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DAWN OF A NEW MIDDLE EAST! @TheJewishWeekly 159

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Left to right: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan

BY DAVID SAFFER Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed a historic peace treaty at the White House on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump hailed the landmark ceremony as the “dawn of a new Middle East”.

The walls of the Old City of Israel’s capital were lit in the colours of the flags of UAE, Bahrain, US

and Israel to mark the historic day.

The Gulf states follow Egypt and Jordan in signing peace accords with Israel.

Optimism is growing that more Arab nations will continue the trend.

“We’re here this afternoon to change the course of history,” Trump said at the start of the ceremony attended by 700 guests including former British Prime

PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Minister Tony Blair, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and World Jewish Congress chief Ronald Lauder.

“After decades of division and conflict, we mark the dawn of a new Middle East,” Trump added.

The nations will exchange ambassadors, open embassies and CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Chassidim hope to observe IDF strike Hamas targets Rosh Hashanah in Uman after historic ceremony

BY ADAM MOSES

BY ADAM MOSES

Prospects have increased for Breslov Chassidim to enter the Ukraine to observe the High Holy Days in Uman.

Israel and Ukraine’s governments have attempted to stop ultra-orthodox Jews from making the annual Uman pilgrimage to avoid a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some 2,500 Chassidim though, including women and children, have made the trip but are now stuck in dreadful conditions unable to cross the Belarus-Ukraine border.

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has attempted through his government to broker an agreement with Ukrainian authorities to obtain “safe passage” for Chassidim. President Lukashenko’s Press Secretary, Natalya Eismont, issued a statement that the government will transfer Chassidim to Uman.

“Belarus is willing to supply transportation in the form of busses that will take the pilgrims to their destination and return them directly to the airport for flights to their countries of origin,” reportedly noted the statement. “Our country is willing to take upon itself all of these responsibilities and to organize the process in the safest manner

Israel Defence Forces have struck back with vengeance against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip after the terror group fired 13 rockets across the border in the early hours of Wednesday.

Israel’s military launched 10 air strikes, hitting a weapons manufacturing factory, a training compound and underground terror tunnel.

Cross-border violence from militants started as Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed normalisation accords at the White House at a historic ceremony.

Air raid sirens sounded in Ashdod and Ashkelon as two rockets were fired from Gaza. Six people suffered light injuries.

Magen David Adom treated four people for shock.

An IDF spokesman confirmed air defences intercepted a missile. Schools were set to open yesterday following the overnight hostility. No casualties were reported.

Breslov Chasisdim waiting at the border

PHOTO: FACEBOOK

possible.

According to reports, the situation between Ukrainian soldiers and Chassidim is tense as Chassidim are unable to return to Belarus.

Breslov officials blame Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for the border standoff. They have called on Israel’s Foreign Ministry to intervene.

A Red Cross truck delivered blankets and supplies to Chassidim sleeping on road near the Ukrainian border on Monday. The Belarusian government set up tents and chemical toilets on Tuesday.

Traditionally 30,000 worshippers, mostly from Israel, make the trip to pay homage to Rabbi Nachman, founder of the Breslov Chasidic movement during the High Holy days.

BBC investigate CAA complaint

BY LEAH WAXLER The BBC is investigating a complaint by Campaign Against Antisemitism about journalist Nimesh Thaker.

CAA revealed Thaker, lambasted for comments on his anonymous Twitter account, held another in his name, now deleted, to post anti-Semitic material and criticise BBC journalists.

Thaker has been a BBC World News journalist for over 20 years.

Tweets reportedly described anti-Semitism accusations about former Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn and the party as “smears”. He also allegedly trolled public figures campaigning against anti-Semitism.

Thaker has reportedly retweeted political activists under fire for anti-Semitism, including Jackie Walker, he has defended Ken Livingstone and backed former Labour MP Chris Williamson.

A CAA spokesperson noted the BBC must swiftly and transparently investigate Thaker for blatant breaches of the

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Of 13 rockets, the Iron Dome Defence system intercepted eight missiles. Five landed in open fields in Sha’ar HaNegev and Eshkol. Both regions border the Gaza Strip.

“I’m not surprised that the Palestinian terrorists fired at Israel precisely during this historic ceremony,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said before boarding his flight from Washington to Israel.

“They want to turn back the peace. In that, they will not succeed,” he added. “We will strike at all those who raise a hand to harm us, and we will reach out to all those who extend the hand of peace to us.”

The latest skirmish is not surprising as Hamas backers have vehemently criticised the Israel-UAE-Bahrain historic accord.

But more Arab states are expected to agree deals with Israel.

Palestinian leaders view UAE and Bahrain’s actions as a betrayal.

Hamas reportedly said the agreements were not worth the ink with which they were written.

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Corporation’s social media policy, including posting appalling comments online, using an account in his name and as an anonymous account.

They added, “More broadly, this should be a moment of reflection for the BBC, whose relations with the Jewish community have been strained for many years.

“If licence fee payers are to have confidence in the broadcaster, it must show zero tolerance for antisemitism by its employees, on screen and off.”

BBC employee guidelines note, “All BBC activity on social media, whether it is ‘official’ BBC use or the personal use by BBC staff is subject to the Editorial Guidelines and editorial oversight in the same way that our on-platform content is. We should take particular care about maintaining our impartiality on social media, both in our professional and personal activities.”

Guidelines added, “BBC staff should avoid bringing the BBC into disrepute through their actions on social media.”

Thaker has been approached for comment by CAA.

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS WEEK 02 News 16 Letters 17 Editor’s Message 24 Community 44 Features

52 Judaism 64 Kids 66 Youth 68 Sport

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 co-operate across sectors including trade, security and tourism. Muslims will be able to visit Islamic holy sites in Israel.

“These agreements will serve as a foundation for a comprehensive peace across the entire region, something nobody thought was possible,” Trump said. “There will be other countries very, very soon that will follow these great leaders.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was delighted as he addressed guests, declaring, “This day is a pivot of history. It heralds a new dawn of peace. For thousands of years, the Jewish people have prayed for peace.

For decades, the Jewish state has prayed for peace. And this is why today we’re filled with such profound gratitude.”

Netanyahu thanked Trump for his decisive leadership and standing by Israel’s side.

“You have boldly confronted the tyrants of Tehran,” he noted. “You’ve proposed a realistic vision for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. And you have successfully brokered the historic peace that we are signing today, a peace that has broad support in Israel, in America, in the Middle East, indeed in the entire world.”

Israel’s leader thanked UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed, King Hamad of Bahrain and Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani for “bringing hope to all the children of Abraham”.

Netanyahu went on to say peace can ultimately end the Arab-Israeli conflict.

He concluded, “This week is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and what a blessing we bring to this new year, a blessing of friendship, a blessing of hope, a blessing of peace.”

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan noted, “Today, we are already witnessing a change in the heart of the Middle East, a change that will send hope around the world.”

Bahrani Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif al-Zayani called the ceremony “a moment of hope for all the peoples of the Middle East.”

The four leaders signed a declaration of peace in English, Hebrew and Arabic.

Aside from bilateral agreements, Israel, the UAE and Bahrain, signed a trilateral document, the “Abraham Accords”. Trump signed as a witness.

Palestinian backers are furious at the Gulf states, viewing their actions as a betrayal.

As a sign of their discontent during the ceremony air raid sirens sounded in Ashdod and Ashkelon as two rockets were fired from Gaza.

Damage was caused to an Ashdod property and six people suffered light injuries.

Magen David Adom treated four people for shock.

An IDF spokesman confirmed air defences intercepted a missile.

Hamas reportedly said the agreements were not worth the ink with which they were written.

Deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri reportedly noted, “Ignoring very important issues will not save Trump and Netanyahu. Arab organisations have shown that they are ready to turn to the White House at any moment. The position of the Arab League is

Left to right: Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.jpg

disappointing and it is very unfortunate, its disintegration has allowed American pressure to bear fruit.”

In spite of Palestinian rage, Trump told Fox News before the ceremony more countries would sign accords with Israel, adding that the Palestinians would eventually join or be “left out in the cold”.

Oman, Sudan and Morocco are rumoured to be next, Saudi Arabia is reported to be slowly moving towards a deal, which would be a huge sign of intent for peace.

Netanyahu held a photo-opportunity meeting with Trump in the Oval Office prior to the ceremony followed by another with Trump together with al Nahyan and al-Zayani.

Trump presented Netanyahu with a golden key prior to the signing ceremony.

“We call it the key to the White House and it’s the key to our country and our hearts,” Trump reportedly said.

Netanyahu replied, “You have the key to the hearts of the people of Israel for all the great things you’ve done for the Jewish State and the Jewish people.”

Trump told reporters that in terms of new accords discussions were “far down the road with five countries”. “You’re going to have peace in the Middle East,” added Trump.

There was no comment about Oman being among potential accords, but Saudi Arabia was mentioned.

“I spoke with the King of Saudi Arabia,” Trump said. “I think positive things will happen.”

Trump also noted that he would make a deal with Iran after the US elections.

“The Palestinians will absolutely be a member,” added Trump when questioned.

“We are talking to the Palestinians. At the right time they’ll be joining.”

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto was the sole EU leader to attend the ceremony.

“Since the White House prepared the agenda for stabilising the region, this has been the second development to prove that this is the best peace plan thus far and promises to bring peace in the Middle East at last,” Szijjarto noted on Facebook last weekend.

Szijjarto praised the leaders of Israel, UAE and Bahrain, adding Trump “deserves

gratitude” for the deal.

The accord was welcomed in the United Kingdom by the government and communal bodies.

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl noted, “Today we witnessed a historic moment.

“The tides are changing in the Middle East and a new era of peace and prosperity is here. The Abraham Accords signed between State of Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and the State of Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain, are an example of the peaceful partnerships that can exist in the region.

“It is my sincerest hope that this development and this spirit of cooperation will lead to peace with other Arab neighbours, including the Palestinians, and greatly enhance the security and flourishing of all in the Middle East.”

The ceremony included the official signing of the accords, speeches, national anthems followed by a dinner. Wearing of masks was encouraged due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tuesday’s ceremony followed months of diplomacy.

Netanyahu posted a video on Monday night holding copies of the accords.

“This is a tremendous turning point in Israeli history as well as the history of the Middle East,” he said. “It will have a significant and positive effect on all Israelis. I also promise you, from what I see here, that more countries are on the way.”

In Israel, there is growing opposition to potential US sales of F-35 fighter jets to the UAE and Bahrain.

Reports of an arms deal being part of the accord has been emphatically denied by Netanyahu, who stated Israel would oppose U.S. F-35 warplane sales to the UAE. The US has historically backed Israel’s qualitative ‘military edge’ in the region.

Support is protected in law, but Trump welcomed the prospect.

“They’re very wealthy countries for the most part, some are extraordinarily, like UAE,” he reportedly said. “And they would like to buy some fighter jets and I personally would have no problem with it.”

In the build-up to the event in recent days, it was clear that the Trump administration was hoping for political capital with the US presidency election weeks away.

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PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Mossad head, Yossi Cohen, accompanied Netanyahu to Washington.

Speaking before the departure, he noted, “This is a very exciting trip, it’s a very exciting event. Many good people worked on this story for many years, it didn’t start yesterday.

I very much hope to see more positive efforts on behalf of peace and carry this forward to other countries.”

The Israel-UAE-Bahrain accord followed swiftly on from Israel and Bahrain normalising ties last Friday.

Trump hosted a phone call with Netanyahu and Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, both backed the agreement. Netanyahu described the call as “a very warm conversation”.

King Al-Khalifa told Trump and Netanyahu a “just and comprehensive peace” between Israel and the Palestinians was required.

In a joint statement, they noted that a historic breakthrough could further peace in the Middle East. “Opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security, and prosperity in the region,” the trio added.

Trump hailed the news a month after the Israel-UAE accord. The announcement came on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“Another HISTORIC breakthrough today!” Trump tweeted. “There’s no more powerful response to the hatred that spawned 9/11 than this agreement,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

Netanyahu thanked Trump following the agreement.

“It took us 26 years between the second peace agreement with an Arab country (Jordan) and the third, but only 29 days between the third and the fourth, and there will be more,” he noted.

Netanyahu addressed the deal at a cabinet meeting 48 hours later.

“We now have two historic peace agreements, with two Arab countries, which were established in one month,” he said. “I am certain that we all welcome the new era.

We are at the threshold of a new era. I want to promise you that each and every one of you, through your ministries, will be part of it because this is going to be a different kind

17 SEPTEMBER 2020 of peace. This will be a warm peace, economic peace in addition to the diplomatic peace, also peace between peoples.”

The UAE welcomed the decision as a positive effect on peace and global cooperation.

“The move represents a significant step towards an era of security and prosperity (and) would expand the scope of economic, cultural, scientific, and diplomatic avenues of cooperation,” the Foreign Ministry noted in a statement.

Bahrain’s Interior Minister Rashid bin

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“The sultanate hopes this new strategic path taken by some Arab countries will contribute to bringing about a peace based on an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and on establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital,” a government statement said.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed an “important step” between Israel and Bahrain.

“Jewish history and presence in Bahrain have long been integral pillars of Bahraini culture, and I anticipate that this agreement will lay the groundwork for the next chapter of Jewish-Bahraini coexistence,” he explained. “The coexistence between Jews and Muslims in that beautiful country should be a model for others to emulate around the world.”

The Jewish community of Bahrain originated in 1873.

Nancy Khedouri, of Bahrain’s Jewish com-

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said in a statement that steps to achieve comprehensive peace in the region must come from Israel.

Safadi added that Israel should stop undermining a two-state solution.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the deal as another “betrayal” by an Arab state and saw the move as a very dangerous one.

“It thwarts the Arab peace initiative and contradicts international legitimacy,” they

“You’ve proposed a realistic vision for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. And you have successfully brokered the historic peace that we are signing today, a peace that has broad support in Israel, in America, in the Middle East, indeed in the entire world.”

Abdullah Al Khalifa backed a strategic partnership.

“It is not an abandonment of the Palestinian cause, it is to strengthen Bahrainis’ security and their economic stability,” he reportedly said. “Iran has chosen to behave in a dominating way in several forms and has become a constant danger that harms our internal security,” Khalifa added.

The King of Bahrain, His Majesty Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, stressed the importance of reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

WJC’’s Lauder enthusiastically backed the Israel-Bahrain accord.

“It is clear to me that the winds of change are being felt across the Middle East,” said Lauder. “The regional embrace of Israel as a full and equal neighbour by Bahrain, following in the wake of the Israel-UAE agreement, is emblematic of the changes taking place in the Arab world.”

Lauder thanked Netanyahu and the King of Bahrain for the newest chapter in the creation of peace, safety and security in the Middle East.

munity, sits in the country’s Shura Council, she said, “This is a historic step towards achieving peace. Dialogue and direct relations between the two countries’ advanced economies will no doubt help build on the current positive transformation in the Middle East and support stability, security and prosperity in the region.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the decision to normalise relations was “extremely welcome news”.

“I hope that others will follow to help secure a more peaceful Middle East,” he added.

noted in a statement. “The PA calls on Bahrain to withdraw from its declaration, and emphasises it is unwilling for any Arab country to act on its behalf. “ Iran said Bahrain was a partner to the “crimes” of Israel.

“The rulers of Bahrain will from now on be partners to the crimes of the Zionist regime as a constant threat to the security of the region and the world of Islam,” a statement said.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also condemned Bahrain’s decision.

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Government confirms High Holy Day COVID checklist

BY DAVID SAFFER The government has confirmed synagogue services for the High Holy Days, Succot and Simchat Torah can take place in a Covid-secure way.

A ‘High Holy Day services and gatherings Covid-19’ checklist released on Monday covers every aspect of religious services and traditions. The United Synagogue has welcomed the news.

“Because of the challenges of keeping everyone socially distanced and the demand for places, communities have had to quickly adapt their plans, running additional minyanim and recruiting extra ba’alei tefillah,” said Jo Grose, US Director of Communities.

“It is of course disappointing that some of our communities have had to relocate their planned programming and services in gardens but we have been amazed at the speed at which they have found new locations and reorganised their plans.

“Our communities have also put together a range of programmes to support their members, including honey cake drop-offs, food parcels, arts and crafts for children and even a bus for the rabbinic team to drive by and say hello. Communities are supporting their older and self-isolating members through phone calls, packages and dropping off medicines.”

Jo added that the US has had extremely positive engagement with Public Health officials about the challenges and concerns of the Jewish community.

She noted, “Following the government’s new “rule of 6”, it is clear that many Jewish families won’t be able to enjoy a large festival meal together as they would do in usual years.

“We know this is very disappointing but also know our community recognises the urgent public health need to do what we can to bring the disease under control.”

Government guidelines offer an extensive list for the forthcoming festivals.

Before attending a synagogue, or marking festivals in other ways, communities need to check geographic lockdown measures for a local area.

Anyone feeling unwell with Covid symptoms should get a test immediately and stay at home to isolate. They should not invite anyone to their house, not leave home or prepare food for others.

When celebrating festivals at home with family it is essential to limit risks around the transmission of the virus. Family members not normally living at home need to be treated as a separate household.

It is against the law to gather in a group of more than six, indoors or outdoors, unless covered by an exemption. Everyone should wash hands frequently and keep two metres apart from people outside a household or bubble, even in their own home or other

Government website giving guidelines

people’s homes.

Other actions to reduce the risk of transmission include food being pre-wrapped.

Friends and family should use their dishes and cutlery.

In synagogues, communal worship must comply with Covid-secure guidance.

Shuls have numerous responsibilities for the High Holy Days. Among measures shuls must remove prayer books. Worshippers must also bring their own and take them home.

Small choirs can perform. Singing must not include audience participation.

Congregants must follow booking systems, changes to entrances and exits or staggered arrivals.

Everyone must socially distance and wear a face covering, unless they are exempt.

Synagogues have contact details of members to support the NHS Test and Trace service.

It is against the law in England to gather with more than five other people in private gardens. Gatherings in a public outdoor space is also against the law unless the gathering is exempt.

Local authorities will make decisions on applications for prayers in public places.

Regarding shofar blowing, the government understands it is an important for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.

The shofar should only be handled by the person blowing the shofar. Where possible they should bring their own shofar and take it home after the service. If more than one person needs to touch a shofar, hands should be washed before and after the exchange.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ROTH FAMILY

The shofar blower should maintain two metres distance from worshippers. Under no circumstances should more than one person blow the same shofar, it should not be blown towards worshippers.

If shofar blowing events are arranged to facilitate more people being able to hear the shofar outside of services, they should follow the same safe guidelines.

There should be no more than six people to perform tashlich unless a household or support bubble is larger than six people.

The entire household or bubble can participate, but no additional people can join as it is against the law. Social distancing must be adhered to. Prayer books and breadcrumbs must not be shared. If events are arranged to facilitate more people performing tashlich, they should follow the same guidelines.

For Succot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah measures are likewise in place.

Anyone building a succah at home should make sure it’s for no more than six people at any time. If a household or support bubble is larger than six people, the household or bubble can be in the succah but no additional people can join them.

Sharing food between households or support bubbles should be avoided. Members of different households should ensure friends and family use their own dishes and cutlery.

Family visits should follow social distancing rules.

If a synagogue is erecting a communal succah on their grounds, it should be treated as a part of the synagogue. It can be used for prayer services but Covid measures should be in place.

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Social gatherings in a communal succah, or succah crawls are not permitted this year.

Sets of lulav and etrog should not be shared between households. Sets taken to shul must be taken home. And all belongings must be clearly marked.

If hakafot are taking place, care should be taken to ensure social distancing is maintained and face coverings should be worn.

Torah scrolls should not be handled by more people than is necessary. Hands should be thoroughly washed before and after exchanges. Dancing must not take place.

The government accepted that the guidelines might seem disappointing.

However, they emphasised “It’s important to remember that the virus is still with us and we need to do all we can to protect ourselves and our family and friends.

“These restrictions and guidance are in place to keep all of our families, friends and communities safe during this time and we recognise that festivals will be marked differently throughout this pandemic.”

In the build-up to the High Holy Days, Richard Verber, US communications director, noted that lay leaders have been working on intricate plans to ensure ‘close to normal’ Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services can take place.

“Public health concerns must come first but for months we have been devising innovative ways of making sure as many people as possible, in a Covid-secure way, can attend a service,” he explained.

“We have looked at children’s programming, family programming, shofar blowing and tashlich.

“Services are not going to be what people are used to, for many people it might be uncomfortable but we are doing what we can to make sure that services can go ahead.”

Richard added, “We are pleased the government have confirmed places of worship can remain open but even in large shuls that may be able to seat 800 to 1,000 people we are finding that the people that can actually be accommodated drops down to a few hundred. There will be many people that cannot be accommodated, which is incredibly sad, so that is a challenge.”

Richard noted that in spite of all the challenges Chazanim and Rabbonim are ready to go.

“Services will sound the same but of course it will be very strange not being able to sing-along to evocative old tunes on Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur ‘Musaph’, however it’s important for people to take a part in services,” he said.

“It will be the most unusual Rosh Hashanah, possibly a Rosh Hashanah like no other.

There will be people that can think back to The Blitz, Holocaust survivors will recall experiences in concentration camps, but in terms of peace time it is the most unusual in memory.”

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‘Dominoes’ fall on Hezbollah’s European operations

BY DAVID SAFFER The United States has praised Serbia for designating Hezbollah a terrorist organisation.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo described the decision as a “significant step” for European security. The notification came as US President Donald Trump announced a brokered accord between Serbia and Kosovo last week.

Kosova has already named Hezbollah’s military and political wing a terrorist group.

Trump’s proposed ‘Balkan’ deal focuses on job creation and economic growth. It will also aid peace in the Middle East.

In a historic ceremony in Washington, Serbia pledged to move its embassy to Jerusalem, Kosovo agreed to mutual recognition with Israel following on from the Israel-United Arab Emirates accord.

“This is a truly historic day, Serbia and Kosovo have each committed to economic normalisation,” Trump said of the deal to end a long-standing divide.

Belgrade’s Hezbollah stand, ratified

by Kosova’s position, will limit the terror group’s ability to operate in Europe noted Pompeo in a landmark statement.

“The dominoes are falling on Hezbollah’s European operations, where it has continued to plot terrorist attacks, procure military technology, and raise much-needed funding,” the State Department reportedly noted. “The United States continues to call on the European Union and European nations to designate or ban Hezbollah in its entirety and recognise the reality that it is a terrorist organisation root and branch with no distinction between its so-called ‘military’ and ‘political’ wings.

“We urge all countries in Europe and elsewhere to take whatever action they can to prevent Hezbollah operatives, recruiters, and financiers from operating on their territories.”

Trump’s accord announcement came after meetings between U.S. officials with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti.

Both parties vowed to promote freedom of religion, including protection of religious sites and the continued restitution of unclaimed Jewish property from the Holocaust.

Trump praised both Presidents.

“There are still a lot of differences between us, but this is a huge step forward,” he noted.

“It’s very important that we are going to have a unified economic zone, an entire Western Balkans, which will bring us to the real economic results for the benefit and for the sake of all our people.”

Vucic extended an invitation to Trump to visit Serbia. The last U.S. President was Jimmy Carter who attended President Josip

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic

Broz Tito’s funeral in 1980, the largest state burial in history at the time.

Hoti said it was a great moment for Kosovo and the region. “We are fully committed to work together to improve people’s lives, to bring new jobs into the region,” he commented.

Addressing Trump, he added, “We share the same values of freedom, democracy, an open-market economy.”

Netanyahu welcomed news of diplomatic ties with Kosovo and the opening of embassies by both nations in Jerusalem.

“Kosovo will be the first country with a Muslim majority to open an embassy in Jerusalem,” he reportedly said in a statement. “As I’ve said in recent days, the circle of peace and recognition of Israel is expanding and more countries are expected to join.”

“We will continue efforts so that additional European countries will transfer their embassies to Jerusalem,” he added.

Turkey, unsurprisingly, criticised the news, stating it was “deeply concerned” by Serbia’s move.

The Turkish foreign ministry called on Kosovo’s leadership to back down as it would harm the legal status of Jerusalem.

The EU is in strategically delicate talks between Serbia and Kosovo. Its policy is that Jerusalem’s status must be part of an Israel-Palestinian peace deal.

Challenges will come as all 27 EU-member nations and new ones are expected to

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

Prime Minister of Kosovo Avdullah Hoti

The United States continues to call on the European Union and European nations to designate or ban Hezbollah in its entirety and recognise the reality that it is a terrorist organisation… respect that standing.

“There is no EU member state with an embassy in Jerusalem,” European Commission spokesman Peter Stano reportedly said. “Any diplomatic steps that could call into question the EU’s common position on Jerusalem are a matter of serious concern and regret.”

Since the announcement there has been media speculation as to whether the deal will last.

“We’re not connected to the Balkan conflict and we’re not supposed to be,” Israel’s former Serbia Ambassador Arthur Koll reportedly said.

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PHOTO: TWITTER

“The question that should be raised is why Israel was thrown in there.”

Koll added, “It’s a step that might have future repercussions for the Israel-Palestinian conflict.”

Koll held the view that “Israeli clauses” followed “US pressure on Israel” due to the US presidential election.

“After the past three election cycles in Israel, in which Trump diplomatically assisted Netanyahu repeatedly, Netanyahu now just had to return the favour,” he noted.

Israel’s former European Union Ambassador, Oded Eran, likewise, reportedly questioned the accord.

“The EU’s stance on the Palestinian question is very clear, all of its countries oppose recognising Jerusalem as the capital right now,” he said.

“What will the Europeans say to Serbia if it moves its embassy to Jerusalem? Will that move hurt its chances of being allowed into the EU? Does that mean Serbia won’t do it?” Eran added.

“We must remember, Serbia didn’t recognise Kosovo’s independence in this deal, so now it’s going to make such a gesture (to) Israel after Israel recognized Kosovo?

I’m a bit sceptic.”.

Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017 and moved its embassy in 2018.

The United States and Guatemala are so far been the only nations to establish embassies in Jerusalem.

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17 SEPTEMBER 2020

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Board meets Plaid Cymru leader The Board of Deputies met Plaid Cymru leader, Adam Price, this week.

The group discussed the case of Plaid member Sahar Al-Faifi who has frequently engaged in anti-Semitic behaviour including promoting Rothschild conspiracy theories, blaming terrorist incidents in the UK on ‘Zionists’ and accusing Israel for the killing of George Floyd.

Senior vice president Sheila Gewolb, vice president Amanda Bowman and South Wales Jewish Representative Council Chair Laurence Kahn attended.

Ms Gowolb welcomed meeting the Plaid Cymru leader.

“We took this opportunity to raise our serious concerns about the ongoing disciplinary case of Sahar Al-Faifi,” she noted.

Adam Price

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

“We were clear that Al-Faifi’s choice to repeatedly engage in anti-Semitic conduct means she is unsuitable to be a member of, let alone run for election for, any anti-racist political party. “We will continue to engage in dialogue with the party, while making clear that we expect them to stand with us against anti-Jewish racism.

“This case will be a test of Plaid Cymru’s resolve on anti-racism.”

Another topic under discussion was the Welsh Government’s intended support for BDS sanctions of Israel through its procurement policy and proposed curriculum changes that would dilute religious education.

Price offered a continuing dialogue on these issues.

GR WI OW NO TH ING RW OO D

Amiram Ben-Uliel

PHOTO: TWITTER

BY SIMCHA ABIR

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Our supported living and residential services, employment training and personalised support are designed to enable and empower adults with learning disabilities or autism – today and throughout their lifetime.

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Ben-Uliel handed three life sentences

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Israeli extremist Amiram Ben-Uliel has been handed three life sentences at Lod District Court for murdering a Palestinian family in a horrific firebomb attack in 2015.

Saed and Reham Dawabsheh, and their 18-month old son Ali, died in the fire.

The family’s four-year-old son, Ahmed, suffered severe burn injuries. He is being cared for by a grandfather.

Ben-Uliel, 25, firebombed the family’s West Bank home whilst they were sleeping.

Acquitted of membership of a terrorist group, Ben-Uliel was found guilty of three counts of murder, attempted murder, arson and conspiracy for a racially motivated crime in May. Ben-Uliel denied the charges.

Judge Ruth Lorach reportedly said, “The defendant today receives his sentence for the serious acts he committed, which led to an unbearable outcome, the loss of the lives of members of the same family, three people, and the serious injury of Ahmed.

His actions stemmed from extremist ideology and racism. He wanted them dead, because they were Arabs.”

According to the indictment, Ben-Uliel and a minor lived in settlement outposts near Duma when they set about avenging the murder of Malachi Rosenfeld by Palestinian terrorists in July 30, 2015.

After the two failed to meet on the day of the attack, Ben-Uliel targeted two homes belonging to the Dawabsheh family, setting them on fire with Molotov cocktails.

Ben-Uliel sprayed ‘Revenge’ and a ‘Star of David’ on a wall of a house and ‘Long Live the King Messiah’ on a wall around the homes.

17 SEPTEMBER 2020

NEWS 11

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Lib Dems axe Mayor of London candidate

BY SIMCHA ABIR Campaign Against Antisemitism and the Board of Deputies have welcomed the Liberal Democrat Party dropping a proposed Mayor of London candidate after historic anti-Semitic comments came to light.

Both organisations backed the move after news broke of Geeta Sidhu-Robb’s actions during the 1997 election campaign. Footage shows Sidhu-Robb calling on Muslim voters not to vote for Labour opponent, Jack Straw, because they would be “voting for a Jew”.

Sidhu-Robb will not appear on the ballot.

The party moved quickly against the mayoral candidate. An investigation is underway in “accordance with due process”.

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson reportedly said that the party takes allegations of this nature “extremely seriously”.

“A complaint has been received by the party and will be actioned in accordance with our processes,” they explained.

Sidhu-Robb was shortlisted with Lib Dem Councillor Luisa Porrit for the mayoral contest.

A CAA spokesperson said, that while Sidhu-Robb claimed to have been subject to unacceptable racist political campaigning in 1997, she was “absolutely wrong to respond by indulging in antisemitism and, worse still, encouraging it among voters”.

CAA added, “It was right that she recognised at the time that she was wrong to do it, and she is right to reiterate that apology now. Even so, the Liberal Democrats are also right to recognise that she cannot possibly stand as the Party’s candidate for the London mayoralty following these revelations, and the Party’s investigation should determine what further steps are needed to verify whether she is fit to remain a member.”

the fact that my husband actually is Muslim. So, we’re just going to pull the gloves off. I’m going to get a car and walk around, drive through town telling everybody Jack Straw’s a Jew. How’s a Muslim going to vote for someone who’s Jewish? That’s it. That’s what happened and that’s what we’re going to do about it.”

The footage shows the car driving around the neighbourhood with a voice through a megaphone saying, “Don’t vote for a Jew, Jack Straw is a Jew”, “If you vote for him you’re voting for a Jew”, and “Jews are the enemy of Muslims”.

Later in the video, Sidhu-Robb claims she had acted because she was “furious” but had regretted doing it.

She said, “I didn’t want racism and bigotry to play a part in anything that I had anything to do with,” adding, “I object strenuously to it. I did it because I was furious. So, I must admit I wish I hadn’t done it.”

Sidhu-Robb noted on Twitter last Sunday after a media storm ensued, “I apologise profusely for my actions in the 1997 General Election Campaign. My behaviour caused offence and hurt and I am deeply sorry. There is no room for any form of racism or anti-Semitism in society and as such I very much regret my conduct at that time.”

Sidhu-Robb lost the election to Straw, left the Conservative Party and joined the Lib Dems.

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“A complaint has been received by the party and will be actioned in accordance with our processes,” Board President Marie van der Zyl described the anti-Semitic comments as “despicable” but was heartened to see within hours of the story breaking that the Party had suspended Sidhu-Robb.

Only last week, the Party announced that Sidhu-Robb and Porrit as nominees before disturbing footage of Sidhu-Robb was released.

Angry at unacceptable Labour Party campaigning, Sidhu-Robb reportedly said she would “pull the gloves off”.

In a video, Sidhu-Robb reportedly notes, “The Labour Party is going around with a microphone at the moment saying ‘she’s against Islam, she’s not Muslim, she’s not one of us, don’t vote for her because she’s against Islam.’ And this is making it racist, it’s making it personal, particularly considering

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17 SEPTEMBER 2020

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Israel shuts schools but opens shuls…

BY DAVID SAFFER Israel will lockdown the education system today due to an escalating spike in coronavirus cases. But Synagogues will be open during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

A maximum of 20 worshippers can pray in open spaces under social distancing guidelines, only 10 people can pray indoors.

A three-week shutdown comes into force before the High Holy days and continues for Succot and Simchat Torah. There have been reports some ultra-orthodox communities will not adhere to the rules in the coming days.

Israel was the first country to announce a second lockdown last Sunday after medical advice.

Israelis backed the initial lockdown but have questioned how the government has handled the pandemic. There is growing concern a lockdown will result in increased mental health issues.

Ministry data released showed a record 5,523 coronavirus daily cases on Tuesday.

A record 1,153 patients are being treated in hospitals, 535 are in a serious condition, 138 are on ventilators. There have been 1,147 fatalities to date.

Jerusalem has the highest number of new cases with 3,034 cases then Bnei Brak 1,549, Ashdod 886, Petah Tikva 636 and Modi’in Illit 622.

The government voted to close day care centers, kindergartens and schools a day earlier than planned after heated discussions among ministers. Special needs education is unaffected.

Coronavirus czar, Prof. Ronni Gamzu called for the move in the ongoing battle with Covid-19.

Cabinet Secretary Tzachi Braverman confirmed the decision to ministers in writing. Education Minister Yoav Galant opposed the move.

“According to data, the percentage of coronavirus illness among students in the education system is smaller than their relative part in the population, and therefore there is no real need to close educational institutions hastily and immediately,” he reportedly wrote.

Israel’s Corona cabinet had already backed Gamzu’s three-stage plan to lower the rate of infection in Israel this week.

Stage one restricts movement to 500m from homes. Non-essential businesses, restaurants, leisure facilities, tourist sites and most schools will shut before Rosh Hashanah.

A second stage allows greater movement

Empty street in the centre of Jerusalem

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Israelis backed the initial lockdown but have questioned how the government has handled the pandemic. but inter-city travel is banned, private businesses can have 30-50 per cent of a workforce in an office. But restaurants, leisure facilities, hotels, shopping centes, tourist sites and most schools will remain shut.

The third stage will see a ‘traffic light’ programme in place.

“The transition from stage to stage will be done following an assessment and provided that a picture of the situation indicates a prominent and continuing trend of decline in morbidity,” explained the Prime Minister’s Office.

Netanyahu noted, “We must take action carefully, not recklessly, so it takes many hours, and on the other hand early enough so that we can all get organised for the holidays.”

Health Minister Yaakov Litzman reportedly lambasted Gamzu.

“The lockdown’s being held on Rosh Hashana and the Jewish holidays deliberately,” he noted. “It’s rude that they want to have the lockdown on the High Holy Days,

of all times.”

Gamzu called for a full lockdown in “red cities” with the highest infection rates.

Netanyahu was pressured by ultra-orthodox Ministers Litzman and Aryeh Deri and Charedi Mayors from cities not to enforce the plan.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid reportedly lambasted the plan.

He said, “They’ll have a three-week lockdown, and then what? Do they have a healthcare plan? Do they have an economic plan? Have they set up an epidemiological testing system? Nothing. We’re headed for a lockdown because they failed, and they have no idea what they want to do now. Is there an explanation why businesses in green cities should be locked down?

It’s about politics, not healthcare.”

Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman backed Lapid’s comments as an “admission that the government has failed to deal with the coronavirus.”

Finance Minister Israel Katz will

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reportedly announce a financial package to businesses hit by the latest lockdown and people that may lose jobs.

Following Sunday’s vote, Netanyahu gave a televised address.

“I know those measures will exact a heavy price on us all,” he said. “This is not the kind of holiday (Rosh Hashanah) we are used to. And we certainly won’t be able to celebrate with our extended families.”

He added, “We were warned of a spike in serious cases that could result in a number of deaths we have not seen before. The winter that is nearing may see seasonal flu added to the coronavirus case load so we must take steps in advance.”

Netanyahu claimed Israel’s early actions had reduced deaths.

Notwithstanding Netanyahu’s comments, ultra-orthodox Litzman resigned in protest to the lockdown over the High Holy Days as disrespectful to religious citizens.

In a letter to Netanyahu, Litzman explained that hundreds of thousands of Jews would be unable to attend synagogue on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

“I reiterated this warning and opposed a full closure on holidays on all forums, at the Coronavirus Cabinet, government discussions, conversations with you and other members of the Cabinet, and also in the media,” he reportedly wrote. “I said over and over that if a full closure is indeed needed, we should not wait until the situation gets so dire, it should have been decided then, a month ago, two weeks ago and not on the holidays.”

Litzman claimed the government scheduled the lockdown despite an understanding with Gamzu it would not happen.

He added, “Coronavirus czar Prof. Ronni Gamzu kept telling me that this was not the intention,” he noted. “Unfortunately, it has been proven that I was right when I said that the decision to close completely during the holidays was pre-marked with unnecessary risk while causing an increase in infections over time.”

Litzman continued, “An agreement on the opening of synagogues was broken and that the decision to impose a full closure would not allow synagogues to operate on the holidays despite our previous accords.

Before his resignation, Litzman boycotted the cabinet meeting where ministers were to vote on a lockdown.

Netanyahu lamented Litzman’s resignation but it would not affect policy-making.

He noted. “We must move forward, make the necessary decisions for the State of Israel during times of coronavirus, and that is what we will do in this meeting.”

16 LETTERS

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17 SEPTEMBER 2020

A message from the Prime Minister for Rosh Hashanah As the Shofar sounds throughout the days ahead it will signal not just the arrival of a new year, but also the end of one that many would like to forget.

Coronavirus, for reasons we still don’t fully understand, has hit Britain’s Jews particularly hard.

And the disproportionate losses you have suffered have been compounded by the necessary privations of lockdown.

Synagogues that have remained open for centuries, welcoming worshippers on Shabbat even as Nazi bombs rained from the sky, were forced to close their doors just when people needed spiritual comfort more than ever.

It’s been a year of cancelled and postponed bar and bat mitzvah celebrations.

Of usually warm and welcoming Passover Seders being barred to outside guests.

And I know that last week’s tightening

up of restrictions on social gatherings has come as a real blow to those who hoped to mark the high holy days with some degree of normality.

Being required to mark Rosh Hashanah without the close embrace of family will make this a difficult end to what has been a very difficult year.

But, here in the UK and around the world, Jewish communities have never been ones to take adversity lying down.

So I was not in the least surprised to see you responding to the challenges of Coronavirus with typical vim, vigour and ingenuity.

Reaching out to support one another.

Offering spiritual, practical and financial help to friends and neighbours of all faiths and none.

And finding new ways to come together as a community for education, prayer and

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

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

TRIBUTE FOR BRIAN GORDON Z’L Dear Editor, It is with great sadness that I give this tribute to a very special person, a former Deputy, Brian Gordon ‫ ז'ל‬who sadly passed away last Thursday, 21 Ellul, at the early age of 64.

Brian was first and foremost a devoted Husband, Father and Grandfather to a large and loving Family.

A solicitor by profession. A former long standing member of the Board of Deputies representing Herut/ the forerunner of today’s Likud, which indicates the length of service and at a time when Herut had minimal support!

An ardent supporter in defence of the practice of Shechitah and Brit Milah worldwide.

Conservative Councillor for the Borough of Barnet for very many years.

A Ba’al Koreh par excellence - a regular Reader of the Torah on Shabbatot and Yamim Tovim- in every orthodox Shul in Edgware and dedicated Bar Mitzvah teacher.

A regular contributor to all the Jewish Newspapers and various National papers;

his articles and letters demonstrated his vast knowledge on many matters of Jewish interest.

In addition Brian was involved in many other activities in which he excelled.

Brian z’l served the Board with distinction, on the Israel Committee and related Divisions of the Board. He was a pro-active and eloquent speaker, always in the forefront of Plenary debates and a staunch advocate, defender and supporter of Israel.

He was Mayor designate of Barnet and was to be installed shortly before his death. This was a great honour and all, without exception, agreed it was fully deserved and a testimony to his untiring, tireless and endless efforts to help anyone and everyone in his constituency no matter their race, religion or station in life.

Very sadly his term as Mayor was not to be realised.

Brian did not seek honour for himself.

He fulfilled the words of 2:1 ‫פרקי אבות‬ ‫ איזו דרך ישרה שיבור לו האדם‬.‫רבי אומר‬ Rabbi said ‘What is the right course that a man should choose for himself? ‫כל שהיא תפארת לעושה ותפארת לו מן האדם‬.

That which is an honour to him who does

celebration.

And that is why I believe we can look ahead to 5781 with great hope and with optimism.

You have been doing your bit, you have been playing your part.

And if you stick with it – meet in groups of no more than six, wash your hands, wear face coverings and keep your distance from anyone you do not live with – if you can do all that together we can, as Avinu Malkeinu puts it with prescient topicality, “remove the plague” from all our people.

And when it comes to totting up good deeds from the year gone by, I can’t think of anything greater than doing what was needed, however tough, to save the lives of your fellow citizens.

Shana Tova – and may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.

it, and which also brings him honour from mankind Brian always took the honourable path in life and gained honour from his community earning him a ‫שם טוב‬. It is our great loss that Brian was unable to honour us in the office of Mayor! How proud we all would have been to see him installed in high office. He was a true ‫קידוש השם‬.

The Gordon Family and mine have been longstanding close friends, - I with Julie and my beloved Husband Herbert z’l with Brian, having shared interests.

Brian and I taught the Senior classes at Edgware Cheder and served at the same time on the Board for many years. When newly engaged, Julie learnt together with our daughter Simone.

A deeply religious man, Brian followed the strength of his conviction and was fearless in his response to any misunderstanding or misrepresentation especially in the area of Torah, the Jewish people and Israel. At plenary meetings he was first to take a stand and to explain clearly and forcefully the subject in question!

At times, his could be termed “a lone voice in the wilderness”. Hence being like minded, Brian appreciated my own religious input, support and commitment to orthodoxy.

For Brian z’l ‫ עם ישראל וארץ‬,‫תורת ישראל‬ ‫ ישראל‬were inextricably linked! He had a deep love for all three and there was no separation in his heart!

Brian touched the lives of so very many people in a meaningful way, also in the wider community, and has left a void which will be hard to fill. He is deeply mourned by all who had the privilege to know him. He was a true champion of the Jewish People.

On a lighter and amusing note, former senior Vice President Jerry Lewis, who

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despite diametrically opposed political views, maintained a friendship with Brian, and reminded me that the only two people who almost succeeded in making a Shidduch for him, Jerry, was Brian and myself. Brian cared not only for the spiritual welfare but also for our physical wellbeing.

I recall a delightful scene in their first home, which became a ritual. We had spent a winter’s Shabbat lunch with the Gordon’s. Our husbands returned from Shul and after Havdalah I remarked on how nice it was of Brian to willingly do the washing up. He explained that Julie and he had an arrangement. If she allowed him to sing all day long, which was his want, then Brian must in turn, wash all the Shabbat dishes on Motzei Shabbat, to which he agreed!

Our thoughts are with his wife Julie and Family during this difficult time. His Beloved wife Julie, his ‫ עזר כנגדו‬- helpmate - and the mainstay of the Family - always supported and encouraged Brian in his many communal activities and interests keeping him in loving “check” when needs be. She was his veritable Rock and Brian was the first to acknowledge this.

Brian died a “rich” man leaving behind a treasure - a true legacy - an entire Family in whom, ‫ להבדיל בין חיים לחיים‬together with Julie, he instilled a love of Torah and fine values.

At this time of the year, having started Selichot on ‫ מוצאי שבת‬and with the approach of the ‫ ימים נוראים‬- the Days of Awe - the ‫ עשרת ימי תשובה‬- we pray that Brian will be a ‫ מליץ יושר‬- a righteous intercessor - for his Family, for the Jewish Community and the entire world. We are in need of such prayers during these unprecedented and challenging times of Covid 19. ‫יהי זכרו ברוך‬ Yours sincerely Flora Frank

17 SEPTEMBER 2020

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EDITORIAL 17

Message from the editor

Editor, Yossi Saunders

REMEMBERING BRIAN

My heart missed a beat when someone called me last week to ask me if Brian Gordon used to write for us. My initial reaction was to wonder why she was speaking in the past tense. My heart sank when she told me that he had passed away and his funeral was later that day. Brian used to converse with me regularly behind the scenes, and his letters and op-eds were always well thought out and received. He was a pillar of the community and will be sorely missed.

COVID-19

In the Unesaneh Tokef prayer, we say the famous words, ‘who will live, who will die, who before their time, who by plague.’ Who would have thought last year the importance of ‘who before their time, and who by plague?’ Most people would hardly have given it much thought as they turned their way through the Machzor.

Yet this year, we will all tremble when we recite those ancient words. The year 5780 has been dominated by plague and fear of death. In an age where mankind has made such huge advances in technology, it is truly remarkable how Hashem has shown us quite clearly how He still controls the world and can turn it upside down in an instant.

Huge economies brought to a complete standstill. World superpowers, completely

Zaka volunteers in action

helpless in the face of something so small that if we were the same size as a coronavirus, 360 million of us could stand on top of a pencil.

No one could possibly have predicted what would befall us. Who would have thought the year would pan out how it did?

The people around the world who bravely fought Covid-19 through terrible agony and ultimately lost the battle, causing untold grief to their families who couldn’t even visit them in their final days.

Funerals sparsely attended whilst family and friends watched silently from their living rooms on Zoom.

Those people who fought the battle and won, many against all the odds. Although they are still alive, there is a long and treacherous road ahead for many of them, paved with untold challenges in the months to come.

There have been many other sides to Covid-19 that have been just as devastating.

Zaka recently published a devastating report highlighting some horror stories, including 120 incidents of decomposed bodies of people in Israel who had died of natural causes whilst in self-isolation. Tragically, they were not discovered for days or even weeks until neighbours noticed a foul smell coming from their apartments into the stairwell.

The unbearable loneliness and long suffering of people unfortunately on their own, not spending time with families, especially at Pesach and now sadly Rosh Hashanah too.

People with other serious medical problems who have been ignored and abandoned by mainstream medicine who have died or will die. Many will have a much longer period of suffering, now forced to wait months and years for treatments.

One lady told me she is still too scared to go to kosher shops, so she orders everything online, even though she has to pay four times the price for Shabbat candles on Amazon.

Who would have thought last year this terrible decree would have been thrust upon the world? The many businesses that have been utterly devastated, with literally zero income for months. People who will now be out of work, desperately looking for a new job during one of the worst economic downturns in living memory.

It has affected everyone’s life, in some way, shape or form. The parents who were stuck at home for months with children all day, unable to leave the house. No structure to their lives.

The countless pupils, who spent months doing phone lessons and communicating to their teachers, friends and the wider world through Zoom. How will this affect their education and confidence?

Teachers, who suddenly had to try to

When looking back, we must remember that everything that happened in the last year was as we say in Unesaneh Tokef ‘inscribed on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur.’ control their class on a computer screen or telephone, trying to impart precious knowledge in so much less available time.

We do not understand why Hashem wanted shuls closed for so long this year.

Did G-d reject our communal davening?

Is there perhaps too much talking in shuls, not enough respect for the sanctity of G-d’s House? People unable to say Kaddish for loved ones. Unable to schmooze with friends at the weekly kiddush.

When looking back, we must remember that everything that happened in the last year was as we say in Unesaneh Tokef ‘inscribed on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur.’ As we approach the High Holy Days once more, we must reflect on the pain, yet try to keep positive and upbeat as we try to pray for a successful 5781.

Remember that despite all that has gone wrong, there is still so much that has gone right this year. Let us flip 5780 on its head.

Remember what people did to help others through the darkest days. The NHS staff who literally put their lives on the line to save other people’s lives. Those same doctors and nurses suddenly became the heroes they deserve to be hailed as, and for a few precious months the so called ‘celebrities’ such as footballers and the like that people idolise became instantly redundant to the world.

The countless charities that admirably rallied to the cause, coming up with creative

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methods against a backdrop of uncertainty, falling incomes and skeleton staff to ensure they adequately adapted to be able to meet the needs of those under their care. You will read more about their mammoth efforts in next week’s Charity Supplement.

Those warriors who delivered food to the vulnerable, or simply called in to see how those in self-isolation were doing. People who took it upon themselves to befriend a lonely person over the phone, to help them through with rays of brilliant sunshine.

People have come to appreciate the finer things in life. The realisation for many people that simply spending quality time with one’s families is worth far more than all the money in the world. Many wives saw more of their husband in the last few months than in many years previously! Children received special undivided attention from parents as opposed to being brushed off as they reach once more for their mobile phone.

Shuls have reached out to reach in, using technology, creativity and innovation to change what it means to belong to a shul, perhaps forever. Many shuls will continue the pre- Shabbat services on Zoom which in some instances attract far more people than physical services usually have.

For most people, Hashem has ensured that the heart has continued to beat throughout the year. Our eyes can still see, we still have legs that can walk. And most amazingly of all, our precious heritage, our Torah has become more accessible than ever. Whilst leining might have been affected, lectures around the world have increased rapidly, beaming out daily to tens of thousands more people than ever before.

My own Daf Yomi Shiur (R’ Eli Stefanski – 8minutedaf.com) has risen to over 3000 subscribers.

A lawyer in Marble Arch told me today that thanks to the pandemic he has learned more Torah than ever before, watching daily videos, reading WhatsApp’s, and becoming impressively more knowledgeable than he ever would have planned to become this time last year.

As we approach the awesome and holy days of Rosh Hashanah, we must remember that what Hashem plans to do next year is all decided over the next few days.

It is of course imperative that we all plead with our Creator that vaccines are made, that we don’t suffer the dreaded second wave or worse, and that ultimately the Coronavirus pandemic is banished from the world as quickly as it came.

Whilst we must not ignore the devastation, let us try to take the positives from the last 12 months into our prayers, and hopefully the good things that have come out will fill us with a drive to make the world an even better place next year, and ultimately hasten the final redemption.

Wishing all our readers a Shanah Tova, a sweet happy and HEALTHY New Year with only blessings and peace across the world.

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Entire Jewish community

BY DAVID SAFFER Community Security Trust will as ever be a presence across Jewish communities in the UK throughout the High Holy Days although 2020 will see lower congregations than normal due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief executive Mark Gardner has been in the role since the beginning of September. Just two weeks into the post he took time out from his busy schedule to discuss all things CST. When news of his acceptance to the job hit the press, Mark, who succeeded David Delew, said he was “deeply honoured” to be taking up the role on behalf of the entire Jewish community.

Praising the organisation’s work and volunteers, he added that he had fought against anti-Semitism, racism and extremism since his teenage years.

No one is arguably better placed to overview how the organisation has developed since the late ’80s.

Rosh Hashanah is not just a noteworthy date in the Jewish calendar but also an annual reminder for Mark of the time he joined the organisation back in 1989. Just over three decades on, he steers CST at a time of increased global anti-Semitism aside from ongoing Covid-19 ramifications.

Going back to the autumn of ‘89 when Margaret Thatcher, US President George Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev had declared the end of the Cold War, Manchester City fans went to shul on Rosh Hashanah gloating after thumping Manchester United 5-1 and Gloria Estafan was number one in the hit parade with ‘Don’t Wanna Lose You’, what does Mark recall about CST. “I joined as a researcher, a member of staff could not leave until they found a replacement, they told me about the job, it sounded fascinating and I jumped at the chance,” he recalled.

“We were not CST, we were called Community Security Organisation, people referred to us

by other names so there was confusion with the Board of Deputies defence department.

“It was a much smaller operation and less visible to the general public.”

So how has it evolved?

“There were around 15 staff, now we have 92. We didn’t really have a public profile to speak of, and even when we became a charity in 1994, we still didn’t really have much of a profile,” Mark noted.

The perception began to change a few years later, Mark takes up the story.

“We needed our community to take comfort and pride from the work we were doing and for our enemy to know that we were there,” he said. “We needed to work

more openly alongside the police, the Home Office and politicians. The whole operation became more public. It also enabled us to get more volunteers which was and still is crucial to our mission.”

The Board of Deputies in 1951 lists the UK Jewish community at 420,000. Depending on what survey you follow, there are some 270,000 nowadays, a dip of approximately 150,000.

CST closely monitors anti-Semitic incidents. When Mark joined CST there was a few hundred in an average year, nowadays its over 100 per month. The contrast is startling.

“I don’t know if that is because there is more anti-Semitism or because it is more commonly accepted and understood that you observe something,” he noted.

CST notes on its website that it works for the protection and defence of British Jews from the most religious to the most secular, young to old, so they can “lead its way of life with confidence”.

CST works with all political parties to discuss anti-Semitism, racism, extremism and terrorism. They liaise with police at local, regional and national levels to help protect Jewish communities.

Linking with social multinational bodies and international networks, CST also offers its expertise to advance anti-racism and anti-discrimination values in society.

Protecting Jews from anti-Semitism, and anti-Semitic terrorism in particular, CST helps victims of anti-Smitic hatred, harassment or bias.

They promote research into racism, anti-Semitism and extremism, using research for the benefit of the Jewish community and society at large.

It is some operation from all those years ago, but some things don’t change.

“Our frontline mission is protecting the community and fighting an-

Mark Gardner

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ti-Semitism,” Mark noted.

“There is everything we do on behalf of people who unfortunately suffer an anti-Semitic incident, by which we mean hate crimes, but not everything is necessarily categorised in the criminal justice system as a crime. The manifestations of anti-Semitism that impacts people daily, the security and research that we do, all these things overlap, but they are also areas of expertise.

“To do this work we need volunteers and funding.”

Concerning security, a big step-change was building a 24/7 security control centre that is permanently manned. There is a vast number of Jewish buildings on CST’s system.

“Technology allows CST to grow, it doesn’t mean other things shrink in what we do, but technology allows CST to grow and that is really important,” Mark explained.

“The buildings on our system are part of the Jewish community, that figure changes all the time with new schools and charities and so on.”

Notwithstanding technology, what has been the biggest change in recent years?

“The biggest change is not visible to most people, it’s on the inside because the regulatory environment around charities, Health & Safety and data protection has tightened,” Mark noted.

“There is better awareness of those things and it helps us deliver a better service. We welcome it, given the number of staff, volunteers and operations that we do.”

Aside from its full and part time staff, CST boasts some 2,000 volunteers presently.

In terms of operations CST is involved in a 12-month period, Mark said it was “impossible to define” as, for example, card carrying CST volunteers are at shuls every Shabbat, which “in a sense is a CST operation but in another it’s not”.

Mark though noted that CST is involved in some 1,000 operations a year.

‘Covid’ just 12 months ago barely registered in terms of discussion points. Today, it’s impossible to avoid the topic. So, how has the coronavirus pandemic affected CST day to day operations since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK lockdown last March.

“It primarily affected the event security side of what we do,” Mark noted.

“If there is a largescale Jewish event, especially if we think there might be some risk to it, we will provide security volunteers to work at the event free of charge.

That is the only change.”

Operationally, he commented, “It’s amazing how we have adapted to working from home, but the 24/7 security control centre never went home. Staff were in throughout the lockdown period.

“It was only a few weeks when things were at its worst that the office was

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FEATURE 21

must have stake in CST largely deserted. We now have all security staff in and I’ve been planning Chagim operations.”

Mark explained there has been a dip in anti-Semitic reports in the past six months that will be reflected in the January to June six-month anti-Semitic 2020 report.

The reason is obvious but anti-Semitism is sadly never far away.

“Things quietened down when we were at the height of the lockdown of public activities, less people were out on the street so less anti-Semitism was being reported to us,” he noted. “But it (anti-Semitism) did not stop online. The percentage of incidents coming from social media was higher than it had ever been. But you would expect that because people were not outside, they were on social media.”

Since a relaxation of measures, Mark added that incidents had picked up as society returned to the streets. This could change again though because of the new ‘rule of 6’ from the government.

“We dipped under 100 incidents in a month for the first time in two years, but it’s now up above that figure,” he commented.

What is the biggest challenge for CST? “Knowing that the potential for a terrorist attack is always out there but obviously we hope that people don’t realise the need for the security,” he said. “The less people think about terrorism the better because that means it’s not been happening.

“We don’t want an environment in which everybody is terrified of terrorism the whole time because they are seeing it in the newspapers. The challenge is for us as staff and volunteers to be aware always that a terrorist attack could come at any time and it’s how to ensure we are always at the top of our game.

“The reality is terrorists are out there and do make threats. That is the job of our researchers. We see it online and that is why we do what we do.”

To illustrate the point, Mark recalled an anti-Semitic attack less than 12 months ago on Yom Kippur at a shul in Halle, Germany in October 2019.

There was global condemnation when a neo-Nazi gunman, identified by local media as German, Stephan Balliet, failed to force his way into the Halle shul as 80 people prayed.

In the aftermath, the 27-year-old from Saxony-Anhalt, who acted alone, killed a woman passer-by and man inside a kebab restaurant close by. Two people were injured in the noon incident livestreamed by the gunman, carrying guns and explosive devices, who shouted in English, “The root of all problems are the Jews”.

Police arrested the assailant, a Holocaust denier. An online video has been removed.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed outrage and called for tougher action against anti-Semitic violence.

“If you had asked 100 German Jews which shul was going to get attacked I

don’t know if any of them would have suggested a shul in Halle,” recalled Mark.

“But it could have happened anywhere at any time.

“In Britain, many people probably don’t realise the last shul which suffered a serious attack was in Exeter (by a white supremacist in the summer of 2019). If a shul in Exeter can be firebombed on a Shabbat afternoon out of the blue then it could happen anywhere any time.

“I hope people are not scared, I’m sure some are but that is why CST are here.”

Mark was succinct when it came to the association of anti-Semitism with issues in Israel?

“It’s really closely associated,” he said.

“The problem is an intellectual one, what came first, hating Israel and then Jews, or hating Jews then Israel. But the hatred of Jews has been around for 2,000 years at least, Israel has only been around since 1948.”

For all the challenges, Mark was upbeat about fighting anti-Semitism and leading a Jewish life in the UK. “I’m privileged as a Jew to live in a time and place in Jewish history, when actually in many ways, things are really good,” he said.

“We have a partnership with the police and government, and the means at our communities’ disposal to fight anti-Semitism, to empower ourselves to do something.

“Look at Jewish history, look at where we are now and what we are able to do.

“It’s unlikely anti-Semitism is going to magically disappear but it is the case that you can, especially in London and Manchester, lead whatever Jewish life you want or don’t want.

“It’s entirely up to you and we should appreciate that.”

CST represents the whole of the UK, although Mark, who hails from Glasgow, is acutely aware that for the provinces, the experience of a Jewish life can be different.

“It’s difficult knowing I was part of the reason why there are so few Jews left in Glasgow,” he lamented. “There are hardly any kosher shops and nothing like as many shuls as when I grew up there.”

In terms of Jewish communities, Mark divided the provinces into categories.

“Manchester is a vibrant Jewish community by any standards, Gateshead is a unique community, Leeds is sizeable, Glasgow, Brighton, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Liverpool are all quite a good size.

But then you have much smaller ones such as Sunderland where the shul closed down. You literally see these communities shut down, which is really sad.

“You should not be compelled to stay in a place where the community is shrinking but if you want to lead a Jewish life then it is natural that you will go to a bigger community.”

Mark said that the biggest differences around the country regarding

anti-Semitism depended on whether a community was in or adjacent to a high crime neighbourhood.

“If it so happens that a Jewish community is in or is next to an area that has relatively high levels of crime, street crime in particular, then there will be more anti-Semitism,” he noted.

What are the most common forms of anti-Semitism?

“Generally, the perpetrator needs to realise that the victim is Jewish,” Mark lamented.

“The most common single type of incident is simply a Jewish person minding their own business and someone starts shouting abuse at them.”

Mark noted that you do not need to look like a stereotypical orthodox Jew to be targeted. And ‘Israel-related’ incidents, something ‘Jewish’ in the news and online discussions all led to spikes of anti-Semitism.

“When Israel is at war, whether Israel is at fault or not, is highly irrelevant to anti-Semites,” he explained. “When Israel is in the news, especially when Israel is at war, the number of anti-Semitic incidents increases by at least five or six times and the intensity of violence increases significantly.

“The same thing occurs when anything Jewish is in the news.

“If there is someone who everyone knows is Jewish and they are in the papers for the wrong reason then there is an increase in anti-Semitism. A very simplistic term, ‘Israel is a big Jewish state’, when that ‘Jewish thing’ is in the news, more anti-Semitism occurs.”

CST has a noteworthy relationship with politicians across the political divide.

Many Labour and Conservative leaders through the generations have been very supportive about the British Jewish community and Israel, including current Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

But the CST-political relationship came under immense strain when Jeremy Corbyn led the Labour Party.

Mark at the time was on the Jewish leadership delegation for CST with the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council.

Was he surprised at the level of anti-Semitism in the party.

“Not in the slightest,” he recalled.

Recollecting that Corbyn and the people running the party were not racists in the sense of hating people simply for being Jewish, they regarded the mainstream Jewish community, in particular its institutions, as being a “hostile political force” to what they wanted to achieve.

As for the new Labour leader, Mark noted, “I don’t think that anybody could have reasonably of expected Keir Starmer to have done any more than he has done.

Since taking over he has made very strong moves against anti-Semitism both practically and in terms of messaging. People should understand that, but we also have

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to appreciate that there is a very long way to go.”

Back to key issues and the proliferation of social media is the biggest area of growth in terms of anti-Semitism. Social media nowadays takes up a lot of CST’s time.

Mark explained, “We still talk about social media as if it was something that stands separate from our everyday lives.

Actually, social media now is around the top of our everyday lives, most of us anyway.

“Social media pursues you as a consumer down an ever-narrower path. It keeps identifying where your interests and opinions lie. And it therefore keeps feeding you things that support what you already think.

“Social media makes every conspiracy theory, old and new, available to everybody where previously you might have had to be, for example, a member of the British National Party to access it. It normalises extreme ways of thinking, it facilitates extreme propaganda to reach people where previously they wouldn’t have seen it. And it’s deeply damaging for society if you care about things like true facts and diverse opinions.”

Turning his attention elsewhere, Mark added, “The growth of anti-terrorism and the Black Lives Matter narrative will be very important in the next year or so. My concern is that people don’t really appreciate that.

“I don’t know if it’s ‘the’ biggest issue because if there was a Jihadi terrorist attack then that would be the biggest issue. Or if Israel was to be a war then the levels of anti-Semitic attacks against British Jews across the board would become the biggest issue. These things are all still there, the potential for these things does not disappear, it’s just that the situation gets more complicated.”

Looking to the future, Mark is determined to enhance CST in the Jewish communities.

“What I most want to do is to make the entire Jewish community feel that it has a stake in CST, that CST belongs to it and that it belongs to CST,” he noted.

“We can only be as strong as our communities across the country want us to be.

“We are not something that is somehow imposed on Jewish communities because we take all of our strength, all of our legitimacy, all of our volunteers, all of our funding from the Jewish community. And that partnership is essential to everything that we do.

“So, I want to grow that sense of CST. I want us to be as big a family as possible, in the widest sense that embraces everybody across the community.”

As for a message to Jewish community if they encounter anti-Semitism.

“Please report anti-Semitism, please don’t stop it making you lead a Jewish life,” he noted.

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Willesden Jewish Cemetery visitor centre opens After five years of painstaking conservation and research, and a Covid-related delay, Willesden Jewish Cemetery (WJC) “House of Life” Visitor Centre has opened. The timing could not be better, just before the High Holidays writes Malcolm Ginsberg.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said: “In Jewish tradition, the cemetery is much more than a place to lay our loved ones to rest. It is a sacred memorial to the times and achievements of our ancestors, so that we can pray for their souls and learn from their example.

That is why the new heritage experience offered at Willesden Cemetery is not only a valuable exercise in conservation, but also a wonderful opportunity to share its fascinating insights and rich history with the Jewish community and well beyond. Thanks to the United Synagogue and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this project sets a new standard for the way in which we treasure and learn from our past.”

WJC is the final resting place of a dazzling array of British Jews dating back to the Victorian era. Cemetery residents include scientist and DNA discoverer Rosalind Franklin, designer Kurt Geiger, members of the Rothschild banking family, jeweller Harriet Samuel, four Chief Rabbis, Tesco’s founder

Jack Cohen, Pre-Raphaelite painter Simeon Solomon, numerous entertainers and musicians as well as more colourful characters such as Madame Rachel, a 19th century con-artist as well as ordinary families whose stories are yet to be discovered. A relatively recent interment (2013) has included film producer, writer and personality Michael Winner.

Housed in the former Superintendent’s Lodge the fascinating permanent exhibition, offers a self-guided audio-visual tour on London’s Jewish community from 1873 when the cemetery was consecrated. It is still open with about 35 burials per year in reserved plots. Nearly 30,000 people are interned.

The 21-acre site is very English in its layout reflecting the immigrant community’s desire to adopt the prevailing conventions of the time. The well-restored Grade 2 listed prayer hall in English Gothic style includes the recorded sounds of davening, not that a spiritual input is required.

A garden planting programme helps to bring tranquillity and biodiversity in a busy London borough.

Hester Abrams, “House of Life” Project Leader and Curator at Willesden Jewish

Left to right: Hester Abrams, Project Director and Curator; Daniella & Les Cazin, Volunteer Guides.

Cemetery, said: “Whether you live locally or come from further away, the new ‘House of Life’ heritage experience puts Willesden Jewish Cemetery on the map as a new place to come to explore, learn and reflect on the lives of a minority community and your own life experiences. Everyone will find a story that they can relate to. That’s why we have chosen to call the cemetery ‘London’s Place to Remember’.

“By careful conservation of buildings, memorials and the landscape, we’ve retained the site’s poignant atmosphere and slowed the effects of time. Our new

displays are a result of a massive research effort by staff, volunteers, families and the public. They make visible hundreds of stories that would otherwise have been lost to history, which we can now share with the world.”

While the cemetery itself is an ideal place for a socially distanced walk, the heritage team is now running events online called “Lifelines” to engage people who are not able to visit in person.

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Celebrating Rosh Hashanah across Jewish Care Every Rosh Hashanah, we eat apple and honey and ask for a year full of sweetness, goodness and kindness. Traditionally, it is also a time of reflection on the last year and sadly, the coronavirus pandemic is what many of us will remember of the last 12 months.

This year, we have learnt to celebrate festivals differently whilst observing as many traditions as possible. Jewish Care has been supporting care home residents, Independent Living tenants, community centre members and supportive communities clients, to prepare and look forward to celebrating the High Holy Days, enabling them to connect with their Judaism and the wider community, physically, spiritually and digitally.

Jewish Care’s Spiritual and Pastoral Lead, Rabbi Junik, says, “Rosh Hashanah is a new beginning for us and also gives us a chance to reflect. For many, it’s a time to spend in prayer as we ask for health and that this should be a sweeter, better year for us.

He says, “Whilst we can’t blow the shofar in the homes this year, there will be a film available for all to see on the Jewish Care website to prepare for the new year.

There will also be shofar blowing in care home gardens before Rosh Hashanah so that residents can hear the sound through the windows.

Jewish Care volunteer Simone Silver delivering honey and cake to Meals on Wheels recipient, Sheila Penfield

“For many people living in our care homes, especially those living with dementia, hearing the sound of the Shofar

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blast is the most significant sign that Rosh Hashanah is here. We know that the sounds and tastes of the festivals are sensory reminders help to connect people with their Jewish life. Tasting apple and honey and honey cake again also helps us to observe our traditions and trigger very happy memories of Rosh Hashanah’s gone by with our families.”

There are resources on the Jewish Care website for the whole community to use including a recorded Shofar blowing, messages about Rosh Hashanah, honey cake demo and recipes and pre-recorded synagogue services will be added as the shuls share these with the community.

This will help Jewish Care residents and members to feel connected to the community over the High Holy Days. They are available at www.jewishcare.org/festivals As part of Jewish Care’s Meals on Wheels service the charity has provided over 25,000 meals to the community since lockdown. This has been possible with the help of the army of volunteers who have stepped up to ensure that the charity can support older vulnerable members of the community who are depending on us.

In the run up to Rosh Hashanah the meals delivered by volunteers will include the traditional treats that come with Rosh Hashanah, such as honey and honey cakes. Jewish Care Community Centre and Holocaust Survivor Centre members will also receive parcels of honey for Rosh Hashanah and can join an online Rosh Hashanah concert, where they will be lead in humming festival tunes on 8 September.

Mitch Winehouse, who is volunteering for Jewish Care, says, “I’ve been delivering Meals on Wheels since the start of lockdown most days. I love delivering as it’s a vital lifeline to the elderly and vulnerable

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in our area. It’s great to build up a rapport with these lovely people.” Betty Pam, one of the clients Mitch delivers to, says “The meals are everything to me. I can easily pop the meal into the oven and enjoy a nutritious meal. I look forward to my delivery.”

Simone Silver, who is a student and graduated through Jewish Care’s MIKE youth leadership programme, has also been volunteering since the start of lockdown. Simone says, “I am happy to be helping out before University starts. I love having a chat to the clients and checking on them.” She has been delivering meals to Sheila Penfield who says, “The meals are truly a lifesaver. I don’t know what I would do without them. With all my heart, I thank Jewish Care for everything”.

The time approaching the New Year is also traditionally a time when one visits parents and deceased relative’s burial stones, to honour them. Jewish Care staff are now able to take a photo of the stone online to share with residents and members of community centres who would usually go to the burial grounds but are now unable to do so. They will also receive support from Rabbi Junik and others during this time.

In care homes, volunteers will be making Kiddush together with us online and have run many discussion groups and online activities in the lead up to Rosh Hashanah as well as card making and flower arranging to create a special atmosphere for the festivals.

Hannah Leston, who is a resident at Otto Schiff care home, used to volunteer at the Sam Beckman Centre for people living with dementia and then volunteered at the reminiscence and discussion groups at Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre. Her card design has been chosen as one of the organisation’s e-card this Rosh Hashanah.

Hannah says, “I was very pleased to hear that my design was chosen. I’ve always liked art and got a few prizes when I was at school. I’m good with my hands and I enjoy needlework, knitting and painting”.

Jewish Care’s Chief Executive, Daniel Carmel-Brown, says, “We hope that this Rosh Hashanah brings only a happy and healthy new year for us all. We look forward to celebrating Rosh Hashanah and many other bright moments to come, however, we continue to remain vigilant and support and protect our residents and clients during the pandemic. We are only able to do so because of the vital support we receive from the community and to those that have supported us in our greatest hour of need, there are not enough words to thank you for all you’ve done. We hope that you and your families keep safe and well, and that this Rosh Hashanah brings only a happy and healthy new year for us all.”

If you feel that you or a person you care for would benefit from any of Jewish Care’s services, please contact our helpline on 020 8922 2222 or helpline@jcare.org.

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Kindness in Packages A kind-hearted lady in London was contacted about the shepherds pies and packages that she was making for those vulnerable throughout lockdown. Over a few weeks during peak of lockdown, Deborah Abram together with her sister Katie made over 800 shepherds pies for those elderly who could not access hot meals.

What Deborah noticed was that many of those on her list of deliveries were actually elderly and alone and it was the idea that people knew that they were being thought about which made them feel special and really cheered them up. Deborah said, “I really want to continue this as I am still in touch with those that we delivered to and their appreciation is incredibly touching. Therefore this is separate to covid and whenever I can from time to time, I will be providing comforting packages to those elderly and alone. I hope it will make a difference as it really did during the pandemic.”

Deborah decided to lead a HIT workout in the park on Sunday 6th September where people could join and any donations would go towards the future batches and packages she makes. “The support was amazing and to date I have raised £1,100 through a just giving page I set up. We are still receiving generous donations. This will go towards the future batches which I hope to do from time to time when I can alongside work. It was great to see everyone be so supportive!”

Deborah has set up an Instagram account

for anyone to follow which posts about any fundraising events that she is doing and also update people of when she does a batch if they want to help with deliveries. Those that helped during the pandemic with deliveries received as much gratification as those benefiting from the melas and packages.

Deborah also made some small bags for people to take home with water and a snack after the workout. The sticker has the name of this initiative which is called ‘something special’. The Instagram account that has all the information is ‘@something_special_da’ and feel free to reach Deborah through the Jewish Weekly.

Community reeling after Councillor Gordon death Glowing tributes have been Council leader Cllr Dan paid to Councillor Brian GorThomas said the community don following his death last was “reeling” from the news. week (Thursday).

Mayor of Barnet Cllr CaroA Conservative councillor, line Stock commented, “I am respected lawyer, renowned not sure words can sum up journalist, former radio broadhow sad it is to hear this news caster and community stalin the week that Brian was gowart, 64, passed away two days ing to become the mayor. after he was set to succeed Cllr “I know how much he was Caroline Stock as Barnet Mayor looking forward to taking on at an annual council meeting. this role, together with his wife Cllr Gordon’s wife, Julie was Councillor Brian Gordon z’l Julie.” to serve as Mayoress.

MP for Hendon, Dr MatBarnet Council cancelled the event when thew Offord, commented, “After 22 years as news of Cllr Gordon’s health emerged. a councillor such an accolade would have A passionate advocate of Shechitah and been a crowning achievement in his local Brit Milah, Cllr Gordon, who was battling government career.” cancer, held a plethora of Jewish communal He added, “Not all his views were readily roles during a stellar career. accepted by everyone, but I respected his A governor of Rosh Pinah Primary School, tenacity and steadfastness for standing by executive member of the Union of Ortho- what he believed. dox Hebrew Congregations representing Barnet’s Labour group, leader Cllr Barry Edgware Machzikei Hadass, he initiated del- Rawlings, said Cllr Gordon was a hard-workegations to meet government ministers, ad- ing councillor with strong beliefs. vocating faith schools and changes to organ Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Gabriel Rodonation law. zenberg tweeted, “Despite the political gap On the spiritual side, he served as a Ba’al between us he was always unfailingly friendKoreh, Ba’al Tefilah on Yomin Noraim. ly towards me. His family today paid tribute Cllr Gordon was elected to Barnet Coun- to a life in which every minute was crammed cil in 1998, representing Hale, then Edg- with activity, learning and community work.” ware, taking up numerous senior council He is survived by his wife children and positions. grandchildren.

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Mitigating Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax simultaneously

ADVERTORIAL

BY MARC OVITS The writer is the Owner and Managing Director of Alpha Wealth Management Ltd – a boutique independent financial advisory practice. As a Chartered Financial Planner and drawing on over twenty years’ experience in financial services, Marc helps private clients, businesses, charities, and trusts optimize their finances. Prior to acting as a financial adviser, Marc was a Director at several global investment banks, providing investment advice to Europe’s leading institutional investment and pension fund managers.

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A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the likely prospect of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rates rising in the near term. CGT and Income Tax relief on pension contributions are far and away the most generous UK tax benefits. It’s no secret that the Government will need to raise taxes to pay for the Covid expenditure it has incurred. The Chancellor announced a review of CGT back in July. The Treasury may well regard CGT as low-hanging fruit because capital gains are taxed at much lower rates than income.

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Furthermore, the first £12300 of net gains realised in a year are exempt. The suggestion therefore is that you have something to sell, you may want to sell it sooner rather than later to ‘lock in’ the cheaper tax rates.

Planning the sale of an asset is one thing.

Paying the CGT is another. Needless to say I am frequently asked if there is a way of mitigating CGT ? Indeed when it comes to inheritance tax planning one of the biggest bug bears for many people, and landlords in particular, is that they need to sell or gift property to mitigate inheritance tax (IHT) but this frequently creates immediate CGT issues. Moreover if you sold property after 6 April 2020 you must report and pay Capital Gains Tax within 30 days of selling property in the UK. You may have to pay interest and a penalty if you do not report gains on property within the time limit.

Consequently clients regularly ask me is there a way to mitigate CGT and IHT simultaneously ?

The good news is that there is a solution

that can mitigate both taxes – namely to invest in an Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). The bad news is that the solution will not be suitable for all investors due to the risks and complexity involved owing to the smaller sized companies in which the investments are made. That said the risks can vary substantially from company to company and an investment should be thoroughly researched.

Income Tax relief of 30% of the amount invested in an EIS often grabs the headlines, but EIS investments can also be used to mitigate Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and inheritance tax. CGT is mitigated by re-investing the gain on sale of an asset into an EIS-qualifying company. This has the effect of deferring the gain and therefore the tax liability due. There is no CGT payable on death. Therefore, if the EIS shares (or subsequent reinvestment into other EIS shares) are held on death, the CGT will never become liable.

To demonstrate how this works, consider the following example.

Ms Evans owned two buy-to-let flats. She sells one of the flats for £250,000, bringing her a gain of £50,000. To defer CGT, only the value of the gain needs to be invested into EIS shares. In Ms Evans’s case, by investing £50,000 into an EIS investment she can defer payment of the full £14,000* CGT bill relating to the property sale. The remaining £200,000 of sale proceeds from the property can be used for other purposes.

There is no requirement to defer the gain in full. If Ms Evans is uncomfortable investing the full amount of the gain, she could opt to invest a smaller amount into EIS and defer part of the CGT from her property sale. CGT deferral can be applied to gains that occurred up to three years before the date that EIS shares are purchased or up to 12 months after the EIS share purchase date.

As well as deferring CGT, Ms. Evans will be entitled to claim Income Tax Relief equal to £15,000: 30% of the amount invested into EIS shares. Coupled with the deferral of CGT, this effectively boosts the value of her sale proceeds to £265,000 – nearly £30,000 more than she would have been left with if she had not made the EIS investment. Gains on EIS Shares are CGT free. Losses on EIS shares can be set off against other chargeable gains or you may be able to set it off against your income.

An EIS qualifying company will also qualify for Business Relief. Consequently, if EIS qualifying company shares are held for over two years and until death, these EIS shares will also be exempt from inheritance tax. *Assumes annual CGT personal allowance has already been used in full and CGT is payable at 28%.

Investing in EIS is a complex investment. It is essential that Professional advice is sought before embarking on such a transaction.

Risk Warnings for EIS Investment: • EIS/Seed EIS investments should only be undertaken by sophisticated investors who understand, and have given careful consideration to, the underlying investment strategy and associated risks. For help in determining potential investment suitability, professional advice should be sought.

• Investments are in small, unquoted companies and should be considered as high risk.

• Investments are illiquid and generally need to be held for at least three years before any tax benefit can be claimed.

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• Historic investment performance cannot be used as a guide to future performance, and the value of any given investment may rise or fall.

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‘Unprecedented’ Rosh Hashanah for KKL clients this year With its popular annual Rosh Hashanah Tea cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, KKL Executor and Trustee Company, JNF UK’s legacy department, has sent small gift parcels to clients up and down the country as an alternative way of marking the Jewish holiday. With many clients being vulnerable, the idea behind the gift parcels, which include a pot of honey and a honey dipper, is to help clients start the New Year off on a sweet note.

As part of its pastoral care services, KKL traditionally holds events at significant times of the year, which means that clients need not celebrate festivals alone.

KKL’s response to the pandemic has been one of reassurance and dependability. Instead of visiting them for a chat and a cup of tea, clients have been called on a regular basis to ensure that they are managing, to offer help or reassurance, or simply a listening ear. Additionally, newsletters with interesting articles, recipes and puzzles have also been sent out to keep them busy. They have been particularly welcomed by clients who have little or no access to the internet.

To find out more about KKL’s pastoral caring services for clients, call 0800 358 3587 or email carolyn@kkl.org.uk

A sweet gift from KKL

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Kisharon and Alei Tzion partner up with chef Denise Philips Kisharon have formed an exciting partnership led by Alei Tzion synagogue in Hendon to recognise the mutual contributions that people from both organisations can bring and build genuine meaningful friendships. To start the partnership off in a Jewish New Year spirit, they held a joint honey cake baking event on zoom, hosted by renowned Kosher Chef, Denise Phillips in preparation for Rosh Hashanah.

Participants were welcomed by Aviva Braunold, Kisharon Vocational College Manager and Chef Denise Philips, who gave each person the opportunity to introduce themselves and say hello. All participants were sent an ‘Easy Read’ (easy to follow) recipe and Alei Tzion members were also sent a Rosh Hashanah pack of goodies that included a blank card to be decorated together with a name of a person from Kisharon adult services. This was the first opportunity for Alei Tzion members to connect with a Kisharon pen-pal and there are aspirations for further opportunities for both to meet each other later in the year either virtually or in-person.

Rabbi Roselaar from Alei Tzion said, “The honey cake making was a wonderful way to engage different age groups within

Denise Philips

Young participants ready to make some honey cake

the kehillah to start preparing together for Rosh Hashanah. Denise led the baking expertly and I’m looking forward to eating my honey cake on Yom Tov”.

Denise Phillips skilfully led the baking activity giving tips on how to create

different cake toppings and how to ensure you use all the egg white once cracked.

Denise said, “Cooking together is an inclusive fun activity for the whole family.

Connecting the physical side to a spiritual element for Rosh Hashanah”.

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Aviva Braunold, Kisharon Vocational College Manager said, “It was really special to see the Kisharon and Alei Tzion communities come together at this fun and inclusive event which provided a platform to meet others whilst preparing for Rosh Hashanah. Hopefully we will have more of these themed events over the coming year with social opportunities to get to know each other more”.

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Get set for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with the United Synagogue’s range of engaging, enlightening and entertaining programmes available on-demand

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Torah for OUR generation Chai Society Rosh Hashanah Gift Sale raised £22,000

Scene from Torah live video

Ten years ago, Rabbi Dan Roth had dreams of being a Jewish educator in Jerusalem. An immigrant from London, he landed his first job as a teacher for highrisk youth and entered the classroom with high hopes. Unfortunately, his hopes were quickly dashed, as he realized that his students were interested in everything but the Torah he was teaching them.

Rabbi Roth didn’t give up. He created his first PowerPoint presentation and came back to the classroom with a rudimentary multimedia presentation.

Astonishingly, the students perked up and began to engage with the material.

Rabbi Roth realized that he had hit on a successful method of reaching today’s generation, by speaking to them in their language - video.

Torah Live was born from that initial foray into multimedia. The organization has grown over the past ten years, offering over 150 hours of high-quality videos on a myriad of Torah topics, including emunah and tefillah, honoring parents, the power of speech and how to control your anger. Middos, halacha, hashkafa and Jewish holidays are all covered in-depth and with an enthusiasm that’s contagious.

Narration, storytelling, animation and special effects all combine to create Hollywood-level productions that educate children and adults about some of the most important topics in Judaism.

In addition to the videos, Torah Live produces stellar educational materials which support teachers in creating lessons that resonate with their students and get them excited about being Jewish.

ONE MILLION VIEWS

Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, Torah Live has reached over 1 million views, 11,000 new families and over 200 schools. In fact, the audience has doubled in just a few months! The Torah Live vision has become all the more important in a world in which much of Jewish education has gone online.

As soon as schools began to shut down in March, Torah Live made the decision to offer all of their videos and educational materials (lesson plans, workbooks, quizzes and more) for free to families and teachers alike. The organization continued to produce films, launching animated

Scene from Torah live video

videos when COVID precluded live shoots, and is currently planning 15 new ambitious projects. Work is underway on a revolutionary website and a new platform for viewing videos is in the planning stages. At the same time, the uncertain economic situation led to a decrease in sponsorship, forcing Torah Live to think out of the box.

With just one day before new social distancing guidelines were implemented, there was a great sigh of relief as Chai’s first ever outdoor Artisan Market was still able to go ahead. Planned meticulously by the Chai Society Committee as part of this year’s Rosh Hashanah Gift Sale, the day was a great success raising £22,000 and counting.

In the glorious weather, over 600 loyal supporters came to shop an eclectic mix of stalls. From beautiful blooms, homeware and face-masks to tempting and indulgent food and drink including Tony Page’s sought after honey cakes, apple and honey flavoured gin and mouth-watering street food from Feast by Ed. The atmosphere was electric with live music catering to all tastes from Stewart Curtis’s klezmer to DJ Dan Kraines. Uncle Doovy’s ice cream and tye dye t shirt making keeping the children happy and entertained - there really was something for everyone.

An added factor of the 2020 Gift Sale was a weeklong virtual shopping experience instead of the usual one day, allowing anyone from any location in the world to shop over 50 vendors, all giving a percentage of their sales to Chai.

Co-chair Debra Zender said: “Nobody would have imagined back in March, that Covid-19 restrictions meant we would need to rearrange our annual Gift Sale so dramatically. The outdoor artisan market was the perfect solution. We had never done anything like this before and we had to make sure to implement all Covid safety measures so we could offer a completely safe environment for everyone. Despite this being

The Chai Society Committee

a big logistical challenge to plan the event with the many restrictions, my co-chair Julia Abrams and the rest of the committee all pulled together to make it happen.

We would like to thank our sponsors Roundtree Real Estates, Tony Page for gifting 200 of his famous honey cakes, the CST for their security on the day and all the stall holders who kindly gave a percentage of their takings. This event could never have happened without their generosity and for that we are so grateful.”

Chai’s Chairman Louise Hager concludes, “It was such an incredible day and we never felt prouder seeing over 600 people stream through the gates to buy their Rosh Hashanah gifts and continue to support Chai. We salute the committee for their dedication and for working so hard to create such an amazing event. The warmth and enthusiasm of all who came was outstanding and a recognition of the essential work Chai carries out within the community.”

AN EXCITING LIVESTREAM EVENT

On September 22-23, 2020, Torah Live is holding its first major crowdfunding campaign. It will be accompanied by a Livestream event featuring an interactive concert with Simcha Leiner, a cooking demonstration with celebrity chef Jamie Geller, inspirational messages for asseres yemei teshuva from leading rabbis, panel discussions and behind the scenes looks at Torah Live productions. The event will also feature the world premiere of a new short film on the topic of Gratitude.

The goal of this campaign is to raise $500,000 (£400,000) in 36 hours. All donations are doubled, so every pound donated is actually worth two. Your donation will help fund new productions on chesed and loving-kindness, a series on character trait development, many new chapters of the Emunah & Tefillah series and an expansion of the Hilchos Shabbos series.

With so many children disenfranchised from Judaism, it’s more important than ever to speak to them in their language.

Torah Live embodies Torah for OUR generation and it is imperative that it continues to grow and thrive.

Watch the livestream and donate at www. charidy.com/torahlive.

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Hesped for Dayan Westheim ztl’’ at Chodosh Sunday evening. The first speaker was Satmar Rabbi YC Horowitz, then Rabbi Y Wreschner, followed by Rabbi S Angel, Reb Z Grossberger, and his Son Reb Yosef Chaim Westheim .

17 SEPTEMBER 2020

Rabbi Shmuel Goldberg to retire

Rabbi Shmuel Goldberg

Satmar Rabbi Y.C Horowitz speaking at Dayan Westheim Hesped

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Prince Charles is new JLGB patron

Rabbi Shmuel Goldberg of the well known and popular Kings Road Shteibel in Prestwich (Beis Yisroel veDamesek Eliezer) announced recently that he and his Rebetzen will retire in 5781.

For 37 years they have led the kehilla spiritually and Reb Shmuel is respected as one of the senior rabbonim locally often playing a leading role in matters affecting the whole kehilla.

When they arrived the shul was

facing a bleak future but as demographics changed he played a pivotal role in both the development of the shul and the local kehilla.

Reb Shmuel is known for his hasmodo, humility and care for people in times of distress, and is always available.

The difficult task of selecting suitable candidates to lead the shul into a new era and build on the strengths of the Rov and Rebetzen falls to the shul’s trustees.

Out of the box into the new year

HRH The Prince of Wales with members of JLGB

Prince Charles has agreed to become a patron of JLGB as the organisation celebrates its 125th birthday.

JLGB is building on lockdown virtual programmes by launching JLGB Fuel, a centralised planning system for adult volunteers and youth leaders to strengthen activities across the UK. JLGB Virtual’s live-streamed nightly activities during lockdown was seen by over 1.8million viewers. A unified focus at JLGB is reflected in modernising weekly programmes across the UK. Youngsters return in October and they have access to a new-look website and online system of ‘reward and recognition’ for new members to join.

A flexible model places emphasis youth empowerment in the running of JLGB. JLGB president, The Lord Levy, welcomed support from The Prince of Wales.

“Positive and meaningful changes, even after an organisation has had great success for over 125 years, are always essential, and have been in the pipeline for some time,” he noted. “These last few difficult months have been a catalyst, where the young people of our community have shown true leadership, helping to create new opportunities that better reflect real-world realities. They deserve nothing but the best for their future.

JLGB Chief Executive Neil Martin added, “Our amazing youngsters have shown they are ready to be the leaders of today, for today. They are what our community needs right now, and we want to bring them to the fore.”

The Prince of Wales hailed the contribution to British society by the wider Jewish community at a Buckingham Palace event last year.

Libby Glyn, Simi and Brocho Jacobs, Leah Pink, Elie Glaser packing Rosh Hashana gift boxes

Innovation and energy are bywords in Chabad Lubavitch Leeds. This year’s unusual Rosh Hashonah prompted them to provide exciting alternatives to help people celebrate the New Year.

“We knew that many people would not be attending Shul this year,” commented Rabbi Reuven Cohen. “Although all the local Shuls have been working very hard to accommodate, nevertheless they have limited space available, and also many people are still reluctant to attend. So we came up with two novel ideas: Rosh Hashona in a Box, and Shofar-2-U.” A team of CTeen teenagers packed 350

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special gift boxes containing an apple, jar of honey, honey cake, Shabbat candles and reading material to enhance people’s celebrations. These have been distributed along with the new CTeen Calendar.

“The response to the Shofar-2-U has been overwhelming,” said Rabbi Cohen. “We offered people the opportunity that we would come to various locations across the community to provide outdoor blowings. I am delighted that about 250 people will be benefiting from this. Of course we will be observing all the current legal requirements.”

A team of nine “Shofar Blowers” will be out and about throughout Sunday afternoon.

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GIFT Rosh Hashanah Round up

17 SEPTEMBER 2020

Apple and Honey in a King David Primary school year 4 Classroom ‘bubble’, each classroom at the School has been designated a ‘bubble’ so no pupils can mix with pupils from another bubble.

GIFT Volunteer brothers Toby, Spencer and Jason Laufer packing up the hundreds of Yom Tov packages

GIFT activities leading up to the High Holy days have been wonderfully hectic says Michelle Barnett, founding director.

“Not only are we distributing the usual weekly food support packages and fruit and vegetables to many hundreds of households, an increase of over 25% in new referrals during this period, but recipient families are also receiving special Yom Tov packages including wine, honey, candles and honey cake and 3 course freshly catered Yom Tov meals for the family generously sponsored by Magen Avot Shul in Hendon.

Chaya Langerman who spearheaded the campaign and inspired the fundraising efforts told us “It is a great pleasure and honour for Magen Avot community to collaborate with GIFT and providing hundreds of meals for families experiencing financial difficulties.

We are grateful to all our generous donors who opened their hearts at such unusual times.”

In addition to the extra Yom Tov food packages, GIFT is providing shofar blowing services to those people in the community, subject to logistics, who are unable to get to shul on Yom Tov. GIFT is also inviting the community

to sign up to send a personalised online gift certificate to friends and family in the place of Rosh Hashana gifts such as flowers, wine and chocolate through its website https://www.jgift.org/support-us/ certificates.php The GIFT Online Certificates are available for every occasion, Yom Tov, Shabbat, mazel tovs & thank you.

On the Sunday prior to Rosh Hashana, GIFT held an online giving day featuring a teenage workshop by a motivational speaker, Jodeci Joseph, an inspiring interview about the origins of GIFT, games stories and crafts for children - a day of giving for the whole family. The sessions were well viewed and the feedback was hugely positive.

The week of Rosh Hashanah the GIFT team together with volunteers spent many hours phoning their volunteers and donors to thank them for their support during the year. Rabbi Sandor Milun explains “expressing our gratitude for the incredible support and blessings shown to the community through GIFT is a vital aspect of our work.”

To donate to the GIFT Rosh Hananah appeal or sign up for the shofar blowing service contact the office on 0208 457 4429 Www.jgift.org/rh, info@jgift.org

US Chesed Conference goes virtual The United Synagogue’s Chesed department held its fifth annual conference last week but with a significant difference from previous years. With the restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic preventing an in-person conference from taking place, the United Synagogue held a virtual conference, with 100 participants attending.

The evening started with a short inspiring video from Chief Rabbi Mirvisfollowed by a talk from Baroness Barran MBE, Minister for Loneliness. The Minister said she receives more correspondence on this topic than any other, and emphasised that while there is still a considerable stigma attached to admitting to loneliness, it is ok to say that we feel vulnerable, and COVID-19 has made that more acceptable.

The participants then began Zoom sessions on their chosen topic, which included subjects such as ‘We all need to

look after our Mental Health’, ‘Adapting to the changing world of work’ and ‘Has COVID-19 led to an epidemic of domestic abuse?’

Michelle Minsky, Head of United Synagogue Chesed, said: “I am so glad we were able to meet, albeit virtually. Of course, we lost the chance to chat to people in other communities, who are often the source of great, practical ideas, but on the plus side, others joined this year who had not been able to before. I hope that the positive ideas that came out of the programme will help us all as we moved forward to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.”

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said: “There is no doubt that our Chesed Conference is one of the most significant events on the United Synagogue calendar, and this is because ‘chesed’ as a concept is so central to our identity and ethos.”

From left to right. King David Primary School year 6 pupils.Harry Pundick, Louis Harris, Sylvie Saipe and Tali Wiseglass, holding the apples and honey

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Broughton Jewish Cassel Fox Primary School Kodesh teacher Reb Moshe Feldman held an outdoor lesson on the art of Shofar.

Reb Moshe Feldman blows the Shofar outside the School for these Boys

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

The Ohr Yerushalyim Shul, Bury New Road, have put up a Marquee opposite the main building for safe davening for Government social distancing guidelines.

Inside the Ohr Yerushalyim Shul Marquee for social distancing

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In preparation for the High Holy Days, Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue put together packs to send to all of their members. With separate packs for children and youth, the total number of packs sent out exceeded 2,000.

Volunteers came together for a socially distanced ‘packathon’, putting together the packs to be sent out. The packs included apple cutters, learning material, booklets, snap cards, and more.

Charlotte Nyman, a member of Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue, said: “Thank you for such a lovely pack! Making a strange Yom Tov this year that little bit more meaningful.”

Simon Mitchell, Chairman of Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue, said: “This year hasn’t been ordinary for anyone and as Yom Tov approached, we knew we needed to support our members who wouldn’t be able to make it to shul. Being part of a community is about shared experiences, but it’s also about looking out for one another when we can’t share experiences like we normally do. This year we brought a bit of Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue spirit into our 1,400 member homes to help them create a more meaningful Yom Tov. We’d like to thank Chief Rabbi Mirvis’ Centre for Community Excellence for helping us to make this happen.”

LSJS BIG Ellul Days draws crowds of over 600 from across the world LSJS BIG Ellul Day took place on Sunday attracting over 600 people from around the world. Offering three different international speakers across five slots throughout the day as well as a keynote speech from Lord Rabbi Sacks and a message from Chief Rabbi Mirvis.

Dean of LSJS Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum said “The LSJS BIG Ellul Day was an opportunity for the LSJS community, that has flourished online, to extend further and enjoy inspirational classes from a wide range of internationally acclaimed teachers. We have been able to explore a range of topics and give our participants a huge amount of resources and tools to more deeply engage in what will be a very unusual High Holidays experience for everyone around the world.”

Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum discussed the value of silence and turning off technology over the High Holidays with Lord Rabbi Sacks and Dr Hadassah Fromson hosted a moving special women’s Selichot Service.

Almost 200 participants joined Dr Eric Brown, scholar in residence at the Jewish Federation Greater Washington, to hear “The Big Sorry; what can and cannot be forgiven”. The day ended on a lighter note with “Music and Meaning for the High Holy Days” presented by musician Daniel Cainer with a commentary from Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum.

Recordings for all 17 sessions were made available for participants to allow people to access all the classes. And for those who didn’t sign up in time, recordings are available for purchase of all the sessions at lsjs.ac.uk For a copy of all the classes please see the attached schedule. To request a recording of any of the sessions please email karen.brosh@lsjs.ac.uk For more information on LSJS courses including our special Chol Hamoed virtual Torah Wild Tour taking place on 5th October please go to www.lsjs.ac.uk or 020 8203 6427.

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Borehamwood & Elstree send out 2,000 Rosh Hashanah packs to members

Strong links with Jewish and private secondary schools

For information about admissions, the new CRP process or to watch our virtual tour video, register your interest at: admissions@morashajps.org.uk

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Volunteers at the ‘packathon’

Feeding curiosity and building confidence

t: 0203 115 1900 e: office.administrator@morashajps.org.uk w: sacksmorasha.org.uk

Mill Hill’s shofar blowing goes global Kabbalat Shabbat took on a twist for Mill Hill Synagogue in the countdown to Rosh Hashana. With nearly 100 people still tuning in each week for Kabbalat Shabbat service Rabbi Schochet made a point of blowing shofar from a different location including the Baltic Sea, The Palace of Holyrood, Big Ben and laterally “back to the Shofar’s roots.”

Rabbi Schochet said: “It was a fun and interesting way to engage the community on Zoom each Friday and always with a relevant message.”

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From the front line…

BY JACQUELINE CURZON Following my comments last week, I was pleased to see that an official letter has now been sent to every GP in the country, following complaints and concerns that the public are being shut out from surgeries. Sir Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of the NHS said patients had 'rightly highlighted the need for face-to-face visits,' as it would appear figures show roughly 50% of GP consultations between March and July were delivered by phone or video. This amounts to a staggering 50 million + consultations, out of office. Now, whilst the Royal College of GPs say they feel it's an Jacqueline Curzon insult to suggest [GPs] have not been doing their jobs properly, I PHOTO: LARA MINSKY PHOTOGRAPHY think Mrs Cohen and Mr Smith would beg to disagree.

I know from personal experience, having a condition which would have possibly warranted a chest x-ray, I was sent two rounds of antibiotics, saying 'one of them might work.' At no point between March and September have I been able to see a GP at all, and surely I'm in a category of exceptional need? is not the same as a rise in death rate, It's become farcical to try and speak to a indeed the daily Covid deaths stood at closed window, waving a piece of paper, 8, 5 and then 1, over a consecutive 3 day to communicate with one’s surgery, only period to 14 September, from our UK to be told to go to the pharmacy instead. population of 68 million. When the virus You feel like you're the leper in the block, hit Britain back in February it brought or the Corona devil waiting to pounce a significant death toll, and by early and likely end their lives in a matter of April deaths had reached a daily peak minutes. I also notice that the staff sit in their office without masks, so presumably of around 1,100. This week the figure stood at 1. We are no longer distancing they've all been classed exempt. But, why to protect the NHS, but to appease the would they suppose that every patient is experts who predict a deadly second carrying a transmissible life-shortening wave. This projected wave is unlikely to virus, especially if they declare themself result in similar fatality figures, despite symptom negative? the best predictions of doom-mongers in A tidal wave of complaints on this topic the scientific squads. When Sweden hit are published daily, from professionals their second wave of infections back in across all branches of society. complainJune, the death rate continued its downing about an inability to be seen by their ward trend, and this is likely to be the case GP. Some question how GP's continue to here in the UK, for three main reasons: 1. be paid a full salary, and another asking Young people make up the bulk of new why it's ok for patients to be seen by cases, 2. Medical staff have more skills other doctors in hospitals when [GPs] and tools in their arsenal to treat covid, themselves feel exempt. Dr Louis Savage, and 3. Those in higher risk groups are GP, [Telegraph 15th Sept] says there is 'no taking extra precautions. If the Swedish evidence to suggest attending a face-tomodel is to be believed, it's unsurprising face GP appointment puts patients at then that the population are feeling so risk. There is however a very real risk of rebellious about further restrictions on delayed diagnosis or substandard care social contact. The world has definitely from remote appointments.' I think Dr changed and not altogether for the better.

Savage misunderstands that it's not us There is no office, shop, hospital, school, the patients - who are feeling at risk, it's bank or physical space which is not the doctors! showing the hand of spatial intervention.

Additional guidance to GPs from NHS Shopping has become a joyless, soulless England is for patients to be told that chore, and life perhaps an endless game online and phone appointments 'can be of chance. convenient and flexible, but if you would Now from rules, to rulers. Children in prefer to see your GP then this will be northern Scotland have been told to keep arranged for you.' This I wait to see…. their coats on whilst in school. Highland From this week, a rule of six will apply Council wrote to parents saying they were to gatherings, in the latest covid clamp'prioritising infection control over thermal down. Be clear, a rise in infection rate

comfort,' following guidance by the Scottish Government which emphasized adequate levels of ventilation. They stated ‘opening doors and windows, where safe to do so, should be encouraged.’ My research shows that the Covid death rate in the Highlands is approximately 4 in 100,000, (0.004%) which - based on a population of just over 200,000 people - means roughly 8 died during the pandemic.

Yet such dress co[vi]de rules seem a very draconian measure to take, knowing children are very unlikely to transmit the virus, assuming there were any positive cases close enough for wee Janet and Robert to pick it up. All I can say is - up in the Highlands of Scotland, it's perky at the best of times, and that's just in summer. How can it be healthy for the wee bairns to keep their coats and hats on all day, and then go home dressed in exactly the same way? The Scottish Government is making up these rules, and making a comedy of them.

Now for an update on Alexei Navalny (44), the opposition leader in Russia, who although still in hospital, is no longer on a ventilator. Three independent laboratories have confirmed that the Kremlin critic was poisoned with the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, although Moscow continues to deny involvement. Separately, Vladimir Putin has agreed to prop up the Belarusian dictator Lucashenko, to the tune of £1 billion, but makes it clear 'reforms' are overdue, which in plain lingo, would likely result in Lukashenko's exit. Putin has also indicated he will have a reserve police force on standby to enter the country, should the political situation in Belarus deteriorate further. Always handy to have a little army on the spot, nu? Will be interesting to see whether Mr Putin will also 'nominate' a successor.

Now from military rulers, full circle, to covid rules. It is with dismay that we hear about the introduction of Covid Marshalls, ostensibly patrolling your streets to keep everybody safe. Will these be a self-appointed goodie brigade, or individuals formally selected (from where, and by whom?) In my mind this is altogether an untenable new look for Neighbourhood Watch, with the emphasis NOT being very neighbourly. If you, like myself, are already an immediate family circle of 9, should you feel frantic if Auntie Lucy pops over with a kugel for shabbat, lest your neighbours feel you have qualified as a crowd? I'm not expecting to be hosting very many parties or gatherings in my current state of health, but it would of course be nice to see one or two friends before I 'retire.' Will I then be reduced to standing in the front garden in the rain, so as not to upset the neighbour at number 29, who is a closet covid collaborator? {relax, there is no 29 in our street}. The

Our friend Brian Gordon ‫ז״ל‬‎has been taken from us; a man who devoted his life to Torah, its values, and to helping others.

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

country is very, very much divided on this. In the Red Corner, there are those who feel [restrictions] have gone on too long, too far, and the authorities have lost their grasp of reality. They question if the authorities are actually going to lock us up for spatial disobedience? Seriously?

All 82,600 of us? Over in the Blue Corner, there are those who agree with all the policy updates, from PHE. One can, after all, never be too careful. If I'm locked up forever, at least I'll be safe! Of course there must be a middle ground on this, but as long as experts 'follow the science,' some of the common sense will be lost.

Take shul services which are now of significant importance, with Rosh HaShana knocking on our doors. Life was onerous enough before, when shuls were forced to close, and rebel minyanim would often meet in gardens, large communal spaces, suitably spaced out. Now we have only recently returned to shuls, even though much of the spiritual ambience and character are lost. To deconstruct the community's well thought out plans for Yomim Tovim, and ban groups bigger than 6, feels like an insidious way of severing our religious arteries completely. How will the additional congregants be able to hear shofar, far less daven with their minyan?

What a ridiculous knee-jerk reaction we are seeing, with the justification that infections are rising. At this rate no assembly will be permitted, unless in alternative religious institutions, and there will be no Jewish communal life left. Who decided on the number 6, anyway? They could arbitrarily have picked number 10. Now, if only Boris Johnson were Jewish!! He'd have plenty to say about it. At this rate he won't stay in Number 10 for long.

Finally, it is with great sadness that we report the passing this week of Brian Gordon from Edgware. He was a solicitor, Barnet counsellor, Baal Koreh, Bar Mitzvah tutor amongst many things, and was a friend to many. He was on the point of being installed as Mayor of Barnet when he unexpectedly passed away on 10th September. His levaya was attended by hundreds of mourners who heard very moving hespedim. Mr Gordon’s sons told the assembly about their incredible father, a man who devoted every waking moment to helping others, who set an incredible example to his family and lived for Torah. There are no words to describe the huge loss felt amongst our community. Our deepest condolences go to his wife Julie, and the Gordon family. May his soul rest in peace.

Wishing you all a Shana Tova u’metuka.

Jacqueline x

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

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Israel Bonds and the evolution of Israel’s economy Despite the economic shocks reverberating throughout the world as a consequence of coronavirus, S&P affirmed its rating for Israel at AA- and its outlook at ‘stable.’- in line with Fitch and Moody’s

BY ISRAEL MAIMON Ambassador Abba Eban, in reflecting back on Israel’s early, post-independence years, observed, “Israel’s economic situation in 1950 and 1951 was extremely hard-pressed. There were doubts that a tanker would arrive in time to bring us oil. There were doubts that a ship carrying wheat would arrive in time to save us from starvation.”

Today, the legendary diplomat would be astonished by how far the Jewish state has come. The Israel of the 21st century is an energy superpower; an agricultural exporter sharing its expertise with countries in need; and a technological frontrunner continually changing life as we know it.

It is also highly unlikely that Ambassador Eban foresaw a day when Israel would be a recognised economic powerhouse. Yet, Israel steadily strengthened its economy, and the world took notice when Israel was among the first countries to successfully emerge from the global recession in early 2009. Now, in the face of the economic devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Israel is again demonstrating resilience.

This was confirmed by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) in its latest assessment of Israel’s economy, issued May 15. Despite the economic shocks reverberating throughout the world as a consequence of coronavirus, S&P affirmed its rating for Israel at AA- and its outlook at ‘stable.’ S&P’s

assessment was in line with recent reports from Fitch, which affirmed its outlook at ‘stable,’ and Moody’s, which, in its latest action, also accorded Israel an outlook of ‘stable.’

The common theme throughout the three agency reports was a shared confidence in Israel’s economy. Although S&P downgraded 20 percent of the countries it reviewed, and gave another 15 percent an outlook of ‘negative,’ when it came to Israel, S&P stated it “balances downside risks from the COVID-19 pandemic against Israel’s robust economy and its strong external position.” These and other factors, the report explained, will provide “substantial buffers in the face of a fraught external environment.”

As president and CEO of Development Company for Israel (International) Ltd/ Israel Bonds, I couldn’t help noticing the coincidental proximity of S&P’s May 15 report to the May 10 anniversary of the launching of Israel Bonds. The forward-looking assessment was a reminder that, nearly 70 years after the organisation’s founding, Israel Bonds continues to play a substantive role in helping the Jewish state forge a strong, resilient economy.

Underscoring this is the fact that although Israel bonds themselves are not rated, Fitch and Moody’s both referenced the Bonds enterprise as a factor in assigning their ‘stable’ outlooks. Fitch, for example, cited “an active Diaspora bond program,” while Moody’s pointed to Israel’s “exceptional access to external funding.”

From the beginning, the centrality of Israel Bonds has been recognised and applauded by Israel’s Finance Ministry. Now, in the face of unprecedented circumstances, the value placed upon the Bonds organisation was again confirmed by the Finance Ministry’s request for Israel Bonds to go beyond its 2020 goal and secure additional funding to shore up Israel’s economic foundations.

Bonds leadership and staff take great pride in this overt expression of support and have implemented a multi-faceted strategy to meet Israel Bonds’ commitment to the Finance Ministry. For our retail clients – the Jewish community – we are proceeding on four tiers: promoting the acquisition of Israel bonds to lock in strong rates and stability in this highly unstable environment; encouraging reinvestment of matured bonds, with the objective of reaching a higher percentage of bonds being reinvested than in the past;

asking individuals who already purchased in 2020 to make an additional investment; and expanding the client base by connecting with individuals new to Israel Bonds.

Additionally, we have held virtual meetings with state and institutional investors, and are gratified by their response.

Collectively, these entities have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Israel bonds since the onset of the pandemic – a resounding expression of approval for Israel’s sound fiscal policies.

The perpetual need for Israel Bonds was recently articulated by the outgoing Finance Ministry Director General Shai Babad. In discussing the significance of Israel Bonds during a May 11 call with a global Bonds audience, Babad summed it up succinctly: “We always say the Bonds organisation is a safety net in times of

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

crisis. Now that the crisis is here, it shows how important Israel Bonds really is.”

As has been the case throughout the history of Israel Bonds, we willingly accept the challenge and look forward to the opportunity to once again help Israel surmount adversity.

Israel Maimon is president and CEO of Development Company for Israel/Israel Bonds and a former government secretary in the cabinets of Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert.

Article republished with permission from Jewish Business News: https:// jewishbusinessnews.com/2020/05/31/ israel-bonds-and-the-evolution-of-israels-economy/ ‫בם״ד‬

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The Legal Angle

The Mortgage

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

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

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

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

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Think about this for a moment. A mere 4% shift in the currency exchange rates on a £500,000 property can at best, make the difference in the choice of furniture, and at worst, mean your dream home is no longer within budget. From key macro-driven interest rate decisions to political earthquakes like Donald Trump and Brexit, keeping abreast of market movements is essential. We help you navigate and budget every step of the way and ensure that the market fluctuations don’t get in the way of a once in a lifetime adventure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Eliminating envy 2) LOOK WITHIN.

BY ARYEH SAMPSON If you have ever felt envious of another’s good fortune or overshadowed by someone’s success, you will know how harmful jealousy can be. Envy can manifest itself in many ways including sibling rivalry, competitive feelings with work colleagues or friends, and a need to ‘keep up with the Joneses’. There are several approaches that can help us in overcoming envy.

1) UNMASK THE ILLUSION.

Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches

that it is not an actual event but our interpretation of it that causes our emotional response. By becoming aware of our cognitive biases (irrational thought patterns), we can change the way we think about a situation and thereby alter our emotional reaction to it. It is therefore important when feeling envy, to decide if we are looking at the situation in all or nothing terms, where we disqualify the positive that we have and magnify the good the other has. We may also be affected by ‘selective attention’, focusing on one aspect of another’s life without viewing the whole picture.

Emotions can be considered a form of internal communication, which need to be understood rather than ignored.

Envy itself is a graphic illustration which shows that a person wants more than he has. Unraveling the roots of jealousy may involve understanding our own self defeating behaviours, for example being over-fearful, controlling or unmotivated.

This may be rooted in our upbringing and youth. Often these behaviours result in us feeling stuck, dissatisfied or unproductive, and at these times we are most prone to feeling envious of others. By understanding self defeating behaviours and accepting responsibility for them, we can learn to move beyond them and express ourselves in more meaningful and fulfilling ways. We can clarify our true aspirations and move forward in our lives, while at the same time accepting that we may have limitations. Envy is reduced not by having more of what another has, but by achieving greater personal fulfillment.

3) POSITIVE REINTERPRETATION.

Jealousy often occurs when people feel a lack in their lives. There is a natural tendency to compare ourselves with others and to become jealous.

The psychiatrist Carl Jung writes about a concept known as ‘the wounded healer.’

The wounded healer is someone who has sought to heal his own wounds, and by so doing, has developed compassion, wisdom and strength to help others overcome theirs. He understands the pain of others since he has experienced it himself, and has become a gifted healer.

His difficulty has become his strength.By realizing how much envy is based on an illusion, using it as a motivation to grow, and understanding that difficult times can be a source of blessing, we can transform envy from a troublesome emotion into a useful ally.

Aryeh Sampson is a psychotherapist based in North London and counsels online . He is the author of ‘Go to Yourself, Transformation through Jewish Wisdom and Psychology’. To receive a free download copy and newsletter, email aryeh.sampson@ gmail.com . He has a YouTube channel,’ Aryeh Sampson’ where he shares insights on a range of psychological issues. Aryeh can be contacted at aryeh.sampson@ gmail.com. For more information about counselling view www.ascounsellinginnorthlondon.co.uk

A happy and healthy New Year from everyone at Osbornes

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For further advice contact Mark Freedman Tel: 020 3925 1785 Email: enquiries@osborneslaw.com www.osborneslaw.com Osbornes Law is a trading style of Osbornes Solicitors LLP. We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

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ASK THE RABBI

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

Dear Rabbi I am sure that you, like many of us, are deeply disappointed about the circumstances surrounding the new restrictions.

Whether in Israel, which is utterly devastating as they go into total lockdown, or even here in the UK where new restrictions are being imposed, we are being deliberately sabotaged by others to deny us our basic right of being able to celebrate the High Holidays in the manner in which we are used to. So many will now not be in Synagogue and countless will miss out on Shofar, the inspiration of Yom Kippur and much else besides. I would like your thoughts on the matter.

Cynthia Dear Cynthia Let’s blame the government shall we? I would like you and others to consider this new “atonement prayer” I have composed especially for this year.

Al chet - And for the sins which we committed by gathering in larger groups than allowed.

Al chet - And for the sins which we committed for holding large weddings in excess of the numbers allowed.

Al chet - And for the sins which we committed for arranging wedding venues outside London to hide from prying eyes and enabling the virus to come back into our communities.

Al chet – And for the sins which we committed in not wearing masks where we are supposed to because we decided we know better than the government and medical professionals.

Al chet – And for the sins which we committed hovering

around one another with no social distancing because it’s a law made by the goiyim and it doesn’t say so in the Torah so it doesn’t apply to me.

Al chet - And for the sins which we committed for holding garden services today (at the time of going to press) even as we have now been told not to.

Al chet - And for the sins which we committed for which as a result of the above and more, some will go without Shofar this Rosh Hashanah.

V’al kulam - And for all this and more, G-d of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, grant us atonement.

SOME ROSH HASHANAH INSPIRATION

Dear Rabbi Is there some inspiration you can offer readers who are otherwise stuck at home for Rosh Hashanah this year?

Darren Dear Darren A puppy once said to an older dog: “After much study, I have mastered the philosophy of happiness. I have learned that happiness for a dog is in his tail. Therefore I chase my tail.

And when I catch it, I shall have happiness.” Upon hearing the puppy, the older dog said, “I too find happiness in my tail. But I’ve noticed that as I chase my tail, it runs from me. However when I go about my business, my tail follows me.”

When we chase happiness we are using puppy logic and we find ourselves going in circles.

But in following an elevated, G-dly purpose and responsibility beyond ourselves, we

discover that happiness follows us. Happiness is a by-product of right action. It is created by the Mitzvot we do, the relationships we form, and the extent to which we enhance the lives of others.

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah we read the story of Hagar, the handmaiden of Abraham. She finds herself crying because she and her son Yishmael had been sent out from Abraham’s house. They got lost in the desert. After a few days, they ran out of food and water.

The child was at death’s door, and Hagar was so depressed by her situation that she didn’t even have the energy to comfort him. She just put him down and went off by herself to cry. She felt alone, abandoned, friendless, and ready to give up on life.

That is the moment when G-d sent her an angel to say, “Get up, go to the child and take him by the hand.” That’s her answer. It is also our answer, the cure for that sense of melancholy and aimlessness. The cure for the feeling that life has lost its joy can be summed up in three words: “Help somebody else.” When Hagar stops feeling sorry for herself and reaches out to someone worse off than she, the Torah tells us, “her eyes were opened” and the world looked different to her. She could then see a well of fresh water. Despite the fact it was still the same world it was an hour before, things looked different to her, and she was able to see life-enhancing resources she wasn’t seeing before.

The angel’s words to Hagar in Hebrew are: V’hachaziki es yadaicha boi. This is usually translated, “Hold him by the hand.”

But literally it means something

more profound: Hachaziki es yadaich - “Strengthen your own hand, - boi - through him,” by helping him! When we are fearful and depressed, we gain strength and courage by taking someone else by the hand and helping that person; by getting involved in looking to make a difference to others, whether individually or collectively.

An elderly Chossid recalls being a young boy at a train station in Russia. He saw a man on a departing train smoking a pipe.

As the man waved goodbye, he removed one of his expensive gloves to better grasp the pipe.

Unluckily the glove fell out of the window and onto the platform.

An attentive porter quickly snatched it up and ran alongside the moving train, but without success. The train pulled away.

The man on the train smiled to the running porter, took off his other glove, and tossed it out the window, yelling “I hope they fit you.”

That image stayed with the Chossid the rest of his life. To

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

Pirkei Avot In this week’s Mishnah, we find the statement of Shimon ben Shetach, who we were introduced to last week. His compatriot Yehudah ben Tabbai had started the theme of judges, taking great pains to point out how righteous judges have to be at all times, and making the point that they should act like a judge, not like a lawyer.

Shimon ben Shetach carries on this same theme. He urges judges to ‘Interrogate the witnesses extensively, and be cautious with your

learn how to graciously let go, to give away even what is rightfully yours, is a wonderful trait to acquire. In an argument with a spouse, just give up the need to be right, to win. Love is the ability to graciously let go, and without it we destroy what we cherish the most. Success in relationships is not about having the last word, but about offering words that heal and bring us closer. Apologising doesn’t mean that you’re right and I’m wrong.

It means that my relationship with you is more important to me than my ego and my need to be acknowledged. In loving others, in bringing joy to others, we gain strength and purpose and happiness - our lives and homes become enriched.

As we ascend the throne of life for a New Year let us learn to act on behalf of something beyond our own sense of self. As a result we in turn will surely be blessed with a sweet, healthy, prosperous, joyous, wise and sensitive New Year Lanu ulichol Yisroel Amen.

Mishna 9

words, lest they learn to lie.’

The Maharal of Prague, as highlighted in the Artscroll book by Rabbi Tuvia Basser, stresses just how important it is to ensure that you don’t give a witness an opportunity to work the case in his favour. One wrong word, or a classic slip of the tongue can swing the case one way or another and Dayanim must choose their words exceedingly carefully.

As we stand on the verge of Rosh Hashanah, pleading for a better

year than the one we have just had, let us hope that Hashem in His mercy allows our words of prayer, whether said from the familiarity of the synagogue, or the comforts of our own homes, to pierce through the barriers of heaven. We beg and fervently pray that He listens to our prayers and inscribes all of us in the book of life. Wishing all our readers a Ketiva v’Chatima Tova, a good happy sweet and Healthy New Year.

Amen.

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Corona Diary #14: Coping With a Rosh Hashanah Without

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN The term “without“ best captures this year’s challenging Rosh Hashanah. Due to health guidelines so many classic features of Rosh Hashanah will be missing this year.

Most regrettably, Corona limitations will deeply alter our tefilla format and we are all anxious about this new reality. This will be a Rosh Hashanah “without”: we will most likely attend abbreviated services, and daven in small groups with limited family members; in many cases we will daven outside of traditional shuls - while wearing masks! How can we convert this compromised Rosh Hashanah into a deep and, hopefully passionate experience, given the absence of so many classic Rosh Hashanah components? How can a “Rosh Hashanah without” become a memorable Rosh Hashanah?

HERE ARE FOUR RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.Outside of the Shul but Part of a Broader Reality Rosh Hashanah doesn’t only mark the Day of Judgement but also the day of Creation- a creation which recurs every year. Waking up on Rosh Hashanah, the world around us may seem familiar, but it has been completely overhauled. Davening outside our human-crafted shuls and in greater proximity with Nature, we should be able to more acutely sense the day of Creation and not just the Day of Judgement. In particular, the Corona pandemic has reminded us of our inseparable connection with Nature as part of G-d’s infinite and sweeping creation.

Furthermore, Rosh Hashanah, is a universal experience for all Mankind which is judged and whose fate is determined on this day. Davening outside of our shuls-in the outside world- should make it easier for us to consider the broader connotations of this day. It should be easier to daven on behalf of all humanity during a year in which the entire planet sorely needs our fervent tefillot. Coronating G-d outside of the shul should stoke our dreams of the “final day” and of a redeemed world which will embrace His authority and be completely healed. Typically, as we stand in shuls we sense allegiance to those who have entered these houses of worship; this year we may also sense our connection to G-d’s entire world and the humans who inhabit that world. We are on a journey to make G-d more palpable in this world and the broader setting may heighten our awareness to that broader agenda.

2.We Don’t Daven Alone Undoubtedly, one of the greatest

disappointments this year, will be our davening in smaller minyan groups without the friends and family members who typically accompany us on our tefilla journey.

Tefilla is a communal experience, and the presence of these ‘tefilla’ communities both frames and enhances our tefillot. However, this year, the absence of these familiar ‘tefilla groups’ can potentially open our imagination to less obvious tefilla partners.

Rosh Hashanah is a day of memory and we ask G-d to remember national and historical heroes, as well as our own ancestors and their lives. Prior to Rosh Hashanah I visit my ancestor’s graves so that their images and past accomplishments become a vivid part of my tefillot. We don’t just recall their lives but also ask them to daven on our behalf and perhaps this year we can more easily sense them davening alongside us.

If we are unable to daven alongside friends and family, we should more vividly imagine those who are no longer living but who join us in tefilla.

We should also sense another partner in our tefilla- A Divine partner. The Talmud in Rosh Hashanah describes G-d donning a tallit and leading a tefilla of mercy, while Moshe listens and learns how to properly daven. Evidently, G-d Himself davens on our behalf and on behalf of His relationship with His people. As ‘alone’ as we may feel this year, we are davening alongside of G-d who is as deeply interested in our requests as we are. We may daven in smaller groups but we certainly don’t daven alone.

3.The Reductive Sound of the Shofar By blowing a ram’s horn we replace our human voices with the bestial cry of an animal. The wails and moans of the shofar sound primitive and primordial; facing the gravitas and grandeur of this day we try to disrobe ourselves of human ego and human artifice while davening in a more unsophisticated and genuine fashion. The animal cry of the shofar helps us repudiate human conceit and replace it with innocent purity. The past half-year a miniscule virus has stripped away human convention and confidence and currently, the “return to basics” which a shofar triggers, is deeply resonant. Lacking a fully attended shul and davening without a community and our friends, we approach this moment stripped of all pretense. We are now fully in sync with the aim of the shofar !! In many ways we are ‘ahead of the game’.

This year, in addition to the shofar, our tefillot will be ‘enhanced’ by the masks we will all conscientiously wear. These masks muffle our voices but turn our thoughts inward to the whisper of our hearts. If we

17 SEPTEMBER 2020

How can we convert this compromised Rosh Hashanah into a deep and, hopefully passionate experience…? can’t daven loudly perhaps we can better concentrate on our inner voice- an internal sound which can be heard even without loud proclamation. We ask G-d to listen to the murmurs of our hearts which aren’t muted by a mask.

4.Less is Sometimes More Typically, Rosh Hashanah tefillot are lengthy, augmented by memorable sections highlighting the beauty and solemnity of the day. Typically, these segments are sung with familiar and soulful tunes. Extended services often allow for greater concentration and more authentic tefilla. However, shorter tefilla sometimes has an immediacy and a focused energy which lengthy tefilla sometimes dissolves. Though Moshe legendarily davened for forty days without food and sleep, he also was famous for the shortest tefilla on record. His tefilla for his leprosy-stricken sister contained five words – four of which were two letters. During longer tefillot our imaginations wander and we lose concentration, whereas shorter bursts of tefilla sometimes surge with more raging force. Our shorter tefillot will be different, but, potentially, more brisk, determined and desperate.

In 1988 the first intifada broke out and many student-soldiers in my Yeshiva we recalled to the army to help quell protests.

My Israeli friends had already served their requisite 16 months of duty and were looking forward to uninterrupted Torah study in yeshiva as well as a relaxing Pesach

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at home. Being drafted for reserve duty was exasperating and the specter of conducting a Pesach seder in an army camp was dispiriting. My Rebbe, Rav Amital gathered us and described his Shabbat experience in the concentrations camps. Obviously Shabbat as we know it, didn’t exist. Every erev Shabbat, Rav Amital concealed a folded white shirt in his work uniform, and, as the sun set for Shabbat, would scurry away from the work details, don his white shirt and embrace the Shabbat. He chuckled with us that our Shabbat experience was streamed through different features such a food, dress, tefilla, company, and Torah study. By contrast, his entire Shabbat experience was compacted into one tattered white shirt. As Shabbat was more condensed it was experienced more intensely and more passionately. He assured the soldiers that though their Pesach seder in an army camp would be a rushed twenty-minute mini-seder, they would experience Pesach in its condensed form as deeply as he experienced Shabbat during the one minute he donned his shirt.

That story has always taught me that sometimes less is more and hopefully this year my Rosh Hashanah experience will be similar to my Rebbe’s “white shirt” Shabbat.

May G-d be With Us Shanah Tovah Rabbi Moshe Taragin has taught at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Gush Etzion, for the past 22 years.

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

Soldiers or Sheep?

BY RABBI BEREL WEIN I believe that we all agree that this year the awesome days of Rosh Hashanah will be different from past years. Many of us may not even be allowed to attend the synagogue for public worship. Others will pray and assemble in open outside areas. There is a rhythm to our holidays that the Coronavirus has interrupted. Nevertheless, Rosh Hashanah will indeed take place, and Jews worldwide will commemorate it according to Halacha and traditional customs. But perhaps most importantly, I feel and hope that it will be a more introspective Rosh Hashanah than we have experienced in past years.

The prayer for life and family, success and prosperity, peace and tranquility, accomplishment and productivity, purposefulness and meaning, all will have a more intensive, pertinent, and personal tone. This year will require very little imagination to realize that we stand before the heavenly court and pass single file to be judged and blessed. There are those who, because of circumstances

in their synagogues or communities may curtail the prayer service and omit certain of the paragraphs that are ordinarily so much a part of the holiday service of the day. I respect the opinion of rabbis who chose to follow this route, because of the local circumstances in which they find themselves. However, to me, every word of the holiday prayer book now takes on even greater meaning and relevance. I cannot imagine, therefore, that under the present circumstances that exist in my synagogue that we will omit any prayers. We can all do without sermons and other additions, but the holy words that have been sanctified over the centuries by the tears and even the blood of millions of Jews who stood before their creator for judgment and blessing,

should not be absent from our lives and lips.

We must remember that wherever we are those days, it is Rosh Hashanah, and that it should be treated and observed as such.

The Talmud records that we pass before the heavenly court as soldiers in the army of King David. It also compares us to the sheep that exist around Mount Meron.

Sheep and soldiers at first glance seem to be opposite images and scenarios. Soldiers stand erect and marched proudly while sheep always have a low profile and do not generally represent strength and firmness.

Yet, I believe that under COVID-19 we can well understand that the Talmud did not present us here within either or choice – soldiers or sheep. Rather, it meant to teach us that all human beings are, in reality, both

To me, every word of the holiday prayer book now takes on even greater meaning and relevance.

at the very same time. We have within us enormous strength and capability, potential and firmness of purpose and behavior like soldiers. At the same time, we are but dust and ashes, mortal clay, putty in the hands of, so to speak, the Holy One who has fashioned us. It is the challenge of life, its experiences and events that confronts us to ascertain when we should stand erect and firm as soldiers do, and when we should be humble and adopt a very low profile as do sheep. Rosh Hashanah brings us face-toface with this challenge and choice. As far as Torah values and the Jewish people are concerned, we are certainly to be soldiers in the army of King David. But as far as our own personal wants and desires, social behavior, and communal responsibility we should lower our egos and allow us to be counted as the sheep of Mount Meron.

I send you my blessings for the new year and for a Ktiva V’chatima Tova.

Rabbi Berel Wein is Senior Rabbi of Beit Knesset HaNassi in Jerusalem and Director of the Destiny Foundation.

A TORAH BITE FOR THE SHABBAT TABLE

Seeing the Whole Picture RABBI GOODMAN The Zodiac sign for the month of Tishrei and one of the prominent icons of Rosh Hashanah, are weighing scales. Their meaning and significance are far-reaching and encapsulate many fundamental aspects of the Chagim. Weighing scales also impart an elementary rule of judgment: perspective. Good judgment means being able to assess the relevant factors while seeing the whole picture. Every area of life, without exception, constantly calls for our judgment. Thankfully, we have the luxury of riding on the coattails of our Sages, whose keen outlook and perspective have saved us time and time again.

A prime and timely example is Rabbi Yisroel Salanter (1810-1883), who in the process of reshaping our approach to Rosh Hashanah, saved us from untold calamity and misfortune.

Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin (1749-1821) writes based on the Zohar HaKadosh, that our sole focus on Rosh Hashanah, is Hashem’s Kingship. It is our responsibility

to acknowledge Hashem’s omnipotence, reaffirm our acceptance of Him as our King and long for universal recognition and acceptance of His authority. Rosh Hashanah is not the time to show concern for our own needs and on the contrary, doing so detracts from our dedication and commitment to His Will.

Rabbi Salanter, though, writes that while the Zohar HaKadosh’s description of the essence of Rosh Hashanah remains the same, its practical application does not.

The words of the Zohar HaKadosh were intended for earlier generations, for people of immense spiritual stature who knew how to set aside their own worries and concentrate exclusively on Hashem.

Nowadays, however, a person beset by personal worry or anguish, does not possess the presence of mind to concern himself with the needs, so to speak, of Hashem. Therefore, if we were to stand before Hashem on Rosh Hashanah and direct all our prayers towards the universal acceptance of His Kingship, we would effectively be testifying that we do not

believe that we are standing in judgment.

Rabbi Salanter explains that this ‘testimony’ would undermine our ‘prayers’ for Hashem’s Kingship and create a Heavenly accusation against us. If we truly understood the implication of the Day of Judgment and how our entire future hangs in the balance, Hashem’s Kingship would barely appear on our radar.

Therefore, writes, Rabbi Salanter, our work on Rosh Hashanah is to truly comprehend that we are standing in awesome judgment before Hashem, and consequently, beg from Hashem everything that we need for the coming year. By doing this, not only are we being true to ourselves, but we are also acknowledging and accepting Him as our King, making ourselves aware that He is our provider and that our lives are in His hands.

This Rosh Hashanah may Hashem look favourably on all of Klal Yisroel and may we merit a year ahead filled with tons of blessing in all areas of our lives, so that we can serve our King with all our hearts and all our souls.

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

He encourages feedback & ideas: ben@mydvartorah.com

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If you thought the year 5780 was an unusual one you are probably correct We seem to have lived through the fulfillment of an ancient curse (purportedly Chinese), “May you live in interesting times”. It is our fervent prayer that as the ancient Talmudic wish goes, “May the year with its curses end, and a year with its blessings commence”.

However, the year 5781 brings along a different kind of fascination and the times of this year also make for an interesting read.

We begin with Rosh Hashanah, which this year has its first day falling on Shabbat. Nothing too unusual about this; after all, it happens about 10 times in 35 years, as Rabbi Jeremy Stanton explains, but the last time it happened was in the year 5770, eleven years ago. It will occur 4 more times in the next ten years. For the last decade, we have only had the 1st day Rosh Hashanah on a Monday or Thursday.

Rabbi Shea Linder points to the remarkable fact that Shabbat Parshat Mikeitz will not be Shabbat Chanukah. The factors causing this are the combination of Rosh Hashanah being Shabbat and Cheshvan [and Kislev in fact] both only having 29 days. Parshat Vayeishev (the week before that) will instead be Shabbat Chanukah and this will give us the opportunity on

Shabbat Mikeitz to read all about the wisdom of King Solomon and how he solved the dispute between two ladies bickering over who the baby belonged to…

Rav Linder points further to the fact that there will be one week soon after in which many of us will be keen to bring in a winter Shabbat at the earliest opportunity, as the fast of Tevet falls on Friday.

Pesach, which falls on the last Saturday night in March, will also be the start of British Summer Time. For a festival so dependent on times (not least the Seder night itself and the morning that follows) it will make for fascinating discussion as to when we should join the country putting the clocks forward. The Machzikei Hadas in Manchester have listed two separate time charts. One for those who will put their clocks forward before Shabbat (of Erev Pesach) comes in, and another for those whose radio-controlled clocks will automatically jump forward an hour at 2am on Sunday (Yom Tov) morning.

(Being Yom Tov, one cannot alter the time on a clock.) (GMT sometimes commences on Simchat Torah too.)

On Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, we read a special Haftarah, “Hashamayim Kis’i”.

I hope you enjoyed reading it (albeit at home) on Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Iyar

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5780, for as R’ Shlomo Meir Guttentag informs us, it is possibly the last time that we will be reading this (usually bi-annual) Haftarah for close to three years! At least with regards to 5781, the first “opportunity” would be Shabbat “Rosh Chodesh Tishrei” but, being Rosh Hashanah we will be reading the dedicated Haftarah of the day. Five months later, Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Adar 5781, it will make way for the Parshat Shekalim Haftarah and on Rosh Chodesh Av 5781, we will very possibly be leining one of the three Haftarot leading up to Tisha B’av (failing the arrival of Mashiach, or a synagogue custom to the contrary).

May we merit to see this coming year the fulfillment of the words of Moshe in

this week’s Sidra, “Veshav Vekibetzcha Mikal Ha’amim” (and G-d will return and gather you in from all the nations) which have the numerical value of 781 ‫!תשפ”א‬

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The LSJS Tanach Course 20/21 October – 8pm/10am £57 (5-week taster) / £285 (whole year) The LSJS Tanach course returns due to popular demand.

Learn the entire Tanach in a year led by Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, Dr Lindsey Taylor–Guthartz and Tanach scholars from around the world.

For more information and to book your space please see our website www.lsjs.ac.uk or e-mail us lsjsadmin@lsjs.ac.uk or call us on 020 8203 6427 THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

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the community sweet and happy 5781!!

Tizku leshanimrabot rabot ne-imot ne-imot vetovot.

TAL wishesTAL thewishes community a sweetaand happy New New YearYear 5781!!

Tizku leshanim vetovot.

RABBBI TAWIL TAWIL RABBI JONATHAN RABBIJONATHAN JONATHAN TAWIL DIRECTOR TAL

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TIMES

The Shulchan Aruch (583:2) writes that

The Shulchan (583:2) that TIMES on Rosh Aruch Hashanah we eatwrites the head of a once heard Rabbi Galinsky personally relate where what thought of as Super Com29 Elul 5780 – 2are Tishrei 5781 on Rosh Hashanah we eat the“we head of abe lamb to symbolise that should his predicament.

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YOM TOV ENDS 7:52PM (binding of) Yitzchak.” burial.

WhatTHE are your desires QUOTE for the next year?

WEEKLY The Chayei Adam mentions the custom someone have approached me to use fish in itsIf stead andwould to say that and told methe at that time not to worry, calmThe Chayei Adam mentions custom “we should multiply like fish and that no ing my fears by saying to use evil fisheye in be itsupon stead and say that us”. day to “One you will leave this place and

Rosh Hashanah is the first page in a blank "Don’t be afraid to start over. It’s a new book of hundreds of pages. Write a good chance to rebuild what you want." one!

"Don’tshall be afraid to start over. It’sgaming a new powWhat we ask for? Better WRITE YOUR BOOK! “we should multiply go like fish and that no chance to rebuild what you want. " to Israel where you will set up a Torah ers, technological advances that will enable A recent survey by the National Centre What is interesting is the double Academy, including a Yeshiva and range of us to text, video call, drive unmanned vehifor Social Research found that forevil theeye be upon us”.  Stay tune for big news on TAL Centre cles, get to the moon and back? language used.Kolelim.

Wouldn’t it have been first time, more than half of people in A recent survey by the National Centre For our upcoming events check website is www.torahactionlife.com You will be blessed with a large family and What weourthink the head – the top of our enough to say we wish to be at the The A recent survey by the National Centre Rabbithemselves Yonatan Eibeshitz Ztz”l explains What is interesting is the double the UK (53%) described as merit to see your children, grandchildren list of asks, could actually be Centre the tail. for Social Research found that for the  Stay tune for big news on TAL head? do we need to add the words for Social Research found that for thereligion”. first with the famous words in Pirkei AvotWhy 4:15 having “no language used.

Wouldn’t itgrandchildren have beenin health, living a and great So we ask G-d – You realise what is at the firstthan time, more people in we should strive and not time, more half of peoplethan in thehalf UK ofwhich state that to bethe thetail?

DVAR TORAH P1-2 For our upcomingtop events check our website rich Jewish life.

– please put uswww.torahactionlife.com there! enough to say we wish to be at the (53%) described as having “no tail of a lion as and not the head of a fox.

Write Your Book! the UKthemselves (53%) described themselves Among those aged between 18 and 25, And that when you will be invited to travel RABBI Judaism has so much to offer, boasting JONATHAN TAWIL head? do we need to add the words religion”.

R Eibeshitz explains thatWhy here too we Furthermore inoutside Parshat Tavo (28:13) having “no religion”. of Ki Israel it would be hard for your a rich legacy of dialogue and thought prothe proportion was higher at 71%.

Among those aged between 18 and 25, are asking G-d thatand He make us head. notthe thethe tail?

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But not the head of foxes or even lions, the Write Your Book! not engagements, at the tail. weddings, Bar Mitz- compassion. family There is a reason why so many Rosh Hashana Message greatly contrasted with Among thoseThis aged between 18 and 25, 75% of at the head, and This greatly contrasted with 75% of peohead of heads!

RABBI JONATHAN TAWILgenerations died for vah’s” I would have said Rachok Miyeshuapeople in the previous THE CHIEF RABBI Furthermore in Parshat Ki Tavo (28:13) people 75 at and overdo who saidbythey ple agedthe 75 proportion and over who said aged they were What I mean the head of heads? was higher 71%. ti Eibeshitz Divrei Shaagati –explains literally meaning man their belief!

Rabbi Yonatan Ztz”l were religious. religious.

Let me explain with a fascinating story. the Torah relates that G-d will place us a little.

DVAR TORAH P.4 We DVAR TORAH P.3 have asks for a lot and receives Religion is dying? Not with us. with Galinsky the famous words in Pirkei Avot Wow, the trend is harsh...the youth seem As a young man at Rabbi Yaakov The Clarion Call the head, and not at the tail.

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We have The Clarion Call RABBI DOVIE SCHOCHET is upon us. A time for change, awakening, of the Yeshivot escaped Poland headed explains that here too we R and Eibeshitz 4:15 which state that vive we andshould if that strive rebuilt the Torah Is that really the case?

Wow, the trend is harsh...the youth RABBI MASHIACH KELATY inspiration and rebuilding our relationship for Vilna, Lithuania. They thought they could was too learning are asking that He make us the DVAR TORAH P.6 centres the tail of a G-d lion and notmuch the head whilst with G-d.seem to be offloading religion seek refugethe there, to but be were soon traumathenhead at least a or even that were Rosh Hashana 5781 head.

But not the of foxes Rosh Hashanah (the new Jewish Year) DVAR TORAH P.5 deWhat’selders interesting note is theon. way we tised as the Russian of tanks a fox.rolled through Jewish aretohanging burial. stroyed by the evil RABBI MORDECHAI FHIMA is upon us.

A time for awakening, lions, the head of heads!

Judaism – Just a Religion relate to this day. Rosh Hashanah is literally thechange, towns. They were chased and eventuAnd G-d in turn Nazis. And we will RABBI DOVIE SCHOCHET inspiration andally “caught” rebuilding our and sent off to translated as the head of the year. Why do (for no reason) HALACHOT P.7 to learn withtoo we continue R Eibeshitz explainsblessed that me here Is this thatexceptional reallyrelationship the we not call daycase?

Shana ChaSiberia to a harsh labour camp.

What do I mean by the head of heads? with G-d.

Are Women Required to Hear the Shofar? from the book of arewere asking thattheHe abundance make us the DVAR TORAH P.6 dasha (New Year)? What’s special about As they arrived they greetedG-d by one RABBI ELI MANSOUR that I have experia Living G-d that the head? of the commanders who stood them up in Rosh Hashana 5781 head. notexplain the head foxes or even Rosh Hashanah (the new Jewish Let me withof a fascinating story.

What’s interesting to noteYear) is the way we But enced!”

Was, Is and always The Shulchan Aruch (583:2) writes thatday.theRosh freezing cold and is informed them that RABBI MORDECHAI FHIMA to change, this Hashanah is upon us. Arelate time for awakening, lions, the head of heads!

Therefore my ROSH HASHANA SEDER Will Be.P.7 on Rosh Hashanah we eat the head of a they were there to stay. In fact he told them Rabbi Yaakov literally translated as the head of the As a young man friends when Galinsky Judaism is alive inspiration and rebuilding our lamb to symbolise that “we should be as a they would be there for 25 years!

HALACHOT P.7 it comes to ever Rosh changing Hashanah we ask G-d and well, thriving, offering life, teaching love, Ztz”l found himself in an year.

Why do we not call this exceptional What do I Poles meanand by the head of heads? with G-d. the head andrelationship not as a tail, and to remember Amongst the group of Jews, Are Women Required Heartrue the happiness.

Shofar? please us be head. of kindness, free willtoand Juworld through the let rise in the power day Shana Chadasha (New ram at the Akedat (binding of) Yitzchak.”

Lithuanians was Year)? the previous Minister of RABBI ELI MANSOUR But the head of what? daism has an enormous wealth of wisdom What’s special about the head?

The Chayei Adam mentions an communism elderly eighty and the Nazis,  Let me explain with a Not fascinating What’s interestingthe tocustom note is Education the way of weLithuaniathe peak of story. what our understanding and experience to offer this troubled world, to use fish in its stead and to say that “we year old man who had been through much is.

What weSheimot think -isPlease the head, just and we as Jews ought to be proud to speak This newsletter contains Divrei Torah and may contain disposeisof really accordingly relate to this day.

Rosh Hashanah is should multiply like fish and that no evil eye to get to where he was; now broke down crySEDERand dignity.P.7 the tail. Therefore we beseech the Almighty ROSH about itHASHANA with enthusiasm As a young man Rabbi Yaakov Galinsky be uponliterally us”. ing. of the translated as the head to bless us to be the head in His underAs the New Year arrives remember the What isyear. interesting thewe double Understanding their situation Ga- in an ever changing Ztz”l foundRabbi himself Whyisdo notlanguage call this exceptional standing, rather than what we perceive to book is called opportunity and Rosh Hashanused. Wouldn’t it have been enough to say linsky made a quick calculation as to how the head, is reallyof the tail. ah is the first chapter in the book. Grab it, in yet power day Shana Chadasha (New Year)? world through the berise we wish to be at the head? Why do we need old he would be when they left twenty five A message to generation Z. embrace it and create your Jewish future.

What’s special the head? communism to add the words and not theabout tail? years later. But alas his calculationand soonthe Nazis,  It’s not all as it seems. There is much Furthermore in Parshat Ki Tavo (28:13) broke down as he was shouted at by the more depth to what you think is the peak.

Shana Tova This newsletter contains Divreigates, Torah and the Torah relates that G-d will place us at commander.

“You see those no may one contain Sheimot - Please dispose of accordingly This is the easy come easy go generation Rabbi Jonathan Tawil the head, and not at the tail. leaves there alive!” said the commander. I

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Rosh Hashanah RABBI DR RAYMOND APPLE

THE DIVINE IMAGE

Central to the Rosh HaShanah services are the twin concepts of God and Man. Their partnership and dialogue is the theme of millennia of history.

Genesis begins with God making the world and crowning the Creation by making Man. Where did God get the idea of Man? He looked at Himself and made Man in His image (Gen. 1:27).

The simplistic conclusion is that Man is a photograph of God. And that whatever man looks like, that suggests the Creator’s image.

It is an impossible interpretation since by definition God is totally non-physical and has no material shape or form. The word image cannot possibly be taken literally.

Whatever it denotes, it has no connotation whatsoever of physical shape or bodily appearance.

The image that the Bible speaks of in relation to God has four aspects – intellectual, articulate, spiritual, and moral.

Man was made with these four characteristics – or rather, with the capacity to emulate them. God is the acme of perfection in each case.

Man cannot possibly be or become God but he is capable of gradually-growing godliness, making him (Psalm 8), “just beneath the angels”.

ALPHABETS & ACROSTICS

The High Holyday services are full of alphabetical acrostics, poems and prayers where the initial letters of words, lines and stanzas follow the order of the Hebrew alphabet or

the letters of the author’s name.

This device dates back to the time before printing, when it was hard to remember the sequence of the verses by heart. “Acrostic” entered English in the 16th century, deriving from a Greek word. In the Bible acrostics are common, e.g. in the long Psalm 119.

In “Ashrei”, Psalm 145, the lines are in alphabetical order except that there is no verse beginning with “n”. The Talmudic view is that the missing verse was dropped because it had unpleasant words beginning “naf’lah”, “fallen”.

Many of our Sabbath and festival songs have acrostics; alphabetically in “Addir Hu” and using the author’s name in “Ma’oz Tzur”. The Book of Lamentations (“Echah”) has four alphabetical chapters and one non-alphabetical.

But how can a poem flow naturally if it has to fit into a predetermined structure?

The Midrash explains the alphabetical structure of the list of sins (“Ashamnu, Bagadnu, Gazalnu”) on the basis that we have committed every sin from “alef” to “tav”.

Acrostics of the author’s name look like a wish for immortality but it saves the reader from having to remember the text unaided.

An acrostic adds to the impact of the poem in that it provides a visible shape and not simply an aural effect.

MENDING THE MEANING – HOW “TIKKUN OLAM” HAS CHANGED On Rosh HaShanah morning, the introduction to the “Malchiyot” section of “Musaf” is the poem which we know as “Alenu”.

“Alenu” tells us that Judaism has a double

duty – to create a believing, committed community, and through “tikkun olam” to mend the world.

However, the term “tikkun olam” has a long lineage and its meaning has changed over the centuries.

Originally it indicated preparing the world for the coming of God’s kingdom (“l’takken olam b’malchut Sha-d-dai”). It is in this sense that the phrase is used in the second paragraph of “Alenu”, which speaks of defeating and destroying all idols and making the world ready for God’s rule.

The mystics spoke of the completeness of the post-B’reshit world being shattered and humanity being engaged in seeking the broken shards. Until these shards are found and restored to their place, God does not rule and His word does not hold sway.

“Tikkun Olam” historically was preparation, not purpose – the means to an end – but now it seems to have become the purpose itself.

ONE IN A HUNDRED

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev said to God one Rosh HaShanah: “Ribbono Shel Olam, Master of the World!

“You ordained ‘a day of t’ru’ah’ – blowing the shofar (Num. 29:1). See how much Your children love You! You commanded a ‘t’ru’ah’ – and they blow a hundred notes.

“Thousands, tens of thousands, millions of Your people Israel have blown those hundred notes for millennia.

“How many shofar notes have been sounded over the ages? No-one can count them. But at the same time they have called upon You with the words, ‘T’ka b’shofar gadol l’cherutenu’ – ‘God, blow just one note on Your great shofar to herald the beginning of our freedom and redemption.

“God, You asked us for one ‘t’ki’ah’, and we give You a hundred multiplied over

17 SEPTEMBER 2020

and over again. All we ask from You is one ‘t’ki’ah’. Why can’t You give us just that one note?”

A modern Levi Yitzchak would not leave it at that. This might be what he says: “Ribbono Shel Olam, Your people suffer so much. Please hasten the day of their redemption. They really try to be good human beings but they have to fight an environment of immorality.

“They try to be good Jews but they have to struggle against temptations that are hard to resist. They enrich the world but they receive insults in return.

“They have a tiny Holy Land where they work miracles but even some of their own people want to dismember it. They know You are on their side but they yearn for a sign of Your love.

“I implore You, Ribbono Shel Olam, come to their rescue with Your one shofar note!”.

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

Mesillat Yesharim: Part 52

Hilchot Shabbat

RABBI MORDECHAI ULLMAN

As I have noticed, we are going to be having three occurences of Shabbat and Yom Tov over the next three weeks. I was wondering what the Halacha says about one who forgets Ya’aleh Veyavo when saying Grace after Meals on these days?

Now that Ramchal has introduced us to the idea of a holy person being comparable to a Mikdash and how every action can be elevated as if it were part of the Temple service, he reminds us that one seeking to achieve Kedusha must remain focused on lofty thoughts similar to how the Kohen would approach the Avoda.

What prevents a person from attaining this high level of Kedusha is busying oneself with this world, so if one can distance themselves to some degree from it, they can hope for high levels.

Other preventions to Kedusha are being occupied by one’s friends and a lack of deep knowledge. If one engages with friends too often one easily forgets the wise thoughts that they had previously had.

Once one achieves this high level of Kedusha, they are helped from Above to reach Ruach Ha’Kodesh and even the ability - as did Eliyohu and Elisha the prophets - to revive the dead. How they got there is simple (but obviously takes a lot of work) - be connected to G-d, be assisted by G-d to reach even higher levels than you imagined and once you’re properly “connected” it’s no wonder that you have

(what appear to be) Divine-like powers.

These last two levels are actually the conclusion of the teachings of Rabbi Pinchas Ben Ya’ir in the Talmudic passage upon which the entire Mesilat Yesharim is based.

Ramchal ends with wondrous words of encouragement. You may think, that Mesilat Yesharim and all its wonderful teachings even up to Chassidut, is relevant only to those whose entire life is filled with obvious spiritual pursuits.

This isn’t the case. Ramchal says that these levels are attainable both for one who learns Torah constantly and for one who needs to work to support their family. One’s circumstances can always call for piety, for honesty, for acting with caution, with zeal and with appropriate abstinence.

The message to remember is as King Solomon taught: “The wise man will hear and add to his wisdom”.

It’s not possible to cover every situation in life but Ramchal encourages the reader to derive from his teachings and apply the lessons where possible. Secondly, (and importantly for this time of the year): “One who comes to purify himself, receives Heavenly assistance”.

We can start on the journey to perfection and trust G-d to help us reach our destination.

Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek Shana Tova!

It depends. We will start with Rosh Hashana itself.

For the nighttime meals, on Rosh Hashana one must repeat Birkat Ha’mazon (B.H).

In the daytime meal of Rosh Hashana there is a Halachic dispute regarding if one must repeat B.H. Some are of the opinion that since fasting on Rosh Hashanah is an option (unlike on a regular Shabbat or Yom Tov) there is no absolute obligation for a meal so there would not be a requirement to bench again.

If one chooses to eat further optional meals in the day of Rosh Hashanah and then forgets Ya’aleh Veyavo, they need not repeat B.H. On other festivals such as the upcoming beginning and end days of Sukkot one

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repeats B.H. both in night and day time first meals if Ya’aleh Veyavo (or Re’Tzei) were forgotten.

If one forgets Re’Tzei likewise, then if it was at the first two meals of the Shabbat then they must repeat B.H. but if it were at the Seuda Shlishit or an optional meal, they do not repeat B.H. If one forgets either Re’Tzei or Ya’aleh Veyavo, they must repeat the full B.H including the part they said already. So if one forgot only Ya’aleh Veyavo but not Re’Tzei, then on their second attempt they must say Re’Tzei once again and Ya’aleh Veyavo.

If one forgets one in round one and the other in round two, then they have opened a small Halachic minefield… so either ask someone else to bench for you or wash again and this time focus… after all, it’s a wonderful opportunity to thank G-d for a full year of breathing 25,000 times a day besides all the wonderful gifts He constantly bestows upon us. Shana Tova! * In the case of a woman who forgot Ya’aleh veyavo, a Halachic authority should be consulted.

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Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah Word Search

What a wonderful ten days await us! Hashem looks down on the earth and sees how His beloved nation crown Him as king! We daven more and harder each day, adding in special prayers begging for a happy and sweet new year for all of us.

We eat apple in honey, challa in honey and other foods that we use as a symbol that the coming year should be a pleasant one for all of mankind. Everything is decided on Rosh Hashanah, which countries will have peace, which will suffer from war, will there be good health or disease. It’s a wonderful opportunity to ask for something new. Its also a great chance to begin anew. We then have eight days until yom Kippur.

In shul, we call out the three things that can help give us a sweet year! Do you remember what they are? Teshuva - regretting our wrong actions and agreeing to try harder in future. Tefilla - praying in sincerity and finally, Tzeddoko - giving charity. In general, acting kind and forgiving to others and then we hope Hashem will continue doing the same for us! Shana Tova!

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APPLE • HONEY • SELICHOT • SHANAH • SHOFAR • SIMANIM • TESHUVAH • TOVAH

Tangram Challenge!

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

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Rosh Hashanah

In a nutshell Wow! What a year we have lived through! We can focus on all the blessings we have received in 5780 and reflect on how we have acted in times of challenge. Rosh Hashanah is the day upon which our happiness, health and success all depend. This year in particular, we will beg Hashem to give us all a good and healthy life and to bring peace to the world.

The central theme of Rosh Hashanah is crowning Hashem as a King. Now, most readers of the Youth Weekly won’t remember the last coronation to take place in the UK (somewhere around 70 years ago)! Here’s the thing though, Hashem’s coronation isn’t just installing Him as a King, after all, as we say in Adon Olam - “the Master of the World Who ruled before the creation came into being”, so that is quite a long time on the throne already. Rosh Hashanah is renewing our being committed to being His loyal subjects!

The programme Rosh Hashanah night at home can be very uplifting. Each person wishes the other, “Leshana

Tova…” May you be written for a good year.” Then, after starting the meal, we dip Challah in honey, dip apple in honey and eat other foods all to symbolise a sweet year for us and all the nation!

We spend extra time in Shul. The prayers seem quite long - especially Musaf, but that is particularly appropriate on such a holy day. There were actually great Tzaddikim who would spend much of the day saying Tehillim, not wishing to waste a second of opportunity to plead for our lives.

Musaf is accompanied by Shofar blowing - but not when Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat. The Sages were concerned that a person may mistakenly carry a Shofar on Shabbat so out of their fear for the holiness of Shabbat a Mitzvah was suspended. This teaches us the extent of how holy Shabbat is and how we must familiarise ourselves with its laws.

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we read of how Hashem remembered our dear ancestors and blessed

Word Wheel The goal of a word wheel puzzle is to create as many words possible with the letters in the word wheel.

Each word must contain at least three letters. You can only use each letter once and every word must have the letter in the centre of the wheel.

them with children. When was this “remembrance”? On Rosh Hashanah! On the second day Rosh Hashanah, we read about the great test Avraham Avinu had to undergo - being willing to offer his beloved son Yitzchak, as a Korban. At the last minute, he was told not to harm Yitzchak and instead, he offered up a ram. This is one reason we blow the Shofar of a ram, to (so-to-speak) remind Hashem of Avraham’s willingness to go against his parental instincts and follow the will of Hashem.

On the second day of Rosh Hashanah we begin saying Avinu Malkeinu. This beautiful set of requests contains so many heartfelt pleas that have been poured out by the Jews throughout the ages, We have a pride to continue in their ways.

There is also a custom to go to a lake or stream and symbolically throw our sins into the sea. These and other rituals help give us a feeling of renewal and excitement to start a year afresh!

Use this area to write the words you have found.

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Last week’s words: Here are some words you may have found from last week - you may have found more! ark ash ask has hem oak oar sea

see she arks arms ears ease hems hers

hoes hose mash mask mesh oaks oars rams

rash rose sake same seam sear seek seem

seer sham shoe soak soar some sore arose

erase hares harks harms hears homes horas horse

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hoser makes mares marks marsh rakes reams roams

shake shame share shark shear shoer shore smear

smoke ashore heroes hoarse kosher makers masher masker

reshoe shaker shmear smoker soaker remakes shoemaker

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Q: What do you call a fake noodle?

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There’s no point!

Q: Why do bees hum?

A: Because they don’t know the words.

(Answers at the bottom of page upside down)

1.Imagine you’re in a room that is filling with water. There are no windows or doors. How do you get out?

3. A truck driver is going opposite traffic on a one-way street.

Why didn’t anyone stop him?

Q: Why are ghosts bad at lying?

A: Because you can see right through them.

2. What two things can you never eat for breakfast?

3) He was walking!

1. Stop imagining!

2) Lunch and dinner!

1. Overworked and underpaid 2. In a big way 3. Close quarters

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Is Bale Tottenham-bound?

Sixteen-goal Lions rout Scrabble in Cup

BY DAVID SAFFER

Tottenham went down 1-0 to Carlo Ancolloti’s impressive Premier League champions LivEverton last Sunday. erpool and Chelsea got off to a The Toffees are pushing for a flyer in the opening round of fixbig improvement on recent seatures last weekend with deserved sons and Dominic Calvert-Lewvictories and meet each other at in’s superb header deservedly Stamford Bridge on Sunday in won the clash. Jordan Pickford

BY DAVID SAFFER the match of the weekend but the denied Dele Alli, who was subbig talking point 24 hours before stituted at half time, and Matt Reiss Mogilner scored six goals as Maccabi Rosh Hashanah is whether forDoherty but Everton earned the London Lions thumped Scrabble A in the mer Tottenham Hotspur legend win and showed up Tottenham’s second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup. Gareth Bale is on his way back to deficiencies. There are new arrivThe Premier League side racked up a 16-0 his former club. als in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and win with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley Spurs boss aJose Mourinho has Matt Doherty but Bale is on a difboth bagging hat-trick.

Ed Brafman, Daevaded all questions the starcompletferent scale altogether. vid Dinkin, and Adamon Hassanali Real Madrid winger who has won The Welshman’s signing would ed the rout in a mismatch of a tie. four Champions Leagues, two La be welcomed from fans desperate Lions could have scored in the opening Liga title aside from the UEFA Sufor silverware and Tottenham’s minute of the clash but soon opened the per Cup and Copa Del Rey during squad.

Aside from striker Harry scoring and led 9-0 by half time. hisThtime at the Bernabeu.

Kane, arguably goalkeeper Hugo e Division One team, though out“I don’t comment Lloris and potentially Alli, they classed, battled away toon theplayers end. from other clubs,” he reportedly are short of truly world class stars.

Lions boss was lost for words at full time said.

“I have to respect that.

It’s Bale, who picked up a League such was the display from his team who better not to speak.”

Cup loser’s medal with Tottengave every respect to the opposition.

Mourinho won a sole La Liga ham in 2009, a year after the club “I’m not really sure there’s anything to title we with Madrid a spell as to the last tasted trophy success, would say, are happyduring to make it through headround coach.of the cup,” he commented. be feared by opponents throughnext “I tried to sign him for Real Maout the league.

Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors drid, which was not possible to Bale wants away from Madrid, against League One outfit North London do during my time there,” he nota worsening relationship with 16-goal Maccabi London Lions Raiders. ed.Th“But the president followed head coach Zinedine Zidane is e Premier side led early in the second my instinct and my knowledge well-documented.

Madrid canhalf only for Raiders to equalise but struck must-win game,” commented Galaxy playand the heabrought celled a deal for Bale to join Chitwo late season goals toI left book place in round er-manager Luke Lewis.

Gareth club. It’s not a senese Super League club Jiangsu three of to thethe competition.

“We sat back and allowed Oakwood the cret, even Gareth knows that.”

Suning in 2019.

Hendon now turn their attentions to the ball, given the one-man advantage and The transfer window ends on As an aside, Alli was not inleague as they travel to Oakwood A for a looked to hit them on the counter attack October 5th. cluded in Tottenham’s squad for crucial top of the table clash on Sunday with pace.

Bale had bags of talent when a Europa League clash against (10am).

“Both goals came down the right-hand heDaniel signed for Tottenham as the a league side. Leigh crossed the first one into Cohen Lokomotiv Plovdiv tonight. There Kristall’s team stunned 17-year-old from Southampton is reported speculation he may leaders last month when they won 2-0, a to finish, before slotting home himself. Up after 56 first team appearances. be part of a swap deal with Bale, victory would move them to within a point to first we go.”

His agent, Jonathan Barnett, in there has also been rumoured of Hendon with a match in hand.

The Division Two title race also took spite of reported interest from Ole interest Saint Germain PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Gareth Bale Elsewhere in the latest round of fixtures, a twist with league leaders Herstwood circumstances, ” from said Paris delighted Fortune Gunnar Solksjaer’s Manchester and Inter Milan for the England 10-man North London Galaxy made it a Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Temple boss Simon Linden.

United, confirmed player. three-way title race innegotiations the only Division One Fortune.

“We had a number of players out, Reare taking place with Tottenham The time be right Alli clash of the day after defeating Oakwood B. Faithfold B have played a game more buck got injured, so might I couldn’t havefor asked but progress is slow. to develop his career abroad Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at any more from the players. We wish Benala 31-year-old Bale 56 and Ja- North London Raiders Masters. though a Bale-Kane-Alli forward rallied with goals fromscored Josh Cohen speedy recovery. goalsLeigh in 203 appearances for the 2-1 away at Tottenham is performance, a mouth-wacob to record an important Jacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who “It was line a proper old school north London club. tering prospect and would make win. scored through leading scorer James Mil- we battled and defended for the 90 minutes Captainhead of Wales, BaleJewish is all-Care A in letwith his 17th goal of the season. genuine cup contenders.

Galaxy Redbridge and tookthem our chances.

Experience proved timetable record goal scorer 33matches, Mo Salah a hat-trick, inthe by just one point with after 10 The result was all the more remarkable to be the winner.

It’s ascored big win, one we will goals, since his then world record cluding two penalties, as Jurgon third place Fairlop FC are five points be- as Temple were down to 11 players with enjoy and we hope to build on it in 2019.” £85mwith move from White Hart Lane in 2013, ‘keeper His return to the new Tottenham stadi- Klopp’s Liverpool a seven-goal thrillhind two games in hand.

Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder He added, “This won win marks 50 years as a Bale has bagged 105 goals in 251 appearum would be a huge boost for Mourinho’s er against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds in the Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood. in the warm up. football club and will be one Nigel Kyte and ances for Madrid. squad, and club chairman Daniel Levy. season’s opener.

Three times the Yorkshire “It was a fantastic performance in a “This was a fantastic win given the everyone associated with the club from day

side came back in a brilliant game before Salah sealed the win late on.

Frank Lampard’s Chelsea were deserved 3-1 winners at Brighton, Reece James, scoring the goal of the game, while Arsenal sharpshooter and skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng completed a comfortable 3-0 derby win at Fulham.

Jamie Vardy bagged a brace as Leicester City ran out 3-0 winners at West Brom, Wolves and Newcastle United were comfortable 2-0 victors at Sheffield United and West Ham respectively whilst Crystal Palace edged past Southampton with a Wilfried Zaha strike.

Liverpool’s visit to Chelsea won’t decide the title on Sunday but will provide an insight into how Lampard is developing what looks like an exciting team. The Blues have spent £200m this summer on a host of players in Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Nice’s Xavier Mbuyamba, Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva. How they are bedding in will be interesting to observe. A score draw is on the cards.

Another exciting looking encounter is Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City’s trip to Wolves, whose manager Nuno Espirito Santo has signed a new three-year deal.

City are favourites but don’t discount Santo and Wolves. They are a tough nut to PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER crack at home.

In other fixtures, Everton, Manchester United, Arsenal, Leicester City, Leeds United and Newcastle United should prove too strong for West Brom, Palace, West Ham, Burnley, Fulham and Brighton.

The other two clashes are tougher to call.

Southampton and Tottenham and looking for a first win after disappointing defeats last time out. A draw might suit both. A similar scoreline might be the outcome as Aston Villa host Sheffield United though the Blades might one will enjoy. ” just be favourites.

This week has the early of Vale boss Jacobseen Emanuel was stages quick to both Rebuck the Europa League his andinjury.

EFL Cup. wish well following Mourinho beimportantly, looking to get off to ata “First andwill most everyone positive start in Bulgaria, who knows, he Vale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper might have a new winger to select from in a quick recovery, we hope to see him back the not too distant future! on the football pitch as soon as possible,” he For many Jewish followers of clubs up said. and country, thoughts will no As down for thethe defeat, Emanuel commented, doubt stray to action on the field over the “It doesn’t matter how big a squad you Rosh Hashanah weekend, but once the have, you can never account for unavailapple ‘n’ honey has been enjoyed there ability or injury. Only five of today’s team is plenty forward in the months played inlook our to recent win to over FC Team, a ahead. lack of togetherness and poor individual

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

Captain of Wales, Bale is all-time record goal scorer with 33 goals, since his then world record £85m move from White Hart Lane in 2013, Bale has bagged 105 goals in 251 appearances for Madrid.

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HMH stun defending champs Hendon

BY DAVID SAFFER HMH stunned defending Premier League champions Hendon United Sports Club in a superb 5-0 triumph at The Hive.

Avi Goldberg’s team are the early pacesetters alongside Maccabi London FC Blue who defeated Faithfold Blue 3-0 at Rowley Lane.

Oscar Wagner (2), Adam Abadi, Dom Feldman and George Goldberg scored the all-important goals against Hendon to lay down a marker for the campaign. “This was a real five-star performance, I just hope this season the squad will keep the consistency going,” said HMH’s boss.

“We were beaten by not only the better team but a team well drilled and up for the challenge,” commented Hendon’s Gabe John. “A tough day that will be corrected on the training pitch.”

Sam Hamerton, Mikey Perkins, Charlie Ezra scored for Maccabi who demonstrated patience in fine performance.

“We kept possession of the ball and limited their ability to create chances,” commented Maccabi’s Max Kyte. “We kept a clean sheet and the attackers did their job.”

Faithfold manager Ray Abrahams was gracious in defeat but lamented missing five key players.

He noted, “Credit to Lions, they will be a handful for all the top sides in the division.”

Fairlop bounced back to winning ways after defeat to HMH last time out with a 6-2 win at Jewdinese.

Max Pincus scored a hat-trick of headers for the victors. James Jaconelli, Adam Goldman and James Berkley also hit the target.

Jake Sanders said, “The attitude was spot on today. The result flattered Jewdinese.

We missed two penalties and created a host of chances. It was important to get off the mark.”

Zack Collins and Reiss Mogilner struck for the hosts but Jewdinese boss David Lawrence described the performance as “embarrassing”.

Maxim Green scored twice for North London Raiders in a 2-1 triumph at home to Oakwood.

“The win proves we deserve to be in this league,” enthused Raiders manager Gideon Gale. “It was a top performance against a very organised and disciplined side.”

Borussia Barnet head Division One after a thrilling 4-3 win against Brook Farm Rovers Ollie Lewin, with a brace, Adam Bowman and Daniel Creese scored for Barnet in a seven-goal thriller.

FC Team are hot on their heels after

Heads up! Vale clear the ball against FC Team

sharing the spoils with Hertswood Vale in a feisty encounter at Aycliffe Road.

Alex Trupps opened the scoring for the hosts before Scott Hircombe equalised from close range on his Vale debut from a long-throw into the box, flicked on by James Millet.

“It was a tough game against one of title favourites but we came out disappointed which shows where our standards are now,” noted FC’s Jonathan Pearl.

Vale’s Jacob Emmaunel commented, “We’re satisfied with a draw considering the conditions, but we have to do better

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

moving forward and will. I’m proud of the boys for pulling together when things weren’t going our way and the match was threatening to overboil.”

London Bears thumped Temple Fortune 6-1 thanks to a Zacki Doumou hat-trick along with goals from Alex Rose, Sam Bookman and Sam Shackleton.

Bears boss James Harpin felt his team was sluggish for 30 minutes before upping the performance.

“We went 3-0 up with superb goals from our press and good patterns of play,” he said. “Overall, we are happy to get a win

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on the board especially as it took us eight games last season.”

Jonny May and Josh Goldstein earned Mill Hill Dons a 2-0 away with at Paris Saint Jewmain.

For Brandon Hamme it was a “much-improved” performance from the season opener.

“We had our chances and should have enjoyed a bigger victory, we were assured at the back and looked like keeping a clean sheet, which was important,” he said.

“The game was a tight one but we didn’t do enough to deserve the points in the

70 SPORT

Referee Gerry Franklin calms down a feisty FC Team vs Hertswood Vale clash

Vale clear the ball from an FC Team corner

FC Team go close against Vale

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PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

end,” noted Dons Elio Elia. “Credit to MH Dons who were the better side on the day.”

Division Two saw goals galore with 32 goals scored in four games.

League newcomers Stoke Salmon thumped Straw Hat Pirates 8-0 with Nicholas Barnett striking a hat-trick in a second successive victory.

Jamie Smaje, Daniel Braun, Jack Christie, James Gordon and Alex Bleetman completed the rout.

Pirates manager Jamie Weiner described the result as a “statement” from his boys.

“We dominated from the start, didn’t take our foot off the gas, got a first clean sheet and our reward with a score line that reflected the game. It was a great all-round performance.”

NWL Azzurri made an astonishing bow to the campaign with a 10-2 demolition job of Scrabble.

Sam Morris and ZakJackson scored hattricks. Ethan Mooney (2), Oscar Green and Danny Mirracco completed a “nice looking” win for player-boss Morris in a first

FC Team discuss options at half time

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competitive game for the club.

“We didn’t play well yet still managed to score a high number of goals, so there are loads of positives to take out of this result, but things to work on at training,” he noted.

West Hendon Wallabies and FC East London Bees are also new to the league and served up a nine-goal fiesta with the Bees coming out on top 6-3 after the sides sat 2-2 at half time.

Star midfielder Jason Goldstein hit four goals, Darren Hahn and Sam Goldman also hit the target.

Bees boss James Lewis was delighted at a winning start after Hahn’s first minute opener, Goldstein’s shining display and Goldman’s late finish.

“This was a huge win in tough conditions which we used to our advantage in the second half, being dominant on the downslope,” he said. “The win is sweeter knowing we will get stronger when Jordan Sapler, Liam Stein and Jay Lawrence return.”

Wallabies’ goal scorers were Cameron Hough, Dani Salimov and Nick Cooper.

Manager Gad Harari noted, “We fought hard but the second half was an uphill battle. We played flowing football but the absence of our usual centre halves due to injury was punished.”

SPEC edged out 10-man Redbridge Jewish Care 2-1 with a brace from Zack Neiman including a sensational late free kick to seal the win.

“It could have gone either way,” commented SPEC’s Ricky Lawrence. “Redbridge had every right to feel hard done by the red card but they carried on trying to win the game. A moment of magic won us the match.”

Sam Cormack scored for RJC. Boss David Castle lamented the referee’s display.

“It ruined a very good game,” he said.

“We were nowhere near our best but was the better team and should’ve got something out of the game even with 10 men for the majority of the second half.

“The boys didn’t stop fighting and limited Spec to few chances.”

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

17 SEPTEMBER 2020

SPORT 71

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MJSL back with goals fiesta There were goals galore as the Manchester Jewish Soccer League returned to action last Sunday.

Debutants Jewventus face 2019 champions Haroldeans, back after two seasons.

The Merseysiders took the points in a 4-2 victory.

Haroldeans raced into a 3-0 lead at the break before a second half fightback.

Maccabi put the ball in the back of the net

Adam Shiffman scored a brace, Jacob Nevitt and Nathan Di Gioacchino also scored for the victors.

Zalman Cohen and Shimi Moses were on the mark for the Mancunians.

At Brooklands, Maccabi 3rd won 3-2 in a keenly fought contest. A Jonny Franks brace and Jasper Van Veen strike sealed the win.

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

Maccabi Manchester 3rd v Reich Masters, Maccabi put on the pressure in the Reich goal mouth

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

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PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

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PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

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