Emotional Levaya For Natasha Saada and her 2 daughters
BY DAVID SAFFER
Hundreds of mourners attended the heart-wrenching levaya of 35-year-old Natasha (Sara) Saada and her two daughters, Diana (7) and Debra (5) at Har HaMenuchot on Monday evening.
Natasha, who grew up in Mill Hill, North West London, and her daughters were killed in a sudden and tragic fatal accident on Shabbat in Brooklyn, New York. Ten people, including six children, were taken to hospitals from the collision.
Prayers are being recited for Natasha’s son, four-year-old Raphael Pinchas Saada who is in critical condition at Maimonides Medical
then pedestrians including the victims as they crossed Ocean Parkway near Quentin Road, has been charged with three counts of second-degree manslaughter, three counts of criminally negligent homicide, reckless
Rabbi Shlomo Diamond delivered heartbreaking eulogies in New York. Sephardic Rabbonim across the community were joined by Flatbush Hatzalah, who attended the incident, NYPD officials, as well as Flatbush and Boro Park Shomrim.
Mayor Eric Adams, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, NYC Council members and New York State Assembly representatives were also present.
Mayor Eric Adams told reporters: “This is a tragic, tragic accident of a ‘Shakespearean proportion’ to see a mother and her two children lost to a vehicle crash. This is extremely concerning and painful, not only to the city of New York in general, but specifically to a
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Hostages Forum blast Katz
BY DAVID SAFFER
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has criticised Defence Minister Israel Katz announcing an expansion of IDF operations in Gaza.
Katz stated an IDF air and ground manoeuvres operation across the Gaza Strip would “crush and clear” the area from terrorists, terrorist infrastructure and seize territory to boost security zones.
Heavy airstrikes in Gaza were reported overnight on Wednesday with a ground offensive under artillery cover. Among targets, the IDF struck a terror command and control base in the Jabaliya refugee camp.
“The terrorists were hiding inside a command and control center that was being used for coordinating terrorist activity and served as a central meeting point for the terrorist organisation,” the IDF said in a statement.
“The compound was used by the Hamas’ Jabaliya Battalion to plan terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops. Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of aerial surveillance and additional intelligence.”
The IDF hit back at Palestinian media claims an UNRWA clinic was destroyed with at least nine children among the dead.
“Hamas’ terrorist organisation systematically violates international law while taking over civilian infrastructure, and while brutally exploiting the civilian population as a human shield for its terror attacks against the State of Israel,” the IDF said in a statement.
Israel issued evacuation orders to Gaza residents in the north and south of the Strip prior to the operation.
The hostages’ forum, however, said an operation would endanger surviving captives held by Hamas. They have demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau and IDF explain how the action will not put hostages’ lives in “peril”.
“Instead of getting the hostages out in an agreement that would end the war, the government is sending more troops back into the same areas they had fought in repeatedly,” a statement said. “Has Israel decided to grab land at the expense of the hostages?”
The forum added: “The families were horrified to hear Katz announce the expansion of the offensive to grab land. The government is responsible to free 59 hostages from Hamas captivity. We feel that objective was pushed down the list of
priorities.
“We demand that the prime minister, defence minister and chief of staff address the public at large and the families of hostages in particular, and explain how this military offensive serves the objective of returning the hostages and how they intend to prevent putting the hostages’ lives in peril and risking the disappearance, forever, of the remains of those who were deal.”
Katz released a statement that an expanded offensive in Gaza would pressure Hamas to release all of the hostages. Katz added that the campaign would dismantle Hamas infrastructure, secure buffer zones to protect Israeli forces and border communities.
“Operation Strength and Sword in Gaza is expanding,” he stated. “Its goal is to crush and cleanse the area of terrorists and terror infrastructure and to seize wide areas that will be annexed to Israel’s security zones.”
Katz called on Gaza residents to “act now” to expel Hamas and return all hostages.
“This is the only way to end the war,” he noted.
The IDF issued evacuation notices calling on civilians to leave Rafah and nearby towns earlier this week.
IDF Arabic spokesperson, Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, said in a statement that the army was “resuming intense combat to eliminate the capabilities of terror organisations”.
Adraee advised residents to move to the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone.
The move followed Israel’s security cabinet after Shabbat deciding to increase military pressure on Hamas.
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer said Israel’s military pressure was
effective, stating that “Hamas is starting to blink.”
Netanyahu noted: “It’s working because it’s hitting Hamas militarily and politically while creating conditions for the release of our hostages. The cabinet decided to increase the pressure, already at high levels, to further weaken Hamas and improve conditions for their release.”
“So far, the combination of military and diplomatic pressure is the only thing that has brought hostages home,” he added.
The IDF had held back on ordering a full evacuation of Rafah. Since the ceasefire ended, the IDF control half of the Netzarim Corridor and has resumed
operations in northern Gaza. Meantime, negotiations for the release of hostages is ongoing.
According to reports, Israel has demanded the release of Israeli-US citizen Edan Alexander and 10 living hostages, followed by a 40-day ceasefire and resumption of aid into the Strip.
On the fifth day of a ceasefire, Hamas provide information about all hostages. On the tenth day Hamas must release the remains of 16 deceased hostages. Israel would commit to discussing ending the war but Hamas leaders must go into exile and the Gaza Strip has to be demilitarised.
Defence Minister, Israel Katz
PHOTO: EPA
CAA blast Manchester Students’ Union motion
BY ADAM MOSES
Campaign Against Antisemitism has led condemnation of the University of Manchester’s Students’ Union passing a ‘reckless and divisive’ motion that will impact Jewish students.
Disturbing parts of the resolution includes wording stating that ‘the people of Palestine have the right to armed resistance under international law’.
CAA are supporting affected Jewish students and note the phrase ‘armed resistance’ is a euphemism for terrorism and the destruction of Israel.
The organisations’ lawyers are examining whether the motion runs afoul of charitable or criminal law.
CAA is writing to the university, the students’ union and Charity Commission.
“The students’ union has disregarded the concerns of Jewish students to push through a reckless and divisive motion,” said a CAA spokesman.
“Whether or not it is meant as such here, the phrase ‘armed resistance’ is commonly used in this context as a euphemism for terrorism and the destruction of the Jewish state. At a minimum, this motion aspires to deprive the Jewish people of their right to self-determination. These motions do nothing to change things in the Middle East but contribute to the ostracisation of Jewish students on campus.”
Steve Winston, National Jewish Assembly managing director, said: “It is utterly disgraceful that a UK university students’ union would even consider passing a motion that legitimises armed violence and implicitly endorses the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7.
“To suggest that such acts of terror, mass murder, rape and the kidnapping of civilians are somehow ‘legal’ under international law is not only morally repugnant, it is factually wrong and potentially criminal. This motion doesn’t express solidarity with Palestinians, it offers rhetorical cover to proscribed terrorists and foments hatred against Jews.
“British universities must not become safe spaces for extremism under the guise of activism. Manchester’s student union has a duty to uphold the law and to protect all students, including Jewish students, from incitement, intimidation, and hate.”
Jonathan Metliss Action Against Discrimination chairman added: “AAD condemns and is appalled by this scandalous resolution claiming that the people of Palestine are an occupied nation and have the right to armed resistance. This is factual nonsense and is born out of ignorance and bigotry consistent with and following the trend of the antisemitic behaviour from left wing students seen at other UK and US universities and campuses.”
Metliss said that the resolution follows an unlawful occupation of part of the university campus by pro-Palestinian students in October 2024.
“This resolution and its promoters should be unconditionally disowned by the Manchester University governing authorities as with similar resolutions at other universities and colleges in the UK. Such anti-Israel university resolutions and behaviour are an incitement to racial hatred that encourages more antisemitism and antisemitic behaviour. They should be vigorously opposed at every opportunity.”
CAA, meantime, is supporting a student at King’s College London where the Students’ Union issued a ‘formal warning’ against a student society that hosted a speaking event disrupted by anti-Israel activists with chants of ‘From the River to the Sea’ rather than to protesters themselves.
CAA described the warning as a staggering decision.
The event on February 27 was titled ‘From Conflict to Connection: Israelis & Iranians in Dialogue’ and featured guest speaker Faezeh Alavi.
The Iranian researcher and artist spoke sympathetically about the future of Israel and Iran.
The chanting came as part of a barrage of intimidation tactics targeting Alavi and the organiser of the event.
Security escorted Alavi from the lecture theatre. The event was quickly ended. Students continued abuse and disruption outside the lecture theatre and corridors of the building.
CAA have written wrote to KCL calling on the administration to take action.
Manchester Student Union
Bibi climbdown over Shin Bet nominee
BY ADAM MOSES
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reversed his decision to nominate former Navy chief Vice-Admiral (res.) Eli Sharvit as the next head of Shin Bet.
Shin Bet deputy head S will start as acting chief next week until an appointment is made.
Sharvit’s potential appointment, that had to be ratified, was heavily criticised by political rivals over his participation in protests against the government before the October 7 terror attack and US allies over comments made about President Donald Trump’s climate policies.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed the news in a statement on Monday that he had thanked Sharvit for his “willingness to serve in the role” but after further consideration will “consider other candidates”.
Sharvit accepted the decision and would continue to serve the State of
Israel.
“Serving the interests of the state, its security and the safety of its citizens will always be my top priority,” he said.
Sharvit was set to succeed Ronen Bar, dismissed by Netanyahu’s government last week.
A Surpeme Court hearing on petitions filed against Bar’s dismissal, which saw huge protests, is tabled for April 8.
US Senator Lindsey Graham, Rep. South Carolina, had described the nomination as “beyond problematic”.
Graham said America has “no better friend than Israel” and the State of Israel never not had a better supporter than Trump. But past statements by Sharvit created “unnecessary stress at a critical time”
“My advice to my Israeli friends is change course and do better vetting,” Graham added.
Sharvit was a surprising choice according to reports as he had not served Shin Bet nor had an intelligence background.
Nevertheless, Netanyahu’s office named his preferred choice among seven candidates.
“Major General Sharvit served in the IDF for 36 years, including five years as Navy chief,” a statement noted. “In this role, he led the development of maritime defence forces over Israel’s economic waters and managed complex operational
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systems against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. The Shin Bet is a distinguished organisation that underwent a severe shock on October 7. The Prime Minister is confident that Sharvit is the right person to lead the organization forward while preserving its proud legacy.”
Sharvit served the IDF Navy in various roles including commander of the missile boat flotilla (3rd Fleet), Haifa base commander and navy chief when he succeeded Ram Rothberg in 2016.
In 2021, Sharvit left the IDF to head up the renewable energy division at Tadiran, becoming president of a Rafael subsidiary in maritime defence systems. He declined to be a candidate for CEO of Rafael.
“In that role, he led the development of maritime defence capabilities for Israel’s exclusive economic zone and managed complex operations against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran,” Netanyahu’s office said.
Sharvit saw off competition from Eyal Tsir Cohen, Yair Sagi, Deputy Shin Bet Chief M and Shalom Ben Hanan.
Ami Ayalon was the last Navy commander to head up Shin Bet after the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995.
Sharvit, 57, was born in Sde Boker and grew up in Be’er Sheva.
He supported the maritime border agreement with Lebanon signed by former Prime Minister Yair Lapid. Sharvit said the agreement aligned with Israel’s
strategic interests.
The panel reviewing Bar’s dismissal are Supreme Court President Isaac Amit, Deputy President Noam Sohlberg and Justice Dafna Barak-Erez.
Thousands of demonstrators protested outside the Knesset opposing the proposed dismissal of Bar by Netanyahu last month. Netanyahu’ coalition hailed the announcement.
Protesters blocked the main highway Jerusalem, citing the abandonment of 59 hostages. Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University and Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design announced a solidarity strike.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid called on Israelis to join protests and support the hostages, military service equality and a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre.
Former IDF Chief of Staff Yaya Fink claimed Netanyahu would not be able to sack Bar.
Netanyahu blamed Bar for 10/7 security lapses.
Bar has accepted responsibility into Shin Bet’ failings regarding the 10/7 massacre and called for a national commission of inquiry into government, IDF and security agency failings.
Netanyahu has refused to establish a commission and has not taken responsibility for his own role.
Lapid said the decision was shameful as Bar had dedicated his life to the security of Israel.
Navy chief Vice Admiral (res.) Eli Sharvit PHOTO: MEIR VAKNIN/FLASH90
Myanmar Jews safe after quake
BY DAVID SAFFER
The Myanmar Jewish community and a dozen Chabad emissary families serving the Jews of Thailand are safe following the devastating 7.7 earthquake last Friday.
Myanmar held a minute of silence to mourn over 2,700 people killed in the disaster. Over 4,500 people sustained injuries. The earthquake was felt in Thailand, where 21 people died.
Rescuers in both countries continue to search for survivors but hopes are fading.
Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, director of Chabad Lubavitch Thailand, said it’s a “miracle” no one was killed in the disaster.
The UN voiced concern that a “dire crisis” in Myanmar was compounded by a four-year civil war.
Samir Wanmali, Asia regional director at the World Food Programme, told news outlets the WFP was meeting a fraction of what Myanmar required.
“The destruction is immense and at this stage it’s early to determine the true
Military Chief Min Aung Hlaing, speaking on state television on Tuesday, warned the death toll could be over 3,000. Over 400 people remain missing.
impact,” he observed. “Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people are left homeless, and don’t have access to food, shelter or water.”
Shocking videos from Bangkok showed
a 33-story building under construction buckle and collapse.
Rabbi Kantor told Chabad.org that people at first thought they were feeling unwell when the shaking started.
“It took a minute before they realised that it was a massive earthquake,” he reportedly recalled.
The shattering earthquake was felt throughout the country.
Footage from the dairy restaurant at the five-story Chabad Bangkok, Beit Chabad Ohr Menachem, in central Bangkok shows diners enjoying meals before chandeliers began swaying.
Moments later diners and staff realise what is happening and race for the exits of the shaking building within 30 seconds.
The $7 million community centre opened in June 2021. It includes a meat restaurant, travellers lounge, children’s playground, ballroom and rooftop deck. All were evacuated. There is no damage to the structure.
“This has never happened here before, so it came as a shock,” Rabbi Kantor said. “Thank G-d, so far everyone that we know here has been accounted for.”
He added: “The truth is that despite the tragedy, it is a miracle that this earthquake did not do more damage. The buildings that fell were under construction. I shudder to think what would have
been had they been completed and occupied.”
Kantor and his wife, Nechama Dina, established Chabad Thailand in 1993 under the guidance of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, less than a year before his death.
Aside from the local Jewish community, Chabad Thailand serves thousands of Israeli backpackers and toruists every year. They have permanent centers in seven cities.
The earthquake came as Chabad was preparing for Pesach. Chabad traditionally hosts over 11,000 people for the seders in 13 locations including Pai, Koh PhanGan, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui.
Bangkok has two seders, one in English and a second in Hebrew.
“We are about to enter the Jewish month of miracles,” Rabbi Kantor said. “We pray for continued miracles here and around the world.”
The earthquake’s epicentre was 16km north-west of Sagaing according to the US Geological Survey. This is near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay and 200km of the capital, Nay Pyi Taw.
The first earthquake struck at 12:50 (06:20 GMT), according to the USGS. A second earthquake struck 12 minutes later, with a 6.4 magnitude. Aftershocks have continued.
The destruction in Myanmar
PHOTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Home Secretary is guest speaker at CST Annual Dinner
The Community Security Trust (CST) hosted its main fundraising event of the year, the CST Annual Dinner 2025 in central London with keynote speaker The Home Secretary RT Hon Yvette Cooper MP. Over 1,100 guests attended, including donors, government and shadow ministers, members of Parliament, police officers, communal partners and other supporters of CST’s work. In addition to The Home Secretary, CST welcomed politicians, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. CST was also delighted to host Jewish community leaders and supporters from across
society, such as Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Commissioner of Police Sir Mark Rowley QPM and Lord Mann of Holbeck Moor.
Lisa Ronson gave the evening’s opening address and CST’s Deputy Chairman Sir Lloyd Dorfman CVO CBE introduced the Home Secretary who spoke and thanked CST for its daily work to keep the Jewish community safe. Sir Lloyd Dorfman CVO CBE commented, “The scale of the anti-Jewish hate, on our streets and online, is something we should never accept or get used to. The levels of antisemitism in our universities and schools are bad enough. But we have to ask ourselves
what things have come to, when Jewish patients in NHS hospitals can’t even rely on their doctors and nurses to treat them professionally and equally, just because they are Jewish?”
The Home Secretary praised the long-standing work of CST, the courage of our volunteers, and reinstated her commitment to keeping the Jewish community safe amidst high levels of antisemitism. She announced that places of worship will be better protected from intimidatory protests under new powers being given to police. After repeated concerns, these new measures will help to protect the rights of the Jewish community and other faith communities. “The work CST does makes the difference every single day between confidence and fear, between safety and danger, between life and death, and we owe you all a huge debt of thanks. For the research and analysis they undertake to expose the scourge of antisemitism…The critical security they provide for hundreds of Jewish communal buildings and events every year…The fact that every week, thousands of British Jews go to school, or to synagogue, more confident in the knowledge that CST are providing protection and support.”
CST Chief Executive Mark Gardner MBE thanked CST volunteers, staff and trustees and addressed the room before the screening of a short
film showcasing the challenges that the Jewish community has continued to face over the last year. Mark reaffirmed CST’s unwavering promise to all Jews in the UK: “It’s been tough. It’s still tough. But we’re stronger for it. All of us... These are extraordinary times, but the longer they continue, the more they simply become the new reality: for us and especially for our children… We will do, all that we can, to deserve your trust. That remains my commitment to all of you; and it is CST’s pledge in the service of our community.”
Sir Gerald Ronson CBE concluded the evening, expressing gratitude to the government and police for their continued support that CST has received in the battle against antisemitism. Sir Gerald Ronson: “You need to understand this moment of danger that we Jews are now in. Because it looks to me as if tolerance for Jews is in short supply. That has long been the case on universities and amongst the intellectual far left. Social media is an open sewer of hatred flooding into people’s brains. These trends were bad enough before October 2023 but they are now much deeper and wider than ever before. It has impacted across British society including national institutions and our places of work and culture….CST’s fight against the Jew-haters and the terrorists is relentless.”
Continued from page 1
Adams told the grieving husband and father, Sidney Saada: “I’m here as a dad. Father to father. I only have one child and I feel your pain.”
Adams assured Saada that the city would support the family.
Rabbi David Ozeri, a leading Sephardic Rabbi, broke down in tears as he spoke about the tragedy and thanked Adams for visiting the family.
“This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn’t have been on the road,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch added. “A mother and two young children killed, another child fighting for his life, a family and a neighborhood devastated.”
After their bodies were flown to Israel, hundreds gathered at Har HaMenuchot.
Rabbi Elimelech Biderman was the first to speak, delivering a powerful address, expressing how it was exceptionally difficult to understand how this could happen to such a righteous woman and her young children. He urged world Jewry to repent and take this as a direct message from Hashem to all of us. He described it as a ‘shofar call’ from heaven urging people to immediately improve their ways.
The Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Yosef, tearfully offered words of comfort to the grief-stricken father Sydney, surviving sons, Philip and Jacob, Natasha’s parents, Jack and Shahin Assil from Mill Hill, and her siblings, Anoshka, David and Sammy.
Rabbi David Yosef stressed how the Jewish Nation should recognize how
quickly circumstances can change from one moment to the next and should therefore spend as much time as one can learning Torah and performing Mitzvot, as a person never knows when their time will come to an end.
Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet of Mill Hill Synagogue, where Natasha’s parents, Shahin and Jack Assil attend, travelled to Israel to console the family at the funeral.
He said: “The whole community is grief-stricken. Natasha grew up in Mill Hill and is fondly remembered by many. They are a beautiful family, and we are all mourning along with them.”
Natasha, a Hasmonean graduate who mastered in mental health counseling, was described by her friends as ‘an incredibly warm and loving person. She was a compassionate listener, offering valuable advice to those around her. She had a deep sense of responsibility towards her family and loved ones, always aiming to bring joy and positivity into the lives of those around her. Her dedication to Torah and Mitzvot truly inspired everyone who knew her.’
A few weeks ago before her passing, Natasha offered words of inspiration in a woman’s Torah class emphasizing that everyone has a unique connection to Hashem and that women have a mitzva to study Torah in their spare time.
The family of Natasha are sitting Shiva in New York and are asking the public to continue to pray for Raphael Pinchas Ben Sarah.
Kisharon Noé School’s Interactive
10
Plagues Exhibition Brings Passover
to Life
On Monday, Kisharon Noé School on the Wohl Campus transformed into a fully immersive biblical experience, as school pupils and adults supported by Kisharon Langdon across all services were invited to step into the story of Passover through an interactive 10 Plagues Exhibition.
Designed to engage the senses and bring the Exodus narrative to life, the exhibition featured ten unique stations— each dedicated to one of the plagues that befell Egypt. Participants watched water turn to “blood” with the simple addition of red food colouring, felt the weight of “hail” through giant balls of ice,
and experienced “darkness” by donning blackout sunglasses.
The multi-sensory journey encouraged exploration through touch, smell and sight, making the ancient story accessible and engaging for all. To enhance understanding, each stage of the exhibition was displayed on a screen in an easy-read format, ensuring inclusivity for all attendees. Following the exhibition, the Passover story was brought to life once more, as everyone gathered to listen to a vibrant reading from an oversized, colourful and pictorial Haggadah-style book.
This unique event exemplifies Kisharon Langdon’s commitment to making Jewish heritage meaningful and accessible, fostering a sense of connection and engagement for all.
Eitan Cohn, Kodesh Lead, said: “Our pupils had a fantastic time exploring the Pesach story in our immersive ten makkos experience, as part of our Pesach preparations in school. The Pesach story is so central to the Jewish story, that it is very important to us to engage our pupils with it in a vivid and experiential way that they can really understand.”
Kisharon Noé School pupils create blood from water
A packed audience
NJA Hosts MK Sharren Haskel and Investigative Journalist David Collier
The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) hosted a major online event last night with over 160 guests that laid bare the extent of the BBC’s systemic failures in reporting on Israel, drawing nearly 600 attendees for a searing and timely discussion featuring MK Sharren Haskel, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, and investiga-
tive journalist David Collier. The event centred on the recent scandal surrounding the now-pulled BBC documentary Gaza: How to Survive a
Warzone. Collier was the first to uncover that the central narrator of the film was not merely a civilian child, but the son of a Hamas deputy minister. His exposure triggered a firestorm that culminated in the BBC quietly removing the documentary - but not before taxpayer funds were funneled to the production, raising serious questions about potential material support to a proscribed terrorist organisation. In a hard-hitting presentation, MK Haskel accused the BBC of peddling Hamas propaganda and actively distorting facts. “When you make 80 so-called ‘mistakes,’ it’s not a coincidence - it’s a pattern, it’s a system,” she said. “We’re talking about an outlet that relies on terrorist propaganda and sells it to the world
as truth. This is a war not only on Israel, but on our shared values.”
She added: “This isn’t just about damage to Israel’s reputation. If British taxpayers’ money funded a film that paid Hamas operatives or their families, that’s a criminal offence under UK law. The BBC must be investigated.”
David Collier warned that the media war is as dangerous as anything on the battlefield. “We are at war and we need to wake everyone else up,” he said. “You can’t expect the BBC - which has been infiltrated by radical Islamists and leftists - to check their own homework. If they don’t see anything wrong with platforming
Hamas-linked voices, how many more will they hire before they resemble Al Jazeera?”
The NJA reiterated its call for an Ofcom-led investigation and demanded accountability from public institutions that enable and legitimise extremist narratives.
MK Sharren Haskel
PHOTO: MIRIAM ALSTER. FLASH90
Screenshot from BBC iPlayer
A Belated Step in the Right Direction – But Far From Enough
BY STEVE WINSTON
After nearly 18 months of Jewish communities being hounded, harassed, and vilified on the streets of Britain in the wake of the worst anti-Jewish pogrom since the Holocaust, the British government has finally proposed something. A measuretucked into a broader policing bill - that would allow police to restrict protests in the vicinity of places of worship. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has reportedly confirmed the provision is aimed at preventing pro-Palestinian demonstrators from targeting synagogues, particularly on Shabbat.
One might be tempted to say: better late than never. But frankly, this is cold comfort to those of us who have spent months walking past baying mobs calling for the destruction of Israel and the “liberation” of Palestine - by which they plainly mean the elimination of Jewish sovereignty from the river to the sea. It is now, allegedly, a step too far to march outside synagogues on the Jewish Sabbath. But what about everything else?
What about the hate that pours through megaphones every weekend in central London, from the PSC and their Islamist bedfellows? What about the Met’s consistent refusal to enforce the law when protestors carry signs openly supporting proscribed terror organisations? What about the mosques, some of them registered charities, where preachers incite hatred with impunity? What about the infiltration of our teachers’ unions and school curricula by fringe groups pushing anti-Zionist propaganda as “human rights education”? What about the BBC propagandising on behalf of Hamas?
This latest government proposal is a crumb tossed to a community reeling from months of intimidation. That it has taken until March 2025 for this measure to surface is itself an indictment. It should have been passed the first weekend after October 7, when these marches began in earnest - just days after Hamas butchered 1,200 innocent Israelis and dragged children and grandmothers into Gaza as trophies. Instead, the authorities stood by as those who celebrated the massacre marched through our streets, unopposed and unashamed.
Now, we’re told we may no longer be targeted within some arbitraryily defined exclusion zone around our synagoguesbut the moment we step outside, we will be invariably reminded of just how little the authorities have done to secure the broader public square. The same political class that dithers over banning the IRGC - the terror arm of the Iranian regime - is remarkably swift in condemning Israel for defending its people. The same MPs who campaign for “peace” in the Middle East are too busy playing footsies with Islamist constituents, or lobbying for new airports in Pakistan, to speak out about the daily incitement against Jews happening right under their noses.
This isn’t just weakness; it’s dereliction. Of course, the government should pass this measure. It should pass it immediately. But it must not be the end of the road - it must be the beginning of a serious, national reckoning with the explosion of antisemitism and terror-apologia we’ve seen since October 7. That includes robust enforcement of existing hate speech laws, proscription of organisations like the IRGC and Samidoun, audits of charities and mosques that give
platforms to extremists, and full-scale investigations into the infiltration of our education sector by anti-Israel activism.
If this country wishes to retain even a shred of moral credibility, it must make clear - without hesitation - that Hamas supporters have no place in Britain’s streets, institutions, or public discourse. Jewish citizens should not have to fear for their safety at school gates, on university campuses, or walking home from synagogue. And yet here we are.
The government’s proposal is a modest, long-overdue measure. But as long as the hatred continues to fester elsewhere - with the blessing or indifference of our political elites - it will remain a bandage on a gaping wound.
If the UK truly wants to stand against extremism, then it must do more than gesture. It must act - swiftly, seriously, and without apology.
Steve Winston, Managing Director of the National Jewish Assembly
Cleaning the Jewish Living Room for Pesach
BY RABBI YONASAN ROODYN
As Pesach approaches, Jewish homes undergo a dramatic transformation. Cupboards are emptied, kitchen shelves cleared, familiar cereals disappear, and suddenly everything tastes a little more ‘potatoey.’ The kitchen gets a kosher for Pesach makeover, and the whole rhythm of the home shifts. But this isn’t just about technical observance; it is a profound act of Jewish memory, embedded right at the heart of our daily lives.
The mitzvah of removing chametz is unusual in its total focus on the home. While many mitzvot are fulfilled in shul or at the table, this one reaches into every corner of our living space. The Torah could have told us simply to avoid eating chametz. Instead, it commands us to eliminate it from our property entirely. Why? Because Judaism understands that memory is most powerful when it is woven into the places we inhabit.
The home is where Jewish identity is formed. For children especially, the lead-up to Pesach is immersive. We break the familiar script: favourite foods are suddenly “not for now,” breakfast routines are interrupted, and the kitchen smells different. Toys get moved, dishes are swapped, and even the toothbrush might change. These are not mere disruptions or inconveniences; they are memories in the making. Children don’t hold onto abstract theology. But they do remember helping to wrap the cutlery, the hunt for chametz, the smell of grandma’s Pesach kugel, or the way the table looked under a white cloth crowned with a gleaming Seder plate. These sensory memories become the building blocks of Jewish identity. And year after year, they reinforce the idea that being Jewish isn’t just something we believe. It is something we live, in our homes, with all our senses. There is something beautifully
intergenerational about it too. The same recipes resurface, the same stories are told, the same songs are sung around the Seder table. Grandparents pass on not only the Haggadah, but the feeling of Pesach. What it smells like, what it tastes like, how it feels to live in a Jewish home at this time of year. The act of ridding our homes of chametz becomes a deeply emotional ritual, a way of telling our children: This is our story. This is how we keep our memories alive. And it works. This practice has withstood the test of time. For over 3,300 years, over some 130 generations, Jewish families around the world have removed chametz, changed over their homes, and retold the miracles of the Exodus. Through war and exile, through dispersion and displacement, this annual rhythm has kept the memory of Yetziat Mitzrayim alive and tangible in the very fabric of Jewish life. This mitzvah offers something rare,
a chance to reinforce Jewish memory through the daily rhythm of family life. It reminds us that Judaism isn’t a synagogue religion or a once-a-week commitment. It is a home religion. A memory religion. And it is in this full sensory, hands-on, house-wide experience that the story of the Exodus is not just remembered. It is relived, year after year, generation after generation. It is against that backdrop that we sit down, not just to read the Haggadah, but to tell our story.
In removing chametz, we make space not just in our cupboards, but in our minds, hearts and memories for the story that defines us all.
Rabbi Yonasan Roodyn is the Educational Director of Jewish Futures, a tour guide for JRoots as well as serving as Rabbi of Finchley Federation Synagogue and on the Federation Beth Din’s Shailatext service. He has thousands of classes available online at www.torahanytime. com.
LSJS invites applications for its LSJS Rabbi Sacks Learning Fellowship
The London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) invites applications for the fourth cohort of the LSJS Rabbi Sacks Learning Fellowship 2025/26; an exciting one-year course for young professionals, who are dedicated to Jewish learning and community involvement.
strive to lead a meaningful Jewish life. They will be taught by expert educators from the UK and abroad, including Rabbi Sacks’ closest students.
The Fellowship is made up of a select cohort of inquisitive and aspirational young people who want to discuss the biggest questions in Jewish thought and
The Fellowship was launched in 2022, in response to LSJS’ quest to best preserve Rabbi Sacks’ legacy. They decided to update and reimagine a course devised by Rabbi Sacks in 1978, with the aim of introducing the main themes and challenges of Jewish faith, practice, theology and philosophy. Using this as a basis, they designed a one-year programme that navigates honest engagement with Jewish thought, teachings and wisdom
combined with approaching contemporary challenges.
The programme brings together a prestigious cohort of young professionals who spend the year exploring key themes in Jewish thought, as well as Rabbi Sacks’ teachings, with an emphasis on their relevance and application, and how they can influence our lives.
“Each year, we are overwhelmed by the thirst for Jewish learning displayed by our fellows. If you are thoughtful, open-minded, and looking for structured learning with meaningful and authentic responses, this fellowship is for you,” said Michael Rainsbury, LSJS’ Head of Adult Education.
Participants on the programme are also expected to undertake a project of their choosing, to share their learning with others through diverse mediums and ideas, with this year’s projects including a Rabbi Sacks community Shabbaton in Mill Hill East and a scholarly lecture on Rabbi Sacks’ approach to Haggada.
Fellows’ projects over the last three years have made a huge impact on the community and have included a rabbinical conference on Climate Change and Jewish law, a community Shabbaton dedicated to exploring Rabbi Sacks’ thought,
scholarly articles and op-eds and local peer Jewish learning groups.
“The Fellowship provides a platform for a year-long engagement with the cutting-edge Jewish questions of the day, based on Rabbi Sacks’ philosophical approaches. Bringing together like-minded young professionals energises this endeavor, transforming it from an individual pursuit of knowledge to a shared learning experience”, said current participant Rafi Kleiman, Assistant Head of Informal Jewish Education at Yavneh College. “My project is based on bringing Rabbi Sacks’ ideas in ‘Community of Faith’ into Youth Directors’ practice, which is being done as a written resource.”
“Our Fellowship programme does not aim to only teach Rabbi Sacks’ ideas, but instead aims to foster individuals who think, learn and speak Torah in a way that reflects Rabbi Sacks’ unique worldview”, said Joanne Greenaway, Chief Executive of LSJS.
For applications, please contact joel. ucko@lsjs.ac.uk
For more information please go to: www.lsjs.ac.uk , call 020 8203 6427 or email lsjsadmin@lsjs.ac.uk
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The current group of Rabbi Sacks Fellows with Joanne Greenaway, Rabbi Dr Zarum and Michael Rainsbury
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Pesach, Storytelling and Luxury Branding
You gaze out over the azure Mediterranean, the sun glinting off the waves as the scent of gourmet cuisine fills the air. A world-class chef is preparing an exquisite Pesach feast, whilst the renowned speaker delivers an inspiring lecture…
But it’s not Pesach yet. It’s just the advert!—an invitation that feels almost tangible, drawing you into a world where indulgence meets spirituality, where every detail has been meticulously crafted to offer an unparalleled experience.
Luxury is more than just high price tags and premium materials—it’s about telling a story.
The most desirable brands don’t just sell products; they craft narratives that evoke emotion, exclusivity, and aspiration. A strong brand story builds a world around the product, making customers
feel like they are part of something greater.
Take Rolex, for example. It’s not just about fine watches; it’s about a legacy of precision, endurance, and achievement. Limited editions and long waitlists reinforce this story, making each purchase feel like an accomplishment rather than a transaction. Hermès applies the same approach with its Birkin bags—customers must build a relationship with the brand before even being considered for a purchase. This scarcity isn’t just a business tactic; it strengthens the story that these products are truly special.
But luxury branding isn’t just about limiting supply. It’s also about tapping into the emotional triggers of the buyer. One of the most effective techniques is making the audience feel they’re missing out if they don’t own a particular product or experience.
David Ogilvy, one of the most legendary figures in advertising, understood this well. He once crafted an ad for RollsRoyce that read: “At 60 miles an hour, the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock.”
Rather than talking about price or exclusivity outright, the ad created a story—one of ultimate refinement and quiet luxury. The same principle applies today,
whether for high-end Pesach getaways or elite memberships—if you’re not there, you’re missing out on an experience that defines a certain lifestyle.
We recently created a luxury brand for a client who crafts handmade silver Judaica. Every piece in his collection is created in limited numbers, making each item not just a religious artefact but an exclusive work of art. The story behind these pieces—centuries-old craftsmanship, attention to detail, and true uniqueness—became the heart of the brand. To highlight this, the ads we designed focused on the rarity of each piece, reinforcing the idea that once they’re gone, they’re truly gone. By positioning his work as something that carries both craftsmanship and exclusivity, we helped elevate its value and desirability.
If you’re not jetting off on a luxury Pesach getaway or saving up for a Rolex, at least take a moment to enjoy the numer-
Luxury branding isn’t just about restricting supply—it’s about crafting an emotional narrative, making the customer feel like they are stepping into a world of exclusivity, heritage, and meaning. When done right, storytelling turns desire into loyalty.
ous Pesach escape ads—you deserve a little escape from the Pesach preparations, even if it is only in your imagination! MD Strom is a Brand Consultant and CEO of VMAL Ltd – a London based branding, marketing and web design company. He can be reached by email at darren@ vmal.co.uk or on 0208 133 3527
Are There “Dark Forces” ?
BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN
How we confront our guilt in the aftermath of sin or moral failure is a defining pillar of avodat Hashem and of religious identity. Accepting responsibility and atoning for aveirot should be a cathartic moment and should foster profound spiritual growth. By contrast, denying responsibility and evading ownership of sin, often leads to recidivism and a deepening moral decline.
The modern world has waged an unrelenting campaign to erase guilt from our emotional landscape, discouraging feelings of personal responsibility while urging us to externalize blame by shifting it to others. Yet guilt is indispensable for moral growth and self-improvement. It serves as the quiet but insistent voice of a healthy conscience, guiding us toward accountability, teshuva, and transformation. Without it, the path to ethical refinement is obstructed, leaving us adrift in a world devoid of moral clarity.
For this reason, the Torah’s description of the korban chatat, or sin offerings, is profoundly symbolic. It captures a delicate “guilty” moment in the spiritual life of a religious soul. The words the Torah uses to describe this moment, and this sacrifice are iconic, imparting lessons about moral accountability and the process of recovery from sin.
SINS OF THE ‘NEFESH’
Surprisingly, the Torah introduces the section discussing sin offerings with the Hebrew word nefesh, typically referring to our souls. One might assume that the section describing sin would begin with ish or adam, terms that reflect our physical and material bodies which are responsible for our desires and our sins. Evidently, as the Midrash comments, sin is not merely a product of our physical bodies and fleshly desires. Every sin carries a psychological undercurrent, rooted in our psyche and souls. That underlying psychological need manifests itself through a physical sin. Sin is born from the fusion of body and soul, shaped both by physical desires and the deeper currents of emotional insecurity. It is not merely a lapse of the flesh but a reflection of the psyche, a struggle that unfolds within the entirety of the human experience. To underscore the integrated nature of sin, the Torah attributes transgression not only to the body but also to the soul or “nefesh”. Moral improvement and recovery from chet requires that we understand the root of our shortcomings. If we continue to compartmentalize and assign blame solely to our physical desires, we only address the symptoms of sin, not the root cause. Moral and religious growth demands that we dig deeper, unearthing the psychological foundations of our behavior. Why do we act this way? Why do we find ourselves trapped in cycles of behavior that ultimately leave us frustrated,
ashamed, and diminished? What unseen forces within our souls draw us back to the toxic behavior we seek to escape
LIFE WHOLE
Just as we do not separate body from soul when examining the roots of sin, we likewise avoid such divisions when reflecting on our broader religious experience. Life unfolds as a seamless whole—our moments of spiritual inspiration and our struggles are woven into a single, unified existence. Hashem fused our immortal neshamot with our fleeting, physical bodies, desiring that we experience life as a whole, rather than fragmenting it into separate spheres of the spiritual and the material. We strive to stand before Hashem in wholeness, in every moment, with every facet of our being. The tone of our experiences may shift—tefillah, Talmud torah and other mitzvot carry a different resonance than the mundane rhythms of daily life—but we are always standing before Him, always striving to live in accordance with His will. We do not divide life into compartments—one for sacred moments, another for spiritual recess. Instead, we embrace a continuous, unbroken journey of devotion. We must be the same person in shul as we are in the workplace, the same person who studies Torah as the one who strives to be a devoted family member. Though the expressions of our service may vary, each remains an integral part of a unified, holistic devotion to Hashem’s will. There are no pauses in this mission, no intermissions from religious life. Our commitment is unwavering, weaving through every role we embrace and every moment we live, where body and soul unite as one.
DUELING FORCES
Judaism adamantly rejects dividing life into separate realms. The notion of splitting existence between body and soul or distinguishing between religious and non-religious moments is known as dualism—a philosophy foreign to Jewish thought. Instead, Judaism embraces a holistic vision, in which every aspect of life is intertwined with faith, and every moment is an opportunity for divine connection.
Dualistic cultures not only divide human experience into separate realms but also interpret history through a dualistic lens. The most popular expression of dualism divides existence into forces of good and evil, or light and darkness. This doctrine offers a simplistic answer to the perennial challenge of evil: how could an all-powerful and compassionate Hashem permit its existence? Dualism resolves this dilemma by proposing that evil is an autonomous force, inherently embedded within creation, locked in an unending struggle against the forces of good.
Tragically, throughout history, this stark division between forces of good and evil has fueled the demonization of Jews and unleashed relentless violence against us. Branded as the embodiment of darkness, we became convenient scapegoats for humanity’s suffering. After all, if pain and misfortune exist, there must be a hidden culprit— and our distinct customs and cultural separateness made us an easy target. This demonization served as a gruesome justification for the most barbaric acts against our people. By eradicating Jews- the so-called source of evil, our enemies convinced themselves they were serving a higher moral cause. No cruelty was too extreme, no atrocity too heinous.
Even today, a modern version of this ancient slander persists. Once again, we are cast as the ultimate villains, blamed for the alleged sins of Western civilization—from colonialism to genocide. The script has changed, but the underlying doctrine of demonization and hatred remains the same.
FREE WILL, NOT “FORCES”
ideology, but in truth, they represent only barbarity and cruelty. They have abused the gift of free will and moral conscience to vandalize Hashem’s world and strike humanity. It is both our moral duty and historical calling to stand against evil and to defeat it. Hashem desires the triumph of justice, and ultimately, He will ensure that wickedness is vanquished from the world.
We completely and utterly reject any notion of hidden forces of evil and darkness. Everything in this world was created by Hashem, and every human being was fashioned in His image. People possess free will—the divine gift of moral choice. Hashem entrusted humanity with this freedom, allowing each individual to choose between right and wrong, between light and dark. With this personal agency, some bring goodness and light into the world, while others unleash cruelty and suffering.
Individuals or societies, however wicked, do not embody some mythical force of darkness. There is no larger or cosmic force fueling their assault upon humanity and virtue. They are simply evil people and immoral cultures—nothing more. They may speak in the name of religion or
There is no grand narrative of battling forces of light and darkness, of good versus evil. There is only one force— Hashem’s will—and in the end, it will prevail, triumphant and eternal. We live life as a unified whole, indivisible in our essence. One G-d created all things, and He desires that we live our lives as one. When people, cultures, or religions undermine the world He created, He expects us to rise up and defeat them.
The writer, a rabbi at the hesder Yeshivat Har Etzion/Gush, was ordained by YU and has an English literature MA from CUNY. His most recent book, “To be Holy but Human: Reflections upon my Rebbe, Rav Yehuda Amital (Kodesh) is available in bookstores and at www.mtaraginbooks. com.
CHARITY SUPPLEMENT FREE
Supporting others with Jewish Care and Jami this Pesach
As we prepare to sit at the Seder table for another year with our families to celebrate a journey to freedom this Pesach, we will remember those, past and present, for whom this is sadly not the case. Jewish Care and Jami, part of Jewish Care, are asking the community for support so we can be there for all those in the Jewish community who continue to rely on us for connection and support.
This year as we mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, this support is even more vital for people like 100-year-old Henry Glanz, who at just 15, in 1939, fled Nazi Germany and boarded the last Kindertransport train, escaping to Britain.
Henry’s family perished in the Holocaust. Safe in England, Henry later married Bobby, the love of his life, and they enjoyed 67 wonderful years together, bringing up two sons in London’s East End, with grandchildren and great-grandchildren who followed. Sadly, in 2016, Bobby, passed away, and he now lives alone.
Today, the connection and friendship of fellow members, volunteers, and staff at Jewish Care’s Brenner Stepney Jewish Community Centre, light up Henry’s week. He is a much-loved member of the Centre and enjoys the warmth of Jewish traditions and festivals celebrated together throughout the year.
Henry says, “I miss my wife very much. She suggested I should join the community centre when I retired and being here makes me feel closer to her.”
At Jewish Care’s Brenner Stepney Jewish Community Centre, Henry has found friendship, comfort, and joy, celebrating Jewish life with others as well as the milestones he couldn’t celebrate as a child.
“My bar mitzvah in 1937 in Nazi Germany was not a happy one, but my second bar mitzvah here 85 years later at the Centre was one of the best days of my life,” says Henry.
He continues, “I love the singing group, entertainment and dancing, and most of all the company.”
Henry enjoyed celebrating his 100th birthday at Jewish Care’s Brenner Stepney Jewish Community Centre last year and is now looking forward to celebrating his 101st birthday joined by his family, together with his friends, the staff and volunteers at the Centre. He feels part of a warm and caring Jewish community who value him today and understands his past.
At Jami, now part of Jewish Care, expert staff also go the extra mile to ensure that people living with mental illness and distress feel supported.
Jonathan is one of the many people who attend Jami’s Finchley community hub as part of their journey to recovery. Ever since his first experience of mental
illness in the 1990s, Jonathan has been accessing Jami’s support. As a result of his mental health issues, Jonathan has been unable to work for a long time. Coming to the hub, which provides a safe space and social connection for people with longterm mental illness and distress, provides structure to Jonathan’s week and relieves social isolation.
For people living with mental illness, including anxiety-related disorders, doing everyday tasks, which many of us take for granted, can be a real challenge. Opening a bank account or buying a concert ticket, for example, would have once been impossible for Jonathan. With gentle support, the team at Jami have enabled Jonathan to do these tasks for himself and to become more independent and grow in confidence to do more independently, and ask for support when he needs to.
The warmth and friendliness of the staff and volunteers who provide emotional and practical support, enable Jonathan to be himself and feel accepted. He feels part of a family and takes part in activities, socialises and enjoys a kosher nutritious lunch, which members help to make. He can also express his Jewish identity,
celebrating together with members at Shabbat and Yom Tov meals.
Jonathan regularly joins the Friday coffee group in Edgware and the Monday walking group. He also attends the Sunday outings, which are particularly important because loneliness affects many people with mental illness and can be worse at the weekends.
The hub is a shoulder to lean on for Jonathan and others, Jami runs many more services to support the community’s mental health – from schoolchildren struggling with anxiety and depression, to family members caring for someone with mental illness.
Ellisa Estrin, Jewish Care Director of Fundraising & Marketing, says, “Henry has a unique story, but he is not alone and Jewish Care’s community centres provides support to so many other older people like him. At Jami too, the expert and responsive staff and volunteers go the extra mile to ensure that Jonathan and many others like him, feel listened to, cared about, and supported.
“Every week, we touch the lives of 12,000 people who need our support. These connections transform lives, bringing hope, companionship, and a sense of belonging to those who need it most. We want to ensure that these life-changing services will always be available to all those who need them.
“We receive no government funding for these vital services and rely entirely on the generosity of the community to ensure we can continue providing support for Henry and Jonathan and many others like them.”
To donate to ensure these life-changing services continue to be available to those who need them, please visit jewishcare. org/pesach or jamiuk.org/pesach
Henry Glanz, 100, at Jewish Care’s Brenner Stepney Jewish Community Centre
Jonathan is a member of Jami’s Finchley community hub and is supported by Jami, part of Jewish Care
Henry’s story of
In 1939, Henry fled Germany and found safety in England, where he met the love of his life, Bobby. Together, they loved going to the Brenner Stepney Jewish Community Centre. After Bobby died, Henry continued to find comfort, connection, and a warm and caring Jewish community who understand his past.
“MY BAR MITZVAH IN 1937 IN NAZI GERMANY WAS NOT A HAPPY ONE. BUT MY SECOND BAR MITZVAH HERE AT THE CENTRE, 85 YEARS LATER, WAS ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE.”
To help more people like Henry scan here, visit jewishcare.org/pesach or call us on 020 8922 2600
JNF UK is helping to ensure that thousands of Israeli families won’t go hungry this Pesach
As Pesach approaches, Jewish communities worldwide prepare for a festival steeped in tradition and meaning. Among the customs observed in the lead-up to Passover is the cherished mitzvah of Kimcha D’Pischa—literally translated as “flour for Pesach.” This ageold halachic tradition ensures that every Jewish family, regardless of their financial
circumstances, has the essential food and resources needed to celebrate Pesach with dignity.
For decades, JNF UK has been committed to strengthening communities in Israel’s underdeveloped peripheries, where many families struggle with economic hardship and rely on welfare. Since the tragic events on October 7th, the need
has become even more urgent. Many Israelis who were once self-sufficient now find themselves in need of assistance due to the effects of the war, economic instability, displacement, and loss. More and more families are falling through the cracks, making it vital to provide essential support to ensure no one is left behind.
This Pesach, JNF UK is proud to launch its Kimcha D’Pischa campaign, raising vital funds to provide food for those in need across some of Israel’s most vulnerable communities. JNF UK is partnering with grassroots organisations, whom they have been working with for many years, providing much needed support. With your help we can make a a tangible impact, delivering food baskets and vouchers to struggling families and upholding the fundamental Jewish value of caring for others.
Among the organisations benefitting from this campaign are SAHI, the Special Hessed Unit, the Chesed Centre in Sderot, and Beit Refael in Eilat. These incredible organisations aim to distribute 3,400 food packages and provide food vouchers to families across Israel’s peripheries—from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat— ensuring that those facing hardship have everything they need for the holiday.
Elan Gorji, CEO of JNF UK, says, “Pesach is a time when we come together to celebrate freedom, faith, and family. But for too many in Israel today, the joy of the Seder is clouded by hardship and uncertainty. The mitzvah of Kimcha D’Pischa reminds us that no one should be left behind . With a donation of as little as £30, you can help provide a family with the essentials they need to celebrate with dignity. This Pesach, let’s bring the true meaning of the festival to life—by helping families in Israel experience the freedom and joy that this holiday represents.” You can read more about JNF UK’s Pesach campaign and help feed those in need, by visiting: www.jnf.co.uk/ pesachappeal
JTeen Launches Urgent Campaign to Warn Parents About the Risks of AI and Teen Use
JTeen, a leading UK charity supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of Jewish teenagers, has launched a new awareness campaign highlighting the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) when misused by young people. The campaign includes a free Parenting Guide for schools to distribute to families. With AI platforms rapidly growing in popularity, JTeen has seen a worrying trend: teenagers turning to AI chatbots for emotional support, personal advice, and even forming intense, simulated “relationships” with these systems. These tools are widely accessible, often used without adult knowledge, and capable of generating responses that can be misleading, emotionally confusing, or deeply inappropriate.
“AI is not just a clever app—it’s becoming a place some teens go to feel heard, understood, or supported,” explains Yaakov Barr, psychotherapist and CEO of JTeen. “But unlike real relationships, these platforms never challenge, never set boundaries, and never offer genuine care. We’ve seen teens become emotionally dependent on them, receive harmful advice, or access content that is far beyond what they should be engaging with.”
In one concerning case, a teenager used AI to analyse a disagreement with her parents. Based on minimal input, the chatbot advised her to cut off all ties— without understanding the full story or hearing both sides. In other situations, teens have used AI to generate highly inappropriate or sensitive content that would normally be blocked by internet
safeguarding advice, and an overview of how AI tools may be affecting teenagers emotionally and psychologically.
The guide is being shared with schools across the country ahead of the holidays, when students are more likely to spend time unsupervised online. JTeen is urging schools to distribute the guide to families as part of their safeguarding or wellbeing communication.
filters. To help parents understand the risks, JTeen has developed a Parenting Guide that explains how AI works, what teens are using it for, and how families can set healthy digital boundaries. It includes simple conversation starters,
Michal Bookey, Safeguarding Officer at JTeen, says:
“Many parents are unaware that their children may be forming attachments to chatbots or using AI in emotionally risky ways. These platforms feel private and responsive—but they aren’t safe spaces. It’s essential that families know how to recognise the signs and step in early.”
Earlier this year, JTeen was named National Helpline of the Year for its impactful work
supporting Jewish teens through its anonymous support line and prevention programmes in schools. This new campaign is part of its continued commitment to protecting the next generation from emerging threats.
To request a copy of the Parenting Guide or to speak with a member of the JTeen team, contact: admin@jteen.co.uk
Jewish Blind and Disabled transforming lives
Jewish Blind and Disabled transforms the lives of Jewish adults, aged 18 upwards, who have a physical disability or vision impairment through housing and support.
Our adapted apartments in our developments across London and Hertfordshire remove the barriers that people with disabilities or vision impairments face when living in inappropriate housing. They enable people to live independently and manage everyday tasks that are essential to maintaining independence.
We ensure that assistance is on hand 24
hours a day, seven days a week from our House Managers. We also have a Tenancy Support Team and Community Engagement Team who work hard to support tenants.
Our eighth development, Ephraim Court, is progressing and due for completion this summer and will provide 30 new mobility apartments in the heart of Mill Hill East.
Aside from our developments, in the last year, we have expanded our community based services and we have a range of ways we can offer support for people in the community living with
physical disabilities or vision impairments.
The Independent Living Advisory Service is an occupational therapist led service which offers help and advice on the aids and technologies that can help people to maintain their independence in their own home.
Our occupational therapists will visit and provide a report with advice and recommendations for aids or home adaptations to help with tasks such as cooking, dressing or personal care, moving around your home safely or technology to make everyday tasks easier.
We also run monthly support groups for people with visual impairments or sight loss and another group, JEMS, in partnership with Jewish Care, for people affected by Multiple Sclerosis. The
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
Jewish Blind & Disabled are excited to announce our monthly Peer Support Groups for people with visual impairments.
The second Thursday of each month
11.30am – 1.00pm
The second Tuesday of each month 11.30am – 1.00pm
Sessions are designed for meeting new people and sharing experiences of living with sight loss in a safe environment. Family members, friends or carers are welcome to join.
To join a session or find out more information, please contact Toni Lewis on toni@jbd.org or 020 8371 6611 ext 620
sessions take place in a safe environment and are designed for attendees to meet new people, share their experiences and exchange advice, ideas and support. For more information about our services, ways you can get involved or to donate: www.jbd.org or call 020 8371 6611
CGI of Ephraim Court
JBD tenant
#NorwoodChallenges
Join us on the wild side for this exciting 5-day cycle from Nairobi across the plains of Kenya, through the Tsavo National Safari Park and on to the beaches of Mombasa. Hybrid bikes, a mix of dirt and tarmac roads and the chance to see the Big Five, this is a feast for the senses not to be missed.
We’ll support you all the way and together we can support and empower neurodiverse children, their families and people with neurodevelopmental disabilities, to live their best lives.
More information: challenges@norwood.org.uk
To book: norwood.org.uk/challenges/kenya
Patron HM King Charles III Registered Charity No. 1059050
WJR Launches Urgent appeal for Myanmar Earthquake response
In response to the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, World Jewish Relief has launched an urgent emergency appeal to raise funds to support the affected communities. The earthquake, which has already claimed thousands of lives and caused widespread destruction, has left countless individuals without shelter, food, or access to medical care.
This disaster has exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities, with nearly 20 million people in the region already in critical need of humanitarian assistance before the quake. The scale of devastation is immense, and the need for a coordinated response is urgent.
World Jewish Relief has partnered with Swanyee, a trusted organisation with over six years of experience working in Myanmar, to deliver immediate support to the most vulnerable populations. Together, they are working to assess the needs of those affected and provide essential aid, including:
Cash and voucher assistance for emergency shelter
Hygiene kits containing clean drinking water, soap, and water purification tablets
Blankets to help keep families warm Food packages for the hardest-hit
communities
First aid kits to support local medical units treating the injured
“Our response is focused on immediate relief and support, ensuring that we reach those in greatest need as quickly as possible,” said Paul Anticoni, CEO of World Jewish Relief. “In times of crisis, it is our responsibility as a community to extend our hands and hearts to those suffering, regardless of nationality or faith.”
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg stated, “While supporting Jewish communities in need across the globe, World Jewish Relief upholds the Jewish value of ‘every human life created in G-d’s image’ by offering a compassionate and swift response wherever people suffer disaster, across all borders of nationality and faith.”
World Jewish Relief is launching this appeal with the full support of the UK’s leading Jewish communal bodies. The charity invites all who are able to contribute to the Jewish community’s humanitarian response for those affected by the earthquake.
Donations can be made online at worldjewishrelief.org/myanmar or by calling 0208 7361250.
LICENSING WEBSITE:
WWW KOSHER ORG UK
CERTIFICATION WEBSITE:
WWW KLBDKOSHER ORG
KLBD (Kashrut Division of the London Beth Din) is the leading UK authority on Jewish Dietary Laws It operates under the aegis of the Court of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth
Now Hiring! Factory Inspection Coordinator
We are recruiting a Factory Inspection Coordinator to support our Factory Auditors / Mashgichim and the Kosher Certification Administration Manager to help organise kashrus audits at our 2200 factories around the world
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT MUST
Possess strong office-based skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word Excel Outlook, and databases, fluency in English, and excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
Be self-motivated and able to manage time efficiently for a heavy workload
YOUR JOB WILL INCLUDE
LOCATION: NORTH-WEST LONDON OFFICE
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United Hatzalah of Israel
It is Thursday night. Kiss your family goodnight and head out to meet friends at a concert.
Halfway there you hear buzzing and see an alert for a severe car accident nearby, as a trained medic, you turn your car around and head towards it. As you are only streets away, it takes mere minutes to get there.
On arrival, you are faced with the aftermath of a severe car accident with
three people seriously injured. You work with other first responder colleagues on the scene to manage bleeding, immobilise patients and identify potential internal damage. As soon as patients are transferred to the responding ambulance, you look at your watch and head back towards your car. There’s time to make the concert.
Except you get another alert. This time there’s a patient with chest
pains in the hotel you are standing directly outside. You are so close you can be there in seconds. And you are; closely followed by another hotel guest who is also medically trained.
Together you examine the patient. You identify high blood sugar and elevated blood sugar so initiate treatment while you wait for the ambulance.
When you finish you look at your watch again. It’s too late to get to the concert so you head home, apologising to your friends as you walk back to the car.
A typical evening in Israel? For a United Hatzalah volunteer medic it can be.
This particular evening is just one in the life of Yehuda Levy, one of United Hatzalah’s dedicated 8,000 volunteer medics. These exceptional individuals offer their time to bridge the gap between the time a medical emergency call is received in their immediate vicinity and when
the ambulance is able to navigate traffic to attend the scene.
Speed is critical to save lives and minimise the long-term impact of a medical emergency. Thanks to its focus on locality, United Hatzalah boasts an incredible average response time of three minutes or less right across Israel.
This incredible service is funded entirely by generous donations and gifts in wills. It is the generosity of those that support the organisation which allows it to purchase the equipment it needs to treat patients and train more volunteer medics. And the generosity of spirit of the volunteer medics who dedicate their own time to study, pass the necessary tests and ultimately treat those in need.
The service is provided absolutely free for anyone who needs it, regardless of religion, ethnicity, national origin or, importantly, medical insurance status. It is the only completely free medical first response service in Israel.
Whether responding to an asthma attack, a fall in the home or the horror of a mass casualty incident, United Hatzalah’s volunteer medics have the skills and expertise to provide initial treatment needed that saves lives.
For more information visit www. israelrescue.org/uk, call 020 3823 4650 or email uk@israelrescue.org. A gift in your lifetime will ensure the extension of another’s lifeline.
JAcademy Students Reflect on Transformative London Experience with FJL
BY REBBETZEN ELISHEVA NEWMAN, SENIOR EDUCATOR FJL AND JACADEMY STUDENTS SAMANTHA MENA, SHULA HASSAN
One of the most anticipated events on the Forum for Jewish Leadership (FJL) calendar is the annual London programme for JAcademy students. JAcade-
research, content creation, and supporting events. One of the highlights was visiting Parliament, where I attended briefings and met key figures in British politics and the Jewish-Israeli community in London. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”
Beyond her internship, Samantha has
was magical. Seeing the streets filled with people in costume, joining in the festivities with such a large and vibrant Jewish community was incredibly meaningful. Coming from a small Jewish community, this was something truly special.”
SHULA’S JOURNEY: JOURNALISM AND DIPLOMACY IN ACTION
my, a Jewish gap-year programme based in Berlin, offers European Jewish students a unique blend of Jewish learning and professional development. As part of their nine-month journey, participants spend a month in London with FJL, part of Jewish Futures, gaining hands-on work experience and immersing themselves in the city’s vibrant Jewish and professional landscape.
This March, ten ambitious young Jews arrived in London, eager to make the most of this extraordinary opportunity. They were placed in prestigious internships spanning politics, journalism, business, real estate, medicine, dentistry, and the non-profit sector. Alongside their professional placements, they participated in FJL’s signature programming - an inspiring lineup of speakers and events designed to showcase Jewish role models who have achieved success while staying deeply connected to their values.
INSIDE THE EXPERIENCE: SAMANTHA’S STORY
Among the participants is Samantha Mena, originally from Costa Rica, who attended high school in Israel before joining JAcademy to further her Jewish and professional education. During her month in London, she interned at Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), gaining a firsthand look at British politics.
“Interning at LFI has been an incredible experience,” Samantha shared. “I’ve learned so much about British politics and how the Labour government is engaging with Israel. My work included
been deeply inspired by FJL’s evening speaker series, which has introduced her to prominent Jewish leaders and professionals.
“One of the most impactful speakers was Karen Harris, a remarkable entrepreneur who shared her journey and perspective on balancing Jewish values with professional success. I was also particularly moved by Marco Laurence, the founder of a non-profit that teaches Jewish children self-defence and provides mental health support. His story was incredibly powerful.”
Meeting Keith Breslauer, a successful businessman known for his philanthropic work supporting charities and Jewish organisations, has been another highlight. “His dedication to helping others was inspiring,” Samantha reflected.
“It reinforced the idea that success isn’t just about personal achievements - it’s also about giving back to the community.”
Living in London’s Jewish community has been another unforgettable part of the experience. “Celebrating Purim here
Another participant, Shula Hassan, originally from Italy, spent her internship at 8original, a media and journalism company that collaborates with Jewish News, Jewish Refugees, and El Al UK.
“This internship has given me access to incredible experiences,” she said. “One of the standout moments was attending a fundraiser where Stephen Fry spoke about his Jewish identity. Another highlight was supervising a meeting between Holocaust survivors and Jewish students from different youth movements - it was deeply moving.”
A unique opportunity for both Shula and Samantha was a one-on-one meeting with a Swiss diplomat, arranged by Rabbi Effie Kleinberg, Senior Educator and Programme Director at FJL. “This conversation opened my eyes to potential career paths in diplomacy,” Samantha
remarked.
For Shula, meeting key figures in Jewish leadership and diplomacy was especially meaningful. “One of the most inspiring people I met was Efrat Perri, the Director of Public Diplomacy at the Israeli Embassy. Visiting her workplace and hearing about her career in public diplomacy was eye-opening—it strengthened my passion for international relations and conflict resolution.”
Another speaker who left a lasting impression was Rabbi Avrohom Zeidman, a senior educator at GIFT, also part of the Jewish Futures family, and an organisation dedicated to inspiring and enabling kindness and giving. “His words truly resonated with me,” Shula shared. “His storytelling and public speaking skills were captivating. He made me reflect deeply on the importance of being a giver and making a positive impact on those around us.”
A POWERFUL CONCLUSION
As the programme draws to a close, the students are preparing for their final Shabbat in London, followed by a farewell banquet on Tuesday evening - a fitting end to a transformative month. “This experience has been nothing short of incredible,” Samantha and Shula reflected. “We’ve met so many amazing Jewish families, experienced Shabbat in such a warm environment, and gained so much professionally and personally. We will carry these lessons with us for a lifetime.”
For these JAcademy students, their month in London with FJL has been more than just an internship - it has been a life-changing journey of growth, inspiration, and Jewish connection.
Chai launches ‘Cancer doesn’t care how old you are’ Pesach Appeal
Over the last 10 years, the proportion of young people supported by Chai Cancer care has increased by over 200%, with one in three of their 4,500 clients now
under the age of 50. This year’s Pesach appeal features a personal account from Chai client, Charlotte Kent, who was diagnosed Lymphoma at just 35 years
old. Read Charlotte’s story in her own words below:
“It was the 9th of February 2024 that I found out
I had Lymphoma. I was in shock. At 35, how could I have cancer? I didn’t know anyone my age who had been through it. I had heard of Chai, but the thought of talking about cancer filled me with anxiety. Making that first call was difficult, but the moment I did, I felt so much lighter, almost happy.
Chai was a safe place where I could be completely open about how I was feeling, where I felt totally understood. Everyone there was either in the same boat as me or was there to help people like me. What an amazing place.
Chai truly cares for everyone and helped me get my life back on track.”
– Charlotte
With no government funding, we rely on the generosity of the community to provide over 70 specialised services and care to more than 4,500 clients across the UK.
For more information on Chai’s extensive range of specialised services and care across the UK, please call 0808 808 4567 or visit www.chaicancercare.org
I found out I had lymphoma on 9th February 2024. I was in shock. At 35, how could I have cancer? I didn’t know anyone my age who had been through it.
Making that first call to Chai was difficult, but everyone there was either in the same boat as me or was there to help people like me.
What an amazing place. Chai truly cares for everyone and helped me get my life back on track
Over the last 10 years, the number of young people supported by Chai has increased by more than 200%.
For more information on our extensive range of specialised services and care across the UK, please call our Freephone helpline on 0808 808 4567 or visit www.chaicancercare.org
A Once in a Generation Moment: Why We Must Stand Together This Yom HaShoah
BY NEIL MARTIN OBE, CHAIR OF YOM HASHOAH UK
Five years ago, on the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Shoah, our community came together for the largest-ever virtual Holocaust commemoration. The pandemic forced us apart, but it didn’t stop us from uniting. From living rooms across the country, thousands of people logged on to honour our survivors, lighting yellow candles in their homes as a solemn tribute to those who perished.
Last year on Yom HaShoah, it felt important to stand together in person once more—gathered at Victoria Tower Gardens with the Houses of Parliament as our backdrop, shoulder to shoulder, in defiance and in unity. We had just witnessed the darkest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. The pain of October 7th was raw, yet as a community, we stood firm, ensuring that as proud British Jews our commitment to remembrance and hope remains unwavering. Now, as we reach the 80th Anniversary, we stand on the cusp of history once more. On Wednesday 23rd April 2025, the eve of Yom HaShoah, thousands will return to Victoria Tower Gardens for what will quite possibly be the last major
anniversary where Holocaust survivors and refugees will be present in meaningful numbers. This will be a defining once in a generation moment—not just of commemoration, but of commitment. For 80 years, Holocaust survivors and refugees have willing carried the burden of memory. They have spoken in schools, in synagogues, in Parliament. They have told their stories with unimaginable strength, not for themselves, but for us.
To ensure we would never forget. But in the years ahead, their voices will sadly fade. The responsibility of remembrance will no longer rest with them - it will be ours alone - and they want us to continue their legacy. It is said that every Jewish soul was present at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. This 80th Anniversary National Commemoration is our Mount Sinai moment. Future generations will ask us: Where were you when the last survivors bore witness? Did you stand alongside them? Did you hear their testimony? Did you take the flame of remembrance into your own hands? Victoria Tower Gardens is not just any venue. It is the proposed site of the new UK Holocaust Memorial, a place where the memory of the Shoah will stand in the heart of British democracy. On
this historic evening, we’re asking our community to gather there in unprecedented numbers. Holocaust survivors, refugees, young leaders, dignitaries, and families will stand together in a solemn yet powerful act of remembrance. We will hear from some of the last of the witnesses. We will watch the next generation of British Jewish children perform a moving musical tribute—over 300 primary school children, lifting their voices in a solemn pledge that Never Again truly means Never Again.
And through the power of technology, our commemoration will be amplified beyond the park. Since lockdown, tens of thousands have joined via livestream— whether in care homes, schools, regional communities or from abroad. This will ensure that Yom HaShoah is not just seen and heard by those in the physically present, but by the entire Jewish world.
This is not just another event. This is not just another Yom HaShoah. This is the moment for our community to come together in numbers never seen before. If we don’t, when will we?
In 2015, 5,000 people came together for the 70th anniversary. Last year, thousands stood in unity following October 7th. This year, we must surpass them all.
We need everyone—synagogues, schools, youth movements, charities, families—to make it their priority to attend. We need leaders—from every corner of our community—to mobilise, spread the word, and ensure no one is left asking “Why didn’t I go?” We need you!
In years to come, when people speak of the 80th anniversary, they will ask who was there. They will look to the images, the recordings, the testimonies of that night. They will see thousands of British Jews, standing before Parliament, standing before history, standing before our inspirational survivors and refugees—pledging that we will carry their memories forward.
And when the question comes: Did you stand with them? Let our answer be: Yes. In our thousands. We stood together, as one.
With just three weeks to go, and over 2,000 tickets already booked… Be there and join us on Wed 23rd April 2025.
Make history, honour the past and inspire the future!
Book Your FREE Tickets now at www. yomhashoah.org.uk
Another successful year of the JEWEL Training Award in Manchester
With great excitement in the Manchester Kehilla, the winner of the Jewel Training Award was recently announced.
In what has become a firm annual fixture in Jewel’s and the Manchester Community’s calendar, individuals were invited to apply for the chance to win £2,500 towards the costs of a training course with another 3 runners-up being offered grants between £500 - £1000. The Jewel Foundation has been providing employment, business and training support to the Manchester Kehilla and beyond since 2008 and constantly adept their services based on the Community’s needs.
This is the 4th year that Jewel have run this training award and the response from local residents remain extremely strong.
47 applications were received with an independent panel selecting the 4 finalists, based on the strength of their application, the potential for them to gain the maximum from their courses, and the benefit the training can have to the Community.
The finalists provided a varied selection of training routes, including a copy editor, a counselling practitioner, a therapeutic riding coach and a studio sound
engineer.
In what is now become very well known throughout the UK, the public were requested to vote for the winner through a simple online or text form and over 3450 people responded, showing how popular the Jewel award has become.
The winner was the Therapeutic Riding Coach who will now embark on an intensive course, to train in equine therapy and be able to provide this to the Community in a local and culturally appropriate setting.
The other finalists have also been awarded significant funds towards their chosen training courses and are well on the way to enrolling on them.
Pinchos Corn, a Trustee of Jewel commented on the high standard of applications and the variety of subjects people have shown an interest in. Pinchos commented on how grateful he and his trustees are to both the sponsor of the award and the Jewel staff for continuing this annual award, recognising how much time and efforts go in to coordinating it all.
The award has highlighted the demand for training support and Jewel is continuing to provide training guidance to clients
as well as building strong partnerships with training providers.
Isaac Ginsbury of Jewel commented on how every aspect of this training award continues to exceeded all expectations and how amazing it was to see the previous year’s winners excelling in their careers and business as a direct result of Jewel supports and the training award grants.
Last year’s winner and finalists have successfully completed their training courses with one now offering professional singing lessons and choirs to the Community after becoming a professional singing coach and another who recently launched his own business after completing a bookkeeping course.
Over the past couple of years, Jewel have significantly increased their training
support offer with a wide range of face to face and online training courses now being offered. They include IT / Microsoft Office, digital skills, bookkeeping, Photoshop and Web Design. Jewel also has a laptop library of filtered devices to lend to people who wish to increase their skills but don’t have devices in their homes. To find out more about the services Jewel offers please call the office on 0161 798 2123 or visit our website www.jewel. org.uk
Bernard Yardley, sponsor of the Jewel Training Award, presenting trophy to this year’s winner.
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ASK THE RABBI
Looking
HAPPY BIRTHDAY REBBE
Dear Rabbi
Why does Chabad celebrate the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, even after all these years that he’s passed away? I get that we mark the anniversary of someone’s passing but I’ve never heard that we celebrate their birth after they’re gone.
Seb
Dear Seb
Because that’s what the Rebbe himself did when it came to the birthdays of his predecessors. What is a birthday? It’s more than just the mere entry of a human being into the universe. It’s the day when G-d said, “this world needs you and cannot exist without you.” That applies to each of our birthdays, hence we celebrate them, and it is a good time to reflect on what we are doing to live up to our calling.
When it comes to the birthday of a unique individual who transformed the landscape of society from which we are all beneficiaries, then we continue to celebrate that birthday even as we continue to benefit from that unique individual.
When the Rebbe assumed his mantle of leadership. he committed himself to sending families to literally every corner of this world. From Toronto to Timbuktu, from Saigon to San Francisco from Lawes to London. These families come to what might sometimes be desolate places in terms of Jewish infrastructure, and in time, with little money but a lot of conviction, inspired by the Rebbe, a Synagogue is built, a school is built, a mikvah is built, so much transpires as the landscape gets completely transformed.
Ask yourself, where would the world be today without the Rebbe’s vision? Who would provide a Pesach Seder for twenty-five hundred Israeli backpackers in Kathmandu? Where would Jewish women have access to
a mikvah in Saigon? How would Israeli war orphans celebrate their Bar Mitzvah each year in Israel? Where would Jews in Rwanda be able to attend and be inspired by amazing Rabbis and Rebbetzins? Is that not cause for ongoing celebration? It would be no exaggeration to say that millions of Jews have fulfilled mitzvot (Tefilin, Shabbat candles etc.) on account of the Rebbe’s inspiration. And countless have found their way back to their traditional roots.
To the Rebbe, every individual – that’s you and me - is uniquely endowed with incredible potential to make our own impact in our slice of the world. “Everyone,” the Rebbe often declared, “shares in the mutual responsibility of transforming this world into the beautiful place it was always intended to be.”
Someone once said to the Rebbe: “Rebbe, I don’t ever see myself wearing a long black coat or a black hat. I certainly don’t see myself ever growing a beard! Can I still be a Chosid (a follower) of yours?” The Rebbe replied: “Anyone who wakes up in the morning and asks themselves, “How can I make today better than yesterday that is a Chosid of mine.”
That was and remains the Rebbe’s enduring legacy and that’s what we continue to celebrate – be it on the anniversary of the Rebbe’s passing, or indeed on the Rebbe’s birthday.
RABBINIC BURNOUT
Dear Rabbi
I am guessing you never received a question from another rabbi before. If so, consider this a first. You can publish this in your column but please forgive my anonymity. I have been in the Rabbinate for a fair number of years. I have had success, but I am feeling burnout. I see many rabbis leaving the Rabbinate and going onto other pastures and wonder whether I ought to also consider moving on. As a veteran rabbi of more than three decades, can you share with me your secret for staying the course?
Rabbi A
Dear Rabbi A I’m not sure the question is limited to the Rabbinate. Frankly, in every job there is a similar risk. There must be constant growth and there is the ongoing need to challenge oneself.
In the Rabbinate
particularly, I see it as follows: For some it is a vocation, and their communities see them as employees. They’ll stay the course as long as they can, but it’s going to be fraught with tensions, as there isn’t the right sort of respect, they don’t feel valued and eventually the relationship ends. There are others for whom it’s a job even as their community treats them like a CEO. After a while, they’ll be inclined to move on to a different, often better paying job, for someone of their calibre and expertise.
The worst-case scenario is when the Rabbi sees it as a job and the community treat him as an employee. That is doomed to failure from the start and will be over quickly. The best-case scenario is when, for the Rabbi it is a vocation, and the community treat him like a CEO. They are giving him the respect, thus the framework in which to grow and feel valued, while he is committed to making it work because it isn’t a job, rather a passion and a way of life.
I suppose you need to figure out which one of those categories you belong in and then you can determine whether it makes sense for you to stay on or indeed look to change course. Wishing you much success in your decision.
PS. You do know that when you send an email, even if you remain anonymous, I see the email address it comes from. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, but I look forward to watching this space.
BY RABBI SHAUL YONATAN TAWIL
Have you ever wondered what is the best part of the Torah to start to teach your child? The obvious start would be at the beginning – Bereishit, or perhaps you would prefer to start it with the first mitzvah given to Klal Yisrael as a nation?
It is interesting to note that Kol Bo and Rokeach bring the Midrash Tanchuma which states that when a child first starts to learn, they should begin with the book of Vayikra!
The Kli Yakar, also brings this tradition, stating that it is for this reason the first word Vayikra is spelt with a small Aleph.
The letter Aleph represents the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The fact that it is small hints to the fact that small children should start to learn the Torah (represented by the Aleph, and the fact that Aleph can also imply Limud see Iyov 33:33) from here. What is so special about beginning with the book of Vayikra; surely this seems a bit out of touch and technical for a young child?
The Midrash states that children are pure and free from sin therefore, G-d said, they should start with the sacrificial section; these pure children should delve in pure matters (the sacrifices). The Midrash continues that nowadays after the Temple was destroyed and the sacrifices were terminated, if not for the children who learn about the sacrifices, the world would cease to exist. What is the deeper meaning of this Midrash, that children are pure so they should learn about pure matters?
The Pardes Yosef explains the reason we teach them from Vayikra, is to teach them that in life there will be sacrifices. At the moment they are pure, they have not experienced the trials and tribulations of this world. Our aim is to see that they stay pure. We send a message to them that when it comes to Avodat Hashem, the path is
not easy, there will come times when they will need to make difficult decisions, sacrificing their own desire for that of G-d.
This message is actually two way; at the same time we are also teaching the parent, that when it comes to Chinuch – education, there will be sacrifices. A mother and father are being told that educating children is not a simple matter. There are times when the father has to leave his business activities behind in order to focus on his family, and there are times where the mother has to forgo her business and social activities.
The Ben Ish Chai gives a Mashal of a person who went into the store to buy a mirror. He wanted a fancy mirror and was willing to pay any price. The owner showed him a few of his most splendid mirrors. Each time however, the buyer declined. After showing him several different mirrors and being denied each time, the owner asked the man what was wrong with those mirrors. The man answered: “Look, can you see that ugly image in the mirror, it’s rough, and unattractive.”
The owner looked on in amazement. Do you not understand, a mirror shows the exact image that is looking into it? You are looking into it so you are seeing yourself. If you wish the image in the mirror to change, then you need to change yourself, not the mirror!
By focusing on ourselves and making those extra sacrifices in life for Hashem, we benefit ourselves. Our children see us and follow suit.
When a child begins to learn, he is full of enthusiasm, he is willing to forgo everything for the chance to sit and learn from the same book his father beautifully studies from. The message to him, is to take that enthusiasm and know that there will be sacrifices along the way, keep that enthusiasm dear to him and always focus on Avodat Hashem.
killed him. He never saw him again, and that was the last straw. Why should he keep Kosher?
The man was startled and had no response.
Childs Sacrifice! YOUR RUBBISH
Sacrificing time might be hard, but we should know that the more a person sacrifices for Hashem the more Hashem pays him back.
The Sefer Barchi Nafshi, brings a story of a man who boarded a plane to a certain city in the US. He noticed the person next to him had a name tag on him, and was called Mr Weinstein. They struck up conversation, and when the meals were served, he took Kosher, but Mr Weinstein didn’t. He asked Mr Weinstein in a casual way, why it was that he didn’t order Kosher. Kosher meals are so tasty on flights!?!
Mr Weistein answered that he had survived the Holocaust. Unfortunately all his family had been killed by the Nazis, apart from one son. He survived for a few years with his son, but then near the end of the war, they took his son away and presumably
Four years later, and on Yom Kippur the man was going to Shul and noticed an elderly Jewish looking figure smoking, sitting on the bench.
As he approached he was surprised to see it was the same man he had met a few years earlier on the plane. He saw this as no coincidence, and decided to go up to him and strike a conversation. He told him that he should come in to Shul, just to say Kadish and remember the dead by saying Yizkor over their names in synagogue.
The man reluctantly agreed. They entered the synagogue and for the first time in years he said Kadish. He was moved. Then he approached the Chazan to say over the name of his son at Yizkor, Katriel Menachem Ben Yechezkel Shraga. The Chazan heard the name and fainted. A few minutes later they awoke him. What’s the matter? They asked are you ok? The Chazan said that that was his name! It turned out that the Chazan was none other than Mr Weinstein’s son, which he had presumed dead. The Chazan would never have known, were it not for that decision to enter the Shul and those few extra steps taken by the father. What jubilation in the synagogue that Yom Kippur!
Our daily lives are full of decisions. Our Avoda in this world is to serve Hashem, place our priority in His Service and sacrifice our decisions for His commandments.
The child begins to learn the Torah from Vayikra as represented by the small Aleph, to show that in life sacrifices will follow, but in the end, these will lead to Kiruv Hashem, coming close to Hashem, and Him calling (Vayikra) us!
WHAT3WORDS/// BREAK THE SCRIPT
BY RABBI NAFTALI SCHIFF
Ma Nishtana— What Has Really Changed?
Every year, we gather around the Seder table and ask, “Ma Nishtana?”—What has changed? But let’s be honest: Has anything really changed in the way we think, behave or act?
We read the same text, follow the same sequence, eat the same foods, and recite the same questions. The rituals of Seder night are meticulously structured, yet they are also meant to provoke curiosity and discussion. But how do they? Or do we perhaps simply revert to the same habitual motions, our minds drifting while our lips recite well-worn words?
This isn’t just a question about the Seder—it’s a question about life in general and living an actively Jewish life in particular. How do we stop routine from becoming stagnant? How do we ensure that regularity, continuity, and structure serve as a source of renewal rather than a force of mindless automation?
Judaism is built around structures—fixed prayers, set times, prescribed mitzvot. Yet, it surely also demands passion, engagement, and innovation. How do we resolve this tension? How do we harness the power of ritual and order to ignite rather than extinguish the vibrancy of our spiritual and personal lives. The tension between order and disruption is embedded in Judaism itself. The Torah was given amidst thunder and lightning, yet embracing it requires consistent, patient and disciplined commitment. The Jewish people were forged through the miraculous intervention of the Exodus yet our survival depends on structured observance.We are enjoined to serve G-d with heartfelt passion, yet even the most spontaneous prayer is shaped by fixed wording and precise times. Even creation itself reflects this paradox. The world follows predictable laws, yet we declare in our daily prayers that G-d is constantly renewing existence:
In the human sphere, even as we aspire to emulate G-dliness, there are aspects of life that thrive on spontaneous passion; however in order to be balanced, healthy and enduring they must be born out of a framework, their impact only persisting if provided and shaped by an element of structure.
Pesach falls in Nissan, the season of renewal—blossoming trees, the new moon, the stirrings of fresh beginnings. Yet, Seder night is bound by meticulous organisation, following the same order year after year. Why? Because if there were no framework, innovation would be fleeting. It is the very structure that enables transformation.
This year, perhaps more than most, our
a human rights campaign, or a discussion forum on contemporary struggles. But to do so would be to break the script too much, undermining the very framework that has kept Judaism relevant for 3,300 years.
The Haggadah does not change its essential construct every year to accommodate current events. And that is precisely why it remains eternally relevant. We do not replace the text with modern crises; rather, we use the timeless story of Yetziat Mitzrayim as a lens to view and understand our own generation’s challenges.
Jews have recited the Haggadah in exile, in hiding, in ghettos, and even in concentration camps. They did not rewrite it to fit their moment—they fit their moment into its eternal framework.
And because of that, the Seder has never lost its power.
Our goal must be to break the script without breaking the tradition.
The Seder is designed to disrupt expectation—but only within its structure.
We dip vegetables before the meal—to provoke curiosity. We remove the Seder plate and bring it back—to invite questions. We tell a story full of contradictions—slavery and freedom, suffering and redemption, matzah (the bread of affliction) and reclining like royalty.
The Seder teaches us that breaking the script is essential—but not at the expense of the script itself.
This means that rather than replacing the Haggadah’s text with modern issues, we should use its structure to frame and contextualize those issues.
beyond the traditional Four Questions. Ask: What has changed in my life this year? What needs renewal? Connect the Exodus to Today’s Struggles – Use the Haggadah’s existing structure to reflect on modern-day enslavements and redemptions. Encourage Interruption and Debate – The Haggadah is meant to provoke discussion. Make room for curiosity and challenge. Make It Personal – Judaism teaches that each of us must see ourselves as if we personally left Egypt. Ask: What is my personal Exodus? What am I striving to break free from myself?
Balance Structure and Innovation –Follow the order, but bring fresh insight. A powerful idea, a meaningful question, or a unique perspective can ignite the entire experience.
This is the paradox of true freedom. Pesach is not just about leaving slavery— it is about entering a life of purpose. The Exodus was not the end of the journey; it was the beginning. The Jewish people were not simply freed from Pharaoh— they were freed to embrace the strictures of Torah, mitzvot, and a higher calling. True freedom is not the absence of structure. It is the ability to live within a framework that gives life meaning.
A Seder that is only political will fade with the next news cycle. A Seder that follows the ancient text while engaging deeply with its meaning will remain relevant for generations to come.
May we use the structure of our traditions not as a constraint, but as a springboard, harnessing order so as to ignite passion. May the framework of the Seder ignite curiosity, the repetition of its rituals spark fresh insight, and the constancy of its order fuel an ever-deepening passion. This Pesach, may we not merely go through the motions, but move forward with meaning. May we break the script of habituation not by discarding the structure, but by infusing it with new energy, relevance, and inspiration.
For that is the paradox of Jewish life: It is within the framework of order that real transformation begins.
“He renews, in His goodness, constantly the act of Creation every day.”
Seder will be infused with raw contemporary relevance. We sit at resplendent festive tables while our hostages remain in captivity, their own Exodus yet to come. We celebrate freedom while antisemitism resurges, exposing an ancient hatred in modern guise. We recount Pharaoh’s tyranny while tyrannical regimes continue to oppress millions. We speak of servitude while so many today remain enslaved— not to taskmasters, but to consumerism, addiction, and cultural conformity. It would be easy—tempting, even—to turn the Seder into a political statement,
When we speak of Mitzrayim, we can ask: What are the “narrow places” (meitzarim) that confine us today? When we speak of Pharaoh, we can ask: Who are the modern forces of oppression?When we say “B’chol dor vador”—in every generation, they rise up against us, we can discuss antisemitism, not as a new crisis, but as part of a pattern that we have always endured and with Divine assistance, overcome. By doing so, we ensure that the Seder remains both timeless and timely. How do we ensure that this Seder feels fresh, meaningful, and alive? Be authentic and ask genuine questions. Stir real interest and curiosity in any manner of innovative ways. Break the mold. Ask Personal “Ma Nishtana” Questions – Go
Shabbat shalom
///What3Words is a geocoding system that divides the world into 57 trillion 3x3 squares, each identified by a unique three-word address. Rabbi Naftali Schiff reflects on three words each week, relating to core issues of the day.
Feedback welcome! NSchiff@JFutures. org
Rabbi Naftali Schiff is the Founder and Chief Executive of Jewish Futures
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The Jewish people had set up their Mishkan and now it was time to put it to good use! Moshe is called into the area of the Mishkan by Hashem and is taught all the laws of the sacrifices. Some were offered up daily, others weekly or on special festival
days but the majority of this week’s Parsha discusses other sacrifices. Some are brought in the form of animals, birds or a meal offering. Some have parts of the animal eaten by the Kohanim and some are entirely consumed by the
Jewish Riddle
Last week’s Question:
Twin brothers are born from the same mother on the very same morning. Both are perfectly healthy. Yet, the proper day for one’s brit mila is 8 days later, while the proper day for the other one’s brit mila is not until the 9th day. Why?
The babies are born Shabbat morning. The first one is a normal birth, and the second one is born by cesarean section.
Brit mila on the eight day from birth supersedes Shabbat. However, this is only true of a natural birth. Brit mila after a cesarean section does not supersede Shabbat. Hence, the first baby has his brit eight days later, on Shabbat, while the second one must wait till the ninth day from birth, Sunday.
fire on the Mizbeach. Bringing an offering to Hashem was sometimes done to atone for a sin, or on other occasions, but it would always have been accompanied with strong feelings of closeness to Hashem and true happiness to be part of a nation
Dingbats Family FunVayikra
so proud to serve Him always! This is a message we can remember even today, when we cannot bring up the sacrifices in the Beit Hamikdash but we pray for its return speedily in our day!
Parasha Stats
Facts about Parashat Vayikra
Number of Lines - 215
Number of Verses - 111
Number of Words - 1,673
Number of Letters - 6,222
This week’s Question:
I have fulfilled a Rabbinical commandment when I was not yet commanded to fulfill a Torah commandment. Therefore, I can no longer fulfill the Torah commandment when I am commanded to fulfill it. How is this possible?
Tangram Challenge!
Using all the shapes, can you make the shape on the right?
Word Wheel
The goal of a word wheel puzzle is to create as many words possible with the letters in the word wheel. Each word must contain at least three letters. You can only use each letter once and every word must have the letter in the centre of the wheel.
Last edition’s words
Here are some words you may have found from last week – you may have found more!
W A S D K C R O B
Use the area below to write the words you have found.
Jokes
Q: Why did the boy throw a bucket out the window? A: He wanted to see the waterfall.
Q: Why did the girl throw butter out the window? A: She wanted to see the butterfly.
Q: Why did the boy throw his watch out the window? A: He wanted to see time fly.
Q: What do you call a bee
its mind? A: A Maybe
Riddles
1. How far can a fox run into a garden?
2. I can be hot, I can be cold, I can run and I can be still, I can be hard and I can be soft. What am I?
3. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words “Wednesday,” “Friday,” or “Sunday”?
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
(salt)Water!
1. Only halfway—then he’s running out of it!
PLEASE
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