The Jewish Weekly Issue 368 by The Jewish Weekly

PARASHAT SHEMINI

SHABBAT: BEGINS ENDS

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Herzog leads Israel delegation at Auschwitz

BY DAVID SAFFER

President Isaac Herzog leads Israel’s delegation at Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp today to commemorate Yom HaShoah at the 37th annual March of the Living.

Israel held Yom Hashoah state ceremonies last night at Yad Vashem attended by Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and at the Massuah Institute in Tel Yitzhak.

“We remember the darkest days,” Herzog told those assembled at Yad Vashem.

“Our loved ones who were slaughtered, burned, tortured to death.

We remember a loneliness beyond words, no personal home, no national home. And now, we have been blessed with a wonderful country, built with blood, sweat, and so many tears.”

Herzog appealed to Israeli citizens for

unity until Independence Day as a historic moment of national responsibility and also called for the immediate return of hostages held in captivity in Gaza.

Eighty years on from the Allied victory, Herzog remembered the Shoah victims but

also the ‘greatest massacre’ of Jewish people since the Holocaust on October 7 2023.

“Just as we overcame 80 years ago so shall we prevail again,” he said. “It is embedded in us, in our deepest national DNA.”

Noting his impending journey to Poland, Herzog added: “While we know nothing can compare to the scope and systematic nature of the Holocaust, it is impossible to hear the terrifying testimonies from the inferno of October 7, or to see the images of the hostages from the death pits of Gaza and not be shaken by the echoes of that historic catastrophe. The voice of our brothers’ blood cries to us from the ground.

We must bring them home urgently.”

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Continued from page 1

Returning to the theme of national unity, Herzog continued: “History will not forgive those who act irresponsibly and tear us apart from within. History will not forgive those who weaken the foundations of our wonderful country, beloved, unique, Jewish and democratic, born from the ashes of the terrible Holocaust. Our shared rebuilding, after this great fracture, is a tremendous and historic mission, not upon one person, or one community, or one camp, but upon all of us, as a nation, as a society, as individuals. We will face every challenge and every enemy. Together. And we will prove, again and again ‘the Eternity of Israel holds true’.”

Netanyahu compared Hamas to the Nazis, Hitler and Haman.

“They want to kill, to annihilate, to destroy all Jews, and they openly declare their intention to destroy the Jewish state,” he said. “That will not happen. We are determined to destroy the Hamas monsters who carried out the cruelest massacre of our people since the Holocaust.”

Regarding the Gaza war, Netanyahu said the IDF was “systematically dismantling the chokehold of the Axis of Evil.”

The ceremony, under the theme ‘From the Depths: The Pain of Liberation and Growth’, included the heads of the Shin Bet, Mossad, and Israel Police.

Despite heightened security concerns Shin Bet are ensuring Herzog, who will deliver a keynote speech at the memorial ceremony at Birkenau this afternoon, attends.

Israel’s security services increased vigilance after antisemitic protest signs in Warsaw demanding Herzog’s arrest and extradition to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

This year marks 80 years since the liberation of Nazi concentration camps and end of World War II.

Eighty survivors of Auschwitz, Birkenau, Buchenwald, Mauthausen, Dachau and Theresienstadt from around the world, including 40 living in Israel, will be joined by children and partisans

hidden in forests and by Righteous Among the Nations.

Heads of state, politicians, religious leaders, intellectuals and cultural figures will attend.

The oldest participant is Holocaust survivor Bella Eizenman, aged 98.

Aliza Wittis-Shomron, who fought in the Warsaw Ghetto, and Merrill Eisenhower Atwater, great-grandson of General Dwight D. Eisenhower will march alongside survivors liberated by the US Army and Allied forces including Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, freed from Buchenwald, who met General Eisenhower upon liberation.

A delegation of hostages released from captivity in Gaza, families of hostages still in captivity and victims of terrorism are participating.

Released hostages include Eli Sharabi, Hagar Brodutch, Almog Meir Jan, Moran Stella Yanai, Gadi Moses, Keith Siegel, Chen Goldstein Almog, Raaya Rotem, Agam Berger and Ori Megidish.

Families of hostages attending include the parents of released hostage Omer Shem-Tov, Tzili Wenkert, Holocaust survivor and grandmother of released hostage Omer Wenkert, and Faina and Michael Kuperstein, Holocaust survivors and grandparents of hostage Bar Kuperstein who remains in captivity in Gaza.

The bereaved families of Hanan Yablonka, murdered near the Nova festival, Ofir Tzarfati, murdered in Hamas captivity, Shani Louk, murdered by Hamas, Tomer Achimas, who fell in battle on October 7, and Shmuel and Yehudit Weiss of Kibbutz

Be’eri, murdered by Hamas, attended. The IDF retrieved all the deceased bodies for burial in Israel.

The delegation was organised by the Hostages and Missing Persons Department of the Prime Minister’s Office.

President Herzog will go on to hold a diplomatic meeting with President of Poland Andrej Duda.

Both will deliver statements before laying a wreath at the ‘Black Wall’ and visit an exhibition in Block 27 in Auschwitz 1. They will also meet youth delegations from Israel and Poland.

Herzog’s father, President Chaim Herzog, was a British Army officer who participated in the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. Herzog’s grandfather, Rabbi Yitzhak Isaac Halevi Herzog, former Chief Rabbi of Israel, met General Eisenhower in 1946 in a mission to save European Jews.

In the UK, thousands gathered last night outside Parliament at Victoria Tower Gardens for the National Yom HaShoah Holocaust commemoration.

Holocaust survivor Susan Pollack, liberated from Bergen-Belsen, and 100-year-old Normandy veteran Mervyn Kersh participated. The event included a 300-strong children’s choir from Jewish primary schools performing Never Again, the official anthem of Yom HaShoah UK.

A Yellow Candle procession symbolised the passing of memory across generations.

Holocaust survivors, refugees, British Jewish liberators, and their families attended.

PHOTO: GPO

Uproar over 36 deputies’ letter to FT

BY DAVID SAFFER

National Jewish Assembly chairman

Gary Mond has called on the United Synagogue and The Federation to withdraw funds from the Board of Deputies and allocate them to Jewish charities.

Mond’s startling stance follows a damning open letter published in the Financial Times last week by 36 deputies, members of Reform, Liberal and Masorti synagogues, expressing their opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ‘extremist’ government.

Mond has called for the Charity Commission to investigate the BoD’s political actions.

As the furore increased this week, the Board convened an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee to discuss the ramifications and published a statement on Tuesday stating the letter was ‘not representative of the Board of Deputies’ policy on Israel.

International division vice-chair, Harriet Goldenberg, has reportedly been suspended pending an investigation according to a statement by the Board on Tuesday.

All 36 signatories face a complaints procedure in accordance with the BoDs’ constitution.

BoD president Phil Rosenberg distanced the body from the controversial letter as ‘not the position’ of the Board

URGENT

nor UK Jewish community as a whole. Mond, however, has accused the Board of attempting to “pull the wool over the eyes of the Jewish community”.

He told The Jewish Weekly: “Having served on the Board for 11 years until 2022 and knowing the views of almost all of the Deputies then, and there are more anti Zionists on the Board today, I truly believe that the views expressed by the 36 sanctioned Deputies are more widespread amongst its Deputies and Honorary Officers than the Board would have us believe, and that if the substance of what they wrote was put to a vote at a plenary meeting, it would very probably pass comfortably.”

Mond added: “The letter does not represent the views of the Jewish community, but I believe that it does have more widespread support of members of the Board of Deputies, no matter what its President and CEO might say.”

Mond added: “The solution now is for reputable synagogues, especially the United Synagogue and the Federation, to withdraw totally from the Board of Deputies and to allocate the funds spent on the Board to more worthy Jewish charitable causes. Also, a complaint should be made to the Charity Commission about the Board’s political behaviour.”

Jonathan Metliss, Action Against Discrimination chairman, also criticised the letter.

“The letter is an unambiguous attack

on the State of Israel,” he raged. “The Board is about protecting the UK Jewish community from antisemitism and other threats, and being the community spokesperson in these areas. It should not be debating nor involving itself in the domestic policies of the State of Israel, with its debates on the two-state solution, a policy erroneously supported by many senior deputies, and references to Palestinian security. The Board must show itself to be unconditionally in support of the State of Israel... It must get its act together, punish the signatories of this letter appropriately, abandon their obsession with ‘diverse’ views, talk less and act more. Only then will the Board of Deputies regain the respect and support of the UK Jewish community it craves.”

The Board issued a statement of its position after an executive meeting.

‘Following multiple complaints by Deputies and the public, all 36 signatories of the letter to the Financial Times are now subject to a complaints procedure in accordance with Appendix G to the Board of Deputies’ Constitution,” noted the Board.

‘A further Deputy is subject to the complaints procedure for an alleged GDPR breach.

‘All Deputies and under-35 Observers subject to complaints procedures have been informed of the complaints made against them and the process to be adopted. The complaints procedure is

likely to take at least four weeks.

‘All members of the Executive eligible to vote, unanimously approved a motion temporarily suspending the Vice Chair of the International Division from that role and the Executive while they remain subject to the complaints procedure, having signed the Financial Times letter and given further media interviews on it.’

Rosenberg said: “We take alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct very seriously. I am grateful to the Constitution Committee for the speed with which they have reviewed the initial complaints, and it is right that they are now given the time and space to review the cases with due process and impartiality. The Board of Deputies is clear, only our democratically-elected Honorary Officers and authorised staff speak on behalf of the organisation.”

Signatories to the open letter warned that Israel’s soul was being ‘ripped out’ and feared for the future of the Israel they loved. Netanyahu’s government was accused of choosing to ‘break the ceasefire and return to war in Gaza’ rather than engage in diplomacy for a ceasefire deal.

The letter also reportedly noted: ‘Led by the families of the hostages, hundreds of thousands of Israelis are demonstrating on the streets against the return to war by an Israeli government that has not prioritised the return of the hostages. We stand with them. We stand against the war… It is our duty, as Jews, to speak out.’

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ALERT FOR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS

URGENT ALERT FOR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS

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Bennett recovering from heart attack

BY ADAM MOSES

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is under observation at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba after suffering a heart attack after Shabbat.

He was evacuated to the hospital after feeling unwell during a workout.

A statement from Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba on Sunday morning confirmed Bennett underwent catheterisation and is in a stable condition.

“He will remain at the medical center

called Bennett 2026.

“The People of Israel need you,” Opposition leader Yair Lapid shared on X. Lapid wished Bennett a speedy recovery.

MK Osher Shkalim noted: “Wishing robust health to the former head of the ‘mandate’ government. Wondering how someone who collapses in physical training at the age of 53 could manage seven war zones simultaneously. It is only appropriate that he disclose his medical record as required. Refuah sheleimah!”

for further monitoring and treatment,” the hospital said.

Bennett’s health scare has come as a shock to politicians as he only registered a new political party earlier this month

It is unclear when Bennett will return to politics. Bennett 2026 is a ‘holding name’ until an election is called. He had not announced whether he would run in the next election, although it was anticipated that he would contest the election.

Giora Levy, Bennett’s commander in the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit, reportedly told KAN Radio last month: “He’s organising eight work teams to develop plans for the country’s recovery and rehabilitation with a 20-year vision. He’s a killer, when he makes a decision,

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he executes it.”

A poll last month predicted Bennett’s coalition would win a general election with 61 seats against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc with 49 seats.

Bennett’s party would gain 25 seats, Netanyahu’s Likud 21 seats.

Lapid and National Unity chairman MK Benny Gantz welcomed the poll. “Israel needs a good government,” said Lapid.

The Likud, on its official social media, denounced Bennett’s party announcement, stating that it “doesn’t interfere in how ‘the Left’ distributes its Knesset seats”.

Bennett and Lapid formed a national unity government in June 2021. Bennett served as Prime Minister from June 2021 until July 2022, Lapid succeeding him until the government was dissolved in December 2022.

Bennett’s party was Yamina. He did not run in the 2022 election, the party, under former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, did not pass the electoral threshold.

Bennett is a vocal critic of Netanyahu, recently alleging Qatar was sheltering Hamas leaders and paying Netanyahu’s closest advisors to work for it without anyone knowing.

“Let me say this again so you understand, while our children, our brothers, are fighting the enemy, Netanyahu’s advisors received money from the country that sustains the enemy,” he reportedly

said.

Speculation has been ongoing about Bennett’s return with meetings with potential coalition leaders reported inn the media.

Last June, he spoke about the possibility three years after he became Israel’s 13th Prime Minister.

“For a little over a year, I served you, the citizens of Israel, when I was at the head of a government that up until that moment would have seemed impossible,” he wrote on X. “Ministers from the left and the right decided to put aside all the differences and come together for the sake of saving the State of Israel. Today more than ever, the unimaginable reality in which we have been living since October 7 requires a leadership that knows how to unite the people and do the most basic thing that a government should do, to put the interest of the State of Israel before any other consideration, to act wisely in front of the international community, to bring all parts of the people into the circle of service and to conduct the campaign with clear goals until our enemies are defeated.”

He concluded: “Friends, we did it then, and you can do it again.”

Bennett has previously served as Minister of Community Affairs, Defence, Education, Diaspora Affairs, Religious Affairs and Economy.

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As Yotam tries to earn a living at home in Kiryat Shemona, Israel’s most northerly city, the rest of his family are still evacuated nearly 100km further south. When the current school year ends this summer, Yotam will try and bring the family back together in the North. UJIA needs your support to help bring people like Yotam’s family back home.

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Pope called for hostages release in final address

BY ADAM MOSES

Pope Francis called for the release of hostages held in captivity by Hamas in his final public appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica blessing 35,000 people on Easter Sunday.

The Vatican announced his passing from a stroke after a 12-year papacy on Monday following hospitalisation for double pneumonia in recent weeks.

The Pope described the Gaza war as “dramatic and deplorable” but called on Hamas to release all hostages and condemned a “worrisome” trend of antisemitism in the world.

“I express my closeness to the sufferings ... of all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people,” he said in his last message. “I appeal to the warring parties, call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.”

Whilst empathic towards the hostages’ plight since the 10/7 terror attack, the pontiff, 88, was critical of Israel’s military operation in Gaza. Although he rejected comments the IDF committed genocide against the Palestinian people when he met an interfaith delegation that included Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Druze representatives, questions remain as to his actual position.

“I did not claim that Israel committed genocide,” he told the delegation. “I was shown materials from the war, and I said that if this is true, then it needs to be investigated. I understand what is happening in Gaza. I think Hamas should no longer exist in the world, but the war should also not be prolonged.”

Families of hostages held in Gaza and former freed hostages visited the Vatican in 2023.

The Pope told them he would do everything to ensure their release. “I pray for you and for your people,” he said. “The first important thing is to save people.”

President Isaac Herzog led Israel’s tribute, recalling the Pope’s deep faith and compassion.

“He dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world,” noted Herzog. “He rightly saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue as a path toward greater understanding and mutual respect. I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages will soon be answered.”

World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder acknowledged “moments of difficulty” in the Gaza war but recalled

the Pope as a “true moral leader, a man of deep faith and humanity, and a steadfast friend to the Jewish people”.

Lauder added: “Pope Francis was deeply committed to fostering interfaith dialogue and ensuring that the memory of the Holocaust remained a guiding lesson for future generations. Under his leadership, the relationship between the Holy See and the WJC flourished, culminating in the establishment of a WJC office on Via della Conciliazione, just steps from St. Peter’s Basilica, a testament to our shared commitment to dialogue, understanding and mutual respect”.

Conference of European Rabbis

President Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt recalled the pontiff’s dedication to promoting peace and goodwill worldwide. Discussions strengthened Catholic-Jewish relations including commemorating the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate and 1965 Declaration of the Second Vatican Council that transformed interfaith dialogue.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis presented the Pope with Rosh Hashonah memento during the 2015 commemoration.

“This is a moment of great sadness for our Catholic friends and my thoughts are with them during this time of mourning, as they reflect on his leadership and prepare for transition,” he said.

During his lifetime the Pope visited synagogues, condemned the Holocaust and antisemitism, attended interfaith summits and opposed religious extremism. At a visit to Poland for the World Youth Day in 2016, he prayed at Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. And in 2014, he prayed at the Western Wall, visited Yad Vashem and met Israel’s two chief rabbis during a Holy Land trip.

Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan in a historic audience with Pope at the Vatican in 2022 discussed Holocaust research and remembrance in the Christian world. Dayan welcomed the Pope’s decision to open the World War Two-era Vatican archives to address questions of the Church in the Holocaust.

“The Pope expressed great emotion when discussing the Holocaust,” noted Dayan, adding that he said individuals in the Church acted correctly, others did not.

“This was an important statement from His Holiness,” acknowledged Dayan, who presented him with a replica of The Tablets of the Covenant. Dayan received

a bronze statue of an olive branch for peace.

King Charles led global plaudits, recalling: “Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. With his death, we are reminded once more of his call to care for one another across different faiths, backgrounds, nations and beliefs.”

President Emmanuel Macron noted: “In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile.” Poland President Andrzej Duda said: “He was a great apostle of mercy, in which he saw an answer to the challenges of the modern world.” German Chancellor Olaf

Scholz: “The world has lost an advocate for the weak, a reconciling and a warm-hearted person.”

President Vladimir Putin said Francis was a “wise religious and statesmanlike figure, and a consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice”.

The Pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 to Italian immigrants, grew up in Buenos Aires and was ordained as a priest in 1969.

Pope Francis and Cheif Rabbi Goldschmidt

Yad Vashem’s Danny Dayan meets the Pope

Victim named in Hadera shark tragedy

BY HARRY SIMONS

Israel Police confirmed yesterday the horrific death of Barak Tzach, killed by sharks off the coast of Hadera near the Nachal Hadera Parkway, on Monday.

The grim announcement came after remains were found in the sea by search parties on Tuesday.

Tzach, of Petach Tikva, is survived by his wife, Sarit, and four children.

According to reports the tragedy was witnessed by dozens of beachgoers on the shore. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene of a man screaming for help surrounded by sharks.

Zaka Tel Aviv’s Diving Unit mobilised

emergency responders, including marine police and other rescue teams.

Sarit announced her husband’s death in a Facebook post: ‘With deep sorrow and pain that has no words, we announce the death of my husband and our father,” she wrote.

The family have appealed for false rumours about Barak’s death on social media to stop out of respect.

Sarit ended the rumours, rife for 48 hours, about the circumstances of Tzach’ death.

She reportedly posted: “Barak arrived at the beach after a day’s work, as he often did. He entered the sea equipped with a snorkel, mask, fins, and a GoPro

camera, without anything else, and certainly not with fish or bait, contrary to the rumours that have spread. Barak went into the water to dive and photograph sharks, not to feed or play with them.”

Fisherman who witnessed the event told Sarit her husband photographed the sharks from a distance but did not touch or feed them.

“When they started getting too close to him, he used the GoPro camera stick to gently push them away,” wrote Sarit. “The fisherman called him to return to shore, and Barak began to swim slowly towards him and then he was attacked.”

Tzach served in the reserves in Battalion 8207 in the Northern Nachal Brigade (228).

Army friends released a statement: “The 8207 family announces with great sadness the untimely death of Barak Tzach following the shark attack earlier this week off the coast of Hadera. Barak served in the battalion since 1999, was a dear man, beloved, and we will miss him very much. The battalion is here for his family and will continue to accompany them all the way. Details about the funeral will be announced later.”

Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services reported on Tuesday that rescue divers located remains which were transferred to the Abu Kabir

Institute for identification.

The police, IDF, volunteers, municipal patrol inspectors, ZAKA, MDA, firefighters, and Nature and Parks Authority participated in the search.

Following the incident, beaches from Hadera to Netanya were closed. Videos of swimmers, including children, standing close to sharks in the days before the attack have been posted on Israeli social media since the tragic incident.

The Nature and Parks Authority reportedly warned authorities that sharks gathering in Hadera was not regulated and have called to prohibit human activity in the area.

Shark and marine life research professionals reportedly told Israel media: “It was absolutely clear that something like this would happen in Israel. Despite all the warnings and explanations that these animals must not be disturbed, many Israelis swam toward the sharks, petted them, and even swam around them holding fish. We must remember these are animals with significant attacking capabilities. That’s why we continue to warn the public not to approach sharks in the Hadera area.”

According to reports, sharks are attracted to Hadera’s coastline due to warm water from the Israel Electric Corporation’s power station.

The Brook: Hendon’s New Nursery Site

Opens

Its Doors

England’s largest Jewish nursery provider, the Werton Group, has unveiled a stunning new facility in Hendon.

This week, “The Brook” opened its doors to the children of BYPN, one of the most popular nurseries run by the Werton Group. After receiving an Outstanding rating from Ofsted at its last inspection, BYPN has rapidly expanded. Last year, it opened a second branch in Golders Green.

Now, the Hendon branch is the first nursery to join The Brook, a custom-made site on Bell Lane, NW4.

This marks an exciting new chapter in the Werton Group’s mission to transform childcare for the Jewish

Arsenal first with Kosher l’Pesach Pre-Match Meal

Jewish Gooners organises lunch for 55 travelling fans in advance of momentous win

As pre-match meals go, keeping bread off the menu is hardly a surprise. But for 55 fans in Spain, avoiding it was a necessity. That’s because the second leg of Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid coincided with Pesach.

With no local kosher restaurants open, Jewish Gooners contacted Rabbi Zalman

Goldstein of Chabad Madrid, who specially opened his doors to the travelling supporters.

Sami Steinbock, founder of Jewish Gooners, said, “Playing such a big away game during Pesach was always going to be a challenge so it was important that the Jewish Gooners did everything we could to ensure our members could be well fed. As soon as we told people what we had planned, word spread and almost every Jewish Arsenal fan in Madrid came together for a very special Passover meal before a very special match!”

Rabbi Goldstein said, “When I heard there was a big game in Madrid with lots of travelling Jewish fans from London, I was delighted to help. And I’m even more delighted to now be an honorary Jewish Gooner!”

Arsenal’s Jewish fans were joined by officials from the club, as part of their support for the event.

community. Increased government funding available to parents has caused a surge in demand for professionally run, Ofsted-approved nurseries and creches. The Werton Group is meeting that demand, opening new settings across the country, most recently in Edgware and Gateshead.

“Young children deserve more from nursery than simply babysitting and working parents increasingly require year-round, wraparound childcare,” commented Jamie Peston, co-founder of the Werton Group. “We provide child-led early education that actively encourages healthy development and sets up children for success through school years and life beyond.”

The Brook is nestled among the greenery of Dollis Valley Greenwalk. Two purpose-built cabins house the nursery and a bright, spacious playground has been built for outdoor play. The natural surroundings will allow children to enjoy Werton

Woodlands Academy, a forest school-inspired programme designed to teach young children about the world around them.

“These new premises are fantastic. My daughter comes home smiling and can’t wait to go each morning!” says Yehudah, a parent at BYPN.

The nursery currently welcomes children aged 2 to 3. In September, a baby room will be added to cater for children from 6 months of age. With dedicated outdoor learning and tailor-made facilities, The Brook is bringing a new level to Jewish early years education.

To find out more about The Brook, visit wertongroup.co.uk/thebrook or call 020 8731 1923

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From Memory to Action: Honouring the 6 Million and Survivors of the Holocaust Through Deeds

BY RABBI NAFTALI SCHIFF

As we mark both Yom Hashoah and Yom Hazikaron in close succession, it behoves us to consider the significance of memory as Jews.

This year marks 80 years since the liberation of the Nazi death camps. 80 years is a milestone that resonates deeply. “The days of our years are seventy; and if by strength, eighty.” Tehilim 90. The Hebrew word for strength, gevurah, also evokes the teaching from Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers): “Who is mighty? One who conquers their negative inclination.” Yom Hashoah has become synonymous with Yizkor, much as Yom Hazikaron carries the message of memory. What does it mean to remember 80 years later and with strength?

I would suggest that in Jewish tradition, remembrance (zikaron) is never an isolated nor a passive act. The Yizkor prayer, recited on Yom Kippur and major festivals, exemplifies this principle. Yizkor means “May [G-d] remember,” but its recitation is always coupled with a pledge to give tzedaka or to perform good deeds in the memory of the deceased. This practice is rooted in the Midrash Tanchuma (Haazinu 1) that explains that by pledging

charity in memory of the deceased, we assist in their final journey, judgement and spiritual elevation. Much as the recital of Kaddish for our loved ones must never become merely a ritualistic mantra, rather a reminder to live worthy lives of Kiddush Hashem, so similarly Yizkor should never be an empty recital. I would suggest that the lighting of a solitary candle as an isolated act, in order to remember our 6 Million, does not do justice to our heroic Survivors, nor does it go anywhere near far enough to ensure the mantra of Never Again resonates with any reality.

This concept is further reinforced in Pirkei Avot 3:1, where Akavia ben Mahalalel teaches: “Reflect upon three things and you will not come to wrongdoing: Know from where you came, where you are going, and before whom you are destined to give an account.” This teaching is recited as part of funeral prayers and is meant to go beyond mere remembrance to inspire ethical behaviour and conscious action.

As we observe Yom HaShoah, the imperative is clear: remembrance must lead to action. The horrors of the Holocaust demand more than solemn reflection; they call us to uphold the values

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.

THE HAMAS LEGAL CASE - PART 1

Dear Editor

I am sure our community will have immediately convulsed upon learning that Hamas has prepared a legal application for its political and military wings to be removed from the UK’s list of proscribed terrorist organisations.

I am equally sure we can all feel why this application is so outrageous, and why it represents yet another moral contortion in a society as morally confused as ours. However, given the lawyers involved would likely accuse us of rushing to judgment, without having first read and understood the application, I hope the below can assist our understanding.

The application, in summary, puts forward three main grounds for de-proscribing Hamas - all of which test the boundaries of absurdity.

First, it argues that Hamas’s proscription contravenes Britain’s duties to help end genocide, crimes against humanity and illegal occupation. Whatever one thinks of Israel’s presence in the West Bank and (formerly) in Gaza, the proscription of Hamas as a terrorist group has long pre-dated the current Gaza war – its military wing was proscribed as early as 2001, and its political wing in 2021. The

that were threatened and nearly obliterated forever during that darkest chapters of our collective history. This does include combating antisemitism, standing up against hatred, and fostering a society rooted in justice and compassion. However, it also calls upon us to live lives and adopt actions that both remember and immortalise the Jewish practice and Judaism that our enemies sought to destroy.

The survivors of the Holocaust, many of whom are now in their 80s or older, embody this strength. Their resilience and commitment to rebuilding lives and communities serve as a testament to the power of action rooted in memory.

In honouring the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, let us ensure that our

remembrance is not confined only to ceremonies and ritualistic prayers. Let it inspire us to act—through education, advocacy, daily deeds of kindness and Jewish practice. In doing so, we transform memory into a living force that shapes a better future, our raison d’etre as Jews. May the memories of those who were murdered for being Jewish be a blessing, and may our actions honour their legacy.

Rabbi Naftali Schiff is the Founder and Director of JRoots

application, ironically, has plenty to say about that, and yet still attempts to undo those past 24 years almost exclusively by reference to the current war. It almost makes one wonder why Hamas waited so long.

In any case, Hamas’s argument appears to be that one cannot possibly help end genocide or crimes against humanity, unless one necessarily takes the step of de-proscribing a terrorist group which claims it is trying to do the same. This argument would be farcical if any terrorist group made it, let alone one whose own actions on October 7th themselves amounted to these exact crimes, and started the war in which it now alleges those crimes against Israel. And it completely overlooks a fundamental rationale for the definition of “terrorism” in UK law, which is less concerned with what the exact political *aims* of a terrorist group are, than with the *means* that group employs to attain them, i.e., the use or threat of violence.

The second ground of the application invokes the European Convention of Human Rights, arguing that the proscription of Hamas disproportionately interferes with the freedom of expression and assembly of “those with whom the British State politically disagrees”.

This is an argument so reductive that it would be hilarious, if only the subject matter wasn’t so serious. Firstly, the UK Government does not simply ‘politically disagree’ with Hamas (although it would undoubtedly find Hamas’s views to be extreme, falling outside the Overton window). What is critical is, again, the extremely violent, terrorising means which Hamas specifically deploys to achieve its political aims. Secondly, proscribing a group only restricts the freedom of speech of that group and its explicit supporters - not simply those who hold the same political views. Many people in our society, unfortunately, hold the same views on Israel as Hamas does - but that is not the same thing as supporting or inviting support for Hamas.

The third ground is that Hamas poses no threat to Britain or British citizens, given that it has only ever operated in “historic Palestine”. This argument is not only patently ridiculous, but it also misunderstands the law, which simply asks whether the group is “concerned in terrorism”, and whether proscription is “proportionate”.

Critically, neither question requires the group to be focused solely or decisively on threatening Britain or its citizens. This is to prevent a perverse outcome, in which terrorist groups who pose a threat to British citizens situated overseas (including on the territory of British allies, like Israel) would slip through the net, simply because they say they aren’t targeting those citizens explicitly for being British. It also prevents another perverse outcome in which the law would be left playing catch-up, every time a

group that otherwise clearly meets the conditions for proscription suddenly turns its focus directly towards Britain and its citizens. This is precisely why counter-terrorism law is framed broadly on paper - so that the stable door can be closed before the horse has bolted.In any case, the application actually admits that Hamas *could* threaten some British citizens - not because they are British, but because they are “individuals taking part in genocide, apartheid and illegal belligerent occupation” who happen to be British. On that basis, any terrorist group would be deemed not to pose a threat to British citizens, simply because of that group’s subjective beliefs about what those British citizens were doing. The rank hypocrisy in Hamas’s argument would be equally obvious even if they had *not* murdered British citizens or taken them hostage on October 7th –facts which are very conveniently omitted in the application.

Given all the above, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that this is not a genuine legal claim, but a highly political (and, at this point we can now say, disgusting) publicity stunt, dressed in legal clothing. And it is a claim that endangers not just Israel or Jews, but all those against whom Hamas’s violent Islamist ideology stands – including, it seems, British citizens.

It is not enough that the Home Secretary will simply reject this application. For so long as the application lives on, both its letter and its spirit must be repudiated across all levels of our society.

Yours sincerely Naji Tilley, London NW4

UJIA Gap Year Scholars applications now open; funding for up to half the cost of a lifechanging gap year experience is available

UJIA has opened applications for its Gap Year Scholars initiative, supported by Wohl Legacy, for 2025/2026 programmes.

Launched last summer, this groundbreaking programme has already identified and supported 10 of the most promising young leaders in the Jewish community, who are benefitting from this support on gap year programmes taking place right now.

In 2025/2026 UJIA, supported by Wohl Legacy, will again be providing substantial financial assistance - up to 50% of the gap year programme costs - for a select group of future leaders.

Israel-based long-term programmes, especially those with a focus on career development, are currently experiencing a renaissance amongst young British Jews. In 2017 just 66 young people went on post-secondary school gap programmes, this has nearly doubled to 112 in 2024-2025. In 2010 just 37 young people went on post-university career-development programmes, in 2024-2025 this has risen nearly five-fold to over 150. The

total average number of young people on UJIA-supported long-term programmes in Israel is now over 420.

UJIA Chair Zvi Noé said: “UJIA research shows that Israel experiences, particularly immersive gap year programmes, play a vital role in strengthening young people’s sense of belonging to the Jewish people, which in turn inspires them to become the communal leaders of the future. This belief, which is shared by our partners at Wohl Legacy, is why we are making funds available to support more young people in 2025-2026, who in turn will join the leadership pipeline that our community relies on.”

their return to the UK.

These merit-based scholarships are designed for young leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to Israel and Zionism as cornerstones of their Jewish identity and excel in the following areas:

1. Leadership skills

UJIA and Wohl Legacy’s commitment goes well beyond just financial support: each Scholar will have access to a range of professional coaching and personal mentoring opportunities, participate in exclusive Shabbatonim and seminars, and continue to engage as a cohort on

2. Activism

3. Personal qualities and traits

4. Vision and future plans

Current UJIA Gap Year Scholar Leo Arazi said: “I applied to be a UJIA Gap Year Scholar to improve and strengthen my leadership, and teamwork skills specifically within a Jewish environment. I felt the programme would provide me with opportunities that would not only benefit me, but also the future of British Jewry. Also, the grant that the programme provided was a great incentive. My experience in Israel has been greatly informative, enjoyable and

exciting. Studying in Israel has provided me with independence and knowledge that I don’t feel I could have received anywhere else. Being in Israel has given me the chance to explore our country and history in conjunction with a strong education. If you’re even thinking about applying, then I say: what do you have to lose? Why not give it a shot? As long as you’re a committed individual and somebody who isn’t scared to be themselves then fill in the application and put in the effort. Both the programme and the grant are extremely beneficial and it’s an opportunity you will not regret applying for.”

To apply you must be a UK resident, a participant on a Masa approved gap-year programme of 4 months or more, have an intention to return to the UK and be an active member of the UK Jewish community. For more information, potential UJIA Gap Years Scholars should visit https://ujia.org/experiencing-israel/ financial-assistance/gap-year-scholars/ and apply by 30 April.

8-12 MAY 2025

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR SPEAKERS THIS YEAR

HaRav Hershel Schachter

Rav Hershel Schachter, a leading halachic authority, is Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University’s RIETS. A disciple of Rav Soloveitchik, he shapes modern Orthodoxy through his scholarship, psak halacha, and leadership.

Jen Airley

Jen Airley made Aliyah in 2006. After the tragic loss of her son Binyamin hy”d in 2023, she inspires others with her strength, faith, and resilience. She also co-founded “Beit Binyamin,” a programme to support soldiers’ spiritual growth and recovery.

Rav Yishay Englman

Rav Yishay, a Rabbi at the Yeshivat Maale Adumim, produces popular Halacha podcasts. He served 180 days in combat after October 7, sustaining serious injuries in Gaza. Now recovering, he shares insights on resilience and unity.

Rabbanit Rachelle Fraenkel

Rabbanit Rachelle Fraenkel is a Torah educator, Yoetzet Halacha, and director of Matan’s Hilkhata Program. In 2014, her son Naftali was tragically kidnapped and murdered. She is dedicated to empowering women in Jewish learning and leadership.

Rav Yehoshua Grunstein

Rav Yehoshua Grunstein, former Rabbi of Beth Israel shul in Halifax, serves as the Director of Tzohar in the US. An author and lecturer, he has over 1,000 recorded classes and is dedicated to advancing Jewish education and community leadership.

HaRav Yosef Zvi Rimon

Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon is a renowned halachic authority, Nasi of World Mizrachi, Rosh Yeshiva of Lev Academic Center, and founder of Sulamot and La’Ofek. He shapes modern halacha through his scholarship, leadership, and educational initiatives.

Rav Doron Chitiz

Rav Doron Chitiz is an educator at King Solomon School and Kehillat Shivtei Yisrael in Ra’anana. A former shaliach in Johannesburg, he is a passionate teacher, lecturer, and musician. His brother, Lt. Yaron Chitiz, hy”d, fell during the war.

Rav Elli Fischer

Rav Elli Fischer is a writer, and translator, previously serving as JLIC rabbi at the University of Maryland. He co-founded HaMapah, is an editor at The Lehrhaus, contributes to Peninei Halacha, and is working towards a doctorate in Jewish history.

Rav Binny Freedman

Rav Binny Freedman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orayta in Jerusalem, is an IDF Company Commander and survivor of the 2001 Sbarro bombing. He inspires students with his personal journey and commitment to Jewish education.

Rabbanit Karen Hochhauser

Rabbanit Karen Hochhauser, originally from NJ, holds a BA in English Literature and an MA in Jewish Education from YU. She serves as Director of Student Affairs at Tiferet in Beit Shemesh, fostering personal growth and Torah learning among students.

Rav Doron Perez is the Executive Chairman of World Mizrachi, a leader in Religious Zionism, and a sought-after speaker. He has shaped Jewish education and leadership through his scholarship, writing, and communal impact.

Tzofia Englman

Tzofia Englman, 35, a mother of four, is completing her PhD in Chemistry at Hebrew University. While her husband served and recovered from injury, she balanced family, research, teaching, and supporting wounded soldiers’ wives.

Rabbanit Pesha Fischer

Rabbanit Pesha Fischer is a senior educator at Midreshet Amit in Modiin, with over 20 years of experience. She holds a Master’s in Education from Yeshiva University and is deeply committed to inspiring women through Torah study and leadership.

Rav Yamin Goldsmith

Rav Yamin Goldsmith, Rosh Midrasha at Sha’alvim for Women in Jerusalem, has 35 years in Jewish education. He holds degrees from YU and Columbia University, and is a passionate educator dedicated to fostering a deep connection to Torah.

Dr Carl Hochhauser

Dr. Carl Hochhauser is a pediatric psychologist, teacher at Yeshivat Hakotel, and consultant at Zichron Menachem. He holds a doctorate in psychology from Yeshiva University and contributes to various Jewish community initiatives.

Rav Doron Perez

JOIN US FOR A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER, STRENGTHENING YOUR CONNECTIONS TO ISRAEL AT THIS TIME.

Rav Jesse Horn

Rav Jesse Horn is a Rav at Yeshivat HaKotel in Jerusalem. He is a sought-after lecturer and educator, inspiring students with his deep Torah knowledge and engaging approach to Jewish thought and practice, leadership, and community.

Rav Joel Kenigsberg

Rav Joel Kenigsberg serves as the Rav at Beit Knesset Hanassi in Rehavia, Jerusalem. A graduate of Eretz Hemdah’s Manhigut Toranit program, he, with his family, lived in London as Shlichim of Mizrachi UK and served as Rav of Magen Avot.

Rav Bentzi Mann

Rav Bentzi Mann is the Director of Mizrachi’s Schools Department. An alumnus of Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and the Chai Roi Leadership Institute, he taught at JFS and led Mill Hill East Jewish Community in the UK.

Rav David Milston

Rav David Milston, Director of Midreshet HaRova’s Overseas Program, was born in London and studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion. A lecturer and author, he teaches widely, performs weddings with Tzohar, and lives in Alon Shvut with his family.

Rabbanit Michal Santhouse

An Israeli educator, teacher and curriculum developer, born to a Mexican family in Israel. On October 7, she lost her brother and nephew, Moshe and Eliad Ohayon, who went to fight terrorists in the southern city Ofakim.

Dr Yael Ziegler

Dr. Yael Ziegler, a senior Tanakh lecturer at Herzog College and Matan, holds a Ph.D. from Bar-Ilan University. A widely published author and speaker, she lectures internationally and lives in Alon Shvut with her husband and five children.

Rav Alex Israel

Rav Alex Israel is a Jewish thought leader, international speaker, and teacher at Midreshet Lindenbaum and Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi. He publishes “The Tanakh Podcast” and mentors “Sacks Scholars.” Rav Israel is an author, educator, and mediator.

Rav Menachem Leibtag

Rav Menachem Leibtag, founder of Tanach Study Center, is an acclaimed Bible scholar and pioneer in Jewish education online. He teaches at Yeshivat Har Etzion, Matan, Midreshet Lindenbaum, and Yeshivat Shaalavim, lecturing globally.

Rav Anthony Manning

Rav Manning lectures widely in Jewish Law and Thought across Israel, the U.S. and UK. As Director of Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, he provides structured shiurim with source sheets. He also teaches weekly at the OU Israel Center in Jerusalem.

Rav Danny Mirvis

Rav Danny Mirvis, CEO of World Mizrachi and Rav of Ohel Moshe in Herzliya Pituach, was born in Dublin and raised in London. An alumnus of Yeshivat Har Etzion, he previously served as Senior Rabbi of Mizrachi Melbourne.

Rav Eliyahu Silverman

Rav Eliyahu Silverman studied at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and Kollel Erez Hemda, earning semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. A former Givati commander, he holds a B.Ed. from Orot Israel, specializing in Education and Hebrew language.

Rav Binyamin Zimmerman

Rav Binyamin Zimmerman, directs multiple educational organizations. He leads Mizrachi Musmachim, co-directs MatanMizrachi’s Advanced Women’s Learning Program, and serves as Educational Director of Zomet Institute.

Rabbanit Devora Kay

Devorah Kay, with 27 years in Jewish education, specializes in Chumash and Nach. After making Aliyah in 2020, she has spoken globally on hope, positivity, resilience, and the choices we make, following the tragic loss of her son, Eli.

Rabbanit Noa Lewis is the founder and CEO of Echad, a leading organization dedicated to Jewish education and community service. She also serves as the Female Director and Coordinator of the IDF Chevra Kadisha, across Israel.

Orit Mark Ettinger

Orit Mark Ettinger is a speaker and educator who shares messages of faith and hope. After the murder of her father, Rabbi Michael Mark, and later her brothers and cousin in terror attacks, she inspires audiences worldwide with her story.

Rav Shimshon Nadel

Rav Shimshon Nadel, Rav of Kehilat Zichron Yosef in Jerusalem, teaches at Sinai Kollel and Hovevei Zion’s Kollel Boker. A prolific writer and lecturer, he explores Jewish law and history, and previously served as a rabbi in Nebraska and Connecticut.

Rav Reuven Taragin

Rav Reuven Taragin, Dean of Overseas Students at Yeshivat Hakotel and Educational Director of World Mizrachi, is a Wexner Fellow and scholar. He leads global initiatives, and is Rav of Kehillat Eretz Chemdah.

Rabbanit Noa Lewis

JNF UK Leads Solidarity Day Trip to Israel’s North During Pesach

Over Pesach, JNF UK led a deeply meaningful solidarity day trip to northern Israel, offering participants a firsthand look at the challenges faced by communities devastated by months of displacement, evacuation, and ongoing uncertainty.

JNF UK has long been committed to supporting Israel’s underdeveloped peripheries, and this visit provided participants with the opportunity to show support for those affected by the relentless attacks on Israel’s northern border following the events of October 7th. In the aftermath of the attacks, the organisation not only intensified its efforts in the south, where the assaults took place, but also swiftly mobilised in the north to respond to the escalating tension, growing threat of war, and the needs of thousands of displaced residents.

Dan Shapira, JNF UK Project Manager in Israel, guided the trip and shared how they responded just a day after the attacks, on October 8th, by providing immediate support on the ground. From renovating bomb shelters to assisting evacuees and supporting those who remained in the region, JNF UK has been there every step of the way. “Every project we’ve undertaken is about strengthening the region and its people,” Dan explained. “Our aim is to help these communities not just recover but emerge stronger than ever.”

During the trip, participants visited a community that had been evacuated and heard directly from residents affected by the crisis. At a viewpoint near the Lebanese border, the group was given a

sobering perspective on the proximity and intensity of the threat. Among those they met were evacuees from Kibbutz Hanita, who shared personal stories of heartbreak and resilience, including how their extended families were simultaneously affected by the attacks in the south, in Kfar Aza and Nahal Oz.

The group also visited the Alma Research and Education Centre, where they received an in-depth security briefing from regional experts, offering critical insight into the complex challenges faced by northern communities and the broader security landscape. This trip was an important opportunity to show solidarity with Israel’s north.” said Elan Gorji, CEO of JNF UK. “Listening to residents and seeing the reality on the ground reinforces the urgency of our continued support. We remain committed to standing with these communities, not just in times of crisis, but as they work toward longterm recovery and resilience. This would

not be possible without the ongoing dedication and generosity of our supporters, whose commitment continues to drive our mission forward.”

The day trip offered only a glimpse into the hardship faced by residents in Israel’s north, but it reinforced the critical importance of continued support. JNF

UK’s ongoing projects in the region focus on cleanup and recovery, building resilience, and helping families and communities heal and rebuild.

This solidarity trip was not just a visit — it was a message: the people of the north are not alone.

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The group gathering at Kibbutz Hanita Museum

Stories of Resistance, Memory, and Jewish Continuity

BY ZAK JEFFAY

This Yom HaShoah, the focus isn’t just on the past - it’s about a handwritten Haggadah, the choice to sacrifice for another, and the enduring power of Jewish story and spirit. Not in 1944, but in 2024.

For Jews, memory is not simply recalling facts; it’s a way of understanding our place in an ongoing narrative. Yom HaShoah is a call to action - to live in a way that echoes those who came before. And that’s what Holocaust remembrance has truly achieved.

In moments of crisis, memory becomes a national muscle. The stories of heroism emerging from those recently released from captivity are breathtaking. These aren’t just examples of Jewish resilience. They’re living proof of how Holocaust education shapes lives.

Agam Berger and Liri Elbag, held hostage in Gaza, created a makeshift Haggadah and held an underground Seder. They knew from their Holocaust

education and journeys to Poland that their actions were continuing a line of resistance that stretches through every chapter of Jewish history.

When Holocaust educator Alex Dancyg was taken captive on October 7, he taught fellow hostages about Jewish history. Liat Atzili, kidnapped from her home in Nir Oz, gave a descriptive tour of Yad Vashem, using her words to bring it to life for those with her. They followed in the footsteps of Holocaust hero Emmanuel Ringelblum, who preserved Jewish history from within the Warsaw Ghetto.

These powerful acts didn’t arise in isolation. They’re grounded in decades of storytelling by Holocaust survivors. Holocaust education was never meant to be a static monument or a vaccine against antisemitism. It’s a thread connecting us to generations past.

The Shoah was unique in scale, but not in kind. Jewish history has long been a story of both suffering and survival. Those who remember, know that our ancestors clung to Jewish life even in darkness, and that knowledge inspires us to do the same.

Memory is our Jewish superpower. It’s what allowed girls in Auschwitz to whisper the Shema at night. It’s what pushed women in Soviet exile to teach Hebrew in secret. And it’s that same force that motivated many hostages today to insist on living Jewishly - an act of spiritual resistance.

Former Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg once said, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Knowing how Holocaust victims and survivors lived becomes spiritual armor for future generations. This Yom HaShoah, we recognise how the courage of the past has shaped the actions of Jewish heroes in 2025.

The most meaningful lessons of Holocaust memory often emerge not from classrooms but through informal spaces - family conversations, heritage journeys, and personal moments with survivors. These moments don’t shout; they settle quietly into our consciousness. And when life demands strength, that memory is there, guiding us.

Leading JRoots journeys to Poland, I’ve witnessed it firsthand. The facts are crucial, but the deepest learning happens in

the silences - in the voice of a survivor, in private reflections that resist quantification. The most powerful teachings aren’t always spoken aloud; they’re the ones that shape us quietly from within.

So, this Yom HaShoah, I’m reminded that the stories we tell, and the way we listen to them, shape who we become. As the voices of survivors grow fainter, we must lean in closer. The next generation of Jewish heroes will need guidance, and the very best teachers are still speaking, if we choose to hear them.

Zak Jeffay is The Director of Education for JRoots. He is passionate about Jewish history and the Jewish future. He served as the Mazkir of Bnei Akiva UK as well as the Head of Informal Jewish Education at JFS. He leads groups on Jewish journeys across Europe and in Poland in particular. He has been involved in community building in Modiin ever since making Aliyah with his family in 2013.

The Day After Weekly Dvar Torah FROM ERETZ YISRAEL

BY RABBI STEWART WEISS

“And it was on the eighth day…”

So begins our parasha of Shemini, which describes the tragic death of the tzaddikim Nadav and Avihu.

But exactly what is the Torah referring to when it says “the 8th day?”

The majority of commentaries say Moshe conducted the dedication ceremony of the Mishkan for 7 days, beginning on the 23rd of Adar. And then on the 8th day – the first of Nissan – Aharon and his sons were consecrated as kohanim, who would now take over the service of the Mishkan and conduct the offerings. Others, including Rabbi Akiva, say the dedication began on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, and “the eighth day” refers to the 8th of Nissan, when Aharon took over from Moshe.

I have another thought. “Seven” represents the normal, natural order of things: Seven days of the week, seven levels of Heaven, seven colors of the spectrum, etc. “Eight” stands for that which is above

nature, that which transcends nature and touches on the Divine.

Aharon’s ability to carry on as kohen gadol after the death of his sons – interacting with so many people and transmitting Hashem’s love to all – must have been excruciatingly difficult. The fact that the nation was celebrating the opening of the Mishkan, while Aharon was in mourning for his children, required Divine, supernatural strength to carry on. And yet somehow, Aharon found the strength to do it. This week, Israel will focus on the

enormous losses we have suffered both in the current battle we are waging against Hamas, and all of our past wars. There is an overwhelming grief that we feel when we reflect on our brave young men and women who fell or were wounded since Israel’s independence. How can a person, a nation, keep up its strength and go on after such calamity?

And yet, we DO go on. Like a mourner who must pick up the pieces when the seven days of aveilut, mourning, are done, when the crowds of comforters have gone, we

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continued to live after Yom HaZikaron, and we turn our attention to the miraculous progress we have made made in building this country.

Like a chatan and kallah, who must maintain their excitement long after the sheva berachot have ended, we continue to remain passionate about Israel even while feeling that intense loss of the children who risk, and all-too often lose their lives while serving in our defense. The term “eighth day” also immediately conjures up the idea of a brit milah. I suggest that the greatest brit-covenant between Man and Hashem is our undaunted determination to carry on and maintain our faith, despite the heavy load we must carry in our hearts. May G-d take notice of our sacrifice and bless us with peace and the geulah sheleima.

Rabbi Stewart Weiss is director of the Jewish Outreach Center of Ra’anana. He is a member of Mizrachi’s Speakers Bureau (mizrachi.org/speakers).

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Parashat Shemini

2ND ALIYA (LEVI) – 9:17-23

Aharon and his sons finish the offerings, after which Aharon blesses the people with the priestly blessing (Rashi). Moshe and Aharon then bless the people that the Divine presence will rest upon them (Rashi).

3RD ALIYA (SHLISHI) – 9:24-10:11

1ST ALIYA (KOHEN) – VAYIKRA 9:1-16

The sidra begins almost a year after the Exodus from Egypt, on Rosh Chodesh Nisan. After seven days of inaugurating the Mishkan (Tabernacle), Moshe instructs Aharon to bring two special offerings, an elevation offering (olah) and a sin offering (chatat). The people are also told to bring a chatat, two olah offerings and two peace offerings (shelamim). Aharon approaches the altar (mizbeach), together with his sons, and they begin the process of bringing these offerings.

A fire comes from heaven and consumes the offerings on the mizbeach. The people fall to the ground in awe of G-d. Nadav and Avihu, two of Aharon’s sons, bring an incense offering (ketoret) in a pan, which they had not been commanded to do. A fire descends from G-d, killing them instantly. Aharon is silent. Moshe asks two of their cousins to remove the bodies. Moshe tells Aharon and his two surviving sons, Elazar and Itamar, not to display any mourning in public. G-d says to Aharon that no one is allowed to perform the service in the Mishkan when drunk.

Point to Consider: What reward did Aharon receive for his silence? (see Rashi

to 10:3)

4TH ALIYA (REVI’I) – 10:12-15

Moshe tells Aharon and his sons to eat the remaining parts of a special meal offering (mincha) that they themselves had brought that day, as well as parts of the shelamim offering which they had also brought.

5TH ALIYA (CHAMISHI) – 10:16-19

Moshe criticises Elazar and Itamar (Aharon’s other sons) for burning one of the chatat offerings instead of eating parts of it. Aharon defends their actions, based on their status as mourners (Rashi). Moshe accepts Aharon’s justification.

6TH ALIYA (SHISHI) – 11:1-32

G-d teaches Moshe and Aharon some of the laws of kashrut. Only an animal with completely split hooves and which chews the cud is kosher. Therefore, animals like the camel and pig, which have only one of these characteristics, are forbidden. Fish are only kosher if they have both fins and scales. The Torah lists forbidden birds by name. Flying insects are also prohibited food, with limited

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exceptions (that are today difficult to identify). Kosher animals which die without proper slaughter (shechitah), as well as dead non-kosher animals, transmit ritual impurity (tumah) to one who touches them.

7TH ALIYA (SHEVI’I)

– 11:33-47

The Torah lists some basic laws of how certain utensils can become impure (tameh) and how they need to be treated thereafter. All creeping insects are forbidden to eat. Keeping these laws allows a person to become sanctified and holy.

HAFTARAH (II SHMUEL

6:1-7:17)

This reading relates the journey of the ark to Jerusalem, led by King David. Tragedy strikes on this journey, when Uzzah, the son of Avinadav, dies trying to stop the ark falling. Upon its eventual arrival in Jerusalem, David dances joyfully in public and is criticised by his wife Michal, the daughter of Shaul (Saul). Natan the prophet tells David that his line of kingship will last forever and that his son Shlomo (Solomon) will build the Temple.

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WHAT3WORDS/// POCKETS OF MEMORY

BY RABBI NAFTALI SCHIFF

Most of us have things in our pockets. Ever since June 2006 I have always carried pockets of memory. Since October 7th, they have expanded further.

Fewer car keys, credit cards and loose change, but more tiny objects of huge significance. I hold them there for a reason. They are my anchors. My reminders not to get lost in the chaos of the world.

In life, it is all too easy to get distracted by the stuff in our pockets, the baggage we bear, the hum of messages, the non-stop notifications, the next deadline or the next meeting. The world is moving at such a pace, and the most vital things can all so easily get left behind. These fragments in my pocket tug at my soul, reminding me who I am, where I am from, and why we must keep on moving forward.

Among them there are three stones.

One I picked up from the ground in June 2006, from the end of the railway lines in Auschwitz Birkenau. This was the final destination, the end of the line for over a million of our brothers and sisters including the entire family of Eva “Bobby” Newman who was standing next to me. This stone bore witness and continues to do so for me and tens of thousands of others who have accompanied JRoots trips and partaken of Bobby’s legacy. Alongside them are tragically two later additions. One from Be’eri. One from Kfar Aza. From kibbutzim where Jews had lived with hope, where children had played, where parents had tucked them in at bed – until the evil of October 7th tore

in and ripped them asunder. The stone from Auschwitz. The Be’eri stone. The Kfar Aza stone. Three reminders of Jewish suffering. Three laments that traverse both time and space.

At Auschwitz, they believed it was the end. The Nazis wanted not merely to kill Jews, they wanted to annihilate the possibility of a future Jewish existence. No remnant, no memorial, no hope. Yet despite the tremendous loss, pain and suffering, the Jewish People were, with the help of G-d, able to rebuild and move forward and rebuilt our Nation and the State of Israel against all odds and in the most hostile of environments. Never was this clearer than in the Gaza Envelope in places like Beeri and Kfar Aza on that fateful Shabbat and Simchat Torah and the period since.

These stones remind me daily that I don’t just carry memory, I carry respon-

holds my Father’s British army dog tags. Stamped on the toughened material are two distinct words: “Schiff” and “Jew.” No euphemism. No softening.

This is my identity. Then there is my own “diskit”, the metal ID from my Israeli army service as an Givati infantryman some 40

history. Ensuring the Jewish future is no skip in the park.

sibility, because beside these stones is my grandfather’s silver cigarette case. He received it when he was honourably discharged from the British Army at the end of the First World War. A Jew in uniform, serving in a land that at times couldn’t quite get its mind made up on whether it wanted him or not.

After October 7th I placed a few tiny objects inside the silver case that sits in my inside jacket pocket as a constant reminder. It

years ago. A tiny bit of metal with much more than just my name inscribed on it. It holds with it memories of marching shoulder to shoulder with my peers, defending not just borders, but the dream of the Jewish future, whose fate I was privileged to bear too.

Today, alongside these memories, is also a Hostage dog tag. A reminder of our Bothers and Sisters all still held in captivity. The lives on the line, the patiently waiting, suffering families, our family, all.

Since October 7th I also constantly carry a Sefer Tehillim, a book of Psalms with the names of soliders inside. Because memories are not enough. They have to move us to prayer, to hope and to action.

And perhaps strangely, buried among these previous items , I have a few tiddlywinks. A children’s game, a pretty pointless one at that, but it reminds me of my elder Brothers adage- “ we’re not here to play tiddlywinks!” When lying next to the dog tags of modern Jewish consciousness, they are remind me that this life as a Jew is no game. There’s no frivolity in Jewish

These are my personal simanim, my signs, my cues to live a purposeful life of meaningful action. These are not reminders that I left anything behind, rather sources of energy and inspiration for the here and now. These remind me, every day: What are you doing now to ensure our future.

Standing here on these days, this week, in between Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron, I am acutely conscious of the weight and portent of these objects. But they are not burdensome. They are precious duties; reminders of where we come from, that which we have endured and the magnificent promise of a bright future.

For if we don’t carry these memories with us, then who will? And should we not invest in the Jewish future, then who will defend it? So, yes, my pockets are full. So is my heart. And I have a very definite reason for bringing these things with me. Not because the story is finished. But because it has to keep going on and we all have a role to play in ensuring that it does.

Shabbat

Shalom

///What3Words is a geocoding system that has divided the world into a grid of 57 trillion 3-by-3 squares, each of which is identified by a unique three-word address. In this column, Rabbi Naftali Schiff reflects upon three words each week, relating to core issues of the day. Feedback welcome! nschiff@jfutures.org

Rabbi Naftali Schiff is the Founder and Chief Executive of Jewish Futures

“Your Home in the Homeland”: A Guide for Anglos Buying Property in Israel

BY ISRAEL PROPERTIES BY STAMELMAN & PARTNERS

For many in the UK Jewish community, owning a home in Israel is more than just an investment—it’s a dream rooted in identity, belonging, and continuity. Whether it’s for Aliyah, a vacation getaway, or a future retirement plan, buying a property in Israel connects you to the land and people of our heritage.

Yet for many Anglo buyers, the idea of navigating the Israeli real estate system feels overwhelming. Unfamiliar legal structures, language barriers, financing complexities, and fast-paced market dynamics can create uncertainty and confusion. That’s exactly where Israel Properties by Stamelman & Partners comes in.

As one of the leading real estate services catering specifically to English-speaking clients, weturn that complex process into a transparent, empowering, and even exciting journey.

WHO WE ARE

With over 20 years of experience and offices serving clients from London, Manchester, the US, South Africa, USA, Canada and beyond, Israel Properties has built a reputation based on trust, integrity, and results. We specialize in helping Anglos buy homes and investment properties in Israel with complete clarity—no surprises, no language gaps, and no guesswork.

We don’t just help you “buy” a home— we represent your interests through every step of the journey. Our concierge-style, one-stop service includes everything from pre-purchase consultation and legal/mortgage support to project management, renovations, and even rental services for investors.

STEP-BY-STEP SUPPORT, TAILORED FOR ANGLOS

What makes buying real estate in Israel different from the UK? Just about everything. But with the right team on your side, it becomes manageable and exciting. Here’s how we simplify the process:

1. Personal Consultation

We start with a deep dive into your goals. Are you buying for Aliyah, as a

holiday home, or for investment? Do you want to be near a synagogue, school, beach, or in a growing Anglo community like Beit Shemesh, Ra’anana, Netanya, or Jerusalem?

2. Hand-Picked Properties

We match you with real opportunities—many of them off-market or developer-direct—that align with your goals, budget, and lifestyle. We also help you compare neighbourhoods, price trends, and long-term value to ensure you’re buying wisely.

3. Trusted Legal & Financial Team

We connect you with Anglo-friendly mortgage brokers, property lawyers, and currency specialists to ensure smooth transactions. You’ll know exactly what to expect in terms of taxes, fees, and timelines.

4. Transparent Pricing

No hidden commissions. No conflicts of interest. We represent you, the buyer—not the seller or the developer. Every cost is detailed up front, including legal fees, agent commissions, and expected property taxes.

5. Project Management & After-Sale Care

For those buying new projects or renovations, our in-house project management team ensures that every tile, tap, and window meets your standards—even if you’re overseas. And if you’re investing for rental income, we offer full property management, tenant vetting, and maintenance services.

FROM LONDON TO THE LAND OF ISRAEL: POPULAR OPINION

We often work with UK buyers seeking:

• New builds in Neve Shamir or Carmei Gat: Great for young families or investors, with strong rental demand and infrastructure growth.

• Boutique developments in Jerusalem, Herzliya or Ramat Beit Shemesh: Ideal for retirees or high-end buyers wanting views, peace, and exclusivity.

• Vacation homes in Netanya, Tel Aviv, or Tiberias: Coastal lifestyle with longterm appreciation.

Recent market data shows steady growth in these areas, especially for well-located 4- to 5- room apartments with views. Prices in Beit Shemesh average around ₪2.5–3.2 million for a spacious family apartment, while Jerusalem and Tel Aviv continue to command

premium prices. We provide all buyers with a comparative market analysis (CMA) and tailored financial spreadsheets showing expected costs, returns, and mortgage details.

WHY TRUST MATTERS

Many Anglo buyers have told us they were hesitant to begin the process after hearing “horror stories” of miscommunication, contracts signed without understanding the terms, or unexpected fees at closing. Our answer is simple: transparency, trust, and total buyer protection.

Unlike many agents in Israel who work for sellers or developers, we only represent you, the buyer. That means we’re committed to finding the right deal, not just closing any deal.

We also offer something few do: real aftercare. Once your purchase is complete, we don’t disappear. We help with tenant placement, utility setup, insurance, maintenance, and more— so your home works for you, even if you’re not in Israel.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

If you’re dreaming of owning a home in Israel but feel daunted by the logistics, especially if you live abroad, look no further than Israel Properties! From the very first contact to the final touches, they take what seems like an impossible task and make it not just doable—but genuinely enjoyable.

Buying a property in Israel while being miles away might sound overwhelming, but with Israel Properties, it’s honestly a breeze. They don’t just “help you find a place”—they scour the market for the perfect property that meets your needs, filtering out all the dross so you don’t waste a single moment. The attention to detail is second to none! Once they’ve narrowed down the options, they visit the properties themselves, taking detailed WhatsApp videos, and giving you an experience as close to being there in person as you can get. Their insight and honesty about each property make it feel like you’re viewing it with a trusted friend. And their service doesn’t stop at just finding your dream home. Oh no, they are with you every step of the way. They set you up with finance professionals for help with your mortgage and with topnotch lawyers, like the incredible Evyatar Himi, who truly is the best you could ask for— responsive, professional, and genuinely invested in your success. But it doesn’t end there. Need help fitting out your kitchen? Done. Looking for tenants? Sorted. Property management after the sale? They’ve got it covered. It’s this full-circle service that sets Israel Properties apart and gives you complete peace of mind.

Shirley Stamelman, who seem to have an endless supply of patience and positivity; Sara Schaller, whose professionalism is matched only by her warmth and desire to find you exactly what you want (and for a good price); and Moshe Abelesz, who brings incredible expertise and care to the process. Together, they form a dream team that truly delivers. Israel Properties doesn’t just help you buy a home; they help you realise your dream in Israel.

Their dedication, knowledge, and personal touch make what could be a stressful journey feel effortless. I can’t recommend them enough—if you’re looking to buy property in Israel, these are the people you want by your side. Thank you, Israel Properties, for everything you have done!

- Family G UK

We would like to highly Recommend Toviya / Trevor Stamelman and his Israel Properties. We came to Israel to purchase our next investment and possibly retirement home and they have been absolutely professional, efficient, highly experienced and knowledgeable. They were a pleasure to deal with. We started the purchasing process in Israel and returned to the UK where we continued and ended the purchasing of our new spectacular property from the UK with Trevor’s help. Trevor was and is always available and nothing is too much to ask of him. He negotiated us excellent terms with the Kablan and additional extras that we sure we only got due to his relationship with them. We are definitely going to continue working with Trevor and his team to help us manage the upgrades, installations and managing of the property until we get to Israel. Our son also bought from Trevor and Israel Properties a few years ago and we highly recommend that if you wan to buy your property in Israel , and for all your property requirements and needs this is the one stop shop to go to. Thank you Trevor for your help and we are looking forward to continuing working together.

- The Stross Family – England

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE

A special shoutout goes to the amazing team who make this magic happen: Toviyah and

Israel may feel far away, but your future home is closer than you think. Whether you’re dreaming of a family apartment near a growing Anglo community, a luxury penthouse with sea views, or a strongyield investment that builds generational wealth, we’ll help you make it happen.

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Toviyah & Shirley Stamelman Your Trusted Real Estate Partners in Israel

ASK THE RABBI

THEY DON’T SPEAK FOR ME!

Dear Rabbi

As a British Jew on a Pesach program in Mexico, I found myself deeply embarrassed by the recent signing of several deputies from the Board of Deputies, condemning Israel - and in the name of love for Israel. I consider that the ultimate betrayal when a representative body of Anglo-Jewry dares to speak in the name of us all. I welcome your thoughts.

Dianne

Dear Dianne

The letter published in the Financial Times by a group of self-identified representatives of the British Jewish community does not speak for the majority of Anglo-Jewry. It speaks for a vocal liberal minority within the Board of Deputies who have long been more concerned with appeasing Western sensibilities than confronting the grim reality that Israel faces: Hamas is a fanatical terror organization committed to Israel’s destruction, not a legitimate actor in a peace process. The authors’ appeal to “Jewish values” rings hollow when those values are selectively applied — mourning Palestinian casualties without any moral clarity on why this war began, or how many of

those killed were active participants in terror. The brutal truth is that Hamas initiated this war with an act of savagery unparalleled in recent Jewish history. On October 7, Israeli civilians were raped, mutilated, and burned alive. Children were slaughtered in front of their parents. Over 200 people were dragged into Gaza as hostages. That is what Israel is responding to.

To reduce Israel’s military campaign to a political maneuver — as the authors do when they cite Itamar Ben-Gvir and coalition politics — is offensive and dishonest. The continuation of the war is not about internal budgets or political survival. It is about national survival. No sovereign nation would allow a terror army to sit on its border, regrouping under the guise of “diplomacy” to strike again.

Diplomacy with Hamas is not a viable path to peace — it is a path to paralysis. The temporary ceasefire did allow for some hostage releases, yes — but it also allowed Hamas to reorganize and strengthen its grip on the civilian population it brutalizes. To suggest we return to that framework is not a plan for peace. It is a plan for permanent insecurity.

The letter also claims to be written out of “love for Israel,” but true love for Israel

means supporting its right to defend itself. It means understanding that sometimes peace is only possible when evil is defeated, not negotiated with. The soft-spoken anguish of liberal British Jews may play well in polite society or diaspora op-eds, but it does nothing to change the reality in the Middle East — where Hamas hides behind human shields, stores weapons in hospitals, and uses aid to fund terror tunnels.

Anglo-Jewry is diverse, and the Board of Deputies does not have a monopoly on moral clarity. In fact, the increasingly liberal orientation of some risks alienating the very community it claims to represent. Many British Jews — across religious and political lines — understand that peace will only come when Hamas is dismantled, not when Israel is pressured into another round of false hope and deadly illusions.

Let us be clear: the path to peace lies not in rewarding terror, but in defeating it. Calls for ceasefire without victory

are calls to return to the nightmare of October 7. We owe the victims — and the hostages still languishing in Gaza — more than that.

On Those Deputies’ False Conscience

BY STEVE WINSTON

There is a long tradition in Western intellectual life of dissent cloaked in the trappings of moral authority. But rarely does it appear in such self-satisfied form as it did this past week, when 36 elected Deputies of the Board of Deputies of British Jews signed a letter published last week in the Financial Times condemning Israel’s war against Hamas.

The letter, signed not by private citizens but by individuals elected to represent Jewish communities across the UK, was not just disingenuous. It was something more insidious: the misappropriation of Jewish identity in the service of a political posture that undermines the very safety and integrity of the Jewish people. Let us first dispense with the pretence. The signatories claim to speak in the name of “Jewish values.” But this is not the Judaism of Maimonides, of Rabbi Akiva, or of the generations of Diaspora Jews who prayed facing Jerusalem. This

is a secular, progressive political creed adorned in tallit and tefillin. It is the politics of “intersectionality,” of anti-imperialism, of Twitter hashtags and fashionable solidarity. The values on display are not rooted in Sinai but in Soho.

Many of the signatories are no strangers to this theatre. They include activists from Na’amod, Yachad, and other far-left organisations with a long record of moral inversion - of weeping for Hamas combatants while ignoring the Jewish victims buried in the blood-soaked ashes of October 7. Some took part in the “Kaddish for Gaza” event in 2018, where mourning was extended not to innocent civilians, but to dead terrorists. That is their right. But it is not representative of British Jewry, and it is certainly not Jewish morality. What makes the letter so objectionable is not merely its content, but its omissions. In 600 words, there is not a single reference

to the 1,200 Israelis murdered in a single day. No mention of the 240 hostages dragged into Gaza where they were starved and tortured. No mention of the 59 hostages still being held captive by Hamas. No condemnation of the mass rape, torture, and child abduction carried out by a group whose founding charter calls for the annihilation of Jews.

This is not accidental. It is strategic. The signatories are not interested in telling the full story. They are interested in a narrative: Israel as aggressor, Palestinians as passive victims, the IDF as occupiers, and Hamas as a regrettable inconvenience. It is a grotesque distortion, but it is politically useful.

Yet worse than the distortion is the moral confusion. To claim that Israel’s actions violate “Jewish values” is to suggest that the young men and women of the IDF - who serve, fight, and too often fall to protect the Jewish state - do so without a moral compass. That their sacrifice is contrary to Judaism. That their resistance to barbarism is a betrayal of their tradition. Such an argument is not just false. It is obscene.

Jewish values do not prohibit self-defence. They demand it. They do not mandate pacifism in the face of genocidal threats. They reject it. Judaism affirms the sanctity of life, yes - but also the

obligation to protect life. To preserve the innocent. To pursue peace, but never at the cost of justice, nor in surrender to those who would destroy us.

Let us also be clear about the political utility of such letters. They will be quoted by those who already believe Israel has no right to exist. They will be platformed by editors and activists who accept Jewish voices only when those voices condemn their own. They will give cover to a media class increasingly incapable of distinguishing between terrorists and their targets.

The letter’s signatories insist their position is motivated by conscience. Perhaps. But conscience untethered from historical reality and strategic clarity is not virtue. It is vanity. The real courage, the real moral weight, lies not with those penning letters from the safety of North London, but with those in the Negev and the north of Israel, ensuring that the world’s only Jewish state survives the return of a medieval enemy with modern weapons.

This letter, in the end, speaks not for the community. It speaks for 36 individuals. It does not speak for British Jews. And it certainly does not speak for Judaism.

Steve Winston is the Managing Director, National Jewish Assembly

Daf Topics Atoning for an

Makot 11b

BY RABBI YAKOV SCHONBERG FUNCTION OF EXILE

The Mishnah ruled that if the Kohen Gadol dies after the killer is sentenced, the killer is absolved from exile. In the course of examining this ruling, the Gemara queries whether the killer achieves atonement through his exile or it is the death of the Kohen Gadol that atones. We can identify three functions of the cities of refuge. Firstly, they serve to protect the killer from being attacked by the goel hadam, the champion of the blood, who is the closest relative whom the Torah permits to avenge the victim’s death by killing the manslaughterer. The city of refuge (ir miklat) serves as a sanctuary and the goel hadam has no right to take revenge upon the killer as long as he is within the boundaries of the city. Secondly, exile is a punishment for his insufficient vigilance to avoid the accident. Thirdly, exile provides atonement for having destroyed the life of a fellow Jew. While fear of a goel hadam is certainly not relevant nowadays, to what extent are the other two still relevant today to the accidental killer?

CONCEPT OF EXILE

Rabbeinu Bachayah notes that the Torah establishes the concept of exile being the antidote for killing another person, as we find by Adam HaRishon (Rabbeinu Bachayah, Bamidbar 35:11). Initially man was to live forever, but when the first couple caused death to descend upon subsequent generations, their punishment was to be exiled from their home, Gan Eden. Man was removed out of Paradise after having followed his own senses and passions to let him find out the necessity of living under the guidance of HaShem. He was now entering the challenges of the wider world after having been rejected from the comforts of his home (Rav Hirsch, Bereishis 3:24).

THE REFUGE OF THE EAST

Kli Yakar writes that the exile of killers imposed by the Torah was always to the East. In connection with Adam HaRishon who caused death to his descendants it is written:

“The keruvim were placed to the east of Gan Eden” (Bereishis 3:24). Regarding the exile of Cain it says:

“He settled in the land of Nod, to the east of Eden” (Bereishis 4:16).

accidental death

Similarly, arei miklat are described as:

– “On the east of the Yarden, towards the rising sun” (Devarim 4:41). Kli Yakar explains that the killer has caused the setting of the sun which is in the west in extinguishing the victim’s life. Therefore, he should be exiled to the extreme opposite side where the sun rises. The path of repentance is to focus one’s actions in a diametrically opposite direction to where he sinned and perform a mitzvah contrasting what he sinned, for with that he rectifies his failure (Kli Yakar, Bereishis 4:16). Shem MiShmuel writes that the accidental killer “has no blood” because he took a life and with it has permanently severed his own connection with his own source of life. The Torah allowed him to reconnect to a new source of life by fleeing to the city of refuge and associating with the Levi’im who populate it, people whose entire lives are dedicated to the Divine service and are this intimately connected to the Source of all life. The midrash in Devarim Rabbah (2:30) compares the new hopes of the inadvertent killer to the shining of the sun. Shem MiShmuel explains that the killer who seeks refuge begins life anew, emerging from the darkness that overtook him when he took a life. He now begins a completely new life like the rising sun that lights up the world anew (Shem MiShmuel Devarim 4:41, 5679)..

NATIONAL TRAGEDY

The Rambam explains that the family of the deceased experience intense pain every time they see the killer on the streets of their city. Exile removes the killer from their sight, allowing them time to reduce their anguish. Rambam uses this idea to explain why the killer is set free by the death of the Kohen Gadol. The Rambam explains that when there is a national tragedy of one of the Gedolei Hador, the Kohen Gadol, it serves to move people forward in their own personal mourning. The tremendous grief felt by each member of Klal Yisroel places his personal loss into perspective and the goel hadam will no longer feel as much pain (Rambam, Moreh Nevuchim 3:40).

NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Rav S. R. Hirsch points out that the institution of cities of refuge was the first national duty upon obtaining possession of Eretz Yisrael. Moshe prepared them for that with his establishment of cities of refuge in Ever HaYarden. The concluding pesukim of the parshah of arei miklat shed light on their institution – “For I HaShem, am present in the midst of the children of Yisrael”. The resting of the Shechinah in Eretz Yisrael involves

recognition of one’s brother being in the likeness of HaShem. Proclaiming respect for holiness and the incalculable value of every drop of blood of even the lowest citizen when the nation is set to take possession of the Land, demonstrates the national character of this institution. Recognizing the inviolability of life of each of his fellow inhabitants builds increased due conscious care and helps maintain focus on whatever he does, avoiding any laxity in sustained concentration which can give rise to accidents. The cities of refuge being set at equal distances throughout the Land, all coming into effect simultaneously in the whole Jewish domain, (Makkos 9b) proclaim the national principle. Rav Hirsch continues to consider the connection between the banishment of the manslayer and the death of the Kohen Gadol. The statement in Makkos 11b that exile alone does not completely cleanse him of the sin, which can only be accomplished with the death of the Kohen Gadol, indicates that his death functions as final atonement. This ascribes to the Kohen Gadol some participation in the guilt which could be atoned for by his death. Makkos 11a designates an element of guilt to the Kohen Gadol – ןהלְ היהש

– They should have beseeched HaShem for mercy upon their generation, but they did not beseech Him. Perhaps the Kohen Gadol may have shown some indifference towards the well-being of his fellow Jews by failing to offer prayers for them, resulting in a lack of sustained focus in their work, paving the way for accidents. (Rav Hirsch, Devarim 35:34).

SIGNPOSTS ON THE PATH OF LIFE

The Mishnah (9b) mandates that the roads leading to the cities of refuge should be prepared and the Gemara (10b) understands that to include signposts inscribed with “Miklat” (or “rotzeach le’Arei Miklat” according to Bamidbar Rabbah 23:13) were located at crossroads to afford the killer every assistance in enabling the killer to reach the city easily. The Gemara provides an aggadic insight which compares the “path” of human behavior to a road leading from city to city. The Gemara states: The highway provides various services to help the traveller, including road signs for direction. Maharsha explains that a person’s decision as to the environment he goes to will ultimately cause him to be influenced by it. The Gemara cites the teaching:

- “In the way that a person wishes to go, in that way they lead him” - “they” referring to the angels created by man’s deeds. Maharsha explains that every thought

and action of a person causes an angel (spiritual energy) to be created in its image. If they are worthy, good angels are created, which will lead him on the way to perform mitzvos, but evil thoughts will lead him further on the path of sin. The consequence of a mitzvah is a mitzvah (Avos 4:2) and once a person chooses to follow a good path, he will find himself being swept along his chosen way of life with signs pointing the way to further progress.

THE ACCIDENTAL MURDERER TODAY

Unfortunately, we come across several situations of accidental death in our own experience. In times of war there are often cases where a Jew shoots another Jew. In Eretz Yisrael we hear of tragic incidents of friendly fire which involve Jew killing another Jew. Soldiers being sent on a mission, who are then killed in ambush, can be the subject of an error of judgement on behalf of their commander and he feels a certain responsibility for their death. Similarly, people who infected others with COVID and caused their death must accept a level of responsibility even if they had no intention of causing harm. A surgeon whose knife slips or a doctor who misdiagnoses an illness, does not do so intentionally and where they have followed standard protective procedures to guard against errors, what wrong have they done? We have previously dealt with this question in our Daf Topic (157) on Medical Malpractice. We cited that in the case of accidental death caused by a medical error, Shulchan Aruch rules that the doctor goes into exile (Yoreh De’ah 336:1). The reference to exile here cannot refer to the cities of refuge as that system is no longer operative. Rav Asher Weiss writes that the intention is that in the same way that the miklat exile atones for his sin, so in modern times one should adopt practices, such as fasting, performing chesed, causing oneself discomfort and other measures which will engender repentance (Minchas Asher – Corona Halachos 142). When discussing each situation with one’s Rav, he will assess the level of severity needed depending on whether there was any contributary negligence in the accident.

Rabbi Schonberg was born in London in 1948 and attended Hasmonean School. He attended Manchester, Chaye Olam and Gateshead Yeshivos.

To contact Rabbi Schonberg, please email, yschonberg@gmail.com

To find out more, you can sign up at mercazdafyomi.com and receive a free gemoroh.

Yom Hashoah: Echoes of Hatred: Antisemitism from 1940 to 2023

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN

The Holocaust should not be conflated with the painful memories of October 7th. Though both mark unimaginable Jewish suffering, they are not the same.

The Holocaust spanned five harrowing years. The October 7th atrocities unfolded over just twelve hours. During the Holocaust, we were stateless and abandoned. No country intervened to save us. Today, we are no longer helpless. We are blessed with a strong Jewish state, sworn to protect any Jew in danger—anywhere on Earth.

Yet it is difficult not to consider the two in tandem. 1940 and 2023 feel eerily and hauntingly similar. In both moments, we were assaulted by grisly, unthinkable and indiscriminate violence, solely because we were Jewish. And of course, each of these brutal pogroms was fueled by raging antisemitism which paved the way for dehumanization, thereby sanctioning every form of cruelty and sadistic torture.

Yet despite the fact that each tragedy was driven by rabid Jew-hatred, there are significant differences between the antisemitism of 1940 and that of 2023.

EXPOSING MORAL ROT

Antisemitism isn’t a historical accident—it’s woven into the fabric of the human story. Though it often cloaks itself in cultural, economic, or ethnic explanations, its roots run deeper. We were summoned to call humanity to a life of G-dliness and moral spirit. Those who resist that calling, and who recoil from the demand for higher moral fitness, naturally despise the people who bear that mission.

Since antisemitism is rooted in hatred of our moral mission, its eruptions incite deep flaws in the societies that foster it. When antisemitism flares, it unveils the moral fractures within society that have long remained hidden beneath the surface. Each manifestation of Jew-hatred is not only a window into the warped minds of our enemies—it is a keyhole through which we glimpse the cultural dysfunction of the world that enabled it.

The antisemitism of the Holocaust shattered the illusion of a new and enlightened Europe. For nearly two centuries, the continent had experienced sweeping transformation—democracy had taken root, capitalism had expanded, technology had flourished, and modern culture had awakened. These forces created the mirage of a utopian Europe, poised to replace the medieval past with a bright and noble future. There was hope that this “New Europe” could lead humanity into an era of progress, reason, and dignity. New Europe was brimming with confidence in its future of political freedom and social progress.

Yet it was Germany—the crown jewel

of modern Europe—that orchestrated the most inhumane crime in human history. Not only did it assault our people, but it also weaponized the tools of modernity—technology, communication, transportation—to carry out that heinous crime with brutal efficiency. The “New Europe”, once a beacon of hope, was laid bare as morally hollow. The Holocaust unmasked the folly of imagining that science, culture, and rationalism—divorced from moral spirit—could craft a utopian society.

The antisemitism of 2023 has shattered a very different illusion. In the decades since World War II, humanity has labored to build a society of equals. 21st-century Man emerged from a century scarred by fascism and communism—by the brutal attempts of governments to oppress its citizens by prioritizing national loyalty over personal liberty. Humanity envisioned a freer, fairer future—one grounded in the sanctity of human dignity and the unwavering protection of individual rights. In pursuit of that ideal, it entered a noble yet dizzying race to safeguard the oppressed and to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable. A sweeping campaign for justice surged across the globe, determined to right historical wrongs and uphold the worth of every human life.

And yet, the horrors of October 2023—and the disgraceful defense of Hamas by some of the very people who champion human rights—have pierced this illusion. The very voices that demanded justice for every group have had nothing to say about, the children who were slaughtered, the families who were torn apart. Those who once championed women’s rights but now remain silent in the face of the brutalization of Jewish women have exposed a profound hypocrisy. The crusade for social justice and for the protection of individual rights has become politicized, stripped of its inner moral core.

ANTISEMITISM AND JEWISH DESTINY

Antisemitism is a reaction to the Jewish mission of bringing Hashem’s presence into the world. It is a religious struggle with those who cannot accept Hashem’s presence and the moral accountability that comes with it and are unsettled by our people who embody that presence. Religiously driven antisemitism resonates more closely with our historical and redemptive understanding of Jewish history.

The antisemitism of the Holocaust was not primarily religious in nature. It was fueled by the ideology of social Darwinism and the belief that Jews represented a genealogical—or at least social—threat to the health of the larger society. The goal was not theological confrontation, but extermination, based on a warped vision of racial purity and societal strength. Though religious undertones lingered in the background, the hatred was largely racial and national.

By contrast, the antisemitism we now face is far more openly religious. It is inflamed by fundamentalist strains of Islam that view the Jew as the ultimate infidel and cannot abide a Jewish presence—let alone sovereignty—in the heart of what they claim as Islamic territory. In many ways, this form of religious hatred is more familiar to us and more consistent with our view of Am Yisrael and Jewish destiny.

as though the entire world had turned its back on the Jews. We found ourselves in a state reminiscent of Avraham, standing on one side of the river while the entire world stood on the other.

The current wave of antisemitism is playing out differently. While October 7th unleashed a surge of hatred it has also galvanized support for the Jewish people. Many non-Jews have responded with clarity and moral courage, standing by Israel and identifying with its values. In a world clouded by moral confusion, some view the Jewish people as a symbol of ethical resilience and principled strength. This modern landscape also resonates more deeply with our historical expectations. Our understanding of history and geulah does not envision the elimination of all those who are not Jewish. Rather, it acknowledges that there are individuals and groups willing to bring Hashem’s presence and moral spirit into this world, and these are the people who are part of the end of history. Yet, there are also factions who refuse to pursue moral and spiritual behavior, including those who resort to violence against those who embody these values and they will be not be part of the Messianic end of time.

Both in 1940 and in 2023, antisemitism revealed the moral decay in societies that appeared to have achieved lofty moral goals. The antisemitism of the Holocaust uncovered the moral rot of a Europe that preached culture and civility, only to descend into barbarism. The antisemitism of our time now exposes the staggering hypocrisy at the heart of the modern human rights movement.

Another difference between the antisemitism of the Holocaust and our current struggle is the question of whether the world is entirely against us or whether some are standing with our people. During the Holocaust, antisemitism swept across the globe. Though it was most viciously manifested in Central and Eastern Europe through Nazism, it was also deeply embedded in Communist Russia. Even in countries that did not actively participate, antisemitism often lingered as a cultural undercurrent. In 1940, it felt

The current wave of religiously driven antisemitism fits more readily into our view of the end of days. Likewise, it is easier to recognize the end of days now, as many “umot Ha’olam” stand robustly with us in response to this hatred.

The writer, a rabbi at the hesder pre-military Yeshivat Har Etzion/Gush, has a master’s degree in English literature. His books include the recent To be Holy but Human: Reflections upon my Rebbe, HaRav Yehuda Amital (Kodesh); in bookstores and at www.mtaraginbooks.com

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All of Bnei Yisroel are waiting outside in the courtyard of the Mishkan when we last saw them. Suddenly, they hear that Hashem’s Fire will descend onto the Mishkan and consume the special Korbanot that Aharon and his sons will offer to Hashem. Hashem has forgiven them for the sin of the Eigel (Golden Calf)!! Aharon blesses the Bnei Yisroel with the Birchat Kohanim (priestly

blessings) for the first time ever . When the Bnei Yisroel witness this great miracle they all break into prayer.

Now Aharon’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu, decide to bring an incense offering. Oops.

First of all, they do this without asking Moshe or Aharon if Hashem’s even interested.

Second, they went into the kodesh kedoshim, the holy of holies and even the kohen gadol is only allowed there once a year! so Hahsem has to kill them.

After this, Hashem tells Moshe, Klal Yisrael want to be holy? I’ll show you how. Eat Kosher for starters, the rest comes later. Split hooves and chewing cud? Eat it. Otherwise, nope. Fish have to have fins and scales. There is

Word Search Jewish

a list of birds you can eat and no insects – except for 16 species of grasshoppers (but chill, only Sephardim remember even some of those species). And that’s all for now folks.

O F Y T U C R U L D W G

T A X L W A G R L Q S V

Dingbats

Riddle

Last week’s Question:

During a certain period of the year, there is something we do three times a day, almost every day. We do it twice with one part of the body and once with another part of the body (according to Ashkenazic custom). What is it?

Nefilat apaim (tachanun) during selichot. It is performed twice with the left arm and once with the right, as follows:

Starting several days before Rosh Hashanah and continuing until Yom Kippur, we say penitential selichot prayers, part of which includes nefilat apaim, the putting down of the head. Nefilat apaim is performed by putting one’s head down upon one’s sleeve and saying a prayer. It is customarily performed by putting one’s head down upon one’s weaker arm (for most people, the left arm.)

Nefilat apaim is repeated two more times as part of the normal daily prayers, once during the morning prayers (shacharit) and once during the afternoon prayers (mincha). During mincha, it is also performed as mentioned above, by putting the head on the left arm. During shacharit however, in deference to the tefillin which one wears on one’s left arm, one performs nefilat apaim upon one’s right arm.

This week’s Question:

Which verse in the Torah has all the letters of the Aleph-Bet?

Tangram Challenge!

Using all the shapes, can you make the shape on the right?

Word Wheel

The goal of a word wheel puzzle is to create as many words possible with the letters in the word wheel. Each word must contain at least three letters. You can only use each letter once and every word must have the letter in the centre of the wheel.

Last edition’s words

Here are some words you may have found from last week – you may have found more!

S N A P H I P S E

Jokes

Q: What is a witch’s favourite subject in school? A: Spelling!

Q: What kind of tree fits in your hand? A: A palm tree!

Q: How do you stop an astronaut’s baby from crying? A: You rocket!

Q: Why did the kid cross the playground? A: To get to the other slide!

Riddles

1. What is it that after you take away the whole, some still remains?

2. A box without hinges, lock or key, yet golden treasure lies within. What is it?

3. Forward I’m heavy, but backwards I’m not. What am I?

A New Legacy of Holocaust Survivors

In the decades following the Holocaust, a significant portion of attention has been devoted to recording the raw facts - what happened, to whom, and how. But is this critical work enough?

The Survivor Video Testimony Library at the JRoots Holocaust education charity, which I’m privileged to work at as the archivist, stores in-depth personal testimonies of 200 Holocaust survivors. It is unique. A significant proportion of these stories have never been recorded elsewhere, and we remain the sole custodians to preserve these histories for generations, using and funding a multiple layer secure digital archive system.

Through the tireless efforts of JRoots founder Rabbi Naftali Schiff, who has personally interviewed all the survivors over the past 20 years and across four continents, our archive has focused on capturing the unique Jewish soul of their stories in tandem with rigorous facts and history.

Some contributors are deeply religious, and therefore, have been reticent to share their experiences with others who they felt may not understand their Torah and talmudic references, Yiddish, or interactions with Torah giants of pre-war Europe. Others are not externally religious but chose to share deep-seated inner expressions of emunah (belief), Jewish identities, prayers and thoughts during the Holocaust and about the Jewish people both then and now. Survivors bravely stepped forward to relive their trauma in order to preserve the truth. Their accounts provide an irrefutable human dimension to the statistics of genocide. These testimonies are not merely historical documents - they are emotional, moral and characterful appeals to new generations, shaping how the Holocaust can be understood for young and old

alike beyond the fundamental imperative: “Never again.”

The focus on the factual record has been vital. As Holocaust denial emerged, survivors, historians, and institutions worked relentlessly to verify evidence, document camps, identify victims, and ensure that denial would be publicly refuted by overwhelming, irrefutable proof. Thanks to their efforts, denialists have been met with an unshakeable mountain of testimony and archival evidence.

This work has been painstaking, necessary, and deeply noble, but what is perhaps most extraordinary is how many survivors contributed to a global moral awakening. The same people who experienced the depths of cruelty laid the emotional foundations for more humane societies. Many survivors helped draft or influence major bodies of international humanitarian law. Others inspired movements against racism, war, and social inequality. The Jewish response to such evil was not only to survive -but to teach, to build, and to repair. That legacy, may be the one from which the world may draw the deepest and most universal strength, lies in something more intimate: the human spirit and the personal, transformative power of character traits or middot, like dignity, resilience and love. The hallmark traits of Jewish resilience and impenetrable belief in G-d, but also in good within us all. Holocaust survivors, those who were able, and not all were, took what was directed at them as unimaginable evil

and inverted it. In a world now, not just of Holocaust denial, but of Holocaust inversion – using the Holocaust against the Jewish people, the victims - it’s critical to reveal how survivors responded not with vengeance, but with creativity, empathy, and purpose. They became doctors, scientists, artists, teachers, philanthropists, and activists. Not only rebuilding shattered lives but enriching the societies they joined. Their lives stand as a living counter-narrative to the ideologies that sought to erase them and new enemies of truth who seek to misappropriate their history.

But beyond the policy and public achievements lies a quieter, more enduring revolution. The greatest legacy of the Holocaust survivor may well be the interior one: the flourishing of the inner person in spite of unthinkable trauma. Their stories, when fully told, are not only about what happened, but how they endured, how they loved again, how they rebuilt trust, and how they cared for others even after experiencing complete dehumanisation.

It’s in these personal stories that we uncover humanity at its most profound. The beauty is not only in survival - but in how survival was filled with grace. Survivors taught us what it means to live with meaning after devastation, to offer benevolence where only hatred was received, to carry forward traditions and teachings that others tried to destroy. The hallmark of the Jewish people has always been resilience, not simply as resistance

to persecution, but as the act of transforming pain into purpose.

It’s visible in all of the 200-plus survivor JRoots interviews. These interviews do not merely ask “What happened?” - they ask, “How did you flourish after it happened?” “What strength carried you through?” “What can the rest of us learn, as humans and as Jews?” It is in those questions that we begin to uncover the survivor’s real gift to the world. What emerges is a blueprint for human dignity. In a world where hatred is still seeded too easily, where conflict and cruelty persist, Holocaust survivors offer a quiet revolution in values. Their lives challenge us to confront the darker corners of the human heart and to choose kindness, responsibility, and courage instead. They show us the potential for good that lives beside the potential for evil, and they push us to nurture the better angels of our nature.

As society shifts from living memory to historical memory, we must not let the survivor story be reduced to names and dates. We must remember that history is also heart, soul, and voice. These stories must become the core of how we understand the Holocaust’s legacy, but more importantly how they call upon us as fellow Jews to become the torchbearers of this legacy and teach the next generation to be that too.

In honouring them, we honour not only the past, but the possibility of a more humane future. The legacy of Holocaust survivors is not just a record of suffering; it is a record of strength, of compassion, of what it means to choose life. Their stories are not only warnings - they are also guideposts, calling on us to recognise the humanity within ourselves and to build a world worthy of their legacy.

Miles Isaacs: The Relentless Drive of a Jewish Student Leader

In the fast-paced corridors of King’s College London, one philosophy student is making waves far beyond the lecture hall. Miles Isaacs, President of the Jewish Society (JSoc), Head of the King’s Geopolitical Forum, and an assistant at the UK’s oldest defence think tank, RUSI, is a standout leader with an unmistakable sense of purpose. But what defines him is not just his workload - it’s his unwavering commitment to Jewish students, Jewish values, and the broader community he serves.

Miles’ day starts at 7am. While others are still asleep, he’s already on his way into town to meet with speakers, sponsors, academics, or fellow organisers. These early meetings fuel the packed schedule that follows - organising JSoc events, arranging high-level panels for the Geopolitical Forum, attending Parliament as a guest speaker, and keeping up with his university studies. On some days, he even finds time for chess club.

But behind the visible hustle is a deep and sincere drive. “Time is undetermined potential,” he says. “I strongly dislike free time, so I try to fill it with talks, work, calls - anything relevant to my life and growth.”

A significant part of that growth comes from his active involvement with Aish UK, a cornerstone of Jewish life at King’s. For Miles, Aish is more than just a place to attend events; it’s a vital community where he and peers engage in meaningful learning and build lifelong Jewish connections. “I regularly help promote and attend Aish’s Lunch & Learns and other events,” he shares. “It’s where I find the space to reflect, grow spiritually, and connect with other Jewish students who share my values.”

Miles doesn’t just run JSoc - he redefines it. While many societies focus on events and socials, he treats the presidency as a platform for advocacy, welfare, and real institutional change. He takes on university staff when their rhetoric or conduct threatens Jewish students. He’s advocated for policy change at the highest levels, leading to a review and

redrafting of the university’s teacher code of conduct.

In one notable instance, Miles challenged the Dean of a faculty over course content and the external lecturers being brought in to teach. As a result, a controversial lecture was cancelled and the university instituted a new process requiring advance submission of lecture slides for review. It’s these kinds of actions - quiet but significant - that reflect Miles’ deeper commitment: to serve not just as a representative, but as a protector of Jewish student life.

“At a time when Jewish students are facing unprecedented challenges, it’s inspiring to know that there are young leaders like Miles who aren’t shying away from the front lines. He goes above and beyond to stand up for our community, when it matters most,” says Rafael Joseph, Director of London Campuses, Aish UK. “Just finding a slot in his calendar is a feat in itself - but that’s what happens when you’re everywhere that matters.”

“I want to be the person who fights for change. For my students. For myself. And

for the sake of Am Yisroel,” says Miles. He credits Aish for providing him with the support and space to do learn, but also to act. “Aish consistently provides a warm, welcoming environment that allows Jewish students to come together, ask questions, find real friendship, and build authentic Jewish connections,” he says. His involvement with Aish has helped him refine the balance between professional growth and community engagement, grounding him in the principles that guide his leadership.

“I do what I do to please my parents, to serve my community, and to make myself proud,” he reflects. “That’s the real fuel.” In an age where leadership is too often equated with image, Miles Isaacs is a rare figure: a student leader who chooses substance over show, action over applause. With integrity, intensity, and a deep love for his people, he continues to prove that true leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room - it’s about being the most consistent, the most courageous, and the most committed.