The Jewish Weekly Issue 273 - March 23rd

Polio ALERT!

BY DAVID SAFFER

Health organisations and Jewish community leaders are urging anyone celebrating Pesach to catch up with missed polio vaccinations before travelling or visiting relatives ahead of the festivities next month.

Polio is an infection that can cause paralysis and death. There is no cure. Serious illness from polio can be prevented by being fully vaccinated.

Tragically, cases of paralytic polio have recently been reported in an unvaccinated adult in New York and an unvaccinated child in Israel. Anyone who has not been fully vaccinated or is only partially vaccinated is at the highest risk of becoming seriously unwell with polio. Communities with low levels of vaccine uptake as a whole are particularly vulnerable.

Dr Leonora Weil, a public health consultant, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: “I strongly encourage everyone celebrating Pesach to prioritise polio vaccination in your planning for the chaggim. Pesach is a time for celebration, getting together with loved ones and even a single case of paralysis from polio would be devastating as it is completely preventable.

“If you’re not sure whether you or your child is vaccinated, check your child’s red book or contact your GP. Get up to date with your polio vaccines before Pesach to

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protect yourself, your family and the community to ensure a Pesach kasher ve’sameach, and a Pesach in good health.”

Dr Jonathan Cohen, Consultant and Head of Service, Pediatric Infectious Disease at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital said that polio vaccines are safe and prevent this terrible disease.

“It would be a tragedy for a child to catch polio over Pesach because they were not vaccinated,” he said.

In a recent Q & A document launched for the Jewish community health leaders highlighted the importance of vaccinating children.

Professor David Katz, immunologist at UCL and Chair of the Jewish Medical Association, commented: “Vaccines are the safest way to protect your child from diseases like diphtheria, polio and measles. The short and long-term effects of these diseases can be extremely serious and devastating.”

Dr Blumberg, a Stamford Hill GP, noted: “Vaccines are safe. Billions of people have been safely vaccinated from key diseases around the world. All vaccines undergo extensive and rigorous multi-stage testing through clinical trials and are continually monitored for safety and effectiveness. In the UK the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency regulates medicines including vaccines to ensure the highest levels of safety.” See advert on page two for more details.

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departs on a diplomatic visit to London tonight where he will meet with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Their meeting will focus on a united front against Iran to stop its nuclear program.

They will also discuss

strengthening strategic ties, increasing security and intelligence cooperation. International issues will include the war in Ukraine and Middle East developments. Netanyahu is expected to meet with Home Secretary Suella Braverman to discuss global terrorism.

Prime

Terror victim’s miraculous escape

BY DAVID SAFFER

A former US Marine has spoken 48 hours after miraculously surviving a terror attack in Judea and Samaria last Sunday.

David Stern, 41, of Itamar, was shot at point blank range but incredibly fired back at the terrorist, who fled, but was arrested by IDF forces after a manhunt.

Stern, who made Aliyah in 2005 and trains security teams, was driving with his wife in Huwara toward Jerusalem when the attack occurred. Both were treated for shock and taken to Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva. Doctors described Stern’s survival as a “miracle” as he sustained head injuries.

Stern told reporters: “I arrived at the square and the terrorist crossed the road. I stopped to let him cross the road and then I noticed he was concealing one hand suspiciously. I started reaching for my pistol, the terrorist turned toward us, and we started firing almost simultaneously.”

Stern added: “I saw through the side window that after I fired about ten rounds he ran away. I drove a few hundred meters and

stopped. Then I started applying a tourniquet, and a few minutes later an ambulance arrived and took me to the hospital."

Stern called on the government and security forces to ensure the safety of citizens in Judea and Samaria to prevent “future terror attacks”.

IDF forces set up roadblocks on Route 60 toward Nablus and near the settlement of Yitzhar.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Anyone trying to harm the citizens of Israel will pay the price.”

Netanyahu told US President Biden that Israel would act against terrorists and architects of terrorism.

Footage shows Stern’s windshield with bullet holes. Hamas hailed the attack. The shooting took place near where Israeli brothers Hallel and Yagel Yaniv were killed last month by a Palestinian terrorist.

The incident came as officials from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Jordan and the US met at Sharm el-Sheikh on Sunday in attempts to deescalate recent violence.

According to media reports the Israeli

delegation called for action against terrorism to prevent incidents around Ramadan and Pesach. Israel and the PA are committed to stop unilateral action between three and six months. Israel will also stop discussions on housing units in settlements for four months and outposts for six months.

The Sharm meeting was the second regional summit. The US called for calm.

IDF troops in the West Bank have completed training and preparation ahead of Ramadan but they remain on high alert.

Shin Bet director Ronen Bar and National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi attended for Israel.

PA Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh and head of Intelligence Majed Faraj were present with Middle East adviser Brett McGurk for the US with foreign ministers of Jordan and Egypt.

Tragically, Or Eshkar, 32, critically injured in last week’s Tel Aviv Dizengoff Street terror attack, died from his wounds at Sourasky Medical Center on Monday.

Eshkar was shot by Mutaz Salah al-Khawaja, 23, travelling to a wedding with friends Rotem Mansano, 34, and Michael Osdon, 36. Both suffered moderate to severe injuries but are recovering. Hamas claimed responsibility. Al-Khawaja shot at passers-by then fled the scene. He was shot dead by police officers after a manhunt.

Eshkar's family said his organs will be donated. Sourasky’s Prof. Ronni Gamzu thanked Or's family for donating his organs.

He said: “Or arrived to us after a prolonged field resuscitation. Against all odds, the emergency room managed to stabilise him. Unfortunately, his wounds hit critical areas and after fighting heroically for over a week, in which we saw a true ironman fighting for his life, he succumbed to his wounds.

“Under tragic circumstances, we were introduced to an amazing family of honour and value and we hope we were able to stand by their side during this difficult time.”

Eshkar took part in the Ironman World Championship last October.

Netanyahu and world leaders condemned the attack. Terror incidents by Palestinians have killed 14 people in Israel since January.

Prime Minister Netanyahu warning to terrorists

CREDIT: AVI OHAYON / GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

FULL TIME HEADTEACHER

Required for September 2023

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As Headteacher, you will be joining a thriving community with a strong Jewish ethos and a commitment to excellence in education. The school is embarking on a transition from a two to one-form entry with exciting and ambitious plans for redevelopment of the premises in the near future.

You will be responsible for providing dynamic and strategic leadership to ensure that the school continues to provide a first-class education to its students. The Governing body are seeking a candidate who will champion collaborative working and continue to raise standards of teaching and learning, building on the good leadership recognised by Ofsted (July 2019).

The ideal candidate will have:

A track record of outstanding leadership, with experience of organising and inspiring a team of teachers and support staff.

A deep understanding of current educational policies and practices, with the ability to implement and evaluate them effectively.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with students, parents, staff and the wider community.

A commitment to ensuring that all students are supported to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or abilities.

The ability to drive improvement in academic standards and student outcomes, while maintaining a focus on the holistic development of students

Respect and support the ethos and culture of the school in close collaboration with our Jewish Studies department.

We welcome applicants of any faith and background. If you are a dynamic and inspirational leader with a passion for education and a commitment to ensuring that all students achieve their potential, we would love to hear from you.

You are encouraged to visit our school and meet our dynamic staff and our enthusiastic children who have a genuine thirst to learn. To arrange a visit or to request an application pack please contact Mrs Gibbs, on 020 8906 9992 or cgibbs@menorahfoundation.co.uk

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Menorah Foundation School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Please note this post will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. We value diversity in our workforce and positively welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Forum comments on Casey and Turnaround

BY LILLY JOSEPH

London Jewish Forum has officially commented on the Casey Report and Met Commissioners Turnaround Plan.

Whilst welcoming the narrative the Forum is saddened but not shocked at its findings.

“It is as important as the Macpherson report on the Stephen Lawrence enquiry,” they noted in a statement. “The police response to Casey, as well as that of those who pay for and scrutinise the police, has to be as strong and dynamic.”

The forum paid tribute to the Lawrence enquiry 25 years ago. They also remembered the "conscience" of the Lawrences, Dr Richard Stone, from the Jewish community, who devoted much of that decade to the enquiry and its findings.

Regarding Casey and Turnaround, they noted: “Antisemitism and cases of hate crime against Jews are not mentioned at all in the Casey Report and referred to but once in the Commissioner's Turnaround report,” adding, “We recognise that there are relatively few Jewish police officers. The

Jewish Police Association speaks for them. Whilst acknowledging the community felt police support, there were “too many” occasions when convictions, even for high profile antisemitic hate crime, did not happen including the Oxford Street incident and A41 convoys.

The forum added: “There have been investigations where some police officers have not shown the level of understanding required of either the importance of the investigation or to the cultural sensitivities. There remains great concern at the reduced number of clear-ups of antisemitic crime. This is likely to be felt to be the case for other victims of hate crime.

“Policing the Metropolis is not easy and there are significant changes required to confront racism, homophobia and sexism in the police, but that is just a start.”

The Forum noted they will comment further on recommendations in Casey and Turnaround in consultation meetings with the Police, MOPAC and local borough leadership.

They added: “We have specific communal concerns and look forward to presenting

them in our continued consultations with the Met Police and MOPAC.

“That major change is needed in the Met Police has been known for a long while by successive commissioners who have not been able to deliver. Sir Mark Rowley has a massive challenge and we hope he can make the many changes but will it be enough?”

Aside from Casey and Turnaround, the Forum noted the Independent report to the Police Foundation on policing in England and Wales.

“It needs to be considered if there are other concerns raised in that report that also need to be addressed,” they observed. “We still await further reports from His Majesty's Inspectorate of the Police, Fire and Rescue services that may examine in more detail how the Met Police are now in special

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the Leader of the German Opposition, CDU/CSU Bundestag faction chairman Friedrich Merz...

They discussed potential ways to expand ties in a range of areas especially security, international issues and the war in Ukraine. Regarding Iran, Netanyahu called on Germany to stop the Iranian nuclear and missile programs.

Also participating in the meeting were Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman, National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi, General Yossi Shelley, Maj.-Gen. Avi Gil, National Security Council Deputy Director for Foreign Policy Avivit Bar-Ilan and German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert.

Roadmap follows ultra-orthodox tech startup roadshow

BY ADAM MOSES

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen have signed the 2030 Roadmap for UK-Israeli Bilateral Relations.

The landmark agreement will boost economic, security and technology ties and includes a shared commitment to tackle antisemitism. The meeting came 24 hours after Charedi tech start-ups from Israel exhibited innovations for potential investors in central London.

The roadmap develops the Israel-UK relationship in trade, cyber, science and tech, research and development, health, climate and gender. New multi-million-pound programmes include around £20m joint funding to keep both nations at the forefront of the technological revolution.

Regarding antisemitism, the UK chairs the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2024 to promote fact-based knowledge of the Shoah.

Cleverly and Hill discussed concerns over Iran’s activity in the Middle East, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the UK’s ongoing support for the Abraham Accords.

Cohen said: “The international community must unite against the Iranian threat, increase sanctions, and present a viable military threat.”

Ahead of Ramadan and regarding Jerusalem both Foreign Ministers agreed on the importance of upholding the historic Status Quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem.

Noting Russia, Cleverly stressed the importance of accelerating efforts to ensure Ukraine wins the war and secures a lasting peace.

The UK-Israel trade relationship is worth around £7 billion with over 400 Israeli tech firms operating in the UK. Israeli investment into the UK adds around £1 billion gross value to the economy.

The Roadmap is the culmination of the 2021 memorandum of understanding.

Last year, the UK and Israel launched

negotiations for a new free trade agreement with a focus on innovation and upgrading the trading relationship. The deal, by lowering barriers and championing free trade, is a key priority for both governments.

Cleverly, ahead the visit, said: “The Bilateral Roadmap is a testament to the strength of our close and historic relationship. It will allow us to fully take advantage of the opportunities in areas of mutual interest including tech, trade and security.” He added that the UK and Israel stood together on the influence of Iran in the region and antisemitism.

Twenty-one start-ups travelled to London to develop relationships in a two-day visit.

Achim Global, a non-profit organisation, set up the event. The Charedi start-ups featured a wide range of sectors including medtech, medical cannabis, AI, fintech, edtech, insurtech and data.

Shenanli is spearheading an interactive reader that allows books, articles and text to be read aloud to a listener like a digital tutor. CyWat has developed a platform for real-time water quality and safety monitoring. Novotalk provides a 24/7 speech therapy service. Other startups included iReadable, which is pioneering AI for readers challenged with dyslexia, GD Stride diagnoses and treat diabetic ulcers, BabyTechm produces a disposable baby bottle for premature infants.

The startup exhibition was billed as unique with founders residing in ultra-orthodox communities.

Achim’s programme, BizLabs, supports post-seed startups founded with The Kemach Foundation.

Achim founder Motti Eichler said: “It is remarkable witnessing start-ups connecting to UK VCs, potential investors and businesses. Our goal with Bizlabs is to be the leading platform in Israel to advance and grow startups from the Charedi community. This event in London has certainly helped.”

Commenting on the 2030 Roadmap, Eichler said. “We have seen first-hand how business and tech can unite people. Our work supporting Chaedi entrepreneurship and employment reflects this, uniting an Israel that is often seen as divided and fractured by not focusing on our differences but on our connections. Coming to the UK with our cohort of tech startups and witnessing this momentous agreement is testament to a changing, more united future."

Novotalk CEO, Avraham Sheinfeld, welcomed the event, noting: “There are many challenges facing ultra-orthodox entrepreneurs, such as understanding the required product, exposure to investors and language barriers. The BizLabs roadshow provided network opportunities, training and personal mentors.”

Achim operates centres which aid job seekers, entrepreneurs and startups while accommodating religious needs.

Since 2015, over 500 Charedi companies have come through initiatives in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem.

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Michael Kashi

Michael’s melodies balanced Shteltl and Israeli compositions

BY DAVID SAFFER

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Chazan Rev. Michael Saville following his death this week.

Rabbi Jason Kleiman of Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Synagogue, Leeds, where Michael, 83, served for over 50 years, before retirement to live closer to his family in London and where shuls benefited from his love of Yiddishkite, led tributes from Rabbonim at New Bushey Cemetery on Tuesday.

Rabbi Kleiman recalled Michael’s formative years growing up in Middlesbrough where he owed a debt of gratitude to his father who taught him nusach, Zeide for his ability to layen and Rev Kersh for giving him a chance to layen and lead services as a teenager. Thanks to Michael there are leaders of services around the UK including Rabbi Kleiman who grew up in his renowned BHH choir.

He told The Jewish Weekly, “Michael had a profound impact on my life and ministerial journey. He taught me how to lead Shabbat services for the Queenshill and Chassidishe shuls in Leeds, then trained me to conduct Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services for Harrogate and Sheffield communities. He graciously guided me to become a choirmaster and form choirs at Reading and Catford as their Rabbi. Michael passed on the torch to me and others of leading congregations in prayer. I will always be grateful for all he has taught me. His memory will be an eternal blessing.”

Michael grew up in a family atmosphere of tradition and music which nurtured a love for liturgical and choral music. Whilst studying law at the University of Leeds, he joined BHH shul as Chazan and Ba’al Keriah on Shabbat Shira in January 1959 in the temporary synagogue on Street Lane Gardens. He became Chazan Sheini in 1967. An accountant in industry, Michael was active in the Leeds communal and charity scene. Organisations included the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, Shomrei Mitzvos (Moortown Mikvah) and Kashrut Authority.

Music however was Michael’s calling. Though not formally trained, apart from four years study of pianoforte theory, he was blessed with an ear for harmonies. Forming the BHH choir in November 1969, the choir made its first public appearance at a barmitzvah in March 1970 and developed its repertoire to become one of Europe’s finest. Traditional synagogue melodies sat seamlessly alongside old tunes of the Lithuanian Shteltl and modern Israeli compositions.

Musical director of the Leeds Jewish Choral Society, Michael was a judge at the National Chazanut Competition in Manchester

in 1977 and in 1985 he set up the biennial Yom Yerushalayim Song Contest which ran to 1995 attracting global entries. But it is BHH choir where Michael enjoyed decades of fulfilment. They sang on a Shabbat, Yom Tovs, weddings, bar/ batmitzvahs and entertained shuls across the UK.

BHH held an annual gala concert from the early 70s that accompanied famous Cantors including Simon Hass, Joseph Malovany, Moshe Korn Zohn, Naftali Herstik, Moshe Stern and Benjamin Muller. There were TV appearances with Harry Seacombe, James Galway and Halle Orchestra. Arguably most memorable was a tour of Israel in 1985. Concerts took place at hotels, shuls, Alyn Hospital in Jerusalem and Beit Levinstein Hospital in Ra’anana. There was also an unforgettable performance at Yad Vashem and a warm up act in Netanya Square before Yardena Arazi took the stage! The tour raised funds for good causes.

BHH described Michael as a “cornerstone” of the shul for over 50 years who will be greatly missed.

A statement read: “He founded and conducted the BHH choir and his training tapes for Barmitzvah boys were legendary. Under his tutelage countless boys brought many hundreds of people to celebrate their simcha, and some boys continued their involvement in synagogue life, such was the inspiration and motivation he provided.”

Rabbi Mendel Sufrin joined BHH Synagogue in 2005 and described Michael as a Kol Bo, an all-rounder.

He recalled: “He was the Ba’al Keriah, layened the Parsha every week and read all five Megillot from a klaf (parchment). He conducted the choir, led services during the week and on Shabbat. He led Shacharit and Mincha on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, was assistant Minister, officiated at weddings, funerals and shiva houses. And he kept the Hebrew names for the plaques up to date. Michael also taught people how to daven and layen. Michael made it all sound so easy, even though he put his heart

and soul into everything. And all this in addition to his daytime job.”

Rabbi Sufrin added: “Michael requested many things from Hashem on behalf of the congregation as a Ba’al Tefillah. He gave tremendous light to BHH and to the Leeds community at large.”

The BHH choir included generations of youngsters in the soprano section. I made my debut at my elder brother Clive’s barmitzvah in November 1971. For me the choir is Michael’s greatest legacy as it covered my late childhood and teen years in Leeds. I recall the many choir practices on a Tuesday night when we perfected various tunes for all occasions and venues. Friendships were formed as I graduated from soprano to alto. Michael never once raised his voice, if you made a mistake, he’d come over and go over your part. Nothing was too much trouble. For a decade I rarely missed a performance until leaving Leeds but Michael always came over with a twinkle in his eye for me to join performances on visits home for a Shabbat or the High Holydays.

Five decades on from my debut I still use the tunes verbatim that Michael taught whichever shul I’ve attended in Leeds, Hendon, Borehamwood or Shenley on a Shabbat and Yom Tov much to the annoyance of congregants around me at times!

If I was to select just one of Michael’s arrangements from those halcyon times it has to be the highlight of the High Holydays, Unetaneh Tokef. Every year, I recall my old alto mate Jonny Berkovitz advising me to read the prayer in English rather Ivrit to understand its importance before leading the congregation.

My days with the choir under Michael taught

me life lessons and were unforgettable. Later, when I was reporting on the Jewish community of Leeds his views were always welcome and positive. To say, Michael was a titan of communal life does not do justice to his impact.

My younger brother, Laurence, is President of the Rep Council and ran the BHH shul bookshop with Michael for a number of years. He recalled Michael’s stories when he shared a room with our late father, Harold Saffer, at our grandparents’ Rabbi Louis and Annie Saffer’s home, and learnt with Zaide after arriving in Leeds.

“Michael fondly spoke of those times,” he said. “At BHH, he was a stalwart of the shul as Chazzan Sheini. Michael was knowledgeable, positive and creative in his attempts to bring musicality to the services as choirmaster.”

Michael’s memory will live on with all lucky enough to have known him as Rabbi Kleiman eloquently told hundreds of mourners. Rabbi Alan Wilkinson of Ahavas Yisroel conducted the service. Rabbis Zvi Lieberman, Rafi Goodwin, Marc Levine and David Lister of Edgware United, Chazan Avrami Freilech and Rafi Saville participated.

Michael is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jeanette, children Daniel, Debbie, Rafi and Gil, nine grandchildren and a sister, Ruth, in Israel.

Michael leads the BHH choir with Cantor Josef Malovany

Jews will not allow a second Holocaust says Bibi

BY ADAM MOSES

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held security discussions during a curtailed state visit at the end of last week.

Netanyahu stressed the dangers of Iran throughout the trip where the itinerary was cut short due to security concerns.

“The Jewish State will do everything necessary to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons,” he said.

The two leaders attended a memorial ceremony for Holocaust victims at Platform 17 in Berlin.

The ceremony included a minute’s si-

World War II the Nazis sent the last 18 Jews of Berlin, 18 Jews to a death camp.

“Our world has changed, Germany has changed, the Jewish State was reborn,” he observed.

Though the Israel-German alliance had grown, Netanyahu warned about the Iranian regime.

“Calls for the annihilation of our people have not stopped,” he said. “We have learned that when you are faced with such evil, you have to obstruct its evil designs early on, to prevent catastrophe.

“We are faced with calls for the destruction of the Jewish State and millions of Jews. The Jewish people must have the capacity

both countries towards a better future for both peoples,” he said.

Netanyahu returned to the danger of Iran and said that the Jewish people would not allow a “second Holocaust”.

He explained: “We must stand together in confronting common dangers and no danger is greater to Israel than Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. We discussed how Israel and Germany can work together to thwart that pursuit. Iran is a regime that works to destroy the only Jewish State.”

Noting there would not be a second Holocaust, he added: “The Jewish State will do everything necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Period.

of Germany.

“Germany is helping Israel and Israel is helping Germany,” he concluded. “This security cooperation highlights the remarkable transformation of the Jewish State.”

Netanyahu looked forward to welcoming Scholz to Jerusalem.

Israel’s PM met German business lead-

Building better relationships for a more positive future

lence, laying of wreaths and lighting of memorial candles by Netanyahu and Scholz. Chabad Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal recited Kaddish for the six million Jews who perished during the Shoah.

Holocaust survivor Franz Michalski and German Jewish community representatives attended.

Netanyahu, in a moving ceremony, recalled that six weeks before the end of the

to defend ourselves, by ourselves against any threat. But we welcome the friendship of those who share our concern, values and desire to prevent rogue regimes and crazy ideologies from destroying our world.”

Speaking at a press conference afterwards with Scholz, Netanyahu said discussions had reinforced an enduring friendship between Israel and Germany that was rooted in a “painful history”.

Netanyahu welcomed Germany’s commitment to Israel's security and stance against antisemitism which was an issue for the civilised world. He also looked forward to deepening economic relations.

“Israel and Germany are leaders in many economic areas, combining our technology and industry can propel

“We'd like to do that with the cooperation of the civilised powers of the world. We need to take a strong stance today against Iran and its quest to cross into a nuclear threshold, a state that can produce nuclear weapons with the expressed desire to annihilate Israel. They say 'Death to Israel; Death to the United States,' and a danger to everyone in between. Everyone in between is Germany, the EU.”

Netanyahu added: “We have to act against it now. We have to communicate to Iran that it should not cross that threshold or there will be heavy consequences. But Israel will do what Israel needs to do to defend itself against those who want to annihilate the Jewish State.

“Israel will act against Iran's aggression and terrorism. Those who perpetrate terrorist attacks against Israel and those who send them will pay a heavy price.”

The two leaders also discussed Israeli assistance to Ukraine and advancing sale of Arrow systems to Germany.

Netanyahu said that after the Holocaust it was of historical importance that the Jewish State's defensive systems protect the skies

ers and shared Israel's experience in security and relationship with Germany and Europe.

Netanyahu’s Chief-of-Staff Tzachi Braverman, National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi and Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor attended.

Netanyahu met with Italian Minister of Economic Development Adolfo Urso and heads of Italian companies earlier in the month.

Netanyahu answered questions on water solutions in Israel. Italy has experienced droughts in recent years. Netanyahu also spoke about digital health and cyber to boost future Italian-Israeli initiatives.

It was reported that energy companies including ENI, Enel and Italgas are interested in energy, infrastructure and security tenders in Israel.

In the last two years, Israeli exports to Italy have doubled to $1.5 billion by 2022.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chancellor Scholz at Platform 17 PHOTO: GPO

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chancellor Scholz

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Board hosts interfaith Seder Argov memorial service

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl hosted the first interfaith pre-Passover seder of UK's major faiths last Thursday. The theme of freedom was addressed by The Right Revd. Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy. Other guests spoke of the significance of bringing faith leaders together to share traditions.

Revd. Dr Jonathan Hustler, noted: "To be around the table sharing in such a deep appreciation of a central Jewish festival was a marvellous opportunity both to deepen understanding of Jewish traditions and to reflect on what it means to be (or not to be) free.”

Social entrepreneur Akeela Ahmed said: “I very much enjoyed learning about the story of Passover and the opportunity to take part in the traditions."

Following the event, Ms van der Zyl said:

“Such events can only bring us closer together and increase knowledge of our different traditions and faiths.”

Guests included Archbishop Angaelos of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, Right Revd. Kenneth Nowakowski and the Deputy Mayor of London for Communities and Social Justice, Debbie Weekes-Barnard.

The Embassy of Israel held a memorial ceremony to mark 20 years since the death of Ambassador Shlomo Argov.

Ambassador Argov served as Israeli Ambassador to the UK for three years before being critically injured in an attempted assassination outside The Dorchester Hotel in 1982.

Argov died in February 2003. His family shared stories about his life, legacy and service to Israel.

Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely attended the service with the Foreign Minister of Israel, Eli Cohen and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon.

Hotovely said: “Ambassador Argov was a highly respected diplomat with an inspiring ability and determination to promote Israel abroad. He served as Israel's envoy with a formidable sense of professionalism and impressive resolve for peace.”

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Argov formed a close friendship with the British Jewish community.

“His legacy continues to set the high standard for all Israeli diplomats,” noted Hotovely. “It is undeniable that his proud representation of the State of Israel was a passion for him as much as it was a profession.”

A memorial corner dedicated to his memory features a permanent plaque and olive tree at the embassy. The corner will serve as a place of reflection and celebration of Argov’s life.

A ceremony for Argov was held at Finchley United Synagogue for the wider Jewish community yesterday.

The Argov family had a special connection to Kinloss Shul, as it was the venue where Ambassador Argov married his wife, Hava.

NSC issue travel warning Justice backs CAA

BY HARRY SIMONS

The National Security Council issued a travel warning this week to Israelis traveling abroad to be vigilant to terror attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The statement was released due to Pesach and an escalation of terror attacks in Israel in recent weeks.

“Extraordinary security incidents in the West Bank, Jerusalem and around the country could increase the motivation of terror organisations to target Israelis abroad,” noted the NSC.

Iran remains the biggest instigator of world terror.

“Tehran continues its attempts to harm Israelis either directly or through proxies that it employs in a number of countries, in violation of their sovereignty,” the NSC advised.

Iran has targeted Jews in Turkey, the

Georgian Republic and Cyprus in the past two years.

The statement warned: “We believe Iran will continue to use terrorism as a means to achieve its aims and will attempt to harm Israeli and Jewish targets around the world. The most likely countries where such attempts could be made are the Georgian Republic, Turkey, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and the UAE, because of their proximity to Iran and Greece and Cyprus as well.”

The NSC added: “Over the past years, Iranian terror actors attempted to contact Israelis both in Israel and abroad via social media, emails and more, and the NSC has clear guidance available to block such attempts.

“Radical Islamist jihadist groups are also a threat. ISIS has recently shown an interest in targeting Israelis and call on members to attempt to do so wherever they can. ISIS is located mostly in Africa but also in the

Middle East and Asia.”

The NSC also called on Israelis traveling to the Sinai desert to stay in organised tourist sites where Egyptian security forces are on watch and avoid traveling to secluded locations.

"We call on the Israeli public to continue to travel but use caution and act responsibly," the NSC concluded.

In Israel, Police have stepped up security. It is thought Hamas and Islamic Jihad will call for continued violence in Judai and Samari.

Recent years has witnessed clashes during Ramadan between Israeli police and Palestinians, especially around the Temple Mount.

Jewish communities have been targeted in recent years including at religious and community institutions including synagogues in Halle, Germany on Yom Kippur and Poway, CA on the last day of Passover (both 2019).

A Pittsburgh synagogue was attacked during Shabbat services in 2018.

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and Labour councillor Pam Bromley have failed to oppose Campaign Against Antisemitism’s application in a judicial review of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

EHRC proceedings concluded the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn engaged in unlawful antisemitic harassment of Jewish members.

Justice Lang ruled CAA provided substantial evidence, conceptual framework analysis and legal submissions to support the investigation.

A CAA spokesperson welcomed a High Court ruling. “We are well-suited to assist the court in understanding the nature of antisemitism denial as a form of harassment and other important matters,” a statement noted.

PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS

Tory MPs call for IRGC proscription

Conservative MPs called for the proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps last week.

They also condemned recent terror attacks against Israeli citizens during Foreign Office Oral Questions.

Greg Smith appealed to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to proscribe the IRGC.

He noted: “The evidence of the IRGC’s brutality in Iran, particularly towards women, is clear.”

Smith added that there was clear evidence of its “wider malign influence in the region” and “threats on these shores”.

Jack Brereton condemned “increasingly concerning” actions of the IRGC and called on Cleverly to attack the threat “head on”.

Tom Randall blasted the “intensifying wave” of terror attacks against Israelis.

Cleverly said the UK condemned terrorism in all its forms.

“There is no justification for terrorist action,” he said.

Bob Blackman, warned about the emerging ‘Lion’s Den’ as a new terrorist group alongside Hamas, Hezbollah and other Islamic groups.

Blackman identified them as a “threat to Israel’s security” and the Palestinians.

Chris Clarkson warned about Iran’s

“systematic” escalation of nuclear activities despite diplomatic efforts and called on the UK to trigger “snapback” sanctions in the JCPOA nuclear deal.

Cleverly noted: “Our position is clear, it is unacceptable for Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon or nuclear weapon technology. We will continue to work with our international allies to prevent that from happening.”

Minister for Security Tom Tugendhat, meantime, said that the Government would take any threat to the UK-based Jewish community extremely seriously.

Tugendhat called on the UK’s Jewish community to be “alert but not alarmed”.

His comments came as the IRGC was linked to a shooting at a synagogue in Essen last November.

Reports suggest US and German security agencies have linked the incident to other attacks against German synagogues in recent years, Halle, Bochum and Dortmund.

Tugendhat recently revealed that the IRGC was using UK-based criminal gangs to gather intelligence on UK-based Israeli and Jewish targets.

Home Office Minister Lord Sharpe said: “There is no secret that the Iranian regime has a long history of targeting Jewish and Israeli interests around the world.”

Stamford Hill incidents

Police continue to investigate incidents in Stamford Hill, North London this month.

A man reportedly launched into a verbal assault against Jewish children on Firsby Road where three girls were subjected to comments including “You make babies all day,” “f*** Jews,” and “your mother is fat”. (Ref: CAD 13/03/23.)

A man reportedly in possession of a knife allegedly yelled “Heil Hitler, I love Hitler” at Jewish people leaving a synagogue during Purim on Darenth Road. A suspect has been arrested. (Ref: CAD7746 07/03/23).

Jewish residents have reported swastikas graffitied on a building they live at outside Sidlaw House on Portland Avenue. (Ref: CAD 97 10/03/23).

A Jewish teenager was allegedly attacked by a man at Stoke Newington Railway Station. The suspect is accused of knocking an unprovoked 16-year-old’s hat off. (Ref: CAD 7376 09/03/23).

CCTV footage has appeared of a Jewish man being reportedly attacked by a pedestrian. (CAD Ref: 4605754/23).

A ten-year-old Jewish boy was reportedly punched in the stomach on his way home

from school. The attack took place on Amhurst Park in Stamford Hill. (Ref: CAD 1708 03/03/23).

A woman reportedly screamed “You ugly Jewish kids, ******* ugly people” at a 74-year-old Jewish woman and young girls at the CS bus stop on Clapton Common. (Ref: CAD 219 03/03/23).

A number of Jewish families in Stamford Hill have been disturbed in recent weeks by a man allegedly banging on front doors on Moresby Road. (Ref: CAD 366 03/03/23).

All the incidents have been reported by Stamford Hill Shomrim.

A Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesperson said: “Verbal tirade against Jewish children have been reported, and once again, the authorities are nowhere to be seen. Identifiably Jewish people in Stamford Hill are facing a wave of violent incidents and they must not be left to fend for themselves. The police must wake up to what is taking place against the community.”

Anyone with information should contact the police with the CAD reference on 101 or Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 9990123. Police are also investigating antisemitic graffiti on a postbox on Albert Avenue in Prestwich, Manchester. Photographs bearing the word “Hitler” was discovered. CAA has been in touch with a Twitter user, with whom regarding another photograph with the word “Palestineo” etched on the pavement.

Anyone witnessing antisemitic incidents should contact CAA 0330 8220321.

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REB AHARON LEIB HAGGADAH Compiled by Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Shteinman

RAV SCHWAB ON HAGGADAH From the shiurim and writings of Rabbi Shimon Schwab

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Making a difference

OPINION PIECE

BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN

This week the Zionist Central Council hosted Gal Lusky, the founder and CEO of Israeli Flying Aid – IFA. This organisation delivers lifesaving medical aid, food, and equipment to communities either in war-torn countries, or those severely affected by crises, that, primarily, lack good or any diplomatic relations with Israel.

They have operated in many countries where there have been natural disasters such as Haiti and Nepal as well as those with whom Israel has no formal relations including Indonesia and Syria.

There are some who think that providing aid to people from countries which hate Jews and Israel is a bad idea. It has been said repeatedly that peace is not achieved by speaking with friends. There are many accounts of Jews being saved from the Holocaust by people who had been helped by fellow Jews in the past, and the memory of that help had stayed with them. The same applies here. Simply because the Syrian regime hates Israel does not make every

Syrian a Jew hater.

I say Jew, because for very many people in Syria and other countries in the Middle East (and beyond) there is no distinction between Israeli and Jew. They are the same. Here in the UK and around the Western World, this reality is cheerfully ignored as being too complicated and not fitting neatly into a convenient political view.

IFA is about humanitarian aid only, yet in its own way demonstrates to the world

what Israel is capable of. For too long the UK Jewish community has concentrated only on the political issues in Israel and ignored everything else. The work done by IFA and other Israeli humanitarian organisations is ignored by those desperately keen to condemn Israeli policies and politicians. There is so much more to Israel that this, and if half the energy expended on grumbling and complaining could be concentrated on supporting IFA and other

NGO’s like it, the impact around the world would be significant.

It is time, as IFA does, to look beyond who runs a country and see the people who live there. Refusing to go to Israel for Passover as many have suggested as a protest against the proposed judicial reforms helps no-one. It is virtue signalling at its worst. An empty protest that might satisfy the relevant echo-chamber but means nothing. Better surely to go to Israel, celebrate the story of our freedom from slavery and rejoice in the ability to complain in Israel about those issues which are of concern.

On the subject of freedom, as Passover approaches, now is surely the time to think about those countries where IFA operates which are not free, where religious conversion is a criminal offence, where there is no rule of law and precious little medical service. We should all think about what IFA is about and it achieves, and appreciate that whilst there are deep divisions in Israel now, it is still a democracy.

Israel Flying Aid sees beyond borders and regimes and we should use their example to look up and do the same.

There are many accounts of Jews being saved from the Holocaust by people who had been helped by fellow Jews in the past, and the memory of that help had stayed with them.

Letters to the Editor

Please note: The views of the letters do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Letters may be edited and publication is at the discretion of the editor.

A RESPONSE PLEASE FROM THE BOARD OF DEPUTIES

I thank Gary Mond for his letter, “NJA – A RESPONSE,” published in last week’s edition (THE JEWISH WEEKLY, 16 March), in response to my letter of the previous week.

As for my letter of 9 March, “WHO BEST REPRESENTS US?” would somebody from the Board of Deputies please consider providing a concise summary

WHEN END OF LIFE GOES WRONG

Dear Sirs,

On Purim this year, the Lords and Commons Family and Child Protection Group (LCFCPG), a parliamentary advisory group on matters concerning families and children, launched an initiative to raise awareness amongst all Parliamentarians from both the House of Commons and House of Lords about the phenomenon that families are sometimes faced with of facilitating and expediting the moment of the “Yetzias Haneshomo”.

As Yidden, we cherish every life at every stage of our lives. The recent report published by the Lords and Commons Family and Child Protection Group (LCFCPG) entitled “When End of Life Goes Wrong”, describes cases of “excessive and inappropriate use of, for example, Midazolam and Morphine……coupled with, at times, the withdrawal of food and hydration…” which are sometimes combined to bring about a premature death on people who are admitted to hospitals with no prior serious illness, yet deemed by hospital authorities as close to the end of their lives.

Our Kehilla has been invited to contribute to this initiative in order to protect the vulnerable and also have the ability to choose to maintain life where halachically possible and appropriate. There are a number of actions which are being proposed including creating a national inventory of local end of life care plans; a fast track advice helpline; a kitemark for hospitals and care homes that display

of their remit and why we should have contributions going towards membership of this organisation.

I hope to hear from the Board of Deputies, or from the JEWISH WEEKLY editorial team, in due course.

J D Milaric

sympathetic and supportive end of life care plans.

The first step in enabling a national pushback is to collect as many real-life accounts as possible in order to be able to demonstrate how widespread this problem is. If you, or someone you know, has experienced any difficulty in communicating to the medical profession your, or the patient’s, wishes at a critical end-of-life stage, please send these accounts to me at lcfcpg.edu@gmail.com; these can be named or anonymous. All these submissions will be sent to the national register. Following on from this, there is a working party of orthodox Jewish professionals being set up to help our Kehilla members in order to advise them either before, or if they find themselves in this type of harrowing and difficult situation. In the meantime, all family members are alerted to be aware if/when an elderly person is admitted to hospital with no prior serious illness: if either the use of the drugs named above (which are sometimes necessary) and/or if the medical profession put up a “Nil by Mouth” sign, family members should respectfully query these recommendations and ask Daas Torah as to how to proceed.

Mrs J Nemeth Member of Lords and Commons Family and Child Protection Group.

Central synagogue hosts Quiz evening

In excess of 110 attendees packed the Wolfson Hall at Central Synagogue on Sunday evening, 19th March for its annual Central Synagogue supper quiz, the first one in person since the end of the COVID epidemic. The evening was lively and enthralling, thanks overwhelmingly to the energetic and humorous quizmasters Benjamin Till and Nathan Taylor.

The Siyum Hashas for Reb Chaim Kanievsky zt"l took place at Machzikei Hadas synagogue together with shul Rabbi Ilan Halberstadt and Rabbi Zimmerman.

Photos: Avi Yodaiken

Games

Bridge

With Harold Schogger

Dealer: North Vuln: E/W

The NJA condemns the UK consulate in Jerusalem for erasing Israel from #TeamUK t-shirts at marathon

The National Jewish Assembly considers the erasure of Israel from the map on t-shirts worn by the UK British Consulate in Jerusalem (#TeamUK) during the Palestine Marathon on March 10, 2023, to be a contemptible act. The official representatives of the UK mission in Jerusalem have adopted the position of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to erase Israel, which is unacceptable.

A screenshot of a Twitter post by the UK consulate in Jerusalem showing consular staff wearing t-shirts bearing a design that erases Israel from the map

The t-shirts featured the official PA logo that entirely erased Israel. This logo was worn by Fatah Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub, who posted pictures on his Facebook page. The use of the PA map erasing Israel is nothing new, and it is outrageous to see official representatives of any country, including the UK, adopting the PA stance.

Jibrali Rajoub has a track record of performative anti-Israel agitation. In 2018, Rajoub was banned from all soccer-related activity by FIFA in 2018 after he urged Palestinians to burn t-shirts bearing the name of Lionel Messi, after the Argentinian football star went to Jerusalem for a friendly match between Israel and Argentina.

Following the marathon, the official Twitter account of the British Consulate in Jerusalem

(@UKinJerusalem) posted a tweet showing seven participants of “Team UK” wearing the Palestine Marathon t-shirts with the map that entirely erased Israel. The tweet declared that “Team UK joined thousands of Palestinian and international runners in the incredible Palestine Marathon to support #FREEDOMOFMOVEMENT for all Palestinians.”

The PA “#FREEDOMOFMOVEMENT” hashtag specifically supports the PA’s position that Israel should remove its barriers and other security measures erected between PA-controlled areas and Israel’s large cities. It is important to note that these barriers were established specifically to reduce the ability of Palestinian terrorists to gain unfettered access to Israeli communities in order to conduct attacks against Israeli civilians.

The NJA condemn in the strongest terms the erasure of Israel from the map on these t-shirts and call on the UK government to take swift action against the official representatives of the UK mission in Jerusalem who participated in this act. We recommend that the UK representatives be reprimanded, and that the British Consulate in Jerusalem be required to publish a public apology.

The NJA stand with Israel and firmly believe that erasing Israel from the map is unacceptable and goes against the principles of peace, coexistence, and respect for all nations.

Hasmonean New Headteacher

Hasmonean Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Miriam Langdon as the new headteacher of Hasmonean High School for Boys.

West began with the ace and king of hearts. Declarer ruffed the second heart and drew trumps in three rounds, throwing a heart from the table. Declarer saw that he would always have ten tricks if either diamonds were 3:2 or West had the ace of clubs, so he considered what could be done if both of these possibilities failed. He saw that the only hope in such circumstances was that East had the queen of clubs. Accordingly, he crossed to dummy with the ace of diamonds and led a low club toward his hand.

East rose with the queen of clubs and led a third heart. Declarer ruffed and led the jack of clubs which was taken by East with the ace. (South was pleased to see that East held that card too.) East continued with a fourth round of hearts; declarer ruffed in hand and threw the three of diamonds from dummy. He then played a diamond to the king and was pleased when East discarded a club. Declarer made 6 trumps, 3 diamonds and a club for a total of 10 tricks. You should note that nothing is lost by this approach of not playing a second diamond when West turns up with the queen of clubs. You still have the original chances of the ace of clubs being onside or the diamonds being 3-2. The danger of playing a second diamond before leading a low club can be seen just by transferring the ace and queen of clubs to West: West wins with the queen of clubs and plays a third round of diamonds, making the king of clubs unreachable; West would make a heart, two clubs and a diamond.

Mrs Langdon studied Natural Sciences at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. She was a finalist in The Royal Society Biology Teacher of the Year awards in 2017 and has been teaching at Hasmonean since 2007. She has held roles including Head of Sixth Form, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Person, Head of Science, Head of Maths, Assistant Headteacher and Interim Headteacher.

On her appointment, Mrs Langdon said “I am honoured to be able to take over the Headship of Hasmonean Boys’ School. My top priority is to provide a safe, inclusive and engaging learning environment and fulfil our school vision of Torah Im Derech

Eretz. I am committed to promoting academic excellence, social responsibility and personal growth for every student whilst continuing to maintain the high level of Kodesh provision. I look forward to working with all teachers and parents as partners in achieving these goals.”

Mrs Langdon will be working closely with Rabbi Jeremy Golker, Menahel of Hasmonean, to ensure that all decisions are made in accordance with school’s ethos of Torah im Derech Eretz.

Hasmonean MAT CEO, Mr Andrew McClusky commented, “It was a thorough and demanding recruitment process which involved trustees, governors, staff and students. We are confident that Mrs Langdon has the skills, depth of experience and personal qualities to successfully lead the Boys’ School. I look forward to continuing to work closely with her to enable students to fulfil their great potential.”

New Headteacher Mrs Miriam Langdon

In front of the sea,

meters from a splendid sandy beach – Classic rooms, Junior Suites and Suites – Beit Knesset with Sefer Torah –Two outdoor swimming-pools and modern Beauty Farm

Concern over edited image of Suella Braverman

The National Jewish Assembly strongly condemns the recent circulation of a digitally-altered image of the Rt. Hon. Suella Braverman KC MP, Home Secretary, appearing to be laughing in front of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

The NJA are deeply troubled by the social media users, predominately on Twitter, who have shared the image to intentionally smear Braverman in relation to the UK’s migration policy.

Vice Chairman of the NJA, Laurence Julius, said “To make a mockery of the worst atrocity in human history is affront to all. Six million Jews along with around 5 million others were brutally and systematically murdered in gas chambers. At least 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz, of which nearly 1 million were Jews. It is an outrage beyond contempt to the memory of those who perished and to all decent people to make cheap political jibes at the expense of the victims of the Holocaust.”

The use of such an image is not only disrespectful to the memory of those who suffered and died in the Holocaust, but it also serves to spread false information

Teacher of the week at Beit Shvidler Primary School

and foment hatred. The NJA calls upon all individuals to refrain from sharing or promoting such images.

Mrs Gemma Blaker, of Beit Shvidler Primary School in Edgware, was recognised by The Week Junior as its Teacher of the Week this week. The national news magazine for children (circulation of over 100,000 children) said she had received the highest number of nominations in the award’s history.

After pupils from her year one class began submitting nominations, students from across the school joined in and contacted

the magazine. She not only teaches year one but is also head of learning and curriculum and shares her passion of reading with the kids and the teachers alike, having set up 3 book clubs, reading challenges and poetry slams.

Mrs Blaker was praised for her efforts to “make learning so interesting and relevant. She takes classes on walking trips around the local area. She has so much energy and makes time for each child and parent. We all love her.”

The achievement was celebrated in a school assembly on Monday.

Jessica Dysch, 6, one of the pupils who nominated Mrs Blaker, said: “She’s good fun. If you think maths or science is boring she makes it into a game. Mrs Blaker is an amazing teacher and I wanted her to be in the newspaper because it’s really special.”

Mrs Blaker said “I’m so touched that my class and their parents have nominated me as Teacher of the Week. It’s always lovely when people see how hard teachers work – but my amazing class and their parents make my job an absolute joy.”

Spirit of Rabbi Sacks brings aspirational young professionals together

The LSJS Rabbi Sacks Learning Fellowship held its first Shabbaton last weekend (17-18 March) at South Hampstead Synagogue. Whilst most of the 18 young professionals are London-based, some fellows travelled from as far as Manchester, Sheffield, Baltimore and Israel.

In 1978, Rabbi Sacks zt”l devised a course for students with the aim of introducing the main themes and challenges of Jewish faith, practice, theology and philosophy. Using this as a springboard, LSJS has updated and reimagined this course for today, designing a programme that would navigate contemporary modern living through an honest engagement with Jewish thought, teachings and wisdom.

Highlights of the Shabbaton included a conversation between Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, LSJS Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought, and Rabbi Sacks’ daughter, Gila Sacks, about Rabbi Sacks the scholar, the leader and the father.

Rebbetzin Dr Lynndy Levin of South Hampstead Synagogue spoke about Rabbi Sacks’ legacy and Rabbi Shlomo Levin taught the fellows the Chabad Nigun [song] that Rabbi Sacks requested as one of his ‘Desert Island Discs’ – including words that are, at his request, on his epitaph.

Michael Rainsbury, Head of Adult Education at LSJS, said: “The rabbinic team and community of South Hampstead welcomed and inspired us, and forged an incredible bond with our fellows that made this Shabbat

unforgettable for all involved. We are so grateful to our generous sponsor for enabling all this to happen”.

Rabbi Sacks Learning Fellows pictured with Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, Joanne Greenaway, Michael Rainsbury and Sue Nyman from LSJS, Gila Sacks and Rabbi and Rebbetzin Levin of South Hampstead Synagogue

Matt Marks, a participating fellow, commented: “The social and spiritual dimensions of this incredible Shabbaton was the perfect complement to the rigorous study of Rabbi Sacks’ thought that we have delved into over the year.”

Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum was Scholar-in-Residence for Shabbat in the community and gave two keynote talks. Joanne Greenaway, Chief Executive at LSJS, addressed the fellows on Shabbat afternoon. She said: The Sacks fellows are an exceptional bunch of bright young thinkers who have so much to offer the community. It was a real joy to have the opportunity to bring them to such as exemplary warm community for a Shabbat of learning and celebration.

A delicious cake for Mrs Blaker, teacher of the week

CREDIT: DAVID WOOLFALL VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Official portrait of Suella Braverman

Sophie’s wonderful world of mezuzot

BY DAVID SAFFER

Sophie Morris takes the strain out of finding the perfect mezuzah.

Purchasing an age-old mezuzah and scroll for a home is a timeless tradition.

Sophie takes on this task with a touch of elegance and style. From flats to large homes, hundreds of designs are available in a plethora of colours. But which fits best? Everyone has different tastes and that is where Sophie comes in with her bespoke company, Mezuzot Beitecha.

Whether setting up or renovating a home selecting the ideal mezuzah is important as every Jewish home has them. Judaica shops and various websites supply them but Sophie sees the wonderful world of mezuzot in a whole different light and has a burgeoning list of clients since setting up in 2020.

Going back to the beginning, why did Sophie set up her specialist business?

She recalled: “My father, Rabbi Bentzion Dansky, has been a sofer for over 30 years in Manchester serving northern communities for sefer torahs, megliot, mezuzot and tefillin. Ever since I was little, I used to say to him, why don’t you sell nice cases? He used to joke that he didn’t have the patience because he was not an art designer. But I recall people always asking if he had nice cases.”

When Sophie moved to London to get married she quickly spotted a gap in the market for a bespoke mezuzah service.

She recalled: “Mezuzah cases and scrolls were available in shops and online but people didn’t necessarily know where to go, especially if they were new to the UK, or because of busy lives they didn’t want to shop around. Friends would say to me, when I go to Israel or America I’m going to find some nice cases. I realised this was a service I could offer.”

Sophie researched what was available in the UK and further afield.

“There were stunning houses in America on line with beautiful mezuzot,” she recalled. “I thought there must be people in the UK who would like something different so started building up my collection. I contacted different suppliers and artists around the world and its developed from there.

“We import from various countriesAmerica and Israel are the most popular destinations. I also work with creative artists who personalise bespoke pieces. There are hundreds of styles available and it’s building all the time.”

While Sophie develops her website to further showcase what she can offer prospective clients can see a range of mezuzah

cases on Instagram or she meets them personally.

Sophie explained: “I’m happy to visit a client’s home and give my opinion on what would work. It depends on the colour and vibe but they can choose from a range of colours. They might want a marbly grey look, traditional or funky cases. We talk

about the style they want depending on the interior. I’ve also sketched out what would look great.”

She added: “I have a huge range of mezuzah cases, tailoring to any price bracket. Clients are stunned at the choice available. We match colours of cases to the interior design of a’ house. Our clients appreciate

a bespoke and personal touch.”

Partnering with interior designers is proving popular. From newlyweds, where mezuzah cases are a popular choice of gift, to growing families, Sophie has something to offer her clients.

“Mezuzot are part of the decor of a house, clients want them to fit the look of a home,” she explained. “I really enjoy the process, it’s exciting. Every home is unique. I enjoy meeting different people, everyone has a view of what they want. I value my customers, it’s a process and I enjoy the journey with them.”

Mezuzah cases range in price from £5 to £150. There are even diamond encrusted cases that cost far more!

“We get weird and wonderful requests,” quipped Sophie. “We always strive to exceed our customer expectations.

Sophie’s aim is be the number one mezuzot supplier in the UK.

To this end, she supplies mezuzah scrolls (Ashkenazi and Sephardi) with a fitting and checking service across the UK through her father for northern clients and Rabbi Moshe Brandise of JLE in London.

“If a client is unsure where and how to place a mezuzah on a wall we arrange a FaceTime meeting,” she explained. “If required we will place or replace a mezuzah halachically for a client moving into a home or after refurbishment work. Our customer service is very important, we ensure issues are dealt with swiftly.”

Sophie, aside from the mezuzot service, supplies capels and bentchers for a wedding, bar/bat mitzvah or simcha. And through her father’s expertise, can check tefillin, megilot and a Sefer Torah.

“My father calls a client to discuss any issues and ensures everything is done to the highest standard,” she explained. “If a bar mitzvah boy buys tefillin from us, I arrange a zoom meeting at my home for the family. My father explains the materials and how they are made. It is really important our clients are happy with what we are doing.”

Clients are able to utilise a three-month payment scheme if required.

As for the future, Sophie has high hopes for the bespoke business. She explained: “We exhibit at shuls and art events at the moment but it would be great to have a specialist shop and also display in art galleries.”

All STaM (Tefilin & mezuzah scrolls) are provided by Rabbi Dansky, Va'ad Mishmeres STaM

Details: info@mezuzotbeitecha.com or Sophie 07510 812074

New Haggadahs from

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein is one of the contemporary Jewish world’s most popular speakers and respected maggidei shiur. This haggadah features comprehensive analyses on fascinating subjects such as "Who Wrote the Haggadah?", "What is the Structure of the Haggadah?", "How Many Words Are in the Haggadah?" and many other basic issues that give us a deeper understanding of the Haggadah and, indeed, the entire experience of Yetzias Mitzrayim.

Reb Meilech Biderman has touched all of Klal Yisrael with his messages of chizuk, bringing us uplift and hope, filling us with confidence that we can make good things better. His weekly shiurim are followed by tens of thousands.

Now, Reb Meilech on the Haggadah brings his message of emunah and hope to our Seder table.

Weekly Dvar Torah FROM ERETZ

YISRAEL

Calling Us to G-d

BY RABBI DOV LIPMAN

“And He (G-d) called to Moshe…” (1:1)

These unusual words introduce the third book of the Torah. Why doesn’t this Sefer begin with the usual “And G-d spoke to Moshe saying…?”

There are two other times in which G-d “calls” Moshe – at the burning bush (Shemot 3:4) and at Mount Sinai (Shemot 19:13, 19:20, and 24:16). Since the two other times – charging Moshe with going back to Egypt to redeem the Jewish people and the giving of the Torah – described G-d calling Moshe to monumentally important tasks, this is clearly a language reserved for missions of great significance.

What is so significant about the beginning of this book of Chumash that it warrants the use of this special word, especially given the fact that all that follows are the commands about sacrifices?

How was animal sacrifice a meaningful experience and how did it help people grow spiritually and closer to G-d?

My Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yaakov Weinberg

zt”l, explained that we ask this question because we no longer have a basic desire which was once the norm for all humans – the burning drive for a relationship with a higher being. G-d created this craving as part of their nature. This explains why throughout Tanach, generation after generation succumbed to idolatry, a form of worship that we do not desire on any level. Serving idols enabled them to satisfy the overwhelming passion they had to tangibly connect with a higher power. When harnessed properly, this desire led to serving G-d on the highest of levels. However, it reached a point where the negatives associated with this craving including the mass paganism it produced outweighed the positives. Therefore, our Sages prayed that G-d should remove this desire from our hearts (Yoma 69b). As a result, we lost the desire to connect to a higher being. This protected us from idolatry, but this also stunted our spiritual drive. Sacrifices spoke to those who had this desire to serve a higher power. There needed to be some kind of physical

Vayikra Sidra Summary

offering brought from fowl. The process of killing the fowl differed from an animal offering; notably, the Kohen used his fingernail (melika) instead of a knife. It was also possible to bring an offering from fine flour (mincha), a handful of which was mixed with oil and thrown onto the altar’s fire. The rest was baked and eaten by the Kohanim.

1ST ALIYA (KOHEN) – VAYIKRA 1:1-13

The Book of Vayikra starts by detailing the olah (elevation) offering. One who brought an offering had to lay their hands upon it (semicha). The shechita (slaughter) of the animal could be done by a non-Kohen, but the processes thereafter (catching the blood and sprinkling it on the altar) were performed only by the Kohanim. The olah offering was cut up and all of the pieces were burned on the mizbeach (altar). The verses detail an olah offering brought from cattle, sheep or goats.

2ND ALIYA (LEVI) – 1:14-2:6

The Torah now details the laws of an olah

Point to Consider: From what stage could the service of the meal offering be performed only by Kohanim (see Rashi to 2:2)

3RD ALIYA (SHLISHI) – 2:7-16

Several voluntary meal offerings are listed, some baked, some fried. These offerings had to be unleavened. Every offering – whether animal, fowl or flour –had salt added to it. The laws of the Torah of the parched Omer offering are stated, which was brought on 16 Nisan (Rashi).

4TH ALIYA (REVI’I) – 3:1-17

A voluntary peace offering (shelamim) could be brought from cattle, sheep or goats. Only parts of it were burned on the mizbeach – other parts were eaten by the

tion to G-d. Literally giving themselves would be the highest form of this expression but the Torah forbids suicide. In its place, we could offer animals to G-d. The Torah mandates leaning on the animal before it is slaughtered. This enabled the individual to feel the warmth of this live being and to really feel like the offering of this animal is a replacement for him.

Now we can understand why the term “vayikra” is used in our parasha for G-d speaking to Moshe. After being redeemed from Egypt and receiving the Torah, the next major calling is for us to come closer to G-d and to sacrifice in order to experience that closeness.

How can we sacrifice in our times and come closer to G-d through that sacrifice? Move to Israel. Living in Israel requires great sacrifice. Israelis live surrounded by enemies who seek to destroy it and kill or injure its citizens, and there is a requirement and need to serve in the military. Many olim must sacrifice economically to live in Israel and it is challenging to earn a living in the Holy Land. There is also the sacrifice of moving away from family and from the comforts that once has grown up with.

But that sacrifice yields the ultimate goal of our lives – growing closer to

G-d. The midrash teaches (Tehilim 113) that if one wants to experience G-d’s Presence they should study Torah in Israel. The Seforno (Devarim 4:38) and the Malbim (Bereishit 28:4) teach that Israel is prepared for the highest levels of holiness and connection to G-d. Rav Hirsch (Shemot 23:20) writes that “the characteristics of the soil of the Land of Israel and the climate and physical properties which were accorded to the land, are all in accordance with the mission that the life of the nation, based on the spirit of G-d and His Torah was meant to develop.”

As we read the beginning of Vayikra, we should internalize the high calling of sacrificing to feel a closeness to G-d and when doing so, living in Israel, should, at the very least, enter into the equation.

Rabbi Dov Lipman was elected to the Knesset in 2013, making him the first American-born MK in 30 years. The author of 9 books about Judaism and Israel, and an international lecturer, Rabbi Lipman is the founder and CEO of Yad L’Olim, an NGO that assists olim from around the world. He is a member of Mizrachi’s Speakers Bureau (mizrachi. org/speakers).

accidental transgression by the people. If a king (referred to here as Nasi) accidentally transgressed certain mitzvot, he had to bring a male goat as an offering.

6TH ALIYA (SHISHI) – 4:27-5:10

The variable offering (korban oleh ve’yored) was dependent on the financial means of the person who brought it – it could be an animal, birds or flour. This offering was brought by someone who intentionally refused to testify as a witness or who made a false oath. It was also brought by one who accidentally entered parts of the Temple (Beit Hamikdash) or touched sanctified objects when in a state of ritual impurity.

“When you bring a meal-offering of the first grain to G-d, from ripe ears, parched over fire, ground from plump kernels, shall you offer the meal-offering of your first grain” (Vayikra 2:14).

Kohanim and by the person who brought the offering (see Rashi).

5TH ALIYA (CHAMISHI) – 4:1-26

People were commanded to bring sin offerings (chata’ot) for various inadvertent transgressions. A Kohen Gadol who accidentally contravened specific serious prohibitions had to bring a bull, parts of which were burned on the mizbeach; the rest were burned outside the camp. A similar process had to be done if the High Court’s (Sanhedrin) ruling caused an

7TH ALIYA (SHEVI’I) – 5:11-26

An individual who unintentionally derived benefit from sanctified objects had to bring a male ram as a guilt offering (asham), as well as paying for the ‘damage’ and adding an additional fifth to the cost. An asham was also brought by someone who was not sure whether they had inadvertently committed the type of sin for which one would normally bring a chatat.

HAFTARAH

The prophet Yeshaya (Isaiah) rebukes the nation for neglecting to bring offerings to the Temple. He mocks those craftsmen who tire themselves out making false G-ds. However, Yeshaya’s parting message is one of forgiveness and hope.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Manna help 2 million people with Pesach Campaign

According to the latest “Latet” report, over two million Israelis are currently living in poverty, among them, more than one million children. Post Covid, with the cost-ofliving crisis, combined with the ongoing war in Ukraine, prices have increased dramatically which has impacted the poor more than anyone else.

MANNA Meir Panim is a charity that seeks to help Israel’s most vulnerable. This Pesach they will support thousands through the bitter taste of poverty by providing twenty five thousand cooked meals, twenty thousand holiday hampers and ten thousand shopping vouchers which families can use to purchase the necessary foods they require for the holiday. Mimi Rozmaryn, Director of Global Development says, “our phone has been off the hook since Purim ended. There are thousands living in Israel who simply have nobody else to turn to and if we do not step up to help, they will go hungry. Its as simple as that.”

MANNA Meir Panim has five branches stretching from North to South. They include Tzfat, Tiberius, Or Akiva, Jerusalem and Dimona. The demographics range from Holocaust survivors and Ukrainian

refugees to school children or families with young children. “When sitting at the walk-in dining hall, it is heart-breaking to see who walks through the door,” says MANNA Meir Panim’s Executive Director Gabriel Blauer.

“There are a very wide range of people who make up one fifth of Israel’s population living below the poverty line, a staggering number to comprehend.”

This year, MANNA Meir Panim’s “KULAM BASEDER” campaign was designed to make sure that every Jew is afforded the opportunity to have a seder in dignity. Our incredible volunteers help to ensure that every meal is prepared with love and devotion so that families can celebrate the holiday with the freedom of not worrying about food.

“It is very painful to see so many of our fellow Jews living with such real struggles, especially that of hunger, “ says Shira Druion, head of PR & Marketing for MANNA Meir Panim.” This campaign is about helping to solve the most urgent of needs of our brethren. I know that with the help of the UK Jewish community, we can do it.”

To make a donation, see our QR code or go to www.mannauk.org

Help us to make memories for Rockey this Pesach

Seder night is a time for family, a time for food, a time for singing and stories. Above all else, Seder night is a time for memories.

As dementia takes hold and Rockey’s memory fades, it is events like the Seder at The Sam Beckman Centre for people living with dementia that help bring it back, even for just a moment.

Rockey, like hundreds of others, relies on the services provided by Jewish Care. These services receive no government funding and rely on the generosity of our community.

This Pesach they rely on you.

Your donation will ensure that even as memories fade for people like Rockey, they still have the opportunity to make new ones, for as long as they last. Thank you.

Enabling independence Jewish Blind & Disabled

There are 13.9 million disabled people in the UK, yet only a staggering 7% of homes in England are accessible. Over 50% of households requiring an adaptation do not have the adaptations they need.

As a result, many people with disabilities are living in unsuitable housing and not surprisingly, 38% of people who have a long-term physical condition also experience severe mental health problems.

However, it doesn’t have to be this way and there is help is at hand. Jewish Blind & Disabled transforms the lives of Jewish adults, aged 18 upwards, who have a physical disability and / or vision impairment through independent living and support. This is provided through our specially adapted mobility apartments located in one of our 7 unique, supportive developments or within someone’s own home.

Our developments are specially designed to enable people to do the everyday tasks that are key to living independently, in safety with their own front door with house managers onsite 24/7.

For those who are not looking to make a move, our Independent Living Advisory Service takes our expertise into people’s own homes. The service both advises and funds the installation of vital aids and adaptations that can help transform someone’s home into a healthy home that supports their needs.

Since Covid, there has been a huge increase in demand for our unique accessible housing with 24/7 support on hand, and for the first time since the service launched, we have a waiting list for our Independent Living Advisory service.

There are several reasons for this demand including applications from people who pre-Covid thought they were just about managing, but the pandemic took its toll on them; people who have lost carers who now need our support; people who are struggling with the cost of living, and increasing numbers of people with age-related disabilities who don’t need or want to be in residential care but need a safe home with support to hand.

We are committed to growing and developing to enable people from our community living with physical disabilities and vision impairments to live independently with dignity and choice. We know that times are tough, but we can only continue to transform lives with the support from the community.

Work is underway on our eighth building in the heart of Mill Hill East which will provide 30 much-needed mobility apartments and enable us to transform more lives. As an independent organisation that receives no government funding, all our developments have, to date, been funded with the support and generosity of the community. Thanks to the generosity of supporters so far, we have raised just over £7m and are committed to raising the final £3m which will then enable us to find a site in Hertfordshire.

For further information about how Jewish Blind & Disabled can support you or someone you know, or to support our work, visit www.jbd.org or call 020 8371 6611.

INDEPENDENCE. DIGNITY. CHOICE. “I was unable to do even some of the simplest everyday tasks, but now I have my independence back.”

Hayley, Jewish Blind & Disabled tenant

New appointments to Jami’s board of trustees

Jami is delighted to announce that Gemma Lyons has joined its board of trustees and Warren Taylor has been appointed vice chair.

Gemma was drawn to Jami because she believes mental health problems are severely under publicised and need more advocates. She explains: “I think many people are affected by mental illness and there needs to be more openness in talking about our mental health. Historically, mental health organisations don’t seem to get the same attention or funding as those with a focus on physical conditions.”

Prior to joining the board, Gemma, a former economics teacher with 15 years’ experience in finance, sat on Jami’s marketing and fundraising committee, sharing her ideas on how to increase the charity’s voluntary income. She says: “I’ve got a passion for giving and try to promote it as much as possible. I believe everyone should support a charity – whether it’s helping with fundraising, giving their own money, providing an extra pair of hands or using their skills and experience. I appreciate that what people can offer will vary at different stages of their life. The ask is often dependent on their work-life balance. At times it might be appropriate to ask someone for a donation; at other times for an hour of their time or their talents, such as legal expertise or designs skills.”

When a trustee position for Jami became available, Gemma seized the opportunity.

She says: “Having sat on a Jami committee for a-year-and-a-half, I knew Jami was a charity that has such huge potential.” She was also impressed by the staff team at Jami and the board members. “I think Jami has an excellent team that are focused, motivated and collaborative. They have great ideas to make real change for the community and the drive to take the charity’s five-year strategy forward. They are doers not just talkers.”

Among those doers is Warren Taylor, who recently took on the role of vice chair of the board, having been a Jami trustee since October 2019. His interest in supporting a mental health charity was spurred on by experience of mental illness within his family, as well as a growing concern in the rise of mental illness among Jewish people and the wider community and the lack of recognition given to it. He says: “As a former lawyer, I acted for some mental health and social care providers and saw the frustration felt at how poorly mental health was regarded compared to physical health in the hierarchy of health, provision and care.”

Armed with this background in health and social care, experience of the notfor-profit sector, and currently a master’s degree student in charity management, Warren believes he can make a valuable contribution as Jami’s new vice chair. “I have fairly broad experience that I can put to good use and my masters is helping quite

a lot. I also like working on strategy and taking a helicopter view on things, which this role will enable me to do.”

In the months that lay ahead, Warren and the rest of the board will be focusing on strengthening Jami’s profile so that “it is automatically on people’s lips and in people’s thoughts when the need arises,” he says. But, most of all, Warren adds: “We need to ensure that the promises we made are acted upon and delivered. I would like to see Jami being innovative and the best in its class, successfully leading the way for others to follow.”

Meanwhile, Jami is also very happy that its current chair, Adam Dawson, will be staying on for a second term. He says: “I’m delighted to have been re-elected as chair of Jami’s trustees. We continue to face significant challenges as a charity, but I am excited about how we deliver services to support the development of a mentally healthy community and provide accessible treatment and support when it’s needed.”

Laurie Rackind, chief executive of Jami, said: “Adam’s experience and strong understanding of our charity is much needed if we are to meet the needs of everyone

Why is this day trip different from all other trips? Visiting Israel this Pesach?

Because on this day, experience how JNF UK is playing its part, realising the vision of a start-up nation and building a forward-thinking innovative country.

The day includes

• An interactive guided tour of the Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation in Jaffa.

affected by mental health problems in our community over the next few years.

I am delighted he has agreed to continue leading our team of new and existing committed and hardworking trustees, and am grateful for their ongoing support of Jami.”

If you need support or are supporting someone who needs help, visit jamiuk.org/ get-support/ or contact 020 8458 2223.

If you are struggling to cope or need immediate help, contact Shout’s 24/7 crisis text service. Text Jami to 85258 for free, confidential support.

For free, safe and confidential online counselling and emotional wellbeing services for adults, contact Jami Qwell at www.qwell.io/jami

• A bus tour of Kiryat Malachi, a thriving Negev town supported by JNF UK. See first-hand how the future of Israel lies in the desert.

An inspirational visit to their unique JNF-KKL House of Excellence. Meet the extraordinary students who are the future of Israel.

• A delicious Kosher for Passover picnic lunch.

• Pick your own and enjoy the unique taste of “hanging” organic strawberries grown in the desert. Only £45 per person,this is an opportunity not to be missed. Save 15% on group bookings (3 or more).*

9th April 2023

• Includes all tour guides, lunch and refreshments

• Transport pick-up to and from: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Herzliya and Netanya

Need to know more?

For further information or to reserve your place, visit www.jnf.co.uk/pesach2023, email us info@jnf.co.uk or call us on 020 8732 6100

Book Now!

Left: New trustee Gemma Lyons. Right: Warren Taylor - Vice-Chair

The connection between the cost of living crisis and domestic abuse

As the cost of living crisis continues, many families are facing a crisis that is putting immense strain on their relationships. The financial burden is taking a heavy toll on many households. At Jewish Women’s Aid, a charity supporting women affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence, we know that it is vital that people understand the connection between the cost of living crisis and domestic abuse and to address abuse in our community in all its forms. Domestic abuse and violence, and that includes financial abuse, is no different in the Jewish community than the rest of the UK, with 1 in 4 being affected by domestic abuse at some point in their lives. The impact of the cost of living crisis is proving devastating for some women, making it hard for them to leave an abusive relationship for financial reasons.

A recent survey by Refuge, a national domestic abuse charity, has found that over three quarters (77%) of frontline workers said that survivors are finding it harder to leave abusers, forcing women to choose between remaining with their abusive partner or risking destitution. More than 50% of Refuge frontline staff surveyed said that the cost of living crisis is leading survivors to return to their abusers.

At Jewish Women’s Aid we are seeing an increase in demand for our services by women and children affected by the cost of living crisis. We continue to support hundreds of Jewish women and their children each month, who are living with the trauma of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

We help the women we work with to access practical financial support, such as, covering food costs, utility bills and buying essential clothing by signposting them to legal and benefits advice. Our team of trained staff help women navigate the legal system and seek justice for the abuse they have suffered.

The 2021 Domestic Abuse Act includes economic abuse for the first time and contains new measures to protect survivors of domestic abuse. It gives a legal definition of domestic abuse.

Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse that involves one partner exerting power and control over the other. It can take many forms, including psychological manipulation, physical violence and financial abuse. Financial abuse is a particularly insidious form of coercive control, where one partner controls the finances and limits the other’s access to money.

This type of abuse can continue long after

a survivor has left the relationship and can have lifelong effects, preventing victims from rebuilding their lives.

The Act defines economic abuse as any behaviour that has a substantial and adverse effect on an individual’s ability to: acquire, use or maintain money or other property (such as a mobile phone or car) or obtain goods (such as food and clothing) or services (such as utilities, like heating)

This definition means that everyone will have the same understanding of what economic abuse is.

The Act does not make economic abuse a crime in its own right. However, it means that the police and other statutory agencies should now be aware of economic abuse and will be more likely to consider it as a form of controlling or coercive behaviour.

Financial abuse can have a devastating effect on a person’s life and well-being. We must work together as a community to raise awareness of this issue and support those who are affected by it. Jewish Women’s Aid are here to

StandWithUs is an international, non-partisan Israel education organisation. We empower and energise students and communities with leadership training and educational programmes, challenge misinformation and fight antisemitism.

help and support any Jewish women and children who are affected by financial/ economic abuse and any other form of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Caroline Ratner, co-chair of Jewish Women’s Aid says: “We are working hard to educate people about the signs of financial abuse and provide support and resources for those who have been affected”.

Alison Rosen, Chief Executive at Jewish Women’s Aid said, “Since being appointed as CEO, I am overwhelmed by the need for support for women in these very difficult financial times.”

JWA helpline – 0808 801 0500 JWA Web Chat – jwa.org.uk

#Pesach23

I’M AN ARTIST.

I used to get so frustrated. I’d throw things when people couldn’t understand what I wanted. I’d try to calm myself by rocking in a corner. I now have a home with Norwood. I like the people there. They encouraged me to try different things and found I was good at art. Now I like shopping on my own - I’ve bought myself a new outfit for our Seder. And best of all, I’ve had my paintings displayed at the Royal Academy of Art.

Emunah UK: Bridging the Gap

Emunah is one of Israel’s largest welfare charities, providing vital services to the country’s most vulnerable and at risk children and families, many of whom may have suffered abuse, neglect and other forms of severe deprivation.

British Emunah is the UK affiliate of Israel Emunah. Celebrating its 90th birthday this year, it was initially established by a group of pioneering British women who wanted to provide practical help for children escaping Nazi persecution. Today, British Emunah has evolved and developed to cater for the 10,000 children who so desperately need their services: whether in residential centres, therapy centres, high schools or day care centres. And while Emunah is one of Israel’s largest welfare charities, the government stops short at fully funding it. So it is up to British Emunah – and its affiliate charities worldwide – to help bridge the gap to ensure that those who need Emunah’s services most can continue to benefit from its services.

British Emunah, along with the other affiliate countries, is there to help bridge that budget gap.

So, where are the funds going to? The funds go to one of the 27 centres that British Emunah supports across Israel. They go towards providing the essential diverse range of therapies and counselling for the children and families. They go towards the refurbishment of the centres, providing hot meals in high schools alongside after school care programmes. They go towards extracurricular activities to give our children an all-round

education. They give working parents peace of mind knowing our day care centres offer our youngest children a secure environment in which they can thrive. They equip parents with relevant skills and tools whether they are unemployed, in poverty, or facing difficulties as new immigrants. They go towards teaching basic parenting and communication skills. They go towards the costs of subsidising therapies in our counselling and trauma centres for individuals, couples, and families in crisis. They provide comfort to those children in our residential care centres who are wards of court, and ensure that they are loved, cared for, nurtured. And of course, the funds ensure we have the relevant expert staff: psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, counsellors. They go towards providing vocational education for those children with learning, social and emotional difficulties who have been let down by every other school.

Emunah is there to ensure that anyone in its care is able to fulfil his or her potential.

Our goal is to fulfil the physical, cognitive, educational, and emotional needs of the children and families in our care.

We believe that everyone deserves the right to become fully integrated members of Israel’s society .

Next time you take a trip to Israel why not come and take a look for yourself. Take a fact-finding trip with us: swap the Mamilla mall for Neve Landy, a residential home to 75 at risk boys. Or get ready for next February’s five day Mother and Daughter Trip to experience first-hand what Emunah does.

British Emunah on Registered charity number 215398

PESACH FOOD & WINE SUPPLEMENT

Cheers

When joyful moments blend together

An emotional reunion for Hayley and Sandy

There was an emotional and moving reunion between Hayley Richardson, and her daughter’s horse, Sandy, at Jewish Care’s Betty and Asher Loftus Centre in Friern Barnet. Hayley’s daughter, 17-year-old Ruby, who is studying for her A levels at Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School and competes in show jumping, brought Sandy to Jewish Care’s Stella & Harry Freedman House care home, where Ruby’s mum, Hayley, is receiving palliative care.

The care team, led by Mary Rabbitte, Care Manager at Jewish Care’s Stella & Harry Freedman House, brought Hayley outside to meet Sandy and Ruby. Mary said, “This was a very special and important emotional meeting. We realised that Hayley wouldn’t be able to get to Sandy, so we decided to bring Sandy to Hayley instead.”

Jewish Care’s End of Life and Palliative Care Lead, Paula Plaskow, is part of the team helping coordinate Hayley’s care and supporting her, together with her family and close friends.

Paula said, “I asked Hayley what matters most to her and she said, ‘Ruby and

Sandy’. This visit brought her and Ruby immense joy and a gift of a memory that will be with Ruby forever. This visit helped staff get involved in the pastoral care of Hayley, as it’s not just about providing medical care at end of life, but it’s about addressing one’s total wellbeing. I’m so proud of the care team for making this special moment happen.”

Grant Brown, Jewish Care Stella & Harry Freedman House, Registered Care Manager, said, “I am delighted that we could facilitate this memorable moment for Hayley. It is warming to see all members of the team going above and beyond for our residents.”

Juliet Nordi, Hayley’s close friend, who was also involved in making it happen, added, “Jewish Care made a bit of magic for a special family.”

After the visit, Hayley’s daughter, Ruby said, “I’m so overwhelmed with the kindness and compassion shown by everyone at the home. Taking Sandy to see Mum was a dream come true and I’m so grateful for how easy everyone made it to do such a nice thing that made all of our days that bit brighter.”

A personalised Seder with Kisharon

Bring a smile to your Seder guests by personalising wine & grape juice from Kisharon.

Personalised bottles make the perfect place setting or gift to send to family and friends for Seder. The Deadline for orders is the 27th March and each bottle is £4.

This year a new cupcake recipe kit is available which is being managed directly by people supported by Kisharon as a social enterprise project. The Kisharon Pesach Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes Recipe Kit (£9) make approximately 10 cupcakes and are a fun activity/gift for children or adults to help prepare for Pesach. Each kit contains: a recipe card with easy read option, a pot of potato flour, sugar and cocoa powder, vanilla sugar, wooden spoon and 10 quality cupcake cases. All products kosher for Pesach supervised under KLBD.

Available from EQUAL: Kisharon Gift & Homeware store. All profits from EQUAL sales go to Kisharon. www.equalbykisharon.org.uk/collections/pesach

818 Finchley Road London NW11 6XL

Tel 0208 457 5000

The Temple Fortune store is also fully stocked with beautiful tableware including seder plates, matza serviettes, 10 Plague coasters and jugs for salt water.

RIFKA SIMON

(CO FOUNDER AND CHAIR OF TRUSTEES)

The skies outside might be blue but all I see is grey. It might feel bright and fresh, like spring is imminent, and new life is blossoming, but all I feel is darkness, hopeless, and empty. Lonely. Desperate. Exhausted. Every day is a struggle to muster the will to live; I struggle to breathe, gasping for air, choked by the noose of the dead marriage I have begged to be freed from for 6 years. Finances and custody have been settled but the more things went in my favour, the closer to being finalised, the prospects of my Get slipped further into the distance.

10am - the children are at school. Now is a good time to try the Beit Din to follow up our previous conversation from a couple of weeks ago. I’ve left a message. It’s been 6 years of phone calls, emails and letters.

1pm- I receive a reminder about the upcoming events in Shul. I worry about my son. Who will sit with him on the men’s side of Shul? Does he feel people staring the same way I do? Do they even see him sitting there alone? I’ve learned over these last 6 years that people don’t want to see things.

3pm - I start thinking about Pesach. I haven’t received child maintenance from my ex in months. Will I manage financially? Will I have money for new clothes for my children? Food? Again, I will be staying home with my family whilst other families celebrate together. After all these years,

people don’t know what to say to me, so they stopped saying anything. They don’t know the relief that would come from an invitation, the joy it would bring my kids, the financial burden that would be eased from my already very tired shoulders.

4:30pm - A newsletter arrives notifying the community of a shiur my ex-husband is hosting. As my tears fall, I ask “Why is he still being given Kavod (Respect)?”. If only people knew what was really going on.

5pm - Supervising homework while serv ing supper. I need to bathe all 4 children before bedtime can commence. My body aches. I live for these children. Their smiles sustain me but even as I laugh with them, I can never be fully happy.

7pm - Kids asleep, I have nothing but a long, lonely night ahead. I open a message from GettOutUK about a pre-yomtov care package that is on its way. Tomorrow, I will speak with my caseworker. I remember that I am not facing this alone.

This is an example of a day in the life of an Agunah. Our clients, women & men, have cumulatively been stuck in their dead marriages for over a century. GettOutUK advocates for and supports those experiencing Get abuse. In our first 2.5 years we facilitated over 30 Gets; some clients waited 25 years for their freedom! GettOutUK campaigns to make the Jewish Divorce process transparent and dignified, working alongside Batei Din (Jewish Religious Courts) to resolve cases.

GettOutUK needs your support to help us do more in our community. For more information, email us at gettoutuk@gmail.com

Our Bar and Bat Mitzvah Project ensures that young people, on their special day, can share it with a child Holocaust victim who was denied a future.

Over the past 10 years we have twinned over 1000 children. Complete the on-line Twinning Form and researchers at Yad Vashem will use the information to find a suitable twin.

Celebrants will receive a comprehensive Twinning Pack which contains:

• A Page of Testimony, with details of your chosen twin

• A Study Guide

• A Certificate

• A letter from a Holocaust survivor

• A Yad Vashem pin

• Memorial and Shabbat Candles

• An invitation to become a Guardian of the Memory

46 Albert Road London NW4 2SG

Charity No. 1099659

Phone: 020 8187 9881

Email: office@yadvashem.org.uk

www.yadvashem.org.uk

www.guardianofthememory.org

@yadvashemukfoundation

@yadvashemUK

@yadvashemukfoundation

Pesach Packathon for Ukraine 25 Gap year students run Jerusalem marathon in support of GIFT

Project ImpACT teen volunteers collected and packed a huge amount of supplies for GIFT’s urgent appeal to send kosher for Pesach food to Jewish Ukrainian families. Almost 100 active and dedicated teens gave their Sunday to sort and pack the large piles of items collected by HGSS and other communities. A truck left HGSS on Sunday evening packed with Pesach supplies for the Ukrainian Jewish community.

Quote from ImpACT teens

“I think it’s so amazing what we’re doing here and that I’m so happy we have the opportunity to do this for the Ukrainians”. Eva

“It’s so important how everyone’s coming together to help other communities in need”. Zak

“I love how ImpACT teens get together every week and use their time in meaningful ways to benefit many different charities. They are learning to give at a young age and volunteering has become part of their lives” – ImpACT Ambassador Zara

Project ImpACT provides teens with a range of inspiring and meaningful volunteering opportunities across 25 charities. For more information visit www.projectimpact.org.uk

25 motivated gap year students ran the Jerusalem Marathon in support of GIFT this 17th March. Runners raised £6k and still going. GIFT has been creating giving opportunities in Israel this past year for gap year students including a soup making event for the homeless in Jerusalem and much more.

Shira Joseph, Programme Director at GIFT says: ‘It’s wonderful to see our volunteers staying engaged and involved even during their year off. We are so proud of all the runners who took part in the marathon to raise money for GIFT.’

The night before GIFT participants ran the marathon, a big pasta party took place at Le Gardino in Jerusalem to fuel up on carbs and hear inspiration from international speaker and educator Jodeci Joseph. Joseph spoke about the importance of GIFT’s volunteering opportunities and community service across London, Manchester and Israel, and why being a giver is such a fundamental part of Jewish life.

Dov Forman, runner says: ‘It was an honour to run for GIFT in this year’s Jerusalem Marathon - raising money to assist their efforts in providing food and practical support to over 2000 individuals every week and inspiring the younger generation to become givers. The

camaraderie of all the runners, through the streets of Jerusalem - and the old city, was so inspiring; especially running with all those raising money for their respectively important and inspirational charities.’

Binyomin Sharer, who ran the full 42.2 km marathon says: ‘Running the Jerusalem marathon for GIFT was a small way for me to make a positive impact in the world and to support an organisation that is doing incredible work. As I crossed the finish line, I felt a great sense of pride and accomplishment that I will never forget. It was a reminder that we are capable of achieving anything we set our minds to.’

Bayis Sheli ‘outstanding’ Ofsted report

Bayis Sheli residential and respite home for disabled children and young adults in Stamford Hill has receive an ‘outstanding’ rating by Ofsted following its latest inspection.

Criteria assessed included overall experiences and progress of children and young people, how well they are helped and protected, and effectiveness of leaders and managers.

Following the visit, Ofsted concluded: “The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.”

The report noted that all children were making exceptional progress with social skills and development. It also drew attention to collaborative and inclusive nature of the home.

“Children’s views and wishes are listened to on all aspects of their lives,” the report stated. “Children are actively encouraged to be part of formulating their care plans and setting their goals and targets.”

The report welcomed a “warm and homely environment” and how staff value the importance of an environment that is “respectful and maintained to a very high standard with the children at its heart.”

Emphasis was placed on activities that reflect children’s interests and widen

community involvement.

Staff were commended in the report for outstanding care.

Regarding safeguarding, Ofsted stated: “The stable and consistent home environment, together with the warmth and confidence of the staff, makes the children feel safe and secure. Parents and social workers say that children feel safe and that the staff protect them.

“Staff have a clear and detailed understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities for each child.”

Feedback Ofsted received from professionals described the quality of care provided to children as exceptional. The registered manager was praised to ensure children lead positive and fulfilling lives while ensuring “staff morale is high.”

Jacob Sorotzkin, Chair of Trustees, said: “Led by Micki Herzog, our committed and dedicated team are devoted to providing the best possible experience for all residents, loved ones and staff. We consistently seek to improve in all that we do and are delighted that this has been demonstrated in Ofsted’s recent report.”

Project ImpACT teen volunteers hard at work for Ukraine Pesach Packathon

Marathon runners success!

Jami celebrates official reopening of mental health café

Jewish mental health charity Jami celebrated the official reopening of its mental health café in Golders Green with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Mayor of Barnet.

The Worshipful the Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet, Councillor Alison

Moore, said: “During a period in which we are trying to move towards mental health acceptance and moving away from stigmatising mental illness, Head Room café’s offering is happening at a really important time, when the community is really ready to listen.”

She described the social enterprise’s community programme of mental health support groups and activities as “fantastic” and explained that Jami’s café was doing “genuinely pioneering work” in taking mental health support to the high street, rather than delivering it in an institutional setting.

“What you’re doing here is really special,” she said. “It’s a model that we ought to be sharing with other communities because I actually think there’s a real need for it. And it means you’ll make an even bigger difference in this community.” Commenting on the café’s recent expansion and renovation, the Mayor added: “It feels like a really welcoming place. Light but cosy. I don’t know how you managed that, but it works really well.”

Other guests included local Barnet councillors and representatives from the Jewish Leadership Council and Board of Deputies, as well as community members who attend

Head Room’s free groups and activities, which take place from Monday through to Friday.

Louise Kermode, Jami’s director of services, told attendees: “In just five years, the number of events we run at Head Room has increased by 87 per cent and attendance has risen by 94 per cent. People can just walk in off the street to take part in our sessions. There’s no need for a referral or assessment that traditionally forms part of being able to access mental health support. The programme is open to everyone regardless of faith, ethnic background, gender, sexuality or abilities. And the good news is that now we have this wonderful expanded café, we can run even more groups, to benefit even more people.”

Laurie Rackind, chief executive of Jami, added: “When we embarked on our strategic review, we realised the café was a key part of what we should be delivering strategically. Therefore, we had a commitment to provide

more of our services from accessible and non-institutionalised spaces – to deliver services on the high street in full glare of the community. And so, when we got the opportunity to expand Head Room, we decided to use this space to start exploring what a mutually supportive space on the high street could look like. Hopefully, we have maintained the café’s soul in a slightly more polished way.”

If you need support or are supporting someone who needs help, visit jamiuk.org/ get-support/ or contact 020 8458 2223.

If you are struggling to cope or need immediate help, contact Shout’s 24/7 crisis text service. Text Jami to 85258 for free, confidential support.

For free, safe and confidential online counselling and emotional wellbeing services for adults, contact Jami Qwell at www.qwell.io/jami

Aish on Campus goes to Morocco

Aish on Campus travelled to Morocco this March for five days of fun, education and exploring Jewish heritage, as part of the Aish 30th anniversary celebrations. They visited the ‘Mellah’, Jewish quarter, of Marrakech, the community in Casablanca and the historical city of Essouira, discovering the rich history of a country in which Jews lived for over 2,000 years. No Aish trip would be complete without the fun and the group enjoyed camel riding in the desert and ATVs in the sand dunes, followed by an inspirational Shabbat experience with the local community.

Rabbi Ari Kayser, of Aish UK, said, “When we travel as a group and learn about our history, we try to introspect and ask ‘Where

do I fit into this remarkable story of the Jewish people?’ By providing a mixture of fun, education and social, we connect Jews from different walks of life to one another and also to their Jewish identity.”

Josh Hartog, Greenwich University student who attended the trip said: “Exploring the vast expansiveness of Judaism is crucial for young students like myself. The Aish Morocco trip was a transformative experience that reminded me of the beauty of being Jewish. Morocco was an eye-opening journey of learning, discovery, and bonding that left us all feeling inspired and connected to our roots.”

To find out more about getting involved visit www.aish.org.uk

Mayor of Barnet - Councillor Alison Moore - officially reopening Head Room cafe

Mayor and Mayoress of Barnet with Cllr Andreas Ionnides (Colindale North) and Head Room’s community members

A spread of delicious food for the reopening of Jami’s mental health café

The USP that every business needs to have

BY ZARA NEWMAN, LEAD FOR DEVELOPMENT AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, JCOMMERCE

In an earlier column we focused on the importance for businesses to have their own unique ‘selling point’ that distinguishes them from others; yet here we are stating that there is a particular USP that EVERY business should have? The answer lies in that elusive concept, which has almost become a myth or fairy tale from long ago, called customer service!

Probably, many of you are now nodding your head sagely in agreement. Who remembers those heady days of excellent customer care or even, dare we say it, the old business adage of “The customer is always right.” In every sector or business nowadays, it feels that customer services is non-existent if not downright appalling. Whilst end-user (translate customer) satisfaction may be built into theories of nearly all companies strategic policies, it gets lost in translation when putting it into practice. Much of this is due to the fact that most ‘modern’ customer interaction has become faceless, centralised and digitalised, so that personal touch appears to have been lost forever. This is where, for once, small businesses are better placed to implement good customer care and provide more personalised services, as the owner tends to be the face of the business.

In our two part series, we will explore The Why? What? And How? Of connecting with your customers to help ensure that you incorporate customer satisfaction as core to your business.

WHY?

Return on investment (ROI) is an important business statistic. It is the mathematical calculation of the profit gained from an investment in business. Yet, any investment in customer care will be hard to quantify as it is not purely monetary, but the returns are obvious in terms of increased business due numerous issues.

An old Hebrew adage states: “There is nothing new under the sun”. Applying this to business, it is rare to find something that has never been made or sold before and even if you do, it will likely be copied fairly quickly. Low prices can be undercut, modern branding can be matched - launched a new product or service, your competitor can do the same. Decent customer service however, sets you apart giving that extra competitive edge and the value of your offering automatically increases. In fact, for many, their purchase is not purely price-dependant. People are happy to pay more if they get a better service and sometimes the main concern is not ‘What’s the price?’ but ‘What do I get for this price’

Better customer care has a direct impact on increased profitability by growing your business through customer loyalty and

retention. The more positive customer experience provided, the easier it is for customers to do business with you and the more likely it is that they will return. Making a good first impression is important and people may not always speak of a product or service, but they certainly will remember if they received poor service. In Microsofts’ “The State of Customer Service Report 2022” 90% of respondents stated that the quality of a company’s customer service plays a role in whether they remain loyal to a business or not.

Businesses that offer a more enjoyable customer experience distinguish themselves and are the ones you really remember. In the digital age of social media, it leads to a positive company image and boost to your reputation. Happy customers will tell their friends and connections, provide positive reviews and give word-ofmouth recommendations leading to new business, all essentially giving you ‘free’ marketing and positive branding. This is worth its weight in gold and more effective than paying for advertising as you will end up marketing to people who may not even have known about your business in the first place. An added bonus is that when you get to know your customers better, you gain valuable insights which will help you understand how to refine your product or service to better meet their needs.

The least obvious advantage of good customer care, but nevertheless just as important is that it leads to better employee morale and retention. People want to work

for a positive company that has clear values and it will enable staff to be ‘on message’ with your goals.

WHAT?

Good customer service is going beyond the basic product or service requirement. From the outset, it is important to understand that customer care is not just about when a problem arises. It covers the full experience people have when engaging with your company from pre-sales onwards. Your goal is to make sure customers have a positive experience with every interaction.

According to Brittany Hodak, author of the book “Creating Superfans” it is about the “three P’s – professionalism, patience and a ‘people first’ attitude.” Professionalism incorporates competency, good judgement and excellent communication skills amongst others. Requiring patience when dealing with customers is a pre-requisite; anyone in business knows that sometimes people can get quite cantankerous, even without merit. The important thing is to stay calm, re-assuring and work towards resolving any issue or concern. And of course, a person-centred approach to doing business, where the customer really feels that they are being cared for and their concerns are being listened to, is a win-win.

Even a small one-man band, shouldn’t underestimate the importance of making each interaction enjoyable. For example, in a shop, complete customer engagement will cover everything from the way goods are displayed, ease of access, the way the

shop assistant interacts and gives the appearance they care, perhaps going the extra mile to source a product.

Part II of this article will appear in our next column with advice on ‘How’ small businesses can improve Customer services.

Jcommerce is a charitable organisation set up to support businesses to economic self-sufficiency and address business challenges.

For more information about our business support services including, video soundbites from successful entrepreneurs, business advice and mentoring go to www.jcommerce.org

How can we turn unhappiness in to smiles?

Study the foundations of Jewish belief from a primary source. In Kisvei HaRambam, writings of the Rambam, including his famous 13 Principles of Faith and related selections, are translated phrase-by-phrase, annotated, and elucidated with additional insights. Enlightening, inspiring, and engrossing, this new ArtScroll commentary provides an opportunity to engage with fundamental aspects of the Torah in English and understand them clearly as never before.

INCLUDES:

Introduction to Cheilek • The Thirteen Principles of Faith

Essay on Techiyas HaMeisim • Letter on Astrology

Letter of Encouragement to Ibn Jabbar Selections from Mishneh Torah and more

ASK THE RABBI

Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com

I RESENT JFK (“JUST FOR KIDDUSH”)

Dear Rabbi

I have grown resentful of people who turn up in Shul just for Kiddush. Then there are those who come into Synagogue for all of ten minutes then go out for the Kiddush club. Who are they kidding? Why do they bother altogether? Shul is a sacred place, first and foremost, intended for prayer.

Manfred

Dear Manfred

I have come to realise that essentially there are two types of shul-goers. There are “episode shul-goers” and there are “continuum shul-goers.”

To explain: When you think about the “golden age of TV,” it was always the case that every episode was a standalone. What you watched today was completely disconnected from tomorrow. If you remember the Roadrunner, the way it worked was always, today the coyote would get caught in some explosion or fall off the edge of a cliff – the episode would end with the victorious Road Runner going “beep, beep” and you’d switch on again tomorrow and, miracle of miracles, the coyote would be fine, back in action. Every episode was a standalone. Today had nothing to do with yesterday or tomorrow.

These days however most shows you watch begin with, “previously on…” because what happened previously is inextricably linked to what’s happening now. You won’t know what’s happening in

Pirkei

episode two if you’ve missed episode one. Hence you have the modern-day phenomenon of “binge watching.” Even as you may be catching up on thirty-six episodes spanning three series, it’s like watching one long show.

We have continuum Jews who come to Shul frequently, they are involved in the community regularly, they are spiritually motivated and they’re there, morning and evening day in and day out, week in and week out.

And we have episode Shul-goers, which, let’s be frank, makes up most of the population that surface on the High Holidays, maybe a yartzeit and definitely a family simcha. Each experience is a stand-alone.

Jews identify for a myriad of reasons. In the past it was about religion. You identified as a Jew by virtue of your submission to the dictates and mandates of the faith. In later years it became more about culture, the gefilte fish on Friday night and the matzah balls on Seder night. For others it was limited to the liberal and fine arts, and in the post Holocaust era for many, Jewish identity became exclusively about Zionism and the State of Israel.

Today, as the Western world becomes more and more focused on finding the perfect niche for every person, and personalising everything from laptops to lattes, many Jews are customising their investment in Judaism, coming up with communities for everything from Jewish vegans, to Jewish pacifists and organisations such as “Kvetchy Kids” to “Jewish Parents in search of Nachas.”

Someone once commented

Avot

בוּבְז הָאְרִנ אֹלְו ,םָלוֹעֵמ שֶׁדֹקַֹּה רַשְַׂבְּ ַחיִרְסִה אֹלְו ,שֶׁדֹקַֹּה יֵצֲע לֶשׁ שֵׁא םיִמָשְׁג וּ בְּ ִכ אֹלְו ,םיִרוּ פִִּכִַּה םוֹיְבְּ לוֹדָגָּ ןֵהֹכְל יִרֶק עַרֵא אֹלְו יֵתְֵּשִׁבוּ רֶמֹעָבְּ לוּסְפ אָצְמִנ אֹלְו ,ןָשָׁעֶה דוּ מִַּע תֶא ַחוּרָה הָחְצָנ אֹלְו ,הָכָרֲעַמִַּה שָׁחָנ קיִזִִּה אֹלְו ,םיִחָוְר םיִוֲחַתֵּשׁ ִמוּ םיִפוּפְצ

Ten wonders were wrought for our ancestors in the Temple: [1] no woman miscarried from the odor of the sacred flesh; [2] the sacred flesh never became putrid; [3] no fly was ever seen in the slaughterhouse; [4] no emission occurred to the high priest on the Day of Atonement; [5] the rains did not extinguish the fire of

to me about the people sitting behind him in Shul talking about their golf handicap. “Can you imagine? They come into Shul on Rosh Hashanah and they’re talking golf?” And I said, “Can you imagine? Even as they want to talk golf, they come into Shul to talk about it, rather than being on the golf course playing it and talking about Shul!”

The bottom line remains: Every Jew is valued; every Jew counts. Whether you come indoors or you remain always outdoors; whether you’re there to pray or turning up just for Kiddush; regardless of your affiliation or none - whatever your niche, it’s not how you identify but that you identify – and that identity has to be the catalyst which prompts you, in your own way, to connect with your faith and your people.

SHOULD WE ALL BE PROTESTING?

Dear Rabbi

We’re all watching the news and observing the chaos going on in Israel. It is embarrassing to say the least. Why are we sitting here in the Diaspora so silent? Surely we should all be protesting outside the Israeli Embassy and showing our displeasure for the Israeli government. I know the Board of Deputies took lead on this but no one seems to have followed.

Fredrick

Dear Fredrick

There are people who support Benjamin Netanyahu. There are people who oppose Benjamin Netanyahu. It should be utterly and totally irrelevant to a Jew

anywhere on earth, particularly outside of Israel, who the Prime Minister of Israel is. I support Israel, not Prime Ministers. I have never critiqued Israel as a Canadian Jew (or British resident Jew). Of course I don’t agree with everything every Prime Minister does. But it is irrelevant. I live in the freedom and security of Great Britain, some three thousand miles away from Israel. Who the heck am I to tell Israelis how to vote? I feel

deeply passionate about this. I consider it profound chutzpah and wrong. I support Israel if there is a left wing government and Prime Minister or there is a right wing government and Prime Minister. If you want to critique make Aliyah. Then you can yell and scream all you like, as indeed many are doing. But from the UK, just be seen to give support to Israel and otherwise, to put it nicely, shut up.

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

Peter 5: Mishnah 5

the woodpile; [6] the wind did not prevail against the column of smoke; [7] no defect was found in the omer, or in the two loaves, or in the showbread; [8] the people stood pressed together, yet bowed down and had room enough; [9] never did a serpent or a scorpion harm anyone in Jerusalem; [10] and no man said to his fellow: the place is too congested for me to lodge overnight…

It is truly astonishing that so many miracles happened on a daily basis in the Beis Hamikdash for hundreds of

years, yet sadly many people were not religious at all. Famously even kings grew up ruling Israel totally unaware that these miracles were happening under their noses in their city, as they were carefully shielded by idol worshiping priests and officials. The Yetzer Harah makes everything seem normal even miracles and we must not fall into this trap. We must take this lesson to heart in our own life and appreciate what appears to be ‘natural’ is really miracles from Hashem.

sheleima for Avraham Menasha ben Channa Bracha

PRESENTS Hotels

PESSAH 2023

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Torah from Israel Managing Religious Guilt

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN

Failure is inherent to human behaviour and deeply woven into religious experience. Despite our best efforts to rise above our weaknesses and to transcend our limitations we all, inevitably, fail. Shlomo Hamelech spoke of a tzadik falling and recovering seven times. In general, he was correct, but he grossly understated the number of times we actually fall. We all wish it were only seven. In the aftermath of religious sin, we experience the heavy but absolutely vital emotion of guilt. Hashem watches our behaviour and when we fail, we let Him and ourselves down. A healthy degree of guilt is crucial for religious growth and for moral conduct. Guilt is the quiet whisper of our conscience prodding us to accept responsibility and to improve ourselves Without this whisper we risk religious freefall. Hashem endowed us with this precious and delicate emotion, providing us an inner compass to navigate our way through the thicket of human failure. Guilt is a tender and authentic moment of religious integrity, gifted to us from Hashem Himself.

But Hashem also expects us to move on from failure, bear our guilt, and find closure. Moving on from guilt is vital for inner emotional equilibrium and is also essential if we are to forgive others and accept their imperfections. If we can’t forgive ourselves, it is almost impossible to accept the imperfections and frailties of others. Under the suffocating weight of guilt, we have little generosity of spirit to spare. The people in our lives need us to feel less guilty and more charitable. Managing guilt is easier said than done, and there are many unhealthy byproducts of imbalanced religious guilt.

DEPRESSION FROM GUILT

Too much guilt can thrust us into dark spaces of depression and despair.

Reuven, the bechor of Ya’akov, is a tragic figure in part, because he could not manage his own guilt. Twice he intruded upon his father’s marital affairs: once intentionally and once unintentionally, by collecting flowers which would ultimately be bartered by his mother for his father’s marital attention. Feeling guilty about these breaches, he cannot muster the inner strength and confidence to decisively rescue his brother Yosef from being sold into slavery. Low in self-esteem, Reuven isn’t bold enough to rescue his brother, despite his well-intended intervention. Divested of his courage and suffering diminished self-esteem, he cannot act daringly to defy his murderous brothers. The Torah legislates a chatat sacrifice to help us better recover from sin and better manage our guilt. Notably, the korban

is called a chatat or sin-offering but is not referred to as a korban of a sinner. To move on from guilt we must separate between the deed and the do’er. We may have committed a crime but that doesn’t make us criminal. Sin and guilt mustn’t define us, even as we face the full brunt of our actions and accept the consequences of failure. Committing a sin doesn’t make us sinful people.

Accumulated religious guilt can become so overbearing, that the only escape seems to be the abandonment of religion. It is unpleasant to wake up every morning and feel burdened with guilt, and many walk out of religion to liberate themselves from this weight. The albatross of guilt is too haunting, forcing many to just check out of religion entirely.

Religion doesn’t mean getting it all right all the time. It does mean accepting Hashem’s will and trying to get it all right. Everyone fails, but religious people wake up the day after failure, wipe off the dust and get back into the ring. Guilt is healthy but feeling perennially guilty is not.

COMPULSIVE RELIGION

Even when religious guilt doesn’t spill over into depression, it can wreak havoc with emotional well-being. Religious people feel duty-bound to adhere to religious expectations and to avoid sin. Steadfast dedication to duty and the accompanying dread of failure can lead to neurosis. Obsession with “getting it right” and the panic of possible religious failure can drive us into compulsive religious behaviour. We force ourselves into repetitive behaviours or repetitive mental acts to calm our anxiety. Common examples of compulsive behaviour include repeatedly washing hands or repeating prayers for fear of missing a few words. In our frantic attempt to avoid guilt we desperately overperform religious duties. Afraid of failure and guilt, we instead become addicted to uncontrollable and harmful behaviour.

Even if guilt doesn’t cause compulsive

behaviour, it can still poison the overall taste of religious experience. Guilt-based religion feels heavy and suffocating rather than grand and beautiful. Religion starts to feel dark and menacing rather than radiant and redeeming. It becomes an obstacle course of potential hazards rather than a horizon of opportunity. Preoccupied with fear and dread there is little room in our imagination for spirit and vision. Guilt is crucial for a healthy religious lifestyle, but it must be carefully managed and should not become overwhelming.

DEFLECTING GUILT

While some indulge too deeply in guilt, others desperately attempt to flee from it. One of the easiest methods of avoiding guilt is to deflect it, blaming someone else or something else for our failures. By blame shifting we transfer guilt from ourselves to other forces. Blaming is toxic to relationships and can even become abusive. Gaslighting is a modern term which describes people who engage in sustained hostile and manipulative behaviour. One aggressive form of gaslighting is constantly shifting blame to someone else, making that person feel perpetually guilty, thereby reducing their self-esteem.

Modern cultural influences have made blame shifting easier. Over the past three centuries we have discovered that we are merely small powerless cogs in a bigger engine, at the mercy of forces larger than ourselves. Whether these forces are political, economic or psychological we aren’t responsible for our own behaviour. Marx asserted that human history was driven by class warfare over the distribution of wealth. Darwin traced human behaviour to evolutionary survivalist instincts. Freud suggested that we are driven by dark psychological forces beyond our control, namely our hatred of our father and our desire for our mother. Taken together, Darwin, Marx and Freud relandscaped a world of free choice into an ironclad deterministic world where

humans cannot determine their fate or their decisions and are therefore not responsible for their choices or their failures. Someone else or something else is to blame for our shortcomings. Given our lack of agency, guilt just gets in the way of happiness and should be banished. It makes us weak or neurotic, and usually both.

REPLACEMENT GUILT

An additional modern strategy for avoiding genuine guilt is replacing it with substitute guilt. White guilt is the belief that privileged races should feel guilty for global inequalities predicated upon historical injustices. Often this form of political guilt replaces actual moral guilt, freeing people to behave without moral constraint or without personal introspection. After all, if I am consumed with guilt for the underprivileged, I must possess moral integrity. Adopting fake guilt for entire races of oppressed people is a manner of virtue-signaling by which people convince themselves that they are ethical people. Sadly, people become so absorbed with guilt over classes of people they haven’t met and don’t live alongside, that they don’t have time to feel guilty about actual moral and religious failures in their private lives and in their personal relationships. In an age of globalism, political morality sometimes replaces actual moral behaviour and white guilt is just one example.

Guilt is one of our most precious emotions and mustn’t be ignored or denied. Just the same, overindulgence in religious guilt can deflate our spirit and degrade the quality of religious experience.

The writer is a rabbi at Yeshivat Har Etzion/Gush, a hesder yeshiva. He has smicha and a BA in computer science from Yeshiva University as well as a masters degree in English literature from the City University of New York.

A Treasure Trove of Precious Stories by RABBI YECHIEL SPERO

The Series That Impacted Thousands is Back!

When you read a story from Rabbi Yechiel Spero, you know there will be more. More inspiration. More surprises. More lessons and more uplift. These stories are a treasure trove, gems sparkling with emunah, ahavas Yisrael, and the power of prayer and hashgachah pratis: a precious gift from a master storyteller.

C. Saphir shows us again how one of the most effective ways we have to face – and surmount – our own challenges is to meet others who have overcome their challenges with courage, grace and emunah. LifeLines 4 contains authentic accounts of those who have had to deal with life’s trials and emerged stronger and wiser, plus “postscripts” that give us the “story behind the story.”

Fantasy or Reality: The Ultimate Challenge

BY RABBI SHMUEL REICHMAN

There was a peasant farmer in old Russia standing at the side of the road, weeping profusely. As he stood there, the Czar happened to pass by in his royal coach. The Czar saw the peasant, and when he noticed him weeping, he stopped his chariot to inquire what was wrong. The man tearfully explained that he had no land to farm, and thus he and his family were starving. The Czar, touched by this man’s misfortune, pulled out a stake from his chariot and drove it into the ground. He then gave the peasant three more stakes and instructed him: “Walk as far as you wish, and then drive this stake into the ground. Turn, walk again as far as you wish, and then place the next stake in the ground. Finally, turn again and walk as far as you’d like before placing the last stake in the ground. The land between the four stakes will be yours as a gift from me, the Czar.”

The man was overcome with joy and eagerly began to walk. After some time, he stopped and prepared to plant the stake in the ground. He was about to drive it in when he paused and thought, “Why should I stop here? I can have so much more land!” So, he continued to walk. After some time, he stopped and once again prepared to plant the stake in the ground. He was about to drive it in when he once again paused and thought, “Why should I stop here? I can have so much more!” So, he continued to walk. And as the story goes, he never stopped walking…

The message of this story is clear: we have so much potential in our lives, but only by transforming the limitless possibilities into something real can we ever accomplish anything. Only by giving up the limitless can we attain something meaningful.

POTENTIAL VS. ACTUAL

As the Maharal and others explain, there is an important relationship between the spiritual concepts of potential and actual.

• Potential is endless, multipotent, everything, and anything. It has no boundaries, no borders, and no limitations.

• Something real and actual, on the other hand, is restricted, has borders, and is limited only to what it is.

Potential might be endless, but it’s not real. What is real might be limited, but it has taken on true existence. Our lives are filled with experiences of both potential and actualized potential. Let us explore a few manifestations of these ideas in order to better understand this root concept.

TIME AS POTENTIAL

The prime illustration of the concept of

potential and reality lies in our relationship with time. When you wake up each morning, the day holds infinite potential. You have the time to do anything, go anywhere, meet anyone, etc. But that’s only potential, for in reality, you haven’t done anything yet, and in reality, you can’t do everything, only something. On the other hand, every night when you go to sleep, the potential of that day is completely gone. There is no time left. The only thing that remains is that which you made real from the time you were given, what you accomplished, and who you became that day. The sadness of this moment is that the potential is gone — your day is over; the joy is everything that you have accomplished, everything you have made real.

This same paradigm applies to life itself. At the beginning of life, you have infinite potential; you can become anything, learn anything, meet anyone, etc. Your whole life is ahead of you, but it is fully potential. This is not yet real; all that exists are the possibilities for what you can choose to become. It therefore does not yet have any lasting meaning. Only the potential that we actualize becomes eternal. At the end of our lives, we are out of time and out of potential. However, we have all the accomplishments that we spent a lifetime building. Consequently, there is a mixture of feelings at this point in time. On the one hand, we feel sadness when we think about how our potential is gone and our time is up. On the other hand, we feel tremendous joy when we think about all that we have accomplished, proud that we have taken the time we were given to build ourselves and to make our potential real.

WINTER VS. SUMMER

In secular culture, youth is associated with spring and summer, while old age is compared to winter. This is because youth is a time of potential, of excitement, of newness and fun. Old age, on the other hand, is when that potential is nearly gone, and the physical body has withered and gone cold. It is therefore associated with the depression and darkness of winter, as potential has dwindled, and death is nearing.

Fascinatingly, the Jewish approach is the exact opposite. Shlomo HaMelech (King Solomon) compares youth to winter and old age to summer. This is because winter is the time of planting seeds, the ultimate time of potential. It represents childhood, the beginning of your journey in this world. Summer, on the other hand, is like the end of life

when your seeds have borne crops and when you see all that you have produced with the life you’ve been given.

Secular culture is enamoured with youth and potential, paying less attention to actualizing potential and achieving greatness. The outlook of Judaism is not an infatuation with what can be; it is an appreciation of what has been made real. We don’t see potential as the ultimate goal; on the contrary, we aim for the rich satisfaction of actualized potential. This is the true joy of life; this is the ultimate summer.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

This pattern of potential and reality shapes the creative process as well. When you set out to create an artistic work — whether it’s a painting, sculpture, book, or anything of the sort — you have infinite potential. The creative process can lead you down any path, and there are endless possibilities of what you can make. However, in order to actually create a work of art, you must decide to make something specific. In other words, you must limit the endless potential in order to make something real. Interestingly enough, this process mirrors Hashem’s creation of the world. The Ramchal states that Hashem is infinite and therefore has the ability to create any type of world that He chooses. However, out of all the endless possibilities, He chose to create this world, the one you and I exist in.

THE STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES OF BOTH

Potential is beautiful, majestic, and infinitely precious. We all understand the value of potential. However, the weakness of potential is that it’s just that — potential. It’s not real, it’s merely theoretical. The greatness of something that has been actualized is that it’s tangible and real. The weakness, though, is that it’s only that and nothing more. A finished project is a form of actualized potential. It’s beautiful in that it’s real, but it’s still important to realize that it’s limited to what it is. It could have been anything else; there were endless possibilities. However, it’s now the specific and unique form that the artist chose to create.

LIMITING POTENTIAL FOR ACTUAL

The ultimate challenge is limiting infinite potential for the ability to create something real. Imagine if a wealthy and generous person offered you any amount of money in the world. “Just quote me a number and I’ll give it to you,” he says. Your mind races as you think about the amount of money you can request. Ten

thousand dollars? A million? Let’s say you finally decide to say five million dollars, and he hands over the money; the pleasure of that decision is that you are now five million dollars richer. The pain is that you don’t get a single dollar more. You could have said six million, five hundred million, or seven trillion. The list of potential numbers is never-ending. However, much like the farmer in our introductory story, if you can’t sacrifice potential for actual, you’ll end up with nothing. This struggle is a difficult one, and it pervades all areas of life. You’ll often hear people say, “Why marry this person; perhaps the next one who comes along will be better?” or “Why take this business offer; maybe the next one will be better?” When we fall prey to this line of thinking, we end up with nothing.

THE MODERN CHALLENGE

We like to fantasize about perfect futures, ideal living conditions, and ultimate relationships. However, sometimes we get so caught up in dreaming about a better life that we don’t end up living it. (It goes without saying that dreaming is essential. In fact, often we need to dream in order to wake up and live the life we are meant to live. But when we dream instead of living a life of growth and contribution, the dream becomes our very undoing.) This is a life trapped in potential without ever making that potential a reality. Potential is beautiful but only inasmuch as we utilize it; only in how we bring it to fruition. We must be willing to start with what we have, where we are, and work our way from there. May we be inspired to actualize our potential to the fullest extent, to choose the real over fantasy, and to prepare ourselves for the ultimate summer.

Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is a bestselling author, international speaker, and the CEO of Self-Mastery Academy. He has lectured internationally on topics of Torah thought, Jewish medical ethics, psychology, and leadership. His bestselling book, The Journey to Your Ultimate Self, serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought. He is also a business, executive, and leadership coach, with a unique approach based on Torah values. After obtaining his BA from Yeshiva University, he received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s RIETS, a master’s degree in education from Azrieli Graduate School, and a master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Bernard Revel Graduate School. He then spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Scholar. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and son where he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago. To enjoy more of Rabbi Reichman’s content, to contact him, or to learn more about his services, visit his website: ShmuelReichman.com

We have so much potential in our lives, but only by transforming the limitless possibilities into something real can we ever accomplish anything.

Children’s Haggadah

Mordechai Chalamish

Follow along as these six brothers tell the children of today all about their experiences during the slaver y and the geulah.

NEW FOR PESACH

M. Safra

Based on a stor y by Rabbi Marcus Lehmann

Follow in the footsteps of the genius and businessman, Reb Avraham from tests that have many twists and turns

Kodiel Secret

K. Katzen

What is the secret that Kodiel’s father has been keeping from him?

Will he sur vive Larius’ ambush? And can he possibly succeed in his mission? Follow our hero as he battles the forces of evil in a quest to redeem his birthright

Landing on Ice

M. Safra

Dr Herman Gold, a Jewish scientist, and his son, are on a plane that is forced to land on the ice sheet of Greenland. Who is tr ying to kidnap the scientist? Will he be saved? Or will World War III break out first?!

Eli & Sruli: Robi to the Rescue!

Written & illustrated by Motty Heller

Flight T4672 has

world is searching for it… And Sruli is on adventure in this popular series

Timeless

Ben Ish Chai on Pesach

M. Safra

Zeidy Ephraim is back with a whole new series of Timeless Tales stories from Chacham Yosef Chaim, the Ben Ish Chai zt”l

Yossel & Mendel: Fight

Chaim Waldman

Yossel and Mendel, twins in Poland during the Holocaust, run from the Nazis and soon find themselves partnering with partisan fighters in the forest. An exciting historical comic brought to life with 3D imaging technology Carefully reviewed by educators

Based on the bestselling novel by Shmuel Argaman

Vertigo

Sara Potash Pachter

true stor y of a brave Jewish pilot who ser ved in the Vietnam War

Point Blank 1

Yonah Sapir

for Hire series continues. Follow Eyal Gilboa into Tavor Prison. Warning! Serious suspense ahead!

102 Stories

Volume 2 of this Bestselling Series!

Toras Chaim

Haggadah

Compiled by Rabbi Shalom

Meir Wallach

People’s Lives

Rabbi Tzvi Nakar

Gripping tales of hashgachah pratis, that inspire readers to forge a deeper connection with Hashem.

Not Easily Severed

Miriam Luxenberg

passes away, secrets begin to explode What will his wife and grown daughters do with them all? And what of Rav Yedidya? Will he ever marr y?

in Flanders Fields

Hannah Ludzker

Esther — A young Jewish woman unraveling her family ’ s past A shidduch suggestion throws her some unexpected answers — and raises many more questions

Easy recipes for Pesach & beyond

Pesach with Avigail Meizlik

Super delicious Super easy Follow Israel’s top chareidi chef to freedom from boring Pesach food!

Ice Cubes

Sarah Malovitzsky

Batya Adler was a normal tenth grader, until she wasn’t When kidney failure and dialysis take over her life, she is forced to battle — and grow up fast Good thing she takes her sense of humor along for the ride.

Family Fun Vayikra

The Jewish people had set up their Mishkan and now it was time to put it to good use! Moshe is called into the area of the Mishkan by Hashem and is taught all the laws of the sacrifices. Some were offered up daily, others weekly or on special festival days but the majority of this week’s Parsha discusses other

sacrifices. Some are brought in the form of animals, birds or a meal offering. Some have parts of the animal eaten by the Kohanim and some are entirely consumed by the fire on the Mizbeach. Bringing an offering to Hashem was sometimes done to atone for a sin, or on other occasions, but it would always have

been accompanied with strong feelings of closeness to Hashem and true happiness to be part of a nation so proud to serve Him always! This is a message we can remember even today, when we cannot bring up the sacrifices in the Beit Hamikdash but we pray for it’s return speedily in our day!

Sidra Word Search Dingbats

Most goals scored by a single player in an official match

Back in December of 1942, Stephan Stanis scored a staggering 16 goals for his side Racing Club de Lens, not a single person, since then, has managed to break this bizarre record which now stands tall since 78 years.

Tangram Challenge!

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.

Last week’s words

Use the area below to write the words you have found.

Here are some words you may have found from last week – you may have found more!

Jokes Riddles

Q: Why did the boy throw a bucket out the window? A: He wanted to see the waterfall.

Q: Why did the girl throw butter out the window? A: She wanted to see the butterfly.

Q: Why did the boy throw his watch out the window? A: He wanted to see time fly.

Q: What do you call a bee that can’t make up its mind? A: A Maybe

1. What does December have that other months don’t have?

2. If a red-house is made of red bricks, has a red wooden door, and a red roof, and a yellow-house is made of yellow bricks, has a yellow wooden door, and a yellow roof, then what is a green-house made of?

3. What kind of coat is always wet when you put it on?

3. A coat of paint!

2. Glass!

1. The letter D!

Answers

Using all the shapes on the left can you make the boat shape on the right?

of The Year!

This rich repository of foundational parenting psychology and practical down-to-earth guidance will help set you on the way to create loving and enduring bonds with your children. Applicable for those parenting all ages and stages, it will help you navigate the challenges of raising children in today’s turbulent times. Includes section on children in crisis.

A Passion for Torah, for life, and for every fellow Jew!

Encounter the energy, wisdom, and love of life…read the amazing stories, precious insights, and vital lessons that jump out of every powerful page…that will encourage you to change and grow! It’s a book for everyone –and that includes You!

Learn

HiLcHos

In an easy and concise format, this highly praised and comprehensive book is designed for daily learning. With hundreds of practical examples, you will come to know what is and isn’t lashon hara, and develop a greater sensitivity to positive speech…in just 3 minutes a day!

The book every moTher will wanT To share wiTh her children…

Heartfelt words in gentle, reassuring messages combine with charming illustrations to help children better understand the constant love of a parent and the eternal love that Hashem has for each of His children. A book that is sure to strengthen the bond between you and your children, and your children and Hashem, forever.

The TiTanic may have gone down…but not Rav Moshe Wallis!

Relive the challenging, pioneering days of building the Holy Land with the intrigue, excitement, and non-stop adventure that always accompany the “unsinkable” Moshe Wallis.

A New Era Dawns in Super-Agent Gizmo 5

Gizmo and Morty team up against an all-new sinister enemy bent on stealing Gizmo’s most prized possession. Can Gizmo, with the help of Zeidy, uncover and stop the General’s evil plan? And most importantly, will Gizmo jump into Torah-true emunah and realize that we don’t rely on kings, politicians, everyday people or even a robot dog, but only on Hashem?

there, so beware!

Rabbi Baruch Chait & Gadi Pollack have done it again: Spectacular illustrations and engaging text combine to highlight the importance and value of “good middos” in a way that captures the imagination, as it educates and motivates.

3 New Titles i n T h e Tannaim Series!

Young readers: get readY to meet some of the greatest teachers in Klal Yisrael. g reat stor Y telling, livel Y comic boo K format – add up to a wonderful learning experience.

Onkelos the Ger

Be inspired by the incredible story of the son of Titus’s sister who converted to Judaism and went on to translate the Torah into Aramaic…the Targum we recite each week, to this very day.

Coming Soon!

Experience the sweet taste of learning with The Ziggawat Family

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya

Born before the Churban, he was later head of the Sanhedrin in Yavneh, and peacefully handled many serious issues that arose between the Roman government and the Jews.

Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha

Born after the Churban, he studied in Yavneh, was close to Rabbi Akiva, and was well known for how he dealt with the poor, especially poor girls of marriageable age.

Escape!

Where Action & Adventure

17 delightful Yom Tov stories designed to teach young children proper use of Sh’vaNa and Sh’va-Nach, become a learning adventure that is animated, exciting, and most of all – FUN! Filled with Torah lessons and middos tovos, these stories not only help immensely with Kriah, but also help children develop good, lifelong character traits.

The Social Scene

Literally Jump Off Every Page!

Stunning visuals and thrilla-minute excitement follow the Jewish Partisans as they escape a massive German and Japanese manhunt, in graphic storytelling at its very best.

Penina, and Raizy as they navigate common social scenarios. Sometimes they mess up, and sometimes they perform beautifully— just like all of us. Of course, The Social Scene is never boring. Laugh along with all the missteps and mishaps, and learn some lessons along the way!

Yet underneath her Syrian charm and exuberant nature, she’s harboring an agonizing secret. And she’s not the only one. The plot thickens with a grim-faced dorm counselor, a series of frightening messages, and a wrenching separation. As Tunie silently struggles to own up to her past, she uncovers hidden strengths from a most unlikely source.

Another delicious recipe from Denise Phillips

For more recipes and inspiration visit my website: www.jewishcookery.com

Using Up Your Chometz

It is countdown to Pesach. The work starts -cleaning, decluttering, and removing the chometz in the house. Time to stop buying the pulses, grains, bread, cereals, jars, tins or frozen foods that are not permitted during Pesach.

Any opened jars in your fridge that include sauces, mustard, pastes like pesto, tahini, hummus, mayonnaise, ketchup need to be used or thrown. It makes me laugh when it comes to the last week before Pesach - the concoctions that I hear about from friends and family just to use up ‘chometz’ items. UFOs (Unidentified Freezer Objects) are used, food that you had forgotten about or thought you would use ‘one day’ and have just not.

Let me share some tasty creations for your family meals that might help you use up some of the ‘chometz’ in your kitchen.

Soups of all description are a good start; lentil, rice, pasta and sauces work well, but add in small quantities or to taste. Do check the flavouring regularly when adding random food items as over seasoning or too many flavours and the recipe will be a disaster.

Stews, casseroles, hot pots using chicken

pieces, lamb or beef are a great way to use up opened bottles of wine, whisky, spices, tomato sauces, BBQ sauce, grains of all description, but not pasta -over cooked pasta is not nice. Make sure you have enough liquid to accommodate the extra required to cook the pulses. Brown rice uses more liquid than white and if you use bulghur wheat, cous cous or barley – you can cook these for long periods of time as they do not spoil.

Opened bottles of teriyaki, hoisin sauce and pesto make tasty toppings for fillets or sides of salmon or cod.

Any excess bread can be cut up into croutons and baked; they are delicious on top of salads or stews, or transform into breadcrumbs using the food processor. Use the breadcrumbs in meat, veggie burgers or fishballs, or as part of a crunchy gratin topping.

Cashew nut and Spinach Passover Lasagne

This is a delicious vegan main course which looks as good as it tastes. Season the different layers well.

Preparation Time: 45 minutes

Cooking Time: 1 hour

Serves: 4–6 people

Ingredients

210g raw cashews, soaked in water overnight or boiled for 10 minutes, then drained, retaining 100ml water

2 heads of garlic

950ml vegetable stock

850g potatoes peeled and cut into small pieces

1 head of cauliflower, cut into small florets

3 tablespoons fresh dill – roughly chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons salt

300g fresh spinach (or you can use frozen and defrost)

450ml unsweetened almond milk or other non-dairy milk

6 – 8 plain / whole wheat / spelt large matzos

Topping: 100g cherry tomatoes – cut in half

Garnish: Fresh dill, 50g roasted cashew nuts

Method

1. Soak the raw cashew nuts with cold water overnight or boil for 10 minutes. Retain 100ml of the water.

2. Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F / Gas mark 6.

3. To make the roasted garlic, cut about 3 cm off the tops of 2 heads of garlic. You should be able to see the tops of the cloves inside their peels. Wrap the heads individually in foil and bake for 30 minutes. The garlic cloves should be golden and soft when fully roasted. Set aside to cool. Peel the roasted garlic cloves from their skins or squeeze them out of their skins. Set aside.

4. Lower the oven heat to 180°C / 375°F / Gas mark 4.

5. In a saucepan, bring the vegetable stock, potatoes, and cauliflower to boil. Simmer for 15 minutes until the potatoes and cauliflower are completely soft.

6. Drain the stock and add the olive oil, oregano, and the cloves from one head of roasted garlic to the potato and cauliflower. Mash the cauliflower and potatoes with a potato masher until they resemble mashed potatoes. Leaving some chunks are fine. Add 3 tablespoons fresh dill and season well.

Bread puddings, especially chollah bread and butter pudding is a great family favourite in my household.

Make schnitzel with the left-over breadcrumbs, sesame seeds, crushed tortilla chips, cereal, oats or crackers. A new favourite in the making!

Stuffed apples and apple puddings are also a tasty way of using up bread, spices, flour and oats.

The variations are endless; let me know your favourite ‘chometz creation’ before Pesach. Email me denise@jewishcookery.com.

7. In a food processor, blend the cashews, 100ml water, salt, and the remaining garlic cloves, from the second head of roasted garlic, until completely smooth.

8. In a large square ovenware dish, spoon 75ml cashew cream over the bottom of the pan. Place matzo crackers on top, forming a single layer. It’s fine if you have to break the matzo crackers to fit your dish.

9. After the matzo layer, add 60ml almond milk over the matzo to moisten it a bit. Then, add the following layers, remembering to put matzo in between: 75ml of the mashed cauliflower potato, 60ml spinach, 60ml cashew cream.

10. Repeat the layering 2 more times. Then place your final layer of matzo crackers on top.

11. Finish with a layer of almond milk, a layer of spinach, and cashew cream.

12. Add the topping of sliced tomatoes, with the seeds facing upwards.

13. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, bake uncovered for 5 more minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

90 Seconds is the story of how a boy who failed in school created Israel’s United Hatzalah, one of the world’s largest all-volunteer emergency service. It’s the story of dramatic rescues, sometimes under fire. Of life-changing and life-saving innovations such as the “ambucycle.” It is the story of how with determination, vision, self-sacrifice and compassion – and, of course, siyata diShmaya – lives can be saved and dreams can come true.

EXPERT ADVICE

I have a large house in a good road that I want to sell, some of my friends say I should sell this “off market.” Do you think that this is the best way? Denise C.

We get asked this question often and before I answer, I would like to first explain what “off market” can mean. Typically, this means that the property will not be actively advertised online. It can mean that you instruct an estate agent to not list the property on any internet site at all, and only provide details to a select list of contacts that the agent has. Sometimes you can also have a for sale board at the property but without any online presence. You may think that this way the property is sold discretely which of course does have value, however we find that in most cases words spreads swiftly in any event and you find that people who live local to the property are always aware anyhow l. Trust the neighbours! The price can then be misquoted and often this leads to confusion and an unclear asking price and indeed lower final sale price achieved.

You can only sell your property once and one wants to feel that they obtained the best possible sale price. Therefore, I almost always advise to market the property on the market with a high street estate agent that does use all three of the key property portals.

The level of exposure that three largest property portals had in the month of February 2023 was well over 100 million site visits. Rightmove had 92M, Zoopla 28.8M and OnTheMarket 13.9M. (Source - similarweb.com) This means that your property is seen by far more people than any agent can hold on their records and you can always be certain that you have reached all possible buyers that are out there looking and thus ensuring the best possible sale result for you.

Roundtree Real Estate use all three portals and would be happy to assist with your sale; please feel to email us sales@theroundtree.com and we can discuss further.

SHIPPING

STEPHEN MORRIS SHIPPING

With almost 40 years experience, our company has the ability to move household and personal effects and antiques and fine art with the professionalism and care that comes from that experience coupled with an attention to detail.

We construct our own Tri-Wall and wooden packing cases on site and employ full-time art installers and handymen for those ‘extra’ jobs that always need doing on a move or installation. And size is no limitation – we have moved trains, boats and planes across the world and even bridges and a 5,000 seater tent!

Contact: 020 8832 2222 info@shipsms.co.uk www.shipsms.co.uk

CHARITY

JEWISH CARE

Jewish Care is the largest health and social care organisation serving the Jewish community in London and the South East. Our vital services touch the lives of 10,000 people every week. We provide services and offer a wide range of support groups to older people, people with mental health needs, Holocaust survivors, people living with dementia, people with a variety of needs and carers support.

FINANCIAL SERVICES (FCA) COMPLIANCE

JACOB BERNSTEIN

A member of the APCC, specialising in financial services compliance for: Mortgage, Protection and General Insurance Intermediaries; Lenders, Credit Brokers, Debt Counsellors and Debt Managers; Alternative Investment Fund Managers;

• E-Money, Payment Services, PISP, AISP and Grant-making Charities.

Contact: 020 7781 8019 info@richdale.co.uk www.richdale.co.uk

WEALTH MANAGMENT

MARC OVITS – BA (HONS) APFS CERT PFS (DM)

Over 25 years of successful experience in financial services including 11 years of investment banking experience. Offering expert independent financial advice to individuals, businesses, charities and trusts. Individual services:- Wealth Management, Investment, Retirement, Estate/IHT, protection planning, Tax Mitigation and Cash Management Solutions

Business & Charity services:- Investment Planning, Business Succession & Business Exit Planning, Business Protection, Corporate Pensions, Employee Benefits, Cash Management Solutions, Profit extraction strategies

Alpha Wealth Management

Contact: 020 8203 6920 info@alphawm.co.uk www.alphawm.co.uk

BUTCHERS

KOSHER DELI

Kosher Deli was established with the intention of making kosher meat and poultry affordable for all with the convenience of multiple locations and a comprehensive delivery service. All this without compromising on kashrus or quality.

Locations in: Golders Green, Hendon, Temple Fortune, Edgware, Borehamwood & Manchester

ESTATE AGENT

Contact: 020 8381 4450 info@kosherdeliuk.co.uk www.kosherdeli.co.uk

MARTIN FRYDENSON - ROUNDTREE REAL ESTATE

Roundtree Real Estate are your local experienced Estate Agent having been established on the High Street since 2009. We are both ARLA and NAEA Propertymark regulated and we are here to offer you expert advice in Property Sales, Lettings, Commercial and Full Management Services, covering Hendon, Golders Green, Finchley, Colindale and surrounding areas. We have built long standing relationships with all our clients and should you have any property related queries please do contact us.

Contact: 020 8922 2222 helpline@jcare.org www.jewishcare.org

Contact: 020 8203 2111 mail@theroundtree.com www.theroundtree.com

YOUR FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPLIANCE EXPERTS in association with richdale

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

MARTIN HEIMAN – SMARTINET

We’ve been providing businesses with all of their communication needs since 2010. We specialise in supplying businesses with VoIP Packages, Mobile Plans, Broadband, Card Merchant Services, Leased Lines, On-Hold Marketing, and Call Centre Services. Smartinet, your reliable and efficient business communications provider.

UK ALIYAH ADVISORS

UK ALIYAH ADVISORS – CURRENCY TRANSFER WORLDWIDE – WIREPAY ISRAEL

At Wirepay Israel, we provide specialist currency exchange services.

Having seen the currency exchange options which were available for Anglo Olim, Wirepay Israel was started in 2007 to provide a better, more efficient foreign exchange service. Using our special in-house technology, combined with bespoke customer service and competitive exchange rates, we help you bring and send your money to and from Israel (and worldwide).

Contact: 0333 613 0000 connect@smartinet.co.uk smartinet.co.uk

ENERGY PERFORMANCE

EPC NATIONAL

EPC NATIONAL are leading experts in providing EPC certificates for domestic & non-domestic properties nationwide.

Especially with the new regulations coming, we provide guidance to all of our clients. Call the team to discuss any requirements.

Contact: +972 (0)53 354 1186 eli@wirepayisrael.com https://wirepayisrael.com/about.html

FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

STEPHEN COLMAN – INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

An independent mortgage broker directly authorised by FCA specialising – for over 25 years - in the more ‘challenging’ situations. We take care of the whole mortgage process on your behalf, handling all aspects of buying your residential or investment property. In addition over the past 5 years we have been at the forefront in arranging Equity Release mortgages for the over 55’s

Contact: 03300 881141 info@epcnational.co.uk www.epcnational.co.uk

Contact: 07956 234 524 020 8458 9137 stephencolman2@aol.com

What will you read this yom tov?

Step Inside My Classroom

Malky Brailofsky

This is the heartwarming story of a woman who grew into a master mechaneches, who imparts lessons that extend far beyond the classroom walls.

Guidelines: Laws of Preparing Food on Shabbos

Rabbi Elozor Barclay

Rabbi Yitzchok Jaeger

Questions and answers about the laws of preparing food on Shabbos.

The Win-Win Marriage

This book can empower anyone — and this includes you — to get back on track to building a harmonious Jewish home that shines with love, joy, and fulfillment.

Shabbat and the Festivals

Akiva Tatz

Shabbat is much more than a “weekend,” and the festivals are much more than traditional celebrations of an ancient culture. This book, by bestselling author Akiva Tatz, shows why.

The Man at the Wall

The Story of Rav Meir Schuster

Carol Ungar

This is the awe-inspiring story of a man who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Children will be inspired by this leveled reader and enjoy its detailed illustrations.

6th-Grade Conspiracies

Chaya Sara Ben Shachar

Chaya Sara Ben Shachar has woven an unusual, fun-filled tale. With characters hopping off the pages, this is one book you won’t want to put down — and that’s no conspiracy.

The Mystery in the Warehouse

Henye Meyer

Henye Meyer’s irrepressible detectives are back! Find out how eleven-year-olds can accomplish great things if they all work together, in this exciting sequel to The Mystery of the Empty House

Flight of the Doves

Susie Garber

In this suspenseful historical novel, talented author Susie Garber takes readers on a fascinating journey. Join Bayla as she spreads her wings on her courageous flight to freedom.

Yechezkel Stelzer

LSJS Education Page

What can the Menorah teach us about Jewish education?

BY ABI KEEENE

There is an intense debate in Israel, and gradually across the Diaspora, about the Israeli government’s judicial reform legislation and the degree to which it impacts on the democratic nature of the State of Israel. Mass protests are taking place and the atmosphere is fraught, with little prospect of de-escalation.

Finding ways to engage our students with this issue isn’t easy. Yet that is precisely our role as educators: to develop the thinking of the next generation so they can thrive as individuals, and together help us grow as a community.

Outside the Knesset, where the judicial reform legislation is being debated, stands a Menorah. It is a symbol of hope; a reminder to us all, in Israel and the Diaspora, that whatever historic challenges we’ve faced, or however worrying things appear today, there is always the prospect of a solution, of finding some light.

At JFS, where I am the Director of Jewish Life and Learning, this idea represented by the Menorah, is reflected in our school’s motto: Orah Veyikar, ‘Light and Honour’, which goes to the heart of what we aim to do: bring the light of Judaism to our students so that through their actions and choices, they can illuminate the world.

The Menorah itself also symbolises the task of Jewish education, and how we should approach it. Rabbi Sacks zt”l observed:

of the week

Batya Livne

Hasmonean Primary School

Ivrit teacher

Where did you train?

Bar Ilan University

What is the best part of your job?

I love hearing the children speaking in Ivrit and I am thrilled when I see that the children are enjoining the lessons. It makes me so happy when they pass me in the corridor and tell me how excited they are that they are having Ivrit today.

Like with leadership, being a successful Jewish educator requires humility. We cannot live in an ivory tower – or the apex of a pyramid - disconnected from the realities on the ground if we want the next generation to live fulfilled Jewish lives, inspired by their Judaism.

The Menorah, with its narrow base and broad top, reminds us that we constantly have to explore different pedagogic approaches to find the one – or if we are lucky, more than one – that will spark a flame of Jewish identity in our students that will not flicker and die over time, but nourish the soul and act as a lifelong guiding light.

That is how we bring light and honour not just to their lives. Our Jewish schools and educators, together with the wider

organisational ecosystem that support them, such as LSJS, remain critical. If the Jewish educators provide the spark, educational organisations like LSJS provide the oil. Without the oil, no Menorah will stay alight for long.

Rabbi Sacks wrote: “Jewish education is not what we know, it is who we are.” Today, in an increasingly confusing and complex world, we must give our students a sense of who they are. They need an anchor so that when moments of tension arise, whether in Israel or the Diaspora, they will have the skills and knowledge needed to keep their own Menorah burning bright. That is what inspires me to be a Jewish educator, and why continued investment in Jewish education remains as crucial as ever.

Abi Keene is Assistant Headteacher and Director of Jewish Life and Learning at JFS, and she participated in LSJS’s “The Future of Jewish Education in the UK” report. Abi was also recently selected to be one of the first cohort of Sacks Scholars, a legacy programme being run by The Rabbi Sacks Legacy.

“In a social order in which everyone has equal dignity in the eyes of Heaven, a leader does not stand above the people. They serve the people, and they serve G-d. The great symbol of biblical Israel, the Menorah,

is an inverted pyramid or ziggurat, broad at the top, narrow at the base. The greatest leader is therefore the most humble.”

Long road to Euro 2024 begins

BY DAVID SAFFER

Home nations begin the long road to the Euro 2024 finals in Germany tonight.

Harry Kane will lead England’s hopes and can become England’s all-time record goal scorer when Gareth Southgate’s face defending champions Italy in the hostile atmosphere of Naples in Group C. Kane sits alongside Wayne Rooney on 53 goals. It is only a matter of time when the record is his alone. England host Ukraine on Sunday.

Southgate’s line up will have many of the side that lost on penalties to the Italians at Wembley in the 2021 final. Victory would be welcome but a draw will be a satisfactory result.

Northern Ireland start out with a comfortable fixture against San Marino (Group H), Scotland host Cyprus (Group A), Wales, without Gareth Bale following his

retirement from the game, face a stern test in Croatia (Group D) while the Republic of Ireland have arguably the toughest game as they welcome World Cup finalists France with Kylian Mbappe the new national captain (Group B).

The clash of the opening round of games could be France’s fixture with the Netherlands but the competition is wide open with a host of countries in with a shout of glory.

Three all-time greats, Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Luka Modric (Croatia) and Robert Lewandoski (Poland), will most likely be playing their last major tournament.

Ronaldo, 38, will be looking to add to his global record goal scoring statistics. Currently he has 828 goals to his name, 118 on the international stage, from 1,115 games. Don’t be surprised if he continues until he had scored 1,000 senior goals.

The qualifying tournament runs until

November 23 split into seven groups of five teams and three groups of six teams.

Euro 2024 qualifying groups:

GROUP A: Spain, Scotland, Norway, Georgia, Cyprus.

GROUP B: Netherlands, France, Republic of Ireland, Greece, Gibraltar.

GROUP C: Italy, England, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Malta.

GROUP D: Croatia, Wales, Armenia, Turkey, Latvia.

GROUP E: Poland, Czech Republic, Albania, Faroe Islands, Moldova.

GROUP F: Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Estonia.

GROUP G: Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Lithuania.

GROUP H: Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, Northern Ireland, San Marino.

GROUP I: Switzerland, Israel, Romania, Kosovo, Belarus, Andorra.

GROUP J: Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Liechtenstein.

Following the opening games the domestic football returns with Arsenal looking to retain an eight point advantage over Manchester City in the Premier League.

City face Sheffield United and will be favourites to reach the FA Cup final where there could be a first ever Manchester derby if United overcome Brighton in the semi-finals at Wembley next month.

As for the Champions League, there are only two English teams in the quarterfinals. Favourites City have a huge challenge as they face Bayern Munich whilst Chelsea will be underdogs against defending champs Real Madrid. In the other ties former winners Benfica have been drawn against Inter Milan whilst AC Milan play Napoli.

Pesach Is Coming! is a delightful picture book that guides your children – page after page - through all the activities and excitement leading up to, and including, the glorious Seder night. This year, give your kids that extra boost of anticipation that will make their Yom Tov – extra special!

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