1301 - 9th February 2023 by Jewish News

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Disaster response Aftershock 9 February 2023

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18 Shvat 5783

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Issue 1301

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FREE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 9 February 2023

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Israeli rescuers an join ra ce against d Jewish charities tim earthquake death e as Turkey-Syria toll passes 11,00 0

Israeli rescuers and Jewish charities in race against time as earthquake death toll passes 11,000

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Rescue operatio ns in south-central Turkey, Adana, in earthquake’s epidentrnear the e. Below: A father cradles his injured child; IDF emergen cy search for survivors workers ; a young girl is pulled from the rubble

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9 February 2023

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Issue 1301

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Rescue operations in Adana, south-central Turkey, near the earthquake’s epicentre. Below: A father cradles his injured child; IDF emergency workers search for survivors; a young girl is pulled from the rubble

Aftershock Israeli rescuers and Jewish charities in race against time as Turkey-Syria earthquake death toll passes 11,000

SEE INSIDE How you can help: WJR appeal – worldjewishrelief.org • MDA appeal – mdauk.org

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Jewish News 9 February 2023

News / Earthquake emergency

Israeli rescuers save four peo

Members of emergency medical organisation United Hatzalah at Ben Gurion before flying to the disaster zone, where at least 11,000 are dead

Israeli emergency teams in Turkey have saved four people caught in the earthquakes that have killed at least 11,000 people and injured an estimated 30,000, writes Jotam Confino. The 150-member team, led by the the IDF Home Front Command, as well as Magen David Adom, United Hatzalah and IsraAID, are all operating in southern Turkey, trying to rescue and find victims of the earthquakes, which hit neighbouring Syria as well. IDF Search and Rescue Team Commander Maj (res) Matan Schneider said his team arrived last night in southern Turkey at a site where buildings had collapsed and “locals called us, saying

they heard noises from the ruins. We began a complex four-and-a-half-hour rescue mission that included a great deal of engineering work and the work of a doctor and paramedics. “At the end, a 23-year-old woman was rescued and retuned to her fiancé, healthy and safe, only with a fractured pelvis,” Schneider said. The IDF team also rescued a 10-yearold boy, whose four family members were killed in the earthquake. Lt-col (ret) Felix Lotan from MDA told Jewish News that his team is operating in the city of Kahramanmaras, describing it as a “huge disaster” area. “It was very difficult to get into the

city, because the roads were destroyed and people were leaving while rescue teams were entering at the same time. It was a nightmare,” Lotan said. “My team succeeding in rescuing

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a 12-year-old boy. We drilled a hole through the basement and dragged him out. He received medical treatment from us and was then sent to a hospital,” he said, adding that another Israeli team

managed to save a boy overnight. Turkey’s President Erdoğan arrived in Kahramanmaras yesterday, saying: “Initially there were issues at airports and on the roads, but today things are

Missing Jewish couple in Antakya feared dead A Jewish couple in Antakya, southern Turkey, missing for 24 hours are feared dead. A spokesperson for the Jewish community in Istanbul told Jewish News that both Şaul and Fortuna Cenudioğlu are “still missing”. Israel’s ambassador to Turkey, Irit Lillian, said: “Regrettably, the president of the Jewish community in Antakya, Şaul Cenudioğlu, and his wife were apparently killed in the disaster.” Şaul’s niece, Ela Cenudioğlu, described her uncle as “a visionary leader committed to the Jewish community and the values it represents”. He had, since his birth in 1941, lived in Antakya, where the family ran a textile business. Şaul “did everything in his capacity to have the small Jewish community of Antakya thrive and connect with the rest of the communities in Turkey and the world”, she told the JTA agency. “I deeply hope that he and his wife – who has always been a mother to me – come out of this

Saul Cenudioglu with his grandchildren

safely, for all I wish is to see his kind smile and hug him again.” Antakya’s Jewish community numbers about 12 people. Most of Turkey’s Jews live in areas not badly affected by the quakes. Mendy Chitrik, rabbi of Turkey’s Ashkenazi Jews, posted a video on Twitter showing him removing Torah scrolls from a shul in Antakya.

ISRAEL FEELS TREMORS AND ASSESSES QUAKE READINESS

A minor earthquake hit Israel and the West Bank on Tuesday as Prime Minister Netanyahu directed his national security adviser to assess the country’s readiness for earthquakes. The 3.5-magnitude quake was detected at about 11:15pm local time, with its centre some 10 miles from the settlement of Ariel. Residents of Jerusalem said they felt the earthquake, but no injuries or damages were reported. National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir

said he held a discussion on Tuesday about Israel’s readiness for earthquakes with representatives from emergency organisations. “Although Israel’s emergency bodies have made significant progress, they are not adequately prepared for an earthquake scenario. I will hold an urgent discussion on the matter together with the emergency bodies, in order to prepare optimally for these events,” BenGvir said.

9 February 2023 Jewish News

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Earthquake emergency / News

ople from the rubble

Children’s toys among the rubble and a Israeli rescue team at work

getting easier and tomorrow it will be easier still. We have mobilised all our resources. The state is doing its job.” Israel dispatched its emergency teams to Turkey on Monday night, following a request from Erdoğan. Another 230-member IDF delegation has been sent, which includes officers and soldiers from the IDF Medical Corps and search and rescue personnel from the Home Front Command, as well as doctors, nurses and paramedics from the Ministry of Health.

Tayyip Erdoğan during a phone call, The team said it will set up a field hospital. A team of six medical personnel from Downing Street said: “He expressed his Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center deep condolences for the tragic loss of life was also dispatched to assist at earthquake- and pledged the UK’s steadfast support.” No 10 said: “The prime minister also affected regions. “As in past disasters, Shaare Zedek staff noted the deeply concerning humanitarian members will serve on the front lines in situation over the border in north-west representing the people and State of Israel Syria, where Turkey plays an important coin this critical mission,” Shaare Zedek’s ordinating role, and set out how the UK has increased support to aid organisations and director-general Prof Ofer Merin said. An estimated 8,574 people have died in emergency responders.” Turkey and 2,662 in Syria, and the The King told President Erdoğan number of dead is rising. his “thoughts and special prayers” are with all those The World Health Organisation said that as many as affected. He said: “My wife 20,000 could be dead. and I have been most shocked and profoundly Meanwhile, three UK saddened by the news of nationals are missing in the devastating earthTurkey and Syria. The quakes in south-east news comes as UK aid charities say reports of the Turkey. “I can only begin to devastation are just the “tip of the iceberg”. imagine the scale of sufForeign secretary James fering and loss as a result An IDF aidworker of these dreadful tragedies Cleverly said the department’s and I particularly wanted Crisis Response Hub is working to support at least 35 Britons caught up in to convey our deepest and most heartfelt the disaster. He added: “We assess that the sympathy to the families of all those who likelihood of large-scale British casualties have lost their loved ones. Our thoughts and special prayers are with everyone who remains low.” Rishi Sunak “pledged the UK’s stead- has been affected.” fast support” to Turkish president Recep Editorial comment, page 18

WJR AND MDA LEAD DISASTER RESPONSE World Jewish Relief and Magen David Adom UK are on the frontline of the community’s relief efforts. International aid organisation World Jewish Relief estimates that 23 million lives have been devastated. The charity has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to support those effected, responding through a trusted local partner, helping to provide emergency shelter, blankets, heaters, clothes, food packages and first aid kits to the worst affected in Turkey and surrounding areas. WJR’s Paul Anticoni told Jewish News: “Monday’s earthquakes have devastated an extensive area of southern Turkey and northern Syria. Within hours of the first quake, World Jewish Relief was asked to assist its longterm Turkish partner IBC in its response. “We immediately committed £40,000 to assist and continue to work with IBC to enable them to scale up a massive humanitarian effort in

support of those affected both in Turkey and in non-government controlled parts of Syria. “Our Turkey earthquake appeal is live and we are hugely grateful for our community’s brilliant response.” Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said: “The tragic earthquakes will have an ongoing, devastating impact for Turkey and well beyond its borders. I encourage all who are able, to generously support WJR’s Turkey Earthquake Appeal.” Magen David Adom – Israel’s equivalent of the Red Cross – has experience at providing medical and humanitarian assistance to many countries around the world that have experienced natural disasters. Daniel Burger, CEO of Magen David Adom UK, said: “We have always used our expertise and knowledge to support and assist whenever and whenever it is needed. Our mission in Turkey, as it is in Israel and around the world, is simple – to save lives.”

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Jewish News 9 February 2023

News / Knesset backlash / Ellman anger / Dubs attack

Expats take stand outside embassy against Israel’s hard-right coalition by Lee Harpin lee@jewishnews.co.uk @lmharpin

Hundreds of people joined a pro-democracy protest outside the Israeli embassy in London last Saturday, voicing opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition and assault on Israel’s legal system. Protesters, mainly Israeli expats living in London, had placards warning of Religious Zionism influence in Israel and chanted demands for “Democracy now!” One man who said his name was Aviv held a sign reading Yes to Tolerant Democracy - No to Racist Theocracy. Similar protests took place in 20 cities across the globe and inside Israel itself. Aviv told Jewish News: “I am Israeli now living here and very concerned about democracy and the legislation proposed in the next few weeks. I think that’s going to be terrible.” Asked about his reference to “racist theology” Aviv said he had included the yellow logo of the Kahanist party Kach on his banner. “Kach was banned from the Knesset,” he added. “Their successors are now in charge – the Likud has turned into them. The whole government is trying to make Israel into that.”

A 12-year-old girl, one of many children at the demo, openly described her life in Tel Aviv before moving to the UK as “hell.” The new Israel government she said, was “a really bad situation” and she had been on protests with her family “many times”. Other young people held up banners reading Kids For Democracy and Democracy Is Cool, Make It Rule, while other protesters held Defend Israeli Democracy placards. One of the protest organisers, Karen Shefet, told Jewish News: “We are part of a global protest movement. We wanted to do it in London, there are a lot of Israelis and Jews who care about Israel’s future. The idea is to make an impact all over the world.” Asked about the impressive turnout, Shefet, who moved to the UK three years ago, said it “shows people really care”, adding; “We want to stand alongside our brothers and sisters in Israel who are protesting at the moment.” Shefet said the protests had concentrated on opposing the proposed judicial changes in Israel which threatened the very character of the country, and the protection of minorities. Another goal was to make the Israeli government aware of the damage to the country’s image as a result of new government idealogy.

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Some of the children taking part in the London protest held last Saturday

The demo was on High Street Kensington, just around the corner from the Israel embassy, which was protected by a number of police. The atmosphere remained good natured throughout, with many motorists hooting in

support – one man, with clear links to one of Israel’s neighbouring countries, walked past clapping, saying ironically: “Now you know what it’s like being a country in the Middle East.” Plans are under way for further protests.

MP ‘should lose the whip’ if she repeats Israel slurs Dame Louise Ellman has said Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson should lose the Labour whip if she repeats her venomous attack on the “fascist” Israeli government, writes Lee Harpin. Ellman stepped down from the Liverpool seat in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s failure to tackle antisemitism. She added she was “not surprised” to hear Johnson use such language in relation to Israel in the House of Commons. She said:”I was shocked to hear it, I wasn’t surprised that those were Kim Johnson’s sentiments. After all, it’s only a little over a year ago that she denied on BBC North West TV that I’d been forced out of the Labour Party, when she herself had been part of the problem as she was an activist in Liverpool Riverside at that time.” Asked about Johnson’s use of the word “fascist” during PMQs on Wednesday, Ellman said: “If Kim Johnson repeats that I think she should lose the Labour whip. “I’m pleased to see Keir Starmer and the chief whip acted so promptly and secured that

Louise Ellman with Sir Keir Starmer

very full apology and withdrawal. But the test has to be what happens next.” Ellman, who was speaking on Andrew Marr’s radio show on LBC and who rejoined Labour under Starmer’s leadership, said: “Kim should be very careful what she says next.”

DUBS TARGETS BRAVERMAN Suella Braverman’s rhetoric calling migrants to the UK “invaders” is “deeply and personally upsetting”, former child refugee Lord Dubs has said, writes Adam Decker. The Labour peer described the home secretary’s language as one of the low points of his long parliamentary career. Braverman has faced

repeated criticism for her words and prompted an outcry in November when she told MPs the south coast was facing an “invasion” of illegal migrants. She has also singled out Albanians after their numbers crossing the Channel in small boats spiralled. Lord Dubs, one of the children who escaped to the UK

on the Kindertransport, told the new Lord Speaker’s Corner podcast: “When the home secretary talks about refugees as invaders, I find that deeply and personally upsetting ... we’re talking about people who are fleeing from war, persecution, threats to their safety and so on and I think we owe them a bit of compassion.”

9 February 2023 Jewish News

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Cabinet reshuffle / Online hate / UJS president / News

Sunak unveils ‘BBYO cabinet’ as two get roles in reshuffle Two former members of the Jewish youth movement BBYO have been given new roles in Rishi Sunak’s mini-reshuffle, writes Lee Harpin. Grant Shapps, a former business secretary, has been moved to become energy and net zero secretary and Lucy Frazer takes over as secretary of state for culture, media and sport. The announcement of Shapps’ role came after the prime minister split the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) into separate ministries – creating an energy department and merging trade into business.

The new Department of Science, Innovation and Technology will be run by Michelle Donelan, after Sunak split the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) department. Shapps has spoken previously of his proud memories as president of BBYO during the 1980s. Frazer, a KC who grew up amongst the community in Leeds, has said she was also once a member of the youth movement. She was first elected to parliament in 2015 as the MP for South East Cambridgeshire. She had become the only Jewish woman

in the government after being appointed to a position at the Justice Ministry by then PM Theresa May. In Tuesday’s reshuffle Sunak’s loyal ally Greg Hands was named as the successor to sacked Nadhim Zahawi as Tory party chair. Kemi Badenoch was promoted to business and trade secretary as part of the Whitehall shake up. Dominic Raab, who has previously spoken of his Czech-born Jewish refugee father’s arrival in the UK in 1938, survived the minireshuffle, despite pressure for him to stand down as an investigation into bullying allegations takes place

Former BBYO members Lucy Frazer and Grant Shapps

SMEETH: MY ONLINE HELL Isaacs is UJS president-elect Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent – the former Labour MP Ruth Smeeth – has spoken of her “appalling experiences” of online antisemitic abuse and her concern about provisions in the Online Safety Bill that mandates platforms to delete illegal content. She told a Lords debate: “As a female, Jewish, Labour member of the Commons, I was sub-

jected to regular and vicious antisemitic and misogynist online abuse.” She questioned how people will be prosecuted for harassment or worse if content online is automatically deleted: “How will I know if someone is threatening to kill me if the threat is already gone?” The provisions would make her and others in similar positions “less safe online”, she added.

Bristol University politics student Edward Isaacs has been voted the next president of the Union of Jewish Students. Isaacs, a former Jewish Society president, beat challenges from Ábel Keszler, a final-year psychology student at Glasgow, and Gavriel Solomons, an Orthodox rabbi’s son studying at Hertfordshire. The result was announced at

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the UJS conference on Sunday. Isaacs will take up the post after president Joel Rosen’s term in office ends later this year. After the announcement Isaacs tweeted: “I can’t quite believe it. UJS UK has been a huge part of my life over the last three years and it’s an honour to now have the opportunity to lead the organisation.”

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anti-Zionist motivation that went beyond

more superficial discourse about the region Far-right antisemitic graffiti, Liverpool, October or the conflict, alongside explicitly anti-Jewish

practices (just below the 19 reported in 2021); and three involved myths regarding the origins of Jewishness in attempts to undermine the

Jewish News 9 February 2023 comments6or abuse aimed at unsuspecting legitimacy of any concept of modern Jewish Jewish people. Irrespective of whether or not allegiance to radical far-right beliefs, a drop from identity (just fewer than the four incidents of this Anti-Jewish hate / Comment anti-IsraelNews incidents/are classified as antisemitic 111 such incidents in 2021. On 82 occasions, this nature reported in 2021). by CST, they are still relevant to CST’s security evidence of support for far-right ideology was work as they may involve threats and abuse present alongside the use of Nazi-era discourse. Specific aspects of Judaism were attacked or directed at Jewish people or organisations deliberately mischaracterised for antisemitic who work with – or in support of – Israel, and Among the 465 incidents involving Holocaustpurposes in 31 instances, more than the 30 such herefore have an impact on the security of the related discourse were 32 in which the offender incidents recorded in 2021. Fourteen singled UK Jewish community. directly compared Israel to Nazi Germany, out religious traditions (an increase from falling from the 62 such incidents reported in ten in 2021); 13 of these manipulated ideas 2021. These 32 cases also contribute to the 244 taken from religious scripture (just under the was and 14 percent. The yearon before, has returned to what countedinas2021); The number of antisemitic inciantisemitic incidents that referenced Israel, 14 reported four focused dents last year fell by 27 percent normal prior to the pandemic and it was eight percent. Palestine or the conflict between the two. These religious literature (compared to six in 2021 Likewise, the proportion of on 2021, figures show, but the pro- the recent conflict in Israel, but 244 incidents with Israel-related discourse targeted specific holy books). 2022Jewish perpetrators known to be underlying baseportion of hate attacks involving with a higher that minors was 20 up from line,” he said. children has now doubled since comprised 15% of the 1,652 incidents recorded In 87 cases the antisemitism waspercent, littered Of last year’s 1,652 reported 18 percent in 2021, and 10 percent 2020, writes Adam Decker. by CST in 2022; 70%released fewer than 826 such with anti-Jewish caricatures in 2020. In more than a third of antisemitic incidents, 358 were stereotypes, Statistics by thethe Comincidentsmunity in 2021. On 148 occasions, there was or dehumanising language and imagery, person, the Security Trust show that online, accounting for 22 percent cases involving a young Nazis and/or the Holocaust lowest percentage antisemitic incidents motivation, were of the total, the decreasing evidence1,652 of explicitly anti-Zionist from 98 such examples in 2021. was reported in 2022, the lowest since in recent years. In 2019 and 2020, referenced. while the2017 terms or “A sharp rise in school-related and“Zionism” a marked decrease from for instance, the proportion of when Israel was involved in a “Zionist”2021, were employed on 80 deadly confl in Gaza. occasions, often asict euphemisms Conflict involving Israel is often for “Jewishness” referred toand as a“Jew” ‘trigger event’ for wavesother of antisemitism in the UK or alongside antisemitic and can sharply impact figures. By language. The drop in Israelway of comparison, there were 661 related discourse motivation antisemiticor incidents in May 2021, compared 173 intoMay from 2021 marks awith return an 2022. Before the conflict, the Covid-19 amount conventional for a period pandemic prompted a welter of without aonline spike antisemitic prompted by conspiracies, for two years events inwhile the Middle East. prior The to that, antisemitism associated with same was true of the decrease Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party Mock-up A £50 noteofdoctored with with antisemitic conspiracy theories a banknote antisemitic conspiracy observed in antisemitic incidents dominated the news. theories, September

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Antisemitic incidents fell by nearly a third in 2022, CST report shows

A man show off his Adolf Hitler tattoo

Tattoo ofonAdolf Hitlerof onGlasgow a man’slast leg, the streets year Glasgow, August

“We expected the total for 2022 to drop in comparison,” said a CST spokesman. “However, the average monthly incident total in 2022 was, at 138 incidents, higher than for the 10 months of 2021 that were not affected by the conflict.” This suggested that “the antisemitic incident profile in 2022

online incidents were 39 and 38 percent respectively. The CST noted “a concerning trend” in that the proportion of incidents either targeting or involving children had stayed high. Last year, 15 percent of incidents targeted minors. In 2021, the corresponding figure

antisemitism was reported in response to heightened tensions in the Middle East,” said the CST. “It appears that this has continued… The picture from 2022 also suggests that incidents involving minors are more likely to involve violence.” CST chief executive Mark

Gardner said: “The devil in the detail is the growing number of children as both victims and perpetrators. We need better education and role models for young people and more prosecutions for high profile cases.” Nazi or Shoah references were not confined to minors, the CST explained. “Far-right language and imagery… formed the most common type of discourse in 2022, present in 28 percent of all antisemitic incidents,” said the charity’s spokesman. “Strikingly, there were more antisemitic incidents in 2022 that celebrated and glorified the Holocaust [79 incidents] than those that denied it [19 incidents].” The national policing lead for hate crime, DCC Mark Hamilton, said: “This drop from the previous year is little comfort, given the record high seen in 2021. Notably 2022 is still relatively high compared to historical averages.” He added that a “key message” he took from the analysis was “the extent that communities in the UK are affected by global conflict and atrocities”, adding: “We have had to evolve our responses to react early to global factors and to put in place measures to protect affected groups in the UK.”

THE YOUNG ARE BEING INCREASINGLY EXPOSED BY DAVE RICH DIRECTOR OF POLICY, CST

One of the challenges of fighting antisemitism is that you are chasing a moving target. Two years ago the UK saw record levels of anti-Jewish attacks and abuse because of the reactions of some people to the conflict in Israel and Gaza in May 2021. I’m sure we all remember the convoys of hate driving through town centres, the online threats and angry protests. This happens every time Israel is at

war, and the fact it is so predictable does not make it any more acceptable. Last year, though, there was no such escalation in conflict involving Israel, so the number of antisemitic incidents in the UK fell and the focus of the hate switched. Instead of anti-Israel invective being the most common language of antisemitism it was back to that traditional favourite: far-right discourse, swastikas, Nazi salutes and baiting Jews about the Holocaust. This is how antisemitism works: it tracks whatever is in the news and occupying the minds of Jew-haters. It might be Israel, Covid, the Labour Party or something else. Another

crisis will always come along, and some will pin the blame for it on their favourite scapegoat. Much of the language of antisemitism is set and spread online nowadays. Social media can disseminate hashtags about the Rothschilds far more quickly and effectively than the extremist leaflets of old. This might be why we are seeing a rise in the proportion of incidents reported to CST in which either the victims, or the perpetrators, are children. Younger people are exposed to antisemitic ideas, stereotypes and conspiracy theories, much more than used to be the case, and the evidence suggests that a worrying minority of them are falling for it.

MAGEN DAVID ADOM IS SAVING LIVES IN TURKEY The loss of life in Turkey and Syria caused by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake has been shocking. As part of the official Israeli delegation - ‘Operation Olive Branches’ - a Magen David Adom team arrived in Turkey on Tuesday morning. Its role is simple. To save more lives. This would not be possible without your support. Please donate now to ensure that MDA is ready to respond to humanitarian emergencies and disasters. Today, tomorrow, wherever and whenever. Thank you. Registered Charity No. 1113409

We want more prosecutions of people who attack Jews, supported by better and quicker police investigations. But that can only address the symptoms of this problem. To stem the flow of antisemitism, especially among younger people, we need effective education. CST’s educational programmes, Streetwise (for Jewish schools) and Stand Up! (for mainstream schools) – both run in partnership with Maccabi GB – are focused on this part of the problem. Because if antisemitism continues to spread among younger generations, then the number of antisemitic incidents in CST’s future reports is only likely to increase.

To support Magen David Adom through ‘Operation Olive Branches’ visit mdauk.org or call 020 8021 5900

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News / Donors landmark / Charity shopping / Ernest Simon

Brits in Israel donate blood after 20-year ban Magen David Adom UK has launched its “Blood Drive for British olim in Israel” campaign, bringing numerous expats together at two locations to donate blood, writes Jotam Confino. Brits who lived in the UK during 19801996 were banned from donating blood in Israel until recently due to the mad cow disease outbreak of the mid-90s. The lifting of the 1999 ban by the Israeli health ministry was marked with a mass blood drive at the Ayalon Mall in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan and with a reception at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in Jaffa. British embassy head of political Simon O’Donnell said at the Peres Center event: “The embassy is happy to be here today and celebrate this important decision. I know it has been long awaited and I have no doubt the British community in Israel will tale full advantage of this meaningful opportunity. I am more than honoured to be one of the first Brits to donate blood and help save lives.” MDA UK CEO Daniel Burger said that for all those that can “giving blood is not only a duty but also an honour – when you give blood, you give hope and help to whoever is in need without prejudice or

Pop-up shops in charity drive Shops selling pre-loved items to raise funds for good causes are part of a Charity Supermarket pop-up encouraging shoppers to buy responsibly. All Aboard, with 21 branches across London and Manchester, is part of the venture at Brent Cross shopping centre in north London. The brainchild of Wayne Hemmingway, founder of 1990s fashion brand Red or Dead, and Maria Chenoweth,

ERNEST SIMON IS MOURNED

Donating blood at the Peres Center in Yaffo. Credit: Magen David Adom UK

question. The change in legislation marks a milestone both for the British-Israeli community and for the wider population in removing a long-standing barrier”. Eilat Shinar, director of Israel’s National Blood Services, recalled how Brits over the years had asked her when they would be able to donate blood again. She said: “Now we can get everybody

donating blood and joining our MDA volunteer donor base. With each unit of blood saving three lives, who are we to stop people volunteering?” Peres Center director general Efrat Duvdevani also hailed the occasion, saying: “We are proud to take part in the event of an important organisation like the MDA.”

Holocaust educator and Kindertransport refugee Ernest Simon has died, aged 92. He was born in the Jewish ghetto of Eisenstadt, Austria, moved later with his family to Vienna and following Kristallnacht was put on a Kindertransport and then a ship to Harwich. From there, he was taken in by a Jewish family in Leeds. A dedicated advocate for Holocaust education, the Association of Jewish Refugees and the Holocaust Educational Trust, he was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2019.

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Commons apology / Corbyn claim / News

‘Fascist Israel’ label made me incredibly angry, says Reeves by Lee Harpin @lmharpin

Rachel Reeves has told Jewish News she was “incredibly angry” after a backbench Labour MP used the words “fascist” and “apartheid state” in the House of Commons to describe Israel. The shadow chancellor issued her own condemnation of Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson’s “totally unacceptable” outburst at last week’s prime minister’s questions. But Reeves, who represents Leeds West, said the dressing down Johnson got from the party’s chief whip, and her subsequent swift apology for the comments hours later, was a sign of just how serious Sir Keir Starmer is at booting both antisemitism and ‘anti-Zionism’ out of Labour. The Labour frontbencher spoke out on the issue as she visited East Finchley with Sarah Sackman, the party’s parliamentary candidate for the Finchley and Golders Green constituency at the next election. Reeves and the barrister, who will aim to take the seat from Conservative Mike Freer at the next election, discussed with local people how soaring mortgages are impacting on businesses, homeowners and buyers. They claimed only Labour had a credible economic plan to improve people’s lives. But Reeves – who was visibly angry as she sat on Labour’s frontbench to hear Johnson make her anti-Israel attack – was also keen to offer her own thoughts on the conduct of one of her party’s backbench MPs. She told Jewish News: “To call a government ‘fascist’ and an ‘apart-

Lee Harpin with Rachel Reeves MP (centre) and Labour candidate Sarah Sackman

Group member Johnson was “told by heid state’ is just totally unacceptable, the chief whip she was to go back into especially the week after Holocaust the House... and apologise”, adding: Memorial Day. “And she did that very quickly. “And especially given the Would that have happened under recent history of the Labour the last Labour leader? That shows Party, and frankly the recent hishow seriously Keir takes this. He tory in Liverpool Labour where was not willing to say, ‘This is just a Kim is a member of parliament. She backbench MP.’ This matters to him.” represents a seat where the wonderful Johnson, who had referenced the Louise Ellman used to represent. Apology: Amnesty International report that “I don’t mind saying I was incredLabour MP used the “apartheid state” claim, said: ibly angry, frustrated, and depressed Johnson “I would like to apologise unreservwhen I sat there and listened to Kim’s edly for the intemperate language I used during question.” Reeves, 43, revealed that Socialist Campaign PMQs, I was wrong to use the term fascist in

relation to the Israeli government and understand why this was particularly insensitive given the history of the state of Israel. While there are far-right elements in the government, I recognise the use of the term was wrong.” A long-time vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel, who stepped back from frontline politics under Corbyn, Reeves said she had visited the Jewish state on four occasions, and hoped to return with Starmer in the future. She added that Labour’s “industrial strategy” that she, along with other party figures, is developing includes a focus on “some of the amazing things happening around tech” in Israel. The former Bank of England economist and Sackman also spent some of their time in East Finchley discussing the fragile state of the property market with staff at the estate and lettings agent James Leaf and Co. Labour’s analysis has claimed that average mortgage costs could rise by £7,490 a year in Finchley and Golders Green as a result of interest rate rises, along with other factors. The opinion polls prove Labour is increasingly seen as an economically credible party. But Jewish News raised the point that some, who say they are considering a switch to Starmer’s party at the next election, still have concerns about the party’s stance on Israel. Sackman, 37, said: “I believe deeply in a liberal, democratic, and I underline the word democratic, state alongside a Palestinian state. And far-right elements that exist with the Israeli government are actually antithetical to some of those democratic values.”

CORBYN: BERGER RESIGNED TO SET UP RIVAL PARTY

Jeremy Corbyn has appeared to downplay the impact antisemitic abuse had on former MP Luciana Berger’s decision to quit Labour. In a new interview, the former party leader was asked about Berger’s decision to quit Labour after claiming it was “institutionally, sickeningly, antisemitic”. He responded: “She was also setting up another party.”

Later in the interview Corbyn was asked if he was “sorry” people had left the party under his leadership because of antisemitism. He replied: “Of course I’m sorry ... but I also think the way the issue was used against me was utterly disgraceful.” Questioned whether Berger had “ulterior motives” when she left in February 2019, Corbyn accepted

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that the former Liverpool Wavertree MP was “abused… she was badly treated by some people in the party, which I condemned at the time, and still do”. But he then continued: “She also, along with other MPs, set up another party and walked out.” Jewish News has approached Berger for comment, but a Jewish Labour source suggested: “You

would not hear Corbyn’s downplaying any other victim of racism in the same way he has with Luciana.” In the interview with presenter Lewis Goodall for the podcast The News Agents, Corbyn was challenged to accept that Berger became involved with the short-lived Change UK party only “because” of antisemitism in Labour. He replied: “... and one of the

founding members (not Berger) making an incredibly racist statement”. Corbyn also cited his appointment of Berger as shadow mental health minister in 2015, adding: “We got on very well on mental health policy issues, we did events together. “We didn’t part on bad terms, even though we disagreed.”

Jewish News 9 February 2023

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News / Gender debate / TV row / Charity boost

Church may follow liberal Jews in calling God ‘They’ The Church of England is considering whether to follow in the footsteps of Liberal Judaism by introducing gender-neutral language in religious services, including by referring to God as “they”, writes Joy Falk. Rabbi Charley Baginsky, chief executive of Liberal Judaism, said: “We welcome this move from the Church of England. In 1995, in Siddur Lev Chadash, we introduced gender-inclusive language which is now used in all Liberal Jewish services. “Any change, particularly when it comes to liturgy, is very difficult. But from our experience, it’s clear that the process is often harder than the practice. Once the change is made, it becomes the norm. In Judaism, words for God are male, female, singular and plural. Baginsky said language “has the power to create – that concept is there at the start of the Bible”. She added: “The second we use language that is distinctively male, such as ‘father’ and ‘Lord’, we are giving God male human characteristics and we are narrowing our vision of God. If we want to be inclusive of people’s relationship with God, then we need to shift the language we use.”

God has not been gendered in liberal shuls since the 1990s

It comes after priests asked to be allowed to use gender-neutral terms instead of the more traditional male derogations. The Church said it would look at the matter in the spring, to decide whether to propose changes or not.

Outrage over GB News interview Ofcom has been urged to tackle the broadcast of conspiracy theories by GB News that risk spreading ideas linked to antisemitism. The Board of Deputies, along with the all-party parliamentary group against antisemitism, both issued statements following a recent edition of the weekly GB News show hosted by Neil Oliver. One of Oliver’s guests last Saturday was William Keyte, introduced as a “constitutional expert”, but who is also a supporter of

a campaign group called the New Chartist Movement. Articles on the New Chartist website include one claiming the “corporate and banking Deep State, supported by the Zionist state of Israel”. Another suggests the “House of Rothschild” directs world affairs. The Board said: “It is concerning that GB News airs a show which embraces of conspiracy theories.” A GB News spokesperson said: “We would never allow racism on the channel.”

CAMP SIMCHA RAISES £2.8M

Supporters of a Jewish charity that supports poorly Jewish children and their families have raised a vital £2.8m from 13,700 donations in a 36-hour fundraising appeal. Camp Simcha, which helps children suffering from serious childhood illnesses, had not held a fundraiser for two years. This week the charity’s boss said the Jewish community had “stepped up” when needed. Its campaign featured a short video starring actress Sharon Small and actor David Tennant, saying ‘Simcha’ in their natural Scottish accents. “It’s kind of a Scottish word, really,” said the former Doctor Who star. The charity has supported more than 1,400 family members over the past year, many of whom “need more from us than they previously did”, said chief executive Neville Goldschneider. “The amazing communal support we received will help ensure we can be there for every family that needs us,” he added.

Waters accused The wife of Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour has accused the band’s co-founder Roger Waters of being “antisemitic to your rotten core”, in a row over his stance on Israel and the Ukraine war. Polly Samson was responding to a tweet from Waters which publicised an interview he had given to a German newspaper. Waters said it had been

published “against the backdrop of the outrageous and despicable smear campaign by the Israeli lobby to denounce me as an antisemite, which I am not, never have been and never will be”. Samson, 60, whose father is Jewish, tweeted: “Sadly Roger Waters you are antisemitic to you rotten core” adding he was also a “Putin apologist.” It was retweeted by her husband.

9 February 2023 Jewish News

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Holocaust VR / News

High-tech horror: Auschwitz in VR A virtual reality tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau has premiered in the UK, writes Michelle Rosenberg. Triumph of the Spirit provides an immersive 50min, 360-degree virtual experience of the infamous camp, narrated by Holocaust expert Rabbi Yisrael Goldwasser, who tells viewers: “You’re not a tourist. You’re a mourner.” The film, including drone footage and survivor testimony, was created by three Charedi women film-makers to meet the challenge of teaching the history of the Shoah to younger generations using new technology. Director and co-creator Miriam Cohen addressed the audience at the Montcalm Hotel in Marble Arch, with guests including Israel ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, Laurence Winton, grandson of Kindertransport hero Sir Nicholas Winton, and survivors Manfred Goldberg and Jacques Weisser. Cohen, from Bnei Brak in Israel, told how at the age of 17 she couldn’t join a school trip to Poland for religious reasons. Her friends returned having had a “powerful experience”. Feeling she had missed

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something she vowed to make the journey one day. Working out of their production studios, she and creative partners Chani Koplowitz and Yuti Neiman decided to use VR to enable those who cannot or would not visit Poland to see it for themselves. It took intense negotiations to obtain permission to take a crew into Auschwitz – Cohen recalls being told “the same thing” by Yad Vashem and the Israeli embassy in Poland: “Why do you think they are going to open it for you? Who are you? Steven Spielberg didn’t get permission when he did Schindler’s List.” Eventually, supported by the director and board of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the docu-

mentary was filmed over three days during the pandemic. Met at the camp by a guard who let them in before closing the gates behind them, Cohen said: “We found ourselves, three mummies to so many children, alone in this terrible place. It was so difficult. So emotional and it was a moment I will never forget.” She told Jewish News the virtual reality tech “tells the story of the Holocaust in a way youth can relate to – not a remote moment of memory, something you study by books, photos and museum display, but something you are able to experience by using the tech. “It’s a breakthrough in educating youngsters about the Holocaust.”

TRIUMPH FOR EDUCATORS BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG COMMUNITY EDITOR, JEWISH NEWS

I experienced Auschwitz for the first time from the comfort of a Marble Arch hotel, wearing a virtual reality headset. Feeling I had to protect myself physically, my arms were folded tightly, my hands burrowed into my sleeves. It seems fitting that the headsets take physical effort to remove. It means you literally have to tear your gaze away. And there were moments where I was tempted to do so. Triumph of the Spirit begins with an historical overview of Jewish life in Poland before the Holocaust. The sights and sounds of the past are presented by professional Holocaust researcher Rabbi Israel Goldwasser. The impression of the vibrancy of the community that would be largely exterminated by the Nazis is profoundly clear. And then: drone aerial footage of Auschwitz. The gates. The train tracks. An authentic red cattle car that would have been packed with hundreds of Jews, carrying their small cases of personal belongings, unknowingly en route to their murder. I knew what was coming.

And as the film presented the stark, cold bunks and barracks of Auschwitz-Birkenau, I froze, pushing myself back into my chair, trying to find distance. The remains of the crematorium. The steps that members of my family, and yours, were ordered to walk down for ‘disinfection’. I shook my head when we moved inside a gas chamber. The camera narrowed, the room got smaller. I couldn’t get out. I couldn’t get out. I couldn’t get out. After 50 minutes the great, bitter-sweet irony of being able to remove the headset. To step away. And breathe. At last, it had stopped. The room was absolutely silent. Guests rubbed their eyes. Some looked dazed. Others left the room. I sat and I cried. On a table with people I had never met. Powerful; evocative; visceral. Those images will be seared into my brain for the rest of my life. And that is, perhaps, the point. That we don’t look away. That we must never look away. That we must remember. Leaving the room, I bumped into rebbetzen Joanne Dove. We hadn’t seen each other for years, but she gave me a hug. And she didn’t let go. It was a wordless exchange between two Jews with the tacit acknowledgement that the Holocaust binds us all.

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News / Soldier’s story / Shul suppport

Royal Marine leads mental health drive for JFS pupils A former commando medically discharged from the Royal Marines has shared his soldiering experiences and mental health struggles with students at JFS, writes Michelle Rosenberg. In an initiative by British charity Beit Halochem, Christopher Hayes met 525 Year 10 and 12 pupils in a return visit to JFS as part of the charity’s approach to supporting mental wellbeing and resilience in UK schools. The charity raises awareness and funds for Israel’s wounded veterans and victims of terror and provides opportunities for injured UK service personnel to take part in sporting events with their Israeli counterparts at the Veteran Games. Hayes was following up a successful previous visit in 2022 as part of Beit Halochem’s mental health awareness programme. Medically discharged from the Royal Marines in 2017 with “an alarming cocktail of mental health problems”, Hayes admitted he was “lost and heartbroken, desperately depressed and alone; an insomniac with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and complex PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).

He said being an ambassador for BHUK, competing in the Veteran Games in Israel and speaking at school assemblies formed a key part of his recovery. “I could go on. I did go on,” he said, encouraging pupils to have the courage to ask for help if they were struggling. Mikey Silverstein, 16, said he found Hayes inspiring: “To hear from someone who is a real-life superhero, you don’t expect them to have mental health problems and to struggle, teaches me to never give up and persevere in life. I won’t forget this moment.” Nicholas Azulay, also 16, said: “It was amazing to meet him. It gave me an understanding of how to overcome difficulties and go straight in to get things done; that way you’ll get through it.” Hayes told Jewish News he was “in awe of the intellect, profundity and depth of the questions/conversations I have had with the children at JFS. They ask deep, profound questions that cut right to the meat of the issue.” He added meeting the students “means the world to me. To be a small part of what Beit Halochem is spearheading in schools is an honour. I rec-

Shul kids rally to help fire-hit congregation Jewish children from the bar and batmitzvah class at a London synagogue have made cards for the young members of a Christian congregation whose nearby St Mark’s Church was destroyed by fire. The act of solidarity came from the Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) on St Johns Wood Road. LJS rabbi Igor Zinkov visited the church the morning after the fire to offer support and help. Firefighters were deployed to the Grade II-listed building but could not save the historic structure.

Freedland shortlisted for escape bestseller

Inspirational: UK Beit Halochem ambassador and former Royal Marine commando Christopher Hayes with JFS sixth-formers

ognise the huge need this generation of kids has because it was missing so flagrantly in my mine.” BHUK chief executive Spencer Gelding added: “Chris and other UK veterans are becoming our greatest ambassadors. When I speak about

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Israel no one is surprised but to have a non-Jewish former Royal Marine do it and speak so positively about the community and Israel is special.” BHUK plans to bring more UK veterans to other private and state Jewish and non-Jewish schools during 2023.

Jonathan Freedland has been shortlisted for a prestigious literary award for his non-fiction novel about the first Jewish man to escape Auschwitz. Freedland is one of five writers put forward in the non-fiction category for the Rathbones Folio Prize, with his book The Escape Artist. It tells the true story of Slovakian Walter Rosenberg, later known as Rudolf Vrba. In 1944, the 19-year old and a fellow inmate broke out of Auschwitz to warn the world what was happening.

9 February 2023 Jewish News

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Film controvery / Shul arson / World News

Netflix film You People France hate plan update ‘horribly damages’ Jews New Netflix comedy You People has been branded “horribly damaging” to Jews with claims it enforces stereotypes of them being “white and racist”. The Jonah Hill and Kenya Barris’ culture-clash movie is currently the top-rated release on the popular streaming platform after its release two weeks ago. It follows a Jewish man (Hill) falling in love with Amira Mohammed (Lauren London), who is a black, Muslim woman. After watching the film, David Jonah Hill and Eddie Murphy in a scene from You People Baddiel tweeted: “It’s a Jews Don’t Count fest. The Jewish family are tweeted. “Jewish & white are one Dreyfus and David Duchovny) positioned as white, privileged and and the same in this film.” make a joke about Jews being the racist. The black family just have a White also claimed the movie “OG slaves... We were technically stern dad. At the end, there’s much took”cheap” shots at the Holo- OG slaves,’”Duchovny’s character Jewish apologising for racism. caust, while also forcing stereotypes Arnold told Akbar (Eddie Murphy), “None for antisemitism. That around Jewish wealth. Amira’s father. word never appears.” Baddiel “In the trailer, they were already Akbar replied: “Are you trying to claimed the only black stereotype making Holocaust jokes and kind compare the Holocaust to slavery?” in the movie was the dad, played by of minimising the Holocaust. “Our people came here with Eddie Murphy. “So that’s not good when your nothing like everybody else,” Allison Josephs, executive trailer includes cheap and really Dreyfus’ character Shelley coundirector of non-profit group Jew offensive Holocaust humour,” tered. in the City was also scathing. “Not Josephs told Newsweek. Some viewers, however, sugsure what they were hoping to In one of the trailers, Hill’s gested the film raised difficult, but 502.2 FIO advert febdidn’t 6.2.23.qxp_Layout 06/02/2023parents 11:18 Page 1 Louisaccomplish, but it work,’ she 1progressive (Julia necessary issues around race.

France has updated its plan for fighting antisemitism to require teachers to receive training and French schoolchildren to visit scenes of antisemitic or racist incidents including Holocaust sites. Roving exhibitions about antisemitism and

racism will also be set up in schools. The plan was adopted in 2015 but is required to be updated every three years. In addition to the educational additions, French law will also be adapted to make charges of serious antisemitic or

racist offences enough to stop accused from fleeing the country. Government data found some 1.2 million people in France including its 500,000 Jews are suffering from growing levels of racism or discrimination.

TURKISH SHUL TARGETED Istanbul police have arrested 15 suspects connected to the Islamic State terror group who were allegedly plotting to target Turkish synagogues. “15 people were detained on the grounds that the so-called Khorasan Province leadership of ISIS ordered an action against the Swedish and Dutch Consulate Generals and places of wor-

ship belonging to our Christian and Jewish citizens in Istanbul,” Istanbul police said in a statement according to the Turkish daily Hurriyet. Last month, the U.S. state department issued a warning to itizens residing in Turkey that terror attacks could be imminent at places Westerners are known to congregate.

Shul arson suspect held A man has been arrested in connection with an attempted firebombing of an American synagogue. Nicholas Malindretos, 26, is charged with attempted use of fire to damage and destroy a building used in interstate commerce in connection with the incident at Temple Ner Tamid in New Jersey.

The synagogue was largely undamaged in the incident, which took place when no one was in the building. Shatterproof doors held and the homemade bomb fizzled out — which Ner Tamid rabbi Marc Katz said was a credit to security measures taken since similar attacks elsewhere in the US.

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Special Report

A history of Israel in 100 cartoons

Cartoonists are the gadflies of society, often summing up in one pithy drawing and caption, an image that can make the viewer laugh aloud – or gasp in shock. They touch nerves, saying the unsayable, writes Jenni Frazer. So it seemed more than fitting when the academic and historian, Dr Colin Shindler, decided to marry his twin loves – cartoons and Israel – in a new book, a history of Israel in 100 cartoons. Clockwise from above: Benjamin Netanyahu, the It’s something that has never Great Game Hunter; Ehud Olmert, drawn in 2008 with been done before but, as with a noose around his neck while the politician fought all the best ideas, it leaves the corruption charges; and the Soviet exodus reader wondering why not. “Cartoonists are outsiders,” says Shin- wonderfully bushy-haired David Ben-Gurion, dler. “They challenge the accepted wisdom. surely a cartoonist’s dream. All three of them Cartoons are amazing; they bring a smile to appear in a Dosh cartoon in Ma’ariv in April the face and they can often tell a story in an 1971, showing Golda taking over the Labour instant. I admire the brilliance of cartoonists. Party, but nobody having any idea where they And it occurred to me that cartoonists have are going. On the margin stand two perplexed been persecuted by authoritarian leaders who figures – Jordan’s King Hussein and Egypt’s don’t like what they see; and that a dispropor- Anwar Sadat. Closer to our own time – the book concludes tionate number of Jews have been involved in satire. So I thought, yes, Jews and cartoonists in 2020 – there are some deliciously stinging cartoons: Netanyahu wearing different hats as have a direct connection”. He began his research in 2015 for the pub- he tries to become all things to all men; a 2010 lisher Cambridge University Press, and freely one that doesn’t take much artistry, but is hardadmits that it is “the hardest book I have ever hitting nevertheless, showing Israel on “Gilad written”. He spent many hours in Tel Aviv’s Shavit” time, marking the long years of the solCartoon Museum, and if he drew a blank dier’s capture; and, in probably the most striking when finding the ideal image there, would image in the entire book, a beautifully-detailed drawing of former premier, Ehud Olmert, a work in the National Library of Israel. Cambridge imposed a limit of 100 car- cigar and a “brown envelope” in his pocket – and toons – echoing the success of the book by a fraying noose around his neck. It was drawn in the former director of the British Museum, 2008 as the snappy dresser fought – ultimately Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 unsuccessfully – corruption charges. Or there is a 2016 cartoon of Netanyahu Objects. Shindler’s book is not quite so ambitious, but it is daunting nevertheless, as he and Trump, when their “bromance” was at its traces Israel’s tumultuous journey over the height. The picture is based on a photo wellpast 75 years. Each year gets a chronological known at the time of Netanyahu lying with listing of the big events – introduced by a his head on the lap of his wife, Sara. This time, knowledgeable essay discussing them. But Itamar Daube has drawn the prime minister then there is the unenviable task of picking a contentedly napping on Trump, who had just been elected US president. definitive image of that year. One of the motivations for writing the book, Israel produced a number of cartoonists in its early years as a state, several from Hungary. Shindler says, “is to pay a debt of honour”. He Shindler was able to track down the families has dedicated the book to two members of the of those cartoonists who were no longer alive, 35s, the extraordinarily successful Women’s such as probably the best-known, Dosh and Campaign for Soviet Jewry. Zelda Harris, now Ze’ev. “The families were absolutely delighted in her 90s, lives today in Tel Aviv, while Sylvia that recognition was once again being given to Becker, who made aliyah in 1980, died aged 93 in 2019. Both women were at the forefront of the their fathers or grandfathers.” Shindler’s near-encyclopaedic knowledge of Soviet Jewry campaign throughout the 1970s. Israel’s history allows him to unpick even the Shindler, himself an architect of the Soviet most obscure of cartoon references, particu- Jewry campaign in the UK, does not want their larly in the state’s early years, when big and con- tireless work to be forgotten. troversial issues have faded from our consciousness. Every cartoon is carefully explained, and  Colin Shindler will be discussing if we don’t recognise some of the big political ‘Israel: A History in 100 Cartoons’ on 26 February at Jewish Book Week. beasts, Shindler is on hand to enlighten us. It’s easier with figures such as Golda Meir, The book is published by Cambridge the eye patch-wearing Moshe Dayan or the University Press

Above: The Trump and Netanyahu ‘bromance’ and, right, Voltaire and Charlie Hebdo

9 February 2023 Jewish News

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Gaucher debate / Shul damaged / Sites celebrated / World News

Rare disease could protect Ashkenazi Jews against TB Scientists may have solved the question why Ashkenazi Jews are significantly more susceptible to a rare genetic disorder known as Gaucher disease – and the answer may help to settle the debate about whether they are less susceptible to tuberculosis (TB), writes Joy Falk. Research published this week by Cambridge scientists along with colleagues in the Netherlands, Spain, and Pennsylvania, USA shows the same biological mechanisms that underlie Gaucher disease are also effective at clearing TB infection. The discovery, made during studies of TB susceptibility in zebrafish, suggests genetic variants that increase the risk of Gaucher also help to protect against TB, giving them a selective advantage – that is, making the variants more likely to be passed down from generation to generation. In 2021, an estimated 10.6 million people worldwide fell ill with TB and 1.6 million people died from it. Most people manage to clear the infection themselves however, with only around one-in-10 to 20 people going on to develop the disease.

A range of medications involved in the scientific research

Professor Lalita Ramakrishnan and colleagues from the University of Cambridge and the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, are interested in what makes some people susceptible to TB while others appear to be protected.

She uses zebrafish to model human disease as it is relatively easy to manipulate zebrafish genetics, and the fish’s immune systems share many similarities with those of humans. During the research, Ramakrishnan’s team found zebrafish with mutations that impaired the digestion

of proteins by lysosomes became more susceptible to TB. Lysosomes are components of our cells that break down unwanted materials, including proteins and fats, using enzymes. When a mutation affects the production of these enzymes, it can lead to a build-up of toxic materials. One type of cell vulnerable to this build-up is the macrophage, a type of immune cell that ‘eats’ toxic material, including bacteria and waste products. In lysosomal disorders, the macrophages become enlarged because of accumulation of undigested material in their lysosomes and move slowly, hampering their ability to fight infection. Gaucher disease is rare, affecting around one-in-40,000 to 60,000 births in the general population, but rates are significantly higher among Ashkenazi Jews – around one- in-800 births. In most cases, the disease can be relatively mild – with symptoms including enlarged spleen and liver, and anaemia – and around two-thirds of people carrying two copies of the most common genetic variant are unaware they are carriers.

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Ukraine shul damaged in missile onslaught Russian missile fire damaged a 113-year-old synagogue in Huliaipole, Ukraine, last weekend with a photograph on Twitter apparently showing a large hole in the building’s exterior. The state of the inerior is unclear. The attack was condemned by Moshe Reuven Azman, a Ukrainian chief rabbi affiliated with the ChabadLubavitch movement, quoted by Ynet, who added: “It is common knowledge that holy sites are off-limits during an armed conflict.”

German-Jewish sites in Unesco ceremony Germany has held a special ceremony to celebrate the first German-Jewish sites to be given Unesco World Heritage designation. The sites in the upper Rhine River valley are known as the origin point of Ashkenazi culture and the place where the Yiddish language first began to develop over 1,000 years ago. They were recognised by the United Nations cultural body in July 2021, but the arrival of the pandemic delayed Germany’s celebration.

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Editorial comment and letters ISSUE NO.

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I write to express concern and surprise at the article written by Sir Mick Davis suggesting proposals by the new Israeli government are “an affront to Judaism” (26 January). Israel claims to be a democracy and a fundamental tenet of democracy is that the judiciary is separate from the executive and the rule of the majority prevails. The courts have the responsibility for interpreting the law, but it must be the sole job of the elected government to make the law. Over the years the Supreme Court in Israel has taken upon itself the right to interfere in the workings and decisions of the Government by issuing declarations as to whether the laws the Government wishes to make are “reasonable” in the pretence that they are protecting minority rights. The judges of that court are not only unelected but self-preserving, as they claim the sole right to

Sir Mick Davis claims, without evidence, that the intentions of the new Israeli government don’t reflect the democratic choice of the majority of Israelis as they didn’t know what they were voting for and that “the new coalition does not respect the rule of law”. On the contrary. The coalition parties were upfront about the proposed judicial reform and other measures. In Yonatan Green’s excellent opinion piece the previous week, he wrote. “The proposed reforms reveal a measured, justified and democratic response to

decades of illegitimate, judicial overreach. The Israeli Supreme Court, widely regarded as one of the world’s most activist, has abrogated to itself over 40 years key governing authority and invented a degree of judicial power unparalleled in any modern, democratic society.” It can, and does, overrule any policy or law it wishes to under the undefined “reasonableness” clause, and its veto powers over the appointments to the bench are systematically abused to exclude jurisprudentially diverse judges. It had become the

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select new judges – truly a law unto themselves. There is no reason why governance should not be performed by a selected group of unelected persons, but that is not democracy. There may be good reason to express upset as to the individuals elected, but the electorate felt previous members of the Knesset did not give them the protection they deserved and a large proportion of the electorate voted for change. In Britain we have a second chamber to the Government (the Lords) who are unelected but act as a control over the Commons. Any Government Bill that the Lords consider inappropriate or unreasonable is returned to the Commons for reconsideration. All the new proposal in Israel does is mimic this by using the Supreme Court as a second chamber. If that is good enough for the people of Britain, why not Israel? Colin Jaque, By email

27 May 2020

antithesis of democratic accountability, and the proposed, moderate reforms are designed to return it to its role as it was in the first 40 years of Israel’s existence. As Mr Green writes, these criticisms have been forcefully advanced over years by towering legal figures like Professors David Friedmann, Ruth Gavison, Yoav Dotan and Chief Justice Moishe Landau, all of them political moderates. They could teach Mick Davis a thing or two about Judaism.

Who is Sir Mick Davis to lecture Israelis, who are on the frontline defending Jews in constant danger, whom they should vote for to govern themselves, given that he has never defended Israel on the battlefield? He shouldn’t crown himself with a halo at the expense of Israelis who lawfully express their democratic rights at the ballot box.

James R Windsor, Ilford

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Few Jewish News readers will have been surprised by Israel’s reaction to this week’s devastating earthquake affecting Turkey and Syria, nor by the response of British Jews through charities like World Jewish Relief and Magen David Adom UK. With thousands still trapped under the rubble in towns and cities across a vast stretch, Israelis got there quickly. By Wednesday morning, they had saved a number of people, including two children and a young woman. The contingent of specialists invited by Turkey’s President Erdogan includes a multi-skilled 230-member Israel Defence Forces (IDF) team, plus clinicians such as Ofer Merin from Sha’are Tzedek in Jerusalem, who are leading a field hospital. In parallel, several emergency response charities such as Magen David Adom (MDA) and United Hatzalah are on the ground providing help, as is the country’s main humanitarian assistance organisation, IsrAID. A subsidiary of Israeli flag carrier El Al arranged to fly many of the first responders out into the zone of destruction, with Israel’s Foreign Ministry liaising with Israel’s Turkish embassy to get them in, while Israeli diplomats worked to fly experts in water, sanitation and hygiene, mental health and protection, and emergency logistics into the area. It is an impressive line-up, with impressive levels of coordination, and it needed to be – these are harrowing and desperate circumstances. The IDF’s search-and-rescue commander said locals had been calling them to wherever they had heard voices coming from under the collapsed buildings and that Israeli army engineers had got immediately to work, drilling holes to free them. At home, WJR set up a fundraising appeal for the Jewish community to contribute within hours of the first 7.8 magnitude quake in Turkey, near the Syrian border, which was closely followed by another huge 7.5 magnitude shock. At the time of writing, more than 11,000 people had died. This number is expected to rise, as is the amount of financial aid donated by Britain’s Jews. At times like this, politics pales into insignificance. This is a human disaster, requiring a human response. The Jewish community is meeting the challenge.

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Editorial comment and letters

DON’T MENTION THE SHOAH SIR LAURIE MAGNUS POSTCARD FROM THE EDGE The letter from Welsh politician Julie Morgan apologising for not mentioning Jews in relation to the Holocaust in an invitation to a memorial day event she hosted at the Senned unwittingly provided the strongest argument against the proposed memorial at Westminster. I read her letter (26 January) a few times before digesting it. She appeared to argue that the Holocaust now means atrocities of varying severity anywhere, in

which Jews may or may not get a mention. So Ms Morgan writes that she marked the day with the gypsy and traveller community, as she has for years. It should by now be clear that the proposed £100 million vanity project in Westminster will similarly encompass many other historical events. The word Holocaust – meaning the unprecedented slaughter of Jewish people – will be progressively diluted.

Gerry Solomons, Highgate

If Julie Morgan’s letter hadn’t been about the Holocaust, I’d congratulate Jewish News for lightening up the letters page with a touch of comedy. Remember the Fawlty Towers episode The Germans, in which Basil says ‘Don’t mention the war’ then offends German guests by doing just that? Ms Morgan organised a Holocaust memorial event and the invitation did not mention Jews among those to be commemorated! When you are in a hole it’s best to stop digging, but in her letter she swaps a shovel for a mechanical excavator. She claims her event was to remember ‘six million Jews and everyone else killed in the Holocaust’. Nobody else was. The word Holocaust means the genocide of European Jews during World War II. Only that. The time to commemorate Hitler’s other victims is Remembrance Sunday. Herbert Goldberg, By email

The Anglo-Jewish background of Sir Laurie Magnus CBE, the new Independent adviser on ministerial interests, comes through his father. The Magnus family, originally from Cassel, in Germany, settled in King’s Lynn, Norfolk in the mid-18th century. Sir Laurie’s great grandfather, Philip, married the artistic Katie Emanuel, daughter of Alderman Emanuel, JP of Southsea, and went on to a successful career as an educationalist and leading communal figure. Philip Magnus was knighted on his retirement in 1917, but his anti-Zionist views did not go down well. Sir Laurie’s grandfather, another Laurie, married Dora Spielman, whose mother was a descendant of the Sebag-Montefiores, and whose father, Isidore, was known for his interest in the arts and was knighted in 1905. His father, Hilary, married Rosemary, a niece of the poet laureate John Masefield, and had a successful career at the English Bar. With this varied history, Sir Laurie will have no problem dealing with the intricacies of Government. Doreen Berger, Jewish

I was interested to read your article on the antisemitic Nazi boardgame, made in 1938, which included the wording “Auf nach Palestina” (go to Palestine). Telling German Jews to go to Palestine was not just a Nazi idea. This is a German postcard with the same wording, dated 23 July 1906, some 15 or so years before the forming of the Nazi Party, when Adolph Hitler was still a teenager.

Michael Zaidner, Bushey Heath

Genealogical Society of Great Britain

ISRAEL HAS BEEN INFECTED BY TROJAN HORSE VIRUS STARMER HAS WORK TO DO The demonstrations all over Israel against the new coalition are not exclusively anti-Netanyahu. He has succeeded in creating a majority in the Knesset by selling his soul to the devil by making his coalition with extreme right-wing parties that are the antithesis of democ-

racy, introducing so-called reforms that will critically change the judicial system, reducing the power of the judiciary and creating a situation in which the government will have the power to override supreme court decisions such as allowing a convicted felon – Arieh Deri – to

hold a ministerial position. Most of the libraries in Jerusalem have separation of men and women and education is being turned into a yeshiva system with everything that entails. Netanyahu has infected Israel with a Trojan horse virus.

The “Israel apartheid” remark by Labour MP Kim Johnson should come as no surprise. This lady has a history of anti-Israel bias with her association with ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Her outspoken rhetoric also reveals that Sir Keir Starmer still has work to do rooting out those that still cast a very dark shadow over the party.

Howard Burns, Haifa

Stephen Vishnick, Tel Aviv

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Opinion

‘Ordinary’ antisemitism – found at HMD event ALEX MAWS

HEAD OF EDUCATION & HERITAGE, THE ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH REFUGEES

s one of the UK’s delegates to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), it’s something of an occupational hazard that I spend a lot of time reading about antisemitism, in all its guises – verbal abuse, physical attacks, online trolling, harassment, intimidation, far-right conspiracy theories, farleft conspiracy theories, the list goes on. But while these forms of antisemitism may make headlines and appear in official statistics that put Jews on high alert, other forms are more surreptitious. We may find ourselves confronted by them where we least expect it. At an event a few days ago, a woman sitting next to me raised her hand during the Q&A. When she was called on, she rambled for a bit

before getting around to what she really wanted to ask, and what she wanted to ask was: what is the secret to the Jews’ success in business? It’s at this point that I should probably mention that the keynote speaker at the event — the person to whom this question was posed — was a Holocaust survivor, and the event was to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. It’s also worth noting that the theme of HMD this year was Ordinary People and this event very much focused on that topic, challenging attendees to consider the ordinariness of the victims, resistors and rescuers, as well as of the perpetrators, bystanders and collaborators. The message could hardly be more clear: we all have the capacity to make a difference; it is up to us whether we want that to be a positive, uplifting difference or the sort of difference that dehumanises and destroys. And yet this textbook example of antisemitism, equating Jews and money, seemingly sailed over the heads of everyone in the room. Not one of the 100 or so ordinary people in attendance murmured a word of disapproval. (I, for one, resolved to speak to the woman after-

wards – more on that below.) As it happens, this question was merely tied for the most inappropriate thing to happen at this commemoration. There was something else. A faith leader was asked to share a few of his reflections. In his remarks, he gamely set out to balance just the right amount of mournfulness with a sprinkling of hopefulness. He advanced his PowerPoint presentation to the next slide to reveal a hackneyed motivational quote of the sort you might find framed in an AirBnb rental, something about the ability of ordinary people to be extraordinary. “I’d like to share with you a quote,” he said, by way of introducing it, “… from Elon Musk.” OK, so in this case the statement itself wasn’t antisemitic, it was just something inane that happens to have been expressed by someone who allowed antisemites back on the Twitter platform. A man who has gladly welcomed on to his platform rabid Jew-haters such as Nick Fuentes and Kanye West. A man whose stewardship of Twitter has brought about a spike in antisemitic and racist abuse. This must not be normalised, anywhere. It goes

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without saying that the so-called wisdom of Elon Musk belongs nowhere near a Holocaust memorial event. I’m intentionally leaving out the details of where and when this event took place, because my aim here isn’t to embarrass its organisers publicly, and I am quite sure that they all had the best intentions. The salient point here is about the nature of antisemitism in 2023. It has become so pervasive, yet so banal, that even people who had chosen to spend an evening examining its extreme consequences weren’t able to recognise it for what it was. And if this level of ignorance can exist at a Holocaust Memorial Day event, what goes on elsewhere? Our challenge as we move on from Holocaust Memorial Day 2023 is to emphasise that antisemitism isn’t always announced with a Nazi salute or a fist or an expletive. These varieties of antisemitism are glaring and therefore fairly easy and convenient to call out. But antisemitism can also take the form of unconscious bias that has become culturally internalised to the extent that ordinary people can become the unwitting purveyors of it.

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Jewish News 9 February 2023

Opinion

The shul and a ‘kidnap’ that almost certainly wasn’t one JENNI FRAZER

story comes my way from New York which, with its layers of claims and counterclaims, almost passeth understanding. Picture the scene: a man in the strictlyOrthodox neighbourhood of Flatbush is studying in a shul. As he decides to leave, he sees to his horror in the lobby in front of the doors — women. About 15 of them. Now to me, and perhaps to you, dear reader, this would simply be a matter of saying to the group: “Excuse me, can I get past?” and hoping the women stand aside so there might be no physical proximity. Our hero, however, makes a somewhat radical decision. He sees a young boy aged about nine and has a brief conversation with him, which results in the boy acting as an escort for the man. CCTV footage shows the pair walking through the lobby with the man’s hand on the boy’s shoulder. Perhaps all would have ended there, except that this is a community which has been rocked by allegations of sustained child

abuse by men who were looked up to in the frum world. So when the boy’s mother turns up —maybe she was collecting him — and finds him in the company of a stranger, she asks her son who the man is. And he says he doesn’t know. The understandably distressed mother calls Flatbush Shomrim and says her son is being kidnapped. Flatbush Shomrim advises her to call the cops. The cops soon arrive and arrest the man; and the NYPD also puts out a notice to the press that a man is suspected of kidnapping in Flatbush. And this is how the story gets into the New York Post. The paper has no doubt as to what has happened. Its headline reads: “Creep tries to abduct boy from NYC synagogue — thwarted by mom.” Apparently, and I freely admit I did not know this, the man in question had the choice of either grabbing an item such as a phone or a wallet, or holding on to his peyot or tzitzit, in order to walk through the crowd of women. The idea, I suppose, is to keep his hands occupied so that he does not inadvertently touch someone. Instead, he picks on a

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WHAT KIND OF SOCIETY SEES ORDINARY NORMAL WOMEN AS ENEMIES, ON A PAR WITH TERRORISTS?

The ‘suspect’ escorted from the shul

stranger’s child to “protect” him. Quite what possessed him to pick up a child he did not know — and not understand the wider implications of such an act — is an utter mystery. Even more bizarre is the fact that “nearly all” charges against him were subsequently dropped, as the NYPD apparently accepted his extraordinary explanation. I still don’t know what remained from the original charge sheet. But there are so many things wrong with this story, not least the flurry of comments in Yeshiva World News blaming the mother, Flatbush Shomrim and the cops for their response.

Of two things, however, I am perfectly sure. First is that we will never know the real truth of what motivated Flatbush Man to behave as he did. Perhaps he was indeed innocent — though manifestly stupid — or perhaps he was intent on kidnap and was stymied at the last moment. But the second thing is that I was struck by a below-the-line comment in Yeshiva World News, suggesting it was all the fault of the women in the lobby for congregating there. What kind of society sees women — just ordinary, normal women — as enemies, comparable to sharks or terrorists?

What was not said as significant as what was VIVIAN WINEMAN FORMER PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DEPUTIES

e don’t read newspapers to cheer ourselves up. If it bleeds it leads, but if it doesn’t then who wants to know? It is good, therefore, to be able to write about a story that is just good news – not only for what happened but also for what did not. My brother-in-law, Daniel Greenberg CB, has just been appointed parliamentary commissioner for standards, a post formerly occupied by Kathryn Stone. Daniel has worked in the House of Commons for several decades and in his own words fell in love with the place. He is anxious to bring out the positive side of MPs, and the work they do as well as to hold them to proper standards . Because of the nature of the appointment, it had to be ratified by a motion proposed and debated in the House of Commons. It was, therefore possible to follow the proceedings in Hansard, the official report of all parliamentary debates, and to watch the debate as it was screened.

Many complimentary things were said about him, such as his razor-sharp legal intellect and undoubted integrity but what was not said was also significant. Daniel is a Charedi Jew. At least he wears the uniform, with a big black hat and tzitziot on the outside. Never once during the debate was Daniel’s religion or orthodoxy mentioned. It was just not regarded as relevant. All that was important was his character and his ability to do the job. Here he scored. Indeed, when subsequently interviewed on Newsnight, he was asked whether, in the light of his experience with working in the House of Commons, he might be considered too much of an insider.

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HIS CHARACTER AND ABILITY TO DO THE JOB WERE ALL THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO THOSE PRESENT

Was this really how a Charedi Jew would be perceived in the mother of parliaments? His experience echoes that of Baroness Ros Altmann CBE, another deeply orthodox, though not Charedi Jew. She tells how, in her career advising at the highest levels of government on pension matters, she never had any problem with her religious observance but experienced nothing but tolerance and respect. This is not to deny the existence of antisemitism and racism in this country or to gainsay the ominous rise in antisemitic incidents as reported by the CST. Vivian Wineman’s brother-in-law Daniel Greenberg We are, however, living in a the meantime that although it is maybe not country with a prime minister asleep, its impact on us is not as high as it has who is a member of a minority faith, not just a been in less fortunate times and countries. Hindu but a proud practicing Hindu, who took As Britain’s new Hindu head of state his oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita, the continues in office, we can reflect on how this most revered of all the Hindu texts. country and the way it conducts itself can While we should always remember that, still be the object of envy for the many people in the words of the late Lord Sacks, antisemin less happy lands. itism is a light sleeper, let us be thankful in

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9 February 2023 Jewish News

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“I don’t get it, Joe. Our Iron Dome system has shot down thousands of incoming rockets and nobody reports it. Your military shoots down a balloon and it’s front page news!”

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Community / Scene & Be Seen

BABIES WELCOMED INTO THE ARK

The Ark Synagogue, Northwood, held its first communal baby blessing since the pandemic. Families joined the Liberal community’s ministers, Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, Rabbi Lea Mühlstein and Emeritus Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, on the bimah at the end of a special Tu Bishvat service. The picture shows Rabbi Aaron, standing, second from left, and Rabbi Mühlstein (far right of the photograph) with some of the families taking part.

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TU BISHVAT EVENT AT BOREHAMWOOD

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Families from Borehamwood and Elstree synagogue ,from both Yavneh and Croxdale enjoyed a great afternoon at a Tu Bishvat event for 60 children, which included craft activities and a Seder led by Rabbi Chapper.

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TREE’S COMPANY AT NORWOOD

Adults supported by Norwood have been celebrating Tu Bishvat this week with arts and crafts activities. These have included creating tree-themed wall hangings, as well as joyfully receiving flowers, generously donated by the charity’s friends at GIFT.

TAKING A LEAF OUT OF THEIR BOOK

Youngsters learn about Tu Bishvat at the Aleph Centre cheder at HGSS (Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue in Norrice Lea). Year 2 made fruity faces and Year 4 discovered how to give back to nature.

WOLFSON HILLEL REACH SPURS FINAL

Adam Warner, head of PE at Wolfson Hillel Primary in Southgate, is championing the school’s Year 5/6 girls, who won the Tottenham Hotspur Enfield Tournament. The team came out top after playing six 10-minute matches and are now through to the grand finale against the winners of the Haringey tournament. The winner will represent Tottenham Hotspur in the Primary Stars U11 tournament.

CLUB12 GIRLS SAY IT WITH FLOWERS

Club12, the batmitzvah programme at Whitefield Shul, Manchester, used the Japanese art of origami to make beautiful Tu Bishvat flower cards. Together with a small gift, they will be distributed by the girls to members of the community.

KEREM KIDS VISIT KEW GARDENS

To celebrate Tu Bishvat and to mark the beginning of Mental Health Week children from Reception to Year 6 at Kerem School spent the day at Kew Gardens. They said it was wonderful to be surrounded by the beauty of the trees and plants, and a great day was had by all.

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Jewish News 9 February 2023

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9 February 2023 Jewish News

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A look

Inside

Rising star who says she’s just been lucky Skiing in Austria

Love is a constant in the movies and these are a few of the celebrity Jewish couples who will be sending Valentine’s cards – at least we hope they will! Producer Mark Ronson with wife Grace Gummer, daughter of Meryl Streep

My not-so-funny While 14 February isn’t in the Jewish calendar, you ignore it at your peril, says comedian Bennett Arron

ne of the most quoted lines from the film Love Story is: “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Erich Segal, who wrote both the novel and the film screenplay, was Jewish. I find this amazing. Surely, as a Jewish man, he must have known that the correct phrase is: “Love means constantly having to say you’re sorry – even if you’re convinced you’re in the right.” Valentine’s Day is a perfect example of this. A perfect example of when trying to do the right thing ends up as yet another reason for an apology. Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m the only one who thinks that trying to do the right thing on Valentine’s Day is like trying to start a Seder Night on time. It’s never going to happen. Of course, Valentine’s Day, along with Mother’s Day, which is synonymous with the Christian tradition of Mothering Sunday, shouldn’t really be celebrated by Jews, as I’m pretty sure St Valentine wasn’t Jewish. And Cupid definitely isn’t Jewish as Jews generally are not good at sports, especially archery. But, as with many things, like Halloween, New Year’s Eve and, let’s be honest, Christmas, we go along with it. And even though I knew that Valentine’s Day, along with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents’ Day, Siblings’ Day, Second Cousins’ Day et al is just another moneymaking scheme dreamed up by card companies, I used to succumb. By the way, in Wales we actually have our own patron saint of lovers called St

Dwynwen, whose day is 25 January. So yet another card! But Valentine’s Day isn’t aimed at me. At least not any more. It’s really aimed at those who are in a new blooming relationship (and yes the word ‘blooming’ can be used either way). It’s an excuse to show just how much you love your new partner by buying overpriced flowers or going to a restaurant to indulge in their ‘special’ menu (again, in this context, you can replace the word ‘special’ with ‘over-priced’). There are even some people who use Valentine’s Day as a reason to propose marriage. Sadly, I know many couples who became engaged on Valentine’s Day and are now no longer together. So, a message and a warning to you: try being original. Years ago, an ex-girlfriend and I, entering our second year of dating, decided, mutually, that we would no longer buy cards or gifts for each other. On Valentine’s Day evening, she presented me with a card and a box of chocolates. I was shocked. And not only because she knew I didn’t like dark chocolates. I reminded her that we had agreed on not buying anything. She told me that she thought I was joking (I’d like to point out that at this point I wasn’t working as a professional comedian, or I would’ve been deeply insulted that my ‘jokes’ were of such a poor standard). I apologised, of course, then hurried to the local petrol station, proudly returning with a dozen roses which smelled slightly of diesel, a card with Congratulations on

Passing Your Driving Test crossed out and Happy Valentine’s Day written instead, and a packet of barbecue briquettes in the shape of a heart. Oh, and why do we have to give a dozen roses? Why can’t it be just one? Is each of the 12 meant to signify one of the mistakes we made – that day?! But I am a romantic person. I’ve even written a romantic comedy novel*. And when I first met my wife (who of course wasn’t my wife at the time) I also did all the clichéd things like cards, roses, dinner etc. One year I even bought sexy underwear. She didn’t really appreciate this, so the following year I bought some for her instead. This card-buying and flower-buying continued into the first couple of years of marriage until I realised that buying a card that stated “To my Wife on Valentine’s Day” and then putting a question mark as a signature was a tad pointless. So I stopped. And I’m not sure if I’m a schnorrer or not (my wife says “yes”) but, very much like at Christmas, I don’t understand why anyone would buy an expensive gift for someone, knowing full well that the price will be reduced the following day?! So I do still buy my wife Valentine’s Day flowers, but I now buy them on 15 February and write this little verse:

Sacha Baron Cohen and wife Isla Fisher, who took the Hebrew name Ayala when converting before marriage

Kyra Sedgwick, who is Jewish, and husband Kevin Bacon

Gwyneth Paltrow, also Jewish, and Brad Falchuk

Roses are red Violets are blue These bunches were half price So I bought you two. See, romance isn’t dead. Happy Valentine’s Day. • Bennett is the author of The Girl from the Discotheque, available from Amazon; 20 percent of all sales go to Dementia UK.

Jewish rapper Daveed Diggs and wife Emmy Raver-Lampman

Henry Winkler and Stacey Weitzman

Jewish News 9 February 2023

JN LIFE

THEATRE

SWINGING SATURDAY

TELEVISION

A Slice of Saturday Night is set to make an impact at Upstairs At The Gatehouse in Highgate next month. After 25 years under the management of John and Katie Plews, Slice will be the first production under new artistic director Annlouise and her partner Isaac. Impact Theatre Company’s director/choreographer Amanda Noar and musical director Harry Style (yes that is his real name) are proud to have a strong Jewish representation in the cast. The show is set at The Club-A-Go-Go, where all the action unfolds on Saturday nights. An affectionate look back to the Swinging Sixties with a fast-moving score, the Heather Brothers’ musical was a hit when it first opened in London in 1989. The Highgate production will support Camp Simcha’s Care Necessities project and Comfort Cases UK. A Slice of Saturday Night is at Upstairs at The Gatehouse 22-25 March 2023. www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com HALF-TERM

The Pianist

Claudia Winkleman is hosting a new show on Channel 4 searching for Great Britain’s most talented undiscovered pianists. Pianists will be invited to play for commuters on public pianos in London St Pancras, Leeds, Glasgow and Birmingham train stations, and share their stories with the public. They will be unaware that chart-topper Mika and Lang Lang, one of the most famous solo pianists in the world, will be watching and assessing their performances. The final of The Piano will bring together four pianists, one from each station, at the Royal Festival Hall, where they will deliver solo performances in front of an audience. Contestants will include nonagenarians and 12-year-olds who have never played in public before, as well as a blind pianist who has mastered Chopin.

Chocolate lovers Jews have played a key role in the global chocolate trade since the days of Christopher Columbus and now in the modern day it plays a key role in our festivals. From rugelach at the Shabbat kiddush to chocolate gelt at Chanukah, Jews say it with chocolate. During half-term next week the Jewish Museum London is hosting a Chocolate Week with lots of tasty events, including baking heart-shaped chocolate challah, making chocolate slabs and the chance to find out about the fascinating history that connects Jewish people and chocolate. www.jewishmuseum.org.uk

STREAMING

It only took 40 years, but Mel Brooks’ History of the World Part II sketch series is launching on 6 March. Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll and Ike Barinholtz join Brooks plus a cast of guests including Sarah Silverman and Seth Rogen playing historical figures. The show will initially only be on Hulu but the trailer can be seen on YouTube in which Harriet Tubman (Sykes) is seen emerging from a contemporary looking New York City subway station, ready to shoot some clueless law enforcement officers. And it only gets wackier from there.

NAME AND FAME

TECH THAT

BOOK

History in the making

WOMEN

Jewish Care’s Woman of Distinction (WOD) committee is asking community members to honour and celebrate the women who have inspired and influenced their lives and submit their names to add to the Woman of Distinction Celebratory Wall. Each name submitted is done so with a £20 donation to Jewish Care’s Sidney Corob House, a residential home for people with mental health needs. All names sent in this year will be added to the virtual foundation stones from last year and the wall will be displayed at the WOD Award Luncheon on 21 March. This annual event has raised almost £1.5m for Jewish Care. Committee chairs Danielle Lipton and Danielle Hess (pictured) said: “Last year, we created the foundations of the wall. Please help us by nominating your Woman of Distinction to take this to the next level.” To make a nomination, send the name, email and postal address of your nominee to echeyette@ jcare.org

www.jewishnews.co.uk

BARBRA

We will have to wait until November to get our hands on a copy but Barbra Streisand has penned an autobiography, covering everything from growing up in Brooklyn to her role in Funny Girl and her long, successful career. According to the synopsis, My Name is Barbra is “like Barbra herself, frank, funny opinionated and charming.” One for the Chanukah wish list.

Air Up water bottle

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NIL POINTS • Pods come in sets of three and are pricey to keep refilling • Sometimes it can be difficult to taste the aroma due to incorrect positioning of the lid/pod, so it doesn’t always work • Some people complain of the bottle leaking; however, I didn’t have a problem with this • Sometimes owing to incorrect

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placement of the lid and straw, which can happen a lot, a constant sucking sound repeats itself when sipping, which is very annoying. VERDICT ✡ ✡ ✡ If the aim of Air Up is to make me drink more water, I can’t say that it fulfilled its mission. I love the idea, but find the ongoing cost of buying extra pods prohibitive. Reviewed by: Shiri Elias

9 February 2023 Jewish News

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Shrinking

STAR

JN LIFE

Sarah Miller chats to Hollywood newcomer Rachel Stubington, who’s landed her first big role straight out of acting school don’t really work as an actress. And then this audition came into my email. My mum saw it and said straight away this is huge. I had to do a self-tape, where you video yourself, and it kind of felt like I was putting my best foot forward, but who knows what’s gonna happen? “When I found out I got the part, I cried. I told every single person that I knew ever. It was really exciting. If I’m honest, I still don’t know how I ended up on the show.” Rachel was handed the role of Summer, a party-loving teenager trying to keep her best friend Alice (Lukita Maxwell) distracted with boys and booze following the tragic death of her mother. Meanwhile, Alice’s therapist father Jimmy (played by Segel) copes with his grief by starting to tell his clients exactly what he thinks, rather than waiting for them to come to their own answers. For the woman trapped in an emotionally abusive marriage, Jimmy tells her to leave her husband or he’ll terminate their sessions. And the ‘vigilante’ shrink ditches the talking therapy for the military veteran with uncontrolled anger issues and instead takes him down to the local martial arts studio, where his patient can unleash on a willing opponent. No one in his professional circle thinks this is a good idea, least of all his mentor and boss Phil, played by Ford. Shrinking, co-created by Ted Lasso’s Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein, is an evocative

Photo by Tommy Flanagan

Rachel Stubington stars alongside Jason Segal (below left) and Harrison Ford

any an aspiring actress in LA knows that opportunity might just knock wherever you are – even if that happens to be at shul on the High Holidays. For newcomer Rachel Stubington, there’s something delightfully endearing about how her grandmother would fuss over her naturally gorgeous red curls before the talented youngster approached the front to sing to the congregation. “You never know, there could be an agent in the audience,” she would beam at her granddaughter. There probably were agents – and writers, actors, directors and producers – among the talented crowd at Temple Judea in Tarzana, a suburban neighbourhood of the sprawling city that’s home to many a member of the entertainment industry. But as the story turns out, that’s not actu-

ally how Rachel ended up finding her big break just months after graduating from UCLA’s distinguished acting school. Indeed, landing a role in the new Apple TV+ dramedy Shrinking alongside established actors Harrison Ford and Jason Segel was, she says, simply down to good fortune, though one gets the impression this rising star is being a little too humble about her natural abilities and years of hard graft. “I mean, I hate to reduce it to luck, but I got really lucky,” laughs the 22-year-old, speaking over Zoom from her home in LA. “I’d been auditioning for around 10 years at this point. It was a long journey of auditioning for so many things, and then nothing really working out. I was trying to stay positive after graduating, but it was a little strange because I didn’t have the comfort of university anymore. I had this thought that I’m an actress, but I

comedy, and one that raises as many laughs as it may produce tears. “I think the show does a really incredible job of bridging grief and comedy,” says Rachel, who filmed the series during an intense three-week schedule over the summer. “Finding humour in pain is one of the most empowering things we can do.” For all the emotions that the script managed to stir up, Rachel actually found herself not feeling anything at all on her first day walking on to the Warner Bros lot. “What’s funny is I was really nervous and excited before, but when I got there I can’t think of another word besides ‘numb’. I felt like I needed to let my body not feel excitement in those moments just to keep it together. I look

up to Jason Segel so much, so getting to work with him specifically felt like this huge moment in my life and then also Harrison Ford. He’s Indiana Jones – he’s a legend!” For all of his megastar status, Ford and Rachel charmingly have something in common: both are making their debut on a comedy TV series with their star turns on Shrinking. Having played hundreds of roles and now in his eighth decade, Ford has never appeared in a television comedy show until now and is unleashing his natural flair for dry wit with relish. Rachel describes both him and Segel as “effortlessly funny” on set. She recalls: “There was a lot of improv going on and it was fun to hear the kind of lines they would throw out sometimes. To them it’s just off the cuff but to me I would have assumed that writers sat around for like three hours to come up with that. They are just so talented.” Following her stint on the show, which she hopes will be renewed for a second season, Rachel landed another project – an upcoming Lifetime original movie, A Rose For Her Grave, alongside Selling Sunset’s Chrishell Stause and soap actor Colin Egglesfield. She describes her role as “a total 180”, having gone from starring in a comedy to a appearing in a gritty drama revealing the reallife tale of serial wife-killer Randy Roth (played by Egglesfield). Rachel stars as the 16-year-old daughter of family friends, on whom Roth preys, while Stause plays Lori, best friend of his late wife, Cindy, who is determined to bring the killer to justice. Rachel admits to never having watched Selling Sunset prior to filming, but her mother was “massively” excited about her latest role, having been glued to the Netflix reality series. Chrishelle used to be married to Justin Hartley, who played the role of Kevin in This is Us. “I literally had no idea who she was,” laughs Rachel. “But even my friends were excited and when I finally met her she was just so lovely. I’m a big fan of Chrishell as a person.” There’s no doubting Rachel’s career is on the up and up, though she remains humble – even after a glitzy red-carpet premiere of Shrinking last month in which she was reunited with the entire cast, or her name appearing all over the media – and remains grounded by having the support of both her family and the Jewish community. “In fact, the biggest thing for me in terms of my Judaism has always been community,” she explains. “I feel like it has shaped me. I went to Jewish summer camp for nine years and I never laughed harder than I did at camp, and then I had the opportunity to perform for my synagogue. This community has been so supportive and that has allowed me to blossom.” Already looking to secure her next big role, Rachel tells me she would love to star in Mindy Kaling’s The Sex Lives of College Girls, or perhaps one day her own comedy with younger brother Max, 12, who has also caught the acting bug. “That would be my absolute dream,” she smiles. “That and a second series of Shrinking.” • Shrinking is available to stream now on Apple TV+

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Jewish News 9 February 2023

JN LIFE

for Less Caron Bluestone returns to a much-loved resort in Austria for a family skiing holiday

f you’re looking for indulgent, majestic, have-it-all skiing, then Lech is for you – as it has been for us, many times. Three hundred miles of varied pistes, super-fast modern lifts, walking, shopping, gourmet food and everything in between is on offer in this famous resort known to be frequented by European royalty and once visited by Diana Princess of Wales. This world-class ski area in Austria is easily accessible. Lech, once a farming village, forms part of the Arlberg region, a collection of five connected villages often dubbed the ‘cradle of Alpine skiing.’ We flew from Heathrow into Zurich and from there it took just two hours on the Arlberg Express – the only

The hotel’s historic in-house bakery

transfer name that you need to know. They offer the full gamut from VIP limousines to group shuttles. Lech is heaving with upmarket accommodation but not all are created equally. Some become the victims of success, where cash is king and service seems forgotten. Not so at the long-established Hotel Gotthard, where the supremely hospitable Walch Family and their wonderful staff enhanced every moment of our stay. This four-star hotel delivers on every level, at a very reasonable price. Well-placed in the village, at a quiet end of the road, beside a gushing mountain stream – the soundtrack to a peaceful night’s sleep – it is a couple of minutes to the ski lifts and even less to the many shops and restaurants. Our tastefully decorated corner suite with views to die for was perfect for a family of four. Plenty of space for storage (Jews are not known for travelling light but this is of the utmost importance with ski gear), a large, spotless, modern bathroom with bath and shower, a living room and a luxurious bedroom area sepaLech has a buzzy atmosphere

rated by sliding doors, with very comfortable beds. With the best of the local culinary delights, the Walchs have all bases covered. The ultra-modern lower ground floor houses a fascinating in-house bakery, behind floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Wonderful aromas fill the corridors and homemade biscuits beckon irresistibly at reception all day long. The wine cellar and state-ofthe-art microbrewery, the passion project of Clemens Walch, sit next door in the refurbished old bakery and play host to home-made gin and schnapps tastings, enjoyed together with delicious home-smoked meats. Having bought the adjoining hotel and turned it into an annexe, guests now have plenty of choice and better availability. From breakfast to the restaurant to the ultra-cosy a la carte Gotthard Stube, wherever we ate we had the same exacting standards throughout. Cafe Gotthard is also a standalone business with locals packing it out daily; it’s just an added bonus for hotel guests. Facilities are also first rate, offering something for everyone in a space that feels homely enough for children to roam freely, which is a big bonus for the parents. After a day on the slopes, coming home to unwind is a pleasure. There’s a small but perfectly formed spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a lovely sauna area and a modern gym. The children spent hours playing table-tennis (there’s a playroom for younger guests) and in addition to the upstairs bar, complete with plenty of games to choose from, there’s

The sports lounge at Hotel Gotthard and (inset) so much snow

the gorgeously luxurious clublike snooker and TV room, where guests congregate to watch the football in style, sipping on home-brewed beer. A lot has been said about poor snow conditions this year and although the start of the season wasn’t great, it’s worth bearing in mind that Lech has a record of the highest average snowfall of any major ski area in the Alps, excellent snow-making facilities and a real array of off-piste opportunities for those looking for thrills. Although we are a family of proficient skiers, we took the opportunity to spend a morning with Christian at Alpin Pro, a tight-knit team of professional skiers offering bespoke skiing experiences at the highest level. Book for the day or for the week and you will learn more than you ever thought possible. Conveniently situated right next to the main lifts is Sportalp Lech. Not only a brilliant ski shop with everything that you may need, plus more that you’ll definitely want, it offers a seamless ski rental and nightly storage service. On arrival each morning, our boots were warm and our skis were handed directly

to us. All we had to do was step out and ski. Lech is also a real village with a buzzy atmosphere and wonderful walks for those not on skis, so with that in mind pack some good snow boots and thermals and prepare for the outdoors. • Hotel Gotthard’s Suite Comfort, which sleeeps two adults with two children, for seven nights half board is priced from 4,473 euros www.gotthard.at.en

The finer points Skiing comes with luggage. We chose a luxury transfer to Heathrow with www. blacklane.com. App-based booking is quick and easy, with free changes up to 60 minutes before pick-up. For a comprehensive selection of quality ski gear head to www.manbi.com Snow boots options in the UK can be depressingly poor. For an amazing array of choice, check out the Austrian brand Superfit. www.superfit.com

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9 February 2023 Jewish News

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Jewish News 9 February 2023

Business / OurCrowd

candicekrieger@googlemail.com

With Candice Krieger

POST-PANDEMIC, HAS THE TECH BUBBLE BURST? Few are better placed to comment than serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and angel investor Jon Medved, writes Candice Krieger

worse in terms of their valuations t seems strange to say, because private companies but technology is ultimately follow the public having a turbutrends by measuring themlent time. The selves against what are tech companies called ‘comparables’ – the that were darcompanies to which you lings during the pandemic can compare their perforboom have hit a post-pandemic mance. And with comparables bump. Last year was a really down as a broad group, this is rough one for tech amid global causing a significant drop unrest, supply chain probin overall tech valuations, lems and soaring inflation. Jon Medved mostly in the later-stage Google, Amazon, Meta and investment rounds.” Microsoft have all made significant layoffs. Even Israel – dubbed the ‘startup nation’ Jon Medved, founder and CEO of the online venture investing platform OurCrowd and one of the world’s leading tech hubs – has struggled. Last year, exits of Israeli tech that has backed more than 400 tech startups companies plunged 54 percent to their lowest says: “There has been a definite downturn level in eight years amid volatility in the in tech activity, especially in the investment global stock market. realm, due to the deep retrenchment in tech Meanwhile, according to reports released stocks that are traded on public exchanges by Start-Up Nation Central (SNC), SNPI, IVC such as NASDAQ, which was down in 2022 and LeumiTech, the total volume of investby 33 percent. Startups are doing a little

Meta is one of the companies to have been making significant numbers of redundancies

ment in 2022 dropped from an unprecedented $27bn in 2021 to $15.5bn. Yet Medved – on the startup scene since 1994 – isn’t too concerned. “In Israel we were down a little over 40 percent from 2021 to 2022 in terms of dollars invested, from $26bn to about $16bn, according to recent data,” he says. “However, given that in 2020 there was only $10bn invested, the fact there was $16bn in 2022 is actually OK. The overall Israeli tech ecosystem has been hit by layoffs, some significant degree of spending cuts and companies attempting to stretch out their runway, but tech activity here is broad, active and very exciting in a whole range of sectors including climate, cyber-security, fintech, semiconductors and space.” Medved acknowledges a generation of Israeli venture capitalists and founders faces a hard time for the first time. “Since 2008 people were riding an upward trajectory with a momentary blip at the beginning of the pandemic.” He has seen it all before, in 2008, 2000 and even 1987, and reflects: “Remember, financial activity is cyclical; if you want to enjoy the uphill climb you have to take what comes afterwards, which is inevitably a downturn. People should tighten their belts, get used to it, suck it up and continue to look at the long term, which is very rosy.” The American, now living in Israel, believes now is opportune for investors to up bargains. “Companies are on sale. It’s a very happy hunting season for investors who have adequate reserves and are looking for deals.” On 15 February, OurCrowd is hosting its Global Investor Summit, the largest investor

event in the Middle East, in Jerusalem, bringing together angels, unicorns and business leaders from around the world to showcase the best of Israel’s startup technology. Raising and hanging on to money is a particular challenge. “Running out of money can be fatal,” says Medved. “If you hit the wall and have no reserves and you can’t raise money you must close your company and investors get what we refer to as ‘an egg’ or ‘a big zero’. “We have been urging our portfolio companies to ensure they are extending their runways by cutting their burn rates. The easiest money they can raise is the money they save. They are the masters of their own destiny and they can make it through these tough times with spending less. “Unfortunately, people can’t do it just by cutting. They have to raise money. Today is a difficult environment in which to do so, but if they have the right pitch, the right results, the right strategy, and talk to the right investors, they can raise capital. Yes it’s going to be at a lower valuation than if you raised it a half a year or year ago but money now is a lot better than money in the future.” Areas looking particularly fruitful this year include climate, energy tech and artificial intelligence (AI). Says Medved: “You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure AI is the most important trend, affecting every area of human endeavour whether it’s agriculture, finance, health care or commerce, and we are very blessed that Israel is one of the top five countries in terms of its skill, knowledge and depth of technology based in the AI arena. I believe this will attract lots of investment in the coming years.” ▶ www.summit.ourcrowd.com

9 February 2023 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Orthodox Judaism

MAKING SENSE OF THE SEDRA In our thought-provoking series, rabbis, rebbetzins and educators relate the week’s parsha to the way we live today

BY RABBI ARIEL ABEL

CHAPLAIN IN THE BRITISH ARMY & SOLICITOR

The intersectionality of Revelation’s drama and law This week at the General Synod of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury delivered his loyal address to His Majesty The King, the supreme governor of the Church of England, on the occasion of his accession to the throne. Archbishop Welby mentioned the new challenges and opportunities in the times in which we live – how history has progressed, science and technological developments have been more rapid than any of us could forecast, how culture has changed. With all the changes, reassurance has always been there in the form of

the late Queen, and now with King Charles, who has been “extremely prescient” about these changes, having spoken about climate change for many years, probably 50 years ahead of his time in recognising those threats. “Like his beloved father, the Duke of Edinburgh, he has been aware of, and fascinated by, the potential of scientific and industrial solutions to our modern problems,” said Archbishop Welby, mentioning in that context the King’s activity in the interfaith area. Parashat Yitro’s Ten Commandments, as they are popularly known, or Ten Pronouncements – Aseret HaDevarim - as the Torah calls them, are bellowed and trumpeted, accompanied by peals of thunder, flashes of lightning and stage smoke. An abrupt turn of genre and verse takes place in

the following reading, Mishpatim: “Now, these are the precepts which you will put before them.” From an earth-shaking, heavensplitting melodrama we are dropped without warning into a calm classroom on law and ordinance, where we are informed extensively on human rights, starting with the limits imposed upon the enslavement of others, penalties for capital offences, offences against the person, tortious obligations and restitution. Revelation at Sinai in all its violent, apocalyptic drama gives sudden way to a lecture theatre for one million in civil society. Towards the end of Mishpatim, we discover that the lecture on civil code was an interruption of the main theme: Revelation. Apparently, Revelation did not finish at the end of parasha

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Archbishop Justin Welby

Yitro. Almost unnoticed, but very present towards the end of Mishpatim, is the most graphic illustration of Revelation yet: a vision of Elohim, a vision of God Himself. The apparent incursion of the Civil Code of Israel is not to be seen as an interruption of the divine, a cutting into the Revelation, but part

of it - a reassurance that it would remain forever, that no matter how far we progress as a human race, we would always have in focus a moral code by which we can live our lives. Archbishop Welby’s words are an Anglican echo of a long-standing, Abrahamic and Mosaic constant: the Ten Commandments and the Civil Code of the Torah as an eternal touchstone of ethics and moral text and context. This is the closest that we get to actualising the blatant co-identification of the human species with God: that we are so created, in the image of God. Hence, the Civil Code is not a detail following on from Revelation but a constituent part of it. Thus, the readings of Revelation are a double-bill: Yitro-Mishpatim; two parashiyot, not one. The throbbing sensation and deep impact of the Revelation compel the faithful reader in that context in law and civil society; namely, to see or gaze upon the image of God when seeing another human being.

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Jewish News 9 February 2023

Progressive Judaism

LEAP OF FAITH BY RABBI DEBBIE YOUNG-SOMERS EDGWARE & HENDON REFORM SYNAGOGUE

Do Valentine’s gifts make sense for us – or anyone? Every year I make the same joke on Tu B’Av – it’s another opportunity for my husband to forget to buy me flowers. During the time of the Second Temple, Tu B’Av – only a few days after the blackest day in our year (Tisha B’Av, when we mourn the destruction of the Temples) – was a match-making opportunity for single women. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, though, it has been reimagined as the Jewish equivalent of Valentine’s Day. Many in our community will be

looking forward to it, ready to lavish gifts on their loved ones. But, like at Christmas and Easter, there is a tension around how non-Christians engage in these celebrations. There were several St Valentines, but all were martyred for their faith and devotion in Christ. When Jews embrace these now largely secular customs, are we taking away from our Christian friends’ customs and practices? Would we be happy if they started lighting a chanukiah to bring light to a dark time of year, or if nonJews celebrated a Pesach Seder in order to reflect on freedom for all? Part of me likes the idea that we might universalise the beautiful rituals of our ancient traditions. And part of me treasures each faith’s distinctive way of finding meaning in the world. It is a complicated part of being a Christian that some rituals and dates have been universalised to

A stimulating series where our progressive rabbis consider how Biblical figures might act when faced with 21st-century issues

Gestures on Valentine’s Day, or Tu B’av, are well and good but better ways exist to create lasting connections

an extent that they now seem separated from their Christian origins. Perhaps it isn’t really about where these things come from but about how we meaningfully show love. The great sage Tevye (of Fiddler fame) is

confused when his wife asks whether he loves her. He lists the things he does for her, the years of devotion. Whether on Valentine’s Day or Tu B’Av, annual gestures are well and good, but it is the more mundane acts that make

a difference. Whether we embrace our own traditions or fall in step with more secular days, making expressions of love a regular part of life feels a better way to create lasting connections than occasional extravagances.

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Ask our

Professional advice from our panel / Ask Our Experts

AS COMFORTING AS A BOWL OF CHICKEN SOUP KKL, JNF UK’s legacy department, has been serving the Jewish community for over 70 years. Our highly qualified team combines first-rate executorship and trustee services with personalised pastoral care. We can support you in the way that close family would, keeping in regular contact with you and taking care of any Jewish needs (such as saying kaddish for you) in accordance with your wishes.

Our trusty team of advisers answers your questions about everything from law and finance to dating and dentistry. This week: Keeping youngsters interested in dance, becoming an executor and renewing your private health insurance LOUISE LEACH PRINCIPAL, PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL

DANCING WITH LOUISE

Hi Louise My daughter has really enjoyed her ballet classes and has just reached Grade 3. She wants to take a break, however, saying she would rather try something new and fun like hip hop. I think she is finding it a bit challenging. Should I encourage her to stick with ballet, especially as after the summer show she was so inspired by the Grade 4 girls on pointe. Or should I let her take a break? How wonderful that your daughter has accomplished this level. Progression in ballet is important for so many reasons: flexibility, concentration, posture, balance, teamwork,

CAROLYN ADDLEMAN DIRECTOR OF LEGACIES

KKL EXECUTOR AND TRUSTEE Dear Carolyn I have been asked to be an executor under a friend’s will and am a little concerned about what that entails. John Dear John First, you should take this as a compliment – your friend will only have asked

you if he/she sees you as someone they can trust. But you are completely right – it assumes that you have the expertise or can accept the responsibility of ensuring that the instructions and wishes in your friend’s will are carried out. The role is undoubtedly onerous and must be taken seriously. It covers various duties, from organising the funeral and stone setting, making sure valuables are safe and informing asset holders of the death so that you can value the estate. As executor, you will need to apply for the Grant of Probate in order to be able to collect in and realise the assets in the estate and deal with and finalise any debts and liabilities,

musicality… the list is endless. Not to mention the sense of achievement plus the fact that ballet is the base of all dance. I know it’s hard to motivate children when they’re tired or when they hit a stage they start to struggle with. I’ve got five children of my own and totally understand the challenges with keeping up with their extra-curricular activities! But as a parent, I believe it’s vital that we teach them not to quit. Especially when they’re doing so well. You mentioned that your daughter has enjoyed ballet so far. Imagine how incredible she will feel if she sticks at it and then reaches Grade 4 and then goes on pointe. She will look back on this “wobble” and see how far she’s come. All forms of dance, especially ballet classes, require a lot of patience, but the results are extremely rewarding. There’s no quick fix to learning a pirouette. Unlike most things in today’s world, you can’t have it immediately!

including any taxes due, before being able to satisfy any gifts and legacies and then distributing the residue in accordance with the will. In doing so, you will need to ensure that any assets not specifically bequeathed are sold for the best achievable price. You will need to be in touch with beneficiaries and should keep careful records and accounts – you will appreciate there is a legal process to be followed with a responsibility to the beneficiaries to act in accordance with proper procedure. No mean feat, but one KKL has been doing successfully for more than 70 years. If you would like to discuss this in more detail, do feel free to get in touch.

TREVOR GEE PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SPECIALIST

PATIENT HEALTH Dear Trevor Our premiums have just increased, (although at a fraction of the claims we both made), so could you advise us of alternative cover options? We are determined to retain private health cover, especially with the very long NHS waiting lists, although I don’t want a much higher excess to make it more affordable. Naomi

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Dear Naomi All health insurers compete so they would want to retain you as a client. Demand that your intermediary ask for a discount. Since the pandemic the insurers are a a very mixed bunch in their approach. You may not know insurers are not permitted to advise you, as they are never impartial. An individual health insurer can only provide you different options at renewal, which may not necessarily be beneficial. On occasion, it could be unsuitable to change insurer. However, it may be much more sensible to move a member of the family to a new cheaper insurer and retain the remaining member(s) on the plan so as

to benefit from continuous cover. We recently saved a family nearly £2000 by moving the family on to a company plan, which was considerably cheaper, and which provided much higher cover. We left the eldest son on the existing plan. So, there are many ways to reduce your premium. Consider whether the hospital list includes some which you would never use, or whether the medical options that appeared affordable at inception, are still required. We will always answer your questions, and advise, at no cost, so if you would like us to review your plan at any time of the policy year which could help you, we will. www.patienthealth.co.uk

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JOE OZER Qualifications: • Executive director for the United Kingdom at DCI (Intl) Ltd • Worked in finance for more than 20 years • Specialists in distribution and promotion of Israel Bonds

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DIRECTOR OF LEGACIES

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

CAROLYN ADDLEMAN Qualifications: Lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in will drafting and trust and estate administration. Last 14 years at KKL Executor and Trustee Company In close contact with clients to ensure all legal and pastoral needs are cared for Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners

• •

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•

REMOVALS MANAGING DIRECTOR

PRINCIPAL, PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL

STEPHEN MORRIS Qualifications: • Managing director of Stephen Morris Shipping Ltd • 45 years’ experience in shipping household and personal effects • Chosen mover for four royal families and three UK prime ministers • Offering proven quality specialist advice for moving anyone across the world or round the corner

LOUISE LEACH Qualifications: • Professional choreographer qualified in dance, drama and Zumba (ZIN, ISTD & LAMDA), gaining an honours degree at Birmingham University • Former contestant on ITV’s Popstars, reaching bootcamp with Myleene Klass, Suzanne Shaw and Kym Marsh • Set up Dancing with Louise 19 years ago

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DANCING WITH LOUISE 075 0621 7833 www.dancingwithlouise.co.uk Info@dancingwithlouise.com

9 February 2023 Jewish News

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Professional advice from our panel / Ask Our Experts

FINANCIAL SERVICES (FCA) COMPLIANCE

ACCOUNTANT

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

JACOB BERNSTEIN Qualifications: • A member of the APCC, specialising in financial services compliance for: • Mortgage, protection and general insurance intermediaries; • Lenders, credit brokers, debt counsellors and debt managers; • Alternative Investment Fund managers; • E-Money, payment services, PISP, AISP and grant-making charities.

ADAM SHELLEY Qualifications: • FCCA chartered certified accountant • Accounting, taxation and business advisory services • Entrepreneurial business specialist including start-up businesses • Specialises in charities; personal tax returns • Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation Volunteer of the Year JVN award

LISA WIMBORNE Qualifications: Able to draw on the charity’s 50 years of experience in enabling people with physical disabilities or impaired vision to live independently, including: • The provision of specialist accommodation with 24/7 on site support • Knowledge of the innovations that empower people and the benefits available • Understanding of the impact of a disability diagnosis

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SOBELL RHODES LLP 020 8429 8800 www.sobellrhodes.co.uk a.shelley@sobellrhodes.co.uk

JEWISH BLIND & DISABLED 020 8371 6611 www.jbd.org Lisa@jbd.org

MENOPAUSE CHAMPION LABALANCE ANGELA DAY-MOORE Qualifications: • Founder & CEO Sassy La Femme Women’s Wellness • Passionate about women’s wellbeing • Home to LaBalance • Recommended by fellow women for period, perimenopause & menopause

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HUMAN RESOURCES / EMPLOYMENT LAW

IT SPECIALIST IAN GREEN Qualifications: • Launched Man on a Bike IT consultancy 15 years ago to provide computer support for the home and small businesses • Clients range from legal firms in the City to families, small business owners and synagogues • More than 18 years’ experience

MAN ON A BIKE 020 8731 6171 www.manonabike.co.uk mail@manonabike.co.uk

Email: sales@jewishnews.co.uk Don’t get impatient when I can’t hear you Stand in front of me so I can see your face and have a nice chat

INSURANCE CONSULTANCY

DONNA OBSTFELD Qualifications: • FCIPD Chartered HR Professional • 25 years in HR and business management. • Mediator, business coach, trainer, author and speaker • Supporting businesses and charities with the hiring, managing, inspiring and firing of their staff

ASHLEY PRAGER Qualifications: • Professional insurance and reinsurance broker. Offering PI/D&O cover, marine and aviation, property owners, ATE insurance, home and contents, fine art, HNW • Specialist in insurance and reinsurance disputes, utilising Insurance backed products. (Including non insurance business disputes) • Ensuring clients do not pay more than required

DOHR LTD 020 8088 8958 www.dohr.co.uk donna@dohr.co.uk

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ALIYAH ADVISER

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LESLEY TRENNER Qualifications: • Provides free professional one-to-one advice at Resource to help unemployed into work • Offers mock interviews and workshops to maximise job prospects • Expert in corporate management holding director level marketing, commercial and general management roles

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DIVORCE & FAMILY SOLICITOR

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VANESSA LLOYD PLATT Qualifications: • Qualification: 40 years’ experience as a matrimonial and divorce solicitor and mediator, specialising in all aspects of family matrimonial law, including: • Divorce, pre/post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, domestic violence, children’s cases, grandparents’ rights to see grandchildren, pet disputes, family disputes • Frequent broadcaster on national and International radio and television

BENJAMIN ALBERT Qualifications: • Co-founder and technical director of ADWConnect – a specialist in business telecommunications, serving customers worldwide • Independent consultant and supplier of telephone and internet services • Client satisfaction is at the heart of everything my team and I do, always striving to find the most cost-effective solutions

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Jewish News 9 February 2023

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Fun, games and prizes

THE JEWISH NEWS CROSSWORD 1

11 12 16 20 23 24 25

12 15 17

18 19

Female of a pride (7) Non-verbal communication (4,8) Business’ accounts (7,5) Cast off from harbour (3,4) Ponders (5) Legal proceedings (5) Sugar in carbohydrates (7)

ACROSS 8 Find new accommodation for (7) 9 Instruct in a skill (5) 10 More inferior (5)

8 1 9 6

CODEWORD

C O L U M N P

D N G E R O L

P S

Z M N

L E A N N

G H T H O U S E R S

O E E T H Y T C

D K

L C C A L

S G W R K S

L E B O D C

LOOKOUT

PILLAR

SPIRE

BELVEDERE

MARTELLO

PYLON

STEEPLE

CAMPANILE

MAST

PYRAMID

TURRET

COLUMN

MINARET

SHARD

WATCHTOWER

KEEP

OBELISK

SILO

ZIGGURAT

LIGHTHOUSE

PAGODA

SKYSCRAPER

Last issue’s solutions Crossword ACROSS: 7 In vain, 8 Bridal, 9 Plan, 10 IOU, 11 High, 12 Dreamy, 14 Doomed, 16 Stroll, 19 Offset, 21 Skew, 23 Cot, 24 Itch, 25 Sudoku, 26 Vanish. DOWN: 1 Antler, 2 Pawn, 3 Enmity, 4 Absurd, 5 Dish, 6 Tangle, 13 Ago, 15 Oaf, 17 Take up, 18 Lock-up, 19 Octave, 20 Excess, 22 Wool, 24 Inns.

T A

BELFRY

6 9 7 4 5 8 1 3 2

3 8 2 1 9 7 4 6 5

9 1 6 5 4 3 7 2 8

9 17

14 9

5 3

11 9

6 10

10 2

4 21

See next issue for puzzle solutions.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1

Sudoku 4 5 1 3 2 6 9 8 7

20 21

A O R E T P A M Y M T E M P A B

A L D R P

N N N

H L Y A E R

L P S R H R L O O A A

R O F

T U R R E T W Y M L

P U B E S P A F O S P

G L N S U C D G T N E K E A T

5 4 6 1

SUGURU

In this finished crossword, every letter of the alphabet appears as a code number. All you have to do is crack the code and fill in the grid. Replacing the decoded numbers with their letters in the grid will help you to guess the identity of other letters. 1

Each cell in an outlined block must contain a digit: a two-cell block contains the digits 1 and 2, a three-cell block contains the digits 1, 2 and 3; and so on. The same digit must not appear in neighbouring cells, not even diagonally.

The listed tall structures can all be found in the grid. Words may run either forwards or backwards, in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction, but always in a straight, unbroken line.

L E B S F V

WORDSEARCH Z E R E D E V

3 5 9 6 7 5 1 3

4 8 1 8 3 2 8 6

DOWN 1 Chocolate colour (5) 2 Black drawing-stick (8) 3 Impertinently (6) 4 Actual (4) 5 Muscular, powerful (6) 6 Masculine (4) 7 ___ balls, pungent sweets (7) 13 Amazement (3) 14 Repugnance (8) 15 Portliness (7) 17 Practically, almost (6) 18 Boiled minty sweet (6) 19 County in SE England (5) 21 Branchlet (4) 22 Company’s emblem (4)

SUDOKU Fill the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 block contains the numbers 1 to 9.

Suguru 8 7 5 2 6 1 3 9 4

2 4 3 8 7 9 5 1 6

1 6 8 7 3 5 2 4 9

7 3 4 9 8 2 6 5 1

5 2 9 6 1 4 8 7 3

2 1 2 1 2 3

3 4 5 3 5 4

1 2 1 4 2 1

Wordsearch 4 5 3 5 3 4

3 2 4 2 1 2

1 5 1 3 4 3

4 3 5 4 5 2

2 1 2 1 3 1

3 4 3 5 4 2

1 2 1 2 1 3

3 4 3 4 5 4

1 2 5 1 2 1

M Y B T R U O C E S R M K

M E R L I N D A H A L A G

P O S L A N C E L O T N O

B P E O A S T R H E I T R

Y K R T M V T A U K E S P

D N E G E L I G G X T E E

J I V R E S N H C E I L R

Codeword S G E Y U I W A C G L T C

X H N D T H L O A O B S I

S T I S P I T W R D E A V

M S U E B O A R N D N C A

S O G U L I E L A I N E L

J O R R N D N O L A V A I

F A Q J UNCT U M M A OBSESS L CH N EW A HO BN EGO I E EN DEBASE Z L I T EXT G R O H

R RE L I I C N A I P T E S S RA Y

S HO O SOB K Y O L ED A D R K I N B VEL X

A L D P AR C AF RY A NY K L Y E

09/02

40 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

9 February 2023

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Jewish News 9 February 2023

We are Jews who care about Israel, whose identities are bound up with Israel. We want Israel to flourish as a homeland for the Jewish people and a democratic state that seeks to “ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants.” – as stated in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. Our community often finds itself defending Israel from external attacks. But now, more than ever before, the threat comes from within. We cannot be silent as Israel’s new government seeks to:

• Undermine the rule of law and curtail human rights • Limit the freedom of the press legal protections for minorities including LGBTQ • Remove people, migrant workers, and asylum seekers the Jewish people have exclusive rights to all the • Claim Land of Israel and the West Bank • Prevent the viability of a future two state solution the legal status of non-Orthodox conversions • Rescind undertaken in Israel, meaning these conversions cannot • • •

be used to obtain Israeli citizenship Deny those who have a Jewish grandparent but are not ‘halachically Jewish’ refuge in Israel Erode religious freedom, pluralism, and freedom of choice Endanger women and place restrictions on women’s role in public life.

We have a choice. We either remain silent or stand in solidarity with those across Israel fighting for democracy. We choose to stand on the side of Israelis protesting against an extremist government.

Show your Support choosedemocracy.org.uk