The Jewish Weekly Issue 166

EE FR 12 NOVEMBER 2020/25 CHESHVAN 5781

#166

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks ‫זצ‘‘ל‬ 1948 – 2020 PHOTO: THE OFFICE OF RABBI SACKS

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Message from the editor

Editor, Yossi Saunders

It was a tremendous shock when news broke that our beloved former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks had passed away on Shabbat morning and the community reacted with overwhelming sadness.

Over the last few days, tributes have poured in from around the world. People from all walks of life feel a keen sense of loss.

From royalty, to the common man, across political spectrums and across the vast religious chasms that exist both within and outside our community, Rabbi Lord Sacks touched many hearts and minds.

It did not matter where you stood in the community, he treated each and every person he met with the same love and warmth, and everyone could learn something from him. He changed

many people’s lives, both within our shores and way beyond.

Rabbi Lord Sacks, who initially wanted to be an accountant had many fine achievements during his long and illustrious rabbinical career. One of his main goals during his tenure as Chief Rabbi was focusing on Jewish education.

Indeed, there are many people nowadays who have Jewish grandchildren thanks to Rabbi Lord Sacks. I heard from a gentleman earlier this week that without the Jewish schools the former Chief Rabbi helped set up, his children would almost certainly have married out.

He enabled more Jewish schools to be built than anyone else in this country, and that legacy proudly lives on in the next generation.

As former Chief Rabbi, he accomplished more than most people dare to even dream of.

Many Jewish people have a fear about openly being Jewish, insofar as they are afraid to publicly wear a kippa for fear of being recognised as a Jew. By promoting Judaism on a global scale, and making sure to always celebrate our religious heritage in the public eye, whilst still being respectful of other religions, he transformed how many of our faith feel about being openly

Jewish.

When people saw photos of him dining at Buckingham Palace, or lighting the Menorah in Downing Street, they automatically became more comfortable with Judaism and perhaps he more than anyone else, flew the flag across the world like the true ambassador he became.

One year as a teenager, I was honoured to stand next to our former Chief Rabbi, as he led the service at the annual Ajex Parade. At the time, my father Rabbi Arnold Saunders was the Jewish Chaplain to Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, and he gave me the privilege to share centre stage with them that day.

In the run up to the event, I was naturally nervous as to what it would be like under the spotlight, however, throughout the event, the Chief Rabbi oozed such supreme confidence and gave off an air of total dedication to the souls we were remembering that he made me feel totally comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.

The presence he gave off was tangible and made a lasting impact.

That same brilliance shone through when I met him last year at the Shabbaton Choir’s midnight

choral Selichot service at Hampstead Synagogue. His sermon held the room spellbound and people sat in awe as he readied us for the solemnity of the approaching High Holidays, yet sprinkled enough wit and anecdotes to keep us tuned in at that hour of the night.

He had the ability to inspire world leaders in a totally different way to how he inspired Jewish people in shul or his own rabbinate at the annual conferences, yet all were inspired with the same honesty, integrity and simple love for a fellow human being.

Lord Eric Pickles writes further on in this newspaper how he used to confide in him at his regular meetings.

I remember once looking at the gravestone of the greatest sage of the last century, the ‘Chofetz Chaim.’ I was immensely overawed by the long list of books he had written, and it made me realise how his memory lives on through his writings.

Rabbi Lord Sacks lives on through his numerous books and many teachings; indeed our former Chief Rabbi wrote and worked on over 30 books. From commentaries on the Siddur, the Chumash and the Haggadah, to books on difficult questions of faith, such as the Holocaust, and religious wars, books on G-d and a vast array of other topics, he wrote something

of interest for everyone.

From those who delve into the complicated topics, to those who simply enjoyed his cartoon messages he had a string for every bow.

His love of music shone through, in particular his association with The Shabbaton Choir and the CDs that he brought out.

As a chazan myself, I used to marvel sometimes listening in the car how he had the uncanny ability to make my young children and myself listen over and over again to his powerful introductions to each song as well as listening to the music itself!

His deep baritone voice which effortlessly went softer when needed for effect, penetrated the heart and inspired admirers around the world.

If we can take upon ourselves to study his books in his memory or at the very least to take on some of the fine attributes he spoke about for many years, then he truly will live on inside each and every one of us.

We invite you to read the many tributes in this week’s edition, which lay testament to his powerful legacy.

Our condolences go out to his dear wife Lady Elaine, his children Joshua, Dina and Gila, his three brothers and all his extended family. He will be sorely missed.

Baruch Dayan Ha’Emet With profound sadness we mourn the tragic loss of our teacher and leader, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. A statesman and a scholar, he was as comfortable sharing Jewish wisdom with world leaders and Radio 4 listeners as he was inspiring Jewish communities around the globe.

Rabbi Sacks championed the depth and wisdom of Judaism in language that connected with the universal. His distinctive voice was greatly loved and revered by Prime Ministers and Royalty, as well as heads of faith and those of none. Rabbi Sacks supported our community’s organisations and the lay and professional teams who ran them. He will be sorely missed.

We send our deepest condolences to Lady Elaine, Joshua, Dina and Gila, Rabbi Sacks’ three brothers and wish them a long life and comfort among the mourners of Zion.

Photo credit: The Office of Rabbi Sacks

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166

PRINCE CHARLES LEADS GLOBAL TRIBUTES TO RABBI LORD SACKS

BY DAVID SAFFER

HRH Prince Charles led glowing tributes to a colossus of world Jewry following the death of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks last Shabbat.

Lord Sacks’ office had announced last month that he was being treated for an unspecified cancer. His funeral took place on Sunday in line with current UK Government COVID guidelines.

Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth for 22 years from 1991 to 2013, succeeding Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits, Lord Sacks, 72, led an extraordinary life.

An award-winning prolific author, renowned philosopher, coveted public speaker and contributor to radio, television and press, his death has been mourned around the world.

Lord Sacks, was knighted by The Queen in 2005 and made a Life Peer, taking his seat in the House of Lords in 2009.

Rabbi Lord Sacks zt"l receiving the Templeton Award (Inset HRH The Prince of Wales)

Prince Charles, expressing his “profound personal sorrow” on Sunday, said the Jewish community, nation and entire world had lost a leader whose wisdom, scholarship and humanity were without equal.

He noted, “His immense

learning spanned the sacred and the secular, and his prophetic voice spoke to our greatest challenges with unfailing insight and boundless compassion. His wise counsel was sought and appreciated by those of all faiths and none, and he will be missed more than

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words can say.

“Although Rabbi Lord Sacks' death is a cause of the greatest possible sadness, we give thanks for the immeasurable contribution which, in the tradition of the most revered teachers of the Jewish people, he made to all our lives.”

Tributes and more about Rabbi Lord Sacks zt"l on pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 PARASHAT CHAYEI SARAH SHABBAT: London Manchester Leeds Liverpool Bournemouth Gateshead Antwerp Birmingham

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A life of achievements LORD SACKS THE AUTHOR: PRECIOUS STONES

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The Trustees, Staff and Students of Aish UK are deeply saddened by the irreplaceable loss of

‫הרב יעקב צבי בן דוד אריה זצ״ל‬ RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS ‫זצ״ל‬ His leadership, wisdom, integrity and humility made him a special and inspiring leader.

“We achieve greatness by handing our values onto the next generation and empowering them to go and build the future.”

1991: Arguments for the Sake of Heaven 1991: The Persistence of Faith, based on the 1990 BBC Reith Lectures 1992: Crisis and Covenant: Jewish Thought after the Holocaust 1993: One People? Tradition, Modernity and Jewish Unity 1994: Will We Have Jewish Grandchildren?

1995: Faith in the Future 1996: Community of Faith 1997: The Politics of Hope 2000: Celebrating Life: Finding Happiness in Unexpected Places 2000: A Letter in the Scroll 2001: A Letter in the Scroll published in the UK as “Radical Then, Radical Now” 2002: The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations 2003: The Jonathan Sacks Haggadah 2004: From Optimism to Hope (A Collection of BBC ‘Thoughts for the Day’) 2005: To Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility 2006: The Authorised Daily Prayer Book.

2007: The Home We Build Together: Recreating Society 2009: Covenant and Conversation: Genesis – The Book of the Beginnings 2009: Future Tense: A Vision for Jews and Judaism in the Global Culture 2009: The Koren Sacks Siddur 2010: Covenant and Conversation: Exodus – The Book of Redemption 2011: The Great Partnership: G-d, Science and the Search for Meaning 2011: The Koren Sacks Rosh Hashana Mahzor 2012: The Koren Sacks Yom Kippur Mahzor 2013: The Koren Sacks Pesach Mahzor 2015: Covenant and Conversation: Leviticus – The Book of Holiness 2015: Not in G-d’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence 2015: Lessons in Leadership: A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible 2016: The Koren Sacks Shavuot Mahzor 2016: The Koren Sacks Sukkot Mahzor 2016: Essays in Ethics: A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible 2017: Ceremony & Celebrations (Five Introductions written for the Koren mahzorim collection) 2017: Covenant & Conversation: Numbers, The Wilderness Years 2019: Covenant & Conversation: Deuteronomy, Renewal of the Sinai Covenant 2020: Morality: Why we need it and how to find it

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- Rabbi Sacks Rabbi Daniel Rowe and everyone at Aish UK extend our condolences to Lady Elaine and all the Sacks family.

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HONOURS (INCLUDE):

2005: Knighthood: Services to community and interfaith relations 2009: Life Peer as Baron Sacks of Aldgate 2006: Doctor of Divinity: Heythrop College 2001: Doctorate of Divinity: Lambeth Palace

by Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt Hon Rev George Carey 1993: Honorary Fellowship: King’s College, London & Gonville & Caius College 1996: Freeman of the Borough of Barnet 2006: Freeman of the City of London & the Borough of Barnet 2001: Honorary Bencher of Inner Temple

HONORARY DOCTORATES:

Cambridge University (1993), Middlesex University (1993), Haifa University (1996), Liverpool University (1997), Yeshiva University, New York (1997), St. Andrews University (1998), Glasgow University (2001), Bar Ilan University (2004), Leeds Metropolitan University (2004), Roehampton University (2009), Basel (2010), Ben Gurion University (2011), Aberdeen University (2011), Liverpool Hope University (2013), University of Salford (2013), Tel Aviv University (2016), The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology (2018)

ACCOLADES (INCLUDE):

1995: The Jerusalem Prize (Israel) 2000: American National Jewish Book for A Letter in the Scroll 2004: The Grawemeyer Prize for Religion (USA) 2009: American National Jewish Book Award for Covenant & Conversation Genesis: The Book of Beginnings 2010: The Norman Lamm Prize, Yeshiva University (USA) 2010: The Abraham Kuyper Prize, Princeton Theological Seminary (USA) 2011: The Ladislaus Laszt Ecumenical and Social Concern Award, Ben Gurion University (Israel) 2011: Keter Torah Award, Open University (Israel) 2013: The Sanford St Martin’s Trust Personal Award for Excellence in Religious Broadcasting 2013: American National Jewish Book Award for The Koren Sacks Pesah Mahzor 2014: The Katz Award 2014: Becket Fund’s Canterbury Medallist 2015: American National Jewish Book Award for Not in G-d’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence 2016: Templeton Prize 2016: Bradley Prize 2017: Irving Kristol Award

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS WEEK 02 News 24 Opinion 25 Letters 26 Community 32 Feature 34 Travel

35 Health 36 Judaism 44 Kids 46 Youth 48 Sport

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Rabbi Lord Sacks’ impact is “incalculable” and passing “unfathomable”

BY DAVID SAFFER The funeral of Rabbi Lord Sacks took place under strict COVID restrictions on Sunday.

Rabbi Mordechai Ginsbury gave Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis’ address as he was self-isolating. “I feel inadequate delivering these words of tribute to my illustrious predecessor, Rabbi Lord Sacks,” he said. “Mere words cannot do justice to Rabbi Sacks’ extraordinary contribution to our world, nor to the monumental legacy he has left behind.”

“Lord Sacks was a remarkable spiritual leader, educator, orator, author, philosopher, intellectual, broadcaster and mentor,” added Chief Rabbi Mirvis, who succeeded Lord Sacks as Rabbi of the Marble Arch community then as Chief Rabbi. “He was an outstanding ambassador for Judaism and our Torah, helping many to appreciate and be deeply proud of their heritage.”

He continued, “It is difficult, if not impossible, for us to think of Rabbi Sacks in the past tense. He has been an integral part of our lives and an ongoing source of direction, motivation and inspiration.

“In reality, though, he will never exist in the past, such was his legacy, which will provide insight and inspiration for many years to come, a legacy which will highlight the relevance of our Torah tradition in modern times, a legacy that will enshrine

Gila Sacks giving a hesped for her father

the respectful place of religion within our ever-changing world.

“Rabbi Lord Sacks had a distinctive, powerful voice. His was the encouraging voice of hope and promise, the voice of faith, of morality, tolerance, moderation, humour and love.”

Concluding, Rabbi Mirvis said Lord Sacks was a “Rabbi of Rabbis and leader of leaders, who tended with love and devotion to the needs of his people and our fragile world.”

Rabbi Lord Sacks’ youngest daughter, Gila, in a truly emotional eulogy, spoke about her father’s love for his family, how proud he was of each of his grandchild and the joy they

brought into his world.

“I don’t know how I can process and sum up what kind of father my dad has been to us, or begin to know how to say thank you to him. That will take time,” she said.

Gila concluded, “He taught us that the world is there to be challenged and that there is no such thing as an unsolvable problem. And he loved us which meant we could become the people we are and no child could wish for more.”

Dayan Ivan Binstock recalled, “He has been rightly praised as a brilliant communicator, lucid orator, with the ability to clarify difficult concepts with grace and simplicity,”

adding, “He trained himself to communicate with that clarity and memorable phrase-making that is often breathtakingly beautiful.”

Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski noted Lord Sacks’ fearlessness in tackling tough, unfashionable subjects.

“There was no thinker, speaker, author advocate that he would not take on and win in his own inimitable way,” he said, adding, “He supported hundreds of rabbis and others in his own UK rabbinate and further afield in his quiet understated way. His impact on the rabbinate is incalculable and void caused by his passing unfathomable.

Dr Belovski continued, “Nobody ever had an ordinary interaction with him, he was a man who could influence people’s lives with a single interaction and with a twinkle in his eye.

“The loss is immeasurable but the light that Rabbi Lord Sacks cast in every corner of the globe, his astonishing creativity, these are the legacy of a once in a generational towering, transcendent figure who none of us will ever forget.”

Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld recalled memories of his friendship with Lord Sacks from Bnei Akiva to ‘glory days’ when he was Chazan at Marble Arch Synagogue.

The full eulogies are available at www.rabbisacks.org/hespeidim/

‫ב“ה‬

Baruch Dayan Ha’Emet All of us at AJEX are devastated to learn of the passing of Rabbi Lord Sacks z’’l. He was a sincere friend to AJEX for many years and always closely supported our aims and endeavours.

He was an inspirational spiritual leader to our entire membership.

Remembrance was of supreme importance to him. He held our veterans in the highest esteem and always appreciated the education they imparted to schools and to the wider community.

He will be deeply missed by all of us in the AJEX veterans’ community.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

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Tributes from every segment of society

Benjamin Netanyahu

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

BY DAVID SAFFER Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led international tibutes to Lord Sacks. “His insights on the heritage of the Jewish people and on anti-Semitism will live on for our generation and future generations,” he said.

President, Reuven Rivlin, added, “We will always remember his warning against violence in the name of G-d and his belief that we can heal a fractured world.”

Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett said the Jewish and whole world had lost a “great light”.

“Rabbi Lord Sacks will be remembered and always celebrated as one of the greatest Jewish thinkers and teachers,” he noted.

Yesh Atid Party MK Yair Lapid, Israel’s leader of the opposition, mourned his passing.

“I once said to him that he is the only person I’d be happy to have as my Rabbi,” Lapid recalled. “He laughed and agreed to take on the role. Today the world lost a Rabbi, a Lord, a wonderful philosopher. The world will miss him, I will miss him.”

In the UK, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the world had lost a “Torah luminary and intellectual giant” who had a transformative global impact.

"Rabbi Lord Sacks was an extraordinary ambassador for Judaism, helping many to understand and be proud of their heritage,” he noted.

“He will be deeply missed, not just within the Jewish world, which benefited immeasurably from his teachings, but far more widely, by all those whose lives

he enlightened with his wisdom, profundity and inspiration.”

Politicians across the parties paid respect.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was “deeply saddened” by Lord Sacks’ passing.

“His leadership had a profound impact on our whole country and across the world,” he said.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Lord Sacks had been “a towering intellect

“His wise counsel was sought and appreciated by those of all faiths and none, and he will be missed more than words can say.”

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The Union of Jewish Students said the world had lost a “true leader”.

Heads of denominations also paid tribute.

Archbishop Welby said on Saturday

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

whose eloquence, insights and kindness” reached well beyond the Jewish community.

“I have no doubt that his legacy will live on for many generations,” he added.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said it was extremely sad news.

“I benefitted hugely and learnt a lot from him, may his memory be a blessing,” he added.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair said Lord Sacks was a man of “huge intellectual stature but with the warmest human spirit”.

He added,” Jonathan was a wonderful friend, a beloved mentor, a philosopher of ex-

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

traordinary insight and of course a religious leader respected well beyond the Jewish community and well beyond the shores of Britain. His influence was vast and his reach immense. A brilliant speaker and thinker, he had the rarest of gifts, expressing complex ideas in the simplest of terms.”

Another former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, noted that Lord Sacks was “an inspirational leader, a celebrated writer and the most wonderful and compassionate of human beings”.

Brown added, “He will be mourned in every continent but his influence will live on.”

Jewish communal bodies in the UK reacted to the devastating news.

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl, was “distraught” at the loss of a “giant of the Jewish community and wider society”.

“His astounding intellect and courageous moral voice were a blessing to all who encountered him in person, in writing or in broadcast,” she said. “His outstanding tenure as Chief Rabbi led to a revolution in Jewish life and learning which has ensured his legacy will pass not just through his own beloved family, but through generations of our community’s young people too.”

Gordon Brown

and the Kiddush Hashem he created representing the Jewish community with dignity.

Above all this, Rabbi Sacks embodied the attributes of mentchlichkeit and humility that are the hallmark of great Jewish leaders."

Rabbi Nicky Liss, Chair of the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue, "Rabbi Sacks was the ‘World’s Chief Rabbi’ and through his unparalleled speaking and writing he guided a generation of Rabbis. This is in addition to the extraordinary impact he had, and will continue to have through his teachings and students, to the rest of world Jewry and beyond. He was the moral voice

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

Ms van der Zyl told LBC radio, “His legacy goes well beyond the Jewish community and his loss is irreplaceable. He was a towering figure of faith. What was unique was that his communication was exemplary. Everyone could understand what he said. Even if there were religious differences this was always put with respect on all matters. And his work was groundbreaking. He worked with all denominations, everyone recognised the importance of his work. He was the greatest communicator and intellectual giant.”

She added, “He had an ability to communicate and connect with everyone. It was such a rare gift. Anyone who met him can recall his kindness, sense of humour and love of life. That is why you will see such an outpouring of grief and people honouring his memory. And not just from the Jewish community but leading religious leaders, politicians and world leaders. That is the greatest testament to his impact. He had wonderful skills. As an orator he was one of the finest communicators and has inspired millions with his voice with exceptional moral clarity and compelling vision.”

United Synagogue President, Michael Goldstein said that the world was a “darker place”.

“A flame of Torah has gone out,” he noted. “But the Torah Rabbi Sacks taught us will continue to be taught across the world for generations to come and will endure forever.”

Jonathan Goldstein, Jewish Leadership Council Chair, said Lord Sacks was one of the greatest Jewish and religious thinkers of our time.

“His leadership over decades transformed the role of Chief Rabbi into a national and global symbol,” he added. “He has inspired countless Jews, people of faith and no faith.

We have lost one of our greatest teachers and leaders.”

“All at AJEX are devastated to learn of the passing of Rabbi Lord Sacks,” said Mike Bluestone, national chairman. “He was an inspiration to our organisation and the entire community.

“I had the privilege of working alongside him back in the 1990s, and more recently with AJEX. At this very sad time our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

“JCORE shares with the wider Jewish community our shock and sadness over the death of Lord Sacks,” said Dr Edie Friedman, The Jewish Council for Racial Equality.

“In addition to recognising his towering intellect and extraordinary ability to communicate to so many, we are particularly grateful for his contribution as a former patron of JCORE. He helped to publicise the

Mike Bluestone

PHOTO: AJEX

evening, “It is with deep sadness that I mourn the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. He devoted so much of his life to reflecting on G-d at the most profound level and we are all the beneficiaries of his wisdom. But at the same time, Rabbi Sacks was always someone who you could relate to instantly. He was always thoroughly part of the world, and he relished that.”

He added: “He had a deep commitment to interpersonal relationships and when you met him you couldn’t help but be swept up in his delight at living, his sense of humour,

“His scholarship and oratory skill were without parallel and he has been an inspiration to an entire generation, no matter their faith.” his kindness, and his desire to know, understand, and value others.

“It was that rare combination, profound depth, and equally profound commitment to relating with others, that made the leadership he offered possible.”

The Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, also paid tribute.

He wrote on Twitter, “Please join me in giving prayerful thanks for the life of this great human being.”

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, expressed sorrow to the worldwide Jewish community on the loss of a great figure.

“I have lost a friend, the Jewish community a great leader, humanity an eloquent spokesman,” he said.

Dayan Gelley, London Beth Din said, “With his passing we have lost an extraordinarily erudite and distinguished leader.

As colleagues, we observed at first hand his brilliance and charisma, his stalwart determination to defend traditional Jewish values

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Cardinal Vincent Nichols

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

of the generation, and in an era where values-based leadership is sorely lacking in the world, he was a role model to us all."

World Jewry bodies added their thoughts.

Ronald S. Lauder, World Jewish Congress President, noted, “A theologian of extraordinary intellectual depth and moral conviction, Rabbi Sacks was a riveting orator and brilliant author who brought the timeless teachings of Jewish scripture to both Jews and non-Jews alike, fusing Jewish tradition with modern thought. His writings, including, and perhaps especially, his commentaries on the weekly Torah portion will be cherished by future generations. He was also a pillar of integrity who inspired Jews and non-Jews alike.”

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Conference of European Rabbis president, issued a statement on hearing the news.

"Rabbi Sacks was a giant of world Jewry and will be truly missed,” he said. “His scholarship and oratory skill were without parallel and he has been an inspiration to an entire generation, no matter their faith. We hope his memory will be a blessing to his family and all those who were influenced by him."

Rabbi Sacks’ passing is a “devastating blow to world Jewry as he was a towering figure of Judaism, who represented the Jewish People’s finest face to the outside world”, said Dr. Moshe Kantor, President of the European Jewish Congress.

“He resolutely defended Judaism, the Jewish people and the State of Israel while demonstrating a distinct commitment to compassion, truth and tolerance within Jewish thought and practice.

“His teachings will live on through his countless sermons, numerous books and wise thoughts that will continue to illuminate Judaism for generations to come.”

David Harris, American Jewish Committee, said Lord Sacks had been a “towering Jewish leader, man of faith, moral and ethical voice, and philosopher”.

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From London’s East End to Chief Rabbi Born in 1948 in London’s East End, Lord Sacks studied at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge where a two-month visit to the United States led to life-changing meetings with Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

The Rebbe urged him to consider rabbinic ordination. Recalling these encounters he said, “The Rebbe challenged me to lead. Rabbi Soloveitchik challenged me to think.”

Awarded a 1st Class Honours Degree in Moral Science (Philosophy) and Rhonda Research Fellowship in Moral Philosophy at university, a Masters in Moral

Philosophy at New College and Ph.D. in Collective Responsibility at King’s College London followed.

After research in Moral Philosophy at New College, University of Oxford, lecture posts came at Middlesex Polytechnic and Jews’ College, London.

Rabbinic ordination arrived at Jews’ College and Yeshiva Etz Chaim, London in 1976. He served Golders Green and Marble Arch Synagogues.

Appointed Principal of Jews’ College, London (1984-90), Rabbi Sacks was named the sixth Chief Rabbi since the role was formalised in 1845 and tenth since the office was created in 1704.

The first decade of his tenure brought his call for a “Decade of Renewal”. Initiatives included the Jewish Association for Business Ethics, Women’s Review and Jewish Continuity to enrich Jewish identity building awareness of assimilation.

His second decade called for “Jewish responsibility” to include publishing at least one book a year, contributions to BBC Radio 4 “Thought for the Day” and writing the Credo column in The Times.

Gala tribute dinner honours Lord Sacks Prince Charles was a keynote speaker on an unforgettable night in London attended by 800 guests in 2013 to honour Lord Sacks.

Guests included the Most Reverend and Rt Hon Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the two previous Archbishops of Canterbury (Lord Williams, Lord Carey), and The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, among others.

During a heartfelt tribute, Prince Charles noted, “As a valued adviser your guidance on any given issue has never failed to be of practical value and deeply grounded in the kind of wisdom that is increasingly hard to come by. You make people think, you inspire consensus and teach tolerance.

“I know it has sometimes been hard to carry the torch you were handed 22 years ago, yet you have done it with such apparent ease and with such dignity and devotion to the community you serve.

“You have been a light unto this nation.”

Video messages came from a number of former Prime Ministers.

Labour’s longest serving PM, Tony Blair, described the Chief Rabbi as “an intellectual giant” who made an “extraordinary, outstanding contribution not only to British and international Jewry but to British and international public life.”

“He is someone who combines “huge intellectual gifts, immense human compassion and extraordinary ability,” the threetime election winner added.

David Cameron, said the Chief Rabbi had made an impact on this country far beyond the Jewish community, playing a huge part in “interfaith relations, teaching the dignity of difference”.

Gordon Brown asked how you sum up someone who is the “greatest scholar, greatest philosopher, greatest writer you know and one of the greatest thinkers in the world”.

Inspiring young Rabbanim Rabbi Sacks was a mentor and role model to Rabbi Jonathan Hughes of Radlett as a young rabbi serving in his rabbinate.

He recalled, “I can still hear his warm address to me from the synagogue pulpit in Hendon as I was about to embark on a new rabbinic role elsewhere. He was all about empowering those around him, challenging them to fulfil their calling and potential.

“Sacks has been universally lauded as an extraordinarily gifted orator, writer and social commentator. Although his inspiration was keenly felt within the worldwide Jewish community, his impact was never limited to his co-religionists. Lord Sacks’ intellect, eloquence and charisma made an indelible impression in the hearts and minds of people from every type of background and belief system.

“His was a voice of reason in a tempestuous world of chaos and division, a voice that transcended faction and tribal loyalties. His unwavering moral philosophy

was one that revered community, heritage and moderation. He was outspoken in his condemnation of those who committed acts of violence in the name of religion.”

Rabbi Hughes added, “Lord Sacks was a fearless critic of anti-Semitism and piercingly diagnosed all of its menacing metastases, including obsessive antipathy towards Israel and Zionism. He had a warm relationship with Gordon Brown during the latter’s premiership. However, as Labour moved further towards the radical Left, Lord Sacks felt the duty to speak out. Indeed, recently he had been critical of Jeremy Corbyn, amidst the row over antisemitism in the party.

“Sacks’ vision for a more harmonious British society included dignity in difference, and recognising the need for meaning at the heart of the human condition.

He was often prescient in identifying the ethical gaps in a secular society that often focused on ephemeral pleasure over spirituality and responsibility. His was a

PHOTO: THE OFFICE OF RABBI SACKS

Rabbi Lord Sacks paying tribute at the shiva of Rabbi Sudak to sons Levi and Bentzi Sukak, current Chief Executive of Chabad Lubavitch UK.

message of selflessness over individualism, and he took pride in his religious Jewish identity without ever sounding dogmatic or arrogant.

“Above all, Sacks’ legacy will live on in his many students, congregations and followers, who include leading figures in divergent fields. He has left an historic impression upon religion in the UK and many thousands will feel bereft at the loss of his towering presence and courage.”

Rabbi Mendel Cohen, Saatchi Synagogue, first met Rabbi Sacks in the early 90s as a young boy in Leeds when he visited his Shtibel on Shabbat afternoon.

“I vividly remember the fast pace with which he walked in and the distinguished and personal smile he gave each of us children as we shook his hand,” he said. “The very same smile and handshake he gave my children when he and Elaine graced our Shabbat table in St. John’s Wood, 20 years later.

“In one of the last Shabbats that Rabbi Sacks visited communities before lockdown he spoke to the parents of our Mimi Dwek Hebrew School. It was one of the

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most moving and intimate talks I ever attended. He spent a long time explaining to the parents the importance of Jewish education. He told parents that much of what a child learns in school is information that barely affects them in the course of life. Not so Cheder and informal Jewish education.

“Rabbi Sacks then told us that when he was davening with the Rebbe for Rosh Hashanah after services he was invited to lunch. There was one other guest a non-affiliated songwriter. Just the two of them.

Rabbi Sacks asked him how he had arrived at the Rebbe for Rosh Hashanah? He responded that he was driving through his town one day and started hearing a song in his mind, it was a childhood memory, a tune from Hebrew classes. He was awakened, and he did a u-turn and drove all the way for many hours straight to 770 where he arrived in time for Rosh Hashana with the Rebbe.

“You never know,” Rabbi Sacks concluded, to a group of teary-eyed parents.

“Which tune will come in to your child’s mind one day. But it will, and it will bring them back.”

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JNF UK mourns the passing of

Rabbi Lord Sacks Z”L An inspirational leader, defender of Israel, Honorary Patron and true friend of JNF UK May his memory be a blessing

JW - Half Page - Lord Sacks FINAL.indd 1

11/11/2020 14:00:12

RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS of blessed memory We are speechless.

No words can adequately do justice to the majestic symphony of light and sound bequeathed to us by Rabbi Sacks z”l.

We can only heed his personal directive “build bigger, better, stronger than before” We’ll all do our best.

Our thoughts are with Rabbi Sacks' wife Lady Elaine, their children and their grandchildren.

FJ L

orum for ewish eadership

Inspiring Jewish Journeys

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SUJC induction remembered Chief Rabbi remembers Lord Sacks on BBC Radio 4

William Susman was chairman of Shenley United Jewish Community at the beginning of its formation in 2001.

His wife, Natalie, was on the board when the community was born. His impact is still felt. She recalled, “We went to the Chief Rabbi’s house in St Johns Wood. At the time, the community had no name. Chief Rabbi Sacks, as he was then, advised us. “It’s about being a community, not a synagogue, this is about the kids,” he said. “Most are now in their 20s,” said Natalie. “That night, Shenley shul became officially known as ‘Shenley United

Jewish Community’.”

She added, “We were fortunate to have a regular visitor and mentor in Lord Sacks. He led the inauguration of Rabbi and Rebbetzen Kass, sadly another visit was to conduct the funeral of Rabbi Kass. Lord Sacks brought the community to a standstill when he carried out the service outside Rabbi Kass’s house.

He offered comfort and was a backbone of support in our time of need.

“Lord Sacks visited us many times over the years and was a dear friend to the community. He made us feel very special.”

New challenges

After stepping down, appointments included Professor of Judaic Thought at New York University, Professor of Jewish Thought at Yeshiva University, New York and Professor of Law, Ethics and the Bible at King’s College, London.

Aside from a knighthood and Life Peerage, Lord Sacks was a prolific author. Among over 30 published titles, the Koren Sacks Siddur published in 2009 is the leading prayer book for Jewish communities worldwide.

Accolades followed at regular intervals.

A Letter in the Scroll received a 2000 National Jewish Book Award (USA), The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations was the 2004 Grawemeyer Prize for Religion (USA), Covenant and Conversation: Genesis: The Book of the Beginnings received a 2009 National Jewish Book Award (USA), The Koren Sacks Pesach Mahzor won the 2014 National Jewish Book Award (USA) and Not in G-d’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence received a 2015 National Jewish Book Award (USA).

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis gave a moving tribute to Rabbi Lord Sacks on BBC Radio 4 on Monday.

Known for his work with the popular ‘Thought for the Days and other work for the station, Mohit Bakaya, BBC Radio 4 Controller, of said Lord Sacks was a "man of great intellect, humanity and warmth" following his death.

He added, "He brought all of that to Radio 4 through some of the most erudite Thought for the Day as well as a landmark series on morality."

Recalling his predecessor, Cheif Rabbi Mirvis recalled, “He had a distinctive, familiar voice. It was a voice of clarity and erudition, a voice of hope and promise, a voice of tolerance and love, a voice of warmth and wisdom, interlaced with sensitivity and humour, a voice that will be profoundly missed

by Thought for the Day listeners, by Jewish communities around the world and by all those right across the globe who found in him an invaluable guide who inspired faithfulness, moderation and compassion.

“The pain of his loss has been felt far and

wide, the world will not be the same without the voice of Rabbi Sacks.”

He added, “One of Rabbi Lord Sacks’s brilliant original thoughts relates to history, for which there is no word in the Hebrew Bible.

Rather, the word ‘Zachor’ is used, which means memory. He explained that history is ‘his story’, an account by another person about events which happened to others. We recall it and study it, but we feel disconnected. Memory is quite different, we internalise it, carry it with us and make it a part of our future.

“Rabbi Sacks is now not only a part of our shared history. He will also live on in our collective memory.

“As ever, he himself put it perfectly. “Mortality,” he said, “is written into the human condition, but so too is the possibility of immortality, in the good we do that continues long after we are here, to beget further good.

There are lives that defeat death and redeem existence from tragedy.”

“It is from Rabbi Sacks’ own words that we can be certain that his remarkable voice will continue to be with us always.”

Tributes to Rabbi Lord Sacks zt"l

Leonie Lewis MBE

Lord Sacks’ most recent work, Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times (2020), was a top-10 Sunday Times bestseller and published in north America just two months ago.

Down the years, Lord Sacks was awarded multiple accolades and doctorates from universities in the UK, New York and Israel and he was made a Freeman of the Borough of Barnet. A highly sought-after speaker, among the most celebrated was an address on the occasion of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Great Britain in 2010.

Lord Sacks, on his ‘retirement’, said that he hoped to inspire people to be leaders in the Jewish world whether as rabbis, educators or lay leaders, to write books that answered some of the burning questions Jews had about Judaism and show that the internet can be used in new and exciting ways to make Judaism live in the minds and hearts of young Jews.

Lord Sacks did far more than those aspirations, his legacy will last generations.

Leonie Lewis MBE

So many of us will mourn the late Rabbi Lord Sacks.

To me and many others, especially those of us who worked for him, he was, "The Chief".

I had the privilege of working for him as his Project Director, responsible for helping him roll out some amazing programmes. He had previuosly been my guiding advisor and inspiration, whilst I headed the United Synagogue’s Community Division.

There were many memorable moments.

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He was truly remarkable, he knew so much about so many things. He always wanted to know more. I remember a train journey to Hope University (Liverpool) where he was delivering a speech to some 1000 students about faith. Before we boarded the train, we visited WHSmith, where he purchased several books on image, self help, management, strategy etc. I think probably about six or maybe seven. They had been read and analysed before we arrived in Liverpool Lime Street! Furthermore, on this same journey, simultaneously, he refined his lecture to the students, asked me for information on the University, always wanting to know about key people who he would meet and revised and worked on a current six part Faith lecture Series!

This ability to multi-task seemed effortless. For me the crowning moment was the production in 2008 of Israel Home of Hope a double CD, celebrating Israel's 60th Anniversary. His narration is both powerful, and moving. He introduced me to some wonderful musicians and inspiring oratory. A key turning point that made this CD so special, was the live recording of a new version of Oseh Shalom, by Stephen Levey and the Shabbaton Choir. The Chief loved music, he loved to sing, he loved being with children and he loved to teach.

This clip shows all these aspects - his sheer joy was truly pallible.

This is how I remember The Chief. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVM6x4BechI

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Tributes to Rabbi Lord Sacks zt"l

Councillor Rabbi Arnold Saunders Many people worthier than myself have paid tribute to the late Emeritus Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks ‫זצ”ל‬. (This is the formal way of referring to him- a peer of the realm is known by his formal title, Lord … not using his first name!)

However I just want to pen a few words of personal reflection, making reference to points that may not be picked up by others.

I have had the honour of knowing him for nearly 40 years since I was a young rabbi. I recall in the very early days, attending a rabbinical conference in Bournemouth. At his invitation, we went for midnight walks on the beach together, in which he imparted some very personal and wise counsel to me.

I then subsequently studied under him in Jews College and later on served under his Chief Rabbinate.

Despite his prominence in the Jewish world and broader society, he was essentially modest and unassuming. This manifested itself in the way he showed enormous respect and kavod for his teachers and mentors. Despite officially holding the title Av Beth Din, he never overuled his colleagues the Dayanim. He

had a wonderful relationship with Dayan Ehrentreu (may he be granted a refuah shelaima) - his Rosh Beth Din for most of his tenure as Chief Rabbi. Indeed they achieved much in partnership.

His “anivut” was also in evidence when - having been appointed Chief Rabbi- he requested to be allowed to defer taking up the position until he had spent a few months doing “shimush” - studying with and shadowing leading rabbonim in Eretz Yisrael.

Of course, he deservedly won acclaim for his scolarship, leadership , his derashot, writings and media skills. He was a mainstay of Radio 4’s Thought For The Day. He won awards, prizes and accolades. He could converse in Torah, philosophy, and general secular subjects with the most eminent scholars. Yet he was equally able to captivate an audience of infants or residents in a care home. He never lacked the common touch!

However, if I was pushed to say what I thought was his greatest achievement, I would have to say it was his stewardship of Jews College. He took over as principal of the College at a very difficult time. His beloved rebbe Rabbi Nachum

Rabinovitch ‫ ז”ל‬had just retired and made Aliyah. The College was effectively homeless having had to vacate their premises in central London. Many predicted its imminent demise! He took over as Principal and together with his great friend and supporter Stanley (later Lord) Kalms, chairman of Dixons, and a dedicated faculty, he resurrected the College.

Subsequently, Jews College transmorphed into the London School of Jewish Studies- playing an essential role in Anglo Jewry. For many years, the College continued to offer a Semicha programme, degree and post graduate courses, teacher training as well as a gold standard chazannut course. (He was of course a fan and supporter of Chazzanut.) His partnership with Kalms carried over into his Chief Rabbinate ensuring he brought a vibrancy and energy into the role.

I extend condolences to his dear Rebbetzin, who was his rock for over 50 yearseven sacrificing her own professional career to support him in his role as Chief Rabbi, and all the family. May they be granted arichat yamim and be sustained and comforted by the memories of a great man and the esteem in which he was held

Rabbi Arnold Saunders

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Tributes to Rabbi Lord Sacks zt"l

Stephen Pack I am writing this on the night of Kristallnacht when like so many others we will be leaving our lights on all night to mark this atrocity. It is particularly poignant as it coincides with a week when a brilliant light has been extinguished in the whole Jewish world and beyond. Rabbi Sacks’ zt"l levayah was at Bushey New Cemetery last Sunday and like so many others I was unable to attend. I recall when we were designing the walkways for the new prayer halls I asked the architects whether they would be able to manage huge funerals with potentially thousands in attendance - for example when a Chief Rabbi passes away. They reassured me that it would work well and how thoroughly would it have been tested this week? I know that many thousands would have wanted to be there instead of the 30 allowed under the current rules.

I have so many memories of him but I want to mention the time we spent together in the last two years of his Chief Rabbinate and my first two years as President of the United Synagogue.

I was elected in July 2011 and one of my first acts was to visit Jonathan and Elaine in their home in Hamilton Terrace. I said everyone is telling me you want to retire as Chief Rabbi but you are young and loved and we don’t want you to go. I want to hear from you directly about what you really want to do. He called in Elaine and he explained. He said I always intended to retire at 65. I have so many books I want to write and a new commentary for Machzorim and a Chumash. I want to teach and want to spend time in the US and Israel and I can’t do all that as Chief Rabbi. He

said I will still be here for you whenever you need me but it is time to move on.

For the next two years we spent a lot of time together at numerous meetings and communal events. Cheryl and I were regular visitors to their home and he and Elaine were generous in letting us impose on them on frequent occasions. He was always happiest when we could bring our youth and young families to events. We talked a lot about leadership and the Jewish community, about inspiring the next generation and making our Yiddishkeit relevant and appealing whilst preserving tradition. Every conversation we had was memorable, every Shiur left me uplifted and with renewed faith and every writing showed his intellectual brilliance.

Occasionally we would discuss one of the incidents that hit the Press which often tried to amplify divisions between different affiliations of Jews. The reality was that those divisions did not exist. He had close personal relationships with the entire spectrum of Anglo Jewry and with people of all faiths. This is evident in the outpouring of love and warmth from so many people.

He was such a wise man and shared many inciteful words of advice. There were too many to repeat here but I will share just one. He emphasised the difference between power and influence. He would say if I give away my power to someone else I am left with less power and there is no overall gain. But if I can influence others there is no diminution in my own influence and that can really make a difference.

In 2013 we started to plan for his retirement. My fellow trustees and I decided on

Stephen Pack with Rabbi Sacks zt"l

two flagship events, both of which were memorable. One was held at the Barbican Theatre which was full to capacity. In addition to a number of speakers we heard the Shabbaton choir that he loved so much and the late Sir David Frost interviewed him. It was in fact one of Frost’s last public appearances. He passed away quite soon afterwards coincidentally on the morning of the installation of our current Chief Rabbi. The second event was a dinner at the Grosvenor House in the presence of Prince Charles. The Prince has been a long term friend and admirer of Rabbi Sacks zt"l and he spoke warmly on the evening.

I was able to present Rabbi Sacks zt"l with a newly written Sefer Torah which was funded entirely by the United Synagogue communities by sponsoring individual

Marie van der Zyl

Marie van der Zyl President of the Board of Deputies

On Shabbat we lost one of the giants of our community.

Rabbi Lord Sacks was not just a religious leader but a teacher, an intellectual and most of all a man with great

compassion and a honed sense of justice.

Rabbi Sacks' tenure as Chief Rabbi led to a revolution in Jewish life and learning which has ensured his legacy will pass through generations of our community's young people. However, his influence was not just focused on the Jewish community. We had to share Rabbi Sacks with everyone. He was perhaps the first British Chief Rabbi to become a truly national figure, with regular appearances on Radio 4's Thought for the Day and weighty contributions to the national debate on a huge variety of subjects.

All this goes some way to explaining the huge outpouring of grief not just from the Jewish community but from religious leaders and politicians. His impact and reach extended well beyond the shores of Britain and the Jewish community.

Indeed it is tribute to his stature that on a weekend when a new United States President was elected and at a time when

the UK was in its second Covid lockdown, every major network announced his passing and broadcasted tributes to him on national news.

Rabbi Sacks addressed the Board of Deputies on our 250th anniversary 10 years ago exactly. He noted a key thing about British Jewry that I am sure will resonate with everyone: He said: "On all matters that affect us we agree to differ, but with respect." This was embodied in his ground-breaking work as Chief Rabbi where he, in the face of criticism, still worked with Jews of all denominations, and recognised the importance of doing so. This outlook was encompassed in a line from Rabbi Sacks' final book 'Morality'. He wrote - "it is the people not like us that make us grow."

He certainly took this philosophy into his dealings with the outside world.

Rabbi Sacks was an advocate of interfaith dialogue and sat on the Board of World

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Parshiot. Although it is 7 years ago it seems much more recent.

Finding the right words to describe Rabbi Sacks zt"l is particularly challenging as he had such an excellent command of language - both Hebrew and English.

His books will live on and will no doubt be seen as ever more important as years go by, but to me his legacy will be his massive impact on people of all faiths and none across the world. In the second paragraph of Aleinu L’shabeyach that we say three times a day, we envisage a world where all peoples of the world recognise Hashem as the true G-d. I think that through his wonderful words and profound impact on so many people, Rabbi Sacks zt"l gave us just a tiny glimpse of what that world might be.

Religious Leaders for the Elijah Interfaith Institute. The Archbishop of Canterbury described his unique leadership of "profound depth and equally profound commitment to relating with others".

Rabbi Sacks had a close relationship with figures in the Church, including a great friendship with former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, The two were both Arsenal fans and went together to watch them play Manchester United.

Following Arsenal's 8-2 defeat, Rabbi Sacks reflected that this was not proof of G-d's non-existence but rather that He was a Manchester United fan. Of course he was also a serious scholar - the author of more than 30 books and the winner of the interfaith Templeton Prize in 2016. His translations of Jewish books to accompany synagogue services became standard works in many homes.

Here in a nutshell was his essence - a natural communicator with humour and compassion, a man who reached out to other faiths and whose followers gained immeasurably from his wisdom. We will all miss him terribly.

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Tributes to Rabbi Lord Sacks zt"l

Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet The impact Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks had on both the Jewish community and wider society is evident from the sheer volume of testaments and obituaries in the international press and social media.

I arrived in the UK a few months before he became Chief Rabbi and I had the privilege of being a Rabbi in the United Synagogue for the entire duration of his tenure. During that time I had countless opportunities to engage with him on a Rabbinic as well as personal level.

He inducted me into office in 1991, in Richmond, and guided the early years of my role in the Rabbinate. When after a couple of years I looked to leave I sought his counsel. He suggested five years was an appropriate timeframe before moving on. Nevertheless, I tendered my resignation the next morning. He would have undoubtedly been perturbed at my neglecting his advice but he didn’t take it personal. Even as there was internal opposition to me, as a Chabad Rabbi, taking my next position in Mill Hill, he overruled. It is to his credit that I have enjoyed

the past 27 of flourishing together with the Mill Hill community. In one conversation he said to me, “We Rabbonim give so much time to our communities at the expense of our own family. Take time out to do lunch with your wife once a week.

Make that your priority.” Rabbi Sacks was a Rabbi’s Rabbi, always truly caring and with a unique way of empowering the Rabbinate. True leaders are like the best conductors. They reach beyond the notes to touch the magic in the players.

He once encouraged me to go on a radio programme to discuss religion. It was my first ever media experience. The sum total of my “media training” was when he called me just before stepping into the studio and offered me one line of advice: “You don’t have to always answer the question.” He was a master of the soundbite and there was always so much wisdom contained within brief sentences.

This was always reflected in his carefully worded lectures and numerous books.

To be sure, his role as Chief Rabbi was going to be fraught with challenges, particularly because he was eyed with suspicion from the ultra-orthodox who found it difficult to relate to someone who had a modern Orthodox upbringing, was educated in non-Jewish schools and became a philosopher long before he became a Rabbi. This was the reality of his dichotomous character; Dr. Jonathan and Rabbi Sacks, as the media was wont to point out. It was this internal contrast that led to some controversies during his tenure. When Hugo Gryn, a holocaust survivor and leader in the reform movement in the UK, died, Rabbi Sacks was going to deliver a eulogy at a memorial event. This incited severe backlash from the ultra-Orthodox, prompting him to write a letter to the late Dayan Padwa, head of the Orthodox Union, insisting he was going to use the opportunity to

Lord Eric Pickles PC In September 2018, at the very height of the controversy in the Labour Party, the House of Lords scheduled a debate on Antisemitism. It was oversubscribed. A time limit was suggested, many speakers went over time, but not Rabbi Lord Sacks.

In slightly over two and a half minutes, he framed the problem and made other speeches, including my own, superfluous.

In a single paragraph in plain language, he laid out the problem; “Anti-Semitism, or any hate, becomes dangerous when three things happen.

First, when it moves from the fringes of politics to a mainstream party and its leadership. Secondly, when the party sees that its popularity with the general public is not harmed thereby. Thirdly, when those who stand up and protest are vilified and abused for doing so. All three factors exist in Britain now.”

Lord Sacks went on to say that he never

thought he would see this in his lifetime.

That he could not stay silent “For it is not only Jews who are at risk—so too is our humanity.”

I believe that short speech delivered on a late summer afternoon deserves to be remembered alongside his many great books and teachings. It captures his intelligence, his courage and his gift as a communicator.

I have been fortunate to have met many important and impressive people. A characteristic that defines the truly great ones is the blessing to be able to put people at ease and an ability to listen. Rabbi Sacks was a great listener.

I, along with the rest of the nation, first became familiar with his soft-spoken melodious voice through ‘Thought for the Day’ on BBC Radio 4. I got to know him better during my time as Community Secretary and Minister for Faith. We

criticise the reform. The letter was leaked and what became known as the “Gryn affair” ensued. He once confided in me that the rhetoric and backlash was so intense he had contemplated resigning.

Another instance was the publication of his book, “The Dignity of Difference,” published in 2002, in which there were certain lines that were perceived as anathema to traditional Judaism. “I’m a poet and I like using poetic licence,” he told me in a phone conversation, explaining why his choice wording can sometimes be misconstrued. Faced with more criticism, he opted to republish the book, removing the “offensive” lines. Some hailed him a hero for his courage, others described him as weak for caving. He always sought to be inclusive even as he was profoundly committed to a traditionalist approach to Judaism and to the primacy of classical Halacha. Much as he tried he was never going to be able to please everyone.

It was in 1968, when in second year at university, that Lord Sacks went to New York to meet with the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

True to the Rebbe’s style, in Lord Sacks’ own words, “he did a role reversal. He started asking me questions, asking me what I was doing for Judaism on campus.”

When he started his response, “in the situation in which I find myself…” the Rebbe stopped him: “No one finds themselves in a situation. You put yourself in a situation.

And if you put yourself in one situation you can put yourself in another situation.”

“Those words,” said Lord Sacks, “changed my life.” At the Rebbe’s behest he went on to get his semicha and he attributes becoming Chief Rabbi to that experience.

Frequent gatherings with the Rabbinate were always a spellbinding experience.

The way he would weave his depth and breadth of Torah knowledge, often with contemporary disciplines, gave one insight into a rare multifaceted mind. It was

would meet regularly in my offices in St Stephen’s Tower, just above the old entrance to Parliament. We met without the presence of either Ministerial or Rabbinical aides or notetakers. The informality encouraged frankness and discourse. I am a very private person, the very opposite of the stereotypical gossipy politician, but I found myself confiding in him and seeking his advice. Often with just a question or a smile, he would unravel the knottiest of problems. It was, to use the title of one of his books; a “Lesson in Leadership.”

Lord Sacks was a great supporter of the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, next to Parliament, in Victoria Tower Gardens. His encouragement was a source of strength during the odd difficult time. He understood the need for remembrance not just to Jewish people but to wider communities across the world.

Watching him with survivors was a joy; all his abilities were on display. Modestly, he would say that he drew strength from the encounters, which I am sure was true. The experience was mutual; he glowed with

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always uplifting and inspiring. He had a unique gift of making Torah relevant and inspiring for everyone. There were times we didn't see eye to eye and there were times when we argued, but it was always resolved amicably in the end because true leaders don't bear grudges - they mend hearts.

Retiring from the Chief Rabbinate afforded him the time to travel the world.

His name and fame grew as he assumed professorships abroad and inspired audiences throughout. A testament to his leadership qualities is that when no longer confined by the restrictions of his office, he was able to court respect across the Jewish spectrum as both left and right found hope in his message as he went to battle on the frontlines, combating Anti-Semitism and defending Israel. He became one of the most eloquent spokespeople for the Jewish world. In 2016 he won the coveted Templeton prize for his efforts in countering religious extremism while “affirming life’s spiritual dimension.” He was deemed an ambassador for the Jewish people as is evident from the outpouring of tributes from Jew and non-Jew alike, including many religious and political leaders, and indeed royalty.

In the words of the Prince of Wales: “With his passing, the Jewish community, our nation, and the entire world have lost a leader.”

In one particular instance many years ago, when I took ill and told no one, he called me to offer encouragement. Somehow he knew. His words to me at the time, were words, he said, the Lubavitcher Rebbe said to him when he had battled cancer once before: “The world still needs you.”

The world needs the voice of Rabbi Lord Sacks now more than ever, and his legacy will live on through his teachings. May his memory be for a blessing.

Lord Eric Pickles PC UK Envoy on Post Holocaust Issues

warmth and wisdom on such occasions.

The day will surely come when the Memorial will open to the public. On that day I will remember, with gratitude, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks.

May his memory be a blessing.

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AAD backs FA Chairman resignation

Tributes to Rabbi Lord Sacks zt"l

The Federation of Synagogues

Greg Clarke

The Dayonim, Rabbonim and lay leaders of the Federation are greatly saddened by the untimely passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory.

Rabbi Sacks was blessed with an extraordinary intellect and uncommon talents, and yet throughout his life, and even whilst holding prominent public office, he was possessed of rare humility, and a down to earth personality that enabled him to relate easily to all with whom he came in contact.

Rabbi Sacks had a unique ability to

present Torah and Jewish values to the masses with an unmatched eloquence both in speech and in writing. He made it his life’s mission to bring Kiddush Hashem – awareness and sanctification of G-d’s presence – into the world. He succeeded in influencing not only the hearts and minds of Jews the world over, but in addition, with his scholarship, charm and good nature, he acted as an exemplar representative of the Jewish people to the world at large.

He will be sorely missed.

Action Against Discrimination has condemned the language of former FA Chairman Greg Clarke as unacceptable and abhorrent and joins other anti-racist organisations in supporting his resignation as Football Association chairman.

“The description by Clarke of BAME footballers as ‘coloured’ is wholly unacceptable and derisory”, said AAD chairman Jonathan Metliss.

In the same vein, it cannot be denied that the use and chanting of the words ‘Yid’, ‘Yid Army’, ‘Yiddo’ and any derivation thereof are equally insulting and abusive.

AAD calls for the banning of these words and the perpetrators to be dealt with under

PHOTO: YOUTUBE

the law.

“All dictionaries define each of these words as ‘offensive’,” Metliss added. “The more we can educate and eliminate these words from our vocabulary, the more we will be able to move on together.

“AAD yet again calls for the relevant authorities including the Football Association, the Premier League, EFL, clubs and the police to take note and respond accordingly.

“Anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic remarks and chanting have not been mentioned in this current campaign to eradicate racism in UK football and improve racial diversity in the game and must be placed on the agenda with all other forms of racist behaviour.”

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HaGaon Rav Dovid Feinstein zt”l

Rav Dovid Feinstein zt”l

PHOTO: YOUTUBE

American Jewry mourned the passing of one of its Torah giants, Rav Dovid Feinstein.

The son of Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l and an outstanding Torah scholar in his own right, the passing of the Rosh Yeshiva last Friday came as a huge blow to the entire Torah World.

He was born in Lubyan (now in Belarus) in 1929 and, when he was 8, the family moved to Manhattan. In his lifetime he authored nine books and was considered the leading Halachic authority in the US following the passing of his great father Rav Moshe in 1986. He served as Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta

Tifereth Jerusalem, as well as on the Council of Torah Sages of Agudath Israel.

Rav Feinstein was also a leading member of the Rabbinic board of ArtScroll, who published his Kol Dodi in English. Another important contribution was his explanation in the Stone Edition of the ArtScroll Chumash at the end of every Parsha of the Masoretic note.

His funeral was broadcast for remote participation and anyone participating in person was encouraged by Agudath Israel of America to adhere to local regulations.

May his memory serve as a blessing.

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12 NOVEMBER 2020

Greenstein loses defamation case against CAA

BY LEAH WAXLER The High Court has ruled that it was permissible for Campaign Against Antisemitism to call Tony Greenstein a “notorious anti-Semite”.

Greenstein, expelled by the Labour Party, brought the defamation case against CAA alleging they had libelled him.

“Greenstein has long sought to have CAA struck off the register of charities,” noted a CAA spokesman. “We applied to strike out Mr Greenstein’s case because it had no hope of success at a full hearing and should not proceed. Today, the court agreed to dismiss the entirety of his libel claim, leaving only other minor aspects of the case to be determined at a later hearing.”

In a 21-page judgement, Justice Tipples referred to the International Definition of Anti-Semitism in the case, reportedly noting that “on any objective assessment, an honest person could form the view that these tweets, in which the claimant has

referred to ‘Jewish Nazis’, used the word ‘Zios’ (which he knows is anti-Semitic) and, having done so, referred to collaboration with the Nazis, were anti-Semitic statements he made.”

Justice Tipples also reportedly ruled that “the claimant’s tweet compares the people of Israel to the Nazis and, on any objective assessment, an honest person could have held the opinion that that was an anti-Semitic statement from the claimant.”

She added: “The claimant has no real prospect of succeeding on this issue (of libel).”

Greenstein argued that CAA’s Chief Executive, Gideon Falter, had been malicious in describing him as an anti-Semite and he did not honestly believe that he was one.

Justice Tipples dismissed the arguments, reportedly finding “this plea of malice is insufficient and should be struck out.”

Falter said that for years Greenstein had sought to discredit the anti-Semitism definition and have CAA struck off the register of charities.

Tony Greenstein

“We have repeatedly called him a ‘notorious anti-Semite’ and today the High Court ruled that we were perfectly entitled to do so,” Falter noted after the ruling.

“This is a humiliating defeat for Mr Greenstein who will now have to explain to those who paid his legal expenses through crowdfunding that he wasted their money on such a hopeless claim.

“All that remains of his action is a minor data protection and privacy claim which we now look forward to dismantling at a future hearing, should he even progress that far.”

CAA has shown that Greenstein has defended Ken Livingstone’s Nazi apologism, compared Zionists to Nazis and characterises the creation of Israel as “racist.”

PHOTO: YOUTUBE

He has also repeatedly breached the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism.

Greenstein was expelled from the Labour Party after a lengthy disciplinary process.

A Labour Party spokesperson said at the time that The National Constitutional Committee of the Labour Party had found Greenstein had breached three charges of the Labour Party’s rule 2.1.8.

Charges related to comments made by Greenstein on social media and his blog.

Joe Glasman, Head of Political and Government Investigations at CAA, said, “We are pleased that the Labour Party has at long last begun to expel those it finds guilty of abusive conduct, but its action is more than two years overdue.”

GPhC rules Ali ‘Jew-hate’ comments not anti-Semitic Cambridge adopts

BY ADAM MOSES Nazim Ali, who leads the annual “Al Quds Day” march in London, has been found guilty of bringing the pharmaceutical profession into disrepute.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) handed out a warning to Ali, ruling his ‘Jew-hate’ comments were grossly offensive. But they did not deem them anti-Semitic.

The astonishing verdict came after a twoweek hearing following a complaint by Campaign Against Antisemitism. Incredibly, the GPhC did not present expert testimony from academics or CAA on what constitutes Jew-hatred.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at CAA, said, “It is disappointing that the regulator showed so little understanding of the issues at the hearing and only requested that the tribunal issue Mr Ali with a warning, which it did.

He added, “After more than three years, at least we have succeeded in ensuring that Mr Ali’s record has been publicly marked and his disgrace made official.

“Since 2017, we have fought to ensure that (Nazim) Ali faces the consequences of his actions. As a pharmacist, he is bound by professional rules and we are pleased that due to our complaint his regulator has now agreed that he brought his profession into disrepute.”

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

Nazim Ali

PHOTO: FACEBOOK

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

During the march, Ali reportedly claimed that Grenfell fire tragedy was "an act of the Zionists.” Calling for the “annihilation of Israel,” he added that the Israeli Army was “a terrorist organisation murdering Palestinians, Jews (sic) and British soldiers.”

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

CAA’s Demonstration and Event Monitoring Unit filmed events.

The Simon Wiesenthal Centre is outraged

at the verdict. Dr. Shimon Samuels, Wiesenthal Centre’s Director for International Relations, expressed support for CAA’s action.

“Ali had incited the over 1,000 marchers with ‘we are fed up with the Zionists, fed up with their Rabbis, fed up with their supporters who are supporting the Tory Party, Zionists who give money to the Tory Party to kill people in high-rise blocks’,” he reportedly said. Samuels added, "We must ensure that this sets a warning, not a precedent.”

"The IHRC and the Practice Committee (Ethics Panel) of the UK Pharmaceutical Regulatory agency's ruling flies in the face of the British recognition of the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism, that certainly includes anti-Zionism as a cover for anti-Semitism in its denial of Jewish self-determination, which represents most of Ali’s libellous language.”

CAA submitted a complaint to the GPhC, which confirmed the matter called into question the pharmacy professional’s fitness to practise as a pharmacist. CAA noted that during Ali’s hearing, his defence acknowledged comments were grossly offensive and that they could be perceived as being anti-Semitic.

Ali’s defence also included his relationship with extremist fringe Jewish group, Neturei Karta, as evidence he would not knowingly state something anti-Semitic.

“Neturei Karta condemns most Jews and has actively supported anti-Semites,” noted a CAA spokesman. Ali’s counsel argued the hearing was a breach of Ali’s right to a private life and freedom of expression. The tribunal rejected the arguments.

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anti-Semitism definition

The University of Cambridge has adopted the International Definition of Anti-Semitism.

The adoption was reportedly agreed at a meeting of the University’s General Board earlier this month.

Last month, the university appeared to resist adopting the definition, despite calls

by Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, for universities to do so.

The University’s Jewish Society has welcomed the decision and is asking for clarifications on implementation. It has also called for the Students’ Union to adopt the definition.

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Global congrats greet Biden but Israeli caution remains

President-elect Biden wtih Benjamin Netanhyahu

BY DAVID SAFFER Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be selective between Democrats and Republicans in the interests of the State of Israel.

Netanyahu’s bipartisanship message followed Democrat Joe Biden’s stunning victory over Netanyahu’s close ally, Donald Trump in last week’s U.S. presidential election.

“What I see before my eyes is not Democrats and not Republicans. It is just the State of Israel,” Netanyahu told MKs in the Knesset. “I am committed to stand behind the interests that are crucial to our future and our existence and this is how I will continue even with the next American administration.”

Praising Trump for his role of normalising relations with the Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan, Netanyahu thanked Biden for supporting the deals brokered by the incumbent President.

Netanyahu, tellingly, did not refer to either Biden or Trump as “President”.

Biden was vice president to former US President Barack Obama and a popular assumption is he will hold similar views particularly when it comes to West Bank settlements.

Indeed, Israeli media reported that Biden’s presidency could end land benefits in the region during the Trump era, with a two-state solution around pre-1967

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

lines. And Bicom noted that whilst Biden is considered a loyal friend of Israel having described himself a Zionist in the past, the most pressing issue on Israel’s agenda with the President-elect is Iran.

Time of course, will tell, but Netanyahu has been clear on his position regarding both the West Bank and Iranian regime.

President-elect Biden becomes the 46th US President in January although Trump has yet to accept defeat. He is evaluating all options to challenge the results.

Biden was statesmanlike when asked by a reporter in Wilmington, Delaware what he thought of Trump’s refusal to acknowledge defeat on Tuesday.

“I just think it’s an embarrassment, quite frankly,” he said. “The only thing that, how can I say this tactfully, I think it will not help the president’s legacy.”

Biden added, “At the end of the day, you know, it’s all going to come to fruition on January 20.”

Following his victory on Saturday night, Biden addressed the nation from his home town of Wilmington, Delaware.

“The people of this nation have spoken, they have delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory, a victory for “We the People”,” he said. “We have won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of this nation, 74 million. I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me. I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but to unify.”

Global reaction from politicians and Jewish organisations has been welcoming though cautious after US networks simultaneously confirmed victory after Biden reached 270 electoral college votes.

The Israeli leader has been accused of favouring Republicans during his record tenure in office.

His relationship with Trump is wellknown, but he was ever the diplomat in the way he handled congratulating Biden on his election win.

“I have a long and warm personal connection with (Joe) Biden for nearly 40 years, and I know him as a great friend of the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said. “I am certain that we will continue to work with both of them in order to further strengthen the special alliance between Israel and the US.” Netanyahu also took the opportunity to again praise the incumbent President.

“For myself and for all citizens of the State of Israel, I again thank President Trump for the great friendship he showed the State of Israel and me personally. I congratulate him on recognising Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, for his stand on Iran, for the historic peace accords and for bringing the alliance between Israel and the US to unprecedented heights.

Thank you, President Trump,” He said.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to (Joe) Biden, a longtime supporter and friend of Israel and his running mate, Kamala Harris, who made history as the first woman elected VP,” Defence Minister Benny Gantz posted on Twitter.

Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi noted, “The President’s-elect friendship and distinguished record of support for Israel dates back nearly half a century. I strongly believe that under his leadership the strategic indispensable alliance between our two countries will continue to flourish and prosper.”

President Rivlin noted that the strategic alliance between Israel and the US and its peoples was stronger than any political leadership and had no doubt “special relations and multifaceted cooperation” would continue to flourish.

He added, “Mr. President-elect, as a long-standing friend of Israel, you are now the leader of the free world and of the State of Israel’s closest and most important ally.

“The strategic alliance between our two countries and peoples is stronger than any political leadership, and is not based solely on friendship. It is rooted deeply in our shared values and in our long-standing commitment to freedom and democracy as the foundations of our societies.

“On behalf of the Israeli people, I wish you and your future administration great success, and extend my invitation to you to visit Jerusalem as our guest.”

Like Netanyahu, Rivlin thanked Trump

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for strengthening Israel’s security, steadfast support and friendship.

Leader of the Opposition Yair Lapid noted the countries had “deeply held values and critical shared interests” that were at the heart of Biden’s administration.

In the UK, Board of Deputies President, Marie van der Zyl, congratulated Biden on his victory.

“After a divisive and tumultuous few years in American and global politics, we hope that he will lead global efforts to tackle coronavirus, strengthen ties with allies like the UK and heal the wounds between different groups in American society,” she said. “We also hope that he will continue in the strong tradition of bipartisan support for the world’s only Jewish state, the State of Israel, and reverse the rise of anti-Semitism and racism in America and beyond.”

World Jewish Congress President, Ronald S. Lauder, said that Biden had a long history as a friend to the Jewish community, Israel, Holocaust survivors and their families.

“He puts diplomacy, cooperation and equity first, and he leads with patience and decency,” Lauder noted. “WJC looks forward to partnering with the Biden administration to advance the causes of interfaith engagement and dialogue here in the United States and across the globe, Holocaust education, and unity in the shared search for peace and tolerance worldwide.”

Lauder added, “When we honoured President-elect Biden with our highest award in 2016, the WJC Theodor Herzl Award, he said, ‘Indifference is silence, and silence is consent.’ I know that he will continue to stand by those words as he takes the helm of this country and steers us toward a future of equality, standing up and speaking out for what is fair and what is right.”

European Jewish Congress President, Dr. Moshe Kantor, noted that Biden had demonstrated a “strong friendship” with the State of Israel and Jewish people throughout his decades in public office.

Conference of European Rabbis President, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, offered hope that US Jewry will overcome its deep political divisions and become united on crucial issues.

Wishing Biden “G-d’s blessings and wisdom” to navigate the US through the pandemic and provide relief, prosperity and peace to the people of the US, he added, “We hope to see a reset of relations between the Europe and the US, which remains the cornerstone of post-World War Two prosperity and stability of the European project. We are also looking forward to hearing a clear voice from Washington, providing support for human rights, freedom of religion and against racism and anti-Semitism.”

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Germany remembers victims of Kristallnacht

BY DAVID SAFFER Germany remembered the victims of Kristallnacht on its 82nd anniversary.

Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of Germany's shame over the events of Kristallnacht, known as the Night of Broken Glass.

Merkel's message was part of the "Let there be Light" initiative.

Prayers and messages from around the world were projected onto the walls of Jerusalem's Old City as part of an online memorial service to mark Kristallnacht.

President Reuven Rivlin, German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen called for solidarity in the fight against anti-Semitism.

"The dark shadows of the past have not disappeared from our streets," Steinmeier said in a joint video message. "We stand together, in Vienna, in Jerusalem, in Berlin."

Addressing Rivlin, Steinmeier said the "sickening outburst of violence of 1938 was a stark warning to us today."

"We remember the disgrace of November 9, 1938, the pogroms against Jewish fellow citizens throughout the country, the people driven to their deaths, the burning synagogues, the destroyed stores," said Merkel. "We commemorate the victims of the crime committed by Germany against humanity, the Shoah, in shame."

The commemoration came a year after the Halle shooting where a 27-year-old neo-Nazi shot and killed two people at a synagogue.

Josef Schuster, Central Council of Jews in Germany president, said that there is still a threat over Jewish life and Judaism was not accepted by all parts of society.

In the UK, a record 500 people joined this year’s commemoration organised by The Association of Jewish Refugees held online for the first time due to lockdown restrictions.

Michael Newman, AJR Chief Executive and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg from New North London Synagogue, both descendants of refugees, spoke during the event.

Austrian Ambassador Michael Zimmerman pre-recorded a message at Belsize Square Synagogue, Hannah Lessing, General Secretary of the Austrian National Fund, joined from the Stadttempel in the Seitenstettengasse, Vienna. Both shuls have a rich history linked to the Holocaust.

The event featured testimonies from AJR members Robert Shaw, John Izbicki and Kur Marx.

In November 1938, rioters ransacked Jewish homes, hospitals and schools, around 100 Jews were murdered, 267 synagogues were burnt down across Germany and Austria while 7,000 Jewish-owned businesses destroyed.

The Nazi regime deported 30,000 Jews to

concentration camps.

World Jewish Relief, formerly known as The Central British Fund for German Jewry (CBF), was instrumental in organising the rescue of children from Nazi Europe.

Immediately after Kristallnacht, CBF founders Lionel De Rothschild and Chaim Weizmann, together with a small delegation of prominent British Jews comprising Lord Samuel, Lord Bearsted, Chief Rabbi Dr Joseph Hertz and Neville Laski, met with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to appeal for his help in rescuing children from the Nazis by bringing them to Britain.

They proposed financial support, education and training and asked that the need for German travel documents and British visas be waived in order to expedite the mission.

Chamberlain wasn’t keen initially, however, Home Secretary Sir Samuel Hoare, himself a Quaker, raised it in Cabinet where Lord Halifax, the Foreign Secretary, backed it, believing this positive action could bring America on board as allies against the Nazis.

On November 21 1938, the matter was raised in Parliament and an agreement passed for an unlimited number of child refugees to be given temporary refuge in Britain so long as there was no recourse to public funds.

A special travel permit would be issued to eliminate the need for formal

Erekat death from Covid-19 in Israeli hospital

Saeb Erekat

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

BY NATALIE ASH Palestinians are observing three days mourning following the death of former chief negotiator Saeb Erekat on Tuesday after contracting COVID-19.

Erekat, 65, died at Hadassah University Hospital in Ein Kerem, where he had been receiving treatment since last month.

Erekat have been in critical condition and on a ventilator.

Politicians around the world paid tribute including former Israel Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who led negotiations with the Palestinians during the Obama era. "Saeb dedicated his life to his people," Livni wrote on Twitter. “My deepest condolences to

the Palestinians and his family. He will be missed." Joint List MK Ahmad Tibi said Erekat was a "courageous leader."

United Nations special envoy to the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, praised Erekat as someone who "never gave up on negotiations" with Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described his death as “a big loss” for Palestine in a statement.

Erekat had a lung transplant in the United States in 2017.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz approved Erekat’s emergency transfer to an Israeli hospital. His admission to an Israeli hospital came despite the Palestinian leadership’s cutting ties with Israel this year over annexation plans and opposition to US President Donald Trump’s Mideast plan.

Erekat was a senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and served former PLO leader, Yasser Arafat. He backed a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian Middle East conflict and had been vocal in his opposition to Israel’s West Bank annexation policy.

One of Palestinians' chief negotiators in peace talks with Israel for almost three decades, going back to the George H.W. Bush presidency in 1991, he helped negotiate the Oslo Accords with Israel.

documents.

With funding from the CBF, the Children’s Inter-Aid Committee and The Society of Friends (Quakers) swung into action and on December 2nd, the first trainload of 200 children arrived at Harwich.

The Movement for the Care of Children from Germany (MCCG) oversaw the rescue effort.

The Jewish Refugee Committee, a branch of the CBF, were to take children over the age of 16 and help them gain training and employment whilst the MCCG placed younger children with families.

Between December 1938 and September 1939, 10,000 children were brought to safety.

After the war, MCCG was absorbed into the Jewish Refugee Committee who took care of ongoing welfare needs of the Kindertransport children. WJR has digitised historic records including thousands of individual case files for children who came on the Kindertransport. Rivlin also led a virtual broadcast from his Jerusalem residence with Yad Vashem this week.

This commemorative event included Holocaust survivor testimonies, speeches from Rivlin, Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, Holocaust survivor and Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, Avner Shalev, and messages from Steinmeier and Van der Bellen.

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GENEius university screening exceeds expectations

BY ADAM MOSES Over 175 students have signed up across the UK for Jnetics’ first virtual GENEius University Screening Week from November 23-29.

Students will take part in carrier screening for nine of the most severe Jewish genetic disorders (JGDs) for free and from home.

GENEius is Jnetics’ flagship education and screening initiative focusing on Jewish students in Y12 and universities.

“Participating in GUSW is quick and easy”, said Greg Blank, GENEius programme manager.

“Students pre-register online and choose one of many virtual screening appointments across the week. Then they receive a screening pack in the post containing a saliva kit. Their virtual appointment takes place via video-call with a trained volunteer ‘screening advisor’ in which key information will be covered, consent taken and the saliva sample given.

“After the appointment, students return their sample to Jnetics in a prepaid return envelope. Results will be returned via email from Jnetics dedicated genetic counsellors up to 16 weeks later. Carriers identified will be offered a follow-up phone call”.

Jnetics has recruited 25 GENEius

Campus Reps to advertise the event and encourage peers to sign up.

The initiative has the support of the Union of Jewish Students, University Jewish Chaplaincy, Aish, Chabad and numerous youth groups including Bnei Akiva. All are helping ensure as many Jewish students as possible take part.

The test covers nine severe recessive disorders, that although not exclusively Jewish, have increased prevalence in the Ashkenazi Jewish population compared to the general one.

Disorders, including Tay Sachs, Familial Dysautonomia and Bloom Syndrome, are incurable and life shortening conditions that are preventable via carrier screening.

Similar international student screening programmes covering these disorders have had immense success virtually eradicating disorders from the community.

“The cost for one student to get screened is £300, but Jnetics is fully subsidising this cost,” Nicole Gordon, Jnetics’ CEO said.

“Since the screening appointments opened a week ago, we have had over 175 students sign up from universities across the whole of the UK, which has already exceeded our expectation.”

“We have a responsibility to the community to accept all students who wish to be screened” Nicole added.

Jnetics has launched a ‘Sponsor A Student’ campaign for parents, grandparents and members of the wider community to help fund the initiative.

To be eligible, participants must be over 16, have at least one Ashkenazi Jewish grandparent and be an undergraduate or postgraduate student. The deadline is Monday 16th November.

Further details: www.jnetics.org/donate

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12 NOVEMBER 2020

Milah ban lifted in Finland A threat to ban Brit Milah in Finland has been averted for now following intervention from Milah UK, the Board of Deputies and Finnish Jewish community. Caution remains as a small campaign continues in Finland to ban Milah.

Milah UK and the Board of Deputies are in contact with the Finnish Jewish community to ensure appropriate support is available. Concerns grew when a proposal was tabled in a key parliamentary committee that could have led to Brit Milah being criminalised. They arranged talks with Finnish government officials through the Finnish Ambassador in London, Marku Keinanan.

The parliamentary committee has axed the proposal. Talks will take place between the Finnish community and government to recognise the status of Milah.

Jonathan Arkush, Milah UK co-chair, said, “Larger Jewish communities have a responsibility to smaller ones to help them in a time of need. But more than that, we know that if a self-described liberal democracy like Finland bans Milah, the threat to us here in the UK becomes greater. We want to thank the Finnish Jewish community, his excellency the Ambassador, and all those who worked to ensure a common sense way forward on this core religious freedom.”

Yaron Nadbornik, President of the Central Council of Finnish Jewish Communities, added, “The support of international partners has helped ensure a way forward for us to work towards securing our religious freedom for now.”

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Israel may pass Covid vaccination bill for all

BY DAVID SAFFER Israel might consider legislation for all Israeli citizens to be vaccinated against the coronavirus when a vaccine is available.

The legal move follows an announcement by Pfizer that a vaccine is 90% effective and may be available next month.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Pfizer’s announcement in a statement as a “very important day” in the global struggle against the coronavirus but also noted that several companies are moving towards a vaccine including Israel although it would take time.

He explained, “One thing is clear. Not long from today, it will not be years but months, there will be vaccines that will be available for the population of the world.

My goal at the moment is to do one thing, bring vaccines to you, citizens of Israel, and we will do so. I said a few days ago that I see light at the end of the tunnel. I think that train is already exiting the tunnel.”

Earlier in the week, Netanyahu, Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, visited the coronavirus laboratory at Ben-Gurion International Airport for an update on a system for rapid tests of outbound and inbound passengers.

Successful tests would benefit Israel’s beleaguered travel industry domestically and further afield.

“This can help us get back to a better, quicker and more efficient aviation routine,” he noted. “I am certainly impressed by the great effort that is being made here, and you will yet do more and more. More efficient, safer and quicker, because we want to renew Israel’s link to the world.”

Notwithstanding, Pfizer’s announcement and Netanyahu’s comments, the Health Ministry highlighted concern over the effect of mass refusals by citizens of a vaccination campaign.

And legislation regarding a mandatory inoculation programme could face legal opposition.

“In principle, the State of Israel has to this day refrained from legally requiring any vaccinations,” Dr. Adi Niv-YaG-da, a health legal expert at Tel Aviv University reportedly explained. “Even today, the state allows a citizen to maintain autonomy and not be vaccinated with the routine vaccines recommended by the Health Ministry.

“Many steps are taken to explain the importance of immunisation. Consequently, the immunisation rate (in Israel) is one of the highest in the world.”

Niv-YaG-da added that a law would constitute a “fatal violation of basic rights and freedoms” of individuals.

“The way to achieve high immunisation

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Shopping centres, open-air markets and gyms could open whilst school children in fifth and sixth grade would return to school under a strict rotation system. coverage is through advocacy and the establishment of trust between the government and the public,” he noted.

The Health Ministry reported 663 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, 532 patients are in hospital, 304 in a serious condition and 126 are on ventilators. There have been 2,683 fatalities. Most Covid patients are in Jerusalem, 1,041, Tel Aviv, 399, Nazareth, 262, Bnei Brak, 233, and Haifa, 194.

Israel’s coronavirus cabinet are debating the third phase of its exit plan from a nationwide lockdown.

Shopping centres, open-air markets and gyms could open whilst school children in fifth and sixth grade would return to school under a strict rotation system.

Regarding older pupils, Avi Kaminsky, Association of Municipal Education Department, welcomed the news but noted education departments needed up to four days for preparations to be in place.

“Bringing back students after many weeks of studying from home requires reorganisation,” he said.

“This is not only a technical matter, but

also an educational one. We need to regulate the issue of afterschool programs and redesign the school’s curriculum.”

The national parent leadership though have called on schools to reopen this Sunday.

“We demand the coronavirus cabinet shows leadership and responsibility and not succumb to political and other pressures,” they said in a statement. “This is another nail in the coffin for education in Israel. It makes no sense for students in green cities to pay the price.”

Finance Minister Israel Katz has vowed to open indoor shopping centres and other businesses despite Health Ministry objections, but other MKs have backed caution due to an increasing infection rate.

Restrictions including a possible night curfew could be introduced and Netanyahu is expected to back a postponement until next month.

Sharon Alroy-Preis, Head of Public Health Services, warned with the infection rate increasing reopening large stores and other industries was being very closely monitored.

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

“To get to the next step of reopening, we need to get the number of verified daily infections to below 500,” she reportedly explained. “Right now, in order to be careful, we need to stop (easing restrictions).”

Alroy-Preis added, “I call on the people of Israel to be really careful. We can’t have police and inspectors everywhere, so pay attention.”

Alroy-Preis was clear measures took into account various parameters to ensure Israel did not hit a third spike. And Prof. Eran Segal of the Weizmann Institute of Science warned the move may cancel out efforts to slow down the pandemic and called for the education system to be a priority.

Some high street shops, meantime, enjoyed brisk trade as they reopened after two months of a nationwide lockdown at the weekend.

Hundreds of Israelis had to stand in lines of up to an hour as strict health was in place allowing just four customers in a shop at a time.

However, popular high-street fashion brands did not open, which did not go down well with shoppers.

Earlier this month, small businesses including “one-one-one” treatments at barbershops, nature reserves and national parks opened to the public.

Synagogues are open with a maximum of 10 people indoors and 20 outside.

Weddings and other simchas are allowed under similar measures.

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Polarisation in the media out of control

BY JAMES J MARLOW When I hosted weekday afternoons on LBC Radio back in the nineties, I tried to put aside all the partisan rubbish and nasty comments, and focus on the actual facts of a controversial news story.

Almost three decades later, I do the same as a guest on news networks, when posting on my social media platforms and a podcast show I host. But it doesn’t surprise me that because so many news outfits refuse to follow this rule, only 22% of people trust the news in the UK. Although the figure was slightly higher in the United States, before the election, I am staggered at talk news presenters everywhere, who feel it is their duty to push their own political views on the nation, without allowing others to put across their view on a level playing field.

You would of course be forgiven for believing that “Donald Trump has offered no evidence whatsoever” for suggesting there was fraudulent voting in a number of States. But that is NOT true.

Whether or not you loath the man and his harsh style, the fact is that there have been at least 8 legal cases filed in courts of law. They range from more votes being cast in some cities than actual registered voters, to absentee ballots being sent to

the same person more than once. I heard from one lady in New York that her husband received 3 postal vote forms, even though he passed away nearly 3 years ago.

And by the way, she was a Democrat who assured me that she did not cheat.

Another woman in Florida told me that her friend had completed and returned her postal vote, but that she also somehow voted on election-day, in person, because her name was still on the registered form at the polling station.

Last Sunday, Trump’s legal team held a press conference to confirm an employee of the Postal Service was instructed by his supervisor to backdate postal votes that arrived after 8pm on 3 November, which is when polls closed. I already had his testimonial on my smart-phone before this news conference.

Anyone who suggests this is not evidence, does not understand the meaning of the word. If this person is found to be lying, he will go to jail – it’s that simple.

This individual signed an affidavit which was passed on to the court by lawyers and is evidence to bring about an investigation, where the court will determine the outcome. So why do the news networks insist “Trump offers no evidence to substantiate these claims?”

It is quite possible the court will throw out this and other cases filed, but at least report what is happening.

In 2000, Florida came down to a very fine margin between Vice President Al Gore and George W. Bush. After Gore exhausted the legal system, he finally conceded more than 6 weeks after the election. In 2004 the U.S. News Networks called the election in President Bush’s favour, but the Democrats disputed the results and delayed the process in Congress.

In 2016 there were several recounts and legal challenges in different states initiated by the Hilary Clinton team against Donald Trump.

American institutions are built to deal with these types of legal concerns and they have the correct tools to address concerns.

The President therefore has every legal right under the constitution to look into allegations of irregularities and request recounts under the law.

The difference in votes between Trump and Biden in the swing states are in some cases less than 15,000 with more than 5 million votes cast.

If any major irregularity has occurred which affects the outcome, surely we all want to know the truth. And if the Democrats feel confident that nothing has gone wrong, they should have no reason to fear any extra scrutiny.

To suggest that the President MUST accept the election results when the

Democrats have spent the last 4 years refusing to accept the result of the 2016 election is quite ironic, especially as it was them who insinuated this election would be illegitimate, if they lost again.

If it becomes clear that Joe Biden is the official legitimate President elected, then I will encourage everyone to accept the result and move on.

But we cannot dismiss the fact that Trump won more than 3 million extra votes, than in 2016 and therefore his constituency has grown. It is big, it is powerful and cannot be ignored. Had he toned down his strong personal rhetoric and zig zagging on the Corona virus, he may well have won beyond any doubt.

And whatever happens, I don’t think Trump is leaving politics anytime soon.

In focusing so much on getting Trump out of the White House, the Democrats took their eyes off Congress. The Democrats lost seats in the House and they still do not have control of the Senate.

But we have to wait to hear what the courts say and I suspect there will be recounts.

James Marlow is a news broadcast commentator and communications trainer Email: James@TheCommunicationBureau. com Twitter: @James_J_Marlow

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LETTERS 25

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Message from the editor

Editor, Yossi Saunders

TRUMP

Not too many people on the planet think that Donald Trump is the most righteous individual to ever walk the earth. Sure, he has attacked many people and has many elements to his character that many people intensely dislike. These may well have probably cost him his much cherished presidency.

However what you cannot deny is that his record when it came to Israel is second to none.

The first sitting US President to visit the Kotel. The man who recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, something that even

schoolchildren realise. Furthermore his role in moving the US Embassy, the annexation plans and helping making friends with Arab countries who for too long had had zero diplomatic relations with Israel cannot be underestimated; indeed his contribution was pivotal.

Biden on the other hand was Vice President to Barak Hussein Obama, a man who transferred millions of dollars to the Palestinians on his last day in office. (The transfer was ultimately stopped by Trump as soon as he took power.)

Obama allowed Iran to accelerate down a nuclear path that the Iranians intended to end in complete and utter annihilation of Israel. Trump stopped the danger by ripping up the agreement and replacing it with tough sanctions that have impoverished much of Iran, but there are rumours that Biden will once again seek to allow Iran to carry on with their deadly mission.

The Vice President elect Kamala Harris reportedly said that she intends pretty quickly to reopen Palestinian offices that Trump closed and restore much money to these terrorists that Trump stopped.

The Democrats have spent the last four years doing all they can to sow as much discord as they possibly can including impeachment amongst many other instances. Two weeks ago Biden himself

called Trump supporters ‘chumps and ugly.’ Now he calls for healing.

Menachem Begin had a run in with Biden many years ago.

In 1982, then senator Biden confronted Begin with threats to cut off aid to Israel.

Begin forcefully responded: “Don’t threaten us with cutting off your aid. It will not work. I am not a Jew with trembling knees. I am a proud Jew with 3,700 years of proud history. Nobody came to our aid when we were dying in the gas chambers and ovens. Nobody came to our aid when we were striving to create our country. We paid for it. We fought for it. We died for it. We will stand by our principles. We will defend them. And when necessary we will die for them again, with or without your aid.”

Letters to the Editor Send in your comments to letters@thejewishweekly.com

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

CORRECTING THE CORRECTION 14 LETTERS

29 OCTOBER 2020

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Dear Editor, Letters to the The letter from Elia Meghnagi in your 29th Editor October issue, gets a few things wrong, He is correct that Greek derived from proto-Canaanite but it in turn was derived from Egyptian hieroglyphics.

The earliest form of an alphabet, dating to c1,800 BCE, was found at Wadi el-Hol near Luxor in Egypt. It was developed by Semitic workers copying Egyptian inscriptions at a turquoise mine. The March issue of Biblical Archaeology Review describes the process in detail.

Send in your comments to letters@thejewishweekly.com

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

SHAME ON YOU, BBC

Dear Editor, What was heralded as a well researched programme on the history of the alphabet turned out to be a ‘carefully crafted politically correct’ essay on the history of writing.

How they carefully managed to ignore or neglect the vital contribution of the Jews was masterly.

The only concession was a quickly uttered remark about ‘palaeo-Hebrew’.

They completely ignored the fact that the Greeks took the old Hebrew alphabet (via the the Phoenicians, close friends and neighbours of the Jews) and turned it back to front, mirror image style, so that they could write it left to right. The reason for Hebrew being written right to

Best Wishes.

left because originally the writing process was chiselled.

The Greeks took on the Hebrew names of the letters for their own, hence alpha, beta, gamma, delta, which have no intrinsic meaning in Greek, as they have in Hebrew.

What showed the shameful effort of the BBC to (I assume) appease their Egyptian hosts, is the complete absence of Hebrew writers in a hall full of calligraphists of every type: Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Roman, Indian etc.

I show here an example of the three main western alphabets, and how they were derived from the Hebrew language.

Elia Meghnagi

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As Israel and world Jewry sail into new uncharted waters, we pray that Hashem watches over us whether we like what comes out of Washington or not.

POLLS

Even though Trump lost the election, he did far better than the polls predicted, winning over 70 million votes. The polls predicted Trump would be wiped out.

Why in recent times have pollsters got it so wrong? What is clear is that it is no longer possible for 1000 adults to represent 240 million people. If people are not willing to say who they will vote for or if the right people are not being found then perhaps polls and the data they so badly rely on will quickly become a thing of the past.

26 COMMUNITY

12 NOVEMBER 2020

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Insightful legal evenings at LSJS

Over 600 people attended the special LSJS zoom event on Sunday night, ‘Abraham on Trial’. Featuring Lindsey Kushner QC as presiding Judge, with Professor Anthony Julius and David Wolfson QC presenting Sarah’s point of view on the idea of whether Abraham was fit to lead after the Akeidah.

Jonathan Seitler QC and Dr Harris Bor presented a robust defence of Abraham.

The event began with a heartfelt dedication by Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum for LSJS Honorary President Rabbi Lord Sacks zt”l. Rabbi Zarum shared the words Rabbi Sacks said about the Akeidah at an LSJS event a few years ago: “I have read every commentary I ever came across about akeidat Yitzhak. I have written about it a dozen times. And I know that I haven’t even begun to understand.

Torah is serious.”

With this in mind the arguments presented by both sides showed a deep dedication to Torah and insightful views from a legal perspective. The expert legal minds dived in from fascinating angles inspiring the audience with a fresh look on this famous section of Torah. If you missed the event you can purchase the recording via lsjs.ac.uk in the shop section.

On Thursday evening Joanne Greenaway, LSJS Chief Executive, joined Anthony Metzer QC for a fascinating discussion about Get refusal on Facebook Live. Using her previous experience as Get Case Director at the London Beth Din, they explained a new legal avenue that is being used to resolve some long-standing, difficult cases.

A short Memorial service was held on Friday morning on Zoom at Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School for the memory of Rabbi Benzion Lewis Zt’l former head of Kodesh at the school. He taught at the school for thirty Years. His first Yartzeit is at Chanucah.

Headteacher Mrs Claire Simon, said, ‘’When times are normal we will be doing much more for the Memory of Rabbi Lewis. His memory for remembering all the Childrens’ names was a blessing’’

Dovid First and Yossi Rosenberg both unveiled the picture of Rabbi B Lewis zt”l

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

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12 NOVEMBER 2020

Every year Children at the Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School sell Poppies, this year being different because of the Covid-19 pandemic the Bury Branch of the Royal British Legion was unavailable to supply the school with Poppies, so they decided to make their own Poppies with the money collected going to the Royal British Legion Poppy fund as usual.

Bury and Whitefield Jewish primary Year 6 Poppy pupils

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Kisharon helps to keep Childs Hill Library running

New educational platform for Jewish service during WWI We Were There Too (WWTT), a digital platform which commemorates the UK’s Jewish community during the First Word War has been working with worldwide production company, Discovery Education to create two short videos aimed respectively at primary and secondary schools We Were There Too, over the last four years been going into schools in Greater London and across the North West of England engaging with students to enable them to expand their knowledge of life during the First World War. Project manager, Rodney Ross explained: “We normally intensify our educational programme around Remembrance time. This year is very different with the Covid pandemic affecting everybody’s lives.

“Working with Discovery Education we have created a 14 minute primary school video presentation and a 16 minute presentation for secondary schools. We have also used in our general community information programme as we feel the content is appropriate for community commemorations. To enhance each presentation we have prepared resources for schools and teachers so they are able to build on the content with pupils. All our resources, which includes a listing of personal records of Jewish servicemen and women and military nurses from across all of the UK. The can be easily

tailored for school assemblies and communities and community groups.”

Throughout Britain and the then colonies and Empire, Jews volunteered in highly disproportionate numbers. In the UK alone over 60,000 served out of a total community of some 350,000. This relatively new immigrant population also suffered a disproportionate number of casualties. British Jews also won a disproportionately high number of gallantry awards, including a remarkable five Victoria Crosses.

The assembly and presentation material can be accessed via the website at www. jewsfww.uk/the-project.php and then by clicking on the Poppy. This is a free facility with cost to schools and community groups as the project is fully funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

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With new National Restrictions underway Kisharon have worked hard to ensure Social Enterprises are ready to comply and remain open, subject to restrictions changing.

Childs Hill Library is a partnership library run by Kisharon. Staffed by enthusiastic volunteers, many from the Cricklewood community, the library provides employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. Currently the library is open 3 days a week, strictly for a ‘Select and Collect’ service for books, CDs and DVDs that can be reserved online/over the phone/in person. To help provide people with access to IT for work purposes during lock down the PCs in the library can be booked too.

Kisharon are pleased to report that the number of borrowers using the library

service have increased and they are still able to provide socially distanced and Covid safe opportunities for volunteers which include Kisharon students and some of the people Kisharon support.

Library Manager Neha Dhakar comments, “We are pleased under the current circumstances that the library can still accommodate both those wanting to use its services as well as giving employment opportunities to those we support. Recently Shammai joined as a new library volunteer and I can see how meaningful it is to him, to have social interaction by helping others and working as part of a team - despite doing so in a Covid safe way.”

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Celebrity line-up helps Norwood’s first virtual Annual Dinner break all records The Norwood Annual Dinner has been a staple of the charity world social calendar for more than 200 years. This year, with no possibility for 1,000 people to gather in the Grand Ballroom of London’s Grosvenor House Hotel to celebrate Norwood’s 225th anniversary, the charity had to “reimagine” this glittering occasion and make it virtual for the first time. As a result, an unprecedented record-breaking number of more than 4,000 people from across the world tuned in to watch Norwood’s Annual Dinner Reimagined at 8pm last night [Monday 9 November].

On the eve of the event, the charity’s Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, sent a personal message to say: “On the occasion of your 225th anniversary, I send my warm good wishes to Norwood’s beneficiaries, staff and all those associated with the charity. As your Patron, I am well aware of Norwood’s long association with The Royal Family, and of your continued important work in providing support and care to individuals and families experiencing difficult times. I wish you all an enjoyable and memorable Virtual Dinner event this evening, as you celebrate this significant milestone in the history of Norwood.”

As well as viewers being shown firsthand the impact of Norwood’s work on three families – the films focused on three extraordinary young people: Sophia, Sara and Jeremy – guests were entertained by a spectacular line-up of celebrities and entertainers, who all donated their services for the charity. Some, had personal reasons for taking part…

Host Jonathan Ross got involved with Norwood after seeing Talya, the eldest

daughter of the charity’s chief executive, cycling past his house during the first lockdown in May. Talya has mild quadriplegic cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and a severe visual impairment and Ross was so taken with the sight of her cycling a red tricycle and singing at the top of her voice that he instantly agreed to host the Annual Dinner Reimagined and has since also donated his winnings from ITV’s The Chase Celebrity Special to the charity.

Singer Craig David also has a personal reason for performing. He first encountered Norwood when a group of the charity’s supporters and service users were cycling to raise funds in South Africa. David, who was on tour there at the time, was so touched by what he saw of Norwood’s work that he invited the entire group to see him perform in Cape Town. On his return, he has also played an exclusive “Up Close and Personal” show in Central London to raise funds for Norwood.

Lulu and Dame Darcey Bussell have both performed for the charity previously and felt compelled to help out in these difficult times. While Michael McIntyre, Lewis Capaldi, Natasha Kaplinsky, “Judge” Rob Rinder, Katie Piper and Strictly’s Aljaz and Janette complete the incredible line-up that Norwood was able to bring together for this groundbreaking and record-breaking event.

Norwood’s chief executive, Dr Beverley Jacobson, says: “This year has been challenging for everyone and while, in our

Yavneh girls joined the Global challa bake which was live streamed. Ingredients and equipment were delivered to each of those students who were isolating at home so they could take part virtually.

Two screens were set up and running so that they could take part in the SEED/Mizrachi Global challa bake via ZOOM. KD Yavneh Girls with lots of dough for the Challah bake

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Norwood’s Talya with dinner host Jonathan Ross

Michael McIntyre

services, we made changes to ensure the safety of the people we support and staff, we had to think more innovatively about how we can fundraise online to make our services sustainable in such tough

economic times. Our Annual Dinner Reimagined was a dream of Orly Wolfson and her fantastic Annual Dinner Committee which was then brilliantly executed by Verity London. We are incredibly proud of our achievement which ensures that we stand out in a crowded marketplace while demonstrating what can be achieved through belief, passion and commitment.”

The Norwood Annual Dinner Reimagined was produced by Verity London in association with entertainment management company TCB Group.

Thanks to the efforts of the celebrities and Norwood’s supporters, the virtual event surpassed all expectations. Due to the complex nature of the fundraising, the total amount raised is still being calculated but it is hoped that the final figure will also match or surpass the amount Norwood has ever raised before in a single night. The event was screened live to supporters of the charity who had pre-registered to watch it, but is still available for general viewing at norwooddinner.com

Stanmore Academy packs the house again Stanmore just concluded its three-week Stanmore Academy series, with huge success. The Stanmore Academy was Rabbi Fine’s brainchild back in June, a way of structuring and marketing Jewish education, with help from the CCE fund. “We saw that the novelty of Zoom was wearing off, so we felt the next step was to create a structured programme that people could gain something concrete from.” So back in June the Stanmore Academy featured three 4-week courses: Marriage with Rivka Zeidman, Parenting under Pressure with Rabbi Herman, and Contemporary Halacha with Rabbi Manning. To add some current affairs keynotes they also had Lord Pannick, Lord Finkelstein and Karen Harris. “We had an average of 25 people for each course - far

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more than we would have got in person, and then another 25 watching catch-ups from the recordings. Then for the keynotes another 75 people each session.”

For the recent Stanmore Academy they went up a level - they decided to deliver goods to people’s homes as part of the experience : Jonathan Robinson and Jasmine caterers were thus enlisted to deliver 100 or so meals for 3 weeks. This time, the model was a Jewish session followed by a keynote. The first week was Joel Kaye on The Physiology of Gratitude followed by Sir Richard Dearlove (former head of MI6). The second week was Ilana Epstein on History of Jewish Dress followed by Dani Limor of Mossad. And the third week was Rabbi Pink on Organ Donation followed by Mitch Winehouse.

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COMMUNITY 29

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Remembrance Sunday with a difference

‫בס”ד‬

Col Martin Newman, Henry Donn, and Bury South MP Christian Wakeford

Remembrance Sunday with a difference at the Whitefield War Memorial with Col Martin Newman, Deputy Lieutenant, National Vice President of AJEX the Association of

Jewish ex-Servicemen and Women, and Colonel Cadets Gibraltar. Also laying a wreath was newly elected Conservative MP for Bury South Christian Wakeford.

Joe Flacks saluting in his doorway at his Prestwich, Greater Manchester home, normally Mr Flacks would be at a Remembrance Sunday parade, but with the Covid-19 pandemic this year will be a little different, with very few parades being held.

Mr Flacks is the Chairman of AJEX, the Association of Jewish ExServicemen and Women in Greater Manchester and District.

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Joe Flacks saluting in his doorway at his Prestwich home

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12 NOVEMBER 2020

Mizrachi UK’s Pandemic safe guidelines Shabbaton At Home #3 for the Month of Mitzvahs

Rabbi Andrew Shaw

Mizrachi UK, in partnership with The Shabbat Project hosted the UK’s third ‘Shabbaton at Home’ last Shabbat 5th – 7th November, Parashat Vayera.

Families were able to tune in live on Facebook and Youtube for a special launch event on Thursday evening, featuring Chief Rabbi Mirvis, South African Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, Her Excellency Tzipi Hotovely, World Mizrachi’s

Executive Chairman Rav Doron Perez and Musician Ishay Ribo.

Participants received a pack with a schedule, activities, quizzes and divrei torah to do at home with their family over Shabbat. The pack features articles from Dayan Simons, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein and Rabbanit Shani Taragin amongst others.

After Shabbat, as news broke of the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l, Mizrachi UK went live again with a night of thoughts and reflective music, from Rabbi Andrew Shaw, Rabbi Marc Levene and Yuval Havkin, dedicated to Rabbi Sacks. The originally planned Great Shabbaton Quiz was postponed.

In total over 75 communities across the country participated in this Shabbaton at Home, sending the project into well over 30,000 homes.

CEO of Mizrachi, Rabbi Andrew Shaw said, “The Shabbaton brought a lot of light and joy into thousands of homes up and down the country. As we read stories and learnt ideas to inspire us during Shabbat, Rabbi Sacks provided one of those ideas.

On Motzei Shabbat, instead of our quiz, all those communities across the UK remembered him.”

South Hampstead food collection

Mitzvah Day has been working alongside the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to compile a list of what is and isn’t possible during the current Month of Mitzvahs.

In compiling the list, Mitzvah Day took into account what is legally permitted, what is appropriate and what is the best

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PHOTO: YAKIR ZUR

way to keep our volunteers and the general public safe and secure.

Mitzvah Day believes volunteering should only be undertaken where it can be done from home and/or where it is essential, with non-essential physical projects postponed until the current restrictions have ended.

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AJEX ‘Campaign of Remembrance’ boosted

BY DAVID SAFFER AJEX has boosted its 2020 Campaign of Remembrance because the 86th annual parade this weekend cannot take place at The Cenotaph due to global pandemic.

Last year over 2,000 people attended.

Whilst the traditional ceremony is cancelled a poignant online service will take place on Sunday (2.30pm).

TV presenter, newsreader and journalist Natasha Kaplinsky will narrate the virtual ceremony to remember the sacrifice of ex-servicemen and women. It includes senior leaders from the Jewish community and supporting organisations.

Despite challenging circumstances, together with the AJEX team, scores of members and volunteers have worked tirelessly to plan an online event which includes contributions from a wide range of community figures of all ages that will do justice to a key event that has been held since the 1930’s.

“We are determined to communicate the importance of Remembrance and the strength that it can give in such a time of crisis,” said AJEX Chief Executive, Fiona Palmer, who thanked Ms Kaplinsky for donating her time to narrate the ceremony.

She noted, “The continuation of this annual ceremony is essential to remind both Jews and non-Jews of the vital role played

by our community in British life and to honour the immense contribution of Jewish ex-Service men and women.

“AJEX was formed to ensure the Jewish sacrifice for our country is honoured and remembered.

“Many people across our community had family who fought in HM Armed forces, especially during the two World Wars and this is an opportunity for us all to honour their memory.”

The change in format of the parade has allowed AJEX to raise awareness about its 2020 remembrance campaign in the buildup to the ceremony.

AJEX has added dedicated content to its website which included asking the community to download a poppy image and to share family photos of veterans and stories with a remembrance theme.

Educating remembrance from a young age ensures the legacy is passed on. With this in mind, AJEX has involved primary, secondary school children and nurseries.

Aside from a poppy drawing competition that ends on Monday, children will wear an item of red as a remembrance initiative tomorrow. Secondary school pupils have also spoken to veterans via zoom.

In addition, AJEX are inviting people to say a special prayer of Remembrance at home this Shabbat.

AJEX National Chairman, Mike

AJEX Parade in 2018

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Bluestone said, “It is our sacred duty to ensure that we always remember and commemorate our Jewish brothers and sisters who gave their all, not only in two World Wars, but also in subsequent and contemporary conflicts in the service of HM Armed Forces.”

He added, “As Jews all over the world show resilience in such challenging times, AJEX too, approaches the pandemic with the same vigour and attitude. We would not allow this to affect us from honouring our fallen heroes.”

Rabbi (Major) Reuben Livingstone CF LLM, Senior Jewish Chaplain to HM Armed Forces and Chaplain to AJEX added, “In light of what is continuing to unfold around the world, it is more important than ever to ensure we can all come together. The first AJEX parade took place to combat anti-Semitism, we can draw strength from the resilience of past generations to remember the courage and sacrifice of all who served.”

Remembrance ceremony, Sunday (2.30pm): (www.youtube.com/AJEX_JMA) Remembrance Prayer. www.ajex.org.uk/ ajex-prayer Ajex campaign, remembrance picture, poppy image and competition submissions: https://www.ajex.org.uk/ remembrance-campaign

32 FEATURE

12 NOVEMBER 2020

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From the front line…

BY JACQUELINE CURZON Top of the Mornin’ to you. I’m sure Joe Biden is mighty relieved now the Presidential battle is over. The quietly spoken President-elect emerged victorious, in spite of the loud and unfounded claims by the sitting President about electoral fraud. I have personally had my fill of his tan-trumps and childish commentary. Biden has proved himself not only to be a diplomatic career politician, but to be also a welcome foil to Trump's brash persona. Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris, an African-Indian-American, will be the first female VP in history, and is married to Douglas Emhoff, who Jacqueline Curzon will become the first Jewish spouse in the White House. Even before he PHOTO: LARA MINSKY PHOTOGRAPHY knew he was winning Biden said, “after this election...there will be no blue states, or red states, I will work for the United States. I will work as hard for those who didn't vote for me, as for those who did." Trump has emphatically declined to make deputy CMO, has told the health sector a concession speech - as most to take immediate action concerning a defeated Presidents have done - instead potential 'mink-virus' which has already retreating to his presidential cave to mull been identified in Denmark. Vets began over his legal options. For now, we can only hope the dust settles quickly on a very the task of euthanizing and incinerating 17 million mink in an effort to prevent the divided America, and we see a smooth further spread of the 'cluster 5' mutation, transition to an optimistic, integrous new which was first detected in June, after it era in history. made the jump from animals. The WHO The past few months have brought me has found at least 200 cases in 6 countries, some troubles of my own, with stubborn and although still registering small numback pain, which so often throws up an ominous question mark over us pancreatic bers, the most worrying factor is that it is being found within the community, rather patients, so I had a scan, which shows than on farms, which indicates human-humy cancer is starting to gain ground. It man transmission. I'm sure I anticipated was a truly sobering follow-up where my this new-strain scenario many months oncologist said cheerily, ‘well, we always knew it would progress!’ Too right it would, back, which has significant consequences as 'cluster 5' shows greater resistance to especially if you’ve been kept off-chemo for nearly a year. An analogy of 'stables and vaccines. Now there is a possibility that it could have already reached the UK's wild horses' gallops into my mind, but I try to mink or otter population, and that's not avoid conceding chemo will now prove good news. I guess if I do manage to take ‘too little, too late.’ I refute any attempt to that stunning Siberian journey, I may be say I was in agreement with a substantive wearing many things, but it's unlikely to treatment holiday, as I was always relucinclude a mink fur. Prof Van-Tam has also tant, but conceded to her 'optimistic' conshared optimistic news that the Pfizer sultant recommendations. Who, after all, would willingly want to slip down the slope vaccine looks set to effect a breakthrough; to terminal metastatic decline? My version I was thrilled to see politicians are testing it first, followed by the most vulnerable of a 'holiday' would have been 3 months and the elderly. Tidings of great joy are still on - 1 month off, not 6 months off straight followed by another long haul. It’s no good rather premature however, as I noted my chances of actually dying from covid are to hear someone else stayed progression a whopping 20%, falling into the cancer free for 15 months, when that's not the 'increased mortality' group. My chances of norm, and many are dead in a heartbeat. dying from the lung biopsy were around I have now had a lung biopsy which will 1:3000, so 1:5 is not good to hear. definitively answer some outstanding Now I'm not sure if anyone else is worried questions.

Continuing the 'holiday' theme here, the about Mr Sunak extending furlough until March, but I feel uneasily that the on-off UK has banned entry to Danish residents, whilst visitors to Denmark are now subject lockdown (previously more on than off) may be going to ping-pong for much longer to a 14-day isolation on their return. As than 4 weeks. During this time we're being if we didn't have enough coronavirus encouraged to attend surgeries and hospital troubles, it's quite worrying to hear there might be a new strain of covid-19 poised to appointments, at least in theory, but how is this panning out in real terms? Let's see…. reach our shores. Prof Jonathan Van-Tam,

I was given an appointment recently at UCH, a mere 12 months later than planned, through an admin error. I was more impressed that I was still alive by the time it came through!

The initial appointment was then a phone call, followed by a planned physical appointment. This has now been suspended because my chemo is scheduled for the same day, and I'm told there are no appointments until the end of December, as every other week is bookmarked for phone appointments. [Not doing so well then, Jacqueline]. In another department, I require some minor surgery, but was told by the consultant, 'we can give you tablets for now to save you coming into hospital.` Hang on, I'm already jangling like a maraca with all my medications, why don't we just fix this simple thing, and I can strike one problem off my to-do list.

My knee surgery is presently on hold, to see if it can last another year, but in-between I was promised urgent physio to halt progressive muscle wasting. No sign of that appointment either. Now I'm just one person, with a mini catalogue of needs. What's the story amongst the other 66 million citizens of the UK, or even the 50,000 potential cancer sufferers who are missing out on affirmative diagnosis and treatment?

A little side column caught my eye this week, with the headline 'Vitamin D helps raise IQ in the womb.' I'm sorely tempted to rush off and get myself a supply of vitamin D, except I'm certain my reproductive organs don't need any pressing help in terms of improving IQ. It's actually my brain that needs help, as I feel I'm mentally falling by the wayside in my haphazard cancer journey. Oh…. I think they meant ‘helps raise IQ in babies, whilst still in the womb.’ It's all in the detail of the language!

Elsewhere in the news we hear researchers at Harvard University say health benefits of taking multivitamins 'may be all in the mind.' For an industry worth £424 million to hear this must be a bit of a blow, given we know vitamin D is essential for combating covid. Prof Ian Brighthope [Nat. Inst. of Integrative Medicine, Melbourne] reiterated that 'appropriate and therapeutic vitamin D supplementation is critical to [covid prevention]. Make up your minds, people.

We watched our Queen on Remembrance Sunday, in an unusually sombre tribute to the fallen. As Armistice Day fell this week - coincidentally on the anniversary of my fathers funeral - I thought I would share a snippet from a letter written by my great great uncle Robert, back in 1916. I was given it by my mother many years ago, and treasure its descriptive content, written in educated, flowing and impeccable fountain-pen strokes on vellum. He shows all the quiet resignation of his generation, with no bitterness over the likelihood he would not return home.

The dignified courage of these soldiers who

“Life is a gift.”

We must not forget this.

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would later die in battle, was truly humbling. He precedes his text by stating his regiment, the British Expeditionary Force, 2nd Battalion, Scottish Rifles.

My dear sister, Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well. I received your magnificent parcel, for which I sincerely thank you. The contents were simply luxurious. As I write we are at rest. We have a week's rest before we go to the trenches again, which will be in a night or so and then commences some hard fighting. The trenches we’ve been occupying are about 200 yards from the Germans. We hear them singing and playing instruments. We are told that they are down-hearted, but they are forced to sing by their officers…. I have not much else to say, but if spared, will be able to write something exciting next time. Tell Father and Mother that I am thinking about them often.

With best love to all. I am, Yours affectionately, Private Robert Smillie No. 8293.

I don’t have all the details, but it is highly unlikely he survived the campaign, far less the war. So many were lost, and we must repeat their many stories so that the youth of today, never forget.

Finally, it is with huge sadness we report this week the passing of a Torah giant, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (72) zt"l, who has lost his battle with cancer. The eldest son of Louisa and Louis Sacks, a shopkeeper, he was also the nephew of the late Oliver Sacks, the writer. His journey took him from Christ's College, London to Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, where he read philosophy.

Following an epiphany during his university years, he became more religious, and Cambridge was followed by Yeshiva, semicha, high level teaching posts and many roles as community rabbi, ultimately becoming UK Chief Rabbi in 1991.

I remember listening to his inspirational words of wisdom on BBC Radio 4s Thought for the Day, and recall one of his speeches where he remarked, “some are born to greatness, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

Modest to his core, Lord Sacks may not have felt he was ‘born’ to greatness, but he undoubtedly achieved greatness, and never appeared out of his depth when greatness was thrust upon him. Amongst his prolific output were TV and radio broadcasts and a vast range of books and publications. He was quietly spoken, insightful, a light to all the nations, a friend to many (including Prime Ministers and the Royal Family), and a leader par excellence within our community. Our condolences go to his wife Lady Elaine Sacks, and their extended family ‫יהי זכרו ברוך‬. To quote Lord Sacks, "Life is a gift." In the perennial rushing of our days, we must stand still sometimes, and remember this.

Jacqueline x To follow Jacqueline’s journey blog {Yocheved bas Sara} please go to https://whenallissaidanddone.home.blog

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Let’s Ski getting back to the slopes in Style

BY CARON BLUESTONE It’s been a crazy year for all of us. No part of our lives left untouched. With the hope that normality will slowly creep back into our lives and that travel will become easier and less stressful. For those desperate for their next skiing hit, here’s one of my top picks for families. My belief is that travel can be as safe as day to day life in the U.K. My experience of Austria is one of feeling extremely re-assured. Hotels, spotlessly clean.

Everything extremely well organised. Whilst Austria remains on the quarantine list for return to the U.K. I would recommend taking out cancellation insurance. The ski areas have implemented lots of safety measures and I’ve no doubt that they will be strictly adhered to. From masks in queues and cable cars to distancing everywhere including at ski schools and restaurants where it’s table service only. Everything has been covered. You can check the detail on the ski region’s website. www.zillertalarena.com/en/arena/winter/a-safe-winter-holiday.html If you are looking for skiing, snow and winter wonderland? Want an easy transfer to a hotel that’s going to blow the minds of the little ones and the adults alike? Then go straight to Gerlos to the Kröller.

Only an hour from Innsbruck (EasyJet flies from Luton, BA from Heathrow). Gerlos sits firmly in the Zillertal Arena. A small but perfectly- formed resort that is part of a much larger ski area, that’s very easy to ski within. There are pistes for every skier.

This week brought near beginners and near experts together. My four year old now skiing red runs, thanks to the fabulous Ella at Wintersportschule Gerlos and the adults, myself included, with far too many ski years of experience to care to remember, skied our last glorious day together on the pistes, with our instructor Julian (not forgetting Niek from previous days!) leading the kids through their favourite jumps, whilst us ‘oldies’ beamed with pride watching them master their skis and videoing their every leap.

This isn’t our first trip to Gerlos. Last time, in 2017, our youngest still only had his bottom two teeth, yet we still coaxed him onto his first pair of skis. Now, in 2020, we are back to see the amazing extension to the hotel Kröller - a hotel that seemed perfect the first time around, with every amenity imaginable for families with newborns to

teenagers, was now sporting a formidable new extension, taking the hotel from small but perfectly formed, to a tour de force in the European family ski arena.

The hands-on owners; the warm and welcoming Kammerlander family are still at the helm. Whether it be running Kröller Sport, the ski shop downstairs, where Christian has a knowledgeable and friendly team looking after their on-site ski hire and ski room, offering the best advice and equipment with all the little extras that a family might need, from Crocs to swim nappies and toys and sunscreen, to picking up guests free of charge from the local train station.

Wherever the magic happens, they have succeeded in creating a beautiful, contemporary space. Expanding on a perfect thing isn’t easy. With size, can easily come problems. However, the Kammerlanders have proven that they know the formula well and have grown their Wonderland perfectly.

Here we are in winter but summer in the mountains is just as good and their offering is as exceptional in any season.

In the new wing comes a large, bright reception area, clever, contemporary touches that appeal to young and old alike, complete with an eye-catching, new, Victorian-style merry-go-round.

Downstairs, a large but inviting, openplan movie theatre, screening all the latest children’s faves at 7pm every night. Just time for dinner (Kosher food availabe on request), then within a safe distance from the gorgeous new dining rooms for children to go alone (or with kids club), leaving the adults in peace to enjoy their evening. A bowling alley and modern bar complete with rainbow mood lighting.

With the new bar area comes lots of lounge space, created in a way that brings families together. Clever tables that double as huge screens giving you access to loads of games plus all the usual suspects including a Facebook for those who can’t keep away.

Facilities here are unrivalled. The kids club is open every day except Saturday with exemplary childcare for babies through to teenagers. Age-group appropriate groups with activities galore and planned programmes both in and outdoors. Then, there’s a soft play, set over two floors and a separate playroom for unsupervised play, playgrounds outside, toboggans for use on the run directly beside the hotel and the cherry or cake, the waterworld. We don’t do water parks in the UK with style. I’d never

step foot in one, let alone swim. At the Kröller, there are four fantastic and thrilling waterslides, an adventure pool for the little ones and a swimming pool, all with a luxurious but contemporary backdrop and magnificent alpine views. This is possibly the largest waterworld a hotel has ever seen.

Lots of areas for lounging and relaxing after a hard day’s ski!

The Austrian take their spas very seriously and the Kröller is no exception. The Bergkristall or Quartz Spa is so-named after the benefits of this semi-precious stone: known for creating positive energy and balancing and calming the body. Treatments are second to none and the sauna and beauty area is a wonderfully relaxing haven of peace.

With a shiny, new extension come more chic, modern, yet cosy rooms. All the suites are tailored towards families of all shapes and sizes. Clever sleeping arrangements for the youngsters, wonderful chalet style interiors; dark woods, plush velvets and snuggle corners. Every mod-con included and thought about. Nappy bins, changing tables, steps, lots and lots of storage. Comfort and

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12 NOVEMBER 2020

convenience marry perfectly with style.

Space at the Kröller is to be enjoyed.

Summer at the Kröller also brings so many options. From enjoying the pure mountain air, hiking and biking to waterfalls and lakes and the Hohe Tauern National Park. For lovers of horses, the Kröller ranch is a must.

A farm and huge outdoor playground and of course outdoor swimming pool provide hours of fun for every age group. If you haven’t tried the mountains in summer, then you should. The weather is glorious.

It’s hard to say goodbye to such a perfect place, where adults and children are pampered and catered for to such a high standard. This is a place that delivers on every level. Where every penny is money well spent. You’ll be sorry to leave but so happy to have discovered it. Go, go, go and thank me later!

Prices from £854 per person all-inclusive for a week’s skiing. www.kroller.at For ski school, where booking in advance is advised due to smaller class sizes www. skischule.tv/ Great value Children’s ski kit, including thermals, gloves and goggles can be all be found at www.muddypuddles.com/ - at last a British company stepping up to the plate in the ski arena!

We hired a car with www.herz.com - easy to book and even easier to pick-up your car and go, as Innsbruck is a great little airport, where car hire is a two minute walk from arrivals.

By Caron Bluestone, Contributing Editor Visit my Website Twitter Instagram Pregnantcitygirl.com @pregcitygirl instagram.com/pregnantcitygirl

12 NOVEMBER 2020

Inner Calm

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HEALTH & WELLBEING 35

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

BY ARYEH SAMPSON With Covid there has been an increase in financial stress, family pressures, health problems, global economic turmoil and worldwide political unrest . It is no surprise that our era has been called ‘The Age of Anxiety’. We live in very worrying times.

Fortunately, some very effective methods exist which help to manage these feelings. I’d like to share a unique approach for reducing worry and anxiety, which I call the ‘ACTive Method’. It’s based on Judaism and psychotherapy, and views anxiety as a call to look within ourselves and express our authentic selves more deeply.

At the method’s core is a three stage process of personal transformation which was taught by Rabbi Israel Salanter - Awareness, Control and Transformation.

• Awareness – gaining insight into oneself.

• Control – taking conscious control over your inner negative tendencies • Transformation – transforming these tendencies to follow freely the wishes of our true self.

STAGE 1: AWARENESS

The first thing we need to do is become aware of our inner dialogue – what our worried thoughts are telling us, and what’s causing them.

Rabbi Salanter preceded Freud in stressing the influence of the subconscious on our behaviour. It is common for our worries to result from subconscious concerns or fears.

Anxiety can be rooted in difficult or traumatic experiences from the past, when you felt helpless, disempowered, or scared. For example, a child who was bitten by a dog may develop a fear of dogs, or someone who was trapped in an elevator for hours may develop claustrophobia. Anxiety can also result from self-defeating behaviours and character traits, such as an excessive need for control, procrastination, or a lack of confidence.

STAGE 2: CONTROL

Once you understand the nature of your worries and their source, you can start to gain conscious control of them by using

fears – reduces the fear by moving you from feeling helpless to feeling more in control. Jewish thought explains that this works because taking action changes our internal thought patterns and feelings, as ‘our heart and our thoughts are pulled after our actions’.

This concept is an underlying principle of behavioral therapy, which focuses on changing behavior to uproot psychological problems. For example, a person who feels great anxiety around dogs would gradually increase his exposure to dogs until he could tolerate them.

STAGE 3: TRANSFORMATION–

what is known in Jewish thought as the ‘garments of the soul’. These are our powers of thought, speech and action. They can be used individually or in combination with each other.

Thought: Challenge your irrational thinking!

Often, our worries are rooted in illusory thinking. FEAR itself can be seen as an acronym for “False Evidence Appearing Real.” These illusionary thoughts can cause you to blow issues out of proportion and to envision the worst possible scenario taking place. For example, someone worrying about finances may imagine him or herself poor, homeless, and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Memories of similar painful or traumatic events from the past which can also be projected onto the current situation, and the worry takes on enormous proportions!.

By challenging our irrational thinking, we can start to see our worries more objectively and calmly. Ask yourself some of these questions: Are there other plausible ways of seeing the situation? Even if it did happen, will all the negative consequences that you anticipate come true? Even if the worst consequences were to come true,

how could you best cope with them?

If you find after doing this that there are real elements to your worry, you will need to think about suitable solutions. (We’ll get to this later on.)

Speech: Share your worries, don’t keep them to yourself!

Articulating your worries reduces them.

To begin with, it helps you gain insight and develop a more productive perspective.

King Solomon advised, “If there is worry in a person’s heart, articulate it, and a good word will turn it into joy.” Also, getting something off your chest and venting negative feelings can bring huge emotional relief.

Sharing your worries with G-d is also very powerful. King David explained “Cast your burden on Hashem and he will support you.” . This has been backed up by research: A recent study interviewed 246 people before they underwent cardiac surgery.

The results showed that those who prayed before the operation were less anxious and more optimistic regarding the outcome.

Action: Confront your fears head on!

Implementing a plan of action to deal with your area of concern – facing your

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In this third stage we go beyond just controlling worry, to changing the underlying behavior or character trait that causes the worry – so it doesn’t recur .

The Rambam explains that when we repeat appropriate positive acts many times we gradually create new habits and change negative traits. For example, a person whose worries are caused by being overly controlling, needs to repeat actions that exhibit greater flexibility; a procrastinator needs to repeat actions that are more proactive.

Albert Ellis, one of the originators of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), was extremely shy in his youth. Over time, he trained himself to overcome his fear of rejection by striking up conversations with hundreds of strangers in the Bronx Botanical Gardens.

With these changes, a person becomes able to naturally move into a state of calmness and greater joy in life, as Rabbeinu Bachya, explained: “Joy dwells naturally in the heart when worry is removed.”

To receive a free download copy and newsletter, email aryeh.sampson@gmail. com. To purchase a hard copy go to www aryeh.sampson.com Jewish bookshops or amazon He also has a YouTube channel,’ Aryeh Sampson’ where he shares insights on a range of psychological issues. Aryeh can be contacted at aryeh.sampson@ gmail.com. For more information about counseling view www.ascounsellinginnorthlondon.co.uk

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ASK THE RABBI

12 NOVEMBER 2020

Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com Dear Rabbi Me and my older brother were good pals before we got married.

Before we were both married, we talked about taking trips with our wives and going out together.

Unfortunately, our wives do not get along with each other. And because of that, my brother and I may see each other maybe five times a year. And we live only fifty minutes away from each other!

My brother and I both have kids and this should be a great time for both our families to enjoy each other’s company and watch our kids grow. But we’re all missing out on this due to our wives’ bad relationships with each other. It seems that my sister-in-law is cool to my wife. Depending on her mood, she becomes cold and unresponsive. My wife isn’t all perfect. She isn’t sensitive to the mood of the moment and might say the wrong things. My sisterin-law’s personality is urban and my wife’s personality is country down-to-earth. What can I do to fix this?

Cliff Dear Cliff Blood is thicker than water.

Though it would seem your individual wives are just plain thick! Life is too short for petty squabbling and the bottom line is, if you haven’t got your family who have you got? You and your brother should continue to meet and take the kids on outings together and leave the wives at home. Don’t neglect what you could have as family time simply because of this. However at some point all four of you need to sit down and bring the issue out on the table and address how the two wives are treating each

other. If they decide they can’t be more mature and cordial to each other then be clear to them that you and your brother will be going out with the kids and they will just be excluded from those activities if they can’t get it together. Hopefully when they see this, they will realise how foolish they have been and will want to participate and will eventually overcome whatever the issue is just to be involved. Let this be a message to everyone out there with their petty gripes. See it in context, put it in perspective, deal with it then get over it!

Dear Rabbi If it is forbidden for a married woman to have her hair uncovered, in case a married man may spy her and have immoral thoughts, if so, then why does the same prohibition not apply to single women? Is it because halacha permits a married man to be attracted to a single woman, dating from the times when multiple-wife marriages were common?

Avrumi Dear Avrumi No it’s not OK for married men to be attracted to single women…?!! Without going into the deeper mystical connotation of this mitzvah at present, which prompts the Zohar to shower one who adheres to it with an abundance of blessings, there are two basic reasons for this mitzvah. First, the hair-covering on a woman is much like a man’s yarmulke; it symbolizes her loyalty to G-d. An unmarried woman would not be bound by this simply so that people will know that she is eligible for marriage.

Pirkei Avot In this week’s Mishnah we meet Rabban Gamliel. He tells us three vital life lessons. ‘Accept a Torah teacher upon yourself, remove yourself from uncertainty, and do not give excess tithes by estimating instead of measuring.’

The Maharal of Prague shows us how these three points are linked into one main point; namely that every aspect of human activity should be executed with complete and utter certainty, guided by seichel. Uncertainty leads to questions, which leads to people doubting their very faith.

The other reason is that when a woman gets married, she must keep an extra level of modesty, symbolizing her new status. Now that she has been sanctified to one man only, she must be especially careful in her interaction with others. The hair-covering is a constant reminder of her status, which ensures to remind others that she is spoken for.

Typically, when you’re married to the man you love you want to keep parts of yourself special and private, just for him.

Dear Rabbi My mother-in-law has become part of my “bubble.” This means that with yet another lockdown she is in the house with us and will remain here, probably for the next couple of months. Now, as mothers in law go, she’s quite intolerable. She interferes in our conversations and the other day, when my wife and I were having a little tiff about something, she actually said, “well I have something to say about this too.”

I stopped short of showing her the door (mostly because my wife would then do the same to me) but how do I cope with this for the next couple of months?

Andrew Dear Andrew It’s never an easy one, especially for the one who is caught between their parent and their spouse. My number one rule of thumb in such circumstances is that the spouse always comes first. That’s the one you committed the rest of your life to whilst the umbilical cord should have been cut years ago. Still, when there is a conflict of interest as a result of an interfering parent in

the relationship, the onus is on the ‘child’ to have a quiet word.

If they lack the courage to do so, then the blame lies squarely at their feet. To the flip side, it is wrong for any spouse to act unreasonably especially where the parent is elderly and that much more dependent on their child.

Granted you married her, not her and her mother. But you married her and she comes with a mother. You must always respect that. (And if all else fails – there’s always that door).

Dear Rabbi I need help with a New Years resolution. It’s only weeks away and this past year has been rough. I want to kick start the next year

throughout his illustrious career. Initially, he wanted to be an accountant, but by taking on the messages his life put in front of him, he ended up in the Rabbinate instead. Imagine if he had made a different choice? How different would all our lives have been?

He became the true teacher of Torah whose guidance many people accepted upon themselves and indeed an entire country, an entire world came to recognise his brilliance.

May his memory be a blessing.

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Dear Rebecca For one thing, if you’re writing to a Rabbi, you’ve got the wrong New Year. Ours was already a few months ago. Still, resolutions at any time can only be a good thing. But you’re off to a bad start. You don’t need to be asking a Rabbi or anyone else for that matter. You need to turn inward and talk to yourself. Ask your heart. Determine your own strengths and weaknesses. Do a synopsis of the past year and establish where things went wrong. Learn from that in order to make things go so much more right. Good luck.

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

In memory of Harav Yaakov Tzvi ben David Aryeh Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks It is a slippery slope. We say each morning and evening in Shema the words ‘vshenantam levanecha,’ which Rashi tells us means to say that the words of Torah should be sharp on our mouths. We should be knowledgeable in all areas, ready to always have a quick answer to any question, without any uncertainty at all. A daily commandment from Shema!

In the week where we mourn the tragic passing of our dear former Chief Rabbi Lords Sacks, we can see how he was clearly guided with certainty

on a better note. Any thoughts?

Rebecca

Mishna 16

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Torah from Israel

12 NOVEMBER 2020

Living with G-d

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN Avraham’s revolution had begun to gain traction. He traversed the promised land, participating both in wars as well as in diplomacy, all the while disseminating awareness about a one G-d. Though his message radiated throughout the land of Israel, it still hadn’t infiltrated cultures outside the land of G-d. His only previous attempt – during his brief sojourn in Egypt- was unsuccessful. Toward the end of his life, he succeeds in circulating his groundbreaking ideas outside the land of Israel. Dispatching his trusted servant to his former family is primarily a “wedding project” – to locate a bride for Yitzchak.

Additionally, it is a “cultural exchange program”- an opportunity to spread his bold new religious ideas to his former homeland.

Avraham’s servant doesn’t deliver sophisticated religious lectures or rousing sermons, but, in his own way, he spreads Avraham’s gospel. This servant possesses unflappable faith in G-d who he knows assists his mission of locating a suitable wife for Yiztchak. The lavish gifts he bestows reflects the generosity and altruism which Avraham had founded his religious system upon. Beyond his generosity and faith, this servant inspires Rivka’s family through a very simple but effective method - he constantly mentions G-d by name. As the drama of Rivka unfolds, the name of G-d appears 15 times! The servant prays to G-d for assistance, thanks Him for his success and bows in appreciation. This G-d -awareness is contagious as Rivka’s family – not especially known for their priestly background- also mentions G-d three times. This is, by far, the highest concentration of G-d’s name in the entire sefer of Breishit. This condition was jump-started by Avraham who instructed his servant to swear in the name of G-d to dutifully fulfill the complicated mission.

This simple mentioning of G-d’s name is very different from the frontal religious preaching of Avraham during his journeys. Typically, Avraham would introduce the notion of G-d by teaching religious doctrines and theological principles. His teaching is described with the phrase “likro b’shem Hashem” literally calling in the name of G-d. By contrast, this uneducated servant may not be capable of discoursing in sophisticated religious concepts. Instead he is a simple servant, but one who lives with constant and tangible G-d-awareness and he threads his daily interaction and conversation with the name of G-d.

We all strive to forge an abiding relationship with G-d. This relationship is generally founded upon high-minded experiences such as Torah study, mitzvah performance, prayer, charitable behavior, and commitment to Jewish history.

However, sometimes these powerful ideas and experiences become so mesmerizing and so all-consuming that we don’t always sense G-d’s presence within them.

Halacha can become a routine of life, Torah study an all-immersive intellectual pursuit, and charity a social campaign rather than a religious crusade. One of the manners of cementing G-d’s presence is frequently mentioning His name in our day-to-day affairs. By including G-d’s name in our daily conversation we create greater familiarity and greater presence.

Typically, we insert His name when planning the future (im yirtzeh Hashem) or when thanking Him for our successes (baruch Hashem). Certainly, some overuse these phrases, saddling their sentences with unnecessary mentions of G-d’s name thereby creating muddled meaning. Perhaps this overuse discourages some from more balanced mentioning of His name.

A healthy dosage of G-d’s name within our verbal diet creates a more palpable presence of Him in our lives.

In addition to mentioning Him in our common sentences we mention His name ritually over 100 times a day – in our daily blessings. Sadly, our fast-paced life doesn’t always allow proper time for full concentration when reciting our daily berachot. However, focusing when we mention G-d’s name seems like a more attainable goal even if we aren’t able to muster full concentration during the entirety of our prayer or during the entire sweep of beracha recital.

A third method of creating greater intimacy with G-d is describing Him in more personal terms. The term G-d is an English and universal term employed by peoples and religions across the world to refer to a vast array of deities. By contrast, there are more “personal” titles, employed solely by Jews which can convey a greater sense of relationship. These terms include Hashem, Hakadosh Baruch Hu and the Ribono shel Olam. Sometimes swapping in these terms for the word G-d can alter the dynamic of our relationship lending it a more private and familiar feel.

Full disclosure: In my articles I do employ the more universal term of G-d to maintain “literary consistency”: as the articles are written in English, the term G-d allows greater fluidity when reading. In my personal conversations I try to employ

By including G-d’s name in our daily conversation we create greater familiarity and greater presence. the more intimate terms of Ribono shel Olam, Hashem or Hakadosh Barcuh hu.

This challenge of creating a concrete presence of G-d in our lives extends to an additional aspect- beyond the question of how often we include His name in our daily conversations or berachot. Often our educational curriculums and general religious study veers away from discussing G-d while focusing solely on values, Torah study, mitzvah performance or historical commitment. Obviously, we pursue these timeless agendas because we view them as G-d’s will; submission to these experiences is, by definition, submission to His will. However, sometimes we don’t sufficiently trace our conversation back to G-d even though we assume its implicit correlation. More explicit discussion about G-d can create a more powerful presence of G-d in our lives. Modern man sometimes blushes at the mere mention of G-d. Jews should take care not to allow these modern trends to shape our discourse, language, and conversation.

AFTERWORD:

With the untimely passing of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l, the Jewish world has lost one of its greatest spokesman. Avraham was heralded as the uniter of Heaven and Earth because he transformed the image of G-d from a celestial authority,

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disconnected from the human realm, into a loving Creator who continued to be present and interactive with His creation.

Rabbi Sacks eloquently and passionately reminded us that Torah and its values are not only eternal, but that they also comment on every aspect of human affairsfrom social trends and moral thought to politics and history. He reminded us that the word of G-d and His presence radiate throughout every corner of the human experience. He inserted G-d awareness into the imagination of so many modernsboth Jew and non-Jew alike. As the Jewish nation has emerged from two millennia of “historical hibernation”, we are slowly reimagining our universalist agenda. Rabbi Sacks was able to distill the core values of Judaism and inspire a worldwide community of the faithful.

He married Torah and G-d’s will to our Earth with an eloquence reflecting the magnificence of G-d’s Heaven.

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

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Weekly Dvar Torah F RO M ERETZ Y I S R A E L

Belonging to the Land

BY RABBI BINNY FREEDMAN Parashat Chayei Sarah describes the first portion of Land any Jew ever owned in Israel – Avraham’s purchase of the Machpelah cave in Chevron, as a burial plot for Sarah.

Why does our permanent and tangible connection with the Land of Israel begin as the purchase of a burial plot? Indeed, for thousands of years, so many Jews who were never able to actually live in the Land of Israel yearned to be buried here, or at least to include some earth from Israel in their burial.

There is another relationship that seems to be related to the Land of Israel. The Talmud (Kiddushin 2a), in explaining how we know that a transfer of value establishes a state of marriage, says that we learn the essence of marriage from the use of the word ‘kicha’; ‘to take’: When Avraham acquires the field of Efron he says “… I give you the money for the field, take it from me.” In Devarim 24:1, in reference to marriage, it states: “When a man takes a woman.”

So the very formulation of marriage as an institution is learned from the acquisition of Land for a burial plot!

The Torah tells us (Bereishit 3:19) that we are created of the earth, and we will return to the earth; which is our ultimate inescapable connection to the Land.

And the Torah’s word for ‘human being’ is ‘Adam’ which is the root of the word ‘adama’ or land. On a certain level, we are the land and the land is us! But what does this mean?

Perhaps the Torah is suggesting that to understand the nature of our relationship with the Land of Israel we need to understand the essence of a loving marriage.

We do not define marriage as ownership or ‘having.’ In fact, in Hebrew, there is no actual word for ‘having’; even in Modern

Hebrew, we say ‘yesh li’ which literally means ‘it is to me,’ we are describing the relationship but not ownership. Marriage is the process of sanctifying a relationship; of making it kadosh or holy. And holiness is all about tapping into our higher and deeper purpose. Holiness is when something is a vehicle for connecting me to Hashem; to a higher purpose; to why we are really here, and what it’s all about. In a healthy marriage, two people come together and become vehicles to help each other achieve their purpose in this world.

And that is the secret of our relationship with the Land of Israel: We don’t own the land, nor do we ‘have’ it; we belong to it.

And it is a part of who we are, and who we are meant to be, and how we are meant to get there.

Because we are not just a religion, which is a collection of beliefs, values and ideas; we are also a Nation, and a Nation is not a Nation without a Land

Because we are not just a religion, which is a collection of beliefs, values and ideas; we are also a Nation, and a Nation is not a Nation without a Land. Only in this place can we create a model society that is meant to be a light of what the world could look like.

When we die, we discover that we do not really own anything, we are put back into the earth which calls into question what this journey we call life was all about; what was the point? And that is when we reach for something beyond the physical limitations; we seek to belong to something greater, higher than ourselves; to a higher purpose. The same higher purpose we sense in a healthy marriage, and which we feel when we finally realize, after 2,000 years of wandering the face of the earth, that we are home, at last.

Rabbi Binny Freedman is Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orayta. He is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau (www.mizrachi.org/speakers).

A TORAH BITE FOR THE SHABBAT TABLE

Living a Double Life RABBI GOODMAN The Balance of Power theory in international relations suggests that states may secure their survival by preventing any one state from gaining enough military power to dominate all others.

By way of extrapolation, the Balance of Power theory in relationships suggests that people may secure the survival of their relationship by preventing each other from gaining enough power to dominate the other. Unfortunately, many relationships suffer from an imbalance of power which often leaves both parties feeling miserable and hurt.

This principle is not only true of our relationships with each other but also of our relationship with ourselves. Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi Mecklenburg (1785-1865), in his Torah commentary Hakesav v’Hakabalah, explains that essentially, we all live a double life. Unlike the animals who are purely physical and the angels who are purely spiritual, we are a miraculous synthesis (a match that could only have been made in Heaven) of both the physical (our

bodies) and the spiritual (our souls).

The Torah requires us to take care of both facets of our being and ensure that they live together in harmony. The problem, however, is that our spiritual beings and physical beings are opposites, intent on going in two completely different directions. This results in one giant power struggle (usually dominated by the physical) where true balance is rarely found.

Rabbi Mecklenburg explains that Hashem has sent our soul down to this world, far away from its natural habitat in “outer space” charged with the mission of serving Him through the means of Torah and Mitzvos. He has provided us with “space suits” (which come in all different shapes and sizes) to assist and thereby enable our souls to carry out their mission.

Mayhem kicks in, however, when the spacesuit hijacks the soul. Rather than serve as an aide to the soul, the body prefers to indulge in the pleasures and delights of this world. Yet, since the body cannot exist without the soul, which has no interest in the body’s desires, the body has no other choice but to thwart and

extinguish the soul. Rabbi Mecklenburg explains that someone who chooses to conduct his life in that way no longer lives a double life. Instead, he lives one life the life of an animal.

At the beginning of this week’s Parsha the Pasuk states, “Sara’s lifetime was one hundred years, twenty years, and seven years; the years of Sara’s life (‘Shnei Chayei Sara’).” Rabbi Mecklenburg explains that the seemingly extra words of “Shnei Chayei Sara” – ‘the years of Sara’s life,’ can also be interpreted as “the two lives of Sara”. The Torah is testifying that Sara lived a double life, one that epitomized the perfect blend of body and soul. Instead of allowing her body to run wild and vanquish her soul, Sara maintained control and utilized her soul for its intended goal.

The body and soul power struggle never ends and requires constant supervision and handling. Although we might think that overall, we live a spiritual life and channel our physical existence for that purpose, often we live a physical life and “dabble” in the spiritual. Yes, it is a

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challenge but not one that is beyond our reach. With a healthy dose of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and patience, we can live life the way we are supposed to and succeed in our life’s mission.

A project of My Dvar Torah, Torah Bite is your resource for a short, dynamic, and meaningful Dvar Torah to share at the Shabbos table. Originally from London, Rabbi Ben Goodman has spent 20 years in Jerusalem, teaching and inspiring students from all backgrounds and from all over the world. He is the director of My Dvar Torah, providing tailor-made Divrei Torah for all occasions. www.mydvartorah.com.

He encourages feedback & ideas: ben@mydvartorah.com

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The Legal Angle

The Mortgage

There are many nuggets in this category, as legal representation for property purchase is absolutely key in Israel. There is no “standard” transaction and having someone experienced in your corner batting for your interests is extremely valuable. The local market is culturally, and structurally unique, and we find that time and again foreign clients need to adjust their mindset and expectations to optimize their acquisition in Israel. Having the right legal advice is the best catalyst for a successful acquisition.

The most common mistake foreign clients usually make is to compare the real estate and mortgage industry between their home country and Israel. There are similarities but also huge differences. For example, a mortgage refusal in Israel is usually not considered as a reason to cancel a real estate deal.

The Basics: Counting Rooms Understanding Exchange Rates The three major types of transactions: Unfortunately there have been cases where clients have flown in to see a pre-prepared list of properties, only to discover that in Israel the living room is also counted as a room, and hence what they thought were a list of 4 bedroom properties, was actually a list of 3 bedroom (plus living room) properties. Also, “finished to a very high level” often means something different in Israel than in New York, London or Amsterdam.

The standards and norms of where the customer is coming from will play a huge part in preparing a list of suitable properties.

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Locking in a rate today can give you peace of mind when purchasing your dream home in Israel. Take the example of the Morris family who is buying a house in Netanya and are required to make their final balance transfer in a month and a half. The current GBPILS exchange rate is attractive, within budget and the family decides they are eager to guarantee the Sterling cost of their property abroad. Non-Bank Foreign Exchange specialists will allow you to fix the GBP to ILS exchange rate now, giving you the comfort of knowing the exact cost of your property, regardless of what happens with fluctuations in the exchange rate. Forward contracts are the perfect method of budgeting and staying in control.

1. An existing property The agreement will be with the current owner. The terms of payment are to be negotiated. A common transaction would be one where there are 3 – 4 equal payments from signature to completion.

2. New property under construction The agreement will be with the developer.

Payments terms will be spread over the construction phase. The down payment could be up to 25% with 10% left for hand over and the balance of 65% payable in equal quarterly payments throughout the process of construction.

3. Rights to erect a new property in a “Purchasers’ Group” Namely a number of parties who cooperate together to buy and develop a property, and then contracting themselves, as a group, with third parties to construct the development. The group will usually pay for the purchase of the land upfront, construction costs will be paid over the building phase in accordance with terms agreed by the group members in a cooperation agreement between them.

A range of currency options First and foremost recognize that the mortgage options are larger and more complex in Israel than in the rest of the world. Foreign buyers are able to take advantage of a range of mortgages in different currencies, including Israeli Shekel, Euro, US Dollar, and British Pound.

Mortgage provider options Prices between different lending banks very much depend on the clientele they target. It will usually vary according to the client profile and lender’s risk appetite. Be aware interest rates are currently higher in Israel than in Europe or North America for different reasons such as the cost of funds to the banks, the level of competition in the mortgage market and finally the disequilibrium between supply and demand of real estate and mortgages.

Factor In Total Costs Be aware of the additional expenses for a real estate purchase, including amongst others: Legal fees, Bank Arrangement Fees, Surveyor, Title registration, Purchase Taxes, Estate Agent, etc. Depending on your status, a good rule of thumb is to expect additional unanticipated costs of 10-15% of the purchase price. To conclude, never stretch yourself to the limit based on the purchase price alone, given all the additional payments that need to be made.

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Chayei Sarah RABBI DR RAYMOND APPLE

ABRAHAM & THE PALESTINIANS

When Abraham wanted to buy a burial place for Sarah he explained to the Hittites that he was a stranger and sojourner (a resident alien) amongst them.

This is a strange negotiating tactic when G-d had already assured the patriarch that the territory would be his.

Abraham could have relied on the Divine promise, but he knew that it would be more effective to ask politely for the Hittites to agree to his needs.

They finally agreed to sell him the land, though for far more than it was worth.

The Anchor Bible calculates that the price he paid – 400 shekels of silver – was probably enough to buy a whole village, not just a burial site. But the important thing was for it all to be done peacefully.

The modern impasse with the Palestinians seems to be a repeat of the ancient problem. The difference is that (at least so far) the Palestinians are weakening their own position stage by stage by not negotiating when there is no other way that there can be a deal with Israel.

One wonders if Israel could brandish the Biblical story of Ibrahim before them and achieve anything that way.

ELIEZER & THE CAMELS

Water for the camels plays a large part in

this week’s Torah reading.

Rivkah wanted to feed the camels first and not keep them waiting (Gen. 24:14). It shows something great about her character. She knew, though it was not promulgated until years later in the second paragraph of the Shema, that one’s animals must be fed first.

Why then did Eliezer not adhere to the sequence of things when he told the story to Rivkah’s family?

When he narrated the events to them he changed the order of events in verse 43 so they would think her top priority was for him himself to drink first, but the truth was that her ethics were more thoughtful than her family’s.

They thought it was the ultimate in stupidity to put animals before human beings, but she realised that the animals depended on the humans as their source of food.

The family on the other hand were eager to get a good husband for Rivkah and they did not want to affect the marital prospects by giving the impression that Rivkah was so stupid as to put animal welfare first.

THE MARK OF A GOOD MARRIAGE

Abraham was a fussy parent. Not every girl was good enough for his son. It had to be someone who had “yichus” (lineage) – the right yichus.

“You shall not take a wife for my son,” Abraham says to his servant Eliezer, “from

the daughters of the Canaanites… but you shall go to my country, to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac” (Gen. 24:3-4).

This seems to have been the Jewish principle throughout history.

The Mishnah puts into the mouth of the daughters of Jerusalem the advice, “Young man, lift up your eyes and see what you would choose for yourself. Set not your eyes on beauty, but set your eyes on family, for ‘Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised’ (Prov. 31:30)” (Ta’anit 4:8).

Not that beauty is irrelevant, but family is a very significant consideration. Hence the rabbinic saying, “A person should sell all he has in order to marry the daughter of a scholar”.

Yichus is still very important in some circles. Rabbis often get telephone calls from across the world asking what they know of a particular family whose son or daughter overseas is someone’s prospective shidduch.

Other views are held in society generally, and family background is viewed as a quaint notion that has little relevance when a couple are in love.

But it would be an immense pity if yichus fell entirely by the wayside. If you know a person is from a good family it is likely that they will have been brought up with standards and values and their character has been formed in the right sort of atmosphere.

This is one of the reasons why there is a Jewish doctrine of “z’chut avot” – the merit of the ancestors. We do not worship our ancestors, but if we are wise we will

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recognise that good ancestry lays up spiritual, cultural and moral capital that many generations can draw upon.

Hence each of us should ensure that we create such a milieu at home and bring up our children with such a firm basis of faith and values that the future will benefit.

And if it happens that someone is unfortunate enough to lack this type of yichus?

Remember what is said to have happened in the House of Lords when a snooty old-timer asked a new peer, “And whose descendant are you?”, only to receive the answer, “I am nobody’s descendant. I am an ancestor!””

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

Chovat Halevavot Hilchot Shabbat Everyone is reassured by someone or something.

Some people trust the IDF; others the NHS. Some people trust(ed) Trump; others trust their boss for their monthly paycheck. Still others feel protected by their CCTV equipment and some by the MI5. Bottom line is, the reason we don’t walk around feeling anxious every minute of the day is because we know that something or someone is always there for us.

As Jews, we are exhorted repeatedly to have faith in Hashem. Faith in this context does not mean believing in the existence of a Creator, but rather in His ability and willingness to provide for us, support us and protect us. This is known as “Bitachon”. Faith has been compared to a tree and Bitachon as the fruit of that tree.

One of the classic Jewish texts for understanding the definition of “Bitachon”, is the Chovat Halevavot. Originally penned in Arabic by Rabbeinu Bachya Ben Reb Yosef Ibn Pekuda, the book was subsequently translated to succinct Hebrew, but made more accessible kudos to the skills of a contemporary scholar,

Rabbi Pinchas Yehuda Lieberman in his “Pischei Lev”.

Chovat Halevavot contains many sections on Jewish understanding and Sha’ar Habitachon is only one of them, but a very central one.

The value of studying Chovat Halevavot in general was understood throughout the generations. The Chasam Sofer would study it with his students before his daily lesson in Talmud and one Chassidic Master was reported to have studied the book 1000 times!

Sha’ar Habitachon opens with Rabbeinu Bachya explaining its position following the section on Service of G-d. It is because he had previously explained what service of G-d entails that he found it crucial to discuss Bitachon. Without Bitachon, one does not have the peace of mind to serve G-d. Think about it very simply: if one is fearful, they may not want to leave their house. They may not let go of their job to engage in spiritual pursuits. They may also not want to spend money on a Lulav and Etrog as it doesn’t fit into their carefully maintained “budget” and so on.

One must be mindful of the laws of Tochen when planning to engage in any of the following activities: Grinding, Crushing, Mashing, Liquidising, Mincing, Chopping, Dicing, Grating, Shredding or slicing into thin slices.

As mentioned in the last segment, the Sages permitted certain Tochen activity, provided that one deviates from the normal manner of grinding in two ways.

Below, we will see some common examples of where Tochen applies and how one avoids this prohibition on Shabbat.

When chopping fruit or vegetables one should ideally not chop them into very small pieces but if one does cut them very small they must ensure to only do so close

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to the time of the meal and only with a knife.

Mashing bananas or avocado, according to Chazon Ish may only be done in an unusual manner such as with the handle of a fork or the handle of spoon, but not with a fork or spoon itself. Rav Moshe Feinstein however, held that mashing bananas would not come under the Tochen prohibition it is not split into different pieces through the mashing. Contemporary Halachic authorities compromise and recommend therefore to not use a fork but a spoon may be used in a normal manner.

If the banana or avocado are soft they may be mashed in a usual manner.

Spreading avocado on bread may one be done with the handle of a knife, not with a knife itself, unless the avocado is soft.

Boiled potatoes may not be mashed on Shabbat, unless one does so with the handle of the knife, fork or spoon or if they have been generally mashed prior to Shabbat, in which case one may complete it on Shabbat.

There is no Tochen prohibition with regards to food that does not grow from the ground. One may therefore chop fish, hard cheese, cooked or roasted meat or boiled eggs very fine, however, one may not use a utensil designed for grating.

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Chayei Sarah

Chayei Sarah Word Search

Chayei Sarah opens with the sad news of the passing of Sarah Imeinu. She led a remarkable life and passed away with barely any sin. She was buried in Me’arat Hamachpela, where in fact four very special couples are buried. This is located in Chevron where many Jews still travel to (and live) today.

Now it was time for Avraham to find a wife for his precious son Yitzchak and so he sends his trusted servant Eliezer with ten camels and with goodies for the lucky young lady. He arrives in Charan and asks Hashem to send the intended girl out to him and show how kind she is. Well would you believe it Rivka the daughter of Betuel arrives, she’s a young girl and she’s bringing

her father’s cattle to the well. Not only does she offer to give Eliezer to drink she offers to water all the camels too! Eliezer realises that this is the one and therefore goes home with her and presents her family with the offer of a lifetime, to give their daughter in marriage to the family of the holy Avraham!

Eventually they agree and he travels back with Rivka arriving in the Holy land where they meet Yitzchak praying Mincha. Yitzchak and Rivka marry and Yitzchak is thereby from the loss of his mother. Three blessings return to the household of Avraham. These were the blessing in the dough, a spiritual cloud of protection and a light which shone from week to week. All righteousness brings blessing.

Tangram Challenge!

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CAMELS • CHARAN • ELIEZER • HEBRON • LAVAN • MACHPELA • RIVKAH • SARAH

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

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Chayei Sarah

In a nutshell Chayei Sarah, the first Sidra to be named for a woman in the Torah (and only the second sidra to be named for anyone for that matter, after Noach a couple of weeks ago), speaks volumes of life and after life as a family.

Our revered grandmother Sarah Imeinu dies at the ripe old age of 127. Her husband, Avraham comes to mourn and give a eulogy on her. Our sages said that Sarah’s life was full of righteousness from beginning to end, and her external beauty reflected this. Avraham wanted to bury her in the field of Machpela which is located in Chevron and needed permission from a gentleman called Ephron to do so. At first Ephron was ever so generous, but it didn’t take long for him to state the true price for the field – a staggering 400 silver Shekels! Some say the name “Ephron” is related to the word “Ofor” – dust, as that was all his commitments were worth…

Nonetheless, Avraham pays the price and his dear

wife is laid to rest.

It is now time to find a wife for Yitzchak, their son. A holy child, he was not to leave the land of Cana’an but at the same time could not marry a Cana’anite woman either.

Eliezer, the trustworthy servant of Avraham is sent on a mission to find a young lady from Avraham’s extended family. He is sent off suitably equipped with expensive gifts for the intended beneficiary. Arriving at Charan after a shortened trip, he prays to Hashem to send him the right girl and says – if she offers to not only give me to drink but my camels too, she must be the right one. Consider this – a girl who sees a strong older man and his entourage of camels and nevertheless offers to water the lot. Wow. Indeed, that is what happens when Rivka, the daughter of Besuel, comes out to the well.

Rivka brings Eliezer home and the family of Besuel sit down to a meal, including the one and only Lavan, the son of Besuel. Eliezer relates the entire story of how

Word Wheel

Use this area to write the words you have found.

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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.

Hashem has blessed his master Avraham with a son and more, and now is the time to marry off the son to a suitable girl and who better than Rivka etc.

The family agrees and Eliezer and Rivka set off towards the land of Cana’an where they meet Yitzchak who has left to go pray in the field – which we are taught was Mincha. Yitzchak and Rivka marry, thus continuing the golden chain of our history and Yitzchak finds comfort for the loss of his mother.

Avraham then marries a lady called Ketura, from whom six further boys are born. When they grew up Avraham sent them off with gifts, as Yitzchak was the main child.

Avraham died at the age of 175 and was laid to rest in the Me’arat Hamachpeila next to his wife. He was buried by Yitzchak and Yishmoel, with Yishmoel showing respect to Yitzchak, symbolising a form of Teshuva for his previous misconduct.

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Last week’s words: Here are some words you may have found from last week - you may have found more! alp ape apt lap pad pal par pat pea pet rap

sap spa tap aped apes deep laps leap pads pale pals

pare pars part past pate pats peal pear peas peat peel

peer pelt pest plat plea rasp reap seep slap spat sped

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pares parse parts paste pater pates peals pearl pears peats pedal

peels peers pelts petal peter plate plead pleas pleat reaps repel

sepal septa sleep slept spade spare spate spear speed spelt splat

sprat spree steep strap taped taper tapes traps adepts asleep depart

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pearls pedals pedlar pelted pelter peseta pester pestle petals petard peters

petrel plated plater plates pleads please pleats prated prates preset rasped

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plaster platers pleader pleased pleaser pleated pleater relapse repeals repeats speared

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Q: Why do fish live in salt water?

A: Because pepper makes them sneeze!

Q: What time is it when a lion walks into a room?

A: Time to leave!

Q: Why did the frog go by bus?

A: His car was toad away!

(Answers at the bottom of page upside down)

1. How many eggs can you put in an empty basket?

3. I have lakes with no fish, roads with no cars and towns with no people.

What am I?

Q: What goes ‘tick, woof, tock woof’?

A: A watch dog.

2. When you take away the whole, you still have some left over. What am I?

3) A map.

1. One. After that it’s not empty!

2) Wholesome.

1. Split level 2. You’re out of touch 3. West Indies

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4. High society 5. Three point turn 6. Lucky break

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Vardy strikes again as Sixteen-goal Lions Saints march up the league rout Scrabble in Cup

BY DAVID SAFFER

Leicester City sit top of Premier League tableDAVID at the international break.

BY SAFFER Brendan Rodgers ‘Foxes’ missed out on the Champions League the as end of the Reiss Mogilner scored sixatgoals Maccabi last season but have erased any disapLondon Lions thumped Scrabble A in the pointment byoftaking theAnekstein new campaign second round the Cyril Cup. byThstorm, winning six of their up opening e Premier League side racked a 16-0 encounters. win with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley Jamie Vardy’s controversial 15th minute both bagging a hat-trick.

Ed Brafman, Dapenalty, awarded whenHassanali Max Kilman was vid Dinkin, and Adam completadjudged handledofaaDennis Praet ed the routtoinhave a mismatch tie. cross, secured the latest win at home to Lions could have scored in the opening Wolves.

Anthony Taylor awarded the spot minute of the clash but soon opened the kick after viewing scoring and led 9-0the by pitchside half time. monitor.

Wolves ‘keeperOne Patricio saved a second Th e Division team, though outVardy penalty classed, battledbefore away half-time to the end.and Wolves went close an lost equaliser but at Leicester’s Lions bosstowas for words full time Kasper Schmeichel ensured the win with such was the display from his team who a brilliant from Ruben Neves effort. gave everysave respect to athe opposition.

Talk of another after their mirac“I’m not really title suretilt there’s anything to ulous success when they stunned say, we2015/16 are happy to make it through to the the world although nextfootballing round of the cup,”ishebuilding commented. the sensible money is on the ‘big four’ Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors contesting the biggest domestic prize. against League One outfit North London But no one can deny Rogers’ side are Raiders. shaking up the side title led race.

The Premier early in the second Tottenham Hotspur Liverpool trail half only for Raiders to and equalise but struck Vardy andgoals co bytoa book point and Josein Mourintwo late a place round ho is of a manager on a mission at his new three the competition. club.

Blessed with star attentions forward line in Hendon now turnatheir to the Son-Kane-Bale, whilst the Tottenham boss league as they travel to Oakwood A for a won’t histable side clash look set chalcrucialadmit top ofit,the on to Sunday lenge for honours.

(10am).

Harry wasteam the stunned goal-scoring hero Daniel Kane Kristall’s the league with an 88th-minute winner against strugleaders last month when they won 2-0, a gling Brom draw victoryWest would movewhen them ato goalless within a point looked on the cards.

Mourinho could not of Hendon with a match in hand. hide his delight as this was a sign his team Elsewhere in the latest round of fixtures, are goingNorth to battle to the Galaxy end. made it a 10-man London Tottenham chances againstOne the three-way titlewasted race in the only Division Baggies and the home team were indebtclash of the day after defeating Oakwood B. edJamie to ‘keeper Lloris fine save MurrayHugo saw red earlyfor onabut Galaxy to deny a Darnell Furlong’s second-half rallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Jaheader.

However, succob Leigh to recordTottenham’s an importantthird 2-1 away cessive league win was deserved and win. leaves West Brom still searching a win.

Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish for Care A in Jurgon Klopp missed opportunities the table by just rued one point after 10 matches, after Liverpool were pegged back in a be1-1 third place Fairlop FC are five points draw at Manchester City. hind with two games in hand.

The Reds included Jota with his Rafi Bloom scored forDiogo Oakwood. regular strike force of Roberto Firmino, “It was a fantastic performance in a

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. Klopp went on the offensive and struck first when Salah slotted in a penalty after Kyle Walker brought down Mane, but Pep Guardiola’s City equalised with an exquisite Gabriel Jesus goal before Kevin De Bruyne blew a chance of the lead when he failed to convert a penalty before half-time awarded against Joe Gomez after a VAR debate.

Klopp will reflect on a point gained, especially as they are without Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara, and City would have won if Jesus had been more clinical.

Mourinho takes on his old adversary Guardiola after the international break on the same day as Liverpool host Leicester at Anfield. Both encounters could not be better timed.

Sitting just behind the top-three are Southampton who briefly led the table after easing to a 2-0 home win against Newcastle United.

A Che Adams volley and Stuart Armstrong strike claimed Saints’ latest win.

Unquestionably, Southampton are the surprise team soLionsfar. Manager Ralph 16-goal Maccabi London Hasenhuttl has told his side to believe “anything is possible” as theyGalaxy toppedplaythe must-win game, ” commented Premier League for the first time ever er-manager Luketable Lewis. and thesatold Division One since 1988. The “We back and allowed Oakwood the triumph also comes 12 months after 9-0 ball, given the one-man advantage aand drubbing Theattack only looked to at hithome them to onLeicester. the counter dampener is their loyal followers have not with pace. been able to witness the early season form “Both goals came down the right-hand live. side. Leigh crossed the first one into Cohen are onslotting the move after defeating toChelsea finish, before home himself.

Up bottom club Sheffield United 4-1 at Stamto first we go.” ford TheBridge.

Division Two title race also took The through David McGola twistBlades with led league leaders Herstwood drick’s ninth-minute goal but Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Tammy Temple Abraham Fortune. and Ben Chilwell turned the game around half time.

Hakim ZiFaithfold B before have played a game more yech had set up Chilwell and provided the than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at assist Thiago Silva to nod home a freeNorth for London Raiders Masters. kick before Timo Werner his name Jacob Kalms struck twiceadded for Fortune who the list of goalscorers. scored through leading scorer James MilBlueshis boss must take letwith 17thFrank goal ofLampard the season. credit for his team’s change in fortune after The result was all the more remarkable aasshaky start when they were shipping too Temple were down to 11 players with many goals.

Chelsea are fifth and have lost ‘keeper Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder only inup. the league. They are also the in theonce warm top scorers with goals. With “This was a 20 fantastic win pre-season given the

signings clearly settling in these are exciting times at The Bridge.

Sitting aside Chelsea are another surprise team, Aston Villa, who bounced back to winning ways after home defeats to Leeds United and Southampton with an impressive triumph at Arsenal.

The visitors led at half time after Bukayo Saka scored an own goal from Matt Targett’s cross. Ollie Watkins notched a hattrick in a stunning 7-2 win against Liverpool, the youngster bagged a brace this time with under 20 minutes left to settle this encounter and maintain a 100% away record.

The Gunners were second best and Mikel Arteta will be despondent after an impressive win against Manchester United last time out.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been under severe pressure after his inconsistent side went down to Arsenal then embarrassingly against Istanbul Basaksehir in Europe, but like Villa, they bounced back with an impressive win. Bruno Fernandes struck twice against Everton as United came from behind to win 3-1 at Goodison Park.

Rumours had been rampant that the Reds were enquiring about former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and Solskjaer’s situation looked dire when Bernard opened the scoring from a Dominic Calvert-Lewin flick on 19 minutes. The lead did not last long as Fernandes converted a Luke Shaw cross, then after Lucas Digne struck a United post, Fernandes grabbed his second of the game.

The Reds wrapped up the points with a lightning break finished off by Edinson Cavani in stoppage CarloFortune Ancecircumstances, ” said time. delighted lotti’s team, meanwhile, have lost three boss Simon Linden. consecutive and in danger of “We had agames number of are players out, Reblowing their stunning start to the league buck got injured, so I couldn’t have asked campaign. any more from the players. We wish Ben a Another side that continues to impress is speedy recovery.

Crystal Palace whoold thumped Leeds United “It was a proper school performance, 4-1 at Selhurst Park. we battled and defended for the 90 minutes Eberechi Ezechances. scored his first goal proved for the and took our Experience club with a superb free-kick after setting to be the winner. It’s a big win, one we will up Scott fromtoabuild corner. were enjoy andDann we hope on itLeeds in 2019. ” denied a foothold in the game when He added, “This win marks 50 years Patas a rick Bamford waswill denied anNigel equaliser by football club and be one Kyte and VAR because of an outstretched arm being everyone associated with the club from day

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers sits top of the league

PHOTO:SHUTTERSTOCK DAVID SAFFER PHOTO:

offside. The decision was a crazy call but the inform striker kept his nerve to score just before the half hour, only for a Helder Costa own-goal to put the hosts 3-1 ahead at the interval.

Ezgjan Alioski went close for Leeds before Jordan Ayew hit Palace’s fourth on 70 minutes.

Fulham wasted a golden opportunity to earn a share of the spoils against West Ham when Ademola one will enjoy.” Lookman’s ‘Panenka-style’ penalty with the lastEmanuel kick of the game went Vale boss Jacob was quick to horribly wrong. ‘keeper Lukasz wish Rebuck wellHammers following his injury.

Fabianski could believe hiseveryone luck as To“First and mostnot importantly, at mas Soucek’s 91st minute strike proved to Vale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper be the winner. a quick recovery, we hope to see him back Brighton andpitch Burnley ground out a drab on the football as soon as possible, ” he goalless affair that leaves both teams in said. the searching forcommented, some form Asbottom-five for the defeat, Emanuel to move up the table.

“It doesn’t matter how big a squad you All 20 managers now be have, youPremier can never accountwill for unavailhoping their star players return from inability or injury. Only five of today’s team ternational football injury-free for the next played in our recent win over FC Team, a round fixtures laterand this month. lack ofoftogetherness poor individual

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

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Hat-trick hero Ronny recalls Spurs days

BY DAVID SAFFER Over 600 football fans joined the United Synagogue’s ‘US in the City’ virtual panel discussion into the world of professional football.

‘Football and The Jews’ focussed on Jewish involvement in British football and a trip down memory lane.

There were tales aplenty from former Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Israel star Ronny ‘Rocket’ Rosenthal alongside stories behind the scenes from former chairman. But the spectre of anti-Semitism in the game also loomed large on an insightful night of ‘footy’ chat.

The event, broadcast on Facebook and TheUS.tv, ‘US in the City’ panel discussion was part of an outreach programme run by Rabbi Jonathan Hughes then played in Belgium prior to joining of Radlett United Synagogue, and rabbi of Liverpool in 1990.

‘US in the City’.

But it was touch and go that he joined Rabbi Hughes, a former player at Swin- the Anfield club, where he played alongdon Town and Reading, was joined by side the likes of John Barnes, Alan Hansen Clifford Crown, Brentford FC chairman, and Ian Rush.

Rosenthal, Jonathan Metliss, a solicitor He recalled, “I was at Standard Liege and chairman of Action Against Discrim- and it went to the end of the transfer winination (AAD) and David Kohler, former dow. The Belgium Federation confirmed Luton Town FC owner. my transfer at 4.59pm. The fax arrived at Crown recalled his football passion as a the Football Association just after 5pm, schoolboy in Stanmore. Recalling his Jew- but they agreed to the transfer. ish upbringing, he loved football, known “To come to Anfield and be a part of Livas a ‘fox in the box’ when playing, he saw erpool was unbelievable. I was coming to a his first professional game when his un- club with big stars but had the confidence cle took him to watch Arsenal where he to get a chance, which came quicker than would be lifted over the turnstiles to watch I thought. games.

“We lost in an FA Cup semi-final to CrysA career in accountancy led him in 2010 tal Palace at Villa Park. Kenny Dalglish deto work for Brentford owner Matthew Ben- cided to give me a chance against Charlton ham’s Smartodds company and Brentford Athletic and I scored a hat-trick on my full FC three years later. debut in a 4-0 win, which was amazing.

“I must be one of the luckiest men alive. On the way back to Liverpool, the players Apart from my family, two of my great wanted to know about me which was great loves are finance and football, and I’m as they were stars. It paved the way to be doing both,” he said. “The idea of being at involved in the finale to win the league a club that are on the cusp of being in the championship.”

Premier League is something I could have After four years, Rosenthal joined Totonly dreamed of.” tenham under Ossie Ardiles.

Crown added, “I knew nothing about He recalled, “I’d enjoyed my four years the business of football, seven or eight at Liverpool, but was not getting a chance years ago, but learnt very quickly and it’s to play. I could have signed for a few clubs, a fascinating business. And it is a business but wanted to come to London. Tottenham like any other although it has its quirks was on the cards, I met an Israeli director, and we try to run Brentford as a business. he initiated it with Ardiles. Joining in 1994, But it’s not just about football, we have a I felt so good, it was special. community sports trust that does great “At Liverpool, I was connected to the work for people of all ages. We are a very Jewish community but Tottenham, I could community based focussed club.” sign for a really Jewish club. They are a big Rosenthal, made his debut at 16 for his club, the fans supported me and I have hometown club, Maccabi Haifa, winning great memories.” two league titles, he represented Israel and The match, fans fondly recall was against

Southampton when Rosenthal hit another hat-trick, this time in a 6-2 win. Gerry Francis was manager, having replaced Ardiles.

He recalled, “Bruce Grobbelar was in goal, we’d played together at Liverpool. I’d come back after six weeks out, a ligament injury, so was on the bench when I came on just before half time.

“It was an unbelievable night to come back from 2-0 down. I saw fans leaving the stadium at half time, they did not believe we could win. I scored two early in the second half then a third in injury time. That was my Spurs highlight.”

Retiring in 1999, he lives in London with his family and is involved in the scouting and player recruitment side of the game.

Among his discoveries is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo who he saw whilst scouting in Portugal.

“My buzz in football is to identify a player for clubs in early stages,” he said.

“It costs much less money than to buy an established star.”

Rosenthal’s latest venture to spot talent utilises an online social network app.

Jonathan Metliss, chairman of Axiom Stone Solicitors, admitted being “football mad” from his youth. The highlight was seeing Chelsea defeat Leeds United in the 1970 FA Cup final.

“When I think of that Chelsea team captained by Ron Harris it brings tears to my eyes, that was when football was football,” he recalled.

His career in law has seen involvement in football club takeovers but he grew concerned in the 1980s about increasing anti-Semitism among fans. It started at an FA Cup tie when Chelsea lost to Tottenham in 1982.

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“The abuse they (Tottenham) received, which they still do, was out of order,” he said. “From that moment onwards, I vowed to fight anti-Semitism in football. It’s been a very long haul.”

Metliss added, “There have been bad experiences at Arsenal when they have played Chelsea but some of the worst experiences were at Chelsea. Listening to fans responding to ‘Yid Army’ and mocking the shape of my nose, that is unacceptable behaviour. If you did that to any other minority you would be in prison.”

Metliss explained to the online crowd how, having spent a number of years on the advisory board of Kick Racism Out Of Football (Kick It Out), he formed the charity AAD in 2013 to support a fundraising exercise for Kick It Out, which culminated in a successful dinner at Wembley Stadium with over 850 guests, and thereafter to campaign directly against racism in football and in particular anti-Semitism, after becoming disillusioned with the lack of action in this area.

“I’m very sensitive to the fact that the authorities, the Football Association, Premier League, clubs, anti-discrimination organisations and government do little to combat anti-Semitism in football. And it appears to be ignored in the current campaign to eradicate racism in football,” he said.

David Kohler wanted to buy Manchester United but could not afford them, so bought Luton Town in 1990 where he worked alongside a Jewish manager, David Pleat, who later managed Tottenham.

“I was fortunate to have a Jewish manager,” he said. “A Jewish chairman and manager make interesting reading!”.

Kohler played a key part in the history of the game when his vote proved crucial to achieving a majority among the topflight owners to form the Premier League in 1992.

He recalled, “There was myself, Leslie Silver (Leeds United), David Dein (Arsenal) and Alan Sugar (Tottenham). Clive Berlin was also there as CEO at QPR. Five Jews in the room that made the decision to form the Premier League.”

Kohler quipped, “When a rabbi tells a barmitzvah boy you can’t play football, you can own one!”

He added, “Decisions are driven by emotion, you leave your brains outside in the car park. The best day to own a football club is the day that you sell it.”

AJEX will always remember the sacrifice and dedication of our ex Servicemen and Women and this year due to Covid restrictions the Annual Parade and Ceremony will take place as a poignant online Remembrance event, rather than at The Cenotaph.

JOIN US IN REMEMBRANCE THIS SUNDAYAT 2.30PM WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/AJEX_JMA

AJEX invite you to recite this special Remembrance Prayer this Shabbat

‫ב”ה‬

‫ ֲאדוֹ ן ָהעוֹ לָ ִמים‬Lord of the Universe;

at this time of solemn reflection and remembrance we salute the courageous British and Allied soldiers who served and died in the cause of liberty, right and justice. Many were proud Jews who were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf; and this heroic service continues in the UK, Israel and around the world. We remember also the six million innocent victims of the Shoah and countless others murdered by the Nazis. We pray that we, who have survived, may carry forward the torch of memory and merit Your grace to flourish in life and Judaism - and serve our Queen and Country proudly in the cause of peace. Amen

FOLLOW, tag AND SUPPORT THE AJEX 2020 REMEMBRANCE CAMPAIGN

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#AJEXRemembers #AJEXShabbat T 020 8202 2323 E ajexremembers@ajex.org.uk AJEX exists to ensure that the immense contribution of veterans from the Jewish Community who served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces is never forgotten. It also supports the Armed Forces Jewish Community which represents the interests of those who continue to serve. The Charity is organised across three pillars: Welfare, Remembrance and Education.

AJEX Charitable Foundation Registered Charity No: 1082148