Rosh Hashanah 1996

Journal of th e Federation of Syn ago gu e s R o sh H ash an ah 5 7 5 7 1996 V o l. 30. N o. I

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FAREWELL TO NEASDEN GYH253C

SYNAGOGUE

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H o w m u ch are you w o rth ?

And do you know how much of that will go to the Chancellor “after 120 years”?

Specialist help could save your money If you are worth over £200,000 and you haven’t reviewed your will in the last 3 years, contact Arnold Israel, specialist in wills, trusts, probate and inheritance tax planning.

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SOLICITORS 384 CITY ROAD LONDON EC1V 2QA TEL: 0171 833 8453 FAX: 0171 833 8454 5 minutes’ walk from Angel (Northern Line) Tube Home visits by arrangement

The Rav, the Honorary Officers and the Board of Management of the

YESHURUN SYNAGOGUE EDGWARE

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Extend their best w ishes for a happy, healthy, prosperous and peaceful N ew Year to the members of the Beth Din and the Honorary Officers, Executive and all the members of the Federation of Synagogues

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MESSAGE FROM

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THE EDITOR can hardly believe it is already a year since I became the editor of Hamaor, and I have to say that I have really enjoyed it.

One o f the best things about being editor is that it has enabled me to meet and get to know so many o f you. For this issue, I was very kindly given a guided tour o f Fieldgate Street Great Synagogue by M r Roos, its VicePresident. I certainly learned a great deal from it.

Hamaor has also given me the op­ portunity to conduct interviews with some fascinating people. I do hope you w ill enjoy the interview with Rabbi Zelig Pliskin.

Finally, it is always interesting to hear what is going on in your own communities. I was delighted by the huge response I received by way of contributions for this issue. Please keep them coming!

Wishing you a roua n o r m rDTD

Founded 1962 ISSN 0966-0291

Vol. 30 No. 2 Rosh Hashanah 5757 1996

Postbox..........................................................................................4 N ew s..............................................................................................6 From Equador to Ilford............................................................13 Focus on Fieldgate Street Great Synagogue.......................... 14 Letter from Hadassah............................................................... 16 An exclusive interview with Rabbi Zelig Pliskin...................17 A Remembrance of the 30s and 4 0 s ........................................ 18 The Jewish Community of Johannesburg A Journey of Hope out of the A shes........................................ 23

SARAH M SCHLEIMER Editor

Travel: D jerba............................................................................ 26 Kids’ Spot

FOR DETAILS OF

B ooks........................................................................................... 29

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OR A MEDIA INFORMATION PACK, PLEASE CONTACT

Published by the Federation of Synagogues, 65 Watford Way, London, NW4 3AQ. Editor: Sarah Schleimer

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VIEWS expressed in articles and reviews in Hamaor are those held by the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of either the Editor or the Federation of Synagogues.

0181-202 2263

COVER: Views of the old and new Neasden Synagogue buildings

DEM OCRACY AN D WOMEN’S RIGHTS I heard Rabbi Livingstone give his talk on ‘Democracy and Halacha’ at Jews’ College - but received no answers then, to my questions - so, perhaps he may be able to answer in your magazine.

I observed that Chief Rabbi Kook, when asked, in the days of the yishuv, decided that Halacha opposed female emancipation for the secular purposes of Yishuv elections. Fortunately, in my view, the pioneers ignored his decision.

I also ascertained that, as a Federation Rabbi, he was in agreement with the Fed­ eration’s policy of never recognizing a woman’s voting rights, and of permitting individual shuls to return deputies, whilst withdrawing their collective “corporate” representation at the Board. (In contrast, the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congre­ gations quit the Board upon its admission of Reform, Liberal and Progressive depu­ ties around 1970).

I asked how it could be that the fed­ eral affiliates to the Board, making up what the Board’s demographic survey (1983) termed the “central Orthodox ten­ dency”, the United Synagogue, the Federation and the Spanish and Portu­ guese Congregation, each had a different interpretation of the Halacha on rights of women to stand and vote for deputy posts even to the extent of holding com­ pletely opposite points of view.

Thus the Federation grants no female suffrage (for Deputy elections) and does not recognise females as shul members, as far as I know; the Spanish and Portu­ guese have always granted equal adult suffrage; and the US grants only about 20% of its female membership the right to stand and vote (for deputy posts) at its AGMs. Perhaps Rabbi Livingstone might comment on the democratic deficits which are so obvious in orthodox AngloJewish institutions?

Wishing you a Shanah Tovah (from a US member, now married, who aspires to being a Secular Jew).

David Shepherd Hendon, London NW4

Rabbi Reuven Livingstone Barrister, responds:

ma llm,

In March of this year, Mr David Shepherd attended my public lecture at Jews’ College on the topic o f ‘Democracy and Civil Governance in Halacha’ - which was based in part on an article which appeared \x\Hamaor. At the time he raised the important issue of Women’s Rights as he does now in his letter. During the lecture, I declined to address the questions in depth as it represented a deviation from the specific topic which I was attempting to discuss.

With great respect, the issue of De­ m ocracy as a specific system of governance should not be confused ei­ ther with the notion of gender equality or universal suffrage. At the same time, the Torah perspective regarding the rights of women goes far and beyond the issue of communal representation and politics in general and needs to be addressed com­ prehensively - which unfortunately is outside the scope of any short response such as this. In relation to the Torah view regarding the specific question of women holding communal or public positions, I would strongly recommend a perusal of sources such as: ♦ Rambam, Hilchos Melachim 1:5/7 ♦ Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 269, and Sifsei Cohen 15 ♦ Sridei Aish Volume 3 Responsum 93 ♦ Akeidas Yitschak Bera is his, Sha’ar 9 ♦ Jewish Women and Jewish Law, Rabbi M Meiselman, Chapter 6.

In general, these serve to highlight the view that, while women occupy a pre­ eminent position in many areas of Jewish life, the Torah does not legislate or ap­ prove of the same high profile in relation to public office.

The policy of the Federation of Syna­ gogues in this and all areas of Halacha is rightly determined by the Dayanim of the Beth Din who have a duty to provide guidance - notwithstanding that such may not be universally popular or in line with other synagogue groups. Certainly

the Torah concept of Democracy cannot mean that the loudest voice should always prevail. This would undermine the fact that the Torah is an eternal law and morality which transcends both political pressure and the trends of the hour.

RESEA RCH A S SIST A N C E R E Q U IR E D I am writing a book about Ida and Louise Cook, two British sisters who did rescue work during the thirties (for which they were honoured by Yad Vashem). In later decades they continued to help sup­ port the refugees they had helped to escape Nazi persecution as well as other members of the Jewish community in London. I am eager to locate the people they helped (or their survivors) as well as others who knew them or knew about their rescue work, or who has or knows the location of letters and other materials by them or pertaining to them.

Any help you might be able to give, or any advice you might have regarding other strategies for locating people who knew the Cooks, would be greatly appre­ ciated.

I can be reached at Department of English, Georgetown University, Wash­ ington, DC 20057, USA or by fax at 001 202 687 5445.

Many thanks for your time and con­ sideration.

Rebecca A Pope M.Phil. (Oxon), Ph.D, Department of English, Georgetown University, Washington DC 20057 USA

Please send your letters to: The Editor, Hainaor, 65 Watford Way, London NW4 3AQ or fax: 0181-203 0610

FEDERATION OF SYNAGOGUES

SHOMREIHADATH SYNAGOGUE 527a Finchley Road (entrance in Burrard Road) London NW3 7BG

THE FIRST CONSTITUENT SYNAGOGUE OF THE FEDERATION OF SYNAGOGUES

CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS On the 22nd September 1946, the first day of selichos 5706, the Shomrei Hadath Synagogue - the first constituent synagogue of the Federation of Synagogues - opened its doors for services. With the help of the Almighty it has from that time on been a place of tefilloh and learning in the traditional Orthodox manner. Its warm and friendly atmosphere has attracted and continues to attract loyal members and supporters, who since 1989 have enjoyed the amenities of a new building with an enchantingly pretty interior.

On this, our 50th anniversary, we pay tribute to the founding fathers whose vision and dedication led to the establishment of the shul.

We also express our sincere gratitude to all those who over the years have supported the .shul in all its endeavours - the past and present Honorary Officers of the Federation of Synagogues and their staff, the distinguished members of its Beth Din, our own distinguished Rabbonim, and all who have participated in conducting the services and have given shiurim, our Honorary Officers, our gabboim, our secretaries and all our members and loyal friends.

To all we wish a Kesivoh Vachasimoh Tovoh and a New Year of parnosoh, hatzlochoh and good health. We express the hope and prayer that with the help of the Almighty our shul may continue to provide torah and tefilloh bemokom echod for many years to come.

We hope to arrange a celebration on Chanukah. Anyone interested in further information, please contact the secretary, Mrs Segal, on 0171-431 0017.

FAREWELL TO AHAVAS SHALOM (NEASDEN) SYNAGOGUE t was with a degree of sadness and nostalgia that Reverend Fine and present and former members of the Ahavas Shalom Neasden Synagogue bid farewell to their shul along with Dayanim and honorary officers of the Federation of Synagogues at a Farewell Service held on Sunday 23 June.

The service included an address by the President Mr Max Woolf, a selection of Tehillim recited by Chazan Peter Cowan and a presentation by Mr Grenville, the Financial Representative, to Mr Max Woolf. Vice President Mr C S Mitchell acted as Master of Ceremonies and in­ troduced each speaker.

In his address, M aster Jonathan Winegarten, Vice-President of the Fed­ eration of Synagogues, mentioned that in the Sidra of the previous Shabbos “we read how the mateh, the staff or rod, of Aharon, the Ohev Shalom, blossomed, budded and brought forth fruit. Over the years this shul, the ‘Ahavas Shalom’, has blossomed, budded and brought forth fruit. Even today when it is to close, there are flowers bravely displayed.” Fie went on to thank all the leaders of the commu­ nity and in his conclusion said that when “a shul closes because it has reached the end of its natural life span ... it is a sad­ ness of nostalgia ... but the traditions that have been nurtured in this shul, the les­ sons that have been taught by the Rabbis, the parents and the teachers in this shul have gone with the families to their new homes.” He ended with the hope that with the speedy coming of Moshiach, Ahavas Shalom Synagogue would be replanted in Israel.

Mr David Landau, son of the late Rabbi Irving Landau r y recalled nostal­ gically that his first view of Neasden when he returned to London at the end of the war was that “there were few open spaces, little fresh air and none of the farm food I had enjoyed in Wales. What there was, however, was a small but won­ derfully vibrant and active Jewish community.” He went on to relate how:

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Interior views o f Ah avas Shalom Synagogue ; \ V J f i f i X * .N

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“Everything revolved around the Shul.

Our entire life centred around it ... My father was a great believer in involving himself with his congregants’ lives,” and then gave a somewhat humorous account of past members and his own recollec­ tions of the Shul. He ended on a happy and positive note stating that: “ Being

present at the closing of a shul like this, with all its poignant memories, is not so much a sad occasion as an opportunity to remember happy days and to realize time marches on inexorably. ‘Nothing stands still’, as the Psalmist says, and to­ day is an occasion to recall Le'D or Va ’Dor - from generation to generation.

myself, went to Cheder at the Shul and what my sister probably did not tell you, is that she taught me for a while.” Stuart feels his grandfather has been a major in­ fluence in his life: “Although I was only six when he died, it was my grandfather who got me involved in Shul life.” He feels it is“sad but inevitable” that the shul is closing but says: “A shul is said to have a life of sixty years. The Neasden Syna­ gogue had a life a little longer than that.”

AHAVAS SHALOM

closing are that. “It is sad, very sad. The closing was very nostalgic but it was like a reunion and we met people we had not seen for years.”

Stuart Myers, brother of Myrla Sacofsky, remembers: “The Ruach at Simchas Torah time. There were apples on flags and everyone got sweets. I re­ call how Bar Mitzva boys were encouraged to read parts of their portion with a higher note to show enthusiasm. I,

Myrla Sacofsky is the granddaughter of the late Myer Freedman , the founder of Neasden Synagogue. On the left hand side of the Shul there is the original foun­ dation stone he laid. “ My late grandparents moved to Neasden in 1929 and my grandfather went knocking on all the doors in the area with Mezuzot ask­ ing them if they were interesting in starting a Shul.” She relates, “After a lot of hard work, they got the shul started around 1931. My grandmother, Millie Freedman was also very involved in the early days of the shul. The first meetings were held in their home on the North Cir­ cular Road, Neasden. In 1933 my parents got married, it was the first Chupah to take place in Neasden Synagogue.”

Myrla, herself attended the shul through­ out her childhood and teenage years and recalls: “I always felt very at home in the Shul which was known as ‘The little ShuF and remember going to Cheder there first in the Shul itself and in a com­ mittee room at the back and later in the Ada Cooklin Hall.” Her thoughts upon it

The marriage o f Esther (nee Freedman) and Sydney Myers - 5 June 1933. The first couple to be married at Ahavas Shalom Synagogue.

May our children and grandchildren have the same happy associations with shul as we and my generation had from this and its previous building. That would be its most lasting legacy.”

PERSO N A L RECO LLECTIO N S OF

have pleasure in inviting you to come to us for

Invitations fo r ad Occasions

Fieldgate Street Great Synagogue 41 Fieldgate Street • London E l

(full dbebrezv te\t avadabbe)

L’ersonat Letterheads Correspondence Cards function fidgets etc abbat most reasonabbe prices

The Honorary Officers and Board of Management extend New Year greetings to members of the Synagogue and their families, as well as the Beth Din, Honorary Officers and the Executive and Staff of the Federation of Synagogues

innnrn nron raw rmS?

"We boofiforzvard to meeting you and can assure you o f our personal attention

5757-1996

-Phone Lionel or dbibary on 0181 ■9068268

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LEA R N IN G PROGRAMMES AT TH E

STILL ACTIVE AT CLAPTON

ILFO RD FEDERATION SH TIEB EL

SYNAGOGUE

by Jeffrey Cohen

by Jack Godfrey t is difficult to know where to begin when describing the scale of events that have taken place at the Shtiebel since last Succos.

In truth, I must begin with the arrive o f Rav Refoel G odlew sky and his Rebbetzen. He is an amazing, bewilder­ ing, human dynamo of relentless energy, ideas, ability and plain hard work. Some­ one with a driving need to communicate and teach the spiritual values of Torahtrue Yiddishkeit.

From being a pleasant, friendly, but rather quiet backwater on the Ilford scene, the Shtiebel has been hurled into the fore­ front of Jewish consciousness in the area.

Amazing events and giant Torah per­ sonalities have been brought there, and not only the Shtiebel, but the whole of Redbridge, have been spellbound.

Almost instantly upon arrival, Rabbi Godlewsky arranged no less than four Y'mei Limmud, each one with a famous speaker of high calibre. Into these Y'mei Lim m ud he introduced Chavrusoh learning and arranged the material so that no matter what one’s level of knowledge, it was possible to participate fully.

The Y 'mei Limmud were rapidly fol­

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lowed by a “Yeshiva Week Programme” which ran on five consecutive evenings and were designed to give people who had not been to Yeshiva, a taste of what it was like. Those who came to the sessions to give keynote speeches were truly up­ lifted by the ‘Kol Torah’ that greeted them as they entered the building. Rabbi Godlewsky has persuaded some of the most Chosheveh Rabbonim and Rebbes to come to Ilford. We were captivated by the Divrei Hisorerus from Rabbi Shmuel Wosners/z//ta/z, and have been privileged to share a “ Tisch” with the Spinker Rebbe shlitah, and more recently, with the Skulener Rebbe shlitah.

The readiness of such Torah giants to give of themselves and their time, and visit us in Ilford has given tremendous chizuk to the entire Redbridge com­ munity. Not one to stand on his laurels, Rabbi Godlewsky is now actively seek­ ing to establish an “outreach” Kollel based at the Shtiebel. It has certainly been put on the map as a “Mokom Torah” place for regular Shiurim, programmes for youth and a heimish place to daven. The Shtiebel has become a blazing star in the firmament of the Redbridge shuls.

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fter the tremendous success of the celebratory service held at the Syna­ gogue to mark its 75th Anniversary, our Synagogue continues to hold regular Shabbos and Yom Tov services, despite its declining and ageing membership. We have recently instituted a Mevarchim Ha Chodesh Kiddush, which is always well attended, and we hope to hold many similar functions in the future, organised by our small but active committee.

Our Synagogue is also actively in­ volved with various charitable organisations which we endeavour to help whenever we can through organising do­ nations from our members.

Clapton, once the jewel in the crown of the Federation, still continues to glim­ mer.

CELEBRATIONS AT LEYTONSTONE & WANSTEAD SYNAGOGUE

by Mr S Pizer, Secretary

On 16 June Sid Pizer - Secretary of Leytonstone & Wanstead Synagogue and his wife Sylvia celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.

Paul Braham - the Security Officermarried Denise Landau at a ceremony outside Walthamstow Town Hall on 16 June. The reception was held at the Leytonstone & Wanstead Synagogue.

Alf Hurst (Warden) and his wife Hilda, will celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary in November.

IN MEMORY OF SARA BURNS n

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Family Burns presented a Stender (lectern) at the Rainham Cemetery in memory of their daughter Sara Burns-S' A formal dedication will take place later this year.

One-to-one chavrusah learning at the Yeshiva Week

MEMORIAL FOR YOUR LOVED ONES

People who wish to commemorate the memory of a loved one can do so by pre­ senting benches and wheelchairs which are needed at all cemeteries.

PLOTS AVAILABLE

The Tisch o f the Skulener Rebbe. Standing right: Rabbi Godlewsky.

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There are a selected number of plots available for sale at Edmonton Cemetery including a number of double plots.

For further information please contact either Mr Nathan Bruckheimer or Mr Henry Dony at the Federation of Syna­ gogues on: 0181-202 2263.

PURIM CELEBRATIONS AT

FU N D R A ISIN G , FUN

EAST LONDON CENTRAL

AN D CELEBRATIONS

SYNAGOGUE

AT CROYDON

by Mr Leon Gayer, Secretary

by Marilyn Arbisman he President of the board Stephen Bennett - raised over £650 towards the Croydon Synagogue Building Fund when he ran in the London Marathon in April.

On Sunday 23 June, we had another “first”, when Gregori Schechter and his Klezmer Festival Band came to Croydon.

Over 90 people were treated to a memo­ rable foot-tapping concert. Amongst this crowd were not only regular followers of the band, but many who had not quite known what to expect but were now Klezmer converts.

For the next few months we are em­ barking on a different way to make money. Fun(d) raisers is the brainchild of Jonathan Stone and is along the line of the TV Telethons. The idea is that just about everyone who belongs to the Shul can participate, even if they live miles away as some of our members do. This means that we can spread outside of our usual circle in the community and hold large or small events of our own choos-

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ing - culminating in a Grand Finale later in the year when all monies will be called in and totalled. It is hoped to raise a very large sum through this means. At the time of writing, there has already been amongst other thi ngs, a Boot Sale, a spon­ sored Bridge Marathon, swimathon and frog racing night. A treasure hunt and golf tournament are currently being organised.

At the end of July we had a double celebration. It is not often that we have a Barmitzvah and even more rare, a wed­ ding, but on this occasion we had both.

On Shabbat 27 July Paul Cohen read Maftir and Haftorah and the following day, Caroline Rosen and Stephen King were married, a most exceptional week­ end for the Shul and community.

OBITUARY THE LATE PHYLLIS BURNS

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by Michael Goldman he sudden death of Mrs Phyllis Burns in June following a short period of illness was the cause of widespread sorrow amongst her friends in London’s East End Jewish community and the Fieldgate Street shul. Her pass­ ing was particularly poignant since Mrs Burns had been the main support and carer of her dear husband, the highly re­ spected Warden of Fieldgate Street Great Synagogue, who has suffered from indif­ ferent health and immobility fora number of years; the burden of grief following the loss of Mr and Mrs Burns younger daughter, Sara, a very popular young woman, just two and a half years ago, compounded the sadness felt by every­ one who knows the family. (S ara’s obituary was published in the Pesach 1994 issue of Hamaor).

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Phyllis Burns spent her early years in Dalston, where her father, Reb Elia Leib Schneider, davened at the Biala Rebbe’s shtiebl in St. Mark’s Rise. She lived in the East End since her marriage and became actively involved in her Synagogue’s Ladies Guild, eventually assuming its Chairmanship. In this capacity she helped raise many thousands of pounds for charity, very often per­ sonally catering kiddushim and se 'udoth for congregants’ sim chas and shul

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Purim at East London this year attrac­ ted more than a hundred people who joined with the community in their cele­ brations. In addition to the Synagogue members, there were also visitors from other local Synagogues, students from the local Hillel House, and many others.

The Megilla was read by MrYitzchak Austin, the Synagogue’s popular Spiritual Leader, and the walls reverberated with the “Clupping of Haman”.

After the Service, the entire gathering was invited to lavish refreshments.

The Honorary Officers and the Board of Management are now looking ahead to 1998 when please G-d the Synagogue will celebrate its seventy fifth anniver­ sary. Any enquiries in this context may be made to the Secretary, Leon Gayer.

IMPROVEMENTS AT RAINHAM We now have much improved and enlarged office facilities at Rainham Cemetery. We hope it will make it even more convenient for people to use. functions. Her readi­ ness to assist anyone who called on her, as well as her warm and kind-hearted demean­ our, are legendary in the district; and in what is now a declining community she is irre­ placeable.

When, during Sara’s childhood stay at the London Hospital in W hitechapel, Mrs Burns perceived a need for new and more advanced medical equipment in the Hosp ita l’s Intensive Therapy Unit, she established a Committee of Friends to raise funds for the purpose and also to set up a specialised Babies Intensive Care Unit. According to Hospital records, over £40,000 was collected by Mrs Burns and her friends.

Mrs. Burns is survived by her hus­ band, daughter, and two grandsons. To these and other members of her family, Hamaor extends sincere condolences.

REVIVAL AT NOTTING HILL

A ROSH HASHANAH THOUGHT

by Samantha Fogelman otting Hill Synagogue has been seeing a revival of late. The regentriflcation of the neighbour­ hood has seen an increase in non-affibated Jews into the area, some of whom have now been taking an interest in the shul. This includes a handful of young families who were attracted by the informal and friendly atmosphere and are involving themselves in the running of the shul.

This young group are working hard with the older members to revitalise the community, and many of the current programmes have come about due to their enthusiasm. This is a true fusion of wise minds and young limbs.

At the beginning of last year, after a break of 17 years, the shul restarted Friday night services. The melodic and easy-tofollow service was felt to be valuable to both regulars and people who would not ordi­ narily attend shul. Due to the hard work of those involved, services have been sus­ tained. It is now not unusual to find eight or nine children sitting behind the bimah singing Lechoh Dodi. Shabbat morning services are thriving. There has also been an increase in celebratory kiddushim.

The shul has also started to run Sun­ day morning activities for children and adults. While the children participate in Cheder, some of the adults have an infor­ mal discussion on various topics, others study together. At the end of the morn­ ing, the children and adults all get together to practice Shabbat zemiros and perform havdalah.

On two recent occasions, the Ladies Guild have presented The Shalom En­ semble, who performed a various array of classical pieces. An art exhibition and demonstration featuring Chinese Brush Painting was also staged. All were well attended.

Next year sees the Centenary of the community and the Board of Manage­ ment are hard at work arranging the celebrations. If there are any readers who have any association or family connec­ tion with the shul and would like to contribute their anecdotes or memories of Notting Hill in the old days, please send them in to the shul. It is hoped to be able to produce a Centenary Brochure to mark the occasion.

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by Dayan Y. Y. Lichtenstein anity has returned. This is the feeling that spread on the nightthat Bibi Netanyahu became prime minister of Israel. A wave of jubilation swept over the country; it was a narrow victory but nevertheless, a victory. And, in the ensuing weeks when Mr. Netanyahu visited Washington and kept up his firm stand, a feeling of satisfaction swept through American Jewry. Finally there is a leader in Israel who will stand up to the world and who will stand up to his political opponents. One enthusiastic Anglo-Jewish leader actually wrote me a mazel tov letter.

Certainly, there is much to be relieved about. At least the country is not blindly giving back land that was fought for so valiantly for a very nebulous peace, and indeed, the anti-religious mood that was the hallmark of the previous administra­ tion has disappeared - or has it? I recently returned from a trip to Israel and the trip left me quite shattered. The attitude of the secular Jews towards religious has turned to one of contempt. What was even more disturbing though was that for the first time I saw that their feeling was reciprocated by my religious friends who had also nothing but disdain for the secu­ lar, or chiloni Jew. Can we, as religious Jews, support this attitude?

This coming Rosh Hashanah we will say in the Amidah - Vyasu chulam agudah achas - we pray that all Jews should appear before G-d as agudah, as one group. The Sefer Eliohu Zuta com­ ments: in the time when Israel is afflicted they should stand before G-d as one group and if they stand as one group G-d says, “ I will answer them.” The solution is not to fight our corner, but to pray that we should instil in ourselves an attitude that all Jews are our brethren.

There is a story told of the venerable sage, Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonenfeld, the Rav of Jerusalem at the turn of the cen­ tury. Rabbi Sonenfeld once had a din torah between a man and his wife, and he ruled in favour of the husband. The wife’s family descended en masse to Rabbi Sonenfeld’s house one morning, and began destroying the furniture in the house as an act of revenge against the Rav.

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The Rebbetzen ran out to get the Rav and he came rushing in. As he ran through the door everyone stopped. He looked around at the mayhem that had been caused and in a quiet voice he made the following observation: “There is a special prohibi­ tion in the Torah to curse a dayan. Who is the Torah referring to? Obviously not the one who won the case, he has no rea­ son to curse the dayan but the one who lost.” He then raised his voice and continued: “G entlem en, you have transgressed this prohibition and if I have ruled wrong and you are the righteous party, then I will have to render an ac­ count to my Creator for making an incorrect judgement. However (and he paused for a moment) if I have been right, and you are wrong, I then I wish you all a chasivah v 'chasima tovah and I forgive you with my complete heart for all the damage you have done.” The sincerity of the Rav’s statement and the love of his fellow Jew even in these circumstances aroused feelings of remorse in the party and they all begged the Rav to forgive them - which he did.

Perhaps it is too much to expect of ourselves to be the same as the sainted tsaddik, but there is a lesson we must learn from this story. The Torah's approach is not to respond to hate with hate but to arouse compassion in our fel­ low Jew. Let us make a resolution this Rosh Hashanah that we will fight the poison of the anti-religious secular Jews with the most powerful weapon in our arsenal ahavas Yisroel (love of a fellow Jew) and in this merit may we all be blessed

by G-d for a shana tovah . . .

A ll news item s, articles and features for the PESACH ISSUE of H A M A O R m ust be subm itted by the deadline of Monday 10 M ARCH 1997

The Dayanim of the Federation Beth Din extend their warmest wishes for a n a ia

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to all members of the Federation of Synagogues their families and all of S e w

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by Elli M orris and Sharon Levy

A

fter a great year, Edgware Yeshurun Bnei Akiva ended on a high on Shabbat 29 June 1996, with the final meeting of the year, followed by a Seudcih, and then a final Mifkad. The atmosphere for the last Shabbat was terrific, and a suitable climax to a great year. Although the good weather after Pesach made the park a very tempting alternative on Shabbat after­ noon, it was wonderful to see so many Chanichim come, week in, week out.

Since our last article in the Pesach edition ofHamaor, the Shabbat Ha 'Irgun has come and gone, and I can honestly say on behalf Sharon and myself, that is was one of the most enjoyable, (and tir­ ing!) Bnei Akiva events that we have been involved in, and we hope that whoever participated had a memorable time! Eve­ rything went very smoothly, and even when we were notified by the shul a few weeks before that our weekend clashed

with another Edgware Yeshurun event due to a mix up, they kindly offered a compromise solution that allowed both events to successfully take place over the same Shabbat.

The Bnei Akiva summer camps all proved to be highly successful and now preparations are underway for the winter camps which last one week. They com­ bine fun, learning, adventure and the opportunity to meet people - an unmissable experience. If you want in­ formation about this or any other Bnei Akiva events, phone the Head Office on 0181 209 1319.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Shul for putting up with us and giving us so much support through­ out the year, and I hope that Bnei Akiva and the Edgware Yeshurun can continue to work in harmony in the future.

On a more personal note, this year rem ains filled with w onderful

International ^Telephone ^ Services

memories. As a Rosh of this Sviva, the responsibilities o f the job are over­ shadowed by the pleasure of creating a very special atm o sp h ere and re ­ lationship between the Madrichim; and in leaving, I feel a mixture of sadness and joy (at least I will have more spare time on my hands!) hope both the Chanichim and the parents have benefited greatly from Bnei Akiva this year. Many thanks from both Sharon and myself for all your support - especially those who gave up their Shabbat afternoons to help on security.

We will however be back very shortly.

So keep your eyes peeled for the starting date, and I hope everyone will return for the new year. If you have any comments about Bnei Akiva this year or in general, or ideas on how to improve anything, please phone Elli on: 0181 958 6235 or Sharon on 0181 958 6818.

We wish you a ."DTE HDVTn i"DTC.

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FROM ECUADOR TO ILFORD

By Estelle Bashton hen he calls me Mummy, hugs me and gives me a kiss, I feel so happy that he is ours. Ours, not biologically but we are his parents.

We love him and take care of him. We are the ones to kiss away his tears and share his laughter. We began to look af­ ter him when he was just eight-and-a-half months. Not in this country, but in Ecua­ dor, South America.

It all began when 1 read a magazine article about a woman who had success­ fully adopted a baby from South America and immediately began a frantic year­ long campaign of letter writing. We must have written to every South American embassy in London. A year passed and then out of the blue, I received a letter from the head of an orphanage in Quito, Ecuador. She sent us two photos of a baby boy called Dario and a consent form. It seemed like a dream come true. We both knew instantly that we wanted to adopt him, but our elated feelings gradually began to evaporate while we waited a further six months for the call to say that the paperwork in Ecuador was ready. I could not get to Ecuador quick enough and from the very first moment I held Dario in my arms we bonded instantly and I knew he was meant to be ours.

My husband Barry had to return to England after two weeks while I stayed with Anthony Dario - as we had decided to name him - until I received clearance to leave the country with him. Fortu­ nately, we were staying with a Spanish-speaking English family who were able to help us with all the form fill­ ing.

By now Anthony was learning to crawl and play. He still has the special teddy we gave him which was his first toy. He was a very happy, smiling and affection­ ate baby (though he never slept through the night) - he was a dream come true.

Nevertheless, after having spent a month in Ecuador I was very homesick, but 1 would not leave without Anthony.

There was no way I would put him back in the orphanage or with foster parents.

At long last his passport came through and we were able to go home.

Once back in Britain, I applied to So­ cial Services to have him adopted in this country, since the adoption in Ecuador

W

Anthony Dario in Quito, Ecuador - April 1986

Anthony with his parents in Ilford - 1995 was not recognised in the UK. It took over two years of visits by a social worker and a Guardian ad Litum before we went to the High Court. Barry and I were so nerv­ ous. I was terrified that he would be taken away from us; but the Judge granted us the adoption. It was so moving to see how happy everyone was for us. Afterwards, we took Anthony to the Judge’s cham­ bers to have his photograph taken with the Judge.

Meanwhile, we were in contact with the London Beth Din and embarked on a series of lessons on Judaism and meet­ ings with the Beth Din in order to convert Anthony to Judaism. This was vitally

13

important for us since he was destined to be our child and therefore, was meant to be Jewish. I overcame my fear of water to do this - I cannot even paddle. When Anthony was six years old, the Beth Din finally gave their blessing and a certifi­ cate to prove he is Jewish.

He now attends the Ilford Jewish Pri­ mary School and the Shul Cheder, and is so proud to be Jewish. We are all looking forward to his Barmitzvah in August 1998.

He has shown us so much love and we are really lucky to have him.

Estelle and Barry Bashton are members o f the Ilford Federation Synagogue

FOCUS ON FIELDGATE STR EET G REA T SYNAGOGUE

by Sarah M Schleimer

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Kodesh upon which is theTen Command­ ments with lions rampant sculpted in ironwork, which is significant with East European Jewry.

The Shul itself was built with dona­ tions of small amounts of income from members of the community. All around the outer wall of the upper gallery is printed the amounts that were donated which range from £5 to £20 in old money - between two to three weeks’ wages at the time.

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THIS PEAQl E COMMEMORAT MS THE CENTENARY OI A.GRODZINSKI & CO. IT'D. WHOSE ORIGIW 1 R\ ADJOINED

Mr and Mrs Nat Roos outside Fieldgate Street Great Synagogue.

two communities there is an unusual friendship. No one from the Mosque ever does any harm to the Shul or its mem­ bers. In fact, when Rev Gayer was older and had difficulty getting into his car, they used to help him and assist him in every conceivable way they could.

Another outstanding figure in the com­ munity is the Chief Warden, Mr Cecil Davidson, “Without whose support the Shul would fail to function,” says Mr

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hilst most shuls in the East End have unfortunately been forced to close down, Fieldgate Street Great Synagogue is still open seven days a week, three Tefillos a day.

It is in fact the only remaining viable shul in the East End of London.

Vice-President of Fieldgate Street Great Synagogue, Mr Roos, along with his wife, who gave me a guided tour and history of the shul, explained to me that there has been a synagogue on the site for ninety-seven years. The Shul was build in the Polish style and is predomi­ nantly wooden. Above the Bimah is a fanlight. The reason for this is that in the Shtetl in Eastern Europe there was no electric light or kerosene, just candles, and since they were unable to light can­ dles on Shabbos, they had to rely on natural light in order to be able to see to lein from the Torah. Another predominant feature of the Shul is above the Aron

The fanlight above the Bimah In November 1940 the Shul was badly damaged in the Blitz and was finally re­ consecrated after much renovation work in 1960 by Rabbi Cymerman.

The person who really made the Shul what it is was the late Reb Leibish Gayer, who was loved by all who knew him and fondly referred to by everyone as “Our Leibish”. “He was the last of a breed of Reverends and Rabbonim whom one could really sit and talk to,” Mr Roos ex­ plained to me, “He was a brilliant scholar and a fantastic human being with time for everyone. When my own children came into Shul on Shabbos or Yom Tov they would go to speak to ‘Uncle Leibish’ even before coming to greet me. Fie was the jewel in the crown.

Situated next door to the Shul is the East London Mosque and between the

14

Roos. Come rain or shine, Mr Davidson, who is over eighty years of age, is up at 6.00am to open up the Shul and back again in the afternoon to open it up for Mincha and Ma’ariv. He is also respon­ sible for collecting most of theTzedakah which the Shul distributes.

Each Pesach the Shul distributes matzah to over thirty people and £500 in £5 notes is distributed to those amongst the community who do not plead pov­ erty but are known to be on the breadline.

When they wish them a good Yom Tov and shake their hands, £5 is quietly pressed into their hand so as not to em­ barrass them It is still very much of a family shul.

Everyone knows one another and though they may only all meet up occasionally, such as on Rosh Hashanah, they are still all very close. In fact many people who do not live in the area still belong to the Shul because their parents and grandpar­ ents davened there.

Although the community is now age­ ing and there are rarely any weddings or Barmitzvahs, the Shul is still active in many other spheres. Apart from the large amount ofTzedakah it distributes, Fieldgate Street enables men working in the City to be able to say Kaddish should they need to. There is also a small beautifully decorated Succah for people to perform the mitzva of sitting and eating in the Succah on Succos.

Fieldgate Street now receives many groups from the Jewish Museum who come to visit the Shul, coming from as far afield as Australia and the USA. All are made to feel welcome and receive a guided tour by Mr Roos. They are never

charged but are requested to make a donation for Tzedakah.

It is remarkable that whilst most shuls in the area have been forced to close, this little shul has managed to survive and, in its own small way, contribute a great deal not only to its own members but to the community at large.

I f you would like to visit Fieldgate Street Great Synagogue, please contact the Secretary, Mrs Jacobson on: 0171 24 7 2644 and ask for Mr Nat Roos. Tours can be arranged mainly on Sundays and groups are preferred.

R ented

^ BEN BENHIOW HA Ci?HE h ev . l a 3 j s h g a y e r « y t h e field gate st.

SYNAGOGUE COMMUNITY in m e m o r y

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The Sefer Torah cover was arranged by the Secretary, Mrs Jacobson.

15

FROM HADASSAH P A R EN TH O O D

arenthood is the most important career a person will ever have. Yet there are no academic requirements, no degree necessary and no training given. Babies do not arrive with a set of operating instructions or a user manual - So how do people manage?

This is the question I asked myself when I first found out that I had a baby on the way. At that stage, though, the birth seemed so far off. I could only dream of the gorgeous little baby girl or boy that I would hold in my arms in less than nine month’s time. In fact, until I saw my baby on the ultrasound, the whole idea seemed rather abstract. I still had not felt the baby move and it proved that something was really happening. “Wow! I said to my­ self, as the realisation began to sink in, “I really am pregnant. ” I could not visualise what motherhood would be like. It is hard to imagine some­ thing for which you have absolutely no frame of reference. Of course my hus­ band Shaman, and I, said that we would be the best parents and would not make any mistakes; but we are all human. I have since learnt that I cannot do better than my best and that if I give it my all, every­ thing will be all right.

I will never forget the moment when I held my son Leibel for the first time af­ ter his birth. I experienced a feeling that is almost impossible to describe: Joy mixed with awe and amazement that this

beautiful baby was ours. It was such an overwhelming moment. This was our child, a gift from Hashem and we would be responsible for him all our days. This little seven pound bundle would trust us implicitly, listen to us, respect and need us. It was all at once both a wonderful thought and awesome responsibility.

Up until that day, I thought that the happiest day of my life was my wedding day, but that pales in comparison to the day Leibel was born. I realised that this was the life Hashem had created through us, and this was the little blip on the ul­ trasound screen. This was an actual person.

For the first two days after Leibel was bom, I was floating on cloud nine. Moth­ erhood was going to be a breeze! Then the baby started to cry. I fed him, changed his nappy and winded him but he contin­ ued to cry. By 3.00am he had been crying for five hours non-stop and I began to de­ spair. I was convinced that I was a bad mother and that this was what parenthood would be like. How wrong I was. It is hard when the baby gets sick, or cries in­ consolably for hours on end when a tooth is coming through but you cope. The first few weeks were the hardest and the ones with the most despair but once I got the hang of it, it became a lot easier. I learnt that the most important things to have are a positive attitude and a very supportive husband.

16

Leibel has changed my life in so many ways. It is not so easy to just pop to the shops for a bottle of milk. First I have to dress the baby up, make sure I have a bot­ tle for him in case he gets hungry, and spare nappies. Then I have to get out the buggy, lug it down the front steps, cart the baby and nappy bag out of the house, whilst trying to close the door at the same time. Sometimes in the beginning when he was sleeping, it was so quiet that I would almost forget he was there and nearly leave without him.

My priorities have changed. My ward­ robe has changed - dry-clean clothes are for special occasions only, everything has to be washable for practicality.

All of a sudden myself or my husband is not the most important person in my life. This little person is the centre of the universe (and do they begin to realise that very quickly!) I have to think what is best for him, then think about us.

I now view my mother differently. I appreciate a lot more what she went through to raise children and realise how much I have taken forgranted in the past.

Only now can I see how much she sacri­ ficed to give me a good upbringing.

I have discovered that while there are many worries in raising a child, this is one career that is extremely rewarding.

When my baby gazes into my eyes and smiles that beautiful toothless grin, my heart swells with such happiness. With each little achievement our pride in our son grows. When Leibel figured out how to suck his thumb, we let the whole world know, because this was a major achievement. Since then there have been many more firsts - first tooth, giggle and the first time he turned over.

Just to watch Leibel with his father is a sight that brings tears ofjoy to my eyes.

They are so alike, and Leibel adores his father more than anything. He can be a miserable baby all day, and then when Abba comes through the door after work, he will get the first real smile of the day.

That is so precious.

Hadassah Dergel

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH RABBI ZEUG PLISKIN

by Sarah M Schleimer

I first learnt of Rabbi Zelig Pliskin a few years ago through his book “Gateway to Happiness” which I used as my main source of research for a term project on “Simchas Ha 'Chayim” (joy of living).

It is probably one of the most inspiring books I have ever read, and one of those rare works that actually shape some influence over your life.

I was therefore delighted and privileged that Rabbi Pliskin granted Hamaor an interview and the opportunity to learn something more about his various roles and phi­ losophies on life.

R

abbi Pliskin who learned at the TelzYeshiva in the USA followed y Brisk Kollel, now lives in Yerushalaym where he gives regular Shiurim at Aish Hatorah Yeshiva. The Yeshiva, which is for Baalei Teshuva, was originally started twenty-one years ago.

Rabbi Pliskin has been with the Yeshiva since its beginnings. “I thought it was a good opportunity to teach Torah topics. 1 felt a strong need to reach out to those who do not yet know much about Juda­ ism. ” He explains.

Rabbi Pliskin is a renowned counsel­ lor. “It started as a case of a teacher counselling students and helping them out with their problems. ” He says. “ I consider myself as a consultant. I deal with mult-modality which is concerned with behaviour and emotions and the totality of a person including their ruchnios (spirituality). ” He does not think o f him self as a psychologist, though, “I would not term what I do as psychology. It is only human behaviour and feelings. By helping people to achieve inner peace they can overcome anger, improve their middos (character 9 9 traits) and emotions.

Hearing about the problems so many people have, can be quite painful and sad at times, he admits. “But we should be moved by other people’s problems. It is an elevating pain. When we feel for an­ other person we are emulating Hashem.

It is a pain of caring, a positive type of pain. ” Rabbi Pliskin points out.

Rabbi Pliskin is also the author of eight books. He was prompted to start when someone suggested that he write a book in English on the laws of Lashon

Horah. “It is a subject close to my heart as my father studied under the Chafetz Chaim, zt’l,” he explains. His books cover diverse and fascinating topics such as happiness, man’s relationship with his fellow man and strategies for living, and his reasons for writing on these particu­ lar subjects are quite simple: “I felt that these were areas which need to be dealt with. Everyone has an affinity with dif­ ferent topics, I have an affinity with these.”

Does he need to be well organised to juggle his various roles? “I try to make good use of my time and utilize it prop­ n erly. But it is always better to do more.

He explains.

I asked Rabbi Pliskin if he has a spe­ cific philosophy which he lives by. “I 91 cannot say I have one answer for that.

He replied, “I would say that it comes from the Mishna. I give a series of eight classes on it at Aish Hatorah for those who are new to Judaism. The first topic I cover is, how we create our own world.

How we chose our quality of life by how we use our mind, and by appreciating Hashem’s gifts, which is something we learn in Mishlei. Everything Hashem does is for the good. The second class is about self image, realising who we are and that we are created in the image of Hashem. Thirdly, I deal with attitudes towards other people and how we should direct Torah attitudes towards others and treat them with kavod (honour). The next topic is aboutTeshuva and developing the 44joy of regret”. We can always do Teshuva (repentance) and out of love can transfer the bad into Mitzvos. My fifth class is about middos and how we interact with one another and the next three classes deal with the middos of anger, approval 1 1 seeking and the power of speech.

I asked Rabbi Pliskin if he feels that people should try to be optimistic at all times. “We should have the attitude that whatever happens is the will of Hashem.

Things may not necessarily work out the way we want them too. For instance, one could plan a picnic which is then ruined because it rains. However, we have to make the best of it”, he explains. Can one be both an optimist and a realist at the same time? “Optimistic is not really a Torah expression. The way we perceive reality will cause our reaction. Reality does not cause a reaction it is the way we perceive that reality. Rabbi Akiva said: ‘Whatever Hashem does is for the good’. We have to see the good in every situation. ”

A REM EM BRAN CE OF TH E 30S A N D 40S

by Willy Ungar uch has been written by those who have survived the Holo­ caust and many have tried to give authentic historical accounts of the political events that led up to the system­ atic murder of six million of our brethren.

However, when I pay my twice yearly visit to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem or the Holocaust Museum in Washington to say Kaddish for my parents and sister (zt ’1), I always ask myself how can anyone who has not lived in central Europe at that time, and not been raised in that oppres­ sive atmosphere of open antisemitism, ever grasp the true feelings of those who have. How can youngsters who can, by right, ask for fair play and equal oppor­ tunities in W estern dem ocracies, understand what it was like to grow up with racial prejudice from the day he or she joined a primary school at the age of six. Nowadays, new historians have ap­ peared on the literary scene and have rewritten recent history, denying what happened fifty four years ago. Further­ more, fewer victims are still alive to put their story on record. I have done this for my children and grandchildren or any­ one else willing to read it.

In the sixth district ofVienna, where I was born and lived, there were no Jewish schools and attendance on a Saturday was compulsory. The fact that my father had to apply for a dispensation for me to be excused from writing on Shabbat set me immediately apart from the other pupils who thereupon delighted in mocking me.

The teachers were put out that their usual end-of-week tests were disturbed by “this Jew” who refused to conform and gave me oral tests which were much harder than those set for the rest of the class. No opportunity was allowed to pass to ridi­ cule me in the eyes of my classmates and to remind everyone that “we don’t want to become “eine Judenschule !” (an ex­ pression denoting a school without discipline, noisy and without any educa­ tional standards). Religious lessons were compulsory twice a week by law, and special arrangements had to be made for Jewish pupils to leave the classroom and join other Jews in a different location, for tuition. The leaving and returning was a nightmare every time. Jeering and jost­

M

1938: Willy Ungar at 17. ling, name-calling and abuse were the order of the day. The Catholic priest who gave the lesson was always able to end it on a note that blamed the Jews. Be it the crucifixion or the betrayal of Judas etc. so that the boys were whipped up and ready for a fight. All this took place eleven years before the German army entered Austria in March 1938. In them­ selves no serious or life threatening events, but an indication that antisemitism in Austria was imbued in every child from an early age which made itself felt later in every walk of life. Even the policeman on the beat delighted in stopping any Jew­ ish boy on the street, giving him a clip on the ear, just for the fun of it. One had to be better, smarter, more hardworking, just to be on level terms; if successful you were too pushy, an exploiter of the Aus­ trian working class, if not, a burden on the poor taxpayer and assumed to be a communist. My parents, firm believers in

the principal of Torah im Derech Eretz, made sure that my secular education was more than matched by my attending cheder every evening in our shul, an af­ filiated synagogue to the fam ous Schiffshul of the second district where the vast majority of Orthodox Jews lived. On a Shabbat I would walk there with my friends to join the Pirchim group of the Agudath Yisroel to join in their Shiurim and games. That was the highlight of the week.

The best weeks of the year were the summer holidays. Like so many other religious families of modest means, my father rented a house in a small village, a tram-ride from Vienna, near the famous “Vienna Woods”. The move itself was an adventure; a horse and cart was hired, all bedding, pots and pans, crockery and cutlery was loaded; mother and sister took the tram while my father and I were perched high up next to the driver. To the

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great amusement of all the neighbours who had watched the whole proceedings, we finally took off. The driver making a great show with his whip, the wheels of the wagon and the hooves of the horse making quite a noise on the cobblestones.

It was a slow and uncomfortable journey, but my joy on arriving in the farmhouse with its goats and chickens, rabbits and doves made up for it. During the week I was allowed to help in the farmyard and on Shabbat we walked to the next village where we davened with a family who owned a Sefer Torah and who organized a minyan. Sundays the whole family went for walks in the woods and had picnics.

Unfortunately, those idyllic days did not last for too long; when uncles and aunts were together with my parents, and their visits became more and more frequent, their mood became more sombre. Poli­ tics became the main subject.

In Germany, Hitler’s National-Social­ ist party became stronger and more daring; marches were organized, rallies were held, brown-shirted men with swas­ tika armbands strutted the streets. Their leader, Adolf Hitler, ranted and raved against the western powers who had im­ posed severe sanctions against Germany after they lost the 1914-1918 war; he de­ manded the return of all the territories under French, Polish and Czechoslova­ kian control and then blamed it all on the Jewish worldwide conspiracy which was out to destroy Germany and all the Aryan races. My family, like most other Jews, were a bit alarmed by these speeches, but dismissed them as outbursts of a madman.

They were convinced that a civilised country in the 20th century can easily contain a few thousand malcontents. But when in 1933 Hitler became Chancellor of Germany and anti-Jewish laws were enacted, one could not close one’s eyes any longer to the potential dangers, particularly as he demanded Austrian uni­ fication with Germany. The Austrian government reassured its people again and again that Austrian independence would be preserved and, if needs be, de­ fended by its army. Everyone’s fears were allayed and soon it was “business as usual’’; the conversation went like this: “It is very worrying what is happening to the Jews in Germany but, after all, we are citizens, many of us have fought in the war, (1914) the government has a duty to protect us, the Austrians are fun-loving people’’ and so on. But by 1936 the po­ litical situation in Vienna had changed.

Both the Nazi party and the Communists had made considerable gains; the govern­ ment saw the main danger from the east and imprisoned the communist leaders and allowed the Nazis to pursue their ac­ tivities. Life for me in grammar school had become more difficult. I was by then 17 years of age and in the 7th form, one year away from matriculation. I was the only Jew left in my class, the other four having dropped out. I had some friends with whom I did my homework. They came to my home, but I was never al­ lowed to go to theirs. However, many in my class began to wear swastikas on their lapels, and abused my friends for being on good terms with me. One by one they succumbed to the pressure and I felt more and more isolated. I yearned for the last year and a half to be over; then I could go to the famous Yeshivah in Galanta, a town in Czechoslovakia, not far from where my father was born and where some of his family still lived. In March 1938, Hitler’s troops approached the Aus­ trian border. Everyone sat by their radios wondering what the Austrian army was going to do. Would there be battles?

Could they stand up to the Germans? The reality was quite different: The army was nowhere to be seen. The population in the counties bordering on Bavaria, like Styria and Tyrol, always known for their antisemitic behaviour, streamed onto the street and welcomed the German troops with garlands of flowers, cheering and kissing them. The Viennese Jews sat in stunned silence by their radios. Suddenly all the rumours that had filtered in from Germany became reality and the future an uncertainty.

The very next morning after the Anschluss, the streets of Vienna were filled with young men in brown uniforms, thousands of civilians suddenly sported swastika armbands. In every district a “ Brown House” was opened, a head­ quarters of the local Nazi party. All were fully equipped, obviously well prepared and just waiting to become operative. One of them was situated in the very street where we lived and I could observe the first Jews being brought in for “interro­ gation”. During the ensuing month, hundreds were sent to concentration camps, like Dachau or Buchenwald. They were not extermination camps, as built in 1942 when the Nazis tried to imple­ ment the “Final Solution”. People did return from there, if they could prove to be in possession of a visa or if someone

19

was able to bribe a high party official But the suffering endured by those who were sent there was indescribable; one gentleman, a member of our community came back with all his toes frozen from standing on the parade ground through­ out a freezing night. Others returned with broken hips or thighbones from blows administered with rifle-butts. This hap­ pened to relatively few, mainly prominent people in the public eye, their Jewishness known to all. But thousands were rounded up daily and subjected to public ridicule.

For example, during the night, antisemitic slogans were painted on the pavements, and the old and young were made to kneel down and scrub the pavements clean again to the great delight of hundreds of onlookers. Jewish shops were daubed with swastikas and uniformed “S.A. troopers” stood at the entrances to pre­ vent any would-be shopper from entering.

The purpose of these measures was firstly to deprive Jews from earning a living and, secondly, to break their spirit and to slowly force them to accept the doctrine that the Semitic race is inferior, and that Jews are sub-human. The Nazi propa­ ganda machine churned out these statements day by day, caricatures of Jews with enormous hooked noses were dis­ played in magazines, with sidelocks flying while oppressing the innocent, blond-haired and blue eyed Aryan popu­ lation. The effect was that thousands who had never come across a Jew in real life, believed this propaganda, as it was pre­ sented relentlessly.

My formal education came to a sud­ den end when the headmaster entered one morning with a piece of paper in his hand and solemnly read out the latest direc­ tive: “No Jewish student is allowed from this hour onwards to contaminate an Aryan schoolroom. All Jews, therefore, have to leave the premises within five minutes.” 1 packed my satchel and crept out of the classroom feeling like a con­ victed criminal. It was my m other’s reassuring commonsense and practical­ ity which restored my spirits, by putting me immediately to work in the flat and commencing an intensive course in home economy. This knowledge has stood me in good stead for the last 50 years.

Apart from not having my daily tus­ sle or wrestle with one of my tormentors in class - after all, I had to live up to my nickname, “Samson”, I was at last able to walk every morning to shul with my continued overleaf

4

continued from previous page father and join with that small band of religious men in prayer and then in the exchange of the latest news.

On the morning of the 10th of Novem­ ber my father and I were, as usual, on our way to the synagogue when we were surprised to hear the sounds of fire en­ gines racing to various locations. Turning the last corner into the Stumpergasse, our worst fears came true. From a distance we could clearly see the fire brigade train­ ing their hoses onto the houses on both sides of our shul while allowing the build­ ing in the middle to be consumed by the flames. A small crowd stood by, watch­ ing with obvious satisfaction the destruction of our house of worship, while I closed my eyes and tried to remember the packed congregation on Yom Kippur only a few weeks before. My fa­ ther quietly took my hand without saying a word; I felt he was overcome by the spectacle of a place he so loved being destroyed; he had been the secretary of the Chevra Kadishah for as long as I could remember. We went home and I never went near that place again. I heard that my revered Rabbi and teacher, HoRav Flesch, with whom I learned my first Mishnah and my first Gemmarah and

who was able to instil in us pupils a love for Torah and Mitzvot, did go back to that street and was intercepted by the Storm Troopers. I never heard of him again. An­ other victim of the Kristallnacht. By now it became obvious to the majority of Jews in Austria that emigration was the only solution. (There were still some who thought that even these bad times would pass, “so let’s lie low and keep quiet.”)

My parents’ house became the meeting point of the family. The situation was dis­ cussed, analysed, and by some just bemoaned. The non-religious blamed the charedim in their black garb, black, round hats and beards for being and looking a foreign elem ent and causing antisemitism; the religious countered by accusing the others for always being in the front seats in theatres, the opera and concerts, and behaving as if Vienna be­ longed to them - and that was the reason for the persecutions. Of course, both were wrong because the laws that were intro­ duced made no differentiation between the various types of Jews; if only one of one’s grandparents was Jewish, and the other three Christian, one’s name was put on the “list”. To make the decision to emigrate was, for some, difficult; to find a country willing to give asylum was al­

most impossible. I have been asked many a times why my family did not get out.

The answer was simple; no country had opened it’s doors freely. The US, like many other countries, demanded a guar­ antor so that the new immigrant would not become a burden on the state. Eng­ land, not to upset the Unions, only took in students, butlers and maids, rabbis or people with skills, not available in the UK. France took in a token number, so did Belgium and Holland. If you had a thousand pound sterling, a great fortune, you could get a “Capitalist” visa to enter Palestine. For SI 000 per head you could buy a Cuban visa. (Even that did not always work.) One could try Shanghai, and many did, but my parents did not dare to go to the Far East without any connec­ tions there. My sister decided never to leave my parents; she could have got out as a maid. As for me, I had the good for­ tune that the Agudath Yisroel tried to get me to Palestine as a “highly skilled” farm worker on their kibbutz; at the same time, an uncle of mine, living in London, tried to persuade Rabbi Dr Shonfield to apply for an English visa as a student in a Talmudical College. My parents were oveijoyed. There was hope!!

To be continued. . .

WOOLWICH SYNAGOGUE

“A Pleasure to Read”

The President and his wife Emma & Raymond Phillips Rev. & Mrs M. Gingold Honorary Officers Board of Management & Congregation wish everyone

Yated Ne'eman

“Refreshing Torah Book of Highest Calibre” Jewish Tradition

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20

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THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

By Chana Meira Bolel Chan a Meira Bolel presents a history o f the Jews o f Johannesburg from a unique and unusual point o f view.

Date: An erev Shabbos in September 1996. The Shammas looked at his watch, only half an hour left to finish cleaning up the Shulfor Shabbos. Stifling a yawn, he made his way to the Aron Kodesh. He drew back the curtain with half closed eyes and thought longingly o f the warm supper waiting for him at home. As he opened the double doors his exhaustion was replaced with fascination as he stared at a Sefer Torah that was leaning weakly against a corner; for embroidered on its atzei chaim was the year it was written -1887. he Shammas was certainly sur­ prised to find me there. After all, it is not every day that one finds such an old Sefer Torah resting in ones Aron Kodesh. And I have every reason to rest after my long journey. If you can spare the time, I will tell you my story. In fact, it is not just my story, but the story of many unsung heroes who strove to make a Kosher world for themselves and for their children in far away South Africa.

I was made in Kovno, Lithuania in honour of a certain Yehuda Cohen’s Chassuna. I was not an ordinary Sefer Torah either, for I had a special mission.

With the discovery of gold in Johannes­ burg around the year 1886, young Yehuda and his Kallah thought they would have a better chance to make a Parnassa if they could immigrate to Johannesburg. Zeide Cohen would not hear of it. South Africa was a spiritual desert and under no cir­ cumstances would he allow anyone of his family to take such a risk. The following day, however, there was a Pogrom which ended all of Zeide’s arguments. All there was left to do was to daven. So he locked himself in his room and painstakingly wrote me out crying between each word that his descendants should stay on the true Torah path for eternity.

I would rather not discuss the journey - even 110 years later I still feel sick re­ membering it. The occupants were mainly Yidden from Lithuania, and some from Britain. While travelling from Brit­ ain to South Africa, my neighbour, a

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The interior o f Kahal Adath Yeshurun Shul samovar from Vilna, filled me in on the situation. Because there were so many Litvak immigrants (and this immigration would continue until 1911), there was some sort of community despite the vir­ tual isolation. There was a cheder system and a network of synagogues, a Chevra (to greet you at the harbour) and an in­ terest free loan system.

Once we arrived in Johannesburg, I re­ alised why Zeide Cohen had been so sad.

Although Yehuda did his best to keep the Mitzvas, it was just about impossible to give Yehuda’s son Isadore the same qual­ ity of education he would have received in Kovno under Zeide Cohen’s influence.

Although the Jewish Board of Education was started in 1928 to provide Jewish Day schools, it was too late by then for Isadore. With the depression in 1929, the situation became very tight financially and Isadore decided to sell me to his lo­ cal Synagogue.

Life in the Synagogue was a strange experience. It was very different to the Shul in Kovno. It was pleasing to see the people davening, but what really made my parchment break out in a cold sweat was when they began to make an earlier minyan for those who wanted to daven before going to work - on Shabbos. My continued overleaf

The exterior o f Kahal Adath Yeshurun

continued from previous page mantle used to blush each time they took me out to read me in that Minyan. The Rabbi must have noticed my distress, because I was then sold again, but this time to a real Shul.

Between 1930 and 1936 Jews came from Germany to South Africa. Unfortu­ nately, this immigration was stopped when some Anti-Semitic Afrikaaners complained about the influx of these “Al­ iens”. Aliens? These Yidden probably saved South African Jewry from total as­ similation! Their main worry was how they would bring up their children in the spirit in which they themselves had been educated. Zeide Cohen would have agreed with them. They began their own Minyan in a private house and called themselves Kahal Adath Yeshurun. I only joined their shul in 1948 when they moved into their present quarters at 61 Fortesque Road. The joy of it! All their customs and songs were exactly the same as they had been in Germany. When Ijoi ned the Shul they did not have a Rav, instead the Kehillah was led by Dr F Flomburger and Mr J Emanuel. They personally took care of each child as if they were their own, and did their best to shelter the chil­ dren from the tre if w orld outside.

However, despite the progress they made, they could not really succeed without a Rav. I still remember that special Sun­ day Rosh Chodesh Kislev when the new Rav, Rabbi Yaakov Salzer, made his in­ auguration speech. He faithfully pledged himself to Torah, Avodah and Gemillus Chassodim. True to his word he kept his promise to the letter: more Shiurim, a second megillah reading for ladies, learn­ ing Shavuos night, special Arba Minim and Matzos imported from Israel, an in­ dependent shechitah and the founding of Yeshiva Toras Ernes.

After eighteen happy years, I was sold again, well actually donated. Rabbi Tzvi Lieberman and his brother-in-law Rabbi Yaakov Salzer decided to open a Kollel.

You see, the Adass was aimed at protect­ ing theirchildren, whereas the Kollel was aimed at Outreach. As much as I loved living at the Adass, living at the Kollel was so much more exciting one never knew what would happen next! In 1970 Rabbi Shakovitzki and the first group of Avreichem arrived. In between Davening, I could hear them learning. I had not heard round-the-clock learning since I left Kovno in 1887! Zeide Cohen would have been so proud, especially since one

of Isadore’s sons joined the Avreichem.

When Rabbi Shakovitski left, he was suc­ ceeded by Rabbi Boruch Grossnass who continued to develop the Kollel which was always busy with new activities. Be­ sides the usual busy learning in the Kollel and Beis Midrash, there were Shiurim at army bases, the SEED programme, shiurim on university campuses, Bikkur Cholim and a businessman’s shiur given at various business venues. They also started the Shaarei Torah nursery school and primary school, and the Beis Yaakov girls high school.

Around the same time as the Kollel began its work, another organisation reached the shores of South Africa. I never met them personally, but my friend the Gemmorah overheard some people discussing it, so he passed the informa­ tion on to me. In 1972 Rabbi Mendel Lipskar, a Lubavitcher Chassid was sent to South Africa by the late Lubavitcher Rebbe zt”l to improve Yiddishkeit in Jo­ hannesburg. Rabbi Lipskar began his work with the University Students. As the Lubavitcher movement in Johannesburg expanded, the Torah Academy was started to provide Jewish education from pre­ school until matric. Later on they started a Yeshiva, and more recently, a girls’ seminary. By the late 70’s lots of little Shtieblach were opening up all over Jo­ hannesburg and the number of religious Jews continued to increase.

The change in Johannesburg was even noticed overseas by Ohr Sameach who sent representatives to Johannesburg to set up a base. I know this, because I was given over to Ohr Sameach when it be-

The Johannesburg skyline

gan a minyan. It originally began with Rabbi Shein and Rabbi Mofson giving shiurim. So many people responded to the shiurim that they decided to start a minyan, which is when I came into the picture. Rabbi Auerbach was brought out to be the Ohr Sameach Rav and together with dynamic Rabbi Tatz, Ohr Sameach began to bubble with activity: around the clock shiurim, international guest speak­ ers, a Yeshiva, Mount Scopus programme for universities, and now they are plan­ ning to start a kollel. A second branch was started by Rabbi Kraines and I was sent over to help until they got their own Sefer Torah. I also went to help the third Ohr Sameach branch when it started un­ der Rabbi Furman, but Baruch Hashem I am back at the first Ohr Sameach branch.

I like it best over there, because most of Zeide Cohen’s great grandchildren daven there. The only one who doesn’t is one of Isidore’s grandsons who used to daven at the Kollel, but is now learning full time in Ponovezh, Israel.

Soon it will be Rosh Hashanah, and the Cohen family will all stand up to Duchan. Whenever I hear them, I always get a lump in my throat. I think back to the time 110 years ago when Zeide Cohen wept as he wrote me, davening that his children should stay on the proper path, and his tefillos were answered, every one of his descendants are religious.

The Shammas finished clearing the Aron Kodesh. He was about to close up, when be noticed something strange about the old Sefer Torah in the corner ... he was almost positive that he saw the Sefer Torah smile.

"26*> S *

A JOURNEY OF HOPE OUT OF THE ASHES

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reat grandchildren rfm,en ,°ne who d°esn’t is one dsons who used torfaven IS» learning full tln)e ael. )e Rosh Hashanah, and 1} will all stand up to er I hear them, I always ' throat. I think back to 5ago when Zeide Cohen 1me, davening that his tay on the proper path, :re answered, every' one s are religious. finished clearing the m aboul to close up, me thing strange about fh in the corner... he e that he saw the Sefer

by Avi Wosner n the 14th February 1996, I was one of eighteen pupils from The Immanuel College sixth form who left on a visit to Poland. The trip was organised by Rabbi Shaffer and Mrs Wan­ derer and Hannah Woolfson was asked to be a madricha.

Our teachers’ aim was to ensure that we came back from this gloomy trip in­ spired by the thousands of great communities that were once scattered all over Poland, instead of returning with a feeling of depression. They realised that there are dangers in making such a trip: one can become just as easily detached from one’s religion as attached to it, and thus it was fundamental to the trip that we were educated on the past lifestyles of the Jewish communities and discover the positive side to our rich heritage in Eastern Europe.

I can honestly say that not one person came back uninspired or without feeling a greater attachment to their roots. The trip helped to redefine our identity as well as put our lives into perspective. Upon returning, the usual arguments that families have angered me - they now seemed so pointless. And when my family were sitting around the Shabbat table eating challah and chicken, I could not help but feel a deep sense of guilt. In fact, being alive made me feel guilty. Why should so many thousands of children my age have their lives cut off just because of their religion? Why am I and the rest of my generation worthy of being born just two generations later, in freedom? And hence, most importantly, can 1justify my existence? Looking back at my life until now I feel ashamed. So many hours wasted, so many opportunities to do good and yet I just carried on taking my exist­ ence for granted, not realising how lucky I am just to be alive. In order to gain this insight, questions that Jews often prefer to avoid, had to be asked. The trip pro­ vided the perfect environment for lengthy discussions. Much of the time we were travelling around on the coach between Warsaw, Cracow and Lublin. Going to concentration camps forced the question, why am I Jewish? Is it just because my parents are? And why am I religious? I

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Madjanek. Between life and death: crematorium on left and labour camp on right. asked myself, if I was forced to leave the cosy environment I lived in and lived in an isolated area, would I still be religious?

However, the hardest question of all and one, dare I say, which has become almost casual, is how could G-d let such an atrocity take place? In searching for an answer, or should I say response, I pondered on the words of Karl Schleunes, a famous Holocaust writer who wrote: “The realisation that man will construct a factory in which to kill other men raises the gravest questions about man himself ... If we are to understand ourselves we must somehow come to grips with the reality of Auschwitz.” No one would expect G-d to appear in a bolt of lighten­ ing and kill Hitler or destroy Auschwitz; it is down to man himself. Rather than disprove G-d’s existence, the Holocaust reaffirms my belief in Him.The mere fact that the Holocaust happened shows that when humanity is at such a low moral­ istic level it is not worthy of any respect.

Many say Judaism is outdated and

should be revised to suit modern times, but how can we shift and change laws according to society’s transient desires if this very same society was not prepared to take the necessary and morally correct action at this most crucial period?

Madenek is an excellent example of what I am referring to. This was a death camp which used primitive methods. For instance, the gassed bodies were carried by horse and cart to the crematorium. Yet the most horrifying part of this is that a street where locals live is merely a hundred feet away from the camp. All the town knew what went on in the camp but not one person did or said anything.

From a very young age the word Auschwitz has in many ways represented the Holocaust. It was described as being the capital of all death camps. It used the most advanced methods for killing people and at its height in 1942 could kill up to 24,000 people a day. Taking into account that 98% of these were Jewish, it would continued overleaf

4a

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continued from previous page have taken little over a day to kill off the whole Jewish community in London had this been today.

This was another problem that our group and many others encounter when dealing and coming to terms with the Holocaust. 24,000 is just a number and it is impossible to comprehend such a number being killed. It is so hard to re­ late to numbers such as this, let alone six million. When watching ‘Schindler’s List' on Motzei Shabbat, the one bit of colour in the film - the red coat of the small girl - suddenly made sense. We all understood what Steven Spielberg was trying to illustrate - this was only one girl yet millions perished.

Hence, when walking around the camp we tried to focus in on one shoe out of the thousands that were left in Auschwitz, one hairbrush, one suitcase, or one hair lock that the Nazis used to make sacks for the German war effort.

No one knew how they would respond to such, witnessing the tonnes of hair left piled up, the green marks from the Zyklon B gas on the gas chamber. We were told

the night before that every response was normal. Not one of us shed a tear at Auschwitz. The expectancy of feeling a whole gush of emotions when walking through the gates of Auschwitz never materialised. Yes, we felt painful emo­ tions; ones which people pray they will never feel, but this lack of comprehen­ sion and the sheer shock of being in “Auschwitz” stopped anyone from cry­ ing. It was hard to come to terms with the reality that we were standing in the notorious death camp.

It was only on Shabbat that people began to realise what we had actually seen. Auschwitz as the exhibits behind glass appeared, was no museum, but the Holocaust was a reality and one that hap­ pened this century.

Shabbat in Cracow was the most beau­ tiful thing I have ever experienced. One Friday night we sat in one of the two kosher restaurants in Poland and sung Zemirot for nearly two hours. The Shab­ bat spirit was felt so intensely by all of us that the memory of those two hours will never leave us. Many broke down and cried. Others comforted. All sang.

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The Shabbat ‘queen’ was ever present throughout the whole Shabbat and this unique atmosphere was recreated at lunch and for Seudat Shlishit. The most mov­ ing thing for me was when one irreligious boy broke down during the last meal telling everyone that it was only now that he realised how much he has missed during his life, and promised himself to set up his own religious home when he married.

There were two other factors that made this Shabbat so special. One was the location. The very square in which the restaurant is situated is the place where all the Cracow Jews were rounded up and sent to Treblinka. Everyone felt an intrinsic need to perpetuate a tradition that had been continuing for hundreds of years in the area. The restaurant is next to the shul of the Ramah, one of the most learned and respected men during and after the 16th century.

Secondly, a remarkable thing has been taking place in Warsaw and Cracow over the past five years. The elder generation that witnessed the Holocaust first hand are slowly dying off and many, up until now, have kept secret the fact that they were Jewish. On their deathbeds many are telling their children of their roots. A Jewish foundation was set up there eight years ago which had seven kids at the chederon Sundays. Now there is a school with over thirty Jewish children.

Although the future for these children looks bleak unless they gain visas to Israel, it is still remarkable that out of the ashes of the Holocaust, a new generation is emerging. Over Shabbat a few of these Jews came to eat a meal together with us in the restaurant in celebration of Shab­ bat. After the meals they came up to us to tell us how uplifted they felt.

The most moving part of the trip for myself was the penultimate day. In the morning we travelled to Tikochin. This was a beautiful town with a sparkling lake running through it. Everything that the Jewish community had, was there. The mikvah, the mezuzot and the refurbished shul which was absolutely magnificent.

It was painted pink and light blue and had Jewish prayers written on the walls. We left the village and drove two miles into the forest where a pit had been dug and the 18,000 strong Jewish community were shot in one day.

The town had everything except a thriving Jewish community which had once existed. Whilst davening Mincha

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The refurbished shul at Tikochin outside the coach, a local came over to ourguide and told him of how he remem­ bered the Jewish community fifty years ago and how it got on harmoniously with the non-Jews who once lived on the other side of the town.

In the afternoon we travelled to a for­ est. Getting off the coach I remember viewing a stunning sight.There were pine trees, each with fresh white snow on. The snow on the ground was untouched, ex­ tremely thick and fantastically white. We walked through this dreamy forest for about five minutes before coming to a huge opening surrounded on all sides by trees. We were now standing inTreblinka.

This was one of the most horrific camps and served only one purpose: a death camp. No one survived Treblinka. One came off the train, was undressed, gassed and burned in the crematorium. Today, there is nothing left of Treblinka; only the trees bear witnesses to the most hor­ rific crimes that ever took place The Germans did to Treblinka what they would have liked to have done to every concentration camp, and burned it down before the Allies arrived.

A memorial has been erected consist­ ing of sixteen thousand stones scat­ tered across the area.

Each representing a community. No longer was one trying to re­ late to one person, but whole communities which were wiped out of existence in a mat­ ter of days.

The peace and tranquil surroundings suddenly took on a whole new outlook.

The fact that nature can be so beautiful and yet humanity which nature serves can be so immensely ugly was a paradoxi­ cal dilemma which was hard to face.

Walking slowly back to the coach I cried for the first time in the trip. In my mind were the words of Rabbi Riskin who had told us just two weeks pre­ viously that by just looking at some snow reaffirms his faith in G-d. If you look at some under a micro­ scope you see that each molecule of snow is a beautiful crystal and no two crystals are the same.

Later that evening on the last night of

the trip, a Holocaust survivor who had survived five camps told us of his faith in G-d and how he is so proud to be a Jew that he sometimes feels like standing on a street corner and shouting out to every­ one his Jewish identity. His most profound words were that in times of peace the world can be such a beautiful and lovely place. We should all treasure these times.

On returning from the trip and at­ tempting to get back into life’s routine, we all felt the need to act, to do some­ thing to help humanity. Yet so many said they did not know what to do; to what extent our roles should be taken to help our fellow humans.

The answer to this is that by just helping one’s family, realising how lucky we all are to have freedom and not to take anyone close for granted is a positive action. One can go a step further. Statis­ tics show that £18 is enough to keep a child in the Third World living for a month. Needless to say, we all spend far more than that per year on holidays, books, CDs, cinema and restaurants. If one was to deny h im self o f these pleasures, they could save lives. Are they really more important than human lives?

We can no longer save Jews from the Holocaust, but only keep their memories alive. However, even in today’s world, thousands of people are dying in the Third World due to disease and starvation. We are all capable of making a difference to the world, all we must do is accept re­ sponsibility for those that rely on our help.

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DJERBA - ANOTHER WORLD ANOTHER TIM E.. .

by Laraine Abrahams ho would have thought that just three hours away from London, one could find one­ self in another world, another time.

Djerba, a tiny island basking in the warm southern waters of the Gulf of Gabes off the coast ofTunisia, is linked to the main­ land by a 4-mile Roman causeway. At one end of the island you will find the resi­ dential area where high fashion is long loose robes, brightly coloured shawls and the typical hat worn by the ladies has a wide brim and a tall pointed crown. Sepa­ rated by miles of beautiful beaches is the zone touriste, the name given to the mod­ ern and com fortable low level whitewashed hotel complex at the other end of the island. A unique Jewish com­ munity has made its home on this idyllic island of golden sands, olive groves and hundreds of thousands of swaying palm trees. Fruit orchards grow ing figs, grenadines, carobs and apricots abound here. There are many legends surround­ ing the origins of Jews in Djerba. One story tells of Cohanim fleeing from Jeru­ salem bearing with them a stone door from King Solomon's Temple at the time of the destruction. This, they used as the corner stone when first building the syna­ gogue in Djerba. Others claim that a mysterious young woman pitched her tent on the island but was shunned by the local community who feared her. One night, a bolt of lightning struck her tent reducing everything to ashes but the fully clothed body of the woman, however, was found unscathed the next m orning amongst the ruins. The village folk bur­ ied her on that same spot and erected the synagogue in her memory calling it El

Ghriba, the Woman Stranger.

Each year in honour of Lag Ba Omer, many thousands of Tunisian Jews fly in from all around the world for the twoday El Ghriba Festival. This opens with a colourful and musical procession, which

is chanting, dancing and singing its way for two kilometres from the nearby Jew­ ish village to the synagogue at Sghrira, carrying women aloft on chairs.

26

In the courtyard of the synagogue, stalls are set out displaying baclava and other eastern delicacies, and later to be auctioned, local handicraft and reproductions of religious artifacts.

All attention is suddenly focused on

four Rabbis who bless those assembled for the donations the synagogue is about to receive. Next, there is the ceremony of Boukha when a decanter of syrupy fig

liqueur, made by the Bokobskas family is brought to the leading Rabbi Dressed in a red turban and a white garment with baggy trousers that tighten at the calf, the Rabbi stands on a platform as many peo­ ple wait to seek his advice. They are then offered some liqueur and wait to receive his blessing, whereupon as is their cus­ tom, they give tzedakah.

The band playing Sephardi music once again hits the high notes until amid much excitement, the auction begins. The auc­ tioneer offers each item to the highest bidder draped in a gaily-coloured scarf and decorated with a flower.

The band play favourite melodies af­ ter each presentation for the remainder of the afternoon and the atmosphere is one of great ruach.

Later, hundreds of women purchase eggs and write their names on them and are blessed by the Rabbi for fertility. One by one, they make their way through the synagogue to place the egg in the sacred

cavern beneath the Aron Kodesh for the duration of the festival.

It is an interesting experience to daven at the El Ghriba Synagogue. The build­ ing itself was reconstructed in the 1920s and each year the members of the com­ munity arrange for the exterior of the synagogue to be repainted with a fresh coat of lime. Upon entering, one’s atten­ tion is immediately drawn to the blue and white columned arches all around the walls and the blue mosaic wall covering above. Dark wooden pews are arranged on each side of the aisle for the congre­ gation, the ladies section being near the rear. (Incidentally I have heard that this is the only synagogue in the world where the custom is to remove one’s shoes.)The

synagogue is proud of its many Sifrei Torah kept behind panelled doors along the whole length of one wall. The local community claim that they are using one of the oldest Sifrei Torah in existence to­ day. In front of the Aron doors hang three circular, brass nerot tamid containing burning candles.

Some thirty minutes before the scrolls are removed, an auction for the aliyot begins with enthusiastic cries of bidding in dinar, the local currency.

An interesting touch is when a young boy sprinkles cologne onto the congre­ gation from a long funnelled glass vase as he follows the elders carrying thQsefer.

The scrolls are held carefully aloft for all to see and bless in a beautifully carved wooden container with handles.

Everyone will agree that the commu­ nity is warm and friendly and loves visitors. Rav Shlomo Cohen enjoys speaking his own particular brand oflvrit

27

and his son serves the community well, being theshochet, chazan andba 'alkoreh for all the synagogue services.

The landscape of Djerba is flat and many enjoy their holiday cycling around the island. There is plenty to see and ex­ perience in Djerba like the visits to watch Berber craftsmen at work in Guellala, the Jewish carpet weavers at their looms and local villagers specialising in filigree sil­ ver. Add to this a morning at the bazaar at Houmt Souk to see the famous Djerba blankets and the spice market, a visit to see the cool interior of the troglodyte dwellings cut into the rockface, a camel trek into the Sahara, throw in some water sports for those inclined and there is no doubt, this could be a most remarkable holiday for every age-group.

For more information on this or other Jewish Heritage Tours, call Laraine Abrahams at LestAir Services on 0181 958 9340.

Puzzles by Elana Brown Prize sponsored by: Chaim ’s Books, 13 St John’s Road, Golders Green, London NW11 OPE. Tel: 0181-209 1017 Welcome once again to Kids’ Spot!

Firstly, thanks to all of you who entered our “Israel Mystery Word Competition” in the Pesach 1996 edition. Our lucky prize winners were Alexander Saul Newman aged six, of Edgware, and a pupil at the Yeshurun Talmud Torah in Edgware who won the second prize - a cassette of ‘The London School of Jewish Song - and the first prize - the book ‘Tales from Old Jerusalem’ - went to twelve year old Paul Black of Romford in Essex. Well done to both of you!!! In case you were wondering, the answer to the ‘Israel Mystery Word Competition’ was: JERUSALEM. Once again we have an exciting competition for you to enter. Firstly, you need to com­ plete our WORD SCRAMBLE puzzle.

Once you have discovered what the words are, you have to find and circle them in the WORD SEARCH. Please send us your completed WORD SEARCH and entry form and the first correct answer out of the bag after the closing date o f Monday 14 October 1996 will win a £5 gift voucher to spend at Chaim’s Books on anything they choose!

WORD SEARCH Find and circle the list of words from the ‘WORD SCRAMBLE below in this box.

Please write to us at Kids’ Spot (address on the entry form at the bottom o f this page) and let us know what you think o f YOUR page.

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9) OMYPURKIP 10) HASCSIM RAHOT Please make sure you send us your entry form and Word Search by the closing date for the competition, Monday 14 October 1996 to: Word Search, Humaor, Federation of Synagogues, 65 Watford Way, London NW4 3AO (Please write in BLOCK CAPITALS) NAME: ADDRESS: TELEPHONE NUMBER AGE:

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TEFILUN :THE INSIDE STORY Rabbi Moshe Shlomo Emanuel (Targum Press)

By Rabbi M Leitner s soon as I began to read Tefillin: The Inside Story - a new book on the Mitzvah of Tefillin - I instantly felt that I was being transported into another world, wherein I began to unravel the inner secrets of one of the most mystical of Mitzvos. I became completely transfixed and amazed when I read and indeed learned about the many myriads of details that are encompassed in this one Mitzvah.

Of course it is no mere Mitzvah, as the author, Rabbi Moshe Shlomo Emanuel, writes, quoting the Rosh (Hilchos Tefillin Chap. 28) “On the Day of Judgement anyone who has performed the Mitzvah of Tefillin properly will be judged favourably, and anyone who as neglected this Mitzvah will not be judged favourably. This is because there is no greater positive commandment in the Torah than Tefillin, which is in itself com­ pared to the entire Torah. Therefore everyone should take care to perform the Mitzvah ofTefillin properly.” The author dwells on the number “four” which is the central which is central to the Mitzvah of Tefillin, wherein there are four boxes, four parshiyos, four sides of the batim, four sides of the titurah (base of Tefil­ lin), four sides of the tefirah (stitching), the knot which ties the straps on the head Tefillin are shaped like a “dalet” which is the fourth letter of the aleph beis, and there is an embossed four-headed “shin” on the (wearer’s) left side of the head Tefillin (which does not occur anywhere else). He makes comparisons with the many Mitzvos and rituals performed at the Seder table where the number four also plays a prominent part, namely the four questions, the four cups of wine, the four expressions of Geula (rfnhO - re­ demption), and the four sons. He notes that the four cups of wine may not be drunk one after the other, without any break (were someone to do this, he would not have fulfilled his Mitzvah of the four cups). Rather, they must be interspaced with recitations, so that the first cup is drunk after Kaddeish (YHp) and the sec­ ond cup is drunk after Maggid (“PM ),

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the third after Boreich (*p3) and the fourth after Hallel C?!?n)- The author skil­ fully links the four parshiyos in the Tefillin and the four cups of wine at the Seder to related to all facets of our his­ tory, from its very Purpose, through the Past, then to the Present and finally through the Future. He then proceeds to link these four aspects with the first four books of the Chumash (the fifth book Devarim being a summation of the pre­ vious four).

With the aid of a series of well con­ structed diagrams, the reader begins to see the formation of an eternal circle be­ tween Hashem’s Kedusha and His people down on the physical earth, when he stud­ ies the intention behind the placing of the four-headed “shin” on the wearer’s left, which corresponds with Hashem’s right, this being placed alongside the bayis which contains the first and highest Parsha, the Parsha of Kadesh, and the placement of the regular three-headed “shin” on the wearer’s right, which cor­ responds with Hashem’s left, and this is placed alongside the last Parsha “Vehaya im Shamoah” (V’tOW ON n>Hl), which is the Parsha depicting the lowest level. In­ deed all this is further symbolized in the tying of the Retzuah (nyi^T - strap) around the head, which starts from Kaddeish (vnp) and circles back to Kaddeish (vnp) again.

The themes of Purpose, Past, Present and Future actually spans the entire book, touching on an extremely wide and di­ verse variety of matters, for example the four letters of Sheym Hashem (the Tetragrammaton), the three Patriarchs together with David Hamelech, Shabbos, Tefillas Shacharis, the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy (TlVTOyo), Blessings after Meals, the Mitzvah of Bikurim and even creation.

Rabbi Emanuel has succeeded in pre­ senting the serious student with a vast wealth of knowledge and an infinite amount of detail into this most important Mitzvah and as the Rosh Yeshiva of Ohr Sameach, Rabbi Nachman Bulman shlita, writes in his approbation that he has stud­ ied the entire work and has been genuinely inspired, so does the writer feel that when saying the prayer (*nn> OV^) in the morning before donning the Tefil­ lin, the words: “The Mitzvah of Tefillin should be considered before the Holy One Blessed Be He as if I have fulfilled it with all its details and its intentions, as well as the 613 commandments that are dependent on it” will from now take on a new and deeper meaning.

May we congratulate Rabbi Emanuel on an excellent achievement, and we hope that it will not be too long before we are privileged to see further detailed analy­ sis of other Mitzvos.

YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF bv Sinai Adler t the age of 14, W olfgang (Sinai) Adler was already an expert of the subject of man’s inhumanity to man. But four years of living under the increasingly oppressive Nazi regime in occupied Prague and fifteen months in Theresienstadt could not prepare him for the hell-on-earth that was Auschwitz. “ Selected” for slave labour, he went on to Mauthausen, where the conditions were abominable and survival unlikely.

It was there that the young teenager who had witnessed such atrocities and experienced such brutality made a sol­ emn oath to the Almighty. He vowed that if he indeed survived the war, he would dedicate his life to learning and teaching the Holy Torah and observing G-d's commandments.

As the war drew to a close, the Nazi beasts saw their imminent defeat loom­ ing on the horizon, but their thirst for blood was not yet slaked. They drove their half-dead prisoners to a forest outside Gunskirchen, Austria - a forced march of 60 miles - where death by starvation awaited them. The American troops that liberated Gunskirchen could barely distinguish between the emaciated, lifeless inmates and the hundreds of corpses they found strewn on the forest floor.

After gaining his freedom, the author faithfully recorded his experiences while the terrible memories were still fresh in his mind. His rendering of the concentration camp layout, so precisely drawn in this journal, is a virtual blueprint testilying to the meticulousness with which the Nazis designed their genocide facili­ ties. This task completed, he then set out to fulfil the promise he had made in Mauthausen.

More than a Holocaust memoir, this volume contains Rabbi Adler’s personal analysis of the tragedy that befell the Jewish people. His inspiring insights shed

light on the meaning of this terrible era of suffering and serve to strengthen our faith in the Almighty.

Reproduced in this volume is the eye­ witness testimony o f Gen. Willard G. Wyman, com m anding officer o f the Am erican troops that liberated Gunskirchen, which corroborates the au­ thor 's account in full.

A SUN AND A SHIELD

by Devora Cliksman n the early 1920s, Dej was one of the largest centres of Hungarian Chassidus and the Paneth name was well-known among Hungarian Jewry. But by 1939, young Brandele Paneth had already witnessed what was in store for her Hungarian brethren and the rest of European Jewry. While visiting relatives in Poland, she became entrapped in the Nazi net that would soon be cast all across the continent, and upon her return she repeatedly urged others to leave while they were still able. Ultimately, however, their destiny was not in her hands.

This meticulously researched and conscientiously executed work chronicles the fate of the Paneth family as they miraculously escape across the Hungarian border into the relative safety of Ruma­ nia and from there to a new life. The skilfully drawn backdrop that affords an insider’s view of life in Transylvania be­ fore the onslaught of Nazism, enables the reader to become acquainted not only with the members of this family but with an entire way of life that is irreclaimable, It is for this way of life that Jews everywhere year, as we yearn for the individuals who are forever lost to us. It is for the survival and revival of this level of Yir 'as Shamayim, of faith and love for HaShem, that the Paneth family and others like them fought with every ounce of their physical being. It is for the realisation of their tefillos that the Ribbono shel

30

Olam provided them with A Sun and a Shield.

This majestic portrait of Rabbi Yosef Paneth, the Ileander Rav, and his family - their trials, their terror and their ulti­ mate triumph - is filled with adventure, drama and poignance. In a few short years, the Rav, his Rebbetzin and their children, experienced upheaval, betrayal, many narrow escapes and bitter disap­ pointments.

Theirs is an inspiring story that dem­ onstrates the ability of a pure neshamah to overcome the forces o f evil that threaten from without, a story ofemunah that proves again and again that kavei HaShem yachalifu ko 'ach - those who put their faith in the Almighty - shall experience renewed vigour.

A complimentary copy of the new Feldheim catalogue is available on request.

Please w rite to: Feldheim Publishers P.O.B. 35002 Jerusalem 91350 Israel

Feldheim Publishers 200 Executive Park Spring Valley N e w a rk 10977 USA

A ll news item s, articles and features for the PESACH ISSUE of H A M A O R m ust be subm itted by the deadline of Monday 10 M ARCH 1997

NEW

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PITSPO RA N Y PRESS With reviews by Dvora Waysman

JERUSALEM 3000 KIDS DISCOVER THE CITY OF GOLD

by Alan Paris Illustrated by Peter Gandolfi he Jerusalem 3000Committee has selected JERUSALEM 3000 Kids Discover the City of Gold as the official children’s book for the Jerusalem 3000 celebrations.

Written by Alan Paris, publications editor of The Israel Exploration Society, the 48-page hard cover title introduces young people to a magnificent and impor­ tant city - a true crossroads of civilization with a history that speaks a child’s lan­ guage of magic, wonder and miracles.

Tamar and Shalom, two children perched on sailing time-bubbles, are the reader’s guides through this tour of Jerusalem ’s historic sites.

Lively then-and-now illustrations highlight each point of interest on this floating tour.

The story begins with King David’s triumph over the Jebusites 3000 years ago and moves throuqh the First and Second Temples, the Western Wall, the Roman Cardo, Yemin Moshe, the Citadel, and a host of other Jerusalem sites. On the final pages the artist, Peter Gandolfi, presents a panorama of what Jerusalem 4000 may look like, when mankind finally learns to live in harmony and Jerusalem be­ comes the centre for world peace.

The Jerusalem 3000 celebrations have just begun and will continue in over 25 countries, including the United States, through next year.

T

TEN BEST JEWISH CHILDREN’S STORIES

by Rabbi Daniel and Chana Sperber Illustrated by Jeffrey Allon hat child could resist the charming stories in this beau­ tiful book? These classics of the Jewish home are older than Aesop’s Fables, and more enduring than any fairy tale. And, while not “preachy”, these sto­ ries teach children about compassion and goodness in a way no text can. They help answer children’s often unspoken ques­

W

THE END OF WAR

by Irmela Wendt Illustrated by Antoni Boratynski his book is lyrically, almost poeti­ cally, written yet the concept is simple enough for children to grasp. It attempts to answer the childlike question we, at one time or another, all ask ourselves: When will there be an end to War? The opening page briefly describes the Biblical story of how Cain killed Abel and the curse that was put on Cain’s soul, transforming him into the embodiment of War, The story itself opens with the words: “When war reached a ripe old age”, and people felt certain that “Surely war can’t go on much longer!”.

However, the world leaders can’t af­ ford to let War die. They need War in order to stay in power. Therefore they educate the young in “The Glorious Tra­ dition” of War and spend fortunes on developing more sophisticated and more destructive armaments.

But War knows something missing in his life. “Who am I?”, he asks as he trav­ els back to the beginning of time. One day, sitting in a field, War is confronted by a stranger who helps him relive that fateful day when he killed Abel. War sud­ denly remembers who he is and, in that moment, Abel comes alive and they both sit around a fire, as brothers and friends.

War, now transformed back into Cain, returns to tell the rulers of the world what he has learned - that jealousy and hate only lead to war. War is given a massive funeral - and the chief mourners are the rulers, generals and weapons merchants.

The people, however, are happy, but hap­ piest of all is the man at the end of the procession, who simply calls himself “brother”.

No book could be more timely than “The End o f War ”, which offers children optimism and hope for the future, If only we adults could also learn its lessons!

tions on the nature or good and evil; spir­ itual versus material values; and reward and punishment.

These classic tales cover the spectrum of human emotions. For example, in“ For the Love of Two Brothers”, Shimon and Levi worry more about each other than they do about their own material needs.

The Talmudic tale, “Nicanor’s Golden Doors” illustrates how the generosity of a Jew to the Holy Temple is rewarded by God. “More Valuable Than Gold” reveals to us that we can learn much from gen­ tiles, especially in the realm of honouring parents, and “The Shadow on the House of Study” is a heart-warming story about Hillel’s love of learning. At the end of each story are questions which parents can use to open discussion on the moral of the story.

The authors, Rabbi and Mrs. Sperber, who live in Jerusalem, have ten children of their own, and so understand what cap­ tures a child’s imagination. They have collected these parables - known in the oral tradition as “mah-seh " annotated them where possible, and created a book the entire family can enjoy. Indeed, each timeless “mah-seh ” becomes more meaningful with repetition.

A Foreword to the book, written by premier storyteller Peninnah Schram, helps us understand how generations of Jewish mothers have taught their children to be “menschen ” through the wonder­ ful messages within each tale.

Jeffrey Allon, the illustrator, has wo­ ven an intense feeling of realism in each of his beautiful, double-page illustrations.

There is a sense of movement in his pic­ tures that is enhanced by his masterly use of light and shade. It becomes most evi­ dent when he is painting goats, cows and chickens - the menagerie that was part of everyday life during the period of these stories.

This is the first of a projected series o f“Best” books by the publisher. As such, Ten Best Jewish Children's Stories will be a hard act to follow, but one which anyone who has read the first title will be eagerly awaiting.

31

PITSPOPANY PRESS was founded in 1993 in Israel by Yaacov Peterseil. The company specializes in creative Jewish chil­ dren’s and young adult titles. The entire line of PITSPOPANY PRESS books is now available from: B Horowitz Publishing Tel: 0161-740 5897.

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FEDERATION OF SYNAGOGUE S 65 Watford Way, London, NW4 3AQ. Tel: 0181-202 2263 Fax: 0181-203 0610

HONORARY OFFICERS P re s id e n t: A. J. Cohen

ADMINISTRATION & ACCOUNTS G. Kushner

V ic e -P re s id e n ts :

W. Ungar, Master J. Winegarten T re a su re rs (F e d e ra tio n ):

A. Finlay, G. Halibard T re a su re rs (B u ria l S o c ie ty ):

H. Dony, N. Bruckheimer C o -o p te d : J. Gitlin

BURIAL SOCIETY A d m in is tra to r: M. L. Stuart S e x to n : H. Brooks

Tel: 0181-202 3903. Fax: 0181-203 0610 Out of hours answerphone: 0181-202 3903.

BETH DIN C e m e te rie s : E m e ritu s R a v R a s h i: Dayan M. Fisher.

R o s h B e th D in : Dayan Y. Y. Lichtenstein D a y a n im : Dayan M. D. Elzas,

Dayan P. Braceiner, Dayan B. Berkovits Enquiries to the Registrar, Tel: 0181-202 2263.

Montague Road, Edmonton, N18.

Tel: 0181-807 2268.

Upminster Road North, Rainham, Essex.

Tel: 017085 52825.

Both cemeteries are open daily, except S h a b b o s and Yomtov, from 9am until 5pm and until dusk during winter months.

CONSTITUENT SYNAGOGUES

AFFILIATED SYNAGOGUES

CLAPTON FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE (Shaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;are Shomayim). 47 Lea Bridge Road. E5 9QB. Tel: 0181-806 4369.

Secretary: W. Jacobs. Tel: 0181-989 5211.

CONGREGATION OF JACOB SYNAGOGUE. 351/355 Commercial Road, El. Secretary: P. da Costa. Tel 0181-809 4221.

CROYDON & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE, The Almonds, Shirley Oaks Road, Croydon. Surrey. All correspondence toThe Secretary: Mrs. S. Hanover, 2 Lynden Hyrst, Addiscombe Road, Croydon, CRO SPD. Tel: 0181-655 4040

FIELDGATE STREET GREAT SYNAGOGUE. 41 Fieldgate Street, El. Tel: 0171-247 2644. Secretary: Mrs. D Jacobson.

FINCHLEY ROAD SYNAGOGUE (Sassover), 4 Helenslea Avenue, NW11. Tel: 0181-455 4305. Rav. Rabbi S. Rubin.

EAST LONDON CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE. 30/40 Nelson Street, El 2DE. Tel: 0171-790 9809. Secretary: L. Gayer. Tel: 0181-554 5267.

GREENFORD & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE, Oldfield Lane.

Greenford, Middlesex.Tel: 0181-578 2256. Hon. Secretary: R.A. Hyams. Tel: 0181-868 7275.

FINCHLEY CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE, 2 RedbourneAvenue, N3 2BS. Tel: 0181-346 1892. Rav: Rabbi Z. Telsner. Secretary: M. Moller. Tel: 0181-203 2822

LEYTONSTONE & WANSTEAD SYNAGOGUE. 2 Fillebrook Road, E ll. Secretary: S. Pizer. Tel: 0181-924 7505 LOUGHTON, CHIGWELL & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE. Borders Lane, Loughton, Essex, IG 10 3HT. Tel: 0181-508 0303.

Min: Rev. J.D. Lorraine. Secretary: A. Fell.Tel: 0181-504 2248.

GREAT GARDEN STREET SYNAGOGUE. 9/11 Greatorex Street. El 5NF. Secretary: L. Gayer. Tel: 0181-554 5267.

MACHZIKEI HADASS SYNAGOGUE. Highfield Road, NW11. Rav: Rabbi C. Pearlman. Hon. Secretary: R. Shaw. Tel: 0181-204 1887.

ILFORD FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE. 14/16 Coventry Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4QR. Tel: 0181-554 5289. Rav. Rabbi R. Livingstone. Secretary: Mrs. P. Hackner.

NEW WIMBLEDON & PUTNEY DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE. Secretary: J. Leigh. Tel 0181-788 0176.

OHEL JACOB SYNAGOGUE (Ilford Beth Hamedrash), 1st Floor, rear of 476/478 Cranbrook Road, Ilford. Essex. IG2 2LE. Rav: Rabbi R. Godlewsky. Secretary: Mrs. R. Pressman. Tel: 0181-550 4596.

NOTTING HILL SYNAGOGUE. 206/208 Kensington Park Road, W11. Secretary: H. Lamb. Tel: 0181-952 4354

OHEL SHEM SYNAGOGUE. Hon Min.: Rev. G. Glausiusz.Tel: 0181-904 5773. Hon Secretary: A. Cohen. Tel: 0181-459 3479.

SPRINGFIELD SYNAGOGUE, 202 Upper Clapton Road, E5.

Tel: 0181-806 2377. Rav. Dayan I. Gukovitski. Secretary: L. Blackman. Tel: 01702 340 762.

SHOMREI HADATH SYNAGOGUE, 527a Finchley Road (entrance in Burrard Road), NW3 78G. Tel: 0171-435 3766.

Secretary: Mrs. J. Segal. Tel: 0171-431 0017.

STAMFORD HILL BETH HAMEDRASH. 50 Clapton Common, E5 9AL. Rav: Dayan D. Grynhaus. Secretary: M Chontow. Tel: 0181-800 5465.

SINAI SYNAGOGUE, 54 Woodstock Avenue, NW11 9RJ. Tel: 0181-455 6876. Rav: Rabbi B. Knopfler. Secretary: I. Leskin.

Tel: 0181-455 0160.

TOTTENHAM HEBREW CONGREGATION. 366a High Road, N17 9HT. Tel: 0181-808 4698. Minister: Rev. M. Davis.

Secretary: Dr. S.S. Cohen. Tel: 0181-368 4158.

WOOLWICH & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE. Anglesea Road, SE18 6EG. Tel: 0181 854 6680. Minister Rev. M. Gingold.

Secretary: B. Greenberg Tel: 0181-658 0448.

WALTHAM FOREST HEBREW CONGREGATION. (Queens Road) 140 Boundary Road, E l7 Tel: 0181-507 0775. Minister Rev. L. Mockton. Secretary: A Wolpert. Tel: 0181-509 0775.

YAVNEH SYNAGOGUE. 25 Ainsworth Road, E9 7JE. Secretary: R.J. Jacobs. Tel 0181-530 5816.

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE (Beth Hasepher & Soho), 32 Great Cumberland Place, W1H 7DJ. Tel: 0171-724 8121.

Secretary: S.B. Levy.

YESHURUN SYNAGOGUE. Fernhurst Gardens, Stonegrove, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7PH.Tel 0181-952 5167. Rav: Dayan G. Lopian. Secretary: D. Cohen. Tel: 0181-952 3844.

WEST HACKNEY SYNAGOGUE AND MONTAGUE ROAD BETH HAMEDRASH, 233 Amhurst Road, E8 2BS. Chairman: I Leigh Tel: 0181-550 9543.

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£

FEDERATION KASHRUS BOARD C h a ir m a n : D ir e c to r o f K a s h r u s :

Mr. W. Ungar.

Dayan M. D. Elzas.

Tel:

0181 -202 2263

T he f o l l o w i n g e s ta b lis h m e n ts a r e lic e n s e d b y th e F e d e r a tio n K a s h r u s B o a r d a n d a r e u n d e r th e S u p e r v is io n o f th e B e th D in o f th e F e d e r a tio n o f S y n a g o g u e s :

CA TERERS: Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, London W1Y 8BX 0171-499 6321 Philip Small, Unit 3, Harp Business Centre, Apsley Way, London NW2 7LW 0181-208 3000 DEL 1CA TESSENS A AD SHOPS: Neil’s Delicatessen, 288 Station Road, Edgware, Middx.

Pelter Stores, 82 Edgware Way, Edgware, Middx.

The World of Kosher, 25 Station Road, Cockfosters, Barnet Marlene’s, 6 Hendon Lane, Finchley, N3 RESTAURANTS: Aviv Restaurant, 87 High Street, Edgware Folman’s Restaurant, 134 Brent Street, NW4 2DR Cassit, 225 Golders Green Rd., London, NW1 1 9PN Dahlia (Vegetarian), 11 Bell Lane, London NW4

0181-958 4004 0181-958 6910 0181-441 3621 0181-349 1674 0181-952 2484 0181-202 5592 0181-455 8195 0181-202 1155

TALMUD TORAHS Chairman: Master J. Winegarten

Sami’s, 157 Brent Street, London NW4 Neil’s Delicatessen, 288 Station Road, Edgware, Middx

0181-203 8088 0181-958 4004

BAKERIES: Marlene’s, 6 Hendon Lane, Finchley, N3

0181-349 1674

HOTELS: Golders Green Hotel, 147/149 Golders Green Road, London NW11

0181-458 7127

MANUFACTURERS: Bluebird (Sweets) El-Al Kosher Catering, Heathrow Airport Hansen (Soft Drinks) J. Moldovan, Quality & Flavour (Fish), Unit 9, Kings Yard, White Post Lane, London E9 5EN Simton (Pickles) Sundora (Dried Fruit) Wilkin & Son ‘Tiptree’ (Jams)

0181-897 6136 0171-408 0345 0181-985 5791

FEDERATION OF SYNAGOGUES

FINCHLEY CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE Nelson Street, London El

Director o f Education: Rabbi Ronen Broder

T he P r e s id e n t, H o n o r a r y O ffic e r s a n d B o a r d o f M a n a g e m e n t, on b e h a l f o f th e

Loughton, Chigwell & District Talmud Torah, Borders Lane, Loughton.

S y n a g o g u e , w is h R a b b i Z. T e lsn e r a l l m e m b e r s a n d th e ir f a m i l i e s f o r 5 7 5 7

naira rrarnm nana

Ilford Talmud Torah, 16 Coventry Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4QR m

Yeshurun Talmud Torah, Femhurst Gardens, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7PH. Kindergartens: Loughton Synagogue, Yeshurun Synagogue.

CLAPTON FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE 47 Lea Bridge Road, Clapton, E5

T he H onorary Officers wish their H on. Minister and all their Members and Fam ilies and Klal Yisroel

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T M S IS W HAT YO U R W

£ 1,000 £1,250 £1,500

£50.00 £02.50 £75.00

£2,000

£100.00

and 90 forth at 5 % of the value at the stone

Please return this form com pleted to:

Samson Insurance Services, 129 S t Albans Road. W atford, H erts, WD1 1RA. Tel: Watford (01923) 2 2 5 2 0 1 . Fax: (01923) 8 1 8657 Name of Deceased

Your N am e...

Date of Death .........

Your Address

C em etery.............................................................................................................

Position of G ra ve ..............................................................................................

Your Telephone Num bers: Day

Replacem ent value of sto n e .......................................................................

.....................................

I hereby declare that at the tim e of signing this application the stone to be insured is in good repair and the sum fun replacem ent value of the stone.

Sig nature...........................................................................................................................................

Date

ABRAHAM FUNERAL SERVICES Contractors to the FEDERATION OF SYNAGOGUES BURIAL SOCIETY 24 Hour Service

LIMOUSINES ALSO PROVIDED FOR MEMORIAL STONE CONSECRATIONS, WEDDINGS AND ALL OCCASIONS Contact Mrs VIVIENNE POSNER 0171-700 1437/8 0171-908 4039 Night

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E lfes L imited (MEMORIALS & RENOVATIONS) Incorporating B. HARRIS & SONS 17 Osborn Street, London E l 6TD Telephone: 0171-247 0163/6025 Fax: 0171-375 0526

155-157 Green Lane Ilford, Essex IG1 1XW Tel: 0181-478 0838 Fax: 0181-478 7979

130 High Street Edgware HA8 7EL Tel: 0181-952 0708 Fax: 0181-952 1004

Printed by Freedman Bros. (Printers) Ltd., St. Albans Lane, Golders Green, NWI 1 7QE Tel: 0181-458 3220

Fax: 0181-455 6860

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