The Jewish Weekly Issue 263 - January 12th

Take the Stage for

spotlight on students

For the 8,500+ Jewish Students at universities across the UK, University Jewish Chaplaincy is the safe-haven, the constant, the home-away from home that these young people rely on.

Readjusting to life after Covid coupled with the ever present concern of rising incidents of antisemitism on campus, students need our help now more than ever. Please donate generously this weekend to support the work of our 19 Chaplains and Chaplaincy couples at universities across the UK.

Thank you.

Rishi Sunak blasts Tory MP over COVID-19-Holocaust comparison

BY DAVID SAFFER

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has condemned Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen over a tweet that appears to compare the Cov-

furore follows Bridgen posting a link yesterday to an article on vaccines where he noted: “As one consultant cardiologist said to me this is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust.”

Former Health secretary Matt Hancock raised the issue in parliament, describing Bridgen’s comments as “deeply offensive

Sunak responded: “It is utterly unacceptable to make linkages and use language like that. I’m determined that the scourge of anti-Semitism is eradicated. It has absolutely no place in our

the vaccine causes harm and costs lives.”

Bridgen will sit as an Independent. An investigation has begun.

Ms van de Zyl said: “For an MP to suggest that Covid vaccines are the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust is unconscionable. We will be writing to the Chair of the Conservative Party Nadhim Zahawi to express our deep concern and to ask for clarification as to what action will be taken.”

Zahawi, was “appalled” by Bridgen’s comments. He said: “Any comparison made to the Holo-

Campaign Against Antisemitism have called on Bridgen to immediately apologise and demonstrate why his tweet is appalling.

A spokesperson said: “The Jewish community has sadly become used to ugly and frankly moronic comparisons between the worldwide response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Holocaust. Regardless of one’s sentiments about the appropriateness or efficacy of lockdowns and vaccines, there is no equation with the deliberate and industrial slaughter of six million innocent men, women and children simply because they were

Tributes to Shas spiritual leader

BY DAVID SAFFER

The world of Torah has lost a tremendous scholar following the death of HaGaon HaRav Shimon Baadani zt”l yesterday in Israel.

Spiritual leader of the Shas Party since 1984, Baadani, 94, was a renowned rabbi in the Sefardi community. He headed up Shas’ Council of Torah Sages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Baadani as a “great scholar and spiritual leader”. President Isaac Herzog tweeted that his death was a “huge loss to the world of Torah”.

Outspoken in Israeli politics, Baadini served Ehud Barak’s government at the turn of the Millenium.

Shas said in a statement they were “shocked, pained and devastated over the ascent in a whirlwind to heaven.”

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri wrote on Twitter: “Woe is the ship that has lost its captain.”

Thousands of mourners attended the funeral which began at Kollel Torah V’Chaim in Bnei Brak, which he co-founded.

The esteemed rabbi was buried beside his Rebbetzin, Shulamit Abadai at Ponevezh Yeshiva Cemetery.

Baadini had been ill for a number of months and passed away at Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer.

Last year he succeeded Rabbi Shalom Cohen zt”l following the death of Chacham Ovadiah Yosef zt”l a decade ago.

Born in Hadera in 1928, he was the 11th child of Rabbi Dovid and Chaviva Baadani. Two sons and a daughter survived of 10 children born in Yemin.

Baadani studied at Novardok Yeshiva in Hadera, Beis Yosef-Novardok Yeshiva under Rabbi Elazar Shach and Porat Yosef Yeshiva in Jerusalem led by rosh yeshiva Rabbi Ezra Attiya zt”l.

After the Old City building was destroyed, Baadini set up a branch of the yeshiva in Katamon, which became independent. A respected scholar, Baadini went on to lead many yeshivas in Israel and founded Kollel Torah V’Chaim with Rabbi Moshe Pardo.

Renowned for inciteful advice, he was known for his involvement in shidduchim, assisted widows financially and provided tefillin to orphaned boys at barmitzvah.

Baadani and Shulamit Abadai had seven children. Their sons are Rabbi David Yeshaya Baadani who is rosh kollel of Kollel Taharot in Jerusalem, Rabbi Moshe Baadani is a study group leader at the kollel and Rabbi Chaim Baadani is director of Torah V’Chaim institutions.

Tragically, Baadani’s grandson Shalom Aharon Baadani, 17, son of Rabbi David, was killed by a Palestinian terrorist in the Jerusalem Light Rail terror attack in 2014.

For generations of Baadani’s students and Sephardi communities in particular his loss is incalculable.

Israel & Turkey restore relations

BY ADAM MOSES

Israel has restored full diplomatic relations with Turkey.

President Isaac Herzog received the credentials of Ambassador Sakir Ozkan Torunlar yesterday.

The development follows recent meetings in the past year. Former Defence Minister Benny Gantz held ‘productive’ talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara last month where trade opportunities topped the agenda. Turkey is one of Israel’s top five trading partners.

Herzog met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last March, the first Israeli leader to visit Turkey since 2008.

Welcoming Torunlar to Israel, Herzog said that restoring relations was an important milestone between the nations.

He observed: “It is no secret that the State of Israel attaches great importance to our historic relationship. It is a relationship that has known crises in the past but is now, to our delight, on a very encouraging trajectory. Israel and Turkey can and must cooperate in many fields that will bring progress and growth for both countries and both nations.

“We must deepen and broaden our collaboration in many diverse fields, including tourism, academia, energy, science, culture and agriculture and so they bring value to

our citizens, and no less importantly to our region.

“President Erdogan has underscored in the past year, including in conversations with me and publicly, how deeply he recognises the importance of the partnership between Israel and Turkey.”

Herzog has invited Erdogan to visit Israel to deepen ties between the countries.

Israel’s president recognised Turkey’s policy to solve problems relating to the Ukraine war in terms of exchange of hostages and export of wheat to the world.

He added: “I am sure that we will all continue strengthening the relations between our countries from a place of mutual respect, hand in hand, for the sake of a better and more promising future for our peoples and our region.”

“Official security ties” were established between the nations last summer after alarming threats against Israeli citizens and Jewish people in Turkey.

Disturbing reports emerged of a terror cell aiming to murder or kidnap Israeli tourists. Government officials advised cancellation of travel plans.

Then Prime Minister Naftali Bennett thanked Erdogan for cooperating with Jerusalem “on all levels”. Foreign Minister at the time Yair Lapid called for a “new chapter” in relations with Turkey.

President Isaac Herzog with Ambassador Sakir Ozkan Torunlar

PHOTO: GPO

HaGaon HaRav Shimon Baadani zt”l

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

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BY HARRY SIMONS

Israel’s Security Cabinet has issued a strong uncompromising stance against the Palestinian Authority targeting Israel in international conferences.

The action follows the UN General Assembly passing a Palestinian initiated resolution for the International Court of Justice to open an investigation into Israel’s “prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of Palestinian territory.”

The Security Cabinet will use NIS 139m of PA tax funds to compensate families of victims murdered in Palestinian terror attacks. This counters PA payments to terrorist families last year.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told reporters: “Nothing could be more just than deducting funds from the PA, which acted in support of terrorism, and to turn them over to victims of terrorism. The government of Israel is changing its policies, and on this day, we are beginning to make a correction. There isn’t any consolation here for the families of the murdered, but there is justice.”

The Council will stop illegal Palestinian construction plans in Area C where Israel retains civil and security control according to Oslo agreements. And they are halting Palestinian officials’ VIP access if they back political and legal campaigns against Israel.

This follows three PA officials visiting

terrorist Karim Younis following his release from prison.

Younis was convicted of murdering IDF soldier Avraham Bromberg in 1983. Celebrations took place in Younis’ village of Arara in northern Israel. The PA officials have had travel documents revoked.

The Bromberg family have appealed to Interior Minister Aryeh Deri to rescind Karim’s Israeli citizenship.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on police to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces after the celebrations in Arara.

Bicom noted Israeli law does not outlaw Palestinian flags, but police and soldiers may remove them if there is a threat to public order.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has zero tolerance towards terrorism and initiatives to delegitimise Israel.

Following Israel’s actions last weekend US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said Israeli sanctions were "counterproductive” to a negotiated two-state solution.

But he noted at a briefing on Monday that the US was consistent in its opposition to the ICJ’s “advisory opinion” regarding Israel.

Price added that Israel and the US were committed against Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.

“We are in lockstep when it comes to that strategic goal,” he said.

BY LILLY JOSEPH

The Israel Innovation Authority has formed the largest consortium in its history to develop quantum computing technologies.

The consortium has been granted a NIS 115m three-year budget. Key developments include quantum processors, system building blocks, control tools, noise characterisation and reduction software.

Products will enhance Israeli industries to the frontline of scientific advancements. The IIA will make the technology accessible to Israel’s R&D industry.

Dr. Ami Appelbaum, Chairman of the Innovation Authority said: “The quantum computer will fundamentally change the world we live in with greater intensity than the changes that arose from the introduction of computers into our daily lives over the past 50 years.

“Quantum computers are of the utmost importance to the State of Israel's resilience and the ability of the Israeli economy to continue its growth. In the initial stages, quantum computing will be applied to the challenges of huge databases that current computers take weeks or even years to calculate. As quantum computing develops, it will impact many areas of everyday life, such as personalised medicine.”

He added: “The structure of the Israeli quantum computer operations and command and control systems are groundbreaking

and unique on a global scale. The public, private and academic collaboration of this consortium will place Israel at the scientific and technological forefront of the world in quantum computing.”

Dror Bin, IIA CEO, said: “Quantum computing features characteristics and phenomena from quantum physics that are leveraged to produce components, systems, capabilities and services, allowing highly complex calculations at scale even compared to existing supercomputers.

“The field is still in its infancy and on the path toward a significant breakthrough in commercialisation. Its global market value is projected to reach tens of billions of dollars within the next decade.”

He added: “It is our duty as a government to invest in this field to prepare the national infrastructure that will allow Israeli tech to continue being global leaders.”

Israeli companies in the consortium are IIA Group's Elta Systems division, Quantum Art, Classiq, Qedma and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

Technological development will be supported by Professors Nadav Katz, Alex Retzker and Raam Uzdin of Hebrew University, Professor Roee Ozeri of the Weizmann Institute, Professor Michael Stern of Bar-Ilan University, Professors Steven Frankel and Tal Mor of the Technion and a research group led by Dr. Ohad Birk of Soroka Hospital.

Betzalel Smotrich

leads world

Freer meets Paperweight

Turning a woman without choices into a mother with hope

When a woman dials our number, it’s because poverty had cornered her into believing that abortion is her only option.

Government

BY ADAM MOSES

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is set to be proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK Government.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Security Minister Tom Tugendhat will back the move against the IRGC as reported in The Telegraph earlier this month.

Stephen Crabb, CFI’s Parliamentary Chairman said: “This would be a very welcome move. It is a step that a number of our key allies have al ready taken. The IRGC is playing a key role supporting and facilitating the Iranian regime’s destabilising activities in the Middle East and be yond. It is very, very clear that the international com munity needs to take much stronger and clear-sighted action against Iran”.

The Lord Pickles, CFI’s Parliamenta ry Chairman not ed: “Proscribing the IRGC would demonstrate to Iran that it can’t be business as usual”.

Last month

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Israel was at the frontline of the threat from Iran’s IRGC enforcers.

He observed at a CFI annual event: “The National Cyber Security Centre has exposed IRGC-linked attacks on critical national infrastructure and the head of MI5 has spoken of at least 10 threats this year to kidnap or even kill UK-based individuals. The decision by my predecessors to proscribe the Hamas and Hezbollah terror groups were important

“My Home Secretary and I are committed to utilising the full range of tools at our disposal to protect UK citizens from the threat of the IRGC and Iran.”

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced last month sanctions had been imposed on the IRGC in its entirety.

And Israel Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely said there was no place in a civilised society for the IRGC who use fear,

violence and terror to achieve hatred-driven aims.

She warned: “The IRGC seeks not to attack Israel because of the values that we represent but because of who we are. They are dangerous to Israel, they are dangerous to the UK and they are dangerous to the Iranian people.”

Hotovely added: “It is more important now than ever that we stand up to Iran and hold their actions, including those of the IRGC, to account. Israel remains unwavering in that regard.”

CFI observed that MI5 had revealed

IRGC plots as Sunak reiterated.

There were reports of an Iranian terror cell attempting to target journalists at Iran International news channel in West London, which has been protected by anti-terrorist police.

The IRGC is a major military, economic and political force in Iran. This month they arrested seven people with alleged links to the UK.

The terror group has been responsible for global violence including sponsorship of Hezbollah and Hamas, and involvement in terror attacks against Jews and Israelis. They have also been linked to the provision of armed drones to Russia in the Ukraine war and recent attacks on oil tankers in international waters.

Ken McCallum, MI5 director general, spoke about the Iranian regime’s threats to the UK last November.

He noted: “Iran projects threat to the UK directly, through its aggressive intelligence services. At its sharpest, this includes ambitions to kidnap or even kill British or UKbased individuals perceived as enemies of the regime.”

Proscription would mean it is a criminal offence to belong to the IRGC, attend meetings, carry its logo in public or encourage support of activities.

The United States proscribed the IRGC as a “foreign terrorist organisation” in 2019.

Suella Braverman

Tom Tugendhat

PHOTO: GOV.UK

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

Bibi holds AIPAC video conference

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared before AIPAC leaders and activists by video conference on Monday.

Israel’s leader thanked them for supporting the State of Israel and strengthening US ties.

Netanyahu discussed Iran, expanding the circle of peace and US-Israel relations with AIPAC President Betsy Korn.

Regarding Iran, Netanyahu said people

are seeing the regime's internal repression of the people and executions of those demonstrating for freedom.

“Because of the brave men and women of Iran, the entire world sees what we've been talking about, that this is a terrible, repressive, terrorist regime,” he said. “It's time to close ranks between Israel and the United States and others. I look forward to discussing this issue with President Biden and his team. I think there is more of a meeting of the minds today than there has ever been.”

Netanyahu added that he is looking to expand the circle of peace because Arab leaders have changed their views regarding Israel. They see Israel as partners, not enemies.

Exeter Israel Society is back!

StandWithUs UK have welcomed the re-establishment of the Israel and Zionist Society at the University of Exeter.

Emerson leadership programme fellow Harry Stock said the university has a chance to provide a “fair and robust” platform for Israel. “This is truly a momentous moment which we are incredibly proud of facilitating,” he said.

A StandWithUs spokesman noted: “An Israel Society in Exeter is vital in a current climate where the only Jewish state is denigrated and delegitimised. We hope the

society will aim to reshape the way Israel is perceived among Exeter University students, give a voice to those that feel they have none and provide students a viable platform to learn, debate and celebrate Israel’s success story.”

StandWithUs UK executive director Isaac Zarfati noted, “I am proud of our students who have worked tirelessly on campus to bring the voice of truth about Israel to their peers. The establishment of this new society will hopefully inspire other students to set up more Israel Societies nationally.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Bibi extends record PM run

BY DAVID SAFFER

Israel's 37th government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in its first month of office.

Netanuhu is extending his record-breaking run of 15 years as PM from 1996-99 and 2009-21.

Recent weeks have seen controversies over the make-up of Netanyahu’s coalition but he remains defiant and determined to lead his nation.

Ongoing security challenges remain at borders due to terror threats. To that end Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a security assessment at IDF Northern Command headquarters on Tuesday.

They were briefed on intelligence, operational activity, threats along the borders with Lebanon and Syria and ability of the IDF and the security forces to handle ongoing challenges.

Netanyahu said before the meeting: “The main enemy that we face is the terrorist regime in Iran and its proxies in Syria and Lebanon. We are determined to fight Iran's attempts to develop a nuclear arsenal. We are determined to fight any attempt by Iran to entrench militarily in Syria on our northern border. We are determined to fight any attempt by Hezbollah to show aggression against us in Lebanon. Whoever needs a reminder about our red lines on this matter will receive it.”

Gallant added: “The security establishment will prevent Iran from entrenching in Syria and will sever the channels by which Iranian weaponry is transferred to Lebanon and Hezbollah. The quiet in the north is an important goal. We will take strong action against any attempt to attack Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers.”

National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi, IDF Deputy Chief-of-Staff Maj.-Gen. Amir Baram, GOC Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin and senior officers participated.

Earlier, Netanyahu and Gallant met with air defense personnel.

Aside from the existential Iranian threat, Netanyahu’s top priorities are to restore security and governance, deal with the cost of living and housing crisis and expand the circle of peace with Arab states following the Abraham Accords.

In related news, Netanyahu and his wife Sara visited the Western Wall to mark the swearing-in of the government last month.

Netanyahu wrote: “The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.”

Netanyahu told reporters: “We will continue to do this on behalf of the citizens of Israel, the State of Israel and the land of Israel. I have come here, the quarry from which we were shaped, to touch the stones of the Western Wall and to remember that we are charged with the obligation of safeguarding the heritage of generations and ensuring our future for the coming generations as well, and this we will do.”

Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz and Western Wall Heritage Foundation Director Mordechai Eliav attended.

US President Joe Biden issued a statement after the ceremony.

“I look forward to working with PM Netanyahu, who has been my friend for decades, to jointly address the many challenges and opportunities facing Israel and the Middle East region, including threats from Iran,” Biden noted. “The US is working to promote a region that’s increasingly integrated, prosperous and secure with benefits for all of its people.” He added: “From the start of my administration, we have worked with partners to promote this more hopeful vision of a region at peace, including between Israelis and Palestinians. We aim to continue this important work with Israel’s new government under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership.”

Legislation has been a major talking point in Israel since Netanyahu began trying to assemble his right wing coalition.

An amendment to Basic Law: Government allows Deri to serve as a minister, Smotrich cannot serve as Finance and Defence Minister at the same time. Ben Gvir has expanded Israel Police powers.

A law has been passed limiting four rebel MKs to break away and form a separate faction.

Centrist parties have refused to sit with Netanyahu due to his ongoing corruption trial. He denies all allegations.

Leading figures in Israeli high-tech and other industries voiced concerns to Netanyahu about the government. And over 100 former diplomats wrote to Netanyahu over “profound concerns” at the damage to Israel’s foreign relations.

Joining Netanyahu and Gallant in the coalition are Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen, Minister of Finance Betzalel Smotrich, Minister of Justice Yariv Levin, Minister of Interior and Health Aryeh Deri, Minister of Education Yoav Kish, Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, Minister for

Housing Yitzhak Goldknopf, Minister for National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister for Environmental Protection Idit Silman, Minister of Energy Israel Katz, Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi, Minister for Economy Nir Barkat, Minister of Welfare Yaakov Margi, Minister of Tourism Haim Katz, Minister for Innovation Ofir Akunis, Minister of Agriculture Avi Dichter, Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli, Minister for Culture Miki Zohar, Minister for Intelligence Gila Gamliel, Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Minister for Religious Affairs Michael Malchieli, Minister for National Missions Orit Strock, Minister for Immigration Ofir Sofer, Minister for Jerusalem Meir Porush, Minister for the Negev and Galilee Yitzhak Wasserlauf and Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu.

Israel's 37th government

PHOTO: GPO

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Western Wall PHOTO: GPO

“We are determined to fight any attempt by Iran to entrench militarily in Syria on our northern border. ”

EFRAT gives hope, support and a path forward

It’s no secret that saving lives is a very Jewish “thing.”

But as we read in this week’s parshah, historically, mesirus nefesh to save lives is rooted specifically in the experience of the Jewish woman; the Jewish midwives in Mitzrayim risked their own lives to save the next generation.

The EFRAT organisation is known across the globe for following in the footsteps of these nashim tzidkaniyos. In fact, the organisation is celebrating 83,000 babies saved since 1977.

It’s important, though, to ponder also a deeper, more powerful implication. It’s not just about the babies. Thanks to EFRAT staff and volunteers, 83,000 women were able to have the baby that they ultimately wanted.

Yael, a married mother of two, was devastated when she found out that she was expecting. “We were struggling as it was,” she said. “The thought of managing financially with another child terrified me.”

Yael’s husband pressured her to end the pregnancy but her close friend encouraged her not to take any drastic action until she called EFRAT. Reluctantly, Yael spoke to one of the volunteers at EFRAT.

“She showed me that there were other options,” recalled Yael. “When I heard that EFRAT was willing to help me with the baby’s needs after the birth, it occurred to me that I could continue with the pregnancy.”

Yael woke up with abdominal pain the

next morning. Her doctor sent her to the ER, warning her that she might be in the midst of a miscarriage.

She recalled: “While my husband and I waited in the hospital for the test results, I couldn’t stop praying for this baby. Finally, when the doctors told me that everything was okay, I was overjoyed. I couldn’t imagine the thought of losing this baby. With

the promise of help from EFRAT, I could look forward to having my third child.”

Women in various challenging circumstances who find themselves expecting are led to believe that they have no choices. Very often, due to economic distress, they feel incapable of supporting another child. Some are also under intense pressure, from their partner or other family members, to end the pregnancy and “move on with their lives.”

“We believe that women should have the right to make that decision for themselves,” said Nir Salmon, EFRAT’s executive director. “Organisations that help women terminate their pregnancies call themselves pro-choice. But where is the choice when a woman feels trapped into making a decision that may not reflect her true, inner desire?”

EFRAT provides women who are considering their options regarding their unborn child with access to the most precise, updated information relating to their physical and emotional health. But even more crucially, EFRAT’s message to women is that they are not alone. The organisation is there to enable women to overcome this difficult period and to “move on with their lives” together with their new baby,

EFRAT’s trained volunteers provide ongoing emotional support as well as a complete package that provides for all the needs that come with the birth of a new baby, including a crib, stroller, baby-bath and bedclothes, as well as 24 monthly packages with nappies and wipes, food and formula. EFRAT’s system works so well, that for just $1,500, they can help another woman keep her baby.

Shoshana was in dire financial straits when she found out that she was expecting. At the time, she felt trapped and overwhelmed, and her decision to end the pregnancy was final. Even when her sister called EFRAT and asked for a volunteer to speak to her, Shoshana told the volunteer not to call back.

“Immediately afterward, I felt terrible regret,” Shoshana said. “I became depressed and found it difficult to function. I’d thought that I would save my financial situation, but now I could barely drag myself to work

every day.”

Shoshana works as a receptionist at a large hospital in Jerusalem. Several months later, a woman came to her office asking to pay the abortion committee fee.

“She came to me by mistake, but instead of explaining her error I sat her down with a coffee and asked her if she wanted to discuss the matter,” said Shoshana. “I could tell she was relieved to have someone to talk to.”

As it turned out, this woman had a story that was similar to Shoshana’s. Deeply in debt, she felt unable to afford a baby.

“While speaking to this woman, I couldn’t hold back my tears,” Shoshana said. “I shared with her my story and my feelings that I had made a terrible mistake in giving up the pregnancy. I gave her money for a taxi to the EFRAT office and made sure someone would be waiting for her when she arrived.”

When she heard about all the assistance and support that EFRAT provided, the woman agreed to reassess, and ended up keeping her baby.

EFRAT is not only committed to supporting women in Israel. For years EFRAT has helped other organisations, locally and around the world, to bring this issue out into the open and empower women in other communities.

In a new exciting development, EFRAT will be branching out to the US in the coming year, with a national centre to be based in Florida.

“During my frequent trips overseas, I’m always approached by people who are in great need of our services,” said Salmon.

“They tell me that there are many Christian organisations offering assistance, but sadly, little is available within the Jewish community. We plan to breach that gap and bring our rich experience and strategy to US Jewry.”

EFRAT has shown that with a relatively small effort, it’s possible to accomplish something as huge as saving a life – a world!

For information and to partner with EFRAT visit www.cribefrat.org or telephone +1 718-697-702 or email info@cribefrat.org

What

OPINION PIECE

BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN

For many years now there has been a call for there to be a two state solution – Israel and Palestine living side by side. At the moment that is clearly not going to happen. The reasons for this depend on your attitude. If you are more inclined to the left, you will point to the right-wing Government in Israel, the settlements and the continued occupation of Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Those of you on the right will refer to the declaration from Hamas that they want to kill all the Jews and the payto-slay policy of the Palestinian Authority.

The arguments have run for decades and we are still no nearer a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Consequently we are stuck. The left yells occupation and the right yells rockets from Gaza; over and over again. The voices get louder with each additional murder of an Israeli. So what is the answer? I don’t know, but what I do know is that us yelling at each other is achieving nothing. Well, certainly not for us, though our enemies must be chuckling as they see

these squabbles.

Perhaps the starting point is to look at other confrontations and how it was they came to an end. Generally it is because either one side has no choice by way of absolute defeat or it is in their interests to come to the table. Germany in 1945 was comprehensively vanquished whereas Egypt saw a way to recovering the Sinai Desert and restoring some of their pride following their losses in 1967 and 1973.

More recently the Abraham Accords have seen Arab countries reaching peace with Israel, in part I suspect because they are concerned about the intentions of Iran and need a reliable military partner in the region.

In other words there needs to be an incentive for each side to agree terms. The incentive for Israel is palpable. The prospects of not having to run for the shelters when the rockets start falling, or being cautious of someone wearing a coat on a hot day are obvious. For the Palestinians not so much. Their leadership is corrupt and for as long as the war (since that is what it is) continues they will be able to avoid elections, steal as much money as they can and blame the Jews for everything. Until that changes there is no incentive for either Hamas or the P-A to feel the need to negotiate.

There is though one other factor to take into account, and this is where I declare

my interest as being on the right on this issue. This additional factor is the blinkered approach by so many in the West in relation to what they see as the Palestinian cause. All those causes promoted by the liberal left, such as women’s rights and freedom of religion are all sacrificed, wholesale, in favour of supporting the murderous regimes of Hamas and the P-A. It is difficult to know whether this is some nonsense guilt over colonialism, a misplaced romantic (and racist) view of the Palestinians knowing no better or just plain Jew-hate. It is probably a combination of all three, and who knows what else. The result though is that there is always an excuse for the murder of another Jew in Israel, or another rocket attack in a way which would never the be the case here in the UK. The double standard is as obvious as it is odious and that is where our efforts should be concentrated. It is simple. Staunch the flow of this stupid support – since that is what it is – and the knock on effect 2,000 miles away might make a difference. If it doesn’t, we haven’t lost anything and we can always go back to shouting at each other.

Robert Festenstein is a practising solicitor and has been the principal of his Salford based firm for over 20 years. He has fought BDS motions to the Court of Appeal and is President of the Zionist Central Council in Manchester which serves to protect and defend the democratic State of Israel.

The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper

More recently the Abraham Accords have seen Arab countries reaching peace with Israel, in part I suspect because they are concerned about the intentions of Iran and need a reliable military partner in the region.

With Harold Schogger

1NT = 15-17

Lead K

West led the king of diamonds, which declarer allowed to hold the trick. West continued with the queen of diamonds, which South took with the ace as East discarded a discouraging heart.

Declarer saw that he had eight tricks and that he had two choices as to how to proceed. The first was to hope that East held both the queen and jack of spades, which was a little better than a one-in-three chance. Instead, at trick three, he decided to lead a low spade toward dummy, inserting the nine when West followed with a low card. East won with the queen and exited with a low heart. Declarer won and played a low spade to dummy’s now-bare ace and returned to hand with a heart to his king. When he cashed the king of spades and West’s jack fell he had nine tricks, six in the major suits and three in the minors.

The likelihood that West would have one spade honour at most third is only a little better than playing East for the queen and jack of spades. However, there were two extra chances in playing this way. East could have both of the missing spade honours and only two or three cards in the suit. The other one comes from clubs; the main one being that the clubs were three-three and that East held both the queen and the jack, because then declarer could have succeeded by running the ten of clubs to East.

Overall this offered about a 45% chance of success.

Norwood’s scrapbooking class

People supported by Norwood attended a weekly scrapbooking class. Julian recalled Norwood’s late patron, the Queen, who he met on a visit in 2008. Angela captured celebrations from her 70th birthday celebration organised by support workers.

Evening of Reflection on the life of a remarkable Kehilla person

BY ESTHER ARONSON

On Thursday night an evening of reflection and chizuk was held to mark the first Yahrzeit of a much-missed Manchester Kehilla personality, Mrs Sarit Rachel Fulda a”h.

Addressing the large audience, Rebbetzin Esther Malka Zahn explained how Sarit, whose full name was Sarit Rachel, truly lived up to the ethos of our matriarchs, involving herself in acts of kindness and living as a true jewish princess.

Speaking remotely from the USA, Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser spoke of the outstanding kindness of Mrs Fulda who used to

regularly prepare and deliver cake and cookies to people on special occasions and would regularly invite people to partake of some homemade goods for their enjoyment. The rav also discussed how devoted she was to reciting Tehillim.

Rabbi Shlomo Angel spoke on the topic of jewish unity, a trait which the late Mrs Fulda was very passionate about. Indeed, since she died one year ago many hundreds have accepted upon themselves to study laws of positive speech.

A specially composed song was then beautifully sung by Rabbi Akiva Rosenblatt, a son-in-law of the Fuldas.

Kisharon social care programme

Kisharon is ahead of the curve in creating an employment programme for young people to join support teams.

The initiative helps address a national shortage to entering social care as a career.

This is the second year of the year 12 paid programme for students to experience life in social care and possible career paths. Sixteen students from schools including Hasmonean, JFS and Haberdasher Boys are participating.

Rachel Ucko, who facilitates the group, said: “It is so important to show the youth of today a variety of possible career paths. We

hope this group of students gain skills from being involved with the Kisharon family.”

Students kicked off 2023 at Kisharon’s Head Office by joining a meeting with Petrona Johnson and service managers. Each student will work at least two hours every week. The programme offers students opportunities to develop skills in completing job applications and formal interviews.

Students will help to enhance Jewish life in supported living sites by accompanying people at Kisharon to synagogue, organising Shabbat meals and running programmes for Jewish festivals.

Students at the Kisharon social care programme

Angela with her scrapbook

NJA appoints Winston

The National Jewish Assembly has appointed Steve Winston as its managing director.

Steve has served as NJA vice chairman since its launch in May 2022.

He is being replaced by Holland Park Synagogue member Laurence Julius and former Birmingham Hebrew Congregation president Keith Rowe.

NJA chairman Gary Mond said: “This will help ensure a substantial expansion in our activities.”

After a successful career in architecture working on projects across the globe, Winston became involved with the Zionist Federation serving as its Campaigns Officer and Executive Director.

He led lobbying efforts that generated parliamentary debates around the incitement in Palestinian textbooks, as well as encouraging a change in the UK’s voting pattern on anti-Israel resolutions at the UN.

Paris kosher tour

David Segel & West End Travel took 21 people on a gourmet kosher tour of Jewish Paris during Chanukah.

Participants experienced kosher eateries. They also visited Jewish neighbourhoods, synagogues and memorials including the Shoah museum, Museum of Jewish Art and History.

Paris has hundreds of kosher eateries.

Participants enjoyed kosher wines, Tunisian cous cous to Ashkenazi haimesha cuisine at a range of restaurants.

A spring trip to Paris with guide Chantal Biton is planned from 14th to 17th May 2023.

The theme of the trip will be the diversity of Europe’s biggest Jewish population seen through the important food culture that is France and discerning palate of the French.

“We will be seeking to understand the differences of the various kosher cuisines whilst our taste buds will be enjoying a selection of kosher restaurants,” said a spokesman. “We have chosen to reflect the extraordinary diverse international Jewish heritage in the French capital.”

KKL festive lunch

KKL and JNF staff and trustees, together with 50 clients and guests, attended the annual KKL Chanukah lunch at Hendon United Synagogue.

Rabbi Ginsbury said a few words which added to the sense of occasion.

David Goodman, Director of Community Relations at KKL, linked up live at the House of Excellence in Kiryat Malachi, one of JNF UK’s flagship projects, with Dan Shapira and students at the centre to discuss how their lives have improved as a result of facilities available.

Entertainment was provided by soul and Motown singer John Sessions.

Participants of the Legacy Mission enjoyed a catch up at the lunch. The afternoon concluded with candle lighting of the menorah.

Goodman said, “Clients coming together as friends to enjoy an afternoon showcasing the work of JNF UK was so very special.”

To leave a gift in your Will to JNF UK and support Israel for Life contact Carolyn Addleman on 020 8732 6121 or enquiries@kkl.org.uk

How to manage your money during the cost-of-living crisis

Last Monday evening, JAMH facilitated the first of two money management workshops for the Manchester Jewish community.

This workshop was led by money mindset coach, Jessica Saoud and gave people the tools to both prevent going into debt as well as how to manage their way out when they find themselves in difficulty. There were discussions on ways to cut spending, earn more money and save.

The slides were easy to understand, and the audience ranged from age 17 to 60 years old.

Salford resident, Bayla Klyne said ‘This was a lively presentation where we learned about our personal relationship with money, were shown how to be more in control of our finances and thereby more at ease and less anxious.’

Project Manager Kate Lurie commented ‘More and more individuals are contacting JAMH with anxiety about finances and the cost of living crisis, so it’s vital that people have a basic understanding of topics such as net worth, credit rating and making a budget.’

Evaluations from participants showed confidence in managing money rose from an average of 5.50 before the session to 7.25 after and mood from 5.75 to 8.00.

Jonny Wineberg, who is coordinating the project, explained that, “This shows the real effect of such workshops with participants gaining both the skills and confidence to

Money management workshop

manage their money better and be more financially resilient. The mood change evidences improvement in mental health as a result, which is our key objective.”

Another free money management workshop will take place at Broughton Hub on Monday 16 Jan, 7.30-9pm. All are welcome and light refreshments will be served.

This will cover how to manage debt, overdrafts and mortgages and how to specify financial goals. Jessica will also share important information about benefits available and ways to access low cost financial advice.

Rabbi Ginsbury speaking at the event

Chief knighted in King’s New Year honours

BY DAVID SAFFER

King Charles III has honoured Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, community stalwarts and Holocaust survivors in the annual New Year Honours List.

Chief Rabbi Mirvis received a Knighthood for services to the Jewish community, interfaith relations and education.

Board of Deputies President Marie van de Zyl was among recipients of honours.

“I am deeply humbled by this award,” he said. “It will be particularly moving for me to receive this award from his majesty the king in his first year as our monarch.”

Regarding the Chief Rabbi, who took up office in 2013, Michael Goldstein, United Synagogue President, said: “The Chief Rabbi has led our community from the front, engaging thousands of Jews through initiatives like Shabbat UK and launching the Ben Azzai social responsibility programme for young leaders.

“The Chief Rabbi’s friendship with senior faith leaders in this country and indeed around the world has deepened understanding between faith communities, culminating in the Chief Rabbi’s groundbreaking visit to the United Arab Emirates in November.”

Regarding the education sphere, Goldstein noted that the Chief Rabbi had created the Ma’ayan programme to provide a high-level qualification for female leaders.

He added: “At a national level, the Chief Rabbi guided our community through the pandemic with clear leadership as he did during the recent antisemitism crisis which engulfed the Labour party under its previous leader.”

Marie reacted to her OBE award for her work in “faith and integration”. She said: “It is a tribute to all the work we do at the Board of Deputies to represent and advocate for our Jewish community. I could not have achieved what I have without the support and help of everyone here, including our wonderful staff team and my fellow honorary officers and deputies, all of whom are volunteers who give so much time and effort for no reward. This is as much for them as it is for me.”

Marie, who is World Jewish Congress vice president, Commissioner for Gender Equality and Inclusion and sits on the Labour Party Antisemitism Advisory Board, is the second woman to have been elected President of the Board.

First elected President in 2018, she has played a leading role in protecting the UK Jewish community, including playing a crucial part in the fight against antisemitism in the Labour Party.

Aside from a primary role in the establishment of the Board of Deputies Commission on Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish community, Marie is a trustee of several charities including the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and Jewish Leadership Council.

Former BoD president Jonathan Arkush was honoured.

Jewish Deaf Association’s chief executive, Sue Cipin, received an OBE for services to charity and to people with hearing impairments.

Sue set up Independent Deaf Support Services, a drop-in that has rescued hundreds of deaf people from crises including homelessness, poverty and abuse. And she launched Hearing Matters in Care, JDA’s pioneering hearing support service for care homes.

In May 2021, Sue received the Barnet Civic Award for Lifetime Achievement for services to deaf people. She joined the JDA in September 1999, revolutionising its services.

On receiving the news, Sue said: “Being a part of the JDA community is not only crucial to our clients, it feeds the souls of all of us who are lucky enough to work here.”

She added: “To maximise inclusivity, we now need to bring about change in society’s attitudes, behaviour and understanding so everyone with hearing loss can live life to the full, without the stigma or obstacles they currently have to overcome day in and day out in our hearing world.”

World Jewish Relief’s life vice-president Linda Rosenblatt and long-time volunteer Harry Heber were also recognised.

Linda was awarded for her impact over more than 35 years of involvement with the charity.

She has been an ardent supporter of projects assisting resettled refugees in the UK, and a champion of women leaders within the organisation. Linda is one of four life vice-presidents.

A statement noted: “Linda has conducted all her leadership roles with characteristic humility, modesty and anonymity. Always ready to offer insightful advice or roll her sleeves up and get stuck in, Linda never expects, nor wants, any recognition for her unparalleled voluntary contributions to WJR’s values and lifesaving work.

“Linda is a central pillar of WJR, and it is no exaggeration that her volunteering has helped bring in more than £10 million of revenue for the charity. Linda is a much-respected voice in the organisation, valued by all who have worked with her over the years.”

Harry was recognised for voluntary commitment to providing spectacles to vulnerable individuals worldwide.

Over 22 years, he has provided over 60,000 prescription spectacles to WJR’s client base in Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. For these Jewish community members, eye care would otherwise be prohibitively costly or simply impossible to access.

Harry spent a total of around 8,500 hours from WJR’s offices in Golders Green.

A spokesman said: “Harry inspires the WJR team, proving that no matter what hardships you face in your life, you can overcome them and always give back to your community.”

Paul Anticoni, WJR Chief Executive, commented: “Both have given decades of volunteer time, commitment, hard work and dedication to the work of WJR. They represent the very best of this remarkable charity.”

In recent years, Sue has been behind new initiatives such as Dcafe, JDA’s popular signing café, run by unemployed deaf people,

providing a diverse hub for the deaf community while giving deaf volunteers qualifications, confidence and transferrable life skills.

Holocaust survivor and educator Harry Olmer was recognised and TV presenter Rachel Riley for raising Holocaust awareness and opposing antisemitism.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis

JDA’s Sue Cipin OBE

WJR’s Linda Rosenblatt OBE

Marie van der zyl OBE

WJR volunteeer Harry Heber OBE

GIFT’S soup-er sunday

Aleinu celebrates 10th year

Some 200 Rabbis, Rebbetzins and educators gathered at The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire for the annual Aleinu conference last week.

Participants attended breakout sessions and workshops on thought-provoking topics such as event creativity, a round table discussion on the future of outreach and mental health in teens.

BRCA testing and its halachic implications was delivered by Federation Av Beth Din Rabbi Zimmerman with Guila Vaz Moyal of Jnetics and Nicole Gordon and Lisa Steele of Chai.

A dinner honoured Rabbi Danny and Rebbetzin Jackie Kirsch who stepped down from his position as Chairman of the JLE last year.

Rabbi Benjy Morgan, JLE, and Rabbi Malcolm Herman, Seed, spoke of how Rabbi and Rebbetzin Kirsch had shaped the path for outreach in the UK.

the memory of Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu.

Rabbi Naftali Schiff, Jewish Futures, commented: “He was a remarkable individual who was a scholar who shouldered responsibility for the community, caring for each individual. These are attributes that we can all seek to emulate.”

Rabbi Dov Cowan of Aleinu commented on the camaraderie of conference.

He said: “Aleinu has always been about the responsibility we all have to positively impact Anglo Jewry. It was truly a spectacular way to celebrate ten years of working together to inspire the wonderful leaders, who give so much for the community.”

Rabbi Moshe Weinberger of Yeshiva University in New York attended.

GIFT partnered with JVN to take over the popular Light Up a Life Project from Better World Charity. This project enabled the community to get involved in volunteering over the winter holidays. GIFT’s flagship event catered for vulnerable individuals.

Rachelle Lazarus, JVN charity engagement and volunteer manager said: “The volunteers were grateful for the opportunity to help the homeless and the individuals GIFT assists on a regular basis.”

GIFT was overwhelmed with over 100 volunteers as they made more than 700 soups for the elderly, Holocaust survivors and Centrepoint, an organisation helping homeless youth.

Katie Jacobson, parent volunteer said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to ‘Give

it Forward’. It is really important for the children to do and live kindness, to not just talk about it and learn about it.”

Throughout the day, GIFT volunteers cut up, cooked and packaged hundreds of soups, decorated cards, made emergency packs for the homeless and delicious treats to go with the soups.

Sarah David, GIFT’s Events Manager said: “Each person who attended felt very inspired to spread warmth to those who need it most.”

Jacob Gershlowitz, 11, is regular volunteer and said: “This was a very good experience for me at GIFT, knowing that we are helping people to stay warm this winter.”

Contact GIFT to get involved: volunteer@jgift.org

NW leadership programme

North West London Jewish Day School year 3-6 pupils have completed the first stage of a leadership and character development programme.

The inaugural North West Award initiative enhances personal growth and understanding of the world.

Personal development was the first of four stages. Eight pupils took up a hobby such as learning a language, playing a team sport, drama, singing, cooking, photography, baking, sewing or photography.

Subsequent stages demonstrate support for others, a local community and a social action project.

Participants will build leadership, mindset, character development, wellbeing and motivation skills from communal and self-directed activities.

The programme forms part of the school’s commitment to empowering children to ‘be the change they want to see’.

North West has been at the forefront of

educating children to ensure the future of UK Jewry for over 75 years. Pupils have achieved their potential and developed a strong sense of pride in their Jewish heritage and identity.

Many of the community’s future leaders have attended the school.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis echoed these sentiments in his keynote address. A learning session was dedicated to

Aleinu is a joint initiative of JLE, Seed, Jewish Futures and the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue.

The emphasis of conference was to help Jews connect with their heritage.

Suri gets Camp Simcha volunteering dream

Participants, ranging in age from 6-18, enjoyed activities from archery and bowling to rock climbing and a fire and light show.

With care needs and medical staff on site, parents enjoyed vital respite while their children had a great time with Camp Simcha staff and the charity’s Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers.

Among first time volunteers was Suri Friesel, now 18, who is no stranger to retreat.

Suri attended Camp Simcha events with her family as a child after she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2017 on her 13th birthday.

No longer needing Camp Simcha’s support, that opportunity finally came when Suri became a volunteer for the charity, which provides practical, emotional and therapeutic support to families with seriously ill

children.

“Camp Simcha supported us in so many ways, including a volunteer for me and for my sibling,” said Suri, from north London. “I went to lots of retreats which were amazing, as well as Camp USA.

“I wanted to be a volunteer even while I was being supported by Camp Simcha and having treatment. I didn’t want to always get, I wanted to give as well.”

Suri, who now works part-time as a phlebotomist and also teaches, added: “I now support the sibling of a child who is ill, and also went to my first retreat as a volunteer.

“I had always enjoyed retreat as a child. It was somewhere I felt able to be myself and where I could take part in all the activities even when I was in a wheelchair. But it felt really good to be there as a volunteer and have that feeling that I had come out the other side. I also hope that it was encouraging for the children who are on retreat now.”

Camp Simcha organised a weekend away packed with fun for a group of youngsters with serious illnesses.

GIFT volunteer families

L to R: Dayan Binstock, Rabbi Schiff, Rabbi Kirsch, Chief Rabbi Mirvis, Rabbi Morgan, and Rabbi Herman

L to R: Adina Lauffer, Abigail Marin, Family Liason Officer Natalie Meyers, Suri Friesel and Lucy Ronson Allalouf

Allegra Kalfa with her certificate

Another delicious recipe for from Denise Phillips

For more recipes and inspiration visit my website: www.jewishcookery.com

Mexican Chicken Soup

This fun, hearty soup is a meal in itself – made with black beans, sweetcorn, and shredded chicken, topped with crispy tortilla chips and sliced avocado. If you like, you can use leftover traditional Jewish chicken soup in the broth, or any leftover roast chicken in the body of the soup.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes Serves: 6

Ingredients

For the Tortilla Chips

6 round tortilla wraps – cut into 2cm strips

100ml rapeseed oil Pinch of salt

For the Chicken Soup

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 red onion – peeled and chopped

3 large cloves garlic – finely chopped

1 red chilli – deseeded and finely chopped or 1 teaspoon chilli flakes

2 teaspoons ground cumin

400g tin chopped tomatoes

800ml chicken stock – 1 tablespoon chicken stock powder with 800ml boiling water

2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

400g tin black beans – drained

100g sweetcorn – tinned or frozen

Juice 1 lime

Garnish

1 avocado – sliced

3 tablespoons fresh coriander

1 lime – cut into slices

•

Method

1. Heat the rapeseed oil in a small saucepan until hot. Add tortilla strips in small batches and fry until crisp. Remove and transfer to a rack to drain. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.

2. Heat the olive oil in large deep saucepan. Add the onion, garlic, chilli and cook until the onion has softened.

3. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked.

4. Remove the chicken and shred. Return to the saucepan and simmer for 3 minutes.

5. Ladle soup into bowls, top with tortilla strips, lime wedges, coriander and sliced avocado.

So what’s ‘Nu’ for 2023!

BY DENISE PHILLIPS

At this time of year, it is always interesting to see what so-called experts predict for the forthcoming year. In the context of food: new products, flavours, style of eating, global influences, dining habits etc. But does anybody keep a note of them and see how many were accurate 12 months down the line. Well, I am prepared to be brave and put pen to paper on my predicted trends for 2023. Keep an eye out for…

• PLANT BASED

Plant based ‘smoked salmon’ called Smoked Valmon. Made of tapioca, starch, oil and flavourings, it then cured and smoked. Developed by Richard Hyman, owner of the Titanic Deli in Manchester. Kosher license is planned with KF (The Manchester Kosher Federation) by February. Cost: £5.99 for 100g

• FUSION FOOD

We will benefit from more exciting and adventurous eating experiences. There will be innovative takes on pizza, and Cuban, Sri Lankan, Pan- African recipes and dishes will be more readily available. Also look out for Japanese spiced brisket, falafel scotch egg and Mexican chilli lasagne.

VEGANIZING RECIPES

Many more traditional dishes will be

reinvented using vegan products.

• REGENERATIVE FOOD

This is food that comes from sustainable agriculture and focuses on biodiversity and soil regeneration.

• CBD & HEMP

Over the pandemic, CBD products flew off the shelves as people searched for products to help them relax. Kosher CBD products include Provacan (KLBD). More CBD beer, oil and beauty products are emerging. The so called ‘mood food’ is taking off!

• RETRO REVAMPS

Retro favourites continue to be recreated with jelly, custard and kosher retro classics like lokshen pudding, Challah chocolate dessert, glazed meatloaf, chicken pie, babka, coffee cake kugel will always be welcome on a family Friday night dinner.

• KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Busy routines, tightening finances and the wider economic influences will impact the trend to simple cooking. Affordable ingredients, store cupboard essentials, upcycling leftover and one pot dishes will be popular. So too will use of air fryers, slow cookers and microwaves. Keeping with the popular new flavours of Mexico -recipe above is Mexican Chicken Soup

Your dream Pesach Awaits…

Make your dreams come true this year with a stunning Pesach holiday of a lifetime in the Greek Island. of Rhodes. Based at the luxury Elysium Resort and Spa from April 4-16. The five-star hotel is set on the waterfront at Kallithea beach, just a 15-minute drive from the city centre, and boasts facilities including indoor and outdoor heated pools, a Turkish steam bath, gym, sauna, and spa with 13 treatment rooms. Pesach packages are Glatt Mehadrin, under the strict supervision of Rabbi Berel Simpser.

Star attractions include world famous singer ‘Ohad,’ Rabbi Hadar, Rabbi Dr. Laibl Wolf and popular London Rabbi Yossi Fachler, The Solomon Brothers band and the exciting menus will be headed up by Executive world-famous Chef Arik Porat, the head chef at the Dan Accadia Hotel for many years and Avi Steinitz who has impressively been head chef in many leading hotels across Israel including The King David, the Dan Tel Aviv and the Dan Eilat! See the exciting advert on page 3 this week and quote ‘Jewish Weekly’ for family and group discounts. They are also offering £250 off your flights!

You can also take your next vacation in several the world’s hottest spots such as Japan, Cuba, Iceland, Morocco, Havana, Hawaii or India with Kosher Travelers exotic group tours providing the perfect solution. Alternately, consider a relaxing fully Kosher Ocean or River cruise in July/August 2023.

All Kosher Travelers destinations are augmented with Jewish heritage Sites, beautiful Shabbat atmosphere and esteemed Guest speakers.

In 2008 Melbourne power couple David & Chana Walles and their family made Aliyah and purchased Eddie’s Travel & Tourism Ltd, established by Eddie Freudmann z”l in London in 1979. With the company rebranded as Kosher Travelers, the business expanded rapidly to cater for English-speaking Jewish travellers from around the world.

“Our clients come from USA, Canada, Britain, Europe, South Africa and, of course, Australia,” David told The Jewish Weekly live from Dubai.

“People who join our tours do not have to be strictly Orthodox – the common denominator is that all the tours are fully kosher. “There are no religious level criteria to join our tours, cruises or hotel

programs and we don’t ask any questions about your religious observance.

“We design tours to destinations that are hard to navigate, and we bring our own team of chefs to prepare kosher meals wherever we go and visit Jewish heritage sites where relevant. We recently took more than 100 people to Iceland, which has become one of the world’s hottest travel destinations, and the feedback was excellent. A quick look at our website testimonial page will testify to this”

Kosher Travelers has four 10-day Iceland tours scheduled in 2023 between June and October. The tours start in Reykjavik, the capital, and include natural wonders such as glaciers, hot springs, volcanoes and lava fields, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and the aurora borealis (Northern Lights). As well they visit Reykjavik’s high-tech attraction, Fly Over where special effects enable visitors to simulate an exhilarating flight across the country.

Among the range of popular Kosher Travelers tours are those held in Cuba, India, Tuscany, Japan, Morocco. Each tour is accompanied by an expert English-speaking local guide.

David says “It is the tour guide that makes or breaks the tour and David takes painstaking efforts to ensure they are the best available by personally interviewing and checking their credentials and spoken English skills”

Following the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020 which normalised relations between Israel and the UAE, there has been tremendous growth in the number of Jewish travellers visiting Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including tours organised by Kosher Travelers.

“We call our tours to UAE ‘missions’ as they include special speakers such as David M. Weinberg, who is a brilliant

geo-political analyst and Jerusalem Post columnist. We have already organised four tours to the UAE since Dec 2021 with the latest sell out tours including a November and a Chanuka tour that featured a special family track to visit and enjoy the fantastic world class attractions.”

Dubai is home to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building; Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island shaped like a palm; an indoor ski field and theme parks as well as markets and historical sites. Abu Dhabi is billed as the world’s richest city with attractions including the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum and the Presidential Palace.

Activities include a 4 x 4 sand dune desert safari followed by a kosher BBQ dinner in the desert with camel rides, music and dance.

Morocco’s fusion of French, African, Arab and Islamic cultures, along with its rich Jewish history, makes it a fascinating destination. Kosher Travelers tours will take you to the famous cities of Fez, Marrakech and Casablanca and include

overnight glamping in the Sahara.

In December David and Chana head to Hawaii to host a tour, it’s a first for Kosher Travelers being a four-island tour with 70 people over the 10 days visiting Maui, Ohau, Kauai and the Big Island. Everyone who is joining has told us that such a tour has been in their bucket list for decades, but have never been able to do it,” said David.

“Our motto at Kosher Travelers is Discover, Connect and Enrich and they are the objectives for all our tours. Guests on all our Tourism projects get to discover the culture of the destination, make family and friendly connections and leave entirely enriched by the experience. If we can’t deliver these elements on every tour, we won’t even start the process”

For more information and to receive a free brochure and newsletter, visit koshertravelers.com

Take the hassle out of Travel by joining a unique group tour to idyllic and exotic holiday destinations around the world with Kosher Travelers…

Jewish Weekly Editor Yossi Saunders caught up with David Walles to hear more.

Pool and beach at the Elysium Resort and Spa

PHOTO: ELYSIUM RESORT AND SPA

PHOTO: ELYSIUM RESORT AND SPA

One of the rooms on offer

ASK THE RABBI

Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com

PROTESTING AGAINST ISRAEL

Dear Rabbi

I hear murmurings in the UK about wanting to launch some kind of mass protest against the Israeli government. I know it is a very right wing government which is not to everyone’s liking but do we have a right to meddle in their politics?

Francesca

Dear Francesca

On the one hand we like to refer to Israel as the Jewish State. Which, by definition means that all Jews everywhere identify it as home and to that end we all reserve the right to have a say in what goes on there. Moreover, the reality is that whatever happens in Israel invariably spills over into the Diaspora. As too many of us have experienced, the choice actions by Israel makes waves throughout the world, whether justifiably or otherwise, and Jews everywhere are impacted in one form or another as a result.

On the other hand, what exactly has Israel done that warrants “some kind of mass protest?” That they elected into government some apparent extremists? Let’s consider the facts: 1) Any individual

who wants to stand as an MK has to be vetted by the Supreme Court. There were those who had been denied standing. So whatever extremists one is concerned about, they have been vetted, approved and ultimately voted into government. It’s called democracy – a rare commodity in the Middle East. So what do people want to protest against? A process that delivered a result not to their liking? How undemocratic is that? 2) These so-called extremists – have they acted on their sentiments since being in government? Many individuals say things in their past but become transformed when they morph into politicians and become restrained by the correctness that their office demands. Moreover, yes they’ve expressed views in the past, some of those views, abhorrent. But to be sure, the only difference between their attitude towards the gay community and the Arab MK’s that were in government before them is that they tactlessly openly expressed their views. But don’t think that others didn’t harbour the same.

Bottom line: When there are despicable acts committed like the recent desecration of the Protestant cemetery, then we have to be outspoken. We have to condemn

in the strongest terms and tell the world, “This is not the Jewish way! Not in my name!”

Likewise, if there are deliberate actions committed by the Israeli government, or individuals therein, which impact in a real way on Diaspora Jewry then again we have to be outspoken and air our grievance.

But to launch some kind of mass protest because you don’t like the government – for one thing, get off your high horse. No one in Israel could care less about what you have to say, and you won’t make as much as a dent. For another, ask yourself whether in the bigger scheme of things you are doing more harm than good, especially considering that you are drawing negative attention which is fodder for the anti-Zionists. And lastly, what is the basis for the protest? Because you don’t like the government or individuals therein? Consider who’s really being undemocratic in such a scenario?

I’M NOT IN THE MOOD

Dear Rabbi

I find myself quite lethargic lately. I don’t feel like doing much, both in my personal life as well as in my spiritual life. Is there a way I can kick start myself again?

Manny

Dear Manny

Are there ever days when I don’t feel

like doing work or I’m not in the mood of doing something spiritual? Every day I don’t feel like doing things that I still do. It’s called discipline. It’s not about feeling like doing it. If you only do things you feel like doing, you know what you end up doing? Sitting around drinking soya lattes, and being really boring. You have to wake up and say, “I don’t feel like working today but I must work!” “I don’t feel like doing mitzvoth today, putting on Tefilin today, giving charity today etc. but I must do it!” You need to do what you’re supposed to do not what you feel like doing. That’s the difference between an adult and a child. You do not become a man or woman doing what you feel like doing. You become a man or woman doing what you’re supposed to do!

ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?

Dear Rabbi

I like to think I am a good husband and a good communicator but my wife insists that she is unhappy because I don’t ever listen to her. What am I doing wrong?

Trevor

Dear Trevor

Like many spouses (husbands or wives) you think you’re a good listener because you pay attention to every word she’s saying. Here’s an exercise for you: start paying attention to every word she’s not saying as well!

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

Torah from Israel Orthodox Jews and Tikun Ha’olam

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN

Moshe our greatest leader, would, one day, scale the heavens and split the seas. A young stutterer evolved into one of the greatest orators of history. Deprived of food and drink for forty days, he conveyed the word of a Heavenly G-d to a human audience waiting on a billowing mountain below. Yet, Moshe wasn’t chosen for his scholarship, remarkable faith, or unusual courage. He was selected because of his compassion for human suffering and his moral indignance at the sight of injustice.

Three consecutive episodes from his early career, outline Moshe’s unusual moral conviction. In the first scene, he walks away from the posh and padded comforts of his Egyptian palace, to commiserate with Jewish slaves, subjugated by Egyptian persecution. He could easily have ignored this ugliness, and insulated himself within his palace luxury, but a compassionate man does not hide from human suffering.

During his compassionate outing he witnesses a Jew being whipped by an Egyptian, and realizing that no one will assist the victim, Moshe daringly executes the Egyptian. Witnessing human suffering, Moshe commits a capital offense, which endangered both his life and his future career.

The next day he accidentally stumbled upon a squabble between two Jews, which was quickly degenerating into a brawl. On this day he was just casually strolling through Egypt without any moral agenda or without any specific plan to study the suffering of his brothers. He could have easily looked the other way, not to be disturbed by this nuisance. Furthermore, as a fugitive, his best plan was laying low and keeping a low profile. It was not advisable to intervene in a petty squabble between two spiteful Jews.

Yet, once again, he cannot stand by idly while two Jews descend into self-destructive hatred and violence. Years of slavery-induced frustration were now being vented between these two quarreling Jewish slaves. Such is the nature of abuse: victims always victimize other weaker victims, perpetuating cycles of hatred and violence which wrecks the social fabric. Moshe cannot tolerate this self-sabotaging behavior and attempts to defuse the conflict. Sadly, his efforts are met with sarcasm and disdain and, realizing that his murder of an Egyptian official is public knowledge, Moshe quickly bolts for the safe havens of Midyan.

Arriving in this asylum, Moshe visits

the local watering-well where he observes women being denied water privileges by stronger and more aggressive male shepherds. Once again, the wiser and more calculated option is to quietly disappear into the woodwork, thereby avoiding any further confrontation or any unwanted publicity. Once again, Moshe simply cannot refrain from a moral response and, despite personal danger, he rescues the harassed women from the local bullies.

The common thread of all these stories is Moshe’s compassion for the underdog and his moral indignation toward injustice. Whether facing the brutality of slavery, the futility of self-inflicted strife, or the victimization of weaker members of society, Moshe will not back down and will not tolerate discrimination or exploitation.

BELIEF AND ACTS

Judaism doesn’t differentiate between faith and charity, and it doesn’t separate religious faith from good “works”. We study Hashem’s word, speak with Him in prayer, and partner with him in history. Additionally, we trace His moral energy in our world and fashion our own personalities in His moral spirit. Through simple acts of kindness, we discover Hashem and learn more about Him. Even before Moshe gapes at the mystery of the burning bush, he encounters Hashem through intrepid acts of moral courage. Before his eyes gaze upon a blazing bush, his heart must burn with moral compassion. He discovers Hashem in charity and kindness before he ascends the mountain to encounter Him and receive His word.

A CARING SOCIETY

Acts of kindness are not just the catalyst for Moshe’s discovery of Hashem. These noble traits will, one day, form the cornerstone of the model society Moshe will construct.

In the days leading up to the delivery of the divine Torah at Sinai, Moshe assembled a rudimentary judicial system to enforce law and to protect the weak against the strong. Remarkably, in only seven weeks, he transformed a band of lawless slaves into a civil and law-abiding society. Without the framework of a judicial system in place, we would be incapable of receiving the word of Hashem.

The avot who founded our religion behaved with kindness and generosity and forged a people of compassion. Moshe, however, is the first Biblical figure who specifically defends the weak and the vulnerable from aggression and

discrimination. He possesses a special eye for human vulnerability, and for this reason he was chosen as the architect of our nation and of our society.

RESTORING A LOST AGENDA

For thousands of years, we were disin herited of this crucial feature of Jewish identity. Strewn across foreign lands, often facing persecution and discrimi nation, we had little ability and, for that matter, little interest, in sculpting a more caring and gentle society. Doing our best just to survive unspeakable horrors and atrocities, the thought of shaping broader society with our “spirit of caring” was an absurd proposition.

Over the past 250 years everything changed, as the Emancipation movement invited Jews back into society, offering them full membership as equal citizens. Though we received equal opportunity to shape policy, remarkably, we exerted disproportionate influence upon the modern evolution toward social equality and justice.

In the 19th and 20th century, Jews piloted the development of Communism, which promised a classless society enjoying universal economic equality. In Capitalist countries, Jews established labor movements to protect factory workers against the dangers of rapid industrialization and the unfair distribution of wealth. Each of these movements reflected our ancient national commitment to equality and social justice. For the first time in thousands of years we were empowered to inspirit society with these noble values, and we did not flinch.

Additionally, in 20th century America, Jewish social activism spearheaded the battle against discrimination of racial minorities and of the oppressed. In the wake of the Holocaust, witnessing the horrors of unchecked racism, our battle against discrimination intensified. In the 20th century, tikun ha’olam became the Jewish anthem of social justice.

ORTHODOX JEWS

The Emancipation of Jews equipped our people with social influence and empowered us to participate in the construction of modern society. However, Emancipation, by welcoming us back into Gentile society, also rapidly accelerated secularization and led to a widespread breakdown of classic halachik observance. Millions of Jews abandoned classic religious experience, often replacing commitment to commandments with commitment to social activism.

Orthodox Jews recoiled at the

replacement of commandments and ritual with a substitute agenda of social justice. The perception that other Jews had formed a ritually hollowed out religion centered upon tikkun ha’olam created negative associations both with the phrase and with the general value of social activism. The term tikkun ha’olam did not feel holy or pious and Orthodox Jews often ignored the value of social reformation.

Orthodox Jews must take care not to overact. Recognizing that we inhabit many worlds, we cannot build religious identity exclusively on the social activism and the repair of this world. Torah study and religious commandments are eternal elements of the many worlds we inhabit. Just the same, our national heritage is to care deeply about creating a caring society which protects weaker members who cannot fully defend their own interests.

In Israel, political polarization has created a similar Orthodox inattention toward social justice agendas. Disinterested in traditional religion and opposed to the politics of settling Greater Israel, secular Israelis enthusiastically adopted social equality and justice at the heart of their platforms. Almost reflexively, and in reaction to the secular focus upon social activism, religious Jews dropped this agenda, focusing instead on settling the land and inspiriting Israeli society with a religious flavor.

Sometimes, in our overreaction we forget how deeply ingrained social activism is within our national identity. Caring about the weak appears at the top of Moshe’s resume and it should be an important part of ours as well.

The writer is a rabbi at Yeshivat Har Etzion/Gush, a hesder yeshiva. He has smicha and a BA in computer science from Yeshiva University as well as a masters degree in English literature from the City University of New York.

Ideals Lost and Found

BY RABBI SHMUEL REICHMAN

There is a strange recurring phenomenon throughout Parashas Bereishis: the Torah first describes one model of creation and then proceeds to depict a completely different, even contradictory picture of the same creation. For example:

• The first perek of Bereishis describes Adam as a being that was created b’tzelem Elokim (Bereishis 1:27), an inspiring and Divine portrayal of man and his role in the world.

• However, the very next chapter describes man as a physical being, formed from nothing more than the dirt of the earth ((Bereishis 2:7), a description almost identical to the creation of animals.

What happened to the Godly, inspiring image of man?

LUMINARIES AND TREES

This same pattern extends to the creation of the luminaries:

• When describing the creation of the sun and moon, the pasuk initially says that Hashem created two great lights (Bereishis 1:16).

• However, the pasuk continues by stating that the large luminary would illuminate the day, while the small luminary would be dedicated to the night.

The Midrash asks the obvious question: What happened to the two big lights? Why does the pasuk begin by stating that there were two great lights, but end by calling only the sun a great light? The Midrash famously explains that the moon was originally created with equal stature to the sun, however, in an act of arrogance and ego, the moon asked Hashem how there can possibly be two dominant lights. As a result, Hashem shrunk the moon, and it became subservient to the sun (see Rashi ad loc.).

A similar pattern occurs by the creation of trees. Hashem states that there shall be “fruit trees — “eitz pri” — that bear fruits (Bereishis 1:11). The next pasuk then describes the creation of tress that bear fruit.

• The Midrash explains that originally, trees themselves, including their bark and branches, were supposed to taste like their fruits.

• However, when they were actually created, this did not manifest. The bark of a tree tastes nothing like its sweet fruit (see Rashi ad loc.).

What is the meaning of this recurring pattern? Why are so many elements of creation depicted in one way before being described in a contradictory fashion?

THE ANSWER: AN IDEAL, FOLLOWED BY THE STARTING POINT

The key to answering these questions lies in one of the most fundamental concepts

in Judaism. The Arizal, Ramchal, Vilna Gaon, and many other Jewish thinkers explain that every process contains three stages:

• The first stage is the high, the inspiration, an experience of perfection and clarity.

• Next comes the second stage: a complete fall, a loss of everything that was experienced during the first stage.

• Then there is the third stage, a return to the perfection of the first stage. However, this third stage is fundamentally different from the first. It is the same perfection, the same clarity, but this time it’s a perfection and clarity that you have earned. The first time it was given to you, now you have worked to build it for yourself.

The first stage is a gift, a spiritual high. It’s there to help you experience the goal, the destination. It’s a taste of what you can and hopefully will ultimately accomplish, but it’s not real. It’s given as a gift and is therefore an illusion. It serves only as a guiding force but cannot compare to the genuine accomplishment of building something yourself. It is therefore taken away to allow for the second and most important stage: building it yourself, undergoing the work required to attain this growth in actuality, to work for the perfection that you were shown. A gift isn’t real; something chosen and earned is. We’re in this world to choose, to assert our free will, and to create ourselves. Now that we have tasted the first stage, we know what we’re meant to choose, what we’re meant to build. The third stage is the recreation of the first stage. While it appears the same, it’s fundamentally different. It’s real, it’s earned, and it’s yours. The first stage was a gift, an illusion; the third is the product born of the effort and time you invested. In our next article, we will answer our original questions and continue deepening this powerful principle.

THE IDEAL ADAM

There are many explanations for the contradictory descriptions of Adam in the first and second chapters of Bereishis, but it can be explained clearly and beautifully according to the principle we just established. The ideal and goal of man is to become Godly, to become perfect, all-knowing, all-good, all-kind, and to have complete self-control. However, this is the goal, not the starting point. We begin as animalistic beings, with limited intellectual abilities and undeveloped character traits. A baby is selfish, the center of its own world, the only person who exists. This is the exact opposite of Godliness. The goal of life is to become Godly, to go through the process of actualizing our potential, and in doing so, we become a true tzelem Elokim. As we have previously explained, the fetus learns kol haTorah kulah in the womb, and then loses it upon being born into this world. We are born imperfect so that we can journey through this world with the mission of becoming perfect, recreating

and earning what we once received as a gift. Adam was created first as a perfect being, the model of who we each strive to become before being reduced to the lowly and animalistic being that we begin our lives as.

THE SUN AND THE MOON

The sun and moon are representative of an entity and its vessel. The goal of a vessel is to fully and loyally contain and project the essence within it — to serve as the medium of revelation for its inner content. A light bulb does not block the light within but loyally projects it out into the world. This is the ideal as well for the body in its relationship to the soul; the body must carry the soul and serve as its enabler, allowing the spiritual self to manifest correctly into the world. The entire physical world as well should ideally serve as the perfect projection of its spiritual source.

This ideal is modeled in the creation of the sun and moon. While the moon was never equal to the sun in size, it was originally able to fully reflect the light of the sun. The moon destroyed this through the sin of ego, a projection of self that prevented it from fully and properly reflecting the light of the sun. When you assert yourself and your ego, you are unable to reflect anything higher than yourself. As a result, the moon “shrank” and was no longer able to fully reflect the light of the sun.

This same theme applies to the human body as well. Originally, the body was a clear reflection of the soul. The Midrash explains that when you looked at Adam, you did not see his body, you saw his essence, his soul. When you look at a light bulb, all you see is radiant luminescence; only if you look really closely can you make out the vessel which contains the light. This is what Adam’s body was originally like. Once Adam sinned, however, the body fell to its present form — a vessel that hides the soul, not one which loyally projects it.

Every time we say Birkas Ha’chodesh, we daven for Mashiach, where the moon will once again fully reflect the sun, where the physical world will fully reflect the spiritual, where the body will fully reflect the soul. As the Ramchal explains, in the times of techiyas ha’meisim (resurrection of the dead), the body will return to its perfect state, where it can fully reflect all the light and spiritual greatness of the neshamah (Derech Hashem 1:3:13).

TREES TASTING LIKE THE FRUITS

A fruit represents the end goal, the destination, the result of a process. A tree represents the process, the stage of growth and becoming. The ideal is for the process, the tree, to be as enjoyable and euphoric as the destination itself, the fruit. However, the world was created in such a way that we do not naturally enjoy the process. Most people do not want to undergo the process of becoming great; they simply want to be great. This impatience causes many to give up on their

journey toward greatness.

This theme touches upon something very deep. Olam Haba is a place of being, a place of endpoint, where you enjoy everything you’ve built and become in this world. The consciousness and person you create in this world is what you will enjoy in the World to Come. This world (Olam Hazeh), however, is the place of becoming, the place of process, where you create yourself. The goal is to learn how to enjoy the process itself. When you realize that you are creating your eternity, you are able to enjoy the building process as well. This is what it means for the tree to taste like the fruits. The process is just as important as the destination, because you only get to the destination by building your way there. [From this perspective, one can actually enjoy the process just as much as (if not more than) arriving at the goal itself.] Every part of the process is fundamental; every moment spent correctly becomes eternal. When you know this, you get to live in Olam Haba while still in this world!

Genuine happiness comes from enjoying the process of becoming. You’ll never be perfect, but you can always become more perfect. Happiness comes from enjoying the process of becoming your best self, fulfilling your unique purpose in life. The ideal is for the process (tree) to be every bit as sweet as the end result (fruits), but in this world, we must work toward that ideal; it is not a given. It takes choice and willpower to enjoy the journey toward greatness.

THE PROCESS OF LIFE

This is the process of life. The ideal is revealed, taken away, and then remains as our goal as we journey through life, trying to recreate that ideal. The key is to be inspired by the goal, not discouraged by the struggle. We must understand that our goal is to become Godly, fully reflect our higher selves, create oneness, and enjoy every single step of the process!

Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is a bestselling author, international speaker, and the CEO of Self-Mastery Academy. He has lectured internationally on topics of Torah thought, Jewish medical ethics, psychology, and leadership. His bestselling book, The Journey to Your Ultimate Self, serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought. He is also a business, executive, and leadership coach, with a unique approach based on Torah values. After obtaining his BA from Yeshiva University, he received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s RIETS, a master’s degree in education from Azrieli Graduate School, and a master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Bernard Revel Graduate School. He then spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Scholar. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and son where he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago. To enjoy more of Rabbi Reichman’s content, to contact him, or to learn more about his services, visit his website: ShmuelReichman.com

Weekly Dvar Torah

FROM ERETZ YISRAEL

It’s All in the Family

BY RABBI SHALOM ROSNER

The opening of Sefer Shemot references the 70 offspring of Ya’akov that descended to Mitzrayim. Yet, the actual names specifically mentioned are limited to the eleven sons of Ya’akov (Yosef was already situated in Mitzrayim). Rather than rename all of the individuals as appears in Parashat Vayechi, the Torah uses the phrase םיִאָּבַה

, “And these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt; with Ya’akov, each man and his household came.”

The emphasis at this juncture is twofold. One on the “family” unit. Each of the tribes arrived in Egypt with their respective children (households). Second, each tribe had their own family but the common denominator was that they were tied to Ya’akov, not only physically, but in the spiritual arena as well.

Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch explains the significance of the family at this time. As we embark on the second book of

the Torah, referred to by the Ramban as “sefer hagalut v’hageula” (the book of the exile and exodus), the book that relays the story of the creation of the Jewish nation, we must understand that a nation is comprised of not only individuals, but of families. Tradition is transmitted from parent to child. In order for a nation to survive, family must serve as its foundation. As the tribes entered galut, they took with them what they learned from their father Ya’akov and transmitted it to their children. Only by combining the strength of each family are we able to build an everlasting nation.

We not only descended to Egypt as families, there is an emphasis on families when we exited as well. The korban Pesach which was sacrificed on the eve of Yetziat Mitzrayim, had to be eaten together with one’s family. The salvation was not merely on an individual level, but

for it to be eternal, it had to encompass the family.

It is no coincidence that we refer to a family structure as a “family tree” rather than a family map or chart. A family tree consists of many branches – each representing another family unit, yet they are all connected to the same trunk or roots. Essentially, they receive their “nourishment” from the same source, even though they are independent from each other. Each child builds their home based on the masoret, the morals and principles received from their parents.

Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach explains why we compare a chatan and kallah to “invey hagefen”, the vines of grapes in a similar manner. Vines, unlike trees, cannot stand on their own. They require something upon which to lean. Both the bride and groom should lean on each other and use the lessons they learned

from their parents as a foundation upon which to build their bayit ne’eman b’Yisrael! We may add that families are referred to as “mateh” a stick, perhaps to highlight that they serve as that backbone.

As we begin our journey through sefer Shemot, let us utilize this time to fortify our household. To appreciate the unique attributes of each child, while maintaining a cohesive family unit. To avoid the sibling rivalry that permeates the parshiyot in sefer Bereshit. To be able to properly convey the beauty of the Torah and our excitement when engaging in the performance of mitzvot to our children. By transmitting the masoret to the next generation, we are ensuring the eternal blossoming of the Jewish nation.

Rabbi Shalom Rosner is a Rebbe at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and Rabbi of the Nofei HaShemesh community. He is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau (www. mizrachi.org/speakers).

Shemot Sidra

1ST ALIYA (KOHEN) – SHEMOT 1:1-17

The Torah names the sons of Yaakov who came down to Egypt. Yosef’s death is recorded again. His brothers also die. The nation increases in number. A new Pharaoh comes to power, who subjects the nation to hard labour. Yet the more they are afflicted, the more they increase. The Egyptians intensify the labour. Pharaoh instructs the Hebrew midwives to kill new-born Hebrew males. They refuse, instead giving the babies food and drink (see Rashi’s commentary).

Point to Consider: What miraculous birth-rate is hinted to in verse 1:7? (see Rashi)

2ND ALIYA (LEVI) – 1:18-2:10

Pharaoh commands the Egyptians to drown all new-born males in the River Nile. Moshe is born. After hiding him for three months, his mother Yocheved places him in a basket in the reeds at the riverbank. Pharaoh’s daughter retrieves the basket and identifies the baby as a Hebrew infant. Moshe’s sister Miriam, watching from afar, offers to get a Hebrew nurse. Pharaoh’s daughter agrees; Miriam brings Yocheved, who looks after him until he is weaned. Moshe is then brought up in Pharaoh’s house.

3RD ALIYA (SHLISHI) – 2:11-28

Moshe encounters an Egyptian striking a Hebrew; he kills the Egyptian. Pharaoh hears of Moshe’s crime. Moshe flees for his life, arriving in Midian, where he meets the daughters of Re’uel (also known as Yitro) by a well. Moshe marries Re’uel’s daughter Tziporah. They have a child, called Gershom. G-d hears the Hebrews in Egypt crying out because of their hard labour.

4TH ALIYA (REVI’I) – 3:1-15

Moshe, shepherding Yitro’s flock, arrives

at the ‘Mountain of G-d’. He encounters a fiery blaze in a bush, which is not consumed by the flames. G-d appears, instructing Moshe to take off his shoes. G-d tells Moshe that He will rescue the nation and that Moshe should go to Pharaoh and instruct him to let the nation leave Egypt.

5TH ALIYA (CHAMISHI) – 3:16-4:17

G-d reassures Moshe that the elders of Israel will respond to his call. Moshe is to request from Pharaoh that he let the Hebrews out for three days, to bring offerings in the desert. Pharaoh will refuse, after which G-d will smite Egypt with plagues. G-d empowers Moshe with three

signs to show the people – a staff that turns into a snake, his hand turning white with the appearance of leprosy and water taken from the Nile turning to blood. Moshe is reluctant to take the leadership. G-d tells Moshe that his brother Aharon can be his spokesman.

6TH ALIYA (SHISHI) – 4:18-4:31

Moshe returns to Egypt from Midian. G-d tells Moshe to warn Pharaoh that He will eventually kill the Egyptian firstborn if Pharaoh refuses Moshe’s requests (Rashi). Moshe fails to circumcise his new-born son Eliezer when they stop in lodgings on the way; Tziporah does it instead. Aharon greets Moshe, who relates G-d’s words to him. Aharon in turn relays these words to the people. Moshe performs the three signs.

7TH ALIYA (SHEVI’I) – 5:1-6:1

Moshe and Aharon approach Pharaoh. Pharaoh refuses their requests and increases the work load. The people complain to Moshe and Aharon. Moshe asks G-d why He sent him, if his intercession has only made life more difficult.

HAFTARAH

The prophet Yeshaya depicts how low the nation of Israel has stooped and bemoans the drunken arrogance of the tribe of Ephraim and the other lost tribes. However, one day a great shofar will be blown and all those cast away in foreign lands will return to Jerusalem.

This week we begin the story of the Jewish people in Egypt become greater and stronger very fast and eventually being forced to be slaves to King Pharaoh. Pharaoh wants to make sure the Jews will never be freed, so he makes sure all Jewish boys are put into the river. Basya, Pharaoh’s daughter saves one baby who she names Moshe.

Moshe is forced to run away to Midian and marries the daughter of Yisro, called Tzipporah. They have two children, Gershom and Eliezer.

Moshe is spoken to by Hashem at a burning bush and is told to go to Pharaoh and demand that the Jews be set free. When Moshe says –how will I prove that I am the right person to do this? Hashem tells him to throw down his stick and it would turn into a snake.

Moshe goes back to Egypt and is greeted by his brother Aharon, who is happy for his brother and together they go to Pharaoh with the message from Hashem.

Does Pharaoh agree? No! (Or, not yet! – as in a few weeks he will let them go VERY dramatically). For now, he makes the work even harder. However, Hashem will eventually punish the Egyptians for all they did to the Jews and next week we begin the 10 Makkos!

Tangram Challenge!

Using all the shapes on the left can you make the pyramid shape on the right?

Get Rich Quick Paperweight Perspective

BY ALAN PERRIN TRUSTEE, THE PAPERWEIGHT TRUST

Just a year ago, The Guardian reported that the Mayor of London was seeking to ban crypto currencies from advertising on Transport for London, because this exposed many financially unsophisticated people to what was seen as a gamble. TFL were not happy bunnies but complied.

Across the pond, Bloomberg, the authoritative global finance research company declared “All those silly Crypto ads are just the tip of the iceberg”, the strapline concluded that the advertisements “are designed to offer easy answers to a complicated world”.

So what is Paperweight’s interest in this peculiar investment mania ?

Could it be that the ease with which so many of the UK population – 4.2 million at the last measure – answered the siren call of these impressive hyped-up adverts?

Could it be that in 2021 and 2022 over

3,000 of these strange “currencies” died a death. Many, investigators have found, never really existed – everything about their websites was fake except their ability to take investors money.

Could it be that, without exception, all would allow instant purchases by credit card with absolutely no due diligence at all. (Go to a regulated Financial Adviser and they will take you through a fact-find, make sure you understand the risk and explore various options to match your strategy and goals and affordability).

Not so the crypto world. For these 3,000 + fraudulent, totally unregulated businesses, most had no intention from the outset of ever repaying investments, and the hype was there to keep up the income stream.

Even the most popular of these new currencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, who still have, so we read, their City and Wall Street fan clubs, have lost over 60% of their value in the past year.

SO WHAT IS PAPERWEIGHT’S ANGLE ?

Well too many of our clients , being

vulnerable to enticing get-rich-quick schemes have spent money they don’t have on possessions they don’t understand. They are faced at the end of the day with a “maxed-out” credit card and a string of unanswered emails addressed to the customer support desks of now defunct trading companies.

But Paperweight’s caseworkers are not judgemental. They understand that in desperate times, desperate measures can often appear to be the only way out, and they are sympathetic to the terrible consequences of inescapable debt with no chance of recouping a lost investment. And they are empowered to arrange negotiation of the debt with the credit card companies by our FCA registered team.

It won’t be any easy battle and Paperweight will need a lot of background information from you to negotiate a lowering of the repayments knowledgably and forcefully. But unlike the advertisements that lured investors to begin with we won’t promise what we can’t deliver. But we will do our very best.

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Even the most popular of these new

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Dear Marc

We have a financial dilemma. My spouse and I are retired. We don’t want our children to have to pay 40% inheritance tax but we also might need care in the future and don’t want to have to be dependent on our children. We own a second property which is rented out and have various savings and investments. Is there a way to mitigate inheritance tax and keep control and access to our money for now ?

Mr & Mrs Cohen

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CHARITY

JEWISH CARE

Jewish Care is the largest health and social care organisation serving the Jewish community in London and the South East. Our vital services touch the lives of 10,000 people every week. We provide services and offer a wide range of support groups to older people, people with mental health needs, Holocaust survivors, people living with dementia, people with a variety of needs and carers support.

Contact: 020 8922 2222 helpline@jcare.org www.jewishcare.org

BUTCHERS

KOSHER DELI

Kosher Deli was established with the intention of making kosher meat and poultry affordable for all with the convenience of multiple locations and a comprehensive delivery service. All this without compromising on kashrus or quality.

Locations in: Golders Green, Hendon, Temple Fortune, Edgware, Borehamwood & Manchester

Contact: 020 8832 2222 info@shipsms.co.uk www.shipsms.co.uk

Contact: 020 8381 4450 info@kosherdeliuk.co.uk www.kosherdeli.co.uk

Marc

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

MARTIN HEIMAN – SMARTINET

We’ve been providing businesses with all of their communication needs since 2010. We specialise in supplying businesses with VoIP Packages, Mobile Plans, Broadband, Card Merchant Services, Leased Lines, On-Hold Marketing,

UK ALIYAH ADVISORS

ENERGY PERFORMANCE

EPC NATIONAL

EPC NATIONAL are leading experts in providing EPC certificates for domestic & non-domestic properties nationwide.

Especially with the new regulations coming, we provide guidance to all of our clients. Call the team to discuss any requirements.

FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

STEPHEN COLMAN – INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

An independent mortgage broker directly authorised by FCA specialising – for over 25 years - in the more ‘challenging’ situations. We take care of the whole mortgage process on your behalf, handling all aspects of buying your residential or investment property. In addition over the past 5 years we have been at the forefront in arranging Equity Release mortgages for the over 55’s

Contact: 03300 881141 info@epcnational.co.uk www.epcnational.co.uk

Contact: 07956 234 524 020 8458 9137 stephencolman2@aol.com

LSJS Education Page

BY DR DANIEL RYNHOLD

Teaching is more than a job or career; it’s a role in which you can make a real impact.

On a day-to-day level there’s the immediate feedback of seeing a child’s eyes light up or hearing their thrilled “Ooh. I get it!” when they suddenly grasp what they have been learning or struggling with.

And there’s also longer term impact.

My late mother, Dr Dena Coleman (Headteacher Hasmonean, founding Headteacher Yavneh College) is often quoted as saying: “Every child has a talent and it’s our job to find out what that is.” As a teacher, you help children to spot and maximise their strengths. You build their self-esteem and start to shape the direction that they might go in in life.

While you hope to foster an interest in and love for the subject(s) you teach, you also constantly create a more rounded

young person. You impart a love of learning ‘for learning’s sake’, teaching youngsters how to explore the world, gradually become more independent, work with others and so on.

Some children experience challenging lives outside of school, whether for financial, safeguarding or other reasons.

Teachers fulfil a really important role, providing calm routine and showing real interest and care. And, of course, academically, helping young people to meet their potential means that they have more doors open to them in the future.

As a teacher, you will sit down at a parents’ evening and suddenly realise that you once taught the parent. You will

meet your new colleague and realise that your teaching has produced one of the next cohort of teachers. You will be in Sainsbury’s doing your shopping when a young adult will approach you to let you know how much your teaching helped them many years previously.

As Henry Adams said, “A teacher affects eternity; they can never tell where their influence stops.” Put simply, there are few careers that have that degree of job satisfaction.

Teaching is also a career in which no two days are the same, no matter how long you have taught for. A pupil who is usually happy and settled will exhibit a change in behaviour or concentration.

Something hilariously funny will happen in class and you will have to admit defeat, joining your class in the giggles. An upset parent will need your guidance and support to calm down. A teacher’s birthday will mean chocolate cake, a cuppa and laughter with your colleagues in the staffroom. A curriculum change will mean learning new material. A new piece of educational research on how pupils learn will enthuse you to try out a new approach in your teaching. You will never be bored and you will have regular opportunities to grow and develop as a professional and individual.

Doing it already? Thank you and keep up the great work!

Not yet a teacher and want to have impact, challenge, development and fun? What are you waiting for? Come teach!

Galia Segal, Assessment Only Programme Manager at LSJS. For more information on LSJS teacher training courses, getting your QTS if you're an experienced teacher, and Jewish Education degrees visit www.

Katie Mcenallay Gesher school

Our Bar and Bat Mitzvah Project ensures that young people, on their special day, can share it with a child Holocaust victim who was denied a future. Over the past 10 years we have twinned over 1000 children. Complete the on-line Twinning Form and researchers at Yad Vashem will use the information to find a suitable twin.

Celebrants will receive a comprehensive Twinning Pack which contains:

• A Page of Testimony, with details of your chosen twin

• A Study Guide

• A Certificate

• A letter from a Holocaust survivor

• A Yad Vashem pin

• Memorial and Shabbat Candles

• An invitation to become a Guardian of the Memory

Charity No. 1099659

Phone: 020 8187 9881 Email: office@yadvashem.org.uk www.yadvashem.org.uk www.guardianofthememory.org

@yadvashemukfoundation @yadvashemUK @yadvashemukfoundation

Student years are among the most challenging for young Jews. It’s often the first time they’re away from home meeting people and ideas that are unfamiliar. It’s unnerving, it’s challenging, it’s threatening, especially today with the amount of anti-Israel activity on campus.

RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS ל‘‘צז