Campaign Against Antisemitism has launched Britain’s first-ever national billboard campaign seeking the public’s support against antisemitism after the most recent Home Office figures showed that Jews are 500% more likely to suffer hate crime than any other faith group per capita
The striking digital billboards can be seen right across the country. We are calling on people to stand with the Jewish community by using the #StandWithJews hashtag on social media Members of the Jewish community can highlight their own experiences of antisemitism using the hashtag.
We may share any posts that also tag us using .
BY ADAM MOSES
Tributes have been paid to Holocaust survivor and educator Zigi Shipper who died on his 93rd birthday yesterday.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described Zigi as a man of “wonderful energy and humanity” during PMQs and called on the house to echo Zigi’s message “do not hate”.
Sunak paid tribute to his work and all survivors who had bravely shared testimony.
Zigi accompanied the now Prince and Princess of Wales to Stutthof concentration camp in 2017. King Charles commissioned a portrait of Zigi, which hung in Buckingham Palace last year.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis wrote: “He was known as a survivor and an educator but, above all, he was a true Mensch who, despite the darkness he had endured, brought incredible light to the world.”
Olivia Marks-Woldman, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said: “Zigi lit up a room with his charm and personality. He was a man who witnessed so much darkness during the Holocaust and yet spread so much light.”
Karen Pollock, Holocaust Edu cation Trust, added that Zigi was determined to teach the next gen
AJR added: “His amazing story of resilience and hope, combined with his charm, humour
BY DAVID SAFFER
The European Jewish Congress has expressed its shock at comments by Russian Federation Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov comparing Western government’s support for Ukraine to Hitler’s ‘Final Solution’.
Lavrov claimed yesterday that the United States had put together a coalition of European states to solve the ‘Russian question” in the same way Hitler organised a ‘Final Solution’ for Europe’s Jews.
“We are shocked and appalled by this shameful comparison drawn by Minister Lavrov between the actions of a coalition of democratic countries and Hitler’s persecution and murder of six million Jews in the Shoah,” said EJC President Dr Ariel Muzicant.
“This is Holocaust distortion at its most basic level and we call on Mr. Lavrov to unequivocably apologise and withdraw these comments,” he added.
Lavrov claimed the West is “waging war against our country with the same task - the “Final Solution” of the Russian question.
“This is not the first time the minister has used Holocaust equivalence and Hitler references,” Muzicant noted. “This must stop. As we mark in the coming days International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the day that the Red Army liberated Auschwitz, the memory of Holocaust victims must never be used in such an appalling manner.”
The EJC federates over 40 national and democratically-elected Jewish umbrella organisations.
Lodz Ghetto. His father attempted to return but Zigi never saw him again.
Yad Vashem chairman Dani Dayan will open a new exhibition in the Bundestag and meet German officials during International Holocaust Remembrance Day next week.
Dayan is traveling to Germany for the first time. The Yad Vashem presentation is entitled ‘Sixteen Objects’.
Dayan will also meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Finance Minister Christian Lindner, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, Opposition leader Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz and Jewish community leaders. Israel's Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor and Chairman of the German Society for Yad Vashem Kai Diekmann will also attend.
The exhibition marks Yad Vashem's seventieth anniversary. It features Holocaust-era items, one from each of the Federal States of Germany, whose stories are intertwined with Jews from across Germany.
“By connecting the personal stories of these objects with the current modern locations in Germany, the exhibition creates a bridge between the memory of the past to present and future societies," stated exhibition co-curators Ruth Ur and Michael Tal.
“The items presented, which are part of the Yad Vashem's collections are a reminder of the countless lives and communities destroyed by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust.”
“I travel to Germany well aware of my deep responsibility to the past as well as my commitment, more than ever before, to ensuring a better future," said Dayan. “The weight of the memory of the six million mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, murdered less then eighty years ago simply because they were Jewish, is at the forefront of my responsibilities.
“At the same time, we are acutely aware of divisive antisemitic and xenophobic social
elements currently at play in Germany and around the world. The exhibition features objects whose owners were persecuted and even exterminated by their own countrymen and have since found their home in the Jewish homeland, the State of Israel. Through these personal stories, we will ensure that the last wishes of the victims of the Holocaust are fulfilled, that the world will know who they were and why they were murdered."
The exhibition features archival items from Yad Vashem's collections juxtaposed with contemporary photos of the places from where they originally came.
“We hope that the objects and their local histories will spark interest and a new way of engaging with the past," added Tal.
The exhibition will be on display in the Paul-Löbe-Haus of the Bundestag for four weeks, then travel to Essen to be exhibited at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein before returning to Israel.
Dayan will visit the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin and lay a wreath in memory of Holocaust victims. He will also tour the Jewish Museum Berlin.
BY DAVID SAFFERThe Community Security Trust and Action Against Discrimination have condemned racist threats made to a Jewish Arsenal fan watching last Sunday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur in a North London pub.
Katie Price, 26, and her non-Jewish friends, Lily O’Farrell and Jamie D’Souza were subjected to ‘Yiddo’ chants by fellow Arsenal supporters. All were shocked by the disturbing incident when Katie was called “a dirty f***ing y**.”
When she was asked to leave the pub there were chants of ‘Off you go’ and ‘Yiddo go home’.
Price reported the hate incident to the Metropolitan Police and CST.
CST has welcomed the pub apologising and stating they will ban the offenders.
CST’s Dave Rich noted: “This was an appalling example of unashamed racist abuse and threats directed at an Arsenal fan simply because she was Jewish and she had objected to the use of antisemitic language. The fact it came from her fellow Arsenal fans, and nobody else in the pub supported her, made it even worse.”
He added: “We have been supporting Katie, who has shown great courage in publicising her experience. We hope the offenders will be identified, arrested and banned from football.”
AAD has backed CST in stating that the use of the word in football has led to the abuse of Jewish people.
AAD has consistently campaigned against the continued use and chanting by
Tottenham supporters of the ‘Y’ word and any derivation thereof, such as “Yiddo”, “Yid army” and “being a Yid”.
AAD chairman Jonathan Metliss said: “As AAD has always argued, the use of these expressions is extremely provocative and gives rise to antisemitic behaviour, as evidenced by this incident. AAD confirms its long-held position that the use of the ‘Y’ word and any derivation thereof should be banned and made illegal, as it is both abusive and an incitement to racial hatred.”
AAD has called on Tottenham Hotspur FC, the Government, Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Football Association and relevant football authorities not only to condemn this behaviour, but to take all appropriate action to stamp this out once and for all.
A Police spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the police had received a report regarding an anti-Semitic incident at the pub on Sunday.
“Officers have made an appointment to speak to the woman and will be progressing this,” they said.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote CAD3603/16Jan.
Prior to an apology the Pub manager reportedly said that security staff were not aware of an anti-Semitic context and had taken steps to de-escalate a regular fight.
He added: “Had we been aware at the time that racism was involved, we would have contacted the police immediately and had those responsible ejected from the pub. We have zero tolerance for racism and are now cooperating with police in Islington in their investigations.”
Desert Island Torah is an educational, multi-media network, consisting of a high renowned podcast that was created in the summer of 2022, looking at which three pieces of Torah one would take to a desert island.
Darcey Walters, 21, from North West London, has a passion for online Torah education, and brought together this project, with the intention of exploring the notion of what Torah speaks to different people. With a career and background in marketing, Darcey has successfully led the podcast to reaching over 20,000 people worldwide, in 27 countries and six continents, inspiring and uplifting Jews all across the world. Darcey has interviewed some of the biggest names in the Orthodox Jewish world, in particular in Israel and the US, including Rabbi Judah Mischel, Rabbi Doron Perez, Rabbi YY Jacobson, just to name a few. The podcast is available to download and listen on popular platforms such as Spotify and Apple podcasts. Be part of this incredible makom Torah today!
Yad Yisroel is dedicated to the revival of Jewish life in Belarus as well as assisting former Soviet Jewry across the globe.
Oxford Student Union voted on Tuesday whether to hold a referendum on disaffiliating from the National Union of Students.
The move follows Rebecca Tuck’s damning report into antisemitism allegations in the NUS.
NUS delegates Ciaron Tobin and Mundher Ba-Shammakh proposed the resolution. Both value the NUS but recognise the “shocking” level of antisemitic incidents detailed in the inquiry.
If the Student Council motion passes the referendum it must be held within eight term time weeks.
The SU contributes almost £25K to NUS in charity and membership fees.
Tuck’s report noted a “hostile environment” towards Jewish students. There had been victims of discrimination and harassment over decades.
Interviews with groups and individuals revealed disturbing stories including Jewish students being treated as a “pariah” at NUS events, being left “shaking and almost in tears” and in “a state of significant distress” over harassment. There had been ‘final solution’ comments, issues over wearing religious head covering, fears for physical safety and antisemitic remarks towards Jewish students.
The NUS had committed breaches of the Equality Act, past recommendations had
been ignored whilst Jewish students did not feel welcome or included within the student body.
Recent issues included an invitation for Kareem Dennis AKA “Lowkey” to perform and support for conspiracy theories around 9/11 and Ukraine.
Generations of Jewish students had been let down.
Recommendations included establishing an advisory panel, a record keeping policy, due diligence process for election candidates, a review of code of conduct complaints, antisemitism training, educational materials, an environment for Israel/Palestine discussions, an anti-racism/ anti-fascism committee, survey of Jewish students to test implementation of recommendations, policies for conference speakers/guests and a governance review.
The report considered reports into the NUS in 2005, 2016 and 2017.
Oxford’s JSoc President commented: “The report confirms, as Jewish students have long been aware, that the NUS has a problem with antisemitism. We very much hope that NUS use this report as an opportunity to alter the hostile environment that it has created for Jewish students by following the recommendations made.”
Joel Rosen, Union of Jewish Students President, said: “This landmark report sets out in granular detail how NUS has failed generations of Jewish students. It is a searing
indictment of anti-Jewish racism at the heart of student politics. It confirms that Jewish students faced harassment and discrimination and that complaints of antisemitism were dismissed and disregarded.”
He added: “It is vital that this report is translated into meaningful and immediate action. All eleven recommendations in the report should be implemented. We now need to see a fundamental change within NUS’ culture and Jewish students will judge them on their actions.”
Condemnation of the NUS has been swift from various communal and national organisations.
StandWithUs has called on the NUS to act immediately. UK executive director Isaac Zarfati said, “We constantly receive reports from Jewish students across the country experiencing antisemitic threats, intimidation and abuse. It is time for NUS to draw a clear red line when it comes to anti-Jewish hate on British campuses. This includes cases where words and actions related to Israel lurch from legitimate criticism of a country to vile, antisemitic conspiracy theories and slurs. Decisive and robust action must take place to ensure no other students are subjugated to the vile harassment as detailed in the report.” He added: “Our charity is ready to deliver nuanced educational training and workshops so that participants understand exactly what antisemitism is and how to combat it. We urge all those who seek to
banish the scourge of antisemitism from UK campuses to take this moment to rollout widespread education to ensure that what has been termed “the longest hatred” has no place at British universities in 2023 and beyond. The time to act is now.”
The Board of Deputies described the NUS as "a hostile environment for Jews".
A statement noted: "This report into the NUS shows a litany of failures by the organisation with regards to Jewish students, who were treated with apathy at best and hostility at worst.
"As the report itself makes clear, this is far from the first time that an investigation into NUS attitudes towards Jewish members has been undertaken. The organisation's key priority must now be to work closely with the Union of Jewish Students to ensure that this time they commit to implementing the report's recommendations.”
Kat Stark, NUS director, reportedly said that incidents of antisemitism were “shocking” and recommendations would be implemented. There would also be a zero-tolerance policy on antisemitism.
“What we'd like to say to Jewish students right now, past, present, future, is we're really sorry about the antisemitism that you faced, and the moments where you felt unwelcome,” she said. “I want Jewish students everywhere to know that you are welcome in colleges, in universities. You are welcome in NUS.”
IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi has officially taken on the post.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant met with Halevi and outgoing IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.Gen. Aviv Kochavi at a handover ceremony on Monday.
Netanyahu thanked Kochavi for 40 years of service in the IDF and wished Halevi success in the post.
He said: “Only someone who has served as IDF Chief-of-Staff knows the responsibility. Our assumption that everything is already in place here, that everything is certain and complete, this is not the case. There is a certain apprehension in our existence and at the end of the day we live here thanks to the IDF, without which there is no existence."
Netanyahu added: “In the face of the threats to Israel, especially from Iran and its terror affiliates, we must demonstrate determination of purpose. This is what we have done in the last decade and this is what we will continue to do.
“Iran is responsible for 90% of the problems of the Middle East. This regime threatens to destroy us and harm other countries. The IDF, together with the Mossad and Shin Bet, will do whatever is required. We will not be dragged into wars. But, there are situations in which we will have to show
a willingness to sacrifice in order to maintain our freedom, our security and our very existence.”
Halevi said: “Every role I performed in my 37 years of service contributed to this moment.
“In the 75 years of our independence, we have turned from a country surrounded by enemies to a country that has the upper hand, with its power and advanced capabilities, but many different threats are still developing around us.”
Herzog met with Kochavi and Halevi following their handover before a celebratory lunch.
Addressing Kochavi, he thanked him for safeguarding Israel’s security in operational cycles and his contributions to the IDF.
He wished success to Halevi. “You have come to your role with immense experience and many skills,” Herzog noted. “Your success and the IDF's success are the State of Israel's success.
Herzog praised Halevi for stating that the
IDF must be “beyond all politics”.
“The IDF is beyond any political arguments,” he added. “The IDF is essential to the State of Israel. The IDF is the basis of Israel's security.:
Herzog said that the families of soldiers in mandatory service and reserves bore the burden day by day.
He concluded: “We want the best of the best in the IDF to continue bearing the burden. The huge challenges facing us as a nation in terms of security are truly
immense. This is an opportunity to remind the general public that beyond every argument between us, in the end, we have enemies who wish us harm and we must be ready for any confrontation and any challenge, anytime and anywhere.”
Halevi, 54, was born in Jerusalem in 1967 and began his military service in the infantry, serving as an officer in the Paratroopers Brigade then the elite Sayeret Matkal special forces unit.
He will be expected to continue the ‘Momentum Plan” launched by Kochavi in February 2020.
Halevi is named after an uncle who was killed in 1967 Six-Day War. His father was in the Irgun headed by former prime minister Menachem Begin. His mother is a niece of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook.
Kohavi was the 22nd Chief of Staff in January 2019, replacing Gadi Eizenkot.
He was in charge of Israel's Covid-19 testing, Operation ‘Guardian of the Walls’ and battle against terror groups that has seen over 2,000 Palestinians arrested following terror attacks.
Tributes have been paid to Marc Worth following his death last Friday.
A renowned businessman, philanthropist and Zionist, Worth, 61, died of a heart attack. His funeral took place this week.
Worth was a renowned investor and mentor of new businesses and young entrepreneurs.
He served as Chairman for UK Israel Business (UKIB) (2011-15) and Israel’s Shenkar College Board of Governors. He was also a Trustee of The Tel Aviv Foundation and the Chairman of TLVinLDN.
Israel’s UK Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely was “deeply saddened” to hear the news.
She said: “Marc was a generous philanthropist who regularly gave his time and wisdom to strengthen the relationship between our two democracies. The State of Israel is extremely grateful for his years as chair of UK Israel Business, and of course his Tel Aviv in London initiative, that will long be remembered. Marc was a true and close friend of the embassy, where his leadership will be much missed.”
Danny Kessler, UK Israel Business chair, said: “Marc was one of life’s doers, and as my predecessor he was an inspirational chair who continued to do an immense amount to encourage entrepreneurs and trade between the UK and Israel.
“Marc spearheaded the Innovate Israel
events which transformed UKIB’s bilateral role, and most recently we were working closely together on a series of initiatives to mark Israel’s 75th anniversary, to develop further the special relationship between the UK and Israel.
“He leaves a legacy of which we are all
very proud, and his indomitable spirit as both a business and community leader will be sorely missed”.
Nottingham-born Worth was a BBYO member in his teens. He joined the family business, HeatSeal Textiles, with his brother, Julian. Embracing the digital age, the siblings founded World Global Style Network, which revolutionised online trend forecasting, in 1997. After selling WGSN to Emap in 2005, Worth established Stylus in 2010, which he led as CEO then Executive Chairman in April 2022.
Victoria Rennie, CEO of Stylus, said: “Everyone at Stylus is completely shocked by this tragic news. Marc was an indomitable presence whose passion and humour will leave an indelible mark on our business and the industry for years to come. Many of us at Stylus have worked with Marc for decades and his loss will be felt sorely.”
She added: “We will continue our work to evolve and grow the business Marc founded, as I know he would have wished us to do. But of course, our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the whole Worth family at this very sad time.”
Worth was a member of Hampstead Synagogue and had a home in Herzliya.
He is survived by his first wife Hilda, Conservative Friends of Israel chair and World Jewish Relief chair. They had four children Patti, Max, Henry, and Louis, second wife, Kelly, brother Julian and sister Erica.
Israeli experts are analysing a Hamas video of Avera Mengistu imprisoned by Hamas since 2014.
It appears to be a first indication of proof that Mengistu is alive.
The video is believed to be the first stage of Hamas looking for a prisoner exchange deal.
The release of the recording coincided with IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi taking up the post.
Prime Minister Netanyahu commented: “Israel has not ceased its efforts to bring back our captives and MIAs. Hamas is entirely responsible for his fate."
IDF Spokesperson Ran Kochav, would not confirm the level of credibility of the video.
He said. “This is a cynical action that is inappropriate and testifies to the plight in which Hamas finds itself. I suggest we don't give in to its attempt to attract the attention of the Israeli media toward the immoral and illegal behaviour."
The Mengistu family issued a statement: “The state needs to act quickly to bring him home. There’s no reason for him to remain in prison for even one day longer. I was very moving to see him.”
Israel has called for a return of IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, killed in action and captives Mengistu and Hisham al-Saeed held in the Strip.
Israel Tour is for everyone, which is why UJIA has launched the Access Israel Fund.
Over the next two years we have committed £1,000,000 in bursaries and financial support. This will help combat rising costs and the pressures this places on families, making Israel Tour and immersive long-term Israel Experiences more accessible than they have ever been. To find out if you are eligible and how to apply, visit www.ujia.org/AIF or call 020 7424 6400.
JVN’s Celebration of Volunteering Awards 2022 took place at The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire last Sunday.
Ninety charity award winners from 46 charities received personalised trophies. Some 400 guests attended the awards event hosted by Nigel Rothband.
The evening offered a mix of simcha, memories, community spirit and inspiration from charity professionals, executives and volunteers. A new ‘Power of Volunteering’ video showcasing how JVN makes a difference was unveiled.
The evening had four award categories: Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Team of the Year, Young Adult Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.
An independent judging panel was headed by Dame Mary Marsh.
Kef Kids volunteer Dr David Spitzer won The Wohl Legacy Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award.
Ian and Jane Pearl, Trustees Kef Kids, said: “Our child has highly complex medical needs and we have only been able to send him to Camp Kef due to Dr Spitzer. He takes on this enormous responsibility with humility, good humour, warmth and love. At the same time, the assurance Dr Spitzer provides the parents enables us to relax and enjoy our break. His entire family are part of his team, giving their time and individual talents to bring joy to the kef kids. He is an exceptional doctor, an incredible person and outstanding volunteer.”
The Digital Volunteers team at Royal Free Charity won the Investec Outstanding Volunteer Team of the Year Award.
Jon Spiers, Royal Free Charity CEO said: “When lockdown began, we had real concerns around patients not being able to attend virtual appointments due to digital exclusion. The volunteers have helped thousands of patients attending our sleep and ventilation clinic and saved the NHS many hours of professional time.”
This programme was meant to be a pilot, but will continue indefinitely as volunteers have provided invaluable support.
Maccabi GB volunteer Ben Brownson won the Edwards Family Foundation Outstanding Young Adult Volunteer of the Year Award.
Ashley Lerner, Maccabi GB CEO, said: “Ben has always had Maccabi at the centre of his life and volunteering. Whilst golf is his passion, he is the first to volunteer to support one of our projects and always on hand to assist colleagues and professional team. We are truly lucky to have such a committed volunteer within our organisation.”
Jewish Care volunteer Rita Newmark won the The Citron, Sivan and Sefton Outstanding
Lifetime Achievement Award.
Daniel Carmel-Brown, Jewish Care CEO, praised Rita’s contribution over 50 years with the Meals on Wheels service. He said: “Rita has continued to give her skills, time and expertise delivering meals, and inspired many others to volunteer for the service. We provide 700 meals each week to 300 older people. It has been a lifeline to thousands of people over the years. What Rita and the small group of dedicated volunteers began all those years ago, continues to bring the community together across the generations.”
Nicky Goldman, JVN Chief Executive, said: “It's such a wonderful endorsement of the integral role that volunteers play in each of our organisations.”
Among the winners, Kisharon Volunteer Manager, Andrea Alexander said: “It was a wonderful evening recognising the hard work and dedication of all our inspirational volunteers”. Kisharon’s Young Volunteer Team from the former Kisharon college scooped a Team of The Year award. Collectively they gave 400 hours of volunteering in Child's Hill Library processing new books and undertaking gardening work around the library. Dedicated
students delivered over 150 books to housebound customers during the pandemic. They also ran Bag My Treats for simchas. Kisharon’s Learning and Development Lead Aviva Braunold said: “There was a real sense of celebration of everyone’s achievements and the different ways people give back to the community.”
Other Kisharon nominees included Valerie who does artwork sessions with women.
In the Lifetime Achievement category, Yitzy Lerner is a Kosher outlet trustee, Hatzola ambulance driver and carries out a Tomchei Shabbos collection.
Norwood's winners included Michele Ashton who won Volunteer of the Year and Daniel Joseph claimed Young Volunteer of the Year.
Also recognised was Wendy Geering, who won Norwood's Lifetime Achievement Award.
The ceremony was held in memory of founding director, Leonie Lewis, whose family attended.
They spoke about Leonie, and her ‘Life and Legacy’ campaign launched in her memory that has received over £46,000 in donations. A new target of £66,000 has been set.
JVN CEO Nicky Goldman recalled that Leonie was her mentor, colleague and friend. “Her memory will always be a blessing to all those who she inspired
throughout her life,” she said.
Jewish Aid nominees were Edward Miller (Volunteer of the Year), Talia Pavell (Young Volunteer of the Year), Bea Glass (Lifetime Achievement Award) and the volunteer counselling team (Team of the Year).
Edward is a Mckenzie friend volunteer, supporting clients in court, helping them to prepare their witness statements and other documents. This is a vital service, helping Jewish women at a very difficult time in their lives.
Talia has been a champion in raising awareness on accessing support through creating a recipe book for Jewish students, as well as fundraising. Talia also created a panel event for International Women’s Day with UJS, discussing issues Jewish women face in their chosen fields.
Bea has put on many awareness events over the years about the support available to Jewish women, through panel events and speakers. She organised a theatre production and is a role model for volunteering long-term.
Volunteer counsellors commit to seeing several clients a week plus hours of supervision and training for professional development. Feedback is heart-warming and clients are often able to move forward with their lives.
Volunteer coordinator Judy Roth is thankful to all the volunteers.
“We would not be the same without their important input in helping Jewish women and children going through domestic abuse and sexual violence,” she said.
Daniel Levy, JVN chair added, “At JVN we strive to make the world a better place through volunteering.”
Nicky Goldman, JVN CEO, commented: ‘Everyone in the room tonight is here because volunteering has touched our lives, inspired by someone close to us.”
Donations: www.justgiving.com/campaign/ leonieslegacy
Mazel Tov and Thank You to all the charity winners at our JVN Celebration of Volunteering Awards 2022. You continue to inspire us all.
David Collins
AJR
Gilad Reback
All Aboard Shops
Martin Cohen
Alyth Synagogue
Suzanne Goldsmith
Barnet United Synagogue
Barbara Feigenbaum British Emunah
Victoria Joseph Camp Simcha
Victoria Odesesan Caritas Westminster Phil Sommerich FEAST with Us
Lynda Gordon
Jewish Museum London
Ann Jayson Jnetics
Edward Miller
Jewish Women’s Aid Dr David Spitzer Kef Kids
Valerie Hajioff Kisharon
Robin Jacobs Langdon
Stephen Joseph Maccabi GB
Howard Taylor Magen David Adom
Jenny Strauss Nightingale Hammerson
Jeffrey Jay
AJEX JMA
Vera Gellman
AJR
Lorna Bennett
All Aboard Shops
Ronnie Palester Barnet United Synagogue
Jane Danker Belfast Jewish Community
Rochelle Selby British Emunah Yael White GIFT
John Joseph MBE
Jewish Blind & Disabled
Rita Newmark Jewish Care
Bea Glass Jewish Women’s Aid
Mar c ‘Yitzy’ Lerner Kisharon
Brian Gr een z”l Maccabi GB
Laura Marks OBE Mitzvah Day
Alan Moss Northwood United Synagogue
Wendy Geering Norwood
David Scar ff Royal Free Charity
Stuart Bloom United Synagogue
Naglaa Sadik Ahmed Mustafa WHEAT Mentor Support Trust
Miriam Falk WIZO
Michael Obadiah GIFT
Judy Sharp Goods for Good Dana Arenson iheart Principles Dave Richman Jami
Peta Cohen Jewish Blind & Disabled Monique Cadji Jewish Care
Sally Caplan Jewish Care
Aviva Wilford Northwood United Synagogue
Michele Ashton Norwood
Jacqui Ross Resource
Bruce Rimmer Royal Free Charity Vesta Svendsen The Together Plan
Maytal Charing United Synagogue
Joanna Wulwik WIZO
Noemi Van Hoof AJR
Anna Akenteva All Aboard Shops
Rebecca Baruch GIFT
Rafael Kamhi Give. Help. Share.
Rob Sher Jewish Care
Talia Pavell Jewish Women’s Aid
Tamara Cohen Kisharon
Ben Brownson Maccabi GB
Lena Sakure Nightingale Hammerson
Daniel Joseph Norwood
Leo Levine The Together Plan
Israel’s Ministry of Tourism has allocated NIS 340 million for public tourism infrastructure projects.
The budget will assist dozens of initiatives in local authorities including parking lots, promenades, bridges, sound and light shows.
The ministry received over 200 applications from authorities for assistance in 2022 with 160 applications meeting threshold conditions.
Tourism Minister Haim Katz said: “Improvement of infrastructure and beautification upgrades the tourist experience and encourages returning tourism. I have asked the ministry to prepare a directive for the support budget for 2023, that will place an emphasis on budgetary efficiency alongside maximizing the tourism potential.”
Ministry of Tourism Director-General Dani Shahar added: “We are in the midst of preparing the tourism infrastructure in Israel to welcome tourists, following the recovery from the pandemic. We carefully considered the many applications received and chose those which would bring the greatest value to tourism.”
The participation rate of local authorities in financing projects is set in accordance with the financial index of the authority.
The cost of implementing the projects is NIS 700 million. The Tourism Ministry contributed NIS 410 million with NIS 340 million from the ‘22 budget and remainder from previous years.
The first British person to give blood in Israel for nearly 25 years took place this week following a change in guidelines.
Magen David Adom Paramedic Aryeh Myers, formerly of Chigwell, Essex, who made Aliyah in 2012, had the honour in Tel Hashomer Hospital, Tel Aviv on Monday. Those born in Britain or who resided there between 1980 to 1996 can now donate blood.
Myers said: “Not being able to give blood in Israel always upset me. I saw my friends and colleagues giving and all I was able to do was look-on. To be given the privilege of giving blood and saving lives is incredible and I’m so proud to be the first.”
A Ministry of Health directive was issued in December 1999 preventing those who had lived in Britain for over six consecutive months from donating.
The ruling was to reduce transfer of a variant of ‘Mad Cow Disease’. However, the FDA in America issued new recommendations at the end of 2022 to reduce the possibility of transfer of CJD of CJD through blood or its components based on new information published in Britain.
According to risk assessment models, the calculated risk of transfer of vCJD through plasma from blood donations, is one or two cases in every 50 years.
This risk no longer justifies turning away
blood donors as in the past.
Prof. Eilat Shinar, MDA Deputy Director General of Blood Services welcomed the policy.
He commented: “For many years we've
had to turn away those who made Aliya. We're pleased to tell all our loyal blood donors, who continued to approach us and asked us to change the regulations that this day has finally arrived.
“We will be pleased to meet these donors once again at MDA blood donation locations across Israel, in order to continue to fulfil the demands of the health service and the IDF, to provide blood units and components safely and at a high standard, to all those who require this treatment in order to save their lives”.
MDA UK, Chief Executive, Daniel Burger, commented: “It is wonderful news that British Olim can once again give blood in Israel. We at MDA UK have been lobbying our colleagues in Israel on this matter for many years as we know how much Brits in Israel long to support the MDA blood drive and save more lives.”
UK Ambassador to Israel, Neil Wigan, is now planning a blood donation event for expats in conjunction with MDA UK next month.
Wigan thanked MDA and the Israeli Ministry of Health for making the announcement.
He said: “I am very excited to hear this news and I have no doubt the British community in Israel feels the same. I hope to be one of the first to donate blood and I encourage Brits in Israel to partake this meaningful opportunity to save lives.”
Yossi :
Rabbi Diskind, you have transformed Shabbat observance for people – where did all begin?
Rabbi Diskind:
I grew up in Israel, in Bayit Vegan neighbourhood in southwest Jerusalem. My father is a retired engineer with specialisation in chemical engineering, for which he was awarded a PhD from Washington University, Sever Institute of Technology. His firm belief is that a father must teach his son a craft to secure a livelihood. We would sit for hours and he would tutor me on the incredible properties of electricity, circuits, temperature, pressure and more. He instilled in me a love for technology and innovation that I harbour to this very day.
Yossi : Are there any influential figures that shaped your affection for hilchot Shabbat?
Rabbi Diskind:
Yes, absolutely… As I mentioned earlier, I grew up in Bait Vegan, the very same neighbourhood where Rabbi Yehoshua Neuwirth lived and wrote his famous book “Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchatah”, a staple sefer in many households! Rabbi Neuwirth was exceptionally knowledgeable in the rules of Shabbat as well as physics and technology. The story goes that, during the Holocaust, he and his family were taking shelter from the nazis in a loft somewhere in Germany and his lone companion was the book of “Gemoro Shabbat”. His warm demeanour and wise advice allowed us to forge a bond that I will cherish forever.
There were other famous Rabbis in the neighbourhood, for example Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach could be often seen rushing to yeshiva and Rabbi Yehuda Ades resided in the same building as my family. It was a wonderful place to grow up in.
At the time, some people in our neighbourhood would not use electricity on Shabbat under any circumstances, there were no lights and even the refrigerators were off. The common premise was that Jewish people were operating the power stations on Shabbat, so the electricity produced by these stations was in some opinions not kosher for Shabbat. Only candles or generators were used. Precisely this inspired me to come up with technology that would be of help for Shabbat. Under the guidance of Rabbi Neuwirth, I installed a Shabbat power grid for the whole neighbourhood; it was powered by generators, so people were happy to use it on Shabbat.
The same idea inspired me to come up with hot water for Shabbat. In the winter, the cold water that flows from the tap is freezing cold. In those cold days, washing hands, dishes or even a baby becomes a very uncomfortable experience. Our Shabbat Smart hot water technology drives those experiences into the distant past.
Yossi : Can you explain how ShabbatSmart Hot Water technology works?
Rabbi Diskind: Certainly… There are a few challenges when using a standard hot water tank on Shabbat. One is “Bishul” or cooking – when cold water enters the tank it gets heated by the hot water already there; the other challenge is “Havara” or ignition – when cold water enters the tank it triggers the thermostat that ignites the heater.
The solution to both these challenges can be found in Rabbi Yehoshua
Neuwirth’s book “Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchatah”. The genius of this solution consists in dropping the hot water tank temperature below “Yad Soledes Bo”.
“Yad Soledes Bo” is the temperature at which, should a hand touch something, it would recoil to avoid scalding. The Talmud does not give us an exact temperature value but various poskim set it at not less than 45°C, 43°C, 40°C.
Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach argues that “Yad Soledes Bo” is not less than 45°C. Our controllers can be set to either temperature value.
Our shabbat Smart Controller is very versatile. It is compatible with single cylinders for weekday and Shabbat, as well as with dedicated cylinders for Shabbat use only. As well, it can be installed on both boiler and immersion heating systems.
Our products are certified LeMehadrin by FedTech department of the Federation lead by Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman Shlita.
To find out more about Shabbat Smart controllers, log onto ShabbatSmart.com
Shabbat Smart is an innovative business which has greatly enhanced the weekly Shabbat experience for Jews who want to use hot water on Shabbat without breaking any halachot! In a two part series, Yossi Saunders caught up with the brilliant Inventor/Rabbi Shuki Diskind, to find out more about how he started his business of using smart controllers to allow the use of domestic hot water on Shabbat…Rabbi Diskind showing how the system works
BY HARRY SIMONS
President Isaac Herzog has welcomed the new ambassadors of Australia, Philippines, El Salvador, South Korea and Turkey at official ceremonies in Jerusalem.
Herzog held an audience with each ambassador who were presented with letters of credence.
Ambassador to Australia, Dr Ralph Peter King, said he will promote trade and reciprocal tourism, maintain Australia’s support for Israel in international forums and emphasise long-term peace.
“Australia is an immense friend of the State of Israel,” said Herzog.
King has been Australia’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Kuwait.
Herzog thanked the Ambassador of the Philippines, Pedro Laylo for the dedication of Filipino care workers in Israel, calling them “guardian angels”.
Israel’s president discussed deepening ties in agriculture and tourism with El Salvador Ambassador Milton Eduardo Umana Acevedo, formerly his country’s consul-general in Miami.
Herzog and the Korean Ambassador Kim Jin-Han discussed several issues including reciprocal trade.
The last ambassador to present letters of credence was Turkish Ambassador Sakir Ozkan Torunlar. The ceremony came 10 months after Herzog’s historic state visit to
Turkey at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in March 2022.
Torunlar, formerly Turkey’s consul-general in Jerusalem and ambassador to India,
was appointed by Erdogan following the recent announcement of full diplomatic relations between the countries.
Herzog stressed the importance of
relations
The Community Security Trust has collated a record number of university-related antisemitic incidents for an academic year.
150 hate incidents targeting Jewish students, academics or student bodies took place over a two-year period according to CST’s new report ‘Campus Antisemitism in Britain 2020-2022’.
This included 95 in 2020/21, 55 incidents occured in May 2021 during Israel’s conflict in Gaza. The two-year total is a 22% increase on 2018-20.
University-related incidents took place in 30 towns and cities. The highest numbers were London (30), Bristol (14) and Birmingham (12) reflecting the largest Jewish student populations across the UK.
There were 47 antisemitic incidents on-campus and 21 off-campus. Eight-two online incidents illustrate the increasing role played by social media platforms and instant messaging apps.
Investigations were marred by slow responses, an absence of communication and a lack of impartiality by investigating officers.
Academic institutions have adopted the IHRA definition but CST received inaccurate reports.
CST recommends adoption of the IHRA definition be accompanied by training.
CST CEO Mark Gardner said: “Antisemitism at our universities has been a running
sore for decades. This study also reinforces last week’s National Union of Students’ own report into antisemitism, including the link between anti- Israel hatred and racist treatment of British Jews. Students’ Unions and university authorities need to better support their Jewish students.”
HM Government’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism, Lord Mann, noted: “Antisemitism on campus has long been a concern for parents and students. The reported rise in university-related antisemitic incidents over the past few years is both worrying and unacceptable. It is imperative that more is done to protect Jewish students and staff from the scourge of antisemitism.”
Mann and the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism have set up a Taskforce to examine the Jewish experience at Higher Education institutions.
Union of Jewish Students President Joel Rosen said: “Jewish students living away from home for the first time have the right to be who they are and to feel safe where they live and study. These incidents have a detrimental impact on the community, leading some to hide their identity and disengage from parts of university life.” He added: “In spite of the odds, Jewish life on campus continues. Our answer to those who would uproot our thriving student communities is to ensure they grow and flourish.”
OPINION PIECE
BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN
Just over a week ago, the report produced by Rebecca Tuck KC into anti-semitism and the National Union of Students was published. This came about as a result of the decision in April 2022 by NUS UK Board of Directors to launch an investigation into allegations of antisemitism within NUS. For many people, myself included, this investigation had been a long time coming and having worked my way through the 120 or so pages in my view it is an excellent piece of work.
I took two things away from the report, one which is in the report and one which is not.
Firstly, I was particularly interested in the section which dealt with the 8 complaints between 2015-22 regarding NUS candidates or office holders. The reason for this was Ms Tuck’s conclusion – “What has not been apparent to me in any of the eight cases, is that NUS has engaged in any reflection or any exercise to determine whether lessons could be learnt”. In
other words, irrespective of the outcome of those complaints over a 7 year period, NUS as an organisation did not see it necessary to do anything other than deal with them.
That comes as no surprise. For as long as I can remember, many of those responsible for running NUS have been keen only to see Jews either as simple farmers as found in Fiddler on the Roof or men in black hats running around to get home before the sun sets on a Friday night. This quaint view of Jews being only about praying and eating Friday Night Dinner contrasts with the reality, the most significant of which is that the bulk of Jews in the UK support Israel. Indeed, research published in 2015 by City University found that 90% of British Jewish people support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and 93% say that is forms some part of their identity as Jews, but only 59% consider themselves to be Zionists.
Therein lies the problem. The Jews get in the way of the obsession in NUS that is Israel and Zionism, and that is the second take away from the report. Many Jewish contributors have remarked that once it is known that they are Jewish, they are judged on their attitude towards Israel,
and further even though they might have views on different subject areas, these are ignored. One said: “I never initially entered student politics to talk solely about Jewish issues, but my time in the movement became defined with defending Jewish students’ rights to even be in the room. So much of the abuse and treatment I faced was down to the movement’s obsession with the Israel/ Palestine conflict and my assumed connection to it”.
What the report does not deal with is this obsession, that there is only one defining issue and that is Zionism. The Chief Rabbi has said that “spelling out the right of the Jewish people to live within secure borders with self-determination in their own country, which they had been absent from for 2,000 years—that is what Zionism is”. His view is that “If you are an anti-Zionist, you are anti everything I have just mentioned”.
Nothing else comes close; why is that? Of all the conflicts around the world, it is Israel and Zionism which dominates student politics, and therefore by extension, the Jews. And there you have your answer. The Jews are not entitled to a state and the fact that they have one is anathema to so many diverse groups, from the far-right,
the far-left and of course the Islamist groups who want to see the Jews driven into the sea. Mixed in amongst these are those who call themselves progressive, who as I have said before place hatred of Jewish self-determination above any concerns that they should have about the treatment of women and homosexuals or even democracy in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority.
One contributor said: “I was amazed by how prominent Israel/Palestine was. E.g., speeches about things unconnected with the middle east would end ‘Free Palestine’.” Sadly, no amount of anti-semitism training is going to change that overnight. All we can do and should do is hammer home the reality which is many students hate the idea of the Jews having a State and recognise that when they claim they are not anti-semitic they are just lying.
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.
Lead 9h
Both North/South pairs in a team match pressed on to what proved to be a rather dubious spade game.
The opening lead at both tables was the nine of hearts. Both East defenders played the A K 8h, with the 8h (suit preference signal) strongly suggesting a diamond return. Both West players ruffed the third heart and exited with the 3h (as instructed). Both declarers won with dummy’s ace of diamonds but, then, their paths diverged. At the first table, declarer continued with the king of trumps. After noting the fall of West’s eight of trumps, declarer played a club to the queen. If that had held, he planned to cash the ace of clubs and ruff a club in dummy. Alas, West took the queen of clubs with the king and declarer was down one.
At the other table, declarer found an extra chance: he led the seven of trumps to his nine and then advanced the queen of hearts. When West did not ruff in, declarer threw a club from dummy. Then after cashing the ace of clubs he could crossruff the next four tricks. The last of these was his eighth trick and he still had the ace and jack of trumps to come; bringing his total to 10.
Of course, if West had ruffed the queen of hearts, declarer would have overruffed and taken the club finesse, planning to ruff a club in dummy.
Finally, you may have seen that if, instead of cashing the ace of hearts, East had led a low heart at trick two, declarer would have had no road to a tenth trick. If declarer draws a round of trumps to pull West’s remaining trump, East will win the heart continuation with the ace and lead a second trump, forcing declarer to rely on the club finesse for his contract which is not working.
Name of victim to remember: Reuben Fish
Place of Birth: Wolwyn, Poland
Date of Birth: 1934
Place of Death: Lwow, Poland
Date of Death: 01/08/1942 www.yadvashem.org.uk
Jewish Care has reopened the Singular Challenge confidential support group for people who have been separated for less than two years, after a marriage or longterm relationship.
The group welcomes people of all ages and is there to support people through the challenging period following separation. Meeting weekly in North West London, it offers a warm and friendly environment with the opportunity to meet other people going through a similar situation and provides practical help and advice, together with mutual support and friendship, so that members can start to put their lives together again.
There are regular guest speakers who focus on a range of different topics relating to separation and divorce offering help and life skills to navigate through this difficult period with positivity. Topics include dealing with stress, taking fear out of finance, legal matters, security and safety, health and wellbeing.
Frances Harris, who set up Singular Challenge when she was in this situation some 25 years ago, says, “With the impact of Covid and ongoing financial and emotional pressures, there has never been a more important time for Singular Challenge to be available to help people cope with the added stress of a disintegrating marriage or cohabiting relationship.
“Since Singular Challenge opened its doors in 1997 to people of all ages, it went from strength to strength, ultimately blossoming into three separate groups and winning a national award for innovation. Members gave each other support and friendship and wrote to tell me that Singular Challenge had been a lifeline to them, given them hope and that they wouldn’t have been able to move forward without it. The support and the new-found friendships, helped members deal with the life issues facing them, enabling them to
rebuild their lives and move forward with positivity and hope.
“We look forward to welcoming new members to the group now that it has reopened and ask people to get in touch to register your interest.”
For more information about Singular Challenge, please call the Jewish Care Direct helpline on 020 8922 2222 or email singularchallenge@jcare.org
The National Jewish Assembly condemns the National Education Union for its spreading of misinformation and blatant untruths about Israel.
In the latest edition of Educate, the NEU’s bi-monthly magazine, an article by a participant of a recent NEU official trip to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, peddles a bizarre anti-Israel conspiracy theory that Israelis train wild boars to scare and attack Palestinian children. Author of the problematic article, Mohammed Aziz, alleges that during the trip, he was told that boars are released to “scare children”.
Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, popularised the libel in a 2014 statement that “every night, [Israelis]
release wild pigs against us.”
Not only does Aziz’s article in the latest edition of the NEU’s bi-monthly publication once again propagate this libel, but so too is his entire article replete with factually incorrect references and statements, such as referring to Ramallah, the residential seat of the Palestinian Authority and a city of approximately 40,000 people, as a “camp”.
The NJA demands that the NEU immediately remove the article from the on-line version of Educate and issues an apology for allowing this piece of blatant hate speech and propaganda to be printed without any fact-checking or consideration of its consequences on the perceptions of Israel and Israelis.
GIFT was overwhelmed with over 200 attendees at its very first Young GIFT fundraising social event at the White City Soho House this past Wednesday night. With many new faces present, young professionals attended from different elements of the community. A raffle draw included lush prizes such as theatre tickets, Arsenal football tickets and a Missoma necklace.
One attendee noted “Last night was absolutely brilliant! I’ve attended lots of events run by different organizations, I’m super critical, this one was something special!”
The Young GIFT committee, chaired by trainee-solicitor Eli Clinton-Davis, was formed almost a year ago. During this time, Young GIFT has introduced YP events, including food packing sessions, cooking at The Giving Kitchen, assembling Chanukah packs for GIFT families as well as making homeless packs. Young GIFT will be coordinating monthly events for YPs as well as regular weekend volunteering.
The organisation has appointed Ileana Ereira as its YP coordinator. Ileana has been involved in various charities and committees including CAA And SJW’s Cooked
Meal Project during Covid-19.
Ileana says: “I am thrilled to take on my new role as GIFT’s Young Professionals’ Coordinator – educating and inspiring young professionals to give back to the community. I look forward to all of the new initiatives we will implement in 2023, that kicked off with our extremely successful fundraising social event at White City Soho House.”
Young GIFT’s aim is to attract young professionals between 22 and 32 years of age, encouraging them to connect and engage with others whilst experiencing a multitude of volunteering opportunities and programmes. Opportunities include food support packing & delivering, befriending the elderly, tutoring and volunteering at The Giving Kitchen.
Rabbi Sandor Milun, GIFT’s Managing Director says: “This was a wonderful first event that was so brilliantly organised by our Young GIFT committee. Looking forward to many more!”
To get involved, please contact GIFT at volunteer@jgift.org.
North West London Jewish Day school received an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ in their most recent Kodesh Studies inspection. The result, following an inspection last month, was an upgrade on the Willesden primary school’s previous rating of ‘Good’.
The Effectiveness of leadership and management, Quality of teaching, learning and assessment, Personal development, behaviour and attitude, and Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development were all judged to be Outstanding.
Inspectors especially noted the integration of secular and religious studies, which they said contributed to the success of the school’s Kodesh studies delivery, “enable(ing) the pupils to cover more ground in their Kodesh studies and to embed their Kodesh learning”. This was achieved, they noted, by regular meetings between “Kodesh and Chol class teachers... to discuss issues relevant to the class, the curriculum, and individual pupils”.
Referencing the school’s upgraded rating, the report noted that “there have been a number of high-quality additions to the Kodesh teaching team. Other improvements include three teachers for Chumash (Bible) classes in KS2 and an enhanced Ivrit provision”, as well as the excellent leadership which provides “extensive guidance for teachers (and) attainment targets for pupils at crucial stages of their development”.
Elsewhere in the report, parents’ “overwhelming support” for the Kodesh programme came in for praise, with new parents to the school noting in particular the positive impact of teaching compared to their child’s previous Jewish school and other parents praising the school for providing a strong and enduring foundation in Jewish learning and practice.
Inspectors also praised the close co-operation between the Kodesh and secular staff teams for successfully making provisions for pupils with SEND during their Kodesh lessons. The report notes: “There is a conscious school-wide effort to involve SEND pupils in as wide a range of activities as possible. Teachers integrate them into lessons at every opportunity and deal capably with their individual needs.”
As well as acknowledging the academic success of pupils, which includes a high fluency of Hebrew reading and engagement with the topics taught, the report noted pupils’ “relaxed and friendly inter-personal approach. They thrive on the happy atmosphere that pervades the school, and are proud of their school and of their religion.”
Rabbi David Wilk, Head of Kodesh said: “I am so pleased that the children’s hard work and achievements have been recognised and that we were able to showcase the fantastic work done by the children. Their love of Kodesh and dedication shone through, and I am exceptionally proud of them.”
Hasmonean Primary School is delighted to have been judged as Good overall in its recent Pikuach report, with the school leadership noted as being Outstanding. The school was praised for its “warm and caring environment” which delivers “a holistic Jewish education... provided by a team of enthusiastic Kodesh teachers under the leadership of an outstanding Head of Kodesh.”
The leadership and management of the school were rated by Pikuach as Outstanding “because the SLT, including governors, have an acute knowledge and understanding of both the school’s strengths and areas requiring improvement.” Together with the school Principal, Rabbi Mordechai Ginsbury, the report highlights how “they articulate and communicate a strong commitment to high standards of work and to pupils’ Jewish spiritual development.”
The quality of Jewish education, which was rated as Good, was based on “a well-constructed and sequenced curriculum that provides Jewish knowledge and skills for future learning and communal involvement.” The “effective use of ICT” was also noted as contributing to pupils making “good progress in their Jewish education.” The Chumash lessons were particularly highlighted as a strength as “pupils participate in discussions about moral values that they can learn from Torah events and personalities.” Pupils were also praised for their “fluency, accuracy and confidence” in their Hebrew reading and their “detailed Jewish general knowledge and skills across the Jewish curriculum.”
In terms of the Jewish personal and spiritual development, which was rated as Good, Pikuach noted that pupils are “offered appropriate levels of challenge,
insight and understanding of tefillah, tzedakah and religious activities” and that “the curriculum builds on pupils’ prior learning, progressively taking into account pupils’ intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth.” The report highlighted how “all pupils participate fully, and feel included, in the prayer life of the school” which “contributes enormously to the spiritual and moral development of the pupils.”
Answering the survey, responses from the parents were “overwhelmingly positive in all areas”, noting that “the Senior Leadership Team are very good” and that “It’s a very warm school and staff are so caring.” Hebrew reading and knowledge of the Parsha were also highlighted as strengths by parents.
Commenting on the report, Dan Sacker, Chair of Governors, remarked: “I am delighted that the report highlights both the significant progress that has been made since our last Pikuach inspection in January 2015 as well as the impressive steps that have been taken since the appointments of Rabbi Silkoff as Head of Kodesh in 2019 and Mrs Gross as Head Teacher in January 2022. I am confident that this outstanding leadership in both Kodesh and Chol will drive Hasmonean Primary School to continued success in the future.”
Rabbi Mark Silkoff, Head of Kodesh, commented that: “I am delighted that the significant work that has been done since the last Pikuach report, especially around curriculum development and the moral focus of our teaching, has been recognised by inspectors. I would like to praise and thank my staff for all their efforts to date and in the future as we continue to strive for all areas of Kodesh - and the school - to be outstanding.”
Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com
I always find myself feeling especially down this time of year. I know the same can be said for many others as well. I speak to work colleagues and family members, many who share a similar sentiment. What is the Jewish solution to the blues?
Harriot
There used to be a concept called the February blues. This was particularly prevalent on university campuses but also generally. February was also the time of year known to be bang in the middle of the winter, where the effects of the winter break have long worn off, the prospect of the next holiday still a while away, the weather mostly cold and gloomy, the daylight hours very few, waking in the dark and night time setting early on (are you feeling miserable yet, just reading this?).
To be sure, today they’ve actually brought this forward to a new idea called Blue Monday – usually the third Monday of January – this year being this past Monday January 16th. The concept of this date was first introduced via a press release from Sky Travel back in 2005. The team collaborated with psychologist Dr. Cliff Arnall and created an algorithm to predict when the saddest day of the year would occur.
However, even Dr Arnall admitted that Blue Monday is a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’, as a consequence to the number of PR companies jumping on
the trend in recent years for the purpose of profit. Neuroscientist Dean Burnett has also described the concept of Blue Monday as ‘scientifically ridiculous.’
Still, the reality is that many are feeling blue, especially this year. What with concerns about the cost of living crisis, soaring energy bills and rising mortgage rates, it could be that many are feeling some anxiety about the year ahead. There is also a concept called SAD (seasonal affective disorder) where the lack of light can wreak havoc with one’s mood.
So all in there’s plenty of reason to be miserable. But let’s be clear: Sadness or depression doesn’t care what day it is. And it can affect anyone, anytime, for a broad range of reasons. When it is something that requires more help, then that help must be sought, and there are a range of organisations both within and outside the Jewish community that can help. It must be stressed loud and clear: “the stigma associated with mental health is a thing of the past.” Don’t feel as though you are going to be labelled. What with the stresses of modern day life, there’s a huge increase in mental health concerns, help is at hand and must be pursued when necessary.
To give you the general Jewish perspective on this: Close your eyes for a couple of minutes and think of one or two things – different realities in your life that might give you cause to be sad. Open your eyes, clear your mind, then close them again and think about one or two things –real reasons why you have should have reason to be happy. Then pause and honestly
consider, in the bigger scheme of things, which one outweighs the other.
I maintain that with the exception of particular circumstances, 99 times out of 100, the happy factors will outweigh the sad factors. And then you need to be honest enough with yourself and ask: “Well then why am I sad?” If you just checked the numbers on your lottery ticket and saw that you won the £57 million jackpot – you jump up for joy and come crashing down, breaking your leg G-d forbid in the process – how much pain do you think you are going to be in? Even as they’re wheeling you in to pin that leg together in the operating theatre, chances are you’ll be thinking about how you are going to spend your winnings convalescing when you come out the other side.
So why aren’t we applying that same model to our own daily lives? Yes, right now there are certain things that get me down. They make me feel despondent. But what about the lottery ticket – the winning numbers that you’re holding in your hand? Doesn’t the bigger picture outweigh the present reality? The reasons to be happy override the reasons to be sad. Why are you letting yourself become perplexed rather than concentrate on the greater goodness that beckons when you come out the other side.
There is a fundamental Kabbalistic teaching of the Bal Shem Tov: In Psalms there is a verse which says, “He who trusts in G-d shall be encompassed by Divine benevolence.” What exactly does that mean? He explained: “There where
your mind is at that is where you are.” In simple terms, the mental impacts the physical, or more precisely, your state mind impacts your reality. You are what you think and what you think that is what you are. And therefore wherever your mind is, wherever you place your thoughts that is where you have taken yourself.
Thus if you put your trust in G-d then G-d puts His faith in you.
If you believe that G-d got you to it, He will get you through it, then that’s exactly how it can happen for you, even if it wasn’t written in the cards.
But here’s the kicker: If it works like that in the positive it can work like that in the negative as well. The verse in Isaiah says, “That which they are afraid of, that I shall bring upon them.”
If a person spends a lifetime thinking only negative “Oy Vey this is going to happen,” then these very thoughts can bring about the very things that one is afraid of. They may not have even been in the programme but the fact that you took your mind there, you create a negativity aura around you.
The point is, if you are happy and smiling then G-d is happy and smiling. And when G-d is smiling, like anyone in good spirits, He is so willing to give. Conversely, if you are sad and downtrodden then you are making G-d sad so to be speak and when someone is sad they are a little less forthcoming. The bottom line is this: happiness is a choice. And from there you determine your destiny. To be continued…
Follow Rabbi Schochet at: RabbiSchochet.com Twitter: @RabbiYYS Facebook: facebook.com/Rabbiyys.
Moshe was hand selected to liberate us from Egypt and to introduce Hashem to a human audience which had previously ignored Him. Moshe possessed an impressive blend of personal qualities, each of which would serve him in his long and storied career.
As a young baby he was graced with radiant good looks, which drew the interest of an Egyptian princess. Raised by royals, his palace upbringing endowed him with the confidence to challenge Pharo and his intimidating court of magicians. Moshe deeply sensed the pain of human suffering, endangering his own life to rescue a battered Jewish slave. He valiantly defended the weak against injustice, saving unknown shepherd girls from local tormenters. Recognizing the futility of petty squabbling, he challenged two quarrelling Jews to rise above their small-mindedness and spite and behave more gracefully. Loyal to his past, he delayed his grand mission, first securing permission from his father-in-law and only afterwards, relocating the family to Egypt. Moshe’s resume is brimming with leadership qualities.
Additionally, Moshe was the consummate outsider: a Jewish baby, raised by an Egyptian princess, married to a Midyanite woman, his broad exposure and diverse experiences provided him with fresh perspective, and allowed his unbiased eyes to see the world large and whole. This future leader combined an impressive array of character traits with a wide range of experiences, and he appeared to be the perfect candidate for historical mission.
There was only one problem: this multi-talented man possessed a severe speech impediment. Acknowledging his own handicap, Moshe was initially hesitant to accept this complicated mission. How could he stand before Pharo, representing Hashem, when he could not speak clearly and emphatically? How could an inelegant tongue issue divine demands to monarchs, and utter divine commands to Jews.
Yet, for some reason, this impediment did not disqualify Moshe from his mission. Evidently, his unusual mix of noble character traits was so rare that, despite his impairment, he was still the best candidate for these great tasks. He may not have been perfect, but he was still the best option.
What is odd, is that he wasn’t
miraculously healed of his condition by Hashem. After all, Hashem pulled out “all stops” and performed epic and dramatic miracles to emancipate us from Egypt. Wouldn’t it have made sense for Hashem to repair Moshe’s tongue, empowering him to speak more capably? This minor miracle of improving Moshe’s speaking abilities would have gone a long way toward advancing his ambitious agenda, yet Hashem preserved Moshe’s speech impediment, dispatching him to his duties without impressive rhetorical skills. Evidently, Moshe’s speech limitations did not impair his mission but, if anything, enhanced it. Had Moshe been a better orator, perhaps he would have been a worse leader. His impairment was an asset.
Moshe freed us from Egypt and defeated the greatest superpower on earth, eventually navigating our people to the doorstep of history and the entrance to Israel. Along this journey he performed dazzling miracles and astounding supernatural feats. His rising popularity and expanding influence invited the unhealthy possibility of that a cult of personality would develop. Having been enslaved for two centuries, the former slaves were especially vulnerable to the influence of charisma and the peddling of personality. The impressionable young nation could very easily have been captivated by charisma and charm rather than being educated by values. The human imagination is always tempted by charisma, and Moshe’s spectacular feats, coupled with the gullibility of a young nation, created a perfect storm for the emergence of a personality cult.
Retaining Moshe’s imperfect speech averted this danger. Our speech conveys ideas, but it also projects our personality and our charisma. Speech without character and without passion is hollow and boring. Potent speech imbued with powerful spirit, grips a listener and penetrates the soul.
However, at some point, passionate rhetoric conveys too much of own personality and enchanting the listener with the speaker rather than with some larger idea or content. Checking against this danger, Moshe’s flawed speech assured that his charisma would never overtake his content. No one would ever be impressed with Moshe’s eloquence or with his underdeveloped rhetoric, but instead, would be attracted to his nobility of character, his quiet humility, and his uncommon compassion. He would
model moral traits such as courage, faith, dedication to nation, tolerance, and of course, dedicated Torah scholarship. Though he may never deliver booming speeches he will provide powerful but hushed moral lessons. There will be no cult of personality surrounding a speech-challenged leader. There will be, however, deep values, profound role modeling and enduring education.
Additionally, Moshe’s muted speech assures that a different voice will re verberate- the heavenly one. Moshe delivered the direct word of Hashem by brokering mass revelation at Sinai. That seminal moment at Sinai, when we heard the direct voice of Hashem forms the cornerstone of Jewish faith. For faith to endure, the accuracy of that mountain conversation must be unmistakable. The Jews at Sinai must be absolutely certain that they were listening directly to Hashem and not to a prophetic translation. Without that absolute certainty, Jewish faith would never survive. If Moshe were a more seasoned orator, the directness of our encounter with Hashem could have been questioned. Perhaps the commandments were a product of Moshe’s imagination, or just flowery rhetoric, rather than a direct missive from Hashem. By positioning a heavy tongued speaker on top of the mountain, it was clear to all that all the content at Sinai was Hashem given.
Sinai was based on absolute facts of direct revelation rather than on speculation, prophecy or human projection. Ironically, Moshe’s speech limitations made it easier to separate these facts from his personality.
In the 21st century we face our own struggle to separate fact from personality. It has become more and more difficult to obtain accurate information untainted by personal opinions. Social media has altered the flow of information, by providing a universal and easily accessible platform for strongly held opinions. Social media provides an endless buffet of personal opinion, but there isn’t much fact on the menu.
Furthermore, by carefully curating and selecting our sources of information, we trap ourselves in echo chambers, listening only to the views of those we agree with, and rarely encountering different views.
News outlets are no longer information providers but loud and fanatical
megaphones, patriotically broadcasting political agendas. In this storm of swirling opinions, it is impossible to discern honest facts from personal observations. In the past, humanity had little need for “fact checkers” as accuracy was implicit in conversation. Our dependence upon factcheckers, who are assigned to monitor accuracy, is a sad reflection of the sunken state of human communication in the modern world of polarized politics and sharply divided outlooks.
Tragically, we become our own greatest victims. Honesty and deception are each contagious. The more honest our outside world is, the more honest our internal world becomes, and the more accurate we can be in self-assessment, self-awareness and personal growth. A world in which opinions masquerade as fact, erodes our ability to honestly assess our own experiences and behavior. Intellectual honesty and personal honesty have become rare commodities in a world which distorts fact and fiction.
It is important to restore the balance between fact and opinion. It is vital to write and speak in a balanced fashion and to present fact as apart from opinion. We should value those who offer their opinion but also admit that other opinions can be drawn from identical facts. We should listen to those who “suggest” rather than those who attempt to convince or indoctrinate. We should value inner wisdom not cheap opinion. We need more quiet people like Moshe and fewer shrill bullhorns.
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.
After many years of slavery in Egypt, the time has come. G-d can easily take the people out of Egypt. What is standing in the way of this revolution of leaving Egypt? It’s not just Pharaoh and the Egyptians who stand in the way; it’s the Jewish people, too.
At the beginning of the parasha, we read some highly emotional passages where G-d speaks to Moshe. Past, present, and future are described including Hashem’s promise to Avraham Avinu – to free the people and take them to the Land of Israel. As the Torah says:
matters. Not only physical slavery (hard labor), but spiritual servitude (shortness of breath/spirit). How do we prevent ourselves, ostensibly free, from this sort of spiritual slavery today?
In one of the famous ethical works, “The Path of the Just” (Mesilat Yesharim), by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato, we find this fundamental principle: “And here truly is one of the stratagems of the evil inclination and its deviousness – to burden people with so much work (and so many distractions, I might add) that they do not have any time to catch their breath, to look around and see where they are going.”
these distractions, we are challenged to find a place for Torah.
You want to avoid confusion and losing your way in this world? Torah is the one true device for doing so. In the words of the holy Or HaChaim, they did not listen to Moshe “perhaps because they did not hear words of Torah and therefore they were short of spirit since the Torah widens the heart and spirit of a person.”
“Moshe spoke thus to the children of Israel, but they did not listen to Moshe because of [their] shortness of breath/spirit and because of [their] hard labor.” (Shemot 6:9)
It is speaking about two separate
We know how much is happening on the Internet every minute. And much of it has to do with FOMO (fear of missing out). The Internet is primarily about distractions and you lose your breath and your spirit chasing after them, leaving you with a feeling of loss. In the midst of
“There was hail, and fire flaming amid the hail – very heavy such as had never been in the land of Egypt” (Shemot 9:24)
Point to Consider: Why does the Torah break from the previous narrative to discuss this genealogy? (6:14)
Another piece of advice: Shabbat. The children of Israel conducted a war with Pharaoh over keeping Shabbat. He permitted it, then banned it, and was shocked to discover that on Shabbat they read scrolls of the book of Genesis, fondly clinging to the promises found there. Pharaoh understood that they used Shabbat for rest but also as a holy day for recharging their spirits. The Sefat Emet, Rav Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter, says this
explicitly. There is one day of the week in which we can desist from hard labor and expand our shortened spirits:
“They did not hear because of their shortness of spirit and because of their hard labor.” This means that during the week the body rules the spirit. But on Shabbat, the opposite occurs, because an extra soul descends from above and enters the Jew, who at least refrains from the 39 kinds of work forbidden on Shabbat. Therefore, Shabbat is the right time to hear the word of Hashem”.
Shortness of spirit and hard labor can prevent us, even today, from going from slavery to freedom. We focused on three interpretations of this verse which sound simple, but aren’t so simple nowadays: making a place in our lives for important things despite distractions, learning Torah, and keeping Shabbat.
Sivan Rahav-Meir is the World Mizrachi Scholar-in-Residence and an Israeli journalist and lecturer.
6:29-7:7
Moshe re-expresses his reluctance to speak to Pharaoh, given his speech impediment. G-d restates that Aharon will be Moshe’s spokesman. G-d will harden Pharaoh’s heart and He will send plagues. This will make Egypt aware of G-d’s omnipotence.
commentary.)
G-d reassures Moshe that He will keep His promise to the forefathers to bring the nation into the Land of Cana’an (later Israel). G-d has heard the crying out of the enslaved Israelites; He instructs Moshe to tell them that He will redeem them from slavery. The Israelites, exhausted from their labour, do not accept Moshe’s reassurances.
The Torah details the genealogy of Moshe and Aharon. They are the sons of Amram and Yocheved, who were both descendants of Levi, the third son of Yaakov.
7:8-8:6
Upon G-d’s command, Aharon throws down his stick in front of Pharaoh; it turns into a snake. Pharaoh’s magicians duplicate this. However, Aharon’s stick swallows up their sticks. The 1st Plague: Moshe and Aharon confront Pharaoh while he is bathing in the Nile and warn him that if he does not let the Israelites leave, the waters of Egypt will turn to blood. Pharaoh ignores the warning; Aharon strikes the water with a stick and it turns into blood. Pharaoh’s magicians duplicate this. The plague lasts a week. (This pattern follows for most of the rest of the plagues – three weeks of warning and a week of plague – see Rashi’s
8:7-8:18
The 3rd Plague: Aharon strikes the ground with his stick and lice spread all over Egypt. The Egyptian magicians fail to duplicate this, admitting it is the ‘finger of G-d’.
The 4th Plague: A plague of wild beasts spreads over Egypt, apart from Goshen, where the Israelites live. Pharaoh agrees to let the Israelites leave for three days to bring offerings in the desert. Moshe prays for the plague to stop but Pharaoh reneges on his promise. The 5th Plague: The Egyptian livestock is killed, but the
Israelites’ animals are untouched. The 6th Plague: Moshe throws a fistful of ash in the sky. This turns into dust covering all of Egypt, which then turns into boils on the Egyptians and their animals. G-d hardens Pharaoh’s heart.
The 7th Plague: A fiery hail falls on all of Egypt, apart from Goshen. Pharaoh admits that he has sinned and that G-d is righteous. After Moshe has prayed for the hail to stop, Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites go.
The prophet Yechezkel (Ezekiel) prophecies about the downfall of the future Egyptian empire, after Israel will have mistakenly relied upon them as an ally. Egypt will be invaded by the Babylonian leader Nebuchadnezzar.
Imagine you wake up one morning with $86,400 in your bank account. You can’t invest or save this money, and whatever is left over at the end of the day disappears. What would you do with your $86,400? Would you leave a single penny unspent? Of course not!
Well, each and every day we are given 86,400 seconds. It’s deposited into our bank account called “life.” And every day, whatever we don’t spend is lost forever. Nobody would throw away money. So how can we possibly do that with our time? Time is infinitely more valuable than money! You can’t borrow time or trade for someone else’s. The time you’re given is exactly what you’ll have. Time management is your decision of how to spend your time, your 86,400 precious seconds.
In essence, this is another inspiring call for us to “achieve greatness,” something we have heard all too many times before. Across all disciplines of thought, we are told that we should strive for greatness, making it seem as if the goal of life is to become great. Yet, very few people actually articulate or explain why we should strive for greatness. How many
times have we questioned this premise, asking ourselves “why” we should become great?
Psychologists have often claimed that the secret to happiness is largely found in achievement and personal fulfillment. However, this obsession with achieving happiness reveals the assumption of popular psychology — that the goal and purpose of life is to be happy.
Is this true? What is the Jewish perspective on the goal of life? Do we limit ourselves to our own individual happiness, or should we be striving for something even deeper and greater? Furthermore, some people might claim that they’re perfectly happy not striving for perfection. If greatness is merely a means to attaining happiness, then if we can achieve happiness without achieving greatness, there would be nothing wrong with that. This begs the question: is there a deeper purpose to achieving greatness and striving for perfection? What is the Jewish perspective on achieving our own potential, our own greatness?
In order to gain perspective on these questions, let us go back to the very root, to the creation of the world. Hashem created an imperfect world full of imperfect human beings, giving us the mission to achieve perfection. There are a number of questions we must ask on this: First of all, how can a perfect G-d create an imperfect world and imperfect beings? Does that not contradict the very nature of being perfect? Wouldn’t a perfect
G-d create a perfect world? And if our mission and purpose in life is to reach our own perfection, why is the world so full of obstacles and challenges that often seem to prevent us from reaching that perfection?
Before we begin discussing the fundamental principles of this world and the nature of man’s existence, we must first establish the following two qualifications: First, whenever we speak of Hashem, we are referring to our relationship with Him and how He appears to us, not the infinite, objective, and unknowable truth of His reality. As the Rambam, Maharal, Ramchal, and other baalei machshavah explain, we can never know Hashem Himself; we can only know how He relates to and appears to us.
If this seems abstract and elusive, think about this: You can never truly know your friend or loved one. You can’t see their thoughts, their mind, their consciousness, or even their emotions. All you can ever see is how they express themselves through their physical body — their actions, words, facial expressions, and body language. Through this, we can come to know someone more and more. Similarly, we can never know Hashem Himself; He’s infinite and completely beyond our comprehension. However, we can know Hashem by understanding the way He reveals Himself to us — through His creations, through the physical world, and through His Torah — which is a revelation of His will and thought. Thus, when we speak about why Hashem created the world, we are only discussing it based on our understanding of Hashem.
The second prerequisite is to understand that Hashem did not need to create the world. The Rambam and Ramchal explain that Hashem chose to create the world. Unlike Aristotle, who claimed that G-d was forced to create the world (that, by definition, G-d [the prime mover] must have created the world, and therefore, the world must have always existed) we believe that Hashem chose to create the world of His own free will - without any external stimulus or reason.
The Maharal, Ramchal, and other key Jewish thinkers explain a fundamental reason for why Hashem created the world. Hashem is absolute and ultimate goodness. However, there are two aspects of goodness. Hashem is good, but He also has the ability to do good unto others. Before Hashem created the world, there was only Hashem Himself. Therefore, Hashem was internally good, but He was not actively expressing this goodness by giving or doing good unto others. Hashem chose to express His capacity for doing good unto others by creating man, upon whom Hashem would bestow the ultimate goodness.
If Hashem’s goal in creating the world was to bestow the ultimate goodness unto man, we must then ask, what is the ultimate goodness that Hashem can give? If Hashem Himself is the ultimate goodness, then the ultimate goodness Hashem can give is the ability to
enjoy Hashem Himself, to enjoy G-dliness, to enjoy the ultimate connection with Hashem. This is the experience of being all-knowing, all-kind, all-loving, all-powerful, of having complete self-control (inasmuch as is possible for one who is “other” than Hashem Himself). These are truly G-dly experiences, experiences of Olam Haba.
To add an additional layer to this explanation, when Hashem created man, He did so to create a marriage relationship with him. Marriage is when two people connect in such a deep way that they fuse existentially into one. As we have previously explained, this is why Adam and Chavah were originally created as one being; it was to show them, and us, that the goal of marriage is to become one, to recreate the original oneness that they once shared. This is also why the relationship between Klal Yisrael and Hashem is referred to as a marriage. At Har Sinai, the Jewish People married Hashem — with the mountain serving as the chuppah (marriage canopy). Shir Hashirim is a sefer (book) that Chazal interpret as a description of the love-relationship between Hashem and the Jewish People. This is the original connection that Hashem intended to forge with man when He created him. Hashem therefore created us in this world to earn our share in Olam Haba, the place where each of us can enjoy this existential connection and oneness with Hashem. However, there is an obvious problem with this.
If Hashem’s goal was to give us the ultimate goodness, defined as connection with Him, and Olam Haba is the place of this ultimate connection, then what is the purpose of this world? Why did Hashem create us in this world where we have to earn our share in the World to Come? If Hashem really wanted to give us the ultimate good, then why not give it to us to begin with for free? Why do we have to go through the difficult process of earning it in this world? In our next article, we will attempt to answer this question and continue exploring this extraordinarily important topic.
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
For more recipes and inspiration visit my website: www.jewishcookery.com
Healthy eating on a budget is becoming increasingly important. This recipe is certainly a way of combining a delicious family meal with good housekeeping.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes Serves: 4
Ingredients 250g dried fusilli or penne pasta (wholewheat optional) 50g Kale – stalks removed and discarded
cloves garlic – peeled
frozen peas – defrosted
tablespoons fresh mint 2 tablespoons fresh parsley / basil 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
lemon – juice (keep the zest for the garnish) 50g Cheddar cheese grated (vegan cheese optional)
fresh broccoli – broken up into florets
Garnish: 4 tablespoons roasted almonds – roughly chopped
tablespoons fresh mint (leaves only) A pinch of cheddar cheese – grated
lemon – zest Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Method
1) Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Halfway through cooking, add the kale and garlic into the pasta water.
2) After about 1 minute, using some tongs, remove the kale and garlic. 3) While the pasta continues to cook, transfer the kale, garlic and half of the peas to a food processor. Add the fresh herbs, lemon juice, cheese and 4 tablespoons of the pasta water.
4) Blend together until smooth but not runny. If it gets too runny, add extra peas, herbs or cheese to thicken.
5) Add the broccoli and remaining peas to the pasta water when the pasta is almost cooked. Drain the pasta and vegetables and return to the pan.
6) Pour half of the green sauce over the top of the pasta and stir.
7) Divide the remaining sauce between 4 plates and spread onto the base.
8) Top with pasta, roasted almonds, fresh mint and some grated cheese. Finish with lemon zest and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
This week we have the makos, the ten plagues! Or actually, the first 7. Hashem sends Moshe to Pharoah to warn him to let Klal Yisrael go or he will turn the Nile to blood. Pharoah refuses and Moshe instructs Aharon to strike the Nile and turn all the water into blood!! The mitzriyim had to buy water from their slaves, the Jews. The whole Mitzrayim stank!
Once the plague ended, Moshe comes and warns Pharoah to let them go or face a second plague. What do you think
Pharoah said? Get lost! So Aharon hits the nile again, bringing frogs? The frogs got everywhere, no one could sleep or eat frog free and the frogs kept on going in the stomachs! Pharoah asked Moshe to stop the Makkah and he will let the yiden go. But he breaks his promise as soon as Moshe gets Hashem to lift the plague! So Hashem sends the 3rd Makkah- lice! Itching, itching, so itchy, the lice cover the whole bodies of the Mitzriyim! But Pharoah wouldn’t give up and Hashem sent then wild animals! Lions, bears, tigers, elephants
crash through Mitzrayim, destroying the land! When Pharoah continues to be stubborn, Hashem sends the 5th plague. All livestock drops dead from one second to the next!
At this point, there’s hardly anything standing in Mitzrayim, you would think Pharoah would give up - but that guy’s heart was as hard as a rock. Hence came the 7th plague and the last one for this parshah –boils cover the skin of all the Mitzriyim. How could things possibly be worse?!
They will do…
Seems like someone had a tre-moon-dous allergy problem! During the Apollo 17 mission, astronaut Harrison Schmitt found out that he had a severe reaction to moon dust.
Did you know an astronaut was allergic to the moon?
Using all the shapes on the left can you make the bridge shape on the right?
The goal of a word wheel puzzle is to create as many words possible with the letters in the word wheel.
Each word must contain at least three letters. You can only use each letter once and every word must have the letter in the centre of the wheel.
Last week’s words
Use the area below to write the words you have found.
Here are some words you may have found from last week – you may have found more!
cog con cur coin
corn icon corgi cuing
curio incur junco coring
curing nuncio corning unicorn
Q. Q: Why can’t you trust the law of gravity?
A: Because it always lets you down!
Q: Q: Did you hear the one about the little mountain? A: It’s hill-arious!
Q: Q: Where do polar bears keep their money? A: A snowbank!
Q: Why was the broom late for school?
A: Because it overswept!
jouncing conjuring
1. What has 13 hearts but no other organs?
2. What is lighter than a feather but the world’s strongest man can’t hold for long?
3. What comes one time in today, three times in tomorrow and never in the future?
The letter ‘O’
So, you’ve made your mind up to make Aliyah and move to Israel. ‘Next year in Jerusalem’ is finally a reality and you are not sure whether it’s nerves or excitement but there are so many questions that you have to ask, so many things to do and you need guidance, help and knowledgeable advice. Well, we can help with that!
Stephen Morris Shipping don’t just move individuals and families from the UK to Israel. We can assist with advice on what you can and cannot ship. Did you know, for example, that old lawnmowers can now not be imported and that even new and boxed lawnmowers require a license? Generally, I will come and see you personally (unless the shipment is really small). I will calculate the size and cost of your shipment and work with you to source the extra items that you wish to take with you – and any licenses! I can assist with finding somewhere to rent or to buy in Israel, advise on what changes you may need to make with electrical appliances and TV’s, the availability of warranties in Israel for UK purchases etc. I can also advise on currency transfer and insurance.
Stephen Morris Shipping have over 40 years’ experience in moving people to Israel. We do not sub-contract. We have our own full-time experienced crews who understand the requirements of your move. We have our own branded fleet of trucks and our own secure warehouses and offices in London and in Milton Keynes. We will be there for you from start to finish and our partners in Israel have worked with us for over 20 years.
Are you ready? Then call me on 020 8832 2232 – my direct line.
A member of the APCC, specialising in financial services compliance for: Mortgage, Protection and General Insurance Intermediaries; Lenders, Credit Brokers, Debt Counsellors and Debt Managers; Alternative Investment Fund Managers; • E-Money, Payment Services, PISP, AISP and Grant-making Charities.
Contact: 020 7781 8019 info@www.richdale.co.uk www.richdale.co.uk
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
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
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Mental health is integral to living a healthy, balanced life. Our mental health encompasses our psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing. This means that it impacts how we think, feel, and behave each day. Our mental health also contributes to our decision-making processes, and how we cope with stress and relationships in our lives. Being healthy emotionally can promote productivity and effectiveness both in school and at home. It allows us to adapt to changes in our life and cope with adversity.
Since COVID, the teachers in our schools have had to adapt to many changes while managing their own stress and anxiety, as well as the mental health of the children in their care. Each year, ‘Education Support’ produce a Teacher Wellbeing Index. Over the past five years, the report has shown that teachers’ levels
of stress and anxiety remain unsustainably high, and a consistently high percentage of staff consider leaving the profession each year.
As a response in May 2021, organisations, including the Department for Education and the education unions, produced ‘The Education Staff Wellbeing Charter’. The charter is a declaration of support for, and set of commitments to, the wellbeing and mental health of everyone working in education. All state funded schools and colleges in England are invited to sign up to the charter, as a shared commitment to protect, promote and enhance the wellbeing of their staff. Through my work with headteachers and school governors, it is also becoming clear that staff wellbeing is an ever-increasing important agenda item, just as it is with our pupils. Schools are now encouraged to have staff wellbeing policies and to keep mental health as an agenda item at both staff and governing body meetings.
Consequently, our schools are finding
an increasing number of ways to support their staff. For example, encouraging staff to support each other in reflective practice and problem-solving schoolbased challenges as part of a buddy system. Schools are also providing food to say ‘thank you’, creating a sense of belonging and offering mindfulness, relaxation and managing stress sessions.
For our teachers to maintain good mental health, school leaders should encourage them to engage in hobbies they enjoy, keep active, maintain a healthy diet, stay hydrated, talk about their feelings and ask for help when needed.
It is important to remember that teachers who look after their heart and soul reduce their risk of burnout, ensuring their ability to work at full capacity. A psychologically healthy teacher produces
better outcomes in the classroom for all their students, as a direct result of being happier and more motivated. Impactful wellbeing strategies will mitigate the difficult aspects of teaching and allow them to focus more of their energies towards educating their pupils. By implementing these initiatives, teachers will be empowered to look after their own wellbeing, therefore creating happier staff and happier students.
Jillian Dunstan is Primary 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, please visit www.lsjs.ac.uk
Correction: In last week's LSJS Education Page the wrong name was assigned as author of the article. The author should have been named as Galia Segal. The Jewish Weekly apologises for this error.
Helena.miller@lsjs.ac.uk
