Hakol: November - December 2017 Edition

T he L iberal Synagogue E lstree

Hakol

Nov/Dec 2017 Cheshvan/Kislev/Tevet 5778

READ ME!

You will find out why a community is only as good as those who participate in it!

RABBI’S WORD – NOVEMBER 2017

Rabbi Pete Tobias

I

had two things to write about this month.

First, PiCNiC, an initiative launched on Rosh ha-Shanah. Second, the 12 b’nei mitzvah ceremonies in the next twenty weeks; 8 of them before the middle of December. What happens on such occasions is that regular attenders stay away while the shul is taken over by relatives and friends of the bar- or bat-mitzvah (including school friends who sit at the back and talk to each other, or on their phones, throughout the service). How to bring together these two disparate elements of the community was the challenge I set myself.

So on the first Saturday in October, I tried an experiment. I combined our Shabbat morning breakfast study with the bar-/bat-mitzvah class members and their parents. It was… interesting. The young people did read (reluctantly), but, despite efforts to engage them in discussion about the origins of the Torah, they were reticent and non-communicative. Whatever. What astonished me – and the regular shul-goers - the most, was when the majority of the young people, along with their parents, shuffled out of the building at 10.50am, leaving just two class members plus a parent each in shul.

The other topic I wanted to talk about is PiCNiC. It stands for ‘Parents and Children Needing Care.’ It’s a Facebook group aimed at providing support for the sandwich generation: those members of TLSE dealing with their children’s and their parents’ issues. Its purpose is not to provide expert advice but rather to connect people who are facing the same challenges so they can share experiences and offer mutual support. If you’re on Facebook, take a look – it’s easy to find.

But I’m writing this Rabbi’s Word on Simchat Torah, and another matter has arisen. I need help. So I’ve decided to post this on PiCNiC: ‘Dear Picnic. Today is Simchat Torah, perhaps the most joyous festival of the year. Around 100 children who are members of my shul attend Jewish schools, so have the day off. Yet last night only 12 children were in shul – and that included just one from JCoSS and one from Yavneh – none from Clore Shalom.

This morning there was just one child (from a state school). Please can you suggest what I have to do to persuade people with children at Jewish schools to attend Jewish festival services in my synagogue?

A very despondent Rabbi.’

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NEW TABLE OF CONTENTS

W

elcome to the new table of contents! Members frequently contact me with questions about events, such as lunch club or asking for other information that is often contained in these pages. I ask whether they have seen the latest edition of Hakol, and quite often, the answer is that although they get it, it does not always get read, as lives are too busy with other things, and it gets pushed to the bottom of the pile. So with the idea of making it a little easier to navigate, here is a table of contents, with regular features highlighted in yellow.

We do want to make this as much of a community as it possibly can be, but that is partly dependent on you as members. We welcome your feedback on all things happening at TLSE, including the contents of Hakol and we also welcome articles of ideas that you think might be of interest to other members of the congregation.

Please do try to take the time to read it, and if you have any suggestions or ideas of things we could do to make TLSE a more interesting community, please do get in touch! Contact details of all Council members as well as generally for TLSE on the back page as always!

Rabbi’s Word Council Round-Up A Special Thank You from the Rites and Practices Committee

Rabbi Pete Tobias Richard Boulton and Lizzie Rabin; Val Dickson

Tea Dance Who we are, what we do and why we volunteered – TLSE Lunch Club

Page 2 Page 4 Page 5

Sue Woolf

Page 6

November and December Lunch Club Information

Page 7

Care and Welfare – Condolences, Get Well & Happy Birthday Wishes

Page 8

Welcome to New Members/Mazel Tov to

Page 9

Meet Val Dickson

Val Dickson

Page 10

Sukkot & Simchat Torah at TLSE

Deborah Gabbay

Page 12

Getting On and Getting Old

Adrian Needlestone

Page 13

Dates for your Diary

Page 14

TLSE Member Wins Gold at the Special Olympics!

Daniel Bernard

Page 15

To Germany with More Emotions

Harry Hurst

Page 16

September Walk and upcoming walks General Contact Details

Page 19 3

COUNCIL ROUND UP Richard Boulton & Lizzie Rabin

W

elcome to our first co-chair report of the New Year! The last few weeks have been very busy for the entire TLSE community with the preparation for the High Holy Day services – including singing group rehearsals, planning for the services, arranging rostering for security inside and outside of Clore Shalom, and of course the legendary schlep between TLSE and Clore Shalom. All that closely followed by the building of the Sukkah by the Religion School, a new members’ meet up and just to add to the fun and games – the ceiling of the lounge in the synagogue decided to fall in during early September – which added to the logistical challenges during this period.

But thanks to a very few dedicated people, particularly our Hon Sec, Davina and Mike and Penny Beral, not to mention Rabbi Pete, things were kept on track. We really do need more people to be able to call on for help in such circumstances. A community is only as good as those who participate in it.

The ceiling all over the floor

A fresh new look

We can though be proud of the successful launch of PiCNiC – our new initiative to support a specific generation of our community who are facing challenges never previously experienced in this ever-changing world. As we said during our High Holy Day talks, the aim of PiCNiC is to complement the already successful and caring support provided by the Care & Welfare Committee and we really look forward to seeing how these two valuable groups can work in partnership together.

As the nights draw in we have much to look forward to in the coming months.

We continue to plan future events to cater to all tastes and will share more on these in the next Hakol (but see the opposite page about the upcoming Tea Dance and classes!) And if you have any ideas of activities or events that you would be interested in participating in then please us know. We look forward to hearing from you!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU FROM THE R&P COMMITTEE

O

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n behalf of the congregation I would like to echo Rabbi Pete’s message of thanks to everyone who helped make our High Holy Days run so smoothly. The music was great thanks to the singing group and Dan Renak. Our stewards both inside and out, the schleppers, Kiddush providers and everyone who took part in the services, you helped make everything run like clockwork. Finally of course, thank you to Rabbi Pete who was so informative and inspiring.

Val Dickson

is proud to present

ON SUNDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2017

FROM 3.00-600pm

A CHANUKKAH PARTY and

TEA DANCE NO DANCING SKILL OR EXPERIENCE NEEDED! But if you’d like to learn the basics, come to any of these training sessions: - Sundays November 19th, 26th; December 3rd from 1015-1215 - Sunday December 10th from 1300-1500 And on the day itself, there will be dancing, tea, cake and prosecco a Chanukkah party and entertainment for the children.

We’ll conclude with the lighting of the Chanukkah candles at 6pm 5

TLSE LUNCH CLUB

Sue Woolf

Who we are, what we do and why we volunteered.

A

t the end of 2016 there was a risk that our popular Lunch Club would fold when Carol Hurst stepped down. She ran it almost single-handedly for 11 years, cooking a 3-course meal for 30+ people, taking the bookings, booking entertainment and running everything on the day.

Table beautifully set ready for diners.

Rita Golding, Nancy Shavick and I, who have always been ‘lunchers’, together with Judy Westley and Lisa Renak, whose fathers had become regular participants, decided that we needed to work together as a team to take turns to be in charge on the day. We’ve been joined by Shirley Batley, brilliant at taking the bookings, and often making a main course or sweet. Tina Shaw helps out with preparation and organisation during the school holidays and Abi Walton is sometimes able to help out with any task thrown at her, even squirting cream on the dessert!

Welcome

A delicious soup is donated every month by John Bernard – all that we need to do is heat, add croutons, and eat. Nancy usually provides the main course for non-dairy or non-fish eaters, and sometimes a main course or sweet for all. I often make a sweet, particularly in the apple season. Judy’s lemon drizzle cake is “to die Shirley makes a salad for”. Penny Beral and Carol Hurst are also regular cooks, especially for the main course. We wouldn’t turn down offers of a course cooked at home by other TLSE members who would, of course, be reimbursed for the cost. Rita and Sue lay the tables, helped by any of the volunteers who arrive early.

Nowadays, John, our caretaker, sets up the tables and chairs and cuts the paper tablecloths in addition to setting up the Busy volunteers in the kitchen urn, washing up and helping wheelchair users to access the hall.

Rita, as she has done for many years welcomes attendees, taking their money and making newcomers feel at home. I heat up the food, schlep the crockery from kitchen to hall and dish up soup. We all help with serving and collecting plates, chatting to diners as we circulate, or while we sit down to eat.

Lisa is wonderful at finding and liaising with speakers, as well as finding cooks and running the show on the day, the latter tasks performed in a rota which includes Nancy or Sue. As for publicity – Harry Hurst continues to produce a flyer each month, of which a copy is published in Hakol.

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Long may the Lunch Club thrive!

Dishing up

TLSE Lunch

LUNCH

CLUB

Enjoy a great lunch! Make new friends! Be entertained!

Venue: The Synagogue Time: 1pm

TLSE members: £5

Non-Members: £6

Tuesday 28th November

Every Object HAS a Story Bring one and talk about what it means to you

Tuesday 19th December

If you are coming, please contact Shirley Tel: 020 8953 0146 or email: shirleybatley@gmail.com

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: Alice Bradshaw, James Caplan, Joshua Caplan, Taylor Charvonia Claret, Sam Cohen, Joshua Cohen, Dominquez, Jed Davis, Dominic De Jonge, Emily Garland, Daisy Grant, Nicole Green, Harry Harrison, Maxwell Nathan, Louis Perilly, Emilie Setyon, Lexi Smullen, Belle Swarc, Coby Tepper, Imogen Wainstein, Eva Zur

GET WELL SOON: Both Julia McGechan and Jonathan Myers have been unwell recently and we hope that they are better now.

Bob Batley who is recovering from surgery.

CONDOLENCES TO: Dorothy Scott on the recent loss of her husband Edward The family of Adam Samuels

Distraction Burglaries: NOT SURE? DON'T OPEN THE DOOR! Be vigilant regarding Distraction Burglars in various guises. Criminals may attempt to gain access to homes claiming to be from Utility Companies, sometimes defunct organisations such as "The Water Board" or "The Gas Board". Even if the correct terminology is used, please remember these points: • Keep your door locked and try to identify who the caller is by looking out of the window or spy hole. If there is more than one person be suspicious - it is unusual for a company to send more than one person. Is the caller wearing a uniform? Is there a company car outside?

• Make sure your back door is locked before answering your front door - thieves sometimes work in pairs, one entering the back while the other distracts at the front. If you have a safety chain, always keep it on whilst talking to the person.

• Do not be panicked into opening the door because the caller claims it is an emergency; bona fide people will always be happy to follow the correct protocols. Does the caller know your name? Ask to see photographic ID, even for a prearranged appointment.

• Does the card look like an official company card and match the caller?

• Keep a list of phone numbers – gas, electricity, water services, in a handy place.

Many now have free phone numbers to help you check the identity of their workers.

• If you are still not reassured call the police on 999.

Look out for vulnerable neighbours and check all is well if they have suspicious-looking callers. If you do not feel comfortable doing so, call the non-emergency number, 101 for advice.

CARE & WELFARE COMMITTEE

8

A-B

BARBARA

020 8953 1369

N-Q

PETER

020 8953 1369

C-F

LEONE

07702 349350

R-S

RITA

020 8953 4439

G-I

CAROL

020 8950 1862

T-Z

JUDY

01582 468100

J-M

ESTELLE

020 8954 9569

NICKY

07788 751275

MAZEL TOV TO:

Arabella Owide 4th November

Dylan Berger 11th November

Louis Perilly 25th November

Sam Cohen 16th December

Nicola Green 2nd December

Lydia Musgrave and David Bass on the occasion of their marriage on 5th November

Nathan Hekster 18th November

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

CATERING & EVENTS

Julian and Kay Marsh

Simon & Caroline Ornstein & their children Sam 12 & Olivia 9

Fabulous food for every occasion and all tastes Fantastic events plannedto perfection I specialise in peaceof mind

Shelley & Richard Levene with their children Dylan 11 & Giselle 9 We also welcome Matt Shopper

WWW.PENNYBERAL.CO.UK FIND ME ON FACEBOOK Catering by penny Beral

TEL: 01923 855367 MOB: 07979 800616 EMAIL: PENNY@PENNYBERAL.CO.UK

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MEET VAL DICKSON

M

y parents emigrated from Liverpool to Welwyn Garden City the year war broke out and I was born there four years later. Some of my earliest memories are a front garden full of potatoes, a back garden with a large vegetable patch and a chicken run. In many ways an idyllic childhood, plenty of children of similar age to play with and large areas of countryside in which we were free to roam.

A bout of rheumatic fever in my mid-teens kept me in bed for a few months when I honed my art and design skills, enabling me to attend the College for the Distributive Trades on a display course as soon as I was able to leave school. As teenagers did at that time, I joined the same youth club as my friends which is how I met my future husband. One of the girls brought this tall good-looking lad along, to much rejoicing from the rest of us – at last she had her own boyfriend! You can imagine my surprise then, when the following day he knocked on my door and asked for a date! The rest, as they say, is history.

Wedding at Southgate 1964

Val now

Val aged 15 months

On completing my BDS course I started work in the Local Co-Op department store, having become fed up with the daily commute, and was encouraged to use my ideas in the window designs. I had a short time at Whitely in Bayswater, under a manager who was completely bonkers, so speedily returned to my old job and marriage plans.

These included converting to judaism and after speaking to various leaders from different branches of judaism found a warm welcome from Rabbi Harry Jacoby at Southgate Liberal Synagogue. A year’s study, five essays, and a visit to the Montagu Centre to be interviewed by the late Jo Asher, and it was done. Gerry and I were married at Southgate – he was early, I was on time and the Rabbi was late.

Shortly after, Gerry changed jobs and we moved to a new house in Walderslade, Kent.

Lots of young marrieds, not many Jews. I found a display position in a local department store with several branches so visited Canterbury and Maidstone as well as home base in Rochester. Our daughters Vicky, 1967 and Sophie 1968 were born during our six years there and we remained country members of Southgate where Vicky had her baby blessing.

Sophie and Vicky ages 4 and 5

10

We missed Jewish involvement so Gerry moved jobs to Stanmore and we found a house in Bushey. Best of all, a newly formed Liberal congregation in Stanmore where we quickly became involved. At times it felt like we were the original wandering Jews as we moved from venue to venue but eventually found Glebe hall in Stanmore.

Sophie was the congregation’s first baby blessing. There were so many firsts – communal seder, dinner dances, quizzes and a variety of fund raisers.

TLSE fundraising BBQ

Gerry and I joined several committees and have both served terms as Synagogue chairman, as well as a variety of council positions through the years. The most exciting was the building committee, who not only organised the purchase of our building, but did all the manual labour to put it into a fit state for purpose in time for our children’s B’nei Mitzvot. Both girls held their ceremonies and party in the synagogue and we even arranged a horse for Sophie, both girls being keen riders. It was though, a pantomime horse filled by Laurence Blake and David Bernard who galloped her round the building.

Vicky’s Bat Mitzvah

I was back at work, eventually lecturing in Display and Design at West Herts College, but found the time to make High Holy Day Mantles to celebrate the girls becoming Bat Mitzvah. Some 30 plus years later, I did it again, and also new covers for regular weekly use. When you have a building, you can apply for a licence to hold marriages and I became Marriage secretary, which I remain to this day.

Sadly, Gerry died in 1999 but thanks to all the friends I With sister Ros and daughter Vicks have made through my involvement with the shul I have had wonderful support and a full social life. My late sister Ros and I enjoyed many holidays together and when Sophie lived in Malta we used to spend her birthday week with Vicky there. Ros and I always claimed we were children of a mixed marriage as our dad supported Liverpool and mum supported Everton.

We both became ardent Reds. The girls however were brought up at Watford it being a safe ground for them to attend in their teens.

The pleasures of retirement are many, theatre matinees, ladies who lunch and Rabbi Pete’s “Lets talk about Judaism” being just a few. I’m still involved with the shul but am very happy to see the younger generations picking up the reins.

Touring Wermbly Stadium; With her hero’s football shirt

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SUKKOT AND SIMCHAT TORAH AT TLSE

S

Deborah Gabbay

Wedding at Southgate 1964

ukkot and Simchat Torah are always fun at TLSE and this year, as these photographes and those on the back cover show, was no exception.

However, we were sadly disappointed at the poor turnout of members, (see Rabbi Pete’s heartfelt cry for help on page 2), particularly on Simchat Torah, when we honoured lovely, generous John and Carole Bernard, who were this year’s Chatan and Kallah. The Kiddush they provided made the tables positively groan with all the food they brought, and it was a joyous occasion, only marred by how few people, and particularly how few children, attended. We know that you all lead busy lives, but we hope that when you see the photographs that you might be encouraged to make coming to such special events as these a priority. There are regular congregants who attend services and we have some wonderful, dedicated people who help out with such things as Kiddush, security duty, our annual quiz and other voluntary activities but they are in a minority. I, for one, hope that we can encourage more people to become involved. As our Co-chairs said on page four, a community is only as good as its participants.

The Religion School prepares the produce for Sukkot

Dominic lights the candles on Erev Sukkot

Shaking the lulav in the Sukkah

What kind of community do you want TLSE to be?

Almost finished unrolling the scroll

Rafi has a go too

Carole our Kallah with the Torah

Rabbi Pete thanks Carole and John

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John our Chatan reads the first part of Genesis

The procession

GETTING ON AND GETTING OLD

Adrian Needlestone

W

riting this I feel I am the Rabbi. I can hear a loud chorus of God forbid! But coming out of the High holy days does something to you. I have always been fascinated by the reading which asks if we would accept everlasting life if the price were no births, just us forever. Until recently, I would have said "deal," but I am at an age where I realise advancing years equate to lack of ambition and a resistance to change. And the Rabbi’s gloomy article in the June/July Hakol and his earlier sermon about Donald Trump's victory had all the hallmarks I now display of things going from bad to worse with little to be done about it. Whereas the young are full of ideas and ever pressing forward.

In his article, Rabbi Pete stated: “Whatever your political allegiance I am sure you will agree…that the campaign for this election was one of the most disgraceful this country has ever known". Was it? I thought to myself. Certainly one of the most unusual, because of the circumstances in which it was called but stand out disgraceful? I think not.

I remember the front page of the Sun newspaper on election morning in 1983. It said, " If Neil Kinnock wins today will the last person to leave the country turn the lights off." And in the sixties, Michael Foot was ridiculed for wearing a Donkey jacket to the Cenotaph and shambling to defeat on a manifesto described as " The longest suicide note in history." There are others but space restricts me.

I can agree with much of what Rabbi Pete said about Donald Trump but at least he is hemmed in by Congress, the Civil Service and the Judiciary. And is he really the worst and most dangerous president ever, or were others, like Richard Nixon, just better at hiding their real self? Barry Goldwater was the Trump of his day but potentially far more dangerous. He wanted to bomb Russia. Facing Lyndon Johnson, he suffered the biggest defeat in presidential history. His slogan: " In your heart you know he is right." But it was the Democrats’ retort which resonated: "In your guts you know he is nuts."

Noting that someone else is seeing the gloom has helped me immensely. I thought I was alone. But I have little in common with the young who woke up and voted for the first time both sides of the pond. That both got it wrong, I feel is not a symptom of my age but of my experience. But it all chimed in with why we need to constantly renew the human race.

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY We Were There Too Bushey Road Show Sunday 12th November, 2:30-4:30pm In collaboration with Jewish Care – a special Remembrance Sunday event.

Bushey United Synagogue, 177-189 Sparrows Herne, Bushey, WD23 1AJ Free entry with complimentary tea and cake; suitable for aged 10+

Bushey Interfaith Forum Date: 22nd November 7:30pm “Fasting and Feasting – They Why and the How” with speakers from Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish and Jain faiths.

Location: Stanmore Mosque, 40 Wood Lane, Ha7 4LQ Ladies should cover their hair with scarves to respect the Muslim tradition and will sit separately from the men in the same hall More information: 020 8950 4363 or 07808 936079

Liberal Judaism Fundraising Concert BEYOND TEXT: INTERPRETATION AS MEANING featuring renowned concert pianist David Dolan and guests. David Dolan is Professor of classical improvisation and its application on creativity in performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, he is Head of the Centre for Creative Performance and Classical Improvisation. He also teaches at the Yehudi Menuhin School.

Date: 23 November 2017 18:15 Reception; 19:45 Concert Location: Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London NW8 Tickets (must be booked in advance): £45 Reception and Concert; £25 Concert only 020 7580 1663 t.rich@liberaljudaism.org 14

TLSE MEMBER WINS GOLD IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS!

Daniel Bernard

M

y name is Daniel Bernard and I am a member of TLSE with my mum and dad and my brother Robin and sister Amber. This summer, I was chosen to play for East Herts basketball team in the Special Olympics.

I train with the Herts Ravens every Wednesday and started getting ready for the Special Olympics a year ago. The Special Olympics takes place every four years and it is for people who have a learning disability like me. It is not as famous as the Paralympics or the Olympics yet. This year it was held in Sheffield and the opening ceremony was at Bramall Lane where Sheffield United play football.

I support Arsenal Football Club. The England manager, Gareth Southgate came to the Athletes Village and I asked him about Arsenal’s chances this season and also got his autograph. Our basketball team played lots of matches and on the last day we won the semi-final and then beat Wales in the final. We won the gold medal! I am very proud of my gold medal and we all celebrated winning it at the closing ceremony and party.

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TO GERMANY WITH MORE EMOTIONS

Harry Hurst

T

wo years ago, I wrote about my trip to Germany as a result of having been traced by Thomas Friedlaender via the International Red Cross. He is the ‘great nephew’ of my uncle Jossel, who was married to my mother’s sister Eva, who both perished in Auschwitz in 1943. Carol and I returned recently and I learnt more about my parents’ lives and what they never revealed to me.

The first day, Thomas arranged for us to visit Oranienburg, the location of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. It was here that my father was transported after being arrested in Luneburg, after Kristallnacht on the 10th November 1938.

He never spoke about his experience and the reasons became very obvious.

The camp was built in 1936 with 6,000 ‘political’ prisoners in about 50 huts. In 1938, the Small Camp was built consisting of 15 huts to house 6,000 mainly Jewish, prisoners. Each hut had sleeping room for 190, side by side, on the floor. When not sleeping, prisoners had to stand around, outside the huts. Use of the few WCs and urinals was only allowed mornings and evenings after roll call or, occasionally, during the midday break. In the rush to use them, the sick or weak were trampled upon, whilst the SS staged regular acts of torment. Inmates unable to work, had to stand without moving a muscle in this unaired space and some were drowned by the SS men in the water closets. Washing facilities were minimal, with 8-10 men standing at two large basins The toilets at and cold water, springing like a fountain, from the Sachsenhausen. middle. Only 30 minutes was allowed after awaking for washing, receiving rations and attending roll-call.

My father was finally released and sent back to Luneburg on 19th January 1939, having survived eight weeks in these in human, vile conditions.

Basins with the central fountain

Sachsenhausen huts with the watch tower on the left.

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He had entered the camp through the gates with the familiar words ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’. At least he managed to exit them, to England and freedom.

The Ceremony

Putting the stones in cement.

The following day, we went to Fuerstenwalde, about 44 miles from Berlin. The purpose was to see the laying of 4 new Stolpersteine (Stumbling Stones), to be set in the pavement outside the shop where my family had lived.

There was one for each of my Grandparents, who were deported to the Warsaw ghetto, and the third for my mother as having ‘fled to England’, but there was not one for my aunt. With Thomas’s efforts and Gabi Moser of Aktionsbundnis Stolpersteine Fuerstenwalde, this omission was addressed. Two others were also set for my uncle and my father, to make our family complete. The whole ceremony received a lot of publicity and in addition to the local newspaper, it was covered by T.V. and radio. Also attending were the Mayor and curator of the museum, Guido Strohfeld. The originator and maker of the stones is Gunter Denmig and hundreds can be seen in many German towns and cities.

I was invited to say a few words and also took the opportunity to recite the Kaddish for my family, whose lives were ended so cruelly. Following the ceremony we were treated to a lunch reception with speeches and music, after which Guido and Gabi took us to the ‘old’ part of the town. It was badly damaged as the Russian army moved towards Berlin, so most of it was rebuilt. Guido proudly showed us around the museum which is located in the old school building and where he presented me with a copy of the registry document of my parents’ marriage, which he discovered in the local records. So ended a long and emotional day I shall never forget.

Harry in front of the stones Commorating his family

THANK YOU

W

I left Germany for home with bits of the jigsaw still missing, but also with one huge, unanswerable, nagging question –WHY?

Deborah Gabbay

e would like to thank Penny Beral for organising this year’s Bake-Off, which was so successful last year. It took place on Sunday 15th October during Religion School. Also, thanks should go to Ruth Boulton and Emma Henning, both of whom gave up their Sunday morning to come to demonstrate decorating techniques. Unfortunately, there were so few participants that it was more write-off than Bake-Off. Nevertheless, we appreciate the time taken

by Penny, Ruth and Emma.

1717

SEPTEMBER WALK

Nancy Shavick

T

he September Shabbat walk was designed to be a wheelchair friendly walk and was to take place round Verulamium Park in St Albans. I checked the weather forecast very carefully. We’d had quite nice weather for the previous few days and I was quite hopeful. However, on 16th September the weather was quite cloudy although the BBC weather app promised that the rain in St Albans would hold off until about 5.00 pm, leaving us plenty of time to walk. I checked again just before we started walking and the rain was now due at 4.00pm.

We decided to give it a go.

We’d only been walking for 10 minutes when the heavens opened and we were all getting soaked! Ros, in a wheelchair after her car accident, and Lawrence on his mobility scooter, were getting even wetter than the rest of us.

Somehow, we’d left Lawrence’s waterproof at home so, as you can see in the photo, Ann held an umbrella over his head. We decided we couldn’t even continue to the café for a cup of tea and, reluctantly, we all just gave up and went home.

I think that’s the first time in 20 years that we have abandoned a walk because of the weather!

A soaking wet walking group

WALKS Date: Saturday 18th November

Time: 2:00 for 2:15

Meet: At Cha Cha Cha Café in Cassiobury Park, Watford for a walk through the surrounding countryside.

Leaders: Lisa and Leigh Renak

Mobile on the day: 07958 502526

Date: Saturday 9th December

Time: 2:15 for 2:30

Meet: At the barrier at St Pancras Station for a walk following the route of the river Fleet.

Leaders: Michael and Tina Shaw 18

Mobile on the day:

GENERAL INFORMATION Elstree High Street Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3EY Phone: 020 8953 8889 Email: office@tlse.org.uk www.tlse.org.uk Edited by Deborah Gabbay

T L S E

Please note: Deborah is generally in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Would all those involved in arranging functions, services or meetings please contact the office on 020 8953 8889 or office@tlse.org.uk so that they can be scheduled in the Synagogue diary. This ensures that any physical set-ups in the Synagogue are arranged and that meetings do not conflict.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that details printed in Hakol are correct, no responsibility can be accepted for information misprinted or incorrectly given to the Editor. Please let the Editor know of any errors or corrections. The Editor reserves the right to edit material submitted for publication.

The deadline for submissions to the next edition of Hakol is Friday 8th December but submissions will be accepted at any time and early submission is appreciated.

COUNCIL MEMBERS’ CONTACT LIST CO-CHAIRMAN Lizzie Rabin 07974 229607 lizzie.rabin2702@gmail.com

CO-CHAIRMAN Richard Boulton 07801 921218 rboulton@gmail.com

HONORARY SECRETARY Davina Bennett 07775 558005 davinabennett@gmail.com

HONORARY TREASURER Harvey Adams 07760 666002 frinton43@outlook.com

Penny Beral 07979 800616 penny@pennyberal.co.uk

Jacqueline Bernard 07885 176417 goonergirly@live.co.uk

Peter Rabin Joanne Jones 020 8958 7783 07958 300247 joanne.jones2304@gmail.com peterrabin@talktalk.net Designed & Printed by

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VICE-CHAIRMAN Virginia Jaffe 07870 234775 virginiajaffe@mac.com HONORARY PRESIDENT Monique Blake 020 8953 4251 monique.david@ntlworld.com Alan Gordonfelt 020 8950 6048 ritalan@hotmail.co.uk David Swarc 07767 788596 davidswarc@aol.com

020 8449 6688 www.brunswickpress.co.uk 19

CELEBRATING PESACH AT TLSE