PARASHAT TERUMAH AND SHABBAT SHEKALIM SHABBAT: BEGINS ENDS
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BY DAVID SAFFER
Tousands of mourners lined the streets to pay respect to Shiri Bibas and her sons Ariel and Kfr by waving Israeli fags and orange balloons along the funeral route to Tzohar cemetery yesterday.
No government ofcials were invited to the private ceremony. Eulogies were broadcast live.
Shiri embracing her children became a symbol of the fght to free all the hostages.
Israel has been in mourning since confrmation that Hamas brutally murdered them in captivity before returning their bodies after over 500 days in captivity in Gaza.
murdered during the massacre.
Yarden Bibas was released shortly before his family unaware they had been killed.
Terrorists abducted them from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 terror attack. Shiri’s parents, Yossi and Margit Silberman, were
In a heartrending eulogy, Bibas recalled the frst time he called Shiri, ‘mi amor’.
Recalling their last decision in the shelter,
Bibas recounted:
“I asked you, do we fght or surrender? You said, We fght, so I fought. Shiri, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. If only I had known what was going to happen, I wouldn’t have fred a shot. I think about everything we shared, and there are so many good memories.”
Addressing his sons, Bibas said Ariel wanted to be a superhero: “You fulflled that dream, Ariel, you are a superhero.” Kfr, he said, made the family perfect. Recalling his birth, when the midwife announced they had “another redhead”, he and Shiri rejoiced.
Yarden added that he thought about them “every day, every minute”.
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“On that damned Shabbat, Yarden went out to protect his family and was kidnapped to Gaza,” Idit Intertor said on behalf of Kibbutz Nir Oz. “After him, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfr were kidnapped, symbolising the cruelty and inhumanity of terrorism.”
“Nothing could really prepare me well enough for the moment of parting with you,” Shiri’s sister, Dana Silberman Sitton, said. “I promise you, as I promised Mom and Dad, the monsters beyond the fence will not succeed in their mission. Tey will not defeat us, they will not break us.”
Yarden’s sister, Ofri Bibas, said Shiri was the perfect partner for Yarden and promised to take care of him.
She added: “Tis disaster should not have happened. You should not have been taken and you should have returned alive… Our struggle against the enemies will be eternal, but we must always sanctify life, love of fellow humans, respect for the dead, and never leave anyone behind. Otherwise, we lose who we are.”
Ahead of the burial, national landmarks, including the Knesset and President’s residence, were illuminated in orange in memory of Shiri, Ariel and Kfr Bibas.
“While an entire nation prayed and hoped for a diferent outcome, we are left wounded and in pain,” said President Isaac Herzog. “Yet, even in our grief, we will continue to pray for better days and for the swift return of all the remaining
hostages still held in Gaza.”
Te Hostages and Missing Families Forum and Eshkol regional council invited the Israeli public to stand along the funeral procession route and to respect the family wishes.
Shiri’s remains were identifed at the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv after being transferred to the IDF by the Red Cross last Friday.
Hamas sent the remains of another woman with her sons the previous day.
“Contrary to Hamas’s lies, Ariel and Kfr were not killed in an airstrike,” said IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. “Ariel and Kfr Bibas were murdered by terrorists in cold blood.
Te terrorists did not shoot the two young boys, they killed them with their bare hands. Afterwards, they committed horrifc acts to cover up these atrocities. Tis assessment is based on both forensic fndings from the identifcation process and intelligence that supports these conclusions.”
Te response to the Bibas murders has brought universal sympathy.
Heartache is set to continue in Israel as the remains of Tsahi Idan, Ohad Yahalomi, Itzik Elgarat, and Shlomo Mantzur is expected to be handed over to Egyptian authorities tonight.
Te four are being returned with Israel releasing 602 Palestinian prisoners, originally scheduled for release last Shabbat.
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BY ADAM MOSES
Campaign Against Antisemitism called on the BBC to stop whitewashing terrorism outside Broadcasting House on Tuesday night.
CAA Chief Executive Gideon Falter labelled the BBC a “mouthpiece for terror”.
“It cannot call terrorism by its name, the BBC has become a spokesperson for terrorists,” he said.
One thousand demonstrators held a minute’s silence for victims of the October 7 2023 terror attack, hostages murdered in Hamas captivity and those still being held.
regarding other broadcasters go directly to Ofcom.”
CAA have also called for an independent inquiry into the BBC’s coverage of the Jewish state.
CAA have submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act asking whether the BBC made payments to Hamas in relation to the controversial ‘Gaza How to Survive a War Zone’ documentary.
“Tis is an opportunity for the BBC to come clean on whether licence fee funds have gone to Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation, or those associated with it,” noted CAA. “It is time for transparency, and resignations.”
CAA want to bring regulation of the BBC into line with other broadcasters.
“BBC reviews complaints about its coverage and appeals of those complaints, only further appeals go to Ofcom,” noted CAA. “Tis is unique, complaints
Investigative researcher David Collier, who exposed the BBC documentary, told the rally: “Te only reason the BBC took down its documentary is because they were caught and this time, they had no excuses to hide behind.”
Michael Marlowe, father of Jake Marlowe, murdered by Hamas during the 10/7 attack, added: “For decades, the BBC stood as the bastion of honest and trustworthy reporting. It was the world’s frst port of call for global and national news, respected for its integrity and neutrality. Tat BBC is long gone.”
CAA said the demonstration was about transparency and accountability.
“Tis so-called documentary is the tip of the iceberg,” said a spokesman. “Te BBC literally copy and paste phrases from Hamas spokespeople and quote them as fact. We need to know how a Hamas propaganda programme was broadcast, we need resignations and an independent inquiry into BBC bias against the Jewish state. Te problem is clear to everyone now, except, apparently, the BBC. Tat’s when you know there’s an institutional problem.”
Te rally followed calls from Conservative leader Keri Badenoch for an independent inquiry into allegations of “potential collusion” by the broadcaster with the terror group. Badenoch questioned whether taxpayers’ money was paid to Hamas during production of the documentary.
Since the screening last week, it has emerged London-based Hoyo Films was paid £400,000 to produce the documentary. Danny Cohen, former director of BBC television, said the corporation must account for every penny spent on this documentary.
Tis followed revelations the narrator was the son of Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ayman Alyazouri.
It has now been reported another child in the flm is the daughter of a former captain in the Hamas-run police force.
And, according to reports, tweets, uncovered by Te Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera), BBC cameraman Hatem Rawagh, reportedly glorifed the 10/7 terror attack and killing of Israelis.
Referring to the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Rawagh posted: “Whoever missed Oct 6 (1973) in Egypt ... Oct 7 is happening (now) in Palestine”.
A Camera spokesman said: “Anyone who wrote them has no place working for the BBC. Here is yet more evidence of the editorial failings in the documentary for which the BBC must answer.”
Following the expose about the narrator and co-producers the BBC issued an apology and took the programme of its iPlayer service.
BY ADAM MOSES
Hundreds of people attended the funeral of Oded Lifshitz at Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Tuesday.
President Isaac Herzog, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, National Unity Chairman Benny Gantz, hostage survivors and family members of captives attended.
Te funeral procession began in Rishon Lezion to the Sa’ad junction in southern Israel then Nir Oz.
Residents waved Israeli and yellow fags showing solidarity with the hostages.
Yocheved Lifshitz, who was abducted and released within a few weeks of the
October 7 terror attack, recalled her 67year journey with Oded and his “remarkable” legacy.
“I see you live on in each of our children, grandchildren and great-grandchild,” she said. “Tank you for a lifetime of shared experiences.” She added: “All our lives we fought for social justice and peace. Sadly, the people we once tried to help on the other side have struck us a heavy blow. I stand here stunned by the number of graves and the scale of devastation I see in our community. Our hostages remain underground in Gaza, shackled, starved and tortured for more than 500 days.”
Oded’s eldest son, Arnon, said: “Dad, you’re home now. You were a hero, your endless dream for a better, fairer world was never just a slogan, it was your way of life.”
President Isaac Herzog said Oden had become a part of all Israeli lives since the terror attack.
“You embodied the quintessential Israeli spirit, an embodiment of your generation, of your homeland,” he said.
“An Israeli, a Zionist, a Jew, a man of humanity, a lover of his people and of all people. A kibbutznik, a pioneer, a fghter, a community builder, a passionate member of Hashomer Hatzair, a man of action,
An internal report into the documentary by the BBC current afairs department is due to be presented to the BBC board today.
Israel ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, has written to BBC Director General Tim Davie seeking answers over the BBC’s choice of cameraman and narrator of the documentary.
Jewish organisations condemned the BBC and backed Badenoch calling for an inquiry.
BoD President Phil Rosenberg told Sky News: “Many people will be surprised that it was possible for BBC editorial standards to slip even lower. But, this week, they did.”
Steve Winston, National Jewish Assembly managing director, noted: “If taxpayer funds were used to beneft terrorists, the BBC must face serious consequences. Te public deserves full transparency, and the BBC’s institutional bias against Israel can no longer be ignored.”
Gary Mond, NJA Chairman, added: “Te BBC’s decision to pull this disgraceful documentary is a win for every Brit who refuses to bankroll Hamas propaganda through their licence fee. Te BBC must come clean about how this documentary was approved. Accountability is long overdue.”
Jonathan Metliss Action Against Discriminate commented: “Any review must root out the BBC’s systemic and institutional bias against Israel. Te documentary was completely fabricated, as is all Hamas propaganda. Te BBC should be ashamed of itself.”
and above all, a devoted family man. A man who loved peace and pursued peace, always extending his hand to his neighbours in a spirit of reconciliation, doing so with wisdom and depth, understanding that this was a supreme strategic interest for the State of Israel. And to our deep sorrow, you were abducted to Gaza and brutally, monstrously murdered by terrorists flled with blind hatred.”
Herzog asked forgiveness that the State of Israel did not protect him, his family and kibbutz. He said the community of Nir Oz had demonstrated strength, resilience and hope.
BY DAVID SAFFER
Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz has invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Germany for an ofcial state visit following his election triumph last Sunday.
But Merz also warned world leaders of the threat of far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Te vote share, he said, was a “real alarm bell”. Political parties of the centre must fnd “shared solutions”.
Te Christian Democratic Union won 28% of the vote in federal elections, but with the AfD doubling its vote to 21%, Merz is looking for Germany to quickly build a governing coalition and arrange a transition of power.
Netanyahu welcomed Merz’ ofer hours after the German election results. In a brief statement Israel’s leader said he would look to strengthen the partnership between Israel and Germany.
Netanyahu’s ofce said he had a warm conversation with Merz following the win, congratulating him.
An ofcial statement noted its approval especially after the International Criminal Court in the Hauge issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and then Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes last November.
Te ofcial visit to Germany would be a “blatant response to the scandalous
decision by the ICC” who cited Netanyahu a “war criminal”, observed the PMO.
Te ICC rejected Merz’ ofer to fnd a way for Netanyahu not to be arrested.
Merz was asked about his phone call from Netanyahu at a press conference. Although Germany adheres to the ICC, Merz said the arrest warrant was “strange” and Netanyahu should be allowed to visit Germany.
Merz noted the CDU had three million more votes than 2021 and a “clear mandate” to form a government with the Social Democrats as coalition partners.
Merz added that he hoped there would be positive “transatlantic relations” with President Donald Trump, noted that Nato functions well and welcomed the UK supporting Nato.
united to face the great challenges of the world and our continent,” he said on X.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer looked ahead to “deepen” an already strong relationship, enhance joint security and deliver growth for both countries.
European Council President Antonio Costa spoke about a “more prosperous and autonomous” Europe in challenging times. But a major talking point of the election was the disturbing rise of the far right.
Trump led the global reaction, posting: “Much like the USA, the people of Germany got tired of the no common sense agenda, especially on energy and immigration, that has prevailed for so many years.”
President Emmanuel Macron is determined to work with Germany towards a stronger Europe.
“In this period of uncertainty, we are
AfD leader, Alice Weidel, told reporters they were the “people’s party” and a force in German politics.
Te European Jewish Congress congratulated Merz and echoed concerns of the Central Council of Jews in Germany over increased support for the AfD.
“Te signifcant rise of a party with a history of extremism, xenophobia and historical revisionism is alarming, with some members openly engaging in antisemitic rhetoric,” noted the EJC. “Te AfD’s growing infuence represents a serious challenge to democratic values in Germany and across Europe. As coalition negotiations begin, we urge Germany’s
leaders to unite democratic forces, ensure stability and frmly reject extremism.
“Tis election underscores the urgent need for a strong, responsible government that upholds democracy, tolerance and historical responsibility. It is crucial to confront the factors fuelling extremism and ensure that Germany remains a country where Jewish communities and other minorities can live in security and dignity. We trust that Germany’s leaders will take these results as a wake-up call and work to strengthen the country’s role as a beacon of democracy, stability and human rights in Europe, while leading the fght against antisemitism.”
In the UK, Jonathan Metliss, Action Against Discrimination said AfD’s result was a “worrying” trend. “Notwithstanding that Germany is a loyal supporter of Israel, Jewish communities must keep an extremely watchful eye on what happens as sadly, history has an awful habit of repeating itself,” he said.
Gary Mond, National Jewish Assembly, stated: “As with all political parties worldwide, our concern is what their attitude is to fghting antisemitism and taking a positive approach to Israel. At this point in time we have far more to be worried about, in that respect, from left-wing and green parties than we do from so-called ‘far right’ parties, be they in Germany or elsewhere.”
BY DAVID SAFFER
Four thousand delegates from 111 countries attended the fve-day International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Women Emissaries in New York.
Te 35th annual event is the largest Jewish women’s leadership gathering in the world. Women from all 50 US states discussed strengthening global Jewish awareness and practice. Te conference, which coincides with the anniversary of the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, is a tribute to the legacy of Rebbetzin Schneerson, wife of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. She is daughter of the sixth Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn.
Delegates from Alaska to Zambia gathered in a challenging time for Jewish communities worldwide. Workshops, panels and sessions covered topics from antisemitism on campus to the growing mental health crisis. From the ongoing war in Israel to rising antisemitism and rebuilding after California wildfres, emissaries serve Jewish communities worldwide, often in remote locations, helping afliated and unafliated Jews, regardless of background or observance level.
Emissaries visited the resting place of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin, delivering prayer requests from people around the world. Tey also participated in the ‘class
picture’ outside the headquarters of Chabad-Lubavitch in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Te conference concluded with a gala concert at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center.
Tis year’s theme ‘connection’ highlighted bonds that unite Jewish people worldwide.
Chapters of Psalms were recited by Feigy Rapoport of Chabad Mequon, Wisconsin, Lea Duchman of Chabad United Arab Emirates and Michal Wexilshtein of Chabad Hadera, Israel.
Rapoport spoke of the power of women’s prayer, Duchman represented the community of Chabad Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who was murdered last year. Wexilshtein noted the presence of mothers of Jewish hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza and requested everyone pray for their safe return.
children.
Chabad.org’s Chana Weisberg and Sarah Alevsky, Chabad emissary in Cleveland, Ohio, led interviews of accounts from women on the frontlines of Jewish life worldwide.
Zisi Cunin described the Pacifc Palisades community devastated by wildfres last month that had reopened its preschool in fve days. Chava Backman, co-director of Chabad University of South Florida, described the response to anti-Jewish protests on campus.
A video tribute honoured Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, the late vice chairman of Merkos. Following the presentation, his son, Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, director of Merkos Suite 302, announced new initiatives, including funding 15 CKids after-school programs for over 800
Sheina Amram of Chabad Nahariya, Israel, explained how they conduct programs in bomb shelters.
Te keynote address was delivered by Elisheva Martinetti whose Jewish journey began in Jixi, China to Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Safed, London and now Chabad Milan with Rabbi Dovid Martinetti.
“My story is personal, but its message is universal,” she said. “No soul is ever too far.”
Tzipi Hotovely, Israel’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, is the frst woman in her position.
Hotovely recalled how the Rebbe sent
female ambassadors decades earlier to serve communities and receiving coins for charity from the Rebbe as a 12-yearold girl.
Her frst speech as deputy Foreign Minister was based on Torah teachings by the Rebbe regarding the Jewish people’s connection to the Land of Israel.
A video presentation brought stories from Chabad emissaries around the world.
Fraidy Klein shared insights from life serving the Jews of Bariloche, Argentina, Ida Kolpak spoke of Jewish life in Birobidzhan, Russia, Chani Wolf described extreme conditions in Fairbanks, Alaska, and Odeya White explained about the Jews of Perth, Australia.
Te evening concluded with the highly anticipated ‘roll call’ representing generations of Chabad emissaries.
Participants were Chana Wagner of Portugal (2020-2025), Chaya Fuss (Fremont, California, 2010-2020), Mussy Litzman (Seoul, South Korea, 2000-2010), Chani Labkovsky (S. Paulo, Brazil, 1990s), Rivkah Yurkowicz (Melbourne, Australia, 1980s), Hinda Gerlitzky (Tel Aviv, 1970s) and Hindy Lew (England since 1965.)
“Feel the power in this room,” Yurkowicz said. “It radiates outward, far beyond these walls, the entire world is represented. Let’s channel this energy into action and fnish the mission of bringing Moshiach now!”
Aish UK has once again demonstrated the strong communal support for its important mission. Te ambitious £2.5 million target was achieved, further strengthening Aish UK’s crucial work in engaging, inspiring, and empowering young Jews across the country.
Over just 36 hours, almost 4000 donors came together to ensure that every contribution was doubled, making each pound go twice as far in supporting Aish UK’s work. Te overwhelming response refects a shared commitment to strengthening Jewish pride, identity, and community at a time when young Jews are facing increasing challenges—from rising antisemitism to questions of identity in an increasingly digital, artifcial and impersonal world.
Aish UK is at the forefront of immersive Jewish education and engagement, creating warm, welcoming spaces for young Jews to explore their heritage, connect with their community, and develop a deep and meaningful Jewish identity. From schools to university campuses and into the workplace, Aish UK is committed to Making It Real—providing authentic
experiences that resonate with today’s generation.
Over the past year alone:
• 6,390 individual students have engaged with Aish UK programming.
• 5,022 Shabbat meals have been hosted, providing welcoming homes from home to explore Jewish life and discover connection.
• Hundreds of impactful events, programmes, and trips have been delivered across 14 schools and 23 university campuses, ensuring young Jews across the UK feel supported and inspired.
Te success of this match funding campaign is a testament to the unwavering dedication of Aish UK’s supporters. From parents and alumni to community leaders and philanthropists, the message is clear: investing in Jewish education and engagement today secures a stronger Jewish tomorrow.
Rabbi Naftali Schif, CEO, Aish UK and Jewish Futures says:
“Tere is no more critical a time than today to remind people of the importance of giving the next generation the opportunity to ‘Make It Real’. Bringing
authentic Jewish connection to thousands and thousands of young Jews who would slip away from Judaism without it, and who are out there contending with an increasingly augmented, virtual and superfcial world.”
Rabbi Gideon Goldwater, Managing Director, Aish UK says:
“We extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed—whether fnancially or by spreading the word. Each donation directly strengthens Jewish pride, positivity, and connection for young people across the country.”
While this milestone is cause for celebration, the work passionately continues. Aish UK remains committed to empowering the next generation with Jewish knowledge, experiences, and a sense of belonging. Te continued support of the community will enable Aish UK to expand its reach and deepen its impact at a time when it is needed most.
For more information about Aish UK’s programmes or to partner with us – visit https://www.aish.org.uk/
BY STEVE WINSTON
Te UK government has spent years trying to convince the British public that it takes border security and national safety seriously. Yet time and again, activist judges undermine Parliament, defy immigration rules, and impose their own ideological agendas on the country. Te latest case - in which a judge overruled the Home Ofce to grant Gazan “refugees” access to Britain under a programme designed for Ukrainians - is yet another example of the dangerous erosion of the rule of law.
To state the obvious: Gaza is not Ukraine. Te Ukraine Family Scheme was established in response to a European war in which the UK has a direct strategic interest. Te programme has now ended. But none of that mattered to Judge Hugo Norton-Taylor, who decided that immigration policy - a matter for the government and Parliament - should instead be dictated by his personal view of “compassion.”
Te consequences of this reckless ruling cannot be overstated. By setting a precedent that Gazans should be admitted under humanitarian schemes, the UK has efectively invited Hamas sympathisers - or worse, Hamas operatives - into the country. Tis is not an abstract concern. We know for a fact that the majority of Gazans supported the October 7 massacre. We know that Gazan civilians have been active participants in Hamas’s reign of terror, whether by looting, lynching hostages, or sheltering terrorists. What rational government would roll out the welcome mat to people raised in this culture of violence and Jew-hatred?
Even if the family in question are not direct Hamas members, there is no vetting mechanism to prove they are not sympathisers. Tere is no way to ensure they do not harbour extremist views or pose a threat to British Jews and the wider public. Te Home Ofce fought this case precisely because it understood the risks. Norton-Taylor did not care.
Tis is the same judge who ruled in favour of an Albanian illegal immigrant on the fimsy basis that he had married a
British woman. He also blocked the deportation of a convicted Afghan rapist and allowed a Kosovan drug dealer to remain in the UK. In other words, his track record is one of prioritising the so-called “human rights” of criminals and illegal immigrants over the security of British citizens.
Tis ruling is an insult to every law-abiding person in Britain. But it is especially a slap in the face to British Jews, who have watched in horror as antisemitism has exploded in the wake of October 7. It is Jewish schools that require 24/7 security. It is Jewish students who are being hounded out of universities. It is British Jews who have been assaulted, threatened, and doxxed in their own country. And now, thanks to a single judge, we are being told to welcome people from a society where Jews are dehumanised from birth.
Te insanity of this cannot be overstated. Te UK has already struggled to deal with radicalised Islamist extremists born and raised in Britain. We have seen this story play out before - in France, in Belgium, in Germany - and we know how it ends.
Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, has rightly warned that this case could be used as a basis for anyone in any war zone to claim asylum in Britain. If this ruling is allowed to stand, it will be impossible to prevent a tidal wave of Gazan asylum seekers, all invoking the same Article 8 “family life” excuse. Tis will not be one family. It will be thousands.
Tis is not just about one bad ruling. It is about a judiciary that has completely lost its sense of duty to the British people. Immigration policy should be set by Parliament - not by unelected judges pursuing woke credentials.
If the government does not fght this decision with everything it has, it will be giving up Britain’s right to control its own borders. It will be signing of on the infux of radical Islamist sympathisers. And it will be proving, once and for all, that British Jews are second-class citizens in their own country.
Steve Winston, Managing Director of the National Jewish Assembly
Te National Jewish Assembly (NJA) was honoured to host Professor Alan Dershowitz for a dynamic and thought-provoking discussion on “Is President Trump Breaking International Law?”
Over 300 gusts tuned in to hear Daniel Berke, Director of UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) and Dershowitz tackl Trump’s game-changing policies on Israel and Gaza, the ethics of hostage negotiations, and the hypocrisy of international law. Dershowitz wasted no time dismissing the double standards applied to Israel. He argued that the world’s fxation on condemning Israel isn’t about concern for Palestinians - it’s about hatred of Jews. He noted that if Hamas were attacking Arab leaders, the world wouldn’t care. But because their target is Israel, they are given a platform.
On the future of Gaza, Dershowitz emphasised the need for realistic solutions rather than chasing the failed dreams of a two-state solution. Te event concluded with a strong call for Jewish-Christian unity, with Dershowitz highlighting the crucial role of Christian Zionists in supporting Israel.
Addressing hostage negotiations, he warned: “Israel should never make decisions based on extortion.” While Israel
values life, rewarding terrorism only ensures the vicious cycle will continue. He also exposed how Hamas manipulates the media, knowing that the more dead civilians they produce, the more sympathetic coverage they receive.
Dershowitz also tackled Trump’s legal standing, making it clear: nothing Trump has proposed for Gaza violates international law. He praised the Abraham Accords as a rare diplomatic success, proving that strong leadership can achieve breakthroughs where decades of appeasement have failed.
Continuing its exciting lineup of speakers this year, the NJA is hosting Shai DeLuca on March 9th in North London.
A passionate Israeli-Canadian advocate, designer, and media personality, DeLuca has been at the forefront of the fght against misinformation. Tis will be an unmissable opportunity to hear from one of the most outspoken defenders of Israel today.
Te NJA extends its gratitude to Professor Dershowitz and Daniel Berke for an illuminating discussion and to all attendees for their participation. For further information, please contact: ofce@nja.org.uk
BY SHIRA JOSEPH
I’ve been at GIFT for almost 11 years, which means I’ve experienced ten Purims. Over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern - one that many can probably relate to.
Te mitzvah of Mishloach Manot is simple: give two ready-to-eat items to one person on Purim day. Tat’s it. Tat’s how you fulfl the mitzvah. Yet for many, Mishloach Manot has become something much bigger - a creative expression, a chance to share festive joy with friends, and sometimes, an unspoken expectation to go all out. Families spend time and efort crafting themed packages, flling them with sweets or high-end treats, and ensuring they reach a long list of friends. It’s a beautiful display of community spirit, but it can also become overwhelming. And every year, after Purim, many of these beautifully prepared Mishloach Manot are brought to GIFT, often unopened. Some families fnd themselves receiving more than they can possibly eat and some quickly hide the ‘spoils’ before
their children eat them - leading them to donate the food to GIFT. One year, I saw a respected community Rabbi drop of four identical arrangements from a Kosher Wine merchant. Curious, I googled the supplier and saw that each gift was worth over £180. Another time, after making themed cookies with my family, I spotted some of them among the donations. It made me refect: even I, knowing the reality of post-Purim surplus, had felt compelled to participate in this way, due to social pressures.
To be clear, GIFT repurposes these donated items. We involve hundreds of volunteers to carefully sort all donated sweets and treats by date so they don’t go to waste. Tey are then packaged in small bags by hundreds more, to be added to the GIFT weekly food bags ensuring that families in need can enjoy a small treat for shabbat.
But still, it raises a bigger question: What if we took a step back and reassessed our priorities?
Now let’s talk about another Purim mitzvah - Matanot L’evyonim. Tis mitzvah requires us to give money to two people in need on Purim, enough to
buy a meal. Tis is estimated to be £5 per person, so a minimum of £10 should be donated. Many people don’t realise that, while the money must be distributed on Purim itself, donations can be made in advance. What’s more, Rambam teaches us that Matanot L’evyonim takes precedence over both the Purim feast and Mishloach Manot. Yet, year after year, many families will invest signifcant efort into their Mishloach Manot, while keeping their Matanot L’evyonim contribution minimal.
I’d love to challenge the community to fip the narrative. What if we place greater emphasis on supporting those in need while scaling back on the social pressures surrounding Mishloach Manot? What if this Purim, we focus less on competitive gifting and more on meaningful giving?
I have had the privilege of delivering Matanot L’evyonim money directly to recipient families on Purim day. It’s one of the most humbling experiences of the year. One time, I knocked on the door of a family I knew well through GIFT. Te mother answered in tears. Tat morning, her son had been playing football in their block’s car park and accidentally
Women looking to take their frst steps into Gemara study now have the perfect opportunity, as the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) launches Unlocking Talmud, a free, online course starting in March.
Te four-week programme is designed for beginners and anyone looking to build their confdence in studying the primary source of Jewish religious law. Each session will introduce a key topic whilst equipping participants with essential skills for decoding the text.
Rebbetzin Lauren Levin, Yoetzet Halacha and Rebbetzin at South Hampstead Synagogue, will lead the course; providing expert guidance to participants as they develop the skills to delve deeper into texts with confdence. Students will be introduced to the language, structure, and reasoning of the Talmud, enabling them to engage more deeply with its rich and enduring wisdom.
Te course complements LSJS’ indepth Iyun Halacha programme for women led by Rabbanit Surale Rosen, which raises the standard of women’s knowledge of the UK’s halachic process and focuses on building their skills, from reading and understanding Rishonim, to their ability to analyse concepts developed from the sources.
Unlocking Talmud is dedicated to the memory of Maureen Kendler, a beloved LSJS teacher who passed away in February 2018. A passionate and inspirational Jewish educator, writer and broadcaster, Maureen was deeply committed to expanding educational opportunities for Jewish women, believing that greater access to learning was key to broader engagement in Jewish life. During her time at LSJS, she taught, inspired and empowered thousands of students, especially women, leaving a lasting legacy.
Maureen’s husband, Hayden Kendler said that her favourite literary quote was ‘Pass it on, boys. Tat’s the game I want you to learn. Pass it on’ from Alan
Bennett’s play Te History Boys. “We are only able to study the Talmud today in its current form, because since Mishnaic times, the Jewish People have done just that. Teachers have passed on their learning to students, who became teachers themselves and then passed it on to their students and so on, down through the generations.”
shattered a neighbour’s window. Te managing agents had given her the repair cost, and she had no way of afording it. As I handed her the envelope of Matanot L’evyonim money, she gasped. Minutes later, as I was driving away, she called me. Te money was exactly enough to cover the window repair and still leave something for dinner.
Tis year, Purim falls on a Friday. Te day will be rushed. Maybe this is our opportunity to reset. Let’s focus on what really matters. Matanot L’evyonim can be donated before Purim and will be distributed on the day. Let’s make it our priority.
Donate now: jgift.org/purim25
Shira Joseph is extremely passionate about giving and Jewish education and has previously held roles in Hasmonean High School and St John’s Wood Synagogue. Shira has been working for GIFT Charity for 10 years and is currently the Programme Director responsible for overseeing many of the projects and activities that engage the community in acts of giving.
“Maureen would have given anything to be able to teach Talmud to you today. She made it her life’s work to impart Jewish wisdom to more women and empower them to take their place as scholars, leaders, and educators at the forefront of their communities. So, in her memory, “Pass it on, girls. Pass it on.”
“Maureen Kendler was one of our community’s great educators and Torah teachers. In her time at LSJS, she taught, inspired and empowered thousands of students, especially women. Tis new course will honour her memory,” said Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, LSJS Dean who worked with Maureen for over 10 years.
“More and more women want to enter the world of Talmud learning, and we at LSJS want to facilitate this exciting learning development,” said Head of Adult Education, Michael Rainsbury.
“We are very proud of our work in educating women in Talmud and Gemara, enabling them to get to grips with the sources and providing them with the skills to understand the text,” said Joanne Greenaway, Chief Executive of LSJS.
Unlocking Talmud is in partnership with the Maureen Kendler Educational Trust and South Hampstead Synagogue.
To learn more about the life of Maureen Kendler and the work of the Maureen Kendler Educational Trust, which gives bursaries to women looking to advance their Jewish learning, please visit www. maureenkendler.org.uk
For more information, please visit ww.lsjs.ac.uk or call 020 8203 6427.
Last night, actress and scriptwriter, Tracy-Ann Oberman spoke to 250 guests at Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre fundraising dinner. Te evening, compèred by Ivor Baddiel who interviewed Holocaust survivor Manfred Goldberg BEM and his wife, Shary, raised an incredible £150,000 for the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre which is the only place of its kind in the UK, designed specifcally to support Holocaust survivors all year round.
with the joy of children and grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren. Guests, including ffteen members of the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre who attended the dinner at Finchley United Syngagogue, Kinloss, saw a flm highlighting the activities at the Centre. Tis includes celebrating Jewish life and festivals, visits from celebrities, cultural talks with experts and outings as well as Yiddish classes. Trough the community outreach programme, there are challah deliveries to survivors at home as well as supportive community tea parties with volunteers.
During the interview with Ivor, Manfred and Shary shared what they love about being members of the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre, based at the Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre and part of the Maurice & Vivienne Wohl Campus in Golders Green. 94-year-old Manfred said, “Te friendships that develop at the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre are as precious as family, and the staf and volunteers are so caring, they cannot do enough for us.”
Te couple have been happily married for many years but, Manfred added, “Many of us are by now very elderly, less mobile, and living alone as widows and widowers and the therapeutic efect of this quality of support for survivors is truly unique. It has made the Centre into what I can only describe as a haven.”
Manfred arrived in the UK in 1946, having survived three and a half years in fve Nazi labour and concentration camps during the Holocaust. After surviving the Riga Ghetto, Manfred, his mother and his nine-year-old brother, Herman, were transported to the frst labour camp where Herman was brutally condemned to an immediate death by the SS Ofcers. Manfred survived the selection at Stutthof Nazi concentration camp, a labour camp and death camp, by pretending to be 17. Consequently he was forced to work as slave labour repairing damaged railway tracks which had been bombed by allied air raids.
Manfred emphasised that each person’s story is diferent, but that all those who were murdered and those who survived, sufered from the cruelty and inhumanity, inficted by the Nazis. He and his mother fnally found each other again on the forced death march in April 1945. On the seventh day of the march, they were liberated by British soldiers and both survived, later to rejoin his father, who had been able to escape to the UK just before war broke out. Manfred built his life in the UK, married Shary, and together they have a beautiful family,
community and social support through the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre and the outreach programme, so that they can feel cherished and to make sure that they are looked after in their last years, and also, importantly so that they have the opportunity to put their stories down.”
Tracy-Ann Oberman, Ivor Baddiel, and Manfred and Shary Goldberg for creating a very special evening to celebrate the
Linda Bogod, Chair of Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre dinner committee, spoke at the evening, saying, “As time passes and living memory of the Holocaust fades the importance of frsthand testimony becomes even more crucial. For over 30 years the Centre has been a safe haven for survivors – a place where they are cared for, can connect with others who share similar experiences, receive therapeutic support, and fnd joy in life. Tey have formed a close-knit community, commemorate signifcant dates together, express their Jewish identity, and fnd companionship with those who truly understand them. Tank you for being here tonight to support and honour these extraordinary individuals.”
At the event, Tracy-Ann Oberman shared with guests how she had always retained her Jewish identity throughout her successful acting career, which includes appearing in Eastenders, Ridley Road and Dr Who. She later began to speak out and campaign against the rise in antisemitism, along with Rachel Riley OBE and Dame Maureen Lipman.
Tese experiences led to her writing the successful play, Te Merchant of Venice 1936, which has been on the West End stage and toured the UK twice. Tracy-Ann developed the character of Shylock, basing it on her great- grandmother, Annie, and the other ‘tough, strong matriarchs – the balaboostas,’ she grew up with.
“Tey escaped the pogroms of their roots, they lived in the East End, they knew how to haggle a deal, they knew how to keep their family together, they were tough as nails, and their religion, and their identity was so important to them.”
Tracy-Ann went on to talk about how vital the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre is today, saying:
“Antisemitism is a virus, it mutates, we must never, ever forget the lessons of the Holocaust. When people say that it never happened, we know it happened, it happened to our families, and to the people we know and love. Our survivors are some of the greatest human beings I’ve ever met, and tonight we’re here to honour them. Jewish Care is giving them
During the evening, Ivor Baddiel, shared with guests, “Te Centre is an incredible place for incredible people. I’ve been lucky enough to go there many times – and I can say without fail, they are all astonishing. Tese are people who have been through the most unimaginable hell yet somehow they survived and are now this precious group of amazing people. In my experience they are open-minded, kind, wise, passionate and welcoming. Tese are qualities that would be incredible in any person, but after what they have been through, we cannot do enough for them. And in a world that today seems to be struggling to know what the right thing to do is, in this case, there can be no doubt.”
After the dinner, Ellisa Estrin, Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising and Marketing, added, “We would like to thank
vital work of the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre.
“Our survivors are a unique group of individuals who have an incredible zest for life, and it is an honour for us to support them all year round at this stage in their life, and also to ensure that they can continue to share their legacy.
“Te Holocaust Survivors’ Centre and outreach services receive no government funding. I would like to express my thanks to all of our guests for their generous support, as well as our dedicated Committee and our generous sponsor, for helping us raise an incredible £150,000 to keep this vital service running. Quite simply we couldn’t do what we do without this continued support.”
SUNDAY 24TH MARCH 2023 FRIDAY 14TH MARCH 2025
Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com
Dear Rabbi
I was in Synagogue this past Saturday night. I was more than surprised when the congregation assembled outside after the service to pray to the moon. Is there an origin to this custom? It seems like pagan worship.
Peter
Dear Peter
I’d have loved to see the expression on your face watching all these people talking to the moon. Rest assured however they are not some secret loony cult. Te origin of this custom comes from the Talmud. We are of course not worshipping the moon, we are praising G-d for His marvelous creations, including the miracle of the moon’s monthly rebirth. Te immutable monthly cycle of the moon is one of the more visible aspects of G-d’s masterful creation. Additionally, we see the monthly rebirth of the moon as a symbol of G-d’s promise to ultimately redeem the Jewish People and to make us whole again. Sadly, this monthly ritual has ceased in many synagogues. Bearing in mind its underlying signifcance it would be wonderful if they reinstated it.
Dear Rabbi
I am 18 years old and remain uncircumcised. I deeply value my Jewish heritage, yet I have always felt anxious about undergoing circumcision. Does this mean I am not Jewish?
Malkesh
Dear Malkesh
First, let me reassure you: as long as you were born to a Jewish mother, your identity as a Jew is secure. However, something about you remains incomplete. As you are of a mature age, the responsibility to circumcise yourself is a constant obligation which you should look to rectify as a matter of urgency. Circumcision is a vital covenant that symbolises completeness and commitment to our tradition. At your age, the obligation to fulfl this rite becomes even more pressing. I strongly advise you to speak with a knowledgeable rabbi that you might have a connection with, who can introduce you to professionals experienced in this sacred practice that can help alleviate your fears. Addressing your concerns and taking this important step will strengthen your connection to our ancient covenant and enhance your spiritual journey.
Dear Rabbi
I have been bullied because I am Jewish, and I don’t know how to get the bullies of my back. Do you have any advice about what I can do so that it stops.
Jon
Dear Jon
I am deeply saddened to hear of the bullying you’re enduring because of your Jewish identity. Any bullying for whatever the reason or none, is completely unacceptable. No one should be subjected to that. You don’t indicate where the bullying takes place or for that matter how old you are. What is clear is that you have allowed it to go on too long. If it is taking place in school, I would urge you to summon the courage to inform school authorities. You should also make your parents aware and report the matter to the CST. If it takes place outside of a school environment then I still maintain you should make other people aware, be they your parents, the police and certainly the CST. Tere is never any excuse for bullying and never an excuse for Anti Semitism. You appear to be a victim of both and should nip it in the bud immediately. Please, I urge you, fnd someone to confde in and get the required help ASAP.
it suggested that when someone travelled to Jerusalem many people requested him to mention them at the Wall and pray on their behalf. Rather than attempting to remember all the names, the traveler would write them down and simply place them in the wall. Tis practice continues and refects a deep, personal connection to our faith. Tis venerable site continues to inspire generations through its timeless reminder of our enduring covenant with G-d.
Dear Rabbi
I’ve noticed that Jews continuously pray at the Western Wall in Israel despite the fact that there is a mosque located right behind it. Why is this site held in such high esteem if it is so close to a place of another faith?
Abdul
Dear Abdul
Te Western Wall has been a sacred site for Jews for thousands of years. Tough King Herod built the Wall, it is a remnant of the ancient Temple complex on the Temple Mount - the holiest area in Judaism. Te mosque behind the Wall was established much later and does not diminish the Wall’s profound historical and spiritual signifcance. I know that sometimes prayer feels as though we are talking to the wall, still, considering how prayers throughout the millennia, commencing with the sacrifce of Isaac, have been uttered on that very spot, we can rest assured that prayers have an added signifcance when recited there. Te one curious point is the many papers one observes in the Wall. I had heard
Dear Rabbi
I’m deeply concerned about our child’s Jewish future. She goes to a Jewish school, but it seems the mix of girls there are having a negative infuence on her Jewish values. What can we do to protect ourselves from that? Joanne
Dear Joanne
Te educational foundation of your child is shaped far more by the home environment than by any single institution. Jewish education is an all-encompassing process that extends well beyond the confnes of the school. It’s every bit and even more so what the child sees, hears and experiences at home. It is imperative that the right values are lived at home, which will fortify our r child even when there are greater spiritual challenges at school. Also, maybe you ought to consider changing schools. Remember, you’re the parent. You call the shots.
BY RABBI SHAUL YONATAN TAWIL
Te local Jewish charity realized that it had never received a donation from the city’s most successful lawyer. So, a volunteer paid the lawyer a visit in his lavish ofce. Te volunteer opened the meeting by saying, ‘Our research shows that even though your annual income is over two million dollars, you do not give a penny to charity. Wouldn’t you like to give something back to your community?
Te lawyer thinks for a minute and says, ‘First, did your research also show you that my mother is dying after a long painful illness, and she has huge medical bills that are far beyond her ability to pay?’
Embarrassed, the rep mumbles, ‘Uh... No, I did not know that.’
‘Secondly,’ says the lawyer, ‘did it show that my brother, a disabled Veteran, is blind and confned to a wheelchair and is unable to support his wife and six children?
Te stricken rep begins to stammer an apology but is cut of again.
‘Tirdly, did your research also show you that my sister’s husband died in a dreadful car accident, leaving her penniless with a mortgage and three children, one of whom is disabled and another that has learning disabilities requiring an array of private tutors?’
Te humiliated rep, completely beaten, says, ‘I’m so sorry. I had no idea.
And the lawyer says, ‘So, if I didn’t give any money to them, what makes you think I’d give any to you?!
People are born selfsh. Our objective in life is to turn that selfshness into selfessness. To go out and help the needy and in so doing so impact our life mission,
Yet when we set out on the path of giving, we encounter many obstacles. Te Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) does not want us to be givers, it wants to challenge our notion of unity and servitude of G-d. It enables many questions to be asked along the way that are seemingly hard to answer and cause a person to retract and refrain from giving.
Let’s address some of those questions and delve into our Parasha.
Our Parasha Terumah, reveals the secret behind
giving.
It deals with the building of the majestic Mishkan (Tabernacle) that the Jews built as a place of worship for G-d in the wilderness.
It revolves around the concept of donations, as G-d commands the Bnei Yisrael: “המורת יל וחקיו”— “Let them take for Me a donation” (Shemot 25:2). Tis phrase raises a fundamental question: Can we truly give something to Hashem? He is the Master of the universe—what could we possibly ofer Him that He does not already own?
To answer this, we need to look at the word Teruma (המורת). Tis word shares its root with the word Ram (םר , meaning to uplift. Tis teaches us that when a per- ) son gives—whether time, money, or efort—it elevates them spiritually and emotionally.
Tus, we are not giving to G-d anything. He doesn’t need our donation, we do!
Trough giving we are taking (as it says Veyikchu) for ourselves and growing spiritually from the act of giving. We are causing unity and bringing wellbeing and happiness to others.
Giving is great so how should we give? A further important lesson can be learnt from our Parasha. When speaking about collecting the various materials used in building the Mishkan, the Torah enumerates various materials in descending order of value (Gold, silver, copper…). However, at the end of the list, after having enumerated relatively inexpensive items (wood, oil, spices), the Torah lists the Shoham stones, and the precious stones used in Ephod of the High Priest’s breastplate (the Avnei Shoham and Avnei Miluim).
Te Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh asks the obvious question — Why are the Avnei Shoham and Avnei Miluim out of order in this catalogue of solicited items which is apparently arranged in descending order of value?
Te Ohr Hachaim ofers a few answers.
First, he says that the princes of the tribes were approached to donate, and they suggested that all donations frst come in from the people and at the end then they would donate any of the shortfall. However, once the donations started to come in, there was so much amassed that there was no shortfall.
Teir fault was twofold. Tey should have reacted straight away with giving and not waited for the end. And they should have judged the rest of the people more favourable and expected them to donate generously. Tey underestimated the Jewish people’s ability to give.
Tus, the stones are listed last because they were given last. Tey were the only things the princes could donate as they had left it too late.
Te Ohr Hachaim posits another answer.
Quoting a Gemara [Yoma 75a] he states that the Avnei Shoham and Avnei Miluim were brought to the princes on clouds from Gan Eden. Since these were donations that in efect “came from Heaven” and did not represent blood, sweat, or tears — there was no toil involved — they were listed after the oils and spices, which, although they may have cost only pennies, did represent a gift that came from people’s labour and eforts and in that way were superior to the much more “expensive” gifts of precious stones.
Tat which counts in the eyes of the Almighty is not the value of the gift received but what the gift represented for the person who brought the gift. A poor person’s gift a few pounds which may be something he had to scrape for, can very well mean more in the Eyes of Heaven than a six-fgure gift which is “pocket change” for a wealthy billionaire.
Giving is not just about transferring resources; it’s about the efort and sacrifce involved. Tis explains the Torah’s wording “המורת יל וחקיו “take for Me a do- ” nation.” We do not merely give; we take from ourselves and uplift ourselves in the process.
A fnal beautiful insight comes from the Hebrew word alone - “דבל” which has a Gematria (numerical value) of 36. If two people stand apart, each only thinking about themselves, they remain “דבל”—isolated. However, when they come together in giving, their combined (36+36) “דבל” becomes “דסח” (Chesed—kindness =72). Te act of giving transforms separation into unity, loneliness into love.
Tus, from the deeper part of the Parasha we have learnt that giving is really receiving, we create a larger good via giving to others. And G-d searches and values those that make an efort more than the value of the actual donation.
May we always recognize that our giving is a means of improving society as well as elevating ourselves, bringing us closer to G-d and to one another.
Shabbat Shalom!
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1. Property Onboarding and Marketing The process begins with a thorough property onboarding, where we ensure your property is fully ready to be placed on the market.
Our services include: Property Assessment: We evaluate the property’s current condition and suggest any needed repairs or improvements to maximize its rental value.
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Finding the right tenant is crucial for a successful rental experience. We handle the entire screening process to ensure reliable and responsible occupants:
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We verify employment, check credit scores, contact previous landlords, and conduct background checks to ensure tenant reliability.
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We ensure a smooth move-in process by completing an initial walkthrough and documenting the property’s condition with a checklist.
Our property management services include rent collection and transparent financial reporting to keep landlords informed and tenants accountable:
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Routine Inspections: We conduct regular property inspections to identify any necessary repairs and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
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Our services cover every aspect of property management, from initial tenant placement to ongoing maintenance and legal compliance. By working with us, landlords can enjoy the benefits of a well-managed property without the day-to-day hassle, while tenants gain access to a reliable, responsive support team. If you’re looking to make the most of your property investment or are seeking a better rental experience, contact us today.
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BY RABBI NAFTALI SCHIFF
Our purpose in the world as Jews is to build a house for G-d! Really?
Tat’s it?
What does that even mean?
It sounds pretty lofty, rings a little evangelical, feels totally unrealistic, and if there is an Almighty G-d, what on earth does He need anything like a house, on earth?
Let’s perhaps start with the frst time the Torah enjoins us ve’assu li mikdash veshachanti betocham- to “make Me a sanctuary and I shall dwell in them” (Shmot 25:8) Rashi famously answers the obvious question- Why does the verse not say that “I shall dwell in it, rather than saying that” I shall dwell in them”. Rashi explains that the message to each and every one of us is clearly that the significance of the building of a home for the dwelling of the Divine Presence is that each of us has the opportunity to build oneself as a human being worthy of the Divine Presence to dwell and subsequently radiate from within.
Te Jewish mission is never about the bricks and mortar, rather it is always about the crucible that facilitates the building of the person and the People who will encapsulate that mission.
In a somewhat esoteric statement the Midrash tells us that nitave Hakadosh Baruch Hu dira batachtonim “the Almighty desired a dwelling place amongst human beings down here” (Midrash nasso 16). Te Talmud (Brachot 25) furthermore reminds us “ lo nitna Torah lemachei hasharet “ ,the Torah was not given to the ministering angels in heaven.
Te Torah was given to homo sapiens, to regular people like you and I with normal human desires, wants, needs, emotions, feelings and experiences of success and failure. An Infnite Creator can, by defnition, do anything. He could have created a perfect world populated by angels pre programmed on auto pilot. However, there would not then be a concept of good and
bad, of personal achievement and failure; of any consequences to our actions. In His Infnite wisdom, instead He created fallible people like you and I, ofered them the opportunity to arbitrate between good and evil, true and false, real and fake. He found a People, Jews like you and I, who chose to accept the magnifcent challenge of Torah and mitzvot and that of bringing G-dliness and goodness into any otherwise selfsh and arbitrary world.
Te greatest gift bestowed upon mankind is the discretion and subsequent freewill to follow a path of virtue from amongst an array of competing choices. By doing so, we become the owners of the path, the actions we choose and the results they bring about. Personal ownership and responsibility for our choices and actions are the only real achievements in life we can genuinely call our own. With that ownership comes the greatest reward, satisfaction, sense of fulflment and ultimate happiness.
Te most sacrosanct of our prayers, begins with the words Shma Yisrael- Hear O Israel, for, without a listening Israel, there is no manifestation of the presence of an Almighty in the world! Without you and I bearing the mantle of responsibility to bring decency, sensitivity, kindness, belief, spirituality, nobility and generosity
into the world, it simply does not exist. And if it does, it’s only the domain of a select few. If we want these values to be prevalent in our world, it is upon us to bring them to humanity. Tis is the mission statement of the Jewish People, the Mamlechet Cohanim veGoy Kadosh the Nation of Priests, the Holy Nation, the Am Segula, the Chosen People. Our forebears chose it 3500 years ago. We accepted it at Sinai. It is our magnifcent privilege, responsibility and ultimate destiny to actualise.
Our personal lives, those of the families we mould, the homes we build, the institutions we form, the societies we fashion, the people and places we impact, are the real vehicles and crucibles of decency, virtue and care entrusted to us.
We live in an increasingly lonely and self absorbed world; a world of arrogance and power over care and compassion, a culture of artifcial over wholesome and real. As Jews, our imperative is to efect change for the good. Our privilege is to boldly step out from amongst the lonely crowd in order to build the home in which we live together, a world that is a pleasure to share.
It’s 2025.
Perhaps all other ways, strategies,
ideologies have now been tried. Tey have failed.
A new era beckons us all. What is left?
Te choice is in our hands. Dare we fail?
///What3Words is a geocoding system that has divided the world into a grid of 57 trillion 3-by-3 squares, each of which is identifed by a unique three-word address. In this column, Rabbi Naftali Schif refects upon three words each week, relating to core issues of the day.
Rabbi Naftali Schif is the Founder and Chief Executive of Jewish Futures
The Jewish people were now offered an opportunity to create a type of home for Hashem to rest His Shechina in!
Hashem teaches Moshe about all the materials that would be needed such as wood, gold, silver, copper, wool, dyed wool, fax, oils and spices. Everyone could contribute as much as they
wanted and who would not want to be part of so great a project?!
All the fne details were shown to Moshe, the three boxes for the Aron, the way to make the Menorah, the Shulchan and the outer Mizbeach. All this was to be covered by beautiful coverings made from a special animal, the Tachash.
Miracles would be seen constantly at the Mishkan, with the bread staying fresh all week being one such miracle.
The Mishkan was comprised of three sections, the Kodesh Kadashim that only the Kohen Gadol could enter, the Kodesh, and the Courtyard. It must have been a beautiful sight to see
and we dream of the day that we will see its successor - the Beit Hamikdash, built once again.
The Mishkan was like a home to Hashem, and each of our homes can also act as a place for Hashem to rest His Shechina.
of Verses - 96
Number of Words - 1,145 Number of Letters - 4,692
This week’s Question:
What bracha
is said every 3 or 4 years?
Last week’s Answer: In hebrew, if you subtract 30 from 30 you get 60. How is this?
Answer: The numerical value of the letter lamed is 30. The Hebrew word for "thirty" is "shloshim," spelled "shin lamed shin yud mem."
So, if you take the letter lamed out of the word "shloshim" (which means thirty) you get the letters "shin shin yud mem," which spells "shishim," 60!
Using all the shapes, can you make the 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 edition’s words
Here are some words you may have found from last week – you may have found more!
R D O E K V A E B
fend fens fern feud fnd fne fns fre frs foes fond ford fore four fund furs fuse info rife serf surf fends ferns feuds fend fnds fned fner fnes fred fres fords found fours fried fries frond funds fused infer serif unfed fends fnder fords fonder fondue founds friend funder fusion infers infuse refund surfed fnders founder friends funders infused infuser refunds founders foundries
Q: Are any monsters good at maths?
A: No… unless you Count Dracula!
Q: Why is Peter Pan flying all the time?
A: He Neverlands!
Q: Where do polar bears keep their money?
A: In a snow bank!
Q: Why did Mickey Mouse become an astronaut?
A: So he could visit Pluto!
1. How do you make the number one disappear?
2. A girl fell off of a 30-foot ladder, but she didn’t get hurt at all. How is this possible?
3. How many cats can you put in an empty box?
isn’t empty anymore.
After that, the
and then presto…it’s Gone!
GIFT’s half-term volunteering eforts were in full force last week. Over 70 secondary school students from across London participated in the ‘Feeding London Homeless’ initiative. Te project, which runs every holiday and half-term, provided an opportunity for students from Year 7 to Year 13 to actively engage in handson giving by preparing and distributing essential food and care packages to those
in need.
Troughout the day, students worked together to prepare fresh fruit pots, butternut soup, sandwiches and cakes, while also assembling care packs containing warmers, treats and toiletries. Te fnal stage of the initiative saw Year 1113 students personally distributing these items to 120 homeless individuals in partnership with a shelter, in Goodge Street.
Tis initiative was just one of several meaningful projects run by GIFT over the half-term break. In Manchester, a GIFT camp provided an engaging and enriching experience for more than 20 primary school-aged children, fostering a spirit of kindness and giving. Meanwhile, in Israel, GIFT partnered with Seed to run a Bat Mitzvah scavenger hunt, ofering young girls a chance to engage in a challenge
while reinforcing the values of giving and community.
Back in London, over 40 mothers, grandmothers and daughters came together for a special challah-baking session, creating a multigenerational experience that celebrated family, tradition and the power of giving. Additionally, GIFT’s regular family food packing sessions saw volunteers packing and delivering food parcels to those in need, ensuring that support reached as many people as possible.
Barry Colman, High Schools Manager at GIFT, refected on the importance of the initiative, saying, “Tese sessions are always a highlight of the term for us. Our high schools team works tirelessly throughout the term, engaging students in discussions and activities around giving, and this is the moment where we see it all come to life. Te enthusiasm and dedication of the students are inspiring, and it’s amazing to
BY DANIEL GREEN
We live in a world which is advancing technologically in an exponential way. It’s enhancing industries, solving complex problems and revolutionising how we live and work. But, with AI and augmented reality, life is also becoming more and more depersonalized. Within this, we must recognise something profound. However wonderful, there are things that AI can never replace.
Aish UK’s successful match funding campaign this week focused on, ‘Making it Real’, raising funds to help strengthen pride, identity and critical, real and authentic Jewish connection for thousands of young Jews nationwide.
My life was totally changed for the good by Aish UK 30 years ago, thanks to the warm and personal time they invested in me. It led me to making changes
and decisions as a student and young professional starting out in life, which ultimately resulted in me now having the beautiful Jewish family and connection to the community which I have. Tis would never have been possible without Aish’s inspiring Rabbis and mentors, Rabbi Schif included, who were prepared to invest their one-to-one time in me and my contemporaries.
Tey provided me with the tools to understand what being Jewish means, the importance of Judaism in our lives, how rich and incredible our heritage is, and how vital it is in our every decision making.
I was invited into their homes for shabbat and festivals, and I got to see how Jewish family worked. Tose personal interactions and warmth and connection were so important for me and I’ve seen the diference it makes, and how it proliferates throughout one’s life.
Tat was back in the 1990s, well before mobile phones and social media. Now, with AI, despite the opportunities it afords, as a society we’re battling people
see them take what they’ve learnt and put it into action in such a powerful way.” With a focus on encouraging acts of
kindness and empowering the next generation to take an active role in giving, GIFT continues to create impactful volunteering opportunities throughout the year.
To fnd out more about how to get involved, visit www.jgift.org or follow GIFT on social media @JGiftUK
focusing inwards on their screens, walking along the streets, heads down. It’s led to rising poor mental health and isolation.
Aish is able to break through this and elevate people. It’s immersive programmes, trips and events get young Jews away from their glass screens, to see through it to what’s real. Ultimately, it allows them the safe spaces, time and experiences to think diferently, question meaning and purpose in life, and that ultimately that leads to a deeper sense of happiness.
Te money that’s been raised is not simply to be seen as helping the organisation get fnancially from one year to the next. Its reach stretches far further than that, and we may never really know how far ultimately. For me, I am a trustee of Aish because of all the charities you can support, I believe this gives the most bang for the buck. It creates the most impact and exponential reach, because it is not only changing the lives of young Jews today, but the people around them, their future family life and the community.
I’ve been fortunate in the commercial world, but the greatest success I’ve ever had, the best decision I have ever made has been growing in my Yiddishkeit thanks to Aish. Without that, I would never have married my wife (or she wouldn’t have married me!) and we would never have had our beautiful family with four wonderful children.
Aish UK absolutely made it real for me. And thanks to everyone who supported the recent match funding campaign, my hope is that they continue making it real for thousands of Jews nationwide for many years to come.
Daniel is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, having founded innovative businesses like HomeSun and FlowGem. As Chief Executive of Electron Green, he leads commercial solar power development across Europe. He is also a dedicated trustee for several organisations, including Aish UK and primary and secondary schools.
How we have made a diference for families in the past year
*numbers are rounded to the nearest 10
children in hospital reached via our outreach programme 13,000 hours of Big Brother and Big Sister volunteer time provided 122,560 family members welcomed at residential retreats 390
family members supported annually 1,700 hospital transport journeys 4,870
hours of family liaison and social work support provided 13,810 siblings supported 850+ crisis meals delivered 3,650
family members benefitted from therapeutic services 860
Camp Simcha provides a range of 25 diferent practical, therapeutic and emotional support services including:
Animal assisted therapy
Art, music & drama therapeutic programme
Benefits & grants advice
Big Brother & Big Sister volunteers
Camp in America
Children’s retreats
Communities of support
Crisis household support
Family liaison oficers
Family retreats
Health information events
Home school tuition
Hospital & community support
Hospital transport
Outings & parties
Parent & family counselling & therapy
Respite care
Sibling retreats
Specialist equipment
Summer experiences
Support for parents
Support for premature & sick babies
Support for siblings
Teenage programmes
Toy Drive