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From the front line…

Congratulations to Dame Kate Bingham ~ Doyenne of Delivery

BY JACQUELINE CURZON

Congratulations to Kate Bingham, chairman of the UK Vaccines Taskforce, who is to be made a well deserved Dame in the imminent Queen’s Honours List. Her position as chairman is unpaid, and regardless, she has coordinated vaccine deployment for over 40 million Brits. Her brief was to ‘stop people from dying’ and she sourced six different vaccines in this task. Bingham was born in London in 1965, attended St Paul’s Girls School, gained a first in biochemistry at Oxford before going to Harvard Business School. Criticisms of the venture capitalist included her bringing onboard a team of eight full time PR consultants, costing the taxpayers £670,000. None could however begrudge that expense in the scheme of things, for whatever her tactics, she got the job done.

Meanwhile the government, via Mr Hancock, has stated it is open to delaying the freedom timetable, which means all bets are off, Boris’ word means ‘not a lot,’ and 1-10 daily deaths from covid is still considered too excessive (1:5,700,000) in a country seeking the sanctity of zero covid numbers. This is rather at odds with Boris who indicated just last week there were ‘no substantial grounds’ or evidence for delaying, not whilst vaccine uptake is being accelerated. If I was a betting individual, I’d put money on further delays and the probability of remaining handcuffed to continued social restrictions. The scientists are in favour of a further 2 week extension - taking us to mid July - largely due to the emergence of the Delta variant, which is reported to be 40% more transmissible. NHS staff have however shown a lack of confidence in the scientific modelling, which has thus far proven to be largely scaremongering, and wildly inaccurate. The status in the UK {England and Wales} is that roughly 80% are vaccinated, with 75% of this cohort having a second dose.

True, the Delta variant is of huge concern in India, alongside the rising prevalence of mucormycosis, which I mentioned a few weeks ago. This is a flesh eating black fungus which seems to attack recovering covid patients, causing destruction of the sinuses, jaw and brain, and affected patients are having to undergo devastating surgery, losing parts of the jaw, nose and eyes, just to preserve life. Doctors say early detection with blood glucose monitoring can make a huge difference, but in a country with such high levels of poverty, this is a somewhat tall order. In Maharashtra doctors warn that mucormycosis has exploded mainly since the discovery of the Delta variant. The head of the ENT department at Mumbai’s Sir JJ Hospital said he had seen 45 patients in his life, but now 66 in just one month. The country has around 100,000 new cases a day, with total covid related deaths passing 300,000. Elsewhere in India, eight lions have tested positive for coronavirus, with one lioness dying from the virus at Vandalur Zoo. The lions were heard coughing - a classic symptom - and Neela died just one day after her positive result. In other interesting news, Moscow has developed a vaccine for animals: Carnivac-Cov is the only registered coronavirus vaccine for animals in the world.

Nepal has enjoyed a bumper season of tourists, intent on reaching the highest peak in the world. Last year's total shutdown, which paralysed the industry, has resulted in record numbers of climbers taking to one of the most dangerous mountains. Over 400 permits were granted, generating around £3million for the industry. Unfortunately the influx of foreigners has brought with it rising cases of covid, partly through lack of testing and follow-up after arrival, and partly exacerbated by the rising cases in India. It’s believed that around 9,000 daily cases are affecting Nepal, which has manifested in climbers testing positive on their ascent. The indigenous Sherpa community - feted for their high altitude fitness and stamina, were not previously exposed to the virus, which looks like it might be the worst of the combined variants. Pictures in the press show a conveyor belt of colourfully clad climbers, queuing to reach the top of Everest, and take their statutory souvenir selfies.

Lesser known, and in a remote location near the border of Ukraine and Russia, lies a brutal detention facility, even though to all extents and purposes it doesn’t actually exist. Welcome to Izolyatsia, in Donetsk. Tetyana Katrychenko, of the Kyev based Media Initiative for Human Rights, has interviewed more than 25 former prisoners and established that the elaborate torture which goes on there makes a regular detention center look like paradise. At least 90 people have complained about torture, but there may be hundreds more undocumented victims according to Roman Tsyb, in the Ukraine Prosecutor’s Office, who is in charge of prosecuting crimes at illegal prisons. Several victims have lodged lawsuits at the European Court of Human Rights, which could unfortunately still take years to come to the top of the list. Some may find justice through the International Criminal Court in The Hague, under the category of war crimes, but some may just wish to remain out of the spotlight when they finally escape. One can only then guess at the brutality inflicted on individuals such as Alexei Navalny and Roman Protasevich in such regimes where liberty is fragile and the right to protest is held as a crime. Navalny (45) has recently testified by video link to a court in the town of Petushki, appealing over his detention conditions. He has been returned to the harsh penal colony in Pokrov, after receiving hospital treatment.

Here at home, Sherish Osman, an English teacher, says in her blog for the TES, that the terms ‘top set’ and ‘bottom set’ in schools should be dropped, as it dents pupils' self esteem. I know someone presently teaching in a top state school, and picture him laughing as he told me that even the bottom set of A level students were all predicted to get A*s. [imagine the talent of the top set!] So plainly, context is everything. The world is not a flat pancake of opportunity for all, but a pyramid of constant measure and attainment, and only a few will make the top - in any field. Prestigious universities have reported a wave of online cheating, with tutors being offered thousands of pounds to write important assignments. The agency Tutor Hunt reported its tutors being contacted to complete online exams etc, despite this being in direct contravention of their rules. With the advent and fixation for online learning over the past few years, this trick should not cause much surprise. In London it has been announced that Rachel Fink, Headteacher of JFS, has stepped down from her post following a recent Ofsted. Mrs Fink took up the position at JFS three years ago, following seven years of outstanding headship at Hasmonean Girls School. Having one daughter who journeyed through those Hasmo years, I recall her professionalism, positivity and the passion for learning she brought to the school. Sir Michael Wilshaw (74), former head of Ofsted will be taking over at JFS on an interim basis, supported by Dame Joan McVittie, a safeguarding expert and senior Ofsted inspector. No reasons were given by the governors for Mrs Finks departure, and the school declined to comment. Several pupil suicides have likely contributed to significant concerns; in a joint letter issued by 10 schools back in March 2021, headteachers referred to the ever present dangers of social media, which are inextricably linked to bullying, and creating mental health challenges. We are all living in dangerous times, with the attendant risks of inappropriate and excessive use of technology.

Over in Hollywood, baby Sussex has arrived: Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Given her parents' propensity for secrecy, it is forecast that a picture of Lilibet’s blanketed left hand will be released in the next week. Those without access to Royal Instagram or Twitter should wait for the next publication

Jacqueline Curzon

PHOTO: LARA MINSKY PHOTOGRAPHY of Hello, where for a handsome donation you can find out more. Their choice of baby’s name is of course a tribute to both Harry’s mother and grandmother, although the more cautious would have perhaps refrained from adopting the private, pet name of the Queen, especially given the shocking interview the couple held some months back. Rumour has it that Queen Elizabeth pronounced her name as Lilibet at a young age, because she couldn’t articulate it correctly, another view is that her younger sister Margaret called her that, for similar reasons. The inclusion of Diana is not exactly unique, as William's daughter Charlotte has Diana as a middle name. I was a teeny bit amused to read that the Sussexes intend to take a few months ‘parental leave’ to care for the baby. Leave from what, I have to ask?

Now, if you are in search of a very special painting for your home, you might be interested in a replica of Leonardo da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa painting, which is going on sale in Paris, and is expected to fetch up to £257,813. Thought to have been created by a follower of da Vinci in the early 17th Century, the replica is widely known as the Mona Lisa Hekking after ex-owner Raymond Hekking. Hekking, who acquired the canvas in the 1950s from an art dealer in Nice, cast doubt on the authenticity of the original masterpiece, which is now at the Louvre. The early replica will be sold at Christie's auction house in Paris.

Now from Paris to Pakistan, Protests and Preston. The Millat Express, a train running from Karachi to Sargodha derailed, and split across neighbouring tracks, only for the oncoming Sir Syed Express, from Rawalpindi to Karachi, to plough into the derailed carriages. Devastation was so bad the military had to bring in specialist lifting gear, to hunt for survivors and the dead, whose numbers currently stand around 45. Imran Khan, former cricket player, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister was ‘shocked’ by the accident, although he as a westerner, must have well appreciated the deplorable state of their national railways, trains and infrastructure, as well as the custom of overloading trains with passengers hanging on to the outside of carriages. In Hartlepool a statue of a monkey, representing part of the local folklore, is to have an explanation of the legend attached, in case visitors consider the town ‘unfriendly’ to foreigners, following BLM protests. In Preston a statue has been commissioned, honouring Nick Price’s famous comedy characters, Wallace and Gromit. It will represent a scene from The Wrong Trousers, with the characters hopefully left undisturbed and undamaged on their bench for many years. Otherwise it may need to be renamed Grimace and Wallet.

Love

Jacqueline x

How the pandemic has transformed online orthodox Jewish dating

Spiked JWed.com growth during covid as marriages climb above 3,600

Derek Saker, Co-Founder of JWed.com (formerly Frumster.com) recently moved from New York to London where he got married and has now settled.

While JWed.com, launched in 1997, was a pioneering service, it faced many early challenges, not least hesitancy and even some resistance to online dating by some in frum community. 3,600 Marriages later and averaging 8 engagements/marriages a month, JWed. com has become one of the most successful online Jewish dating-for-marriage services with a membership of tens of thousands spanning North America, Israel and Europe.

While initially created just for Orthodox observant Jewish singles, the name was changed to JWed.com in 2012 to meet the additional need of a growing market of Jewish singles, who while not religiously observant, were equally Jewish and equally focused on marrying someone Jewish.

Fast forward to the present, according to Derek Saker, “The pandemic has actually seen a huge increase in online membership, not least because of paradigm shifts in four main areas.”

Firstly, the number of more senior single members (60+) has grown leaps and bounds. Where before, such singles – whether widowed, divorced or never married - may have had online dating as the furthest thing on their minds, solitude during the pandemic, has no doubt had a profound impact on seniors and a consequential desire for loving, meaningful companionship.

While seniors have additionally been more technology averse, this loneliness has certainly fuelled the practicality to overcome any hurdles with the help of family and support staff from the service itself.

As Derek Saker says “You’re never too old to love and to want to be loved by another.”

Secondly, JWed has seen a very significant increase in membership amongst younger singles (18-28), a market that was typically the laggard to online dating.

However, with the radical curtailment of social interaction and communal events, many younger singles have by circumstance ventured into online dating, only to be rewarded with good prospects and money saved!

Thirdly, there has been a profound evolvement in hashkafic membership. From Modern Orthodox to Hassidish, from Boro Park to Belsize Park. The reality today, is that most of the frum community is online. We see this in the diversity of membership, we see this in the diversity of JWed.com marriages.

Finally, while JWed.com has always seen a high number of cross-city/state/ country/continental marriages, during the pandemic, long-distance dating has only become even more pronounced and widespread.

Jewish singles can after all explore the online dating scene without borders, and that can be liberating in a period of lockdowns and travel restrictions.

As Saker says “While geography is of course important, what is far more important, is actually finding that one person, that one Bashert, who shares similar values, possesses a richness in character, a personality and other attributes you are uniquely attracted to and someone with whom you share the same life path of growth.

Yes, location can be a challenge – but when two people find each other on opposite ends of the world – distance can still most often be overcome.”

After all, especially when it comes to shidduchim, Hashem works in miraculous ways!

For mor information visit JWed.com

Motoring: The Fiat 500 convertible

Now that summer seems to have arrived our travel expert, and on time Lotus Cars PR Manager Malcolm Ginsberg, has been trying out a car that ticks nearly all the boxes when it comes to open air motoring.

Vehicles with sunroofs are not the same. But there is little choice at the lower end of the market. Or is there?

In its latest guise the Fiat 500 has proved to be a hugely popular town car and perfectly at home on a motorway. The 500 convertible offers a fully electric fabric sunroof that quickly folds down behind the rear passenger seats and can be set for a sort of halfway mode. Open, there is no buffeting at speed, a fault with some two- seaters with a folding metal roof. The BMW Mini, at a lot more money, does much the same, and is not so much fun to drive, the Fiat nippy with precise steering making it a splendid citymobile with a turning circle of less than 10m. One big fault, which I have noted in previous Fiats. No rear-view camera, essential for in-town parking. It is arguably very much a four-seat convertible. The brochure says you can open the roof at speeds up to 37mph. Fiat convertibles are all built at Tichy in Poland.

There is an all-electric automatic drive version now becoming available (with the camera!). It will set you back around £30k depending on the specification and BTN hopes to test one later in the year.

Officially called the Fiat 500 Cabrio, but badged as a 500C, the test car was a “Connect” model, there being four variants depending on trim, Pop, Connect, Dolcevita and Sport, each offering varying levels of luxury and style.

Italy is known for styling and Fiat, with the 500, is forever bringing in new variants. It can be confusing, but the essential basics are the same. It is a fun car but very practical and extremely popular in this part of London, a normal ‘tin top’ and as a convertible.

All the 500s come only with a 6-speed manual gearbox, very positive, but needed with the 1.0ltr litre 70hp ’Mild Hybrid’ that combines the latest 3-cylinder FireFly 1.0-litre engine with a 12-volt Belt-integrated Starter Generator (BSG) electric motor and a lithium battery. It is far from the quickest away from the traffic lights with a 0-60mph of 13.8sec but that does not seem an impediment. It begs to be driven energetically.

On the motorway it will cruise effortless at 70pmh with the roof either up or down. There is cruise control and a speed limiter. As a partially electric-powered car petrol consumption is 50mpg plus, but it can drop if you drive it too energetically around town. Stay in electric and the figures shown on the dashboard are incredible.

Prices for the Cabrio start at £15,925 for the ‘Pop’ model, the ‘Connect’ coming in at £17,550, the 7in HD touchscreen with 3D navigation, USB, Bluetooth and DAB radio adding a further £825. The door mirrors are controlled internally, but are not self-closing, Fiat says that since it is such a teeny car it does not need this facility. They may be right.

There is an Abarth version but that priced at £23,625 upwards, 1.3ltr engine and 40mpg, noisier and vastly quicker.

The seats we are told are the first in the automotive sector to be made of Seaqual Yarn, the weaving of which produces a special material, derived from recycled plastic, 10% of which originates from the sea and 90% from land. Seaqual Yarn is produced by transforming plastics collected from the sea into flakes of polyethylene terephthalate. These flakes are then used in the yarn from which the fabrics are made. In the weaving phase, marine polyester is mixed with other natural, recycled or recovered fibres. This process is completed by the application of dyes and finishes which minimise the use of water and energy.

The rather upright seating position and tall roof means four adults can fit easily, but not socially distanced. Getting into the back can be a bit difficult. There are arm cutouts in the panels on both sides, and coffee holders for two.

The 500 is not for touring if you are four up, but its fine for the weekly shop and with the ‘Connect’ you get a 50:50 split-folding rear seat to give plenty of room for suitcases and hand baggage.

Speaking of trim levels Fiat also offers special-edition versions that change frequently and tend to add unique styling, colours and wheels, along with different equipment and upholstery. ‘Connect’ includes LED ‘halo’ daytime running lights, a USB connection, air-conditioning, alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, cruise control and fog lights.

The Fiat 500C is exactly what you expect it to be – it is a Fiat 500 with a convertible roof. That means it packs in all the charisma of the regular 500 hatchback but with the added bonus of top-down motoring at any time. The roof is controlled by a button set in a panel above the central consul, giving three positions.

The 500C is a cheeky carefree car that is a joy to drive. It has a charming appeal that cannot be beaten at any price.

If yours is a mundane commute, the run into work or back home in the evening, can be something to look forward too with the little Fiat. Economically!

It is a true sports convertible! www.fiat.co.uk

The Fiat 500 convertible

Fiat 500c roof down The Fiat 500 interior

STAR RATINGS

(out of 10) Performance.........................5 Handling................................8 Transmission ........................8 Noise.....................................6 Economy ...............................9 Ride and Comfort.................7 Accommodation....................6 Styling....................................7 Brakes...................................8 Finish.....................................8 TOTAL.............................. 72%

Starting up a new business – now or never

Q: I have some extra savings having not gone on holidays over the last year and zero commuting costs due to working at home. To be honest, I’m a bit burnt out from my job which I have been in for almost 15 years and would like to start a business with an idea I have had for a while. However, I am nearing my late 40s and am a bit nervous that this is the wrong time. Any advice would be helpful please.

A: First things first – you would be in good company if you are a late bloomer in opening your business. Famous brands such as Kentucky Fried Chicken, Macdonalds, Gap and fashion designer Vera Wang, were all started by people 40 plus. And don’t forget our national treasure Mary Berry who, whilst having worked from her thirties onwards in her own cookery business and as a cookery author, only gained celebrity status in her seventies. So, I think it is safe to say that it’s never too late to start a Business, whether that is in terms of age, or just simply timing. Indeed, research shows that someone who is middle aged when they start a business is 2.8 times more likely to have a successful business than someone younger; proof if you needed it that not only can you start a business at any age, but that age is actually a predictor of entrepreneurial success.

In terms of timing, if nothing else, the last 15 months has shown veteran and would be entrepreneurs how innovative and resilient people can be. And remarkably, despite everything, there is optimism for the future of small businesses. Several reports conclude that although the economy is shaky and the future uncertain, the majority of SMEs (small medium enterprises) do expect to see growth in the near future. A recent OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) report, written April 2021 on lessons learnt from Covid 19 in relation to SMEs, highlights 15 key messages, one of which is to ensure that recovery programmes to “build back better” reflect the circumstances and perspectives of smaller businesses and entrepreneurs, that are well-suited to support any upturn.

There is another important shift in entrepreneurial mindset. Many have come to the realisation that they want to work in something that fuels their passion, gives life meaning and reflects a healthy and positive work/life balance. It has become apparent that the world is undergoing a permanent shift in the way we work and some industries won’t just go back to how they were for a long time. Not only is it easier than ever to start your own business with nothing more than a computer and WiFi, but more and more people are looking for flexibility, freedom, and control over their time. So, arguably, start-up businesses that are innovative and agile are exactly what the world needs right now and the ability to adapt is of prime importance. One example is the wider adoption of a digital approach to business; companies who had previously relied almost totally on footfall, have managed to take their businesses online, sometimes in a matter of days. There has also been a flurry of innovation, with small businesses filling gaps left by bigger organisations or innovating to offer new services. The old saying ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ rings even more true during financially difficult times as they create problems that people need solutions to. Coronavirus itself has caused a very unique set of challenges that start-ups are clamouring to cure. Add to the mix that this is a great environment to seek funding with interest rates at an all time low, and top talent available as people move around to seek new opportunities, and it almost paints a picture of it being a win-win situation with absolutely no downsides.

So, in the interest of balance, it is important to sound a note of caution - border restrictions that have become the norm around the world, have crippled some sectors in the economy, as well as severely damaged others. In addition, it is vital to factor in the remaining uncertainty in trading conditions and precarious economic outlook predicted by some. However, all this does is highlight the fact that if you are going to start a business you are familiar with, or have worked on for a while, the normal pre-start up preparation is even more important such as business planning, market research and due diligence to name just a few.

Finally, if you are passionate about your idea, that is often half the battle and will ensure that you go the extra mile. Richard Branson has said that “passion is one of the most effective motivators when it comes to launching a business — and often one of the strongest predictors of whether an idea will lead to success.”

So, I would recommend that you cautiously take the plunge and our business mentors and advisers can give you that extra bit of support should you require it.

… research shows that someone who is middle aged when they start a business is 2.8 times more likely to have a successful business than someone younger

Jcommerce is a charitable organisation set up to support businesses in the North West Community to economic self-sufficiency, and address business challenges that arisen from COVID-19 and beyond.

For more information about our business support services including, video soundbites from successful entrepreneurs, business advice and mentoring go to www. jcommerce.org If you have a business question you would like answered, you can submit this via the Jewish Weekly.