The Jewish Weekly Issue 257 - November 17th

Kisharon and Langdon to explore proposed merger

BY DAVID SAFFER

Kisharon and Langdon have launched a ‘listening exercise’ on a proposed merger.

Joining forces will offer optimum support for people with learning disabilities and autism across the Jewish community.

The charities will operate as usu al in the coming weeks as trustees meet stakeholders. Discussion groups will focus on the charities bolstering front-line support.

The exercise ends in December. An update is expected early 2023.

People supported by Kisha ron and Langdon are already benefiting from services by both organisations.

from these excellent organisations. It is really exciting to see them com ing together to further enhance the Jewish provision for our special needs community.”

Professor Vic Rayner, Chief Na tional Care Forum, recognised both as “sector-leading organisations”.

In 2020, Kisharon, Langdon, Norwood, PaJes and Gesher com missioned a report on learning disability and special educational needs in the community.

The Cordis Bright report con cluded that main providers must

learning disabilities and autism supported continue to receive per

killed

BY ADAM MOSES

Three Israelis were killed in a hor rific terror attack in the West Bank settlement of Ariel on Tuesday.

Palestinian terrorist Moham mad Souf, 19, also wounded three others in a terrifying killing spree.

Souf, 18, was shot dead by secu rity forces and an armed civilian after attempting to flee the area.

Tamir Avihai from Kiryat Ne tafim, Michael Ladygin of Bat Yam and Moshe Ashkenazi of Yavne died of stabbing wounds. They have been laid to rest.

Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva is treating the wounded Israelis. Two are in a serious but stable condition, a third victim has moderate injuries.

The IDF have surveyed Souf’s home in the village of Hares to ascertain if it can be demolished.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid said: “We are relentlessly fighting terrorism with the full might of the IDF, ISA, and all the secu rity forces. They are working around the clock to protect the citizens of Israel and target terrorist infrastructure anytime, anywhere.”

President Isaac Herzog added: “Israel will continue to stand firmly and assertively,

everywhere and always, against acts of terror and hatred that rear their heads and menace us all.”

Yossi Dagan, Shomron Regional Council added: “We will not let this break us. Res idents of the settlements and the entire State of Israel will continue to build, live and plant trees. Israel’s light will triumph over the terrorists’ darkness.”

Souf did not have a criminal background according to the IDF and worked at a local factory in Ariel.

An initial investigation has announced that Souf stabbed a security guard and an other person near the entrance of the Ariel industrial area, then two more people at the petrol station.

Souf stole a car and struck a person before attempting to flee the crime scene on foot. After a short manhunt where the assailant was neutralised, IDF troops con tinued searching for more suspects in the area.

In related news, Israel has installed

the West Bank due to ongo ing violence.

The action has been taken as a result of Palestinian protesters hurling stones and firebombs at Israeli soldiers.

Safeguards lower the risk to IDF troops and improve supervision of operations. The technology allows soldiers to target ‘less sensitive’ areas of the body and avoid shooting bystanders. Similar remote-con trolled weapons have been used around the world in conflicts.

remote-controlled robotic weap ons capable of firing tear gas, stun grenades and sponge-tipped bul lets in areas of

Trump launches Presidential bid

BY ADAM MOSES

Donald Trump has officially launched his 2024 Presidential campaign.

The former US President, as anticipated, made his announcement of a third White House bid at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida on Tuesday night.

“We are a nation in decline. America’s comeback starts right now,” Trump, flanked by American flags, told supporters a week on from disappointing mid-term results for the Republican Party.

Trump, who faces criminal and civil investigations, delivered an hour-long speech describing his administration as a “golden age”.

“Our country was on track for an amazing future, because I made big promises to the American people,” he said. “Unlike other presidents, I kept my promises.”

As for the serving President, Trump blast ed, “For millions of Americans, the past two years under Joe Biden have been a time of pain, hardship, anxiety and despair.”

Looking ahead to an election battle, he said. “We will be slandered. We will be per secuted just as I have been but we will not

be intimidated. We will persevere and in the end we will win.”

Trump did not mention the 2020 election being ‘stolen’ or 2021 U.S. Capitol attack by pro-Trump supporters. Around 1,000 people have been charged regarding the riot. Trump has vowed to pardon those charged if he becomes President.

An investigation is taking place into his social media company, Truth Social, and Trump Organisation in New York for tax evasion and fraud.

It has been reported that a presidential run will safeguard him from any investi gation. This has been dismissed by legal experts.

Trump, twice impeached during his term of office but not convicted, has taken a swipe at a potential primary rival, Florida Govenor Ron DeSantis.

Trump lost to Biden in a bitter campaign. Biden has said he intends to run in 2024.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told ABC News that she backs Biden for another presidential shot.

She said: “President Biden has been a great president for our country. He has ac complished so much. He’s done so many

things that are so great, we’d need a lot more show to talk about it.”

She added, “He has been a great presi dent. He has a great record to run on.”

Despite Pelosi’s comments recent polls illustrate democrats not backing Biden.

Political commentators have also quest ed whether Biden will be able to handle another term as he will be 81 on Inaugu ration Day 2025.

Trieste shul attack

Italian police are investigating an antise mitic incident at a Trieste synagogue last week.

Graffiti was sprayed across the front of the building on the 84th anniversary of Kristallnacht.

Massimiliano Fedriga, governor of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region where Trieste is located, joined politicians in berating the antisemitic incident.

Vandals wrote in Italian: “Jews are the new racists and fascists”.

Offering solidarity with the Jewish com munity of Trieste, Fedriga said that the graffiti was a “cowardly gesture that must be firmly condemned.”

Kristallnacht took place on 9th Novem ber 1938 and is known as the ‘Night of Broken Glass’.

Rioters ransacked Jewish homes, hos pitals 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), organised the rescue of children from Nazi Europe. Between December 1938 and September 1939, 10,000 children were brought to safety.

WJR has digitised historical records including thousands of individual case files for children who came on the Kindertransport.

Donald Trump

PHOTO: SHUTTERTOCK

Bibi right-wing coalition

BY DAVID SAFFER

Benjamin Netanyahu has be gun talks to form a coalition as 120 MKs were sworn in the 25th Knesset on Tuesday.

President Isaac Herzog formal ly assigned the task to Netanyahu after 64 MKs recommended the Likud leader following a series of meetings with different Party factions last week.

It is anticipated to take Net anyahu weeks to form what will be the most right-wing in Israe li history given demands from partners. Should he require longer that 28 days, Herzog can grant a 14-day extension.

Netanyahu, who denies on going fraud charges, will extend his 15-year record breaking run as Prime Minister after 14 months in opposition.

“There are many who welcome the elec tion results, but some predict it to herald the end of democracy,” he said. “This is not the first time such things have been said. It was not true then, and it is not true today.”

Jordanian King Abdullah al-Hussein II congratulated Netanyahu by phone this week. The two leaders have a strained re lationship. Netanyahu has also criticised Israel’s maritime deal with Lebanon.

Negotiations will be complex. According to reports Itamar Ben Gvir will call for leg islation to allow the death penalty for ter rorists whilst Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir wants to overturn a High Court of Justice ruling last year for non-Orthodox converts to be allowed Aliyah.

Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc accrued suf ficient seats to win Israel’s fifth elections in under four years.

Herzog confirmed 64 Knesset MKs rec ommended Netanyahu, 28 MKs approved Yair Lapid.

Twenty-eight MKs did not recommend any member of Knesset to form a government.

The Yesh Atid Party blasted Herzog’s decision as a “black day” for Israeli democracy.

A statement said that Net anyahu’s goal was to “extricate him from his legal sentence and bring the State of Israel backwards”.

The Party added: “We will never give up our country and liberal values and we will not allow our children’s future to be harmed, we’ll wage a united battle in the Knesset and on the streets until we replace the gov ernment of destruction with the government of change.”

Notwithstanding the anger of Lapid’s party, Herzog said the result was “clear” but referred to ongoing legal pro ceedings against Netanyahu at the Jerusa lem District Court in his comments.

Herzog observed: “The Supreme Court has already expressed itself clearly on the matter of pending indictments against a member of Knesset nominated for the role of forming a government, in a number of rulings.

“The weighty responsibility that rests on the shoulders of the Government of Israel, and especially on the person who heads it,

is among the greatest and most complicat ed in the world.”

Herzog called for a stable and function ing government that serves citizens who voted for and against its establishment. The government, he added, must work for “all shades of the Israeli mosaic from all communities, sectors, faiths, religions, lifestyles, beliefs and values.”

Herzog continued: “The State of Israel requires a government that even if its com position does not reflect all worldviews and sections of the legislature, nevertheless knows to lead a process of connection and unification, between all parts of our people, and to conduct a responsible, cautious, open, frank and attentive dialogue with the other branches of government. Every government must behave with immense caution on matters of fateful importance for our existence, for the defence of our security, and for the preservation of our most fundamental contours as a Jewish and democratic state.”

Noting that Netanyahu has served in a plethora of senior roles, including several terms as Prime Minister, Herzog called on Netanyahu to lead a government and a coalition.

“I wish you great success in your mis sion,” he said. “Your success is the success of the entire people.”

Factions recommending Netanyahu were Likud, Shas, United Torah Judaism, Reli gious Zionism, Jewish Power and Noam.

Yesh Atid and Labor recommended Yair Lapid. National Unity, Yisrael Beitenu, United Arab List and Hadash-Ta'al re frained from making a recommendation.

Teacher of Jewish Studies

With the opportunity for additional responsibility • Full time / Part time

We are seeking a dynamic and committed individual to teach Tenach, Talmud and Jewish Knowledge and Skills to a range of ages and abilities. Teaching will include the GCSE Religious Studies syllabus. The successful candidate will prove to be an effective teacher with a wide Jewish knowledge and will identify with the Modern Orthodox ethos of the school. There is the opportunity for additional responsibility for the right candidate. Applications are welcome from ECTs or those willing to work towards a teaching qualification.

IImmanuel College is entering a new, exciting era of educational and physical development, which will build on our Jewish modern orthodox, co-educational, independent roots. You will join a school characterised by high academic standards, outstanding pastoral care and a renowned programme of Jewish study. We enjoy an environment of happy, fulfilled young people who are fully engaged in the life of this friendly school, are aspirational and committed to their studies and their community. We are looking for colleagues who are eager to contribute to their futures and build a bright beacon of Jewish life and learning.

Immanuel College is a vibrant, professional and caring place to work, where every day brings new challenges and opportunities. We are deeply committed to the emotional and professional well-being of all our staff and believe that happy, well-cared for staff make the best team. We pride ourselves on providing an environment where staff have the freedom to learn and grow.

We provide access to the Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS), a supportive CPD system, membership to a healthcare scheme, subsidised lunches, family-friendly policies and a range of well-being initiatives.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website www.immanuelcollege.co.uk

An Application Form, Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and the names and contact details of two referees should be sent to Dr Millan Sachania, Head Master, at jobs@immanuelcollege.co.uk

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview.

For further enquiries relating to the role please contact Mr Michael Lewis, Assistant Head of Jewish Studies at mlewis@immanuelcollege.co.uk

Immanuel College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Benjamin Netanyahu with President Isaac Herzog

PHOTO: GPO

Israel rejects Palestinian motion in UN

BY ADAM MOSES

Israel has rejected a Palestinian resolution at the United Nations.

A UN Special Committee backed a mo tion for the International Court of Justice to offer an opinion on Israel’s West Bank operations.

The motion was supported by 98 coun tries, including Egypt, Jordan and the UAE.

The US, Germany, Canada, Australia and Czech Republic were among 17 coun tries to oppose the motion. The UK were amongst 52 nations to abstain.

Outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid has called for security and diplomatic responses.

“This is another unilateral Palestinian move which undermines the basic prin ciples for resolving the conflict and may harm any possibility for a future process,” he said. “The Palestinians want to replace negotiations with unilateral steps. They are again using the UN to attack Israel.”

Lapid added: “This step will not change the reality on the ground, nor will it help the Palestinian people in any way; it may even result in an escalation. Supporting this move is a prize for terrorist organisa tions and the campaign against Israel.”

Lapid thanked countries that did not support the resolution but stressed it would not resolve the conflict.

He observed: “We call upon on all the countries that supported yesterday’s pro posal to reconsider their position and

oppose it when it’s voted upon in the General Assembly. The way to resolve the conflict does not pass through the corridors of the UN or other international bodies.”

Defence Minister Benny Gantz said, “The UN’s plan to allow this to happen will not only undermine regional stability and the chance of reaching agreement in the future. This is a political move that is not anchored in the reality on the ground.”

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan said during the debate: “No organ isation is going to decide that the Jewish

people is an occupying power in the land of our forefathers.”

He added that it would hit future reconciliation.

“Unilateral moves by the Palestinians will be answered with unilateral moves,” Erdan noted.

US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Rich ard Mills called on the General Assembly to find a new way forward and abandon resolutions biased against Israel and efforts to achieve peace.

Bicom noted that ahead of the debate, President Isaac Herzog and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken failed to persuade Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to drop the initiative.

"The Palestinian proposal is part of an anti-Israeli campaign infected with anti semitism that aims to undermine Israel's legitimacy and its right to self-defense," said Erdan. “Abbas is once again acting in a destructive way, in a way that will only harm the Palestinians themselves.”

He added: “We will make it clear to every country that supporting this move is a prize for terrorist organisations and will only per petuate the conflict.”

The resolution will be debated at the UN General Assembly next month. The motion will move to The Hague if it passes. How ever, the court could take several months, possibly years, to draft an ‘advisory’ opin ion. Israel will appeal to friendly countries to submit legal opinions.

JWA Shabbat

Jewish Women’s Aid is delivering infor mation leaflets on domestic abuse to 163 synagogues across the UK in advance its national and cross-communal Shabbat on 2/3rd December.

The leaflet has been created to raise awareness and understanding in the Jewish community about domestic abuse and sex ual violence, and to encourage discussion, questions and change.

Also available is a ready prepared speech or article which can be read out at shul, at home or in social gatherings. The resources are the latest additions to JWA’s popular community toolkit, which includes con versation cards and fact sheets to gener ate discussion around abuse and healthy relationships.

JWA CEO Naomi Dickson said: “We aim to highlight the stigma of domestic abuse and sexual violence that still exists in our community. By bringing it into the open, into the heart of our synagogues and com munities, we hope to create safe spaces for women and their children facing abuse. By talking about it, we create opportunities to educate others and for women to feel less alone if they are being harmed physically or emotionally. We hope our new information leaflets, combined with our toolkit provide a key framework to encourage more con versations and education around abuse.”

Details: jwa.org.uk/community-toolkit Shabbat enquiries: outreach@jwa.org.uk

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Outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

Romania passes shechita legislation

BY LEAH WAXLER

Romania’s parliament has passed a law to protect shechita.

Federation of Jewish Communities President Silviu Vexler and Chamber of Deputies President Marcel Ciolacu signed legislation in Bucharest on Tuesday.

Rabbinic leaders of the Conference of European Rabbis met Ciolacu and Roma nian Minister of Justice Catalin Predoiu at the Rumanian Parliament.

Vexler offered a tribute to the Chief Rabbi of Romania, Rabbi Raphael Schaffer for his role in the process.

“This new law stands as a shining symbol to other countries throughout the world to protect Jewish communities and religious rights,” he noted.

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, CER President welcomed the news.

“Romania has an established and impor tant tradition of supporting Jewish life be it Jewish education, Yeshivas and commu nities. This law continues its noble path of support. I hope that other leaders across Europe will follow the initiative.”

He added: “CER remains at the forefront of lobbying for protection of Shechita and other Jewish religious rights at the highest political and diplomatic levels.”

Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca

OPINION

OPINION PIECE BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN

In 1979 Egypt and Israel reached a peace agreement whereby hostilities between the two countries came to an end.

It was seen then as a major step towards an overall peace in the Middle East and hopes ran high, right up to the point when it turned out that the PLO were not en couraged by the Egypt/Israel rapproche ment and continued with their murderous attacks.

Since then there have been a number of attempts to make progress with peace. One of the most significant of these was the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. Again, it was hoped that this would herald a new era of cooperation and an eventual peace agreement. There was a new era, but rather one of cooperation and peace it was one of violence, starting with Hamas taking power and then killing or driving into exile their opponents. This was followed by attacks against Israel or perhaps more accurately Jews, which continue today.

The pay-to-slay policy of the Palestinian Authority, which provides for payments to be made to terrorists responsible for the death or injury of Jews. These payments are made either to the terrorist or if they were killed following the attack, their family.

Why then, faced with this appalling background do so many groups – Jewish and non-Jewish – insist on blaming Israel for the lack of progress of the peace pro cess. Frankly I haven’t a clue. It is helpful though to look at the history of the West when confronted by violence or a threat of violence. The standard approach since the 1930s has been one of appeasement and this seems unchanged. You might think that with this particular lesson from history as a background Jews would be less inclined to avoid the reality of the

hatred aimed at them.

Perhaps though there is another reason for so many Jewish groups being keen to blame Israel for Hamas and the PA wanting to kill Jews. For the centuries that we were in the diaspora we had to depend on the good will of the local ruler for our safety. Across the Middle East and North Africa, Jews as second-class citizens (not being Muslim) were sometimes treated well by their hosts and sometimes not. In Europe, the position was much the same, though the religious animosity came as a result of the Jews being blamed for the murder of Christ.

Whether it was Islam or Christianity which was responsible for the Jews being the victims of discrimination, the result was the same – maintain a low profile.

Ciuca paid tribute to Jewish community leaders and pledged support. The pres tigious Rabbi Moshe Rosen Prize was

shechita by law.

This has now translated to what amounts to some in diaspora communities being embarrassed at the refusal of Israel to adopt the attitude of the ghetto Jew. Despite the evidence to the contrary, these people blame Israel for not wanting to be destroyed or its citizens murdered, presumably in some hope that as in the ghetto, if we stay quiet and leave everyone alone, it will all be okay.

Only of course it won’t and it isn’t. So instead of trying to hide why not take a simpler more logical approach by calling for the end of the pay-to-slay policy and for the rocket attacks from Gaza to cease. That surely is a much better starting point than whingeing about Israel being to blame for the murderous attacks and instead concentrating on the real reasons why there is no peace and no desire from our enemies to even consider peace. Where is the downside?

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

joined political, civic and religious leaders at a gala dinner hosted by the Federation of Jewish Communities in Bucharest on Monday.

awarded to the Romanian Parliament for sanctioning

Romanian Minister of Justice Catalin Predoiu

The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper

Where is the downside?

Whether it was Islam or Christianity which was responsible for the Jews being the victims of discrimination, the result was the same – maintain a low profile.

Tzipi recalls agriculture diplomat

BY ANNIE ABRAHAMS

The Israeli Embassy held a memo rial ceremony to commemorate 50 years since the murder of Dr Ami Shachori at Jewish Free School in London.

The Palestinian Black Septem ber terrorist group carried out the terror attack.

Shachori served as Agricultural Counsellor to the UK and Scandi navia for four years. He was killed days before his posting was due to end in 1972 by a parcel bomb sent to the Embassy.

At the ceremony, family members from Shachori's family spoke movingly about the diplomat's life and legacy.

Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely and JFS Headmaster Dr David Moody addressed the ceremony.

Participants opened a garden dedicated to Shachori's memory which will be used as quiet reflection and remembrance space within the school's grounds.

Hotovely said that Shachori was a devot ed member of Israel's diplomatic service, an expert in agricultural academia, soil management and crop production.

She added: “Dr. Shachori was taken from us devastatingly young. His memory continues to serve as a constant reminder that whilst diplomats are at the forefront of serving our country we are also on the front line facing the risks that come with it.”

World leaders attend Terezin conference

Shachori enjoyed a prestigious career in service to Israel including as an Army officer and Director of the Ministry of Agriculture.

“His legacy as a dedicated public serv ant of Israel, is one that continues to stand strong, inspiring us all, some fifty years on,” said Hotovely.

Dr. Shachori's family, Jewish Free School and Israeli Foreign Ministry realised the project.

“The garden will serve as a permanent tribute to the everlasting memory,” said Israel’s current emissary.

Shachori’s son, Ron, said: “In every stage of his career, he was always the same Ami, active, inspiring, industrious, utterly iden tified with his task, never veering from the aims that he set himself. This was Ami, of pleasant ways, of gentle soul, held in affec tion by all who came into contact with him, earning the trust and esteem of each and every one who entered his orbit.”

Blinken stressed the importance of gov ernments delivering appropriate repara tions to Shoah victims.

He said: “The international community failed these people in their early lives, they must not fail them in their final years.”

Blinken noted the international commu nity had “everlasting responsibilities” to Holocaust survivors’ descendants.

Survivors also addressed conference del egates. A panel discussion on the threat of online hate speech and how to tackle it also took place.

Lord Pickles, UK Special Envoy for post-Holocaust issues, chaired a panel discussion on ‘Tackling Injustices from the Time of the Holocaust’.

Herzog accolade to Anastasiades

BY LEAH WAXLER

President Isaac Herzog has awarded the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour to Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades.

The accolade was awarded to Anastasi ades for his role in the establishment and development of the trilateral relationship between Israel, Cyprus and Greece.

Herzog said that his recent visit to the Presidential Palace in Nicosia solidified the Cyprus-Israel relationship as a “pillar of Mediterranean stability”.

Israel’s president received The Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios the Third whilst in Cyprus.

Noting an ever-growing alliance between the nations, he observed: “While the na tions of the Mediterranean have more often been divided by conflict than united by co operation, Israel and Cyprus have actually built a true friendship.”

Herzog observed a spirit of cooperation that included the EastMed Gas Forum, Eu roAsia Interconnector, which will supply solar energy from Israel to Cyprus and on to Europe and four-way dialogue launched in Paphos with Emirati partners.

He added: “The three-way Hellenic alli ance has become a pillar of Mediterranean stability in the present, and a key to a sus tainable, healthy, and prosperous future. There is no doubt that this unprecedented reality of cooperation, mutual understand ing and deep respect, are a direct result of your decade-long presidency”.

The Medal of Honor is the highest civil honour the State of Israel awards foreign dignitaries.

“The award symbolises our nation’s deep gratitude for your partnership and princi ples,” Herzog said.

The honour is an initiative of Shimon Peres and was first awarded in 2012. It has been awarded to 26 individuals by an advi sory committee headed by retired Supreme Court President, Justice Meir Shamgar.

Since entering office, Herzog has award ed the Medal of Honour to Czech President Milos Zeman and US President Joe Biden.

Letters to the Editor

BY ANNIE ABRAHAMS

World leaders, Holocaust survivors and dozens of NGOs attended the International Terezin Declaration Conference at Czernin Palace in Prague last week.

The forum attracted 47 countries and was hosted by the Czech Foreign Ministry.

It followed the 2009 Terezin Declara tion to discuss various topics including Holocaust remembrance, restitution to victims, education and combatting antisemitism.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, Is rael Minister of Social Equality Meirav Co hen, European Commission vice president Vera Jourova and US Secretary of State An thony Blinken addressed the conference.

The audience heard via video from Association of Jewish Refugees member Leopold Wiener, who fled Czechoslova kia and has campaigned throughout his life for Holocaust reparations and refugee issues.

Lord Pickles invited Leopold’s grand son, Josh Ross from Hendon, to proclaim the importance of adequate restitution for people that lost everything at the hands of the Nazis.

Josh explained the impact of the Hol ocaust as a third generation descendent.

Lord Pickles said: “It is not about money, it is about victims, there is a moral obliga tion to ensure that Holocaust survivors and their families receive justice.”

During conference, diplomats gave national statements, contributions and voluntary pledges to continue to support restitution, education and protection for those affected by the Holocaust.

THE BBC – WHAT IT STANDS FOR, TO ME

Dear Editor

I was hardly surprised to read the contents of the article, “Ofcom critices BBC over cover age of antisemitic incident,” in last week’s edition (THE JEWISH WEEKLY, 10 November).

To most of us, the BBC stands for providing, “Britain’s Biased Coverage,” of anything to do with the antisemitism. We have learnt over many decades, relating to countless issues, that we can search in vain for anything near to an objective and, well-researched journalistic approach to news on the topics of: The Jewish Community, Israel and the Middle East.

Why should people in the Jewish Community Have to continue paying the BBC Licence Fee If they’re so hostile to Israel and World Jewry As antisemitism seems to be Integral to their modus operandi Even now in this 21st Century? We should only be required to do so, once the BBC is required to, and does in practice, Broadcast Balanced Content Over to you, Ofcom and on that note, I wish you all a Shabbat Shalom.

by J D Milaric

Ambassador Hotovely at a commemoration for Dr Shachori at JFS

Terezin

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades with President Isaac Herzog

With Harold Schogger

Lead Ac

West led the ace of clubs. Declarer ruffed and played the ace of trumps. All would have been well if East had followed suit; declarer would have had twelve easy tricks. However, East’s club discard reduced declarer to needing a trump endplay to bring the contract home.

The first requirement was that declarer needed West to have three clubs, because he need ed to reduce his trump length as West followed suit. As will be seen, in the endgame, declarer needed to have two trumps and a good heart and West three trumps.

The specifics in the red suits were a little different in that, once the assumption in clubs was feasible, declarer could have made twelve tricks as a double dummy problem if West had held 2:4, 3:3 or 4:2 in the red suits. However, this was turning out to be a single dummy problem. So, as playing three rounds of diamonds would work in the first two cases, declarer did just that.

When East discarded on the third round of diamonds, declarer cashed the remaining dia mond winner and threw a heart from hand. After ruffing a club, declarer played a heart to the ace and ruffed another club. After cashing the king of hearts, declarer held the king-nine of spades and the queen of hearts; West held the queen-jack-four of spades; dummy had the ten-eight of spades and the queen of clubs. When declarer led the queen of hearts, West was skewered: if he had ruffed high, declarer would have made the last two tricks with trumps and, if he had ruffed low, declarer would have scored a trump in dummy and the king of trumps to make his contract.

(NB if West had had four clubs and two hearts, he could have avoided the trump endplay by ruffing the third heart and exiting with a club).

Tenants ‘In The Spotlight’ at JBD’s dinner

On Tuesday November 15th, Jewish Blind & Disabled held a fundraising dinner for cur rent and new supporters. Guests heard firsthand from two tenants, Diana and Gary, who were in conversation with Rob Rinder.

Diana and her husband Steve moved into their Jewish Blind & Disabled flat 15 years ago after both being diagnosed with he reditary conditions. Diana said: “We went from a normal working family of four to a family where three of us were too ill to work and Steve was caring for all of us, so had to stop working too. In 2000, I ended up in hospital for a month. This was my lowest point. I came home and couldn’t move, I just sat there staring out of the window – I was young and in despair. That’s when I was told about Jewish Blind & Disabled. I don’t know where we would be without them. JBD has given us hope and we can live independently with support around us for when we need it.”

Gary and his wife Yvonne contacted Jewish Blind & Disabled during Covid as his mobility was declining and he was struggling with few steps into his bungalow. At that time, they didn’t have a diagnosis but in Gary’s words –“I knew something was wrong”. Shortly after moving Gary was diagnosed with Parkin son’s. His condition has progressed in the last few years. Gary said: “I feel fortunate to live at JBD. We have peace of mind with the support from 24/7 house managers and it really is a special place to live.”

Rob Rinder said: “It is an honour to be here and to be sharing the stage with Diana and Steve, two tenants who live in the same development as my dad. It’s impossible to overstate what my dad moving into his Jewish Blind & Disabled flat has meant to us as a family. It is a special place to call home, a community, a mishpacha. JBD is a real gift to the community and the quality and professionali with physical disabilities and / or vision impairments. We have am bitious plans, but these are only possible

Work Avenue raises £1m for cost of living crisis

Work Avenue raised more than £1million in 36 hours to support their mission of helping members of the Jewish community through the cost of living crisis.

The charity received more than 3,000 indi vidual donations during the online fundrais ing marathon and far exceeded their original goal of £750,000.

As the Jewish community’s leading em ployment and business support organisation, Work Avenue aims to help everyone earn a living to provide for themselves and their families.

The cost of living crisis has seen the de mand for their services reach unprecedented levels. These funds are now set to be used to meet that need, including building works to extend the capacity of the charity’s facilities.

Work Avenue Chairman Mark Morris said: “Yet again, I am absolutely blown away by the generosity of the community. The support we have received over the past 36 hours has

been so inspiring.

“With the cost of living crisis hitting hard, the need for our clients to upskill and earn an extra income is more important than ever – and through these donations we can now help even more people in our community to do that.”

The fundraising marathon took place from 10am on Sunday 13 November until 10pm on Monday 14 November. The £1,036,100 raised includes matched funds from a group of very generous donors who agreed to double every penny received.

Work Avenue provides information, advice, guidance, courses and one-to-one employ ment and business support to help people find jobs, change careers and start business es. Virtually all of its services are provided free of charge.

To find out more, please visit www.theworkavenue.org.uk.

due to the generous support we receive from across the community.”

Following the event, Chief Executive, Lisa Wimborne commented: “This event was a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on Jewish Blind & Disabled. All too often I hear people tell me they have never heard of us before they needed our support. Many of the people in the room were new to Jewish Blind & Disabled. I was delighted that they heard first-hand from Diana and Gary, who spoke from the

heart and articulated how their lives have changed since moving into their Jewish Blind & Disabled flats.

Since the pandemic, we have seen in creasing demand for both our housing and our Independent Living Advisory Service, and we expect this to increase for many years to come. That is why we have ambi tious plans for the coming years, but these plans require us to increase our annual fundraising from £1.2m to £2.5m. Our event was another step in the right direction.”

Rob Rinder in conversation with JBD tenants Diana and Gary

Diana and Steve, JBD Tenants

The Work Avenue Team celebrate

Katy to outline flexible working

Employment expert Katy Fridman will dis cuss flexible working at JW3 this month.

Around 4.3 million employees in the UK currently have employment contracts al lowing for flexible working hours.

Resource, who have organised the ‘YOUR JOB, YOUR WAY’ workshop on November 23rd, specialise in finding people work from all backgrounds across the UK.

Guests will learn how to negotiate flexi ble working and how essential social me dia is in a job search. Victoria Sterman, Resource’s CEO, said: “Employees are

increasingly requiring flexibility in their work, but they regularly tell us how hard it is to approach the issue with employers.”

Fridman, Founder of Flexible Working People, noted: “People should be able to have a career they love on terms that work for them. The 9-5 is fast becoming a thing of the past with businesses having seen the huge benefits of moving to a more agile workplace culture.”

Resource will be on hand to advise with CV writing, interview practice and sessions for interview technique.

Museum fun for youngsters

Support AJEX marchers

AJEX is calling on the Jewish community to support the 1,000 marchers at the annual remembrance parade at The Cenotaph, Whitehall on Sunday (2pm).

Veterans and families of fallen veterans will march side by side to honour Jewish servicemen and women who fought for freedom. AJEX is connecting people across generations to ensure the legacy of remem brance lives on.

AJEX chief executive, Fiona Palmer said: “We hope to see members of the commu nity lining the streets of Whitehall this weekend. We are extremely grateful to CST and the Police for providing a high level of security. This is the only Jewish event Whitehall is closed for so it’s a very special occasion.”

JLGB members and a contingent of Cadets from JFS will attend with other Jewish schools, scout groups and community members.

The pa rade will be com manded by Ron Shel ley sup ported by

The 20th Finchley Scout group enjoyed a sleepover at the Natural History Museum and Science Museum.

40 children from cubs, beavers and scouts plus leaders participated.

Youngsters learnt about the solar system, examined the moon surface with 3D glasses and enjoyed a torch lit dinosaur trail. They also made dinosaur t-shirts.

Children attended an ‘Astronight’ where they decoded alien messages using ultravio let torches. They built a structure to support an egg-shaped communication device and took part in a science experiment to shoot a water powered rocket as high as possible.

Scout leader Debra Morris was delight ed museum staff said the group were well behaved.

to security.

AJEX is encouraging communities over Shabbat to have a L’chaim in honour of those who served and recite the Remem brance prayer.

The Field of Remembrance at West minster Abbey was officially opened last Thursday.

AJEX were in attendance as part of its

Fox and Bloom met Camilla, Queen Consort, at the AJEX plot, which has a number of Magen David markers for Jewish men and women from the armed forces killed in action.

“The entire field stands as a powerful expression of remembrance for all those who have the ultimate com mitment and courage,” said Fox.

Arsenal legend shares addiction struggles

Former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson visited Cockfosters & N Southgate Synagogue to be interviewed by Rabbi Meir Shindler.

The event was the first in the synagogue’s ‘Rising to the Challenge’ series where high profile personalities share extreme life challenges and how they have overcome them.

The Sky Sports pundit talked openly about his sporting career and addiction struggles with gambling, alcohol and drugs.

Merson explained how addictions were consequences of a lack of self-confidence and reaching the pinnacle of the sporting world. The impact had a devastating effect on his career and family life.

Questions ranged from recollections of how he was exposed to gambling and nar cotics, to support and lack of support by clubs he served.

There were also light-hearted moments on England’s prospects in the forthcoming World Cup and insights into Merson’s do mestic and international football career.

Rabbi Meir Shindler said: “The Rising to the Challenge series was devised to open the discussion of how best to deal with challenges we all face. Paul was honest and candid about his life struggles with addiction and by combining amusing

anecdotes with more emotional stories, everyone found the evening to be both en tertaining and powerful. Whether you were a football fan or not, it was an eye-opening and inspiring evening.”

The series is supported by the United Synagogue’s Project Welcome Fund.

Rabbi Arnold Saunders addressing Manchester Mesivta last Friday 11 November 2022 (Armistice Day). Rabbi Saunders was the very first Jewish Civilian Chaplain to the Armed forces (serving for 3 years).

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Rabbi Saunders speaking to Mesivta School on Armistice Day

Commander Daniel Weil and Operational Commander, Major Danny Yank. AJEX National Chairman, Dan Fox will host The Reviewing Officer, Major General Jon Swift. No tickets are required to be a spectator at the ceremony. Anyone attending should allow time due

AJEX member David Sherman with his grandson

Rabbi Meir Shindler and Paul Merson

20th Finchley Scouts having fun at the Science Museum

Norwood’s Botswana cycle challenge Remembrance Sunday at Shenley

A group of 22 cyclists overcame headwinds and storms to raise £255,000 for Norwood in its latest endurance cycling challenge.

The intrepid group over five days cycled 570km along the Elephant Highway from Maun to Victoria Falls in Botswana.

New members included Trustees vice chair Ronnie Harris who completed his 27th cycling challenge for Norwood.

Team Jake, comprising Nick Byre, Steve Chait, Tim Isaac, Lee Joseph and father-andson duo Wayne and Jake Chodosh, high lighted the need for Norwood’s vital support across the community. Jake, 28, is non-verbal and autistic. He learned to ride the rear posi tion on a tandem bike three years ago and has completed three cycling challenges.

Norwood supports Jake in one of their supported living services. His father, Wayne, says not only do Norwood provide Jake with support and comfort but provide

valuable father-son bonding time. Jake feels like ‘one of the boys’,” he said.

The group hit its £40,000 target which will support Norwood’s service provision.

Kim El-Baz took on her fifth challenge for Norwood, alongside novice Leo Mindel.

The pair rode alongside Jake who they described as “a great young man” and raised over £7,200.

New to the challenge circuit is Simon Cope-Thompson, who is heading to a £12.500 target. Simon was moved to continue his family’s traditional support for Norwood. He was motivated by his grandparents involvement in Ravenswood Village in the 1950s.

All funds will benefit people with learn ing disabilities and autism, children and their families facing social, educational and mental health challenges.

Pinner poppies

Pinner United Synagogue was decorated with poppies for a special Remembrance Shabbat.

Friends of Sonya Daniels knitted poppies in her memory for the service. Sonya was introduced to poppy knitting by Ruth Si mons when she was unwell and sold them for charity.

The shul was delighted that Ruth, Jackie

Silverstone and Doreen Samuels and other friends participated in knitting the poppies and then decorating the shul.

Pinner also supported the multi-faith Pinner Act of Remembrance on Sunday morning.

Stan Conway, laid a wreath on behalf of Pinner Shul at the ceremony.

GIFT aid for Ukraine

GIFT continues to back urgent aid for Ukrainian Jewish community members.

Thirty organisations and donors took part in an appeal by donating tens of thousands of warm garments and electronic supplies for what is expected to be one of the harshest winters in decades.

Items were brought to drop off points and purchased online through Amazon.

Over 250 volunteers of all age groups do nated time to sort and pack winter essentials at Mill Hill United Synagogue last Sunday.

Rabbi Sandor Milun, GIFT’s managing director said: “Our appreciation and grati tude go out to the entire community and all those who have helped bring in thousands of items for the Ukrainian people.”

Volunteer Talia Rowe added: “When a cri sis occurs, everyone just jumps into action. We are now over nine months down the line but GIFT doesn’t let us forget. GIFT makes sure the community rallies around and keeps the kindness going.”

Ukrainian refugees, accommodated by local Jewish families, also had the opportu nity to volunteer for at Mill Hill and showed heartfelt appreciation for GIFT’s work.

GIFT’s appeal in full swing

In advance of the appeal, UCL JSoc as sembled care packages in socially respon sible session led by GIFT’s programmes manager, Shira Joseph.

The charity is supporting the Jewish Relief Network Ukriane in partnership with the Orthodox Union, Chabad UK and United Synagogue.

GIFT volunteering opportunities: volunteer@jgift.org

Yavneh pupils raise £5K for JNF

JNF UK has received £5,000 as part of Yavneh School’s Am Echad Programme.

The DIY volunteering project was selected as a recipient of Yavneh’s Am Echad fundraising initiative. A presenta tion was made at the school’s year nine assembly.

The DIY programme enlists young volunteers to help with JNF UK projects, not only benefitting the recipients, but allowing those involved to engage with communities.

Activities include landscaping parks, renovating kindergartens and schools,

renewing playgrounds and sports grounds, and rejuvenating community centres for youth and senior citizens.

Projects have lasting effects and teach volunteers new skills, build leadership qualities and connections between dif ferent communities who come together to achieve similar goals.

OraRuth Rother, Head of Marketing at JNF UK, thanked pupils. She said: “Be fore the establishment of the Jewish state, people and donations from around the world have been essential to Israel and have helped build the country we know

today. Volunteers and the DIY projects are a key component in the success and future growth of communities in Israel’s peripheries. The donation will change the lives of thousands of people in Israel now, and for future generations.”

“JNF UK is such an important com munity charity, we are grateful for the support we receive from them,” said Spencer Lewis, Yavneh Executive Headteacher.

Yavneh College supported JNF UK as one of three school charities last year. Pupils raised £15,000 in total.

Sean Young after completing his challenge

Rabbi Alan Garber of Shenley Synagogue, Rabbi Alan Plancey, John Hayes, Sarah Marshall and Tony Barter officiated at Shenley’s annual remembrance service last Sunday.

JNF’s Ora Ruth Rother and Yavneh’s Head Spencer Lewis

AJEX ensures Jewish legacy is not forgotten

BY DAVID SAFFER

AJEX ensures the contribution of over 150,000 Jews who served and serve in the British Armed Forces is never forgotten.

The Jewish community will be out in num bers for the annual remembrance parade at The Cenotaph, Whitehall in London on Sunday. CST and the Met Police will be pro viding security.

Aside from the parade AJEX combats an tisemitism through education, provides wel fare for Jewish veterans and their families and works closely with the Armed Forces Jewish community.

But Remembrance Sunday is arguably the biggest event of the year for the community.

“After the major religious festivals, it is probably fair to say that it is,” says Fiona. “Especially with all the engagement with ‘remembrance’ itself in the weeks before. It is a really busy time for us at AJEX.”

She added: “The role of AJEX is to ensure that the Jewish community and wider British society are educated about the centuries of Jewish service to crown and country. Re membrance reflects that contribution.”

How many people are actively involved in AJEX?

“Over 1.500 people were at the parade last year and we hope that the number this year will be similar,” said Fiona. “Through the year we have many active volunteers and are re cruiting new ones as many of our veterans get older. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to help us especially with fundraising and in the office.”

AJEX has changed down the decades. Fio na explained: “The great cohorts of World War II veterans and national servicemen and women sadly diminish every year. But the families of these men and women, sons and daughters, great and great-great grandchil dren, are as committed to AJEX’s role as any veterans. As are those who currently serve, from cadets to generals. The demographic may change but AJEX’s centrality to British Jewish life does not. We remember and hon our the thousands from our community who have served and show our commitment to the society around us.”

Fiona explained the challenges that AJEX faces.

“Like all organisations, we have felt the economic squeeze of recent years so finding new ways to fundraise and new sources of funding is always important,” she said. “As a Jewish organisation, the rise in antisemi tism is of course a major concern too. One of the most spiteful slurs levelled at the Jewish community by antisemites is the accusation of dual loyalty or plain disloyalty to Britain. AJEX stands as a stark and effective reminder of the lie in such bigotry.”

AJEX continues to be inspired by individual stories of Jewish military endeavour. This year marks a number of significant anniversaries. Jack Nissenthall is a hero of the Dieppe Raid in 1942. His bravery and ingenuity helped pave the way to D-Day. Eighty years ago, Tommy Gould won one of three Jewish World War Two Victoria Crosses, he per sonally manhandled a lodged depth charge from his submarine. David Newman won the Military Medal for courage defending a

tiny British outpost during the Battle of El Alamein.

It is also 40 years since the Falklands War, in which Britain’s second youngest casualty, Jewish paratrooper Jason Burt, 17, bravely attended to a wounded comrade at the start of the Battle of Mount Longdon. Burt was later caught by machine gun fire 200 yards further in the advance.

“There are stories of so many amazing men and women who lived ordinary lives and stepped up to protect our way of life and our freedom,” observed Fiona. “I am also inspired by my grandfather Will Polikoff who came down from Southend every year to march in the AJEX Parade.”

AJEX offers grants and financial aid to sup port the welfare needs of veterans and their families.

There is also outreach to vulnerable or isolated veterans through phone calls and visits, educational resources and displays on Jewish military history and AJEX’s con tribution, school visits, speaker programmes and attendance at military events with AJEX standards flying the flag for British Jewish military service.

Regarding the future, with less of the old er generation able to taking part, Fiona is upbeat.

She said: “The Baton of Remembrance will pass on to new generations and include

young and old, whether they have served or not. The appetite in the community for understanding more and more about Jew ish soldiers, sailors and aviators, past and present, remains undiminished. Jewish cadet numbers are growing as are the numbers of Jews joining the regular and reserve forces.

“No military association, whether Jewish or of any other affiliation, can replace the ‘greatest generation’. But such service con tinues and will always require support and recognition.

“The annual parade and ceremony will continue to honour those who have served giving new generations from the community inspiration and pride. Our work will continue all year round, reaffirming our commitment to remembrance, welfare, education and combatting antisemitism.”

Jews have served the British Armed Forces for centuries, numbers were first recorded in the late 1800s.

Of six million men who served in World War I, 50,000 were Jewish. After the war, many met up in ex-service clubs and in 1921 a group of Jewish veterans laid the first wreath at the Cenotaph.

In 1929, with the rise in antisemitism and fascism in Europe, Jewish veterans grew con cerned. A meeting in the East End of London saw the formation of the Jewish Ex-service men’s Legion.

The following year, they organised the first annual Remembrance Parade at Whitehall.

To avoid confusion with the British Legion (now the Royal British Legion) the organisa tion changed its name to the Association of Jewish Ex-servicemen and women in 1936.

Following World War II, when over 70,000 Jews served in the British Armed Forces, the work of AJEX continued in earnest.

The need to provide support to the veteran community and ensure a robust British coun ter to antisemitism was more important. Ac tive education programmes were launched, alongside welfare networks and the annual parade. This work continues today.

The Queen Consort visits the AJEX and Jewish Brigade plots at the opening of The Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey

Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely AJEX’s Brian Bloom and Dan Fox

Fiona Palmer, AJEX, Chief Executive and Deborah Field, AJEX Campaign manager

AJEX Annual Parade

ASK THE RABBI

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

A FAMILY BROIGES

Dear Rabbi

My husband died three years ago and my children have been quarrelling over matters of the will ever since. I have tried to talk sense into them but the arguments are becoming more common and now they’re hardly speaking to each other. I don’t know the extent to which this goes on in other families but it is devastating me and I wonder whether you could respond with something I can have them read.

Larissa

Dear Larissa

There was a movie some years ago called Avalon, about a Jewish family in Baltimore. The family had the custom of eating Thanksgiving dinner together every year. And the uncle who is the oldest had the honour of cutting the turkey. One year the uncle comes late. The family

cuts the turkey. When the uncle arrives and sees what they did, someone else has taken his place and cut the turkey and they didn’t wait for him, he goes ballistic. He storms out and nev er comes back for Thanksgiving dinner again.

And then, near the end of the picture, one of the brothers dies, and the uncle, now considerably older and walking on a cane, comes to the funeral. And when the body is lowered into the ground, he weeps inconsolably, refusing to be comforted, and says in a plaintive voice: “Who am I going to fight with now?”

I bet that if I asked how many readers are on the outs with their children, or with siblings, or parents, in-laws etc. the response would be quite overwhelming.

Sometimes the rifts in families are so bad that even a funeral does not bring them together. I got a call to officiate at a funeral. When I asked to meet with the

And finally, “I’m sorry, Rabbi, but you can’t meet with them.” When I asked why, I was told, “Because the boys are on the outs with each other. They have been angry with each other for years, and they will not be in the same room with one another.”

In another instance (and this happened more than once) I got a call: “Rabbi, are you allowed to have two stone-settings?” At first, I didn’t understand the question. According to Jewish law, you don’t really have to have even one stone-setting. But I asked why they wanted two, and the woman explained, “We aren’t speaking to each other. We’re in court fighting over the inheritance. And so we don’t want to stand near each other. Could we please have two stone-settings?”

Quick as a flash I made up a brand new Jewish tradition. I said that you are not allowed to have even one stone-setting unless all the children are there

made their peace, and then we did the stone-setting.

Kabbala makes the following observation: What is the dif ference between children and adults? Children don’t harbour grudges. They may declare with all sincerity, “I hate you Mom my,” and mean it in the moment. But fifteen minutes later they’re hugging you and declaring their love once more.

An adult, on the other hand, carries resentment for years and sometimes even a lifetime with out forgetting and without for giving. When an adult says I will not talk to you again, you can be rest assured that five years later they are not on speaking terms. Why the difference? Why do immature children let go of grudges and supposedly mature adults harbour grudges? The answer is this: Children choose being happy over bring right; adults choose being right over being happy.

How utterly sad if not pathetic is it when people behave in that sort of way and their egos are more important to them than their own relationships. They’ll have all the justifications in the

world and they may in fact be a hundred percent in the right, but is that really what matters at the end of the day – who was right? Regardless of what people think, you cannot live your life fully when you are estranged from people who are essentially connected to you. In G-d’s world that’s not the way it is supposed to be, not with anyone, let alone family. So tell your kids to park their egos and deal with their problems in a mature way. It’s what your husband would want, it’s what you want, it’s what G-d wants and frankly, deep down, it’s what they want as well.

Follow Rabbi Schochet at: RabbiSchochet.com Twitter: @RabbiYYS

Be inspired and illuminated by the details of Avraham Avinu's ten nisyonos, his ten triumphs. And be amazed by true stories of our fellow Jews, who so courageously and faithfully follow his holy path.

by Nachman Schachter

Feel His Warmth and Love. Experience His Ahavas HaTorah. Listen to Rav Nosson Tzvi Once Again.

Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel’s talmidim fondly recall the special atmosphere of the Mirrer rosh yeshivah’s Erev Shabbos shmuessen when, with his trademark smile and delight in Torah, he would share thoughts on the parashah and personal insights on life.

Now, these shmuessen have been carefully chosen and adapted for print.

Torah from Israel

Chayei Sarah: Has Judaism become too easy?

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN

A few years ago, an Orthodox woman penned a New York Times article advocat ing the virtues of Shabbat observance to a general, non-Jewish public. The author por trayed Shabbat as a twenty-four-hour oasis of serenity within our noisy and boisterous modern world. Shabbat provided down time to reconnect with our inner self, our families, and our community. Unplugging from a wired and hyper-stimulated culture, it preserves our sanity and our emotional well-being. Portraying Shabbat as a solu tion to the maladies of modernity, allowed even a non-Jewish audience to appreciate its beauty.

Though the author was portraying Shabbat experience, she could just as easily have been describing many other aspects of religion. Thankfully, religion and religious practice have become easier and more comfortable than in the past. On a practical level, it has never been easier to practice religion but, even more significantly, we have framed religion as an experience which benefits us and improves our lives. We embrace religion because it delivers meaning and purpose to our lives and because it imbues us with values and vision. We endorse religion and pitch it to others because we it crafts the best version of ourselves.

There is a different way to view religion. When Avraham dispatches his servant to secure a wife for Yitzchak, he requests an oath from his servant to faithfully execute the mission. To convey his seriousness Avraham places his servant’s hand upon his leg near the area of his brit milah. At the brittle age of ninety-nine Avraham had submitted to an extremely painful surgery without the benefits of anesthesia. By placing his servant’s hand close to his scar, Avraham associates the oath and the mission with his painful suffering.

His milah was painful, but it was also transformative and foundational to his identity. Anchoring the oath to this arduous experience lent gravitas to the oath and urgency to the mission.

A parallel scene unfolded thousands of years later involving Rebbi Akiva, one of the greatest Talmudic scholars. Born into igno rance, he spent the first forty years of his life as an illiterate peasant. One day he passed a waterway and witnessed the rushing water sculpting surrounding stones. Surprised that soft water could mold solid stone, he extrapolated that Torah study and religious observance, which are each extremely demanding, would powerfully forge his identity. Rabbi Akiva didn’t flinch in the face of religious challenge, but embraced it,

knowing that the impact of an experience is always directly related to the degree of difficulty and hardship. The more we strain and struggle in religion the more deeply it shapes our identity.

Avraham and Rabbi Akiva didn’t view religion as beneficial or enjoyable, but as challenging and demanding. As my revered teacher, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein formu lated “ religion demands having shoulders strong enough to bear the weight of religion without being crushed by it”. Religion is meant to be pleasant and agreeable, but also to be heavy and burdensome. It is crucial to delicately calibrate between these opposing perspectives of religion. Too easy, and religion becomes superficial and doesn’t touch our souls. Too heavy and reli gion suffocates life and crushes our spirit.

How did we get to the point that we predominately view religion as easy and beneficial, rather than as a strenuous challenge to serve a higher being? How did religion become soft, less heavy, and, by extension, less transformative?

A WORLD OF COMFORT

Firstly, religion has been adapted to our modern world of convenience. Science, technology, and capitalism have all improved our living conditions, vastly upgrading our quality of life. Life used to be difficult, but it has become significantly more comfortable and enjoyable. Without adapting our attitude about religion, it may have become completely severed from our reality. By altering our perspective and even our religious language we preserved its relevance, but we also emulsified religion, smoothing out its rough edges and elimi nating any prickly thorns. This transforma tion of religion may have been necessary to update it to our new world of comfort, but, like every adaptation, it carried steep and unforeseen costs.

Shabbat observance is a perfect example of how religion has become more “silky”, based on the general improvements in our quality of life. Previous generations endured austere shabbat experiences with limited physical pleasure. Their shabbat home environment was cold and dark, their food was cold, and their mobility was limited. Due to electricity, modern heating, shabbat clocks, and ubiquitous eiruvs, our shabbat experience has become luxurious, with almost no drop off from our general weekday routine. Shabbat is a perfect microcosm for how religious practice has become more comfortable, matching the staggering improvements in our quality of life.

The improvements to Shabbat are obvi ously positive and necessary developments,

but they threaten the spiritual flavor and tone of Shabbat. Shabbat is more than just family time and more than just a day to relax, play board games and reconnect over coffee. It is a day to shutdown and recall creation, Exodus and Jewish covenant. Without actual shutdown it is difficult to latch on to those large and seminal ideas.

MOVING FROM THE HOLOCAUST

Additionally, there is a historical element behind this shift in how we frame religion. Two major Jewish historical events of the 20th century contributed to this reconfigu ration of religion. The post-Holocaust world was a gloomy world of death and dark ness. In the aftermath of this apocalypse, Hashem appeared very distant and very imposing. Many were left with lingering questions about a G-d who could allow mass genocide against His chosen people. Many who couldn’t relate to this frighten ing G-d left religion entirely. For those who remained, religious life felt heavy and im posing. The popular Yiddish phrase “shver zu zein a yid” or “it is difficult to be a Jew” captured the pervasive mood impression that religion was overbearing. Judaism was in dire need of an attitudinal overhaul.

Gradually, a younger and more reli giously confident generation, which hadn’t suffered the agony of the Holocaust began to define Hashem in more welcoming and cheery terms. He was no longer seen as austere and forbidding, but as user-friendly and loving. The emotional core of religion shifted from fear and trembling to joy and celebration. Hashem became less intimi dating, less demanding, and more accom modating and helpful. Hashem went from being our Father in heaven to being our Grandfather in heaven. No one is afraid of their grandfather.

This shift was absolutely necessary to

restore faith and rebuild religious experi ence in the wake of the Holocaust, but it created a lopsided view of Hashem and an imbalanced attitude toward religion. Religion has become a platform of oppor tunity rather than a regimen of expectation and duty.

THE SUN SHINES IN ISRAEL

Our return to the modern state of israel has also reworked our image of Hashem. The tables of history have turned and, for the first time in thousands of years, we sense that Hashem is smiling upon us rather than hiding from us. Living through euphoric miracles we can’t help but feel that we are partnering with Hashem in crafting modern history. This sense of partnership has bred optimism, lending a cheery confidence to religion. Eighty years after the Holocaust and seventy-five years into statehood, religion is broadcast in a very different frequency. The sun has risen above Jewish history and its bright rays have made religion glow.

All these developments are fortunate and have fastened religion to our ever-changing world. These changes have made religion more vibrant, more joyful, and more pop ular than ever. However, we mustn’t let the overall balance go awry. Judaism isn’t just bagels and lox and lovely family gatherings.

It is a stretch to reach heaven, a thrust to encounter the Other and journey beyond our world. In our efforts to affix religion to our new world we cannot ground it and eliminate its struggle, its power, or its glory.

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

Aseres Hadibros: Engrave Them on Your Soul

BY RABBI SHMUEL REICHMAN

The Aseres Hadi bros are an expres sion of the oneness of Torah and the root of our connec tion to Hashem in this world. As we mentioned in our previ ous article, there is a powerful connection between the specific commandments on each side as well. Each individual dibrah on the right parallels the corresponding dibrah on the left. Together, they make up a unified whole of connection to both Hashem and one’s fellow man. While we already explained the unique connection between the first four pairs of dibros, we still need to understand the deep and unique connection between the last pair.

KIBUD AV VA’EIM AND LO SACHMOD

Before comparing the last two dibros, we must first address an apparent problem with one of them. Kibud av va’eim, the commandment to honor one’s parents, is the fifth commandment, the last of those on the right side of the Luchos. However, the right side of the Luchos is reserved for mitzvos bein adam laMakom, and while it may not always seem so, parents are human too. Why, then, is the mitzvah of honoring one’s parents included on the right side of the Luchos?

The right side of the Luchos contains the mitzvos bein adam laMakom, but the deeper theme of the right side is mitzvos between man and his source (bein adam la’Makor). The first four are bein Adam laMakom, between man and his ultimate source, while the fifth, kibud av va’eim, is between man and his more immediate source, his parents. This juxtaposition reveals a deep connection between these mitzvos: The first step toward tracing oneself back to Hashem is recognizing that I am not my own creator, that I have a source. Kibud av va’eim is the first step toward doing so. Recognizing our parents as our source is the first step in tracing ourselves back to our ancestors, then to Avraham, then to Noach, eventually all the way back to Adam HaRishon, until finally we get back to Hashem Himself. In doing so, we trace our individual exist ence back to Hashem’s creation of the world itself. Kibud av va’eim is therefore the perfect transition between bein adam laMakom and bein adam le’chaveiro, as this mitzvah serves as the springboard for the connection between you and Hashem. Recognizing that someone cre ated us helps train us to source everything in our lives back to Hashem. This is deeply connected to the concept of hakaras ha’tov. While literally translated as recognizing the good, hakaras ha’tov actually refers to one’s ability to recognize where things come from, sourcing things back to their original root. The mitzvah of kibud av va’eim is essentially the paradig matic mitzvah of hakaras ha’tov, recogniz ing where one’s existence comes from. After clarifying why kibud av va’eim is

on the right side of the Luchos, we must now explain its connection to the pro hibition against jealousy — lo sachmod. While some consider the prohibition of lo sachmod to only be transgressed when one acts upon their thoughts of jealousy, many consider even the thoughts and feelings of jealousy themselves as a violation of this prohibition. (Accord ing to the Sefer Hachinuch and several other opinions, even thoughts of jealousy violate the prohibition of lo sachmod, even if one does not act on these thoughts (38, 416). Even the Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Gezeilah 1:9), who suggests that one only violates the prohibition of lo sachmod if they act on their thoughts and force the owner to give or sell them that which they covet, still thinks that the act is simply a way to quantify the degree to which one had the illicit thoughts and desires of jealousy. In other words, the act is a retroactive revelation of how bad the jealousy truly was.) How is it possible for us to avoid these thoughts? Given the assumption that we have free will over our thoughts, how are we expected to over come the urge of jealousy?

Each one of us is entrusted with a unique mission in this world, and Hashem gives each of us the unique talents, skills, and drives that we need in order to fulfill that mission. Hashem is our Source, and therefore the Source of everything we have; every aspect of our life was designed specifically for us. When we understand that every single aspect of our life is given to us in order to help us fulfill our unique purpose, what another person has becomes irrelevant, and jealousy becomes nonsensical. Nothing that somebody else has is necessary for your mission, and you are the only person who is able to fulfill your unique purpose. Hashem not only gave you your mission but also gave you all the tools you need to achieve your purpose in this world. Instill ing this understanding in ourselves allows us to live without any feelings of jealousy,

as our full focus becomes directed toward maximizing our time in this world to fulfill our unique potential.

Aside from being jealous of other people’s possessions or circumstances, there is a tendency to be jealous of other people’s successes and achievements. However, the same principle applies here: nobody else’s successes affect ours, nor should it diminish our self-worth. We are all part of one nation, one people, one team. There is no room for jealousy when we are all working toward a shared mis sion; on the contrary, we should celebrate each other’s victories as our own! For example, one’s ear would never be jealous of their nose, as they are both parts of the same body. At root, they want what is best for the body, for the collective self. If we viewed ourselves as limbs of the body of Klal Yisrael, we would never be jealous of our fellow Jew.

This is what kibud av va’eim teaches us: the importance of tracing everything in our life back to its source, to Hashem. When we realize that our entire existence in this world, and all of the circumstances and challenges that we face come from Hashem, there is no place for jealousy, as Hashem has given each of us the exact tools we need to succeed in our mission.

ENGRAVE THEM ON YOUR HEART

When we picture the Luchos, we instinc tively conjure up an image of two rounded tablets. However, the Gemara explicitly states that the Luchos were cubic or rec tangular. If so, why does almost every shul depict the Luchos with two rounded tops, as an almost heart-shaped figure? (There are, of course, practical suggestions, including those who suggest that this custom is, in fact, a mistake and is based on non-Jewish artwork.)

Perhaps the depth behind this is that the Luchos are intrinsically connected to the heart. The Aseres Hadibros are the heart of the Torah, and we are told to engrave them into our hearts, “Kasvem al

luach libecha” (Mishlei 7:3).

This idea touches upon the unique nature of the Luchos and how they were written. There are four possible ways to record an idea in writing:

• The first is to use an adhesive, such as glue, paste, or tape, to attach the message to the medium. This is the weakest form of writing, as the message remains separate from the medium and can easily be erased or removed.

• The second is to use ink on paper. In this case, the message is not as easily removed, as the message is more con nected to the medium itself. However, the ink still remains on the surface of the paper, separate from the medium (the paper). It is the very contrast be tween the ink and the blank paper that allows you to understand the message.

• The third is to engrave the message into the medium itself. As such, the message becomes part of the medium and cannot be erased.

• However, there is a deeper form of writing, which is to bore the message completely through the medium, whereby the message becomes one with the medium itself.

This fourth level is how the Luchos were written. The pasuk says that the letters of the Luchos were engraved through the stone and could miraculously be read both on the front and the back of the tablets (Shemos 32:15). Chazal discuss the miraculous way in which letters such as the samech and mem-sofis both had inner pieces that floated in the air, discon nected from any other part of the stone. This is the deep message of the Luchos. We must engrave their words onto our hearts; we must become one with the medium; we must become one with these mitzvos. We cannot simply perform the mitzvos; we must become the mitzvos. May we be inspired to fully embrace the inner depth of the Aseres Hadibros and merit to fulfill the directive of “Kasvem al luach libecha.”

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

Being Chosen Weekly Dvar Torah

BY RABBI MENACHEM LEIBTAG

Yichus (family lineage) has always been an important consideration when selecting one’s spouse. Nevertheless, Avraham’s insistence that his ‘chosen’ son specifically marry a descendant of his brother Nachor requires explanation.

Each significant stage in Sefer Bereishit begins with the opening phrase “eileh toldot…” (or similar). These toldot (gene alogies) serve as the ‘skeleton’ that helps form the structure of the entire Sefer. With in these toldot unfolds the story of G-d’s hashgacha (providence) over Creation and the history of mankind, most notably G-d’s choosing of Avraham Avinu to become the forefather of His special nation.

However, there are two very special sets of toldot that thematically divide Sefer Bereishit into two halves. Each ‘half’ begins with a detailed listing of “ten gen erations” – 5:1–32 (Adam to Noach) and 11:10–26 (Shem to Terach), respectively. This structural parallel extends beyond the similarity of the ten generations in each

FROM ERETZ YISRAEL

unit, for at the conclusion of each list – the final family, i.e. the families of Noach and Terach – bear remarkable resemblance to one another:

Toldot Adam concludes with Noach, after which we find toldot Noach, i.e. the story of his 3 sons, Shem, Cham and Yefet. (See 5:28–32; 6:9)

Toldot Shem concludes with Terach, after which we find toldot Terach, i.e. the story of his 3 sons Avram, Nachor and Haran. (See 11:24–26; 11:27)

Furthermore, the sons of both Noach and Terach receive either a blessing or curse:

Avraham, like Shem, is blessed with the privilege of representing G-d. Haran’s son, Lot, like Cham’s son Canaan, is cursed. Nachor’s offspring Rivka, Rachel and Leah return to ‘dwell within the tent’ of the chil dren of Avraham, just as Yefet is destined to dwell within the ‘tent of Shem’.

For our purposes here, the parallel itself calls our attention to the significance of toldot Terach.

To our surprise, at the precise spot

Chayei Sarah Sidra Summary

1ST ALIYA (KOHEN) – BEREISHIT 23:1-16

Sarah dies aged 127, in Kiryat Arba, also known as Hebron. After eulogising Sarah, Avraham negotiates with the head of the local Hittites, Efron, in order to purchase a burial plot for Sarah, Me’arat (Cave of) Hamachpela. They agree a price of 400 silver shekels.

Point to Consider: In what way does the spelling of Efron’s name hint at his greed?

(see Rashi to 23:15)

2ND ALIYA (LEVI) – 23:17-24:9

Avraham buries Sarah. Avraham asks his servant (understood to be) Eliezer to seek a wife for his son Yitzchak, making him take an oath only to select a girl from Avraham’s birth town, Charan, rather than from Cana’an. Avraham also insists

that Yitzchak’s future bride must agree to leave her home to come to the Land of Cana’an (later Israel), rather than Yitzchak going to live in Charan.

3RD ALIYA (SHLISHI) – 24:10-26

Eliezer sets out on his journey, with ten camels and presents from Avraham. Towards the evening, Eliezer arrives at a well, close to his destination, where he rests the camels. He prays to G-d to show him a clear sign of the identity of Yitzchak’s future bride: the young lady who would offer water to Eliezer and his camels. As he finishes his prayer, Rivkah appears, with a jug on her shoulder, from which, after drawing water from the well, she gives Eliezer to drink. She then draws water for all of his camels to drink. Eliezer gives her jewellery and asks her who she is. Rivkah relates that she is the daughter of Betuel, Avraham’s nephew. She grants Eliezer his request for a place to sleep.

4TH ALIYA (REVI’I) – 24:27-52

Eliezer is amazed that his prayers were answered so quickly and exclaims thanks

where we would expect to find a unit beginning with toldot Avraham, we find instead a unit that begins with toldot Terach. This alone already hints to the fact that there must be something special about Terach.

Avraham makes a point of selecting a daughter-in-law specifically from the family of his brother, Nachor, thus bring ing the history of toldot Terach full circle. Apparently, all of Terach’s offspring have potential for bechira. Therefore, if Yitzchak is to be married, his wife should be chosen from the family in which this potential lies.

What was so special about Terach that he ‘deserves’ his own toldot? It is really hard to say, as the Torah tells us so little about him.

On the one hand, Sefer Yehoshua intro duces Nachor as a card-carrying idolater (Yehoshua 24:2). Yet, as the end of Parshat Noach teaches us, Terach was the first person to recognize the spiritual impor tance of Eretz Canaan. He set out to ‘make Aliyah’ even before Hashem commanded Avraham to do so (see 11:31).

We may suggest, however, that Terach and his offspring may represent a differ ent aspect of the bechira process – the potential to be chosen if worthy. Terach’s initiative in this regard may have granted

the possibility of becoming part of the ‘chosen family’ to any of his offspring who prove themselves deserving of this distinction.

Avraham Avinu not only follows his father’s lead and continues to Eretz Canaan, but also faithfully follows G-d’s command throughout. He then becomes the progenitor of G-d’s special nation.

Nachor, however, stays behind. Lot (Ha ran’s son) had the opportunity to remain with Avraham, but detaches himself by choosing the ‘good life’ in Kikar HaYarden. However, Nachor’s granddaughter, Rivka, and great-granddaughters, Rachel and Leah, prove themselves worthy of joining the distinctive nation, and work their way back into the family of Avraham.

Even though the bechira process may appear random and indiscriminate, the framework of toldot Terach may reflect the importance of personal commitment in earning that bechira.

For a longer version of this article, see www.tanach.org.

Rabbi Menachem Leibtag is an internation ally acclaimed Tanach scholar and online Jewish education pioneer. He is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau (www. mizrachi.org/speakers).

23:19)

to G-d. Rivkah runs home to tell her fami ly what has happened. On seeing Eliezer’s gifts to Rivkah, her brother Lavan runs out to greet him and welcomes him in. Eliezer introduces himself and recounts the story of his journey. He asks permis sion to take Rivkah as a wife for Yitzchak. Lavan and Betuel agree.

5TH ALIYA (CHAMISHI) – 24:53-67

Eliezer gives more jewellery, as well as gold and silver vessels, to Rivkah. He gives her family delicious fruit (Rashi). They eat and drink together, and Eliezer stays overnight. The next morning, Lavan and his mother ask for Rivkah to stay with them longer before leaving. Eliezer is insistent and Rivkah agrees to go immediately. Rivkah meets Yitzchak in the Negev, where he brings her into his mother Sarah’s tent.

6TH ALIYA (SHISHI) – 25:1-11

Avraham marries Ketura, whom the Midrash identifies as Hagar. Their descendants are listed. Avraham dies, aged 175. He is buried by Yitzchak and Yishmael, also in Me’arat Hamachpela, next to Sarah.

7TH ALIYA (SHEVI’I) – 25:12-18

Yishmael’s descendants are listed. He dies, aged 137.

HAFTARAH

This section of the Book of Melachim (Kings) relates the attempt by Adoniyah, the older son of King David, to establish himself as David’s successor. Queen Batsheva and Natan the Prophet manage to foil this plot, by warning King David, who reasserts his younger son Shlomo’s (Solomon) right to succeed him.

“And afterwards Avraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah facing Mamre, which is Hebron” (Bereishit

Another delicious recipe for from Denise Phillips

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

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Vegetarian Cholent

This recipe uses a mix of beans, lentils and red rice. The colourful combination of root vegetables will enhance the ‘brown’ appearance which is typical of the traditional cho lent recipes. This is delicious and much lighter than the typical meat or chicken cholent – so don’t be surprised if people ask for seconds and thirds. Just omit the eggs for a vegan cholent.

NB: The dried beans need to soak in advance and you will also need the use of a slow cooker, an oven safe sauce pan or Shabbat hot plate that is safe to leave on all night.

Like all stews, the cholent also tastes very good reheated. Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for two to three days.

Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 12 hours – overnight Serves: 8

Ingredients

75g dried chick beans

75g dried red kidney beans

75 dried cannellini beans ~

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 large red onions – peeled and sliced into large pieces

1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds

2 tablespoons whole cumin seeds

2 tablespoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon pareve chicken/ vegetable stock ~

150g green lentils

200g butternut squash – peeled and cut into large batons

200g red rice

4 cloves garlic – skins left on

4 large tomatoes

6 eggs in shell – washed – omit to make vegan!

Garnish: sprigs of parsley

The Cost Of Cooking ...

BY DENISE PHILLIPS

The big squeeze will affect all of us in some way, but it is most noticeable in supermarkets with prices of some staple items rising by an average of 15% (source ONS Oct22). But let us also not forget the cost of actually cooking that food. Here are my thoughts for taking the doom out of the gloom of rising energy costs.

Tips for Cooking More With Less Energy

• Defrost frozen food in the fridge overnight – it reduc es the cooking time or the need for a microwave to help defrost.

• Put the Kettle on – It’s quick and efficient, but we often boil too much water. Save money and energy by boiling only what you need next time you want a cup of tea.

• Use your slow cooker – They are among the most energy efficient appliances as they use very little energy and are a great way to have a hot dinner ready when you walk in the door.

• Batch Cook – The oven is a big energy user, so it’s best to make the most of it when you turn it on. Make more than you need – put the extras in the fridge or freeze them to eat when you want.

• Keep the Oven Door Shut – every time you open the oven door you may lose up to 25°.

Make sure you know how long it takes to cook your dishes.

• Turn off the oven early – Turn the oven off 10 minutes before the food is cooked as the oven temperature will remain the same and will still cook without using more energy.

• Always cook with a saucepan lid – it’s quicker and uses less energy

• Pick the right saucepan for the amount of food being cooked – it saves energy.

• And the go to energy saving appliance right now is an Air Fryer!

This week’s recipe: Vegetarian Cholent

Method

1) Soak the beans in cold water for 5 – 8 hours, rinse several times and then drain.

2) Heat a large saucepan with vegetable oil.

3) Pan fry the onions, coriander, cumin and smoked paprika.

4) Transfer to an ovenware dish or crockpot.

5) Stir in the beans, salt, lentils butternut squash, rice, garlic, tomatoes.

6) Add water to cover plus 400ml.

7) Sit the eggs inside the mixture.

8) Cook tightly covered and bake at 100C for at least 12 hours or overnight.

When ready to serve, dig out the eggs, shell them and slice in quarters.

Garnish with sprigs of parsley to lift the final brown appearance.

Our great-great (etc…) grandmother Sarah, passes away after living a full life, at the ripe old age of 127! Years later, Queen Esther was to rule over 127 states in Sarah’s merit.

Avraham then has to deal with a man who is a bit of a swindler, who begins by offering him a place to bury his wife free of charge, then “graciously” accepts 400 silver coins, a princely sum. Its now time for Yitzchok to look for a wife. Not just any woman from Canaan, and also not from Eliezer’s family. It must come from Avraham’s family. So off goes trusted Eliezer to the home of Uncle Besuel. Having prayed to be sent the right person he meets Besuel’s daughter Rivka, who offers to draw water from the well. Well, not only for Eliezer, but also for his ten thirsty camels. Wow! This girl must be some relation of Avraham and is truly worthy of being a princess!

Eliezer then gives Rivka a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets. When her brother Lavan, sees what she’s adorned in, he excitedly runs towards the guest and welcomes him into the house.

Eliezer tells the whole story of his master’s blessings and how he would like to take Rivka as a wife for his heir, Yitzchak.

Eliezer and Rivka travel back and land in the field where Yitzchak is praying Mincha. To this day, we daven Mincha each day thanks to Yitzchok. Shacharis was started by Avraham. Guess who started Maariv?

Avraham dies at 175 and is buried next to his wife in Me’arat Hamachpeila.

Tangram Challenge!

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

Word Wheel

The goal of a word wheel puzzle is to create as many words possible with the letters in the word wheel. Each word must contain at least three letters. You can only use each letter once and every word must have the letter in the centre of the wheel.

t

Last week’s words: Here are some words you may have found from last week - you may have found more!

Use this area to write the words you have found. his ins its set she shy sin

sit sty yes gets gins gist hens

hies hist hits nest nets nits sent

RESPECTING

shin sigh sign sine sing site tens

this ties tins yens gents hints inset

shine shiny sight singe stein sting thins

tines eights hinges ingest neighs nights shying

signet stingy things tinges ignites insight hygienist

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EXPERT ADVICE

Dear Jacob

It seems nowadays, that everyone is talking about cryptocurrency! What should I know about investing in cryptocurrency and whether my money is safe if something goes wrong?

Solomon Hi Solomon

I would like to begin by advising that I am not in a position to advise whether or not one should invest in Cryptocurrency. You should note that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned investors not to invest unless they are prepared to lose all of their capital invested. Nonetheless I will provide you with a few very key factors you may wish to be mindful of:

• No Consumer Protection - Although a recent vote in Parlia ment voted in favour of adding crypto to the scope of activities regulated via the proposed Financial Services and Markets Bill, this has not yet been concluded and there is therefore no consumer protection for those investing in or holding crypto assets. They are not protected by the Financial Ser vices Compensation Scheme if anything goes wrong and are outside of the jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if they wanted to make a complaint.

• Unregulated Trading Platforms/Exchanges – Cryptocurrencies’ popularity has resulted in an increase in the number of exchanges and trading platforms, but due to the lack of regulation, there are a number of scam exchanges that may take advantage of consumers. Others may have weak security, making it easier for scammers to steal your money without a trace or any way for you to get your money back.

• Digital Theft/Loss – Cryptocurrencies are stored in crypto wallets, either online through a crypto exchange or wallet provider, or offline in storage devices like hard drives. Online wallets are popular targets for cybercriminals (more than £12 billion was stolen worldwide in 2021), and offline wallets are accessed with digital keys, which if lost, means you can no longer access the contents and will have lost all of your funds.

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Paperlite Paperweight Perspective

BY MARIANE KLINGER, MANAGER, PAPERLITE

Launched in 2010, Paperweight’s aim was to to provide practical guidance and support in a variety of legal, financial and bureau cratic matters, to those in crisis in the Jew ish community. Thus, lifting the weight from our clients’ shoulders and give them the confidence to carry on.

However, over a time, our experience has shown that for a variety of reasons, there are those who although not any specific crisis, would greatly benefit from longer term assistance. Those who are finding the regular administrative tasks insurmountable, leading to unwelcome, additional pressure and intrusion in what can feel like a bureaucratic and imperson al world.

Paperlite was introduced for people who need that little extra light-touch help on a regular, long-term basis. Just £25 charitable donation (waived if you are in receipt of a means-tested benefit), will

cover a 1.5 hours monthly maintenance visit.

Designated caseworkers visit clients on a monthly basis to:

• ensure your health and welfare ap pointments are up to date

• discuss any issues and provide a listening ear

• check all post is opened and dealt with as appropriate

• ensure that all regular payments are up to date

• check all utility accounts

• Help with exploring the best deals via comparison websites to ensure they have the best energy, broadband, insurance etc. deals and help switch suppliers if necessary.

Paperlite clients are generally not in a crisis situation but feel overwhelmed by paperwork and want an ongoing and reg ular friendly, helping hand to stop their household administration and related matters from getting out of control.

In many relationships, one partner often takes responsibility for handling the finances and general household bureau cracy, and when they are no longer in a position to take on this role, the remaining partner may be left feeling very anxious and overwhelmed. Which in turn can lead to real physical and mental ill health. Paperlite’s unique programme can relieve all of this.

A call to Paperweight’s Helpline so that details can be taken will ensure that a

caseworker is assigned. The caseworker will arrange to visit the client in their home at a mutually convenient time, to talk through all the various papers and worries. In return the client immediately feels relaxed and at ease, knowing that they have someone by their side to help them every step of the way. Over a time, they will get to know one another and the Paperlite service will prove invaluable.

We are able to provide in-person meet ings across much of London, Manchester and Gateshead, and anywhere in the UK over Zoom. Our clients range in age from their 20s to their 90s and all have found themselves in circumstances beyond their control and unable to cope with life’s daily ups and downs, particularly where organising their domestic affairs is concerned. Paperweight and Paperlite offer time, guidance, confidentiality, expe rience and a good deal of common sense. We will also endeavour to teach them how to navigate their way through the bureau cratic maze. We will steer our clients and give them the confidence to carry on with their lives.

How precious is that!

Our clients range in age from their 20s to their 90s and all have found themselves in circumstances beyond their control and unable to cope with life’s daily ups and downs.

LSJS Education Page

class came to the first session.

BY MICHAEL RAINSBURY

Are teachers there to teach the subject, or to be a role model? This age-old question cuts to the heart of Jewish education and its goals. Is the aim of a Jewish school to provide role models for living a Jew ish life, or is it for students to emerge with a body of content knowledge and understanding?

As an educator, I have been on a jour ney of discovery throughout my career trying to answer this question. It informs how one should spend one’s time, what goes into a curriculum and the types of lessons or sessions that I teach.

And yet one moment in my career sticks out more than others as my answer to this question. I was a teacher in a Jew ish school, and I developed a particularly close relationship with a certain Year 10 Jewish Studies class. I felt that we could take our learning further if we had more time together, so I suggested to the class the idea of a weekly Lunch & Learn. The students were keen and a majority of the

Of all the challenges of organising an event, such as budget and logistics, I did not spend much time on deciding what I would teach. I wanted to share a powerful Torah idea about Jewish responsibility.

I felt that they would be receptive to the idea, enjoy the learning process, and it would set the tone for future sessions. And so, this is what I taught at the first session.

As the session went on, I noticed a

distinct lack of enthusiasm from the stu dents, which was then followed by hardly anyone turning up to the follow-up Lunch and Learn. I took one of the students aside and asked him why people didn’t enjoy it. His honest and heartfelt reply has stayed with me ever since: “We don’t want another Jewish Studies lesson – we want you, Sir”.

It was a turning point for me. Yes, there was more that we could learn together if only we had the time. But it was clear

what students wanted. They understood that the Jewish Studies teachers repre sented an ethos with which they strug gled with, and in some ways aspired to. And it was this that formed the core of my relationship with the class going forward. Future Lunch and Learns consisted of informal questions and answers about what it means to live a Jewish life – and most of the class once again attended. They may not have consisted of formal teaching, but the relationships developed outlasted the end of the class, and hope fully inspired the students in their future Jewish lives.

Abraham Joshua Heschel said, “It is the personality of the teacher which is the text that the pupils read; the text that they will never forget.” It was a lesson I am not able to forget too.

Michael Rainsbury, Head of Adult Edu cation at LSJS. For more information on LSJS teacher training courses and Jewish Education degrees visit www.lsjs.ac.uk