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ISRAEL ANNOUNCES STRICT LOCKDOWN

BY DAVID SAFFER

Israel is to enter an enhanced two-week lockdown starting tomorrow until Simchat Torah.

News broke in the early hours of Thursday morning following a day of bitter debate by the coronavirus cabinet.

New regulations are expected to pass into law after passing through the Knesset today.

Less than a week ago Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a lockdown before the High Holy Days, which hit schools, shopping centres, hotels and restaurants. Private sector and public sector work places remained open. The latest lockdown is far reaching across Israeli society and at the time of going to press not all conditions had been announced.

However, Israel is amongst the world’s highest coronavirus rates per capita. Action had to

data reported a record 6,949 new cases yesterday as the deadly virus exponentially increases. The death toll has reached 1,317.

Ben Gurion Airport will shut for departing flights under the latest proposals. Flight entering Israel can land, but only with Israeli citizens.

Non-essential shops and businesses will also shut. Public protests with specific measures can take place. But there are strict guidelines for families gathering.

It is unclear what will happen regarding Succot and the purchasing of arba minim and materials for sukkahs.

Shuls can open in outdoor spaces up to 20 participants. Regarding Yom Kippur, a special dispensation allows shuls to operate with a minimum number of participants like Rosh Hashanah.

Benjamin Netanyahu

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Tributes paid to ‘beacon of light’ Ginsburg

BY ADAM MOSES Glowing tributes have been paid to a ‘beacon of light’ of the American judiciary following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last Friday.

The esteemed 87-year-old judge will lie in state in the US Capitol tomorrow, the first woman in history to do so, after the public pay respect over 48 hours at the Supreme Court.

A formal ceremony takes place for invited guests due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A private funeral takes place next week at Arlington National Cemetery.

Ginsburg passed away from pancreatic cancer complications at her Washington home, she had previously undergone chemotherapy for cancer.

Nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1993, the former president said at the time that Ginsburg did not need a seat on the Supreme Court to earn her place in American history books.

“She has already done that,” he noted.

Following Ginsburg’s death, Clinton said, “Her 27 years on the Court exceeded even my highest expectations when I appointed her.”

“Our nation has lost a jurist of historic stature,” Chief Justice John Roberts noted.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

“We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague.” Roberts added that future generations would regard Ginsburg as a “tireless and resolute champion of justice”.

“She was the essence of grace, civility

and dignity,” commented Justice Clarence Thomas.

A tireless advocate of justice for women and minorities, Ginsburg was fervently against capital punishment.

US President Donald Trump described Ginsburg as “an amazing woman,” though controversially called on the Senate to consider “without delay” a successor.

Democratic nominee Joe Biden has called for voters to pick the new president then the Senate can consider a candidate.

Ginsburg, née Joan Ruth Bader, was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1933 to Nathan and Celia Bader, her elder sister, Marilyn, died of meningitis aged six. Ruth was 14 months old and grew up in a traditionally Jewish family.

She met her husband, Martin (Marty) at Cornell University where they both studied. The couple married in June 1954, nine days after she graduated.

Top of Columbia University’s law school class of ’59. Unable to get a job because she was Jewish, female and a mother, she recalled in 2007, Ginsburg transferred to Columbia as her husband had accepted a law job. A top tax lawyer and law professor, he passed away in 2010.

Eventually, a Columbia law professor recommended Ginsburg to Judge Edmund Palmieri of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Taking up a clerkship post (1959–61), she rose through the ranks.

US President Jimmy Carter appointed Ginsburg to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit in 1980, Ginsburg replaced retiring Justice Byron White in the Supreme Court.

Endorsed unanimously, Ginsburg enjoyed a stellar legal career.

During the Obama administration, her reputation gained cult status but she was perturbed by Trump being elected president. Criticised for not being impartial, she later regretted the remark.

Ginsburg though ignored pressure to retire on health grounds and stayed as the oldest justice, passing away three years shy of John Paul Stevens’s service.

A place in judicial history is assured.

Actress Felicity Jones played Ginsburg in the 2018 film ‘On the Basis of Sex’ documenting the formative years of her law career concentrating on a gender discrimination case.

She reportedly told CNN in a statement that Ginsburg was a “public figure who stood for integrity and justice, a responsibility she did not wear lightly.”

Jones added, “She will be missed not only as a beacon of light in these difficult times but for her razor sharp wit and extraordinary humanity. She taught us all so much.”

She is survived by children Jane and James, and grandchildren.

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

Police are investigating an incident in Stamford Hill when an object was thrown at a Jewish couple’s car.

The attack on Warwick Grove on 17th September was reported by Stamford Hill Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol Shomrim.

Shomrim tweeted that the Jewish community has been subjected to continuous harassment and racial slurs.

Details should be passed to police on 101 or Stamford Hill Shomrim on 0300 999 0123 quoting reference number: CAD2611 17/09/2020.

Police are also investigating a swastika daubed on a wall in Preston over Rosh Hashanah.

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The graffiti was removed on Monday.

Carlisle’s Rickergate Court has fined Paul Biaylock and Ian Routledge for racially aggravated disorderly behaviour.

Biaylock and Routledge admitted to shouting “go back to where you came from” at a Jewish group of people on a train between Newcastle and Carlisle last February.

Blaylock and Routledge were fined £200 and £250 respectively plus victim surcharge costs.

Following the incident, a Cumbria Police spokesman reportedly said: “There is no place for hate on the streets of Cumbria and these type of incidents are dealt with vigorously and appropriately.”

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The United Synagogue calls on community to back new Covid guidelines

BY DAVID SAFFER

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The United Synagogue has called on Jewish communities to “play our part” regarding new coronavirus guidelines announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s in a TV address to the nation on Tuesday night.

Johnson confirmed the government would increase measures if the latest “robust but proportionate” guidelines were disregarded. Whilst most people had complied with measures to date, there had been “too many breaches”, he said.

New restrictions in England regarding gatherings, face coverings, pubs, restaurants and hospitality venues could last six months. Fines have been beefed up for those who flout the rules.

“We all must play our part to help reduce the spread of the virus,” commented Dr Steven Wilson, US CEO. “The Prime Minister confirmed this week that places of worship can remain open and we are pleased that Yom Kippur services can go ahead as planned in our synagogues. Our lay leaders together with our Rabbinic and staff teams have worked tirelessly over the last few months

to prepare for the Yamim Noraim and we thank them once again for their dedication and service.”

Johnson announced a new limit of 15 people for weddings.

Dr Wilson noted, “It is very important we all do whatever we can to bring the infection rate down. Nevertheless, the new restrictions will make a difficult situation even more difficult. Many couples have already postponed their wedding once in the hope they would be able to get married in the winter. The new limit of 15 people will make it even harder.

“Our caterers and restaurateurs too have had a very challenging time over the summer and we know the Prime Minister’s announcement will affect the livelihoods of the hundreds of people KLBD licensees employ. We empathise with our licensees in these extraordinarily difficult times.”

Regarding confirmation that 30 mourners can attend funerals, Dr Wilson said, “While we know many families would welcome more people, we understand the need to restrict attendances. However, it is extremely disappointing that stone settings, an integral part of the Jewish

funeral process, are being restricted to 6 people. We will be engaging with government about this.”

Meantime, reaction across communities to Rosh Hashanah services have been well received despite challenges posed by the pandemic.

“Although capacity was drastically reduced to enable social distancing, we are very proud that our communities were able to run a full range of services, additional shofar blowings in multiple locations and, in some communities, children’s and family programming,” said Jo Grose, US Director of Communities. “We are grateful for the support we received from local public health teams to ensure that off-site events could take place.

The US has already written to communities regarding services in synagogues, which may continue as planned in line with US guidelines.

These include children’s and youth services, shiurim (indoors and outdoors on US sites).

In terms of health and safety, visors are not an acceptable form of face covering.

Members must wear masks that cover the nose and mouth and should be reminded

to bring them from home.

Only those from the same household or support bubble (as defined by the government) may sit together.

There must be no obstruction to exits and entrances.

Looking ahead to Yom Kippur, the US is broadcasting a national online Yizkor service led by the Chief Rabbi on the organisation’s new video on-demand platform, TheUS.tv on Sunday.

The traditional memorial prayer will be broadcast at 2.30pm.

The service will comprise communal and personal Yizkor prayers as recited in synagogues across the UK and a memorial prayer composed for victims of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The US will also broadcast (pre-recorded) Kol Nidre prayers ahead of Yom Kippur in partnership with Pinner United Synagogue on TheUS.tv.

Rabbi Ben Kurzer of Pinner United Synagogue will introduce the service led by Chazan Sam Freeman and a socially-distanced shul choir at 5.30pm.

Details: theus.tv/yizkor and theus.tv/ kolnidre

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4 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Corona Cabinet member, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, reportedly said, “We are in a state of terrible emergency. This is made clear by the fact that they are shutting down the economy again.

“Tefillah is the only permitted gathering that will be allowed, and that is due to its importance.”

He added, “We need to recall that on Pesach, we had 700 ill people per day and we davened on balconies. Now we have ten times that and we are able to daven outside in minyanim as long as we wear masks.”

Finance Minister Amir Peretz reportedly added, “Public confidence has been broken because every two days we make a different proposal. The decisions do not last more than two days. I propose to accept the outline prepared by the attorney-general, coronavirus commissioner and the director-general of the Health Ministry.”

An extraordinary few days saw Israel’s Chief Rabbi David Lau consider backing synagogue closures on Yom Kippur if the Health Ministry decided that it’s the “right thing to do” and will “saves lives”.

Orthodox communities and figureheads, including Rabbi Lau, had previously slammed attempts to close shuls or ban public prayers. Protesters have been particularly vocal about ignoring measures during the High Holy Days.

The debate has been intense. Rabbi Lau told Netanyahu earlier this week that orthodox Jews would not obey guidelines until similar restrictions are enforced at other demonstrations in Israel.

Lau, in particular, was referring to protests outside the Israeli leader’s Balfour

TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488 Street residence in Jerusalem. For months, protestors have called for Netanyahu’s resignation over corruption indictments and his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Many demonstrators do not bother to wear face masks or observe social distancing.

“The problem is that the public will not obey the rules if the closure is not total, and in other places there will be gatherings that will not be enforced,” Lau noted.

Netanyahu has previously been silent but this time lambasted protesters.

He explained, “For a long time, I refrained from speaking out about the demonstrations. But after hearing experts claim that these gatherings are a massive detriment to public health, it is my duty to comment. The entire public is required to follow the restrictions, and only this group of protesters is exempt.”

“You are only allowed to go to the (Western) Wall if you live 1,000 meters from there, but you can come to Balfour from all over the country,” Netanyahu added.

“There must be one rule for prayers, protests, and all gatherings wherever they are. If not, the public will not listen to the directives, and the disease will reach horrifying magnitudes.”

Rabbi Lau had long supported the orthodox viewpoint, but the fact that coronavirus cases have hurtled towards 7,000 per day, despite a ‘nationwide’ lockdown coming into force before Rosh Hashanah, made Lau intimate a complete turnaround yesterday.

Deri, who heads up Ultra-Orthodox Shas, had previously threatened to resign from the government if synagogues were closed on Yom Kippur.

But MK Ofer Shelah, Yesh Atid Party,

Belzer family suffer triple covid tragedy The coronavirus pandemic is continuing to strike at the heart of ultra-orthodox communities in Israel.

A heart-rending story surrounds the Schiff family who have been shaken to the core by three deaths in recent weeks.

On the second night of Rosh Hashanah, 48-year-old Rabbi Menashe Yitzchak Meir Schiff of Ashdod passed away at Ichilov Hospital after a three-month battle for life.

He leaves behind a distraught wife and 16 children, 12 living at home. His grieving family attended his funeral at Jerusalem’s Sanhedria cemetery.

Despite treatment in hospital for two months, he died, two weeks after the death of his parents, Tabbo Yosef and Ita Schiff.

Rabbi Menashe had a lung infection that failed to heal before he contracted the coronavirus.

Rav Yosef, of Jerusalem, died from Covid-19, his wife, Ita, collapsed and died after hearing news of his death.

An emergency $300,000 fund has been set up for the family to survive a horrific time.

24 SEPTEMBER 2020

Generous donors have raised $144,000 after just three days.

“Our grief is overwhelming, this chag (festival) was the deepest pain I have ever felt in my life,” Rabbi Menashe’s wife reportedly said. “I sat in a shiva home with a house full of children, tears streaming down our faces. Life will never be the same.”

She added, “This fund has been opened for us so that I will be able to keep us afloat.

We are desperate for any light of hope in this darkness.”

Tragically, the experiences of the Schiff’s are not new. Weekly there are desperate online appeals from bereaved families and it seems set to continue as Israel struggles to control the coronavirus.

The coming weeks and months ahead will be difficult for many families.

https://thechesedfund. com/vaad-ha-rabbanim/ mishpachasschiff?aff=2

Rabbi David Lau

backed Israel’s leader.

With Israel attempting to slow down Covid cases, Health Ministry Deputy Director-General Prof. Itamar Grotto had called for a reduction in the infection rate from 12% to 7% before a lockdown can be lifted.

“We must consider the rate of infection and not the number of confirmed cases which is a result of the number of tests conducted,” he reportedly noted. “The R rate must be brought down to below 1, while we of course continue to monitor the number of seriously ill cases in hospitals.”

Grotto added that the government should operate according to Gamzu’s ‘traffic light’ program, with initially the country being considered a red zone and under strict mitigation directives.

“We plan to consider any changes only after two-week periods, and must not be swayed by political pressure,” Grotto continued.

“We are increasing the number of IDF troops assigned to this effort and will also be adding coronavirus wards to the country’s hospitals in preparation for winter and the flu season.”

Hospitals, meantime, have reported hitting capacity to treat Covid cases. Seriously ill patients have risen in recent days.

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PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

Edelstein and Gamzu noted that the medical system was struggling to cope.

“We are in an emergency situation,” Gamzu reportedly told Channel 12, who appealed to the public to wear masks and not gather in large numbers.

Senior medics in Israel have warned of staff shortages.

“The question is not the number of beds, but who is taking care of the patients,” Prof. Gil Fire, CEO, Tel Aviv Ichilov Hospital, reportedly said. “There is only a limited number of trained doctors who know how to treat serious patients.”

Hebrew University Prof.

Yinon Ashkenazy pointed out that a minimal risk of catching the virus outdoors if social distancing was observed. Mask wearing was essential indoors.

Prof. Eran Segal of the Weizmann Institute of Science agreed with Ashkenazy. Both advise the government on the pandemic.

In related news, Defence Minister Benny Gantz has called on the IDF to begin preparations to open field hospitals as coronavirus wards for excess patients.

“The construction plan will be submitted to the Health Ministry and will be implemented solely in accordance with the urgent need of the health system,” Gantz’s office said in a statement on Monday.

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Labour calls for independent regulator for online hate

BY DAVID SAFFER Keir Starmer’s Labour Party backs legislation to regulate social media companies over online hate.

Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds and Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy spoke on the issue with former MP Ruth Smeeth at the Board of Deputies’ virtual ‘How we should be combating online hate’ conference fringe meeting this week.

“Platforms have been slow to act, the time has come where there has to be regulation,” noted Thomas-Symonds. “We have told the government that we will work constructively to get online harms legislation right. There has to be a formal duty of care independently regulated.”

During a Q&A, Thomas-Symonds called for an independent regulator ‘with teeth’ to introduce levies.

BoD president, Marie van de Zyl, introducing the event, said it was poignant to host a fringe meeting for the first time as the relationship between the party and Jewish community had reached its “lowest ebb” with anti-Semitism running virtually unchecked in the party whilst Labour’s former leader Jeremy Corbyn had been incapable or unable to tackle the problem.

Ms van de Zyl praised new leader (Starmer) for doing more to combat anti-Semitism in the past five months than Corbyn in the previous five years. He has made a “strong start” to fixing the problem, she said, though there was, clearly, a long way to go.

Ms van de Zyl continued, “All true anti-racists in the party, as well as the Jewish community, are waiting for the release of the EHRC report on anti-Semitism within the party, not just to see what the report contains but also to see and understand how the Labour party and its leadership will respond to it.”

Noting the BoD’s 10 pledges on anti-Semitism that Starmer and Labour deputy leader Angela Raynor had signed up, Ms van de Zyl said the pledges addressed the “processes, education and culture” the party needed to understand and work with to make the party a “safe space” for the Jewish community.

In terms of ‘hate’ in the online sphere, she commented, “hate seems to be an accepted part of online life”, adding, “online is the new front line in the fight against racism.”

Noting the Online Harms Bill, which was announced last year, that comes to parliament in the New Year, the BOD chief said it needed to be a “bold step” in the fight against racism and not a missed opportunity.

Ms van de Zyl called for social media companies to adopt the full IHRA

Sir Keir Starmer

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

definition as part of community regulations. Monitoring teams, meantime, must hold social media companies to account as they only acted when the “bottom line” was at risk.

The government should also follow Germany’s lead in handing out heavy fines to social media companies who fail to enforce agreed standards.

She added, “Labour, with its issues of online hate, is in a strong position to point to its own experiences as proof of the need of action in this area.”

Ms van de Zyl called on Labour to get its ‘own house in order’ and lobby government to take a firm stand on the issue.

The panellists had an opportunity to address virtual viewers.

Ms Smeeth spoke movingly of online abuse she had been subjected to.

Unable to wear her Apple watch as a result, she noted, “When you get death threats coming through on your wrist, and something physical, that is just overwhelming.”

“This has real life consequences,” she added. “Because of the nature of social media, very few people can dominate your life and come straight at you in a way that in any other forum they can’t.”

Lammy recalled his reaction to the torrent of abuse that had been sent to him online.

He explained, “I will not be cowed by racists and anti-Semites in my party and beyond.

“The death threats are well documented.

I have family who are not in the public eye and I’m really conscious that when people

abuse me I’m a figure-head for a minority community.”

Lammy added, “There has been longstanding solidarity between black communities and Jewish communities. We would not have beaten apartheid in South Africa without the support of the Jewish community, working alongside Nelson Mandela.”

He continued, “This topic is so fundamentally important because it is the counter to the huge work of education anti-racist and Jewish organisations have done to educate people.”

Thomas-Symonds said Labour would back legislation to regulate social media companies.

Turning his attention to well-documented issues under Corbyn’s tenure, he noted that Starmer, in his acceptance speech, had stated he would tear our the poison of anti-Semitism by its roots.

“We want to be judged on deeds,” the shadow minister noted. “We appreciate there is a long way to go, we want to work with you and show by our actions that the Labour movement is going to be a safe space. We are determined to do that.”

Moving on to the online discussion, he noted, “I accept Labour’s and my responsibility to work with the Jewish community and CST to change the online space and online culture of behaviour.

“Too often people remain anonymous, they feel they can say things without consequence, they feel that this is a space where they can voice hatred. We also know online platforms are too slow to act.”

During questions to the panel,

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Thomas-Symonds called for a statutory duty of care and independent regulator.

Lammy noted that “closed group forums” allowed hate to grow.

Expanding his viewpoint, he commented, “The consequences of anti-Semitism in modern history has been real, serious, disastrous and catastrophic. These legacies play on through generations. We live with the consequences of this pain and hate.

“I deplored where we got to (with anti-Semitism) in the Labour Party and was pleased to stand outside the House of Commons at the (Enough is Enough) protest to deplore what was happening but it continues in a virtual way.”

Lammy added, “Until we address online harm nationally we won’t have fully dealt with it. There will be individuals in my party that can hide out in closed forums or take anonymous identities and still spew this stuff. That must be be challenged.”

Ms Smeeth noted, “My concern is how we legislate for cultural change.

“As a communication platform, social media is brand new, it’s a moment in history to how we have traditionally communicated. We are still learning how it works.”

She added, “This shouldn’t be a piece of legislation for Twitter and Facebook because we are just as concerned about terrorist and extremist language on platforms most of us would not use.

“There is a free speech element on how we are using social media, how we self-regulate and educate.”

Regarding education in anti-Semitism, Thomas-Symonds, confirmed that Labour would have education programmes within the party but ultimately it came down to a change in culture.

“It’s about the example we set from the top. Keir (Starmer) has made a strong start but there is a lot more to do in changing culture,” he said. “We will do it with education, but above all we will do it with strong, booming messages that we are sending from the top of the party to members.

“We want a party which is a safe space for you (the Jewish community), whatever your perspective. We will be relentless in pushing it forward. It won’t change overnight but we will make that transformation.

Amanda Bowman, BoD VP, concluded the event.

“The Board is determined to ensure the current state of affairs where British Jews are targeted individually and as a collective online is not allowed to continue,” she said.

Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green and Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding Jess Phillips spoke at a Holocaust Educational Trust and Antisemitism Policy Trust event on online hate.

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Trump hails peace deals at UN General Assembly

BY ROBERT LEVY

“There is no blood in the sand. Those days are hopefully over.”

US President Donald Trump hailed peace Trump added, “America is fulfilling our accords between Israel, the United Arab destiny as peacemaker, but it is peace Emirates and Bahrain at the annual Unit- through strength.” ed Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

Noting US weapons were at an advanced Trump made the remarks in a pre-re- level like never before, Trump spoke about corded address on the 75th anniversary of Covid-19. the UN when he also blamed China for the “We have waged a fierce battle against coronavirus pandemic. the invisible enemy, the China virus, “We reached a landmark breakthrough which has claimed countless lives in 188 with two peace deals in the Middle East af- countries,” he explained. ter decades of no progress,” he explained.

Trump explained how the US had “Israel, the UAE and Bahrain all signed a launched the most aggressive mobilisahistoric peace agreement in the White tion since World War 2, producing a record House with many other middle Eastern supply of ventilators aside from pioneering countries to come.” lifesaving treatments and three vaccines in Trump added that groundbreaking the final stage of clinical trials. peace deals were coming fast and would “We will defeat the virus,” he said. “We be great for the world. will end the pandemic and we will enter a Describing the deals as the ‘dawn of a new era of unprecedented prosperity, conew Middle East’, they came about by tak- operation and peace.” ing a different approach.

Trump was scathing about China.

“We intend to deliver more peace agree“As we pursue this bright future, we ments shortly and I have been more opti- must hold accountable the nation, which mistic for the future JAN of the region,’ he unleashed this HALF PAGE ADVERT 2020:Layout 1 said.

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Donald Trump

PHOTO: SHUTTERTOCK

China,” he explained. “In the earliest days of the virus, China locked down travel domestically while allowing flights to leave China and infect the world.

“China condemned my travel ban on their country. Even as they cancelled domestic flights and locked citizens in their homes, the Chinese government and the World Health Organisation, which is virtually controlled by China, falsely declared that there was no evidence of human to human transmission. Later they falsely said people without symptoms would not spread the disease.”

Trump called on the UN to hold China accountable for its actions before speaking about revitalising the NATO Alliance, withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and noting a recent peace deal between Serbia and Kosovo.

The US restored U.N. sanctions ahead of the annual General Assembly.

Iran dismissed the sanctions as “void and illegal”, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council he could not take action on the issue.

European nuclear deal parties France, Britain and Germany said in a statement on Sunday re-imposing sanctions would be “incapable of legal effect”.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry described Washington’s efforts as “futile”.

“Iran emphasises that if the US directly or with the cooperation of a number of its allies, makes any move in line with these threats, it will face a serious reaction and should account for all its dangerous consequences,” the ministry said in a statement.

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Israeli tourist killers handed life terms

BY ROBERT LEVY Meliad Farah and Hassan El Hajj Hassan have been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole by a Bulgarian court for their part in the deadliest attack against Israelis abroad since 2004.

Judge Adelina Ivanova’s verdict at a criminal court on Monday followed a terror bus bombing that killed five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian driver at Burgas Airport in July 2012.

Farah, a 39-year-old Australian, and Hassan, a 32-year-old Canadian, were tried in absentia.

Israeli and Bulgarian authorities blame Hezbollah for the attack that injured 38 Israeli tourists.

Judge Ivanova announced the ruling before 15 journalists. Verdict details, which can be appealed within 15 days, will be published in due course.

Farah and Hassan, both were of Lebanese origin, were charged in 2016 as accomplices to Lebanese-Frenchman, Mohamad Hassan El Husseini.

Airport CCTV footage shows El Husseini, identified by DNA, carrying a backpack in the arrival hall prior to the explosion that destroyed a bus, packed with Israelis, outside the terminal at the Black Sea destination. The explosion killed El Husseini.

According to witnesses, El Husseini attempted to place his backpack in the bus luggage hold when it exploded. Farah and Hassan, both still at large, were trialed in

absentia in January 2018 for the terror attack and manslaughter.

According to investigations, they travelled to Bulgaria from Romania in June 2012, with the bomber.

Farah and Hassan departed the night of the attack.

Prosecutors could not prove if the explosive was initiated by El Husseini, 23, or remotely Farah or Hassan, who helped assemble the device.

Hezbollah denied involvement in the terror attack.

Prosecutors called for the maximum sentence, life without parole, for Farah and Hassan.

Evgenia Shtarkelova informed journalists that she “pleaded for the heaviest

LO WI VIN NO TH G LIF RW E OO D

Hezbollah reportedly organised the attack in terms of logistics and finance according to Bulgarian chief prosecutor, Ivan Geshev.

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punishment”.

“This terrorist act deserves to be punished in the heaviest possible way,” she reportedly noted.

Shtarkelova added that the explosive device, Farah or Hassan’s fake US driver’s licenses, Lebanese descent and family ties “linked” them to the attack and Hezbollah.

“The court’s sentence reflects the punishment we asked for and is adequate to the committed crimes. Whether it will be served or not will be a result of the search of the wanted persons, which is ongoing,” Shtarkelova reportedly told Reuters.

Hassan’s lawyer, Zhanet Zhelyazkova, described evidence as circumstantial.

However, investigations demonstrated that the driving licenses were from a university printer in Lebanon. The suspects also received money from associates linked to Hezbollah.

Hezbollah reportedly organised the attack in terms of logistics and finance according to Bulgarian chief prosecutor, Ivan Geshev.

Interpol are still seeking both attackers.

The court ruling is subject to appeal at a higher court.

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Bulgarian authorities publicly identified Farah and Hassan as key suspects in the Hezbollah-backed bombing in 2013.

In April 2015, The US Department of State designated Farah, Hassan and Hussein Atris as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.

A State spokesman confirmed consequences include a prohibition against US persons engaging in transactions with Farah, Hassan, and Atris. And the freezing of property and interests of the trio.

In 2016, Farah and Hassan were charged with complicity in an act of terrorism by supplying the explosive device and logistical support to El-Husseini. Evidence linked them to Hezbollah.

Atris was arrested in Thailand in connection with a terror attack in Bangkok in 2012.

Atris hid three tons of ammonium nitrate. In 2013, a Thai court sentenced Atris to two years and eight months in prison for illegally possessing the materials.

He was released in September 2014, travelled to Sweden and later Lebanon.

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Leifer to stand trial in Australia

BY LEAH WAXLER Malka Leifer is to stand trial in Australia on 74 charges of alleged child abuse after a six-year legal battle.

Jerusalem’s District Court approved the former Israeli-born teacher’s extradition after 71 court hearings.

Leifer’s alleged victims, sisters Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper, backed by critics of Israeli authorities, lambasted the time taken to reach the deportation decision.

Following the court decision, Erlick reportedly told Australian Broadcasting Corp, “Nine years (have passed) since we gave our police statement. We never imagined at the time how long it would take and how big this moment would be, but we are finally here.”

Australia’s government welcomed the decision. Attorney-General, Christian Porter said the judgement could be appealed but the ruling was a “positive sign”.

“Formal extradition proceedings can now lawfully commence, subject to any orders relevant to any possible appeal,” he said.

The alleged abuse took place in Victoria.

State leader Daniel Andrews would not confirm when a trial would occur due to the Covid-19 pandemic but welcomed the ruling as a “huge, huge moment”.

“This is a very, a very significant day for victims of child sexual abuse across our entire state,” he said.

Wishing ‘Shanah Tovah” to the sisters, who he described as “heroes”, Andrews noted, “The courage, the grace and the dignity of those Victorians is quite amazing.

Quite amazing.”

He added, “This is a really, really good outcome for victims of child sexual abuse.

And to Dassi and her family, to her sisters and extended family, they have our praise.

We admire them, their strength is an inspiration.”

The sisters contend Leifer abused them when they were students at ultra-Orthodox school in Elsternwick, Melbourne. Leifer has maintained her innocence in the extradition battle since 2014.

The court action has strained relations between Israel and Australia.

Head of Kol v’Oz, Manny Waks, who represents the sisters, described the decision as “a great day for justice”.

“It has taken 71 court hearings to get to this point, it has been Israel’s shame,” he reportedly said.

Waks added, “It is a day which at times seemed like it would never arrive, but we are thrilled that it is finally here.

Rabbi David Stav, Tzohar Rabbinical Organisation chairman, has backed the sisters’ case. Like Waks, Rabbi Stav applauded the ruling but was scathing of the courts.

“The efforts to keep (Malka) Leifer in Israel and away from an Australian court were nothing less than a desecration of G-d’s name and a stain on our country’s reputation for pursuing justice,” he reportedly said. “We can all hope she will now be held accountable for her alleged actions.”

“Today’s decision is a critical step in addressing the impression that religious figures can never turn a blind eye to the pain of victims of sexual abuse,” Rabbi Stav added.

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, Director of the Tzohar Center for Jewish Ethics has written about the case.

Rabbi Cherlow said Israel must “never become a refuge for sexual abusers”.

He added, “We need to always act in partnership with all other nations in ensuring that these criminals are being brought to justice. Anything less would be gross negligence and is a failure for our national responsibility to act morally and ethically.”

The final extradition hurdle came as the

Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Leifer’s lawyer against the District Court that Leifer was mentally fit to stand trial earlier this month.

A court statement noted it was “putting an end to the saga” drawn out for many years.

Leifer was deemed ‘mentally fit’ by an Israeli court to stand trial last May. Judges ruled, in a written statement, that “the defendant was simulating her inability to function and is fit to stand trial.”

The panel of judges noted Leifer did not suffer from a mental illness “in a legal sense” Psychiatrists Moshe Kotler and Sam Tiano testified that Leifer was fit to stand

trial in Australia in January, only for the ruling to be overturned by Jerusalem’s District Court who approved a request made

by Leifer’s lawyers to contest psychiatric experts.

Leifer fled Melbourne to Israel when child abuse allegations materialised in 2008.

After Australia filed extradition papers, Leifer was put under house arrest in 2014.

Leifer holds Israeli and Australian dual citizenship.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison met Erlich and Meyer at Parliament House in October 2019 and vowed to raise the case with Israel’s government to expediate a resolution.

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Horrific NY crash after Rosh Hashanah Rockland County volunteer ambulance corps members Moshe Herzog and Dovid Tzvi Schneebalg died in a horrific crash on New York State Thruway in the early hours of Monday.

Both were returning to New York from Pennsylvania in Herzog’s Chevrolet Tahoe after celebrating Rosh Hashanah when it collided with a tractor trailer operated by Luis Velazquez of New Jersey.

It has been reported that Herzog’s SUV struck the trailer while changing lanes. Both vehicles ended in a ditch and caught fire.

Herzog radioed for help, stating the vehicle was on fire he was trapped.

Emergency services attended and

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managed to free Velazquez, 59, of Elizabeth, N.J. who was hospitalised. Herzog and Schneebalg were pronounced dead at the scene.

Mourners attended the funerals of both on Monday afternoon.

Chief Yaakov Rosenberg of Faist Ambulance Corps attended the scene of the crash.

“Seeing something like that, it’s just horrific, when it’s your family it’s terrible,” he reportedly said. “I remember them as dedicated, volunteering a tremendous amount of hours,” Rosenberg added. “They gave a lot to the community and unfortunately they were lost very young. Very traumatic scene.”

State police are still investigating the circumstances of the crash.

Honduras Israel embassy move Honduras intends to move and Jerusalem, respectiveits embassy in Israel to ly,” he tweeted.

Jerusalem by the end of Hernandez noted a his2020. toric step could take place Honduran President by the end of the year so Juan Orlando Hernandez long as the pandemic aland Prime Minister Benlows it. Netanyahu supjamin Netanyahu made ported the move. the announcement on Israel opened a diploSunday. matic office in Honduras Hernandez noted on last month but has no Twitter that the move Juan Orlando Hernandez PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA embassy. would strengthen a “straThe statement follows tegic” alliance. “We spoke to arrange the Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahopening of the embassies in Tegucigalpa rain signing accords in Washington.

Pikuach inspection handbook launched

BY NATALIE ASH Over 80 people across the field of Jewish education joined the Zoom launch of a new Pikuach inspection handbook on Tuesday.

Pikuach director Jeffrey Leader overviewed changes in the inspection framework, focusing on how a new module on Jewish Spiritual Development will be a focus for Pikuach inspections.

“All teachers, rabbis and inspectors need to work together to ensure the continuation of a vibrant, committed Jewish community but we strongly believe that you can only do so by adding spiritual depth to all aspects of Jewish learning,” he noted.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the handbook was “music to my ears” and to the ears of everyone in British Jewry. The handbook was about Jewish education, he added.

Pikuach’s Chair Jonathan Miller led the event. Speakers included Methodist Conference vice president designate Barbara Easton and Ofsted national director Chris Russell.

Easton commented, “In a world that binds us to the material, the spiritual element to education invites us to consider the beyond.”

Russell congratulated Pikuach, praising a strong relationship with Ofsted’s inspectorate.

“Pikuach helps to ensure that the unique role that faith plays in England’s schools is properly considered,” he noted, adding, “Ofsted’s work and the work of section 48 inspectorates like Pikuach complement each other, in supporting and understanding the different aspects to school life. We are very excited about the launch of your new framework.”

Edwin Shuker, Board of Deputies thanked the team behind the handbook possible and paid tribute to the Jewish community’s schools.

Pikuach, like Ofsted, has postponed inspections until 2021.

Leader indicated that given recent government announcements about new restrictions, a resumption of inspections may be pushed back until next summer.

Future announcements will be shared with schools in the coming weeks.

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Esper backs Israel’s Middle East ‘military edge’

BY SIMCHA ABIR US Defence Secretary Mark Esper has vowed to back Israel’s ‘qualitative military edge’ (QME) in the Middle East.

Esper’s comments came as he welcomed Defence Minister Benny Gantz for talks with Pentagon officials in Washington on Tuesday.

“A cornerstone of our defence relationship is preserving Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region,” Esper reportedly said.

“The United States is committed to that, and the Department of Defence is committed to that imperative.”

“We will continue to support the longstanding U.S. policy to maintain Israel’s security,” added Esper.

Israel made it clear in the build-up to the Pentagon talks that a key issue of discussions between Esper and Gantz was the ‘QME’.

Gantz, whilst reportedly noting the importance of US-Israel ties in an “unstable” Middle East region, accepted the long-lasting

relationship with the US went beyond ‘QME’.

“As I always said, we have no other United States, nor do you have any other Israel,” he explained.

“We will continue those relations into the future. And we see those relations as a privilege, but also as a necessity, a continued necessity,” Gantz added.

Gantz’s office confirmed the trip would also include dialogue on international policy with Iran among a variety of important topics.

The possible sale of advanced fighters to the UAE by the US was a sole frustrating element for Israel at last week’s White House ceremony regarding Israel-UAE-Bahrain landmark agreements.

President Donald Trump stated he had “no problem” with the sale of F-35 warplanes to the UAE. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made known his trust that the US will honour its commitment to ensure Israel’s military edge in the region but has repeatedly confirmed Israel’s arms sales

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper

PHOTO: WIKIEDIA

stance in terms of the accord.

“At no point in the talks between Israel and the United States that led to the historic breakthrough, did Netanyahu give Israel’s consent to the sale of advanced weapons to the UAE,” his office previously noted in a statement.

There has been support for Israel’s position from Trump’s special adviser Jared Kushner.

Gantz will reportedly call for a compensation package from the US if the F-35 deal

with the UAE goes ahead.

It has been reported the US-UAE deal came about with Israel struggling to manufacture defence systems domestically due to the coronavirus pandemic. Israel Aerospace Industries offered to manufacture systems for the IDF but the Finance Ministry rejected the proposal due to the cost.

The US-UAE arms deal is expected to be discussed in Congress this year.

Gantz and his party are expected to quarantine for five days on their return to Israel.

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James, Robbie and Natasha Bernard at the finish line

Last Wednesday, James, Robbie and Natasha Bernard completed their walk from Bournemouth to London, covering the equivalent of five Marathons in five days to honour their parents who were tragically killed by a drunk-driver 10 years ago.

The walk, to launch the founding of the Alan and Rochelle Bernard Memorial Fund, started a stone’s throw from the spot on the south coast where the siblings’ parents lost their lives in 2010. Reflecting on the Memorial Walk, which raised more than £50,000 for Norwood to use in its work with bereaved children, Robbie Bernard said: “The tragedy of losing our parents in the way we did left a cloud over all of us. For years, we found it difficult to talk about this event and this Memorial Walk was our way to eclipse that tragedy and replace it with something positive and meaningful. This new chapter, which we have marked with this walk and the launch of the Rochelle and Alan Bernard

Memorial Fund, is a springboard to celebrating our parents’ lives in a positive way – by using the money raised to help others.

“The walk broke down mental and physical barriers for me and my brother and sister and even though we were, of course, thrilled to see the Finish Line, in many ways we didn’t want it to end.”

The day after the Bernards completed their walk [Thursday 18 September], three partners from the accountancy firm SRLV completed their own challenge, cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats, a distance of more than 1,000 miles, in 14 days. Charles Bradbrook, Laurence Finger and Richard Rosenberg raised more than £100,000 which will be shared between the Teenage Cancer Trust, Save a Child’s Heart UK and Norwood. Norwood’s vice president Ronnie Harris joined the cycle for three days and was in awe of the three riders’ incredible effort and achievement.

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Camp Simcha families’ high stakes back to school choice Parents countrywide have greeted their children’s return to school with mixed emotions but for families supported by Camp Simcha the stakes are much higher.

Many, who have very vulnerable, seriously ill children, have had to weigh up the potentially life-threatening risks that Covid-19 holds for their child against the impact on their mental health and education if they keep them at home.

Camp Simcha Head of Services Daniel Gillis explains: “Many of the seriously ill children we support have been on the shielding list. While many of them were told they could officially stop shielding last month, the risks if they contract Covid-19 are still very high.

“Understandably, several have spent the summer agonising over what to do. Our services team and individual family liaison officers have been offering emotional support and referring families to organisations which offer expert advice in this area, such as WellChild and Contact.

“For those Camp Simcha families who are keeping their child off school, we are also here to give bespoke support arising from their specific situation, including finding tutors or arranging emotional help such as counselling and therapeutic arts sessions.”

One Camp Simcha parent has taken

the decision not to return her 15-year-old daughter to her Jewish secondary school in London at the moment.

“My daughter has Cystic Fibrosis, a respiratory condition,” she told the JC. “She is now on her fourth hospital admission since May and has been very unwell. Cystic Fibrosis has been taken off the paediatric shielding list but our daughter has been so unwell that her team have specifically recommended that she shield. The idea of her returning to school has been terrifying.

When we discussed it with her medical team in clinic they agreed it was not a risk we can take right now.

“My Camp Simcha family liaison officer helped me check what our obligations were in terms of her returning to school – and also how and if the school was obliged to support us if she didn’t return.

“While our daughter is very frustrated because she was looking forward to being with her friends again, she understands why she cannot take the risk. The school has been sending work home and I am hopeful she will be able to dial in to lessons online.

If things look more settled in a couple of months we will review, but right now with several children already isolating as school began, I just don’t know when or if we will feel it is safe for her to return.

“Camp Simcha have kept us sane through lockdown and continues to provide invaluable support above and beyond anything we could have imagined. When our daughter is in hospital, just the mention of Camp Simcha sees everyone nodding sagely agreeing how fantastic they at supporting families in ever new and amazing ways.”

Sarah, another Camp Simcha parent from Manchester, whose son, aged 13, suffers from a complex medical condition which affects his heart and other areas of his health, has made the decision to send him back to school.

“We took him out of school just after Purim and, as a family, we have been very careful since then. He found that very upsetting because it highlighted for him that

he was more vulnerable and that really scared him. He kept hearing the news reports about people with ‘underlying health conditions’ and he obviously took that to its scariest conclusion for him.

“We received a letter from the NHS about shielding being lifted and the return to school, but it was a general one – listing different conditions- and not specific to him.

It didn’t really reassure us.

“While we have agonised over what to do about school, on balance we felt that for his emotional and mental wellbeing he needed to go back.

“Of course, we are very nervous but we are trying not to pass those nerves on to him. He attends a small school and they have been outstanding. They are doing their best to make him as safe as possible.”

Getting ready for Sukkot ahead of time. Checking for the perfect lulavim and etrogim

Elliot Yardley and David Davis checking their Etrogim

A keen eye checking a Lulav at Aguda Succah Portakabin Tuesday afternoon

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Golfers club together raising over £40,000 for Chai Cancer Care

Left to right- Club Golf 18 Committee Chairmen, Michael Lubliner, Ronnie Gottlieb OBE and Michael Lerner

There was a great sigh of relief for everyone involved in the annual Club Golf 18 Tournament in aid of Chai that sporting events could still to go ahead in mid-September.

With clear skies and glorious sunshine shining on the idyllic Dyrham Country Club, 96 golfers teamed up to compete in the much-awaited golf tournament all within social distancing guidelines.

The event, hosted by the dedicated 18 Golf Committee, Joint Chairmen, Ronnie Gottlieb OBE Michael Lubliner and Michael Lerner, raised over £40,000 for Chai’s Home Support Service.

The winning team who earned a fantastic total of 95 points were Trevor Abrahmsohn, Alex Beare, Hilton Lewis and Hylton Treisman and Dovi Krok won the raffle.

The Committee Chairmen commented:

“We are extremely grateful to Dyrham Park County Club for going above and beyond to do all they could do to ensure that our annual Golf Tournament could still take place, especially during these extraordinary times.

A huge thanks to the wonderful generosity of our main sponsors Wilson Wright and the Kirsh Foundation and all the other loyal supporters who contributed to the success of the day. The weather couldn’t have been kinder, the atmosphere was tremendous and the golf was of a very high standard. The socially distanced tea party was a great success and it was so lovely to see so many smiling faces. We are already overwhelmed with the positive feedback we have received and are looking forward to next years Club 18 Golf Day.”

Jewish Care’s Woman of Distinction Award 2020 Jewish Care is delighted to present the Woman of Distinction Award this year to Chief Fire Officer, Psychologist and Writer, Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton. The award ceremony was held as an online event with Dr Cohen-Hatton in conversation with CNN journalist Caroline Richenberg.

The event, attended virtually by over 125 guests, raised over £21,500, which will go directly to Sidney Corob House, one of Jewish Care’s residential homes supporting adults with enduring mental health needs.

Jewish Care’s Woman of Distinction Award luncheon was launched in 1986 as a forum for women in business in the Jewish community to celebrate true Women of Distinction. The honours are given each year to distinguished women from the Jewish community in the UK who have excelled in their chosen field and have made a significant contribution both within and outside the community. Since its inception, the Women of Distinction committee has raised close to £1.5milllion for Jewish Care’s services.

Amongst those honoured have been scientists, politicians and ground-breaking contributors to the country and our community.

In a pre-recorded video message, former Woman of Distinction Award winners sent their very best wishes and said “Mazel Tov” to this year’s winner.

Messages were sent from Deborah Greenspan, the first winner of the Woman of Distinction Award in 1986, who said “it was really moving to be recognised for my work” and thanked the “amazing staff and volunteers for all they have done for our community during this challenging time”.

Dame Esther Ranzen, who won the award in 2017, also sent her regards and said that it is “always important to celebrate the good news of people’s achievements”. More recent winners of the award, Lady Nicola Mendelsohn CBE (2018), Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE (2019) and former MP and mental health campaigner, Luciana Berger (2019) also

Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton

all sent their very best wishes and support for the event.

Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton is the 29th woman to have won the prestigious award.

During the interview with CNN journalist, Caroline Richenberg, Cohen-Hatton told guests that she joined the Fire Service to help other people in their lowest moments, and talked about some of her lowest moments and personal challenges with homelessness as a teenager whilst

continuing to go to school and selling the Big Issue. Doing so allowed her to eventually save up and secure accommodation, giving her the confidence to join the Fire Service at 18 years old, whilst doing several other jobs.

Cohen-Hatton offered words of wisdom for women in the workplace and challenging stereotypes that can hold people back from going for that they want to do, and told the audience to remember, “you are

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stronger and more capable than you think you are”.

She also spoke about hopes for her daughter, and said she wants her to be “the child that cares about others and a tough sense of what’s just,” and is “prouder of her for being that person than any kind of exam result.”

Caroline Richenberg congratulated Cohen-Hatton by saying, “You are a hero for many of us and a true inspiration.”

On winning the award, Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, said: “Thank you so much for this award, it means a great deal to me. When I look at all the remarkable women who have received the award in the past, I am completely humbled. I feel very honoured to have been considered, let alone awarded.”

Danielle Hess and Danielle Lipton, Cochairs of the Women of Distinction committee, said: “We were delighted to present Sabrina with the Woman of Distinction Award this year. She is such an inspirational figure to so many, and the contributions she has made to her field and the wider community are formidable. We were thrilled to still be able to hold the event virtually this year, and to be joined by so many wonderful supporters. We are incredibly grateful to all those who made a donation, raising funds to go towards Jewish Care’s Sidney Corob House.”

Adam Overlander-Kaye, Director of Fundraising and Community Engagement, said: “The Woman of Distinction Award is a highlight of the Jewish Care calendar and we were so pleased that we were able to hold the award ceremony online this year.

The award winners have made such significant contributions to and society and our community and we are hugely proud of their achievements. To our supporters, I would like to say thank you. This is a challenging time for the organisation and so we are greatly appreciative of and thankful to our donors.”

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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.

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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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Hampstead Garden Suburb hears the Shofar on their Block

R Sudak and Yitzi Sidelsky preparing for Rosh Hashanah

‫מוסדות יסודי התורה‬

‫בסד‬

YESODEY HATORAH GIRLS SCHOOL SEN DEPT 153 STAMFORD HILL LONDON N16 5LG

Telephone: 020-8800 8612

Email: office@yhsl.org.uk

Speech & Language Therapist We are looking to recruit a Speech & Language Therapist to work in our chool for a band 5/6 (term-time only) 1 day per week.

The therapist’s role will include assessment, intervention and ongoing collaboration with teachers. The caseload is diverse and the post offers the opportunity to work creatively and flexibly.

The SEN department receives excellent support from school staff and senior management and involves working with students of whom the majority have an Education, Health and Care Plan.

More than seven hundred people from across Hampstead Garden Suburb listened to the shofar from their own home as the Shofar on the Block initiative provided street ‫בסד‬shofar blowings on Rosh Hashanah.

As Covid-19 restrictions meant that Garden Minyanim were banned in the area shortly before the festival, and with limits on synagogue spaces, Chabad HGS in partnership with Norrice Lea Synagogue rose to the challenge and organised a series of shofar blowings on people’s driveways and streets throughout the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Thirty-five locations were chosen by project coordinator Yitzi Sidelsky across the Suburb, to cover most of the area.

Residents who ranged from very young babies through to those in their nineties, were able to join in a socially distanced way from their homes, standing in small groups on the street or even their balconies.

Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, said: “The shofar is one of the most important elements of Rosh Hashanah and it was vital that we rose to the challenge and ensured that everyone who

wanted to hear the shofar was able to within the guidelines. It was emotional and moving to see so many people, young and old, religious and not affiliated, have the opportunity to listen to the shofar, whether from the comfort of their own home or in family groups on their street. This year’s Rosh Hashanah will have a lasting impact on me and everyone who was present.”

Local Resident, Annabelle Sheldon said: “As we walked around the Suburb on second day Rosh Hashana, everywhere we went we could hear the beautiful sound of the shofar being blown. It was the most wonderful, uplifting and special experience and we thank Rabbi Sudak and his team for the incredible achievement of making sure that everybody heard the shofar this Rosh Hashana!”

Simon Pollock, one of the many volunteer shofar blowers said “It was both funny and emotive when one heard neighbours, who you couldn’t see, saying “shkoach” and applauding. Some were very elderly and it was good to reach them. The whole experience was enjoyable and rewarding.”

For further information or to receive an application form please email: senco@yhsl.org.uk or call Mrs E Feldman on 07815 739 925 Closing date for applications is: 28 October 2020 Yesodey Hatorah Girls School is an independent mainstream school for 5-11-year-old girls, known for its outstanding SEN Department. The successful candidate will be welcomed as part of our caring and professional team.

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THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM Gary Green ad 84 x 40mm JM Group v2.indd 1

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Charity Supplement Sponsored by

Promoting leaving gifts in Wills to Jewish Charities

020 3375 6248 info@jewishlegacygiving.org.uk www.jewishlegacy.org.uk

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Have you considered leaving a gift in your Will to a Jewish Charity?

In 2013, 93% of the 263,346 Jews in the Campaign which works with 44 Jewish UK, reported donating money to a chari- Charities to pro-mote the importance of ty in the past year. leaving a gift to them in your Will.

Although this is a very comforting With the prevalence of student loans, figure and reflects the importance with higher mortgages and reliance on credit which chari-ties are viewed, accordcards, to-day, less ing to the most recent research from 2011, only 1 in 4 leave a gift in their Will.

This disparity of figures could be due to the fact Jewish Legacy that the giving of lifetime 020 3375 6248 donations are entrenched info@jewishlegacygiving.org.uk in our charitable history. www.jewishlegacy.org.uk From as early as the 10th Century BCE, charipeople are able ty boxes were permanently affixed in the to make regular synagogue, with separate sections for all donations than ever before. communal organisations.

Hence, for some, leaving a gift in one’s Conversely, actively encouraging the Will is their only option. public to leave money to charities in a Leaving money to charity does not Will did not begin until 2012, with the have to be at the detriment of your family launch of Jewish Legacy. and friends, who, of course, are and Jewish Legacy is an awareness

should be your priority.

However, after thinking of them, any amount left to a Jewish Charity will help the fu-ture of our community immeasurably.

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For more information on leaving a gift in your Will to one of our charity partners, con-tact Gina Ross at Jewish Legacy on 0203375 6248 or visit www.jewishlegacy. org.uk

SHANA TOVA

30TH SEPTEMBER 9.30AM-12.00PM

Get your job search off to a great start by learning how to market yourself effectively on your CV and cover letter

With this in mind, we implore everyone to consider this form of giving, a gift that will live on for years after we have gone.

From the secular to the observant, those with lower and higher means,

whoever you are, whatever your situation, anyone can help make a difference and help create a better world by including a charity in their Will.

Charities improve our lives through the work they do, be it through providing housing, medical treatment or entertainment to those in need of their services.

Leaving money in your Will, can help your favourite charity make a real difference to countless people in need, both in the here and now and into the future.

“It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” Albert Einstein Particularly at this time, with the uncertainty of Brexit and the coronavirus, our Jewish Charities need your support.

EMUNAH IN THE UK FUNDS 26 OF THE 156 EMUNAH PROJECTS IN ISRAEL HELPING THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN ON A DAILY BASIS THROUGH ITS NETWORK OF:

Therapy Centres Vocational High Schools Residential Homes Counselling and Crisis Centres After School Programmes Community Centres Day Care Centres Food Fund

020 8203 6066 www.emunah.org.uk British Emunah on

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WHAT IS THE POINT? THE POINT IS FOR US TO ENSURE THE FUTURE OF OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY PLEASE LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL TO A JEWISH CHARITY

For more information on leaving a gift in your Will to one or more of our 43 Jewish Charity partners, please visit www.jewishlegacy.org.uk, email gina@jewishlegacygiving.org.uk or call 020 3375 6248.

Promoting leaving gifts in Wills to Jewish Charities

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How Work Avenue can help you find a job or start a business Debbie Sheldon, Work Avenue CEO

Work Avenue, the Jewish community’s leading employment and business support organisation, has been extremely busy in 2020.

The charity has helped more than 1,500 people find jobs, set up businesses and learn new skills in the last six months alone.

Here Work Avenue’s CEO Debbie Sheldon explains why there is currently a greater need than ever for its services among the Jewish community.

Hi Debbie, what are the biggest challenges currently being faced by those in our community when it comes to employment?

The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown has been an extremely tough time for so many people in the UK and the Jewish community is no different.

As the furlough scheme comes to a close… we anticipate the number of people who are approaching us for help to increase even further.

We have seen a large number of job loss- How can Work Avenue support people es and redundancies, as well as those who looking for work in this climate? are self-employed or running small busiAlthough the economic outlook can be nesses losing contracts and opportunities. bleak, Work Avenue is here to ensure Over half of the new clients that our everyone in our community can still earn employment advisers are seeing have lost a living and achieve their full potential. their jobs or under notice of redundancy as We are always adding new jobs on our a direct result of the prevailing economic jobs board, as well as offering exciting conditions. This can only new courses for those increase as the furlough wishing to upskill, build scheme draws to a close at confidence, add to their the end of October.

CV or learn practical We are also seeing an skills - from bookkeeping Work Avenue increase of clients from to computer skills. Above 020 8371 3280 people seeking work for all, we offer one-to-one reception@theworkavenue.org.uk the first time after a long guidance from our team www.theworkavenue.org.uk break in employment to of experienced and support their household professional employment as redundancy kicks in. advisers who can help As 2020 plays out, we anticipate that the with everything including building an upfinancial situation is going to deteriorate to-date CV, making job applications and for many more people in the community. conducting mock interviews.

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

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workshops and events for entrepreneurs, helping them develop marketing, networking, financial, sales and productivity skills.

Is this support all free or do you charge?

All our one-to-one appointments, workshops and webinars are completely free for our clients thanks to our wonderful dedicated and generous donors.

There is a small charge for our specialist vocational courses to cover the cost of external tutors and certification.

The Work Avenue team in a Zoom meeting

Our advisers can also assist with those pondering their next career move, or who want to investigate a change of career entirely.

What can Work Avenue do for those looking to start or grow a business?

The pandemic has had a big impact on

businesses of all sizes and, again, this has been seen throughout our Jewish community.

At Work Avenue, we have a team of expert business advisers who have been working with those looking to start, grow or adapt their business during this time – and we’ve seen some real success stories.

Through our one-to-one business advice meetings we can facilitate the development of business ideas, help to assess commercial viability of new ventures and offer support in all areas from drawing up business plans and marketing strategies through to financial advice and planning.

We also have a whole range of

Finally, how can people get in touch with Work Avenue if they need assistance finding a job, learning new skills or making a success of their own business?

Work Avenue is open to the entire Jewish community at all stages of their working life.

To find out more about Work Avenue and the free support it offers for all jobseekers, employees and entrepreneurs in the Jewish community, simply visit www.theworkavenue.org.uk or email reception@theworkavenue.org.uk.

Naomi’s Story

Nicole’s Story

Like many students, when Naomi Sinclair graduated from the University of Birmingham earlier this year, she was unsure of which career path she wanted to follow.

With a degree in business management, she had thought of a role in HR but wasn’t certain if she was suited to it or even if entry level jobs were available.

That’s when she contacted Work Avenue and was put in touch with one of the charity’s employment adviser’s Melanie Pearl.

Naomi said: “I lucked out with Work Avenue and Melanie – not only is she super helpful but she works in HR. She was able to give great advice, help me work out this was the career path I wanted to follow and reassure me that I would be able to find a

Nicole Sorrell is a director of Lumina Learning and co-founder of The Growth Project.

She integrates dynamic digital technology with depth psychology to help leaders fulfil their potential through leadership programmes and coaching.

Nicole lived in South Africa for 20 years where she built two successful businesses through word-of-mouth. On returning to London, her challenge was to start from the beginning without her strong network.

She sought advice from Work Avenue’s business adviser Joanna Sadie, who was quickly able to assess that in order to create success in the current climate Nicole needed to adapt her preferred business approach - which focused on building oneto-one relationships and providing complimentary workshops and coaching.

job.

“Melanie looked at my CV and gave me tips on how to improve it, suggested various courses and webinars I could attend and, most importantly of all, is regularly in touch to see how I’m getting on and what support I need.”

Work Avenue helped Naomi get a voluntary role at the NSPCC as a first step into HR. She now has a temporary paid position with investor communications platform, Proxymity.

Naomi added: “After my first day at work, the first person who called was Melanie to see how I got on. I know Work Avenue will be there for me as I find my way in HR and then throughout my career.”

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

Nicole said: “Joanna’s business competence and wonderful style of being both direct and supportive, enabled me to introduce a more formal sales and marketing process. My initial scepticism that this wasn’t for me has been transformed as I now enjoy the grounded structure and results it provides.

“I am extremely grateful to the generous support Work Avenue provides. Our community is privileged for this gift – thank you!

May you all be blessed for a wonderful year ahead. Go gently!”

For more information about Lumina Learning or The Growth Project, email nicolesorrell@luminalearning.com or please visit www.luminalearning.com and www. thegrowthproject.uk.org

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Nancy Reuben Primary School Nancy Reuben Primary School, Hendon the UK and beyond. Accreditation is only has returned to school with great exciteawarded to Heads if their schools meet ment. The school, which caters for boys the highest standards. and girls from 2-11, enjoyed a surge in apAs well as prioritising academic proplications for this September for Nursery gress, the school strives to ensure pupils which headteacher Anthony Wolfson atdevelop socially in terms of self-esteem tributes to very positive “word of mouth” and confidence. Mental health and praise for the school, building further well-being are at the top of the agenda on successes over the last few years. The with a raft of school-wide initiatives. warmth of the school is renowned; it Children are encouraged to have a go at achieves excellent secular things and to develop and Kodesh education resilience. Mr Wolfson in a caring family atmossays “we hope that NRPS phere and with affordable pupils will develop a fees. “Our nurturing great sense of pride ethos and strong teachin themselves, their Nancy Reuben Primary School er-pupil relationships achievements and will 020 8202 5646 ensure children flourish also be responsible citoffice@nrps.co.uk from early years through izens in the school and www.nrps.co.uk to Year 6 and beyond into wider community too. the secondary schools of We teach the children their choice” Mr Wolfson said. Places to about tolerance and to respect differences pupils were offered at Hasmonean High in society.”

School for Boys and Girls, Immanuel The school motto is “Together We College, JfS, Yavne College, Haberdashers’ Grow” and Nancy Reuben Primary is the Aske’s Boys’ School, Haberdashers’ Aske’s most incredibly cohesive school commuSchool for Girls, City of London and nity comprising staff, parents, North London Collegiate. In 2020 several children and governors all pupils were awarded scholarships. The sharing the same common goal school is now very much a school of to be the best we can. We really choice for those in North West London do grow together! and serves a broad catchment.

Pupils come from areas including Hendon, Golders Green, Edgware, Borehamwood, Finchley, the Suburb and our families are from both Ashkenazi and Sefardi backgrounds.

Last year the school enjoyed great success on the Jewish national education scene. Two members of staff won the PAJES Teaching Award for Curriculum Collaboration in a Primary School and a runner-up in the Volunteer Category, the Year 5 class won both the individual and whole school National Jewish Primary School ETGAR challenge reflecting the dynamism of the entire school team.

Plans are in place for what the school hopes will be a full and uninterrupted school year but in the event of any form of lockdown, our plans are well developed. Mr Wolfson says “the past year has been a learning curve for all schools, but now we have systems in place to provide a wonderful and effective education preferably in school, but remotely if the need arises.

Nancy Reuben Primary School is a member of the Independent Schools Association which comprises of 541 members leading the best independent schools across

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‫ב“ה‬

What has Chabad Lubavitch - across the UK done for the wider Jewish community for a

ACROSS THE UK

Rosh Hashanah

under Covid-19 restrictions and limitations?

280

7800

6000

'Rosh Hashanah in a box' distributed

Tashlich services with 3000 participants

14,000

3000

designed face masks

65

Shofars gifted to family and individuals who were not able to leave their homes

participants

60

100's

of Yom Tov meals for the vulnerable and the elderly

760

'Shofar in the park' blowings with over

R"H DIY magazines printed

5000

High-holiday services with 1950 attendees

8200

people on Zoom classes in preparation for Rosh Hashanah

prizes and gifts for kids

To support similar initiatives on Yom Kippur/Sukkot/Simchat Torah please visit www.chabad.org.uk/donate or call 020 8800 0022

NANCY REUBEN PRIMARY SCHOOL INVITE YOU TO A ZOOM OPEN MORNING FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS Wednesday 21ST October at 9:30am

OR Tuesday 3rd November at 9:30am

(Please call the school office on 020 8202 5646 to pre-register.

You will receive the zoom login details once you have registered)

After school private tours available upon request.

Please contact the school office to arrange

Over the past 20 years Nancy Reuben Primary School has established itself as a high achieving Independent Modern Orthodox Jewish School for boys and girls aged 2-11 in the heart of North West London.

IVRIT AS A MODERN LANGUAGE

P.E.

The school is well-known for its unique warm, nurturing and special community feel.

During both zoom meetings, we will showcase the school by way of special film and you will hear from children and senior leaders.

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

For admission dates and information please visit our website: https://www.nrps.co.uk/admissions/nrps-admissions W W W. N R P S . CO. U K

MUSIC

YOGA

48 FINCHLEY LANE, LONDON NW4 1DJ | T: 020 8202 5646

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Norwood – Taking on life together Norwood touches thousands of lives Just one example of the difference every year and for each and every one Norwood makes can be seen in their Rosh they are dedicated to empowering them Hashanah appeal this year. Unusually this to live the best and most fulfilling life pos- features someone who has worked for sible. For people with learning disabilities Norwood for over three years but had not or autism, Norwood is by their side from imagined they would need their services initial diagnosis for the whole of their life, until lockdown brought everything to a even when their parents may no longer head. In her own words: be around, enabling each one to take At the beginning of their rightful place lockdown my daughas a valued member ter’s assessments for of society. Norwood her special educationalso transforms the al needs were clearly lives of children going to take even and families facing longer to happen. The challenges due to learning situation was then exacerdifficulties, mental health bated by the loss of routine or wellbeing issues. Thanks and she and my son were to their extensive team of bickering non-stop. Things Norwood experts covering multiple went from bad to worse.

020 8809 8809 disciplines, Norwood is Eventually, my daughter info@norwood.org.uk www.norwood.org.uk able to recommend the wouldn’t even come out best approach for each of her room and when she individual’s situation, did she was shouting and and when they may not be best placed trying to cause conflict. Her behaviour was to provide the optimum solution themhaving an impact on my son and it was selves, they will signpost where this could heart-breaking to see the effect on my little be obtained. boy.

The result was lifechanging. I always knew Norwood was amazing but they have been incredible. My daughter is now being seen by someone from Norwood’s occupational therapy team and we already have one diagnosis. What a relief! She’s feeling more understood. And I’ve been given some great advice and strategies, too.

I feel as if I have my daughter back and it’s wonderful to see the sparkle in my son’s eyes again. The journey ahead is a long one but without Norwood at our side, I don’t think my family would have survived.

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I was at my wits’ end and had hit rock bottom when for some reason decided to open my heart to my colleague. I told her I was physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted.

To continue to provide their life-changing services Norwood needs to raise £12m in a normal year and of course this is not a normal year. COVID-19 has cost Norwood an additional £3m due to additional costs of extra staffing and PPE combined with lost income from cancelled fundraising events and challenges. Which is why Norwood needs the support of the community now more than ever before.

It is sometimes easy to imagine that an organisation like Norwood will always be there, but the plain truth is that can only be guaranteed if it receives the support that it so desperately needs.

ARE YOU BEREAVED? Bereavement Counselling for adults and children individually.

Support groups available.

During the pandemic, we offer telephone and online counselling.

Contact the Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service in confidence.

020 8951 3881 enquiries@jbcs.org.uk | www.jbcs.org.uk THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

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“It’s heart breaking when your husband won’t accept help.

Every day I wore a mask while underneath I was crumbling” – Shoshana

Demand for mental health support has never been higher.

Please help us meet the increasing need this Rosh Hashanah.

Since the onset of Covid-19, Jami has been providing more help than ever for people living with mental Illness and received an increase in requests for support from people affected by the pandemic. During lockdown, Shoshana witnessed her husband Michael becoming increasingly anxious and isolated. With these dark periods lasting days or sometimes weeks, she, like hundreds of people over the last few months, contacted Jami – taking the first step in addressing both their urgent needs.

Jami can only provide essential mental health support with your help. Donate today at jamiuk.org/donate For help and support visit jamiuk.org Telephone 020 8458 2223 | Email info@jamiuk.org

Registered charity no. 1003345. A company limited by guarantee. Registered in London no. 2618170

Wishing our members, volunteers and partners a peaceful and healthy New Year

“

During this challenging time, I feel that isolation shuts out family and friends. To alleviate the boredom the mind must remain active and I do this by reading, writing and other activities. I have received calls from my AJR social worker which made me feel that I have not been forgotten. This illustrates the care and time taken by the AJR to contact the elderly.”

- Rev. Bernd Koschland

Stay connected enquiries@ajr.org.uk · www.ajr.org.uk · 020 8385 3070 AssociationofJewishRefugees @TheAJR_

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Will you be there for someone who has no one?

Ida is 95 years old and has no friends or has become Ida’s virtual eyes and ears, family left alive. She lives in a tiny third reading to her, attending to her needs, floor studio flat in Lviv, and bringing news of the Ukraine and because outside world. she struggles to walk and Ida says ‘Lila is my her building has no lift, connection to the she hasn’t left leave her outside – my reason to apartment in six years. smile. Now I don’t feel After a long career as a lonely anymore.” children’s ophthalmolWorld Jewish Relief’s ogist, followed by many team of highly skilled year’s running a free eye companionship carers clinic at the Jewish comare transforming the munity centre, Ida is now lives of lonely older living in complete isolapeople across eastern tion. She has no computer, Europe. They are trained internet or smartphone to to adapt their visits to an connect her to the outside individual’s needs and world. interests and to tailor their Saddest of all, Ida’s eyeconversations to draw World Jewish Relief sight is failing. She fought each person out. With this 020 8736 1250 for years to save other peosupport, older people can info@worldjewishrelief.org www.worldjewishrelief.org ple’s sight but now there’s feel cherished again. nothing she can do now to This Yom Kippur, you help herself. can help us provide comWorld Jewish Relief won’t let Ida suffer. panionship care to 450 older people.

Every week, we send Lila, a trained Ida told us “Lila is always there for me companionship carer, to look after her when I need a shoulder to cry on or a and help alleviate her loneliness. Lila listening ear. She’s so positive. She brings

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Ida with her World Jewish Relief companionship carer, Lila, who connects her to the outside world and helps alleviate her loneliness

joy into my life.”

With your support, many more lonely Jewish people will feel that same joy.

You can change someone’s life by donating at www.worldjewishrelief.org/roshhashanah or by calling 0208 7361250

Enabling independent living

JLIVING OFFERS A HOME, INDEPENDENCE AND PEACE OF MIND

No one comes.

There’s nobody to talk to.

I’m all alone.

Will you be there for someone who has no one?

DONATE NOW

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worldjewishrelief.org/roshhashanah 020 8736 1250

Registered charity no. 290767

020 8381 4901

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#peaceofmind #jliving

Do you know a child with special educational needs?

Kisharon School’s groundbreaking new campus in Hendon, North West London is now open.

The state-of-the-art building welcomes pupils aged 4-19 with cognitive and/or physical needs, including autism spectrum disorders.

Cutting-edge facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, a sensory integration room and dedicated areas for rebound therapies, all administered by our experienced in-house therapy team.

Accessibility, space, light and possibility are the new building’s defining features and will enhance the existing exceptional teaching. Kisharon’s mission is to allow their children and young people to thrive and fulfil their unique potential in preparation for life after school.

Contact us to apply for September 2021 To come and see us, Covid safe visits can be arranged outside school hours. office@kisharonschool.org.uk . 020 8455 7483 www.kisharonschool.org.uk

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Signed, Sealed and Delivered The story of how Aish UK enabled over 40,000 people to celebrate the High Holy Days this year.

delivered’ to their members. Some shuls even utilised the Explanatory Machzorim in their on-site services. Rabbi Alex Chapper, senior rabbi at Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue, commented: “Our members were delighted by the resources provided by Aish. They definitely enabled our members to have a meaningful experience despite the difficult circumstances. A huge thank you to the Aish team for creating such engaging materials that ensured there was a ‘high’ in this year’s High Holy days!”

Feedback from recipients both here in the UK and internationally has been With over 40,000 High Holy Day items and overwhelmingly positive. One very happy boxes sent to more than 9,500 families receiver, S. Wakefield, commented: “I just across the country, Aish UK’s largest ever wanted to say thank you so much for the project delivered high quality content, exmost amazing Rosh Hashana explanatory planatory materials, a magazine and family booklet which really enhanced my new activities in time to enhance Rosh Hashana year. I can honestly say that using this guide for countless people. allowed me to find great meaning in my The High Holy Days this year presented prayers and I am truly grateful for this. I unprecedented challenges for the comwould like you to know how appreciative I munity. Shuls across the country bent over am, and I’m sure I am speaking on behalf of backwards to accommodate traditionally many others who were not able to make it high attendances, but with social distancing to shul this year”. and the recent ban on garden minyanim Packed securely and in accordance with coming into force, it was inevitable from the government guidelines, the High Holy Day off that many hundreds if not thousands Boxes also provided a new year’s lifeline would be left struggling to feel involved. for the elderly or those self-isolating: “I In the first week of July, Aish UK’s educahave a friend in an old age home who was tional team met to map out a collaborative concerned that there would be no Yom Tov response that would fill that void. As put shul service for the residents. When I read

by Director of Education, Rabbi Eli Birnabout your packages, I realised that they baum: “Aish UK can rightly be proud of a would be the perfect thing for her. Thank long history working together with synayou so much for stepping into the breach gogues across the country in developing and providing this wonderful service for the and leading opportunities and services for wider community!” (B. Zaiden). congregants whose primary connection to In addition to the HHD Box, Aish UK Jewish communal life is the High Holy Day educators collaborated with communities period. This year, the challenge was simple in Bushey, Hampstead Garden Suburb, to identify but tricky to solve: How to invest Whitefield, South Hampstead and Chigwell even more effort than usual in order to in helping run a variety of services, talks and ensure that connection isn’t lost due to the seminars over Rosh Hashana. restrictions and complications caused by Reflecting on Aish UK’s single largest proCovid-19.” ject to date, Executive Director Rabbi Daniel The result of that meeting was the ‘HHD Rowe noted: “The demand has been simply Box’ concept – a beautifully designed astounding for these High Holy Day Boxes. package containing Rosh Hashana and We knew we were on to a winner once we Yom Kippur essentials for the entire family. started getting large orders from several In addition to the Aish UK ‘Perspectives’ Synagogues who wanted them for all of magazine, which featured an exclusive their members, many of whom would not interview with former Chief Rabbi Lord Jon- be able to attend services this year. We even athan Sacks, the box included stunningly arranged a last minute deal with the office designed explanatory machzorim covering of the Chief Rabbi of South Africa to distribthe highlights of the High Holy Day liturgy, ute materials to over 26,000 families across a ‘Children’s Companion’ put together with the world. This is simply one of the most the help of Rabbi Avrohom Zeidman and far-reaching projects we have undertaken, aimed at enabling parents to run their own reaching an estimated 40,000 people in the ‘children’s service’ at home, a laminated UK and many more around the globe.” guide to the Simanim to enhance meal Aish UK would like to express its sincere times, and an apple-honey-pomegranate thanks to Project Manager Lee Jacobs for food gift. Additional materials included the his tireless efforts in coordinating this vast custom-made educational ‘Jewnomia’ card undertaking, as well as a token of gratitude game, and a ‘Where’s Shmuli?’ twist on the to the volunteers who came in daily to help famous children’s character, in which kids turn the mountains of raw materials into had to locate key items and packed and labelled boxes. A symbols relevant to the High special mention of gratitude Holy Days – not to mention is due to the Honourable the elusive Shmuli himself!

Charles and Elizabeth WigoReaching out to shuls der and another anonymous Aish UK across the country and Family Foundation, without 020 8457 4444 beyond, many of the UK’s whose support and sponinfor@aish.org.uk largest communities partsorship British Jewry would www.aish.org.uk nered with Aish UK in getting have been deprived of this the boxes ‘signed, sealed and extraordinary project.

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Rabbi Daniel Rowe with 850 boxes bound for Chigwell

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Wishing the whole community a happy, healthy and sweet new year! gratefully thanking the Honourable Charles & Elizabeth Wigoder and another anonymous Family Foundation for helping us deliver‌

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From Jewish Child’s Day One

There are few moments more precious than the birth of a baby. Yet at that very same moment, a parent is wracked with fear and uncertainty. For the majority, the newborn is quickly moved into their parent’s loving arms.

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How Chai has adapted their services due to Covid-19 Darit Puchkov

Lynne Silver (with Barbara Freedman and Andee

Art and play therapist My priority was to maintain the relationship with the child and there’s a lot you can do through a screen.

Guided meditations often began an art therapy session to help the child express their emotions creatively. In play therapy, screen conversations between glove puppets enabled a child to talk about their feelings quite naturally.

Our afternoons give clients a break from cancer and we were determined to keep doing that through lockdown.

We arranged singers, a poet, quizzes, a jazz pianist, discussions, and a talk by Esther Rantzen. The love we feel for each other beamed through our computers.

After one event a client said, ‘I’m so happy, I'm bursting with joy.’

Diane Siskind

Phil Evans

Mindfulness teacher What a learning curve, blending mindfulness with Zoom: pitching my voice right; checking I can be heard; and crucial details like ensuring everyone feels settled at the end – online goodbyes can be so abrupt. In a room, everyone finds a comfortable space. Thankfully, in our homes we were also able to find our spaces in our individual Zoom boxes.

Lana Pinshaw

Nutritionist With many cancer treatments halted, clients worried about the effect on their appetite and weight. For many it was a bigger fear than Covid-19.

Providing advice and helping allay worries over the phone helped our most vulnerable clients and we worked with the amazing charity, GIFT, to deliver food packages with the specific foods clients needed.’

Roback) Wednesday Afternoon Social Club

Music therapist I thought technical aspects of making music online would be dissatisfying for clients. But despite isolation being a frequent theme, we managed to create joyous musical dialogues. Clients improvised orchestras with wine glasses, cheese graters and even air wheezing out of a balloon! In the end it wasn’t about the sound; it was about making connections.

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Head of the Art Department For many clients, the online art workshop is a highlight. Each week I demonstrate a different mixed media technique using everything from foil and cling film to bleach, alongside paint. People show their work and we chat about the results. It’s a much-needed and engrossing activity at this time and has been so exciting to see such freedom of expression come through.

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From the front line…

BY JACQUELINE CURZON Boris has threatened that from this week police will be sent to patrol the streets, which I find comforting, especially as they didn’t come out when little Freddy Foxtrot ran off last week with your brand new Apple computer. Fines ranging from £1,000 to £10,000 could be levied on offenders for non-compliance and repeat offending of self isolation infringements. I’m raising my eyebrow at a notion we’re going to impose further financial penalties on a society which is already financially wrecked. I can hear the mitigating pleas, resonating in the courts; I’m not able to pay the Jacqueline Curzon fine because …. I no longer have a job… I have lost my business, etc.

PHOTO: LARA MINSKY PHOTOGRAPHY That’s aside from the neighbour who’s been itching to get even with you, ever since you lit a whopping bonfire last lag b’omer. You might also find yourself grievously named as a suspect in Track and Trace.

Whatcha going to do about that, Mr Simmons, now you can’t go to work for 2 weeks, and you’re stuck at home with all the family? It’s not like the neighbour even had the decency to coordinate it with the I am devastated to tell you that my friend festival of Succos… Anyhow, are we Lucy Ogilvie (40), died two weeks ago, now to have thousands of people clogging leaving behind a husband and her daughup the courts, for perchance fraternising ters aged 2 and 7. The NHS has much to in a group of seven? Excuse me, m’lady. answer for, failing cancer patients such The Magnificent Seven were actually my as Lucy, and I fear she will not be the last own [children]. Unbelievable, eh? And in such cases of professional misconduct so the comedy continues. But further and misadventure. Bowel cancer kills over government updates have now taken 16,000 people in the UK each year, double things a huge step further, reversing many the number from pancreatic. The RCS freedoms we thought had been restored.

Alas, twas but a mirage, and what concerns Commissioning Guide (2013) advises that if the patient is …. in primary care, good me most - other than the undemocratic practice ‘requires proper examination, nature of these proclamations - is that we prior to attributing symptoms to benign could see ourselves ping-ponging like this causes.’ Under section 1.3 there is a ‘watch for the foreseeable future. To misquote Mr and wait’ policy, but I doubt it is supposed Lightyear…. to insanity, and beyond. to apply for four years! Lucy had massive Meanwhile in Japan, Kane Tanaka has abdominal swelling which made her look become the world's oldest living person, like she was six months pregnant. This having reached the grand age of 117 years. swelling [ascites] was a documented red She chose to mark the occasion with a flag, although it obviously wasn’t enough bottle of Coca-Cola, her favourite drink. for her GP to take action, and this GP must She was the seventh of nine children, and be held to account. If Lucy's untimely is now the third oldest person of all time. death can bring about anything good, A Frenchwoman, Jeanne Calment, (died it must be that the guidelines must be 1997) still holds the record for longevity, at tightened, and that her fund will be used to 122 years old. Age isn’t everything though, positively change the lives of others. Lucy, as we know too well. For some, life’s jourmay you rest in peace. More on this cancer ney might be long and uneventful, and for is warranted in another column. others it can be cut short, leaving a legacy This past week also saw the announceof good deeds and great meaning. With ment of the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Yom Kippur approaching, we petition G-d (87), Justice in the Supreme Court in the for an extension to our lives, and forgiveUS. Although her death was from metastatness for our many failings. ic pancreatic cancer, she had been fortuReaders may recall that I mentioned recently a young lady who had been misdi- nate to have been detected with stage 1 agnosed by her GP for four years, as having disease in 2009, and undergone a Whipple haemorrhoids, only to then be finally diag- operation. It was not her first run-in with cancer, having already had colon cancer nosed with stage 4 metastatic bowel cancer. She had recently begun fundraising for in 1999. Notwithstanding this, she had a relatively uneventful past 10 years until new therapies, and her appeal went viral.

last year, when metastatic cells were found. She resumed treatment on gemcitabine [one of my Gem-abraxane drugs] and despite being on treatment, she went to the gym regularly, where she could apparently do 20 press ups. Her indefatigable lifestyle meant she never missed a day in court. It is not her death that I particularly flag up, but her truly incredible life.

Joan Ruth Bader was born in March 1933, in Flatbush, New York, to father Nathan Bader, an immigrant (fur seller) from Odessa, and her mother Celia, an immigrant from Austria. After the death of her elder sister, at age 6, her mother made it her life’s ambition to see her daughter succeed. This was not to be, for Celia died of cervical cancer the day before Ruth’s high school graduation. She enrolled on a BA degree at Cornell University, where she met her future husband Martin [Marty] Ginsburg, at age 17. After marrying immediately after they finished college, she was inspired by the McCarthy hearings to enter the law faculty, seeing it as a means to effect change. She then enrolled at Harvard Law School, as one of only nine women in a class of 500, and by this stage she was also a young mother. Marty developed a rare form of testicular cancer during his third year as a student, and Ruth attended classes for both of them, arranging for his friends to keep up with lecture notes, so he could continue with assignments. She finished almost top of the class, having survived on two hours of sleep a night. This woman was cut in the same mould as her legal contemporary Margaret Thatcher (born 1925), despite dissimilar political leanings.

Marty made a full recovery, graduated cum laude, and became one of the US’s leading tax attorneys. Surprisingly Mrs Ginsburg couldn’t find a law firm willing to take her on because she was a woman, and instead she opted to teach Law at Rutgers University, although they paid her less than her male counterparts on the grounds that her husband ‘had a good job.’ Doubtless first hand discrimination made an impact on the young and astute Ruth Ginsburg, and as a result of this, she hid her subsequent pregnancy under big clothes.

When Bill Clinton was interviewing for the Supreme Court vacancy in 1993, he remarked she was not his initial choice, but after having a chat at the White House, he remarked it felt less of an interview, and more an honest discussion. Within 15 minutes he knew he had made the right choice. One of her most compelling features throughout her dazzling career was her ability to be friendly with everyone, despite legal and professional disputes.

Shortly after her colon cancer diagnosis, her husband Marty died, aged 78, from metastatic testicular cancer which had been treated 51 years before. Ms Ginsburg

Bowel cancer kills over 16,000 people in the UK each year, and is rising alarmingly amongst young adults. Make this a year for change! Be proactive!

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fought on, for a wide range of human rights and discrimination causes.

She was only the second woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court, and although not a liberal, she shifted further to the left as the country shifted to the right, working furiously to tackle discrimination. This effectively made her the darling of the liberals. Uncommonly it was only when she reached her 80s that she became a true phenomenon with her diminutive face, engulfed behind giant spectacles, becoming something akin to a cult figure. In 2016 she made a famous jibe, saying, “she was tempted to move to New Zealand, should [Trump] win.” And win, he did. RBG had put her hypothetical money on Hillary Clinton, underestimating Trump's appeal amongst the liberals. This remark nearly cost her the position in the Supreme Court, and she was compelled to apologise. It is not difficult to see why she and Donald Trump were so diametrically opposed: He - bombastic, and consistently controversial, and she - quiet, unassuming and articulate. Although shy, she had a wry sense of humour, often suggesting the ideal number of women justices on the Supreme Court would be nine, a comment which raised eyebrows. “People are shocked,” she remarked, “but they had been nine men, and nobody raised a question over that!”

It was Justice Ginsburg's dying wish that they would hold off announcing her replacement until after the presidential election on Nov 3rd. Donald Trump is instead wasting no time, insisting he will fill her position as swiftly as possible. This is causing tremors within his own team, and several Republican senators have already indicated they oppose nominations [before the election]. If he succeeds, he would create a 6:3 Conservative majority. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives, has refused to rule out impeaching the president to block his proposed nominee, saying her party would ‘use every arrow in its quiver.’ That’s fighting talk, delivering quite a ‘wham’ to the ‘wig!’

Given we have just celebrated Rosh Hashana, a metaphor about trees, apples and honey would not be untimely. Apples - as we know, don’t fall far from the tree.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is survived by her children, both consummate professionals in their own right; her daughter Jane is a Law Professor at Columbia University, and her son James, President of a classical music company. Justice Ginsburg, you are a light to our generation, a credit to your country, an inspiration to womankind, and a loss to your profession. We salute you.

May we all be inscribed for a better year Jacqueline x

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

24 SEPTEMBER 2020

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Defeating depression

BY ARYEH SAMPSON Depression is a major problem in England today. Fifty-five percent of the population says they have been depressed and over seventy million antidepressants are prescribed per year.

Depression is characterized by a range of symptoms which include loss of interest in activities, change in sleep patterns, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness and poor concentration,. I would like to present several approaches that can be helpful in overcoming or reducing mild to moderate depression and its symptoms.

1) CHALLENGING PESSIMISTIC THOUGHT PATTERNS

A depressed person is often caught in a vicious cycle of negative thinking.

Breaking unhelpful cycles of thought by challenging their validity can reduce their effect. For example, a person may be giving selective attention to the worst possibilities, or over-generalizing, seeing a single negative event as the whole picture. One approach which can be very valuable is to record one’s negative thoughts, then weigh the evidence for them being true or false, and then look

for a more realistic attitude. Another approach, known as reframing, facilitates gaining a wider perspective. For example, being unsuccessful in a given area may be interpreted to mean ‘I am a failure’, and become a source of hopelessness. But with a shift in focus, a more positive, realistic perspective can be gained. Martin Seligman, a University of Pennsylvania psychologist, explains that one who has a larger perspective, like a belief in God and an afterlife, and loses a job, can view it as just a temporary defeat.

2) ACTIVITY

Depression often causes a loss of interest in activities as well as social withdrawal.

But not participating in the activities one enjoys usually serves to maintain the low mood. Restoring activity levels, especially those that bring a sense of pleasure or achievement, is very important. For example, a person who becomes unemployed will often be less busy and have more time for negative thinking. Spending some of this time doing volunteer work or other constructive activity would help in maintaining a positive frame of mind. Exercise has also been shown to be valuable in keeping depression at bay; some studies have shown its effects to be

comparable to those of antidepressants.

3) EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

People who are depressed often feel very alone and undervalued. They crave care, empathy and support from others. Gaining emotional support can play a vital role in recovery.

4) PROBLEM SOLVING

Often, people become depressed because they feel stuck in a given life situation.

Many people, upon exploring the roots of their issues discover that they have become trapped in cycles of self defeating behaviour which has brought about their depression. After understanding this behaviour, one can try new approaches to moving forward, whether in relationships, work situations or even health issues. Moving forward in a meaningful way is an important step in helping one feel better.

5) COUNSELLING AND MEDICATION

Counselling and psychotherapy have been shown to be very effective in dealing with depression. Often this can help in applying the above approaches. Also, having the right medication can be of value, as there can be a physiological aspect to depression.

While depression is very painful, when dealt with appropriately it can lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and to a more productive way of living.

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

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ASK THE RABBI

24 SEPTEMBER 2020

Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF YIZKOR?

Dear Rabbi Can you explain to me the origins of the Yizkor service? It occurs to me that it wasn’t always common practise?

Matthew Dear Matthew Yizkor is a custom that began among Ashkenazim in the Diaspora and is recited four times a year: on Yom Kippur, the eighth day of Pesach, the second day of Shavuos and on Shemini Atzeres.

On all of these days, there was a custom to make donations to tzedakah, and, at one point, there became established an idea of reciting a prayer that the tzedakah donated should serve for the benefit of one’s departed parents and other relatives. On Yom Kippur, it is obvious why special donations were made to tzedakah, but why specifically on the three days of Yom Tov mentioned above, as opposed to the other days of Yom Tov? The answer is that in the Diaspora, the reading for these three festivals, the eighth day of Pesach, the second day of Shavuos and Shemini Atzeres is in the portion of Re’eih, and the last verse of the reading states: “Each man should bring with him according to the bounty that G-d your G-d has provided you.” Although the literal meaning of the verse refers to the amount one should spend on the special sacrifice, it certainly can be understood to include gifts for tzedakah, and indeed that became an accepted practice. The people made donations to tzedakah, but decided to have them as an elevation for the souls of their departed relatives.

SOME YIZKOR INSPIRATION

Dear Rabbi This will be my first Yizkor not being in Shul since my father died in 1999 and then my mother in 2009. Can you share with myself (and I am sure other readers will benefit as well) some Yizkor thoughts to give me some uplift on Yom Kippur while I am at home?

Debbie Dear Debbie A story is told about two saintly eighteenth century sages, Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk and Rabbi Zushe of Anipoli. Wandering from town to town, they found themselves in a new town on a cold wintry night. The tavern

keeper offered to lodge them behind the fireplace that heated the pub. The two of them took their places on the floor, with Reb Zusha, as always, offering his older brother the preferred spot nearer to the fire. No sooner had Reb Elimelech and Reb Zusha retired their weary bones when the tavern began to fill up with Ukrainian peasants who had come in for their usual nightly inebriation.

Wobbling and singing as drunkards do, they made themselves merry and then they stumbled across something that could add to the night’s entertainment.

Right before their eyes, innocently sleeping on the floor, was a Jew. “Let’s have some fun,” they cried. “Up and dance Jew!” they ordered, as they proceeded to beat Reb Zushe, the sleeping Jew nearest to them. Reb Zusha sprang to his feet and danced energetically for the leering drunks.

After a while they grew tired and allowed Zusha to collapse back to the floor. A few moments later, they wanted more. They summoned Zushe once more and again amidst the beatings he found himself somehow summoning the strength to dance again. After a while, once more they let him retire. And a little while later the matter repeated itself again.

Reb Elimelech observed what was happening to his poor brother. “You’ve endured enough. Let me trade places with you so that they will take me the next time instead. You go warm yourself by the fire.” Sure enough a short while later they once again went for the Jew when in an uncharacteristic display of compassion and humanity the lead drunk said: “We’ve beat up enough on this Jew. Let’s go for the one nearest the fireplace instead...”

And poor Reb Zushe was back on the “dance floor” once more.

The obvious lesson from the story is that sometimes the Divine hand that weaves the tapestry of our lives seems so out of sync with our own life’s plan and model. Sometimes it is seemingly out of our hands – plain and simply put we cannot beat the system. But the deeper lesson from the story is: “Even if you are the one getting it, do not stop dancing!” There are times when you might want to give up.

There are moments when life is so taxing and so overwhelming.

There are days when you may just want to throw in the towel,

the pain is sometimes too hard to bear. But as one wise man once said: “Adversity causes some men to break, and others to break records.” The grandness of the human spirit and the triumph of the Jewish soul is to dance and dance some more.

Still, it is important, healthy even, every now and then to stop the dancing and take time out to step back in time – to unleash those emotions that we have learnt to manage – to release the tears that we have learnt to supress – to reminisce and recall what we have lost and can no longer be found - to let it all out even if only for a few moments.

And that is what moment of Yizkor is all about.

When someone close to you dies, the world says, “Get back to normal.” But we all know better.

Normal has taken on a whole new meaning. There are moments in my life just as I am sure there are moments in yours when I crave my father’s sagest advice; when I need him there to speak to my kids because they would all listen to him if not to me. And yet with the passage of time somehow you learn to stop relying on those you lost for wisdom and comfort.

You learn to stand on your own two feet. We learn to take care of ourselves. We learn to channel our thinking more onto the lines of, “What would he have said?”

“What would he have told me to do?”

But Yizkor comes and old wounds reopen. We miss someone who should be with us, who should be sitting with us. The world may expect us to be strong, but we don’t have to be strong all the time. You don’t always have to stand on your own two feet.

There are days when we need to give ourselves permission to reach out and to feel that tug and to remember. We don’t need to contain ourselves; we don’t need to refrain from reaching out. We can just let go and feel whatever it is that we need to feel. We can say what we need to say, hear what we need to hear.

So take time out to remember those who cared for you, loved you, touched you, taught you.

They all come to us at Yizkor, those we’ve loved and lost, whose spirit and memory and light will never leave us. Try to picture your loved ones beside you. Look into their eyes. Can you see their smile? Breathe in. See if you can remember their smell. Take

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their hand, and just sit in silence.

Remember a sweet moment you shared together.

There is a fellow who owns a jewellery store in Israel. One day a nine year old girl walked into the store and said, “I am here to buy a bracelet.” She looks through the glass cases and points to a bracelet that was a thousand dollars. The man behind the counter asked her, “You want to buy that bracelet?” And she says, “Yes.” He says, “Wow, you have very good taste. Who do you want to buy it for?” She replies, “For my older sister.” He says, “Oh that is so nice! Why do you want to buy your older sister this bracelet?”

The little girl says, “Because my mother passed away a few months ago, my father is ill and my older sister takes care of us.

So we want to buy her a present, and I’m willing to pay for it.” She pulls out of her pocket a whole bunch of coins that totalled seven shekel, eighty agurot, which is a couple of pounds. The fellow says, “Wow! That’s exactly what the bracelet costs.” He wraps up the bracelet and says, “You write a card to your sister while I wrap the bracelet.” In a short amount of time, he finishes wrapping the bracelet, he wipes away his tears, and hands the little girl the bracelet.

A few hours later the older sister comes in and says, “I’m terribly embarrassed. My sister should not have come here. She shouldn’t have taken it without paying.” He says to her, “What are you talking about?” She says, “What do you mean? This bracelet costs several thousand shekel.

My little sister doesn’t have that sort of money; she doesn’t even have ten shekel. So she obviously didn’t pay for it.” The store owner says, “You couldn’t be more wrong. She paid me in full. She paid seven shekel, eighty agurot, and a broken heart. I want to tell

you something. I am a widower.

I lost my wife a number of years ago. People come into my store every single day. They come in and buy expensive pieces of jewellery, but all these people can afford it. When your sister walked in, for the first time in so very long since my wife had died, I once again felt what true love means.”

He insisted she keep hold of the bracelet and wished her well.

On Yom Kippur we come to the Almighty and we want to buy something very expensive.

We want to buy life, but can we afford it? We want to buy a great year ahead but do we have the currency to pay for it? We stand before G-d and we empty our pockets, with what? A few agurot?

A few meagre resolutions; I’ll be nicer to my spouse; I’ll pay better attention to my kids; I’ll put on Tefilin; I’ll light Shabbat candles before sunset; I’ll attend shul more regularly; I’ll go to a Torah class. Think about it – all these things are chump change – or tuppence ha’penny as you say in this country – against that which you are looking to acquire.

But know this: At Yizkor G-d is looking upon us with the biggest smile and He declares: “You don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve felt what love means. You know what? You have touched my heart. Here it is – your good year – your good health – your prosperity – your dreams - paid in full.”

May we indeed merit all those blessings in abundance. May G-d and our loved ones continue to smile upon us. May the souls of our dearly departed be bound in the bond of eternal life – and may we live on in good health to inspire those who came before us and those who will walk after us, until that day when those who sleep with rise up and dance together with us once more, forever more.

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

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Torah from Israel

24 SEPTEMBER 2020

Do We Deserve a Corona Discount this Yom Kippur?

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN Personal success in life is about “stretching”: can we transcend our current confines to achieve even higher ground? In many ways, teshuva is the “greatest stretch”: can we stretch beyond our current personalities and transform into someone we are currently not? Teshuva requires tremendous emotional energies: honesty intensity, courage and tenacity.

This year’s Yom Kippur is obviously very very different. Deprived of our normal places of tefillah, and facing shortened prayer services, our teshuva horizons feel confined.

What does G-d expect of us under these compromised teshuva conditions? Does He relax His expectations of his suffering children? Should we compromise our own expectations? Is there a “Corona discount” for this Yom Kippur?

Without question, teshuva is metered based on our abilities, and when our resources are diminished, G-d expects less.

The gemara ( Menachot 110) notes that the identical phrase ‘rei’ach nicho’ach’ characterizes both expensive sacrifices of the wealthy, as well as well as meager sacrifices of the impoverished. By employing the same term and referring to each sacrifice as “pleasing”, the Torah stresses that humans are not expected to perform teshuva beyond their ‘means’ – as long as the process is driven by passion and devotion. Likewise, fervent and genuine teshuva which may be restricted by Corona limitations will generate the very same “rei’ach nichocah” and will be accepted by G-d just as He accepts our more “enhanced teshuva” conducted under more optimal conditions.

However, the Corona discount isn’t just a ‘markdown’ validating lesser versions of teshuva; it also provides a discount or

a rebate during our sentencing for the upcoming year. Life beats us down through the struggles, defeats and disappointments we endlessly face. When G-d judges us, He factors in these struggles to “offset” some of the punishment we may deserve for our behavior. Rabenu Sa’adia Gaon – the 10th century philosopher and author, composed a confessional text which we recite on Erev Rosh Hashana. This confessional acknowledges that the brutal suffering of Jews in exile partially offsets our sentence and we receive clemency. Likewise, Tefillah Zakah, a confessional recited on Erev Yom Kippur, asks G-d to balance our sentencing based on the daily struggles of raising a family. If we ask G-d to “factor in” these common challenges aren’t we justified in asking Him to “factor in” the struggles we have faced this past year. Corona has taken something from everyone and has upended our reality. As we pray for forgiveness, we ask G-d to factor in our loss, our sadness, our anxiety about the future, and whatever personal dreams have vanished.

These are the two Corona discounts we are allowed to request of G-d this year. We offer as much teshuva energy as we can but our teshuva accomplishments are judged based on our limited resources. We further ask Him to consider ‘time served’ during the past half year.

Alternatively, and even ironically, G-d’s Corona teshuva demands may be more severe. There are many different teshuva motivators. Sometimes we are inspired through personal introspection and sometimes by the unquenchable desire to improve our station in life. However, crisis is the most powerful and compelling impetus to teshuva.

When G-d speaks to us- and He often speaks by challenging us with adversity- we are expected to listen. The gemara comments

that the ring of King Achashverosh being placed upon Haman’s hand was more effective in prompting a national teshuva than 55 prophets whose teshuva pleas were ignored for hundreds of years. In fact, one of the great crimes of the Jews during the First Temple era, was their intransigent disregard of these repeated appeals. Crisis drives even the stubborn-hearted to repentance.

G-d is speaking to us this year louder than ever, and if we don’t respond we will be held more accountable. The Corona world feels random and serendipitous but every life and death decision is Divinely decreed.

We may not possess the computational skill to understand these Divine algorithms but they exist. In parshat Bechukotai, the Torah describes a suffering nation which, none the less, insists that their trials are circumstantial rather than a Divine message. This delusional response causes G-d to further withdraw His supervision, and to enable the randomness we had erroneously imagined.

Living through a year of unmistakable Divine messages, we cannot ignore the call to teshuva. No one knows what G-d is saying but we all know that he is speaking with us and speaking to us personally.

Additionally, the Corona world has positioned us upon a more emotionally advantageous “teshuva platform”. It typically takes forty days to reach the point in which we realize that human life is a “broken shard, withering grass, a fading flower, a passing shade, a dissipating cloud, a blowing wind, flying dust, and a fleeting dream (Netaneh Tokef prayer), so that we can begin to pray not to “fade that quickly”. This year we are all fading fast and it shouldn’t be that difficult to lock into desperation mode and begin to daven to halt the fading. Dovid Hamelech reminds us that G-d is close to those with a broken heart. Typically, we struggle

Pirkei Avot According to the Talmud in Gittin and Yoma, Shemayah and Avtalyon were descendants of converts. tells us to ‘love work, despise holding office, do not become overly familiar with government.’

According to the Maharal, it is important to love work and one should never feel that work is beneath them. Some people feel that they are too important to perform mundane jobs but if it pays the bills and stops that person from having to rely on charity then it is a much better scenario.

to shatter our confident and calm hearts so that G-d can hear our broke- hearted prayers. This year we all approach Him already broken and battered, and He is ready to listen. If we don’t speak this year we will be even more blameworthy.

To summarize, in some ways G-d, will discount our Corona teshuva given our limitations and our suffering. We will receive an “achievement discount”: if we are unable to achieve past levels of repentance, G-d will adjust our ‘score’ based upon our limited resources; He will also factor in the suffering of the past half year and calibrate our sentencing. We will not be given an “effort discount” or an “authenticity discount” or a “communication discount”. This year we have a greater mandate to listen to His message and to speak to him with honesty and humility.

Of course, beyond questioning what G-d’s expectations are, we should ask ourselves about our own expectations. Do we perform teshuva solely because of Divine expectations and demands? Or, do we value the opportunity to re-landscape our past, reboot our personalities and rehabilitate our relationship with G-d. At some point, Corona will fade but our relationship with G-d is eternal and will outlast human events.

It seems absurd to reduce our efforts at building that eternity simply because we are struggling so mightily with a fleeting crisis? Legally, we may be excused from certain teshuva milestones but teshuva is a gift and why would we disregard this great gift simply because we possess an excuse or a discount. G-d may expect less from us but we still should try to dream broadly and powerfully.

Rabbi Moshe Taragin has taught at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Gush Etzion, for the past 22 years.

Mishna 10 By self-sufficient, rabbis will not have to bow to the requests of important people in the community and can lead with a clear spiritual goal, telling people off when they need to be told and not just faking being nice to people who may give them a pay rise or keep them in their job.

Whilst holding office is commendable in many ways, and even praised in the Shabbat morning Yekum Porkon prayer, this mishnah advises against it for two main reasons.

Firstly it drains a person, and can

lead to a less satisfying and ultimately shorter life.

In addition there are more opportunities to hear lashon horah and commit other such sins.

Finally we turn to the government.

Everyone knows that many politicians are liars and only interested in themselves. The moment they need to turn against a ‘close’ friend for political purposes they will do so in a moment.

The list of examples is far too long for this column but we certainly see the wisdom of the sages of old!

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Head Teacher: Head of Kodesh:

Mrs K Kent Rabbi B Landau

24 SEPTEMBER 2020

Principal: Rabbi Y Hamer

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The Governors of Menorah Foundation School welcome applications for entry to both the Nursery and Reception Classes 2021 At Menorah Foundation School our children are at the heart of everything we each child’s unique contribution and building on their selfPrincipal: Rabbi Y Hamer esteem, we learn, grow and succeed together in a community rich in the values of Torah and Mitzvos, where every child is not only encouraged but inspired to reach their potential. By achieving together as a whole school community we encourage everyone to become life-long learners and ‘reach for their star’.

Head Teacher: K Kent do. Mrs Recognising Head of Kodesh: Rabbi B Landau

The Governors for of Menorah Foundation School2021 welcome for entry to Applications entry to the Nursery Class are forapplications children born between both the Nursery2017 andand Reception Classes 2021 1 September 31 August 2018.

You will need to submit an Application

Form, a Supplementary Information Form and a copy of the child’s birth At Menorah Foundation School our children are at the heart of everything we certificate. The closing date for applications is Monday 23 November 2020. do. Recognising each child’s unique contribution and building on their selfesteem, we learn, growto and together in a are community rich born in thebetween values Applications for entry thesucceed Reception Class 2021 for children of1 Torah and Mitzvos, where every child is not only encouraged but inspired September 2016 and 31 August 2017. Applications for Reception must to be reach their potential.

By achieving together as a whole school community submitted to the London Borough of Barnet, or your Local Authority,we by encourage everyone to become life-long learners and ‘reach for their star’.

Friday 15 January 2021 (www.eadmissions.org.uk).

All supplementary

Gerald Henry

information forms must be submitted to the school no later than Wednesday Applications for entry to the Nursery Class 2021 are for children born between 13 January 2021.

1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018. You will need to submit an Application Form, a Supplementary Information Form and a copy of the child’s birth We will be holding an open evening for prospective parents in December when certificate. date for applications is Monday 23 November 2020. applicantsThe willclosing have an opportunity to see the School and meet School staff and

governors. Invitations will be sent out on receipt of completed admissions forms.

Applications for entry to the Reception Class 2021 are for children born between Admission will be by invitation only.

1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017. Applications for Reception must be submitted the London Borough of and Barnet, or your Local Authority, form by Both the toNursery application form supplementary information Friday January downloaded 2021 (www.eadmissions.org.uk).

All supplementary can 15 be from the school website information forms must be submitted to the school no later than Wednesday (http://www.menorahfoundation.co.uk/admissions).

13 January 2021.

We offer the following services:

Fire risk assessments

Fire Extinguishers

Fire alarms

Emergency lighting

Fire evacuation plans

Fire zone plans

Staff Training

Fire awareness

We will be holding an open evening for prospective parents in December when applicants will have an opportunity to see the School and meet School staff and governors. Invitations will be sent out on receipt of completed admissions forms.

Admission will be by invitation only.

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

Abbots Road, Edgware, Middx, HA8 0QS Tel: 0208 906 9992 Fax: 0208 906 9993 office@menorahfoundation.co.uk www.menorahfoundation.co.uk

Abbots Road, Edgware, Middx, HA8 0QS Tel: 0208 906 9992 Fax: 0208 906 9993 office@menorahfoundation.co.uk www.menorahfoundation.co.uk

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

Heaven and Earth

BY RABBI MENACHEM LEIBTAG In its preface, “Shirat Ha’azinu” calls upon shamayim va-aretz (‘heaven and earth’) to bear witness. Their very mention beautifully ties together the end of Sefer Devarim with the very beginning of Sefer Bereishit, but why are they summoned as witnesses?

Rashi quotes the two classic approaches: First and foremost, as heaven and earth exist forever, they can serve as eternal witnesses. Secondly, they also can serve as an agent of enforcement, for they can reward Bnei Yisrael with adequate rainfall and plenty should they follow G-d’s covenant, and punish them with drought and famine should they disobey (as we recite in the daily kriyat shema [Devarim 11:13-17]).

However, at the end of Parshat Vayeilech, when G-d explains to Moshe why and when this song may be needed, we find what may be an additional reason to invite the ‘heaven and earth’ as witness: “When I bring them into the land

flowing with milk and honey that I promised on oath to their fathers, and they eat their fill and grow fat and turn to other gods and serve them, spurning Me and breaking My covenant, And the many evils and troubles befall them — then this poem shall confront them as a witness…

(31:21-22)” G-d is worried that “And you will eat and be satisfied, and you shall bless” (Devarim 8:10) will be replaced with “and they eat their fill and grow fat” (31:21).

Those blessings of the prosperity that should have led to gratitude and acts of kindness – might lead instead to affluence and haughtiness; and then ultimately lead to idol worship. Or as the song itself predicts:

So Yeshurun grew fat and kicked — You grew fat and gross and coarse — He forsook the G-d who made him and spurned the Rock of his support. (32:15) Why would prosperity lead to idol worship?

Unfortunately, when the goal in life is only prosperity, then man turns to ‘idol worship’ – like the Canaanite gods such as “baal” and “asherya” – who promise rain and fertility simply in reward for their sacrificial worship. In contrast, the Torah teaches us over and over, that the G-d of Israel, the Creator of ‘heaven and earth’, rewards His people based on their behavior and the just society that they must establish.

G-d’s intention was for the blessings of prosperity in the Land of Israel to serve as a tool, through which we can sanctify G-d, by using that prosperity for the caring of the less fortunate.

As all the classical prophets warned,

Unfortunately, when the goal in life is only prosperity, then man turns to ‘idol worship’ – like the Canaanite gods…

sacrifice and prayer alone will not bring prosperity, rather actions of kindness, justice and righteousness (see Micha 6:8; Yirm. 9:23, Yeshayahu 58:6-9).

As such, “Shirat Ha’azinu” provides not only a severe warning of punishment, but also a guide for how the process of repentance can begin. The song exhorts Am Yisrael to contemplate both nature and history, even during times when G-d appears to conceal Himself.

Just as the Biblical story of G-d choosing His nation begins with Creation, so too, when all seems lost – our contemplation of the majesty of ‘heaven and earth’ can hopefully ‘re-kindle’ that eternal relationship, and lead Am Yisrael unto the path of return Or as the song concludes: See, then, that I, I am He; There is no god beside Me. I deal death and give life; I wounded and I will heal: None can deliver from My hand. (32:39) A very fitting message for “Shabbat Shuva”.

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

A TORAH BITE FOR THE SHABBAT TABLE

Curbing our Expectations RABBI GOODMAN As well as being Charles Dicken’s 13th completed novel, “Great Expectations” in a person’s life is often the forerunner of “Great Disappointments.” All too often we are left standing helpless, watching our plans, hopes and dreams fade away into the stratosphere of life. Our noble and lofty undertakings of Yom Kippur, our longing for the love and closeness of another, and the belief in our own integrity and virtue, are many a time the seeds of our frustration and letdown.

Of course, zero expectations lead to zero disappointments, but successfully adopting such a state of mind is not exactly straightforward. Rabbi Meir Leibush (1809-1879), better known as the Malbim, presents a stunning perspective on the ‘song’ of this week’s Parsha that can ultimately shield us from dashed expectations in our own lives.

The song of Parshas Haazinu appears on its surface to be anything but a song.

This seventy line ‘song’ delivers a stern

admonition to Bnei Yisroel to remain true to their calling in life and the consequences they will face should they veer from the correct path. The Torah spares no effort detailing its Nation’s shortcomings and misdeeds.

However, the Malbim describes how Shiras Haazinu is indeed a beautiful song.

He likens it to a king who redeems an imprisoned thief to safeguard his treasure house. Since the king understands this thief’s nature and knows that he will inevitably steal, he writes for himself a reminder that it was he who appointed the thief as his guard, knowing that his deficiencies will most likely lead him to a bitter end, and therefore he must not sentence him to death.

Similarly, explains the Malbim, Shiras Haazinu is Hashem’s reminder to Himself that He chose to redeem Bnei Yisroel and make them His Nation, despite all their imperfections and inevitable misdeeds, and, therefore, He can never dispose of them nor wipe them out.

Hashem chose us as His nation because

He believes in us and knows that we can accomplish what He desires. However, He also remembers our shortcomings and proficiency in “messing-up.” Parshas Haazinu, so to speak, hones Hashem’s expectations and hopes for us, making them realistic and attainable.

This serves as a powerful lesson for our own lives. We must take care to ensure that our own expectations do not go unbridled. Our expectations energize and motivate us - and give us hope - but we cannot let them become the seeds of disappointment. Remembering our limitations must accompany our undertakings to improve; our expectations of those we love must be in constant view of all facets of their personality, and the belief in our own integrity and virtue must never disregard the restraints of our character.

Then, with Hashem’s help, we can look towards a future bereft of disappointment and pain, and rather filled with accomplishment and joy..

A project of My Dvar Torah, Torah Bite is

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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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Yom Kippur RABBI DR RAYMOND APPLE

SUCH A LONG DAY

This year the circumstances will be quite different from the norm. The day will be disjointed for many people.

Usually, however, Yom Kippur is long and intense, made even more so by the old custom which some people still follow of staying up at night to read the psalms.

The compilers of the Yom Kippur prayer book must have deliberately written and inserted an array of piyyutim – religious poems – that ensured that the day would be long and challenging.

Somehow it reminds us of the fifth of the Ten Commandments, which takes it for granted that long days are good for us.

The commandment tells us to honour our parents “so your days will be long upon the land”. Some say that this is a promise of long life, having many days and years and aspiring to Moses’ age of 120.

But the Hebrew of the Ten Commandments does not say that our lives will be extended, though that is certainly a blessing (and that is what the second paragraph of the Shema says in D’varim 11:21). It says that our days will be long days, days that will never be long enough to fit in all that we need to do.

What then should we do with the long hours of Yom Kippur?

Think, daydream, self-introspect, daven.

Ask ourselves questions – are we good to others, are we good to God, are we good to our Jewishness, good to ourselves?

The answers will sometimes be no, in which case we need to decide on improvement.

Sometimes they will be yes, which means that we can humbly pat ourselves on the back, though there is always room to grow.

Sometimes the Heavenly tussle about each human being will see the prosecutor prevail, sometimes it will be the defence counsel. Wherever we are on Yom Kippur we can zoom in and imagine we are watching and listening to it all.

A CUP OF TEA ON A DAY WITHOUT FOOD

There was a person I knew who used to say that he just had to have a cup of tea on Yom Kippur morning or else he would not be able to fast all day!

The fact is that fasting entails going without one’s cup of tea. Hopefully our postYom Kippur actions will include making sure that hunger is alleviated all over the world and no-one runs short of a cup of tea. That is possibly why our day-long fast is good for us, because it teaches us to be good and considerate to others.

But there is a deeper personal sense in which Judaism, which places such emphasis on eating, demonstrably proves to us that we can actually survive a day without food, provided that when the day comes to an end we can resume a (now hopefully more sensible) food regimen.

24 SEPTEMBER 2020

The fast should help us to get our priorities right. Not only in regard to what we eat, with its concomitant that our food should be kosher, but how we eat, especially in terms of living without lust. Lust applies both in terms of food and in coarseness – grobkeit – in everything.

Max Nordau said, “No task of civilisation has been so painfully laborious as the subjugation of lasciviousness. The pornographist would take from us the fruit of this, the hardest struggle of humanity.”

THE SAME THING AS LAST YEAR

During the Ten Days of Penitence we all take down from the shelves the Yom Kippur Machzorim which we use every year.

Even the least adept at Hebrew knows by now where to find the key elements of the services, especially the confession of sins...

Ashamnu Bagadnu Gazalnu (the short form of confession), and Al Chet Shechatanu Lefanecha (the long form).

Few of us actually seem to wonder why the words we say are exactly the same as last year and all the years before that.

A Chassidic rebbe was asked this question. “Why do we beat our breast every Yom Kippur and confess the identical sins, and expect to do the same next year too?”

The rebbe took the questioner over to the window. “Do you see the little child playing in the garden?” he asked.

“He is my grandson. He is just learning to walk. He stands up and then falls

Sometimes the Heavenly tussle about each human being will see the prosecutor prevail, sometimes it will be the defence counsel.

over. Finally he will learn how to stand up properly and how to walk without falling.

In the meantime he cries and his parents come running. Eventually he will manage on his own!”

So it is with us. Every year we read the same list of sins, but each time is different.

Each time we ought to ask ourselves what progress we have made since last year.

If last year we confessed offences against justice, truth and peace, have we improved in the last twelve months?

In time we will presumably almost succeed in reaching our ideals – but in the meantime we need an annual reminder, an annual audit... and when we weep at the thought of how many shortcomings we still have, we need God our Heavenly Parent to come to our aid and encourage us to keep trying.

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

EE FR

Hilchot Shabbat What do I need to know about caring for my pet on Shabbat?

Spaces filling up fast for next week’s special Succot edition: Book your place today Call: 020 3906 8488 or email: advertising@thejewishweekly.com

A person must ensure that they do not instigate any animal – whether they own it or not – to do a biblically forbidden activity on Shabbat. This is a Rabbinic prohibition.

There is also a Torah obligation for one’s own animals to rest on Shabbat. So, one may only allow an animal to carry something required for its health but not, for example, a card with their owner’s contact details on (in a place where there is no Eruv). One cannot command their pet to perform a Melacha on Shabbat either.

One can, however, allow their animal to eat grass, although it is torn from the ground thereby, as this is needed for the animal’s well-being. One cannot set a cat on a mouse if it will kill it, however, as this is not considered a necessity.

One cannot play with their pet on Shabbat since it is Muktzah. There is a Halachic dispute regarding if the animal is in a cage, whether or not the entire cage also becomes Muktzah.

One can take a dog for a walk on a leash

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but must be careful not to move the dog when applying the leash. If one is walking outside an area enclosed by an Eruv care must be taken to ensure that the leash does not extend over the hand by more than approximately 4 inches as then the person is considered carrying the leash. Similarly, when walking an animal with a lead one must ensure that the lead is taut and not sagging below 4 inches off the ground.

If an animal is suffering, one may move it but it is preferable to ask a non-Jew to do so.

One may feed their pet on Shabbat (in fact one must feed their pet before themselves…)

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Ha’azinu

Ha’azinu / Yom Kippur Word Search

Moshe tells the Jewish people about their past, their present and their future in this week’s Sidra – one before the end!

He compares the Torah to rain and dew – two things which give life and so needed by all.

Moshe reminds them of their journey in the Midbar and how Hashem had taken care of them throughout the 40 years they travelled through it.

He tells them that after they settle in the holy land they may stumble in sin and G-d will unfortunately have to punish them. Eventually, though, he will act differently to them and bring them healing.

Moshe was not allowed to enter the holy land and Hashem instead allowed him to gaze at it from the mountain of Nevo.

This week is also Shabbat Shuva, an amazing chance to give Shabbat a fresh start and to experience it to the fullest – enjoy!

Tangram Challenge!

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

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COHEN • FASTING • MOAB • REPENT • TEFILLA • TESHUVA • TZEDAKA • YONAH

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Ha’azinu

In a nutshell Moshe opens this week’s sidra with a call to heaven and earth to be witnesses. Nobody lives forever, but heaven and earth are here for as long as human beings will be here. Witnesses were needed to ensure that no one will ever deny the fact that Moshe was serving notice to the Jewish People that they must continue keeping the Torah after he dies. Furthermore, the heaven and earth would be the first to reward or punish if the Jews did or didn’t keep the Torah as the heaven sends down the rain and the earth produces food, without which we wouldn’t last very long…

Moshe then brings a beautiful comparison of Torah to rain and dew. The Torah is life and the Torah gives life to the world and to the Jewish people. The Jewish people sometimes unfortunately forget Who gives them everything, but if they turn to their elders and parents, they can most often hope for guidance and wisdom in understanding the world and what G-d wants from them.

Moshe goes on to describe how Hashem kept civilisation

going for the sake of the Jewish people and how He protected them in a desolate wasteland – the Midbar, providing for them and caring for them. Hashem treated us as an eagle protects its children, like a pupil of the eye.

Turning to the future, Moshe describes how the Jewish people abandon Hashem and rebel due to their wealth and top-quality cattle, fruit and produce. No matter how successful a person is in life, one must always remain loyal and faithful to the Torah and Mitzvot and not forget about G-d and why He created us. Sadly, once the Jews rebel, Hashem metes out punishment, such as wild beasts, plagues and famine.

The obviousness of G-d’s causing of the punishments should alert the Jews to repent – how else could a small army chase thousands of Jews? Eventually, though, G-d will bring healing and life back to the nation, once they return to Him. The fact that G-d choses to punish the Jews where necessary is no excuse for the nations of the world to

Word Wheel

choose to be His agents or to do so with enthusiasm. G-d therefore punishes the oppressors, avenging the blood of the Jewish people killed. This action of G-d will lead the nations to sing the praises of the Jewish people.

Finally, Moshe familiarises each of the Jews with this song of Ha’azinu and tells the nation to heed the words of the Torah and thereby merit long life on the land.

As Moshe would not be allowed entry into the Holy Land with the Jewish people, Hashem instructs him to climb Har Nevo and see the land from there.

This Shabbat is also known as Shabbat Shuvah, and traditionally, the Rabbi of the synagogue would address the congregation, reminding them of the special days in which we are currently in, and how G-d is close to all who reach out to Him – especially in the ten days of repentance!

Ha’azinu is “one-before-the-end” of the Torah. The next two weeks are Yom Tov and, at the end of Sukkot (i.e.

Simchat Torah) we read Vezot Habrachah.

Use this area to write the words you have found.

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The goal of a word wheel puzzle is to create as many words possible with the letters in the word wheel.

Each word must contain at least three letters. You can only use each letter once and every word must have the letter in the centre of the wheel.

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Last week’s words: Here are some words you may have found from last week - you may have found more! ant are art ate ban bar bat ear eat

era oar oat ran rat sat sea tab tan

tar tea aero ants arts babe bane bans barb

bare barn bars base bast bate bats bean bear

beat beta boar boas boat bran brat earn ears

east eats near neat nota oars oats rant rate

rats rota sane sate sear seat soar stab star

tabs tans tarn taro tars tear teas abbot abets

abort aeons arose arson atone babes barbs bares barns

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baron baste bates baton beans bears beast beats boars

boast boats brans brats earns nears oaten orate rants

rates resat roast rotas sabre saner snare sonar stare

tares tarns tears aborts absent absorb atones banter barest

barons batons ornate reason senator treason baronets absorbent

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Q: How do football players stay cool during a game?

A: They stand next to the fans!

Q: What time is it when an elephant sits on a fence?

A: It is time to get a new fence!

Q: How do you know carrots are good for your eyes?

A: You never see rabbits wearing glasses.

(Answers at the bottom of page upside down)

1.What two keys can’t open any door?

3. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?

Q: What is the best way to keep your hat from falling off your head?

A: Don’t put it on your head.

2. What does a cat have that no other animal has?

3) Mount Everest.

It just wasn’t discovered yet.

1. A monkey and a donkey.

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Palace cut down Reds as Sixteen-goal Lions Leicester head table

rout Scrabble in Cup

BY DAVID SAFFER

The Gunners against West Ham, who were really unfortunate to Leicester City lead the way in the get nothing out of the game after Premier League by the smallest creating numerous goal scoring of margins following a second chances. consecutive win in the opening Alexandre Lacazette nodBY DAVID SAFFER rounds of fixtures. ded home the opener from a TheMogilner top-five has a bizarre look, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Reiss scored six goals as Maccabi as often occurs at this stage, Everassist only for Michail Antonio to London Lions thumped Scrabble A in the ton and Arsenal are also on maxlevel before half time. second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup. imum points having scored oneup a 16-0 The Hammers have lost both The Premier League side racked fewer goal, followed by Liverpool, games and need a win to kickstart win with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley then bagging most surprisingly Crystal their season. both a hat-trick. Ed Brafman, DaPalace, a goal further back, havingcompletJurgon Klopp’s Liverpool made vid Dinkin, and Adam Hassanali won both matches. it back-to-back wins with a Sadio ed the rout in a mismatch of a tie.

By the end of October, the table Mane double to defeat Chelsea.

Lions could have scored in the opening will have a normal look and feel But the match failed to live up to minute of the clash but soon opened the as the usual suspects begin to the pre-match hype. scoring and led 9-0 by half time. click gear. One team, though outThis was a match to forget Theinto Division Roy Hodgson’s Palace enjoyed for Frank Lampard’s Blues who classed, battled away to the end. the standout result weekhad Andreas Christensen rightLions boss was lostofforthe words at full time end deservedly beating Manchesly shown a red card just before such was the display from his team whoZaha PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA Wilfred ter United 3-1 at Old Trafford. half-time after taking out Mane gave every respect to the opposition.

Wilfred Zaha bagged a brace after The win was Brendon Rogers’ 100th topas he charged through on goal “I’m not really sure there’s anything to Andros Towsend opened the scoring say, we are happy had to make it through to the flight Premier victory, Sir Alex Ferguson, from skipper Jordan Henderson’s brilliant on seven but Ole Gunnar Solks- Sir Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan are counter-attack pass. Referee Paul Tierney next roundminutes of the cup, ” he commented. jaer’s Reds were woeful, registering a goal the only British managers to reach the showed a yellow card to Christensen but Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors 10 minutes from time from debutante upgraded it to red after viewing VAR’s reagainst League One outfit North London landmark in fewer games.

Donny van de Beek, who replaced an out of “The players have good motivation, play on the monitor.

16-goal Maccabi London Lions Raiders. touch Paul Pogba, but a late fightback was they’ve scored seven goals in two games Mane had opened the scoring on 50 The Premier side led early in the second quashed by Zaha on 85 minutes. and it shows we’re ready to attack the seaminutes before tapping home after a horhalf only for Raiders to equalise but struck must-win game,” commented Galaxy playPalace’s win toforbook a second son again,’ he said. rendous error by £71m keeper Kepa Arriztwo late goals a placesuccessive in round er-manager Luke Lewis. season was a first for the club, Everton have and madeallowed a terrific start to the three of at theUnited competition.

“We sat back Oakwood the abalaga who has endured a nightmare start and their second league win of the camcampaign.

Carlo Ancelotti has boosted the Hendon now turn their attentions to the ball, given the one-man advantage and to his Chelsea career. paign also atravel first and welcome historic squad and is athem top manager.

Lampard axed Kepa last season and is releaguewas as they to Oakwood A for a looked to hit on the counter attack triumph.

There was no panic when West Brom portedly hoping to secure Rennes’ keeper crucial top of the table clash on Sunday with pace.

VAR though was a talking point as refertook a 10th minute lead through Grady Edouard Mendy in a £20m deal. It seems (10am).

“Both goals came down the right-hand eeDaniel MartinKristall’s Atkinsonteam usedstunned the TV monitor to side.

Diangana.

Dominicthe Calvert-Lewin the league Leigh crossed first one into scored Cohen that Kepa, the world’s most expensive goalrule thatlast United’s Victor had2-0, han-a to justfinish, past the halfslotting hour, new signing James leaders month whenLindelof they won before home himself.

Up keeper following his transfer from Atletico dled for the spot kick.

David de Gea saved Rodriguez edged his new team in front on Bilbao in 2018, will have to bide his time victory would move them to within a point to first we go.”

Jordan Ayew’s penalty but Atkinson orthe stroke of half time on his home debut. of Hendon with a match in hand.

The Division Two title race also took before showing his potential to Blues fans. dered a retake as de Gea had moved off his Gibbsleague and manager Bilic circumstances, In other fixtures, Pepdelighted Guardiola’s ManElsewhere in the latest round of fixtures, a Kieran twist with leaders Slaven Herstwood ” said Fortune line.

Zaha tucked away the second penalty. were then both sent off, Bilic has since rechester City won their opening fixture of 10-man North London Galaxy made it a Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Temple boss Simon Linden.

“Everyone perform better ceived an £8,000 ‘improper conduct’ fine the campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win three-way titleknows race inwe thecan only Division One Fortune.

“We had a number of players out, Rethan ” said his disgraceful officials. at Wolves.

Kevin de and have Phil Foden clashthis, of the daySolskjaer. after defeating Oakwood B. forFaithfold B havecomplaints played a to game more buck got injured, soBruyne I couldn’t asked “When we had the ball, I thought we Nevertheless, Matheu Pereira equalised opened up a 2-0 interval lead, 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 wishWolves Ben a looked very goals dangerous and threatening so North only for Michael Keane to strike against speedy keeper recovery.

Rui Patricio kept his team in the rallied with from Josh Cohen and JaLondon Raiders Masters.

Icob don’t think it was a big surprise that we 10-man Baggies leaving Calvert-Lewin to game, Raul Jimenez scoredperformance, 12 minutes Leigh to record an important 2-1 away Jacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who “It was a proper old school scored three, ” noted Hodgson. complete a first career hat-trick just past from time only for Gabriel Jesus tominutes seal the win. scored through leading scorer James Mil- we battled and defended for the 90 2016 champions Leicester cameCare fromAbethe hour in17th a stela display. points deep stoppage time.

Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish in letwith his goal of the season. and took ourinto chances.

Experience proved hind to register finepoint win after against “The players have backremarkable with more toGuardiola will be another at the table by just aone 10 Burnley. matches, Th e result was all come the more be the winner.

It’stargeting a big win, one wetilt will With the score at 2-2 early in the second ambition and motivation, ” said Ancellotti. the title, while Nuno Espirito Santo’s team 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.” half, Justin edged the hosts ahead on ‘keeper “The new signings have helped us be more areHe sure to have hind James with two games in hand.

Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder added, “Thbetter is windays. marks 50 years as a the hour before Dennis Praet’s sealed the motivated. ” Meantime, Son Heung-min wasKyte on and top Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood. in the warm up. football club and will be one Nigel points with a brilliant 20-yard strike.

Eddie Nketiah struck a late winner for form scoring four goals as Tottenham “It was a fantastic performance in a “This was a fantastic win given the everyone associated with the club from day

Hotspur picked up a first win of the season, thumping Southampton 5-2. A delighted Jose Mourinho interrupted Son’s TV interview to point out Harry Kane was ‘man of the match’ for his four assists. Kane struck the other Tottenham goal.

The win was welcome at White Hart Lane but the big news was Gareth Bale’s season-long loan to his former club.

“It’s nice to be back. It’s such a special club to me. It’s where I made my name,” said Bale.

“Hopefully, now I can get some match fitness, get under way and really help the team and, hopefully, win trophies.”

Bale has a knee injury but is hopeful of making the first team by next month’s clash with West Ham. Speculation remains whether Dele Alli will remain at the club. Whilst an AlliKane-Son-Bale attack is a sensational fantasy prospect for Spurs followers, time will tell if the quartet lining up together are in Mourinho’s plans.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United, meanwhile, may not have many ‘star’ players running through the team but they are proving to be the league’s entertainers.

Having lost 4-3 on the opening daySAFFER to PHOTO: DAVID Liverpool, Leeds enjoyed the same result in a deserved win against winless Fulham.

Helder Costa scored twice as United led 4-1 just before the hour mark, Mateusz Klich and Patrick Bamford hitting the target.

But quick-fire goals from Bobby Decordova-Reid and Aleksandar Mitrovic, who equalised Costa’s first effort, set up a nervy finish for the Whites, who eventually secured a first Premier win since 2004.

It’s early days, but Bielsa must address a leaky defence one will enjoy.”in a gung-ho attacking style.

Brighton Newcastle United Vale boss outclassed Jacob Emanuel was quick to 3-0 Aston edged tight affair wishwhilst Rebuck well Villa following hisainjury. against Sheffield who everyone have yet to “First and most United, importantly, at register a point.

Vale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper Arsenal visit Liverpool Monday, a quick recovery, we hope to on see him back which could well be the best game of ”the on the football pitch as soon as possible, he weekend.

Klopp will be looking to secure said. the the north London side will Aswin forthough the defeat, Emanuel commented, be dangerous on the break.

“It doesn’t matter how big a squad you Manchester City’s account clash with Leiceshave, you can never for unavailter City is also a highlight but the tastiest ability or injury. Only five of today’s team could be Leeds’ visit to Sheffield United played in our recent win over FC Team,fora alack feisty derby. of Yorkshire 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.”

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mizrachi uk presents a special film presentation for the yamim nora’im

In a year when we can’t all be in shul, take a journey through the prayers, themes and tunes of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as we connect to these awesome days.

Call of the Shofar part two: yom kippur

written and narrated by RABBI ANDREW SHAW performed by JONNY TURGEL musical arrangement by ASAF FLUMENDORF produced by DAVID REUBEN

Motza’ei Shabbat 26 September 2020 8:30 pm ON MIZRACHI UK'S FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE CHANNELS