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How a Lake District school makes sense of the Holocaust P26

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST JEWISH NEWSPAPER 12 April 2018

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27 Nissan 5778

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Issue No.1049

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The community marks Yom HaShoah See page 10

@JewishNewsUK

YOM HA’ATZMAUT Rabbi Andrew Shaw CEO Mirzrachi UK What can one think about at such a joyous time as we are about to celebrate 70 years of Medinat Yisrael? I believe it is incumbent on all of us, to realise the enormity of what this anniversary means. To do this, I think back to one of the most inspiring broadcasts I have ever heard. It was the BBC recording of the liberation of Bergen Belsen in 1945, which I heard for the ﬁrst time several years ago. The survivors who knew they were being recorded began singing the Hatikvah. However, it is not the version that we sing today. They sung the version wri written by Naftali Hertz Imber in 1878. It was adopted as the anthem of the Zionist movement at the ﬁrst Zionist Congress in 1897. Forty-eight years later it was being sung by survivors demonstrating the unwavering belief of our eternal nation to never give up hope of returning to our ancestral homeland. an That day, from the depths of hell on earth they broadcast to the world the hopes and dreams of our nation for the past 2000 years.

“Od lo avdah tikvateinu, Hatikvah hannoshanah Lashuv le’eretz avoteinu La‘ir bah david k'hanah”

“Our hope is not yet lost, The ancient hope, To return to the land of our fathers, The city where David encamped’. And then, miraculously, just three years later, for the third time in our long history, David Ben Gurion declared the establishment of the Third Commonwealth of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. For thousands of years not just the last 70, Israel has represented much more than a piece of territory: Israel is home. It is a focus for the Jewish heart, a haven for the Jewish people and a sanctuary for the Jewish soul. This week on Yom Ha’Atzmaut we will give thanks to God as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of that historic day when Israel once again became the nation state of the Jewish people. Over those last seven decades, Israel has experienced some incredibly demanding and testing times but it continues to be a beacon of light in an ever-darkening world. So please celebrate this week by

celebrating the wonder that is Medinat Yisrael. Join us in celebrating 70 years with a Weekend of Inspiration of Torah from Israel, (details inside this wrap) as well as memorable concerts across the country reminding us of the long journey from Avraham Avinu 3750 years ago to David Ben Gurion and beyond.

Festive Teﬁlla, Audio Visual Presentation, Guest Speaker and Reception

Jewish News 12 April 2018

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After last year’s success, Mizrachi UK & Kinloss invite you to join top scholars from Israel, for the most inspiring and uplifting event of 2018...

Sunday 29 April 2018, Kinloss Synagogue The full programme will run from 09:15-22:30*

Rav Reuven Taragin Yeshivat Hakotel

Rav Menachem Leibtag

Rav David Aaron

Rabbanit Shani Taragin

Yeshivat Orayta

Matan

Rav Ari Kahn

Bar Ilan University

Rabbanit Rachelle Fraenkel

United Hatzalah Israel

Rav Yechiel Wasserman

Rav Jesse Horn

Yeshivat Har Etzion

Bar Ilan University

Dr Tova Ganzel

Rav Yehoshua Grunstein Straus-Amiel

Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi

World Zionist Organisation

Rav Alex Israel

Naomi Kahn

Rav David Milston

Rabbanit Pescha Fisher

Rav Doron Perez

Rabbi Andrew Shaw

Rabbi Joseph Dweck

Rav Yehuda Peles

Rav Eliyahu Silverman

Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi

CEO Mizrachi UK

Regavim

Senior Rabbi of S&P

Midreshet Harova

Mizrachi Manchester

Rav David Ebner

Midreshet Amit

Mizrachi Mechanech

World Mizrachi

Yeshivat Hakotel

Rav Moshe Gold

Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi

Rav Aharon & Rabbanit Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence Kinloss Synagogue Shira Hirshkovitz

Shaliach for Mizrachi UK, BAUK & JAFI

£10 for one session or all (food available for purchase) To sign-up, please go to www.mizrachi.org.uk/events/doi18 On Shabbat 27/28 April, these educators will be speaking across 40 communities around the UK. *There will be morning, afternoon and evening sessions. For £10 everyone is welcome to come & go for keynote addresses or shiurim that they wish to attend.

Eli Beer

Nishmat

Our eternal ﬂame

One button at a time...

How a Lake District school makes sense of the Holocaust P26

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST JEWISH NEWSPAPER 12 April 2018

•

27 Nissan 5778

•

Issue No.1049

•

@JewishNewsUK

The community marks Yom HaShoah See page 10

Wills’ praise for ‘brave’ pal Jonny

70 reasons to celebrate Israel!

Page 9

Pages 9 & 18

Corbyn’s red letter day Israel’s Labour Party cuts ties over anti-Semitism Israel’s Labour Party this week said it wants nothing more to do with Jeremy Corbyn because of his inaction over anti-Semitism. In a blunt and forthright letter, Israeli leftwing leader Avi Gabbay (pictured, left) ( left lambasted his British counterpart for “showing hostility to the [British] Jewish community” and “allowing antiSemitic statements”. Gabbay said he was sus-

pending links between his Labour Party and Corbyn’s office ahead of Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day in part because of Corbyn’s “very public hatred of Israeli government policies”. Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky applauded Gabbay’s move, saying Corbyn (pictured right) had shown “tolerance of anti-Semitic statements”. He added: “Zionist parties simply cannot be allied to anti-Semitic actors.” In his letter, Gabbay said: “It is my responsibility to acknowledge the hostility that you have shown to the Jewish

community and the anti-Semitic statements and actions you have allowed as leader of the UK Labour Party. “This is in addition to your very public hatred of the policies of the government of the state of Israel, many of which regard the security of our citizens and actions of our soldiers – policies where the opposition and coalition in Israel are aligned.” On Saturday, Corbyn condemned Israel’s “inhumane” actions at the border with Gaza, as video emerged of Israeli soldiers shooting Palestinians, with cheering when one is killed.

Corbyn said Israel’s killing of protesters was “an outrage” and condemned what he described as the West’s “silence” over the issue. Analysts said they were not surprised that Gabbay had decided to cut ties, with Labour Friends of Israel director Jennifer Gerber saying: “We fully understand why… [Corbyn] has Continued on page 2

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

News / Labour anti-Semitism / Holocaust conference / Israeli Labour

Labour demo MP defiant An MP summonsed by her local party to explain her support of a rally against anti-Semitism in Labour has vowed to continue standing up against the scourge after her efforts to explain her presence were shouted down, writes Justin Cohen. Thangam Debbonaire, the MP for Bristol West, walked out of a meeting last Thursday, nearly two weeks after she joined around 40 colleagues at the Enough is Enough demonstration organised by the Board of Thangam Debbonaire

Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council. While one detractor said the rally brought Labour into “disrepute” and another described the criticism of Jeremy Corbyn as “disgusting”, a motion brought by Debbonaire’s opponents was defeated by 108 votes to 84. That motion called for affiliating with Jewish Voice for Labour. While the motion opposed anti-Semitism, it implicitly condemned the local MP by drawing attention to the presence at the demo of Norman Tebbit and Ian Paisley Jr of the DUP. In a statement, Debbonaire said: “There was a good

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A delivery driver who harboured “chilling fantasies” about killing members of Tottenham’s Jewish community and attacking White Hart Lane has been jailed for attempting to join Islamic State. Somalian Aweys Shikhey, 38, dreamed of travelling to take part in violent jihad after moving to Tottenham. He talked about killing former Prime Minister David Cameron and the “old woman Elizabeth”, as well as shooting Jewish people and launching an AK47 attack at the former stadium.

DUBLIN’S MAYOR IN RAMALLAH VISIT

The community demonstration in Westminster

being held to account – but this must be in an environment where I can give my response. “I will continue to stand up to anti-Semitism, prejudice and inequality in all its forms. In Westminster, my focus is on representing the people of Bristol West. “As a whip, I support Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour front bench team and back bench MPs as we challenge the

WHITE HART LANE PLOTTER IS JAILED

Conservatives and campaign for a Labour government.” Film-maker Ken Loach this week called for MPs who attended a rally against antiSemitism in the Labour Party to be deselected. Loach made the remarks to an audience at a screening of his film I, Daniel Blake, at the Kingswood Constituency Labour Party – a movie that was widely screened in Israel.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin gained access to Israel despite instructions to border officials to keep him out of the country. Mícheál Mac Donncha, a member of the left-wing Sinn Féin party, entered Israel through Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday and reported later that he had travelled to Ramallah. Donncha is scheduled to attend a conference on the status of Jerusalem being held in Ramallah, at the invitation of the Palestinian Authority.

CHURCH LEADERS IN SHOAH CONFERENCE

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turnout at the meeting, and most people on all sides of the debate expressed their opinions respectfully. I was very pleased to see that the members voted to reject the proposed motion on antiSemitism. “It was unfit for purpose because it failed to take responsibility for the problem. Also, the motion did not demonstrate a zero-tolerance approach to all examples of anti-Semitism, something which Jeremy Corbyn, Jennie Formby and many others at the top of the Labour Party rightly say is long overdue.” She added: “I was finally given a chance to present my MP’s report and answer questions about it at the end of the meeting. Unfortunately, my attempt to explain my attendance at the rally was shouted down and no attempt was made to stop this. I therefore left the meeting as it was unproductive.” While pointing out that Corbyn backed the right of MPs to attend the demo, she added: “I have no problem

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Fifty Christian clergy and church leaders from across the UK met for a one-day conference at the National Holocaust Centre in Nottinghamshire this week, the first time it has taken place here, writes Jenni Frazer. The conference was organised by the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) – supported by a grant from the Association of Jewish Refugees – and all the participants were graduates of CCJ’s annual seminar at Yad Vashem’s International School of Holocaust Studies (ISHS) in Jerusalem. This seminar, which has been running for more than 10 years, has been described by the ISHS as “unique in the whole of Europe”. Its purposes are to educate clergy about the Holocaust and to equip church leaders to be ambassadors for Holocaust education in

Dr James Smith at the event

their communities. Speakers at the Nottinghamshire conference were Dr James Smith CBE,

co-founder of the National Holocaust Centre and chief executive of the Aegis Trust; Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, senior rabbi to Masorti Judaism and a president of CCJ; Gillian Walnes Perry MBE, founder and former chief executive of the Anne Frank Trust; and Canon Dr Ed Newell, principal of the educational charity, Cumberland Lodge. Rob Thompson, senior programme manager at CCJ, said: “The conference was a powerful opportunity for church leaders to respond to their Holocaust learning and commit to passing it on in their communities. “In the present climate, and on the eve of Yom HaShoah, this effort is even more important. As memory slips more and more into history, Holocaust remembrance and education are as essential as ever. Anti-Semitism is still an issue.”

Corbyn shunned by Israeli Labour Continued from page 1 failed to respond to their repeated offers of dialogue.” In response, Corbyn said: “I wish they would read Shami Chakrabarti’s report. I wish they would understand that we are utterly determined in every way to drive out anti-Semitism from our society and where it exists in any party to drive it out, including my own. And I would be very happy to have that discussion with them.”

He added: “I think they should have done me the courtesy of asking me first.” Speaking on LBC radio, James Sorene of UK-Israel think tank BICOM said the Israeli Labour party was sending “a very powerful signal that they want action by Jeremy Corbyn and they want it now”. In a letter to Corbyn, Joan Ryan MP, chair of Labour Friends of Israel wrote: “I am ashamed that one of our sister parties has no option but to take this unprec-

edented step. Leadership is about taking responsibility and it is yours to urgently heal this breach and take action to reassure our comrades in Israel.” A Corbyn spokesman added that he would meet representatives from the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council “to discuss how to best root out anti-Semitism from our movement and society”.  Editorial comment, page 16

12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Tackling hate crime / Social media anti-Semitism / News

Mirror joins JN for awards

FACEBOOK MISSION

The Mirror has thrown its weight behind the national #No2H8Crime awards, which will once again be supported by Jewish News, giving recognition to those on the front line tackling racism and hatred. Now in its third year, the ceremony will shine a light on individuals and organisations battling anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and other forms of hate. The awards – conceived by Faith Matters – are held with the support of partners including the Community Security Trust (CST), Tell MAMA, GALOP, Stop Hate UK and Stonewall.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg says the social media giant will have the tools to stop anti-Semitism before it spreads within the next decade. Speaking on Tuesday to US senators concerned in part about Facebook’s susceptibility to foreign powers who would use the service to meddle in American elections, he said Facebook at first had been reactive to offensive and dangerous content, removing it only after it had spread. More recently, Facebook has been able to knock down terrorist recruitment as soon as it is posted, using artificial intelligence. He said he hoped

Imam Bocoum and Rabbi Wittenberg receive their award

The initiative is chaired by former CST chief executive Richard Benson, who said the awards were a “means of celebrating all that is good within communities and where

people selflessly stand up against hatred, prejudice and intolerance.” “We need to celebrate this distinctive characteristic of our country and also motivate

people to be upstanders for others if they are targeted with hatred and bigotry. We look forward to delivering our largest No2H8 Crime Awards in 2018.” Speaking on behalf of Jewish News, which has supported the No2H8 Crime Awards since its inception, editor Richard Ferrer said: “It’s a great honour to once again work with such a group of highly-respected organisations battling hatred and intolerance.” Last year’s winners included Dr Imam Mamadou Bocoum and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg who collected the Sheikh Abdullah Award for Intercultural Dialogue.

RAF JOINS FLYOVER FOR ISRAEL’S 70TH BIRTHDAY Those magnificent men from the Royal Air Force will proudly take to the skies for Israel’s 70th birthday celebrations next week. The RAF will send a Hercules C130 to take part in a flyover over the Sea of Galillee and off the Tel Aviv and Haifa coasts on 19 April, alongside Israeli jets, and planes from at least four other countries.

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to apply that technology to hate speech. “I am optimistic that over a five to 10-year period we will have [artificial intelligence] tools that can get into some of the linguistic nuances of different types of content to be more accurate, to be flagging things to our systems, but today we’re just not there on that,” he said. “Until we get it automated, there’s a higher error rate than I’m happy with.” Jewish leaders have lobbied Facebook, Twitter, Google and others to build defences against the proliferation of anti-Semitism on their platforms.

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

News / Corbyn demo / Chakrabarti delay

Protest outside Labour HQ More than 1,000 people descended on Labour’s headquarters on Sunday to protest at the party’s handling of anti-Semitism, and particularly to condemn leader Jeremy Corbyn. The demonstration, organised by Campaign against Antisemitism (CAA), was the second in two weeks as a poll for The Guardian revealed half the electorate believes the party has a problem with the issue. No senior politicians addressed the latest crowd, but actress Maureen Lipman, a vocal critic of the past two Labour leaders, said she was there as a “disenfranchised socialist”, adding: “How scary that we have to be here at all today.” She said: “I think he [Corbyn] believes himself to be an anti-racist.” Attending the Jewdas seder, she added, was the “cherry on the cake of his behaviour”. Chants of “shame” and boos repeatedly greeted any mention of Corbyn and some of his allies, while some loudly called “Corbyn out” throughout the 90-minute event. When former Labour donor David Abrahams stressed the need to find a way to work with the party and then protested calls demanding the leader go, he faced hostile shouts of “Off, off, off”. Holocaust survivor Agnes Grunwald-Spier decried the “irony” of the emergence of the world’s oldest hatred in Labour. “Indifference,” she said “is more dangerous than anger and hatred. Not to act is to act. Not to speak is to speak.” There was also a warning against silence in the Jewish community from Rabbi Joseph Dweck of the S&P Sephardi Community, who made no explicit

Crowds hold up placards demanding the Labour Party holds its leader to account

mention of Labour or Corbyn, but said: “We stand here in this great country, which not long ago led the rest of the world against the evil of the Nazis… We must not allow words or whispers of anti-Semitism in these shores. “Standing silent allows for hate to take hold. Sometimes you need to preach to the choir that this is not the time to be silent. No one else will take care if we don’t.” He described the rally as the “first step”. Speakers from the CAA suggested Labour’s antiracist credentials “lay in tatters” and accused the party of failing to put effective processes in place. Gideon Falter, the group’s chairman, said matters had “deteriorated” since the first communal rally.

He said: “Labour must lead by example and show that Jeremy Corbyn is bound by the same rules as leader as he was as a backbencher, by investigating the disciplinary complaint we have filed against him for bringing the party into disrepute.” CAA speakers also criticised the Crown Prosecution Service for a lack of general prosecutions over claims of anti-Semitism. Corbyn has vowed to make it a priority of Jennie Formby, the new party secretary general to implement the Chakrabarti report fully. The Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council – who weren’t represented at Sunday’s event – are due to meet Corbyn soon for their first face-to-face talks in two years.

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ALI’S SURPRISE FOR CENTENARIAN The chairman of British Muslim Friends of Labour has honoured a Jewish refugee from the Nazis as she celebrated her 100th birthday. Shaukat Ali surprised long-time Labour activist Edith Poulson with flowers and a special card to accompany her traditional greeting from the Queen. The centenarian, from Walthamstow, fled occupied Europe for the safety of the UK in 1938. She said her secret to a long life was “plenty of aggravation. If you eat sensibly, don’t drink and don’t do anything stupid... you should last”.

SAATCHI SHUL MERGER WITH ST JOHN’S WOOD The Saatchi Synagogue has said it will merge with St John’s Wood Synagogue, where it holds its services. Saatchi brothers Charles and Maurice founded the synagogue in Maida Vale as an independent Orthodox shul in 1998. The Saatchi Synagogue community is drawn from areas including Maida Vale, Notting Hill, Marylebone, Swiss Cottage, Belsize Park and West Hampstead, and recognised as a growing community.

‘Frustration’ at Chakrabarti wait

LABOUR PRAISE FOR CST

Shadow Education Secrenumber one priority, and tary Angela Rayner says we need to make sure the she is “frustrated” moves full Chakrabarti report is to implement Baroness implemented and we have Chakrabarti’s recommenabsolute zero tolerance.” dation on tackling antiShe told BBC1’s Andrew Semitism in Labour have Marr Show: “It can’t be not been fully acted on. right when people see on “Jeremy (Corbyn) has social media – and it’s not been quite clear there’s no Angela Rayner just in the Labour Party place for anti-Semitism but across the board – antiin our party, but I have been a little Semitic rhetoric and see no action frustrated that we haven’t moved taken or the action is far too slow.” forward on the Chakrabarti report as Rayner defended colleague fast as I would have liked,” she said. Thangam Debbonaire, who was “But Jennie Formby, our new heckled at a meeting of her constitugeneral secretary, made it her ency party in Bristol for attending

Jeremy Corbyn paid tribute to the Community Security Trust (CST)’s role in tackling anti-Semitism at the official launch of Labour’s local election campaign. The Labour leader bemoaned the need for Jewish schools’ increased security and rising anti-Semitism year-onyear during his speech in Westminster. Corbyn addressed the issue of antiSemitism in the party, before paying tribute to the CST’s work monitoring hatred. He said: “I know my party, the party I have been a member of for 50 years and I know that the overwhelming majority of members are united, determined to root out any anti-Semitism,

an anti-Semitism demonstration, saying: “Thangam is an absolute credit to the Labour Party. “She shouldn’t be hounded out of any meeting. We have debates in the Labour Party, that’s quite fine, but she’s absolutely right to be able to protest and Jeremy has made that clear as well.” Former Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend: “I don’t think anybody really now disputes that there are problems within the Labour Party – of course I would dispute hotly that they are worse than anywhere else .”

and to make our party the welcoming movement that is has always been. “Prejudice and hatred of Jewish people has no place whatsoever in society and every one of us has a responsibility to ensure it is never allowed to fester again. I want to pay tribute to the work of the Community Security Trust in monitoring and combating antiSemitic attacks for 30 years. “But their reporting shows that antiSemitism is on the rise and last year they reported that there were 22 attacks on Jewish schools in the previous year, and it is a mark of shame on our society that many of our Jewish schools now need security guards.”

12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Show nominated / Communal vote / News

Holocaust antiques show LINE UP IS CONFIRMED nominated for a BAFTA FOR BOARD ELECTIONS The Antiques Roadshow Holocaust Memorial has been nominated for a BAFTA. The popular daytime show, hosted by Fiona Bruce, ran a special hour-long edition in January featuring broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Items that helped to share stories of the Shoah included family silver hidden from the Nazis, a pair of striped trousers worn in Auschwitz and a gold coin used by a family as currency when fleeing over the Pyrenees. At the time, programme makers said: “In a rare break from tradition, the items screened will not be valued due to their Fiona Bruce and guests on the special show

priceless nature and historical importance.” A spokesperson tweeted: “We’re so proud our show has been nominated. Huge thanks to the incredibly brave people who shared their experiences with us.” The original concept for the programme came from Jewish News writer and columnist Jenni Frazer, before the idea was taken on by the government and BBC. The show is up for a BAFTA in the Features category, competing against Channel 5’s Cruising with Jane McDonald, Channel 4’s The Secret Life of the Zoo and BBC2’s No More Boys and Girls, exploring whether children can go gender-free.

With two weeks to go before the close of nominations for the new Board of Deputies leadership, the organisation has unveiled a list of candidates for the top three senior positions, writes Jenni Frazer. Treasurer Stuart Marie Edwin Sheila Van der Zyl Shuker Gewolb MacDonald is the only deputy who is standing again, unopposed. stein, the deputy for JNF Gary Mond; and Vice presidents Sheila Gewolb and Roslyn Pine, a deputy for North Salford SynaMarie Van der Zyl have both decided to run gogue who has angrily challenged the leftfor president, to succeed Jonathan Arkush, wing Zionist group, Yachad. with Gewolb hedging her bets by declaring Tal Ofer, who represents Chigwell and a bid for a vice presidential position Hainault Synagogue on the Board, has allied as well. himself on the right of the community. The two women face a dark horse chalAlso in the race for vice president is lenger for president — Baghdad-born Edwin Amanda Bowman, who chairs the Board’s Shuker, vice chair of the board’s international social action team and is its gender equality division and a campaigner for the rights of lead. She represents Hampstead Synagogue Jews from Arab lands. for the deputies. Shuker is believed to have powerful Nominations for the next triennial — the |support from Richard Benson, the former posts are held for three years — close on 26 director of the Community Security April, with elections taking place on 13 May. Trust, who is thought to be running his Hustings will be held in Manchester, campaign. London, and Glasgow in the first weeks of Candidates for the vice presidential slot May and it is thought that separate hustings include Manchester lawyer Robert Festen- may be held by the Reform movement.

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

Special Report / Refugees At Home

Once we were strangers Stephen Oryszczuk meets Jewish families in London helping refugees and asylum seekers find their feet as they acclimatise to a new country

n the midst of preparing a seder table for 19 people, Sara Nathan tells me Jews, Quakers and LGBTQ+ people are “disproportionately more likely” to open their homes to refugees. It’s a fascinating insight from someone who should know, because Nathan runs Refugees at Home, a small one-man-band-type charity trying to pair refugees and asylum seekers with people willing to give them a bed, whether for a weekend, a week, a month or even a year. Doesn’t the government have to provide housing? Yes, she says, but only until someone’s asylum claim is processed. Once it’s been heard, they have 28 days to leave. If unsuccessful they can appeal, but have to find somewhere else to live in the meantime. Even if they’re successful and are granted leave to remain, they still have to find somewhere to live within a month. “When you’ve spent all your money getting here, you don’t speak the language and have no references to get a job to get a deposit to get a room, 28 days isn’t a lot,” says Nathan. “That’s why we need people to step in and offer a bed.”

Enter people like Rabbi Robyn AshworthSteen of Jackson’s Row Synagogue in Prestwich, Manchester, one of many British Jews to host a refugee, a young female doctor from Afghanistan in her late 20s who, for good reason, asks not to be named. She had her request for asylum approved last year and in February Ashworth-Steen saw her profile pop up, asking for urgent accommodation in Manchester so she found she could transfer her medical skills to British certificates. “We’ve had interesting discussions, about Judaism and Islam, the culture of Afghanistan, how women are treated, and of course about food,” says Ashworth-Steen. “She asked us if we bless our food. We explained and asked her to do a blessing one evening in Arabic. My five-year old son Gabriel was mesmerised. He thought it sounded very similar to Hebrew.” Ashworth-Steen continues: “Explaining kashrut was interesting, and now having to explain Passover, with two sets of plates and cutlery…! She’s never met anyone Jewish, let alone lived with a rabbi, and her knowledge is very limited, but she’s interested. She asked ‘do you have

Iranian refugee Reza, 28, with his host Miriam Levin at her home in Crouch End

moved in only a month ago and seems to need any books on Judaism?’ I gave her five!” The female doctor is the first refugee Ash- more help. Perhaps it’s just that she’s experienced. worth-Steen’s family have hosted. She says they “Yemane is the second refugee we’ve hosted,” she decided to give it a go because they had a spare tells me after Yemane has skipped upstairs to room and wanted to put it to some use, but admits message his friends. “The first was from Sudan, we had him for six months. He was older, very difto having had reservations. “In part it was about privacy,” she says. “It’s ferent, very focused. He knew much more where difficult enough to have in-laws for a few days. he was going, what he wanted to do. He went to This is having a stranger come and live with you the library every day, using the internet to look for an indefinite period.” Was there any concern for jobs. He knew English , which helped. He had over security? “A bit, but it was fleeting. We soon a few false starts, working in places that didn’t realised she was far more scared, living with pay him, but finally found a job and moved into a room. It’s small, not very nice, but at least it’s his.” strangers in a strange city, knowing no-one.” It’s a bit like fostering, I venture. “It is a bit. In Finchley, I meet Yemane, a 20-year old Eritrean who is all smiles, a boy’s body and a You have to be around to offer advice. One may boy’s mentality. He’s being looked after by Sara say late at night ‘I have to fill in this form, can you help me?’ It’s like if Mohr, a psychologist your kid says ‘I’ve got whose own sons are this essay to hand in, just a little older than can you read it?’” him. Yemane speaks What do her own only a little English, sons make of what his first tongue being their mum’s doing? Amheric, but says he’s “They think it’s great. a Christian and that It’s all very friendly. religious persecution The Sudanese guy in 2002, when the came to [her eldest government began boy] Sam’s wedding.” closing churches, Reza was granted leave to remain by the How did she get meant he had to flee – Home Office last year involved with Refuaged four – to Sudan gees at Home? “We saw an advert in the synawith his mother. Using a map, he shows us his next 16 years, a gogue for a talk. We said we’d go and sit at the circuitous route through hell-holes in eastern back, but when we arrived we were two of four, and northern Africa, including Ethiopia and so there was no hiding, there was no back! There Libya, via all manner of dangers, finally crossing was a refugee and a host who explained what it over on a smuggler’s boat crammed with 400 was like, and we decided to do it. A social worker came to assess us, then we got an email asking if people, landing 13 hours later in Sicily. Now, sat in a comfy chair, he tells us about we’d take someone. They came to dinner with us, his plans, about how good he is at riding motor- he seemed very pleasant with his mentor, so we bikes (“very excellent”) and how he wants to get a agreed.” Do Jewish values come into it? “I don’t scooter and a licence and work as a delivery man. He’s all enthusiasm but no focus. Sara says she’ll think of it like that. I think my husband does. help him, but not financially. He doesn’t know His family fled here from Germany, so he feels strongly that we need to look after refugees, how he’ll get the money. From an hour’s observation, Mohr seems because it was us once and could be us at any in many ways motherly towards Yemane, who time. It could be anyone. We can’t turn a blind

12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Refugees At Home / Special Report small fortune to take him by car over the border, through Turkey, and across to Greece in a dinghy, before flying to the UK on fake papers. What about his family? “They didn’t know I converted, but when I started having issues they learned of it.” What issues? He doesn’t want to say. Was his life threatened? He nods. “Ten days later I got out. I paid all my money. I just wanted to get to a safe country. Greece wasn’t safe – there were fascist gangs, targeting the camps. People were regularly beaten up. So I came to the UK.” Catherine and Levin have been his saviours. “I spent a night in a homeless shelter. They were drunk. It was awful.” Where would he be if not for Levin?

Eritrean refugee Yemane, 20, with host Sara Mohr at her home in Finchley

eye. My family were a little different in that they came here in the early part of the 20th century and came for a better life. They were refugees in a sense and lucky that they managed it, but not everyone falls on their feet.” Across her dining table in Crouch End, Miriam Levin talks to her guest Reza, a 28-year old Iranian man who came to the UK following his conversion to Christianity – a big no-no in Iran. “Here, it doesn’t matter,” he says through his translator Catherine. “In Iran, it really does.” Levin, a diminutive civil servant with short curly hair, is the first Jew he’s met, although

there’s a 20,000-strong community in Iran. “The Iranian people have no problem with Jewish people, it’s the governments,” he says. “Everyone knows Iran sees Israel as a bad country.” Levin says: “It sounds like Iran separates Jews from Israelis in a way maybe we don’t do very well… There’s more conflation here”. Israel sees Iran as a danger - is the view reciprocated? “Yes,” says Reza. “Iran sees Israel as a danger. We know there could be war.” Over an hour, the shy young man tells us how he came to the UK last year, paying traffickers a

Manchester Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen with her family

He doesn’t know. His is a day-at-a-time existence. He’s safe now, though, in Levin’s nine-yearold daughter Ariel’s bedroom, the conscientious youngster having given it up for “someone who needs it more than we do”, agreeing to share with her younger sibling. It made Levin and husband Mickey proud, “even though the first response was ‘yes but only if we can have a dog’.”

The family decided to invite a stranger into their home after a year travelling with their two young girls. Was there a safety consideration, because of the kids? “No,” says Levin. “In fact, the kids were part of the reason for doing it.” She says she’d have rather had a woman than a man, but learned from the charity there are far more men than women needing accommodation. She adds: “I trust people until proven otherwise. I trust the organisation and its vetting procedure.” Why did she do it? Abroad, she says, the family “saw real poverty, real problems… It made us realise just how lucky we were and showed the children that where we live, that’s wonderful, but it’s not normal for most of the world… We were left asking how could we make a difference? ” It spurred weeks of family discussions. “We spoke to the kids about refugees, about having your own home and having to leave it, about how that’s what happened to Jews during the war,” she says. “Their learning about what Jews went through was very much part of the discussion and the rationale.” So, it’s because they’re Jewish? “No, it’s because it’s the right thing to do.” I tell Levin that from what Sara Nathan has seen, Jews are one of the three minorities disproportionately more likely to take refugees. “Really? I didn’t know. Aren’t Jews lovely! Maybe it’s because we have a history. We’ve been the other people, at the mercy of other communities. If we can learn from our history, be better, do well by people and be open, generous and kind, then I think we have a duty to do that. For me, is it a Jewish thing? Maybe. Do I think it’s a Jewish value? No, I think it’s a human value.”

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

News / Alec Ward mourned / Charity honoured

Tributes to one of ‘The Boys’ Tributes have been paid to Holocaust survivor and “unsung hero” Alec Ward, who has died aged 91. Born in Lublin, Poland, in 1927, Alec endured two ghettos, three slave labour camps and two concentration camps before making his way to Britain. Aged 18, Alec, who was born Abraham Warszaw, flew to England in October 1945 as one of 732 child survivors of the Shoah, as part of the group affectionately known as “The Boys”. The only survivor from his family, Alec was first prisoner at Skarzysko Kamienna slave labour camp, where he endured two years of brutal treatment, before being held at Chestochowa, Buchenwald, Flossberg and eventually

Alec Ward was an ‘unsung hero’

Pictured on his arrival in the UK

Mauthausen, where he was liberated on 5 May 1945 by American forces. After settling in England, Alec

became a tailor and then a quality controller for Windsmoor. He met Hettie Cohen in 1952 and the

couple married in 1953. They had two children, Lyla and Mark, who died aged 23 in 1981 of melanoma. His grandson Liron is named after Alec’s younger brother Laib, who was shot by the Nazis, and welcomed his son-in-law Barend and his children into the family. Karen Pollock of the Holocaust Educational Trust said: “Alec was a wonderful man. He dedicated his life to ensuring the world remembered what happened during the Holocaust.” Maurice Helfgott, a spokesman for the ’45 Aid Society and son of survivor Ben Helfgott, also one of the remaining members of “The Boys”, said: “Alec was a man of great serenity, humility and warmth. He was much loved.”

ISRAELI HEART CHARITY RECOGNISED BY UN An Israeli charity dedicated to helping children with heart disease in developing countries has won the 2018 United Nations Population Award. Since it was founded in 1995, Save A Child’s Heart (SACH), based at Wolfson Medical Centre in Holon, has carried out almost 4,800 lifesaving surgeries on children

from 56 countries and trained 117 doctors and clinicians. The non-profit organisation performs operations free of charge, while staff donate time and other expenses are covered by fundraisers and benefactors from around the world. Many of the children come from Gaza, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Committee for the UN Population Award annually honours an individual or institution in recognition of outstanding contributions to issues of population and reproductive health and their solutions. Lead surgeon Dr Lior Sasson was honoured at Jewish News’ Night of Heroes

in February. SACH trustee David Silverston said: “This, together with Dr Sasson’s recent award, is the highest recognition of the lifesaving work being carried out by SACH and one every Jew and Israeli can take pride in. These awards justify our slogan: ‘Mending hearts, building bridges.’”

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WORLD NEWS BRIEFS

LOCALS UPSET OVER US EMBASSY MOVE Israelis living near the site of what is slated next month to become the US Embassy in Jerusalem have asked the country’s Supreme Court to block the security changes deemed necessary by the United States. Residents from the Arnona neighbourhood, in the southern part of the city, have complained that a planned 13-foot-high stone security wall will obscure their view to the east. They also say a planned escape road is digging up a picturesque hillside.

OLMERT ASKS RIVLIN FOR A PARDON Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who spent 16 months in jail on a bribery conviction, has asked the country’s president to pardon him in order to erase his criminal record. Olmert made the request of President Reuven Rivlin on Monday. A pardon would allow Olmert to return to politics. Rivlin had turned down a previous pardon request by Olmert while he was still in prison. The president, however, lifted all parole restrictions from Olmert two days after he left jail last July, nine months early. [JTA]

12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Royal backing / Israel’s 70th / World News

Prince pens praise for Jonny Prince William has paid tribute to the “honesty and openness” of a Jewish mental health campaigner in the foreword of a new book, writes Jack Mendel. The Duke of Cambridge introduces Jonny Benjamin’s The Stranger on the Bridge a decade after the campaigner was saved from suicide by Neil Laybourn, who was passing by. Benjamin said he was “incredibly humbled and honoured” to have Prince William contributing, as Kensington Palace tweeted praise for his “bravery, passion and determination” and the “incredible example” he sets, raising money for charity and speaking in schools about mental health. Prince William writes that “mental

health is not a dirty word – we all have mental health like we do physical health, good or ill”. He adds: “But I have seen time and time again how not seeking help when it all seems too much can impact the rest of our lives.... At times for Jonny it has been hard but thanks to a strong support network and his personal determination to get through, he provides an extraordinary example to us all.” Reflecting on his personal relationship with former JFS pupil Benjamin, the Duke of Cambridge adds that he first met him “along with Neil – the Stranger on the Bridge’ in 2016 when we sat overlooking the River Thames at Waterloo”. He explained: “We talked about the

William and Kate with Jonny and Neil

desperate day that brought them both together, and Jonny’s brave journey since then to raise awareness of what it is like to live with mental illness.” He adds that “on the several occasions we have met through The Royal Foundation’s Heads Together campaign

I have been struck not only by Jonny’s honesty and openness but his ability to show that a mental health diagnosis should not put limitations upon anyone. “With Neil, I watched him run the London Marathon past that very same bridge where their journey began, and I know there is so much more on this journey to come.” Benjamin, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder and received an MBE in 2016 for services to mental health and suicide prevention, said: “l hope it will help people who are experiencing any kind of mental health struggle.”  The Stranger on the Bridge: My Journey from Despair to Hope, is published by Bluebird on 3 May

ZF PARTY WILL BE ‘UNFORGETTABLE’ More than 1,000 people are set to celebrate Israel’s landmark 70th anniversary at the Zionist Federation’s biggest festival in Europe. Some 40 community organisations have come together to be part of this enormous simcha and some classes of tickets have already sold out. Jewish News is media partner at the event, which organisers promise will be a night to remember.

The headline acts are the incredible Israeli artists Hadag Nahash and Ehud Banai, who will also be joined by X Factor finalists Jack & Joel, Israeli dancers, a school’s choir, Israeli food, photo booths and more. ZF chairman Paul Charney said: “We are enormously proud to be hosting the biggest celebration of Israel in the UK in years. “This is going to be an unforget-

table party, mirroring exactly how Yom Ha’atzmaut is celebrated every year in Israel. “I am looking forward to being able to celebrate with all of you and to help bring in the next 70 years of the story of Israel!”  Tickets at zionist.org.uk/event/ YH70. To receive a 10 percent discount, use code ZFYH7010OFF

NEWS IN BRIEF

PALESTINE GROUP CRITICISED FOR ‘ZIO’ The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) has been criticised for using the term “zio” to describe supporters of Israel. The Sunday Herald newspaper reported that the lobby group used the word on four occasions on its Facebook page. It was labelled as a “term of abuse” by Labour’s Chakrabarti report into anti-Semitism. The group’s leader Mick Napier told the newspaper: “I use ‘zio’ because I am hostile to the political ideology of Zionism. ‘Zio is not to be confused remotely with a racist epithet.” Glasgow Friends of Israel said it was “unsurprising” the SPSC used this “vile word”.

RACIST GRAFFITI IS CONDEMNED Community leaders and the local MP have condemned the daubing of Nazi graffiti in Dollis Hill. Swastikas and an SS symbol were spray-painted on street signs, a bus stop, and outside people’s houses in the area. Labour MP Dawn Butler said she was “horrified” by the graffiti and a vigil entitled We Are Dollis Hill; No Nazis Here was held on Tuesday night. The graffiti has since been removed.

the kkl team wish israel happy 70th birthday As an organisation deeply rooted in the Jewish community for seventy years, KKL provide expert advice on all aspects of Will Drafting and Estate Planning, and this advice is absolutely free* when you leave a legacy to JNF UK to help support its vital work in the Negev. For more information please contact the KKL team:

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

News / Charity tech / Yom HaShoah 2018

Our day to remember Hundreds will gather in London on Sunday to mark Yom HaShoah. The occasion marks 75 years since the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and will feature Game of Thrones actress Laura Pradelska, who has been recalling the stories of each of her four grandparents, who all survived the Holocaust. The date also marks the liberation of Bergen-Belsen, and former camp inmate Gena Turgel, who lives in north London,

will recall her story, including how Norman Turgel – an English soldier who helped liberate the camp – later became her husband. The free event will be staged at the national Holocaust Memorial Gardens in Hyde Park, with this year’s Yom HaShoah theme that of “defiance”. The ceremony will include performances by combined male voice choirs and well as the choirs of Jewish schools. Those attending

will hear the unknown story of AJEX executive director and Yom HaShoah UK vice president Jacques Weisser, who was smuggled out of Belgium as a child by his mother before she was killed in Auschwitz. Neil Martin, chair of Yom HaShoah, said: “Our mission has been to get our day of remembrance back on the map of the Jewish communal calendar.”  To book free tickets, visit yomhashoah.org.uk

Sadiq Khan at the 2016 Yom HaShoah event

WEAR YOUR LOVE ON YOUR WRIST UJIA has launched a new campaign that allows people to show their love for Israel by literally wearing it on their sleeve, writes Jenni Frazer. Spearheading the “7000 reasons” campaign are four specially designed bracelets, carrying the Hebrew words for love, peace, dream and friends, which UJIA are selling nationally through schools and shops, as well as online. Almost 400 were sold in the first 24 hours and there have been pre-orders totalling more than 2,400.

As the director of fundraising, Jacalyn Sank Da Costa, explained, UJIA decided this year not to fundraise during Pesach as it usually does, but instead to focus on Israel’s 70th anniversary of independence. The “7,000 reasons” campaign aims to raise £700,000 to reach 7,000 more children and teenagers in Israel and the UK.

Appy launch for Young Jewish Care A casual conversation between the head of Young Jewish Care (YJC) and her cousin has led to the launch of a nifty new app to help young professionals get involved with the charity. Rob Murad, who spent his evenings and weekends on the project, said: “I haven’t really been engaged in the community and didn’t think volun-

teering was my kind of thing. “But when Lauren Shahmoon came to me to discuss the app I could see a way for me to get involved and do my own kind of volunteering. “It’s been great for me. I knew little about the work of Jewish Care and I have really enjoyed finding out more and feeling that I am doing something that will have a positive outcome.”

Murad, who by day works in the family residential property business, admits he has a passion for technology that led him after university to start making apps “for fun”. Among his creations was a football game called Footy Face Off, which at its peak had 20,000 downloads. He said: “Even though the

process of learning to develop apps was slow, I enjoyed the problem solving, the logic behind the building of one and the buzz you get when it all comes together.” Murad won’t put a target figure on how many people he hopes will download the app, but said: “I will be happy with every extra person who gets involved with YJC because of it.”

Two YJC supporters with the app

12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

Special Report / March of the Living 2018

UK sends its biggest group to annual memorial march

WALKING IN MEMORY AND IN CELEBRATION BY JOAN RYAN MP & CHAIR, LABOUR FRIENDS OF ISRAEL

Britain’s largest March of the Living delegation is set to join more than 12,000 people from around the world for today’s 30th annual memorial march at Auschwitz – with the theme of ‘From Holocaust to redemption’. The march is the culmination of four days of tours, trips and education for the 275 members of the UK’s delegation, which included visits to Auschwitz and Majdanek concentration camps, the Warsaw Ghetto and Zbylitowska Gora Forest, home to a series of mass graves including one containing 800 babies and young children. March of the Living UK founder Scott Saunders said: “We’ve looked at 1,000 years of Polish Jewish history, at elements of how that led to the Shoah, at elements of the mechanics of the Shoah,

Photos by Sam Churchill for MOTL UK

By Andrew Sherwood in Poland andrews@thejngroup.com @JewishNewsUK

Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh in Majdanek and the UK March of the Living delegation

observed monuments and visited Auschwitz. We’ve looked at the resurgence of Jewish life today and the fact the story didn’t end in 1945 – it changed. March of the Living is very much about looking forward.” Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda walked the 3km route from Auschwitz to the

crematoria at Birkenau. Rivlin said: “After 70 years of the state of Israel, and the rebirth of the Jewish people’s independence, we say Am Yisrael Chai. This is a march of living in a place where there was only death. This is a bright light in the place where there was only darkness.” Benjamin Netanyahu, who was not at the event, said: “The

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March of the Living symbolises the rebirth and the resilience of the Jewish people and state.” Chelsea Football Club became the first Premier League side to send a delegation, which included chairman Bruce Buck and ex-manager Avram Grant.  Read Andrew Sherwood’s March of The Living blogs at jewishnews.co.uk

I’ve just returned from taking part in March of the Living. It provided the chance to reflect on the sheer depravity of the attempt to wipe out a whole people and their memory. But we also celebrated life, in particular those who survived the Holocaust. I had read some of their remarkable stories. Stories of tragedy and loss, but also of bravery, love, and the endurance of the human spirit. Stories like that of the late Sabina Miller, whose experience fired a determination to preach the virtues of tolerance and kindness. We also celebrated the lives of the righteous who fulfilled the Talmudic injunction: to save one life is to save the entire world. But to truly honour those who died in the Shoah – and those who risked all to

save the lives of others – we must also learn from it. Anti-Semitism remains one of the great scourges of the modern world but it is present where mass extermination took place just seven decades ago. In Poland, some seek to make political capital by denying the Shoah was aided and abetted by Hitler’s willing executioners in occupied countries. In Hungary, right-wing populists spin repugnant conspiracy theories about philanthropists such as George Soros. Last month, British Jews organised a protest against anti-Semitism in the Labour Party. Those seeking to boycott the only Jewish state make comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany, and those wishing to hold campus events supporting Israel are harassed and intimidated. We must always recall that the Holocaust was a uniquely evil event.

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12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Syrian attacks / Hungarian election / Boycott movement / World News

Israel ‘behind Syrian strikes’ The Israeli Air Force was behind the latest air strike in Syria, and launched eight missiles on a Syrian base, Russia’s defence ministry has claimed. A Syrian military official also stated that Israel was behind the attack. Russia said two Israeli fighter jets launched the attack on the T4 air base in central Syria from Lebanon’s air space in the early hours of Monday. The ministry said Syria shot down five out of the eight missiles that targeted the base. It said the other three landed in

The Syrian air base targeted earlier this week

the western part of the T4 base. Syrian state TV, meanwhile, quoted the unnamed military official as saying Israeli F-15 warplanes had fired several

missiles while flying over neighbouring Lebanon. Fourteen people, including Iranians, were reported to have been killed in the missile attack.

Rami Abdulrahman, who leads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said most of those killed were either Iranians or members of Iran-backed groups. Earlier, US President Donald Trump promised a “big price to pay” for the weekend’s suspected chemical attack. The US launched several dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles at a Syrian air base last year after a chemical attack in the northern Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun killed dozens of people.

Hungarian election sparks ‘concern’ Jewish leaders this week cautioned against the “very worrying” racist and anti-Semitic messaging that helped the Hungarian Prime Minister to re-election. Viktor Orban (pictured)’s right-wing Fidesz Party, which warns against “Muslim invaders” and calls

migrants “poison”, was returned to power with a two-thirds majority. “We are very concerned at some of the messages at the heart of Viktor Orban’s election campaign,” said Board of Deputies’ chief executive Gillian Merron. “There were also worrying anti-

Victor: Viktor

Semitic undertones in the relentless campaign Fidesz waged against

George Soros.” A Jewish-American financier with Hungarian roots, Soros supports liberal causes around the world, including organisations critical of Orban. This led to what many saw as an Orban-orchestrated anti-Semitic poster campaign against Soros.

The Israeli Ambassador to Hungary condemned the posters at the time but, the next day, the Israeli foreign ministry said Soros – a Holocaust survivor – “undermines Israel’s democratic governments by funding organisations that defame the Jewish state”.

WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF

Your weekly digest of stories from the international press POLAND

Jewish heritage groups have said they owe ‘a big thanks’ to Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Glinski for the decision to build a museum of the Warsaw Ghetto. The museum, due to be completed in 2023, will be housed in a building that was once home to a hospital within the confines of the ghetto.

ICELAND

Jews in Iceland have held their first seder with a resident rabbi after 27-year-old New York native Rabbi Avi Feldman and his wife Mushky moved there in February. To the outside world, the timing seemed odd, as Icelandic politicians are trying to ban ritual circumcision of boys before the age of 16.

LITHUANIA

Lithuania may become the next European country to introduce laws limiting free speech about the Holocaust. Nationalists were angered about a 2016 book that detailed Lithuanian collaboration. Poland recently introduced a similar law banning reference to ‘Polish death camps’ or Polish complicity.

UNITED STATES

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) filed a letter of support for Donald Trump’s travel ban with the US Supreme Court. The ZOA said Trump’s six-country ban, which includes Yemen, Somalia, Libya and Syria, was ‘not a Muslim travel ban’ but said the states were ‘infested with terrorist groups and sympathisers’. “A French doctor arrives in Gaza to help wounded Palestinians,” the Palestinian Information Center wrote in the post on its Facebook page – next to a picture of actress Katherine Heigl from medical TV drama Grey’s Anatomy.

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

Special Report / Energising Africa

Africa gains from Israel’s solar system A charity that brought solar energy to poverty-stricken villagers is giving thousands of people a new lease of life, as Stephen Oryszczuk reports The founder and chief executive of an Israeli charity installing solar technology in more than 170 African villages is on her way back to London from Manchester. Sivan Yaari of Innovation Africa has just been speaking at Manchester Grammar School and explains how one student tugged her heartstrings when he said: “Things like this make me proud to be Jewish and proud of Israel.” What is it that has just made this youngster

Left, installing solar panels; above, villagers gather round their new water pumping system

so proud? Yaari was telling her audience how her charity installs solar, water and irrigation systems in poor villages in Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Senegal and Cameroon. The mission, Yaari says, is to help Africans beat the poverty trap. “Africa is still in poverty because of the lack of energy. And because there is no energy, people are still searching for water, because there is no energy to pump water.”

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Yaari’s personal journey began when she was working for an international textiles firm in Africa 19 years ago. As “desperate” people waited for treatment, she started asking about the local health facilities. “They said we don’t have vaccines because we don’t have a fridge, and we don’t have a fridge because we don’t have electricity. Women were giving birth with candles and kerosene lamps for lighting. I went to the local school where it was the same, children trying to study in the dark.” The solution was obvious, but bringing electricity isn’t simple. “It’s not about one or two villages,” Yaari told the TED Talks audience in Tel Aviv in 2016. “It’s a continent, 54 countries.” In most, she says, most of the population don’t have electricity – that’s about 640 million people, many of whom will never have seen a lightbulb. Satellite images of the world at night show Africa is not lit but for the north and south tips . So Yaari went to New York to study energy, raised money from friends, bought two solar panels and went back to the medical centre to instal them, providing electricity inside and out. The centre also bought a fridge. Vaccinations started next day. Two weeks later, a doctor agreed to work in the village “because he could now treat the patients”. She did the same with the school. But who was going to pay for lightbulbs? The village had no money and Yaari wasn’t going to fly from Israel to do it (“that would be an expensive bulb”). That’s when she hit on the idea of the villagers raising the money themselves. “They don’t have shoes, and few clothes, but they have cell-phones,” she says. “Where do they charge them? Apparently, a guy collects them and takes them to another village where they had a car. People were paying 10 cents to use the car’s battery to charge their cell-phones.” It gave her the idea to help the medical centre

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Sivan Yaari, centre, joins villagers to celebrate the arrival of one of the sets of solar panels

and the school by letting people use the new solar panels to charge their phones – for 10 cents. Word spread, phones were charged. “They had more money than they need,” Yaari recalls. “They had enough money to buy the lightbulbs themselves.” She rolled the project out to more centres and schools but during a visit one day and asking why there were only a few children there was told famine, with lack of food and – more important – water, had rendered them “too weak to walk”. “I realised we were fixing the wrong problem,” she said. “People were weak and unhealthy because the water was making them sick. There is water in Africa in the aquifers. What people need is energy to pump it up.” Project complete, Yaari then added an extra tank “because from Israel I brought drip irrigation, because now they have water, they can grow food with it. No more famine. Just by bringing them water, we changed the village.” The village displayed entrepreneurial zeal, she says, by selling vegetables and using water to make bricks to make homes and selling these too, three cents per brick. Today the charity offers Jewish philanthropic families the chance to “adopt” schools, orphanages, medical centres or even whole villages in much the same way Yaari did. It costs £13,000 to bring solar panels to a school or centre, £35,000 to bring water. Some families see it as a bar or batmitzvah project, others team up as part of a larger organisations, be they synagogues or companies. Some donors are Jewish, others are Christian. Yaari says: “We know how much energy our projects are producing and consuming, so we can predict problems before they start and protect the investments of our donors, keeping our systems strong and ensuring they provide our communities with the energy they need and deserve.”

12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Gaza clashes / Airport ads / World News

Disability, not dependency.

In the footsteps of Gandhi: Terror chief Ismail Haniyeh at the Israel-Gaza border protest

Nine killed during protests The Israeli Journalists Association has written a letter to the IDF Chief of Staff urging it to investigate the death of a Palestinian journalist killed while covering Friday’s protests in Gaza. Israeli troops opened fire from across the Gaza border, and Palestinian journalist Yasser Murtaga was among nine people killed and hundreds injured, 33 seriously. Thousands of Pal-

estinians protested along Gaza’s border with Israel, engulfing the area in black smoke from burning tyres for the second consecutive week. The Union of Journalists in Israel said: “Journalists – of any nation – are present in areas of confrontation to report on events. The army of a democratic country should not harm reporters who are doing their jobs.” Murtaga was

reported to have died from a gunshot wound sustained while covering protests near the border in Khuzaa. Murtaga worked for Ain media, a local TV production company that has done projects, including aerial drone video, for foreign media. The IDF said it was looking into the incident and that it fired only at “instigators” involved in attacks on soldiers or the border. Unnamed Israeli offi-

cials said Murtaga was linked with Hamas. Rights groups have branded Israel’s openfire orders on the border as unlawful, after Israel’s defence minister warned those approaching the fence they were risking their lives. The UN said it has indications Israeli forces used “excessive force” against protesters last week. A total of 31 Palestinians are believed to have been killed.

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‘Stay put’ advert banned in aircraft seats row Adverts telling female passengers they do not have to give up their plane seat to accommodate the wishes of strictly Orthodox men will not to be allowed in Israeli airports, authorities have said. An initiative of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), the ads inform women that it is illegal for cabin crew to ask them to move seats because religious men are uncomfortable, but Israel’s airports authority has said it will not display them.

IRAC wanted the advertising at Ben-Gurion Airport over Pesach, one of the year’s busiest travel times, and said it based its campaign on a recent court ruling that had confirmed the legal position. That case, held in June, involved 82-year-old Holocaust survivor Renee Rabinowitz, who successfully sued El Al for gender discrimination after she was asked by the

plane’s crew to move seats. The ads, which read “Ladies, please take your seat … and keep it”, were deemed “political or divisive” by airport authorities. IRAC director Anat Hoffman said the practice of asking women to move was “discriminatory, dehumanising and illegal”. She said: “Since the ruling, we believe it’s still happening. Women are still not sure whether it’s kosher or not.”

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LAWSUIT AGAINST BOYCOTT THREAT ‘NAZI’ BOOKS FILED TO MESSI MATCH A landmark lawsuit was filed this week against a publisher of alleged Nazi propaganda books. The Polish accusers aged in their 80s – who include two Shoah survivors who were saved from the Warsaw Ghetto as children and a former fighter of the Polish Home Army and Warsaw Uprising –

have filed the first civil case of its kind. Supported by The Lawfare Project, the lawsuit was lodged against Gdansk-based publisher Andrzej Ryba and limited company Katmar, who have printed works glorifying Hitler and the Shoah by Belgian Nazi collaborator SS officer Léon Degrelle.

A boycott campaign is threatening a highlyanticipated football match between the national teams of Israel and Argentina. The campaign sponsored by BDS Argentina is using the motto “Argentina don’t go” to Israel, or #ArgentinaNoVayas. BDS stands for the boycott, divestment and sanctions move-

ment against Israel. A r g e n t i n a ’s national team, including global star Lionel Messi, who plays for the Spanish team Barcelona, is scheduled to play against Israel in its last friendly match on 9 June in Tel Aviv, just one week before the opening of the 2018 World Cup tournament in Russia.

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

Editorial comment and letters VOICE OF THE JEWISH NEWS

1049

Ties? What ties?

It’s unlike Israelis to pull a punch. So it proved in this week’s letter from Israel’s Labour Party to Britain’s Labour Party, announcing that they would be cutting ties between the two leadership teams. Among the stinging criticisms were those accusing Corbyn of “showing hostility to [Britain’s] Jewish community” and of “allowing anti-Semitic statements and actions”. Critics say this huffing and puffing is meant to blow Corbyn’s house down. They will see left-wing Israeli leader Avi Gabbay’s letter as simply the latest wheeze, body blows designed to weaken a Labour leader on the ropes. The Jewish community, by contrast, will see it as the latest expression of frustration, though the chances of it changing anything are miniscule. In part, this is because Gabbay’s promise to “cut ties” to Corbyn’s leadership team begs the question: “What ties?” Corbyn has done little to build bridges. This should be no surprise. He sees Israel as a human rights abusing occupier colonising Palestinians’ homeland with neither permission nor entitlement. There’s an old saying, about leading a horse to water. Avi, you can take the water away, but you can’t make it wish you hadn’t.

A migrant mess The shambles over Israel’s handling of its African migrants needs to be seen to be believed. How did the crisis occur? About 10 years ago, thousands of people from north-east Africa, mainly Sudan and Eritrea, made their way up to Egypt, where they were trafficked to the Sinai. At the time, and up until 2012, there was no border fence between Israel and Egypt, so many crossed over. They were allowed to work and given the bus fare up to southern Tel Aviv, an already poor area, where many settled. Since 2012, the number of migrants crossing into Israel has dried up, but the group that came from 2008 to 2012 numbers about 38,000. Israel has wondered what to do with them ever since. The subject seemed stalled, until late last year, when Netanyahu announced plans to fly them out to two African countries – Uganda and Rwanda – for a few thousand shekels each. Cue the furore. There were large protests So it was with huge relief the Jewish world heard that Israel had struck a deal with the UN. Israel would keep half (about 16,000) and western nations would take the other half. Cue the fanfare. However, that lasted a matter of hours, before nationalist coalition partners went ballistic and the prime minister caved. What happens next is anyone’s guess. What should happen, however, seems clearer with every passing day.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send us your comments PO Box 815, London HA8 4SX | letters@thejngroup.com

STOP BEING CORBYN’S MOUTHPIECE JN Suddenly, Corbyn is the poster Why did you report on Jeremy boy to eradicate it, saying: “It is Corbyn’s Passover message to sometimes harder to see it (antithe community this year? As British Jews said Semitism) when it is closer to Once again, Jewish News ‘Enough is enough’ on Labour antihome.” That presumably explains has become a mouthpiece for Semitism, we gave his Facebook posts. a stage-managed damage limi- Jeremy Corbyn a chance to finally He then had the bare-faced tation offensive, with Corbyn repair the damage. But his answers cheek to lecture us on the video spouting platitudes that have were simply… with a straight face saying “we all been carefully written for him need to do better”. No Jeremy, to recite. we don’t all need to do better, The fact his festive message YOU need to do better. Don’t shift started by including the comthe responsibility and your pitiful ment “We remember all our record on to everyone else. Jewish brothers and sisters” EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, REPORTS & REACTION, PAGES 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 24 & 26 Any Jews who vote Labour with reached a new height of Corbyn as leader and his gang of self-serving hypocrisy, even by his standards. hypocrites should lower their heads in shame. It wasn’t that long ago that he and major supporters such as Len McCluskey were critiRussell Ballen cising even the existence of anti-Semitism in By email the Labour Party. E IN XC TE LU RV SIV IE E W

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST JEWISH NEWSPAPER

29 March 2018

Photo by Marc Morris

ISSUE NO.

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13 Nisan 5778

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Issue No.1047

Sketches & kvetches

58 Shabbat comes in Friday night 7.38pm

Shabbat goes out Saturday night 8.49pm

Sedra: Shemini

STIRRING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RACISM The many attacks on Jeremy Corbyn for attending, as a guest, a local left-wing Jewish group’s Passover seder shows two things. First, there exists some political stirring that has nothing to do with antiSemitic concerns. After all, why else would there

be emphasis on the group being left-wing? Second, no longer should people speak of “the”Jewish community opposing Corbyn, for it is now clear that at least some Jews support him.

Peter Cave London W1

LET’S GET THE DEFINITION RIGHT: THIS IS HOSTILITY TOWARDS JEWS, NOT A COUNTRY

...for the government to stop Hezbollah terror flags flying in London at the Al Quds Day parade on 10 June

THIS WEEKEND'S SHABBAT TIMES...

@JewishNewsUK

NOT GOOD ENOUGH

THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES DAYS TO GO...

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“Don’t worry Jeremy, you don’t have to sing ‘God Save the Queen’. They’re using ‘Jerusalem’ instead!”

You stated in your editorial that “anti-Semitism...is thousands of years old and rears its ugly head in the form of criticism of a country” (Jewish News, 22 March). My Shorter Oxford English Dictionary defines

anti-Semitism as “hostility or opposition to Jews”. Would you please correct this – it is essential to be clear, and your “definition” is definitely not.

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12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Editorial comment and letters

Open letter to Jewish Leadership Council... The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) purports to represent the Jewish community. Jonathan Goldstein is its chairman, and with that responsibility comes accountability. Jewdas described Israel as “a steaming pile of sewage that needs to be properly disposed of”. On 3 April, in an interview with the Today programme, Mr Goldstein countered: “We’ve no issue with Jewdas and Jewdas having the opinions that it does. No community should have any problems with that.” I was surprised by this endorsement of Jewdas’ position and strongly urge it to provide answers to the following questions, for the community’s benefit. On whose behalf is it speaking – the community’s or the Jewish Leadership Council? Second, if this is indeed the community’s/JLC’s position, which other

3 WISE MONKEYS AND A MAN UNFIT TO LEAD

organisations concur? Third, why does the JLC “have no issue with” a democratic and sovereign nation state being labelled “a steaming pile of sewage”? Finally, why does the JLC differ with the IHRA definition of antiSemitism – criticism of Israel not levelled against any other country?

The new British Socialist Workers Party (formerly Labour) has a huge problem of its own making. Mr Corbyn reminds me of the three wise monkeys: Mizaru who sees no evil, Iwazaru who hears none, and Kikazaru who speaks none (at least not in public). Corbyn in my opinion detests the Jewish people, hates Israel and Zionism and attracts hatefilled morons. He is unfit to lead the so-called Labour (read ‘communist’) Party, let alone become our PM.

Jacob Lyons By email

Martin Cohen By email

JLC chairman Jonathan Goldstein

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Highest order hypocrisy Last week in the Gaza Strip, 18 Palestinians egged on by callous terrorists were killed by the Israel Defence Forces, which was doing its duty defending the Israeli border. As usual, the world is in meltdown, hurling vitriolic abuse and blaming Israel for a conflict not of its making. As usual with Israel, the UN immediately convened the Security Council and condemned the Jewish state, without any condemnation of Hamas duplicity.

The media followed suit, spewing out the usual anti-Israel mantra. On BBC radio news, I heard a 20-second item about Indian security forces killing 20 demonstrators in Kashmir. No UN emergency meeting, little in the press or anger from world leaders. This is hypocrisy of the highest order, fuelled by anti-Semitism.

Robert Dulin Winchmore Hill

Tune into this Friday’s Jewish Views podcast! • We speak to Olivia Marks-Woldman from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust about Alec Ward, who’s died aged 91. • Hear what happened at the CAA rally outside Labour HQ in central London. • Comedian Joe Bor chats on his show Room With A Jew.

HOW TO LISTEN... PODCAST: Fridays iTUNES ‘The Jewish Views’ WEB RADIO: Sundays at 10pm on Wandsworth Radio ONLINE: jewishnews.co.uk

• Our Rabbinic Thought For The Week comes from Rabbi Ben Kurzer of Edgware United.

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

Opinion

Netanyahu lashed out at us as we stand for democracy ADAM OGNALL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE, NEW ISRAEL FUND UK

efore Pesach, I wrote to our supporters explaining how our work is inspired by the message Atah b’nai chorin (once you were slaves and now you are free). I explained how we hoped to celebrate our freedom by helping others. Everyone deserves to raise their families and live their lives in peace – whether they are Israelis who live in south Tel Aviv or are people seeking asylum in Israel. And over the past couple of months, it has been inspiring to see massive numbers of Israelis who have taken to the streets to stand for this principle. Last Monday, the third day of Pesach, it seemed we would have this celebration when the Israeli government announced a deal with the UNHCR to resettle African asylum seekers in Israel or the West, rather than deport them to Africa. This agreement appeared to be a real moment of celebration for those standing up for the human treatment of 38,000 people

seeking protection and refuge in Israel. However, a few hours after announcing the deal, Benjamin Netanyahu backtracked and cancelled it following criticism from within his political coalition. He then went on to attack my organisation, the New Israel Fund (NIF), blaming us for scuttling his deal with Rwanda (it appeared he thought it would accept those being forcibly deported) and called for a parliamentary commission into our work. We see right through these threats from the prime minister. We know he is lashing out to deflect attention from his policy failures. And we are proud of what we are doing to stand for the rights of people seeking refuge and for the rights of all those who live in Israel. There is a reason Netanyahu is coming after NIF. We stand for equality. We fight for Israel’s democracy. And we give voice to the enormous number of Israelis who share our values. His decision is already having an impact. More than 2,500 Israelis – including Knesset Members and other public figures – donated to NIF in the first couple of days since his statement. More than 95 percent had

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EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE IN PEACE – BE THEY ISRAELIS IN SOUTH TEL AVIV OR ASYLUM SEEKERS

never donated to NIF before. These Israelis know it is about more than money. It is a statement of solidarity. It is a way to stand for free speech and for democracy. NIF did not pressure the Rwandan government to refuse to participate in the cruel plan. We did support massive numbers of Israelis standing up for what is right and demanding action from their own government – from airline pilots who would refuse to fly forced deportees, to headteachers, residents of South Tel Aviv and Holocaust survivors who spoke up for those seeking asylum.

NIF is proud of our work. Our position is clear when it comes to the people seeking asylum in Israel: everybody deserves to live and raise their families in safety. The Israeli Government needs to create an efficient process that fairly examines the case of every person seeking asylum. No person should be deported or detained until their case has been reviewed. Now that the government’s approach to the issue has failed, we are seeing Israelis stepping up again. We are working with them to make sure the policy that comes next respects human rights and that 38,000 people are not left in limbo. We also need to make sure the needs and voices of the long-term residents of south Tel Aviv, where many who seek asylum reside, are not ignored. The threat of the parliamentary commission is not about NIF. We have nothing to hide about where our funding comes from – the vast majority of our donations come from individuals and family foundations in our communities – nor the projects in Israel we support. Ultimately the threat is about all of us – everyone who cares about democracy and equality in Israel.

In Israel, mourning and celebration is entwined RABBI NEIL JANES RABBINIC TEAM, WEST LONDON SYNAGOGUE

motional acrobatics is what actor and writer Niv Petel calls the juggling act of remembrance and celebration that takes place in Israel, in his video reflection on his latest play Knock, Knock – about the knock on the door that for a parent can only mean one thing. Emotional acrobatics reminded me of the synagogue tour to Israel a few weeks ago, as we sat and ate lunch in the home of our guide, a young man who had recently retired from the 188th Armored Brigade. He said: “We remember those who died, but here in this memorial and recreation area we also meet and celebrate together because we must live life as they would expect us. That’s life in Israel, it’s why Yom Hazikaron leads straight into Yom Haatzmaut – we turn from grief to living life.” Our guide took us through the history of the brigade and how this history forged the identity of the unit today. His personal account of his service, including in the Gaza Strip with his head out of the tank, was one of responsibility, fear and bravery.

His account was full of difficult choices; how to engage with an enemy intent on your destruction without harming innocent people. The question of defence is complex and, as he admitted, mistakes may be made. However, people are making choices in unenviable situations – choices we’d never wish to make. The previous day, we had been to the memorial for 73 young soldiers who had died in a devastating helicopter crash in 1997. Another guide, who was the overall commanding officer of those men, gave us an insight into the responsibility of leading young men and women, of national strategic issues, and the burden of loss carried by individuals and families across Israel. In Israel, Yom Hazikaron is a day to carry the burden of loss as a nation and to remember both fallen soldiers and victims of terror. There is no one in Israel, or in the Jewish world, who is not scarred somehow by loss. However we understand the forces that are causing the perpetuation of conflict in which innocent lives are being lost, it is my view that we must bow our heads, on this most solemn of days before entering the celebrations of Yom Haatzmaut, in respect to the lives stolen away. Our guides reminded us that the responsibility of leadership and of making difficult choices is crucially linked to the dream of

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THIS EMOTIONAL ACTOBATICS CAN BE OVERWHELMING BUT MUST BE EMBRACED AS OUR FREEDOM sovereignty of the Jewish people. It is the responsibility of power, which, for all the tragedies, flaws, and ethics, is what it means to be a Zionist. Because alongside the darkness is the light of celebration of independence and freedom. That freedom is something Jews for millenia were variously denied. And in the 20th century, it was our people who suffered most grievously when they had imagined they were most accepted. Israel chose because to observe the 27th Nissan as the date for Yom HaShoah, observed this week, as it marks the anniversary of the beginning of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in April 1943. The 27th January, Holocaust Memorial Day, is marked in the international calendar because it is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. In our calendar,

we remember the Holocaust not as a day on which we were the object of another’s power to liberate, but the subject of our own potential for power. This difference still plays out today. While anti-Semites fantasise about Jewish global power and influence, the wider political discourse often lapses into a desire to stop Israel (i.e. Jews) from making its own choices as an independent democratic nation. These are two sides of the same coin – Jews and power, which must be controlled lest it be used for nefarious purposes. For me, given the stark choice, sovereignty is always preferable to powerlessness and suspicion – including the challenges that this brings and the deep fundamental ethical decisions that are yet to be made. In our young sovereign state, we discover that through our independence and remembrance, mourning and celebration become intertwined with our story in a new way. This emotional acrobatics can sometimes be overwhelming, but it must be embraced nonetheless as a full expression of freedom and responsibility.  Niv Petel’s play, Knock, Knock, will be performed at West London Synagogue on Tuesday, 17 April at 7pm to mark Yom Hazikaron. Tickets: ticketsource.co.uk/ eretz

12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

Opinion

Media must get front row seat to Corbyn encounter JENNI FRAZER

ow the excitement of Pesach is over, we are back to business as usual. Or are we? I sense a fraying at the edges, and an indecision as to what to do next. The problem is, of course, our fractured relationship with the Labour Party. After the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) had what amounted to a full-frontal lobotomy – by actually doing something, as they are mandated to do by the community – a new kind of malaise has struck. Under the entirely reasonable banner of “enough is enough”, the two main representative organisations challenged Jeremy Corbyn and his inner circle, right where they live. Their letter to Labour was the antithesis of a billet-doux, but spelt out, in clear, unambiguous terms, what he would have to do next to mend much-needed fences with the Jewish community. And at that point, with an unprecedented

demonstration – the like of which had never been seen before against an Opposition leader – the Board and the JLC had made an important point and put the ball firmly in Labour’s court. But in the nature of things, events have moved on. We have now had Corbyn’s notorious appearance at the Jewdas Third Seder, a calculated insult, if ever there were one, by Corbyn and his advisers. None of us can now fail to be aware of the significance of a slice of beetroot.

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SURELY EVEN THE MOST PURBLIND OF LABOUR’S INNER CIRCLE COULD NOT FAIL TO BE AWARE OF THE FEELING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

And we have also had, what in my view is a misjudged demonstration, outside Labour Party headquarters and staged by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA). The CAA has claimed that many people outside London were unable to attend the hastily-called Board and JLC demo held just before Pesach. But surely even the most purblind of Labour’s inner circle could not fail to be aware of the strength of feeling within the Jewish community. It diminishes the message by having a second demo – the clear inference is that the point was not well-made in the first place. Meanwhile, the Board, wrong-footed by the Jewdas event, rather unfortunately sought to depict that organisation as a cesspit of anti-Semitism. I can only imagine the glee with which such a characterisation was greeted inside Geoffrey Cohen headquarters – for everybody in the collective of Jewdas is known as Geoffrey Cohen. And even more depressingly, the Board

and the JLC, in their apparent anxiety to hold a meeting with Corbyn, have rowed back from the conditions that they wanted in place before talks began. Corbyn, who, after demo number one was more anxious to meet the Jews than the Jews were to meet him, has now offered a meeting with no preconditions. And the Board and the JLC, for reasons I do not know, have agreed. For all I know, such an encounter may already have taken place by the time this column is published. But if it has not, I implore our leadership to insist that members of the press are present. As has been lamentably demonstrated in the past weeks, the spin machine inside Labour will seek to present every different kind of interpretation of events and commitments. The one thing that we all, to the left and right of the community, can agree on is that Corbyn must be held to account. No post-meeting weasel statements, please. Enough, as they say, is more than enough...

Our community should grasp talented middle ALEX BRUMMER

CITY EDITOR, THE DAILY MAIL

s part of the day job, I often find myself at what are billed as high-powered business breakfasts in aid of charity. Among recent guests have been Chancellor Philip Hammond, chairman of HSBC Mark Tucker and WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell (currently in a spot of boardroom trouble). What is striking about these events is the amount of Jewish talent in the room. Brilliant entrepreneurs, tech executives, young lawyers including several QCs, communications bosses, as well as private equity and property tycoons. As a member of the Board of Deputies, the question that always comes to mind is the gap in current achievement between the participants at business breakfasts and my fellow deputies. The Board has done great work in bringing in young people from universities and youth organisations to balance an overwhelming older cohort (that

includes myself ). But it is has been much less successful in attracting to its core the talented middle – women and men in their 30s, 40s and 50s, who have achieved beyond their years and have a great deal to give to the community in skills, talent, intelligence and political understanding. As a failed candidate for Board president three years ago, I was asked by one of this year’s prospective leaders what mistakes had been made and what was wrong with the organisation. The first part was easy. I hadn’t done enough retail campaigning, which meant phone calls to the near 300 on the Board’s phone list. My combativeness in debate got the better of me. Finally, I was never able to fully convince people that one could continue as senior executive, writing a daily column on a national newspaper and lead the Board. The paradox is that precisely the reasons that made sense of the candidacy, knowledge and access to political and economic movers and shakers, was the same as that which weakened the case. The candidate, a good listener, also seemed receptive when it was pointed out

that despite a huge pool of talent in British Jewry, the electorate of deputies was failing to throw up the quality and subtlety of leadership the community needs. Where was the talented middle that could reinvigorate and make more relevant Board leadership? For a moment in recent history, it looked as if the leadership of the community was getting it right. The joint initiative by the Jewish Leadership Council and the Board to put Jeremy Corbyn on the spot over his failure to properly investigate and discipline anti-Semitism in the Labour Party was well timed and dignified. There was a sober demonstration and letter to the Labour leader seeking a proper meeting. It produced the kind of sensible media coverage that spoke volumes for British values of tolerance. Then came the Jewdas seder. The attendance by Jeremy Corbyn with beetroot was a deliberate provocation. The tone of much of what went on at the seder was lurid. But the demonisation of Jewdas and the suggestion that a Jewish event could in some way be anti-Semitic seemed tone deaf. Sure, Jewdas may not be everyone’s glass of wine. But it is a social organisa-

tion attractive to many young Jews with progressive leanings. Indeed, I personally know one delightful and thoughtful Jewish couple, members of a United Synagogue community, who met at one of the socials. British-Jewry is a broad church. As a vice-president of the Board, one was glad when we welcomed Yachad as members after a lively debate and close vote. The Board’s next leadership team needs to be more embracing. Less willing to condemn, more willing to know there is a time to be noisy and a time for silence. We need leaders who understand that better.

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JEWDAS MAY NOT BE EVERYONE’S GLASS OF WINE. BUT IT IT’S AN ORGANISATION ATTRACTIVE TO MANY PROGRESSIVE JEWS

12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Community / Scene & Be Scene

1 FASHION CHAI-LIGHT

More than 350 ladies watched Chai clients light up the catwalk alongside professional models as they showcased the spring/summer ’18 collection from Averyl’s emporium on Finchley Road. The ‘Chai Fashion with Averyl’ at Finchley Synagogue has so far raised more than £90,000. Chai chairman Lousie Hager said: “Averyl’s loyal commitment means so much to us all. Her enthusiasm and attention to detail mirrors Chai’s ethos, to provide a service that is a combination of expertise but always delivered from the heart. The money raised will enable us to continue to be the trusted and constant compass to all those who turn to us.”

And be seen The latest news, pictures and social events from across the community Email us at community@thejngroup.com

2 BIRTHDAY CHEER

Myisrael celebrated its tenth birthday with a number ‘10’ themed quiz. More than 250 people packed Mill Hill Synagogue for the party, which raised more than £40,000. Founder Danni Franks said: “I could never have imagined 10 years on that Myisrael would have raised more than £4 million and helped tens of thousands of people have a better life. Myisrael is becoming the obvious choice for every community member who wants to give to Israel in a way that is personal and meaningful – and that feels amazing.”

3 BRIDGE QUEENS

The 6th Bridge Queens tournament and 3rd commemorative Navine Rose Bridge Queens at ACOL Bridge Club in West Hampstead raised more than £3,500 for Jewish Care buses that take members to and from community centres for people living with dementia. Danielle Ashton and Melanie Sherwood won the tournament. Pictured are committee member Lois Winter, Cara Minton and Karen Shafron. Committee chair Jackie Lawson said: “It’s been a success in encouraging young players to come into the club and play bridge, and we look forward to welcoming even more people next year.”

4 CHLORE SHALOM

Renowned author and illustrator James Mayhew, creator of the Ella Bella Ballerina series, visited Clore Shalom School in Shenley, where he ran workshops for the children in KS1 and Early Years.

Jewish News

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12 April 2018

Scene & Be Seen / Community Email your story to community@thejngroup.com

5 TOUR AND TEA

Members of the Stanmore & Edgware League of Jewish Women Group recently paid a visit to the House of Lords. Lord Mendelsohn gave the group a tour, telling them about the history of the House of Lords, before hosting an afternoon tea for the visitors in one of the stately dining rooms.

6 HAVING A BALL

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Photo by Sean Irving Photography

MEN ARE NOT ALWAYS GOOD AT SHARING FEELINGS, BUT THEY NEED SUPPORT JUST AS MUCH

7 HERITAGE CLUB

The Cambridge University Jewish Society Ball was revived at the historic Cambridge Union. Attracting more than 155 students from Cambridge and other universities, a committee of 14 freshers students, led by co-presidents Ariel Cohen (Jesus College) and Leeron Haffner (Fitzwilliam College), raised more than £1,000 for Jewish Women’s Aid.

Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) and Jewish Care hosted a visit from the Jewish Museum as part of its ‘Memory Matters’ club. The visit included a workshop showing objects and images from the museum’s collection depicting the history and heritage of Jews in Britain through the themes of migration, family and faith. Northwood’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, said: “This is a great example of the Jewish community using its combined resources in an intelligent and meaningful way.”

Angela Peters, NPLS care co-ordinator, said: “The workshop was fascinating and extremely interesting and gave everybody a lot of opportunity to reminisce.”

8 GROUP FOR DADS

Camp Simcha held its inaugural Fathers’ Evening with a scalectrix event for dads of seriously ill children. Looking to organise regular get-togethers to give fathers a break and an opportunity to find support from others who understand what they are going through, Camp Simcha’s head of services Daniel Gillis, said: “Men are not always good at sharing their feelings, but they need support just as much – which is why we decided to set up these fathers’ evenings. At a minimum, it is a chance to have fun and escape the daily strain for a few hours, but we hope it will also be an opportunity for dads to talk and get support from each other and from us when they need it.”

9 THESPIAN FUN

Talented pupils at Wohl Ilford Jewish Primary School re-enacted Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Pupils from Reception to Year 6 spent the day learning their lines and practicing theatrical moves under the direction of two professional actors from West End in Schools theatre company, before putting on a fabuolous performance in front of the staff.

Your simcha announcements Jack Taylor celebrated his barmitzvah at Or Yisroel Synagogue

Avishai Stimler celebrated his barmitzvah at Hendon United Synagogue

Photo by Paul Lang Photography

Photo by Leah Natural Photography

DON’T MISS THE

FAMILY FUNDAY OF THE YEAR Next bank holiday weekend Activities for kids aged 0-16 Laser Quest, Last Man Standing, Dare-or-Do slide, Soft Play, Bouncy Castles and lots more...

Sunday 6 May 2018 Photo by Paul Lang Photography

Guy Friedman celebrated his barmitzvah at Yavneh College

Photo by Kate Swerdlow Photography

Rachel Balint celebrated her batmitzvah at Finchley Progressive Synagogue

At JFS, The Mall, Kenton. 12-5pm

Kosher barbecue

AYS 24 DGO ! TO

12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Life

Books / Lifestyle

IN THIS SECTION: Travel 28 Competition 35

The untold courage of women Francine Wolfisz speaks to historian Agnes Grunwald-Spier about her latest book, which reflects on the resilience of women during the Holocaust

‘Z

Jewish partisan fighter Sara Ginaite pictured in Vilnius in July 1944

yklon B did not differentiate between men and women – the same death swept them all away,” observes survivor Ruth Bondy. But while the brutal, murderous reality of the Holocaust cannot be contested, historian Agnes GrunwaldSpier (pictured right) was certain the difficulties experienced by men and women under Nazi persecution were very different. The results of her research, looking through the diaries, letters, memoirs and books written by more than 70

women forms the basis of her latest book, Women’s Experiences In The Holocaust In Their Own Words. Grunwald-Spier, who is also the author of The Other Schindlers and Who Betrayed The Jews? was moved to write specifically about women after reflecting on her own mother’s Holocaust story. Leona Grunwald was a newlymarried bride living in Budapest, Hungary, in 1943, when her husband Philipp was rounded up and sent to Poland as a forced labourer, along with 50,000 other Jewish men. Discovering

she was pregnant, Leona was not allowed access to the normal maternity hospital and was forced to endure a long and difficult labour with no pain relief, before giving birth to Agnes in July 1944. In the months following, Leona was sent to the Budapest ghetto and continued to breastfeed Agnes, even without much food to eat or fuel to keep them warm. “The Hungarian fascists liked to take shots at the Jews in the ghetto, so many people died,” recalls the Golders Green author in her book. “My mother’s cousin, Pali, told me he found my mother in the ghetto when it was liberated. She was sitting on some steps holding me, surrounded by dead bodies.” Philipp survived the war and reunited with his family, but committed suicide in 1955, leaving Leona to bring up Agnes on her own. “She was tough, but there’s no way of knowing how she would have been without all of these experiences,” reflects the 73-year-old historian. “My mother, like all the women in this book, coped with situations she could never have imagined before 1933.” The book draws on testimonies from women who not only lived through the camps and ghettos, but who also fought for the resistance, provided medical care or risked their lives as kashariyot, underground couriers, between ghettos. “I wanted to give readers an understanding of how broad the experience was. So many people believe the Holocaust only happened at Auschwitz.” One account reflects on the courageous work of Polish resistance fighter Zivia Lubetkin, who was one of the initiators of armed combat against the Germans, a founder of the Jewish Fighting Organisation (known as ZOB) and an active participant in the

Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Having survived the war, she moved to Israel and testified at the trial of Adolf Eichmann. In 2001, her granddaughter Roni Zuckerman became the first Israeli woman fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force flying F16s, although Grunwald-Spier notes newspaper reports on this only mentioned her grandfather ‘Antek’ Zuckerman’s role in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising . So, too, has the contribution of the kashariyot been overlooked in the history books, argues GrunwaldSpier. Many were in their late teens, armed with false papers and tasked with smuggling documents, weapons and ammunition, underground newspapers, money, medical supplies – and other Jews – in and out of the ghettos in Poland, Lithuania and Russia. They were considered the pride of the resistance during the war years, but few have heard about them since. “I had never come across anything about the kasahriyot before, in all the research I had done,” says GrunwaldSpier, who recently received an honorary doctorate from Sheffield University for her work on the Shoah. “That, I believe, is to do with the fact that most historians are male and their idea of a ‘hero’ is of a large man, holding a gun and fighting in the Warsaw Ghetto. These young girls just haven’t been recognised for how heroic they really were. “The Polish historian, Emanuel Ringelblum, wrote about how wonderful they were and how historians would write a whole chapter on them in the years to

come – but they never did.” Of the more heart-breaking accounts included is that of Dr Gisella Perl, who was forced to work under the notorious Josef Mengele. Having witnessed first-hand the horrific, inhumane experiments wrought upon pregnant women, she resolved to help save their lives – at the cost of aborting or killing their babies. Grunwald-Spier says: “She was in the most diabolical situation. She felt she had to do something and while what she did was awful, she was attempting to save lives. Either these women or their baby would die. People had to make the most horrific choices.” Grunwald-Spier concludes that overall women were able to adapt, support one another and survive through some of the most challenging situations. “For many of these women, life must have been quite horrendous, but they found the courage and strength. It’s quite remarkable really.”  Women’s Experiences In The Holocaust In Their Own Words by Agnes Grunwald-Spier from Amberley Publishing, priced £20 (hardback), is available now

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 12 April 2018

Lifestyle / Children of the Shoah

An idea as bright as six million buttons

Francine Wolfisz finds out about B’s Buttons, a student project to create a memorial to Jewish children murdered in the Shoah

perceptively noted that they are all different shapes and sizes, just like the children they represent. “When we started, I assumed we would collect some buttons and do something small. But when I put the post on Facebook, it just took off. All these buttons started arriving.” Poignantly, many contributors include letters detailing how they or their close relative survived the Holocaust. One package contained the buttons taken from the coat of a young child sent on the Kindertransport.

Photo: Lake District Holocaust Project

hat does six million look like? While one inquisitive student learning about the horrors of the Holocaust had asked a seemingly straightforward question, for her teacher the answer was far from simple. Laura Oram, a history teacher at The Lakes School in Windermere, Cumbria, had tasked her pupils with designing a meaningful memorial to the Jews killed owing to Nazi persecution during the Second World War, having been inspired by a visit from Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh. He was one of 732 displaced children, known collectively as “The Boys”, who were resettled in the UK in 1945. Hersh and 299 others were given a new home on the Calgarth Estate in the Lake District, a wartime housing scheme built for aviation workers, where The Lakes School now resides. As they mulled over finding the answer, the 29-year-old teacher and her student, Bliss, also known as “B”, came up with the idea of collecting buttons. Having discovered a similar project, 6 million +, had already been devised more than 10 years ago, they altered the focus to reflect the 1.5million children who were murdered. Since launching in September, the project – known as B’s Buttons – has fired the imagination of people around the globe. More than 300,000 buttons have been collected, with contributions coming from the US, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Poland and France as well as the UK. “When one of our students asked what six million looked like, I didn’t have an answer,” explains Oram. “It’s difficult even for adults to conceptualise. You can imagine 30,000 people in a football stadium, but beyond that is tricky. “B came up with the idea of buttons and

Laura Oram, centre, from The Lakes School, with Belinda Hochland and Sharon Landau, daughters of one of the 300 Boys (pictured left) who arrived in Windermere in 1945

Trevor Avery, director of the Lake District Holocaust Project, who has been assisting the school in their efforts, described the letters as “moving and incredible”. He said: “One daughter of a Holocaust survivor decided to send one of her mum’s buttons. Another, whose mother was one of the youngest to arrive at Windermere aged just four, sent in all her little buttons. “There was also a woman from the US who sent all her father’s buttons from his army tunic, and Sandhurst College sent a beautiful collection, a button from every regiment that has ever passed through.

Hertsmere Jewish Primary School acting headteacher Rita Alak-Levi (right) with pupils from Reception, Year 4 and Year 6, with their collection for the B’s Buttons project

“My mother died four years ago and we’ve even contributed her button collection. A lot of people have put their emotions and heart into this.” In the wake of February’s deadly mass shooting at a secondary school, a group in Parkland, Florida collected 14,738 buttons – a testimony, says Avery, to how B’s Buttons has touched people around the world and is seen as “a positive commemoration to the children who lost their lives and a determination to remember them”. The venture was given another boost in recent months thanks to Abigail Mann, a solicitor from St Albans, who heard about the project and wanted to help spread the word to the Jewish community around the UK. Her efforts have helped set up button collections at museums, schools and synagogues, including at The Wiener Library and The Radlett Centre. Now the great task of counting the buttons lies ahead, with Bushey United Synagogue, Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue and Thames Valley Limmud among those planning counts in the weeks ahead. The idea also inspired mother-of-three Gabi Rolfe, from Bushey, to have a collection started at Hertsmere Jewish Primary School, in Radlett, which her children attend. “I found it even more poignant that this was

started by children at a non-Jewish school, who wanted to do everything they could to honour the Jewish children who were murdered. “Because the project is so visual, the children can better understand the enormity of what happened during the Holocaust. It’s an amazing idea.” Andy Cunningham, headteacher at The Lakes School, said it had been “overwhelmed” by how the project had taken root around the world and wanted to thank those who had donated buttons in helping to “realise a young person’s vision”. He added: “B’s buttons is an amazing project and it’s true to say that we have been overwhelmed by the public response. Buttons have been arriving in our school from far and wide and we have been touched by some of the personal messages from people moved by the project.” The hope is that once 1.5 million buttons are collected, they will be turned into a permanent Holocaust memorial sited on the school grounds, next to a sapling brought from Auschwitz that was planted in the school gardens last year.  You can donate your buttons at The Wiener Library for the Study of the Holocaust & Genocide, in Russell Square, London, and the Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett. For details about B’s Buttons, email: buttons@lakes.cumbria.sch.uk, or visit facebook.com/lakesbuttons

12 April 2018 Jewish News

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ADVERTORIAL

A helping hand for Israel’s survivors of the Holocaust Judy Elkus speaks to Aviv for Holocaust Survivors, a non-proﬁt that helps people receive the ﬁnancial support to which they are entitled

here are 200,000 Holocaust survivors living today in Israel. But more than half are not getting the support to which they are entitled, largely because they don’t know how to access it. There is, however, somewhere they can turn to for help: Aviv for Holocaust Survivors. As a law student, Swiss-born Aviva Silberman volunteered at a seniors’

residence in Petach Tikva, where she put her fluent German to good use in helping Holocaust survivors to access compensation, stipends and benefits. In 2007, she set up a non-profit organisation – Aviv for Holocaust Survivors – to do the same, still at no charge, but on a larger scale. Nearly a quarter of the elderly Holocaust survivors in Israel live under the poverty line – some can’t even afford to buy food or medication. In the past 10 years, Aviv has helped more than 60,000 people to receive more than 350 million NIS (£70 million). “Our vision is to make sure all Holocaust survivors have the means to live with dignity and welfare,” says Aviva. “It’s not that the help isn’t there, but for one reason or another, around 60 percent of these people aren’t getting the rights and benefits that can help them be more comfortable in their later years.” There are many reasons why this is so: the bureaucracy, lawyers’ fees, keeping up to date with legislation, the mistaken fear that a new claim will compromise existing benefits, and

even ideological reasons. But with the help of Aviva and her team, all these issues can be overcome. “Our sole goal is to help Holocaust survivors to access what is rightfully theirs,” says Aviva. “A hundred percent of the money we secure goes straight to the survivor. We work with individuals at our centres around Israel, and if they can’t come to us, we go to them. We’re now truly in a race against time: most Holocaust survivors today are in their 80s – they don’t have many years left. But we will do all we can to make sure the time they do have is not plagued by ﬁnancial worries.” • To ﬁnd out more about Aviv for Holocaust Survivors, or make a donation to help continue its vital work, visit www.avivshoa.co.il

Aviv in numbers

• 11,000 aid requests answered each year • 8,000 trained volunteers and professionals • 10,000 Holocaust survivors attending lectures about rights and beneﬁts • 60,000 Holocaust survivors helped to recover money owed to them • £70 million in compensation, stipends and beneﬁts

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

Special report / Feeding the family

The online solution to kosher cooking success A social-media page that began as a joke now has 30,000 Orthodox women indulging in recipe-sharing and more

etting dinner on the table is a challenge for any busy, modern family. At Orthodox Jewish homes, with larger-than-average family sizes and religiously-mandated dietary restrictions, mealtimes can be even more complex. There’s a limited number of kosher restaurants in any given area, and home-cooked Shabbat meals are often considered the highlight of the week. Take the financial burden of kosher dining with large numbers, combine that with the demand for weekly delicious meals for a crowd, and the pressures feeding an observant family can become rather intense. What if there was a way to trade time- and family-tested meals with a like-minded bunch of people? Enter the Facebook page I Don’t Cook But I Give Out Recipes, the brainchild of two sisters — Goldie Adler Nathan, 35, and Esty Adler Wolbe, 30 — who created a forum to allow kosher cooks from across the globe to trade recipes, swapping information about everything from chicken soup and cholent to Italian desserts and kung pao tofu.

The page, however, quickly became more than just a recipe swap site, evolving into a fullfledged community of mostly Orthodox women who discuss everything from health issues to the division of labour in families. Today, its 30,000 members swap tips on marriage, child rearing, holidays and, of course, cooking. “It’s a support group,” said Wolbe, a mother of four, of the page’s success. “Friday afternoon, when you’re busy cooking [for Shabbat], you know you’re not alone.” Kosher cooks, she points out, face burdens above and beyond most home cooks, including meeting dietary restrictions and the high cost of kosher meat. It is all particularly impressive considering the site began as something of a joke. As a 19-year-old newlywed in a cramped basement apartment, Wolbe “hated her kitchen”. Instead of cooking for herself and her husband, Yitzy, a loan officer at a car dealership, the couple would go out or visit relatives for meals. So Nathan, from Brooklyn, created I Don’t Cook but I Give Out Recipes to tease Wolbe, who loved dishing out recipes and advice despite

never actually using her kitchen. “My mother is always saying to me ‘how can you make fun of your sister like that?’” Nathan said with a chuckle. At first, the page was simply a forum for family and friends to share recipes or post a photo of a particularly picture-perfect meal. Soon, though, word spread among members’ extended networks, and more people began using the page to post recipes and talk about food on a regular basis. As it happens, Wolbe was just beginning a cooking odyssey of her own. When she had her first baby in 2007, the family found eating out wasn’t so easy any more. “Doing my own cooking was born out of necessity,” she says, “and soon it became love.” While the focus is on Jewish cooking, its emphasis is the unique needs of religiously observant Jews. “Fake shrimp ideas needed!” read one recent post. Another declared: “Hosting a bunch of teenagers next Shabbats lunch. Need ideas for a menu that will go down well with them.”

Goldie Adler Nathan and Esty Adler Wolbe

For some Orthodox Jewish women, who typically entertain on a weekly basis, it can be stressful to keep up. “Just wanna say, no other group has made me feel quite this inadequate,” read one recent I Don’t Cook But I Give Out Recipes post. “It makes me want to cry,” declared another. “I look at all these masterpieces and feel like a complete failure.” Week after week, members continue to ask their fellow kosher cooks around the world for the names of loved ones for whom to pray. It’s that community-minded spirit that keeps I Don’t Cook But I Give Out Recipes alive. “It’s like being friends with a huge bunch of really savvy, smart and experienced cooks who are available 24/6 to help you,” said member Nechama Samuels, 42, who lives in Israel. “In return, we try to chip in and do our part to help others.” She adds: “All in all it’s a wonderful resource and even – dare I say it? – family.”

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12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Nosh / Lifestyle

PLATEExpectations

Mango rice salad

PREPARATION TIME 35 MINS

Substantial summer salads are always great to enjoy al fresco, to take on picnics or just for the fact they can be made in advance and eaten when required. This is an ideal salad to serve for Shabbat lunch or on yom tov.

With

Denise Phillips SERVES 8

COOKING TIME 30 HOURS

75g peanuts – chopped 50g desiccated coconut 1 tablespoon olive oil 85g shallots (about 3 shallots) – peeled and finely chopped 300g jasmine rice Zest and juice of 1 lemon 30ml lemon infused olive oil – or add 2 teaspoons fresh lemon to 20ml olive oil 25g basil leaves – finely chopped 25g fresh mint leaves – finely chopped 25g fresh coriander leaves – finely chopped 6 spring onions – sliced 1 red chilli – deseeded and finely chopped 2 mangoes – peeled and flesh chopped Salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste

METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C. Put the peanuts and coconut on a baking tray and roast for about five minutes or until golden.

2 Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and sauté the shallots until golden and crisp. Set aside.

3 Cook the rice per the packet instructions. Drain and set aside. 4 Whisk the lemon juice and oil to make the dressing. Season to taste. 5 Chop the basil, mint and coriander, reserving a few whole leaves to garnish.

6 Put the rice in a bowl with the coconut, lemon zest, chopped herbs, spring onions, chilli, mango, peanuts and dressing.

7 Toss and transfer to a serving bowl. 8 Scatter with the fried shallots, reserved herb leaves, and lemons

Garnish: 2 lemons – cut in half

to squeeze.

DOWNLOAD DENISE’S JEWISH COOKERY MOBILE RECIPE COLLECTION AT

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MY NEXT COOKERY CLASS: Thursday, 18 April: Slimmer’s World Cooking

GLORIOUS FOOD CONTEMPORARY TURKISH CUISINE

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Glatt Kosher under the supervision of the Sephardi Beth Din

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients

Jewish News 12 April 2018

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Lifestyle / Travel

TAIPEI

PERSONALITY Lucy Daltroff checks out the vibrant food scene and sweeping landscapes of Taiwan, while also discovering the island’s close-knit Jewish community

had never seen a man selling fried eggs on a stick before – but then I had never been to Taiwan. Taipei, the capital, is positively seething with food stalls and produce in what has become the world’s trendiest destination for foodies. This long-haul destination off China’s east coast is now more accessible with the introduction of direct flights from Gatwick, although it’s still a long journey with a flight time of 13 hours. Taiwan is a comparatively small island, roughly the size of Holland, but while small on size, it’s big on culture, sweeping landscapes and, of course, food. Walking around this country provides a feast for the eyes with an array of lively stalls, night markets and restaurants offering gargantuan variety and cheap prices. Then there are the Chinese temples that pop up in unexpected places, the beaches, the areas of hot springs, a dramatic mountain range down

the middle of the island and the unique artefacts at the National Palace Museum. I will always remember too the military precision of the changing of the guard at the tomb of Chiang Kai-Chek in Taipei and can well understand why, on the hour, people rush up the stairs to get a good view. Yet more than all this is the fact everything works and functions well, be it the transport, the hotels and the service, in what is a business-like and friendly culture. The high-tech industry has brought prosperity here and it is especially apparent in the sophisticated capital city. We stayed at the comfortable but slightly quirky Home Hotel in the Da-An district, constructed from eco-friendly wood and natural materials such as jute and bamboo. The hotel offers a varied breakfast that includes Western and Chinese delicacies, from bubble tea and dumplings to steak, sandwiches and chips. Even better, it is conveniently near the underground.

The soaring skylin e, framed by the Ta ipei 101 skyscraper

The system, called the MRT, is extensive, cheap and provides information in both Mandarin and English. For little more than £1 each way we were able to visit a neighbouring seaside town not unlike a local version of Brighton and a regular weekend destination for the city dwellers. The west coast of the island is knitted together by its excellent bullet train, which we used for a two-day break in the old capital, Tainan. It’s a town full of monuments to its 300-year history, from the trading forts set up during a brief colonial occupation by the Dutch to the numerous temples established by the many faiths that exist peaceably together here. A cheap and reliable taxi service provides an easy link between the port area and downtown, except for the adventurous few willing to walk the streets, which are, strangely, often without pavements. Jewish Taiwan seemed an unlikely concept until we met energetic Israeli Rabbi Shlomi Tabib, his wife Racheli and their five children, who live above the Chabad Jewish centre in Taipei. The family are gradually putting

Jewish life firmly on the map here with the help of lawyer Ross Feingold, chairman of the community. Jews have actually been living here since the 1950s, when US troops were stationed in Taiwan, but there is also another poignant link between this island and the Holocaust thanks to Chinese diplomat Dr Ho Feng-Shan, who later served in Taiwan and was instrumental in issuing thousands of visas to Jewish refugees attempting to escape Vienna and Germany just before the outbreak of the Second World War. Known as ‘the Chinese Schindler’, he assisted thousands to flee to Shanghai and is among Yad Vashem’s Righteous Among the Nations. It was also surprising to hear that in Taiwan today the community numbers nearly 1,000, mostly businessmen, diplomats, tourists and students, although Tabib said that Saturday mornings see a fair share of “JFKs”, an expression I had not heard before until he explained it stood for people that come “just for Kiddsh.” He is not fazed by that, however, and his inclusive policy is very much part of what he stands for. A limited amount of kosher food has recently been made available at a local supermarket chain and he and Feingold are hopeful that a purpose-built synagogue may well be a future possibility for the Jewish community of Taiwan.

LUCY’S TRAVEL TIPS

Taipei Confucius Temple. Inset: Grotesque statue at the entrance of the Matsu temple

Lucy stayed at Home House Hotel Dan-An, Taipei, homehotel.com.tw/ daan.php and the Golden Tulip Glory Fine Hotel, Tainan, goldentulip. com/en. For more details about Taiwan’s Jewish community, visit jewish.tw/

12 April 2018 Jewish News

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Orthodox Judaism

SEDRA

It’s Biblical

Shemini

BY RABBI ARIEL ABEL

Everything you wanted to know about your favourite Torah characters, and the ones you’ve never heard of...

BY RABBI ZVI SOLOMONS

On the concluding eighth day – after which Shemini is named – of the inauguration of the Mishkan, the sanctuary on which future temples would be modelled and built, a tragedy struck. Just as Aharon the Israelite high priest came to the end of his week of gruelling training, Nadav and Avihu, two of his four sons died. The flames licking the surface of the incense pans they were holding caught the alcohol heavy on their breath. Their priestly father, dumbstruck with grief, abstained from eating the sacrificial meat. When Moshe expressed anger at this, Aharon reasoned that God would not have wanted a person who is suffering to fake joy and celebration. Moshe accepted this and sent a clear message to future Torah leaders to deliver halacha with compassion. Failure to do so is a condemnable lack of sensitivity unconducive to Torah. The ban on alcohol when on duty introduced after this tragedy was the first clear health and safety instruction issued in recorded history. The other major feature in this week’s reading regards the species kosher for consumption. Ungulates, or four-legged hooved animals, except for the camel, are permitted to be slaughtered and eaten. Birds on the list are generally those that do not prey on others or wait for carrion to appear. Although the Torah allows us to eat meat, we should train ourselves not to allow us to become cruel. Products of harsh, cruel methods of farming, such as veal, battery eggs and foie gras should be avoided, even if they are otherwise kosher.

 Ariel Abel is rabbi of the Liverpool Old

Hebrew Congregation

THIS WEEK:

POTIPHAR

We all know the story of Joseph and how he was sold down to Egypt. The story when told in English unfailingly brings to my mind the music of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and the words of Sir Tim Rice. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, is sold on by the traders to Potiphar, the Captain of the Guard (according to one translation). The Hebrew is hat vachim shar, which could also mean the head of the butchers or cooks. “Butchers” could also mean Royal Guards. It might also mean Lord High

❝

DID JOSEPH MARRY THE DAUGHTER OF THE WOMAN WHO FALSELY ACCUSED HIM? VERY POSSIBLY

Joseph with Potiphar’s eager wife

Executioner. Potiphar is described as saris, which could mean a eunuch or a king’s minister. This is an explanation either of his wife’s need to proposition Joseph or, more likely, a way of saying that he was very important, a minister of state. This latter translation also explains the presence of the chief butler and baker in the prison with Joseph. The later imprisonment seems to be within the same household establishment. Potiphar seems to trust Joseph with his house and his family, and makes him the steward over all his affairs. He is

rewarded by God for this. Potiphar had an attractive wife, who attempted to seduce Joseph. The episode is the classic rabbinic illustration of how a man should never be alone in private with anyone except immediate family. Potiphar throws Joseph into prison for the alleged illicit liaison. A little while later, free and now vizier to Pharaoh, Joseph married Asnat, “daughter of Poti-phera, the Priest of On”. Was this the same chap? Did he marry the daughter of the woman who falsely accused him? Very possibly. Poti-phera is possibly the long version of the name. The long name means “gift of Ra”, and being priest of On (Heliopolis) he may well have had a promotion. This marriage holds out a very interesting thought. Joseph forgave Potiphar’s wife. His kind and forgiving nature is revealed in this marriage, as well as in his dealings with his brothers.

 Zvi Solomons is rabbi of the Jewish Community of Berkshire (JCoB.org)

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Progressive Judaism

Progressively Speaking

The Bible Says What? ‘Mourn between Pesach and Shavuot’

Do we need a special day to remember only Jewish victims of genocide?

RABBI DEBORAH BLAUSTEN The Talmud says the period between Passover and Lag Ba’Omer is one of semi-mourning for the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva killed in a plague. As with many Jewish customs, it is unclear whether this is the initial reason, or a rabbinic framing of an existing practice. The Romans observed a period called Lemuralia during May and, as in Jewish custom, marriages and other festivities were not conducted. Rabbis have also taught that we mourn because the crops are judged between Passover and Shavuot. The custom of this period of mourning means that in more recent times, the memorial days of Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikkaron have been set to fall within the Omer. Whatever the original reason for the practice, the reason given by the Talmud for the death of Akiva’s students is food for thought. It teaches (Yevamot 62b) that they died ‘because they did not treat

BY RABBI DR ANDREW GOLDSTEIN

each other with respect’. In the wake of Passover, where we emerge from a time of suffering into joy, from slavery into freedom, it is important not to lose sight of how easy it is to breach the delicate social covenants that bind us together as a people. As we journey towards Shavuot, where we commemorate the receiving of Torah and our shared obligation, the time of the Omer calls us to remain conscious of our fragility. Our tradition teaches that we were all at Sinai, and yet in order to journey there together we must learn to do what Akiva’s students didn’t – to treat each other with respect. A time of reflection, of solemnity, and of cheshbon hanefesh – soul searching – is perhaps exactly what is needed to help us take the next steps on our journey. Together.  Deborah Blausten is a third-year rabbinic student at Leo Baeck College

ﬂyexpert@aol.com

British Jews currently have two main days on which we commemorate the Holocaust. Since 2014, Holocaust Memorial Day has been observed in 12 European countries on 27 January – the date marking the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. I am part of a venture that started in Northwood and is now reproduced elsewhere that has seen the Liberal and Orthodox synagogues work jointly in producing an annual commemoration of the day for the local community. This year the Northwood programme lasted for two weeks and saw more than 3,000 secondary school pupils of all faiths and none come for a two-and-a-half hour seminar. They heard the testimony of a Holocaust survivor and engaged in structured workshops on learning from the past and combating prejudice and racism now and in future. The Shoah may have dominated the session, but later genocides in

Rwanda, Cambodia, Darfur and Bosnia were covered, as well as the murder in the Holocaust of gypsies, gays and others the Nazis hated. Many synagogues have also marked Srebrenica Day, with visits to Bosnia by rabbis, priests and imams. The other day we commemorate is Yom HaShoah, established in 1959 by the Israeli Knesset as the official day of memorial for the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. Other days of remembrance like

Tisha B’av have been suggested, but the Israeli government realised the Shoah was unique and needed a dedicated day of its own. As more and more facts have emerged and personal stories told, it is clear commemorating the Shoah and the murder of the Jews is as necessary now as in 1945 and 1959. There is surely nothing wrong in Jews remembering their own people who were victims of irrational hatred and anti-Semitism. And as recent events show, such memory must sadly lead us to greater vigilance at this moment. However, this also does not stop Jews joining others remembering the suffering of other peoples, as we do on national Holocaust Memorial Day. The two work well together in helping to share a message of tolerance and understanding, in our own communities and beyond.  Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is president of Liberal Judaism

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Professional advice from our panel / Ask Our Experts

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SHARON GLASSMAN SENIOR EMPLOYMENT ADVISER

THE JEWISH AGENCY Dear Sharon We are planning on making aliyah in two years with our three children. According to our aliyah schedule, our oldest will go into 11th grade, our younger two into 4th and 1st. While we have heard the adjustment can be smoother for younger children, we are concerned about the academic and social implications for our oldest. What can we do in the next two years to help him transition? Rifki Dear Rifki The first consideration in adapting teenagers to life in Israel is to look at the individual child.

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HPS Dear Howard Our living room ceiling, which measures 8m x by 4m, has been water damaged owing to a leak from the bathroom above the ceiling. Our insurance company is agreeable to having the ceiling replaced. I would like the new ceiling to be soundproofed with a smooth finish and to

have spotlights fitted as well. Which are the best materials to use, are there regulations for new ceilings and is loft insulation used? Justin Dear Justin If you are concerned about noise, you can use sound block boards rather than standard 12.5mm plasterboard. Sound block boards are sheets of plasterboard usually used in rooms with noise, such as utility rooms, to cut down the noise from washing machines, etc. They are purple, as opposed to the standard ivory sheets of plasterboard, and are fixed and skimmed flat in the same way,

Is he flexible and social? How is his Hebrew? Do you have family and friends in Israel he already knows? If so, I’d suggest researching appropriate high schools in Israel and contacting families with children in his grade. You can also start ulpan in England, to help provide a linguistic foundation for life in Israel. Another option you can consider is starting him off earlier with a boarding high school programme in Israel, as it’s a great way to provide a head start to teens for a successful aliyah transition. There is a programme called Naale (naale-elite-academy.com), which has numerous high school tracks, both academically and religiously, in its network and provides a full scholarship for students coming from abroad to attend high school in Israel. For further information related to Israeli education, or to set up an aliyah consultation, call me on 020 8371 5258, or email me at sharong@jafi.org

although they are slightly more expensive. Alternatively, you could overboard your existing ceiling with plasterboard, which would save pulling down the old ceiling and making a mess. Your electrician would need to cable through and I would suggest you use LED fire-rated spotlights and bulbs. Don’t use halogen lights as these get very hot, whereas LEDs do not. It’s always a good idea to insulate as it helps with the soundproofing. Loft insulation is good to use. Ensure that the joints on the plasterboard are taped and that you have two good coats of plaster. After that, just paint. Good luck.

CARYLYN COHEN SOCIAL WORKER

CHANA Dear Carolyn My husband and I have been struggling to have a baby for a number of years and are currently undergoing IVF treatment. Being active members of the Jewish community and surrounded by friends and family, we are often invited to celebrations, including

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www.thehomeconsultancy.com 020 873 22 549 / 07738 067 671 circumcisions and baby namings. These are such joyous events for the new parents but my husband and I are finding it increasingly difficult to attend and to feel happy for the people we love. This makes us feel guilty and, at the same time, so heartbroken and alone. The times that we chose not to attend, our friends seemed hurt by our absence. We feel that we are in a lose-lose situation and are unable to see a way forward. Alison Dear Alison I’m sorry to hear about your struggles. It’s natural

for you to want to be happy for your loved ones but it is completely understandable and normal to find it difficult to feel happy for others when one is in pain oneself. Couples experiencing the challenge of infertility can often feel like this when faced with celebrating other people’s milestones. At Chana, we are here to support you through any distressing feelings you may be experiencing. All our support workers are qualified therapists and are able to see either you on a one-to-one basis or as a couple, either face-to-face or via Skype. Alternatively, the Chana Helpline is open most days of the week. You don’t have to face this alone – we are here for you.

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Ask Our Experts / Professional advice from our panel

Our Experts Do you have a question for a member of our team? Email: editorial@thejngroup.com CHARITY EXECUTIVE

WEALTH AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR

SOCIAL WORKER

NEIL POOLE MBA DipPFS Qualifications: • Experienced in providing comprehensive wealth planning services to individuals, couples, families, trustees and businesses • Retirement planning and pension review • Family wealth preservation • Financial risk identification and mitigation

CAROLYN COHEN Qualifications: • Supports couples dealing with infertility and reproductive health. • Strictly confidential helpline. • Specialist medical support and information. • Counselling for individuals and couples and educational events. • Expert medical advisory panel.

NEIL POOLE 07710 757 503 www.neilpoole.com neil.poole@sjpp.co.uk

CHANA 020 8203 8455 Helpline: 020 8201 5774 / 020 8800 0018 www.chana.org.uk info@chana.org.uk

PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SPECIALIST

KITCHEN DESIGNER

ELAINE KERR Qualifications: • Able to draw on the expertise of Norwood’s professional staff team, including social workers, educational psychologists, drug and alcohol specialists, speech & language and occupational therapists, teachers, psychologists, benefit advisers. • Expertise in services available for children and their families and young people with special educational needs, and adults with learning disabilities.

TREVOR GEE Qualifications: •Managing director, consultants in affordable family and corporate health insurance. • Specialise in maximising cover, lowering premiums and pre-existing conditions. • Excellent knowledge of health insurers, cover levels and hospital lists. • Board member UK International Health Management Ass • LLB, solicitor finals, FCA Regulated 773729.

SHANTI PANCHANI Qualifications: • Experienced Designer with more than 25 years’ experience in German and English kitchens and have supplied kosher-friendly kitchens for more than 10 years • We provide a full circle approach from designing, supplying and installing your new kitchen including appliances and speciality worktops. • We deal with suppliers who are flexible in design.

NORWOOD 020 8809 8809 www.norwood.org.uk elaine.kerr@norwood.org.uk

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THE HOME CONSULTANCY 07738 067671 www.thehomeconsultancy.com shanti@thehomeconsultancy.com

ESTATE AGENT

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

MAXI ROSE Qualifications: • MD at RCUK since 1999. Grown the business into three substantial UK branches serving clients worldwide – USA, Europe & Middle East. • Telecoms specialist in business & consumer mobile solutions, landline and broadband services and Ofcom Telecoms registered reseller. • Successfully established the RCUK International Travel

STEVE WAYNE Qualifications: • Owner of Benjamin Stevens established in 2004 with offices in Edgware and Bushey and dealing with all surrounding areas. • Specialist in buy 2 let investments and managing lettings portfolios. • Deals with residential sales locally and an expert on all things property in North West London. • Partner at Frederick George & Co

SUE CIPIN Qualifications: • 18 years’ hands-on experience, leading JDA in significant growth and development. • Deep understanding of the impact of deafness on people at all stages of life, and their families. • Practical and emotional support for families of deaf children. • Extensive services for people affected by hearing loss/tinnitus.

RCUK 020 8815 4115 www.rcuk.biz maxi@rcuk.biz

BENJAMIN STEVENS ESTATE AGENTS 020 8950 7777 www.benjaminstevens.co.uk Steve@benjaminstevens.co.uk

JEWISH DEAF ASSOCIATION 020 8446 0502 info@jewishdeaf.org.uk www.jewishdeaf.org.uk

TELECOMS SPECIALIST

JEWELLER

TRAVEL AGENT

CRIMINAL DEFENCE SOLICITOR

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.

DAVID SEGEL Qualifications: • Managing director of West End Travel, established in 1972. • Leading UK El Al agent with branches in Swiss Cottage and Edgware. • Specialist in Israel travel, cruises and kosher holidays. • Leading business travel company, ranked in top 50 UK agents. • Frequent travel broadcaster on radio and TV.

CARL WOOLF Qualifications: • 20+ years experience as a criminal defence solicitor and higher court advocate. • Specialising in all aspects of criminal law including murder, drug offences, fraud and money laundering, offences of violence, sexual offences and all aspects of road traffic law. • Visiting associate professor at Brunel University.

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

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•

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 10 years ago.

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• •

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Professional advice from our panel / Ask Our Experts

ACCOUNTANT

IT SPECIALIST

HEARING AID AUDIOLOGIST

MELVYN SOBELL Qualifications: • Chartered accountant FCA. • Accounting, taxation and business advisory services. • Specialises in forensic accounting. • CEDR accredited mediator. • Expert witness advice for all financial matters.

EWA KOZLOWSKA MSHAA Qualifications: • Fully qualified, HCPC registered, Hearing Aid Audiologist. • Specialist in hearing healthcare including tinnitus management and wax removal. • Fully understands the impact of hearing loss and will work with you to find the best solution for your unique hearing needs and lifestyle.

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

SOBELL RHODES 020 8429 8800 www.sobellrhodes.co.uk m.sobell@sobellrhodes.co.uk

BLOOM HEARING SPECIALISTS 020 8869 9999 www.bloomhearing.co.uk pinner@bloomhearing.co.uk

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

ALIYAH ADVISER

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

BUILDING CONTRACTOR

DOV NEWMARK Qualifications: • Director of UK Aliyah for Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organisation that helps facilitate aliyah from the UK. • Conducts monthly seminars and personal aliyah meetings in London. • An expert in working together with clients to help plan a successful aliyah.

BAYLA PERRIN Qualifications: • Free professional service delivering immediate practical help with domestic administrative matters, assisting those alone and in crisis. • Providing workable solutions for debt management, budgeting, bills, utilities, insurance, welfare & benefits, form filling, financial correspondence, bureaucracy and divorce procedures. Cross communal and throughout London.

HOWARD GOLD Qualifications: • Member of the Federation of Master Builders. • Member of the Consumer Protection Association offering an underwritten insurance backed guarantee of 5 years on all projects. • Providing a tailored end-to-end property service for residential property clients in north and north-west London. Focusing on a quality service.

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HPS 077 1005 7233 / 020 8457 1320 wwww.hpsuk.com howard@hpsuk.com

MEDIATOR

CHARITY EXECUTIVE

ANDREW MILLER QC Qualifications: • Mediator with more than 25 years of experience of using mediation to economically resolve commercial disputes. • Queen’s Counsel (Barrister) with 25+ years legal experience of conducting commercial cases. • Providing a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to the court litigation process.

HAZEL KAYE Qualifications: • Able to draw on the charity’s 45+ years of experience in providing specialist accommodation designed to enable independence. • Knowledge of the features and innovations that can empower people to undertake everyday tasks and awareness of relevant grants and benefits available. • Understands the impact of a diagnosis of disability.

MR ALI NOORANI Qualifications: • MBBS BSc (Hons) MRCS FRCS (Trauma & Orth) • Substantive orthopaedic and trauma surgeon specialising in trauma and upper limb surgery • Multidisciplinary approach to treatment as not all patients require surgery • Uses LEAN methodology to streamline the patient journey

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SENIOR EMPLOYMENT ADVISER

CAREER ADVISER

SHARON GLASSMAN Qualifications: Born and raised in Israel. Worked in the private sector. 15 years experience with new olim while working for the government. Vast knowledge of the Israeli business and labour market.

LESLEY TRENNER Qualifications: • Provides free professional one-to-one advice at Resource to help unemployed into work. • Offers practical support, workshops and networking opportunities to maximise job prospects. • Expert in change management and people development. International Coach Federation certified coach helping people with career development and midlife change including dilemmas around ageing parents.

THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL 020 8371 5258 www.jewishagency.org sharong@jafi.org

RESOURCE THE JEWISH EMPLOYMENT ADVICE CENTRE 020 8346 4000 www.resource-centre.org office@resource-centre.org

• • • •

FAMILY SOLICITOR

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

REBEKAH GERSHUNY Qualifications: Member of Resolution, Law Society Accredited and registered with the Family Mediation Council. Collaborative family lawyer, with more than 20 years’ experience and founder of family mediation practice, Evolve Family Mediation. Promotes a constructive and non-confrontational approach.

•

NICKI BONES Qualifications: • Registered mental health nurse with more than 30 years’ experience in areas supporting people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. • Founding member of SweetTree Home Care Services. • Proudly leads SweetTree team to the forefront of home care and specialist services delivery.

FREEMANS SOLICITORS 020 7935 3522 www.freemanssolicitors.net rg@freemanssolicitors.net

SWEETTREE HOME CARE SERVICES 020 7644 9554 www.sweettree.co.uk info@sweettree.co.uk

• •

CONSULTANT UPPER LIMB SURGEON

Got a question for a member of our team? Email: editorial@thejngroup.com

For over 20 years Noble Solicitors has specialised in defending those accused of Business & White Collar Crime including Financial Crime, Serious Fraud & Money Laundering, Regulatory Prosecutions, Health & Safety, Cyber Crime, Bribery & Corruption. Our team will provide support & guidance whilst vigorously defending you.

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SHUK SHOP SAVE LIVES 22ND - 23RD APRIL 2018

The “Peer-led” Safer Dating programme for 16 – 25 year olds has now been running for 2 years. We are looking for an enthusiastic and energetic individual who can continue to grow the programme and build strong relationships with groups across the community. Our ideal candidate will have experience of writing and delivering informal education on sensitive topics to young people, will understand the experiences of teenagers and young adults in today’s society and will be able to make the topic of healthy relationships accessible and relatable to a range of audiences. Understanding of domestic violence and knowledge of the Jewish community is also essential. Jewish Women’s Aid is the only charity in the UK working with Jewish women, and their children, affected by domestic abuse. The JWA team is based in North London, this post will be based in our head office with outreach work across the UK.

Please go to www.jwa.org.uk to download an application pack and form, or contact Suzi or Caroline, Office Managers on info@jwa.org.uk or 020 8445 8060. Closing date: 30th April 2018 Registered charity number: 1047045

an exciting opportunity to be part of this amazing communal event flexible hours available help raise awareness of the ezer mizion international jewish bone marrow donor registry hebrew speaking an advantage kosher food provided

volunteer now! All proceeds will fund further bone marrow testing and help save lives across the world

www.ezermizion.org.uk/shuk OR CALL 020 8343 4884 ezermizion@youinspire.me.uk

12 April 2018 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Win a weekend break for two! / Fun, games and prizes

WIN A LUXURY WEEKEND BREAK WORTH OVER £600! Jewish News and Small Boutique Hotels are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a weekend break for two at its stunning Georgian country retreat, Taplow House Hotel, worth more than £600! In the run-up to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding at Windsor Castle in May, enjoy a two-night break at Taplow House Hotel, situated close to historic Windsor and set in six acres of its own sweeping gardens. On arrival, enjoy a traditional English cream tea in the drawing room. A chilled bottle of Prosecco and home-made chocolates awaits in your junior suite; perfect to help you relax while getting ready for a three-course dinner in Berry’s restaurant.

Wake the next morning to a hearty breakfast, before stepping aboard a lunch or afternoon tea cruise, with delicious food served on board while you enjoy the spectacular views of Windsor unfolding around you (bateauxwindsor.com). A second-night stay with dinner and breakfast is included, allowing you to explore this beautiful area.  Special offer: £169 per night for two adults sharing a double/twin room, including breakfast and three-course dinner. FREE upgrade to junior suite and bottle of Prosecco & chocolates in your room! Quote ‘Jewish News’ on booking. T: 01628 670056. Details: smallboutique hotels.co.uk and taplowhouse.com

Hilarious Hebrew Hilarious Hebrew Word the Week Word ofof the Week

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING THIS WEEK’S COMPETITION, ANSWER THE QUESTION BELOW. GOOD LUCK! • Where will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marry? A: Buckingham Palace

Closing date 26 April 2018

C: Windsor Castle

THE JEWISH NEWS CROSSWORD

THE JewishNews CROSSWORD 1

”ZIONISM IS AN INFINITE IDEAL”

12 13

18 19

The Hebrew word for 'elephant' is… pil ‫פִּיל‬ *** From the book Hilarious Hebrew – the Fun and Fast Way to Learn the Language, available on Amazon and in book and gift shops around NW London. www.hilarioushebrew.com

ACROSS 1 Medieval tilting contest (5) 4 Harsh, authoritarian (5) 7 Footslogger (7) 8 Roman ‘road’ (3)

9 Powdery residue after incineration (3) 11 Minor complaint (6) 14 Rank indicator (6) 17 Mine (3) 19 Be indebted for (3) 20 Solemn vow (7)

22 Child’s word for ‘father’ (5) 23 Style of canoe (5) DOWN 1 Goods thrown from a ship (6) 2 Purpose (3) 3 Symbolic (5) 4 Knitted bolero‑like garment (5) 5 Wrap around (7) 6 Close by (4) 10 Fiery person (7) 12 Mischievous elf (3) 13 Run across a pitch naked (6) 15 Indicate or suggest without stating directly (5) 16 Novel in digital form (1‑4) 18 Car’s bonnet, in America (4) 21 Glacial (3)

Last issue’s solutions ACROSS: 1 Pope 3 Splash 8 Tea shop 9 Ill 10 Possessive 13 On the loose 17 Nan 18 Autopsy 19 Burble 20 Rare DOWN: 1 Pity 2 Piano 4 Pup 5 Alibi 6 Halter 7 Chaste 11 Sporty 12 Hobnob 14 Tuner 15 Sepia 16 Lyre 18 All

See next issue for solution.

12/04

COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

By Paul Solomons

The ELEPHANT is ill, he needs to take a PILL

jewishnews.co.uk

B: Balmoral Castle

120 YEARS OF ZIONISM

The WZO and ZF run subsidised Ulpan (Hebrew language) classes across the UK. For more information, contact ulpanuk@wzo.org.il or call 020 8202 0202

ENTER ONLINE:

Terms & Conditions: One reader will win a weekend break for two at Taplow House Hotel. Prize comprises two adults sharing a junior suite and includes bottle of house wine and soft drinks with dinner. Offer and prize valid until 31/10/18 and subject to availability. Prize is non-transferable. No cash alternatives apply. Editor’s decision is final. Prize is as stated, is not transferable and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or exchange in whole or in part for cash. By supplying your email address, you agree to receive marketing information from the JN Media Group or any of its affiliates and carefully-selected third parties. The promotion excludes employees of Miroma and the promoter, their immediate families, their agents or anyone professionally connected to the relevant promotion. Proof of eligibility must be provided on request. Normal T&Cs apply and can be found at jewishnews.co.uk/about-us/promotions-terms-andconditions. Closing date: 26 April 2018.

BUSINESS SERVICES DIRECTORY 36

Jewish News 12 April 2018

Business Services Directory

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12 April 2018 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

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07/04/2017 14:47

ADVERTISE IN THE UK’S BIGGEST JEWISH NEWSPAPER FOR LESS THAN £24 A WEEK

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Jewish News 12 April 2018

British Friends of Ezer Mizion PRESENTS

SHUK MACHANE YEHUDA in London! celebrating 70 years of israel and 20 years of the International Jewish Bone Marrow Registry

SHUK SHOP SAVE LIVES

22ND - 23RD APRIL 2018 • 10am - 8pm london N9 venue • FREE PARKING • kid’s entertainment

DON’T MISS OUT!

book your tickets now! www.ezermizion.org.uk/shuk OR CALL 020 8343 4884 For enquirers and group bookings contact ezermizion@youinspire.me.uk

All proceeds will fund further bone marrow testing and help save lives across the world

Registered Charity Number: 1073496

12 April 2018 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Active

How did you keep active this week? Send details of what you’ve been up to and forthcoming events to: andrews@thejngroup.com

Why this year’s race will be a family affair LONDON MARATHON This year’s London Marathon will truly be a family affair for The Barrs – no less than four of the family will take in the famous 26.2 mile challenge. Jonathan and Lauren will be celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary on the day of the race – 22 April – with this being his seventh London Marathon – and second since recovering from a second bout of chemotherapy treatment for Testicular Cancer. Running alongside them will be daughters Sabrina, 24, and Sadie, who turned 18 three weeks ago. Raising money for North London Hospice, this will be Jonathan’s 18th marathon and his ninth post-chemo. He said: “I’m back for my seventh London Marathon, it will be Lauren’s sixth and a first for my daughters. My son Sam ran it in 2010, which means by the end of this one, all the family would have competed in this great event.” Two of Jewish Care’s six runners have been inspired by their grandmas. Lauren Waterman, 26, from Elstree will run in memory of Barbara Waterman, who was a Jewish Care volunteer for nearly 50 years. She said: “My marathon fundraising is all about the community at Jewish Care’s Brenner Centre at Stepney Jewish Community Centre. For more than 47 years, my late grandmother made it her mission to support the community at this centre and to put

ACTIV8 STAY ACTIVE NEXT WEEK...

1 2 3 4

Israel dancing at Woodside Park 15 April – 10.30am-12.00pm manager@woodsidepark.org.uk Ace Lifestyle Fitness Classes 16 April – 9.30am-10.15am office@kinloss.org.uk Street dance – 5-8-year-olds 16 April – 4.30pm www.jw3.org.uk 11th Edgware Scouts 16 April – 7.30pm-9.15pm office@edgwareu.com

a smile on the members faces. “As a lady who lived a tremendous life and was a dedicated volunteer for Jewish Care, my decision to run for them was easy – a tribute to remember her at her best, and to help contribute to a cause which was so close to her heart. I’m extremely proud to be running in Bubba’s honour.” Josh Domb’s grandma Diane, who has lived at Otto Schiff home in Golders Green for two years, has inspired him to run three marathons in the past two years. He said: “A few years ago my grandma started showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease. This swiftly progressed into dementia and in the space of just a couple of years, she went from being lucid, sharp and independent, to being unable to do so many of the things that we take for granted. From the moment we first reached out to Jewish Care they have been absolutely brilliant.” Mich Preston, Sarah Myers, Chris Ezekiel and James Fox will also be running for the charity. Daniel Carmel-Brown, Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising & Marketing said, “It’s moving to hear how Lauren and Josh have been inspired by their grandmas to run the marathon. I’d like to wish our team of dedicated runners the best of luck in this year and thank them all for their support.”

 Are you taking part in this year’s London Marathon? Send in your details & picture to andrews@thejngroup.com

5 6 7 8

Ladies pilates at Belmont 17 April – 2.00pm-3.00pm admin@belmontus.org.uk Maccabi GB Jewish walking tour 18 April – 11.00am-1.00pm janice@maccabigb.org Table tennis at Norris Lea 18 April – 7.00pm-10.00pm office@hgss.org.uk Pilates 19 April – 9.30am www.jw3.org.uk

AND IF YOU’RE FEELING INACTIVE...

Mosaic Making Workshop 15 April – 2.00pm-4.00pm admin@jewishmuseum.org.uk

The Barr family (above); Josh Domb (inset top); Lauren Waterman (inset bottom)

www.jewishnews.co.uk

12 April 2018

UKJEWISH CommunityNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

THIS SUNDAY join over 1000 people & Book now as places are limited

yomhashoah.org.uk/nationalevent

www.facebook.com/yomhashoah

@yomhashoahuk

#iremember

@yomhashoahuk

Operating under the auspices of The Board of Deputies Charitable Foundation Charity No. 1058107

40 Jewish News

Dr. T. Ganzel

Rav D. Ebner

MAARIV MAARI

RABBI ANDREW SHAW

Dr. T. Ganzel

22:30 - 22:45

Rav D. Perez

TED TALKS: Rav E. Silverman, Rav A. Hirshkovitz, Rabbanit S. Hirshkovitz

Rav A. Kahn

21:50 - 22:30

21:35 - 21:50

20:45 - 21:30

ELI BEER

Rav R. Taragin

20:00 - 20:45

Rav M. Leibtag

Rav A. Kahn

Rabbanit P. Fisher

DINNER & MINCHA

Rabbanit R. Fraenkel

17:20 - 18:05

Rav D. Ebner

Rav J. Horn

Rav Y. Grunstein

19:00 - 20:00

Rav J. Horn

16:30 - 17:15

Rav Y. Grunstein

Rav D. Aaron

RABBANIT RACHELLE FRAENKEL

Rav M. Leibtag

15:40 - 16:25

Rav D. Milston

18:10 - 19:00

Rav A. Israel

RABBANIT SHANI TARAGIN

14:00 - 14:45

14:50 - 15:35

LUNCH

Rabbanit S. Taragin

13:15 - 14:00

Rav E. Silverman

RABBI JOSEPH DWECK

Rav R. Taragin

Rav A. Hirshkovitz

12:30 - 13:15

Rabbanit. P Fisher

11:40 - 12:25

Rav D. Milston

RAV DORON PEREZ

10:10 - 10:45 Rav D. Aaron

RAV YECHIEL WASSERMAN

09:55 - 10:10

Rav A. Israel

RABBI JEREMY LAWRENCE

09:45 - 09:55

10:50 - 11:35

LEARNING BREAKFAST

09:00 - 09:45

Gemara & Halacha

SHACHARIT

Teachings from Religious Contemporary Issues Zionist Leaders

08:15 - 09:00

Tanach

Rav M. Gold

Mrs N. Kahn

Rabbanit S. Hirshkovitz

Mrs N. Kahn

Israel @ 70

www.jewishnews.co.uk 12 April 2018 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 12 April 2018

Mizrachi UK in celebration of Israel 70 and Yom Yerushalayim 5778 presents a multimedia musical extravaganza

Dreams of a Nation Starring

Chazan Jonny Turgel and the highly acclaimed

Asaf Flumi Band Presented by

Rabbi Andrew Shaw Experience a journey through time, telling the story of the Jewish Nation and the eternal connection to the Jewish Land. Uplifting Imagery â€˘ Inspiring Music â€˘ Powerful Words

15/05/18 - Stanmore 04/06/18 - Birmingham 07/06/18 - Leeds 13/06/18 - Bushey 19/06/18 - Hampstead 28/06/18 - Netanya To bring this to your community, please contact us at uk@mizrachi.org