Mill Hill United Synagogue Magazine, Rosh Hashanah 2016 / 5777 by Emma Sosner

MILL HILL Rosh Hashanah 5777

October 2016

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Disclaimer: Please note that the opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of Mill Hill United Synagogue

Welcome

…to your latest issue of Mill Hill United Synagogue’s magazine

s you flick through the pages, you will see what a busy year we have had and there have been many highlights. It was a pleasure to welcome Michael Gove and Lord Falconer to our very own debate on the EU Referendum in May. I have very much enjoyed working with Jeffrey Pinnick and Roz Redbart on the establishment of NW7 Prime Timers for our members who are 70+. Munchkins (for our littlest members) is thriving and our nursery, Little Bicks, continues to be much in demand as do Brownies, Rainbows and Cheder. Record numbers of you turned out at Purim to see magician Nick Einhorn perform and I am sure you will all agree that Shabbat UK 2015 was a particular highlight. My vision for our shul is one that offers something for all our members and where everyone can feel welcome. So if you are not a regular on Shabbat mornings then we still have lots to offer. You could join one of our walking tours around London, attend

a fitness class, come along to Sababa Sunday (if you’re aged 9-11), attend JACS (for those 55+) or come and hear an inspiring speaker in our regular Adult Education programme. And if you’ve not done so already, then I urge you to try our Friday night Carlebach-style service during the winter months where there’s singing, dancing and a great Kiddush. It’s a lovely way to end the week and start Shabbat. Check newsletter for dates. Or pop along to our coffee bar on a Shabbat morning and hear one of our inspiring Ten Talks. If you’re a regular at shul, I hope you have enjoyed the services, which our wardens and choir work really hard on. I am also really proud of our welfare team, who are there for all our members when they need help and support the most.

I would like to say a few thank yous. Firstly to Roz Redbart for once again doing an incredible job selling adverts in the magazine. To our talented editor, Louisa Shulman and our creative designer, Emma Sosner. To all those who have taken an advert, to those who have contributed an

article and to all those who hand delivered the magazines. I would also like to thank the members of the Board for all their hard work and dedication and of course my fellow Executive members - Paul Charney, Charles Daniels, Harold Miller and Anthony Kravitz - for their ongoing support. A big thank you must go to the office staff - Royi, Lisa, Gerry, Charles and Lorraine - for making us into the professional operation that we are and to our caretaking team - Ann Marie, Dan, Declan and Lily - for all their hard work. Thanks also to Rabbi and Chani Schochet and to Rabbi and Sarah Proops. We are lucky to have such a strong rabbinic team in Mill Hill and one that is admired in the UK and beyond. Wishing you and your family Shana Tova, a happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast.

Lucy Jackson Chair chair@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

Cover Image: A Wall of Hope and Happiness for Israel. Kindly sponsored by the Lang family and designed by the youth of Mill Hill.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Our Shul

Rabbi Schochet

A Rosh Hashanah message we need to take risks – we need to take chances. We need to dare. Our lives improve only when we take chances – and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves.

osh Hashanah is the day when we gaze upon the sunset of a year gone by; a year filled with so much universal pain and upheaval; a year in which many will have experienced individual pain and personal loss; a year in which the very existence of Israel still lives under constant threat. But it is also a day on which we stand on the threshold of a new beginning, as we ponder the year ahead. A day on which we dare to catch a glimpse of a new horizon filled with hopes, promises and greater prospects; a horizon beckoning with new opportunities, deeper fulfilment, and positive growth and development. On Rosh Hashanah we blow the shofar to summon us back to reality as we look to leave whatever negativity we may have been mired in during this past year and to aspire to new heights and positivity in the coming year. But in order to evolve from what we have become to what we ought to be – in order to improve upon our present disposition to become greater than the limitations of our imagination

To be honest with yourself means to dare ask yourself that which G-d asked Adam: “Ayekah – where are you?” It means to take the chance of reflecting in the mirror of your life beyond your material exterior and into the depths of your soul. It means recognising that when you say: “I can’t”, what you really mean is: “I won’t” and then dare to do. But you’ll never leave where you are until you decide where you’d rather be. When G-d challenged Adam, and by extension all mankind: “Ayekah – where are you?” what He was effectively saying is go in search of yourself, for self-discovery is the secret ingredient that fuels the daring. Sure you could play it safe. But safe is what defines and personifies the characterless of our universe. Safety keeps you numb. It means you can't mess it up. It also means you can't be great. In fact safety is the most unsafe spiritual path you can take.

For indeed when we hold back on life, life holds back on us If you play it safe in life you've decided that you don't want to grow anymore. For indeed when we hold back on life, life holds back on us.

Granted sometimes we feel it’s so hard, so difficult, so painful, so

burdensome, so overwhelming. Sometimes the Divine hand that weaves the tapestry of our lives seems so out of sync with our own life’s plan and model. Sometimes it is seemingly out of our hands – plain and simply put we cannot beat the system. But expecting the world to be fair with you just because you are fair is to fool yourself. It’s like expecting the lion not to eat you because you didn’t eat him. Taking risks means to do what is right, not what is easy. Just see the stumbling blocks as stepping stones and summon the courage to move forward. Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let your fear stop you and you take the risks regardless. For all the excuses we make for ourselves, remember that success occurs only when our dreams get bigger than our excuses. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Just take a moment and make it perfect. And even if, after all is said and done, you lack the selfbelief in being able to do great things, that’s also OK. Just do smaller things but in a great way. On Rosh Hashanah we must resolve that even as we sometimes find life difficult we must know it is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. We must resolve to change the inner attitudes of our minds, whereby we can change the outer aspects of our lives. May we experience a year of spiritual growth and meaningful accomplishment, and indeed be blessed to be inscribed and sealed in the book of life, love and laughter – for a truly happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead. Chani and family Schochet join me in wishing you a Shana Tova U’Metukah in all the material and spiritual dimensions of your lives.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Our Shul

Big Decisions

Assistant Rabbi James Proops wonders whether the energy used in deciding how to vote in the referendum could be put to better use

o the result of the EU referendum has been well and truly decided, the vote itself confined to the annals of history and soon the country will be set upon a successful course of action. We were embroiled in a constant stream of propaganda from both sides, including posters, videos and the constant changing of ‘economical facts’. Given the array of consequences to either remaining in or leaving the European Union, whether economic stability, the impact on immigration or the question of law-making, we can all easily understand why so much attention and effort was being spent on publicising both sides of the argument. Millions of people went through the process of weighing up the different and often confusing arguments, trying to work out how the various predictions will impact them and their families and trying to decide on what course of action is best for them.

Better than a bus with a message on the side, the shofar sounds to wake us up to the importance of the days ahead It has struck me that people were spending so much time, energy and conversation trying to make up their minds on how to vote, and that it would be wonderful

if we all spent even a fraction of this energy preparing for another decisive moment that we each face once a year. We will soon stand before – not a ballot box – but the King of Kings, to make the case for our future. As we approached the referendum, the concerns were about where we will stand financially, the prospects for our children and of course for our security. As we approach Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we should also be thinking of how the verdict of the upcoming days will affect us financially in the coming year, the security of our people and that we and our loved ones should be sealed in the Book of Life. Too often we rush into the Yom Tov season wholly unprepared for the gravity of the day. We plough through the pages of the machzor, sing along with the monumental tunes and hopefully manage to pray with some semblance of feeling and emotion. We repent for previous misdeeds and offer words of supplication for the future. How much more meaningful would it be if, in the run up to the High Holy Days, we analysed our options, scoured through our previous history to weed out the mistakes that can now be rectified and decided on a specific course we wish to follow for the coming year. Rav Yisrael Salanter states: “Even the smallest, most minute aspect of preparation to help enhance one’s Yom Kippur experience is

invaluable, bringing boundless blessings of success.” Today we even have posters and viral videos to help us prepare and get in the correct mindset for these auspicious days, yet long before the advent of social media we already had the stark reminder of blowing the shofar every morning in the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah. Better than a bus with a message on the side, the shofar sounds to wake us up to the importance of the days ahead and to urge us to prepare ourselves accordingly. Let us utilise this reminder and make the most of the opportunity to spend some time working out what we would like the coming year to bring. As we have seen from the build up to the referendum, big decisions require tremendous preparation. Our future in Europe will be ‘out’, but regarding the Book of Life may we all be firmly sealed ‘in’.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Our Shul MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF RABBI – ROSH HASHANAH 5777 "‫‘ – "בראש השנה יכתבון וביום צום כיפור יחתמון‬On Rosh Hashanah it is inscribed and on Yom Kippur it is sealed’ As we recited these moving words in the Unetaneh Tokef prayer last year, we could hardly have anticipated the devastation that would be wrought by the relentless terrorist atrocities that would follow. The daily threat of terror is one to which our brethren in Israel have long become accustomed, but that awful reality has largely been greeted by silence in the mainstream media. Global terrorism has spread its tentacles far and wide, making no place on earth immune to this scourge. As the French philosopher and author Bernard-Henri Lévy has said, the world must now learn from the experiences of the Jewish State. Never before in the history of human conflict has every innocent man, woman and child found themselves on the front line. As we endure an onslaught on our freedom, our democracy and our very civilization, what should our response be? The Unetaneh Tokef prayer provides an answer: ‫ תשובה תפילה וצדקה‬- Repentance, Prayer, and Charity. ‫ תשובה‬- Repentance Teshuvah comes from the Hebrew word meaning ‘to return’. Over our High Holydays we are tasked with making a uniquely honest and comprehensive assessment of ourselves so that we can return to our natural state of piety and purity. Our global challenge is to return to the values of human dignity, tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. That process must begin with ourselves and those upon whom we can make a positive impression. ‫ – תפילה‬Prayer #PrayersForParis #PrayersForMunich #PrayersForBrussels. If these popular sentiments from social media are anything to go by, it seems that the world is rarely more united in prayer than after devastating terrorist attacks. In July, after a particularly brutal murder of a beloved Catholic Priest in Normandy, one Twitter user responded to my own message in despair: “The time for prayer is long gone,” he said. I couldn’t disagree more. The Talmud describes prayer as avodah shebalev – the ‘service of the heart’ – because, in essence, prayer is about training oneself to love and serve God. The Hebrew word for prayer, tefillah, is linked to tofel, which means connecting to a greater power. We pray with a deep sense of humility and responsibility because we understand that we can never simply be a ‘law unto ourselves’. The power of prayer has always been and will always be a force for good; a spiritual connection with something greater than ourselves, elevating our souls and directly affecting our future actions. We will never fully comprehend the potency of our prayers or how things would have turned out without them but we do know that while terror thrives on a sense of narcissism and superiority, through prayer, we act with modesty and accountability. ‫ – צדקה‬Charity/Righteousness The first Chief Rabbi of the Holy Land, Rav Kook, taught that the antidote to causeless hatred is causeless love. Having embraced Teshuvah and Tefillah with all of the self-improvement that they require, we will have an instinctive and deeply rooted love for peace. But Tzedakah is the means by which we look beyond ourselves and turn that goodness into positive, meaningful action that will leave a lasting impact on the world around us. Every one of us can increase the degree to which we give of ourselves to others, whether as part of an organised charitable campaign or by investing our time and energy into kindness and generosity. There is no degree of evil that cannot be overcome and outshone by an equal and opposite desire to do good for others. Embracing more fully these three fundamental principles of Jewish life as a response to global hatred and violence might feel inadequate, even naïve. But, I believe that we are far more likely to change the world through positive action and leading by example, than simply by standing in judgement. May this coming year be one filled with only peace and reconciliation among the peoples of the world. Valerie and I extend to you all our very best wishes for a happy and fulfilling New Year.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis September 2016 • Ellul 5776

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

High Five

Community Director Royi Gutkin looks back on a successful year in Mill Hill at their house for a special meal has been part of our strategy.

hat a year it has been and how much we have accomplished as a community since last Rosh Hashanah! Record-breaking numbers at our flagship events, a huge variety of themes and educators and one of the highest levels of community activism I have seen across the United Synagogue are just some of the things that have welcomed me to Mill Hill. I am delighted and immensely proud to be involved with this shul and the fantastic community that both supports and is supported by it. Last year I set out five key goals to accomplish as your Community Director. I am now delighted to share the outcome of these with you as we look to the future of this growing community. First and foremost, it has been my aim to offer an inclusive and encouraging atmosphere to both existing and new members. Welcoming new members with a welcome pack and a bottle of wine, as well as inviting them to join Rabbi and Rebbetzin Schochet

Secondly, I feel strongly that engaging with Israel is a responsibility that falls on all diaspora Jewish communities. We are fortunate to have some fantastic support from members, as well as the leadership of Orli Lang, who served as the first board member dedicated to Israel engagement. This has been felt by this year’s Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzma’ut ceremonies and the amazing Wall of Hope and Peace project as seen on the magazine cover, bringing together dozens of the community’s children’s artwork on tiles hanging proudly in our community centre. With more programmes to come, including bringing over some Israeli soldiers next year, we look forward to strengthening our relationship with Israel. Thirdly, we are very lucky to have gained the wonderful and energetic Assistant Rabbi Proops and his wife, Sarah. The constant work that they do with kids and teenagers is fun, educational, exciting and engaging. From laser tag to weekly clubs and everything in between, we have seen a revolution in how we plan and run youth events and I’m delighted to support the work that the Proops and the Youth Directors do.

Fourth on my list was to encourage volunteers to engage with charitable work, as well as to highlight the amazing work that we already do as a community. I’m delighted with the results, from supporting Tikkun through to the United Synagogue Chesed programme, the record-breaking number of activities we supported on Mitzvah Day and the ongoing collections we offer for GIFT and other charity groups. It is no wonder that we have really made a name for Mill Hill as a caring, loving, generous community. Finally, I wanted to ensure that we were offering big events and VIP speakers to the community. Over the past year we have boasted some packed-out events, including a talk by parenting expert Steve Biddulph, whisky tasting with Maish Weinstein, Ashley Blaker’s ‘Ungefiltered’ comedy night, a Pesach pop-up restaurant and an EU debate between Michael Gove MP and Lord Falconer. In the year to come I look forward to ensuring that Mill Hill members feel they have plenty of opportunities to get involved and, most important of all, to feel proud of this fantastic community that we are privileged to call our own. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and exciting new year.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Our Shul

From the Wardens’ Box Charles Daniels and Harold Miller report on their roles

s the Yomim Noraim (High Holy Days) creep up on us once again, one can only wonder where the past twelve months have disappeared to. As always, it has been a full and busy year for us, which is to be expected in a large community such as ours and this is something we should collectively be grateful for. The sheer number of simchas and other events occurring on a weekly basis only further demonstrates how Mill Hill continues to thrive and flourish and this is surely a blessing. It is also wonderful that we host so many multiple simchas, almost on a weekly basis, although this can pose ‘administrative complexities’ regarding the various honours available. We respectfully request the community’s understanding – please note that the priority order is given on a halachic basis. However, we will always strive to ensure that everyone’s needs are catered for.

We strive to cater for all tastes with a mix of traditional and contemporary styles of davening is to try and keep them engaging and fresh. At Mill Hill we pride ourselves on the plethora of chazanim we engage, both internal and external, who grace our bimah. They each provide their own unique style of service. We strive to cater for all tastes with a mix of traditional and contemporary styles of davening. As is always the case with shul, we will never please all the members all the time, however we do try our best.

Unfortunately, in May this year the Wardens’ Box lost Ian Boonin as occupant of the right-hand seat. This is an ideal opportunity to thank Ian for his tireless work and fantastic ‘wardening’ over the past few years.

If members have ideas and initiatives which could enhance the services, they will always be warmly received. This is the reason we implemented Mindfulness Shabbat, which is a welcome addition to the shul calendar. We also held a monthly seudah on Shabbat Mevarchim during the summer months.

Despite the services following the same format for thousands of years, one of the wardens’ roles

We look forward to another packed year ahead, filled with the various festivals that form our

rich Jewish calendar, and simchas including births, Barmitzvahs, Batmitzvahs, Aufrufs etc…They are all wonderful occasions and we are honoured to be able to help you celebrate them in a memorable way. Of course, the wardens’ article would not be complete if we did not mention the heating in shul. Some weeks it’s too hot, some too cold. Some weeks it seems to be too hot only on one side and too cold on the other. Windows open or windows closed? Blinds open, blinds closed? Aircon on, aircon off? Fans and aircon, fans no aircon? Fans and windows open, fans and windows closed? (You get the gist…) All we can say is, we are trying our best to get it right! We wish you and your families a Kesiva v’Chasima Tova. It should be a good, happy, healthy and prosperous New Year for everyone.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Our Shul

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

The Office

Meet the team in the Mill Hill Shul office

Charles Loeb Membership & Finance Administrator

Royi Gutkin Community Director

I have worked at Mill Hill Shul for six years and my role in the shul office keeps me busy. I handle all the financial matters and membership administration – new applications, transfers etc. When I’m not doing that I enjoy swimming and going to the gym. I also do volunteer work for the Hebrew Order of David International. I am married to Rina and we have four children, two of whom are married. finance@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

I joined the shul office team in May last year and have enjoyed a full cycle of events, services and the amazing generosity that this community has to offer. My role is to work with and support the community, involving and engaging the members through events and programmes, ensuring that our community space is used to its full potential by the community as well as providing additional income for the shul through private hall hire. I also support our Assistant Rabbi James Proops and his wide-ranging activities. Outside of office life I enjoy spending time with my wife Joanna and our beautiful little girl Maya, who is almost two. royi@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

Charles Loeb

Gerry Shaer Community Administrator I have been working at Mill Hill Shul for nearly three years. My daily schedule is in the hub of the shul office dealing with life cycle events, CRP, hall hire and making sure that everything is ready for Shabbat each week. My husband and I have three married children and four grandchildren so there’s plenty going on outside of work! I am a foodie and love cooking different dishes from around the world, playing bridge, learning Ivrit and above all power walking along the tayelet in Tel Aviv listening to Earth, Wind & Fire. gerry@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

Lisa Epstein Office Manager I have been working at the shul for just over two years. My primary focus is to ensure the smooth running of the office, including taking bookings for Bar/ Batmitzvahs and weddings. I have been married to Edward for 11 years and we have two children aged nine and six. When I get the time, I love cooking and reading. lisa@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

Gerry Shaer

Lorraine Kasler Facilities Manager Lisa Epstein

Royi Gutkin

Lorraine Kasler

I joined Mill Hill Synagogue this year as Facilities Manager, in a new role. My job is very diverse, with a wide range of responsibilities including managing the caretaking staff and ensuring that the Ner Orre building is always looking good and is ready for use. My day can vary from co-ordinating the cleaning and building maintenance to duty managing a function. I act as the face of the synagogue for private hire events and ensure that the service received is always top notch! If you see anything amiss in the building such as damage or wear and tear, please do let me know so I can ensure it is looked into. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know some of the community so if you see me around the building please say hello, or seek me out in my office next to the security room in the Ner Orre Foyer. lorraine@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Meet The Executive and The Board THE EXECUTIVE

Lucy Jackson Chair

Paul Charney Vice Chair

Anthony Kravitz Financial Representative

chair@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

vicechair@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

finance@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

Lucy became Chair of the shul in May 2016. She oversees all shul matters, working closely with the Rabbis, the office staff and many volunteers across the community.

Paul became Vice Chair of the shul in May 2016. He works closely with Lucy to set and implement strategy and ensure the smooth running of our shul.

Anthony was appointed Financial Representative in 2010. He manages the shul’s finances, including setting the annual budget. He also coordinates the Yomim Noarim services.

THE BOARD

Charles Daniels Warden

This is Charles’ ninth year as a Warden. Together with Co-Warden Harold Miller, Charles organises all services and deals with families making a simcha in the shul.

shulwarden@hotmail.co.uk

Harold Miller Warden

Harold became a Warden at the shul in 2016 and, along with Charles Daniels, is responsible for organising all shul services and for liaising with families making a simcha.

harold.shul@gmail.com

Joshua Farber

Special Projects

This is Joshua’s second year on the Board. Currently he works with Lucy overseeing special projects and working with Julia Ben Nathan to arrange education events.

josh@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Richard Brett

Anna Petrook

Children's Services

Richard ensures that the children's services are well catered for and that there are enough leaders to take all the services. With hundreds of children attending each week, this is no small task.

Youth and Y5/6 children services

Anna co-ordinates youth activities, liaises with youth directors and the Assistant Rabbi to support, aid and advise, plus ensures that the youth have a strong voice on the Board.

Melanie Goldberg and Nicola Kotkis

NW7 Kids Committee

NW7 Kids organises events for our community's youngest members, the 0-11 year olds. There are 695 children under 12 in our shul, possibly the largest number in any United Synagogue community.

childrenservices@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

youth@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

Jamie Johnson

Per Simonsson

NW7 Committee

Health & Safety

The NW7 Committee organises fun money-raising events for the community to enjoy.

Per looks after all aspects of Health & Safety for the shul and its members.

Roz is the voice for the senior citizens and assists the smooth running of the shul. She is responsible for collecting adverts for this magazine.

nw7events@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

healthandsafety@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

rosalind@redbart.com

Orli Lang

Kellie Leigh

Boaz Goren

Orli works on strengthening the ties between the Mill Hill community and Israel through various activities with different groups in Israel.

Kellie works closely with Chani Schochet to ensure that the welfare needs of our members and the wider community are met.

Boaz looks after new members and young families and would love to hear ideas of how we can make them feel welcome and supported.

Israel Advocacy

israel@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

Mill Hill Cares / Welfare

care@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

nw7kids@gmail.com

Roz Redbart

Meet & Greet / Senior Sector / JACS

New Members

newmembers@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Our Shul

How are we Connected to

the US?

By Financial Representative Anthony Kravitz

uring the last few years we have had an enormous increase in our membership; for many of our new members this is the first time they have become members of a shul in their own right, previously having been covered by their parents’ membership of a shul. Membership of the shul confers membership of the United Synagogue. The US is a union of British Orthodox Jewish synagogues, representing the central Orthodox movement in Judaism, with 64 congregations comprising 40,000 members. Of the 64 shuls, 54 (including Mill Hill) are full members and 10 are affiliated only. The US ‘owns’ the 54 full-member shuls, or more accurately the 40,000 members own the 54 shuls. Thus, our buildings and everything in them belong to the US. I like to think of the US as one big family, which owns the family jewels. What we get out of this family cooperative is access to a multitude of services, which you can find out about on the US website: www.theus.org.uk

There are also professional services available, albeit we pay for these currently at just under £100,000 per year. All our rabbinical and administrative staff are employed by the US, who handle our Human Resources responsibilities. The Chief Rabbi’s Office and the Beth Din are important parts of the US. Member shuls also have access to the legal and property divisions of the US, so we don’t have the

need to seek external advice on these fronts, unless we choose to do so. Our finances and membership matters are handled locally in shul offices, currently by Charles Loeb in Mill Hill, and then through the finance and membership departments of the US. These departments make all payments for us and record all membership information, subscriptions and other monies received. Additionally, they provide our regular financial information and undertake all communications with HMRC. Financial Representatives (FRs) are responsible for the local financial management of shul finances, and the interface between their shul and the US; this is a contractual arrangement. Day-to-day management of the staff is local also, but recruitment and retention of staff is the responsibility of the US, in consultation with the honorary officers. All this means, of course, that shuls must comply with the byelaws and other rules of the US. We may not act independently of these, although we can have policies additional to them, provided these do not conflict with the rules. This has the advantage of consistency between shuls and easy transference of membership between shuls when members wish to move to another US shul. Members are then assured that very little will be different for them. The honorary officers of the shul

are the chair, vice-chair, financial representative and two wardens. They are also the Executive committee and are responsible for ensuring that the rules and policies of the US, and the local policies of the shul, are followed and complied with. The Executive must consult with the Board of Management, on which they also serve ex-officio, but under the US byelaws most decisions are ultimately made by the Executive. However, the appointment of a community rabbi is a whole community decision, led by the Board.

YOUNGER MEMBERS Children (under 21) of current adult members are automatically enrolled on the US database, if we are advised of their name(s) and date of birth – which we believe that up to 10% of members forget to do! They are referred to as ‘Tribe members’ of the US. Tribe membership ceases at the age of 21. Single 21+ young people can retain their membership of Mill Hill Shul by joining Tribe Community Membership (TCM). We look upon TCM members as being full members of the shul and confer on them the same rights as other adult members. TCM membership ceases at the age of 30 or upon marriage. You can join TCM at www.tribeuk.com/contact Our former Tribe members who do not continue their membership through TCM become nonmembers at 21. Upon marriage, couples must join the shul as full members to retain their membership. Those who have married for the first time, have no subscription to pay for the first 12 months. After this there is a sliding scale of discounts for up to three years.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Our Shul

Chatan Torah

Rabbi James Proops by Lucy Jackson

remember when I first heard about Sarah and James Proops. They received an absolutely glowing recommendation. “How great can they actually be?” I thought to myself. Then I met them and discovered that they are in fact really great. Sarah and James Proops joined as our Assistant Rabbi and Rebbetzin in newly-created positions at Mill Hill Shul. With just one Rabbinic couple for such a large and growing community up until that point, their services were much in demand from the outset. Rabbi Proops grew up just down the road in Stanmore. He didn’t set out to be a Rabbi. He finished school at City of London, then went off to University in Leeds, planning on going to Law School. His career path took a different turn after spending two years as Youth Director in Stanmore. Instead of their plan to be a social worker (her) and solicitor (him), Sarah and James spent five years in Israel where James studied at Yeshiva before obtaining semicha. When they returned from Israel he worked for Aish for two years in Leeds. Rabbi Proops has had a hugely positive impact on all sectors of the community at Mill Hill Shul since day one. He and Sarah have opened up their home and not a Shabbat goes by without them entertaining guests. They are warm and welcoming to all who pass their door. They strive hard to involve everyone and bring in those who are not regulars at shul.

Rabbi Proops was instrumental in launching Sababa, a youth club at the shul on a Sunday afternoon, which has proved hugely popular. Up to 40 nine to eleven-year-olds attend on a weekly basis and we receive glowing feedback from the parents and kids alike. Sarah and James also organised the return, after many years, of the Mill Hill Shul youth weekend away, which was also very well received. The experience the Proops gained while working on campus has been invaluable in engaging with this age group. The Proops’ Women and Wisdom and Whisky and Wisdom series have reinvigorated Jewish learning for many young parents, offering programming that is relevant, interesting and in demand. James devised a very useful series of talks for CRP parents, making the shul’s role in the CRP process more straightforward and helping us to build a relationship with many of the parents. As I write, the Proops are also midway through running a weekly parenting course at their home, in conjunction with Seed.

Rabbi Proops also does an excellent job filling in for Rabbi Schochet, giving sermons and such like. I know he very much values the relationship he has with our senior Rabbi and the opportunities this gives him to learn and to further his career. Perhaps James’ defining moment in Mill Hill was the 2015 Mill Hill Shabbat UK video, which he and our youth director, Luis Herzsaft, created. You’ll all know it. “Mill Hill, Mill Hill, Shabbat UK. Mill Hill, Mill Hill, Shabbat UK.” It was so simple, yet got everyone in our community behind Shabbat UK. Simplicity is often the best thing about James’ ideas (and he has lots of them). The launch of the Shabbat morning coffee bar and the regular Ten Talks. It has been a real honour to get to know Sarah and James and an absolute pleasure to work with both of them. They have become an integral part of our community in a short space of time. Rabbi Proops continues to be an inspiration to me and all those he meets and is incredibly deserving of this honour.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Chatan Bereishit

Marshall Hoffman by Jason Greenspan

t is a privilege and an honour to write about Marshall Hoffman, a man who is single-handedly ‘saving’ north London, from both a community and a business perspective. Marshall is synonymous with security, not only for Mill Hill Shul but also now for the Community Security Trust (CST). Ten years ago the then chairman of the shul (Jerome Reback) suggested that Marshall take on the security portfolio from John Gumpright. Little did we know what an impact this would have for us and the wider community.

services. With persistent threats from malevolent groups and individuals, we are grateful for all that Marshall does to help us remain safe. Marshall’s involvement with the CST is also recognised. He is one of the senior volunteers and often runs high profile events, securing royalty, peers, Prime Ministers and ambassadors. As a result of Marshall’s involvement with the CST, he has managed to secure substantial financial and technical support from them for Mill Hill.

In short, Marshall is one of the good guys – a true friend to everyone in the community. After 10 years at the helm there is no one more deserving of the community’s highest accolade. His late father Eddie would be very proud. Knowing him as I do, I expect the whisky to be flowing and for him to be the life and soul of everything. His verve for life is amazing. Marshall is a doer and someone I am proud to call my friend.

Under Marshall, the security portfolio has seen the highest number of volunteer recruits in any shul in the United Kingdom. It is run with military precision and is seen as the standard to achieve. More than 500 man-hour shifts are run over Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur alone.

In his day job, Marshall runs a procurement business, saving substantial sums of money in all office areas. He works a lot in the Jewish not-for-profit sector and has saved more than £1.5 million in costs for shuls, schools and charities. It is the ‘can do’ attitude that allows for anything to be procured at better prices. Marshall is effectively the community’s personal concierge service!

Marshall has three children – Amy (14), Max (11) and Jessie (7). Amazing kids, amazing family, amazing person! We are lucky to have him.

We are now in a position to provide our own team of trained security members for most of the events we run on site, as well as for the cheder. This saves the shul the cost of professional security

Marshall will always go out of his way to help the community, whether it be cooking a barbecue for 200 people or helping with manning a stall/shlepping for Mitzvah Day.

Shul chair Lucy Jackson Says: “Congratulations to Marshall on this honour! I am delighted that your contribution to our community has been recognised in this way.”

May this crowning of Marshall as Chatan Bereishit herald a continuation of service to the community and we look forward to many more years with Marshall leading the line for Mill Hill.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Our Shul

Eshet Chayil Michelle Lipowicz by Simon Lipowicz

believe younger members of the community would describe this situation as ‘awks’. I’ve been tasked with writing an article about one of our Eshet Chayil honourees: Michelle Lipowicz. But I’m a little over familiar with the subject – mainly because we’re married to each other. Fortunately, Michelle’s genuine dedication to shul life means that I can talk about why she is a worthy recipient of this award without it sounding like I am trying to accrue domestic brownie points for any future forgotten anniversaries. For example, her participation in the lovely shul Meet & Greet scheme clearly suits her bubbly personality perfectly. She’s the friendly lady with the large name badge and the larger smile – and (can I get away with this?) an even larger voice. If you receive a warm welcome from Michelle as you enter shul, you have been well and truly ‘met and gret’. Maybe Michelle is simply refracting the way in which she was welcomed to Mill Hill Shul 15 years ago. Shamed into attending by our eldest son (who asked: “Mummy, at MMK, I’ve learnt about shul – shouldn’t we be going?”), she quickly immersed herself in the world of the children’s services, eventually becoming a main organiser of the hugely popular Children’s Service Shabbatons. Michelle also represented the children’s services when she served on the Board. She actually had two portfolios in this role, representing

the Welfare Committee as well. An over enthusiastic Board member or one who is easily convinced to take on extra responsibilities? I shouldn’t really comment on a wife who can’t say ‘no’. Years later, welfare remains a very large part of Michelle’s communal commitments. She cherishes her role as a befriender to individuals who might need some extra company and enjoys calling elderly members on their birthdays and Rosh Hashanah. If her aim is to leave people with a smile on their face, she does this very well. All this shul involvement was probably inevitable, because Michelle’s parents were very involved in their community in Hendon. Her whole family, including her two sisters, took upon themselves the annual silver polishing of the Sifrei Torah – using toothbrushes! On reflection, Michelle now wonders whether this was actually a penalty that her parents made her pay for her cheekiness as a youngster. One activity that she definitely enjoyed in her younger days was singing at care homes – something that she still does today, leading the Mitzvah Day and Chanukah events at Sydmar Lodge. Singing is a major source of enjoyment for Michelle and in recent years she has added dancing to her musical repertoire. Attend a Mill Hill party on Simchat Torah and you’ll see that Michelle is one of the ladies ensuring that dancing on the female side of the mechitsa is so much more coordinated than on the male side. (Although the men

do excel at the ‘round and round’ choreography routines, especially when they skilfully change direction.) Away from shul, many of you will know Michelle from her work as MishCakes. Trust me: living with a cake decorator, a dessert maker and a superb cook is as beneficial as you’d expect. Michelle gets a thrill out of teaching sugarcraft and has educated (and entertained!) many of the girls and boys from our community over the years. Talking of offspring, it’s clear that Michelle has set a fine example for our two sons, because both have always been heavily involved in shul life. During 15 months spent in America this year, David became a shomer for the student catering. Jason has been a leading figure in the Youth Service, responsible for organising and leading the davening. As for Michelle’s husband, he’s not totally averse to getting involved too. He ends up doing the oddest jobs, including writing articles about people he has the utmost admiration and respect for. This is one of them. On behalf of the shul and our family, I am proud of the way in which Michelle is a part of our wonderful community and wish her mazel tov on a truly deserved Eshet Chayil award.

Lucy Jackson, shul chair, says: “Huge congratulations, Michelle, on this truly welldeserved honour. Thank you for your immense contribution to our community.”

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Eshet Chayil

Judy Mizrahi by Jerome Reback

first met the indefatigable Judy Mizrahi when she arrived in Mill Hill from Israel together with husband Uri, a structural engineer, and sons Jordan and Jono. It was meant to be just a temporary stay but they enjoyed Mill Hill so much they decided to live here! Once they were settled, one of the first things Judy did was to call the shul office to find out how the family could get involved and contribute to the community. They joined us for Shabbat lunch and the family’s determination to help shape the future of our community was clear. Judy was soon on the Board, taking responsibility for new members (as she felt her own experience could have been better) and setting up the Mitzvah Day initiative in Mill Hill. As a new member herself, Judy was passionate about the joining and welcoming experience. As she says: ”The first thing I got from Mill Hill was an invoice!” Challenged by the Rabbi to do something about it and to make a difference, Judy attacked the new members’ agenda and together with an enthusiastic team has succeeded in revolutionising the experience.

From small beginnings with just 25 volunteers in its first year, Judy has expanded the Mitzvah Day initiative into an all-embracing social programme that fosters community-wide participation and significant inter-faith engagement and support. (See Judy’s report on Mitzvah Day on page 106.) New members now enjoy a well-oiled calendar of welcoming and inviting introductions and events thanks to Judy. They are personally welcomed to the community with a phone call and a Rosh Hashanah gift together with a visit to their home from a Board member or other shul representative. This is followed up with an annual programme of dinners sponsored by the Rabbi and Chani, plus a new members’ kiddushim. Judy has retired from the Board but retains her enthusiasm to help our community and maintains her role leading Mitzvah Day for the Mill Hill community. Judy coordinates a busy life. She is a social psychologist by training and Managing Director of a successful and growing strategic innovation consultancy. She and her family love to travel and have been to many exciting places,

including China, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Chile. Jordan and Jono are Israeli born and devout advocates of Israel. Jono has just completed his GCSEs at JFS and Jordan is studying for a Masters in Neurosciences at Bristol University. Next year Jordan will be based in Washington, USA at the National Institute of Health, the largest research institute in the world. Jono is a talented tennis player and represented the UK at the European Maccabiah games last year. About volunteering, Judy says: “You don’t know how good it is until you do it – you’d be surprised how truly wonderful you feel when you put it in your day. We should all be more socially aware and responsible for others.” Judy retains a great passion for Mitzvah Day and aims to ensure it is even larger and more impactful. Prepare to get involved – Judy will be knocking on your door! Shul chair Lucy Jackson says: “Judy is fully deserving of this honour and on behalf of the entire community I wish her a huge Mazel Tov!”

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Our Shul

Brexit, Elections & the Quest for Leadership

t’s always interesting to watch the ‘parade’ known as the American presidential elections. This time – with racial division in the United States, growing economic disparity, terrorism rearing its head on a regular basis all over the world, and even the controversial June 23 Brexit referendum – there is certainly no shortage of issues to address as the politics behind it all gains momentum. Perhaps the most crucial issue is whether any candidate really possesses what we can call true leadership. Like modesty, leadership is one of those qualities that, as soon as a person begins describing his or her own mastery of it, you can’t help but feel that they don’t have. Rather, they have its exact opposite. Real leaders tend to be those who run away from a position of power, and they rarely speak about themselves because that just isn’t where their thoughts are. A real leader is actually the greatest servant. He doesn’t have a personal agenda, but is instead there solely for the needs of the people he is leading. Moses only ever wanted to serve, by going out into the fields where the Jews were working as slaves, and seeking ways to ease their suffering. Joshua, his successor, remained utterly devoted to Moses, as a loyal student and aide. Both had to be persuaded to accept the role of leader.

by Rebbetzin Chani Schochet

Yet the deepest insights into what makes a real leader are revealed only when the responsibilities are about to change hands from Moses to Joshua. Having been told by G-d that he is about to pass away, it would have been logical and human for Moses to turn his attention to settling his own affairs and giving last instructions to his family and followers. After all, what leader isn’t concerned with what his mark will be on history? What parent isn’t concerned with how well their wishes will be followed after they pass on? Moses was concerned only about two things – that G-d’s will be realised, and that the Jewish people not be left alone without someone to understand them, protect them, inspire them and, when need be, comfort them. The words of his plea have forever encapsulated the meaning of what it is to be a Jewish leader: “G-d of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the assembly who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall take them out and who shall bring them in.” In these few words Moses is acknowledging a basic truth – that the personality of each individual is unique and known to G-d – and he is beseeching G-d to appoint a leader who can deal with each of these personalities. He is seeking a leader for the Jewish people who will be able to understand and empathise with each person. Joshua was just such a person, establishing a rapport with each

individual based on genuine empathy, and not on attempts to curry favour. And true to the second part of Moses’ request, he ‘went before them and came in before them’. In other words, he didn’t send the nation out to war to fight battles. He went first, and he inspired in them the confidence to be successful and thus come back. For centuries, these were the defining characteristics of the army of the Jewish people; unlike other armies, where generals stay comfortably behind the line of fire, the generals of the Jewish army always went first, and with their good deeds, empathy and trust were able to inspire confidence in their soldiers. Victory was the result. Of course, this was true not only of physical battles, but of our internal battles as well. Each of us has to find the inspiration in Moses’ words to become true leaders in our own sphere of influence. By caring about and genuinely connecting to the souls of people we must influence – for starters, our families – and by relating to their individual personalities. By leading through example, even if it means stretching ourselves to breaking point; and by strengthening our own trust in the One who is guiding us, whether we see His hand in things or not. It’s a kind of leadership that tends to create not followers, but people who are genuine leaders in their own right. And that’s something this world could use a little more of.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Our Shul

Empowering Women Rebbetzin Sarah Proops has been accepted onto a prestigious new programme for women. Louisa Walters chatted to her about it

he Chief Rabbi’s Ma’ayan Programme is a new initiative to cultivate female role models within British Jewry, aiming to equip women with expertise in the area of Taharat Hamishpacha (family purity) and women’s health, along with the ability to take on roles as educators, to teach and to inspire in communities across the country. The word ‘Ma’ayan’ translates as ‘fountain’ or ‘spring’, but is also a contraction of the phrase ‘Me’irat Eiynayim’, meaning ‘enlightening the eyes’. The Chief Rabbi believes that the ‘Ma’ayanot’, through their guidance and teaching, will ‘enlighten the eyes’ of those around them. Currently, in our communities, many women do not feel comfortable asking halachic questions about Taharat Hamishpacha to their Rabbis and would prefer to speak to a woman about such issues. In addition, the Chief Rabbi believes that we must empower women to take on wider roles within our communities.

The Chief Rabbi believes that we must empower women to take on wider roles within our communities

The Ma’ayan Programme will be indepth and wide-ranging, including Hilchos Niddah (the laws associated with menstrual bleeding), corresponding medical knowledge, psychological and mental health issues that can affect women, and wider training in the field of community education. The programme has been developed by the Office of the Chief Rabbi, with the support of the London Beth Din. On completion of the course, the Ma’ayanot will be ready to share their expertise and training in our communities. The announcement of the programme was met with a fantastic response and after a comprehensive interview process, the first cohort of 10 women has now been identified, with the six-month course due to begin in September. Sarah Proops was one of the women offered a place. I spoke to her about her exciting new challenge. Why did you apply for the programme? I was instantly attracted by the fact that that the programme is the first of its kind in the UK to train women with expertise in the laws relating to women to give them the ability to take on roles as educators to teach, inspire and enthuse Anglo Jewry. This programme, unlike other seemingly similar ones on offer in different countries, is firmly in

the realms of orthodoxy under the auspices of the Chief Rabbi and the London Beth Din. What was involved in applying? The application process included filling out a lengthy application form followed by two rounds of interviews, in which I had to present two Divrei Torah. The interview panels included the Chief Rabbi, a Dayan from the Beth Din and senior United Synagogue Rebbetzins. How did you feel when you heard that you had been accepted? I was quite nervous due to the competition for places – a large number of women applied! So I was both relieved and very honoured when I got the call. It is an exciting privilege to be part of something groundbreaking. What are you hoping to get out of the programme, and how do you intend to put your new knowledge to use within the community? I’m so looking forward to my own personal enhancement of knowledge, along with the hope of being able to share it with others. I’m really passionate about educating and empowering women in what it means to be a Jewish woman and I hope the programme will enable me to be to do this.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

It’s a Family Thing

Lucy Jackson and her father Lindsay Shure have made US history

indsay Shure and his daughter, Lucy Jackson, have made history by becoming the first father and daughter in the United Synagogue to be elected chairs of their respective synagogues. Lindsay has become chair of Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue, while Lucy, who has been vice-chair for the past two years, is now chair of Mill Hill Synagogue – our community’s first female chair. “I was very proud when I heard about Lucy,” said Lindsay. Lucy Jackson, a mother of three, is head of communications for the music therapy charity NordoffRobbins. “I got involved with Mill Hill about seven years ago because of my experience in organising events – my career has been in charity and PR.” For the past two years Lucy has served as vice-chair at Mill

“I feel very privileged to do this work.” Lucy Jackson Hill, which is one of the biggest synagogues in the US – there are a staggering 1,800 adult members and an estimated 1,200 children, and probably the largest number of under-16s of any synagogue in the country. “We can’t operate like a small shul any more”, says Lucy, whose mantra is that ‘shul isn’t just about Shabbat mornings’. Mill Hill, she says, endeavours to offer something for everyone, with a wide range of social and educational programming aimed at attracting people of all ages and all levels of observance. “I feel very privileged to do this work,” she says. Over in north east London, her father Lindsay Shure, who works in IT and is a psychodynamic counsellor, has different challenges. Chigwell and Hainault

Synagogue grew out of a merger of two communities and is this year marking its 40th anniversary in its current building. It has around 1,350 individual members and its Board is unusual in that it includes four married couples serving the synagogue. “I always talked about the Chigwell and Hainault family,” says Lindsay, “and that’s the way we work. We have loads of bar and batmitzvahs at the moment, we have a new assistant rabbi, Rafi Goodwin, and we have a lot of young couples moving in to the area.” Both father and daughter are thrilled about their new positions, but laughed at the idea of a oneweek job swap. “We are very different communities,” said Lindsay, firmly. But Lucy had the last word. “I like the idea of my father as chair so that I can call him up and run problems by him – if I need to!”

Adapted from an article in the Jewish News

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Family

Mill Hill Cheder

Rabbi Yaacov Bennett reflects on a year of learning and fun

hat a fantastic year we have had at Mill Hill Cheder! With more than 150 children and a wonderful staff team, we are very proud that our cheder provides such an engaging educational programme. We are passionate that our children should not only receive a strong understanding of Jewish knowledge and practice, but also benefit from an interactive and enjoyable learning experience. At the beginning of the cheder year, we jumped straight into learning about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Succot. We visited the shul Succah and the children enjoyed some tasty snacks with their class under the Succah canopy. In preparation for Shabbat UK, we had an exciting Shabbat arts and crafts session in October in conjunction with

Seed, and we were grateful that so many parents were able to join us for the activities. After a short half-term break, in November we learned about Brachot â&#x20AC;&#x201C; many classes enjoyed learning the blessings for food and drink, and putting their knowledge into practice with yummy treats! We had our own special cheder programme for Mitzvah Day, with our children participating in a number of different projects, including decorating cards for Israeli soldiers for JNF, making besamim (spice) pouches for Havdallah and writing appreciation cards to honour their parents. At the end of the autumn term, the children made beautiful gold and silver Chanukiot to take home as part of our Chanukah fun-day. As well as learning Chanukah songs and playing games, they decorated jammy doughnuts with colourful icing and sprinkles.

In January we learned about the shul service and mitzvot (commandments). For Tu Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shvat, the New Year for trees, we had a special fun-day with fruit-salad making and a marshmallow trees arts and crafts activity, together with learning about the seven species of Israel and environmental responsibility for our older classes. When Purim arrived we had a fancy dress parade, complete with red carpet! The children enjoyed eating hamantaschen, decorating gift boxes and exchanging food gifts with their friends. With Pesach fast approaching, in March the children learned all about the festival and Seder night. Our mock Seder was fun for all, as we drank our four cups of grape juice, sampled the bitter herbs and sang our Pesach songs together. We returned to cheder in May and learned about Tefillah (prayers) and Middot (Jewish values). We commemorated Yom Hazikaron

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

(Israel Remembrance Day) with a minute’s silence to remember the Israeli soldiers who died protecting the Jewish state. We celebrated Israel’s Independence Day with a Yom Ha’atzmaut funday. The children dressed in blue and white, made Israeli flags and Israeli salad and learned about the country’s geography and language. As the summer term progressed, the children celebrated Shavuot with interactive activities, learned about keeping Kosher and commemorating the three weeks leading up to Tisha B’av. The cheder year ended with a memorable prize-giving ceremony and we welcomed Rabbi Schochet as our guest of honour. We would like to thank all our cheder parents for their continued support and we look forward to welcoming the children back in September for what we are sure will be another wonderful year.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Family

Children First

Richard Brett explains the new-look children’s services at Mill Hill

y children’s services ‘career’ began when my daughter was a little girl and I started taking her to the services. I was asked to take a service, then progressed to running the rota for the 0-5s and now I look after all the services. There are a lot of kids here at Mill Hill and attendance numbers at each service have increased this year, both when the CRP* points are available and also out of CRP season. During Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur last year, services were run across two sites. At the shul there were four 0-5s services, plus services for Years 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6. At Etz Chaim there was one service for each of the respective age groups, with full classrooms in each. In total, we had more than 300 children and 40 service leaders each day taking part in 11 services. With input from Rabbi Proops,

we decided to restructure the children’s services in April of this year. This was to accommodate the increasing numbers and also to make the transition between the age groups smoother. The new services are as follows: 1) We have split the 0-5s group in two: a 0-4s service and a Reception & Year 1 service. The latter uses a simplified version of the Tribe UK Children’s Siddur, which highlights some of the main aspects of tefillah, with large print in both Hebrew and English and colourful illustrations. 2) Year 2-4 service, using the Tribe UK Children’s Siddur. 3) Year 5 on their own. This helps when we are running the CRP season. 4) Year 6 joins Year 7 as an introduction to the Youth Service.

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Since we started this new structure last month, we have had some very positive feedback from children, parents and service leaders. “It’s great that the children’s services have responded to the growing needs of the community.” Parent “The transition between the services is now much smoother.” Teacher “My son is much happier with a service that caters for his age.” Parent *CRP Certificate of Religious Practice where children have to gain synagogue attendance points to apply for Jewish schools.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Family

NW7 Kids

Nicola Kotkis and Melanie Goldberg reflect on a fun-filled year

ife at NW7 Kids is all about activities and parties!

Simchat Torah was a festive success with more than 300 kids having fun. The little ones watched Mr Marvelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Magic show and the older kids were trained in circus skills. They all enjoyed delicious lunch boxes. The NW7 Kids Challah Bake for Shabbat UK had 100 children and parents baking challah together. The kids took home their challot, coated with coloured sprinkles, which made Shabbat UK so memorable for them. The kids had fun dancing at our Chanukah disco party and enjoyed latkes, donuts and chocolate coins followed by a beautiful candle lighting ceremony.

Our Purim party was overbooked and hundreds of fancy-dressed toddlers enjoyed Captain Calamityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show. The older kids perfected their street dancing skills. Mishloach Manot, Hamentashen and crafts left the kids exhausted after an afternoon of fun. NW7 Kids is planning to host many more fantastic parties and events in the upcoming year. We will continue to include the youngest members of our community in all the festivals with age-appropriate entertainment, which allows them to learn and appreciate what the chagim have to offer. We are always looking for people to join our committee to help plan events. If you are interested, email nw7kids@gmail.com

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

NW7 Munchkins

Fridays are fun for the little ones. Eva Jackson reports

ach Friday it’s the little people who take over at Munchkins, from 10am to 11.30am in the Annie and Samuel Levy Hall in the Ner Orre community centre. From newborns to toddlers, there’s something to appeal to all underfours. We are lucky to be joined by 30/40 kids each week with their parents or carers and we welcome new faces every time. For those who enjoy a musical adventure, we are lucky to have music with Deborah from Tiddlywinks or Natalie from Naty D. The kids love interacting with the toy animals for ‘Old MacDonald had a Farm’ and popping the bubbles is always a big hit! We’ve been on many a musical journey, including a musical adventure with Peppa Pig and her friends, dinosaur disco or

travelling along in a pirate ship. We enjoyed an array of art and craft activities this year, including making our own Seder plates, making playdoh birthday cupcakes for Yom Ha’atzmaut, designing road maps to take us on a journey, putting together Mishloach Manot bags for our Purim party and making our own fairies and pirates. Every week we also have a Shabbat table where the little ones gather round singing ‘Shabbat Candles’ and of course eating challah! None of this would be possible without the hard work and great help from the Munchkins committee. We look forward to you joining us on our adventures each week! nw7munchkins@gmail.com

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Family

Little Bicks

Nursery manager Tash Silver explains why Little Bicks is such a great start in life

ittle Bicks Gan Orre opened in October 2013 and has grown substantially over the past three years. We enjoy getting to know the families and we love being part of such a close community.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE We have three classes – Caterpillars (18 months-2 years), Butterflies (2-3) and Bumble Bees (rising 4). The children form lovely friendships within their age groups and it’s a pleasure to watch their social skills develop and thrive. We encourage the children to learn about their community and to have a broad range of experiences. We do this by inviting ‘people who help’ such as the police, firemen and dentists into the nursery to talk to the children. We go to the library, walk to the shops to buy ingredients for cookery club and in the summer term we go on our very exciting end of year trip with all the Little Bicks nurseries in other locations. This year we went to Lincolnsfield Farm in Bushey. We have established a proactive relationship with the Fairway children’s centre in Mill Hill. We hosted a joint venture where Fairway ran sessions at Little Bicks to help support parents. Sessions such as Behaviour Management, Sleeping, Bedtime Routines and Nutrition: What Shall I Feed my Child? were very popular and ran really successfully. If you have

suggestions of workshops that you would be interested in please email us – contact details below. Over the months we watch each child develop, grow and become their own unique person. We track their progress through the EYFS up until they are getting ready for their next steps at school. We are proud to have been the starting point in their Jewish and secular education and look forward to continuing to nurture the children of Mill Hill to develop a strong Jewish identity. The children leave Little Bicks ready for school. This includes understanding appropriate boundaries, respecting their teachers, being able to concentrate on adult-led activities, having fantastic independence skills, having good pencil control, and most importantly gaining an abundance of confidence in a safe and happy environment. Schools report back to us on how well equipped Little Bicks children are for their next stage and parents celebrate their children’s development with us. We would love to hear from you if you have any questions about the nursery or would like to come and visit us.

T: 020 8954 0841 E: manager@littlebicks.co.uk W: littlebicks.co.uk Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Family

Our Modern Orthodox ethos provides high quality teaching and learning through an active and creative curriculum.

Jewish values permeate the life of the school, creating an encouraging and supportive atmosphere, enabling all children to feel valued and secured and therefore able to develop to the best of their ability. The school provides a broad range of educational activities from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 2. Pupils will graduate as happy, self-confident and wellrounded young people.

To download an application form or for more details please visit our website www.etzchaim-primaryschool.org.uk or telephone 0208 906 2983

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Etz Chaim

Dalia Fraser reflects on a year of achievement at the school

he Etz Chaim community has continued to grow over the past 12 months and we are proud to now have children from Nursery to Year Five at the school. Since moving into our new building three years ago, the facilities and opportunities for the children have grown and improved. Our initial priority was the classrooms, developing the spaces which set the tone for learning. We then opened our library, which many pupils cite as their favourite place to be. Last year we opened our new playground, offering the children equally fabulous opportunities in our outdoor space. There really is something for everyone – places to explore, places to play and places to be. Our new playground embodies what Etz Chaim is all about – meaningful learning through active and engaging experiences. The equipment encourages children to be independent, thoughtful learners who work well with others. It promotes imaginative play through its interactive elements and natural materials. The 3G astro-turf pitch has been used to develop our sports provision at lunchtime. We now offer an ever-increasing range of lunchtime and after-school clubs enabling us to enter inter-school football and netball tournaments as well as dance festivals. Our Circle Meetings are a monthly highlight. The children participate in mixed age group meetings

with staff to discuss key issues and give every child a voice in making Etz Chaim even better. Last year Circle Meetings made significant decisions and helped shape the rules for our new playground, decided which charities our weekly tzedakah would go to and suggested ways to improve the school. In response to suggestions made at Circle Meetings, we introduced a maths area in the playground with fun maths challenges and equipment, opportunities for the children to eat lunch outside from time to time, and an-end-of-year talent show – Etz Chaim’s Got Talent!

Our new playground embodies what Etz Chaim is all about – meaningful learning through active and engaging experiences Another exciting development has been our collaboration with other local primary schools to further enhance the provision that we offer in school. We are part of a cluster of seven schools, mostly Mill Hill based, who come together regularly to share ideas and discuss the best teaching

and learning strategies and resources. We welcomed 120 children from three other schools in our cluster (Fairway, Frith Manor and St Vincent’s) to share our Chanukah candle lighting and to hear our Chanukah songs and a special Chanukah story from Rabbi Proops. We are very proud of all our achievements. Last year we were awarded the Silver Accreditation STARS Award 2015 for our travel plan in recognition of the work we do to promote sustainable travel which is active, responsible and safe. We were also awarded the National Healthy Schools Bronze Award in recognition of the work we do to promote physical and emotional health among the pupils. As always, the children’s learning has extended beyond the classroom with a variety of workshops, fundraising opportunities, outings and family experiences. We have engaged with a range of local, national and global projects within both the Jewish and wider community and have even created our own Etz Chaim CD! To find out more, please visit the photo gallery on our website. Etz Chaim continues to be very much a local school and the children are often out and about learning within the local community. With strong links to Mill Hill Shul and Mathilda Marks Kennedy School, our children’s learning is enhanced through our joint ventures and events. We are delighted once again to welcome the Mill Hill community to Etz Chaim over Yom Tov this year and look forward to another exciting year together.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Family

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

MMK School

Deputy head Ruth Wilkinson looks back on a successful year ART & DESIGN

Along with more than 700 children from schools across the country, MMK pupils tried their hand at designing a new logo for the Jewish Chronicle’s 175th Anniversary. Six talented graphic designers achieved the runners-up award – not bad for a one-form entry school! Matthew Offord MP visited to present Year Six pupil Zoe with a prize for the Annual Chanukah Card Competition. Competing against hundreds of children, Zoe was lucky enough for her design to go to print. SPORT & DANCE

Netball and football continue to thrive with early morning training sessions resulting in MMK teams reaching the quarter and semi-final stages of inter-school tournaments. Meanwhile, MMK is benefiting from the national charity Chance to Shine, which aims to encourage cricket throughout schools. The free weekly cricket sessions with a specialist coach are extremely popular. MMK’s dance troupe participated in the Barnet Schools Dance Festival at the Arts Depot and KS1 children are participating in the Israeli Dance Institute Festival, having been taught by a professional dance teacher. DWL dance classes held during lunchtime give children the opportunity to learn dances from different cultures and countries. TRAVEL

The school has been awarded the Gold Status award for its School

Travel Plan, as it has increased the number of children who walk or ride to school. The termly Bikers’ Breakfast and Scooters’ Breakfast are well attended. So many children are journeying to school in this healthy way that the school now has a dedicated scooter park! ‘Bling Your Bike’ competitions and a ‘Bright Day’ where children wear clothes for school suitable for being seen if you are riding your bicycle on the street, have done much to raise road safety awareness. The Year Six Junior Travel Ambassadors enhance the healthy school travel agenda by organising assemblies and activities. PEER MEDIATION

MMK believes that emotional wellbeing is pivotal to the ability to thrive and enjoy school and is proud to have achieved Gold Healthy School Status for its work on peer mediation and eradicating bullying. Playground Buddies look out for those who need extra company during playtimes. We run training courses for pupils to learn the skills of peer mediation and those who successfully complete the course are well equipped to help children resolve problems before they escalate. EXTENDED FAMILY

Generation Sinai, the international learning activity for grandparents, parents and children, was so oversubscribed that next year it will be held in two halls. It was fantastic to see three generations engaged in the activity together. Parents joined the Reception class children in the Succah for a morning of activities in

the company of Rabbi Feldman. MMK CARES

Being a caring school is fundamental to our ethos. Our MMK Cares, run by a trained parent, arranges support in difficult times, either through our school community or by imparting information about organisations that can help. As part of our year-long Chesed Project, funded by a grant from the Diocese of Canterbury, Rabbi Zeidman has been running activities to teach the children about caring for others. For example, on Tu B’Shevat we made fruit kebabs and fruit baskets to give to needy families in the wider community and the residents of Sydmar Lodge enjoyed an afternoon of song and chat with a visit from Year Five. THINKING SKILLS

In order to become higher level thinkers and independent learners, we are developing and engaging the children’s brain power through a variety of thinking skills tasks during lessons. All MMK teachers are participating in professional training and have already implemented De Bono’s Thinking Hats and Thinking Maps into the lessons. The children love participating in the weekly Thinking Skills Challenge and come up with some amazing solutions. HOT OFF THE PRESS! 100% of our Year One pupils passed the National Phonics Screening!

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Family

Rainbows at Mill Hill Shul

By Abi Zinkin (aged six)

ainbows is every Monday.

I like Rainbows because we do lots of different activities, and you get to meet your friends from out of school. At Pesach we made matzah. We had to squash it down and roll the thing over it to make holes. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also made family trees and we made poppies out of tissue paper for Remembrance Sunday. We went on an outing to dinosaur golf and I hit the ball through the holes. At Purim we went to GIFT and we packed two sweets in each bag and one packet of cereal and two cans, and a packet of pasta. At the end the bags were so heavy.

At the start of Rainbows, while we wait for everyone to arrive, we do colouring and when it was the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday we did a picture of a corgi because the Queen likes corgis. We made crowns with purple velvet at the bottom for our special tea party. We had it with the Brownies and we made cucumber sandwiches and biscuits and a flag with marshmallows and berries. We put bunting up. It was fun. In the summer we made Olympic torches out of cardboard and red and orange and yellow serviettes. At the end of every Rainbows we give out a smiley face badge and the person who gets it has to smile until the next Monday.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Brownies at Mill Hill Shul

and obstacles but my favourite game is the racing word game. Each member of the team has a special word, and when Belinda reads the word out from a passage, the members of the teams with the word mentioned have to leap up and race. It’s fun, hot and fast.

We are very active in Brownies. We exercise while we wait for others to arrive. Our leader Belinda thinks of lots of games to play. We have done relay races

Every Monday we all relate our news from the week, and our good deeds. We like to celebrate what’s going on in the world around us - we had a street tea party for the Queen’s birthday. At Chanukah we eat donuts with our hands tied behind our backs. In November we had a fireworks party and we made hot chocolate and waved sparkles to make shapes in the air. We also went on

By Rachel Zinkin (aged nine)

uring this year we have completed lots of badges. We have a gilet that we sew badges onto. These badges represent something we’ve done. We completed the Fire Safety Badge, Wildlife Explorer, Healthy Heart and many more. For our Communicator badge we learned how to say our names in sign language and made videos about Brownies. We had to decipher codes too.

an outing to go bowling just for fun! On World Thinking Day we met other Brownie groups from the area, and I performed a poem in front of everyone. This year some of our Brownies also went on Brownie Camp for the first time. I didn’t go, but my friends told me that it was amazing and I hope to go next time. At the end of a meeting we give a Brownies doll called Summer and her diary to someone who has been helpful that week, and they fill in her diary. We also have a trophy for a good Brownie, and we love welcoming new people to our group. I have loved being a Brownie Sixer, and my Six is called Rabbits.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Community

A Year in Pictures

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Community

Community Pin Board Roz Redbart highlights several groups, activities and initiatives in the Mill Hill Shul community Yom Hashoah

For more information on these any of the schemes please contact the shul office

Jewish Women’s Week Every year at the beginning of May, around 60 volunteers from Mill Hill knock on doors to collect for JWW. We raise a considerable amount of money, which goes to Israel to help support and care for vulnerable children and families. The money also goes towards 800 dynamic education and social welfare projects that respond to the challenges that arise every day and through every stage of life. We also support multi-purpose day care centres, centres for the prevention and treatment of violence in the family, residential youth villages and playgroups for vulnerable children and parents to help improve communications between them, giving them quality time together and enhancing relationships through play. Susan Moss and I would like to thank all our volunteers for their time, which is so much appreciated.

This year we commemorated Yom Hashoah on Wednesday 4th May when holocaust survivor Freddie Knoller MBE joined us and related the harrowing story of his experiences. He gave us a slide show of his journey throughout the war years, which was most emotional. Many youths from JFS and the local area participated in a special service, which was very well attended by the community.

Shul Magazine Last year Louisa Shulman became the new Editor and produced our biggest-yet version of the magazine. It ran to 100 pages and was full of interesting articles and colourful photographs of everything happening around Mill Hill Synagogue. It received very positive feedback, meaning that this year lots of advertisers have supported us once again. We are delighted that Louisa has edited this year’s (even bigger!) magazine too and hope that you all enjoy it just as much.

Meet & Greet

Mill Hill Wizo

Dalia Reznik and I have run the M&G rota for several years. Each Shabbat a member of the M&G team welcomes members and visitors to the Shul. We have around 23 volunteers, each of whom performs their duty about twice a year. They greet everyone on a Shabbat morning and are there to help visitors and simcha guests find their places in the synagogue and to help with any queries. We are always looking for new people to join the rota, so if you would like to be part of the team please contact the synagogue office. We would very much like some male team members!

Susan Moss and I run a thriving Wizo group in our area, boasting around 110 members. We meet monthly in members’ homes to discuss fund raising or social events. We hold an annual Bridge Luncheon at the end of the year, which is always a sell out! (The next one is on Monday 7th November.) We go on interesting outings outside of London, and we have fascinating speakers such as Peter Suchet coming to talk to us. To mark the Queen’s 90th year we held a Red, White and Blue tea party in a garden in Stanmore. Everyone dressed up accordingly and made it a great social success.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE New Members’ Welcome Committee Judy Mizrahi The New Members’ Welcome Committee was formed eight years ago with a simple focus of welcoming new members in a personable way.

It started with monthly phone calls to welcome them and it grew to include: • Rosh Hashanah wishes of wine and welcome to all new members joining that year

Sunday Walks Stephen Ornadel Spanning the history of the Jews of the East End, West End and even the City of London, the newly launched Sunday afternoon walks have proved to be a popular addition to the shul's educational activities. Five soldout walking tours have taken place and two more are planned in late September and early October

• New Members’ Kiddushim • New Members’ Chinese dinner hosted by Rabbi and Chani Schochet. As I resign this year from the board, New Members Welcome is left in the extremely warm and naturally capable hands of Rabbi Proops and Sarah Proops, Roz Redbart and Boaz Goren on the board, and Lisa Epstein in

the office.

covering the Jewish past and present of Stamford Hill.

said, there are plans for future walks in Oxford, Cambridge as well as Brighton.

The walks are a spin-off from the group of walkers that meet on most Shabbat afternoons to enjoy the countryside that Mill Hill and Arkley offer. Living in the world's greatest city means that there a wealth of sites to visit as well as the luxury of a choice of excellent professional tour guides. That

I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to Gill Fraser for her quiet yet consistent strong support and co-leadership for the past several years! We are a growing community and our new members energise and inspire us.

The walks are open to all members and non-members. Please do come along since we are very keen to see new faces. All events are advertised in the shul newsletter but if you would like early notice of events please send an email to

walks@shul.co.uk

Keep her sweet this New Year! Shana Tova to all the Mill Hill Community

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Community

Mill Hill JACS

M Roz Redbart

ill Hill JACS is now in its 12th year! It is the largest in the JACS Group of clubs and is regularly attracting new members. So far this year we have had 44 new people sign up!

Our very special member Esther Collins will be 100 years young at the end of September so a special tea is being held on 21 September, which will be followed by a presentation by Harold Newman, national chairman of JACS and the Mill Hill joint chairs Shirley Kaye and Kurt Wick. We feel very honoured to have such a wonderful, loyal and enthusiastic member who never misses a week to join her friends from the Edgware and Mill Hill community, whatever the weather or the entertainment.

hall was packed to capacity, with our largest turnout ever.

Shirley Kaye has stepped up once again to be joint chair alongside Kurt Wick. Kurt and his wife Caryl are responsible for all outside events, including holidays, while Shirley covers programming and everything else for inside events.

Other successful and popular afternoons included DVD entertainment with music from the Proms provided by John Wilson, shown on our large screen, and Andre Rieu with his orchestra. We also had some marvellous digital presentations on such varied subjects such as the life of Al Jolson, the outstanding countryside of New Zealand and the making of the Wizard of Oz with accompanying music and scenery. We hold an annual quiz which is always a sellout and great fun!

This year has seen some incredibly successful events. In March Don Black, a former member of Mill Hill Synagogue, gave us a fabulous afternoon, reminiscing on his career as a top lyricist, with the help of Sandra Papier. His music was highlighted by singing from one of our top entertainers, William Byrne. The

The outings during the past year included two trips to The Mill at Soning for a Valentine’s Day special (the songs of Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond) and a second trip to hear The Kings of Swing, plus trips to West End theatres by coach to see Showboat, Gypsy and the Carole King musical Beautiful.

The club is still prospering thanks to the wonderful committee and weekly support we receive

The club is still prospering thanks to the wonderful committee and weekly support we receive from our members

from our members. We have 242 paid-up members, supported by members of other JACS who join us on Wednesdays.

JACS runs every Wednesday 2-4pm. You can be assured of a wonderful tea, entertainers, top speakers, regular outings and a warm and friendly environment. What’s more it’s only £4 to come along! Here’s to the next successful year.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

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Shlomo Ivgy IDF Veteran and German Open Golf Champion

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Community

You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet

Roz Redbart and Jeffrey Pinnick have pioneered a fantastic new social group for the senior members of the Mill Hill community

t has been one of the blessings of the modern age that average life expectancy can now, for the majority, exceed the biblical span of ‘three score years and ten’, and even ‘by virtue of strength, four score years’. With those blessings can sadly come disadvantages, such as progressively poor health, lack of mobility, loneliness and the feeling of being overlooked. It is now one of the greatest challenges facing modern society to try to ensure that the ageing population enjoys the acknowledgement, respect and dignity that their age and contribution to society undoubtedly warrants. It was with this in mind that we felt there was a missing link in the life and activities of our amazingly vibrant, spiritually inspiring and incredibly active community. We want to ensure that our senior members, now defined by us as those in their 70th year of age and upwards (or where one of a couple fulfils that criteria), not only continue to be involved in

the religious and overall social life of the synagogue, but that they are also specifically catered for within its range of social activities. We are delighted to report that the Board of Management, under the leadership of both our recently retired chair Jason Greenspan and his successor Lucy Jackson, has agreed that our community must specifically recognise our senior members who, after all, account for nearly a quarter of our synagogue membership. Once a year they will be accorded that recognition in the Shabbat service, followed on the Sunday by a Celebration Tea, which will also recognise members achieving 40, 50 and even 60 years of membership. The first such celebration events were held on 9 and 10 July, the latter attended by just over 100 senior members and enjoyed and appreciated by them all. Certificates were presented to six members of 60 years of membership or more, 46 members of 50 years or more and 52 members of 40 years or more. Record of this event can be found

on the shul’s website, together with a history of the shul dating back to its foundation. During the Shabbat service on 9 July Rabbi Schochet made a clever and amusing reference to the ageing process in his sermon (see opposite). Our seemingly ageless seniors have now formed a senior social group, named ‘NW7 Prime Timers’. Besides the annual celebration event, we are arranging three major social events during the next 12 months: a quiz, cards & games, and a debate. Whilst also encouraging greater participation in the crosscommunity JACS activities held weekly on our shul premises, we will also be considering more regular demand-generated activities, such as arts & crafts, walking & exercise etc. Other suggestions from our seniors, such as sky diving, bungee jumping, cross channel swimming, mountain climbing and marathon running, just goes to show the extent of their ambitions ……or dreams. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Part of the Rabbi’s sermon on 9 July 2016 – Senior Sector Shabbat

ere’s an interesting observation about age. Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about ageing that you think in fractions: 'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never 36 and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key. You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. 'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna’ be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna’ be 16! And then the greatest day of your life - you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. You become 21. You’ve arrived! Where? I am not quite sure but that doesn’t matter. You’ve become 21. That’s all that matters. But then you ‘turn’ 30. Ouch! What happened there? Makes you sound like sour milk! It turned sour. He turned 30. We have to get ready to throw him out. There's no fun now. You’ve

just passed your sell-by date. You ‘become’ 21, but you ‘turn’ 30. Then you're ‘pushing’ 40. You have to put on the brakes. It's all slipping away. Before you know it, you ‘reach’ 50. It’s like that’s it – it’s all over. If you haven’t quite made it up until you’ve ‘reached’ this point then that’s it. Your dreams have all but dissipated. And then what do you know. You ‘make it’ to 60. It’s like you’ve made it beyond a point that you expected. You’ve navigated a jungle, you’ve trekked a mountain, you’ve run a marathon, and now – you’ve ‘made it!’ You made it to 60 even as you didn't think you would! So just to recap: You ‘become’ 21, you ‘turn’ 30, you ‘push’ 40, you ‘reach’ 50 and you ‘make it’ to 60. Life has been such a rush, and you've built up so much speed that you ‘hit’ 70. After that it's a day-by-day thing; “I ‘hit’ Monday. I’m doing good, I’ve just hit Wednesday.” By the time you get into your eighties every day is like a complete cycle;

you ‘hit’ lunch; you ‘turn’ 4:30; you ‘reach’ bedtime. By the time you are in your nineties, you start to regress. Once you arrive into the nineties, you start taking a step backwards. “How old are you?” “I was just 92.” You turned 92 seven months ago but you are ‘just’ 92. And then, a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you’re back to your fractions. You become a little kid all over again. How old are you? “I'm 100 and a half!” Age is, after all, a matter of the mind. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. May we all merit a long life, a happy life, a fulfilling life, a stress-free life. May we learn to enjoy every minute; live every moment. And above all, we must remember that life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting: “Oh yeah, man – what a ride!”

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Community

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Adult Education

Julia Cushnir reports on a couple of fascinating events

t the end of February, an email was sent out to the community about a ‘last minute’ Zionist Federation event that was to be hosted by Mill Hill synagogue. Two Israeli soldiers had been speaking on campuses throughout the country and were able to fit in one final talk before their return to Israel. However, these were Israeli soldiers with a difference – one was a Jewish soldier who saved Muslim lives and the other was a Muslim soldier who saved Israeli lives. Captain Daniel Elbo is still in his 20s and has considerable field experience as a doctor in the IDS. He talked about his experiences whilst serving during Operation Edge. He explained that when fighting at the Gaza border, they came across an injured Palestinian. Even though this man had been shooting at Israeli soldiers, it became paramount for Captain Elbo to get him to hospital as quickly as possible and thereby save his life. Major Alaa Haheeb is the highest ranked Muslim in the Israeli army. He was raised in an antiZionist village, but his father, a member of the Israeli police force, encouraged him to play an active part in Israeli society. Consequently, he applied to join the Israeli army. After two years of scrutiny, he was accepted and

ended up joining a regiment with a lot of very religious Jewish soldiers. Initially, they were sceptical of him, but after a while they taught him how to put on tefillin and sometimes he even helped to make up a minyan! Unfortunately, he has been ostracised by many of his Palestinian brethren and at the age of 35 remains unmarried. The evening was truly inspirational.

WOMEN’S EDUCATION On the afternoon of second day Shavout, for the third year running there was a women’s megillah reading of the book of Ruth. Prior to the reading, Simone Lyons gave an interesting talk on the role of mother-in-laws. She informed us that Maimonides said: “Daughter-in-law and mother-in-law cannot serve as witnesses about the other because they are presumed to hate one another.” (Maimonides, laws of divorce 12:16). She also gave us a variation of the story of King Solomon:

the living boy and who got the dead one. The rabbi asked that the living boy be cut in half to share equally. One mother-in-law protested that the boy should be allowed to live and said that the other family should have him. The second mother-in-law said to cut him in half. The rabbi knew that the true mother-in-law is the one who wanted him cut in half so he let the boy marry her daughter. A motherin-law’s instinct for the daughter-inlaw or son-in-law is the opposite of maternal instinct for a natural child who is being taken away by the future spouse! This was followed by a beautiful rendition of the Book of Ruth read by eight women in the community.

Once two boys were ordered from a faraway yeshiva to marry two daughters of the town, even though they had never seen each other before. Unfortunately, whilst crossing the river outside town, one of the boys drowned. The families came to the rabbi of the town to decide who got

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Community

NW7 Committee

By Jamie Johnson

he NW7 Committee has had another successful year thanks to your generous support.

Our first event was the Summer BBQ, which we decided to hold in September last year as we had to postpone the last two years when trying to hold it earlier in the summer! Our prayers were answered with the weather and we had approximately 150 people join for a really fun afternoon. Of course the event would not be possible without the warmth and kindness shown to the community by the Sinclair family, who once again offered the use of their fabulous home and garden.

Next up was the Quiz Night in November. The evening began with salt beef and latkes, following which the quiz got underway. After eight hardfought rounds, the worthy victors were NW7’s very own Jackson, Farleigh, George and Coppell families. Also in November we held our inaugural Whisky Tasting event, which was well supported by over 30 people. We were entertained and educated by renowned whisky expert Maish Weinstein and a very special thank you goes to Jarrod Cahn, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the event, which we hope to repeat, was a real success. Our final event of the year was the Texas Hold’em Poker Night in April, which was attended by

about 35 players and was won by Oliver Jackson for the second time in four years. Over the course of the year your generosity has helped us raise almost £5,000, for which we are really grateful. These events are for the community and without your support we would not be able to put them on. If you would like to see any different events please let me or any member of the NW7 committee know your thoughts and we will try our best to arrange. We are still in need of more committee members so if you are interested in getting involved and helping out please get in touch via the shul office or contact me directly.

jamie.johnson@virgin.net

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Community

caring

ll Car i H l es il

hardship

advisor friend

sharing

support

illness

noble

bereavement

trust chesed

pay it forward

help

care

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MILL HILL IS A COMMUNITY THAT CARES. If you, or a fellow Mill Hill member needs any support and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not sure where to turn, turn to us. We will be discreet and make sure that we do our best to help you in whichever way is appropriate.

Please call the Care Line on 020 8933 3787 or email chanischochet@aol.com Mill Hill Synagogue, Station Road, Mill Hill, London NW7 2JU. Tel: 020 8959 1137. Email: office@millhillsynagogue.co.uk

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Mill Hill Cares

Kellie Leigh talks about the work of the Care Committee “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank

he story goes that in Ra’anana last summer a little French girl of about five somehow got split up from her family. She was lost and spoke no Ivrit so it was very difficult to locate her parents. An Israeli lady who saw the fear and plight of the little girl started knocking on doors asking neighbours and friends if anyone knew who she was. Each neighbour joined the search party and after one hour, with more than 50 people now helping, the little girl’s parents were located. After chastising their daughter before showering her with love and kisses, the parents were overcome with gratitude, love and emotion for this community who had come together to find their child. The power that community, and more so caring within the community, can have is immense. Mill Hill Shul community has a very wide demographic, ranging from centennial members to our littlest newborns and we believe the community is there to support all of them. We have ‘Mill Hillians’ born and bred in NW7, those who have moved from Israel, America, New Zealand and South Africa, plus even those

who have taken the giant leap from Edgware! It is with all these people in mind and with the knowledge of the power of good that community can do that the Mill Hill Cares committee does its best to be a support network to anyone who needs it within our own and the wider community. There is work done behind the scenes, led in complete confidence by Rebbetzin Schochet and her committee of more than 20, plus projects promoted publicly where we try to engage our community. The discreet service provides friendship to older members of the community, ensuring that they are all made to feel valid, needed and respected as their days become lonelier and harder. It is a reciprocal relationship, as those on our Care Committee who befriend get to enjoy the stories and companionship of someone from the older generation. Members who suffer a bereavement are supported in their logistical and emotional needs by the shul, especially around the time of Yom Tovim. In the modern day there is an increase in stressful situations that families may go through but people are not alone. The Care Committee does everything it can to support our local families, offering lifts to hospital appointments, helping with meals, visiting in hospital and generally being a shoulder to cry on. If the problems fall outside of our areas of expertise then we

refer the person to the appropriate support body. More widely, Mill Hill, with its vibrant, giving and growing community has embarked on larger projects: food drives for GIFT, delivery of Pesach parcels for those within the community struggling to make ends meet at this expensive time of year (this has been carried out annually for more than 20 years) and fundraising to support charities offering entertainment for children undergoing chemotherapy. This is just the start. Mill Hill Cares, together with Mill Hill’s Jewish schools Etz Chaim and Mathilda Marks Kennedy, has pledged to support future projects for all age groups across the community to ensure that anyone who needs our help gets it. Our ear is firmly to the ground and we are ready and willing to offer our services. The results that we can get within this wonderful, compassionate, thriving, resourceful community are unending. We must use this power of care within our community for good. Like the little French girl and the community of Raanana, our community in Mill Hill is our extended family. We are blessed to be brothers and sisters in our Judaism, friends within our shul and neighbours within our postcode. Mill Hill really DOES care.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Community

Helping Hands Dalia Reznik points you in the right direction at times of need

ere at Mill Hill Synagogue we are fortunate to have a diverse and vibrant community, full of simchas and celebrations. From births to bar/ batmitzvahs and aufrufs to special anniversaries, it seems there is always something to celebrate. However, along with all the simchas, life takes some unexpected turns. It’s important to know that Rabbi and Rebbetzin Schochet, together with the Mill Hill Care Committee, are on hand to help you through these challenges. It is comforting to know that help is out there and there is no need to go through difficult times alone. Bereavement and illness, divorce or redundancy at work can make a huge impact, not only on you but on your whole family, too. There are counsellors and mediators at hand to help you through turbulent times and one should always look for guidance and advice in the right places. Opposite are just a few Jewish caring services that you can contact in full confidence of total privacy.

The Mill Hill Care Committee has a 24-hour helpline answerphone on which you can leave a message and someone will get back to you. It is personally manned on Fridays 10am-12pm. T: 020 8933 3787

Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service counselling for adults and children who have experienced loss 020 8951 3881

JAMI - supports and represents people with all mental illnesses 020 8922 2222

Jewish Marriage Council counselling, advice and support for individuals, couples and families 020 8203 6311

Resource Employment Advice Centre - specialist advice to help unemployed people get back to work 020 8346 4000

Jewish Women’s Aid - support group helping women experiencing domestic violence and concerns for the children 0808 801 0500

Stillbirth Support Group 020 8343 5651

Paperweight Trust - free professional service with practical help for those alone and in crisis with bills, budgeting, welfare, insurance and benefits 020 8455 4996

Chana - supports and advises couples feeling isolated with the challenges of infertility – 020 8203 8455

Chai Cancer Care - expert and professional services for cancer patients, their families and friends 0808 808 4567

Jewish Helpline - free helpline for those struggling with life’s challenges such as alcoholism, anorexia, anxiety and stress related issues 0800 652 9249

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Mill Hill Decides

Mill Hill Shul played host to a Brexit debate. Daniel Howard reports

week is a long time in politics – so the saying goes. If that is so, then several weeks, not to mention months, is like a lifetime. Nowhere is that more evident than following the Brexit debate that took place at Mill Hill Synagogue on May 31, just weeks before the EU referendum. The highly anticipated debate between the Tories’ Michael Gove and Labour’s Lord Falconer was attended by an audience of 600. Even the early start of 6.30pm didn’t deter the many who were looking to navigate their way through all the information that was being put out there. The prestigious politicians sparred for an hour over the pros and cons of remaining within the EU. Michael Gove, the then Justice Minister, argued his case passionately, interspersing with humour and insisting that the government was scaremongering. He pleaded with the audience to vote in favour of Brexit for a better future. Lord Falconer, the then shadow Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, presented in a more relaxed manner. He countered

that any exit from the EU would have far-reaching ramifications well beyond the here and now. He urged the audience to think particularly about the next generation and vote to stay in. Rabbi Schochet, who moderated the ‘Question Time’ style event like a Dimbleby incarnate, asked both presenters how they felt Brexit might impact on the Jewish community. Michael Gove emphasised the increasing rise of the right in European governments and stated that Anglo-Jewry would therefore be safer if Britain was independent. Lord Falconer maintained that security could only ever be enhanced when working in liaison with other services and not independently of them. Rabbi Schochet diplomatically avoided asking for a vote before and after the event, but did request a show of hands for the undecided at the beginning. Approximately one hundred people raised their hands. A highlight of the evening was a question posed by ten-year-old Aitan Zeitel, who confidently challenged Michael Gove about the impact Brexit will have on the

economy and by extension the ability of youngsters like himself to find a job in the years ahead. Mr Gove, clearly impressed, assured the young Mill Hill member that he would certainly not have difficulty finding a job, and offered to hire him when he is older. Several months on, at the time of going to press, the Brexit vote has prevailed, a new government is in place, Michael Gove – the

Rabbi Schochet moderated the ‘Question Time’ style event like a Dimbleby incarnate leading campaigner for Brexit – has been ousted, Lord Falconer has resigned along with a number of other Labour MPs in a show of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn, and it’s anyone’s guess what the future holds. A week really is a long time in politics.

Thanks to Lord Levy and to Sharon Geffen for arranging the event speakers.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Community

A Day of Revelation

Community Director Royi Gutkin reports on the unveiling of two important features at Mill Hill Shul

n On 7 February Mill Hill Synagogue welcomed members and special guests including Mark Shooter, the Mayor of Barnet, who oversaw the dedication of a beautiful new art feature at the front entrance of the synagogue and the installation of a new Keilim Mikveh, intended for use by both the local and wider community. Both these developments further enhance the new Ner Orre community centre in Mill Hill, reflecting the continued growth and activity within the community. From vibrant youth clubs to the largest JACS, the Community Centre has become a hub of activity right across the age range of the community and beyond.

The Lewis family generously donated the Keilim Mikveh, which is open for use by members at any time and can be accessed in the evenings or early mornings, even when the office is closed. Many have already taken advantage of this new feature and have immersed plates, crockery and other kitchenware since its completion shortly after Rosh Hashanah last year. The Needleman family generously donated the beautiful artwork, which has become a symbol of community and hope. Made up of 162 crystal doves, it forms the Hebrew word ‘Chai’, meaning life. It faces the entrance of the synagogue and can be seen by all those who pass our building. Glass sculptor Jason Blair, who created the artwork said: “When I was approached to make a

bespoke commission for the shul, I was excited to be given the chance to give something back to the community that my family and I have been a part of for so long.” Jason Greenspan, then chairman of the shul said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to our donors – the Lewis and Needleman families – who have supported these projects. Their generosity will help to further enhance Jewish life in Mill Hill, which is now one of the largest and fastest growing of the United Synagogue communities.” Rabbi Schochet said: “What with two schools, an eruv, and now the Keilim Mikveh, we strive to ensure that we cater for the broad spectrum of our ever growing and vibrant community in Mill Hill.”

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Community

ShabbatUK by Numbers 125 for NW7 Kids Challah Bake 150 for Challah Bake at Etz Chaim 500 at Friday night Shabbat dinner 450 at MMK for Shabbat Lunch 100 for kiddush at the Schochets and the Langs Afternoon talks and 200 for Seudah 250+ for Havdalah

The best thing about Shabbat UK is that we get to organise yet another one this year! Please diarise Friday 11th and Saturday 12th November 2016! It's going to be even better. Volunteers welcome – please contact Royi in the shul office. 60

Shabbat UK

Dalia Reznik reflects on a successful event

o-one rocks Shabbat UK better than Mill Hill. There was high octane energy throughout, and the pervading chant: “Mill Hill, Mill Hill, Shabbat UK!” Oh what a weekend! If you were there, you will know what an impact it made on your family and friends. There was a unique community bond, starting off with a brilliant sing-along community video. This was put together by assistant Rabbi James Proops and youth leader Luis Hershaft. Hundreds of kilos of dough were made at Etz Chaim school and during NW7 Kids events. Through the night of the Great Challah Bake, women of our community plaited and baked challahs for Shabbat communal meals. The Friday night Shabbat dinner

for 500 was a sellout. Every corner of the building was in full use, and the atmosphere was electric. It was a really memorable evening. On Shabbat we were spoilt for choice with four Kiddushim in the area. Mathilda Marks Kennedy school hosted services and a banquet luncheon, which was oversubscribed. There was not too much time for a schloof as we went back to the Shul for Torah Talks and more food of course! Mincha followed by a quick Seudah, into Maariv then Havdalah. The highlight at the end of such a wonderful day was to witness a bonfire-themed event in the hall with marshmallows toasting, to the sounds of beautiful singing and the feeling of spiritual uplift. Music by Yuval Havkin was the perfect way to say goodbye to Shabbat and welcome a new week.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

The Battle of the Synagogues Ben Nathan reports on the inter-shul football season

or the past eight years, a group of men aged 35 and over have gathered on the light summer nights between May and August to represent Mill Hill Shul at football in the Battle of the Synagogues. As the official football season comes to an end, the inter-shul rivalry commences! The scheme was initially set up and run by Simon Zeital, but I took over this year. A Mill Hill XI made up of shul members plays friendly matches against other shul teams, where each individual game is affectionately referred to as the ‘Kiddush Cup’. Simon’s original vision was

that dads who attended shul or brought their kids to children’s services could gain something extra from the community. He thought that friendly football matches against other shuls was a great way of doing this. It is all-inclusive, with no-one being turned away. It has been a great success over the years and more than 100 members have represented Mill Hill shul. We thank Simon for the groundwork he put in to setting this up and I hope it is something that continues for many years. This summer we played Norrice Lea, Brondesbury Park, Kinloss, Elstree & Borehamwood, Edgware United, Woodside Park

and Pinner. Whilst results have been mixed, the general idea of connecting members away from the shul building has been a success. The pace of the games may not be what they were 10 or 15 years ago, but the passion and determination of the players has not wavered! Each match has been hotly contested and winning or losing has come down to the finest of margins. The aim is to continue these matches for many years, with games starting up again at the end of May 2017. We are always interested in recruiting new players, so if you fancy a being part of our team please email me. ben.nathan@sofineproperties.com

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Youth

The Young Ones

abbi and Rebbetzin Proops joined the shul shortly after Pesach last year and immediately set about working to continue and expand the youth programme. They have worked together with our youth workers to make it a great year for Mill Hill Youth. Summer saw a farewell for those off to pastures new as well as a kiddush to thank Aaron Wunsch, our youth worker for the previous two years, for his phenomenal efforts. With Aaron at the helm, we saw a regularly packed youth service as well as Movies and Munch, Learn to Lead and other social youth activities. Building on this success, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Proops set about getting to know the youth and bring fresh ideas to the programme. With Aaron leaving, two new youth directors were recruited and as the summer ended we welcomed Luis Herszaft and Esther Stern to Mill Hill. As soon as the holidays were over, the Yomim Norayim were upon us. Youth services were packed out with more than 150 attending on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Fabulous breakout sessions on Yom Kippur kept everyone’s mind off the food until the kiddush at the end of the fast, which was demolished speedily. Over Succot, the youth had breakfast in the shul succah with the Chief Rabbi, Pizza in the Hut and there was a service and kiddush in Rabbi Schochet’s succah. This year has seen the start of Sababa Sunday, a youth club for school years 5-8. Not done in Mill Hill before, we are regularly seeing 40+ children coming together for a social,

Anna Petrook reports on the fantastic range of events and activities for the youth at Mill Hill Shul pizza and tuck, Wii competitions and activities such as sushi making, karaoke and jewellery making. Other initiatives include a regular Friday night Oneg, Mill Hill Girls – activities and discussions for the girls only, run by Rebbetzin Proops and our youth worker Esther – and for the first time in our memories, a Youth weekend away. Thirty youth trekked to far-flung Bushey (!) for a weekend away with activities and food galore (and very little sleep). Back on home shores, MCafe meets every Thursday evening for year 9+ who have takeaway dinner and movie-based discussions on Jewish ethics. The Shabbat morning youth programme has altered. We now have a cycle of full youth service with girls’ discussion, Cocoa Club discussion and Dare 2 Daven, where experienced boys tutor the lessexperienced in leading services while girls pair up to learn and discuss the deep meaning and significance of tefillot, which has proved popular and successful. The current Year 6 were due to move up to the youth service as CRP began in May. However, many have commented that this was too big a jump and a new intermediate service has been established to help with that transition. The youth have embarked on a series of chesed programmes. This kicked off with a pre-Purim trip to GIFT to pack mishloach manot. The forthcoming year will, I hope, see the current youth programme of regular activities continue, with an emphasis on engaging the girls, to cater for as wide a range of interests as possible.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Youth Chatanim Each year four members of Mill Hill Youth are chosen to be honoured on Simchat Torah – two boys and two girls. It always proves a difficult decision to make, as the Youth Service, together with all our programming and events, can only be successful with the continued attendance, support and volunteering offered by the amazing youth of our community. When choosing the four honourees we look at involvement over the past few years, willingness to take on responsibility, active participation in the Youth Service and being a role model for the younger year groups. It is with great pleasure that this year we have chosen to honour Sam Pins, Roni Ornadel, Rachel Cooklin and Talia Simmons, who are each, in their own unique way, vital components of Mill Hill Youth and we can’t wait to celebrate with them! Mazel Tov!

YOUTH CHATAN BEREISHIT

YOUTH CHATAN TORAH

AGE: 16

NAME: Sam Pins

NAME: Roni Ornadel

SCHOOL: JFS WE THINK: Sam is dedicated to all things Mill Hill. He is a great asset to the Youth Service and a key figure in MHY.

SCHOOL: Brampton College WE THINK: A role model at BA, an active participant in the Youth Service and a regular at all events, Roni plays an integral role in MHY.

SAM SAYS: “Being in Mill Hill Youth has allowed me to make lifelong friends and has helped me to connect with Judaism.”

RONI SAYS: “I really like that the Mill Hill Youth community involves everyone and makes sure that everyone feels welcome.”

YOUTH EISHET CHAYIL

AGE: 17

AGE: 16

SCHOOL: Yavneh College

SCHOOL: JFS

WE THINK: Since coming in to MHY relatively recently, Rachel has got involved in everything we do. She is always positive and she is a great role model.

WE THINK: Talia is one of those personalities synonymous with MHY, always the first to volunteer to help and playing an active part in all areas of youth activity.

RACHEL SAYS: “Mill Hill Youth creates a strong connection to Judaism through a fantastic range of fun events and by everyone being so friendly and inclusive.”

TALIA SAYS: “My favourite thing about being part of Mill Hill Shul is the fact that everyone thinks about others first and they are all so eager to help each other.”

NAME: Rachel Cooklin

NAME: Talia Simmons

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Youth

Bnei Akiva

Rafi Cohen enthuses about an action-packed year at BA

his year has been hugely successful for everyone involved with Mill Hill Bnei Akiva. Kicking off with the ‘Sukkah Crawl’ in September with more than 40 chanichim from Year 2 to Year 10, we have carried on during the year running every week and with plenty of special events throughout. Our first big event was helping out at Mill Hill Shul over Shabbat UK in October. The madrichim prepared new and exciting games, which were thoroughly enjoyed by all, and we finished with a ‘ruach’ (spirit) filled seuda where we sang the traditional tunes with which Bnei Akiva bids farewell to Shabbat. Throughout the winter months we enjoyed being able to say Havdala with the chanichim. Getting everyone singing together really ended Shabbat and started the new week on an upbeat note. At our movie night in November we packed out the Annie and Samuel Levy Hall with 97 chanichim who all stayed after Shabbat to enjoy a showing of ‘The Incredibles’, accompanied by pizza and popcorn.

for Israel. In addition to this, the older groups have been learning and practicing what it takes to be a madrich, in anticipation of the next few years when they will rise up to fill this role. The highlight of our year was undoubtedly the Shabbat Ha’Irgun in March. A fantastic community Family Friday Night saw parents getting involved in all the fun and games, and loving it! The Shabbat day included services, lunch and a seuda and a surprise evening activity saw years 7-10 visiting Megajump in Borehamwood for an unforgettable night. There are so many people who need to be thanked for helping this year to be such a big success: Lisa, Gerry, Charles and Royi in the shul office; Rabbi & Sarah Proops plus Luis and Esther for all the help we have had from the Mill Hill Youth; Ann Marie and Dan for helping us to set up each week and for putting up with our mess! Thanks also to Jason and Lucy for the continuous support of the shul itself. We are truly lucky to have such an amazing community, from the Board to the parents to the chanichim, who are always so willing and eager to

give help, support and advice. Of course none of this would have been possible without the unbelievable Tzevet who I had the privilege of working with – each one committed and passionate from beginning to end. Thank you to the madrichim of Hachana (Years 2, 3 and 4) Sam, Roni, Laurie and Talia, for enthusing our youngest chanichim and starting off their Bnei Akiva journey; to the madrichim of Nitzanim (Years 5 and 6) Ilana, Jamie and Gideon, for continuing that journey and adding enthusiasm and passion; to the madrichim of Ma’apilim (Years 7 and 8) Dalia, Rachel and Jake, for helping the chanichim understand the contributions that they too will make, and to my Sganim and madrichim of Haroeh and Shevet Morasha (Years 9 and 10) Jason, Nathan and Dror, for helping me with everything right from the start, and for helping to raise the next generation of madrichim. I couldn’t have done it without all of you! I look forward to seeing the many successes of Mill Hill Bnei Akiva in years to come! B’Virkat Shalom l’Torah v’Avodah!!

It’s not just at the special events that we had tremendous success. Every week without fail the madrichim prepared educational and enjoyable activities to share the passion that Bnei Akiva has for its core principles: a strong commitment to Torah, an understanding of the responsibilities of a Jewish person in the Jewish, national and global worlds, and a never-ending love

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Student Support

Sophie Dunoff, COO at University Jewish Chaplaincy, explains how this service supports Jewish students on campus

housands of our students have started university, excited about the chance to expand their minds through academic study and, equally importantly, to develop as young people. University is more than a lifestyle change; it is an opportunity to become an independent, informed member of society. That is why our core aim is to positively mould healthy and balanced young men and women, who are proud members of the Jewish and wider community. As a national charitable organisation, we place Chaplains (male and female rabbinical couples) in 12 regions around the UK in order that every Jewish student has access to a Chaplain. Chaplains have met students at dozens of freshers’ fairs and invited them to their houses for social events and meals, so that students can enjoy a ‘home away from home’ and make new friends.

Most importantly, students know that their Chaplains are there to support them as a friend and a resource, living among students in houses in major cities. This includes supporting students on personal matters, whether these be drugs, relationship issues, panic over exams, or a bereavement. Students are encouraged to pick up the phone and talk the issue through with their Chaplain. Caring, nonjudgmental and with personal training in handling, among other things, mental health and drugs issues, they will listen,

guide students and support them through a stressful time.

Our Chaplains are the official Jewish representatives on campus, sitting on the multi-faith teams at more than 100 universities. This means that they can represent students who need support in navigating bureaucracy due to lecture clashes with Shabbat or exam timetabling that conflicts with festivals. They can also contact the accommodation office over a matter relating to a student’s Jewish observance or cultural needs. As well as representing students individually, Chaplains articulate the concerns of all Jewish students to university governance, including antisemitism and growing anti-Israel rhetoric. During the past nine months, Jewish students on campuses around the UK have faced many incidents of antisemitism. Our Chaplains have responded by supporting affected students while communicating the severity of the situation to university authorities at the highest levels. They have clearly expressed their expectations of robust action against those responsible. Prominent examples include King’s College London, Oxford University and campuses in Scotland.

The bottom line is that though students come and go, Chaplaincy ensures that the infrastructure is in place year after year, providing consistency and stability in the ever-changing university environment. Above all, Chaplains create a warm and open-minded environment

in which Jewish students of all denominations can comfortably live an inspired Jewish life while away from home.

Whether providing over 7,000 home meals a year or reaching out to 3,000 students annually, we rely on the generosity of the community. Please help us to be able to support all our students by donating at www.mychaplaincy. co.uk/donate. Wishing you and all of our students on campus a happy and sweet New Year. “The chaplaincy system was great during my first year at Bristol University. Our chaplains Laurie and Avi attended all the JSoc Friday night dinners and made them so much fun. As well as this they welcomed us into their home for Shabbat lunches, weekly homemade dinners and sometimes they even hosted a Friday night. I found it comforting to have such young, approachable chaplains who showed such interest in me and what was happening in my life. They really took the time to get to know us all personally became an important part of our Jewish community away from home.”

Mill Hill Shul member Georgia Walters

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Our Shul: The Executive “We really enjoyed our meeting in your hall. It is bright and feels friendly – a pleasure to be there. Many people commented on how nice it was.” Gill Simon,

Chair, Mill Hill U3A

“Thank you to all the staff at Mill Hill – we had a fabulous evening and the room was perfect.” Joy Foux

ill Hill’s Ner Orre centre has now been open for nearly four years and has become the hub of the community. During the week it is used for after school clubs, groups such as JACs and Munchkins, Little Bicks nursery school, ballet classes, Brownies, adult education classes and many more communal groups and activities. The cheder and the children’s services take the space over the weekend and at various times the kitchens are used for baking challah and cooking for the homeless. The doors are regularly opened to charity groups for their fundraising events. The Annie and Samuel Levy Hall has played host to many a private event. It can seat up to 260, or 185 with a dance floor. There is space for a further 72 in the gallery – ideal for the kids at a Bar/Batmitzvah allowing more space downstairs for adults or a

Centrepoint

The Ner Orre centre is the heart of the Mill Hill community. Gerry Shaer reports

larger dance floor. For stand up, 350 is comfortable. Because of the shape of the room, it is incredibly versatile and even a seated dinner for as few as 50 can work well without people feeling they are in an oversized room. The Adiel Krieger Hall downstairs can seat 150. Those booking for a motzei Shabbat event (at the appropriate time of year when it can work) can take the hall on the Friday morning and the caterer and other suppliers can come in and set up. The room is locked during Shabbat and then after Shabbat goes out they can come in and finish off and the party can start much more smoothly than in other venues that don’t offer this facility. As well as private events, the Annie and Samuel Levy Hall is also used for communal celebrations for everything from a Purim Seudah and the ShabbatUK dinner to a concert and dancing for Yom Ha’Atzmaut. The hall is state of the art, modern

but not soulless, light and airy. Because of the neutral design it looks different each time it is set. The air conditioning and heating system means that it is always a comfortable temperature. The whole floor is a fully sprung dance floor, which allows for total flexibility in room layout! There is a range of table sizes and the chairs are exceptionally comfortable. Of course there are two all-important chairs with arms that allow the host and hostess as well as the Bar/ Batmitzvah to be lifted safely during the dancing! The Facilities Manager, Lorraine Kasler, is on hand to support all functions, and there is always a member of the shul’s premises team on site when there is an event taking place. Any caterer with a London Beth Din licence is welcome – check the KLBD website for an up-to-date list. Please contact Gerry in the shul office if you would like to hire the Annie and Samuel Levy Hall.

E: gerry@millhillsynagogue.co.uk T: 020 8959 1137

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Top Tips for Planning a Simcha

Do you have a Simcha coming up in the next couple of years? Are you wondering where to begin? Shul member and event planner Michelle Jacobs has some helpful tips to start you on your way • Start with your guest list. Don’t just estimate the number – write down the names of all of those who will definitely be invited, and a second list of those you would like to attend if space and budget permit. Add a contingency of 20% to the total number (yes, really – you will have forgotten people and in the intervening period between today and the date itself you will meet new people who you would love to include). • How much are you prepared to spend? Decide on your budget – and then work out if you can afford to go 20% above this… because you will! • Look for a venue that will comfortably accommodate your guest numbers, plus a caterer and entertainment to fit your budget. Other key suppliers include a florist and photographer. • Don’t underestimate the importance of good entertainment – and stretch your budget to the maximum on this element of the spend. Giving your guests a great time will make it one of those memorable, stand-out events.

• Make your event personal. Don’t just copy what others before you have done, but add in bespoke touches that reflect you and your family. • Plan everything with meticulous attention to detail and ensure that your suppliers all operate on this basis. • If you don’t have a clue where to start and the entire process feels overwhelming, or even if you just feel that you would like some help, an event planner is invaluable. You get access to their entire database of venues and suppliers, and their knowledge base and advice will be worth its weight in gold. An event planner will take away all the stress, leaving you free to enjoy the planning, the build up and the day itself. And you can be reassured that nothing will be forgotten or overlooked. The fee for a full event planning service is typically around 10% of your event budget. This might sound a lot, but an event planner will assist with maximising what you get for your spend, getting you great deals with suppliers they use regularly, so ultimately the service pays for itself!

For further advice and a free initial consultation, contact Michelle Jacobs at Ritzy Events on 07734 976459 or at michelle@ ritzy-events.co.uk www.ritzy-events.co.uk

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Events

Mill Hill Synagogue Photo Gallery Tami Avis & Daniel Kristall

Rudy Loeb & Yael Orkan

Sally Anysz & Steven Wayne

Dovie Schochet & Jessica Schindler

Zachary Setty

Mati Pins

Daniel Battat

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Jacob Stanton

Matan Harris

Oliver Hart

Matthew Fisher

Jake Caplan

Jake Frank

Jacob Baum

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Events

Joseph Sweiry

Dylan Richards

Ben Goren

Arielle Collis

Oliver Grant

Emily Shulman

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Amelia Markham

Sophie Shaw

Olivia Pacifico

Katie Bloom

Ella Caro

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Events

Mazel Tov to... Births

Jacqueline Belsman on the marriage of her grandchild

Gemma & Robert Musgrave on the birth of a daughter, Noa

Aya & Robert Speker on the birth of a daughter; grandparents Vered Liana and Faga & Barry Speker

Louise & David Frost on the birth of a grandson

Joanna & Benjamin Fraser on the birth of a son, Harry

Leonie Lax on the birth of a grandson

Susannah & Antony Kintish on the birth of a son

Amanda & Paul Yudt on the birth of a grandson

Claire & Ryan Lee on the birth of a daughter, Ella Harri

Lucy & David Ross on the birth of a son, Benjamin Beverley & Nicholas Crowne on the birth of a granddaughter Stephanie & Andrew Whiteman on the birth of a granddaughter Emma & Jonathan Levy on the birth of a son; grandparents Gail & Richard Roston and great grandparents Beryl & Derek Roston Naomi & Josh Kander on the birth of a son, Thomas Cynthia Lyons on the birth of a granddaughter Laura & Benjamin Bresler on the birth of a daughter, Cara Lucy & Oliver Jackson on the birth of a daughter, Annie Nicole & Stuart Grant on the birth of a son, Vincent Anne Fisher on the birth of a grandson Vivienne & Alan Broch on the birth of a grandson; Sally Broch on a great grandson Heather & Charles Daniels on the birth of a daughter, Elisheva; grandparents Patricia & Richard Daniels Melanie & Joel Stodel on the birth of a daughter, Bella Poppy; grandparents Ann & Jeremy Stodel and Lynne & Ian Wolfson

Michal & Brandon Coppell on the birth of a daughter, Tammy Stephanie & Daniel Laming on the birth of a daughter, Arielle Maya Simone & Adam Colp on the birth of a son, Nathan Emma & Jamie Bernstein on the birth of a son, Rocco; grandparents Abi & Ashley Bernstein Joanna & David Mitchell on the birth of a daughter, Arielle Maya Tracy & Paul Goldman on the birth of a daughter, Leah Charlotte & Lee Somerston on the birth of a son, Sam Hayley & James Scott on the birth of a son, Joshua Sophie & Marc Bergen on the birth of a daughter, Mia Denise & Geoffrey Walters on the birth of a grandson

Jo & Rick Osdin on the birth of a daughter, Mila Stephanie Daniella & Alexis Baron on the birth of a son, Roni Laura and Greg Krieger on the birth of a daughter; grandparents Geraldine & John Krieger and great-grandmother Cecelia Felber

Celebrations Rabbi Dovie Schochet on receiving his Semicha Brenda & Russell Smith on their Golden Wedding Stephanie & Andrew Whiteman on their special anniversary Brian Redbart on his 80th birthday Esther Collins on her 100th birthday Anne Kaye on her 100th birthday

Abbie & Jonathan Setty on the birth of a daughter, Yasmin

Marina & Stanley Appel on their Diamond Wedding

Janet & Moosa Zaroovabeli on the birth of a grandson

Louisa & Simon Walters on their forthcoming Silver Wedding

Natalie & Geoffrey Scodie on the birth of a son, Sam

Jo & Mark Hollis on their forthcoming Silver Wedding

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Engagements Alexandra & Richard Martyn on the engagement of their daughter Dr Victoria Martyn to Dr Ian Arad Jordana Harris & Dom Lerner on their engagement Julie Givert & Julian and Nicole Posner, on the engagement of Georgia Posner to Sam Rosenthal Suzanne & Lawrence Baker on their daughter Georgia’s engagement to Ben Kaye Marilyn & Martin Azizollahoff on their daughter Dalia’s engagement to Arie Hysler Jessica & Robert Webber on their daughter Nicola’s engagement to Dylan Yudaken

Stephanie & David Isaacs on their son Sam's engagement to Hannah Rustin

Weddings Rabbi & Rebbetzin Schochet on the marriage of their son Dovie to Jessica Schindler Naomi & Gershon Cohen on the marriage of their son Jack to Rivka Freund Saskia Feltz & Mark Joss on their wedding Dina Ingram & Jonny Davis on their wedding Jordana Jackson & Joshua Lewis on their wedding Jessica Jacobs & Ben Lampert on their wedding Carly Szasz & Ashley Sweetland on their wedding

Hilary & Roger Cohen on their son Josh’s marriage to Eve Minsky; grandparents Hetty Cohen and Gertrude & Martin Compton Natasha Kalmanson & Jason Roston on their wedding Yael Orkan & Rudy Loeb on their wedding Charlotte Fisher & Jonny Sitton on their wedding Sally Anysz & Steven Wayne on their wedding Abigail Sharland & Daniel Roston on their wedding Katherine Winston & Matthew Jacobs on their wedding Tami Avis and Daniel Kristall on their wedding Dennis & Eileen Veinguard on the marriage of their daughter Tanya to Mark Rabin

Are you planning a Wedding, Bar or Batmitzvah or any other Simcha? For a bespoke and personal event planning service contact: Michelle Jacobs michelle@ritzy-events.co.uk Mob: 07734 976459 www.ritzy-events.co.uk

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Events

Are You Having a Laugh?

Earlier this year comedian Ashley Blaker visited Mill Hill Shul for one night only as part of his Ungefiltered tour. The Annie and Samuel Levy Hall was full to bursting with laughter and good humour. Here Ashley reflects on the tour and what he learned

o my Ungefiltered tour is pretty much at an end and, as I approach the final show at JW3, I can’t help but look back and wonder what I’ve discovered about Jewish Britain. After all, in the past few months I’ve visited 40 different communities and performed in front of well over 5,000 people so I reckon I’ve seen a pretty good cross-section of Anglo-Jewry. Only the Chief Rabbi will have been to more shuls in this time, although he didn’t have to worry about getting heckled. Or at least I hope not.

SO WHAT HAVE I LEARNED? 1. We are a people obsessed with security. Perhaps this reflects the world we live in but I had to wonder if we’ve gone too far when I turned up at Mill Hill Synagogue for a sound test and overheard a CST unit leader briefing his 10-man team as thought it were the start of a covert military operation. ‘Ask them why they bought tickets. If they can’t reply, take them down!’ I feared for my audience. In Sheffield they went even further and wouldn’t let me in the building

until they’d searched through my bags. ‘Look, just because you’re wearing a kuple and tzitzis doesn’t mean anything,’ the man on the door said. ‘Fair enough,’ I replied, ‘but look at that poster behind you. That’s me!’ To which he shot straight back. ‘It’s amazing the lengths that some people will go to’. I thought ‘Wow, that would be some terrorist: not only is he walking around with a beard and payos, he’s organised a 40-date tour of the UK’s synagogues and persuaded the JC to sponsor him doing it!’ 2. There is nothing we love more

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE than spotting other Jews. I have a routine about an old lady we met on holiday who told us that when we she met someone and wasn’t sure if they were Jewish, she would shout out the Yiddish word ‘Undzerer’ (one of us) and see what the other person did. But this was positively subtle compared with a woman at my Radlett show who started heckling to share her trick. ‘I just go up to them and say ‘Are you?’’ I love this and thought about using it myself, but then it struck me that I work in the media and if went around enquiring ‘are you?’ people may get the wrong idea about me. 3. We are capable of laughing at ourselves and do it better than any other people on the planet. These are clearly troubling times in Jewish Britain and critics appear to be coming out the woodwork on an almost hourly basis. In fact,

if you haven’t tweeted or posted something antisemitic on Facebook then I’m not sure the Labour Party is really the place for you. But when we get together we can forget it all and laugh, and not just at our critics but at ourselves. My show covers all sides of Judaism and I pride myself that there’s something in it to offend absolutely everyone. But I am also immensely proud to have performed a tour that has attracted the most incredible cross-section of Jews from Stamford Hill chasidim to the completely unaffiliated. I did one show in an orthodox synagogue for which a Reform synagogue made a block booking of 44 tickets. Even more incredibly, I performed a show in Newcastle at which there were members of the ultra-orthodox Gateshead community sitting in the same row as the female rabbi of Darlington Reform. It just goes to show the power of humour because

I can’t think of any other time such varied strands of Anglo-Jewry have come together. 4. More than anything, at the risk of sounding overly sentimental, I have discovered what amazing communities we have in this country. Living in Edgware, it’s all too easy to think Jewish life is moribund outside of North London and North Manchester. However I challenge anyone to visit Brighton, Hull, Sheffield, Reading and many other places I could mention and not be moved by the wonderful, friendly people who are clearly so committed to their synagogues and have such a strong connection to Judaism. North, South, East, West; black velvet kuple, knitted kuple, no kuple. There can’t be a more diverse but cohesive community in the country and I feel privileged to have entertained them. Reprinted with kind permission of the JC

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Lifestyle

The Feel-Good Factor

Wellness coach Jo Martin can bring out the best in you

’ve been working as a Herbalife wellness coach, Zumba & fitness instructor and kids’ Zumba party entertainer in the community for the past two years, and I love it! There is nothing more satisfying than adding value to people’s lives, inspiring them every day to be the best version of themselves. Whether somebody wants to have more energy, feel healthier, reduce body fat or get more toned, I help them towards their goals through 80% nutrition and 20% exercise. You don’t need to spend hours in the gym if your nutrition is on point – unless, of course, you are training for a specific event. Every day, I go out into the community and chat with people about their daily energy levels. Most of the people I talk to are exhausted, tired and sluggish – and much of that is down to what they have (or don’t have) for breakfast. It’s important to eat lean protein every two to three hours throughout the day to control blood sugar and stop any sugar cravings and exhaustion. People need around 20g lean protein in their breakfast, or it’s likely that they will experience the ‘crash’ and have cravings later in the day. I have a wellness centre in Mill Hill, and I offer everyone free wellness evaluations. It’s here that they can find out their body composition – body fat, visceral (abdominal) fat, metabolic age, muscle mass, bone health, hydration, physique rating,

weight and metabolic rate. We chat about their current diet, lifestyle and goals. Body composition is more important than weight. I find that many people are only worried about their weight – especially the yo-yo dieters – but weight alone is not an accurate indication of somebody’s health. Our weight is made up of four things: fat, muscle, bone and water. When somebody loses weight, it’s likely they will be losing lean muscle mass if they haven’t had regular lean protein through the day and are cutting their calories. So their weight loss is in muscle, not body fat. If somebody is ill in bed for a day, they would likely have lost weight – but their weight loss would be in hydration due to lack of water, not body fat. So you can see why body composition is so important. I recommend my clients to eat plenty of chicken, eggs, lean meat, lentils, nuts and fresh fruit. But most of the time, it’s the breakfast that lets them down. Herbalife Nutrition is a boost to the diet, and I offer them a six-day healthy breakfast trial. This makes a huge amount of difference to how they feel, and they can get results simply by changing their breakfast. It’s all about eating a clean diet and being able to cut out the refined sugars, junk food and high GI carbs – and that’s exactly what I help people do. I also run community-based fitness classes. Zumba kicks off

every Monday at 9.30am in the Annie and Samuel Levy Hall in the Ner Orre Centre at Mill Hill Shul. The ethos of my class is fun, funky and feel-good. Zumba is all about absorbing yourself in the music and switching off for an hour. It doesn’t matter if you can’t follow the dance moves exactly, as long as you are moving, raising your heart rate and having fun. Donna Caro from Edgware enjoys the workout. ‘Jo is a fab instructor, full of fun and energy. It’s a fantastic, feel-good class you can take at your own pace. I love it.’ Zumba is so much fun, I decided a couple of years ago to also offer kids’ Zumba dance parties for children ranging between five and 12. We do dance routines to the birthday child’s favourite tracks, together with disco games. Zumba parties are not just for girls! Boys love them too, and I adapt each party to suit the ages of the children and the birthday child’s favourite songs. There’s nothing better than working out in the great outdoors. I run a muscle toning class called Cobra-HIIT in Sunnyhill Park in Hendon on Wednesdays at 9.30am. This works all the muscles in the body using Cobra bags, which are tyres filled with sand. They range from light (4kg) to heavy (8kg) and are for all levels of fitness.

T: 07903 503273 E: johealthyvibe@gmail.com W: www.healthyvibe.co.uk

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Oakdale Pharmacy Baby care Flu vaccinations Mobility aids Perfumes Pregnancy testing Prescription service Smoking Cessation Prescription Collection Simone & Herman Benjamin & family wish the Mill Hill community a very Happy and Healthy New Year 15 Viceroy Parade East Finchley London N2 8AQ Tel: 020 8444 7701

Mon-Fri 9-6.30pm Sat 9-5.30pm Delivery service

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Lifestyle

Get your Wardrobe into Shape Wardrobe editor and personal shopper Jude Lobb offers her style tips to help you be the best dressed you can

very time I visit a wardrobe, and at every style event I do, I’m asked the same question:“What suits me?” And then off we go, delving into that wardrobe, hunting down the pieces that work, the pieces that don’t and looking for those crucial gaps which need filling with a shopping trip. No two people are the same, however there is a general principle to consider when standing in front of that dreaded dressing room mirror. (First piece of advice: try it on at home; dressing room mirrors are notoriously unreliable). The bottom line (‘scuse the pun) is get to know your body shape. It really is as simple as that because once you’ve discovered what works and what to avoid, you can stop wasting your time and money on pieces that just aren’t right. These ‘wardrobe wasters’ end up either languishing at the back of your closet or – worse – you wear them out of sheer desperation but you

feel dowdy, rather than your best self, which of course is how we should feel all the time, agreed? This is particularly relevant for ladies over the Yom Tov season. Looking good in a dress or skirt is totally dependent on getting the right cut for your body shape. A good place to start is to know where to shop for dresses and skirts. At the budget end of the high street, I recommend M&S for classic pencil skirts and fitted dresses. Price-conscious shoppers can of course get lucky in Topshop, H&M and similar stores, but these pieces are likely to be fashion-led rather than classic looks. At the mid-price point, I am a J Crew junkie, besotted with their ‘classic with a twist’ signature style. Reiss offers a good range of smart skirts and dresses every season, and Whistles works well for those wanting a minimalist luxe look. Hobbs is also a fabulous, reliable option for ladies 50-plus. At the top end of the high street are the beautiful French labels Tara

Jarmon, Claudie Pierlot and Maje. These brands are on trend but their pieces still retain a timeless appeal. A word of caution – they run small so don’t be depressed if you need to ‘go large’ when shopping in these stores! For more curvaceous shoppers, it’s worth taking a look at ASOS Curve as they offer a range of fashionable options. As for stylish, smart cover ups – blazers rather than cardigans, ladies! Opposite is your ‘cut out and keep’ guide to choosing skirts and dresses to suit your body. Note: most of us fit more or less into these categories – but of course they are just guides.

Jude Lobb runs whatwearwhen, a wardrobe editing, styling and personal shopping service and jointly runs The Style Studio, which offers top-to-toe styling workshops. T: 07811 282278 E: jude@whatwearwhen.biz

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE Apple – broad ribcage, bust

Hourglass – a balanced figure with a clearly defined waist.

Pear – slimmer top half, curvaceous hips and thighs.

GO FOR shift style dresses and show off your legs. Draw attention to your neckline and collarbone with statement necklaces and dresses that have detailing at the shoulders.

Form-fitting dresses, cut to the knee, or pencil skirts with tops tucked in, teamed with a delicate heeled court, WILL WORK PERFECTLY. Remember less is more – so choose statement shoes or a fabulous necklace to add interest.

OPT FOR fitted, belted dresses or tops tucked into full skirts. Fitand-flare style dresses are made for pears, and belts are your very best friend! Go for lighter colours on top and darker on the bottom half. All the drama should be focused on your top half.

and tummy; little bottom and slim legs.

Column – straight up and down, or athletic shapes. Avoid florals and ultra girly looks; instead GO FOR simple, minimalist styles in block colours, such as a plain round neck top tucked into a fluid, long, pleated skirt. Form-fitted dresses are great for gym bunnies but avoid sleeves

which cut into the middle of the arm, as these can look masculine. For petite or very slim women, tops and skirts work beautifully – though bear in mind they may need to be altered to suit your delicate proportions

Strawberry – bigger bust,

slim waist and legs.

CHOOSE darker colours on top. Go for v-neck tops, or pieces that show off your collarbone. Avoid high necklines and batwing tops, and choose pencil skirts with fabulous shoes. Skirts and tops rather than dresses will work best for you.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Lifestyle

The Restaurant Club is a loyalty scheme that supports independent restaurants and cafes. It is supported by a Facebook group of the same name, which has more than 12,000 members. www.therestaurantclub.com

Eat, Drink and be Kosher! Louisa Walters, founder of The Restaurant Club, celebrates the burgeoning kosher restaurant scene in north west London

here was a time when no-one travelled to London for the food and even less so for the kosher food. But recent years have seen a deluge of fantastic restaurants opening

in the capital and this has filtered through to the kosher dining scene in north west London. It’s not all salt beef and latkes, either – from shwarma and schnitzel through bagels and burgers to Chinese and cholent, most dining options are now covered and in a

variety of settings, too. Sadly we are yet to get a kosher restaurant in Mill Hill, but we don’t have to travel far. Golders Green has the greatest proliferation, but Hendon, Edgware and Borehamwood have a healthy range of options too.

Here are my top five kosher eateries: 1. The Hummus Bar, Golders Green

Shoreditch meets Golders Green at this meat-lovers’ paradise that opened last year to great aplomb. Within days it was impossible to get a table as word spread, not only about the seven different hummus dishes to choose from, but also about the Sloppy Joe, a stunning collaboration of barbecued minced beef, caramelised onions and mushrooms in fresh ciabatta, the tasty schnitzels and the delicious aubergine tahini. The chocolate chip cookie sandwich might just be my favourite dessert ever! Owner Avi Cohen had a vision to give the kosher restaurant scene the kind of trendy pizzazz that makes so many non-kosher restaurants such a hit. He has certainly managed with the Hummus Bar. T: 020 3872 3777 W: Coming Soon

2. Burger Bar, Temple Fortune Exciting menu – check. Great service – check. Good atmosphere – check. Grafitti wall – check. Granted, a restaurant doesn’t need a graffiti wall to succeed, but the point is that this is such a cool place! You don’t have to be a burger lover to appreciate it, because there are lots of other options, such as salads, wraps, schnitzel, chicken wings and more. However, the burger is the star of the show – who can say no to a burger with truffle-infused mayo and a fried egg, or fries coated in sweet chilli sauce? Or, for that matter, chocolate brownies for dessert? This little unit next door to Bread in Temple Fortune is a great choice for lunch or supper with or without the kids. T: 020 8455 8080 W: burgerbaruk.com

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE 3. Mr Baker, Borehamwood The second outpost of the very popular Brent Street bakery, Mr Baker in Borehamwood is an all-singing, all-dancing, must-be-seen-to-be-believed café and bakery where you quite literally don’t know what to eat first. The shelves are groaning with mouthwatering bakery goods, and the menu stretches from pizza and sushi to egg dishes and salads. It’s large, spacious and full of atmosphere – a real all-day dining place that is open until 10 pm. The sushi ‘burgers’ and sushi ‘sandwiches’ are a real winner! T: 020 8953 5220 W: Coming Soon

4. Soyo, Golders Green Yotam Ottolenghi has a lot to answer for when it comes to the salad revolution here in the UK, and Or Golan, who trained under him, has taken a similar approach with Soyo. Lettuce, tomato and cucumber barely get a look-in, for here it’s all about artichokes, medjool dates, halloumi, lentils, cranberries, green tahini – you get the picture. You can also create your own salad from an exhaustive list of ingredients and eight different dressings. There are wonderfully inventive pastas, sandwiches, quiches and savoury crepes, plus breakfast and dessert options. T: 020 8458 8782 W: soyo.co.uk

5. Kai Feng, Hendon Jews and Chinese food go together like Wimbledon and tennis, and Kai Feng in NW4 is every bit as much an institution as that hallowed destination in SW19. Anyone who has crossed to the other side and dined in non-kosher Chinese restaurants will testify that Kai Feng is every bit as authentic, equally good and just as enjoyable an experience. Service, presentation and food quality are all first class and this is one of the only kosher restaurants that feels really ‘special’. The ideal place for a family celebration, it has been the venue of choice for many a simcha, and it’s easy to see why. Sweet and sour chicken, anyone?! T: 020 8203 7888 W: kaifeng.co.uk

For over 16 years, Saul Marine & Co has been providing exceptional legal services to the local residential and business community. We specialise in Civil Litigation, Residential and Business Property work, Dispute Resolution and Employment Law. We also deal with Wills, Powers of Attorney and Probate work. Saul Marine is also a qualified Civil and Commercial Mediator As a firm, Saul Marine & Co prides itself on its honesty, solid principles, respect for clients and upholding the rule of law. We are thorough in our approach, offer versatility of service and provide value for money. I, together with my team, sincerely look forward to welcoming you to Saul Marine & Co.

Saul Marine

Churchill House 120 Bunns Lane London NW7 2AS Tel: +44 20 8959 6090 +44 20 8959 3611 Email saul@saulmarine.com www.saulmarine.com

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Lifestyle

WITH BEST WISHES

Catering for all Events Under the supervision of the London Beth Din

info@celiaclyne.com www.celiaclyne.com Tel: 0207 111 1223

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Recipe Book

LISA ROUKIN is a cookery teacher and writer. She produces gluten-free recipes for Ocado and guest blogs for huffingtonpost.com. She has worked in some of London’s finest restaurants and has also worked with renowned caterer Tony Page. Lisa has produced her own cookery book, My Relationship with Food, which features mostly gluten-free recipes using minimal dairy and refined sugars. myrelationshipwithfood.com

DENISE PHILLIPS trained as a professional chef. She has written four recipe books and is a regular columnist for the Jewish News and the JC. She has appeared on TV and works with kosher brands developing food ideas and recipes. She also curates the highly successful Date on a Plate singles evenings and can lay claim to being the raison d’etre of several happily married couples! jewishcookery.com

SILVIA NACAMULLI is a London-based cook and well-recognised name on the international food and cooking circuit. She grew up in Rome, surrounded by her home country’s passion for food, and today specialises in a range of fields including private cookery lessons, cookery demonstrations around London, catering, and cookery courses in Italy where students can learn the secrets of real Italian food in a truly authentic setting. She is a regular contributor to the JC. cookingforthesoul.com

GEORGIE TARN & TRACEY FINE are the creators of The Jewish Princess brand. They are the authors of The Jewish Princess Cookbook, The Jewish Princess Feasts and Festivals and The Jewish Princess Guide to Fabulosity. Their fourth book is being published next year. They have appeared on UKTV Food, Market Kitchen and The UK Kitchen. This, together with regular radio interviews on REM, LBC and the BBC, they has gained them recognition as as the new ambassadors for kosher cooking. thejewishprincess.com

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Lifestyle

A stunning dish, which sits beautifully on a buffet table!

A quick and easy vegetarian dish that you can whip up super quick

LISA’S ROASTED AUBERGINE WITH MOZZARELLA

JP’S APPLE, HONEY & GOATS’ CHEESE TART

INGREDIENTS 3 large aubergines, cut into 1 inch slices  · 6 tbsp olive oil · Sea salt and cracked black pepper · Garlic granules

INGREDIENTS 1 sheet puff pastry (320g) · 2 tbsp marmalade (melted in saucepan or microwave) · 4 pink lady apples (peeled and thinly sliced) · 125 g goats’ cheese · 1 tbsp sesame seeds · 1 tbsp clear honey

Preparation time: 40 mins · Cooking time: 50 to 60 mins · Serves 4 – 6

Preparation time: 15 mins · Cooking time: 30 mins · Serves 6-8

GARNISH 500 g mozzarella, sliced ½ inch thick · 1/2 bag GARNISH Rocket leaves of rocket · 15 g pistachios · 30 g pomegranate seeds · Olive METHOD oil, drizzle · Balsamic pearls · Sea salt · Black pepper 1. Pre heat oven to 190°C METHOD 2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, gas mark 4, 180°C (160°C 3. Place the pastry sheet on top of the paper fan-assisted). Wash and pat dry the aubergines, then cut into 1 inch thick slices (keeping the skin on). Then place on 4. Lift and crimp the sides of the pastry to form an edge. 5. With a pastry brush, brush the bottom of the pastry with two pre-lined baking trays with a silicone baking mat or an even layer of marmalade. parchment paper. 6. Slice the apples thinly and arrange overlapping onto the 2. Brush both sides with the 4 tbsp olive oil. Season with pastry sheet. sea salt, black pepper and garlic granules on both sides. 7. Dot the goats’ cheese over the top. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes (turn over and baste with a little extra oil if it needs it) and 8. Drizzle with honey carry on cooking until tender and cooked.

3. Check often to make sure that they do not burn. If your aubergine still isn’t tender all the way through, bake for a further 5-10 minutes, then proceed with the rest of the recipe.

9. Bake for approximately 30 minutes.

10. Scatter with a handful of rocket leaves

4. Remove from the oven, drizzle with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, then leave to cool. 5. Rip the mozzarella apart and drain on kitchen towel to dry. On a larger platter place the roasted aubergines around the plate, alternating with mozzarella after a couple of slices of the aubergine. Sprinkle with seas salt & black pepper and balsamic pearls. 6. Garnish with rocket, pistachio and pomegranate seeds with a touch of olive oil and sea salt.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

A warming winter dish that is perfect with saffron basmati rice DENISE’S PERSIAN CHICKEN STEW WITH WALNUTS (KHORESH FESEENJAN)

Preparation time: 20 minutes · Cooking time: 50 minutes · Serves 6 INGREDIENTS 550 g walnuts · 4 tsp turmeric · 2 tsp cinnamon · ¼ tsp ground nutmeg · ¼ tsp ground black pepper · Salt · 2 large onions, peeled and sliced · 3 tbsp olive oil · 50 ml pomegranate molasses · 6 large boneless skinless chicken thighs and/or breasts, trimmed of excess fat, cut into medium size pieces, patted dry · 450 ml chicken stock GARNISH 100 g pomegranate seeds, sprigs of fresh mint · 3 tbsp roasted walnuts · 1 lemon – cut into segments METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 400°F/ Gas mark 6. 2. Toast the walnuts by roasting them in a single layer on a baking tray in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 3 tbsp for garnish. 3. Leave to cool briefly before grinding them in a food processor or blender. 4. Combine the turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and pepper in a bowl. 5. Dust the chicken pieces in the spices to coat evenly. 6. In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over mediumhigh heat. 7. Sauté the chicken pieces in the pan, working in batches if necessary to not crowd the pan, and cook until golden brown on all sides. 8. Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken from the pan, set aside. Add sliced onions to the pan and sauté until translucent. 9. Return the chicken pieces to the pan with the onions. Pour the chicken stock over the chicken and onions. 10. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook gently for 10 minutes. 11. Stir in the ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses. 12. Transfer to an ovenware dish and complete in the oven at 180C/ 350F/ Gas mark 4 for 25 minutes.

This simple, delicious recipe is ideal for Rosh Hashanah SILVIA’S LAMB CUTLETS WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES AND HONEY

Preparation time: 15 minutes + marinating time · Cooking time: 10 minutes · Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 30 g fresh mint, leaves and small stalks · 30 g parsley, leaves and small stalks · 1 chilli, deseeded · 2 garlic cloves · 4 tbsp pomegranate molasses · 100 ml oil · 1 tbsp honey · 1 tsp salt · 1 kg or 8 lamb cutlets GARNISH 100 g pomegranate seeds to decorate · 20 g chopped pistachio to decorate (optional) METHOD 1. Wash the fresh herbs. Blend the mint, parsley, chilli, garlic, pomegranate molasses, oil, honey and salt in a blender or food processor. 2. Put the lamb cutlets in a glass, ceramic or plastic dish (non-metal). Pour the marinade on top of the lamb cutlets, mix well, cover and marinate in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours or ideally overnight. Mix once or twice whilst marinating. 3. If they marinated overnight then remove the cutlets from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. 4. Warm up a large, non-stick frying pan and once hot add the cutlets into one layer. If they don’t fit cook them in batches. 5. Cook over medium high heat for 5-6 minutes for medium rear or 8-10 for medium to well done. 6. Place the cutlets on a warm serving platter and scatter the pomegranate seeds and pistachios on top.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Lifestyle

DENISE’S SPIKY VANILLA APPLE LOAF

JP’s ONE-BITE HONEY CAKES

INGREDIENTS 3 apples, peeled, cored and cut into 2 cm slices · 1 tbsp sugar · 1 tsp ground cinnamon · 100 g caster sugar · 185 g margarine · 4 large eggs · 1 tsp vanilla extract · 200 g plain flour · 1 tsp baking powder · Pinch of salt

INGREDIENTS 250 g self-raising flour · 110 g soft light brown sugar · 150 ml corn oil · 175 g golden syrup · 75 g black treacle · 2 large eggs · Juice of 1 lemon · 1 tsp ginger · 1 tsp mixed spice · 1 tsp cinnamon · 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda · 150 ml boiled water · 70 mini cup cake cases

Preparation time: 15 mins · Cooking time: 1½ hours · Serves 6 – 8

METHOD

1. In a large bowl, combine the apples, 1 tbsp sugar and cinnamon. 2. In the food processor, cream the margarine and 100 g sugar until light and fluffy. 3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and beat until smooth. 4. Transfer to a greased and lined 2 kg loaf tin. 5. Push apple slices vertically into batter, placing them close together. 6. Bake at 150°C for about 1½ hours or until a toothpick inserted near the centre comes out clean. 7. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

DATE ON A PLATE This is a really successful format for meeting new people –six men & six women learn to cook a threecourse meal, and then eat it! Sun 4 Sept

Age: 35-50

Moroccan

Sun 11 Sept Age: 40-55 Italian Sun 18 Sept Age:55-65 Tapas Night Sun 25 Sept Age:28-40 Yom Tov Feast Sun 9 Oct

Age: 40-50 Succot Special

Sun 30 Oct Age:50-60 Halloween Night Sun 13 Nov Age: 45-55 Sushi

Preparation time: 15 mins · Cooking time: 10 mins ·Makes approximately 80 cakes

METHOD 1. Line a mini cupcake tin (roughly 5cm diameter each cake) with mini cupcake cases. 2. Pre-heat oven to 180c/350f/gas mark 4. 3. Using a mixer beat all the ingredients except the boiled water in a large mixing bowl. 4. Add the boiled water when the mixture is smooth and continue to mix. 5. Fill each mini cup cake case with 2 tsp of mixture and bake for approximately 10 minutes. 6. Leave to cool. Store in an airtight container.

LEARN TO COOK - THE STYLISH WAY Join Denise Phillips for a fun “hands-on” class, presented in my trademark simple but stylish manner. Enhance your love of food and add to your cooking repertoire: Wed 14 Sept Thur 15 Sept Thur 22 Sept Thurs 29 Sept

Exciting Yom Tov Rosh Hashonah Baking Shabbat Lunch Junior Chef Chinese

Wed 2 Nov Sushi Thur 3 Nov Death by Chocolate Wed 23 Nov Best of Autumn Thur 24 Nov New Ideas for Family Dinners

Venue: Northwood. Times: Weekdays 9.30am –1.30pm. Sunday : 5.00pm -8.30pm Cost : £65 including three course meal and all ingredients More info : www.jewishcookery.com or denise@jewishcookery.com

Or phone Denise on 01923 836 456

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

SILVIA’S HONEY, COFFEE AND WALNUT LISA’S HONEY CAKE (GLUTEN FREE) CAKE Preparation time: 40 mins · Cooking time: 55 mins for the Preparation time: 15 mins · Cooking time: 50 mins · Serves 8

INGREDIENTS 2 free range eggs · 200 g white caster sugar · 200 ml clear honey · 120ml sunflower oil · 120 ml espresso/ strong black coffee · 2 tbsp rum/cognac · 2 oranges, grated zest · ½ tsp of cinnamon · Pinch of salt · 300 g flour – ideally 00 grade · 1 tbsp baking powder · 300 g walnuts, roughly chopped METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

2. Beat the eggs with the sugar until creamy with a hand whisk or ideally with an electric mixer. Then add the honey, oil, coffee, rum/cognac, orange zest, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Mix well 3. Add the flour and baking powder and mix gently to amalgamate the ingredients. 4. Finally add the walnuts and gently fold them in.

5. Take a 24 cm (9 inch) round spring-form baking tin and cover the base with greaseproof paper. Pour the cake mixture into it and scatter the remaining walnuts on top.

large tray or 40-45 mins for the loaf tins · Cooling time: 1 hour · Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 454 g golden syrup · 200 g honey, light and mild · 250 ml sunflower oil · 275 ml water · 3 eggs · 370 g oat flour, gluten-free · ½ tsp ginger · 1 tsp cinnamon · 2 tsp baking powder · 2 tsp mixed spice · 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda · 1 tbsp red wine (or kosher kiddush wine)

GARNISH 100g flaked almonds · 2-3 tbsp honey, light and mild · Yellow ready-to-roll fondant icing · Flaked almonds · Black icing METHOD 1. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan-assisted).

2. Line a 23 x 30cm baking tray or 3 x 2 lb loaf tins with parchment paper or cake liners.

3. Place a saucepan on the stove and warm together the golden syrup, honey, water, and oil until smooth over a gentle heat.

4. Beat the eggs until fluffy, then pour syrup mixture into the eggs.

5. Sieve the flour, ginger, cinnamon and baking powder into a mixing bowl.

6. Bake in the oven for 50-60 min until you put in a 6. In a separate bowl, mix the wine, bicarbonate of soda and toothpick/cake tester in and it comes out dry. Leave on a cooling rack for at least 20 min before removing it from the mixed spice together. baking tin and plating it into a round cake platter. 7. Gradually mix all ingredients together, ensuring that 7. Serve either warm or at room temperature, on its own or there are no lumps at the bottom. Pour the mixture into the tray/tins and place the flaked almonds on top. with a scoop of ice cream or sorbet. 8. Bake in the pre-heated oven on the middle shelf for 55 minutes (tray)/40-45 minutes (tin). Insert a knife into the middle to check it’s cooked. The knife should come out slightly moist. 9. Leave to cool for 10 minutes, then, using a silicone brush, lightly brush the top of the cake with honey to give it a shiny gloss and also for a little extra sweetness. 10. Put the cake tin on top of a cooling rack for an hour, then cover tightly with foil to keep moist (doesn’t matter if its still warm). 11. To make the bumblebees shape the yellow fondant for the body. Using black icing draw lines and eyes and use flaked almonds to represent the wings.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Lifestyle

Cooking as a Community

Has social media replaced the recipe book? Louisa Walters investigates

e may be celebrating Rosh Hashanah in a couple of weeks, but before we know it, it will be Simchat Torah, then Chanukah and in the blink of an eye, Pesach. In the (slightly amended) words of pop group Slade, “Here it is…. Merry Pesach, everybody’s having fun….” Everybody, that is, except for the poor women (and perhaps a few men) whose responsibility it is to think up yet another eight days’ worth of interesting and alternative meal ideas with a never-ending list of restrictions. Out come the dog-eared recipe books, the egg-splattered recipe folders and the same old suggestions. But there is another way – a 21st century way… log onto Facebook and join the Pesach Recipes group. Here you will find a community of more than 6,000 members bursting with ideas, inspiration and helpful tips to make cooking for Pesach a pleasure rather than a chore. Sara Curtis, from Edgware, set up the group eight years ago. “Pesach was approaching and I was bored with the usual recipes and completely lacking in inspiration,” she says. “I decided to set up a Facebook group so that my friends and I could swap recipes. They invited their friends and at first there were about 100

of us. Over the years it grew and now has almost 5,000 members from all over the world. “The group makes Pesach easier, tastier and much less stressful! Instead of having to plough through recipe books I can just ask for a suggestion and get loads of responses.” Group member Deborah agrees: “Whatever time of day I’m cooking there will always be a response on the group as there are so many different time zones. There’s a great feeling of camaraderie!” As well as sharing recipes, members post halachic queries and request suggestions for ways to make their Seder more fun. “It feels like a big family all pulling together with the same aim,” says Nicky. “For me it is about the strong international connection, swapping recipes and ideas from around the globe and trying new things each year.” Esther says: “It’s like a support system. Last year I made Pesach for the first time and I was so overwhelmed. This group helped me realise how much money I’d need for items that no-one thinks about at first, like measuring spoons and salt and pepper.” “I am blessed to be a newcomer,” says Ellen. “I have a Moroccan mother, a Polish father and I was born in Israel but now I live in

Ottawa, Canada. Why am I telling you this? Because I am half vuz vuz (Ashkenazi), half couscous (Sephardi). I always like new recipes to thrill my family and guests with. I mix both traditions in great ways and the group has helped me to do this.” Last year Penina posted a recipe for a sticky toffee pudding that was a really big hit with the group members – 119 people posted to say that they were trying it out. “The group has been an amazing source of information and support,” she says. “I made the sticky toffee pudding after playing around with some ingredients to substitute the flour in my usual recipe. I thought I’d share with the group and it went viral, which was amazing.” “Someone in Florida posted that they will be just two people for Seder – what should she make? Her feed was then full of invitations! That’s what it’s all about!” says Mimi. Sara Curtis and her family made Aliyah four years go. “It’s easier making Passover in Israel because there’s only one Seder to cater for but if you don’t eat kitnyot it’s harder to shop. The best recipe I’ve ever got from the group is Suzanne’s Butternut Squash Kugel. It’s so good that I make it all year round – and that’s the best compliment anyone can give to a Passover recipe!”

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE The recipe-sharing concept proved so invaluable that Sara set up the Shabbat Recipes group. This has nearly as many members and is used all year round. As Pesach approaches each year, Sara posts on the Shabbat group to remind people to go over to the Pesach group.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE GROUP “I love finding different and varied recipes but also swapping traditions” Rochelle “It helps to know that everyone is stressing as much as you but that the traditional recipes have stood the test of time” Belinda “I loved the great array of different recipes that were on offer to try and share – especially the sticky toffee pudding that was the hit of last year’s Pesach in my house!” Natalie “This group was such a help last year. I loved the Seder table ideas and the different recipes to try. I tried quite a few of them – it was great fun” Sue

SHARON’S BUTTERNUT SQUASH KUGEL

Ingredients – 2 ½ cups (20 oz) cooked and mashed butternut squash (from 2 medium squashes) · 5/8 cup potato starch · ½ cup oil · ½ cup sugar · 3 eggs · 2 tsp cinnamon Method

Preheat oven to 350°F

Cut the squash in half lengthways. Place the pieces in a large pot with about 2 inches of water, and cover the pot. Bring to the boil and cook for 20 minutes until the squash is fork tender. Remove the squash from the skin. Mash the flesh and measure out the amount needed. Sift the potato starch over the mashed squash to prevent lumps. Add the oil, sugar and eggs. Mix together by hand, until the batter is smooth.

Line an 8 in x 11 in baking pan or two medium sized loaf tins with baking paper or spray with baking spray. Pour the batter into the pans and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 40 – 45 minutes, until the centre of the kugel tests firm when pierced with a knife. When done, it cracks slightly on top.

PENINA’S STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING Ingredients

2 oz oil · 5 oz sugar · 4 oz ground almonds · 2 oz potato flour · 2 oz matzo meal · 1 tsp vanilla essence 2 tsp baking powder · 1 egg · 6 oz date spread · 1 cup water Method

Mix all ingredients together well.

Pour into a greased 9 inch x 9 inch dish or foil container.

Bake on 170°C/180°C for 30 – 40 minutes until springy on top. For the toffee sauce

Melt 3 oz margarine, 5 oz brown sugar and 6 tbsp water and mix well.

When the cake is just out of the oven prick all over with a skewer or fork and pour the sauce over the top.

Freezes well and heats on hotplate well.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Full Steam Ahead Dana Cukier is sold on the steam oven

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

nce upon a time it was all about the hot tap, but that’s so last year. If you want to be really on-trend, the steam oven is the latest must-have for your new kitchen. Professional chefs have long been savvy about this method of cooking but now, with the rise (and rise) of healthy eating – and more emphasis on cooking from scratch – these new-age ovens have finally come into their own on the domestic front too.

“If you are considering installing a steam oven in your new kitchen, now is definitely the time,” says Neil Lerner of Neil Lerner Kitchen Design. “It’s fast replacing the microwave oven as the favourite specialist cooking appliance as it retains all the nutrients, colour, texture and flavour in your food for a healthier way of eating.” Steam ovens work by generating steam externally and then injecting it into the oven cavity when needed, giving you precise and constant temperature control for perfect cooking results. You can go for a steam-only oven or

a combination steam version. The latter is definitely worth the upgrade. It allows you to be far more versatile by combining different functions for all types of food – not just fish and vegetables! Did you know that you can also bake and roast in a steam oven? All foods remain moist without overcooking, resulting in a mouthwatering honey cake or crispy, succulent roast chicken – both perfect for the forthcoming Yom Tovim. Convinced yet?

TOP TEN BENEFITS OF STEAM COOKING 1. Healthy method – 70% of vitamin C is lost when boiling vegetables; that’s reduced to 40% when steaming, retaining a higher level of nutrients. 2. Fantastic flavour – the flavour of food is preserved when steaming because, unlike other cooking methods, no moisture is lost in the process. 3. Gorgeous colour – all foods look their very best as pigment is always maintained. Form and texture of fresh foods are preserved too.

4. Moist results – food stays deliciously moist when steaming as all the natural juices remain. 5. Eco-friendly – the steam oven is particularly energy efficient so it’s good for the environment.

6. No burning – steaming is one of the safest ways to cook. You can’t burn food, there’s no risk of pots boiling over and there’s no build-up of steam.

7. Less preparation – no sealing or pre-boiling is required and you don’t need to cover food with foil or film.

8. Even temperatures – steamed food cooks in its own moisture, which gives it an exact, even cooking temperature.

9. Refreshes and defrosts – steaming is a great way to reheat cooked items. The combination steam oven defrosts foods too.

10. All in one – steaming allows you to cook complete three-course meals using multi-level cooking with no intermingling of flavours.

STOP PRESS Jewish cookery guru Denise Phillips offers steam oven recipes on her website at www.jewishcookery.com Denise can also teach you how to cook with steam at JW3. The next session is on 1 December 2016. To find out more, visit jw3.org.uk

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Lifestyle

Book the Kids in!

Reading consultant Clare Zinkin highlights three just-published reads Age 6-9 King Flashypants and the Evil Emperor by Andy Riley That old adage: ‘It’s not what you say but the manner in which you say it,’ is hugely applicable to this hilarious book for young readers. The story borrows a general plot from almost every story in the world – will good triumph over evil? But the freshness, pizazz, and hilarity of its execution is what makes this title a top read for the age group (and their parents). Andy Riley excels in his easy-toread text that speaks directly to the reader, setting the tone from the contents page, which is called ‘The Names of all the Thrilling Chapters you’re About to Read’. His tongue-in-cheek style is consistent throughout, from observations about how much children need chocolate (like air), to his explanations of what makes

a good castle as opposed to an evil castle. King Flashypants, or Edwin, as our nine-year-old protagonist is called, is depicted nonchalantly reclining on his throne, important crown on head, drink with straw in his hand. He’s completely loveable, and understandably for a nine-year-old, has let his power go to his head. Illustrations punctuate each page, and add to the story rather than just annotate it. Things to particularly note are the map at the beginning, the gallery of portraits, the wonderful hand expressions, the eclectic collection of peasants (the description of them is hysterical), and the drawing of Edwin’s chocolatedispensing contraption. From creating a new evil laugh to bottomless pits, the excellent variety of villainous friends, and

Age 14+ The Graces by Laure Eve

There are many television shows that deal with ‘the beautiful people’ – the elusive, moneyed, highly attractive gang that everyone secretly adores and aspires to be. Laure Eve has played with this theme with her latest addictive YA novel, The Graces. River, the assumed name of the protagonist, for even that is slippery,

a particularly vocal peasant girl called Natasha, there is lots to admire here. The plot is brilliantly stupid, which simply serves to further highlight the comedy, and the ending, where the characters discuss what they have learned, borders on comedy genius. The funniest and most enjoyable book for this age group for quite some time.

moves to a town in which everyone is obsessed with the Graces – twins Fenrin and Thalia – and Summer, River’s school peer. The Graces are enigmatic and glamorous, weaving a charm over everyone they meet – and maybe, just maybe they are magic too. River develops a crush on Fenrin, just like everyone else at school, but by way of her own aloofness, she manages to form a friendship both with him and his little sister Summer. Before long,

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE Age 10-14 Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk A wonderfully evocative and searingly honest coming-ofage story about twelve-yearold Annabelle, growing up in wartime rural Pennsylvania. This gracefully written, memorable novel will inevitably draw comparisons with To Kill A Mockingbird for its themes of injustice, prejudice and a misjudged outsider, but it stands on its own strength as one of the most outstandingly written stories for the age group this year. Newcomer Betty Glengarry invites trouble as soon as she steps foot in town, bullying Annabelle in small ways that shockingly escalate with speed. But when the culprit for the violence is deemed not to be Betty, but blamed upon veteran Toby, a recluse who spends his time walking the landscape with three guns, Annabelle realises it is up to her to face down the accusations and demand justice. There is much brilliance in this compelling tale. Annabelle is not only believable and likeable, but her voice is strong and distinctive. Her observations about Toby are empathetic and wise beyond her

years, almost as if her thoughts are older than her actions: “An odd and frustrating way to look at the world, but I was not Toby, and he was not me.” Wolk draws her as empathetic and sensitive without resorting to any sentimentality. She is the perfect coming-of-age child – aware of her limitations and the conflict with her strive for independence, knowing when to seek parental help and advice and when she won’t be heard: “If my life was to be just a single note in an endless symphony, how could I not sound it out for as long and as loudly as I could?” Annabelle’s gradual selfawareness amid the moral complexity of the situation is fresh, alluring and tense. Wolk also demonstrates her prowess in writing understated characters – a quietness exudes from both Annabelle’s father and from Toby, yet with a few words and expressions their entire personalities are ensnared upon the page. Her descriptions are exquisite: “The sun somewhat hazy, as if it wore a silk stocking” and create an atmospheric setting. And the

she is ingratiating herself into the Graces’ family home, and learning more about their secrets and their past than most people.

liked, and therefore she assumes whichever identity she believes will fit – the reader will be baffled as to who is the real River.

Our protagonist though, with her hidden past, telling us the story in first person, is unreliable. Where she sees magic, the reader can’t be sure. And River herself is constantly changing because her motive is to please and be

And that’s the fun of the book – it’s strangely intoxicating, elusive and shapeshifting. In fact, although it does go dark, I wish it had gone darker still. This is fantasy for those who don’t like fantasy – witchcraft and

rhythm of the writing is assured too – crafted with attention to the smallest detail, building apprehension with shifts in tense – reading the words is like sampling a delicacy. This is a book that contains raw violence and a growing awareness that the adult world is grey, as opposed to the black and white childlike perception of right and wrong. Trusting the readership to grow as Annabelle does, this is a stunningly intelligent debut novel. magic spells or simply teenagers playing? A fluid, slick plot, mysterious characters and taut writing. There is magic in here, but also the allure of celebrity and glamour – until you discover that these are insubstantial and slippery things themselves.

Visit minervareads.com for further reviews and services.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Lifestyle

Getting Creative

Emma Cohn explains the benefits of creative therapy for children and adolescents

hildren and adolescents sometimes find it easier to express their feelings to someone outside of their family or social circle. I work with children and adolescents on a number of issues, including family breakdown, loss, anger, worries, friendship difficulties and low self-esteem. Today’s world puts increasing pressure on children and adolescents. They often do not have the vocabulary to express their feelings so it can manifest in their behaviour – they may be particularly angry or tearful or finding school difficult to manage. Children may also develop psychosomatic symptoms like tummy aches or headaches. Of course any physical symptoms should be checked out first before considering whether they may be connected to something that is worrying them. Family breakdown is affecting children more and more. By the age of 16, around 50 per

cent of children will have experienced their parents’ separation or divorce. Parents can understandably be consumed with their own issues and often children feel like they are to blame, are ashamed and some even believe that they will never be happy again. Adolescence can be a particularly difficult period. No longer a child but not quite an adult – this is a difficult place to be. Friendships become very important and the desire to belong to a group away from parents is intensified. Fitting in becomes paramount and keeping up with social media can become stressful. More expectations and responsibilities are placed upon them. Many adolescents keep their feelings bottled up and can become quite distant from their parents. Sessions take place once a week at my private practice. I use a selection of appropriate creative media including art materials, a sand tray and symbols as well as props to encourage story work and games. I believe that allowing

non-directed play in sessions can be empowering and may allow the child/adolescent to take some control over a life situation otherwise beyond their control. I may at times make suggestions to the child/adolescent, however ultimately it is up to them to make their own decisions. I invite parents in to the session at the end and again it is up to the child/ adolescent to share anything from the session with their parents. Therapy is most effective when a trusting relationship exists between the therapist and the child/adolescent. Privacy is especially important in securing and maintaining that trust. One goal of treatment is to promote a stronger and better relationship between children/adolescents and their parents. However, it is often necessary for children/ adolescents to develop a ‘zone of privacy’ whereby they feel free to discuss personal matters with greater freedom. This is particularly true for adolescents who are naturally developing a greater sense of independence and autonomy.

About Emma Emma has a postgraduate diploma in drama and movement therapy. This gave her the tools to work with clients in a non-confrontational and creative way using a variety of interventions. Emma’s methods engage children and allow them to communicate their thoughts and feelings naturally through play, rather than through verbal communication. She is now completing an MA and will be a child and adolescent psychotherapist by the end of the year. For more information please visit www.creativetherapy4kids.com

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Sand Trays The sand tray opposite represents a fictitious child who is struggling. As you can see the aeroplane is grounded covered by sand and heavy stone. The rescue vehicles have crashed so there is no hope for recovery. The soldiers are also partly buried in the sand and have fallen down so they cannot come to the rescue either. There are some farm and domestic animals in the same enclosure as a dinosaur with no way of escape. The sand tray on the left represents a fictitious child who seems to have a good sense of self. There are animals roaming around freely, some feeling safe enough to sleep. There is a family home with the word love next to it. There is a box with a trophy inside, which could be indicative of something that the child is proud of. There are fictional characters and a footballer, which could represent the child’s interests. There are balloons representing celebration, greenery that could represent life and growth, plus a pond with fish and a duck that do not represent a threat to each other.

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Simon Cohen is a leading international cantor and performs in synagogues and concerts in several languages. Influenced by his grandfather, who was a rabbi and a chazan, he began his singing career in synagogue as a child soprano. www.cantorsi.com

High Shul Musical Simon Cohen explains the power of music

he high holydays are a time to take heed of where we are in relation to where we were last year and to take on new goals and challenges for the new year. They are a time to pray for someone who is poorly; maybe it’s been a year where you have lost a family member; maybe it’s been a year full of new births, great business deals and smachot, and for you this is a time to give thanks for all the good G-d has bestowed upon you. For most, it’s a mixture of all of these thoughts and emotions.

looking deep into the books and they will decide how the business is going to run next year. Most people have no idea how to prepare, they just find themselves hitting the enter button as last year’s PowerPoint year plays through. Is that what we really want?

But is this really why we come to shul? Do you ever think about why you come? And why do we need so many different tunes for the different services?

How does the music achieve that? Why does music touch us in a way that words cannot express? I would like to share with you a personal experience that helped me understand better the power of music and proved to me that it crosses every border and barrier.

Our shul is blessed with bright leaders of industry, education and community. They have regular meetings to discuss goals, deadlines, annual budgets, what can be learnt from last year’s mistakes and how their businesses or organisations can improve, cut back, invest and adjust. We do this for our businesses, but how much opportunity do we give our Neshama (soul) – the driving force in our hearts and minds – to learn, to grow, to adjust, to improve? How do we speak to our Neshama? When is the annual board meeting for our Neshama? Do we spend hours preparing PowerPoints and Excel spreadsheets for our Neshama? How do we prepare for this year’s Neshama board meeting? The CEO and all the directors will be there,

As a Chazan, I have a responsibility to keep everyone in shul connected to the service, to G-d, to make the texts as palatable and interesting as possible. To allow you some nostalgia of the tunes you grew up with and to bring a smile to your faces as I introduce new tunes to serve the younger and older generation as one.

One Shabbat afternoon, my friend took me to visit his elderly mother, Sarah. She had suffered a stroke, which had affected her speech, her ability to understand questions and to react to her surroundings. She had lost her vibrancy, her simchat chayim. As we entered the room, Sarah was right there, but it seemed like she was miles away. I tried speaking to her but she had a blank look upon her face, no sparkle in her eye. She just looked at me and mumbled something unintelligible. Her son said, “Mum, it’s Simon, the Chazan.” He then looked at me and said, “I think she knows who you are, keep talking to her. So I did. The next five minutes were painful for him and me as we tried to chat with Sarah.

I have no idea why, but I decided to try singing. Suddenly her eyes sparkled and her face lit up with a big smile! And then she started singing with me. I have no idea how I managed to keep singing as I was choked up with tears, as was her son. We sat there for half an hour singing all the tunes from Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and some Yiddish favourites. Finally Sarah had found a way to communicate and connect. The simcha (joy) and light on her face were contagious as the room filled with light and the sound of Jewish music. What can we all take from this story? First of all, that we should utilise every minute that we are given to fill our lives with joy and light. We should let go of baggage, forgive, give, love our families, friends and community. Secondly, we should take advantage of the wonderful opportunity we are given to be healthy enough to come to Shul over the high holydays, to daven, to sing, to connect to G-d, to ourselves, to each other and to our community. Take some time to look at the Machzor and find a part of the Rosh Hashanah service to which you feel you connect. Go on the shul website and remind yourself of those beautiful tunes that will put you in the right state of mind so that the CEO and his directors leave the meeting singing your praises. Music is what feelings sound like. So find the tune that connects to yours.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Commercial Property – the Brexit Effect Commercial property consultant Charles Daniels has some useful tips for landlords and tenants

he shock result of voting to leave the EU several months ago has sunk in, and the repercussions of this momentous decision affecting us all will soon start to be felt in this new era of uncertainty. The commercial property market won’t be immune from any fallout, and landlords and tenants within our community are likely to be affected post-referendum, in respect of future rent reviews and lease renewals. Over recent years, Mill Hill, along with many other areas in London and the Home Counties, has seen continuous growth in rental values. The substantial increases that have been achieved on rent reviews may or may not continue and nobody can accurately predict the future, but there are some useful tips for prudent landlords and tenants to be aware of.

Landlords should be aware that even if the market declines, rent reviews are generally upwardonly, which will help to ensure that even if rents do not rise, the capital values of freeholds should remain as close to pre-Brexit levels as possible. If a landlord has missed the date of review, the majority of leases allow (where time is not of the essence) for any increase to be back-dated, ensuring no financial loss and perhaps even adding value to the investment, despite being agreed in a potentially depressed market. Tenants must also be aware of this ‘upward only’ clause and it would be prudent to have money set aside for a potential increase in rent, despite indications that rents could fall. If a landlord backdates a rent review for a number of years, this unexpected expense could put a strain on a business.

The good news for tenants is that if they face a lease renewal, rents can potentially be agreed at less than the previous level, possibly set five years earlier. This will strengthen their negotiating position when a landlord serves a Section 25 Notice terminating a lease under the 1954 Landlord & Tenant Act. If a revised rent cannot be agreed at a rent review, most commercial leases provide for arbitration to take place, which will ensure a fair result for both landlord and tenant. Many Mill Hill members have interests in commercial property. The subject of rent reviews and lease renewals is a minefield at the best of times, let alone in this uncertain post-Brexit time, and professional representation for landlords and tenants is essential to protect their respective positions.

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

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Gone, but not Forgotten

Simon Walters visited the site of his mother’s former shul in Islington

am a long time Mill Hill resident and Mill Hill Shul member. As a child I lived in Edgware and attended shul there. Both of these areas, of course, still have thriving communities. My mother Beryl grew up in Islington, where the community dwindled so much that the shul was eventually demolished. When I discovered that a green plaque was being unveiled on the site in Lofting Road where the shul once stood, I took her along for a trip down memory lane. The Islington People’s Plaque scheme was set up to celebrate the cultural diversity and heritage of the London Borough of Islington, and anyone can nominate a person, place or event to receive a plaque. Mendy Korer, a Chabad rabbi who is doing much to bring Jewish life back to Islington – where there’s an ever-growing Jewish population – nominated Lofting Road shul to be commemorated, and after a selection panel agreed a shortlist that included the shul, there were adequate votes for the plaque to be unveiled. Closed in 1957 and demolished in 1958, then replaced by the block of flats on which the plaque is now proudly displayed, the synagogue – formally the North London Synagogue – served a congregation which had thrived for many years, but by the mid-1950s was dwindling as residents gravitated to the suburbs. My mother was delighted to be reunited at the unveiling with many old friends and fellow congregants from all those years ago. In the 1850s, the 22,500 Jews living in London comprised a considerably larger Jewish population than New

York or Paris. A hundred years earlier, most of Islington’s Jewish residents lived in the south of the borough, within walking distance of the main synagogues in the City, most notably the Great Synagogue at Duke’s Place, Aldgate, and its Sephardi neighbour in Bevis Marks. But housing developments and improved transport links transformed the area north of the Angel, and by the 1850s the Jewish population of Islington alone, at over 1,500, was bigger than the whole of Manchester or Birmingham. Enough people had put down roots in the central and northern parts of the borough to merit their own shul. Growing from a group who used to meet in a community hall in 1861, the shul in John Street West (later renamed Lofting Road) was opened in March 1868 by Chief Rabbi Nathan Adler. The historian of the United Synagogue has judged that the opening in 1868 and immediate success of the North London Synagogue played a significant role in the foundation of the US itself in 1870, of which the shul became a member.

were determined to bring up their girls – still only 10 and seven, as observant Jewesses, and ensured that they attended Shabbat services every week. My mum and her sister became very active in the community: “We attended Cheder several times a week, and later went to the youth club in the shul. All our friends in the area went too,” Mum tells me. She remembers singing in the choir at Lofting Road, where the shul archives sadly reveal that in the years immediately before its closure, the members of the choir outnumbered the other congregants at Shabbat morning services. Mum and I thoroughly enjoyed a memorable afternoon with Rabbi Korer and lots of former congregants who attended the unveiling.

At the outbreak of war in 1939, my mother – aged only four – was being taken to the shul regularly by her parents Dora and Sam Cramer, who ran a pub in Central Street in the City. World War Two changed everything for the Cramer family. My mum and her younger sister Lilian – who was barely aged one – were evacuated to Port Talbot in Wales. “We lived with a loving Christian family, who sent us to chapel and Sunday School each week!” says my mum. After the war ended, Dora and Sam

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

Israel

Soldiering on Mill Hill Shul member Ben Israel is 21 years old. A former Yavneh College pupil and member of CST, he has been serving in the Israeli army for 18 months. With another year left to serve, he spoke to us about his experience of being a lone soldier in the Golani Brigade “

have always wanted to serve in the IDF as my father, grandfather and great grandfather, along with many other members of my family, have a proud history of military service and have also been active in Jewish community defence. I think all young Jews in the diaspora should consider doing military service in Israel for a couple of years, as it will not only give them a great experience and set them up for the real world but also bond them closer to the land of Israel and the Jewish people. The people I have met during my service and the things I have done have been amazing and very exciting. I feel that as a Jew it is my duty to serve and protect the Jewish nation. Being in the Israeli Army is an honour, especially to be serving in the prestigious Golani Brigade. “I had to undertake 10 months of training, which was very hard, both physically and mentally, especially as a lone soldier with my parents (pictured above with me) and my sister Dani (18) back in London. I really miss them and

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the comforts of home. “I am the only English speaker in my unit and had to work very hard to get my Hebrew up to a high standard. I have made fantastic friends. We have have shared some very tough times together and now we are all truly brothers in arms. “I am considering my options for the future, but I know in my heart that I want to stay in Israel and make my life here. I hope the rest of my family will join me.” Ben’s mother Carolyn says: “As a ‘Hayal Boded’ (lone soldier), Ben is given a lot of respect by Israeli society and well looked after. He is often treated by strangers to free falafel and coffee when they discover he is a volunteer from London! His father Mark and I have very mixed emotions – we are both proud and worried at the same time. We miss him greatly but we are happy that he is doing something so amazing. He is a very brave boy and we support him and the rest of the boys in his Golani 51 unit, who we also consider to be our sons.”

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Southern Israel for Winter Sun & Fun Mill Hill member Natalie Jackson heads south with her family to sample five of Southern Israel’s big adventures

1. Dolphin Reef Leah (8) could just about stand up with the oxygen tank strapped to her back. Giving the OK sign with her fingers, the mask didn’t quite hide her huge grin. Dolphin Reef, one of Eilat’s top spots for families, was one of the first places in the world to give dolphins a home where they can be studied but also have the freedom to swim out to sea. You can scuba here from age eight, with no prior experience needed. An instructor takes each child by the hand for 45 minutes in a magical underwater world, swimming with a pod of these inquisitive cetaceans; a hit with all three of our children. dolphinreef.co.il

2. Bedouin Tent Experience I’m more of a coffee person but I really got a taste for the sweet Bedouin tea served by our host, sat cross-legged in his greeting tent. With the aid of a translator, he regaled us with tales about the Bedouin culture and way of life. The kids were mesmerised by his stories, not least the fact Bedouin men take more than one wife. The

tent was basic but warm, with lots of fascinating gold and silver ornaments hanging from hooks and poles. It is dismantled every 30 days, when nomadic tradition dictates that it’s time to pack up and move to another desert location. goisrael.com

3. Ice Mall Eilat’s Ice Park & Mall opened in 2013 with an Olympic-size ice rink and an indoor ‘igloo’ playground, complete with slides and artificial snow. And if that isn’t enough of a kick, there’s a ‘7D’ multisensory cinema for a fully immersive viewing experience. A wide range of films are shown, from horror to Disney cartoons, complete with bumps, breezes and, in one case, the swishing of a rat’s tail under our chairs. ice-mall-eilat.com

4. Ramon Crater Geography is one of our kids’ favourite subjects at school but it’s nothing compared to the real thing — the views while standing on the rim of the vast Ramon Crater are extraordinary, the sun

beaming through cracks in huge boulders. And this stunning view only intensified as we abseiled down the side. I worried that after this, a hike would be less exciting for the kids, but I was wrong. Our guide, Eyal, knew this crater rock by rock, and took us on a twohour trek covering just a small part of Ramon’s vast expanse: 24 miles long and six miles at its widest point, with walls soaring to around 985ft in height. parks.org.il

5. Alpaca Farm In the desert to the west of Mitzpe Ramon, not far from the Ramon Crater, Alpaca Farm is home to more than 200 llamas and alpacas, bred for their wool. Kids will revel in hand-feeding these fascinating animals, helping out on the farm, and taking part in wool workshops. There’s also horse-riding to neighbouring mountain ridges. And if you can’t bear to bid the beasts farewell, you can stay overnight at llama Hill, in impossibly cosy wooden cabins. alpaca.co.il

Reprinted with kind permission of National Geographic Traveller

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

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Our Chosen Charities For the first time ever, this year we asked Mill Hill members to choose our two Kol Nidre charities – one based in the UK and one in Israel. You chose One Family and Gesher School. One third of the money raised through the appeal will be split between these two organisations, one third of the funds will support our community here in Mill Hill and the other third will fund US projects, including Chesed, Living and Learning, Tribe and Jewish Chaplaincy.

One Family

ne Family provides direct financial, legal and emotional support to more than 3,000 families and hundreds of children, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity, all of whom are victims of terror in Israel. One Family is the foremost organisation providing long-term support for physical and emotional health, education, housing, income maintenance and other needs. Terrorism doesn’t discriminate. Terrorists seek out innocent people and attempt to garner media attention by causing the greatest possible tragedy. More than 1,500 people have been tragically murdered and more than 10,000 injured by terrorists over the past 14 years. There are many more people who (thankfully) walked away from the scene of a bloody attack. Many were traumatised and emotionally damaged and suffer from recurring nightmares and emotional impairment. Each of these people has left family and loved ones behind. Children have been orphaned, widows have been left without

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sufficient livelihood and siblings have been torn apart at every stage of growth and development. Every victim must endure a difficult process of trying to slowly rebuild their shattered lives both physically and mentally, however altered they have become. Through our years of experience and strong connections with hospitals, government officials and caring individuals, One Family is giving strength to a generation affected by terrorism. OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES • Bonding, through support groups and social activities, together with other victims who have suffered a similar tragedy, radically accelerates a victim’s recovery from bereavement. • Tangibly feeling the love of Jewish people from around the world and knowing your sacrifice has not been forgotten play an important role in the healing process. • A holistic approach to healing, looking at the entire family unit in addition to each individual’s specific needs, is a more

effective way of healing than addressing each member of a family as a separate, isolated unit. • One Family has two centres, one in Jerusalem and another in Ra’anana. These centres enable victims of terror throughout Israel to be in a setting where they can socialise, feel safe and know they are understood. • Special activities including dance, yoga, exercise, art, photo and video therapy, Bereaved Fathers Choir, the One Family football team and more, are provided at the centres. • One Family centres also conduct family celebrations such as Brit Milahs, Bar and Batmitzvahs for any victim of terror who can’t provide it for themselves. • The centres act as drop-in centres for more than 900 children who have lost a parent or sibling since the year 2000. For more information about One Family contact Andrew Alexander T: 020 8458 1700 E: andrew@onefamilyuk.org

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Gesher School

Gesher School EMBRACING EDUCATION

Sarah Sultman updates us on a new facility for children with special needs, opening next year

esher School, due to open in September 2017, will be a unique primary school for children aged 5 to 11. It will provide a specialist, meaningful learning environment for children with special educational needs that are not currently met in a mainstream classroom and it will be the first of its kind in London’s Jewish community for this cohort of children. It will meet the huge demand for this type of provision. The Gesher team are delighted that the school will be located in its own separate building on the campus of Sinai School, the UK’s largest Jewish primary school. This will offer Gesher School a vital number of benefits, including resource sharing, inclusion and access to Sinai’s wonderful facilities. A sense of belonging and community will be fostered at Gesher School. It will offer a happy, safe, friendly and stimulating environment in which children are supported

to learn, interact and have fun. Every Gesher child is different and will require a tailored, individualised, child-centred approach to maximise his or her learning potential. The Gesher way is warm, friendly and nurturing. Emotional health and resilience, and developing children’s independence and learning, is at the core of our vision. Gesher’s team of specialist teachers, therapists and learning support assistants will work with the children to provide the necessary early intervention strategies they will need to enable meaningful development and learning. Importantly, Gesher

The Gesher way is warm, friendly and nurturing children will also have access to the mainstream children at Sinai through carefully planned joint activities, games and chagim celebrations and this will provide the foundation blocks to give Gesher children the confidence and skill set to join

the mainstream for some lessons, when appropriate. We anticipate that most Gesher children will have a diagnosis of ASC (autism spectrum condition) and other related conditions. If your child has a statement/ECHP plan and suffers from anxiety, sensory processing problems or verbal delay, or has issues with fine and gross motor skills, communication and interaction do get in touch with Gesher – contact details below. Gesher School is a registered charity. Please get in touch if you are interested in supporting the school, whether it be to sponsor equipment or to contribute to the education of the children. E: hello@gesherschool.com W: gesherschool.com

Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016 103

Charity

Laughing all the Way to Israel

Danni Franks, founder of Myisrael, explains how the money raised from a night of laughter at Mill Hill Shul has gone to good use

ast November more than 300 guests from the Mill Hill Shul community and beyond enjoyed a brilliant evening of comedy in the Annie and Samuel Levy Hall, raising a huge £25,000 for Myisrael. Mark Maier compered the evening, treating the audience to his accurate, observational Jewish comedy. The evening included performances by Dominic Holland, Bennett Arron and the winner of America’s Got Talent 2015, Paul Zerdin, who brought along his puppet friends to delight the crowd. We are enormously grateful for the community’s support and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for helping us reach our target and to share with you how your money is making a huge difference to so many people in need in Israel.

Miriam’s Dream is an independent living facility for young adults with severe physical disabilities, and the funds raised from the Comedy Night have enabled 13 of its residents to attend two organised days out with their families. Leaving their home and participating in social activities can be a huge challenge, and these outings are key highlights of their year, helping to boost their self-esteem and giving them treasured experiences with their families.

Maslan is a rape crisis centre that offers a vital lifeline to victims of sexual assault in southern Israel. The organisation is breaking the ‘code of silence’ across the south by encouraging a far more open conversation on sexual violence, and thanks to the funds raised, 1,353 children, parents and teachers are participating in a prevention course that will help them recognise and prevent abuse in children. INTRA is a therapeutic horseriding school that helps children and adults with a range of physical, emotional and mental difficulties. Your generosity means that 12 children who have been removed from their homes by the state can have horse-riding therapy, which benefits them in many different ways, including reducing violent and abusive behaviour, and improving their ability to concentrate at school.

Myisrael supports small grassroots charities that are changing the lives of thousands of people across the country. These charities require vital funds to carry out their invaluable work, and every single penny raised from the Comedy Night has been used to support six of our projects, which are successfully breaking negative cycles of poverty and neglect, transforming lives for the better.

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Musicians of Tomorrow enables young, musically gifted children living in poor and secluded areas in the north of Israel to reach their potential and gain the self-confidence to build a brighter future for themselves and their families. Donations from the Comedy Night paid for music lessons for 18 talented children and, as a result, they are doing better at school and are inspiring their fellow pupils to follow their dreams and reach their own potential. Family Nest helps young mothers and children escape vicious cycles of hardship and helplessness to become self-sufficient, contributing members of Israeli society. The funds raised by Mill Hill have provided morning activities for women at risk in Ashkelon, enabling them to feel part of a community and gain new skills to rebuild their lives and better support their children. RE-SPECS collects used and surplus glasses frames for distribution to needy people in Israel, and the Comedy Nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success has enabled 410 adults and children living in financial distress to receive an affordable pair of prescription glasses.

(Left to right) Mark Maier, Paul Zerdin, Danni Franks (CEO Myisrael) and Bennett Arron

The money raised by the Mill Hill community and Myisrael donors has helped support Israel in a truly direct and meaningful way, and as we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, we thank you all for giving so many people in Israel the opportunity of a brighter year ahead.

Provide your child with a fun, creative and personal approach to learning Does your child find it difficult to concentrate or become easily distracted? Seem to have boundless energy or appear to be day dreamy and slow to do things? Need you to repeat what you are asking for again and again? Experience difficulties with fine motor activities and handwriting skills? Struggle to coordinate and engage comfortably in gross motor activities? Experience difficulties with reading, spelling or maths?

We provide private and specialised occupational therapy programmes designed to focus on key areas of child development and learning. Based in Edgware. School and home visits available. Contact Muzzi Nathan, Occupational Therapist BSc (Hons), HCPC Registered, Creative Therapy UK T: 0207 101 4189. E: muzzi@creativetherapyuk.com

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Mitzvah Day(s) By Judy Mizrahi

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

his year the Mill Hill community participated in four Mitzvah Days. We focussed most of our efforts on the national Mitzvah Day in November, when thousands of people across the country and beyond take part in hands-on projects (without fundraising) to support charities and build stronger communities. MITZVAH DAY NOVEMBER 2015 Collectathon

This was the the Mill Hill community’s 7th annual Mitzvah Day. Once again we did a community-wide collectathon, reaching more than 500 homes in the wider Mill Hill community. We collected clothes for Separated Children Foundation – a charity for teen refugees – and toys and equipment for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. We also collected for our local shops – All Aboard and Cancer Research. We surpassed our goals and delivered 75 bags to Noah’s Ark, 95 bags to the Foundation and 10 bags each to All Aboard and Cancer Research. Noah Ark Children’s Hospice said they received a variety of donations with the most coming from us: “Mill Hill did not stop delivering all day! They gave us an incredible amount of good quality items, helping the store to raise well-needed funds.” A leader at Separated Children Foundation said: “We often receive old clothes which,

although functionally fine, are sometimes tattered and do not necessarily feed the teens’ self-esteem. Your clothes were beautiful and really will bring dignity and confidence to many who have lost it.” None of this would have been possible without our incredible 100+ volunteers: thanks to the 20 people pre-leafleting homes; to the five JFS boys who helped hand out fliers on the Broadway, to the Rabbi’s and Wardens’ mentions on Shabbat; to Lisa, Royi and the office staff for their help, support, patience and printing; to the 20+ sorters led by Sharon Eskenazy; to the 50+ youth, singles and families including Belinda Pliener – Brown Owl of 5th Mill Hill Brownies – who collected through the streets of Mill Hill; to the five drivers who shlepped back and forth to Barnet and Staples Corner with a smile; to the helpful security; to our resident photographer Jerome and finally to my amazing committee of wonderful women: Kelly Baskind, Alexis Setty and Sian Rand, who made this day happen. MINI MITZVAH DAY DECEMBER 2015 Chanukah Singalong

With great appreciation from Sydmar Lodge, a small but strong singing group made up of families with young and older kids, a few devout volunteers and wonderful participation by youth director Luis Herszaft, Rabbi Proops and Rabbi Schochet, we led candlelighting and had a singalong with the residents.

Thanks to you all – it means the world to the residents. MINI MITZVAH DAY JANUARY 2016 Mill Hill Interfaith Collection for Homeless Action of Barnet

Rabbi Schochet and Father Stephen of St Mary’s All Angels Catholic Church of Mill Hill led their communities in braving a cold January day to collect toiletries, warm accessories and non-perishable food for Homeless Action of Barnet. We do this every year – it builds a relationship with our neighbours and supports HAB in such a way that it empowers them to continue their programmes and support of the homeless. MINI MITZVAH DAY PURIM 2016 Mishloah Manot Collection

This year we partnered with GIFT as part of a US initiative to collect surplus Mishloah manot for those less fortunate and in need. The idea was to give whatever you received in surplus. What happened was much more – many gave the extras they had and bought more to give. Mill Hill is a wonderful community of Mitzvah Doers! I am so impressed by and appreciative of the support and help year to year. Mitzvah Day is now a ‘given’ on the Mill Hill Calendar and although I have resigned from the board this year, I have every intention of keeping Mitzvah Day strong and growing in the Mill Hill Community. Thank you to the Board for all your support.

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Charity

It’s Tough at the Top

Elliot Coleman and a team of Mill Hill Shul members did theTough Mudder challenge

ur fate was sealed while making idle chit chat after Shabbat dinner. We agreed that we needed a goal to get fitter and various ideas were thrown around. “What about the Three Peaks Challenge?” “Don’t like heights,” vetoed that idea. “Climb Kilimanjaro?” “Already done it,” put paid to that. We’d all heard of Tough Mudder but none of us actually knew in

any great detail what it consisted of. It didn’t bother us really as loads of people had done it and appeared to have survived reasonably unscathed. Early the next week we all paid our £85 entrance fee and almost immediately the adrenalin and WhatsApp messages started to flow. To put this challenge into perspective, the closest most of us had been to a gym for years was traipsing after our kids around N20 soft play! We ensured the correct shoes, shorts, skins were purchased – never had the phrase ‘all the gear no idea’ seemed more appropriate. Word of our new venture and

fitness regime quickly spread around the Mill Hill grapevine and our team grew to eight, some of whom were barely introduced to each other before the first training session. All barriers quickly broke down when our trainer, in preparation for the Tough Mudder cargo net obstacle, had us crawling under and over each other in a more ‘up-closeand-personal’ manner than any of us had envisaged. Our training quickly fell into a routine. Tuesday mornings 6am sharp at the local Muay Thai gym for an hour-long session of excruciating circuit training overseen by our fantastic fitness expert Katie Rishover. The professional fighters training

Tough Mudder team (clockwise from top left) Richard Reggel, Jeremy Leigh, Jamie Johnson, Oliver Jackson, Shahar Geffen, Jonathan Abrams, Elliot Coleman

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Mill Hill Synagogue Magazine | Rosh Hashanah 5777, October 2016

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE alongside us observed us with a mixture of amusement and intrigue. I suspect the place hasn’t exactly been inundated with cocky Jewish 30-somethings in the recent past. Friday mornings at 6.15am sharp we meet at the zebra crossing on Hale Lane for a run around the locality. It’s not easy avoiding hills in Mill HILL but we did our best. The pace wasn’t exactly electric at first (I think we got overtaken by someone on a mobility scooter at one point) but we slowly built up our stamina and before long we were completing five-mile routes. One sunny Friday we even found ourselves in Stanmore, a place I sometimes can’t even be bothered to drive to! All too quickly the big day came around. With more than £6,000 raised for the Royal Marsden cancer charity, there was no backing out. We made our way to

Henley-on-Thames in our shiny new race gear, collected our race numbers and were herded into the ‘Warm Up Zone’ like lambs to the slaughter. The course is set out over 12 miles and has 26 obstacles along the way. After reciting the ‘Tough Mudder pledge’, we were off. All of us had been warned about a couple of the more ferocious challenges that stood in our path, but having easily completed the first mile run and a couple of 10foot walls, spirits were high. And then the first of the real challenges appeared over the crest of one of the many muddy hills. The Arctic Enema! Nothing in training quite prepares you for sliding into a shipping container full of muddy iced water, but we all emerged proudly at the other end, talking a couple of octaves higher but otherwise unscathed.

Three-and-a-half muddy hours

later the finish line was in sight. We just had to make it through the electrified wires… I don’t

think any of us will forget the

feeling of running arm in arm towards the finish line while

being zapped by 10,000 volts.

Elated and exhausted, we crossed the line and collected our wellearned orange headbands. Tough Mudder and the

training that led up to it was

an incredible team experience

I would recommend to anyone stupid enough to attempt it.

Thank you to everyone who