The Jewish Weekly Issue 319 - March 28th

SHABBAT:

London 18:14 19:18

Manchester 18:24 19:32

Leeds 18:19 19:33

Liverpool 18:24 19:38

Birmingham 18:18 19:26

Antwerp 18:53 20:04

Bournemouth 18:17 19:28

Gateshead 18:20 19:36

Jerusalem 18:21 19:35

UN vote isolates Israel

BY DAVID SAFFER

Israel will continue its operation to destroy Hamas despite a non-binding United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostages held by Hamas.

The United States abstained, rather than vetoing the vote, the first time since the October 7 terror attack. Council members, including the UK, backed the resolution 14-0.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stinging statement through his office that the US had abandoned a ‘consistent position’ in the Security Council since the war began.

The statement added: ‘Today’s resolution gives Hamas hope that international pressure will force Israel to accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages, thus harming both the war effort and the effort to release the hostages.’

from freeing the hostages and destroying Hamas,” he said.

“My decision not to send the delegation to Washington in the wake of that resolution was a message to Hamas… don’t bet on this pressure, it’s not going to work. I hope they got the message.”

Defence Minister Gallant held talks with US Defense Secretary Austin and CIA director William J. Burns.

Netanyahu cemented Israel’s position on Tuesday.

His office noted: ‘Hamas’s stance clearly demonstrates its utter disinterest in a negotiated deal… Hamas rebuffed all US offers for a compromise, while celebrating the Security Coun

Strategic Affairs Minister Dermer and National Security Council Director Hanegbi for talks

PARASHAT TZAV | PARASHAT PARAH

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the Military Police Erez Battalion Megillah reading

Continued from page 1

Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan slammed the Security Council decision.

“Demands for ceasefire without conditions on release of hostages is unhelpful and undermines efforts for the release of hostages,” he said. “All members should have voted against this shameful resolution.”

Erdan added: “Releasing the hostages should be the first priority of the Council. Your demand for a cease-fire without making it conditional on the release of our hostages harms the efforts to release them and gives Hamas hope of achieving a cease-fire without releasing them. All council members should have opposed this resolution.”

Following his Washington meeting, Gallant stated: “I emphasised that Israel will not cease operating in Gaza until the return of all the hostages. Only a decisive victory

will bring to an end of this war.”

After the vote, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said Israel had a ‘right to defend itself against Hamas. He rejected suggestions Hamas could remain in power or govern Gaza.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the US was consistent in support of a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said negotiators were “getting closer” to a deal for an immediate ceasefire and release of the hostages.

The resolution demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the Israeli hostages.

Border force detain Israeli brothers

BY ADAM MOSES

The Home Office is investigating claims Border Force staff at Manchester Airport detained two Israeli brothers because of their passports.

Neria and Daniel Sharabi, who survived the Hamas terror attack on October 7 and helped rescue survivors at the Nova music festival, were invited to speak by the Jewish Representative Council for Greater Manchester at a community event.

Home Secretary James Cleverly confirmed on X the investigation against Border Force staff.

Daniel reportedly added: “After you’ve been through so many things, terrible things, and you arrive to a new country, England, you don’t expect things like this from the police officer at the border.”

The JRC published a letter on social media on the incident and released a video.

A Border Force officer reportedly tells the brothers: ‘Keep quiet, look at me, are you clear with that?’, adding, ‘We are the bosses, not you’.

The vote coincided with Israel suspending cooperation with UNRWA in the Gaza Strip.

“We do not tolerate antisemitism or any form of discrimination,” he said. “This incident will be handled in line with our disciplinary procedures.”

A Home Office spokesperson reportedly told Sky News: “While the facts and circumstances are being established, it must be reiterated that we do not tolerate antisemitism, in any forms, anywhere.”

The brothers were on a flight from Brussels that arrived last Sunday for the talk.

Neria reportedly told Sky News that he felt unsafe and probably would not return.

“This is not how you’re supposed to treat human beings,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Jewish or Christian or Muslim, this thing is supposed to stop, we need to fight this antisemitism.”

In the letter, the JRC reportedly noted that the brothers suffer from PTSD and were due to speak about their experiences as terrorism survivors and to raise awareness for the organisation.

‘Upon arrival, when Border Patrol noticed they were travelling with Israeli passports, they were asked why they had come to Manchester. They responded that as survivors of the Nova Music Festival they had been invited to share their experiences with the Jewish community in Manchester. They were informed that they would need to be questioned.’

The JRC wrote that the brothers were allegedly told by the officer that ‘they had to make sure that you are not going to do what you are doing in Gaza over here’.

A Manchester Airport spokesperson said staffing is UK Border Force not airport employees.

Neria and Daniel Sharabi

Bibi praises Police at Megillah reading

BY ADAM MOSES

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a Megillah with commanders and soldiers from the various crossings from the Military Police Erez Battalion.

Israelis celebrated across the country mindful of the war against Hamas. There were minyanim in Gaza and one in Shifa Hospital where operations were ongoing.

At Yeshivas, students led dozens of readings on Purim night including in the memory of HaGaon HaRav Gershon

Edelstein, z’tl, who established the yeshiva’s seder Limmud for Purim 1998.

After the siyum, bochurim davened for the release of all the hostages.

Netanyahu after the reading he attended said: “I am very impressed by your work at all times but especially now, when the challenges facing you have grown significantly, to put it mildly. The missions have become greater as have your efforts.

“You defend the State of Israel and citizens of Israel around the clock, in

various missions, while assuming risks and sometimes with sacrifice. I want to commend you.”

He added: “Today we mark the holiday of Purim. More than 2,000 years ago in ancient Persia, an antisemitic enemy arose, the wicked Haman, who sought to wipe the Jewish people off the face of the Earth. The Jews stood up, united together, fought and won a total victory.

“Today in modern Persia, there is a new enemy, the Iranian regime, which seeks to destroy the state of the Jews. We have already seen what Hamas, one of this enemy’s proxies, did on October 7, which

President Biden also called sheer evil.

“It is impossible to defeat the sheer evil by leaving it intact in Rafah. As in ancient times, like our brothers, we are also united. We are fighting and will be victorious. We will enter Rafah and achieve total victory. We eliminated Haman and we will also eliminate Sinwar.”

Chief-of-Staff Tzachi Braverman, Maj.-Gen. Avi Gil, Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor, Chief Military Police Officer Brig.-Gen. Avichai Meibar and Erez Battalion Commander Lt.-Col. Itzik Ben-Yair were present.

BoD hostage ‘Seder Seat’ campaign

BY ADAM MOSES

The Board of Deputies has launched a ‘Seder Seat for a Hostage’ initiative.

Individuals and families have been asked to set an extra place at the seder table for one of the hostages held captive by Hamas. Pictures of a hostage can be downloaded from the BoD website.

The BoD has appealed to people to share pictures of the table with a hostages’ seat using the #SederSeatForAHostage hashtag.

Marie van der Zyl, BoD President said: “As in ancient days, we call ‘Let Our People Go”. Jewish, Muslim, Christian or Buddhist, the hostages must all come home. We pray for their release, and for this terrible conflict to come to an end with Hamas uprooted, so that Israelis and Palestinians can together build a better future. And when we recite the words ‘Next Year in Jerusalem’, we will be thinking of all those who are not with us for the Seder this year, hoping for their safe return.”

‘This Passover, as every year, Jewish communities around the world will be commemorating the Festival of Freedom, remembering our ancestors being rescued from captivity and going up to the land of Israel,’ noted the BoD. ‘At the

Seder table, the youngest among us will ask the traditional Four Questions. But for many of us there will be another question this Pesach, left unanswered. How can we discuss being redeemed from slavery, when Hamas still holds 130 men, women and children in the most vile captivity? How can we celebrate our freedom, when our brothers and sisters are not free?’

In other BoD news, local Welsh politicians expressed solidarity to the Jewish community at a recent seminar.

During the event, organised by the BoD, South Wales Jewish Representative Council and Jewish Leadership Council, councillors heard from BoD and Rep Council representatives, a Holocaust survivor, and communal organisations including the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Community Security Trust, Union of Jewish Students and We Believe in Israel.

Delegates heard a testimony from a community member with family members murdered and kidnapped by Hamas.

Laurence Kahn, South Wales Rep Council chair told councillors: “The whole world has changed, not for the better, since October 7. Our communities have close family and friends in Israel so we have been deeply impacted by the conflict. It is now the norm to have an

increased police presence at our synagogues throughout the Sabbath. Though this is a dark time for our community, it is important to also focus on the positives.”

The BoD has provided the Rep Council with a copy of the Jewish Living Experience Exhibition to aid Welsh school children to learn about the Jewish way of life.

“We encourage local authorities to contact us so that they can host the exhibition in their respective areas,” said Kahn.

Amanda Bowman, BoD Vice-President told the seminar:

“While this is a turbulent time for Welsh Jews, the Bod is doing all we can to support Jewish communities across the UK. The BoD has developed guidelines for local councils to help them prevent debate motions on issues relating to the war veering into antisemitism.”

According to the

latest census, Wales is home to just over 2,000 Jews, the majority live in South Wales, particularly Cardiff.

BoD seder campaign: https://bod.org. uk/seder-seat-for-a-hostage/

Hackney arson suspect charged

BY DAVID SAFFER

Jewish organisations have welcomed the Metropolitan Police charging a man with arson following a fire at a property in Hackney, east London.

Ian Pitkin, 63, of Newick Road, Hackney, arrested at the scene, appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The suspect made “allegedly antisemitic comments” when being detained the Police confirmed.

Officers attended the blaze on March 20. Four people were injured.

London Fire Brigade said eight engines and 60 firefighters tackled flames.

Pitkin has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life, possession of

an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

A CST spokesperson said: “This appears to be a very serious incident and we appreciate the police’s swift action in arresting and charging a suspect. We have been in contact with police since the incident and we will be working with

them to provide reassurance to the local Jewish community over the coming days.”

They added: “Over the past few months, we have seen an extremely worrying surge in antisemitic violence, from beatings to knife-wielding. This suspected arson attack, if it had an antisemitic motivation, takes our society to a whole new level of hate. Was it not enough that Jews may, judging from the evidence, have been burned alive by Hamas on 7th October? We cannot sit by as that grotesque violence is potentially mimicked by Jew-haters in the UK. We thank the first-responders and medical practitioners for bringing the fire under control and treating the wounded, and commend the police for a swift arrest. Justice must now be done.”

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said: “We take instances of antisemitism extremely seriously and for this reason we’re investigating the incident as a potential hate crime. Undoubtedly this will be extremely concerning news for our Jewish communities in Hackney and beyond.”

He added: “Whilst the investigation will continue to explore the motivation for this offence, we believe at this stage that this was centred on a localised housing-related issue. We have no indication, at this very early stage, that the motivation was connected with any specific local or global events.”

Amanda Bowman of the Board of Deputies

CAA billboard campaign

BY DAVID SAFFER

Campaign Against Antisemitism has launched a national billboard campaign highlighting Jewish life in Britain today following the October 7 terror attack.

The initiative follows the Metropolitan Police Service reporting a 1,350% increase in hate crimes against Jewish people.

“This statistic is incredibly alarming, but on its own it does not paint the full picture of what the effect of this surge in antisemitism is on British Jews,” said a spokesman.

The campaign illustrates the impact antisemitism now has on daily life for British Jews of all ages.

CAA noted in a statement: ‘Kindergartens have guards, Jewish schools have discouraged pupils from wearing blazers with a Jewish school crest, university students afraid to reveal their religion, football stadiums full of people invoking the Nazi gas chambers, and intimidation outside synagogues. These are just a sample of the real-life effects of antisemitism on British Jews. At a time when 69% of British Jews say that they are less likely to show visible signs of their Judaism, it is important now, more than ever, that the British public is informed about the extent of the scandal of antisemitism in Britain.’

The organisation has conducted polling on antisemitism in recent months as people are presented with statistics and studies to understand the experience of the Jewish community.

Gideon Falter, CAA Chief Executive, said: “Such data only goes so far. What is the real effect of surging antisemitism on the everyday lives of British Jews, from infants to the elderly, at schools, university and at cultural and sporting events? Routines are disrupted and fear infects daily lives, which is why the community must take so many security precautions. That impact is the message that this billboard campaign is trying to deliver to the British public up and down the country.”

CAA cited examples of incidents including the case of Niyak Ghorbani who earlier this month held a sign condemning Hamas as a terror organisation next to an anti-Israel demonstration in London.

Footage appears to show that he was abused by protesters and potentially assaulted.

CAA noted that Police ‘violently’ arrested Ghorbani not the protesters.

‘Police snatched, scrunched up and confiscated his accurate and perfectly legal sign which, from the footage, appears to be exactly what the protesters had sought to do,’ observed CAA.

Staggering anti-Israel poll

BY ADAM MOSES

One in 20 Britons support expelling Jews from the Middle East in a disturbing YouGov poll.

Jewish organisations are alarmed by the latest polling of 4,061 respondents from the British public.

Of those who sympathise with the Palestinians in the Gaza conflict, 11% have a favourable view of Hamas, 77% an unfavourable view, 54% a very unfavourable view.

Other results showed that 14% justified the Hamas October 7 attack, 70% against, 11% supported expelling Jews from the region with 79% opposed.

A two-state solution received 83% support while Hamas and the Israeli government were unpopular among respondents.

Isaac Zarfati, StandWithUs Executive Director, stated: “The report reveals a severe lack of education, or more alarmingly an imbalance in the education currently received by the public. There is a real need for the general British public to be properly informed of the religious and historic ties of Jews to the land of Israel- a right for any native group to affirm and actualise.”

He added: “StandWithUs has provided a 250% increase in our programs across the community over the past year. Over 13,000 people took part in our educational sessions and over 13.5 million engaged on social media in the UK.”

Globally StandwithUs has reached one

Ghorbani required hospital treatment for a wound.

CAA, who provided Ghorbani with assistance including arranging legal representation, welcomed charges being dropped.

“The police are now, rightly, seeking the man who is on video appearing to assault Mr Ghorbani,” noted CAA, who added that lawyers are examining legal options regarding the police response to Ghorbani’s lawful exercise of his free speech rights.

“Policing of these weekly anti-Israel demonstrations is a shambles,” commented CAA. “Mr Ghorbani’s case, where an innocent man was arrested while potential criminals continued on their way is a scandal. We will do everything in our power to force the Met Police to change course and finally start punishing criminality and extremism. Ghorbani was accosted and then arrested, all because he was trying to point out that, under UK law, Hamas is a terrorist organisation. So, when the police censored him, we decided to amplify his message.”

T-shirts and hoodies with the same message are available for sale through CAA. And a digital van with the message was taken to the location where Ghorbani was arrested.

“It is a sad reflection of the times we

live in when it has become controversial to promulgate the simple moral and legal truth that Hamas are terrorists,” noted CAA.

CAA, meantime, have responded to the BBC describing the recent terror attack in Moscow, for which ISIS took responsibility, a “terror attack”.

The description of the Moscow attack has been deleted.

“Perhaps realising that this might mean that the broadcaster would also have to call the Hamas terror attack,” noted CAA. “This is not the first time that the BBC has done this. The broadcaster’s refusal to describe Hamas as terrorists is, at best, a failure to live up to its own principles of accuracy, impartiality and fairness.”

CAA’s Parliamentary Petition has launched a petition for terrorism legislation to be amended.

To date over 12,000 have signed the petition

All broadcasters regulated by Ofcom must describe terrorist organisations proscribed in the UK and operatives as ‘terrorists’ and not by another descriptor.

“With 100,000 signatures, the topic will be considered for debate in Parliament,” commented CAA.

Details: https://petition.parliament.uk/ petitions/649611

billion people.

“These staggering numbers show us how substantial the need is for our vital services and educational content,” said Zarfati.

CAA noted there are over 2.5 million Hamas sympathisers in Britain (4% of the British population), 70% are unsympathetic.

The figures are worst among the young. One in ten aged 18-24 hold a favourable view of Hamas.

Polling shows over three million Britons (5%) want Jewish presence in the Middle East eliminated through mass expulsion, the same number say the October 7 atrocity was “justified”.

The Israeli government is unpopular, 15% have a positive opinion, 58% negative, 34% very negative.

Just 24% back the Israeli attack on Gaza.

The large majority who sympathise with Israel back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Among pro-Israel Britons, 71% are behind the government, 87% back the IDF operation in Gaza. A quarter support expelling Palestinians to resolve the conflict, 66% back a two-state solution.

A spokesman said: ‘Terrorists pose a threat not only to British Jews, but to the entirety of British society. The approaches tried so far by our Government and police forces have not worked. The radicalisation of our country, and particularly our youth, poses a grave danger to the whole United Kingdom.’

Support Torah in Israel

Find out why over 20,000 people tune in daily online to watch Reb Eli Stefansky’s Daf Hayomi shiur, and donate today to help spread Torah around the world.

The Jewish Weekly is helping to raise money for Mercaz Daf Yomi in Israel.

The ever popular Daf Hayomi shiur is given twice daily in English and Hebrew by Reb Eli Stefansky, in Ramat Bet Shemesh. As well as up to 100 people who attend live daily, ranging from young children to people in their 90s, a staggering 20,000 people tune in online to watch the shiur every day, making it the biggest shiur in the world.

Reb Eli has nearly 19 million hits on Youtube, an astounding amount for any Rabbi, let alone a Gemoroh shiur!

The reason for the astonishing success lies in Reb Eli’s personality and the tremendous effort he puts in to making the daily shiur as enjoyable as can be.

He effortlessly communicates with all types of Jews, from the most religious to the completely unreligious and everyone in-between.

The fundraiser takes place on Tuesday April 2 and donations can already be given on the link of the editor’s page at the end of this article.

To produce the shiur with its high level of graphics and animations alongside colourful charts, pictures and even games, a team of 12 employees are needed including graphic artists and video editors.

Other costs include the salaries of the kollel members that sit in the Beit Hamidrash each day and the worldwide distribution of the free gemoroh campaign. Thousands of people have returned to learning Torah each day simply by receiving a free gemoroh upon signing up.

Reb Eli told The Jewish Weekly that donating to this important cause will give the best ROI - return on investment. He explained that each free Gemoroh that attracts a new person to Torah learning means that for just £40, you receive lifelong reward for all the learning they ever do because of you!

The recent Siyumim held in London and Manchester last year attracted over 700

people.

To help spread the light of Torah around the world, donate at the bottom of the page or contact our office.

For readers who wish to discuss potential legacies and the opportunity for loved ones names to be remembered on the building, Aron Kodesh, Sefer Torah etc, contact us below to arrange an appointment with editor Yossi Saunders and Reb Eli Stefansky himself.

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Reb Eli preparing the daf

Reb Eli being Sandek at a recent Bris for a member of United Hatzalah

BY HARRY SIMONS

Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan presented the award for the winning design of the annual ‘Shaping’ Memory competition for Holocaust Remembrance day to Ira Ginsburg.

The annual competition, now in its 14th year, invited contemporary Israeli designers to express a connection to the Holocaust’s diverse layers through a visual prism.

Ira was one of five artists and designers who submitted a creative concept to Yad Vashem.

The central theme of was ‘A Lost World: The Destruction of the Jewish Communitie.’

Nearly 85 years since the outbreak of World War II, thriving Jewish communities that existed are at the heart of how we commemorate the Holocaust.

“Yad Vashem’s commitment to Holocaust remembrance is not just about preserving history; it’s about shaping memory,” said Dayan. “Through a unique multidisciplinary approach that integrates design and art, we recognise that memory is strengthened through visual associations. Our annual Shaping Memory poster contest is more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity to bridge the gaps between history and present-day life. By harnessing the power

of visual storytelling, we honour the past by encouraging new audiences today not only to remember, but also to learn about it.”

The winning design illustrated a map of a town, symbolising a typical Jewish community.

In art there are multiple layers. Ginsburg’s posters mimic a tree of life that ascends limitlessly, evoking the memory of a Jewish family and decimation of

Jewish life in Europe and North Africa.

Yad Vashem noted that Ginsburg’s family has its own Holocaust story.

Frieda Teitelman, Ira’s grandmother, lost family members in the forests of Ukraine during the Holocaust, who fortunately survived and went on to build a family from the destruction.

“My grandmother’s story is a tale of life and continuity, and there is no better time to discuss the need for rebuilding

and nurturing roots than these days after the October 7th massacre.” Ginsburg said. “The new branches depicted in the poster symbolise the renewal of my grandmother’s family, and the growth emerging from the devastation.”

The poster is abstract and concrete, portraying the void left by the obliteration of communities within the Jewish and broader historical and cultural landscape. Some houses within the community are hollow, with outlines remaining, symbolising the absence of residents.

Yad Vashem noted in a statement: ‘The depiction of the community’s presence across worlds echoes the work of the contemporary Jewish painter Marc Chagall, serving as yet another poignant reminder of the multifaceted assaults on Jewish culture perpetrated in the effort to annihilate the Jewish people and their heritage.’

Yad Vashem welcomes political leaders throughout the year.

Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, visited Yad Vashem yesterday.

Lahbib will tour the Holocaust History Museum, participate in a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance, visit the Children’s Memorial and sign the Yad Vashem Guest Book.

Dani Dayan, Yad Vashem Chairman

‘Rehydrating the Earth’ campaign

BY HARRY SIMONS

Football for Peace joined sports bodies, athletes and the UK Children’s Parliament to launch the ‘Rehydrating The Earth’ campaign on the eve of UN World Water Day last week.

Children from different religions including Jewish, Muslim and Christian participated as part of the London Most Valuable Peacemakers Tournaments program.

The campaign is part of a 10-year global plan to tackle global water issues.

Prince William of Wales, former PM of Norway Erna Solberg, Indonesia President Joko Widodo have backed the campaign which will be highlighted at the FIFA World Cup 2026, 2030 and 2034.

Former football legends Ronaldinho, Mesut Ozil, Patrice Evra, Luis Figo have backed the initiative. Programs run across Africa, Asia, UK and US.

Fiona Bruce, Special Envoy and Deputy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and David Burrows led the event attended by former footballers Adebayo Akinfenwa, Oumar Niasse and Alexandra Nord.

Bruce said: “The recently published White Paper on International Development recognised the need for action which tackles religious vulnerabilities. It is timely that Football for Peace is launching its rehydrating project bringing

people from all religious and cultural backgrounds together.”

Akinfenwa commented: “I’ve seen firsthand the power of the sport to unite people from all walks of life. The campaign leverages that incredible power, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to tackle the urgent issue of water scarcity. This initiative is more than a campaign, it’s a testament to the belief that when we play together, we can change the world.”

Niasse noted: “Water is the essence of life, not just for us but for every living being on this planet. As footballers, we

understand the importance of staying hydrated for peak performance. But beyond the pitch, in communities around the world, the scarcity of water is a critical challenge. That’s why the project is so crucial. It’s a lifeline, a call to action for each of us to contribute towards securing a future where clean water is accessible to all. Together, we can turn the tide on water scarcity and safeguard our planet for generations to come.”

Nord added: “There are millions of women in the world that don’t have access to safe water and sanitary products, things that we take for granted. Women in the football community can use our voices to spread knowledge on the matter. It’s important for us to raise awareness and make the change we want to see in the world.”

Football for Peace launched the campaign at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

NEWS IN BRIEF

SKA has released its Pesach guide for 5784/2024.

All the items are from suppliers that carry SKA certification. These items are available from a wide range of sources including major supermarket chains.

SKA explained in a statement why they have listed products not requiring a certification.

‘We advise that it is always better to buy products that are certified as Kosher for Passover,’ SKA noted. ‘However, for some people, this is not possible for reasons ranging from the cost of living to location. Our expertise in the field of food certification has meant that we are confident that the processes used to manufacture these items are halachically compliant. Where required, we have issued guidance on which processing aids and additives should be avoided.’

SKA’s Director of Operations, Rabbi David Neifeld said: ‘Making Kashrut as accessible as possible goes right to the core of our mission as a Kashrut authority’.

‘By issuing this list, we hope more people will feel able to enjoy Passover in a halachically compliant manner,’

New products have been added to the SKA approved section this year.

Fiona Bruce MP

IAA report illustrates R&D posts for women

BY ADAM MOSES

More women are taking up technology posts in Israel according to a new report by the Israel Innovation Authority for International Women’s Day.

Approaching 40% of women are in R&D roles, a 130% increase in the past decade. Women occupy a third of high-tech positions, short of a 43% target set by the National High-Tech Human Capital Committee (Perlmutter Committee) equating to a growth target of 80,000 posts by 2035.

The proportion of women in administrative and business development roles has decreased over the past decade from 50.7% to 41.4%.

The Perlmutter Committee believe most groups will exceed growth targets but challenges remain for non-ultra-Orthodox and Arab women in Israel.

industry.

An IAA/Aaron Institute paper explored a connection between high school studies, salary and high tech employment. An IAA/Trump Foundation report examines gender wage gaps in high tech.

The IAA, who worked with the Aaron Institute for Economic Policy at Reichman University on the project, have called for ‘targeted interventions’ across

Dror Bin, IAA CEO, said: “The tech sector has been at the forefront of the Israeli economy for many years, but there is still a way to go regarding gender equality. We see more women in core roles, but the growth rate is insufficient to reach gender parity goals. In 2023, about 3,500 positions were added for women in tech compared to about 6,700 positions for men. To bring about change, there must be a concerted long-term effort by the tech industry and relevant government entities to continue breaking the glass ceiling for women earlier in their career.”

Dr. Sergei Sumkin, Aaron Institute, noted: “Gender gaps in tech positions

and the tech industry’s R&D positions are not a result of differences in ability or achievements between men and women, but stem from different choices made at various stages of the education system. Since studies in advanced technological classes that allow for physics and computer science studies in high school are one of the prominent factors explaining the gender gap in employment in tech positions and the tech industry, access to tech studies should be provided to students in Israel within the school framework or excellence centers. Attention should be paid to the professional explanation by the school staff regarding the contribution of tech skills to quality employment for female students.”

Eli Horowitz, Trump Foundation for Education CEO, added: “Parents who consider this important must know that the important choice for their daughters is already made in middle school. Those who are accepted into the science excellence class in middle school study physics, computers and mathematics at a high level. When choosing majors in high school, she has a great advantage over those who studied in regular classes in middle school, where they did not study physics and computers. The problem today is that there are almost no female

students in the excellence classes in middle school, schools can and should change that.”

The Israeli tech industry mirrors global trends in gender representation.

Sweden leads the way in international equality rankings but the proportion of women in tech is behind Israel at 29%. Estonia, a pioneer in digital transformation, has almost 40%, US is 36.5%.

In related news, World Jewish Congress participated in a two-day event or International Women’s Day last week.

The gathering followed a report by Pramila Patten, UN’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, detailing violence by Hamas against Israeli women.

The events were organised with the Mission of Israel to the EU and NATO, European Jewish Congress, ELNET, B’nai B’rith International, AJC Transatlantic Institute and European Parliament members five political groups.

The first day included testimonies from two hostages held by Hamas and later freed.

Professor Yifat Bitton, Achva Academic College and co-founder of Tmura, the Israeli Center for Equality, and Orit Sulitzeanu, ARCCI, delivered keynote speeches.

MDA UK goes on Solidarity Mission to Israel with cohort

Magen David Adom UK supporters and donors recently returned from a Solidarity Mission to Israel (3-7 March) that included meeting some of the heroes of 7th October.

The mission began with a briefing at Netiv Haashara, followed by an emotion-fuelled day visiting some of the most affected sites, including Kibbutz Beeri. Ophir, an MDA medic, led a tour of Sderot, sharing his harrowing experienc-

when she was found, she still had her medical gloves on. The evening culminated at a dinner with Béatrice Butsana-Sita, CEO, and Claire Clement, Director of International Law for the British Red Cross.

es of 7/10, before heading to the Sderot MDA station. MDA dispatcher, Ronit, also shared the gut-wrenching story about informing MDA medic Amit Man that they were not able to get an ambulance to them in Kibbutz Beeri. Man was treating the wounded on the kibbutz before she herself was murdered. The group visited the bullet-ridden dental clinic where she had been saving lives. They were told that

The following day, the cohort had the privilege of being hosted by the First Lady of Israel, Mrs Michal Herzog, at the President’s residence in Jerusalem. Upon speaking with the group, she focussed on the UN report (released that day) that confirmed the horrific acts of rape and gender-based sexual violence that took place on October 7th. The group then met with Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem to learn more about the city and its initiatives.

Hassan-Nahoum spoke of how even after the 7th October massacres, the Arab League still seeks peace and prosperity in the region and does not share Iran’s views. She went on to say how she’s “not expecting everyone to be Zionists, but just learn not to hate Jews.”

The group also met with two people from the Hostage Family Forum at dinner - Ilay David, brother of Avyatar

David, and Gal Dalal (a Nova Festival survivor) whose brother, Guy Dalal, was kidnapped. As the boys were describing the events and how they “failed” their brothers, the delegation broke down with utter sadness. The group also met with Shelly Shem Tov whose son Omer is still in captivity, before viewing the art installations on the way to Hostage Square, which included the infamous empty Shabbat table.

The mission ended with a visit to the MDA centres in Rahat and Ashdod where the group witnessed first-hand the dedication of the staff - the majority of whom are volunteers. They also had the opportunity to visit the farming communities in the south that have suffered greatly as many were abandoned or are now understaffed due to the ongoing war. To

support them, the group visited Michaeli Organic Farm and helped by picking peppers. To round off the day, they returned to Tel Aviv, where they had an exclusive briefing with a former Mossad agent, delving into Israeli special forces, the delicate art of hostage negotiations, and the classified information about the negotiations for the hostage release in Gaza.

On paying tribute to the memory of the fallen MDA medics and volunteers who lost their lives whilst trying to save others, Daniel Burger, Chief Executive of MDA UK, commented, “The acts of depravity, loss of life and destruction simply defy belief. It was so important that we came here together, as a group, to see the work that MDA has done to save more lives.”

The group gathered for a photo of unity

The group visiting an MDA hub

Dror Bin, IAA CEO

C h e v r a K a d i s h a

B u s h e y a n d W a l t h a m A b b e y b a s e d , b u t m a y b e r e q u e s t e d t o

c a r r y o u t f u n e r a l s a t o t h e r C e m e t e r i e s

An opportunity has arisen for a compassionate individual to become an integral part of the United Synagogue Chevra Kadisha team

The successful applicant will work on Sundays plus 4 other days during the week.

As a member of our Chevra Kadisha, you will play a crucial role in providing comfort to families during their upmost Ames of need, engaging in one of the most sacred Mitzvot, making a profound impact on the lives of others. This is not just a job; it is an opportunity to contribute to a deeply meaningful and essenAal aspect of our community

We seek a kind-hearted individual with a genuine passion for helping others. No prior experience is required, as we are eager to welcome and train someone who is willing to learn and grow with us. The role does involve the understanding and applicaAon of Jewish laws

You will work in a supporAve team environment, under the guidance of our esteemed Dayanim and Rabbonim.

If you are ready to embark on a journey of compassion, service, and community, we invite you to apply for this remarkable opportunity with us. Join us in making a difference in the lives of families when they need it most

Closing date for receipt of applicaAons – Sunday, 7th April 2024

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applica6ons for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your applica6on as early as possible.

To view the job descripAon and apply for this posiAon, please log on to our website www.theus.org.uk/vacancies

The trip includes:

• A bus tour by a local guide who fought to protect his country on October 7th

• Hear about the attack on the city and visit key sites

• Meet and hear personal stories from residents

• Opportunity to support local businesses

• Kosher for Pesach lunch More Information and to book: jnf.co.uk/sderot

BBS law announces acquisition of Manuel Swaden

BBS Law, a leading law firm with an emphasis on creating and sustaining legal partnerships for businesses and individuals, is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Manuel Swaden, a prominent North West London law firm known for its expertise in property and private client matters. This strategic move will fortify BBS Law’s position in these areas of practice and enhance its ability to serve clients with excellence and efficiency.

The deal, which was completed on 1 April 2024, will see the firm continue to operate under the name BBS Law. With approximately 60 lawyers across their offices in Manchester and London the expanded firm will have an even greater capacity to meet the diverse legal needs of its clients.

Manuel Swaden brings a highly skilled and respected team of legal professionals who will move into BBS Law’s Finchley office. The team includes partners Jeremy Manuel OBE, Michael Swaden and Tamara Lester, whose wealth of experience and expertise will further enrich the firm’s capabilities.

The acquisition aligns perfectly with BBS Law’s commitment to providing comprehensive and tailored legal services to its clients. By incorporating Manuel Swaden’s team, BBS Law will enhance its ability to deliver exceptional service and strategic advice in property and

private client matters, further solidifying their position as a leading law firm in the market.

“We are thrilled to welcome the talented team at Manuel Swaden to the BBS Law family,” said Dov Black, Managing Partner at BBS Law. “Their expertise and reputation in property and private client matters align perfectly with our own strength in these areas of focus. This acquisition will strengthen our capability to serve our clients with excellence across these specialisms whilst ensuring that clients of Manuel Swaden have a broader range of services they can call upon. Following our successful acquisition of OGR Stock Denton around

18 months ago we are keen to carry on exploring opportunities where growth is of benefit to our clients.”

Jeremy Manuel OBE, said, “We at Manuel Swaden are very excited about joining forces with BBS Law. We believe that combining our expertise with BBS Law’s strong reputation will not only benefit

our clients but enhance our ability to deliver exceptional legal services. We share a passion for putting our clients at the heart of what we do, and we look forward to introducing our clients to the range of services that BBS Law offer for businesses and high net worth individuals.”

The Manuel Swaden partners with BBS partners, Dov Black (Managing Partner) and Avi Barr (Head of London property and secured lending)

Chazzanim and Limoud France impress Paris at Purim

OPINION PIECE

BY ANDREW M ROSEMARINE

Much of our community in Paris looks with trepidation at the approaching Olympic Games, due to start here Friday 26 July 2024. Traffic will be as slow as snails (but, unfortunately, not the type of comestible snails that can be eaten out of existence by our gentile neighbours.) Hotel prices will rocket. And, after this weekend’s savage attack by ISIS in Moscow, many of us expect worse here.

Focusing instead on the positive, an unofficial olympic style marathon was hosted by the Centre Rambam, a European Temple of North African Yiddishkeit (or. more accurately Judeo-North African Haredikeit) on Shabbat Zachor. A Gold Medal for marathon chazzanut was earned by its remarkable chazen, James Cohen. His commitment to Hashem is exemplary, his voice has the quality of a stradivarius cello, he davens with Andalusian passion, he sings from the Torah with exceptional tenderness, and his Megillat Esther was full of vocal drama. But even more impressive are his sermons full of musar - encouragements for us all to become better versions of ourselves, and his warm welcome to all. Most Ashkenazi chazanim don’t lehn, for fear of losing their voice,

and don’t surrender the omud to others. James always lehns, and impeccably so, and he always encourages others to share the chazzanut with him.

This shabbat he brought over his close friend and dazzling paytan Moshe Luk from Israel. Moshe, from Meaux near Paris by birth, made aliyah and served in the Israeli army. Today, he is one of Israel’s most sought after Chareidi chazzanim, with the same Moroccan-Andalusian vocal gymnastics for which his uncle Haim Luk is world-renowned. Moshe sings with the high coloratura of the fountains of The Alhambra, in Granada, where Shmuel Hanagid used to bring his own chazzanim. It’s such a brilliant display, especially with James, Franc Amsallem, and Max Attia also joining in, one wonders why Los Reyos Catolicos, the Spanish Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, were so stupid as to expel such shining exponents of Spanish culture as these masters’ spiritual predecessors. John Chrysostom, the anti-semitic father of the church, used to complain that the shul service in Constantinople was so

moving, that Christians were becoming Jewish because of it. Give me a thousand of James Cohen and Moshe Luk and I will give you a thousand packed congregations of happy Jews! They fill shuls, encourage participation, and uplift and inspire. The worshippers leave shul happy and singing. Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Lau the Father, a fan of chazonos, taught me “chazan lo mitpalel, hu mefaresh” (a chazen principally interprets, rather than prays) and the late Spanish and Portuguese Principal Abraham Levy taught me that in prayer every word is equal , and so one doesn’t emphasize one more than another. But our Moroccan-nusach chazzanim have a very different approach: they both pray and interpret together, and win the hearts of the worshippers. They inspire total focus on our prayers and their meaning , the best kavanah.

Jonathan Sacks is even more popular in Paris than in England. France’s Chief Rabbi Haim Korsia led an evening totally dedicated to him, and I attended an excellent

shiur on Sacks and Purim by a lawyer and a psychologist at ECUJE, a cultural centre in central Paris, 119 r Lafayette. The next evening I asked Rav Korsia if Haman is the same as Hamas. “Absolutely! It’s the same hatred and the same lack of humanity, like the Nazis.”

French Jewry is hungry for Jewish knowledge. Its Limoud France organized its annual convention with surveys of problems facing today’s community led by French Jewry’s Consistoire President, Elie Korchia, about to be received by President Macron. Danish Chief Rabbi Jair Melchior described the challenges of his protean community, growing with Israelis since Hamas’ massacre of 7 October. Fadila Maaroufi, the Brussels Sociologist, described the horrific anti-semitism with which Muslim youth in her native city are brainwashed. Limoud France always bring the leaders of French Jewry religious and secular.Anglo Jewry has much to learn from our French coreligionists, twice as numerous, and who have had full and equal rights since Napoleon. We all share the same challenges. “Let us go forward together.” (Churchill)

Andrew Rosemarine is an international lawyer and writing a biography of the French Prime Minister. International.Law.For.You@gmail.com

This is it!

OPINION PIECE

BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN

One of the things that we have said to each other is that if anti-Semitism came to the UK, we would recognise it and do something about it. We would not be like the Germans in the 1930s thinking it would all be okay.

And yet here we are experiencing daily hatred and so many of us continue to say it will be okay. Well, they might be right; all it needs for the overt anti-Semitism to recede is for the war in Gaza to stop. We have seen this before, over and over again when hostilities break out 2,000 miles away. Operation Cast Lead, Protective Edge, the border assaults in 2021 and now Swords of Iron. The longer the fighting lasts, the greater the anti-Semitism.

It’s as if Israel is tolerated as long as it doesn’t try and defend its people, and if it does it is vilified and Jews in the diaspora pay the price. Each time a conflict develops, the Jew-hate gets worse and this time it is off the scale. Here in Manchester, in recent days we have seen two outrageous incidents. The first was at

The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where it is alleged some staff were wearing ‘free Palestine’ badges and a boy received inferior treatment when the health care professional saw he was Jewish.

Apparently when not visibly Jewish, he received quick care and also prior to the current conflict received excellent care.

This week two Israelis - Daniel and Neriyah Sharabi - who were at the Nova music festival on 7 October when it was attacked. They engaged in a gunfight against Hamas terrorists for over six hours and managed to save the lives of roughly 150 festival goers. Daniel and Neriyah arrived into Manchester Airport on their way to speak of their experiences at a lunch at a local Chabad which was organised by the Jewish Business Network of Greater Manchester. They were stopped by immigration officials and interrogated for 2 hours for no other reason it would appear than they were Israeli. The final comment by one of the officers that ‘I don’t want you to do here what you do in Gaza’ says it all. This was not about security at all, it was just about harassment. Judging by the reports of the questioning it is difficult to escape the conclusion their detention was motivated in whole or in part by the fact

Daneil and Neriyah are Jewish.

So how is it that these incidents are taking place now, when this time last year it would be unthinkable. The hospital has a very strict policy on open political displays, but somehow these members of staff felt able to wear these badges. It is not only though that they wore the badges but that they went unchallenged by other staff members, including presumably those more senior to them. We all know that these badges are intended to intimidate Jews, not least because the ‘Free Palestine’ campaign is riven with anti-Semitism; you only have to look at the evidence from the London hate-marches to see that.

The same applies to the Border Force employees. The level of security cooperation between the UK and Israel is at an all-time high, a fact that I am sure would have filtered down to the Border Force people at the gates. Yet they felt able to behave as they did.

So how did these incidents come about? Simple, it is because those involved felt that there was nothing to stop them. No-one was going to complain, and the level of anti-Semitism is now so high that having a go at the Jews is not really going

to raise any eyebrows.

As the title says, this is it. This is ordinary everyday hatred, where we can be discriminated against because those in authority feel it’s okay to do so with impunity. Only it isn’t okay. It is certainly nowhere near as 1930s Germany but it is the thin edge of the same wedge, where anti-Semitic conduct is not only acceptable but unlikely to result in any sanction. That is key here. The failure by the authorities to exercise the powers available to them and in doing so protect the Jewish community is lamentable. The hideous belief that anti-Semitism is normal needs to be de-bunked and those responsible punished. There can be no alternative if the fight against this hatred is going to be anywhere near successful, otherwise it will certainly not be okay. Not okay at all.

Robert Festenstein is a practising solicitor and has been the principal of his Salford based firm for over 20 years. He has fought BDS motions to the Court of Appeal and is President of the Zionist Central Council in Manchester which serves to protect and defend the democratic State of Israel.

L-R: Moshe Louk, Simon Sibony, Yitzchok-Meir Helfgott, James Cohen, Yehiel Louk, in Paris, March 2024

Why we must dance again this Yom Ha’atzmaut

OPINION PIECE

BY STEVE WINSTON

In the annals of Jewish history, the narrative of survival against the odds is a recurring theme. The story of Purim, which we recently celebrated with great fanfare, with its dramatic reversal of fortune and the unbridled celebration of Jewish survival, resonates deeply, especially now. As we approach Yom Ha’atzmaut this year, amidst the somber reflections following the October 7th invasion and massacre by Hamas and the ensuing radical Islamist ugliness that has taken over our streets, the ethos of our celebrations carries a weight that transcends mere festivity. It becomes a moral imperative to celebrate our existence, our resilience, and our future. It’s not merely about marking the modern State of Israel’s independence, (which is an extremely worthy cause in its own right), rather it’s a profound assertion of Jewish life and continuity in the face of those who wish otherwise.

“Why we must dance again” this Yom Ha’atzmaut is not just a rhetorical question; it’s a clarion call to the Jewish community worldwide. It’s a call to affirm the

centrality of Israel in our collective identity, to celebrate the miracle of Jewish continuity, and to defy those who would rather see us vanish from the stage of history. This year, as we gather to mark the state of Israel’s 76th birthday, our celebrations are imbued with a deeper significance—a recognition of the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people, which has endured through millennia of persecution, exile, and attempts at annihilation.

The recent tragedy inflicted by Hamas is a stark reminder of the threats we face. Yet, in the face of such darkness, our tradition teaches us the importance of finding light, of seizing joy amidst sorrow. This is not a denial of our grief or our losses but an affirmation of our strength and our commitment to life. The Purim story teaches us the power of reversal, of turning the most dire circumstances and seemingly inevitable suffering into a defiant celebration of Jewish continuity. It is this lesson that we carry

with us into our observance of Yom Ha’atzmaut this year. We celebrate not because we are oblivious to the pain of the victims of October 7, nor the omnipresent ongoing dangers to Israel, nor the rising tide of antisemitism facing us in the Diaspora - but because our survival and thriving are the ultimate repudiation of those who seek our destruction.

The National Jewish Assembly’s upcoming Yom Ha’atzmaut party, themed “We Will Dance Again” in tribute to the Nova Music Festival targeted by Hamas, is a testament to the resilient spirit of British Jewry. Scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, 14th May 2024, at a venue in NW London, this gathering is more than a celebration; it’s a declaration that, despite the heavy hearts borne from last October’s horrors, we are still here, and we will continue to cherish and uphold that which is sacred to us—the continuation of Jewish life and the unbreakable bond with Israel.

Dancing again, in the context of our Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration, is a powerful act of defiance. It is an acknowledgement that while we have faced—and continue to face—formidable challenges, our spirit remains unbroken. Our dance is a tribute to those we’ve lost, a celebration of our survival, and a hopeful gaze towards the future. It is an affirmation that the story of the Jewish people is one of resilience, of finding light in the deepest darkness, and of the joyous celebration of life against all odds.

In commemorating Yom Ha’atzmaut this year, we do more than remember the past; we actively shape our future narrative— one of continued life, celebration, and defiance. So, let us come together, with our collective memories and hopes, to dance once more. Let us celebrate the miracle of Israel and the unending resilience of the Jewish people. For in our celebration, we find our resistance, and in our joy, we find our strength. This Yom Ha’atzmaut, join us to dance again, for in doing so, we affirm the enduring spirit of a people who refuse to be silenced.

Steve Winston is the Managing Director of the National Jewish Assembly

Purim fun across the UK

BY DAVID SAFFER

Jewish organisations across the UK held Purim parties galore this year.

Megillah readings and themed events took place in Synagogues for all ages. Festivities included entertainers and a plethora of activities before refreshments including hamantaschen.

Mizrachi UK celebrated in style, hosting engaging Seudot in London and Manchester.

In London, children and adults enjoyed a spectacular magical Disney-themed Purim Seuda in a festive atmosphere.

In Manchester, there was a Seudot for families featuring soft play areas, craft activities.

Mishloach Manot. They included a large print activity book packed by schools, youth groups and volunteer programs.

GIFT launched the Care-Nection program to empower young people to build relationships with care home residents. The initiative is in memory of sisters Marianne Arakie, Kathleen Benjamin and Sarah Noah. With their parents and siblings they arranged a Purim celebration at the Span-

An interactive Megilla reading was specially designed for children. Mizrachi expanded festivities by launching the Chovevei Tzion community in the city with a Chinese-themed seuda with Rabbi Benjy Rickman.

He said: “Watching our community growing and being able to provide for every section of the community is what community building is all about.”

David Reuben, Mizrachi executive director, said: “Purim is a time for celebration and unity within our community. These events exemplify the spirit of Purim and our values.”

GIFT embarked on an extraordinary mission at care homes in London and Manchester.

Over 150 young volunteers, visited 11 care homes delivering Mishloach Manot, singing songs and creating memories for residents.

Leading up to Purim, GIFT’s volunteering community packed over 1,600 bags of

ish and Portuguese Jewish care home in Wembley for nearly 50 years.

GIFT’s commitment Matanot Le’evyonim saw £26,000 distributed to families in need on Purim.

Chani Simon, GIFT High Schools Educator, said: “Acts of kindness transformed Purim for volunteers and residents, creating moments of pure joy and connection.”

Camp Simcha’s Purim extravaganza saw a 500-strong rally in Manchester, Purim stall at Great Ormond Street Hospital and supporters out in force in Golders Green.

Bringing a little circus magic to the London party, at JFS, over 300 family members enjoyed a fun-filled circus workshop. Plate spinning, juggling and hula hoops kept children entertained, adults enjoyed an opportunity to be with other Camp Simcha parents.

Some 75 Camp Simcha family members in and around Manchester jumped into the Purim festivities with an unforgettable party. Meanwhile crowds came out in force for Camp Simcha’s annual rally with a high energy concert in the sunshine with singer Michael Carrol.

Over 500 people joined Aish UK for a series of dynamic events.

Rabbi Naftali Schiff, Aish UKCEO

said: “At Purim and Pesach the Jewish people faced crisis. The Aish response is to focus on the positive, be aware and face enemies but internally combat this with positivity. This year it may be difficult to celebrate festivals like Purim, but we need to do what Jews have done since time immemorial and turn negativity into positivity.”

Sixty London based school students gathered for a bingo night. Aish’ Campus department in London hosted a Boat Party on the River Thames with challenges and activities for 145 students.

Over 90 young professionals enjoyed a pre-Purim Friday night dinner at the Aish Centre on Brent Street. On Purim, students joined a seuda brunch and Megillah reading by Rabbi Goldwater.

sets to raise money for the charity.

Sacks Morasha had a magical Purim with activities including Zumba for Jewish Care,

In Manchester, 90 people came together for a weekend of festivities. Events included a dinner party for 6th formers and party for young professionals hosted by Rabbi Zvi and Miriam Gefen. Purim day culmi-

nated in a lunch and Megillah reading for students.

Aish also hosted a Purim seuda for 90 young professionals at the home of Rabbi Cookie and Shana Cohen. Rabbi Rafi Stemmer read the Megillah, Yossi Glass performed mentalist tricks.

Kisharon Langdon hit the streets, shuls and seuda’s to fundraise for Kisharon Langdon on Purim.

A Purim party was held at the Kisharon Wohl Campus Kisharon Noé School A Loftus Learning Centre.

Dr Lionel Davis read the Megillah followed by a Seudah where attendees exchanged Mishloach Manot and gave Matanyot L’evyonim. In the evening there was a party with a magician.

People the charity support also went shpeiling and in the lead up to Purim the Social Enterprise team planned, purchased and sold Mishloach Manot

Tzedukah Bucket collecting for Kisharon Langdon, mishloach manot exchanges, Purim plate decorating competition and fun and games.

Tenants at Harmony Close and Meta Worms Court had a joint tea party. Senior Housing Manager, Gabriela, and Housing Manager Tanja organised the event.

At Daniel Court, Senior Housing Manager, Biljana, and Housing Manager, Joe, baked Hamantaschen for tenants who helped decorate them.

Rebbetzen Zipporah Sufrin with Rabbi Yitzchok Sufrin of Enfield and Winchmore Hill synagogue ensured Purim was celebrated in style. Having arranged a Seuda at the Aviv Restaurant in NW London, Rabbi Michoel Rotenberg read the Megilla for Edgware and Enfield shuls.

JLiving celebrations were in abundance across a number of schemes in London.

There were celebrations across the United Synagogue network of synagogues.

The Jewish Family Centre organised a variety of activities including Purim arts and crafts, hamantaschen baking, face painting, and stay-and-play sessions for families.

GIFT Barbershop Shpielers fundraising on Purim

Sacks Morasha celebrate Purim

Family Gillis raising necessary funds for Camp Simcha

Even the candy makers are in the spirit

Not all heroes wear capes, but this one does - Hudi Cohen, son of Rabbi Cohen of Stenecourt

Photos of Purim fun across the community!

Festivities in the Mill Hill East community

Jake and Elliot bucket collecting on Purim for tzedukah for Kisharon Langdon

Salama and Goodman families bucket collecting to raise money for Kisharon Langdon on Purim

Raphael who Kisharon Langdon support celebrating Purim

Celebrations at Harmony Close and Meta Worms Court

Saunders girls getting in the spirit

Jewish Care's Purim Zumba activities at Nancy Reuben's Jewish Primary School.

Show during the HGSS Megilla reading

Celebrating Purim with Aish

Fun had by all at Norwood

Helping to prepare the Hamentashen

Megilla being read on a 'plane' in Woodford Forest

Purim smiles in Broughton Park

On Purim outside Beis Menachem

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Costumes on at Seeds seuda

LSJS solidarity trip

The London School of Jewish Studies led a solidarity trip to the south of Israel and Tel Aviv for local LSJS students as well as those from the UK and USA.

The trip included an emotional visit to the site of the Nova music festival, where one member of the group, Stephen Colman, found the memorial for the person he has been saying kaddish for.

They went on to see the site of the police station in Sderot where Rabbi Ari Katz from Yeshivat Hesder Sderot told participants the many stories of bravery that took place there. Participants also visited the Shuva junction where volunteers serve food to soldiers. To be able to witness not only the site of such horrific atrocities but also how Israelis, and Jews from all over the world, are coming together to support, comfort, help and fight for Israel, made this trip an experience that was incredibly emotional but also deeply inspiring.

On the second day, the group heard a talk by popular LSJS educator Dr Tanya White on ‘October 7th – the day before and the day after’. This was followed by moving accounts from various perspectives, including from the security guard, who spoke about how he voluntarily joined the fight for Kibbutz Kfar Azza on the morning of 7th October. It was an incredible story of bravery and a realisation of how widespread the impact of the war is.

Finally, participants met with Julie Kupershtein, the mother of the hostage Bar Kupershtein. Her situation is especially critical since her husband is

Bar was the family’s provider. According to Michael, “Hostage Square currently serves as a place to listen to stories in real time that we don’t yet know how they end. It is where everyone focuses on empathising with the hostage families and thinking about their plight. It was important that the group could come here to hear directly from relatives affected.”

“When we looked at organising a trip for LSJS students we felt it was important to visit the south and Hostage Square at this time,” said Michael Rainsbury, LSJS’s Head of Adult Education, who organised the trip.

“We came not just to see but to commit to building the Jewish future, which is ultimately what LSJS is there to do. We were strengthened by every person we met and every story we heard, and we hope in turn, our presence gave them strength too,” said Michael.

“Although it was not an easy decision to go ahead and visit the sites where so many have suffered unimaginable horror, victims from 7th October were happy to share their stories with us and we are grateful to JRoots for working with us to organise such a meaningful journey,” said Joanne Greenaway, Chief Executive of LSJS.

JVN Strength in Unity conference

The Jewish Volunteering Network held its annual conference focusing on ‘Strength in Unity - Building a Volunteering Culture’ with eighty five delegates included CEOs and Volunteer Managers from 44 charities.

This year’s conference looked at volunteer time pressures and skills potentially hinder an ability to engage in traditional volunteering.

Nicky Goldman, Chief Executive of JVN, explained: “With many charities facing similar issues, they must always evaluate why they need volunteers. If volunteers are asking for more skillsbased, time-flexible opportunities, charities must understand how they can create roles that not only support this need but also enable the charity to deliver on its mission, while ensuring meaningful volunteer engagement.”

charities to learn and share how to make changes and adapt to this new culture. With limited resources it is not easy to do but I have seen charities make changes and increase their levels of volunteer involve-

ment and support.”

Participants split into four workshops.

“I just hope to survive the winter”

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?

Key note speaker Stuart Andrew MP, Par-

liamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, Gambling and Civil Society spoke about different programs and research the Government supports to enhance volunteering.

Dr Allison Smith, Head of Research & Insight at the Royal Voluntary Service, addressed the future of volunteering.

She said: “We are stronger and more impactful when we work together. The conference is a great way of meeting others with a passion for volunteering.”

Dominic Pinkney, CEO at HFVC Group & Camden Volunteer Centre and Co-Chair London Volunteer Centre Network, spoke about supporting volunteers and volunteer managers.

He noted: “This has been a great conference for

Diana Squires, Pilotlight, shared how they use skills-based volunteering to bring charities and corporates together to create strategies to resolve issues facing the charities.

Brian Channer, Black Policy Institute, held a session about how charities need to offer more diversity in volunteering opportunities, how to engage with volunteers and measure volunteer impact.

George Fielding spoke about accessibility and creating inclusive spaces. He discussed how each person will bring different strengths to the charity.

Kirsty Marrins, a digital communications strategist, focused on communications channels.

The conference showed that charities must be creative and strategic to engage people to volunteer. Charities must build new networks.

Nicky Goldman, Dominic Pinkney, Dr Allison Smith

Rachelle Lazarus, Nicky Goldman, George Fielding and Diana Squires

The Right Honourable Stuart Andrew MP speaking

LSJS students visting Shuva Junction

ASK THE RABBI

PASSOVER WHISKY

Dear Rabbi

I wonder if you saw the advert for Kosher for Passover whisky. I am new to all this stuff, but I really thought that you could not have whisky or Cornflakes on Passover. I am hesitant to consult my local reform Rabbi on the matter, but I would really like to hear your opinion. Many thanks,

Mr Johnnie Walker

Dear Mr Johnnie Walker

As you are new to this stuff I don’t know if you are familiar with the concept of a Purim shpiel. That’s when you look for the hidden references to Purim in the press release and come to realise that it was really just a hoax. You’re probably more the red label Johnnie Walker –cheap and cheerful. Oh, and if you are limiting your Pesach restrictions to just whisky and Cornflakes then Kosher for Pesach whisky is the least of your problems. (PS: Try cornflakes with milk rather than whisky. Not quite the same morning kick but definitely tastier!).

GRAPPLING WITH MY EVIL INCLINATION

Dear Rabbi

I know Judaism puts much emphasis on the idea of a Yetzer Hora (evil inclination). I find this is all about guilt and can be quite destructive having to grapple with this inclination all the time. There is then no joy in living a meaningful Jewish life. I wonder whether you can explain the concept to me in more productive terms. The Yetzer Hora’s Star Pupil

This letter is not from me but from your Yetzer Hora:

Dear Star Pupil

I am very misunderstood. Most people hate me, and I don’t really blame them. Most people think that my job is to make sure that they fail in all aspects of their observance, and that I rejoice every time they sin. This is the furthest thing from the truth. Did you ever watch a boxing coach train his student? It is really a funny sight. The coach will put on gloves, and fight against his student. At first, he won’t hit him so hard, or throw his best punches. But, as the student gets better and better, the coach will start to fight

him harder and harder. He does this so that the student will improve his skills, and become the best boxer he can be. This is where it gets strange. Every time the coach knocks down the student, the student gets yelled at! But finally, when the coach throws everything he has at his student, not only does the student withstand the beating, but he knocks the coach down. At that point there is nobody in the world happier than the coach himself!

This is exactly how I feel. If you fail right away, and don’t even try to fight back, I see that there is not much talent to work with, and so I take it easy on you. But if you get back up swinging, I realise that I may have a real winner here, and so I start to intensify the beating. With every level that you go up, I increase the intensity of the fight. If you finally deal me a blow that knocks me out, I will get up and embrace you and rejoice with your success.

Sometimes my job is very disappointing I see a person with a lot of potential and I start right in on him. He fights back for a while, but when the fight gets too tough, he quits and just remains on whatever level he was on. (And he usually ends up going down!) I feel like yelling at him, “Get up you fool! Do you have any idea how much more you could be accomplishing?!” But I am not allowed to do so. I just leave him alone, and go try to find another promising candidate.

If I have chosen you to be the target of my more fierce battles, it was not for no reason! You have tremendous ability! I am writing to you now, because I have a very serious request to ask of you. Please don’t stop fighting! Don’t give up! I have been beating too many people lately, and I am losing patience. Believe in yourself, because I would not be involved with you as much as I am if I didn’t think you could beat me. Know what your strengths are! A great Rabbi once said: “Woe is to he who doesn’t know his weaknesses. But,

‘Oy Vavoy’ to him who doesn’t know his strengths - for he will not have anything with which to fight.”

Always remember one thing: you have a secret weapon at your disposal. I shouldn’t really be telling you - but I will anyway. G-d Himself is watching our “training” sessions very closely. And He’s rooting for you! If things should ever get tough, almost too tough to bear, just call out to Him with a prayer, and He will immediately come to your aid. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope that after 120 years when your time is up in the world of falsehood, you will come up here to the world of truth, where I will be waiting for you with open arms, to congratulate you on your victory, and personally escort you to your proud place by G-d’s side.

Sincerely, and with great admiration, I remain,

Your Yetzer Hara

Eretz Yisrael: A Place Beyond Place (part 2)

BY RABBI SHMUEL REICHMAN

Donny walked up to the podium. It was his high school graduation, and he was the valedictorian. After thanking his classmates, teachers, and family, he paused for a moment before sharing the following story:

Right now, I’m standing here as the valedictorian of my high school class. I excelled in my studies, I am good friends with my classmates, and I am heading toward a bright future.

Many of you may not remember this, but four years ago, I moved here from another country. I was new to this school, and I had trouble speaking the language, but I was excited to start fresh and meet new people. That excitement was shortlived. On the first day of school, I was teased, bullied, and ignored. I had trouble with my classes, but things got even worse once I left the classroom. Nobody sat with me at lunch, and nobody tried to talk to me during breaks. But I had hope things would get better. They didn’t. Over the next few weeks, things began to fall apart. I tried telling my parents, but they were so focused on adjusting to their new lives here that they barely had time for me. I felt absolutely lost and completely alone.

One day, as I was walking home from school, I tripped, and my books scattered all over the street. As I bent down to pick them up, I heard a voice. “Hey Donny, would you like some help?” It was Moshe. Wait, Moshe? I thought to myself. He was so popular and fun, everyone liked him. Why would he be talking to me? But as I looked up, I saw Moshe heading toward me. He bent down and helped me pick my books. “Wow, these are a lot of books. I’m happy to help you carry them back home.” I tried to tell him that it was OK, that he didn’t have to help me, but he wouldn’t hear it. He was so nice and so friendly. On the walk back, he told me all about his dreams and aspirations and how he would never give up until he achieved his goals. He asked me about my own dreams as well. No one had ever asked me about my dreams before, and I began to feel hopeful for the first time as I began sharing them with him. As we arrived at my house, he invited me over to his house later that night to meet his other friends. Before I could respond, he said, “I won’t take no for an answer. See you there!”

After that, everything changed. I got along with all of Moshe’s friends and started to pick up the language. I began to excel in my classes and genuinely enjoyed school. I had friends, I was learning every day, and I was beginning to pave my path. As the years passed, Moshe and I became best friends, taking on the world together, as a team.

As I stand here today, I want to share something with you — something that

I’ve never shared with anyone before.

That night, when I was carrying my books home, I wasn’t just heading home. I was heading home for good. I was absolutely lost and completely alone. The previous night, I had decided to end my life, to finally escape my misery. The reason I was carrying all my books home was to make it easier for my parents so that they wouldn’t have to show up at my school to collect all my things. I was on my way back when Hashem sent me Moshe. If not for Moshe, I would not be here right now. Moshe saved my life. He was the first person to care about me, to make me feel like I mattered, and to show me that I’m important. He was the first to ask me about my dreams and to actually listen when I shared them with him. Well, because of Moshe, I’m still here; because of Moshe, I’m still dreaming. Sometimes, there’s more to greatness than meets the eye.

KEFITZAS HA’DERECH

In our previous article, we began exploring the deep and inspiring ideas relating to the greatness of Eretz Yisrael. In addition to the kedushas ha’aretz and the unique mitzvos of Eretz Yisrael, there is another fascinating phenomenon in the Torah that relates to the uniqueness of Eretz Yisrael. There are several instances where Chazal mention the concept of kefitzas ha’derech, literally translated as “jumping the path.” This refers to the unique ability to travel at a pace quicker than the laws of nature would normally allow, thereby enabling someone to travel extraordinary distances in mere seconds or perhaps even instantaneously. How and why does this occur?

as a worm-hole within time and space; one would enter at one end of time and space and instantaneously exit from the other side at a different point in space, but with no (or little) time having passed; see Ramchal, Derech Hashem. The third option is that both time and space are a single connected concept (space-time), and both of these are “bent” in order to achieve kefitzas ha’derech. While Einstein is credited for discovering space-time, the Maharal (Tiferes Yisrael 26) discussed this topic centuries before Einstein was born, stating that time and space are not two separate concepts, but deeply and intrinsically connected.]

Chazal mention a few cases of kefitzas ha’derech. One is when Yaakov travels from the house of Yitzchak, narrowly escaping Eisav’s clutches. Another is when Eliezer embarks on a journey to find a wife for Yitzchak. There are several others as well, but what do these cases have in common? Do they share any deeper connection?

TRANSCENDING TIME AND SPACE

and time through kefitzas ha’derech. The same was true for Eliezer when he traveled to find Yitzchak a wife. After the Akeidah (the binding of Yitzchak), Yitzchak became a paradoxical being, living both beyond and within this world. The Midrash (Pirkei D’Rabi Eliezer) states that Yitzchak’s ashes lie on the mountain, at the spot of the Akeidah. This is because Yitzchak was sacrificed. He then returned to life, becoming the first person to experience techiyas ha’meisim (resuscitation of the dead). This is why the second berachah of Shemoneh Esreh, which is connected to Yitzchak, mentions techiyas ha’meisim: Yitzchak brought this concept to the world. Chazal note that the letters of Yitzchak’s name spell “keitz chai” — he who lives (chai) while [paradoxically] existing beyond life (keitz). Yitzchak is rooted beyond time and space, and yet, paradoxically, lives within it. And where did he take on this unique nature? On Har HaMoriah — the very same spot where Yaakov slept, the very same spot as the Kodesh Hakodashim, and the meeting place between the physical world and its transcendent spiritual source. The journey to find a wife for Yitzchak occurred just after this episode, and it was a journey beyond time and space to find a wife for Yitzchak, who himself was beyond space and time. (Marriage as well is a connection that exists beyond the limitations of time and space. The nature of Eliezer’s journey — namely, to find a wife for Yitzchak — is another factor that contributed to kefitzas ha’derech, a journey beyond time and space.)

MOVING VS. STATIONARY MIKDASH

[There are several options regarding the nature of kefitzas ha’derech. The first is that when one experiences kefitzas ha’derech, they transcend the nature of time, moving at an extremely fast pace close to the speed of light. One would be moving through space at a transcendent pace. The second option is that one transcends the nature of space, gaining the ability to disappear and then reappear somewhere else. In this second option, it is most probable that no time passes between the disappearance and reappearance. One could suggest that this works

Kefitzas ha’derech enables one to transcend the laws of time and space. Why is this possible? It is due to the unique location in which kefitzas ha’derech always occurs: Eretz Yisrael, the land that transcends the bounds of time and space. (Or at least on one’s way to Eretz Yisrael. For example, Rashi, at the beginning of Parashas Vayeitzei, quotes the Gemara in Chullin, which says that Yaakov returned from Charan (chutz la’aretz) to Eretz Yisrael through kefitzas ha’derech.) Yaakov’s return from Beis El back to the makom haMikdash took place within Eretz Yisrael and was a journey to the root of creation itself. This journey completely transcended time and space.

When Yaakov awoke the next morning, he states: “Mah nora ha’makom ha’zeh — How awesome is this place” (Bereishis 28:17). Nora spelled backwards is “aron” (the holy ark), the vessel that would later be housed in that very same spot, i.e., the Kodesh Hakodashim, a place beyond space and time. Yaakov traveled to a place beyond place, a time beyond time. As such, he was able to transcend space

It’s interesting to note that there were two forms of Mikdash within Jewish history. The first is a moving, traveling Mikdash, i.e., the Mishkan in the midbar. The second is a static, set Mikdash, i.e., the Beis Hamikdash in Eretz Yisrael. What is the meaning of this? Why are there two, what are the differences between them, and what can we learn from this?

While we generally think of the Mishkan as the precursor to the Beis Hamikdash, the Beis Hamikdash actually predates the Mishkan, in a sense. The roots of Beis Hamikdash appear at the beginning of Sefer Bereishis by Akeidas Yitzchak and when Yaakov slept at the makom haMikdash (place of the Temple). This was the root of our connection to the transcendent and of our ability to bridge the gap between the finite and the infinite. This unique ability is most powerful in the makom haMikdash, at the heart and center of Eretz Yisrael, above the Even Shesiyah.

However, as we have explained many times, every process has three stages:

• The first stage is the high, the inspiration, and an experience of perfection and clarity.

• Next comes the second stage: a complete fall, a loss of everything that was experienced in the first stage.

• Following this is the third stage: a return to the perfection of the first stage. However, this third stage is fundamentally different than the first. It is the same perfection and the same clarity, but this time it’s a perfection and clarity that has been earned. The first time it was given to you; now you have worked to build it for yourself.

Our foundation was the makom haMikdash — the gift our Avos gave to us. We then had to rebuild toward that ideal through the Mishkan in the midbar. Then, we were finally able to reconnect to that original perfection through the Beis Hamikdash in Eretz Yisrael.

Now that we have lost the Beis Hamikdash, it is our job to rebuild it, beginning within ourselves. This is the meaning of the phrase: “Bilvavi Mishkan evneh — Within [myself], I will build a Mishkan [for Hashem]” — not a Beis Hamikdash, but a Mishkan! This is because when the Beis Hamikdash is gone, when we have lost that ideal, we are called upon to recreate that light within ourselves. We transform ourselves and our lives into a vessel that connects us to Hashem, receives His light, and projects it into this world. We thereby connect the physical to the spiritual, the finite to the infinite, and the limited to the transcendent. In transforming our lives into a Mishkan, we work our way back to the perfection of the Beis Hamikdash.

LEVELS OF SPIRITUALITY

We can now understand the sin of the

Meraglim on a much deeper level. The spies not only spoke lashon hara; they rejected the uniqueness, holiness, and transcendence of Eretz Yisrael. While the entire world is infinitely spiritual, Eretz Yisrael possesses a fundamentally higher spiritual quality. Eretz Yisrael has no equal; there is nothing that can be compared to it. May we be inspired to continuously deepen our connection with Hashem and Eretz Yisrael, and may we become the ultimate vessels for Hashem in this world, fully fulfilling the words of “bilvavi Mishkan evneh.”

Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is a bestselling author, international speaker, and the CEO of Self-Mastery Academy. He has lectured internationally on topics of Torah thought, Jewish medical ethics, psychology, and leadership. His bestselling book, The Journey to Your Ultimate Self, serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought. He is also a business, executive, and leadership coach, with a unique approach based on Torah values. After obtaining his BA from Yeshiva University, he received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s RIETS, a master’s degree in education from Azrieli Graduate School, and a master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Bernard Revel Graduate School. He then spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Scholar. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and son where he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago. To enjoy more of Rabbi Reichman’s content, to contact him, or to learn more about his services, visit his website: ShmuelReichman.com

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1.

2. Weak 6-10

3.

West’s 2♦ call was a natural weak-jump over-call. North’s cue-bid of 3♦ promised club support and was forcing to 3NT at least.

West led a fourth-highest five of diamonds to the two, eight and declarer’s ten. Declarer saw that he had five winners outside of clubs. If that suit were 3:2 then any play would bring in four club tricks. If the suit was 2:3 and East gained the lead then a diamond through would see West take five diamond tricks for down two.

So, declarer led a low club from hand at trick two. When West followed with the nine, declarer called for dummys ace of clubs. Rather than play a second club from table at this point, declarer crossed to hand by playing the two of hearts to East’s nine and his queen. Then he led the four of clubs towards the table. When West produced the queen of clubs it was allowed to hold, with dummy and East playing low clubs.

West was now faced with an awkward problem. It seemed that declarer started with three clubs otherwise his ducking the queen of clubs didn’t make sense. So, his original distribution was either was 4:3:3:3 or 4:4:2:3 shape. West counted declarer’s tricks as four clubs, three hearts and one diamond. If declarer had a 3:4:3:3 shape then his fourth heart would be a trick. So, West exited with the jack of spades in the hope that East had the ace of that suit.

Dummy’s queen of spades was covered by the king and ace of spades. Declarer now claimed his contract, making one spade, three hearts, one diamond and four clubs.

Tzav: Shareholders in Israel

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN

The guidelines surrounding the Mishkan korbanot and rituals were repeated twice. The first round of instructions parshat Vayikra, was directed to the rank and file, while a parallel list in parshat Tzav, was commanded directly to the Cohanim. Even though the general population wasn’t directly involved in the Mishkan ceremonies they were still handed their own list of instructions. Hashem wanted every person to feel individual agency over the Mishkan experience, so that the Mishkan would not become an impersonal and heavy institution. Maintaining the dignity and sanctity of the Mishkan demands that only trained priests officiate in the daily ceremonies. If the Mishkan turns into a freeway with everyone independently ad-libbing, it loses its transcendence and gravitas. Restrictiveness is vital to the Mishkan, but it was still crucial that every Jew possessed agency and was personally invested in this house of Hashem, else it would become detached, bureaucratic, and irrelevant.

Similarly, everyone was invited to the inauguration of the Mishkan. The induction of the Mishkan was launched with a seven-day vigil, known as the week of milu’im, during which the Cohanim could not leave the precincts of the Mishkan. During this intense period, they practiced the various korbanot and rituals, so that they would become proficient once the Mishkan opened for business. Additionally, the seven-day vigil afforded the Cohanim time to mentally prepare for this solemn project. Though only Cohanim were directly involved in the seven-day vigil, the entire population was invited to attend its opening ceremonies.

From a purely logistical standpoint it was challenging to fit three million people into the Mishkan. Yet, despite the technical obstacles it was important to include everyone in the milu’im experience so that the average Jew, who wasn’t a priest, would not feel sidelined by the large and rigidified Mishkan. By inviting everyone to the gala inauguration, everyone was given agency, and all felt personally invested in the project. We became shareholders in the Mishkan, not spectators.

AGENCY IN ISRAEL

Traditionally, Israeli citizens felt deep agency of their country. Israel was a new country, still in its embryonic stages and still forming its social, political and religious identity. Living through the early chapters of the modern state of Israel was deeply meaningful, as we were conscious about forging something new. Compulsory national service provided every Israeli

with a seat at the table and an individual role in defending the country and in enriching daily life. National service provided us with a high engagement level in the affairs of our country. If Israelis were known to be vociferous and politically contentious it was because they possessed ownership and agency of their country. Sometimes too much ownership, but ownership none the less.

SHIFTING AWAY FROM AGENCY

As life in Israel shifted, our individual agency diminished. There was a pocket of about thirty years during which our country experienced spectacular and dizzying growth, as we transformed into a global economic powerhouse and a military superpower. Our fledging little country had arrived on the grand international stage. We became fabulously successful, but the country felt less personal, and more institutional. Our heimish little country transformed from a “little engine that could” into a colossal superpower.

runs high. This will dramatically affect the future political map of Israel, but for now, is a reflection of how empowering personal agency can be. The government is an “institution”, while our security forces are everyone one of us.

During this war our entire country has served a modern “milu’im” and it hasn’t been for only eight days. For five months, teachers, hi-tech executives, doctors, lawyers, shopkeepers, men, and women have kept a sacred vigil protecting our homeland from violence. And it hasn’t been merely a prac tice session for the real show. Everyone has served side-by-side defending our country, and tragically and too often fell in battle together. If we don’t defend our homeland who will? If we don’t build this country who will?

As Israel became large and seemingly self-powered, we started taking her for granted. We assumed that the country was stable enough and secure enough to run “on its own”. As we lost personal agency in dayto -day experience, life in Israel felt more humdrum and less meaningful.

RESTORING AGENCY

October 7th reversed this trend. Having been plunged into an existential war, we were forced to take greater agency over the future of our state. the sound of our revitalized agency echoed in the exhausted voices of soldiers who battled in Azza for months, while separated from their families and professions. Declaring their firm intention to pursue this battle to its conclusion, they defiantly announced: “If we don’t protect our homes who will?”. The October 7th massacre stripped away any illusion that our country is self-powered, and that day reminded us that each Israeli citizen has a personal stake in Israel.

While national identification with government institutions runs low, patriotism and enthusiasm for our security forces

Despite the immense sadness and heart-breaking tragedy of the past five months, they were filled with meaning and soulfulness. It turns out that personal agency and becoming directly involved is not just a more effective policy, but is also more meaningful. For the past five months we have been tired and anxious, but have been filled with meaning and magnitude.

INTERNATIONAL SHAREHOLDERS

The war has also provided agency to Jews who reside outside of Israel. They too, took the state of Israel for granted. As flights to Israel proliferated and hotels multiplied it became easier than ever to land in Israel for a few days, enjoy the people and the food, visit family and the Kotel and jet back to regular life. Fortunately, tourism became a booming industry, and traveling to Israel was no longer a pilgrimage.

Older readers still remember the crowded and suffocating old airport at Ben-Gurion. It wasn’t pleasant to arrive at, but the second you landed you immediately knew you were in Israel. The heat, the smell and the cramped lines left no doubt. When the modest terminal was, thank G-d, replaced by the current modern and shiny airport, landing in Israel became similar to landing anywhere else. Once pilgrims, Jewish visitors to Israel

now became tourists.

RESTORING AGENCY ABROAD

Over the past few years, it has become clear that Israel is no longer something which any Jew can take for granted. The shift in mentality began during the corona pandemic when, for a few months, the doors of our homeland were closed to non-Israeli citizens due to health concerns. The unexpected and new reality, that their homeland was no longer just a few hours away was jolting for many. Of course, two years later the savage attacks of October 7th further recast the relationship between non-Israeli Jews and the state of Israel by reminding everyone of just how fragile and sometimes dangerous life in Israel still was.

During the past five months visits to Israel have been very different from the vacations of the past. Shopping and restaurants have been replaced by volunteerism and trips to charred remains of communities in the South. Jews traveling to Israel have, once again, become pilgrims rather than tourists. Tourism is a luxury while pilgrimages are personal, and provide us with agency.

The war has reminded every Jew, both Israeli and non-Israeli, that they are shareholders Israel and not external spectators. The country isn’t self-powered but dependent upon us. The war has restored our agency.

The writer is a rabbi at Yeshivat Har Etzion/Gush, a hesder yeshiva. He has smicha and a BA in computer science from Yeshiva University as well as a masters degree in English literature from the City University of New York. He is the author of the upcoming Dark Clouds Above, Faith Below (Kodesh Press, April, 2024), providing religious responses to the massacres of October 7th and the ensuing war

AM YISRAEL CHAI

YAD VASHEM UK ANNUAL YOM HASHOAH DESIGN COMPETITION

This year our competition seeks to highlight the innocent Israeli victims of the brutal October 7 massacre, and the resilience and defiance of Israel since that tragic day.

We need you to create a Sefer Torah cover for use on Simchat Torah

The winning design will be turned into a real Sefer Torah cover

The winner can give this cover to their school or shul at a special ceremony

The designs should be relevant to the tragic events of October 7 2023

Our theme is Am Yisrael Chai and the safe return of the remaining hostages

The competition is open to students from Years 6-9. Entrants should apply via their schools or shuls

Design specialaSefer Torah cover to honour the victims ofOctober 7 2023

Deadline for entries 12 April 2024

Send your entries to: office@yadvashem.org.uk

Beyond the headlines A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read in the news

BY SIVAN RAHAV MEIR - TRANSLATED BY YEHOSHUA SISKIN

Last week, the somber news emerged that Major Daniel Perez, previously reported as a hostage, was tragically no longer among the living. Our hearts go out to his parents, Rabbi Doron Perez and his wife Shelly. Both are renowned for their enduring faith, optimism and resilience since Simchat Torah. Rabbi Doron, in particular, has touched many lives through his impactful lectures in Israel and around the globe, often offering comfort and strength to those facing adversity.

Rabbi Doron shared his personal coping mechanism, emphasizing the importance of living in the moment while acknowledging the broader narrative of the Jewish people. “Focus on the now, but also realize that we are part of something far greater,” he said, highlighting the collective journey and significance of the nation of Israel.

During a period marked by uncertainty over Daniel’s fate, the wedding of the Perez’s son Yonatan became a poignant reminder of the enduring spirit of joy and faith. Rabbi Doron reflected on this experience, noting, “We honored Daniel’s memory under the chuppah, allowing ourselves to mourn before embracing joy, reminiscent of Jeremiah’s prophecy of enduring gladness in Jerusalem.”

Rabbi Doron, chairman of the World Mizrachi movement, has long championed Jewish education and identity. He observed that the challenges faced by the Jewish community have unexpectedly fostered a deeper sense of unity. “Hamas wanted to destroy us, but instead, strengthened us,” he said. “Something phenomenal will grow from the events of Simchat Torah. Just as the darkness that we saw then is incomprehensible, the brightness of the light to come will likewise be beyond what we could ever imagine.”

In memory of Daniel Shimon ben Doron

JERUSALEM CONSOLES

“Come to Jerusalem!” was my message at the outbreak of the war, a sentiment that holds even more weight today. The city of Jerusalem possesses a unique power to heal and unite. Among its ancient stones, one can find groups of displaced families, recently discharged reservists and their families, educators and students, young people celebrating their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and international visitors on solidarity missions. Their presence in Jerusalem, particularly now, is no coincidence.

During a deeply moving event at the

Kotel Tunnels, I addressed families coping with immense loss. I shared with them a traditional consolation, “May G-d comfort you among all those who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem,” underscoring the eternal connection to Zion and Jerusalem in our collective comfort. This sentiment is echoed by the navi Yeshayahu, “And in Jerusalem you shall be comforted,” and further explained in the Metzudat David commentary to mean that Jerusalem is where one finds solace and blessings amidst grief.

The profound impact of Jerusalem’s solace was visible in the reactions of those grieving. A father, emerging from the tunnels with tears in his eyes, shared a moment of profound connection to our shared past and future, and his family’s place within it. A mother was left speechless by the overwhelming emotions elicited by the Kotel’s stones.

In the accompanying photos:

hostages, evacuees, bereaved families, families of wounded soldiers. Everyone is interested in becoming part of the story. We also received permission to broadcast from the Kotel. Jews from 47 countries will be with us for a live broadcast, and at 5:30 p.m Israel time, we’ll all recite the Shema together.”

1. IDF Paratrooper Ronen Vaknin, who underwent extensive rehab after being critically wounded in Gaza, arrived at the Kotel to pray and to gain strength for his continued journey. 2. Koren Tasa, from Netiv Ha’Asara, on Oct. 7 lost his brother and his father Gil, when the latter jumped on a grenade, thereby saving the family. He is seen here at the Kotel celebrating his bar mitzvah. 3. Elai Berger, brother of kidnapped IDF soldier Agam Berger, is also seen here celebrating his bar mitzvah.

THE WORLD’S LOUDEST PRAYER

Several weeks ago, Amos Meron wrote to me that he thought we should announce Taanit Esther as a day of worldwide prayer. I recalled our correspondence and my thought at the time that the idea was good but pretentious. However, before I could respond, he’d already sent me a draft of the first announcement: “Esther HaMalka taught us that we need to unite and cry out,” he wrote. “This will be a great day of fasting and prayer.”

Two days later, Amos sent me another message: “This is beginning to move forward. We already have numerous partners, and they’re turning this into a professional campaign. We contacted representatives of the

The campaign continued to grow. Israel’s President Yitzchak Herzog called for a worldwide Shema, and friends from New York, London, and even Ukraine wrote me that their communities would join the recitation of the Shema at the appointed time. What I learned from this is not only the power of Esther HaMalka, but also, the power of a single individual to make a dream – one that necessitates the participation of millions - come true.

A HISTORIC PURIM

As Purim approached this year, many wondered how we could possibly celebrate. Yet, millions of Jews worldwide demonstrated a way to celebrate with sensitivity and significance, breathing new depth into the holiday’s customs and laws. For instance, individuals across Israel prepared the favorite recipes of captives, incorporating these dishes into their Mishlochei Manot as a tribute. Similarly, memorable phrases associated with those who’ve fallen were included in Mishlochei Manot, serving as a heartfelt dedication to their memory. The celebrations - feasts, parties, and costumes - connected with the ongoing events around us.

An extraordinary instance was the

reading of Megillat Esther in Kfar Azza, right at the entrance to the home where Sivan Elkabetz and Naor Hassidim tragically lost their lives.

Shimon Elkabetz, the former commander of the Israel Defense Forces’ Galilee Corps, and his wife Anat, the grieving parents of Sivan, shared: “We were shaken to our core when we heard the name ‘Haman’ here, on this bloodsoaked ground. We hugged and sang the verse, ‘LaYehudim hayta ora v’simchah.’ From the days of the wicked Haman until the seventh of October – they try to harm us because we are Jews. Facing the border of Gaza, with the sound of our forces’ explosions in the background, we came to tell ourselves and the world: Am Israel Chai, forever.”

PURIM JOY AMIDST THE TEARS

Yehoshua Shani’s son, Uri Mordechai, fell in battle on Simchat Torah. Since that day, he says, the words from Shulchan Aruch, “Strengthen yourself like a lion,” which instruct us how to get up in the morning, have taken on new meaning. “Our constant challenge is to strengthen ourselves to overcome the incredible pain, to get up each morning to a new day of work and action. This Purim, our joy was mixed with tears and fond memories, but our family chose to try and see the light within the darkness, as Uri himself had always taught us.”

At the Purim seudah, the Shani family sat together with a bottle of “Uri’s Wine” on the table — to bring Uri’s spirit to the gathering and add more light.

“It’s important for us to convey this message to our amazing nation,” said Yehoshua Shani. “Joy is not about losing all restraint, but connecting to eternity. It’s part of our consolation. It’s part of the victory over our enemies.

And within the joy and the tears, we pray that we will merit a speedy victory, with the return of all the hostages to their families.”

Celebrations at the Kotel

Megilla in Kfar Azza

FROM ERETZ YISRAEL

How Now, Red Cow? Weekly Dvar Torah

BY RABBI STEWART WEISS

The section of the Torah we read as Maftir this Shabbat – Parshat Para – has baffled scholars and commentators for all of our history. Taken from the parsha of Chukat, it is known as the chok par excellence, the most perplexing of all the seemingly unknowable statutes of the Torah. Said Shlomo HaMelech: “Amarti achkimah, v’hi rechokah mimeni; I thought I could become wise, but it is beyond me” (Kohelet 7:23).

The ashes of the red heifer, when blended with various other ingredients, creates a compound that somehow manages to make spiritually pure those who had been defiled after coming into contact with a dead body. Yet, at the very same time that the person is purified, the Kohen who administers the compound is himself rendered tamei!

How can this be? How can the very same item have the exact opposite effect on two different people? It seems logical-

Tzav

1ST ALIYA (KOHEN)

– VAYIKRA 6:1-11

The Torah adds new details about the offerings that were discussed in last week’s sidra. The olah (elevation) offering could be left burning on the mizbeach (altar) throughout the night. In the morning, a Kohen would remove the ash. Wood needed to be added on the mizbeach every day as fuel for the three fires that were constantly burning (Rashi). The mincha (meal offering) was baked unleavened; those parts eaten by the Kohanim had to be consumed in the courtyard of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).

2ND ALIYA (LEVI) – 6:12-7:10

A fine flour offering from a tenth of an ephah volume of flour was to be offered

ly absurd!

To me, this is not the most challenging part of the puzzle. I find it even more mysterious that the ashes of a dead thing can bring one back from the dead; i.e. remove the stain of death from one who had touched death. Now, I can understand how some acts – such as immersion in a mikvah – can serve to alter, or negate, the imprimatur of death, for in that instance it is life (in the form of water, which is a primary source of all life) which dispels death. But how can death cancel death?! This is indeed mystifying.

While I certainly do not claim to be smarter than Shlomo HaMelech, I do have a thought on the matter.

In the circle of life, there is a very close proximity of death to life. For example, a leaf dies when it falls off a tree, but when it flutters to the ground it enriches the soil, which will then give life to new plants. A woman giving birth to a child will cause her reproductive system to (temporarily) go sterile, but she will then recover, regenerate and be capable of bearing other children. A person dies, but at the moment of death, he or she enters into life eternal; and so a cemetery is referred to in Jewish tradition as a Beit Chaim, a house of (eternal) life.

On a national level, our greatest moments of life are connected to the bitterest pangs of death. So it was when we reached the lowest level of

degradation in Egypt, only to be followed swiftly by our Redemption. And so it was 70 years ago, when from the ashes of the Shoah there arose the rebirth of our great nation Israel. It is as if Hashem cannot bear for us to remain tamei for long; we must always return to vibrant, dynamic, active life.

That is why I believe that all the trauma, all the pain, all the terrible loss that we have suffered in the war against Hamas will ultimately lead to a stronger, more secure Israel and, by extension, a safer world. Why we have to endure so many tears and so much anguish is an enigma as puzzling to us as, well, that of the Para Aduma. But I believe wholeheartedly that when we emerge – im yirtze Hashem may it be soon – we shall toast l’chayim – To Life!

Rabbi Stewart Weiss is director of the Jewish Outreach Center of Ra’anana and a member of Mizrachi’s Speakers Bureau (mizrachi.org/speakers).

by every Kohen on his first day of service, half in the morning and half in the afternoon. The Kohen Gadol had to bring this offering every day. Like the olah, the chatat (sin) offering was slaughtered in a designated part of the Mishkan. The procedure for an asham (guilt) offering is detailed.

3RD ALIYA (SHLISHI) – 7:11-38

One who survived a dangerous situation could bring a todah (thanksgiving) offering, which was a category of shelamim (peace) offering. It was accompanied by baked loaves; those parts of its meat designated for consumption had to be eaten within a specific time. One was forbidden to eat an offering in a state of ritual impurity. An offering which became impure was to be burned, not eaten. The blood of all animals and certain fats (chelev) of specific animals was strictly forbidden to eat. The right thigh and the chest of a shelamim (peace) offering were eaten by the Kohanim.

4TH ALIYA (REVI’I) – 8:1-13

The Torah now details the seven-day inauguration process of Aharon and his sons, starting on 23 Adar, a week before the setting up of the Mishkan (on 1

Nissan), which was detailed previously in parashat Pekudei (see Rashi’s commentary). Moshe washed and dressed Aharon in the special garments of the Kohen Gadol and anointed his head with oil. He then dressed Aharon’s sons in their designated priestly garments.

Point to Consider: Why did Moshe have to tell the congregation that “this is the matter that G-d commanded me to do”? (see Rashi to 8:5).

5TH ALIYA (CHAMISHI) – 8:14-21

Moshe brought a bull as a chatat offering. Parts of this were burned on the mizbeach; the remainder was burned outside the camp. He then brought a ram as an olah offering. Aharon and his sons laid their hands upon both offerings (semicha).

6TH ALIYA (SHISHI) – 8:22-29

A second ram, a shelamim, known as the ‘inauguration ram’, was offered. Moshe smeared some of its blood on the ears, thumbs and toes of Aharon and his sons.

7TH ALIYA (SHEVI’I) – 8:30-36

Moshe also sprinkled inauguration

oil, mixed with blood from the offerings, on Aharon and his sons, as well as on their garments. Moshe instructed them on how to eat the relevant parts of the inauguration offerings and told them not to leave the entrance to the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting) for the whole of the inauguration period.

MAFTIR (BEMIDBAR 19:1-22)

The special reading for parashat Parah is taken from the beginning of parashat Chukat, in which G-d instructed Moshe and Aharon how to purify someone who had come into contact with a human corpse. This involved slaughtering an unblemished red heifer (Parah Adumah) and mixing its ashes with water.

HAFTARAH (YECHEZKEL 36:16-38)

The prophet Yechezkel (Ezekiel) admonishes the nation for worshipping idols and desecrating G-d’s Name. However, G-d will purify us, giving us a ‘new heart’ and returning us to the Land.

Daf TopicsHidden Treasure: Bava Metzia 25b

BY RABBI YAKOV SCHONBERG

My neighbour’s father was niftar some thirty years ago and the inheriting family sold his house, their birth home in Stamford Hill, London, to a good friend. The house had not been renovated in the fifty years he lived there and the new purchaser did a complete refurbishment, stripping the house to a shell. In the course of pulling up the wooden floorboards, the non-Jewish builders found boxes stuffed with £40,000 worth of expired banknotes. The bills included white £5 notes and King George currency which were no longer legal tender, so they took them to The Bank of England to be exchanged for current notes. They were questioned by police at a security check as to the source of the funds, and establishing that they were builders, they confiscated the cash and returned it to the owner of the house. The family had previously found hidden cash in the house while the father was still alive. The father recalled that he had concealed it but had totally forgotten about it, so the family was convinced that he secreted this money as well. On the other hand, some of the notes were old white £5 notes, issued years before 1945 when he acquired the house, and there were no post-1945 notes to prove that they were hidden after 1945. The family and purchaser came to an amicable settlement, but this story will be useful to illustrate the halacha of hidden treasure. In order to add an extra twist to our halachic discussion of the issues involved, let us change the story: that the builder who found the cash was Jewish. We now have three potential claimants to the money: the family who inherited the house, the purchaser, and the finder, the builder. Dina demalchusa enters the discussion; whether the hoard is considered mislaid money or ‘treasure trove’ claimable by the Crown. The English law of treasure trove was limited to items of gold and silver, but banknotes which represent gold held by the bank were included. For the purpose of our halachic analysis we shall ignore that angle as it would vary according to country.

KINYAN CHATZEIR

As a general rule, the physical presence of an object within the confines of already owned property, serves as a kinyan chatzeir, a means of acquiring title even without intent and without knowledge of the existence of the object. The mishna on Bava Metzia 25b appears

to rule differently: that where someone finds valuables secreted in an ancient wall the finder acquires valid title. The gemora limits it to items which are very old in appearance, predating the property’s acquisition, so that it can be assumed that the original owner despaired of recovery and that they were not left there by the present property owner. The question is why did the property purchaser not acquire the object, even if he had no knowledge of its existence, in accordance with the general rule of kinyan chatzeir?

CHATZEIR NOT KINYAN

Rishonim debate why our mishna is an exception to the general rule of kinyan chatzeir. Resolution of our story’s predicament will depend their different approaches, as follows:

1. Tosafos explains that chatzeir does not serve as a kinyan for property that the property-owner may never find, and buried items are unlikely to be discovered. We see from the next mishna in the case of items lost in a shop (26b) that there must be a level of intention to acquire lost-property and the shop-keeper acquires only in shop areas where he is likely to recover items. General intention to acquire is sufficient, but where he is unlikely to discover a particular object, one cannot assume even general intention. In our story the father had previously hidden cash under the floorboards himself, so the likelihood of him discovering cash left by a previous owner would be high. Nowadays it is common to replace wooden floors with tiles, so perhaps a purchaser would likely find it and then kinyan chatzer would give him title. Thus, if the father had hidden the money, then his heirs would certainly be entitled to the money, but even if had been stashed away by the previous owner, if the father was likely to discover it, kinyan chatzeir would operate to acquire it for the heirs.

3. Mordechai (#259) cites R’ Baruch of Mayence saying that kinyan chatzeir without knowledge only works for hefker items, but where the original owner thinks that his property has been preserved in a safe place, he would not have abandoned it. Accordingly, if the bills were hidden by the original houseowner, then the two subsequent owners would not gain title to the cash, so the builder would again get to keep it. However, if the father hid the cash, then the inheriting family would gain title, as it remained preserved in a safe place.

4. Mordechai (#260) quotes R’ Avigdor Kohen who maintains that kinyan chatzeir without knowledge only applies in respect of items that are commonly found upon one’s property. Only if he is aware of their possible presence would he acquire with kinyan chatzeir. Since currency is not commonly found in purchased property, chatzeir cannot act as a kinyan. Rema (CM268:3) rules in accordance with this view.

5. Rambam (Gezelah Ve’aveidah 16:8) regards treasure trove that is not likely to be discovered by anyone as “lost to all mankind” and therefore it would be like “zuto shel yam” and the finder can retain it.

treasures discovered in houses acquired in Eretz Yisrael, yet the midrash implies that the hidden items would be their bounty. Rosh therefore explained that Eretz Yisrael was different as they certainly had expectation of discovery because of the tzaraas blessing, but where there was no such expectation, chatzeir does not acquire as per Tosafos.

In summary, if it can be established that the cash was hidden by the previous non-Jewish owner, then the weight of the authorities hold that the Jewish builder who found the money would be entitled to keep it. If it could be established that the father concealed it, then it belongs to the heirs.

SPLITTING THE CASH

2. Mordechai (#258) asserts that kinyan chatzeir without intent only applies to lost objects that come into already-owned property but not to concealed items that come into a purchaser’s possession simultaneously with his acquisition of the property, as it does not occur to him that treasure is already hidden there. In our story, if the Jewish builder who found it is muchzak, he may be successful in retaining the cash, as a muchzak retains money where there is uncertainty.

6. Rosh, after quoting Tosafos, offers an alternative answer where he does not regard our mishna’s case as an exception to the general rule of kinyan chatzeir. He understands the mishna as applying only to property in Eretz Yisrael and is restricted to valuables acquired by right of conquest; otherwise kinyan chatzeir is effective even without knowledge or intent of the owner. According to this view, outside Eretz Yisrael chatzeir always acts as a kinyan, and the father would have acquired any money hidden by the previous owner. However, Melamed Lehoil (3:57) argues that Rosh appears to agree with Tosafos, but in his alternative answer Rosh provides an additional principle explaining why this rule applies in Eretz Yisrael. Rashi (Vayikra 14:34) quotes a midrash stating that tzaraas was a blessing for the Jews because the Emorites hid treasures of gold in the walls of their houses and as a result of the affliction, he breaks down the house and finds them. Our gemora’s mention of the possibility that treasure found in the wall dates back to the Emorites rather than simply saying that it was from goyim is an allusion to this blessing. Rosh had a difficulty that according to Tosafos, Jews would not be able to claim ownership of

Melamed Lehoil asks why poskim do not mention splitting the cash between the parties? Mordechai refers to a story related in Yerushalmi here and Midrash Noach (33:1) where the king of Cassia demonstrated his system of justice before King Alexander. The plaintiff had bought a piece of wasteland from his neighbour and found a treasure buried in it. He claimed that he had intended to buy land only and not treasure, and insisted that the treasure belonged to the vendor. The vendor argued that he had sold the land and all it contained, so the treasure must go to the purchaser. The king of Cassia’s decision was that the two parties’ children should marry and the treasure would ‘stay in the family’. It would appear that midas chasidus would be to divide the money between the parties – why did the poskim not bring this as halacha? He answers that in the midrash story, the field had been a family heritage, so it can be assumed that it was put there by his family generations earlier, but we are discussing property purchased from goyim, who retain no rights to the treasure.

Rabbi Schonberg was born in London in 1948 and attended Avigdor, Yesodei Hatorah and Hasmonean Schools. He attended Manchester, Chaye Olam and Gateshead Yeshivos. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1972 becoming a partner at Cohen Arnold and was there in total for 42 years, retiring in 2009. Actively engaging in the Jewish community, he was treasurer of Kedassia Kashrus and is still Trustee of its holding charity UOHC Foundation. He served on Kedassia, Burial Society and Executive Committee of UOHC. He is also a governor of Yesodei Hatorah Girls School. He founded Aguda Book and Tape libraries and sefarim gabbai at Tottenham Adath. He retired to Ramat Beit Shemesh in 2009 and was foundational member of Mercaz Daf Yomi.

To find out more, you can sign up at mercazdafyomi.com and receive a free gemoroh.

UK bank notes dating back to 1920s - 1930s

Family FunTZAV

This week’s parsha opens where we left off; korbanot. Currently, Hashem tells Moshe to tell Aharon that he is forgiven for the golden calf incident (remember that?).

To prove it, He commands Him to take up the mantle of High Priest, Kohen gadol and do the korbanot, sacrifices. This includes the Olah that we

mentioned last week, and the shelamim (elevation and peace offerings). This is what a typical day in the mishkan looked like. Once the day began,the kohanim opened the gates and washed their hands and feet in the special kiyor, the basin made from the mirrors donated from the women. Next, all kohanim

U C L E S U N C X P M J

F S Z O T F T C E I O C

I Y H G A Y V Q Z N I J

Z I E M T V Y B E R N R

X M I M A L E H S I F B

Y B Q I H A O S U S Y S

Y L K S C K Q D J X D I

W Y S H N W S B A R J I

G Z T K I H I N I G I A

W B D A M Y L L S G X N

N U M N D Q R E K H T L

I M U W L H I A F Q K

CHATAT • GADOL • KOHEN • LOAVES • MINCHA • MIZBEACH • SHELAMIM

put their names into a lot and a goral (lottery) was picked as to who had the privilege to do each job . Once the jobs were allocated, the kohanim split up. Some went off to clean the ashes or clean and light the menorah (a job Aharon liked to do himself and was very diligent about). Others ran to check the animals and choose two

good sheep for the daily tamid offering. One kohein shechted (slaughtered) it and then the pieces were divided among those who won the honour to place them on the mizbeach, altar. Others went to prepare the mincha offering of the tamid and offer it up.

Parasha Stats

Facts about Parashat Tzav

Number of Lines - 170

Number of Verses - 97

Number of Words - 1,353

Number of Letters - 5,096

Jewish Riddle

This week’s Question: There is a day in the Jewish Calendar when some years we say Hallel and other years we say Tachanun. Which day is it?

Last week’s Answer: What important word in the Megillah does this represent: 8888888

Etz, refering to the tree that Haman and his sons were hanged on.

gave the correct answer!

Tangram Challenge!

Using all the shapes, can you make the shape on the right?

Word Wheel

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

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

Last edition’s words

Here are some words you may have found from last week – you may have found more!

Use the area below to write the words you have found. R T I C N C R E O

Jokes Riddles

Q: Why does Wally wear stripes? A: He doesn’t want to be spotted!

Q: Did you hear about the two guys that stole a calendar? A: They both got six months!

Q: Why do you never see elephants hiding in trees? A: Because they are really good at it!

Q: What kind of lights did Noah have on the Ark? A: Floodlights!

3. Because it is in the middle of water abs bad bar bas boa bod bow bra bro cab cob dab orb rob sob back bard bark bars bask bawd boar boas bock bods bows brad bras bros brow cabs carb cobs crab dabs drab orbs robs scab swab backs bards barks bawds board boars bocks brads broad brows carob cobra crabs adsorb boards broads carobs cobras backsword

1. What starts with P and ends in E and has thousands of letters?

2. What occurs once in a minute, twice in a momement and never in a thousand years?

3. Why is an island like the letter T?

Answers

1. Post office

2. The letter M

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