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LABOUR PARTY UNREST OVER NEW APPOINTMENT

BY ADAM MOSES

Having taking over Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) this week, the “Jeremy Corbyn wing” wasted no time ousting the longstanding chair of the Disputes Sub-Committee, Ann Black and replaced her with the veteran left-winger Christine Shawcroft. In a vote 22 to 15, the powerful Momentum-backed members of the NEC sent Ms Black packing because she was not “left-wing enough” for the Momentum faction even though she had been in the role for several years. One NEC source told this journalist, “It was unprecedented for the left to put up a candidate against an experienced chair of the Disputes Panel, which is supposed to be a neutral body.” The source went on to say, “This move will take us back to party dis-unity and members will

no longer have faith in the NEC to rule fairly on cases.” Christine Shawcroft, who was herself suspended from the party for supporting the disgraced former mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, where she previously led the local Labour group, will now be responsible for the body that decides whether to investigate sexist, racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic abuse and other disciplinary cases. The disputes committee immediately went into action after Shawcroft was elected, holding a lengthy meeting and voting on various allegations of misconduct by Labour members. The object was to decide whether to adopt or reject recommendations made by party officials. This journalist has learned that three cases of alleged anti-Semitism were considered. In the first, the committee decided not to follow the recommendation of officers to refer

the case to the National Constitutional Committee (NCC) for further investigation. Instead, a formal warning and anti-racism training were decided upon. In another case, there was a discussion about whether the use of the word ‘Yid’ was a term of anti-Semitic abuse. The defendant had claimed there was nothing “intrinsically offensive” about the term and at least one member of the NEC agreed. The third case was a formal investigation into alleged racism, bullying and harassment in Tower Hamlets that was deferred until March - a decision that was personally made by Shawcroft. A majority of the committee disagreed, with one NEC member pointing out Shawcroft’s links to the last case. But the committee lacked the two-thirds majority needed to

MUMBAI SURVIVOR RETURNS TO HONOUR PARENTS

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Moshe Holtzberg with Netanyahu and Narendra Modi PHOTO CREDIT: YWN

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2 NEWS

Mumbai survivor Moshe returns to honour parents BY ADAM MOSES

An Israeli child of the Mumbai massacre in November 2008 will attend the unveiling of a plaque by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu honouring his parents tomorrow. Moshe Holtzberg was a year old when Islamist terrorists killed his mother and father, ChabadLubavitch emissaries Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg. Rivka was six months pregnant at the time of the atrocity just over nine years ago. Moshe Holtzberg with Netanyahu and Narendra Modi PHOTO CREDIT: YWN A total of 174 people, including nine gunmen, died in the attack. Current co-director, Rabbi Israel breath of their life.” Moshe’s family lived at the Na- Kozlovsky, told reporters that the Sandra Samuel, who moved to riman House, where Islamist gun- visit would be “very emotional”. Israel to care for Moshe, attained men murdered six residents. “We are very excited for the Israeli citizenship in 2010. Rebels also targeted Mumbai’s forthcoming visit of Baby Moshe, She accompanied Moshe and luxury Taj Mahal Palace and Tower who is not anymore a baby. But he family members to Mumbai on and Oberei-Trident hotels, together will always remain in our heart as Tuesday. with the city’s Chhattrapati Shivaji baby Moshe,” reported the Times Netanyahu’s ﬁrst trip to India as train station. of Israel. Israeli premier also highlights 25 Moshe, now 12, arrived at Mum“He is coming back to “the very years since India and Israel estabbai airport with his grandfather place where his life was miracu- lished diplomatic relations. Rabbi Holtzberg Nachman and lously saved by his nanny.” During the visit, together with grandmother Yehudit Rosenberg Kozlovsky added that the Israeli his wife, Sara, they will also visit where Indian Prime Minister Nar- leader would unveil a memorial to the Taj Mahal and Gujarat, Modi’s endra Modi welcomed him. victims, but there would also be a home state prior to Mumbai where The Chabah-Lubavitch cultural one to Moshe’s parents “who ded- he will meet India’s small Jewish and outreach centre reopened in icated their lives to establish this community and business leaders. 2014. centre and they ran it until the last

The Cambridge Union elects a Jewish student president Jonah Surkes has been elected Cambridge Union president. The 21-year old from Rickmansworth joins an elite list of Jewish students to hold the post at the debating society. A former speakers oﬃcer at the Union, Jonah arranged for U.S. Senator and Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders and former Tory leader Lord Michael Howard to address students. He is studying a Human, Social and Political Sciences course at Clare College, Cambridge.

18 JANUARY 2018

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Board of Deputies visits Manchester to build bridges with Muslims The Board of Deputies embarks on a two-day visit to Manchester for a series of visits and meetings with the local Muslim community next week. Following terrorist attacks in Manchester and London, and a surge in anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish racism, bridging the divide between the two communities is paramount. And the Board of Deputies is stepping up to this challenge. President Jonathan Arkush and Vice President Marie van der Zyl, along with Imam Irfan Chishti, will demonstrate unity by taking questions on a panel from children from a Church of England Primary School. Mr Arkush and Ms van der Zyl during a visit to Manchester Central Mosque will talk to students from a Muslim girls’ high school visiting the Boards’ Jewish Living Experience exhibition on display at

Manchester Cathedral. And aside from three further visits to mosques, there will be meetings with Chief Inspector Umer Khan of Greater Manchester Police, Qaisra Shahraz, Wajid Khan and former Manchester Lord Mayor Naeem Hassan. Representatives from the Jewish Representative Council and Muslim-Jewish forum have been invited to a number of the meetings. “Following successful engagement with Muslim communities in Bradford, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds and Leicester we have a wide-ranging programme in Manchester where we will be meeting everyone from schoolchildren to imams,” said Ms van der Zyl. “In the wake of the Manchester bombings it is crucial that our communities bridge the divide which exists between us. We are stepping up to this challenge.”

Maccabi GB announce new national headquarters following merger with Kenton Youth Aid Trust BY ISAAC SHERMAN Maccabi GB is set to have a new national headquarters following a merger with Kenton Youth Aid Trust. The property was formerly the home of Kenton Maccabi most recently known as Kulanu. In a year when Maccabi GB celebrates its 80th anniversary it will now further develop its reach and programming. Maccabi GB took over the dayto-day management of the Kulanu Jewish Sport and Community Centre in January 2015. The building incorporates a sports hall, meeting spaces and conference facilities. The Centre, used communally and as a hub for Maccabi GB programmes, is also home to the Stand Up project, a spin oﬀ from the Streetwise Programme. Maccabi GB was based at Shield

House for 15 years. Chairman David Pinnick described the merger as a “signiﬁcant moment” in the organisations history”. “We will ensure the centre remains home to Jewish life for many years to come,” he said. “We are excited at the prospect of moving to a building which will be our own home, designed to our speciﬁc needs. “Undoubtedly this is the right move at the right time for Maccabi GB.” KYAT chairman David Judah

said Kenton has long been associated with the Maccabi movement since it opened its doors 40 years ago. “It is ﬁtting the operations centre of the Maccabi movement in Great Britain will now be housed in the building that was once home to one of its leading clubs,” he said. “This merger will provide a boost to Maccabi by giving them a long term base.” The Kenton venue was home to a Maccabi youth club, guides and scouts groups. No date for a move has been

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WHAT’S INSIDE THIS WEEK 02 News 03 Editor’s Letter 04 Letters 06 News 08 Israel News 10 Community News 18 Judaism 22 Business

24 Sports 26 Kids 30 Youth 34 Women 36 Nutrition 37 Food 38 Travel 39 Classiﬁeds

18 JANUARY 2018

EDITOR’S LETTER 3

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

From the Editor’s Desk Apology

The Jewish Weekly takes this opportunity to publicly apologise to Yehudis Goldsobel, and anyone else who was subsequently oﬀended by the placement of an advert within our newspaper, in our December 21 Edition. When we received a call to place this advert we had absolutely no reason to suspect there was anything suspicious about a local shul receiving a new Sefer Torah, and subsequently the advert was published. A story broke a couple of weeks later in other media stating that the individual who had organised the event had in fact been convicted of abuse and served a jail term. We decided not to run with this story as we pride ourselves on being a family friendly newspaper that is ﬁt to be read by children as well as adults. Indeed, amongst our readership in excess of 50,000, we have many children and teenagers who enjoy our kids and youth pages each week, engaging in their Judaism in a friendly and informal way, alongside all our other popular sections. Our main ethos upon which our newspaper was founded 10 months ago is to publish a newspaper that doesn’t have to splash the biggest “eye-catching” story of the week on it’s front pages each week to appeal to the readers, but to put “clean, family friendly news”

t. Es

Editorial

about the world and the Jewish community of the UK and Israel in particular. Due to these founding principles, for which we receive weekly plaudits from across the country, we decided it was not in the interest of our readers to run with the story last week. However, as a matter of principle, we of course deplore the actions of any abuser, and if we had known who he was, we of course would not have published the advert. As a newspaper, we realise that despite our best intentions to keep the story out of our paper for the sake of our younger readership, we still should have apologised in last week’s edition. As well as issuing our public apology this week, this newspaper has no wish to proﬁt from a convicted abuser, and therefore we are donating the money received for the advert to Migdal Emunah, the charity founded by Yehudis Goldsobel. In addition, we have oﬀered to gift an advertising campaign to the charity, to help spread her important message amongst our readers and to try and help prevent other people falling victims to abuse. Ms Goldsobel told The Jewish Weekly: “We at Migdal Emunah appreciate the generous gesture from the Jewish Weekly and look forward to working with them on the future awareness promoting campaigns.”

1983

Yo u r l i n k t o a w o r l d o f t r a v e l

Both The Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News have criticised the Jewish Weekly on their online newspapers for publishing an advert for a Hachnasat Sefer Torah event publicising a new Sefer Torah being donated to a local shul in Golders Green on December 21st 2017. Regarding the United Synagogue, who issued the initial statement to The Jewish Chronicle, we were deeply disappointed to learn of their opinion, via other media outlets. As many of our readers will know, since our launch last March, we have constantly supported the United Synagogue each week, by publicising the many great initiatives and programmes that they produce on a weekly basis. We have taken great care to avoid the negative stories that are constantly published about them in other

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media outlets, and we also deliver our newspaper to many of their synagogues, to enable their members a weekly opportunity to celebrate all the good that they do. Whilst we will always continue to celebrate all the positive work that they do, on this occasion, we feel they have made the wrong judgment call by issuing a statement to our commercial rivals without any prior discussions with The Jewish Weekly ﬁrst. In addition, with regards to their comments on our advertising policy, this has been set by our lawyers, and we do all that we can reasonably be expected to do to vet our advertisers. We sincerely hope that The United Synagogue will accept, at least internally, that on this occasion, they made the wrong call.

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4 LETTERS

18 JANUARY 2018

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Letters to the Editor

Send in your comments to letters@thejewishweekly.com

Cause for concern

Further, they repeatedly place adverts for non-kosher restaurants and Jews for Justice for Palestine, and publish pictures of provocatively-looking women. Dear Sir, How come the United Synagogue don’t criticise these so-called Jewish I have read with interest this week about the United Synagogue lambasting supportive papers when they promote these issues on a regular basis. The Jewish Weekly for running an advert announcing the dedication of a Sefer Torah by a man who was convicted of abusing an underage Jewish girl. The Jewish Weekly have got an advertorial decision wrong, and I am sure There is no doubt placing this advert was an error of judgement by this they will do the right thing and acknowledge it. publication and it will be interesting to read their response no doubt in this week’s edition following the publicity of the matter on The Jewish Chronicle When they do will the United Synagogue praise them for their nobility? and Jewish News online sites. Sadly, I doubt it. They seem to ignore every negative-related story about their However, since I’ve started reading The Jewish Weekly on a regular basis, own organisation that stumbles from crisis to crisis, and slam the one Jewish there is never any condemnation of the United Synagogue on any of the weekly newspaper that ignores these issues week after week when they could various political matters in the various papers. probably ﬁnd themselves an easy headline-making story. Both The Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News report the ongoing upheaval M. Silver with glee on a regular basis. Indeed, it seems to me they revel in negative publicity about the Jewish organisations and Jewish communities of the Golders Green NW11 United Kingdom. Please note: The views of the letters do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Letters may be edited and publication is at the discretion of the editor.

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6 NEWS

18 JANUARY 2018

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Far-left Labour take absolute control of Party ﬁrst time in their 118-year history

Bail denied for Palestinian girl

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

BY JAMES MARLOW

challenge the chair’s decision. The party member will therefore likely be free to stand in this May’s local elections. In a statement, Shawcroft said, “There were several reports at the Disputes Committee, there were full debates on them all, some amendments were put and voted on, the recommendations were voted on, some were passed, some were amended.” Shawcroft also pointed out that nothing was overturned and that and that she didn’t vote on anything “because I have a casting vote - I don’t have the power to overturn anything anyway.” The Disputes Committee will also be dealing with other notorious anti-Zionists, including Jackie Walker, Tony Greenstein, Marc Wadsworth and Ken Livingstone who have all been suspended from the party. In the case with Livingstone, a Jewish Labour Movement source said little progress had been made on the former London Mayor who claimed Hitler was a Zionist. Meanwhile, the founder of

Momentum, Jon Lansman, who was brought up in a religious Jewish home in North London, was elected to the NEC ruling body on Monday along with Yasmin Dar, a Manchester councillor and Rachel Garnham, a national policy forum representative. The far left won all three NEC positions for the ﬁrst time in Labour’s 118-year-old history and now have full control of the party, which will likely bring about the re-selection of some MP’s and major rule changes in Labour. Both Jon Lansman and fellow NEC member Rhea Wolfson have

Labour party leader, Jeremy Corbyn

stressed there is no place in the party for anti-Semitism. But the Jewish community and others across Britain should be extremely concerned about Yasmin Dar appearing with the notorious anti-Zionist, Professor Rodney Shakespeare on stage. Dar was asked to speak at a rally in March 2017 to celebrate the 38th anniversary of the Iranian Islamic revolution in Manchester where Shakespeare also appeared. However, the Professor is renowned for his conspiracy theories including the 9/11 attacks were a Zionist plot, the Zionist use fear-mongering to control the world and the Zionists control government and the media. Yasmine Dar, 51, claimed she was unaware of Shakespeare’s views and condemned “the reprehensible comments” and “antisemitism in all its forms.” Having now distanced herself from Shakespeare, the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) this week asked Dar to clarify her position on the hard-line Iranian regime as she praised the Islamic Republic at the Manchester Islamic Centre and attends the event each year.

An Israeli court has denied bail to 17-year-old Ahed Tamimi who was caught on camera slapping and kicking two Israeli soldiers on 15 December. The West Bank military court on Wednesday ordered the Palestinian to be held behind bars until the trial is over. It is ironic that the Palestinian “human rights” group taking the video in order to provoke a violent retaliation from the soldiers is the very same evidence being used to put Tamimi on trial. Although as some say, the girl has become the latest symbol for “Palestinian resistance” and demonstrations will likely follow in major cities across the world, others point out that Tamimi was being used as a pawn to do the dirty work of the militant Palestinians who reject Israel in any part of the Middle East. Ahed Tamimi and a female friend attacked soldiers in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh which has become a regular staging ground used by Human Rights organisations for provoking clashes with Israeli soldiers. The girls were soon joined by

3 other Palestinians, one being her mother. The IDF along with Border Police traced down the girl and her mother, 3 days after the incident and arrested them both. The Tamimi family have a history of involvement in violent incidents. In August 2015 an IDF soldier was caught on ﬁlm trying to arrest 12-year-old Muhammad Tamimi, who was throwing rocks during a violent protest. Footage showed a soldier restraining the boy, but a group of women and children, including Muhammad’s sister jumped onto the soldier repeatedly kicking and punching him while he was still holding down the boy. The soldier got his hand severely bitten by the kid. This and last December’s video drew millions of views online from across the word. However, the IDF said the soldiers last month acted “professionally” in not reacting to the slaps who “used physical violence and prevented the soldiers from carrying out their duties.”

Chelsea launches anti-Semitism campaign BY LEAH WAXLER

Chelsea FC has launched a campaign to raise awareness about antisemitism in football. The official launch takes place at the clubs’ Premier League fixture against Bournemouth on 31st January. The initiative is aimed at players, staff, fans and the wider community and forms part of an on-going Chelsea Foundation’s Building Bridges campaign. Club owner Roman Abramowich has backed the initiative. A club statement noted: “Everybody at Chelsea is proud to be part of a diverse club. Our players, staff, fans and visitors to the club come from a wide range of backgrounds including the Jewish community and we want to ensure everyone feels safe, valued and included. Through the campaign we will be working with organisations and individuals at home and abroad, including the Holocaust Educational

Trust, Jewish Museum, Community Security Trust, Kick It Out, World Jewish Congress, Anne Frank House and Maccabi GB.” Club chairman Brice Buck leads a steering committee of experts. Participants include Ronald Lauder (President, World Jewish Congress), Robert Singer (CEO World Jewish Congress), Cecilia Wikström (Member of European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Parliament’s Working Group Against Antisemitism), Karen Pollock (Chief Executive, Holocaust Educational Trust), Abigail Morris (Chief Executive, Jewish Museum London), Dave Rich (Head of Policy, Community Security Trust), Jonathan Greenblatt (National Director and CEO, Anti-Defamation League) and Lord Peter Levene. “The World Jewish Congress deeply appreciates the comprehensive eﬀorts being made by Chelsea Football Club to raise awareness of the dangerous manifestations of antisemitism and racism in sport,”

commented Mr Singer. “The value of one of the most prominent sports clubs in the world vigorously leading the charge in addressing this crucial issue cannot be overstated.” Ms Pollock added: “Sadly anti-semitism remains a serious issue in our society. “Every eﬀort made to ﬁght it should be applauded and welcomed and we are delighted and proud to

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be working with Chelsea Football Club to ‘say no to antisemitism’. “Hearing from a survivor, learning about the Holocaust and understanding what language constitutes hate speech all contribute to a better understanding and greater awareness of what antisemitism is and how to combat it. “Through this initiative Chelsea are making a real commitment in ﬁghting this issue within the game

and the wider community.” The initiative will see Chelsea Foundation’s equality and diversity workshops in primary schools extended to talk speciﬁcally about Jewish faith and culture. And the club is to launch an education programme for supporters banned for antisemitic behaviour following a proposal raised a Fans’ Forum. Participation will potentially lead to a reduction in the length of a ban. Additional activities include educational visits to former concentration camps for staﬀ, fans and stewards, an exhibition at the Chelsea Museum on football and British Jews and screenings of Liga Terezin, a documentary about a football league run from a concentration camp during the Holocaust. The club is also hoping to welcome Holocaust survivor, Harry Spiro, to Chelsea to share his family’s story.

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8 ISRAEL NEWS

NEWS IN ISRAEL Netanyahu expects US Embassy move within a year Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he expects the US Embassy to be relocated to Jerusalem within a year. Mr Netanyahu, currently on a state visit to India, told journalists on a flight from Delhi to Gujarat: “My solid assessment is that it will go much faster than you think: within a year from now.” His assessment differs from that of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who last month said the move was “not going to be anything that happens right away. Probably no earlier than three years out, and that’s pretty ambitious”. In a related development, US Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt is expected to arrive in Israel today for a series of meetings, as the fallout from the US Jerusalem announcement continues. On Sunday, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas gave a fiery speech at the PLO Central Council

18 JANUARY 2018

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

The US Embassy PHOTO CREDIT: BICOM

in Ramallah, renouncing the 1993 Oslo Accords and announcing that the PA “will not accept American leadership of a political process involving negotiations”. The Israeli newspaper Maariv today quotes an unnamed Western diplomat, who says that Abbas “not only undermined his own standing as the Palestinians’ leader, but

NEWS IN BRIEF

PLO Central Council calls for recognition of Israel to be suspended

he also dealt a mortal blow to any chance and hope of advancing the Palestinian cause in the UN. After an attack of that kind on the US and his disdain for the Oslo Accords, which enjoy broad support, the PA’s chances of being accepted as a member of the UN are now close to nil,” he added.

Israel and India sign new agreements to boost bilateral relations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a formal meeting with his Indian counterpart earlier last week as the two countries signed nine deals to boost bilateral relations. Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the “dawn of a new era” in their relations after signing agreements in defence, agriculture and aviation. In natural gas and oil, they agreed to strengthen cooperation in exploration, production and research and development. They will advance academic ties and start-ups. The two countries also signed cooperation deals in cyber-defence, security and science. Netanyahu said after meeting Modi in Delhi that “India and Israel are living proof not only that democracy works but they demonstrate something deeper – the intrinsic value of freedom which I believe is the intrinsic value of life. India stands out in the community of nations because over 2,000 years the Jews of India have never experienced anti-Semitism as our people experienced in so many other lands. This is a tribute to your civilisation, to your tolerance, to your humanity”. In response, Modi said: “I have a reputation for being impatient to get results and so do you, PM Netanyahu. We will strengthen our cooperation in areas that aﬀect the lives of our people — agriculture, science technology and defence.” Netanyahu said the two nations had great potential to work together to improve the lives of their citizens, mentioning speciﬁcally an “idea of revolutionising Indian agriculture as we’re revolutionising

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Israeli agriculture – precision agriculture that goes down to the individual plant,” whilst Modi held out an invitation for “more and more Israeli people, businesses and companies to come and work in India”. Prime Minister Netanyahu also mentioned the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. “Indians and Israelis remember too well the savagery of the horrific terrorist attacks. We fight back, we never give in,” he said. Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben-Shabbat, where they discussed security, counter-terrorism and defence cooperation. A joint statement after the talks said they agreed “strong measures against terrorists, terror organisations, those who sponsor, encourage or finance terrorism or provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups”.

Netenyahu with Narendra Modi PHOTO CREDIT: BICOM

Palestinian leaders have urged the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) to suspend its formal recognition of Israel. The PLO Central Council voted earlier this week 74-2 for the PLO Executive Committee, an 18-member body made up of leaders of several Palestinian factions, to suspend recognition of Israel until Israel recognises a Palestinian state in the pre-1967 borders, cancels its decision to annex East Jerusalem and ceases construction in settlements. The members of the Central Council did not lay out a timetable for the Executive Committee to suspend the PLO’s recognition of Israel, but said that the interim stage decided upon in the 1993 Oslo Accords no longer existed, nor any of the commitments in them. The Central Council also decided to renew a decision it made in 2015 to end security cooperation with Israel “in all its forms”.

All of the Central Council’s resolutions must be approved by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas welcomed the vote but said in a statement that the “real test” would be “to implement it effectively on the ground and put in place the necessary mechanisms”. The Central Council supported Abbas’s decision to end the US role as the sole mediator in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, saying: “As long as the Oval Ofﬁce does not renege on its stance regarding Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in occupied territories, any deal or American peace initiative should be rejected.” The Central Council also called for the Palestinian leadership to use the UN and its Security Council in order to achieve the recognition of a Palestinian state, and that international organisations, such as the International Criminal Court, should be approached so that Israel could be prosecuted.

Israel condemns Abbas’s PLO speech Israeli leaders criticised Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday for his combative speech to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Central Council on Sunday of last week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a trip to India, said Abbas “revealed the roots of the conﬂict, which are the basic opposition to the existence of a Jewish state within any borders… the basic truth is that the root of the conﬂict is the unending and unchanging refusal of the Palestinians to recognise the Jewish state within any borders”. Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Army Radio that Abbas’s address symbolised his giving up on the prospect of peace negotiations and opting for a confrontation with both Israel and the US. “This speech signals that he’s lost self-control, lost the support of the moderate Arab world and has clearly given up on negotiations,” Lieberman said. In a two and half hour long speech on Sunday night, Abbas sharply escalated his rhetoric against the US, Israel, Britain and even other Arab leaders, claiming the peace process was dead and accusing Israel, the “colonialist project that has nothing to do with the Jews,” of killing it. Zionist Union Chairman Avi Gabbay said that Abbas’s “statements are

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severe, false and also contain antisemitic fabrications,” whilst reiterating that “we mustn’t focus on what the Palestinians say. The Zionist dream is a dream of initiative. Before and after Abu Mazen’s [Abbas] speech — separation from the Palestinians is in the people of Israel’s interest”. European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said the EU’s position on the conﬂict remains “based on the Oslo accords… a negotiated twostate solution which fulﬁls the aspirations of both sides, Israel and Palestine, is the only realistic way of bringing the lasting peace and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve”. Writing in Ha’aretz, former US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro described Abbas’s speech as “his closing act as a prospective peace partner of Israel, and of the US”.

PLO headquaters PHOTO CREDIT: BICOM

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18 JANUARY 2018

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Over £150,000 distributed to 22 Local Jewish Schools by Chomesh L’Chinuch The “Chomesh L’Chinuch” initiative distributed over £156,000 to 22 local Jewish schools representing 5,831 pupils at an event on Sunday 14th January 2018 at Hendon Adass. It was attended by Rabbi SY Bixenspanner of Hendon Adass Yisroel Congregation and Rabbi YM Greenberg of Golders Green Beth Hamedrash. Also present were over 35 governors and senior management of the local Jewish schools. This event brings the total distributed by the Chomesh L’Chinuch campaign to over £260,000 since its inception at GGBH in 2015. Chomesh L’Chinuch is a shulbased project providing a communal solution to a communal problem. Shul members are encouraged to prioritise and allocate one-ﬁfth (a ‘Chomesh’) of their Tzedokah distributions to the local schools attended by the children of their Shul. This is based on the Halachic guidance that the community must support its essential infrastructure including local schools and the importance of correctly prioritising one’s Tzedokah donations. Members are not expected to increase their already generous Tzedokah distributions, rather it is simply to allocate an appropriate percentage

to local chinuch. Rabbi Shloime Yitzchok Bixenspanner opened the third Chomesh L’Chinuch distribution event and spoke passionately about the crucial role of Chinuch within our kehilloh and the importance of prioritising our local mosdos, especially the schools. He thanked the members of Hendon Adass and GGBH who have joined the Chomesh L’Chinuch programme for their generosity and sense of communal responsibility. He encouraged more members to sign up and more Shuls to join. This will ensure the communal Chinuch deﬁcits are fully addressed. He added, “Our NW London community is clearly able to address its schools’ substantial shortfall provided it allocates and prioritises the already generous amount of annual Tzedokah it donates”. Mr Emanuel Meyer, joint founder of Chomesh L’Chinuch, explained the background of the initiative and praised the unstinting dedication of the school Chairs and Governors. He provided detailed statistics regarding the ﬁnancial challenges faced by the local Jewish schools highlighting the substantial shortfalls amongst our local primary and secondary schools with a total annual shortfall of over £7m per year.

Eli Katz, Rabbi Greenberg and Moishe Morris PHOTO CREDIT: AVI YODAIKEN

A group photo around the BIG cheque PHOTO CREDIT: AVI YODAIKEN

He reiterated that funds are desperately needed by all schools and urged every school governor to engage with their local Shul Rov, Gabboim and askonim to encourage their Shul to join the Chomesh L’Chinuch initiative in order to help it reach the initial goal of £1,000,000 per annum.. Mr Eli Katz, joint founder of Chomesh L’Chinuch, organised the distribution of the grant cheques to each school. Rabbi Greenberg and Rabbi Bixenspanner, in their respective capacities of representing their own chosheve Kehillahs and their very generous members, were given the kovod of presenting the cheques to the School representatives. This was the largest amount distributed since the inception of Chomesh L’Chinuch and represents funds raised by members of Golders Green Beth Hamedrash over the last year together with funds raised from members of Hendon Adass who joined the initiative last Elul / September. The Chomesh L’Chinuch event attracted substantial praise from local schools Governors. Mr Moshe Morris, Governor, Head of Finance Committee at Menorah High School for Girls commented, “Once again Chomesh L’Chinuch has delivered signiﬁcant assistance to our school. We are very grateful to members of GGBH and Hendon Adass for their generosity and to Chomesh L’Chinuch

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for growing this initiative and leading the way by example.” Mr Moishe Lisser, Chairman, Pardes House Grammar, “To deliver the best Torah chinuch for our talmidim, we need to ensure strong and stable funding from the NW London community, especially the members of the Shuls where our families daven. This communal initiative strongly demonstrates the harmony of halacho, generosity and kehilloh partnership. I will be engaging with our local Shuls to encourage the adoption of Chomesh L’Chinuch”. Mr Marc Meyer, Chair of Governors, at Hasmonean High School remarked; ““On behalf of the students, parents, governors and trustees of Hasmonean High School, I would like to thank the many GGBH and Hendon Adass members for their very generous support of their shul’s Chomesh L’Chinuch initiative. The very significant funds raised will benefit the students at Hasmonean and make a very real difference to their lives. I am incredibly grateful to those who have contributed to this absolutely wonderful initiative: it really demonstrates just how much the community values the importance of building a strong Jewish future”. Mr Allan Becker, Chairman, Menorah Grammar School added, “I am delighted that Hendon Adass has now joined GGBH in adopting the CLC initiative. The founders

Eli and Emanuel have truly spearheaded something worthwhile and we hope that the rest of the local community follows their lead.” The founders praised the members of Golders Green Beth Hamedrash who contribute regularly and generously to the fund as well as members of Hendon Adass who joined only 4 months ago. CLC are keen to rollout this initiative across more Shuls in the area and given the initial success, many other local Shuls and School Treasurers are eagerly awaiting the expansion of the project to their communities. CLC are aiming for £1m distributions per year Many of the School Governors in attendance at the event commented that nearly every Jewish school in NW London and beyond, with its substantial Kodesh programme, has a significant financial shortfall. In order to deliver a first class and successful Kodesh curriculum for the chinuch of our children, the difference has to be fund-raised from voluntary donations and the general community. In many schools these fund raising efforts are very challenging and gaps still remain. Any local Kehilloh looking to launch the Chomesh L’Chinuch initiative are encouraged to contact Mr Katz or Mr Meyer on info@ chinuch20.org.

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LSJS Conference “Building Connections & Being Connected” The 7th annual London School of Jewish Studies National Conference for Primary School Jewish Studies Teachers had about 170 educators attending from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow. The Conference Theme was “Building Connections & Being Connected”. Participants gained the opportunity of building connections with other educators while also connecting with new ideas of how to educate students even more eﬀectively. The opening Keynote speaker was The Chief Rabbi, LSJS President. He praised the work of teachers, emphasising the importance of the impact teachers make on young people. It was a powerful and energising start to the day’s activities. The second Keynote speaker, Rabbi Daniel Rowe, provided fresh insights into the story of Esther, with Purim fast approaching. He showed how some of the lessons in Esther are particularly relevant to educators, the impact of whose work may only be seen some time later. There were over 20 presentations during the day from which participants could choose. These included Rabbi Pinchas Hayman, from Israel, on topics relating to the teaching of text as well as Mrs Shoshana Hayman speaking about how to encourage caring and

18 JANUARY 2018

Families enjoy the Circle of Life

Rabbi Daniel Rowe speaking at the conference

considerate children. There was advice from Jonny Turgel on Caring for your voice as well as Rabbi David Meyer giving a Guide to good leadership. Other educators giving presentations included Eliezer Segal (Head of Jewish Studies at Bet Shvidler Primary School) on how to engage students of all abilities, Yolande Pieters (Head of Jewish Studies at Simon Marks Primary School) on Talking to children about God and Sammy Morhaim from Jewish Interactive who ran three sessions about the use of ICT in the classroom. The day ended with a structured networking opportunity, facilitated

by Nic Abery. Participants were full of enthusiasm about the day which for some is an event they look forward to throughout the year. Comments included that it was great to hear speakers of such experience and passion, that the day was inspirational as well as the wish for more time to hear more of the sessions. Conference Co-ordinator Esther Colman was delighted with the positive feedback. “We always aim that participants should leave with something they can try in the classroom the next day. It is heartening to hear that so many of those who came feel that is the case”.

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Children enjoy ‘The Lion King’ production organised by Jewish Care

Winner of Pirchim Siyum receives blessing

Feivel Nerden, age 15, who learnt Shas Mishnayos Ba’al Peh (4192 Mishnayos) to win the top prize in the recently held 69th Pirchim

Siyum in Gateshead, receives a breacha from Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi shlita, on his short visit to London last week.

Feivel Nerden and Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi shlita PHOTO CREDIT: AVI YODAIKEN

London Jews in WW1 At a well attended event in Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue, Project Director, Alan Fell, explained about the Heritage Lottery funded project London Jews in the First World War. Some really interesting stories were told including one man whose father was interned in Alexandra Palace and was called a ‘dirty jew’ whereupon he hit the anti-semite over the head with an 18 lb hammer and was sent to the jail for 7 days. Attendees were asked to upload any details to www.jewsfww. london

Rabbi Davis and Alan Fell

18 JANUARY 2018

Grandparents go back to school Wolfson Hillel Jewish Primary hosted 280 grandparents to a morning at the school in Southgate to discover how their grandchildren learn and thrive in a warm and stimulating environment. The event organised by the PTA started with a lively medley of songs from the school choir, accompanied on the piano by Head of music Jackie Ferber. A presentation by the Headteacher Kirsten Jowett followed who spoke about the Ofsted inspection of March 2017 in which the inspectors found Wolfson Hillel to be an outstanding school in all areas. Ms Jowett also highlighted the rounded education the children enjoyed covering the National Curriculum, British

Participants in the classroom

values, Jewish studies, personal development and enrichment programmes. The head of the PTA remarked that £27,000 had been raised in the past year to enhance the facilities

The crowded school hall

of the school, and now thanks to funding by the Wolfson Foundation computers would be available for every child in years 3 to 6. The fund raising for 2018 will aim to provide additional computers for the younger children. The grandparents were invited to visit their grandchildren’s classroom and to take part in a fun recall of school life two generations ago. The event which was a resounding success was a repeat of a similar event last year and concluded with a buﬀet lunch with members of the PTA on hand to answer questions.

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Israel to beneﬁt from sea aged wine tanks Starting to grow after such a short time. Sea Aged Wine now has what people want. Jews can now beneﬁt from Kosher wine aged in tanks in water from the Galilee sea. “Sea Aged Wine” has now really started gaining momentum. The Israeli wine business is well recognised as a serious wine producer. Now with “Sea Aged Wine” Israel is set to boost sales and exports. A deal is being brokered between several wine producers in Israel and “Sea Aged Wine.” The deal compromises Red and White wines and also Kosher wine. Kosher wine has to be heat treated if it is to be handled by Jews after production. The heat treatment is not very good for the taste of the wine. This means it has to be aged for a long time to be truly palatable. Now with the patented Sea Aged Wine tanks, Kosher wine along with other high quality Israeli wines can be aged in sea water within the Sea Aged Wine tanks. This will rapidly age the wine and improve its taste. No longer will people see Kosher

wine as distasteful, it will have been aged in the tanks to a more acceptable taste along with improving other normal Israeli wines. Sea Aged Wine has an oﬃce in Jerusalem and the contact in Israel is: Avner Demure. His direct number is (00972) 50 364 3878. One of the reasons for the export of Kosher wine from Israel to Jews around the world, is the fact it will have been aged in seawater within the tanks; with the water coming from the promised land, namely the water from the sea of Galilee. This is all of great signiﬁcance to Jews. And Sea Aged Wine is pleased to be associated and able to help. www.seaagedwine.com is the company’s website. For more information the main contact number is in Spain 0034 662 406 516.

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18 JANUARY 2018

Mill Hill man wins car in Jewish Care charity raffle One lucky Londoner has collected a brand-new car from Glyn Hopkin Fiat in Chadwell Heath, after beating odds of 300:1 in a prize draw for national charity Jewish Care. The car was donated to the raffle by an anonymous benefactor, and the draw took place during at the 30th annual Topland Business Luncheon. Dorian Nineberg, 59 from Mill Hill, scooped the top prize of a Fiat 500 after buying a ticket for the raffle at the charity lunch, which was held at The Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair. Tickets for the prize draw added to the total fundraising figure, raising £250,000 that will go towards the operating costs of Jewish Care’s helpline and community support services in 2018. Collecting his Fiat 500 from Glyn Hopkin Fiat in Chadwell Heath, Dorian said, “Nobody expects to win big like this, so I’m thrilled to have scooped this prize at the Jewish Care event. We had a fantastic afternoon, for a hugely important cause, and I’m incredibly proud to support the organisation. The staff at Glyn Hopkin have also been very helpful throughout the whole process.” Fraser Cohen, Managing Director of Glyn Hopkin, added: “We have worked with Jewish Care for several years and recognise the vitally important services that it offers for community health and social

Dorian Nineberg collects Fiat 500 in Jewish Care Charity prize draw

care. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the anonymous benefactor who funded this brandnew car for the raﬄe, and we are delighted that it has helped to raise so much during the annual charity lunch.” Over the last 30 years, the Topland Group Business Luncheon for Jewish Care has raised an estimated £6 million. Every year, the Topland Group also presents an achievement award at the lunch, to an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to others around

them. Glyn Hopkin celebrates 25 years in business in 2018, having opened its ﬁrst car dealership in January 1993. Today, the group represents over 10 exciting brands, including Nissan, GTR, Renault, Dacia, Alpine, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Suzuki, Honda, Mitsubishi and Jeep. The Glyn Hopkin group now has more than 40 showrooms across London and the South East. To ﬁnd out more about Glyn Hopkin, please visit www.glynhopkin.com.

First LSJS Graduates for new degree programmes The achievement of the ﬁrst LSJS Graduates, for two new degree programmes in Jewish Education, has been celebrated at a Graduation Ceremony. Students study for these parttime degrees, ﬁtting in the lectures and assignments with work and other commitments. The BA in Jewish Education normally takes four years and covers topics such as the Jewish Studies Curriculum and Professional Practice in Jewish Schools. The MA in Jewish Education

takes two years and culminates in a Dissertation on topics such as New Approaches to Hebrew Reading in Primary Schools and How Jewish Identity Changes through Secondary School. 18 Graduates received certiﬁcates from the Chief Rabbi, President of LSJS. In his comments, he commended them on their success and hailed the achievement of the College in running these degree programmes. Student representatives from both courses spoke of the impact

the courses had made on them and thanked the teachers for the care and support they had been given. A vote of thanks was made by Rabbi Joseph Dweck, one of the MA graduates but also the Deputy President of LSJS. LSJS has its ﬁrst cohort starting its new online degree programme in January. Applications are now being taken for those wishing to start either the on-campus or online degree programmes later in 2018.

The graduates with Cheif Rabbi Mirvis, Exectuvie Director Jonathan Miller and Dean Rabbi Dr Zarum

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AJCongress on Trump’s Iran sanctions Following Trump’s decision to waive sanctions on Iran, please see below a statement from the American Jewish Congress: “The American Jewish Congress welcomes the announcement that the US government will waive sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran in favour of targeted measures which will hold the regime to account over its ballistic missile testing, support for international terrorism and human rights violations. “The previous administration hoped that by signing a deeply ﬂawed agreement and waiving crippling economic s a n c tions, it could bring Iran in from the

cold and bring stability to the wider region. This plan has clearly and demonstrably failed, and the Iranian people have once again taken to the streets in wide scale protest against their authoritarian rulers. “In taking a nuanced approach to the Iran issue, President Trump has demonstrated a long-term commitment to containing the regime’s nuclear ambitions, while supporting the Iranian reformists who seek a progressive future for Iran. In taking a leading role in this process, America now has the opportunity to unite the international community in building a lasting legacy of stability in the Middle East. Having said that, Iran has already shown itself to be a bad actor in the process and if they won’t commit to renegotiating the agreement, then the U.S. position must be prepared to resort to stronger action to hold the regime to account.”

Donald Trump

Marathon charity football match raises thousands 14 boys from North West London chose to give back to the community this week by playing football for an astounding 13 hours in an effort to raise money for their chosen charities. The initiative led by 15 year old Amichai Lerer involved the teenagers from Hendon and Edgware football teams using their love of their favourite sport to contribute to the community. Amichai told us - ‘We chose to give the donations to GIFT as we know GIFT does a huge amount of amazing work in our area, helping provide practical help and food for thousands of people and mobilizing hundreds of teenagers to visit people in hospitals and care homes; and so we particularly wanted to

One of the marathon teams

give back to the community in which we live.’ The other boys in the team were Natanel Weinroth, Raﬁ Onnie, Gavriel Shalom, Joel Schapira, Avi Rees and Binyamin Sharer. To date, the team have raised £1,660.00 on their Justgiving site. To donate to their cause please follow the link .. w w w. m y d o n a t e . b t . c o m / fundraisers/samucko1 Also playing in the 13 hour match were Team Edgware who are raising for Donnies Trust - https:// www.donniesfund.org/donate.html - a fund set up in loving memory of one of the boy’s baby brother who tragically lost his life at 142 days old.

18 JANUARY 2018

NEWS 15

Willesden Cemetery awarded £1.7m National Lottery grant to open as public heritage site The United Synagogue (US) has been awarded a £1.7m National Lottery grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to open Willesden Jewish Cemetery as a place of heritage for the public. Money raised by National Lottery players will go towards Willesden Jewish Cemetery “House of Life”, helping to create greater public access at one of London’s most remarkable cemeteries and to engage new visitors with the stories of people buried there since Victorian times. The conﬁrmed grant of £1.7m forms part of a £2.3m project designed to put the cemetery on a sustainable footing for the future. Willesden Jewish Cemetery was opened in 1873 by the United Synagogue. With most of its burial spaces occupied, the grounds are relatively little visited and largely unknown beyond the Jewish community. The National Lottery funding award announced on Wednesday follows a two-year development with HLF support in which the US progressed plans to conserve buildings and a small number of memorials, green the landscape and improve bio-diversity, and to oﬀer activities, volunteering and training opportunities for a greater number

and range of visitors. Michael Goldstein, President of The United Synagogue, said: “Our community has long valued Willesden Cemetery as a significant place of memory. Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players we are now poised to open it to the public, fostering greater understanding of our heritage and way of life. “We look forward to offering people from all backgrounds and ages opportunities for learning and volunteering together with us, in order to conserve and protect Willesden Cemetery for the future.” Willesden Jewish Cemetery is the only Jewish cemetery on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. Funerary buildings, the UK’s first national Jewish war memorial and three tombs were listed Grade II by Historic England in 2017. Among 29,800 graves are those of hundreds of people famous in their day, from pioneering scientist Rosalind Franklin to Tesco founder Sir Jack Cohen —as well as many others whose stories have not been widely told. A place of great tranquillity, the cemetery charts the development of London’s Jewish community over nearly 150 years, with graves and

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memorials rich in social history and genealogical detail. Innovative plans by the United Synagogue reﬂect growing public interest in cemeteries as places to preserve community memory, explore issues around identity, and open up discussion of death and burial custom. While some UK cemeteries have received public funding to deepen visitor engagement with their heritage, the United Synagogue is understood to be the ﬁrst recipient of a grant of this size to share a Jewish cemetery’s heritage with wider audiences. Stuart Hobley, Head of HLF London, said: “Willesden Cemetery is an incredibly important part of Jewish, London and national heritage, so we’re delighted to support its ambitious and exciting plans for the future, thanks of course to money raised by National Lottery players. Vital conservation work and new interpretation of the site will ensure Willesden’s remarkable story of survival continues and the opportunities for volunteers, wildlife and communities are set to begin a fantastic new chapter for Brent.” Project launches spring 2018 A three-year project combining capital works and an exciting activities

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programme is scheduled to start by late spring 2018, subject to receipt of planning approval from the London Borough of Brent for adaptation of the Lodge and maintenance compound, and the raising of the required additional funding. From 2019, The Edwardian entrance Lodge will be refurbished as a visitor welcome centre. Clairevoie openings in the Pound Lane exterior wall will aﬀord views into the cemetery, with new planting along paths. Conservation of the original Prayer Hall and linked funerary buildings will serve the needs of funeral visitors, as Willesden will remain an active burial ground for

decades to come. Adaptation of these spaces will also provide facilities for school visits, talks and exhibitions. The stories of people buried at Willesden and histories of the Jewish community will be told through guided walks, talks, ﬁlms, signage, maps and a website. Activities will start from later in 2018, ranging from genealogy to creative writing and photography. Temporary exhibitions will showcase Jewish history as part of local and London heritage. Visitors will be encouraged to contribute their own family’s stories to the project.

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18 JANUARY 2018

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

A ﬁve generation family birthday party was held for 105 year old

Avot Uvonim - Father & Sons Winter programme at the Ohr Yerushalayim Shul

AvotUvonim at the Ohr Yerushalyim Shul, Bury New Road,Broughton Patk, Salford

A father and son learning hard.

PHOTO CREDIT: LAWRENCE PURCELL

MH Shul yearly Siyum Hashas Motzei Shabbos at the MH Shul’s new wing

Harav Chaim Favel Schneebalg and Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Kaufman

Harav Chaim Favel Schneebalg gust speaker at MH Shul’s Siyum Hashas,Motzei Shabbos

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18 JUDAISM

ASK THE RABBI tree and internalised vices, they became acutely aware – and ‘sins of the ﬂesh’ has been the common malice of society ever since.

fers we repent, but if we don’t, do we just walk? At running the risk of repeating myself, you need two witnesses and a caution before the death penalty would be carried out for a capital crime. Anyone who would commit such a crime in the face of such circumstance – who demonstrates such a blatant disregard – well, hey, you be the judge!

My Hebrew name Dear Rabbi,

Torn tallis Dear Rabbi,

Steve

I can not ﬁnd out my Hebrew name and would like to know it. Are there more than one Hebrew name possibilities for Eleanor? Please advise.

Dear Steve,

Eleanor

My husband’s tallis is torn. Can he in fact use it torn or should he buy a new one? Also, what then should he do with the old one?

You’ve got to read the ﬁne print my friend. An earlier verse states that they were naked “and they were not ashamed.” Which means that ‘nakedness’ per se with all of its ‘negative’ connotation was meaningless – such was their level of purity. Now that they ate from the

Dear Eleanor,

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

A special prayer Dear Rabbi,

Adam, Eve and an apron Dear Rabbi,

I have heard it said that there’s a special prayer one can say when they lose something. I have lost something very sentimental and wonder whether it’s true, it works or is it just superstition? Lydia

After Adam and Eve ate from the tree they sewed together a ﬁg leaf and made themselves aprons. They then hid and Adam told G-d that they hid because they were naked. But right after the sin they immediately covered themselves and were no longer naked?

Dear Lydia, There is no prayer per se – but there is an ancient custom of promising money to the charity of Rabbi Meir Bal Hanness (consult your Rabbi for more details) on condition that you ﬁnd the item. It works! I am waiting to hear from you whether you followed my advice and whether your brother made it to Israel.

Tehillim Psalm 36 In this week’s Psalm, King David explores the topic of sin and how it entices man by luring him in. “Neum pesha larasha, bkerev libi, ein pachad … leneged einav- The speech of transgression to the wicked is in my heart.. there should be no dread of G-d before his eyes.” Man does not care about Hashem when he sins and as the next verse goes on to say, “ki hechelik eilav beinav, - it is smoothed before his eyes,” and we are easily persuaded not to worry about the after eﬀects. The Satan, is exempliﬁed here as “transgression,” and indeed Judaism teaches us that he processed three formsthe Yetzer Harah, the evil inclination who urges man to sin during his lifetime; the Malach Hamavet, angle of death, who kills a man at the end of a lifetime, and the Satan who accuses man at his trial in the afterlife. We must realise that the very angel that is tempting us to sin, is the very same angel who will take our life and advocate

18 JANUARY 2018

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This tehillim is Lilui Nishmat Braukha Bat Yehuda

against us in the next world! It is realisations such as this that make us realise the folly of sin, and that the way to defeat it is to think clearly with our chochma, our superior logic. This will easily show us that temporary gain is not worth more the long term hurt.

There’s no oﬃcial Hebrew equivalent to most English names. My gut instinct was to go with Esther (as in Queen Esther). Having subsequently determined the origin of Eleanor being the wife of both Louis VII, the king of France, and Henry II, the king of England, and more recently, the wife of American president Franklin Roosevelt, it is clearly a regal name of sorts, hence Esther is a good choice. A response to stoning Dear Rabbi, Without meaning to contradict anything that you say, I found your reply towards those two people who wrote to you condemning stoning for adultery extremely degrading and heartless. You imply that stoning is permitted for adultery and those two people who wrote to you are disgusted by that attitude. So am I, having read in the Yom Kippur prayer book that G-d prefers people to repent of their ways rather than for them to die as punishment. Please explain this. Suzette Dear Suzette, With all intent to contradict everything you are saying, I’m betting you wouldn’t take the same attitude with someone who commits a more heinous crime such as murder or anything else that society deems ‘evil.’ Like I said to them, it’s just that today’s world doesn’t see adultery at that big a deal – and that is a damming indictment of our modern era, even as divorce rates already conﬁrm that. Of course G-d pre-

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Jessica Dear Jessica, It does depend where it is torn and how badly it is torn. Either way, I think it’ll make for a wonderful advance birthday present and the old one should be placed in shaimos (genizah) usually available at your local shul. Round challah for Sukkot? Dear Rabbi, Do we use round challah for Sukkot and do we dip it in honey? Luba Dear Luba, By the time you read this it’ll be too late. But some will use round challah on Hoashana Rabah. Otherwise it’s not an issue. The honey is certainly more commonplace and is practised all through Sukot until Shemini Atzeret – though again, some might also use salt after the honey (but not together). Well, at least you’ll know for next year and wishing you a sweet year in the meantime. Wedding celebrations Dear Rabbi, May I ask you two questions please - my son is getting married next year - are you allowed to have lit candles or candelabra under a chupa in a synagogue and secondly, are you allowed to sing for example Sunrise Sunset in English in a United Synagogue.

Dear Larraine, The idea of using candles is not just something you’re allowed to, but in many circles is commonly practised. The custom stems from the comparison to the giving of the Torah, when G-d, being the groom as it were, greeted his bride, the Jewish people, with a tremendous display of light. As to your choice song – ‘come on baby light my ﬁre,’ might be more suited to the candles. Also, I can understand the ‘sunrise’ bit as a new horizon beckons with the young couple. But what’s up with the ‘sunset?’ Give them time! And go for something more Jewish. It’s a spiritual moment after-all. Jewish burials Dear Rabbi, I was travelling recently and a fellow passenger remarked as we passed a Jewish Cemetery that the headstones are so close together because the Jewish people bury their dead standing up. Is this true? Diane Dear Diane, Yeah, and like this, as we can get more stones in, we can make more money which is after all the Jewish objective, is it not? Also, with the resurrection of the dead, if we’re in a standing position it would be a lot cheaper to just ‘walk out,’ then deal with the burden of digging us out, not to mention the ‘krenk’ in the back from lying all those years. Um, no, it’s not true!

Larraine

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JUDAISM 19

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“Then G-d said to Moshe: “Stretch forth your hand toward the heavens, and there will be darkness over the land of Egypt, and the darkness will become darker” (Shemot 10:21).

The Pivotal Bridge

by Rabbi Rafi Goodwin, Assistant Rabbi, Chigwell & Hainault United Synagogue Immediately after the triumphant escape from Egypt, before the splitting of the Sea, which we will read about in next week’s sidrah, there is a seemingly strange interruption in the narrative. G-d commands the Israelites to keep a set of laws that, according to an opinion cited in Rashi (d. 1105), would only apply when the nation arrived in the Land of Israel. Firstborn male children should be redeemed (pidyon haben), 1st Aliya (Kohen) – Vayikra 12:1-23 firstborn male a animals sacrificed and allweeks male After childbirth, lady would wait several firstborn donkeys a sheep, which before bringing anredeemed elevation for offering (olah) and isa given to a Kohen (Shemot 13:11-13).her post-birth sin offering (chatat). This completed

the bechor – the firstborn – is more than just a literal definition. Whoever passes on the values of the previous generation plays the role of the firstborn. The Egyptians practiced idol worship and corruption. They brutally oppressed the Israelites and committed infanticide against them (see Shemot 1:16).

Sidrah Summary: Tazria-Metzorah

Sidrah SidrahSummary: Summary:Bo Bo Nissan. Its blood is to be placed on the door frame 1st Aliya (Kohen) – Shemot 10:1-10:11 After the first seven plagues, Moshe and Aharon and the meat eaten, together with matza and maror, the night 15 will Nissan. This willover be “Then said to Moshe: yourEgypt hand toward theonheavens, andofthere be darkness againG-d warn Pharaoh to let "Stretch the nationforth go, lest commemorated every year with the seven day the land of the darkness will become darker” (Shemot 10:21). suffer anEgypt, eighthand plague. Pharaoh’s advisors encourage him to agree. However, he only agrees Pesach festival. to let the men leave temporarily, but not the 5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 12:21-28 women or children. Moshe relates the laws of the Pesach offering to the elders. The blood on the door frame 2nd Aliya (Levi) – 10:12-23 The 8th Plague: Moshe stretches his staff over will ‘indicate’ to G-d to ‘pass over’ the Israelite houses and only smite the Egyptians. Egypt. An easterly wind brings a swarm of locusts over the whole of Egypt, eating any grass and fruit still left over from the plague of hail. Pharaoh admits his sin and asks Moshe and Aharon to pray for an end to the plague. G-d sends a westerly wind (see Rashi’s commentary) which carries away the locusts. G-d hardens Pharaoh’s heart. The 9th Plague: Moshe raises his hand towards the heavens. Thick darkness descends upon Egypt for three days, with the exception of where the Israelites live. Point to Consider: What was the purpose of the plague of darkness? (see Rashi to 10:22) 3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 10:24-11:3 Moshe once again asks Pharaoh to allow the entire nation to leave, to bring offerings in the desert. He adds that they should be allowed to take livestock with them. G-d hardens Pharaoh’s heart and he refuses. G-d requests that Moshe ask the Israelites to ask for gold and silver vessels from the Egyptians. 4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 11:4-12:20 Moshe warns Pharaoh about the plague of the first born (Rashi), which will only affect the Egyptians. Moshe and Aharon are told by G-d the laws of Rosh Chodesh and that Nissan is to be the first month of the ‘year of months’. They are also told to instruct the nation about the Pesach offering; the lamb must be designated on 10 Nissan and slaughtered on the afternoon of 14

Question: How should the meat of the Pesach offering be prepared? (12:9). Answer on bottom of next page. 6th Aliya (Shishi) – 12:29-51 The 10th Plague: The plague strikes Egypt at midnight, leaving no house without a death. Pharaoh searches frantically for Moshe and Aharon (Rashi) and tells them to leave. The Egyptian people also urge the Israelites to leave, who take their dough with them before it has time to rise. The Egyptians agree to let them take gold and silver items. The nation travels from Ra’amses to Succot. They bake the unleavened dough, making matzot. Additional laws of the Pesach offering are given. 7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 13:1-16 G-d relates to Moshe the mitzvah of redemption of firstborn male children (pidyon ha’ben). Firstborn animals also have a special sanctity (see p.3 article). The mitvah of tefilin is stated twice. Haftarah Yirmiyahu is told by G-d that Egypt will be destroyed by the Babylonian invader Nebuchadnezzar. The nation of Israel, referred to as “His servant Yaakov”, should not be afraid. Even if they are punished for wrongdoings, they will eventually be redeemed from their lands of captivity.

United Synagogue Daf Hashavua Produced by US Living & Learning together with the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue Editor: Rabbi Chaim Gross Editor-in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis Editorial Team: Ilana Epstein, Michael Laitner, Sharon Radley Available also via email US website www.theus.org.uk ©United Synagogue To sponsor Daf Hashavua please contact Loraine Young on 020 8343 5653, or lyoung@theus.org.uk If you have any comments or questions regarding Daf Hashavua please email rabbigross@theus.org.uk

purification G-d gives aprocess. reason for these laws: ‘’And it shall God told Moshe andwill Aharon someone who be, when your child ask atthat some future time, had the appearance of a particular type of skin ‘What is this?’ [i.e. why do we have these disease would to showmen the white mitzvot (tzara’at) regarding thehave firstborn and blemish to you a Kohen. The to Kohen animals]; shall say him, would ‘With aevaluate mighty and decide if the affliction clearlyfrom tzara’at, hand did G-d take us out was of Egypt, the house of bondage. Andimpure it happened thus rendering the person (tameh). when If the Pharaoh stubbornly to send us out, case was unclear, therefused Kohen would quarantine thatperson G-d killed all the in the of the in a house forfirstborn seven days, afterland which Egypt, from the firstborn ofthe men to the area firstborn the Kohen would re-inspect afflicted and of beast. Therefore, I offer to tameh G-d all male declare whether the person was or tahor first issue of the womb, and I shall redeem all (pure). the firstborn of my sons’. (ibid. 13:14-15). Question: what were the three types of blemish called? on bottom ofask page us 6. to Why (13:2) did Answer G-d specifically commemorate final plague, the killing of the 2nd Aliya (Levi)the – 13:24-39 buttzara’at not any of the from othera ItEgyptian was also firstborn, possible for to develop plagues? burn. Tzara’at could erupt on the scalp or on the

This is why G-d killed the Egyptian firstborn in the tenth plague. In part, it three was G-d's response metzora would also bring animal offerings toand thethree Egyptian of infanticide, but it was meal crime offerings. also to destroy Egypt’s generational bridge, Point to Consider: what isof thecorrupt significance preventing the transmission valuesoftothe cedar crimson thread and hyssop? (see the next wood, generation. Rashi to 14:4) Intriguingly, the plague of the firstborn was 5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 14:21-32 already mentioned two weeks ago, in parashat A metzora who could not afford three animal Shemot. instructed ‘’And youoffering, shall offeringsG-d could instead Moshe: bring one animal say to Pharaoh: So said the Lord, ‘My firstborn one meal offering and two birds. son is Israel. So I say to you: Send out My son so 6thhe Aliya – 14:33-15:15 that may(Shishi) serve Me, but you have refused to Tzara’at house owner send him also out; affected behold, Ihouses. shall killThe your firstborn would(ibid. report4:22-23). the suspicious a Kohen. The son’’’ Why signs was to this warning housethen? would be evacuated before the Kohen’s issued arrival. If the Kohen saw a deep green or deep red G-d was not only warning you take ‘affliction’, he would order the‘if house to be my firstborn for I awill take yours’;then rather, He quarantined week. He would re-inspect was that His ‘firstborn’ is Israel. We the declaring house. If the affliction had spread, the infected are charged with spreading G-d's values as stones would be removed and replaced. If the delineated in the Torah. affliction nevertheless returned, the house would be demolished. the stones The concept of However, redeemingif replacing the firstborn is a solved the problem, would declare the reminder to every Jew the thatKohen we have to constantly house we tahor (pure). ensure carry out our collective mission as The Torah listsThis specific discharges would G-d's firstborn. explains why thethat mitzvot concerning firstborn, with thisand central cause a manthe to be considered tameh, details message, are stated straight after the Exodus, the purification procedure. even before they came into practical application. 7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 15:16-33 A similar set of laws is listed for a lady who has specific discharges, as well as the laws of niddah (menstruation), which form the basis of the laws of family purity.

beard area, this, causing a losstoofunderstand hair. To answer we have what the firstborn son symbolised. He played a unique 3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 13:40-54 in a different family, closest in tzara’at age to the parents Arole slightly form of is detailed, and yet he was also one of the other children. which caused a more substantial loss of hair. A He was (one a "bridging" figure, placed to bring metzora who has beenbest contaminated with the message andoutside valuesofofthe the parents to his tzara’at) was sent camp and had to siblings. tear his/her garments (see p4 article). Tzara’at could also infect clothing. A suspected garment In fact the firstborn role was not always played was quarantined the Kohen by the oldest child. before For example, Yitzchakmade carrieda decision about whether was tameh. IfYaakov it was on Avraham’s legacy, itnot Yishmael. Haftarah declared tameh, the garment was burnt. carried on Yitzchak’s legacy, not Esav. Therefore, From the Book of Melachim (Kings II), the haftarah 4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 13:55-14:20 takes places upon the background of the long The Torah details the process through which a siege and ensuing famine of the Shomron area 3 In memory of Mordechai Avraham ben Nechemia metzora purified himself/herself after the period (Samria) by the King of Aram. Four metzora’im of isolation and the healing of the affliction. This were put outside the city gates because of their involved a Kohen taking two birds, cedar wood, affliction. They discovered and reported that the a crimson thread and hyssop. The Kohen would Arameans had actually left their camp, which slaughter one of the birds and – using the wood, thread and hyssop together in a bundle – sprinkle allowed the Jews to plunder the camp and thus In of Mordechai ben Nechemia its memory blood seven times onAvraham the metzora. The end their famine.

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article on Kaddish in Sefer Hashiva, the US siddur for shiva houses, p. 153).

siddur for shiva houses, p. 153).

deceased are also judged, and in doing so they longevity. Each year on Rosh Hashanah the deceased are also judged, and in doing so they are credited with the merits of the effects of their are credited with of the effects of left theirus deeds in this world. For example, if one helped The void left by the themerits Temple's destruction 20 JUDAISM 18 JANUARY 2018 THE JEWISH WEEKLY this world. For tangible example,presence if one helped The void left by the Temple's destruction left us deeds feelinginbereft of G-d's in this in the building of a school, one is rewarded for the building of a school, one is rewarded for feeling bereft of G-d's tangible presence in this inworld; so too when a person passes away there all the learning that ever takes place there. world; so too when a person passes away there all the learning that ever takes place there. is a spiritual gap toParents fill. Theisdeceased's soul has Similarly, when Kaddish is recited for the Bein Adam Lechaveiro Part 24:isBein Honouring Parents Adam Lechaveiro Part 24: Honouring recited for the a spiritual gap to fill. The deceased's soul has Similarly, when Kaddish departed, leaving the world a little less holy. The deceased, the deceased themselves receive (Kibudleaving Av V’eim) departed, the world aVlittle less holy. The deceased, the deceased themselves receive (Kibud Av V’eim) V recital of thisreward holy prayer helps to fill this gap, in tremendous reward – because they were the tremendous – because they were the recital of this holy prayer helps to fill this gap, in by Rabbi Daniel Fine, Rabbi, Stanmore & Canons Park United Synagogue by Rabbi Daniel Fine, Community Rabbi, Stanmore & Canons ParkCommunity United Synagogue cause of these holy words being said. A child the merit of theholy deceased of these words themselves. being said. Touching A child the merit of the deceased themselves. Touching cause reciting Kaddish for a parent continues the reciting Kaddish for a parent continues the on a different theme, Rabeinu Bachaye (died on a different theme, Rabeinu Bachaye (died helped the child, arranging for his Akiva Continuing our theme of Continuing our theme of Akiva helped the child, arranging for his chain of tradition evokes the prayers tremendous 12th century) cites an him amazing story told later and taught himamazing the parents, we turn late 12th century) cites an storyand, told chain of tradition and evokes the tremendous circumcision, laterhonouring taught the prayers and,circumcision, honouring parents, we turn late merits ofthe thegreat one who hasencouraged passed. This is child also(d. merits of the one who has passed. This is also thewas great sage Rabbi (d. when he was old enough, the our attention to the Akiva Kaddish when he oldTannaic enough, encouraged the child about Tannaic sage Rabbi Akiva our attention to the Kaddish about true of a Kaddish which is recited by another 135 CE): to lead the prayers himself. That night the soul prayer, recited by (amongst prayer, recited by (amongst to lead the prayers himself. That night the soul 135 CE): true of a Kaddish which is recited by another person oragain another relative on blessing behalf ofhim thechildren of the to Rabbi Akiva, others) children of the appeared again toothers) Rabbi Akiva, blessing him -appeared person or another relative on behalf of the deceased. which Rabbi Akiva blessed G-d for His recently Kaddish AkivaRabbi noticed a deceased. man withG-d an for odd after which Akiva blessed Hisafter recently deceased. Kaddish “Rabbi deceased. “Rabbi Akiva noticed a man with an odd wascarrying not specifically recited who was a heavy load and compassion”. was not specifically recited complexion compassion”. by mourners. Howenquired did it complexion who was carrying a heavy load and Rabbi Akiva by mourners. How did it was running very quickly. become associated with mourners? One of was running very then quickly. Rabbi Akiva enquired as to who this man was. 'I am dead,' the man compares the recital of Bachaye become associated with mourners? One of Rabeinu Bachaye then compares the recital ofRabeinu that Rabbinic authorities replied.theories 'Every is day I am punished anew in in Kaddish as to who man was. 'I am dead,' the man for athis loved one to financial investments several theories is that Rabbinic authorities in several Kaddish for a loved one to financial investments Ashkenazic Europe, reeling from inthe I was a tax collector thisterrible world one has made one's lifetime. Investments replied. 'Everyinday I am punished anew in Ashkenazic Europe, reeling from the terrible Heaven...for one has made in one's lifetime. Investments slaughter of Jewish communities by the outlive a person. When one leaves this world, and I was lenient with the rich and oppressed slaughter of Jewish communities by the outlive a person. When one leaves this world, Heaven...for I was a tax collector in this world Crusaders, it as a prayer be Irecited poor’. instituted The man continued: 'if to only had a one cannot take ones wealth. But one can take Crusaders, instituted it as a prayer to be recited the one cannot take ones wealth.were But one canthe take and I was lenient with the rich and oppressed by those Jews who tragically orphaned. son who would recite Kaddish for me and and merits. These achievements by those Jews who tragically were orphaned. achievements and merits. These achievementsachievements the poor’. The man continued: 'if only I had a (For more details, see Dayan Ivan would respond [a form of Binstock’s sanctifying gather ‘compound interest’ if they have (For more details, see Dayan Ivan Binstock’s people son who would recite Kaddish for me and the gather ‘compound interest’ if they have article on Kaddish in Sefer Hashiva, the US G-d's Name], I would be released from my Each year on Rosh Hashanah the article on Kaddish in Sefer Hashiva, the US longevity. Each year on Rosh Hashanah thelongevity. people would respond [a form of sanctifying siddur for shiva 153). in this world - deceased punishment. Buthouses, I left nop.children are also judged, and in doing so they siddur for shiva houses, p. 153). deceased are also judged, in doing theyare G-d's Name], would released my my wife was pregnant when Iand died’. Rabbi so Akiva credited with Ithe meritsbe of the effectsfrom of their are void credited with meritsenquiries of the effects ofthis theirdeeds left and immediately made about punishment. But I left childrenifinone thishelped world in this world. Forno example, The left by thethe Temple's destruction left us deedsbereft inand thislocated For example, if oneRabbi The void left by the Temple's destruction left us feeling person wife and son. was pregnant when I died’. Rabbi Akiva thewife building of a school, one is rewarded for ofworld. G-d's his tangible presence inhelped this inmy in theso building of aa school, one is away rewarded feeling bereft of G-d's tangible presence in this world; that ever place there. too when person passes thereforallleftthe andlearning immediately madetakes enquiries about this the learning ever takes place world; so too when a person passes away there isalla spiritual when Kaddish is recited forRabbi the gap tothat fill. The deceased's soul there. has Similarly, person and located his wife and son. Similarly, Kaddish is recited is a spiritual gap to fill. The deceased's soul has departed, the world a little less holy.for Thethedeceased, the deceased themselves receive 4 In memoryleaving ofwhen Tzemach ben Yisrael deceased, themselves receive departed, leaving the world a little less holy. The recital of this the holy deceased prayer helps to fill this gap, in tremendous reward – because they were the tremendous – because theyTouching were thecause of these holy words being said. A child recital of this holy prayer helps to fill this gap, in the merit of thereward deceased themselves. cause of these holy words being said. (died A childreciting the merit of the deceased themselves. Touching on In memory of Tzemach Yisraelcontinues the Kaddish for aben parent a different theme, Rabeinu Bachaye reciting Kaddish cites for aanparent continues on a different theme, Rabeinu Bachaye (died late of tradition and evokes the tremendous 12th century) amazing story toldthechain In memory of Tzemach ben Yisrael chain the of tradition and evokes the tremendous late 12th century) cites an amazing story told about great Tannaic sage Rabbi Akiva (d. merits of the one who has passed. This is also merits about the great Tannaic sage Rabbi Akiva (d. 135 CE):of the one who has passed. This is alsotrue of a Kaddish which is recited by another true of a Kaddish which by anotherperson another Time…” relative on behalf of the 135 CE): “It’s orAbout Rabbinic Innovators of the Medieval Period Part 3:is recited person Akiva or another relative onwith behalf of thedeceased. “Rabbi noticed a man an odd by Rabbi Daniel Epstein, Cockfosters & N Southgate United Synagogue Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1135-1204) deceased. who was carrying a heavy load and “Rabbi Akiva noticed a man with an odd complexion

The Pivotal Bridge by Rabbi Rafi Goodwin, Assistant Rabbi, Chigwell & Hainault United Synagogue

by Rabbi Meir Shindler, Richmond United Synagogue complexion who was carrying a heavy load and was running very quickly. Rabbi Akiva enquired

In memory of Moshe ben Avraham Zarach

Nine plagues have decimated what was, just a few short months before, the greatest civilisation in the ancient world at that time. G-d tells Moshe that He will bring one last plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Moshe describes the plague of the killing of the firstborn in detail, to which Pharaoh responds with indifference (Shemot 11:4-10).

We often talk, in mental health terms, of being able to draw on a sense of control and mastery over certain aspects of our lives. Very often, it is the sense of not being able to “get on top of things” that can contribute to feeling overwhelmed; at these moments we are at our most vulnerable. Our exposure to information, over-stimulation and ambient noise – whether physical, electronic or emotional – often pass the “red-line” of control in many areas.

Then, in a complete departure from the G-d is telling Moshe and Aharon that, in order narrative, the Torah diverts attention to the not to feel enslaved, He is handing the control first commandment presented to Moshe and 4 of time to the nation. As a people, as individuals, Aharon, intended for the emerging Israelite it will be up to us to set the parameters of our 4 nation as a whole: the establishment of Rosh lives, guided by the emergence of a New Moon. Chodesh Nissan (the beginning of a new month) as the official start of the ‘year of months’. “G-d This vital axiom – that G-d has declared to us said to Moshe and Aharon in the land of Egypt: that we are in control of our own lives – is a This month shall mark for you the beginning of great gift, setting the tone for our emergence the months; it shall be the first of the months of as a People of the Covenant. the year for you” (ibid. 12:1-2).

Why did the Torah break the narrative here, rather than waiting until after the plagues? What is so important about the reappearance of the moon that warrants a diversion during the tense crescendo of the Ten Plagues?

On this second Mental Health Awareness Shabbat, we must take this to heart and strive to master time for our own good, and not allow it to enslave us to our detriment. Our imminent freedom, in every respect, depends on it.

The timeless words of the 16th century commentator Rabbi Ovadiah ben Yakov Seforno (d. 1550) are illuminating. Commenting on the double appearance of the word “for you” in the verse, he writes: “From now on, these months will be yours, to do with as you like. While you were enslaved, your days (time) did not belong to you, but [were used] to work for others and fulfil their will, therefore…in this month, your existence as a people of [free] choice begins”. There is an empowering sense of wellbeing and serenity gained from a feeling of control over our environment, and not the other way around, as the nation had experienced in Egypt. In of of Frida Mirel bat Chaim Simcha Inmemory memory Frida Mirel bat Chaim Simcha

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Answer: Neither partially roasted nor cooked in water; only roasted in fire – its head, its legs with its innards.

to who this man was. 'I am dead,' the man was runningEven very quickly. Akiva enquired from Rabbi a young age, Thisaswork has become a cornerstone of halacha replied. 'Every day I am punished anew in as to who this man Moshe was. 'I am the man Rabbi bendead,' Maimon, throughout the ages. Great scholars have been Heaven...for I was a tax collector in this world replied. 'Every able to derive important halachic distinctions knowndayasI am ‘the punished Rambam’anew (or in and I was lenient with the rich and oppressed Heaven...forMaimonides), I was a tax collector in this world established himself even from the Rambam’s choice of words, from poor’. The man continued: 'if only I had a and I was lenient with the rich and oppressed as a profound scholar and a his the inclusions and exclusions and from the son who would recite Kaddish for me and the the poor’. The man continued: 'if only I had a prolific writer, despite the harsh context in which he places a certain halacha. people would respond [a form of sanctifying son who would recite Kaddish me and persecutions at thefortime. Hethe Name], I would be released from It was only in the area of halacha thatmy people would respond form of sanctifying G-d'snot began writing[ahis punishment. But I left innovation. no children in thisMoreh world the Rambam showed His G-d's Name], I would be released from my Introduction to the Mishnah at the tender age of my wife was(‘Guide pregnant for when the I died’. Rabbi Akiva Perplexed’) But Ihis leftfull no commentary children in this 23punishment. and completed onworld the HaNevuchim left and immediately made enquiries of about this established him as a philosopher high my wife was pregnant when I died’. Rabbi Akiva Mishnah aged 30, whilst his family were person and located his wife and son. Rabbi regard. Originally written in Arabic, it was left and immediately about wandering from land tomade land enquiries looking for safethis refuge. person and located his wife and son. Rabbitranslated during his lifetime into Hebrew by Rabbi Shmuel Ibn Tibbon (c.1160-1230). However, it is his magnus opus, the Mishnah Occasionally drawing ben from In memory of Tzemach Yisrael Aristotelian Torah, that stands out as the Rambam’s philosophy, Moreh HaNevuchim was thereby In memory of Tzemach greatest innovation of ben all. Yisrael It was an earth- viewed by some contemporaries as shattering work of brilliance that has been controversial. Nevertheless, great Torah leaders studied, analysed and debated for centuries of future generations such as the Ramban until the present day. (Nachmanides) and Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderet (the Rashba) came to the defence of Moreh In a letter to Rabbi Yonatan HaCohen of Lunel, HaNevuchim against its critics. the Rambam describes the process of writing the Mishnah Torah: “I gathered together It is astounding how the Rambam, who suffered halachot which were scattered among hills and persecution, personal loss and tragedy (he lost a mountains; I arranged them, and wove them close brother and a daughter), who served as together in an orderly fashion”. Whilst the Rif doctor to the Sultan of Morocco’s palace, as (Rabbi Yitzchak Alfasi) a century earlier had well as being the physician and Rabbi of the distilled the Babylonian Talmud into the final Fustat (Cairo) community, was able to achieve definitive laws, the Rambam took this idea such a colossal amount in his lifetime, writing one stage further. He collated all of the laws such monumental works and inspiring others derived from the Mishnah, the Babylonian and whilst doing so. Jerusalem Talmud, the Tosefta and Midrashic texts, together with collective writings from He passed away in Egypt Rabbinic scholars up to the post-Gaonic in 1204 and was buried era, and organised them into categories and in Tiberias. The following phrase is engraved on sections. his tombstone: ‘Mi’Moshe The Mishnah Torah is organised into 14 books, ve’ad Moshe lo kam ke’ known collectively as the Yad Chazaka, meaning Moshe’ – ‘from Moshe (the ‘mighty hand’ (Yad has the numerical value of prophet) until Moshe 14) and contains 81 sections and 982 chapters. (Maimonides), there did The vast breadth and scope of this work is not arise (a person of breathtaking. It is a definitive rendition of stature) like Moshe halachot on every conceivable topic, both for (Maimonides)’. today as well as for the post-messianic era. It also contains the fundamentals of faith and ethical concepts.

one unimaginable downfall of when Egypt), he issees onlythe there because it is(such Willedasbythe Hashem. Only can he appreciate what the for everyof Egypt), person’s one sees the unimaginable (suchbasis as theis downfall predicament. If one what understands to internalize can he appreciate the basisandis isforable every person’s predicament. If onethe understands and“Iisam ableHashem.” to internalize this, he will know meaning of If one this, he will the meaning of “I am Hashem.” If one is believes for know a moment that achievement and success believes fortoaoneself, momentthen that he achievement and success attributed will be impressed with isthe attributed to oneself, he will bediminishing impressed with the one who achieves that then success, thus, Hashem’s one in whoexistence. achieves that success, thus, diminishing Hashem’s role role in existence. There is an argument between the Rambam and the There is asanto argument the ofRambam and theis a Ramban whether thebetween obligation Tefilah (prayer) Ramban as to whether Tefilah (prayer) is a Torah obligation or onlythea obligation Rabbinicalofdictate. The Rambam Torah obligation or only a Rabbinical dictate. The Rambam is of the opinion that Tefilah is a Torah obligation; as the is of the opinion that Tefilah is a Torah obligation; as the Talmud explains, Tefilah is the “service of the heart.” One Talmud explains, Tefilah is the “service of the heart.” One would think that Tefilah is simply the acknowledgement of would think that Tefilah is simply the acknowledgement of Hashem He isis great, great,powerful, powerful,etc. etc.That ThatHeHesustains sustains Hashem -- that that He the the dead, dead, supports supportsthe thefallen, fallen,and and the living, living, resurrects resurrects the To receive this via email or for sponsorship opportunities please email heals etc. However, However,Rambam Rambamsays saysthat thatif ifone oneonly only us heals the the sick sick etc. acknowledges Hashem for what Heisisand anddoes doesnot notmake make acknowledges Hashem what He To receive this via emailfor or for sponsorship opportunities please email us

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Being, then is it possible it at because Theawesome, answer isand thatomnipotent if in fact Hashem is thehow all-powerful, all. He doesn’t want toforce enter reality;with you reality might himthenotworld only of to agree that oneand does not beseech himthen for how his needs? When one because awesome, omnipotent Being, is it possible force not school, only to agree andreality enrol might his child in him the day but it with mightyoupush him for hishimneeds it isneeds? a confiWhen rmation thatbeseeches one doesHashem not beseech for his oneof all and enrol his child in the day school, but it might push him to bring Jewish observance into his home as well, changing beseeches Hashem needsciting it is in a confi rmationIfofhowever, all the attributes hefor hashisbeen his prayer. to bring into his home as well, changing hisJewish entireobservance life. theone attributes he has been citingasinbeing his prayer. If however, acknowledges Hashem everything and does onenotacknowledges Hashem being and does that his entire life. make requests from as Him, theneverything it is an indication Pharaoh believed he was in charge, yet by the end of the nothemake frombelieve Him, then is an indication trulyrequests does not thatitHashem is whatthat he had Pharaoh believed he was in charge, yet by the end of the ordeal all had been tipped upside down. Those that were heacknowledged truly does not Him believe thatThe Hashem he had is to be. value isof what his statement ordealabove all hadwere beennow tipped that werenation of acknowledged Him to be. The value of his statement is downupside below,down. andThose the trodden purely “lip service.” above were now down below,travel and the trodden nation of to attend America purely “lip service.” Israel had emerged as servants oftoa Living Almighty G-d. R Bachya explains that the word Hitalalti (mockery) should Israel had emerged as servants of a Living Almighty G-d. to it. As time went on he R Bachya explains with that the the root wordIla Hitalalti be understood – first (mockery) cause. G-dshould is the first us bring G-d into our daily life, He is the Ila – First because understood with the and root itIlawas – first cause.these G-d ismiracles the first that Let usLetbring G-d into our daily life, He is the Ila – First of everything through became more cause, He is the Almighty and He is our Father.and Don’t bemore cause of everything and it was through these miracles that even Pharaoh would come to the realisation that there is cause, He is the Almighty and He is our Father. Don’t be even Pharaoh would come to the realisation that there is involved in the business content in just acknowledging Him, He has the power to only one Almighty. content in just acknowledging Him, He has the power to only one Almighty. move mountains! and eventually he had to move mountains! is one of the fundamental teachings in Judaism, ThisThis is one of the mostmost fundamental teachings in Judaism, uproot his family and move prayrequest and request Him andourshow true belief! trulybelieve believe in (and internalising in) the Let usLet prayusand of Him ofand show trueour belief! to totruly in (and internalising this this beliefbelief in) the info@torahactionlife.com www.torahactionlife.com Almighty. Hence importance of passing Almighty. Hence the the importance of passing downdown this this to America for good. This Shabbat ‘mockery’ directly to the grandchildren.www.torahactionlife.com Shabbat ShalomShalom ‘mockery’ directly eveneven to the grandchildren. ■ ■ info@torahactionlife.com

JUDAISM 21

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left him little time to learn RABBI JONATHAN SHOOTER RABBIJONATHAN JONATHANSHOOTER SHOOTERIS IS AVREICH IN YESHIVAS MIDRASH SHMUEL and he became a full time JONATHAN TAWIL --RABBI RABBIRABBI JONATHAN SHOOTER ANAN AVREICH IN YESHIVAS MIDRASH SHMUEL At the finale all would come to the realisation that the world > MAZAL TOV TO businessman. Someone was run by G-d Almighty. RABBI JONATHAN TAWIL and Michael Yattah America to attend to As it. time As time on heDelphine and mitzvos isn’t merely about to to America torealisation attend to it. wentwent on he mitzvos isn’tthis merely about performing AtBut thewhat finaleexactly all would to the but that the worldto be subservient chose, rather to related story to one ofperforming the gedolim >and MAZAL TOV TO was come the meaning of this ‘mockery?’ on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Avraham was run by G-d Almighty. became more andand more involved in the business became more more involved in the business DIRECTOR rituals. They are to make us connected rituals. They are meant to make us connected Delphine and Michael Yattahmeant Seemingly the signifi cance of theof miracles was, “so that That was the conthe will Hashem. who commented that you see what But waseventually meaning this ‘mockery?’ onand the Bar Mitzvah of their son Avraham DVAR and heTorah had to uproot his his family and he to family and youwhat mayexactly know that Ithe ameventually Hashem.”of The ishad saying that uproot TAL toWEEKLY Hashem. BeingBeing a Jewa isn’t being being a THE QUOTE to Hashem. Jew about isn’t about a DIRECTOR unless onetheappreciates theof consequence of the“so miracle, Seemingly signifi cance the miracles was, that dition upon which the freedom was happens when you get called up for move to to America for good. ThisThis left left himhim littlelittle time“Happiness move America time Jew Jew thatmay G-dknow made of Egypt, one for notgood. able is notthe something on outside (if that) but a but goy aingoy the in the you thata I“mockery” am Hashem.” The Torah isis saying thatto TORAH on the outside (if that) TAL THE WEEKLY QUOTE know that the Omnipotent Power. unless one G-d appreciates the consequence of the went miracle, toisto learn and he became a full time businessman. you postpone for the curses! future; granted, they from being“Happiness servlearn and he became a full time businessman. inside, athe slave in theinclutches of the ofculture of that G-d madethisa “mockery” of Egypt, one isinnot to slave the clutches the culture of isinside, not something it is something youadesign Furthermore instant in related Torah is unique thatable we to are one of the gedolim Someone thisthis story Someone related story to one of the gedolim know that G-d is the Omnipotent Power. you postpone for the future; ants to Pharaoh, to being servants of What about this commanded to pass on this message of a mockery, not only for the present. “ istointeresting Hollywood. One has think like a like Jew also. As Hollywood. One has to think a Jew also.story As is who commented seesee whatwhat happens to our children, but also to Torah our grandchildren. it is something you design Furthermore this instant in is uniquethat in that thatyou we are who commented you happens Hashem. that wein“ the may have ‘what a blessthethe avreich most said of a person’s commanded this message of a mockery, not only for present. > UPCOMING with EVENTS with the avreich instory, the story, most of a person’s The questionto ispass why?onyou MAKING A MOCKERY when getget called up up for the the curses! when called for curses! to our children, but also toyou our grandchildren. • TU B’SHVAT COCKTAIL PARTY life decisions revolve around money. That is a There is a Negative Commandment in the Torah that a judge There was once an avreich who ing, inheriting such a fortune’. A typical Jewish married couple are the proud parents of a life decisions revolve around money. That isYet a the >30TH UPCOMING The question is why? JANUARY (see EVENTS more info online) MAKING MOCKERY is not permitted to be intimidated by anyone when he is 12-year-oldAdaughter. They are not at all Jewishly observant, form of slavery. When one sets aside one day a • TU B’SHVAT COCKTAIL PARTY adjudicating a case. Regardless of the status of individuals What is interesting about this story is that we • GALA DINNER wanted to try something new. Twice Jewish perspective is that leaving theyJewish want their childcouple to groware upthe happy andparents healthy,ofand There is a Negative Commandment in the Torah that a judge form of slavery. When one sets aside one day aones Abut typical married proud a What is interesting about this story is that (see we 30TH more infoinfo online) (wealthy a judge must maintain 26THJANUARY FEBRUARY (See more not permitted toorbepowerful), intimidated by anyone when he his is to marry a daughter. Jew. You point out not to them is happening 12-year-old They are at allwhat Jewishly observant,in isinvolved week toonline) focus on the spiritual, thats a freedom may have said ‘what a blessing, inheriting such objectivity and remain unbiased. If a judge is infl uenced, WHAT IS FREEDOM? adjudicating a case. Regardless of the status of individuals week to focusHashem on the spiritual, thatscurse. a freedom a year we read portions of the Torah avodas is a true thethey schools--drugs, teenage pregnancy, all sorts GALA DINNER their child to grow up happy and healthy, andof may have said ‘whatrestrained a blessing,• inheriting such WHATbut ISpublicwant FREEDOM? intimidated, affected to the point thatthe he feels involved (wealthy or powerful), a Yet judge must maintain his perspective citeout thetostatistics on isthehappening probabilities 26TH FEBRUARY online)restrictive lifestyle he leads the rest of frominfothe aorvis-à-vis fortune’. Jewish is that (See more tohorrors--and marry a Jew.you Youalso point them what in to any degree his function,If then he isthe ininfl violation ofThe from the restrictive lifestyle he leads the of a fortune’. Yet Jewish perspective is that objectivity and remain unbiased. a judge is uenced, of today’s Jewish children intermarrying. Finally, you suggest: containing curses. prevailing cusOne may ask that how isrestserving the public schools--drugs, teenage pregnancy, all sorts of this negativeor commandment. leaving Hashem affected toones the pointavodas that he feels restrained is a true curse. the week. “Why not enrol in a Jewish day probabilities school? Even intimidated, you your also daughter cite the statistics on the leaving ones avodas Hashem is a true curse. Whathorrors--and was the purpose of the going out from the week. to any degree vis-à-vis his function, then he is in violation of if you’re not religious, do it to protect the child, as a kind of What was the purpose of the going out tom is to call up the Baal Koreh. This Hashem called ‘freedom’ if one has The Gemara (Berachot) tells us that greater is a person today’s Jewish children intermarrying. Finally,going you suggest: What of“Why was the purpose ofruined!” the out this from thatyour she should notinbea Jewish whonegative benefitscommandment. from the toil of his hands than one who fears not enrol daughter day school? Even upon Egypt?insurance Hashem informed Moshe that Hashem. Is it possible to say that a menial labourer is from Egypt? Hashem informed Moshe avreich claimed that he wanted to be to follow more rules, who knows who maytellsask that howis aisperson serving Hashem called ifAnd you’re not religious, it to protect theMoshe child, as aworried. kind of I upon The Gemara One (Berachot) us that greater Egypt? Hashem informed that Rav Binyomin Moskovits explains that we are the Jewish fatherdo smiles and says: “I’m not leaving they would ‘serve greater than a One man G-d? is obvious that may istheserving Hashemwho called DVAR TORAH Rav Binyomin P1 Moskovits explains that we are insurance she should be ruined!”Hashem on this who benefi ts from the who toil offears his ask handsItthat than onehow fears knowthey my that daughter. She’ll not be‘serve okay.” ‘freedom’ if up onea for has towhofollow “labourer benefi tstofrom of his the hands” isisa more rules, leaving would Hashem on this Is who that upon they would ‘serve called it couldn’t be had more Pharaoh or the ToMaking a Mockery Hashem. it possible say the thattoil menial labourercurses, in fact prisoners of ourrules, 5 senses. We perceive mountain’. Inleaving other words they were not being AndOne themight Jewish father smiles and says: “I’m not worried. I ‘freedom’ ifhad hasa that to follow more rules, who personthan who knows fears G-d. Gemara isone that man who RABBI JONATHAN in TAWIL wonder how the man could be so naive. But greater a man whoThewho fears G-d? Itsaying is obvious the DVAR TORAH P1 more rules, Pharaoh or the fact prisoners of our 5 senses. We perceive know my daughter. She’ll be okay.” mountain’. In other words they were not being fears G-d and is supported by his own toil is greater than a only things that the 5 senses can pick up, but that bad, he was sure nothing would Hashem on this mountain’. In other rah!! There is what’s called physical ts fromwho the toil had of his hands” is arules, PharaohMaking sameslavery man is not for naivefreedoms when it comes to his business freed this from sake, to live“labourer a who benefi Mockery knows more or athe personwho fears G-dThe andGemara is sustained bywhat’s others. Torah!! There called person fears G-d. is is saying that a man who physical slavery, or hismight stock portfolio, and would notbedream of putting only thingsout. thatThethe5 senses 5 senses canpick pickupup, but RABBI JONATHAN TAWIL One wonder howfor thehefreedoms man could sosake, naive. Butto live freed from slavery a who we are missing do not DVAR TORAH P2 life ofthis liberty and doing whatever they chose, but fears G-d and is supported by his own toil is greater than a his life savings into an investment which might just possibly happen. A week later his uncle died. words they were not being freed from slavery, and there is physical There is relies what’s called physical same man is not naive when it comes to his business The reason and forTorah!! thisthere is that is the one who on others physical slavery. Jews aren’t cut slavery, out is freedom? we are missing out. The 5 senses do not pickslavery. What person whotofears and and is sustained up life oforcollapse. liberty doing they chose, his stock portfolio, and he whatever would not dream ofofputting isbut bound be G-d swayed affectedbybyothers. them. He makes rather to be and subservient to the will Hashem. Hashem’s presence, cannot sense that we RABBI JONATHAN SHOOTER and there is physical slavery. Jews aren’t cut TORAH out DVAR P2 theycut for physical slavery, schlepping bricks and the This uncle left him much wealth and slavery for freedoms sake, to live a Jews aren’t outcannot for physical slavery, hisWhy life into investment whichismight just possibly decisions consciously orus unconsciously on how Torather receive this email orhisfor opportunities please email The reason for this is that the one who based relies on othershe info@torahactionlife.com www.torahactionlife.com issavings it via that onlyanwith own sponsorship child he sowill trusting, and to be subservient to the of freedom Hashem. Hashem’s presence, they sense that we What is freedom? That collapse. was the condition upon which the believes others will react or perceive him and not the way are really neshamas, and not merely physical. is bound to be swayed and affected by them. He makes for physical slavery, schlepping bricks and the willing to take such risks? like. believe itfromorthethe not, avreich many people RABBI JONATHAN aThusHowever, business, and had to SHOOTER life liberty and doing whatever they bricks the like. HowevHashem sees him. the individual who benefi decisions or unconsciously based onts how he That which theandfreedom wasofwas granted, they from being servants to consciously areschlepping really neshamas, and and not merely physical. Why is the it that condition only withwent his ownupon child is he so trusting, OUR CHACHAMIM P3 This weeks Parsha sheet is sponsored Lirfuat Moshe Ben Rav Yitschak Hakohen Betoch Shaar Cholei Yisrael.

This weeks Parsha sheet is sponsored Lirfuat Moshe Ben Rav Yitschak Hakohen Betoch Shaar Cholei Yisrael.

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like. believe itthe or Have not, you many people As long as we only perceive the physical, we are toil of his own hands andHowever, G-d, will directed byway One of the darkest periods in our history, the exile in Egypt believes arewill indeed slaves even today. heard others react orfears perceive him be and not the willing to taketosuch risks? This weeks Parsha sheet Lirfuat Moshe Ben Rav Yitschak Hakohen Betoch Shaar Cholei Yisrael. RABBI ELIYAHU LOPIAN Willis Hashem andindividual be impervious to the opinions was about come towent an end. G-d sent an auspicious was granted, they from being servants toof sponsored Hashem sees him.alone Thus the who benefi ts from the Pharaoh, to being servants of Hashem. As long as 5P3 wesenses only perceive the physical, are indeed slaves even today. Have you heard enslaved to the and entrapped by whatwe are the Rebbe? of OUR CHACHAMIM of others. message Pharaoh and the Bneihistory, Yisrael.the exile in Egypt toil of his ownofhands andBeverly-Hillser fears G-d, will be directed by the He has billions One of thetodarkest periods in our Pharaoh, to being servants of Hashem. RABBI ELIYAHU LOPIAN Will of Hashem alonethe and be impervious toand thepower. opinions was aboutsaid to tocome to an end.toG-d sent an Chassidim. From early enslaved to the 5 senses and entrapped of Rebbe? Hehe hasimbibes billions of we think People are impressed andBeverly-Hillser awed by statusones The days we perceive. Freedom means lookingby what Hashem Moshe, “Come Pharaoh, for Iauspicious have made others. HALACHOT P3 Pharaoh and the Yisrael. stubborn so that I ofTorah tells us that Egypt, the most advanced and powerful his hearttoonce and the hearts of Bnei his servants Theremessage was an avreich who wanted to try unsuspecting people, brainwashes with Selecting When Undesired Food... Chassidim. Fromsaid ones early daysthem he“Come imbibes Hashem to Moshe, tothewe the his hands than one thinktoil weof Freedom means lookingfears beyond what the 5perceive. senses perceive, and seeingwho civilization in the world by G-d because are impressed and was aweddevastated by status and power. The can putsaid these Mine intohis midst; for andI have so that you People Hashem to signs Moshe,of “Come Pharaoh, made RABBI ELI MANSOUR HALACHOT P3 something new. Twice a servants year weson’s read portions it try subjugated theEgypt, Jewish people. Pharaoh, onepowerful ofto thethe realisation There was once anofofyour avreich who wanted best of what Western culture hashis tothem offer. Torah tells usthe that the most advanced and may relate inthe the hearts ears and your sonthat that At the fi nale all would come that the world unsuspecting people, brainwashes with his heart and his son stubborn so I I to even that which they cannot pick up. Inside every beyond what the 5 senses perceive, and seeing Pharaoh, for I have made heart and Hashem. Is it possible to say that a Selecting When the Undesired Food... most signifiincant existence, bywasG-dsignifi cantly civilization the monarchs world was indevastated because made mockery of Egypt andinMy signs thatand I placed putathese signs of Mine midst; soread thatamong youportions of thecan Torah containing The prevailing RABBI ELI MANSOUR was run Almighty. teaches people follow ideals of something new. Twice ahiscurses. year we because hebest didby notG-d thetoJewish the ofrelease what Western hasgoyim, to offer. itdiminished subjugatedHe the Jewish people. Pharaoh, one ofpeople thetheculture themrelate - thatinyou thatsonI am may the may earsknow of your andHashem.” your son’s son that I Delphine and Michael Yattah Jew is a precious neshama, a soul that longs even that which they cannot pick up. Inside every the hearts of his servants stubborn so menial labourer is greater than a man from signifi bondage. Although think was that signifi Pharaoh was Kid’s Q&A most cant monarchsonein would existence, cantly custom to containing up the Baal Koreh. This AND CARTOON P4 on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Avraham the their fashions, andoftothis emulate aismockery ofcall Egypt signs I placed among of themade curses. The prevailing Heculture, teaches follow ideals goyim, TheTorah message was clear,and theMyend wasthat near, and G-d was diminished But what exactly was the meaning a person who was invincible, itrelease waspeople proven thattohe was a the ime of the T‘mockery?’ because he did not the Jewish people to connect to Hashem. Yet we are enslaved to them that you may know that I am Hashem.” Jew is a precious neshama, a soul that longs that I can put these signs of Mine in his who fears G-d? It is obvious that the mere mortal.way  about mockery out ofwanted Egypt. Baal avreich claimed that he to beKoreh. called from up goyim think. ToPharaoh followwastheand godKtoid of’s money, bondage. Although one would think that DIRECTOR custom isto make to a call up the This theinvincible, culture, their fashions, emulate the Q&A“so AND CARTOON P4 The message was clear, the end was near, and G-d was Seemingly signifi cance that a person who was itthe was proven that he wasofa the miracles imeawas, physicality. When we connect to are Hashem, Tbe to connect to Hashem. Yet we enslaved to for the curses, it couldn’t be that bad, he was This newsletter contains Divrei Torah and may contain Sheimot Please dispose of accordingly without a thought for spirituality. To slave midst; and so that you may relate in the “labourer who beneﬁ ts from the toil of avreich that outheof Egypt. wanted to be called mereup mortal. you aboutclaimed a mockery waymay goyim ToHashem.” follow the god of money, know think. that I am The Torah is saying that TALto makewould through Torah, prayer orconnect mitzvos we surethenothing happen. week later his tounless Facebook, Twitter, whatsapp etc.ToThis aslave whether physicality. Whenis we to are Hashem, for curses, it couldn’t be Athat bad, he wasDivrei Torah one thespirituality. consequence ofbe theisa miracle, This newsletter contains and may contain Sheimot -son Please dispose of accordingly without a appreciates thought for ears of your andetc your son’s son his hands” a person who fears G-d. the choke ofTorah, the“Happiness physical, and uncle died. This uncle left him much wealth form of slavery, it robs one ofone spirituality that G-d made aTwitter, “mockery” of Egypt, is not able tobreaking whether prayer or mitzvos we are isletting not something sure nothing would happen. A week later his terrible to Facebook, whatsapp etc. This is aMy that I made aOmnipotent mockery ofetcEgypt and The through Gemara saying that a man who know that G-d is the and a business, and the avreich had to travel ■ is are spiritual and connection to Hashem. Power. Following Torah for the future; breakingside thefree. choke ofyou thepostpone physical, and letting uncle died. This uncle left him much wealth terrible form of slavery, it robs one of spirituality signs that I placed among them that fears G-d and is supported by his own Furthermore this instant Torah is unique in thatTorah we are are spiritual side free. ■it is something you design and a business, and the avreich had to travel and connection to inHashem. Following 1 commanded pass on this a mockery, not only you maytoknow thatmessage I amofHashem.” toil is greater than a person who fears for the present.“ to our children, but also to our grandchildren.

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The message was clear, the end G-d and1is sustained by others. >a service UPCOMING EVENTS The question is why? MAKING A MOCKERY was near, and G-d was about to makeProvidingThe reason for this is that the one City Printing to the Jewish • TU B’SHVAT COCKTAIL PARTY There is a Negativeout Commandment in the Torah that a judge typical Jewish married married couple are the proud parents of a community AA typical Jewish couple are the a mockery of Egypt. who relies on others is bound to be more online) 30THa service JANUARY (see do Providing is not permitted to be intimidated by anyone when he is forinfo you? 12-year-old daughter. They are not at all Jewishly observant, City Printing to the Jewish proud parents of a 12-year-old daughAt the fi nale all would come to the swayed and affected by them. He adjudicating a case. Regardless of the status of individuals • GALA DINNER 2 but they want their child to grow up happy and healthy, and community (wealthy or powerful), judge must maintain more do infofor online) 26THdecisions FEBRUARY (See you? to marry a Jew.are You not point out what is happening ter. They at toallthem Jewishly obser-in involved realisation that the aworld was run hisby makes consciously or unconobjectivity and remain unbiased. If a judge is influenced, 2 the public schools--drugs, teenage pregnancy, all sorts of vant, but they want their child to grow G-d Almighty. sciously based on how he believes othintimidated, or affected to the point that he feels restrained horrors--and you also cite the statistics on the probabilities to any degree vis-à-vis his function, then he is in violation of up happy and healthy, and to marry But what exactly was the meaning of ers will react or perceive him and not of today’s Jewish children intermarrying. Finally, you suggest: this negative commandment. not enrol daughter in ato Jewish day school? a“Why Jew. Youyourpoint out them whatEven is this ‘mockery?’ the way Hashem sees him. Thus the if you’re not religious, do it to protect the child, as a kind of The Gemara (Berachot) tells us that greater is a person happening signifi cance offears the individual who benefi ts from the toil of insurance that shein shouldthe not bepublic ruined!” schools-- who Seemingly benefits from the the toil of his hands than one who Hashem. Is it was, possible “so to saythat that ayou menial labourer is drugs, teenage pregnancy, all sorts of miracles may know his own hands and fears G-d, will be diAnd the Jewish father smiles and says: “I’m not worried. I greater than a man who fears G-d? It is obvious that the DVAR P1 know my daughter. you She’ll be okay.”cite the statistics “labourer horrors--and also that I am Hashem.” The Torah is saying rected by the WillTORAH of Hashem alone and who benefits from the toil of his hands” is a Making a Mockery person fears G-d. Theappreciates Gemara is saying that who RABBItoJONATHAN TAWIL of others. mightprobabilities wonder how the man be so Jewish naive. But onOnethe of could today’s that who unless one thea man consebe impervious the opinions fears G-d and is supported by his own toil is greater than a this same man is not naive when it comes to his business children intermarrying. Finally, you quence of the miracle, that G-d made People are impressed and awed by person who fears G-d and is sustained by others. or his stock portfolio, and he would not dream of putting DVAR TORAH P2 suggest: “Why not enrol your daughter a “mockery” of Egypt, one is not able status and power. The Torah tells us his life savings into an investment which might just possibly The reason for this is that the one who relies on others is freedom? to be that swayedG-d and affected by them. He makes incollapse. a Jewish day school? Even if you’re istobound know is the Omnipotent that Egypt,What the most advanced and RABBI JONATHAN SHOOTER decisions consciously or unconsciously based on how he Why religious, is it that only with is he sothe trusting, and not dohisit own to child protect child, Power. powerful civilization in the world was believes others will react or perceive him and not the way willing to take such risks? sees him. Thus the individual who benefi ts from theis as a kind of insurance that she should Hashem Furthermore this instant in Torah devastated by G-d because it subjuOUR CHACHAMIM P3 toil of his own hands and fears G-d, will be directed by the One of the darkest periods in our history, the exile in Egypt not be ruined!” unique in that we are commanded to gated the Jewish people. RABBI ELIYAHU LOPIAN Pharaoh, one Will of Hashem alone and be impervious to the opinions was about to come to an end. G-d sent an auspicious others. on this message of a mockery, And tothe Jewish father of the most signifi cant monarchs in exmessage Pharaoh and the Bnei Yisrael.smiles and ofpass says: “I’m not worried. I know my not only to our children, but also to our istence, was signifi cantly diminished People are impressed and awed by status and power. The Hashem said to Moshe, “Come to Pharaoh, for I have made HALACHOT P3 Torah tells us that Egypt, the most advanced and powerful his heart and the heartsbe of his servants stubborn so that I daughter. She’ll okay.” grandchildren. because heSelecting did not release the Jewish When the Undesired Food... civilization in the world was devastated by G-d because can put these signs of Mine in his midst; and so that you RABBI ELI MANSOUR thesonman The question why?Pharaoh, one of the people from bondage. Although one it subjugated the Jewishispeople. may One relate inmight the ears ofwonder your son andhow your son’s that I mostThere significantis monarchs in existence, was significantly made a mockery of Egypt and My signs I placedsame among could be so naive. Butthatthis a Negative Commandment would think that Pharaoh was a person diminished because he did not release the Jewish people them - that you may know that I am Hashem.” man is not naive when it comes to his from in the Torah that a judge is not permitwho was invincible, it was bondage. Although one would think that Pharaoh was Kid’s Q&A AND CARTOON proven that P4 The message was clear, the end wasportfolio, near, and G-dand was ated person who was invincible, it wasbyproven that he when was a imea mere mortal. Twas business or his stock to be intimidated anyone he mere mortal.  about to make a mockery out of Egypt. he would not dream of putting his life he is adjudicating a case. Regardless The reason it is important to comThis newsletter contains Divrei Torah and may contain Sheimot - Please dispose of accordingly savings into an investment which might of the status of individuals involved municate to our children and grandjust possibly collapse. (wealthy or powerful), a judge must children the “mockery” Hashem made Why is it that only with his own child maintain his objectivity and remain un- of Pharaoh and his people, is to give is he so trusting, and willing to take biased. If a judge is infl uenced, intim- them the understanding that although such risks? idated, or affected to the point that he a person is in an exalted and elevatOne of the darkest periods in our feels restrained to any degree vis-à-vis ed position, he is only there because 1 history, the exile in Egypt was about his function, then he is in violation of it is Willed by Hashem. Only when one to come to an end. G-d sent an aus- this negative commandment. sees the unimaginable (such as the picious message to Pharaoh and the The Gemara (Berachot) tells us that downfall of Egypt), can he appreciate Bnei Yisrael. greater is a person who benefi ts from what the basis is for every person’s Get in touch 0207 561 6600 michael@cityprinting.co.uk

What could

City Printing Ltd City House 171-173 Hornsey Road London N7 6RA

What could

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er, believe it or not, many people are indeed slaves even today. Have you heard of the Beverly-Hillser Rebbe? He has billions of Chassidim. From ones early days he imbibes unsuspecting people, brainwashes them with the best of what Western culture has to offer. He teaches people to follow the ideals of goyim, the culture, their fashions, and to emulate the way goyim think. To follow the god of money, without a thought for spirituality. To be a slave to Facebook, Twitter, whatsapp etc etc. This is a terrible form of slavery, it robs one of spirituality and connection to Hashem. Following Torah and mitzvos isn’t merely about performing rituals. They are meant to make us connected to Hashem. Being a Jew isn’t about being a Jew on the outside (if that) but a goy in the inside, a slave in the clutches of the culture of Hollywood. One has to think like a Jew also. As with the avreich in the story, most of a person’s life decisions revolve around money. That is a form of slavery. When one sets aside one day a

week to focus on the spiritual, thats a freedom from the restrictive lifestyle he leads the rest of the week. Rav Binyomin Moskovits explains that we are in fact prisoners of our 5 senses. We perceive only things that the 5 senses can pick up, but we are missing out. The 5 senses do not pick up Hashem’s presence, they cannot sense that we are really neshamas, and not merely physical. As long as we only perceive the physical, we are enslaved to the 5 senses and entrapped by what we think we perceive. Freedom means looking beyond what the 5 senses perceive, and seeing even that which they cannot pick up. Inside every Jew is a precious neshama, a soul that longs to connect to Hashem. Yet we are enslaved to physicality. When we connect to Hashem, whether through Torah, prayer or mitzvos we are breaking the choke of the physical, and letting are spiritual side free. ■

predicament. If one understands and is able to internalize this, he will know the meaning of “I am Hashem.” If one believes for a moment that achievement and success is attributed to oneself, then he will be impressed with the one who achieves that success, thus, diminishing Hashem’s role in existence. There is an argument between the Rambam and the Ramban as to whether the obligation of Tefi lah (prayer) is a Torah obligation or only a Rabbinical dictate. The Rambam is of the opinion that Tefi lah is a Torah obligation; as the Talmud explains, Tefi lah is the “service of the heart.” One would think that Tefi lah is simply the acknowledgement of Hashem - that He is great, powerful, etc. That He sustains the living, resurrects the dead, supports the fallen, and heals the sick etc. However, Rambam says that if one only acknowledges Hashem for what He is and does not make subsequent requests of Him; one does not fulfi l the Torah obligation of Tefi lah. Why is that so? The answer is that if in fact Hashem is the all-powerful, awesome, and omnipotent Being, then how is it possible that one does not beseech him for his needs? When one beseeches Hashem for his needs it is a confi rmation of all the attributes he has been citing in his prayer. If however, one acknowledges Hashem as being everything and does not make requests from Him, then it is an indication that he truly does not believe that Hashem is what he had acknowledged Him to be. The value of his

statement is purely “lip service.” R Bachya explains that the word Hitalalti (mockery) should be understood with the root Ila – ﬁ rst cause. G-d is the ﬁ rst cause of everything and it was through these miracles that even Pharaoh would come to the realisation that there is only one Almighty. This is one of the most fundamental teachings in Judaism, to truly believe in (and internalising this belief in) the Almighty. Hence the importance of passing down this ‘mockery’ directly even to the grandchildren. Coming back to our initial question with the Jewish father. Even if the father is willing to examine the problem intellectually, on the emotional level he refuses to consider it at all. He doesn’t want to enter the world of reality; because reality might force him not only to agree with you and enrol his child in the day school, but it might push him to bring Jewish observance into his home as well, changing his entire life. Pharaoh believed he was in charge, yet by the end of the ordeal all had been tipped upside down. Those that were above were now down below, and the trodden nation of Israel had emerged as servants of a Living Almighty G-d. Let us bring G-d into our daily life, He is the Ila – First cause, He is the Almighty and He is our Father. Don’t be content in just acknowledging Him, He has the power to move mountains! Let us pray and request of Him and show our true belief! Shabbat Shalom

For more info contact www.torahactionlife.com

22 BUSINESS

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CURRENCY

UNITS/1GRB GBP / 1 UNIT

US DOLLAR.......... 1.38

0.72

SWISS FRANC.. 1.32

0.75

EURO............................... 1.12

0.88

SHEKEL....................... 4.75

0.21

Eﬀective Business Development in 2018

BY DARREN STROM Darren Strom is a marketing advisor and the CEO of VMAL Ltd a Web and Branding company based in NW London He can be reached at darren@vmal.co.uk or on 0208 133 3527

It’s a new year, you have a new business idea, identiﬁed your own business niche, researched your market and are all geared up to get clients. But where do you begin? There are many prospective users of your product or service and you have to target as many of them as possible .Of those users, only

a percentage will be your eventual clients. That is why a “sales funnel” is shaped as a funnel wider at the top and shorter at the bottom. If you have the luxury of time you should try and ﬁll the funnel or “pipeline” with as many viable marketing methods as possible and chart carefully which methods work for you and which don’t. Traditional methods include direct mail, email marketing, television, radio, billboard or newspaper advertising and cold calling, Some methods will work for your industry or your personality and other will not. Newer methods include pay per click advertising and aﬃliate marketing. Firstly allow me to paint a bleak picture: Statistics show that 44% of direct mail is never opened. 91% of users unsubscribe from emails they previously opted in to. Radio, billboard and newspaper advertising generally helps for general awareness to pave the way for other more direct marketing methods but do not create sales. Cold calling through a list of leads, can a soul destroying exercise especially as more often than not you will get through to the PA

who’s main role is to filter out cold callers! So what does work? If you approach most successful business people you will often hear that their clients were via referrals, networking, and word of mouth. That sounds simple so why don’t you have all the clients you need? The answer is; you are busy servicing your clients and dealing with the day to day running of the business, there are simply not enough hours in the day to do sales, besides that, most marketing methods are costly. In short the problem is time and money! Allow me to share some ideas that are more effective use of your time and money. Instead of cold calling try warm calling. Warm calling is calling someone you have met before or have been introduced to. Spend more effort on getting introductions from existing clients or people you know and you can spend less time more productively targeting fewer but better quality leads. Is your website working for you? Do not forget that in this day and age your website is one of your most valuable marketing tools and

the textual content rather than the imagery is what helps your Search engine rankings. Anyone can create a website today using free platforms such as Wix, Weebly or Squarespace but for the right impression you might be better off getting a professionally designed website. Besides search engine ranking which some of these free platforms do not fare well on, just the look and feel of your website can project a professional image or otherwise and effect a sale. It is one of the first thing prospective clients look up if they want to find out about you and your company. A poorly constructed website might even into question the validity of your company. They might be thinking is this company genuine or does it even exist. A useful method of turning your website into a lead generator is by providing downloadable Whitepapers, informational videos or infographics about your field . Request that the user provides his email and name before he can download. That way you have captured leads who you can now approach as a semi warm call, with the introduction ”

I saw that you downloaded a whitepaper from our website…” Create a blog on your website. Authoring articles online or on your website that are useful to your users can establish you as a knowledgeable individual in your ﬁeld and what this does is provide added value and improve client loyalty. Articles published on your website can also improve Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) of your site. Other methods of getting introductions is networking using Linkedin. Linkedin used to be a fairly static platform without too much interaction but they have recently changed its modus operandi and are now much more like Facebook. Build up your connections and then post steady updates. If your posts are interesting, you can get much more engagement than in the past and a greater reach amongst professional people who you want to target.

Financial Security or Insecurity? BY JOEL BRAHAM

FINANCIAL COACH AND ACTIVIST I recently attended a beautiful simcha which had its setting in one of the most expensive ballrooms available in London. As I dined on a number of different exotic foods available, it occurred to me that someone and most likely, the generous host, is paying for this luxury. I have had that thought in my mind for over 10 years now ever since I started listening on the radio to a financial coach in America who helps people get out of debt and build a solid financial picture by using a process he calls the “7 Baby Steps to financial freedom”. I recently completed a course in financial coaching in order to pass on the knowledge I have and continue to learn from my mentor. All too often as Jews, we are lumbered with bills for organising

Jewish festivals, paying the voluntary school contribution or our synagogue fees; something that our Non-Jewish friends and neighbours do not have to deal with. All the bills we have as Jews will inevitably compound the “normal” bills we have including rent/mortgage, broadband, council tax etc. This has all become a burden that we as a community are laboured with and which is causing a spike in the debt we accumulate as individuals and organizations. People are getting into debt in our community and I feel this is aﬀecting everything from marriage issues to work / family time getting clouded and the consequences that this leads too. When I went through the ﬁnancial crises in 2007, all I could see and hear were people complaining about not being able to pay their bills and the worry

about losing their jobs. 11 years on and the level of debt in this country is going through the roof. With the advent of student fees being tripled and the repayment plan colloquially called ‘Plan 2’ being introduced to pay the fees back post 2012 means the average student is burdened with tens of thousands of pounds in debt when they leave university and the interest rate on these loans is not helping when it comes to paying these back. As I speak to friends and local community acquaintances, I realise that many people in London are struggling living here with rents going through the roof and the average asking price for a 2 bed ﬂat in Hendon being around the £400,000 mark, this is one of the most expensive cities to live in but when your Jewish and want to live in a Jewish community, there is not

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much choice available especially if you need to work in the city for your professional industry. I am not the type to splurge on something like a new car if I can’t afford it and I certainly won’t take out a loan to buy one but that is the new me. The old me would have relished at the idea of new car smell and I wouldn’t have thought about the £15,000 loan but now that I have learned about the consequences of debt, I know that I am not buying a new car, I am buying a £15,000 cage. One that will keep me locked up metaphorically until I have paid it off. Debt means that you limit your freedoms. If you have a debt that needs paying off, you can’t save or spend money in the same way because you have a creditor you’re linked to. Going out to eat will mean deciding whether to spend £50 on a meal or pay

down your debt. It can literally control your life. It is like playing monopoly and everyone starts off with the traditional £1,500 and you owe £5,000. Who do you think has a better chance at winning? As I mentioned before, I completed training as a financial coach with a charity called Mesila. It is my goal to pass on my knowledge and teach people how to get out of debt and how to balance a budget. How to make financial decisions that quite frankly we should have all learned in school along with spelling and basic math. It is fundamental to be able to keep a household free from debt, free to aspire and I strongly agree that if we learn how to use our money correctly, we will aspire to be a better and more generous people which can only help us be a light unto the nations.

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SPORTS

ONE NATION... ...MANY TEAMS

W E E K LY

Oakwood lead the way in Premier Division BY DAVID SAFFER

Reigning champions Oakwood A top the Premier Division following a 6-2 win against North London Raiders A. Josh Cuby, Leor Sidle (2), Brad Wine, Toby Levy and Jonny Quinn struck for the new league leaders. Jonny Kay and Zack Neiman scored for Raiders. “This was an excellent display and win from our guys,” said Daniel Kristall. “We fstarted well, scoring within a minute and the only disappointment was we slightly lost our intensity for a 20-minute spell in the second half. “Our front three, Wine, Sidle and Cuby, in the ﬁrst half were devastating. Raiders couldn’t get close to them. We are improving each week after a rusty start to the season.” Kristall’s team reached the summit following Brady Maccabi’s surprise 3-2 defeat at Maccabi London Lions White. Ollie Craig (2) and Adam Arnold struck the golden goals. Reiss Mogilner and Charlie Kasler (penalty) scored for the visitors. “Unfortunately it was not our day today,” said Maccabi boss Joel Nathan. “We may have blown our league chances but still have great hopes in both cups.”

Hendon United Sports defeated Maccabi London Lions Blue 2-0 to move level on points with Brady and two points behind Oakwood A with a game in hand. Yoav Kestenbaum and Moses Seitler scored for the hosts. “The game should have been put to bed early in the match, but we struggled to hit the back of the net,” said player-manager Greg Corin. “It created some nervy moments but we were deserved winners and would have been a travesty if we would have dropped points. “There are huge league games ahead so getting the three points today was vital if we want to mount a serious challenge for the league title.” “The game could’ve gone either way with both teams creating dangerous opportunities,” said Lions manager Sam Marchant. “Our focus turns to the Peter Morrison Cup game against Ley Park where victory is due and nothing less will be accepted.” Faithfold A top Division One after thumping Los Blancos 7-0. Ben Shirbini (3), Leor Harel, David Kizneris, David Leiwy and Avi Markiewicz scored for the league leaders. “Faithfold had to live up to their reputation,” said player manager Markiewicz. “The win was built on a defence that was solid and a unit.”

North London Raiders B thumped Scrabble 7-0 with a David Dinkin hat-trick. Anthony Goodmaker, David Esterkin, Simon Buchler and Jake Gilbert completed the scoring. “For the second week running I’m really proud of the performance,” said joint-boss Doron Salomon. “The winning margin was a reflection of the grip we had on the game.” “We were well in this game for over an hour and had chances to draw level,” said Scrabble manager Ray Abrahams. “I’m delighted with the attitude and commitment the boys showed in difficult circumstances. They were playing for the pride of this club. “We find ourselves in a relegation dog fight and with most of our remaining games against teams around us it is vital that we get some players back and start picking up some points.” Redbridge Jewish Care C defeated high-flying Oakwood B 2-1. Mill Hill Dons lead Division Two after a 5-0 win against Temple Fortune B. Ryan Kramer opened the scoring from close range, which was trebled when Richard Reback and Adam Morrow got their first goals for the club. Harry Moss fired in a second half penalty and Sam Demby calmly slotted home late on.

North London Raiders B

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Oakwood A

“The boys got stuck in throughout,” said Mill Hill boss Brandon Hamme. “Pitch conditions weren’t ideal but we still managed to get the ball down and play some great football. “We will being doing our upmost to replicate our impressive first half of the season.” “The scoreline doesn’t reflect the game and the fantastic effort from our lads today but full credit to Dons as they took their chances,” commented Fortune manager Darren Zitren. Second placed Bayern Mincha enjoyed a 7-0 win against Faithfold B. Adam Ellis (2), Daniel Holder, Akiva Fink, Sam Kantor and Gav Nussbaum hit the target. Co-manager Alon Pinhas set up four goals aside from hitting the target himself. “It was a one sided game,” he said. “We beat them in every area on that pitch, it was an unbelievable performance from my boys, they should be proud.” FC Team edged a nine-goal thriller against North London Raiders C 5-4 to move into third place. Player-manager Mitch Young notched a hat-trick including a 25yard strike. Adam Rones and Danny Myers also hit the target. “A good win although we conceded some sloppy goals,” said Young.

“Missing so many players we recruited two experience pros in Danny Myers and Ryan Kangisser and both made a difference to the squad. We look forward to going on a winning run now.” Real Hendon made it three wins in a row after defeating Catford & Bromley 2-1 in a hard fought clash. Hendon took the lead with a scrappy goal when Adam Hersh tapped home, and they pressed home their advantage through Joe Metliss before half time. Catford reduced the deficit two minutes from time but Hendon took the points. “We held our own against a strong and experienced Catford side in difficult conditions,” said Rafi Addlestone. “Left side pairing Gali Kolt and Zvi Noe stepped up to the plate today - what they both lack in stature, they made up in sheer guts. Bravo to the lads.” Kai Vale smashed home a volley after nine seconds as Fairlop FC recorded a 10-0 win at Hertswood Vale. Daniel Rosen scored a hat-trick backed up by goals from Adam Goldman, Kai Vale, Matt Berkley, Aaron Dias, Brad Gayer, Ryan Cole and Daryl Rubin. “From the first minute we controlled the game really well and it could have been any scoreline,” said Dias.

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SPORTS 25

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Maccabi Yellow v South Sedgley Park Celtic v Manchester 1st (4-3) Maccabi Blue (6-1)

Reich v Liverpool Haroldeans (2-6)

South Manchester 1st hold a minutes silence for Andrew Cohen

Sedgley Park Celtic v Maccabi Blue, Maccabi on the attack

Reich v Liverpool Haroldeans, Daniel Feddy, scores Reichâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second goal

Maccabi Yellow v South Manchester 1st (B) goal mouth attack

Sedgley Park Celtic v Maccabi Blue, Sedgley win the ball.

Reich v Liverpool Haroldeans, a race for the ball, (Reich in White)

Fixtures for Saturday 21st January

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26 KIDS

Parshat Bo

Pharaoh still refuses to let the Jews leave Egypt, so G-d brings more plagues on Egypt.

In the eighth plague, a very strong wind brings in great swarms of locusts, which are like grasshoppers. In the ninth plague, G-d brings a very thick darkness on Egypt, leaving one more plague left.

Qu i z

Colour in the ten plagues and write the name of the plague in the box underneath .

Pharaoh still remains stubborn after 9 plagues , so G-d brings one final plague upon him and his people. But before that, G-d gives the Jews their very first mitzvah—a special commandment from G-d. The Jews are commanded to set up a calendar based on the cycle of the moon. Next the Jews must each bring a sacrifice of a goat or a lamb and brush the blood onto their doorposts. This way, when the final plague comes, G-d will know which house to pass over. The Jews must then eat the roasted meat with Matzah and bitter herbs. Now, for the tenth and final plague: On the fourteenth of the month of Nissan, every Egyptian firstborn dies. Pharaoh is terrified, for he himself is a firstborn; he jumps out of bed and rushes to find Moshe and Aaron. He shouts “Go! Go! Leave this land, you and all the Jews. Take your sheep and your cattle and whatever you want. JUST GO!” And with that, after 210 years of slavery, Pharaoh chases the Jews out of Egypt. So they leave quickly, so quickly, in fact, that their dough does not have time to rise and and becomes matzah. At the end of the parshah the Jews receive the mitzvah of Tefillin, to remind us of our exodus from Egypt and the connection we feel to G-d since then.

Arts and Crafts Grasshopper Peg You will need • • • • • • •

18 JANUARY 2018

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1 clothes peg Green pipe cleaners Green Paint Paint Brush Googly eyes Scissors Glue

Method 1. Paint the clothes peg in green and leave to dry. 2. Once dried Cut the pipe cleaners to measure and shape and stick them on the peg for the legs, arms and antenna. 3. Stick the googly eyes on 4. Voila! You a have made your locust peg! THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

18 JANUARY 2018

KIDS 27

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CUT OUT & KEEP Why not make some chocolate mousse for Shabbat this week to represent the plague of darkness.

TO CREATE YOUR VERY OWN JEWISH WEEKLY RECIPE BOOK

Easy Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream. • 10 to 12 oz bittersweet baking chocolate broken into small pieces

Method:

1. In large bowl, beat whipping

cream at medium speed just until stiﬀ peaks form.

2. Melt the chocolate in a

microwave with a little bit of water so it doesnt curn.

3. Fold chocolate into cream without over mixing.

4. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Did you know? Facts about the last 3 plagues and parshat Bo The Jews left so quickly that their dough did not have time to rise and therefore had matzah not bread.

All the miracles from Parshat Bo are celebrated during the festival of Pesach.

Jews have been using the same calendar for over 3000 years based on the moon cycle since we were given our first mitzvah before leaving Egypt.

For seven full days, all of Egypt (except for the homes of the Jews) was covered in total darkness. The Egyptians couldn’t see anything at all, and for the last three days of the plague, the darkness was so thick that they couldn’t even move!

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All the first-borns in Egypt except for King Pharoah. This was because G-d wanted him to see the splitting of the red sea.

The locusts which were like grasshoppers were so many that they darkened the whole of Egypt and all the greenery, plants and fruits from the trees, and there was no more food in the land of Egypt.

28 KIDS

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18 JANUARY 2018

When there’s room in the heart…

By Chaya Sandler The little bird flew around wildly from tree to tree. The snow was falling softly and she was hopping about frantically. Jamie knew how she felt. He had nowhere to go - no-one wanted to play with him today! Josh and Akiva were playing with the ball and they said their game was only for two people. Phoebe and Jack were playing catch and said that was only for two people. The others were playing football and were adamant they had too many people already. Jamie kicked at a stone angrily. Not fair! He kicked another stone, even harder. This time it flew through the air and hit a window. Thankfully it didn’t break. Phew.... but it still made a loud noise and a floppy haired boy peeked his head out of the window. “Oy, did you call?” “Uh, no, no, I was er, um it’s... I mean whatever, it’s fine.” Jamie went bright red. He attempted a nonchalant saunter but didn’t quite manage and ended up tripping over his own feet and landing flat on his face. The boy laughed. If Jamie had been as pink as a flamingo before then he went scarlet now. His eyes were stinging with sharp, prickly tears. The boy called after him, “sorry! I shouldn’t have laughed at you, I don’t mean to make you upset. Oh, I didn’t mean it.” “Yeah, well, you laughed anyway.”

“I really am sorry. I’m just so bored up here.” “What are you doing up there anyway. We aren’t allowed to stay inside during lunch break?” The boy grinned down at him. “Not me. I’m not allowed to leave yet.” “I don’t believe you!” “Suit yourself then but I am telling the truth.” There was something about the boy that Jamie couldn’t help trusting him. “I’m Jamie.” He found himself saying. “Sam.” “What are you doing anyway?” “I have diabetes and I have to sit down for a bit after lunch till my sugar goes down.” Jamie wasn’t quite sure what Sam meant but he gathered that he had to stay in a bit during lunch. That had to be really boring. Jamie normally played with his friends during lunch and only for today was he on his own and look how bored he was now! “I’m not bored you know. It’s ok really.” Apparently Jamie had spoken out loud. The scarlet of his cheeks turned crimson. “My friends stay up here with me usually but today they aren’t here so....” Sam shrugged, “it’s hanging out windows talking to you I guess.” “I could come up!” Jamie suggested excitedly. THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

“Cool. Come on up.” When the bell rang, Jamie was surprised. Had break really gone so quickly? “It’s just snowing now so we had to come in, breaks another ten minutes long.” A boy in Sam’s class explained. “I’ll just go to my class, see ya.” Jamie started running out of the classroom. “Hey wait!” Jamie turned at the door. “You’re welcome to stay, where there’s room in the heart there’s room in the home, or school I guess. Don’t be shy.” When Jamie’s friends found him they were surprised to see him in the older childrens’ classroom. They peeped shyly through the door until Jamie noticed them. “Come on in he said, there’s room for everyone.” His friends trooped slowly into the classroom and looked at each other, “thanks but we were really mean before. You’re letting us play now but we didn’t let you play before... we’re sorry.” Jamie grinned, “Don’t worry. There’s room for everyone now.”

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KIDS 29

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Parshat Bo In a Nutshell The last three of the Ten Plagues are visited on Egypt: a swarm of locusts devouring all the crops and greenery; a thick, palpable darkness envelops the land; and all the ﬁrstborn of Egypt are killed at the stroke of midnight of the 15th of the month of Nissan. G-d commands the ﬁrst mitzvah to be given to the people of Israel: to establish a calendar based on the monthly rebirth of the moon. The Jews are also

instructed to bring a “Passover offering” to G-d: a lamb or kid is to be slaughtered, and its blood sprinkled on the doorposts and lintel of every Israelite home, so that G-d should pass over these homes when He comes to kill the Egyptian firstborn. The roasted meat of the offering is eaten that night together with matzah and bitter herbs. The death of the firstborn finally breaks Pharaoh’s resistance, and he literally drives the

Fill in the blanks.

Jews from his land. So hastily do they depart that there is no time for their dough to rise, and the only provisions they take along are unleavened. Before they go, they ask their Egyptian neighbours for gold, silver and garments—fulﬁlling the promise made to Abraham that his descendants would leave Egypt with great wealth. The Jews are commanded to consecrate all ﬁrstborns, and to

observe the anniversary of the Exodus each year by removing all leaven from their possession for seven days, eating matzah, and telling the story of their redemption to their children. They are also commanded to wear teﬁllin on the arm and head as a reminder of the Exodus and their resultant commitment to G-d. All the miracles mentioned in this Parshah are celebrated over the festival of Pesach.

“Let my

people go!

”

How many triangles do you see? Solve this equation to ﬁnd the answer.

Which is the top view?

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News Bites SINGAPORE RECRUITS SWANBOTS TO TEST WATER QUALITY Robot swans are taking to the waters of Singapore in order to test the quality of its reservoirs’ drinking water, it’s reported. According to Channel News Asia, ﬁve fake birds are being set loose on reservoirs serving the city state to monitor water quality as part of the aptly named SWAN project (Smart Water Assessment Network). They’ve been designed to look like real swans so that they’ll blend in with their surroundings, the news website says. While gracefully drifting along on the surface, underneath is a system of propellers and water sampling equipment, and they use wireless

technology to send real-time results to national water agency PUB. According to the robots’ developers, the swans are sturdy enough to survive encounters with kayaks and small boats. But their main advantage is that the PUB will no longer have to send its scientists out in a boat to collect water samples manually. The robots have been designed to be as autonomous as possible, and to cover wide expanses of water without human intervention. However, researchers say they can also control the fake swans by remote control, should they need to call their mechanical charges over for updates or repairs.

‘BORED’ RUSSIAN MAN CRASHES ARMOURED VEHICLE INTO SHOP A Russian man has been arrested after he reportedly stole an armoured vehicle and crashed it into a shop in a town north of the Arctic Circle. According to regional news outlet Hibinform.ru, the unnamed culprit took the vehicle from a driving school, before failing to negotiate a bend, destroying a car, and crashing into the shop front in

the north-western town of Apatity. Little is currently known about the suspect, but Russian News Channel Vesti says he was “bored” and took the tracked vehicle from the driving school operated by DOSAAF, a voluntary organisation which cooperates with the armed forces in Russia. Police in the Murmansk region are now considering criminal

FLORIDA WINNER OF $451M JACKPOT WILL DO ‘GOOD FOR HUMANITY’ A 20-year-old from Florida says he plans to “have some fun” after being named sole winner of a $451m (£330m) lottery jackpot. Shane Missler matched ﬁve numbers and a bonus ball to scoop the fourth largest win in the US game’s history. He opted to receive a one-time payment of $282m, instead of the full amount over a longer period of time. Mr Missler said he had a feeling he could win on the night of the Mega Millions draw, says a press release. Mr Missler presented his winning ticket at the state lottery headquarters in Tallahassee on Friday,

accompanied by his father and a lawyer. He said he has big plans for his winnings. “I’m only 20, but I hope to use it to pursue a variety of passions, help my family and do some good for humanity,” said Mr Missler, according to the statement. He told the Tampa Bay Times: “I intend to take care of my family, have some fun along the way and cement a path for ﬁnancial success so that I can leave a legacy far into the future.” His lawyer said his client had “retired” from his job at a company that carried out employment background checks.

Dear Agony Uncle,

KEEP CALM AND ASK

AGONY AUNT MIA AND

A few friends and myeslf are finding it quite hard to keep up with Maths in school. I enjoy other subjects but I am finding Maths considerably harder to catch on to. Please can you help by giving me some tips to enable me to achieve higher results in my upcoming maths exams. Thanks a lot! Avi

AGONY UNCLE JOEY Hi Avi, The Jewish Weekly’s Teen Agony Aunt and Agony Uncle are here to help with all your questions, problems and difficulties. Just write your letter to agonyaunt@thejewishweekly.com or agonyuncle@thejewishweekly.com Disclaimer: All letters that are published may be edited. All letters are kept confidential and names can be changed for confidentiality upon request.

charges, local media reports.

Thanks for getting in touch. Many students find maths a hard subject, and quite frankly some years ago I was one of those students too. Thankfully, there are some techniques for studying maths that you can do regardless of your level. So here are some tips that helped me get you through it.

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“If there is one thing I have learned this far in my short time on this earth it is that those who maintain a positive mindset and stay true to themselves get rewarded,” Mr Missler said.

Mathematics is a subject that requires more concentration than any other. A proper study environment and a distraction free area could be the determining factor when solving complex equations or problems in geometry, algebra or trigonometry! The more you practice answering maths problems, the better. Create Notes or Flashcards with all the concepts, terminology and definitions you need to know. Try as much as possible, to apply real-world problems when approaching maths. Maths can be very abstract sometimes so looking for a practical application which can help change your perspective and assimilate ideas differently. Finally avoid skipping questions when you find it difficult, and instead spend time trying to understand the process of solving the problem. Wishing you a lot of success with your upcoming exams, Uncle Joey

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Q: If you have 13 apples in one hand and 10 oranges in the other, what do you have? A: Big hands.

Q: Why are elephants so wrinkled? A: Because they take too long to iron! (Answers at the bottom of page upside down)

Q: Why does Humpty Dumpty love autumn? A: Because Humpty Dumpty had a great fall

Q: What can run but can’t walk? A bank robber pulls out a gun points it at the teller, and says, “Give me all the money or you’re geography!” The puzzled teller replies, “Did you mean to say ‘or you’re history?’” The robber says, “Don’t change the subject!”

Q: Name four days of the week that start with the letter ‘T’? Q: A boy fell oﬀ a 30 metre ladder but did not get hurt. Why not?

2. Tuesday, Thursday, Today and Tomorrow 1. Water

3.He fell oﬀ the bottom step

1. No two ways about it 2. Syrup 3. You are out of control 4. Scrambled eggs 5. Upside down 6. 7up Cans

Dingbats Answers THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

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Up, up and away

PART 1 COIN CONUNDRUMS

BY CHAYA SANDLER “A trip to a coin museum? This is so cool!” Phoebe was practically jumping up and down in excitement, as if her tiny little body couldn’t contain all the ebullient frisson spasming around her hyperactive bloodstream. Phoebe was like a nerd on steroids. I say like because she wasn’t literally a nerd on steroids and not because my vocabulary output has stooped to the level of perfunctory socially accepted ﬁller words. Phoebe is a tiny, 5 foot ball of energy and what gets her excited is anything that would bore the rest of the human race. As in coins, so whilst she whooped and punched the air when Mr Hammersmith announced this trip, the rest of us groaned. As for me? I like books, something that the majority of the human race is quite ok with. My interests are a tad more normal. That’s ok because my hair more than made up for it. Spirals and spirals of dark frizz like an exploding supernova around my head- no matter what I do to it. All the creams in the world, all the sprays in Tesco and all the products in Boots couldn’t tame my wild mane. That’s what I was doing when the “big day” arrived. I was tugging yet another brush through the thick rope of what is oﬃcially my hair when Phoebe called. “Callieeeee!” I will spare you the details, the shrieking went on for quite a while. Coins are her thing so, you know. “Callie, Callie, Callie!” “Yes that is my name. I do not need reminding or practice thank you very much, is

their a point to this phone call?” I knew I was snapping but honestly I was tired and could not be bothered for this trip. Why we were going, I couldn’t tell you. Just because it’s an economics class doesn’t mean we care about coins. For the record - we don’t. However since we were going I would have to endure what could only conceivably be the most humdrum day of my life. After all, what could possibly happen at a coin museum? Foreshadowing... foreshadowing, yep, I know you know I’m foreshadowing. Cliché. I Get that. But I promise you this story will be anything but conventional. Build-up... build-up, get to the point, I know you’re desperate so go on. I won’t stop you.... go on.... what’s the matter? Oh, right, right, I’m telling the story. Yes, right, I had better get on with it then. At last we arrived at the boredom factory. Phoebe’s eyes were sparkling and she looked like she was about to drool. “Phebes, come on. Lets get this over with already.” Mr Hammersmith was already pumping the hand of a middle aged professor looking guy when we stepped of the coach. The sky was overcast, as if about to throw a temper tantrum, the trees dancing wildly, thrashing about in the screaming wind. A small, ramshackle building was perched onto a hill, holding on for dear life, although it didn’t look as if it was doing a good job. Around it was clustered a small group of more obscure random collections.” Just up your alley

Phebes, eh? Phebes? Phebes?” She had skipped up on ahead and was animatedly gesturing and chattering to the guide who looked part stunned and part thrilled that a 15 year old was a numismatist - a coin collector to you uninitiated. I sighed, this was going to be a long trip. Eternity came and went and finally, finally, the guy finished his long drone and we were free to explore. Yay, cases and cases full of dusty coins. “A 1943 copper cent.” Phobe nearly fainted in awe, “I never thought i would see one - look Callie!” It looked more or less like a coin to me but, whatever. Suddenly a shriek tore through the musky silence. 3 masked men with guns, guns!, entered. “Hand up!” Give us what we want and no-one gets hurt.” “W,w,w,w,w, what do you w,w,w,want,” the guide timidly whimpered. He was a coin collector, not exactly used to action. “The 1943 copper cent.” I gulped. We were standing directly in front of that case. The guide lifted a trembling finger and waved it limply in our general vicinity. “”NO!” Phobe yelled. “What? YES, she means YES!” I shrilled as the men turned to us. “I said NO!” with that, Phoebe smashed the glass grabbed the coin and ran. I ran after her. The men ran after us. “PHOEBE! I am not going to die for a

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stupid coin.” “Shush, they are not stealing this coin.” “Yes they are, they are going to take the coin and leave and then we can leave!!” Phoebe ran out of the coin building, weaved around the courtyard and into the hot air balloon museum. “Here!” I blindly followed as Phoebe jumped into a hot air balloon display and began fiddling with it. The men ran after us, i turned and grabbed the first thing that came to hand, sand bags and began lobbing them at the men. I made some pretty good shots but the basket seemed to be wobbling. I had just thrown the last sandbag when the basket lurched and careened left on an upward slant. “Phoebe, what are you doing?!” “Saving our lives!” Before I could respond the men began shooting at us. Fortunately since the balloon was only half inflated so far, we were zigzagging randomly and the men couldn’t hit us. That or maybe these hit men were stuntmen or TV bad guys who couldn’t hit a standing target in plain sight, 5 yards ahead. However they did hot the slight which exploded around us and we passed straight through where a thunderstorm seized us and we held on for dear life as we went very high and very far....... “We are done for”!! TO BE CONTINUED

34 WOMEN

W oman of W orth

‫ֵֽא ׁ ֶשת ַֽחיִ ל ִמי יִ ְמ ָצא‬

Chana Greenberg

Chana Greenberg has been a trustee at Hadassah UK (HUK) since 2014, and was recently unanimously elected as Vice Chair. HUK is dedicated to raising funds for Hadassah Medical Organisation (HMO) in Jerusalem, and works to promote its medical and scientiﬁc excellence within the UK. The Hadassah Medical Centre in Jerusalem is a university teaching hospital with a reputation for commitment to the delivery of excellent medical treatment, carrying out over 50% of all the clinical research in Israel. It is a forerunner in research, teaching and community outreach working with health professionals from across the region and the wider world. Its commitment to bridging nations through medicine and healing has even led to a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2005. Chana ﬁrst became aware of Hadassah’s amazing work when the two year old daughter of her learning partner from her time in seminary was diagnosed with a life-threatening metabolic disease. “My friend’s little girl was diagnosed with a condition called Leigh Syndrome, a rare genetic

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disorder affecting the central nervous system, and we were searching worldwide for possible treatments.” Around this time, Chana saw an advert for new trustees for HUK, which she applied for, and soon after getting the role, she attended an international conference, where a chance meeting with Ron Finkel, Chairman of Hadassah Australia led to her connecting with Professor Orly Elpeleg, Head of the Monique and Jacques Roboh Department of Genetic Research, which is dedicated to identifying disease-related genes and mutations, who offered to help her friend. “It was truly bashert (from above) to make this connection and be able to help my friend, and shows the wise, wonderful people within the Hadassah community worldwide.” Although not medically trained, Chana has always had an interest in medicine. “I remember when my brother was studying for his exams at the Royal London Dental School, I would always look over his shoulder at his textbooks and had a thirst for learning.” Her knowledge developed whilst living in Israel, where she qualified as a group fitness and spinning instructor and she learnt about areas of anatomy and physiology in relation to nutrition and exercise. As Vice Chair of HUK, her role, along with the Chair, David Waterman, is on a purely voluntary basis, and she works tirelessly to achieve results. Mark Addleman, UK Director, recognises Chana’s tremendous enthusiasm and passion in publicising the work of Hadassah. He adds, “Chana has applied 110% drive and leadership

CHANA GREENBERG

to our organisation and has taken on new projects that she has made her own. I feel she is a real inspiration to all HUK Trustees.” Something that Chana has been very enthusiastic about is the introduction of medical clowns into NHS hospitals. “Hadassah recognises the importance of medical clowning, and they have been used for over 15 years. There are now over 100 clowns in over 30 hospitals in Israel, and it is demanded by all the Heads of Paediatric departments as part of the medical team.” She has championed the benefits of medical clowning which have been proven to aid treatment, and young patients have a safer and faster recovery after surgery. It is also cost-effective, as a medical clown as part of a surgical team means one less clinical nurse is required. As the well-known adage goes, ‘Laughter is the best medicine’, and it is completely true. Last year, David ‘DuSH’ Barashi, head medical clown at Hadassah, and a clowning pioneer was sponsored by HUK to train three new medical clowns in the UK to work under Dr Justin Daniels, Consultant Paediatrician at North Middlesex University Hospital (NMUH). Chana explains, “Within the UK, paediatric wards have art and play therapists and some units welcome volunteer children’s entertainers on an adhoc basis, but they have never used a dedicated medical clown. I have seen first-hand the changes in the children, their parents and the staff what a difference they can make. It may sound silly, but medical clowning is no laughing

matter. It’s a serious medical tool which allows staff to develop better techniques and deliver medicine and healing faster with less trauma stress to all involved with kids in hospitals.” Chana’s persistence and hard work has led to the introduction of weekly clown sessions at North Middlesex Hospital in Enfield. She hopes that medical clowns will be introduced into hospitals all over the country, and that as in Israel, they will be viewed as professionally trained therapists fully integrated into the medical team, rather than just entertainers. Another area that Hadassah has been groundbreaking in is the development of stem cell treatment for MS. Mark Lewis, a lawyer from London was one of over 40 patients that took part in a recent trial, and was the subject of a Channel 4 documentary. The overall results of the trial will be released by Hadassah later this year, and could lead to others being able to benefit from this amazing treatment in the future. Chana is the first to admit she likes doing things differently, and that thinking outside the box has led to new initiatives at Hadassah UK. As the youngest member of the Hadassah UK Board, Chana has tried to introduce more modern approaches, including crowdfunding initiatives for projects, rather than relying on traditional methods such as gala dinners and balls to raise funds. “I like to do things well, and have always wanted to achieve great things. I don’t accept that being an observant Jewish woman should stop me. One of my key strengths is

my ability to connect people and to get them to open up. I am wellplaced to help develop networks and initiate and facilitate collaboration to create innovation and change. What I really enjoy about being involved in Hadassah is the opportunity to help others and meet so many interesting people within the world of medicine, science and the global Hadassah family.” Balancing her work life with her home life can sometimes be tricky, but she feels that her role has helped her to develop her skills and talents, and she feels that her fulfilment within this role has helped her to be a better mother to her three teenage daughters. “My children often complain that I am busy, but I try to show them what I do, and involve them in my work so they understand and see for themselves that I am helping others and making a difference.” Chana hopes to continue to raise awareness of Hadassah and the amazing work that they do, and to be able to influence and benefit more patients in the UK and elsewhere. She adds, “There is so much innovation and research being created that it makes sense to try and bring this out into the world, so that Hadassah can continue to serve as a light unto the nation and help on a larger scale.” If you would like to know more about medical clowning, MS or how to get involved with Hadassah UK, please contact 0208 202 2860 or look at their website http://www.hadassahuk.org

TIPS AND TRICKS – WATER

Jewish Weekly aims to source the most genius, time saving and useful hacks for you every week, so watch this space! We all know that we should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, but some days that can be tricky. Staying hydrated is very important, and helps you sleep better, digest easier and generally feel better, so why not try this clever hacks to drink more water: • Start as you mean to go on – Try and have a glass of water ﬁrst thing in the morning before you eat to kick the day off right. • Hit the bottle – Invest in a decent water bottle that you can keep topped up and with you all the time. Set yourself goals throughout the day to drink a certain amount or even set an alarm on your phone to remind you to drink each hour.

• Jazz it up – Drinking plain old water can be kind of dull, so why not add a little cucumber, lemon, orange or mint to make it taste a bit more fun. You’ll drink more if it tastes good. • Drink before you eat – Having a glass of water before a meal can help to take the edge off of hunger • Eat your water – Cucumber and celery have a high water content, as does watermelon (the clues in the name) so why not boost your water intake by adding them as a snack during the day.

If you have any questions or you have a top tip you want to share, please contact us on ofﬁce@thejewishweekly.com. Your question might be someone else’s solution!

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The Elephant made me do it

BY ALAN FREISHTAT

We all want to change our bad habits into good and productive behaviors. Whether you are dealing with habits that effect our health, fitness and weight loss, or other poor habits, all of us want to reduce negatives and increase positives. But if you’ve attempted to change long-ingrained habits before, you know how utterly impossible it can seem at times. If you have tried to stop smoking, lose weight permanently, spend less time on your computer or mobile device, stop biting your nails or any other bad habit, you know that it is literally Kryias Yam Suf—practically impossible. Yet, there are those who succeed. If 5% of people who lose weight really keep it off, what is their secret? It might take many attempts, but people DO quit smoking. We need to look at what it is that is going on in our brains when things become ingrained behaviors and how we can undo years of poor behaviors. The phone in my office rang yesterday with someone asking about information about our 10 week program. After I told this lady about how it works and I explained how we combine dietetics and exercise with behavioral change, she asked me about people who are addicted to specific foods. She mentioned that she is hooked on sugar and carbs and that is her main problem. She wanted to know if we had experience with situations like hers. I mentioned to her that we really need to take a close look at what is really going on. Is this truly food addiction or is it emotional eating like cravings or desires? Maybe it is just a mindfulness issue? We like to place blame for our behaviors on outside factors. Your spouse should not have brought your favorite chocolate chip cookies into the house. You walked into the store and the cigarettes were prominently displayed behind the register, so you purchased them. “I can’t help it, I grew up this way”. But all of this comes down to the mechanisms through which the brain creates a behavior. This is something very complex but let’s take a look at a simplified explanation of what happens in the brain when it forms a habit. Let’s make a change Let’s say you decided after the Yomim Tovim that your goal this year was to lose 15 Kilo. You made

up your mind that you were going to join a gym and work out there 4 times a week and walk outdoors another 3 times a week. Also, you would eat three times a day have 2 small snacks and not skip breakfast. Instead of going to sleep at midnight every night, you would turn in by 10:30. These are all great habits with admirable intentions. But if you keep the typical pattern, by 6 weeks later, you wouldn’t have been to the gym in 2 weeks, you’d be skipping breakfast and overeating at dinner, and you would be lucky to get to bed by 1 a.m. This pattern is all too familiar. The problem lies in the processing systems of the brain and in the tug of war between two major systems that need to work together: the new brain and the old brain. The new brain is associated with the outer region of the brain (cerebral cortex) and the prefrontal cortex. Often termed as the conscious, rational part of the brain, the new brain helps us think critically, plan our next steps and learn behaviors (Miller & Cohen 2001). The old brain is associated with the inner regions of the brain known as the limbic system and the basal ganglia. They are associated with emotional processing. The basal ganglia are responsible for remembering whether a behavior created a positive or negative response, which helps in determining whether we perform the behavior again or avoid it altogether. The basal ganglia also stores behaviors. For example, it initially takes a lot of brainpower to learn how to drive a car with a manual gear. But as the behavior becomes learned, the basal ganglia store the response and we can drive a stick shift without having to consciously think about it, which allows us to divert our brain energy to other

tasks. This is how the brain saves valuable energy (Yin & Knowlton 2006). The Elephant In his book about happiness, Jonathon Haidt uses the analogy of the old brain being a large, emotional elephant, and the new brain being the elephant’s rational rider (Haidt 2006). Picture the rider holding the elephant’s reins. As you probably know very well from experience, the “elephant” can override the “rider” any time it disagrees with him. For example, the elephant will fling itself into oncoming traffic to protect its calf. The rider might rationally recognize that jumping into traffic could lead to his death, but of course he has no say in the matter considering the size discrepancy between him and the elephant. When it comes to making resolutions in order to change habits, the new brain plans out an exciting journey for creating a new you, and your old brain is willing to go along. But as you initiate the new behaviors, the old brain quickly realizes how cumbersome the process is, especially when the reward is minimal or nonexistent at the outset. For example, after your first workout, you’re sore for 3 days. The basal ganglia (old brain)stores the behavior as having a negative outcome, even though the prefrontal cortex (new brain) knows that soreness is part of the journey. The elephant overrides the rider, and soon you’re sleeping an extra hour instead of exercising. The two sides of your brain are not battling one against the other. Should I get up and go to the gym (the rider) or should I sleep later instead (the elephant). The elephant, or the part of your brain that store the old, ingrained habits almost always wins.

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In order to win the battle It’s not a matter of a 12 week programme or 21 days to change one habit. The time it takes to change habits is very individual. Studies have shown that it can take some people up to 2 months or even more just to work on one behavior. In our clinic, even though we hear about ambitious goals, like losing a great deal of weight or getting off various medications, we have to reduce this into smaller and more realistic goals. For instance, losing a kilo at a time, adding 5 more minutes to the daily walk, putting in a couple minutes of muscle building exercise besides aerobics, or eliminating a poor food choices. Establishing milestones helps one manage expectations, which increases the likelihood that a new and better habit will form. Another area we work on is motivation. Your doctor might have told you that if you don’t lose 9 or 10 kilograms, he will have to medicate you and that these medications might have undesirable side effects. That motivation might work well initially, but motivators that bring results are more intrinsic, or natural. Scare tactics are more extrinsic; that is something coming from outside. Losing weight may be intrinsically important to someone because they gain a sense of accomplishment, feel more self-confident, enhance their career, or find a shidduch. . Intrinsic motivators are long-lasting compared with extrinsic factors. Finally it is important to be goal-oriented. Select two to three goal-oriented habits and decide what to work on first. While it might seem appealing to engage in multiple habits at one time, focusing on one simple habit at a time may lead to greater behavior change (Gardner, Lally & Wardle

2012). For example, if you want to lose weight, these are all good things to do: 1. Walk and track 10,000 steps per day. There is evidence that regular, “incidental” physical activity is eﬀective for weight loss and overall health. 2. Drink 2 cups of water before every meal. Not only can this help with satiety, but water is calorie-free, and proper hydration may aid in fat loss and contribute to overall well-being. 3. Get to bed earlier (pick a speciﬁc time) every night. A good night’s sleep supports the body’s ability to lose weight. Pick one and work on it, then the next and then the next. Seeing a dietician or personal trainer will certainly help you with your eating and exercise. It will give you great knowledge toward being healthy. But creating new behaviors based on that information is the key to long term success with any habit you want to change, and it will “add hours to your day, days to your year and years to your life.”

Alan Freishtat is an A.C.E. certified personal trainer and a behavioural change and wellness coach with over 19 years of professional experience. Alan is the creator and director of the “10 Weeks to Health” programme for weight loss and is available for private coaching sessions, consultations, assessments and personalised workout programmes both in his office and by telephone or Skype. Alan also lectures and gives seminars and workshops. Contact Alan on 02-651-8502 or 050-555-7175, or email alan@alanfitness.com. For more information visit www.alanfitness.com

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THE JEWISH WEEKLY

20 min Prep Time 45 min Cook Time 65 min Duration 4 Servings

joyofkosher.com INSTRUCTIONS • 1 medium eggplant, cut into 1 inch cubes, salted and allowed to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing and drying • 1 red onion, sliced thinly • 1 red pepper, diced • Several stalks of kale, stemmed and roughly chopped • 2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas • ½ cup sliced almonds (optional)

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PREPARATION 1. 2.

3. 4. 5.

Extra virgin olive oil, such as Colavita 1 teaspoon Ras al Hanout spice mix Kosher salt Freshly cracked black pepper ½ cup tahini 2 tablespoons hot water 1 tablespoon lemon juice Garnish: 1 avocado, sliced, 1 small cucumber, sliced,1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half

Preheat oven to 190°C. Line a sheet pan with parchment. Place eggplant, onions, peppers, kale, chickpeas, and almonds on the sheet pan. Drizzle generously with evoo. Sprinkle ras al hanout and salt and pepper on vegetables and toss to combine. Roast vegetables for 35-45 minutes, stirring occasionally until caramelized. While vegetable are roasting. Whisk together tahini, hot water, and lemon juice until a vinaigrette consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Divide vegetables between serving bowls and top with tahini, avocado, cucumber and tomatoes.

FOOD 37

ISRAELI VEGAN POWER BOWL

AVOCADO EGG ROLLS WITH SPICY DIPPING SAUCE Jamie Geller introduces her recipe for Avocado Egg Rolls with Spicy Dipping Sauce.

INGREDIENTS • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro or 1 teaspoon dried coriander • 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar • 1 tablespoon honey • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • 1/4 cup ﬁnely diced red onion • 1 tablespoon ﬁnely chopped sun dried tomatoes, drained from oil • 2 ripe avocados, pitted, peeled and diced • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

• 6 Egg Roll Wraps • 1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water • Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for frying • 2 tablespoons Soy sauce • 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar • 1/2 teaspoon hoisin • 1/4 chili garlic sauce

PREPARATION 1.

In a small food processor, combine cilantro, rice vinegar, honey, garlic and cumin. Pulse to finely chop and combine. In a small bowl, combine cilantro mixture with onions, tomatoes, avocado and salt. Mix until just combined. Lay one egg roll wrap in front of you with a tip pointing down. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of avocado filling into the middle of the wrap. Lightly brush each corner with egg wash. Fold bottom corner up and over the filling, tuck each side in and continue to roll up, sealing tightly. Place on a baking sheet, seam side down. Fill a large skillet a 1/4 inch deep with oil and heat over medium to medium-low heat. Fry egg rolls about 5 minutes until crispy and golden brown on all sides, using tongs to turn them so they brown evenly. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, hoisin and chili garlic sauce. Serve with egg rolls..

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

15 min Prep Time 5 min Cook Time 20 min Duration 6 Servings

38 TRAVEL

18 JANUARY 2018

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Travel News Roundup

Travel News Roundup is brought to you by Malcolm Ginsberg, Editor in Chief of Business Travel News (www.btnews.co.uk). He is a member of the International Travel Writers Alliance, a noted analyst on aviation matters and is seen from time to time on TV and heard on the radio. He is always pleased to hear from tour operators and travel agents who have packages that might interest Jewish Weekly readers. Fast train to Jerusalem The newly-built A1 fast line to Jerusalem will open on 30 March, Israeli Transport Minister Israel Katz has announced. Only one of the two tracks electriﬁed at 25kV 50Hz will be operational at ﬁrst, limiting services to two trains per hour in each direction. The previously announced journey time of 28min on the 57km route between Tel Aviv HaHagana and Navon station in Jerusalem is still expected to be achieved. The opening of the second track a few months later would enable services to be increased to three trains per hour in the peaks, with six trains per hour planned for the longer term. ‘I have promised and I keep my word; on the Passover holidays we will take trains to Jerusalem’, said Katz when the opening date was announced. www.rail.co.il/en Kosher river cruise Vietnam Veteran holiday organiser and chef

tailored help and support to identify themselves to staff. This lanyard is part of an established service also initiated at Gatwick and rolled out in other UK airports, and is supported by leading UK charities including the Alzheimer’s Society, the National Autistic Society and Action on Hearing Loss. Special assistance staff, security officers and passenger ambassadors have been trained to identify the lanyard so they can provide additional assistance, or allow passengers wearing it more time or space as they travel independently through the airport. www.heathrowairport.com Four Sweasons Florence - A truly great hotel

Malcolm Green is behind a unique kosher river cruise featuring the Mekong river in Cambodia and Vietnam starting 18 June. The all-inclusive programme includes delicious Glatt Kosher cuisine, synagogue with daily minyanim, thought-provoking lectures, entertainment, and other onboard programming, along with local tours at each locale visited. Along the way, visit ancient temples and monasteries, royal palaces and pagodas, rural villages. The MV Jayavarman offers 25 elegantly decorated cabins for an exclusive journey for only 50 passengers. Prices start from $5,990 pp. Recommended flights are via Singapore to Phnom Penh. www.kosherrivercruise. com/vietnam-cambodia-river-cruise Up is down Israel’s flag carrier El Al is to continue its expansion into North America, but will drop its low-cost brand Up after four years of service to five European destinations. Up never served the UK but will fly from Tel Aviv to Berlin, Budapest, Kiev, Larnaca, and Prague until mid-October 2018. Instead El Al is introducing a new pricing model for Economy Class tickets to all European destinations. Passengers will be offered three types of options at different price levels: Lite, Classic and Flex.

Jayavarman Cruise on the Mekong River

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Lite – a basic ﬂight ticket includes one carry-on and food and beverages service; additional paid services including checkedin baggage and seating may be added. Classic – includes one carry-on, seating, food and beverages and one checked-in baggage Flex – includes two carry-on bags, expanded seating options, food and beverages and checkedin baggage

El Al has also unveiled plans to launch a non-stop Tel Aviv – San Francisco service. The ﬂights are scheduled to operate three times weekly on the new Dreamliner aircraft from the fourth quarter of 2018. It becomes the airline’s sixth North American destination alongside Boston, New York (JFK and Newark), Los Angeles, Miami and Toronto. www.elal.com/en Heathrow and the disabled A multi-million pound package of investments and tools to improve the travel experience of passengers with disabilities and mobility restrictions has been announced by Heathrow. The number of passengers requesting special assistance at the airport is rising at approximately 8% annually, with over one million requests in 2017 alone – more than any other European operation. Following a report by the Civil Aviation Authority this year, Heathrow is taking proactive steps to transform its service for these passengers, backed by an investment of £23m in a revamped contract with its special assistance partner, OmniServ. Introduced is a distinctive lanyard that will allow passengers that need

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

Dining in Tel Aviv If you do decide to take a winter trip to Israel and Tel Aviv is on your itinerary the luxury Norman Hotel has unveiled its latest dining concept, ALENA. The property’s signature restaurant specializes in local ingredients, taking inspiration from the melting-pot flavours and culinary styles of Tel Aviv to create an honest, seasonally-evolving menu of contemporary, Mediterranean cuisine. The 50-suite hotel comprises of two historic, iconic buildings combining heritage with the technology and comforts of a world-class hotel and residence. Located adjacent to vibrant Rothschild Boulevard it also offers a hidden fragrant citrus garden situated between the buildings and up on the roof, for the brave at this time of the year, is an infinity pool and sun-deck. www.thenorman.com Kosher Passover Just tap in “Kosher Passover holidays”

PGA National Resort and Spa

on the web and you will find a huge number of offerings in Europe, Mexico, North America and South Africa. I have picked out just three, starting with the five-star Four Seasons Hotel in the centre of Florence, an easy walk from the magnificent synagogue. The property boasts a 35,000sq m private botanical garden, beautiful outdoor pool, whirlpool, steam rooms and a complete fitness centre. Scholar-in-residence is Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. www.fourseasons.com/ florence The PGA National Resort & Spa Florida resort is completely Kosher for Pesach. It’s a AAA four-Diamond world-class luxury resort that has recently undergone a gorgeous $65 million renovation. The hotel boasts five tournament-ready golf courses, 19 tennis courts, a 30,000sq ft health and racquetball centre and a 40,000sq ft European Spa. Don’t fly to crowded Miami Airport 80 miles away but use Norwegian from Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale, a little over half the distance. Try the airline’s Premium product at less than others uprated economy. Great value. www.pgaresort.com One of the largest hotels, and on the East Cliff, the Queens Hotel Bournemouth is again hosting a Passover celebration under the London Beth Din from Thursday 29 March – Sunday 8 April 2018. The package is all-inclusive including two Sedarim, a full entertainment programme, excursion, family activities and guest speakers. By prior reservation the hotel restaurant is open to non-residents. www. queenshotelbournemouth.com

Shadchan service Text or WhatsApp Mrs Miriam Saunders on 07714 139 791 to arrange an appointment. Email your resumes to: miriamsaunders26@gmail.com

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Jewish Cultural Advisor An exciting vacancy has become available in Norwood, taking a key role in shaping the programme of events and opportunities for people we support to express and celebrate their Jewish identity. Working closely with people we support, service colleagues and the Norwood Rabbi, the Jewish Cultural Advisor will provide the following important functions: •Training staff to understand Jewish culture and tradition •Creating links with the wider Jewish community •Supporting the celebration of Jewish festivals, and good practice across all Norwood services The successful candidate will demonstrate an advanced understanding of Jewish culture and be supportive of the whole range of approaches and levels of observance that are expressed within the modern British Jewry. Key to success will be working with and influencing a range of people and communities, and above all a commitment to supporting people with learning disabilities, families and children with special educational needs to access culturally appropriate services that celebrate their Jewish identity. If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, please apply with your CV and cover letter to jobs@norwood.org.uk This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. Registered Charity No: 1059050.