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Anekstein cup final.

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l scored Michael Rosentha Ben Retter and the team. thumped set up and had captained squad this season and for Boca. Hertswood Vale to the Second bottom “It means so much 6-0. e Jewish Care C fourth place came Redbridg also to former players.” slipped down to players and managers The Essex team and “Some of the past which was fantastic, this reverse. Elio Elia and for following down for the game, (2), show of Gorb bit a Josh about to be on Harry Graham (2) luckily we were were on target. Cohen the Josh . finished mark everyone re to Camden Park great atmosphe In other fixtures, “There was a with a 3-1 win against MJSL P28 Division campaign hosts in a thrilling our achievement.” moved up Premier scored for the FC. league, RC UK FC . bottom club Spec into fourth Benson Elsewhere, in the Jewniors. Division 2 champions Raiders B moved L’Equipe, triumph. a 7-2 win at Boca hit back for a North London humdinger 6-4 to third following before Finchley could have One after a ten-goal Raiders led 2-0 at half time and 4-0 Division in led spot the win. visitors The nce. before Raiders sealed  Finchley City. sterling performa , Alex 3-2 lead Akiva against scored more in a ger, Elad Hertshten a hat-trick hero, was Rochwer d Jono and Rob also Jonti Aremban highs ecstatic Stern. Gold, Jake Gilbert and David Brown us 10 years of Goodman, Jacob (2), Avi Mocton “It’s been a tumultuo the title is Solomon it top off by winning hit the target. and lows, so to Mark Singer, who chairman club special,” added M

Avrum Leigh – Director of Property Run

Engineers, who wrote the original tive in his drive electrical regulatio for success. ns.” on working for “In an apprent Impressively, other compan iceship you are Avrom starties relation to further his taught theory ed studying to to his business expertise and and some practica be an electrici reputathus tion. l, slowly built an but not how whilst he was up his own compan to actually apply doing his GCSEs y, that Propert “My dedication in real life. For and A Levels in yrun Ltd. At 27, he is to the industry example, I studHasmonean High the director earned me glowing of He believes the ied the theory School for boys. “Proper tyrun recommendaof installing and ticket to sucLtd,” a high-end tions, which are cess in business wiring a fuse box, “It was a hectic electrical contract what my compais to “never stop but in applicaschedule of ing ny is solely based learning because tion you learn ny based in Boreham compa- school in the day, around.” it to is important implement the college in the wood that Avrom takes to give clients right size and evenings. By the specialises in client feedbac a great, thought brand for your work for landlord time I left, I was k - very seriously cli- out product s, qualified ent. I therefor managing agents .” and uses this as an air conditio e paid lecturers and councils. to in ning college continuously improve “Even today as and refrigeration “I knew from to teach me privately a fully qualified his service. engineer.” a young age on electrica He shares a recent I the job out of Avrom underto l inspector, I wanted to do incident with college hours electrical work. am still in ok an apprenand the process me where he received My ticeship also found work grandfather was of enrolling on to gain some practica outstanding at an establish actually a memfur- client feedbac ed ther universi l ex- electrica perience, but ber of the Institute l company.” k. ty courses to he found qualify of Electrical that this “I completed in infrastructure When he got was not enough a mains installaand design.” back from yesand took initiation for a new Avrom attribute hivah in Israel, block of flats s his years of Avrom carried and hard work as having a direct corNot many people can say that they started their career whilst still at school, but Avrom Leigh certainly can.

BY DAVID SAFFER

GB ended the Maccabi note Champions L’Equipe campaign on a winning SFL Division Two Real Hendon. eight with a 3-1 win over champs finished The runaway league Fortune. points clear of Temple Kay hit the Jon and Prager James Bell, David team. target for Nick Stern’s have been of my team, who “I am so proud impossible many thought was able to achieve what said an finally win the league,” and that was to

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LE PEN STEPS ASIDE AS NATIONAL FRONT LEADER THEJE WISH

WEEK LY.CO

JAMES MARLOW

n an astonishing move Marine Le Pen stepped down as leader of the National Front party in what is being seen as an apparent calculated move to appear more presidential as she heads into the second and final round to become the next French president. With an unprecedented total of 11 candidates last Sunday, Marine Le Pen saw off nine of them and will now face the independent and centralist figure Emmanuel Macron on 7 May. This will be the first time since the current presidential system was introduced in 1958 that no candidate from the main centre left or centre right parties have reached the final round. The current president, Francois Hollande, who took office in May 2012, has urged the

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French people to endorse Emmanuel Macron in a bid to keep out the former National Front leader. Hollande, who did not stand for re-election, has seen his socialist party plummet in popularity in the past two years, and under the new socialist leader, Benoit Hamon, the party received just 6.4% of the vote. Nevertheless Hollande addressed voters from the Elysee Palace, insisting prices will soar, jobs will be lost and the country will be divided if Marine Le Pen is chosen as the next president. He also spoke of the danger of France “becoming isolated and breaking away from the EU” if Le Pen sweeps to power. Hollande’s words sounded very similar to the “project fear” that British referendum Continued on page 3

WEEK LY.CO M

JAMES MARLOW Prime Minister Netanyahu warned Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel that if he would meet with radical left wing organizations, then Netanyahu would cancel their scheduled talks on Tuesday afternoon. But the German Foreign Minister ignored the ultimatum and went ahead with meetings with NGO’s “Breaking the Silence” and “B’Tselem.”

Continued on page 7

page 24

CHARITIES SET FOR MARATHON £160K BONANZA

Netanyahu refuses to meet with German Minister Israeli media reported that when Netanyahu telephoned the Foreign Minister, Gabriel refused to take his call. Breaking the Silence and B’Tselem are extremely controversial groups in Israel that collect testimonies from Israeli veterans about their service experiences in volatile areas

Continued on

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THE JEWISH WEEKLY

26 APRIL 2017

NEWS IN ISRAEL BY JAMES J. MARLOW

FOLLOW JAMES AT TWITTER: @JAMES_J_MARLOW

Yom HaShoah Commemoration

Holocaust survivor Stephanie Fortuno, 77, sounded the country-wide Holocaust Remembrance Day siren at 10 am on Monday in memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis. Ms Stephanie Fortuno, who survived the bitter Nazi era as a young girl in Poland, arrived at the Home Front Command’s war room, which is run by her son Yoni Fortuno, to press the button on Monday morning which sounded across the country. Fortuno’s father was a factory owner, and her mother was an accountant. When the Nazis invaded Poland during World War II, she was hidden in the home of one of her father’s factory workers, where she stayed until the host family could no longer hide her. In the meantime, her father was taken to a concentration camp where he eventually met his death. Her mother was arrested by the Gestapo on her way to visit the home where Steph-

anie was hiding - and then disappeared, leaving young Stephanie on her own. Stephanie’s uncle, who was a partisan, took her under his wing and found another Polish family who would hide her until the end of the war. For three years, Stephanie hid in a closet in the family’s home, which was located just opposite the local Gestapo headquarters. Two years after the war, when Stephanie was 7 years old, she was sent from Poland to England. She was adopted at age 9 by a couple who raised her until her marriage at age 21. “People endangered their lives to help me, ignoring the risks involved. I owe them my life,” Stephanie said. Yoni Fortuno said, “The fact that my mother sounded the siren is a kind of closure for me. I am the commander of a unit in charge of activating sirens during air strikes when there is a danger to Israeli civilians. The siren today was not a siren of war

Holocaust survivor Stephanie Fortuno, 77, sounded the country-wide Holocaust Remembrance Day siren at 10 am on Monday

- it was a siren of unity, a siren of remembrance.” Meanwhile Education Minister Naftali Bennett led more than 10,000 marchers from Auschwitz to Birkenau (approximately three kilometres) to commemorate the six million Jews who perished under the Nazi persecution. The March of the Living has taken place each year since 1988 with more than 250,000 participants from 52 countries. Whilst marching, Minister Bennett held a Torah scroll that was restored after being partially destroyed by the Nazis. It was written before the First World

Palestinian stabs 4 in Tel Aviv An 18-year-old Palestinian from Nablus in the West Bank stabbed four people inside a hotel lobby and on the nearby beachfront popular with tourists last Sunday afternoon. The victims included three men, two in their 50s, one in his early 70s and a woman in her early 50s. The attack

The hotel where an 18-year-old Palestinian from Nablus in the West Bank stabbed four people

occurred at the Herods Hotel in northern Tel Aviv on Hayarkon Street, along the city’s seaside promenade. The four were treated on the scene by United Hatzalah and MDA paramedics before being evacuated to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. The injuries sustained by all four victims were

listed as light. United Hatzalah emergency responder Yossi Eckler described the scene when he arrived. “We found two men and one woman lightly injured in the lobby and suffering from wounds in their upper body. While treating them together with other EMTs [Emergency Medical Technicians] from the ambu-cycle unit who arrived after me, we were told of another wounded man outside of the hotel. EMTs promptly ran to treat him as well.” Shlomi Sagi, the commander of the Tel Aviv Police’s Yarkon District, said the terrorist was overpowered by hotel staff and police, adding “Since we were

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War broke out and served the Transylvanian Jewish community until Romanian Jewry was wiped out by the Nazis. After it sat for decades beneath the ruins of the Bucharest synagogue, it was brought to Israel, restored and now serves synagogues in Judea and Samaria. Naftali Bennett explained how the Torah scroll is itself a survivor of the Nazis and said “while standing together with dozens of Holocaust survivors, hundreds of IDF soldiers, the families of terror victims and injured IDF soldiers, and thousands of Jewish youth from around the world - is already deployed in the area, he was arrested within seconds.” Police then took the 18-yearold Arab man into custody who acknowledged during interrogation that the attack was nationalistically motivated, confirming suspicions the incident was a terror attack. The coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Major General Yoav Mordechai has now frozen all daily permits to Palestinians entering Israel after investigators found the terrorist carried such a card. Permits will remain frozen and no new permits will be given until further notice. Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said, “This is another painful reminder to the difficult reality we’re living in, particularly on

itself proof of Israel’s spiritual greatness and the fact that we are an eternal people.” “In this Torah scroll, which I am holding now,” Bennett continued, “The blood of your brethren is screaming to me from the earth. This is what I feel now, when I hold this Torah scroll - a scroll which saw so many horrors, which saw the worst period in Jewish history. Yet, this scroll survived and merited to arrive in Israel. Today, standing in Auschwitz, we must remember that we have received our greatest gift, the gift of the State of Israel.” the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day.” He went on to thank everyone involved in the quick response, which prevented losses. He insisted that “we will not surrender to terrorism.” The attack came as 20-yearold British student Hannah Bladon was stabbed to death on the eve of Passover by a 57-yearold Palestinian man in Jerusalem. Ms Bladon, a student at the University of Birmingham, had been on an exchange programme with the Rothberg International School at Hebrew University of Jerusalem since January and was travelling on the tram [light railway] when the attack occurred outside City Hall. A 30-year-old pregnant woman and a 50-year-old man were also injured in the attack.

26 APRIL 2017 NEWS 05 THE JEWISH WEEKLY

LIKUD GAIN SUPPORT

Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu

A new election poll carried out by the Midgam Institute for Channel 2’s “Meet the Press” show indicated a strengthening of the Likud party for the first time in six months. The poll would confirm Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s stronghold on the Israeli public’s trust and support. Yesh Atid’s chairman Yair

Yair Lapid, chairman of the Yesh Atid Party

Lapid had been leading multiple polls in recent months and claimed he was the only promising candidate to replace Netanyahu. But according to this latest poll, the Yesh Atid party is down to 24 mandates or seats while Likud rose to 28 if elections were held in Israel today.

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The poll also showed that former Defence Minister Moshe (Boogie) Yaalon, who had recently declared his intention to launch a new political party and run for the position of prime minister, would not even pass the elections threshold of 3.25%. The third-largest party according to the poll is the Joint [Arab] List with 13 mandates, while the former Labor Party, now known as Zionist Union, would decrease from 24 to just 12 mandates. Nafatli Bennett’s Bayit Yehudi [Jewish Home] party would improve slightly from 8 to 10 seats, and Moshe Kahlon’s party Kulanu, as well as Shas and United Torah Judaism, would each receive seven. Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beytenu and Meretz would both receive six mandates.

Abbas to meet Trump Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud the peace process. “I am optimistic,” Abbas will next week meet with US Majdalani remarked. Palestinian officials hope that Trump President Donald Trump in Washington. The meeting scheduled to take will offer his support for the twoplace on 3 May is very important state solution and pressure Prime according to Palestinian official Ahmed Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to freeze Majdalani, who said, “We must agree on the settlement building throughout Judea, fundamentals to revive the peace process Samaria and Jerusalem. But in view of the recent terror attacks in Israel and discuss bilateral relations.” Majdalani added that an advance and the constant incitement to attack team, including chief Palestinian Israelis in the media controlled by the the negotiator Saeb Erekat, Palestinian Authority, that is unlikely PA Intelligence chief to happen. Abbas will also likely visit a number of Majid Faraj and Abbas’s economic adviser, Muhammad Mustafa, has al- Arab and European countries ahead of ready arrived in the American capitol to his visit to Washington. meet with officials in the Trump administration. Trump invited Abbas to the White House last month during his first telephone conversation with the Palestinian leader, and since the call Abbas has met twice with Trump’s special representative for international negotiations, Jason Greenblatt. Majdalani said that the Palestinian leadership is hopePalestinian Authority President ful about the Trump adminU.S President Donald Trump Mahmoud Abbas istration’s plans for renewing

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26 APRIL 2017

MARATHON RUNNERS EXCEED EXPECTATIONS

Roey Frelich ran for Emunah, celebrating with sons Netanel and Yair BY DAVID SAFFER

EWISH charities have benefited to the tune of over £160,000 following the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday. Runners completed the iconic 26.2 mile distance spurred on by a stirring atmosphere as over 40,000 participants took to the streets cheered on by supporters. Participants from across the country drew great acclaim from Jewish organisations. Eleven runners raised £65k in aid of Chai Cancer Care. Chai chairman, Louise Hager, praised each runner’s commitment and dedication over many months of training. Ricky Green raised an astonishing £28k and completed the marathon in five hours. Coby Bull finished in a similar time raising over £7.5k. “Chai are always at the end of the phone, they help through the emotional roller coaster that is cancer,” he said.

Jonathan Barr, who completed the New York marathon ten weeks post-chemotherapy two years ago, ran alongside wife, Lauren, raising 10k for Chai and the North London Hospice. “Chai have been a rock, they have shown me such kindness and understanding,” he said. “The most amazing part were the crowds,” said Mikey Salem, who has raised over £5k. “From the second you cross the start line until the finish the crowd is cheering you on.” “Every runner goes through good and challenging miles, and miles where you aren’t sure you can do it,” added Charlotte Hamilton, who ran with fiancé Ben Menahem to raise funds for Chai and Jewish Women’s Aid. “It is humbling to cross the finish line for a cause you believe in, which ultimately keeps you going.” “It’s important to spread awareness and funds so the service can continue to grow,” said Michaela Krantz, who found the event uplifting.

“Family and friends who came to watch really helped keep me going, especially for the last few miles,” said Rachel Caplin, who raced in memory of her mother. “It was an amazing experience and one I’ve always wanted to be part of,” commented Jo Benjamin. “The first 15 miles were easy, but it became tougher every mile that passed,” Josh Dvir said. “The London Marathon is THE charity marathon and it was so worthwhile to run for this amazing organisation,” noted Melanie Ross Ten runners raised £25k for Kisharon. Rabbi Joshua Conway came home first for the charity in 3 hours 44 minutes. Saul Mayers and Lorin Bradley ran the marathon together. “The race exceeded all expectations and was truly our most extraordinary experience,” commented Saul. Miranda Shemen finished in just under four hours followed by mum, Danielle Donne. Other runners included Eli Patashnik, Deborah Clayden and Vic Aboudara. “Kisharon has nothing but admiration for the commitment demonstrated by the runners who trained, ran and fundraised for learning disabilities,” said Richard

Franklin, Kisharon communications director. A further 10 runners representing Leeds Jewish Welfare Board reached beyond its £20k target in the 140th anniversary of the organisation caring for the community. Philip Myers, brothers Marcus and Jamie Lee, Paul Berwin, Danny Rosenberg, Monica Angel, Deborah Stewart, Elissa Yurowitz and Ilan Sherman ran alongside veteran runner Lloyd Rakusen. Lloyd, who has completed 15 marathons for the Welfare Board and celebrates his 70th birthday this year, again displayed his ongoing support and commitment. “The team has worked incredibly hard both in training and in fundraising,” said Tracy Bickler, communications manager. “All the runners surpassed their individual goals with the promise of donations. “The support of the community together with the dedication and commitment from the team are humbling and enable us to continue our vital work in the community.” Dedicated marathon runners raised £20k for Jewish Care. Josh Domb, 27, ran the course in an impressive 3 hours 10 minutes. “I’m buzzing, it was an incredible experience from start to finish,” he

David Bondt represented for Emunah, at the finish line with son, Eli

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said. “Seeing my parents cheering their hearts out with 100 meters to go will stay with me for a very long time.” Jewish Care director of fundraising and marketing Daniel Carmel-Brown marked his 20th year working for the organisation by finishing his first marathon in just under five hours. Daniel dedicated his race to his 1,400 colleagues and 3,000 volunteers. Suffering from cramp at 25 miles, he thought of those who support the Jewish community of London and South East. “There is digging deep and there is reaching beyond what is normal for a human being to do to achieve a lifetime ambition,” he said. “It was like an out of body experience, it is truly the case that ‘thinking the impossible’ does make things possible.” Talk Radio producer Matt Blom, 26, completed the marathon. “The atmosphere is what made it with everyone cheering you on,” he noted. “Running across Tower Bridge is something I will never forget; it was an incredible moment.” Real estate manager Yael Kohn travelled from Ranana in Israel and completed the marathon in a shade under four hours. “I have

Kisharon runners included, Saul Mayers and Lorin Bradley

26 APRIL 2017 dreamt of completing this marathon, and to do it supporting the work of Jewish Care is a truly worthy way to achieve this dream,” she said. Camp Simcha runners raised over £15k to support families coping with serious childhood illness. “Running the marathon is no small commitment and we are immensely grateful our runners chose to do it,” said chief executive Neville Goldschneider. Jonny Phillips of Edgware, who has raised over £23,000 for the charity since 2010, completed his fifth London marathon for the charity. “I know some of the families supported and hear about the unconditional care they get; supporting an amazing charity elevates the whole marathon experience,” he said. Darrel Yawitch, also from Edgware, completed the course in an impressive 3 hours 7 minutes. “The atmosphere and cheers really kept me going and the sight of the Camp Simcha staff waiting with a sandwich at the end was wonderful,” he quipped. Arie Gurvits, Pinchos Herskovic, Shloimy Roth and Yossi Schloss

THE JEWISH WEEKLY finished the course for the charity. World Jewish Relief fielded its largest ever team of runners this year. 21 people from across the UK, Italy and France donned WJR vests, raising more than £43,000 for the charity. Chief Executive Paul Anticoni said, “It is incredible to have a Marathon team like this with so many people putting in the training and commitment to support World Jewish Relief. It’s a tremendous achievement and a life-changing experience, not just for the runners but for all the people the money raised will benefit.” Maurice and Sam Helfgott, received a surprise mention during BBC live coverage, with Brendan Fosters last comment after 37 years. “Maurice Helfgott, who’s running with his son Sam for World Jewish Relief, brought his father Ben Helfgott to the UK after the war in 1945. Ben survived the Holocaust, was brought to Britain aged 16 and he ended up being the captain of the Great Britain weight lifting team in the 1956 and ’60 Olympics. He won a bronze medal in the 1958 Commonwealth Games. Good luck

to Maurice and Sam and best wishes to Ben who is now 87. That’s my last mention in the London Marathon, thank you.” British Emunah director Deborah Nathan praised the efforts of the charity’s six runners from London, Leeds and Manchester raising £12k towards a new dormitory at the charity’s children’s centre in Afula, Israel. “Their achievements will be doubly rewarded with the match funding that Emunah in Israel has secured for the refurbished dormitory building in Afula,” she said. Jonny Gould was the first team member to pass the finish line in 3 hours 50 minutes followed by Marc Jackson in a fraction under four hours. “Having my family there gave me a real boost, but experience told me to slow down and enjoy it, which is what I did,” said Jonny of Leeds, running his first London marathon for Emunah. “The last six miles were a bit challenging and you realise it is as much about mental energy as physical effort,” commented Londoner Marc, spurred on by wife Wendy who runs

COMMUNITY 09 the Emunah eBay online charity shop. Other runners were Claire Gothelf, David Bondt, Roey Freilich and marathon veteran Flora Frank. “I got to six miles and wanted to pack it in,” said Claire, who ran in memory of her dad, Harvey Gothelf, and had a picture of him on her back. “It was so hard, I started off too quickly but I did it and there was a huge sense of satisfaction,” she said. Claire’s proud mum, Margaret Gothelf, is a long-term Emunah supporter and cheered her daughter on from the sidelines. First-time runners David Bondt and Roey Freilich took longer than expected due to injury and the sheer number of runners. “The training app on my phone showed I had actually done 28 miles,” said David. “The first five miles were okay and then it was tough. Things sped up and I was sprinting but had to stop and talk to Roey as he was injured. “We ran part of the way arm in arm and then he bravely carried on.” Great grandmother and Jewish educator, Flora Frank, competed under the Norwood banner while also raising funds for Emunah,

Part of the World Jewish Relief team crossing the line in six hours 41 minutes. Miriam Dennis ran her forth Marathon and has raised over £10,000 over the four occasions. Jewish Weekly female readers may recall seeing her mum in a previous Eshet Chayil issue, entitled “Marathon Mum.” This achievement is all the more remarkable considering she has had a back operation and arthritis to deal with recently, although she says it’s not as bad as her mum, “who now has a metal hip, shoulder and knee to show for her efforts!” Photo credits: Individual charities

Chai competitor, Josh Dvir

Daniel Carmel-Brown for Jewish Care

Rabbi Joshua Conway with his children

On behalf of Emunah - Marc Jackson with wife Wendy and their daughter

Jo Benjamin ran for Chai

Darrel Yawitch competed for Camp Simcha

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Chai competitor, Josh Dvir

Good luck to Maurice and Sam and best wishes to Ben who is now 87. That’s my last mention in the London Marathon, thank you.” British Emunah director Deborah Nathan praised the efforts of the charity’s six runners from London, Leeds and Manchester raising £12k towards a new dormitory at the charity’s children’s centre in Afula, Israel. “Their achievements will be doubly rewarded with the match funding that Emunah in Israel has secured for the refurbished dormitory building in Afula,” she said. Jonny Gould was the first team member to pass the finish line in 3 hours 50 minutes followed by Marc Jackson in a fraction under four hours. “Having my family there gave me a real boost, but experience told me to slow down and enjoy it, which is what I did,” said Jonny of Leeds, running his first London marathon for Emunah. “The last six miles were a bit challenging and you realise it is as much about mental energy as physical effort,” commented Londoner Marc, spurred on by wife Wendy who runs

COMMUNITY 09 the Emunah eBay online charity shop. Other runners were Claire Gothelf, David Bondt, Roey Freilich and marathon veteran Flora Frank. “I got to six miles and wanted to pack it in,” said Claire, who ran in memory of her dad, Harvey Gothelf, and had a picture of him on her back. “It was so hard, I started off too quickly but I did it and there was a huge sense of satisfaction,” she said. Claire’s proud mum, Margaret Gothelf, is a long-term Emunah supporter and cheered her daughter on from the sidelines. First-time runners David Bondt and Roey Freilich took longer than expected due to injury and the sheer number of runners. “The training app on my phone showed I had actually done 28 miles,” said David. “The first five miles were okay and then it was tough. Things sped up and I was sprinting but had to stop and talk to Roey as he was injured. “We ran part of the way arm in arm and then he bravely carried on.” Miriam Dennis ran for the charity Chana, which supports couples in the Jewish community who may feel isolated and need medical

Daniel Carmel-Brown for Jewish Care

Part of the World Jewish Relief team information and support to help them deal with the challenge of infertility. In total, Miriam has raised over £10,000 for Chana and Norwood over a span of four marathons. Jewish Weekly female readers may recall seeing her mum in a previous Eshet Chayil issue, entitled ‘Marathon Mum.’ This achievement is all the more remarkable considering she has had a back operation and arthritis to deal with recently, although she says it’s not as bad as her mum, “who now has a metal hip, shoulder and knee to show for her efforts!” Great grandmother and Jewish educator, Flora Frank, competed under the Norwood banner while also raising funds for Emunah, crossing the line in six hours 41 minutes. At 72 years old, she has raised nearly £300,000 for charity, in an unbelievable career spanning no less than 35 marathons! Fittingly, she received the British Empire medal as a tribute to her incredible efforts. The London Marathon clearly shows what the UK Jewish community are capable of and we should all be truly proud of everyone who was involved in this great event. Photo credits: Individual charities

On behalf of Emunah - Marc Jackson with wife Wendy and their daughter

Jo Benjamin ran for Chai

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Rabbi Joshua Conway with his children

10 COMMUNITY

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

26 APRIL 2017

YOM HASHOAH AT BROUGHTON JEWISH Holocaust survivor Mrs Ruth Lachs, 81, was guest speaker for Yom Hashoah at Broughton Jewish primary school. She was born in Hamburg on 7th March 1936, when the Nazis rounded up Jews in her town, the family moved to Amsterdam, thinking it was safe but sadly they were wrong.

Mrs Ruth Lachs speaking about her life under the Nazis in Amsterdam

Mr & Mrs Ruth and Werner Lachs at BJCFP School Yom

Ruth was eventually saved by a network of young Dutch non-Jewish students whose aim was to hide Jewish children. Ruth was just 4 years old at the time. Mrs Lachs caught Polio like her Brother Karel, who was transported to his death with other nursery children, however her parents survived the Holocaust.

Hashoah assembly

Six Yahrzeit candles were lit by year 6 children, Benji Fine, Yehuda Orshansky, Tammy Wells, Toby Kwartz, Nachman Mills, and Libby Gordon.all 11 years old Mrs Lachs came to the UK in 1962 and Married Werner Lachswho. Mr Lachs, 90, came over to England with the Kindertransport in 1939, and was saved by British spy Frank Foley, a passport officer in Berlin, who’s cover for his real role a MI6 head of station in the German capital, Frank Foley saved 10,000 Jews, and he became known as the British Schindler.

Reb Moshe Feldman reciting a memorial prayer for the six million

ALL PHOTO CREDITS: LAWRENCE PURCELL

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26 APRIL 2017

Survivor Ben Helfgott talks to Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Valerie

Leaders come together

RECORD CROWD AT HMD EVENT

Ambassador Mark Regev

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan

Rabbi Barry Marcus blowing the Shofar

4000 people attended the national HMD event, at Barnet Copthall stadium on Sunday. Henry Grunwald OBE QC welcomed the crowd and introduced board President Jonathan Arkush, to read the Yad Vashem Law. 180 Survivors were in attendance, including 87 year old Ben Helfgot, who gave an emotional speech about the Warsaw Ghetto, reminiscing about receiving just two loaves of bread and half a pound of Jam. Ambassador Mark Regev, described growing up as a child of a survivor as “living with the weight of the Shoah on his shoulders.” Mayor of London Sadiq Khan mentioned how deeply moved he was by hearing different survivors accounts, and how the new national holocaust Memorial Centre is absolutely vital as its “more important than ever, to learn from the past.” Surrounded by 150 schoolchildren, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis compared the two meanings of the Hebrew word “Tikva,” – rope and hope. Just like a rope in the book of Joshua allowed two Jewish men to escape certain death, hope keeps Jews going. Like a rope, made up of many tiny fibres, that join together to form a strong unbreakable bond, so too there is hope of the future where determination and single mindedness join forces to allow us to realise our ambitions. The children of the future represent the hope that was nearly extinguished in the past. Highlights, including a live video link up to the annual ‘March of the Living’ event, taking place in Poland. Spectators in London watched as participants of the march lit candles in Auschwitz. Five male choirs combined, to sing and accompany Cantors Stephen Leas, David Rome and Rabbi Mark Levene who’s moving renditions truly moved the crowd. 14 youth groups took part in the ceremony, and it was truly aweinspiring to see people of all ages, including world Ambassadors, Lords, MPs, Rabbis, Dignitaries, Communal leaders, professionals and volunteers, who all attended to ‘Remember Together - We Are One.’

School children participating in the ceremony

All photo credits: J Rifkin

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President of the Board of Deputies Jonathan Arkush

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis addressing the crowd

5 APRIL 2017

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26 APRIL 2017

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ASK THE RABBI

Rabbi Schochet has been writing an Ask the Rabbi column for nearly two decades with a huge following. Hailed as the Pierce Morgan of the Jewish world, his writing is witty and informative with no question too controversial. Looking for answers? Send your question to asktherabbi@thejewishweekly.com The Quinoa Question Dear Rabbi I met with a friend post Pesach and we chatted about our menus – and pending diets. I told her about this wonderful quinoa salad I made and was mortiﬁed when she insisted that quinoa is not acceptable on Pesach. Is she right? Did I live eight days in sin? And does that negate all the hard work I put into the preparation for the festival? Gemma Dear Gemma Ah, the age-old quinoa question. Well it’s actually not that old. It seems to have cropped up only a few years ago when quinoa became a little more fashionable. Leave it to us Jews, as soon as a new food appears on the menu we have a hundred questions surrounding it. But here’s my bigger issue: Each year without fail this becomes one of the “big” Pesach questions. “Rabbi, can I have my quinoa on Pesach?” You ate quinoa twice in the past year – once at Aunt Sadie’s house and the other time at a Bat Mitzvah Friday night dinner. But it’s Pesach and if I can’t have my quinoa I’m not sure I’m going to survive the holiday! Here’s the bottom line: Quinoa is in fact not a grain and as such should not fall into the category of kitniyot. On the other hand it is grown

today in proximity to other grains, most notably barley. It is also rumoured to be covered with barley or oats to keep birds from eating it while it dries. So standard quinoa can indeed be problematic. However, there is quinoa with reputable Kosher-for-Passover labels on them, suggesting they are free from the aforementioned concerns. If your salad came from the latter, breathe easy. If not, well it certainly doesn’t negate all your hard work and I wouldn’t worry too much about your potential mishap. You’ll know for next time. Pesach Cleaning or OCD Dear Rabbi Another year, another manic spring clean. Is there a Jewish woman anywhere who doesn’t sit down to the ﬁrst night Seder exhausted? What’s the point and purpose of it all, if one comes to the Seder with calloused hands from all that bleaching everywhere? I’ve told my husband, “next year in Jerusalem” and I mean it. Otherwise at least Greece or Italy! Sandra Dear Sandra I’m reminded of the husband who came home and says to his wife: “This year I really want to help out before Pesach. Tell me what I can do?” The wife replies: “Don’t take this the wrong way. But the best thing

you can do to help me is leave the house and let me get my work done without interruption. Three hours later, the wife hears him coming back into the house. She says: “I thought I told you the best way you can help me is by staying out?” He replies: “You expect me to help the whole day?” To be sure, the ancient Rabbis tell us that the women were the heroes of the Pesach story. “It was in the merit of the righteous women that our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt.” I maintain they continue to be the heroes of every Pesach. What so many might take for granted, doesn’t just happen. All those meals, all that cleaning and cooking. It really comes down to this: No leavened matter shall be seen throughout your property. This is the one verse that transforms clean conscientious housewives into OCD on the verge of a breakdown. I know some women who go scrubbing in cupboards before Passover which hadn’t been opened since, well the last time it was cleaned, before the previous Passover. My dear mother starts her Pesach cleaning sometime after Chanukah. The last of my siblings moved out of home eighteen years ago. But she’ll still clean those rooms that haven’t seen a morsel in all that time. I want to go on the record to say, Pesach cleaning is not spring

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cleaning and it is precisely the over-obsessiveness that risks turning one of our most exciting festivals into a dreaded experience. It’s almost as though we’re looking to relive the servitude in Egypt so that we can better appreciate the Exodus celebration when the holiday arrives. On Passover we greet one another with Chag kosher v’sameach – “a kosher and happy Pesach.” The kosher bit is paramount. But for too many it comes at the expense of happy. If so, then something is desperately wrong. “No leavened matter” means exactly that. It means no chametz food particles. It means certain sealed cupboards, koshered stoves and covered countertops. It does not mean going where no man – or woman – or child - has gone before. It does not mean scrubbing the parquet ﬂoor till you’ve sanded

the wood down an inch. It doesn’t mean spending hours scouring the bath – unless you really enjoy the occasional sandwich in there. And it certainly doesn’t mean that one should perceive Pesach preparation with the same trepidation as the Jews perceived their Egyptian taskmasters. Keep that in mind for next year – just in case you don’t make it to Jerusalem, or Greece or Italy.

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM?

Follow Rabbi Schochet at: RabbiSchochet.com Twitter: @RabbiYYS Facebook: facebook.com/Rabbiyys.

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26 APRIL 2017 PARENTING 19 THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Quality time...life saver or smoke screen?

RABBI MALCOLM HERMAN

It’s one of the great battlefields of life – parents versus children. They’re our little darlings, our bubelahs, the apples of our eyes and we love them to bits. But then they begin to grow and as they do, they realise they have special powers – powers that can reduce parents to a haggard, quivering mess. Now those days might just be over, courtesy of a new book written by parenting expert Rabbi Malcolm Herman. A few years ago there was a poignant video doing the rounds. A young boy of about seven years old, called his busy father in the office. Seeing that the call came from home the father took it, although he was in the middle of a meeting. “Dad, can I ask you a question?” “Listen son, I’m in the middle of the meeting. Can’t it wait until later on?” The son puts down the phone and calls again a couple of hours later receiving a similar response with strained patience. The scene repeats itself several times throughout the day. Eventually Dad makes his way home after a long day’s work and before he has even taken off his coat, our seven-year-old hero approaches him again. “Dad, now can I ask you a question?” “Not now son I’ve just come through the door.” This time the son slinks off dejected and defeated. It is only once he is tucked up in bed that it occurs to dad that maybe he should find out what his son wanted with such urgency. Dad comes upstairs to say good night, perches on the edge of his bed and asks his son to tell him his question. “Dad, how much does it cost to have an hour of your time?” His father named the sum puzzled by the enquiry. At which point the young boy pulls out his savings jar and with poignant innocence says to his father. “Dad, can I have 20 minutes of your time?”. As a society, we have been described as “asset rich, time poor”. None of this will be news to those reading this article. In fact, if you have made time to read this article, you are probably ahead of most.

The purpose of these articles is to trigger thought and to raise issues sometimes reassuring and sometimes uncomfortable. I hope always worthwhile. There is a reality about relationships. Relationships of quality and depth take time to develop. In Hebrew, the word for progeny is “zera”. Literally, this means “seed”. To my mind, as well as the obvious physiological reference, it also denotes the emotional process in nurturing a child. Like a seed or a plant, one cannot rush its growth. It has seasons, growth spurts, slowdowns and needs cultivating with careful and dedicated attention. Today we often hear the term quality time. The concept is a positive one. It means that when we engage with another person within the framework of a relationship we do so in a manner that is qualitative and not superficial. It is focused and without distractions. However, sometimes we use it as a smoke screen - to express the belief that quality time can replace quantity time. “I don’t have a lot of time to spend with the kids but when I do it is quality time”. Granted that in our busy lives, it is not easy to find time, but on the other hand, let’s be candid and real. In developing a lifelong relationship, we need to invest both quantity time and quality time. Often children are not ready to share information, just because we as parents are ready to hear it. When a child comes home through the door after school and we as parents ask the

innocent question, “How was your day?” The response is sometimes a curt “Fine”. They suspect that the apparently innocuous question really means “Did you have your lunch?” “Did you get into trouble in any of the lessons?” “Did you have anyone to play with during lunchtime or were you wandering around the

playground by yourself?” The child may well be facing these concerns. Now they want to come through the door and escape those issues. An hour or two later, once they have unwound chatting round the kitchen table, the child may slip in the phrase “I didn’t have lunch today.” With skilful listening (the subject of an article to come) a parent can gently explore the issue further. Quality time alone may not provide the environment in which the child is ready and able to share the struggles

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that they are encountering. Perhaps the biggest threat to quality time itself, are the devices that have invaded our lives. Have you ever been to a restaurant, observed a couple sitting at a table with both of them texting? I sometimes wonder if they are texting each other! Maybe that is the only way to trigger a

response! “What are you having for hors d’oeuvre? I was thinking of the spring rolls?” Why not have some “device-off “times for adults and the children? If you are on the cusp of buying your child their first mobile introduce the parameters before you hand it over. It is much more difficult to rein back once they have taken possession. I know of a family who have a rule that all mobiles must be switched off during supper. And yes, even their teenagers comply. It is true

that there were protests initially but, although they would never admit it to their parents, now even the teenagers value the opportunity for some family quality time. That by the way is the magnificent by-product of Shabbos. It is an oasis of time in a world of pressure. In summary, “time is of the essence”. This is true both for the relationship between parent and child, and for any relationship between couples. Relationships flourish with a combination of quality time and quantity time. Relationships atrophy without that critical investment. Over the years we all spend a fortune on our children. A recent survey placed a total amount at close to £250,000 from 0 to age 21. Yet one of the greatest gifts that we can give them is the gift of the relationship. It comes wrapped in real time. Without a doubt, it is the most valuable present of all. Rabbi Malcolm Herman Associate National Director seed UK For questions or comments email mherman@seed.uk.net Co-author of Everyday Parenting for Everyday Parents

Rabbi Herman will be writing a parenting column every fortnight and his book can be purchased on Amazon.

20 COMEDY

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26 APRIL 2017

Fame and fortune beckons me . . .

COMEDY BY ED MOSS

The spotlight, fame, autographgiving, fortune, the high life, in fact everything associated with stardom is about to come my way. Yes, I’m about to star on the lower screen of a TV advertisement for a deodorant. This is because I am one of the 79% of 221 people surveyed who allegedly agreed with and use a product. Oh. That is, I’ve agreed with their marketing guff! Mitchum, the deodorant people (please do note that other deodorants are available), collared me in my local supermarket recently in connection with this potential fame-making opportunity. In exchange for the aforementioned

to go by, some seem to take far too literally. Although the downside is that, with this lack of body piquancy filling the air, I do have to put up with people sitting directly beside me on public transport and in public places. This episode did, however, make me think about two aspects of market research that I have always wondered about. Firstly, the advertisements telling women “you’re worth it” in an attempt to part them from their hardearned cash often feature research sampling data that is as meaningless as it is useless. Inevitably, and in keeping with a very loose translation of

some competing brand! And neither it is proof that all the quaintly-named unfathomable chemical goop in these products actually has any effect. “Worth it” indeed, as it may or may not be! Secondly, mainstream market research itself. Any good CEO or business owner knows that in order to launch or sell a product or service, you really need to do some research to see whether it is actually worthwhile going to all the bother of selling it. Similarly, it is also necessary to occasionally gather information about an existing product or service and how it is getting along. It is

how a Leeds-London journey could cost over £200 for a standard ticket, yet be under £100 for a first class ticket on the same journey. Similarly, I had regularly found that travelling the Trans Pennine route between Leeds and Manchester or Leeds and Hull produced the same, if not a worse, scenario. Some evening peak hours saw the train jam-packed not only with people standing, but with them having paid more for the privilege of travelling at 5.30 pm than earlier or later. Meanwhile, if booked online, First Class was often cheaper for the same journey, with a guaranteed seat and a complimentary

spotlight, fame, autograph-giving, fortune and the high life I expected, I was actually gifted a bottle of Mitchum roll-on deodorant instead. But hey, beggars can’t be choosers. In exchange I was asked a series of bland, tick-box questions (disguised as market research) about my deodorant-buying habits. I didn’t have to lie - I do actually buy Mitchum as my deodorant of choice. It is by far my favourite, as it keeps my recesses suitably sweat-free, it doesn’t stain my clothes or make them smell, and a bottle of it lasts a reasonably long time. And it doesn’t promise the stomachchurning 96-hour protection offered by some other brands that I am sure, if the delicate piquancy of some people on public transport is anything

Advertising Standards Authority rules, you will find strewn along the bottom of said advertisements for some overexpensive formulation (complete with a host of completely unfathomable ingredients that only purchasers with a doctorate in biochemistry would understand), the words “73% of 129 respondents agreed.” Or something vaguely similar. When I see this, I immediately think, hey, there are approximately 20 million females in the UK who might be persuaded to purchase this stuff, yet they have surveyed only 129, of whom only 102 (well 101.91 of them to be precise) actually agreed. That is 0.00051% of the population. Hardly grounds for congratulations or proof of the necessity to purchase their product rather than that from

no good for your local deli to sell wonderful, super-duper, exceedingly good chopped herring if it is only the owner who thinks his taste in chopped herring is super-duper, exceedingly good and out of this world! I have, over the years, attended what I can only describe as renta-mob research, where a group of individuals were all there under quite false pretences, some with only a mere risible interest in the product. All present and incorrect purely just to make up the numbers! On one occasion I attended a train research session. I was actually very interested in the subject matter, because at the time I was a regular train user between the North and London. I was totally befuddled as to

cup of tea thrown in! And more to the point, because of the more expensive ticket on an evening out of Hull for the 5.30ish train (mysteriously, sometimes up to three times the cost of a ticket for a train one hour either side of 5.30 pm), it used to leave Hull half empty, while the 6.30ish far cheaper train was always understandably jam-packed, thus denying workers from outside Hull the opportunity to get home an hour earlier. And it also defied logic to me that a peakhour train should be half empty! Hardly the stuff to discourage use of the car. Why we are one of the only countries in the world that allows peak-time commuter travel to be a profit centre for private train

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companies is, and will remain, an utter and total mystery to me. I have travelled on commuter services in Frankfurt, Melbourne, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Paris, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Budapest over the years, and the cost of a ticket on suburban trains, trams and buses remains constant throughout the day. For example, it costs just one Euro a journey anywhere and anytime underground in Barcelona, 90p in Budapest and about 65p in Kuala Lumpur, providing you stay underground for the entire journey – yet it is nearly £5 for a journey on the Manchester Metro peak, and as for the London Underground, well you need a short-term bank loan. Back to the research evening. We were a group of ten, and I was gob-smacked, nay totally floored to discover that I was actually the only regular train user in the entire research group, with only one other member being an “occasional” user! How could the research organisers think that eight people who rarely used trains could usefully take part in a group undertaking research on regular train travel? Would their observances have been any use whatsoever to the train company who initiated the research group? This was way beyond my sense of comprehension. I can only conclude that the very reason train travel is so chaotic in the UK is that the research undertaken and decisions made by train companies are nearly always carried out by people who never use trains!

Ed Moss

30 COMMUNITY

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26 APRIL 2017

YAD LA’EM

- TRULY A HELPING HAND!

Sometimes a daily message to see how you are doing or a suggestion of a helpful tip on a group can make a new mum’s day. Natasha

Yad La’em is a pioneering voluntary organisation in the northwest London community, that supports new mothers after birth. It is comprised of over 100 incredible volunteers. Many grateful mums benefit from its numerous services, so in this exclusive feature, we sit down with co-founder Renee Schurder to find out exactly what Yad La’em offer…

Mum and baby group MUM AND BABY GROUP This is a free weekly group run by a nurse, complete with a different theme each week. This could be any topic, ranging from weaning to teething. There is a speech at the start, followed by general interaction. COOKERY GROUP This is a great group of 55 mums offering a wealth of cookery tips and recipes as well as babyrelated recipes. CLEANERS Yad La’em know that new mothers often won’t have the energy to start cleaning the house, so a cleaner can be supplied once a week or when required to lighten the load.

Bubble fun

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE This aims to ease the pressure off new mums. Yad La’em send in experienced volunteers who will assist with anything needed, for example bathing the baby or taking them for a walk. Teenage volunteers can also be sent to look after any older children and help with their bedtime routines. MEALS This was a pioneering venture in the community when Yad La’em first started. New mothers don’t want to have to worry about cooking meals for their families when they’ve just given birth, and no one understands this better than Yad La’em’s volunteers. Each family’s needs and circumstances are different and Yad La’em takes that into account when supplying meals. BREAKFAST SERVICE This is a welcomed treat for new mothers who have just arrived home from hospital. A monthly newsletter is included with the breakfast as well as a list of helpful contact numbers and information about Yad La’em’s other services. CARE AND SHARE This fantastic group has over 160 members who look out for other mums daily by posting baby equipment or household items that they wish to give away or sell. MUSIC GROUP This heart-warming incentive sees mums and babies interact with the elderly at a local care home under the guidance of a music teacher. The winning combination of musical instruments and classic nursery rhymes/Jewish songs gets everyone joining in.

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POSTNATAL DEPRESSION BUDDY GROUP This free weekly group will commence after Pesach and will be a relaxed coffee meet and greet under the guidance of a therapist. MASSAGE Any new mother who needs some pampering can receive a free one-off massage from a qualified massage therapist. KEEP FIT CLASSES A teacher has offered Yad La’em free classes as a special thank you!

When doubts arises Yad Laem is by your side, listening is there pride, they are definitely angels in disguise.Sara

26 APRIL 2017 COMMUNITY 31 THE JEWISH WEEKLY

COFFEE MORNINGS This is a fun opportunity for loads of mums to bond with other mums and bring their babies along. It takes place three to four times a year in coffee shops, with various interesting speakers. Refreshments are provided free of charge. NIGHT NURSES Having a new baby can be overwhelming, and some mothers feel that they would benefit greatly from having a night nurse to help them out at the beginning. Yad La’em organise this, generally asking for a contribution towards this cost unless there are extenuating circumstances.

We are truly blessed to have Renne and Yad La’em in our community and at the press of a button mothers can support each minute by minute. Roslyn

BABY MASSAGE COURSE This is organised by Renee through the “Yad La’em mums” WhatsApp group and is subject to demand. It is a six-week course where a group of mums get together and bond while learning techniques for relaxing their baby. There is a cost, but again this can be supplemented by Yad La’em in extenuating circumstances. ABY EQUIPMENT GEMACH (FREE LOAN SERVICE) This is Yad La’em’s busiest gemach. Mums can borrow much-needed baby equipment which has either been kindly donated or bought. This is ideally for a short-term loan but can be long term if required. BREAST PUMP GEMACH This is for any new mother who requires a breast pump straightaway. There are also volunteer breastfeeding counsellors available to talk to over the phone or in person. They often go into hospitals and homes to advise. FEEDING GROUP This is where a group of around 40 mums provide advice and support on the nuances of feeding. BRIS DOULA GEMACH This service provides both emotional and physical support for mothers. For example, some mothers may just want advice, or some may want help changing their baby’s nappy after the bris. A volunteer will give guidance before, during and after the bris. COFFEE BUDDY GROUP Like the coffee mornings but on a smaller scale, this group of 55 mums arrange individual or small group get-togethers amongst themselves. This takes place either in houses or coffee shops and is a great opportunity for mums and their babies to bond, especially in the case of first-time mums.

PARENTING COURSE This brand-new exciting course is run by an experienced tutor under Al Pi Darko. It will run for 10 weeks and there is a cost, but again this can be supplemented by Yad La’em in extenuating circumstances BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS COURSE This free course will be run under Yad La’em (and hopefully NCT), lasting six to eight weeks. The goal is to make people aware so that they can help others. This may appeal to older ladies who have more time on their hands, for example grandmothers.

With hardly any family in London and a first time mum, I don’t know how I would have got through the last 10 months without them. I have had such amazing support, friendship and love and I am blessed to be part of this organisationKaren

Baby massage group FIRST AID COURSE This is also organised by Renee through the “Yad La’em mums” WhatsApp group and is subject to demand. It is a one-off minimal cost course lasting an hour and half, run by an experienced first aider.

With Yad La’em you’re never alone, Thank G-d for Yad La’am and it’s team! - Ruth

LIFTS TO HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS This service is a godsend for mothers whose babies must be left in hospital for whatever reason. Yad La’em deal a lot with cases of premature babies, and dedicated volunteers will transport mothers or their milk back and forth when required. COUNSELLING This service is run by qualified counsellors who have generously offered their services to Yad La’em, providing free counselling support to mothers who need it. The amount of sessions available range according to need, and payment is dependent on circumstances. WHATSAPP SUPPORT GROUPS According to Renee, these groups provide mothers with unparalled support as they are so easily accessible, with any advice available at the touch of a button. YAD LA’EM MUMS This is Yad La’em’s busiest group, with over 200 members. Support on anything and everything baby related is provided by friendly mums and experts. This can range from questions on baby clinic opening times to help needed for a mum stuck in the rain with a Yad la`em happy mums broken buggy.

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First aid

34 WOMEN

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26 APRIL 2017

W oman of W orth LEONI LEWIS ‫ֵֽא ׁ ֶשת ַֽחיִ ל ִמי יִ ְמ ָצא‬ DIRECTOR OF JEWISH VOLUNTEERING NETWORK AND TRUSTEE AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Meet the inspirational Leonie Lewis, 61, director of JVN (Jewish Volunteering Network) and trustee and vice president of the United Synagogue. “I have been with JVN for almost 11 years,” relates Leonie. “We are a bridge between people who want to volunteer and numerous charities who want to flag up volunteering opportunities. You could almost call us a shadchan service!” Leonie uses her vast experience to direct and coordinate the charity and strive to create and promote awareness of JVN. “We have over 400 volunteering opportunities available on our website. Most recently, we have teamed up with six charities in Israel, offering the opportunity for family-friendly volunteering over Chol Hamoed, for example picking vegetables for distribution to Israel’s needy.” The charity sector is certainly not new to Leonie, as she was previously the United Synagogue’s director of Community Division for 10 years. “The goal was to be responsive and pro-active in setting up new communities, driving development as opposed to waiting for it to happen. I also worked closely with former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks where I was his Project Director and supported his amazing interfaith work.” It is clear to see that Leonie’s determination to make a difference carries over in all aspects of her current work, including her voluntary role with the United Synagogue. “I am United Synagogue’s first female vice president and get to do a lot of ambassadorial

work for the community, which charities and hospices make up really good. People should and wonderful children. My know that volunteering married sons are both involved is great. However, my main 30 percent of JVN’s website.” With her professional produces good endorphins, with community work, which emphasis is on helping the fantastic US professional team background in the Jewish and scientific research has gives me much nachas.” Leonie’s multitude of establish new communities community, Leonie is also shown that it actually helps services for the community such as Mill Hill East and accustomed to coordinating one live longer!” However, Leonie admits saw her recently appointed as hopefully a community in the projects around volunteering for charity events and that she often finds herself a judge for the Queen’s Award Hatfield area.” Leonie also helps support activities, which she does questioning if she could have for Voluntary Service, which and develop the US’s with her amazing JVN team done something better or is an award that recognises volunteering across the UK. burgeoning work on Social of volunteers and paid staff. differently in life. “Sometimes I think, have I “I was honoured to receive Responsibility, which includes These include the Maccabi an interest in how people Fun Run, as well as the really done a mitzvah today? this and only hope I can inspire express their Judaism and how National Volunteers Week and Have I made a difference to others to volunteer, as even someone’s life today?” doing something small once a shuls can best educate them to so much more. Leonie says that making month makes a difference. As “My aim is to make do so. “One of my main projects volunteering accessible for time for herself or family can our rabbis have said, “Helping is working with the recently everyone, as well as meeting also be difficult, due to her others (volunteering) can be compared to the Mishkan created Community the needs of the charities that demanding schedule. “My parents were both (Sanctuary). As much as it was Development Fund to help are involved.” When I ask Leonie what an incredible support with carried, it carries you.” support communities with motivates her to carry on, she childcare over the years, their creative programs.” Leonie dedicates around a simply replies, “I am passionate allowing me to continue my For volunteering opprtunities please email www.jvn.org.uk work. I am also lucky to have day a week to her important about making a difference.” “Doing good makes me feel a very supportive husband role as vice president and juggles her duties along with her work as JVN’s director. KOSHER Bespoke “The nature of the Jewish TOURS Kosher Travel charity sector is that you do a lot more than you’ve Ben Robbins bargained for, but I definitely Director, Kosher Tours Group wouldn’t have it any other SPECIALISTS IN way,” she emphasises. BESPOKE KOSHER TRAVEL Indeed, I soon find out t. 07932658255 e. ben@koshertours.org.uk that Leonie impressively www.koshertours.org.uk undertakes countless other projects in her efforts to WorldWide promoting volunteering euroPean destinations include: destinations include: • south africa across the community. • usa • amsterdam “Thanks to the network • BudaPest • south america • Prague • thailand and links I have built up over • Venice • india the years, I am extremely • croatia • australia privileged to do lots of • italy and neW Zealand • france Plus many other interfaith work. For example, Plus many more destinations JVN provides volunteers for food banks as well as for care YOUR NEXT BESPOKE KOSHER HOLIDAY homes and hospices over the IN 4 EASY STEPS festive holidays.” 1 You choose the destination and dates Leonie strongly believes 2 We assist with creating a bespoke itinerary to meet your needs that as well as making a 3 We handle all the bookings in relation to your trip including hotels, car hire, excursions and all your kosher requirements kiddush Hashem, we all have 4 You enjoy your perfect holiday an obligation to contribute ContaCt us now to disCuss your next Bespoke kosher trip or for travel ideas to civil society and says this info@Bespokekoshertravel.Com - 020 3151 1660 - www.Bespokekoshertravel.Com is why “non-Jewish national THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

26 APRIL 2017 WOMEN 35 THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Tummy Time MUMMY

& ME

Lauren is an experienced mother and parenting expert who is glad to answer your baby-related queries. Please visit the Woman’s Weekly section of our website if you would like to ask Lauren a question.

Dear Lauren, I am so pleased that there’s a page in The Jewish Weekly dedicated to mums and babies. I have really enjoyed your page the last few weeks, and I would like to thank you for all your helpful advice! I have just had my third baby after a seven-year gap, and tummy time seems to have become more “fashionable.” Would you be able to recommend a specific toy that I could use to encourage my newborn to spend more time on her tummy and reap the benefits? Many Thanks, Ilana

Dear Ilana, I am so glad that you are encouraging tummy time for your baby. The benefits of tummy time are endless. It enables babies to strengthen their head, neck, and upper body muscles, which helps to build the strength and coordination needed for rolling over, crawling, reaching, and exploring the world. I have listed a few toys below, which you and your baby will adore! Regards, Lauren

BABY SAFARI TUMMY TIME ROLLER £16 MOTHERCARE This is a lovely colourful cushion that has lots of friendly faces and fabrics to explore. It stimulates senses and encourages your little one to crawl. A great and costeffective toy!

VTECH BABY LITTLE FRIENDLIES GLOW AND GIGGLE PLAYMAT

TOMY LAMAZE SPIN AND EXPLORE GARDEN GYM £29.99 ARGOS A unique spin on tummy time play. Let your baby spin round on their tummy, stretching and building their upper body while exploring lots of squeaky, crinkly, tactile fun.

£29.99 TOYS R US This one is my all-time favourite. It’s full of lights, sounds and colours, which keeps little ones fully entertained. It plays 20 melodies and six sing-along songs, keeping not just your baby but you smiling too. It’s a magical playmat perfect for playtime!

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BRIGHT STARS LIGHT UP LAGOON ACTIVITY PLAY MAT

£34.99 JOHN LEWIS Mesmerise your baby with an illuminated canopy full of colourful, glowing lights! 20 + minutes of playtime melodies and nature sounds, plus five engaging toys keep baby busy exploring and playing.

PLAYGRO LAY AND PLAY ELEPHANT HUGS ACTIVITY PILLOW £17.99 SMYTHS This boppy pillow will support your baby comfortably with its soft padded pillow. The elephant’s head acts as a soft mat for detachable toys to dangle onto and keeps your little one happy and amused.

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THE JEWISH WEEKLY

26 APRIL 2017

TAZRIA METZORO In this weeks Parshah we continue to talk about the laws of purity. These laws are known as tumah and tahara (Purity and Impurity). These laws are very important, just like Shabbat and Kosher. The Parshah also talks about tzaraat. Tzaraat is a skin disease that is mainly white spots. It takes many different forms, and can manifest itself on one’s clothing and belongings. The Torah teaches the Kohen which signs to look for to be sure that it’s tzaraat. This is different from other sicknesses because it has a spiritual cause and makes a person impure. If a person thinks he may have tzaraat, he has to go to a Kohen and the Kohen looks for signs to see whether it's the impurity of tzaraat or just another sickness.

Would you believe its now been nearly 2 years since we’ve had to buy bags for our shopping. Not only do your parents have to remember their wallets, but their shopping bags too! Why not embellish your own bag? You can fill it with your own shopping! Remember its only made of

Instructions You will need:

•

A paper bag

• Scissors •

Feathers & stickers

•

Coloured Card

paper, so don’t put anything too heavy in it!

1. Cut slits into the bag from top to bottom on each side, 4 slits on the longer sides and 3 on the short ends. 2. Cut the card into long strips, all roughly the same width and length. 3. Weave the card and decorate with assorted materials such a stickers and feathers . 4. Fill it with all your special things. THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

26 APRIL 2017 KIDS 37 THE JEWISH WEEKLY

CUT OUT & KEEP

TO CREATE YOUR VERY OWN JEWISH WEEKLY RECIPE BOOK

M ango Roll Ups

Ingredients:

•

Prep Time: 10 minutes

4 Cups Mango, ripe

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 80ºC and line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. 2. Puree the mango in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Cook Time: 3-4 Hours

3. Divide the purée evenly between the two prepared pans, and using an off-set spatula, spread the purée as flat and as evenly as possible until it’s about 1/8-inch thick. 4. Bake the purée for 3 to 4 hours. The fruit roll-ups are done when the purée is dry to the touch and pliable. If the bottom side of the rollups is still wet after some time, flip the roll-ups over and continue baking them

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

5. Remove the roll-ups from the oven. Place a piece of wax paper on top of the roll-ups and then peel off the wax paper and the roll-ups together. Cut the sheet into long strips and then roll up the strips. until they are fully dried.

PARVE

Did you know? A bear has 42 teeth

ich’s an r t s o An ger th g i b s eye i ts brain i

Elephants sleep between 4 - 5 hours in a day

Rabb licoirts like ice

Camel’s milk doesn’t curdle

A lobsters blood is colourless but when exposed to oxygen it turns blue.

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

Aubergine is known as “crazy apple” in Italy due to the belief that a diet rich in aubergines leads to madness.

44 FOOD

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

26 APRIL 2017

joyofkosher.com Enjoy this luscious warm salmon salad with colorful peppers, raisins, pine nuts and spinach. INGREDIENTS • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillet, skinned and cut into bite-sized pieces • 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded, veins removed, diced • 1/2 green, yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded, veins removed, diced • 1/2 cup golden raisins • 1/4 cup pine nuts • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 (10-ounce) package baby spinach • 1/2 cup bottled balsamic vinaigrette dressing

16 min Duration 8 min Cook Time 8min Prep Time 4 Servings Servings

PREPARATION In a 12-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add salmon, peppers, raisins, pine nuts and salt. Sauté for 7-8 minutes, until salmon is opaque and peppers are tender. Place baby spinach in a salad bowl and spoon warm salmon mixture

over spinach. Drizzle balsamic dressing over the salad and serve warm or at room temperature. Use the dressing from the Warm Pepper and Craisin Salad instead of bottled dressing if you have time to make it.

WARM SALMON SALAD

PUFF PASTRY APPLE PURSES This dessert is like a present. You discover a treat all wrapped up in puff pastry: a soft, sweet apple. This is a lighter dessert and pretty low in calories if you skip the non-dairy ice cream. After all, it’s your apple for the day. Or you could serve it as a complement to a richer dessert if you want to give people two options.

12 min Duration 12 min Prep Time 4 servings Servings

Note: For smaller portions cut the apple in quarters or even eighths just be sure to adjust the amount of the sugar and nut mixture along with the number of puff pastry squares accordingly. PREPARATION 1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch pan with non-stick baking spray. 2. In a bowl, mix the nuts, raisins and brown sugar. Set aside. 3. Place 1 apple half, skin side down, on a puff pastry square. Pastry should be pliable enough to twist. 4. Fill apple cavity with nut mixture, approximately 1/4 cup per apple half. 5. Bring pastry up and around the apple half to cover. Twist the corners together so it looks like a drawstring purse. 6. Sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle with honey. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

7. Place in prepared pan. 8. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until apples are soft. A sharp knife inserted into an apple should slip out easily. 9. Serve each with a scoop of non-dairy vanilla ice cream, if desired. Tips For a change of pace, substitute dried cranberries or dried blueberries for the raisins. When the puff pastry is completely defrosted, it is pliable enough to wrap around 1/2 an apple. If you don’t have the patience to wait, you can slice the apples in 1/4s to fit in the semi-defrosted squares.

INGREDIENTS • 1/3 cup chopped nuts • 1/3 cup raisins • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed • 2 medium baking apples, such as Rome or Cortland, peeled, cored and halved

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• 4 frozen puff pastry squares (from a 20-ounce package), defrosted • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon • 2 teaspoons honey • 1 pint vanilla non-dairy ice cream (optional)

45 HEALTH

HEALTH weekly

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

26 April 2017

Asthma Awareness Q

We are going on a summer holiday in August and I have so many sunscreens’ (some very expensive) in my cupboard. Is it safe to use sunscreen that has been in opened for a year (or more)? Raymond, Hendon

Deborah Joffe RGN & Independent Nurse Prescriber

Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Coughing or wheezing attacks may by worsened by intermittent colds and flu. It isn’t clear why some people get asthma and others don’t, but it’s probably due to a combination of environmental and genetic (inherited) factors. Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times — such as when exercising — or have symptoms all the time. Common triggers include exercise (which may be worse when the air is cold and dry), occupational/workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases or dust and allergens, such as pollen, mold, pet dander and many others. Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Work with your doctor to determine what to do when your signs and symptoms worsen — and when you need emergency treatment. Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. There are various medications that can be used to control asth-

Dr Jo-Anne Strul

ma, but avoidance of triggers is also of utmost importance. Some helpful tips include: • Use air conditioning: Air conditioning reduces the amount of airborne pollen from trees, grasses and weeds that finds its way indoors. Air conditioning also lowers indoor humidity and can reduce your exposure to dust mites. If you don’t have air conditioning, try to keep your windows closed during pollen season. • Decontaminate your decor: Minimize dust that may worsen nighttime symptoms by replacing certain items in your bedroom. For example, encase pillows, mattresses and box springs in dustproof covers. Remove carpeting and install hardwood or linoleum flooring. Use washable curtains and blinds. • Maintain optimal humidity: If you live in a damp climate, talk to your doctor about using a dehumidifier. • Prevent mold spores: Clean damp areas in the bath, kitchen and around the house to keep mold spores from developing. Get

rid of moldy leaves or damp firewood in the yard. • Reduce pet dander: If you’re allergic to dander, avoid pets with fur or feathers. Having pets regularly bathed or groomed also may reduce the amount of dander in your surroundings. • Clean regularly: Clean your home at least once a week. If you’re likely to stir up dust, wear a mask or have someone else do the cleaning. • Get regular exercise: Having asthma doesn’t mean you have to be less active. Treatment can prevent asthma attacks and control symptoms during activity. • Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight can worsen asthma symptoms, and it puts you at higher risk of other health problems. • Control heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): It’s possible that the acid reflux that causes heartburn may damage lung airways and worsen asthma symptoms. If you have frequent or constant heartburn, talk to your doctor about treatment options. You may need treatment for GERD before your asthma symptoms improve. Asthma can be challenging and stressful. You may sometimes become frustrated, angry or depressed because you need to

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

Many suncreens will have expiry dates on their bottles, the recommended shelf life for sunscreen is between 2-3 years where they will remain at their original strength ( stored away from heat and direct sunlight). After this time has passed, they may no longer do what they say on the tin. It is advised to discard sunscreen that has passed its expiration date. The British Association of Dermatologists recommends sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 MINIMUM. You should also ensure that the sun cream you use offers protection against BOTH UVA and UVB radiation. Have a wonderful summer holiday.

Q A

What is the difference between a bacterial and a viral infection and how are they treated? Yael, Salford

As their names suggest, bacterial infections are caused by bacteria, and viral infections are caused by viruses. Bacteria and viruses are too tiny to be seen by the naked eye, can cause similar symptoms and are often spread in the same way, but that’s where the similarities end. A bacterium is a single, but complex, cell. It can survive on its own, inside or outside the body. Most bacteria aren’t harmful. In fact, we have many bacteria on our skin and inside our body, especially in the gut to help digest food. Viruses are smaller and are not cells. Unlike bacteria, they need a host such as a human or animal to multiply. Viruses cause infections by entering and multiplying inside the host’s healthy cells. Perhaps the most important distinction between bacteria and viruses is that antibiotic drugs usually kill bacteria, but they aren’t effective against viruses. Examples of bacterial infections include whooping cough, strep throat, ear infection and urinary tract infection (UTI). Viral infections include the common cold, flu, most coughs and bronchitis, chickenpox and HIV/ AIDS. Since antibiotic resistance is a growing problem, antibiotics may be prescribed only for serious bacterial infections. The treatment of viral infections can include: managing symptoms, such as honey for coughs and warm fluids like chicken soup for oral hydration, paracetamol to relieve fever, stopping viral reproduction using antiviral medicines, such as medicines for HIV/AIDS and cold sores, preventing infection in the first place, such as vaccines for flu and hepatitis. Remember: Antibiotics won’t work for viral infections.

cut back on your usual activities to avoid environmental triggers. But asthma doesn’t have to be a limiting condition. The best way to overcome anxiety and a feeling of helplessness is to understand

your condition and take control of your treatment. Visit our website and ask Dr Jo-Anne or Nurse Deborah a medical question