The Jewish Weekly Issue 252 - October 6th

Bibi hospitalised after collapsing on Yom Kippur

BY DAVID SAFFER

Former Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been released from hospital after reportedly collapsing during Neilah on Yom Kippur.

The opposition leader is said to have suffered chest pains at the Great Synagogue in Jeru salem. Tests at the shul were normal but Netanyahu, 72, un derwent further tests at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, includ ing a CT scan, and was kept in for observation in the hospital's intensive care unit.

He has returned to a “full schedule” of work according to his office. “After undergo ing medical tests, he was found

years.

No announcement has been made yet to confirm if Netan yahu will lead Likud’s election campaign.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid sent a message to Netanyahu for a “speedy and complete recovery”.

Netanyahu’s office issued a statement last night that Netan yahu “felt unwell while praying at synagogue”. Tests came back normal but would undergo fur ther examination “to remove any doubt”.

Tehillim for esteemed rabbis

The Badatz Beth Din called for Te hillim for Harav Moshe Sternbuch on Erev Yom Kippur.

The rabbinic leader is receiv ing 24-hour medical treatment at home. A letter requested every one work to “tear open shaarei shamayim to achieve the gaon’s refuah sheleima”.

HaRav Sternbuch was hospi talised in June where he had a pacemaker successfully fitted. Tehillim are also being said for HaGaon Rabbi Shimon Abdani of the Shas Council of Torah Sages who is being treated for pneumo nia at ‘Ma’eini HaYeshua’ hospital in Bnei Barak.

Rabbi Abdani, 95, was hospi talised last Shabbat night. He did not stay at Purat Yosef Yeshiva in the Old City for Yom Kippur for the first time.

Harav Moshe Sternbuch and HaGaon Rabbi Shimon Abdani

Football Australia blasts Nazi salutes at cup final

BY DAVID SAFFER

Football Australia have vowed to swiftly act after a “small number” of Sydney Unit ed 58 fans performed Nazi salutes at the Australia Cup final at CommBank Stadium last weekend.

A section of fans also jeered as Erin Wilkins sang Welcome to Country, a re spectful practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Over 16,460 fans attended the clash be tween Sydney and Macarthur FC, who won 2-0, at the weekend. Underdogs Sydney play in the NSW National Premier League and were the first non A-League team to reach the final. Footage caught Sydney sup porters making the Nazi salutes.

FA blasted the supporters in a statement and said “strong and swift action” would be taken.

“Football Australia acknowledges and strongly condemns the actions of a small minority of individuals who engaged in be haviour that is not consistent with Football Australia’s values and wider community expectations,” a statement read. “Football Australia took steps during the match to address some isolated behaviours by a small minority of individuals, including facilitating the evictions of eight people.

Football Australia is today assessing all footage and images available of certain individuals which are of concern to our organisation and the broader Australian football community, including the display ing of the “Hitler salute.”

“Football Australia is working closely with the management of CommBank Sta dium and NSW Police to determine strong and swift action on any identified anti-so cial behaviour, which may also be deemed as illegal in the state of NSW.”

The statement added, “Football Australia has been in direct communication with Erin Wilkins during and since the match and will continue to receive hers and the Football Australia National Indigenous Ad visory Group’s guidance on this matter,” a statement read.

“Football Australia will not let the actions of a few cast a shadow over our great game, which is loved by millions across Australia. Football Australia will be holding discus sions with Sydney United 58 FC about the behaviour of certain fans, which could lead to both individual and club sanctions.”

Sydney United 58 in a statement said it had “zero tolerance” towards any form of disrespect, racism or discrimination.

The club added that it was working with authorities in a “full” investigation.

Sydney’s board said, "The club is deeply committed to creating an environment that is respectful and inclusive, which allows our community members to celebrate their heritage in a meaningful and responsible way. Those that do not align themselves with these values are not welcome at Syd ney United 58 FC and their views will never be tolerated.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Dar ren Bark condemned the Nazi salutes “in the strongest possible terms”.

He stated, “These vile symbols and sa lutes have no place in modern Australian society. Reprehensible conduct such as this causes immense distress to the victims of Nazi crimes and their descendants, whilst undermining our cohesive multicultural society. The fact that the Welcome to Coun try and national anthem was also booed last night underlines the contempt these people have for Australia and our diggers.”

Bark welcomed the police investigation and called on Football Australia to ban the

NJA Rosh Hashanah reception

fans for life.

“The incidents last night caused by some individuals and groups in the stadium was ignorant,” said Jade North of Football Aus tralia National Indigenous Advisory Group. “This type of behaviour was disrespectful and must not continue in our game and attitudes must change.”

New South Wales State Premier Dominic Perrottet described the behaviour of some fans as “absolutely horrendous”, noting, “It has no place, not just at sporting games, but anywhere in our state, and I know the police are looking at it.”

He added, “Those people who have done that through those salutes should be banned for life."

Craig Foster, a former Socceroos

international began his career at Sydney. He tweeted, “My apologies to Indigenous Australia. I condemn the horrific display of racist hate & stand with our Jewish & other affected communities. All involved need to be held accountable including the club."

Macarthur FC will not comment on in cidents relating to another football club.

Jonathan Metliss, chairman of Action Against Discrimination, noted, “We are pleased to see that Football Australia is being pressurised to ban these fans for life. Sadly, football continues to be used as a forum for antisemitic behaviour, even across the world. Let us hope the football authorities in Australia set an appropriate example to be followed worldwide.”

Lapid recalls Yom Kippur

War fallen

BY ADAM MOSES

Prime Minister Yair Lapid addressed the memorial ceremony for IDF soldiers who fell in the Yom Kippur War at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem today.

Lapid said that Israel must be prepared for any external threat.

“If we allow ourselves to be divided in times of relative quiet, we will not know how to stand together in times of war,” he said. “Our enemies need to know that Israeli society is stronger than any disagreement, that Israel’s power is the power of unity, that in life or in death, nobody will succeed in dividing us.”

He added, “The soul-searching that every Jew does on Yom Kippur, our leaders must do even more. We must make sure that our eyes are open for any danger, that we are not beholden to concepts that endanger us, that we neither ignore opportunities for peace nor ignore warnings of war.”

Lapid said it was right to debate the right strategy to prevent the next war but Israel’s enemies never given up their ambition to destroy the State of Israel.

“Every hour that passes, we must be smarter and stronger. Above all, we must remember that we are here together, one Israeli family,” he noted. “We must flourish as one country.”

Lapid added, “The fallen of the Yom Kip pur War did not fall so that Israeli society would break apart from within. The best way to remember them is to remember the ob jective for which they sacrificed their lives. A strong, democratic Jewish state that leaves nobody behind.”

He concluded, “If we know how to die for one another, we should also know how to live for one another. If we know how to fight the enemy together, we should also know to fight together for the common good.”

Records show that Israel lost over 2,600 soldiers during the Yom Kippur War and had over 7,000 casualties. Offical Arab casu alties are unknown. The conflict saw Egypt lose the Sinai Peninsula, Jordan territories in the West Bank and Syria the Golan Heights.

The National Jewish Assembly congratulated the European Jewish Association and Euro pean Jewish Community Centre at its annual Rosh Hashanah reception in Brussels.

EJA is the largest federation of Jewish or ganisations and communities across Europe.

The EJA strengthens Jewish identity in Eu rope and to defend Jewish interests in the continent.

The event brought together over 100 guests, including EU representatives and national delegations.

European Parliament’s Nicola Beer called for renewal at a time when Europe is grap pling with immense challenges including the rise of antisemitism.

EJA President Rabbi Menachem Mar golin spoke about the significance of Rosh Hashana.

Speeches were also delivered by Ambas sador Haim Regev, Ambassador of Israel to the EU, Ambassador Mark Gitenstein, US Ambassador to the EU, and Guy Bensous san, EJCC.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid Addresses Memorial Ceremony for IDF Soldiers who fell in the Yom Kippur War

PHOTO: AMOS BEN-GERSHOM (GPO)

Truss stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Israel

BY DAVID SAFFER

Prime Minister Liz Truss vowed to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Israel at CFI’s annual Conservative Party Conference event in Birmingham.

Her address to CFI members came before Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh voiced concern at Britain review ing the relocation of the Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem earlier this week.

Truss has pledged to review the location of the British Embassy in Israel to ensure Britain is “operating on the strongest foot ing within Israel”.

Shtayyeh said in Ramallah on Monday that any change in the status quo in Jeru salem would “undermine the two-state solution”.

A spokesperson for the British govern ment's Foreign, Commonwealth & De velopment Office confirmed to Reuters in a statement that Truss “understood the importance and sensitivity” of the Embassy location but would not speculate on the outcome of a review before it concludes.

The spokesman added that the position must promote “British interests in Israel, peace and stability in the region, and in support of a two-state solution.”

The CFI event saw Israel Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely thank Truss for her “historic review of moving the British Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem”.

She said, “Nothing can be more signifi cant to show the friendship between Israel and the UK. There is just one capital of Is rael, Jerusalem. For the last three thousand years, it has been Jerusalem. It is a historic truth and reality. We cannot be more grate ful to the Prime Minister for making this announcement and a historic shift.”

Health Minister Rob Jenrick commented on a potential move to Jerusalem, noting, “It is time we took responsibility and built

that Embassy and recognised that the true capital of the State of Israel is obviously Jerusalem”.

And Conservative Party Chairman Jake Berry stated, “We will continue to build strong relationships with the State of Israel and to support it in its fight to ensure that it remains safe and that the capital in Je rusalem is the home to our new Embassy”.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid has welcomed Truss’ comments on an Embassy move.

Truss told the CFI crowd of 400 people that she was a “huge Zionist and huge sup porter of Israel” and pledged to build the UK-Israel relationship from “strength to strength”.

Speaking about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, she noted, “Believe me, the UK will never allow, together with our allies, Iran to get a nuclear weapon.”

Truss added, “In this world, where we are facing threats from authoritarian re gimes who don’t believe in freedom and

democracy, two free democracies, the UK and Israel, need to stand shoulder to shoulder and we will be even closer in the future.”

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly made a keynote speech and spoke of his “in credible pride” at being involved in the “warming of relations” between Israel and its neighbours in the region.

Recalling his time playing Perchick in an amateur production of Fiddler on the Roof, Cleverly said the UK can “very effectively play the role of matchmaker”.

“The UK will be trying to make those re lationships stronger,” he observed. “Making sure that they are permanent. Making sure that they work for everybody at all levels, government to government, people to peo ple, business to business.”

Committing to visiting Israel soon as For eign Secretary, Cleverly said, “Israel has been a beacon of democracy, liberalism, openness, tolerance in a part of the world

where that has not been the history.”

And noting that the UK was “particular ly good friends of Israel”, he added that a “safe, prosperous Israel” was “in our mu tual interests”.

Cleverly continued, “I see how closely we work on medical science and technology, the kind of collaboration that will hopefully prevent something like Coronavirus ever happening again.”

He also stated, “I recognise our friend ship with Israel is not just a buzzword or some phrase that tumbles from our lips. It is meaningful. It is important. It is some thing absolutely worth protecting and preserving”.

Numerous Cabinet Members and Minis ters addressed the event organised by The Lord Pickles.

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan an nounced that one of her first internation al visits would be to Israel as there were “many lessons “to take from Israel.

“As a Government, we remain firm on our commitment to stamp out antisemitism in every corner of our society,” she said, adding that people who grow up in the so ciety of modern Britain should not have to consider antisemitism.

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said the UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement would be “right at the top of the list” of her priorities.

UK Abraham Accords Group chair Liam Fox, who is standing for election to be Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, welcomed the “ground-break ing” Abraham Accords as it would “bring prosperity across the region”. He also called for the UK to follow the United States in proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Regarding, Iran’s nuclear activities, Fox said, “If we don’t make the tough choices today, the price tomorrow will be infinitely higher.”

Israel and EU renew diplomatic dialogue

BY LILLY JOSEPH

Israel has renewed diplomatic and strategic dialogue with the European Union for the first time in a decade.

Prime Minister Lapid addressed EU for eign ministers at the 12th meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council in Brussels on Monday.

Lapid backed a two-state solution but stressed that Jerusalem would be Israel's "undivided capital."

“Over the past year, there has also been a positive change in our work with the Pal estinian Authority," he said. “We are work ing with them and helping their economy develop."

Noting the two-state solution, he added, the Palestinians must end “terrorism and incitement”.

Lapid told delegates that when the new Israeli government was formed one of the most important foreign policy goals was improving ties with the EU.

“The EU is Israel's main trading partner,

but we share more than just economic in terests,’” he said, “This is the forum that will allow us to strengthen our fight to lower the cost of living, in both Israel and Europe.”

Lapid added that the Council had not

convened for the wrong reasons.

“The fact that we are convening it now corrects an historic mistake,” he noted. “It is an important milestone in our improving relations. This past year has seen some vast

progress in our ties and there is still so much more that we can do."

The convening of the Council is signifi cant diplomatically in Israel as it recognises Israel’s importance on a regional and global level. Bilateral cooperation centred on trade, climate, energy, water technology, digitilisa tion, cyber and health.

Israel is determined to strengthen its economy in agriculture and tourism.

The meeting advanced Israeli ventures with European funding. A “data roaming" agreement will reduce communications costs. Organic agricultural products will be exported to Europe and the adoption of standards will lower prices of products.

Participating in the meeting were EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy Josep Borrell and foreign ministers of numerous countries. Intelligence Minister Elazar Stern represented the Israeli delega tion in discussions.

The Czech Republic, which serves as President of the European Council, led the meeting.

Prime Minister Liz Truss at the CFI meeting

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Prime Minister Yair Lapid addresses EU leaders

PHOTO: KOBI GIDEON (GPO)

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The AJEX Annual Remembrance Parade & Ceremony will take place at The Cenotaph on Sunday 20th November 2022.

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Lapid backs maritime deal with Lebanon

BY ADAM MOSES

Prime Minister Yair Lapid has backed a controversial US-brokered deal establish ing a maritime border with Lebanon.

US mediator and Special Envoy for Inter national Energy Affairs, Amos Hochstein presented the Israeli and Lebanese gov ernments with a final draft of the maritime agreement last weekend.

Legal experts from both sides are study ing the deal. Lapid and Defence Minister Gantz hope to bring the detail to a vote in the security cabinet today.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker of Par liament Nabih Berri on Monday discussed the proposal on Monday.

Aoun confirmed that Lebanon would “set its position’ on Hochstein's proposal but no date was given. Such is its importance, Hezbollah called it a “very important step”.

Should both countries pass the deal, the United Nations can ratify it according to international law.

However, a number of hurdles have to be passed to reach that point.

Israeli’s politicians backing the deal have cited ‘security and economic’ advantages. But Lapid’s detractors, headed by oppo sition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, have criticised the deal over “significant conces sions” made by Israel.

The media storm comes weeks before Israel goes to the polls on November 1.

Details of the deal are believed to include Israel gaining recognition of the ‘line of buoys’, a three-mile coastal security border off its northern coastline. And the Karish gas field will be under Israeli control but the Kana gas field will be developed by Lebanon. Israel will receive a percentage of profits once operational.

Gantz welcomed the agreement. “If and when it is signed, we, Lebanon and its

citizens which have suffered such a terri ble crisis will enjoy the fruits of it for many years to come,” he said.

Gantz added, “There is no question that it will bolster stability, deterrence, and in the long term will weaken Lebanon's de pendence on Iran, which gives Lebanon gas and many other things.”

Netanyahu however, claimed that Lapid had given Hezbollah parts of Israel’s sov ereign territory and natural gas belonging to Israeli citizens without discussion in the Knesset nor a national referendum.

“Lapid has no mandate to give parts of our sovereign territory and sovereign assets that belong to all of us to an enemy state,” he explained. “On November 1 we will give Israel back strong leadership, experienced leadership, one that will protect all of our security.”

Lapid responded to Netanyahu. He said, “For 10 years you failed at your attempts to obtain an agreement like this. At least now, don’t harm Israel’s security interests and help Hezbollah with irresponsible statements.”

Lapid told his cabinet at Sunday’s weekly session, “We are discussing the final de tails, so it is not yet possible to praise a done deal, however, as we have demanded from the start, the proposal safeguards Israel's full security-diplomatic interests, as well as our economic interests.”

He added, “For over a decade, Israel has been trying to reach this deal. The security

of the north will be strengthened. The Ka rish field will operate and produce nat ural gas. Money will flow into the state’s coffers and our energy independence will be secured. This deal strengthens Israel’s security and Israel’s economy.”

Lapid continued, “We do not oppose the development of an additional Lebanese gas field, from which we will of course re ceive the share we deserve. Such a field will weaken Lebanon's dependence on Iran, restrain Hezbollah and promote regional stability.”

To complicate matters, an interim gov ernment signing an international treaty during an election campaign may be an issue although Attorney General Gali Ba harav-Miara would defend it in the High Court of Justice if required.

“I do not want to be drawn on this until we understand matters fully”, he was quot ed as saying.

Bicom noted a deal go would be the first time Israel and Lebanon had reached any type of agreement.

“Israel has insisted there is no connec tion between reaching a maritime deal and beginning gas production from the Karish gas field,” Bicom observed. “However, Hez bollah has threated to attack, if Israel were to begin pumping gas before the maritime issue is resolved.”

The IAF shot down three unarmed Hez bollah drones flying over the gas field dur ing the summer.

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Succos is Coming! Rejoice … With Rav Chaim!

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.

As we read these beautifully thoughtout pieces, we are treated not only to Rav Nosson Tzvi’s chiddushim, but also to those of his rebbeim, Rav Chaim Shmulevitz and Rav Chaim Kamiel, whose teachings influenced him so greatly.

Rabbi Meyer Yedid — a renowned educator, sought-after speaker, and rav of Brooklyn’s thriving Congregation Shaare Zion — gives us insights, perspectives, and advice on how to raise caring, responsible children.

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Feel the happiness and holiness of Succos through Rav Chaim’s writings and, of course, through stories that capture his total immersion in the mitzvos of Succos. Written by Rav Avraham Yeshaya Shteinman, grandson of both Rav Chaim and Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, Rav Chaim Kanievsky on Succos includes:

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Kosher Deli leads the way in Kashrut standards

Kosher Deli CEO Albert Bendahan chats to The Jewish Weekly’s DAVID SAFFER about the challenges of running the UK’s largest Glatt Kosher butcher and delicatessen.

Kosher Deli continues to provide afforda ble quality Glatt Kosher meat with the con venience of multiple locations.

The UK’s largest kosher butcher and del icatessen is going from strength to strength with stores in Golders Green, Temple For tune, Hendon, Edgware, Borehamwood and Manchester.

Kosher Deli offers a comprehensive range of chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, veal and duck available pre-packed in store or by order and can be cut to specification through the butchery service. They also offer ready-made meals in store and a delivery service. The family run business, which supplies communities across the UK as well as Europe, has 150 staff and prides itself on the very highest level of Kashrut.

Kosher Deli is licensed under Mehadrin, London Board of Shechita, United Syna gogue and Sefardi Kashrut Authority.

The Kosher Deli story dates back to 1936 when Fritz Frohwein came to London from Germany where he had trained as a master butcher and opened Frohweins on Finch ley Road.

Fritz’s son James took it over and it grew into farms, a slaughterhouse, butcher shop and even dog food with the waste. His sonin-law, Albert Bendahan, the current CEO, took over in 1990. Within a few years the business had an east London factory in Bow, three shops and a partnership in a slaughterhouse.

Around 2000, the factory was moved to Cricklewood, north London. In 2007, the Kosher Deli brand was launched with two shops. Subsequently, the Edgware shop was switched to Kosher Deli, Hendon opened in 2010, Borehamwood in 2016 and Manchester three years later. In 2019, just before Pesach, a state-of-the-art factory opened in Luton.

It’s been quite a journey for Kosher Deli headed up Albert. Why did he go into this business?

“I’m third generation, my kids are fourth generation and my modus operandi, my dream, is to keep kosher prices down as much as possible, making kosher afforda ble,” he explained.

“I’m a community man and we support the community in many ways, working closely with charities and our soup kitch en in Golders Green gives out almost 1000 meals a week as well as surplus stocks all for free.”

Kosher Deli added to its regular certifi cation by working hard with Rabbi Berger to gain Mehadrin certification.

“This decision opened up markets in the ultra-orthodox communities such as Stamford Hill, Manchester and Antwerp,” said Albert.

He explained, “By having the volume we have been able to keep prices as low as possible. We also have our own poultry slaughter house in Bradford so are never dependent on anyone for poultry. It is the only way to keep prices down for the pub lic. We are based between Manchester and Leeds, which is ideal.

“I recall when the late Dayan Yehuda Ref son of the Leeds Beth Din came to inspect our shechita, he was ‘over the moon’ with it.

“One of the main things we have done, and are very proud of it, is we have improved

the standards of kashrut tremendously. We export to communities in Europe which would never have dreamt of having Lon don Board products. Our shechita is of the highest standard in Europe, everybody can eat our produce. I’ve been told that by every rabbi that has visited us. We go to Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, all over.”

Kosher Deli attracts customers across the demographic range from traditional to modern orthodox, the yeshiva crowd and Chassidic.

“We have opened the market drastically

A selection of the delicious platters available from Kosher Deli

to the ultra-orthodox,” noted Albert. “I’m proud to say we have the best shechita in Europe. We shecht around 30,000 chickens a week. We have letters from rabbis around Europe and they are flabbergasted, there is no other shechita like ours. Our operation runs smoothly, with no pressure.”

Albert has seen his business empire grow and the demand for kosher food is increas ing although it is hard to predict what will happen in the coming year with a possible recession and energy crisis.

He observed, “Over the past eight months to a year prices have gone crazy, live birds have gone up 52% and that is not taking into account the increases in utilities, wages and so on. And we have not been able to raise our prices by that much, so it’s not easy. People naturally are looking at prices a lot more cautiously when they are shopping. We will continue to monitor the situation but also monitor our business. There is only so much we can subsidise but we will do our best.”

In days gone by, keeping kosher was deemed over expensive. Kosher Deli has taken on the mantle of changing percep tions and bringing people back to keeping kosher at home.

“That is our goal,” said Albert. “There is a push towards eating kosher, there is a younger crowd. You see them going to the kosher restaurants. They are busier. Restaurants are doing much better trade, which means more people are eating ko sher. And because we have the ultra-kosher Glatt Mehadrin, it helps. Our emphasis is on Kashrut and bringing down the prices.”

Innovation is also important and Kosher

Deli scores heavily in this regard.

“We are always looking to innovate,” said Albert. “We are working at improving our products, adding value to what we offer our customers. We have just released our new range of Meat Boards (details on the Kosher Deli website), there is something there for

everyone. A lot of things are happening. We are currently looking at a packing machine that will be environmentally friendly so the plastic will be biodegradable. You never stop in the food business.”

He added, “We are looking to expand our online side of the business in the near

future. There is a lot to do online and in the provinces with different communities around the country. The modus operandi is always the same, working on Kashrut, to keep it affordable.”

Kosher Deli are social media savvy with Whatsapp deals, Instagram and Facebook accounts. And a Kommunity Kook Up con tinues to prove popular.

Marketing executive Penina Muyal re calls launching the Instagram series Kom munity Kook Up.

“We had customers coming in asking how do I cook this or make that,” she said. “Peo ple tended to use the same repertoire of recipes over and over again. We wanted to change that up and had amazing feedback, customers were really happy. All the recipes are on our Instagram page and website. You don’t have to be a top chef to join, anyone can join and it’s been really special.”

The Koop Up started with 180 followers, it has grown organically and exponentially.

Looking to the future, Albert said, “Our sales are in the hands of Hash-m. Only He knows if they will be better or worse than last year, but I can tell you, they will be the sales we were decreed to get”.

Full details of the kashrut certification including Mehadrin is available on Kosher Deli’s website.

Customers can sign up online for a loy alty card.

To join the whatsapp groups, loyalty card scheme or for further details visit www. kosherdeli.co.uk

To join the Kommunity Kookup message Instagram @kosherdeliuk_uk

Rabbi

Another

With Harold Schogger

Lead Jh

West led the jack of hearts. East played the queen and declarer ducked. East con tinued with the ace of hearts, followed by the ten. Declarer took this with the king and paused to assess his chances.

He could only count eight Winners (certain tricks) and so needed to develop anoth er one in either diamonds or spades.

Declarer’s first move was to cash the ace, queen and king of diamonds. East’s low spade discard was disappointing, but not unexpected. At this point, the contract seemed to depend on the spade finesse. However, declarer disliked taking finesses whenever there was a chance of gaining a trick by some other means. He therefore cashed the ace, queen and king of clubs. When both defenders followed to all three clubs, East was marked with an original 3:5:2:3 or 2:5:2:4 shape. Disregarding the king of spades, the odds for the club suit in East/West are now 4:3.

Additionally, declarer thought that, with four clubs and a doubleton king of spades, East might have thrown a club rather than a low spade on the third diamond. So he led his remaining heart. East could take the nine and eight of hearts but then he was completely endplayed and had to lead away from his king of spades.

(Had the declarer taken the Spade finesse it would have lost and the defence would have

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Jewish Care shines a light on volunteers

Comic Ivor Baddiel hosted Jewish Care’s Betty and Aubrey Lynes Annual Volunteer Awards evening to celebrate the charity’s 3000 inspiring volunteers.

Accolades included participants in the charity’s Bnei Mitzvah programme to 101-year-old Marie Joseph and Fundraising Team, Friends of Stepney.

Jewish Care’s Chair, Jonathan Zenios, welcomed guests in the Wohl Synagogue at the Betty and Asher Loftus Centre in Friern Barnet. “The awards are a celebration of the successes, commitment, dedication and love that our volunteers bring to Jewish Care,” he said.

This year, saw the inaugural presentation of The Sonia Douek Award for Excellence in Volunteering. Sonia worked for Jewish Care for almost 20 years. She passed away from cancer in 2017.

Sonia’s daughter, Michelle Weiner, pre sented the award to Janet Foster, who has volunteered at Jewish Care’s Brenner Step ney Community Centre since 2009.

“Her vision for volunteering continues to shine brightly here at Jewish Care,” Michelle said.

Janet commented, “Sonia sounded so in spirational, I hope I can continue to do her proud by volunteering.”

Angela Simmons, who volunteers at the Ronson Family Community Centre at San dringham, claimed the Unsung Hero Award. She said, “I absolutely love it to bits. It’s the

best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”

The Youngest Volunteer Award went to the first canine award winner, Molly the Pets as Therapy Dog.

Her owner, Susie said, “I love the impact Molly has on people and interaction be tween them.”

Joint winners of the Distinctively Jewish Award were Marilyn Albert and Ruti Roche.

Ruti volunteers at John Rubens House.

“I love planning activities around Shabbat

and festivals, and try to make them as in teractive as I can,” she said. Marilyn added, “It really means a lot to organise services and the Kiddush with residents for Shabbat and Yom Tov.”

Lauren Olins won the Innovative and Cre ative Project for the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre’s discussion group.

Lauren created the project to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, photographing members. She said, “The project is about Britishness and a documentation of the

people that the members are today.”

Pam Bertschinger and Hermoine Good man shared the People’s Choice Award.

Pam instigated the Memory Way Café supporting people with dementia. She also set up the Elevenses Café for single partners of those living with dementia.

Pam said, “I love my work and the satis faction of giving people my care, knowledge and empathy.”

Hermoine volunteers at Zalman and Ruchi Noé Centre at Sandringham for peo ple with dementia.

“The time spent with the members is the highlight of my week,” she said.

Best Newcomer, Gerry Robbins, is an ex cab driver and enjoys helping members at Redbridge Jewish Community Centre.

Ruth Klajman, who won the Young Volun teer Award, has volunteered at Sidney Corob House for people with mental health needs. She said, “I love being their listening ear.”

Jewish Care CEO Daniel Carmel-Brown, thanked all the volunteers. “Jewish Care wouldn’t be the same without the dedica tion, commitment, love and care that our volunteers give each day,” he said.

Volunteers Department Manager, Jo Sel wyn added, “Volunteers make a difference every day to our members, clients and res idents’ lives and support our staff across all of our services.”

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Host Ivor Baddiel with Ruth Klajman winner of the Young Volunteer Award at Jewish Care Volunteer Awards 2022 and Jewish Care’s Chair Jonathan Zenios

Jewish charities to benefit from London Marathon

BY DAVID SAFFER

Jewish charities have benefited from the exertions of community members at the TCS London Marathon on last Sunday.

Runners across the generations com pleted the iconic 26.2 miles route for good causes.

Ten runners from Jewish Care raised over £35,000 for vital work supporting older people in the community.

The youngest runner, Ella Marchant, 23, enjoyed running with her friend, Ra chel Sonn, who is a Learning Support Assistant at JCOSS.

She said, “Running over Tower Bridge, the atmosphere was electric. It was in credible to see the views of London and the cheering. I also loved coming out of the quiet of Blackwall Tunnel.”

Ella added, “We kept each other go ing and picked each other up when we needed it.”

Laura Margolis, a Volunteer Team Leader at Michael Sobell Communi ty Centre, ran with Anastasia Daniels. Laura said, “The atmosphere and spirit of everyone around us was something special.

Diane Sherling ran because of the care her grandma had at Rosetrees care home.

“I saw just how genuine and commit ted the carers were for her and the other residents,” she said.

Also running was Rob Sher, 29, who volunteered as Chair of Young Jewish Care. “No matter what your interests are there are so many ways to get involved,” he noted.

Father and daughter Harris and Sabina Tilevitz ran together, the fastest runner was Thomas Prais.

Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising and Community Engagement, Adam Overlander-Kaye, said, “I hope others will feel inspired to run for Jewish Care or take up a challenge.”

Norwood’s 18 runners included Eli Dias, who has now completed the ‘London Clas sics’ having done Ride London and Swim Serpentine. Eli has almost reached his £7.500 fundraising target.

Cousins Rafi Herman, Jacob Lauder and Harry Dryan ran the marathon because of the support the charity provides to their cousin/brother Zachary, who lives in a Norwood adult residential care service. They have exceeded their initial target, so far raising £13,435.

Robert Kastner ran the marathon having witnessed the care it provides to Jake, a non-verbal autistic tenant in Support ed Living services. “Norwood’s clients are among the bravest people one will ever meet,” he said. “They embrace their

challenges with gusto while smiling.” Rob ert has raised £12,400.

Father and daughter Mia and Nitzan Yaniv marked their 21st and 50th birth days. They were inspired by Norwood’s work supporting people with learning disabilities. They have almost hit £10,000.

Jake Norton ran having heard from fam ilies of the charity’s impact in empowering their relatives to live independent and fulfilling lives. He has raised over £3,700.

Kisharon had a team of eight runners

who have raised £20,000 with donations still coming in.

Joshua Conway, Levi Degroen, Lauren Grahame, Michael Jaeger, Alex Pollak, Shlomi Rokach, Simon Silver and Suzanne Weiniger completed the course.

Michael said, “The atmosphere was elec tric and it meant a huge amount to be able to be part of this massive sporting event.”

Suzanne finished the Royal Parks Half Marathon last year for Kisharon, Simon did the London to Brighton Cycle and Shlomi

made the gruelling Comrades Marathon in South Africa trek.

Fundraising Manager, Emma Nagli said, “We are so grateful to the team and every one who supported their incredible efforts by donating.”

Team Chai’s marathon efforts raised over £39,000.

Sara Goldstein and her boyfriend Ben Mesrie have so far raised £12,400.

Ariel Shapiro flew in from Israel to take part having seen family members battle cancer.

“Knowing that the money raised will improve the emotional welfare of cancer patients, their families and friends makes the many hours of training and running the marathon worthwhile,” he said.

Justin Saunders noted, “What got me round was the knowledge that Chai sup ports people like my brother and nieces without any limits and with the love and warmth they need.”

Alison Hillier ran in memory of a special friend and the vital work supporting her family.

Danny Ogen ran in memory of his dad.

“The atmosphere was electric,” he said. “Was it hard yes, was it worth it absolutely. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.”

Team Chai was made up by Rabbi Menachem Korer, Joe Lister, Sam Simon, Dylan Stephens.

Louise Hager, Chai’s chairman, said, “Train ing during the summer heatwave is no easy feat and their achievements are truly awe-inspiring! Their fantastic efforts help ensure that Chai can continue to be there step by step for all those who need to turn to us.”

Camp Simcha’s four marathon runners raised nearly £13,000.

Brian Gordon, Joe Metliss, Danny Myers and Jonny Phillips finished the course. Jonny said, “The crowds were phenom enal. It was a beautiful day and all the more meaningful running for my favourite charity.”

Danny raised funds for the Evie Night Owls overnight respite project established in memory of Evie Bladon, who would have turned ten this year. He said, “The cheering and support from all the spectators and volunteers continually gave an extra in jection of energy to get around the course.”

Michael Seitler ran for Jami

Flora Frank ran for Norwood and Emunah

Joe described his first marathon experi ence as “incredible”.

Brian launched his sponsorship page during the Jubilee by growing a beard and painting it red, white and blue. He said, “With the bands playing as you went along, kids high-fiving you, amazing support from the crowds all the way through, it’s just the best experience.”

British Emunah had six runners. All

were raising money to renovate the kitchen at the Emunah Neve Landy Children’s Village, a resi dential home for 75 at-risk boys in Southern Israel.

Clive Goodman said that Neve Landy is a “safe and protected place that allows vulnerable chil dren and teenagers to flourish and grow emotionally and cognitively”.

Gadi Melcer noted, “The money we raise will allow the residential home to continue caring for the happiness and healthy develop ment of the children.”

Flora Frank split her donation between Norwood and British Emunah. She ran in memory of her late husband Herbert. Flora has completed races in London, Jerusalem, Tiberias and New York.

She said, “The fact that Emunah helps children and families reconstruct their lives for the good, in a caring and loving atmosphere, inspired me every step of the way.”

Paul Jayson said, “I was pleased to be able to run this year and for such a good cause.”

Claire Gothelf added, “All the money raised goes to the wonderful work they do with children and families in Israel.”

Ezra Citron was inspired to raise money by his mum as she has done charity work for Emunah in the past. “I’m pleased I was able to keep that family connection going,” he said.

Money raised will be added to British

Emunah’s recent online crowdfunder cam paign, which raised over £390,000 in 36 hours, a record for the charity.

Jami runners have raised over £13,000. Jonathan Weissbart, who lives around the corner from Jami’s Head Room café in Golders Green, completed the course along with Dov Seitler, his dad Michael and brother, Gavriel.

Dov said, “There is still a stigma around mental health issues, although it’s a lot bet ter than it was. We want to help remove that stigma and get the help to those who need it. We wanted to raise awareness about Jami’s amazing work.”

Danny Myers ran for Camp Simcha

Michael Jaegar ran for kisharon

Dylan Stephens ran for Chai

Eli Dias ran for Norwood

Thomas Prais ran for Jewish Care

Brian Gordon and family – ran for Camp Simcha

GIFT smashes its fundraising target – for a fourth year running

Debbie Lebrett appointed as Work Avenue Chief Executive

Debbie Lebrett has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Work Avenue, the Community’s leading employment and business support organisation, com mencing her role in January 2023.

For the past seven years, Debbie has led Hasmonean High School for Boys as Head teacher, previously holding senior roles at other London secondary schools.

GIFT was thrilled to raise an amazing sum during its 36-hour matched campaign, which closed at 10pm on Monday evening.

A total of £870,167 was raised from 3,150 donors across the world: people from the UK to Israel, South Africa to the USA, came to gether to support GIFT’s Step Up campaign. Having reached the £720,000 target after just 32 hours, a new, high-octane bonus round took place. Volunteers of all ages gave their time to phone and message both loyal and new supporters. Over 130 GIFT ambassa dors inspired and motivated their friends and family to give through their teams; one team secured an extraordinary 133 dona tions on their page.

Funds raised will be put towards GIFT’s work in 2023, when the charity plans to step up its support for the community during the cost-of-living crisis and engage even more people in practical, impactful volunteering opportunities.

R. Naftali Schiff, GIFT’s Chairman, says: “Surpassing our £720k fundraising goal in our High holy day’s charity extra appeal is testament to the inroads GIFT continues to make in teaching us all how to live one of our most cherished Jewish values of being a community of givers.”

Rabbi Sandor Milun, Managing Director of GIFT, says: ‘We were thrilled to receive the support of the community for our Step Up campaign, and can look forward with

confidence and resilience to the year ahead. We are immensely grateful to the hundreds of volunteers, team leaders and supporters who made our campaign such a success. Thank you to everyone who stepped up with us, who will help us to continue to inspire and enable lifelong giving.’

Sylvie Elia, a team leader on the campaign and regular volunteer for GIFT, says: ‘Having volunteered for GIFT with food packing de liveries, we have seen firsthand the impact of GIFT’s vital work in not only providing for those in need, but also protecting the dignity of recipients and giving them a sense of empowerment. It is an honour to have a team page for GIFT’s fundraiser, allowing us to play our small part in contributing to the full lifecycle of GIFT, thereby being part of GIFT’s greater mission of giving.’

Chani Levin, a Year 9 volunteer who called possible donors to ask for their support, says: ‘It was really fun calling everyone and it was amazing to see just how much they all appreciate what GIFT does. Everyone loves GIFT. They all wanted to donate and help out, which shows just how incredible GIFT is.’

One of the campaign’s matching donors, who has asked to be anonymous, says: ‘We are so grateful and appreciative of all the important work that the GIFT team does for our community; we were happy to be involved.’

Siyum on Masheches

Chullin learnt in Kollel Tiferes Shmuel and Kollel Nesivos Chaim,a celebration dinner was held in the Ohr Yerushalyim hall. Rabbi Avigdor Roth, Rosh Kollel Tiferes Shmuel, and Rosh Chabura Reb Yisroel Rose, with guest Dayanim and Rabbonim.

She said: “Having worked for many years in the community, I have always known of the transformative achievements of Work Avenue, supporting people to earn a living with dignity. I could not be more proud

and excited to be joining them at a time when their services are needed more than ever. As our commu nity faces a difficult winter with rising costs, I am very excited to get started so we can extend our reach and our services to all those in the community who need employment or business support.”

Work Avenue Chair Mark Morris said: “We are delighted to welcome Debbie to our team. Her reputation for excellence is well known and I am certain she will bring all her skills and experience to Work Avenue, taking our organisation to the next level at this pivotal time.”

The ‘45 Aid Society, Agecroft Cemetery annual Holocaust Memorial service was held in the Ohel, then the service continued outside at the Holocaust Memorial. Dayan I.D Berger and Rabbi A. Saunders and Rabbi B. Simmonds officiated. Holocaust survivor, Ike Alterman, read the Survivors’ Declaration.

JPR launches new website

The Institute for Jewish Policy Research launches its new website today.

The website has been developed over the past six months, key features include a mobile-friendly design to allow access from desktops, laptops, smartphones and tablets.

JPR’s experts delve into the numbers that affect Jewish life. An improved sitem ap allows a better user experience, search functionality, videos and webinars about Jewish lives, demography and identities.

Users can download JPR’s reports direct ly. Access to reports remain free of charge.

JPR’s Director of Communications, Omri Gal, said, “We want our work to be availa ble to more people, young or old, at home or on the go. JPR reports are utilised by policymakers across the UK and Europe and answer everyday questions that many

Jewish people have. We hope that over the next year this new platform will allow us to introduce new ways of sharing all our data about the community, with the community.”

Dr Jonathan Boyd, JPR’s Executive Direc tor, added, “JPR’s organisational mission is to generate data and insights to help com munity leaders and professionals to make better decisions about Jewish life. Our new website is a key part of that. We want to improve the ways in which we share the data we hold and make it easier for people to find the information they need. This new platform should be a valuable tool for all those working to enhance Jewish life, and of interest to anyone concerned with the nature and prospects of Jewish communi ties in the UK, across Europe and around the world.”

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Holocaust Memorial service

Debbie Lebrett

ASK THE RABBI

Looking for answers?

SHAKE, SHIMMY & ROLE

Dear Rabbi

I hope you don’t mind me taking the liberty of asking you this, but can you explain the signifi cance of taking the Four Kinds on Sukot. I have heard the same standard explanations but I am looking for something novel to teach my senior class. Pauline

Dear Pauline

Here’s something to think about. Each of these four kinds have been disconnected from source; cut from their trees. They are no longer able to grow. We hold them, we shake them – “nu wake up!” but nothing happens. They have served their purpose and when the festival is over, they are history.

Maybe we feel washed out from the whole High Holiday experience. Maybe the whole event exposes our vulnerabilities and we feel too overwhelmed – too unable to progress to the next level.

No one is expecting miracles. No one is anticipating that we are going to become super men and women jumping from a building in a single bound and flying high. But when we step out of the High Holidays we take the four kinds and we shake them – though the truth is they are really shaking us up and saying to us: We have grown as much as we could. But you who hold us, can still grow. We are disconnected from our source. But you, being free can rise above your fears can always reconnect to source. We are here for seven days and then gone. You, hopefully will be back again and again.

your

Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com

CARRYING CURIOSITIES

Dear Rabbi

I observe many Jews walking the streets carrying their lulavs and etrogs and I always see nonJews staring at them with funny looks. Why can’t they just leave them in Synagogues rather than stand out on the streets like that?

Malcolm

Dear Malcolm

Yossi Lipsker is a young Jewish boy living in Fountain Hills, Arizona. He recently made headlines in the local news when he stood up for his Jewish commitment. You see nineyear-old Yossi is an avid fan of baseball, and a valued member of the local Little League team.

One day, when he came up to bat during a game, the umpire noticed that Yossi was wear ing tzitzit under his uniform. The umpire insisted that Yossi remove his tzitzit, saying that it could cause interference. Yossi respectfully explained to the umpire that he was wearing a religious garment. He added that he’d been wearing tzitzit since he had started playing on the team and it had never been a problem before. The umpire, however, wouldn’t change his mind and told Yossi that he could either play without the tzitzit or leave the game.

Yossi, the only Jew on the Little League team, decided to quit the game and walked off the field. To the umpire’s shock, Yossi’s teammates all walked off the field in protest with him, ready to forfeit the game to protect Yossi’s Jewish tradition. The coaches and umpire quickly discussed the situation, and the umpire rescinded his previous

Ha’azinu Sidra

HA’AZINU IS READ ON THE SHABBAT AFTER YOM KIPPUR

The first six aliyot are the Song of Ha’azinu, which starts with Moshe calling on heaven and earth to witness the warning that the nation will rebel after entering the Land of Israel, forsaking devotion to G-d for the pursuit of material possessions. This will lead to terrible consequences. Ha’azinu would

order. Everyone was called back. Yossi played on.

At times, Jews have thought that in order to be accepted in society, you should downplay your Jewishness in order to better fit in, to become more like the crowd. But Yossi reminds us this is not so. In the timeless words of Chief Rabbi Sacks z”l – “Non-Jews admire Jews who admire Judaism.” We can move the heart of this country if we are true to our authentic selves, and everyone responds when we demonstrate the moral courage to be ourselves. Others indeed can feel empowered and emboldened by our pride. People cheer for winners, but give standing ovations to people of integrity.

This struggle to live Jewishly in society is an old one. The Talmud tells us that in ancient times, the citizens of Jerusalem had an interesting custom during the festival of Sukkot. Wherever people went they were sure to take their lulav with them. On Pesach, there was no custom to carry a piece of matza, and on Rosh Hashanah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem did not carry a shofar. So, why this practice of carrying their lulav everywhere on Sukkot?

This was because the lulav is the emblem of pride for the Jew. Indeed, the lulav stands straight, representing the upright spine, a symbol of confidence. That was precisely why the people of Jerusalem made it a point to car ry the lulav around with them at all times on Sukkot. They wished to demonstrate to their children that they were proud of their faith and their beautiful traditions, and so would practice

their faith openly and in full view of everyone, not hiding anything - because hiding things away is the behaviour of some one who is ashamed. And the Jews were in no way ashamed of their faith. Quite the oppo site. They took pride in their

Jewishness and celebrated it in all that they did - even outside of their houses. Religious tradi tions were not set aside at home; instead, the traditions boldly marched outside into the street, and so did the Jews alongside those traditions. Chag Sameach.

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then be read to the people, to remind them of the cause of their woes. The Song ends with G-d’s promise to avenge those nations who would attack the Jews. In the seventh aliyah, G-d tells Moshe to view the Land from the mountains of Moab and reminds him that he will not enter the Land because he hit the rock (see Bemidbar 20:12-13).

HAFTARAH

The Book of Shmuel (Samuel) records the beautiful Song of King David, who poetically relates the various struggles he

faced, and how G-d always protected and saved him. G-d’s kindness allowed David to rise from peril to a position of respect and power.

Mirrors and Windows: The Secret of Schach

BY RABBI SHMUEL REICHMAN

A father set out one day to teach his young daughter a powerful lesson. When she woke up in the morning, he took her in front of a mirror and asked her, “What do you see?”

She smiled and answered, “I see myself!”

He then took her to the window, and asked her, “What do you see now?”

“I see houses, and trees, and grass, and a whole world outside” she said, this time with a sense of wonder and joy in her voice.

That night, before tucking his daughter into bed, the father again brought her to the mirror.

“What do you see?”

“I still see myself” she answered, a bit confused as to why they were doing this again.

He then took her back to the window. “What do you see now?” he asked.

“I see… me?” she answered, suddenly very confused. “Did the window turn into a mirror?”

“Be patient, stay focused, and keep on staring at the window. What do you see?”

After a long, silent moment, her eyes lit up. “ I finally see it! I see houses and trees and the world outside!”

Her father smiled and explained to his daughter:

“Sometimes, we get so caught up in our own lives that we think everything in life revolves around us; instead of seeing the true nature of things, we see everything as a mirror of ourselves. As a result, we project our views onto everything we see and everything we hear. Instead, we each need to learn how to peer past the surface, past ourselves, and see the end less beauty, wisdom, and depth that lies beneath that surface. When we do so, we turn the mirror into a window, revealing a world of depth behind it.

THE JOURNEY TO SUCCOS

The journey from Rosh Chodesh Elul through Yom Kippur is a forty-day experience of self-awareness, teshuva, and spiritual growth, whereby we come closer than ever to Hashem and our true selves. This process of closeness culminates in the holiday of Succos, which represents the ultimate connection between Hashem and the Jewish Peo ple. The center of this connection is the succah, which represents the marriage canopy as Klal Yisrel marries Hashem. As we approach this time of closeness, let us delve into the meaning of the succah and the lessons it holds for us.

Chazal enigmatically compare the schach of the succah to the ideal form of beauty. What does this mean?

The spiritual concept of beauty, and its relevance to marriage, is central to the connection we aim to develop through

the process of Succos. In order to under stand this connection, let us delve into the spiritual concept of beauty. To do so, we must understand the unique beauty of Sarah Imeinu.

SARAH IMEINU

Sarah Imeinu was the most beautiful woman in the world. We know Sarah was physically beautiful, that her beauty was not just of an ethereal, spiritual nature. When Sarah and Avraham descended to Mitzrayim, the Mitzrim, and even Pharaoh himself, desired her (Bereishis 12:14-15. See Rashi). The Egyptians were steeped in immorality, interested only in beauty that ran skin deep. However, we know that Sarah Imeinu was immensely spiritual as well, that she reached the loftiest of spiritual levels (See Rashi, Bereishis 23:1).

At the end of Parshas Noach, Rashi (Bereishis 11:29) explains that one of Sarah’s other names was Yiscah. A name always reflects essence, so we must ponder the meaning of this name and what it reveals about Sarah Imeinu. “Yiscah” means transparent, and Sarah’s true beauty lay in her transparency. Her inner beauty completely permeated and was loyally reflected through her phys ical body. Genuine beauty requires the middah (character trait) of transparency, where the physical body reflects the inner and spiritual beauty, something infinitely greater than any external beauty. True beauty is oneness, where the physical and spiritual melt into a oneness, where the physical doesn’t hide the inner self, but reveals it!

It is therefore fitting that the shoresh (root) of the word “Yiscah” is also the shoresh of the word “schach”, the roof of the succah. According to Halacha (Jewish law), the schach is the most important part of the succah, which is why “schach” is the shoresh of “succah” as well. What, then, is the connection between trans parency and schach? The answer lies in one of the deepest themes of Succos. Succos is about seeing past the illusion of independent self-security, recognizing that Hashem is our true source of pro tection. This is why we leave our sturdy homes and enter a diras arai, a temporary dwelling place. We show that our faith and trust lie in Hashem, not our “safe” homes. While on the surface, our secu rity and safety seem to come only from our own efforts and hishtadlus, when we look past the surface, we recognize that everything comes from Hashem. This is why the schach is the main part of the succah- it trains us to see past the surface. The schach must be transparent, allowing you to see the stars at night. It must also be loose enough to allow some sunlight and rain to enter the Succah. Only when we have a transparent surface can we truly see what lies behind it.

THE TWO STAGES

Amongst the Yamim Noraim (High Holidays), Succos is an anomaly. Rosh

Hashana and Yom Kippur are overtly spiritual and transcendent days, with intense rounds of prayer and spiritual elevation. Succos, on the other hand, is grounded in the physical. The center piece of Succos is a physical object - the lulav we shake, and much emphasis is put on going through our physical routines in a physical hut. It is the “zman simchaseinu”, a time of physical joy and festivities, highlighted by the celebra tions of the simchas beis hasho’eivah. How is this the ultimate culmination of the spiritual growth we have worked towards throughout the last month and a half? The answer to this question is the secret behind the power of Succos, as well as a fundamental principle in Jewish ideology.

While the physical can be dangerous if misused, the ideal is not to transcend the physical, but rather to use the physical in order to reflect something higher. Think, how many mitzvos are commandments of the mind? Almost none. You can count them on your hand: Believe in Hashem, love Hashem, be in awe of Hashem, don’t be jealous, and just a few more. The overwhelming majority of mitzvos are physical actions which connect you to the spiritual source, Hashem! The act is phys ical, while the spirituality and mindful ness is contained within that physical act. We eat matzah, shake a lulav, blow shofar, and wear tefillin; all actions, all physical. We don’t believe in transcending the physical, we believe in using the physical to connect to the transcendent.

Succos embodies this lesson in em bracing the physical. The purpose of this physical world is for us to use everything it has to offer for a spiritual purpose. This requires us to immerse ourselves in the physical world, but for this immersion to be proper we must maintain control and focus while using the physical. In other words, our root must be transcendent, grounded firmly in the spiritual, and then atop that foundation we can descend into the physical and use it in a transcendent way. This is the key behind the process we undertake through the Yamim Noraim.

We first experience Elul, then Rosh Hashanah, and then Yom Kippur, a developmental process of raising our selves higher and higher above the physical world and deeper and deeper into the spiritual world. It is only once we create this transcendent root that we then re-immerse ourselves into physical living, but this time on an entirely new scale. We must infuse the totality of our spiritual acquisition into our physical life, elevating our actions and intentions as we move this physical world towards its ultimate spiritual root. Succos is the ultimate expression of this ideal, as we infuse the entirety of our spiritual gains from Elul, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kip pur into a physical life of connection with Hashem inside the Succah. It is in that simple and mundane hut that we draw the connection between the transcendent spirituality we just experienced and the

elevated physical existence we are about to throw ourselves into. This is how a Jew lives a life of spirituality.

TWO LEVELS OF REALITY

This is the most powerful message of life. There are always two levels of reality: the surface level and the deeper, spiritual level. The surface is meant to reflect the spiritual, reveal it, emanate its truth and beauty. But often we struggle, we forget, we get caught up in the deception that the surface is all that there is. But even when we fail, even when we fall, there is always hope, there is always a path back to our true selves. This is the message of Succos; this is the message of life. To strive to see more, feel more, learn more, become more. May we all be inspired to not only see past the surface, but to then reveal that truth through the surface, to live holistic lives of truth, spiritual beauty, and true oneness.

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

The Journey to your Ultimate Self

The Parsha Sefer That Will Change Your Life!

Dvar Torah

BY RABBANIT SHANI TARAGIN

The Mishnah in Sukkah 4:5 describes the Second Temple practice of taking the arava branches and circling the mizbayach once every day of Sukkot, and seven times on the seventh day, while reciting hoshanot. Today we continue and remember this practice by circling the bima with our arba’a minim every day of Sukkot, and seven times on Hoshanah Rabbah “zecher l’mikdash”. By the 16th century, the Rema cites the custom to cir cle the bima with song on Simchat Torah (OC 669:3). What is the significance of

seven expressions of precipitation in the Torah, which we pray for on Sukkot. Just as we circled the walls for seven days with shofarot, and seven times on the seventh day when the walls came down, so too we circle the bima (pseudo-altar) for seven days with prayers and praises to Hashem for rain, and on the seventh day we circle seven times with request for salvation for Hashem to provide rainfall.

The circling of the walls of Yericho is also explained by commentaries (Rab beinu Bachya, Alei Tamar) as a means of ridding us of sin while having judgment fall upon our enemies. Similarly, we take

Salvation on Sukkot

prophet’s allegory, the woman symbol izes the people of Israel, who will initiate the reconciliation with her beloved, the Almighty, by circling.

These seven circuits also remind us of the seven circles around Yericho which parallels the shofar-blowing ceremony around Yericho and the revelation of Sinai. The seven circuits re-establish our covenantal-marriage ceremony every Sukkot!

On Sukkot we have an opportunity to break down walls – walls that separate us from Hashem, from our spouses, com munity members. It is a time to symboli cally break down these walls as we circle the bima for seven days with hoshanot, and on the eighth day with hakafot of song and dance. These are circles of prayer for rain and prosperity, of praise for miracles, of salvation in the Land of Israel, of atonement, and of marriage.

Masechet Ta’anit (31a) concludes with a description of the happiest days of the year (Tu B’Av and Yom Kippur) wherein the daughters of Israel would dance in

a circle in anticipation of marriage. Ulla of Bira’a assures us that in the future, Hashem will arrange a circle-dance for all the righteous “and He will be sitting among them in the Garden of Eden, and each and every one of the righteous will point to G-d with his finger, as it is stated: “And it shall be said on that day: Behold, this is our G-d, for whom we waited, that He might save us. This is the L-rd; for whom we waited. We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (Yishayahu 25:9).” Once the walls are broken down through petition and prayer on Sukkot, we anticipate the happiness of Simchat Torah to provide a glimpse of the future circle of solidarity, salvation, and ulti mate redemption!

Rabbanit Shani Taragin is Educational Director of World Mizrachi and teaches at Matan and other educational institutions in Israel. She is a member of Mizrachi’s Speakers Bureau (www.mizrachi.org/ speakers).

LEGACY

Promoting gifts in wills

charity

Legacy giving helps longevity of charities

Jewish Legacy is a cross communal charity working with over 40 UK charities high lighting the importance of legacy giving.

Formed a decade ago the charity works as a partnership to inform the Jewish com munity about its importance and, at the same time, challenge current perceptions about legacy giving.

The Jewish community is known for its generosity but just 25% leave a charitable legacy in a Will compared to 75% who give during a lifetime. Jewish Legacy aims to improve this statistic.

The charity is running a month-long advertising and social media campaign in November.

Anthony Broza, Jewish Legacy Chair man, said, “Legacy giving applies to all ages and levels of income and, whilst we realise that family and friends are obvious ly a priority, leaving a gift to a cause that is close and important to you, doesn’t need to affect the gifts you leave to them.”

Regarding the campaign, Anthony said, “Don’t let the word legacy put you off leaving a gift to charity in your will. It may sound a little fancy-shmancy, but every donation, large or small, will help your favourite charity improve the future for our community.”

Jewish Legacy works across categories including Children & Youth, Communal Representation, Culture Arts & Sport, Education, Health-Medical, Israel, Jewish

Anthony Broza, Jewish Legacy Chairman

International Development, Religious Groups, Security and Social Care. Partners include Jnetics, Israel Guide Dog Centre, Langdon, Camp Simcha, World Jewish Relief, Kishaon, Chai Cancer Care, Jami and Board of Deputies to name but a few.

Jewish Legacy’s chief executive Gina Ross explained why legacy giving is so important.

She said, “Without legacies sadly, some charities we know and love will not be able to function. It’s so important for the next generation to have these charities in place for our children.”

Gina added, “We work with large and small charities. They are all different and across the religious spectrum. Everyone works together. By increasing the legacy pot, the charities can continue. We want our charities to benefit and are working for their longevity.

“Legacy giving is not just for the tradi tional charity giver, it’s for everyone. If we don’t help the community, at some point we won’t have all the services to rely on.”

What challenges has Jewish Legacy come up against?

Gina said, “Unfortunately, charities don’t have the funds they used to. During the pandemic charities were unable to hold their traditional annual dinners for fundraising. The pandemic highlighted the importance of legacy giving.

“Charities needed legacies to continue on in their work. People began to think about wills, who they would leave a gift to. Since the pandemic things have improved but promoting legacies is really important for the longevity of services that Jewish charities can provide.”

A current challenge for all charities is the economic climate and energy crisis.

Potential supporters don’t have as much available income. But there are options and there are tax advantages with legacy giving. Donors can give by various methods.

Jewish Legacy has advisors and

solicitors who can help in this department.

Notwithstanding economic pressures legacy giving is an area that is growing.

Gina noted, “More people are giving through wills. There was a time when it was not on the radar but people are thinking, I want to be charitable, I want to leave something that is me, I want to do something for the Jewish community. There are thoughts of reconnecting with Judaism, thinking about family and if they can be remembered. That is why they are leaving gifts in wills.”

Jewish Legacy’s campaign next month enables supporters to leave gifts in their wills.

Gina said, “We are working with so licitors at a discounted rate so potential donors will benefit.”

A gift can make a lasting difference for a charity of choice. Donors can decide what type of gift to leave and if they’d like it to be used in any particular way.

A ‘Residuary Gift’ from an estate is pos sible and has the added benefit of keeping its value over time whereas a ‘Pecuniary Gift’ is an amount of money or saleable item to leave to charity partners.

Jewish Legacy has full details on all options including making a new Will or adding a Codicil to an existing Will.

For information telephone Gina on 020 33756248.

prides itself on a

KKL-JNF has been developing the land of Israel for over 120 years.

In realising Ben Gurion’s dream of pop ulating the Negev, projects are in partner ship with local municipalities. Priority is given to disadvantaged communities.

KKL was established in 1948 and is the legacy arm of Charitable Trust assisting thousands of clients in making or updating their Will. Any income through legacies is channelled to JNF projects.

Administering Estates, KKL prides itself on a caring, professional and dependable service.

KKL provides advice to clients during their lifetime regarding arrangements such as convalescence, accommodation and residential care.

Mention JNF and the iconic Blue Box down the decades has to be mentioned.

Generations of schoolchildren at Jewish schools will recall taking one home to help good deeds.

The JNF Blue Box is the world’s oldest charity box introduced at the Fifth Zionist Congress in 1901.

For over a century, money raised in the iconic boxes around the world assisted Zionist pioneers build the infrastructure of the State of Israel.

The Blue Box is a symbol of Jewish unity. Funds collected aid vital projects.

Director of Legacies, Carolyn Addleman, has been involved with JNF for over 16 years and is well aware of the qualities of

the organisation.

She said, “The JNF Blue Box was a staple part of a person’s home. People filled it up with loose change for a variety of occasions. There was the

JNF blue ball, Tu B’She vat appeal for trees and certificates. The year was packed with JNF involve ment in the community. And that has stuck.

“We have in excess of 80 different projects ranging from leadership programs to initiatives in various locations.”

Carolyn added, “We are a very well-stab lished organisation with a huge heritage in terms of supporting Israel. We have been an integral part of the development of the country and funds go to charities that JNF is supporting.

A recent project, ‘The House of Excel lence’ in Kiryat Malachi, is an innovative education and community initiative that boasts an auditorium, technology suite and multimedia facilities.

As for the legacy arm of JNF, which Carolyn heads up, she is proud it has helped the State of Israel plant trees and establishing ownership of land.

She explained, “People choose to leave a legacy because they want to support Israel

legacy service

for various reasons. It could be because they are strongly Zionist and want to continue supporting the State. They want to leave to a number of charities and Israel is one of them. Sometimes they value the service we offer including pastoral care during a lifetime. We engage, run events, send out birthday and Rosh Hashanah cards. They value our engagement.

“KKL is a crucial part of JNF’s income. Because people value the service we give and are professional we get a sizeable amount of legacies and represent a significant income for JNF.”

The pandemic was a challenging time for many charities. KKL-JNF was no exception.

Carolyn recalled, “It was tough

but we used the time to engage more with our clients on Zoom. We supported them online but new legacies were difficult to come by but we are overcoming that now. We are speaking at shul events and liaising with communities up and down the country to explain the value of leaving a legacy from an emotional and financial point of view. Leaving a legacy to a charity is exempt from inheritance tax so is a very tax friendly way of donating.”

Looking to the future, Carolyn is opti mistic. “I see a very positive future, aside from the ecomony issues at the moment, there are more home owners so estates are bigger. There are people with disposable income and I feel that many potential do nors are far more aware of charities than they used to be. There is a lot of PR given to charities. People’s are aware of charity, giving to charity and the benefits of giving legacies, I see the future as rosy.”

Carolyn Addleman, Director of Legacies

Leaving a lasting gift to Jewish Blind & Disabled

Jewish Blind & Disabled is the only charity in the Jewish community offering housing and support for people living with physical disabili ties and / or vision impairments. At least £1 in every £3 of Jewish Blind & Disabled’s income comes from legacies.

Recent legacies have come in all different shapes and sizes, includ ing: a generous gift that allowed us to refurbish the entrance foyer at one of our developments from a family who wanted to thank Jewish Blind & Disabled for transforming the life of a friend who lives there, and a smaller more unusual gift in a will whereby we receive regular royalties from the sale of chil dren’s books by the author Bettina Ehrlich.

Whatever the size of the legacy, these gifts are crucial to enabling us to deliver high quality housing and support to vulnerable members of our community and their families now and for years to come.

Our specially adapted apart ments remove the barriers that people with disabilities or vision impair ments face when living in inappropriate housing and our Independent Living Advisory Service helps people to retain their independence in their own home in

the wider community.

We know that many people put off making a Will and it can be expensive. However, it is the only way to ensure that the people and causes you care about are looked after and that your wishes

are known. Jewish Blind & Disabled has recently partnered with the National Free Wills Network.

This partnership gives you the op portunity to make or update your Will conveniently and easily. An experienced

solicitor will write a Will at no cost to you. You just need to give your details and consent to pass them on to National Free Wills Network. They will then contact you with information on how to proceed, including a list of six local partici pating solicitors for you to choose from.

There is no obligation to leave a gift in your will to Jewish Blind & Disabled, however, a gift of any size will enable us to transform more lives.

Rachel Barres, Director of Fund raising said: “With thanks to recent legacies we have been able to support some of the most vulnera ble people within our community. As an independent charity that does not receive any government funding, legacies are vital to us. It is only through legacies and dona tions that we are able to continue to develop and provide our unique offering and transform the lives of people with physical disabilities and / or vision impairments.”

For more information about the difference that your legacy could make, or if you are interested in having a Will written, please contact Rachel on rachel@jbd.org or 020 4548 8692.

INDEPENDENCE. DIGNITY.

Example of Jewish Blind & Disabled mobility apartment

Visiting

If the past few years have taught us anything, it is that there is no place like home. Our homes are our shelter from the outside world, our safe haven, and our source of comfort.

But imagine being homeless as a fire has damaged your home, you have no money to fix this and nowhere else to go. Being incapable of walking through your front door as your debilitating illness renders you unable to climb stairs. Or living in a home that is covered in mould, where every breath you take is poisonous.

Unable to afford even the basic repairs, many find themselves living in appalling, often dangerous and life-threatening conditions, with no options.

families the confidence

better

JNF UK, together with Tenufa Bakehila

Hope) help to carry out essential repairs and upgrades to the homes of the desperate and poor and in doing

change their lives.

Rosh Hashanah,

UK are raising funds

south

ROSH HASHANAH

BUILDING HOPE CAMPAIGN

WHAT IS AN ISRAEL BOND?

An Israel bond is a loan

can make to the State of Israel.

Israel uses the loaned money to help strengthen almost every part of its modern, innovative and diverse economy.

By buying an Israel Bond,

are making a direct investment in the State of Israel.

investment benefits the State of Israel.

Development Company for Israel (International)

for the loan,

State of Israel agrees to pay interest to you,

bondholder, and repay the loan at the end of its term.

Israel Bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Israel, which has always made capital and interest payments since the first Israel Bond was sold in 1951. Past performance is not an indicator of future results. Israel bonds are not tradeable and must be held to maturity.

Questions?

You

Your legacy is cancer care

A cancer diagnosis and living with the effects of treatment is often the most traumatic and overwhelming time in a person’s life.

Chai Cancer Care provides a comprehensive range of specialised support services to Jewish cancer patients, their family and friends.

Remember Chai in your Will and help ensure that we can continue to provide our expertise and care for as long as there is the need in the Jewish community.

If you would like to know more about Chai Cancer Care or how to leave a Legacy, please contact Lisa Steele on 020 8457 3392 or lisas@chaicancercare.org.

MAGEN

LEGACY MISSION

At Menorah Foundation School our

are at the heart of everything

do. Recognising each child’s unique contribution and building on their selfesteem, we learn, grow and succeed together in a community rich in the values of Torah and Mitzvos, where every child is not only encouraged but inspired to reach their potential. By achieving together as a whole school community we encourage everyone to become lifelong learners and ‘reach for their star’.

Applications for entry to the Nursery Class 2023 are for children born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020. You will need to submit an Application Form, a Supplementary Information Form and a copy of the child’s birth certificate. The closing date for applications is Thursday 8 December 2022

Applications for entry to the Reception Class 2023 are for children born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019. Applications for Reception must be submitted to the London

Borough of Barnet, or your Local Authority, by Sunday 15 January 2023 (www.eadmissions.org.uk). All Supplementary Information Forms must be submitted to the school no later than Wednesday 11 January 2023

We will be holding an open morning for prospective parents on Wednesday 9 November, when applicants will have an opportunity to see the School ‘in action’. We will also be holding an open evening for prospective parents on Wednesday 16 November, when applicants will have an opportunity to meet the Senior Leadership Team, understand our ethos and our commitment to supporting all children on their educational journey. Please contact office@menorahfoundation.co.uk to confirm your attendance by Friday 4 November

Both the Nursery application form and Supplementary Information Form can be downloaded from the school website (http://www.menorahfoundation.co.uk/ admissions).

Torah from Israel Sukkot: Just Walk in and Take A Seat

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN

There are few mitzvot as colorful or as diverse as the lovely bouquet of the lulav. All four natural minim in the lulav arrangement are aesthetically pleasing, but also highly iconic. For centuries, Jews living in Northern climates struggled to acquire these tropical products. Now that we have returned home, much of the drama of securing the four minim has faded, as these four natural elements are indigenous to Israeli agriculture.

As each of these natural elements is very different, the Gemara envisions this lulav combination as a symbol of Jewish unity.

The Gemara lists the respective traits of the various components of the lulav bou quet: an etrog is both tasty and aromatic, the lulav-palm tree produces nutritious dates but emits no aroma, the hadassim branches discharge a perfumed odor but come from a barren bush, while the “bare” arava-tree is both barren and odorless. Despite the obvious hierarchy between the four elements, they are all included in one arrangement, thereby modeling the ideal of an inclusive society. Some members of society are more pious while others are less devout. Some study Torah and observe commandments while others do not. An ideal Jewish society should be patterned after the lulav model, and should include many stripes and many levels of religious commitment.

The Gemara’s scheme of “inclusion” is predicated upon a clear hierarchy be tween the respective elements. The Etrog sits atop this pyramid while the fruitless and bland arava occupies the bottom tier. Though the arava contributes little to the lulav complex, it is still incorporated. A compassionate society includes many members who don’t “fit” and who contrib ute little. In a city of chesed and kindness, no one is left behind.

MODERN INCLUSION

This model of inclusion was perfectly suited for Jewish communities in earlier times. The Jewish world was overwhelm ingly religiously observant. Isolated renegades who opted out of observance, religious belief, or both, were the minori ty and were commonly viewed as apos tates and outcasts. Though exclusion of these “reshayim” may have been justified, the lulav model encouraged a more tol erant policy of inclusion. All Jews should be included within a “lulav society”– even the sinners who actively defected from Jewish society.

The modern Jewish world is far more complex and doesn’t invite this approach.

Though observant Jews view full Torah observance as the ideal, a large secular Jewish society doesn’t concur with us. Additionally, non-Orthodox Jewish denominations do not view classic Or thodoxy as their ideal. Assigning inferior arava-like status to non-observant Jews or to non-Orthodox branches of Judaism, even while encouraging inclusion, comes across as demeaning and patronizing. How can the lulav provide a model for modern Jewish inclusion in our vastly different social reality?

AN INTERDEPENDENT ECOSYSTEM

The lulav bouquet isn’t just a collection of disparate elements. It is harvested from different parts of nature – hadassim are picked from a bush, aravot are cut from riverside trees, a lulav is cropped from a towering palm tree and an etrog is reaped from a citrus tree. In Nature, all life needs other life to survive, and no one species can live alone. Every component in Nature is bound to every other com ponent in an intricate and delicate web of co-dependency. Extinction of even a minute element, can have a devastating domino effect upon the entire ecosystem. Some elements of Nature may seem more important while others seem marginal, but, ultimately, each and every element contributes to the magnificent bio-net work we call Nature.

Aravot branches may seem bland, but without trees and reeds lining a river, it would overflow and flood cities into inhabitable marshlands. Instead, rivers flow downstream providing waterways for transportation and a steady stream of fresh water for populations who live downriver. Likewise, hadassim bushes may seem useless, but all shrubs and bushes absorb pollutants and filter our air. A healthy ecosystem is vital for the growth of palm trees and for the growth of their mineral and vitamin -rich dates. Similarly, a balanced ecosystem enables the devel opment of an elegant etrog tree with its medically beneficial fruit. Nature is a ring of interconnected elements, and by com bining branches, bushes, and fruits in our lulav arrangement, we create a different template for inclusion. Every element of the lulav arrangement possesses function in Nature and every sector of the Jewish people provides value. If only we could learn to better appreciate that value.

Admittedly, it is often easier for non-ob servant Jews to appreciate religious Jews and to include them in their “lulav society”.

Secular Jews often respect the commit ment of a religious lifestyle and appreciate religious Jews who preserve our common

heritage. Understandably, it is often more challenging for observant Jews to appre ciate the values and lifestyles of non-ob servant Jews. Observant Jews live with the abiding conviction that, one day, every Jew will adopt a religiously committed lifestyle. Anything less than full commitment does not represent an ideal. However authentic inclusion requires mutual respect and mutual admiration. Appreciating every role and every society in the ecosystem of Judaism, is a vital step toward simulating lulav inclusion. It is easier said than done but is a precondition toward simulating lulav unity.

JUST WALK IN

The “other” mitzvah of Sukkot models a very different form of inclusion. The Torah describes the mitzvah of residing in the Succah: “every Jewish citizen should sit in the Sukkah”. By referring to each Jew as a citizen or as an ezrach, the Torah, essen tially ignores different religious levels. The term “citizen” addresses national identity, equalizing every Jew regardless of religious commitment. The lulav bouquet is en hanced by its diversity and by its inclusion of seemingly “lesser” components. By contrast, a sukkah shelters all its inhabit ants equally, without regard of their level of observance. The inhabitants of a succah sit side-side, under one roof, regardless of religious tiers. One roof, one people.

Sukkah-unity is more palpable in Israel

than in most overseas Jewish communi ties. Despite our many religious differ ences, Israelis share daily “mundane” routines such as shopping, transportation, business, medical care and, of course, our common government. Beyond these shared experiences, army service is a powerful equalizer, as the army culture is founded upon the premise of equality be tween all its soldiers. Additionally, and in a very literal sense, every Israeli lives under the same protective succah. We all face a common hostile enemy which doesn’t discriminate between religious and sec ular in the hatred and violence it directs toward us. We all live under one divinely protected Succah, and G-d has blessed us with the ability to defend ourselves and our homeland.

Religious differences in Israel often flare, but, beneath the surface, most Israelis sense, or should sense, our common her itage and our mutual commitment to the great project of resettling our homeland and rebuilding our nation. One people, one Sukkah. Just walk in and take a seat. For the meantime check your religious differences as you enter.

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

national journey. Along the way, the characters open up their hearts and souls, surprising heroes and villains emerge, and then their life stories intertwine in a most unex pected fashion.

By Shia Moseson

...Simchas Yom Tov

In a magical freezer somewhere lives the Kohn Family: a most delicious fam ily of ice cream cones. With whipped cream hair and sprinkles for eyes, they are a yummy treat for all...except when they get angry. Because when the Kiddie Kohns get heated up and be gin to shout at each other, something interesting and not very fun hap pens... Includes note to parents with tried-and-true strategies for helping kids manage their anger!

By Aliza Methal, BCBA

by the kallah? This book, which provides a glimpse into the traditions done at a Jewish wedding and the deep meanings behind them, is a wonderful tool to help chassanim, kallahs, and their families appreciate the value of each detail of the big event.

By Rabbi Dovid Meisels

Ever-Clever Mrs. Makea-Mentsch is a book that kids will giggle over as they read and re-read it, again and again!

By Dvorah Glick

KUNTRUS MATNAS CHAIM - YAMIM NORAIM - Elul and the Yamim Noraim take on a whole new significance and vibrance when under the guidance of the Mashgiach shlit"a! His wholesome and practical advice coupled with a penetrating overview and analyses are a recipe for success during these crucial days.

By Rabbi Mattisyahu Salomon shlit"a

very cute and sweet toddler who just loves to put things into her mouth. Youngsters will delight in the fun repetition and rhymes as Mommy teaches Little Leah an important safety concept.

By S. Kaufman

to articulate the sound that each letter makes. Additionally, a hand or body motion is given for every letter, to enable kids who are kinesthetic learners to actually "experience" the Alef-Beis. The result is a fun and educational book that will have your kids not just learning the Alef-Beis, but "owning" them too!

By Esti Scher & Shoshana Ament MS, CCC-SLP

ones. Then one day Mendel has an astonishing encounter with none other than his old pencil - and it opens his eyes to the nuances of bal tashchis Mendel and the Pencil is a charming book that teaches kids, in a fun and lighthearted way, how they too can be careful with bal tashchis !

By Freidele Galya Soban Biniashvili

...for Everyone in the Family

What will you read

The Summer Everything Changed Ellen Roteman

Ellen Roteman, best-selling author of Production!, tells a compelling story about indecision and growth. Join Yael as she struggles for clarity during a summer when nothing stays the same.

A New Song

Melody never seems to be in tune with anybody else in her tiny Midwestern town. But just when she thinks all is lost, a glimmer of hope appears from an unexpected place. Melody’s life is about to change in ways she never imagined, even in her wildest dreams…

Dream On

Gila Arnold

In Dream On, Gila Arnold delivers a riveting story of self-discovery and commitment to ideals. Follow ZeeZee, Tammy, and Chava as they try to follow their hearts’ innermost dreams. As seen in Mishpacha, with an exciting new epilogue!

Stories with a Twist

Popular storyteller Nachman Seltzer gives us down-to-earth stories in his trademark voice, as he takes us from Tiveria to Tel Aviv, Caracas, Johannesburg, Montreal, and beyond.

Inside the Kollel

Being a ben Torah is a special honor and a priceless opportunity. Renowned educator Rabbi Mordechai Sultan invites

Carers

Detective couple Colin and Leora Sommers once again combine their finely honed detection skills, keen wits, and sharp intuition to uncover a plot that threatens the entire Jewish community.

Me and Uncle Baruch

Dr. Jacob L. Freedman

how

one who

affected by mental

upbeat

View Bracha Rosman

Barbara Bensoussan

Ruthie Pearlman

Back in Print!

Nachman Seltzer

Mordechai Sultan

Moshe Sherizen

Freidele

Top

Once there was a traveling salesman selling

begins

Read

Be

The Scheme Team Shayna R. Horowitz

No idea is too zany for Levi the Great and his sidekick, Chaim’ke the Pretty Good. Join them as they plan daring

overcome bullies, and discover the greatest idea of them all

caring about others.

Stolen! Millie Samson

An action-packed adventure filled with nonstop twists and turns. From London’s crowded subways to Prague’s historic shul, join Yehuda and his friends on a mystery mission

Faigy & Feivel

The Flying Popcorn Tip-off

Milstein

Stuck

Menucha Fuchs

Because

An Ideal Guide to the Yom KIppur VIduYFor Young readers!

Especially designed for young readers, this booklet makes the recitation of Viduy meaningful and accessible to the young.

Filled with practical examples young readers can relate to, and written in a language that is easy to understand, here is an ideal text to prepare with, and then use over the course of the Yom Kippur davening. Perfect for home and school.

depths of this remarkable sefer

The Alshich, in his brilliant analysis, highlights pertinent questions & answers based on the structure of verses and nuanced meaning of words. The result is a stimulating, in-depth commentary that takes you on a unique journey of intellectual and spiritual discovery, as it reveals this sefer’s hidden layers of meaning, messages, and insights.

Also includes: the Alshich’s allegorical inter pretation, and the Alshich’s analysis of ideas pertaining to Yom Kippur & teshuvah

This illuminating portrait of the life and teachings of “Reb Dovid” depicts in detail a Gadol b’Yisrael whose integrity and brilliance earned him worldwide respect. A Rosh Yeshiva to thousands of talmidim, his diligence and greatness as an outstanding talmid chacham, his dikduk halachah and yiras Shamayim all combine with hundreds of rare, previously unpublished photos to create a reading experience that will elevate, inspire, and transform you into a different person.

Original man was comprised of holiness and spirituality, but when Adam sinned, he introduced physicality to the mix. Man would never be the same; the complete state of purity in which man had existed was sullied, and there would always be a struggle between good and evil, spiritual and physical.

The act of teshuvah enables us to return to our desired state. Teshuvah enables us to rid ourselves of the taint of sin and allows us to fully reconnect with our soul and Maker.

A Lesson A Day

The strength of the human spirit shines even under the worst circumstances. This truth endures in author Amrom Gottesman’s biography of his father, Leibish Gottesman, who endured unspeakable cruelty during the Holocaust. Strength from Within highlights the evils of humanity and the triumph of hope, even when surviving seems impossible.

Hilchos Kashrus: The Inside Story and Hilchos Shabbos: The Inside Story make an in-depth study of halacha accessible to both scholar and layman alike by guiding the reader to uncover the depths of the words of our Sages. Prepare yourself for the rewarding journey of studying halacha from the original sources and delving into its concepts and principles.

We all face unique challenges today in the guise of modern technology, posing questions and concerns that need to be addressed from a Torahtrue perspective, and The Heart of Hineini does precisely that. In a lively, uplifting format, you’ll discover a mix of divrei Torah, humorous TechMusings, intriguing Q&A, fiction to depict life’s ironies, practical strategies, and encouraging stories of those who’ve made empowering choices. It’s presented in an engaging style, in easy-to-absorb, daily installments. With positivity and fortitude, The Heart of Hineini is geared to help you fight the technology nisayon — and win!

T T he challenge

Back

new novel for Young rE ad E rs

Thirty of Israel’s military elite are assigned to the Shimon HaGibor: a naval vessel on special assignment in the Mediterranean. Problem is: there’s an enemy spy on board, and it’s Shmaryahu Ziskind’s mission to find him.

Intrigue, adventure, and the hidden hand of hashgacha pratis all advance at a whirlwind pace in this action-packed new novel.

True stories for every Bas Yisrael - BecauseYou’re Royalty!

What better way to introduce our daughters to the majesty and meaning of modesty than with this extraordinary collection of true stories, insights, and meshalim from noted author-educator, Genendel Krohn. Each story is a precious gem aimed at arousing the hearts and minds of every Bas Yisrael to what it means to act and dress with tznius and dignity. These uplifting pages offer our daughters a lifetime of inspiration.

The STory of rabbi Chanina Ben Dosa anD The LoST ChiCkenS

Children and younger readers will delight in this classic tale of the lost chickens Rabbi Chanina finally returned to their owner, highlighted by beautiful illustrations on durable, laminated pages.

TITAnIc 5

It’s ...and the Unsinkable Moshe Wallas is Still Alive!

For Moshe Wallas life is one unexpected turn after another. Having settled in America after WWII, his sights are set on taking his talmidim to Eretz Yisrael. This high-seas journey on a rickety old ship is filled with intrigue and adventure. It’s another dazzling display of graphic storytelling at its thrilling, inspirational best.

The Return of a Young Readers Classic!

Surly, defiant, and unfriendly, 14-yearold Chavi Mendel dislikes everyone, and everyone dislikes her. Experience the pains and pleasures of growing up, as a school full of exuberant English girls try to uphold the standards of Jewish living while dealing with a problem called Chavi.

The Explosive ESCAPE! Continues…

Here it is! The action-packed followup to ESCAPE 1 & 2. The Jewish partisans are on a mission to keep the Nazis from producing an atom bomb, and the manhunt to find them is intense. Still, they must uncover the secret to the Tunnel of Stolen Gold. Once again, young readers will find this spine-tingling mix of adventure and Emunah exciting and irresistible.

The Tannaim Series

The Tannaim Series introduces you to the greatest scholars and teachers in Klal Yisrael.

ComiC Book Format

Great storytelling combined with a lively comic book format create a learning experience that will inform, delight, and inspire children of all ages.

Identity Thief weaves the story of an embittered countess, a conniving priest, and heroic young count whose identity has been stolen, leaving him with a new destiny. Will he embrace it against all odds? Water is Torah. But will blood or water prevail?

Strange New World is a captivating, laugh-outloud adventure that will have you marveling at the passage of time and the power of the things that stay the same in an upside-down, constantly-changing world.

EXPERT ADVICE

Families planning to make Aliyah often ask me whether it is worth shipping a sole-use container or just shipping their ‘essentials’ by air freight or by ‘groupage sea freight’.

The answer is that it very much depends on what they are going to require in Israel and what they will have provided in Israel from the date of their arrival.

As a guide, a 20’ container (there are 20’, 40’ and 40’ high cube containers) will hold approximately 28cbm of house hold and personal effects. The final loaded volume will depend on how many large and ‘difficult’ shaped items there are. These would include large sofas (especially L-shaped), armchairs, dining tables and exercise machines! However, once the volume to be shipped exceeds 50% of the container, then I always recom mend that the family take their own sole-use container. This has several benefits. First, the container can often be loaded at origin and then be sealed. That same seal should still be in place when the container is delivered to the new home in Israel. Groupage shipments are individually packed and palletised or placed into wooden ‘liftvans’. The shipment shares a ‘groupage’ container with other small shipments but is handled and cleared individually. On arrival in Israel, the groupage shipment is placed into a port bonded warehouse for individual clearance and delivery (both ar ranged by this company). The downside is that port handling and storage is expensive and, per cubic metre, groupage shipments will cost more than a sole-use container which is over 50% full.

And so I say – let the required shipment volume decide. Look at what is really need ed in the new home in Israel and when it is needed. Perhaps send a small essential shipment for now with the bulk to follow later. We can offer reasonably priced dry and secure storage in our London and Milton Keynes warehouses.

SHIPPING

STEPHEN MORRIS SHIPPING

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

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

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

WEALTH MANAGMENT

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

Over 25 years of successful experience in financial services including

experience.

Offering expert independent financial advice to

Individual services:- Wealth Management,

Mitigation and Cash Management

Business & Charity services:-

Business

SERVICES

FINANCIAL SERVICES (FCA) COMPLIANCE

JACOB BERNSTEIN

A member of the APCC, specialising in financial services compliance for: Mortgage, Protection and General Insurance Intermediaries; Lenders, Credit Brokers, Debt Counsellors and Debt Managers; Alternative Investment Fund Managers; • E-Money, Payment Services, PISP, AISP and Grant-making Charities.

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

CHARITY

JEWISH CARE

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

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

BUTCHERS

KOSHER DELI

Kosher Deli was established with the intention of making kosher meat and poultry affordable for all with the convenience of multiple locations and a comprehensive delivery service. All this without compromising on kashrus or quality. Locations in: Golders Green, Hendon, Temple Fortune, Edgware, Borehamwood & Manchester

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

ESTATE AGENT

MARTIN FRYDENSON - ROUNDTREE REAL ESTATE

Roundtree

please

Corporate

Alpha Wealth Management

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

Contact: 020 8203

mail@theroundtree.com www.theroundtree.com

having been

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

MARTIN HEIMAN – SMARTINET

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

Smartinet, your reliable and efficient business communications provider.

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

ENERGY PERFORMANCE

EPC NATIONAL

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

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

SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT

SITEAWE

Social media is POWERFUL for businesses. But a community around your business with followers to do more than just follow is even MORE powerful. Our partners include The Jewish Weekly and Badatz Igud Rabbonim. Comments have included “They boosted, and are continuing to boost, our online presence to far beyond what I could have imagined.” So what are you waiting for? Get in touch today

Contact: 07707 220 445 eli@siteawe.com www. siteawe.com

FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

STEPHEN COLMAN – INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

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

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

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

NEW!

From bestselling author Rabbi Tzvi Nakar

24/7

RabbiTzvi Nakar

Inspiration that you will turn to… roundtheclock. Hashgachah pratis stories that will strengthen your emunah Basedon pesukim of Tehillim with a 24/7pattern.

Believe in Me Esther Toker

Facedwith her mother’s untimely passing,and a shocking clause in thewill, Becky Belgrade’s life is thrown intoturmoil.Will anyoneseethe person Becky has become, andbelieve in her?

N EW

IfOnly LibbyKlein

tothebestselling novel,

What will happen to EstiandLeiby next?

Light Years Away RutiKepler

Asensible woman, dedicatedto her husband’s learning,yet secretly fearing the stress will drive her mad. Twobrothers at war. A family searching for the light that seems just beyond their reach.

ShatteredWorlds

Yair Weinstock

partnership that bridges Jewish and gentile societies of nineteenth-century,Frankfurt.

fulfill his ancestor’s last will andtestament. Andthestor y of a small seferTorah that miraculously survives all attempts to destroy it,but thenmysteriously vanishes…

RachelSchorr

Everyone wants toseethe woman who woke upafterseventeen years in a coma…

Meet Bruria, who wakes upto a lifeshe didn’t chooseanddoesn’t havethe tools tonavigate.Who must face herdarkest hours if she’s ever tosee thedawn.

Deepinthe Forest

RuthArieli Rapaport

Deep in the Amazon rainforest,a woman devotes her life to saving gorillas from poachers Yet, her secret past catches upto her andthreatens hermany achievements.

Ariveting tale of loss anddiscovery, andthe unbreakable bonds that unite families.

A Giant-Sized ShortStory

Yonah Klein

Baruch and Shimi discover“the that’s more powerfulthan any technology they’ve ever seen But and there’s nothing he won’t do to get his hands on it…

Next in thebestselling Just Imagine! series

JustImagine! in Our Times5

M. Safra

An exciting and educational modern-day comic based on the holy stories of Chazal Guarantors, Student forOne Day

Tzali’s Adventuresin WannaLand

M. Safra

Who wouldn’t want to live in a worldwhere hegets everything hewants? At first, such a world sounds amazing,andlots of fun! Now comealong with Tzali andseewhat happens.You just might reconsider…

Danger in Seville

In themiddleof the twins’ birthday party, there’s a knockat the door.Did someone inform on the Del-Medala family? Will they manageto escape?

Athrilling comicset during theSpanish Inquisition Shh turn thepages quietly, so no onehears you!

JustMoved… Mazel Improved

M.Safra

Reb Tuvia the woodchopper needs parnassah desperately. Awise,elderly man advises him to moveto

solution? Discover the answer as you ride the ups anddowns of Reb Tuvia’s emunah-filled journey.

in the popular STORY SOLUTIONS series for young children

Tully’sTrip

EstiHess

Tully wants totake a trip so much that he convinces himself that he is really going on one.

gently teaches children fantasy andreality. Recommendedby bibliotherapists and parents.

in the popular TIMELESS TALES comics series Rosh Hashanah &Yamim Nora’im

M Safra

Join Yanky and his friends as they meet fascinating characters from the tales of his wiseZeidy Ephraim. Each story is an adventure and a Rosh Hashanah / Yamim Nora’im lesson — all wrapped up in a colorful comic.

Crispy Tortilla, Courgette & Avocado Salad

I love this combination of spiced courgettes, broken tortilla chips and avocado. It makes an ideal lunch, side dish or part of a buffet. Roasting the courgettes with smoked paprika, cumin and chilli flakes transforms this vegetable into something very addictive and exciting.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes Serves: 4

Ingredients

4 courgettes – approximately 800g raw, diced

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon chilli flakes

2 teaspoons ground cumin

3 cloves garlic – finely sliced

100g tortilla chips – broken up

2 avocados – stoned and cut into cubes

100g Goat’s cheese – cut into rounds

2 tablespoons fresh coriander – roughly chopped

1 green chilli – deseeded and finely chopped

1 lime – cut into wedges

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 225°C / 425°F / Gas mark 7.

2. Line two trays with baking paper.

3. Put the courgettes in a bowl with two tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon paprika, pinch of chilli flakes and 1 teaspoon cumin. Mix and season well. Distribute over the oven tray in a single layer.

4. Roast for 15 minutes. Add the garlic slices after 10 minutes and disperse among the courgettes.

5. Mix the remaining spices and 2 tablespoons olive oil together in a bowl. Tip in the broken tortilla chips and mix to coat evenly, then spread onto the second baking tray and bake for 5-8 minutes or until toasted. Remove and set aside.

6. Scatter half the toasted tortillas over a large serving dish.

7. Top with the spiced roasted courgettes, avocado, goat’s cheese, coriander, remaining tortillas and sliced chilli.

Garnish with wedges of lime to squeeze at the table.

Ha’azin u

Moshe is about to die, the Torah is about to end and we’re going to end it with a song. Just before we get there, Moshe calls on Heaven and Earth to witness his song. Moshe wants to warn Bnei Yisroel about committing sins. It takes two witnesses to bust a sinner. The only two witnesses that will last long enough are Heaven and Earth. Any time a Jew thinks of doing an Aveira (sin), he just has to look around at the sky or the ground to remember that he is being watched by two valid witnesses. Then Moshe warns us to be careful of our behaviour because just like a doctor or a loving father, Hashem will give us harsh medicine to cure us of our sins.

Moshe starts singing on this theme. When Bnei Yisroel sins, there’s no one to blame but Bnei Yisroel; it doesn’t hurt Hashem, they only hurt themselves. It’s sort of like a sick guy who dumps his medicine when the doctor’s not looking. Who’s he hurting? No one but himself! Like a father, Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim and gave us the Torah. He’s the Creator; He created us to serve Him and learn to love Him through learning His Torah.

Throughout the Torah there are examples of how people brought punishment and destruction upon themselves.

Right from the beginning, Adam blows the chance of a lifetime by tasting the fruit that Chava hands him. Then Adam’s son, Kayin, gets mad and kills his brother Hevel. Even Noach, the lone survivor of a flood that destroys the earth’s population, won’t keep away from the vineyard!

The powerfully spiritual atmosphere in the house of the great Tzadik Avraham, doesn’t stop Yishmael and Lot from getting into trouble! And Yitzchok! Doesn’t he know that Esav is evil? Or did Yitzchak just gloss over the truth? Yaakov, who grows up in a sibling rivalry should know better than

to treat one son more favourably than the rest, and Yosef shouldn’t treat his brothers like his servants (even if he has a glimpse of the future.) How about Aharon building the golden calf? Moshe, the greatest of all prophets can speak to Hashem anytime he wants, but can’t speak to a rock properly? Everyone can mess up, we all make mistakes. The great People are those who get up again. You don’t drown by falling in the water, you drown by staying there. The next part of the Ha’azinu song reminds us of how Hashem is kind to the Bnei Yisroel in the desert. At Yetziat Mitzrayim, the Jews are a sad sack bunch of slaves, not fit to be Hashem’s nation. But Hashem has made a promise to the Avot: - Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaakov to take their descendants out of bondage and shape them up into a nation. So that’s what Hashem does. But are we greatful? No! Everything’s a fight! Where do we get food? We need water! We need meat! Still, Hashem shows kindness and patience with the Bnei Yisroel: He provides Mann, the “tastes like anything” miracle food; the well of Miriam follows Bnei Yisroel through the desert for forty years. Slav flies overhead, dropping out of the sky, providing meat for the entire journey. And, of course, we can’t forget how Hashem is willing to give His most precious gift, the Torah, to the Bnei Yisroel after only fifty days of freedom! From the beginning, Hashem surrounds the nation with the “Clouds of Glory” that protects them from their enemies. Nations eventually attack, but a motley crew of Jewish soldiers defeat them with the help of Hashem who is our loving patient father. Sometimes He has to punish us but He always loves us and He will never give up on us!

Lastly, Hashem takes Moshe up mount Nevo and gives him a 3D tour of Israel.

Tangram Challenge!

Using all the shapes on the left can you build the shape on the right?

X M R P H A C C U S

G N O S C A

F H N

M M

S

E

Word Wheel

s f l i y j e l

h

relegation.

Currently, six points separate ninth-place Liverpool from bottom club Nottingham For est who went down to a 4-0 defeat to Leicester City in the Monday night game.

Sixteen-goal Lions rout Scrabble in Cup

Gunners and City lead way in title race

BY DAVID SAFFER

BY DAVID SAFFER

The battle for the Premier League is taking shape with Arsenal and Manchester City leading the way at the top of the table.

seasons off the pace but it will take something special to stop defending champions City retaining the title even at this early stage of the season.

The Reds will not be in the relegation shakeup but eighth-place Fulham and every team below are targeting safety this season as their major objective.

Brendon Rogers described the Foxes first win of the campaign “season-changing” but Forest manager Steve Cooper must be con cerned at the number of goals being shipped as his 23 summer signings continue to look a disjointed side.

Guardiola’s side annihilated Manchester United 6-3 at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Lions

The

Lions

Mikel Arteta has rejuvenated The Gunners who have seven wins from eight matches. Pep Guardiola’s City are a point back and scoring for fun with sharpshooter Erling Haaland ripping up the record books.

“I’m

Arsenal came through their stiffest test to date in the north London derby against Tot tenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.

Hendon

The Premier side led early in the second half only for Raiders to equalise but struck two late goals to book a place in round three of the competition.

Hendon now turn their attentions to the league as they travel to Oakwood A for a crucial top of the table clash on Sunday (10am).

Daniel Kristall’s team stunned the league leaders last month when they won 2-0, a victory would move them to within a point of Hendon with a match in hand.

Elsewhere in the latest round of fixtures, 10-man North London Galaxy made it a three-way title race in the only Division One clash of the day after defeating Oakwood B.

Thomas Partey opened the scoring only for Harry Kane to level matters before the break with a penalty. But a mistake by Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris saw Gabriel Jesus tap home before Emerson Royal was dismissed for a foul on Gabriel Martinelli. Granit Xhaka wrapped up a 3-1 win.

must-win game,” commented Galaxy player-manager Luke Lewis.

“We sat back and allowed Oakwood the ball, given the one-man advantage and looked to hit them on the counter attack with pace.

“Both goals came down the right-hand side. Leigh crossed the first one into Cohen to finish, before slotting home himself. Up to first we go.”

The Division Two title race also took a twist with league leaders Herstwood Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Temple Fortune.

Make no mistake, this was a statement performance. United were 6-1 down before substitute Anthony Martial grabbed two con solation goals. Phil Foden opened the scoring before Haaland struck twice to settle the con test. Foden bagged a second against a shellshocked United before half time. Haaland and Foden completed hat-tricks.

speak for himself… The numbers are scary, honestly.”

As for Foden, Guardiola added: “His desire, how he runs, is the main thing. He deserves to play every time and then he has quality.”

This weekend Arsenal face another test as they welcome Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Sunday (4.30pm kick off). But they will be confident with the Reds looking for consistency.

City host Southampton and Haaland will be eyeing another treble. A home win seems assured and another bagful of goals to add to the 20 plus goal difference in the league at the moment.

The standout fixture of the weekend how ever could be Brighton’s home clash with Tottenham.

circumstances,”

“We

Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy rallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Jacob Leigh to record an important 2-1 away win.

Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish Care A in the table by just one point after 10 matches, third place Fairlop FC are five points behind with two games in hand.

Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood.

“It was a fantastic performance in a

Faithfold B have played a game more than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at North London Raiders Masters.

Jacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who scored through leading scorer James Milletwith his 17th goal of the season.

The

Arteta told BBC Sport: “The players grabbed the game and deserved to win the it. It was the whole team, starting from the back to front. They really connected today.”

Arsenal have impressed after a number of

“This

Guardiola has pulled off a masterstroke in signing Haaland who has notched 14 goals in eight league games. Haaland is the first player to score hat-tricks in three successive Premier games and has 17 goals in all competitions. He will break a host of records this season at this strike rate.

United had improved in recent weeks. Manager Erik Ten Hag criticised his side’s “unacceptable” lack of belief. He has a huge task to restore the clubs’ status in the Premier League.

Arsenal and City are seven points clear of fifth place occupied by Chelsea who won 2-1 at Crystal Palace. Liverpool continue to struggle but did recover from going 2-0 be hind against fourth-place Brighton to share the spoils in an exciting 3-3 draw.

The Seagulls might have lost their man ager Graham Potter to Chelsea, who should defeat lowly managerless Wolves following the sacking of Bruno Lage after a 2-0 loss to West Ham last time out, but Roberto de Zerbi has come in and they will trouble Antonio Conte’s high flyers.

“It

and

As

Guardiola told Sky Sports: “Perfection doesn't exist, it's impossible. But we must try to look there.”

He

Regarding Haaland, he said: “The numbers

There could be a huge battle for Champi ons League places this season with a number of the ‘big six’ making slow starts but there will certainly be an enormous scrap to avoid

Brighton will move alongside third placed Spurs with a win.

Julen Lopetegui and Bo Svensson are re portedly top targets to replace Lage at Wolves.

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

Phil Foden scored a hat-trick against Manchester United

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK