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FURTHER HIGHLIGHTS
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Focus on Netza Israel
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PESACH VOL.
35.
5762
2002
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C O N T E N T S Thoughts for Pesach 5762 Federation News Federation Chadorim
Pesach 5762
From all at
The Federation of Synagogues
and Hamaor
we wish you a
happy and Kosher Pesach
Report
10
Your Shut
12
Happy Birthday
13
Cookery
16
The Late Morris Lederman
18
Ilford
20
A Tribute to Ralph Joseph
22
Hamaor Reviews
23
Miriam, Song and the Female Condition
24
J-Link effect
26
Minhag column
27
The Jewish Angle
28
Meeting Rabbi Doron Ahiel
32
The "Four Children"
34
Personal
36
Published by the Federation of Synagogues, 65 Watford Way, London NW4 3AQ Tel: 020 8202 2263 Fax: 020 8203 0610
Editor: Vicki Belovski Advertising: Roberta Rubenstein
-I
niNon imp m an
EDITORS COMMENTS I hope you like the "new look" HaMaor. It is the product of a lot of hard work on the part of various people, particularly Simon Lewis, Alan Finlay and Cordon Coleman. We are aiming to make HaMaor as appealing as possible to a wide range of readers, while still maintaining the standard o f our articles. We would like to include more reader participation. If you are running an event in your shut, or have an interesting story to tell, please send your articles direct to me by email: vicki@rabbibelovski.com or by post to the Federation offices.
A t
SyNAGOt^
JOURNAL OF
F E D E R A T I O N
OF
S Y N A G O G U E S
/ .V
Annual Dinner
1*
;* ■: *
Chevra Kadisha Seuda The Federation Chevra Kadisha
may be male, who may not
The guest speaker was Rabbi
held their annual dinner this year
himself
the
Joseph Grunfeld, the founder and
on
be
taken
into
in
Ilford
cemetery. He also addressed the
National Director of Project SEED
Federation Synagogue.
The
issue as to whether modern ultra
in this country. He also praised the
venue was chosen as part of the
sound testing has an impact on
Chevra Kadisha for their work,
shul's ongoing 75th anniversary
this matter.
observing that he is unfamiliar
celebrations.
The date has a
After maariv the participants
somewhat
more
significance.
19th
February
-
with it himself as he is a Kohen.
ancient
both men and ladies of the
He spoke on a theme taken from
The Jewish date
Chevra, together with dayonim,
the work of Rabbi Eliyohu Dessler,
was 7th Adar, the yarhzeit (and
rabbonim and Honorary Officers
author of "Michtov Mi'Eliyohu"
We have a wide roundup of Federation news. Ify o u rsh u l is not mentioned here, please send us details o f your events in time for the Rosh Hashanah edition! HaMaor has visited Netzach Israel, the newest m em ber o f the Federation, and had a look at the chadorim to see what our children are learning.
also the birth date) of Moses.
of the
their
and founder of Gateshead Kollel.
The Rabbis tell us that since
spouses and prominent members
Rabbi Dessler comments that in
Moses died in a most unusual
of IFS - enjoyed a tasty meal. This
order to awaken our love for
manner and his "burial" was
part of the proceedings was
somebody we have to give to
taken care of by G-d, the Chevra
chaired by Mr Henry Dony, joint
them - the more we give, the
had no work that day. In most
honorary treasurer of the Burial
more we love and not the other
occupations,
Society.
Mr Dony thanked the
way round as people commonly
unhappy when they have no
members of the Chevra for their
think. This is a very suitable idea
It is very easy at this time o f the y e a r to become so overw helm ed with the cleaning, shopping and cooking for Pesach, that we lose sight o f the true meaning o f the festival. Our 'Thoughts for Pesach" feature may help you to refocus and gain new insights into this beautiful Yom Tov. Lindsay Simmonds' article on Miriam the prophetess shows that a woman's role is not limited to the kitchen, and how a seem ingly minor act can have a long lasting impact.
w ork,
Chevra
selfless work throughout the year.
for the Chevra Kadisha whose
Kadisha, whose job is to prepare
Mr. Yoni Apter completed seder
work is exclusively giving.
bodies for burial, are delighted
Nezikin and said the hadran.
Mr. Alan Finlay, President of the
when they have no work as it
Dayan Y. Y. Lichtenstein thanked
Federation,
means that no-one has died.
the Chevra and observed that
Grunfeld
Therefore, on 7th Adar, they
their attitude of mesiras nefesh -
stories,
traditionally have a fast day with
being prepared to put themselves
importance of Project SEED'S work
penitential prayers in case they
out in order to help other people
in
have accidentally offended one
-in
people's
of their clients, followed by a
leadership of the Federation,
knowledge
festive meal.
starting from the top.
heritage.
Let us hope that this season of freedom and redemption will be just that, and that in these difficult times, all our people will merit true freedom and the ultimate redemption.
The with
people
however,
proceedings mincha,
the
are
fact
Federation
permeates
and
the
lay
thanked
and
recounted
two
showed
the
which
outreach
Rabbi
and
developing
understanding of
their
and
Jewish
commenced
followed
by a
learned discourse from the Rov of
i
the shul. Rabbi Harvey Belovski,
i •» *
?
\
*
\
on the subject of whether the ■a
pregnant wife of a Kohen may
Wishing you all a happy and kosher Pesach,
visit a cemetery. The question is
Vicki Belovski
relevant as the child she is carrying
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TH E
H A M A O R
M A R C H
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J O U R N A L
OF
THE
F E D E R A T I O N
OF
S Y N A G O G U E S
Thoughts for Pesach 5762 commentary to the Torah proves this point
DAYAN Y Y LICHTENSTEIN PURPOSE OF THE HAGADAH One of the most unusual features of the Hagadah, the story of the Exodus, is the inclusion and the emphasis of the section that begins "Arami Oveid A vi". The Aramean (Lavan) sought to destroy my father (Jacob) this is an obvious reference to the attempt of
concludes, "the Hagadah focuses on the text of
took his relations with him and pursued after
viduy bikkurim (confession recited at the time
him". Rav Hirsch writes the fact that he took his
of the bringing bikkurim) because it was
companions with him shows that he had the
designed for recital. All people bringing their
according to
intention of using force. It follows, then, that
bikkurim had to recite this text in the Temple in
study's sake
the presence of the Kohen".
of understa:
the author of the Hagadah's comment that Lavan intended to uproot everyone (the Jews) has an implicit source. Our first question is thus
mind.
Jacob? Even the most careful reading of Bereishis from chapters 29 - 32 does not disclose any plan by Lavan to destroy Jacob Subjugate, yes, but destroy?
Hagadah and what is the connection to the theme of the Exodus which is what the
Why this text? The fact that it was designed for
recital. So what is special about this text?
Hakoros H<
Hagadah
included
this
chapter
in
the
story of the Exodus? The Mishnah in Masechta Psochim, page 116, echoes the Hagadah's decision
to
include,
and
indeed
even
emphasise, the importance of this chapter. The
Nishtana,
he
(the one who
recites the
Hagadah) should expound on the chapter beginning with Arami Oveid Avi until he r r
appreciatin' The Sefer Hachinuch in mitzvah 426, comments
out gratitude to Hashem by relating our history
Hashem ha;
of association with Hashem, beginning with
expression <
Aramai Oveid Avi and complete with our
not enougi
Exodus from Egypt".
Arami Ovei
the first fruit offerings, the Jew is instructed to bring his offerings to the Beis Hamikdash and
to
the
our gratitude to Hashem is Arami Oveid Avi.
to recite verse 5 "And you shall speak and say
importance of this chapter in the mitzvah of
One may ask, what is the significance of
the Aramean attempted to destroy my father-
sippur yetzias mitzraim - the mitzvah of telling
expressing gratitude to the mitzvah of sippur
Arami Ovei Avi". Rashi comments (the purpose
the story of the Exodus.
yetzias
when he pursued Jacob and because he
commentary Zevach Pesach, makes a passing reference to this issue. First he notes that when
come to a
the offering of the fruits but we must express
The formula the Torah prescribes for expressing
father", ie. Lavan sought to uproot everything
Chinuch sa)
us Eretz Yisrael, it is not enough to only bring
elaborates on the exposition of this chapter is
Hagadah, Don Yitzchok Abarbanel, in his
reaching th
appreciate our gratitude to Hashem for giving
adds the follow ing, "whoever adds and
One of the medieval commentaries on the
good and tl
when he says it out loud. In order to fully
Devarim chapter 26, the mitzvah of Bikkurim,
stresses
is not a goal
assimilate properly the depth of this feeling
chometz and matzah refers to this Mishnah and
Rambam
donor and
mind if he recites it out loud, ie. one could only
In
praised".
that a relat
in the nature of man to fully absorb truth in his
Torah in another context altogether.
be
good that h.
on the reason for the mitzvah of bikkurim. "It is
The Rambam in chapter 7 on the halachah of
of Hashem as an Aramean sought to destroy my
a special reU
enigma. To what purpose has the author of the
The portion of Arami Oveid Avi is found in the
of reciting this phrase is to) "recall the kindness
story of the f
In Hebrew,
finishes the complete parshah.
Hagadah is all about?
But Abarbanel does not complete the thought.
of this text. Keriyas Shema is also designed for
Mishnah says, "after he had finished the Ma
What is the relevance of this verse to the
Hashem and
However, our second question remains an
Hagadah? What relevance is there in it to the
When and where did Lavan attempt to destroy
aPP '* iate" commanded
recital is not sufficient to explain the selection
If we pause for a moment to reflect on this paragraph, two obvious questions come to
but
from Bereishis 31, verse 23 "And he (Lavan)
answered.
Lavan to annihilate the Jewish people.
tell <’ver
for our first question) and then Abarbanel
the
Rambam w
delve into ii
mitzraim.?
Of
course,
one
complete a
for us and c
can
Purpos
understand that as a matter of derech eretz it is
UP in a sing
right and proper to express our gratitude to
frodus as a
Hashem for redeeming us from Egypt. But there is a much deeper thought.
contemplated doing so, Hashem considers it as
Lavan spoke to Jacob he quotes Hashem, "G-d
What is really the ultimate goal of sippur yetzias
if he had actually done it for as regards non-
of your father said to me last night, guard
mitzraim? When one analyses the mitzvah of
a duty to
Jews their evil thought is equivalent to a
yourself and do not speak to Jacob good or
reciting
its constant
our mi Mission.
deed".
Rashi's
bad". Hashem's warning to Lavan indicates
reference to educating future generations of
and»ll the
interpretation, Lavan did intend to destroy
that he had evil intentions towards Jacob
our history, it becomes apparent that the
mes
Jacob. Rav Shamshon Refoel Hirsch in his
(which incidentally provides another answer
mitzvah of reciting the Hagadah is not only to
Thus,
according
to
the
Hagadah
with
it
-
-
,1
10
fj
Thoughts for Pesach 5762 tell over the story of yetzias mitzraim, of the ontt>etejaoi
Rabbi Harvey Belovski
Children of Israel, who had been slaves for so long, needed a tremendous revelation of G-d's
Exodus, but it is to study the story and to
tggc
3
appreciate its significance. Therefore we are
By the time we reach the ten plagues in the
presence to provide them with the capacity to
commanded to teach the story to each child
Haggadah, it is quite late in the evening and
make the trek from Egypt to the Land of Israel,
according to his ability. But it is not study for
the participants are ready for dinner. Everyone
surviving the desert and receiving the Torah on
study's sake alone. It is study with the purpose
is ready to sing 'Dayenu', but before they can,
route.
of understanding our relationship between
we have to read three mystifying passages. In
needed a tremendous injection of Divine
compete the thought
Hashem and us. The ultimate goal of telling the
the first, Rebbi Yosi HaG'lili notes that since the
Presence to start them on their mission as the
le fact that it was designed for
story of the Exodus is to understand that there is
plagues in Egypt were wrought with the finger
chosen people. While both intentions clearly
kient to explain the selection
a special relationship between Hashem and us.
of G-d, but at the sea, the hand of G-d was
lay behind the plagues, which was the main
employed, it follows that the revelation at the
focus? Rebbi Eli'ezer sees four aspects of each
sea was five times greater than in Egypt.
plague - hinting to the Divine name of four
appreciating and ultimately understanding
Hence, there were 50 'plagues' at the sea (10 x
letters, which
good that has been performed, understanding
5 = 50). This is relatively easy to understand,
kindness as shown here in the spiritual "boost"
that a relationship has formed between the
but is confused by two further passages. Rebbi
which the plagues gave to the Jewish people.
donor and the recipient. Expressing gratitude
Eli'ezer quotes a verse in T'hillim 78, which
Essentially, then, the plagues were an act of
is not a goal in itself, the goal is recognising the
indicates that each plague in Egypt had four
kindness to the Jewish people. Rebbi Akiva
good and the expression is merely a means of
aspects, leading us to the conclusion that there
disagrees, for he sees five aspects of each
reaching the goal of understanding. As the
were 40 'plagues' in Egypt. Since at the sea,
plague - indicating the Divine name of five
Chinuch says, by expressing our gratitude we
the revelation was five times as great as that in
letters, which describes G-d acting as a judge.
come to appreciate and understand what
Egypt, it follows that there were 200 'plagues'
In his view, the plagues were primarily to exact
Hashem has done for us. The formula for this
at the sea (10 x 4 x 5). Finally, Rebbi Akiva
judgement against Egypt. This is the purpose
expression of gratitude is Arami Oveid Avi. It is
notes that one can understand the same verse
of these paragraphs - an attempt to help us to
not enough merely to recite the section of
in T'hillim to refer to five aspects of each
focus on the true function of the plagues that
Arami Oveid Avi. But as the Mishnah and the
plague in Egypt (rather than the four of Rebbi
we commemorate at our Seder.
r.
Rambam write, we must expound, study and
Eli'ezer.) Hence there were no less than 250
This fascinating insight impacts on the whole
>rah prescribes to expressing
delve into it so that we can come to a clear and
'plagues' at the seal (10 x 5 x 5)
Seder. We need to keep sight of both aspects
Hashemi M
complete appreciation of what G-d has done What are we to make of this rather perplexing
of our celebration during the evening. As we
material? The great mystic. Rabbi Yitzhok Isaac
re-enact
The purpose of the Hagadah can be summed
Chover, writing in his Haggadah commentary,
Haggadah, taking ourselves out of Egypt once
up in a single thought. To use the story of the
provides us with a profound insight. The exact
again, we should bear in mind the dual impact
Exodus as a means of understanding our role as
purpose of the plagues and the resultant
of the Exodus and celebrate the wonder of G-
the chosen people, and that our relationship to
destruction of Egypt seem to be two-fold. On
d's kindness and justice, which we can
the one hand, justice was meted out to the
perceive within it.
9 bikku
""" because i,
a'tal. All
People brin9ing ^ r«ite this t ex* in the ft
the Kohen*.
oes not
'as ^ ema is also designed for
In Hebrew, the term gratitude is described as
5special about this text?
Hakoros Hatov - recognising the good,
uch in mitzvah 426, comments the mitzvah ofbikkurim.'Itb nan to fully absorb truth in his it out loud, ie. one could only 1y the depth of this feeling out loud. In order to fully ■atitude to Hashem for giving ; is not enough to only bring ie fruits but we must express lashem by relating our history th Hashem, beginning vi and complete with our
° * 'd A i
for us and of our relationship to Hashem.
/ha, B *e »9"ifc"Ce* de io tfie mitzvab of SPP*
one can
? of course. of deredi ereo«» a dtude to our gra to u5 from E #
Hashem is special. We have been charged with a duty to spread Torah to the world and yetzias mitzraim was the first step in setting us off in
oalofsPP^. Itimate g the mil
$
our mission. As we read the Hagadah this year, and tell the story, let us ponder a moment on the real message of the Hagadah and resolve to
rent the “
fulfil it.
that the
So long deprived of spirituality, they
the
G-d's attribute of
events
described
Egyptians, who had oppressed and misused the Jewish people for centuries. No less than the annihilation of the infrastructure of Egypt, the death of its prominent citizens and the loss of its status in the ancient world were required to achieve this aim. On the other hand, the
dah *
TH E
T m
..
V
H A M A O R
M A tm k H
in
the
1fj
4
Thoughts for Pesctch 5762
Rabbi Dovid Tugendhaft The Ten Plagues In the beginning of the fifth perek of Pirkei Avos, the Mishna points out that G-d created the world with ten Divine Utterances. This refers to the first chapter of BeReishis in which we find expression such as, "And Hashem said, 'Let there b e ../" Through the power of this speech the entire Universe was brought into existence. We have a tradition (see R' Tzadok KaKohen on Parshas Bo 2) that it is not by chance that the number of plagues inflicted upon the Egyptians is exactly the same as the number of these utterances. Let
us attempt
to
explore
diverse and complex wonders of creation - all
oisosai EILEH bekirbo" - (Hasem declares that
of the 'EILEH' - we must contemplate 'Ml' -
He will inflict the plagues upon the Egyptians)
WHO is the One Who brought them into
u
being? The Tikkunei Zohar comments on this
know that every single word in the Torah has
verse that if one takes the letters of the words
been placed there by G-d for a reason. What
'Ml' and 'EILEH' ('Who' and 'These') and rearranges them, the outcome is the word 'ELO'HIM' - G-d. The message is clear: if we
these
correspond to one another and thereby gain a valuable insight into how the ten plagues affected the world. The Sfas Ernes explains that each one of the
cloak" G-d's divine light. It was only after
is the
reason
for
this
seemingly
Kiddush in 0
superfluous word "THESE"? Would the verse
the retiring s
not have made sense without it? No! Pharaoh
wassecretari
had asked Ml Hashem - WHO is G-d? But he
ponder how awesome they are, this will bring
had not arrived at the conclusion ELO'HIM. He
The Commi
us to belief in G-d.
was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. He
Freedman
was therefore given a new awareness of the
Shabbat di
"EILEH -THESE My signs" i.e. the plagues,
Croydon si
which would demonstrate to him that there is
appreciatior
a G-d Who controls the Universe.
trees would
incredible world around him, yet refused to
So we can see why there is the same number
A party was
appreciate that there is a Designer. The very
of plagues as there were utterances. Each
celebrate
same veils, which had been put in place in
plague momentarily peeled back another
conducted
order to allow man to exercise his free w ill,
layer of concealment which the utterances
Daniels, ar
had been abused. They were being utilised by
had initially set up. It is beyond the scope of
candlelight
Pharaoh to deny G-d's existence altogether.
this article to show how they all correlate (see
menorahs.
Pharaoh refused to see this. He arrogantly declared (Shemos 5:1), "Ml Hashem asher eshma be'kolo - WHO is Hashem that I should
Utterances served as a further veil in order to u
then
Over 80pe°
look at the forces of nature correctly and
listen to His voice?" He looked at the how
so that I can put THESE signs in his midst." We
Pharaoh needed to be taught a lesson.
R'Tzadok, ibid, and Ohr Gedalyahu, parashas
We celeb,
Bo), but let us look at just one correlation - the
Anniversary
these veils were put in place that it was made
The ten layers that conceal the Divine Light
possible for Man to use his free will in order to
had to be momentarily lifted so that Egypt
make decisions. Prior to this, when a heavenly
would gradually realise that it is G-d Who is in
firstborn served as the climax to this costly
radiance filled the Universe, it would have
control. Through the ten plagues, Hashem
lesson to the Egyptians. Every firstborn is the
With the hf
been impossible to sin and thus the concepts
revealed the true "nature" of nature, proving
beginning of a new generation. Every one of
M a rk
of reward a punishment would be nullified
to Pharaoh beyond the shadow of a doubt
these Egyptian "beginnings" was wiped out.
and the creation of the world would be
that the physical forces we see are merely tools
This corresponds to the very first utterance,
in the hand of the Almighty, and have no
which Chazal tell us is "Bereishis - in the
hide" G-d while leaving Man just enough
intrinsic value. Each one of the plagues was
beginning". G-d was teaching them that only
evidence that if we exam ine the world
exposed the fact that nature is simply a
He can create things anew and it is He alone
honestly, with unbiased eyes, we can perceive
creation of the Creator; a veil which is just that
who is Borei u'Manhig - who created and
that there is a Being who is the continual
- something we are not supposed to look at.
conducts the world.
Creator and Controller. All we have to do is, in
but rather to look through.
meaningless. The ten Utterances served to u
final plague which corresponds to the first
12th Janua
utterance. Makkas Bechoros, the killing of the
service by Ri
I
Raise your eyes heavenwards and see WHO created THESE (things)". As we marvel at the
are tv
^e future of
are hoi
on
With this, says the Chassam Sofer, we can understand a perplexing textual difficulty. The verse says (Shemos 10:1) "Lema'an shissi
r. ~ f t -
4*-
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.- A ,
January 2C
Communal $
the words of the prophet Isaiah (40:26), "se'u marom eineichem ure'u Ml boroh EILEH -
Daniel
NEWS
NEWS
NEWS
•I
fe
i
NEWS
r/ i
num p n^np^N m an ) -/*,* I-5
Federation News
° ^ 5 v /s/a g o ^0 ^
>ekirb° ’ ~ IHa
h
H ^ declares*
•"’ - i - . i j “ W S iH y . ^ . 3nsiBl1»n % v
Croydon Synagogue
Management to improve the welfare and
Forthcoming events include a M elave M alka
development of Croydon Community.
with guest speaker. Rabbi Y. Schochet o f Mill Hill, the annual supper quiz, a talk by a local
New Minister for Croydon Croydon
And
District
doctor on a CP's problems and an illustrated
Synagogue
are
delighted to announce the appointment of a Over 80 people attended a special "thank you " ^
» * fc „
* * »*«W it?No, fehem ' ^ 0 » Gd? Inihe at the conclusion ELO’HIM. he mdal piece«f thepirn], He I'ven a new awareness of the % % ns' i.e. the plagues, 'monstrate to him that there is ols the Universe.
rr
Kiddush in October 2001 for all the hard work of the retiring secretary, Mrs. Stella Hanover, who was secretary of the shul for many, many years.
Daniels.
Reverend
Daniels
is
studying
chazzonus and semicha at London School of
Freedman who conducted the services on
College
Shabbat during the period of time that
background has served as the minister in
Croydon shul was without a Minister. In
Coventry and Norwich.
and
following
a
publishing
appreciation of this service, it was decided that trees would be planted in Israel in his name.
:here were utterances. Each
celebrate
Chanukah.
The
service
was
conducted by our new minister. Rev. Mark
Finchley Central The shul has had another busy period o f
Daniels, and the Bima was ablaze with
sodal events. Norma Fisher gave a talk about
jp. It is beyond the scope of
candlelight
her life as a concert pianist. She spoke about
w how they all correlate (see
menorahs.
lment which the utterances
nd Ohr Gedalyahu, parashas k at just one correlation -the ich corresponds to the first s
Bechoros, the killing of the
as
members
lit
their
own
her training as a child, her debut at the Proms in 1964 and her work, which has taken her all
We
celebrated
the
Golden
Wedding
Anniversary of Iris and Stanley Goldklang on 12th January with a special Kiddush and
nans. Every firstborn is «* ptians. oneof i. Every »w generation. eginnings * was wip^ out first utterance, to the very -gereishis -in the I us 15 only vas teaching the® »
i
over the world to various concerts and master classes. It was obvious that she enjoys her very dem anding profession.
service by Rev. Mark Daniels.
as the climax to this costly With the help of our newly appointed Rev. Mark Daniels, we held a 1960's Night on 19th January 2002 and w ill be organising a Communal Seder on the 2nd night of Pesach. These are two of many functions planned for the future of Croydon Synagogue.
including
haggados,
machzorim
and
siddurim. For more information on these events, please contact the shul office on 020 8346 1892.
born in the USA, was educated at Carmel
A party was held on Sunday 16th December to
manuscripts o f the 13th and 14th centuries
Jewish Studies (formerly Jews' College). He was
The Community are very grateful to Jack
rhy there is the same number
tarily peeled back another
new part-time minister - Reverend Mark
talk by liana Tahan o f the British Library on
Congregation of Jacob In 2003/5763 the Congregation o f Jacob Synagogue will be celebrating its centenary and in honour o f this the building is being refurbished. Work has started already and by European Jewish Heritage Day, the 'folk art' charms
of
the
synagogue
had
been
enhanced by fresh paint ready for the 150 visitors, both Jewish and Non-Jewish. The synagogue was especially happy to welcome people with family connections such as the Wolkinds, who were active in the shul for two
Willie Ungar, our Life President, who now lives
generations. Another "family" visitor was the
in Israel, gave the second in a series o f talks
daughter o f Dr. P. Steinberg who painted the
about his very eventful life. He focused on the
picture o f Jewish symbols above the ark.
post -War era. He returned to Britain from Australia in 1943, having been deported as an enemy alien in 1939, shortly after his arrival from Vienna on a Kindertransport in
Rosh Hashana this yea r was unique due to the presence o f three shofar blowers: Firstly a complete novice stood in with no preparation and gave a creditable performance, followed
We are holding a special Kiddush on 9th
1938. Mr. Ungar reported that life in Britain
February to celebrate the 98th birthday of
after 1945 was a vast improvement on his
Edmund Jenner. Mr. Jenner attends services
experiences on anti-semitism in Austria and he
regularly on Shabbat.
greatly enjoyed the British w ay o f life.
The new Joint Secretaries, Vivien Harris £r Beila
The regular Bingo evening at Chanukah was
members were most encouraged to see a
Harris, (not related) are assisting the new
followed by a Shabbaton, with delicious food
number o f younger newcomers to the East
President, Jonathan Stone, and Board of
prepared by the Rebbetzin, Mrs. Telsner.
End present at the services.
by a virtuoso exam ple o f the Sephardi style and 'top o f the bill' the regular baal tokea, w ho
had
been
un avoidably
d ela yed ,
eventually blew as ably as usual. The shul
*
4
NEWSNEWSNEWSN
'1 t o
â&#x20AC;˘i
V
NEWS
j
Federation News
Ilford Shteible The Ilford Shteible (incorporating the Ilford Kollel
under
the
leadership
with
times of the day over a cup of coffee and piece
refreshments provided. It aimed to give people
of cake (or even a hot snack.) This occurs in an
a taste of a true authentic Yeshiva experience.
atmosphere
There were shiurim, discussions and a one to-
comfortable. The Kollel members' families' also
one learning session spearheaded by Rabbi
play a large role in providing a service to the
Mordechai Rose of the Ilford Kollel. The main
community, for example through invitations
topic of study was a topic from Germara Rosh
for Shabbas meals at their homes.
programme
of
Rabbi
Godlewsky) has recently and successfully staged a number of events and seminars. In addition to this the fortnightly 'Mayim Chaim'
of
3
hours
learning
Hashanah, the laws of Kavono (intention) for performing Mitzvos.
which
people
can
feel
The Shteible has undergone a bit of a facelift in recent
programme was established to run as an
in
months.
The
Shul
is
almost
The 1st of January 2002 brought a number of
unrecognisable compared to how it looked a
respected Rabbonim and members of British
few months ago. There is new red carpet which
Jew ry to the Shul. They came to participate in a
on entering the premises, gives people a very
'great day out for .all the family'. There were
welcoming feeling The place feels very homely
Shiurim talks and a lively questions and
as well with the new blue curtain which
answers session which discussed the different
surrounds
viewpoints on the State of Israel and the
bookshelves were fitted and are currently
responsibilities of the Jews inside and outside
being varnished, and the kitchen was totally
of Israel. This panel included Rabbis Kirsch,
refurbished. Finally The Arc and Bima have
Kupetz,
panel
been given beautiful new covers which were
chairman Mr Brian Gordon. There was also a
kindly donated. All of these changes have
full children's programme including arts tr
taken place with the intention of giving the
Chanukah saw the Shteible play host to a
crafts, painting, baking, slides and games as
place a great appeal to new faces as well as the
special party for 17-30's. It was a successful
well as a creche. A hot lunch and refreshments
faces of those who regularly take advantage of
evening, which attracted around 50 people. It
were served.
the Shteible and its facilities.
offshoot of the Shteible. These activities have run in tandem with the dedicated Kollel members who give their all to be of benefit to the local community. On Succoth the Shteible held its Simchat Beit Hashoeva, which brought together many members and some Rabbonim from local Shuls. It was a vibrant and lively evening with singing and dancing. Rabbi Chaim Rappoport of Ilford United Synagogue was the guest speaker.
was organised by Rabbi Godlwsky's Director of Programmes for 17-30 year olds, Daniel Cohen. Rabbi Cousin was the guest speaker. This event
Wolfson,
Liberman
and
one
side
of the
Shul.
New
Outside of the Ilford Torah Centre there is a new innovative programme called 'Mayim Chaim'. It is run by Grant and Melanie Sackwild
at different young peoples' houses. The group
Machzike Hadath artists at work
has different discussions on Jewish law and
A sewing group at the Machzike Hadath
The ending of Chanukah also brought the
aims too strengthen Judaism and provide a
Synagogue in Golders Green is creating a
annual
platform for a kosher home life.
beautiful embroidery panel. Each appliqued
The events and activities of the last few months
piece is being lovingly stitched and beaded by
have all run in conjunction with the Shteible's
individual members of the team, ranging in
Kollel Centre. The Kollel members dedicate
age from 14 to those who learned to sew
much of their time to the needs of the Jewish
before the War. The theme of the panel will be
During the winter holidays there was a Yeshiva
community. People freely stop by to learn, or
the attributes of Jewish women and when
w eek for people of all ages. It was a
just to chat with one of the Kollelnick's at most
finished it will hang in the Ladies Gallery.
has had a good impact, since some of the attendees are beginning to explore Judaism on a regular basis by learning with Daniel at his home once a week.
Me lava
M alka.
It
was
a
joint
Shteible/Seed event which took place on Motzei Shabbas Chanukah. The guest speaker was Rabbi Malcolm
Herman, the newly
appointed Edgware Seed project director.
and acts as an offshoot of Shteible activities. There are fortnightly meetings that take place
-
wr
NEWS
••
NEWS
sA
NEWS
Vft, £Jrx‘ Iv
y
NEWS
ft
Federation News lV over
3CUPofcoffeeandni Piece n3hot sna* |T t i OCCUR! ■ nan in which
^Koll le in
People
a cost of some 4,000, has been part of the 2001
mm
refurbishment programme which included the
can fegj
me &y
I? .* .
eI niembe ^ families’ also
■.
upgraded Beis Hamedrash and downstairs toilets. Yeshurun
'" * * bk* ^ at *eir homes.
“"W
'o
Gershon
Lopian,
his sermon on Shabbos parshas Veyeshev. He praised Yeshurun member, and Federation
5undergone a bi, ofa faceijf,j, The *
Dayan
announced the new facility was open during
• V V .‘
*
Rov,
Vice-President, Benjamin Mire, who spent
is almost
many hours liaising with the builder Mr Albert
it looked a
Campbell and the world-renowned expert on
'• There is new red caipet whith
mikves, Rabbi Meir Posen.
1premises' gives people a very ng The place feels very homely
A kelim mikveh is a ritual pool of rainwater
he new blue curtain which
used for "toyvelling" (immersion) of metal or
side of the Shul. New are fitted and are currently
The Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Alan Weinberg, Rabbi Harvey Belovski, Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin,
glass utensils, which will be used for food preparation or consumption and which have
the Mayor's chaplain and other council dignitaries.
l and the kitchen was totally
been
ally The Arc and Bima have
transferred, from a non-Jew.
utiful new covers which were All of these changes have i the intention of giving the
amusing and inspiring address and blessing.
Mayoral Service at Ilford Federation Ilford
Federation
Synagogue
hosted
The Ark was opened by Councillor Weinberg and Dr Issy Segal, the synagogue's life president. The mayor subsequently read passages from Ethics of the Fathers. The ceremony was followed by a lavish reception an
bought,
or
had
their
ownership
The mikveh has been built to provide a general service to the community. The whole structure is about two metres square and located outside on the eastern side of the synagogue. There is no charge for use, but people are encouraged to donate to the maintenance fund, through a
catered by the Ladies' Guild.
box on the wall.
inaugural service last autumn for the new mayor
of
Redbridge,
Councillor
Alan
Weinberg, who has been a member of the shul for many years. More than 200 people, including local MPs, other dignitaries and religious leaders of many faiths,
gathered
in
the
Coventry
Mr. Mire said, "The mikveh is finished to a very
Road
synagogue for the service, at which the shul's chazzan. Rabbi Shneur Zalman Rodal, led the congregation in song
Yeshurun’s new Kelim Mikveh opens with a splash.
high standard. We intend to keep it that was. The pools are heated to encourage people to use them during all weathers and it's all fully lit. Now we've built it I hope it will get good use." Entry is the same code as that for the Yeshurun's doors. There w ill be a formal "Mikveh opening" in due course.
Rabbi Harvey Belovski, the shul's rabbi formally
metal and glass utensils is ready for use. Water
welcomed the mayor and later recited prayers
levels
for HM the Queen and the State of Israel. Rabbi
enabling the mikveh to be used. The new
Shomrei Hadath Chanukah Tea
Aryeh Sufrin, the mayor's chaplain, gave an
facility, which the yeshurun built last summer at
The Shomrei Hadath congregation once again
Yeshurin's kelim mikveh, for the immersion of
unexpectedly
rose
in
TH E
December,
H A M A Q R
M A R C. H
2 0 0 2
NEWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNEWS Federation News
1I' Aw
.<•>'•.\v gS• •
enjoyed a festive Chanukah tea, followed by
Tugendhaft w ith a knife. Fortunately the
At the Elstree Beis Hamedresh Chanukah Party,
the lighting of the menorah for the last night of
Rabbi, who has a black belt in karate,
the Rabbi had been billed for the final act.
Chanukah. Many young children from the
defended himself skilfully and Martin was
Although his martial arts skills are well known
community were present. The speakers were
thrown to the floor and disarmed.
in the community, no one (except those
Rabbi M A Cohen, the head of Limmudei
— HMBaMB
planning the event) had expected such a
'
\
•. •• v to V* x
i« .
|jQje
.
..
,k-
Kodesh at the (appropriately for the occasion)
violent finish to an enjoyable evening of
Menorah Primary School and the Rov of the
Chanukah videos and exhibitions of talent.
kehilloh. Rabbi M Fachler.
Most of the children joined in to entertain us with their singing, trumpet playing and other
Rabbi attacked with knife by Shul Committee Member Congregants Shabbat,
30th
were
When Martin attacked the Rabbi with his son's plastic dagger, there was distinct shock from the audience. How would our Rabbi, an expert in the cut and thrust of Talmudic arguments
Motzei
fare in this life-threatening situation? Needless
to see Committee
to say, as with his sermons, he had the
shocked
Kislev
examples of unspoiled talent.
on
appreciative audience asking for more!
Member, Martin Landau, attacking Rabbi
THE FEDERATION HEBREW CLASSES
A L L A E C A R D * Help us to raise money for many UK Jewish Charities at one of our 18 shops
Director o f Education: Rabbi Ronen Broder
Although tl
sometimes (e
DONATE saleable items o f clothing, bric-a-brac, linens, and household oli goods
' 1f
COLLECT donations o f saleable items from your local area, for delivery to your local shop (expenses are happily ify repaid)
VOLUNTEER at one of your local shops for one or two hours a week
Loughton, Chigwell & District Hebrew Classes, Borders Lane, Loughton Headteacher: Mrs D Miller
asan aging q;
runs three c
Edgware at) North East
Ilford Hebrew Classes, 16 Coventry Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4QR Headteacher: Mrs C Rodal Yeshurun Hebrew Classes, Femhurst Gardens, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7PH Headteacher: Vacant
catering fa ■
^idren. u,c
Kindergartens: Loughton Synagogue, Yeshurun Synagogue.
Bit
For further details, please contact Head Office:
020 8381 1717
ol
r-
1 -i
4 k * m
r
f
%
« .
•
v
4
*
•
• i
•
»*
•
1* • 9
• 4
- |
•
•
Federation Chadorim for
Ilart>a| arts skill,
final ,
*
>»,.
.
“ ~
n
.„ a
Rodal, the head of Coventry Road
for
cheder says, "Knowing that our
Yiddishkeit. Even those in Jewish
children have a full week of
schools can benefit from a cheder
school ahead of them, we try to
experience as it can be a very
incorporate fun and games as
effective supplement to their
10 3,1 enjoyable Geningof
well
605 and exhibido
115 °f talent ildrenjoinedinto entertainus
without
"9' tnnnPet Playing«
the basis of a Jewish education."
W e d talent
To this end, Mrs. Rodal has
as hands losing
on
activities,
sight
of
the
ultimate aim - to give the children
brought in a sofer to show the * tad the Rabbi with his ^
children how tefillin and sifrei
there " * d®“M shod hw
Torah are written (to tie in with
ow would our Rabbi, an expert
the shul's hachnosas Sefer Torah),
^ru$t of Talmudic arguments
as well as a matzo bakery and
ireatening situation? Needless
various seasonal arts and crafts.
i his sermons, he had the
The
lienee asking for more!
committee who take a week-by
cheder
has
an
active
week interest in its activities. One week, for example, on hearing
children
to
school curriculum. Aside
from
learn
rr
all
education,
about
the
the
informal academic
standards at the chadorim are high, including preparation for Bar/Bas
Mitzvah
tests
and
ceremonies. Great emphasis is laid on
the
practical
aspects
of
Judaism, which the pupils will encounter in their adult Jewish lives. The Bas Mitzvah class, for example, is taken on a visit to the mikve as part of the course, as well as learning about Shabbos and kashrus.
that the children did not know what cholent was, the committee arranged for the surplus from the shul's monthly "cholent kiddush rr A Cheder pupil trying his hand at traditional writing at an explanatory workshop
to be served to the cheder children at break time instead of
is
North West Jewish Day School for
sometimes (erroneously) viewed
the last 5 years. Rabbi Broder sees
as an aging organization, in fact it
his role in the cheder system as
runs three chadorim - one in
supervisory
Edgware at Yeshurun and two in
everything runs smoothly. He is
North East London - one in
responsible for ensuring that the
Loughton and the other at Ilford
curriculum is up to standard, that
There is a similar range of events
Federation
Road)
it upholds the ethos of the
at Edgware Yeshurun Cheder. In
catering for a total of about 100
Federation and that it is adapted
the winter
Although
the
Federation
(Coventry
children. The man in charge of overseeing this project is Rabbi Ronen Broder, the Director of Education.
Rabbi
Broder
is
married with 2 children. He studied in Israel and has semicha from LSJS in the days when it was still Jews' College. He has been the head of Jewish studies at
-
making
sure
for the individual centres. The chadorim are trying to turn out as an end product a confident and competent Jew, able to read Hebrew fluently and with a sound Jewish general knowledge. In order to achieve this aim, each centre uses a variety of different methods. For example, Mrs Chani
crisps!
On Chanukah, the
2
"Ilford"chadorim joined forces with the local Chabad centre and participated in a "Chanukah on Ice" event at Romford Ice Rink.
An innovative development is
Programmes, in which the parents are taught, at an appropriate level, the material that their children are covering in cheder. Rabbi Steven Gaffin, of Schools Jlink, ran a series for parents in Coventry Road last winter, and Rabbi Broder ran some pre-Yom Tov
term,
the
demonstrations and "hands on" exercises in lulov and esrog and sukkoh decoration. Brian Gordon, acting Headmaster said, " We have a good enthusiastic cheder in Edgware. It is vitally important to keep the cheder system going - it provides an essential facility
HAM AO R
sessions
for
parents
in
Yeshurun which were very well received.
pupils
enjoyed practical shofar blowing
TH E
Enhancement
Parental
Looking at the wide range of activities and events occurring in the chadorim, it seems that Rabbi Broder's
stated
aim
surely
encapsulates everything that the Federation's education system stands for, "to open the children's eyes to the beauty of their Jewish heritage."
M A
iO IJ H H
10
By Rev. M. Gingold
Round up of the Association of East London Orthodox Synagogues
October 24 - Rev. Alan Greenbat OBE, Emeritus Minister, Hackney Synagogue speaking on the Chief Rabbinate. This lecture was enjoyed by all of those who attended. January
The Association of East London Orthodox
to the memory of Rev. Leibish Gayer, former
Synagogues consisting of Bevis Marks, Nelson
Minister, Fieldgate Street Synagogue. Tributes
Street, Commercial Road, Fieldgate Street,
were paid to Rev. Gayer by Mr Nat Roos.
Hackney, West Ham and Stepney Green Day
*
i‘ & , • Jr Wl'-M 4tl1 L. '
arranged. Dayan Lichtenstein, Dayan David, a
After a tight struggle the winning team was
Rebbe from the Lubavitch Foundation and Rev.
Nelson Street Synagogue and a presentation of
Austin, Minister of Nelson Street, were present.
a Cup was made by Mrs Brenda Dias, wife of
The evening was chaired by Rabbi G. Shisler of
the Chairman of the Association of East London
the
New West End Synagogue. Musical
Synagogues. Due to winning the Quiz Nelson
entertainment was provided by the Lubavitch
Street will be, g-d willing, the hosts for next
Foundation. There was a large gathering and
year's Quiz. This was a very successful
the evening concluded with everyone dancing
afternoon function and, g-d-willing, we hope
- Ladies in the Succot and men in the hall. "G-d
to bring in more teams for the next Quiz.
willing" Rev. Gingold said "either next year in
On January 19 the East End witnessed the
Jerusalem or Bevis Marks for the occasion to be
return of the Sassover Rebbe after an absence
repeated. //
of 53 years! A Melava Malka was held at Nelson
of whom spoke about the revival of Judaism in
The Association hosted an Any Questions
Street Synagogue. The Rebbe spoke about the
the East End. This took place at Nelson Street. A
Evening on Sunday October 22 at Bevis Marks
Children of Israel counting the calendar
functions and cultural activities. This is a report from May 2001 to January 2002:
- 135 occasions for Mincha and Ma'ariv and only twice it was not possible to get a Minyan. After each month we decided that on the last f -
day we would have a function. Firstly we had a % Mi
Siyum which was graced by the presence of
is
I
January 6. Six teams participated: Hackney,
Centre. Quiz Master was Rev. Alan Greenbat.
Street, and Bevis Marks. This was very successful
}}r •
Quiz was held in the afternoon of Sunday
its history of 300 years that such a function was
Commercial Road, Fieldgate Street, Nelson
it
Brenthouse Road. The East London Synagogue
Fieldgate Street and Stepney Green Day
a month in each of the following Synagogues:
•
Synagogue,
in the new Bevis Marks Succah - the first time in
We decided to have Mincha and Ma'ariv once
»• I
Hackney
Bevis Marks, Nelson Street, Commercial Road,
independence but we join together for
.
2002.
October 4 - A Simcha Beis Hashoevah was held
Centre who work together keeping their -\
6
Dayan Lichtenstein and Dayan Toledano both
further Siyum (which was attended by a large gathering) was held at Fieldgate Street. Baalebatim
according to the lunar system and the Jewish Synagogue. The panel
consisted of the part
Rabbi N. Tiefenbaum of Hackney Synagogue entertained the gathering with his Chazanut and they also enjoyed 10 people saying their Divrei Torah. In September we had a Seed Lecture given by Rabbi M. Herman, Director of Seed in London who spoke about Rosh Hoshanah at Bevis Marks Synagogue. This meeting was dedicated
been
counting
to the
moon
Presidents of the Sephardi Synagogue, United throughout their history. The moon waxes,
of the area were given the
opportunity to say Divei Torah at Nelson Street.
had
Synagogue, Federation of Synagogue and the
wanes, never disappears and always shines day
Editor of the Jewish Chronicle. It is the first time
and night so the Jewish people throughout
that all the Presidents had met to discuss
their long and glorious history have followed
various topics and answer questions given by
this example and remained a strong nation
the public. The evening was chaired by
observing Torah and Mitzvahs. He wished the
Michael Freedland and many points were
East End much hatzlocha for the future to
raised, discussed and answered. It was a very
strengthen Judaism. The other speakers were
enjoyable evening and an historical occasion
Rev Austin, M. Potash from the Lubavitch and
for all those who attended.
Mr Alan Finlay, President of the Federation of
Rev. Alanc
reenba,0B^
(neVSyni a9° 9ue sPeakin9 onii,e 3te- ^ lecture Attended.
Was'"Joyed^
Synagogues. Chazanus was given by Rev Moishe Duibiner. The evening was chaired by Mr
Michael
Milston.
The
Rebbe
was
accompanied by Rabbi G. Hager. The large 2002- Hackney
iad- The East Londo
^Vn3gogue 1Synagogue
VALLEY FURNISHING For quality beds and Immediate Delivery.
gathering drank a I'chaim for the Rebbe who
114 Brent Street, London NW4 2DT Tel: 020 8202 4666
joined the olom with a traditional Chasidic
d in the aRernoo n of Sunday ( teams Participated: Hath,
Michael Milston on the occasion of his
e'i0n S,re« . tam e,dal |
engagement.
et and Stepney Green Day
At Nelson Street Synagogue on January 28 the
m **■Abn Creenbai.
second Seed lecture was given by Rabbi Dovid
ru" le lhe winning team was
Roberts, the subject was Tu B'Shevat. This
nagogueand a presentation of
evening was dedicated to the memory of Rev.
dance. Mr Sam Dias made a presentation to Mr
ey.
^
e by Mrs Brenda Dias, wife of
L. Shaposnick, Minister of Great Garden Street
the Association of East London
Synagogue for over 43 years. Tributes were
ie to winning the Quiz Nelson
paid to his memory by Laurence Zysman,
)-d willing, the hosts for next
chairman of Nelson Street Synagogue. A
his was a very successful
presentation was made to Mr David Behr who
on and, g-d-willing, we hope
was responsible for the writing of the minutes
teams for the next Quiz.
of the meetings.
the East End witnessed the
We would like to thank all the Synagogues of
sover Rebbe after an absence
the Association for their cooperation
Hava Malkawas held atNelson
working together with Achdus and Shalom.
The Rebbe spoke about me gel counting the calenlto lunar system and the
graced our functions for the pleasure and enjoyment they have given us. Our grateful
the moon to counting The moon waxes,
thanks to our Chairman Mr Sam Dias for all his
ippea^nd always shinesday
Association. To all the Shuls showing an
• history-
his enthusiasm
h a ve t*#* history
j remmined a
strong nation hed ihe
^itzvahs. He ^ and future to for W tzlocha ha w e re eakers *. ^ °*er" [he Lubavitch " * * " h£federationesident of
12 Russell Parade, Golders Green Road, London N W 11 9NN Tel: 020 8209 1858 Fax: 020 8458 8662
PELTERS DELICATESSEN 82 Edgware Way, Edgware, Middx. Tel: 020 958 6 9 10 For heimsche home-cooked food and delicatessen. Under the Supervision of the Beth Din of the Federation of Synagogues. Wishing you a Happy and Kosher Pesach
for the
example to all other Organizations that they . Jewish people lotions
work and
We wish a ll our clients a very H appy a n d Kosher Pesach
in
Together with various speakers who have
hard
Recruitment Consultants
can work in harmony and together with friendship, happiness and joy. We ask all
The Rav, the Honorary Officers and the Board o f Management o f the
Federation members to come back to the East
YESHURUN SYNAGOGUE
End where many Grandparents and Great
ED G W A RE
Grandparents still reside so that we can once
extend their best wishes for a happy and Kosher Pesach to the members of the Beth Din and the Honorary Officers, Executive and all the members of the Federation of Synagogues
again fulfil the sentence. It is our purpose to strengthen and uphold the Torah.
L: f i r
m
A-:
I
Alan Finlay
12
ASK NOT WHAT YOUR SHUL CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR SHUL. One cold, wet, w indy w eekend in Birmingham in 1972, I literally sat at
However, there is a w ide range o f ways that individual members can
the feet o f a man who changed my attitude to communal work. Alec
contribute to their shul.
Dickson
had
organisations,
fou n ded nam ely
two
very
prestigious
Voluntary Service
voluntary
w ork
For exam ple, a range o f Social Care programmes:
O verseas (VSO) and
Community Service Volunteers (CSV). VSO arranged for school leavers to
• Our own neighbourhood watches for shul members.
go to third-world countries on a volunteer programme, whereas CSV
• Company and support for housebound individuals.
organised school children to carry out voluntary work in the local community.
• "Grandmas" and "Grandpas" for young families living a distance from their own parents.
He held the view that everybody preferred to give rather than to receive and that everybody felt more valued if they were able to offer
• A welcome visit to all new members.
something to others.
• A local Kiddush occasionally for your neighbours.
He believed that organisations should arrange their activities so as to
• Teenagers helping young families around the busy supper/bath time
enable as many people as possible to offer their services. In his position,
period.
he was often invited to prize days. On one occasion, he arrived at a private school and noticed some boys standing around admiring a very expensive sports car. He asked what was happening and was told that the school was having an extension built to its library and the sports car
Giving and receiving creates a real sense o f community, o f no longer being a collection o f individuals meeting at shul or the occasional social event, but part o f each others' lives. Allowing individual members to contribute is a vital part o f this process.
belonged to the supervising architect. "Why were the boys adm iring the car and not the beautiful extension7" he asked himself. They did not value the new building because they had not been involved in its developm ent - a wasted opportunity to use each area o f the curriculum to teach the boys about history, architecture or design. His final session encouraged us to think o f new projects as possibilities for the participation o f as many people as possible, by offering their individual skills and interests. I often think about Alec Dickson when I sit at shul Board M eetings or Federation Council Meetings and I w onder to myself what he would have made o f an Orthodox religious institution. The first priority o f any shul is to offer religious services that have to be conducted in a particular w ay and to a certain standard. It is not appropriate, for exam ple, for som ebody who is not competent in Hebrew reading to conduct the service, no matter how much he would wish so to do.
W hile, o f course, shul rem ains the focus for prayer within our communities, we now need more - our Jew ish identities need communities in which to grow and we must provide a range o f social events - with participation leading to greater involvement. We must provide a range o f learning experiences. Let us not miss any opportunity to reach a w ide range o f members - if we enjoy something, we will want to do it again! What struck me most about the recent Hachnossos Sefer Torah ceremonies at Yeshurun and Ilford was how excited everybody was that it had been a truly communal project in which everyone had been involved and had had the opportunity to offer something. Shuls should be seen as vibrant, warm, welcoming places in which everybody has something to contribute for the benefit o f the members. Such shuls will be successful in attracting members for the benefit o f all.
»
'W
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f EDERA7-/ / nurnp rnn; m an iaa yA 1 Sfiottn ______ J O U R N A L
OF
THE
F E D E R A T I O N
OF
S Y N A G O G U E
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday, Mr. Hebrew!
ORYou j that dividual i
Mnbenca„
grammes: hul members. 1individuals. ng families living a distance
>ofcommunity, of no longer
„
e
r
which every°pe
In an era when secular youth
religion, what can this public
formally approved word - and it's
institution offer to the broader
a shocker. In a meeting of the
Israeli society?
committee of words in general
to
Ben-Yehuda's legacy.
public demands norms," says
headquarters on the Hebrew
legacy lives on through the
University's Givat Ram campus, a
Academy
team of highly trained language
of
the
Hebrew
50-something
up new words too." The Academy does a lot more than make up words. Legislated into being in 1953, it is the "supreme institute for the Hebrew language." Now primarily devoted to its ongoing
experts strive to uphold their Knesset mandated constitution by researching Hebrew vocabulary, structure, history and evolution. The experts also look to the future by
directing
the
language's
development in all theoretical and practical fields. But best known, both to the public and Shlomo the taxi driver, are its activities
in
laying
down
standards for modern Hebrew grammar, spelling, transliteration,
But is there a purpose to all these strictures
and
restrictions in a country where ulpan teachers repeatedly remind their
students,
Academy's
scientific
"This
is
m Bw- r-
|
'mahalom' be used for tasers, the electric shock devices that some people carry for protection. The root of the word is helem or shock.
at
to know where they stand.
Maybe
it is
s o m e t h i n g anthropological, but
their language." The
In an era when secular youth associate the
answers faxes, phone
Hebrew with being forced to
assembling
for the
committees that, yes. make up new words.
the
words are trade terms lacking in the modern
100,000
meeting General
of
the
Assembly,
stamp of approval. Queries come to the
Some suggest new terms, some ask for
learn religion.
want suggestions of
what can this
names for themselves or their children, and
public
still others want to
institution offer
settle a bet. A recent three-page
letter
to the broader
suggests a term that
Israeli society?
can be used, as Mary
version of Hebrew over
preliminary
new words, others
calls and letters, and is responsible
the
Academy in droves.
secretariat, the public wing of the Academy,
was
mahalom got the final
study of
scientific
suggestion
levels. In a recent
the public wants to know the standards of
His
carefully weighed and accepted
new
words to date. These terms, after their "creation," and a validation
be'
use, Dan suggested the word
Most of these new
punctuation and terminology.
language
the
Gadish. "People want
Although he died in 1922, his
http://Hebrew-terms.huji.ac.il.
the proud new father of his first
forced
naturally, it is man-made. "The
Academy's
at
learn
being
Academy's efforts in maintaining
the
Internet
with
Modern Hebrew did not develop
Within
the
Barak Dan, a scientific secretary, is
are just two examples of the
Hebrew, turned 144 last week.
on
associate the study of Hebrew
Yehuda's first created word is said
make it official. I think they make
hod*1"
public
secretariat, it offers standards.
and if they like the word, they
exett
rr you.
edition of the Jerusalem Talmud
where they take slang that we use
Hachnosso* if lTOtjVt*0 itedeve^
Now, they are available to the
Ben-
Jerusalemite taxi driver. "That's
T o rc h Sefer
maybe people will understand
Hell."
enough,
several
most of the Academy's lifetime.
of
Oddly
requiring
-
This CD and the Academy's new
of the Hebrew Language," said
something. -ifweenjoy bees
properly
of the compiler is like living in
Shlomo, eriences-
new
According to Ronit Gadish, head
"Yeah, I've heard of the Academy
Let us not miss any
speak
a
origins from the past 1,000 years.
known is Ben-Yehuda's legacy?
involvement'
like
be a dictionary compiler. The life
"father's" work. But how well
ist provide o tonge ofsodol
look
full of Hebrew words and their
academic body that continues its
„ Jewish identities need
through lists and dictionaries for
to
punish, He decrees upon him to
Hebrew Language Council, is the
Cus for p r o p vilhi" °“f
want
Academy recently published a CD
descendant of Ben-Yehuda's 1890
wing individual members to
committees, have been accessible
"He whom G-d wishes to severely
Language. The Academy, direct
it shut or the occasional social
people speak on the street. If you
Historical Dictionary Project, the
Ben-Yehuda, father of modern
id the busy supper/bath time
process
Eliezer Ben-Yehuda once said,
to be 'milon', dictionary. eighbours.
Academy's rule; this is not how
immigrant,
By Amanda Borschel
13
Poppins says, "when you can't think of anything to say at all." This word, 'poom', can be played, according
'â&#x20AC;˘1 fiZfS
s'
F- i
Happy Birthday
14
to its presenter, like a joker or a
one, but in order to endear this
original
a
central to Jewish culture," says
wild card.
finger to your son, perhaps it
daunting task to methodically
Mishor. "Now, with the centre of
for responding to these queries and suggestions, diplomatically suggested that the inventor begin using the word on his own and see if it catchs on. Coincidentally, says Dan, poom is Aramaic for mouth," and is used in some Aramaic
expressions.
Who
knows? Maybe it w ill make a
Poom is just one unusual request. Michael Ben-Ze'ev wrote a whole series of requests to governmental and
responses
collected
in,
An
their Israeli
Ambassador on the Moon. The following is his letter to the
research some 8,000,000 words,
Jewish life again in Israel, people
less formal name. Because of the
the HDP is supported by the
wish to know how life was in the
close connection of the fingers, I
Computer Section that organizes
past in Eretz Yisrael." The text of
coexistence.
thought
and
research
the Jerusalem Talmud underwent
that thi
accessible. Taking the Oxford
the same "surgery" that the HDP
review from
Historical
performs
each
newspaper-
Historical
will be aco
of
"etsbait"
(little
forefinger). About
his official
role
as a
scientific secretary, Dan says, u Occasionally I w ill call up a governmental
agency
or
company. Once the secretary
Academy
of
the
Hebrew
makes
model,
Dictionary the
that
Language calling.
primary
Mishor says
ancient literature - post-biblical
importance is to find out which
bridge gaps-
(second century BCE) until the
manuscript is the earliest, and
eleventh century CE, and modern
therefore the most authentic.
literature - mid-18th century (the
Recently, my son was born, and he also has a sixth finger. I know that every finger has a name and when I play with my son, and I try to teach him proper Hebrew, it is hard to avoid frustration and shame. Therefore, 1 need a name for this sixth finger. I have a of
suggestions
for
or Jewish
Enlightenment) until
The problem
is
They
of the gap
immediately connect
between the
me and speak as little
roughly the middle of the
20th
date of composition of
Mordechay
ancient
While
not
Language
an ancient text
the Police,
and that of its
decisions made by the
literature
surviving
on all governmental
manuscripts
including
cannot be
Authority.
solved easily. MOST
of
being, to begin after this period, but to include such works as
the Israel Broadcasting
BUT
Academy
the Dead Sea Scrolls and
the
Geniza.
Academy employees
Academy's
edition
second month of Adar). I would
Historical Dictionary Project and
Jerusalem
Talmud,
be happy to get your reactions.
the
available
departments,
the
Computer/Publishing
Department,
both
materials
found in the Cairo
the
known
suggestion of "yoteret" is a good
the
decided, for the time
Academy are binding
agencies,
the
extra) and "me'uberet" (like the
moved with the forefinger. Your
of
the biblical period, so
Recently
finger isn't independent and is
Mishor,
lack of research on
belong to the two other, lesser-
letter, I understand that the sixth
to
section, there is no
nicknames: "yoteret" (because it's
Greetings, - Thank you for your
century.
According
coordinator
each mistake.
of
which
began in 1959. The Historical Dictionary Project's (HDP) goal is to create a living database of all Hebrew terms as found in the
prepare
Dictionary.
Language - I was born with six fingers on my two hands and feet.
divides
to
research into two main sections:
give them a ticket for To: The Academy of the Hebrew
their
document
the
Police
HDP
as
its
Language, it's as if I've said
their
Haskala,
as possible - as if I'll
Academy and its response:
1!
would be seemly to call it with a
hears that I'm calling from the
comeback.
couple
Obviously
w
Dan, who is largely responsible
agencies
texts.
is re1'1
published
in
August
"The
for
the Of
problem
of
the
the modem gap
the HDP, sc
between the date of composition
concentrates
of an ancient text and that of its
literature. B
surviving manuscripts cannot be
Haskala in
solved easily," says Mishor. The
writing sec
people who edited this Talmud
factual and
lived in 400 CE, but the earliest
our researcl
and only surviving manuscript, the Leiden, is dated 1289 CE. "What happened in between, we don't know," says Mishor. Unlike the Bible, the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds can have many authentic versions, says Mishor. Therefore, when cited in the
Historical
Dictionary,
the
Jerusalem Talmud will have two dates listed - that of its original compilation, about 400 CE, and that of the Leiden, 1289 CE. The Academy
of
the
the
Language's Jerusalem Talmud is
of
the
both a holy book and a scientific
at
the
Thirteenth World Congress of Jewish Studies. Before its printing, the text had been prepared as part of the recent CD. Why the
t
Hebrew
was
made
Doron Rubin
study of the work. Although
the
Academy
mt
is a
secular institution, Mishor says a
. Dorati
wide spectrum of people worked on this project. The supervisor of
a
the Academy's edition, Binyamin
Jerusalem Talmud? "It is a text
-
fvvy
10
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•
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fi
Happy Birthday
15
:entral t0 Jewish
i:..
^ Sh ^1^ * t
ewish life , n . entre of again in Israel n
ame ' °’mS “ >CUWW Ctl0narV-
that P^pare H -» ftofa, 0f
Primaiy
P°rtance» » findoj( m
Elitzur, is religious, as are many
periods," explains Rubinstein,
who worked with him. "The
"From Moses Mendelssohn to
Academy
open
Mendele, and from Mendele on."
institution, it could be a model for
In the late 1800s, Shalom Ya'akov
coexistence," says Mishor. He
Avramovitvh,
adds that they received a good
Mendele Mocher Sefarim (the
review from HaTsofe, a religious
Bookseller), was the first Hebrew
newspaper. "We hope the edition
author to synthesize Biblical and
will be accepted in yeshivot. rr
Rabbinic Hebrew and, in effect,
Mishor says. "Our work can
create modern Hebrew as we
bridge gaps. n
know it. Says Rubinstein, "He
is
a
very
lnusc"P> ^ the earliest, and Doron Rubinstein, coordinator of
before the most authentic.
the modern literature section of Ie Problem 0f the gap
the HDP, says his department
ween the date of composition
concentrates largely on secular
3n ancient text and that of its
literature. Beginning with the
hving manuscripts cannot be
Haskala in 1750, Jews began
ed easily,' says Mishor. The
writing
pie who edited this Talmud
secular
works,
both
factual and fiction. "We divide
j in 400 CE, but the earliest
our research into two discrete
brought
also
modern
known
Hebrew
as
to
light." Instead of finding the earliest known manuscript, the modern literature section locates the first edition of a book or the first known publication of an article. "What is important to us is what influences the public. If the manuscript was in a drawer,
nobody saw it," says Rubinstein.
Mordechay Mishor explains, in other languages it is possible to
Although not what Shlomo the
go to the local village and ask the
taxi-driver thinks, there is no formal system for slang, but as
recently revived, in looking for
may one day be included in the
technical terms, "We go to the
HDP. "We don't have the budget
Mishna," says Mishor - the Jewish
of Webster (£34 million) and so
wise woman. Eliezar Ben-Yehuda,
our work is necessarily more time
modern
consuming," says Rubinstein. In
Hebrew's
"m idwife. n
began the language revival. The
the meantime, Rubinstein and his working
her
Because spoken Hebrew is so
by the most modern Hebrew, it
are
how
grandmother called something.
authors continue to be influenced
group
woman
wise
Academy,
towards
following
in
his
footsteps, is rearing the child -
documenting the development of
which often has a mind of its own.
Hebrew and its vocabulary from the Haskala on. "We are a public
This article first appeared in the
institution,"
internet edition of the Jerusalem
u
says
Rubinstein,
obligated to the whole public.
Post,
The public asks questions and we
reproduced
here
with
permission from "The Jerusalem
are obligated to answer them." As
Post
rr
only surviving manuscript, Leiden, is dated 1289 CE. tat happened in between, we 't know,* says Mishor. Unlike
Food little
Bible, the Jerusalem and ,Ionian Taltnuds can have .. mthonfir versions, says the wo
thought comes
To demonstrate to people that being Jewish
salmon with salsa verde, followed by pasta
regaled us with Italian melodies. Multi
doesn't need to restrict you to a diet of
and chicken cacciatore. This was rounded off
lingual song sheets were distributed and we,
chicken soup, salt beef and latkes, Rabbi
with a delicious cassata and Italian cakes. In
the guests, were invited to join in. If you
Belovski and his wife Vicki organised an
addition to the fine food, Italian wines and
closed your eyes for a moment you could
Italian themed Friday night dinner for over
mineral water were served to quench our
imagine yourself transported to Venice or
40 s in their home in January this year. The
thirsts. As well as food to eat, we were
Sorrento. The Italian evening continued a
tables
were
offered food for thought by a brief dvar
theme of culinary evenings started last year
decorated in Italy's national colours of red,
Torah by Rabbi Belovski. We were also
with a Chinese banquet at which the guests
white and green. Our hostess had prepared
serenaded by our Chazzan, Rabbi Shneur
had the fun experience of eating their
a sumptuous feast consisting of baked
Zalman Rodal, a native of Milan, who
Shabbos evening meal with chop sticks.
for
the
40
participants
i f l W
■» . m ■
m
(
Ilford
P
M H H
D
H
0 0 2
Cookery
16
By Mrs. Avril Fine Receptionist at Head Office of Federation of Synagogoues
1. KNEIDLACH 2. ALMOND PUDDING
1. KNEIDLACH
2. ALMOND PUDDING
3. PESACH PLAVA
Ingredients:-
Ing red ients:-
Ingredients:-
5 heaped tablespoons
4 ozs ground almonds
5 eggs
medium matzo meal
5 ozs castor sugar
10 ozs castor sugar
1 large egg
4 eggs
3 ozs fine matzo meal or cake
8 tablespoons boiling water 2 tablespoons chicken or
3. PESACH PLAVA
meal M ethod:-
vegetable fat
1. Beat the eggs and sugar
pepper and salt
until very light and frothy.
1-
2. Add the ground almonds M ethod:-
and continue beating for 10
1. Mix matzo meal, salt and
minutes.
pepper together.
3. Turn into a greased oven
2. Add water and melted fat
dish and bake in a slow oven
and mix well.
(Gas Regulo 3) for about 50
3. Add beaten egg ONLY
minutes.
when mixture is COOL.
squeeze of lemon (if desired)
M ethod:-
1. Separate eggs. 2. Whisk yolks with half the sugar until pale. 3. Whisk whites with half the sugar until stiff. 4. FOLD both mixtures
Serve cold sprinkled with castor
4. Put mixture in fridge until
sugar or you can serve it
ready for cooking (cover
warm.
with cling film).
3 ozs potato flour
together and remaining ingredients. 5. Bake in 9" tin (Gas Regulo 4) for about 1 hour.
5. Remove from fridge, wet hands and roll into small balls and cook in salted
>s
BOILED water for 20 minutes (makes 20)
CD O 6
0?
sfi m ,
-\.
»
Highest quality beef, lamb & poultry
The Ultimate in kosher butchery No. 1 for Quality & Hygiene Wishing all our Customers a Happy and Kosher Pesach Branches at: Stanmore: 020 8958 8682 Hatch End: 020 8428 6564 Radlett: 01923 853700 W ITH T H E S A N C T IO N O F T H E R A B B IN IC A U T H O R IT Y OF THE LO N D O N B O A R D F O R S H E C H IT A
*
l
18
Michael Goldman
THE LATE MORRIS LEDERMAN personal reminiscence
m m'i
■•*.V**4 m
The late Morris (or, more popularly, Moshe) Lederman served as President
almost daily - in fact, he spent more hours there than any member of staff
of the Federation of Synagogues from 1950 onwards for close on forty
- and involved himself in the work of every department. This led
years (a record, I believe in the annals of major Anglo-Jewish institutions)
occasionally to some blurring of the policy making and administrative
having been the sole nominee for that office at eleven out of the thirteen
functions, but Mr Lederman's courteous, cheerful and helpful demeanour
election's held during the period.
commanded the respect and loyalty of staff at all levels.
Because competition for office is supposed to stimulate interest and as he
When Mr. Lederman took up office as President, the Federation
himself relished the excitement of electioneering, he genuinely regretted
comprised four Constituent and some sixty Affiliated Synagogues,
the lack of substantive opposition to his candidature. But this did not
concentrated mainly in London's East End. Largely through his personal
signify apathy on the part of Delegates, amongst whom there were
effort, reasonable argument and painstaking negotiation, by the time he
always men of experience, vision and ability; on the contrary, debates at
retired, he had effected the consolidation or merger of numerous small
Council meetings often engendered vociferous argument. It was rather
East End chevras, the establishment of new and development of older
Moshe Lederman's consummate skill in chairing such meetings, and his
congregations throughout Greater London so that there were now fifteen
exceptional talents as kehilla leader and negotiator which were duly
Constituent and sixteen Affiliated Synagogues, only two of each category
recognised at election times.
in the East End.
Born in Mezeritz, Poland, in 1907, Moshe Lederman arrived in London in
Furthermore, by 1967, the Federation had emerged as a fully
his youth, studied at Yeshivat Etz Chaim, and trained and worked as a
independent and integrated Kehilla, with a properly functioning Beth
shochet. After his marriage in 1932 he settled in South Hackney, where he
Din, a Kashruth Authority and a Talmud Torah organisation. It had
joined the local Federation Shul in Ainsworth Road. He taught at the
facilitated the establishment of two thriving primary schools on
nearby cheder, where he was eventually appointed as Headmaster, a post
Federation property adjoining Constituent Synagogues in Clapton and
&- retained until the centre closed in the 1970's.
Willesden, and provided and maintained a modern Mikvah in Ilford which now had the largest Jewish population in Europe.
The family moved to Hendon in 1935 where he joined the recently established United Synagogue. During the late 1940's he conducted
The Federation's journal HAMAOR, first published independently by the
shiurim at that Synagogue and held office as Warden from 1949 to 1952.
Rabbinate in 1962 to disseminate Torah Judaism, was later adapted as a useful Kehilla magazine and news medium, to which Mr Lederman
From 1958 onwards, following the retirement of my distinguished contributed a regular column. The Federation's Luncheon Club, which predecessor Mr Julius Jung, I was in continuous contact with Moshe opened in Greatorex Street in 1968, proved a tremendous success, Lederman in my capacity of Senior Clerk and ultimately as Secretary. patronised by hundreds of local businessmen, students and visiting Throughout his presidency he attended the Federation Head Office tourists for over twenty years.
0! •— •
1
.
Michael Goldman
there tha n any member of staff W ry deParanent. This led * " * 9 ÂŤ d administmdre eerful and helpful demeanour f at all levels.
Adhering to the ideals of religious Zionism, Mr. Lederman maintained the
cannot be gainsaid, but his legitimate aim and demand was for fair
Federation's tradition of practical support for institutions in Eretz Yisrael.
representation for the Federation and its Rabbinate in jointly
Following the Six-Day War in 1967 the Federation set up the Aid-For-Israel
administered religious bodies. That he was prepared nevertheless to
Fund which raised and forwarded many thousands of pounds for the
compromise on such issues in the interest of communal harmony - and to
emergency needs of hospitals and other causes. Again, in 1981, the
convince the Federation Council accordingly - is quite manifest. In
Federation Council decided that the proceeds of the annual Kol Nidrei
February 1965 Mr Lederman and two colleagues signed an agreement
Appeal in its Synagogues should be earmarked for specific projects in
with their United Synagogue counterparts that provided inter alia for the
Israel rather than being deposited in the somewhat amorphous general
formal recognition by the Federation of the Chief Rabbi's authority and
funds of the JIA. The not entirely unexpected result was a three-fold
the establishment of a unified, independent Beth Din in London
increase in the total amounts collected each year.
comprising Dayanim appointed by the two kehilloth. This agreement was ratified by the Federation's Executive, but not by the United Synagogue.
Of course, not all of these imaginative ventures were Moshe Lederman's own idea. But when presented with a proposal he thought worthwhile, he would design a workable plan and then make a sustained effort to
s Resident, the Federation iixty Affiliated Synagogues, Largely through his personal g negotiation, by the time he or merger of numerous small
ensure its adoption by his colleagues and the General Council. There are those who have asserted that Mr Lederman's presidency amounted to a dictatorship within the Federation, and an obstructive influence in relation to the wider community. Neither of these allegations are sustainable.
I and development of older o that there were now fifteen as, only two of each category
19
No more disparate a group of individuals can be imagined than the Honorary Officers' and Executive Committees that he chaired. They
Had the arrangement materialised, much closer co-operation between the two bodies would doubtless have ensued, leading feasibly to complete merger. Whether that would have been a desirable outcome remains a moot point. Despite this disappointing setback, Mr Lederman remained on good terms with successive rabbinical and lay leaders of the United Synagogue, who frequently participated in major Federation celebrations, including the Centenary Dinner in 1987. However, following the death a year later of his wife Rita - a lady of great dignity and charm who had provided counsel and support for her
included prosperous businessmen, manual workers, k'lei kodesh, husband in all his endeavours - there was a sad but visible deterioration accountants, lawyers and clerks, from the exceedingly learned and 'frum' in Mr Lederman's command of affairs. Recognising a mood for change had emerged as a fully
to the not very observant. That he was able to lead such teams, with their
a properly functioning Beth
varying personal and communal aspirations, through consistent and
Torah organisation. It ^
coherent kehilla policies, is a tribute to his diplomacy and powers of
iving primary schools on
persuasion. And indeed, when faced with determined opposition at
Moshe Lederman died at the age of 94 on Motzae Shabbat, Parshat
Council meetings - as sometimes happened - he would, in democratic
Vayishlach 5762 and was laid to rest next to his wife at Edmonton
fashion, withdraw an unpopular proposal or accept a compromise
Cemetery. At his levayoh, hespedim were delivered by the Rosh Beth Din,
solution.
Dayan Y. Y. Lichenstein, Rev L. H. Hardman MA OBE, Minister Emeritus of
synagogue
in Clapton and
Ilford Mikvahin modem
amongst the new generation of Federation members he decided, wisely, not to contest the next presidential election in 1989.
i in Europe-
Hendon United Synagogue and by David Lederman, a grandson of the ntlybythe
In this context, it is relevant to mention the two full-day Conferences of
adapted as a
Synagogue representatives convened by the Federation Beth Din in 1980,
Mr Lederman
and again in 1984. The detailed reports in HAMAOR clearly attest that
Michael Goldman
Club, which
both these events aroused considerable interest and enthusiasm and that
Secretary
members' concerns were fully aired and debated.
Federation of Synagogues 1964 - 1988
ished independe was later [ism. w h ich n, to jn's
Luncheon
ed3 0>
trem
endous
student5
and
success,
n iftar.
That his stance vis-a-vis the wider community was a controversial one
T H E
H A M A O
R
M A R C H
2 0 0 2
4
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£
“ii ^ ttD E R * r ,n
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nd
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HAMAOR J O U R N A L
OF
THE
F E D E R A T I O N
OF
S Y N A G O G U E S
IIfo rd
20
and joyous singing and dancing. At the shul, another 150 people eagerly awaited the arrival of the SSw &Sp
new sefer. All of the shul's existing sifrei Torah were danced out to greet the new arrival and the
A*
huge
crowd
which
accompanied it. The dancing
;7
continued
inside
the
shul,
following a hakafa (circuit of the bimah) led by the shul's chazzan, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Rodal.
»»
During the ceremony in the shul, Dayan Lichtenstein said, "The completion of the Sefer Torah, a w onderful, unique and joyful occasion
for
the
J
shul,
demonstrates the unity of the Ilford
Federation
community.
Writing a sefer Torah is the final
New Sefer Torah Coventry Road
mitzvah
in
the
Torah.
The
Gemorra states that a person who writes one letter of the scroll is to be treated as if he had written the whole Torah, for each letter provides a necessary link." He
One of the first events of the 75th
w eekend,
anniversary
Torah
year
of
Ilford
bringing
with
him.
the sefer
that the last occasion a sefer Torah
observed that because this was a
Rabbi
had been presented to the shul
community project, all donors are
was in 1948.
now partners in the sefer Torah
The sefer Torah was dressed in a
and the unity, which has been
beautiful new mantle and silver
thus engendered, cannot be
accoutrements, and carried from
dissolved. He also expressed his
the
Y.Y.
hope that this would be an
Lichtenstein. It was carried in
opportunity to bring the Torah
procession
not just into the shul, but into our
Federation shul was the ceremony
Meyerowitz wrote the last letters,
to celebrate the arrival of a new
with members of the community
sefer Torah, on 4th November
gently clasping his hand, at the
2001. This hachnosas sefer Torah
home of Mr. Alex Stuart, a life
was
a
vice-president of IFS and the
community project including the
project's co-ordinator. The main
donations of many community
writing of the sefer took about
members.
1,300 hours work spread over a
The sefer Torah was written by
year.
Rabbi Avigdor Meyerowitz of
written by Dr. Issy Segal, life
Jerusalem, who flew in for the
President of the shul, who noted
the
culmination
of
The
closing
letter was
house
Dayan
under
chupa
accompanied by more than 150
lives as well.
people through the streets to the
Rabbi Harvey Belovski, the rov of
shul in a traditional procession
the shul, leined from the new
with flaming torches, live music
sefer on a bimah thronged with
0! »- —
-I
f a
.
f
V fi ,&
'•1
••
IIford I
■ * * * * ,„
*•*
* <k * i, $ ced
"
-
« ,
‘ Ik " " niled inside the
excited children. In his address,
of
Rabbi Belovski said that the
existing Sifrei Torah had come
excitement
and
pure
joy
the
synagogue's
sefer Torah into the community
penned in Israel, our new scroll is
was
the
the first to have been 'home
relevance of its ancient contents.
grown'." He noted that a large
Quoting the inspiring passage,
number
"lo naShomayim hi - it (the Torah)
contributed financially, making
of
U.
of
&
k.
/r
* <- .
;.v
wk
from East End shuls that had closed. He added, "Although
affirmation
A'
dozen
displayed at the entry of a new
an
» •. , 1
>«
p» r _
people
<LA
in un III
II
i/i
•11*.< i. .
%
i W
Hi< lnrnih V:
had
■ i\ I EBL
X
lovviri9 a hakafa (circuit of the
is not in
he
the new sefer "truly a project of
Qah) led by the shill's chazzan,
declared that a Torah lifestyle is
community endeavour". These
5bl Shneur ^man Rodal.
not something beyond our grasp
sentiments were echoed by Mr.
or suitable for an age or place far
Leon Newmark, chairman of the
new
from ours; rather it is completely
shul and joint treasurer of the
justifiably
accessible to all of us.
Federation, who said, "Very many
'community sefer'. It will be used
reception, beautifully prepared
Mr. Alex Stuart recalled that most
of the shul's members have
and cherished within our shul for
by the Shul Ladies' Guild.
ln9 the ceremony in the shul, 'an Lichtenstein said, *The ipletion of the Sefer Torah, a iderful, unique and joyful Jsion
for
the
the
Heavens,"
contributed to the creation of the
shul,
sefer
Torah. say
that
many years to come.
We it
can is
The proceedings closed with
a
Mincha
and
a
lavish
buffet
n
lonstrates the unity of the
Swiftnet Ltd
d Federation community, ing a sefer Torah is the final vah in the Torah. The lorra states that a person who
Gary Green
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:M A R C H
2 0 0 2:
1
22 A Tribute to Ralph Joseph
A Man of many parts but a great whole By Austin Marble
There were so many facets to
the Royal Artillery. Stationed at
Ralph Joseph's long life that it
Crown
would
impossible not to
Plymouth on the eve of Yom
overlook something. An elder of
Kippur 1939, the young Ralph
be
the Federation of Synagogues and past treasurer of both the
had
Hill
no
Barracks,
hesitation
in
near
asking
permission to go home for the
Federation and Yeshurun, Ralph
festival...and the one after. And
passed away on Shabbos Parshas
the one after that. This was
Lech Lecho - ironically the day of his second bar mitzvah, which despite recent illness he had been most
looking
forward
to
celebrating in shul.
encouraging
granted, him
to
ask
subsequently if "Sunday Parade" could
be
converted
into
gallery windows and installing
Habonim as early as 1929, later
pulleys for the chandeliers. The
rising
national
Cohanim can also thank him for
Chairman of the Federation of
procuring the silver laving bowl,
Zionist Youth (FZY) in 1949. But
used on the festivals for washing
Harry Shine, the noted Keren
before the priestly blessing. He
HaYesod leader, spotted that
was also a great advocate of the
Ralph also had a way with the
induction loop, which Yeshurun
figures and persuaded him to
installed in the nineties.
to
become
shake the tin as well as shout out the cause. The fifties and sixties were important years to support the fledgling state and Ralph's contribution making
was
a real
catalytic,
difference
to
funding flowing from Britain and culminating with activities around the 1967 Six Day War. He later became honorary Vice President of FZY.
Federation from an unusually early age - just six, when his father died. He said Kaddish morning and evening at the Road
Great
Synagogue. They weren't easy times and like many people in that position, Ralph found he needed to support his family from
Jewish troops at the Barracks. Colonel Goldsmid was happy to oblige,
training
perm itting,
though he did raise an eyebrow when four of the six (Ralph excluded, regularly
it
must
applied
be for
said) dance
passes on the preceding Friday nights. After D-Day, Ralph was posted to Cairo where he made sure he journeyed to Palestine
an early age.
each Yomtov. These were the circumstances that dictated his entry into the textile business - still in Commercial Road - aged just fourteen. But when the war came, Ralph was at the prime drafting age of twenty. He became a "Belisha Boy" and was quickly sent as a gunner into
Ralph was a life-long communal stalwart - a fact which was to lead to his move in the fifties from textiles to full-time fund raising for Israel through the Keren HaYesod, the fund-raising arm of the JPA (later the JIA). A staunch
Ralph's subsequent election to the Federation as Burial Society Chairman
also
brought
changes.
He
reorganized
the provision
completely of
burials and instructed on the first proper
refurbishment
of
Federation cemeteries for fifty years. His nomination as Elder, on retirement from the Federation Executive in
"Shabbos Shul Duty" for the six
Ralph was involved with the
Commercial
nevertheless
Zionist, Ralph had first joined
1996, was richly
At this stage Ralph was living in
deserved - one of only a few
Ilford where he had moved in
people
1956
constitution to hold this office.
and
had
become
the
secretary of the Coventry Road shul. It was only after his first wife, Basha, died in 1975 that the seeds of the shift west were planted, and his marriage to Rita Esterkin in 1977 was conditional on a move "nearer to Hendon and
permitted
by
the
In the last couple of years, Ralph was
less
w ell,
having
been
diagnosed with cancer, but he was still to be seen often at Yeshurun and attended services whenever he could - in fact, until close to his eventual passing.
Stanmore". While he held opinions, Ralph At
Yeshurun,
as
Financial
Representative for the five years before the "Winter" season, he carpeted the shul and lined the Ark to keep out the damp demonstrating his background in textiles. He was also instrumental in finding sponsors for the ladies'
was careful and wise in providing counsel and we shall dearly miss his guidance in shul - as well as the characteristic sight of him in his trilby and overcoat walking up Stonegrove on his way back to Sunningdale Lodge where he lived.
r i ?
.--i
Hamcior Reviews gallery
Endows and ii
Pull*V>'0, % rh" lnstas
Hamaor will be reviewing a variety of different media with a Jewish theme. In this edition we look at some children's Pesach tapes.
rn. ^delierj n, ^anim can a,
^ i: : |
** °" ’efore
f« v a * for ^ **9 ^ He
"Let's Sing the Seder"
easy to follow; the voices are amusing and some of the side
i
comments are obviously meant
sophisticated for children. Each
One of the key factors for a successful tape for children is that an adult will
“rt0n * * Yeshurun ^ in the nineties.
be able to listen to it more than once without screaming, banging his head against something or driving into the car in front. This tape certainly
**m
Jews in the city. The story line is
for adults as the humour is too
^ also „ a9rM ta^ o f * e
"Pt,'s
23
election ,0
scores highly in this area. A family prepares for Pesach and sits down to
e te* « t a as Burial So d a,
the Seder. They are joined by a guest who has little knowledge of Pesach,
side of the tape has one song with lyrics which are easy to learn and also humorous. The wisdom of the rabbi is shown to great «(>,
advantage, as is the deeper
m •
Birm a" also brought big
anges.
He
thus providing a natural sounding way of explaining what is happening.
completely
The family sings through the Seder with standard tunes used by many
organized the provision of
people, interspersed with special effects such as conversations between
rials and instructed on the first
\
Mr. Matzo and Mrs. Maror and a trip back to life as a slave in Egypt. The
>per
j
tape ends with a very catchy "The Seder's Over" number which has
refurbishment
of
deration cemeteries for fifty its.
His nomination as Elder, on
rement from the Federation icutive in 1996, was richly erved - one of only a few )ple permitted by the
become part of our regular seder songs. |
-
message that a good deed can <VV
bring immeasurable rewards.
MM
,*wv
Pesach with Rebbi Alter"
This is an ideal tape to remind children of the tunes and concepts of the
Rebbi Alter is an American born educator, who now resides in Jerusalem
Seder, but I would also recommend it to families who are making their
and goes round the schools there singing and teaching the children. He
own Seder for the first time, who might not remember all the tunes, but
is the creator of "Pharoah in pyjamas" as sung by kindergarten children
do not want just to 'mumble through' one of the most exciting nights of
everywhere. That song only appears briefly at the end of this tape ( it is
the year.
actually on "Rebbi Alter Sings Around The Year" in its full version!),
stitution to hold this office. however, the tape contains a variety of songs in Hebrew, Yiddish and he last couple of years, Ralph
English.
less well, having been
Some
songs
are
from
the
f
ii
m ■
v .v »
<V v r V r
*.*
Haggada or Hallel,
yy •>
I*
others are just on a Pesach
i
theme.
This
tape is suitable for children
from
the
more traditional end He held opinion in providing
W T fl
-
■•
careM and wise *
miss
hall deady #1 and w es well as uidance in shul' « of him in -haracteristit sight Jia rcoatwaIking up Hbyand^ back to i< way .grove on *lS where he Lodge dale ing
f
"The Longest Pesach" by Shmuel Kunda
of the spectrum as it
?Hu A? up *
has little explanation
f s'
of what is happening,
Shmuel Kunda is a prolific and talented storyteller. This tape follows the
a l t h o u g h
format of a Zeidy with an amazing foreign accent (Kunda is responsible
grandparents
for most of the voices himself) telling a story to his grandson. The story is
well
set in eighteenth century Prague, where Rabbu Yechezkel Landau, the
Nishtanah" sung with
Noda BiYehudah, foils a plot by the wicked baker, Simon, to kill all the
the
enjoy
W
v
>,
•A*
might dj
Ma
Yiddish I
translation.
T H E
H A M
A O R
tv
UPXM.
R C H
2 0 0 2
11NDH
l
syNAGO<^
J O U R N A L
OF
THE
F E D E R A T I O N
OF
S Y N A G O G U E S
Lindsay Simmonds
24
Miriam, Song and the Female Condition
sense of prophecy and foresight. They all believed and trusted that G-d would give them cause to sing. Also, there is some parallel made by Rashi between the leadership of Moshe for the men,
In BeReishis (Genesis) 1:28 we
consequence of Chava's (Eve's)
etc" This pertains to the time
read: "And Elokim blessed them
mistake in Gan Eden (Garden of
when there was no Moshe, so
and said to them "Be fruitful and
Eden)?
about
Miriam was only Aharon's sister.
multiply and fill up the earth, and
womankind that led HaKadosh
She told her parents that they
conquer it. Dominate the fish of
Baruch
must maintain their relationship
the sea, the birds of the sky and every beast that walks the land" We read later, as a consequence of the eating from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil,
What
Hu
We w ill
and
your
you w ill
give
b irth ....".
in
In Shmos (Exodus) 15:20-21, we read:
sister of Aharon, took
women of that
that HaKadosh
Miriam
the prophetess, the
The righteous
generation had
"And
the drum (timbrel) in
women
went
following
out
her with
drums
and
being
would perform miracles for
but
their
decree
of
separation applied to girls also and was therefore far worse than Pharaoh's own. She persuaded them, and, as we know, from their
them : 'Sing to G d for His great victory,
knowledge
of
them and
Rashi also comments: ' "With drums and tambourines": The righteous
women
of
that
Baruch
Hu
would
perform miracles for them and therefore they took drums out of Egypt.'
difficult pregnancies, hard labours, whilst not time,
forgetting
the
effort
and
patience needed to
therefore they took drums
OUt
Miriam answered them": Moshe Rashi,
be, at the very least, somewhat daunting. Why was it that this should be the
our
moment of 91
wedrashRab! this Pant'3
Miriam plays here is essential for
â&#x20AC;&#x2122; songs thatar
the Jewish
women. She has
are written in
leadership qualities for them, and
That is to s<
these are
become pre
expressed
through
song.
and then dc
The Kli Yakar has a fascinating
bow they an
insight into this episode. He
comes upon
suggests that all the women
songs.
merited seeing the 'face of the
Invsetigatinc
Sh'china (Divine Presence)' and given
that they followed footsteps
in
they
also
at
this
prophecy
moment. However, he states, that given that the Sh'chinah only dwells where simchah (happiness) pervades,
and
since
requires us ic 'are. One
Medrash, wh
follow, is the
m question, would there
tope with
women specifically
experience the pain of childbirth, they needed to take musical instruments with them in order to raise their spirits to experience
childbirth, ability to
Expressed to
said the song to the men, he
complete simchah. that
This is a truly remarkable insight. The Kli Yakar seems to suggest
deemed c
question, responds:
spoke and they responded after
Miriam
him, and Miriam spoke the song
fear of childbirth hanging over
and her acti
to the women.'
them,
hoHi the
of Egypt
bring up children, can
sensing
to achieve
song. And Rashi further suggests:' "And
cast into the sea."
for the
inescapab^f
women. We sense that the role
achieved
horse and rider He the
that of Miriam
Miriam's
union Moshe was born.'
HaKadosh
Baruch Hu
blessed to "fill up the earth", together with
Pharaoh's decree applied only to
generation had trust/belief that
tambourines.
and
|
fi ihemselves
baby boys. She reasoned that
her hand, and all the
And Miriam answered children and
Pharaoh's decree to kill all the
boys,
latter statement is a difficult one. Wanting
and try to have children in spite of
for some sense of understanding.
trust/belief
For most women, this
this
general and Miriam in particular.
pregnancy, with great pain
'choose'
exam ine women
woman He said "1 will
anguish
to
it
consequence specifically?
(ibid) 3:16: "To the
greatly increase your
was
10 W yeomenwhoI
the
prophetess When prophetess?
took":
was
When
she
she
a
was
Aharon's sister, before Moshe was born, she said : "In the future my mother will give birth to a son,
that women constantly have the
perhaps unconsciously,
discover wh
Several interesting points must be
and
their
Medrash to
noted here. All the women have
conscious happiness. It may also
this Point i
that
this
affects
brought out instruments, not only
pertain to the preoccupation
Miriam. They have all shown a
with fertility, both of women who are able and those who are
with
-
'â&#x20AC;˘'eShi
at
Man and
wc
I .
yf
i
'
25
S6nSeof Pfophecyand, ,„
Weda"dto * ,
* * * * theres „ * d e by Ras,
N
“ ' W al
^ 9asl,i between Hj
unable to have children. Those
blessing to "fill up the earth" in
we have, not mourn at what we
following
women who left Egypt had to lift
BeReishis. A classic understanding
lack.
speech and language pathology,
themselves from this apparent
of this blessing is that it is
inescapable fact of womanhood
intended toensure that the world
to achieve
be filled with creatures who
a
most
intimate
" * " °f *«■ for , e Medrash Rabbah commenting on We * " * ^ f c *
**
^
difficult this may be. Just as the women of the Exodus had to
emulate G-d, who are created
moment of glory with G-d.
^
The Kli Yakar intimates how
this Parsha (23,11) states: "all
bring their instruments to ensure
'b'tselem Elokim" - in the image
their success, so we too must find
of G-d.
our
b«e is essential fa
songs that are said in this world 16 JeW!h W "® !. She has adershipquaiifefortlrem.and
are written in the feminine form. That is to say, just as women
6Se are '*P«Wi through ng.
those
If, indeed, this is a
It is in this
blessing, then why
imperfect
does G-d cause this
become pregnant, give birth,
particular
and then do it all again, that's
activity
e Kli Yalar has a fascinating
how they are (made) - anguish
painful and difficult;
learn to sing.
!'Qht into this episode. He
comes upon them and they sing
and how are women
* *
9gests that all the women
songs.
affected by the very
;rited seeing the 'face of the china (Divine Presence)' and 'en that they followed in
Invsetigating
this
Medrash
requires us to establish who "they "are.
One
reading
of
the
natural
inhabit
to rejoice at what we have.
and
follow, is the reading; the "they"
Noshim
Tzidkanios
ment. However, he states, that
in question are women. Women
(righteous women) represent for
would thereby be considered to
us the ability to trust -the ability to
cope
have faith when chaos seems
specifically
pregnancy
and
imminent. They let us know that
ability
room to dream and a place for
this.
Expressed to some extent through song
song We
But we
must
perfect
place,
actions
where
have
certain
consequences, only to learn in adulthood that this is not so; G-d allows us an insight into the
women,
who
may
face
running of the world. Though the
knowledge of Good and Evil and
seems to ^9est Kli Yakar the women « * ■ # ^ tijktirrh hanging °ver 0f childbirth ■iousl/r , perhaps ^ cl
discover what is it about Miriam
childrearing; who may see the
though those things through
and her activity that precipitates
immediate future as difficult or
which we are blessed may also
both the Kli Yakar and the
challenging, must learn to have
cause us grief, we come to
Medrash to discuss childbirth at
foresight into the less immediate
understand that an imperfect
h
their
this point in time, in connection
future, where G-d plans and we
world is also a world in which we
It may also
with the Shiras HaYam (the Song
discover.
need to sing.
It is in this imperfect world that we
Lindsay Simmonds was educated
learn to sing, to rejoice at what
at Carmel College, Oxfordshire;
T H E
i
four children.
certain
with pregnancy, childbirth or
Man and woman were given the
Edgware with her husband and
childhood that the world is a
concerned childbirth, I will try to
eoccoPatioP the Pr to tin portionwho •ijn/ both o are ferti'W'
around London. Lindsay lives in
And, even though we thought in
is a truly remarkable i® ^ 1,
at the Sea).
studies at various locations in and
the
perfect world does not exist with
^
women's
have
difficulty with our own fertility,
tious
Jewish
with Him.
Given that our original question
that this
on
intimate relationship
plete simchah.
F
Watford U.S. She teaches and
will arise.
in an imperfect world there is
overcome
to serve as the rebbetsin of
that the opportunity
the
childbirth, yet have a specific to
Divine Presence of G-d
what we lack.
lieved prophecy at this
anguish,
the
opportunity, with faith
helped to create? and
much
to
anticipating
Miriam
with
accommodate
that
not mourn at
Medrash, which I have chosen to
ells where simchah (happiness)
us
Israel before returning to England
them always ready,
riam's footsteps they also
en that the Sh'chinah only
enable
studying at various institutions in
and build a close and
to become
nature of the world they
world that we
means
she studied
in London. Lindsay spent six years
lectures
instruments
which
H A M A O R
M A R C H
2 0 0 2
Rabbi Arye Forta
26
Reaching the unreachable -Link effect BY RABBI ARYE FORTA One of the most dynamic forces in outreach today is Schools J-Link - an
trips abroad. In conjunction with the Holocaust Educational Trust, it runs
organization that brings a wide range of Jewish experiences to literally
an annual visit to Auschwitz. In the summer it sent its first group of
thousands of unaffiliated youngsters. It must rank as one of the most
students to Belarus, where they spent a week with the local community
innovative projects in which the Federation invests.
and met survivors of the Minsk Ghetto. They also visited Lithuania (where participants had a gemoro
What is unique about J-Link is that it runs activities for Jewish teenagers on site in their non-Jewish schools. Since it began in 1993, it has done everything from
In a very real sense, J-Link is sowing seeds
addressing formal assemblies and classes, to less formal Jewish Society events to totally informal parties on Succot, Chanukah, Purim and just about any other possible occasion.
for the Jewish future of
Although active mostly within the greater London area, it also visits schools in St. Albans, Westcliff and
pupils relocated after its closure, as Clifton College has
It should be emphasized that the young people whom
thousands of young
some are brought up with a firm Jewish commitment,
people, nurturing and
are Shomer Shabbat, daven three times a day and do not eat the regular school dinners, these are a very
nourishing them while they are at school and passing them on to
Brighton. One of its newest ventures is in Clifton College, Bristol, where many of the Carmel College
housed the famous Volozhin Yeshiva!)
J-Link is meeting are largely unaffiliated. Whereas
J-Link currently works in over 50 schools, focusing mainly on those with large numbers of Jewish pupils.
shiur on the grass outside the building which once
University Chaplains when they leave.
small minority. The overwhelming majority have very
,itt,e in the waY of Jewish contacts - no Shul, no youth movement, sometimes not even Jewish friends. Without significant Jewish input, there is really nothing to keep them within the fold. And because they are unaffiliated, often not even mixing in Jewish
a Jewish 'house'. J-Link now runs Shabbat activities
company, these youngsters have made themselves
there each half term, with weekday activities currently
virtually inaccessible to the all the regular outreach
being planned. J-Link also has a small operation in Leeds, where it
organisations. This is where J-Link scores - the one place they have to be
arranges for Jewish students to speak in the local schools.
is in school and that is where J-Link goes.
The most popular activity at the moment is "Lunch and Learn". This is
In a very real sense, J-Link is sowing seeds for the Jewish future of
precisely what it implies - J-Link provides a light lunch (smoked salmon
thousands of young people, nurturing and nourishing them while they
roll, bottle of Coke and crisps) and the youngsters come to learn. These
are at school and passing them on to University Chaplains when they
lunchtime session are now running in over 30 schools, some weekly, some
leave. In choosing to support Schools J-Link, the Federation had once
fortnightly, others less often. "Lunch and Learn" has brought hundreds of
again shown itself to be one of the most forward thinking organizations
Jewish teenagers into regular Torah-learning programmes.
in Anglo-Jewry today.
J-Link is now expanding its range of out-of-school events. Having held
Rabbi Arye Forta BA has been the Director o f Schools J-Link since its
and annual Inter-Schools Jewish Quiz for several years, it is now running
'w L
inception
Minhag column
27
cups of wine and so we call the fifth cup of
Minhag column
wine after him. Now we know why the fifth cup is called after
HaMaor looks at the cos shel Eliyohu - Elijah's cup
Elijah, we must turn to a very important question - what should you do with the wine
There is a familiar idea that the four cups of wine which we drink at the Seder correspond in some way to the four expressions of redemption in the verse in Exodus: " and I will
'* * * Edu«OonaI Trust, i, ^ mmer “ a * its firs, group of
Wek '''i'’1
community
Minsk Ghetto. They also re Participants had a gemoro side the building which once ozhin Yeshiva!)
take you out", "and I will save you", "and I will redeem you" and " and I will take you" (to me to be a nation). There is another expression of redemption in this verse - "and 1 will bring you" (into the land of Israel). There is an idea that we should have a fifth cup of wine to correspond to this expression - it is considered
i that the young people whom
praiseworthy to pour this other cup, although
largely unaffiliated. Whereas
not necessarily to drink it! This is just one of the
ith a firm Jewish commitment, iven three times a day and do
explanations given for the number of cups used - there are of course others.
ool dinners, these are a very
The fifth cup is widely known as Elijah's cup. It
whelming majority have very
is customary to use a large, beautiful cup for
h contacts - no Shut no youth
this in honour of the Prophet. Why is the fifth
not even Jewish friends,
cup known in this way? Here are a variety of
wish input, there is really vithin the fold. And because sp not even mixing inin Jewish
possible reasons:
suggests that the question of whether one should drink the fifth cup or merely pour it out is one of these irresolvable questions on which Elijah, when he comes, will enlighten us. Therefore we call the cup after him.
coming of the prophet Elijah. It is therefore a
possibilities:
tells us that Elijah is present at every Bris Milah. Therefore we pour a cup of wine for Elijah who is able to bear witness that the Jews are keeping the mitzvah of Bris Mila and the mitzvah of Pesach properly and will go up to
the wine go down when the door is opened after the meal!
about the Jewish people in order to hasten the
of wine and then to give all the participants
redemption.
some of Elijah's wine in their fourth cup. Some
The cup of wine is an invitation to Elijah to visit us, in the same way as we prepare a cup of wine for him at a Bris Milah.
people after this fill up Elijah's cup again for the next day. To leave Elijah's cup (covered) on the table and
The cup is not named after the prophet Elijah at
Gemora, whose opinion it was that we should
use it for kiddush at lunch the next day. Since the wine has been used for one mitzvah, it is appropriate that it should be used for another mitzvah. It can also be added in to wine which
have a fifth cup.
ie one place they have to be
current exile. This fifth cup represents the
of the Ma Nishtanah. In Temple times, they did
future redemption, which will be announced
not ask, "why do we lean?" since they ate
by Elijah.
leaning all through the year. They asked
is used for bentching at the other yom tov meals. Not to drink it at all, but at the end of the Seder, simply to pour it back into the bottle!
instead, "Why do we eat the meat (of the
There is no right or wrong answer to these sort
Pesach sacrifice) roasted, when the rest of the
of questions - we have simply tried to present a
year we can eat our meat how we like?" When
range of varied options in the hope of piquing
In the Gemora, when there is a difference of
Elijah comes, the first year that the Jews
our readers' interest. All these different customs
opinion which the rabbis were completely
celebrate the Pesach sacrifice, we will ask five
and suggestions are to be found in "HaSeder
unable to resolve, they concluded with the
questions incorporating both leaning and
HeOruch" a three volume work in Hebrew by
phrase " the Tishbite (Elijah) w ill answer
roasted meat. Therefore since we will ask five
Moshe Yaakov Winegarten, which discusses all
difficulties and problems." The Vilna Gaon
questions when Elijah comes, we will drink five
aspects of the Seder in great detail.
On Seder night particularly we hope to see Elijah and so we prepare a cup of wine for him.
r o f & o0,S
disappointing for those people who like to see
To leave the cup until we drink the fourth cup
The four cups correspond to the four questions
0 k »»ceiS
To drink Elijah's cup during the meal. This \i
Heaven (as it were) and bring a good report
us out from Egypt, He will redeem us from the
w»<“ , -
appropriate to throw it away as that would be
the Pesach sacrifice. There is a medrash, which
^ all the regular ouueach
,
apart from the third and fourth cups. Nor is it
Halacha. There are, of course, several different
sign of our trust in God that just as He brought
, f. « * - * * ''
not supposed to drink wine after the afikomen
An uncircumcised male is not allowed to eat
have made themselves
ters
to drink it after the Seder is over, since we are
wasteful, which is also frowned on by the
all, but rather after a Rabbi Elijah in the The final redemption will be heralded by the
in it after the Seder? It does not seem possible
TH E
H A M A OR
; M A R C H
2 0 0 2
1
28
Rabbi Avi Shafran
The Jewish Angle
and Washington, a letter writer to The New York Times delicately suggested that Americans "begin to reflect" on the hatred that begat the recent carnage, "where it comes from and how we are implicated in its origins. "There have been reports of Jews becoming the targets of angry
re: The Twin Towers Terrorism
catcalls from passing cars in recent days. It was two days after the cataclysm that was September 11 before my
Others, like me, are nevertheless optimistic, heartened both by things like
server was up and I was finally able to receive e-mail again. A good
the Bush administration's principled statements and actions (like its
number of the more than one hundred messages awaiting me, like so
withdrawal from the Durban hatefest) and by a gut feeling that the
many of the phone calls that had managed to get through in the interim,
American public is overwhelmingly fair-minded and insightful - qualities
were expressions of hope that all was okay at Agudath
that tend to result in good will toward Jews and support of Israel's
Israel, whose offices are but a few blocks from what
security. Orthodox Jewish rabbinic leaders have often
was, until that terrible Tuesday, the World Trade
referred to the United States as a "malchus shel
The suicide-celebrating
chessed" - literally, a "kingdom of kindness" - a
Center. Everyone, thank G-d, was fine, I responded to each. The office had been quickly evacuated; and, as for me, what would have been my usual walk along
savages may despise Western mores or culture*
timed dentist appointment. But, of course, all was far from fine, not only for us but for all New Yorkers and all Washingtonians - indeed for all Americans everywhere. The personal tragedies had only begun to emerge; there were horribly many horribly lost lives and limbs. There were traumatized
the ° nly nation on earth
a Jewish population that
it has never chosen to persecute.
lower Broadway at just about the moment the catastrophe unfolded was prevented by a fortuitously
beneficent and principled country. Ours may well be
they may revile And so, while mindful of Jewish tradition's warning
democracy or
never to place ultimate trust in any human being, some
Christianity; they may
of us American Jews dare to hope that our nation, leaders and populace alike, will continue to show the
loathe pluralism or technology. But above all, they hate Jews.
survivors, and a traumatized nation.
courage of their convictions. That they will recognize
evil for what ir is' and seek not to keep it at bay - we have all-too-vividly seen the dangerous futility in that approach - but to obliterate it.
At the same time,
though, just as the recent disaster has a Jewish angle, it
But while the victim of the tragic assault was our entire
also has a Jewish response. It most certainly does not lie in targeting country, the "Jewish angle" certainly isn't hard to discern. The terrible hatred that motivates Islamic extremists, which was not only behind the
innocent Arabs or Muslims for verbal abuse, as some have reportedly done.
recent attacks but has caused the civilized world untold tragedy and pain over the years, is most commonly expressed these days as hatred of Israel
Nor does it lie in satisfaction with any military action that may be taken.
(read: Jews) and Zionism (ditto). The suicide-celebrating savages may
Though such action is necessary and proper, it will in the end remain an
despise Western mores or culture; they may revile democracy or
imperfect conclusion. If insufficiently discriminate, it would be wrong.
Christianity; they may loathe pluralism or technology. But above all, they
Turning Afghanistan into a lunar landscape might satisfy some, but taking
hate Jews.
innocent lives in revenge is hardly more moral than doing the same in a terrorist attack.
There is concern among some in the American Jewish community that part of America might come to wonder if our nation's special relationship
"Targeted killing" of terrorist leaders is certainly a fine option (one that
with the Jewish State is really worth the risk. They recall things like the
our government may have a newfound appreciation for now) but that
bumper stickers that appeared during the 70s energy crisis reading "Burn
approach has its own problems. There are always less prominent haters
Jews, not oil. "And indeed, just two days after the attacks on New York
waiting in the wings, all too ready to take over from their violent teachers. And Islamic terror is a broad and diverse ugliness. Is the civilized world
The New v
,
y 016 targets of angry
truly willing (or able) to destroy the entire multi-headed monster?Will we
testimony to human ingenuity. It was an astonishing feat to construct the
have the commitment to go after terrorists wherever they are, in Iraq, Iran,
World Trade Center, for it involved harnessing all aspects of human
Pakistan, Libya and Syria too?(Not to mention areas controlled by the
creativity in hundreds of disciplines to build a city reaching up into the sky
Palestinian Authority; now there's a trenchant thought.)
in cramped conditions and in a relatively short time. This much is
Some military response, to be sure, is certainly called for. But the ultimate c- heanened both bv (hm »y things life ^'ements and acnor« f c i6 a" d ^ a W feeling that ^
Jewish response is not the sword but the book, not the "hands" of Esau but the "voice" of Jacob: Our rededication to our religious tradition, our re-embrace of our Torah and our heartfelt prayers to our Creator - who gave us human beings the free will to choose evil or good, and the power
* ^ a"d ^PPort o, h *
apparent, but less obvious perhaps, is the significance of the astonishing evil that led to their destruction and the death of so many thousands of people. One man, a fanatical dissident, living many miles away from the focus of his attack, harnessed vast financial and creative resources to bring about the greatest terrorist tragedy in history. With just a few followers and an iron w ill, he plunged tens of thousands of lives and global stability
to beseech Him.
into turmoil, all in a matter of a few minutes. It is truly
Msh ral>l>inic leaders have often
We might start with the words of the first of three
astonishing.
led Sta® as a ‘ malchus shel
3 'kingdom
of kindness* -
Psalms that, following the directive of the Council of a
Torah Sages, countless Jews have been reciting each
Dled “ “ "tty- Olts may well be
The Torah sources insist that we act with free will and
Some military response,
that heaven arranges that this free will is preserved to
is certainly called for.
ensure the value of our choices and hence of our lives.
morning for the past several months. It is Psalm number th with a Jewish population that
83, where King David declares to G-d: "Behold, Your
persecute.
enemies are in uproar; those who hate You have raised I of Jewish tradition's warning trust in any human being, some dare to hope that our nation, ilike, will continue to show the tions. That they will recognize eek not to keep it at bay - we i the dangerous futility in that
This demands that every great good in the world has a
But the ultimate Jewish
their heads. Against Your nation they plot deviously... and say 'come, let us cut them off from nationhood, so Israel's name will be remembered no m ore.' "Pursue them with Your tempest and terrify them with
response is not the sword but the book, not the "hands" of Esau but
Your storm. Fill their faces with shame, so that they will seek Your name, G-d... Then they will know that You
the "voice" of Jacob
nly does not lie in targeting
expression of good of identical proportions. One thing we can learn from the manifestation of such vast wickedness is that we have the capacity to match it with commensurate good. This is a ray of hope for
alone are G-d, the Highest One above all the earth. "
exist, the perpetrators of the September 11th attacks
This article first appeared on the Internet edition of
perforce show us that we, through our own efforts,
"Jewish Law". It is reproduced here with the permission of the author. Rabbi Avi Shafran is director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America
« as some have re p o rt
act ° f evil must have an opposite expression - an
humanity - for by demonstrating that such evil can
iterate it At the same time, t disaster has a Jewish angle, it
possible polar opposite - an equal evil. Likewise, every
and writes widely for an assortment of Jewish media.
can create good in our world on a scale never before realised. Based on a sermon given by Rabbi Harvey Belovski at I.F.S. on Parashas BeShallach.
A brief word a few months on... jry action that may be * " ■ r it ^iU in the end remain an raina.e, if would he
I was in Manhattan in January and decided to visit 'Ground Zero', the sight of the World Trade Center disaster. A viewing platform has been built and we had to queue until our turn came to be ushered on to it by a jovial New York police officer. The overwhelming feeling as I peered
* » » * * '
over the edge was of a huge, vast emptiness. A gigantic space was all that remains of one of the most remarkable constructions of the modern
ainly a
fine option (one »
3reciation
for now)» **
world. Silence prevails where bustling commerce had reigned. It was a numbing feeling - I can't say that I felt sad, rather overawed by the vastness of what had been and was now not.
iiways
viliteb*°rld
Both the twin towers and the space that has taken their place are
^ Is the civ^ eo
tin#-15
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Netzach Israel
32
Meeting Rabbi Doron Ahiel
divrei Torah and inspiring speeches. Apparently, the atmosphere had to be experienced to be believed! Future events include a second Seder for people or families who have nowhere to go or are not comfortable
Netzach Israel in Golders Green has now been a constituent member of the Federation for about a year. HaMaor visited the shul and met its
conducting a Seder at home, to be held in the shul building and led by the Rabbi.
dynamic and charming rabbi, Rabbi Doron Ahiel. On a smaller scale, Netzach Israel has three minyonim a day, with daily Rabbi Ahiel is of Yemenite extraction and was born in Ra'anana. He attended both Ashkenazi and Sephardi yeshivos and has semicha from Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's yeshiva, Yechave Daat, in Har Nof, Jerusalem. What is he doing running a Sephardi Federation shul in Golders Green? Prior to becoming involved with Netzach Israel, he had visited England many times and each time people had asked him to set up a facility for the large numbers of Israelis, both Sephardi and Ashkenazi who did not feel comfortable in any of the existing shuls, whether due to a language barrier, different minhagim or just the atmosphere. About 2 years ago, Rabbi Ahiel with his wife and family relocated to England and together
shiurim. There is a Chumash shiur after Shacharis, a halocho shiur before Maariv and a Gemoro shiur afterwards. There is a weekly Ladies' programme on a Tuesday evening, usually conducted by the rov, but sometimes with a guest speaker. On Friday nights, the rov gives a shiur on kashrus, during the service. The Shabbos morning service, which is attended by around 75 men, plus women and children is followed every week by a Kiddush. There is also a very successful youth minyan, which started after Sukkos with a few boys from Netzach Israel. They have now brought in their friends from school and they have their own Kiddush complete with Divrei Torah.
with Avraham Swissa, the President, and Sammy Gabbai, the treasurerer, started Netzach Israel. The shul began with a minyan in various locations including the Sinai Synagogue and the Independent Jewish Day School. Now, 2 years down the line, and backed by the Federation, the community has its own large premises on Golders Green Road. There is a
The Netzach Israel seudoh shelishis is well known in the area and is packed with people, including many from outside the community. There are often guest speakers and the event typifies the warm atmosphere that prevails in the shul.
main shul area downstairs, which is being extended to cater for all the
After Shabbos, the line-up continues with Avos U'Vonim, the countrywide
people who would like to participate in Netzach Israel's events, with a
learning programme in which fathers and sons come together to study for
comfortable, smaller Beis HaMadresh upstairs where the weekday
an hour, an hour after Shabbos. The evenings include refreshments,
minyonim and learning activities take place. The shul and the rabbi
prizes, raffles for vouchers and book tokens and are sponsored by
operate an "open door" policy. Rabbi Ahiel says, "This is known as the
benefactors. This activity is part of Netzach Israel's focus on the children of
address for any Jewish matter". Indeed, in the short time this writer was
the community. On a Sunday mornings, the community runs a cheder,
there, a fascinating range of people passed through, ranging from
currently only for boys, in which Rabbi Tzion Naki, a well-known
people dropping off donations, to people needing help, to someone
Sephardi melamed teaches the children practical skills like layning and
who wandered in off the street in search of a bathroom.
davenning according to the Sephardi minhag Yerushalayim. It is very
Although the majority of Netzach Israel's members are either Israeli or Sephardi, or both, there are many non-Israelis, both Sephardim and Ashkenazim who join in the shul's events. Rabbi Ahiel says this is due to
important, given that most of the children attend schools where they are taught Ashkenazi pronunciation and minhagim, that the Sephardi traditions are upheld and passed on to the next generation.
the shul's uniquely warm atmosphere, where they try to make everyone
The whole community participates in organising the various events, with
feel at home. The community has a strong leaning towards outreach and
each member contributing his particular skills. For example, Gil Ovadia, a
many of the events are geared towards those people who are less
solicitor, has helped with legal advice and Shmuel Hakimi helps to run
religiously committed. The shul has run parties for Lag B'Omer, Chanukah
activities. The community seems to be going from strength to strength.
and Tu BiShevat, but the most successful event so far was held to mark the
Rabbi Ahiel is not surprised - he says that he knew the shul would be
Hillulah (Yahrzeit) of the Baba Sali, Rabbi Abu Chatzeira, whose memory
successful as there was a vacuum waiting to be filled. It seems that
is widely revered amongst Sephardim. Netzach Israel laid on a festive
Netzach Israel has filled it very well indeed and we wish the community
meal for 300 people, including many rabbonim, together with music,
and the rabbi continued success in the future.
to
i-
i .
0 f .
\\
AJOP Convention 2002 * re% the atm vents inri..j ° SPhere had to sec°n d s« to 90 or are not COrilfortabie in the st«il buila., 19a"d led by
Rabbi Harvey Belovski & Rabbi Dovid Tugendhaft
wy
'- '.• - V .'.’. v . v
The annual convention of the Association for
sessions, as many ran concurrently, and on
true intensity and longing for one's goals will
Jewish Outreach Professionals took place on
occasion it was a tough decision as to which
evoke an infectious and remarkable response
^ k ly Udies'
20th-21st January in Baltimore, Maryland,
one
in others.
% “ ndu« ^ foerov. but
U.S.A. and both of us were fortunate to attend
'Reinventing the Shul', the importance of
this remarkable event as representatives of the
creating a feeling of community was discussed.
Federation of Synagogues. We were joined at
The family environment, in which all ages feel
the convention by over 200 rabbis, rebbetzins
that they have a place, no one is pre-judged by
iUCCessful V°“fo minyan, which
and activists from eight different countries,
their standard of observance and there is a
Netzach Israel. They have now
including several of our colleagues from the
varied range of events and focus, was judged
U.K.
to be an excellent model. Hospitality, a friendly
Vni9hts,therovgivesashiuron
105 raomin9 W ee, which is 1ar«i children is followed every
foey have their own Kiddush
The purpose of the event was to share ideas, teaching ideas, materials and resources, as well
ill known in the area and is
as to be inspired and instructed by some of the
outside the community. There
world's greatest thinkers in the field of Jewish
fies the warm atmosphere that
outreach. The keynote session was addressed by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach (Rosh Yeshivah of vosU'Vonim, the countrywide Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem), Rabbi Mattisyohu jns come together tostudy for
Salomon (Mashgiach of Lakewood Yeshivah)
inings include refreshments,
and Rabbi Aharon Feldman (Rosh Yeshivah of
tens and are sponsored by
to
choose.
In
a
session
entitled
atmosphere and learning programmes for men and women of all ages are vital to the health and future of the community. This session was continued on the second day with a workshop in which community rabbis shared their ideas, experiences, concerns and failures with each other. It is remarkable to observe the diversity of
styles
and
approaches
which
have
succeeded in different communities.
Other sessions that we were able to attend dealt with issues including dating, answering difficult questions, the role of outreach in nonJewish schools, methodology in teaching Tenach, developing tools for opening the mind and involving the disaffiliated in active Jewish life, as well as a remarkable session on dealing with complex status issues and peoples' personal lives. In a fascinating workshop on parenting, the interplay between the planting and building process was observed. When we plant a tree, once we have put it into the ground, then it grows by itself, but since it may then grow wild, it may have to be cut back. Building on the other hand is completely controlled, but can get no larger than the
Ner Yisroel Yeshivah in Baltimore). In a most
Rabbi
well-known
amount of effort put in. Parenting involves
inspiring session, we heard of the vital need for
Chassidic Rebbe and phenomenally successful
establishing the correct balance between these
individual integrity in the outreach sphere,
outreach leader gave several well attended
two extremes, applying the each method
allowing the Torah to impact on searching
sessions. Using his experience as a counsellor,
judiciously - at the right time and in the
anical s » life la>™n9 and
Jews, without recourse to gimmickry, as well as
he advised the participants on how to
appropriate circumstances.
hag yerushalayim. It *
the quality of personal responsibility which we
approach children who are dropping out of
tael's focus on the children of e community runs a cheder, Tzion Naki, a well-known
d schools where they are [ten that the Sephardi ihagim.
all must feel towards those who have not yet
ext generation.
observance.
discovered the beauty of Jewish life and
It was quite impossible to attend all of the
;jng the various even.
Michel
Twersky,
the
Jewish life and the need to facilitate individual expression within our children. In his guise as passionate Torah teacher, he emphasised the need for fervour in all of our Torah activities, for
Each of us came home excited, bearing packs of materials, ideas and inspiration to share and apply in our own communities. It was a remarkable opportunity, which we are sure will have many beneficial consequences.
to
be the
T H E
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Rabbi Mordechai Fachler ei
The Four Children guide self-instruction Many years ago, I heard from a colleague that the "Four Children"
Haggodoh. Regarding this area we are directed to positively and
referred to in the Hagodoh are not necessarily four different children but
sensitively initiate ourselves into these aspects and encourage ourselves to
can also relate to four diverse characteristics, all part of one person. Later,
pursue them further.
I saw this idea brought down by one of the Rishonim. Using this idea we can re-look at the four different questions the four children pose with the answers quoted in the Haggodoh, and use them as a guide to our own
A final aspect, which hopefully only affects a small part of our personality, actually rebels and refuses and challenges certain items of Torah. This is the Rosho within us, and the Hagodoh does not use a soft approach to
self-instruction.
this aspect at all.
We instead are directed to shock ourselves into
Each one of us possesses a large section of our personality that can be
submission and clearly warn ourselves of the dire consequence of
labelled as "Chochom".
separating ourselves from the rest of the community.
This is the part that is thirsting for more
knowledge and understanding, the part that is fully committed and comfortable with Torah and Mitzvos. The response, as directed by the Haggodoh, to this part of our personality, is to continue to feed it and
One of the meanings of Hillers dictum "Im Ain Ani Li Mi Li" is that if I do not instruct myself, I cannot rely simply on the instruction of others to reach my potential. Through this system of self-instruction that the
boost it to the best of our ability.
Haggodoh illustrates we should be able, not just on the Seder night but Another part of our personality is less involved, has only a basic and
all year round, to tackle the diverse parts of our "Middos" and reach our
simplistic understanding of certain parts of Torah and Mitzvos, and does
full potential and the personal "Cherus" (freedom) that comes with it.
not have an appropriate level of commitment to these values. This is the "Tom" of the Hagodoh and we are directed to respond with powerful and evocative encouragement in order to bring this "Tom" dimension
May we all be blessed this Pesach to inspire ourselves to greater levels of understanding and commitment to Yiddishkeit and may this serve as an inspiration to the whole of Klal Yisroel.
closer to the "Chochom" ideal.
Wishing you all a Chag Kosher VeSomayach, A third area of our personality has not even begun to identify with certain aspects of Yiddishkeit. This is either through ignorance, embarrassment
(Rabbi) M ordechai Fach ler - Pesach 5762
or reluctance, and parallels the "Ayno Yodeyoh Lishe'ol" of the
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PESACH 5762 PRIZE WORD SEARCH Find all of the listed words in the grid. When you have finished circling all o f the words, you will find a hidden message encoded in the first part of the remaining letters. Send hidden message to the editor at Federation HQ. First correct solution received will win a book token. Please enclose your name, age and phone number. Under 12s only!!
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Mazal Tov
Mazal Tov to the following on the birth of a child:
Elstree Annette and Abraham Wahnon had a third son M ichael Chaim.
M r and Mrs M . Davis and Dr and
Elstree
Mrs FI Davis on the birth o f a son
Yeshurun
M yra and Alan Fish celebrated
and grandson respectively.
Hilary and Laurence Comey on
the w edding o f their son Daniel
their son Daniel's marriage to
Dr and M rs H. Davis and M r and
Rebecca Goldmeier.
Airs Jeffrey Greenwood on the
to Judith, daughter o f M yra and Alan Cole.
birth o f a grandson.
Emma
M r and Mrs Leo Grahame on the
w ed d in g
birth o f a great grandson.
Shoshanah to Paul Greenberg,
The bris was celebrated on Yom M r and M rs A. Goldschmidt on
Kippur.
the birth o f a grandson. Juliet and Danny Summerfield on the birth o f a second son.
M r Ft Mrs M . Heller on the birth o f a grandson.
Finchley Central Brocha and M eir M oller on the birth o f a son, their fifth child. Louise and Simon Barnard on the birth o f a daughter, their fourth child.
M r Ft Airs A1. Weston and M rs D. Weston on the birth o f a son and grandson respectively.
the birth o f a grandson.
birth o f a son.
a
grandson
and
and
granddaughter. Am anda and Darren Scott on the birth o f a second son. M ichelle and Ian M iller on the birth o f a daughter. Frances and M ichael M andel on the birth o f a grandson.
Gillian
daughter and
Phil
Greenberg.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Mazal Tov, to the following:
East London Central
Clare Dembovsky celebrated the
Sylvia and Leon Gayer on their
w ed d in g
Golden Wedding - (Secretary of
of
her
daughter
M artine to Eliezer Goldsmith in
the
Israel.
Synagogue).
Finchley Central
Ilford
Paul Jackson - our sole warden -
Rosalind and Adrian Grant on their Silver Wedding.
on
his
m arriage
to
Susan
East
London
Central
Sarah and Ja ck Biller on their
Ilford
51st Wedding Anniversary.
Rose and M a x Arnold on the occasion
o f their son A lex's
w edding to Daniella Ben David.
Yeshurun Dayan and Rebbetzin Lopian on
M rs Marilyn Brown on the birth grandson
of
greatgrandson respectively.
Lynn and Ian A ppleby on the
of
her
the
Gordon.
M rsH .D . Winegarten on the birth
Shirley and M ichael A ppleby on
of
celeb ra ted
birth o f a daughter.
M r and Mrs S.D. Winegarten and
Ilford
a
M r and M rs K. M alkinson on the
son
M ay
A lex Arnold on his marriage to Daniella Ben David.
the birth o f a grandson.
Yeshurun Anna and Stewart Sinclair on their Silver Wedding. A ngela and Warren Peston on their Silver Wedding.
Hadley Silver on his marriage to Ronit and Stephen Haftnet on
Rachel Greenberg.
the birth o f a son. Brenda and Phillip Silver on their Nita and Harry Kaye on the birth o f a grandson, a son to Ju lia and Andrew Kay.
son Hadley's marriage to Rachel. Frances and Stanley Bookatz on their daughter Ruth's wedding.
Frankie and Tony Branston on
ENGAGEMENTS Mazal Tov to the following: Dayan and Mrs Lichtenstein on the engagem ent o f their son.
the birth o f twin grandsons to
Elaine and Alan Rubenstein on
Elstree
Emma and Stephen Portnoy.
their daughter's wedding.
D ebbie a n d M artyn
SlypeKs
daughter Danielle engagement
Gloria and Tony Rones on the
Louise and David Frost on the
David Shine on his marriage to
birth o f a granddaughter.
birth o f their first granddaughter
Naomi Burman.
Greta and Jeffrey Gitlin on the
to Jo d ie and Jam ie Walters
Abraham and Angela Shine on
Ju d y and M ichael Cohen on the
the occasion o f their son David's
Ilford
birth o f their first grandson Uri.
Gloria and Tony Rones on the
Marsha and Perry Weinberg on
wedding.
the birth o f a granddaughter.
M andy and M elvyn Estrin on the
Shomrei Hadath
Elaine and Alan Rubenstein on
birth o f their first grandson, a son
Rabbi and Mrs Fachler on the
the birth o f their first grandchild.
to Danielle and M ark Weston.
marriage o f their son.
birth o f a grandson.
Shomrei Hadath Rabbi and M rs Fachler on the birth o f two grandsons.
WEDDINGS
to Jonny Tapnak, son o f Marion and Alan Tapnak.
engagem ent o f their son David
M r and M rs M . M ays on the
to Rebeccah Cohen.
Shomrei Hadath M r Ft Airs J. Godfrey on their son's engagement.
marriage o f their son.
Mazal Tov, to the following:
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yesh
Urun
Yeshurun
Avi Orenstein on his Barmitzvah.
Mrs Helen Olivestone on the
Adam 1field on his Barmitzvah.
engagem ent
of
her
grand
David Baigel on his Barmitzvah.
daughter.
"'ao /N c
Mrs
^
engagement o f grand-daughter
smsies
Lottie
Wernick
Nicola Silverman
on
BAT MITZVAH
the €.
®WenH%ddihg- (Secretoryof
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Ceniroi
Wogogue).
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**
4
. . .
to Richard
•
Father.
Mrs C. Levy on the loss o f her
Mrs Blanche Shaw on the loss o f
Husband.
Hadassah Sheer on her Bat
Ja ck Cornhouse on the loss o f his
Selwyn Stitcher on the loss o f his
Mitzvah.
Wife.
Mother.
M olly Hirsch on the loss o f her
Rita Joseph on the loss o f her
Sister.
Husband.
Helen Greenberg on the loss o f
David Joseph on the loss o f his
her Father.
Father.
Brenda Cohen on the loss o f her
M inkie Orenstein on the loss o f
Father.
her Father.
Yvonne and Martin Rowland on
Philip Brandon on the loss o f his
Sheila Norden on the loss o f her
their son Matthew obtaining his
Father.
Husband.
Maths BSc with Honours.
Carol Goldberg on the loss o f her
Renee Loman on the loss o f her
Husband.
Husband.
their son David qualifying as a
Ricky Tobias on the loss o f his
Paul Koslover on the loss o f his
Doctor.
Brother.
Mother.
to Jeremy Garcia.
BAR MITZVAH
Simons
on
her
Bat
Mitzvah.
John and Heather Samuels on their son Steven's Barmitzvah.
Mazal Tov to the following:
M orely
and
Sharon
Von
their1
grandson
Russell's
f
0
.
QUALIFICATIONS
f
Maureen and M onty Shear on
. . . . . .0 0 *. 00 . 0
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4
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4
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Ilford
Paula and Martyn Phillips on
Barmitzvah. M aureen and Ron Brown on their grandson's Barmitzvah. Sidney Luck Barmitzvah.
on
Jonathan's
SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS
Paul Biller on his Barmitzvah. Keith and Michell Biller on their son's Barmitzvah.
Mazal Tov to the following:
Ilford
Sarah and Jack Biller on their
Ray Canter on his 90th Birthday.
grandson's Barmitzvah.
Shomrei Hadath
Shomrei Hadath
M r Leo Grahame on his 90th
M r and Mrs B. Robinson on their son's Barmitzvah.
Birthday.
Yeshurun
1
W
engagement of their sen.
•
•
4 ^
4
4 4
4
4
4
0.
Jacqueline Philips on the loss o f
M aureen Jacobs on the loss of
her Husband.
her Father.
Simon Phillips on the loss o f his
Eileen Lewis on the loss o f her
Father.
Father.
Phil Keen on the loss o f his Sister.
Frieda Silverberg on the loss o f
Jacqueline M ontague on the loss
her Brother.
o f her Mother.
Peter Goodman on the loss o f his
Melvin Shaw on the loss o f his Wife.
Father.
Hilary Klipp on the loss o f her
CONDOLENCES
Mother. Jean Donn on the loss o f her
tfadoft tinre1 P j MV
1 4
Father.
;ir Silver Wedding.
onny W * *" IAlan fQPnak
,
Father.
ina and Stewart Sinclair on
,bie and Mottyn Slype* ighle, Danielle engagement
ft ^
in December.
Barmitzvah.
tree
0
v
Mother.
daughter Arlette's engagement
Sternberg on their son Joel's
m and Mrs Lichtenstein on
&0 0
Roger Klein on the loss o f his
Michael Minden on the loss o f his
ishurun
Ti\ ToV to the following:
>
M r J . Godfrey on the loss o f his
Rosalind Grant on the loss o f her
Ilford
NCACEM ENTS
4
Mother.
Hannah Perl on her Bat Mitzvah
osalind and Adrian Cram on ieirSilver Wedding.
Jr Silver Wedding.
•
Shomrei Hadath
Valerie and D avid Stein on
Mazal Tov to the following:
gela and Warren Peston on
f 0 0 0^
4 4
Mrs Finkletaub on the loss o f her
her Husband.
Iford
'st Wedding Anniversary.
.
Miss Irene Katz on the loss o f her Sister.
Yeshurun
Emma
irah and Jack Biller on their
4 4
Mazal Tov to the following:
Coorney.
PasfLond01' Central
^ ^0
Warren Levy on the loss o f his Mother.
O odW * * *
ernenl tengti
Yeshurun
We offer our condolences to:
Adam Krantz on his Barmitzvah
Ilford
Adam Benjamin Barmitzvah.
Deborah Hiller on the loss o f her Father.
on
his
Paul Steyne on his Barmitzvah.
Mrs Lilly Barry on the loss o f her Husband.
Sister.
Please send in all your
Lily Lewis on the loss o f her Sister.
personal announcements to.
Leslie Keene on the loss o f his Sister.
Hamaor, 65 Watford Way,
Anthony Katz on the loss o f his Sister.
TH E
HAM AO R
London NW4 3AQ Fax: 020 8203 0610
ARCH
2 0 0 2
38
Constituent Synagogues CLAPTON FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE. (Shaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;are Shomayim). (Incorporating Yavneh Synagogue), 47 Lea Bridge Road. E5 9QB. Tel: 020 8806 4369. Secretary: W. Jacobs. Tel: 020 8989 5211.
CROYDON & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE. The Almonds, 5 Shirley Oaks Road, Croydon, Surrey CR0 8YX. Tel: 020 8662 0011. All correspondence to The Secretaries: Mrs V Harris. Tel: 01883 348939. Mrs B Harris. Tel: 020 8689 7442.
EAST LONDON CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE. 30/40 Nelson Street. E1 2DE. Tel: 020 7790 9809. Secretary: L. Gayer. Tel: 020 8554 5267.
ELSTREE BETH HAMEDRASH. 6 Allum Lane, Elstree, Herts WD6 3PH. Rav: Rabbi D. Tugenhaft. Secretary: Mr M. Slyper. Tel: 020 8953 8444.
FINCHLEY CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE 2 Redbourne Avenue, N3 2BS. Tel: 020 8346 1892. Rav: Rabbi Z. Telsner. Secretary: M. Moller. Tel: 020 8203 2822.
HENDON Beis Hamedrash 65 Watford Way, Hendon NW4 3AQ. Tel: 020 8202 2263. Rav: Dayan Y.Y. Lichtenstein. Hon Treasurer: J Craimer. Tel: 020 8202 3138.
ILFORD FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE 14/16 Coventry Road. Ilford, Essex, IG1 4QR. Tel: 020 8554 5289. Rav: Rabbi H. Belovski. Secretary: Mrs E Conway.
MACHZIKEI HADASS SYNAGOGUE Highfield Road, NW11. Rav: Rabbi C. Pearlman. Hon. Secretary: R. Shaw. Tel: 020 8204 1887.
NETZACH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 281 Golders Green Road, NW11 9 JJ. Rav: Doron Ahiel. Secretary: Tova Cohen. Tel: 020 8455 0097
OHEL JACOB SYNAGOGUE (Ilford Beth Hamedrash), (Incorporating the Ilford Rabbinical College) 1st Floor, rear of 476/478 Cranbrook Road, Ilford. Essex IG2 2LE. Rav: Rabbi R. Godlewsky. Secretary: Mrs R. Pressman. Tel: 020 8550 4596.
Affiliated Synagogues Beis Nadvorna Beth Hamedrash. 45 Darenth Road N16. Tel: 020 8806 2030. Rav: Rabbi M Leifer. Treas: Mr S Tessler.
CONGREGATION OF JACOB SYNAGOGUE. 351/355 Commercial Road. Treasurer: Mr O Frankfurt Tel: 020 481 1330.
FIELDGATE STREET GREAT SYNAGOGUE. 41 Fieldgate Street. E1. Tel: 020 7247 2644. Secretary: Mrs D Jacobson.
FINCHLEY ROAD SYNAGOGUE. (Sassover), 4 Helenslea Avenue. NW11. Tel: 020 8455 4305. Rav: Rabbi S. Rubin.
LEYTONSTONE & WANSTEAD SYNAGOGUE. 2 Fillebrook Road, E11. Secretary: Cllr. L. Braham Tel: 020 8539 0088.
LOUGHTON, CHIGWELL & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE. Borders Lane. Loughton. Essex. IG 10 3FIT. Tel: 020 8508 0303. Min: Rev. J.D . Lorraine. Secretary: Mrs M. Lewis.
NEW WIMBLEDON & PUTNEY DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE. Secretary: Mrs R. Diamond. Tel 020 8778 6669.
SPRINGFIELD SYNAGOGUE. 202 Upper Clapton Road. E5. Tel: 020 8806 2377. Rav. Dayan I. Gukovitski. Secretary: L. Blackman. Tel: 01702 340 762.
STAMFORD HILL BETH HAMEDRASH. 50 Clapton Common. E5 9AL. Rav: Dayan D. Grynhaus. Secretary: M. Chontow. Tel: 020.8800 7369.
TOTTENHAM HEBREW CONGREGATION. 366a High Road. N17 9HT. Tel: 020 8808 4698. Minister: Rabbi S Lewis. Secretary: Dr S .S . Cohen.
WALTHAM FOREST HEBREW CONGREGATION. (Queens Road) 140 Boundary Road. E17 Tel: 020 8509 0775. Minister Rabbi M Davis. Secretary: A Wolpert.
WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE.
SHOMREI HADATH SYNAGOGUE
(Beth Hasepher & Soho), 32 Great Cumberland Place. W1H 7DJ. Tel: 020 7724 8121. Secretary: S .B . Levy.
64 Burrard Road. Hampstead, London NW6 1DD. Rav: Rabbi Mordechai Fachler. Secretary: Mrs J. Segal. Tel: 020 7431 0017. *
WEST HACKNEY SYNAGOGUE AND MONTAGUE ROAD BETH HAMEDRASH.
SINAI SYNAGOGUE
233 Amhurst Road. E8 2BS. Chairman: I. Leigh. Tel: 020 8550 9543.
54 Woodstock Avenue, NW11 9R J. Tel: 020 8455 6876. Rav: Rabbi B. Knopfler. Secretary: Mr E. Cohen.
YESHURUN SYNAGOGUE Femhurst Gardens, Stonegrove, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7PH. Tel: 020 8952 5167. Rav: Dayan G. Lopian. Secretary: D. Cohen.
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