Essex Jewish News Passover 2024

Help secure the future of the Essex Jewish News

By SIMON ROTHSTEIN

AS YOU read through another jampacked edition of the Essex Jewish News (EJN) – we are asking for YOUR help to secure the future of this newspaper.

The only publication of its type anywhere in the world, the EJN is a vital part of our Essex Jewish community.

For more than 50 years, it has covered and highlighted the successes and stories of the Jewish congregations, schools, charities, businesses and people of Essex and East Anglia.

Founded in 1972, and originally called The Bridge, thousands of copies of the paper are printed and given away for free three times a year (for Pesach, Rosh Hashanah and Chanukah) – supported by a website and social media channels.

Our team are all volunteers, giving their time not for financial reward but for the love of what they do and what this paper means to our community.

But with rising print, paper and online costs – advertising revenue can no longer keep pace with the costs of producing and distributing the EJN.

The amount needed to keep the paper and website afloat is relatively small –around £10,000 a year – which is why

we recently became a registered charity, in order to be able to fundraise and help achieve this.

So why should you donate to support the EJN today? There are numerous reasons.

papers and local secular media - but none that cover Jewish life in our region in anywhere near the depth, or with the genuine affection, that we do.

Quite simply, if the Essex Jewish News were to disappear so would a huge part of the history of our wonderful, successful and totally unique Essex Jewish community.

Then there are the opportunities we give. Budding Jewish journalists from our area have been given their start by the EJN, writing for us at school, university and/or when getting a foothold in the industry. We are pleased that many of those, wishing to pay it forward years later, return to volunteer and add weight to our editorial content today.

On the other end of the spectrum we have retired writers, for whom being part of the paper gives a sense of purpose and fulfilment that is often lost when leaving the workplace.

If we can secure our finances and our future, then we can also do even more.

We cover, and give equal weighting to, United, Reform, Chabad, Liberal, Federation, Masorti, Sephardi and independent Jewish congregations.

We publish the amazing achievements of all of the members of our Redbridge, Essex and East Anglia Jewish communitiesno matter where they go to shul or school.

You will find think pieces on Judaism, Israel, interfaith and community from both Orthodox and Progressive leaders. And we speak to MPs and councillors from all political parties, not quizzing them on tribal politics… but on what they are doing for YOU.

Our papers are accessible online and taken by libraries across the worldarchiving and preserving our way of life today (and yesterday) for generations to come.

There are, of course, other Jewish

Cantorial Singers honour our Mark

THE

Mark was a key part of the Essex Jewish News for many years, writing the leader column and travel articles, as well as acting as our Cambridge correspondent and editorial guide. He and beloved wife Sharon passed away within 10 weeks of each other in 2022.

Harris.

The concert was part of the European Cantors Association Festival and all proceeds will go to supporting the Woolf Institute’s Religious Diversity in End of Life Care programme.

We can make sure to get more copies of the paper into more outlets. With a community no longer concentrated in just Redbridge, Chigwell and/or Southend, we want to ensure the paper can also be picked up by Jews –and our non-Jewish allies – in Woodford, Epping, Collier Row, Romford, Canvey Island, Harlow, Chelmsford, Colchester, Cambridge and beyond.

We can find and support more volunteer journalists, columnists and photographers in order to feature even more diverse and compelling content.

We can update our website and social media more often, and maybe even add an extra print issue, so you aren’t just getting the news three times a year.

Many charities need to raise millions each year to continue. We just need £10,000 to help us thrive.

We know times are tough for everyone, but we are confident that together we can reach this target and keep this important communal publication going for many more years to come.

Author Adam meets the Angels

London Cantorial Singers –pictured with the EJN’s Emma Harris – delighted an audience with Israeli contemporary, liturgical and other musical genres at an event in honour of Emma’s parents Sharon and Mark

than 180 guests attended the lunch at the Delta Hotels by Marriott, Waltham Abbey, where Adam shared hilarious and moving stories about his journey from being a junior doctor in the NHS to becoming a well-known author and comedian.

Picture by Arnold Rose

The Essex Jewish News

Meet the team Jonathan Bloom

Cambridge, Chigwell, Chingford, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping, Gants Hill, Gidea Park, Harold Hill, Harlow, Hainault, Highams Park, llford, Leyton, Leytonstone, Loughton, Newbury Park, Ongar, Redbridge, Romford, Southend and Westcliff, Wanstead and Woodford.

ESSEX JEWISH

For all advertising opportunities, please contact Deborah Mulqueen on office.ejn@gmail.com

Each issue we introduce you to a wonderful member of our Essex Jewish News (EJN) volunteer team

What is your personal connection to the Essex area?

My roots in Essex run deep and go back to my grandparents. My own formative years unfolded in Barkingside, where I lived with my parents and brother. Secondary school led me to King Solomon High School, shaping my educational journey and contributing to my personal growth. Furthermore, I celebrated my barmitzvah at Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue.

Now, in the embrace of Loughton, I have established a home with my wife and two daughters. The echoes of my family’s history and my own experiences in Essex resonate in our present as our children flourish in their education at Clore Tikva School, where I am also honoured to serve as the vice-chair of Governors.

This journey represents not just a geographical transition but a continuum of familial ties and personal evolution within the heart of Essex.

When and how did you first become involved with the Essex Jewish News?

I’ve been aware of the Essex Jewish News for as long as I can remember. However, my involvement became more significant as I deepened my connection with the community through various charitable and community endeavours.

It was a pivotal moment when I was honoured to be asked by the chair, Phillip Leigh, to join the Board. Given my professional background in corporate communications, being part of the paper’s history has been a particular honour.

Can you tell us more about your role within the paper?

Within the paper, my role has been multifaceted. I’ve actively collaborated with the Board to spearhead the modernisation efforts, playing a role in the development of the website and enhancing our social media presence.

Beyond that, I’ve taken on the responsibility of representing the paper at various local organisations and bodies, fostering stronger ties within the community. Another aspect

SYNAGOGUES

Brentwood Reform Synagogue

Chabad Buckhurst Hill

Chabad Epping

Chabad Gants Hill

Chabad Southend

Chelmsford Jewish Community

Chigwell Synagogue

Chingford Synagogue

Cranbrook United East London & Essex Liberal

Synagogue

Harlow Jewish Community

Ilford Federation

Leytonstone and Wanstead

Synagogue

Loughton Synagogue

New Essex Masorti

Oaks Lane Reform

Romford Synagogue

of my involvement includes efforts to raise awareness and crucial funds for the paper, recognising the importance of sustaining and strengthening our journalistic endeavours.

What role do you think EJN plays in the local community?

The Essex Jewish News holds a unique and vital role within our local community as the sole regional Jewish newspaper or magazine in the UK. It is a beloved platform that serves as a nexus for our community members, fostering engagement and providing an avenue to showcase the multitude of wonderful activities and accomplishments within our vibrant community.

The EJN not only connects us through its printed pages but also embraces the digital era, allowing us to maintain our strong and dynamic presence. It becomes a space where we proudly share our achievements, events and simchas – and consistently showcase the remarkable aspects that make our community truly special.

Southend & Westcliff Hebrew Congregation

Southend Reform

Sukkat Shalom

Woodford Forest

SCHOOLS

Clore Tikva

King Solomon High

Wohl Ilford Jewish Primary

COMMUNAL

Jewish Blind & Disabled Aztec House

Jewish Blind & Disabled Hilary

Dennis Court

Jewish Blind & Disabled Milne Court

In essence, the EJN stands as a powerful voice, amplifying the collective spirit and greatness of our community.

How can people support the EJN?

As we navigate the digital age, the EJN remains a vital source of connection, community, and continuity – all staffed by volunteers with a passion for Jewish life in our area.

That is why I urge everyone reading to join me in supporting the future of this cherished paper by making a charitable donation.

Your contribution will not only safeguard a crucial part of our history but will also ensure that the next generations can continue to be informed and inspired by the stories that bind us together.

You can find more information on making a donation via www.gofundme. com/f/m34mqw

Finally, give us a fun fact about yourself?

I have a family tortoise named George. He’s gained quite a reputation for escaping our garden and taking leisurely strolls up the street. George’s escapades have turned him into a neighbourhood celebrity of sorts! Maybe one day he will get his own feature in the EJN!

Jewish Care’s Southend & Westcliff Jewish

Community Centre

Jewish Care’s Vi and John Rubens House

Limewood Court, Beehive Lane

The Shop, Southend

RETAIL

Delicacy, Chigwell

Gary Green, Clayhall

La Boucherie, Barkingside

Reuby’s Salt Beef & Cheesecake Bar, Clacton-on-Sea

Shalom Bakery, Gants Hill

SUPERMARKETS

Morrison’s Loughton

Sainsbury’s Barkingside

Sainsbury’s Loughton

Sainsbury’s Newbury Park

Sainsbury’s Ongar

Sainsbury’s South Woodford

Sainsbury’s Southend

Sainsbury’s Westcliff

Tesco Barkingside

Tesco Epping

Tesco Westcliff

Tesco Woodford Avenue

LIBRARIES

Fullwell Cross

Gants Hill

South Woodford

Fairytale comes true for young writer at the Palace

By PAT LIDIKER

CLORE Tikva School pupil Yasmin Block has loved writing ever since she could hold a pencil… but nothing could have prepared her for a fairytale of her own.

Through her school, the seven-yearold entered the BBC’s 500 Words – the UK’s largest children’s writing competition – reaching the final and, with it, an invitation to tea with Her Majesty Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace on World Book Day.

Meeting the Queen – as well as celebrities including Sir Lenny Henry, Romesh Ranganathan, Hugh Bonneville, Oti Mabuse and Roman Kemp – as one of 25 finalists (from 44,000 entries) was beyond even Yasmin’s vivid imagination.

Her mother Stephanie told the Essex Jewish News: “I was so excited when the school rang to tell me Yasmin had made it to the final and was invited to the winners’ ceremony. She could only take one parent and I was the lucky one as my husband Simon had been there before for work!”

With their gold-printed invitation in hand, mother and daughter walked through the most famous front gates in the land. Steph remembers: “It was very surreal. They led us up a sweeping staircase to a very grand room where the ceremony was to take place, and Yasmin

just loved looking over the balcony at the top.”

The Queen made a speech and gave out book tokens to all the finalists. Yasmin was a little disappointed when they read out the overall winner’s name, but this soon disappeared with the excitement of the day which included a special performance by the cast of the London theatre production of Matilda.

From there, the treats just kept on coming. They were all led to the Picture Gallery for a right royal tea with delicious finger sandwiches and cakes on posh plates, plus the chance to mingle with all the celebrities.

Steph adds: “Yasmin and the Queen shook hands and we spoke with her for a bit, mainly about how wonderfully the children had done. Like any Jewish mother, I told her how proud I am of my daughter!”

Steph and Simon live in Buckhurst Hill with their three children – Yasmin and her siblings Jacob (10) and Zachary (5). The family are members of Chigwell and Hainault United Synagogue and the children all attend Clore Tikva. Simon is a civil servant working in the Judicial Office. while Steph heads up a communications team within the charity sector.

Yasmin has already decided that

when she grows up, she wants to be an author and illustrator. Her entry, entitled Kindness Makes the World a Brighter Place, is an enchanting story set in fairyland with a moral theme that belies the tender age of its writer. As does her colourful, descriptive vocabulary leading the characters to a happy ending just like all the most memorable fairy tales.

Seven other students from Clore Tikva also made the semi-finals of the 500 Words competition.

The school’s English lead Natalie Saville said: “I am just so proud of all of the children who entered this fantastic competition. Every day at Clore Tikva, we see the enthusiasm and determination of the children to succeed in English.

“We’re so proud of Yasmin for showing such wonderful writing skills and courage. She will always be a winner in our eyes!”

The BBC 500 Words finalists and celebrity guests Yasmin Block at Buckingham Palace

Pioneering rabbi celebrated on canvas

By BRENDA SOSKIN AND SIMON ROTHSTEIN

OAKS Lane Reform Synagogue unveiled a portrait of Rabbi Dr Jackie Tabick – Britain’s first ever woman rabbi – at a special Shabbat service to celebrate almost 50 years since her ordination.

Rabbi Jackie grew up in the community when it was known as South West Essex & Settlement Reform Synagogue, under the leadership of the late Rabbi Dow Murmur, and it was there that she first became a Jewish youth leader.

She made history when graduating from Leo Baeck College in 1975, at the age of 27, being ordained as the UK’s first female rabbi and going on to lead communities including West London Synagogue, North West Surrey Synagogue, West Central Liberal Synagogue and, for a short time when it was between ministers, Oaks Lane itself.

She was also the Convener of the Reform Judaism Beit Din from 2012 until retiring from the role earlier this year.

A musical and family-focussed celebratory service was led by the synagogue’s current rabbinic team of Rabbi Jordan Helfman and Rabbi Lev Taylor, along with musician Mich Sampson.

The centrepiece of the morning was the unveiling of the portrait of Rabbi Jackie by talented artist Monica Jaye. Eighteen-year-old Monica is an active member of the congregation, and was one of many young people to play a role in the service. She

recently won a place at university to study art.

Rabbi Jackie was visibly moved by the portrait and enjoyed a warm embrace with Monica. She then spoke about her love for the synagogue –going back to its former premises in Balfour Road – and the warmth and friendship of the community.

She said: “It’s an amazing piece of work. I’m so honoured. I can’t believe anyone would want a portrait of me. It’s the first time anyone has painted me, and Monica’s done such a wonderful job. I’m totally enamoured by the whole thing.”

A number of guests joined Oaks Lane for the morning, including Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh – the dean of Leo Baeck College.

He told the congregation: “I vividly remember being in The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, in 1975, when Jackie was made a rabbi. There was this sense that something quite monumental had started.

“One of the wonderful things, having been Jackie’s colleague for many years, is that her warmth, her generosity of spirit and, above all, her humility are very inspiring – as everyone has seen this morning.”

While Monica has previously been commissioned for portraits, Rabbi Jackie was the first minister she had painted. She is now hoping to get more rabbinical and other commissions.

• For commissions or enquiries, please email monicajayeart@gmail.com

• Pictures by Mark Dalton

Young Jews feel connection on Prague trip

AGROUP of young participants from Jewish Care’s MIKE Youth Leadership development programme, based at the Redbridge Jewish Community Centre, recently travelled to Prague for a fascinating Jewish heritage trip.

The teenagers toured the historic Jewish Quarter and the centuriesold Jewish Cemetery and visited Theresienstadt concentration camp.

Jewish Care’s youth services lead Jamie Shone said: “Theresienstadt bore witness to both the resilience and tragedy of the Jewish people during the

Holocaust. Participants walked through the poignant memorials, reflecting on the lives lost and the enduring spirit of survival.

“Through these profound experiences, the MIKE participants gained a deeper understanding of their heritage and the importance of remembrance.”

MIKE participant, 17-year-old Josh Saltman, reflected on the heritage trip, saying: “The journey through Prague’s storied streets was a reminder of the enduring strength of our people and a celebration of the vibrant spirit that connects us across time.”

Rabbi Dr Jackie Tabick and artist Monica Jaye unveil the new potrait

The group of young Essex Jews on the MIKE leadership trip to Prague

All that jazz at Loughton Synagogue

L: “When I was looking to do something in honour of Dad’s memory – this concert seemed the perfect

The evening – which was arranged by the Loughton Shul events team with the help of Mark Kass from the National Jazz Archive – was a complete sell out.

All 150 tickets sold within two weeks of going on sale, leading to a waiting list being created.

On the evening itself, Jeremy was blown away with the warmth that was in the room, as well as the audience participation throughout the concert. Proceeds from the evening were donated to Loughton Shul and the Made with Love Chicken Soup Run.

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Jeremy Sassoon playing a sold out concert at Loughton Synagogue

Ken with daughters Tracy and Deborah on his 90th birthday

Southend Reform holds two fundraisers to support Israel

TWO well-attended fundraising events have been held at Southend and District Reform Synagogue in aid of Israeli charities.

The first was an afternoon tea and talk, which raised £672 for Magen David Adom – Israel’s National Blood and Medical Emergency Service.

The speaker was Angela Cohen (pictured), the mother of TV star Rob Rinder. She opened by telling of her upbringing and life before speaking movingly of her father, the Holocaust and his experiences as a Windermere boy.

This was followed by a question and answer session, during which she also spoke of her son Rob and his charity and television work.

The community’s Mike Royston said: “Angela was a wonderfully warm and friendly guest who everyone wanted to meet. We were delighted to support

MDA, which helps to save the lives of all of Israel’s citizens regardless of religion.”

The synagogue also held a charity challah bake, raising £200 for ZAKA, Israel’s leading non-governmental search and rescue organisation.

ZAKA volunteers were amongst the first responders after the Hamas terrorist attacks on 7 October and their selfless actions saved numerous lives and brought dignity to many of the dead.

Linda, Jeff, Sam and Elisheva Klein – who helped to organise the event – said: “Much has been done to raise funds for Israel and we’re so proud that our challah bake went so well.

“At times like these, when so many of us are impacted by events in Israel, coming together as a community provides the strength we all need.”

• Pictures by Terry Mendoza and Ashley Jay Brent

Board of Deputies launches Seder campaign

THE Board of Deputies of British Jews, with the support of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, has launched a Pesach initiative called ‘Seder Seat for a Hostage’.

It encourages those holding a Seder this year, in Essex and beyond, to set an extra place for one of those who remain in captivity.

People can access the campaign page via the Board of Deputies

website to download and print a picture of one of the hostages, which can then be placed at a special seat at the table set for them.

Board President Marie van der Zyl said: “We hope that congregations, communities, families and individuals around the country will join this campaign, and that the UK’s Jewish communities and communal organisations will amplify this initiative and encourage as many people as possible to join.

“We would also encourage people to share pictures of their laid Seder Table with the seat set aside for a chosen hostage, along with the #SederSeatForAHostage hashtag.

“Every day, 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.

“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.”

Speaker Angela is presented with a bouquet at the fundraiser

Three of the Southend challah bakers

Go Purple party is a hit

STAFF and volunteers from Jewish Care ran a lively purple-themed karaoke party at Woodford Forest United Synagogue for members of the Redbridge Jewish Community Centre.

The event was part of the charity’s Go Purple week – which saw people of all ages spending the week dressing head to toe in purple in honour of the charity’s logo.

Other purple-themed initiatives

in Essex included those for the local ‘Singing for Memory’ choir and members of the Dennis Centre for people living with dementia.

The events were praised by TV Rob Rinder, who said: “Care is at the heart of all Jewish Care does and in these times especially, I’m inspired by seeing the way the carers of all faiths, no faiths, and all nationalities give love every day to older people from our

Cambridge academic leads call for new deal on refugee integration

By SIMON ROTHSTEIN

THE founder president of Cambridge’s Woolf Institute has played a key role in a report calling for a new deal on refugee integration that works for both refugees and wider British society.

Dr Ed Kessler MBE – a member of the city’s Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue – is chair of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees, which spent the last two years conducting the most significant and detailed exploration of the UK asylum system in a generation.

Titled ‘From Arrival To Integration: Building Communities For Refugees And For Britain’, the report saw 22 commissioners – from a diverse variety of political perspectives and backgrounds –reach agreement on 16 recommendations. These include to:

• Provide refugees and asylum seekers with access, free of charge, to English language provision from day one after they arrive in the UK.

• Make people in the asylum system eligible for general employment after six months of waiting for their asylum decision.

• Create a programme of employment support for all refugees and those asylum seekers who are allowed to work.

• Recognise qualifications and provide access to further and higher education.

A separate survey of 755 refugees and asylum seekers, demonstrates their untapped potential – with 1 in 3 respondents having a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and 1 in 4 a Master’s degree or equivalent. More than two thirds reported that not being able to use their skills to contribute to society as much as they would like had affected their selfconfidence.

Presenting the findings, Dr Ed Kessler said: “Our work over the last couple of years has provided a rich insight into what is clearly a broken system. It’s expensive, inefficient and damaging for refugees and Britain.

“Amongst the debris were findings that gave us real hope and inspiration for a very different system. One that supports refugees, communities and wider society to thrive.”

community. I’m delighted to support Go Purple week.”

The week – which covered Jewish Care’s sites in North West London and Hertfordshire, as well as Essex –featured covering a cake with purple icing, painting nails purple and using purple hair dye. Jewish Care’s mascot Chava Heart visited schools and the Kosher Kingdom supermarket in Golders Green.

Chava Heart biscuits were given out at events and delivered as part of Meals on Wheels.

Jewish Care’s fundraising and marketing director Ellisa Estrin said: “It was really great to see people of all ages taking part in Go Purple week to raise awareness of the work we do.

“It was a wonderful way to connect with our work in supporting older people in the community.”

Frank and Thelma Go Purple at Jewish Care’s Singing for Memory

Dr Ed Kessler

Jewish Care’s Redbridge Jewish Community Centre Go Purple party

News

Chabad Aid helping people through the cost of living crisis

ANYONE visiting the Chabad Centre in Gants Hill on a Thursday would find it unrecognisable.

That’s because the main hall, where services are usually held, has been turned into a food bank to support those in need during the current cost of living crisis.

A host of volunteers make this project possible. They include: Graham Nygate and Russell Green, who source and collect the food; the volunteers who sort and deliver the parcels, led by Lisa Starr; Stephanie Plawner, who manages the lists on the day; and Devorah Sufrin, who co-ordinates and cooks wholesome kosher Shabbat meals.

A celebration and ‘thank you’ tea was held to honour all the dedicated individuals who selflessly contribute their time and efforts to support Chabad Aid – with Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin

MBE thanking every single volunteer and supplier and distributing a small gift as a token of appreciation for their loyalty and dedication.

Speaking to the Essex Jewish News after the event, the Chabad Aid team told of some of the issues they face. They said: “Today, we have 23 collections from numerous different retailers on a weekly basis.

“But, in this financial crisis, the supermarkets have changed their tactics. By reducing the prices of their fruit and vegetables by the end of each day to assist those in need, our programme was left with a further challenge. We are no longer getting the goods that we had been given in the past, since they are now being sold by the supermarkets themselves.

“In addition, all the kosher items –such as chickens and other Shabbat dinner ingredients – then need to be

Women celebrated at ELELS event

THE East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS) Rosh Chodesh Group hosted a special Shabbat service to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The service was unique as it

included only prayers, music and readings written by Jewish women. Shabbat was led by ELELS musical director Mich Sampson and included a study session, facilitated by lay leader Alice Wilcock.

Shabbat Loughton sells out again

By DEBORAH SHULTON

More than 100 people attended the annual Shabbat Loughton dinner, put on by the events team at Loughton Synagogue.

The event has now become a regular date in the shul’s calendar, following on from the national Shabbat UK that ran for several years. It’s always a sell-out event –and this year was no exception.

The evening started with a cocktails and canapés reception, followed by the Kabbalat Shabbat service held by Rabbi Yanky Abrams and further enhanced by the beautify singing of Chazzan Anton Eriera.

purchased with additional funds raised.”

At the time of printing this article, Chabad Gants Hill collects and redistributes some 34,000kg of food, the equivalent of 82,145 meals, supporting our own community’s needs, as well as being the source to feeding and supporting hundreds of families and individuals each and every week across the wider multi-faith community.

With the growing demand, and to ensure they never say no, Chabad now need two things:

• Volunteers to help in-house, and also delivery drivers to distribute the weekly food parcels.

• An additional 175 people to join Chabad Aid’s £20 a month fund to purchase necessary food items.

A whisky evening will also take place on Monday 20 May in support of the project.

To find out more, including how you can support, please contact Chabad’s administrator Jacquie on 020 8554 1624, or email admin@chabadilford.co.uk.

Jewish employment charity raises £1 million

WORK Avenue raised more than £1million in 36 hours to support its work transforming the lives of members of the community who are unemployed, struggling with their career or experiencing issues with their business.

Its Charity Extra campaign was backed by an incredible 2,583 donors and far exceeded an initial target of £750,000.

Donations ranged from £5 to £30,000, as the whole community came together in a show of support.

The money will be used so that Work Avenue can continue to provide information, advice, guidance, courses and one-to-one support – helping more than 3,500 people each year find

jobs, change careers and start thriving businesses.

Work Avenue CEO Debbie Lebrett said: “The response to this campaign was overwhelming and we are so grateful for all of the generous donations.

“We were not just blown away by the amount raised, but by the sheer number of people who chose to support us and all the amazing messages they left.

“We are proud that our work changes lives and helps people earn a living with dignity. Now, thanks to the support of the community, we will be able to help even more people over the next year.”

The campaign is still open on the Charity Extra website. Donations can be made via www.charityextra.com/ workavenue.

The women were all invited to light Shabbat candles – after which a delicious Friday night dinner was served with wine – during which there was more beautiful singing by Anton.

There were plenty of L’chaim’s – as it has also now become a Shabbat Loughton tradition to offer all the guests whisky and toffee vodka shots throughout the evening.

A number of sponsors all helped to make the evening possible through their generous donations – helping to subsidise the price of the tickets.

The Work Avenue team celebrate raising a landmark sum

Rabbi Aryeh and Devorah Sufrin present Lisa Starr with a certificate of appreciation for her volunteering work

Jeremy Sassoon playing a sold out concert at Loughton Synagogue

‘Historic day’ as ELELS votes to fully include non-Jews Burns Night celebrations… in East London

Members of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS) have voted overwhelmingly to offer full membership to any non-Jewish person who commits to the principles and values of the community.

Both ELELS as a synagogue, and Progressive Judaism as a whole, have long welcomed mixed faith couples and families, as well as those considering conversion but not yet ready to commit.

However, in the past, non-Jews –including those raising a Jewish family with a Jewish partner – could only join as an ‘associate member’ or ‘friend’.

Now, in what Rabbi Richard Jacobi described as “a historic day for our synagogue and for equality”, ELELS has become the latest Progressive community to equalise its membership.

A passionate EGM heard from many Jewish members with non-Jewish spouses. They spoke movingly about how, despite being warmly welcomed on a personal level, the old categories – and the restrictions they placed on full involvement in communal life – had caused pain and hurt.

It was also noted that many people took several years of associating with the community to feel ready to commit to conversion and that the current policy left some of them feeling like outsiders or no longer wishing to be members.

The changes were proposed after a working group reported on its year-long consultation with members, examination of the principles of Liberal/Progressive Judaism, and research into how other Progressive communities operate, both in the UK and around the world.

Rabbi Richard Jacobi said: “From these discussions, it was evident that a clear majority of members considered the ‘Friend’ category problematic.

“As well as being described as ‘taxation without representation’, the membership rules were felt by most to be an obstacle to families or individuals joining our community, and also not in line with our Progressive Jewish values of inclusion and equality.

“This change means our community can now fully include everyone, and they in turn can become fully involved in our community – giving Judaism a key role in their lives and the lives of their families.”

Both Jews and non-Jews wishing to join ELELS can now do so, subject to Council approval, where they subscribe to the principles and objects of the synagogue and the movement.

Full non-Jewish members will be entitled to vote, eligible for election to Council and can hold any office within the synagogue with the exceptions of the posts of chair, vice-chair and chair of the committee responsible for ritual matters.

BURNS Night – the annual celebration of the life and work of renowned Scottish poet Robert Burns – made its way to East London with a dinner at Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue.

More than 80 people enjoyed Scottish storytelling, whisky toasts, music, piping and haggis – organised by the shul’s Social and Community Group.

The community’s Rabbi Jordan Helfman was joined by Rabbi Nancy Morris and her Scottish partner Jim, who had flown in for the occasion and were proudly dressed in the Shalom Tartan.

• Pictures by Mark Dalton

To give today please visit mdauk.org/future, scan the QR code or call 020 8201 5900.

Rabbi Richard Jacobi

A solidarity Shabbat for Israel

By GEOFFREY PEPPER

SOUTHEND and Westcliff`s Hebrew Congregation (SWHC) held a ‘One Southend Shabbaton’ dedicated to unity in the local Jewish community and solidarity with Israel.

The Travelling Chassidim were invited as special guests to promote unity. Steven Winston – SWHC member and managing director of the National Jewish Assembly –promoted solidarity.

A group of local Chassidic families, plus one from London and one from Canvey Island, arrived at the synagogue on Friday for a packed programme. Most of these families are already known to members of the congregation, but it was an opportunity for them to meet new people, make friends and – with their hallmark enthusiasm - bring warmth and joy to the community.

This Shabbaton, however, started well before the Friday night. On Tuesday a presentation, led by SWHC’s Rabbi Geoffrey Hyman, on the theme of ‘Shabbat – Food for the Soul’ was held in the shul hall.

This was followed on Thursday evening by the Southend Bake Off - a well-attended challah bake – led by Mirelle and Mindy.

These local Travelling Chassidim infused the ad-hoc bakers with a taste of Shabbos, just

Shabbos started early; in addition to the candles that were lit by the women in the Synagogue foyer, 130 additional candles were lit – representing the hostages still in captivity.

An exceptionally large crowd gathered in the main shul for a rousing Carlebachstyle Kabbalat Shabbos, which was led by Chazan Yossi Deutsch. There was lively singing, the davening was interspersed by lots of dancing by all the Chassidim and members of the congregation.

Davening was followed by a threecourse meal by Reich’s Catering, featuring gefilte fish, heimishe chicken soup and roast chicken, topped off by dessert. The logistics and other arrangements were ably organised by longtime SWHC functions chair Marilyn Salt and by SWHC Board member Chloe Baum-Walters, who also addressed the audience about achdut (togetherness).

The evening was replete with surprises:

Jive Aces thrill RJCC capacity crowd

THEY were rocking in the aisles when The Jive Aces (pictured) entertained members of the Redbridge Jewish Community Centre at Woodford Forest United Synagogue. Arguably the most popular of all the

entertainment guests to feature in the local Jewish Care programme, the Jive Aces have made several visits to the charity’s events over the years and the capacity crowd were, once again, not disappointed.

in the face of it all, which he observed first hand when on a solidarity trip to the Holy Land.

There was singing and much fun, as everyone was invited to play a game, prepared by one of the Travelling Chassidim. Guests had to guess the meanings of Yiddish sayings, which resulted in some heated discussions and even more laughter, as the guesswork by old and young alike wound up in sometimes hilarious results.

Later on in the afternoon there was Mincha, followed by Seudah Shelishit with lots more singing and speeches. After the Seudah, time was made for Ma’ariv, followed by a gala Musical Havdalah with refreshments, which attracted a record crowd. There was high octane singing and lively dancing with the Travelling Chassidim who graciously exchanged their shtreimals with members’ headgear. The room was abuzz with the sound of the keyboard, guitar and clarinet – equalised with singing well-known songs of yore and of the more contemporary genre.

a question-and-answer session was followed by an imitation of Fiddler on the Roof, storytelling: Benny’s Escapades in Namibia and Beyond - interspersed by singing with some light moments, such as when some of the Travelling Chasidim tried to keep their balance standing on the dining hall’s chairs.

On Shabbat morning, Reb Menasche Scharf, an in-demand Ba’al Tefilla, davened Shacharit and Musaf, topped off with An’im Zemirot, sung by recent barmitzvah boy Remi Jacques – grandson of members Mirella and Philip Walters.

The uplifting service was followed by another three-course cholent and salad 21. Jewish Care’s Redbridge Jewish Community Centre – with special mention to the chopped liver and egg dish, with the Chassidic families conversing with the members, forming new friendships and sharing memories about Stamford Hill!

During the meal, Steven Winston spoke about his love for Israel, having spent some years there in his youth. He shared his reflections on the aftermath of 7 October and the resilience of the people of Israel

Everyone remarked about the amazing ruach, friendliness and warmth that pervaded this special One Shabbat Project Shabbaton. Indeed, as an historic first for the 118-year-young Synagogue on Finchley Road, the Southend and Westcliff Hebrew Congregation enjoyed a beautiful and inspiring Shabbos that will live long in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to participate.

Rabbi Hyman said: “The Travelling Chassidim created a lively atmosphere with their singing and dancing. Overall, everyone felt that they had experienced a truly inspirational Shabbos. Their presence at our Shabbaton certainly brought the communities together.”

There were also several praiseworthy comments from members, who described the Shabbaton as “lovely”, “how it should be” and “what makes a community”. One said: “There was a rainbow in Southend on Shabbat, how symbolic in the light of such a groundbreaking event.”

The Travelling Chassidim is a purely voluntary organisation. They do not charge for their services - nor for their entertainment. They make dreams come true!

Replay help Loughton raise thousands

MORE than 120 members and guests came together for dinner and dancing at Loughton Synagogue in a charity fundraiser for Beit Halochem UK.

Entertainment was laid on by the nine piece band Replay (pictured), led by Loughton Synagogue member Stephen Selby.

Beit Halochem literally means ‘House of Warriors’. It was established in the wake of Israel’s War of Independence

(1949), with the purpose of providing the 3,400 soldiers disabled with all their needs towards the long process of their rehabilitation.

Today, more than 54,000 members – including 3,000 new members since the 7 October terrorist attacks – are given a new lease of life at their facilities in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Be’er Sheva.

The Loughton event helped raise over £3,000 for the charity.

by mixing, kneading and pleating the challot!

Members of Southend and Westcliff Hebrew Congregation with the Travelling Chassidim

Lcommunity.

Geoff was bestowed with the prestigious title of the JVN Volunteer of the Year, after delivering Jewish Care Meals on Wheels to older, isolated people in the local community, four days a week for the past five years.

As well as having incredible relationships with all of the community he delivers to – Geoff has also been instrumental in supporting the wider team and project. By reaching out to the local authority on behalf of Meals on Wheels, he has ensured that all the volunteers delivering food can park on yellow lines whilst delivering food.

Talking humbly about the award, Geoff said: “I know I am very honoured to be chosen, but it is always a team effort at Jewish Care and I would like to acknowledge all the volunteers and staff for everything that they do.”

Meals on Wheels man is Volunteer of the Year Football Quiz raises thousands for Jewish Care

ATEAM captained by Adrian Leibovitch won Young Jewish Care’s annual Football Quiz.

The charity raised £2,700 at the event, which included a hot dog and latke dinner.

Masorti whisky event goes down a treat

By SUSAN GEIST

AGREAT time was had by all who attended the recent New Essex Masorti Synagogue (NEMS) Whisky Tasting Evening. Hosted at the home of one of the members, the community came together

for a fun night – sampling some fine whiskies and learning interesting facts from the expert who led the event.

For more information about NEMS events or membership, visit www.nemsynagogue.co.uk

With 70 people in attendance, raffle prizes included a signed football from Arsenal FC and boardroom tickets for a Premier League game.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring any future Young Jewish Care events, or can donate any raffle prizes, please get in touch with Josh Wynne on joshwynne@ btinternet.com.

We are providing face-to-face counselling, therapies and complementary therapies at Chai centres across the UK.

This is in addition to all the specialised support and care that we continue to offer our clients through telephone, Skype & Zoom.

For more information please call 0808 808 4567 or visit www.chaicancercare.org

Together we can cope. Together we will care.

Wishing you a happy and kosher Pesach

OCAL Jewish Care volunteer Geoff Wrightman has been honoured for his incredible contribution to the

Jeremy Sassoon playing a sold out concert at Loughton Synagogue

Award winner Geoff Wrightman delivering Meals on Wheels

NEMS members enjoy their Whisky Tasting Evening

The winning team at the Young Jewish Care Football Quiz

Aztec superhero wins Mayor’s Community Award

By PAT LIDIKER

MICHELLE Buchan’s heroic exploits in the car park at Aztec House may sound like the screenplay for a superhero film… though perhaps a bit too far-fetched.

It was certainly the last thing anyone living in this Chigwell Jewish Blind and Disabled building expected, but in March her actions earned Michelle the prestigious Mayor’s Community Award.

The awards celebrate outstanding achievements by local people and were presented by the Mayor of Redbridge, Councillor Jyotsna Islam, at the Council Chambers.

After receiving hundreds of nominations, the winners of the Mayor’s Community Awards were selected by an independent panel of judges, consisting of councillors, council officers and people from the local community.

Michelle told the Essex Jewish News she was inspired by her win and the unexpected standing ovation which followed.

Now 58, and engaged to fellow tenant Jason Schwartz, she remembers the events all-too clearly and says her reactions were purely instinctive rather than brave.

She said: “I was in the car park and heard screaming which I quickly realised was coming from a lady who had got out of her Motability car with the engine still running and gears set into reverse.

“It was moving in circles then went through the gates onto the pavement of main road. It was around 4pm and all I could think about was children coming out of the nearby school and being run over and killed.”

Despite her own debilitating spinal issues, Michelle managed to reach the car’s driver’s side and turn the steering wheel before the door slammed into her and knocked her over.

Some horrified onlookers may have seen her instinctive actions as foolhardy but she says there was no time to think, only of others being killed. In fact, Michelle was the only one injured and was taken to King George’s A&E where it was found the accident had damaged her back still further, leaving her in constant pain ever since.

The award has done much to lift her spirits though, as are plans for

Harwich exhibition celebrates Kindertransport’s Leslie

The Harwich Kindertransport Memorial and Learning Trust (HKMLT), together with the Mayor of Harwich, Councillor Maria Fowler, opened the exhibition ‘Safe Haven – Leslie Brent’s Story’ in Harwich.

The exhibition coincided with the 85th anniversary of the Kindertransport – where 10,000 mostly Jewish children were sent to safety in Britain during 1938 to 1939 – and was held at the Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre earlier this year.

It told the story of one of the Kinder, Leslie Brent, who arrived in December 1938 and stayed at Dovercourt for some time. This exhibition depicts Leslie’s

journey on the Kindertransport and the life he made in Britain.

Chris Berwick from Harwich Festival said: “It’s an honour for the Harwich Festival & Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre to host such an inspirational exhibition.”

HKMLT chair Debbie Patterson Jones, commented: “We are thrilled by all the support we have received from Harwich Town Council. This exhibition is the first part of our learning programme and we hope it will give some context to the Kindertransport statue at the Harwich quayside that was unveiled in September 2022.”

her wedding to Jason this summer in Aztec House.

She said: “My parents moved here 14 years ago and I became their full-time carer. Then, after my father passed away in 2021, I moved into my own flat here. My mother has dementia and is now in Jewish Care’s Vi & John Rubens House, but this is very much my home.”

As she recovers, the one thing Michelle isn’t planning for the future is stopping another runaway car… she can leave that to the fictional superheroes!

• Picture courtesy of the Ilford Recorder / Sandra Rowse

‘Incredible’ EJN director Melvyn

retires

MELVYN Weinberg MBE has retired as a director of the Essex Jewish News, after a distinguished period of service for this community newspaper that saw him occupy a number of roles including managing director and financial director.

Melvyn has had wide experience in the newspaper industry, serving as executive director of The Jewish Chronicle for many years. He was awarded an MBE in 2005 for services to the newspaper industry.

He has always been active in the Jewish community. His former positions included chair of the Jewish Scout Advisory Council, governor of Carmel College and chair of the Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group Forum. Melvyn also served as chair of Ilford Federation Synagogue and is life president of that shul.

Chief Rabbi comes to Cranbrook

AFTER taking a huge leap of faith and jumping 10,000 feet to raise over £3,500 for Jewish Care’s new Redbridge Development project, local daredevil Abigail Saltman scooped the runner-up prize in the Young Citizen Award at the same Mayoral ceremony. The 18-year-old, who volunteers at Jewish Care’s day centres, also won the Outstanding Young Adult Volunteer prize at last year’s Jewish Volunteering Network Awards.

Simon Rothstein, editor of the Essex Jewish News, said: “Melvyn’s input, guidance and oversight will be greatly missed by us all. He was an incredible part of what makes this newspaper so special and so important to the local community. We all wish him a lovely retirement spent with family and friends.”

CHIEF RABBI Sir Ephraim Mirvis KBE was guest of honour at a Melava Malka at Cranbrook United Synagogue. He was joined by the shul’s Rabbi Steven Danksy and Rev Gary Newman, as well as Rabbi Ayreh Sufrin MBE, Executive Director of Chabad North East London & Essex, and Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg of Woodford Forest United Synagogue.

Abigial (first left) and Michelle (third left) with the Mayor and other heroes who were honoured

The Mayor of Harwich and Lady Mayoress at the opening of the exhibition

JLGB calls for community heroes to step forward at sold out Summer Camp

In an unprecedented show of anticipation and enthusiasm, JLGB’s Summer Camp for 2024 sold out within 6 hours – including 160 youngsters from Essex registering to take part.

With over 750 already signed up to their biggest camp in over 40 years, JLGB has extended an open invitation across the community from all walks of life to step an volunteer to help uplift the next generation – from students to grandparents and everyone in between –more adult volunteers will unlock the huge waiting list and create an unforgettable summer experience for hundreds of Jewish young people.

person’s life, offering guidance, mentorship, and the joy of making a real difference”.

Shirley continued: “To the parents and grandparents of our vibrant community we need you too! Your involvement can transform this summer into a life-changing experience for hundreds of Jewish children who have missed out on so much in recent years.”

“Teachers, dinner ladies, first aiders, CST trained volunteers, you too also have a unique opportunity to have a huge impact on making a camp a safe, happy and phenomenal experience for all.”

Since launching the campaign, enquires have been flooding in, with all generations stepping forward, including 100 young leaders in school 11-13, ready to showcase their leadership talents, develop new skills, and make a tangible impact on the next generation.

Chigwell fundraisers draw a crowd

Shirley Lane from Loughton, who is this year’s Camp Director said: “JLGB is calling on dynamic students and young professionals to take on leadership roles at this year’s Summer Camp. This is a chance to be the game-changer in a young

If you have a few days to spare this Summer, put them to good use in front or behind the scene, as JLGB prepare for “a summer filled with potential and promise, where JLGB invites YOU to be part of this extraordinary life changing opportunity to uplift the next generation.”

See more on page 27 and for full details visit www.jlgb.org/WeNeedMore

EcoJudaism appoints its first ever Executive Director

Naomi Verber has been appointed as the first ever Executive Director of EcoJudaism.

Naomi – currently Head of Environmental Policy for the United Synagogue – will take up the role at the start of May.

The creation of the position shows the growth of EcoJudaism, which works across the entire Jewish community to empower synagogues and congregations of all denominations to combat the climate crisis and provide them with the tools they need to make impactful and long-lasting changes.

Naomi worked as a management consultant for 15 years, specialising in business change and development. She then partnered with the Jewish environmental charity Sadeh to conceptualise, design and run Europe’s first kosher eco-hotel.

Naomi then joined the United Synagogue (US) in 2021, running the Dorot programme – the US and Office of the Chief Rabbi’s ambitious environmental initiative. Transforming the charity’s response to the environmental crisis, her achievements include creating the first US forest, more than 80% of US synagogues

going disposables-free and establishing environmentally responsible operating processes.

EcoJudaism Chair Abi Levitt welcomed the appointment as a landmark moment for the organisation and its work – matching its ambitions to make a mark within the Jewish community and beyond as part of a worldwide multi-faith environmental movement.

She said: “This exciting recruitment represents the next stage in the EcoJudaism journey to be-come a central environmental force, matching our vision of world-changing goals with a focus on frontline community level action to achieve them.”

Southend Reform member made Alderman of the City

in

Mike Royston of Southend and District Reform Synagogue (SDRS) has been made an Honorary Alderman of the City of Southend in recognition for his services as a Councillor.

Mike, who is a Trustee of SDRS, has served on Southend-on-Sea City Council for the last 14 years.

He was bestowed with the award by the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Stephen Habermel, at a special event.

Mike – who was joined by his civil partner Gary for the ceremony (pictured) – said: “To receive this award is a true honour.”

The title of Alderman/woman dates back to Anglo-Saxon times and is given

CKing Solomon receives record Clore applications

higwell and Hainault United Synagogue hosted two events to raise money for good causes – with the shul packed out for a supper

quiz and challah bake, the latter in aid of Beit Halochem, which offers rehabilitative services and life-long care for veterans and their families.

Naomi Verber

Mike Royston and partner Gary with the Mayor of Southend Kessler

Southend to those who have served the Council and the city’s residents over a number of years.

Wishes all of its readers, advertisers and supporters a very happy Pesach

R abbi Lee Sunderland, the Honorary Officers and Congregation wish everyone a Healthy Kosher Pesach

ILFORD FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE

A thriving community

2a Clarence Avenue, Ilf ord, Essex IG2 6JH

Tel: 0208 554 5289

nemasorti@hotmail.com nemsynagogue.co.uk

Rabbi & Rebbetzen Singer, The Honorary Officers, ent and send readers nd h.

Southend and District Reform Synagogue 851 London Road Westcliff-on-Sea Essex SS0 9SZ Telephone 01702 711663 www.southendreform.org.uk

The Executive and Council of Southend and District Reform Synagogue, together with Rabbi Warren Elf MBE, warmly wish the community and all readers a happy and healthy Pesach

All welcome

Please go to www.wfus.org.uk

Tel: 020 8504 1990

E: office@wfus.org.uk

A fresh approach to design, branding and communications

Wishes the Essex Jewish community a very Happy Pesach

www.dynamicpear.co.uk

Shabbat services are held weekly online r in person on alternate Saturday mornings at 10.30 am. Please contact the synagogue for details of online Friday night services. A Happy & Kosher Pesach from everyone at

wish all of our friends and supporters a very happy and healthy Pesach

On behalf of Executive Directors:

Rabbi Aryeh MBE & Devorah Sufrin of Chabad Gants Hill

Rabbi Odom & Henny Brandman of Chabad Buckhurst Hill

Rabbi Yossi & Rivka Posen of Chabad Epping

Rabbi Tzvi & Mushkie Birnhack of Chabad Southend-on-Sea

Gants Hill: www.chabadilford.co.uk

Buckhurst Hill: www.chabadonthehill.co.uk

Epping: www.chabadepping.co.uk

Westcliff-on-Sea: www.chabadsouthend.co.uk

East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue

For all advertising opportunities, please contact Deborah Mulqueen on office.ejn@ gmail.com

The joint Progressive communities of East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue and Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue, our rabbis and councils send warm wishes to all the community and readers of the Essex Jewish News for a Happy and Healthy Pesach 5784

First-night communal family seder at Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue Monday 22nd April at 5.00pm. For further details and suggested donation please contact Oaks Lane Synagogue at https://swesrs org uk/contact/

Second-night traditional seder Tuesday 23rd April at 7 00pm at Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue https://swesrs.org.uk/contact/

ELELS Communal and Family Seder now fully booked. For details of our other services and events, please go to https://elels.org.uk/ or contact Administrator@elels.org.uk

This year, 1 in 4 people at the Seder table will be living with mental illness or distress.

Help us respond to this unprecedented mental health challenge.

As we gather together at Pesach, over a quarter of our community – thousands of Jewish people of all ages – will be struggling with their mental health.*

To tackle this immense challenge, Jewish Care and Jami have recently joined forces and become one organisation.

Your support will enable us to provide vital mental health services to those in the community who need it most.

Please donate at jewishcare.org/pesach by scanning this QR code or by calling 020 8922 2600

News

Dame Margaret steps down after beating Griffin and Corbyn

By PAT LIDIKER

WHEN veteran Jewish MP Dame Margaret Hodge stands down at the forthcoming election she will be sorely missed in Barking and Dagenham, where she has held the seat since 1994.

She made her decision in 2021, telling local party members how much she had loved serving as their local MP and thanking them for the warmth, friendship and support they have always shown her.

It has been a tough decision to quit but now, at 80 and with another election looming, she knows the time is right.

Describing herself as a secular Jew, her proudest moments in Parliament she says, will always be her active and vociferous battles against Jew haters.

She said: “Seeing off Nick Griffin, leader of the British National Party, when he contested the Barking seat in 2010 was the biggest success and biggest moment

of my life. As was winning the campaign to get rid of the BNP and telling them to pack their bags and go!”

But then along came another threat in the form of Jeremy Corbyn. She may be a Lady and a Dame, but was one of his fiercest critics too.

She didn’t mince her words – saying: “I just couldn’t take it and have never regretted calling him out as an antisemite and a racist (expletives deleted). It made me think about what it was like to be a Jew in Germany in the 1930s.”

Since entering Parliament as Labour MP for Barking 30 years ago, Dame Margaret has held numerous key ministerial roles in Labour Governments as well as serving as chair of the Public Accounts Committee from 2010 to 2015.

The job she has always loved with its huge workload provided some distraction after her second husband Henry, a High Court judge, died from

leukaemia in 2009. Their marriage, incidentally, gave her the title of Lady Hodge.

The mother of four received her Damehood from the then Prince of Wales in 2015, accompanied to Buckingham Palace by her granddaughter and eldest sister.

Everyone at the Essex Jewish News wishes her a happy, peaceful retirement once the election is over but have the feeling it won’t be the end of her drive to make the world a better place.

Essex communities celebrate 60th anniversary of Czech Scrolls

By MICAELA BLITZ

Representatives from two synagogues in Essex attended a service at Westminster Synagogue to mark the 60th anniversary of the arrival of 1,564 Torah and other scrolls from Prague to the UK.

The service – curated and led by Rabbi Benji Stanley, senior rabbi of Westminster Synagogue – included a procession of the Czech Scrolls held by those communities that currently care for them.

Valerie Garnelas, of Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue in Newbury Park, was given the honour of holding their Czech Memorial Scroll whilst her and Joseph Westbury’s names were read out. Joseph’s name was read as a teen who held the scroll and passed it l’dor vador (from generation to generation) as he stood at the Torah on his Bar Mitzvah.

Schoolchildren across Redbridge remember

KING Solomon High School held its annual Holocaust seminar for Year 12 students and were delighted to be joined by pupils from Oaks Park, Ilford County High and Woodford County High.

The children heard from Hephzibah Rudofsky, the daughter of survivor Lady Zahava Kohn – who sadly passed

away in 2022. She shared her mother’s story and how she survived BergenBelsen concentration camp.

One attendee said: “The story is an incredible one and you couldn’t hear a pin drop in the room.”

The event ended with the unveiling a plaque dedicated to Lady Zahava that is situated in the main school hall.

Chelmsford cricket event is a hit

CHELMSFORD Jewish Community (CJC) held a communal event inside the County Ground, at part of Essex Cricket Club’s commitment to support all faiths in the county.

The event was organised by CJC chair Stanley Keller and saw members and guests of all ages, from around Chelmsford and surrounding areas, in attendance, including many young families.

HaShoah UK Holocaust Commemoration

This year’s National Yom HaShoah UK Holocaust Commemoration will take place on Sunday 5 May at 6:45pm.

Neil Martin OBE, Chair of Yom HaShoah UK, said: “In this difficult year, we felt it important that the commemoration returns to becoming a live in-person event that thousands in our community can attend to honour their pledge to remember the past, honour our survivors and refugees, and stand united in hope for a brighter future.”

Rabbi Richard Jacobi of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS) took part in the procession with their Torah scroll from Blatna. He said: “We celebrated the present in the way so many of these scrolls enrich the practices of the synagogues to which they are loaned. We rejoiced that the future includes a growing Progressive Jewish community in Prague, and that B’nei and B’not Mitzvah students around the Jewish world read from these scrolls, showing that their influence will continue for decades, nay centuries to come.”

The commemoration will be held at a prestigious outdoor central London location that will be announced nearer to the time of the ceremony. You can book your tickets via www.yomhashoah.org.uk.

Ralph Yablon, in collaboration with Rabbi Harold Reinhart, orchestrated the acquisition of the Czech Scrolls, rescuing them from a damp former synagogue where they had endured the Nazi era and years of communism. They arrived at Westminster Synagogue in 1964 and many are now on loan to communities around the world, creating an intimate link to the Jews and Jewish life so tragically destroyed in the Holocaust.

The anniversary event brought together 56 scrolls and 275 individuals representing communities worldwide, including from the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Israel, Canada, USA, UK and more.

Notable attendees at the service included the Czech and Slovak Ambassadors, representatives from the Israeli and American Embassies as well as the Lord Mayor of Westminster, local councillors and Jewish clergy from around the world.

Margaret Hodge

Rabbi Richard Jacobi with the ELELS Czech Scroll at the Wesminster service

School children across the county joined Hephzibah Rudofsky Kohn for the unveiling of a plaque in honour of her mum

Comment ‘When you are feeling low...

Manny Robinson on his experience visiting Chai’s satellite centre in Woodford Green.

there is Chai’

“ARE you allergic to Beeswax?” asked Michelle Farrugia, the masseuse. Thinking I might end up like a shining table, I hesitated before Michelle explained that the special Beeswax she used was for the skin and for massage purposes only.

I was at Chai Cancer Care’s satellite service based in Lily House, Woodford Green for a 50-minute massage carried out by Michelle as part of the amazing community services run by Chai throughout the UK for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis.

The service launched in Redbridge in 2007 and then in Southend in 2010.

My head, neck, shoulder and back massage helped ease away any tension and stiffness, aided by the soothing sounds of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Perry Como coming from Michelle’s radio.

At Chai, any patients currently receiving treatment for cancer must have a letter from their oncologist giving permission for a massage and/ or other complementary therapies to be carried out.

Michelle joined Chai in 2021. She said: “I’m in Woodford Green every other Wednesday and usually provide a massage service for up to six people and four who come to Lily House. Every Tuesday I alternate between Stamford Hill and Northwest London. On occasion I do home visits to people who are unable to travel to a Chai centre because they may be feeling too unwell.”

Chai is one of those charities that does enormous work in the community and, in some ways, does not get the publicity and credit it deserves.

With 11 centres across the UK providing 68 specialised services –including counselling, support groups and complementary therapies – their approach brings a personal touch, tailoring their services to the needs of every individual and each community.

There have been many new developments at Chai, which will mark its 34th year since inception in March, including the launch of the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme, of which Chai, together with Jnetics, were officially appointed by NHS England to lead a community-wide engagement campaign supporting the new programme.

The programme has so far seen over 17,000 people registering their interest to be tested for a BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 gene mutation.

In recent years there has been a noticeable shift in the demographic of Chai’s clients, with an increase in the number of younger people needing to turn to the charity.

Of the 4,200 people Chai are currently supporting, one in three are under the age of 50, accounting for 40% of all 21,512 appointments in the last year alone. This emerging younger demographic prompted Chai to launch their Young Adults Support Group.

There has also been an increase

in the number of young parents diagnosed with cancer and the charity has now launched a parenting support group focused on how to support children when a parent has been diagnosed with cancer.

• For more information on Chai’s specialised support services, call Charlotte on 020 8457 3238 or, call their Freephone Helpline 0808 808 4567 or visit www.chaicancercare.org

‘The flight or fight response has kicked in almost every day’

Brentwood Reform Synagogue member

Suzanne Kissin on the antisemitism our community is facing.

UPON getting home from work one evening, I decided to look at my phone for the first time all day. Facebook asked me “what’s on your mind?”

On my mind at that point in time was the fact that I had just read about the Jewish Chaplain at Leeds University being forced into hiding for his own protection, and about a comedian I’ve never heard of before at a theatre in Soho leading his audience in an anti-Zionist (antisemitic) hate chant, upon finding out that an audience member was Israeli.

The previous day, what was on my mind was reading about the doctor who said Hammersmith would be better without Jews, but according to the General Medical Council isn’t racist. Similar things have been on my mind

every day since 7 October – when the closet antisemites living among us seem to have felt they were given permission to now be open in their hatred.

Even though I go about my days and I’m not directly affected, because the people I rub shoulders with are not targeting me with hate speech, I feel extremely uncomfortable.

The flight or fight response has kicked in almost every day since 7 October, as I’m sure it has for all of you.

Some days, the flight response takes hold and I don’t want to think about all of this. I don’t read the news and I don’t look at Jewish groups on social media on those days. Those days are necessary sometimes for my mental wellbeing.

However, more often than not, I decide to fight, metaphorically speaking. Whilst the IDF are literally fighting the genocidal terrorists who would very much like to rid the world of Jews, I fight by using my voice. Whether that’s the spoken or the written word, I decide I cannot and will not be silent.

I feel a huge need to share the antisemitism that is happening in THIS country with as many of my non-Jewish friends and acquaintances as I can. I asked myself originally how they couldn’t know the extent of it, but so much of it doesn’t make the mainstream media and of course, they are not reading the Jewish newspapers. I feel, therefore, duty bound to tell them.

Having previously spent many years of my early adult life being scared to let people know I’m Jewish, having met a handful of antisemites at university, I now shout it loud and proud, as I fight the metaphorical battle to win hearts and minds.

To quote Hillel Fuld: “One person can impact the world in a very real way. You can make a difference even if you have a small following. Everyone is an influencer, whether they’re influencing one or 50 million people. If one person shares your post, you’ve exited your echo chamber. And that means you’ve made a difference.”

Michelle Farrugia has greatly helped Manny

How the Board has been supporting the hostages and the community

By SARA RADIVAN, DEPUTY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER, BOARD OF DEPUTIES OF BRITISH JEWS

LIFE seems to have taken on a before and after 7 October 2023, when the barbaric heinous terrorist attack took place in Israel, and propelled Israel into a war it did not want.

The Board of Deputies acted immediately to liaise with the UK Government and Jewish community organisations over the situation in Israel and to work for the safety and security of every Jew living in the UK.

Some examples of what the Board has achieved since the start of this crisis are:

• Alongside communal colleagues, the Board organised multi-denominational vigils in London and Manchester, culminating in a Release the Hostages rally in Trafalgar Square attended by 15,000 people.

• Following the BBC’s refusal to label Hamas as terrorists the Board campaigned for the corporation to change its approach and met with Director General Tim Davie which left him in no doubt as to the strength of feeling in the Jewish community. We also called out both ITV, for giving airtime to an Iranian pro-Hamas spokesperson, and the Guardian for a dreadful article calling on Israel to stop “weaponising” the Holocaust.

• The Board organised a minute’s silence in Parliament and distributed blue ribbons which have been worn by

parliamentarians as a symbol of support for Israel.

• We have published advice for families, teachers and headteachers in nonJewish schools and published advice for Jews in the workplace dealing with difficult conversations and responding to urgent situations.

• The Board is holding weekly vigils outside Parliament for the return of the more than 130 hostages still held captive in Gaza, and is calling for members of the Jewish community and allies to join this effort.

• We launched an Adopt a Hostage campaign, asking synagogues and organisations to be the voice of a hostage, to keep them in the public’s consciousness and to help #bringthemhome. If your synagogue would like to adopt a hostage, please contact me.

• All this information, plus more can be found on www.bod.org.uk/israel

• From a Deputy and Community Engagement point of view, I continue to liaise with Deputies and regional Jewish Representative Councils (where they exist). Regular virtual meetings continue to be convened for the regional Jewish Representative Councils bringing their chairs and/or presidents together where information is shared.

These meetings have become more vital and essential since 7 October with the Board of Deputies offering support, advice and assistance where necessary, and regional Jewish Representative Councils learn and share ideas with each other. We are delighted to welcome Daniel Rosenberg, chair of the Essex Jewish Community Council, to these meetings.

Some synagogues in Essex have Deputy representation on the Board and I am in regular communication with them. I am looking forward to onboarding elected and re-elected Deputies for the Board’s new triennium, and welcoming new Deputies from those communities that have not had Deputy representation in the past.

The Board had a good presence at Limmud over the winter holidays and our Jewish Living Experience Exhibition continues to tour the country, with a stop planned in Chelmsford later this year.

A small delegation recently visited Israel on the Board’s solidarity mission trip where, amongst others, they met with survivors of the Nova Festival massacre, met with families of hostages still in Gaza and spent time volunteering to support the agricultural sector.

The Board of Deputies is the representative organisation for the whole Jewish community through the UK and supports communities, small and large, wherever they are. The Board

continues to engage with the entirety of British Jewry and continues to advocate on behalf of the Jewish community. As the UK’s democratically elected representative organisation the Board of Deputies supports UK Jews whenever they come under attack.

There is no facet of Jewish life, region or denomination where the Board of Deputies does not advocate on behalf of the community. With growing challenges, we need a strong voice. It is only with the support and payment of the Communal Contribution that the Board of Deputies can continue to work to secure the future of the Jewish community.

The Board of Deputies encourages and thanks all those who pay the Communal Contribution of £35 per year with their synagogue membership. This communal contribution greatly assists the Board of Deputies to protect and advocate for the whole UK Jewish community. If you would like to give an additional donation, payments of any size can be made at https://bit.ly/Donate-BoD

On behalf of all at the Board of Deputies of British Jews, I take this opportunity to wish the Essex Jewish Community a happy and peaceful Pesach.

• If you would like to contact Sara about anything in this article, please email sara.radivan@bod.org.uk

PESACH MESSAGE PRESIDENT MARIE VAN DER ZYL NISAN

5784

This coming Pesach, we will join together for the Seder, and the youngest among us will ask the traditional Four Questions.

A Rosh Hashanah message from the President

ThisBut for many of us there will be another question, unspoken and unanswered.

How can we celebrate 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?

The horrors of October 7th, when terrorists from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other groups engaged in a pogrom, murdering more than 1,200 people and dragging more than 200 into Gaza, remain etched on so many of our minds.

past year has been a difficult one for the Jewish community. Like the rest of the country, we have had to cope with disruption, and for many, the heartbreak of the ongoing pandemic. On top of this we have also had to deal with a frightening upsurge in anti-Jewish racism.

When there is conflict in the Middle East there are usually consequences for Jews in the UK but this year what we experienced was beyond anything I can remember. Antisemitic incidents rose by 500 per cent and none of us will forget the convoy of cars driving through our streets with shouted threats and misogynistic abuse plus other well documented attacks.

The Board of Deputies, alongside our communal partners, organised a vigil outside Downing Street just 48 hours after this pogrom, to pay tribute to the dead and to those held captive. So many people attended that Whitehall had to be closed to traffic. The following month, we held a rally in Trafalgar Square for the hostages. Some 15,000 people came to stand as one with the families of those held in Gaza. Many other events have been held, in London, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow.

There has been a sudden and alarming upturn in antisemitism in the UK following the 7th October massacres. We have received many reports of children and teachers being challenged in nonJewish schools. That is why we have published advice for families teachers and headteachers in such schools. We also held online talks, addressed by Government ministers for parents of Jewish children at non-Jewish schools and one for parents of students at university. Both were attended by thousands of concerned parents. We have also heard from many people who have been facing increased challenges in their workplaces, which is why we have also produced guidance for those who may be in such situations in their jobs.

While the epidemic has ebbed and flowed we have worked with the Government to share important messages in order to keep everybody safe and we have advised on safe numbers for prayer and religious occasions. We have also had the sad but necessary duty of collating numbers of deaths. Our community has enthusiastically embraced the vaccine which is one of the main reasons why numbers of deaths has been mercifully few in the past few months.

This is intolerable and the Board of Deputies acted quickly to ensure that the Government was aware and prepared to take whatever measures were needed. The Jewish community held meetings with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel. I called for the proscription of Hamas in its entirety. We also called for the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism by social media companies and their new regulator Ofcom. I am glad to report that the Government has now written to social media companies to request them to adopt the IHRA definition.

Every week that Parliament is in session, we have been holding vigils outside Parliament, to ensure that those who walk in the corridors of power do not forget the ordeal of those taken captive. And we have initiated a campaign entitled Adopt a Hostage, where we invite synagogues and communities to “adopt” a named hostage, to publicise their plight and give support to their families. I want to thank all of the more than 90 communities which have joined so far; if your own community has not yet joined us, I hope you consider doing so.

Those who know the Board of Deputies will understand we work on a diverse set of issues. It is impossible to list everything in a short message. However, I will give a mention to the Commission on Racial Inclusivity which reported this year and which made 119 recommendations, with profound implications for UK Jews. I would also like to thank all the new organisations which have joined this year, making us even more representative of the community. We will continue to work just as hard on your behalf in the coming year.

Following the BBC’s refusal to label Hamas as terrorists we campaigned for the corporation to change its approach and held a meeting with Director General Tim Davie which left him in no doubt as to the strength of feeling in the Jewish community. The BBC now refers to Hamas as being proscribed by the government as a terrorist group. There is still, however, far more to be done. The Board of Deputies will continue this work on behalf of every Jew in the country, quietly and behind the scenes when appropriate, and more vocally when required.

On a personal note, this is the last Pesach message I will be writing to you, as I will soon be completing my second – and final term as President of the Board of Deputies. I would like to thank the many people who have helped me to represent British Jews over the past six years. It has been a privilege and an honour to serve our community.

Shana Tovah

Pesach Sameach to you and your families from everyone at the Board of Deputies.

Marie van der Zyl OBE President, Board of Deputies of British Jews

Marie van der Zyl President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews

ROSH HASHANAH 5782/SEPTEMBER 2021 ESSEX JEWISH NEWS 21

Thoughts from our communal leaders

ABY CHIEF RABBI SIR EPHRAIM MIRVIS KBE CHIEF RABBI OF THE UNITED HEBREW CONGREGATIONS OF THE COMMONWEALTH

MONG the most dramatic moments in all of Jewish history is the point at which the Children of Israel found themselves caught between their Egyptian pursuers and the deep blue sea.

After hundreds of years of bitter slavery, freedom finally seemed within reach. But, as our ancestors stood on the shoreline, with the Egyptian army bearing down upon them, their fate hung agonisingly in the balance. What followed was an astonishing exchange between Moses and the Almighty.

Moses characteristically prostrated himself upon the earth and cried out to Hashem for help. He could never have imagined what the response would be: “Why are you crying to me? Speak to the Children of Israel and let them travel!”

The message of this astonishing admonition is clear: There is a time for prayer and a time for action, and we must never rely upon one to the exclusion of the other.

Rashi teaches that it was precisely this lesson which Moses had in mind when he restricted his prayer for the well-being of his sister, Miriam, to the shortest Biblical prayer on record: “God please, heal her please”. He knew that at that moment, his words needed to be accompanied by action.

This was one of the central lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic, when we recognised that our Bitachon – trust that Hashem will be there for us in our hour of need, must be accompanied by Hishtadlut - our own efforts towards achieving our goals.

Our sages capture this principle in the Rabbinic aphorism: “You should never rely on a miracle.”

Since 7 October, we have been united in prayer. Additional psalms and special supplications continue to be recited in shuls around the world. We hold every single innocent victim of this awful conflict in our hearts and pray with every fibre of our being for peace, security and the return of all hostages.

Yet, we must also hear the echo of Hashem’s words to Moses: “Why are you crying to me?”

This is also a time for action.

Whenever it has seemed that our community’s capacity to stand against the torrent of hatred directed against Jews and the State of Israel might reach breaking point, I have been reminded by so many of you that in fact, our collective resolve knows no bounds.

From vigils to solidarity visits, media campaigns and

local activism – British Jews have made clear that we will not rest while our people are under attack, whether at home or in Israel.

Sadly, our work is not yet done. And as we celebrate the festival of our freedom, we are reminded that throughout our history, with the help of Hashem, we have prevailed.

May we continue to be Hashem’s partners in bringing peace and security to all of His people.

Valerie and I wish you Chag Kasher Vesameach.

BY RABBI ROBYN ASHWORTH-STEEN AND RABBI ANNA WOLFSON CO-CHAIRS OF THE ASSEMBLY AND CONFERENCE FOR REFORM/LIBERAL RABBIS AND CANTORS IN THE UK

“I

n every generation, everyone is obligated to see themselves as though they personally left Egypt.”

AS WE each return to the Seder table this year, this line of liturgy from the Haggadah may resonate more strongly.

The Seder table is a powerful space and, perhaps, one of our most beloved rituals. It infuses food with story, links the young to the old, the public story of the Jewish people to our own personal family stories and customs.

In the last few years. we have navigated small Sedarim when lockdown restrictions meant we could not open our homes even to our closest family and friends. Many of us will be returning to the Seder table with a seat empty for our loved ones who have passed away in the last year.

Even more than Rosh Hashanah, the Seder marks time in a unique way. ‘In every generation’ - we recognise that although time moves on and we can mark out the differences from last year to this, time also spirals on top of itself and we return anew to similarly resonate themes of slavery and liberation, of fear and exile, of community and ritual. The cycle of history keeps turning.

This year, of course, the questions we usually ask such as, ‘in what ways are we enslaved this year?’, will feel particularly painful. Perhaps it feels impossible to imagine that we have even left Egypt given the state of our world as it stands. If our hostages remain captive (please God may it not be so) a new ritual object will

appear on our Sedarim tables marking the continued captivity of so many of our Jewish kin.

When we dip our finger into the kiddush wine for the 10 plagues and the recognition of blood spilt, we imagine tears will also fall around our tables, across the world. Each drop of wine on our finger is a reminder that our Torah implores that we do not celebrate human suffering, even of our enemy.

Sedarim tables, if yours are anything like ours, will be full of reflection and heated discussion. Perhaps this year there will be a variety of opinions about the actions of Netanyahu and his government, about the political solutions, about the extent to which it feels safe to be a Jew in Britain. Weighty topics. Strong opinions. Part of our reflection may be on how polarised conversations around Israel and Gaza have become, in workplaces, in the media, in our shuls.

Yet, we come back, once again to b’chol dor va’dor – “in every generation, everyone is obligated to see themselves as though they personally left Egypt.”

Given the fragility of our Jewish world it is more important than ever that we take this commandment fully on board and step into our empathetic selves.

We weep for those held captive, those families bereaved, those chairs empty around the Seder tables. We listen to the fears and thoughts of our family members, particularly our young people.

We hear their experiences, their opinions on the world as they see it. We see ourselves as though we are them.

As chutzpahdik as it is, we might even imagine that we are newly liberated and commit ourselves to working towards a world full of empathy, peace and freedom.

BY RABBI ARYEH SUFRIN MBE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHABAD LUBAVITCH NORTH EAST LONDON & ESSEX

DIN RECENT months, we have tried to find strength and comfort following the unspeakable tragedy which took place on Simchat Torah (7 October).

In these turbulent times, a theme that has strongly presented itself is the incredible value of every single Jew. We have been reminded

of how interconnected and infinitely valuable we each are. Furthermore, we have been reminded of how this unbreakable bond links all of us with our G-d given and priceless homeland, Eretz Yisrael.

On Seder night we all gather and recite the words of the Haggadah, with cups raised “in each and every generation they rise against us to destroy us – and the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from their hand”

Each and every Jew, man, woman, & child, in every generation, by virtue of their very existence, expresses the praise of G-d, as their soul is a part of G-d Himself.

This applies to every member of the Jewish people without distinction as “one nation,” sharing a fundamental equality regardless of different spiritual and practicing levels.

Maimonides writes that every Jew, even one who protests to the contrary, desires to be part of the Jewish people. This we saw countless times over, as the Jewish people worldwide joined forces to become once again one unified body to protect the People and Land of Israel, both within the land and across the diaspora.

All efforts therefore should be made to reach out to all members of our people and develop this innate potential. The very existence of the Jewish people expresses the praise of G-d. Though we have long been “one lamb among seventy wolves”, the Jewish nation has prevailed throughout history, while nations have vanished. This is not a result of any sociopolitical factors but is rather an open expression of Divine power.

In particular this applies today. Only a generation since the horrors of the Holocaust which threatened to utterly annihilate our people, we were reminded on the 7 October that the enemy of our people is never far away. It is only through our united efforts that we will once again be saved by “the strong outstretched hand of G-d”.

As we gather at our Passover Seder, stating the words of unity “whoever is hungry let them come and eat”, we remember the Egyptian slavery.

We know that our brothers and sisters, still held hostage, are suffering every moment of every day, and the bravery of our IDF soldiers still having to confront our enemies. We offer our collective prayers and continued efforts as a unified people in practice when we can rejoice as we realise G-d’s promise that: “He will save us from their hand”.

Wishing you all a very happy and kosher Pesach

“I

BY RABBI RONI TABICK RABBI OF NEW STOKE NEWINGTON (MASORTI) SHUL

t is this that has stood for our ancestors and for us”.

WHETHER said or sung, the v’hi she’amda section of the Haggadah will be very poignant this year, in what feels like a very difficult time to be Jewish. The Haggadah says that “this” has helped us to keep going throughout the centuries, though in every generation there are those who hate us, the Holy Blessed One has kept us going.

But what is referred to by ‘this’? What is it exactly that has enabled us and our ancestors to keep going?

The most straightforward answer is that it refers to God’s promise mentioned in the previous paragraph. We praise God for making the promise to Abraham that, although we would be slaves in Egypt, eventually God would redeem us. God promised us that though we may struggle and suffer, eventually, the Jewish people will be saved again and again. After all, we are supposed to see ourselves as though each of us had personally been redeemed from Egypt. The Exodus is not in the past, but in the eternal present. Knowing that God has kept that promise before may perhaps give us the strength to carry on.

Kabbalists understand the line differently. V’hi literally means ‘and she’, which the mystics understand to be a reference to the Shechinah, the feminine presence of God that accompanies us into exile, feels our pain and cries for our suffering.

In the face of a tide of antisemitism that has swept the world, it can be comforting to know that God is still with us, that the Shechinah has never abandoned Her people. Even in the hardest times, God is there, crying for Her children.

Still others note that when we say the V’hi She’amda section, it is customary to raise the kiddush cup in our hands. Perhaps the ‘this’ that has stood for our ancestors is the act of raising the glass, the act of making kiddush on shabbat and festivals, the act of finding joy in the darkness. When Jews drink it is traditional to toast ‘l’chaim!’, ‘to life!’.

We affirm the value of life even in the midst of suffering. When times are hard, the Jewish people can turn to the comfort of ritual acts, of the small details of halachah, Jewish law, to act as a comfort and a guide to life.

We declare that we are still alive, the Jewish people are still here, and we remain dedicated to God, as God keeps the divine promise to us and our ancestors.

‘I have loved every minute… but the time

has come for me to step down’

WIn the latest of our series of interviews with our region’s MPs, Pat Lidiker talks to Robert Halfon about his decision to leave Parliament

HEN popular Jewish MP Robert Halfon announced he was stepping down from the Government and not seeking re-election, it was met with genuine shock and surprise.

Not just among his Harlow constituents, fellow Tories, staff and many friends but the Jewish community as a whole.

Although Robert, like many MPs whether Jewish or not, had become a subject of security issues like hate mail and death threats, he insists this peril is not his reason for leaving.

He told The Essex Jewish News: “After 14 wonderful years in Parliament representing the people of Harlow, and many more before as a candidate, the time has come for me to step down.

“I have loved every minute of my time in the House of Commons and still care deeply about my major campaigns. These include building a better Harlow, cutting the cost of living and championing education, skills and apprenticeships which I look forward to continuing in one way or another outside of Parliament.”

Stepping down from a job they love is a huge step for anyone in their mid-50s with so much still to offer, but few more than Robert Halfon.

Born in North London with cerebral palsy and mobility difficulties, he developed a fighting determination.

Until now, rather than letting disability put paid to achieving a high-profile career, he developed an indomitable spirit and determination. During Covid he was classed as clinically vulnerable which further strengthened his resolve, including relying on Zoom to carry on working.

“When faced with adversity I often quote Golda Meir’s memorable advice

that “pessimism is a luxury that a Jew can never allow himself”, he says.

But the need for action has seldom seemed more essential than during the current surge of antisemitism. He told us: “Rather than physical, most of the attacks I’ve suffered have been online through social media and vile emails with swastikas and worse.”

He agrees that the recent arrival of George Galloway on the benches has attracted yet more antisemitism and Islamic extremism including that ProPalestinian message projected onto Big Ben.

Where freedom of speech should end in our democracy is still the hottest topic on the streets but Robert says he remains full of praise for the Prime Minister’s unexpected intervention in Downing Street.

He said: “Rishi really gets it! I am so proud to support his efforts to toughen up how the police and the law deal with extremism and by giving extra funding to the bodies that protect the Jewish community.”

While London has been declared a nogo zone for Jews at weekends because of the marches, his own Essex constituency, where he has lived for many years, is relatively peaceful and harmonious.

He added: “We have a beautiful, tranquil Holocaust Memorial Garden, active Reform and Chabad communities and Jewish membership continues to increase.

“Harlow also has a number of mosques which I visit regularly and always see good relationships developing. I do hear increasing support for Israel in cafes and on the streets but nobody can be immune.”.

From his position as Chair of the

Education Select Committee, he was a first-hand witness to dangers faced every day by Jewish School children and students, telling us: “The numbers of antisemitic attacks by fellow pupils and extremists are a constant concern but I, my committee, the chaplaincy, teachers and educational establishments work relentlessly on their behalf and their parents.”

Until the next election, Robert will continue to attend Parliament as usual, taking part in debates, but as a backbencher not a Government spokesperson. He will also continue to serve his constituents.

Whatever the voters decide, he Robert Halfon will be a hard act to follow in both his leadership and dedication to his constituents… and we wish him luck in wherever the future takes him.

‘Wes is an ally of the Jewish community’

Paula Shaffer on the Labour MPs lecture at Woodford Forest United Synagogue

TRADITIONALLY, Woodford Forest United Synagogue holds an annual lecture to commemorate the yahrzeit of Harold Weinberg, former treasurer and president, who passed away in 1986 at the age of 65.

This year, we were delighted to have as guest speaker Wes Streeting, who has been the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care since 2021, and Labour Member of Parliament for Ilford North since 2015.

Wes explained his journey from council house to House of Commons. He was born in Stepney in 1983 to teenage parents but raised mainly by his grandparents. Both grandfathers had a major influence on his life – as Essex Jewish News readers will know from the

interview he gave in the last issue.

Wes was obviously a bright boy but hugely benefited from supportive teachers and his competitive nature got him through all exams to lead him to Selwyn College, Cambridge. He became aware of antisemitism and anti-Zionism at University and visited Israel and Palestine to understand the differing views. He later served as President of the National Union of Students. His constituency of Ilford North has among the largest Jewish and Muslim populations in the UK. He is vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism and also co-chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, so has a very balanced view of the problems in the Middle East.

He told how he was very shocked at the rampant antisemitism under Jeremy Corbyn, and the abuse of Jewish MPs, but said he stayed on to keep up the Labour centre-left tradition and fight against Corbyn from the inside.

He accepts that the current situation in Israel and Gaza is deeply complicated but stressed he does believe in a twostate solution with a split Jerusalem, which wasn’t received that well by some in the audience.

Questions were quite diverse covering both the antisemitism we are seeing in the UK, as well as politics in general.

Overall, Wes came across as a very grounded, intelligent, compassionate MP and an ally of the Jewish community.

Robert Halfon MP during a day discussing crime and security with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Essex Police Commissioner Roger Hirst

Ban Israeli goods?

Then throw away that mobile phone and stop sending emails!

THIS column does not comment on the situation in the Middle East. By the time an opinion is formed and appears in the newspaper, the situation could have changed dramatically.

But what has been going on for months is the campaign for a boycott of all goods produced in Israel and also on international companies working in Israel.

These include household names like Hewlett Packard, Siemens, AXA, Puma and SodaStream. You can even buy ‘Ban Israeli Goods’ stickers online from outlets like eBay and Amazon – although to be fair they also sell ‘We Support Israel’ stickers, too.

The government’s Bill to outlaw Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) by public bodies against Israel was cleared and has now gone to the House of Lords.

But how long, I wonder, before some bright spark suggests a ban on some or all Jewish individuals and shops.

It has already started. In Vincenz, north-east Italy, a masked anti-Israel mob attacked police over the presence of a single Israeli stall at a jewellery trade fair, one of the biggest trade fairs in the jewellery business.

We have also seen the sacking of David Teeger as South Africa’s under 19s cricket team captain, although an alternative answer from them had been

VIEW FROM THE SIDELINES

By MANNY ROBINSON

that a security report had indicated safety concerns about the Jewish teenager’s presence as captain..

But, the boycott campaign apart, I couldn’t help but wonder as I saw those demonstrators in London and other cities around the world in recent months spouting their hate for Israel in general and the antisemitism that went with it marching along with their mobile phones glued to their ear while others took pictures of the marchers on the same mobile phones.

Well, if they hate Israel so much then they must discard their mobile phones because the technology was developed by a research team from Motorola in Israel.

According to the verygoodnewsisrael blogspot and other channels, the Jew haters must also turn off their voicemail service and delete any recorded messages because Israeli companies invented that system.

They shouldn’t use the internet to

search for answers, either, as that might involve an Israeli developed search engine.

The marchers can’t use Facebook because many in-built and add-on applications were developed in Israel.

Did they also know that taking pictures on a mobile phone was a Jewish discovery? As next month is National Inventors Month, now is as good a time, I think, to look at the tremendous input the Jews and Israel have made to the modern world.

Perhaps if we shouted a little bit more about the contribution Israel and the Jews have made to the planet the marchers calling for action against Israel and a ban on Israeli goods might like to think again.

Some of the most exciting inventions in recent years have been made by Israelis. For example, the USB flash drive for use on computers, the Mobile Eye that warns car drivers of any danger on the roads and the PillCam where doctors can see inside the digestive system of a patient without the need for painful or uncomfortable procedures.

Discoveries made by Jews include one by Philippe Kahn. He was born in Paris in 1952 and the birth of his daughter in 1997 marked the birth of new technology.

Kahn, whose mother was a Holocaust survivor, wanted to take a picture of the baby and send it to friends directly from the hospital. While in the waiting room, he fired up his computer, wrote some lines of codes, synchronized them with his Motorola mobile phone and digital camera, and created the world’s first

camera phone.

And while the Jew-haters were writing their venom with ball point pens, perhaps they didn’t realise that Laszlo Biro came up with the idea for the modern day ballpoint pen. He always had a problem with ink from fountain pens which smudged and took a long time to dry. But he noticed that the ink in newspaper printing presses – he worked as an editor for newspapers in Hungary – didn’t smudge and dried quickly.

Laszlo and his brother developed a new tip with a ball that moved freely in a pocket. The Biros presented the first working ballpoint pen at the Budapest International Fair in 1931.

Any other inventions by Jews? Well, Edwin Land, co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation, made it possible for pictures to be taken and developed almost immediately. His Polaroid camera could produce a finished picture in 60 seconds.

Evelyn Berezin, a New Yorker, with Jewish immigrant parents, designed the first word-processing computer. She also developed the first automated airline reservation system.

And if any of the demonstrators became ill they might have been treated with other Jewish inventions and discoveries like the kidney dialysis machine, the defibrillator and the pacemaker, the last two invented by the Jewish Paul Zoll.

If they had wanted to see themselves marching on different TV channels, they would have needed the television remote control... another Jewish invention.

The marchers shouldn’t eat cherry tomatoes because they were first developed in Israel.

Oh, by the way, the Israeli-haters can’t send emails because the system used today to send emails was developed by an Israeli working in Be’er Sheva in 1980.

Ban Jewish or Israeli inventions?

If that happened everyone would still be writing with a quill and sending messages by carrier pigeon!!!

Edwin Land, co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation

The defibrillator is thanks to Jewish innovation

By DR EMMA HARRIS

IPERSPECTIVE The Interfaith

N the introduction to the report, Jews in the UK Today (Institute for Jewish Policy Research, February 2024), Dr Jonathan Boyd, JPR’s Executive Director, wrote: “British Jews continue to grapple with the tension between being out and proud in multicultural Britain, and toning down or hiding their Jewishness for fear of standing out or falling victim to hostility.”

Dear Readers, do pause and reflect on this statement for a moment.

Can you relate to this statement? I know I can. My identity is something I have been thinking about recently. Who am I? The concept of identity is complex. What attributes and aspects define me?

Well, I am female. I am a daughter (well, now, more accurately, an orphan), a cousin, a friend, a colleague, a UCL alumna. I am single (just stating a fact. This is not an invitation for grandmothers or mothers to email me details of their single sons or grandsons.). I am British and I also consider myself European, so you know how I voted in the EU Referendum. Finally, and of course, last but by no means least, I am Jewish.

Each of us has multiple strands to our identity but how we choose to introduce ourselves at a first encounter or how our peers perceive us may only show a partial picture. My own multistrands often relate to my Jewish identity and the complexity of how and when I choose to be identified by my religion – ‘being out and proud’ of my Judaism within the workplace (with one selfimposed limitation) and hiding my faith elsewhere.

I am often envious of my female colleagues – Muslim and Jewish Orthodox – who proudly cover their hair, an open and honest acknowledgement of their faith for all to see.

How can I openly show my Jewishness? I am unmarried so I don’t wear a head covering. The only way to be recognised as Jewish is to wear my Magen David (Star of David). I am ashamed to say that I have not worn it for more than 30 years. After witnessing a couple of antisemitic incidents and hearing about others, I stopped wearing the one item that identified me as Jewish. No one actually stopped me from self-identifying as Jewish, but my fear overwhelmed any other decision I could have made.

Back in January, I was invited to give the opening address at the Cambridge Theological Federation Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration. As you may recall, the theme for HMD2024 was ‘Fragility of Freedom’.

As Pesach draws ever closer, I am mindful that this festival signifies freedom for the Jewish people but how do we define freedom, one of the most basic human needs? The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust identified several freedoms including the freedom to selfidentify.

The Commemoration’s audience consisted of staff and students from the Federation, an ecumenical collaboration of educational institutes engaged in the formation of Christian leaders. My work in interfaith – be it having meaningful

conversations and collaborating with incredible colleagues or engaging with students whom I teach or supervise –enables me to be open and comfortable speaking about my faith and practices.

To some extent, it’s working in a bubble – a very comfortable one. Yet, as I mentioned earlier, my one self-imposed limitation is that I cannot wear my Magen David even in the workplace. I know I am being contrary but by wearing this item, I feel I stand out too much.

At the Commemoration, I ascended the stage in the beautiful Dining Hall at Westminster College. All eyes were on me. For the first time, I was selfconscious of standing alone on this stage; one of a minority addressing the majority group. Standing there was not unusual for this occasion as I have offered a brief introduction at the start of the programme, having, over the years, facilitated the student group who organise this event.

This time was different though and not because I was giving the opening address. I was wearing a Magen David, my late mothers’, to be more accurate. I kept fidgeting with it. I just wasn’t used to wearing it.

I would like to share part of my address with you which explains the reasoning behind wearing the Magen David:

“I stand before you as part of a minority faith group. If the choir [local Jewish choir, Chol Echad] were not present, I may be the only Jew in this room. But I know – and have known for many years – that I am welcome and safe within the comforting walls of the Federation. But I don’t always feel like that. Because of antisemitic incidents in the neighbourhood where I grew up,

I have not worn my Star of David for more than 30 years. That small action challenged my identity; my freedom to self-identify. I was – and sometimes still am – uncomfortable acknowledging my Jewishness to strangers. After some time, I simply forgot about wearing my Star of David. That part of my identity, my heritage, hidden away, forgotten in the bottom of a jewellery box.

“But here today and for the first time in all these years, I wear it proudly, knowing that I will not be judged for my faith, my identity, my religion.

“I wear it proudly today acknowledging this year’s HMD theme, ‘Fragility of Freedom’. I do not live in a warzone. I should feel free to selfidentify, to walk down the streets of Cambridge and elsewhere in Britain and overseas, acknowledging my Jewishness.

“I am not naïve, though. With the Israel-Gaza conflict ongoing – and for which we pray for a speedy end – there has been an upsurge in Antisemitism in Britain. We live in challenging times. The fragility of my freedom, of the freedom of my friends and family is keenly felt with some considering moves away from the UK.

“We live in challenging times. For many around the world, the present day is dangerous and volatile. I wear my Star of David proudly today for those who do not have the freedom to pray, the freedom to acknowledge their faith, their religion, for those unable to visit their places of worship. I wear my Star of David proudly today for them all, irrespective of their faith. I stand with them today. I wear my Star of David proudly today for all those murdered during the Holocaust and

in subsequent genocides. I remember my mother’s family in Riga, my father’s family in Łódź, families – men, women and children – whose names and faces were lost in the gas chambers of Eastern Europe, who the Nazis wanted us all to forgot.

I sincerely believed – and still believe – every word I uttered that day but sadly, I have not worn the Magen David since. A colleague thanked me for my contribution to the event, saying I was brave. I didn’t feel brave. I felt it was something that I needed to say, something I needed to acknowledge in front of a large audience of Christian colleagues and students.

Whilst writing this column, I had read an article in The Jewish Chronicle about an incident during an anti-Israel rally. A Jewish man was approached by a police officer and asked to hide his Star of David to avoid triggering protestors. How disheartening to read that such incidents actually happen.

That is completely unacceptable. Can we no longer walk down the street without making a passerby angry?

And even if they do get angry, surely, that is their problem. Are we not free?

Are there limits to our religious freedom?

If I hide my religious identity, that is my choice, right or wrong, but if someone told me to hide, I really can’t imagine how I would react. Everyone should feel free to self-identify.

My Jewish identity is strongest when I am at work. That says a lot for the Woolf Institute, the Cambridge Theological Federation and my colleagues and students. For that, I am truly grateful and maybe some time soon, I will feel able to wear my Magen David again.

The lasting effects of the Holocaust

Pat Lidiker talks to Susie Barnett about how the Shoah severed her family forever

HOLOCAUST Memorial Day (HMD) is inevitably a time for bitter memories of when the Nazis tore millions of Jewish families apart in Europe. But survivors are finding it even more poignant in 2024, as they see so many parts of the world become engulfed once more in a surge of antisemitism.

Former teacher Susie Barnett BEM was this year’s HMD speaker at East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue in South Woodford and spoke about her own family’s past.

She told the Essex Jewish News: “The survival of anyone Jewish from Germany, Austria or other countries occupied by the Nazis during World War II was a miracle. That all my immediate family – myself, three siblings and both my parents – made our way separately to England was a miracle several times over.

“The outcome, though, was a family divided, never happy and one I never truly felt a part of.”

When Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933, it destroyed the comfortable, middle-class life of her parents, two sisters and brother who were living in Hamburg.

Susie arrived in 1938 but before she was even born her father was arrested and taken to the notorious Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

She said: “Things could not have been worse, my mother was pregnant with me, had little money, was forbidden to travel and had to walk over two miles to the hospital where I was born. It was little wonder my much older siblings never fully bonded with me.

“Then, after eight terrible months of unimaginable cruelty, my father was released on condition he left Germany within a month. My mother had obtained

Susie Barnett is a regular speaker for the Holocaust Educaional Trust

a one-way ticket to Shanghai where more than 20,000 Jewish refugees found safety. There he was imprisoned for eight years, half of them under harsh Japanese occupation.”

Other family members, including her grandparents, were among the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis.

Susie’s three siblings escaped to England on the Kindertransport while a cousin arranged for Susie and her mother to follow. But any hopes of

New book raises money for blood cancer charity

AWOODFORD Green author has published his latest work –the poetry anthology Learning from Life – with all profits going to blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan.

Howard Robinson, already an author of four novels, said that he made the decision after his 32-year-old son-in-law was one of the thousands helped each year by Anthony Nolan.

After being suddenly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2021, his son-in-law received a stem cell transplant in 2022, thanks a worldwide appeal for a donor by the charity. He is now clear, but still receiving treatment once a month at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

Howard said: “Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with blood cancer. The charity uses its register to match

potential stem cell donors to blood cancer and blood disorder patients in need of stem cell transplants. It also carries out pioneering research to increase stem cell transplant success and supports patients through their transplant journeys.

“I know this first hand, as Anthony Nolan organised a lifesaving cell transplant for my son-in-law, the donation coming from a 29-year-old unknown man in the United States. There are no words available in which we can thank him.’’

The anthology, containing more than 30 poems, was written by Howard over a period of years.

• Learning from Life is available now from Amazon, priced £10. Other works by Howard Robinson are ‘The Bitterest Pill’, ‘Micah Seven Five’. ‘The Sixth Republic’ and ‘Know Your Own Darkness’

rekindling their old lives was doomed when war broke out a few a few weeks later and her family was destined never to live together again.

“I was placed into foster homes and children’s hostels until I was nine,” Susie told us. “Finally my father managed to get to England from Shanghai and, eventually, my parents and I did live together but without my older sisters and brother.

“We were all safe, but my siblings and I never spent a single night under the same roof.”

Susie, now 85, found true happiness when she met and married her husband 60 years ago and says she felt valued for the first time in her life. They have two children and four grandchildren and for much of their marriage lived in Woodford.

She went on to become a secondary school teacher and, to complete the circle, after retirement began speaking for the Holocaust Educational Trust.

Like numerous other survivors, she has been telling her unique story to enlighten new generations on the horrors of what the Nazis did.

Susie – who was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2020 for her services to Holocaust Education –concluded: “I have now given well over 100 talks to more than 10,000 students and others in schools, colleges, universities, synagogues, churches, council chambers, libraries and other institutions.

“I never spoke about my experiences until my retirement. I had to face a lot of reality but I decided to tell my story. It is important for the next generation to

Susie at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party after receiving her BEM

hear it.

“Antisemitism is on the rise, and it is important to realise the Nazis did not start off by killing people, it all started with words and actions.”

Helping people with disabilities continue to live in their homes

By SAMMY SUMMERS

JEWISH Blind and Disabled’s Independent Living Advisory Service (ILA) takes many calls from people who would like to continue living at home but know they need to make some vital changes to ensure their place remains safe, easy to get around and fully accessible.

The ILA’s occupational therapists are able to provide assessments for any adult from the community living with sight loss or physical disability and based in Essex. Once the occupational therapist visits your home and assess your needs, they are then able to suggest a safe way to adjust your home and retain your much-valued independence.

After the free assessment visit, the occupational therapist will then send a full report of recommendations for any aids or home adaptations they feel will help the client. The ILA team will then support the client to access these aids.

Jewish Blind and Disabled CEO Lisa Wimborne told The Essex Jewish News: “Many of the local authorities in London

have occupational therapy waiting lists of over 18 months.

“Our Independent Living Advisory Service is another example of how we as a community are plugging the gaps to ensure people have the help they need to live safely in their own home.

“We are able to provide this service thanks to the generosity of people in our community, along with some synagogue congregations who kindly chose to support this project in their Kol Nidrei appeals.”

One example of how the ILA have helped our community can be found by looking at Michele’s story.

Michele, who is in her late 60s and lives in Gants Hill, recently found her life abruptly change when she sadly became unable to walk and had to face a new future as a wheelchair user. As well as facing a life-changing diagnosis, Michele also had to tackle the very real difficulty of using a wheelchair in her home that was not designed to accommodate one.

Thanks to the ILA, Michele is now looking forward to major building works this spring, with her bathroom being converted into a wet room and having her kitchen doorway widened. And after the ILA’s in-depth Occupational Therapist report, the local council will also be covering the cost.

Michele tells us: “I felt fantastic when Shelly, the OT, told me the council had approved everything in her report. I was stunned they’d agreed to pay for everything.

“When Shelly assessed my home. she couldn’t believe I was living without being able to use the kitchen. Now, I’m so glad I heard about the ILA from someone at Jewish Care, because it means I don’t have to leave my lovely flat – and I’m so excited about getting a kitchen I can actually enter and a bathroom I can use properly.”

Matza-tastic reads for kids this Passover

THE one book all families will be reading this Pesach is, of course, the Haggadah. But to add a little something extra… The Essex Jewish News teamed up with PJ Library, the Jewish children’s book experts, for a glimpse of some titles that younger members of the family will enjoy.

Passover Is Coming by Tracy Newman is the perfect start to get babies and toddlers in the mood for matzah. The simple rhyming board book is a great introduction to the key elements of the seder.

Nursery-aged kids will love Pippa’s Passover Plate, a sweet tale of a little mouse who is searching for her

precious Seder plate, calling on her friends for help along the way.

Alone Together on Dan Street is a very moving story about a girl who is trying to learn Ma Nishtana during the Covid pandemic. It takes the reader back to 2020 when the world was suddenly dealing with working (and parenting) from home and especially the challenges that many Jewish people encountered on that first night of Pesach.

Finally, if you are looking for a book for slightly older kids The Longest Night is a powerful first-person telling of the Exodus Story. The images help to evoke the dramatic elements of the events

been able to stay in her own home thanks to the ILA

As well as the larger items, the ILA will also recommend smaller aids and adaptations such as handrails, kitchen gadgets, toilet seat raisers and

perching stools.

To apply for an assessment visit www.jbd.org/ila

and even make for a great script for those kids who like to put on a Pesach play for the family.

For those who want some activities to keep the young ones busy – the PJ Library Pesach Hub is ready with recipes, help in teaching kids the Ma Nishtana and Pesach music to singalong to while the kids are cleaning or laying the table.

We particularly loved the beautifully designed seder night card game. Print it off, cut out the colourful cards in advance, and put one card on each place setting.

Visit the Hub at www.PJLibrary.org. uk/Pesach to find out more.

Michele has

One of JBD’s occupational therapists at work

FOCUS ON Chabad Epping

By LAURA SHONE

WHEN Rabbi Yossi Posen, his wife Rivka, and their three children first arrived in Epping in summer 2019, the idea that more than 250 people would attend a Purim party in the town might instantly have been dismissed as nothing more fanciful than the festival’s traditional spiels.

However, fast forward five years and the Epping community is one of Essex’s fastest-growing, warmly welcoming Jews from across the local area as well as nearby towns including Ongar, North Weald and Harlow.

The Posens are now a family of six, following the arrival of Zelda in 2021, and have worked hard to create what Rabbi Yossi, 30, describes as “a safe space in these challenging times”.

He said: “Families across our community now have children who are excited to be Jewish. Our story is one of love, wellbeing, finding meaning and celebration in Judaism, even for those that expected to find it the least.

“We create connections and have all worked hard together to foster the future of Jewry in this part of Essex by engaging the next generation and their parents and grandparents in our warmth and fun.”

One example of such a warm, welcoming and fun event was the recent Purim ‘Shuk’ party held at Epping Hall, which featured fancy dress, live music and stalls filled with sweets and spices plus plenty of sparkling wine direct from Israel.

The area’s local CTeen Club is also going from strength to strength with 20 active members, some of whom went on a Purim trip to Stamford Hill. “The boys partied into the early hours of the morning and couldn’t believe you could walk into any house and just eat, drink, sing and dance,” Rabbi Yossi says. “This is how we build a strong Jewish infrastructure across the area, by reaching out to all ages.”

Since the events in Israel of 7 October 2023, Chabad of Epping has been at the forefront when it comes to helping Jewish teens deal with the challenges they face from antisemitism, both online and in school.

“It’s very special to have such a strong youth group in Essex,” remarks Jonty Williams, one of the Teen leaders. “We are people from all different backgrounds being brought together through Judaism,” adds fellow Teen leader Yaniv Cohen.

Elsewhere within the Epping community, a new book club was recently created by the Ladies Committee and will

meet every six weeks with Rivka regularly holding events such as Challah Bakes, Ladies’ Evenings and Kids’ Cooking.

For men, there have been salt beef evenings, topical talks and even a Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur choir practice. A small men’s group also recently returned from accompanying the Rabbi on a three-day trip to Poland.

Communal Friday night dinners for both teens and adults have also provided a chance for those who may not be regular shulgoers to experience Epping’s own traditional Shabbat welcome.

Jonathan Weinberg was one of those who attended a dinner late last year. He explains: “I don’t really do shul but it was lovely to be around other Jews enjoying food and good chat. We were also honoured to have Rabbi Posen’s father, mother and brother attend that night too and they were full of pride at what Epping’s Jewish community has become.”

Chabad of Epping is completely locally funded, with all events made possible by donations and partners. Other regulars on its monthly programme include Torah classes, Monday afternoon’s Epping Cheder and a first Shabbat of the month community service that celebrates the diversity of its members.

So far, these have included Greece and India with South Africa, Ukraine, Israel and Morocco planned for later this year. A talk on the heritage and Jewish traditions from each country is followed by a kiddush with food themed to match what’s eaten in that part of the world.

Rabbi Yossi also visits local primary and secondary schools to educate the wider community about Judaism and offers support to any Jewish student body that exists within the area’s schools.

Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah classes can be arranged with the Posens directly while exclusive events catering to the many Israelis in Essex happen frequently.

“Our kids are now happy and proud to be Jewish,” exclaims a delighted Lauren, one of Chabad of Epping’s many Young Family members. “It is an amazing place where we can all develop our Judaism journey together.”

To find out more about the upcoming programme - which includes Shabbat Around the World and the annual summer BBQ, see www.jewishepping.com/events.

• If you, or someone you know, would benefit from being part of the Chabad of Epping community, or if you’d like to donate or become a partner, please call

Rabbi Yossi directly on 07496 504 345.

Chabad Southend is booming too

CHABAD Southend has been running a number of events for members and locals of all ages, including monthly lessons and activities based around festivals.

Talking about their February and March schedule, Rabbi Tzvi Birnhack said: “Our learning group explored authentic joy in the month of Adar with a lesson on true happiness unveiled.

“We also held a number of events as part of our memorable Purim

programme – including crafting delicious Hamantashen with a unique twist and a joyful Cteen event where we explored Purim traditions, told the Megillah’s story, painted masks and had a blast together.”

Rabbi Tzvi and his family arrived in Southend from Israel to bring new energy to Chabad’s outreach in the area. He added: “We came to bring everyone together and bring in light, happiness and energy.”

60 Second Schmooze: Deli to the Door

THE Deli Dollies Hannah Frankel and Simone Ferman are two nice Jewish girls from Essex with a passion for Jewish food. Their business, Deli to the Door, offers traditional heimeshe fare prepared by them and delivered to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Simone took time out to from cooking up a storm to speak to Micaela Blitz.

How did you meet?

Although Hannah and I were both ‘dragged up’ in Essex from babies, we didn’t know of each other until we met and worked together at a local deli. Hannah in the kitchen making delicious nosh and myself front of house always with smile on my face for all the customers.

When and how did you come up with the idea of Deli to the Door?

After the deli unfortunately closed down, we knew there was still a need for that style of food in the area, so we decided to go into business together.

Deli to the Door was born in April 2023 and we are celebrating our first birthday. We can’t believe how quickly the time has passed.

Where do you get your recipes from?

All of our recipes are a closely guarded secret as they have been passed down through the generations and adapted by us to make them even better… although we’ve had to de-code some questionable handwriting along the way! What has been the response to your business?

It’s been amazing. Our Facebook page and website are full of wonderful reviews written by our customers. People have all been absolutely amazing in supporting us with our little business and have given us the most incredible feedback about our food. It makes all the hard work in the kitchen worth the while.

Cookery

By SHELLEY POSNER

WE all have special memories of our family’s Pesach Seders; a table filled with family, friends and loved ones, all sharing the experience of reliving the Exodus with songs and stories.

When it comes to food, these days our menus are far more extensive – with an enormous amount of choice that just wasn’t available when we were growing up.

I still like to cook my own meals and cakes using the traditional recipes handed down over the generations. But I also like to add some more modern alternatives that I have added to my Pesach repertoire. Some have worked –some have not. Below are a few of the ones that have been successful:

MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE

This delicious dish can be made either as a starter or a light lunch, and is easy to prepare.

Meatballs:

1 kg / 2 lb minced beef, lamb or chicken

1 onion finely chopped

1 medium potato grated and drained of liquid in a sieve

2 tbsp medium matza meal

1 tbsp margarine or vegetable oil

2 eggs well beaten

Salt and pepper

1 tsp dried mixed herbs

Oil for frying

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together – easiest by hand - and season well. Refrigerate for around 30 minutes to firm up. Take a tablespoon of mixture and form into a ball around the size of a small plum. The balls can then be shallow fried until golden brown. Then arrange them in a single layer in a shallow oven proof dish.

You will need a heavy-based non-stick frying pan around 20 cm / 8 in with a lid. Heat two tablespoons of the oil in the pan, add the sliced onion and garlic and fry over a medium heat for 5 minutes until golden. Add the peppers and potatoes and mix together well. Season with salt and pepper and cover with the lid. Lower the heat and cook gently for around 15-20 minutes until the potatoes and cooked through. Meanwhile beat the eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. When the vegetables are soft remove from the heat and add them to the eggs in the bowl. Mix well together.

Wipe the pan clean then add the remaining oil. Carefully pour in the egg mixture and scatter over the parsley. Cook over a medium heat until the sides and the base is set and lightly golden brown – this will take around 1015 minutes. Make sure that the base of the tortilla moves around freely before turning it out. If you don’t want to flip it over, at this point put the pan in the oven at 180 degrees and cook until the top is set and golden brown. Otherwise, carefully slide the tortilla out onto a plate. put the pan over the top of it and flip it back into the pan. Cook the other side for 4-5 minutes until golden all over and just set. Slide onto a serving plate, sprinkle with more parsley and serve at once cut into wedges.

FLOURLESS

CHOCOLATE LIME CAKE

150g dark chocolate (70% solids) chopped

150g soft unsalted butter (you can also make this in a parev version by using a well-flavoured margarine)

6 eggs

250g caster sugar

100g ground almonds

4 tsp best-quality cocoa powder

Zest and juice of 1 lime

What are people’s favourite meals to order?

Our best sellers have to be our homemade chicken soup – complete with kneidels, lockshen and carrots – as well as our delicious latkes and fluffy sweet fish balls. Anyone who’s tried them will tell you how full of flavour they all are.

Is your food kosher?

We aren’t kosher as we are not supervised so we describe ourselves as Jewish Style.

What areas do you cover?

We currently offer delivery every Friday to Abridge, Barkingside, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Chingford, Clayhall, Collier Row, Fairlop, Gants Hill, Hainault, Harold Hill, Harold Wood, Havering, Highams Park, Leyton, Loughton, Newbury Park, Redbridge, Romford, South Woodford, Theydon Bois, Waltham Abbey, Walthamstow, Wanstead and Woodford. We’ve just started trialling deliveries in Brentwood, Ongar, Rayleigh, Southend and Westcliff too.

What are your hopes for the future of Deli to the Door?

We’d love to be able to expand even further afield with our deliveries so that more of the community can enjoy our fabulous Jewish style nosh.

And finally, the most important question of all… is it beigel or bagel? Most definitely beigel!

Preheat oven to 160 deg C / 325 deg F / Gas 3 at once on a bed of rocket leaves.

Tomato sauce:

1 onion finely chopped

1 celery stalk finely chopped

1 clove of garlic finely chopped

1 tin of chopped tomatoes – or use a tin of Passover tomato and mushroom sauce

Juice of half a lemon

2 tsp sugar

½ tsp dried mixed herbs

1 bay leaf

½ a cup of beef stock or water

Salt & pepper

Use the oil from the meatballs to fry the onion, celery and garlic. Pour in the remaining ingredients and season well. Pour this sauce over the meatballs. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the oven for around an hour, basting the balls two or three times with the sauce. This is nice served with plenty of mashed potato.

VEGETABLE TORTILLA

3 tbsp olive oil

1 onion thinly sliced

1 clove garlic finely chopped

½ red and/or yellow pepper finely diced

225 gr / 8 oz potatoes peeled and finely diced

4 large eggs

1 tbsp finely chopped parsley or other fresh herbs

Salt and pepper

Icing sugar to dust

Preheat the oven to 180o C/Gas Mark 4

Line the base of a 21 cm springform tin with baking parchment and butter the sides.

Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl suspended over a pan of simmering water and then set aside to cool slightly.

Beat together the eggs and sugar until doubled in volume using a mixer or hand-held whisk. You can do it by hand but it needs a great deal of elbow grease.

Mix the ground almonds together with the cocoa powder and fold this gently into the egg mixture, followed by the chocolate and butter mixture.

Finally fold in the zest and juice of the lime.

Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake in the over for 40-45 minutes (check it at 35 minutes first). The cake should be firm on top but slightly soft underneath. Remove from the oven and set the cake tin on a wire rack to cool. After 5 minutes drape a tea towel over the tin to stop it getting too crusty, although the surface will crack a little which is to be expected.

When the cake is completely cold remove from the tin and dust with icing sugar.

OBITUARIES

AL FRESCO By DANNY FRESCO

IKNOW that my dad, Al Fresco, was well-known in the taxi trade through his writing, but to me and my brother Gavyn, he was always just our dad.

Judging by the large number of cab drivers among the mourners that attended his funeral, he was highly thought of. But that shouldn’t be a surprise because he loved our trade and always spoke highly of it whenever he was speaking to journalists.

Dad got his Green Badge in 1966, but he always told friends that his proudest day was when I completed the Knowledge in 2000 and that there were then two of us driving London taxis!

Although Gavyn went in a different direction, dad always used to take us both to the London Taxi Driver of the Year Show and we’d watch while he actually took part. He usually represented

MELVYN ZEFF

MELVYN ZEFF was one of the great community leaders of our time, contributing to a range of activities and causes as well as being a loving and devoted family man.

He was involved in his local primary school’s PTA, organising events and raising large amounts of funds. He also became a Justice of the Peace at Redbridge Magistrates Court where he served for many years and was well known as a toastmaster at weddings, bar/ batmitzvahs and other simchas.

Over a period of 40 years, Melvyn served in various roles at Ilford Federation Synagogue, initially as security officer with the most recent

the Radio Taxis group (Mountview) where their three drivers would go through the various tasks needed to win the show and cup. Usually dad would finish third of the three, but he didn’t mind. Gavyn and I loved it.

Another small example of how much he loved the business came in 2000 when I needed to find a cab to start my career as a taxi driver. He took me straight to Jimmy Allen at North Eastern Motors and in all honesty, I had never seen him look prouder than when he told Jimmy who I was.

Perhaps things were slightly different back then because the taxi trade were looked upon as the icons that we were and we could do things that perhaps we couldn’t get away with nowadays. For example, he’d occasionally take Gavyn and me to work with him where we’d be

HARRY ‘HERSHAL’ REUBEN

HARRY REUBEN (known to many as Hershal), was one of the outstanding and popular golfers at Abridge Golf and Country Club.

He became the 25th captain of Abridge and later its chairman.

A superb squash player, Harry and his wife Fay did not join Abridge until he was 40 years old and became an equally excellent golfer.

Born in Whitechapel on 2nd June 1934 to Bella Berman and Joseph

Reuben, Harry was the youngest of four children.

He left Cassland Road Secondary School at the age of 15 when Harry’s father took him to a tailoring factory, which he hated. After two days he left and started work in an accountancy firm. Through evening classes and correspondence courses. he became a successful Certified Accountant going on to become a Fellow of The Chartered Governance Institute.

He joined a furniture company in Edmonton as the Financial Director and retired three times before finally agreeing that enough was enough at the age of 80!

Harry met his wife Fay (nee Goldstein) at Hackney Girls and Boys Club when he was 16 and they were married in 1957 when Harry was 23 and Fay 19.

The couple bought their first house in South Woodford. In 1970 and then moved to Loughton. becoming members of Loughton Synagogue.

Harry was known for his kindness, wise words, quick wit and dry humour, with many quotable sayings that will outlive him!.

He is survived by his wife, Fay, to whom he was married for 76 years, daughters Lisa and Sharon, son-in-law Howard, granddaughters Georgia, Ruby and Sadie and great granddaughter Maisie.

inside and always got tips.

Then there were the times when we’d see each other in our cabs. Not just a friendly wave to me for my dad; he would leave his cab and chase me down the street. If he caught me in the traffic, he’d give me a kiss. The passengers always seemed to love it.

Of course, he had his serious side as well and that usually involved his writing. He edited Taxi Trade Times, London Taxi Times and the long standing title of Steering Wheel – which he controversially renamed The Cab Driver. But the decision proved to be correct because many used to not bother taking the mag as they hadn’t realised it was a taxi magazine.

Al also edited Mountview News and wrote anonymously for his friend Alan Fisher in Dial-a-Cab’s Call Sign, sharing the nom-de-plume of JP Duval. Back then, the thought of a Mountview driver writing in a DaC mag might not have gone down too well, so the duo created some anonymous names for dad.

Although dad had been retired for some time following a short stint at driving part-time, I often got stopped by fellow drivers to ask how dad was. They usually said they felt as though they knew

being chair. It was in this role that he guided the community through the difficult period of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Melvyn’s charitable, fundraising and volunteering work escalated when he retired as a London cab driver. He helped a great number of children through the Kids in Need charity as well as working two days a week at Queen’s Hospital in Romford. This charitable and fundraising work was recognised when he received the Freedom to The City of London.

A keen Spurs supporter, his passion of sport also led him to become a volunteer steward at Lord’s Cricket

dad, mum and us just from his stories. It was his illness that eventually stopped his driving and he missed it terribly. He loved talking to the passengers and often found interesting stories that way.

Sadly, dad has passed away now and the trade has moved into a different direction with fewer and fewer drivers knowing anyone else but just going out to work and then just going home at the end. Dad could have made a good story out of that…

Ground.

Melvyn will be remembered by many as a kind, loyal and selfless man. As a board member at Ilford Federation Synagogue, he offered guidance and support when asked - he never refused to help!

Many people benefitted from his good work, generosity, kindness and brilliant sense of humour

He is survived by his wife Jackie, daughters Lesley and Hayley, son Richard, son-in-law Yanni, daughter-in-law Hayley and his grandchildren Adoni, Hope, Sofia and Ethan.

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