Hakol May/June 2021 Iyyar/Sivan/Tammuz 5781

T he L iberal Synagogue E lstree

Hakol

May/June 2021

Iyyar/Sivan/Tammuz 5781

,Igc J

(the one with the cheesecake)

day 16th May 2021

,Igc J

(the one with th

The oneone with the the Cheesecake - Sunday 16th May16th 2021 Sunday May 2021 (the with cheesecake)

TABLE OF CONTENTS Rabbi’s Word

Page 3

Crossword

Page 12

Home of Jewish Learning

Page 4

Shavu’ot Dates

Page 13

Glimpses Of Anglo Jewish History

Page 5

Welcome to the Safeguarding Team

Religion School report

Page 6

Care Team

Page 14

Pesach Packs

Page 7

Gonia’s Recipes

Page 16

The Progressive Taste

Page 17

Notice of the Annual General Meeting Passing the baton from Generation 2 Generation

Page 8

Was Elvis Presley Jewish?

Page 9

What a story

Page 10

The People Declare the State of Israel

Page 11

Gale and Phillipson .co.uk

Financial Planning • Cash Management • Mortgages Investment Management • Equity Release • Retirement

For help and advice, please contact us

Email our specialist advisers enquiries@GaleandPhillipson.co.uk

2

Refurbishment of the Sanctuary Editors Word

Page 18

General Information Answers

Page 19

RABBI’S WORD – MAY 2021

Rabbi Pete Tobias

A

ll across the country, it would seem, we are trying to return to normal. Shops are opening, spectators are returning to sporting events – so what about members of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree being able to return to our building for religious services?

Only once since March 2020 have we held a service in the shul building. It was Friday night service, on October 30th 2020 – an experiment as we, along with other Liberal congregations, made the first cautious steps back to ‘normality’. It was a false dawn: The following Thursday saw the beginning of another lockdown – was it the second? Who knows?

But in truth it was a rather depressing experience. 15 congregants all wearing masks in sitting in family ‘bubbles’, separate from one another. They may or may not have been joining in with the prayers – it was hard to tell.

They certainly weren’t joining in with the songs – that wasn’t permitted.

Without wishing to disrespect those who were present, it was like performing to a group of crash test dummies whose role was to enable some absent person monitoring the experiment to ascertain how much damage was caused in the car crash. Meanwhile the online congregation enjoyed the service and participated in the manner to which we have become accustomed in the past year. There is no doubt that online services are very much a part of the future of Liberal worship, regardless of when we re-open our building.

And when should we re-open our building? Technically religious buildings have always been open for ‘individual worship’ but we don’t do that, so it’s of no benefit to us. We could re-open now, and hold services with limited numbers, no singing and physical distancing. But, as has already been experienced, these meet very few of what we might consider the proper criteria for one of our services. For members of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, a service is about being with the community. We want to sit together, talk, hug, share stories and food. We can do the praying and learning stuff from home – we’ve discovered that.

As far as I am concerned, until that level of congregational engagement is permitted, we might as well stay at home. The fact that the shul is currently being redecorated makes the point moot in any event. But I look forward to seeing you all in the building for services on the final weekend of June – variants permitting. Until then – let’s keep it online!

3

HOME OF JEWISH LEARNING

LEHRHAUS

Leo Baeck College AT THE HEART OF PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM

Are you passionately curious about Jewish Studies?

See what courses we have for you!

INTERMARRIAGE IN THE RABBINIC IMAGINATION Dr Laliv Clenman

THE JEWISH GOD - WHO, WHAT AND WHERE Professor Melissa Raphael

Live on-line Masterclass

4-week live on-line course

Sunday, 4.00-5.30pm UK time (UTC)

Wednesday 7.30-9.00pm UK time (UTC)

Date 25 April 2021

Dates 28 April & 5, 12, 19 May

THE PHILOSOPHY OF EMMANUEL LEVINAS Dr Jakub Kowalewski 8-week live on-line course Tuesday 7.00-8.30pm UK time (UTC) Dates 4, 11, 18, 25 May & 1, 8, 15, 22 June LESSER-KNOWN ASPECTS OF JEWISH HISTORY AND CO-EXISTENCE IN BERLIN, COCHIN, MARRAKESH AND THESSALONIKI Rabbi Dr Frank Dabba Smith 4-week live on-line course Dates 1, 8, 15, 22 June

MAGIC, DIVINATION AND WITCHCRAFT IN THE BIBLE; THE WOMAN OF ENDOR Dr Alinda Damsma 4-week live on-line course Thursday 7.30-8.45pm UK time (UTC) Dates 20, 27 May & 3, 10 June

Lehrhaus is the home of adult Jewish learning at Leo Baeck College. It follows in the footsteps of the Frankfurt Lehrhaus established in 1920 by Franz Rosenzweig.

Leo Baeck College offers a variety of courses taught by members of its faculty and subject specialists. We welcome everyone interested in furthering their Jewish knowledge.

See our website www.lbc.ac.uk for details of all our courses.

For booking or information please contact Jarek Lodzinski - Lehrhaus@lbc.ac.uk Leo Baeck College The Sternberg Centre for Judaism 80 East End Road London N3 2SY

www.lbc.ac.uk | https://www.facebook.com/LeoBaeckCollege

4

Leo Baeck College is a UK registered charity Number 209777

"GLIMPSES OF ANGLO JEWISH HISTORY"

Rabbi Alan Mann

W

as Benjamin Disraeli the first, and so far, the only Jewish Prime Minister? Yes and No! Disraeli was born a Jew in 1804. His father was an Italian Jewish writer who had moved to London. He was a member of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue at Bevis Marks.

But shortly after Benjamin’s birth he had an argument with the synagogue authorities over money and resigned. In 1817 he had the whole family baptised into the Church of England.

Benjamin was articled to a solicitor, but found it boring. He tried finance but lost a lot of money and the tried writing with some little success. He wanted to get into parliament and tried, unsuccessfully, twice. Jews were barred from standing for Parliament, so he was not considered a Jew. He decided he had to join one of the parties and chose the Tories. This time, in 1837, he was elected as member for Maidstone. Eventually, in 1868, he became, for a short time, Prime Minister, but in 1874 and the next six years, he was at his height of power in his battle with Gladstone.

In the 1870s, Ismail, the ruler of Egypt had incurred massive debts and was forced to sell his 44% of the Suez Canal.

The British Foreign Office decided not to buy them. But Disraeli spoke with Lionel de Rothschild, now a Jewish Member of Parliament and head of the Rothschild Bank. Jews were allowed to stand for Parliament since 1858. In just four hours, Rothschild raised the £4,000,000 needed to buy the shares.

Between them Disraeli purchased the canal for the UK. Subsequently, the government ratified the purchase and Rothschild was repaid the loan.

Disraeli was halachaly a Jew, although baptised. Rothschild was Jewish and between them they served the UK very well.

A later Prime Minister, Lord Rosebery, was not Jewish, but he married Hannah de Rothschild.

One of the few Rothschilds, to marry out. So there was a genuine Jew in Downing Street.

5

RELIGION SCHOOL REPORT

Jacqueline Bernard

T

he Religion school continues on -line every Sunday in term time. Last term we studied the Women in the Torah who often get over looked when we hear the stories. We discussed how Sarah must have felt knowing that Abraham nearly sacrificed the son she waited so long to have and tried to imagine how that conversation between the couple went. How Rebecca had no choice in her marriage to Isaac. We looked at the sibling relationship between Leah and Rachel and as we approached Pesach we learnt about the importance of Miriam, how she looked out for Moses as a baby and how she led the celebrations as the Israelites left Egypt and crossed the sea of reeds.

The children made origami Moses baskets, Miriam’s timbrel and baked Matza in under 18 minutes. If you are in school years 1-6 join us on a Sunday morning at 10am, currently on zoom.

DO YOU HAVE SKILLS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA, DEALING WITH THE PRESS OR SIMILAR SKILLS To assist our "Communications" team of 3 with Social Media, the Web site and Hakol.

Don't be shy you might be retired, just starting your working career or currently working in this field, we don't need too much of your time but we do need you!

Contact Susan on 0741 527 9581 or HakoleditorO@gmail.com 66

PESACH PACKS

Jacqueline Bernard

J

ust in time for Seder night Rabbi Pete and the TLSE staff put together over 40 Pesach packs for the community. The packs contained a Seder plate and all the items needed for it including some parsley planted at Religion school on Tu B’ Shevat as well as matza and Pesach biscuits. These were then collected or delivered to those who ordered one and were used during the online communal Seder.

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The 2021 Annual General Meeting of the synagogue will take place on Thursday 27th May starting at 8:00pm. Because of the current lockdown restrictions this meeting will take place using Zoom. Members are invited to join online using the link details below.

Agenda • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Opening Prayer Apologies for absence Minutes of the 2020 AGM and matters arising Chairman’s report Rabbi’s Report Questions to the Chairman and Rabbi Honorary Treasurer’s report and confirmation of the subscription for the current year Election of Trustees Election of Hon. President Election of Hon Vice-Presidents Election of Deputy to Board of Deputies of British Jews Appointment of Independent Person to examine the accounts Any other business

Any member of the congregation is invited to stand for election as a Trustee or as our Deputy to the Board of Deputies; please contact the Charity Secretary Mike Beral (07871 804081, mike@beral.co.uk) for more information.

Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts and of the Minutes of Last Year’s AGM will be available online or on request to the Charity Secretary.

Zoom details: Meeting ID: 290 314 0529 Password: 199488

7

PASSING THE BATON FROM GENERATION 2 GENERATION

By Manuela De Groot

8

WAS ELVIS PRESLEY JEWISH?

V

ery interesting... His Mom was Jewish. And he identified as being Jewish.

At the same time that Gladys Presley told her son, Elvis, that they were Jews, she also warned him to keep it to himself, because “some people don’t like Jews.”

Elvis Presley was a lifelong member of the Memphis Jewish Community Center, to which he was given free admission while still a relatively poor youth.

Presley never forgot the JCC when the annual fund drive rolled around, and when he was tapped for a $1,000 donation to the Memphis Jewish Welfare Fund, Presley surprised them with a check for $150,000.

When Gladys died in 1958, at the young age of 46, when Elvis was only 23, his father, Vernon Presley, a vicious Jew-hater, oversaw the design of her gravestone, including the image of a cross on an upper corner. A few years later, Elvis, determined to honor his beloved Jewish mother. had a Star of David added to the opposite corner of her grave marker to balance out the cross and to acknowledge his mother's Judiasm.

Elvis always surrounded himself with Jews.

Almost all of his song writers were, in fact, Jews.

For his hits, he hired Wally Gold, Ben Weisman, Florence Kaye, Aaron Schroeder, and the songwriting duos of Mort Shuman & Doc Pomus and Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller.

The latter duo wrote six Top 10 hits for Presley, including “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Don’t” (as well as supplying hits to the Drifters, the Coasters, the Clovers, Ben E. King, and dozens of others).

Elvis was deeply hurt by the Jew-hatred of the South.

He told Larry Geller — one of the Jewish members of the Memphis Mafia and the one who served as Elvis’s “spiritual advisor, with just a hint of bitterness: “Man, it used to confuse the hell outta me as a kid. In church all they talked about was how great all the Jews were, Abraham, Moses, Ezekiel, and all those other prophets. They were all Jewish. But outside of church, they would talk about ‘those damn Jews.’

They would put them down. I just couldn’t understand it.”

Elvis responded by letting the entire world know that the King of rock and roll was a Jew--and damn proud of it.

He never missed an opportunity to wear his beloved Star of David and Chai so the whole world could see he was a Member of the Tribe.

While his managers wanted Elvis to wear them under his shirt, Elvis kept his shirt wide open.

This and more is recounted in the new book “The Jewish World of Elvis Presley,” by Roselle Kline Chartock.

Do you have a favourite recipe, that you would like to share?

Contact the editor on Hakoleditor@tlse.org.uk or 0741 527 7581 9

WHAT A STORY

A

true story ......

Over 80 years ago, in Greece sixty thousand Jews lived peacefully in Thessaloniki. It was a valued and vibrant community.

Most of these Jews worked in the port.

To the point that port of Thessaloniki was even closed on Shabbat, the Jewish day when religion forbids working. Great emeritus rabbis also lived and studied there. Everyone hung out and liked each other.

10

He changed his first name Abraham to Albert and met a Jewish woman named Miriam who then became his wife.

Together they had two children.

In the United States, Albert was integrated into the medical industry.

He progressed very quickly and joined a pharmaceutical company where he became "Head manager". From there, the road was short for little Abraham (Albert) to rise through the ranks to become Chief Operation Officer before But on September 2, 1939, with the obtaining his appointment as CEO of outbreak of World War II, this peaceful the company in 2019. community would one day feel the terror of the Nazis.

Throughout 2020 Albert decided to direct all the efforts of the company to On April 6, 1941 Hitler invaded Greece try to find a vaccine against a new in order to secure his southern front virus which had just struck the world. before launching the famous He expended great financial and Operation Barbarossa and his great technological efforts to achieve his offensive against Russia. goal. A year later his work paid off and the WHO (World Health Organization) Of the 60,000 Jews in Thessaloniki, and US government authorized his around 50,000 were exterminated at company to produce the long-awaited the Birkenau concentration camp. The vaccine ... massacre of the Jews of Greece was brief but intense. Very few escaped.

Today this vaccine will be distributed Among the survivors there was a in several countries including family known as Bourla.

Germany, which counted thousands of deaths due to the pandemic.

And after the war, in 1961, a son was born into this miraculous family.

Ironically, this vaccine which will save the lives of millions of people around His parents called him Israel the world including many Germans Abraham. He grew up and studied was led by a little Jew from veterinary medicine in Greece. A Thessaloniki, son of Holocaust brilliant student, Abraham got his survivors. doctorate in reproductive biotechnology at the veterinary school This is why Israel became the first of Aristotle University in Salonika. country to receive the vaccine. In memory of his grandparents and his At the age of 34, he decided to move parents who gave birth to to the United States.

Israel-Abraham Bourla known today as Albert Bourla: CEO of Pfizer!

Wow what a story!

“THE PEOPLE DECLARE THE STATE OF ISRAEL" From SWC Archives

I

n celebration of last month’s Yom ha-Atzma’ut, here are two unique holdings from the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s archives celebrate the Jewish State’s establishment:

ABOVE: A "Happy New Year" picture postcard shows people celebrating in the streets of Tel Aviv, Israel, on November 29, 1947, the date the resolution for the partition of Palestine was passed by the UN General Assembly.

!

RIGHT: On Friday, May 14, 1948 at 4PM, the last day of foreign rule, the Palestinian Hebrew newspapers published a joint edition of the country's newspapers titled Yom ha-Medinah. The headline reads: "The people declare the State of Israel... we hereby proclaim the establishment of a state in the Land of Israel, which is the State of Israel."

11

!

CROSSWORD

!"#$%&'()*+&,'-)$-.)'$!'/,)' *$0.1'

12

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

!

!"

!

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

!

#"

$"

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

!

! !

! !

! !

!

%"

&"

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

!

! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

!

! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

!

! !

! !

! !

! !

!!"

!

! !

! !

! !

! !

!

!#"

!$"

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

!%"

! !

! !

! !

!&"

!

!

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! !

! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! !

!("

! ! ! !

!)"

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !*"

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! #+"

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

! !

'"

! ! ! !

!+"

!

!'"

! !"#$%%! &'("#$%&!'()*!+,!,()+-%!./0!1*22#%&!! )'("()+-%!*%1(3+2+4#%&! *+'(5+6*2!3$#7*!8#''*$!9!3(%&!:%$(*2#!3$#)*! )#'#%&*$;3$*%#<*'&! *&'(:1+'#1!=*8#%>!&**'(4*!<#($#%&! *,'(?*(2!'()*!?+6*$&!@#))*$)('! *-'(.A!,#2)!3$+<-1*$! *)'(?-%%#('!($&#%&!'+8!<*(<! *.'(B$*(&*%&!C)*$#1('!D>*%%!32(E*$! */'(C)*$#1('!F+22E8++<!(1&+$!<#*<!2(%&!E*($!(&!

GHH! *0'(I'42#%>!1+)*<#('!,()+-%!#'!GJKH;GJLH!,#2)%M! NO! &+'(0+%&!,()+-%!=*8#%>!4('4%&*$!+,!GJPHQ%! !

("

)"

*"

1$23! *'(C)*$#1('!62(1R!%#'4*$!1+'S*$&*<!&+!=-<(#%)!#'!

GJKHQ%! ,'(A('4!T:!8$#&*!&>*!%+'4%!&>(&!)(R*!&>*!8>+2*!

U+$2<!%#'4T!C)*$#1('!

4'(V+'<+'!%#'4*$!,()+-%!,+$!T?*>(6T! -'("+-'<#'4!,(&>*$!+,!A&(&*!+,!:%$(*2! .'(C)*$#1('!,*)(2*!W-%&#1*!%#&&#'4!+'!A-3$*)*!

D+-$&M!<#*<!2(%&!E*($! /'(C)*$#1('!1$*(&+$!+,!X+2+!,(%>#+'!*)3#$*!

0'("()+-%!6('R#'4!6$+&>*$%!

Michael with the winning trophy **'("()+-%!"$*'1>!8$#&*$!,$+)!2(&*$!GYHHQ%! *4'(V+'<+'!>(#$<$*%%*$;,+-'<*$!+,!>(#$!3$+<-1&%! ,$+)!KHQ%!+'8($<%!

,Igc J

Answer on inside back cover.

!"#$%&'()*)!%+,#-)./!")0#-) )

!"#$%&'()!"'*%&''' )+,-./' ' ' ' 6+--./' !" *:#$%&'(? '*%&' ((+--%/'

Sunda

!"#$%&'($)*+,'0%12345#0' 7438'!2%8"9:1';'<3485=3'>'<1"$&' &'($)*+,%/:4#5#0'<3485=3!

"#$%&!'()#!*+,,-,*./,!0(!-+)1!(%!2#$3.'!45!"!6.'!

7(11,*0!(#!+.8,!3,1$8,#,3!(%!9)%3.'!4:!"!6.'!

485=3' !"#$%&'#()*$+,-)./.0#$1*23(## &2$4/55&33#6$3/$3"#$2)7#.0)(6&-.$)-6$ 8#**9'#&-.$/7$)**$/0($5#5'#(2:

!"#$%&'%(%)*+,-.&/0%(/1%&/,+2'&3*%,-..2/&456%)7*8*%)*%)-2+1%+&9*%*3*85-/*%4-%:**+% ,-.:-84(;+*6%'2<<-84*1%(/1%'(:*= >:%5-2%(8*%,-/,*8/*1%(;-24%(%.*.;*8%-:%-28%,-..2/&45%-8%&:%(%,7&+1%?%(12+4%1&',+-'*'%&/:-8.(4&-/%4-%5-2%47(4% .(9*'%5-2%:**+%,-/,*8/*1%(;-24%47*&8%'(:*45%-8%)*+:(8*%-8%47*%'(:*45%-:%(/-47*86%<+*('*%,-/4(,4%-/*%-:%47*%/(.*1% #(:*02(81&/0%!*(.%;*+-)= @-2%,(/%8*(,7%47*%#(:*02(81&/0%!*(.%;5%,(++&/0%-/*%-:%47*%/2.;*8'%;*+-)%-8%;5%*.(&+&/0%!""#$%&'()%*!+,*-.

;7$,/0$*#)<#$)$5#22).#=$/-#$/7$3"#$3#)5$8&**$.#3$')4>$3/$,/0$)2$?0&4>*,$)2$@/22&'*#:

G5$H-%(#1%0I%+15+40 95:(%0;$<!76% L566#0M%'%0>!65#) Tobias =5"%,-5+4#1,0J%54 =5"%,-5+4#1,0>+-)'%% =5"%,-5+4#1,0!""#$%+ ?@@?AK@B?@K ?@@AB?CDEAF /'0#)01%2%+03+!1,0'!0"%%(0$!1$%+1%405140#'0#)06%''%+0'!0#1"!+70'8%0)5"%,-5+4#1,0'%570'85104!01!'8#1,05'05((*

13

!

he one with the cheesecake) CONDOLENCES TO

6th May 2021

TEAM TEAM

Helen Burdett, Olly and Penny Ram and David Schiller on the untimely death of Debbie Ram. Nicole, Lila and Charlie Krikler on the tragic passing of Colin.

Michael Possener on the death of his wife Maureen.

MAZAL TOV TO:

The following who will be celebrating becoming bar- or bat-mitzvah on the following dates: Aaron Jones 1st May Matt Kram 15th May Maya Larholm 31st May Olivia Jones 19th June Rachel and Anton on the birth of Darcy and also to Shirley and Bob Batley the proud grandparents.

Lorena and Richard Adams in California on the birth if their son, named after Harveys parents Ray and Sidney but to be known as Sunny, and to proud

grandparents Rabbi Pete on the birth of Makenzie, his granddaughter, born in March 28th in California (the one with the chee

,Igc J

GETone WELL TO: the cheesecake) (the with

Sunday 16th May 2021

Rabbi Pete Tobias

Jan Nomberg ay 16th May 2021

Sally Lander Maria Green Rita Gibson and to all our other members who are suffering ill health at the moment. The Care Team continues to keep in touch with our members and are willing to help in any way we can, Covid restrictions permitting. We are pleased to know that the majority of those we care for have now received their 2nd vaccination which is good news. Please do get in touch if you feel we can help, just a friendly phone call can mean to much and we are here for you. Maureen Adams 07961 075657

BURIAL In cases of bereavement, please contact our Burial Officer, Joan Shopper on 01582 792959 14

GONIA'S RECIPES No-Bake Cheesecake

It is Shavuot time - it is time for cheesecake! This time we have an super easy no-bake cheesecake dessert with instant result and maximum satisfaction. My favourite kind of dessert - the one you prepare in advance and allow to set ready to serve the next day! It melts in the mouth and is a crowd pleaser.

You can personalise it and play with flavours: serve on its own, topped with fruit of your choice (my favourite are any kind of berry or a mango) or with fruit coulis (strawberry, raspberry or forest fruit would be perfect). Make the base with plain digestives, add some ginger nuts and a dash of ground ginger or go for chocolate digestives (milk or dark chocolate ones). Or go completely mad with chocolate digestives AND ginger. These flavours do work well together. Also, if you like a thick base do 1.5 of recipe. I do sometimes to please my middle son. Enjoy the process and enjoy your cheesecake. Chag sameach everyone!

Prep time: 15 mins Other: overnight chilling For the base: 250 g biscuits (digestive biscuits or a mix or digestive and ginger nuts) 100 g butter, melted 0.5 tsp ground ginger (* optional) For the cheesecake filling: 680 g full fat cream cheese 120 g icing sugar 1 lemon - zest and juice 300 ml double cream 1.5 tsp vanilla paste To serve (* optional): fruit of your choice, fruit coulis, chocolate sauce etc.

in a zip log bag and bash with rolling pin. Add the melted butter and mix with the crushed biscuits. Tip the mix into the spring form and press the crumbs with the back of a spoon to the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Try to make an even layer. Place in the fridge to set.

2. Using a stand mixer or a hand-held mixer, whisk together the cream cheese, lemon zest and icing sugar (about 1 min). Add the double cream vanilla paste and lemon juice. Whisk on medium speed until the mixture thickens.

3. Gently spoon the cream cheese mixture over the biscuit base and spread evenly. Place covered with cling film in the fridge preferably overnight or for at least 6 hours.

Decorate before serving.

Method: 1. Line a 20 cm (8'') or 23 cm (9'') spring form with silver foil and then parchment 4. Serve either plain or with a paper. Crush the biscuits to a fine crumb topping of your choice and enjoy! either in food processor or place them

15

Bialys / Onion Platzel / Bialystok Kuchen

16

A chewy roll, similar to bagel but softer and topped up with onion and poppy seeds. And just like bagel very much present in Jewish communities throughout the world!

The roll originates from my hometown Bialystok. Sadly though you cannot buy a bialy there anymore. After the WW2 there are barely any Jews left in Bialystok. Those who escaped the atrocities of the war took the recipe with them and now we can find bialys all over the world in Jewish bakeries. The bialy roll was eaten on its own by the poor and with their meal by the riches. Traditionally the roll was much bigger (up to 15 cm / 6'') and was topped with sliced onion and lots of poppy seeds. I soften the onions before baking and chop it finely. Top it up simply with butter while still warm, or with cream cheese and lox, herring or even pastrami. cover with a cotton tea towel or cling film Makes: 12 and rest for 1.5 hrs in a warm draft-free Prep time: 15 mins room.

Bake time: 13-15 mins 2. Make the topping: soften the onions by Other: 3 hrs 10 mins cooking in oil on a medium heat. Mix with poppy seeds and put to the side to use later.

Ingredients: 3. Punch down the dough, turn it over, cover For the dough: and leave it for the 2nd rise. Allow to rest for 360 g strong bread flour another 45 mins or until the dough doubles 530 g plain (all-purpose) flour in size.

1.5 tsp (7 g) yeast 4. Punch the dough down and cut into 12 2 tsp (10 g) sugar even pieces. Shape the dough into 12 balls, 1.5 tsp (7 g) salt put on lightly floured surface with a little 500 ml / g warm (room room to spread and cover with a cotton tea temperature) water towel. Rest for 10 mins.

5. Cover 2 baking sheets with parchment Onion topping: paper. Flatten the balls into discs (about 9 1 Tbsp oil cm wide) and place the discs on the sheets, 1 large onion, chopped leaving room to spread. Cover with a cotton 1.5 tsp - 1 Tbsp poppy seeds tea towel and leave in a warm place for 0.5 tsp salt another 30 mins. After the rest the rolls should increase about half in bulk. Make an To finish: a little flour for indention (depression) about 2-3 cm wide in dusting and 1 Tbsp of melted the middle of the roll with a rolling pin (or butter with egg cup!). Divide the onion topping between the rolls. Dust the rolls with the Method: flour and let rise for the final 15 minutes.

1. Start by making the dough: 6. Pre-heat the oven to 200*C. Bake for 7 combine all dry ingredients and mins and swap the shelfs - bake for another add the water. Knead until soft 6 mins. Take of the oven and brush a little and smooth for about 10 mins. of the melted butter. Allow to cool and place Place in a lightly oiled bowl, in a plastic bag to soften.

7. Enjoy!

THE PROGRESSIVE TASTE

Sheila Benson

B

ack in 1999 and early in the 2000s some small Jewish charities were producing cook books for sale at a nominal charge with recipes donated by members of the organisation in question and the proceeds given to the charity. I have several of these recipe books.

Penny Beral with the help of Nancy Shavick and others produced a recipe book for Hertsmere Progressive Synagogue’s 30th Anniversary. Newer members may not realise that our synagogue’s name was subsequently changed to our current name, as at that time Hertsmere and Progressive frequently needed clarification to prospective members (I was Membership Secretary). There are 72 pages of members favourite recipes, to which I still refer.

To commemorate 100 years of Liberal Judaism in February 2002, Penny produced a cook booked named “The Progressive Taste” “A recipe book of favourites to celebrate the ULPS Centenary”. This recipe book contained recipes donated by members of various liberal communities with many from Hertsmere, the former congregation of Harrow & Wembley and The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, as Penny knew enough members of these communities in general to be able to nag for recipes. Incidentally, this book included Indian Jewish cuisine. The following is my good old English recipe from that book:

Apricot & Apple Brown Betty Ingredients: 900g peeled & sliced sweet apples 220g French apricot conserve 110g butter ½ level teaspoon cinnamon 180g fresh breadcrumbs preferably from brioche Lemon juice A little brown sugar if wished

Method Heat oven to 170C (fan oven) Lightly butter a deep baking dish.

Melt butter slowly in a pan, add breadcrumbs and stir until they are all coated, stir in cinnamon and some lemon juice and optional brown sugar. Sprinkle one third of the buttered breadcrumbs over the base the prepared baking dish .Cover with the apple slices and more crumbs, then the rest of the apple slices and top with crumbs. Bake 40 minutes until crisp on top.

Refurbishment of the Sanctuary Great news - work has started on the refurbishment of the Sanctuary, which includes decorating throughout, new plumbing and electrics, lighting, flooring and chairs. This should take 5-6 weeks and when we finally are able to return to having services in the Synagogue sometime this Summer, it will be to a beautiful and fresh Sanctuary.

17

EDITOR’S WORD

S

pring is finally here, Shavuot is around the corner and finally we see a relaxation of the COVID rules which have governed out lives for over a year.

Wonderful news and yet we must all stay vigilant and not exceed the boundaries they say. This is hard but we must all find the strength to be careful for just a bit longer or the consequences of going backwards again are not even thinkable. What we will all find difficult in the months to come is getting to grips with the numerous problems lockdown has caused to the mental health of the population, particularly the children and elderly. The children through the difficulty of education and socialisation with their peers.

The elderly from the isolation they they have had to endure during the pandemic. This doesn’t include the adult population , many of whom have lost their jobs or businesses and all the hardship this will cause them BUT looking on the bright side we can now mix two households, schools are open, shops and hairdressers open, and if you don’t mind braving the cold sitting outside you can enjoy a pint or even a meal. How good does that feel? After not long ago celebrating Pesach which reminds us of escaping bondage in Egypt now we can celebrate the start of escaping the bondage of lockdown.

I hope you will all enjoy these new freedoms and hopefully soon we can go one step further and meet up again in Shul to renew old friendships and make new ones.

18

I look forward to normal life resuming but also wonder whether it will ever be the same. The new normal we are about to embark on will be shaped by what we have had to endure this last year and my hope is that it will prove to be a more thoughtful and caring world.

Chag same’ach

Do you have an article, letter of photos that you would like to share?

Contact the editor on Hakoleditor@tlse.org.uk or 0741 527 7581

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

by Susan Paessler E Would all those involved in arranging functions services or meetings please contact the office on 0208 953 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.

If you need to talk to Jacqueline Bernard in the office, please note that she is mostly working from at home so it is better to email her at office@tlse.org.uk and she will respond.

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 Monday 7th June 2021 but submissions will be accepted at any time and early submission is appreciated.

Hakoleditor0@gmail.com.

If so please contact Hakoleditor@tlse.org.uk Or 0741 527 9581 Designed & Printed by

DESIGN

PRINT

WEB

DOWN 1 Peter Sellers 2 Winehouse 3 Arnold Rothstein 5 Houdini 7 Kirk Douglas 8 Shimon Peres 10 Ben Gurion 14 Spielberg 18 Lehman

Are there any members interested in forming a Book Club (obviously virtual at the moment)

ACROSS 4 Sammy Davis Jnr 6 Ralph Lauren 9 Ruth Bader Ginsburg 11 Fischer 12 Bob Dylan 13 Proust 15 Vidal Sassoon 16 Jacqueline 17 Barry Manilow 19 Marc Chagall 20 Anne Frank

“Has anyone read any Jewish themed or related books they would like to review for the magazine, either fiction, non-fiction or faction?

020 8449 6688 www.brunswickpress.co.uk 19

Refurbishment of the Sanctuary