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MIRACLE NEEDED TO FIND SURFSIDE SURVIVORS From the editor’s desk

Still missing: Chaim Rosenberg and daughter and son-in-law Malki and Benny Weisz

BY DAVID SAFFER A miracle is needed to find survivors a week on from the 12-storey tower block disaster in Surfside, Florida.

At least 16 people have been confirmed to have died, including Aryey and Ruth Oliwkowicz, originally from Venezuela, who were found last weekend.

Colonel Golan Vach, the Commander

PHOTO: YWN

of the Israeli National Rescue Unit search and rescue team, confirmed more bodies had been found on Tuesday night.

Specialist personnel are working in the spaces between collapsed balconies.

“We found people. Unfortunately, they are not alive,” he reportedly said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Many Jewish people have passed away in recent tragedies. In Meron, people were crushed by falling down and 45 Jews died. In Karlin, the bleachers collapsed and three people fell down to their deaths. All those who passed away were males yet a minority of rabbis around the world decided to use the opportunity not to promote world achdus (unity) but rather to sow yet more seeds of disunity among our people and come out against lace sheitles, despite the fact that no women died. Three members of a Jewish family perished in a terrible cable car accident in Italy, after the cable car fell down. Last week in Miami, another tragedy. A building fell down.

At the time of writing 16 people have died and 149 are missing including sadly many Jews. Of all the millions of buildings across the world, the one that falls down is full of Jews.

Hashem is clearly talking to us!

SHABBAT: London Manchester Leeds Liverpool Bournemouth Antwerp Birmingham Gateshead

EMPTY PROPERTY RATES

As Reb Yitzchak Berkovits said recently, if rabbis have a problem with lace sheitles, they should have banned all sheitles long ago! According to the ruling of Reb Moshe Feinstein, nowadays people know that women wear sheitles so there is no issue of people thinking it’s normal hair (Maris Ayin).

It’s time to wake up and realise that we have lost people across the Jewish spectrum from Chasidim to people that do and don’t cover their hair. During this period of the three weeks we must realise that we don’t have our Temple back not due to lace sheitles but due to Jewish people putting other Jewish people down. If we look back at the last 2000 years of our exile and actually try to improve how Jewish people act with one another, then perhaps the Jewish future will be laced with more hope rather than hate.

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Firefighters put out blaze in Salford

Aftermath of the house fire

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) extinguished a raging fire across a number of houses on George Street South, Salford on Sunday afternoon.

There were reports of an ‘explosion’ but no injuries occurred.

Neighbours offered support to a family after their home was devasted by the blaze.

Fire engines attended homes along Park Avenue in Salford that were evacuated during the operation where firefighters used breathing apparatus to put out the fire.

Volunteer Hatzola medics and local

Shomrim attended.

A GMFRS spokesperson said, “Five fire engines from across Greater Manchester, plus a breathing apparatus unit, command unit, and a turn table ladder quickly arrived at the scene. Crews used two covering jets, two hose reels and four breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. Crews were in attendance for around six hours.”

An investigation conducted by a member of the GMFRS fire investigation team concluded that the most probable cause was accidental.

Inspiring Jewish Journeys

Deepest condolences and love to Miriam, Rosalyn and Steven on the passing of Holocaust Survivor turned Teacher and Friend of Humanity

Leslie Kleinman BEM z'l A true Mensch who turned the Auschwitz tattoo of hatred to a badge of pride, goodness and decency.

"They thought it was the branding of an animal little did they know the numerical value A-8230 stands for LOVE and ONENESS…"

‫ה‬.‫ב‬.‫צ‬.‫נ‬.‫ת‬

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 At the time of going to press, 149 people are unaccounted for, including over 30 local Jewish people, after part of the Champlain Towers South residential condominium just outside Miami collapsed.

Miami-Dade County Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, said at a news conference earlier Tuesday that every effort was being made to identify victims.

“We have been conducting an audit of our list of missing persons and we have been working to verify and remove duplicates wherever possible,” she reportedly said. “We’re getting information from lots of different sources and often not complete so it is very important that we go through to cull the list.”

Authorities have discussed DNA matches with families to help identify the dead. The situation is heart rending for those involved awaiting news.

“Some are feeling more hopeful, some less hopeful, because we do not have definitive answers,” Levine Cava reportedly noted.

“We give them the facts.

We take them to the site. They have seen the operation. They understand now how it works and they are preparing themselves for news, one way or the other.”

Detectives are painstakingly working around the clock to contact families of those identified and to verify the reports.

Florida Governor DeSantis met family members of victims earlier this week, among them the Rosenberg family, who have three missing family members.

Harry Rosenberg, 52, from Brooklyn, had recently moved to Surfside after purchasing a second-floor condominium following the death of his wife, Anna, to cancer, and his parents to Covid-19.

He reportedly had launched Mercaz Shalom, a young adult centre for mental healing, at Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak, Israel, in memory of his late wife.

His daughter, Malki Weisz, 27 and husband, Benny, 32, of Lakewood, New Jersey had just flown in and were staying with him when the building collapsed.

Ilan Naibryf, a Jewish student from the University of Chicago is also among those missing.

His family posted a message on social media.

The decision to move from a

search-and-rescue to recovery operation has not yet been made.

It is not determined what caused nearly half the 12-storey, 156-unit building, to collapse in the early hours of last Thursday.

But condominium owners were reportedly due to start making payments for $9 million in repairs recommended in a 2018 report warning of “major structural damage” under the 40-year-old tower.

Prosecutors are pushing for a grand jury investigation into the deadly collapse.

Rescue workers include firefighters, sniffer dogs and search experts using radar and sonar devices.

Israel’s 10-person specialist delegation landed in Florida to assist last Sunday including experts to support the Jewish community preparing for the loss of up to 34 members.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to offer condolences and assistance to the American authorities.

President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida.

Rabbi Sholom Lipskar of The Shul of Bal Harbour in Surfside confirmed members of his congregation were missing. Evacuees were taken to a local Chabad community centre.

Rabbi Lipskar noted that the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, spoke about being with people in “challenging times”. “Nothing I can say will give them comfort, but just knowing that someone is listening to what they need to say, that will,” he noted.

“You also have to be there for the police, the fire fighters, the people in rescue,” Rabbi Lipsker added. “Everyone may wear different uniforms, but everyone is in this together.”

Rabbi Yossi Harlig, co-director of Chabad Kendall and Pinecrest, recalled that Israeli searchers found a man alive in rubble following an earthquake in Haiti after over 100 hours some 10 years ago.

“A Jew never gives up hope,” said Harlig.

“On the other hand, you will also need a miracle. Continue praying.”

Tehillim are being said for unaccounted people. Over 10,000 individuals across the globe have so far donated over $1.25 million to $5,000,000 a fund.

Israel’s 10-person specialist delegation landed in Florida to assist last Sunday including experts to support the Jewish community preparing for the loss of up to 34 members.

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CAA complain to teaching union over antisemite

BY ADAM MOSES Campaign Against Antisemitism has submitted a complaint to the Teaching Regulation Agency against a teacher and former union official over “inflammatory” antisemitic remarks.

Latifa Abouchakra, who works in Ealing as a Citizenship and PHSE teacher, reportedly shared an image on social media of a Jewish effigy represented as the devil and a post appearing to question why the Holocaust is memorialised at the expense of other genocides.

Abouchakra also described Israel as an “illegal” and “colonial” state, talked of “Zionist elites” and complained of “Zionist influence in American politics”.

After a football player unveiled a Palestinian Authority flag at a match, she noted that “the dirty Zionists” had complained to Leicester City FC about players showing “support for Palestine”.

A CAA spokesperson said, “These inflammatory posts are not remotely appropriate for someone charged with the education of our children. Offensive comments about ‘Zionists’, ‘dirty Zionists’ and ‘Zionist influence in American politics’ and sharing posts equating Zionism to racism, not to mention minimisation of the Holocaust and praise for an antisemitic terrorist commander, are unacceptable in the teaching profession.” CAA added, “Antisemitism has no place in our schools or unions, and we expect the NEU to take disciplinary action to demonstrate where they stand on anti-Jewish racism.”

When asked about Abouchakra, the union reportedly said, “The NEU deplores antisemitism and all forms of racism and treats these issues very seriously. The NEU is aware of the concerns raised. This matter will be dealt with as a matter of urgency and will be looked into according to the union’s internal processes relating to member conduct.”

In related CAA news, CAA criticised a Wolverhampton Labour councilor over footage at an anti-Israel demonstration last

Latifa Abouchakra

PHOTO: YOUTUBE

month. The local Palestine Solidarity Campaign organised the event.

Cllr Obaida Ahmed was filmed leading the chant, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.

CAA note the phrase is widely understood as code for the destruction of the Jewish state. Also, at the protest was a speaker who reportedly compared Zionists to Nazis.

When asked about the rally, Cllr Ahmed reportedly said, “I believe in the fundamental right of Israel to exist and for its people to be able to live in peace and security. I also believe the Palestinian people have the right to live in peace and security.” She added: “I used the slogan in the context of the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and as a call to end the occupation in Palestine. I understand that for some people it has another meaning and I will be mindful and respectful of this in the future. If we have learned only one thing from the decades of bloodshed and hurt in the

Middle East it is that no one will be safe until everyone is safe.”

A CAA spokesperson commented, “It is extraordinary that politicians and organisations continue to participate in and sponsor rallies that persistently feature antisemitic tropes. Despite being declared institutionally racist against Jews just six months ago by the EHRC, and notwithstanding the current special measures imposed on the Party to address its unlawful antisemitism, Labour officeholders appear to have learned nothing.”

CAA added, “Too many have joined antisemitic chants or encouraged, attended and addressed rallies featuring antisemitic banners and chants, contributing to the atmosphere conducive to the rampant antisemitism, physical assaults on Jews and damage to Jewish property that we have seen in recent weeks. Labour has managed to return to square one when it comes to antisemitism.”

Bennett hails Honduras move

BY SIMCHA ABIR Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has hailed Honduras moving its official embassy to Jerusalem.

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez and Bennett inaugurated the mission last week. The dedication was Bennett’s first direct meeting with a foreign leader since becoming Prime Minister.

“I am here today with our delegation to inaugurate the Embassy of Honduras in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel,” Hernandez

said. “I sincerely wish that the next president of Honduras, no matter what party he is from, maintains this decision. I will fight for this.”

Hernandez’s four-year term as president ends this year.

Bennett welcomed the move. He told Hernandez, “The Jewish people have a long memory, and you will be written in the pages of history as someone who took a courageous action and the right action for the State of Israel.” Bennett added, “Every country is still dealing with the pandemic in its own way. We also have the goal of deepening cooperation and

we have agreed on expanding into high-tech and cyber, among other fields”.

Bennett went on to thank Hernandez as Honduran leader for standing alongside Israel even when not a popular choice and occasionally exacting a price. “This attests to friendship,” he noted. “The willingness to take actions that entail paying a price.” Bennett concluded, “I am convinced that these agreements, and your friendship, will take bilateral relations to new heights of cooperation.”

The Honduran embassy was previously in Rishon LeZiyon, near Tel Aviv.

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BBC report highlights rise in antisemitic incidents

The BBC has reported on the record number of antisemitic incidents during the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in May. Rabbi Nicky Liss, United Synagogue’s rabbinical council chair, spoke about the dilemma of whether to do a talk. After advice from CST, it went ahead with increased vigilance.

“This is the first time I’ve felt physically threatened,” he told the BBC. “I can’t believe that in 2021, I was thinking, was it safe for me to go on the street and walk to another synagogue to give a talk. It was incredibly worrying.”

Between 8 May to 7 June, 460 incidents were reported to CST, the highest monthly total since records began in 1984. There were 316 offline and 144 online. The previous record was 317 in July 2014, the last major conflict with Israel and the Palestinians. The month before CST reported 119 anti-Semitic incidents.

Dave Rich, CST’s head of policy, told the BBC that 416 of the 460 incidents “used language or some other evidence” related to Israel.

There was also a spike in numbers “every time Israel is at war”, as seen in 2006, 2009 and 2014.

Rich noted current trends of car convoys being driven through Jewish residential areas and 30% of reports recorded were linked to the educational sector.

The BBC article included contributions from Rebecca Lyons, UCL Jewish Society, Jonny Eintracht, a PhD student from London, Jenny Tamari, from north-west London, and Lindsay Shure, Chigwell and Hainault synagogue chair, of their experiences during the period.

Israeli and Honduran Foreign Ministers, Yair Lapid and Lisandro Rosales, signed memorandums of understanding in areas of health, education, agriculture, water use and innovation.

An agreement was also signed on the employment agreement regarding diplomatic missions.

Israel is set to open an embassy in the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa.

Eldad Golan Rosenberg will serve as Israel’s ambassador to Honduras. He was one of 36 diplomats approved by the cabinet.

Honduras is the fourth country to follow the US lead to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv.

The US inaugurated its embassy in 2018 followed by Guatemala and Kosovo.

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High Court quash GPhC warning to Al Quds Day leader

BY ADAM MOSES Jewish organisations have welcomed the High Court quashing a decision by the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Fitness to Practice panel to only hand out a formal warning to Al Quds Day rally leader Nazim Ali over ‘Jew-hate’ antisemitic statements made during the 2017 march.

Ali’s comments, though grossly offensive, were not deemed anti-Semitic. They will now be determined “afresh”.

Campaign Against Antisemitism brought the complaint last year to Ali’s professional regulator the GPhC, who found Ali brought the pharmaceutical profession into disrepute.

CAA approached the Professional Standards Authority to use its statutory power to appeal the GPhC’s decision to the High Court under the National Health Service Reform and Healthcare Professionals Act 2002 on grounds it was insufficient to protect the public because it was “irrational and perverse”.

CAA argued the ruling misapplied the law when asking whether a “reasonable person” would have considered the comments made by Ali as being antisemitic.

The GPhC panel ruled Jewish bystanders who saw the demonstration or watched the recording of it posted online could not be considered to be “reasonable persons” in the legal sense because of their “selective view of events”.

The PSA made the referral, opening the way for the High Court to quash the GPhC panel’s decision.

In reaching his decision, Mr Justice Johnson noted the panel should assess the objective meaning of the remarks as a whole and not Ali’s subjective intention.

Duncan Rudkin, General Pharmaceutical Council, CEO, accepted the panel erred in its approach over Ali. “We will make sure the learnings from this case and the High Court judgment are shared across the organisation and our committees,” he noted.

The hearing for Ali will be scheduled at the earliest opportunity.

Stephen Silverman, CAA Director of Investigations and Enforcement, welcomed the High Court ruling and described the original decision as “woefully inept”.

Silverman also commended the PSA and hopes the new panel will accept Ali’s comments were antisemitic, inadequate and wrong.

“The road to justice in this case has proved long and winding, but we are again heading in the right direction,” he noted.

“We said that we would not allow this injustice to stand and we are delighted by this new judgement.”

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CAA will always be “unrelenting in pursuit of justice” Silverman added.

The Board of Deputies welcomed the High Court decision.

A statement noted, “The original decision seemed to create a loophole for antisemitism as long as intent could not be proven. The High Court has importantly stated antisemitism should be judged objectively, and also stated that allegations should be considered cumulatively.”

The Board urged all professional bodies to accept these principles.

CAA’s complaint related to Ali’s actions in 2017, when he led the pro-Hezbollah “Al Quds Day” parade days after the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Heading the parade, surrounded by Hezbollah flags, Ali reported rantings over a public address system included, “It is the Zionists who give money to the Tory Party to kill people in high-rise blocks. Free, Free, Palestine. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

During the march, Ali reportedly claimed that the Grenfell fire tragedy was “an act of the Zionists.”

At another point, he reportedly told marchers, “Careful of those Rabbis who belong to the Board of Deputies, who have got blood on their hands, who agree with the killing of British soldiers. Do not allow them in your centres.”

CAA’s Demonstration and Event Monitoring Unit filmed events.

CAA submitted a complaint to the GPhC, which confirmed the matter called into question the pharmacy professional’s fitness to practise as a pharmacist.

Ali’s defence included his relationship with extremist fringe Jewish group, Neturei Karta, as evidence he would not have knowingly stated something anti-Semitic. Ali’s counsel argued the hearing was a breach of Ali’s right to a private life and freedom of expression. The tribunal rejected the arguments.

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Jewish mortality pandemic data released

BY ADAM MOSES British Jews were hit much harder during the first wave of the pandemic than the second wave.

High mortality rates experienced in spring 2020 were affected by intra-communal socialisation prior to the first lockdown.

That is the key finding from a new study, titled ‘Did Jews in the UK die disproportionately from COVID-19?’, published by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research this week.

JPR Executive Director, Dr Jonathan Boyd said the findings contained “life and death lessons” for community leaders in future considerations.

“The contrast in how British Jews were affected by the first and second waves is profoundly revealing,” noted Dr Boyd.

“The story of the second wave proves that the mortality levels seen in spring 2020 were anomalous.” He added, “It seems highly probable that we died in such large

Kisharon launches north west London hub Kisharon has announced provision for day opportunities from north west London.

The initiative provides a caring environment for participants with a strong importance on life skills.

The new Golders Green hub opens up wider opportunities and enables activities in a stimulating and structured day.

Each individual will have a tailor-made programme designed specifically for them.

This will include favourite sessions such as cooking, art, music and life skills training as well as space for religious and cultural learning.

Hadassa Kessler, Director of Operations and Development noted, “A person who we support will be able to start their day with a support worker and go to Shul, head off to horse riding or a theatre workshop and then head to the Golders Green Hub for an opportunity to catch up with friends over a coffee, participate in religious learning or do some cooking.”

She added, “We’re really excited about the programme and look forward to making it personalised for each individual to bring out their full potential.”

Transport will be provided for those who live in Stamford Hill and wish to continue activities as the Brenner Centre is closed.

Kisharon are excited to welcome everyone back in person. They take health and safety seriously so will continue the government’s recommended guidelines for COVID-19.

With lockdown easing, online sessions are coming to an end except for Kabbalat Shabbat which is open to all the community.

Visit Kwww.kisharonschool.org.uk or email office@kisharon.org.uk

numbers at that time because we didn’t lock down early enough. And by ‘we’ I don’t mean we, the UK Government. I mean we, the Jewish community. These new findings contain serious, life and death lessons that community leaders have to learn for the future.”

JPR’s study draws on mortality data gathered from Jewish burial societies across the United Kingdom.

The report is the first to analyse mortality levels among British Jews throughout the pandemic.

Using the ‘excess mortality’ method, it compares mortality levels during the pandemic with expected mortality levels based on equivalent data from 2016-19.

Whilst it confirms reported findings that mortality levels among Jews during the first wave (March to May 2020) were almost four times higher than normal compared to equivalent data for non-Jews, the second wave (December 2020 to February 2021) saw the opposite, 69% higher than expected

Did Jews in the UK die disproportionately from COVID-19?

A new look at Jewish mortality over the first year of the pandemic L. Daniel Staetsky, Brigitta Horup and Carli Lessof June 2021 Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) has been measuring the effects of the virus on Jewish communities in the UK, across Europe and worldwide. This report takes a fresh look at Jewish mortality patterns a year into the pandemic, assessing how coronavirus affected Jews in the UK to provide data to support community planning and wider research.

/ Introduction Between January 2020 and April 2021, data demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic had a particularly strong impact on religious and ethnic minorities across the UK, an issue that received attention early on in the pandemic from British epidemiologists. Between March and May 2020, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published the results of a key investigation into mortality from COVID-19 in England and Wales, first focusing on ethnic groups 1 and then on religious groups.2,3 This revealed what might be termed a ‘Jewish penalty’ in the first wave of the pandemic (March-May 2020), with mortality from COVID-19 shown to be relatively high among Jews compared to the Christian majority, even when factors such as age, location, household composition, social status and state of health were held equal. This ‘Jewish penalty’ was an aspect of a broader ‘minority penalty’, with elevated mortality from coronavirus also observed in other groups (e.g. Muslims, Hindus and Blacks). Across all groups, including Jews, the size of this ‘minority penalty’ declined after the introduction of the lockdown measures in the United Kingdom, but it never completely disappeared. 4 The analysis of coronavirus mortality among minorities in the second wave of the pandemic revealed pockets of persistently elevated mortality (e.g. among Muslims and Hindus, when compared to

1

ONS. 2020a. Coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths by ethnic group, England and Wales, 2 March to 10 April 2020.

ONS. 2020b. Coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths by religious group, England and Wales, 2 March to 15 May 2020.

3 ONS. 2020c. Coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths by ethnic group, religious group and disability, England and Wales Methodology. Technical appendix for the coronavirus-related deaths by ethnic group, religious group and disability (England and Wales) articles.

4 Gaughan, C., Ayoubkhani, D., Nafilyan, V., Goldblatt, P., White, C., Tingay, K., Bannister, N. 2021. Religious affiliation and Covid-19-related mortality: a retrospective cohort study of pre-lockdown and post-lockdown risks in England and Wales, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, doi:10.1136/jech-2020-215694.

2

levels of mortality among Jews compared to 77% among the non-Jewish comparative group.

Higher levels of mortality than normal are to be expected during a pandemic, but when they are much higher among Jews than non-Jews, explanations are necessary.

Whilst not definitive about conclusions, authors point strongly towards the ‘religious sociability’ hypothesis. Close interaction between Jews, prior to the first lockdown, caused the disproportionately high spike in Jewish deaths early on.

The paper also demonstrated the ‘Jewish penalty’ at this time was greater among Orthodox Jews than Progressive ones, strengthening the hypothesis, as higher proportions of Orthodox Jews gather regularly for religious reasons.

By contrast, mortality levels among Jews during the second wave were higher than normal because there was a pandemic, but slightly lower among the equivalent non-Jewish population.

Florida passes Moment of Silence bill

Gov. Ron DeSantis

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

BY DAVID SAFFER Gov. Ron DeSantis has ratified a Florida law for a daily ‘Moment of Silence’ in public schools.

The legislation, which takes effect on July 1, will be in place by the start of the next school year.

The Moment of Silence bill was sponsored in the House by Rep. Randy Fine

(R-Palm Bay) and in the Senate by state Sen. Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala). Both Houses gave bipartisan support.

The proposed bill passed the Florida Legislature in April banning teachers from making suggestions to students what to think about during the silence. Parents or guardians were advised to discuss with children how to spend the brief time.

“It’s something that’s important to be able to provide each student the ability, every day, to be able to reflect and to be able to pray as they see fit,” DeSantis said at the signing ceremony at The Shul of Bal Harbour hosted by Rabbi Shalom B. Lipskar, Chabad community centre executive director.

Until now, schools set aside up to two minutes daily or each week to give students a chance of silent prayer or meditation. Currently it is mandated in 15 States and on the books of dozens more.

During hearings in both Florida Houses backers stressed it is effective in giving children an opportunity for contemplation.

“Who knows what may be changed simply because the children of Florida will have the opportunity of quiet reflection?”

Baxley said.

Baxley initiated the legislation after meeting Rabbi Shneur Zalman Oirechman, of Chabad-Lubavitch of the Panhandle, at the Capitol building in Tallahassee in 2019.

Baxley discussed the proposal with Rabbi Yossi Hecht, Chabad Ocala, and vowed to sponsor the bill.

Fine noted, “Every child will benefit from this time to be centered before the beginning of the day.”

Oirechman was inspired by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, a champion of moral education in all schools, who spoke about the concept of a Moment

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of Silence in America’s schools in the face of rising crime rates in 1983.

“He spoke of how it will put society on a better path by giving children the awareness of something greater than themselves,” noted Oirechman. “Highlighting the universal nature of the proposal, the Rebbe insisted that parents be the ones who instruct their children regarding what to reflect on during a Moment of Silence, and not the school or the teachers, providing parents with a framework for meaningful dialogue with their children. While parents often pack a sandwich for their child’s lunch, he explained, they must also send them off with “spiritual food.”

“Knowing that school time is devoted to education,” the Rebbe explained in a 1986 address, “the child realises that the moment of silence must be dedicated to the most important things in his life. His outlook on life and his belief in the Creator and Ruler of the world, as per the instructions which his parents will give him.”

Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has illustrated that increased parent engagement in schools is linked with better student behaviour, higher academic achievement and enhanced social skills.

The Florida Moment of Silence bill reads, in part, “… youth, and society as a whole, would be well served if students in the public schools were afforded a moment of silence at the beginning of each school day...”

Sen. Victor Torres (D-Kissimmee), supported the bill and recalled observing a Moment of Silence as a child in New York.

“I feel that it gives the teacher and the students a chance to reflect, and whichever religion you believe in, that’s your right,” he said.

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US commitment to Israel “iron clad”

BY ADAM MOSES President Reuven Rivlin met US President Joe Biden on his last official visit for Israel to the United States.

Isaac Herzog succeeds Rivlin in the post on July 7.

Biden hosted Rivlin at the White House and vowed that Iran will not get a nuclear weapon “on his watch” during a number of high profile meetings.

“It’s real, it’s something that I always say is fundamental and this includes an unwavering commitment to your self defence,” he noted, “Iran will never get a nuclear weapon on my watch.”

Rivlin during a three-day visit met United Nations officials in New York and congressional lawmakers from both parties in Washington.

Meeting with Jewish community members in New York and Israel’s Ambassador to UN, Gilad Erdan, Rivlin noted that while he held different opinions with Biden on certain issues they held similar views in the fight against anti-Semitism.

“We must fight anti-Semitism in all forms and use all tools at our disposal,” he said. “President Biden and his administration are committed to combating this growing hate, and I promise you that the State of Israel will always stand in the forefront against antisemitism, in the US and all over the world.”

He added, “The long-lasting support of the Jewish world, and especially the American Jewish communities, for Israel, makes

Presidents Rivlin and Biden

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

you an inherent part of the Israeli society, our fifth tribe.”

Rivlin also said his prayers were with the Jewish community in Surfside, Florida.

Biden confirmed the US fully supports normalisation of relations between Israel and Middle Eastern countries and beyond.

“This is important progress, and we are really looking forward to building back a wider plot of peace and stability,” he noted.

Rivlin told Biden that Israel had no greater ally than the US. The leaders discussed Israel’s national security, US efforts to re-enter the Iran

nuclear deal, Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza and new coalition government.

On the Iranian nuclear threat, Rivlin emphasised that it was the “gravest strategic threat faced by the free world”. Regarding the Palestinians, Rivlin said that “building confidence and trust” was a condition for a diplomatic process. But it was also dependent on the return of Israel’s missing soldiers and civilians, held by Hamas.

Following the meeting, Rivlin met Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Members of Congress.

Pelosi told Rivlin, “Congressional support for Israel has always been bipartisan.”

And during his Washington visit, he met with the Ambassador of the UAE, Yousef Al Otaiba, who played a major role in the Abraham Accords.

Rivlin and Biden first met when the US President visited Israel as a Senator in 1971, Rivlin took the ambitious politician on a tour of Jerusalem.

Rivlin’s US visit followed IDF Chief of Staff Kohavi’s last week when he met senior US security officials at the White House and Pentagon.

The White House announced that Biden had invited Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to Washington in the coming weeks.

In related news, World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder met Rivlin in New York to thank him for his dedicated service to the State of Israel and Jewish people.

“Throughout his long career in public service, President Rivlin has emphasised what unites the Jewish people in Israel and around the world,” noted Lauder. “He has sought to bring Jews in Israel and the Diaspora closer together by fostering understanding and a spirit of tolerance.”

He added, “We discussed critical issues facing the Jewish state and the Jewish people, including the need for the US commitment to Israel to remain not only unwavering but truly bipartisan.”

Rivlin met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and foreign ambassadors before returning to Israel on Tuesday.

Israel slams Poland restitution bill

BY SIMCHA ABIR Israel’s Foreign Ministry has admonished Poland’s Ambassador Mark Magierowski over his country’s proposed restitution law.

The new bill, passed by Poland’s lower House of Parliament last week, has set a 30year statute of limitation on challenges to recover confiscated property. The rules apply to Jews and non-Jews.

The controversial legislation prevents compensation on property seized during the Holocaust or appeals of past rulings.

Polish politicians unanimously backed the changes, which still need approval from the Senate and President Andrzej Duda before becoming law.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid denounced the bill, stating that “no law will change history”.

Poland held a meeting with Israel Ambassador Tal Ben-Ari Yaalon on Monday regarding statements against the Polish government.

Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński said on state television that Warsaw would explain the legislation to the Israeli envoy to “set the record straight”.

“We believe that unfortunately what we’re dealing with here is a situation that certain

Paweł Jabłoński

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

Israeli politicians are exploiting for internal political purposes,” they noted.

But Alon Bar, head of the Foreign Ministry’s political department, told Magierowski that Israel was “deeply disappointed” by the bill as it would negatively impact at least 90%

of property restitution claims of Holocaust survivors and descendants. Bar added that it was not too late for Poland to halt processes in terms of “renouncing its obligations toward Holocaust survivors”.

Bar called for a return to dialogue on property restitution for Holocaust survivors halted in 2019.

Poland defended the changes as “misunderstood” after Israel labelled reforms “immoral”.

The US State Department slammed the changes and called on Poland to abandon them.

State Department spokesman Ned Price described the changes as a “step in the wrong direction”. “We believe in the importance of settling Holocaust-era restitution issues to ensure fairness and equality for all victims,” Price posted on Twitter.

The Israeli Embassy lambasted the bill, it would also hit relations with Poland.

“This immoral law will have a serious impact on the relations between our countries,” the embassy said on Twitter.

World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder condemned the draft law.

“This law is a slap in the face to what remains of Polish Jewry and survivors of Nazi brutality everywhere,” he noted. “It also sets

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a terrible precedent throughout Europe as survivors and descendants continue to seek justice.”

Lauder added, “I have been an unwavering advocate of Poland in Washington and elsewhere ever since that country rejected the Communist system in favour of democracy. I was inspired by Poland’s fight for freedom and its national rebirth even when I disagreed with some of Warsaw’s policies.

But this flagrant and entirely gratuitous act by the Polish Parliament leaves me questioning my own commitment and the future of US-Polish relations. It pains me to say this, but I think that the time has come for the international Jewish community to reevaluate our relationship with a government that is behaving with unimaginable callousness and is emulating the worst traditions in Polish history rather than the best and most uplifting ones.

“Since moral persuasion clearly has not been effective, perhaps the time has come to treat Poland with the same consideration it accords to Polish Jews and their descendants seeking justice.”

Prior to 1939, Poland was home to over three million Jews, most were murdered in the ghettos, death camps and concentration camps by the Nazi regime.

1 JULY 2021

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Chief opens Europe’s first kosher eco hotel Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis opened Europe’s first kosher eco hotel this week.

The Sadeh Farmhouse is a not-forprofit guesthouse housed in a 17th century manor. The Jewish charity aims to educate people about the environment. Proceeds go back into the charity.

The Chief Rabbi, faith leaders and local councillors were shown round the farm and guesthouse.

Guests learned how KLBD, the United Synagogue’s Kashrut divi- The Sadeh Farmhouse sion, supervises the guesthouse’s an address by the Chief Rabbi who spoke kosher restaurant, making it the only ko- about environmentalism. sher hotel in the UK to be located outside The Chief Rabbi said, “Sadeh provides a a Jewish area. model where people can come on holiday, The Chief Rabbi also visited Lone Goat enjoy it as much as they would any other Brewery, the on-site microbrewery and holiday, while also learning about the envipickling company. ronment and contributing to a charity. The Guests enjoyed a lunch made using or- challenge, for all of us, is to move from talkganic farm ingredients before listening to ing about climate change to actually doing

something about it.”

Rabbi Elie Schoemann, Director of Licensing for KLBD, added, “This part of Kent is not known for its kosher food and so it has been a wonderful challenge for us and the Sadeh team.”

Talia Chain, Sadeh Chief Executive, noted, “We are a Jewish farm, a community hub and a catalyst for change and we welcome anyone who is interested to join us and see what life on the farm is all about.”

Naomi Verber, Sadeh Head of Hospitality, said, “With five family suites, pickling workshops, brewery tours, vegetable picking, an indoor swimming pool, playgrounds and a visit to the chicken coup, there really is something for everyone.”

Guests can take part in a Farm and Forest foraging tour, pickling, brewing and honey-making workshops, a visit to the chicken coup and vegetable picking.

The Sadeh Farmhouse is located on a working fruit and vegetable farm.

Kosher meals served in the KLBD-supervised restaurant include ethically sourced, local produce and organic fruit and vegetables direct from the farm.

The eco guesthouse puts protecting the environment at the heart of its operations.

The guesthouse works with local farmers to source produce to ensure a low carbon supply chain.

Farm tractor rides, cinema evenings, bonfire nights, face painting and discos for children are on offer as part of a seasonal programme.

Guests can also take advantage of the guest house’s indoor pool, tennis and basketball court, zipwire and obstacle course, two playgrounds and children’s playroom.

Older guests can also enjoy the onsite microbrewery. The property also offers a large library and lounge, grand dining room and complimentary Wi-Fi and parking.

Naor to head Mount Meron inquiry

BY DAVID SAFFER Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Miriam Naor will head a state commission inquiry into the Mount Meron stampede on Lag B’Omer.

The tragedy resulted in 45 fatalities and 100 people injured.

The panel will also include former Bnei Brak Mayor, Rabbi Mordechai Karelitz, and Maj. Gen. (ret.) Shlomo Yanai.

“The establishment of a state commission of inquiry by an independent body is intended to ensure its independence and the public’s trust in its work and conclusions,” noted Supreme Court Justice Esther Hayut.

The chief justice added that Naor, Karelitz and Yanai had been selected due to the magnitude of the disaster and sensitivity of issues needing clarification.

Regarding Naor, Hayut said, “She has vast judicial experience and knowledge.

She has served for years in all courts and discussed cases that are among the most complex the state has known.”

Karelitz provides experience in dealing with the ultra-Orthodox community.

“He has extensive knowledge and practical experience in the fields of planning and construction,” Hayut noted. “He previously served as a member of the Tal Committee to formulate the appropriate arrangement regarding the recruitment of yeshiva students to the IDF. He also possesses great knowledge regarding the Lag Ba’Omer celebrations.”

Hayut added that Yanai had extensive in logistics and planning.

“Since retiring from the IDF, Yanai has been managing leading companies in the economy,” she said. “He also serves as chairman of the Elem Association that aids at risk youths.”

Hayut added, “May this committee

whose members are appointed here today work to repair and stabilise both the societal and safety issues.”

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s new government approved the commission during its first cabinet meeting last week.

“The government’s decision to establish a state commission of inquiry into the disaster, as well as other risks that exist in similar events, proves that this is an issue of vital public importance that needs to be addressed,” Hayut said. “The government’s decision also stipulates that the committee will recommend the correct way to hold mass events, especially in places of religious worship, and in particular regarding the necessary changes to the site of the Lag B’Omer celebrations on Mount Meron and its infrastructure.”

The commission will establish the decision making process that led to the approval of the event, professional and legal questions regarding safety at mass events and locations for large public events.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz called for the commission and welcomed Hayut’s panel choices.

“Naor is one of the most senior state and judicial figures in the State of Israel, and I am sure that the committee headed by her will lead to conclusions that will save human lives in the future,” he said.

Gantz and Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman proposed the investigation.

“It is incumbent upon us to prevent the next disaster,” Bennett told the cabinet meeting. “The commission will not be able to bring back those who are no longer with us but the government must do everything it can to prevent unnecessary loss of life in the future.”

“All sectors of society visit Meron and it is our responsibility is to guarantee their safety,” he added.

Former Prime Minister Benjamin

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Miriam Naor

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

Netanyahu vowed to act but action never materialised. Media reports questioned pressure from ultra-Orthodox religious leaders and MKs. Police have launched an investigation and the State Comptroller’s Office has announced a probe but cannot bring criminal charges.

Families of victims wrote to Netanyahu demanding a State Commission into the tragedy that included representatives from the Chareidi community.

HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein has approved Rabbi Karelitz’ participation according to Channel 12 News.

The son of HaGaon HaRav Nissim Karelitz, Rabbi Karelitz was close to HaGaon

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HaRav Aryeh Leib Shteinman. After HaRav Shteinman’s funeral, Karelitz became close to HaRav Edelstein.

According to the TV report, Rabbi Karelitz has received the Rosh Yeshiva’s blessing on his appointment.

Police have questioned 17 people regarding the tragedy which saw 45 fatalities and scores of injuries. All have been released, some conditional.

Materials have been collected as evidence from the Meron site.

An estimated 100,000 orthodox pilgrims were celebrating the festival at the historic resting place of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai when the worst civilian disaster in the State of Israel’s history occurred.

During the ceremony, tragedy unfolded in a narrow tunnel.

The government was warned of a disaster by former State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss in 2008.

Following a report, the government in 2009 tasked the Government Companies Authority at the Finance Ministry to form a body to maintain the area. But a State Comptroller’s Report published by Lindestrauss in 2011 said the government made minor repairs.

In 2013, then finance minister Yair Lapid placed responsibility on the Ministry for Religious Affairs.

But public safety questions again emerged in 2017 and a year later.

The death toll two months ago surpassed previous Israeli tragedies including the Tel Aviv central bus station, Shmuel HaNavi bus, Dizengoff bus, Coastal Road bus and Dolfinarium discotheque suicide bombings.

It also exceeded the death count following Lod Airport, Kiryat Shmona and Ma’alot massacres.

At Meron, there were nine fatalities when a roof collapsed in 1911.

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Lapid inaugurates embassy in historic UAE visit

Yair Lapid

BY ADAM MOSES Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has officially inaugurated Israel’s Embassy to the UAE in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Speaking at the start of a historic two-day diplomatic Gulf visit, Lapid thanked Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, UAE leaders, former US president Donald Trump and President Joe Biden for “uncompromising support”.

And he recognised former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for being the “architect” behind normalisation accords Israel signed last year with the UAE, Bahrain

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

and Sudan.

“This moment is as much his as it is ours,” he said at an inauguration ceremony.

Looking to the future, Lapid noted, “Israel wants peace with all its neighbours. Israel is not going anywhere and the Middle East is our home. We’re here to stay, and we call on all the countries in the region to recognise that and to come talk to us.”

“Peace isn’t a compromise,” he added.

“War is surrender to all that is bad within us, peace is the victory of all that is good.”

Lapid was welcomed at Abu Dhabi Airport by Emirati Minister of State, Ahmed Al Sayegh.

Lapid is set to inaugurate the general consulate in Dubai and visit the Israeli pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 trade fair, set to open in October.

He will be hosted by Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan.

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said the US supports the event for regional stability and security.

“The United States welcomes the historic opening of the Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the visit of Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid,” Blinken said in a statement, adding that the first Israeli Embassy in a Gulf state was “significant for Israel, the UAE, and the broader region”.

The UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco normalised relations with Israel last year in accords brokered by Trump.

No senior Israeli official had visited the UAE since signing the Abraham Accords.

A scheduled visit in March by Netanyahu was cancelled after a dispute with Jordan over airspace.

Lapid posted a picture of himself on Twitter during take-off, calling the visit “historic.”

His visit followed his meeting with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani in Rome this week where he met Blinken.

Blinken backs Israel’s accords but they must not substitute issues with the Palestinians.

“We believe the way to discuss our disagreements is through direct conversations, not in press conferences,” Lapid said before the Rome meeting.

1 JULY 2021

Stark warning for Hamas from Gantz Defence Minister Benny Gantz has issued Hamas a stark warning that Israel will not hesitate to invade “enemy territory” in future hostilities.

Speaking at a memorial ceremony for soldiers killed in the second Lebanon War, Gantz appeared to be addressing the terror group in comments.

“In the next operations or, G-d forbid, wars, when we have to reach the depths of the enemy again, our (military) forces, which are comprised of both regular (soldiers) and reservists will enter swiftly and powerfully, and will be a central part of the fighting,” he noted.

“We will activate (ground forces) if required. Not lightly, but with the knowledge and understanding that the full force of the army is required, powerful and ready for the challenges before us.”

Israel last utilised ground forces during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza in 2014.

Some 40 IDF soldiers were killed in battles.

Israel has cited that it prefers peace to a conflict, noted Gantz, but Israel would not hesitate to use its “full capabilities” in neighbouring countries and that included Lebanon.

“Attempts to quietly infiltrate our borders do not go unnoticed, and we keep our eyes open, act routinely and are prepared for extensive operations, even in emergencies,” he added.

During Operation Guardian of the Walls last month, a handful of rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel. The Iron Dome missile defence system intercepted the missiles.

Israeli university wins design accolade

BY DAVID SAFFER Tel Aviv University’s design team has won a prestigious Audience Favourite Award at the 2021 London Design Biennale at Somerset House.

The global gathering of the world’s most imaginative designers, curators and design institutes participated.

Es Devlin, LDB’s Artistic Director, chose Resonance as the 2021 theme, with over 40 countries responding with installations and presentations.

Students and architect graduates at Tel Aviv’s School of Architecture created the winning entry.

The Israeli pavilion was motivated by recent decades where the world has moved towards globalisation and breaking stereotypes. The presentation touched on the British audience that began the Brexit process which re-opened discussion of tensions between globalisation and seclusion.

Lior Kantor, Noa Carmi, Liela Solomon,

‘The Boiler Room’

PHOTO: LONDONDESIGNBIENNALE.COM

Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely with Tel Aviv design students

Osher Lapid, Roi Levin, Oren Algali and Barak Weizmann represented Team Israel.

Ambassador Tzipi Hotoveli participated in the event and met the Israeli designers.

“I am excited for the winning Israeli team in this wonderful prize,” she said.

“The experience of the past year during the pandemic reminded us all the value of art.”

She added, “I am proud to see here in London a unique Israeli art that gives value and beauty to human society, in this international hub for talented designers.

From my personal experience, I have enjoyed walking around the pavilions from all over the world and got excited from amazing Israeli art which is exposed in this respectable stage.”

Participants overcame challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic to complete the event.

From the pandemic to climate change, equality to migration, through international collaboration, policy making and communication, pavilions explored the role that design can play in changing the

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world for the better.

“London is a global creative capital, which will play a key role in our economic recovery from the pandemic,” commented Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London.

Devlin said, “In our global, digital era, design can instantly permeate borders and bridge cultures. As a community of designers approaching shared global challenges from culturally diverse viewpoints, the collective resonance of our ideas and our actions has the power to be truly transformative.”

Pavilions participating included Antarctica, Argentina, Austria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Poland, Taiwan and Venezuela. Italy, Norway, New York and Pakistan took part digitally.

The Biennale brings together creative designers to explore diverse design areas and their potential to inspire every two years.

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ISRAEL POLITICS FROM THE KNESSET with political analyst JAMES J. MARLOW

QUESTIONS TO THE CORRESPONDENT Miri Levy asks: JAMES, What exactly is the citizen’s state law and do you think the government coalition partners will all support it?

Hello Miri: The citizenship law is legislation already passed in the Knesset, but for a limited period. The law prevents Palestinian Arabs from obtaining automatic residency or citizenship status, when they marry Israeli citizens. It was passed to prevent terrorists from Gaza or the West Bank being able to move around the country more easily, for the purpose of committing a terror act.

The Arab Joint List party who is not part of the new government have called upon the Arab Ra’am and left wing Meretz parties, who ARE part of the coalition, to help thwart the legislation by not voting with the government. All three parties have called it racist and Joint List head Ayman Odeh said “We have an historic opportunity to cancel this law and allow thousands of families to live normal lives”.

Meretz was considering its position and criticised Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked (Yamina) who said, that no changes would be made to the law. Shaked also lambasted the Likud and its allies in the opposition for refusing to back the law, which it supports ideologically and was advancing before they lost power.

The vote to pass the legislation was once again postponed, because the government simply do not have enough votes in the Knesset, at this time to get it through.

Tony Goldstein asks: JAMES, Yair Lapid, Avigdor Liberman, Naftali Bennett, Benny Gantz, Gideon Sa’ar and many other Knesset members all condemned the previous Netanyahu government for not passing a state budget. It has now been almost three weeks since this government was sworn in but where is the budget?

Hello Tony: The new Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beteinu) said his office will draw up a state budget in the coming weeks based on responsible policy. “Everyone comes with demands – they are justified but we must see what our options and priorities are”, he said in remarks at an economic conference.

Liberman also commented on the unpaid leave from employers, which forced former employees onto unemployment benefit. This will cease at the end of this week, for the under 45-year-olds. Liberman said the decision was not easy, “But there are 130,000 jobs available on the market.”

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Whenever the budget is ready for a Knesset vote, it must have at least 61 members voting in favour or it will not pass. As the government was only sworn in with just 60 seats, it will be interesting to see if members from the Arab Joint List party will vote in a favour or not.

Jennifer Garfinkle asks: JAMES, Is it true that Netanyahu has not yet referred to Naftali Bennett as Prime Minister?

Hello Jennifer: It’s quite possible because Netanyahu doesn’t feel that Bennett has the real power.

The opposition leader has said several times that it is Yair Lapid who is in charge.

His Yesh Atid party have 17 seats whereas Lapid’s seven coalition partners each have between 4 to 8 seats. The Prime Minister’s

own party, Yamina, has just 6 seats and no real control over Foreign Affairs, which is all in the hands of Yair Lapid.

In fact this is the first time that an Israeli Prime Minister has no real control over foreign policy. Yair Lapid as Foreign Minister who was just in the United States, will become Prime Minister himself in two years, if the government holds out that long. For now, Lapid is the minister solely dealing with America on any new Iran deal.

Netanel Berger: JAMES, Many Israelis and the press were so desperate to get rid of Netanyahu, the Likud and the religious parties, do you think the inexperience, one seat majority, current bickering and weakness of this government will be a wake-up call to the people?

Ask your Israeli political question to James J. Marlow by email: James@TheCommunicationBureau.com or Twitter @James_J_Marlow THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

Hello Netanel: Netanyahu and his family are scheduled to move out of the Prime Minister’s official residence on Balfour Street on 10 July. So if the government is going to fall, it would certainly make things a lot easier for Bibi if it was to fall now.

Seriously, even though my Hebrew name is Yermiyahu, I cannot tell you what will be in the coming months, especially when it comes to predicting Israeli politics. But with so many diverse opinions and views in the government when it comes to the land, settlements, religion and the passing of legislation, I think we are going to see conflict between left and right wing ministers.

But they may also just bite their tongues and do what they did with the citizenship law and postpone votes.

1 JULY 2021

OPINION 15

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OPINION

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

It’s all about the narrative OPINION PIECE

BY JAMES J MARLOW If you thought the anti-Netanyahu rhetoric would cease once the Left-Centre-Right-Arab coalition all joined together to oust Netanyahu from Balfour Street, you would be mistaken.

The black flag movement continues to scream outside the Prime Minister’s residence in Rehavia, Jerusalem where the Netanyahu’s remain until 10 July. The demonstrators with their loud hailers, dreadful choice of music and cardboard boxes, in a sarcastic gesture to offer the Netanyahu’s help with packing their possessions, are still there.

The Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post and practically every news affiliate continue with their anti-Netanyahu stance, even when the prosecution have requested another delay in the trial of the former Prime Minister, as they gather evidence.

But writing in the Jewish News newspaper last week, Jenni Frazer appeared to praise right-winger Yitzhak Shamir in another feeble attempt to attack Netanyahu. I have to say, it is quite something when a former hard left Jerusalem correspondent, decides to

write something positive about Shamir, who in 1988 led the most right-wing government Israel has ever seen.

But that’s OK, because Frazer is quite happy to even pull out notorious former world leaders, if it fits with her narrative of demonising Netanyahu or anyone associated with Netanyahu.

Earlier in the year, she picked on Jonathan Pollard and his wife, writing the most outrageous lies when they landed together for the first time in Israel.

This time Frazer points out that Shamir vacated the Prime Minister’s residence for Rabin in 1992 after 4 years. Peres moved into the house with no problems in November 1995. But of course Rabin had been murdered and his wife Leah wanted to leave the residence as soon as possible. Netanyahu moved in 1996 (after Peres) and moved out in 1999 when he lost to Ehud Barak.

Without going through the whole list up until today, Frazer erroneously accused Netanyahu of “squatting” and called it “shameful”.

The only “shameful” thing is Frazer’s shabby misinformation and inability to once again, check some basic facts.

First, it wasn’t “three weeks ago” (which would now be four) that Naftali Bennett “assumed the office as Prime Minister. Up

until Sunday 13 June, no one knew whether the new government was going to be voted in, as that morning two Knesset Members from coalition parties were hinting they were going to vote against. In the end, one abstained which is why the new government only reached 60 seats.

Second, the three properties Frazer claimed Netanyahu has, with two being in Jerusalem are not secure for a former Prime Minister of 15 years. Security made it very clear that even without the several death threats against Netanyahu, the homes had to be made safe and that would take time. Sadly we live in a very different era to that of the twentieth century.

Third, Bennett was immediately informed of the security concerns from the Shin Bet and accepted that the Netanyahu’s needed to stay another two to three weeks.

This information is not “top secret”. It is widely available and if Jenni Frazer was a credible journalist with the ability to research or make the right telephone calls, instead of relying on her own personal and highly emotional feelings, she would know this.

Bennett didn’t even give Netanyahu a cut-off date of 10 July as Frazer wrote. It was a date that the Netanyahu’s gave, because the security adjustments to the house in Caesarea would be completed by that time.

Jenni Frazer then then quoted some social media suggestions such as “cutting the water and electricity to the house” or “play loud music at unpleasant hours.”

Wow, Frazer has no idea that the loud music has been playing outside the house and pretty much through the night for more than a year, by the so called black flag movement.

The demonstrators have destroyed the lives of thousands of local residents all in the name of “democratic rights”. Not to mention the massive spread of Covid and the violence demonstrators brought with them including stone throwing, setting fires, causes damage and attacks against the police.

Elements within the media will tell you this only happens outside the homes of rightwing government ministers. But they won’t tell you that it continues in Rehavia outside the Prime Minister’s residence.

The general public repeatedly say they don’t trust the media or journalists today, because they cannot write or describe a news story, without bringing in their own personal and political bias.

My argument is simply that one has to be consistent. If you are going to target one side, you have to be equal with the truth to the other side.

James J. Marlow is a broadcast journalist previously working for ITN, EuroNews, LBC Radio, Daily Express and a number of Jewish publications. In addition, he runs a Media and Communications / Public Speaking Training Operation and was a consultant at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem. Email: James@ TheCommunicationBureau.com

FROM ANGUISH TO ACTION: JEWISH COMMUNITY CONFERENCE SUPPORTING THE UYGHURS

MAGEN AVOT SYNAGOGUE Supported by:

Sunday 11 July, 5-8pm www.TheUS.tv/action

Expert panellists (including senior faith leaders, UN diplomats and MPs Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Lisa Nandy) will offer practical advice on how to support the Uyghur Community

They have faced persecution and abuse. It’s time for action.

Celebrating 150 Year s

Media partner:

This interactive conference is presented by Magen Avot Synagogue and supported by the Office of the Chief Rabbi, The Hampstead Synagogue, Muswell Hill Synagogue and the United Synagogue.

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# Fr o m A n g u i s h To A c t i o n

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OPINION

1 JULY 2021

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

I am a Zionist OPINION PIECE

BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN I am a Zionist. I believe that being a Jew is more about being Jewish; it is being part of a nation and that the homeland for the Jewish nation is Israel.

For some reason, Zionism is a significant issue amongst some of the voters in the constituency of Batley and Spen. This area, roughly equidistant between Huddersfield and Leeds, will by the time you read this have made a decision as to the identity of their new MP. The constituency was violently brought to national attention by the murder of Jo Cox in 2016. The by election has been brought about following the resignation of the previous Member of Parliament Tracy Brabin, who was elected Mayor of West Yorkshire. Ms Cox’s sister Kim Leadbeater is the Labour candidate and you might think that in the usual run of events she would stand a good chance of being elected.

Enter though George Galloway and suddenly Ms Leadbeater’s chances diminish.

The by election is no longer only about Government or local policies, Zionism and Palestine are on the agenda. Aside from whether or not Mr Galloway has been stirring up animosity within Muslim voters – and there is certainly evidence to demonstrate this. What is more, the Galloway campaign appears to be gaining ground on the basis that Keir Starmer needs to be punished for his attack on the antisemites.

How have we come to this? How is it, that in the middle of a small town in West Yorkshire that the movement to provide a homeland for the Jews is an issue? Sadly, it is simple. The far-left have been successful in their campaign to exclude the Jews from being a minority and downgraded Jewhate to being a figment of our imagination.

Call out Jew-hate and the far-left claim we are just trying to protect Israel. Those who

see themselves as left of centre are trying so hard to be inclusive and non-judgmental that they just refuse to see what is front of their eyes.

A close friend of mine described these people as being so open-minded that their brains fell out years ago. A little harsh perhaps but sadly true. For all his good intentions Keir Starmer has done very little to push back against the Jew-hate in the Labour Party. In the 14 months since he has been leader of the party, Jeremy Corbyn still remains a member and the root and branch clearing out of the antisemites appears to be permanently stalled. Little wonder that the far-left feel so emboldened in continuing to target the Jewish community.

What is the response to all of this? I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that this is not a top down problem. Having good relations with Government and other

What is more, the Galloway campaign appears to be gaining ground on the basis that Keir Starmer needs to be punished for his attack on the antisemites.

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major institutions is all very well, but these are not going to solve the grass roots established Jew-hate around the country. Only last week Lancaster City Council passed a BDS motion calling for divestment concerning Israel. Nothing of course on China, Nigeria or Syria, but then why would there be, there are no Jews involved there.

We need to start setting some standards.

The IHRA definition is all very well, but for as long as it is routinely ignored by those claiming to be anti-racist the increase in Jew-hate will become more and more acceptable. The fight now is not about persuading those in Government that the far-left (and now sadly increasingly the left of centre) are anti-Semitic, it is about persuading the general population that the Jews are under attack and it has to stop. I am a Zionist and I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder every time I say so.

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.

1 JULY 2021

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AJEX honours Jews and unveils new standard AJEX held a special ceremony online to honour British Jewish servicemen and women on Sunday.

Over 800 viewers from around the world participated in a virtual tour of the National Memorial Arboretum.

The online audience celebrated the significant contribution to HM Armed Forces by remembering those from our community who have served and continue to serve.

The event took place at the closing of National Armed Forces Week.

Under normal circumstances, AJEX attend an annual commemoration service at the NMA in Staffordshire. But for a second year running it was held online.

Wreaths were laid, and readings and

prayers recited.

At the event, AJEX also revealed a new AJEX National Standard, the first for over 40 years.

In a ceremony led by AJEX National Chairman, Mike Bluestone and Rabbi Major Reuben Livingstone the new Standard was paraded by Brian Bloom, AJEX Vice President and 2Lt Dan Bartram Contingent Commander of the JFS Combined Cadet Force, assisted by AJEX Deputy National Chairman, S/Sgt Dan Fox. On inaugurating the new standard in a historical moment, Bluestone commented, “We demonstrate once more our commitment as a veteran’s organisation but also ensure that AJEX has a presence in remembrance events for many years to

AJEX at the annual commemoration service

come.” He added. “We hope the wonderful colours of the beautiful new standard also represent the beginning of a new chapter for AJEX, one which symbolises our ongoing commitment and future”.

After the online ceremony and commemoration, AJEX invited viewers on a behind the scenes tour at the NMA. AJEX Historian and Education manager, Paula Kitching, showed notable

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memorials including The AJEX Memorial, the National Service Memorial, the Armed Forces Memorial, the Special Operations Executive memorial and the Falklands Memorial, taking viewers on a journey to understand the history of Jewish participation in the British Military.

The expanded tour can be seen on www. youtube.com/ajexjma

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AJR celebrates 80th anniversary with 80 trees The Association of Jewish Refugees celebrates its 80th anniversary next month.

To commemorate this milestone, the AJR has launched a campaign, 80 Trees for 80 Years, which will see 80 native oak trees planted around Britain in honour of people and places that symbolise the contribution made to British life by refugees who escaped from Nazi Europe.

The first tree will be planted during National Tree Week in November, with the majority of the trees planted in January for Holocaust Memorial Day. Dozens of communities around the UK have applied to host a trees and will be organising local activities around tree planting ceremonies.

“The planting of these trees will enable the AJR to give back to and create a living legacy within the country that became their home,” said AJR CEO, Michael Newman. “Britain’s native oak trees are in decline and new trees are desperately needed.”

He added, “We hope these 80 special

trees will be appreciated by future generations and provide natural habitats for other native species for many decades to come.

Each tree will act as a platform for telling the story of Britain’s Jewish refugees and celebrating the remarkable contribution to British life.

The AJR will plant a time capsule alongside the roots of every tree, containing key facts about the Jewish refugee community and sharing the life story of one or more AJR members.

Logistically, this is an enormous project.

The AJR is working with key organisations including The Tree Council, UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Jewish Small Communities Network and Holocaust Educational Trust.

80 Trees for 80 Years has also been endorsed by the organisers of The Queen’s Green Canopy.

AJR charity provides social and welfare services to Holocaust refugees and survivors in the UK.

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Chabad releases updated daily study program

BY DAVID SAFFER Chabad.org’s ‘daily study’ program has been rebuilt to add a new dimension for thousands of users.

Released seven years ago, one of the most popular Jewish apps has an updated version being publicly tested before an official launch. The rejuvenated app features the translation of Chumash with Rashi and the works of Maimonides among a number of options whilst new daily learning tracks are being planned.

The launch coincided with the yahrzeit of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, earlier this month and completion of the fortieth cycle of the annual study of Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah, an initiative the Rebbe established.

Each daily study track is refreshed on the app. Users can choose from audio lectures of renowned Chabad teachers including Rabbi Yehoshua B. Gordon and Rabbi Manis Friedman and adjust the playback speed.

The app is also more accessible to the blind.

Among new features is the capability to stream related classes being studied and an ability to subscribe to and save classes in advance. Users can preload up to two weeks classes.

“We wanted to build an app that would empower the user to keep up with their daily study, no matter where they were in the world,” commented Rabbi Dov Dukes, lead mobile developer for Chabad.org.

“With the new app, users can study on an airplane or the subway or any other time they may not have an internet connection.”

Daily Jewish study has grown in recent years and the daily study app, with 50,000 installs, has played an important role in that growth. Feedback has been positive with users sharing how they are benefiting offering suggestions for new features.

Chabad.org’s suite of Jewish apps is sponsored by Dovid and Malkie Smetana, Alan and Lori Zekelman, The Meromim Fund, and Moris and Lillian Tabacinic.

The new app

Unfazed, an international farbrengen dedicated to learning from lessons and example of the Rebbe.

Earlier this month, the day after the 27th anniversary of the Rebbe’s passing, a lineup of Jewish personalities shared how the Rebbe’s teachings empower them to face challenges.

Tens of thousands joined from home via the Chabad.org live stream, hundreds of in-person viewing events hosted by Chabad centers and synagogues globally also took place with social distancing.

Elisha Wiesel, son of the late Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, spoke of his father’s bond with the Rebbe and how his legacy has impacted generations of the Wiesel family.

TikTok executive and author Michal Oshman discussed her battle with anxiety and how the Rebbe’s teachings have helped. Dina Hurwitz, whose husband, Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz was immobilised by ALS outlined the challenges for her family.

An integral element of a farbrengen is singing. Chassidic and Yiddish music was played by violinist Itzhak Perlman accompanied by Shulem Lemmer.

Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, led Psalms.

In related news, since lockdowns began last year, a plethora of online events have occurred.

Among the most popular has been

To download the updated app. https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2452166/jewish/Daily-TorahStudy-App.htm

Shone’s new Jewish Care role Richard Shone has been appointed Jewish Care’s Director for Community Development.

Richard began working for Jewish Care in 1990, holding various roles including Day Centre Manager and Community Centre Manager at Redbridge JCC, and Centre Manager at Southend & Westcliff Day Centre and Shebson Lodge.

In recent years, Richard has been Service

1 JULY 2021

Manager for Community Centres, Head of Community Engagement and Volunteering and Interim Deputy Director for Community Services and Volunteering to oversee the resetting of Community Services.

Richard is a trustee for the Doris & Sidney Gold Community Trust Fund and chairs a fundraising Committee, ‘The Young Ones’. He also instigated the Saul Keene Award for Youth Leadership.

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Camp Simcha CEO goes over the top

Camp Simcha CEO Neville Goldschneider

Camp Simcha CEO Neville Goldschneider has always prided himself on going above and beyond, but now he is throwing himself off the top of the ArcelorMittal Orbit, taking on the UK’s highest freefall abseil.

The charity’s Dare to Drop sponsored challenge is taking place 12 September this year and is open to anyone over the age of 14.

Camp Simcha had originally planned the challenge as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations last year – but had to reschedule due to Covid.

“I have to admit the Isolation Challenge I took on last year – growing my beard for 3 months – was a bit less daunting – but then again this one will be over faster,” says Mr Goldschneider, who will be dropping 262 feet in just eight minutes.

“I am delighted to risk life and limb for such an important cause, helping seriously ill children and their families. Hopefully this will inspire others to join me - I am no daredevil so if I can do it, then anyone can do it.”

The exhilarating descent to the ground, takes in breath-taking 20-mile vistas across London, including iconic buildings such as The Gherkin, St. Pauls, Canary Wharf and Wembley Stadium, as well as the world-famous sporting venues of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

For more information or to sign up for the challenge, go to www.campsimcha.org. uk/challenge/abseil/

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1 JULY 2021

Norwood supporters were up for the Challenge Norwood’s Chiltern 10 Hike, took place on Sunday in support of people with learning disabilities and autism and children and their families facing challenges. Participants took on the 10 mile hike through beautiful countryside, learning about local history on the way and ending up at a winery. One of the most accessible challenges in the Norwood calendar, it offers a taster of the determination and teamwork required to tackle physical challenges, as well as an insight into Norwood and why voluntary donations are so important to the charity.

Norwood’s Chief Executive Dr Beverley Jacobson said that participating in the challenge had left her feeling “energised and motivated” and urged others to get involved in future Challenges.

Norwood has been running its famous Challenges since 1992 to raise money for the charity’s vital services. Like all areas of life, Norwood works to ensure its fundraising Challenges are inclusive and open to the participation of the people we support.

The training and preparation required to participate in a Norwood Challenge has obvious physical benefits, added to which the mental determination, self-belief and physical effort required to complete a Challenge empowers the individual taking part to overcome whatever challenges they may face and to fulfil their potential.

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Abigail raises almost £10,000 for charities helping her

Abigail Jacobs in the operating theatre seconds before going under anaesthetic

BY JAMES J. MARLOW A young teenager from the community of Borehamwood, who is undergoing chemotherapy for a rare form of cancer, is now attempting to raise £50,000 for the charities that have been helping her and her family, through a very difficult time.

Abigail Jacobs who turned 13-yearsold last March, was diagnosed with acute

PHOTO: ADAM JACOBS.

lymphoblastic leukaemia, at the end of last year and has since been receiving a huge amount of intensive treatment at UCLH in London and Watford General hospital.

So far just under £9,500 has been raised for charities such as Camp Simcha and Chai Cancer Care, which have been lifelines for her parents, Adam and Lara and siblings, Josh 11 and Lili 7.

Camp Simcha arranged for Abigail’s

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younger brother, Joshua to receive equestrian therapy and they also provided online art classes for Lili. They even helped with small logistical matters such as setting up an Uber account for the family to get free travel to and from the hospital.

Chai Cancer Care have provided crucial advice and guidance.

The Jacobs belong to Ohr Yisrael Federation shul in Borehamwood whose members have provided a great deal of support to the family, including cooked meals. The wider Jewish community set up a tehillim group on WhatsApp and more people are joining each week.

Abi, as she prefers to be known, is also a bit of a singer and has a great voice. When she was first diagnosed, she stopped singing for a while, but has recently started again and recorded and released a cover version of her favourite song.

The song even attracted support from celebrities such as actor, comedian and TV presenter, Matt Lucas, who shared Abi’s YouTube video online.

Her father Adam said of Abi, “She is coping amazingly and has the ability to focus on the positives, which gets her through and helps us cope as well”.

Abigail herself said, “Instead of sitting around and feeling sorry for myself, I decided to do something for the charities that have helped me and my family. “It feels great when people donate, even the smallest amount makes a difference.”

Not a bad attitude for a just turned

13-year-old with a rare type of cancer affecting white blood cells in her body. Brave Abi who lost her hair due to the intensive chemotherapy, has also had to isolate from friends and family members, due to Covid and the added risk to her immune system.

In addition, Abigail suffers from nausea and severe headaches due to inflammation on one side of her brain. But her mum Lara says, “She continues to have a great sense of humour and likes to make everyone smile and laugh. “In fact she’s been a real inspiration to everybody, just through her focus and the way she is handling it.”

When Abigail was first diagnosed last December, her father Adam removed all the mezuzot from the doors of their house in Borehamwood, to have them checked.

It was only then that he discovered the mezuzah on their front door had been removed from its box by thieves. They had simply unscrewed the large screw at the bottom of the Jerusalem stone box and stole the wrapped parchment from inside.

It was of course replaced.

When the latest round of treatment is completed, Abi will move into a two-year phase of “maintenance” chemotherapy.

Her doctors are happy at the progress she is making.

Abigail’s Hebrew name is Avigayil Shifra Bat Malka Rochel. To donate to her fund or see Abi’s YouTube video, visit https:// gofund.me/d6fc9917

New Health Secretary Sajid Javid meets Kisharon Noé pupil Kisharon Noé School pupil, Chanochi met newly appointed Health Secretary Sajid Javid. The Health Secretary spoke with Chanochi (aged 11 and a half ) politely asking his Mother Jane “as we are outside would it be ok to touch elbows?” He went on to ask Jane “how she found Chanochi’s care in the NHS as it’s important we look after the children”. Jane replied Chanochi has received good care before she wished him luck in his new role.

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Chanochi meeting Sajid Javid

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Leeds Community Kollel Broadening its Horizons to Manchester Just over seven years ago, the Leeds Kollel opened its doors, with a small group of families. They set out to establish a Makom Torah in the heart of the traditional Jewish community. From its humble beginnings it was received warmly in the community of nearly 10,000, and the young Kollel families felt very comfortable making Leeds their home. By now the number has grown to twelve families, with nine residing in Leeds.

The Beis Hamedrash they established would be a pride to any community. The Avreichim learn throughout the day with the same Hasmada as Kollelim in Manchester, Gateshead, and London. They have learnt through many Mesechtos over the years, and received Semicha from Dayan Westheim ZT”L and Dayan Refson ZT”L. Aside from the regular learning in the Kollel, immense efforts have been invested in bonding with people in the community. This involves hosting members of the community for Shabbos meals, holding a variety of Shiurim catering for various levels, initiating exciting programmes for teenagers, arranging trips to Poland, and organising Shabbatons to Gateshead and Manchester. Over the years they have benefited from the valuable advice of Seed and Aish.

Indeed it serves as a prime example of the impact a community Kollel can have on a community, with Avreichim who are true Bnei Torah investing from their time into connecting, befriending, and teaching people in the wider community.

In the words of one community member “When I heard that a Kollel was coming to Leeds, I said to myself ‘What do we need a Kollel for’? But today I can’t imagine Leeds without the Kollel.”

A unique annual project has been the Yom Hashas that has been held over the last five years. It has brought tremendous

L-R- President of Holy Law Congregation Mr. Kevin Feddy, the Rosh Kollel Rabbi Ahron Kramer, the Rov of Holy Law Congregation Rabbi Yossi Chazan, Rosh Chabura Rabbi Noson Krausz, Rosh Chabura Rabbi Elchonon Cohen

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL.

Leeds Kollel Tamuz 5781/June 2021 back row L-R: R’ Aaron Stroh, R’ Yitzchok Katz, R’ Nochum Salomon, R’ Yossi Dansky, R’ Yisroel Cohen, R’ Yitzi Springer, R’ Yaakov Kohn, R’ Binyomin Simcha Schvarcz, R’ Doniel Stern. Front row L-R: Rosh Chabura Rabbi Noson Krausz, Rosh Kollel Rabbi Ahron Kramer, Rosh Chabura Rabbi Elchonon Cohen

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL.

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL.

Leeds Kollel member R’ Yitzchok Katz with Leeds Community Youth

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chizuk to the Kollel, the community, and to the hundreds of Lomdim who have taken part. It has shown the admiration of thousands across the UK who generously sponsor it. In addition, it has also served as a connector of Leeds community members with members of other communities The Kollel was established under the able leadership of the Rosh Kollel, Rabbi Ahron Kramer, along with the Rosh Chabura, Rabbi Noson Krausz, and more recently the addition of Rabbi Elchonon Cohen. They are indeed a unique team who invest tremendous energies on a constant basis to the continued success of the Kollel.

With the expansion of the Kollel, they have now come to a strategic decision to broaden their horizons, and to expand their activities to serve the wider Manchester Community as well. The Rosh Kollel & Roshei Chabura will split their time between Leeds and Manchester.

Two of the experienced Avreichim will be moving from Leeds to Manchester, to form the core of the new branch, and will be mentors for the developing group in Manchester. They will bez”h initiate similar programmes and activities to what they have created in Leeds to serve the wider Manchester community. After weighing the options, the Holy Law Congregation was chosen to be a most suitable place to base this new full- day Kollel Beis Hamedrash as well as the various programmes.

The Rov, president, and committee members of the Holy Law Congregation have expressed their excitement at the opportunity to host the Kollel on their premises. Upon seeing the success the Kollel has had in Leeds, they feel this will do so much for their congregation, as well as the entire Manchester community. The Kollel will bez”h be opening its door this coming Elul.

Kevin Feddy, president of Holy Law, said: “We are thrilled and excited to welcome the Manchester & Leeds Community Kollel to our shul. The expansion of the Leeds Kollel into Manchester is a tribute to its amazing achievements over the years.

Its presence at Holy Law will lead to a host of social and learning opportunities for our entire community, working with Rabbi Kramer and the Kollel team to create programmes, events and activities for the whole spectrum of our membership.

We look forward to working with the team of Kollel families to help our community to develop and grow.

The feedback has been very positive and news of the Kollel’s arrival is creating a buzz unlike anything we have witnessed in recent years.”

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Menorah Foundation Chumash party last week

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Hendon Shul break-in over Shabbat Left to right: Yonatan Fruhman, Gavi Marks and Ari Feld

Year 6 pupil Lily Suppree won the ‘Katie Manson Endeavour Award’ pictured with Francine Epstein, Head of Special Needs, and Sylvie Saipe won the ‘Entebbe’ award pictured with Rayna Glickman, Head of Jewish Studies

King David Primary School ‘Entebbe’Award and the ‘Endeavour Award

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL.

Some of the mess left by the thieves

Congregants arriving at Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu’s Beis Hamedrash in Hendon last Shabbos morning, were stunned to discover an overnight break-in, which left seforim and tallisim sprawled all over the floor.

Security cameras later showed two young men gaining access to the building from a neighbouring fence and then pulling themselves up onto the roof, before breaking through one of the windows by removing the frame.

Not only did the thieves spend some 40 minutes on the roof, they were inside the Beis Hamedrash for an hour and 45 minutes, smashing locks off charity boxes and breaking into offices. But despite finding maybe £20 in coins because the boxes had been emptied earlier in the week, the burglars were clearly frustrated they couldn’t

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find a way into the Aron Kodesh (Ark).

A fair amount of damage was done and when the pair of thieves decided to give up at round 4am, they bolted the front door and left through the upstairs window jumping onto a neighbour’s fence.

Members of the shul eventually found a way into the Beis Hamedrash at 09.30 after trying for 45 minutes. They picked up the seforim, tallisim, teffilin and many spare mezuzah’s thrown onto the floor, while the security guard took care of the electric goods.

About 15 years ago, a number of shuls in Hendon and Golders Green were hit with a team of professional burglars over a period of 3 months. But the shul known as Beis Yisrael in Shirehall Park, did not believe the two young thieves from last Friday night were part of a professional team.

28 COMMUNITY

Seed appoints new Director of Schools Seed are delighted to announce that Rabbi Daniel Fine will be joining their team as Schools Director.

Rabbi Fine comes with a wealth of experience and success, specialising in creative thinking and developing educational programmes for young families.

London-born, he won two gold medals for football at the JCC Maccabi Rabbi Daniel Fine Games as a teen, as well as having lots of youth work experience - including a memorable summer camp for Ethiopians in Israel. He has written four books, including one on Nach and most recently ‘The Interactive Family Parshah Book’ - a resource book of stories and discussion triggers for family Shabbat tables - together these have sold over 7,000 copies. He has a degree in Law & Management from LSE and is a trained counsellor.

After 12 years in Israel, Rabbi Fine spent the last five years teaching sixth form at Hasmonean and as the community rabbi

at Stanmore synagogue.

Rabbi Fine was responsible for encouraging a large number of young families to join the shul thanks to his engaging Shabbatonim and innovative activities and courses - from Disney-themed Friday night dinners to ice-sculpturing and VR evenings.

He also played an important role in organising Stanmore’s Shabbat UK activities, which won a European prize. During lockdown, Rabbi Fine was one of the brains behind the Shabbaton at Home initiative and Kabbalat Shabbat online. He is married to Janine (from Whitefield) and lives in Edgware with their five children.

He commented “I am excited to working with the Seed team. To be part of a team of superb educators is amazing. And to be able to work side-by-side with the brilliant schools our community is blessed with, is a blessing for us. There’s nothing more important and rewarding than helping families with tools to raise the next generation.”​

Thousands to celebrate Mishna cycle completion Thousands of people across the UK, Israel, America and beyond have now completed the first 4-year cycle of mishnayos with the Time4Mishna programme. Participants are encouraged to contact the programme organisers - time4mishna@gmail.com - in order to receive a certificate and gift.

Time4Mishna was launched 5 years ago

by Time4Torah, a Jewish Futures organisation with the encouragement of gedolei Yisroel to empower and enable as many people as possible to gain mastery over all shisha sidrei mishna. The brainchild of Ro’i Schiff, currently studying at ITRI Yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel, this highly structured programme provides participants with all the tools necessary to learn and retain every mishna in Shas.

Roi Schiff commented, “Mishnayos are the building blocks of Torah She Baal Peh, but all too often, the majority of people focus on a small number of commonly learnt masechtos, perhaps due to a fear of technical or complicated subject matter and terminology. As a result, their knowledge of many key concepts and ideas of Torah She Baal Peh is severely limited.

“The programme is simple: Every week, from Sunday to Thursday, participants receive a clear and concise fifteen-minute shiur covering four mishnayos. Friday

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and Shabbos are reserved for chazara of the week’s twenty mishnayos as well as back chazaros. Regular tests together with summary and chazara sheets are sent out to ensure that participants retain their knowledge and clarity.”

One delighted participant commented, “I never imagined that I would be able to know and understand the entire Mishna.

I could never have done this without the structure and resources that Time4Mishna have given me.”

Haskamos for the programme have been received from numerous Rabbanim including Harav Aaron Lopiansky Shlita, Harav Yitzchak Berkovitz Shlita, Rabbi Yissochar Frand Shlita, Rabbi Paysach Krohn and Rabbi Yehoshua Hartman Shlita amongst others.

Harav Aaron Lopiansky Shlita said, “This is a programme that helps clearly articulate and elucidate the mishnayos.... it gives people a tremendous bikius in kol hatorah. And it’s really a very, very important project” Go to www.time4torah.org to learn more about the programme and sign up today for the new cycle, which starts on 30th August.

Leslie Kleinman z’l

BY RABBI NAFTALI SCHIFF There are rare individuals we meet on life’s journey who leave an indelible impression.

Such was the impact of Holocaust Survivor Leslie Kleinman BEM who passed away today June 30th 2021. Born to an orthodox family in May 1929 in the tiny village of Ambud in the vicinity of Satu Mare, Rumania, 68 members of which were murdered in Auschwitz. He was recently honoured by the Queen for services to Holocaust education. In his latter years Leslie became the “honorary Zeide- Saba and Grandfather” of thousands of people he touched via tens of JRoots journeys to Poland in addition to talks in numerous schools and educational media messages facilitated by JRoots, HET and others. Leslie aka Reb Luzer ben Harav Mordechai zl was born with the name “Kleinman”- ‘small man’ He grew to become a giant amongst men!

A mentor to people from all walks of life.

His simple language was one of love, of emotion, of courage, of tears, of song, of forgiveness, of hope, of sensitivity and gentility. He was a Mensch. A wonderful human being - a proud Jew- who despite the challenges of a journey unimagined- came home. His favourite song was Tov Lehodot - “it is good to thank”. He would repeatedly lead its rendition with gusto, clapping his hands and dancing with joy in the centre of circles of young Jewish students eagerly imbibing his sincere love of life itself.

Now is our turn to express appreciation to a man of immeasurable courage and fortitude. A man who, despite the suffering and the complicated journey of distance from the Judaism which he grew up, had the strength of spirit to talk of coming home, of forgiveness, of love. When questioned about how he managed to soldier forward 300 torturous miles on the infamous Death March from Auschwitz to Sachsenhausen in the bitter Winter of 1944 and the stamina to move keep moving forward in life - his

Leslie Kleinman holds an Israeli flag at the entrance to Auschwitz

PHOTOS: JAKE BLUNENOW

answer was typically profound and simple - “one step at a time”. For smiling in places where he had every right to crumble; for showing strength in situations where he had every right to buckle; for sharing love in place of hate; for a thousand life lessons he shared so willingly with each and every person young or old- who cared to listen.

Now is our turn to express an inadequate “Thank you” for teaching us from the tattoo of the vitriolic hatred of Auschwitz *A-8230* on your arm - how to take the worst of life’s evil, grasp it and turn it to a message of everlasting love for all. Leslie Kleinman made each of us a little taller. Despite the name Kleinman- “small man” Leslie was never small. We thank him today for making each us just that much bigger. During this period of the three weeks of mourning for that which is so lost in our world we pledge in his memory to do our best to continue with his message of LOVE- 8230- for as he always said “ they thought they were branding me as an animal, little did they know that A8230 is the Hebrew numerical value of 13 which is LOVE- and ONE.” ‫ה‬.‫ב‬.‫צ‬.‫נ‬.‫ת‬

A day of fun for these Manchester King David High school years 8 and 9 pupils who couldn’t celebrate their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs because of the lockdown restrictions. The school decided to give these pupils a treat with no lessons just enjoying the attractions for the day.

Enjoying their day of fun

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From the front line…

Must we fight forever for freedom?

BY JACQUELINE CURZON With the end of the UK academic year in sight (already concluded in Scotland), it feels timely to talk about the impact of the disturbance to education. The Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza has called for urgent action regarding ‘bubbles’ and the ‘10 day self-isolation’ in schools.

250,000 children are currently off school as a result of having to isolate, despite only 9,000 testing positive. These numbers have quadrupled in just over a week, so realistically the present guidelines need to be relaxed, if not drastically reduced.

Sajid Javid, the new Health Secretary, has indicated he wants to push for a return to normality {whatever that means now}, whilst the DfE is suggesting isolation could be replaced with daily testing in September. With approx 6.8 million children in school in the UK, that’s a juggernaut full of tests coming your way {and might end up parked alongside stolen whiskey and cigarettes}. Some reports suggest many or most after-school clubs are no longer running, because of these very same bubble issues, and that is having a massive impact on children’s mental - and physical - health.

She added that isolation had impacted on children’s ability to ‘form and sustain friendships’ and generally have fun. If, after all, you can’t or don’t enjoy school, it’s a long haul to skid through 12 years of compulsory education. Sir Iain Duncan Smith backed calls to scrap the bubble system, and insisted teachers should be vaccinated within the next two weeks, if not already by now. More than 100 charities have complained that children are being ‘overlooked,’ with four former education ministers [Robert Halfon, Sir John Hayes, Tim Loughton and Chris Skidmore] backing a call for children to be put first.

Lord Blunkett, former Labour Education Secretary, said young people’s futures were being damaged by muddle and confusion, contrasting the closure of a classroom for one positive case, with the thousands who are attending the Euro football without a need or insistence for isolation. He points out [Telegraph, 29 June] that almost 6 months of learning has been lost, along with a disproportionate widening of the gap between the ‘haves and have-nots.’

Confusion has been the biggest enemy of the state, with advice to 'relax restrictions' being undermined and thwarted a mere ten minutes later by the emergence of new variants. Okay, I’m not being literal here, but some prices are too high to pay, even if those least affected by the education chaos think it's just melodrama. As I said last week and many times before, we must learn to live with, and adapt to, these variant viruses. Dame Rachel said people should ‘think long and hard before ever closing schools again.’ Hear, hear! The

Jacqueline Curzon PHOTO: LARA MINSKY PHOTOGRAPHY

vaccination programme has prevented 7.2 million infections and 27,000 deaths, according to Public Health England and Cambridge University, so I repeat that we as a society cannot sustain this perpetual interruption from normal educational practices, nor can we lock ourselves away in perpetuity every time a scare story pops up. As a parent with twin girls finishing primary school, it is agonising to worry about their progression to high school, when standards have unquestionably dropped during the pandemic, and the virus is still very much a headline.

Those who know me will concede that I am absolutely not a fan of smartphones and devices, especially if in the hands of minors. Having to lean somewhat reluctantly towards a Nokia brick phone for the girls, when in fact I would prefer them to have NO phone, would be my only concession to expected peer pressure.

It was gratifying then to read that Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, is finally considering making schools phonefree zones. This is long, long overdue. A six week consultation is underway, which is intended to tackle issues of poor behaviour, discipline and bullying, and Ofsted have directed teachers to assume sexual harassment, online sexual bullying and sexual violence are occurring in schools, colleges and universities, even when it is not being reported. The recent Ofsted report for one of our London (previously) showcase secondaries reported exactly that: that children often don't see the point of reporting, as (abuse) is so frequent and very little is done about it. They visited 32 schools and spoke to 900 young people, as a response to the MeToo website which posted thousands of testimonials.

Platforms such as Tiktok, Snapchat and WhatsApp were cited as routes to this type of bullying behaviour, so it is then completely understandable why I support a zero-phone, or zero-internet phone policy in schools. Sean Harford, National Education Director at Ofsted said, “we will expect schools … to have created a culture where sexual abuse and harassment is not

acceptable.” A recent heartbreaking story underlines the seriousness of such opportunistic behaviours. Oliver Stephens (13), an autistic child, was lured via messaging apps to meet a girl in a park in Reading back in January. The two boys who stabbed him to death were both aged 13, and have admitted manslaughter, if not murder.

Jurors at Reading Crown Court heard that this was definitely not a consensual fight which escalated, but rather an execution planned using messaging apps. Both individuals fled the scene before getting rid of incriminating evidence such as phones, knives and the clothes they were wearing. Yo, Minister. Now hands up for smartphones..? Let’s hope for a burst of common sense from the DfE! Sense and Sensibility remains one of the all-time classics of romantic literature, but the characters would likely be appalled at current political trends. Following the discussion at Oxford to pull down the Rhodes statue, and where dons were refusing to lecture as a protest move (but not forfeit their salaries, naturally), there has been yet another wokey development. The Students Union has plans to set up a ‘Consultancy of Sensitivity Readers’ to vett its student newspaper, Cherwell, and edit out insensitive, racist, sexist or inaccurate material. Perhaps Jane Austin readers might enjoy the newlook edition of Non-Sense and Super-Sensitivity {published by Bloodaxe & Hatchett, 2022}. Never mind statues, no books are going to be safe, be they about history, politics, biography or even the classics. But most especially, books about statues…

Oh dear, silly Matt Hancock has lost his moral compass, or at least his winning smile deck of cards, but nonetheless might want to cover son joues rosé by amending his 'Hands, Face, Space' mantra to 'Hands, Face, Disgrace'. One must concede that someone anonymous, but with a massive axe to grind, had bugged his office (assuming it was not one of the usual suspects {Cummings, Ferguson or Gove} revengefully bent on sharing Matt’s ministerial misdemeanours). For a department which continually reminds us to keep healthy, perhaps Hancock should have remembered his own Healthy Meeting Policy, and paid closer attention to his 5 a day:- who, what, where, when, why! When Boris announced the replacement on the weekend, he didn’t gloss over the responsibilities incumbent on a minister to uphold public values. It has since transpired that the camera which caught the clinch was supposed to be facing the balcony, so questions as to ‘who, when and why’ still remain. Although the public may be glad to see the back of him, we are now left in no doubt as to the possible reason for the perpetually smiling Matt. Not sure he was smiling quite so much this week, although BoJo has hinted that Hancock may still

stage a comeback: Hancock's (other) Half Hour, perhaps? Sidestepping neatly from these parliamentary personality ponderings, it was a pleasure to read the original puppets of Statler and Waldorf [aka -the Muppets] are going under the hammer in Los Angeles. Known as the Hecklers, they are expected to fetch up to £43,000, which is not quite as much as a government minister's salary.

This week no reference to Ms Sturgeon (drat, I’ve gone and done it now!) ~ instead, a report that the Duke of Cambridge has made a visit to Bonny Scotland, this time without the disapproving heckles of the First Minister, presumably because the visit was part of the Queen’s annual visit for Holyrood week. Everybody, without exception, loves the chance to meet QEII. They visited AG Barr’s factory in Cumbernauld, nr Glasgow, where the Duke bravely tried the Irn Bru which is, after all, their other national drink. It was not clear if Her Majesty partook of the brew.

Now, to gastronomes, Wimbledon is synonymous with strawberries and cream, a snack served there originally in 1877.

But of course last year every fixture in the sports calendar - and most fruit picking was cancelled. This year tennis fans may have skipped dessert, but they gave a well deserved standing ovation to Dame Sarah Gilbert, the scientist who championed the Oxford vaccine. There was a huge roar from the crowd for Prof. Gilbert after she was named over the tannoy. Although currently seating at 50% capacity, none complained about the rain or any other interruption from play. The reigning men’s champion Novak Djokovic (34) made short work of his British opponent, 19-year old Jack Draper, despite the younger player winning the opening set. Two other British players made their mark: Fran Jones (20), a young lady with ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia syndrome (a rare genetic condition which causes her to have only eight fingers and seven toes) made her Wimbledon debut this week against 17-year old American Coco Gauff. Despite losing her match to Gauff, Jones is predicted to have a bright future. Sir Andy Murray (34) - who returned to play after a four year gap - beat Nikoloz Basilashvili and now qualifies for the second round. You ace-it, Andy!

Finally, from racquets to racing car fanatics….you’ll be right chuffed to hear that Ferrari have unveiled its new hybrid plug-in sports car. The £268,000 296 GTB has a top speed of 205 mph, but can only do 15 miles on a ‘fuel’ tank of electricity. [It wasn’t clear if this was 15 miles at 30 mph, or 15 miles at 200 mph] But hey, what an amazing, electrifying ride you will have, even if {the ride} is short lived.

Live, Laugh, Love Jacqueline x

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Fresh Peach Tray Bake Fresh peaches are a great summer treat ~ make the most of them with this soft creamy dessert. This recipe slices up easily and will transport well ~ so good for the family picnic and summer lunch box.

When shopping for peaches, choose fragrant fruits which are unblemished and firm. Fresh peaches are highly perishable so only purchase what you need. Peaches that are greenish coloured were probably picked too early and should be avoided. Sweetness does not increase after picking - so picked fruit is always the tastiest.

Another delicious recipe from Denise Phillips For more recipes and inspiration visit my website: www.jewishcookery.com

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 45 minutes Serves: 10 Ingredients 150g margarine 200g Self raising flour 150g ground almonds 175g golden caster sugar 150ml single cream or soya cream 4 large eggs – beaten 1 teaspoon almond extract Zest of 1 lemon 6 ripe peaches – stones removed & sliced 2 tablespoons runny honey 50g flaked almonds 1 tablespoon vegetable oil – to grease tin Peach Honey ‘Cream’ 200 ml thick natural/ Greek yoghurt or non-dairy cream cheese 3 tablespoons runny honey 100g dried peaches – soaked in 1 tablespoon boiling water

2) Grease and line a 30 cm x 23 cm x 5 cm deep baking tin with baking parchment paper.

3) Place the flour, almonds, caster sugar and lemon zest into a food processor and whizz to mix. Add the margarine, cream, eggs and almond extract. Pulse until well combined.

4) Transfer to the prepared tin. Level the mixture evenly and arrange the sliced peaches on top.

5) Drizzle with honey and sprinkle the almonds on top.

6) Bake for 45 minutes or until set.

7) To make the ‘cream’, place the peaches in a food processor and puree.

Add the yoghurt and honey.

Method - For the Base 1) Pre-heat the oven to 180 C / 350 F/ Gas mark 4.

To serve the stylish way: Slice the cake and serve with a generous spoon of peach honey cream.

Summer fruits

BY DENISE PHILLIPS I am a great fan of summer fruits particularly peaches, nectarines, watermelon, cherries and apricots. It is important to ensure that your body stays hydrated in the summer and eating summer fruits is one of the easiest ways to achieve this. Summer fruits provide an instant boost of energy and help reduce tiredness and fatigue, something many of us experience during the summer season. If you keep your fruits in the fridge, they will also assist you to cool down too as well as prolonging their freshness.

I want to focus on peaches which are harvested when they are fully ripe from late June through July and August. With peaches, it’s especially important to harvest at the RIGHT time as out of season they are tasteless and tend to have a spongy rather than juicy texture. A juicy peach eaten right over the sink is sheer summer perfection. I remember buying fresh peaches in the market of Florence where the juices just dripped down my chin and I needed a collection of napkins to wipe my face!

Peaches come in numerous varieties; yellow peaches are the quintessential peach. They are distinguished by their fuzzy

thin skin with hues of red, pink and gold blushing throughout. The flesh is aromatic, juicy when ripe, and golden coloured with red bleeds at the skin and surrounding the central rough surfaced rust coloured pit.

However white peaches are lower in acid and taste sweeter whether firm or soft.

You can also buy flat peaches or donut peaches which have a squat round shape.

They can be either ivory or yellow with a red blush with a sugary sweet flavour.

Peaches are incredibly versatile to use and delicious cooked as well as raw. Use them raw in savoury or sweet salads, drinks, smoothies, soup, cocktails, cheese cakes, ice-cream or as a cream topping.

Cook to make crumble, stuff with almonds, pistachio nuts, cakes of all description, open tartlets, upside down cake, muffins, BBQ them, make chutney, or use savoury with chicken or turkey in kebabs, enjoy grilled with mozzarella cheese and roasted peppers, or add to focaccia Italian bread with rosemary, add to pancakes or be bold and add to hummus with roasted nuts and fresh mint.

Above is great Shabbat friendly peach recipe. Peach tray bake

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Overcoming Guilt part 2 This article is part of a serialisation of the book ‘Go to Yourself’ transformation through Jewish wisdom and Psychology’. The author Aryeh Sampson is a psychotherapist based in North London and counsel’s online. It combines approaches from psychotherapy and Jewish wisdom to address many psychological issues that modern man is faced with. This includes overcoming anxiety, low self esteem, improving relationships and creating a greater sense of meaning and spirituality.

BY ARYEH SAMPSON In the control stage, we learn to hold ourselves back from the urge to repeat our mistakes. For example, a person who has been promiscuous and then finds himself in the same situation and experiencing similar urges as before is now able to resist these urges and not repeat the mistake 2(a): Thought When we make a mistake, there is a tendency to identify ourselves with the mistake, and feel toxic guilt — we think of ourselves as bad or shameful. This can create a feeling of despair — why should we try to improve if we are good for nothing? To move beyond toxic guilt, we need to distinguish between the two parts of our being — the true self (which is inherently good) and our actions, which mistakenly followed the deceptive self.

In this way we can maintain a sense of positivity about ourselves and regret only our actions, and we will be motivated to change.

Rav Yehuda taught that we should “calculate the gain of a mistake against its loss” as a motivation to stop making mistakes. Many therapies use this approach to motivate clients to change self-defeating behaviors. In cognitive therapy it is called a “cost-benefit analysis”, which involves a person weighing the pros and cons of his behavior. This is important because very often, a person gains a payoff, a short-term benefit from counter-productive behavior. This often occurs on a subconscious level and lures him back to repeating the said behavior.

secret, but when expressed, they become normalized.

A key to helping Jacob overcome his internet addiction was speaking in detail about it. This included which sites he visited, how much time he spent online, and what exactly he hoped to gain from doing so.

This communication reduced the hidden

services. When he was involved with her, he passed wind. She remarked, “Just like that air will never return to its source, so too your teshuvah will never be accepted.”

He was suddenly struck by a deep sense of remorse over his actions and began to cry.

This led him to regret his past misdeeds and to perform teshuvah. When his soul left his body, a Heavenly voice called out,

as a vengeful religion teaching a literal understanding of “an eye for eye”; in reality, it stresses the importance of forgiving those who sincerely regret their actions.

A similar process to this takes place in AA, where people construct a moral inventory of people they have harmed and attempt to make amends with them.

Forgiving and being forgiven has a liberating effect, dissolving feelings of anger, bitterness, guilt, and the desire for revenge. With forgiveness, there emerges a sense of peace with our past and a joy in the present. One reason for this is that on a spiritual level, when we ignore our conscience, we also break our connection with God. To restore this spiritual connection, we ask forgiveness from God. This is one reason why Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement — a day devoted to teshuvah — is considered a joyful day rather than a sad or depressing one. It rebuilds and renews relationships with the true self, others, and God.

STAGE 3: TRANSFORMATION

shame he was carrying which had been perpetuating his behavior.

“Welcome Rabbi Elazar Ben Durdiya to the World to Come.”

2(c): Action ]Once a person experiences remorse, the next step is to make a decision to stop repeating the undesired behavior in the future. Because one still has the urge to repeat the mistake at this stage, it is important that even after making the decision he should try to avoid situations where he may be tempted to repeat it.

Rebecca experienced both a short-term high from shoplifting and an escape from her negative feelings. However, one time she was caught by a security guard and let off with a warning. This shocked her and made her reflect on the potential damage that shoplifting could have on her life. She then realized it was not worth the risk and she became motivated to change.

Speaking openly and candidly about the history of addictions to other group members is also one of the first steps an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) member takes in his pursuit of change. In cases when the behavior is rooted in pain from the past, talking about other emotions associated with it, such as anger and despair (as discussed earlier), is also very important. After reducing the toxic guilt, speaking with others can help us to find true remorse by reflecting on the consequences of our actions.

The Talmud relates the story of Elazar ben Durdiya which demonstrates that even unexpected comments from others can bring remorse, and that no matter how far we fall, there is always hope.

2(b): Speech Unburdening our shameful and guilty feelings to a supportive person also helps us to relieve feelings of toxic guilt.

These emotions are often guarded like a

There wasn’t a prostitute in the world whom Elazar ben Durdiya had not encountered. Once he heard of a prostitute who lived far away. He traveled the seven seas and paid a great sum of money for her

Rebecca avoided going into very expensive stores where she would feel tempted to steal.

Jacob put special internet blocks on his computer to prevent him from accessing undesirable sites.

If we have made mistakes involving harm to others, the decision to change should be followed by a sincere request for forgiveness from those who have been hurt by our actions.

Judaism is often mistakenly portrayed

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]In the Transformation stage, we go beyond resisting the urge to repeat our negative behavior, and change our nature so that we no longer retain the desire to repeat it. As with other forms of transformation, we repeat positive acts until a new habit is formed.

Rebecca gradually stopped stealing after reflecting on the consequences of her actions. She then resolved to be honest in all her dealings, exercising extreme caution until this became second nature. She then began to take pleasure in being honest and no longer had a desire to steal.

These new habits create a positive moral force, which now imbues life with an inner sense of integrity, joy and peace of mind.

If you are interested in viewing a webinar on Love, Communication and Marriage, or receiving a free download copy of Go to Yourself, email aryeh.sampson@gmail. com. He also has a YouTube channel, ‘Aryeh Sampson’ where he shares insights on a range of psychological issues. For more information about counseling view www.ascounsellinginnorthlondon.co.uk

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ASK THE RABBI

Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com THREE WEEKS – THREE GOLDEN RULES Dear Rabbi I always find the three weeks in which we find ourselves very inspiring. It is a good time for introspection and I wondered whether you had any tips in order to maximise our potential during this time.

Ravdi

Dear Ravdi Three golden rules worth reflecting on at this time.

(1) Everyone has two eyes, but not everyone has the same view.

Respect people’s positions even if they don’t conform to those of your own. Our 21st century cancel culture is pretty much akin to the attitudes commonplace during the Second Temple era which ultimately led to its destruction.

The Mishna in Ethics of the Fathers tells us that “a dispute for the sake of heaven will ultimately be sustained.” The Mishna cites the example of the Schools of Shamai and Hillel. “An argument that is not for the sake of heaven will falter.” The Mishna uses the example of Korach and his rabble rousers. The question for consideration is: Why Korach and his rabble rousers? Surely the appropriate wording would be, Korach and Moshe, his disputant. Yet the point is one and the same. Korach and his rabble rousers were not open to anything other than their own position. Anyone who disagreed with them, was like non-existent.

Moshe was cancelled as far as they were concerned.

This, as opposed to Hillel and

Shamai. They had many disputes but they married into one another’s families, because they never personalised the agenda.

And inasmuch as the ruling was like Hillel in most instances, Shamai’s name is mentioned for posterity because there was a mutual respect in pursuit of the truth.

(2) People who judge do not matter. People who matter do not judge. This goes to the core of one of the biggest issues out there. We observe or hear things about another, and we are very quick to pass judgement. In general, the tendency to turn human judgments into divine commands, as some people do, makes religion one of the most dangerous forces in the world.

When our Sages tell us, “do not judge someone until you are in his place,” what does “in his place” mean? Simply put it means the same circumstances as those of the other individual.

But at a deeper level it says that even if you are in the same set of given circumstances you don’t know the makeup of his or her soul. And unless you are of identical disposition, how can one soul possibly judge another?

Our missions in life are not the same. Why is someone failing when we are not failing? Because that’s their area of vulnerability and we are not vulnerable in that same specific area. Success is only an achievement for the soul with the challenge. There is nothing remarkable about being able to walk; but it is an achievement for a lame man to walk.

For a man who is not lame to compare their walking to a man

on crutches is not only inappropriate, it is foolish. Put differently, we criticize other people because we make a judgmental decision about that person’s inability to function in comparison to our ability to function in the same given situation. How unfair is that? It’s like expecting a six year old to lift a suitcase because it is not heavy for us as an adult.

So a fundamental problem with people’s inability to deal with one another’s failings is that they measure those failings against their own strengths. The only Judge can be G-d Himself because only He knows with what strengths and weaknesses each soul began. And, dare I add this – sometimes what irks you most about another – reflects a fault that lies within yourself – a mirrored image of that which maybe you resent, however subconsciously, within your own self.

(3) Never ignore a person who loves and cares for you, because one day you may realise that you’ve lost the moon while counting the stars. On Friday night we sing the famous Sholom Aleichem song, welcoming in the Shabbat angels. A wise man once told me that the truth is that those magical “Shabbat angels” are not only with us on Friday night, they’re actually with us all week long. It’s just that Friday night is when we are finally able to see them – to really see them.

He said, “Do you know who the Shabbos angels are? They are your children, your wife, your husband. After a whole week of running and harrying, you’re finally able to open your eyes and

see the angels in your life – radiant and relaxed… and very much present. When you sing Sholom Aleichem, you’re not only blessing those heavenly angels whom you cannot see; you’re blessing the angels around your table that you can see. You sit together with your loved ones, family, friends, you talk, you smile, and your heart is filled with gratitude for the angels in your life.

At the same time, we must ask ourselves another question: for whom do we serve as angels?

When a friend, a neighbour, a family member or even a complete stranger desperately needs a lifeline, are we ready to step out from behind our own shadows, from under the weight of our own burdens and anxieties, to be the angel in their

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

Pirkei Avot

For Refuah Shalema for Mordechai Ben Chaya Sara

‫ ָּכל ׁ ֶשרו ַּח ַה ְּב ִר ּיוֹ ת‬,‫הוּא ָהיָ ה אוֹ ֵמר‬ .ּ‫ רו ַּח ַה ָּמקוֹ ם נוֹ ָחה ֵה ֶימ ּנו‬,ּ‫נוֹ ָחה ֵה ֶימ ּנו‬ ‫ ֵאין‬,ּ‫וְ כָ ל ׁ ֶש ֵאין רו ַּח ַה ְּב ִר ּיוֹ ת נוֹ ָחה ֵה ֶימ ּנו‬ ‫ ַר ִּבי דוֹ ָסא בֶ ן‬.ּ‫רו ַּח ַה ָּמקוֹ ם נוֹ ָחה ֵה ֶימ ּנו‬ ‫ וְ יַ יִ ן‬,‫ ׁ ֵשנָ ה ׁ ֶשל ׁ ַש ֲח ִרית‬,‫ַה ְר ִּכינַ ס אוֹ ֵמר‬ ‫ישיבַ ת‬ ִ ׁ ִ‫ ו‬,‫ וְ שִׂ ַיחת ַהיְ לָ ִדים‬,‫ׁ ֶשל צָ ֳה ַריִ ם‬ ‫ מוֹ צִ ִיאין‬,‫ָּב ֵּתי כְ נֵ ִס ּיוֹ ת ׁ ֶשל ַע ֵּמי ָה ָא ֶרץ‬ :‫ֶאת ָה ָא ָדם ִמן ָהעוֹ לָ ם‬

He used to say: “one with whom men are pleased, G-d is pleased. But anyone with whom men are displeased, G-d is displeased.” Rabbi Dosa ben Harkinas said: “morning sleep, midday wine, children’s talk and sitting in the assemblies of the ignorant put a man out of the world.”

This weeks Mishnah is packed full of spiritual gems as always. Our duty is of course to serve Hashem and make Him pleased, yet this commandment is closely interwoven with how we treat

our fellow man too. As the Maharal of Prague says, “G-d is so closely bound to people that He responds to our initiative.”

We see how there are many distractions to stop a person from learning Torah. Our sages teach us that sleep is 1/60th of death. Therefore, one who over indulges in sleep removes himself from the physical world as well as the spiritual world as his spiritual antenna are mostly dormant during sleep.

Wine should be drunk at the end of

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lives? How much of ourselves are we willing to give up, to change the course of somebody else’s life for the better? Sometimes it’s the big things; sometimes it’s the little things. That five minute phone call you place to a friend who needs it. The commitment you make to volunteer for a worthy cause. That cheque you write for an extra amount to help your community. I have been involved in the “people business” long enough to know that you really never know just what a difference you can make when you take that extra step to be an angel to others.

If we could all apply these rules to our lives the world would be a much better place and these three weeks would be turned from sadness to joy!

Perek 3: Mishna 11 the day to relax a person, not in the middle of the day whilst he still has all his energy. By conversing too much with children and ignorant people, a person will be used to talking in a basic way, lacking the deeper wisdom of an adult. All good parents will know that teenagers know more than them but sometimes just sometimes the adult is right!

Jteen parent event

'US, OUR TEENS and

OUR SUMMER'

Main speaker: Dr David Lieberman (internationally renowned relationship expert) Guest speaker: Mrs Ruthie Halberstadt (educator)

Save the date 11th of July 9pm-10pm

Dial in: 0208 080 6592 Meeting ID: 820 3753 5980 Passcode: 362081

register now: www.jteensupport.org/registration Jteen support is a completely confidential and anonymous text-based helpline aimed at supporting the emotional wellbeing of our community teens from the ages of 1120.

Jteen support is made up of trained volunteer counsellors, qualified therapists, educators and mental health experts. .

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Torah from Israel

1 JULY 2021

A Chosen People in a Democratic World

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN This July 4th weekend, Americans will celebrate their Independence Day. This annual event commemorates the establishment of the “city upon the hill”- the first modern experiment of democracy. Arguably, the 20th century was the greatest era for democracy, as great democracies allied together to defeat two violent enemies of democracy: Nazism and Communism. More recently, though, democratic politics in many countries have become badly polarized, tempting many to reevaluate the efficiency of this form of government. Even more recently, the corona epidemic challenged democratic societies to balance between health administration and personal freedoms. The fastest route to curbing a pandemic is the stripping of personal liberties such as freedom of movement and freedom of congregation. Despite great efforts to contain the contagion, most democracies still managed to preserve personal freedoms - even at the cost of life. The pandemic demonstrated that democracy comes at a cost. Because we value democracy so deeply, we are often willing to pay a reasonable price. The alternative to democracy is a far worse outcome.

One price should never be paid on behalf of democracy- a religious price. While celebrating democracy and its principles, religious people must never compromise or shift religious values based upon the persuasive influence of democracy. In the past, I have written about democracy and the emergence of moral relativism. If everyone is equal in the voting booth perhaps, they have equal voices in the moral conversation. Moral relativism blurs the differences between right and wrong and between absolute good and unconditional evil, creating a shadowy world of muddled values. Additionally, I have recently noted the manner in which the culture of equality scrubs personal and communal identity.

Democracy is intended to protect political and personal freedom. It isn’t intended to eliminate “identity markers” such as race, religion, ethnicity and gender. The culture of ‘politically correct’- an outgrowth of democracy- threatens to erase core differences between people, and to efface both personal and communal identity.

Additionally, democracy poses a different challenge – it deeply clashes with the notion of a “chosen people”. Thousands of years ago, G-d chose the Jewish people to represent Him in a world of moral chaos and religious confusion. We are meant to instruct humanity about the coherence of monotheism and the dignity of moral life.

Throughout history we paid a stiff price for this assignment. We called humanity to higher ground and no one likes a moral

challenge. Stunningly, we didn’t just survive endless oppression, but we reshaped the world in our image. Ironically in past cultures, built upon religious and social hierarchies, the notion of being chosen was culturally “consistent”. Power was both Divinely assigned and hereditary. In this world of divisions between the “elected” and “commoners”, the concept of a Divinely chosen people was perfectly reasonable.

By contrast, democracy preaches political equality and equal rights for all citizens. The modern environment of democracy shuns divisions or any preferential “groupings”.

Suddenly, we inhabit an egalitarian world, in which the concept of being chosen seems offensive and bigoted.

This conflict between democracy and the notion of a chosen people has caused two great errors in the Jewish world– colossal mistakes which, ironically, are mirror inverses of each other. Many Jews, who bristle at the notion of “chosenness”, have abrogated the unique sense of Jewish mission.

The concept of a select nation charged with a historical mission, feels tribal, outdated and certainly anti-democratic. More so, to many, it carries racist undertones: can we speak of a chosen people when all humanity shares the same DNA and occupies the same position on a Darwinian evolutionary line? Their Judaism has been reformatted upon more universal values: social justice, family, civic consciousness, education, community, patriotism and other broad ideas common to every race and every religion. Religious ceremonies, seen as too ritualistic and too clannish, have been eliminated or deeply diluted. This emulsified Judaism lacks any sense of historical mission. Regrettably, (but not always) support for the state of Israel also declines.

Our return to Israel has restarted an ancient historical destiny which can only be fully realized when we settle the land of G-d. If Jewish historical mission in general feels archaic, support for the “land of mission” becomes less compelling.

In other Jews, the dissonance between being chosen and living under democratic systems has provoked a different breakdown. Some Jews misunderstand being “chosen” for being “entitled” and they mistake “mission” for “privilege”. Unable to distinguish between the two, some Jews, deeply proud of their chosen status, willfully violate or ignore the laws and expectations of democracy. If Jews are chosen perhaps they aren’t subject to the same regulations which govern other “non-chosen” members of democracy. This mistaken interpretation of being chosen has legitimized illegal behavior and has justified acting “above the law”. Sadly, this warped notion of being chosen also allows many to justify rude and

We were selected on behalf of humanity and our participation in the experiment of democracy should never supersede our everlasting historical calling. inconsiderate behavior, even when not in actual violation of the law. If we are chosen, perhaps we are more deserving of public resources or of the public commons then other human beings.

These two diametrically opposed reactions are each grave errors and each is taken in response to the perceived dissonance between democracy and being chosen.

Religiously committed Jews of moral conscience must deny each of these distortions.

Democracy is a political arrangement built to protect the political rights of its citizens.

It is the most equitable and fair form of human governance which humans have assembled. However, its presumption of political equality should never distort the idea of historical and religious selection.

Democracy is a powerful political tool but nothing more. It does not shape Jewish history and it must not reshape Jewish historical identity. We alone were selected, we alone received the direct word of G-d, and we alone were invited to reside under His shadow. We were selected on behalf of humanity and our participation in the experiment of democracy should never supersede our everlasting historical calling.

Alternatively, and specifically because we are children of G-d, we must uphold the values of democracy. As valuable as democracy has proven for humanity in general, it has been even more indispensable for Jews.

After centuries of religious persecution and discrimination, democracy has finally

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afforded us freedom of worship. We pray daily for the restoration of Jewish monarchy and for the kingdom of G-d, but until then we celebrate and cherish the institution of democracy. Often, illegal behavior by religious Jews is decried as a chilul Hashem because it smears our reputation in the eyes of non-Jews. More damaging than any chilul Hashem, this behavior is a violation of our own Covenant with G-d. We are meant to advance humanity in every sector- even the political one. When we fail to contribute the political improvement of humanity, we are failing ourselves as Jews- even if no one notices. Violating the law and damaging democracy is a violation of our Jewish mission and a betrayal of our chosenness.

G-d imbued Man with political instincts so that he could create stable societies, respectful of law and protective of human experience. After thousands of years, with the help of G-d, Man created democracy- so far, the best form of human governance.

While we support democracy, we should be careful not to distort other features of Jewish identity which may appear undemocratic.

The greatest errors in life occur when partial truths are presented as absolute truths.

Rabbi Moshe Taragin 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.

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Weekly Dvar Torah F R O M E R E TZ Y I S R A E L

The Deeper Meaning of Tefillat Musaf

BY RABBI MENACHEM LEIBTAG As Parashat Pinchas discusses the special sacrifices offered in the Temple on the Holidays, this week provides us with an opportunity to discuss their Biblical meaning.

The daily ‘korban tzibur’ [communal sacrifice] was simply one lamb in the morning, and one lamb in the evening (Bamidbar 28:3-4), while two additional lambs were added on Shabbat (28:9-10).

On Rosh Chodesh and on all the Holidays, the ‘additional offering’ [Musaf] is much more complicated, as it is comprised of both a burnt offering [Olah] of numerous bulls, rams, and lambs as well as a sin offering [Chatat] which is always a single goat [Seir izim l’chatat].

Even though the specific number of bulls, rams and lambs may slightly change from holiday to holiday, their basic format remains the same: MULTIPLE bulls (usually 1 or 2, but over Sukkot 70!)

ONE ram (doubled on Sukkot to two)

Pinchas

SEVEN lambs (doubled on Sukkot to fourteen) ONE goat (for the sin offering) Assuming that ‘korbanot’ serve as a ritual act which can help remind us of our connection to and relationship with God – one could suggest the following reasons for the Torah’s choice of these specific animals: Let’s begin with the most obvious example, i.e. the reason for the offering of a ‘seir izim’ for the communal ‘chatat’. In Sefer Bereishit when the brothers conspire to kill Yosef, in order to cover up their sinful deeds: “They took Joseph’s coat, and killed a seir izim [male goat], and dipped the coat in the blood” (Bereishit 37:31).

As the nation gathers at the Temple on the Holidays, we must remember that story’s message, to constantly be aware of the danger of ‘sinat chinam’, of baseless hatred, as well as the important process of ‘teshuva’ (repentance).

Another obvious example is the ram offering for the Olah which, earlier in Sefer Bereishit, reminds us of Avraham’s success in the test of the Akeida: “Abraham lifted

Sidra Summary

2ND ALIYA (LEVI) – 26:5-51

The main descendants of each tribe are listed, as well as the overall number within each tribe, as counted in the census. When detailing the tribe of Reuven, the Torah recalls that Datan and Aviram were from this tribe and that the ground swallowed them in Korach’s rebellion. The overall census number is 601,730.

G-d tells Moshe that Pinchas, Aharon’s grandson, is to become a Kohen in recognition of his righteous actions in stopping the public display of immorality described at the end of last week’s sidrah (see p.4 article). The names of the two offenders are given – Zimri from the tribe of Shimon and Kozbi, a Midianite princess. G-d commands Moshe to smite the Midianites as retribution for luring the Israelites into idol worship and immorality. Moshe and Elazar, the Kohen Gadol, are told to take a census of men above the age of 20.

people at Mt. Sinai. Recall from Sefer Shemot: “Moses wrote all the words of Hashem… and built an altar under the mountain…

He sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of PARIM (bulls) to Hashem… He took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, ‘All that Hashem has spoken will we do, and be obedient.’

Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘Look, this is the blood of the covenant…’” (see Shemot 24:4-8) As Hoshea 14:3 reminds us, prayer can replace sacrifice. As such, our quotations from Parashat Pinchas, in our Musaf prayers, should remind us of their symbolism, and thus enhance our commitment to serve God in the proper manner.

Rabbi Judah Mischel is Executive Director of Camp HASC, and Mashpiah of OUNCSY. He is a member of Mizrachi’s Speakers Bureau (www.mizrachi.org/speakers).

“G-d said to Moshe, ‘Go up to this mountain of Avarim and see the Land that I have given to the Children of Israel” (Bemidbar 27:2)

Point to Consider: Why was Pinchas not already considered a Kohen if he was a grandson of Aharon? (see Rashi to 25:13)

1ST ALIYA (KOHEN) – BEMIDBAR 25:10-26:4

up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son” (22:13).

Thus, offering an ‘ayil echad’ – a single ram – for a burnt offering can remind us of the importance of our total dedication to keep His commandments.

To understand the 7 lambs, we read in the previous chapter that Avimelech, King of the Plishtim, recognizes Avraham Avinu’s righteousness and desires to upgrade their relationship. Symbolizing their agreement, Avraham sets aside seven lambs in Beer Sheva, which then becomes his center for ‘calling out in the Name of God’ (see 21:22-33). Hence, our communal offering of seven lambs can remind us of the underlying purpose of our being chosen, i.e. to serve as a ‘light to other nations’.

Finally, the offering of ‘parim’ [bulls] – especially the sprinkling of their blood – is most symbolic, for it can remind us of our national commitment to become God’s

3RD ALIYA (SHLISHI) – 26:52-27:5

G-d tells Moshe to apportion the Land to those counted in the census. The tribes with more people will receive proportionally more land area. Although this distribution was calculated mathematically, it was carried out through Elazar drawing lots, guided by Divine inspiration (Rashi).

The main Levite families, who were not included in the census, are listed. They number 23,000 males above the age of one month. No one who was included in the first census when the Israelites left Egypt is included in this census, as they had died in the desert, apart from Yehoshua and

Calev. The five daughters of Tzelofchad, a descendant of Menashe, ask Moshe to be given their deceased father’s share in the Land, as they have no brothers to inherit him. Moshe consults G-d about their request.

4TH ALIYA (REVI’I) – 27:6-23

G-d declares that Tzelofchad’s daughters are justified in their request and that, in the absence of sons, daughters are to inherit their father. Other hierarchical inheritance rights are stated. G-d tells Moshe to ascend Mount Avarim and look at the Land of Cana’an from afar, reminding him that he will not come into the Land because of his mistake of hitting the rock (see Bemidbar 20:9-12). Moshe asks G-d to appoint a new leader (see p.3 article). G-d tells him to appoint Yehoshua, which Moshe does, in the presence of Elazar and the Sanhedrin (Rashi).

5TH ALIYA (CHAMISHI) – 28:1-15

G-d instructs Moshe to tell the Israelites to bring the twice-daily tamid (continual) offering, consisting of a male lamb, together with a flour offering mixed with oil and a wine libation. The additional Shabbat and

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Rosh Chodesh offerings are detailed.

6TH ALIYA (SHISHI) – 28:16-29:11

The special offerings for Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are also detailed.

7TH ALIYA (SHEVI’I) – 29:12-30:1

The Torah details the many extra offerings brought during Succot, including 70 bulls.

Shemini Atzeret, the day after Succot, has its own set of offerings.

HAFTARAH

Taken from the start of the book of Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah), this haftarah is the first of the three ‘haftarot of tribulation’ read in the build-up to Tisha B’Av. The prophet is told by G-d that an invader will come ‘from the north’ to attack Jerusalem, as happened at the time of the destruction of the First Temple, because of the sinfulness of its inhabitants.

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Parshas Pinchas: What are animal sacrifices for?

Why mourn the Temple’s destruction?

BY GAVRIEL COHN The end of this week’s Torah portion details the animal offerings sacrificed at the Temple at various times: twice daily, on the Sabbath, the new month, and the festivals. Animal offerings once played a dominant, central role in our service of G-d.

Why did G-d command us to slaughter, dismember and burn animals, and to then sprinkle their blood on an altar? Why was it such a key part of our service of G-d, taking place in the Temple, the meeting place between G-d and His people? How were these slaughtered animals considered “a pleasing aroma for G-d”?

Many have sought to answer this striking question. The proposals of the great medieval commentators are considerably well-known (see Rambam, Guide to the Perplexed, 3:32; Ramban, Vayikra 1:9). The Rambam’s explanation in particular has generated great controversy until today (a Dvar Torah for another time…).

However, there is contemporary approach, almost unknown, advanced by

Rabbi Joshua Berman of Bar Ilan University, which also attempts to explain this concept of sacrifices. One of its proof-texts is a phrase contained within this week’s Torah portion: G-d calls animal sacrifices, “My food.”

The animals that we offer up in the Temple, Rabbi Berman proposes, are a means of creating a shared meal between us and G-d, so-to-speak. It serves as a symbolic breaking of bread between us and our Creator, marking our bond or renewing our relationship with Him; the sacrifices are a covenantal banquet. As Rabbi Berman writes, “one of the most universal conventions practiced between two parties who enter into a bond is that of a shared meal.

When Avimelech, the king of Gerar, proposed to Yitzchak that they establish a pact or treaty of friendship, Yitzchak affirmed it by preparing a feast at which they ate and drank together (Sefer Bereishit). Korbanot

are an expression of a universal convention between partners to mark or establish a treaty or contract” (Joshua Berman, The Temple, pp.128-132).

Whenever we seek to restate or renew our relationship with G-d, we come to the Temple, the place where G-d “meets us,” and share a meal together, so-to-speak.

Much like the act of shaking hands today, animal sacrifices, this ‘shared contractual banquet,’ serves to mark or strengthen

Whenever we seek to restate or renew our relationship with G-d, we come to the Temple, the place where G-d “meets us,” and share a meal together, so-to-speak.

our bond to Him. This explanation sheds light on why G-d describes sacrifices as “My food” and why the Hebrew term for sacrifices, korbanot, stems from the root meaning “drawing close.” It also explains why animal sacrifices are often accompanied both by pouring wine down a cavity from atop the alter and with flour offerings – namely, in order to create a full banquet between us and G-d, a lavish feast of meat, bread, and wine to partake of between partners.

We can now understand why the destruction of the Temple and with it the cessation of animal sacrifices, was such a tragedy; why, during this summer period, we mourn over its loss. No longer can we affirm our commitment to G-d in such a tangible and visceral way, physically ‘breaking bread’ with Him in the house where we are to meet Him. We yearn for the Temple to stand once more, thus enabling us to resume this moving service of animal sacrifices – “G-d’s food,” our shared meal with the Divine, drawing us closer to Him Gavriel Cohn is an informal educator at Immanuel College, Bushey. He has written a number of Torah articles for various publications. If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch! gavcohn@ gmail.com.

Chovat Halevavot Hilchot Shabbat As has been explained, one prays to and has trust in Hashem regarding the actual performance of Mitzvot, not in choosing to do them. However, one should pray that Mitzvot are performed in a pure manner and that Hashem should remove the distractions from a person (worthy distractions and all the more so worthless distractions).

All of the above discussions were involving performance of Mitzvot that do not have a direct and obvious impact on other people. How about the Mitzvot which do impact others such as honouring parents, sustaining the poor, speaking good of others, bestowing goodness on others, charity and teaching Torah to others? What is the “Bitachon approach” for these activities? The author tells us that the correct attitude is that a person should first prepare themselves and convince themselves to perform these good actions altruistically, not for honour and not for wealth. Then they should pray to Hashem

to have the wherewithal to perform the Mitzvot.

The car should work as I drive my neighbour to a doctor’s appointment.

I should not lose my voice as I prepare to give a Torah class. My direct debits to a charity should be processed successfully! If one’s good deeds are hidden then generally speaking they will get greater reward than if they are known.

If one finds themselves performing a Mitzvah which will be recognised, they should remind themselves the iron clad rule that mankind can only be good or cause harm if Hashem allows them to. So acting to impress is rather useless if Hashem has other plans.

Therefore, when the opportunity for a Mitzvah arises, one should grab it and be thrilled with it, but not take the opportunity for self-glorification or a desire for human recognition. Rather, they should perform the Mitzvah because that is what G-d wants from them.

As is well understood by now, a surface which holds Muktzah becomes a Ba’sis and therefore forbidden to use, (provided the conditions previously enumerated are met).

It was explained that in order to “save our surface” from becoming a Ba’sis, one can place a more valuable or more Shabbat-relevant item on the surface, which will mean the surface serves both a forbidden-to-move item and a permitted-to-move item and thereby will not become a Ba’sis.

A common example of this is candles burning on a table at the onset of Shabbat.

The flame is “Muktzah Machmat Gufo” – i.e. it cannot be moved as on its own as it has no tangible use. The surface of the flame is the candlestick itself, so even once the flame is extinguished the candlesticks remain Muktzah for the duration of Shabbat. In order to save the table from becoming a Ba’sis to the candlesticks it is common practice to place a Challah or silverware for the duration of twilight.

The big question is the candlestick tray.

It is assumed that one can place a ring or a Challa on the tray and thereby the tray serves as a surface for both a permitted item and Muktzah item (Challah vs Flame/ Candlestick) during the twilight period of Shabbat and thereby saves the tray from becoming Muktzah.

Although there are plenty of people who have this practice, the following points must be clarified:

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a. The tray upon which the candlesticks rest cannot be one which is solely designed and designated for candlesticks.

If it is, one cannot pretend it is not by placing a Challah on it at the onset of Shabbat and declare it “a dual purpose surface”. b. The other point which must be clarified is: The tray serves as a surface not only for “mildly Muktzah items” but actually for “severely Muktzah items” as many of the candlesticks we use are made of pure silver which means they ought to be considered Muktzah Machmat Chisaron Kis. This means that even after the candles have gone out, the tray should still have earned the status of this severe Muktzah and be forbidden to use.

Nonetheless, people are accustomed to using a Challah in order to be able to move their candlestick tray on Shabbat. The best thing, however, would be to: a. Ask a non-Jew to move the candlesticks and tray. OR b. Place the “Prayer for Candle-lighting” on the tray for the duration of the twilight period. The tray then clearly serves as a surface for both forbidden candlesticks and a permissible prayer placard!

Either way, one should only move the tray if they need the space, not for the benefit of the candlesticks themselves.

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Parshas Pinchas: Be a Disruptor

BY RABBI YITZCHOK KATZ Whilst munching on individually wrapped baked goodies at the outdoor, covid-safe kiddush at a local shul this past Shabbat, someone joked to me: “Football and Judaism are both forms of religion, the biggest difference being that with Judaism you are on the defensive as default.”

The glory supporter chooses the easy, feel-good route of always being where the spotlight is, rather than riding the highs and lows that come with true commitment to a single cause. Our commitment to Judaism is one that pays eternal dividends, so perhaps this is one cause worth defending, regardless of social trends.

Great business success is the product of industry disruption - think Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. Disruption by definition means doing the unexpected. No new life-altering innovation could have been anticipated before its time; by the same measure, we cannot foretell what the next big thing shall be. Those who dare to dream of what could be have a chance at reshaping their future and that of the world; but going after the trend will forever assign you the title of follower. Taking

Pinchas RABBI DR RAYMOND APPLE

NOT ALL SO EQUAL

A plague affected the people of Israel and the suffering was immense. Then came the intervention of Pinchas and the pain subsided.

Is there any way we can estimate the effect of the plague?

Not in the quantity of the pain. Everybody felt that they were suffering all the pain that existed. People have different pain thresholds. Some people seem able to endure more than others.

In an inverse way we can derive this from the Mishnah Sanhedrin chapter 10, in a passage that we say at the beginning of each chapter of Pir’kei Avot – “All Israel have a portion in the World to Come”.

There is a Chassidic interpretation that though everyone has a share in the World to Come, not every share is equal to every other share.

Similarly, not every share of pain is equal to every other share. The Almighty allocates to everyone the amount of pain which that person can handle.

BEING FIRED GOT HIM FIRED

Pinchas was a fanatic whose zealotry in the cause of G-d brought him both acclaim and criticism.

The acclaim came from G-d Himself who rewarded him for being “very jealous for My sake,” granting him “My covenant

the lead however, will have you standing ahead of those who called those dreams, well, mere dreams. That is a disruptor.

We need look no further than Pinchas from this week’s parsha. When large parts of the Jewish nation fall to sin, Pinchas is the only one from our entire people to

stand up to this folly. He did what was right despite the potential social consequences; he acted upon what was correct, not by what was popular; he stepped aside from the congregation in pursuit of the truth.

Because of this heroic act, one of Pinchas’ rewards was eternal peace, meaning no

Our commitment to Judaism is one that pays eternal dividends, so perhaps this is one cause worth defending, regardless of social trends. of peace” (Num. 25).

The criticism was that he forfeited any chance of becoming leader of the people in succession to Moses.

According to the sages (Talmud Bava Metzia 114b), Pinchas was so much like Elijah, whom we read about in the haftarah, that the two can be regarded as identical.

Elijah constantly said he was jealous for G-d – but G-d seems to have been less than impressed. That is why G-d told him to anoint Elisha and appoint him as “prophet in your place”.

In the Mechilta the rabbis ask why G-d uses the phrase “in your place”. Their conclusion is that G-d is conveying a message of disapproval: “I am not pleased with your way of prophesying”.

What did Elijah do wrong? Like Pinchas, he was so fired up for G-d that his fanaticism overwhelmed his patience.

Being fired got him fired.

FILLING IN MY DIARY

One of the deprivations of the Covid period was the shuttering of the book and stationery shops which added to everything the difficulty of buying new diaries.

In my case I found a way of getting a diary online and was able to go through it and add the Jewish dates page by page.

Strangely, this made it a bit easier to keep the Jewish practices which have punctuated my year for so long.

Hence, long before Pesach arrived, I had already thought about the Seder and the Haggadah, about how to manage Pesach shopping when we were unable

loss to his social standing and resulting in being branded a true leader.

We live in a society that measures the value or success of pretty much anything based on the quantity of recognition subscribed to it by humanity. This narrative engulfs us in an everlasting battle of trend versus intuitive correctness. So how do you make the switch from follower to leader? When you believe in something so strongly, with such conviction as to the ideas and ideals to which you subscribe, it will not matter what the masses may think. Your vision will act as a guiding light to navigate you on your journey, be that professionally or spiritually. Before you know it, there will be many others not far off the trail you’ve just beat for them.

I was once told that a rabbi who is loved by his entire congregation is probably not doing his job properly; though a rabbi who is hated by his entire congregation is probably not doing his job properly either. We have to find the balance between what we know is correct and being realistic at executing a plan that will work to see us through on our quest for truth; after all, we all have the potential to be disruptors.

Rabbi Yitzchok Katz was raised in London, now lives in Leeds and is a member of The Leeds Kollel. He is involved in many projects that are having a positive impact on the Jewish community.

to go very far from our home, and how to run a Seder restricted to my wife and myself. Long before Sukkot I gave thought to our Sukkah and our Arba’h Minim.

Actually even in a normal year everyone should plan the outline of the days, weeks and months to come. And a useful way of starting would be to work through the sidra we read this week with its list of high days and holy days – not to forget Shabbat.

THE TICKET MACHINE

The other week I was leaving the pharmacy at my health fund building in Jerusalem as someone else was coming in.

He knew there was a queue and one had to take a ticket with a number. But he didn’t know where the ticket machine was. I showed him and he was amazed – not at my cleverness, nor at the concept, but at the fact that it needed a whole freestanding machine to issue the tickets.

“Such a big machine for such a small ticket!” he said to me in Hebrew. I smiled and wished him a good day. Then I started thinking about this week’s d’var Torah.

Moses prays to G-d to find him the right successor: “May the Lord, the G-d of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation who will go out before them and come in before them, who will lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep without a shepherd” (Num. 27:1617). I know this verse well: it is generally read when a rabbi is inducted into office.

Why does it call HaShem “the G-d of the spirits of all flesh”? The sages say it means

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that G-d understands the varying spirit and personality of every one of His creatures, and a leader must likewise recognise that every member of his community is unique and different.

Why this matters is clear from the mood of our age. People are the crowd. The individual is a number. The machine tells me who I am and where I fit in. If I don’t have a ticket I don’t exist.

Rabbi Apple served for 32 years as the chief minister of the Great Synagogue, Sydney, Australia’s oldest congregation. He is now retired and lives in Jerusalem. Rabbi Apple blogs at http://www.oztorah.com

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Pinchas

Pinchas Word Search

Parshat Pinchas opens with the Torah praising the brave actions of Pinchas the grandson of Aaron and his role in ending the plague. The Jewish people were then counted again and taught how to divide the land between the tribes. The daughters of Tzelaphchad came to request that they too should receive a portion and their request was listened to. Hashem told Moshe to appoint Yehoshua as his successor. He also instructed Moshe to go up a mountain to take a look at Holy Land. The Torah then goes to great length to describe all the extra sacrifices that are offered up on Rosh Chodesh, Shabbat and Festivals. We call these the Korban Musaf. Today, we can not offer up this sacrifice any longer, but we pray Musaf instead and in it we plead with Hashem to return us to our land and back to the Service in the Holy Beit Hamikdash.

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AVARIM • CENSUS • INHERIT • OFFERINGS • PORTION • TAMID • TRIBES • TZELOFCHAD

Tangram Challenge!

Using all the shapes on the left can you make the dancer on the right?

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Pinchas

In a nutshell Pinchas, the epitome of bravery mixed with mercy, brought an end to a terrible plague by carrying out what he knew to be the right action. As a reward he was allowed to follow the footsteps of his father and illustrious grandfather Aharon and become a Kohen for life! Some say he eventually became Eliyahu HaNavi!

The Jewish men over the age of twenty were then counted once again. Hashem is not pleased to punish His nation and to show how precious we are, we are counted again similar to how a shepherd would recount his flock if a calamity had occurred. The total was 601,730.

This led to the next part of the Parsha which was how to apportion the holy land. Moshe was told that according to the size of a tribe, so would be the size (qualitatively) of their portion in Eretz Yisrael. The tribe of Levi, however, were not given a portion; it was the Jewish people’s privilege to sustain the tribe of

Levi. There was a family of 5 sisters, daughters of Tzelaphchad who worried that they would not be given any land as their father had died in the wilderness.

Moshe asked Hashem and the reply came that they shall indeed be given a portion according to their father’s tribe.

The Torah then teaches all about the laws of the order of inheritance. Firstly to a son; if no son then a daughter, then it goes upwards to the surviving father, his sons (i.e. the brother of the deceased) and so on.

Moshe is told to ascend a mountain and cast his holy and loving gaze upon the coveted land. Sadly, he would not enter it due to the mistake a the waters of Meriva. Never miss an opportunity to make a Kiddush Hashem! Moshe asked Hashem to ensure the Jewish nation are not left like sheep without a shepherd, and that a successor should be chosen to replace Moshe after he died. Hashem informs Moshe that it would be Yehoshua, who should be inaugurated in

Word Wheel 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.

the presence of Elazar and the entire congregation (the Kohen who had replaced Aharon).

The Parsha then launches into the laws of the sacrifices. Beginning with the Korban Tamid – the daily sacrifice and then continuing with the added sacrifices (“Musaf”) of Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and all the festivals. We meet the 3 Chagim as well as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and Shemin Atzeret.

A total of 70 bulls are offered up on Sukkot!

We no longer have the opportunity to offer sacrifices to Hashem, however, we can 1. Yearn for the day when the Beit Hamikdash will be rebuilt 2. Study the laws of the Sacrifices and thereby be considered as if we have actually offered them 3. Recite the appropriate prayers in place of the Korbanot.

Use this area to write the words you have found.

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Last week’s words: Here are some words you may have found from last week - you may have found more! aft far fas fat fir fit foe for

oaf oft ref afro cafe coif corf face

fact fair fare fast fate fats fear feat

feta fire firs fist fits foci foes fora

fore fort fret oafs raft rife rift safe

serf sift sofa soft after cafes craft croft

facer faces facet facts fairs farce fares fates

fears feast feats fetas fires first foist force

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forte forts frets fries frost rafts refit rifts

safer scarf serif afters crafts crofts facets factor

farces faster fiasco fiesta forces forest fortes foster

fresco refits resift rifest sifter softer softie strafe

strife factors fairest forties forecast factories

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YOUTH 45

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Q. Why couldn’t the pony sing a lullaby?

A. Because she was a little horse!

Q. What does a cloud wear under its clothes?

A. Thunderwear!

Q: What time is it when the clock strikes 13?

A: Time to get a new clock!

(Answers at the bottom of page upside down)

1. What can you catch but not throw?

3.When things go wrong, what can you always count on?

Q: What musical instrument is found in the bathroom?

A: A tuba toothpaste!

2. If two’s company, and three’s a crowd, what are four and five?

3) Your fingers!

1. A cold!

2) Nine!

1. Once bitten twice shy 2. Bad hair day 3. Hot under the collar

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4. Just in case 5. 40 winks 6. Cheese on toast

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SPORTS WEEKLY SPECIAL

EURO 2020

Sterling and Kane strike as England KO Germany

BY DAVID SAFFER The route to the Euro 2020 final is set for England after defeating Germany for the first time in a knock out game since the summer of ’66.

Gareth Southgate’s team will be heavy favourites to defeat shock quarterfinalists Ukraine in Rome this weekend before steeling themselves to take on Denmark or Czech Republic next Wednesday night for a final spot at Wembley on July 11.

Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane scored second half goals to send 40,000 fans at Wembley into raptures on Tuesday.

England are tough to beat and when Southgate introduced Jack Grealish there was a zip to the attack. Sterling knocked in Luke Shaw’s cross after 75 minutes before Kane nodded Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane scored against Germany in Grealish’s pinpoint cross late on for his first Euro 2020 goal.

Wales crashed out to Denmark, playing England though had to thank keeper Jor- on a wave of emotion after the opening dan Pickford who saved Timo Werner and game when Christian Eriksen collapsed Kai Havertz efforts while Thomas Muller with a cardiac arrest. missed a golden chance to equalise before Kasper Dolberg curled home his first captain Kane sealed a quarter final spot. goal on 27 minutes. Dolberg doubled the Southgate told BBC1, “The players were lead after a dreadful error by Nico Wilabsolutely immense right the way through liams after half time. Joakim Maehle made the team and the fans were as well. Only it 3-0 two minutes from time. And after 40,000, but it’s as good an atmosphere I Harry Wilson unluckily saw red for a foul can remember in Wembley. We played on Maehle, Martin Braithwaite completed extremely well, I thought we deserved the the scoring. win.” He added, “The whole team defendThe Danes face the Czechs who stunned ed incredibly, the goalkeeper right the way the Netherlands in Budapest. through. It was a fabulous performance.”

The match turned when Donyell Malen As for his strikers, he commented, “Ra- failed to capitalise on a one-on-one with heem (Sterling’s) performances have been Czech keeper Tomas Vaclik on 54 minelectric and a goal for Harry (Kane) was an utes. Less than a minute later, Matthijs important moment.”

De Ligt was dismissed for handball after Ukraine substitute Artem Dovbyk broke a VAR review for denying Patrik Schick a Swedish hearts with an injury time winner goalscoring opportunity. Tomas Holes in extra time at Hampden Park. headed home on 68 minutes before setOleksandr Zinchenko put the outsiders in ting up Schick to score 10 minutes from front before Emil Forsberg’s deflected shot time. levelled just before half time. With no team In the other side of the draw, Italy kept able to break the deadlock, the match went their Euro dreams alive in a comeback to extra time. Marcus Danielson was sent win against Austria at Wembley and face a off for a horror challenge on Artem Besedin mouthwatering quarter-final clash against before Dovbyk sensationally headed home.

Belgium.

20 minutes. But the Spaniards were level by half time when Pablo Sarabia struck home an equaliser. Cesar Azpilicueta got on the end of a sweeping move to nod home just before the hour. And when Ferran Torres slotted home the game seemed over. But Croatia substitutes Mislav Orsic and Mario Pasalic scored in a dramatic ending to send the game into an extra 30 minutes.

Simon atoned for his earlier error with an important stop from Andrej Kramaric before Alvaro Morata crashed in a superb fourth on 100 minutes.

Mikel Oyarzabal settled a pulsating match minutes later.

Spain take on Switzerland who stunned pre-tournament favourites France with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win after a PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK 3-3 draw following extra time.

Kylian Mbappe, who shone in Austria gave the Italians a huge scare. this nations’ World Cup triumph, had yet to Indeed, only a VAR offside decision ruled hit top gear in this competition and it was out a Marko Arnautovic goal in normal his spot kick that Yann Sommer saved to time before substitutes Federico Chiesa earn the Swiss a first ever penalty shoot-out and Matteo Pessina netted in extra time. triumph.

Austria hit back with a Sasa Kalajdzic Switzerland took a shock 15th minute header, the first goal Italy have conceded lead through Haris Seferovic. The underin the tournament, but it was not enough dogs then had a chance to go 2-0 up only to deny the favourites for the tie. for Hugo Lloris to save a Ricardo RodriBelgium’s Thorgan Hazard produced a gues penalty on 55 minutes. And within moment of magic to knock out Portugal. four minutes Karin Benzema scored twice Ronaldo failed to score this time around to edge France ahead. but the defending champions went mighty When Paul Pogba scored a 30-yard close through Diogo Jota, Ruben Dias and screamer 14 minutes from time, it seemed Raphael Guerreiro, who struck a post late over. But Seferovic got his team back into on. the game with his second before Mario In the end, Hazard’s dipping 25-yard Gavranovic sent the game into extra time drive just before half time proved decisive. in the 90th minute. After nine perfect penSpain, meantime, won an eight-goal alties, Mbappe stepped up for France’s thriller against Croatia in extra time to fifth spot kick but fluffed his big moment. reach the quarterfinals.

So, Southgate and co have delivered at In the match of the tournament so far the highest level and finally defeated their the Spaniards recovered from going be- great rivals at the fourth time of asking in a hind to a bizarre own goal and letting a major tournament tie in 55 years.

3-1 lead slip to secure a memorable win in With the nation behind them if anyone is Copenhagen. looking for an omen, the last time an EngLuis Enrique’s side were stunned when land side played four competition games Unai Simon inexplicably misjudged a Pedri without conceding a goal was when Sir Alf 50-yard back pass to gift Croatia the lead on et al triumphed!

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SPORT 47

O’s Premier champs with Peppi and Cuby strikes

Oakwood goalscorers Josh Cuby and Ben Peppi

BY DAVID SAFFER Oakwood are Premier League champions after a 3-1 victory against Jewdinese at Ark Academy.

Needing a win to pip HMH and Maccabi London FC to the title the O’s came from a goal down to triumph. A Ben Peppi brace and Josh Cuby strike secured a second top-flight title for the club.

Lewis Blitz’ side trailed pacesetters HMH and Maccabi London FC until the title run. But they earned a chance of securing the championship with a scintillating run of form.

Oakwood had to produce the goods against ‘Nese who had a strong line up out.

Standing firm against the champions-elect, Reiss Mogliner scored a brilliant direct free kick against the run of play.

Blitz’ boys had to react and did, demonstrating resolve to equalise just before half time when Peppi curled home a wonderful 20 yard strike.

Level at the break, Cuby, who had dazzled on the wing in the opening period, moved into a central striking role and instinctively slotted home on 50 minutes to put the champagne on ice.

Cuby then set up Peppi for a crucial third on the hour to seal the deal. ‘Nese never had a clear chance thereafter as the O’s managed the game to perfection to wrap

Oakwood celebrate winning the Premier League

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

Ben Peppi makes it 3-1 to clinch the title

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

up the title.

At full time, a delighted Blitz commented, “I knew we could come back. We just had to keep doing our thing. Peppi’s first goal made my half time talk easier.” He added, “There were nervy moments, the first 20 minutes we were on top but got complacent. We got into wide positions but couldn’t get a player in the six-yard box. In the end though, we got three quality goals.”

Regarding two-goal hero Peppi, Blitz noted. “Ben’s been one of our players of the season, he started the season on the wing and has become one of our most influential central midfielders. Cuby going up top in the second half made a big difference challenging their defence. Considering the start we made to the season it really is phenomenal that we have managed to win the title.”

Two-time title winner Cuby commented, “We knew from the beginning it would be a tough battle. It was all about heart and mentality today. We put everything on the pitch and reaped the rewards.”

Regarding his crucial second goal, Cuby noted, “It was instinctive, but it was a team goal. Three goals won the game, not mine.

This is a team, we are building a squad to go again next season.”

Ric Blank became Oakwood chairman 16 years ago. He commented, “All the

boys, players and managers, have put in so much hard work in a disrupted season, they fully deserve their reward. It’s amazing to see new memories being made by the next generation.”

Daniel Kristall, Director of Football, joined Oakwood in 2015 with the aim of winning silverware and becoming a dominant force in Jewish football.

“We have two Premier titles and have competed in four cup finals,” he said. “Our recruitment with the new management team last summer with new signings on the pitch has given us a fresh momentum.

With the transfer targets we have in mind for this summer and age of the squad, we are well placed to compete at the top of Jewish football for the next few years.”

‘Nese boss Darren Lawrence was magnanimous in defeat, “We owed it to the league and ourselves to give Oakwood a battle. The best team won on the day.”

Maccabi needed a seven-goal swing to finish ahead of HMH on goal difference if Oakwood slipped up and duly thumped Hendon United 9-2 at Rowley Lane.

Until Oakwood struck a third goal the

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title could have been heading Maccabi’s way but it was not to be.

On the day, player boss Max Kyte hit six goals, Ben Kohler, Mikey Perkins and Jamie Cohen completed the scoring. The win edged Maccabi into the runners up spot by a goal ahead of HMH. “It was a great way to end the season, we did what we had to do to have a chance of scraping the title,” noted Kyte. “It’s a true testament of what the boys can do when they put their minds to it, and we are pleased to finish second in the league. A big congratulations to Oakwood who had an unbelievable second half of the season and deservedly champions.”

Division One champs London Bears defeated Borussia Barnet 2-1 to complete a memorable season whilst Hertswood Vale ratified promotion with a 3-3 against Faithfold Green.

In other fixtures, Club de Chigwell finished third in style, thumping FC Team 5-1.

Brook Farm Rovers shared the spoils 2-2 draw against Mill Hill Dons to finish in fifth spot.

Now is the PERFECT TIME to start learning DAF YOMI as ‫ מסכת סוכה‬begins soon Friday 9 July 2021 | ‫כ"ט תמוז תשפ"א‬ (Start the Daf and make your siyum before this upcoming Sukkos!)

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