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KHAN CAUSES OUTRAGE MAYOR OF LONDON REJECTS REDEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR HASMO

and it is difficult to see how this need can be met without the redeIn an astonishing move Sadiq Khan velopment of Hasmonean or another has overturned Barnet Council’s de- brand new Orthodox school. cision to grant planning permission An insider close to the project told to build a brand new Hasmonean the Jewish Weekly that if the expanschool for boys not far from where sion plan does not take place, Jewish the Hasmonean Girls’ School is situ- children will not even have an opated on Page Street in London’s Mill tion to get into a non-Jewish school.

Hill neighbourhood.

The unnamed source known to The London Mayor cited Green The Jewish Weekly said of Sadiq Belt land concerns and ruled that Khan, “This is a person who spoke building plans for the new project at Jewish Care and now a Muslim are far too excessive and could have Mayor of all people is overturning a negative effect on open space a democratic elected counareas and controlling urban cil decision to build a growth. new Jewish school.”

For several years, JewIn February, Barish secondary schools in the net Council’s planNorth West London area have ning committee been hugely oversubscribed narrowly gave the and parents have been go-ahead through desperate to oba cross-party tain places in vote for a major any Jewish building redeschool for their velopment prochildren. Numject on greenbers will only belt land continue to owned by the increase in the council. The coming years result was

BY JAMES MARLOW

IN-DEPTH COVERAGE P44

greeted with jubilation as some three-hundred people packed into the committee room to clap and cheer once they knew the decision had been passed.

The boys would have moved into the newly built premises by 2020 and Hasmonean pupils on the new site would have increased from its current annual role of 1100 pupils to 1400 per year. But this latest move from the Mayor’s office has sent shivers into the community because there does not appear to be many other options available to cater for a growing Orthodox community that requires Jewish education for its children.

The insider close to the project did point out that they expected the Mayor’s office may suggest a compromise of turning the Hasmonean on Page Street into a mixed school and thereby save vital Green Belt land. “This however was out of the question and could never be accepted,” the source said.

There are currently 635 boys on the Holders Hill campus in Hendon – a school that was only designed for 350.

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RABBI DWECK CRISIS REACHES CONCLUSION - P3 In a letter to Barnet council earlier this week, Mr Khan said that he recognised the importance of meeting educational needs, but felt “the proposed footprint of the school and the extent of development on Green Belt land and open space, is excessive.

On balance, I consider that the potential harm to the Green Belt would not be outweighed.”

A community leader did say that their only hope right now was that

RISING TENSIONS IN JERUSALEM

Mayor Khan did not know about the decision and that the letter had just been sent from his office. But others said that was highly unlikely.

The community is therefore appealing to Sadiq Kahn to reverse his decision in light of the desperate shortage of Jewish schools in North West London and to take into consideration the Jewish community’s long successful tradition of separate schools and excellent exam results.

PARSHAT MATOT- MASEI STARTS ENDS LONDON 20:49 22:10 MANCHESTER 21:07 22:34 LEEDS 19:45 22:24 LIVERPOOL 21:06 22:36 BOURNEMOUTH 20:49 22:11 SHABBAT MEVARCHIM

P6

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2 NEWS

20 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

US Rabbi displays courage and conviction

BY JAMES MARLOW

The New West End United Synagogue Rabbi has come under attack from mostly progressive

Rabbi Freedman

movements for his comments about Reform Judaism on BBC Radio 4’s religious affairs Sunday programme.

Rabbi Dr Moshe Freedman agreed to go on air to discuss falling synagogue membership numbers which he thought would be a straightforward question-and-answer interview. However just before Shabbat he received a telephone call from the BBC to say that the reform minister, Laura Janner-Klausner would also join him on air. Fearing it would turn into a discussion in the public domain about which form of Judaism is the authentic one, Rabbi Freedman discussed it with colleagues and decided to politely pull out.

After Shabbat, Rabbi Freedman received a message to say the BBC would rather talk to him than Reform Rabbi Janner-Klausner

because the subject was more relevant to centrist Orthodoxy. So he agreed to do the interview, thinking it would return to the original non-confrontational format. However the Presenter, William Crawley, challenged the Rabbi several times suggesting Orthodoxy was insular and narrow-minded and should be more progressive and forward-thinking.

In response Rabbi Freedman felt justified as the spokesperson for Orthodoxy at that moment on the BBC to make some important distinctions between the United Synagogue and the Reform movement and put forward a number of suggestions. However, in doing so some sentences were specifically highlighted and received thousands of feedback comments on social media - some in support and some against him.

Potential attack avoided on Shabbat

BY JW REPORTER

A potential stabbing attack was averted last Shabbat in Hendon, North West London, after an alert synagogue security guard spotted a man running barefoot along Brent Street with two large knives in each hand. As the suspect turned into Heriot Road dressed only in a pair of shorts at approximately 11.20 am, the security official screamed to those outside Dayan Abraham’s minyan, off the nearby alleyway Prestige Way, to lock themselves inside the building known as Toras Chaim.

The man in his twenties, believed to be from one of the Arab countries in North Africa, then ran back onto Brent Street and turned right on Bell Lane. During this time a CST security volunteer at the location ran to the nearby Ner Yisrael Synagogue on The Cres to inform their guards that a man armed with large knives was on the loose and everyone was ushered inside.

CST volunteers who patrol the main streets of Hendon and Golders Green every Shabbat were alerted to the incident and a handful rushed to the scene while three CST security officials followed the suspect who had now turned right by the White Fish restaurant into Bell Lane. Across the street is the Porat Yosef synagogue with just one commercial guard from Romania outside. However, the head of security at the Sephardi Bell Lane minyan happened to be leaving his flat close by at the time and heard shouting from the CST.

Mr Golan Levy, who is a former paratrooper from the Golani Brigades in Israel, is a highly trained security expert and without hesitation ran towards the suspect. At this time Michael Evers from the Shomrim security volunteer service ran into a nearby restaurant and grabbed a chair handing it to Golan Levy. The ex-Israeli paratrooper and Krav Maga instructor confronted the suspect with the chair, edging him into the nearby empty launderette on Bell Lane.

“The man, who did not speak English clearly, seemed in a confused and distressed state,” Golan told The Jewish Weekly. “I then shouted to Michael from the Shomrim to get some broomsticks from the restaurant so we could wedge the door closed.”

In the meantime the distressed man, still with the two knives in both hands, became frustrated and began to smash the front laundrette shop window with his arms to escape. Mr Michael Evers, who also volunteers at the nearby Club House in Hendon, helped Golan Levy place long broomsticks over the large window and waited for police to arrive.

“I was the one who called the police from my phone as we held him in the laundrette,” Golan said and added, “They arrived about 15 minutes later.”

Golan said he felt extremely comfortable that Michael from the Shomrim was behind him and backing him up. When asked if he tried to engage the suspect in a conversation Golan said “he just

seemed really distressed.”

When police arrived they forced the laundrette door open and the half-naked man was arrested and later detained under the Mental Health Act. Even though taser guns were available, at no time were they used on the suspect.

Rabbi Dov Levy of Porat Yosef, (who is not related to the head of synagogue security, Golan Levy), said “This is a strong wake-up call to all of us and it re-enforces the need to have the correct security procedures in place and indeed what the security guards do.”

CST Chief Executive David Delew said, “I want to sincerely thank the CST personnel, the commercial security guards and members of our community for their quick and courageous reactions in very difficult circumstances, confronting the danger, both at the synagogue and then when the man was subsequently detained, prior to his arrest. It now seems clear that this was not an intended attack against our community, but it was a fast-moving and dangerous situation for all involved. This is why CST does its work and we encourage others to join us in it.”

“It represents a kind of retail spirituality - so we will provide whatever you want and our values can be moulded around whatever secular values are popular at the time,” Rabbi Freedman said.

He also pointed out that reform was a “Form of Judaism in their own minds, but it is not an authentic Judaism.”

Colleagues close to Rabbi Freedman said that in hindsight he wished he would have had more time to explain himself as he had no intention of offending anyone, but he was constantly pushed on the BBC as to why he would not debate the Reform.

The presenter asked Rabbi Freedman if actual engagement between the two sides would have helped challenge any misconceptions that one side may have over the other.

Turn to page 8 for an op-ed.

Royals visit death camp

BY ISAAC SHERMAN The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge have visited the former concentration camp at Stutthof in Poland. Two eighty-seven-yearold survivors, Manfred Goldberg and Zigi Shipper, guided them around the camp.

The camp was one of the first set up outside the German border and was among the last camps to be liberated in 1945. 65,000 people, including over 28,000 Jews,

were murdered in this camp, out of a total of around 110,000 inmates.

Along with the gas chamber, the Royal couple were shown discarded shoes, piles of clothing and other personal items that were seized from the inmates on arrival at Stutthof. The Royals were visibly moved by what they saw and concluded by placing stones as a sign of respect at the Jewish memorial.

The Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge with survivors, Manfred Goldberg and Zigi Shipper

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He answered that “It’s very difficult to have a conversation with people who have created a caricature of centrist Orthodoxy and in particular of the strictly Orthodox community.”

The Reform movement were said to be absolutely furious at the suggestion that their alternative Judaism was not the real thing and that they belittle authentic Orthodoxy.

Reform Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner told the media that Rabbi Freedman’s remarks indicated that “something has changed on the agreement not to denigrate each other in public, and I am very concerned. I hope this does not reflect a change in policy from the United Synagogue.”

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20 JULY 2017

NEWS 3

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Committee reaches conclusion on Rabbi Dweck A furious debate that has raged across the Jewish world for many weeks, has led Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis to convene a special Review Committee, to try and bring peace once and for all.

The following are the statements from the parties involved in trying to bring about a peaceful conclusion.

Statement from the S&P Sephardi Community Board During the last few weeks the words and teachings of our Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Joseph Dweck, have been under intense scrutiny. Rabbi Dweck has himself been subjected to

a series of regrettable personal attacks that went well beyond any reasonable dispute on issues of approach to Jewish law. Our position remained consistent throughout and Rabbi Dweck continued to enjoy the overwhelming support of our community and the

entire Board.

We are now delighted to be able to announce, that with the help of Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu, Dayan Menachem Gelley and Dayan Abraham David the matter has now been brought to a close. Rabbi Dweck is a

truly inspirational leader for us and the wider community and we look forward to being led by him into an exciting future.

Sabah Zubaida On behalf of the Board of Trustees, The S&P Sephardi Community

Public Statement by Rabbi Joseph Dweck Recent weeks have been challenging for me, my family, my community and my students. There has been discord following several of my shiurim and I was keen to do all that I could to rectify this situation and bring it to an appropriate resolution.

Many of my recent shiurim have been scrutinised with a view to identifying errors in them. While this has been a painful experience for me, it has also given me an opportunity to reflect. There is always merit and much to learn from the words of one’s critics and detractors. Whilst some of the criticism was justified, the vitriolic tone and ad hominem nature of some the attacks made substantive engagement with the issues all but impossible.

After a great deal of cheshbon hanefesh, it is clear to me that there were instances where I spoke in a fashion that was inappropriate and imprudent. There were times,

in the flow of discussion, when I irresponsibly applied halakhic rulings and hashkafic views. I also, at times, did not fully explain their context, which risked confusing or misleading people.

There were also instances when I referred to Hazal (our Sages of blessed memory) in a manner that was irreverent. This led some to question my commitment to our Mesora (Rabbinic Tradition) which has profoundly unsettled me. I would not wish to do anything that would divert people from their quest to follow a true Torah way of life.

Finally, I regret that there have been times when I have not shown appropriate derekh erets, by making disparaging remarks about rabbinic colleagues. This was inappropriate and, given my position, quite damaging. I apologise wholeheartedly and publicly ask mehila from my esteemed colleagues for those statements.

As the controversy grew, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who has

been a source of strength and leadership throughout, responded to a request from the Rishon LeTziyon (Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel) to resolve the matter and convened a review committee. I am grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to meet with the Chief Rabbi and three of the most eminent Torah leaders of Anglo Jewry – Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu, Dayan Menachem Gelley and Dayan Abraham David.

They provided me with a forum in which I could review my teachings together with them on a range of topics which went beyond my shiur on homosexuality. I expressed regret for the carelessness of some of my teachings which were incorrect. I am deeply grateful to the Chief Rabbi and Dayanim for the measured and dignified manner in which they have conducted the proceedings.

In our discussions, I offered to consult with one of the Dayanim present, or with rabbinic colleagues agreed with them, regarding future

halakhic and hashkafic teachings.

Moving forward, I have decided to stand aside from my role as Dayan on the Beth Din. I express my thanks to Dayan Yaron Navon and my confidence in his continued position as Rosh Beth Din. It is, and has always been, my great privilege and honour to serve as a spiritual leader within Klal Yisrael. I am deeply grateful to G-d for the opportunities He has given me to help draw many people closer to Torah and mitsvot. I am humbled by the expressions of appreciation and encouragement from so many across the globe for my teachings; I also wish to thank everyone who has offered help and care to me and my family.

This unfortunate incident has been unusually painful for my wife and children; I offer them my grateful thanks for their love and support and my admiration for their fortitude over the past few weeks. I thank the many rabbis, both in the UK and abroad who have reached out to me and offered

their support and assistance during this challenging time. I particularly thank the Board and yehidim of the S&P Sephardi Community for their unyielding strength, support and encouragement throughout this episode.

I would ask all those who have supported me to help put an end to the discord and negativity that has characterised so much of recent weeks. I pray that together, we can find favour in the eyes of HaKadosh Barukh Hu and our fellow human beings.

It is my greatest honour and privilege to serve as the Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community — an illustrious and historic community that I love dearly and which I aim to serve with all my heart. I now look forward to continuing to enhance the honour of Torah in Yisrael and to lead the kahal from strength to strength in the years to come.

Rabbi Joseph Dweck, Senior Rabbi, The S&P Sephardi Community

Statement by the Chief Rabbi’s Review Committee Background

Beth Din of the London Beth Din) and Dayan Abraham David (Dayan of the Sephardi Beth Din).The Review Committee appointed Professor Julian Lew QC to be present to ensure that the interests of natural justice would be served.

The Terms of Reference of the Review Committee were agreed with Rabbi Joseph Dweck and the S&P Sephardi Community’s Trustee Board. In accordance with the Terms of Reference, the Review Committee would consider all relevant matters pertaining to Rabbi Joseph Dweck and would recommend whether in its opinion it would be appropriate for Rabbi Joseph Dweck to continue to serve as the Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community. The Terms of Reference made clear that, in so doing, the Review Committee may issue recommendations to the S&P Sephardi Community Trustee Board.

The Review Committee met for a series of meetings at the home of the Chief Rabbi. Rabbi Dweck met with the Review Committee and was accompanied by Rabbi Harold

Sutton (Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivat Moreshet Yerushalayim) and Rabbi Yehoshua Shani (Menahel, Yeshivat Moreshet Yerushalayim).

Deliberations In its deliberations the Review Committee considered in detail Rabbi Dweck’s approach to halachah (Jewish Law), hashkafah (Jewish Outlook) and his derech eretz.

The issues of concern which the Review Committee has addressed and explored with Rabbi Dweck go beyond any particular shiur that Rabbi Dweck delivered, and include wide areas of halacha.

The Review Committee recognises that since his arrival in London some three years’ ago, Rabbi Joseph Dweck has had considerable success in encouraging greater attendance at Synagogue services.

He has inspired many to be proud of their Judaism and to embrace a more committed Jewish way of life.

The Review Committee noted Rabbi Dweck’s sincere expressions of contrition during its discussions with him. In his representations

to the Review Committee, Rabbi Dweck readily acknowledged that he had not always issued halachic rulings in a responsible manner and at times incorrectly. In particular, he recognised that in the course of a wide range of his teachings, he had cited Rabbinic sources and views on halacha out of proper context and he had cited halachic rulings and hashkafa in a way which may have misled those listening. Rabbi Dweck also expressed a deep sense of regret over his inappropriate comments about sayings of Chazal (the Sages) and derogatory comments about Rabbis.

Rabbi Dweck has suggested to the Review Committee that prior to delivering public shiurim, particularly those with a halachic or hashkafic component, he will review the content of the shiurim with a Dayan on the Review Committee or other suitable persons agreed with him. The Review Committee has accepted this undertaking.

Rabbi Dweck has previously withdrawn as a Dayan on the Sephardi Beth Din and it is our recommendation that this remains the

case.

Rabbi Dweck has previously made it clear that he does not now intend to take up any formal role in New Jersey with his former community for the next year, including as scholar in residence. The Review Committee supports this decision.

Conclusions Bearing all the above in mind, it is the view of the Review Committee that it is appropriate for Rabbi Joseph Dweck to continue to serve as the Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community.

We wish Rabbi Dweck beracha vehatzlacha in his future rabbinate.

Mindful that we are now in the Three Weeks between Shiva Asar b’Tammuz and Tisha b’Av, we call on all concerned and who care for our community to now focus on promoting unity within our kehilla.

On 29th June 2017 Chief Rabbi Mirvis received a letter from the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, The Rishon Lezion, Harav Yitzchak Yosef. The letter asked the Chief Rabbi to consider issues relating to Rabbi Joseph Dweck, the Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community.Recognising that The Rishon Lezion is not fully familiar with the local context of Jewish community life in England, the letter requested that the Chief Rabbi resolves the issues in a manner he deems appropriate. The letter states that the Chief Rabbi’s conclusions would be accepted. After due consideration, the Chief Rabbi determined not to set up a Beth Din but to establish a Review Committee.

The Review Committee, chaired

by Chief Rabbi Mirvis, comprised of Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu (Emeritus Rosh Beth Din of the London Beth Din and Rosh Beth Din of the European Beth Din), Dayan Menachem Gelley (Rosh

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis Dayan Abraham David Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu Dayan Menachem Gelley Turn over for editorial opinion

4 LETTERS

20 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Letters to the Editor

Please note: The views of the letters do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Letters may be edited and publication is at the discretion of the editor.

Send in your comments to letters@thejewishweekly.com

Golders Green stores affected by Kay’s Fire

Chazan Hillman correction

Dear Editor,

Dear Jewish Weekly,

I refer to the article appearing in last week’s edition and entitled “Kay’s will remain closed for two years”. The article described the devastating effects of the recent fire at Kay’s store in Golders Green, including substantive damage to individuals’ health, livelihoods and homes. The article went on to say: “The newspaper shop next door to the four Kay’s shop fronts also remains closed, which is a great inconvenience to many in the community who relied upon a daily and weekend newspaper.”

The “corner shop” on Princes Parade has in fact been part of the fabric of Golders Green for many decades and (along with Warman Freed) has serviced the local community as a newsagent, convenience store and post office for longer than any other store I can think of on Golders Green Road. I personally feel that the loss to those who own and run this store and the affection in which is it held by those who have grown up with its continued presence deserved greater emphasis than the mild inconvenience incurred by those who rely on the store for their daily paper.

Kind regards.

Nicola Ezra.

It was good that the tree planting at North Manchester General Hospital in memory of Chazan Hillman was reported in the Community section of the Jewish Weekly (13th July 2017).

However the article was not entirely accurate in that it was our hospital Trust that organised the ceremony, the plaque and the planting of the tree (it’s actually a flowering cherry). The ceremony was led by Pennine Acute Trust’s Jewish Chaplain, Reb Akiva Walker. Rabbi Saunders was not able to attend the ceremony itself due to a prior commitment, though he was able to say a few words of tribute at the L’Chaim afterwards.

As you rightly said Chazan Hillman was a Jewish Chaplain at the North Manchester General Hospital (and when it was known as Crumpsall Hospital) for 33 years. It was Pennine Acute NHS Trust and the Spiritual Care Team at the Trust who wanted to honour the work, dedication and friendship of Chazan Hillamn. We were blessed by a wonderful weather, the attendance of the family and by support from the local shuls in what was a poignant occasion.

Yours truly,

Gratitude to the Chief Rabbi

“I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to Chief Rabbi Mirvis for his leadership and for the thoughtful way in which he and the Review Committee have resolved what has clearly been a complex and sensitive matter.

“The studious deliberations of and constructive approach adopted by the Chief Rabbi and his fellow Review Committee members have led to an outcome that allows us to move forward together as a united community.

Rev Ian Inglis Chaplaincy Coordinator Spiritual Care Team The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust North Manchester General Hospital

School of Thought

“Rabbi Dweck is a passionate spiritual leader who has been very successful at sharing his enthusiasm and connecting with congregants from all walks of life. I am happy he will be able to continue this important work for the benefit of the entire British Jewish community.”

As the year comes to an end, some of us have kids with no schools next year to send.

Jonathan Goldstein, Chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council

As parents we strive to help our children grow, We show them how best to lead their lives in the way we know.

To be good Jews, to accept one and all, To do kind deeds no matter how small.

OPINION

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Many of you have asked us why we have not mentioned the saga with Rabbi Dweck.

We took the editorial decision not to discuss it until after the Chief Rabbi and his specially convened Review Committee presented their findings and results, which has now happened.

Essentially, the case was not straightforward at all, with many very technical points up for deep Halachic discussion on both sides of the argument. If the Chief Rabbi and his committee, comprised of Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu, Dayan Menachem Gelley, and Dayan Abraham David, who are all great experts in balancing complicated Halacha with the acute sensitivity needed in such a case, had to discuss it in very great depth together with Rabbi Dweck before announcing a conclusion, then what right do we as a newspaper have to

publicly voice our own Halachic conclusions based on what different people on both sides of the fence have been saying?

Whatever side of the argument people are on, the facts cannot be denied that at the centre of the controversy, was a Rabbi being publicly torn apart, which invariably led to tremendous suffering that his family would have experienced in a public setting. This can never be a good thing and we did not want to add further fuel to that fire.

Powerful statements from the Chief Rabbi and his predecessor, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, amongst others should hopefully bring this matter to a close.

For the sake of unity amongst the Jewish community, as a newspaper, we sincerely hope that a line can now be drawn under this and everyone can move forward in peace.

To love not hate, To smile not berate, We bring our kids up to be first rate.

No words can describe what it means to us all, Those waiting so tensely without a school, We’ve tried, We’ve cried, We’ve fought all we can, now we know the decision will come from Hashem, not by man.

So what then is the point of this rhythm, But to make one point clear, it’s time, Those up there who think with admissions they have a hold, who set aside people because they don’t seem to fit the mould.

Then reality comes and knocks on the door, trying to get a place in a good school becomes war.

They should stop for a minute and think who they tar, who these pupils they’ve cast aside really are, Where the parents have come from and how they have preserved, How they’ve accepted being Jewish with love and good cheer.

To fit in, a certain way you have to be, well-connected, prestigious or have plenty of money.

These are the pupils they should think to take in, These are the ones with whom they will really win.

Here our character traits don’t seem to matter, All our dreams are set to shatter.

Our wonderful children who we’ve taught to treat people in the right way, Are pushed aside by those who give them no say.

Breaking the status quo is not an easy task, But from all of us parents we have only one ask....

Please, give our kids a chance.

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

Written by an anonymous mother.

By email

6 ISRAEL NEWS

20 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

NEWS IN ISRAEL BY JAMES J. MARLOW

FOLLOW JAMES AT TWITTER: @JAMES_J_MARLOW

Tensions rise in Jerusalem Dozens of Palestinian Muslims attacked police with stones and bottles on Tuesday evening outside the Temple Mount's gates just after the end of prayers in protest of the additional security measures being taken at the entrance to the holy site.

Israel set up metal detectors and security cameras at the entrance to the Temple Mount after three Israeli Arab terrorists were able to smuggle firearms into the area, using them to carry out a terror attack on Friday that claimed the lives of two Israeli police officers.

Protesters have been demonstrating each night since calling out “We will sacrifice our lives for al-Aqsa,” and “We will die as martyrs.”

Others chanted "There will be an intifada,” and “There's nothing like killing soldiers.”

Fatah in the West Bank have called for a Day of Rage on Friday in an unusual show of solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza strip, when up to 100,000 Palestinians

are expected to attempt to pray at the Temple Mount, known in Arabic as Haram al-Sharif.

Israel Police and Border Police forces once again dispersed the rioters after the protesters received support from the third -largest Arab political party in the Knesset. Members from the Arab Joint List arrived at the Lions' Gate to join demonstrators in evening prayers outside the Temple Mount complex.

The protestors are refusing to go through the metal detectors, insisting it is against their human rights. It is worth noting that Jews also have to go through metal detectors when entering the Western Wall area.

Members of Knesset are still forbidden from entering the Temple Mount area, whether they are Jewish or Muslim, to avoid sparking further tension. But Arab MKs Hanin Zoabi, Jamal Zahalka, Ahmad Tibi, Osama Sa’adi and Juma Azbarga clearly knew they would be raising the tension and

provoking the potential dangerous situation.

“The metal detectors must be removed - they cause great unrest and in fact create a new reality that hurts the status quo,” said MK Ahmed Tibi, who chairs the Joint List's Al-Quds Committee.

Speaking to reporters, Tibi blamed the unrest on Prime Minister Netanyahu and accused him of the provocation saying “He will bear the responsibility to any escalation here or in the region. The entire Arab world is up in arms. In addition to hurting the Palestinian people, this is hurting Jordan's special authority over the holy places,” he said.

MK Zoabi, who when last at the Lions Gate spat in the faces of Arab policemen, calling them traitors, then jumped in to stir up the already tense atmosphere on Tuesday evening. “I don't know how exactly people can tolerate such a situation, in which they pray under siege by dozens of police, Special Forces and military,”

Former officer shot dead A Palestinian gunman who was killed by Israeli security forces in an overnight raid in the West Bank this week was a former member of the Palestinian security forces turned arms dealer, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said.

Identified as 34-year-old Ahmad Halil of Nabi Saleh, he was shot by authorities after he attempted to fire at soldiers who came to arrest him during an overnight raid on suspicion that he was responsible for opening fire close to two West Bank communities last Shabbat.

Another man who was with Halil at the time of the arrest was detained by security forces in connection to the attacks.

According to the Shin Bet, Halil carried out the two attacks together with his fiancé, Rawan Ambar, because their families did not approve of their engagement.

Ambar was detained by Palestinian security forces after surrendering herself to authorities. A Palestinian man was lightly injured Saturday morning after Halil shot at his vehicle on a West Bank road north of Ramallah. The man, from

the village of Beitin, was lightly injured by shrapnel and treated by security forces at the scene. The vehicle also sustained damage.

Also on Saturday, Halil opened fire on an IDF post near Nabi Saleh, causing no injuries but sparking a manhunt.

A Shin Bet agency statement said, “The Shin Bet, together with its partners in the Israel Police and the IDF, will continue to act decisively to thwart terrorism wherever it may be and to quickly uncover serious attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces.”

Police fence near the Lions Gate

he said.

“This isn't just an occupation, it's also humiliation. We won't accept the new arrangement of electronic gates. We refuse any new security arrangement. We don't need security in our place.”

Earlier Tuesday, the military wings of the different Palestinian factions in Gaza held a press conference threatening a forceful response if Israel does not remove

the added security.

“The aggression against al-Aqsa will be the spark that ignites the blaze that can burn through the whole region,” one Gaza militant threatened.

Police used stun grenades to disperse the rioters on Monday evening as hundreds of worshippers clashed with police. Several protesters were injured and treated at the scene.

Hezbollah operating in border posts The IDF released a video on Tuesday which confirms what Israel has said for years – Hezbollah are conducting operations in southern Lebanon in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The resolution states that the Shiite terrorist organization must remain north of the Litani River, but the video shows Hezbollah operatives are gathering intelligence from the border and preparing bunkers and underground sites. The video was released ahead of a UN Security Council discussion on violations of the resolution, which is scheduled to be held on Thursday.

Hezbollah has established an intricate network of military infrastructure, which includes rocket launching sites aimed at Israel.

The video also details a fictitious organization called “Green Without Borders” suggesting Hezbollah members are using it as a cover for their military activity in southern Lebanon.

The video even shows images of Hezbollah operatives, including Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, participating in activities on behalf of the phony organization, with the true intention of causing harm to Israel.

Last month, Israel provided the UN Security Council with intelligence that Hezbollah had established a network of observation posts along the border under the guise of an innocent organization. But little is being done as Hezbollah, with the help of Iran, is preparing for another war with Israel.

Tragic car crash kills father and two children

BY ISAAC SHERMAN A 6-year-old boy, a 12 year old girl and their father were killed and the rest of their family were seriously injured, when their car collided with a lorry on Route 70 in the western Galilee near the city of Nahariya, not far from the

Lebanese border. The Mukhtar family are from Kfar Adumim.

The family’s mother, Sarah, 47, is still fighting for her life in the Galilee Medical Centre’s intensive care unit. She is listed in serious condition. The driver of the truck was said to be in moderate condition.

MDA paramedics Rami Marom and Tzfi Zinger told Arutz Sheva, how the scene of the accident was “horrifying”.

“When we got there, there was a horrible sight. We saw a crushed car with six family members inside, and a truck next to it. There was a commotion at the scene. A

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man in his 40s was trapped in the driver’s seat, and next to him was a woman in her 40s who was fully conscious. Outside of the car were four children, ages 8, 12, 14, and 16.

Two of the children were unconscious and suffering from multiple injuries, while two others were

conscious. We provided life-saving first aid, and after attempts to stabilize their condition, we evacuated the 8-year old in critical condition, the man in his 40s in very serious condition, and the 12-year old girl in serious condition while she was unconscious and suffering multiple injuries.”

20 JULY 2017

ISRAEL NEWS 7

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Prices set to tumble The Greek Orthodox Church which owns a huge amount of land in the capital has sold 500 dunams of land in central Jerusalem to an anonymous group of investors, spurring fears of a hostile takeover.

It is believed that some 124 acres of land containing more than 1,000 housing units in numerous buildings have been sold, but it still remains unclear which homes will be affected.

For many years the land was leased to the Jewish National Fund in agreements that are about to expire, leaving the residents’ future rights in limbo.

Members of Knesset, Rachel Azaria and Akram Hasson of the Kulanu party, Yossi Yonah of Zionist Union, Mickey Levy of Yesh Atid and Uri Maklev of United Torah Judaism have been discussing the matter in Knesset meetings but no decisions were taken as it is believed there is nothing the state can do.

According to MK Azaria, residents who bought houses or apartments on the land were aware that it was leased by JNF, but were led to believe it would remain so for many years to come. She explained that “The land was leased by the church to the JNF in the 1950’s for 99 years.” But it’s not a matter of one building or a few families, but very large and prestigious neighbourhoods in the heart of Jerusalem.

She continued, “Buildings were constructed on it in which people have been living for decades and residents knew that the agreements would expire within a certain time. But they assumed that the lease to JNF would be extended for a further period.”

Azaria noted, however, that a few months ago the Jerusalemites Party, which holds two seats in the Jerusalem City Council, determined that private developers received a 200-year lease on some of the land in 2011, and that an

additional investor group signed a similar agreement one year ago.

“Following this, the city council received a flood of inquiries from residents of the area who did not know what the future held for them,” she recounted.

Last week, a large gathering of the residents was held by the Jerusalemites Party and addressed by council member Itai Gutler and architect Yehuda Greenfield.

“The residents are demanding to know who among them is affected by the agreement between the church and the developers and who is not, what the agreements say, and what they mean for them.”

Hundreds of residents who assumed that the lease from the church would be extended never imagined that they would find themselves having to deal with private developers who will suddenly hold the land when the lease agreements expire.”

Azaria ominously added: “In

Labor sour in the polls under new leader

Avi Gabbay, who joined the Labor party only six months ago and won the leadership contest beating off six other candidates, received an unexpected boost this week in the polls.

The Labor leader, who is not even a member of Knesset and therefore cannot take up the position of leader of the opposition, is seen as someone with untainted clean hands, few enemies, fresh

Avi Gabbay

blood and a welcome change to the party that has been polling just 11 seats for the past 18 months.

Although the next general election is not due until 2020, if one were to be held today, the Labor party under Avi Gabbay would receive 24 Knesset seats according to Channel 10 news and 20 seats according to Channel 2 news.

Yesh Atid, who has recently been polling as much as 28 seats, would fall to 16 according to Channel 10, but would win 18 seats according to Channel 2.

The Jewish Home would rise from 8 seats to 14 according to Channel 10 and Yisrael Beitenu would rise from 6 seats to 8 according to Channel 2. However in all polls, surveys found the the Likud party were still a long way out in front. In fact Channel 2 found that 37% preferred Netanyahu as Prime Minister compared to Gabbay who was holding at 14% and Lapid of Yesh Atid had fallen to 12%.

The survey conducted for the Channel 10 found similar results. 34% supported Netanyahu as Prime Minister, 13% went to Gabbay and 12% of the population would prefer Lapid to become Prime Minister.

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Property in Jerusalem

such a situation, they are liable to find themselves with nothing.”

To avert a full-blown housing crisis, Azaria said she requested an early debate in the Knesset, in conjunction with a petition that the residents brought against the Jerusalem Municipality to obtain information that is currently being withheld.

“The second demand,” she said, “is that someone should take the matter in hand and conduct negotiations with the developers on behalf of the residents, rather than each apartment owner having to deal with the developers themselves. This is a major event concerning a substantial part of Jerusalem, and one that will affect its character.”

Noting that the unknown developers – in exchange for extending the lease – could ask for additional

building rights and build on open areas, Azaria said the government must oversee all elements of the transfer to ensure the residents’ rights.

“It is important that the state should intervene on the matter,” she said.

“The value of the residents’ apartments is constantly falling, even in neighbourhoods like Rehavia. Anyone who buys an apartment in these areas now is taking a risk, and that affects the value of the properties.”

The Jerusalem Municipality said in a statement that it was actively working with all parties involved in the matter.

In a meeting with Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked, Mayor Nir Barkat insisted he was dealing with this matter and prioritizing it to the highest level of importance.

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20 JULY 2017

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Is the Central Orthodox Community really in decline?

BY JAMES MARLOW The BBC Radio 4 programme at the centre of the controversy looked at the recent report on British shul membership, published by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research and the Board of Deputies. It revealed that despite the fact there are now 454 synagogues in the UK, the largest number ever recorded, synagogue membership was in decline.

The report found that Central Orthodox congregations, which are Federation, US and independent orthodox synagogues, had dropped from 66% in 1990 to 53% today. Reform and Liberal had grown slightly from 19% and 8% in 2016 to a slightly higher number today. On the other hand, the strictly-Orthodox sector had grown by 139% since 1990.

But the United Synagogue is not losing their membership to the Reform. Many young people are simply not joining synagogues anymore. They are spiritual butterflies, flying to places such as Aish, JLE, Chabad and various others shteibles and the like.

Another reason is due to the fact that as their children are going to

Jewish schools, they now believe that the identity of their children is guaranteed through the school, rather than through the synagogue.

Of course the report does not take into account that many individuals and families are moving to Israel.

The Reform movement claims that their 2% rise over 10 years is proof that many are leaving authentic Judaism for their movement. But according to the Reform philosophy, non-Jewish partners are welcomed into the movement, non-Jewish people are given quick conversions but fail to observe anything and intermarriage is rife within the establishment.

This is exactly why Rabbi Freedman did not wish to get into a debate about authentic Judaism, because anyone who observes and practises authentic Torah law and Halacha, simply bypasses the Reform movement entirely.

US Rabbis have an agreement not to get into wars with the Reform movements, known as the “Stanmore Accords”, and that is why Rabbi Freedman may have preferred to have ignored the question. He was perfectly within his right to say what he said. He was asked a question and he answered

it in a truthful way. United Synagogue Rabbis and certainly those in the more strictly Orthodox communities across the country have simply carried on with their practices and observances.

The Reform movement chose to

break away from Orthodoxy which is their choice. But now they say – you have to agree to recognize our Rabbis, our conversions, our divorces, our debates, our way of life, and the majority get aggravated when they are not recognised.

Perhaps Orthodox Judaism needs more Rabbis like Rabbi Freedman with backbone and conviction, and a willingness to stand up for what they believe in.

US hosts ambassadors

Last Wednesday, at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel, the United Synagogue held a landmark business breakfast as it hosted both the Israeli and Jordanian Ambassadors. This was the first time they had shared a platform at an official event, which was chaired by Michael Goldstein, the newly elected President of the United Synagogue.

Mazen Homoud, Michael Goldstein and Mark Regev

Attendees heard from both Mark Regev, the Israeli Ambassador, and Mazen Homoud, the Jordanian Ambassador. They each reflected on the 23 years of peace between their two countries and their professional and personal involvement in the relationship since the historic treaty. They also stated how the treaty between the two countries shows that peace and prosperity is possible in the region when both sides are willing partners. With such uncertainty in the region, relations between Israel and its Arab neighbours are evolving with the common threat of extremism.

Mr Regev said: “Israel is currently speaking to more Arab countries than in the history of the Jewish State. There is a convergence of national security concerns and a recognition that Israel is a friend and ally against extremism.”

Mr Homoud concurred with this by stating: “At the recent Arab League conference it stated that all 23 nations want peace with Israel. The Jordan-Israel peace treaty is a model for this with joint initiatives leading to greater prosperity for all.”

Half a marathon for Shalva Chabad Lubavitch UK Conference

Zav Blook ran a half marathon for Shalva. He said “It was amazing.

And the fact I was running for Shalva made it even more special.”

“I spent a long time raising money for Shalva and after seeing the brand new Shalva building on

Thursday night and running the half Marathon for them on Friday morning, I realized that my contribution would literally help thousands of children and their families.’

Running just by the Old City

Shalom rediscovers his roots

Morning prayers at the National Conference of Chabad Lubavitch Rabbis last week took an interesting turn with the calling up to the Torah, for the first time, of Shalom ben Avraham.

50-something Shalom works at the hotel where the conference has been hosted in recent years. In the 2015 conference, during a conversation with a Rabbi it transpired that his maternal grandmother was Jewish and therefore, so is

he. Inspired and interested by his discovery Shalom then laid tefillin for the first time.

This year, Shalom’s Jewish journey continued when he gladly took up the suggestion of receiving a Jewish name thereby strengthening his connection.

Called up for the Torah reading, he recited the blessings with a little help, to a resounding chorus of ‘mazel tovs’.

Mazeltov Shalom ben Avraham!

Almost 100 people came together in the Midlands last week for the UK National Conference of Chabad Lubavitch Rabbis.

During two days of conference 82 rabbis took part in more than 20 sessions on every conceivable aspect of the modern day rabbinate and left energised to serve their communities with renewed purpose and vigour.

It was announced that there are currently 127 Chabad Rabbis posted throughout the country on Campus, at Chabad Houses, as pulpit rabbis, as educators and youth workers in 60 centres and that in the last 6 months alone, new centres have been opened in Notting Hill, Bromley, Crouch End and on the South Bank to serve their growing Jewish communities.

Guests of Honour included Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky from Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters who oversees the development of more than 4,000 Chabad religious and educational institutions throughout the globe.

Dayan Shmuel Simons of the London Beth Din who congratulated the unique nature of the

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A group photo

daily work carried out by Chabad Lubavitch UK for Anglo-Jewry, where, in many locations around the country the local Chabad rabbi is the only Jewish leader to call on.

Rabbi Yossy Gordon, Executive VP Chabad on Campus International, added his unique blend of down to earth and humorous advice, delivered in a heartfelt manner and held the Rabbis spellbound until the early hours of the morning.

Rabbi Mendy Chazan, a recent addition to Chabad of Leeds and co-director of CTeen Leeds, (the youth movement arm of Chabad Lubavitch) said: “For me the networking aspect of the Kinus was great. An opportunity to learn from, discuss and share ideas of best practice with such a variety of colleagues. It really is wonderful to

be able to rely on such a large pool of peer talent while also working on your own projects wherever you may be in the country.”

Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, Chief Executive of Chabad Lubavitch UK commented that “the immense growth of Chabad Lubavitch in both numbers of personnel and reach of each individual centre is inspiring and invigorating. This is a testament to the personalised ,genuine and non-judgmental approach of each Shaliach, inspired by the Rebbe ZY”A renowned for his vision and his care for each individual Jewish person, and to the relevant and cutting-edge programming Chabad has on offer to Jews of all walks of life. Also ourwell-earned thanks go to the tireless volunteers of the organising committee, without whom nothing could have been achieved.”

20 JULY 2017

NEWS 7

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Anti-Semitic crime soars to highest ever level as police and prosecutors fail Jewish community

Geoffrey Alderman is Michael Gross Professor of Politics & Contemporary History at the University of Buckingham and the author of British Jewry Since Emancipation (2014) Last Sunday the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism released details of an investigation it had undertaken into the level and intensity of anti-Semitic hate crime in the UK in 2016. This audit was grounded in figures obtained from all UK police forces. The data makes for grim reading: • In 2016 anti-Semitic crime in the UK rose to its highest-ever recorded level, rising by 15 percentage points compared with 2015 and by 44 per cent compared with 2014.

• In 2016 the actual number of recorded anti-Semitic crimes was 1,076.

• One in ten of these crimes was violent. But only one violent anti-Semitic crime resulted in a prosecution.

• Small Jewish communities – outside Manchester and London - figured disproportionately as the locations of these incidents, as was the case in earlier years.

• In 2016 almost half of the police forces in the UK failed to charge anyone in respect of any anti-Semitic hate crime reported to them. Indeed the number

of anti-Semitic crimes charged decreased by almost a third compared to 2015, and by over a third compared to 2014.

• In 2016 only 1.4 per cent of all anti-Semitic hate crimes reported in the UK resulted in a prosecution – just fifteen cases. Only one of these was a violent crime. In 2015 twelve anti-Semitic crimes were prosecuted, only 3 of which involved violence.

As the CAA’s National Anti-Semitic Crime Audit (from which these highlights are taken) makes clear, the 2016 data reveal a shocking state of affairs, reflecting an abject failure by our law enforcement agencies to carry out their legal obligations. The Audit makes some recommendations as to how this state of affairs might be improved in future years. But before I consider these, I want to draw attention to what the Audit does not tell us – namely why anti-Semitic crime is on the increase and what is its major origin.

To answer these questions we can do no better than to turn to a very recent report – Anti-Semitic Violence in Europe – authored by a leading Norwegian expert in this field, Dr Johannes Due Enstad, who is a Research Fellow at the University of Oslo’s Centre for Research on Extremism.

Dr Enstad investigated incidents of anti-Semitic violence in seven European countries (Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, France and the UK) between 2005 and 2015. Here are some of his findings:

individuals and serious attacks on buildings that potentially threatened human life.” These incidents do not include vandalism or verbal harassment.

• The UK came second to France, with almost 3,900 violent incidents.

• The situation facing the miniscule Jewish communities of the Nordic countries was dire – above all in Sweden. Dr Enstad points out that “Measured in number of reported incidents per 1,000 Jews — a measure indicating exposure, or Jews’ chances of being subjected to antisemitic violence — Sweden comes out on top with a score four times higher than France, with Germany and the UK in the middle.”

Who do you suppose carried out these attacks?

Only in Russia were the perpetrators predominantly thugs of the skinhead and neo-Nazi varieties.

In analysing the data provided by both law enforcement and communal agencies in Sweden,

France, Germany and the UK, Dr Enstad concluded that “right-wing extremists, who are often associated with anti-semitism, in fact constitute a clear minority of perpetrators. Respondents in all four countries most often perceived the perpetrator(s) to be ‘someone with a Muslim extremist view’.” And he added this observation: “It is also worth noting that in France, Sweden and the UK (but not in Germany), the perpetrator was perceived to be left-wing more often than right-wing.”

Have you got that? Except in Russia, Muslim extremists were the major perpetrators of violence against Jews, and in general - again excluding Russia – the miscreants were perceived as leftwing rather than right-wing. To quote Dr Enstad again: “Available data on perpetrators suggest that individuals of Muslim background stand out among perpetrators of anti-Semitic violence in Western Europe … Attitude surveys corroborate this picture in so far as

anti-Semitic attitudes are far more widespread among Muslims than among the general population in Western Europe.”

Now I am aware that these conclusions will sit unhappily with received wisdom, especially in this green and pleasant land, and that the purveyors of this wisdom are likely to feel very uncomfortable as they read and digest the Enstad report. But until we all recognise that, in this green and pleasant land, it is Islam (admittedly of a certain variety) that is fuelling violence against us, we shall never begin to grapple with it.

The CAA Audit makes some very useful suggestions as to the ways in which training and guidance can assist in raising awareness of anti-Semitic hate crime among our police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service. But this training will be of limited benefit unless it also encompasses awareness of the root causes of the problem.

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• During the decade 2005-15 Russia had the lowest level of recorded violence against Jews.

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Campaign Against Anti-Semitism Chairman Gideon Falter speaks with a police officer PHOTO CREDIT: CAMPAIGN AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM/NATHAN LILIENFELD

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Inspirational role model for aspiring scientists

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Inspirational young scientist Rebecca Lane, who as a child lived in sixteen homes in fourteen years and cared for two siblings with special needs, has completed an incredible turnaround by graduating from the University of Leeds with a 1st class Master of Science and Bachelor of Science honours degree in chemistry.

She now intends to continue her mission to inspire young female scientists by completing a PhD at Imperial College, London from October 2017.

Rebecca’s parents struggled to care for her and her two siblings during her childhood – so much so that they were often homeless and were left without basic provisions. Rebecca would sometimes go for days on end without a proper meal and slept on mattresses for years.

Rebecca says Norwood has always been involved with her care “behind the scenes”, but she was first aware of the organisation around the age of nine when she took art therapy classes that the charity put on at her primary school.

She says these were a way of “getting me to open up about my personal and home life”.

Eventually she was abandoned by her parents at the age of 14 and Norwood stepped in through in-house social worker Alex Amzallag, who Rebecca credits with “saving me” in the most distressing of circumstances. Norwood was able to arrange for Rebecca to live with her aunt and uncle

Disability, not dependency.

Like any other young man Adam always wanted his own place but he couldn’t imagine it ever happening.

Thanks to Jewish Blind & Disabled he now enjoys living life as he chooses in his own apartment, with on-site support available round the clock if required.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW WE GIVE THE GIFT OF INDEPENDENCE OR TO MAKE A DONATION VISIT WWW.JBD.ORG OR CALL 020 8371 6611

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Registered Charity No. 259480

Rebecca Lane MSc

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until the age of eighteen. She also had regular counselling sessions with Alex right up to the end of school.

Rebecca says of her sessions with Alex, “My counselling with Alex (post being abandoned) happened weekly while I was in school. The actual sessions consisted of an art-based activity. You wouldn’t really think a 14-18 year-old would want to paint, play with playdoh, decorate a box or make a dream catcher, but I loved it. I was having a chance to express myself and play in a way I was never able to as a young child. The art activities focussed around talking about what happened when I was younger and my feelings on being abandoned and all the complex feeling that comes with that.

“As I was abandoned midGCSE, my sessions with Alex also focused on helping me concentrate at school. My own personal life was very unstable as I came to terms with how poorly I was treated as a child as well as being abandoned by the people who were supposed to love me the most.

The sessions with Alex helped me so much. Without his support which I really needed at such a crucial time, I wouldn’t have done as well nor stayed at school. She ensured that no matter how many obstacles I had been through and was continuing to go through, I would always try to meet my full potential.”

The relationship with Alex and Norwood has seen Rebecca turn her life around and, incredibly from the position she was in as a teenager, in 2013 she was able to go to the University of Leeds to study for an Integrated Masters Degree in chemistry. Norwood supported her by providing funds for university provisions, as well as putting her in touch with other charities who deal specifically with funding for further education.

Having now completed her course and achieving a 1st class MSc and BSc, she is looking to the future and hopes to inspire others who endure troubled childhoods to

achieve their potential, as well as working hard to encourage more young women to study and take up careers in the sciences.

Rebecca said, “I’m delighted with my results and can’t wait to get to Imperial to start my PhD in October. I’m also looking to inspire more young women to get into science.

There’s a real lack of role models and I’m hoping that just by studying and working in science as a young women I can inspire others. I also really want to help people to understand that just because you’ve had an unstable start in life, that doesn’t have to define you and you can still go on to succeed. The support I’ve had from Norwood has made all the difference to me. Knowing that there are donors who give money they’ve worked so hard for so that people like me can succeed has meant the world to me. Knowing that people have that faith in me has driven me to the success I am enjoying, and I want others to know that they can achieve their goals too with this amazing support network. Nothing can make up for not having a supportive family, but Norwood have come as close as anyone could.”

Norwood Chief Executive Elaine Kerr said, “Rebecca is a remarkable young woman and we are all delighted that she has excelled in her studies.

She has given so much back to Norwood through speaking at several of our events and with her general advocacy for the charity. We will continue to keep in touch with her through her PhD and beyond, as relationships like the one we have built up throughout the years are what Norwood is all about.

Seeing young people like Rebecca achieve their potential encapsulates so much of the work we do at Norwood. From our invaluable donors, through our dedicated staff and amazing volunteers, everyone will continue to work together to ensure there are many more success stories like Rebecca in the future.”

20 JULY 2017

New seed couples official appointment Over 300 people flocked to seed in Edgware on Shabbat for the Chanukat HaBayit of the Seed shul and the official appointment of Rabbi Dov Birnbaum and Rebbetzin Tehilla Birnbaum. Seed Nation-

al Director Rabbi Joey Grunfeld presided over the inauguration, and the building was buzzing with activity fand hosted an enjoyable meaty Kiddush after Shacharit.

The Seed centre in Edgware was renovated extensively over the summer of 2016 and the shul is rapidly becoming one of the most popular in the area on Shabbat morning – partly thanks to its popular Seedlings children’s services.

Rabbi Dov Birnbaum said: “Thank you to the Seed team and the enRabbi Dov and Rebbetzin Tehilla Birnbaum tire community for a

LSJS/JTTP Teacher Training Graduation Ceremony The London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) recently celebrated the success of twenty-seven trainees who have successfully achieved Qualified Teacher Status. All schools are currently facing difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff and Jewish schools face particular challenges finding Jewish Studies and Ivrit staff. Consequently it is of little surprise that all graduates have secured jobs for next academic year, including nine as Jewish Studies teachers.

The graduates were addressed

by Alex Kingston, a former graduate of LSJS herself. She is now a Deputy Headteacher at Wolfson Hillel Primary School and the winner of the Primary Deputy Headteacher of the Year award at the PaJeS teaching awards. She described how teaching is like honey – while there are some sticky moments, it is very sweet to teach due to the rewards teachers gain from their students.

The Chief Rabbi, President of LSJS, gave a Dvar Torah emphasising that the Hebrew roots of the words educate and dedicate were the same. He explained how teachers and schools act as a bridge to our heritage and culture when educating the community’s children. Our young people will not be able to take a stand without the knowledge to allow them to do so.

Graduates were coming to the end of three separate programmes. The fifteen on the

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School Centered Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme have been on school placements during the year. They received training at LSJS and all succeeded in gaining the Masters Level Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). They start their new jobs in September.

The School Direct programmes allow participants to train while in employment. Seven participants were employed in primary schools (where the lead school in the consortium is Wolfson Hillel). Four participants are Jewish Studies teachers in secondary schools (where the lead school in the consortium is Yavneh College).

Representatives from each of the three groups spoke to the audience of family, friends, tutors and headteachers of their different experiences, emphasising the support and guidance they had received from their tutors and mentors. One headteacher commented that she was delighted with the quality of the training provided to the candidates over the last few years.

Jonathan Bach, Director of Teacher Training Programmes, congratulated the trainees on their success and for the progress each had made throughout the year’s programme. Plans are underway for the new cohorts who will be joining the schemes in September.

truly memorable Shabbos. We feel privileged to lead such a warm, friendly and vibrant community at this exciting stage of its development.”

AID Society Shabbat Sothend and Westcliff shul, held an annual event in honour of the Aid Society committee. They raise funds locally helping the more vulnerable Jewish people in the town and contributing to the Jewish Community Centre. They provide

Shabbat dinners, individual funding to attend the Centre, entertainment, festival celebrations and outings. In his sermon, Rabbi Bar paid tribute to the Aid Society for its care for the community and its substantial fundraising.

CST & Security Stewards’ Shabbat

The Community honoured those who protect the community, and welcomed Alan Levy, Security Director from Hendon. He gave a review of CST operations. He also said that CST function from donations but had donated £40,000 to the Southend and Westcliff Community for the shul`s added protection, over the years as result of

Director of Seed, Rabbi Joey Grunfeld

which, the site is now monitored 24/7. He also thanked the CST members and Security Stewards for their dedication and time and he asked everyone to be vigilant. He said Southend`s Rabbi Bar is one of the very few Rabbanim who had undertaken the full CST Course and thanked him for leading from the front and setting an example.

Are youTabout HI to buy a S your smartphone for TU child?

ES

DA Y

ial Do you understand the potent and l impact on the emotiona r child? cognitive development of you

Would you like to be empowered to make the right decisions on technology usage on an educated basis?

Are you equipped for difficult discussions with your children?

JPEN JEWISH PARENTING EMPOWERMENT NETWORK

JPEN is inviting all parents especially of children in years 5 and 6 and those in high school (ages 10-18)

25th July 2017 Ner Yisrael, The Crest, London NW4 2HY

20:0020:05

Dr. Andrea Whyte

20:0520:15

Rabbi Alan Kimche

20:1520:25

Rabbi Howard Cohen

20:2520:40

A NW LONDON PARENTS GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE

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Assistant Head Teacher Hasmonean High School

Dr. Olivia Fiertag Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Technology, Social Media & Teens: A PSYCHIATRIST’S PERSPECTIVE

20:4020:50

Preference to questions to be submitted in advance to qa@jpen.org.uk

EMPOWERING PARENTS TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN WITH CHALLENGES OF TECHNOLOGY

Welcome & Introduction

Dangers of Smartphones: A TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVE

Free Admission

For more information about this event please email info@jpen.org.uk or visit www.jpen.org.uk

Presenting JPEN and the speakers

Mr. Zalman Roth Technology Awareness Group A Short Introduction to Safety, Filtering, Monitoring and Available Resources

Rabbi Yakov Horowitz 20:5021:35

Founder & Director of The Center for Jewish Family Life/ Project YES (USA) Popular Educator and Author

Postpone, Protect & Prepare Tweens, Teens and Technology To be followed by Q&A

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20 JULY 2017

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Inaugration of a new Sefer Torah Richmond Synagogue, now in its 101st year, celebrated a unique occasion of the Inauguration of a new Sefer Torah to the Synagogue, the first in living memory according to longstanding members. Donated by member Sam Freiman, a Holocaust survivor, in memory of his family who perished during the Holocaust and recently deceased wife, Sonja, the Torah was greeted with live music, dancing and lines of children.

Over 100 people packed the shul car park to participate in this joyous event.

Honoured guest speaker, Dayan Yonasan Abraham of the London Beth Din, spoke of ‘power of the Holocaust survivor to ignite and transmit the importance of the Torah to future generations’, noting how the children and adults, young and old, all danced together.

Community Rabbi, Rabbi Meir Shindler said that community

members had felt a real “buzz” and sense of community spirit during the event.

Chairman, Malcolm Levi hailed what he described as a ‘Landmark event for Richmond shul that will be remembered for many years to come. Many thanks to Sam Freiman for this generous gift to our community’.

Rabbi Shindler, Sam Freiman, Ben Freiman and Dayan Abraham

All ages participate in the celebration

Sam Freiman

Young entrepreneurs for Noam Primary School Over the month of June, twelve teams from Years 4 and 5 at Noam Primary School in Wembley participated in The Young Enterprise Fiver Challenge.

Each child was given £5 which their team pooled together to buy what was needed to get their businesses off the ground. These ranged from selling milkshakes, cold drinks and snacks, to car washing and even a helping hands team who volunteered their services to anyone who needed assistance.

The children were taught how to conduct market research, develop business plans, design logos and prepare a sales pitch to

promote their wares. They were also shown how to prepare an excel spreadsheet showing the income and profit of their individual enterprises.

Deputy Head, Mrs Adele Aremband, who co-ordinated the Fiver Challenge at Noam, gave the children a simple instruction: go out and make as much profit as you can! Taking her directive to heart – and with the added ruling that they were to engage with the wider community, rather than sell their products in school - the children used their newly-learned business skills to make an astounding profit of £1,203, after returning the original £5 loans plus

a 50p legacy donation per child to the Fiver Bank to enable more children to take part in the scheme next year. Half of the profit made will go to tzedakah, while the other half will be used to buy maths equipment for the school.

Although Noam did not win the national competition, Mrs Aremband said that she was “very proud of the incredible hard work the children put in to making their businesses a success. It’s clear that they have learned a huge amount and we will follow the careers of these budding entrepreneurs with keen interest!”

Bnos Beis Yaakov dinner excels Bnos Beis Yaakov Primary School, hosted its annual ‘Achdus dinner’ on 5th July for its parent body. The event, which was held at Greenvue, Mill Hill Country Club, is an annual opportunity for the parents of the girls’ primary school in Kingsbury to come together and was very much enjoyed by all those who attended.

The MC for the evening was parent Dr Anthony Gubbay and the attendees were treated to a talk from headteacher Rabbi Nesanel Lieberman who remarked on how proud he is of the school and its unique atmosphere and how he often receives very positive

reports about the girls’ behaviour when they are representing the school on class outings.

The headline speaker for the evening was Rabbi Moshe Levy who is also a parent of the school and who regaled the audience with some amusing and heart-warming stories and anecdotes. Rabbi Levy also discussed the school’s warm atmosphere and in reference to the current Weekly Parshiyot, with their central message of proper speech, emphasised the importance of education starting at home and being a role model for one’s family and children.

There was also a raffle on the

evening, the top prize of which was a complimentary night’s stay at the Grove Hotel, Watford, which was won by new parents to the school.

Special mention was made of the school’s PTA and dinner committee - Dr Gubbay, Mr Paul Benardout, Mr Geoff Dennis, Mrs Della Grosberg, Mrs Daniella Benardout and Mrs Shaked Stopnitsky, headed by Mrs Carri Solomon, who organised the event so professionally and produced a beautiful brochure to commemorate the evening.

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Joyful celebrations

New Chairman of Commons Education Committee is a “proud Sephardi Jew”

BY Dr Yaakov Wise, MA, PGCHE, Ph.D, MCIM, MCIPFR The newly elected chairman of the powerful Commons Education Committee is former Tory minister Robert Halfon. The MP for Harlow always describes himself as a “proud Sephardi Jew.” Mr Halfon a former chairman of the party and minister of state for education is well placed to help Jewish schools fight the biased, negative reports by OFSTED.

Mr Halfon is also a well known supporter of Israel in parliament. Mr Halfon was himself educated at Highgate School and Exeter University where he read politics. He is handicapped by cerebal palsy and arthritis and is sympathetic to the needs of disabled children. He is from an Italian-Lybian family who settled in London in the 1960s.

Hasmonean and Copthall unite Copthall School and Hasmonean Girls School have been working together on a project to build bridges between the two school communities.

As a start to this project, an Activity Morning on Tuesday 18th July 2017 has been planned for 80 Year eight students from both schools. The purpose of the activity is for the students to get to know a little about each other on both a personal and cultural level, and to break down some barriers through a fun and informative morning.

A committee of five students from both schools have organised the activities which will take place on the Copthall School field.

By celebrating diversity and encouraging mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, it is hoped that there will be some positive outcomes which will be of benefit to the participating students, the two schools and communities as a whole.

s

20 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

WIJPS pupils participate in Jewish Song Contest and Jewish Mastermind Four Year 6 pupils - Aaron Gelkoff, David Levy, Lily Mallach and Michal Singer - from WIJPS competed against each other in two rounds of Jewish General Knowledge in the Annual Wohn Ilford Primary School Jewish Mastermind Competition.

It was a hard competition and very close! The standard of pupils’ knowledge was extremely high with Michal Singer achieving the highest score and being announced as the winner.

Year 6 pupils at the school also shared their talent with their peers at the school’s Annual Jewish Song Contest on another day.

Pupils wrote their own lyrics about Judaism and WIJPS and sung them to music of their choice. The winning group consisted of Aaron Gelkoff, Millie Isaac and Paris Peaker.

The song contest winners!

Caption The mastermind competitors

NEWS 13

GIFT thanks its Shabbat Walk volunteers

Last Sunday GIFT hosted over 100 teenagers from a number of schools for an evening of great food and inspiration.

The volunteers were treated to a lavish meaty BBQ and garden games as a celebration and thanks for their involvement and dedication in the GIFT Shabbat Walk programme during the course of this past year. Speeches were made by GIFT Shabbat Walk founder Eliezer Gilbert and guest speaker Rabbi Yitzi David. There was a special presentation made to the boys who are leaving for their gap year, including a special mention of coordinator Avi Dubiner who has been instrumental in the

growth of GIFT Shabbat Walk.

This past year over 500 volunteers have been involved in the GIFT Shabbat Walk through over 13,000 different opportunities. The volunteers visit families, care homes and hospitals every Shabbat and this has now expanded to mid-week volunteering, helping families with new-born babies, children with special needs and families struggling financially. GIFT’s mission is to inspire people to become givers whilst helping those in need. Please contact eliezer@jgift.org if you would be interested in getting involved or making a donation.

Teenagers enjoy BBQ Fun Day

GIFT

GIFT - making a difference

GIFT initiatives: • Helping Hand & Tutoring Help • Schools’ Initiatives • Shabbat Walk Hospital & Care Home Visits

Through GIFT thousands of young volunteers are being inspired to be GIVERS and to make a difference!

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14 NEWS

20 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Broughton Jewish Cassel Fox Primary School Year 5 and 6 pupils learning with their Fathers

“From Auschwitz to Ambleside’’ Holocaust youngsters who were airlifted to the Lakes In August 1945 a group of Jewish Children who came to be known as the ‘’Windermere Boys’’ arrived in the Lake District.

Airlifted by the RAF from Prague, they stayed in the Calgarth Primary school. “It was heaven,’’ commented one of the boys.

There is a permanent exhibition at the Windermere Library, “From Auschwitz to Ambleside.” These pictures are from 70th anniversary final gathering of the ‘Boys’ at the library.

‘Thats me’, Solly Irving 85, Arek Hersh 87 and Trevor Avery

Rabbi Shaul Rosenblatt launches new book King David Primary Schools Brachot celebration for reception children

King David Primary School held its brachot presentation for its Reception children on Monday

morning with the paticpiation of mums and dads.

Rabbi Shaul Roseblatt lauched his new book “Why Bad Things Don’t Happen to Good People,” at the Holy Law- South Broughton Congregation.

Rabbi Rosenblatt, who lost his wife to cancer leaving him to raise their children alone gave a refreshing approach to the age old question of why, and how to go on.

Rabbi Shaul Rosenblatt and Rabbi Yossi Chazan

Rabbi Shaul Rosenblatt speaking at his book launch at Holy Law South Broughton Congregation

Wiesenthal Centre Exhibition opens in Yeshurun Synagogue in Manchester A Reception class pupil with his father

The Simon Wiesenthal Centre exhibition “People, Book, Land: The 3,500 Year Relationship of the Jewish People with the Holy Land” opened to a packed crowd in the Yeshurun Synagogue of Gatley, Manchester.

Organised by UK’s “Stand with Us” President, Joy Wolfe, the launch was hosted by Baron Leslie Turnberg, former President of the

Royal College of Physicians, who led the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, as a centre for best practice in animal testing.

The event was held in the context of the “Balfour100.org”, the organization promoting the Christian celebration of the Balfour Declaration in the UK.

A leader of Christian Friends of Israel, Roy Thurley, now Director of “Balfour100.org”, joined Lord Turnberg, to present the latter’s just published book “Beyond the Balfour Declaration”.

For further information, please contact Dr. Shimon Samuels at +33 609 770 158

Children eagerly saying brachot

A Reception class pupil with his father PHOTO CREDITS: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Enjoying the Exhibition

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Cover of book “Beyond the Balfour Declaration”

Quote: “The Jewish Weekly” for an exclusive discount.

16 NEWS

20 JULY 2017

Jewish Visiting Conference 2017 On Wednesday 12th July, Jewish Visiting held its annual conference for hospital chaplains and visitors.

Following a warm introduction

by Rabbi Michael Laitner, interim Senior Hospital Chaplain, Reverend Dr Fraser from Cambridge University Hospital, spoke about

Chaplaincy Under the Spotlight.

This was a fascinating talk, which included an analysis of the subjects patients raised when talking to chaplains, how patients who have declared they have no religion, actually value interaction with chaplains and the considerable benefit

Reverend Dr Fraser speaks

Indian and Jewish communities come together to strengthen friendship at IJA Reception The Indian Jewish Association (IJA) held its summer reception on Wednesday 12 July with guest speakers H.E. Mark Regev, Israel’s Ambassador, and H.E. Y. K. Sinha, Indian High Commissioner.

The event, held at The Office Group on Wimpole Street, attracted over eighty-five people, from the Hindu, Sikh and Jewish communities, as well as representatives of interfaith bodies.

The reception was held to mark and celebrate last week’s successful three- day visit to Israel by

Indian PM, Narendra Modi.

The Ambassadors reflected on the development of diplomatic ties between India and Israel, which were formally launched 25 years ago and which have led to increasing bilateral trade and collaboration, notably in agriculture and high tech. Prominent Hindu community leader Lord Popat gave an impromptu speech, where he referred to the mutual admiration and values between the Jewish and Indian communities in the UK, based on shared values.

to patients of these encounters.

The second speaker was Paula Plaskow from Jewish Care who spoke about supporting patients at the end of life, both emotionally and in more practical ways.

Rabbi Alan Garber, Rabbi of Shenley Synagogue and Jewish Chaplain at Watford Hospital, commented on how good it was to meet other people involved in this work. He added that “both speakers made me think more deeply about what I am doing in my pastoral work”.

Michelle Minsky, Head of US Chesed, who organised the event for Jewish Visiting, said it was great to see a cross-section of chaplains and visitors from across London, some new and some with

PHOTO CREDIT: WORLD JEWISH RELIEF

many years of experience, discussing issues of mutual interest, such as how to recognise when patients want to discuss spiritual issues, although that may not be the language they use, how to identify Jewish patients when no lists are provided and their role when patients need end of life support. Our chaplains and visitors

do a wonderful job in supporting patients and through events like this these we aim both to show our appreciation of them and to help them enhance their skills.

To request a visit for yourself or a friend or relative, please telephone the Jewish Vising office on 020 8343 6238.

PHOTO CREDIT: YAKIR ZUR

Broughton Cassel Fox nursery graduation

Dad Adrian, Mum Petra and daughter Bayla, 4, Rodrigues-Pereira

Father Mordechai Tabor, son Beny, 4, Mother Abigail Tabor, Frances and Ian Oster, proud grandparents

St Anne’s summer BBQ raises funds for World Jewish Relief The Indian Jewish Association (IJA) held its summer reception on Wednesday 12 July with guest speakers H.E. Mark Regev, Israel’s Ambassador, and H.E. Y. K. Sinha, Indian High Commissioner.

The event, held at The Office Group in Wimpole Street, attracted over eighty-five people, from the Hindu, Sikh and Jewish communities, as well as representatives of interfaith bodies.

The reception was held to mark and celebrate last week’s successful three-day visit to Israel

by Indian PM, Narendra Modi.

The Ambassadors reflected on the development of diplomatic ties between India and Israel, which were formally launched 25 years ago and which have led to increasing bilateral trade and collaboration, notably in agriculture and high tech. Prominent Hindu community leader Lord Popat gave an impromptu speech, where he referred to the mutual admiration and values between the Jewish and Indian communities in the UK, based on shared values.

Michelle Minsky speaks

Rabbi Ephraim Guttentag with Robert Pinkus, President of St Anne’s Synagogue

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Mr Yossi Lipsey, Penina, Mum Sorela Bookman, twins Michal and Akiva, Dad Adam Bookman

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18 JUDAISM

20 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

ASK THE RABBI Looking for answers? Send your question to asktherabbi@thejewishweekly.com Better off without religion?

Dear Rabbi, I came across the Jewish Weekly recently in Manchester and I was intrigued by a lot of what I read. I see that you answer questions and I would like to propose one of my own. I am not Jewish or a member of any faith for that matter. I was born Protestant but I have decided that we’re better off without G-d.

Isn’t the world better off without religion? Anti-Semitism, racism, terrorism, these are generally all acts committed in the name of one religion against another. Doesn’t that then suggest that religion itself is the root cause of all this malice and that if we dispelled with religion altogether, then arguably here would be nothing to hate. Religion has a corruptive and destructive streak, giving a license to the most heinous crimes, thus it is best to abolish it.

Fred Dear Fred, The worst crimes in history have been perpetrated in the name of religion, in the west no less than in the east. We Jews are perhaps more aware of this than most others: the crusaders, the inquisition, Martin Luther, pogroms in honour of Easter and Christmas. Aboriginal people throughout the world recall the missionaries coming to them with the cross in one hand and the sword or Koran in the other, and proclaiming: “Either you kiss the one or the other will kiss you!” How many wars have been fought and how many atrocities committed in the name of one faith or another, and all, of course, “for the glory of G-d” or with the battle-cry “Allah al-akhbar!”

Is religion really at fault? Were these criminals truly G-d’s warriors? The easy answer of “no,” and to dismiss them as crazies, ignorant fanatics or fundamentalists etc., is too simplistic a response.

I suggest to you the following: In the gun-control debate there is a famous saying: “Guns don’t kill; people do.” This is certainly true, though in that context we should ponder the question as to how much we should facilitate and whether we should make it easier for people to act improperly. The

basic premise, however, remains correct. Nearly everything in life is a two-edged sword, with a positive and a negative side.

The truth is just as many people have been killed by the following of various secular social philosophies as by the propagation of certain theological beliefs. No less destruction has been wrought by scientific research and discoveries, or colonialist pursuit of wealth at the expense of native populations.

It is not this or that premise that is responsible for the consequences as much as what the human mind and so-called rationalism does with it. Would you now suggest stop thinking, to cease scientific pursuits or to develop social theories and philosophies? Obviously that is absurd.

Man’s greatest gift is the power of free choice. In order for free choice to operate, a world that can enable man to love must also enable a man to hate. Free choice means that a world in which man can make himself into a Moses must also allow for the possibility for man to make himself into a Hitler. Human reason and the pursuit of religion need not be changed. Humans must change by realizing their positive potential and utilizing it for its intended purpose to make this world into a better place. So it is not religion per se that is the problem. It is people’s subjective interpretation,

their own rationale, the applied human reasoning that pacifies the conscience and justifies the actions.

When to get married - or not!

Dear Rabbi, More than a year ago I met the love of my life and already back then we booked the wedding for this time next year. Recently I checked the calendar and a friend pointed out that it is an unlucky time to get married as it is a sad time. My family and I are not observant and my fiancé’s parents aren’t Jewish – he converted through the Progressives. I don’t know if that makes any difference.

Can you explain about this bad energy and why it’s a sad time to get married around now?

Anna Dear Anna, This time of year is an especially sad time on the Jewish calendar as it was when our Temples were destroyed and countless Jews were persecuted or exiled. It is therefore customary not to hold celebrations during this time and to wait till after the “three week” period has ended. The actual three weeks fluctuate each year as they are

subject to the lunar and not solar calendar.

However I would add in your case, there is no good time to get married. You are marrying someone who is not in the first instance Jewish and his slapstick conversion in order to whitewash the marriage is utterly meaningless.

You have a Jewish soul, regardless of your observance levels. Your fiancé does not. Thus you can never be soulmates in the truest sense.

If you are concerned about “bad energy” then you need to know, whenever, if ever, the two of you marry, that will be an especially sad time on the Jewish calendar regardless.

Shabbat Cruising Dear Rabbi, I want to go on a winter cruise.

It’s going to run through Shabbat.

Is that a problem? What can I do?

Simone

Dear Simone Park around the corner like everyone else? Seriously, if you get on the boat before Shabbat, and establish the boat as the place you are staying for Shabbat, then there is no problem with you remaining on the boat on Shabbat. But you couldn’t get on the boat on the Shabbat. Nor should you disembark on the Shabbat.

There is a school of thought which maintains that you need to bring a Rabbi with you on the cruise in order to deal with the halachic dilemmas as they emerge. You can contact me through this paper.

Bon voyage!

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

For all enquiries please contact Deborah on 020 8349 5268 Finchley Synagogue Kinloss Gardens London N3 3DU banqueting@kinloss.org.uk www.kinlossevents.co.uk

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20 JULY 2017 Volume 29 No. 43

22 July 2017 Shabbat ends

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JUDAISM 19

WEEKLY

Matot-Masei

Mazal Tov to Adam Marks on his Aufruf today at Stanmore Synagogue Mazal Tov to Adam Marks on his Aufruf today at Stanmore Synagogue Mazal Tov to both families on Adam’s forthcoming wedding Mazal Tov to both families on Adam’s forthcoming wedding to Joanna Mostyn on Sunday 6th August 2017

to Joanna Mostyn on Sunday 6th August 2017

“You shall designate cities for yourselves, cities of refuge shall they be for you, and a killer shall flee there – one who takes a life unintentionally. The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, so that the killer will not die until he stands before the assembly for judgment” (Bemidbar 35:11-13).

The Diary Format

by Rabbi Marc Levene, Belmont United Synagogue In this week’s second sidrah, Masei, the Torah summarises the entire route travelled by the Jews during their 40 years in the desert. The opening verses state:

Fleeing to the City of Refuge Illustration from page 173 of Charles Foster, Sidrah Matot-Masei The Story of the Bible, Philadelphia: A.J. Homan Co., 1884 SidrahSummary: Summary: Matot-Masei negotiations withbe Moshe?

(32:33) 1st Aliya – Bemidbar 30:2-31:12 “You shall(Kohen) designate cities for yourselves, cities of the refuge shall they for you, and a killer shall flee Question: mighty had lived in the that Moshe– speaks to the heads of the tribes, telling them there one who takes a life unintentionally.

The cities shallwhich be for youkings a refuge from thearea avenger, Gad and Reuven took? Answer on bottom of next to relate the laws of vows and oaths to the Children of so that the killer will not die until he stands before the assembly for judgment” (Bemidbar 35:11-13).

Israel. Contravening an oath or vow constitutes a Biblical prohibition. The sidrah details who may revoke a vow on behalf of others in his care, but only on the day that he first hears about the vow. A husband may also revoke his wife’s vow in similar circumstances.

G-d tells Moshe to wage war against the Midianites before his death. Moshe conscripts 1000 men from each tribe. They go into battle and kill all the Midianite males, as well as Bilam. They take captive the women, the young children, their cattle and material possessions.

2nd Aliya (Levi) – 31:13-54 Moshe rebukes the officers for not killing the women, who had been the instigators of the immorality and idol worship that had led to the national catastrophe (see 25:1-9); he instructs them to now kill many of the women. Moshe tells those who have killed how to purify themselves from their state of tumah (ritual impurity). Upon God’s instruction, Moshe and Elazar count up the spoils and divide them in half, between those who fought in the war and the rest of the nation.

A small percentage of each of these spoils is given as a tribute, one to Elazar and another to the Levi’im. The military leaders approach Moshe to donate the jewellery that they had plundered, as an offering to G-d.

3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 32:1-19 The tribes of Gad and Reuven ask to be given land on the east bank of the Jordan River, instead of crossing into the Land of Cana’an. Moshe rebukes them for their apparent cowardice, which seems to repeat the error of the spies 39 years previously. The two tribes clarify that whilst the women and children would settle on the east bank, the men would fight with the rest of the nation to conquer the Land and would not return to their families until the end of the war.

4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 32:20-33:49 Moshe accepts their request and instructs Elazar and the tribal heads to allow them to keep the land they requested if they do battle as promised. Some of the tribe of Menashe are also apportioned land east of the Jordan.

Point to Consider: why is some of the tribe of Menashe now mentioned, having not been cited in

page.

Parashat Masei begins by recalling the 42 journeys that the Israelites made from leaving Egypt until the present time, when they are about to cross into the Land of Cana’an.

5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 33:50-34:15 G-d speaks to Moshe in the plains of Moab, telling him to relate to the nation that after entering the Land, they must destroy the idols of the Cana’anites and make sure to drive them out the Land. G-d tells Moshe the boundaries of the Land that the tribes will inherit.

6th Aliya (Shishi) – 34:16-35:8 G-d announces the names of the leaders of each tribe, who will take charge of apportioning land to his tribe’s members. 42 cities are designated specifically for Levi’im to live in, surrounded by a designated amount of open space. These cities are also to provide refuge for a person who has killed accidentally and is fleeing from the relatives of the deceased.

7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 35:9-36:13 In addition, six cities are designated as special ‘cities of refuge’, to which the accidental killer can flee.

Instructions are given about what constitutes ‘accidental’ and how the community must endeavour to protect the accidental killer from those who are pursuing him. Men from the tribe of Menashe approach Moshe, concerned that the land given to the five daughters of Tzelofchad, a descendant of Menashe (see parashat Pinchas 27:1-8) would be lost from the tribe if they marry men from other tribes.

Moshe responds that they should only marry men from the tribe of Menashe; this they do.

This is the closing part of the book of Bemidbar. We stand for the final verse and then recite: “chazak, chazak ve’nitchazek”, a phrase asking for continued strength to study the Torah.

Haftarah This haftarah, taken from Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) is the second of the three ‘haftarot of affliction’ read in the build up to Tisha B’Av. G-d rebukes Israel for turning away from Him and towards idols, forsaking the opportunity He gave them when He bought them into the fruitful Land.

United Synagogue Daf Hashavua Produced by US Living & Learning together with the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue Editor: Rabbi Chaim Gross Editor-in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis Editorial Team: Ilana Epstein, Michael Laitner, Sharon Radley Available also via email US website www.theus.org.uk ©United Synagogue To sponsor Daf Hashavua please contact Loraine Young on 020 8343 5653, or lyoung@theus.org.uk If you have any comments or questions regarding Daf Hashavua please email rabbigross@theus.org.uk

instructed by G-d”. Whilst we know little about many of the 40 years they spent in the desert, we can surmise that they may have had challenges in their spiritual ‘journeys’, but they nonetheless stayed on track with G-d.

The diary format adds a further dimension. Whilst “These are the journeys of the a diary helps others to understand history, it children of Israel, who left theTazria-Metzorah land of Egypt… most crucially helps the writer to understand Sidrah Summary: Moshe wrote their departures according to their himself/herself. It serves as a constant reminder journeys as instructed by G-d, and these were of our comings and goings, what we did and wewould did it.also Understanding the decisions metzora bring three animal offerings theirAliya journeys according their where 1st (Kohen) – Vayikra 12:1-23 to and we threemade meal and offerings. the consequences of our departures” (Bemidbar 33:1-2).

After childbirth, a lady would wait several weeks that is an important factor in our ability to selfbefore bringing an elevation offering (olah) and a actions Point to Consider: what is the significance of the The lessons thoseand 40 hyssop? years could cedar wood, crimsonofthread (see sin (chatat). This completed her post-birth Theoffering Ohr HaChaim, written

by Rabbi Chaim analyse.

Rashi tomore 14:4)accessible once written in a diary Ibn Atar (d.process.

1743) explains the phrase, “Moshe become purification Moshe, on behalf of–the nation.

God Moshe and Aharon someone wrotetold their departures”, to that mean Moshe who was by 5th Aliya (Chamishi) 14:21-32 had the appearance of a aparticular typelog of of skin commanded to maintain continuous all A metzora who could not afford three animal disease (tzara’at) would haveunfolded. to show the generation has bring its own has the journeys as the events Whywhite was Each offerings could instead one journeys, animal offering, blemish to a Kohen.

The Kohen evaluate suffered and and celebrated highs. Yet this is it so important that these detailswould be recorded? one meallows offering two birds. and the to affliction clearly tzara’at, part of the ‘long path’ of Jewish history. We must Why decide did this ifhave take thewas format of a ‘diary’?

6th Aliya (Shishi) – 14:33-15:15 1 thus rendering the person impure (tameh). If the endeavour to see this in our times too, realising Tzara’at also affected houses. The house owner case unclear,Rafael the Kohen would quarantine wereport are part that ‘long path’, Rabbiwas Shimshon Hirsch (d.1888) writes that would the of suspicious signs to achallenging Kohen. The the in a house seven days,enable after which that may be.

To understand where we are thatperson chronicling these for details would future though house would be evacuated before the Kohen’s the Kohen would re-inspect afflicted area it is incumbent upon us togreen remember generations to look back at the their heritage, atand the now, arrival.

If the Kohen saw a deep or deepand red declare the person or tahor our history. journeyswhether and experiences of was their tameh ancestors.

This track ‘affliction’, he would order the house to be (pure). would help to establish a link with the past. Rabbi quarantined for a week. He would then re-inspect Question: what three types of blemish Hirsch adds thatwere this the would also provide a way the house. If the affliction had spread, the infected called?

(13:2)generations Answer on bottom of page 6. the stones would be removed and replaced. If the for future to contemplate authenticity of –God’s presence on earth, as affliction nevertheless returned, the house would 2nd Aliya (Levi) 13:24-39 shown by how the Children of Israel miraculously It was also possible for tzara’at to develop from a be demolished. However, if replacing the stones navigated the could vast desert guided by theorhand of solved the problem, the Kohen would declare the burn.

Tzara’at erupt on the scalp on the G-d. area, causing a loss of hair. house tahor (pure). beard The Torah lists specific discharges that would 3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 13:40-54 cause a man to be considered tameh, and details Perhaps there is another lesson to draw from A slightly different form of tzara’at is detailed, these caused verses.a more G-d substantial wanted toloss show how which of hair.

A the purification procedure. dedicated(onethis generation was.withA 7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 15:16-33 metzora who desert has been contaminated significant of theofTorah deals with tzara’at) wasamount sent outside the camp and hadthe to A similar set of laws is listed for a lady who has nation’s mistakes, such(see as the of theTzara’at golden specific discharges, as well as the laws of niddah tear his/her garments p4sins article). calf and spies.

In contrast, the Torah here (menstruation), which form the basis of the laws could alsothe infect clothing.

A suspected garment praises the Children of Israel, was quarantined before the emphasising Kohen madethat a of family purity. they followed explicit instructions the decision aboutGod’s whether it was tameh. If itinwas challenging desert – “Moshe wrote their Haftarah declared tameh, theterrain garment was burnt.

From the Book of Melachim (Kings II), the haftarah departures according to their journeys as 4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 13:55-14:20 takes places upon the background of the long The Torah details the process through which a siege and ensuing famine of the Shomron area metzora purified himself/herself after the period (Samria) by the King of Aram. Four metzora’im of isolation and the healing of the affliction. This were put outside the city gates because of their involved a Kohen taking two birds, cedar wood, In memory of Yehudah Lev ben Shevach affliction. They discovered and reported that the 3 a crimson thread and hyssop. The Kohen would Arameans had actually left their camp, which In memory of Yehudah Lev ben Shevach slaughter one of the birds and – using the wood, thread and hyssop together in a bundle – sprinkle allowed the Jews to plunder the camp and thus its blood seven times on the metzora. The end their famine.

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Produced by US Living & Learning together with the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue Editor: Rabbi Chaim Gross Editor-in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis Editorial Team: Ilana Epstein, Michael Laitner, Sharon Radley

thesays fate awaiting themoney Jews to of Hungary; sadly, he 2. Your boss, who is living rather comfortably, he has no pay you for three months. took the bait.You then see him driving an says he has no money to pay you for three Amongst the many mitzvot bein adam le'chaveiro expensive new car. months. You then see him driving an (interpersonal relationships) THE is theJEWISH command Amongst 20 JUDAISM 20 JULY 2017 WEEKLY many house, mitzvot you beinnotice adam le'chaveiro 3. In yourthe student that your expensive new car. to judge others favourably, to give someone (interpersonal shampoo has depleted recently; hear relationships) is the you command 3. In your student house, you notice that your the benefit of the doubt. The Talmud (Shavuot one of your house mates saying thatsomeone he has toJudging judge others favourably, to give Bein Adam Lechaveiro Part 5: People Favourably shampoo has depleted recently; you hear 30a) states that this positive Biblical mitzvah Bein Adam Lechaveiro Part 5: Judging People Favourably thenot bought for Talmud a while. (Shavuot benefit of any the shampoo doubt. The is bysourced in parashat Kedoshim:Rabbi, “withStanmore one of your house mates saying that he has Rabbi Daniel Fine, Community & Canons Park United Synagogue

by Rabbi Daniel Fine, Community Rabbi, Stanmore & Canons United Synagogue states that this positive Biblical mitzvah righteousness youParkshould judge your 30a) not bought any shampoo for a while.

Each of these scenarios can arguably be isassigned sourcedstretched, in parashat Kedoshim: “with colleague” (Vayikra 19:15). innocent explanations; youalways should maybe your wanted judge awe watch like Perhaps thefriend most basic question canyour ask Each of these scenarios can arguably be In the words of The Times, righteousness This mitzvah calls basic for aquestion person to the most we evaluate can ask colleague” (Vayikra 19:15).

In the words of The Times, Perhaps bought today, to maybe your assigned stretched, innocent explanations; “one of the most loathsome yours aboutand thisfinally mitzvah is thatone it seems encourage took the bait.

Bein Adam Lechaveiro Part 5: Judging People Favourably

by Rabbi Daniel Fine, Community Rabbi, Stanmore & Canons Park United Synagogue

another's actions isinthat a positive It is a about this mitzvah it seems light. to encourage was Ifgiven the someone car as a gift.

Yet to into whata maybe your friend always wanted a watch like stories of the war was the boss naiveté!

I see breaking relatively If rareI type mitzvah, inbreaking that it does naiveté! see ofsomeone intonota extentmitzvah calls to evaluate are we to for stretch imaginations, Joel Brand episode”. In April This neighbour's home, am aI person toour assume that 'he yours and finally bought one today, maybe your involve any words oram actions; it obligates neighbour's home,1944 Ithe to rather assume that 'he another's instead facing up what the seems have actions in toatoreturn positive light. is a infamous Adolf probablyofjust wants bottletoItopener a positivejust mental assessment of bottle the situation boss was given the car as a gift. Yet to what probably wantsEichmann to return called the opener actually happened?

And what if your friend Brand, an relatively that he borrowed’?

Judaism tackles reality head rare type of mitzvah, in that it does not and he theborrowed’? person. extent are we to stretch our imaginations, that Judaism tackles reality head actually admitted heescapism. took watch, active Hungarian Jew, into involve on, it does not engage in so, how any words orthat actions; ratheryour it Ifobligates instead of facing up to what seems to have on, it does not engage in escapism.

If so, how youmitzvah refuse to believe him? does this fit in? As an extreme example, office(d. and promised that ashould Rabbi Shlomo ibn his Gabriol 1045) once said: positive mental assessment of the situation does this mitzvah fit in?

As an extreme example, actually happened? And what if your friend was Joel Brand even supposed to have judged he would not harm remaining million “the question of athe wise person half is ahalf an and the person.

We will begin to address these questions actually admitted that he took your watch, was Brand evenwhich supposed to have judged JewsJoel in Hungary would procure answer”.

Knowingif Brand questions are 10,000 most Eichmann favourably? next week.

Eichmann favourably? trucks andis other goods for the Nazis. Brand was Rabbi pressing a skill.

Sifting essential questions Shlomo ibn Gabriol (d. 1045) once said: should you refuse to believe him?

Consider the following scenarios and how you ultimately interred by the British Aleppo trying from peripheral ones allows onein to develop a “the question of a wise person is half an Consider following scenarios how‘deal’. you to collectthe funds to keep part and of the We will begin to address these questions coherent approach whenhisanalysing a topic. would evaluate another person's behaviour: answer”.

Knowing which questions are most would evaluate another person's behaviour: Many questions historians can (including the late Sir Martin Good shed light on any given 1. You lost your watch yesterday and your friend next week. is a starts skill. wearing Sifting essential questions 1.

You lost watch yesterday yourwas friend 'suddenly' the same watch you Gilbert d. your 2015) believe that thisand 'offer' no pressing topic; they highlight what is known already and peripheral ones allows one to develop a 'suddenly' startsruse wearing theBrand same quiet watch you fromhad lost. more than Nazi to keep about what still aneeds to be discovered.

A good approach a topic. had lost. the fate awaiting of Hungary; sadly, he coherent question providestheanJews element of clarity even 2. Your boss, who iswhen living analysing rather comfortably, took the bait. questions can shed tolight says he has no money payon youany for given three before any answer 2.

Your boss, who isisattempted. living rather comfortably, Good Joel at Eichmann trials months.

Youtestifying then him driving an says he has no money to pay you for three topic; theyBrand highlight what see is the known already and in Jerusalem, 1961 Amongst manythen mitzvot beinhim adam le'chaveiro expensive new car. months.theYou see driving an what still needs to be discovered. A good relationships) is the command 3. In your student house, you notice that your Amongst the many mitzvot bein adam le'chaveiro (interpersonal expensive new car. question provides an element of clarity even 4 In Yocheved bat Berl Dov tomemory judge of others favourably, to give someone (interpersonal relationships) is the command 3. shampoo has is depleted recently; you hear In your student house, you notice that your before any answer attempted. benefit of the doubt. The Talmud (Shavuot to judge others favourably, to give someone the one of your house mates saying that he has shampoo has depleted recently; you hear Joel Brand testifying at the Eichmann trials states that this positive Biblical mitzvah the benefit of the doubt. The Talmud (Shavuot 30a) not bought any shampoo for a while. one of your house mates saying that he has in Jerusalem, 1961 in parashat Kedoshim: “with 30a) states that this positive Biblical mitzvah is notsourced bought any shampoo for a while. righteousness you should judge your is sourced in parashat Kedoshim: “with Each of these scenarios can arguably be In memory of Yocheved bat Berl Dov colleague” (Vayikra 19:15). righteousness you should judge your Each assigned stretched, innocent explanations; of these scenarios can arguably be In memory of Yocheved bat Berl Dov colleague” (Vayikra 19:15). maybe your friend always wanted a watch like assigned stretched, This mitzvah calls forinnocent a personexplanations; to evaluate yours and finally bought one today, maybe your maybe your friend always wanted a watch like This mitzvah calls for a person to evaluate another's actions in a positive light. It is aInsights boss was given car as History a gift. Yet to what77: Lost & New Material into the Jewish Part and finallyAllenby bought one today, The 100th Anniversary of the Death ofyours Lt Michael Part I maybe your another's actions in a positive light. It is a relatively rare type of mitzvah, in that it does not extent are we to stretch our imaginations, boss was the as a rather gift. Yet to whatby Rebbetzen Ilana Epstein, Cockfosters & N Southgate United Synagogue; involve anygiven words or car actions; it obligates Rabbi Z M Salasnik, former Rabbi of Bushey relatively rare type of mitzvah, in that it does and not District United Synagogue instead of facing up to what seems to have extent are mental we to assessment stretch ourof imaginations, a positive the situationHead of Project Development, US Living & Learning involve any words or actions; rather it obligates actually happened? And what if your friend instead facing up to what seems to have and the of person. a positive mental assessment of the situation actually admitted that he took your watch, actually happened?

And what if your friend Friday him?

17 June 1244 They also intended to eat parts of offerings For General Edmund Henry When, as commander of the Army in the Middle should you refuseOn to believe and the person.

Rabbi Shlomo ibn Gabriol (d.

1045) once said: actually that he took down. your watch, (according to many prohibited to them. She went on to tell Holofernes Hynman Allenby, the year East, he learnt ofadmitted Michael’s death, he broke “the question of a wise him? person is half an should youknew refuse historians), 24 carriageWe will begin to address these questionsthat it would be better for him to invade the city Rabbi Shlomo1917 ibn Gabriol was (d. to 1045) prove,once in said: For officers who himtoasbelieve ’The Bull’, partly for answer”. Knowing which questions are most loads of Jewish manuscripts than to have the people commit such atrocities next week. frame and partly because of his rages “the questionprofessional of a wise person half his anhuge terms, is his pressing is a skill.

Sifting essential questions We will begin to address these questions were burnt on the streets towards G-d, who would surely smite them. best year; in personal when army regulations adhered answer”. Knowing which yet questions are most fromweek. peripheralwere onesnot allows oneto,tothey develop a next of Paris. The Talmud itself Yehudit would not only supply the information on a pitiable figure, at least for the first for himessential and his questions wife now saw pressing is aterms, skill. Sifting coherent approach when analysing a topic. had been ‘brought to trial’ how to breach the walls, but also regarding what Adelaide Mabel,one it to was to week two. questions can shed light on any given from peripheral ones allows develop a orGood as a ‘blasphemer’ against time and which day would be best to attack. For prove to be their worst. coherent approach when analysing a topic. topic; they highlight what is known already and After those early weeks, he threw himself back Christianity. The ‘defendant’, the Talmud, lost this, she would need to leave the Greek camp Good questions can shed light on any given what still needs to be discovered. A good 1917 commenced with Allenby commanding the into his work, resuming his professional the case. The punishment was dire, especially three times a day to pray to G-d for guidance. topic; they highlight what is known already and question provides an element of clarity even About Michael, he said: “War takes Third Army on the Western Front. Whilst the dedication. when one considers that in many cases these Holofernes agreed. On the third day, Holofernes’ what still needs to be discovered. A good before any answer is attempted. second Battle of Arras in April began successfully, the best. He was all that one could desire as a manuscripts were one of aatkind.

Not many Joel Brand testifying the Eichmann trialsdesire for Judith overcame him and he invited her question provides an element of clarity even it soon became a stalemate, taking tens of son, and I am proud to have been his father. He to share a banquet with him. She accepted the manuscripts were in circulation and prior to the in Jerusalem, 1961 before any answer is attempted. or me one moment of trouble thousands of lives. By the end of 1917, as never gave Mabel invitation and proceeded to feed him a cheese advent of the printing press, books and the Joel Brand testifying at the Eichmann trials We shall himBerl only with love, 1961knowledge they contained would have been dish commander of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, or anxiety.

4 that made him so thirsty that he drank In memory of remember Yocheved bat inDov Jerusalem, he had transformed a different stalemate situation pride and gratitude. There is not a day in his life irreplaceable. One wonders how much knowledge copious amounts of wine. As he passed out from in another continent into anbat Allied was4 lost on that fateful Friday in June so intoxication, Yehudit used Holofernes’ own sword In memory of Yocheved Berlvictory, Dov taking that I could wish be otherwise than as he lived it.

Beersheva, Gaza and Jerusalem in the last few In his simplicity, gentleness, cheerfulness and many centuries ago. Next week, we will recall this to chop off his head. weeks of 1917. In fact, this was the first absolute honour he walked; from his birth until his death. I tragic event in one of the kinnot(poetic victory for the Allies in the First World War, more rejoice in every remembrance of him”. lamentations) recited on Tisha B’Av. She placed his head in her bag and, as had than three years after its commencement. For become her custom, left the Greek camp, At the end of December 1917, a few weeks after Allenby, this was a marked professional success.

In contrast, it is exciting to note that in the last 150 ostensibly to pray to G-d. She made her way taking Jerusalem, he wrote to his wife for their years, as the world technologically ‘contracts’, back to the city; Holofernes’ head was placed wedding anniversary: “21 years ago we were At the beginning of 1917, Allenby was a proud more written material has come to light. One of on the gate. The Greek army retreated in fear, father. His son and only child, Michael, had won married. Since then I have had 21 years of perfect these pieces of material is a Midrash regarding thus saving the city and her inhabitants. the Military Cross for bringing in a wounded man happiness. That happiness has been marred by Yehudit; a heroine of the Chanukah story whose from no man's land on the Somme under heavy one great sorrow, but the remembrance of role in the Chanukah story we have discussed in The recent discovery of this Midrash, in a stark fire in September 1916. Yet on 29 July 1917, Lt Michael will always be with us, and will be nothing the last two articles. Prior to the discovery of this contrast to the historical loss of texts in 1244, Horace Michael Hynman Allenby, aged 19, was but a joy. The sorrow not to have known him handwritten Midrash, the only source for the story enlarged our understanding of our Jewish heritage. tragically hit in the head by a shell splinter and would be far greater than the grief of losing him of Yehudit was the Apocrypha. for a while. For all this happiness, I thank you”. died five hours later.

“one of the most loathsome stories of the war was the Joel Brand episode”. In April 1944 the infamous Adolf Eichmann called Brand, an active Hungarian Jew, into his office and promised that he would not harm the remaining half a million Jews in Hungary if Brand would procure 10,000 trucks and other goods for the Nazis. Brand was ultimately interred by the British in Aleppo trying to collect funds to keep his part of the ‘deal’.

Many historians (including the late Sir Martin Gilbert d. 2015) believe that this 'offer' was no more than a Nazi ruse to keep Brand quiet about the fate awaiting the Jews of Hungary; sadly, he took the bait.

Although both accounts are quite similar, the Midrash fills in some useful blanks left by the Apocrypha:

How did a commander who had experienced many thousands of young soldiers dying in battle handle his own personal loss, while at the same time managing to win some of the major battles of the First World War, leading to the dismantling the Ottoman Empire and enabling the birth of several countries: Israel; Jordan; Syria; Lebanon and Iraq?

memory of Reuven ben Yehuda InInmemory of Reuven ben Yehuda Leivish Leivish

A beautiful widow, Yehudit, living in Jerusalem during the time of the Greeks, saw that the siege on Jerusalem was killing the inhabitants of the city and so she devised a plan. She made her way out of the city and as she approached a Greek guard, who asked her where she was going, she boldly stated that she needed to speak to General Holofernes. She told Holofernes that she had Woodcut carved by Johann von Armssheim come in order to avoid further bloodshed, that the (1483). Portrays a disputation between Christian situation within the walls of Jerusalem was so dire and Jewish scholars (Soncino Blaetter, Berlin, that the people were about to slaughter the cattle 1929. Jerusalem, B.M. Ansbacher Collection) and drink their blood, as they were dying of thirst.

General Allenby and his wife Adelaide 1904

Answer: Sichon and Og

A doting father, while commander of the Third Army on the Western Front, before retiring for the night Allenby used to ask the officer who took the daily casualty returns, "Have you any news of my little boy today (i.e. Michael)?" When the officer would reply, "no news sir", Allenby would go to bed, a reassured man.

4

5

In of of Miryam Frumit ben Shimon Inmemory memory Miryam Frumit ben Shimon

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6

20 JULY 2017

Parshat Matot-Masei

Rabbi Zecharia ben Avkulas was responsible for the destruction of our Temple.

Who was this Rabbi and why was such a suggestion given?

During these Three Weeks between Shivah Asar B’Tamuz and Tishah B’Av, it is common for us to study the Gemarah in Mesechet Gittin (55b), and there we find the well-known story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza: A well-known man in Jerusalem, a

Tehillim

wealthy individual, threw a party, he invited his good friend Kamtza. Unfortunately, his enemy, Bar Kamtza was invited instead.

He turfed Bar Kamtza out of his home, Bar Kamtza felt humiliated in the presence of the great leaders of that time, and so he went off to Rome and he said to Caesar, ‘the Jewish people are planning a rebellion’.

Caesar said, ‘prove it!’

He said ‘Well, if you send an animal for

Psalm 18

This week’s Tehillim is in memory of Hayeled Yaakov Moshe ben HaRav Avraham

I have to say what a pleasure it is to write this 18th edition of our Tehillim series, as 18 or ‘chai’ represents life. I hope The Jewish Weekly has truly breathed new life into your Shabbat experience the past 18 weeks!

This Psalm is the longest we have had so far, with 51 verses in total. In King David’s old age, when all his strength had left him, he could look back on a lifetime of terrible trials and tribulations, and sing yet another song to praise Hashem and thank him for saving him on so many occasions from various enemies, including of course King Saul.

He calls Hashem ‘his strength, his rock, his fortress, his rescuer and shield.’ He describes G-d as the ‘horn of his salvation,’ where strength is once again clearly defined by the horn.

In a world where it is harder than ever to constantly believe that Hashem will help us and guide us every single step of the way, it is immensely refreshing and indeed highly rewarding to step out of the modern high tech world and retreat back into the days of old through the comfort of Tehillim, the book that has long sat side by side with people

JUDAISM 21

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

who need it for so many reasons.

We see a simple faith, permeated only by a desire to follow in the footsteps of G-d, without being blinded by technology.

King David reminds us of the peril of the grave, and uses allegory to paint a beautiful picture of the astonishing defeat of so many powerful armies and generals. Geological phenomena such as the ‘roar of the earth,’ and mountains that shook the very ‘foundations of the earth,’ describe the power and might of Hashem.

Perhaps, one lesson we should take from here is that even under great duress during one’s life, and as a nation, we should always remain strong in the knowledge that as we say in the last verse of this Psalm, and in benching, that Hashem does great ‘kindness to his anointed one and to David and his offspring forever.’

To sponsor a Tehillim for £90 call 0203 906 8488 or email office@thejewishweekly.com

them to sacrifice in their Temple, they will refuse to do it’.

Caesar did just that and on route to Jerusalem, Bar Kamtza inflicted a blemish on that animal. So, the animal arrived in Jerusalem and the Kohanim wanted to sacrifice it because they said, ‘if we don’t, we’re going to offend Caesar and who knows what might follow’.

Rabbi Zecharia ben Avkulas said, ‘You cannot sacrifice this animal, it will set a precedent’. People will say, ‘ah, it’s okay to sacrifice animals with a blemish’.

And then the Rabbis suggested, ‘well, maybe we should take Bar Kamtza’s life and as a result, he won’t be able to give a report back to Caesar about what will happen’.

Rabbi Zecharia ben Avkulas said: ‘No! People will say as a result: from here we learn that anybody who offers a sacrifice with a blemish is Chayav Mitah - they deserve to be killed’.

So, as a result of his view, the animal was not sacrificed, Caesar was offended, he sent his army to Jerusalem and the rest, as they say, was all history.

Rebbe Yochanan declared: Rabbi Zecharia ben Avkulas is responsible for the destruction

of our Temple and the exile of our people.

Now, the dilemma that our people faced then is similar to many dilemmas that we faced throughout history. What do you do in tricky situations, such as this?

Rebbe Yochanan is telling us, that sometimes you can’t just focus on one specific issue, you have to see the bigger picture.

And so through the ages, our Rabbis, in a Halachik context, have learned the lessons from Rabbi Zecharia ben Avkulas. For example, there was a chance that the Oral law would be forgotten. And so, Rebbe Yehudah HaNassi decided to break with tradition, in order to write down the Oral law, because within Halacha, he saw that he had a responsibility and Halacha dictated that it was necessary for him to do this in order to preserve it.

As a result, therefore, we need to always consider the broader, long term context of what we are deciding upon and what we are doing. In that way, we will, please God, always arrive at the right decisions, for our time and for the future.

Shabbat Shalom

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IT DOCTOR

BY MORDECHAI ULLMAN An indispensible component of twenty-first century life, computers serve multiple purposes, ranging from production and presentation of edited material to storing and sharing the same. Whether in domestic or commercial settings, it is difficult to imagine a fully functional enterprise that does not benefit from a PC. Their usefulness is dependent on a large number of factors

though and the smooth running of a computer-based system is best left in the hands of computer experts. The expertise of the technician is most appreciated when it comes without delay, a feat not always possible for large companies. To this end, Zevi Silber set up his own company “IT Doctor” a short one year ago in order to offer a response service that would be effective and quick.

Zevi offers IT support to offices, often with multiple computers

working on a local network, covering the range of services they may require. “Hardware or software, we provide it all,” he explains. What are the challenges of maintaining an office network?

“Hardware theft or loss: This type of breach can occur if an employee accidentally loses or someone steals a computer or other device that contains sensitive network information.

Viruses, worms, trojan horses: Viruses, worms and trojan horses

are malicious programs that have been created to steal information or destroy a network.

Hacker attacks: Hacker attacks occur when an individual or group of individuals hacks into a computer network to steal information or damage a system.

Phishing: This type of attack is when someone tries to get sensitive information by tricking an individual or group into revealing it.

Among the expert solutions Zevi advises are, for offices, the

protection is more foolproof – “we install firewalls as protection and Cloud backup and Windows server for a regular home PC, the installation of up-to-date anti-virus software.

Back to office support, Zevi installs whichever system the client desires. Windows 10, Microsoft Office and any other software that he needed for his business.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

20 JULY 2017 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

Another service to secure computer data is back-up. While some customers prefer the time-honoured method of external back up on a hard-drive, with the cloud generation this is no longer a necessity. There are a good few options. These include Google Drive, One Drive and the likes of Dropbox, all of which are secure and enduring methods of retaining data. It is in instances when data is either intentionally or otherwise removed, that the expertise is required to recover that data.

In addition to his aim to respond to all callers within a day, Zevi offers over-the telephone support

BUSINESS 23

THE JEWISH WEEKLY too. This proves very effective as with remote access granted, the customer finds relief in a very short amount of time.

Networking means more than simply connecting computer users to one another. With more and more of today’s technological devices supporting multiple users, an effective system to allow a group use of a printer or scanner is a requirement of every commercial set up. This is another service his company offers.

The price for his on-site support is a very reasonable £50 per hour, a worthwhile investment for anybody serious about running a productive computer-dependant enterprise or seeking a solution for

home PC issues. Alternatively, as various companies have wisely chosen, there is an option of contract-based support, with full service offered offered on an ongoing business.

With the constant advances and upgrades in modern computers, clients are assured of receiving the best possible options for whatever their needs, through the reliable expertise of IT Doctor .

Transfer Values for Defined Benefit/Final Salary pensions: A once in a lifetime opportunity ?

BY MARC OVITS

BA (HONS) APFS CERT PFS (DM)

PART 2 OF 3 My last article focussed on the reasons why those people who are fortunate enough to have a defined benefit pension (final salary) are currently choosing to review these pensions.

Three primary factors were identified as driving the market.

1. Pension Freedoms.

2. The demise of private sector defined benefit provision.

3. Current high transfer values offered by defined benefit schemes.

It is estimated that transfer values have typically increased by more than 80% since the end of 2013 on the back of falling gilt yields, improved longevity and scheme investment derisking.

Over the course of this week and next, I would like to focus on the advantages and disadvantages of transferring out of a defined benefit scheme and into a defined contribution scheme. However, prior to doing this, let’s review the differences between the two schemes.

A defined benefit pension scheme is where the benefits paid out, usually in retirement, are essentially known up-front and guaranteed by the employer. The benefits will be inflation proofed and paid out in a fixed way.

A defined contribution scheme is where the ultimate benefits are unknown and not guaranteed.

However, they can be taken flexibly. The idea is to maximise the

contributions during the pre-retirement phase in order to create the largest possible pot from which income can be taken during retirement. The pot will usually be invested in financial instruments which are quoted on markets or in property – both of which are volatile, resulting in the value of the pot or the benefits not being guaranteed.

What are the key benefits of transferring out ?

1. Flexibility of benefits One of the most often quoted reasons in favour of transferring out of a defined benefit scheme is to gain the flexibility of income and access to the pension fund that a defined contribution pension scheme offers, especially through drawdown. This is clearly true, but it is not something that most people need or really want. That said, for those wanting to retire in stages over many years, having a single fixed date of retirement will not work for them and transferring is the only option to manage this later financial need. Few defined benefit schemes allow partial retirement because of the complexity it brings to their calculations. Late retirement is often an option in a defined benefit scheme but the factors may not be generous enough to make it worthwhile.

2. Tax planning Phased retirement for those still in part-time work can be a real benefit with regards to tax planning. If a pension is paid at the same time

as earning a salary this may well push the individual into a higher tax bracket, which would just mean that more tax is going to be paid overall. Having the option to take a flexible income, especially early on in partial retirement, gives the facility to take enough, but not too much income, in any one year.

3. Death benefits One of the biggest changes that came into force with the pension freedoms is the ability to use pensions for inter-generational planning. Death benefits under a defined contribution scheme can now be channelled to a wide range of beneficiaries such as dependence, nominees and successors. However, as with other pension freedoms, this is only available to those in defined contribution schemes. This flexibility is especially appealing to those without a spouse or registered civil partner because, following the member’s death, defined benefit schemes will not pay benefits to anyone else, although this is slowly changing for long-term partners.

For those without a dependent that would benefit from defined benefit scheme death benefits, it is very tempting to transfer out just to gain the enhanced options on death benefits. However, it should always be remembered that pensions are primarily designed to pay benefits in retirement and providing for the individual in their lifetime should still be the main priority. Indeed, death benefits become irrelevant if the fund has been depleted in the member’s lifetime.

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4. Those in ill health Benefits paid from defined benefit schemes make no allowance for the health or longevity of the individual or their family, which could mean in extreme circumstances - that the defined benefit scheme could be very poor value for money. Those who are approaching retirement, are in ill health, and want a secure income in retirement, may benefit from an enhanced annuity that pays more than the scheme directly if they meet certain criteria set by the annuity providers. For those with serious health conditions that are not immediately life threatening, this could be a very good option to secure a higher income.

5. Controlling their pension fund For some, the main reason to look at a transfer would be just to take control of their retirement. For example, they may feel that the company is unlikely to survive in the long term and fear their pension rights may end up in the pension protection fund (PPF). It is worth remembering that the PPF compensation Is 90% of £38,505 (£34,655) for 2017/2018 and the recent changes to the PPF Now mean that those with long service will have an increase to the cap. For many pension scheme members, leaving funds in the scheme with the risk of the PPF becoming involved, they still produce a better financial outcome then transferring the funds to a defined contribution arrangement. Taking into account these fears is easy but getting any real feel for the longevity of some firms will be very difficult. So the advice

The Writer is the owner and Managing Director of Alpha Wealth Management Limited. Drawing on over twenty years’ experience in financial services, Marc helps private clients, businesses, charities, and trusts optimize their finances. He is a Chartered Financial Planner providing ‘Independent’ financial advice. Prior to being a financial adviser, Marc was a Director at several global investment banks, providing investment advice to Europe’s leading institutional investment and pension fund managers. For advice on inheritance, investment, protection, or retirement planning, please contact Marc on 020 8203 6920 or 07866 503 898 or marc@alphawm.co.uk.

may well have to address the uncertainty in a balanced manner. If the employee’s company is struggling, then it may well be in the members’ best interests to transfer; but it will also depend on many other factors because one area of concern just cannot override everything else.

Defined benefit pensions can be complex in their nature. A sensible option is to seek advice in this area from a competent financial adviser who can guide you through the issues and options.

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20 JULY 2017

Parshat Matot-Masei Have you ever broken your promise? In this week’ s Parshah, the Torah tells us that we shouldn’t break promises. So instead of saying I promise, say ‘I hope I can’ or ‘bli neder’ which means ‘without a promise’.

There are two parshiot read this week, Matot and Masei. In Parshat Matot, Hashem commands the Jewish people to go to war against the Midianites for trying to convince the Jews to worship idols. Moshe chooses 1000 men from the 12 tribes and appoints Pinchas as one of the army leaders. The Midianites think that they will defeat the Jewish army as it’s so small, but the Jews are victorious without losing even one soldier.

After the war, Reuven and Gad ask Moshe if they and their families can settle in Help the Jewish people get to the Jordan instead of entering Israel, as they owned a lot of cattle and they noticed land of Israel ? that the land in Jordan was very fertile. They also knew Moshe wouldn’t be START buried in Israel and they wanted to remain near Moshe’s burial place.

“Will you stay here, safe and protected, while your brothers go to war to conquer the Land of Israel?” Moshe asked them, angered by their request.

When the tribes say they will gladly join their brothers in battle, Moshe agrees to let them settle there. When Moshe agrees, half of the tribe of Menashe joins the tribes of Reuven and Gad in settling the land east of the Jordan River.

In Parshat Masei, all of the 42 stops that the Jews made on their travels through the desert are listed. We then read what the borders of Israel are according to the Torah.

There is a very interesting mitzvah (which we do not fulfil nowadays) that is discussed in this Torah portion, for people living in Israel. They are commanded to build six “cities of refuge” throughout the Land of Israel. The cities served as a safe place for ISRAEL anyone who killed someone else by accident. They could run there and not be harmed.

How to make a star garland You will need

• 1 wooden peg • 1 small piece of green construction paper • 1 x A4 printable sheet of cardboard (210gsm will go through the printer) • 1 x A2 sheet of gold cardboard • 1 x star template • gold ribbon • a hole punch • scissors • lead pencil

Arts and Crafts

Method

1. Stencil around the star template onto a sheet of white cardboard.

2. Cut out each size of star and use them as templates to trace around onto the gold background.

3. Use a combination of different sized stars, and cut out as many as you can (12 is ideal).

4. Now use the hole punch to punch a hole in the tip of each star. Thread the gold ribbon through each star and hang your garland to make your room look pretty or decorate your home for a party.

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20 JULY 2017

CUT OUT & KEEP

KIDS 25

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

TO CREATE YOUR VERY OWN JEWISH WEEKLY RECIPE BOOK

Feta and spinach muffins Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

¾ cup of feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup of frozen chopped spinach, thawed 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped 3 cups self-raising flour 1 egg, lightly beaten 1¼ cups milk ½ cup better, melted 3 TBSP finely grated parmesan cheese

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to between 170°C. 2. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking oil spray and set aside.

3. Combine the feta cheese, spinach and sun-dried tomato in a large bowl.

4. Sift the self-raising flour over the mixture in the bowl and mix until well combined.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and butter.

6. Mix together the milk and flour mixture until just combined.

7. Put 1/3 cup measures of the mixture into the muffin holes.

8. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of each muffin.

9. Bake the muffins for 20 minutes, until cooked through and golden.

10. Let the muffins cool a bit before eating. Enjoy!

Did y u kn w?

Human body facts In an average person’s lifetime, they produce enough saliva to fill two swimming pools!

Your body has enough iron in it to make a nail three inches long!

Your nose can remember 50 000 different scents

We all have tiny mites living in our eyelashes

As well as having unique fingerprints, humans also have unique tongue prints.

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THE JEWISH WEEKLY

20 JULY 2017

In the dark of night

By Chaya Sandler “We’re going camping!” His parent’s gleeful announcement did not quite have the desired effect on Eitan. In response to his father’s enthusiastic, “What do you say?” Eitan gave a lukewarm smile.

“Sounds great,” he said, “and anyway I have loads of homework, better get started.”

Camping! What were they? Homeless people?

Did his parents really expect him to be thrilled at the prospect of sleeping in a large plastic bag for two weeks, on the muddy ground, wrapped in a crinkly sock, eating fish and tinned veg and hiking through cow pats every day? Please, his friends were going abroad, to hotels, to nice warms comfy beds, to grandparents and cousins who lived in exotic locations.

He was going to stay with Betsy the cow and Jessie the horse. “Yay”? More like “neigh”.

His siblings were ridiculous. Why on earth they were excited, he had absolutely no idea. What was there to look forward to? He turned to his computer game and killed a few hundred zombies, but he didn’t really feel better.

His father came in. “Eitan, you don’t seem happy with our holiday plans?” he said.

“You mean I’m not jumping for joy because I’m going to live with sheep and goats and cows in the open field?” replied Eitan. “Walking about the whole day through grass and eating tasteless fish which we have to sit in a boat doing nothing for hours to catch. Staring at the stars because I can’t fall asleep whilst the flies eat me. Whoa, I’m sorry that the evidence of my ecstasy is not apparent, excuse me whilst I run around the room whooping like a savage. I may as well get practice because I’m going to live like one in a few weeks anyway!”

Eitan’s father simply raised his eyebrows

whilst Eitan waited. Eventually his father simply replied, “I’m sorry you feel that way Eitan, but I think if you let yourself, you can have a really good time.” He flipped his son a coin. Eitan caught it, confused. “Life’s a coin Eitan,” he said, “there are two sides to every tale and it’s up to you to choose which one to look at.”

A few weeks later, the camping trip was underway. Eitan was surprised to see that the tent was actually quite spacious and to be honest, it was kind of cool to be in it … not that he would admit that. Whatever, this whole camping thing was stupid. Of that Eitan was sure. It turned out that the countryside is sort of beautiful and trekking through nature was sort of … inspiring, and the air was … fresh. And he hadn’t stepped in one cowpat yet. Eitan started to relax but then he caught himself. He was camping after all.

Lying in what was pretty good for a large plastic bag, Eitan had to concede that his “sock” wasn’t so bad after all, but it was still a sock. And however comfortable the tent may be, it was just a glorified plastic bag.

Waking up the next morning to a glorious sunrise, Eitan felt freer than he had ever before, it was humbling and refreshing to live like this, and he had not had such a good night’s sleep in a long time. But then he imagined how much better he would be feeling if he would wake up in a hotel, and his tentative smile fell into a frown.

Today they were going fishing and surprisingly, it was not boring but serene, not tedious but peaceful and dare he admit … fun? When he felt a tug on his line his heartbeat soared and THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

when they finally pulled the huge hulking monster out of the water … the record-breaking fish turned out to be a bicycle. Eitan had never laughed so hard before and when the fish he did catch was handed to him later that night, freshly cooked, he tasted the sweetness of pride and the best fish he had ever eaten. But then thoughts of restaurants

with music and tablecloths jolted him back to his senses. This was camping after all.

His “bed” lost its comfort after that. He slipped out the tent and went to look at the stars. He found his father gazing at them in awe. “Look at them Eitan. Aren’t they beautiful?” said his father. Eitan found himself nodding. His father continued, “You can look at the shining stars or at the bleak dark sky Eitan, it’s your choice. Clean the lens on your telescope and you will see new vistas more wondrous than you could ever imagine.”

Eitan stared at the ground, his cheeks raging crimson. What a fool he was being. He stammered, “It’s, it’s nice out here.”

“Yes, it is,” his father replied. Eitan sat down beside his father and father and son gazed at the sky together.

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28 YOUTH

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Matot-Masei In a Nutshell Moshe tells over the laws regarding the annulling of vows to the heads of the tribes.

They wage war against the Midianites for their role in trying to destruct the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple).

The tribes of Reuben and Gad (later joined by Menashe) want to have the lands to the east of Jordan as those lands are prime pastureland for their

cattle. Moshe is initially very angry by this request, but then he does let them settle there.

The parashah lists the 42 journeys and encampents of Israel. We receive the boundaries of the promised land and cities of refuge are designated as havens and places of exile for inadvertent murderers.

Tzelafchad’s daughters marry within their own tribe of

Menashe so that the estate they will inherit doesn’t get passed onto a different tribe.

We learn about a Mitzva of the ‘Arei Miklat’ which is a ‘city of refugee’ where people who kill people by accident go to keep them safe and secure.

Arei Miklat

The Psychology of colours Did you know your surroundings may be influencing your emotions and state of mind? Do you ever notice that certain places especially irritate you? Or that certain places are especially relaxing and calming?

Well, there’s a good chance that the colours in those spaces are playing a part.

In art therapy, colour is often associated with a person’s emotions. Colour may also influence a person’s mental or physical state.

For example, studies have shown that some people looking at the colour red resulted in an increased heart rate, which then led to additional adrenaline being pumped into the blood stream.

There are also commonly noted psychological effects of colour as it relates to two main categories: warm and cool. Warm colours – such as red, yellow and orange – can spark a variety of emotions ranging from comfort and warmth to hostility and anger. Cool colours – such as green, blue and purple – often spark feelings of calmness as well as sadness. Take a look at the image on the right for an insight into the psychology of colour.

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News Bites SURGEONS REMOVE 27 CONTACT LENSES FROM WOMAN’S EYE

Surgeons have removed 27 contact lenses from the eye of a 67-year-old woman who had come to Solihull Hospital for routine cataract surgery.

“A bluish foreign body” turned out to be a “hard mass” of 17 lenses stuck together with mucus, and 10 more were then found under further examination.

NEW £10 NOTE WILL BE RELEASED SEPTEMBER Just months after the new £5 note was revealed, the Bank of England is preparing to unveil the final design of the new £10 note which will be released into circulation in September 14, 2017.

The new £10 will feature Jane Austen, which was confirmed in

a press conference in 2013 by Bank of England Governer, Mark Carney, that it will be made of the same material as the new £5 note.

Jane Austen died in Winchester in 1817 and the note will recognise her universal appeal and enduring contribution to English literature.

Well regarded as a superfood, they can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen, from salads to sandwiches and everything inbetween.

They can be a little dangerous too if you don’t take care when preparing them.

So you’d think that avocado is not to be played with, but Irish artist Jan Campbell isn’t paying any attention to that.

She’s the woman behind the incredible Avocado Stone Faces page , which is dedicated to her genuinely astonishing carvings of fruit’s internal seed. After deciding that the stone was essentially blank canvas with “a lot of potential” on

It’s an extremely rare phenomenon which is thought to have happened only a handful of times in the world.

which to show off her amazing talent, Campbell has set about creating a series of remarkable mythical-like creature carvings.

Jan said: ‘It felt like a shame to just throw it into the compost.

Dear Uncle Joey

KEEP CALM AND ASK

AGONY AUNT MIA AND AGONY UNCLE JOEY

The Jewish Weekly’s Teen Agony Aunt and Agony Uncle are here to help with all your questions, problems and difficulties. Just write your letter to agonyaunt@thejewishweekly.com or agonyuncle@thejewishweekly.com Disclaimer: All letters that are published may be edited. All letters are kept confidential and names can be changed for confidentiality upon request.

We were really surprised that the patient didn’t notice it because it would cause quite a lot of irritation while it was sitting there.”

The case report said the patient had poorer vision in her right eye and deep-set eyes, which may have been a factor in the lenses becoming lost.

ARTIST CREATES JAW-DROPPING DETAILED CARVINGS OF MINIATURE PEOPLE...FROM AVOCADO STONES

GOLDEN RETRIEVER BORN MINT GREEN IN A RARE BIRTH PHENOMENON

Golden and black retrievers are both fairly common, but green versions of the breed come few and far between.

Three-year-old Rio became the proud mother of nine puppies last week, but owner Louise Sutherland was shocked to see one come into the world with a mint green hue.

The unusual coat colour was caused by a bile pigment called biliverdin that is found in the placenta of dogs.

The substance can stain the puppy’s fur when it mixes with the mother’s amniotic fluid.

A report in the BMJ said she had worn disposable lenses for 35 years, and had not complained of any irritation.

But after they were removed, she said her eyes felt a lot more comfortable.

Trainee in ophthalmology Rupal told Optometry Today: “None of us have ever seen this before.

My family have booked to go to Israel this summer, but the problem is I’m petrified of flying! Instead of being excited I’m just very anxious and can’t stop thinking about the flight. I’ve had this phobia for as long as I can remember and it really gets in the way of me being able to travel, please help!

Michael.

Dear Michael, This is a fear I can relate to as most of my life I had an extreme phobia of flying too. I would also avoid travelling at all costs and the odd times I would have to fly I would hold onto my seat and shake and sweat. I’m so glad to say that this phobia changed in the last three years, as due to having family spread out around the world I decided I must try to overcome this. People suggested taking something to calm me down such as rescue remedy, but nothing seemed to help so I ended up going to a hypnotherapist. The hypnotherapy made me

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After deliberating over it for a few minutes, I wiped the stone clean and put it into the pocket of my raincoat,’

change the way I thought when I was on a plane, and I got a copy of the therapy CD for me to listen to on the flight.

Another thing to try is CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), which I know has helped many people.

Take along lots of things for the flight to keep you distracted, such as puzzles or a film, as these release dopamine in the brain and allow us to be more focused on the task at hand. Speak to your parents about it and hopefully they will support you to be able to work out a solution together.

Wishing you lots of luck for the flight, I really know how stressful it can be! And don’t forget to say Tefillat Haderech (The traveller’s prayer which can be found in a siddur) which is your real protection!

Agony Uncle Joey.

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W ED

NG

30 YOUTH

BBB B B THEPIMECTURE B B B B

DI

RLILG

Q) What do you call a deer with no eyes?

A) No eye deer.

Q) What did the chicken say when it got to the library?

MIND MATTER

START

A) “Book book book book book book book...”

(Answers at the bottom of page upside down)

Q) Why did Mickey Mouse go to space?

A) To visit Pluto.

1. What starts with E, ends with E, and has only 1 letter in it?

A man got hit in the head with a can of Coke, but he was alright because it was a soft drink.

Envelope

1.

3.

11 o’clock plus 2 hours = 1 o’clock 9 o’clock plus 5 hours = 2 o’clock

1.Wedding Ring 2.Put me in the picture 3.A swarm of bees 4. Mixed Grill 5. Mind over matter 6.Start from the bottom

Dingbats Answers THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

2.

The letter S.

3. If eleven plus two equals one, what does nine plus five equal?

2.I am the beginning of sorrow, and the end of sickness.

You cannot express happiness without me, yet I am in the midst of crosses. I am always in risk, yet never in danger. You may find me in the sun, but I am never out of darkness.

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Thunderstruck!

part 1 of 3

BY CHAYA SANDLER The shadows shifted and a figure emerged, sneaking across the rooftop. Stealthily, like a streak of lightening, only far more subtle, the thief jumped from rooftop to rooftop until he reached his destination. Working with deft fingers, he picked the lock and eased the skylight open. Dropping without a sound onto the muffling carpet, he melted into the shadows.

“Very imaginative Yonatan, well written.”

Yonatan smiled as he received his story back. A - not bad. He shoved it into his schoolbag on his way out the classroom and fell into step with his friends. ……………………………………

The alarm clock rudely shattered his slumber and Yonatan fumbled around, finally knocking it onto the floor and restoring silence into his life. “Ah…..agghh!” An icy chill crept up Yonatan’s legs as little Miriam pulled off his covers, giggling wildly.

“Mammy said you have to wake up.” With that, she stuck her thumb into her mouth and grinned expectantly.

“What are you waiting for?”

“She said I could tickle you if you don’t listen to me.” That was all he needed, he was dressed four minutes later and just made it into the car as his father drove off to the morning minyan.

Yosef and Avi were waiting and he hurried to meet them.

“Sorry, my little sis spilt her cereal all over my shirt.”

“OK, we were about to leave without you.”

“Thanks for waiting.”

“Nah, we were doing it for the story, plus it would be cool to see Mrs Adler’s face when her star pupil rocks up late.” Yosef grinned and elbowed Yonatan.

Avi elbowed his other side, “Yeah, we’re almost sorry you made it, I’d have liked to

have seen that.”

“Ha, ha, well if we don’t hurry you’ll get to see her for a long time tonight when we all get detention,” replied Yonatan.

“Point taken,” said Avi and the threesome quickened their pace until they picked up Shimon calling, “Hey, Greenberg!”

Shimon nodded. “What took you so long?” he said.

“Yonatan had a little fashion emergency,” smirked Avi. “We think Shakespeare really just wanted to keep us in suspense.”

“So nu? What happened?”

Every day, Yonatan told the gang another chapter of a story. An active imagination and the gift of the gab gave him the ability to spin a tale like none other and the guys loved it. So did Mrs Adler, which is why Yonatan could do no wrong in her eyes. Many times the class had relied on Yonatan’s smooth tongue and sharp mind to exonerate them and even their principle found him hard to argue with. How many times had his mother blessed Hashem, when the promise of one of Yonatan’s tales broke up a fight or calmed hysterics? As for Yonatan, the master of the web, he was the word master, commanding the words to dance at will for the sparkle in his listener’s eyes. He drew the listeners in and spun threads of tales around them, making them see what he wanted to, think how he wanted them to, drinking in their praise, basking in the admiration of their eyes.

“Oh no!” The story came to an abrupt pause as Yonatan smacked his head.

“What?” Almost dazed, the boys demanded an explanation for the interruption.

“I left my Geography essay at home.”

Understanding dawned in their eyes.

“Whoa, Mr Snider is going to hang, draw and quarter you.”

“I know…” Yonatan raked his fingers

through his dark wild curls, “I’ll run home and get it.”

“Are you mad?!” His friends looked at him aghast, “It’s almost 8:45 - you’ll never make it!”

“I’ll go in lunch, it’s worth the risk. Old Snider will have no mercy on me if I forget his homework,” said Yonatan “Well it’s your funeral,” replied his friends.

When the bell rang for lunch Yosef looked meaningfully at Yonatan and Shimon looked him up and down. “Sure you want to do this?” asked Shimon. Yonatan nodded back and Avi waved him over.

“I’ll distract Rabbi Goldberg for you,” said Avi. “ But are you sure? It’s pouring! And those clouds look pretty nasty, a storm’s about to break.”

“I’ll be fine,” said Yonatan and he placed his feet onto the fence and hoisted himself up. Climbing quickly, he paused at the top just long enough to see Avi practically falling at Rabbi Goldberg’s feet crying, “But maybe I’m dying, cough, cough, I can’t breathe, save me!”

“And he calls me overdramatic!” thought Yonatan to himself and grinning, he jumped down and raced along the rivers that had once been streets. The clouds were getting darker and darker. By the time he reached his house, he was so drenched the keys slipped out of his fingers and he fumbled with the lock for what seemed like eternity. Finally it opened and he stumbled into the house, taking the stairs two at a time. He sprinted into his room and knocked everything off his desk as he scrambled madly for his essay.

“Where is it? Where is it? Come on Hashem,

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please … thank You, thank You, thank You Hashem!”

Uh oh, the unmistakable roar of thunder sounded, a ton of bricks smashing to the ground. He hoped it was far away, he had to make it back to school now, he didn’t have time to wait. He skidded down the garden path and slammed into the gate, grazing his knee. His trousers were ripped, he was sure of that, but he had no time to stop. The water splashed all the way up to his thighs as he hurtled through the streets, slipping and sliding on the treacherous pavements. Thunder sounded again and again, louder and louder, but h e couldn’t stop. Streaks of lightening flashed in his periphery but he had no time to pause. Faster and faster he ran and brighter and brighter the bolts became.

There were explosions of light, the thunder was deafening him and the rain was coming down so hard it stung, but he must not slow, he must not slow. He ran and ran.

Suddenly a flash blinded him, exploding in all its glory around him. Pain sizzled through his body as electricity coursed through him, surging and raging inside him. The awesome crash of a thousand heavenly screams split the air, filling his mind until the sound was all he could feel, all he could perceive apart from the energy streaking through him, seeping out and draining all of his consciousness with it.

Yonatan fell to the ground in a dead faint as the last lightning bolt of the storm ended TO BE CONTINUED ... in him.

32 WOMEN

W oman of W orth ‫ֵֽא ׁ ֶשת ַֽחיִ ל ִמי יִ ְמ ָצא‬ Audrey Angel first started volunteering, helping those with Alzheimers and dementia, when she saw an advert in a Jewish newspaper over twenty years ago. She explained, “The advert was looking for volunteers for a new centre that was opening in the Essex area. I had a bit more time on my hands after retiring, so I thought I would give it a try”. After receiving her training, she started by helping at the Vi and John Rubens House, a residential care home based in Gants Hill in Essex.

She now works at the Dennis Centre located next door which is a day-centre for people living with memory impairment or those diagnosed with a form of dementia. The centre offers care for up to twenty-five people each day and the staff at the centre work closely with the volunteers to provide a warm, friendly and supportive atmosphere for those that attend. Audrey helps out at the centre every Tuesday, and she is there to welcome the clients to

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the centre. She also helps them with all sorts of activities from arts and crafts to board games.

Audrey can often be found playing kalooki with some of the members, which they all really enjoy. Due to their condition, it can sometimes be a challenging or difficult environment to be in, but Audrey enjoys being able to help people, and is patient and considerate with the members.

Zoe McGurrel, Manager of the Dennis Centre very much values Audrey’s contribution and help.

She commented that, “Audrey is a longstanding volunteer who is here every week to help no matter what. She has seen a lot of changes over the years that she has been at the centre.

Audrey is always happy to help out, and is a great card player, and many of the members enjoy playing cards with her.”

Audrey has also previously been involved in the mealson-wheels service run by Jewish Care which relies on volunteers to deliver hot meals

AUDREY ANGEL

to the elderly within the Essex community. Many of the recipients are housebound, so the service not only allows them to have healthy and nutritious kosher meals, but also a chance to see a friendly face and have a chat. Audrey explains, “I really enjoyed meeting new people, and listening to their stories and getting to know more about their lives. For some, they may not have many visitors so I always took the time to see how they were”.

For many years, Audrey, along with her husband Irvin, have also been actively involved with their synagogue in a variety of roles. The couple have been members of the Woodford Forest United Synagogue (formerly Wanstead and Woodford United Synagogue) since they got married over fifty years ago and have both previously served on the Board of Management. Irvin was the representative for the Board of Deputies, and would regularly

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attend council meetings on behalf of the synagogue. He was also responsible for producing the shul calendar, and up until last year was also the Shammas at the shul as well. Audrey has also been on the Ladies Guild, helping to organise events for the community. It is not surprising that through their own involvement with the synagogue some of this seems to have rubbed off on their daughter, Lynn, who now works as the administrator at the synagogue.

Being able to help others is something that Audrey thinks is very important, which is why she has been volunteering for so long. For her it is very enjoyable and is a way of giving back to her community. She would actively encourage anyone who is thinking about possibly

volunteering to give it a go. She said, “If you are thinking that it might be something that you want to do, then why not get in touch with a charity, go along and see what it is like? For me, helping out is something I find very rewarding. It also keeps me active, and is a great way to meet new people, and be involved in the community”.

If you would like to nominate a ‘Woman Of Worth’ to be featured on this page then please email micaela@thejewishweekly.com

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MALKI ZILBERMAN – MINIMI SHOES Malki Zilberman has been running her shoe company, Minimi, for the past year and recently launched her first shop in Edgware. Since opening at the start of July business has been booming and many of her regular customers have already come in to pay her a visit.

As a mother of five children Malki understands that shoe shopping can often be tricky, so she tries to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for both parent and children and the shop has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere complete with toys and games to keep young children occupied. Minimi, on the site of what was previously Koshernet on Hale Lane, has a wide range of children’s and women’s shoes suitable for every occasion, from school shoes to party and wedding shoes, as well as Shabbat shoes too, and everything in between.

She spends a lot of time choosing the stock that she supplies and only stocks top brands of high quality, such as Venetini, Ricosta, Geox, Primigi and many more.

For Malki, helping the customer is key to everything that she does and all of her regular customers have her mobile number and

Malki in her new shop

know that they can contact her at any time if necessary. Prior to having the shop she worked out of her home in Edgware and people would often call or turn up at all hours in need of shoes. She said, “I had one mother call me at seven o’clock one morning, as one of her children had broken their school shoes and they needed some that day. I was happy to help, and she was able to get a new pair of shoes and still be in time to drop them at school without too much hassle.

When it comes to the business, me and the customer are one. There is no difference, and I am happy to do whatever I can to help my customers”.

Her customers obviously appreciate the level of service she offers as they keep coming back. Many of them travel from Leeds, Manchester or Gateshead to get shoes from Malki. Through the Minimi

Facebook and Instagram pages she has also received interest from further afield in America Australia, and all over Europe and she is always happy to send out shoes to anywhere around the world.

As Malki has so many regular clients she has set up the Minimi loyalty card system, where customers receive a stamp every time they buy a pair of shoes and after 10 stamps they receive 50% off all full-priced shoes. For many clients with numerous children they manage to amass a significant amount of stamps quite quickly.

Her husband, Mendy, also helps her out with the shop and has been very supportive in helping her establish the business. He took care of much of the work go- ing on in the shop, sorted out the signage and has been instrumental in getting the shop ready for the launch.

Malki declared that, “without him there would not be a business. He is as much of this as I am, and I am really grateful for all his support” When it comes to buying baby’s first shoes, Malki believes that there is no rush to put them in shoes straight away. She explained, “For me, a child has to be walking for at least four weeks before I will consider fitting them for shoes and the shoes have to be supportive and comfortable for each child.” As a certified shoe fitter she knows exactly what is right for each child and suggests that the child wears the shoes home from the shop so that they can get used to them. In Malki’s words, “They need to feel

Malki with her mother, Sara z’l

comfortable in them and be happy wearing them.”

Malki also has some good advice for those starting school. She says, “Try to imagine your children running and jumping around at school and make sure you buy shoes that are supportive and tough enough to do this. The shoes have to be a b l e to hold their foot well, so that they don’t hurt their feet.”

Malki believes that her mother, Sara, is helping her from above as she was always very supportive of Malki’s business. When she first started Minimi her mother would help her out and was always involved in helping her with choosing stock, serving customers and enjoyed being part of it. “She was a real lady with the best taste and all the customers used to really appreciate her opinion and advice,” Malki says. Unfortunately, her mother was diagnosed with brain cancer last August and passed away in October, which was truly devastating for Malki and her family. She said, “It has been the hardest thing to get over and whilst I am happy I have the shop, it makes me so sad that my mother never

got to see it.” When she first opened the shop, the first thing she bought was a tzedakah box - the biggest she could find, ordered for overnight delivery from Israel - and every morning she puts money into the box in honour of her mother. Even the builders working at the shop donated something to tzedakah in her mother’s honour and Malki plans to use the money from this to help give shoes to children of needy families in the area in memory of Sara bat Zlata.

If you would like to find out more about the wide range of shoes available at Minimi, please check out the Facebook page – minimishoes and on Instagram - minimi_malki Minimi Shoes would like to offer Jewish Weekly readers a special £5 discount on the wide range of school shoes available at the shop. This offer runs until end of August. Please quote Jewish Weekly when making your purchase.

Do you know anyone who specialises in an area of female expertise and would like to be featured on this page? Let us know by emailing micaela@thejewishweekly.com

Tips and tricks - Travel

Jewish Weekly aims to source the most genius, time saving and useful hacks for you every week, so watch this space!

Ice cube trays are super handy for all sorts of things, not just ice. Check these out…

•

Chocolate covered strawberries are yummy and can be messy to make, but not with an ice cube tray. Simply fill an ice tray 2/3 with melted chocolate and then put the strawberry in upright with the leaves still on. Put them in the freezer for an hour or until they are set.

•

If you want to make your smoothie cool but don’t want to water it down, instead of using ice to cool it down, freeze berries into cubes instead and use them instead of ice when the weather is hot.

•

If you have bought fresh herbs, but don’t need them all, why not freeze them? Put them in an ice cube tray and drizzle with olive oil, then pop out one or two when cooking, and they will melt right into the pan.

•

If you have bought fresh herbs, but don’t need them all, why not freeze them? Put them in an ice cube tray and drizzle with olive oil, then pop out one or two when cooking, and they will melt right into the pan.

If you have any questions or there is something you want to feedback on, please contact us on office@thejewishweekly.com. Your question might be someone else’s solution!

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34 WOMEN

20 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Happy Travels FICTION

BY MICAELA BLITZ When the phone rings in darkness, I wake with a start.

“Hello” I say sleepily.

“Come on, I’m outside. You coming down?”

“Uh, um, yeah. Give me five minutes. My alarm didn’t go off.”

I run around like a crazy thing getting ready in super quick time.

“Don’t say a word”, I say to Talya as I get in the cab. “I think the batteries on my alarm clock ran out.”

“Ha ha don’t worry, I won’t tell Jena,” she says and laughs.

When we arrive at the airport Jena is already there, of course. She subtly looks at her watch, but doesn’t say anything. We are about 15 minutes late, but the airport is pretty empty so we should be ok.

We queue up behind the El Al desk waiting to be called over for endless questioning about, “Why we you going to Israel? Who do you know? Do you speak Hebrew?”

Once we finally get through the interrogation and the rest of the security checks, Talya insists we go to get a coffee. She is a bit of a caffeine fiend and to have been awake this long without a coffee inside her is pretty much unheard of. She makes up for it by ordering a double espresso to go. I am not a big coffee drinker myself so that much caffeine would probably kill me, but Talya has knocked back the espresso before the barista has even given her the cappuccino.

Jena is much more of a health freak and just has a smoothie and a bottle of water. She is super picky about what she eats as she is usually on

some sort of diet or other.

The flight goes quickly, probably because I sleep most of the way. I am one of those people who can fall asleep just about anywhere. I open my eyes as the sun streams in and we start to descend into Ben Gurion airport. Shoshi is waiting for us at the arrivals with a sign that says ‘Best Friends of the Bride’, which makes us laugh. We all hug, scream a little bit with excitement, then we hug again. Despite the fact that she has not slept in the past three days from a mixture of excitement and stress, Shoshi is glowing. I guess that is what love does to you.

As we come out of the airport the heat just hits us, but in a good way.

It is nice to feel some sun on my face after the lukewarm weather we have had at home.

W e load up her hire car with all

younger and the funny things we used to get up to at school. We reminisce throughout our dinner, only stopping to decide on what to eat and order some more drinks.

Tears of laughter become tears of emotion as we think about how our lives are changing. Jena is married, Shoshi is next, so it only leaves me and Talya. The married and soonto-be-married ones assure us that it will all be ok and that we will meet someone when the time is right for us to do so.

I know they are right, but I have heard it so many times before from my mother, my grandmother and other friends and family. I know that they are looking out for me, and that I am still young enough and shouldn’t rush into anything, blah, blah, blah, but it would be nice to know when

of our bags and suitcases and head to the hotel. As soon as we check in Shoshi gets a call and she rushes off again. She apologises and promises she will see us later for dinner.

We all meet up in the evening for Shoshi’s last meal as a single woman. She has had to drive all over Jerusalem collecting and dropping things off and is happy for a chance to just hang out with us and not worry too much about anything.

After all, what’s done is done and as we assure her, everything will be perfect tomorrow!

At dinner we laugh about stories from when we were all much

things might happen. When we visited the Kotel earlier, I scribbled a little prayer onto a piece of paper and squeezed it into an available space in the already overstuffed wall feeling hopeful.

As dessert is served Jena suddenly says, “I know this is Shoshi’s special occasion, but I have something to tell you, and I can’t keep it in any more. I’m having a baby, isn’t that great?”

We all look at her and scream and cry and hug her. The people in the restaurant must think we are crazy, but we don’t care. It is such great news that we can’t help but celebrate.

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PART 2 OF 2 The next day is the day of the wedding. 5pm the weather is a little cooler, well for Israel. As Shoshi walks down the aisle towards the chuppah, towards Rafi and the start of their life together, she looks beautiful, and radiant. Her mother and Rafi’s mother walk on each side of her and she almost looks like she is floating as she goes by. Talya grabs my hand and Jena puts her arm around me and gives me a hanky. We all have tears in our eyes, tears of happiness for our friend. I whisper to them both, “Thank goodness for waterproof mascara,” and we all laugh.

The wedding celebrations are amazing. So much dancing and jumping around. It was so much fun and so great to be with my best friends. As I stand by the bar getting a drink to cool down at the end of the night, Shoshi comes over to me. “I still can’t quite believe it Michelle, I am married, can you believe it? I just want you to know that I had a little word with Hashem about you whilst I was under the chuppah that you will meet someone soon who makes you as happy as I am”.

“Thanks Shoshi,” I say, “I hope that He heard you”. Shoshi waves to a guy standing with Rafi that I don’t recognise. “That’s Rafi’s cousin, Simon. I think he is single, you know!” She suddenly disappears from my side and is over the other side of the room with Rafi and Simon before I can even say anything – she is super-fast even in a wedding dress and heels!

We are so tired the next morning that we sleep through breakfast

and only wake up when Talya’s phone rings. It is probably something about work – the poor girl works way too hard. Suddenly Jena springs into action, grabbing her spreadsheet and sounding like the nursery teacher she is.

“Girls, hurry up, we have to get our stuff together, the taxi is going to be here in about half an hour to take us to the bus station”.

We run around trying to pack up our stuff super quick, making sure we don’t leave anything behind.

Shoshi comes to say goodbye to us in reception and gives us all a big hug. “Thank you all so much for coming. I can’t believe that it is all over now”, she says looking a little disappointed. “Shoshi, this is only the beginning”, Jena says giving her a kiss goodbye.

As the bus pulls away from the station, my phone beeps. It is a text from Shoshi – ‘I didn’t want to say in front of everyone just now, but I spoke to Simon about you last night, and he would really like to meet up with you when you get back. Is it ok if I set you up? Happy travels, love Shoshi xxx,’ followed by her usual array of random emojis!!!

THE END

36 PARENTING

Q&A WITH JUDITH

Q

I went out the front door to put out the rubbish early in the morning and heard a noise in the bicycle shed. On investigation I discovered my son crouching behind his bike wearing tefillin with a textbook open on his lap! He was supposed to be in school davening shachrit. What should I do?

Well I imagine you both got a shock and at the time neither of you knew what to do or how to react! Whatever your reactions were they were probably knee-jerk, so don’t worry too much about those.

It’s more important now to focus on WHY this happened, the background story. You can then focus on using this incident as a springboard not only to avoiding this kind of behaviour, but also as an opportunity to peer into a window of your son’s life and current thoughts and feelings. Then we can together unpack all this and plan a different track of YOUR behaviour in order to bring about a better understanding between you and alternative behaviours in him.

Let’s look at the cameo you were presented with: He was in the bicycle shed – so he probably intended going to shachrit in school as it was still early and then became overwhelmed that he had a test coming up and maybe he should just stay put (and

A

20 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

not be discovered) and he would just use that time to revise and go into school a little late.

He was wearing Tefillin – well, he certainly was not avoiding his religious obligations. This shows that this was not a premeditated act to avoid davening; at that point the need to do well and the stress of coping with everything overcame him and he made that judgement decision that he could do everything in one place by davening and revising simultaneously!

And who would know?

And just then you decided to put out the rubbish and discovered him – a rabbit caught in the headlights.

What a shock for both of you.

And what might have been going through both your minds in that snap instant?

You: Oh no! I thought my son was in school. Why is he deceiving me? How can he wear tefillin in such a disrespectful way? Has he done this before? Is he deceiving me on other ways?

Son: Oh no! What on earth is Mum doing outside at this hour of the morning! I really thought this was a good idea. I never thought I would be caught! She probably now thinks I never go to shacharit.

She probably thinks I am neurotic about my test results and prioritise this over getting into school on time. She probably now thinks of me as a rebel!

I do hope that once you both got over this initial shock you sat down at some stage soon after this incident and talked it through. It could be, as often happens with the parent-teen relationship (sadly – due to lack of understanding on the part of the parent) that actually you weren’t able to discuss this.

So let’s try and throw some light on it.

Teenagers make errors of judgement. It’s part of the teen “job description”. Teens make erroneous decisions because they do not yet

have the full cognitive capacity to see things through and spot the errors in strategic decisions. In the heat of the moment, their decision-making can be overly influenced by emotions, because their brains rely more on the limbic system (the emotional seat of the brain) than the more rational prefrontal cortex. So in this situation your son was probably driven by the stress and anxiety of the need to do well in an upcoming test overwhelming the immediate need to daven in a minyan.

Was this a good

decision? In your eyes no, but in his eyes, at that moment, test results had priority over getting to school on time to daven – and in any event he was not avoiding davening, he thought he could get a hole-in-one! Strategically was this a good decision?

In his eyes, of course it was. His ability to see the bigger picture of getting to school on time was just not present; his pre-frontal cortex that deals with strategy (and other matters too) is just not fully

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

Parenting expert Mrs Judith Nemeth, Founder and Director of AlPiDarko Ltd, will be sharing some significant questions recently posed to her and in the answers you will acquire some excellent tools to parent your teen successfully.

For more information about parenting courses and counselling in London, Gateshead and Zurich email

alpidarkohelp@gmail.com

developed. So he is not rejecting time-keeping and the Jewish way of life – he’s fighting for academic success which at the moment is his immediate need.

A very interesting study was carried out in Yeshiva University about 15 years ago. The common tendency of middle adolescents to

tune out of religion emotionally even though they may still (hopefully) go through the motions, was the catalyst of researchers to find out if this was indeed a teen rite of passage or an indicator of religious disaffection.

The outcomes of this research showed that many adolescents do indeed go through a period of spiritual dissonance during mid-adolescence normally starting within one year after Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Interestingly, we know that this is the time when they have the responsibility of doing mitzvot on their own bat. Whilst that is the challenge, that is also the cure. Although teens may seem to carry out religious obligations with less religious fervour than we would like, it is the regularity and need to conform at this stage, just when they do not feel such a connection to the One Above, that keeps them going until…….late teens when often spiritual passion returns with

a vengeance. It is almost a rite of passage – just like toddlers need to crawl before they walk (although not all of them do), teens can often show disaffections with all matters religious in order for them to discover this for themselves a bit later on.

Our role as parents during this stage is to keep boundaries but display understanding; remain the adult and not be drawn into copycat teen behaviour; role model the joy and commitment of religious living whilst remaining non-judgemental.

So, in the clear light of day and now knowing what we do about adolescence, what are the elements of an appropriate response? Any or all of the following: • You honoured your obligation of Tefillin even though you were stressed • I respect your will to do well in your schoolwork • Can I help you organise your schoolwork so it doesn’t overtake other things in your life?

• What can I do to support you during exams?

No criticism. No punishment. No cross-examination. No massive inquest. No family discussion.

Right now your son needs your understanding, patience, time, trust and love. Flexing those characteristics in your parenting now will not only give you a smoother passage accompanying your child through his teens but will result in a stronger, respectful and more loving relationship right into adulthood.

For more information about parenting teens - and for a FREE CARD on recognising the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of your teen, email alpidarkohelp@gmail.com

20 JULY 2017

TRAVEL 37

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Lincoln - Medieval Jewish heritage

By MARCEL MANSON Tel: 020 8954 5074 www.jewishheritagetours.co.uk A Division of West End Travel Email: marcel.manson@westendtravel.co.uk

CONTINUING HIS FORTNIGHTLY COLUMN, MARCEL MANSON, OF JEWISH HERITAGE TOURS AND WEST END TRAVEL, TAKES US ON A TOUR OF LINCOLN. JTrails, set up in 2005, was the brainchild of historian, lecturer and author Marcus Roberts, an expert in the field of Anglo-Jewish heritage.

In 2013 J Trails became an independent registered heritage charity and they have expanded their work to include Jewish heritage sites in Europe as well as Holocaust research and the creation of Holocaust trails ‘in sight of England’ at places like Alderney and Jersey.

Involved in the study of Anglo-Jewish heritage for the past two decades, Marcus has conducted intensive research into more than 30 Jewish communities across the UK. A member of the Council for the Jewish Historical Society of England, he has documented a large number of Jewish heritage trails and personally led many visitors on such trails, starting with the Oxford trail in 1990.

In its heyday, in the late 12th century, Lincoln was second only to London in importance in both financial and population terms. It remained a prominent Jewish centre right up to the General Expulsion of the Jews in 1290 and had some notable scholars. Jews subsequently re-settled the City in very small numbers from the 18th century onwards and a new Jewish congregation was finally re-founded in 1992.

The medieval Jewish heritage and history in Lincoln has remained unusually visible throughout the subsequent history of the

city. This is in terms of its surviving former Jews’ stone houses and the popular memory of some its most prominent Jewish personalities, such as Aaron of Lincoln. Lincoln is sadly remembered for its more tragic events such as the infamous blood libel of ‘Little Hugh’ (popularly supposed to be a saint, but erroneously so, because he was never canonized).

Unfortunately, the Jewish heritage of Lincoln, while remembered, has been largely and selectively filtered through historical prejudices and stereotypes about Jews and never determined by the Jewish community itself. This has meant that even up to the present day, this ‘version’ of Jewish history, while entirely vivid, offers little more than a gross caricature of the Jewish history and heritage of Lincoln, focussing primarily on Jewish

‘usurers’ and false allegations of child sacrifice. The ‘notoriety’ of Aaron of Lincoln, as the archetypal ‘Jewish money-lender’, and the allegations of child-sacrifice (the ‘Blood Libel’), when repeated uncritically, unwittingly plays to, and even promotes prejudices and stereotypes about Jews, albeit in the context of medieval Anglo-Jewish history.

Still today tour guides visiting the city can still be heard referring to the events of the Blood Libel as if fact and talking about ‘greedy’ Jewish money-lenders. Also, various traditional and blood-curdling ballads about the false ‘martyrdom’ of Little Hugh of Lincoln are still sung with gusto and conviction in too many folk-clubs across the country.

The identification of the very significant remains of Jewish buildings, such as the ‘Jew’s House’ or the ‘Jews’ Court’ can also be seen as unhelpful, as the Jews’ Court was used to promote the story of the Blood Libel into the 20th century, and the existence of ‘Jews’’ houses can reinforce the idea of the ‘difference’ and ‘separateness’ of Jews that was a foundation of

traditional Christian anti-Semitism.

The Jewish history of Lincoln is far richer and more interesting than just these more sensational and distorted presentations of its Jewish history. It is important to note, for example, that historical tradition states that much of Lincoln Cathedral was rebuilt after a 12th Century earthquake, with money provided by Aaron of Lincoln and that the Jewish heritage of Lincoln is more than the ‘Jews’’ houses. It is vital that the actual facts of Jewish life and history in Lincoln are accurately presented and that our understanding and interpretation of Jewish history and heritage in Lincoln is brought into the 21st century. It is also important that the current Jewish community continues to play a role in shaping the presentation of its own history and in challenging misconceptions so that this heritage escapes from the gravitation pull of former prejudices and rejoins the mainstream of the City’s history.

Lincoln has perhaps the greatest number of of surviving medieval Jewish historical sites in the country, apart from other numerous historical attractions. There still

exists on Steep Hill and the Strait, sites of synagogues and buildings linked to the historical Jewish community. Generally tours start with the magnificent Cathedral where there are many features to see including the awful blood libels that have plagued our history throughout Christian Europe. You will also discover though on these guided walks many positive and creative aspects of the relationship between Christians and Jews You can join Marcus Roberts at 1pm on Sunday 03 & 10 September outside Lincoln cathedral for an afternoon tour concentrating on the Jewish history of Lincoln. You will be captivated by the tour and if the drive is too much for one day then the Castle Hotel has been recommended as a stopover for the night.

The charge for the afternoon is £12 per person but please let me know if you are coming so we have a rough idea of the numbers as tours are limited to 30 - Contact Marcel Manson on 0208 9545074 or by e-mail marcel@jewishheritagetours.co.uk

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38 NUTRITION

20 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

How Much Does It Really Help?

BY ALAN FREISHTAT Depression and anxiety have become widespread in today’s society. As a matter of fact, anxiety is now the most common mental illness in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it affects 40 million adults in the United States aged 18 and older, or 18% of the population. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering receive treatment. And anxiety costs the U.S. more than $42 billion a year, almost one-third of the country’s $148 billion total mental-health bill. People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry,

as always seeing the glass as half empty.

As we said, many people have both anxiety and depression. This was the case with Dudi, a fortyone-year-old who moved to Israel at age thirty-five. He had given up a steady job to come to Israel and was having a very hard time adjusting to new realities. Although he was somewhat comfortable financially, he was worried about a long term lack of income and his adjustment to a new culture was also difficult. In addition, his day lacked structure. Couple all this with the problems that the rest of his family was having during this adjustment period and the result was that Dudi was indeed suffering from both depression and anxiety.

Dudi’s physician sent him to a psychiatrist to get an evaluation and diagnosis. The doctor told him he had Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and PDD. Dudi wanted to be completely cured and wasn’t looking for quick fixr"sb es or band-aids. He made it clear to the psychiatrist that he was willing to work hard to get out of his funk. It was recommended that Dudi go on two medications and seek a good and businesses cognitive behavioral psychologist and the psychiatrist assured him that with the right kind of work, he could probably get off the meds. He was worried because some of the common side effects include fatigue, nausea, agitation, drowsiness, weight gain, diarrhea, insomnia, nervousness, headaches, dry mouth, increased sweating, and much, much more.

Dudi began and was compliant both with his weekly visits to his therapist as well as 00542 taking his medications. Although after a month there some points of improvement, he was feeling some side effects, including weight gain from the meds and there still seemed to

personality, and life events. It is also very common for those who suffer from anxiety to also suffer from some form of depression.

Depression can occur as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This means that someone has at least five symptoms of depression for a two week period. An episode is disabling and will interfere with the ability to work, study, eat, and sleep. MDD episodes may occur once or twice in a lifetime, or they may recur frequently. Depression can also happen as Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD). It is a form of depression that usually continues for at least two years. Although it is less severe than MDD, it involves the same symptoms, mainly low energy, poor appetite or overeating, and insomnia or oversleeping. It can manifest as stress, irritability, and mild anhedonia, which is the inability to derive pleasure from most activities. People with PDD might be thought of

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be a constant low-level depression.

Dudi is unfortunately typical in his reaction to treatment. Improvement? Yes! Cured? No. Dr. Martin Seligman, the founder of the Positive Psychology movement and former president of the American Psychological Association, says that combined research shows beyond a doubt that both medication and clinical psychology in its typical form don’t cure. Unlike an antibiotic drug which can cure you from a bacterial infection, psychiatric drugs only suppress symptoms and relieve a person from their misery.

They don’t cure. Psychotherapy is not much better. It’s what we call palliative. That means it relieves the pain, but it doesn’t fix the underlying problem. Palliative care most certainly has its place and is often times necessary. But Seligman says that the very maximum effect of treatment is never more than a 65% relief rate. In addition, there is a very high placebo effect in these drugs. Seligman points out that the placebo effect is so high in some of these drugs that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) when testing antidepressants for their effectiveness found that in many cases there was little difference between the drug and the placebo at all. Based on all this research, Dr. Seligman has discovered the 65% barrier which means two things.

Firstly, that only 65% of the people who take these types of drugs gain relief from their symptoms and secondly, that roughly only 65% of symptoms can be relieved in each patient. He looks at 65% as a maximum number.

What can we to do to better this unimpressive result? Can we start to look at a cure instead of a temporary reprieve? This is a tough nut to crack, but here’s what we did with Dudi. First we got him on an exercise regimen in personal training. Although a trainer might not be necessary, we wanted a methodical program where Dudi could advance in all areas of exercise, especially in his strength training. This would help him to activate all the good hormones in his brain to take him out of depression and also to build up his self-esteem and self-efficacy and get him to really believe that he could succeed in any area.

In six weeks there was already an appreciable change. At the same time we worked on appreciation and gratitude and concentrated a lot on helping others and ultimately

Alan Freishtat is an A.C.E. certified personal trainer and a behavioural change and wellness coach with over 19 years of professional experience. Alan is the creator and director of the “10 Weeks to Health” programme for weight loss and is available for private coaching sessions, consultations, assessments and personalised workout programmes both in his office and by telephone or Skype. Alan also lectures and gives seminars and workshops.

Contact Alan on 02-651-8502 or 050-555-7175, or email alan@alanfitness.com.

For more information visit www.alanfitness.com

that helps ourselves. Once Dudi began focusing on all the good in his life he started complaining less about his situation. His improved attitude rubbed off on his family as well.

It is true that there are some people who will have to be on medication for the long term and it can take a while to get off anxiety and depression medications. Much depends on the extent of the disorder.

But instead of only going after the symptoms, just like in a physiological illness, we need to treat the problem and aim to cure it. Dudi will probably have a tendency towards depression for the rest of his life as it seems to have run in his family. But he is now managing his life better and has already cut the dosages of his drugs. He is working hard, having the incentive to be rid of his drugs and all the side effects that come with them.

Proper treatment for anxiety and depression with a look towards cure instead of a quick fix can “add hours to your day, days to your year and years to your life.”

40 FOOD

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

20 JULY 2017

35 min Duration 15 min Cook Time 20 min Prep Time 4 Servings

joyofkosher.com We love wild salmon season and there is nothing more delicious than grilled salmon with veggies. And there is nothing easier than salmon and veggies wrapped together in foil packets. All the yummy juices from the veggies season the salmon and a sprinkle of fresh herbs makes the dish even more special. This dish can be made on the grill or in an oven. Let the kids make their own bundles and even the of pickiest eaters will enjoy making their own creation.

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • •

4 (6-ounce) wild salmon fillets, skin off 1 lemon, thinly sliced 1 zucchini, thinly sliced 1 red pepper, thinly sliced 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 1 bunch of scallions, thinly sliced 2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets Several tablespoons fresh herbs (flat-leaf parsley, basil, dill, thyme, tarragon) Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper Extra virgin olive oil

PREPARATION 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Preheat grill to medium. Cut 4 (12- x 20-inch) sheets of foil and 4 (12x 20-inch) sheets of parchment paper. Lay 1 sheet of parchment paper on top of each sheet of foil.

Place a salmon fillet in the center of each bundle of parchment-foil.

Divide lemon slices and vegetables between each packet and arrange on top of salmon.

Sprinkle fresh herbs, salt, and pepper on top. Drizzle with evoo.

Fold and seal salmon bundles.

Grill for about 12 to 15 minutes.

GRILLED SALMON AND VEGGIE BUNDLES

SALT & PEPPER KUGEL WITH ROASTED GARLIC INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • •

Cooking spray 10 cloves garlic, peeled 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, such as Colavita 1 (16-ounce) package fine egg noodles 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 4 eggs 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

PREPARATION 1.

2.

3.

4.

Preheat oven to 120°C. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

Place garlic in the baking dish in a single layer and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes, until garlic is soft. Remove garlic from the oven, mash and set aside. Raise the oven temperature 180°C. Meanwhile boil egg noodles until just tender. Drain and toss with oil and set aside.

In a large bowl lightly beat eggs with salt, black pepper, and cayenne if desired. Stir in garlic, followed by noodle mixture until well combined. Spoon into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour.

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85 min Duration 75 min Cook Time 10 min Prep Time 10-12 Servings

20 JULY 2017

COMEDY 41

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

It’s life, but not as we know it Jim

COMEDY BY ED MOSS

I went to Ikea (pronounced Ick-yar by the Sarf Manchester bleached/ purchased teeth community in their efforts to try and keep up with the new pronunciation being foisted on us). My son required a wardrobe, although why he can't sleep in a bed like other students is beyond me. I also wanted a sofa to match my eyes, but Ick-yar don't do bloodshot.

Anyway . . .

Sunday is NOT the best day to head to Ick-yar in Ashton-under-Lyne, not that any day is necessarily the best day to head to Ashton-under-Lyne.

By the way, to those of you living in a county that doesn't have an Ashton-under-Lyne, believe me, you are not missing anything.

Absolute mayhem, with fighting, cursing and blood-letting over trolleys, and that was just the staff.

Now. Some questions for the more regular (must be the fibre they consume) Ick-yar visitor.

1. Why do people who are buying large items of furniture reverse into parking spaces thus making it impossible to load their car without faffing around and causing a stir, argument as they drive out of their parking space to swop the orientation of their car. And while they are so doing, someone else slides their own car into the temporarily vacated parking space?

2. Why do people, on what is a very busy day and car parking is not the easiest, wheel their trolley into an adjacent free space NEXT to their car to unload (remember, having the requirement to put their purchases into the BACK of the car) when there is an adequate walk/load way provided by those nice Ick-yar car park architects?

3. Why do customers who are buying only a Blobbaclump scatter cushion and and a Krindoflop rubber plant insist on using the biggest, commercial-sized trolley needing a tow truck that Ick-Yar have available?

Seasons We’re used to hearing about the Camping Season, which for Scouts runs from approximately 31st March to 31st October each year, although Graham Norton’s camping season lasts all year.

Then there’s the Caravan Season, where Jeremy Clarkson spends six months with extremely high blood pressure as he tries

to overtake them on the A38 in an excruciatingly expensive and completely unnecessary car.

The Japanese have their Scientific Season, which was a series of sporadic weeks where they slaughtered endangered whales for scientific research, the results of which seem to be a closely guarded world-secret. This season now looks set, thanks to a group of spineless, landlocked countries threatened by the Land of the Rising Scientific Research with paying more for their Nintendos and PlayStations, to last until the final whale is wiped off the face of the oceans.

I have written to the Japanese Embassy four times now seeking details of this research (email address info@ld.mofa.go.jp) without eliciting even as much as a “Go away you Eeeengrish” - silence seems to mean they must have something to hide. Or perhaps it's just all those embarrassed Japanese businessmen stuffing themselves silly with Sushi that just happens to co-incidentally be whale meat.

The press have their Silly Season, traditionally in tandem with the 6-week school summer holiday period, where hard and decent news is at a premium, resulting in even the dimmest PR practitioner gaining valuable column inches for the likes of the insurance industry, nay even front page news, declaring that Kevins are the worst drivers and people in red cars are more prone to crash them on the M42 on Thursdays than they are on the M62 on Fridays.

The opera buffs enjoy their early winters with an Opera Season, where various fat ladies and chaps screaming “Go Compare” prove it’s all over when they finish singing.

However, while we infidels enjoy all our various seasonal and often enjoyably recreational activities, the news that for those gentlemen of superior social standing and skills, ISIS, it’s the start of their traditional “Fighting Season” where they like to maim and murder non-believers, infidels, people who want to learn to read and write, people who smoke, shave or those who listen to Little Mix. Pity the four clapping seals (or judges) who have to sit and moderate that lot!

When it comes to a job interview, some people worry about not having a qualification. Well aside from quoting all the famous drop-outs who became incredibly successful business owners, the trend seems to be reversing somewhat. If you succeed in obtaining an interview with the organ grinder as opposed to the monkey, you really should have no problem. Any sensible interviewer should focus on what you can do for the company rather than otherwise meaningless bits of paper you might have on a wall.

You can be as qualified as Einstein, but if you have no experience of the real world, employers should certainly think twice. They owe it to their business. I once worked for a degree-mad multinational corporation where one of the marketing seniors had a superb degree. In physics. Another senior marketing manager was equally qualified.

With a geography degree.

So, if you have a degree in animal husbandry and a degree in mechanical engineering, the principles of HR imply you can weld cats.

Unfortunately, nowadays, you are dealing with 100% inept HR

people who seem to have bred uncontrollably throughout industry and commerce, duping chief executives and management in ways that haven't been seen since the Ponzi schemes and pyramid selling of the 80's and 90's.

Yes, they have a lovely, cuddly degree straight out of college, but not only do they know absolutely nothing about anything, let alone the position they are supposed to help recruit for, but by and large, they tend to be totally clueless about the actual business and its customers.

But have they just fed your CV into an automatic reader? And in scattering the correct key words thought theirs, will your fellow - and far less suitable - candidate secure the job because they were better at massaging the truth and reality than you were.

Unfortunately, HR, with its weird and completely out of body practices, is completely ruining tradition employment methods.

All it has is a 100% loss of grip on reality. HR is now all about organising the monthly bonding session in a fancy hotel where professional workers are encouraged to jump up

and down on coloured squares of paper. This instead of being on the job and doing what they do best, that is, serving their customers and helping increase the company bottom-line profitability.

I remain to be convinced otherwise that HR has contributed to at least 3% of the current unemployment index through its nonsense.

It's similar to equivalent Health and Safety procedures (guarded over, coincidentally, by HR).

Before Health and Safety there was common sense. Before HR, there was honesty, integrity and decency.

Ed Moss

THE FAMILY NEWSPAPER

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SPORTS

W EEKLY

Team GB return as record breaking heroes

BY DAVID SAFFER

Team Maccabi GB have enjoyed glorious moments at the 20th Maccabiah Games.

And there have been record breaking performances along the way across a host of sports.

There has been euphoria aplenty for medalists but also heartache for participants in pursuit of glory.

Above all Team GB can be ‘loud and proud’ about its sporting achievements over the past two weeks in Israel.

Amongst a number of historic moments Junior sprinter Eden Davis won a golden sprint double in the 100m and 200m, the Junior Lacrosse Girls team clinched a sensational silver at their first ever Games and Ewan Taylor claimed a 50m freestyle bronze for a first individual swimming medal in 25 years.

Natan Sharansky was a keynote speaker at the closing ceremony at Latrun in the Ayalon Valley on Monday night The emotive finale celebrated 70 years of Israel’s independence, and as is traditional participants swapped training kit and enjoyed a party atmosphere.

In terms of gold medalists, sprinter Ellie Edwards won the Open women’s 200m while Junior middle distance runner David Stone came first in the 3000m.

Fencer Nick Lakeland landed gold in the Masters Team Foil prior to a silver in the Team Epee competition.

And on the final day of action, there was golden glory in the Open Water Swimming event for Emma Garber who had already won bronze in the Triathlon.

Further silver success came for Team GB as the Games drew to a close.

The Open Men’s Football team, urged on by a vocal crowd, fell just short of winning gold for the first time since 1961 when they lost to USA in the final, which took place in Jerusalem.

And the Junior and Open Netball sides lost out to Australia in respective finals following memorable campaigns in Ra’anana.

Diana Gold also picked up a silver in the Ladies Over 65 tennis singles final against South Africa.

In earlier days of action, Richard Bernstein won silver in the Fencing Open Team Foil competition, as did Josh Forshaw in the Overall Golf tournament.

In team sports, the Men’s Cricket team, Junior Boys 4 x100m relay squad and Masters Men Table Tennis all won silver medals.

And continuing the silver roster were the Junior Girls Table Tennis double team of Jessica Abrahams and Arianna Di Giammarino.

Sprint queen Edwards added to the silver rush when she claimed her first medal of the games in finishing runner up in the Open 100m final. And it was not long before Ellie made it a medal hat-trick as a member of the Composite Open Women 4x400m Relay squad.

Artistic Gynnast Zoe Harris, who finished in fifth place during the overall competiton, won Floor silver and Uneven Bars bronze.

There were also bronze medals galore with Karen Fouzailov landing a double in Show Jumping and Dressage.

Jonah Alfert had won Team GBs first medal of the Maccabiah in Judo 55kg in the opening events before team mate Philip Bloom matched the feat in the Masters Over 100kg category.

And the bronze run continued with golfer Teddy Vandermolen

Team GB Maccabiah Games coverage

PHOTO CREDITS: DANI DEITCH

Lawn Bowlers Bernie Davidson, David Stockman, Laurence Pinkers

Thumbs up for team GB

All smiles for team GB at the closing ceremony

Masters Tennis saw Sarah Schecter alongside doubles partners Alan Rechtman and Steve Carlin win bronze.

Meantime, Junior Boys teams claimed bronze in Golf, Table Tennis and the 4x400m relay race.

Elsewhere on the track, Idan Gal-Shohet leaped to a long jump bronze, rower Samuel Deutsch crossed in third place in the composite quad, whilst Douglas Greenston and Terry Lichkin won a Lawn Bowling Pairs bronze.

Big shot from U18 Team GB badmington

Every Maccabiah is always notable for its medal winners but the event is far bigger on a wider scale as 400 plus GB athletes battled away for success.

Not everyone can be a winner however and away from the medalists there have been many personal best performances.

In many ways, this was illustrated by the Team GB swimming squad.

During a high quality competition, British swimmers, who all

compete at regional or national level, enjoyed four days of scintillating action at the Wingate Academy.

The swim team set 25 personal best times and made more finals than a GB squad had previously achieved.

Aside from bronze-medalist Taylor in the 50m freestyle, Nathalie Lustig (200m butterfly), Ellie Grant (200m breaststroke) and CONTINUED ON PAGE 45

20 JULY 2017 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 44

Jason Pears (100m backstroke) all made ‘A’ finals, a feat in itself against stiff opposition.

And in ‘B’ finals there were Brits in many races with Alicia Slater making eight in all, winning the 400m freestyle, finishing 100m backstroke runner up and third in the 200m freestyle, a monumental effort by any standard.

Taylor also made three ‘B’ finals, winning the 100m freestyle.

Pears raced in five ‘B’ finals, finishing third in the 100m butterfly, while Lustig made three ‘B’ finals, coming third for the 100m breaststroke and 200m butterfly.

Other swimmers who enjoyed a terrific swim meet were Zack

SPORTS 45

THE JEWISH WEEKLY Rothman and Jacob Boyden, who made three ‘B’ finals, whilst Josh Foreman, Rebecca Saville and Ellie Grant also made finals, each a notable achievement.

There are many sports of note, however, on the footballing front, Team GB participated in Futsal and 11-a-side competitions across a number of age groups.

And for two sides, missing out on the semi-finals and a crack at the medal matches was particularly heartbreaking, as they fell short by one goal in the group stages.

When the Masters 35s defeated USA 3-0 in a crucial group match they also had two goals disallowed.

The agony on the face of each

Heartbreak exit for Team GB U35s football team PHOTO CREDITS: DANI DEITCH

squad member and back room staff at full time was palpable.

And the same can be noted about the U16 Juniors team who defeated Brazil 4-2 during the group phase.

Leading by two goals deep into the match, incorrect website information on the standings meant they required one more goal, which they just failed to get in a ‘Grandstand’ finish.

Tactically, the U16s could have played the game differently with correct data, so for everyone connected with the squad, together with supporters, it was particularly tough to take.

Losing was raw in the aftermath, but as a proud supporter commented, “The boys did good!”

“I’m so happy the lads took part,” they said. “For them to meet so many Jewish footballers from all over the world and play against them is very special.

“It was exciting and magnificent to watch Team GB play, despite not getting a medal.

“They are a fabulous bunch of boys and I hope they want to play at the next Maccabiah as it’s an amazing experience, and I’m sure one they’ll never forget.”

Heartbreak for Team GB U16s football team

Throughout Maccabiah 2017, Team GB competed across the length and breadth of Israel, and enjoyed incredible support from family and friends.

For many participants, competing at this level is the pinnacle of their sporting career.

And aside from first time performers there is also veteran competitors.

Summing up the spirit of the event is lawn bowler, Bernie Davidson, who was in his seventh Maccabiah, having first participated in 1989, and had the honour of leading out Team GB at the opening ceremony.

Previously, he played football in his youth back in the 1950s and only retired as a footballer in

1986.

Taking up bowls, Bernie has enjoyed a stellar sports career.

“Lawn bowls is a great game, I’ve played to a decent level back home but here in Israel this is a different level again,” he said, prior to his opening match.

“I simply love the Maccabiah and always give it our best,” he enthused.

Bernie’s enthusiasm illustrates what the Maccabiah is really about. Medals are great and last a lifetime but so do the memories.

All that is left to be noted is… roll on Maccabiah 2021.

Arriving in Israel, I hoped to meet these giants of Israeli social and cultural history aside from the sporting action. That double wish became a reality, thanks to some networking.

Meeting Yitzhak actually at the Western Wall some 50 years on from a historic moment for Israel, and hearing about Israel’s sole World Cup tournament from Mordechai himself, has been special.

Both were emotive, memorable interviews that will live long in the memory for me, and they will be featured in The Jewish Weekly in the not too distant future, so watch this space.

Returning to the action at the Games, and seeing at close hand the joy of winning and pain of defeat was a stark contrast to meeting not only Yitzhak but other veterans of the Six Day War back in ‘67.

These brave soldiers lost colleagues, many of whom were buddies that made the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation five decades ago. Their endeavours are felt every day in Israeli society all these years later and the Maccabiah every four years in part of that legacy.

Winning a Maccabiah medal, whatever colour, is of course an incredible achievement for those concerned, but it’s not the ‘Be all and end All’.

Taking part is what counts, and 10,000 athletes did just that this month.

For Israel to host the third largest global sporting event every four years is astounding and joining in with the Israeli national anthem at the opening ceremony really is a special moment.

Long may this great event continue to flourish.

Editor’s note: Every effort has been made to note medals winners at the time of going to press.

My experience reporting on the games So the 2017 Maccabiah Games is over and after travelling over 2000km around Israel there is much to look back and reflect on.

I’d never covered this global sporting fiesta before but was well aware of its standing for competitors and family supporters alike.

Having no allegiance to a particular Team GB side was an advantage, as I could be neutral and just enjoy the sport for what it is, with an obvious bias of course towards my countryman.

But I also had a few other objectives on my agenda, because in the midst of following the Brits, I was determined to see one of my many nephews, Ry Cyna, who lives in Vancouver, compete for Canada at this level.

Indeed, Ry was slated to swim in six events at the Wingate Academy in Netanya so there was a fair

The Cyna family

Yitzhak Yifat chats to Jewish Weekly’s David Saffer

chance I’d get my wish, which came on the last day of competition. And it was terrific to see him finish just outside the top three of his heat in the 50m swim dash in a shade over 28 seconds.

His beaming smile at the end was a sight to behold.

I’d bumped into my brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Amy Cyna, at the opening ceremony in Jerusalem, albeit by accident, which was a pleasant surprise as I thought it would be impossible, especially as the details of their seats was 200 out! Thanks Charles, I owe you one…

But after saying a brief hello, it was time to set out on my sojourn to cover the event with my Israeli first cousin, Dani Deitch, acting as driver, interpreter and professional photographer to boot.

From football to tennis, badminton, lawn bowling, netball, swimming to name but a few sports, it was great to take in the action, but I still wanted more from this Israel trip, which included connecting with mates from days gone by and the barmitzvah of Ry’s closest brother in age, Kyler, at the Western Wall only this week.

As a kid growing up Leeds, I recall vividly that Yitzhak Yifat was one of three Israeli paratroopers pictured in an iconic photograph at the Western Wall during the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967.

And three years later, Mordechai Spiegler was Israel’s World Cup captain at the 1970 World Cup. Both left an indelible imprint for different reasons.

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

Mordechai Spiegler with Jewish Weekly’s David Saffer

46 SPORTS

20 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Exclusive interview - Stuart Greenberg

BY DAVID SAFFER

Stuart Greenberg is President of the European Maccabi Federation.

The Maccabi GB vice president has been in the post almost two years and has over five decades involvement in Jewish sport going back to when he was an accomplished table tennis player.

Stuart represented Team GB at a number of Maccabiah and European Games where he experienced the thrill of winning bronze, silver and gold medals, prior to repeating this success as a team manager in his chosen sport.

A past chairman of Maccabi GB, Stuart together with his wife, Aviva,

Stuart Greenburg PHOTO CREDIT: DANI DEITCH

oversaw a dozen Maccabi GB Challenge Tours in Israel for an initiative catering for youngsters with learning difficulties.

The couple’s three children have also represented Team GB at European Maccabi and Maccabiah Games.

Stuart has held various positions with the Maccabi Union governing body, and at the 2017 Maccabiah Games, was Chairman of the Yakir Committee, Master’s Committee and for a fourth time was an international sports inspector for table tennis.

So who better to overview the impact a Maccabiah Games has on the Jewish world of sport.

But firstly, why did Stuart get involved with Maccabi in the first place?

“To improve as a table tennis player I quickly realised that you had to play in non-Jewish leagues, but at the same time, I wanted some form of Jewish connection so joined a Maccabi club in Hampstead, which led to the Maccabiah Games,” he recalled.

“Playing in my first Maccabiah games, there are no words to describe the feeling of competing at this event, I was simply ecstatic.

“Also, being a part of the opening ceremony is one of life’s great experiences as a Jewish sportsman.”

Although, Stuart has taken part in many a Maccabiah, one in particular made a special impact.

“For me the Maccabiah that has always stuck out was in 1993 when the Ethiopians Jews were coming to Israel,” Stuart recalled.

“Sitting in the stand after marching in the opening ceremony, there was some singing and dancing in Ramat Gan Stadium, which used to be the national stadium in Israel.

“Suddenly the back end of the stadium opened and an El Al plane rolled up to the centre of the stadium. The plane doors opened and the Ethiopian Jews down walked.

“It was so moving, it was unreal and quite spectacular.”

In terms of stature, the Maccabiah Games is the third largest sporting event in the world.

Only the Olympic Games and Pan-American Games is bigger, but most followers of sport are not aware of this startling fact.

Whilst Stuart is overwhelmingly positive about the event, he has strong views on an aspect of it.

“The Games does not get the global coverage it deserves,” he lamented.

“It gets quite good coverage here in Israel, the opening and closing ceremony is on Channel 2, and some sports are televised.

“But, and this may sound controversial, the reality is of the 10,000 athletes taking part, in terms of the event being an elite sporting competition, as much as I’d love to say

that it is, it is not.

“The Maccabiah as an event introduces Jews from all over the world to Israel and there is nothing wrong with that, however some leaders get carried away that it is an elite sporting event, but it is not, there are not many elite Jewish athletes.”

It did not take Stuart long however to note the undoubted positives a Maccabiah brings for participants and competitors alike.

And it is followed up two years later by the European Games, an event close to him.

“The Maccabiah is the third largest sporting event, which means a lot, and as an event it is spectacular, there is no question about it,” he explained “The Games is one of life’s great experiences, and as an organisation, Maccabi has a lot going for it.

“There are 450,000 members worldwide, a Maccabi centre is in virtually every country in the world, and if you look at Maccabi Europe there are events taking place on a daily basis throughout Europe.

“The Maccabiah in Israel every four years is the pinnacle, it’s ‘The Jewish Olympics’ and that is why it is here in Israel whereas the European Games is in a different European city each time.

“Budapest is the next one and the last one was in Berlin, which was very controversial for obvious reasons, but it was the best one of

all.”

As for his role with Yakir, which recognises individuals dedicated to the ideals of the Maccabi movement, Jewish people and its traditions, Stuart is proud of his involvement.

“Yakir is the highest honour anyone can get within Maccabi and was a very special ceremony at the Tel Aviv Museum (Wednesday, July 12),” he noted.

“You have to have done a fair amount of work internationally to be given this award.

“All recipients are fully deserved, and this time, winners included Tal Brody, who in Israel is a basketball superstar, and Igal Carmi, a past chairman of Maccabi World Union and currently chair of the Israeli Olympic committee.”

Returning to the Maccabiah theme, Stuart, who lives in London, could not help but conclude on a really positive note.

“I look forward every time to the whole concept of the Maccabiah,” he said.

“Every squad that I was involved with at a Maccabiah, a group of young Israelis with flags cheering and a brass band playing greeted us when we got off the plane.

“It’s quite simply an extraordinary event for Jewish athletes and to pull on the GB top is fantastic.

“For participants to be aged 13 to 80 is unbelievable and to take part very special.”

Manchester Maccabi senior and junior teams start pre-season training

Limbering up

First jog after a long break

Talking tactics

On the attack Well timed tackle PHOTO CREDIT: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Picking up the pace

Stretching back to fitness

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