The Jewish Weekly Issue 285 - June 29th

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RedShield

BRITS GIVING BLOOD IN ISRAEL ONCE AGAIN Magen David Adom UK launched its Blood Drive for British olim in Israel with two landmark events in February. The events came just a fortnight after it was announced that, for the first time in a generation, those that lived in the UK were now eligible to give blood in Israel.

The ban had been in place since 1999 due to the ‘Mad Cow Disease’ outbreak of the mid-90s.

In conjunction with the British Embassy in Israel, a reception was held at the Peres Center for Peace & Innovation in Jaffa. Guests were given the opportunity to give blood and heard from Simon O’Donnell, Head of Political at the British Embassy, Sharon Napchan-Lavon, External Relations Coordinator of the Peres Center, Professor Eilat Shinar (Director of Israel’s National Blood Services) and Daniel Burger, CEO of MDA UK. Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and a Brit herself, was delighted to be able to give blood again.

MDA UK CEO Daniel Burger was amongst the first Brits to give blood in Israel this century |

MDA UK, Vice President Judy Saphra and CEO Daniel Burger with the bloodmobile she donated Speaking at the event, O’Donnell said, “The embassy is very happy to be here today and celebrate this important decision. I know it has been long awaited and I have no doubt the British community in Israel will be taking full advantage of this meaningful opportunity. I am more than honoured to be one of the first Brits to donate blood and help save lives”.

This was echoed by the Director General of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, Efrat Duvdevani, who noted, “We are proud to take part in the event of an important organization like MDA. The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation maintains extensive ties with the British Embassy in Israel and we are happy to be the home where it is possible for British citizens living in Israel to donate blood after years when this was not possible.”

Shinar reiterated the importance of blood to Israel in her keynote address. “Over the past

years, British people have asked me, ‘until when’ will they be prevented from giving blood. Now we can get everybody donating blood and joining our MDA volunteer donor base. With each unit of blood-saving three lives, who are we to stop people volunteering to save a life.“ Closing the event, Daniel Burger said, “With the announcement that, for the first time in a generation, Brits can give blood in Israel, MDA UK is delighted to host this blood-drive launch event at The Peres Center. For all those that can, giving blood is not only a duty but also an honour. When you give blood, you give hope and help to whoever is in need without prejudice or question. The change in legislation marks a milestone both for the British-Israeli community and for the wider population in removing a longstanding barrier and allowing us to save more lives.”

The launch reception was followed by a mass blood drive at the Ayalon Mall, Ramat Gan. Numerous expats turned up to give blood for the first time in Israel.

To find out more about donating blood to Magen David Adom, Israel’s official national blood service in Israel, visit mdauk.org/giveblood

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75 YEARS YOUNG Over the past couple of months, people in Israel and across the Jewish world have marked a special Yom Ha’atzmaut, the 75th in Israel’s short history.

This year, the celebrations have occurred alongside political turmoil which has spilt into the streets of cities across Israel. For us, this brings into sharp focus the role of Magen David Adom as Israel’s only national medical emergency and blood service. As a member of the Red Cross family, MDA sits above politics, above the issues of the day. We simply exist to save the lives of all the people of Israel. Left or right, Jewish or not, irrespective of gender and race. MDA is there for you. And this has been the story for the past 75 years.

At every major event in Israel’s history, Magen David Adom has been present.

Even over the past few months, we have had our teams on standby, through Operation Shield and Arrow, or as thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv and simultaneously ensured that those attending the nearby Robbie Williams concert were also able to do so with our protection in place. Of course, it is not just in Israel that MDA saves lives.

As Israel’s national Red Cross society, we have a responsibility to respond internationally too. Recently, this has included a response to the earthquake in Turkey but over the past 75 years our role has taken us to every corner of the globe - even places where Israel does not have formal ties.

MDA ON HAND AT HOME AND ABROAD In February of this year, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked south-central Turkey and northern Syria. Soon after the disaster struck, MDA Director General Eli Bin approached the President of the Turkish Red Crescent, Dr. Kinik and offered humanitarian and medical aid.

Operation Olive Branch was launched.

Magen David Adom, Israel’s Red Cross Society, has a great deal of experience in providing medical and humanitarian assistance to many countries around the world that have experienced natural disasters.

After deployment to the affected areas, Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Felix Lotan’s team from MDA, who operated in the city of Kahramanmaras, succeeded in rescuing a 12-year-old boy by drilling a hole through the basement and dragging him out. He received medical treatment from MDA on-site and was then sent to a hospital.

Furthermore, MDA UK joined forces with crisis response charity Goods for Good, medicines supplier Durbin and Virgin Atlantic.

In less than seven days, the first of two cargoonly flights departed from Heathrow to Adana.

They transported 64 pallets of clothing and

Head of MDA Delegation Felix Lotan in Turkey other essential supplies, including 31,000 coats and blankets and almost a tonne of infant milk powder.

On the Israeli home front, in May this year, MDA was put on Level 4 Red Alert, and Operation Shield and Arrow was activated. This was in response to a barrage of rocket fire attacks from Gaza, which lasted several days.

Throughout that tense period, MDA medics and paramedics were manning 100% of their lifesaving vehicles 24/7 and were ready to respond at any given minute. They provided medical treatment to a total of 71 individuals which sadly included 2 fatalities – an 80-year-old woman from a direct hit in Rehovot and a 35-year-old man (a Gaza resident) in the Sdot Negev Regional Council. There were also 7 injuries from shrapnel and debris.

We would not be able to save lives without you. So on behalf of everyone at MDA - thank you.

The operational ready costs during this time reached in excess of 1 million shekels per day.

Daniel Burger Chief Executive Magen David Adom UK

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Virgin cargo plane with medical and essential supplies destined for Turkey Credit: Virgin Atlantic

As ever, the response from the UK community was immense. So much of Magen David Adom’s work depends on international support.

Donations quite literally save lives.

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Iranian terror attack in Cyprus prevented by Mossad

BY ADAM MOSES

The Mossad and Cypriot security forces prevented an Iranian attack against Israeli and Jewish tourists in Cyprus this week.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the startling news on Monday.

“Israel applauds the thwarting of the Iranian terrorist attack on Cypriot soil against Israeli targets,” a statement noted. “The State of Israel employs a wide range of methods everywhere to protect Jews and Israelis and will continue to act to undermine Iranian terrorism wherever it rears its head, including on Iranian soil, the primary sponsor of terrorism

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in the world.”

Mossad and partners tracked an Iranian terror cell that arrived in Cyprus from Moscow on separate flights to the Turkish side of the island. According to Cypriot media reports, intelligence services were informed about an attack through “foreign counterparts” including the US. A Cypriot official reportedly stated that Cyprus sends a message of “zero tolerance” for terrorist acts. But they acknowledge the Greek part of the island is a “weak link” that can be targeted.

“The cell was led by an Iranian known to be a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary

Guards Corps,” Mossad reportedly added.

Members of the cell have been reported to be Pakistanis trained by the IRGC. They were selecting a target visited by Israeli tourists, a Chabad House and an Israeli businessman in Limassol.

Seven members of the cell have been arrested by Cypriot authorities. The Iranian commander escaped.

Security forces raided a safehouse and found equipment for the attack. No other details have been released.

Mossad and agencies are

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

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Continued on page 2

AJEX honours HM Armed Forces

Thousands take part in the Maccabi fun run

See page 12

See page 16

2 NEWS

9,000 attend Cyber Week

Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomes cyber chiefs

BY ADAM MOSES

Over 9,000 delegates from 80 countries attended Cyber Week in Tel Aviv on Monday.

The annual event is internationally acclaimed as one of the top cybersecurity events in the world.

Cybersecurity experts, industry leaders, startups, investors, academics, diplomats and government officials attended. Events included 50 roundtables, panels, workshops and forums.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met global cyber security heads and welcomed Israel being recognised as a leading nation in cyber-defence over the past decade.

National Cyber Directorate Director General Gaby Portnoy, National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi and Netanyahu’s Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman were present.

Portnoy discussed Iran and Hezbollah’s cyber activities against Israel.

He warned: Anyone who carries out

cyberattacks against Israeli citizens must take into account the price he will pay for it.” Portnoy added: “In the past year, we have been working hard to develop our resilience and expand our capabilities to detect cyberattacks, raising our shields and expose malicious activities, specifically Iranian.”

Portnoy overviewed the challenges and noted that most attacks are thwarted. He observed: “The Israeli defense community knows the Iranian cyber activities Continued from page 1

inside out and is working to disrupt them in different ways. The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, IRGC and Hezbollah who are involved in cyber operations against Israel know very well what I am talking about.”

Portnoy praised US activities against Iran including sanctions against Ravin Academy founders Mojtaba Mostafavi and Farzin Karimi.

The organisation trains “hackers for malicious activities of the ministry,” said Portnoy, who added that Ali Haidari coordinates Iranian cooperation with Hezbollah, which impacts Lebanese civilians.

Portnoy called on the international community to stop Karimi, Mostafavi and Haidari conducting “malicious activities against the world”. “This is our joint responsibility,” he added.

Portnoy discussed projects that the Cyber Directorate had tracked in the past year.

He said: “With our partner from the UAE we are building a multinational cyber collaboration platform for cyber investigation and knowledge building. We are doing this together with the Microsoft Development Center in Israel. This platform will serve almost 40 countries and organisations who are part of the Counter Ransomware Initiative led by the White House.”

Portnoy continued: “Our experts are working with partners to design, build and expand our Cyber Dome, as part of a national and multinational resilience effort.

Also, we are designing sectorial on-cloud SOCs with Google and building a portal for better communication with our government and private organisations.” arrests highlighted the importance of international cooperation against terrorism.

Mossad head David Barnea has talked about the strength of the organisation.

He noted: “Mossad is one of the only brands where the gap between image and reality is not large, it is even the other way around. Mossad’s reputation is strong and powerful.” Greece’s anti-terrorism division and National Intelligence Service participated in the

conducting a manhunt for the IRGC commander who was behind a previous attempt to target an Israeli businessman in Cyprus.

Israelis have been advised to be cautious when travelling this summer.

Mossad helped Greece prevent a terrorist attack on a Chabad House in Athens last March.

Greek authorities questioned two men of Pakistani origin for allegedly Mossad’s David Barnea PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA planning attacks described as ‘imminent’ resulting in an ‘extensive loss arrests. of life’. The suspects, aged 27 and 29, were Israel’s National Security Council have charged with terrorism offences, a third noted countries at risk of Iranian attacks man outside Greece is charged in absentia. include the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the Azerbaijan, Turkey, Bahrain and Cyprus.

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‘Cranks’ air Corbyn film at Glastonbury

BY DAVID SAFFER

Campaign Against Antisemitism have dismissed a ‘meagre’ crowd watching a screening of a propaganda film about former labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at Glastonbury festival.

Glastonbury organisers were contacted

by CAA and agreed to cancel the planned screening. But footage has appeared showing a small group, described as a “few cranks” by CAA, viewing the controversial ‘antisemitism-denial’ film without knowledge of festival organisers.

A CAA spokesperson said: “The organisers of Glastonbury Festival heeded our call and rightly thought better of screening this antisemitism-denial film. Unsurprisingly, in their desperation a few cranks were determined to air this propaganda at all costs, but the turnout was meagre.”

Despite the breach, CAA believe their campaigning has been successful.

A spokesman explained: “It speaks volumes about how much has changed in our public discourse that, only a few years after Corbyn himself was given the main stage at Glastonbury and embraced by Michael Eavis, now the rump of Corbynist antisemitism-deniers are pathetically forced to arrange clandestine viewings of this movie

in their tent.”

Aside from Glastonbury organisers, the YMCA cancelled planned screenings of the controversial film.

CAA, meantime, has applauded pub retailer Greene King for cancelling two screenings of the film scheduled to be shown in Bournemouth. The booking was reportedly made by a third party, not Greene King, who shelved the event when notified about its content by CAA. Pressure is working as the Widcombe Social Club have cancelled a planned screening of the film where filmmaker Ken Loach, who refused to denounce Holocaust denial during a BBC interview, was due to speak. And trade union Unite has reportedly banned screenings of the film on its premises.

When CAA wrote to Glastonbury organisers and its primary sponsor, Vodaphone, there was a public outcry.

CAA argued festival-goers should enjoy performances without fear of indoctrination from antisemitism-deniers. A trailer showed an interviewee questioning whether Corbyn was brought down by an

“orchestrated campaign”.

A Glastonbury spokesperson said organisers recognised it was “not appropriate” to screen the film. “Glastonbury is about unity and not division, we stand against all forms of discrimination,” they stated.

A CAA spokesperson explained at the time: “The film should never have been considered for screening, as this kind of gaslighting of the Jewish community was at the heart of why the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that the Labour Party had illegally created a hostile environment for Jews.”

CAA noted film contributors included Loach along with Jackie Walker, who has reportedly said that Jews were “chief financiers” of the African slave trade, Graham Bash, Political Officer of antisemitism-denial group Jewish Voice for Labour and Holocaust revisionist Professor Moshe Machover.

All have been expelled from the Labour Party. Machover was readmitted.

CAA also pointed out that Andrew Murray, a close adviser to Corbyn, in 2005, claimed that roots of the 9/11 terror attacks lay in “Zionist colonialism” of the Balfour Declaration.

CAA has outstanding complaints against Corbyn and other sitting MPs, during the period of the EHRC’s findings, to be acknowledged by the Party.

CAA has called for an investigation by an independent disciplinary process demanded by the EHRC.

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Fiji embassy in Israel Fiji are set to open an official embassy in Israel next year.

The South Pacific island has “amicable relations” with the State of Israel through bilateral cooperation on peace and security, and especially agriculture, noted Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

Positive interaction between Israel and Fiji have grown in recent years.

An official announcement stated “broad political support” and a continuation of Fiji's good relationship with Israel in the fields of peacekeeping, security and agriculture.

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen welcomed the prospect of a 98th foreign embassy in Israel.

He said: “I congratulate the Fijian government on an important decision that will strengthen and deepen the relations between the two countries. Fiji has proven in recent years that it is a true friend of Israel in the international arena. The opening of the Fijian embassy brings us another step closer to the goal we set of 100 embassies in Israel."

Cohen added: “Increasing the number of embassies in Israel proves Israel's value to the world and the desire to access our capabilities in the fields of innovation, economics and science.”

Cohen congratulated Rafi Harpaz, Foreign Affairs deputy director of Asia and Pacific Division, and Ambassador Roi Rosenblit for promoting a viable embassy in recent years.

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Yisraelov friendly fire tragdy Corporal Or Yisraelov of the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade was killed in a friendly fire incident during an exercise at a military base in southern Israel before dawn on Tuesday.

Head of the IDF’s Ground Forces, Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, suspended training exercises until safety procedures have been completed.

Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus, commander of the 98th Paratroopers Division , is heading an initial investigation. Yadai and Maj. Gen. Yehuda Fox of the IDF’s Central Command have appointed Col. Ivri Elbaz, 12th “Negev” reserve brigade commander, to head a panel investigation.

A Military Police investigation will submit findings to the Military General Advocate Corps.

Yisaelov, 19, was posthumously promoted to sergeant. His funeral was scheduled for Holon’s military cemetery on Tuesday afternoon.

An IDF spokesman said: “The circumstances of the case are being investigated in the field by the commanders and the military police have opened an investigation into the incident. Upon its completion, the findings will be transferred to the military prosecution for examination.”

The incident occurred during the second day of exercises.

Yisraelov was reportedly moving with a flashlight in darkness according to IDF protocol when a soldier accidently opened fire from around 250 meters.

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Keane appointed Maccabi Tel Aviv boss

BY DAVID SAFFER

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane has been appointed the new head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC for the 2023/24 season.

Keane, who retired from playing in 2018, has joined Maccabi on a two-year-deal. He will arrive for pre-season training in the coming days and is expected to announce his coaching staff.

Maccabi finished third in the Israeli Premier League last season. They play in Europa Conference League qualifying rounds this season.

Keane, 42, told Maccabi’s official website: “I am delighted to take on this challenge at Maccabi. My team and I look forward to beginning work and we have confidence in our ability to do what is necessary to prepare the team for the coming season.”

Maccabi’s owner, Mitch Goldhar, noted: “Robbie brings the mentality, character, energy and focus of a winner, traits he exhibited everywhere he played. These characteristics now combined with ambitions to succeed as a coach are aligned with our objectives at Maccabi.”

Maccabi parted company with Head Coach Aitor Karanka and his coaching staff last Sunday.

Goldhar, said: “On behalf of everyone, we want to thank Aitor and his staff for their efforts and contribution to the club.

Aitor has always conducted himself with

Robbie Keane

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

professionalism and integrity. We wish Aitor all the best for the future.”

Keane’s appointment has come as a surprise to British pundits but working in another country is challenge he spoke about in March on the We Are Liverpool podcast with co-host Robbie Fowler.

“I’d definitely love to be a manager at some stage, I’d definitely love to give that a go,” he reportedly said. “I definitely think it will happen at some stage but it’s just picking the right one and getting the right opportunity. That’s why I wouldn’t be frightened to go abroad. If the right opportunity came up, whether that be in the MLS or abroad somewhere, I’d definitely give it a go.”

Keane was first team coach under Sam Allarydce at Leeds United for the final four games in last season’s Premier League.

United failed to avoid relegation.

Assistant manager at Middlesbrough with former Leeds teammate Jonathan Woodgate and the Republic under Mick McCarthy, Keane, was player-manager at Indian club ATK. An exceptional striker in his pomp, during an 18-year playing career, Keane was a prolific striker, scoring 321 goals in 728 first team appearances at club level including 122 in 306 for Tottenham Hotspur. Eleventh on the all-time Spurs goalscoring list, he was a member of the 2008 League Cup winning team.

A prolific scorer for Los Angeles Galaxy, scoring 104 goals in 165 games, Keane won three MLS Cups. Keane also hit the target for Wolves, making his debut at 17 years of age, Coventry City, Leeds United, Liverpool, Celtic, West Ham, Aston Villa and ATK FC. A brief spell at Inter Milan was the sole club where he failed to hit the target.

On the international stage, Keane holds the record of 68 goals for the Republic in a record 146 appearances. Joint fifth highest goalscorer in European football and joint 25th of all FIFA confederations, Keane is the only player to score at least one international goal in 19 consecutive seasons.

He played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2012 and 2016.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned settlers who assaulted an IDF commander paying respects to the family of a terror victim on Monday.

Major General Eliav Elbaz was unable to enter Harel Masoud’s family’s home. A group of settlers called him a traitor. Four people were murdered in a terror attack near Eli last week.

“The assault on Elbaz who commands the forces protecting Israeli civilians, is a disgrace and I strongly condemn it,” Netanyahu said.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has spoken with Elbaz and called on settlement leaders to act.

“He is an excellent officer dedicated to Israel’s security,” he said. “An assault on the IDF’s officers or troops is tantamount to an assault on our flag”.

An IDF spokesman reportedly said in a statement that the officer was inappropriately treated in an unacceptable incident.

Hundreds of settlers reportedly clashed with IDF troops and residents when they attacked Palestinian villages after the murders last Thursday.

Netanyahu vowed to “settle accounts” after the deadly terror attack in Judea and Samaria on June 20th.

Elisha Antman, 17, and Ofer Fairman, 60, of Eli, Masoud, 21, of Yad Binyamin, and

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Nachman Shmuel Mordoff, 17, of Achya, were named as the victims. Four Israelis were wounded.

An armed civilian killed one of the terrorists in a shooting exchange. The second terrorist fled by car, but was shot dead by Israeli forces after a two-hour manhunt.

There are growing calls for a wider IDF operation in Judea and Samaria, according to reports.

“All options are open,” said Netanyahu.

“We will continue to fight terrorism with full force and we will defeat it.” He added: “Those who have attacked us are either in the grave or in prison.”

Right wing groups have called for increased checkpoints. The IDF oppose this option as troops would be ‘sitting targets’ for terrorists.

Netanyahu, Gallant and the IDF favour targeted raids based on intelligence.

National Security Minister Ben Gvir called for a military operation. He backed targeted killings and passing the death penalty in second and third readings of a Terrorists Bill.

IDF troops have bolstered the region and are preventing vigilante attacks by rightwing extremists.

There have been 28 Israelis, mostly civilians, killed in terror attacks this year, compared to 20 a year ago. Over 130 Palestinians have been killed in the same period, mostly terrorists.

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WJC & UN fight online extremism

BY DAVID SAFFER

World Jewish Congress and the United Nations ‘Permanent Mission of Israel’ led a session during the UN’s Counter Terrorism Week.

The meeting, last week, focused on online extremism and global terror attacks.

A panel discussion featured Ambassador Jonathan Miller, Israel’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, among a number of esteemed diplomats.

Miller said: “Terrorist groups have relentlessly exploited the Internet to incite and propagate their extreme ideologies.

Online platforms serve as the global stage for incitement, recruitment, radicalisation and coordination, presenting formidable challenges in combatting their digital footprint.”

Yfat Barak-Cheney, WJC Director of Technology and Human Rights, moderated the session.

Delegates discussed the challenges of extremist content online. Cooperation is required between governments, civil society, academia and international bodies including the UN. WJC advocates programs to promote tolerance, and respect among communities.

Yfat Barak-Cheney, WJC Director of International Affairs and Director of Technology and Human Rights, spoke at a session on global terrorism.

“Better legal frameworks, definitions and enforcement against hate speech, including mechanisms to counter hate speech as it spreads on different platforms, is key to countering extremist ideologies,” she noted. “Education and community engagement are powerful tools of prevention. By fostering dialogue, promoting interfaith cooperation, and combating hate speech, we can create a society that rejects violence and extremism.”

WJC works closely with UNESCO, UNAOC and UNOCT. The European Union, meantime, is tacking antisemitism with robust measures.

Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission's coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, announced initiatives at the Israel Council on Foreign Relations seminar this month.

The event covered antisemitic hate speech online, cyber hate, antisemitism trends in the EU and in Israel, access to justice, prevention through education, training and Holocaust remembrance.

“The EU’s strategy has about 100 different actions,” she explained, adding that the EU coordinates with member states, Jewish communities, civil society actors, cities and international partners.

The EU and Israel are expanding a network of young European Ambassadors to

promote Holocaust remembrance.

“They initiate Holocaust remembrance in their own setting,” explained von Schnur-

bein. “It could be at universities, schools or sports clubs to speak about the Holocaust with survivor stories.

A joint project on European Jews in the interwar years will also take place with Yad Vashem.

EU legislation, meantime, is tackling online hate speech and antisemitism. New proposals include AI and the Digital Services Act. “The fight against online antisemitism is not just something the EU views as important for the Jewish community, but also for all democratic nations,” explained von Schnurbein. “It's very important to us.”

Regarding the IHRA definition of antisemitism, von Schnurbein said it was the

“benchmark”.

“It is the definition that represents in its examples what the vast majority of Jews regard as antisemitic in Europe,” she noted.

The EU leader concluded, “Even if I don't necessarily support the government of Israel, I want the State of Israel to be there because when everything goes wrong here, this time I know where to go.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Austrian Minister of European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler gave keynote addresses.

The EU Digital Services Act becomes law on 25th August.

Cohen noted: “The fight against antisemitism should continue ceaselessly as the era of social media brings new challenges. It is with great concern that we follow the constant increasing level of antisemitism both on and off-line.”

Cohen said dialogue between Israel and EU sent a clear message. “This is a struggle we have no other way but winning,” he noted.

Schinas added: “The fight against antisemitism is a top priority for the EU and Israel is a key partner. The ultimate goal of our first-ever dedicated EU strategy is to ensure that Jews can go about their lives in line with their cultural and religious traditions, free from security concerns.”

Cohen called on EU member states, organisations and tech companies to adopt the IHRA definition.

All EU Member States committed to develop action plans on antisemitism, to endorse and use the IHRA definition of antisemitism and appoint national coordinators to combating racism and antisemitism tin order to reach European citizens.

NJA backs UN blasting antisemitism

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The National Jewish Assembly has applauded the historic passing of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2686 on Tolerance and International Peace and Security.

The ground-breaking resolution was jointly drafted by the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. The resolution marked the first time in the 77-year history of the Security Council that antisemitism has been explicitly condemned.

An NJA spokesman said: “Resolution 2686 addresses the critical concerns surrounding hate speech, incitement to violence, and the persecution of religious and minority groups in conflict settings.

It reflects the findings of the report commissioned by Jeremy Hunt, the former UK Foreign Secretary, from the Bishop of Truro, emphasising the need for action against discrimination and intolerance.

“We recognise the significance of this resolution, particularly within the context of the UN's historical bias against Israel. NJA commends the governments of the UK and the UAE for taking a stand against antisemitism on the global stage. This milestone sets a positive precedent for international

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efforts to combat hatred, promote religious freedom, and foster a more tolerant and peaceful world.”

They added: “The resolution's text expresses deep concern at instances of discrimination, intolerance and hate speech motivated by racism, extremism, and directed against religious communities, including cases of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Christianophobia. This recognition of the dangers posed by hate speech and extremism is a significant step forward in promoting tolerance and international peace.”

NJA commend the UAE for its efforts in addressing antisemitism and fostering the growth of its Jewish community.

A spokesman said: “This resolution aligns with the UAE's commitment to combat all forms of discrimination and hatred. It acknowledges that hate speech, racism, and extremism have the potential to fuel tensions and conflicts, highlighting their role as threat-multipliers. We also commend the UAE's commitment to interfaith dialogue and the construction of the first purpose-built synagogue in the Arab world in nearly a century.”

29 JUNE 2023

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Herman art in new exhibition NJA hosts Hoffman

BY HARRY SIMONS

The works of Polish born artist Josef Herman are to feature in a new exhibition in Ystradgynlais, south Wales.

Herman fled Warsaw to Brussels due to anti-Semitism prior to the outbreak of World War II. After the Nazi invasion of Belgium, he moved to France then UK, living in Glasgow and London where he met other European artists.

The only survivor of his family during the Holocaust, he visited the mining community of Ystradgynlais on holiday in 1944 and made it his home before settling in Suffolk.

Following his death in 2000, The Josef Herman Art Foundation was established.

There is a permanent exhibition of Herman’s drawings at Welfare Hall in the town.

Chairwoman Elinor Gilbey reportedly said: “The town is proud of its adopted son and his work reflects the local history and community. He was inspired by the Welsh mining community and working people in the area and coal miners featured prominently in his work.”

Jackie Hankins, of the foundation, said that the new exhibition will be in a fantastic building.

“Getting a building that was suitable and big enough place to store artwork and create a visitors experience was essential to ensure that we can realise our dream,” Gilbey reportedly said.

Joseph Herman

PHOTO: WIKIART

Herman, born 1911, was the eldest of three children. A graphic artist before attending Warsaw School of Art (1930 and 1932), he was exhibited for the first time in Warsaw in 1932.

The foundation notes he was nicknamed ‘Jo Bach’. His artistic style was viewed as “bold and distinctive”.

Herman was inspired by the Welsh mining community and working people, especially coal miners. He also painted fisherman. In 1951, Herman won a commission to produce a mural for the Festival of Britain, which enhanced his reputation as an UK artist. In 1955 he moved to Suffolk where he married, Nini Ettlinger. After the death of their daughter in 1972 they lived in west London.

Herman was awarded the Gold Medal for Fine Art at the 1962 National Eisteddfod and OBE for services to British Art in 1981. He was elected to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1990.

The National Jewish Assembly held another successful event featuring esteemed speaker Gil Hoffman.

The event, ‘Peace, Politics and Plutonium: An Insider's Look at the Fight for Israel on the Military and Media Battlefields’ provided a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the complexities of advocating for Israel amidst military and media challenges.

Hoffman, executive director of HonestReporting.com and former chief political correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post, brought his extensive expertise to the discussion.

With his wide network and deep connections to Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Hoffman has interviewed major figures across the Israeli political spectrum. His insights and analysis have been sought after by top media outlets on six continents, and he has served as a regular analyst on CNN, Al-Jazeera, and other prominent news platforms.

An NJA spokesman said: “Hoffman delved into serious topics while maintaining an engaging and lighthearted approach. He provided valuable insights on the challenges posed by the failing Palestinian leadership, the complexities of current judicial issues in Israel, and the ongoing concerns surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions.

“Attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics

Gil Hoffman

at play in Israel's fight for security and recognition, and many attendees actively participated in the event’s Q&A session.”

NJA believes in fostering informed discussions and creating platforms for diverse perspectives to promote dialogue and understanding, and looks forward to hosting more events in the near future.

For more information about NJA’s upcoming events visit www.nja.org.uk/ upcoming-events

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29 JUNE 2023

50,000 visit Rebbe’s resting place

BY DAVID SAFFER

Over 50,000 visited the resting place of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem m. Schneerson, at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, NY, throughout last Thursday.

It is 29 years since the late Rebbe passed away, but as with tradition, worshippers queued to pay respect as they have for over seven decades since the passing of the Sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson at the famous Ohel.

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau, gave a talk on the Rebbe’s “passion and call for people to study Torah” at a project to study Rambam daily.

Scholars noted there has been a focus on Jewish unity as it is a Hakhel year.

“The Rebbe remains a leader for Klal Yisrael, for all Jews,” Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasnianski, Chabad Upper East Side, reportedly said. “He continues to guide us and inspire us to live up to our potential, reminding us that there is a Divine essence inside us all.”

The Rebbe, who took on the leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch in 1950, built on the legacy set by the sixth Rebbe. He met people across the political and social divide including rabbis, statesmen, laypeople, Jews and non-Jews.

Hundreds of volumes of the Rebbe’s teachings have been published with more

expected in the future.

Chabad-Lubavitch noted on its website: “Since his passing, the Rebbe’s influence on world Jewry has grown exponentially and is felt today more than ever.

“The Rebbe’s prolific works are studied daily and have been translated into dozens of languages; his teachings continue to inspire on both an individual and communal level; and his insights, which seemed radical and revolutionary at the time, remain as fresh and relevant today as ever. The Rebbe was a visionary leader, and his impact on millions of lives around the globe is unmatched and continues to inspire renewed commitment and action.

“Chasidism teaches that the day of a tzaddik’s passing is a holy day that elicits heavenly compassion for all those who are connected to the tzaddik and to his teachings and activities. As he always encouraged, it is up to each one of us to do one more mitzvah, one more good deed, to make this world a better place.”

Over the years, there are stories of countless individuals’ lives being transformed by visiting the Ohel.

Events relating to the 3rd Tammuz took place around the world based on the Rebbe’s teachings.

Chabad Rechavia ran an event on the Rebbe’s approach to science and technology in Jerusalem with Ariel Gomez of the

Visitors to the Rebbe's kever on his yahrtzeit

Beersheet Project, Israel’s first lunar landing, and Michael Allouche, an award-winning drone technology expert.

Chabad’s Women’s Circle of Talbiya-Mamila hosted an event at Mishkenot Sha’ananim Cultural and Conference Centre featuring writer Shaindy Jacobson.

Rapper Ari Lesser delivered a lyrical sermon after leading a traditional Kabbalat Shabbat service at the Jewish community center of South Bay, California.

“Ari shares inspirational messages and Torah lessons based on the Rebbe’s teachings through rhyme, which is a creative and effective way to reach and inspire people here,” Rabbi Zalman Gordon, Chabad Beach Cities, Redondo, reportedly said.

“Everyone in our community has been impacted by the Rebbe because of our Chabad centre. It was started with the Rebbe’s inspiration, all our programs are

PHOTO: YOSSI JERUFI/CHABAD.ORG

inspired by the Rebbe’s message.”

Events took place throughout Ukraine despite the political and safety challenges.

“Now more than ever, every opportunity we have, every Jewish holiday, any occasion when we can get everybody together and inspire them, we take advantage of,” Rebbetzin Miriam Moskovitz, Chabad Kharkov reportedly said.

Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz added. “We will have a big Gimmel Tammuz farbrengen and program for men, women and children.”

Chabad’s website includes a plethora of material including customs for the Rebbe’s yahrzeit based on a letter he wrote before the Sixth Rebbe’s first yahrzeit.

Jews around the world send thousands of letters to the Ohel. Staff protect privacy before placing them at the Ohel. Staff dispose them as per the Rebbe’s instructions.

UN antisemitism conference cancelled

BY HARRY SIMONS

Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed the postponement of the United Nations conference on antisemitism scheduled to take place in Spain last week.

The conference was organised to unveil the UN Action Plan on Monitoring Antisemitism and Enhancing a System-wide Response. It has been postponed until September. No date has been set.

It is understood that Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilisations, Moratinos did not consult with the Israeli mission to the UN or Israeli Foreign Ministry.

There was also no invitation to the conference to the Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon.

A CAA spokesperson said: “When it comes down to it, the UN plan really has only one primary purpose, to stand with the Jewish people by adopting the International Definition of Antisemitism, alone, in full and without caveat. If the UN is unable to do that, there is no point in yet another

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conference and report that will serve only to muddy the waters and undermine the fight against the world’s oldest hatred. The UN’s reputation in the Jewish world depends on what it does next.”

The postponement followed concerns at the Israeli mission to the UN and Jewish organisations regarding a draft plan which reportedly treats equally the IHRA definition, Jerusalem declaration and Nexus document.

The IHRA definition has the support of Jewish communities around the world and the State of Israel, it has been adopted by national governments, multinationals, provincial and local governments, and public bodies around the world.

CAA has labelled the Jerusalem Declaration a ‘wrecking document’ to undermine the IHRA definition and Nexus document, and create space for far-left antisemitic expressions.

CAA and Jewish organisations called for the UN to the adoption of the definition.

The draft plan calls on UN member states to formulate an acceptable definition.

29 JUNE 2023

NEWS 9

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10 OPINION

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OPINION

The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper

Whose side are you on?

OPINION PIECE

BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN

There has been a very significant development recently in the Government’s plan to prevent local authorities from getting involved with foreign policy.

For too long local councils have taken it upon themselves to make pronouncements about issues outside their jurisdiction, most prominently about Israel.

The latest bill published by the Government seeks to prevent councils getting involved with foreign policy and specifically is aimed at preventing support for the BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement. The BDS movement has been responsible causing trouble up and down the country and in particular on campus. Most former students under the age of 30 will remember March as being the month when Israeli Apartheid Week takes place. This is part of the BDS campaign to isolate Israel and crucially intimidate Jewish students from either identifying as Jewish or standing up for Israel.

Make no mistake, for all the rhetoric about BDS being a movement to bring about fairness in Israel, it is nothing of the sort. It is a profoundly anti-Semitic movement with only one real goal in mind – destroy the State of Israel. The fact that the Government are seeking to prevent local councils getting involved with this toxic movement is clearly a good thing. What I do not understand though is how this is seen as an attack on free speech. Jonathan Freedland in an opinion piece in the press last week asserted that the new bill is a retrograde step.

Part of his article said: “Those of us who made the case against BDS always did so by arguing that the best way to bring change is through engagement and debate: don’t shun your opponents, talk to them. This bill takes the opposite approach, not seeking to persuade local authorities to abandon BDS through the power of argument but forcing them to do so, under threat of hefty fines. As the leaders of several committedly Zionist youth movements put it in a letter to the JLC and the Board, “Non-violent protest

can be debated and opposed; it should not be banned.”

I ran the claim for Judicial Review against Leicester City Council in 2015 when it passed a BDS type motion the previous November. No amount of discussion or persuasion was going to make the council change their mind. The majority of the councillors who voted for the motion were clearly determined to push the motion through and any amount of debate would have made no difference.

I don’t believe that the Government are seeking to ban debate on BDS, only that councils who are tasked with dealing with local or regional issues should concentrate on these issues and not get involved in foreign affairs. It hardly seems unreasonable. The article in question goes on to say: “…with one UJS activist warning it will pit Jews against other minorities and civil society activists in their fight for political and human rights”.

And there you have it. This is not about an argument about freedom of speech or how local councils should be allowed to opine on matters wholly outside their jurisdiction.

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It is about being able to join the activists club and crucially be liked by them.

It’s the new ticket of entry to the left wing protest club – its okay to be Jewish as long as you disapprove of Israel. Make that clear from the outside and you are welcome. Stand up for Israel (even without supporting its Government) and the club doors will be closed in your face.

The simple reality is that local councils should deal with local issues, schools, potholes, social services, community policing and all those other tasks which are so important to all of us and not get involved with matters outside their remit.

Demand Israel amend its policies by all means, but don’t pretend that limiting councils to their core tasks is somehow an attack on freedom of speech when it very clearly is not.

Robert Festenstein is a practising solicitor and has been the principal of his Salford based firm for over 20 years. He has fought BDS motions to the Court of Appeal and is President of the Zionist Central Council in Manchester which serves to protect and defend the democratic State of Israel.

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As North had made a grand slam try, West saw that it was pointless to lead his singleton diamond: it might well guide declarer into a winning line.

So, West led a third-highest three of spades. After winning the first trick with the ace of spades, declarer cashed the ace of trumps to make sure that trumps were not 5-0. When both opponents followed, declarer decided to try to set up the diamonds.

Rather than risk a finesse in the suit, declarer played the ace and another diamond.

After winning with the jack of diamonds, East forced dummy by playing a high spade.

Declarer ruffed this with the nine of trumps, then drew a second round of trumps with ten. Next, he ruffed a diamond high, thereby establishing the suit. All that remained for declarer was to draw West’s two remaining trumps and claim twelve tricks: 1 spade, 1spade ruff, 5 trumps, 2 clubs and 1 established diamonds.

Had trumps had been 5-0 declarer would have needed to negotiate the diamonds for one loser without being forced to ruff a diamond in hand.

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12 COMMUNITY

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29 JUNE 2023

AJEX honours HM Armed Forces

BY DAVID SAFFER

AJEX JMA participated in events throughout National Armed Forces week.

An annual commemoration service took place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to recognise the contribution of the Jewish community to the Crown.

Over 100 people gathered at a poignant ceremony that recalled the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters raid, Warsaw Ghetto uprising and 70th anniversary of the Korean War. AJEX honoured Jewish individuals who served and continue to serve in HM Armed Forces.

AJEX Standards were prominent at the organisations’ memorial. National Chair Dan Fox and Rabbi Major Reuben Livingstone, who recited a memorial prayer for the British Armed Forces and benediction, led the ceremony.

Major Danny Yank, Lt Col Charles Foinette, Alan Levy from CST, Paul Hyams, Lionel Singer and JFS Combined Cadet Force students laid wreaths.

Fox said: “Honouring service in the Armed Forces cuts across the generations.

Today we brought together World War II veterans, those who have served in recent conflicts, current members of the military, cadets and family members. The Jewish military community is thriving and as a community, we should rightly feel proud.

There is no better place to do so than the AJEX memorial at the NMA.” AJEX welcomed over 40 cadets from the JFS Combined Cadet Force to participate in ceremonial duties.

Cadets heard from veterans and senior service personnel, and visited other NMA memorials.

“Their presence was appreciated and shows the baton of remembrance being passed on,” said an AJEX spokesperson.

Fiona Palmer, AJEX chief executive, Brig Simon Goldstein, Sheila Taylor, The Venerable Canon Stephen Dunwoody, Rabbi David Singer, Jeffrey Jay and Rabbi Yossi Jacobs, Ivan Sugarman and Ron Shelley participated at the ceremony.

Palmer noted: “Wow what a day! The words spoken by Dan along with the

AJEX CEO Fiona Palmer and National Chair Dan Fox with senior serving personnel PHOTO: STAN KAYE PHOTOGRAPHY

prayers, poems and wreaths were so moving.”

The ceremony ended with a toast to those who have served and continue to serve in HM Armed Forces.

Talks took place after proceedings by Fox on The SOE Memorial, Shelley on The Shot at Dawn and Armed Forces Memorial and Paula Kitching at The Women’s Memorial.

AJEX holds its annual parade on 19th November.

AJEX supports the Armed Forces Jewish community through the year. Activities help counter antisemitism in the UK and demonstrate Jewish contribution in society. The charity offers welfare support for UK veterans and their families, often in difficult circumstances.

AJEX is based on the pillars of welfare, remembrance and education.

The NMA houses hundreds of memorials, including the National Jewish Military Memorial. Jewish participation in the UK military has existed for over 300 years. AJEX has its own memorial.

Details: www.ajex.org.uk

RCUK’s new store in Manchester JOSH ARONSON

Last Sunday morning, Manchester Customers of RCUK Gathered together to celebrate the launch and Mezuza setting of RCUK moving branch opening to a bigger property on Leicester Road.

Max Rose CEO of RCUK said to The Jewish Weekly, “This is emotional for me, we are growing from a small office to a main shop on the high Street of the Jewish community.

“We are growing in different ways and Projects in order to create RCUK as a top Jewish phone network company, we recently launched a new branch in South

Africa and looking to expand in different areas. “ I am overwhelmed by the response from our clients and by the messages of support wishing us success for our new premisRCUK CEO Max Rose es. This is a momentous occasion for us all and we are delighted to celebrate together with the community. I am immensely proud to lead an outstanding team.”

JFS Combined Cadet Force at the NMA

Avi one of RCUK customers said to The Jewish Weekly the opening of the branch in a bigger property shows the growth of the Manchester Jewish community, with new shops opening all the time slowly Manchester is becom- The new store ing one of the bigger Jewish communities in Europe.

AY Nemetzky Branch Manager said: “We are filled with pride to be serving the community that has been loyal to us for so many years. I am humbled to see the

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Veteran Ron Shelley reads PHOTO: STAN KAYE PHOTOGRAPHY the Kohima Epitaph

PHOTO: STAN KAYE PHOTOGRAPHY

growth from a retail “upper” unit, now to a state of the art building consisting of four floors. We are so grateful to have opened this new phase in RCUK’s history”.

RCUK launched in 1999 and was established in 2002 as a phone and device rental business with a single retail store. RCUK has since grown into a dynamic multi million-pound business and highly respected brand with multiple branches across the UK and operates across the globe.

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Brighton’s Shabbat of unity

The Chief Rabbi officialy opens the new Brighton and Hove Community Centre with Rabbi Rader, Mark Sugarman, Tony Bloom and Natasha Isaac

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis attended the Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation official opening of the new community centre last weekend.

Over 200 people including shul members, guests and local dignitaries attended the event introduced by the shul’s minister Rabbi Hershel Rader.

He said: “The enthusiasm, energy and creativity shown bodes extremely well for the resuscitated and re-invigorated congregation and local Jewish community.”

Chief Rabbi Mirvis spoke about the

PHOTO: SOPHIE SHEINWALD

revitalisation of the Jewish Community as a result of the development, antisemitism, opening of a multi-faith centre in Abu Dabi and the message of the Sedra, Shelach Lecha.

Mark Sugarman, BNJC Chief Executive, Tony Bloom, Chairman of the Bloom Foundation behind the new development, and fellow trustee Natasha Isaac also gave speeches.

On Shabbat morning, Jonathan Metliss, recited the haftarah and co-sponsored the Kiddush.

Due to technical issues last week, the photograph and the spelling of Natasha Issac’s name appeared incorrectly. We apologise for this and have published the corrected article here again.

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Camp Simcha mascot Simi with his 1k medal

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Charities benefit from the Maccabi fun run Over 6,500 community members raised funds for 99 charities at the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run at StoneX Stadium in North West London on Sunday.

Youngsters, grandparents, veterans and Holocaust survivors participated in the 1K, 5K and 10K distances in wonderful weather.

“The day highlighted the remarkable capabilities and unity within our community,” said Maccabi GB chairman Jonathan Prevezer.

Chai Cancer Care was among the charities taking part and raised over £10,000.

Participants ranged from two years of age to 70.

Lucy Hayim, Chai Community & Corporate Fundraiser, said: “We were blown away by all our runners! It was so fantastic that Chai had the highest number of runners this year, which shows how so many in the community support Chai. A huge thank you for braving the heat and supporting Chai in this way.”

Camp Simcha had 75 runners in races to raise funds for families with a seriously ill child. Joining them in the 1K was Camp Simcha’s mascot Simi the monkey who

Runners for Jteen with Trustee Avi Barr

Simi the mascot and Chief Rabbi

braved the heat to finish in good time.

Among runners were 21 fundraising for a joint project with Jewish Digest to provide support groups and information evenings for families who have a child with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Jteen had over 60 runners, mostly teenagers, supporting its cause. They raised over £15,000 which will be used to support the Jteen Prevent activities designed to promote better mental health for the teenagers within the Jewish community in a variety of educational programmes.

Chair of trustees, Avi Barr, said, “This is a unique cross communal day showcasing so many wonderful charitable causes. Given Jteen’s leading role as a charity supporting teens we relished the opportunity to connect with so many teenagers and their families. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who generously supported our campaign”.

Charities also included AJEX, AJR, Emunah, GIFT, Jami, Jewish Blind and Disabled, Jewish Care, JVN, Kisharon, Magen David Adom UK, Norwood, United Hatzalah, Voices of the Holocaust, World Jewish Relief, Work Avenue, Yad Vashem UK Foundation and Yellow Candle.

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Camp Simcha runners

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29 JUNE 2023

Matan, Roni and Odette Wohlman

The Chief Rabbi with a runner for Jteen

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Soloveichik wows LSJS audiences London School of Jewish Studies welcomed one of America’s most influential religious leaders to the UK last week.

Rabbi Dr Meir Soloveichik’s keynote lecture on ‘The Most Misunderstood Monarch: David Melekh Yisrael and the Nature of Biblical Politics’ attracted hundreds of students.

Exploring sources in the Tanakh and Talmud, art of the Renaissance and Rembrandt, delegates rediscovered how the legacy of King David is still relevant today.

Rabbi Dr Soloveichik ran a session for graduates of the LSJS BA and MA Jewish Education degree programmes, Jewish Studies teachers, rabbis and rebbetzins, and other community educators.

Rabbi Dr Soloveichik presented ‘Emunah and Events: Teaching History and the Case for G-d’ illustrating Jewish history as a source for faith and theology behind it.

Joanne Greenaway, LSJS chief executive, said: “Rabbi Soloveichik did not disappoint with his high energy, unique style, immense range of sources across multiple disciplines and timeless Jewish messages. It’s a privilege to showcase the best in teaching from around the world.”

Michael Rainsbury, Head of Adult Education, added: “His ability to draw on disciplines such as history, art and philosophy to enrich and bring new meaning to Torah

L to R Rabbi Michael Rainsbury, Rav Soloveichik, and Joanne Greenaway

ideas encapsulates our approach to Jewish learning.”

Rabbi Dr Soloveichik is Senior Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel in Manhattan and Director of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University.

He said: “I’ve enjoyed every aspect of my experience here at LSJS. It allowed me to intellectually engage and experience Anglo-Jewry.”

The event was part of the LSJS summer programme. Other teachers include Rabbi Joseph Dweck, Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski, Dr Shaina Trapedo and Dr Tanya White.

Rabbi Dr Soloveichik is a great-nephew of the famed rabbi, talmudist and modern Jewish philosopher Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, who was a seminal figure in post-war Orthodox Judaism.

Kisharon art event raises £55K

Talya and mother Bev in front of Talya’s art

Kisharon raised £55,000 at The HeART Edit auction at JW3.

Exhibited artworks included paintings, photographs and sculptures. And there was a Damien Hirst piece auctioned with proceeds going to Kisharon.

Over six months 65 artworks and sculptures were created. The collaborative effort highlighted the abilities of participants with learning disabilities and autism. It also showed the core values of Kisharon.

Chief Executive Richard Franklin said: “We learn and grow from the experiences of others, including those with learning disabilities. At Kisharon, we focus on recognising the talent within individuals, not their disabilities. The success of HeART Edit embodies the essence of our community and organisation.”

Franklin noted the importance of

PHOTO: JAMIE GORDON PHOTOGRAPHY

fundraising due to a projected shortfall in social care in the next five years.

Kisharon fundraising manager Emma Nagli added: “We showcased diverse talents that each person possesses. Witnessing art in a gallery setting was heartwarming. Seeing people we support reunite with artists and introducing them to their families was a highlight.”

Thirty artists collaborated in the initiative to create a unique piece of art, promoting self-confidence, easing anxieties and communication skills.

The event was made possible by cochairs Freidi Klein and Sari Freidman.

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20 COMMUNITY

GIFT Charity goes ‘Beyond the Label’ with its showstopping inclusive fashion show Some 300 women from across the spectrum of the Jewish community attended a women-only fashion show with a difference at Finchley United Synagogue last Tuesday evening. The ‘Beyond the Label’ fashion show, now in its second year, was the brainchild of two Hasmonean High students, Adina Rosenstein and Shira Gubbay, who came up with the concept during a GIFT Charity Incubator programme.

Beyond the Label celebrates women of all ages, sizes and abilities. The event aims to encourage the audience to move past the fashion industry’s traditional feting of women who reflect an idealised image, to instead focus on the inner beauty of every human being. In the words of Abigail Marin, one of the models on the night, the show gives “people with an altered appearance the chance to shine”. Abigail was diagnosed with a facial tumour at the age of six and uses social media to share her journey and encourage others.

This year, the Beyond the Label models ranged from an eight-year-old girl with Downs Syndrome, who stole the hearts of the entire audience as she bounded joyously up and down the catwalk, to a grandmother in her 60s. Many of the stories that the models’ appearances told were extremely moving.

Former Hasmonean student Dalia Persell chose to participate as a thank you to the

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The stars of the show

community for praying for her full recovery after a debilitating virus left her paralysed from the neck down last summer. – Her radiant walk down the runway on her own two feet left many in the audience wiping their eyes.

Guest speakers at the Beyond the Label show included Instagram influencer Chaya Raichik and Woman&Home magazine’s digital fashion editor Rivkie Baum, who exhorted the audience to “counter every negative body thought with two positive ones”.

The outfits and accessories that the models sported were loaned to the event by a range of Northwest London fashion boutiques, including House of Lancry, Alona Karen Boutique, B7 Active, Forever Alice, Bitz of Glitz, Fame and Keshet Couture (The Wardrobe).

DJ Danny Macabi generously contributed

his time to the event and put together a fabulous and empowering playlist.

Amanda Nesbitt, whose daughter Jessica is a Kisharon Service User and who modelled for the event, said: “Jessica had the most fantastic time at the event – she was made to feel so special. There was a great atmosphere in the hall and everyone was really enjoying themselves.”

Adina Rosenstein, co-creator of the initiative, who had been working tirelessly on event logistics since completing her A Levels earlier this month, said: “It’s no secret that the fashion industry suffers from a significant lack of diversity. Society’s obsession with physical appearance leads to an under appreciation of don’t conform to these normalised standards. I was so proud of all our wonderful models for showing up and being part of this important movement.”

Shira Joseph, GIFT’s Programme Director, commented: “GIFT is so proud to have been able to put on the Beyond the Label show for the second year running. All of our models this year were absolute superstars, and their inner and outer beauty shone through – It was incredible to see the initial idea for this event being turned into something tangible that has been such an inspiration to us all.”

For more information or photos please contact Anabelle Davidovici on anabelle@ jGIFT.org

UK Armed Forces Day was celebrated last Sunday morning at the Whitefield War Memorial.

It was attended by Col Martin Newman and Mr Joe Flacks, Chairman of Manchester AJEX.

Joe Flacks and Col Martin Newman

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

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22 COOKERY

29 JUNE 2023

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Crispy Noodle Salad Another delicious recipe from Denise Phillips For more recipes and inspiration visit my website: www.jewishcookery.com

I have created this recipe whilst planning dishes for an oriental buffet. No buffet is complete without coleslaw or a similar dressed shredded salad. This is the oriental variation – using an Eastern dressing instead of mayonnaise and with a delicious crunchy topping. Garnish at the last minute to maintain the crispness of the noodles.

Once again, this is quick and easy to make with a very impressive end result.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes. Serves: 6

Ingredients 350g red cabbage - shredded 250g fresh bean sprouts – labelled ready to eat! Or stir fry them for 2 minutes 4 carrots- peeled and shredded 12 radishes, sliced 12 spring onions – trimmed and chopped 2 orange peppers- deseeded and chopped 100g stir fry noodles 200ml- 300ml rapeseed oil – to shallow fry For The Dressing 6 tablespoons duck sauce 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, cider or white vinegar may be substituted 2 tablespoons vegetable or sesame oil Salt and pepper Garnish: 6 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Method 1) Mix the red cabbage and carrots together. Stir in the beans spouts, sliced radishes, spring onions and orange peppers.

2) Heat the oil in a deep-frying pan or wok. When the oil is hot, add the noodles in batches. Remove the fried noodles as they cook, using a slotted spoon and drain on absorbent kitchen paper. Transfer the noodles to a bowl.

3) To toast the sesame seeds place on an oven tray at 200C for about 5-8

minutes or until they go golden. Do put your oven timer on so you do not forget about them as they can burn very quickly! Set aside.

4) Mix all the dressing ingredients together.

5) Dress the salad and toss with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

6) Just before serving add the crispy noodles.

To serve the stylish way: Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.

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24 JUDAISM

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ASK THE RABBI Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com HOW DO I GET OUT? Dear Rabbi I was raised in a traditional Jewish home. I was circumcised and read the Torah at my Bar Mitzvah, But I never “felt it.”

To be sure, I’m sure I felt my circumcision and probably cried. I’m sure I also felt excited at my Bar Mitzvah, especially in anticipation of all the presents.

But I’ve never felt any connection to my Jewish roots. It’s all been very robotic, empty and meaningless.

I got married a little over a year ago. Yes, she’s Jewish, but more by coincidence than anything else, and my parents breathed a sigh of relief. I assured them she just happened to be the girl I met on JDate but I didn’t go actively seeking her for her Jewishness. At their insistence we had a traditional Jewish wedding with a Chupah (hey, they were paying, so…) but again, I just went through the motions.

With the intention of having a family sometime soon, I feel I ought to give my future kids their own choice in life. I’d like to start with a clean slate and renounce my Judaism. I’ll talk to my kids about my past but equally tell them that even though I “was” Jewish, that is no longer the case and that they can choose their own path in life.

In a day and age where everyone identifies as something, can I identify as a non-Jew and that will be sufficient? Or must I deJew myself through some sort of official Rabbinical process?

I hope you don’t take offence

and will take the time to answer my question.

Richie Dear Richie Offence? Why would I take offence? I’m delighted that you have enough conscience to consider what the Jewish thing is to do, and that you even bothered to consult a Rabbi. If you felt zero connection, you’d have just ignored the whole thing and walked away. But you wanted to do the “right” thing.

You remind me of the child who ran away from home, but ended up just going round and round the block, because his parents told him never to cross the road by himself.

Sorry Richie, no document, no Rabbi and no choice identity is going to help you rid yourself of your Jewish identity. Judaism is not just a belief, a feeling, a conviction or a lifestyle. It is a state of being. You have a Jewish soul. It is who you are. You are as Jewish as Moses, Rachel Riley and the Chief Rabbi. So, you can run but you can’t hide.

At least be sure to be honest with your future kids and tell them, “You’re Jewish.” Then, if you insist, let them take it from there. Oh, and when they ask you where you met Mom, be sure to tell them, on a Jewish dating website (JDate). “But Dad, why did you go on a Jewish website, if you don’t really care?” “What? Um, well, er... let’s talk about something else instead!”

Sorry, not sorry, I can’t help you any more than that, and frankly you have laid bare you deep soul-connection. Wishing you clarity of mind and

tranquillity of soul.

ANIMAL SACRIFICE IN THE 21ST CENTURY Dear Rabbi I am reciting kaddish and therefore find myself attending Synagogue. I find it so strange that parts of the prayer service talk about animal sacrifice. I think it’s barbaric and has no place in modern day prayer.

Simon Dear Simon The absurdity is that many critics of ancient ritual sacrifice will enjoy their prime rib, their chicken soufflé, and if you could throw in some filet mignon you’ve won their hearts and souls. But don’t mention animal sacrifice – that’s just wrong.

You see, the problem isn’t really in G-d’s world. The problem is in our world. It’s not so much the ritual per se. It’s the underlying notion that sacrifice signifies. Say the word “sacrifice” a few times quietly to yourself. It makes you uncomfortable.

Sacrifice - the courage to give up something truly valuable for an ideal or a person outside of oneself - has become in our day an “endangered species.”

Sacrifice is often seen as the arch enemy of the virtues that have become emblematic of our times – self-expression, self-assertion and emotional independence. Sacrifice, we are often told, is a crutch for insecure and needy victims who eclipse their emotional dysfunction by employing the heroic myth of sacrifice. But it is precisely that sort of thinking which is what is wrong with our

world today. We live in a world which is blighted with individualism - everyone in pursuit of their own agenda.

Upon the Altar one brought their best animals, their choicest grain, their finest wine – all things they worked hard for. It represented the axiom that a relationship with G-d demands departing with something of oneself. The primary sacrifice was not the one that came of animals or grain, but rather the one stemming from oneself.

Nothing in the contemporary secular conversation calls on us to give up anything truly valuable for anybody or anything else. We have been taught to be nice and cordial, tolerant and

respectful, to give a few pounds to a homeless man in the street and to be sensitive to other people’s feelings; but not to make real sacrifices that challenge our pleasures, force us out of our comfort zones and require profound and unwavering commitments. Yet when you don’t need to fight for something or for someone how do you learn who you really are? When you don’t need to give up anything of yourself, how you do acquire the depth, dignity and maturity that come along with sacrifice?

That’s the underlying significance of the sacrificial procedure. Think of it in that context and you’ll approach the prayers in a very different way.

Follow Rabbi Schochet at: RabbiSchochet.com Twitter: @RabbiYYS Facebook: facebook.com/Rabbiyys.

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Torah from Israel

29 JUNE 2023

Blending Democracy and Religion

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN

This coming week, the United States, the longest running, and most successful democracy, will be celebrating its Independence Day. This ambitious experiment or “the city on the hill”, has both transformed modern politics and has profoundly shaped contemporary culture. Because democracy has so dramatically advanced society it is sometimes over glorified. Intoxicated with democracy, we often ignore its inner flaws, and we don’t sufficiently acknowledge the hazards it poses to religion. Democracy is so fashionable and so revered that it becomes its own religion, blinding us to its own anti-religious demons.

INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM

Democracy successfully liberated humanity from centuries of repressive totalitarian rule, offering each individual political liberty and personal freedom.

Democracy’s emphasis upon the individual and their essential freedoms clashes with religion’s stress upon our submission to Hashem and His mitzvot.

Furthermore, democracy fosters individualism whereas religion asserts collectivism. Religious identity is pivoted upon belonging to broader “networks” beyond our own selves such as community and historical nationhood. While religion attempts to stretch our imagination beyond ourselves and beyond our needs, democracy often traps us in narrow prisons of self-interest, locking us in a withered cell of individualism.

RIGHTS OR DUTIES?

Additionally, by highlighting the inalienable rights of every human being, Democracy prioritizes privileges and entitlements over duties and responsibilities. Preservation of rights is paramount, but as a precondition for human well-being, so that, ultimately, human beings with rights can better express their duties.

These are just a few of the areas in which democratic values deviate from religious sensibilities and from ritual life.

DISTORTION OF “EQUALITY”

In the broader social arena, democracy often distorts our moral thinking.

Democracy seeks to bestow political equality, empowering each citizen with equal influence in government and its policies. However, political equality is often confused with other types of equality. Just because everyone is equal in the ballot-box doesn’t mean they are also equal in the moral conversation.

This misconstrued notion of equality has

produced a confused world bereft of absolute moral opinions and absent of clear divisions between “right” and “wrong”.

Suffering under the “spell” of moral relativism, society struggles to assign absolute moral positions. Each and every viewpoint must be accredited, and every personal perspective must be validated.

A terrorist is merely a “freedom fighter” restoring violated national pride. Worse, radical political correctness suffocates free speech and hijacks meaningful conversation. Only ‘safe’ and meaningless speech is tolerated.

SCRUBBING IDENTITY

Absolute equality is also creating a crisis of identity. Previous societies were built upon rigid political, social, racial, and economic hierarchies with limited opportunity for upward mobility. These hierarchies were oppressive, but they also provided clear and unmistakable value systems upon which to build identity.

With the abolition of hierarchies and the expansion of freedom, a crisis of identity has emerged. In a world in which the only undisputable value is freedom, every other value is “up for grabs” and ultimately, we start to ask ourselves “whom am I”. If religion, morality, nationality or even gender aren’t assumed and there are no longer any objectives or absolutes, identity becomes quicksand. In an endless carnival of values, we no longer have clear identity anchors.

SHOULD ISRAEL BE DEMOCRATIC?

In Israel, in addition to pondering the religious and moral challenges of democracy, we struggle with an even broader question: should our state be a pure Democracy? Undeniably, our homeland must be structured upon a foundation of democratic values. In our daily prayers, prior to petitioning for a return to Jerusalem, we pray both for the restoration of a righteous government and for ethical leaders. Our return to Yerushalayim, the city of justice, can only be enabled through a moral political system. Our return home was delayed until the world discovered democracy. One day, Hashem will restore our Theocracy and install Moshiach as a benevolent monarch, but until that day, democracy is the best and fairest form of government which humans have imagined, and it must serve as the political platform of our historical return.

Yet, despite its value, democracy is not the highest or most supreme value.

Israel is the Jewish historical homeland which we have collectively longed for across time and space. Through every

race, religion, and nationality must be afforded equal rights, personal dignity and religious freedom, our state must retain its Jewish character. For many, the very thought that Israel should not be a pure democracy is heretical. For religious people it should be obvious. Democracy is an indispensable feature of the state we are assembling but it is not the overriding feature. Israel must first be historical and, only afterwards, democratic.

UPHOLDING DEMOCRACY

Just the same, and given all the potential hazards to religion, it is fair to ask whether religious people sufficiently value democracy and sufficiently uphold its principles. I fear that, given all its flaws, Democracy is too often taken for granted and even vilified by religious people. If we critique its potential hazards, we must first reinforce our support of it.

Though Democracy traces its origins to ancient Greece, its modern incarnation stems from the 17th century, as philosophers, primarily British, began to articulate its principles. In the 18th century these ideals became embodied in the American and French Revolutions.

Initially, democracy drew inspiration from the Bible and from our Jewish traditions. G-d, not Man is the ultimate authority, and He invested every Man with dignity and with freedom of conscience. Humans are religiously bound to preserve this divine dignity and to assure that G-d’s creatures could exercise their moral agency. Ironically, especially in the United States, while religion was formally separated from politics, it still wielded significant influence, both in individual identity and in communal life.

It may seem odd to the modern perspective, but Democracy had deep roots in religion. At its best, Democracy is a political instinct delivered by Hashem enabling Man to protect the divine potential which Hashem Himself endowed.

In the past two centuries, democracy and its offshoot, Capitalism, have dramatically improved the human condition, eliminating hunger and poverty as causes of death, and fueling industrialization, scientific discovery and technological advance. One of the core tenets of monotheism is that Hashem covets the improvement of the human condition. He isn’t arbitrary or indifferent but desires human welfare. Any political system which enhances human welfare is a divine gift to Man. Jews, in particular, must cherish the freedom of worship which democracy has offered. For the first time since we were evicted from our homeland, we

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enjoyed absolute and unconditional freedom to practice our religion without discrimination. For the first time in exile, we were treated as equal members of society, enjoying full rights and equal opportunities. Until recently, Democracies also protected us against antisemitism.

The fact that, sadly, certain elements of modern democracies have fueled New Antisemitism shouldn’t obscure the considerable manner in which Democracies have curbed antisemitism.

Religious Jews must deeply value Democracy, despite its religious challenges and despite some of the modern expressions of democratic culture. Sadly, the term “liberalism” which so foundational to democracy, has been twisted to reflect values which are often incongruent with religion.

Ideally, the principles of Liberalism demand that we respect people who behave differently from us and protect their freedom, even if we sharply disagree with their views. Unfortunately, this term has been commandeered and perverted to reflect very different cultural perspectives. However, we can’t overreact, and we must not reject liberal values simply because the term has been radicalized.

Don’t allow others to steal your terminology and to disqualify important values.

Religious people should cherish democracy and practice liberal values while rejecting much of modern Liberalist ideology.

The writer is a rabbi at Yeshivat Har Etzion/Gush, a hesder yeshiva. He has smicha and a BA in computer science from Yeshiva University as well as a masters degree in English literature from the City University of New York.

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JUDAISM 27

Weekly Dvar Torah F R O M E R E TZ Y I S R A E L

Failure Breaks Some and Makes Others

BY RABBI DORON PEREZ

One of the great leadership thinkers of our generation John C Maxwell has often said, “The difference between great people and average people is their attitude to and response to failure.”

How do we handle failure?

We see in this week’s parasha, Chukat, one of the most incredible responses of the greatest leader of all, Moshe Rabbeinu, and how he handled his greatest failure and what it tells us about him as a person and a leader.

Moshe was given one mission at the burning bush. G-d said “I can see the suffering of My people’’ (Shemot 3:7), “‫וָ ֵא ֵרד‬ ֹ‫לְ ַה ִ ּצילו‬,” “And I have come down to save them” (3:8), and you are going to bring them out, give them the Torah, and bring

them to the Promised Land of the forebears. That is your mission – from Exodus from Egypt to entrance to Israel.

It goes wrong. In this week’s parasha, Moshe strikes the rock resulting in the harshest punishment of “‫לָ כֵ ן ל ֹא ָת ִביא ּו ֶאת‬ ‫ה ָּק ָהל ַהזֶ ּה ֶאל ָה ָא ֶרץ‬, ַ ” “You will not bring the people to the land” (Bamidbar 20:12) – you will not complete the mission that I gave you. You have failed. The generation failed with the sin of the spies; this though is Moshe’s failure – he is now disqualified from not completing the mission. Devastating and painful after 40 years of selfless leadership in a role that was thrust upon him.

REMARKABLE RESPONSE

Immediately after being told that he is actually going to die and not go into the land,

Chukat–Balak Sidra Summary 1ST ALIYA (KOHEN) – BEMIDBAR 19:1 - 20:6

G-d tells Moshe and Aharon to teach the nation the laws of the Red Heifer (Parah Adumah). The unblemished animal, which has never had a yoke upon it, is to be given to Elazar, Aharon’s son, who must slaughter it outside the camp. It is then to be burned by a different Kohen, who must also throw some cedar wood, hyssop and crimson thread into the fire. Both he and Elazar will become ritually impure (tameh) through this preparatory process. In contrast, the ashes of the Heifer, when mixed with water, are used to purify someone who has become tameh through coming into contact with a corpse. After the ashes are mixed with water, a ritually pure person (tahor) sprinkles the mixture on the tameh person, using a bundle of hyssop. By doing so, the one who sprinkles becomes tameh. The Israelites come to the wilderness of Tsin, where Miriam, Moshe and Aharon’s sister, dies. The people complain that they have no water and would have been better off staying in Egypt.

2ND ALIYA (SHEINI) – 20:7-21

G-d tells Moshe to take his staff and speak to a rock in front of the nation, after which water will emerge from the rock. However, Moshe strikes the rock twice (instead of speaking to it). Although the rock then produces abundant water, G-d tells Moshe and Aharon that they will not enter the Land.

3RD ALIYA (SHELISHI) – 20:22-21:20

Moshe sends messengers to the king of Edom, asking him to allow the Israelites to travel from Kadesh through his land.

Despite Moshe’s assurances that they will

not take any of his resources, Edom refuses and comes out to threaten the Israelites militarily. The Israelites turn away. The nation travels from Kadesh to Mount Hor. Upon G-d’s command, Moshe, Aharon and Elazar ascend Mount Hor. Elazar dons Aharon’s special Kohen Gadol (High Priest) garments, after which Aharon dies. The nation mourns Aharon’s death for 30 days. Israel is attacked by the Cana’anites and defeats them.

After the nation travels on, the people again become thirsty for water. After complaining, many people are killed by a plague of serpents. Moshe prays for those who have been bitten but have not yet died. G-d tells him to fashion a copper snake, which miraculously heals anyone who looks at it. The nation comes to the border of Moab, where they find a well.

They compose a song about the well.

4TH ALIYA (REVI’I) – 21:21-22:12

After denying the Israelites the right to pass through his land, the king of Sichon wages war against them. The Israelites defeat him, before defeating Og, the mighty king of Bashan, who had also attacked them.

Balak, the king of Moab, having seen that the Israelites defeated the Emorites, is afraid that they will plot against him.

Balak sends emissaries to Midian, to Bilam the son of Be’or, asking him to curse the Israelites.

5TH ALIYA (CHAMISHI) – BEMIDBAR 22:13-38

Bilam tells Balak’s emissaries to stay the

how does Moshe respond to this news?

Not with dejection, not by doubting himself and not being stifled for even a moment to move forward towards entering the land, even though he won’t be part of it. Immediately, Moshe sends messengers to Edom to see what the quickest way to go to the land is. This action, in fact, would be hastening his own death, but knowing that he is fully committed to the mission at hand. Incredibly, one perek later and the next time messengers are sent “‫ש ָר ֵאל‬ ׂ ְ ִ‫וַ ִי ְּׁשלַ ח י‬ ‫”מלְ ָאכִ ים‬ ַ (Vayikra 21:21) – it is the Jewish people who sent messengers. Yet, at this particular moment, right after receiving the devastating news and his great failure, it was Moshe himself who personally sent the messengers. With almost superhuman resilience and strength of character, he just keeps on going.

Moshe knew that the mission of the Jewish people going into the land was bigger than himself.

For great leaders, the cause is never a conduit to build themselves, but rather they are a conduit to build the ‫ – כלל‬the greater good. It is not about the individual gain but rather community service. In Moshe’s greatest failure, we see his greatest attribute, his humility, his mesirut nefesh, his absolute dedication to the Jewish people and G-d’s mission.

Leaders in all areas should always know that the cause is always greater than them.

Personal failure should never detract from the individual’s commitment to the cause.

Failure breaks some people; it makes others.

Rabbi Doron Perez is the Executive Chairman of World Mizrachi.

night, to give him time to see how G-d will instruct him. G-d appears to Bilam at night and warns him not to travel to Moab to curse the Israelites, who are a blessed nation. Bilam wakes up in the morning and tells Balak’s officers that he is unable to go with them, due to G-d’s warning. After they report back to Balak, he sends higher-ranking officers to persuade Bilam. Bilam repeats that he is bound by G-d’s word. G-d again appears to Bilam at night, telling him that he has permission to go, but that he must do what He instructs him.

Bilam saddles his donkey and travels with Balak’s officers. G-d is angered by Bilam’s decision and sends an angel to impede him. The donkey sees the angel, who has a drawn sword in his hand. She deviates from the road to avoid the angel. Bilam, unable to see the angel, hits the donkey. The angel positions himself between two parallel fences. When the donkey moves towards the wall, pressing Bilam’s leg against it, Bilam again hits her. The angel then places himself in a narrow part of the path, making it impossible for the donkey to circumvent him. She stops and crouches, causing Bilam to get angry and hit her again. G-d “opens the mouth of the donkey”, who defends her actions. G-d now “uncovers Bilam’s eyes” and he sees the angel. The angel chastises Bilam, who admits his sin and suggests that he returns home. The angel responds that he can continue his journey but must not say anything other than what G-d tells him. Balak goes out to greet Bilam on the border of Arnon.

from where Bilam can see the edge of the Israelite camp. Bilam tells Balak to build him seven altars and give him seven bulls and rams to sacrifice. Balak complies and Bilam sacrifices the animals. G-d appears to Bilam and tells him what to say. Against his will, Bilam actually blesses the Israelites.

Balak is incensed, yet Bilam claims that he is unable to defy G-d’s command.

6TH ALIYA (SHISHI) – 22:39-23:26

Bilam and Balak go to a vantage point

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7TH ALIYA (SHEVI’I) – 23:27-25:9

Balak takes Bilam to a new location in the hope of a better result. Once again, Bilam brings animal offerings. As before, G-d appears to Bilam, who can only bless, not curse, the Israelites. Balak and Bilam go to a third location. After bringing the offerings to the altar, Bilam sees the encampments of the Israelites and “the spirit of G-d rests upon him” so that he actually no longer wants to curse them (Rashi). Again Bilam blesses Israel. Balak dismisses him. Before leaving, Bilam tells Balak that the Israelites could be vulnerable to licentious behaviour (Rashi). He then prophesies about future stages of their history. Bilam and Balak go their separate ways. The Israelites settle in Shittim where the men are attracted to Moabite women, as well as towards worshipping the idol Pe’or. Pinchas, a grandson of Aharon, sees a public display of licentious behaviour and kills the culprit, Zimri from the tribe of Shimon, along with Kozbi, the Midianite princess.

HAFTARAH (OF BALAK, MICHA 5:6-6:8)

The prophet Micha describes the Messianic times that the ‘remnant of Yaakov’ will experience. He also recalls how G-d looked after the nation in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt, including His thwarting of the evil plans of Balak and Bilam.

The Five Stages of Faith 28 JUDAISM

BY RABBI SHMUEL REICHMAN

As he lay in his hospital bed, gasping for breath, he began contemplating his time in this world. He was now an elderly man, nearing the end of his journey. But what a journey it had been.

There had been ups and downs, difficult decisions, and deep struggles with faith.

As he reflected on these times, tears began flowing down his cheeks.

When he was a young boy, he believed in Hashem, but only because his parents were deeply committed to Judaism and taught him to do the same. He didn’t know any better. They taught him that Hashem loves him, that He created the world, and that “He gave you this delicious cookie as a present.” He was happy to go along with it, but more than anything, he just wanted to make his parents proud.

As he grew up, he loved sharing his “hashgachah stories” with his friends and family. There were times when he truly felt like he had met Hashem, when he heard Hashem “talk” to him. There was the time when his life was saved by a bone-marrow donor, and the times when he just made his flight. As he got older, he found his soul mate and got his dream job. It was no longer belief; it was real, at least to him. Life was good, pure, true, and beautiful. His faith became personal, not just something his parents taught him.

But then it all changed. One day, he heard a lecture, and it shook him to his core. The lecture systematically picked apart the validity of Judaism, and he had nothing to counter the arguments with.

At that moment, he realized that he needed rational proofs for his faith. He devoted time and thought toward his faith, developing a rational and intellectual basis for the things he had always taken for granted. At first, he felt knowledgeable and enlightened, but at a certain point, he felt like he was missing something.

Everything had become cerebral and intellectual; he lost his spark for life, his love of Judaism, his passion for mitzvos, and his connection with Hashem. He was twenty-seven, and he had never felt less connected. Everything went downhill from there.

Now, as an elderly man, taking his last breaths, he couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down his cheeks. In the past few weeks, he had experienced more spirituality than ever before. After almost seventy years, he had finally picked up a Jewish sefer and began learning again. Over the course of just a few weeks, his eyes had been opened to deeper Jewish ideas, concepts he had never before considered.

He began realizing that there are certain things that cannot be explained rationally, that transcend logical explanation, and

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that can only be experienced. He could not help but feel an overwhelming sense of regret. “If only I had stayed on the right path,” he thought. “If only I hadn’t given up so early, I could have spent my whole life delving deeper and deeper into the wellsprings of Torah wisdom! If only I could press a button and reset, if only I had the chance to do it over again.” With that final thought echoing in his mind, he took one last breath, closed his eyes, and prepared to face his Creator.

He slowly opened his eyes, but everything was still a bit foggy. He looked around, and strangely enough, everything looked familiar — too familiar. His heart suddenly began racing, and he leaped out of bed. He couldn’t believe it. He ran to the mirror, touching his face out of shock and excitement. He was twenty-seven again. Or “still.” He couldn’t tell if he had woken up from a nightmare, or had been given a second chance at life. One thing was certain: he was ready to embark on a genuine journey of faith.

THE JOURNEY OF FAITH

It is always important to reinforce our commitment to the journey of faith.

There is no greater act of emunah than living a spiritual, holistic life in an often chaotic, fragmented world. The famous words, “kedoshim tihiyu — you shall be holy,” are not a call to be transcendent, angelic beings, lofty and perfect, completely beyond the struggle innate to the human condition. This is not permission to deny our humanity and restrict our sense of self. This is a calling to be human, to be the ultimate human, to bring transcendence and spirituality into this world. We don’t aim to escape this world; we aim to transform it. Kedushah is not transcendence or escapism; it is the meeting between the transcendent and the immanent. This is the journey of faith, where each individual must embark on a quest for internal and objective truth, where we must leave the comfort of the known and travel toward the infinite, toward the future we know we are destined for, toward our own personal and collective purpose. There are five stages in this journey of faith: 1. Emunah Peshutah The first stage that we experience in life is emunah peshutah (simple faith). If you take a two-year-old child on a walk in the park, all he experiences is life itself.

He’ll point at the birds and the trees and exclaim: “whoah!” Or he’ll point at the grass and shout, “Look at that!”

He doesn’t yet have a categorized mind, so he doesn’t give names to anything; he simply sees reality as it is. At this stage, we experience life with no questions, and no options — everything is simply pure, true, and beautiful.

2. Blind Faith Then, we learn how to speak, and the

world suddenly becomes a mystery. We walk around in wonder and confusion; we have questions; we’re learning to communicate. If we’re taught to believe in Hashem, we do. Not because we have any reason to, but because our parents or teachers tell us that Hashem loves us, that He created us, that He cares about us, and that “He gave us this delicious cookie as a present.”

As we grow older, we are taught increasingly complex ideas: Hashem sees everything we do, Hashem can forgive, Hashem gives us challenges. However, we are still at an age where we accept these facts at face value, believing them because that’s what people tell us is true.

At this stage, belief is obedience, not something we’ve discovered.

3. Experiential Faith However, when we reach a certain age, we begin to want more. We want to meet Hashem and to talk to him. We want to genuinely, deeply believe in Him, but we struggle, as it’s hard. If only we could see Him, touch Him, or even hear Him, then we’d believe! We just want some indication that He’s here, watching and caring, just as we were told growing up.

Every once in a while, a “coincidental” encounter with Hashem, the sublime, occurs. Maybe our life was saved, maybe we just made our flight, or just missed it — and later heard it crashed. Maybe we found our soul mate, did well on our test, or got our dream job. Maybe we had our first child, our illness was cured, or we won against all odds. Maybe we were just in the exact right place at the exact right time.

Suddenly, we believe. It’s real, at least to us. We’re convinced; we walk around floating on cloud nine. Life is good — pure, true, and beautiful. Here, faith becomes personal, not just something imposed upon us by others.

However, our faith at this stage is simplistic in some ways, and at some point, this is no longer enough. We want more; we need more. Rational, logical, and philosophical questions come up.

“If G-d exists, then why…,” and “How can G-d exist if…,” or “Why would G-d do….”

Maybe our life falls apart and we cry out, “How can this be happening to me?!”

4. Rational Knowledge The fourth stage is the rational stage. We need rational proofs: Logic, philosophy, science, math, and intellect. So, we begin to collect proofs.

• The Big Bang may explain how the world came about, but where did the Big Bang come from? Something higher must have set it into action; there must be a source of the matter that made up the Big Bang.

• The world is so sophisticated and organized that it is impossible for something of such complexity to have just randomly come about. It must have been

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created and ordered this way by something higher.

• Einstein proved that time and space is relative, meaning that each human being experiences a present in relation to himself. Objectively, though, there is a dimension that transcends time and space.

Hashem must be that which transcends time and space! (Additionally, quantum physics reveals the likelihood that the world is an expression of a supreme consciousness, so Hashem must be the neshamah (the “self”/consciousness) of the world.)

This fourth stage is tremendously more developed than the two before it. At this stage, our faith is something we have worked toward rationally, intellectually, and developmentally — something that we have devoted thought and research toward. But, in truth, this stage is limited as well. We may have proven that Hashem exists, but it ends there. Knowing that Hashem exists does not mean that we have a relationship with Him. It does not help us truly know Him or connect to Him on the deepest of levels.

The Ramchal explains that rational proofs may reveal Hashem’s existence, but they do not allow for a deeper understanding and knowledge of Hashem (Daas Tevunos 146). We may know that G-d exists, but what does that mean experientially? How does this manifest in our actual experience of life? While many people stop at rational knowledge, the fourth stage, we must push ourselves farther. This is where the fifth level begins.

5. Experiential Knowledge — Truly Experiencing and Knowing Hashem There are certain things that cannot be explained rationally. They transcend logical explanation; they can only be experienced. These phenomena are not irrational; they are post-rational.

Reason and logic lead you to them, but only experience can verify them. If you have experienced something in this realm, you cannot prove its existence to someone else, for they must experience it themselves in order to truly know it as well. For example, if someone has never eaten chocolate before, it is impossible to explain to them what it tastes like.

They need to taste it and experience it themselves. The same is true for spiritual wisdom.

• Love cannot be explained, only experienced. The physiological effects of love on our bodies and minds can be observed, but the power and experience of love cannot be rationally explained.

• Although it is impossible to logically and rationally prove the existence of free will, you experience it every time you face a moral dilemma. The genuine pull toward evil and the rich satisfaction when we triumph is inherent to human decision-making, and yet it is impossible to scientifically pin down the origins of decision making in our brains.

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Try Walking Sideways!

BY REBBETZEN ANNA BERGSON

I was honoured to be asked to deliver the Devar Torah for the Global Women’s Hallel Zoom last week.

Of all months to speak about… the Hebrew month of Tammuz only really elicits thoughts of doom and gloom, sadness and mourning as we start the 3 weeks and events leading up to the destruction of the Temple. Further thought lead me to even more less than upbeat connotations eg fasting during a UK heatwave (always seems to be during the 3 weeks!), overgrown hair and simchos on hold…

Lucky Rebbetzens who had previous happy months to speak about! We’ve had a run of them from Shevat bearing the acronymn ‘Shenishmah Besurot Tovot’ – that we should hear good things - Shevat marks the beginning of spring and leads in to the month of Adar which is the month of joy/Purim. Next is Nissan which is the month of freedom/Pesach. Iyar, another acronymn ‘Ani Hashem Rofecha’ – I am Hashem your healer – a month of healing. Sivan – the wonderful month of the giving of the Torah.

Tammuz… even the star sign doesn’t look or sound so great being a crab/ • True goodness cannot be explained, only experienced. If you ask someone to explain the nature and meaning of what is good and right, they may be able to give you examples, but the truth of what is good lies beyond the realm of logic.

It is something we know deeply within ourselves.

• The fact that life has meaning and purpose is intrinsic to the human experience, and yet impossible to prove.

• You know deep down that you are unique, that you were created for a reason, and that you have a unique mission in this world. Yet, again, it is impossible to prove.

The above phenomena defy logical and rational explanations. They are experienced deep within our consciousness — deep within our existential experience of reality.

Deeper Torah knowledge as well requires this post-rational experience, weaving your way into the inner dimensions of Torah consciousness. At this stage, you see reality as it is. No questions, no options, everything is just pure, true, and beautiful.

But then you notice something grand, euphoric, and unexplainable: This was the exact experience you had during the first stage! Your journey through life becomes an epic and cosmic circle. You lost that transcendent connection to oneness so that you could journey through life to rebuild it! This time, however, it’s real, it’s earned, and therefore it’s yours; you chose it, you built it, and now you get to

cancer.

But then I did some research into crabs and discovered that they are amazing creatures!

Crustaceans shed their shell many many times, each time they can increase their size by up to a third!

The shedding process is very difficult, requires a lot of energy, is very stressful and dramatic.

Now I had the beginnings of my Devar Torah!

We have safely shed and put away our winter coats – have we realised our full potential for growth?

Have we become bigger and better people – are you ready for a new chapter in your life? Now is the time to do it! The crab is very vulnerable after it has shed its old shell as the new one is soft and open to infection, so it hides temporarily. Nevertheless, this does not deter him/her from always finding the strength to go through with this process. A humbling lesson for us all.

Another amazing fact about the crab – one leg is longer than the other and so walking sideways is more efficient

and ensures they don’t trip up over themselves!

Most of us walk forwards or backwards.

We try to walk forwards with our good deeds, words and actions. We move forwards with people who are a good in-

fluence over us. We move backwards with G-d forbid negative actions/behaviours/ bad habits/addictions/people that bring us down.

But do any of us walk sideways? Walking sideways is different from the norm. It

is unique and ensures you are not ‘going with the flow’ of society/our environment that is moving forwards/backwards. You won’t trip up over anybody if you walk sideways because nobody else is doing it!

And so this Tammuz I challenge us all to start our own movement of walking sideways, ie be an innovator, be creative, stand out and be inspirational by expressing your own G-d given unique talents.

Because just like the crab always finds the courage and strength to grow every month, surely we can too.

And by emulating the positive attributes of the crab, we will please g-d transform this seemingly sad month into a month in which we can truly rejoice in our collective greatness, achievements, and most importantly, love and kindness.

This article is dedicated to a special lady (R.L) who always tells me she enjoys my writing and encourages me to write more whenever I see her!

Anna Bergson is Rebbetzen of St Anne’s Hebrew Congregation and is also a Hypnotherpaist & Holistic Health Practitioner.

experience it. Now comes the most challenging stage of all: living by the emes that you so deeply know and experience, turning the cerebral light of truth into a life eternally guided by that truth.

Life is full of ups and downs, light and darkness, clarity and faith. Belief is not static, it’s a process — something you must constantly build, mold, and develop. When in the midst of struggle and darkness, remember how far you’ve come, remember why you’re here, remember your why in life, and then push forward and take the next leap in your journey of faith!

Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is a bestselling author, international speaker, and the CEO of Self-Mastery Academy. He has lectured internationally on topics of Torah thought, Jewish medical ethics, psychology, and leadership. His bestselling book, The Journey to Your Ultimate Self, serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought. He is also a business, executive, and leadership coach, with a unique approach based on Torah values. After obtaining his BA from Yeshiva University, he received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s RIETS, a master’s degree in education from Azrieli Graduate School, and a master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Bernard Revel Graduate School. He then spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Scholar. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and son where he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago.

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LSJS Education Page

Great Expectations

BY RABBI DANNY BAIGEL

People expect a lot from teachers. Teachers are expected to be expertly knowledgeable, yet relatable and personable. Teachers should be consistent yet focus on the individual. They need to stretch the most able, whilst supporting weaker learners. To borrow a circus analogy, we expect our teachers to juggle whilst riding a unicycle over a high wire. I think having high expectations of our teachers is important. It demonstrates the value we place on the content of education they provide, as well as the way it is delivered.

Alongside this, we must acknowledge that teachers are human, and provide respect and gratitude for their work, even when mistakes are made.

This week’s Torah reading contains one of the most well-known yet troubling episodes in Moshe’s leadership story. Following Miriam’s death, the people complain

to Moshe, blaming him for leading them to their death through lack of water in the desert. Following consultation with G-d, Bamidbar 20:8 tells us that Moshe was commanded to “take the staff and assemble the congregation… and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it give forth water…” Moshe failed to follow this instruction verbatim and struck the rock twice without speaking to it. Furthermore, he lost his temper and rebuked the people, referring to them as rebels. Moshe’s lapse of judgement in this situation resulted in his prohibition from entering Israel.

There are numerous approaches that explain this harsh punishment; how within ten verses, Moshe had his access to the Promised Land revoked. The Rashbam asserts that at this moment, Moshe exhibited a lack of faith in G-d’s omnipotence, failing to appreciate how this would impact the faith of the people. Rabbi Yosef

Albo, suggests that Moshe failed to act independently, and should have summoned water from the rock without consulting G-d first. Finally, the Rambam explains that Moshe’s error was his display of anger in public. Anger is an extreme form of behaviour and in this instance, Moshe allowed it to get the better of him.

Moshe Rabbeninu, our teacher par excellence, was in the spotlight – both the people and G-d expected so much from him. This episode stands out because it is out of character. Moshe, the man of faith, decisive guide and composed leader, made a mistake. To paraphrase a well-known adage, it was the sticks and the stone – the lack of words – that really hurt. He erred, and stumbled over the high standards expected from him.

The three interpretations explored above can help teachers navigate the environment of high expectations under which

People expect a lot from teachers. Teachers are expected to be expertly knowledgeable, yet relatable and personable.

they work. Firstly, the knowledge that the teacher’s beliefs and behaviour will directly impact the learning of the students: an outburst or lapse of judgement can have a significant impact. Secondly, taking initiative: classrooms are rarely predictable and creativity, resilience and decisive action are central to success. Finally, composure and control under difficult circumstances: teachers often face their own version of the rebellious people. The challenge is having the strategies to re-engage students. Teachers don’t always get this right but continued reflection, practice and development enables our teachers to aspire to live up to the great expectations we place upon them, and we must continue to support them on their journeys.

Rabbi Danny Baigel, Secondary Programmes Manager and Jewish Career Pathways Director at LSJS. To find out more about how you can start your career as a teacher please contact danny.baigel@ lsjs.ac.uk

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Chukat-Balak

act as a form of atonement for the golden calf – similar to how a mother would come and clean after her child.

The Jews then arrive at Midbar Tzin, where Miriam dies, causing the well they had been relying on to dry up. They complain to Moshe and Hashem tells Moshe to talk to the rock and thereby have water released. In the end he gets angry with the Jews and in fact hits the rock. There are at least ten explanations as to what exactly the sin was here, was it his anger? Or his calling the Jews, “Rebels” or perhaps hitting the rock instead of talking to it as he had been instructed? Either way, he and Aaron are punished and informed that they will not be entering the land of Israel.

Aron goes up to Hor Hahar and dies there, succeeded by his son Elazar.

This week we are in for a double Parsha yet again and the good news is that we will finally be in sync with the Holy Land! Of particular significance are the famous words that appear “somewhere” in one of the two “Mah Tovu O’halecha” – “How beautiful are your tents Jacob (and) your dwelling places, Israel”.

The first of the two Parshiot is Chukat. The Parsha opens with the laws of the Parah Aduma, the heifer that is slaughtered and whose ashes are sprinkled on top of a person who has come into contact with a dead body. The greatest minds have not quite understood exactly how it works – especially in view of the fact that the Kohen performing this service himself becomes impure in the process, but nevertheless some explain that it can

Word Search □ ASHES □ BILAM □ BLESS □ BURNED □ CURSE □ DONKEY □ HEIFER □ PURIFY

Hashem had sent an angel to block the way. Only the donkey had seen the angel, so had drawn to the side.

The entire plan goes pear-shaped, as instead of Billam doing what he was hired to do, he ends up blessing them!

Balaam also says prophetic words regarding the end of times. After three failed attempts, Balak and Bilam part ways.

Finally, Bilam and Balak come up with a plan – we can’t beat the Jews unless we get them to sin. Sadly towards the end of the Sidra, this is exactly what happens and 24,000 Jews died after behaving inappropriately. It was Pinchas who saved the day by putting an end to the main sinners and he received enormous blessing as we shall discover next week.

When the Jewish people speak against Hashem, poisonous snakes are sent against them and a copper snake is placed upon a pole, which cures the people as they gazed at it (and internalised the message of guarding their tongue).

Towards the end of the Parsha we have the victory of the Jews over Sichon and Og, two mighty kings who imposed fear upon their surroundings.

This leads directly into Parshat Balak, which tells the story of a king of Moav called Balak who was frightened of the Jews and hired a non-Jewish prophet called Billam to come and curse the Jews.

On his journey, his donkey starts acting strangely, eventually smashing his leg into a wall. This was because

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Sidra Facts Chukat and Balak are the sixth and seventh Sidrot in the book of Bemidbar.

Together they contain 191 verses, 2,700 words and 10,027 letters.

Moses hits the rock in frustration of the Bnei Yisrael’s complaints.

Bilam’s talking donkey.

Dingbats

3

4 1. Nice to see you 2. In the middle of nowhere

3. Tea for two 4. High noon

2

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5

6 Answers

5. Pullover 6. Time to go

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Tangram Challenge!

Using all the shapes on the left can you make the rocket 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.

Use the area below to write the words you have found.

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Last week’s words

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Here are some words you may have found from last week – you may have found more! cur nun our run sou sun

uni urn curs noun nous nuns

onus ours ruin runs sour uric

urns curio incur nouns ruins runic

Jokes

scour union cousin curios incurs nuncio

unions unison nuncios unicorn unicorns incursion

Riddles

Q: Which side of a cat always has the most fur?

A: The outside

1. 1. What is in front of a woman and at the back of a

Q: Why did I go golfing with two pairs of trousers on?

A: Just in case I get a hole in 1.

2. If two is company and three is a crowd, what is four and five?

3. What has a head and a tail, is brown, and has no legs?

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Answers

Q: What do you call a snowman in summer?

A: Water!

1. W 2. Nine 3. A penny

Q: Why did grandma put wheels on her rocking chair?

A: Because she likes to rock and roll.

cow?

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YOUR FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPLIANCE EXPERTS

EXPERT ADVICE

FINANCIAL SERVICES (FCA) COMPLIANCE

Dear Martin I am considering selling my house, and I have been following the news on the recent changes in bank interest rates. I would like to obtain your advice and thoughts on how these changes might impact the real estate market. Specifically, I am interested in understanding if now is a good time to sell my house.

Rachel L Dear Rachel Interest rate changes can have an impact on the housing market in London, as they can affect mortgage affordability and buyer demand. However, whether it is a good time to sell your house depends on various factors beyond interest rates. You need to also consider the overall local market conditions, such as supply and demand, and available stock and this is especially true in your case given that Golders Green & Hendon and the surrounding areas continue to retain its own values.

Consulting with a local high street estate agent who has expertise in your local area would be beneficial. They can provide you with a comprehensive analysis of your specific property, recent comparable sales, and insights into current buyer activity. They can also assess your personal circumstances, including your timeline.

Ultimately, the decision to sell your house should be based on a combination of factors, including market conditions and your personal circumstances. I will be happy to assist, simply email me martin@theroundtree.com or call me on 07968 388 483 and I would be happy to discuss further for you.

Martin Frydenson

JACOB BERNSTEIN A member of the APCC, specialising in financial services compliance for: • Mortgage, Protection and General Insurance Intermediaries; • Lenders, Credit Brokers, Debt Counsellors and Debt Managers; • Alternative Investment Fund Managers; • E-Money, Payment Services, PISP, AISP and Grant-making Charities.

Contact: 020 7781 8019 info@richdale.co.uk www.richdale.co.uk

WEALTH MANAGMENT MARC OVITS – BA (HONS) APFS CERT PFS (DM) Over 25 years of successful experience in financial services including 11 years of investment banking experience.

Offering expert independent financial advice to individuals, businesses, charities and trusts.

Individual services:- Wealth Management, Investment, Retirement, Estate/IHT, protection planning, Tax Mitigation and Cash Management Solutions Business & Charity services:- Investment Planning, Business Succession & Business Exit Planning, Business Protection, Corporate Pensions, Employee Benefits, Cash Management Solutions, Profit extraction strategies Alpha Wealth Management Contact: 020 8203 6920 info@alphawm.co.uk www.alphawm.co.uk

SHIPPING

BUTCHERS

STEPHEN MORRIS SHIPPING With almost 40 years experience, our company has the ability to move household and personal effects and antiques and fine art with the professionalism and care that comes from that experience coupled with an attention to detail.

We construct our own Tri-Wall and wooden packing cases on site and employ full-time art installers and handymen for those ‘extra’ jobs that always need doing on a move or installation.

And size is no limitation – we have moved trains, boats and planes across the world and even bridges and a 5,000 seater tent!

KOSHER DELI Kosher Deli was established with the intention of making kosher meat and poultry affordable for all with the convenience of multiple locations and a comprehensive delivery service. All this without compromising on kashrus or quality.

Locations in: Golders Green, Hendon, Temple Fortune, Edgware, Borehamwood & Manchester

Contact: 020 8381 4450 info@kosherdeliuk.co.uk www.kosherdeli.co.uk

Contact: 020 8832 2222 info@shipsms.co.uk www.shipsms.co.uk

CHARITY

ESTATE AGENT

JEWISH CARE Jewish Care is the largest health and social care organisation serving the Jewish community in London and the South East. Our vital services touch the lives of 10,000 people every week. We provide services and offer a wide range of support groups to older people, people with mental health needs, Holocaust survivors, people living with dementia, people with a variety of needs and carers support.

MARTIN FRYDENSON - ROUNDTREE REAL ESTATE Roundtree Real Estate are your local experienced Estate Agent having been established on the High Street since 2009. We are both ARLA and NAEA Propertymark regulated and we are here to offer you expert advice in Property Sales, Lettings, Commercial and Full Management Services, covering Hendon, Golders Green, Finchley, Colindale and surrounding areas. We have built long standing relationships with all our clients and should you have any property related queries please do contact us.

Contact: 020 8922 2222 helpline@jcare.org www.jewishcare.org

Contact: 020 8203 2111 mail@theroundtree.com www.theroundtree.com

RICHDALE – YOUR FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPLIANCE EXPERTS THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

29 JUNE 2023

TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488

YOUR FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPLIANCE EXPERTS

EXPERT ADVICE 35 in association with

richdale

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

ACCOUNTANT ISRAEL

MARTIN HEIMAN – SMARTINET We’ve been providing businesses with all of their communication needs since 2010.

We specialise in supplying businesses with VoIP Packages, Mobile Plans, Broadband, Card Merchant Services, Leased Lines, On-Hold Marketing, and Call Centre Services.

Smartinet, your reliable and efficient business communications provider.

ABOULAFIA – BINYAMIN RADOMSKY We are a leading international accounting firm in Israel who specialize in working with Anglos. Providing a variety of services including tax planning, tax compliance, audit, accounting and a range of advisory services. At Aboulafia, we have the ability to provide tax and business structure planning and implementation, both for individuals and businesses with multi-country tax planning and compliance issues.

Contact: 0333 613 0000 connect@smartinet.co.uk smartinet.co.uk

Contact: 07707 220 445 info@aboulafia.co.il aboulafia.co.il/en/about-us/

BUILDING AND PARTY WALL SURVEYING

MANAGED I.T. SERVICES PROVIDER (MSP)

MATRIX SURVEYORS LIMITED Offering a range of building surveying services and specialising in party wall matters, nationwide, for both consumers and businesses, including; • Pre-acquisition Surveys • Planned Preventative • Party Wall Matters Maintenance Schedules • Defect Inspections • Construction Project Management • Schedules of Condition • Licence for Alterations • Insurance Reinstatement Costs Assessments • Insurance claims

SIMON MOSCOVITZ BSC (HONS) – EUROTEK UK LIMITED We are a well-established and successful Managed I.T. Services Provider (MSP) with a clear sense of purpose. We plan, design and enable the procurement, implementation, protection and management of a wide range of modern technologies through an earned and trusted partnership with our clients across the UK. We enable our clients to be operationally efficient by successfully embracing their digital transformation journey.

• Why choose Eurotek UK? Deliver > Manage > Automate > Secure > Backup

Contact: Toli Moscovitz BSc (Hons) MRICS 0161 823 6973 info@matrixsurveyors.co.uk www.matrixsurveyors.co.uk

Contact: 0161 660 2745 hello@eurotekuk.co.uk www.eurotekuk.co.uk

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

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info@aklwatches.com +44 (0) 203 576 1948

ARTWORK COLLECTION KEEPS ON GIVING Gisela Martin was a housekeeper who died with a modest estate. Little did she know that her former employer, the late Harry Fuld Jr - an industrialist who lost everything to the Nazis - had left her a collection of art and sculptures.

By the time Fuld’s gift to his former employee was discovered, both were long gone. However, the Fuld estate passed to Martin and this became her estate.

What happened next was and indeed continues to be, truly incredible. Gisela Martin, unbeknownst to anyone, left what she believed to be her inconsequential assets and belongings to Magen David Adom UK. At the time of her death, this barely registered on the radar. However, once the Fuld link was made, her estate became both life-changing and life-saving.

Fuld Jr had left his former housekeeper piece after piece of valuable and highly sought after objets d’art which were inherited from his

The La Vierge de Pitié, 1495 / 1500 (Fin du XVe siècle) by Gil de Siloe, Atelier de Espagne

Daniel Burger, MDA UK Chief Executive; and the French Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malik father. Furthermore, Fuld’s former possessions continue to be tracked down by lawyers and returned to their now rightful owners.

A restitution ceremony was held in April of this year at the French Ministry of Culture in Paris.

The French Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malik, returned a prized sculpture to Magen David Adom UK. The La Vierge de Pitié, 1495 / 1500 (Fin du XVe siècle), Gil de Siloe, Atelier de Espagne was recovered after World War II; retrieved by the Office des Biens et Intérêts Privés (OBIP); and has been part of the Louvre collection until such time as the legal owners were located.

After intense research, the Fuld family estate was identified as the rightful owner. The renaissance sculpture was auctioned off by Christie’s on behalf of MDA UK, and the money will be used towards the life-saving services provided by MDA in Israel.

So far this year, MDA UK together with its donors have held several dedications in Israel.

Jean & Bernard Russell z”l – Ambulance

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by the French police from a cache of art stored near the notorious Nazi SS Officer Kurt Gerstein’s home in Germany. It was restituted in 2008 and now hangs in the Jewish Museum in Frankfurt.

Even long after the passing of Harry Fuld Junior, his expansive art collection is slowly being restituted to the benefit of Magen David Adom UK and the saving of lives in Israel and across the globe.

CELEBRATING ISRAEL’S TOP CHRISTIAN ALLIES

This is just the most recent piece of restituted art returned to Magen David Adom UK. Previously, pieces included the famous Le Mur Rose (1898), a painting by Henri Matisse. This was recovered

OUR DONOR DEDICATIONS

CFMDA – Bloodmobile

Le Mur Rose (Paysage, le mur rose; Landscape, the Pink Wall) by Henri Matisse

Estelle Waterman z”l – First Responder Car

Locker Foundation – Julis Station

MDA UK Co-President Lord Reading entertained guests. Credit: Yakir Zur MDA UK’s Brenda & Maurice Geller, together with Christian Friends of Magen David Adom UK, celebrated Lord Reading, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, and Christine Darg’s nominations to Israel’s Top 50 Christian Allies 2022 list.

These key supporters of Israel have strong ties with Magen David Adom UK in particular, have enabled so many more people from different communities across the world to become supporters.

Their recognition is well-deserved.

SAV E MO RE LIV ES IN I S RAEL TO DAY CAL L 020 8201 5900 O R V I S I T WW W.MDAUK .OR G/DONATE

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SONGS OF A LIFESAVER

Magen David Adom UK hosted a dinner with Shai Abramson, the world renowned Chief Cantor, the Chief Cantor of the Israel Defence Forces and an MDA volunteer medic.

The fundraising event was held in support of the lifesaving work of Magen David Adom in Israel and the £30,000 raised will go towards a muchneeded new MDA ambulance.

MDA UK Vice President, Judy Saphra, and Adrian Jacobs organised the dinner, which took place at The Pillar Hotel on 6th June.

Guest speaker, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, addressed the attendees, sharing her pride in being associated with Magen David Adom.

Shai Abramson and Judy Saphra.

Credit: Yakir Zur

Shai Abramson, Judy Saphra, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Daniel Burger, Adrian Jacobs.

Credit: Yakir Zur “As Jews, the highest value there is, is Pikuach Nefesh - saving a life. And there’s not one organisation that you can point to that saves more lives day-to-day than Magen David Adom. Blood is blood. It doesn’t matter where you come from, which part of the country you come from - If you are Jewish, if you are not Jewish, the volunteers help the people who need the help - you are all saving lives.”

The dinner concluded with a spectacular performance by Cantor Abramson, as he serenaded the guests with his emotive and powerful voice, whilst sharing stories and personal pride in his time as a MDA volunteer.

Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem. Credit: Yakir Zur

FROM LAGOS WITH LOVE In May of this year, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, based in Lagos, Nigeria, returned to Israel for the first time since before the Covid-19 pandemic. The General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, commissioned the church’s third donation to MDA, this time the gift of two ambulances.

These were dedicated at a special ceremony held in the newly opened Marcus National Blood Services Centre, in Ramle.

In attendance were Senior Pastors from RCCG worldwide, the Nigerian Ambassador to Israel and his representatives, Mr. Daniel Burger - Chief Executive of MDA UK, senior personnel of Magen David Adom in Israel, and Mrs. Tobi Lovv, President of Sharelovv International.

@Magen David Adom UK @mda_uk @MDAUK_

Scan to donate

Pastor F.A. Adeboye and Pastor E.A. Adeboye

The ceremony opened with a prayer from the Chairman of RCCG UK, Pastor Leke Sanusi, after which the MC, Senior Paramedic Aryeh Myers, introduced Prof.

Eilat Shinar, the director of Magen David Adom’s National Blood Services Division.

Magen David Adom UK, Winston House, 2 Dollis Park, London N3 1HF | T 020 8201 5900 | E info@mdauk.org | www.mdauk.org

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