The Jewish Weekly Issue 147

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ISRAEL STANDS ALONE 25 JUNE 2020/03 TAMMUZ 5780

BY DAVID SAFFER

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unity government will not wait forever to enter direct talks

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with the Palestinians.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz gave the stark warning amidst global pressure from world leaders, Palestinians and a number of settler leaders for Israel to hold back on annexation.

The deadline to Netanyahu’s plans to apply sovereignty to 30% of the West Bank and Jordan Valley is just days away and the political eyes of the world is on Israel.

White House officials met this week in Washington to discuss if they will give the green light for Netanyahu to proceed on July 1. Israel’s leader needs Trump’s support, but Washington is resolute they will only support a plan backed by Israeli consensus from the recently established coalition.

Notwithstanding global concern, Gantz was clear about Israel’s position during a meeting with defence officials outlining security concerns.

“The Palestinians continue to reject dialogue,” he said. “We might have to advance without them.”

Gantz added, “We won’t take

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Palestinians into our territory, we won’t harm human rights or the right of movement, we’ll work in coordination with regional countries and we’re in contact with them, we won’t endanger the peace agreements.”

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman returned to Washington for discussions with Trump’s senior advisor Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien.

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

US President Donald Trump was set to join the meeting at some point.

The US Middle East peace deal recognises Jewish settlements as part of Israel alongside a Palestinian state but with stringent conditions.

Palestinian leaders have dismissed the plan, King Abdullah II of Jordan has warned of Middle CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

See editorial on page 4.

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14 aliyah flights from JFK WJC calls for racism action

BY ROBERT LEVY Nefesh B’Nefesh has signed an agreement with El Al for 14 aliyah flights this summer.

The flights from JFK International Airport have been organised in cooperation with the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth Le’Israel and JNF-USA. A record number of American Jews have applied for Aliyah since NBN was founded almost two decades ago.

NBN has received over 900 applications this month compared to 399 a year ago.

“We deeply appreciate the patience and understanding of our Olim as we navigate Aliyah together during this unprecedented time,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Nefesh B’Nefesh co-founder.

“It is incredible to witness and take part in this moment, where there is an unparalleled increase in Aliyah interest.”

He added, “With hundreds of seats now

available for Olim, we look forward to taking a large step forward to ensuring that we can assist in the fruition of these aliyah dreams.”

JFK flights start from next month through to September.

Two aliyah flights depart from the West Coast over the period.

News of the flights is welcome as El Al extended its suspension of passenger flights until July 31.

The carrier is making cargo and occasional passenger flights.

Around 90% of El Al’s 6,300 employees have been on unpaid leave since March.

Foreign travellers are banned from travelling to Israel, while returning Israelis must go into enforced 14 days self-isolation.

The government has held talks with El Al and Knafaim Holdings about a $250 million bailout loan.

BY ADAM MOSES World Jewish Congress has called on the UN Human Rights Council to stand firm against racism.

Reminding delegates during a heated debate of Jewish and black American community struggles against discrimination and oppression, WJC Geneva representative Leon Saltiel recalled a speech by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King who declared that churches and synagogues had an opportunity and duty to lift up their voice “like a trumpet” and declare to people the “immorality of segregation”.

“Silence is never an option,” he added.

WJC concluded that those who championed civil rights made the fight against racism a fundamental viewpoint of democracy.

WJC, meantime, have lambasted anti-Israel resolutions adopted by the Council.

Four were included on an agenda item singling one UN member state.

“It is completely absurd when Israel has been widely praised for its successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic,” commented WJC President Ronald S. Lauder he said.

Lauder pointed out Israel’s life-saving humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians, adding it was a one-sided attack against the Jewish state.

Noting Nickolay Mladenov, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East, had praised cooperation between Israel and Palestinians the councils bias was “glaring”.

He added, “As usual, little mention was made of violations committed by the terrorist group Hamas. Rather, the Council continued its long, one-sided anti-Israel tirade, without any regard for the real facts on the ground.”

Lauder praised Australia for voting against all five resolutions.

A number of nations also objected including Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Fiji, Germany, Marshall Islands, Togo and Ukraine.

“For the Council to fully live up to its potential, more countries need to speak up and oppose these one-sided resolutions,” he said. “Such a necessary and principled stance will hopefully lead to this body adopting resolutions that accurately reflect events in an impartial manner.”

In other news, WJC called on Council

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and slams Khamenei

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

members to condemn all forms of hate speech on social media.

WJC noted comments by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who pledged to annihilate Israeli cities.

“It is particularly worrisome when a world leader uses social media to promote hate targeting a specific community,” commented WJC International Relations Officer, Sacha Elkaim.

Observing Khamenei’s abhorrent comments on Twitter, Elkaim explained, “He (Khamenei) referred to Israel, the Jewish state, as a “cancerous tumour” and threatened to annihilate Tel Aviv and Haifa.

“He stated his conviction that the Zionist regime would “perish in the not-so-far future.

“Moreover, he compared Israel to the deadly Coronavirus and continued to dehumanise Jews, reminding us of incendiary statements made during the 1930s & 40s.”

Elkaim pointed out comments by the Iranian leader about “the final solution”.

For Khamenei, Elkaim noted, the solution would appear to be “another genocide against the Jewish people”.

Elkaim added that he threatened the security of Jews worldwide and his comments were anti-Semitic.

“The WJC calls upon the Human Rights Council to condemn such hateful discourse, which violates the founding principles of the UN and its charter and the fundamental tenets of humanity,” he said.

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25 JUNE 2020 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 East instability whilst Gulf states have voiced concern over ramifications.

The United Nations and many world leaders view Israel’s settlements as a “breach” of international law. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres yesterday called on Israel to abandon its annexation plans as it would damage two-state solution hopes.

“If implemented, annexation would constitute a most serious violation of international law, grievously harm the prospect of a two-State solution and undercut the possibilities of a renewal of negotiations,” Guterres told the UN Security Council.

“I call on the Israeli government to abandon its annexation plans,” he said.

Guterres appealed to the United States, Russia, European Union and UN to find a way for parties to re-engage without preconditions.

He added, “If annexation occurs, all hope for peace in the future will be destroyed.”

Earlier this week, a letter from over 1,000 European parliamentarians from 25 European countries opposing Israel’s West Bank plans was published voicing “serious concerns” about Trump’s plan as it departs from “internationally agreed parameters” and principles.

“Such a move will be fatal to the prospects of Israeli-Palestinian peace,” they said.

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Signatories concluded that a lasting solution to the conflict must meet security needs and guarantee equal rights of Israelis and Palestinians.

“Europe has the diplomatic tools to promote this just goal, and we stand ready to support such efforts,” they said.

Among more than 240 British signato-

A phased annexation approach by Israel over the coming months has been viewed as a serious option with an initial phase before the US elections in November ries are Shadow Ministers Wes Streeting, Naz Shah, Alex Sobel, Stephen Kinnock, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy, Yasmin Qureshi and Fabian Hamilton, former Conservative leader Lord Howard, former Labour leaders Lord Neil Kinnock, Jeremy Corbyn and Dame Margeret Hodge.

The UK Israeli Embassy has not yet commented on the document.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson ratified the legal assessment last week but swerved

a question regarding possible sanctions in the House of Commons.

A phased annexation approach by Israel over the coming months has been viewed as a serious option with an initial phase before the US elections in November. Other phases would depend on Trump winning a second term at the White House.

In the midst of political dialogue, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi called on Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides to act as a “moderating voice” with European countries,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.

During a hectic few days, settler leaders against a Palestinian state complicated Netanyahu’s plans.

“We’re talking about strangling a community,” said Itamar Mayor Hananel Elkayam.

Elkayam claims residents are unable to commute to jobs through a new Palestinian state.

According to Channel 13 News, there are disagreements in Trump’s administration.

Friedman backs extending sovereignty but other officials have concerns.

Pompeo returned from Israel last month with reservations, especially the impact on Jordan regarding regional stability. Pompeo is believed to have since reversed his viewpoint.

Kushner supports annexation, but only if it improves success of Trump’s much-debated peace plan.

Over 100 House of Representative members, meantime, have backed Israel’s right

to make sovereign decisions for secure borders in the West Bank.

Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, Republican whip Steve Scalise, Republican Conference chair Liz Cheney and Foreign Affairs Committee Republican leader Michael McCaul were among signatories to a letter to Netanyahu.

The group reaffirmed an “unshakeable alliance” between the United States and Israel emphasising Israel’s right to make sovereign decisions independent of outside pressure.

McCarthy and co-signatories voiced concern by threats expressed against Israel and would stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” with the Israeli state.

“It is short-sighted to threaten relations with Israel, a long-time friend and critical ally that shares our democratic values,” they noted. “We support the Trump administration’s engagement with Israel on the Vision for Peace Plan, which was based on the critical premise that Israel should never be forced to compromise its security.”

Signatories noted Palestinians had rejected Israeli bids for peace “time and again” and ignored Trump’s efforts to bring peace to the conflict. Trump’s administration recognised Israel’s national and security interests while providing compromise for the Palestinians if its leadership prioritised peace.

Signatories concluded, “It is our hope this plan brings peace, security and prosperity to a region that has long endured conflict.”

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This year is the 75th anniversary of VE and VJ Day as well as the Battle of Britain. Given that our usual venue, the National Memorial Arboretum is closed due to the Coronavirus, we are more determined than ever to gather for an online ceremony. Please join us.

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Shuls get green light to reopen

BY DAVID SAFFER United Synagogues can reopen for services and weddings in limited numbers from July 4. The update comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced relaxed lockdown measures and social distancing rules in England on Tuesday.

“Everyone must stay alert and follow the guidelines,” he said at the last daily live TV briefing, adding that the virus had be kept under control.

Professor Chris Whitty said there was a lot to learn about the virus and measures would not be static. “It’s a reasonable balance of risk,” he added.

Among a raft of rule changes are a reopening of religious buildings and wedding for up to 30 people. The decision is down to individual shuls with various safeguards in place including social distancing, hand sanitising, compulsory face coverings and a booking system.

Steven Wilson, US chief executive, is delighted the government has given a ‘green light’ to re-open synagogues safely. “Measures will all be in place to keep each other safe, but nevertheless, we are thrilled to be able to open our doors again,” he said. “Each of our communities will be restarting services at its own pace depending on the needs of their members and we will support each community every step of the way.”

Boris Johnson speaking in Parliament on Tuesday

He added, “It has been extremely painful for us, although the right thing to do, to keep our synagogues closed and we are looking forward to welcoming members back soon.”

The Board of Deputies welcomed the news but urged caution to prevent a second spike in cases. To date 500 Jewish funerals have been carried out where the deceased contracted Covid-19 according to the latest BoD weekly statistics. Board President, Marie van der Zyl, acknowledged the landmark

PHOTO: YOUTUBE

figure in a statement following Johnson’s announcement. “We would urge people to proceed with caution and stick within the Government’s guidelines,” she said.

Commenting on updated measurers, Ms Van de Zyl noted the Board had worked with different religious denominations to ensure the right balance between preservation of life and maintenance and restarting of religious customs over recent months. “Weddings were a particular concern in the orthodox and strictly orthodox communities,”

she explained. “We held discussions with Downing Street and the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, including organising a roundtable for Charedi stakeholders, to make sure these perspectives were understood.”

Meanwhile, Johnson announced new distancing guidelines from July 4.

Where possible people should remain 2m apart but a “one metre plus” rule would be introduced observing distance precautions to reduce a risk of transmission.

With safety guidelines, restaurants and pubs can reopen. Customers must give contact details entering a pub or restaurant.

Hospitality indoors is limited to table service. Contact between staff and customers is also limited. Hotels, B&Bs, cottages, campsites and caravan parks can reopen.

Among measures, people in England can stay away from home overnight while two households of any size can meet indoors or outside. Outdoors, people from multiple households can meet in groups of up to six.

Children’s playgrounds, hairdressers, libraries, cinemas, museums and art galleries can open, alongside theme parks, skating rinks, social clubs and model villages.

Theatres and concert halls can open, but no live performances are allowed.

Nightclubs, casinos, bowling alleys, swimming pools are among places that will remain closed.

From the editor’s desk

Rebbe historic Zoom yahrzeit

Our very own brilliant writer Jacqueline Curzon urgently needs your help. Recent appeals through this newspaper have been great, but we now have reached a critical junction in her fight to stay alive. Many of our readers have donated, but we turn to those who have not yet been able to do so, and we urge you to donate to a cause that literally could save her life. To those who have already given, I beg you to find within the depths of your hearts the graciousness to open out your hand again to help Jacqueline win her long battle to stay alive. Look for the link on the back page.

The total donations figure may look rosy when people log in to the ‘gofundme’ page, but please remember that significant chunks of that money has already been spent. There is still hope, and the effects of trials such as ‘ Myshroom’ and ‘IVC’ have shown that your hard earned money really is making a difference. As our sages tell us in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 37a), ‘whoever saves a single life is considered to have saved the whole world.’

The community she has served so well will be hugely grateful. Her friends and colleagues will be tremendously grateful.

But her family will be eternally grateful.

The world’s largest interactive Zoom event marked the yahrzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson on Wednesday.

Up to 50,000 people visit the Rebbe’s grave but that is impossible due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Zoom Video Communications and Arnen production company co-ordinated a global “Barcheinu Avinu” broadcast with Vaad who provide ChabadLubavitch educational programming.

Chazzan Berel Zucker and Rabin Brothers acapella group led the landmark interactive event.

Over 1000 very important people around Europe have found it extremely important to tell Israel how to run their own country.

Perhaps my recent editorial questioning why no letters go out to other countries

around the world has been pushed to the back of the shelf. It really never stops. Israel is constantly treated unfairly and in a totally imbalanced way.

Look at the map! I never get bored of saying that crucial phrase. Israel is only 17 miles wide at one point, compared to the vast expanse of Arab lands across the Middle East. All we want is secure borders around where our nation lives, and to live in peace with our neighbours. However, it’s impossible to have peace with people who refuse to even talk to us.

As Golda Meir famously said, ‘Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.’ The Palestinians are not engaging at all, yet we are expected to engage with everyone else’s requests. Enough is enough. The Jewish people have had little friends over the millennia and we have learned the hard way that the only way we can survive is by looking after our interests in a peaceful way but being tough when we need to be.

The rest of the world will always be right in their own eyes. Perhaps it’s time that we look through our own glasses and stopped worrying about everyone else.

Yossi Saunders Editor

Communities logged on from North America, South America, Europe, Israel and South Africa.

The event included live davening at the Rebbe’s grave, tributes to families affected by the pandemic and community greetings.

Zoom have never had a single event with as many virtual rooms connected by a broadcast noted producer Ronen Peled.

“Their platform had a cap of 1,000 people in a single room or webinar with 300 cameras but the rest are passive viewers and are not seen,” he explained.

Lebanese activist collaboration charge A Lebanese activist has been charged with collaborating with Israel.

Lebanon’s Military Court accused Kinda El-Khatib of dealing with ‘spies of the Israeli enemy’ according to the national news agency. A military judge is expected to issue a formal warrant after questioning.

According to media reports, El-Khatib visited Israel by crossing from Jordan. She was reportedly active on social media, criticising Hezbollah and Lebanese President Michel Aoun.

Protestors claimed El-Khatib’s innocence and demanded her release before any charges.

El-Khatib’s case is similar to stage actor Ziad Itani, released after a four-months

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Kinda El-Khatib

PHOTO: TWITTER

jail term in 2018, following collaboration charges with Israel.

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Goldschmidt shechita warning

Knesset passes cannabis bill

BY NATALIE ASH

BY SIMCHA ABIR

The Conference of European Rabbis president has given a stark warning about kosher meat supply.

Speaking ahead of a European Court of Justice hearing into the legality of a shechita ban in Belgium next month, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, was succinct in his words.

The Court meeting follows Belgium’s Flanders and Wallonia regions ban on religious slaughter. “The supply chain for kosher meat is not secure enough for the community to have to rely solely on imports,” he said. “In recent months, and particularly over the recent Passover holiday, which of course came at the height of the pandemic in Europe, the supply chain was simply not robust. Many communities in Belgium, and indeed throughout Europe, suffered a shortage of meat due to the lack of supplies.”

Recalling that Pesach was a stark reminder that Jewish communities could not rely on the international chain, he added, “If the aim is to limit religious slaughter, then there are far more proportionate solutions. Shechita is a vital religious practice within the Jewish faith that forms an inherent part of our religious identity, without which Jews would be deprived of the ability to eat meat.

“Quite frankly, the option to import kosher meat into Belgium is unsustainable

Israel MKs have passed two landmark bills to decriminalise the use of cannabis.

Legislation was debated at a preliminary reading at the Knesset on Wednesday.

Both Likud MK Sharren Haskel and Blue & White MK Ram Shefa’s bills passed comfortably. However, members of Ultra-Orthodox Shas, United Torah Judaism and Jewish Home leader Rafi Peretz, who opposed the bills, walked out of the session following an agreement with coalition leader Miki Zohar enabling the controversial legislation to be voted upon.

Haskel’s proposal allows 50 grams of cannabis to be considered as an ‘administrative’ offense for personal use and not a criminal act. A fine replaces a three-year prison sentence. Shefa’s proposal permits personal possession up to 15 grams which is available in specific shops for anyone aged over 21.

Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

and the ban on the practice of religious slaughter is ultimately too restrictive.

Freedom of religion is enshrined in the EU Charter. It is a fundamental concern of the EU and since its inception, the EU has fought to preserve a society where all faiths are welcomed.

“Any ban may deprive Jews of being able to eat meat, a right that all other citizens of Europe enjoy.”

Chief Rabbi Goldschmidt said there was a clear message that Jews were not welcome. “Such a notion is abhorrent,” he said.

CER’s chief called on judges to look at evidence in the hearing.

“Do not allow the processes to be hijacked by intolerance under the guise of a concern for animal welfare regulations,” he said.

Haskel hopes to fast track legislation into law within a few months. “We are embarking on a legislative process that will lead to the regulation of the cannabis market in the country,” Haskel noted on social media. “The road to get to this point was not a simple one and was full of many political and media battles, but finally the determination and perseverance have paid off.”

Defence Minister Benny Gantz welcomed the historic vote before today’s session.

“An important step has been made today in cannabis reform,” commented Gantz.

“We intend to finally regulate the cannabis industry in Israel and prevent innocent patients (who use marijuana for medical reasons) and citizens from becoming criminals.”

Likud and Blue & White promoted marijuana legalisation as a “responsible model” to fit Israeli society after heated debates earlier this month.

West Bank car-ramming incident Border Police officers shot dead a Palestinian terrorist in a car-ramming incident at a West Bank checkpoint.

A Border Police officer was slightly injured

by Ahmad Erekat, 27, in the incident near Abu Dis and treated at Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus.

“A Palestinian car that reached the crossing

at speed tried to run over the Border Police officer who was operating the checkpoint,” a police statement noted. “Border Police fighters stationed at the crossing fired a number of shots, neutralised the attacker and confirmed his death.”

The area was closed to traffic and extra troops deployed to the area.

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Police investigate CAA threats

BY ADAM MOSES Police are investigating threats made to Campaign Against Anti-Semitism staff.

The move follows a far-left body comprising disgraced former Labour MP Chris Williamson, Salma Yaqoob and Kerry-Ann Mendoza attacking CAA for sending a letter calling on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to announce a timetable for the introduction of a reformed disciplinary process in the Party and for seeking action against Labour figures including former leader Jeremy Corbyn, former shadow cabinet minister Diane Abbott and Yaqoob over past and recent incidents.

Williamson tweeted that CAA are “witch-hunters” and “bullies”.

“The witch-hunters are now demanding @UKLabour suspends Salma Yaqoob and MPs Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott & Bell Ribeiro-Addy,” he noted. “This is what happens when you try to appease bullies.

It’s why, before I was suspended, I repeatedly tried to persuade the @socialistcam to make a stand.”

Mendoza, editor of controversial hardleft blog The Canary, currently being investigated by the Government’s Independent Advisor on Antisemitism, used violent language.

“The antisemitism witch hunt is seriously

about to face off with #BlackLivesMatter,” she tweeted.

“I’m telling you now, those anti-Black, anti-Palestinian racists are gonna get their asses dragged all over town.

And they have no clue.

Because… entitlement.”

After the tweet, there were calls on Twitter to shoot and behead CAA personnel dead.

Yaqoob, former Respect Party leader, declared that CAA’s “priority was never really about tackling racism but silencing those supportive of Palestinian rights.”

CAA’s Online Monitoring and Investigations Unit is capturing relevant data.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said, “These threats of violence against our personnel are totally unacceptable.

“Police are investigating the threats, which include incitement to shoot and

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behead us, and we are taking precautionary measures to protect our personnel while the investigation is underway.”

CAA added, “We have been accustomed to the bile spewed by the far-left against us and the Jewish community, but these grotesque threats from self-styled ‘anti-racists’ are a new level of hatred that has no place on social media or British society.

These threats must be met with firm action.”

In other news, CAA has welcomed news that the Government is to increase sentences for offenders who desecrate places of worship.

Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen reportedly raised the matter with Home Secretary, Priti Patel, calling for tougher prison sentences. It is believed Patel responded quickly stating that the sentencing bill would cover places of worship and cemeteries.”

CAA has also backed a King’s College London academic making the case for regulation of social media.

Dr Daniel Allington, a senior lecturer, cited the landmark conviction of anti-Semite Alison Chabloz, which was brought about by CAA. Dr Allington noted a discrepancy when unfounded conspiracy theories transmitted on broadcast radio or television are challenged by a regulator, Ofcom. The same conspiracy theories face no sanction when promoted online, despite potentially a greater danger.

“Social media platforms do not regard themselves as publishers but rather as

communications networks,” commented CAA. “Just as what newspapers and television stations present to readers and viewers is regulated, so should social media companies be regulated for what they permit to be uploaded onto their platforms and promoted through their algorithms.”

CAA added that Dr Allington observed social media companies made decisions about what they allow to remain on platforms, similar to publishers, but unlike publishers were not regulated.

In terms of the Chabloz case, Dr Allington recounted she was found guilty of broadcasting anti-Semitic songs on YouTube, a conviction resulting from CAA legal action.

Chabloz was prosecuted under the Malicious Communications Act. Dr Allington “rightly noted” the problem is greater than one offender and social media companies should be penalised for publishing her material, observed CAA, but presently it could not be achieved under Communications legislation.

“Social media companies are not communication networks like the telephone, they are media companies and publishers, that needs to be recognised now,” Dr Allington concluded.

CAA, meantime, has revealed conspiracy theorist Prof. David Miller is behind the Resistance movement fronted by Williamson, who introduced his movement earlier this year by explaining that many felt “politically homeless” with the election of Starmer as leader.

Wiliamson added the new movement would use “culture, alternative media and street protest” to achieve its aims with a ‘Resist Festival’ planned for June, now October, featuring controversial speakers.

Williamson resigned from Labour last year after learning he could not stand in the General Election.

CAA noted at the time that his letter of resignation read like a “manifesto against Jews”.

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Bibi considers new lockdown

BY DAVID SAFFER Israel is considering a lockdown to areas of Tiberias and Elad, east of Tel Aviv, due to a spike in coronavirus cases.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet reintroduced its controversial Shin Bet security service tracking of patients yesterday while Bat Yam Mayor Zvika Brot has called on the National Security Council to reinstate emergency measures to its beaches.

As of Tuesday, there has been 308 fatalities and 21,666 confirmed cases including over 1,000 new cases, a similar number to May. “We are working around the clock to bring the city’s infection rate down, but we can’t do anything if the public doesn’t cooperate,” said Brot. “I urge everyone to adhere to the Health Ministry’s guidelines, and not leave home without face masks.”

He added, “We assess the situation twice a day and are currently awaiting the government’s decision on the beaches.”

Non-residents can enter lockdown areas for work, exams, medical care, legal proceedings and specific funerals. Gatherings over 50 people are banned.

Netanyahu warned coronavirus hotspots would be “restricted areas” following a meeting with Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, Public Security Minister Amir Ohana and the head of the National Security Council,

Total new cases in Israel

PHOTO: GOV.IL

Meir Ben Shabbat.

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein noted cities and towns with high cases would have “restricted” areas but not a “total lockdown” during a ceremony at a new coronavirus ward at Sheba Medicall Center in Ramat Gan “There are a number of locations that have met the criteria we set of being considered

red and will be declaring them today as restricted areas,” he said. “We will not get to a total closure or in military terms, breathable closure.”

Israeli doctors, meantime, have cautioned that reopening coronavirus wards would take up more hospital resources resulting in wider ramifications.

“We will refuse to hospitalise patients in departments if they are filled to 110% of its capacity,” noted a statement by the Israel Society of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Avishai Ellis, ISIM head, said doctors are concerned of a winter spike due to flu cases.

“We expect to see hospital beds in the corridors of our wards, with rooms filled to over 100% capacity,” Ellis said.

Professor Ehud Grossman, Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv described the situation as a potential catastrophe.

“I hope there is an equal distribution of patients among hospitals to ease the load,” he said.

Elsewhere, Rabbis and leaders in ultra-Orthodox communities appealed for the government to shut synagogues to prevent a second wave of coronavirus.

“It’s uncomfortable and unpleasant to pray outside in the summer, but it’s more pleasant than going to a funeral,” said Mazor chairman Rabbi Shimon Ragovi.

“Saving lives is more important than praying in a synagogue.”

Netanyahu said during a “coronavirus cabinet” meeting this week that if the public ignored Health Ministry’s guidelines increased fines would be forthcoming.

“We will discuss dramatically increasing the enforcement, including increasing fines, centralising enforcement under the Internal Security Ministry and harnessing all forces to oversee the enforcement mission,” he said.

“The second thing is the use of digital tools. We know this issue is problematic, but on the other hand, we also know that it has helped us a lot in curbing the epidemic.”

Netanyahu added he would restrict gatherings. “It’s a very dramatic step, but I

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suggest we consider it.” he said. “We’ll see if and when we will need it, and of course it has implications for certain curbs that we have already lifted.”

Deputy Police Commissioner Ziv Sagiv confirmed there would be an increase of inspections.

“We don’t want to go back to the sights we saw on Passover and Independence Day of cops patrolling the streets, stop vehicles and people,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to go back to that, but it looks like we’ll be called upon again and we’ll have to go back to enforcing (health rules).

Sagiv added, “We will be at commercial centres, football fields, beaches. Enforcement will also be conducted on the streets, wherever we need to be. If we have to board buses, we will board buses. “We will set up checkpoints, enforce in taxis, on weekends in night clubs, all locations that have crowds.

Any public place where we will have to be at - we’ll get there.”

Health Ministry Director-General Hezi Levi commented, “The exponential growth is worrying.

“We have been increasing the number of daily tests for COVID-19 and are conducting 15,000 tests per day on average. We have also relaxed the criteria for receiving a test and are working on expediting results quickly.”

Netanyahu added, “If we do not stick to face masks and social distancing, we will bring back the closures and no one wants that.”

“We are also making every effort to get the vaccine,” he continued. “It is a welcomed [international] race and we hope we will succeed, but until then, there is no other option but to maintain an informed policy on reopening of the economy and managing the coronavirus routine.”

Defense Minister Benny Gantz noted, “This issue will continue to accompany us for the next year and a half,” he said. “That is why we, as a government, have a duty to give the answer to the public’s needs on the one hand, and the economy’s needs on the other.”

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Sir Quentin Blake GIFTs Kisharon, Langdon and Norwood commissioned the his art for the NHS

first joint service-mapping report

Sir Quentin Blake’s mugs on sale online

After successfully spearheading the GIFT NHS-OS initiative, encouraging and facilitating food and beauty brands to donate over 36,000 products which were distributed to NHS hospitals, care homes & hospices across London; Howard and Beverly Calvert felt they wanted to do more.

A donor approached GIFT with a large quantity of mugs to donate to the GIFT NHS-OS project, these were not suitable to give to NHS staff but the mugs had given the creative Beverly an idea. She approached famous artist Sir Quentin Blake and asked if he would be willing to design mugs for the NHS Charities Together, the same charity that Captain Tom raised money for.

Sir Quentin was quick to agree and created 3 different designs for the mugs and even put the Calverts in touch with his printing company in Scotland who agreed to print these mugs at cost price. The Calverts reached out to the popular lifestyle brand ‘Skinny Dip London’ owned by 3 former Immanuel College boys, and they agreed to use their platform to sell these mugs whilst donating 100% of the profits to NHS Charities Together; as did Ready10 media, a PR company also offering their services for free.

Homemade Mikva in Salford

Beverley Calvert of NHS-OS said: “As lockdown eases, and many return to work, what better way to show our friends and colleagues that we supported the NHS, than by toasting them with a cup of tea or coffee each and every day, and with that iconic symbol on the side of our mug for all to see, knowing we donated in solidarity.”

Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together said, “I grew up with Roald Dahl and Sir Quentin’s illustrations and I love these mugs to bits, so this is an incredible fundraising initiative. You get to own a lovely piece of art and raise money to support NHS staff, volunteers and patients at the same time. Buy one as a thank you for someone who has been there for you during the pandemic, then join the rest of the nation for a collective moment of thanks on the NHS’s birthday on Sunday 5 July.”

GIFT’s Shira Joseph said “It has been a privilege and a pleasure working together with the Calverts on the incredible NHS-OS initiative.”

To purchase one of these limited edition mugs please head to http://www.skinnydiplondon.com/nhs

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Covid-19 turns out to be the mother of invention as a homeowner in Broughton Park has made a Mikva in his garage!

Kisharon, Langdon and Norwood join forces in report on learning disability services

Kisharon, Langdon and Norwood are delighted to share they have commissioned the first ever jointly-commissioned service-mapping exercise to analyse the provision and demand for learning disability services in the Jewish Community over the next 1015 years.

The report identifies eleven strategic challenges given anticipated demand for learning disability services used by members of the Jewish community. Eighteen local authorities formed part of the analysis in total - eleven of which fell within the London boroughs.

While the report presents a snapshot of several challenges being faced, it is clear to the organisations involved, that choices and decisions need to be made on what is to be offered, where services will be located and from where funding is available.

The report describes a vibrant, diverse and constantly evolving range of services that operate successfully in highly challenging circumstances and for which people with learning disabilities and their families are keen to be ever more involved.

Areas covered in the extensive and wide ranging analysis included Housing; Education, socio-demographic profiling as well as local authority expenditure. The 250 page report also included extensive qualitative and quantitative research from people with learning disabilities, their families, SENCOs staff and trustees.

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The findings conclude that the demand for services are driven by multiple factors including demography, what services are commissioned, what services are provided, as well as the needs and wishes of families of people with learning disabilities.

The report anticipates that an ageing and growing learning disability population will result in materially increased demands from the community, in particular in relation to supported living.

Particular challenges of learning disability provision include how relatively small increases in the number of people (particularly those with more complex needs) pose significant service and funding challenges.

By 2035, it is estimated that adults and children within the Jewish community in the eighteen local authorities, will have an additional 640 people with learning disabilities. This alone will lead to an anticipated extra 100 supported living flat places required at c.£18m over the next 15 years.

The report further concludes that local authorities may not sufficiently increase funding to the levels required which could also further impact on the needs of increasingly large numbers of people with learning disabilities living into old age.

Alternative approaches will need to be considered to meet formidable challenges likely to be presented.

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Jacob Selwyn

Youth Aliyah Child Rescue fundraiser beats to a different drum Last Sunday, on Father’s Day, 15 year old Yavneh College student Jacob Selwyn began raising money for Youth Aliyah Child Rescue by broadcasting a live two hour stream of him playing the drums from his bedroom.

Taking requests via messages on YouTube and text, Grade 5 drummer Jacob played almost solidly for the whole two hours encouraging people who were watching from all over the country to make donations. The final amount raised, including Gift Aid was £666.25, which Jacob hopes may go towards providing musical equipment for Youth Aliyah Child Rescue’s five youth villages in Israel.

Jacob Selwyn, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire said: “I had heard about the amazing work that Youth Aliyah Child Rescue does with kids of my age in Israel and wanted to come up with a way of helping to support the vital services they provide for young people who have not been as fortunate in their lives as I have. I needed to find a way that I could fundraise whilst social distancing – so drumming, something I love to do, seemed the perfect way to do it. It was Father’s Day that day, so it was also nice to

spend time with my dad setting up the live music stream on YouTube, the JustGiving page and posting on social media. I never thought I would raise as much as I did, so I feel very proud and had a lot of fun doing it.”

Youth Aliyah Child Rescue CEO, Daliah Mehdi commented: “We are very grateful to the talented Jacob for performing a two hour live music stream to raise money for Youth Aliyah Child Rescue. I would also like to thank everyone who supported him and apologise to his neighbours, as that was some noise pounding out of his bedroom windows! The money he has raised is greatly needed right now, as while our youth villages continue their life-changing work with Israel’s most vulnerable children, they are now facing mounting unexpected challenges and expenses due to the pandemic. Following the cancellation of our annual gala dinner which would usually raise in the region of £500,000 (a significant amount of the money needed to fund our vital services supporting at risk children each year) we are truly appreciative of everything our supporters do for us, both young and older.”

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Following the shock announcement that the popular Nicky Alliance Day Centre in Manchester would not reopen following the Coronavirus lockdown due to falling revenues, the Centre has been reprieved.

The Board will look to raise money from the community so that the vital services the centre offers can continue to be enjoyed by its clientelle.

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Work Aveune’s event helps businesses plan for post lockdown

Debbie Sheldon at Start Up Central

Work Avenue and Google’s Digital Garage teamed up to host an inspiring event for more than 200 entrepreneurs and small business owners, helping them to deal with both the struggles and opportunities brought about by lockdown and the coronavirus.

The annual Start-Up Central event, now in its fifth year, was held entirely online for the first time with a record number of delegates enjoying a series of sessions delivered via YouTube and Zoom.

Many attendees spoke about how they are using the time afforded by lockdown to

start a new business or reinvent a current one, while others were seeking strategic and practical advice to help them through a challenging period.

Work Avenue CEO Debbie Sheldon said: “Start-Up Central is always very popular, but has proved even more so at this time when people are considering their future incomes.

“Existing businesses are asking how they can diversify to cope with post-lockdown times as well as the new normal of social distancing and other restrictions in place.

“Many are also seizing the opportunity – created by lockdown and having more time on their hands whilst being furloughed – to test business ideas that they have always dreamed of but never had the impetus to try.”

Experts from Google’s Digital Garage and Work Avenue – the Jewish community’s leading employment and business support organisation – ran sessions on topics ranging from digital marketing and social media growth to setting a strategy for success in difficult times.

The keynote speaker was Jewish entrepreneur Josh Kettle, the CEO and co-founder of Shaketastic. Josh told how rapid changes to the firm’s business model actually helped them grow during this time. Initially closing in lockdown, Shaketastic first opened as delivery-only hubs and now many stores are back up and running as takeaways. Yesterday, the company put on its first socially distanced outdoor event with a pop-up stall and 18foot inflatable milkshake.

Josh – whose stores and franchises can be found everywhere from Hamleys to Qatar – said: “I firmly believe where there are disasters there are also upsides and I genuinely enjoyed this time to sit back and reflect, away from the daily operational stresses and morning mayhem of the stores. We’ve been very lucky to be in a business where you can adapt like this. Most of the record days, weeks and months of our 11 years in business have come during lockdown.”

Asked for his advice to anyone thinking of using this time to start or change their own business, Josh added: “Just get on and do it. Make sure you have done your research and speak to the team at Work Avenue – but don’t deliberate too long. If you’ve got an idea that you honestly believe in, and you think is really good, then now is the time to make it happen. If you never do it, then you will never know.”

Work Avenue’s business advisers offer free support to people all year-round, including helping them build on the ideas and develop the strategies that come out of Start-Up Central.

Debbie added: “Whether it is assisting new entrepreneurs in turning their dreams into a reality or helping those with existing businesses weather this storm and unleash new potential, we are dedicated to creating opportunities and longterm success across the community.”

For more about Work Avenue, please visit www.theworkavenue.org.uk

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From the front line…

BY JACQUELINE CURZON Gavin Williamson, Education Secretary, has announced that all schools will be open again by September, and all year groups will return. Jolly good. I expect the unions will not play ball though, instead giving him a detention for that ‘predicted’ result. Our teachers are also unhappily in for a caning from parents, as we hear unions are going to insist on scheduling 'INSET' (staff training) days, which means that the summer term is going to be even shorter than expected. The unions say there's no discretion in cancelling these, and I appreciate they will be vital to get the new year back on track, but I don't understand why we couldn't maybe have them factored in at the end of the school year?

Given our extraordinary circumstances I would imagine emergency legislation could provide for this, and perhaps also add in some extra school weeks. How come we can cancel mandatory schooling days, but we can't then cancel or postpone INSET days, which are calculated anyway on the premise of teaching a full academic year?

Whilst we do have some teachers who have definitely gone the extra mile and been in school to support the key-workers’ children, and other teachers have provided zoom and online lessons, I'm told by some school administrators there's a swathe of teachers who have been slightly more risk-averse and may have perceived the last 10 weeks as a bit of a holiday. Ask yourself who has been out in the parks and the shops? It wasn’t just the children, and now we are rapidly approaching the official 6 weeks of summer break. We need to eliminate the fear of coronavirus now and concentrate on urgently finding child-centred solutions. On that note, Sage documents suggest the most likely solution is where all year groups and teaching staff will be split in 2, much like the ‘bubbles’ we have seen currently operating in (some) primary schools.

If pupils are to be once more ‘out of school’ for any extended time, then more likely what will happen - particularly for socially disadvantaged children - is they will just go off and meet at the park, spend their day gaming, or worse, getting into mischief. They will not be studying and anyone who believes otherwise needs to take their head out of the sandpit. More than ever some of our struggling youngsters need a return to full-time schooling. Never mind Call of Duty, it would be a dereliction of duty to neglect them. Hold on, though.

If children are only going to have 50% attendance, then maybe the teachers should similarly enjoy a 50% salary? I am sure working parents would agree, but t’was of course, mere comedy on my part…..

Jacqueline Curzon PHOTO: LARA MINSKY PHOTOGRAPHY

More than ever some of our struggling youngsters need a return to full-time schooling. We need to concentrate on urgently finding child-centred solutions, for it would be a dereliction of duty to neglect them.

Education is the lynchpin of our children's future. The only way to achieve all classes, all years, full-time, traditional schooling, is to move to a distance of 1 meter or less, and let’s get all thirty children back in a room. At the same time. Nu, Gavin?

Also in the headlines is Donald Trump, whose former national security adviser, John Bolton, can now publish his no-kiss, but tell-all book, so rules District Judge Royce C. Lamberth. The White House tried to block the release of ‘The Room Where It Happened’ and retrieve the 200,000 copies already in the public domain across the US. However, its contents have already been the subject of numerous media reports, including here in the UK. The Judge has now allowed full publication to go ahead, having cautioned that ‘the horse seems to be out of the barn.’ The book includes disturbing claims that Mr Trump had been unaware that Britain was a nuclear power, that the President had asked if Finland was part of Russia, and that he had sought help from Chinese President Xi Jinping to win November's forthcoming presidential election in the US. The last of these was widely reported here recently by the broadsheets, not generally renowned for cowboy journalism. If even a tenth of what is written is credible, Trump's election

ratings are going to be superseded by his golf handicap. He set himself out to be the people's president, a sobriquet which has already secured him 40% of the voter base, but this is unlikely to be enough to win the presidential election. His rival Joe Biden is not looking a certain winner either because of his various intellectual failings and obvious issues in cognition. John Bolton told Con Coughlan, defence editor at the Daily Telegraph ‘the President does not have a philosophical grounding or strategy... which is very dangerous for the country.’ He added that Trump assumed office with little personal knowledge of how government works and didn't bother to find out. That's not exactly presidential behaviour. I wonder what our Mr Johnson would make of that?

Now, a quick word on the political frenzy of statue assassination. Nobody will be left standing by the time we've analysed all the troubling views of historical individuals.

I heard just recently that when Nelson Mandela was in office in South Africa, he refused to take down the portraits of the other former presidents. Why? He said those individuals were a true reflection of the country's history, regardless of whether it was good or bad, and that's my feeling with regards to history in general, and statues in particular. They reflect something in our history which may not have been perfect, but a lot of individuals like Thomas Guy (of the famed Guy’s Hospital) and did an awful lot for community and for the nation. We could also take it a step further, and refuse to accept scholarships funded by communist regimes, because we disagree with their underlying politics.

But if we must destroy their names, their faces, their statues, let's at least not be duplicitous, eradicating their names, but determining to keep their money. It's not right that people want it to cut both ways.

Pull down Cecil Rhodes statue, but don't take the Rhodes money from the scholarship fund. I would like to propose this week's sacrifice on the altar of political correctness, to be the classic triptych of Three Wise Monkeys. I feel such imagery is an attack on the intelligence of primates and must not be allowed. However, if President Trump were to avoid seeing, hearing and speaking so negatively, he would definitely win friends and a heck of a lot more votes.

On the heated subject of travel quarantine, Professor Peter Piot, microbiologist and Director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, has joined a growing list of MPs and scientists calling for the PM to ditch the policy. He said it was ‘a useless measure,’ and there was no point in doing it now. It would only have made sense at the very beginning before we had cases. Professor Piot, who discovered Ebola and was a lead researcher on

Aids, said the quarantine policy should be scrapped entirely as it wouldn't contribute much (to preventing covid). Conversely the damage to the economy would be astronomical. Bit of an understatement.

Well, let's hope Boris might announce on Sunday that he will cancel it. Business leaders have reiterated that the aviation and tourism industries are being crippled, with the Centre for Economics & Business Research placing the cost to the economy at £650 million a week. That should make us even more worried about the unemployment which will inevitably follow a landslide of redundancies.

China is back in the news, apparently for encouraging monetary rewards in vigilante-style tattling on individuals breaking coronavirus rules, and also for reporting on 'sick people.' This is raising genuine fears that those falling ill from coronavirus may be put on a hit-list, whereupon they might never be able to find work. I empathise with the Chinese people, because the problem at the outset could have been easily dealt with, had their Government not been so focused on an international Covid cover up. Feel sorry for them, for the rising stars at the top of the trees of wealth and knowledge always seem to miss the school of hard knocks.

Senior China researcher for Human Rights Watch, Maya Wang, has said the pandemic has given opportunity for companies and (her) Government to legitimize highly intrusive surveillance systems. Smartphone monitoring and facial recognition is currently being rolled out, a system which has cost the equivalent of £4.5 million and seen the installation of more than 400,000 cameras. This in one city alone. Over the past 4 years China has invested billions into constructing these facial recognition systems and simultaneously building up a DNA database of male nationals, saying such tools 'will aid crime prevention.' Yeah, too right. Once you've been documented, facially scanned and fingerprinted, you will be too scared to do anything, for fear of reprisals, or risk being locked up long before you've climbed up on your soapbox to complain of persecution. There will never be a Speaker's Corner in Beijing, unless it's one of President Xi's aides, brandishing a communist party megaphone.

Lastly, our condolences must go to the family of Sarah Scully (35) who developed covid-19 whilst heavily pregnant, and rapidly deteriorated in hospital. After a month in a coma, her ventilator was switched off.

She died, never having had the chance to hold or see her new-born, other than in a photograph. How heart-breaking was that. She is survived by her mother, a twin brother and a son.

Until next week Jacqueline x To follow Jacqueline’s cancer journey blog, go to https://whenallissaidanddone.home. blog

To support Jacqueline in her battle with pancreatic cancer, please go to: www.gofundme.com/f/jacqueline039s-front-line-cancer-battle-fund THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

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20 JUDAISM

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ASK THE RABBI

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Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com Dear Rabbi I am Jewish but my daughter’s mother was not. Nevertheless I am raising my daughter as a Jew even though she is not in fact Jewish.

She is now twelve. I will tell her at some point when she is older but in the meantime do not want to dissuade her from potential conversion in due course. I have been told by a friend that this is wrong and that I am actually going to negatively impact her ability to convert.

Can you advise whether what I am doing is right or wrong?

Philip Dear Philip Let’s consider your thinking process. In your mind, if you tell your daughter now then she might resist all the Jewish “impositions.”

But if they are part of her ongoing lifestyle then when she reaches the right age, she will be distraught at suddenly realising she has been living a lie until now and will want to convert in order to maintain her Jewish identity.

Well, that may or may not happen. If she has a get out when she’s older she might just choose to ship in favour of an “easier” life. But one thing is certain. She will harbour a lot of resentment towards you for raising her under false pretence. The hard fact is that you realise your daughter isn’t Jewish.

That’s an inevitable result of your relationship with a non-Jewish woman. Now you are looking to whitewash that detail for the time being to suit your own convenience of having a Jewish daughter.

How do you think she is going to take that when she’s older?

I am not judging you at all, merely looking at the end result.

I think you are far better off being honest enough with your daughter at this stage, and at twelve she is mature enough to take the information on board even as she will have to wait a little longer before conversion can be considered.

But you need an open and frank conversation with her so that you can chart the best course forward.

You’re in with a far better chance of her then embracing things more productively and positively and don’t risk damaging your own relationship with her in the long term. Good luck.

Dear Rabbi Why do people make a big deal about a yahrtzeit, especially that of righteous people? Surely any yahrtzeit is a sad day when we reflect on what we lost. I note last week you wrote about the Lubavitcher Rebbe whose yahrtzeit is this week. Countless people “celebrate” it which makes no sense to me.

Alan Dear Alan When we talk about a yahrtzeit of great people we actually refer to it as a hilula. Hilula literally means a wedding. Why would we compare a yahrtzeit to a wedding? The choice wording of the Gemarah is, chatoif v’echoil chatoif ushesay – hurry up and eat, hurry up and drink for life is a hilula – like a wedding.

Rashi explains the Talmud simply, that just as a wedding day is fleeting – here today, gone

Tehillim Psalm 147 Continuing on with the Hallelukas as we steadily make our way towards the end of Tehillim, we now meet the 2nd psalm after Ashrei. ‘Ki tov zamrah Elokenu ki naim nava tehillah – For it is good to make music to our G-d, for praise is pleasant and befitting.’ Once again we see the imagery of music mentioned.

Throughout many psalms we find many references to music, and King David is of course known as the sweet singer of Israel, famous for the beautiful music he made with his harp.

He was first commissioned by King Saul to play to the disturbed king to calm his mind, and Davids sweet and energising music has been praising Hashem ever since.

In the ensuing millennia, Jews of all ages and backgrounds, all shapes and sizes have clutched the ancient words of Tehillim and sang to G-d. Some times we sing gustily, in Shul, with many voices coming together in harmony as Hashem is praised communally.

Sometimes, Hashem is sang to privately, by a worshipper

tomorrow – it is a one day event, so too, hurry up and eat, hurry up and drink, enjoy life as quickly as you can – eat, drink and be merry, for there may be no tomorrow.

Others explain it in a slightly different context. Eat and drink quickly so that you get the material needs out of the way and then you will be able to spend more time doing things spiritual – again, because life is short, like a wedding.

Either way, the wedding concept is being used in a very negative context. A wedding passes by quickly and so does life. So we have to hurry up and do what we can.

Chassidism puts an altogether different and positive spin on it.

Let’s consider: What is a wedding?

It is the coming together of a man and woman. Naturally, emotionally, physiologically, it makes no sense. A man and a woman are diametric opposites. How do they manage to co-exist? The answer is because shechinah shruyah bainaihem – it takes something greater than both of them to enable them to merge together and become one. People say, “Opposites attract.” No, they don’t. Opposites repel unless there is something bigger than both opposing components that enables them to fuse as one.

It is precisely because of that reality – that divine aspect that is present that enables the two the very real ability to become G-dlike as it were, to pro-create and bring a new soul into this world.

As that applies in the context of a couple, it applies no less in the context of an individual as well.

We are physical bodies containing souls. One is physical and finite – the other is Divine and infinite.

How do our souls and bodies co-exist? Yet again, it takes for the very real presence of the Divine in our lives to enable both body and soul to merge as one. And as a result, we too produce offspring – namely the good deeds that we do.

“This world is a wedding,” doesn’t necessarily mean that a wedding is quick and then over and so too it is with life. Rather, because a wedding is when the two opposites – a husband and wife come together through the presence of G-d; and that’s the reality of our individual lives as well where the body and soul come together through the presence of G-d in our lives, enabling that fusion to happen. So hurry up – take advantage of the situation – produce as many spiritual offspring as you can – do as many good deeds – impact as many souls – transform as many people.

That’s why we refer to a yahrtzeit as a hilula – as a wedding. When is this reality of the uniqueness of the body and soul merger most obvious? At the time when

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This Psalm is a refuah sheleima for Nosson Chaim ben Zohra grateful for salvation of many kinds. Other times G-d is pleaded to with a more desperate type of song, a silent cry from an aching heart.

What King David has eternally taught us all was that no matter what type of song you sing to Hashem, it is all pleasant and befitting. May we all utilize the opportunity on a daily basis to sing to Hashem whenever we can and this will enable us to sing the greatest song of all time, together with Mashiach, speedily in our days, Amen.

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the soul leaves the body and everything returns to its most natural state – the soul back to heaven and the body to the ground from whence it came.

On the day of one’s passing – that is when all of their life efforts and all of their life’s accomplishments reaches culmination and comes into full focus. And each year on the yahrtzeit, the individual’s positive actions and impact on this world are infused with an added spiritual jolt as well and that gives those closest to the loved one the impetus to pursue those same goals with added vigour. We pause to consider everything as it transpired during the marriage of the body and soul of that individual and we look to build on that.

All the more so, when we talk about the life of a leading spiritual figure who impacted the world in a most unprecedented manner, do we continue dancing and celebrating this “wedding” by continuing the mission statement; continuing to produce our own spiritual offspring by impacting yet another soul and doing yet more good deeds.

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Fallen Monuments and Modern Hubris

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN During the recent protests society has begun to face important dilemmas regarding monuments which commemorate national heroes whose lifestyles were discrepant with current norms of racial equality. Some monuments celebrate people or organizations directly involved in discriminatory policies- such as the monuments which celebrate Civil War participants; there is strong consensus that these monuments should be reimagined or removed. Other statues commemorate heroic and even morally sound people who lived within the social norms and conventions or their era. As their overall life’s accomplishments had little to do with their racially discriminatory behaviour, perhaps their monuments should be retained. Is society meant to disqualify any role model because they lived within the moral institutions of their historical period?

These ‘statue wars’ provide an opportunity to ponder two questions: What type of monuments do Jews erect? Secondly how do we judge the moral fitness of past generations?

STATUES OR IDEAS?

Judaism prohibits the crafting of three-dimensional human sculptures; halacha even legislates against two-dimensional renditions such as paintings. The primary legal issue surrounds the danger that human forms will be worshipped as a form of idolatry- as was common in ancient pagan cultures. Some modern religions still maintain physical human images of G-d. The cornerstone of our true monotheistic religion is that G-d is unknowable and can’t be rendered through any visual medium. Human images are prohibited because they will serve as gateways to the world of idolatry.

In addition to the concern of idolatry, human monuments and sculptures glorify and aggrandize their subjects, presenting “larger than life” figures and creating unhealthy reverence about human beings. All human beings – even Moshe our greatest leader - are limited and flawed and we mustn’t inflate them beyond natural proportion. The avoidance of “hero worship” is partially responsible for the concealment of Moshe’s gravesite; can you imagine the hype and hysteria during mass pilgrimages to his grave! We direct our reverence to G-d above whereas monuments create gods out of men.

Finally, Judaism avoids human monuments because we commemorate ideas and lifestyles rather than images and appearances. Identifying with appearances

can distract our attention from the Torah, wisdom or good deeds or past role models. The greatest influencers of my life are people I have never met nor can imagine their physical appearance. The deep pool of ideas which they delivered supersedes their physical forms. Bonding with an individual through their values, ideas and behaviour is more formative than bonding through their “likeness”. A human sculpture presets stereotypes and pre-shapes the manner in which we judge or assess them. The absence of controlling physical imagery liberates us to engage them more genuinely. Meeting them without sculptures is a more nuanced and a more formative rendezvous.

JUDGING PAST GENERATIONS

The statue wars raise additional questions about the manner in which we view our own generation in relation to previous ones. It is completely legitimate and morally balanced to discuss the removal of a statue of George Washington because he was a slave owner. On the one hand, the overall values he represented are admirable and should be enshrined.

Alternatively, and despite his impressive life, some contend that his monument is too painful to victims of injustice- given his association with slavery. This is a legitimate debate and one which is obviously context specific. Tragically, and for a range of reasons slavery was broadly accepted 250 years ago and individuals who lived morally upstanding and even heroic lives participated in this institution. Some were able to see beyond the moral limits of their society but most could not.

However, there is an important distinction between the removal of a statue – because of the pain it elicits- and the branding of people from previous eras as immoral. The modern world is often guilty of “generationism”- the false belief that modern Man is superior to his primitive and ancient ancestors. As we have been empowered through technology, political freedom and many other forms of progress, we sometimes view previous generations with disdain and condescension. We may have advanced in certain sectors but we have definitely receded in others – both societal and, of course, religious. Even if we concede that certain “social institutions” of previous generations were backward, their individual moral codes and personal demeanor was often far more refined than our current manner and discourse. Broadly dismissing previous generations due to their social context, disqualifies them as moral examples for future generations and produces the morally aimless world

Israeli society has experienced this “return to normal” for the past few weeks but we have realized that, in fact, our “new normal” is still significantly impacted by corona restrictions we inhabit. Our modern world is fervently committed to social equality and justice but is sometimes disinterested in personal moral behaviour, social etiquette and interpersonal kindness. Generationism eviscerates previous generations from their moral authority and ultimately bankrupts us from moral guidance.

Which brings us back to Judaism and the manner in which we view our masorah or tradition. Our religion is predicated upon the truth that earlier generations- closer to the seminal moment of Sinai- possessed a firmer command of Torah and more direct access to supernatural truthswhich have withered in our rational/empirical world. Ultimately, the source both of personal morality and social ethics is the Divine will distilled within Torah; previous generations enjoyed more direct and more authentic access to Torah and to that will. Based upon this built-in hierarchy with our past, we, broadly speaking, submit to their legacy and submit to their authority. The overconfidence of modernity and the uniformed judgementalism toward the past can potentially erode the authority of those generations and of our masorah. How can I submit my will

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to a generation which participated in morally inferior institutions? Just because certain institutions have evolved doesn’t mean that overall spirituality and religiosity have also advanced. Indeed, earlier generations may have operated within limiting or even morally restrictive institutions but that certainly doesn’t frame their overall moral behaviour let alone their spiritual inner world. In the 12th century women were entirely uneducated and therefore the Rambam offers women a religious approach suitable for ignorant people. To claim that women’s education has evolved into a superior state isn’t blasphemy. To wonder how the Rambam would respond to the reality of educated women is completely legitimate. However, even if we admit that the socio-educational setting of his generation was inferior, their moral condition wasn’t.

Wholesale condemnation of previous generations due to their “less evolved” social institutions is historically myopic and, worse, it is religiously destabilizing.

Rabbi Moshe Taragin has taught at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Gush Etzion, for the past 22 years.

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Korach RABBI DR RAYMOND APPLE

THE CLEVER CRITIC

The death of Korach, by Gustave Dore One of the leading lessons of the Torah comes in this week’s reading, which is the story of Korach the rebel.

You can quote the rabbis and say with a poetic flourish, Korach pike’ach – Korach was a clever man, and so he really was.

His arguments against Moses sound so logical and watertight, and it is only when you think things out properly that you see what a danger he was.

He used (or misused) both logic and law. He quoted democracy, saying that it was the people in whom authority rested, and Moses had imposed himself upon them (Num. 16:3).

He tried halachah: he said (mocking the law of tzitzit) that if your whole garment was blue why should you talk about inserting a thread of blue into the corners; he said (mocking the law of mezuzah) that if a building was full of holy books why should you need a few verses in a mezuzah on the doorpost.

The one thing he left out was G-d. Who was it who ordained the teachings of the Torah? Who put Moses in office? Who revealed the rules, even the exceptions?

This was the crucial question, and this was the one which Korach deliberately failed to ask.

The people felt Korach was their friend and champion, the person who was standing up for them, the leader who was truly on their side, but only after some convincing did they realise what he was doing.

THE DRAWBACKS OF DEMOCRACY

No-one has yet devised the perfect form of political structure.

Democracy is high up on the list but even it has its drawbacks. One of the main reasons, as the Korach story clearly indicates, is that there can be a tug of war between democracy and religion, between the people and G-d.

But religion is not the only challenge to democracy. There are other systems that limit it. Examples are political, economic and social forces.

They are not necessarily at war with democracy, but in each case they stand for the principle that maybe the people cannot always be relied upon to know what is best for them.

Rabble-rousers like Korach have a mantra: “You should listen to me; I know better than you do what is best!” That is how demagogues become dictators – and democracy goes out of the window.

Is there a solution? There has to be someone or something to monitor what is happening. A powerful answer is the legal system, the availability of due process of law.

Ramchal has explained that talented people should see themselves blessed with their skills similarly to how a servant would be expected to conduct themselves in the palace of a king. If you have wealth, power or wisdom, use it to benefit others.

Many of our leaders, although held in high regard by Hashem and His nation, completely deflected any honour from themselves. So, our ancestor Avraham referred to himself as “Dust and ashes”, Moshe and Aaron likewise said, “What are we considered?” King David even referred to himself as a “worm”. In short, great people realise that they have not achieved perfection. Like how a pauper would accept a monetary gift, a person blessed by G-d with ability that others do not have, should simply remain very modest, if not ashamed.

If previous generations knew to not hold themselves in high regard and they had truly achieved much in their

Religion posits G-d as the ultimate arbiter. Regardless of what the demagogue says, despite what the people clamour for, G-d is the One who makes the decisions.

Perhaps what that is saying is that the final answer to the problem of democracy might well be undemocratic.

MERITOCRACY

Rashi asks, “Why was Korach in conflict with Moses? He was jealous of the status of Elitzafan ben Uzziel”.

Elitzafan had been appointed prince over the tribe of K’hat, and Korach resented it, even though the appointment had been made by the express command of G-d (Num. 3:30).

Korach argued, “My father and his brothers were four in number” (Amram, Yitzhar, Hevron and Uzziel: Ex. 6:18); “Amram’s two sons, Moses and Aaron, have high rank. Who should come next in status? I, the son of Yitzhar, the second brother. Yet he has appointed the son of the youngest brother!”

If all that counted was who your father was, Korach would have had a case, but a meritocracy does not necessarily work that way.

There are other cases in the Bible in which a younger son receives preferment over an older one, and since G-d made the decisions it is clear that the Divine policy is that a job should go to the person who is best qualified. This is very hard on

the person who has been passed over.

The ideal way of handling one’s disappointment is suggested by the story of Alexander the Great.

When raised to high rank, Alexander was young and felt that every possible battle had already been fought and won by others. What was left for him to do? His answer was, “There must still be victories for me to win!”

So it is with someone who does not achieve the position he or she dreamt of.

There are still victories they can win.

Everyone can find an arena that can draw out their talents and enable them to record their own victories.

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

Hilchot Shabbat

Mesillat Yesharim: Part 43 RABBI MORDECHAI ULLMAN

25 JUNE 2020

life, how much more so do we need to remain modest. Even the greatest scholar among us, writes Ramchal (four hundred plus years ago…) is merely a student of a student compared to earlier generations.

All this should lead a person to genuine humility. We now continue with how that humility comes to light in action.

There are four categories of behaviour that are noticeable in a humble person.

• Conducting oneself in a humble manner • Bearing insults etc with dignity but not responding • Fleeing from honour • Giving others honour Ramchal continues to expound on each of these modes of conduct. Until then, it is worth remembering that these actions can only count for humility once one has achieved true humility (though all would agree that some of them are worthwhile for all of us…).

We have so far discussed the dispute between Rav Moshe Feinstein and Dayan Y.Y. Weiss regarding the use of wet paper/ paper towels in relation to the prohibition of Sechita on Shabbat. We concluded that even if one would rely on Rav Feinstein’s lenient view, it would only apply to very wet wipes. Others, however, hold to the contrary – that the only ones permissible are those that are not very wet, as we shall see.

We now turn to two major Halachic authorities of the end of the 20th century – Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Shmuel Wosner zt”l. Both are said to have allowed the gentle use of baby wipes and whereas Rav Wosner retracted his lenient view, (once he was made aware that one always squeezes liquid out) whether Rav Auerbach retracted, is a huge debate.

Rav Auerbach had expressed the lenient view that so long as the wipes are not too wet, they are permissible to use, however, the authors of the Orchot Shabbat insist that he changed his mind. Rav Ezriel Auerbach likewise told Rabbi Avi Weisenfeld that wipes are prohibited for use on Shabbat. However, others, such as Rav Osher Weiss say that if Rav Shlomo Zalman intended to retract his view, he would have done so publicly.

In Rav Auerbach’s prize Talmid’s book,

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“Shemirat Shabbat Ke’hilchata” the wording used is: “One may clean a baby with paper wipes but not cloth ones”.

Accordingly, in view of the facts stated on Wikipedia that, “Ninety percent of wet wipes on the market are produced from nonwoven fabrics made of polyester or polypropylene”, one may question the relevance of Rav Auerbach’s lenient ruling with regards to contemporary baby wipes.

So, as we have seen with the opinions of the previous generation’s Torah leaders, there were many facets to this dispute and next week we will turn to two of the most recent major Poskim who discussed this, Rav Falk zt”l and Rav Osher Weiss shlita and try to draw to a conclusion iy”H!

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Korach – Spiritual Free Fall RABBI GOODMAN The Yetzer Hara- that inner force that shleps us away from anything spiritual and immerses us in everything physical- is a pain in the neck. However, unlike a pain in the neck, beating the Yetzer Hara takes more than 400mg of Ibuprofen. The Yetzer Hara is a highly skilled Sensei, proficient in countless forms of spiritual martial art, who must never be underestimated.

Nevertheless, despite its power, the Yetzer Hara does not have free reign. Hashem created a world of boundaries, not only in time and space but also in human conduct.

Each person has his own inbuilt boundaries, lines they are not willing to cross, which constrain the Yetzer Hara’s modus operandi. Under these circumstances, the best the Yetzer Hara can do is to push these boundaries slowly and consistently until they finally cave in.

However, do not be fooled into thinking that a fierce onslaught by the Yetzer Hara is out of the question. Based on this week’s Parsha, Reb Chaim Shmuelevitz, illustrates an unstoppable and deadly mode of attack the Yetzer Hara can employ, should we allow it.

To any straight-thinking person, the story of Korach and his contestation of Moshe and Aharon’s leadership of the Jewish people, is incomprehensible. That a person of Korach’s spiritual stature and social status

should resort to such absurd and irrational behavior makes absolutely no sense. Yet, Korach managed to throw his life, his family’s life, and the lives of all his followers down the physical and spiritual drain, into eternal oblivion.

Rabbi Elazar HaKappar teaches in Pirkei Avos (4:28) that, “Jealousy, lust and glory remove a man from the world.” Reb Chaim explains that “the world” referred to by Rabbi Elazar is the world of personal boundaries. The traits of jealousy, lust, and glory are so powerful, they can drive a person into a state of total abandonment, vaporizing his personal standards and principles. At that point, the Yetzer Hara has free reign and anything, no matter how horrific, becomes possible. Korach’s overwhelming jealousy of Moshe Rabbeinu led him to completely disregard rationality and fall headfirst into the hands of the Yetzer Hara, never to recover.

Tragically, a person who enters this state of ‘free fall’ is, by definition, closed to any type of reasoning and, therefore, beyond help until he hits ‘rock bottom.’ G-d forbid, the spiritual work of a lifetime can be wiped out in a moment. Nevertheless, our Sages assure us that somebody who wants to purify himself and grow spiritually will be granted special divine assistance. As long as we truly do the best we can to protect ourselves from the evil designs of the Yetzer Hara, Hashem will be there to carry us through.

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Korach

Korach Word Search

Korach was our leader Moshe’s cousin. Filled with jealousy over not being given an even more important job than he had, he gathered a group of people to stand up to Moshe.

First, they asked mocking question on Mitzvot such as Tztizis and Mezuza then they questioned why Moshe thought himself greater than everyone else. (They knew full well that Hashem had made Moshe the leader and that all Moshe did was with Hashem’s command) Moshe knew that something drastic had to be done here so he prayed for the ground to open and swallow the naughty men alive. When it happened, all the people as well as their possessions were swallowed in the ground.

The tribes are then told to bring a stick and place it in the Mishkan.

The one whose tribe was the chosen one would have their stick blossom and bear fruit and indeed that is what happened to Aarons.

We learn a lot from this week’s Parsha, but above all, to trust our leaders, to let all jealousy disappear and, above all, to steer very clear of fighting and arguments!

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AHARON • CHALENGE • DESTROY • INCENSE • KORACH • MOSHE • PLAGUE • TITHE

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Korach

In a nutshell We now meet one of the most earth shattering Parshiot in the Torah – Parshat Korach. It’s a story of jealousy, of mistrust in leaders, of public argument and of Hashem showing just Who runs the world and coming to the defence of his beloved servants.

Korach, a cousin of Moshe, part of the privileged “Kehat” family is dissatisfied. Moshe appears to have been appointed as a type of “King of the Jewish people”, Aaron as Kohen Gadol, and this all makes sense until a different, prestigious position is given to a “younger cousin” (meaning son of a younger one of the uncles) and this gets Korach annoyed.

Watch what happens – it begins with: a) a very rich, successful and privileged man who is b) jealous of a position that he feels he should have got, which in turns leads to c) challenging Moshe Rabbeinu with, “Why do you feel more important than the rest of us, huh?”. This is the slippery slope that could have been solved by focusing on his blessings instead of what was missing.

Anyway, Korach gathers a large group of so-called “important” people and less important people such as Datan and Aviram (chief troublemakers since day one) and publicly challenges Moshe and accuses him of inventing positions to suit himself, G-d forbid.

Moshe is about to give up. This is the fourth major sin the Jews are about to engage in and how can he possibly attain forgiveness yet again?? Nonetheless, he humbly tells Korach, let’s wait till the morning, (sometimes in the heat of the moment it’s best for all to get a good night’s sleep…) and all of you bring Ketoret and whichever one is accepted, Aaron’s or your group’s will reveal which side of this debate G-d finds himself on… Needless to say, the next morning, the fire comes and consumes not only the pans, but the traitors too and that almost puts the matter to rest…

But no, Korach doesn’t let up and Moshe has no choice but to say to Hashem and the Jewish people: If these gents die like normal people, then I am NOT

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.

Use this area to write the words you have found.

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A MESSENGER OF G-D (Imagine that!). However, if Hashem arranges the ground to open and consume this group, then you’ll know that G-d sent me. Immediately, the ground opens and all the troublemakers land underground. Many years later, some were heard saying the famous words, “Moshe is True and his Torah Is True”.

As a final stamp of approval, G-d instructs Moshe to take 12 sticks, place them in the Kodesh Kadashim and see which one bears fruit. Only Aaron’s did and do you know what fruit they bore? Almonds. Rabbi SZ Kook explained that some almonds start sweet and end up bitter, whereas others start bitter and end up sweet. The message is: If you fight it may start sweet (revenge or defending your honour) but it ends up bitter. If, on the other hand you choose peace, it may start off bitter (I don’t particularly enjoy giving in to the other person) but it ends up as sweet as peace can be.

We also learn some laws of Teruma in this week’s Sidra and are taught again how the tribe of Levi is chosen.

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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 ant are art ate

ear eat era fan far

fat oaf oar oat ran

rat tan tea anon earn

fare fate fear feat feta

frat nano near neat raft

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rant rate rota tare tarn

tear afoot afore after atone

oaten orate atoner ornate afternoon

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Q: Why is Europe like a frying pan?

A: Because it has Greece at the bottom.

Q: What type of music do rabbits listen to?

A: Hip hop.

Q: Why can’t a pirate ever finish the alphabet?

A: Because he always gets lost at sea!

(Answers at the bottom of page upside down)

1. The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?

3. Re-arrange the letters, O O U S W T D N E J R, to spell just one word. What is it?

Q: What kind of running means walking?

A: Running out of petrol!

2. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?

3) ‘Just one word’ 1. Footsteps

2)Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.

1. Scrambled eggs 2. All over the world 3. Split Pea soup

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4. Double cream 5. Double decker bus 6. Short circuit

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Premier League update

Sixteen-goal Lions Liverpool puts rout Scrabble Cup champagne oninice

BY DAVID SAFFER

BY DAVID SAFFER Liverpool are on the brink of a first Premier League title in 30six years.

Reiss Mogilner scored goals as Maccabi Jurgon Klopp’s team moved within a win London Lions thumped Scrabble A in the of being crowned champions after a 4-0 second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup. victory over Crystal Palace last night.

The Premier League side racked up a 16-0 Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mo Kenley Salah, win with Daniel Green and Michael Fabinho and Sadio ManeEd scored the goals both bagging a hat-trick.

Brafman, Dato put the champagne ice. vid Dinkin, and Adam on Hassanali completthe trophy Anfield has edThe the destiny rout in aofmismatch of atotie. long been inevitable and will soon be ratLions could have scored in the opening ified.

And the Reds, who drew 0-0 minute of the clash but soon openedwith the Evertonand in a led Merseyside derby scoring 9-0 by half time.last Sunday, will celebrate shouldthough ChelseaoutdeThofficially e Division One team, feat Manchester Citytoatthe Stamford Bridge classed, battled away end. tonight.

If Pep Guardiola’s team Lions boss was lost for words at triumph full time in London then all roads lead the who Etisuch was the display from his to team had Stadium next Thursday when Klopp’s gave every respect to the opposition. champion-elect can seal the deal.

“I’m not reallyteam sure there’s anything to Andwe wouldn’t it betofitting claim say, are happy make ifit they through to the the title at theirofgreatest home ground. next round the cup,rivals ” he commented.

Liverpool’s 28th win of the season came Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors courtesy of an exquisite Alexander-Aragainst League One outfit North London nold 20-yard free kick, neat Salah finish, Raiders.

Fabinho 30-yard howitzer classy The Premier side led early inand the second Mane finish minutes from time. half only for 20 Raiders to equalise but struck Salah’s strike to wasbook the Reds 100th in two late goals a place in goal round all competitions of a monumental season. three of the competition.

AllHendon that remains is to seeattentions whether Klopp now turn their to the et al can set a new points record whoa league as they travel to Oakwoodand A for would begrudge them that feat. crucial top of the table clash on Sunday City are odds on to tie up second spot (10am). before the end of team the season in the theleague battle Daniel Kristall’s stunned for Champions League places following leaders last month when they won 2-0, aa 5-0 routwould against Burnley victory move themon toMonday. within a point Once second place is wrapped of Hendon with a match in hand. up they must then win an latest appeal to compete in Elsewhere in the round of fixtures, Europe’sNorth elite club competition 10-man London Galaxy after madebeing it a banned for breaking Financial Fair Play three-way title race in the only Division One rules. clash of the day after defeating Oakwood B. If the Murray ban is saw upheld, whoever Jamie red early on butfinishes Galaxy fifth will take a Champions League rallied with goals from Josh Cohen andspot JanextLeigh season. cob to record an important 2-1 away Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez both win. struck a brace against Burnley as comGalaxy head Redbridge JewishinCare A in fortable a win as you could imagine.

Three the table by just one point after 10 matches, aheadplace at theFairlop break, Foden, third FC are who five impressed points bethroughout, combined with hind with two games in hand.Bernardo SilvaRafi for David to also hit the target.

BloomSilva scored for Oakwood.

Jamie is still performance searching forinhisa “It wasVardy a fantastic

100th Premier League goal as third placed Leicester struggled again to hit the target. Indeed, only a wonderous penalty save by Kasper Schmeichel denied relegation-threatened Brighton a shock win to follow up a last-minute triumph over a desperately poor Arsenal team at the weekend.

The point though was a superb result for Graham Potter’s team who are edging closer to safety.

Chelsea meantime are on a roll. Having come back from a goal down to despatch Aston Villa, a win against City would move Frank Lampard’s team to within a point of Brendon’s Rogers side.

But there are teams ready to step into top four positions should either Leicester or the Blues slip up.

Manchester United, Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur are all in striking distance, although the trio are closer to a Europa placeLions should City win 16-goalLeague Maccabi London their appeal. Time will tell.

Sheffieldgame,” United must-win commented Galaxy playwere in the mix, er-manager Luke Lewis. but one point from “We sat back and allowed Oakwood the three given games has ball, the one-man advantage and all but ended their looked to hit them on the counter attack challenge. with pace.

The Blades “Both goals have came down the right-hand enjoyed ex- the first one into Cohen side.

Leighan crossed ceptional season to finish, before slotting home himself. Up since promotion to first we go.” but the layoff has The Division Two title race also took astunted twist their with form. league leaders Herstwood All isgoing not down lost to buta 2-1 defeat at Temple Vale they need to win when Fortune. they host struggling Ar- a game more Faithfold B have played senal next time out to get than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at moving again. Raiders Masters.

North London The Gunners, meanJacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who time, travel to leading South- scorer James Milscored through amptonhistonight letwith 17th goaland of the season. areThdesperate for aallwin e result was the more remarkable after defeats to down City to 11 players with as Temple were and lowly Brighton. ‘keeper Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder Nuno Espirito in the warm up.

Jurgengiven Klopp the Santo’s teama have “This was fantastic win

arguably been the most impressive of the Euro challengers, especially with inform striker Raul Jimenez knocking in the goals.

The Mexican hitman became the most prolific Premier League striker for the club in a 2-0 win at West Ham and backed up his growing reputation by notching the only goal against Bournemouth last night.

Tottenham picked up a first victory in eight games on Tuesday to leave the Hammers with a huge battle to stay in the league. Harry Kane wrapped up a 2-0 win much to the delight of Spurs boss Jose Mourinho.

Manchester United shared the spoils with Tottenham last week but bounced back in thrilling style against Sheffield United. Anthony Martial was the toast of Old Trafford with his first career hattrick. Sadly, there were no fans to mark the occasion but there is no disguising the talent of the Dutchman.

Martial struck early on against Chris Wilder’s team then just before the break before a quite stunning hat-trick goal to seal the win on 74 minutes.

Fellow Dutchman Robin van Persie was the last United played to record a league hattrick and Martial’s circumstances,” said delighted Fortune boss Simon Linden. effort was impressive, especially his final “We had a number of players out,goal Reof the contest. buck got injured, so I couldn’t have asked Much We haswish beenBen writ-a any more from the players. ten about the returnspeedy recovery. ingschool Paulperformance, Pogba and “It was a proper old the World winner we battled and defended for theCup 90 minutes hadExperience a terrific game. and took our chances. proved January-signto be the winner. It’s a £47m big win, one we will Bruno enjoy and we hope toing build on itFernandes in 2019.” flicked Pogba’s as-a He added, “This win marks 50 years as tute ball through to football club and will be one Nigel Kyte and PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Martial, who flicked everyone associated with the club from day

home his third over the advancing ‘keeper after a one-two with Marcus Rashford, who also impressed.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team is developing and the Pogba-Fernandes partnership could be something special. It’s early days, but Solskjaer is on to something if he can keep his star players and add to the squad.

Make no mistake, United and Wolves are closing in on Chelsea and Leicester, a topfour finish is not out of the question.

In other Premier action, Everton built on a derby draw with a 1-0 win at rock bottom Norwich City.

Michael Keene scored the all-important goal for the visitors who are now on easy street in 10th place safe from the battle at the foot of the table.

Daniel Farke’s team are six points adrift of West Ham, Bournemouth and Villa, and seven behind Watford after the latest round of fixtures.

Brighton with a six-point cushion and better goal difference should muster PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER enough points to survive.

In the scrap for survival, Villa picked up an important point thanks to Ahmed Elmohamady’s header seven minutes from time at Newcastle United.

Four points from two games in recent days have done the trick for the Geordie outfit who have moved on to 39 points that will guarantee safety. Steve Bruce can now look forward to next season hoping to be in the hot seat if new owners take over the club. Whatever the outcome in negotiations Bruce should be congratulated for his efforts in a”difficult season. one will enjoy.

Just seven gamesEmanuel remain for thequick bottom Vale boss Jacob was to four. Rebuck Watford’s game in hand at Burnley wish well following hisisinjury. tomorrow and they will be hoping there at is “First and most importantly, everyone no backlash from Sean Dyche’s team after Vale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper City drubbing. atheir quick recovery, we hope to see him back Aside from barasa possible, miraculous on the football Norwich, pitch as soon ” he run of form from the Canaries, it’s anysaid. one’s guess of thecommented, other clubs As for the which defeat, two Emanuel will survive but their fixtures be you the “It doesn’t matter how big a will squad tensest to come. have, you can never account for unavailFans or at injury. home are rivetted to ability Onlysure fivetoofbe today’s team their seats following all the nerve-jangling played in our recent win over FC Team, a action. lack of togetherness and poor individual

“It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner.”

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