1346 - 21st December 2023

WISHING READERS A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2024 – SEE YOU ON 11 JANUARY P F ap r er ee O We fT e h kl e y Y ea r

Lives in limbo Fry delights in Judaism

National treasure revels in his religious roots P24

YOUR EYES, YOUR EARS, YOUR VOICE

Four survivors recount their memories of 7 October P28-29

Red Cross: We’re at the mercy of Hamas

21 December 2023 • 9 Tevet 5784 • Issue No.1346 •

@JewishNewsUK

Embattled aid agency responds to scathing criticism after it’s ridiculed as a mere ‘Uber service’ for hostages The International Red Cross (ICRC) has insisted it can’t “force its way in” to visit Israeli hostages, as it responded to bitter criticism of its response to the crisis by saying it was not in the business of publicly criticising one side of any conflict, writes Jenni Frazer.

But, in a telling and wide-ranging interview with Jewish News, Matthew Morris, ICRC’s spokesperson for the UK and Ireland, promised his organisation would “never give

Red Cross worker with a Hamas terrorist

up” attempts to gain access to the 135 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Echoing ICRC president, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, who met Benjamin Netanyahu last week on her first visit to Israel since the outbreak of the war, Morris said he believed that much of the criticism arose from a misunderstanding of how the ICRC operated.

He said the organisation, with more than 20,000 staff, worked in 100 conflict zones across the world “in some of the most dangerous places on earth. Conflict, by default, means that there is no trust, and that there are information warfare campaigns”.

The ICRC condemned the taking of hostages as soon as it had happened, Morris said. “The hostages remain a top priority for the ICRC. Since day one we have made it clear that the taking of hostages is prohibited under international humanitarian law.

We have consistently called for all hostages to be released and have expressed this view directly with Hamas, including in face-toface meetings, and in public statements.

“All those held must be treated humanely and with dignity and must be able to Continued on page 3

Protesters have been gathering every day at the ICRC offices in central London

POLL: NETANYAHU FACES LANDSLIDE ELECTION LOSS National Unity party leader Benny Gantz would triple his party’s seats if elections were held tomorrow, while Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party would lose almost half its seats, according to a new poll, writes Jotam Confino in Israel.

The survey, conducted by Channel 12, shows that Gantz’s party would increase from 12 to 37 seats

and Likud would drop from 32 to just 18 seats. Opposition leader Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid Party also loses support, getting just 15 seats compared to the 24 it currently has. The right-wing nationalist party, Yisrael Beytenu, would get nine, increasing its position by three seats.

United Torah Judaism and Shas wouldn’t change their positions, both getting the same 11 seats they

currently have, while the Jewish Power Party led by Itamar Ben-Gvir would get eight seats.

The other far-right party, Religious Zionism, led by Betzalel Smotrich, would fail to get enough votes to cross the electoral threshold, as would both Labour and the ArabIsraeli party, Balad.

The other two Arab-Israeli parties, Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am would

both get five seats each.

When asked if Israelis would prefer Netanyahu or Gantz as prime minister, Gantz won by a landslide, with 45 percent choosing him and just 27 percent wanting Netanyahu to continue his leadership.

Meanwhile, according to the poll, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, would receive 11 seats if he launched a new party,

Netanyahu with troops on Gaza border

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Jewish News 21 December 2023

ISRAEL AT WAR

Hamas propaganda video shows three frail hostages aid and to verify their condition,” he added.

The videos came as pressure on Hamas and Islamic Jihad released two separate propaganda videos of the government intensified over the five Israeli hostages this week, all of past week, with daily demonstrations calling for an immediate deal whom are older, frail-looking men.

On Tuesday, Islamic Jihad with Hamas and Islamic Jihad to get released a video of Gadi Mozes and the remaining 129 hostages out.

Israel relaunched its efforts to Elad Katzir, pleading with the government to get them out of Gaza as negotiate another ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas last week, with they could die in Israeli airstrikes.

On Monday, Hamas issued a video Mossad chief David Barnea holding of Chaim Peri, 79, Amiram Cooper, marathon talks in Europe with 84, and Yoram Metzger, 80, also the Qatari prime minister Sheikh urging the government to release Mohammed Al Thani as well as CIA director William Burns. them in a hostage deal.

President Isaac Herzog publicly “I am here with a group of older people, they all have chronic ill- stated that Israel is indeed ready nesses and are living in very harsh for a new deal with Hamas.

“I can reiterate the fact that conditions,” Cham Peri said in the video. “We are the generation who Israel is ready for another humanbuilt the foundation of Israel. We itarian pause and additional were the ones who started the IDF. I humanitarian aid in order to don’t understand why we have been enable the release of hostages. And the responsibility lies fully with abandoned here.”

All five hostages in the two prop- [Hamas’s Gaza chief Yahya] Sinwar aganda videos were abducted from and the leadership of Hamas.”

Hamas leader Ishmail Haniyeh their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz on 7 traveled to Cairo with a “high-level October.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari delegation” to discuss the framework lambasted the video as “atrocious of a ceasefire with Israel, but the terror group has insisted that Israel terror”.

“It shows the cruelty of Hamas fully withdraw from Gaza in any new against elderly civilians, innocents, deal, a demand Israel has rejected.

In Gaza, the IDF continued who require medical attention. The world must work to allow medical to pound Hamas targets in both the northern and southern part of the enclave. Israeli forces uncovered the largest terror tunnel yet, 400 metres from the Erez border crossing.

The network of more than 4km splits into branches of tunnels Amiram Cooper, Chaim Peri and Yoram Metzger

by Jotam Confino in Israel

Israeli soldiers exit a tunnel that Hamas terrorists used to attack the Erez Crossing on 7 October

and reaches as deep as 50 metres underground. It is large enough to allow vehicles to drive through and has sophisticated ventilation and electric systems.

Israeli soldiers also said they arrested 90 terrorists who were hiding inside Kamal Adowan Hospital in Jabaliya in northern Gaza, marking the latest mass arrest of suspected terrorists in Gaza in recent weeks.

Special forces also said they found more weapons hidden in homes and schools as well as more tunnel shafts across the Strip.

Israel decided to open the Kerem Shalom border crossing this week and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza in another crossing than Rafah for the first time since the war began.

Meanwhile, Egypt increased the amount of fuel entering Gaza every

day to 180,000 litres, a decision that was approved by Israel. Lorries with humanitarian aid were, however, hijacked by armed Palestinians, something Israel has warned about from the beginning of the war.

The decision came after intense pressure by Washington, which has urged Israel repeatedly to allow more aid into Gaza and conduct itself more carefully when targeting Hamas to avoid more civilian casualties.

Some 18,800 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since 7 October, according to Hamas. The terror group does not report how many terrorists have been killed, but Israel estimates the number to be up to 7,000.

Israeli soldiers are still hunting Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Khan Younis in southern Israel, where the terror leader is believed to be hiding. According to Channel

13, soldiers were close to catching Sinwar twice in the tunnels, but the Hamas leader managed to escape.

On Israel’s northern border, Hezbollah continued to fire anti-tank missiles, rockets and mortar grenades on a daily basis. According to IDF, more than 1,000 such attacks were launched since 7 October, causing 80,000 Israelis to evacuate their homes along the border.

Five Israeli civilians and nine soldiers have been killed in Hezbollah attacks on the border, while some 109 Hezbollah members have been killed in Israeli attacks.

“If Hezbollah wants to go up one level, we will go up five. We don’t wish for that, we don’t want to get into a war situation,” defence minister Yoav Gallant said this week when he visited soldiers at the border “We want to restore peace.”

MOST YOUNG ADULTS SAY 7/10 JUSTIFIED – POLL An American poll published this week by the Harris survey group and Harvard University’s Centre for American Political Studies shows overall support for Israel’s war against Hamas – but big differences between older and younger generations, writes Jenni Frazer.

While overall 27 percent of those surveyed said the Hamas attack “of 1,200 Israeli civilians and the kidnapping of another 250 civilians can be justified by the grievances of Palestinians”, when that response was broken downby age, 60 per cent of 18- 24-year-olds agreed that the attack could be justified.

By contrast, 91 percent of those aged 65-plus said Palestinian grievances did not justify the attacks.

The online survey questioned 2,034 registered voters in America on 13 and 14 December.

In a section devoted to the Israel-Hamas war, voters aged 18-24 were more likely to give Hamas the benefit of the doubt. For example, asked if they thought the 7 October attack on Israel was a terrorist attack, 27 per cent of the 18-24 age group said it was not; only four per cent of voters aged 65 and over took that view.

Though overall American voters appeared to support Israel, 18- 24-year-olds were split 50-50. Eighty-one per cent of all those polled supported Israel in the conflict.

Answers were slightly less divided when it came to questions of antisemitism in America and particularly on US campuses. Three-

quarters of those polled said antisemitism was growing in the country, and 65 per cent also thought anti-Muslim sentiment was increasing.

Voters overall agreed that calling on campus for the genocide of Jews counted as hate speech, and that students who did so should face consequences; but 53 per cent of the 18-24 age group said people should be free to call for genocide.

Fifty-one per cent of the youngest age group felt Israel was primarily responsible for triggering the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and 31 per cent of that group thought Israel had no right to exist, part of an overall total of 14 percent.

The survey also looks at President Joe Biden’s handling of various issues — not just Israel–Hamas. On that conflict he gets a rela-

tively reasonable approval rating of 42 percent across the board.

And there is an interesting response to a sneak question about the favourability of various political figures. In a long table of American politicians, there are three outriders — Elon Musk, the billionaire businessman, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Donald Trump comes top of this section of the survey, with Musk third. Netanyahu, however, comes ninth, with 36 per cent saying their view of him is “very favourable” or “favourable”.

Mahmoud Abbas is bottom of the list with just 12 per cent calling him “very favourable” or ‘favourable”.

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21 December 2023 Jewish News

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ISRAEL AT WAR

Red Cross ‘doing our job’ Continued from page 1 contact their loved ones. The ICRC has made repeated requests to visit the hostages to check on their wellbeing. But for this to happen, we need to be given access; we cannot simply force our way in”.

Did that mean the ICRC was aware of where the hostages were?

Morris denied this. “We are the Red Cross. We don’t have an ability or knowledge to track where hostages are kept. It’s worrying when I hear things like that, because it assumes we have extra special powers, that we know where the hostages are and that somehow we’re going to go in and get them. We are making it very clear, widely, that is not true”.

In common with its work worldwide, Morris said, the ICRC did not talk about the mechanics of the way it worked or the details of discussions it had with warring parties.

Referring to the meeting between the ICRC president and Israel’s prime minister, Morris noted that the Prime Minister’s Office had tweeted “a three minute video from that meeting. That is not something that we do — we treat those meetings as private and confidential.”

In her meeting with Mr Netanyahu, the ICRC president rejected his criticism that the agency was not doing enough to secure access to the hostages. He said: “You have every avenue, every right and every expectation to place public pressure on Hamas.” But she told him bluntly: “It is not going to work because the more public pressure we seemingly

would do, the more they will shut the door.”

Morris said: “We always treat those meetings as confidential and bilateral. Many of those who criticise us know that. They know how we work. They say to our faces that they know how we work. But there are often cases, in recent years, where parties to a conflict talk publicly and demand more from us, or demand that we visit this person or that we don’t visit that person.

“They demand that we send aid in and then say we’re sending in the wrong aid. Many of those people who do that know exactly how we work, and they know that we are not going to publicly condemn one side or the other.”

What has never been explained is exactly why Hamas is denying the ICRC access to the hostages. Morris confirmed that a meeting was held in Qatar in mid-November between the ICRC president and “Hamas leadership, whom she met face to face”, but he would not disclose the content of those discussions. In fact she met Ismaël Haniyeh, chair of Hamas’ political bureau, and held separate meetings with Qatari leaders.

In recent weeks Spoljaric has also met families of hostages “multiple times”, as well as with senior Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

“We try and have dialogue with Hamas at different levels,” Morris told JN. “We also have multiple dialogue entry points with the Israelis.

We also have dialogue and entry points with states who can have influence with the parties to the

Staff from the ICRC drive Israeli hostages to freedom

conflict. We talk about the parties to the conflict because under international law, it is their responsibility to provide for the populations under their control.”

Morris was at pains to stress that while the ICRC did not share details in public of discussions it held with warring sides, in private it was often different.

“A lot of the work that the ICRC does is around the promotion and the respect [necessary] of international humanitarian law. Our dialogue with any parties to the conflict will be at multiple levels, some of it will be where we raise our concerns and what we are asking to happen.”

The agency, he reminded critics, had been formed more than 160 years ago with the central aim of being “a neutral and impartial humanitarian organisation, there to support the victims of conflict, no matter who they are, where they came from, regardless of their reli-

gion or ethnicity, whether they are soldiers or not”.

He insisted that the ICRC was indeed “doing our job” despite criticism to the contrary, adding that “some of my colleagues have died, doing our job. We take it very seriously. [In this case] we have been clear from the outset that the taking of hostages by Hamas was unacceptable. Our position is very clear: the taking of hostages is not compatible with international humanitarian law, and we’ve said so, publicly and in private. That position hasn’t changed, and will not change.”

Morris said ICRC colleagues in both Israel and Gaza had received death threats. “Every one of them says that where there is fair criticism — absolutely, and we accept it.

I’ve sat with people who have had loved ones who have been taken and I can’t imagine the horror that they are going through. I’ve tried to reassure them from what I know, which

is that we are absolutely doing everything we can.

“But the public discourse that it is ‘our job’ to get them out? We are a neutral, impartial humanitarian organisation trying our best to facilitate an agreement, if there is an agreement. If there isn’t an agreement, what we certainly can’t do is drive into a battlefield. The expectation that we suddenly find out where the hostages are, and we drive ourselves there and knock on the door – that is not going to happen. That is an unrealistic expectation that is placed on a humanitarian organisation.”

ICRC’s guiding principle, Morris said, was “do no harm”.

“If a door closes, we will try and open another one. There are many ways to try and improve things. We will not give up and we will continue to try. When we meet families of hostages and they criticise us, we accept it. But it is the responsibility of the parties to the conflict to act in a certain way, to do certain things and not do certain things.

“For example, on humanitarian evacuations: the responsibility for that cannot be transferred to us — in an active conflict zone, with explosions, roads that have been blown up, casualties being taken all over the place… if we are asked by both sides to operate in that pause and there is trust, then we will do it. It has to be safe... and it has to be transparent.

“We are civilians, unarmed, working in an active conflict zone, without fear or favour, with no more power than anyone else. We are not an investigative authority.”

BOOK SENT TO Ceasefire call ‘unhelpful’ SACKS 50,000 GAZA SOLDIERS The government’s calls for a “sustainable ceasefire” are “unhelpful” and give “succour to Israel’s enemies”, a Tory former cabinet minister has warned.

Robert Jenrick said Israel should be allowed to “finish the job” by freeing hostages and protecting Israeli security as he spoke against the position advocated by Rishi Sunak and Lord Cameron.

Sunak, appearing before the Commons liaison committee, said the “sustainable ceasefire” called for by the UK would be one in which Hamas was no longer able to attack Israel.

He said: “A ceasefire is clearly not going to last if hostages are still being held. And also if Hamas, whose stated aim is to destroy Israel, is still able to operate in underground tunnels and launch rocket attacks into Israel.

“So those are important facets that we need to grapple with. And ahead of a permanent ceasefire, what we’d like to see are immediate and sustained humanitarian pauses which allow release of more hostages and more aid to enter Gaza.”

Jenrick, speaking during an urgent question in the Commons, told MPs: “All of us abhor the loss of innocent civilian life in Israel and Gaza, but talk of a sustainable ceasefire is unhelpful.

“All it does is give succour to Israel’s enemies at the time of its greatest need – this is a country that fell to its knees just a few weeks ago and suffered the worst

Destruction in Gaza. We abhor loss of life, said Jenrick

tragedy since the Holocaust, now they are trying to eliminate Hamas. They’re trying to free the hostages, some of whom are British citizens.

“Let them finish the job, let them protect Israeli security, and in doing so let Israel protect our security as well.”

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell replied: “While it is true that weapons have been discovered in incubators in hospital in Gaza, nevertheless I do not agree with my right honourable friend, we are working towards a sustainable ceasefire.

“We are not there yet. We should all of us be working towards that and, in the meanwhile, on the pathway to a sustainable ceasefire we need urgently to get these humanitarian pauses so that humanitarian relief can enter Gaza.”

50,000 IDF soldiers, including those serving in Gaza and on the northern borders, will receive a copy of a special edition booklet of Why I Am a Jew, a chapter from one of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ seminal works.

The Rabbi Sacks Legacy, in partnership with Koren Jerusalem, has published a booklet for IDF soldiers that includes a chapter from Rabbi Sacks’ book, Radical Then, Radical Now, originally published in 2001.

The initiative is aimed at giving strength and inspiration to those serving in the Israel Defence Forces.

In the booklet, Rabbi Sacks reflects on the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people: “Jewry survived while every empire that sought its destruction has ceased to be.

“The State of Israel has achieved things for which there is no comparison in any of the hundred or more new states that have come into being in the United Nations since the end of the Second World War. To be part of

Book has words of late Chief Rabbi

that history is a rare and precious heritage, and one of which I am proud.”

Sgt Tal A (res), on the Lebanese border, expressed excitement on receiving the booklet: “During this critical period, every word takes on meaning, and this book empowers and strengthens us,” he said.

The project is in memory of Sgt Maj (res) Yossi Hershkovitz who fell in battle in Gaza.

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21 December 2023 Jewish News

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Community leaders speak as one in support of Jewish News crowdfunder The great and the good from across the Jewish community sprang into action this week to raise their voices in support of Jewish News’ first crowdfunding campaign – with more than £120,000 raised in one week.

Jewish News, owned by a registered charity, The Jacob Foundation, is in the final hours of an unprecedented campaign to raise £200,000.

And from charity chief executives to comedians, the Chief Rabbi to activists, community rabbis, professionals and acclaimed journalists, our allies have been proudly shouting their support.

Chief Rabbi Mirvis said: “Jewish News is a wonderful resource of both information and inspiration for our community, particularly during difficult times such as these. Jewish News is engaging in a crowdfunding campaign and is turning to all of us asking us to help in order to guarantee that Jewish News will be able to continue to provide its outstanding service of news, not just for British Jewry, but well beyond. Please do be as generous as possible.”

Also urging the community to help the campaign, actress Dame Maureen Lipman said: “It’s such an important paper for all of us and it was so good during both Covid and this current crisis and it allows so many different activities for the Jewish population. It gives them space, it binds us together and we really need that Please do a good deed in a really naughty world.”

Robert Gibber, chair of the trustees of The Jacob Foundation, said: “The Jacob Foundation is a registered charity with independent trustees drawn from the worlds of business, media, news and interfaith.

Its role is to strengthen the Jewish community; to fortify and support its incredible institutions and through consolidating our community to enhance our relationships with other faith communities across society.

“Over the last two tragic months, Jewish News has really underlined the importance of a reliable and dependable advocate for the community in troubled times. We are delighted to be holding this crowdfunding campaign to support Jewish News. It will help us to help them to continue their important work and we would be delighted to have your support on

Charity Extra today. Thank you.”

Edward Isaacs, president of UJS, said he was “delighted” to be supporting the campaign. “I urge you to support Jewish News as it is key to the success of our community. I look forward to working with it over the coming months ahead to platform the Jewish student experience on campus.

Support for Jewish News has never been more important.”

Leading Jewish care home Nightingale Hammerson called Jewish News “a lifeline in order to showcase our work and the wonderful Residents we care for. Jewish News brings our homes and residents’ stories to life and keeps us in touch with the community.

Thank you, Jewish News, for supporting Nightingale Hammerson and always being there for us.”

Chief executive officers of Progressive Judaism, Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky, said: “We’re delighted to record this message of appreciation for Jewish News and everything it offers the UK Jewish community. It has been so important in this past year of bringing together that so many different voices across the Jewish community are celebrating with us, grieving with us and lifting up those voices when we’ve needed to hear them. Thank you, Jewish News.”

Ellisa Estrin, director of fundraising, marketing and communications at Jewish Care, said: “I just wanted to say that Jewish News for the last 15 years of my career played an integral part in helping Jewish Care to be successful, whether that is celebrating our community, or celebrating the 80 list of over 80 roles in all our achievements, or helping us to fundraise for our appeals, or helping

to generate people into our care homes that need our care and support, or cause to our helpline. They play a hugely important role and may they be here for years to come and let’s all ensure that happens. Thank you.”

Never one for mincing his words, comedian Ivor Baddiel said: “Jewish News is a great newspaper.

Its coverage of serious events, it’s top quality, really professional and unbeatable. But it also does entertainment incredibly well. It’s amazing.”

Manchester-based Jewish community leader Marc Levy said: “I rely on Jewish News to help update me and colleagues on all issues affecting our community across the country.

Their constantly updated website is an invaluable tool for busy people to be able to check in and inform themselves of all the current affairs that are pertinent to our community. As Chief Executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region, we have taken on several incredible events and we have always without exception been extremely pleased with the manner in which that they receive coverage in Jewish News which has done so much to help build our profile not just in Greater Manchester but also beyond in London and around the rest of the country. So I wish Justin and all the team the very best of luck for this important campaign.”

Daniel Burger, chief executive of Magen David Adom UK (MDAUK) said: “Magen David Adom UK is immensely proud of its longstanding partnership with Jewish News. It has been a privilege to work closely with both Richard Ferrer and Justin Cohen for many years and particularly for me the highlight was them joining us in Israel for the crowdfunded Jewish News initiative of a blood mobile in memory of Lord Sacks. Our relationship spans many years and it something we simply do not take for granted and as we have seen since 7 October, the love and outpour from the Jewish community has been truly remarkable and Jewish News has been there every step of the way for us.”

Richard Franklin, chief

executive, Kisharon Langdon, said: “Everyone at Kisharon Langdon really supports Jewish News‘ fundraising efforts over this crowdfunding weekend. We often take for granted the communal glue that is the Jewish News, and certainly it’s the lifeblood of organisations like Kisharon Langdon who raise awareness for the really important challenges that face social care and for people with. Autism and learning disabilities in particular. So, thank you, Jewish News, and please do support the fantastic work they do.”

Nicky Goldman, chief executive, the Jewish Volunteering Network, said: “Jewish News is our community newspaper. It amplifies the voice of each organisation and showcases the work all of us do.”

Paul Anticoni, chief executive at World Jewish Relief (WJR) said he “wanted to highlight what an outstanding partner The Jewish News is, both for World Jewish Relief and across our Jewish community. A huge resource for community news, for community information, backing many of our initiatives, and I’m grateful for the central role it plays as a critical Jewish community component. Thank you, Jewish News from all of us at World Jewish Relief.”

Louise Hager, chief executive officer, Chai Cancer Care said: “Since its inception, Jewish News has consistently raised awareness of Chai’s vital work in the community. We look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

Keith Black, chairman of the

Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) said: “I’m a great supporter and avid reader of Jewish News, which does so much to bring Jewish life into the public sphere. Without it the community would be disadvantaged.”

Raymond Simonson, chief executive officer, JW3, said that as the Jewish community’s largest Jewish community centre and the only Jewish cultural venue of its kind in the UK, JW3 “works closely with Jewish News, particularly with Justin Cohen and Richard Ferrer, and we’re really proud to work closely with them and see them as partners. Jewish News is a fantastic Jewish communal newspaper, but it’s so much more than just a newspaper.We always look to increase the volume of Jewish conversation in the community, so Jewish News is a natural partner.”

Sending its “best wishes to Jewish News“, UJIA said: “Now more than ever organisations across our community need to work together for our common good. All at UJIA look forward to working with JN long into the future.

Behatzlacha! Good luck for your campaign.”

Chochmat Nashim co-founder Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll said: “Jewish News gives a voice to those who are rarely heard. Instead of just chasing clicks, they chase truth and the kind of information and projects that can make a real difference in the world. Its unique and deeply appreciated voice makes a positive impact on the wider global Jewish community.”

There’s still time to support our vital work – go to

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Jewish News 21 December 2023

News / Chanukah at Wembley Stadium

FA reaffirms its apology at Wembley Chanukah event

Jewish News co-hosts stadium’s first Jewish festival celebration

by Lee Harpin lee@jewishnews.co.uk @lmharpin

Jewish News op-ed, that the FA had “reflected deeply” on its response to 7 October and its wider attitude towards tackling antisemitism.

“We recognise this is a truly traumatic time for you and we are truly sorry for the hurt our response to those atrocities caused,” Hewitt added.

The FA chief said the impact of 7 October had “meant a period of intense reflection” for the FA. She revealed Jewish leaders had spent time with her and colleagues and had “unselfishly not criticised but explained so much about the positive nature of your faith”.

She said the FA had created an antisemitism task force, which included several people attending the event, to tackle the issues.

Rabbi Mirvis spoke about his own introduction growing up in South Africa to the game of football, when he became a Spurs fan after watching the north London team play a friendly match in 1962 one year after winning the double.

He also revealed he was considered a decent player himself, having been selected for Benoni West under-11s – but admitted a fear that being seen wearing his tzitzit in the changing room would leave him being ridiculed.

In words he recalled from his father, he was told: “You have nothing to worry about – they will be proud of you for being proud of your religion.”

Rabbi Mirvis said he remained nervous ahead of the match but when his tzitzit were spotted his young teammates agreed he was wearing “lucky strings”.

He revealed: “We went out to play, we won two-nil and I scored both the goals. Before every single match after that, my friends always came to check I was wearing my lucky strings.”

A Jewish News-backed event inside Wembley Stadium to celebrate Chanukah drew a capacity crowd into one of the venue’s entertainment suites, along with an honest acceptance from Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt that her organisation had misjudged its response to the 7 October Hamas atrocities.

About 200 Jewish football fans young and old enjoyed food, drink, speeches and a fascinating football panel discussion at the first Chanukah event to be staged at the renowned venue.

Plans for the event, which saw Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis deliver a fine speech in which he recalled making a debut for an under-11 side wearing his “lucky” tzitzit while living in South Africa, had been drawn up six months before the terror attack in southern Israel.

Initial inspiration came from FA head of diversity Dal Singh along with Rabbi Alex Goldberg.

At this time, and with Jewish News publisher Justin Cohen also enlisted to help, nobody could predict that the run-up to Chanukah 2023 would be dominated by the devastating impact of 7 October on the community in Israel and across the globe.

The decision of the FA not to fly the Israeli flag at Wembley in response to the attack and in solidarity with those impacted bitterly disappointed the community, with Rabbi Goldberg, who worked with the FA for over a decade, resigning in protest at the body’s refusal to light up the Wembley Arch in the colours of the national standard.

But the event was a chance for the authorities both to make amends and for the community to celebrate Chanukah, and show also that they were ready to forgive.

In an opening speech, Hewitt was quick and wholehearted in her apology to the community confirming, as she had in an earlier Panel discussion at the Wembley event

Chief Rabbi Mirvis speaking at the Wembley Stadium gathering

On a more serious note, the Chief Rabbi thanked Wembley and the FA for “a chance this evening for us to celebrate our religion” as part of their Faith and Football series.

“Football can tear people apart but it also has the potential to draw us together as one,” he added, before kindling the Chanukah lights.

In his speech, Cohen paid special thanks to the work of Rabbi Goldberg, who he said had been “working behind the scenes to build bridges again between the community and the FA in the interests of both”.

Cohen also noted how the world was now “very different for our community from the one we lived in when we started planning this”.

But, he added: “We have to find light where it is and the fact this year again there have been lightings by the mayor London and not once but twice in Downing Street is a reminder British Jews retain incredible support from our leaders.”

Cohen said it was “wonderful this iconic setting of Wembley has been added to this list, hopefully for many years to come”.

Around 200 people, including youngsters, Rabbi Josh Levy, Rabbi Charley Baginsky and peers including Lord (David) Woolfson and UJS chair Edward Isaacs, were also treated to food, including, of course, doughnuts,

drinks, and a panel discussion on the game of football itself .

Among panel members were Jewish players Dean Furman, Joe Jacobson and Catherine Charles, along with an appearance by Lord John Mann.

The lively discussion was hosted

by Sky Sports presenter Nicole Holliday, and included accounts from Furman and Jacobson of how they proudly discussed their Jewish identity with fellow players.

Lord Mann, the government’s independent antisemitism adviser, urged the FA to continue reaching out to the community.

The FA’s Dal Darroch said: “It was a privilege to host our first ever Chanukah event at Wembley as part of our Faith and Football series.

“We know football has the power to unite communities and break down barriers and it was brilliant to see over 200 people gather at our national stadium to celebrate this important date in the Jewish calendar.

“We’d particularly like to thank Justin Cohen who has worked tirelessly this year to help us prepare and deliver this event. We took forward to continuing to work closely together in the future.”

Rabbi Alex added: “The FA’s apology and commitment to rooting out antisemitism, including forming

Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt: ‘We misjudged’

an antisemitism task force, mark a significant step towards healing with the Jewish community.

“Their recent engagement with Jewish leaders, including myself and the Chief Rabbi ... shows a real commitment to learning from past mistakes and promoting inclusivity.

“This event, highlighted by Debbie Hewitt’s words, symbolises not just Chanukah’s message of light overcoming darkness, but also the power of dialogue and shared values in uniting communities. It reflects a new era of understanding and respect, where forgiveness and proactive change light the way forward.

“For me, this re-engagement with the FA’s leadership at Wembley signifies hope and the beginning of a healing process.”

21 December 2023 Jewish News

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External probe into uni rector’s actions St Andrews University will appoint an independent investigator to probe the role and actions of its rector, writes Beatrice Sayers.

After being elected in October, one of the first actions of Stella Maris, whose role is intended to include pastoral support, was to send a four-page email to students about the war in Gaza, accusing Israel of genocide and apartheid.

The Court of St Andrews, which is the university’s governing body, met in special session on Friday after concerns from students, staff and alumni about the message and her “subsequent communications”. Students and others had written to Maris last month asking her to apologise or resign.

The court, of which Maris is an ex officio member, said in its statement: “Court recognised the rec-

A graduation at St Andrews and (inset) the rector Stella Maris

tor’s right to freedom of speech, and also noted that the rector’s message had been welcomed by some students, staff and alumni.”

In recent weeks, at least three antisemitic incidents against stu-

dents have been reported. JSoc members speak of feeling isolated and unsupported. When the JSoc posted a statement saying the rector’s email had been divisive and not based on fact, Maris, 25, com-

mented that antisemitism was being “weaponised against me”.

The investigation will examine “the compatibility of the rector’s actions and activities with the responsibilities and standards which she agreed to uphold” on appointment, and which are required of a charitable trustee.

St Andrews has confirmed that all relevant material will be considered, including statements, social media posts and correspondence. A spokesperson told Jewish News: “The investigator will have the discretion to seek additional information as they consider necessary.”

The university also confirmed that it intended to publish the outcome of the investigation, which was expected to report its findings to the court in “early 2024”.

Badenoch’s tough hate talk The government’s minister for women and equalities has put down a marker to public authorities about prejudice — particularly relating to antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias.

In a toughly worded letter to public sector bodies, Kemi Badenoch, said they must provide “leadership in reducing prejudice and increasing understanding”.

Noting Metropolitan Police figures of a 1,350 percent rise in antisemitic hate crime in October, and a 140 percent spike in Islamophobia, the minister has spelled out the provisions of the Equality Act and what are the obligations of public authorities.

She writes: “Given the recent hostility towards the Jewish community and rise of anti-Muslim hatred, it is particularly important that public authorities take their duty to have due regard to the need to foster good relations seriously. Now more than ever, we need to see public authorities providing leadership in reducing prejudice and increasing understanding between different groups of people.”

Badenoch adds: “I wish to make it entirely clear that public authorities must provide leadership and remain steadfast in maintaining the legal obligations in the Act. The Act provides protection against discrimina-

tion, harassment, victimisation and unfair treatment associated with any of the protected characteristics it covers.”

Under the Act, public authorities are required to have due regard to fostering good relations between different groups.

The Met reported that between 1 and 18 October there had been a 1,350 per cent increase in hate crimes against Jews, and Islamophobic offences were up 140 per cent.

Last week police in West Yorkshire said they had recorded 43 antisemitic incidents in the month the conflict began, seven times higher than average.

Oil tankers have come under attack

UK TO HELP IN RED SEA Britain is set to join an international coalition to protect ships sailing through the Red Sea after tankers came under attack from terrorists in Yemen.

The announcement comes after oil giant BP paused all its tanker journeys over safety concerns after Iranian-backed Houthi soldiers stepped up attacks on vessels in recent days.

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the UK was one of a host of countries that would be joining forces as part of the Washington-led alliance to ensure vessels could navigate safely.

It is understood the Royal Navy’s HMS Diamond, which was deployed to the Middle East last month and saw action in the Red Sea on the weekend, is likely to be part of the patrols.

Austin said in a statement: “This is an international challenge that demands collective action. Therefore today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative.”

Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain will join the US and the UK in the mission, Austin announced. Many of those linking up with Washington are thought to already have a presence in the Middle East, where Israel is at war with the Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.

The Houthi rebels are understood to be targeting ships using the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with the pro-Hamas group seeking to disrupt ships set for Israel.

The shipping route is a key area for global trade, particularly for the transport of oil, grain and consumer goods from east Asia.

SCHOLAR WHO VISITED UK IS PRO-HAMAS Durham University retains on its website the profile and lecture of an academic it welcomed for two months this summer as a visiting fellow – despite being informed he is a public supporter of Hamas.

Despite being shown evidence of the antisemitic posts Dr Taqadum Al-Khatib made following the 7 October attacks in Israel, the university still hosts the video of a public lecture he presented in Durham in July and a biography that presents him as a mainstream scholar.

On the day of the Hamas terrorists’ massacre in southern Israel, Al-Khatib reposted a video of a protest by antiZionist Jews with placards saying: “All Palestine under Palestinian sovereignty.” The protesters chant: “Down, down, the Nazi state of Israel.”

Also on 7 October he posted:

Dr Taqadum Al-Khatib

“What happened today is a reaction against the international community’s failure to hold Israeli authorities to account for apartheid and other crimes.” The following day, he

tweeted, in Arabic: “The countdown has begun,” an apparent reference to the prospect of Israel’s destruction.

He has reposted conspiracy theories that the IDF deliberately shelled Israeli homes and its own bases in response to the attack by Hamas.

Al-Khatib, who lives in Berlin, was an academic visitor to Durham University from April to June, one of the Mohamed Ali Foundation fellows.

Al-Khatib lists his interests as history, cultural studies and Middle East politics. His scholarship is a smokescreen for his support for terrorism.

His activities on X (formerly Twitter) were uncovered by Khaled Hassan, an expert on radical Islamism who, through MENA Department, investigates Arabic-language disinformation and propaganda. Hassan worked on the research that led to the

UK revoking the visa of the Egyptian TV presenter Moataz Matar.

Hassan has said of Al-Khatib: “He uses his academic credentials to promote antisemitism, to suggest that Jews are liars.” Al-Khatib publicises on Twitter his German-language book, The Jews in Egypt – Correlation Between Language and Minority, the subject of his PhD thesis.

One of the Egyptian’s tweets, in Arabic, read: “Zionists, if you give them your fingers, they will take a hand, if you give them a hand, they will take your arm.” Al-Khatib has also commented on the arrest of a woman who said accusations that Hamas killed children was false propaganda, saying the behaviour of German police in arresting her was “a return to Nazism in its most brazen form”.

Al-Khatib, who was awarded his

PhD in 2019 from the Freie Universität Berlin, is celebrated by ‘pro-democracy organisations’ as an Egyptian in exile for opposing President Sissi.

When Jewish News showed Durham University evidence that Al-Khatib was an antisemites, it pointed out that the views he shared in response to the 7 October atrocities were expressed some time after his visiting fellowship had ended.

It added: “These views are in no way endorsed by Durham University.

He has no ongoing association with the university.” The university said it did not tolerate “any form of antisemitism”, adding: “Durham University strongly condemns any incidents of antisemitism and any form of prejudice or discrimination.”

Dr Al-Khatib has been contacted for comment.

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21 December 2023 Jewish News

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ISRAEL AT WAR

BA ‘sorry’ for hapless decision over comedy British Airways has apologised for postponing the inclusion of a Jewish-themed British sitcom from its in-flight entertainment due to the conflict in the Middle East, writes Richard Ferrer.

The airline had been due to include the show Hapless on its in-flight menu this month, which is based around the lives of Jewish characters in London, only to announce it had been sidelined to “remain neutral” during the ongoing war.

Responding to mounting concerns over its decision, a British Airways spokesperson told Jewish News: “We understand that the decision to review the content has caused upset and hurt to the Jewish community, and we’re sorry – that was never our intention.

“We’re proud to offer a wide range of entertainment options for our customers to enjoy and constantly review these, taking into consideration current events. The series will appear on

A scene from Hapless, which was removed from BA’s December schedule

our aircraft early next year.”

Hapless creator Gary Sinyor, who described the decision as “shocking”, was informed that the show would be sidelined by Spafax Media, the company that curates BA’s entertainment platform.

An email from Spafax, seen by Jewish News, reads: “BA asked us to review content on board and being booked in relation to Israel/ Palestine and the conflict currently happening. Their preference is to remain as neutral in these situa-

tions as possible. As a result we’ve been asked to remove Hapless from the December line-up but are very happy to book this once the conflict dies down.

Spafax is a subsidiary of WPP Group PLC, which has signed a declaration against antisemitism.

Sinyor said: “Hapless is intended for the mainstream audience and our national airline made a wrong decision in picking on a British comedy with Jews in it.”

It is understood the show is now scheduled to appear on the airline’s in-flight lineup early in the new year.

Grandson of Hendon rabbi killed in Gaza

The grandson of the former rabbi of Hendon Synagogue, the late Rabbi Sidney Silberg, was killed fighting in Gaza, the IDF announced this week. Reserves Captain Netanel Silberg, 33, from Na’ama, was commander in the Yahalom special operations forces of the Combat Engineering Corps. He was buried on Tuesday in Gush Etzion cemetery, deeply mourned by his parents, Dov and Ayala Silberg. The late Rabbi Silberg was minister at Hendon from 1980 to 1996.

Protester arrested after public appeal

A man has been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred at a pro-Palestine march after a successful public appeal to identify him, the Metropolitan Police said.

Detectives arrested the 24-year-old in southwest London on Tuesday, following allegations he displayed an article in public that “arouses reasonable suspicion of support for a proscribed organisation”.

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ISRAEL AT WAR

hostage celebrated RSA ‘apologises’ over Freed at fundraiser for Nir Oz UK-Israel gathering The Royal Society of Arts has apologised for hosting an event supporting UK-Israel ties, insisting it is an “apolitical” venue – despite hosting the Christmas party for a Conservative think-tank days earlier, writes Adam Decker.

Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden and the Israeli ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, were among those appearing at the UK-Israel event to foster ties between the two countries.

The arts organisation said it “neither condones nor endorses” the event which it claims was held by an “external client who did not disclose the full event details in advance”.

The RSA said on social media it had launched an internal investigation, adding it apologised “extensively” to anyone affected and upset and would ensure robust measures were put in place in future to ensure it would not happen again.

Days earlier the “apolitical” venue hosted a party for Onward – a

RSA headquarters in London – an ‘apolitical’ venue

centre-right think-tank that produces research on economic and social issues.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the building in London after the UK-Israel event.

The Metropolitan Police said officers attended and one man was arrested who was “not believed to be part of the protest”.

A spokesperson for the force

said: “Officers arrived quickly on scene to a demonstration being held outside the Royal Society of Arts in John Adam Street, WC2.

“We imposed conditions on the group at 13:28, and they moved away from the property by 13:38.”

The Met said the man who was arrested, under Section 5 of the Public Order Act, had been asked by security to leave the event.

New London Synagogue in St John’s Wood was full for a Chanukah concert fundraiser for Kibbutz Nir Oz, the home of Ada, recently released from Gaza and mother of synagogue member Noam Sagi.

The kibbutz was destroyed on 7 October attacks and Noam was present at the fundraiser to share reflections on re-meeting his mother after 53 days of captivity.

Rabbi Jeremy Gordon said music for the evening was chosen to show darkness rising to light, matching the escalation from one candle to a full Chanukiah.

The concert opened with an elegiac solo rendition by Ayala Gottlieb Alter of Hannah Szenes’ poem Eli Eli and continued with a setting of Naomi Shemer’s Lu Yehi, evocative of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, for voice, cello and piano.

A highlight was synagogue cantorial lead David Djemal singing a modified version of Bring Him Home, from the musical Les Misérables, fusing the original English and Hebrew-trans-

lated lyrics and offered as a prayer for the release of the close friend of Djemal’s cousin, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and all hostages and concluding with a plea to Bring him home, bring her home, bring them home.

The concert was planned by Djemal and Israeli soprano and New London member Chen Reiss, but Reiss had to withdraw owing to illness at the last minute.

Royal Academy of Music student Maya Sayag stepped in, sharing to stunning effect Marc Lavry’s Tsror Hamor, a setting of extracts from Song of Songs, and then Donizetti’s Quel Guardo Il Cavaliere, effortlessly hitting top notes that threatened to shatter the newly-dedicated stained glass in the sanctuary.

The concert concluded with Sayag and Gottlieb Alter, accompanied on the piano by Marc Verter.

Their performance was of Hava Narimah, the Hebrew version on a Chanukah theme of the chorus See the Conqu’ring Hero from Handel’s Judas Maccabeus – with warm applause.

Manchester anti-hate march plan The Manchester Jewish community is planning an antisemitism solidarity march on 21 January at 2pm.

The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester (JRC), says the event is a declaration the community is “strong, united, determined and will neither hide away nor be silent”.

The council says it will be working in consultation with communal partners as well as the CST, Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council.

JRC chair Mark Adlestone said: “ “We encourage all Jewish people from across the country to demonstrate their pride by joining us at this important juncture. In addition, now more than ever, we require the support of our friends from outside the Jewish community.

“The message is simple in that we seek to condemn antisemitism in all its forms and call upon all our friends to show solidarity with Jewish people at this difficult time.”

From left: cantorial lead David Djemal, Rabbi Jeremy Gordon, soprano Maya Sayag, pianist Marc Venter and singer and cellist Ayala Gottlieb Alter

LEWIS: WHY I KEPT QUIET Fury at body-bag jibe Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has said recent calls for him to speak out on the IsraelGaza conflict “were border antisemitic”.

Lewis, who hosts The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV, told BBC Radio 4’s Media Show of feeling pressure, adding he had “never been asked about political situations in China, or Saudi Arabia, or South America”.

He said: “I’m British. I’m a British Jew. My parents were born in Britain. All my grandparents were born in Britain. All my great grandparents were born in Britain. And yet people somehow felt they could demand that, as a British Jew, I should be talking on a conflict in the Middle East, when I never talk about international affairs …”

Lewis said to him as a Jew, 7 October “was an incredibly difficult time, for many Jewish people and many Muslim people, and what’s going on in the Middle East is tragic”.

Lewis, who is married to television presenter Lara Lewington, who is also Jewish, had not talked publicly about the conflict since a post he put out on X on 12 October in response to being asked why as a practising Jew, he had not said anything about “the unthinkable despicable atrocities committed by terrorists in Israel”.

He replied that he had “struggled to process it” but felt the “guttural fear for relations in Israel, anxiety about possible antisemitic backlash here and grief over the loss of life of beautiful children both Israeli and Palestinian were things I didn’t want to be public about”.

He added: “Equally I am British. I don’t study the situation in the Middle East. In my usual work, some listen assuming I have a level of authority. Yet here I don’t have an expertise – and I don’t want authority assumed on such an important issue when it’s not merited.

“What I do know is that sadly peace, which is what we all desperately need, seems beyond reach. I despair as to where things will go. Israel has the right to and should defend itself. Yet my heart goes out too to those innocent civilians in Gaza who will bear a brunt for the actions of Hamas which they have no say in.”

Lewis told Media Show: “I’m not an expert in what is going on in Israel and in Palestine... so I did not want to comment, so people could not assume an expertise ... I felt obligated to put something out, literally, to stop people asking me. So I put a comment out. I mean, about the tragedy, and it’s a tragedy for all sides… And then I kept my mouth shut until this point.”

High-profile rabbi Shmuley Boteach has complained to American law authorities after an appearance on Piers Morgan’s TV show in the UK generated posts on social media inferring death threats against two of his sons.

Rabbi Boteach, who lived and worked in Oxford for 11 years before returning to the US, was in Britain for a televised Talk TV debate with Mohammed Hijab, who has a huge following on Twitter/X and describes himself as a “philosopher, speaker, author and educator” on Islam.

Morgan moderated the debate, which degenerated into shouting with both sides claiming victory but Boteach saying Hijab during the debate had said he would like to see the rabbi’s IDF son, Mendy, in a body bag.

The next day, Hijab posted on X a picture of what seemed to be a wrapped body with the line “make sure that you apply the same discount to the funeral body bags for your terrorist IDF son Mendy. Promo-code Human-shield”.

A furious Boteach told Jewish News he and his family “took threats made by Mohammed Hijab very seriously” and he had reported the posts to US authorities, including the FBI. He added: “I am shocked and appalled that a country that I love and admire,

The offending image posted on X/Twitter

where six of my nine children, including Mendy, who is at risk here, were born, is allowing a high-profile Islamist, with millions of social media followers, to openly threaten the rabbi he debated on national TV with his children’s murder without any kind of public outrage or without any kind of investigation by the police.”

Boteach said Morgan should also speak out.

The Board of Deputies said it deplored “this behaviour, which shouldn’t be countenanced either on TV or social media”, adding: “The authorities should look into this clear and obvious example of hate speech”.

12 Jewish News 21 December 2023

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ISRAEL AT WAR

MP: Deport extremist doc One of the leaders of an Islamic political organisation that has been involved in pro-Palestine protests should be deported from the UK, an MP has claimed.

Conservative MP Bob Blackman called for Abdul Wahid, chairman of the UK arm of Hizb ut-Tahrir, to have his “right to be in this country” cancelled.

Hizb ut-Tahrir is a pan-Islamic fundamentalist group which has been banned in many Arab nations, as well as in Germany and China.

It has organised rallies which have taken place on the streets of London alongside pro-Palestine marches in recent months, following the outbreak of the IsraelHamas conflict.

“Not only is he uttering A Hizb ut-Tahrir this vile abuse, but he member could be seen is also an NHS GP in shouting “jihad” in Harrow. a video from an “The reality October march, is that there is but the Metroa large Jewish politan Police community in said no offences Harrow and they were identified. will be fearful of Harrow East going to their GP MP Blackman in case he is the one told the Commons: that sees them.

“Abdul Wahid is the “Can we have a debate in head of the UK arm of Hizb ut-Tahrir. He utters Abdul Wahid government time on how we can root out these extremists the most vile antisemfrom public service? itism possible, and indeed “In my view, his right to be in praised the attacks that took place on 7 October as being a punch in this country should be cancelled and he should be deported. But the the face for Israel.

reality is that we must make sure extremism is not allowed in our public services.”

Commons leader Penny Mordaunt replied: “I know many members will be aware of this shocking case. He will understand that I can’t comment on specific details of what might be happening with regard to an individual.

“The Community Security Trust has been recording an increased number of antisemitic incidents and hate crime since the recent conflict began in particular.

“Of course, whatever walk of life someone is in, these attitudes and actions are utterly indefensible and shouldn’t be tolerated.

“But it is all the more

Israeli tech’s ‘resilience’ London Stock Exchange Group head of international primary markets Tom Attenborough has said the resilience Israel and Jewish communities worldwide have shown since the 7 October attacks has been “astonishing and humbling.”

Attenborough made the comments at the inaugural summit of Restart IL, which aims to help revive the nation’s economy by connecting leading UK investors with Israeli startups.

Attenborough said: “This resilience has not been any clearer than in the world of the Israeli technology sector, which continues to deliver despite the impact that businesses continue to have both on their staff, and

Attendees at the Restart IL summit

on their leadership during these times.”

At the summit, held in cooperation with the Israeli Embassy, Economic Office and UK Israel Business, around 30 Israeli startups and entrepreneurs from the

world of AI, climate tech, cybersecurity, agritech and foodtech presented their technology to over 200 British private and institutional investors and business leaders.

Attenborough noted how

the London Stock Exchange has a long history of supporting Israeli companies, with 23 currently listed and boasting a total market capital of $9 billion.

He urged the Israeli entrepreneurs present to “keep doing what you do best, continue to innovate and show that resilience and fighting spirit, and continue to inspire and humble those of us that hopefully play our own small role in helping finance you at the right time.

“Please see us as friends and as a home to have that discussion and debate. We hope to be seeing many of you again on a platform not just to finance your business but to amplify those businesses on a global scale.”

shocking when an individual is charged with public service, and particularly public services that require the trust and confidence for the local community. I am sure this will not be the last we have heard of this particular case.”

Dr Wahid recently appeared on the TalkTV programme Piers Morgan Uncensored, where he suggested that Hizb ut-Tahrir’s demonstrations in London were carefully planned and were “calling for a military intervention of official armies of Muslim countries to rescue the people of Gaza”.

He also told TalkTV he did not discuss his personal views with patients in his work as a GP.

OURCROWD PICKS THE FIRST EIGHT RECIPIENTS Leading global investment platform OurCrowd has closed the first round of its $50m Resilience Fund, having secured more than $13 m to invest in the first eight startups.

The Israel Resilience Fund was established to support over 50 Israeli companies that are either being impacted by the war or developing solutions related to the security situation including environmental impact, emergency medicine, food security, cybersecurity, media monitoring, reconstruction, and other areas.

Launched last month, it has become one of the fastestclosing venture capital funds ever to go from conception to closure in just 40 days.

Eight startups have been

selected to receive investments – half of them are not currently part of the OurCrows portfolio.

Those chosen include Edgybees, whose satellite and motion imagery is being used by defence groups to deliver actionable insights to help save lives; BlueTree, the developer of sugar reduction platform for industrial applications in the drinks industry – it was recently evacuated from its facility in Kiryat Shmona, near the Lebanon border; Carrar, the experts in EV battery thermal management systems.

The company was forced to relocate from its headquarters in Sderot near Gaza; and Verobotics, which uses an autonomous robot for proactive maintenance.

21 December 2023 Jewish News

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13

ISRAEL AT WAR

3,000 watch online editor’s panel More than 3,000 people across four international time zones marked the seventh night of Chanukah by tuning in to a special online event held by three leading Jewish media groups — Israel’s Jerusalem Post, America’s The Forward, and Britain’s Jewish News.

Zvika Klein, interim editor-inchief of the Jerusalem Post — who had only been in his role for a day — joined fellow editors Jodi Rudoren of The Forward and Jewish News editor Richard Ferrer for a roundtable discussion about the challenges and highs of covering the Israel-Hamas war. Their experiences ranged from up close and all too personal, as in the case of the Post, to trying to report from outside Israel and engage their readers

with stories relating to the American and British communities.

All three editors, despite their differing approaches, were agreed on one thing — a new closeness is emerging between Israel and the diaspora. Zvika Klein said he felt “a

greater understanding” on the part of Israelis. “Finally they are getting it,” he said, noting that Israeli TV programmes which had highlighted instances of international antisemitism had shocked the state.

He also noted that even secular

Israelis were “becoming more Jewish”, while Richard Ferrer said that “the last few months have blurred the distinctions between the diaspora and Israel”, observing that Jews around the world had been profoundly affected by the events of 7 October and the war Each of the editors, given that it was Chanukah, was asked if there was any “light in the darkness” that they could take from the war.

Ferrer was optimistic that agreements secured under the banner of the Abraham Accords would continue, and even expand, while Klein said there were seismic changes within strictly-Orthodox communities which might otherwise have taken years to effect.

Rudoren, who spent 11 days in

Israel reporting for The Forward, pointed to a rise in readership of Jewish media as well as an upsurge in volunteering from diaspora communities and within Israel itself.

The editors’ discussion, moderated by Jewish News news editor Justin Cohen, was bookended by two interviews conducted by the Israeli actress and journalist Neta Riskin, speaking from Germany.

The event opened with an interview with Israel’s international press spokesman Eylon Levy, who was plainly on the same page as the editors when he spoke of “Jewish mutual responsibility” which he believed had emerged since the outbreak of the war, with both Israeli and diaspora communities supporting each other.

NO ROOM FOR HATE IN DOWNING STREET

BY BENJAMIN BELL PUBLIC POLICY & COMMUNICATIONS LEADER

While antisemitism is alive and unwell in the UK, mercifully it stops at the door to Number 10.

The short walk from Charing Cross tube to the heart of power takes in torn posters of kidnapped Jews and intimidating graffiti, but hate had no invitation to the annual Chanukah event in Downing Street.

It was again a privilege to join an occasion which in prior years was all celebration but this time mixed joy with sombre reflection.

In the words of the foreign secretary, Lord Cameron,who hosted the event, 7 October renders 2023’s festival of light unique in modern times.

It is about memorial, vigil and defiance –

memorial to those murdered, vigil for those kidnapped, defiance of us all. The same gathering in 2013 didn’t just feel different. The fate of one soul in particular made it truly so.

A decade ago, 10-year old Londoner Nathanel Young was a fellow attendee welcomed by the then prime minister. This time, Cameron tearfully noted the 20-year old’s absence, killed by Hamas.

It was a behind-closed-doors mirror of a larger public display of defiance earlier. The National March Against Antisemitism was special not just for its size and plurality but for representing resistance of the right kind.

Standing proud in unity and showing no hate.

From first learning about the Holocaust as a kid, right up to 6 October, I wondered how it could have happened – 30 years of bewilderment that fellow citizens could stand aside and even participate in the delegitimisation and extermination of a race.

That changed just hours after Hamas broke a ceasefire to launch their murder

spree. As the world’s tiny Jewish community reeled in shock and Israelis continued to battle genocidal terrorists on their own streets, on European streets parties celebrated the mass execution, rape and abduction of Jews. Despite suffering our worst loss of life in a day since 1945, we were barely afforded a night of untrammelled sympathy or period of graceful mourning.

Jews are an ethnic minority with evidenced roots dating back thousands of years in the land of Israel. Millennia later, rejected by the world, and surviving World War Two as a fraction of our 1939 number, we were granted a home there by the UN as refuge in the wake of Europe’s death camps, expulsion from Arab nations, and no end to persecution globally. Social media may try to deny history, but none of that is disputable.

The point is to spell out a context in which people need to wake up and smell the hummus Where are we meant to go if the notion of a Jewish Israel is rejected and the welcome

mat for the diaspora pulled from every other country? Maybe don’t answer that. Indulgence of hateful rhetoric from Hamas supporters and on the placards of terror apologists says it all.

As do incidents such as the now-official antisemitic position of Harvard University; the vicious attack on a young ‘visibly Jewish’ British woman; a shooting at a New York synagogue; a Polish MP extinguishing the Chanukah candles in parliament; my colleague’s Helsinki home vandalised for the Star of David on display.

Each of these took place just last week – and it is far from an exhaustive list. I dread what the next seven days might bring.

Uncomfortable as they might be to read, these are facts in an increasingly post-fact world. I am articulating the practical consequences of what haters demand.

Despite the feeble claims of our public institutions, ‘From the River to the Sea’, ‘Globalise the Intifada’ and ‘Jihad’ are not nuanced pronouncements.

They are a deadly screech to Jewish ears.

14 Jewish News 21 December 2023

www.jewishnews.co.uk

ISRAEL AT WAR

After horrors of rape comes indignity of not being heard RACHEL BLAIN,

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL I’m writing to lend my voice, to tell you I have shed tears, to add my name to the list of those who believe Israeli women.

It’s inconceivable I have started an article this way and incomprehensible the world has stayed silent; failing to lend their voice to support Israeli women and speak out against the barbaric sexual violence committed by Hamas.

Israel on 7 October faced its worst terror attack in recent times, with the highest number of Jewish deaths in a day since the Holocaust. It underscored Hamas’ capabilities, but also highlighted that Jewish women are alone.

In the wake of the Me Too movement and the cruel kidnapping of 276 girls by Boko Haram in 2014, hashtags followed and social media campaigns dominated the feeds of women and their allies. But not 7 October.

There was silence then. The people behind women’s organisations lost their voice. These many days later, they remain to be found.

Hamas, after meticulously planning a bloody massacre complete with maps and instruction manuals, live-streamed the terror attack using Go-Pro cameras.

The signs were there straight away. Shani Louk, 22 years old, was paraded in her underwear in the back of a truck in Gaza. Another female was recorded with red stains on her shorts. But still the world said nothing.

On 25 November, the United Nations marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, coinciding with 50 days since Hamas’ deadly terror attack and 50 days since women and girls being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. Still no statement, just silence.

In the past week, witness testimonies have started surfacing from victims of the Hamas atrocity, as well as from members of Zaka – the volunteer organisation helping to identify bodies. Their accounts are harrowing, their experiences traumatic.

Most rape and mutilated victims are dead, but some are believed to be in Gaza, remaining in captivity so their stories aren’t shared.

Israel’s police chief Yaacov Shabtai has said 18 young men and women are being cared for in mental health hospitals because “they can no

longer function”, after witnessing the Hamas atrocities including sexual violence.

We have now finished UN Women’s “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign. There were no news stories on the website, no condemning press release. Not until 1 December did UN Women “unequivocally condemn the brutal attacks by Hamas on Israel on 7 October”, on social media.

The group added it was “alarmed by the numerous accounts of gender-based atrocities and sexual violence during those attacks”.

It wasn’t a standalone post, like #MeToo or “Bring Our Girls Home”, but rather a post hidden behind an assertion that “all women, Israeli women, Palestinian women, as all others, are entitled to a life lived in safety and free from violence”.

Now this is true, I wouldn’t suggest otherwise, but what seems to be at play is a reluctance to condemn sexual violence against Israeli women in its entirety. Aside from the utter horror faced by Israeli women of all ages, the world has bestowed upon them a further indignity, of not being believed, of not being worthy enough to shout condemnation.

Women’s movements, which stayed silent for almost two months after Hamas’ deadly

massacre, who subtly post a condemnation hidden behind a wider (more general) condemnation of violence against women, are doing themselves a disservice.

It is clear they do not speak for all women, it is clear that they don’t speak for Israeli and Jewish women, but I promise you I will.

I lend my voice to all Jewish and Israeli women who suffered, I share my voice with the Jewish community worldwide who feel more alone than ever, and I call on the international community to hold the terrorist organisation to account and condemn Hamas’ violence against women and girls without drawing on ‘also’ and ‘but’.

Let’s not allow ‘Israeli/Jewish women’ to join the excuse catalogue of rapists who argue that “her skirt was too short” and “she asked for it”. No one asks for it, but the world’s deafening silence is excusing Hamas’ behaviour, legitimising sexual violence as a weapon of war.

In turn, this affects not only Jewish and Israeli women, but women worldwide in any future conflict.

A standalone statement in support of Israeli women is actually in support of all women.

Women’s movements just need to leave behind their prejudice to realise that.

ISLINGTON MENORAH Legal complaint POLICE SAFER SCHOOLS TEAM TO VISIT CHANNING DAMAGED IN ATTACK against trainer A police Safer Schools team is

The scene at Islington Green after the attack

A menorah placed on Islington Green in north London was deliberately damaged on the last day of Chanukah, 14 December.

The incident occurred at 9.30am and according to a statement from Chabad Islington, members of the public attempted to intervene to stop the attack and chased the perpetrator.

Police and Islington Council were quick to come to the scene, as well as Islington South MP Emily Thornberry.

Once the police forensics team had completed fingerprint checks and statements were provided by witnesses, the council’s lighting department worked on repairing the menorah.

With the support of council leader Kaya ComerSchwartz, a relighting of the menorah was organised for the final night of Chanukah.

Thornberry later gave out flyers to people walking along the park to join the evening lighting ceremony.

Members of a well-known London health club chain have filed a legal complaint against a staff member for antisemitic social media posts.

The letter, on behalf of more than 30 Jewish and nonJewish individuals, follows an initial written complaint to David Lloyd Finchley general manager Gopal Gautami,, the response to which the group found “disappointing”.

They have now instructed law firm Karam, Missick and Traube to address their collective concerns over fitness instructor Ben Lynch, an employee at the club.

Lynch is said to have used his public Instagram account ‘notallabouthealth’, with 350 followers, to post content the gym members deemed antisemitic and which they said “made them feel deeply uncomfortable”.

In the letter, seen by Jewish News, the law firm says the members “don’t feel safe attending any class” conducted by Lynch, who on the evening of 10 December allegedly made “troubling and offensive remarks about the Holocaust and the actions of Mr B Netanyahu”.

The firm says the post lacks sensitivity and exhibits antisemitic sentiments.

It goes on to say: “Mr Lynch’s post dangerously draws parallels between the number of children killed per day during the Holocaust and the casualties in current conflicts, perpetuating an offensive analogy that minimises the atrocities of the Holocaust.

“This type of comparison is deeply distressing, particularly for Jewish members at David Lloyd, as it disregards the immense suffering and loss experienced by the Jewish community during one of the darkest chapters in human history.”

The members have also sent a complaint to the Community Security Trust (CST) and are supported by the Campaign Against Antisemitism.

The law firm confirmed David Lloyd chief financial officer Patrick Burrows and chief executive officer Russell Barnes had received their correspondence.

David Lloyd told Jewish News in a statement: “A thorough investigation continues in line with our company processes.”

to visit a north London girls’ private school next month after antisemitic graffiti was daubed in a lavatory.

A Nazi swastika sign and the words “kill Jews” were discovered on the wall of the toilet at the £24,000-a-year Channing School in Highgate last month.

The school reported to police and the Community Security Trust, who “exhausted all reasonable lines of enquiry” and “emphasised bystanders and those who know the perpetrator have a responsibility to speak”.

In a letter to parents, head Lindsey Hughes said: “We have spent countless hours reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing students, and providing significant pastoral support, as well as putting in place a comprehensive education programme designed to educate and inform students on the situation in the Middle East and the dangers of all forms of discrimination including antisemitism.

“We updated the police and the CST on our progress this week. They told us that we have exhausted all reasonable lines of enquiry at present but added that if new information

Channing School

comes to light, they will help us follow up any new lines of enquiry immediately.

“They commended us for being proactive and engaged, actively looking for support and advice and following up every lead.”

Hughes added: “In their view the investigation is now a safeguarding issue. The police Safer Schools team will come into school next term to talk to students and highlight that this behaviour is completely unacceptable.”

“We will continue our efforts to educate the school community on the dangers of discrimination and the importance of our unitarian values of kindness, respect and tolerance so we can continue to be the warm, supportive community we strive to be.”

21 December 2023 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

15

ISRAEL AT WAR

students Was it fair for Hamas to Jewish greatly anxious attack, pupils are asked A UK secondary school has asked students to justify Hamas’ terrorists atrocities of 7 October, writes Michelle Rosenberg.

Screenshots shared by a concerned parent on the network Mumsnet show the lesson plan on the HamasIsrael war.

The school in question has not been identified.

The anonymous poster writes that her son’s school has “had a couple of lessons and an assembly about the conflict in Israel and the terrible situation in Gaza”.

She adds that she has been sent a copy of the slides used in the lesson and is “horrified” as they “build up a very one-sided picture of Israel persecuting the Palestinians for no reason” and “democratically elected Hamas standing up to them”.

The poster notes that

A screenshot of the school lesson plan shared online

there are “11 slides on Israel taking over land” but “by contrast there’s one line on the Holocaust and two lines on the 7 October attacks, one of which states ‘They [Hamas] killed some and took hostages.”

Students are then asked: “Is it fair for Hamas to

attack?”

The parent, who is not Jewish and makes clear that she thinks “both Hamas and the Israeli government are appalling”, writes: “To me this is inviting students to justify terrorism when they’re nowhere near sufficiently informed about what

A new poll from Global Student Living — which bills itself as the world’s leading student data and insight platform — says that Jewish students have a high level of anxiety about the way their university or college regards them.

The GSL survey took in the views of 40,000 students from more than 100 universities across the UK. The data was acquired between 1 October and 5 December.

Asked if they agreed that their university “cares about their wellbeing”, overall, less than half of Jewish students accepted this proposition.

And the figures showed a steep drop — from 58 per cent who, at the beginning of the survey, believed their university cared about them — to just 33 per cent by the end of November.

GSL said “this precipitous drop underscores the urgency of addressing the specific challenges faced by

they’re justifying.”

The original post has since been removed, with Mumsnet telling Jewish News: “The post was removed at the original poster’s request due to privacy concerns.”

Screenshots of the original post have been shared across social platform Twitter/X. The Department for Education referred Jewish News to the following post on 14 December from secretary of state Gillian Keegan on Twitter/X to “reflect the department’s position”.

The education secretary writes: “Hamas are terrorists. Their actions are indefensible and anyone encouraging support for them should feel the full force of the law. Extremism has no place in education and I have launched an urgent review into this case.”

Jewish students and fostering an inclusive and supportive campus environment”.

This is in “stark contrast”, says GSL, “to the sentiments of Muslim students, among whom 64 per cent feel their university is concerned about their welfare, compared with 65 per cent of the general student population”.

Tim Daplyn, the chief executive of GSL, said: “We know that many institutions have made substantial efforts to reassure and support both Jewish and Muslim students through what has been a traumatic period for many, so this new data will be disappointing.”

He added: “What’s clear is that efforts need to be redoubled and sustained when students return to campuses in the new year to ensure that all students feel the security and sense of belonging they need to thrive.”

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ISRAEL AT WAR

‘Country came before family’

by Jenni Frazer jenni@jennifrazer.com @Jennifrazer

A British-Israeli family is mourning the loss of paratrooper Sgt-Major Jonathan Deitch, 34, who was killed by a sniper in a firefight in Khan Yunis on 7 December.

Jonathan’s father, Leonard, is from Manchester and his mother, Karen, from London.

Speaking to Jewish News, Mrs Deitch said the family had been in Malta celebrating her mother’s 90th birthday when news broke of the 7 October attacks by Hamas.

“Jonathan tried to get a flight [from Malta] but it was impossible,” she said. But her son was determined to volunteer for duty, on one condition.

“He wanted to serve with the four friends with whom he had joined the army in 2007. He called them and said, ‘Either none of

us goes, or we all go.’ And they decided they would all go.”

His mother said that to get to Israel, Jonathan flew back to London. “He didn’t have a ticket but he said, I don’t care, I’ll just go to the airport, and even if I have to sit in the air hostess’s chair, I’ll do that.” He did in fact return to Israel sitting in the seat of an El Al crew member.

Sgt-Major Deitch and his four close friends were involved in the same firefight, but he was the only one killed. The Deitch family asked for the four young men to have temporary service leave so they could to carry his coffin at his funeral, in Tel Aviv. It was attended by “thousands” of mourners.

Mrs Deitch said the family was astonished by the presence of so many people, from her son’s kindergarten teachers to those he had worked with at the Ministry of Defence 15 years ago. “He was

always smiling and would talk to everyone,” his mother said — “and hundreds of his neighbours in Harish [the city in the Haifa district] came, to remember him and the thing he used to say: ‘It will be all right.’”

Jonathan and his wife Moran had a two-year-old son, Ari. The paratrooper also had two sisters.

All five friends had gone surfing, a favourite pursuit, before going back into uniform, Mrs Deitch said. “All the kids were in the Sea Scouts and we hope eventually to have a boat in Jonathan’s name, and perhaps a race run by the Sea Scouts in his name.”

Leonard Deitch, who had been a paratrooper himself, said his son was “a hero of Israel and the Jewish people”. Mrs Deitch, not far from tears, added: “His country came before his family. But we understood it, because we are fighting for our lives.”

Sft-Major Jonathan Deitch, 34, just before his death

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ISRAEL AT WAR

FOUNDATION WILL Non-profit loans offered SHOAH UPLOAD 7 OCT TESTIMONY to IDF reserve officers An Israeli non-profit organisation, which usually offers credit solutions and financial guidance for low- and middle-income citizens, has launched a loan fund aimed at reserve officers who own small businesses, writes Candice Krieger.

The company, Ogen, has recognised there are huge numbers of Israelis whose civilian business lives are being severely affected by their doing reserve duty in the IDF. The plan is to raise up to $10m (about £8m) to provide small businesses with loans under the slogan ‘Reserves for the Reservists’.

Ogen says that since the 7 October attacks by Hamas, more than 360,000 Israelis have been mobilised and their business lives have effectively gone on hold, creating cashflow problems and affecting their families’ incomes.

The new scheme is interest-free but is being offered only to people at company commander level or above.

It is being run in partnership with JGive, Israel’s largest platform for online giving.

At least half the applicants to

Some reservists at war are ‘struggling to keep their businesses afloat’

date have held the rank of lieutenant colonel or higher.

Ogen’s Eldan Kaye said: “These people have been left behind by banks and the government and it is our responsibility to help. This initiative was created to answer real needs – reserve officers leading the war efforts are struggling to keep their businesses afloat.”

Jonathan Bendheim, a philanthropic contributor to the initiative, said: “We have seen with great

pride and concern friends, neighbours, local shop owners and many others have dropped everything and shown up for service at great sacrifice to themselves, their families and their businesses.

“Their sacrifice and specifically those that own small businesses they have been unable to attend to for months creates an obligation for the community to be there for them, at the same time as they are doing so much for all of us.”

The USC Shoah Foundation founded by film director Steven Spielberg is gathering video testimony of atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists on 7 October to add to its collection of Holocaust survivor and witness testimony.

Spielberg is not directly involved but spoke out strongly in support, saying: “I never imagined I would see such unspeakable barbarity against Jews in my lifetime.”

He told Fox News he was shocked at the violence perpetrated by the terrorists and the antisemitism that has since been seen across the world. “‘Not since Germany in the ‘30s have I witnessed antisemitism no longer lurking but standing proud with hands on hips like Hitler and Mussolini,” Spielberg said.

His organisation, based in the United States, is collaborating with production teams in Israel to collect accounts of the massacres on 7 October, when 3,000 terrorists crossed into Israel from Gaza, murdering 1,200 people, committing brutal atrocities and seizing more than 240 hostages.

Early last month the foundation announced the effort, citing the testimony of Shaylee Atary Winner, who escaped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza with her four-week-old baby on the morning

Steven Spielberg: expressed shock

of the attacks. Her husband, Yahav Winner, was murdered by terrorists while helping his wife and baby escape.

Shaylee said in her testimony: “When I was with Shaya in the garden shed, I told myself, ‘Shaylee, think about Holocaust films. What would a mother and a baby do?’ Because this is how it felt. I felt like they are actually running after me and Shaya, like she is prey… No regular situation in my regular reality could be even close to what we [were going] through.”

Her report is one of 130 interviews recorded so far. The collection will be accessible to the public online via the Visual History Archive in the USC Shoah Foundation’s Countering Antisemitism Through Testimony Collection (CATT), which documents postHolocaust antisemitism.

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News / Former rabbi sentenced / Museum without walls

Rabbi admits having Jewish Museum to loan out artefacts indecent child images A former rabbi from north London has been sentenced to 20 months in prison suspended for two years after National Crime Agency officers found him in possession of hundreds of indecent images of children, writes Michelle Rosenberg.

An investigation was launched in July 2022 after the NCA received a referral from online storage provider Dropbox saying a user was uploading suspicious images.

Officers identified the user as Yuval Keren, 56, from Pinner. The former Southgate Progressive Synagogue (SPS) rabbi was arrested at his home and several devices seized.

Officers found 1,694 indecent images of children, 189 of which were category A, the most extreme. The images dated back to 2010 and indicated Keren had accessed content repeatedly over 13 years. He pleaded guilty to all charges on 11 October.

NCA operations manager Holly Triggs said: “Yuval Keren had accessed images showing the horrific abuse of children for over 10 years.

“The NCA is committed to protecting children and ensuring indi-

Rabbi Yuval Keren, from Pinner

viduals who collect this material, and create a demand for abuse content, are held to account.”

Keren was suspended after his arrest, and no longer holds a position in Liberal Judaism.

The movement said it found Keren’s crimes “shocking and abhorrent” and expressed sympathy with victims of his “appalling actions” and with all victims of child abuse.

The organisation noted that within 24 hours of the NCA informing the synagogue, Keren was

arrested for the crimes (on 21 July 2022) and suspended immediately as minister of SPS and from the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors.

Keren was not allowed to return to SPS premises and after due process his employment ended on 31 August 2022. He was subsequently expelled from the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors and disbarred from membership of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors.

Liberal Judaism said that at all times, following the arrest, it and SPS followed guidance from the NCA and the Local Authority Designated Officer responsible for managing such allegations about procedure and the sharing of information, including an instruction not to disclose or discuss the circumstances of the arrest.

“Liberal Judaism and its communities have robust safeguarding processes and reporting in place and these are followed with the utmost rigour,” the body said, adding it was also taking the necessary steps to ensure Keren “will never again be able to work anywhere within a Liberal or Reform Jewish community”.

London’s Jewish Museum (JML) is re-pitching itself as “a museum without walls” after it shut its Camden building in September, writes Jenni Frazer.

The museum is branching out by loaning items to a variety of places, including Bradford Reform Synagogue, the Museum of London Docklands, the Faith Museum in Bishop Auckland and Camden’s own JW3, where JML offices will be housed.

More than 40 items are in Museum of London Docklands’ new exhibition, Fashion City: How Jewish Londoners Shaped Global Style. Fashion curator Lucie Whitmore said: “We are incredibly grateful to JML; their collections have been vital in telling the stories and representing the life and culture of the Jewish East End”.

Exhibits on loan include marketing signage from tailors’ shops (“The man who retains his smartness is always in demand!”), documentation of the Jewish Free School’s apprenticeship programmes, wedding photography and tools of

London hosts top care home forum Top London Jewish community care home Nightingale Hammerson has hosted the popular Care Home Research Forum for the third consecutive year.

Present were social care professionals, Care Quality Commission and government representatives, care home residents and their relatives.

The forum has evolved as a unique international event for care professionals and researchers to present findings from their studies and host an in-depth Q&A session.

Experts come from all over the world, including the USA, Australia, China, Israel and Europe.

Speakers included

Jackie Morris, retired geriatrician and member of the Scientific Committee, and Nightinale Hammerson chief executive Jenny Pattinson, who said: “Quality care happens when there are strong relationships between residents, relatives, care professionals, health professionals and external organisations.”

A case used by a Kind arriving in London in 1939

Chanukiah loaned by Jewish Museum

the trade including mannequins, needlework and accessories.

JW3 is hosting Pitch Up: Community Voices, an installation created at JML of six community-led displays inspired by East End market stalls to discuss identity, memory and place.

The new Faith Museum in Bishop Auckland draws on the JML collection to explore how faith, belief, and religion have shaped lives and communities in Britain, with further objects going there in2024. The displays feature a special loan from JML, a charity lottery wheel from the Great Synagogue dating from the 1800s.

At Bradford Reform Synagogue, a display, opened for Chanukah, has traditional recipes, sheet music and greetings cards. The Jewish Deaf Association in north London will display objects on the history of the deaf community. JML also continues to provide in-person sessions in primary and secondary schools.

JML chair Nick Viner said: “As we enter our transition towards a future museum, we continue to be very active indeed.

With further partnerships in development, we look forward to developing further the profile of our museum without walls.”

MAGIC! IT’S A BOY AND HIS NAME IS ZIGI

BY DARREN RICHMAN WRITER AND JOURNALIST

I’m prone to magical thinking. I tend to make deals with a God whose very existence I deny on the off chance it might make a difference. For the last few years, I have used every wish – blowing out birthday cake candles or dandelions in the park – on one thing. I never wanted something for somebody else as much as I wanted my sister and her husband to have a baby.

It has been a long and painful process, but that is not my story to tell. Ultimately I struggled to find reassuring words because I couldn’t help but feel it would happen or, on some level, Emma and Daniel would feel

incomplete for the rest of their lives. The only words of wisdom I could impart were based on anecdotal evidence: in my experience, people on an IVF journey tend to have a long story with a happy ending.

In February, I was abroad when Emma messaged to say after three years and five rounds of IVF she would be taking a pregnancy test again the next morning. Our grandfather, Zigi Shipper, had died a few weeks earlier and the message concluded simply: “Hoping Grandpa’s watching over us and helping.” I told my sister I would cross everything. I would have prayed but ultimately even my magical thinking has limits.

The following morning, I woke to good news. Emma was pregnant. This was before the 12-week mark, so early days, but at the very least, we knew they were able to conceive. Emma and Daniel were philosophical and felt this was something to cling to, whatever the outcome on this occasion.

Their resolve was strengthened soon

after, however, when the doctors crunched the numbers and it transpired that Zigi’s birthday, the day that he had died, was the very first day of the pregnancy – another typical Zigi moment of magic, even in death. Either our family is like some provincial nightclub with a one-in, one-out policy or some things are just meant to be.

On 18 January, the date of Zigi’s first and last days on earth, Emma wept as she told us she’d never get to tell our grandpa the one thing he most wanted to hear from her.

Zigi felt he was lucky to reach 19 let alone 90 and if the best revenge is living well, then a large family is the ultimate riposte to the Nazis. He was reduced to a number, 84303, during his time at Auschwitz and would occasionally bemoan the fact that, as a father of only daughters, the Shipper name would die with him.

Despite my proclivity for magical thinking and irrational fear of jinxing things (a five-nil lead at half-time is not

enough to convince me a football match is won), I was certain of three things when I learned about the confluence of dates. The first was that the pregnancy would make it well past 12 weeks and to birth.

The last few weeks were fraught with complications but, from the outside, I remained uncharacteristically sanguine, and the baby displayed some of Zigi’s instinct for survival and was born at the end of September.

The two other things I was certain of turned out the case when a tearful Emma called me with the news: the baby is a boy and his name is Zigi. The Shipper name may not live on but our grandfather didn’t do too badly with one great-grandchild, my son, named Isaac Zigi, and now this.

Given the timing of the pregnancy and the survival aspect, in Emma’s words: “How could he be called anything else?” There is magical thinking and, occasionally in life, there is just magic.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

21 December 2023 Jewish News

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22 Jewish News 21 December 2023

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ISRAEL AT WAR

Obscure cemetery becomes symbol of Jewish solidarity

With tensions having risen in London, how are communities doing in Norfolk, Bristol, York, Bournemouth and Belfast, asks Lianne Kolirin The last Jewish burial in King’s Lynn took place in 1846, yet a tiny cemetery still stands there.

Seventeen headstones lie behind ancient brick walls and the gate is locked, besides on Sundays and World Heritage Day. Yet the final resting place has became a focal point for community solidarity since the Hamas attacks on Israel.

“On October 7 people started leaving flowers there,” said Marsha Parker, a member of the tiny West Norfolk Jewish community.

“Two more bunches of roses were left this week,” Mrs Parker told Jewish News. “Every week there are more bunches of flowers left with notes in solidarity. It’s quite moving, especially when we’ve been down to London and seen exactly the opposite.”

Headlines here in Britain have centred on rising community tensions set against a backdrop of proPalestinian marches and rising levels of antisemitism since 7 October.

Reports have focused on London and other large Jewish areas, but what has life been like for those in far smaller UK communities?

West Norfolk has around 30 members, including Marsha and her husband Todd. It’s based 40 miles from the nearest shul - in Norwich or Cambridge - and regularly meets in people’s houses for Kabbalat Shabbat.

“We’ve had a couple of meetings recently because people are feeling isolated and concerned.

“We’re not encountering hostility day by day on our streets - it’s about belonging.” she said, adding that they have received “very kind messages” from the police and faith groups, including local muslims.

The couple have, however, noticed a difference while visiting family elsewhere.

“My husband has said that he doesn’t feel comfortable walking around north-west London,” said Mrs Parker. “He didn’t used to wear his kippah in west Norfolk and did in London, but now the opposite is true.”

Marsha said they had seen “Palestinian flags and graffiti everywhere” in Bristol, where their daughter lives, adding: “For the first time in my life I’ve taken off my Magen David l because I didn’t want it showing.”

There may be a contrast with Norfolk, but communication has been

strong and ongoing between Bristol’s Jewish and Muslim communities, according to Peter Brill, a long-time member and former vice-chair of the Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation.

“I think the organisers of all the events have been very very alive to and aware of the potential of these events getting out of hand or being overtaken by people with other agendas.

So they’re being very careful,” he said.

Bristol is known for its activism, particularly with issues like Black Lives Matter. The current situation has been no different, said Peter.

“There was a desire for protests and vigils on both sides,” he said.

What many may not be aware of is the close co-operation behind the scenes.

“For example, with the pro-Palestinian marches the police, the local authorities, the community representatives were talking to each other and reinforcing respect and perspective with things like banners and chanting,” he said.

“It is of course naive to think that there aren’t extreme views in all communities - of course there are. But in terms of atmosphere, people have felt a great degree of reassurance.”

The congregation has a wide geographical range, stretching to Bath, Newport and beyond. The city is also

Roses left at the Norfolk cemetery

home to an Orthodox synagogue and Chabad.

There have been incidences of antisemitism, Peter conceded, but the number is “tiny” compared with elsewhere.

His own synagogue has received “a huge number of membership enquiries” in recent weeks. Meanwhile there was a big crowd for a Chanukah lighting outside City Hall a sign perhaps of community cohesion.

Jewish headstones at King’s Lynn cemetery. The most recent are from the mid-19th century

The situation is rather different in Belfast, where the city council recently passed a package of pro-Palestinian actions, including calling for the UN to “dismantle Israel’s apartheid systems”.

Michael Black, deputy chairman of the Belfast Jewish community, said the congregation, at just 64 members strong, is frustrated by such moves.

“What I find hard to swallow is our local politicians,” he said. “They have a tendency to take sides without knowing, or worse ignoring, those facts that challenge their beliefs.

“There was no mention of Hamas and their atrocities and they were very mindful of the Palestinian community in Northern Ireland but didn’t mention the Jewish community.”

As anyone who has visited the region knows, alignment with the Middle East crisis is nothing new.

Michael said: “The problem has been adopted and brought to Belfast.

“If you drive through Belfast you go through a Protestant working class area and you see Israeli flags and in nationalist areas you see Palestinian murals.”

Since October “there has been a bit more flag waving on both sides”, he added.

Belfast’s Jewish community is elderly, said Michael, and overall they are “very much left alone”. Nevertheless, he told Jewish News that their

rabbi has received several “abusive phone calls”, and that a family outside the city reported a school incident which was “trivialised” by the head.

“We don’t feel personally threatened but what gets to us is the local ignorance and the fact people seem to want to get involved in something they really don’t understand,” he said, adding that on a positive note the community had received many “heartwarming” letters of support for themselves and Israel.

Elisheva Salamo this year became the first full-time rabbi in York since the city’s Jews were killed at Clifford’s Tower more than 800 years ago.

The York Liberal Jewish Community has around 100 members, with about a quarter that amount again in students, said Rabbi Salamo.

“We have a really sweet and good relationship with the students, especially since October 7,” she said, adding that she is an adviser to the Jewish society at York University and the Jewish chaplain at York St Johns.

There have been a couple of pro-Palestinian marches and some posters of hostages have been taken down, but the situation has remained largely calm, she said.

“What’s happened with the war is that we’ve all reached out to each other a little bit more.

“People have shown up more, especially when we did the first

peace prayer and prayer for the hostages. Everybody is so grateful to be together.”

Interfaith relations are strong in York with Rabbi Salamo saying she has a “good relation with the local imam”.

“We lit our first Chanukah candle at Clifford’s Tower and we had a lovely crowd. The message we’re trying to give here in York, in light of the ancient massacre, is really that Jews belong everywhere.”

Bournemouth has seen a “surge in interest of people wanting to connect”, according to Chabad’s Rabbi Bentzion Alperowitz.

“We’ve had a much higher level of engagement and interaction than ever before,” he said.

As well as attending Chanukah events, people had been asking to lay tefillin and put up mezuzot.

“It’s a feeling of wanting to be more connected,” he said. “There are many people who are fearful but the general attitude is not one of running away but on the contrary – a great need and desire to identify as Jewish and to reconnect to what makes us a people.

“I’ve definitely seen it with the students, but it’s across the board.

“To me that has been very telling.

Sometimes it takes a negative force to bring that out, but that touches the deepest core of who we are.”

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News / Stephen’s shalom / King keeps faith

Fry delights in Jewish identity in TV message Stephen Fry will deliver Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message and condemn the rise in antisemitism since the 7 October attacks on Israel.

In his speech, the actor and comedian will talk of the “violence and destruction that’s unfolding” amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict and address the reported rise in antisemitism in the UK, including shop windows being smashed and Jewish schools being forced to close.

The former QI host and star of sitcom Blackadder will begin by wishing viewers a “Merry Christmas” before talking about his sexuality and how it led to him apprehending a “long, lonely line of Christmases” as he was growing out of childhood.

He will say: “Exclusion, exile and disgrace had been and surely always would be the fate of the homosexual.

“But, look, in my short lifetime – well, I think of it as short – Britain has moved towards an understanding and acceptance of gay love.

“All right, it’s not perfect of course, but what an improvement over the grim culture in which I grew up.”

The London-born celebrity will talk about his Jewish identity and how, unlike his sexuality, he never thought it would be something he “had any cause to worry about in this country”. He will say: “I don’t think of myself as especially Jewish. Indeed, sometimes people rather embarrassingly refer to me as ‘quintessentially English’, whatever that means.”

Fry, 66, will then say he accepts and claims his Jewish identity “with pride”, declaring: “I am Stephen Fry and I am a Jew.” Speaking about the Israel-Hamas conflict, he will add: “The horrendous events of October 7 and the Israeli response seem to have stirred up this ancient hatred.

“It’s agonising to see all the violence and destruction that’s unfolding, and the terrible loss of life on both sides brings me an overwhelming sadness and heartache. But whatever our opinions on what is happening, there can be no excuse for the behaviour of some of our citizens.”

He will cite figures from the Metropolitan Police, which describe an

increase in antisemitism in London since Hamas’ incursion on 7 October, and say there have been: “Shop windows smashed, Stars of David and swastikas daubed on walls of Jewish properties, synagogues and cemeteries. Jewish schools have been forced to close.”

In October, the Met said antisemitic offences in London had risen by more than 1,000 percent over the same month last year.

“There is real fear stalking the Jewish neighbourhoods of Britain,” Fry will say. “Jewish people here are becoming fearful of showing themselves, in Britain, in 2023.”

The star will end his speech by calling on viewers to “speak up” and “stand” with Jewish people.

“Be… proud to have us as much a part of this great nation as any other minority,” he will say.

Speaking about the message, C4’s chief content officer Ian Katz said: “It’s inevitable that the horrific events in Israel and Gaza have caused strong feelings across the world, but the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents

Stephen Fry in Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message

in this country has been profoundly shocking and left many British Jews feeling fearful and isolated.

“I hope Stephen’s brave and personal intervention will draw attention to a form of racism that does not always attract the same concern and condemnation as other forms of hate and remind us that we all have a role

to play in defending British values of respect and tolerance.”

First airing in 1993, C4’s broadcast has served as an alternative to the monarch’s address and brings viewers a message about that year’s events.

• The Alternative Christmas Message will air on Channel 4 at 5.10pm on 25 December

REEVES: LABOUR’S MOVED King meets FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT faith leaders

The King has heard how community and faith leaders are working to promote harmony in their areas in the face of Israel’s war with Hamas.

Charles hosted a gathering of representatives from across the UK, giving them time and space at Buckingham Palace to discuss the issues they face, before joining them after an hour to hear their conclusions.

The violence in Israel and Gaza has had reverberations in some Jewish and Muslim communities in the UK, with faith leaders finding themselves working to maintain dialogue between faith groups.

Canon Dr Andrew Smith, director of interfaith relations for the Bishop of Birmingham, was part of the discussions.

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at a time of darkness, to remember there is always light. And also four years after the catastrophic defeat of Labour… Four years ago was a dark time for our party.”

Reeves then noted Starmer’s pledge to root out antisemitism as he became leader adding he had “transformed the party”.

“That we are here today owes much to the people in this room.”

To loud applause Reeves, a Labour Friends of Israel vice-chair, told the audience she remained with them “as a friend” in both the fight against antisemitism and in moves to push for a two-state solution to the conflict in the Middle East, and with “a future Labour government”.

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Rachel Reeves has compared the “dark times” in her party under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn with the “light” offered now for a revitalised Labour under both her and Sir Keir Starmer’s stewardship in a speech to the Jewish Labour Movement.

“In a world that is very dark at the moment even the tiniest amount of light can give hope,” said Reeves, noting it remained a “very difficult time” as worries continued about the fate of the hostages taken in Israel, the lives lost and “fears for the future.”

Recalling also the experience for many Jewish members of the Labour Party under its previous leader, she told the event at Westminster Synagogue: “We meet today

Beloved survivor’s 100th birthday P31

Charles at the Buckingham Palace meeting

He said they had spoken about the fact people “are really feeling hurt, feeling angry and really struggling to have the right kind of conversations”.

Dr Smith mentioned that in his area a peace service had been held in a Catholic church where different faiths gathered to say prayers. “When you’re hurting you do something really gentle,” he said.

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Christmas Jews / Volunteer awards / Strictly visit / Lily turns 100 / News

Oy to the world! Jews do Xmas We’re Jews and we avoid Christmas, right? Not according to findings from the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) conducted by its senior research fellow, Dr Carli Lessof, writes Jenni Frazer.

It turns out that 28 percent of us have a Christmas tree at home – that is “some years”, “most years” or “every year”.

And among Dr Lessof’s findings in Do Jews in the UK celebrate Christmas? are that the older we are, the less likely we are to have a Christmas tree. Younger respondents out of the 5,000 of JPR panel members polled are much readier to embrace the tradition.

The research is part of JPR’s National Jewish Identity Survey, due to be published early next year.

Among the titbits in ChristmasTreeGate are that while almost no one who identifies as Orthodox would acknowledge having a tree,

an astounding number of Jews who describe themselves as non-practising — 58 percent — are busy decorating their trees right now.

The matching disparity between religious observance and having a Christmas tree applies to those who place themselves in the Reform or Progressive category — they are more than four times as likely to have a tree at home than those who call themselves “traditional”. Only eight percent of traditional report having a tree, while 38 percent of the Progressive camp are tree lovers.

But as Jews who are largely comfortable living in our British host community, almost a quarter of us want to have it both ways. Twentythree percent of us have a tree — but we light Chanukah lights as well.

Dr Lessof also notes the huge popularity of Limmud as a potential factor in the ‘Do Jews in the UK celebrate Christmas?’ conversa-

tion. She notes that the decision to run Limmud “was originally simply pragmatic – it is a convenient time because people are off work – but for some, it has become a means of sidestepping Christmas and celebrating their Jewishness instead”.

British Jews have not yet reached Christmas-time practices common among more secular American Jews, notes Dr Lessof — “where common Christmas Day customs among Jews today are to go to the movies and eat out at Chinese restaurants”.

But, she says, the British figures follow a pattern revealed by a 2013 Pew Report, “which found that 32 percent of American Jews said they had a Christmas tree in the previous year. As in the UK, this was slightly higher among the under40s and those with no denominational affiliation.”.

The Pew figures indicated that

those with a non-Jewish partner were 10 times more likely (71 percent) to have a tree than those who had married in.

Dr Lessof noted: “In many respects, these findings, both in the US and the UK, capture both the tenacity of Jewishness today and the realities of Jewish life in the modern multicultural age.

“Yet the choice to have a Christmas tree at home also says something about their desire or willingness to absorb wider cultural norms into their lives, and the extent to which they see their Jewishness as a completely exclusive part of who they are. Maintaining a Jewish identity in a non-Jewish society has long been a challenge; the ways in which we adopt nonJewish customs and practices says a great deal about who we are and how we manage those dynamics.”

 Making sense of mistletoe, p30

STAR AT JVN set for January awards STRICTLY SURVIVORS CENTRE

The community’s leading faith-based volunteering charity is hosting its annual award ceremony on 14 January.

The Jewish Volunteering Network event at a top Hertfordshire hotel will honour the remarkable volunteers and teams who have dedicated their time and passion to charities whose causes reflect their values and mean so much to them.

The ceremony will welcome new charities into the event and expects more 350 volunteers,

New charities will be welcomed at the event

charities and community professionals to recognise achievements in a host of categories.

A JVN spokesperson told Jewish News, media partner for the awards: “Since 7 October, volunteering became the vehicle both here and in Israel utilised to help deal with the impact that this war has had on all of us.

“For those that couldn’t help Israel directly, we re-emphasised the importance of our own local charities, who still need as much help as possible. This resulted in a surge of people wanting to support our community in this time of adversity.”

Rachelle Lazarus, JVN volunteer manager said: “While the tone of the event may differ from previous celebrations, we know this year’s ceremony will be especially poignant. It serves as a reminder that, united, we are stronger in facing challenges brought about by the war. ”

Members of Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors Centre enjoyed a visit this week from Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev.

Taking place at the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Campus in Golders Green, where music and dance are a key part of the programme, members and young volunteers shared their favourite dancing moments and memories with the programme favourite.

They also asked about Pasha’s journey to becoming a dancer, appearing on Strictly, and how he met his better half, Rachel Riley.

Pasha said of the visit: “I absolutely loved coming here and meeting all the people who have such an amazing energy and a passion for dance. It was wonderful to have a chance to share experiences and to be surrounded by such an inspiring bunch of people. They are

Pasha Kovalev with the group this week

in their eighties and nineties and above, but their love for dance is still going strong and untouched by age.”

Maurice Peltz, Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivor Centre member and keen dancer, who danced with King Charles last year when he visited JW3, said: “I absolutely loved the afternoon and dancing with Pasha. I actually grew up with dancing. I was 14-years-old and, during the war, there wasn’t anything to do beside dance. That’s when it became my hobby.”

LILY’S REMARKABLE CENTURY OF RESILIENCE

BY LAURA MARKS & OLIVIA MARKS-WOLDMAN CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY TRUST One of the most wonderful aspects of our work at the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is the privilege of connecting with extraordinary individuals who have defied the odds and gone on to inspire countless others. Today, our hearts are filled with admiration for one such person, a woman who, despite witnessing the depths of darkness during the Holocaust, has consistently spread light wherever she goes.

In honouring Lily Ebert’s 100th birthday, on 29 December, we are not simply marking the passage of time; we celebrate an amazing individual, a woman we hold in the highest esteem.

After surviving the Holocaust and enduring the worst of humanity, she saw the joy of living and has made a beautiful life for herself and for her family. We are deeply hon-

oured to call this indefatigable human being a friend and a role model. Her radiant smile and embrace have a magical ability to dispel the shadows of despair and ignite hope in us all.

Lily, with her infectious positivity and trademark honesty, is a treasure to us and the wider HMDT team.

She never fails to provide valuable feedback after each HMD ceremony: for instance, before the pandemic, each Holocaust Memorial Day UK Ceremony would be followed by a phone call to us to point out that we should have arranged more chairs in the reception, or to suggest tea and coffee as well as soft drinks and wine. Oh dear. Then Lily would say: “I’ve given you my criticism, so it is right that I now tell you that the music was wonderful!

The readings were so moving! It all ran so

Lily Ebert with her great-grandson Dov

smoothly!

Lily’s ability to balance constructive criticism with genuine praise exemplifies her commitment to the overall success of the HMD commemorations. We had the immense privilege of attending a Royal Garden Party with her several years ago. “Who would have thought,” she said, “that my journey would take me from the gates of hell in Auschwitz, to tea on the lawn at Buckingham Palace?” Who,

indeed?

Having known Lily for many years, we can attest to her determination to share the tragedy of the Holocaust with those who were born decades after the Nazi reign of terror and murder. With her characteristic grace and resilience, she has tirelessly dedicated herself to educating and engaging young minds across countless schools and media platforms.

In recent years, Lily has partnered with her great-grandson Dov, harnessing the power of social media to reach an even broader audience of young people. Together, they have created compelling and engaging content that brings the lessons of the Holocaust to life in a way that resonates with the digital generation. We were not surprised to see their book, Lily’s Promise, become a bestseller.

We are grateful to Lily for sharing her experiences with us and for teaching us the importance of speaking out against hatred. legacy of compassion, tolerance. On behalf of everyone at HMDT we wish Lily a wonderful 100th birthday. Mazeltov, Lily! You are truly an inspiration.

26 Jewish News 21 December 2023

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21 December 2023 Jewish News

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27

Community / Scene & Be Seen

1

SHINE BRIGHT FOR CHANUKAH

Sacks Morasha welcomed Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to the school as part of the ‘Shine Bright for Chanukah’ day in support of Beit Halochem’s fundraising campaign. The ambassador joined Year 4 pupils as they sang Chanukah songs and pupils in Years 5 and 6 writing to injured soldiers at Beit Halochem’s facilities in Israel.

2

A SHIDDUCH MADE IN HEAVEN

Richmond Shul hosted the Chief Rabbi and Lady Mirvis and United Synagogue president Michael Goldstein and wife Lara for the induction of Rabbi Chaim Golker. Rabbi Mirvis said Rabbi Golker and wife Gila were a perfect fit for Richmond – “a shidduch made in heaven”.

And be seen

The latest news, pictures and social events from across the community

3

LIGHT OF HOPE IN WESTMINSTER

A group of 70 watched as candles were lit and a chanukiah installed for the first time in the foyer of the University of Westminster’s flagship Regent campus. Prof Miriam Dwek, a professor of cancer biology, told Jewish News she sends heartfelt thanks to the university leadership, her colleagues, JSoc and other students, together with Rabbi Broder, Rabbi Lew and Rabbi Sylvester who were present.

Email community editor Michelle Rosenberg, michelle@jewishnews.co.uk 1

2

4

BRIDGE DAY RAISES £85,000

Some 150 guests enjoyed a day of bridge at The Landmark in Marylebone organised by Jewish Care’s Bridge Extravaganza Committee. The event has raised £2.2 million since it began and this 26th event raised over £85,000 to fund Jewish Care’s specialist dementia day centres.

5

JNETICS CHANUKAH CONCERT

More than 300 people attended Jnetics latest Chanukah concert at South Hampstead United Synagogue featuring chazan Jonny Turgel, the Shabbaton Choir and choirs from Sacks Morasha Jewish Primary School and Immanuel College Prep schools. Jnetics’ Trustee, Leon Blitz said: “I encourage you to spread the word about our recessive testing service to your family and friends who can benefit from carrier screening and, to those eligible, BRCA screening.”

The concert ended with The Hatikvah, as thoughts are very much with Israel at this difficult time.

1

3

6

BRING THEM HOME

More than 200 people attended the eighth consecutive vigil in Borehamwood last Friday calling for the release of the hostages held by Hamas. Josh Moont, chair of Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue and one of the organisers said: “We call for the immediate release of the remaining hostages who have been ripped away from their parents and families. Hamas has not made any information available on the hostages’ condition or allowed the Red Cross to visit them.”

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28 Jewish News 21 December 2023

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Inside A look

A Christmas Jew and proud of it

Lives in limbo Memories of the 7 October attacks will stay with them forever but three survivors tell Sarah Miller how thankful they are to have been spared

O

n the night of 6 October, Adele Raemer knocked on the guest bedroom door at her home on Kibbutz Nirim and said goodnight to her son, who had come to visit over the holidays.

“If you don’t see me in the morning, it’s because I want to go out to the fields before sunrise to take pictures of wildflowers and catch them through the rays of the sun,” the keen photographer told him.

About an hour’s drive away, Shani Cohen (not her real name) was preparing for her usual Saturday morning bike ride from Kibbutz Zikim, which sits on the coastline close to the northern Gaza border.

She was thinking about which friends from neighbouring communities she might see that week.

A little further inland, Tzion Leshem was celebrating Simchat Torah with his community. At about 11.30pm, he headed home for a late festive meal and finally got to bed, knowing he would need to be up in just a few hours to lead the morning services at the synagogue in Moshav Neve.

All three describe where they lived – between one and eight miles from the Gaza strip – as nothing short of blissful. “Yes, we do have rockets,” concedes Shani, “but we also had the most amazing personal sense of security.”

Tzion gushes about his 1,200strong community as a “very, very special place” with several schools, farms and orchards of every kind to sustain the population.

Adele is even more emphatic about her kibbutz. “We called our region 95 percent heaven, because 95 percent of the time it was beautiful and peaceful and a great place to raise kids,” she tells me.

Her smile dissipates as she’s brought back to the present. “We thought we were safe – but that bubble was very violently burst on

October 7.” None of the three could possibly have imagined the events of that day – the worst single-day killing of Jewish people since the Holocaust – or the upending of their lives in the weeks and now months following.

All of them have been evacuated from their homes to hotels scattered across Israel.

They are just a handful of the estimated 200,000 Israelis displaced, having been instructed to evacuate from 105 communities close to Gaza and Lebanon.

A cloud of uncertainty hangs over their temporary situation while the war against Hamas continues, and they all miss being in the place they once called home – but they also acknowledge how grateful they are to simply be alive.

For Shani, survival came down to spending an extra 10 minutes at home to organise herself for her bike ride. Had she been on time, she would have met an IDF army vehicle full of Hamas terrorists on their way to her kibbutz.

“I am so lucky to be alive today,” she recalls during an interview organised by charity UJIA. “It could have been me and every time I think about it I try to block that thought out and put it somewhere else in my mind, because here I am – and it was by chance.

“Anybody else who went on the bike ride that morning did not come back. I have a friend who got a flat tyre and he returned to his kibbutz and was saved. There are a lot of small stories of miracles that happened that day. But then you

Adele Raemer with her grandchildren and (left) enjoying her love of photography

hear about all the other ones that weren’t so lucky, that did not have miracles on their side.

It’s heart-breaking.”

Shani acknowledges that the location of her kibbutz helped her community to survive.

As Kibbutz Zikim sits on the coast, it was the Navy that came to their rescue and took down the invading terrorists before ground troops finally arrived. Like many other survivors of 7 October, Shani speaks about how the nearby army base was almost deserted that weekend, with many soldiers on leave or reassigned elsewhere. “I think we are all in disbelief that we

were actually left alone. The poor soldiers who were left had to fight for their lives - and most of them didn’t make it.”

Over at Moshav Neve, Tzion Leshem was in the synagogue celebrating Simchat Torah when the sirens started to go off. The community made their way to the shelter rooms, but it didn’t take long before they realised this was unlike previous alerts.

“This time the siren was just going on and on. We heard a ton of booms very close by and that’s something we’ve never experienced before,” says Tzion, speaking from his hotel room over Zoom.

The father of seven made the decision to return home to his wife, Rivka, and their children and wait out the alert from the safe room in

their home. Shortly afterwards, the electricity and phone lines went down. After two hours, the family heard from the security team that there had been an infiltration and people nearby had been killed and kidnapped.

“It sounded strange because that can’t happen, right? But we had no idea what was going on and we were just locked in our room. It was very scary and stressful.

“Around noon, we started to see ambulances coming into our moshav and helicopters landing to take away the injured. The roads had become too dangerous, so ambulances were diverting from neighbouring towns. People had injuries from gunshots and grenades. We could hear a short distance away the battles going on.”

21 December 2023 Jewish News 29

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HE TOLD HIS DAUGHTERS ‘ANYONE WHO COMES THROUGH THAT DOOR IS GETTING A BULLET’ – AND STAYED KNEELING LIKE THAT FOR HOURS Tzion revealed that a group of 30 terrorists were on their way to his moshav when they were met by Israeli soldiers. He shudders at the thought of what could have been.

“There are hundreds of stories, if not more, of things that could have been so much worse. We feel grateful and thankful for being alive, but sorrow and pain for so many people who aren’t, or who were severely injured or kidnapped.

This is something that’s going to be a part of us forever.”

While Shani and Tzion narrowly escaped the worst events of 7 October, Adele Raemer found herself at the epicentre of the atrocities at Kibbutz Nirim, which lies just over a mile from the Gaza border.

She never got to take her photos of the wildflowers in the fields that morning, because missiles started coming overhead just around the time she was waking up.

American-born Adele, who made aliyah 1973 aged 19 before moving to Nirim two years later, recalls how she instinctively ran towards the guest room where her son was sleeping, as this was also the safe room.

The pair shut themselves in, but it was only when they began to hear machine gunfire and grenades not

far from the house that they realised they were in extreme danger.

“We began receiving frantic messages from neighbours saying there were terrorists outside their house,” says Adele from her hotel room in Eilat. “They wrote, ‘We can see them coming and they’re armed. We can hear Arabic. They’re trying to open our safe room.

They’re setting light to our house.’

“There were people inside these burning houses crying for help and we were witness to that. We were watching the progression of the terrorists in real time as they were coming and we thought, when is one of them going to arrive at my house? When am I going to be next?

“Then suddenly we heard Arabic outside. My son heard one of them say, ‘Come here.’ We didn’t understand. We just sat there quietly, turned off the air conditioning so there would be no sign of anybody inside and waited. We looked at each other, told each other ‘I love you’ and just waited for it to end.”

At around 10am, Adele briefly left the safe room to go to the loo and discovered broken slats on her window. She realised the terrorists had begun breaking into her home before being called off elsewhere. “I don’t know if it was divine interven-

Shani and husband Amos. ‘We are in disbelief that we were left alone’

Tzion Leshem with his daughter. ‘Around noon, we started to see ambulances coming into our moshav’

tion, luck or my husband watching over us, but we were spared.”

It was only later that Adele discovered her son-in-law, who was with her grandchildren, aged two, six and eight, found himself having to confront several terrorists who broke into his home at the kibbutz.

He shot one of them right outside the safe room, before retreating and returning to his children.

“He went back, closed the door, kneeled down and held his gun pointed at the door. He told his daughters that anyone who comes through that door is getting a bullet and stayed like that for hours.”

After what must have seemed like an eternity, IDF soldiers finally arrived at the kibbutz at 1.30pm.

Four first responders had miraculously held off the nearly 20 terrorists for six hours until the army arrived, with soldiers then going from house to house to extract the survivors.

Adele would need to wait another four hours before she and her son were finally rescued.

After a restless night spent in the kibbutz community centre, with just a tablecloth to keep her warm, Adele was told to quickly pack a small bag and get ready to evacuate with the other 400 people in her community. She then endured a “petrifying” five-hour bus journey to Eilat, where she witnessed burning cars, charred bodies and tanks lining the roads.

“When we arrived I was able to breathe again,” says Adele. “I’m not an observant Jew, but for the first time in my life I said Birkat Hagomel [a blessing said when you have survived danger].”

Over the last two months, Adele has tried to process all she has been through, while also praying for the return of her close friend Judith Weinstein, 70, and her husband Gad Haggai, 72, who were kidnapped from nearby Kibbutz Nir Oz. Adele feels a deep sense of betrayal, she reveals, having always advocated for peace and greater integration with Palestinians.

“Until October 7, I truly believed the vast majority of Gazans wanted the same things we did – security for their children, food on their plate and good lives. On October 7, something in my DNA changed and I realised I had been very naïve. It’s not that I don’t believe there are no Gazans who could be good neighbours – but I feel it’s far fewer than I had believed.”

Hardest of all, Adele says she has been living with “an imagined sense of security” and that it will take time to believe they are safe once more. “We bet our lives on it and we’re not going to do that again.”

I ask Adele if she wants to return to her kibbutz. “It’s been my home since 1975,” she sighs. “My parents and husband are buried there, my children were born there. I don’t have a life any place else. We are a strong community, but I believe not all people will come back, not those with young children. I’m not even sure my daughter will come back.”

Shani, who has been evacuated out to a hotel in the Judean mountains, speaks of living “a life in limbo”. Her community has been overwhelmed with all the donations provided to the evacuees to make their lives more comfortable – “clothes, shoes, toiletries,

everything you could imagine you would need” – as well as volunteers coming in to provide childcare or trauma counselling. She wants to return to Kibbutz Zikim, but only when they know they will be safe.

Even then, she knows the task ahead to “rebuild our lives” is huge, given that many face being out of work for several months.

Tzion is the most confident of the three that he will return to his moshav in coming months. He is thankful to the charities that have supported him and his family at their hotel in Jerusalem, including Migdal Ohr, Israel’s largest welfare charity. When they arrived, they “didn’t even own winter clothing” but people came daily with boxes of “food and toys and books and chairs and notebooks - whatever we needed.”

The community has also started re-establishing itself from the hotel. They have childcare groups, school lessons, lectures for the adults and counselling services.

“Life goes on,” says Tzion. “In the first month we were here we had eight births, three bar mitzvahs, two weddings, engagement parties and brises.”

He is thankful to have marked happier times in the hotel, but his ultimate goal is to return.

“We moved out as a community and we will be moving back as a community. We need our security needs met, but our mission is much stronger now. It’s our civilian part of the victory to tell our enemies you cannot beat us, you cannot win and we will return as soon as we can. We will flourish and our lives will continue.”

30 Jewish News 21 December 2023

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JN LIFE

Making sense of menorahs and mistletoe Brigit Grant justifies her love of Chrismukah

T

he Festival of Lights is over and whether or not you celebrate Christmas, it’s coming.

Since 1900, the first night of Chanukah has fallen on Christmas Eve three times, 2016 being the most recent.

This calendar clashing is of benefit only to those who like to blend the two and deck the halls with chanukiahs and mistletoe for Chrismukah.

Shameful I know, but I am a repeat offender as I was raised with a lit shamash in one hand and a letter to Santa in the other.

Sending my daughter to a Jewish school certainly turned the heat up under the chanukiah as she made a new one every year, but this did not diminish my love for latkes and lebkuchen. And why should it?

We live in a Christian country, where Christmas – with tinsel, fairy-lit fir trees and the latest John Lewis advert – is ‘never knowingly undersold’. But there’s more to the holiday than pulling crackers. There’s Jesus who was Jewish, through the tribe of Judah.

Of course, the colour of his skin will always be up for dispute, but the fact that he was Jewish is universally acknowledged by those who believe/take their lead from/have any interest in the Bible or favour the accuracy of the Annals of Imperial Rome, written by first-century historian Tacitus.

Lord Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice sparked my initial interest in Jesus with their ‘70s musical and I know the entire score, but it was studying Classics and Tacitus that confirmed his existence.

In the past few days Jesus has been trending on X (Twitter) because of a sermon by the Rev Dr Munther Isaac, who leads the congregation at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. At his church, the pastor has replaced the traditional wooden crib of the nativity scene with rubble, on which the baby – a toy doll – lies in the grotto. The Rev Isaac created this

Baa of David: the shepherds in the nativity story were definitely Jewish. Below: the heimische the birth of Jesus

sorrowful scene in solidarity with the children killed in Gaza, and I sympathise.

The historic city in the occupied West Bank is synonymous with the birth of Jesus, but this year its Christian leaders made a unanimous decision to cancel public celebrations. So no Christmas tree in Manger Square, no Santas on street corners and no Christian tourists.

But Munther’s crib got traction on the platform formerly known as Twitter as a true depiction of what Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem would look like now.

Since the 7 October attacks, grief has driven the narrative for us and equally for those on the other side. But Bethlehem, which is 45 miles from Gaza, has not been bombed during this war.

When Jesus was born, Bethlehem was a Jewish village, with a population of 2,000 to 3,000. Mary and Joseph arrived there from Nazareth, which also had a sizeable Jewish population; all its Christian holy places are first mentioned after Jesus’ death.

Jesus’ mum Mary (Miryam in Hebrew) was also Jewish, according to most theologians, among them Chris Maunder, who in his book Mary, Founder of Christianity, Christianity describes her as an “observant Jew”, who, along with her husband Joseph, would have been at the temple, keeping Passover and using the mikvah.

The significant

story about Jesus’ real dad deprives Joseph of any parental claim in the eyes of the church, but it’s worth noting that Gabriel, who delivers the message of Jesus birth, appears in all three Abrahamic religions, and was the messenger who was sent to Daniel to explain the vision of the ram and the he-goat in the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon (553-554 BC).

With the Bible being translated over centuries as it spread throughout the world, the names of key figures vary but the locations don’t and, as Jews were the inhabitants in Bethlehem, they were also in the stable on that important night.

The shepherds were definitely Jewish, and sufficiently devout to respond to the calling that brought them to the stable along with

their broad-tailed sheep. In fact the only nonJews present on the night were the Kings (aka three wise men): Melchior from Persia, Gaspar from India and Balthazar from Arabia, who also had a camel. And there was the donkey, who probably transported Mary and Joseph.

So the nativity, if we are to believe theologians, was a Jewish-populated occasion that followed with Jesus’ circumcision eight days later. Until 1960, the Catholic church even celebrated the anniversary of that brit milah with Circumcision Day. That might not be something we do, but our connection to that silent night in Bethlehem is undeniable.

So Longfellow’s Christmas Bells poem is for every one of us. Peace and goodwill toward all men – and women!

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21 December 2023 Jewish News

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JN LIFE

Jews n the hood Brigit Grant checks out JW3’s first panto then hooks up with Snoopy Whaaat! Little Red Riding Hood is Jewish? It’s hard to imagine what the German-born Brothers Grimm would have made of that, but Nick Cassenbaum has taken some uproarious liberties with their fairytale to create Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Pig for JW3.

Yes it’s a pantomime, but not as Brits know it, because this panto has been heavily doused in Yiddishkeit, and it’s all the richer for it judging from the audience’s reaction.

Cassenbaum, who once wrote a school Purim spiel, has set this ‘once upon a time’, pre-Chanukah, in a north-west London shtetl that needs a new energy source because it’s being held to ransom by the Big Bad Pig. First up is likeable Red (Gemma Barnett), who is joined by her mother Mrs Hoodman, aka the Dame, for a cheekily Jewish rendition of Dead or Alive’s Spin Me Around...

“You spin me right ‘round, baby, right ‘round Like a dreidl, baby, right ‘round, ‘round, ‘round.”

To add to the joy, Mrs Hoodman is dressed as a dreidel in a neon gown with a strategically placed ‘nun’ for laughs that come courtesy of Debbie Chazen as the bolshy balaboosta. In a candy-floss pink beehive, Chazen does a magnificent job setting the tone and few dames could wear a Kosher Kingdom apron with such panache, make bottles of Palwin magically appear or flatulate so inoffensively – and she has a lot of wind.

But that’s the magic of Jewish women, and you realise the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree when Red’s boobah (mother of Mrs H) arrives.

This boobah is a force of nature

who can shimmy down drainpipes and climb balconies in her dressing gown.

That Cassenbaum and director Abigail Anderson cast Portuguese acrobat Tiago Fonseca as Red’s grannie is a stroke of genius and makes absolutely no sense, but his suppleness schmeared with schmaltz is a crowd pleaser.

Pretty much everything and everyone in this off-the-wall production pleases, and that very much includes Aussie comedian Josh Glanc as the Big Bad Pig who hankers after grandmothers, but only as fuel to feed his burners. The Pig lives in a mansion in Hampstead – where else? – and the twist in his curly tale is that he keeps the wolf from the original story as his furry pet.

As said wolf, Lauren Silver has irresistible energy and delivers a star turn among many star turns, including a cameo by a puppet rat taxi driver (Tracy Bargate).

There is much to recommend this first attempt at Jewish panto, as a chat with an OAP and an eight-yearold revealed during the interval. But that enjoyment only increased in the second half and hit dizzy heights then when we all learnt the truly daft words to the unforgettable anthem - Smelly Bum. Cassenbaum wanted to create a panto much like the ones he saw as a kid and he has. Only this panto is for ‘us’ and he nailed it in time for Chanukah.Thankfully the lights are still shining.  Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Pig runs until 7 January.

Tickets: jw3.org.uk/panto

Saluting Snoopy & Co

Our eyes have been on Israel for 75 days, so feeling festive is a stretch.

Until you see You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. First performed in 1967, the musical by Clark Gesner was revised by Andrew Lippa in 1999, but only staged in America.

Now it’s in Highgate, so prepare for a feast of Peanuts; oh and take the kids.

Isn’t it time they got to know Charlie, Linus, Lucy and Co, who are charmingly brought to life by a cast who portray them accurately and with affection. And then there’s the hero amound hounds, Snoopy. Oliver Sidney brings uncanny canine sensibilities to the dog who mostly lies on top of his kennel. But this is Snoopy as we’ve never seen him.

This is Charlie Brown’s pet pooch wearing white tails, a bone bowtie and tap shoes to deliver the barn-storming solo Suppertime. ‘Bravo, Snoopy,’ is all I can say. All the songs capture the essence of the characters so we get Charlie (super-sweet Jordan Broatch) maligning his own inadequacies and his sister Sally (Millie Robins’ masterclass in annoying sibling) reinforces them.

Equally impressive are Eleanor Fransch as imperious Lucy, thinker Shroeder (Troy Yip), who comes out of his shell with the feisty Beethoven Day, and lovable Linus (Jacob Cornish) who never lets go of his blue blanket.

Director and choreographer Amanda Noar has an impressive track record at this theatre, but her latest production is a lesson in how to stage emotionally expansive in a tiny space while appealing to all ages. With gifted Harry Style as musical director, this is happiness without a prescription.

You just need a ticket.  You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown runs until 14 January.

Tickets: upstairsatthe gatehouse.com

32 Jewish News 21 December 2023

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Orthodox Judaism

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

BY JOANNE GREENAWAY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF LSJS

Those in power must speak out

lead. Whereas Joseph is an Israelite turned Egyptian aristocrat, Moses, according to the midrash, is an Egyptian aristocrat turned Israelite.

However, the commentators admire Joseph for his faith. As he says to his brothers: “God has sent me ahead of you to ensure your survival in the land and to sustain you for a great deliverance… it was not you who sent me here but God, who has made me a father to pharoah, lord of all his household and ruler over the whole land of Egypt” (Genesis 45:7).

He can acquire unprecedented power and yet attribute success and role within the destiny of the Jewish people solely to God. He repeatedly mentions God in this story, minimising his own importance.

The Kotzker Rebbe explains when Joseph says he has been made

mately the presence of the Israelites in Egypt led them to 210 years of slavery. One can argue that the economic model Joseph institutes in Egypt keeps the population as slaves.

One could further argue he is assimilated enough to marry Potiphar’s wife.

How then should Joseph be judged?

Others in Tanach have more merit than Joseph. Judah, despite his early actions against Joseph, is able to repent and change, ultimately becoming the namesake for the Jewish people and progenitor of kings. The Talmud in Brachot 34b says “where penitents stand, even the righteous cannot stand”.

Moses, the leader who delivers the Israelites from slavery, is, again, very different from Joseph. Whereas Joseph has childhood dreams of power, Moses begs not to be chosen to

In this week’s parsha, Vayigash, Joseph reveals himself as second in command in Egypt, having been released from prison for his ability to interpret pharoah’s dreams and for showing he possesses ‘divine wisdom’. Thanks to the position he obtains, in charge of pharoah’s court and all the land of Egypt, he is able to petition pharoah to allow his entire family to join him.

Thus, 70 members of Jacob’s family make the journey from Canaan to Egypt, where they are able to settle and, thanks to Joseph’s position of power, he is able to protect them and ensure they survive the famine.

Looking ahead, we know ulti-

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron with Benjamin Netanyahu

ruler over Egypt, we should read that Joseph made God ruler over Egypt and influenced the way he made decisions. For this reason he is described as Ish Tzadik, a righteous man.

While other leaders may have surpassed him, Joseph had a huge role, reaching power when survival depended on it and acting as a vehicle for God’s actions, attributing them directly to God. Now, as our community faces rampant antisemitism on UK streets, in the mainstream press and across the digital world, more than ever we

need those in power to call this out and prevent it becoming normalised. At the same time, as Israel faces challenges at the UN and worldwide, delegitimising its military action, we need our government to understand, to show support and to give Israel the space to make its own choices.

We should acknowledge those in our community who ensure that we are represented in parliament and who maintain all-important relationships that support us in times of great need, helping God to help the Jewish people.

Headteacher Mr Yosh Radomsky B.A. (Hons), NPQH

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Progressive Judaism

LEAP OF FAITH

A stimulating series where progressive rabbis consider how to navigate Judaism in the face of 21st-century issues

BY RABBI JOSH LEVY AND RABBI CHARLEY BAGINSKY CO-LEADS OF PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM

We acknowledge worry but enter 2024 with hope and seeking light When we look back on 2023, it will be as a critical period in Jewish history. One in which it has been difficult to find the light and the optimism. We head into 2024 still holding a great deal of worry, mourning and distress.

Yet, at the same time, we – UK Progressive Judaism, and the whole Jewish community – are also at the beginning of something optimistic and ambitious.

The move to bring Liberal Judaism and the Movement for Reform Judaism together to form one Progressive Judaism in this country, is a moment of hope. In a time of division and polarisation, this unification brings much needed possibilities: that we can unify, can

come together to create something for the future, can look beyond small differences for a greater good.

This is desperately important at this dark time.

The hope of this moment is also about what we can achieve by working together. We are currently in the process of holding forums with all of the 80+ Progressive communities, to talk about our plans and hear feedback and questions from members.

From these conversations, it is clear what Progressive Judaism has to offer the world – a sense that there can be an optimistic and hopeful future.

We believe that Progressive Judaism has a twofold purpose.

First, to be a force for good in the world – playing an active role in shaping a society that reflects our Jewish values and our creativity.

If 2024 is a year of political change and further turmoil, then we must ensure that the Jewish community and the diverse voices within it are represented in these conversations.

We need to recommit ourselves to the place of progressive religion in our society, as a response to the challenges of today and as a voice for positive change.

The second purpose is to fulfil the sacred task of creating and enabling Jewish life wherever people live in the UK. We must help to strengthen our Progressive communities – from Eastbourne to Edinburgh and from Cornwall to Cambridge – so that they continue to fulfil their potential and offer a thriving Judaism that is rich, inclusive and innovative.

A rabbinic line-up, from left: Josh Levy, Dr Tali Artman-Partock, Richard Jacobi, Charley Baginsky and Jordan Helfman at the Essex Progressive Judaism community forum

One of our greatest strengths is the individuality of our communities, offering a diversity of practice within shared values – providing an egalitarian space that combines the best of Jewish tradition with modern values, lifestyles and families.

This is a moment for Progressive Judaism to flourish. We believe that we can best achieve this by working together.

And that, in so doing, we bring a moment of hope and light in a difficult and dark time.

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21 December 2023 Jewish News

Ask our

35

Professional advice from our panel / Ask Our Experts

Our trusty team of advisers answers your questions about everything from law and finance to dating and dentistry.

This week: Enjoying TV programmes after hearing loss, help with independent living and perfecting your CV SUE CIPIN CHARITY EXECUTIVE

JEWISH DEAF ASSOCIATION

Dear Sue My hearing is deteriorating so I was advised to get a TV listener as I could no longer hear the programmes I love to watch.

I now use a wonderful device that enables me to hear the television beautifully clearly, BUT ... when I’m using it I can’t hear anything else.

I miss being able to chat to my husband about what we’re watching! Is there anything that would work just as well and let me hear my husband at the same time?

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things easier – and safer – at home. Any advice?

Natalie, Wembley

CAROLYN ADDLEMAN DIRECTOR OF LAGACIES

JEWISH BLIND AND DISABLED Dear Carolyn Sometimes I find moving about inside my house quite tricky, and as I get older my arthritis means I’m less able to do simple things, such as getting in and out of the bath. I’m way too able and independent to move into a care home, and I don’t want to move in with my family, but I do wonder how I can make

Dear Natalie We get many calls from people just like you who’d like to remain at home but know they need to make some changes to ensure their home meets their needs and is a safe place to be.

Our Independent Living Advisory Service can help you, if you live within the M25. Simply complete the application form on our website (www.jbd.org) and we’ll arrange for our occupational therapist to visit you. They’ll assess your needs and suggest ways to adjust your home to help

Thank you for writing. Yes – there is a wonderful new piece of equipment designed with you in mind!

It has great sound quality and you simply press a button to switch between hearing the TV and hearing the people in the room with you.

You can use it with headphones or with a neck loop (if you have hearing aids with a loop setting).

If you’d like to try it out for yourself, please arrange to visit Gabrielle at our Technology Room in North Finchley.

You’ll also have the opportunity to talk about any other difficulties you may be experiencing with your hearing loss and ways to overcome them.

For a free appointment, please contact Gabrielle at JDA on 020 8446 0214 or gabrielle@jdeaf.org.uk.

We look forward to seeing you.

you manage your mobility issues. For instance, they may recommend you get a bath board or a bath lift. Or they may recommend installing grab rails around the bathroom – or installing a wet room instead of having a bathtub.

After the assessment visit, which is free, they’ll send a full report of recommendations for any aids or home adaptations they feel will help you. Some of the items might be provided by your local authority, and if larger adaptations are needed, such as converting a bathroom to a wet room, we can help you with the Disabled Facilities Grants application process.

GILLIAN GURNER CAREER ADVISER

RESOURCE Dear Gillian I haven’t applied for a job for 20 years so have a mental block when it comes to writing my CV. Do you have any advice?

Michelle Dear Michelle Your CV is your opportunity to impress a potential employer and obtain an interview.

You’ll probably need a

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.

For a no-obligation and confidential consultation, and to find out more about supporting JNF UK’s vital work in Israel, please get in touch.

Call 020 8732 6101 or email enquiries@kkl.org.uk

KKL Executor and Trustee Company Ltd (a Company registered in England No. 453042) is a subsidiary of JNF Charitable Trust (Charity No. 225910) and a registered Trust Corporation (authorised capital £250,000).

different CV for each job application because it’s important to make your CV relevant to the job for which you are applying. In terms of CV styles, if you can list your jobs in date order, then a chronological CV is for you. However, if you have gaps in your career, or if you have been working on short-term contracts, or your jobs have been similar, or you are changing careers, you can use a skills-based CV. Resource has written a Guide to Writing a Good CV, which will help you make to stand out from the crowd.

Avoid clichés, such as ‘enthusiastic’ and ‘motivated’ – you will be able to demonstrate these

qualities at an interview.

Use bullet points for all except the summary statement at the top: it’s easier to read and will help you summarise your work and achievements.

Also, review your CV. Have you included everything the recruiter is looking for, and checked for spelling or grammar errors? It’s always useful to ask someone to check your CV as they may have other ideas for you.

If you need more help, Resource is running a drop-in CV clinic at Head Room Cafe in Golders Green on 16 November.

Or call our office on 020 8346 4000 and make an appointment to meet one of our advisers.

36 Jewish News 21 December 2023

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Ask our experts / Professional advice from our panel

FINANCIAL SERVICES (FCA) COMPLIANCE

PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SPECIALIST

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIST

TREVOR GEE Qualifications: • Managing director, consultant specialists in affordable family health insurance • Advising on maximising cover, lower premiums, pre-existing conditions • Excellent knowledge of health insurers, cover levels and hospital lists • LLB solicitors finals • Member of Chartered Insurance Institute

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.

DR MONICA QUADIR Qualifications: • Consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist with more than 12 years of experience in treating young people and their families, both in the NHS and privately • Expertise in assessing neurodevelopmental conditions, such as ADHD and autism, and supporting families to manage these conditions • Medical director at Psymplicity Healthcare, a private mental health clinic based in London, with a national online presence

PATIENT HEALTH 020 3146 3444/5/6 www.patienthealth.co.uk trevor.gee@patienthealth.co.uk

RICHDALE CONSULTANTS LTD 020 7781 8019 www.richdale.co.uk

PSYMPLICITY HEALTHCARE 020 3733 5277 www.psymplicity.com

MENOPAUSE CHAMPION LABALANCE

HUMAN RESOURCES / EMPLOYMENT LAW

FINANCIAL SERVICES

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

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

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

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

MENOPAUSE CHAMPION LABALANCE 0333 188 6580 www.sassylafemme.com hello@sassylafemme.com

DEVELOPMENT COMPANY FOR ISRAEL 020 3936 2712 www.israelbondsintl.com joe.ozer@israelbondsintl.com

JEWELLER

ACCOUNTANT

GOAL ATTAINMENT SPECIALIST

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

JONATHAN WILLIAMS Qualifications: • Jewellery manufacturer since 1980s • Expert in the manufacture and supply of diamond jewellery, wedding rings and general jewellery • Specialist in supply of diamonds to the public at trade prices

DR BEN LEVY Qualifications: • Doctor of psychology with 15 years’ experience in education and corporate sectors • Uses robust, evidence-based methods to help you achieve your goals, whatever they may be • Works with clients individually to maximise success

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

JEWELLERY CAVE LTD 020 8446 8538 www.jewellerycave.co.uk jonathan@jewellerycave.co.uk

MAKE IT HAPPEN 07779 619 597 www.makeit-happen.co.uk ben@makeit-happen.co.uk

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR OF LEGACIES

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

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

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

SUE CIPIN OBE Qualifications: • 24 years+ hands-on experience, leading JDA in significant growth and development.

• Understanding of the impact of deafness on people, including children, at all stages • Extensive services for people affected by hearing loss/tinnitus • Technology room with expert advice on and facilities to try out the latest equipment.

• Hearing aid advice, support and maintenance

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

KKL EXECUTOR AND TRUSTEE COMPANY 020 8732 6101 www.kkl.org.uk enquiries@kkl.org.uk

JEWISH DEAF ASSOCIATION 020 8446 0502 www.jdeaf.org.uk mail@jdeaf.org.uk

CAREER ADVISER

• • •

REMOVALS MANAGING DIRECTOR

PRINCIPAL, PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL

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

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

RESOURCE 020 8346 4000 www.resource-centre.org office@resource-centre.org

STEPHEN MORRIS SHIPPING LTD 020 8832 2222 www.shipsms.co.uk stephen@shipsms.co.uk

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

www.jewishnews.co.uk

21 December 2023 Jewish News

We are open over the public holidays As usual, we are open for all of the bank holidays.

Full Take Away and Restaurant service on the 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st December and the 1st January.

25th December

We have such high demand on this day, that we will be having two lunch sittings to avoid disappointment.

First sitting 12- 2pm, second sitting 2.30 - 4.30pm. Dinner will commence at 5.30pm.

31st December

After such a miserable year, we think it is appropriate to say a proper goodbye to 2023!

We are operating our full Take Away service (please book ahead of the day) and creating a major banquet and party in the restaurant from 9pm. to welcome in 2024.

There will be live music from the wonderful L A Webber Trio and also an opera singer!

Take Away

Support

Just call us on 020 8302 7888 to arrange

your collection or delivery.

Please book your orders for December 31st before the day to avoid disappointment.

Our full Take Away menu is at

www.mdauk.org

www.kaifeng.co.uk

The Place for a Simcha Glatt Kosher Le Mahadrin under the strict supervision of the London Beth Din and Rabbi Akiva Osher Padwa 51 Church Road, Hendon NW4 4DU Reservations:

020 8203 7888

www.kaifeng.co.uk

37

38 Jewish News 21 December 2023

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Business Services Directory ANTIQUES

HOUSE CLEARANCE

Top prices paid Antique – Reproduction – Retro Furniture (any condition)

Epstein, Archie Shine, Hille, G Plan, etc.

Dining Suites, Lounges Suites, Bookcases, Desks, Cabinets, Mirrors, Lights, etc.

Dave & Eve House Clearance Friendly Family Company established for 30 years

MARYLEBONE ANTIQUES - 8 CHURCH STREET NW8 8ED

07866 614 744 (ANYTIME) 0207 723 7415 (SHOP) closed Sunday & Monday STUART SHUSTER - e-mail - info@maryleboneantiques.co.uk

MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT US BEFORE SELLING

WANTED Furs, Jewellery, Old Costume Jewellery, Watches, Silver, Designer Bags, anything vintage.

We clear houses, flats, sheds, garages etc.

No job too big or too small!

Rubbish cleared as part of a full clearance.

We have a waste licence.

We buy items including furniture bric a brac.

ADVERTISE IN THE UK’S BIGGEST JEWISH NEWSPAPER FOR LESS THAN

For a free quote please phone Dave on 07913405315 any time.

£24 A WEEK

CHARITY & WELFARE

ARE YOU BEREAVED? Confidential Bereavement Counselling for adults and children individually.

Support Groups available. We offer in person, online and telephone counselling.

Contact Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service in confidence.

0208 951 3881 enquiries@jbcs.org.uk | www.jbcs.org.uk

COMPUTER

WESTLON HOUSING ASSOCIATION Sheltered Accommodation We have an open waiting list in our friendly and comfortable warden assisted sheltered housing schemes in Ealing, East Finchley and Hendon. We provide 24-hour warden support, seven days a week; a residents’ lounge and kitchen, laundry, a sunny patio and garden.

Email Sales today at sales@jewishnews.co.uk

For further details and application forms, please contact Westlon Housing Association on 020 8201 8484 or email: johnsilverman@btconnect.com

BRIDGE

HOUSE FOR SALE

Harold Schogger

Afternoon Free Taster Monday 15th January 2024 Afternoon Beginners Course Starts Monday 22nd January 2024 Afternoon Intermediates Course Starts Tuesday 23rd January 2024

Guaranteed success Phone 0208 905 3877 for more details www.haroldschogger.com

STONEMASON

HOUSE SALE 4 Bed House for sale, Hendon, NW4 £1,100,000 Contact Clive 07970510656 Private sale LAW MENTOR

UTILITIES

Are you happy paying big household bills?

LAW MENTOR WouldCircle” you likesolicitor to pay less?

Former “Magic

The specialist masons in creating bespoke Granite and Marble Memorials for all Cemeteries.

Clayhall Showroom 14 Claybury Broadway Ilford. IG5 0LQ T: 0208 551 6866

offers help with:Find out how

Edgware Showroom 41 Manor Park Crescent Edgware. HA8 7LY T: 0208 381 1525

CVs and personal statements call Jeff on 07958 959 822 • interviews and assessment days • coping with stress and workload LEGACY- LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR MEMORYLegacy Classified advert v1.qxp_Legacy 16/06/2021 Page 1 • promotion and new10:57 opportunities Gary Green ad 84 x 40mm JM Group v2.indd 1 18/03/2019 12:50:51 ©•

Email : info@garygreenmemorials.co.uk

www.garygreenmemorials.co.uk

LAW MENTOR Former “Magic Circle” solicitor offers help with: • • • •

CVs and personal statements interviews and assessment days coping with stress and workload promotion and new opportunities

For more information contact Tom lawmentor@btinternet.com / 07590 057097

For more information contact Tom

Leave the legacy of independence to people like Joel.

PLease remember us in your wiLL.

eNABLeD visit www.Jbd.org or caLL 020 8371 6611

WEB DESIGN

01277 352560

House clearances Single items to complete homes

CLOTHING

Registered Charity No. 259480

HELP US CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR OUR lawmentor@btinternet.com / 07590 057097 COMMUNITY WITH A GIFT IN YOUR WILL. Call our Legacy Team on 020 8922 2840 for more information or email legacyteam@jcare.org Charity Reg No. 802559

Chancellors House, Brampton Lane, London, NW4 4AB Tel: 020 8903 8746 | Mobile: 079 3172 2153 www.bfiwd.org | email: info@bfiwd.org

21 December 2023 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

39

Fun, games and prizes

THE JEWISH NEWS CROSSWORD 1

2

4

3

7

5

8

9

10

11

15

6

12

17

16

20

21

14

13

18

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

9 Five-armed sea creature (8) 10 Regrettably (4) 11 Vicar (6) 12 Awakened (6) 15 Small compartments (6) 18 About to occur (2,4) 20 Air bed (4) 22 Performs again (2-6) 23 Matching set of clothes (6) 24 ___ Danes, US actress (6) 25 ___ Poehler, US comedy actress (3)

8

24 25

ACROSS 3 ___ Green, French Bond girl (3) 7 Brown powdered spice (6) 8 Adopted by all sexes (6)

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.

1

The listed words to do with cattle 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.

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.

L S S C C A L

F B T

I

3

T G N O E S

U T E

I

23

T D O W N R F R T R H

22

I

A M L B B F U N Y E O

22

I

A T G P R

3

D B T

L

I

N S R S P N

23

R A O L

I

F A O A A S

24

I

H N U H E

F E R C N

I

E N L P

S R M E A D O W O A T

24

24

19

6 11

22

22

8

13

22

23

22

8 7

23

15 6

13

2

17

12

26

22

8

8

23

26

8

6

22 26

24

16 18

26 12

5

16

24

12 3

26 13

22 6

2

8

15

12 22

6

21

6

C S E E A

E R H M U Z

24

N

16

15

23

14

9

6

16

24

26

22

13

3

16

6

R

22

1

15

13

8

O

17

4

23

24

26

MEADOW

BISON

COWBELL

HEIFER

MOO

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

BUFFALO

DAIRY

HERD

PASTURE

1

2

3

4

5

6

CALF

FIELD

HORNS

RUMINANT

CATTLE

FODDER

14

15

16

17

18

19

Crossword ACROSS: 1 Calculation, 9 Reincarnation, 10 Balanced, 12 Milo, 14 Obeys, 15 Qatar, 19 Edit, 20 Acid test, 22 Trade discount, 24 George Cross.

DOWN: 2 Ali, 3 Cockneys, 4 Larder, 5 Trap, 6 Originate, 7 Drubs, 8 Enrol, 11 Lubricate, 13 Panda car, 16 Belts, 17 Scribe, 18 State, 21 Herr, 23 Ups.

Sudoku 5 6 4 1 7 2 9 3 8 7 9 1 8 2 3 6 4 5 2 5 7 3 1 6 4 8 9

7 8 3 5 4 9 2 1 6 6 3 8 1 5 4 9 2 7 4 6 1 8 9 5 3 7 2

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

Suguru 9 1 2 3 6 8 5 4 7 4 2 5 7 9 6 1 8 3 8 3 9 2 7 4 6 5 1

1 3 2 3 1 4 2 4 1 4 2 3 1 5 3 5 1 5 3 2 1 2 4 2 1 4 5 3 5 1 2 3 1 4 2 4

All puzzles © Puzzler Media Ltd - www.puzzler.com

Wordsearch 1 2 5 3 1 2 4 3 1 2 4 3 1 2 4 3 1 2 3 5 1 2 4 3 4 2 4 3 1 2 1 3 1 2 4 5

3 1 5

See next issue for puzzle solutions.

GRAZE

R O

1

6

22 22

4

15

20 6

13

CLAPPER

Last issue’s solutions

3

5

BARN

N

4

12

8 24

8

4

22

24

1

3 1

4

23

23

9

22

22

8

1 5

17

15 8

18

1

2

22

6

3

6 5

13

5 22

26

9 24

10

8

SUGURU

CODEWORD 25

6

2 1 6 8 9 5 3 1 7 5 3 4 8 8 4 6 1 2 3 7 1

WORDSEARCH E G Y Z D R E D D O F

6 4

4 3 9

DOWN 1 Cloth for removing dirt (6) 2 Coming into being (8) 3 Big-headed type (6) 4 Novelist (6) 5 Location of Italy’s leaning tower (4) 6 New version of a film (6) 11 The Queen Vic or Woolpack, eg (3) 13 Sweeping change, disruption (8) 14 Father (3) 16 Nasty, disgusting (6) 17 Rock layers (6) 18 Representative’s office (6) 19 Certifier of deeds (6) 21 Clumsy people (4)

19

22

23

SUDOKU

E C A R B O N C P O P U L A N T S X G C G A R I R E L A I O O T E R O L P S M U M P L X R T A L O I E A I I N A R N O E S R C B T R Y T M E G N O I T C E

Codeword F R L E P B D T A E L

Y I N U N E A S S D E

F W T Y S W D E A D Z D Z I L N E G U S S C

T HROB A A S K EW U H U P P E R H H BR I E F E I RA T E A N F AD E D K L S H OW M V L I CK E RAMP AGE L T A X I O C A T OM V S UNBURN W J E S T I E S I NK U Q E A S E L N N MOU L D I OUNC E P A GA Z E S E A S AD L Y E S HR E D S RD X P V UGKMF H C 21/12 LWB N E Q T A I Y O Z J

40 Jewish News 21 December 2023

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