Shofar July/August 2019

July-August 2019

Shofar

‫שופר‬

the magazine of finchley progressive synagogue

Putting the Fun into Fundraising!

Opinion Piece

paul silver-myer

from anti-zionism to zion, in 30 days

At the end of April, I facilitated a shiur about anti-Zionism on the Left, under Jeremy Corbyn.

We discussed its three-pronged approach to Israel. Firstly, its political programme – not two states for two peoples, but the abolition of the Jewish homeland. So rather than Palestine alongside Israel they desire Palestine instead of Israel. Secondly, its demonising intellectual discourse, i.e. ‘Zionism is racism’; Israel is a ‘settler-colonialist state’ that ‘ethnically cleansed’ the ‘indigenous’ people and went on to build an ‘apartheid state’ that is now engaged in an ‘incremental genocide’ against the Palestinians. Thirdly, a presence within a global social movement (the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions, or BDS) to exclude one state— and only one state—from the economic, cultural, and educational life of humanity. We acknowledged this as being the real concern about Corbyn, who doesn’t so much as indulge in antisemitism himself, but who has a record of indulging the antisemitism of others, especially when it comes to wearing an ‘Israel’ badge.

Further, the tolerance of antisemitism within Labour is indicative of something rotten within the soul of the Party.

Needless to say, there are traditional Labour voters who dissociate themselves from the above Shofar is always interested in hearing your news and including photos of FPS members, and their families, near and far.

We welcome your articles on any relevant topic. Please send these to shofar@fps.org 2

views and yet nevertheless feel discomfort with some of Israel’s policies. With these thoughts in mind, Sharon, the kids and I, flew to Israel to celebrate a family wedding at the end of May. The ‘kids’ Eden (28), Jake (26), and Jake’s Catholic girlfriend, Hazel, had yet to visit the country as adults and so when, 30 days earlier, we had raised five cups at our family Seder and declared that “next month (we will be) in Jerusalem” it felt exciting, if slightly surreal.

Taking an Airbnb overlooking Independence Park we found ourselves next door to the US Embassy with Israeli security guards in attendance 24/7. For me at least, being in Israel felt safe and welcoming as if I had come home (again). The sight of kippot, tzitzit, and sheitels, as well as the omnipresent Israeli flags, felt comfortably normal in comparison to similar sights in London that leave me feeling a little awkward. We undertook the tourist sights: Yad Vashem, the Knesset, Masada, the Dead Sea, via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Garden of Gethsemane, the old City with its tunnels, as well as its overview from Mount Scopus. But there were a couple of occasions that brought me back to Zion, and to anti-Zionism.

The first was when we toured the Hadassah Medical Centre at Ein Kerem, where my greataunt and great-uncle who came to Palestine from Germany in 1935, were treated. It is also where they died. We sat in the synagogue looking up at Chagall’s stained-glass windows of the twelve sons of Jacob, letting the fusion

Cover: Dinner Team; left to right: Mark & Deborah Laikin, Katy Jackson, Sarah & Lionel Derriey, Anjy Pavell

Continued on page 12 Copy deadline is the 10th of each month. Please email all content to shofar@fps.org

From the Rabbi

rabbi rebecca birk

summer reading

Three possessions should you prize: a field, a friend, and a book.

Hai Gaon, Head of Bet Din in 998 CE When biblical texts talk of the summer months around the fast day of Tisha B’Av, the scene is of parched, dry, and empty landscapes. The mourning accompanying 17 Tammuz and the 9 Av (for the destructions of both temples, and indeed all disasters that have befallen the Jewish people) feels right and appropriate in the unbearable heat of Jerusalem in August.

But for us in the green meadows of the UK, it feels wholly different. Nevertheless, summer can play a part in our Jewish and spiritual cycle of life.

For the High Holy Days to have meaning, we need only think of our life, of what brings us joy, and what joy we can bring to others. These imperative reflections will prepare us. The 17 Tammuz is the day when the Romans apparently breached the walls in Jerusalem during the first century. A metaphorical way to approach this historical image is to see it as the breaching and opening of our hearts as we prepare to consider, reflect, renew, over the summer. In that way, we are able to approach the High Holy Days with an accepting heart.

We might do this by resting, taking our holiday, slowing down. We might be cliff walking in Wales, or swimming in Cornwall (stopping off to visit our oldest synagogue in Penzance).

But probably all of us will slow down, have that extra cup of coffee after breakfast – and read, as advised by Hai Gaon, when we would not usually have time. Ibn Tibbon, a 12th C Spanish Rabbi wrote a wonderful ethical will for his son. in which he brings together books as a metaphor

for gardens, along with the precious element of time: “Make books your companions; let your bookshelves be your gardens: bask in their beauty, gather their fruit, pluck their roses, take their spices and myrrh. And when your soul be weary, change from garden to garden, and from prospect to prospect.”

As we go into the summer, as work slows down, as schools break up, as LJY Netzer takes our children on Kadimah, Kayitz, and Israel Tour, take time. Take time.

PS: Let’s share book lists and reading ideas.

Bring back your opinions and perspectives for a Post-Summer Book Club in September. Watch out for the date!

WOW! With the help of our Dinner Committee (front cover), FPS raised over £27,400! Thank you for supporting the fundraiser, and it’s good to know we can do it and support our community in this way. Thank you for all your generosity and thank you Richard Greene for a superb interview and making Ed feel so at home here!

Right to left: Rabbi Rebecca, Ed Balls, Rabbi Danny Rich, Simon Benscher (Chair of Liberal Judaism)

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From the Chair Last month I wrote about gratitude and how my favourite prayer was Modim Anachnu Lach. This month I know that the community and Board want to express how grateful we are to Rabbi Rebecca for having the idea for a Fundraiser Dinner at FPS, and for the immense amount of work she did to make it so successful.

It was a joyful and wonderful evening (I’ve been told) and over £27,400 was raised. As well as continuing with her usual duties, Rebecca was involved in most of the tasks needed to make this such a great event. Our Rabbi has intellect, warmth, and empathy – to name but a few of her qualities. If anyone noticed the pristine tablecloths at the event, these were ironed by

cathy burnstone

our Rabbi! So thank you, Rabbi Rebecca, for everything you did, and continue to do, to make FPS such a vibrant community.

We are very grateful to our staff, Pauline, Zoe, and Angela.

Again, in addition to their considerable day to day workload, they took on many extra tasks to enable the fundraiser’s success. We’re also grateful to the organising committee for helping to make this such a memorable event.

outgoing treasurer’s report

As my short tenure as Treasurer has now concluded I thought it appropriate to recount the previous year and to welcome Chris Nash as our new Treasurer.

There has been a deficit in the accounts for the last three years. This has had the effect of eroding our legacy money, and needs to be addressed by raising more funds. All council members felt that it would be neither in the interests of FPS nor practical to lower costs by reducing staff. We are already down to the bare bones. The staff do an admirable job in keeping on top of expenses and vigilantly monitoring invoices to keep costs to a minimum.

Most of the congregation will be aware that a piece of land with planning adjacent to the back exit of FPS was on offer last year. After extensive enquiries it was felt that any development of the site by FPS could compromise security. The

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matter has now been dropped. Fundraising and legacy money is the key to our future when it comes to investing in the structure of the existing FPS building. We have a friendly and welcoming community with a wonderful Rabbi and the only let-down is our structure. There are committees in place now looking specifically at fund raising options in order to finance fundamental changes to our building.

The Ed Balls dinner, initiated by Rabbi Rebecca, was an amazing success and hopefully similar events will occur on a regular basis. Our goal must be to raise significant funds so we can make the changes that are required. I feel optimistic for the future and am positive that we will achieve our aims. I hope still to influence things in that direction, from behind the scenes.

Wishing everyone success and best wishes.

Melvyn Newman

FPS Fundraising Dinner with Ed Balls D

avid Hume, the 18th century social philosopher, remarked that communities grow “when we start working together … the real healing takes place when we start spilling our sweat, and not our blood”. Hume may not have been referring to the FPS fundraising dinner with Ed Balls in May, but he might have recognised the communal labour of love exhibited that evening. Many people put in countless hours paying microscopic attention to detail. We were entertained by Dean and Franklyn, then Dan and Gabi, dined by the Syrian kitchen, waited upon by our young students, motivated by a fundraising speech by Rebecca, and given an insight into our guest speaker, Ed Balls, by journalist and FPS member, Richard Greene (pictured).

The ex-MP and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer was generous with his time, giving us a precis of his life both before, during, and after his vocation as a politician, particularly

paul silver-myer

regarding his balletic prowess during Series 14 of Strictly Come Dancing. He was honest and open, funny and articulate, and whether you agreed with his politics or not, he came across

as a real mensch.

Our desire to tweak FPS’s approach to its financial culture and to be more explicit in raising funds for the multi-various events and services the synagogue puts on, was given a serious helping hand by the generosity of our members and their guests who, through ticket sales, sponsorship, auction items, and donations, raised in excess of £27,000. Thank you. And thank you to all the fundraising committee—Anjy, Deborah, Sarah and Lionel, Karen, and Katy—for your hard work, for you also showed that whilst we are all individuals, when we have a common goal to work towards, we can achieve so much more. And in such great spirit too.

Photo: Left: Students Ella and Ruben with catering staff, all holding rice dishes; Right: Richard Greene and Ed Balls.

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FPS People people welcome to new members

Lenka & Parminder Kholi with Mayah and congratulations to Lenka who celebrated her adult Bat Mitzvah in June july & august congratulations to

Tiffany Lyle-Trenner & Amir Jirbandey who will be married on 7 July Samantha Harris & Mike Waywell who will be married on 25 August Danny Rich & Laura Lassman on the birth of Levi Blue, a son for Tom and Victoria. Levi will be blessed at FPS on 27 July Laura & Jonty O’Connor whose baby Elijah will be blessed at FPS on 17 August Our fabulous KT class on their graduation the following members celebrating milestone birthdays in july & august

Miriam Bixer, Helene Bryer, Ivor Cole, Angela Stern, Diane Block, Corinne Vaughan, Aaron Kazab, Irene Kahan, Joan Shopper, Nigel Reese, Michael Pierce, Ofra Rosenwasser, Trisha Curtis,

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Eyal Pavell, Anjy Pavell, James Woolf, Marion Levy, Michelle Golding also to

Marc & Rikke Susgaard Vigon celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary, Alex & Paula Kinchin-Smith their 20th, Tami Nettler & Elad Levin their 25th, Angela & Paul Wharton their 45th, and Ruth & Ronnie Hirsch their 50th condolences to

Beverley Aarons and family on the death of David in June stone setting

The stone setting for Devorah Barnett will take place on 7 July at Edgwarebury Cemetery (Joyce Lucas is hosting an FPS Kiddush in her memory on 13 July) 50/50 club draws, june winners:

1st 2nd 3rd

Jess Lichtenstern Barbara Shulman Ben Golan

£20 £15 £10

Beit Tefillah

services at fps

services- july / tamuz leading into tisha b’av Friday 5 July

7.00pm Pride Service in collaboration with FPS

Saturday 6 July

11.00am B’Yachad and Pet Service

Friday 12 July*

6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday 13 July

11.00am Shabbat Service followed by Kiddush in memory of Devorah Barnett

Friday 19 July

6.30pm Shabbat Resouled

Saturday 20 July

11.00am Shabbat Service

Friday 26 July

6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday 27 July

11.00am Shabbat Service including baby blessing for Levi Blue Rich

services- august / tisha b’av leading into elul Friday 2 August

6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday 3 August

11.00am Shabbat Service

Friday 9 August

6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday 10 August

11.00am Shabbat Service

Friday 16 August

6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday 17 August

11.00am Shabbat Service including baby blessing for Elijah O’Connor

Friday 23 August

6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday 24 August

11.00am Shabbat Service

Friday 30 August

6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday 31 August

11.00am Shabbat Service

high holy days 2019 Erev Selichot Service Erev Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah Kol Nidre Yom Kippur Erev Sukkot Sukkot Erev Simchat Torah Simchat Torah

Sunday 21 September Sunday 29 September Monday 30 September Tuesday 8 October Wednesday 9 October Sunday 13 October Monday 14 October Sunday 20 October Monday 21 October

* A reminder: we have a group ending their commemorative trip of the Kindertransport coming to our Friday night service at FPS, on 12 July. This will be followed by a meal. It would be lovely to have FPS members there at the meal. Contact lcurbach@aol.com HHD tickets and details of our chosen charities will be mailed with September Shofar

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Beit Knesset

community events, all welcome!

bridge group

pilates

Mondays @ 7.30pm, £4. There are even small prizes for winners! For details contact Paul Silver-Myer via the synagogue office on 020 8446 4063

Thursdays @ 5.45-6.30pm. Led by Tali Swart.

Beginners to intermediate; individually tailored instruction. Payment in blocks of six, roughly £8 per lesson. Contact taliswort@btconnect.com

yoga

cafe ivriah

Tuesdays @ 7.30pm, continuing over the summer in aid of charity Contact Richard on 020 8349 9602

Saturdays (during Ivriah term only), 9.45-10.45am All welcome to an informal, wide-ranging topic discussion, over coffee and biscuits, between Ivriah drop-off and morning service.

rosh chodesh (tamuz)

Celebration of the New Moon by women gathering for sharing, learning and spiritual exploration. The next Rosh Chodesh is Wednesday July 3 @ 8pm. ‘Jewish Motherhood: then and now’, facilitated by Sheila Lassman and Wika Dorosz. rosh chodesh (elul)

Monday 2 September @ 8pm. ‘What work do our brains have to do in order to process and retain memories?’ Estelle Phillips will address this topic within the context of the crucial place of memory in the Jewish tradition.

Contact Wika Dorosz on vdorosz@gmail.com book club

Wednesday July 10 @ 8.00pm; Wednesday August 14 @ 8pm. The Book Club meetings are held in people’s homes on the second Wednesday of each month. Contact Sheila King Lassman skinglassman@gmail.com or Edgar Jacobsberg e.jacobsberg@gmail.com lunch & learn

Thursdays, 12.00-1.00pm An hour’s learning with Rabbi Rebecca and a ‘bring your own lunch’ (FPS provides drinks) in the small hall. The last session before the summer break is on 18 July, resuming in September

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monthly bring a dish shabbat lunch

Saturday July 27, 12.30 Please let the office know you are attending.

Beit Midrash

learning at fps

generation 2

POST

PONE

D

Due to a family illness, our advertised event for 4 July has been POSTPONED. The scheduled speaker, Jeanette Rosenberg of the Jewish Genealogical Society, was to complete our series on ‘Roots’. It is hoped that this talk can be rescheduled for later in the year.

Beit Midrash returns in October with a series on Jewish Liturgy led by Student Rabbi Elliott Karstadt. Beit Midrash meets on Thursdays at 7.30-9.00pm in the Small Hall, and refreshments are served. Discretionary £5 donation.

NOTE CHANGE OF DATE: FPS FUNDRAISER

FPS on 18 July 9:40-Noon. There will be an opportunity to watch two new presentations given by members of the Second Generation about their family’s experiences in Nazicontrolled Europe that we would like to be used at Holocaust memorial events and as part of Holocaust education. Both presentations include testimony from the survivor. We are keen to receive feedback. Neither of the presenters are FPS members.

This is part of a project initiated by a company called Generation 2. Our aim is to supplement the pool of first-generation survivors with wellprepared, second-generation presenters ready to take over when required. These presentations will make full use of survivor testimony, artefacts, and modern multimedia techniques in order to engage the attention and spark the empathy of today’s teenagers.

Refreshments will be available from 9:40.

The first presentation will start at 10.00am and the second at 11.00am with the aim of finishing by 12 noon. Please let me know if you can come lcurbach@aol.com Lesley Urbach

MAYHEM AND MUSICAL MELODRAMA AT FPS JOIN US FOR A MUSICAL FUNDRAISING EXTRAVAGANZA: AN EVENING OF CANAPES & CABARET TO HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR TWO GREAT CAUSES: FINCHLEY PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE & JAMI A CHARITY DEVOTED TO HELPING WITH MENTAL HEATH ISSUES IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY ENJOY A GLASS OF SOMETHING COOL, A LIGHT SUPPER & SOME MUSICAL MAGIC WITH DEAN, FRANKLYN, GABI & GUESTS WHEN: 14 SEPTEMBER 2019 at 7.00pm

TICKETS £20, VIA THE FPS OFFICE: TEL: 020 8446 4063 EMAIL: administrator@fps.org

Breakfast Shiur with Robert Bud Saturday 13 July 8.45am ‘Being modern & the applied science dream’ This shiur reflects on how it was hoped that science would bring both wealth and a more egalitarian society. We will discuss the special meaning of applied science and its difference from technology to which both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union subscribed, while Jews in general and Israel in particular were heavily invested in the ambitions for applied science.

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Iftar Celebration with Muslim Neighbours D

uring the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, observant Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset. At sunset, families come together, and communities meet in the mosque for an ‘Iftar,’ a meal to break the fast. Recently, Muslim communities began holding open Iftars to encourage their non-Muslim neighbours to come into mosques to eat and to learn about the festival. In turn, non-Muslim institutions began hosting interfaith and community Iftars.

It’s a lovely tradition, inclusive and communitybuilding, and the food is great!

FPS members attended several Iftars, learning about Ramadan, and establishing links with communities we know and some we don’t know so well. I attended an Iftar hosted by the Golders Green group of Nisa-Nashim, a Muslim and Jewish women’s network that aims to build friendships and understanding, at JW3. There isn’t a North Finchley Nisa-Nashim group, but I’m planning to start one, so let me know if you’d like to be involved! FPS was well-represented at the ‘Big Iftar’ hosted by our near neighbour, the North Finchley Masjid. For some, this was the second year we had attended and it was good to be back!

The interfaith Iftar co-hosted by FPS, and FRS, was held at the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association at the Tarling Road Community Centre. The SBWA’s old community centre burned down after an arson attack just before Ramadan in June 2013. FRS made its synagogue available to celebrate Ramadan. And after years of campaigning with Barnet Citizens, the SBWA finally moved into its new centre.

Rabbi Rebecca spoke at the event, along with MP Theresa Villiers, and Labour

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tamara joseph

Parliamentary candidate, Councillor Sarah Conway. FPS children and musicians performed and led the singing; and the food was provided

by Syrian Kitchen, the catering company set up

by Syrian refugees that FPS has supported.

Finally, FPS members travelled to Camden for the Syrian Refugee Community Iftar held at Haverstock Hill School. Its theme, Community Sponsorship, is one established by the government allowing community groups to take responsibility for the support and resettlement of refugee families fleeing the conflict in Syria. Three different sponsorship groups were there with the families they had resettled. Representatives encouraged people to get involved in bringing families to the UK. One young Syrian mother introduced herself and her family and explained that she will be speaking soon at an event at the Houses of Parliament about her experiences – in English! It’s lovely to begin establishing new relationships with our neighbours and to celebrate with old friends.

Come along with us next year!

Sam King’s Selfie at the Syrian Refugee Community Iftar

Welcoming New Lives!

Ernie Cooper, 2018 Shopping with Tania Hirsch Dov Harry Helfman, 2018 Grandson for Neil and Sarah Rosen-Webb Nicola Marzell with Zach and Mimi, 2018 Mollie Rachel Chaya Durnan, Brand New, 2019 Eloise, daughter of Miriam and Andy PepperParsons.

Ernie

baby blessings

Baby Levi Blue, a son for Tom and Victoria, and grandson for Danny Rich and Laura Lassman, will be blessed at FPS on 27 July Baby Elijah, a son for Laura and Jonty O’Connor, will be blessed at FPS on 17 August

Mollie

Dov

Zach & Mimi Eloise

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From Anti-Zionism to Zion (cont.) (cont. from p.2)

of ancient stories and modern art bring home a visual relationship to our ancestry. We heard of the hospital’s founding in 1909 by Henrietta Szold whose pioneering health care programme was for Jewish and Arab inhabitants alike. We heard of its relocation from Mount Scopus due to it becoming an exclave in the 1948 War of Independence, which infused the historical and existential precariousness of the country together with the closeness of its covenanted people.

The second occasion was when we made our way through the bustling Arab souk on Friday evening to experience the coming together of many nationalities at the Kotel, each sharing the same Shabbat prayers in their own style and melody. I was re-living creative service memories from my ULPSNYC-Netzer Israel Tours, when one of the antisemitic quotes presented at the shiur (from Sheikh Ikrama Sabri, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem) came to mind: No stone of the Western Wall has any connection to

paul silver-myer

Hebrew history. But here we all were, in front of the remnants of the 2,500-year-old Second Temple, feeling free to be Jewish. It was joyous, and a grateful change from the subjugation of antisemitic anti-Zionism. My journey from antiZionism to Zion concluded with a thought about being exceptional. Holidaying in Israel was special. Exceptional even. That, however, is also the problem. I don’t expect the Grand Mufti, or even Jeremy Corbyn, to own our ancestry as we do, but by calling out our history and our actions we are being treated as exceptional compared to others. Yet, the dream of Theodore Herzl was that in order to escape the rising antisemitism in Europe at the end of the 19th century we should return to our homeland and be just like any other nation. In other words, be treated as unexceptional: criticised when appropriate and praised when appropriate. Just like other nations and people. Were that to happen, there would be no need for another shiur on antisemitic antiZionism anytime soon. tikkun leyl

foodbank

Finchley Foodbank is always very grateful for the contributions from FPS. The dairy focus for May/June went well. For July/August we are focussing on toiletry items: • shower gel • shampoo • toothpaste • deodorants • toilet roll • washing powder tablets rather than liquid tabs; and also • cooking oil If you prefer to give other non-perishable items or to put money in the collection box on the table above the Foodbank box, that’s absolutely fine. We will buy these items with any monetary donations.

Many thanks, Peggy and Alison.

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Saturday 8 June Tikkun Leyl Shavuot featured a bring-and-share dinner (pictured) as we learned together. It included fantastic talks from our Kabbalat Torah group, Robert Bud, Sara Dibb, Rabbi Frank Hellner and Lorna Jacobs – all enjoyed with plenty of cheesecake!

Me, My Body & Organ Donation I’m

sure everyone has views about organ donation. What I’m less sure of is what information we use to defend whatever view we have. At our Rosh Chodesh Sivan meeting, Clare Smallman, Chair of the Whittington Hospital Organ Donation Committee, spoke to us about the history, development, and process of organ transplantation, and the new ‘opt out’ system due in Spring 2020.

Medical transplant research is recorded as far back as 1906 when a doctor experimented with trying to save a life by tying blood vessels together. WWI got in the way of research, but then it picked up in the 1930s. Then WW2 got in the way. Research continued sporadically with Italy, Britain, and the US leading the way.

Milestones include the first successful kidney transplant in 1954 in the US, and the first successful heart transplant in 1967 in South Africa. South Africa continued to move forward with transplantation, while Britain and the US moved cautiously due to ethics and an agreed definition of death, as well as their commitment to keeping patients alive after surgery.

Infections and organ rejection were major causes of patient death in the 1950s. With the development of antibiotics and a fledgling understanding of immunology, the emphasis fell to protecting and correcting the immune system to tolerate a transplant. Sir Peter Medawar of the Royal Free Hospital was jointly awarded the 1960 Nobel Prize in Physiology of Medicine for “discovery of acquired immunological tolerance.” Doctors have struggled with the tension between the ‘do no harm’ aspect of their Hippocratic oath, and their desire to benefit one patient by performing a procedure on another for whom there is no clinical benefit,

sarah rosen-webb

to the point where organ donation now is a lowrisk procedure. Where organ donation is being considered, a Special Nurse Organ Donation (a member of a separate group of professionals and not part of the hospital) is called in to work with family. This is to separate out possible conflict of interest and to protect individuals from possible over-enthusiasm or misunderstandings by members of an A&E or surgical team.

My new understanding of the development of transplantation and ethical standards and safeguards in place makes me feel more confident about considering letting my body parts be used to save or improve the lives of up to nine other people. Still, I am not sure. I was brought up in a Jewish tradition where the body and soul are seen as bound together and should be buried together to honour and respect the dead (kavod hamet). However, the ‘Organ Donation and Religious Beliefs’ section on Judaism (written in consultation with senior Rabbis from all branches of Judaism), states that “In principle, Judaism sanctions and encourages organ donation in order to save lives” (pikuach nefesh). This principle can override the Jewish objections to interference with the body after death and the requirements for immediate burial. (See organdonation.nhs.uk).

With the ‘opt out’ system due Spring 2020, this is the time to learn more, discuss our concerns with family members, and to try sorting the emotional from the rational. An emotional response, for example, might be an artist who feels able to donate anything except the eyes. Today I feel comfortable with the idea of donating my organs, but not with donating my limbs. Not rational, I know, but that feels okay in the light of my new knowledge and understanding.

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kabbalat torah debates and shavuot

I am often complimented on Judaism’s ability to provide space for disagreement. I think our tradition of discussion and argument fits very well into teenage life! After a term of participating in debates on the new draft siddur, Zionism, Jewish schools, and many more, our Kabbalat Torah 1 class took to the stage on erev Shavuot to debate topics they felt needed to be heard, including “Does faith have a positive impact on the world?”, “Is God relevant to my Judaism?” and “Should teenagers go to Kabbalat Torah?” FPS members came to listen to these debates and were blown away by the eloquence and thoughtfulness that I am privileged to witness every fortnight. (Photos, top: left to right: Elias, Ollie, Leo, Alex, Noah; and below: Maya, Rachel, and Zoe).

KT1 were matched in brilliance only by KT2, our Kabbalat Torah graduates, who took both the Friday night and Shavuot morning service.

They balanced tradition and innovation, humour and contemplation. On Friday evening they used different prayers to offer new opportunities: the shema—the prayer asking us to hear and listen —was used as a moment for the congregation to hear a teenager’s opinion on current affairs; the amida—partly documenting our ancestors —was used for each to document his or her own story at FPS. (Photo: left to right: Izzy, Elana, Sadie, Zoe, Dora, Rabbi Rebecca, Jacob, Toby, Sam).

And if the Friday service, ending with ‘David Melech Yisrael’ (accompanying hand actions mandatory!), was a beautiful celebration of their friendship underpinned by Jewish traditions, the Shavuot morning service demonstrated their Jewish knowledge and liturgical fluency. They led a hefty service thoughtfully and purposefully,

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editing where appropriate (goodbye ‘Book of Ruth’, hello ‘Ruth: The Performance Poem’) and being such an example to our Ivriah children who were in our special Shavuot B’yachad service.

Shavuot celebrates handing down the Torah and our Jewish traditions to future generations – and this Shavuot FPS proves we’re passing it down to very safe hands.

Zoe Jacobs

Fun Page Even though we are enjoying our summer break, the Hebrew months of Tammuz and Av cast a shadow over us reminding us of some bad things that happened to Jewish people across the ages. The word ‘antisemitism’ is generally used to mean a dislike of Jewish people. A person who agrees with antisemitism is called an antisemite. The word antisemitism is used to mean antagonism towards a certain cluster of people, in this case, against Jewish people.

Of course, we at FPS know that disliking an identifiable group or cluster just because it is different from the group you belong to (‘racism’) is wrong. But not all people think the same way nor did they in past times. Antisemitism has a long history. Of course, you will have heard of the Holocaust (in Hebrew, the Shoah) and perhaps you have heard of the pogroms. Some of you might have heard of other well-known events in history where Jewish people have been treated badly.

On 17 Tammuz some people fast from sunrise to sunset as they remember 5 bad things that happened to the Jewish people on this day: these include the Roman siege of Jerusalem.

Then many years later, the Roman military leader, known in the Talmud as Apostomus,

simone lee

burned a Torah scroll. The Jewish Bar Kokhba army revolted, starting a war that lasted many years, and many Jews and Romans were killed.

7 Av (586 BCE, about 2500 year ago) – The First Temple in Jerusalem built by King Solomon was invaded by King Nebuchadnezzar II, a famous Babylonian.

7 Av (1492 CE, about 600 years ago) – The Jews of Spain were expelled by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. These were the cruel times of the Inquisition.

9 Av (70 CE) – The Second Holy Temple at Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, leaving only the Western Wall or Kotel. There is a fast day called Tisha B’Av, which this year falls on 10 August.

9 Av (1290 CE, about 900 years ago) – Jews were expelled from England, yes England,

by King Edward I in 1290, and not permitted to return legally until 350 years later, in 1655.

These sad histories remind us that it is important to stand up for what matters and not to tolerate any kind of discrimination. We need to be open and kind to all people on this planet and we expect to be treated the same. Love thy neighbour.

ljy-netzer summer camp dates

12-25 August 2019 Machaneh Kadimah Information about all camps available at FPS or from movement workers: Ben Combe (school years 3-4) b.combe@liberaljudaism.org Helen Goldhill (years 7-8) h.goldhill@liberaljudaism.org Ellie Lawson (years 9-10) e.lawson@liberaljudaism.org

birthright israel uk progressive trip

Birthright UK is once again offering a Birthright Israel Progressive trip with Reform and Liberal Judaism, 26 August - 5 September, open to any Jewish 19-26 year old (even those who have been on Israel tour under the age of 18). Sign up for the free trip at https://form.jotformeu. com/90204921063346 15

Contacts

fps website: www.fps.org

finchley progressive synagogue

President: Alan Banes

54 Hutton Grove N12 8DR 020 8446 4063 www.fps.org facebook.com/finchleyprog

Life President: Sheila King Lassman

Rabbi Rebecca Birk – rabbi@fps.org Emeritus Rabbi: Dr Frank Hellner Community Development Manager: Zoe Jacobs – zoe@fps.org Musicians in Residence: Franklyn Gellnick, Dean Staker Synagogue Manager: Pauline Gusack pauline@fps.org executive 2019

Chair: Cathy Burnstone, chair@fps.org Vice-Chair: Anjanette Pavell, ViceChairAP@fps.org Treasurer: Chris Nash, treasurer@fps.org Honorary Secretary: Tamara Joseph, honsec@fps.org board members

Sam King, sam@fps.org Phillip Raphael, security@fps.org Ann Pelham, annp@fps.org Roy Balint-Kurti

contacts

Board of Deputies Reps: Janet Tresman, Stanley Volk Beit Midrash (Adult Education): Adrian Lister adulteducation@fps.org Beit Tefillah (Rites & Practices): Valerie Joseph Care in the Community: Jacquie Fawcett jacquie@fps.org Website Editor: Philip Karstadt fpswebsite@fps.org Shofar Editor: CA. Cranston – shofar@fps.org Shofar Team: Sarah Rosen-Webb, Wika Dorosz FPS Office: administrator@fps.org The Finchley Progressive Synagogue is a company limited by guarantee (Company No 9365956) and a registered charity (Charity No 1167285) whose registered office is 54 Hutton Grove, Finchley, London N12 8DR

ashley page

janet tresman

insurance brokers

mediator & collaborative family law solicitor

Commerce House 2a Litchfield Grove London N3 2TN

Altermans Solicitors 239 Regents Park Road, London N3 3LF

Tel. 020 8349 5100

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Vice Presidents: Renzo Fantoni, Josie Kinchin, Alex Kinchin-Smith, Laura Lassman, Lionel King Lassman, John Lewis, Paul Silver-Myer, Andrea Rappoport, Joan Shopper

Office phone: 0208 346 1777 Email: janet@altermans.co.uk