The Jewish Weekly Issue 351 - 12-12-2024

THE ONLY FREE WEEKLY JEWISH NEWSPAPER

PARASHAT VAYISHLACH

SHABBAT: BEGINS ENDS

London 15:36 16:46

Manchester 15:31 16:52

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Antwerp 16:16 17:33

Bournemouth 15:44 17:00

Gateshead 15:20 16:44

Jerusalem 16:00 17:17

IDF destroys over 80% of ‘strategic’ Syrian targets

BY DAVID SAFFER

Israel Defence Forces has destroyed 80% of Syrian ‘strategic’ military targets since the dramatic fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

The IDF also controls a key 235 sq km demilitarised buffer zone in the Golan Heights, which includes Mount Hermon, established in the 1974 Israel-Syria disengagement agreement signed after the Yom Kippur War.

The United Nations accused Israel of violating the 50-year-old deal but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was unapologetic as it ensures Israel’s “security and sovereignty”.

Israel’s leader added that the ‘Separation of Forces Agreement’ was void since Assad fled to Russia, where he has been granted asylum. He also warned that Israel would defend its border and citizens.

“The collapse of the Syrian regime created a vacuum on Israel’s border and in the buffer zone,” Netanyahu said today. “Israel will not permit jihadi groups to fill that vacuum and threaten Israeli communities on the Golan Heights with October 7 style attacks. That is why Israeli forces entered the buffer zone and took control of strategic sites near Israel’s border. This deployment is temporary until a force that is committed to the 1974 agreement can be established and security on our border can be guaranteed.”

The IDF had not prepared for the operation but hastily acted after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led the assault to end the 55year Assad family rule. Operation Bashan Arrow has seen the IDF conduct 350-plus strikes in Syria over recent days to prevent the former regime’s huge armoury falling into the hands of Islamist terror groups.

PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AND IDF AT THE GOLAN

Continued from page 1

Targets included Syrian naval ports Latakia and Al-Bayda, a range of missiles, weapon production sites, fighter jets, helicopters, radars, tanks, warfare systems and intelligence bases. The Israel Navy destroyed 15 missile boats and 20 coast guard vessels, minelayers and landing ships. And the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre in Damascus was destroyed.

Netanyahu said: “We have no intention of interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, however, we do intend to do what is necessary for our security. I approved the Air Force bombing of strategic military capabilities left by the Syrian military so that they will not fall into the hands of the jihadists.

This is similar to what the British Air Force did when it bombed the fleet of the Vichy regime, which was cooperating with the Nazis, so that it would not fall into the Nazis’ hands.”

Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, who led the HTS assault, has called for “stability and calm”.

Netanyahu responded: “We want to have relations with the new regime in Syria but

if this regime allows Iran to re-establish itself in Syria, or allows the transfer of Iranian weapons, or weapons of any kind, to Hezbollah, or attacks us, we will respond forcefully and we will exact a heavy price. What happened to the previous regime will also happen to this one."

Netanyahu spoke at a press conference in Jerusalem on Monday following the collapse of the Assad regime.

“Yesterday, a new and dramatic chapter was opened in the history of the Middle East. The Assad regime in Syria, the main link in Iran’s axis of evil, crumbled after 54 years. Iran had invested billions in Syria, and it is all gone. This was a brutal dictatorship that trampled its citizens and slaughtered hundreds of thousands of them. Regarding us, it fostered hostility and hatred, attacked us in the Yom Kippur War, served as a forward position for Iranian terrorism and constituted a pipeline for the transfer of weapons from Iran to Hezbollah.”

Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the ‘67 War, unilaterally annexing it in 1981.

Netanyahu addressed IDF fighters killed liberating and

defending the Golan Heights.

“We all understand the great importance of our presence there, on the Golan Heights, and not at the base of the Golan Heights,” he said. “Our control on the Golan Heights ensures our security, it ensures our sovereignty.”

Netanyahu thanked US President-elect Donald Trump earlier this week for recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan in 2019.

“The importance of this historic recognition has been underscored,” he said. “The Golan Heights will be an inseparable part of the State of Israel forever.”

The past week has been seismic for the State of Israel.

As the world watched on during the collapse of the Assad regime Israeli leaders monitored the situation carefully.

Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Golan Heights Regional Council

Chairman Uri Kellner visited an observation point for a briefing on the Golan Heights last Sunday.

“This is a historic day for the Middle East,” said Netanyahu. “The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught

with significant dangers. This collapse is the direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assad’s main supporters. It set off a chain reaction of all those who want to free themselves from this tyranny and its oppression. But it also means that we have to take action against possible threats.”

Regarding the collapse of the Separation of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria, Netanyahu observed: “The Syrian army abandoned its positions. We gave the Israeli army the order to take over these positions to ensure that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel. This is a temporary defensive position. Equally, we send a hand of peace to all those beyond our border in Syria, to the Druze, to the Kurds, to the Christians and to the Muslims who want to live in peace with Israel. We’re going to follow events very carefully. If we can establish neighbourly relations and peaceful relations with the new forces emerging in Syria, that’s our desire. But if we do not, we will do whatever it takes to defend the State of Israel and the border of Israel.”

A terrorist shot dead a 12-year-old boy on a 291 bus trip from Beitar Illit to Jerusalem on Wednesday night.

The IDF begun a manhunt until the killer surrendered this morning.

Yehoshua Aharon Tuvia Simcha, zt’l, of Jerusalem, died of his wounds after being rushed to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Three passengers suffered moderate injuries.

The son of Rabbi Zusha Simcha, of Yeshiva Pnei Menachem in Beitar Illit, the family were travelling home from the last Sheva Brachos of their daughter.

The bus driver, injured in the shooting, drove to a checkpoint where victims received treatment

32,000 march against antisemitism

BY DAVID SAFFER

Over 30,000 people braved Storm Darragh to participate in the March Against Antisemitism rally in central London last Sunday.

Communal organisations uniting behind organisers Campaign Against Antisemitism included the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council, National Jewish Assembly, UJIA, Stand With Us, JNF and United Synagogue.

Hindu, Sikh, Iranian and Christian communities represented non-Jewish allies fighting extremism. The Government did not reply to a CAA invitation to march or speak.

The rally from the Royal Courts of Justice ended at Parliament Square where CAA Chief Executive Gideon Falter addressed the crowd. “British justice is renowned as the benchmark that other nations aspire to, but over the past year, our country has betrayed those values,” said Falter.

“Extremism has been met not only with passive inaction, but active appeasment. This country once wrestled with appeasement, rejected it and taught the world a vital lesson in standing up for what is right. Now, appeasement has become the doctrine of the day.”

Overviewing recent global hate incidents, Falter noted: “From Amsterdam to Australia the drumbeat is growing louder and faster. A pogrom, a synagogue set ablaze. When they call to ‘globalise the intifada’ this is what they’re calling for. This is what intifada looks like.”

Domestically, Falter observed: “Since Hamas’ October 7 atrocity last year, we have watched as, week after week, demonstrations that are designed to disrupt our lives have taken over our streets, stifled debate on our campuses, forced Parliament to change its proceedings out of fear for MPs’ safety, scared schoolchildren, forced Jews to hide their identity on public transport, intimidated us in our workplaces and even encroached into our hospitals.”

Falter added that teenage thugs had recently shouted obscenities on a Jewish Free School bus and a 14-year-old schoolgirl leaving school hospitalised after being hit by glass bottles.

Among well-known Jews speaking out, restaurant critic Jay Rayner left The Observer after 28 years, stating: “For years now being Jewish, however non-observant, and working for the company has been uncomfortable, at times excruciating.”

Falter concluded: “We owe it to future generations to raise our voices against this tide of extremism and bigotry, and reject appeasement, so that we might bequeath them the bright future that once was ours.”

Communal leaders praised CAA for ensuring the rally was a success. Gary Mond,

National Jewish Assembly chairman, said:

“For over 32,000 people to turn out in very inclement weather conditions showed the substantial level of importance that both Jews and non- Jews ascribe to this cause.

“Perhaps the most meaningful aspect of the afternoon was for Jews to realise that they do have many friends in the non-Jewish world who are prepared to stand up and be counted alongside us.”

Mond added: “There was just one disappointment. Apparently, the government were invited to provide a speaker and did not even give CAA the courtesy of a reply.”

“This tells our community that our government is not taking antisemitism seriously.” Jonathan Metliss, Action Against Discrimination chairman, noted: “This was yet another expression of solidarity fighting antisemitism demonstrated by the UK Jewish community which is to be applauded.”

“Not with standing the march, pressure on the Government, members of Parliament, police, Mayor of London and relevant authorities must be aggressively maintained by community leaders to extinguish the scourge of antisemitism and ban provocative, racist and antisemitic pro-Palestinian marches.”

“It was disappointing no senior Labour ministers and MPS were on the march. Likewise, no Muslim community leaders were present. The Prime Minister and his party have benefitted from exceptional support from the Jewish community, they should be repaying this in kind.”

“Phil Rosenberg, Board of Deputies President commented: “The Board was proud to support this initiative, which saw the whole community unite in the fight against antisemitism together.”

Commenting on the rally, a CAA spokesperson said: “Over the past year, antisemitic hate crime has quadrupled, Jews are now the most targeted faith minority in the country, despite our minuscule numbers. The regular Palestine protests have unleashed a tidal wave of antisemitism that has left no part of our society unaffected. Jewish people feel like we’re drowning.

“The turnout today, in spite of the stormy weather, demonstrates how strongly British Jews feel and, quite frankly, how desperate we are.”

They added: “With extremism changing our country before our eyes, people have taken a stand today to uphold our country’s values and demand action to secure the future of Britain’s Jewish community.

“But time is running out. The authorities and two governments have dragged their feet for over a year now. They must finally act against hate before it’s too late.”

The huge crowd heard music from Cantor Stephen Leas and Israeli rock icon Aviv Geffen. Major Andrew Fox, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Lorin Khizran, a nurse from Druze village

Our Fight founder also addressed the rally.

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Yarka, Reverend Hayley Ace, Christian Action Against Antisemitism and Mark Birbeck,

Thousands attend the March Againt Antisemitism rally

Record campus-related antisemitic

By Adam Moses

Community Security Trust recorded 325 university-related antisemitic incidents in the last two academic years.

There were 272 incidents in 2023/24, the highest recorded and a 117% increase on 2020-22.

The sharp rise in anti-Jewish hatred nationwide follows Hamas’ October 7 terror attack in Israel and ongoing war in the Middle East. CST recorded 85 incidents in October 2023, the highest monthly figure. This accounted for over a years’ monthly incidents and more than the past two annual totals.

Over two academic years, 81% of incidents were ‘abusive behaviour’ (verbal abuse, antisemitic graffiti on non-Jewish property, online or offline written abuse).

Twenty-six threats were to Jewish students, 10 instances of ‘assault’ were reported and there were 21 instances of ‘damage and desecration to Jewish property’.

Of offline incidents (2022-24), 130 took place on campus and 43 off-campus.

CST recorded 24 incidents perpetrated by staff, all but one occurred in 2023/24, 21 incidents involved Students’ Union officers or student societies.

CST received unprecedented complaints of pro-Palestinian campaigning at universities that featured extreme, sometimes violent, rhetoric towards Israel, calls for ‘Zionists’ to be excluded, or implicit support for terrorism. These reports did not meet CST criteria for antisemitic incidents due to a lack of clear evidence of anti-Jewish (as opposed to anti-Israel) language, motivation or targeting. They are not included in CST incident statistics but help understand why Jewish students, academics and staff experience a hostile campus environment.

In April and May 2024, pro-Palestinian student encampments were established across the UK, inspired by student encampment movement in the United States. CST recorded six reports of antisemitic incidents associated with encampments, five were ‘abusive behaviour’.

CST now employs two full time National Student Security Coordinators. They collaborate with UJS and campus-based organisations.

CST’s campus team offers guidance to Jewish students and societies nationwide. CST also partners with organisations to educate students on issues related to antisemitism and extremism on campus.

CST Chief Executive Mark Gardner, responding to the report, said: “British universities have suffered for decades with antisemitism, but these latest figures are worse than ever before. Jewish students should be able to lead a normal life. CST’s report includes several recommendations to crack down on this anti-Jewish hatred and provide Jewish students with the support and protection they need and deserve. Ultimately, this comes down to university authorities, government and police standing up to extremists who are permitted to harass, intimidate and disrupt on campus. This bullying can be from students or staff, and it inflicts harm upon anyone deemed to disagree with them.”

Sami Berkoff, Union of Jewish Students President, said: “The findings paint a stark picture of the challenges faced by Jewish students and staff on UK campuses. Urgent action is needed. It is essential to recognise that antisemitism does not exist in a vacuum. Legitimisation of extremist rhetoric on

campuses, including support for terror groups, emboldens protestors and further alienates Jewish students. Universities must reaffirm their commitment to being inclusive spaces by taking strong and unequivocal stances against all forms of hate.”

Berkoff praised over 9,000 Jewish students for being resilient in the face of antisemitism.

“No student should need to choose between their faith and education or feel unsafe expressing their identity,” he said. “If universities fail to protect Jewish students, they fail to foster safe and inclusive communities for all. We remain committed to advocating for Jewish students, ensuring their voices are heard and building partnerships with universities to drive meaningful change.”

HM Government’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism, Lord Mann, added: “Students and parents are rightfully concerned over the safety and protection of the Jewish student community. I will continue to work alongside CST and UJS to ensure Jewish students feel safe and able to live their lives at university, free from discrimination and hate.”

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Nazi officer Formanek to stand trial

By Adam Moses

Former 100-year-old Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp guard Gregor Formanek will stand trial 80 years after the end of World War II.

A Frankfurt higher regional court overturned a previous decision that he was unfit to stand due to medical grounds.

Formanek may be the last Nazi war criminal to stand trial.

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER), welcomed the decision.

“We stand in encouragement of those courts who are still legally pursuing the murderers and tormentors of thousands of innocent civilians during Europe’s Holocaust over eight decades ago,” he said. “In no way can these trials provide any adequate justice for these criminals against humanity. However, they are at least driven by the right idea that those guilty men and women should be exposed and held accountable, even at a ripe old age and on pension, a stage of life which their victims, brutally murdered, could never have fathomed have to reached.”

Formanek, named by German media, was charged last year with aiding and abetting murder in 3,322 cases at Sachsenhausen, near Berlin, July 1943 and February 1945.

The Frankfurt court ruled against a medical expert on sufficient facts.

‘The expert himself stated that it was not possible to interview the defendant and that the opportunity for extensive psychiatric testing was not available,’ the court reportedly said.

Bild cited documents from Germany’s Federal Archives.

Formanek was born in Romania and joined the SS in 1943. Documents described Formanek as supporting the “cruel and insidious killing of thousands of prisoners.”

Sachsenhausen, according to Yad Vashem, was built in July 1936, under SS chief Heinrich Himmler. Inmates included Jews, political prisoners, Gypsies and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Celebrating 170 YEARS

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Prominent prisoners included anti-Nazi German Protestant pastor Martin Niemoller.

In November 1938, after Kristallnacht, 1,800 Jews were brought to Sachsenhausen, 450 were murdered. Jews wore yellow stars and lived in separate barracks.

Sachsenhausen had 61 satellite forced labour camps. After 1943, most prisoners worked in armaments factories. The camp was built for 10,000 prisoners, by April 1945 it had over 50,000.

Sachsenhausen, 30,000 died, not including Soviet prisoners of war exterminated on arrival.

Dr. Werner Fischer conducted medical experiments. Jews and Gypsies were murdered so skeletons and organs for research in German universities.

200,000 prisoners passed through

The Red Cross offered to take control of the camp in February 1945 but the Nazis refused, sending prisoners on a death march. Many died. Sachsenhausen was liberated by Soviet troops on April 27, 1945, freeing 3,000 prisoners too ill to march.

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Hunt for Adath shul arsonists

BY DAVID SAFFER

Victoria Police continue to hunt for two masked people who set the Adass Israel Synagogue ablaze in Ripponlea, Melbourne last Friday.

Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed at the weekend that the arson investigation of the shul, set up by Holocaust survivors, was a counter-terrorism operation. According to reports the attackers doused liquid inside the building, which sustained significant damage, with congregants inside. Sifrei Torah miraculously were not damaged. Authorities removed them from a fireproof safe just before Shabbat. Sixty firefighters eventually contained the blaze.

Politicians and residents have voiced outrage and support for the shul. The attack has shocked Jewish communities around the world.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denounced the incident.

“There is no place in Australia for an outrage such as this,” he said. “To attack a place of worship is an attack on Australian values. To attack a synagogue is an act of antisemitism, is attacking the right that all Australians should have to practice their faith in peace and security.”

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan has

launched a $100,000 AUD grant to assist repairs and has increased police patrols in the area.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned an “abhorrent act” of antisemitism.

“I expect the state authorities to use their full weight to prevent such antisemitic acts in the future. Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia, including the scandalous decision to support the UN resolution calling on Israel end its ‘unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory’, and preventing a former Israeli minister from entering the country. Anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism.”

President Isaac Herzog spoke to Zionist Federation of Australia President, Jeremy Leibler.

“I was moved to hear how the entire community is standing united in the face of this terrible attack and wave of antisemitism they are experiencing,” he said. “I call on leaders in Australia and around the world to condemn this vile act of terror and combat the intolerable rise of anti-Jewish racism worldwide.”

Herzog also spoke with Albanese, stating: “I noted to the Prime Minister that the increasingly serious antisemitic

attacks on the Jewish community required firm and strong action, this message must be heard clearly from Australia’s leaders.”

Daniel Aghion, Executive Council of Australian Jewry President, said the Jewish community was not surprised, given the surge in antisemitic incidents across Australia, but welcomed support from faith communities and people standing in support.

Aghion added: “Don’t leave us exposed to the risk of attacks upon our religious institutions, our communal institutions. Stand with us. Stand against this hate and stand against this kind of horrendous attack which should not occur on Australian soil.”

Jewish organisations in the UK offered support to the Aussie shul.

Dave Rich, Community Security Trust said: “This is a disgraceful antisemitic attack and a worrying sign of where anti-Jewish hate is heading worldwide. It is a reminder of why security is so important and necessary across all of our Jewish communities.”

Gary Mond, National Jewish Assembly, said the attack was “vicious.

He observed: “Whilst antisemitism has spiked in Australia there is no doubt that actions such as the Australian Labour government’s support of the recent UN resolution against Israel further embolden those antisemites to

attack anyone and anything Jewish. The NJA stands in solidarity with the Melbourne Jewish community and hopes that the Albanese government start to take more decisive action against the spike in antisemitism that has flared up across Australia.”

A Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesperson added: “From the pogrom in Amsterdam to the prospect of Jews being burned alive in a synagogue in Melbourne, while hostages are still being held by antisemitic terrorists in Gaza, we are reliving some of the worst moments in Jewish history. Like past antisemitism, the Jew-hate of today is global. The question is whether the authorities in these Diaspora countries are prepared to take any action to address it.”

Jonathan Metliss Action Against Discrimination Chairman noted: “No Jewish community or building anywhere in the world is now free from attack. The community leadership in the UK must remain even more vigilant and alert.”

Australian Jewish communities have reported a fourfold increase in antisemitic incidents since October 7 2023. According to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, physical attacks on Jews in the country spiked from 11 in 2023 to 65 in 2024. Around 100,000 Jews live in Australia.

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Racist placards in Leeds

BY HARRY SIMONS

Placards worn by a Pro-Palestinian activist containing threatening and abusive language were designed to incite violence towards members of the Leeds Jewish community.

Serena Fenton, of Headingley, was recently convicted of two racially aggravated offences under Section 5 of the Public Order Act at Leeds Magistrates Court.

Fifty-six-year-old Fenton created two placards which she wore on her front and back whilst participating on protests in Leeds city centre and the University of Leeds.

The placards, featuring an Israeli flag with a red prohibition circle, included a photograph of former University of Leeds chaplain Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch forced into hiding after death threats following his return to the UK after completing his service

as an IDF reservist.

The court heard from witness Philip Marks who submitted a screen shot to West Yorkshire Police as a hate crime. He saw Fenton wearing it in the city centre and university.

Marks reportedly said: “This is not about the IDF, this is about Jewish people on the streets of Leeds. People who use it (they) know the offence and alarm it causes.”

Fenton stated the words used on the placard were factual but prosecutor Ella Embleton accused her of encouraging violence to target Jewish people.

“When you use they, you mean Jewish people,” she reportedly said. “You could have said the IDF walk amongst you, but you chose not to.”

The court heard that Fenton downloaded the picture of Deutsch, describing him as a ‘Zionist Jewish Rabbi’ from YouTube and identified him as being in the IDF.

In her summation, Embleton said Fenton chose words to incite violence and deliberately displayed the placard as a mark of hostility towards the Jewish community. She added that the photograph of Deutsch had been chosen as he was a prominent univer-

Judge Timothy Capstick said he was satisfied the placard contents were threatening and abusive, and Marks had been genuinely distressed and alarmed by the wording Capstick said Fenton was not aware she was threatening and abusive but

was disingenuous, causing serious alarm and distress for Marks and other persons present.

Fenton, who stated she was a pacifist and against violence, was fined £400 and ordered to pay £600 costs with a £160 surcharge. Fenton had been charged with a non-racially aggravated section 4 public order offence.

This was dismissed by Capstick following the CPS’s failure to secure Deutsch’s attendance in person or video link. He previously expressed his wish to give evidence.

In another case, an unemployed Leeds man has been sentenced to 120 hours community service after pleading guilty to a racially and religiously aggravated assault against a Jewish man.

Dyar Amin was recently found guilty at Leeds Magistrates Court after calling a 60-year-old man a “big-nosed *******” and “Zionist” at a pro-Palestinian protest outside Leeds Art Gallery last March.

He also attempted to kick him. CPS prosecutor Megan King told the court 43-year-old Amin’s actions were significantly aggravated by use of racial use.

Deputy District Judge Christine Edgerton condemned Amin’s racial slurs and categorised the incident as a hate crime. Amin was ordered to pay £199 costs.

Sam Morein, Leeds Zionist Initiative, said Amin, from Kurdistan, has lived in the UK for 22 years, had shown no remorse.

15,000th meal delivered by GIFT Manchester

The GIFT Shabbat dinner project, which has been up and running for almost two and half years, this month celebrates delivering it’s 15,000th meal, out of the new GIFT Hub, Manchester.

It’s an amazing achievement for the dedicated team of packers, the “Dinner Ladies,” led by Jane Braslavsky. The team of women meet every Thursday morning to portion, sort, pack, box, and dispatch.

According to Braslavsky, “the packing is fast and furious, the ambience joyous and fun and there is a smile on every face. So many of the ladies report it’s the best thing they do.” GIFT, part of Jewish Futures, serves a critical need within our community across the UK, engaging thousands of volunteers to help individuals and families who struggle financially or unable to cook due to health issues.

The GIFT Hub in Manchester has become a vital community project. In addition to dry food parcels, it also delivers freshly cooked Shabbat meal packages (with challah, soup, mains, sides and desserts) for up to 100 people each week, all of whom heavily rely on the service for their best or only meal of the week.

Jane says, “I have absolutely loved the project. It began on my doorstep and a conversation with the person who became out first generous caterer. I asked him what he did with his unused food.

It took no more than two weeks to re-organise and re-direct his leftovers together with huge supplements of extras for the ball to start rolling. We are delighted and even embarrassed by the kindness some of our “suppliers”.

At the very beginning (August, 2022), my pal, Andrew Addleman (“Dids”) of Brackmans, agreed to bake us 75 challahs each week “…until after the yomim tovim”. About 11,250 challahs later, he still sends the consignment over every week without fail.

The delivery volunteers await our packing and dispatching and set off literally all over the region to deliver to families and individuals close to and far away from North Manchester.”.

While the GIFT Hub, Manchester do help many, it is still short of the funds needed to help all of those on the waiting list who need assistance with the basic staples of a weekly Shabbat meal.

To find out more about the work of GIFT,

or to contribute to increase the weekly difference made to people’s lives, please visit – jgift.org/donate.

JANE BRASLAVSKY, THIRD FROM LEFT, AND THE GIFT ‘DINNER LADIES’

As usual, we are open for all of the bank holidays. Full Restaurant and Take Away service on the 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st December and 1st January.

25th December

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We are operating our full Take Away service (please book ahead of the day) and creating a major banquet and party in the restaurant from 9.15pm to welcome in 2025, with live music from the wonderful L A Webber Trio.

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WHAT3WORDS/// BEYOND OUR CONTROL

RELINQUISHING THE ILLUSION OF CONTROL: EMBRACING LIFE’S UNPREDICTABLE JOURNEY

BY RABBI NAFTALI SCHIFF

“The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” the renowned Scottish poet Robert Burns once observed. This poignant statement encapsulates a fundamental truth about the human experience - no matter how meticulously we scheme, how diligently we strategize, or how firmly we attempt to maintain control, there are always forces beyond our grasp that shape the course of our lives. As the Yiddish adage reminds us, “Man tracht, un Gott lacht” - “Man plans, and God laughs.”

This recognition of the limits of our individual agency is particularly central to Judaism, where the concept of divine providence is a cornerstone of our worldview. As the Talmud teaches, “A person’s earnings are determined from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur.” There are realms of existence that transcend our personal influence, realms governed by a Higher Power that ultimately decides the trajectory of our lives.

In our modern era of unprecedented technological advancement and scientific discovery, it can be tempting to believe that we have conquered the unpredictable nature of existence. We have harnessed the power of data, algorithms, and artificial intelligence to forecast weather patterns, predict market trends, and even anticipate human behavior. With the click of a button, we can access a wealth of information that seems to grant us mastery over our circumstances.

However, the events of the past few years and months alone, can serve as a sobering reminder of the limits of our control. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, upended the lives of people across the globe, defying the most sophisticated models and projections. Businesses shuttered, economies collapsed, and cherished traditions were forced to adapt in the face of an invisible adversary. Even the most meticulous contingency plans proved woefully inadequate in the face of such an unpredictable and far-reaching crisis.

This recognition of the limits of human control is perhaps most poignantly evident in the journey towards the end of life. As we grow older and our physical and mental faculties begin to wane, we are confronted with the humbling reality that even the most basic functions of our bodies lie beyond our control. The frailty of our mortal existence becomes increasingly apparent, reminding us that there are realms of our lives that we cannot command or manipulate.

In the Jewish tradition, the concept of “beshert” – the belief that events are

destined by a Higher Power – is a profound acknowledgment of the forces that lie beyond our control. This understanding is not one of resignation or fatalism, but rather a recognition of the inherent humility and awe that should define our relationship with the Divine. As the Talmud states, “All is in the hands of Heaven except the fear of Heaven” – our ability to cultivate a deep reverence and connection to the Almighty is the one realm where we can exert genuine agency.

This perspective is particularly relevant in the realm of personal relationships, where the illusion of control can be most seductive. We may meticulously plan the perfect marriage and envision the future of our family. Yet, as any married couple can attest, the true test of a relationship lies in navigating the unpredictable currents of life together. Disagreements, unexpected challenges, and even the natural evolution of two individuals can test the limits of our ability to control the outcome.

Similarly, in our roles as parents, employers, or community leaders, we may be tempted to exert an iron grip on the individuals under our care. We may believe that through strict rules, constant monitoring, and unwavering directives, we can shape the behavior and outcomes of those we seek to guide. Yet, time and again, we are confronted with the reality that the human spirit, with all its complexity and inherent desire for autonomy, cannot be fully tamed or contained.

The Jewish tradition offers a profound antidote to this tendency to over-control. The concept of “bitachon,” or trust in God, encourages us to release the illusion of control and instead embrace the humility of acknowledging our dependence on a Higher Power. This does not mean passively accepting whatever comes our way, but rather cultivating the wisdom to discern what is within our control and what lies beyond it.

In the realm of international affairs, this recognition of the limits of human control is perhaps most critical. The tangled web of geopolitics, the unpredictable nature of global crises, and the ever-shifting balance of power all serve as reminders that the course of history is not determined by the machinations of any single individual or nation. As the Talmud reminds us, “The heart of kings is in the hand of God” – even the most powerful leaders are ultimately beholden to forces beyond their control.

Indeed, recent events in the Middle East have provided a striking illustration of this truth. Who could have predicted the swift routing of Hezbollah, the ousting of Assad, and the downgrade of Iranian and Russian influence in the region? These dramatic shifts, which have upended long-standing power dynamics, serve as a poignant reminder that there are Divine forces at work, shaping the course of world events in ways that defy human logic and planning.

In the end, the journey of life is one marked

by both the beauty and the burden of this essential truth. We are called to plan, to strategize, and to work diligently towards our goals, all the while maintaining a deep awareness that the ultimate outcome lies in the hands of a Power greater than ourselves. It is in this delicate balance of human agency and divine providence that we find the true wisdom and resilience to navigate the unpredictable currents of our existence.

The recognition that there are realms beyond our control can be both humbling and liberating. It encourages us to let go of the obsessive need to micromanage every aspect of our lives and instead cultivate a posture of openness and trust. When we release the illusion of control, we create space for the Divine to work in our lives, shaping our path in ways that may transcend our limited understanding.

This is not to say that we should abandon our efforts or relinquish our responsibilities. On the contrary, the Jewish tradition teaches that we are called to be active participants in the unfolding of our lives, to use our God-given faculties to the fullest extent possible. But we must do so with the humble awareness that our efforts, no matter how diligent, are ultimately dependent on a power that is beyond our control.

In a world that increasingly prizes efficiency, predictability, and control, the Jewish perspective on the limits of human agency offers a profound counterpoint. It invites us to embrace the mystery and wonder of existence, to find solace in the knowledge that there are realms governed by a wisdom that far exceeds our own. It is a call to cultivate a deep trust in the Divine plan, even as we navigate the unpredictable currents of our lives; to stand back in awe and express a wholehearted appreciation and thanks to the Almighty when decade old enemies are destroyed in the blink of an eye; to be minded to relinquish control when appropriate and to bend the knee in gratitude when God unravels human chaos making way for us to marvel at the magnificence of the Divine plan.

Shabbat Shalom

///What3Words is a geocoding system that has divided the world into a grid of 57 trillion 3-by-3 squares, each of which is identified by a unique 3 word address. In this column Rabbi Naftali Schiff reflects upon 3 words each week, relating to core issues of the day

“I

Hanna’s home was destroyed by a bomb. This winter, temperatures will reach -20°C in Ukraine. She needs your help.

Will you repair Hanna’s home and keep her warm this winter?

Rabbi Naftali Schiff is the Founder and Chief Executive of Jewish Futures

FJL and UJIA launch new partnership on Jewish Leadership Programme in Tel Aviv

The Forum for Jewish Leadership (FJL) and UJIA have announced an exciting new partnership for a 5 week Jewish leadership programme in Tel Aviv this summer.

Combining their expertise, the initiative seeks to empower young Jewish leaders, strengthen their connection to Jewish values, and deepen ties with Israel.

Both organisations bring extensive experience in leadership development. Since 2008, FJL, part of Jewish Futures, has run internship programmes across Washington, D.C., New York, and Tel Aviv, with nearly 500 alumni from the UK. Meanwhile, UJIA

‘Jewish

has connected young British Jews to Israel through enriching educational experiences for decades.

The collaboration expands the reach of the FJL summer internships programme, with UJIA offering a generous subsidy to successful applicants. University students will benefit from leadership sessions with dynamic speakers, professional development, networking opportunities, and important discussions about Jewish values in the modern world, all in the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, as well as joining communities for inspiring Shabbatons across thecountry.

A 2023 participant, who interned at a Tel Aviv law firm, described the programme as transformative, enhancing his character, spirituality, and career aspirations. “It was a fantastic experience for personal, professional, and cultural growth alongside like-minded individuals. It strengthened my Jewish identity and made me a more informed and culturally aware Jewish professional,” he shared. Adam Waters, Director of UJIA Israel Experience, shared that ‘UJIA are thrilled to be joining forces with FJL who are known for their deeply enriching programmes that have made a significant impact to Anglo-Jewry over the last decade.’

With plans to bring close to 100 British students to Israel this summer through this 5-week UJIA/FJL programme and also a longer 8-week UJIA/Onward programme, this partnership aims to further strengthen and inspire young Jews in the UK. Together, FJL and UJIA are dedicated to empowering the next generation with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a meaningful impact on their communities and beyond.

Applications are now open.

Visit jewish-leadership.com or https:// ujia.org/experiencing-israel/ for details.

Living’ Room L’chaim - To Life

I have just returned from the largest Poland trip undertaken for 250 Year 12 students from JFS, organised as a collaboration between JRoots and Aish UK, both part of Jewish Futures, and Chazak.

The theme of “l’chaim” resonated deeply with me while there. Not least because of the ongoing suffering and devastating losses faced by our families in Israel, but also due to a significant debate still unfolding here in the UK.

As the group encountered and learnt about the initial stages of “The Final Solution,” including the expansion of the socalled “euthanasia project” that culminated in the gas trucks of Belzec and the gas chambers of Treblinka, I couldn’t help but

draw parallels to the “assisted dying debate” raging in the halls of Westminster.

The Jewish response, one that echoes loudly when confronted with the unspeakable evils of Nazi Germany, is to affirm the infinite value and dignity of human life. Symbolized in the eternal potential of a single burning candle, our response to loss in Jewish tradition is not to extinguish but to perpetuate light by lighting memorial candles. We let the flame continue burning, spread its light, and magnify the potential that was lost. But, as I shared with the group, it’s not a cliche. That responsibility is as real as the darkness that seems overpowering.

This is the essence of what we mean when we say “l’chaim.” It is also the message

young Jews desperately need to hear in a world increasingly unsure of what it is living for. Every soul is a burning flame of infinite potential, and sometimes it takes the immense loss of so much light to awaken us to our responsibility to shine our own.

Speaking with and educating young Jews to ask what they are living for and to connect with this deep truth about the power they contain within their Jewish souls, is the bread and butter of Aish UK. We know that our injection of life, passion, and aspiration into this rite of passage will inspire them for years to come.

L’chaim — To Life! To its infinite value and sanctity, and not, G-d forbid, to a world where lives are reduced to relative worth. All

life matters.

Rabbi Goldwater holds a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Jewish Education and spent two years living in Birmingham as the Aish Rabbi on Campus. He went on to direct Aish’s national Campus programme before taking on his current roles as Managing Director of both Aish UK and Jewish Futures. He has overseen the expansion of the teams and programming that are currently impacting over 20,000 young Jews across the UK.

Former Israeli Minister and Son Share Inspiring Story of Triumph at Simcha Layeled and JNF UK Fundraiser

A heartfelt evening organised by Simcha Layeled in partnership with JNF UK drew around 200 supporters who gathered to raise vital funds for children with disabilities and serious illnesses in Israel. Simcha Layeled is dedicated to improving the quality of life for thousands of children, believing that a combination of personal interaction and social and emotional support is key to their development into mature and independent adults.

The event highlighted the transformative impact of Simcha Layeled’s work through the inspiring story of Rabbi Shai Piron, a former Israeli Minister, and his son Naor. Naor, who has been supported by Simcha Layeled since the age of six, shared the stage with his father to recount his incredible journey.

Born with severe physical disabilities and adopted at a young age, Naor has overcome challenges that once seemed insurmountable, thanks to the unwavering support of Simcha Layeled. Now 20 years old and serving in the Israeli army, Naor’s achievements stand as a powerful reminder of what is possible with the right support and determination.

The audience, moved by their words, gained a deeper understanding of the immense challenges and triumphs faced by children with disabilities in Israel, particularly in light of recent events. Since October 7, the threat of rocket attacks has left many vulnerable individuals confined to their homes, underscoring the critical role of organisations like Simcha Layeled in ensuring their well-being.

The evening which took place at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in Central London featured talented Israeli actor and comedian Roy Bar-Nathan and popular Israeli singer Elai Botner who joined forces to perform a number of popular Israeli classics with a humorous twist. Having been a long-time supporter of Simcha Layeled’s work, Israeli actress and comedian Shani Cohen added her sincerity, charm and humour to the event as the host.

Eli Kellerman, CEO of Simcha Layeled said, “It’s truly heartwarming to see the embrace and care from the London community, especially for children and families with special needs. This event provides us with tremendous strength to continue our vital work, particularly for families in the north and south of Israel. I would like to thank all our partners, especially JNF UK and Tali Tzemach of Tzemach Productions, for their unwavering support.”

Elan Gorji, CEO of JNF UK, reflected on the success of the evening, saying: “Naor’s journey and the transformative impact of Simcha Layeled on his life is deeply moving. JNF UK is proud to support this remarkable organisation, which is making a profound difference on the lives of countless families in Israel. For over two decades, JNF UK has been dedicated to strengthening the most vulnerable members of Israeli society, particularly in the country’s peripheries. Simcha Layeled is one of many organisations we proudly partner with to ensure that no one is left behind.”

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US safeguard training

Sixty United Synagogue Rabbis and Rebbetzens have attended a ‘Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults’ training course.

JWA’s Nicole Williamson and Claudia Kitsberg delivered the workshop.

The US’ Centre for Rabbinic Excellence and Safeguarding team organised the session followed by a Jewish Women’s Aid presentation on identifying abuse and support for women in communities.

Jo Grose, US CEO, added: “Safeguarding is of paramount importance to the US.

This training reflects not just our commitment to protecting the vulnerable, but also our legal and moral imperatives.

Together, we can hopefully ensure our communities are safe spaces for all.”

Rabbi Liss, CRE Director, said: “There are many challenges in leading a community, knowing we are not alone and have experts to turn to is a great source of comfort.”

Young charity supporters embrace

inclusivity raising over £5,500 at annual pre-Chanukah Norwood Night party

Over 430 children and young families gathered for the annual Norwood Night on Sunday, as supporters of the charity for people with neurodiversity and neurodevelopmental disability got into the Chanukah spirit ahead of the start of the festival later this month, raising over £5,500 in the process.

The inclusive event for families featured a variety of Chanukah themed arts and crafts, a pin the shamash on the menorah activity, Chanukah-themed pancake decorating activity, food stands, a dedicated Chanukah gift and decorations stand, and a special Chanukah disco with children’s entertainer Ilana Banana.

Children were also treated to doughnuts and a goodie bag to take home with them. The event was sponsored by Templewhite Ltd and run with the support of Event Partner PJ Library.

Funds raised from ticket sales, as well as a raffle and lucky dip held on the night will go towards delivering Norwood’s refined approach to meeting the needs of neurodiverse members of community, with and without a diagnosis, with targeted family services to deliver coaching, professional advice, advocacy, therapy, peer support groups and short breaks provision to support the needs of the whole family.

2a St George's Road, London, NW11 0LR 020 8209 1117

We are expanding our Family Support Team Part-Time Family Support Worker 22.5 hours per week

The Family Support Worker role involves working within the Jewish community to provide targeted support to children and families.

This role requires expertise in managing the social and emotional challenges faced by children and families and the ability to develop professional partnerships with statutory & community bodies where applicable.

If you are passionate about supporting families throughout the Jewish community and have the necessary skills and experience, we encourage you to apply.

For a full Job Description and information pack email: info@jewishfamilycentre.org.uk

Closing date for applications: December 27th 2024

Requirements:

• A minimum of five years’ experience in social work or child related professions.

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and child protection protocols.

• Have own car to carry out work related responsibilities.

• Degree-level qualifications.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing. Proficiency in IT and standard office software.

• Ability to work as part of a team. Benefits of the Role:

• Flexible working hours.

• Opportunities for training and continuing professional development.

• Remuneration according to experience.

• Working within an experienced, dynamic team.

JFC is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children. An offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. We are an equal opportunities employer.

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ASK THE RABBI

GENOCIDE AND ISRAEL

Dear Rabbi

I read some of your articles about Israel. The one thing you haven’t addressed at all is whether Israel is committing genocide. I think it is undeniable that they are. Amnesty International has openly said that they believe Israel is committing genocide. Likewise, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and the defence minister of Israel. Doesn’t that tell all?

The facts speak for themselves when we see so many innocent civilians dying. Why won’t you condemn that? Maybe the war that began on October 7 th was inevitable when dealing with such a callous regime as that in Israel. And before you call me an anti-Semite, (that buzz word that is used and abused to cover over all atrocities) I am Jewish.

Sabrina

Dear Sabrina

That Amnesty International considers the only country currently involved in committing genocide is Israel, lays bare the bias and prejudice of the organisation, arguably underpinned by Jew hatred. I would say the same about the International Criminal Court which issued arrest warrants for the current prime minister and former defence minister of Israel.

In light of the very recent collapse of Syria, let’s consider how neither the ICC nor Amnesty International has ever done the same for President Bashar al-Assad and his defence minister, who have more than once used chemical weapons against their own people, and under whom some 600,000 people are said to have been killed since 2011.

Perhaps that’s because their victims weren’t connected to Hamas, the only group against which resistance is a crime in the Middle East.

Everything as it is currently happening is entirely the fault of Hamas and other Jihadists. That’s not my opinion, rather casual reasoning. If you kidnap people and you take them to a foreign place, what other option does a sovereign nation have, but to work to return its citizens safely?! And when these terrorists bury themselves amongst the population, wherever they are, whether in Lebanon, Gaza, Iran or Syria, they are making the people of that nation; the people whom they are burying themselves amongst, vulnerable to being killed.

I absolutely condemn those deaths and I absolutely blame the jihadists for that. You might think that October 7 th was inevitable, but here’s an incomplete list of everything that happened, since and because of October 7 th .

- The collapse of Hamas (almost there).

- The ruination of Gaza (which could have been the Singapore of the Middle East. Who knows, maybe we’ll get luckier next time round).

- The crippling of Hezbollah (No one saw that coming, least of all, they themselves).

- The destruction of Beirut and South Lebanon (Didn’t have to happen, but when you draw first blood, expect consequences).

- The Israeli anti-war Left with zero power or influence, and a revitalised right wing (Shame there has to be this schism and maybe when the dust settles everyone will calm down and get along with each other).

- Renewed efforts by Israeli Jews to settle Gaza (I don’t know how that will end, but they should never have conceded it in the first instance).

- The final nail in the coffin for a two state solution (Peace takes two sides).

- The assassination of Haniyeh (That was genius, right in the heart of Iran).

- The assassination of Nasrallah (Thank G-d! No one saw that coming).

- The assassination of Deif (He was

always a sitting duck, it was just a matter of time).

- The assassination of every Hezbollah leader (Another stroke of Israeli genius).

- The assassination of Sinwar (He should have never been freed from prison in the first place).

- The weakening of Khamenei’s Axis (Here’s to total collapse!)

- The collapse of the Syrian regime with its supply routes to Hezbollah (This one is mind boggling).

- The rise of Israel as a regional superpower with two fewer fronts to worry about (Amen to that).

- The rise of Bibi Netanyahu as a leader of action, as opposed to a hesitant man who prefers the status quo pre-07/10. (Watch this space).

- The destruction of the regime in Iran’s image as a powerful actor with powerful proxies (Soon enough it’ll be game, set and match).

So perhaps you’re one of those who believed (hoped?) that October 7 th was supposed to be the beginning of the end for Israel. Instead it marked the beginning of the end for every terrorist group and regime under Khamenei’s influence and marked a whole new beginning for Israel.

I think, that in part, explains the hysteria around the world. Everyone sees it happening and simply cannot believe their eyes.

When I say everyone, I mean all the Anti-Semites who only pretend to be Jewish or are otherwise just so miserable and self-loathing.

HMO News Today

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At the Edge of Doubt and Faith

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN

When choosing a topic to write about, I typically reflect on issues that resonate deeply within my heart. I sometimes spend hours contemplating my ideas with the hope that my writing is honest and heartfelt. I often spend more time choosing and pondering a topic than writing the actual article.

The past three weeks have been an emotional whirlwind as we have devoted ourselves to helping our son recover from the serious wounds he sustained while bravely defending our people and our land. My mind has been a torrent of emotions— gratitude and worry, pride and pain— making it challenging for me this week to settle on a topic to write about. Thoughts flitted through my mind, each vying for attention, yet none felt like the absolute and complete reflection of my emotional core.

Typically, I write with literary confidence, assured of my chosen subject, but this time, lingering doubt and uncertainty shadowed my writing, leaving me searching for clarity amidst the chaos of my thoughts. Amid the doubt and uncertainty of my situation, I struggled to find the clarity I usually rely on to begin writing.

And then it struck me—perhaps I should write about doubt and uncertainty itself. It occurred to me that my hesitation over what to write about mirrored my broader state of being: the doubt and uncertainty that have come to define my life in this moment. How do I navigate these unfamiliar feelings and how can embracing doubt, enrich my life and possibly offer a different form of clarity?

Parshat Vayishlach vividly portrays Ya’akov as a man grappling with profound uncertainty. He faces the looming threat of Esav, who approaches with a band of mercenaries, armed to the teeth. Likewise, Ya’akov is unsure how the surrounding nations will respond to the devastating massacre at Shechem. This sense of instability persists as his life unfolds in unexpected ways. After the crisis of Dinah’s abduction subsides, Ya’akov hopes for a semblance of peace and stability. Yet, he remains unaware of the brewing storm within his own family—sibling rivalries that will fracture his household and hurl them into two decades of chaos and suffering.

THE HAUNTING

Ya’akov’s doubts extend beyond external events; they gnaw at his soul. He remains haunted by the specter of having seized the blessings from Esav’s, wrestling with the morality of his actions. Additionally, though he acknowledges Hashem’s fulfillment of the promise to protect him, he worries that his heavenly merits have been depleted. As the Gemara suggests, Ya’akov also fears that his extended years in exile may have led him to sin, further fueling his inner turmoil.

Ironically, life with Lavan, though challenging, offered the strange comfort of predictability. Returning to Eretz Yisrael to reclaim his spiritual legacy introduces a cascade of doubt and complexity.

Ya’akov’s journey, steeped in uncertainty, unfolds across uncharted terrain, where doubt and certainty collide, and clarity remains tantalizingly out of reach.

MISTY DOUBT

After our son’s injury my life has suddenly been enveloped in a fog of doubt and uncertainty—on every front. I have no idea how long his medical recovery will take or where it will ultimately unfold. Since his injury, we have been far from home, living between hospital corridors and modest motels, caught in the whirlwind of an unpredictable and exhausting routine. My entire life has been put on hold – all my plans suspended as I try to be the best parent that I can possibly be. Even catching a minyan feels like a rare achievement, as the strain of the daily schedule leaves little room for stability or normalcy.

Like Ya’akov, my doubts extend far beyond logistical concerns or future plans. I am haunted by deep, internal uncertainties. Why did this happen to my beautiful son? Why must he endure such profound struggle? Amidst all the pain and heartache, I am overwhelmingly and wholeheartedly grateful to Hashem for the miracle that, im yirtzeh Hashem, he will make a full recovery. The countless nissim that have paved the way for this outcome leave me in awe. But with this gratitude comes another layer of doubt: Why was I granted this miracle? What does Hashem now expect of me? Will I have the strength and courage to rise to these expectations— even if I can discern what they are? The weight of this reality presses down on me. How will this trauma reshape my family? How will it transform me? My life feels unsteady, as if I am standing on quicksand rather than solid ground, searching for balance amidst the instability. These questions follow me day and night, and I have no clear answer.

ALWAYS AT THE DOOR

Today, I was twice reminded of the fact

that uncertainty always lurks at the door. Literally as I began to write this article, the news arrived: four more soldiers have been seriously wounded in Lebanon. A few minutes later a woman burst into the hospital Beit Knesset where I sat, her face streaked with tears, pleading to enter the men’s section. I quickly assured her that she could and watched as she stood before the Aron HaKodesh, sobbing uncontrollably.

Gently, I approached and asked if I could help. She cried out, her voice raw with anguish, that her daughter’s condition was dire. Hoping to offer some comfort, I told her I was a rabbi and offered to recite Tehillim with her and give her daughter a beracha. Together, we walked to the ICU, where her daughter lay fighting for her life—just a few feet from the very spot where my own son had been intubated and sedated for two long weeks.

During the past few days, having witnessed my son’s steady recovery, I allowed myself a fleeting moment of relief, daring to glimpse the possibility of stability. Yet, I was swiftly reminded of the storm I had weathered just days ago—both physically and emotionally. Her anguish rekindled my awareness that the tempest of unpredictability still rages, enveloping countless others in its relentless grasp.

UNCERTAINTY BRINGS CLARITY

We are not accustomed to living with doubt. We crave control over our schedules and the ability to map out our lives with precision. Planning the future and dictating the rhythms of our days provide a comforting sense of stability. Human psychology thrives on certainty and predictability, while our natural biorhythms are aligned with the steady cycles of day and night, enabling us to function with consistency and purpose.

Ironically, when that stability is stripped away—when the schedules and plans we depend on dissolve—we are thrust into a more existential state. We are compelled to confront our identity in its most raw and stripped-down form. Deprived of the regularity of daily life and the predictability of the future, we must search for deeper meaning and reach for something more solid to anchor ourselves amidst chaos.

MY ROCK

I have tried to use this doubt to draw close to Hashem. In a world where everything can be stripped away in an instant, the only enduring foundation is

faith. I have leaned heavily on countless people for support during this challenging time—friends from across the globe who reached out with heartfelt wishes, strangers who assured me they were praying for my son or singing his favorite Shabbat zemirot, tireless doctors who worked to heal him and uplift us with their optimism, and, above all, my extraordinary family—a blessing for which I can never express enough gratitude.

Yet, in my darkest and most uncertain moments, I turned to Hashem as my steadfast rock. Speaking to Him, confiding in Him, and feeling His guiding hand brought me a sense of comfort and reassurance that no human presence could provide.

Doubt has pushed me into a more profound and existential space, forcing me to confront life’s rawest truths and to anchor myself in something deeper. I hope that when this cloud of uncertainty eventually lifts, the clarity and strength I have found in this crucible will remain etched in my soul, fortifying my relationship with Hashem and deepening my own sense of purpose and selflessness.

– Rambam Hospital, Haifa, December 8

The writer is a rabbi at the hesder pre-military Yeshivat Har Etzion/Gush, with YU ordination and a master’s in English literature from CUNY. His most recent book, Reclaiming Redemption: Deciphering the Maze of Jewish History (Mosaica Press), is available in bookstores or at www.reclaimingredemption.com

The Rambam Hospital LIFE ITSELF

Facing Challenges Weekly Dvar Torah FROM ERETZ YISRAEL

BY RABBI ZEV LEFF

A society in which technology enables us to deal effortlessly with many of life’s difficulties raises the issue of the value of challenges and struggles. The Torah’s view on this question lies at the center of the account of the struggle between Ya’akov and the angel.

According to one Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 77:3), the angel who confronted Ya’akov was Eisav’s archangel, Satan himself. He came to obstruct and deter Ya’akov on his return to Eretz Yisrael. Another Midrash, however, says that the angel was Micha’el, the patron of Ya’akov and the Jewish people. To make matters even more difficult, Rashbam writes that Ya’akov sought to run away from Eisav, and Micha’el came to restrain him and force him to confront Eisav, thus demonstrating to Ya’akov that Hashem’s promise to him would be fulfilled.

To resolve these seeming contradictions we must understand the Torah’s view

of man’s struggle. Mesilat Yesharim describes life as one of struggle. Hashem put the neshamah (soul) into a physical body in order for it to earn olam haba through its efforts to overcome the yetzer hara. It is this struggle which elevates a person and enables him to reach the ultimate goal of achieving the World to Come.

During the struggle, the angel took on different disguises. According to one opinion, he came as a talmid chacham. Another opinion says that he came as a robber. Sometimes a person wants to elevate himself, but the Satan stands in his way – the robber who seeks to deny the person what he wants. That denial challenges him and causes him to appreciate all the more his accomplishments. On the other hand, there is the angel, Micha’el, the talmid chacham who tries to pull a person up when he wants to stay put. Ya’akov wanted to avoid problems; Micha’el forced the struggle upon him in order to elevate him higher.

At the end of the night, the angel asked to be set free, but Ya’akov refused. While at the beginning of the night Ya’akov sought to avoid the confrontation, by night’s end he realized that the struggle was essential to his very existence.

The prohibition of eating the gid hanasheh (the sciatic nerve) is a constant reminder of Ya’akov’s struggle. The Sforno explains that in throwing away the gid hanasheh we are showing that the place where Ya’akov was wounded is not important. That is how a person must deal with failure. When you fail in one area you cannot become depressed over it. Every time a person refrains from eating the gid hanasheh, he is reminded not to be overwhelmed by adversity. Failure, challenges and struggles provide the incentive to rise and continue. Rabbi Dessler points out that the word ra, evil, inverted is ar, awaken. Evil awakens a person. Setbacks and obstacles should not immobilize him, but offer a challenge, something to fight against in order

to strengthen oneself and earn one’s ultimate reward.

That, too, is the greatness of Klal Yisrael. We deserve Hashem’s blessing because we have the strength of character, derived from the Torah, to be able to struggle even when we are wounded. Ya’akov is now called both Ya’akov and also his new name Yisrael – Ya’akov when he’s struggling and Yisrael when he overcomes adversity. It is the same for us. Life is full of ups and downs – sometimes we are Ya’akov and sometimes we are Yisrael. However, we realize we have the potential of being Yisrael even when we are Ya’akov. We may be slowed down by setbacks in life but we do not give up. Chazal tell us that Eretz Yisrael is acquired with suffering and difficulties – due to the enormous potential Eretz Yisrael has to offer, it is only through struggling with difficulties that one can derive benefit from them.

Rabbi Zev Leff is the rabbi of Moshav

Our Communities of Support groups for paediatric Type 1 Diabetes and Crohn’s and Colitis – are a lifeline to parents, giving them a place to share their challenges and learned experiences with opportunities to hear from experts.

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Parasha Insights

BY RABBI SHAUL YONATAN TAWIL

Yaakov was preparing for his encounter with Esav. He transferred the entire family across the river. Yet the Torah seems to miss out the mention of one person – Dina. Rashi (32:23) commenting on the transfer, states that Dina was hidden by Yaakov in a box.

Yaakov didn’t want Esav to set his eyes on his daughter, he was worried that they might end up together; he therefore hid her so Esav would never see her.

This would seem to be the right thing for Yaakov Hatsadik to have done. Yet our Chachamim fault Yaakov. Rashi mentions – for refusing to allow Dina to marry Esav in a permissible fashion, Dina was eventually taken in a forbidden fashion by Shechem.

We are told that had Yaakov allowed her to marry Esav, then perhaps she would have inspired him or future generations to be close to Hashem. By not allowing Esav to meet Dina, Yaakov closed the door on his potential return via her influence.

had the right effect on Esav. Rav Avraham Yitzchak Barzel, in his Iyunei Rashi, sights the Gemara Berachot (60a), which states that Dina was initially conceived as a male foetus. Leah had prophetically foreseen that there would be 12 sons to Yaakov. She had already given birth to six. Bilha and Zilpa, Yaakov’s concubines, already had two sons each, and Rachel only had one. If she were now to have a seventh son, that would mean that Rachel would have less then even the concubines. She therefore prayed to Hashem that He miraculously transform her foetus to a female and she indeed delivered a baby girl instead of another son.

Thus Dina was born through an outright miracle, a Heavenly Intervention. This Rav Barzel suggests, afforded her a degree of spiritual protection upon which Yaakov could have relied in the hope that she could positively influence Esav.

This is an astounding Chazal and has perplexed many commentators.

Even granting the tremendous effect that a righteous wife can have on the most sinful husband, it is difficult to understand the drastic consequences of Yaakov’s seemingly innocent act.

Why is it that Yaakov Avinu’s actions which seem much warranted, given the situation, are faulted?

Let us first take a look at why specifically Dina could have

Yet we can still ask, was he really supposed to rely on the fact that maybe Esav would change through marrying his daughter, surely the risk was too high for his daughter.

A further answer is given by the Netziv. He offers an interesting insight suggesting that Yaakov’s fault was not the fact that he hid her in a box, but rather the way in which he hid her in the box.

His fault lay in the way in which he banged in the nails so to speak, with happiness. He was happy not to give his daughter to Esav. Rather then looking at the sad side that his brother was such a Rasha, and how sad it was that he was unable to give his daughter to him, he was happy.

I would like to suggest a further reason to this complex situation.

The night before Yaakov met Esav, he was attacked by Esavs arch angel. There was a wrestle between them the entire night. Esav’s angel eventually yielded to Yaakov, and although Yaakov came out with an injury to his thigh (Shelah Hakadosh and Radak both say this was a hint to the fact that Dina would be abused), he was successful in defeating the angel and even receiving a blessing.

Why is it that Esav’s angel came to attack Yaakov now? Surely he had other previous times in Yaakov’s life

would depend on this fight. Yaakov won and hence the next day we find that Esav did not try to attack.

In fact when Esav finally meets Yaakov we are told, (33:4)”And Esav ran towards him (Yaakov) and he embraced him and fell upon his neck and he kissed him and they cried.”

Why did Esav kiss him, why did they weep? Is that what we were all expecting of a seemingly war monger intent on destroying his enemy?

Rashi, noting that above the words (written in our Sefer Torah) “and he kissed him” are dots, gives two differing explanations. The first is to show that Esav didn’t kiss him with his whole heart. It was a kiss, but his heart was not fully pro this action.

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, however explains it otherwise. He states that “it is a given law that Esav hates Yaakov. But at this time his mercy was aroused and he kissed him with all his whole heart”. According to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, it is known that Esav hates Yaakov, but there are times including this one, where his love and affection are aroused.

Furthermore our Sages ask why was Esav crying?

The Chatam Sofer notes that when Esav saw the righteous Yaakov, his entire family and the wealth he amassed he came to a realisation that perhaps his ways were wrong. After all a man can be righteous, fulfil Hashem’s will and live a good life. He wondered if all the years that had passed had been to waste – it is for this reason that he cried?

Perhaps our sages fault Yaakov for not allowing Esav to see Dina, for the setting was ripe. Esav’s emotions were moved, he was crying at the lack of fulfilling his potential. He kissed his brother, (according to Rashbi) full heartedly. This was the time to act. Had he have seen Dina and wanted to marry her, then she would have had the perfect stand to build on, she could have built on these emotions and taken off from there.

in which he could have attacked.

Our sages explain that this fight was a spiritual fight representing the war in the upper worlds. Nothing occurs in this world, unless it is first determined above.

Esav was about to meet Yaakov the next day, and the outcome was being determined in heaven. That outcome

Life is full of trials and tribulations, yet we are all blessed at some time in our history in this world to see the spark of Hashem. The question is do we initiate and eternalise that spark, do we work from there, or do we let it float by us and continue our lives as if nothing happened.

Let us work to build on the positive energies we receive, on the good times, on the times we clearly see Hashem in our lives and build a strong foundation and future Amen.

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Transforming the Jewish Community over

Yom Yerushalayim Trip

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