct per gram - £43.43 22 ct per gram - £45.46 24 ct per gram - £49.63 Platinum 950 per gram - £19.67 Silver 925ag per gram - £0.40 Half Sovereigns - £181.85 Full Sovereigns - £363.69 Krugerrands - £1,543.53 14

per

gram

We also purchase sterling silver candlesticks and any other sterling tableware

www.howcashforgold.co.uk

about overcoming our fear of it, for nearly every solution is available to us if we can ask. The benefits are profound. Among our members, there is a clear efficacy in mental wellbeing for those who are housebound or isolated and managed to access or build their community online. The real power of caring for each other is in creating a caring community. Judaism provides a weekly foundation for this: Shabbat. The Kiddush Zoom Room and weekly 5pm Havdalah have become pillars of extending the notion. It is not about numbers but the quality of environment into which people enter. The ‘welcomers’ are as important online as in-house, and the feedback to the rabbis and care co-ordinators is as vital. Israel Abrahams continued his thought: “When dogma takes the place of love, religion is dead.”

Paul Hyams in Lincoln takes part in The Ark’s 200th online Havdalah

Our truth and our tradition (its clothing) adapt to new environments. Jethro recommended to Moses the foundation of our judicial system; the rabbis radically altered tradition and saved our destiny.

Time will tell whether we educate Judaism properly now, at a young age, and then provide the means to connect when more mature. Judaism is unwavering. I feel positive.

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 wish to purchase any Diamond and Gold Jewellery

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 and 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. @jewellerycave

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.jewellerycave.co.uk Open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm (anytime) Saturday 9am to 1pm (by appointment)

www.jewishnews.co.uk

8 February 2024 Jewish News

Ask our

Professional advice from our panel / Ask Our Experts

AS COMFORTING AS A BOWL OF CHICKEN SOUP 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 support you in the way that close family would, keeping in regular contact with you and taking care of any Jewish needs (such as saying kaddish for you) in accordance with your wishes.

Our trusty team of advisers answers your questions about everything from law and finance to dating and dentistry. This week: Shipping belongings to Israel in wartime, dealing with a pregnant employee, and why you need to make a will STEPHEN MORRIS REMOVALS MANAGING DIRECTOR

STEPHEN MORRIS SHIPPING LTD.

Dear Stephen Is it safe to ship all my personal effects to Israel while the war in Gaza continues? Rebecca Dear Rebecca I get asked this question so many times each day. The answer is that we are still packing up people’s homes and the container vessels to Ashdod and to Haifa still sail every week. In Israel, clearance through customs still works efficiently and there are sufficient haulage drivers to deliver the

DONNA OBSTFELD EMPLOYMENT LAW

DOHR Dear Donna A candidate has just accepted a permanent, very senior role, initially working on a 12-month to 18-month project within our business, but she has now told us that she is three months pregnant. Can we withdraw the offer? Katherine Dear Katherine

This is a difficult situation. You could withdraw the offer and/or agree a settlement, but ultimately as a pregnant employee, she is protected. Not hiring someone and/or treating someone differently because of a ‘protected characteristic’, which maternity status is, is illegal. As you cannot ask about pregnancy or family intentions in an interview, the chances are the applicant did not lie during the recruitment process. However, if your job advert or interview questions specifically asked for a 12-month to 18-month commitment and for the ability to deliver the project within this period, then the candidate may have withheld the truth. Whether you are able to do anything with this will depend

shipment to residence for our crews to deliver and place in the home. But what about insurance? Well, we still offer All Risks Insurance through Lloyd’s of London but there is a small percentage surcharge whilst the war continues. We add this to the premium at the time cover commences. In addition, the shipping lines are charging a war surcharge which is included in our quotations. Again, this will disappear once the Gaza war ends. So, although I cannot assure you 100 percent that your shipment will not be affected by the war, other than by the small surcharges, we as a company have not experienced any problems with shipments and our clients move with piece of mind about their effects, at least!

on what you had in the offer letter or in the contract of employment. If it has a clause which says that they have declared all relevant information and anything found to be withheld or false could lead to failing a probation period, then you could take the decision to fail their probation period, but there would still be the risk of a claim. There is also the possibility that the applicant genuinely didn’t know they were pregnant and therefore they haven’t technically withheld anything. While it doesn’t feel morally right and you may well feel that you have been misled, there is a risk to your business which you now need to manage.

ADAM SHELLEY ACCOUNTANT

SOBELL RHODES LLP Dear Adam Are you able to provide any guidance about planning your estate and gifts in relation to inheritance tax? Rebecca Dear Rebecca Inheritance tax is usually charged at 40 percent on the value of your estate (your property, money, and possessions) over

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).

the £325,000 nil-rate band. There’s an extra allowance of up to £175,000 if you pass your family home to children or grandchildren. The amount the estate is entitled to is reduced or tapered away for estates worth more than £2m by £1 for every £2 over £2m. If you’re married, you can combine your thresholds and transfer assets between each other tax-free. When one dies, the surviving spouse can inherit without inheritance tax liability, and you can utilise their unused thresholds on your death. Writing a will is the most basic, but also one of the most neglected forms of estate planning. For some, there’s a misconception that there’s no point in making a will if you’re married. That’s not necessarily

the case, particularly if you have children and hold joint assets with other individuals. Without a legally valid will, your estate could be distributed according to intestacy rules and a larger portion might be taxable. Outside of having a legally valid will, one of the simplest ways to protect your estate can be to put assets into trusts. This can mean they fall outside of your estate when you die but there can be tax charges for gifts into trust. Placing insurance policies into trust is a tax-efficient estate planning strategy. Gifting assets over time is an option, such as using your annual exemption to give £3,000 of gifts in 2023/24 without them being added to the value of your estate.

36 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Ask our experts / Professional advice from our panel

Our Experts

Do you have a question for a member of our team? Email:

editorial@jewishnews.co.uk

PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SPECIALIST

FINANCIAL SERVICES (FCA) COMPLIANCE

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

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.

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

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

ISRAEL PROPERTY & MORTGAGE BROKER

HUMAN RESOURCES / EMPLOYMENT LAW

FINANCIAL SERVICES

DONNA OBSTFELD Qualifications: • FCIPD Chartered HR Professional • 25 years in HR and business management. • Mediator, business coach, trainer, author and speaker • Supporting businesses and charities with the hiring, managing, inspiring and firing of their staff

ILAN RUBINSTEIN Qualifications: • UK born, licenced Israel estate agent in Israel since 2001 • Ilan assists in buying, financing & re-sale of new & existing property in Israel. • Helps level the playing field opposite vendors, developers & even the bank • Attentive to your needs, saving you time, hassle & money

JOE OZER Qualifications: • Executive director for the United Kingdom at DCI (Intl) Ltd • Worked in finance for more than 20 years • Specialists in distribution and promotion of Israel Bonds

DOHR LTD 020 8088 8958 www.dohr.co.uk donna@dohr.co.uk

I.L.A.N. ESTATES & INVESTMENTS “Bringing Jews Home” UK: 0203-807-0878 ISRAEL: +972-504-910-604 www.ilanrealestate.com nadlan@hotmail.com

DEVELOPMENT COMPANY FOR ISRAEL 020 3936 2712 www.israelbondsintl.com joe.ozer@israelbondsintl.com

JEWELLER

ACCOUNTANT

GOAL ATTAINMENT SPECIALIST

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

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

DR BEN LEVY Qualifications: • Doctor of psychology with 15 years’ experience in education and corporate sectors • Uses robust, evidence-based methods to help you achieve your goals, whatever they may be • Works with clients individually to maximise success

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

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

MAKE IT HAPPEN 07779 619 597 www.makeit-happen.co.uk ben@makeit-happen.co.uk

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR OF LEGACIES

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

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

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

SUE CIPIN OBE Qualifications: • 24 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

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

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

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

CAREER ADVISER

• • •

REMOVALS MANAGING DIRECTOR

PRINCIPAL, PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL

LESLEY TRENNER 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

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

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

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

8 February 2024 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

’S TOP TIPS

FOR STAYING SAFE CST’s 24-hour security operation enables Jewish life to thrive in the UK. We also have some simple steps you can take to help with your personal safety, wherever you are. Plan to walk in well-lit areas, even if it adds a few minutes onto your journey. Let people know where you are going. Check in when you arrive at and leave your location. Make sure you can hear what is happening around you. If you want to wear headphones in public, keep the volume low. Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Don’t look down at your phone whilst walking. If something seems wrong, act on it. If you feel like you are being followed, walk into the nearest shop or crowded area and ask for help. Your voice is your best weapon. If you feel threatened, shout loudly and confidently to attract attention.

Sign up for a CST self-defence class today CST runs regular self-defence classes throughout the year. Email training@cst.org.uk to find out more or to request a class in your area.

Report suspicitivity & antisemitism

SCAN TO REPORT

IN AN EMERGENCY National Emergency Number (24-hr) 0800 032 3263 In a non-emergency London 020 8457 9999 | Manchester 0161 792 6666

Registered charity in England and Wales (1042391) and Scotland (SC043612)

CST Advert 2024 - Jewish News full page.indd 2

16/01/2024 09:59

38 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Business Services Directory ANTIQUES

CLOTHING

HOUSE CLEARANCE

Dave & Eve House Clearance

Top prices paid Antique – Reproduction – Retro Furniture (any condition)

Friendly Family Company established for 30 years

Epstein, Archie Shine, Hille, G Plan, etc. Dining Suites, Lounges Suites, Bookcases, Desks, Cabinets, Mirrors, Lights, etc.

WANTED Furs, Jewellery, Old Costume Jewellery, Watches, Silver, Designer Bags, anything vintage.

01277 352560

House clearances Single items to complete homes

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.

MARYLEBONE ANTIQUES - 8 CHURCH STREET NW8 8ED

07866 614 744 (ANYTIME) 0207 723 7415 (SHOP) closed Sunday & Monday STUART SHUSTER - e-mail - info@maryleboneantiques.co.uk

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

MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT US BEFORE SELLING CHARITY & WELFARE

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

BRIDGE

WESTLON HOUSING ASSOCIATION

ARE YOU BEREAVED?

Sheltered Accommodation 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.

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

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

COMPUTER

LAW MENTOR

Former “Magic Circle” solicitor

LAW MENTOR

offers help with: • • • •

Former “Magic Circle” solicitor offers help with: CVs and personal statements interviews and assessment days coping with stress and workload promotion and new opportunities STONEMASON

For more information contact Tom ADVERTISE IN THE UK’S BIGGEST lawmentor@btinternet.com JEWISH NEWSPAPER / 07590 057097 FOR LESS THAN £24 A WEEK

Email Sales today at sales@jewishnews.co.uk

Harold Schogger

Afternoon Free Taster Monday 15th January 2024 Afternoon Beginners Course Starts Monday 22nd January 2024 Afternoon Intermediates Course Starts Tuesday 23rd January 2024

Guaranteed success Phone 0208 905 3877 for more details www.haroldschogger.com

PROPERTY

LAW MENTOR

• • • •

WEB DESIGN

CVs and personal statements interviews and assessment days coping with stress and workload promotion and new opportunities

For more information contact Tom lawmentor@btinternet.com / 07590 057097

FOR RENT IN ISRAEL

Large 5 room high-end furnished apartment, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms & laundry room. Large balcony, 5 minute walk to the train station with a shul downstairs Call + 972 52 669 2108

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

UTILITIES

Are you happy paying big household bills? Would you like to pay less?

The specialist masons in creating bespoke Granite and Marble Memorials for all Cemeteries. Clayhall Showroom 14 Claybury Broadway Ilford. IG5 0LQ T: 0208 551 6866

Find out how

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

Email : info@garygreenmemorials.co.uk

www.garygreenmemorials.co.uk

call Jeff on 07958 959 822

LEGACY- LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR MEMORYLegacy Classified advert v1.qxp_Legacy 16/06/2021 10:57 Page 1 Gary Green ad 84 x 40mm JM Group v2.indd 1

Leave the legacy of independence to people like Joel. PLease remember us in your wiLL.

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

Registered Charity No. 259480

18/03/2019 12:50:51

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 Charity Reg No. 802559

Chancellors House, Brampton Lane, London, NW4 4AB Tel: 020 8903 8746 | Mobile: 079 3172 2153 www.bﬁwd.org | email: info@bﬁwd.org

8 February 2024 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Fun, games and prizes

JEWISH NEWS CROSSWORD WORD THE CROSSWORD 4

1 5

2 6

18 22

25 25

10 Of clothes, reaching the middle 15 Mimic (3) of the leg (4-6) 17 Flatfish (6) 15 Squash (7) 18 Cook too much (6) 17 With vision (7) 19 Ungainly (6) ACROSS Each cell in an outlined block must contain Eachacell digit: in aantwo-cell outlined block must contain a digit: a two-cell 18 Heavy uninteresting food (6)20 Intact (6) 7 Corpulent (6) block contains the digits 1 and 2, a three-cell block contains block contains the digits 1 and 2, a three-cell block contains 22 Expansive (4) 8 Reached a high point (6) 20 Lottery (5) the digits 1, 2 and 3; and so on. The same the digits digit must 1, 2 and not 3; and so on. The same digit must not 24 Bog 22 Practise for a feat of endurance (5) fuel (4) 9 Aid (a criminal) (4) appear in neighbouring cells, not even appear diagonally. in neighbouring cells, not even diagonally.

SUGURU

(5,6)

ls (5)

SUGURU

ARCHWORDSEARCH CODEWORD CODEWORD

4 5

h brass bands all be found in the Thecan playground-related words can In allthis be finished found in crossword, the grid. Words every letter In of this the alphabet finished crossword, appears asevery letter of the alphabet appears as r forwards ormay backwards, a horizontal, run eitherin forwards or backwards, a code in anumber. horizontal, All you vertical have or to do is crack a code thenumber. code and All fill you in have the to do is crack the code and fill in the on, but always in a straight, unbroken line.in a grid. diagonal direction, but always straight, Replacing unbroken the line. decoded numbers grid. with their Replacing lettersthe in the decoded grid numbers with their letters in the grid will help you to guess the identity of other will help letters. you to guess the identity of other letters.

I F EP RL YA GY G 19 R22 O8 U D 4 4N 13

L A NK TT SE TE DC L 10 E E11 S 23 T Y 17 I

7 6 2 4 8

7 2 6 5 4 6 2 7 2 3 8 7 3 1 4 5 4 5 1 4 DOWN 19 20 DOWN 5 2 3 97 2 6 1 Gloomy (6) 2 Dog’s restraining chain (5) 2 Head sculpture (4) 3 Appendix to a will (7) 9 8 3 9 4 7 3 1 3 Think well of (6) 24 with a wick (6) 4 Wax light 4 Lecture (6) 5 ___ basket, wickerwork carrycot (5) 5 6 8 3 24 4 5 Common fraction (4) 7 6 Bishop’s area (7) 6 Edinburgh-based football club (6) 726Signal to take action (4-2,4)13 Draw to a close (3) 9 6 5 1 2

Fill the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 soFill thatthe each gridrow, with the numbers 1 to 9 so that each row,

SUDOKU

114 Female5rabbit (3) 10 Anger (3) column and 3x3 block contains the numbers column1and to 9.3x3 block contains the numbers 1 to 9. 6 11 Body, shape (4) 12 Morally proper (7) 12 (5) ___ to, abide by (6) 138 Blue ___ Shoes, Presley song 14 Croaky (voice) (6) 14 Culinary pulveriser (6) 16 Film factory (6) 16 Plus (2,4) 19 Able (6) 11 units (5) 19 Farmland 21 Aircraft personnel (4) 21 Make more secure (7) 23 Try to win the affection of (3)23 Bird similar to an ostrich (3) 24 Route (4) 2414Sudden15thrust (5) 25 Emotionally as one (6) 25 Take away (7) 26 Flights next to a banister (6) 26 Tending flocks (11)

7 9

SUDOKU

I P AU RO UE MM H 6 I 10 L18 T15 11 E 24G 23

B P OU EO RR BD U I

23 24

M E Y G 11

1912 241 1716 2322 135 1 16

4 16 8 14 1120 239 2417 10

5 17

265 1919

2 1720 15

10 24

235

18 4

T S DH NN AA BR HA L 22 I 5 R10 S 10 E 12O 5

8 25 3 1

S H

I A RU EM AB PB N A N N Y T 19

O M P I EO TY EA US A N D P 24

H I E P MR UR RC TR EG N 10 I 9 W10 S 18 24 19

20 1 2

6 4

17 10 10

5 2420

22 105 4

5 5

19 4

7 15

17 10

19 1

1020 109 241 1 8 1021

3 7

14 2

20 9

514 4

24 1

2 5

19 24

20 23

See next issue for puzzle solutions.

EUPHONIUM BABY

FAMILY TROMBONE

PRAM

NET

PIT

GAME TRUMPET

A B C D E F GSLIDE H I J K L M N O AP BQ CR DS ET FU GV HW I XJ YK ZL M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z PUSHCHAIR

SCHOOL NANNY CABLEWAYTUBA

1 2 3 4SWING 5 6 ROUNDABOUT

MBLE

TREDEGAR CHILD

SANDPIT

BUGGY

PLAYGROUND YORKSHIRE

olutions LastSudoku issue’s solutions

4 6 3 8 2 9 5 7 1 8 9 1 5 3 7 2 4 6 Crossword 5 1 44Columns, 6 8 3 89Ju-jitsu, 2 17Carer, dly 9 Theatre ACROSS: 9 4116Sly,3 127 To-do, 8 2 cil 15 Fewer 9 Cymru,1105Nick, 3 16 8 Carpet, 6 7 1 19 9 5214Art, 2 Fact, lls 22 Aquaria 15 Basted, 22 Knob,7262Ozone, Birdies, 8 5 4 9 27 1 6 3 28 Nestles, 29 Yonks. 6 8 9 5 7 1 2 4 nts 3 Umber DOWN: 1 Cajun, 2 Rejects,33 Ruth, 5 4 2 3 9 8 6 1 7 chs 8 World-weary 4 Couple,9 5 3Lack, 5 1 4 72Spun-out, 8 7 66 Mambo, act 15 Flushed 13 Ben, 14 RAF, 15 Buffoon, 17 Pension, 18 Tribes, 20 Cools, 23 Busks, 24 Bell, ink. 25 Dray.

TODDLER

8 1 9 2 103 114 125 136

2114 2215 2316 2417 2518 2619

Suguru Sudoku

Suguru

Wordsearch

A U 5 1 5 42 15 4 1 E 9 4 4 65 32 11 84 7 2 3 5 O1 C C 2O 1B 3R 5 1 3 2 A1 K F H 8 2 7 3 2 33 21 3 2 M 2 91 14 53 45 3 6 1 4 2 4 N2 B O 3D 4H 2P 1 4 S3 R Y A N E O A O E W U A 5 8 9 6 3 7 2 4 1 3 5 3 5 2 1 3 5 4 1 44 52 5 1 5 3 2 1 5 3 2 1 C R E C K A T I D K 3 1 1 42 51 63 74 8 9 2 2 2 3 23 11 4 3 G 4 3 2 1 4 3 1 4 2 1 R L I H Y T I L J E A 9 8 2 3 1 4 7 5 6 3 4 5 1 44 35 2 1 E4 O5 E P 1W 5E 4L 3 5 2 2 3 5 4 2 1 N T M T 3 7 6 2 5 9 4 1 8 1 U4 O 1 2 3 2 51 13 4 3 E2 V1 S A 2S 3I 1H 2 4 1 2 1 3 55 T G

6 2 8 4 3 1 7 9 5 3 9 7 6 1 8 2 4 7 1 4 8 9 2 5 6 3

N R T T

I E D B

V K I J

See next issue for puzzle solutions.

2 5 3

PETE

SKATEBOARD

3 4

3 18 20 2 1

2 1

3 1 45

2 1920

10 11

1922 1919 112 105 194 19

10 19

11 1914

2 2 5 19 116 1118 13

G M SC ED LR SA OO B 18 E T6 A 3K S 3 17

A E AH AA CP I E NE L C14 W8 D F 11B 25 10

19 8

M A DS HB RS SO I D D 10 G L19 A 17 T U 19

24 10

L C N A

H A S L

G R D A

N C E P

C M S E R I E S S E N O

A F L R

Wordsearch Codeword

Codeword

R F X DQWDA T A V A LH KO W A L B S I GS LAOMO O S H A L E RU ES N U A L T E R I AROMA Y T S A P R N P Y M R M E S T X L C T ACU HR S E K A N AP RNCK UN E E C E HN L S S DM O EA AOR N F O E H OC AH E I AI PL RN I I VC C F E R C UU T O G F LN OL OAM L E G F R N ER VA EA CQ U I P I R I SXT TA R A M J E R N U U S I C E E I D L A O BRA VO R A L I E N Q RT CZ B E B A R TH EON I E M T C N ESN EE O S T R UT DE E MY E TL H

P L A Y E R T RUMP S O T E RA U A S CRU F F C E R E A L S I U K S O U U P E E L S L N MAMMA L E T H I C S G I O O S OW I N G J O I S T S N I T RA I L Q U E N E V U B E X C I T E I N V E S T Z E T ON A L E L D E R S GU I L T Y

Z H M J P O Q T G Y N 25/01 I L D B E U A F R V S X K CW

R O A I D Y J C B M X 08/02 SQ N T PGU V FWL E Z KH

40 Jewish News 8 February 2024

www.jewishnews.co.uk

giggles concept love joyous

We can’t wait to be a part of yours

020 8203 2111