The Jewish Weekly Issue 274 - March 30th

Herzog seeks judicial reform breakthrough

BY DAVID SAFFER

President Issac Herzog has met with Yesh Atid and National Unity Party officials on behalf of the coalition to broker a resolution on judicial reform.

He has also held meetings with representatives of other Knesset factions including the Labor Party, Hadash-Ta’al and United Arab List to avoid an escalation in the war of words and mass protests. It is hoped common ground for further discussion can be found.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu halted the Judicial Reform Bill after tens of thousands of protestors forced him to act on Monday night.

Herzog expressed cautious optimism for a resolution on Tuesday evening.

“I hope that yesterday (Monday) made us change our path as a society and as a state, and that the opportunity created by pausing the legislation will bring with it an honest, serious, and responsible discussion,” he said at a speech at

Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum.

Herzog added that halting legislation “will calm tensions, reduce friction and lead to positive results and broad agreements”.

Herzog continued: “There’s no doubt that this is a sensitive time. We all need to take responsibility.

I’ve always said and will continue saying, if one side wins then the country loses. We must band

together as one people and one democratic Jewish state.”

A day earlier, Netanyahu addressed the nation after protracted discussions over National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatening to dissolve the government.

Netanyahu called for unity but lambasted an “extreme minority” for tearing the country apart.

He noted. “We are not facing

enemies, we are facing brothers. I say here and now, there cannot be a civil war. We are on the path of a dangerous collision in Israeli society.”

Netanyahu suspended the second and third readings of legislation to try and reach agreement during the next Knesset.

He noted: “One way or another,

President Herzog discusses judicial reform with Knesset factions

PHOTO: GPO

Yom Hashoah Communal Event

we will bring about a reform that will restore the balance that was lost between the authorities, while preserving and even strengthening the rights of the individual.”

National Unity’s Benny Gantz and Yesh Atid’s Yair Lapid stated they were open to talks following an appeal by Herzog for all sides to reach an agreement.

“These are terrible days, from which we must emerge stronger and united,” Gantz said.

Lapid added: “Heading into the 75th year of the state we must sit down together and write a constitution based on the values of the Declaration of Independence. This is all we have demanded in the last two months.”

Lapid warned protests would continue if Netanyahu does not negotiate in good faith.

The judicial furore came within hours of Netanyahu returning from a whistle stop trip to the UK where he held talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Netanyahu sacked Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after he had called a halt to proceedings.

Gallant, whilst Netanyahu was in the UK, warned of a risk to Israel’s security and a weakened strategic position against Iran, terror groups and criticism from the international community including the US.

Netanyahu supporters rallied outside the Supreme Court whilst detractors held mass demonstrations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

A day of high drama saw Liberman call Netanyahu’s actions a “tactical manoeuvre” to pacify the protest.

The workers’ union of Israel Airports

Authority announced there would be no flights abroad from Ben Gurion Airport after Histadrust chairman Arnon Bar-David announced a historic general strike to “stop the madness”.

He said: “We are all coming together to shut down the State of Israel. The shopping centres and factories will close. We have a mission to stop this wave of legislation and we will win. We will return the State of Israel to sanity.”

He added: “For the past 12 weeks I have tried my best to bring about a halt to legislation, to mediate and bring about a resolution but there is a limit to how long we can stand on the sidelines. We are facing historic times and a historic general strike with workers and employers joining hands before we fall into the abyss. All of us, from the left and the right wings of the political spectrum, are united as one front. We are soldiers of a democratic Israel, our country, belonging to all its citizens who built it and fought for it. I encountered people on the streets last night, crying real tears. adults, crying that the country has been taken away from them.” Bar-David appealed to Netanyahu. “Stop the legislation before it is too late.”

Hospitals, MDA, firefighting and rescue services and Israel Electric Company would operate in ‘Shabbat mode’. And the Israel Medical Association announced a full strike of the health care system aside from life-saving treatments. Pharmacies and supermarkets remained open.

IMA Chairman Zion Hagay said: “It is time to say enough.”

Head of the Federation of Local Authorities, Haim Bibas, said the rift in Israeli society had crossed the point of no return.

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Starmer ends Corbyn’s Labour election hopes

BY ADAM MOSES

Labour’s governing body has blocked former leader Jeremy Corbyn standing as a candidate at the next general election.

The National Executive Committee backed a motion from Keir Starmer which ends Corbyn’s hopes of returning to the Commons as a Labour MP. There is no appeal process.

It has been reported that Corbyn is considering running as an independent candidate in Islington North.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has welcomed the result not to endorse Corbyn’s candidacy given the “central role” he played in the Party’s antisemitism scandal.

CAA pointed out though that Corbyn remains a member of the Party.

A spokesman noted: “He (Corbyn) has never been subjected to formal disciplinary proceedings or expelled. Even this decision to try to sever ties with him has been framed as being about him costing the Party votes. This is therefore not a stand against racism but a pragmatic approach to try to win elections.”

Starmer’s motion passed by a vote of 22 to 12 to avoid a detrimental impact on Labour’s standing as a whole, the Party and politically at the next election.

Corbyn said in a statement that Starmer “denigrated the democratic foundations” of the party”.

Starmer confirmed Corbyn would not stand as a candidate for the party at the next general election at a press conference in February following an announcement by the Equality and Human Rights Commission that it would be lifting the party out of special measures regarding antisemitism.

Corbyn, who had represented Islington North since 1983, was suspended as a Labour MP in 2020 following the furore over antisemitism in the party.

At the time he said the scale of the problem was “dramatically overstated for political reasons” by opponents inside and outside the party and media. Though readmitted, he sits as an Independent.

CAA are awaiting action over past complaints, including Corbyn and Angela Rayner.

CAA acted against anti-Semitism in the

party in 2015, calling Labour institutionally anti-Semitic after the Chakrabarti white wash. In 2018, CAA labelled Corbyn an anti-Semite. Thou sands attended CAA rallies demanding justice, but Labour refused to reform. CAA referred the Party to the EHRC.

The watchdog noted there were “serious fail ings” in leadership, specif ic examples of unlawful harassment and unlaw ful indirect discrimina tion, political interference from the leader’s office in anti-Semitism cases aside from an inadequate process for handling anti-Semitism complaints.

Starmer accepted the re port in full, describing it as “a day of shame” for Labour. He vowed to act.

Jeremy Corbyn

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Bibi and Rishi discuss threat of Iran

BY DAVID SAFFER

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak discussed the Iranian nuclear threat at Downing Street last Friday.

Netanyahu, during a whistle stop trip, thanked Sunak for the UK’s stand against Iran and called on major powers to “step up the pressure” alongside Israel.

Netanyahu also met with British Home Secretary Suella Braverman to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Protests however outside Downing Street against the Israeli coalition government’s controversial judicial reforms to weaken Supreme Court powers overshadowed the visit.

Plans for a media photo shoot were cancelled and there was no joint press statement.

Netanyahu landed in Israel on Friday where he met with Sunak to discuss security, intelligence and economic matters. Both agreed to establish a strategic dialogue headed by national security advisers. The two leaders also welcomed progress toward a bilateral free trade agreement.

Netanyahu invited Sunak to make an official visit to Israel.

In a statement, Downing Street said Sunak welcomed Netanyahu for talks on strengthening the close partnership between the UK and Israel.

The two leaders backed the UK-Israel 2030 Roadmap that will drive the bilateral relationship forward and commit £20m in funding for joint science and technology projects over the next decade.

Both hailed a free-trade agreement with cutting-edge service provisions.

On Iran, Netanyahu and Sunak discussed Iran’s destabilising activity and agreed that the governments would push back against aggression and manage the risk of nuclear proliferation.

Sunak expressed solidarity with Israel in the face of terrorist attacks in recent months.

“The UK will always stand with Israel and its ability to defend itself,” the statement noted. “At the same time, the Prime Minister outlined international concern at growing tensions in the West Bank and the risk of undermining efforts towards the two state solution. He encouraged all efforts to de-escalate, particularly ahead of the upcoming

religious holidays.”

Sunak stressed the importance of upholding democratic values, including with judicial reforms in Israel. Sunak looked forward to visiting Israel at the “earliest opportunity”.

“At the centre of the meeting stands the Iranian issue,” said Netanyahu’s office in a statement. “There is a need to form a unified international front against Iran with the goal of stopping the nuclear program.”

Netanyahu and Braverman discussed Britain’s domestic security, cyber defense, the Iranian nuclear program and counter-terrorism.

A difficult visit saw Palestine Solidarity Campaign protestors outside Downing Street though there were Netanyahu backers. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis called for Jewish unity and appealed to Israel to hold fast to the principles upon which it was founded.

US President Joe Biden has yet to invite Netanyahu to the White House.

The Israeli delegation included Netanyahu’s National Security Adviser and National Security Council Director, Chief of Staff, Military Adviser and Israel Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely.

Rishi Sunak greeting Benjamin Netanyahu

PHOTO: GPO

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The annual Yom Hashoah Manchester event will take place on Monday 17th April 2023

The theme this year is Reunion and will include the stories of how survivors from our Community traced their family members after the war ended in 1945. For many the search took months and years, and indeed people are still searching for family members today. Second & Third Generation participants will tell the personal stories of their parents and grandparents.

The Yom Hashoah Manchester Committee recently appointed Hannah Goldstone as Chair of the Committee. Hannah’s grandfather was Martin Wertheim, a Holocaust Survivor here in Manchester. Hannah was fortunate to have known her grandfather and as Third Generation feels very strongly that although her children did not know their great grandfather, it is incumbent upon her, and the next generation, to ensure that his story is not forgotten. This is not just Hannah’s story however, it is a story which must be told by everyone and the Committee hopes that all sections of the Community will join together for this event.

The guest speaker this year is Professor Rebecca Clifford, an Historian whose work has concentrated on the effects of the 2nd World War on families, community and official memory. As part of her work she has focused on child survivors of the Holocaust and how their memories are vital to

understanding the impact of war and the repercussions which remain after the end of the war. Professor Clifford published a book called ‘Survivors’ which includes discussion with survivors and their recollections. One survivor said “You have to think about the six million who are standing behind me and can’t speak for themselves.” This is the Historian’s third book. What makes ‘Survivors’ different is that she intentionally wrote for a broader, non-academic audience. The book was a finalist for a top international writing award, the Cundill History Prize, and she was also shortlisted for a major British History writing award, the Wolfson History Prize. Professor Clifford has a distinguished career as an Historian but in her studies on children who survived the Holocaust she has said, “I finally found what I was meant to do.”

The Bridgewater Hall will again provide a prestigious venue for the Commemoration and sadly, as the number of survivors is dwindling, it becomes more important each year that the Community comes together. It is our duty to honour the Holocaust survivors who will be with us, and to remember the millions whose lives were cut short by the horrors of the Nazi regime.

Hannah Goldstone, Chair of the Yom Hashoah Manchester Committee, together with a fellow Holocaust educator Caroline

Slifkin, have been involved in an art project in a number of schools including North Cheshire Jewish Primary School. Their aim is to teach the Y6 pupils about the Holocaust in a programme entitled ‘Life Through a Lens’, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. They have attended various schools for a full day to explore various aspects of the Holocaust including Hannah’s grandfather m Martin Wertheim’s story.

Once the class gained a greater understanding of the Holocaust, they then had the opportunity to create a photographic response. These photographs, together with work produced at 5 other schools will be on display at the Yom Hashoah Commemoration on Monday 17th April at the Bridgewater Hall.

The image shows Hannah and Caroline with the Y6 class. Hannah’s son Asher, Fourth

Generation, is proudly holding the family photo album used as a teaching tool. He said that “I was embarrassed at first that my mum was coming into my school, but I now fully understand how important learning about the Holocaust is. I know that my friends learnt a lot and I hope that they tell their own family and friends about what happened to Jewish people during the Holocaust. Knowing that our work will be displayed at the Bridgewater Hall, where Survivors and their families will see the photographs which we made is exciting, but a bit daunting!”

Admission to the Yom Hashoah Commemoration is free but please follow the link to register and to book a free place on the coach if required. https://yhmcr2023. eventbrite.co.uk/

School children learning about the Holocaust in the ‘Life Through a Lens’ programme

I’M AN ARTIST.

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Time to take stock and cool off

OPINION PIECE

BY JAMES MARLOW

The decision to suspend the second and third readings of the judicial bill was not an easy one for the Prime Minister, but it was the right decision. Anything that can be done from a national responsibility to reach a broad consensus over time and avoid the deepening rift within the people of Israel had to be implemented.

Iranian, Palestinian, BDS and other anti-Israel social media sites released statements and comments in many languages including Arabic, that this was the beginning of the end of the Jewish State, and that they would now devote all their time to speed up that process. Some Palestinian groups announced a suspension of their attacks while they watched from the sidelines how events in Israel unfolded.

Many of the anti-government demonstrators, not all, were mostly unaware of the proposed government reforms and changes to the judiciary. Many, not all, were fed with misinformation, one sided anti-Netanyahu rhetoric and in some cases, outrageous lies.

Leaders of the demonstrations told news networks, how Netanyahu would now remain in power for the rest of his life and that all public areas would operate strict men and women only zones.

Labor leader Merav Michaeli told a Knesset committee that woman would no longer be allowed to become MKs and during their monthly cycles, would have to wear the colour red on their jackets, when walking in the public domain.

Some people were so fearful of the scaremongering tactics, they believed that if they did not “stand up for democracy,” Israel would literally become another Iran, crazy as that may seem.

A minority of protesters were even ready to bring the country to self-destruction, and international news networks were headlining that Israel was on the brink of civil war.

In some parts of the national demonstrations, the mood was of pure hatred against the elected government, and all those who voted for right-wing parties.

Such a mood was not felt during the disengagement of Gaza and northern Samaria in 2005. It was not felt when Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated in 1995. And it was not felt when Prime Minister Menachem Begin came to power in 1977, despite those on the left calling him a terrorist and it was the end of democracy.

The demonstrations prevented ordinary people, some of whom voted for left parties, from going to work, school and essential hospital visits. They shut down main highways, train stations, entrance to hospitals, shopping malls and even Ben

Gurion international airport.

They called for a free liberal progressive society and demanded a full halt to the judicial reforms.

The meaning of “Democracy” is majority rule and a protection of individual rights with full “checks and balances” between the three branches of government: The Legislative, Executive and Judiciary.

In last 20 years the balance of power has moved greatly to the Judiciary, who can now overrule any Knesset or government decision. Such a power does not exist anywhere in the democratic world.

Netanyahu is calling for “responsible democratic reform” with a broad consensus of representation from all sides on: How to appoint the Supreme Court President. Which basic laws passed by the Knesset cannot be overruled. The status of legal advisers to ministries and how the composition of the Judges Selection Committee will be formed.

Both sides of protesters proudly waved the Israeli flag on the streets and at times, it was difficult to determine where each side belonged.

Last Monday as anti-government demonstrators left the Knesset area through Sakar Park in Jerusalem, pro-government demonstrators walking through the same park, on their way to the Knesset for the 6pm rally, mingled in a huge sea of blue and white.

We are approaching the holiday of Passover where we are reminded that “in every generation they rise up against us, to annihilate us,” and therefore we must do everything possible NOT to assist them. Exactly 3335 years ago, we ALL came out of Egypt, as one nation and one people and this week, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared we will not allow the anarchy and extremists to tear us apart.

James J. Marlow is an Israeli Affairs and Political Analyst news contributor, previously CEO of the National Jewish Assembly. Email: JMarlow007@outlook.com

Demonstrating in Israel

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Terror attack on Athens Chabad House thwarted

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BY HARRY SIMONS

Mossad have helped Greece prevent a terrorist attack on a Chabad House in Athens.

Greek authorities are questioning two men of Pakistani origin for allegedly planning attacks described as ‘imminent’ resulting in an ‘extensive loss of life’.

The suspects, aged 27 and 29, have been charged with terrorism offences, a third man outside Greece is charged in absentia.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the news on Tuesday.

Netanyahu’s office said the suspects were linked to Iran. They are being held at police headquarters.

“The affair uncovered in Greece is a severe case that was successfully thwarted by the Greek security forces,” the statement confirmed. “It was an additional attempt by Iran to perpetrate terrorism against Israeli and Jewish targets abroad. After the start of the investigation of the suspects in Greece, Mossad rendered intelligence assistance in unravelling the infrastructure, its work methods and the link to Iran. The investigation revealed that the infrastructure that operated in Greece is part of an extensive Iranian network run from Iran and spanning many countries.”

The statement added: “Mossad, together with its partners in the community, is working relentlessly to thwart intended Iranian attacks around the world.”

Chabad’s emissary to Athens, Mendel Handel, praised local authorities.

“The place is secure and security is taken seriously,” he said. “Thank G-d that we have authorities that thwarted it. There is no fear, they worry more about security and this is relevant to every other place in the world that has a Jewish identity.”

Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the arrests highlighted the importance of international cooperation against terrorism.

“The Mossad and Israel’s intelligence agencies will continue to act to ensure that wherever Iran seeks to act against our

citizens, it will be met with an effective response,” he noted.

Greek authorities are investigating if the suspects were planning more attacks.

“Their aim was not only to cause the loss of life of innocent citizens, but also to undermine the sense of security in the country, while hurting public institutions and threatening (Greece’s) international relations,” a police statement said.

The suspects entered Greece illegally from Turkey according to Associated Press. Police searched sites in Athens, southern Greece and Zakynthos.

Greece’s anti-terrorism division and National Intelligence Service participated in the arrests.

Public Order Minister Takis Theodorikakos said: “The operation demonstrates the country’s security authorities maintain a high state of readiness for all Greeks and visitors to our country.”

“Their aim was not only to cause the loss of life of innocent citizens, but also to undermine the sense of security in the country, while hurting public institutions and threatening (Greece’s) international relations,” a police statement added.

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

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

An NSC statement explained: “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 and Azerbaijan, and the UAE, because of their proximity to Iran and Greece and Cyprus as well.”

The NSC added that Iranian terror actors had attempted to contact Israelis in Israel and abroad via social media and emails. The NSC has guidance to block attempts.

Chabad House in Athens

PHOTO: MORDECHAI LUBECKI

Israel & UAE sign Free Trade Agreement

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have signed a Free Trade Agreement to take effect from May.

Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen and UAE Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Al Khaja signed the customs agreement in the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu said: “This historic agreement continues to bear fruit for the benefit of the people of both countries. The customs agreement will reduce customs duties, lower the cost-of-living and inject energy into business between Israel and the UAE. We will be able to expand the circle of

peace between Israel and additional countries in our region.”

Cohen anticipates additional jobs in the Israeli market, he added: “This is important news for the Israeli economy and is further testament to the importance of the Abraham Accords. We are striving to expand to additional countries.”

Customs duties will be lowered or cancelled on some 96% of goods. Israeli companies have access to UAE government tenders. The agreement will strengthen bilateral ties.

Bilateral trade in 2022 reached over $2.5 billion, the UAE is Israel’s 16th largest trading partner.

Building better

Holocaust memorials planned for European cities

BY LILLY JOSEPH

Holocaust memorials have been launched across Europe this month.

The Lyon Metropolitan Council has approved a €75,000 budget towards the construction of a €500,000 Holocaust memorial on Place Carnot in Lyon.

It is hoped the project will be opened on January 27, 2025 for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The Auvergne-RhôneAlpes region has pledged €150,000 towards €400,000 already raised.

The monument will be visible from all points of Place Carnot to allow prayers, gatherings and commemorations.

“I am delighted with the materialisation of this project, which has been awaited for too long by associations and players in the memory of the Holocaust,” said Bruno Bernard, Lyon council president. “This place

will make it possible to anchor this memory on the metropolitan territory, marked by the drama of the Second World War”,

Work on the Museum of Jewish Culture in Fez, Morocco has been completed.

The project will preserve the architectural character of the ancient city including Jewish heritage.

Qotbi, National Foundation of Museums of Morocco president, welcomed a land of

“openness and tolerance”.

Serge Berdugo, Moroccan Jewish Council secretary-general, said the museum is of symbolic significance for the Jewish community and symbolised King Mohammed Vi’s determination to preserve Morocco’s cultural diversity.

“This royal initiative goes beyond the museum universe to do justice to our common past and highlights the defence and conservation of the tangible and intangible heritage of the Hebrew tributary of national identity,” he said.

Dresden city council is creating a memorial for its Jewish community in the Old Train station where trains took Jews to ghettos and concentration camps.

Mayor Dirk Hilbert is negotiating a permanent lease for the memorial site. A commemorative plaque at the nearby Neustadt train station commemorates the Dresden deportations.

Italy’s government has approved funding for a Holocaust museum in Rome. Some 2,000 Jewish people were sent to concentration camps during World War Two by the Nazis.

A national museum will “contribute to keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive,” noted a government statement. The announcement came after an official visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Rome.

Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said €10 million had been allocated for construction of the museum first proposed in the 1990s.

Architect Luca Zevi will lead the project and told AFP the museum will be completed in three years.

The museum will be built on land near the Villa Torlonia Park of where Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini resided when he was in power from 1922 to 1943.

Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen and UAE Ambassador Mohamed Al Khaja sign a customs agreement

PHOTO: GPO

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Board passes Israel motion Kraft to fight antisemitism

The Board of Deputies has passed a motion condemning Israeli politicians who have demonstrated hostility on race, gender, sexual orientation or Jewish denomination.

An amended motion debated at plenary passed 105 to 22. A number of Deputies did not vote.

The BoD’s President Marie van der Zyl said an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding showed the organisation at its best.

She observed: “All those who spoke both for and against the motion were clearly united by their deep love of Israel. We hope that other conversations on this topic can be conducted in a similar spirit, where Jews come together in an exchange of views underpinned by civility and courtesy.”

The spirit of the debate was praised by participants. Detractors of the motion were against judicial reform in Israel but worried it may be used by enemies of Israel

to attack it.

Those supporting the motion acknowledged the argument.

Individuals against the original motion publicly backed an amended one. It read:

‘British Jews are deeply committed to Israel. We are gravely concerned that the new Israeli government includes individuals whose stated views and actions are in contrast to the tolerant and inclusive values of our community. The Board condemns politicians who have demonstrated hostility on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, or Jewish denomination. The Board remains committed to supporting those who continue, in line with Israel's Declaration of Independence, to foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants.’

Proposers’ original motion named coalition ministers Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Avi Maoz.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has launched a $25 million “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” campaign through his foundation to combat antisemitism.

Kraft, 81, is aiming to raise awareness about soaring antisemitism online.

Adverts will feature during the NFL draft, NBA and NHL playoffs, and through influencers.

The campaign’s launch follows an Anti-Defamation League report illustrating antisemitic incidents in the US rising 36% last year. The report tracked 3,697 incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault at Jewish people and communities. The annual total is the highest recorded.

The Centre for the Study of Hate and Extremism, based at California State University, San Bernardino, showed that Jews in 21 major cities were the most targeted of all US religious groups. The disturbing figures accounted for 78% of religious hate crimes.

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Bibi attends recruit induction

BY HARRY SIMONS

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant attended the induction of Golani Brigade recruits and combat soldiers at borders at Tel Hashomer last week.

Netanyahu, before he travelled for talks in the UK, and Gallant issued military equipment and IDF uniforms.

Netanyahu said: “We have no country without an army. We have no country without soldiers who are recruited for service. You are being recruited to defend our heritage.

“In the history of the Jewish people, the worst thing that happened to us was that we lost the ability to defend ourselves.

Generations of Jews were like driven leaves in the wind, they slaughtered us. We could not do anything. When we established the State of Israel we had to defend ourselves.

“Those who seek to destroy us have not disappeared. They take on a form and come back, Iran and its proxies. What has changed is our ability to confront them. Of course, I want you to safeguard the country but more than anything, watch out for each other.”

Gallant added: “Today you are becoming part of the defensive force of the State of Israel. With every passing day you will take an additional step toward the goal, and together with those who will become your platoon, company and lifelong friends, you will overcome the difficulties and meet the challenges. Here we witness the true resilience of the State of Israel, this chain of generations and the baton that we pass one to the other.”

Israel’s leader, Gallant and Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor held a question and answer session with recruits.

National Security director Tzachi Hanegbi, Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman, Head of IDF Planning Maj.-Gen. Yaakov Banjo and recruitment commander Col. Alon Matzliach participated.

Brian Levin, the centre’s director, is concerned about antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories.

“It is so important to show that antisemitism is un-American,” Levin said. “If we can show non-Jews as allies, that could be powerful.”

“The rise of antisemitism, to me, is the real breakdown of what this society stands on,” Kraft said. “In my lifetime, I have never seen the way things are right now with this hatred against Jews.”

Kraft launched his foundation after he received a $1 million Genesis Prize. It was a response to the Tree of Life Synagogue tragedy in Pittsburgh in 2018 that saw 11 people killed in the US’ deadliest antisemitic attack. Kraft wants his campaign to educate Americans about Jewish hate.

He said. “My hope is this will become an effort that builds bridges with all Americans.”

Summer heatwave anticipated

Israel’s Meteorological Service has published an extreme weather warning June to September.

As a result of climate-related events plans are in place for floods, fires and heat waves. Electricity, mortality and hospitalisations are anticipated to increase. The temperature in the coastal plain, Negev Desert, northern valleys, Jordan Valley and Arava region will be impacted.

Director of the NEMA, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yoram Laredo: “The scenario is a binding document and forms the basis for preparation of government ministries and planning and operative bodies. It describes the periods of the year prone to heat waves, their expected frequency, heat maps, peak temperatures expected at any point in Israel and implications to prepare for from an increase in electricity consumption and the risk of huge fires to a significant increase in morbidity and mortality.”

Time to think

OPINION PIECE

BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN

The press has been full of the demonstrations in Israel and more recently in London concerning the proposed judicial reforms. As is so often the case not all of the proposed changes are bad and not all of them good. What is clear is that the current system has been in place for some time and it is only natural that those who have benefitted from that system are going to be upset if it looks as though it is going to change.

What is also clear is that those who claim to love Israel have been economical with the truth. Those who for some years have been deeply critical of Israel have no doubt been delighted to have their position – for the time being at least –validated by those who normally wouldn’t go near them. The recent motion from the Board of Deputies has made matters worse not better.

The key phrase of the motion states: “The Board condemns politicians who have demonstrated hostility on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, or Jewish denomination”. Anyone and everyone

as far as the Board is concerned is now in the firing line. Hostility is not defined in the same way as the Soviets conveniently did not define counter revolutionary. So any discussion on whether or not someone is halachically Jewish could easily be hostile, and more likely the position of men claiming they are trans-women. The visceral hatred directed towards anyone who does not toe the party line on trans-women in palpable, just look at the appalling way in which J.K. Rowling has been subjected to the most hideous online attacks, as well as having her home identified on social media.

The motion essentially gives the Board carte blanche to condemn anyone they don’t like. Far from making the Board more in touch with the community they claim to represent, in reality it makes them more remote. Claudia Mendoza (joint CEO of the Jewish Leadership Council) in

the Jewish Chronicle last week made some excellent points about the increasing hostility between those of opposite sides of the arguments concerning Israeli judicial reform. She said: “It is crucial that we allow people in the community the space to air their views and for leaders to model civility and respect”. Sadly there is no sign that this is going to be the case.

For too long there has been a widening gap between those who describe themselves as progressive and those who say that we should not be openly criticising Israel. Some of those in the progressive camp cheerfully call anyone who disagrees with them as far-right and at the same time the progressive camp are often described as far-left. This polarisation of sides is very damaging and in the UK at least is reflective of the way in which politics generally has been developing.

There is also the lack of communal

memory which plays its part. The number of people – including most Israeli politicians who remember the 1973 – Yom Kippur – war is diminishing and still less who remember life before Israel even existed. Israel’s strength is also its weakness, in that more and more Jews in the diaspora feel able to criticise it without really understanding the impact of what they are doing. The divisive attitudes here in the UK are splitting our community internally and at the same time causing a division with Israel. Neither of these are desirable and before everyone goes into another round of criticism, they should, when contemplating our departure from the land of Egypt, from slavery to freedom, think hard about what that freedom means and how it should be treasured.

I wish everyone a Chag Pesach Sameach.

Robert Festenstein is a practising solicitor and has been the principal of his Salford based firm for over 20 years. He has fought BDS motions to the Court of Appeal and is President of the Zionist Central Council in Manchester which serves to protect and defend the democratic State of Israel.

INDEPENDENCE. DIGNITY. CHOICE.

“My diagnosis of MS was like a hammer blow but I am happier now living here than I’ve ever been. Especially in current times, there is nowhere else I would want to be.”

Neil, Jewish Blind & Disabled tenant

For too long there has been a widening gap between those who describe themselves as progressive and those who say that we should not be openly criticising Israel.

With Harold Schogger

1. Penalty-oriented 2. Forces East to rebid 2♣ 3. Does as he has been instructed by partner

West led the ten of diamonds. After inspecting dummy, declarer noted he had nine certain tricks. He observed that from East’s opening bid tht this hand would be “OPEN BOOK” and that the missing aces and kings were all on his right. Declarer saw a plan that enabled to put that knowledge to work to make a tenth trick.

After declarer called for the jack of diamonds at trick one, East took this with the king and switched to the jack of hearts. Declarer won with the ace and led his jack of trumps to dummy’s queen. East won with the ace and exited with the ten of hearts to declarer’s king. Declarer’s next move was to draw the outstanding trump by leading his eight of trumps to dummy’s nine so that he could ruff dummy’s six of diamonds with his king of trumps. After cashing the queen of hearts, thereby eliminating the suit, declarer led his carefully preserved four of trumps to dummy’s six and called for dummy’s queen of diamonds. When East covered this with the ace declarer discarded the four of clubs from his hand instead of ruffing.

East was now well and truly endplayed, and had no winning option. If he led a club, then dummy’s queen of clubs would make a trick and declarer would get home. The alternative was to concede a ruff-and-discard with a red-suit return; declarer would discard the six of clubs from hand and make his tenth trick by ruffing in dummy. Accordingly East folded his cards, conceding the rest, and said, “Well played.”

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

In our column last week, we looked at why customer care is so important to support business growth, concluding that it is probably one of the biggest decision-making factors when people choose which product or company to use. This week we look at tools and techniques to implement best practice in customer services to help your company stand out.

The starting point is to bear in mind that customer care is the responsibility of the entire company and a team-wide effort, from pre-sales through to after care, as well as problem-solving when issues arise. If you think about it, at every point anyone in your company interacts with a customer in daily transactions, it is an opportunity to show them you care about their experience and want to provide a good service.

The best way to let potential customers, or even current ones, know that you care is by including your values on customer services in any written materials about your company, from leaflets through to your website. If you’re not sure what to

How to improve customer experience – Part 2

include, put yourself in your customer’s shoes and think what would you want as part of the service of buying your product? Make sure though that these can all be updated from time to time, as the ‘how’ of good customer services is a constantly changing landscape, as you get to know your client’s needs better and seek to match their expectations.

The next step would be to ensure that all staff are on board with these values and trained appropriately. Don’t presume that they understand your ethos, even if it is a bit of a no brainer that looking after customers is good for business as it means that they will come back! And here’s a bit of an insider tip; try not to re•invent the wheel. As a small business, it is sometimes easier to look at what larger competitors are doing and implement something similar.

Some other tangible ideas you can put in place include:

• Providing trials and deals to help ‘persuade’ customers who are unsure to go with your product or service

• When a customer signs up for a free

Get active with us this Passover

trial, or places an order, reach out to them personally to ask if they need any further assistance.

• If there is the scope to do so, provide customisation services based on requests

• Make your ordering system as easy to use as possible

• Speed is of the essence: Resolve customer queries quickly, especially for smaller issues that don’t take much time to solve.

• Try to be transparent and keep customers in the loop, even if the information you are giving them isn’t necessarily what they want to hear. They will appreciate your honesty.

• On the same note, provide accurate answers to questions and make sure all staff truly understand the product offering.

• As a small business, you actually have some advantages. For example, you could send handwritten notes to customers; a really personal and old•fashioned touch that could reap huge benefits Set up a reward scheme or referral

incentive for new customers

• Encourage feedback; whether it is positive or negative use it as a learning experience.

Most of all, remember that providing good customer services is a profession that requires the maximum amount of patience, but will pay dividends in the long run.

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

Our ‘Livingness’ approach enables those we support to be active members of the Langdon and wider communities. Through a broad and varied programme of activities, we help our Members learn new skills, enhance their knowledge and increase their independence - all in a friendly and welcoming Jewish environment. Your donation will help us deliver our

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Kisharon prepares for Pesach Badenoch proud of UK-Israel relations

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch told guests she is proud to be building stronger relationships between the UK and Israel in a keynote speech at Conservative Friends of Israel’s Annual Parliamentary Reception on Tuesday.

Addressing 200 CFI supporters, including 40 parliamentarians, Badenoch discussed her ongoing work towards an enhanced UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement. The deal will be focused on innovation, digital and tech as the “economy of the future”. She was pleased to meet her Israeli counterpart Nir Barkat recently.

Badenoch added that there were “lots more exciting things happening”.

The Secretary of State emphasised her support for the construction of a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre beside Parliament and reflected on a recent visit to Yad Vashem. Badenoch said it was critical to educate about the Holocaust.

Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely hailed UK-Israel ties and welcomed the recent signing of the 2030 Bilateral Roadmap”. She celebrated the UK-Israel strategic dialogue and spoke of an “innovative” trade deal.

Hotovely thanked former minister Sajid Javid for “standing on the front line” in defending Israel and praised his decision as Home Secretary to proscribe Hezbollah.

Hotovely said an “iconic photograph” of

Javid at the Western Wall“won the hearts of the Israeli people” and presented him with a letter from President Isaac Herzog thanking him for his support.

Javid said that although he is leaving Parliament, he will continue to support Israel.

Lord Polak gave the vote of thanks. He noted that the UK-Israel relationship goes “from strength to strength”.

CFI Parliamentary Chairmen Stephen Crabb, Lord Pickles and CFI Chair Hilda Worth also spoke at the event.

Preparing for Pesach started early at Kisharon with matzah baking, model seders and at Tuffkid Nursery.

Head of Jewish Living Sara Levin teaches staff strict rules of the festival including cleaning Kisharon’s kitchens and removing chametz.

In addition to training staff and organising Pesach activities Sara has run sessions in the Good Days program

Pupils at Kisharon Noé School enjoyed making matzah with the Tzivos Hashem Model Matzah Bakery, learning first the story of Pesach.

A model Seder took place and several classes made cushions to be used at the seder table.

At Tuffkid Nursery, each child has made their own Haggadah and learnt about the seder. Special attention has been given to the four cups of wine or grape juice.

Nursery staff brought the Pesach story to life by bringing in live locusts.

“This gave the children just a hint of what it might have been like in Egypt with the plague of locusts,” said Nursery Head Janice Marriott.

That wasn’t all as a batch of frog spawn, fresh from a pond, arrived too. Janice said: “Children were fascinated to see the little black dots inside the jelly. However, this stage did not last long as the eggs started to hatch. We have a container full of tiny, black, wriggly tadpoles and the children are wondering what will happen next!”

The evening will include Josef in conversation with JRoots founder Rabbi Naftali Schiff, followed by a preview of JRoots film 'The Survivors Revenge' and streaming of the Yom Hashoah UK National Holocaust Commemoration

Kisharon Gift & Homeware Store, Equal in Temple Fortune is stocked with Pesach gifts for family and friends.

Pupils at Kisharon Noé School matzah making with Tzivos Hashem Model Matzah Bakery

Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely with Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch at the CFI reception

CST Annual Dinner

PaL’s amazing milestone

Imagine a room filled with all your family and friends, there may be 100 people, 500 people or maybe even 1,000 people. Now imagine 4,000 people from across the UK and Europe from all parts of the Jewish community. Some observant, some less so, some knowledgeable, some in the beginning stages of learning about Judaism and everything in between. What do they all have in common? They are all part of PaL – Phone and Learn. PaL is the UK and Europe’s leading 1-2-1 online Jewish learning programme.

As PaL recently welcomed its 4,000th member – Nicholas Smer, we were able to catch up with Nicholas to find out more about his wonderful inspiring Jewish learning journey.

The CST annual dinner was held last night in the Great Room at Grosvenor House, Park Lane.

With current revelations about Iran potentially targeting diaspora Jewish communities, and tensions rising in the Middle East – so often a trigger for an outpouring of antisemitism here in the UK - it was vital that so many people came together to help

secure CST’s future.

At the event, keynote speaker Suella Braverman confirmed an extra £1 million to the annual £14 million budget used to protect British schools and synagogues. She also announced a new Jewish Community Police, Crime and Security task force, to help enhance joint efforts to protect British Jewry.

Young Professionals Night Out in aid of Chai raised £2,000

“I grew up in Edgware, as a member of Edgware United Synagogue, in a traditional home. We always had a Friday night dinner, kept kosher at home and my Mum lit Shabbat candles each week. When I was 11 my older sister Jemma-Kate tragically passed away following a short illness. Jemma-Kate had been on a Jewish learning journey herself and in her high school years became inspired and began learning more. At that point, I chose to become more involved in Judaism and we began joining our cousins for Shabbat meals. I asked lots of questions, and began exploring and learning about my heritage. Both my cousins and my Mum encouraged me and helped me tremendously in my journey. Slowly I began to wear a kippa, to daven and put on tefillin daily and started wearing tzitit. They introduced me to Rabbi Dov Birnbaum, Rabbi of the Seed shul, who has been a superb mentor to me since.

A few years ago, as the shuls were reopening after covid, I felt a push to take the next step in my growth in Judaism. I began going to shul regularly and am now part of some fantastic communities in EdgwareSeed, Nefesh Hatorah, Kol Yaakov and Edgware Kollel. I wasn’t able to go to yeshiva after graduating from JFS and had always wanted to learn Gemara. I joined Rabbi Zvi Marmostein’s 5:50am daily Gemara shiur where the amazing Josh and Yaakov offered to learn with me. I also go to Seed every Monday night - shout out to Dovid who is a fantastic tutor. While learning Gemara with

Josh and Yaakov something came up about the halacha of Shabbos and I realised that although I was keeping Shabbos to the best of my knowledge, there were so many areas of Shabbos observance that I was unaware of and I needed to find someone to teach me the laws of Shabbos observance. So when I came across PaL - Phone and Learn on Instagram I was delighted and quickly reached out to them to find me a tutor.

PaL matched me up with Elisha who also lives in Edgware, we meet up each Shabbos in Edgware Adass to learn the laws of Shabbos observance. We learn and Elisha helps me translate any Hebrew words I struggle with. I now consider him a good friend, we talk and learn and I can see how my Shabbos observance has been enhanced by our learning sessions. Signing up to PaL was easy and simple. I love how it is so flexible and I was able to choose the topic I wanted to learn and the timing slot to do this. Learning with PaL means I can fit this in to my busy schedule even though I have various other existing commitments.”

Nicholas and Elisha are one of the thousands of partnerships learning through PaL each week. Each with their own journey, their own story and their own growth. Join PaL today. Learn. Share. Connect. Grow.

Ta’amim makes Pesach simple

It was a night of good vibes, sophisticated drinks and dancing, as around 100 supporters attended Chai’s Young Professionals Night Out at Amano Bar, Covent Garden on Thursday night.

Popular DJ John Stone, spun crowd pleasers all evening at the exclusive event, which raised over £2,000 for Chai’s vital services.

Eden Caplan, a Chai event rep said: “Thursday night’s event was so much fun, meeting new people with similar interests and socialising with friends at a really cool location! It was extra special to be doing it for such an important cause.”

Caroline Tunkel, Chai’s Community Relationship Manager, said: “It was a privilege to re-launch our Young Professionals’ events. The money raised will go towards

Chai’s new young people’s support group for 20–30-year-olds affected by a cancer diagnosis. This is more necessary than ever as we see the number of younger people needing to turn to Chai increase. Thanks to Megabooth for once again supporting Chai and donating their fantastic photobooth and a special thank you to the staff at Amano Bar for all their hard work on the night. We’re already looking forward to the next one.” Keep an eye on Chai’s social media channels for details of future events. We look forward to seeing you there.

If you would like to get involved and support our Young Professionals and Young Chai Committees, please contact Lucy Hayim on 020 8457 3394 or email lucy.hayim@ chaicancercare.org

Ta’amim has created and distributed 8,000 Pesach booklets to make Pesach meal and food planning as easy and straightforward as possible. The booklets includes menu and day to day Pesach meal plans, as well as shopping list checklists and over 60 recipes, collected on the Ta’amim website and all accessible via QR code or by visiting wearetaamim.com.

The detailed booklet has everything you need to prepare for Pesach, with the recipes being split into sections covering breakfast ideas, main courses, lunchbox suggestions and a whole section on vegetarian and vegan dishes. The helpful daily meal planner gives the reader space for writing and planning breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks

whilst a checklist includes not just food but also equipment needed. The Ta’amim Pesach booklets are available for free, at Kosher Kingdom, Kosher Edge, Kosher Delis across London and in Kosher Deli, Shefa Mahadrin and Habers in Manchester. The booklet can also be found in the Deli in Liverpool as well as being available to everyone for download on Ta’amim’s website.

Ta’amim connects Jews with our vibrant heritage and culture, using food as a vehicle to educate via immersive events and dynamic social media content. Ta’amim is a member of the family of Jewish Futures. Discover more:

@wearetaamim/wearetaamim.com

Nicholas Smer

L-R Gerald Ronson, Mark Gardner, Gail Ronson, Suella Braverman, Lloyd Dorfman

Chai’s Young Professionals Night Out at Amano Bar

Gift incubates “shall we dance” project

which added a personal touch to the event.

“It was so wonderful coming into Sage to visit my mother and seeing her dance with such joy on her face. Thank you, Hasmonean & GIFT, for putting on this wonderful initiative.” one resident’s daughter told us.

The ‘Shall We Dance’ ball was a huge success, with everyone in attendance having an amazing time. The residents were thrilled to have such a fun and engaging event to look forward to, and the students were delighted to have made a positive impact in their community.

Norwood’s Pesach preperations

A group of students from Hasmonean High School recently took part in the GIFT Charity incubator course, where they developed the idea to host a 70s-themed ball for care home residents. Last Sunday, they brought their idea to life by hosting the ‘Shall We Dance’ ball at Sage Care Home in Golders Green, which was attended by over 30 residents.

The students went above and beyond to make the event a success, providing party food, entertainment and even organising a bingo game for the residents. In addition, they collaborated with KEF kids with disabilities to make cards for the residents,

Speaking about the event, one of the students said, “We wanted to do something special for the care home residents, especially after the challenging few years that they’ve had. It was amazing to see everyone having so much fun and enjoying themselves, and we’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to make a difference in our community.”

The GIFT Charity incubator course encourages students to develop their entrepreneurial skills while also making a positive impact in their community. The ‘Shall We Dance’ ball is a shining example of how young people can use their skills and creativity to make a difference in the lives of others. Beyond the Label, which was last year’s charity incubated project, was equally a huge success.

For more information about the GIFT Charity incubator course or to get involved in future events, please visit the GIFT website.

Pesach preparations have started at Norwood. The Norwood team led by Rabbi Stanley Coten and Jewish Cultural Advisor Dov Richman has been delivering boxes

of Matza, donated by Rakusen’s and the United Synagogue.

Norwood has also held the first of two mock seders this week.

National Jewish Assembly hosts Zoom event with

esteemed guest speakers

Last Tuesday, the National Jewish Assembly (NJA) hosted an insightful event that brought together three guest speakers to discuss pressing issues facing the Jewish community and Israel.

The NJA is proud to have welcomed Ashley Perry, External Government Advisor at the Israel Government, Yossi Saunders, Founder and Editor of Jewish Weekly, and Alan Mendoza, Executive Director of the Henry Jackson Society, as guest speakers at the event.

Ashley Perry, with his extensive experience in government, shared his insights on the challenges and opportunities in Israel’s current political landscape.

Jewish Weekly Editor, Yossi Saunders offered his perspective on the role of media in keeping the Jewish community informed, and meeting a need for timely, accurate, and community-centric reporting.

Finally, Alan Mendoza, a renowned expert in international relations, discussed the overlapping and nuanced geopolitical situation in which Israel finds itself, especially as it grapples with Iran’s ambitions to acquire a nuclear weapon.

The NJA extends its sincere gratitude to each of the guest speakers for their time and invaluable contributions to the event. Their insightful perspectives enriched the audience’s understanding of the subject matter and offered new approaches to emerging challenges facing our community

and Israel.

The National Jewish Assembly remains committed to organising events that bring together diverse voices and promote understanding within the Jewish community and beyond.

To see a full list of the NJA’s upcoming events, please follow this link: https://nja. org.uk/upcoming-events/ For further inquiries, please contact Heath Sloane – NJA Press and Marketing Manager (heath@nja.org.uk)

Norwood matza delivery

Yossi Saunders

Alan Mendoza

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.

by YISROEL BESSER

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.

AHARON LEIB HAGGADAH Compiled by Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Shteinman

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

RAV NEBENZAHL HAGGADAH by Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl

THE CHASAM SOFER HAGGADAH by Yisroel Besser

RAV DRUCK ON THE HAGGADAH by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Druck

HAGGADAH

by Rabbi Moshe Eisemann

by Rabbi Moshe Grylack

RAV SHACH HAGGADAH

by Rabbi Moshe Lieber / Rabbi Nosson Scherman

by Rabbi Shalom Meir Wallach

YEHUDAH

HAGGADAH TREASURY

THE HAGGADAH OF THE ROSHEI YESHIVAH Volumes 1, 2 & 3 by Rabbi Asher Bergman

EMES

CHAZON

HAGGADAH

YAABETZ HAGGADAH

interest, and background Haggadahs

WITH

by Rabbi Nosson Scherman / Rabbi Yitzchok Zev Scherman

SEPHARDIC HERITAGE HAGGADAH by Rabbi Eli Mansour / Rabbi David Sutton

ARTSCROLL HAGGADAH by Rabbi Joseph Elias

PESACH WITH RAV BELSKY

RAV CHAIM KANIEVSKY HAGGADAH Compiled by Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Shteinman

DANIEL GLATSTEIN ON THE HAGGADAH

MEILECH

THE

By Yisroel Besser

HAGGADAH Insights from the Novominsker Rebbe RABBI YAAKOV PERLOW

by Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn

THE EISHES CHAYIL HAGGADAH by Rabbi Dov Weller

THE HAGGADAH OF THE GERRER DYNASTY by Yisroel Besser

TOUCHED BY THE SEDER by Rabbi Yechiel Spero

RABBI YISSOCHER FRAND ON THE HAGGADAH

THE HAGGADAH

ANSWERS by Rabbi Yaakov Wehl

TOUCHED BY OUR STORY by Rabbi Yechiel Spero

ARTSCROLL CHILDREN'S HAGGADAH by Shmuel Blitz

HAGGADAH by Rabbi Nosson Scherman / Rabbi Avie Gold

by Rabbi Menachem Davis

YOUTH HAGGADAH by Rabbi Nosson Scherman / Rabbi Yitzchok Zev Scherman

WEEKLY PARASHAH SERIES HAGGADAH by Rabbi Nachman Zakon

in Spanish!

Discover the Hashkafah of the Novominsker Rebbe –Through the Parashah!

InNovominsk on Chumash Volume 2, Rabbi Yecheskel Ostreicher, a talmid of Rav Yaakov Perlow, the Novominsker Rebbe zt”l, draws upon the rebbe’s shiurim, speeches and writings to give us a rich and rewarding understanding of the fundamentals of Yiddishkeit and the rebbe’s hashkafas hachaim through his analysis of the weekly parashah. In these pages, we find fascinating explanations of the words of Sefer Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim, inspiring vignettes about the rebbe, and a penetrating glimpse into his unique worldview, perspectives, and life lessons.

NEW: VAYIKRA ∙ BAMIDBAR ∙ DEVARIM ALSO AVAILABLE: BEREISHIS SHEMOS

Writings of the Rambam — Now in English!

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.

INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME:

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

THE SERIES THAT HAS TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES –OVER 350,000 COPIES IN PRINT!

Bring

to Shidduchim –With Emunah!

by RABBI DAVID ASHEAR

Rabbi David Ashear, author of the bestselling and Living Emunah series, brings his emunah insights and stories to one of the most important – and stressful – parts of our lives: for our children or ourselves.

Living Emunah on Shidduchim, Rabbi Ashear shows us how everyone involved in the world of – parents, friends, shadchanim, and, of course, those waiting for their basherte – can turn a challenging and tense time into a vehicle for growth, tranquility, and ever-strengthening emunah.

A Treasure Trove of Precious Stories by RABBI YECHIEL SPERO

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.

“This book truly captures the essence of Reb Dovid in a most uplifting way.”

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.

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!

The Katz Haggadah- A Pesach Classic!

The realistic illustrations will literally transport you step by step from golus to geulah. The torture our nation experienced, and the wonder of redemption are all captured in these life-like pictures. Experience the thrill of G-d’s Redemption, the pain of our ancestors, and the magnitude of the Ten Plagues, in this remarkable haggadah.

The LasT sL ave

This gripping historical novel is a searing tale of survival and courage in the darkest of times. Based entirely on Torah sources (written in captivating detail at the end of the book), The Last Slave takes the reader on an epic journey from Pharaoh’s palace to the pit of Ramses to the ultimate redemption from Egypt.

ZecherMitzrayimL’yetzias

Stunning illustrations and eloquent prose create a pictorial guide of the history of Bnei Yisrael from Avraham Avinu to the descent into Mitzrayim, slavery, the makos, Yetzias Mitzrayim, to Matan Torah and entry into Eretz Yisrael.

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.

Menorah Foundation School raises £365,000 in 36 hours!

BoD honours Chevra Kadisha ‘unsung heroes’

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl honoured Chevra Kadisha organisations around the country for their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event for ‘unsung heroes’ took place in Parliament last Thursday. The ceremony marked three years since the first lockdown announced by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Over 1,000 members of the Jewish community died during the pandemic, the opening two months saw 400 deaths including over 100 during a week in April.

Ms van der Zyl said: “Chevra Kadisha groups have long been unsung heroes of our community. These groups are made up of volunteers, who selflessly put in significant time and effort to ensuring that our community’s deceased are buried with dignity and sensitivity, according to Jewish law.”

The first Covid-wave saw the community disproportionately affected.

Menorah Foundation School raised more than £365,000 in a 36 hour fundraising campaign.

In what was an incredible show of support from the community, school parents, school Governors and teachers, the school was able to raise essential funds which will go towards providing the best education for

the children during this challenging period of rising costs.

Holli Hunter, Acting Headteacher for Menorah Foundation said: “We are exceptionally grateful that in the midst of these most financially challenging times, Menorah Foundation is now able to move forward stronger.”

NJA applauds UK-Israel 2030 Roadmap for bilateral relations

The National Jewish Assembly applauds the British and Israeli governments for their commitment to the “2030 Roadmap for Bilateral Relations”. This historic partnership between the two nations is a testament to our shared values of freedom, innovation, and democracy.

The Roadmap outlines a strategic partnership that will continue to serve mutual interests, with regular high-level engagement ensuring a modern, innovative, and forward-looking relationship. The partnership is underpinned by extensive security and defence cooperation, with both countries cooperating to counter global challenges and threats, including Iran’s destabilising activities in the Middle East.

The partnership will showcase the best of both nations, with ambitious science and technology partnerships and an industrial R&D programme that will push new frontiers of innovation. The NJA is excited about the potential to create jobs and fuel economic growth through deepening the bilateral

trading relationship and building a more environmentally sustainable and inclusive future together.

Furthermore, the partnership will explore health cooperation, focussing on addressing challenges facing the UK and Israeli healthcare systems, and building on the pan-Northern UK-Israel health-tech gateway launched earlier this year.

The Roadmap also promises to combat the global scourge of antisemitism. The NJA commends Israeli and the British governments for their leadership and commitment to tackling this reprehensible phenomenon, as well as attempts to de-legitimise or demonise Israel wherever and whenever it occurs.

The NJA is proud of the deep and historic partnership between Israel and the UK and look forward to seeing this strategic partnership evolve and grow over the coming years. For further inquiries, please contact Heath Sloane – NJA Press and Marketing Manager (heath@nja.org.uk)

Ms van der Zyl noted: “The pressure this put on our burial societies was enormous. Individuals, many of them in this room, had already given of their own time for many years with no expectation of reward. Now they were having to prepare far more bodies for burial in a far shorter time period and having to do so when there was no full understanding of the nature of Covid transmission and risks involved. Their efforts during this period were nothing short of heroic, and it is right and fitting that they should be honoured.”

Mike Freer at the Ministry of Justice is Minister for Death Management. He told

the gathering: “The pandemic was uncharted waters for the country. We didn’t know how it would play out. The fact that so many of you put yourselves at risk to prepare the bodies for burial without knowing the impact on your own lives and health is a real testament to the selfless dedication that you have provided.”

Freer added: “There was a higher than average death rate, which put on considerably more pressure. The work that you have done to provide comfort in a most distressing time really is appreciated.”

The Board with help from organisations at the ceremony kept records.

The event was attended by Chevra Kadisha representatives, MPs and peers. Organisations included the United Synagogue, Adas Yisroel, Federation of Synagogues and S&P burial societies and Manchester Kehillah.

StandWithUs UK hosts Year 10 students for

inaugural leadership programme

Last Sunday, StandWithUs UK honoured their StartUp students with an intimate graduation ceremony marking their completion of the inaugural leadership programme. This unique leadership course for pupils in Year 10 aims to produce a new generation of ambassadors in the entrepreneurial and creative Israeli spirit. Upon gaining a place onto the programme, select few students dedicated an academic year to finding innovative solutions to complex problems shared in the region, aided by their counterparts from a twined school in Israel.

A lively reception was followed by students presenting each of their ideas. Each group poignantly shed a light on tough realities shared by Israelis and Palestinians, whilst also drawing interesting parallels to communities within the UK. From researching PTSD amongst Israeli and Palestinian

children, combatting the misinformation targeted towards Israel online, to connecting food-lovers around the world via an interactive app, students approached each subject with incredible maturity and reflectiveness.

Oli Field, Ava Gray, and Hannah Pillemer were picked as winners of the Michael and Louis Brown Leadership Award which included a free trip to Israel with StandWithUs; a testament to their dedication, teamwork, commitment, and unique innovative ideas which stood out.

StandWithUs UK is a non-partisan educational charity that inspires and educates people of all ages and backgrounds, challenges misinformation and fights antisemitism. We empower and energise students and communities with leadership training and educational programmes on both school and university campuses.

President Marie van der Zyl and Melvyn Hartog

Governors: Edward Howard, Adam Lobatto, Acting Head Teacher Holli Hunter & Governor Shoshi Marks

StandWithUs UK’s Leadership Award Ceremony

The first Matzah dough was rolled out then put straight into the Machzikei Hadass Shul bakery oven.

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Machzekie Hadass Shul Matzos bakery

ASK THE RABBI

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

HOW CAN I GET THROUGH IT?

Dear Rabbi

I need help. It’s another year at the Seder table. My kids come home from Yeshiva and Sem and it is beautiful. But I’m going to be very honest here. I find it tedious and sometimes too dragged out. I used to enjoy it when my kids were young but these days, a few hours of some “brief” thoughts, some sing-song, the ritual foods, a nice dinner and I am good to go. Any way to help me get past this? I don’t want to be a killjoy for my family.

Ruthie

Dear Ruthie

The famous Rabbi Akiva Eiger (18c) said: “Ani mavtiach be’emunah – I promise you faithfully – that if you go through the Seder – v’yachshoiv besimcha bezu harega – and you do so with joy – you do it with a yearning – kimat loi yargish bimerirus klal – you will hardly feel the bitterness at all!” What does that mean?

Some explain it simply, that as difficult as you find some parts of the Seder and the requisite matza and moror and the late hour and so forth; if you go about it joyfully then you won’t feel the difficulty in it.

I think it means something much more than that. The Maharil (14c) described the experience of a Jew at the Seder as similar to the High Priest in the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur. Indeed, just as the High Priest came out from doing service in the Holy of Holies, v’sosoin v’simcha yasigu netzach – with joy and happiness being their

forever – Rabbi Akiva Eiger is promising that if you do what you have to do properly on Seder night, then that will be your reality as well. Hence we wish one another, Chag Kosher v’Sameach – it’s not just about eating kosher l’Pesach, it’s about being kosher l’Pesach – the right frame of mind; the right attitude; and then there will be the v’smaeach – where you will experience joy and happiness in your life all year round. So, embrace the ambience, engage with your children, don’t just be a bystander but an active participant. And enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

WHERE’S THE WOMEN?

Dear Rabbi

How come the women are the ones working tirelessly before Pesach to ensure that everything is to perfection but we hardly get any mention at the Seder. To the best of my knowledge, no woman is mentioned at all in the Hagadah.

Angela

Dear Angela

First of all, the real mention you should get is from your husband. He ought to thank you for all your tireless efforts. Secondly, do you know why we drink four cups of wine? Generally speaking because there are the four expressions of redemption in the Torah: “I will free you…I will deliver you…I will redeem you…I will take you.” But there is something more as well: The Sages stated: “It was in the merit of righteous women that we were redeemed from Egypt.” Why? The story of

the Exodus itself contains four heroic women who played key roles in the story of redemption: Yocheved, Moses’ mother, who had the courage to have a child at a time when all male Israelite children faced death. Miriam, Moses’ sister, who followed his fate and ensured that he knew who his people were. Zipporah, Moses’ wife, who accompanied him on his mission and at one stage saved his life. Pharaoh’s daughter, who rescued Moses and adopted him, knowing that in doing so she was acting in contravention of her father’s will. These are four women demonstrating outstanding moral courage. In fact, Moses’ life was repeatedly threatened by men and then saved by women.

Now, it is true that behind every great man, there is a great - some would say, greater woman. But one might ask: Why is Moshe excluded here? Why not, “In the merit of the righteous women and Moses, our ancestors were redeemed.”

The answer would be, Moshe led Israel, not because he chose to, but because he was summoned by G-d to be His messenger. He had no say in the planning and execution of the events. When G-d came to Moses at the burning bush, Moses’ first question to G-d is, “Who am I to go to Pharaoh?”

G-d answers, “I will be with you.” G-d assures Moses: “You can go to Pharaoh because you do not go alone.”

The heroic actions of the four women were not commanded. They seized the initiative which only makes the bravery of these women all the more profound. It was they who made the heroic

decisions on their own. They risked their lives because they had an intuitive grasp of what G-d asks of each of us on earth. Their moral courage in the face of the most powerful empire on earth was the catalyst for redemption.

On Pesach we drink four cups and we remember the story of these great women, whose faith, courage, and moral righteousness made the liberation possible. “It was because of righteous women,” said the Sages, “that our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt and it is in their merit that we will ultimately be redeemed.” We’re counting on you!

CHAD GADYA

Dear Rabbi

What is the message behind the Chad Gadya song? Is it just to keep the kids entertained?

Cyril

Dear Cyril

There are plenty of significant messages. One of the most compelling is this: The goat is innocent. The cat that ate the goat is wrong. The dog that bit the cat is right. The stick that hit the dog is wrong. The fire that burnt the stick is right. The water that extinguished the fire is wrong. The cow that drank the water is right. The shochet that slaughtered the cow is wrong. The Angel of death that killed the shochet is right. G-d who killed the Angel of death… well, you see the problem here. The answer? Maybe the cat was wrong for attacking the goat. Maybe not. We don’t know all the details. But that’s between them. You, dog, what you are, who asked you to mix in!?! Now think of Israel and its neighbours – and all the dogs at the United Nations and wherever else that choose to mix in! Chag Kasher v’Sameach to all.

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

CHAI GAVE US OUR MUMMY BACK

“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, I just didn’t know what to do. I had my surgery in Israel as both mine and my husband’s families live there. Then I had a big decision to make - where would I have my treatment? How could I uproot my husband and girls? But equally, how would I get through my chemotherapy here without our families’ support? Then my oncologist told me about Chai. They have been amazing – I truly believe there is nothing like it in the world.

Being able to rely on Chai’s all-encompassing support gave me the confi dence to come home to my husband and girls. Thanks to Chai, we’re together as a family again”

WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND KOSHER PESACH

Weekly Dvar Torah FROM ERETZ YISRAEL

Tzav: To Desire!

BY RABBI JUDAH MISCHEL

When Rav Chaim Shmulevitz zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Mir and author of Sichos Mussar was a young man he spent some time visiting with his uncle, Rav Avraham Yoffen, Rosh Yeshivah of Novardok. One evening in the beis medrash, young Chaim asked his uncle who the top student in the yeshivah was.

One after another, Rav Yoffen pointed out outstanding talmidim: “Well, I would say that the student over there by the window has the sharpest mind in the yeshivah… but that one on the other side has the quickest recall. Ah, and the student to his right is the top guy in indepth learning, while the one on his left excels in quantity – yes, he for sure has the widest breadth of knowledge and has covered the most ground in learning…”

“So dear Feter, please tell me,” pressed R’ Chaim, “which of these four talmidim is the best in the yeshivah? The Rosh Yeshivah smiled, “The best…? Why, none of them!”

R’ Chaim looked confused. His uncle had described all the strengths and virtues of some top talmidim, yet none of them he considered to be the best. Sensing his nephew’s discomfort, Rav Yaffen directed the young man’s attention toward the back corner of the beis medrash, and pointed out yet another young man sitting and learning.

“Look over there. Do you see that student sitting in the back? He is the top student in the yeshivah! You see,” the Rav whispered, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, “he is the greatest mevakeish, the student with the most desire and drive, the one who ‘wants’ Torah and growth more than anyone else here. He is on fire! He would stay there in his seat all night until morning, if I would let him. If there’s a ‘best’, he’s it. My dear Chaim, the biggest mevakeish is the most elevated student!”

“Tzav, ‘command’ Aharon and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the olah burnt offering: it is the burnt offering which burns on the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall burn with it.’”

Sidra Summary

ephah volume of flour was to be offered by every Kohen on his first day of service, half in the morning and half in the afternoon. The Kohen Gadol had to bring this offering every day. Like the olah, the chatat (sin) offering was slaughtered in a designated part of the Mishkan. The procedure for an asham (guilt) offering is detailed.

3RD ALIYA (SHLISHI) – 7:11-38

Toras haOlah, “The teaching of the burnt offering”, is the Torah of olah, ‘elevation’, the teaching of having a burning desire for growth.

Rebbe Shlomo of Karlin exemplified and taught the great value of constantly repeating one’s Torah lessons with fiery passion. His Divine service was a living image of the fire on the mizbeyach, which had to be kept burning at all times. Whether or not there is active service taking place, the fire on the mizbeyach was always lit. Whether or not we are sitting with a holy book, our learning can remain aflame within our mind and heart.

Regardless of how we hold a candle, the flickering flame reaches upward, yearning to ascend. The flame is drawn down and anchored by the wick, which does not let it disconnect and burn out. And yet, the combustion of gasses constantly pushes upward, straining to break through and be elevated beyond the denser wick. As the flame rises, creating heat and light, air is pulled into the base of the fire, feeding the fire with oxygen,

enabling the light to grow even brighter. The young, fiery mevakeish in Novardok, “the best student’’, was none other than Reb Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, The Steipler Gaon zt”l, the author of Birchas Peretz, “The Blessing of Peretz”, or ‘The Blessing Drawn Down by the One Who Seeks to Break Through’. May we merit to follow in his ways!

May our Yiddishkeit be filled with warmth and light and passion to grow and rise toward Hashem – and yet may we also remain anchored and steadied with an eye for the future, so that our fire may burn until ‘morning’, until the coming of Mashiach.

1ST ALIYA (KOHEN) – VAYIKRA 6:1-11

The Torah adds new details about the offerings that were discussed in last week’s sidrah. The olah (elevation) offering could be left burning on the mizbeach (altar) throughout the night. In the morning, a Kohen would remove the ash. Wood needed to be added on the mizbeach every day as fuel for the three fires that were constantly burning (Rashi). The mincha (meal offering) was baked unleavened; those parts eaten by the Kohanim had to be consumed in the courtyard of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).

2ND ALIYA (LEVI) – 6:12-7:10

A fine flour offering from a tenth of an

One who survived a dangerous situation could bring a todah (thanksgiving) offering, which was a category of shelamim (peace) offering. It was accompanied by baked loaves; those parts of its meat designated for consumption had to be eaten within a specific time. One was forbidden to eat an offering in a state of ritual impurity. An offering which became impure was to be burned, not eaten. The blood of all animals and certain fats (chelev) of specific animals was strictly forbidden to eat. The right thigh and the chest of a shelamim (peace) offering were eaten by the Kohanim.

4TH ALIYA (REVI’I) – 8:1-13

The Torah now details the seven-day

inauguration process of Aharon and his sons, starting on 23 Adar, a week before the setting up of the Mishkan (on 1 Nisan), which was detailed previously in parashat Pekudei (see Rashi’s commentary). Moshe washed and dressed Aharon in the special garments of the Kohen Gadol and anointed his head with oil. He then dressed Aharon’s sons in their designated priestly garments.

Point to Consider: Why did Moshe have to tell the congregation that “this is the matter that G-d commanded me to do”? (see Rashi to 8:5).

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

5TH ALIYA (CHAMISHI) – 8:14-21

Moshe brought a bull as a chatat offering. Parts of this were burned on the mizbeach; the remainder was burned outside the camp. He then brought a ram as an olah offering. Aharon and his sons laid their hands upon both offerings (semicha).

6TH ALIYA (SHISHI) – 8:22-29

A second ram, a shelamim, known as the ‘inauguration ram’, was offered. Moshe smeared some of its blood on the ears, thumbs and toes of Aharon and his sons.

7TH ALIYA (SHEVI’I) – 8:30-36

Moshe also sprinkled inauguration oil, mixed with blood from the offerings, on Aharon and his sons, as well as on their garments. Moshe instructed them on how to eat the relevant parts of the inauguration offerings and told them not to leave the entrance to the ohel moed for the whole of the inauguration period.

HAFTARAH (SHABBAT HAGADOL)

The special haftarah for Shabbat HaGadol is from the last chapter of the Prophets. G-d chastises Israel for neglecting to keep His laws. Eliyahu (Elijah) can come at any time, heralding a radical improvement in the nation’s fortunes.

“A permanent fire shall remain on the Altar; it shall not be extinguished”

(Vayikra 6:6)

Torah from Israel Shabbat Hagadol: Trapped in Freedom

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN

Annually, over Pesach, our zeman cheiruteinu, we relive our emancipation from Egyptian slavery. Arguably, we enjoy greater liberty than any previous generation. Over the past few centuries, society has reinvented itself, progressing toward greater freedom. The emergence of democracy eliminated ancient and abusive forms of government, which had suppressed human imagination and crushed individual liberty. Religious liberty followed soon thereafter. Jews, who had been religiously persecuted for close to 1500 years, were the primary beneficiaries of the freedom of religious worship.

Subsequently, political liberty yielded economic liberty, as Capitalism began to inspire the human imagination and incentivize innovation and discovery. The Industrial Revolution dramatically improved living conditions and human welfare.

More recently, the technological revolution granted additional layers of liberty. First, mechanization liberated us from the heavy toll of household chores, freeing up time for personal recreation and professional pursuits. Freedom from domestic duties was especially liberating for women who had previously borne the brunt of these responsibilities.

Even more recently, the internet revolution has accorded freedom of information. Knowledge is power, and by affording universal access to knowledge, the internet has empowered us to be less dependent upon centralized outlets of information. We can now select where and how we access information.

Over the past 400 years the world has experienced a dizzying whirlwind which has remodeled a restrictive society into a world of freedom and personal autonomy.

Pesach is perfectly suited for savoring the freedom we sometimes take for granted. Our exodus from Egypt launched the great march of human liberty. Hashem intervened in history, wiping out a tyrannical regime which had abused human liberty and had debased human dignity. As His children, we were challenged to craft a society which wasn’t based on power and might, but upon moral conscience and the will of a Higher being. If Hashem scrutinized our behavior and held us accountable, perhaps brute force and aggression weren’t necessary to maintain order and public welfare.

It took centuries for humanity to fully incorporate the freedoms of Pesach, but, thankfully, most of the modern world values personal liberty and construct societies predicated upon personal autonomy and

human dignity. In many ways, the modern world embodies the revolution of Pesach.

20TH CENTURY AND 21ST CENTURY

The 20th century could be termed the great century of democracy, as the free world triumphed over Fascism and Communism. However, these euphoric victories provided a false sense of security about the stability and durability of democracy. The 21st century has demonstrated just how flimsy democracy can be. Democracies must be built upon public consensus, but common consent is becoming harder and harder to maintain. Without common consensus, politics and society become polarized and democracy begins to wobble. Sadly, we are experiencing these political tremors in Israel, and they have ruptured our national unity.

We pray that democracies will prove resilient to the external pressures and internal tensions they currently face.

THE TRAP OF FREEDOM

Just as Pesach is a time to savor human freedom, it is also a moment to scrutinize its latent dangers. Every great revolution masks hazardous threats, which advance under the cover of that revolution. We become so enamored with revolutionary ideas and their intoxicating promises, that we ignore dangers which lurk quietly in ambush. Freedom is no different, and the almost unlimited freedom of our world presents moral and religious challenges. On Pesach, an unconditional celebration of freedom would be partial and dishonest if we weren’t also sensitive to its moral challenges. The religious dangers of unlimited freedom are obvious. Religious experience is based on submitting to the higher will of Hashem and veneration of freedom as the paramount value can create dissonance between societal values and religious mentality. What are the moral challenges of unlimited freedom?

IS IT REAL?

The internet has liberated us from information control, empowering us to access knowledge independently, thereby shattering our dependency upon governments and agenda-driven news outlets. Information is flowing more freely than ever. It is also overflowing and swamping us.

The information flow has been decentralized and deregulated but also has been warped. There is too much information available, and it is too easily manipulated under the cover of anonymity which the

internet provides. Unable to separate fact from fiction we are plagued by fake news. Confused about the difference between truth and falsehood, we doubt the veracity of everything. Including ourselves. This doubt is starting to bleed into our personal lives. The modern swirl has produced a new psychological disorder called impostor syndrome, in which we ex press persistent self-doubt about our real accomplishments: perhaps they are fake or impostor accomplishments. Perhaps, at some point, the deceit will be discovered, and we will be exposed as a sham. In world in which truth is elusive and the boundaries between true and false are distorted, we ourselves, become lost in doubt and uncertainty. Without certainty, there is no passion or conviction. We fall into apathy and indifference. If everything is unclear, nothing matters.

DEPENDENCE UPON DEPENDENCIES

By providing independent access to information, the internet has also released us from natural and healthy dependencies. Before Google, we were forced to ask older people, usually parents, for help and guidance about life. Medical questions, fixit questions, and general inquiries about life were all directed at those with greater knowledge and more experience. This dependency bolstered healthy parent-child relationships: parents felt valued because their experience and wisdom was needed, while children naturally deferred to parents who possessed important information. Today, it is far more common for parents to ask children for assistance in learning new technologies. When children have little need for parents the parent-child relationship falters. Google has upended the natural respect once felt for elders.

Similarly, prior to GPS and Waze, we were forced to speak with strangers to ask for directions. Speaking with strangers develops our communicative skills and teaches us politeness. Travel was a perfect opportunity to engage with people different from us. We now travel in hushed silence, cut off from valuable opportunities to communicate with others. Cell phones don’t exactly help our interpersonal or communicative skills either.

Dependencies on others for information or guidance is a vital aspect of emotional well-being and of healthy relationships, but the internet is slowly killing them off, one by one. We are freer than ever to gather information, but we live alone in quiet prisons, trapped in front of screens.

SEARCHING FOR IDENTITY

Previous societies were built upon

rigid hierarchies. Political, social, racial, and economic hierarchies were rigidly enforced, and society offered little opportunity for upward mobility. These hierarchies were oppressive, but they also provided clear and unmistakable value systems upon which people built their identity. The church may have abused its power, but it presented clear values about religion and identity. Kings may have bled their citizens dry, but they also symbolized, often hypocritically, a set of national values and ideals were worth dying for. A world of absolute hierarchies offered absolutes. People were born into a fixed identity which provided rugged scaffolding for human experience.

The abolition of hierarchies and the expansion of freedom have created a crisis of identity. In our world, the only absolute value is freedom from any constraint. Every other value is “up for grabs” and it becomes difficult to craft identity. We begin to ask ourselves “whom am I?”. If religion, morality, nationality, race, or even gender aren’t assumed and there are no longer any objectives or absolutes, identity becomes quicksand. Unlimited freedom has led to a crisis of identity.

Make no mistake. Religious people are prime beneficiaries of the march of freedom. Freedom is built upon a religious notion that Man is Hashem’s exquisite creature and his dignity and autonomy must be preserved. However, too much of anything is dangerous, and no human convention is perfect. Take the time to carefully gauge the perils of freedom.

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.

Inspiring insights for your Seder table

BY RABBI SHMUEL REICHMAN

We all want to share deep and thoughtful ideas at the Seder in order to enhance the experience. I hope this collection of Divrei Torah will aid you on your journey towards a meaningful, transformative Seder night.

WHAT’S WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS?

A notably prominent theme of the Seder is that of asking questions. While “Mah Nishtanah” is the most obvious example, the commentators explain many features of the Seder as purely serving as an impetus for the children to ask questions. It’s not only children, though, who are enjoined to question. The Gemara in Pesachim (116a) says that if a man’s child cannot ask the questions, then his wife should, and if he has no wife, he must ask himself questions. Even if two Torah scholars are sharing their Seder together, they should ask each other. Why is questioning such an integral part of the Pesach Seder?

Asking questions is the gateway to learning. A question creates a gap- it allows you to recognize your current limitations, to shed the illusion that you already know everything. You can only learn something once you realize that you don’t already understand it. The Gemara in Gittin (43a) says that you can only understand a Torah concept if you originally struggled with it. Only by recognizing that you don’t already know something can you break it down, analyze it, and see it in a new way, thereby building a new, deeper understanding. If you believe that you fully understand something, you simply will not allow your mind to develop a new way of seeing it. Only by realizing a lack in your understanding and perception can you develop deeper paradigms.

The Seder night serves as an opportunity to pass over our mesorah, our tradition and legacy, to the next generation. It’s a night when we speak about emunah (faith), the meaning of being a Jew, and our purpose in this world. In order to teach these lessons to our children and ourselves in a deep and lasting way, we must encourage the Seder participants to ask questions, no matter the age or knowledge-level.

Our yetzer hara (evil inclination) convinces us that we are perfect, that we already know everything. As such, there’s no need to question. This flawed belief is personified by Eisav, who was born fully hairy. Hair is the outermost expression of a grown human being - Eisav projected the belief that he was completely developed and therefore required no additional growth. The name “Eisav” itself is the word “asui” - meaning made

or complete. Eisav represents the illusion of being complete, perfect, not requiring any further work or growth.

Our goal and mission as the Jewish People is to grow, develop ourselves, and fulfill our potential. On the Seder night, as we focus on whom each of us can become, we ask questions - creating holes that we then yearn to fill with additional knowledge, insight, and growth.

WHAT’S OUR GOAL IN TELLING OVER THE STORY OF YETZIAS MITZRAYIM?

We conclude the paragraph of “Avadim Hayinu” by proclaiming, “v’chol hamarbeh li’saper bi’yitzias Mitzrayim, harei zeh mishubach” - all those who elaborate on the Exodus from Egypt, behold, this is praiseworthy. The Rambam (Maimonides) codifies this as a legitimate halacha of Seder night. What is the meaning of this statement? What is the importance of telling over the Pesach story at great length, and why on this night specifically? There are two ways to interpret the statement of “v’chol hamarbeh.” The first is on a quantitative level, that one should tell over as much of the Exodus story as possible. The second is a qualitative approach, that one should delve into the miracles and wonders that Hashem performed when taking us out of Mitzrayim in as much depth as possible.

There is, however, a third way to understand this statement, one that offers a new perspective on Yetzias Mitrayim and the goal of Seder night. Yetzias Mitzrayim was not merely a historical event, rather it was the birth of the Jewish People - our people, you and me. The story did not end with the birth of the Jewish People, it continues with them growing into the nation they are meant to become. When the Jewish People left Mitzrayim, we journeyed to Har Sinai and Matan Torah, where we were given the Torah and our mission in this world as Hashem’s chosen nation. This is the story that has continued throughout history, that you and I are commissioned to continue to this very day.

Tzippur means to tell over a story, and the hagaddah says that whoever does this increasingly is praiseworthy. Jewish history is not only “his”-story, it’s our story. It is our mission and destiny, and we must continue to grow and thrive in this mission. The goal is to make yourself a part of the Jewish story, to continue what began with Yetzias Mitzrayim, to become the person you were meant to be. V’chol hamarbeh… harei zeh meshubach.

WINE ON THE SEDER NIGHT… REALLY?

Pesach is a spiritual time, where we connect to some of the deepest themes of Judaism. Why then do we spend the night drinking wine? We see repeatedly that wine is a dangerous and damaging entity, connected to many infamous sins. According to one opinion, the eitz ha’da’as

was a grape vine. Immediately after the mabul, Noach became intoxicated, repeating Adam’s original sin. Lot and his daughters erred with wine. According to one opinion, Nadav and Avihu’s sin was performing the avodah while intoxicated. If wine has so many destructive consequences, why do we spend our Seder night drinking wine?

Nothing in the physical world is objectively good or evil, rather, everything has the potential to be used for either good or evil. The choice is solely up to you! Electricity is neither good nor bad. An outlet can be used to charge your appliances, but it can also give you an electric shock. The same applies to money: it can be used to enable Torah learning, but it can also be used to fund destruction and chaos. A charismatic personality can be used to inspire others to grow, or to seduce them down a twisted path. Everything in this world is merely potential, waiting to be used. Evil, therefore, is really the misuse of potential, when we choose to use an object for something other than its true purpose. Evil is the breakdown and corruption of good. This is why the Hebrew word for evil is “rah”, which means brokenness or fragmentation.

Hashem created the world in this way so that we can have free will. We get to choose whether to use things for their true purpose, actualizing their potential, or to misuse them, getting pulled into the clutches of evil. This choice between good and evil is magnified as the power of something increases. The more power there is, the more potential there is. For example, a 220 watt outlet can either charge your phone, or give you a small electric shock you. But 20,000 watts can either light up your neighbourhood or electrocute you. The more power, the more potential. Of course, this results in an important principle: the value in any power is only in as much as it can be controlled. Otherwise, the more power you have, the more destruction you will have, as we often see with nuclear energy and money. Just think about giving a child the power to cross the street by himself. When do you give him such a power? Only when he has the ability to control it, to know when not to cross the street.

The Vilna Gaon explains that wine is the greatest paradigm of physical potential. On the one hand, it is clearly dangerous, and its misuse often leads to utter disaster. But when used properly, it elevates you. Wine is able to open up the mind, allowing it to transcend its normal limitations. As Chazal explain, “nichnas yayin yatzeh sod”- when wine enters, secrets are revealed. [Both yayin and sod have the gematria of 70]. Wine opens up your consciousness to a deeper level of experience and understanding that transcends the revealed level of reality.

The spiritual nature of wine is also evident in its physical nature. Everything

physical rots, withers, and decays with time, such as the human body and food. Wine, however, only improves with time. Furthermore, as R’ Shlomo Zalman Aurbach explains, when it comes to most foods and drinks, the more you have, the less you want; you become full and lose your appetite. With wine, however, the opposite is true: the more you have, the more you desire.

This is why we have wine at every point of kedushah- at every point where we want to uplift the physical. It’s our way of showing that we’re taking the physical, something that has the potential for both spirituality and spiritual emptiness, and using it for the good. We therefore make kiddush on wine on Shabbos, on Yom Tov, at a wedding, at a bris milah, and for other such holy celebrations.

We drink wine at the Seder in order to uplift the night of Pesach. We are uplifting our Seder experience, but we are tapping into a larger experience as well. The Ramban explains that the grand miracles of Pesach are meant to instil within us the understanding that not only are the open reversals of nature miraculous, but the day-to-day workings of nature are miraculous as well. Hashem performed outstanding miracles when taking us out of Mitzrayim, but the entire world of nature is a constant miracle upheld by Hashem as well. This means that every aspect of this physical world is infused with Godliness, with the potential for spirituality, and we can therefore uplift every single thing we encounter to a state of holiness. As we relive the Pesach story at the Seder, we learn about the inherent spirituality present within every facet of the physical world. What better way to do this than with wine?

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

Family Fun Pesach

Pesach is the high point of the Jewish Calendar! We sit for many hours with our family and simply think and chat about our amazing history - that a group of tribes became a nation, and a large group of slaves became a kingdom of princes! G-d told Moshe that the Jewish people are to slaughter the deity of the Egyptians - the sheep, spread its blood on their doorposts and then Hashem would “pass-over” the Jewish houses when the Egyptian firstborns would be hit. As they ate the Korban Pesach, dressed in their belt and shoes, and holding their walking sticks, they were filled with excitement and trust in G-d and his faithful messenger Moshe who would lead them out of slavery into a life a worshipping Hashem.

As day broke the Jewish people left the land of bondage and travelled with the food they had prepared – but the dough had no time to rise and they were left with Matzah, which is one reason we eat Matzah on Seder Night! The other reason we eat Matzah is to remember the “bread of our affliction” and the fact that we ate Matzah when we were slaves. The other things we eat on Seder night include, Marror, to remember the bitterness of the slavery and suffering we underwent, as well as other things. There are also two dipping activities – the Karpas – a raw vegetable which is dipped into salt water and the Marror –which is dipped into the Charoses.

So, we relate the story of our ancestors’ slavery in Egypt, and we say various

Pesukim from all over Tanach and the Midrashim of our Sages, elaborating on the Ten Makkot and the extent of Hashem’s kindnesses from the beginning of history until we were brought to the Holy Land.

It is interesting that the slavery in Egypt is not something that we try to forget about; to the contrary, we remember it each year – not only the eventual freedom, but the bondage itself. One reason for this is that when we ended our slavery to Pharaoh, we didn’t become “free people” to do as we please; rather we were honoured to become “slaves” to Hashem Himself, for only 49 days after leaving Egypt we received the greatest gift of all – the Torah! So, Egypt was, in some ways, a “training ground” for how to be enslaved, meaning,

how to limit one’s own pursuit of pleasure due to being subservient to an “other”. The atmosphere at the Seder Table is one of joy, but, at the same time, one of respect. We try to limit our table talk to topics relevant to Pesach and the Exodus from Egypt. Before we perform each of the Mitzvot of the night, be it the Kiddush, the four cups of wine/grape juice, the Haggadah the Matzah, Marror, Korech, Afikoman or even Birkat Hamazon, we think, “I am performing a Mitzvah”. It’s a different world when one is mindful of what they are doing, and being free from Egyptian slavery, means our minds are now free to serve Hashem! That is something we should always take care to protect!

The Ma Nishtana has changed as we don’t have the Temple

In the days when we had a Temple, the third question was “On all other nights we eat either roasted, stewed, or cooked meat, but on this night all the meat is the roasted meat of the Paschal lamb.” Since the Temple was destroyed and we no longer have a Paschal lamb, we don’t ask that question. It has been replaced by “Why do we lean?”

Tangram Challenge!

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

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

B

Use the area below to write the words you have found. C R S D K W A O

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

fairs fairy feint fiats fiery finer

fires first fries

Jokes

Q: Why do we have a Haggadah at Pesach?

A: So we can Seder right words.

Q: What kind of cheese do I eat on Pesach?

A:Matzah-rella!

Q: What’s the difference between matzah and cardboard? A: Cardboard doesn’t leave crumbs!

Knock, Knock Who’s there? EliYa EliYa who?

EliYaHu HaNavi

inert infer infra inset inter irate naifs nifty nitre rains

rainy raise refit reins resin resit rifts rinse risen rites

saint satin serif siren sitar stain stair stein tiers tines

tires train tries yetis airest arisen faints feints feisty fiesta

Riddles

finery finest infers infest insert inters ratify refits resift retain

retina rifest sanity satiny satire sifter strain strife trains fainter

1. How far can a fox run into a garden?

fairest nastier retains retinas retsina snifter stainer fainters

2. I can be hot, I can be cold, I can run and I can be still, I can be hard and I can be soft. What am I?

3. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words “Wednesday,” “Friday,” or “Sunday”?

3. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

2. (salt)Water!

1. Only halfway—then he’s running out of it!

Answers

Rabbi Daniel Hadar Rabbi Dr. Laibl Wolf

Rabbi Yossi Fachler Ohad The Solomon Brothers

Rabbi Doron Perez

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Marking the shloshim Mrs Malli Rotenberg, née Jochnowitz ה”ע

Germany from Poland after the First World War. Kristallnacht on 9-10th November, 1938, had a profound effect on Malli. She was a thirteen-year-old girl when the synagogue on her street was burned down by the Nazis. No longer would she be able to walk past the charred remains of the synagogue because it made her too distressed.

departure, she was encouraged to write to her foster family. In her letter, she thanked them for their kindness and hoped there was a synagogue nearby. She did not receive a reply, and it seems that the arrangements fell through.

We read in Pirkei Avot that we should be talmidim of Aharon, loving peace and pursuing peace; loving others and bringing them closer to the Torah. This was what Mrs Malli Rotenberg accomplished in her life, over and above her devotion to bringing up her family in a home of םידסח תולימגו הדובעו הרות Malli Jochnowitz was born in 1925 in Fulda, Germany, to Abraham and Tzivia Jochnowitz ה”ע, (from the Kalter and Rubinfeld families) who had immigrated to

Also in 1938, it was decided that the Ostjuden would be sent back to Poland. The Jochnowitz family were given a couple of hours to pack and leave for the Polish border. The family was very fearful of what would happen to them in Poland. The Polish government refused them entry and they were sent back to Germany, which was gam zu letovah because as it turned out in this case, it would have been more difficult to escape Poland before the war. There was a further incident when the Nazis tried to come for Abraham Jochnowitz, and the family managed to escape through a back exit and stayed with friends until it was safe for them to return home. After these tribulations, Abraham and Tzivia were determined to leave Germany, and they made arrangements to save their children first.

Malli was offered a place on the Kindertransport and was due to be fostered by a gentile family in Coventry. Prior to her

She would often talk about how hard it was for parents to send their children away. When Malli arrived at Liverpool Street Station in February 1939, she was the last child to be picked up.

She was taken to a children’s hostel in Finchley, North London, which had just opened for Jewish refugee children. She was the first child in the hostel, where she felt very lonely, but she also felt she had to show hacarat hatov to the staff who were kind to her.

Her older brother, Joseph ה”ע who was in yeshiva in Manchester, made arrangements for her to be hosted by the Bradpiece family in Manchester four weeks later, where she was well looked after. Her two older sisters, Ida Harris, ה”ע and Gina Stemmer ה”ע had come to the UK on ‘domestic service visas’.

Not long afterwards, Malli received a letter from her mother in Fulda saying “Tante Sakona (Aunt Danger) has arrived” which was a signal for her to help rescue her parents and three younger brothers, Max, Naftali and

Simon. The older siblings tried to mobilise support to get their parents and three younger brothers a visa for England. Malli’s sister, Ida, appealed to Rabbi Solomon Schonfeld ל”צז for help. He put Abraham Jochnowitz’s name on the Rabbis’ list, which meant he would be able to secure entry for himself and his family. With the help of Hashem, they arrived in England in August, 1939, which was four weeks before the war began. The Jochnowitz family always had a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for being rescued and for being given refuge in the UK.

Malli continued her school attendance until the age of fourteen. After leaving school, she worked in a factory making raincoats. She gave half of her earnings to her parents who were in straitened circumstances because her father was unable to work initially as a shochet because he did not have the appropriate accreditation in the UK. Her parents decided to set up a boarding house to make ends meet, and would offer board and lodging to refugees and survivors. Malli would recall that one of the boys would hide food in his bedroom because of his experience of hunger in the camps. Many orphans stayed in the Jochnowitz boarding house where they knew they had a loving home. She had a thirst for knowledge and was

very keen to study for the sake of studying. She enrolled onto a Correspondence Course in Sheffield to study for the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate, which enabled her to obtain a degree in Psychology and History. She loved studying and had intended to progress with her studies before meeting her husband, Abba (Albert) Rotenberg ה”ע from London. Abba used to travel to Manchester to visit his older brother Nathan ה”ע who was friendly with Malli’s brother-in-law, Pinchas Harris ה”ע, who arranged for her to be introduced to Abba.

The young couple married in Manchester on Lag B’Omer 1952 in the Harris’s garden, and subsequently moved to Golders Green, where they brought up five children. Malli was devoted to Abba, putting his needs before her own. Later, when she talked about the secret of a happy marriage, she said, “It is not give and take, it is give and give”. She would not keep the score and was uncalculating in her relationships. She was a natural תוירב בהוא and had an amazing ability to connect with people. She knew what mattered to the person she was talking to and was always תוכז ףכל ןד, always seeing the best in people. She loved bringing up her children and said later that she did not want the time to pass. If the sun was shining, she would rather take her children to the park and leave the washing up for later, because the washing up could wait. She was devoted to her husband and children and strived to ensure their home was one of םידסח

At her levaya, Eli Rotenberg, her grandson, talked of how Grandma Malli made him feel so special. Her nieces told each other that they felt that Aunty Malli was their favourite

aunt, and they all believed they were her favourite niece. All this stemmed from her being an תוירב בהוא. Grandma Malli took a keen interest in her grandchildren who felt that she was always there for them to talk to with her listening ear and bright eyes. She would offer validation and understanding. She would continue to offer her advice and wisdom when they got married and had children of their own.

When her youngest children were of school age, Malli worked voluntarily at the Jewish Marriage Council where she trained as a marriage counsellor. She also supervised other counsellors. She ensured that her work did not encroach on family life. She worked at the JMC for many years and was delighted to receive a JMC lifetime achievement award at the home of Lady Jakobovits ה’’ע in 2001. Malli worked on a number of projects in a variety of settings, including the Jewish Bereavement Society, and LSJS where she taught rabbinical students counselling skills. She was invited to work as a school teacher in 1973 at the Beis Yaacov primary school by Mrs Edith Rothschild, ה”ע, who was the first headteacher at the Golders Green School.

In 1990, after Abba passed away, Malli was invited by Mrs Ruth Halle ה”ע to teach the Foundation Course in Counselling Skills at MST College. Together with Mrs Michelle Goldberg, ה”ע, Malli trained many women from the frum community, who came from very diverse backgrounds, who loved her gentle and imaginative style. She would use role-play most effectively to teach counselling skills and was very encouraging towards her students. When the course came to an end, a group of women in Golders Green

asked her if she would continue to facilitate a self-awareness group in a private home. She loved teaching and very much enjoyed offering interactive groups where she would transform lives.

She fulfilled what it says in Pirkei Avot that one should have “lots of students”. So, together with Rebetzen Chaya Leah Nebenzahl (formerly Lily Galandauer), Malli planned and delivered a professional counselling course, “Shalva” to a group of well-chosen women in Antwerp. She would fly regularly from London to Antwerp to deliver these courses. Malli and Chaya Leah comprised half a team; the other half consisted of Mrs Hanna Chody, and Mrs Bunny Epstein ה”ע Malli was over 70 years old when she and her colleagues worked strenuous hours and in many languages. She had a reputation for being undemanding, a wonderful partner, a humble and wise person and was much admired. In all this she would seek Rabbinic guidance, agreement, and encouragement.

Among the other projects in which Malli became involved together with Chaya Leah, were the delivery of skills to US rebbetzens, parenting classes, specifically including single mothers. Malli was thought of as inspiring, stimulating, and joyful to work with.

One can ask, where did she get the inspiration to accomplish so much for the community? It seems that this was a response to the trauma she went through as a child. So, her response to the war of Germany was to bring peace, her response to the hatred in Germany was to bring love and her response to the barbarity of Germany was to bring people closer to the Torah that is chesed as it says in Gemara Sotah “Rav Simlai said the Torah

starts with chesed and ends with chesed…”. She changed relationships from where there was an absence of shalom to relationships full of chesed. So, she was a true talmidah of Aharon, loving peace and pursuing peace; loving others and bringing them closer to the Torah.

Malli continued counselling clients into her 90’s. Until the onset of Covid, she would attend shul regularly and punctually on Shabbos. She would also attend weekly shiurim. When she became weaker with age, she would read inspirational books, many of which were lent to her by members of the community. Her devotion to tefilah was inspiring to observe and, despite her infirmity, she would daven regularly and also for other people. When she could no longer read, she would listen to music, and to zemirot that her children and grandchildren would sing to her. She found that this elevated her spirit (see Rambam Y.H. 7:4). Towards the end of her life, when her world contracted, she maintained her kind nature and sense of humour. When other people of her age would think mainly of themselves, she would continue to have an interest in others. Her carers loved her and ensured that she was treated with dignity and integrity as though she was one of their own family.

But now she is no longer with us; there is an emptiness, a darkness, a void. May it be the ratzon of Hashem that the many memories we have of her will shine a light into the darkness and inspire us to emulate her ways to bring shalom, ahava and chesed into the world. May she now merit 'ה םעונב תוזחל and may she be a רשוי תצילמ, for her family friends and Klal Yisrael.

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LSJS Education Page

The after effects are far from over

BY DR HELENA MILLER

During the summer of 2020, Dr Alex Pomson and I were commissioned by the Pears Foundation and the Wohl Foundation to undertake a research project to explore the effects of the pandemic on the Jewish lives of teenagers. It paid special attention to three key moments in their Jewish development: Bar/Batmitzvah, Israel tour and summer camp, and their graduation from school. When this project was commissioned, we assumed that we would be looking back at a historic moment in time. We even delayed data collection for a year, until 2021, assuming that by then, the pandemic would be over and done with. We collected data from students at eight Jewish Secondary schools, in years 9, 12 and 13. We received 1,376 responses to our survey and in addition, 117 students across the schools took part in focus groups conducted by Dr Belinda

Coppitch, which either took place over Zoom or in person with everyone wearing masks. Whilst a strong sense of resilience was in evidence, there were also clear signs of frustration and anxiety. Participants described their experiences vividly. There were wide variations in the students’ reactions to the experiences of remote learning and lockdowns. A small minority thrived on the additional independence they gained during the lockdowns, but the majority were dissatisfied. There was agreement with the view that the teacher-student relationship is hugely challenged by the absence of face-to-face contact. Whilst year 9 respondents appeared to have relatively little interest or

concern about their possible futures, year 12 and year 13 respondents exhibited underlying feelings of insecurity and anxiety when thinking about what lies ahead.

Why am I writing about this now? Because we are almost two years on from our data collection, and, as we know, whilst the acute stage of the pandemic has receded, the after-effects are still affecting teachers and students in our schools, as well as their families. Our research focused on secondary schools but we know that across the schools, from nursery to year 13, as well as in our universities and post-school environments, social development has suffered, mental wellbeing is at an all time low and connections to Jewish communal

life have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, whilst the majority of students have caught up academically, there is a significant minority who have knowledge gaps that have not yet been filled.

The large-scale project in the UK Jewish community that led to the 2022 report ‘The Future of Jewish Education in the UK’, was informed by our research, amongst many other sources. Joanne Greenaway, Chief Executive of LSJS, is one of a key group of community representatives now working to address this in schools and other communal and personal spaces such as synagogues and families, to try to build back better. We want to ensure that two years on, young people in the UK Jewish community are prioritised and supported, in their schools and beyond. For it is on them that the vibrancy of UK Jewish life will depend in the future.

Dr Helena Miller is Director of Degrees and Teacher Training Programmes, and Senior Research Fellow at LSJS

We want to ensure that two years on, young people in the UK Jewish community are prioritised and supported, in their

and beyond.

Arsenal go for Premier glory as City face fixture pile up

BY DAVID SAFFER

The Premier League title race enters a crucial month of fixtures with Arsenal holding an eight-point advantage over defending champions Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta’s team have 10 games to play and are in the box seat as Pep Guardiola’s side face a titanic Champions League quarter final clash with Bayern Munich and FA Cup semi-final with Sheffield United on top of league matches in April.

Arsenal will never have a better chance of adding to the club’s 13 titles. Losing to Sporting Lisbon on penalties in the Europa League ‘Round of 16’ earlier this month means they have a clear run of league fixtures with no cup distractions.

Another delicious recipe from Denise Phillips

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

Should City prevail in defending the title it will be their greatest success in the modern era.

Arsenal go for glory starting with a home clash with Leeds United before trips to Liverpool and West Ham. After hosting Southampton they travel to City in a pivotal game of the campaign on April 26.

City play Liverpool, Southampton and Leicester City before the Emirates clash.

Away from the title race crucial fixtures take place in the race for Champions League spots and relegation scrap. Manchester United are well set for a top four finish with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United also in the shake-up.

The Reds travel to Tyneside on Sunday in what could be the match of the weekend

Apple Matzah Brei

Breakfast or brunch ~ apple matzah brei is the perfect answer. Using Pesach store cupboard ingredients this is easy to make and hopefully will satisfy hungry ‘little mouths’ for more than 10 minutes!

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2–4 people

before hosting Brentford and Everton while Newcastle travel south to play the Bees and West Ham.

Spurs, meantime, are looking for a new manager after the departure of Antonio Conte by mutual consent. Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini is in charge for the remainder of the campaign beginning with Everton in the Monday night fixture then Brighton who are surprise team in the European mix.

The Seagulls are level on points with Liverpool with games in hand on the teams above them. They host Brentford then travel to Bournemouth before hosting Tottenham which could be a six-pointer by then. Liverpool can challenge but take on the top two in the coming days. Their season could

be over with two defeats.

In the relegation battle only four points separate 12th-placed Crystal Palace and bottom club Southampton. The fight to stay up will go till the final game.

Palace and Leicester City have picked up just one point in the past five games whilst Leeds and Bournemouth have secured six points. But you can flip a coin as to who will occupy the bottom three spots at the moment. Fans of all nine clubs are in for an anxious couple of months.

Away from domestic action Harry Kane broke the all-time England goal scoring record as Gareth Southgate’s team made the perfect start to the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

England’s skipper eclipsed Wayne Rooney’s mark by firing home the winning goal in an impressive 2-1 victory against Italy in Naples then opened the scoring with his 55th international goal in a 2-0 defeat of Ukraine at Wembley last Sunday.

England are on track for a place in the Germany finals with Malta and North Macedonia to play in June.

Matza Granola

Breakfasts at Pesach can be a challenge to satisfy the family; this nutritious matza cereal certainly helps to put off hunger pangs at least to 11am! It is delicious with milk or used as a topping for crumble or fruit pies. It is also super-portable for when you’re rushing out the door to visit family or doing activities with your kids. Just bag it up and go!

For those with nut allergies substitute the nuts for more dried fruit for example dried apricots, sultanas and apples.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Serves: 2–4 people

Ingredients

Ingredients

4 large matzahs (broken into 4 cm pieces)

2 Granny smith apples – cored and finely chopped

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 large eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon Passover baking powder

Garnish: 1 red apple – cored and sliced

Method

1. Soak matzah in cold water for 5 minutes.

2. Drain in a colander.

3. Chop apple add honey and lemon juice.

4. Whisk in 1 tablespoon oil, egg, and salt and mix together. Gently stir in matzahs. Mix in baking powder.

5. Cut a circle of baking parchment paper, slightly bigger than the frying pan. Insert into the frying pan. (This prevents the matza brei from sticking to the frying pan.)

6. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a frying pan over medium heat.

7. Spread matzah mixture evenly in the frying pan, pressing gently.

8. Cook until underside is golden, about 4 minutes.

9. Flip using a spatula. Cook until underside is golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plates.

Top with apple slices.

4 large matzahs (broken into 4 cm pieces)

2 Granny smith apples – cored and finely chopped

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 large eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon Passover baking powder

Garnish: 1 red apple – cored and sliced

Method

1. Heat oven to 180C/ 350 F/ Gas mark 4.

2. Line two baking trays with nonstick baking parchment paper.

3. Combine matza pieces, pecans, coconut and almonds in large bowl.

4. Stir honey, oil, cinnamon and salt in a medium sized saucepan. Heat over mediumhigh heat until boiling.

5. Pour over the matza mixture; toss until evenly coated.

6. Spread mixture evenly onto prepared baking trays.

7. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, tossing occasionally, so that the mixture browns evenly.

8. Toss matza mixture with raisins; let cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. It will keep for several weeks.

CRAFTED FOR ALL

EVERY PALATE | EVERY TABLE | EVERY OCCASION

VARIETAL DRIVEN QUALITY CALIFORNIA WINEMAKING CRAFTED FOR EVERY TABLE