Expel Abbott demand Jewish
BY ADAM MOSES
Jewish organisations have called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to expel Diane Abbott from the Labour Party after claiming the ‘Jewish Defence Force’ is murdering Palestinians in Gaza.
Abbot’s post has been deleted but the Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP has been condemned for her comments.
According to reports, Abbot was responding to a 2001 quote by journalist Chris Hedges alleging Israeli troops had “enticed children like mice into a trap and murdered them for sport”.
Hedges’ comments have long been dismissed by critics.
Abbot posted: “Beyond horrific that the Jewish Defence Force is gunning down Palestinians as they queue for food #GazaGenocide.”
The controversial MP has not clarified where her claim comes from, that it was from a quote over two decades ago or why she referred to the “Jewish Defence Force”
not Israel Defence Force.
Campaign Against Antisemitism slated the MP.
A spokesperson said it was unclear if Abbott deleted the tweet because the post referred to a “(contested) incident two decades ago” she was passing off as current, or “said out loud” what many far-left activists believe are “references to ‘Israel’, ‘Zionists’ and euphemisms for ‘Jewish’, or for some other reason.
CAA added: “What is clear is that this post exemplifies the sick interplay of misinformation and prejudice so disgustingly prevalent in anti-Israel circles. How many strikes is this for Ms Abbott? Will the Labour Party finally expel her?”
Action Against Discrimination chairman Jonathan Metliss added: “Abbott is showing the true soul and colours of the Party who consistently fail to support the State of Israel in its fight against terrorism and deal adequately with the scourge of antisemitism in the UK. Starmer should finally show some conviction and expel her once and for all. There is no place in public life for a politician spouting untruths and slander about Israel.”
Abbot was suspended from Labour in April 2023 over comments that Jewish, Irish and Traveller people were not subject to racism “all their lives”.
Abbott apologised following a furore over the comments, which she later withdrew. Starmer reinstated Abbott ahead of the general election last year.
Mother of the House, Diane Abbott once again finds herself in
Trump ultimatum‘ceasefire’ to Hamas
BY DAVID SAFFER
US President Donald Trump has warned Hamas not to derail a 60-day ceasefire deal or the Gaza war will “get worse”.
Israel, according to Trump, has agreed to “necessary conditions” for an agreement and Hamas are open to negotiations after months of diplomacy led by special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff.
A deal though is increasingly challenging, as the terror group are insisting Israel withdraws its forces.
Talks have undoubtedly intensified as Trump made the dramatic announcement on Tuesday night.
Trump, who credited Qatar and Egypt in advancing the proposal, did not mention Israeli hostages still in captivity but a “long and productive meeting” has taken place with Israeli officials.
Fifty hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, 20 are believed to be alive. It has been reported the terms are based on a previous deal by Witkoff.
Trump posted on Truth Social: ‘My Representatives had a long and productive
meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalise the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War. The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal,
because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’
The ceasefire news came alongside reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Trump for talks on Gaza, Iran and regional peace at the White House on Monday.
“It’s heartbreaking to see the images that have come out from both Israel and Gaza throughout this war, and the president wants to see it end,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday. “He wants to save lives.”
A potential high level meeting follows Israel’s security cabinet reviewing on-going negotiations and its military options against Hamas in Gaza. The fate of hostages was central to talks.
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned ministers of his concerns for surviving hostages.
“I am in favour of defeating Hamas but the more we deepen the operation now, the more we endanger the hostages,” he said.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, however, is reportedly against a deal, and clashed with Zamir, noting there is “no greater danger” to Israel than an agreement until the war is won.
“You can do both, defeat Hamas and return the hostages,” he said according to reports.
Smotrich also called on Netanyahu to continue a “sharp and swift war” to remove the threat of Hamas to Israel for many years.
The Trump administration, meantime, have announced a half-billion-dollar arms sale to Israel.
The US provides Israel with $3 billion annually in military aid.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the department said in a statement. “This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.”
President Trump warns Hamas
PHOTO:GETTY IMAGE
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JNF UK: Standing With Israeli Children
Bringing Comfort and Hope
Over 15,000 people, many of them children, have been uprooted, evacuated from damaged homes and placed in temporary accommodation, far from home with few personal possessions.
JNF UK continues to respond across the country—wherever children need us most:
• Delivering activity packs of toys, games and craft kits to temporary accommodation.
• Sending volunteers to run play sessions and support traumatised children, providing respite to parents.
We’re helping restore a sense of calm and normality to young lives in turmoil.
Glastonbury anti-Israel hate-fest!
BY DAVID SAFFER
Avon and Somerset Police have opened a criminal investigation into punk rap duo Bob Vylan and hip hop trio Kneecap at Glastonbury last Saturday.
Footage and audio of BBC’s live
When the rights and safety of people and communities are at risk, and when our national broadcaster fails to uphold its own standards, we will intervene.”
Whilst the government welcomed BBC iPlayer dropping footage of the band, the broadcaster accepted it should have pulled live coverage of the Vylan set.
broadcast is being reviewed into alleged offensive chants by both acts.
Outrage followed Vylan frontman Pascal Robinson-Foster (Bobby Vylan) chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF” during a 20-minute set. He also told huge crowds he had worked for a “****ing Zionist”.
Vylan was performing as a supporting act for Kneecap, whose member, Liam O’Hanna, has denied charges of allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a concert in Kentish Town last year.
A band member draped in a Hezbollah flag shouted “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” during its set. They also called for fans to start a “riot” at O’Hanna’s court hearing, later backing down from the appeal.
The United Talent Agency have dropped Bob Vylan following weekend talks. Robinson-Foster and drummer Bobbie Vylan have had visas for a 16 show north America tour revoked.
Bob Vylan’ set was broadcast live without edits or bleeps over offensive chants.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken with BBC director general Tim Davie to find out why the Vylan feed was not cut as problems “should have been foreseeable”.
Nandy has spoken with Jewish community leaders concerned by footage.
She told MPs on Monday: “I will robustly defend the independence of our broadcasters and the right to artistic expression but we do not accept that incitement to violence, hate speech or antisemitism is art. There is a clear difference between speaking out for Palestine, which is the right of everybody in this House, and everybody in our country, and antisemitism which is not, and will never be.
continued a “headlong descent into a pit of extremism and hatred” but the BBC’ behaviour was “more dangerous”.
“Any artist claiming to be a humanitarian should be steering clear of Glastonbury, more importantly our national broadcaster must apologise for its dissemination of this extremist vitriol, and those responsible must be removed from positions,” they noted.
A spokesperson said: “The team were dealing with a live situation… we regret this did not happen… The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence.”
They added: “The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves… we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air.”
Ofcom has received over 150 complaints and held talks with the BBC.
The furore on the day brought political, government and communal response.
The Israeli Embassy were “deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric”.
“There is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “The BBC needs to explain how these scenes came to be broadcast.”
Festival co-organiser Emily Eavis posted that Vylan’s chants had “crossed a line” and there was “no place” at Glastonbury for “antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence”.
Campaign Against Antisemitism has written to Glastonbury to demand answers.
“The Festival’s organisers may have breached the conditions of their licence by platforming certain acts despite warnings not to do so,” a spokesman said. The letter has been shared with Somerset Council, the licensing authority.
“We have given Glastonbury fourteen days to respond, and, subject to their answers and engagement, we will consider further legal steps,” CAA added. “Glastonbury this year allowed itself to become even more of a hate-fest than ever before. That ends now. Or Glastonbury Festival does.”
CAA said chants were “indistinguishable” from chants in Tehran and formally complained to the BBC after the screeding.
A spokesperson said Glastonbury had
CAA said Davie has had “more than enough chances” to stop abuse of licence fee payers’ money to platform “bigots and extremists from Gaza to Glastonbury”.
“If this is not met with the firmest condemnation and recourse, then it is the surest sign yet that Britain is becoming a haven for hatred and unsafe for Jews,” CAA added.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the incident as a “time of national shame”.
National Jewish Assembly Chairman Gary Mond said the IDF chants were a “tragic and grotesque irony” after Hamas terrorists murdered 378 innocent people at the Nova music festival in 2023.
He raged: “It is deeply disturbing that artists would use their platform to incite hatred against the army of a democratic state defending its citizens from terrorism. This is not brave, but it is most certainly morally bankrupt. The chant is not about peace or justice, but rather about legitimising violence against
Jews in uniform and, by extension, Jews in general. This is the language of dehumanisation.”
Mond added: “We must draw a clear line between free expression and incitement of hatred and violence. The ‘death to the IDF’ chant clearly strays into incitement. Calls for the destruction of the Israeli military have no place in civil society, let alone in Britain’s largest cultural gathering.”
Action Against Discrimination chairman Jonathan Metliss said “baiting Jews was now fair game” and antisemitism was being treated as normal behaviour.
“Law and order has broken down,” he added. “Let us see what relevant authorities do. At least the Culture Secretary had harsh words to say in the House of Commons. The Jewish community must remain resilient and fight with the utmost vigour.”
Bob Vylan and Kneecap were not the only controversial acts at the festival to the Jewish community.
Gary Lineker at the end of his session said, “Free Palestine”, Columnist-activist Owen Jones was joined by Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal and Francesca Nadin is a member Palestine Action, due to be proscribed in the UK.
Protecting and securing the Jewish community in the UK against antisemitism is what we do. CST will leave no stone unturned in the fight against those who wish to do us harm. We need your ongoing and long-term support to continue our work.
Bob Vylan performed on the West Holts Stage PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Goldsmiths must act on antisemitism report
BY ADAM MOSES
Jewish students and staff were subjected to antisemitism during studies at Goldsmiths, University of London, an independent inquiry led by Mohinderpal Sethi KC has concluded.
Vice Chancellor Prof Frances Corner has apologised to those affected and accepted the inquiry outlined a “disturbing picture”.
“I am sorry that our community and culture fell short of the behaviours we expect,” he said. “The report rightly states that we owe it to former, current and future Jewish students and staff to learn from our mistakes… We commit to lasting cultural change with respect to Jewish students and staff, and for all religions and beliefs, drawing on our intellectual heritage and our longstanding belief in social justice.”
Goldsmiths have accepted the inquiry’s findings and will adopt recommendations.
The inquiry was commissioned by the university’s council in 2023.
Sethi noted a culture at Goldsmiths had resulted in Jewish students “legitimately
feeling significant discomfort on campus” and subjected to antisemitism.
“This is plainly not unique to Goldsmiths, but this inquiry relates to Goldsmiths and I consider that it has not done enough as an institution to ensure its Jewish students and staff feel safe and welcome,” he said.
Jewish organisations welcomed the report but findings had been highlighted to relevant bodies which resulted in the Jewish Society dissolving for safety reasons.
Campaign Against Antisemitism submitted a dossier of evidence to the inquiry, incorporating testimony of students and details of incidents, as well as recommendations.
Incidents included graffiti on campus containing swastikas, Holocaust Memorial Day not including Jewish speakers, desecration of mezuzahs, verbal and antisemitic hostility, Freshers’ Fair held on Rosh Hashonah and anti-Israel chants at protests. The university also adopted the Jerusalem Declaration, which undermines the globally-recognised antisemtiism definition.
A CAA spokesperson said Goldsmiths
Trump marks Rebbe’s legacy
BY DAVID SAFFER
failed Jewish students and staff in its duty of care, which was an “appalling dereliction of duty.”
“Goldsmiths should be commended for launching this inquiry but utterly shamed by its findings,” they noted. “The University must now accept that fundamental change is urgently required.”
CAA added: “This report does not go nearly far enough. It does not name culprits, nor does it recommend structural changes to disciplinary enforcement or oversight of the SU. It attempts to redefine antisemitism instead of using the International Definition of Antisemitism. If you cannot properly identify antisemitism, you cannot tackle it. The report is far too reliant on and sensitive to the views of non-Jewish stakeholders, too many of whom may be motivated by a wish to ensure that their rhetoric and activism is not regarded as racist when in fact it is. It is outrageous that voices who have no regard for Jewish welfare should have had any input into an inquiry on antisemitism.”
CAA concluded: “The particular irony for Goldsmiths is that it has one of the world’s foremost experts on antisemitism
Over 50,000 people visited the Rebbe’s resting place in Queens at the weekend to pray, seek inspiration and find solace.
The Rebbe’s Ohel is the most visited Jewish holy site in north America, drawing people from all walks of life similar to the Western Wall in Israel.
Trump, in a letter to Chabad shluchim and millions of people globally inspired by the Rebbe, recalled his own visit to the Ohel last October on the first anniversary of the October 7 terror attack.
At the time, Trump had survived two recent assassination attempts.
“I drew strength and inspiration from the Rebbe’s legacy,” he noted. “The Rebbe was one of the most dynamic and influential faith leaders in modern history, helping launch a renaissance of Jewish faith in the dark days following the Holocaust. Among his many achievements, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his tremendous impact on our country.
YOUR LEGACY
“As time has worn on, his many blessings have only increased. His teachings were a core inspiration for criminal justice reform, as seen in the First Step Act, and Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis and rebbetzins run a whole host of institutions, whether religious, educational, or social. They have a tremendous impact on American spiritual life.”
Hundreds of family members of hostages held in Gaza have visited the Ohel since the attacks.
Family of Edan Alexander, among hostages in captivity, accompanied Trump, then Republican presidential nominee, with Holocaust survivor Jerry Wartski and two Jewish college students facing antisemitism on campus.
Alexander was freed from captivity on May 12 after a deal negotiated by the
in its faculty. Its refusal to be guided by his own research demonstrates that this is an institution that puts ideology first. That is a difficult hurdle to overcome. Nevertheless, we will work with Goldsmiths and judge for ourselves how earnestly it seeks to change course. The university must now, after years of allowing hatred to run rampant, prove that it understands how deep the problem of antisemitism goes and finally start uprooting it.”
Gary Mond, National Jewish Assembly chairman, said: “Antisemitism on UK campuses has been permitted to grow under the guise of political activism. It is a disgrace that Jewish students have been made to feel unsafe or unwelcome in academic institutions. Goldsmiths’ apology is a start, but the real test is whether they will now act with courage. Anything less than permanent cultural reform and a robust disciplinary regime will be an insult to those affected.”
Goldsmiths have appointed Prof Adam Dinham to lead a two-year antisemitism action plan to nurture evidence-based dialogue, positive activism and engagement.
Trump administration.
Trump said: “When Edan was returned to his loving parents earlier this year, after an unimaginable ordeal in the hands of Hamas, the entire country felt the power of the Ohel and the Rebbe’s enduring example. As is frequently cited in the Talmud, the Rebbe lived by the principle that when you save one life, you save an entire world.”
He added: “Through great strength, unflinching resolve and much prayer, I am committed to restoring peace throughout the world, not least in the Middle East, as we witnessed over the past week, and to stamping out antisemitic hate wherever it rears its head. In doing this, we will restore our country to its tradition of greatness and usher in a new ‘golden age’ for the entire world. This, I believe, is the Rebbe’s legacy.”
Chabad has called on Jews around the world to celebrate the Rebbe’s life’s mission to bring goodness into the world by doing a mitzvah to make this world a better place.
“The Rebbe is renowned for his boundless compassion, visionary leadership and profound scholarship, he tirelessly worked to spread Jewish values and teachings worldwide,” Chabad posted.
“With unwavering dedication, he inspired countless individuals to embrace their heritage and live meaningful lives. His teachings emphasised love for all humanity, outreach and the importance of education and good deeds. Even after his passing, his influence continues to shape the lives of millions, as his legacy remains a beacon of light and hope for generations to come.”
US President Trump paid tribute to the
Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson on the occasion of his 31st yahrzeit.
Thousands sign BBC boycott petition
BY DAVID SAFFER
Over eight thousand people have signed a petition to boycott the BBC licence fee after hate chants at Glastonbury Festival last Saturday.
Should the e-petition on the UK Parliament website reach 10,000 signatures, the relevant government department must provide a written response typically within 21 days.
Initiated by Hertsmere Borough Council Cllr Natalie Susman, the petition has a picture of the Bob Vylan rap duo backdrop stating ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘United Nations have called Gaza a genocide, the BBC calls it a ‘conflict’.
Susman expressed her delight with the support so quickly achieved but is urging people to keep sharing the petition link to reach its target.
“This is just the beginning of holding the BBC to account,” she said.
A media backlash has followed since the live broadcast of punk duo front man Pascal Robinson-Foster chanting “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF” during a 20-minute set.
Robinson-Foster also told huge crowds he had worked for a “****ing Zionist”. Controversial Irish band Kneecap also appeared during the festival.
Avon and Somerset Police have opened a criminal investigation into both acts,
the United Talent Agency have dropped Bob Vylan whilst Robinson-Foster (Bobby Vylan) and drummer Bobbie Vylan have had US visas for a 16 show North America tour revoked.
The BBC has accepted shortcomings, is evaluating its guidance for live events and stands firmly against incitement to violence.
Although the broadcaster has said “antisemitic sentiments” were “utterly unacceptable”, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy wants answers from the broadcaster why the Vylan feed was not cut as problems “should have been foreseeable”.
Susman said the petition sends a powerful message the Beeb’ behaviour was “unfathomable” and “unacceptable”.
She wrote: “The very essence of journalism is to inform and unify, not to spread hate or incite violence against any community. Yet, this is precisely what we witness when the BBC gives a platform to antsemitic rhetoric.”
Susman added that the BBC had failed to ensure programming was fair and non-discriminatory. She also noted over
180,000 people had lodged complaints last year regarding biased reporting and hateful content.
“These numbers represent a disturbing trend that cannot continue unchecked,” Susman observed.
The Hertsmere councillor has demanded accountability from the BBC, called on the government to stop funding the BBC
and for everyone who opposes speeches of hate to withhold licence fee payments.
“This action will be noticed and will urge the BBC to reconsider its content policies, ensuring they are inclusive and respectful to all its viewers,” she noted.
www.change.org/ BoycottBBCLicenceFee
Hertsmere Borough Council Cllr Natalie Susman
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.
ASSISTED DYING BILL IN PARLIAMENT
The Talmud (Yevamot 78b) teaches that King David lauded, above all other positive distinguishable attributes, compassion, a sense of moral caution, and acts of lovingkindness, as the qualities to aspire towards. These same values are essential to the foundation of a just and moral society.
It is clear to us as a Rabbinical Council that the recent passing of the Assisted Dying Bill in Parliament was in keeping with and motivated by the attributes of compassion and lovingkindness. As Orthodox rabbis, we regularly provide pastoral support to individuals and families navigating the harrowing experience of terminal illness. We regularly see firsthand the pain, fear and helplessness that can accompany end-of-life care, and we stand firmly alongside these critical values calling for ever greater access to high-quality palliative care and dignified support at life’s end.
However, we are deeply concerned that this bill overlooks the third principle identified by our tradition: moral caution. Even the most well-intentioned laws can carry unintended consequences. In
seeking to reduce suffering, we fear this legislation risks eroding the profound societal value placed on the sanctity of life. Vulnerable individuals may feel pressure - subtle or overt - to view their lives as burdensome or expendable. Furthermore, as a society, the erosion of the value of life as a sacred treasured gift can have untold dangerous consequences.
The Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue remains committed to both dignity in dying and the inherent sanctity of life. We will continue to advocate for a society where even the most well-intentioned compassion never comes at the expense of protecting the most vulnerable, and where life is upheld as the sacred gift it is. We likewise urge the Government to act with great caution in this matter allowing for the voices of faith communities to be
heard offering our contribution to this vital subject.
Rabbi Elchonon Feldman, Chair of
the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue
FREE HUGS!
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NJA Condemns Alarming Rise of Institutional Antisemitism in British Professional and Academic Sectors
issues — from staff burnout and spiralling waiting times to chronic underfunding — the BMA’s diversion into foreign political disputes is not only inappropriate but damaging.
The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) has expressed deep concern over two alarming developments that signal an increasing acceptance of politicised antisemitism within major British institutions. Both the British Medical Association (BMA) and Goldsmiths, University of London, have recently come under scrutiny for actions and cultures that the NJA says undermine inclusivity, professional integrity, and the safety and dignity of the Jewish community.
The NJA has called on the BMA to urgently reconsider its direction and reaffirm its commitment to professional impartiality, respectful debate, and the wellbeing of all its members, regardless of political persuasion or religious identity.
that Jewish students have been made to feel unsafe or unwelcome in our academic institutions. Goldsmiths’ apology is a start, but the real test is whether they will now act with courage. Anything less than permanent cultural reform and a robust disciplinary regime will be an insult to those affected.”
BMA’s Politicised Anti-Israel Motions Undermine Medical Neutrality
Systemic Antisemitism Exposed at Goldsmiths University
of anti-Israel activism as a vehicle for antisemitism, often disguised under the rhetoric of human rights or social justice. The NJA warns that this growing conflation is normalising prejudice against Jews in professional and academic spaces and risks creating a hostile environment that stifles open, respectful discourse.
At its annual conference, the BMA passed three anti-Israel motions that the NJA has described as “deeply skewed, inflammatory, and professionally irresponsible.” The resolutions in question include attempts to decouple antisemitism from anti-Zionism, endorse public demonstrations and academic campaigns targeting Israel, and call for the prosecution of Israeli war crimes — all while entirely ignoring the role and crimes of terrorist organisations such as Hamas.
At the same time, an independent report into Goldsmiths, University of London, has laid bare what the NJA describes as a “disturbing and systemic culture of antisemitism” that has pervaded the institution for years. The inquiry, led by barrister Mohinderpal Sethi KC, revealed that both Jewish students and staff have experienced sustained hostility, harassment, and exclusion.
The NJA welcomed the university’s pledge to implement a two-year antisemitism action plan but emphasised that statements and policies must lead to tangible outcomes. The organisation is calling for universities across the UK to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism — treating it with the same seriousness as any other form of racism. This includes suspending or expelling individuals who engage in hate speech or targeted harassment, and taking steps to safeguard academic freedom without tolerating incitement or discrimination.
A Broader Trend: Activism Masking Bigotry
Both the BMA and Goldsmiths episodes highlight a broader and increasingly disturbing trend: the use
A joyous occasion for all the family with music by
The NJA argues that by allowing such overt political grandstanding, the BMA has not only exceeded its mandate as a medical body but has also violated its core obligation to maintain neutrality and serve all its members equally. In doing so, it has alienated Jewish healthcare professionals and compromised the BMA’s role as a unifying force in a sector already under immense strain.
“This is not leadership — it is dereliction,” said NJA Vice Chairman Laurence Julius.
SUNDAY 6 JULY 2.45PM BRENT STREET
“The BMA has abandoned its core responsibilities in favour of posturing on foreign affairs it has no expertise or mandate to address. This betrayal of medical neutrality risks eroding public trust in our healthcare system and sends a chilling message to Jewish healthcare professionals that their concerns are secondary to the activist agenda now embedded within the BMA.”
Jewish attendees at the conference reported feeling marginalised, with some describing an atmosphere of intimidation and exclusion. At a time when the NHS is grappling with real and urgent
Among the report’s most troubling findings were accounts of Jewish academics being smeared with outrageous accusations — including being labelled “far-right white supremacists” — and of students being driven from campus spaces by relentless anti-Israel rhetoric that crossed the line into outright Jew-hatred. The inquiry confirmed what Jewish students have long reported: that Goldsmiths failed to provide a safe and welcoming environment for members of the Jewish community.
Gary Mond, Chairman of the NJA, commented:
“The findings at Goldsmiths confirm what many of us have warned about for years: that antisemitism on UK campuses has been permitted to grow under the guise of political activism. It is a disgrace
“The line between critical debate and hostile prejudice must be clearly drawn — and rigorously enforced,” the NJA stated. “No organisation that claims to represent professionals or students should allow itself to become a mouthpiece for one-sided political agendas, especially when those agendas create fear and division among its members.” The NJA calls on all British institutions — whether medical, academic, or otherwise — to reaffirm their commitment to neutrality, inclusivity, and fairness. Political activism has its place in a democratic society, but not at the expense of the values and people these institutions exist to serve.
Shloime Gertner and treats from Uncle Doovy’s
A View from Glastonbury: When the Music Turns Against You
BY ELIOR DOANI
This was my third time at Glastonbury. I’ve always loved the festival for its eclectic energy – where else can you go from mid-morning drumming circles and chill out sessions in the Healing Fields, to world-class music on massive stages, all while sharing space with people who claim to celebrate love, peace, and inclusion?
The first time I went, being Jewish wasn’t something I thought about in the context of the festival. It wasn’t relevant. That was pre-October 7th.
The second year, I was working with the festival’s charity partner, WaterAid, and started to notice more Palestinian flags and chants for “Free Palestine,” but I didn’t feel unsafe. There seemed to be a general call for peace. This year, though, something shifted – with calls for violence against Israel and blaming Israel as perpetrators of this war, loud and clear.
– only to hear people chanting for death. Bob Vylan’s set included chants for “death to the IDF,” which thousands reportedly joined in on. I wasn’t there for the performance, but I overheard people talking about it afterwards as if it were funny or edgy. No one seemed to question how problematic it was. Most Israelis are conscripted into the IDF. It’s not an
I now live in Israel. I flew to Glastonbury from a war zone – literally. After 12 days of sirens and rocket attacks, my initial flight was cancelled because Israel’s airspace was closed. I cobbled together a route: Israel to Larnaca, then Romania, then London, then Glastonbury. It felt surreal going from that reality to a festival that preaches peace and coexistence
abstract concept. You’re not calling for the death of an army. You’re calling for the death of people – including Arab Israelis and Druze who also serve. That kind of blanket hatred isn’t activism. It’s incitement.
The murals, flags, and casual conversations reinforced one narrative: when
it comes to unity and acceptance, Israel isn’t part of the equation. It felt eerily like the kind of propaganda I learned about at JFS while studying the Holocaust. Back then, I remember thinking, “This couldn’t happen today.” We have more access to information, more ways to speak out. But seeing how quickly people jumped to justify violence against Jews and Israelis –and how little space there was for nuance – made me question that assumption.
That’s why I brought stickers with me. I’d printed comparisons of Glastonbury and the Nova Festival, which was attacked on October 7th. The idea was simple: if the massacre of 250 people had happened here, would festival-goers still be silent? I stuck them up in toilet cubicles –places people would actually stop and look – but even then, I was nervous. We’ve all seen hostage posters torn down and defaced with swastikas. I didn’t want to be next. And still, I went. Because I believe being present matters. Even in uncomfortable spaces, Jewish voices must be heard. I didn’t feel physically unsafe, but I didn’t feel represented either. And for someone who lives in Israel, who is proudly Jewish and Zionist, being silenced like that –even passively – felt shocking.
During my time at university and as a young professional, I was lucky enough to go on inspiring trips with Aish to destinations that carry the Jewish story, including Poland. Those experiences showed me that the power of being Jewish transcends place. Wherever we go, there’s connection. There’s purpose. And ultimately, that’s what Israel represents: the only state where Jews are together and in charge of our own safety and future. If the world wants us to leave Israel, then it should make us feel safe everywhere else. Right now, it’s doing the opposite.
I understand why some Jews feel scared to go to places like Glastonbury right now. But we can’t disappear from these spaces. We go to festivals for joy, not to be confronted by hate. So, I’ll keep showing up, keep speaking out, and keep putting up those stickers. We deserve to be there too.
opportunity to complete and dedicate a new Sefer Torah. Let’s show love, connection and joy, and express thanks to Hashem. SUNDAY 6 JULY 2.45PM BRENT STREET
Hatzola Edgware 10th Anniversary Dinner with Douglas Murray dedicates a new Ambulance which saves a life on its return to base!
Hatzola Edgware marked 10 years of lifesaving service with an emotional and inspiring anniversary dinner at the RAF Museum, London. The sold-out event featured renowned political commentator Douglas Murray and welcomed local Rabbonim, community leaders, supporters, and the volunteer medics and call handlers who are the heart of the organisation.
The evening celebrated a decade of service to the Edgware, Mill Hill, and Stanmore communities. A major highlight was the dedication of a new ambulance,
dinner, credited Hatzola with saving his life. Dr. Asher Lewinsohn Clinical Lead at Hatzola, who led the Hatzola team at that night, made an appeal following the film.
Douglas Murray, who flew in from the U.S. for the event, spoke in conversation with social media figure Dov Forman.
He praised Hatzola’s mission: “These are people who drop everything, at any moment, to save a life. That’s the Jewish value of life in action.” Addressing current global events, he emphasized the need to appreciate leaders like Netanyahu and Trump for their stance on Iran, but unfortunately gratitude is not always forthcoming from even the UK and other Counties of the West.
donated by Adam and Karen Bloom in memory of Karen’s parents, David and Norma Hamling. In a poignant twist, the new vehicle saved a life on its first journey—volunteer medics came across an unresponsive man by the roadside and successfully intervened.
Guests enjoyed live performances from local talents Rafi Sandford and Aron Cooperman, accompanied by violist Imogen Bloom, daughter of the evening’s hosts.
Rabbi Y.Y. Shochet of Mill Hill delivered a powerful address praising the volunteers’ tireless commitment.
David Rabson presented Adam and Karen Bloom with a specially commissioned artwork acknowledging their community contributions and thanked co-trustees
Tzvi Grosskopf, Elliott Hambling, COO Shaya Hecht, and Medical Director Dr. Martin Harris.
A short film told the extraordinary story of how Hatzola volunteers saved David Fox on Kol Nidre night after a seven-hour ordeal across two hospitals. Fox, present at the
Although Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely could not attend due to security concerns, she sent a video message honouring Douglas Murray and Hatzola Edgware. She presented Murray with a silver Hatzola radio—a symbolic recognition of his unwavering support for Israel—mirroring Prime Minister Netanyahu’s gifting of a gold beeper to President Trump.
Murray participated in a lively Q&A and signed copies of his latest book Democracies and Death Cults, gifted to all attendees.
The newly dedicated ambulance brings Hatzola Edgware’s fleet to four ambulances and two response cars, crucial for meeting the growing medical needs of the local community.
As the new ambulance proved, the legacy of Hatzola Edgware is not just in stories of the past - but in lives still being saved every single day including the new ambulance on the way back to base from its own inauguration!
Weekend Away with Seed
Families attended a sold-out Seed Shabbaton at the Brighton and Hove Community Centre this past Shabbat. The weekend was filled with meaningful activities, thought-provoking discussions and opportunities to connect and recharge as a family and as a couple.
Led by Seed educators Rabbi Bazak and Rabbi Fine, the Shabbaton offered quality family time in a welcoming atmosphere, helping participants deepen their connection to Jewish life and learning. “It was a fantastic Shabbat, with wonderful
families and a thoughtfully planned programme”, shared Rabbi Daniel Fine, Director of Education at Seed. “The atmosphere was warm and the feedback overwhelmingly positive.”
Seed run Weekends Away throughout the year, as well as family events, learning sessions, school activities and early years classes to name a few.
To find out what’s on, visit www.seed. uk.net/events and follow @SeedFamilies on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
LSJS’ relaunches Bet Limmud
LSJS (The London School of Jewish Studies) has relaunched its Bet Limmud Sunday morning programme, a challenging and intellectually ambitious initiative for high-achieving students in Years 7–11.
Designed to meet high academic standards, Bet Limmud has a strong focus on textual competency, critical thinking, and conceptual understanding.
The high-level rigorous programme offers a structured, skills-based curriculum in Tanach, Talmud, and Jewish Philosophy. The Tanach curriculum is built to create confident, independent Torah students and develop students’ translation, grammar and textual analysis skills. The Talmud track aims to give pupils an understanding of the centrality of the text to Jewish intellectual life, developing skills such as critical analysis.
Students study in small, ability-based groups to ensure they progress at the correct speed. The result is a learning
environment that is deeply enriching and rewarding; ideal for students who are ready to be challenged and stretched in their Jewish learning.
The programme features a superb team of educators who are passionate, knowledgeable and committed to supporting each learner. The staff includes exciting new young teachers as well as Rabbi Michael Pollak, a popular maggid shiur throughout the UK and Philosophy teacher at Hendon School.
“Bet Limmud offers students the rare opportunity to develop sophisticated textual skills and conceptual fluency in an educational environment that mirrors the academic standards they benefit from in their secular schooling,” said Joanne Greenaway, Chief Executive of LSJS. Applications are now open for September.
For more information, please email lsjsadmin@lsjs.ac.uk or call 020 8203 6427.
PADEL TOURNAMENT & FAMILY GIVING DAY
Game, Set & Give
Brent Cross Sports Society
SUNDAY 20 JULY, 12-5PM
Tournaments for all ages
Prizes to be won
Giving activity stalls and refreshments
£5 racket hire or bring your own
Book now: jgift.org/padel
Douglas Murray in conversation with Dov Forman
Ambulance Dedication
Michael Gove supports Jewish Care at 103rd Business Breakfast
120 guests attended Jewish Care’s Business Breakfast at Claridges raising over £46,000. These funds will help the largest health and social care charity for the Jewish community in London and the South East to continue to provide vital services to thousands of people, from the age of 11 upwards, who rely on its support each week.
Lord Leigh, Chair of the Business Group Committee, welcomed guests to the breakfast, emphasising the importance of their support.
“This year continues to be an incredibly difficult time for the Jewish community with rising antisemitism both in the UK and globally. The demand for Jewish Care’s services is increasing, whilst government funding is shrinking. The rise in employers’ national insurance by £1.1 million, together with the increase in the cost of living and the growing pressure for end-of-life, dementia care and mental health services, means Jewish Care must raise £20 million this year to continue to provide the very highest quality support and Jewish care to our community.
“For our Holocaust survivors it’s been particularly painful to see the rise in antisemitism – and our Holocaust Survivors’
Centre and community centres have become a safe haven for them - where they can proudly be Jewish. For those living in areas where they no longer feel safe because of the threat of antisemitism, they can proudly feel safe in sharing their Jewishness with us. These most essential services I’ve mentioned, and many more that reach out to those living with loneliness and isolation, receive no government funding at all.”
she has got right is something that hasn’t even surfaced yet – she is serious in bringing this country’s economy back into balance. And I predict now, that in September of this year there will be a bond market crisis afflicting this country.”
Discussing the disturbing events at Glastonbury this weekend, Michael Gove said:
support and generosity of our guests is greatly appreciated and will help us to continue to touch the lives of 12,000 people each week in the Jewish community with warmth and care.”
The breakfast concluded with Michael Gove drawing the raffle for tickets to the Last Night of the Proms kindly donated by supporters.
James Harding, journalist and author, Editor-in-Chief of The Observer and Founder of Tortoise Media, was in conversation with Michael Gove, Editor of The Spectator. The former Member of Parliament for Surrey Heath and UK Government Cabinet Minister across five government departments for more than a decade, Michael Gove was made a peer in May 2025 in Rishi Sunak’s honours list. James Harding previously served as Director of News and Current Affairs at the BBC from 2012 to 2018 and was also Editor of The Times from 2007 to 2012. Their conversation covered Glastonbury and the importance of understanding rising global antisemitism. They also touched on the highs and lows of the term of office of The Prime Minister, with Michael Gove paying dues to The Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP’s “steady hand on foreign policy” and for Kemi Badenoch, since she became Leader of the Conservative Party, he shared that “the best things she has done we’ll be here until the noon because I think on the big judgements she’s been proven right. The biggest thing
“There has been condemnation and a legitimate debate about whether Kneecap and Bob Vylan should have been invited to play at Glastonbury. There is a current debate about whether as soon as Bob Vylan said what he said the BBC should have immediately let the speakers go dark. But for me the broader question is why is it that Bob Vylan and Kneecap are playing in front of thousands of young people who responded with the ecstatic adulation that they did? I think it speaks to a broader problem in British and in Western society at the moment. Why is the militant expression of hatred metastasised in that way? I think there are a variety of factors, they are nuanced and complex, but we need to analyse them effectively in order to counter them in the most powerful way.”
Ellisa Estrin, Jewish Care Director of Fundraising & Marketing, added, “We are so grateful to all of our guests who have
Speaking after the breakfast, Gove commented, “I am proud to support Jewish Care in its vital work, especially at a time when the need for assistance within the Jewish community who rely on the charity is greater than ever and when we are also witnessing a deeply concerning rise in antisemitism, globally and across the UK.”
Lord Leigh said, “I would also like to say a huge thanks to Michael Gove and James Harding for their support and for taking the time to speak with us, sharing a thought-provoking discussion. The
helped to raise over £46,000 for our core services. I would like to thank Lord Leigh and the Business Breakfast Committee for their continued support and commitment at our 103rd Business Breakfast, along with Michael Gove and James Harding, without whom, we could not have raised the funds to help ensure that we can be there for those in our community who need us most.
“Over the next decade, the number of people in the Jewish community who will need dementia care will increase by 25%, more people will need end of life care than ever before, and the number of young people and adults who are living with mental illness and distress is sadly rising as well, whilst facing a national crisis in mental health service provision and older people’s social care.”
The Sky’s the Limit: Channi’s Brave Leap for Kisharon Langdon
In a remarkable display of courage and determination, 23-year-old Channi, who lives in one of Kisharon Langdon’s Supported Living homes in Golders Green, completed a tandem skydive, raising £3436 for the charity that has helped her transform her life.
Together with Georgia, one of her dedicated support workers, Channi leapt from a plane at Brackley Airfield on Tuesday 1 July, soaring 13,000 feet through the air to raise money for Kisharon Langdon, supporting people in the Jewish learning disability and autism community.
Since moving into her newly-renovated, fully-adapted home in December 2021, Channi has transformed from a shy, introverted young woman into someone bubbly, confident and full of life. She shares a strong bond with her four housemates and support workers,
who have become true friends. Together, they support each other and enjoy all the fun of shared living, including baking, games nights and plenty of laughter. With the help of staff who nurture her independence and self-belief, Channi has built a life filled with creativity, friendship and purpose. Channi has flourished in the environment provided by Kisharon Langdon; she has part-time work at a local nursery, a growing passion for painting and ceramics, and an active social life to name just a few ways that her
life has transformed. The skydive marked a major personal milestone for Channi and this fundraising challenge was an extraordinary way to give back to the organisation that has supported her journey. The event was captured on film and will serve as a powerful testament to the capabilities and achievements of people with learning disabilities when given the right support. Channi said after
the jump “I’ve always wanted to do this, a once in a lifetime experience. I love Kisharon Langdon and living in my home, we feel like a family! I am so grateful for
everyone there. Me and Georgia decided together that we wanted to do the sky dive. I love the challenge. I was really excited before the jump, more excited than nervous. I just went, I didn’t want to overthink. I was the first to jump! It was really amazing, it was awesome! We did a flip too! I want to do it again!
Georgia, a Support Worker at Kisharon Langdon for 4 years, said “We love to challenge each other, we like to do these things together! I am so proud of Channi and what she has achieved, it was an amazing experience!”
To date, Channi and Georgia’s skydiving challenge has raised significant funds to help Kisharon Langdon continue its mission of empowering individuals in the Jewish learning disability and autism community to live independently and achieve their full potential.
Strength in the South: Be’er Sheva’s Story
Be’er Sheva, the largest city in the Negev Desert with over 200,000 residents, 25% of them under 17, is home to Ben Gurion University and the Soroka Medical Centre. It’s fast becoming known as the ‘Cyber Capital of Israel’ thanks to a major push in cybersecurity and other high-tech sectors.
Just 25 miles from the Gaza strip, life for the diverse population of secular and religious Jews, immigrants (particularly from the former Soviet Union), and some Bedouin residents, has long been shaped by periodic disruptions, even before 7 October 2023. Under persistent threat from rockets, the resilient citizens of the city certainly live their own version of ‘normal life’, with the school day often disrupted by an emergency drill or siren requiring children to take shelter.
JNF UK has been working in the south of Israel for several decades to address the clear disparities between the well-developed centre of the country and its
more remote regions, like the Negev. The wide range of initiatives aimed at enhancing education, employment, health and culture have hugely benefited Be’er Sheva. These long-standing efforts have enabled JNF UK’s team in Israel to build close relationships and develop a strong understanding of the area’s needs—allowing them to deliver swift, strategic support when required.
During the war with Iran, Be’er Sheva was one of the hardest hit cities, suffering several direct hits that caused significant damage to the Soroka Medical Centre, business areas and residential neighbourhoods. One missile fragmented, creating 16 different impact sites. Many homes were either directly hit or damaged by shockwaves. All of the affected homes are currently uninhabitable. 640 families have been evacuated from across the city, with hundreds of them being accommodated in hotels, unable to return home for the foreseeable future.
Families have lost everything; Their clothes, possessions and precious memories.
JNF UK responded immediately to the needs of the city, answering the call for help
to provide activity kits full of toys, games and craft materials. These kits were first distributed to public bomb shelters to offer comfort and distraction from the sirens and alarms to hundreds of children. Shanie Ora-Dotan, Director of International Relations for Be’er Sheva said, “Your contribution has been super meaningful with the amazing kits in 261 bomb shelters across the city”.
As the ceasefire began to hold, JNF UK expanded its efforts, delivering more activity packs to various evacuation centres where families are living. With the school year in Israel ending, volunteers have been mobilised to use the materials provided to run activities for the children in temporary accommodation to keep them occupied, provide a sense of normality for the children and offer important respite for their parents. Shanie states that “Over 1,500 evacuated residents are benefiting [from the activity packs], truly making a change.
Toda Raba”
support is not provided and make sure we are there to fill them. It is thanks to the constant support from our donors that enables us to be there for them. As many hundreds adjust to yet another ‘new normal’, JNF UK remains unwavering in its commitment to Israel’s recovery and long-term resilience.”
JNF UK has funded a wide range of initiatives aimed at strengthening peripheral communities in the south and north of Israel by enhancing education, employ-
Elan Gorji, CEO added “With our team on the ground and the close relationships we have throughout the Negev, we are ready to help the people of Israel where most needed at the most desperate time. We are able to find the gaps where
ment, health and culture. Since 7 October 23, its work pivoted to provide urgent help to affected areas, like Be’er Sheva, while remaining steadfast in its commitment to Israel’s growth and future. You can find out more about the work of JNF UK and offer support by visiting: www.jnf.co.uk
AJEX Ceremony Marks 80 Years Since the End of the Second World War
Over 100 participants gathered for a moving Service of Remembrance organised by AJEX JMA at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Held during National Armed Forces Week, the ceremony paid tribute to the enduring legacy and sacrifice of Jewish men and women who served in HM Armed Forces, marking the 80th anniversary year since the end of the Second World War.
The ceremony brought together veterans, serving personnel, community leaders, AJEX members, and military representatives. Proceedings were led by Dan Fox, National Chair of AJEX, with prayers by Rabbi Major Reuben Livingstone, supported by Rabbi David Singer and Rabbi Yossi Jacobs.
The Exhortation was read by AJEX Vice President, Mike Bluestone, Psalm 121 by Trustee Steve Pack and the Kohima by Trustee Jon Tyler. Clive Boxer one of AJEX’s beloved veterans and VPs laid the first wreath in memory of all Jewish men and women who have served accompanied by Lt Col Danny Yank. Further wreaths were laid to commemorate all, those who served in HM Armed Forces; for the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII; honouring those who were liberated and the liberators at Bergen- Belsen 80 years ago; and remembering and honouring all those who were part of the Battle of Britain on its 85th
anniversary. Wreath layers included Col James Denny, Maj Victoria Coles, Edward Green, Barbara Kober, Jeremy Michaelson VP at the Board of deputies, Michael Goldstein and Susy Stone.
Readings were given during the ceremony by Fiona Palmer, Lucy Godfrey, a cadet from the ACF and Josh Dennis. A contingent from Middlesex and North West London Army Cadets participated in the ceremony, with four cadets laying poppy posies at the memorial. The ceremony ended with a L’chaim toast to honour all those who have served and continue to serve.
Following the ceremony, attendees visited memorials across the Arboretum.
Speaking after the ceremony, Dan Fox said: “It has been a momentous year for commemoration, as we mark the significant anniversaries of the final milestones in 1945 on the way to allied victory in WWII.
We are so proud and privileged to have at least seven AJEX WWII veterans still with us
in 2025. They are the embodiment of the duty and courage that our community demonstrated between 1939-45 and beyond, in ways well out of proportion to our numbers. We give thanks to and enact Remembrance for all those who defeated Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, giving us the freedom and security we enjoy today”.
Fiona Palmer, Chief Executive of AJEX, added: “This year’s ceremony was a profound reminder of the legacy we are entrusted to uphold. As we mark 80 years
since the end of the Second World War, it is more important than ever to honour the service of Jewish personnel who fought for peace and to remember the many who never returned. As antisemitism rises in the UK, AJEX remains steadfast in its mission to share the Jewish contribution to British society through Remembrance, education and welfare.”
The ceremony at the NMA is just one part of AJEX’s year-round commitment to those who served and those who continue to serve.
Be comfortable with what you have
BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN
I am a member of a Shul in North Manchester and on Shabbat morning the sermon featured references to flight prices (from Israel to the UK) and via this week’s sedra led into how we should be grateful for what we have.
It was interesting to hear this, since this is an approach I have taken for some time. I am keenly aware of how fortunate I am, not only being in reasonably health, but living in a comfortable home in a nice part of the town. I have written on a number of occasions about how anti-Semitism has made life more difficult for us all, and worse for some than others. I don’t believe that this has diminished at all, on the contrary the
motions passed this week by the British Medical Association serve to reinforce my view that life is definitely getting more difficult for us.
Even aside from the BMA’s disgusting motions, the last couple of weeks have been challenging. Lies from the BBC are now commonplace in their reporting events in Gaza. It is so bad that I don’t even think they are trying to report anything real, they appear just to be making stories up as they do along. The intervention of President Trump has fluctuated between supportive and patronising, resulting in increased anxiety everywhere. Add in the continued hostility towards us from those claiming to be anti-racist, and the divisions within the community, there really doesn’t feel like there is anything to be happy about. More and more Jewish people I speak to talk about moving to Israel or at least arranging
to spend more time there, such is their concern for their future.
I am in no doubt about how serious our situation is. We are truly under attack from many sides, and the silent majority are remaining irritatingly silent. We are being pushed into a position where it is increasingly difficult to promote Israel. Not because no-one wishes to do so, but the hostility from those around us when we try. Even without trying to say anything about Israel, there are people everywhere keen to let everyone know that they support Palestine by way of badges or flags worn at work.
These symbols don’t only proclaim support for Palestine (whatever that might mean) they are also a deliberate show of force. We know that these symbols have a more sinister meaning, in that many of those wearing them if asked, would declare a support for Hamas and
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hatred of Israel and Jews. Even if they don’t hold all these views, their symbols say otherwise.
Yet the Rabbi’s words make perfect sense. Take a step back. We have no difficulty with access to clean water, electricity and gas flow easily into our homes and despite the grumbles we have free access to healthcare. So many millions of people around the world don’t have any of these so, for all of these people we are very fortunate. One more thing, many of those who are worse off that we are, also have no or little opportunity to leave where they live for a better existence. We have Israel, a lifeline not available to earlier generations with disastrous consequences. We might be having a hard time now, it could be so much worse. Am Israel chai.
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Attacks in Israel and Ukraine have upended lives and destroyed homes. World Jewish Relief is providing urgent support to communities under fire. They need you more than ever.
Every Jew is a Letter – Beyond the Cliché
BY RABBI GIDEON GOLDWATER
What makes something a cliché? Often it’s just that it’s been said too many times. But sometimes, it’s because it’s true. “No pain, no gain” may sound like a tired gym slogan, but it captures something real. Growth hurts. It stretches. It costs. But it’s worth it.
The first time I encountered the phrase “Every Jew is a letter,” it wasn’t printed on a tote bag or quoted in a d’var Torah. It came to me during a moment of real questioning. I was struggling to answer a challenge someone had posed, and in the middle of my search, someone handed me a book that shifted everything. It was Rabbi Sacks’ Radical Then, Radical Now, his powerful attempt to answer a question that doesn’t go away: Why be Jewish? What’s the point? What do we, as Jews, bring to the world?
The book was transformative. It had
depth, clarity, and vision. It didn’t just speak to the mind but stirred the soul. I was moved by it, even as a teenager. And yet, what surprised me most was how many others read the same book and simply carried on. Inspired for a moment, perhaps. But rarely changed. Rarely driven to act.
There’s a line in that book that always stayed with me. Interestingly, in the US the book was published under a different title: A Letter in the Scroll. And it’s that image that has never left me.
Rabbi Sacks writes, “But one question reverberates throughout the Jewish world today. What will God have given us if we gain all else and lose our own children?”
That question still echoes inside me. When a student asks, “What difference does it make?” Or when someone says, “My kids will be Jewish either way,” this is where I go. Because Judaism isn’t just a label. It’s not about survival statistics or guilt. It’s about meaning. It’s about being part of something bigger, something real!
Rabbi Sacks explains, “Every Jew is a letter. Each Jewish family is a word, every
Beyond the ruins to rebirth
BY RABBI RAPHY GARSON, JROOTS EDUCATOR
June 19th marked one week since the outbreak of Israel’s war with Iran, as Operation Rising Lion raged on. That day, I flew to Warsaw to guide a small delegation from the Federation of Pittsburgh, led by their dynamic CEO, Jeff Finkelstein.
They had come on a mission to explore the world of pre-war Polish Jewry and to visit the organisations they proudly support, among them the JCC in Warsaw, the Jewish Agency, the Jewish Community of Warsaw, and local Jewish schools and welfare programmes. I stepped in at the request of Tzvi Sperber, Director
of JRoots, who was unable to leave Israel due to the conflict.
On June 23rd, just one day before the war’s end, we stood together at the sacred ruins of Crematorium II in Auschwitz-Birkenau. The sun blazed overhead as I spoke of the unspeakable horrors that unfolded there. I told them this place is the Kodesh Hakodashimthe holy of holies of our time.
In the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, only the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, entered the Holy of Holies once a year on Yom Kippur. Here at Auschwitz, over a million Jews were brutally murdered, condemned for the “crime” of simply being born Jewish.
community a sentence, and the Jewish people at any one time are a paragraph. The Jewish people through time constitute a story, the strangest and most moving story in the annals of mankind.”
What does it mean to be a letter? Not a symbol. Not a number in a spreadsheet. A letter. In Hebrew, letters are full of depth. Each one has meaning—its shape, its sound, its numerical value, even its name. Letters in Lashon Hakodesh are not arbitrary. They are the building blocks of reality. Each one, with its infinite layers of depth, reveals and represents a philosophical concept. When they combine, they don’t just form words, they reveal truths. They build the world.
So, if every Jew is a letter, then every Jew contains that same layered depth. You are not just a statistic or a surname. You are a container of meaning, a vessel of history, a soul of infinite potential. There’s the outer layer, what the world sees. But then there’s everything underneath. Strengths, memories, values, questions, hopes. All of it matters. All of it counts.
We call these victims Kedoshim, “the holy ones,” sanctified by their martyrdom.
As we stood together to honour the more than one million innocent souls lost at Auschwitz, I recited the Kel Maleh Rachamim prayer in Hebrew, followed by Jeff’s powerful English rendition.
During his prayer, something extraordinary happened: a fox suddenly appeared, calmly moving across the very ruins of the gas chambers. Having visited Auschwitz nearly 100 times before, this was the first time I had ever seen a fox there.
Tears welled in my eyes as I was struck by the profound echo of another moment in Jewish history - a quiet reminder of life and memory amid unspeakable loss.
The Talmud recounts a profound moment after the destruction of the First Temple. Rabbi Akiva, one of the greatest sages of his generation, stood upon the ruins of the Temple, the very site known as the Kodesh HaKodashim, the Holy of Holies.
His contemporaries wept bitterly at the sight of foxes roaming freely where once the Divine Presence dwelled and the Kohen Gadol entered once a year on Yom Kippur. But Rabbi Akiva did not weep. Instead, he laughed.
He explained that the prophecy of destruction had been fulfilled exactly as foretold. The Temple lay in ruins, and the glory of the Jewish people had been shattered. Yet, just as surely, the prophecy of redemption would come true.
He invoked Zechariah’s vision, where
And just like a Torah scroll is invalid if even one letter is missing or damaged, the Jewish people are incomplete without you. Not because we need your numbers, but because we need you. The real you. Your letter. Your place.
So why stay Jewish? Because you are needed. Because you matter. Because our story, the greatest story ever told, is not whole without you.
Join us Sunday, July 6th as we celebrate the completion of a new Torah scroll. Come dance, sing, and discover your letter. Not just the one in the parchment, but the one only you can be.
Rabbi Goldwater holds a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Jewish Education and spent two years living in Birmingham as the Aish Rabbi on Campus. He went on to direct Aish’s national Campus programme before taking on his current roles as Managing Director of both Aish UK and Jewish Futures. He has overseen the expansion of the teams and programming that are currently impacting over 20,000 young Jews across the UK.
old men and women would once again sit in the streets of Jerusalem in peace, and children would play openly and freely. This was not wishful thinking but a certainty rooted in divine promise. Rabbi Akiva’s laughter was an expression of faith, hope, and trust in Hashem’s eternal covenant with His people.
These desolate remains are, for our generation, the Kodesh HaKodashim, the place where our people were sanctified as Kedoshim, holy martyrs, simply for being Jewish. And here, too, Hashem sent a fox.
This moment was more than coincidence; it was a powerful symbol, a reminder that the ancient prophecies live on. Even in the darkest destruction, even where evil sought to erase our existence, the seeds of renewal and redemption remain planted.
Just as Rabbi Akiva saw beyond the ruins to the promise of rebirth, so must we see beyond the horrors of the Holocaust, and the more recent terror of October 7th, to the enduring strength and future of the Jewish people. Just as destruction came to pass, so too will the vision of comfort and peace, the nevuah of Yechezkel, will be fulfilled.
Standing in Auschwitz, surrounded by the stark reality of the recent war, loss, and uncertainty, I offered heartfelt gratitude to God - for life, for safety, for the blessing of the State of Israel, and for the shared courage to carry forward our vital mission of remembrance of a world lost. May we merit to see these prophecies of redemption fulfilled soon, in our days.
WHAT3WORDS/// CARE IS CORE!
BY RABBI NAFTALI SCHIFF
As Jews, we are keenly aware of our responsibility to make a difference. We are constantly driven and urged to think big; to strategise, to innovate, to build and to scale. Big thinking and aspiration is critical in order to affect change. However, Judaism enjoins us repeatedly never to sacrifice care for the individual upon the holy altar of big ideas and lofty aspiration. It’s tempting at times, when looking at the big picture, to ignore small things. People can get overlooked, details forgotten. One of the core values by which we must aspire to live is to constantly care for and invest in individuals and in the details that are the substance of genuine relationships. Truly big people never lose sight of loving and caring for each person who comes their way. Every human being is precious. When big ideas obfuscate sensitivity and care, ideological monsters are born. This is not the ideology the Torah advocates. The same Nation of Priests charged with the grandeur of fixing up the whole world, is also called to show love, empathy and sensitivity to every person.
We stand days before the fast of the 17th of Tammuz, ushering in the Three Weeks, the period of mourning for the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash and the tragedies that befell our People throughout history. We all know that the Temple was destroyed because of sinat chinam , cheap hatreds, a lack of genuine care and love for one another. It is precisely now that we must remind ourselves that all the great structures we might build- physical, ideological, or institutional rest upon the fragile, powerful foundation of genuine care.
Et achai anochi mevakesh — “I am searching for my brothers.” These words, uttered by Yosef when sent by his father to find his brothers (Bereishit 37:16), have always struck me deeply. Over twenty-five years ago, Rabbi Shmuel Dishon, the great Karlin-Stolin educator and activist who devoted much of his life to reconnecting assimilated Soviet Jews to their heritage, spoke to our cohort of Rabbis at Aish UK. I asked him to speak about Ahavat Yisrael, love of one’s fellow Jew. I vividly recall that his entire impassioned talk revolved around this verse. The heartbeat of Jewish life revolves around the search for our brothers and sisters and the imperative to relate to them as such.
It is not a search motivated by ideology, numbers or projects. It is a search motivated by care by the sense that each soul is created b’tzelem Elokim, in the image of God, and therefore infinitely worthy of our attention, love, and respect.
The Rambam in Hilchot De’ot 6:3 elaborates on the mitzvah of loving one’s fellow Jew -Ve’ahavta le’reacha kamocha. He explains that this love is expressed in three ways: through the genuine emotion of love and care; by speaking well of them; and by acting proactively for their benefit, honour, and wellbeing, literally as one
the dead, so too must we. These are not grand gestures; they are daily opportunities to express care.
Hillel urges us: “Be of the disciples of Aharon — love peace and pursue peace, love people, and bring them close to Torah” (Pirkei Avot 1:12). What made Aharon so beloved to all was not only his capacity to bring peace, but his gentle, patient willingness to draw near to each individual, to build genuine relationship, to look for the good in every person thereby forging real and enduring connection.
This is the foundation of Jewish Futures’
would for oneself. The Torah demands that our love be felt, spoken, and enacted.
This mitzvah is not a footnote or peripheral command. As Rabbi Akiva famously taught, Ve’ahavta le’reacha kamocha is the klal gadol baTorah — the great principle that underpins all of Torah (Yerushalmi Nedarim 9:4).
Our tradition understands the power of care in its quietest, most human moments. The Talmud (Sotah 14a) tells us that just as God clothes the naked, visits the sick, comforts mourners, and buries
value of Care. Yes, we are a community of big dreams,of educational movements, of ambitious programmes, of deep commitments to the Jewish future. But none of that means too much if it is not anchored in care. If we do not, first and foremost, notice each person, nurture each person and respect and care for each individual.
The difference between responsibility, the value we discussed last week, and care is subtle but vital. Responsibility can, if we’re not vigilant, become depersonalised: a checklist, a task, a box-ticking
exercise. Care refuses that. Care and love see the soul, the neshama behind the statistic, the person behind the number, the image of God behind the ideology. History has shown us again and again what happens when individuals are sacrificed on the altar of ideology. Movements that began with the promise of human flourishing ended up treating human beings as disposable tools. Judaism demands more.
It demands that we nurture genuine relationships. That we invest time, energy, and emotion in real people. That we listen. That we show up. That we do not merely ‘deal with’ others, but truly care for them.
As the world becomes more virtual, augmented, and artificial, this human capacity to care, to build relationships based on respect, compassion, and love, becomes not just important, but urgent and crucial.
Sometimes, it is not our words that make the difference. It is the fact that we noticed. That we were there. That we showed up when someone needed us most. These quiet acts of care build us as individuals, but even more importantly, they build the soul of a community.
In the days ahead, as we approach the 17th of Tammuz and begin the Three Weeks, let us remind ourselves of this imperative. That every loving act of care, every time we choose to shift focus even for a quality moment from our big ideas and notice the individual in front of us, is a small personal act of rebuilding the Temple.
May we merit to be among the disciples of Aharon, to love peace and pursue peace, to love people, and bring them close, not only to Torah, but to each other, and to themselves.
And may our generation be one that is remembered, above all, for its capacity to love and to care for one another.
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
Speak Softly and Carry a big Stick Weekly Dvar Torah FROM ERETZ YISRAEL
BY RABBI STEWART WEISS
Why? That is the operative emotion we experience as we read Parashat Chukat, particularly as we struggle to come to grips with the mystery of Death. For the subject of death permeates our sedra: The tumah (impurity) that results upon coming into contact with the dead; the death of Miriam, then of Aharon, and then of a large segment of the population who complain about their situation. And finally, the demise of Moshe’s career, as he is told he will not accompany Bnei Yisrael into Eretz Yisrael.
This last episode – when Moshe strikes the rock instead of speaking to it and is punished for this act – is shocking and bewildering. Did Moshe really deserve such a severe penalty for what seems like such a minor mistake? And was not Moshe previously told to take his staff and strike the rock in order to produce water? So why was that very same act now considered a crime?
Many commentators find fault with Moshe’s behavior: He lost his temper and called the people “rebels”; he struck the rock not once but twice, etc. But the Alshich sees this incident from another angle, focusing not on a change in Moshe, but rather in Bnei Yisrael.
In the desert, he says, the Jews were still trying to overcome their slave mentality. They had such low self-esteem that they needed a constant flow of miracles to convince them that Hashem would take care of their every need and protect them. Just telling them that G-d was with them would not suffice; they had to actually be shown.
And so, in the early stage, Moshe had to visibly strike the rock. But now, as their desert odyssey comes to an end and they leave the “bubble” of the desert for “real” life, the hope was that Bnei Yisrael had significantly matured and could now be reasoned with. The age of open, outright miracles – identified with Moshe and Aharon, who brought those miracles
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SHOULD WE MARRY?
Dear Rabbi
I’m in a serious relationship with a girl I care about deeply. The problem is we have very different religious beliefs. I’m traditional – Friday nights, Shabbat synagogue, kashrut, etc. and she’s much more progressive. She respects my observance, but doesn’t keep it herself, and doesn’t really see religion the same way I do. We love each other, and I keep telling myself that love is enough, but I also worry about the future. Can we make this work?
Yours Glen
Dear Glen
You want the truth? Do not marry this girl. And I don’t say that lightly. Love is beautiful, but it’s not a substitute for shared values. Marriage isn’t just about hearts aligning - it’s about lives intertwining. You’re not building a fleeting moment; you’re building a home, a future and a legacy. And that requires a foundation strong enough to carry it.
You say she “respects” your observance – but what does that actually mean? It means she’ll let you light candles but
won’t light them with you. She’ll tolerate your kashrut but won’t share your kitchen. She’ll cook you Friday night dinner but might head out with friends to the movies. Is that what you want your Shabbat table to look like for the next fifty years? You’ll be walking alone to and from synagogue each Shabbat. Can a marriage sustain two worlds under one roof? Or children growing up in confusion, wondering why Dad does one thing and Mom does another?
Judaism isn’t just a private hobby. It’s a way of being. A marriage, by definition, fuses two souls into one mission. If your core missions in life are fundamentally misaligned, then no amount of affection can close that gap. You’ll constantly be negotiating holidays, values, education, lifestyle, and every compromise will feel like a tiny betrayal of something sacred. Over time, love may fade under the weight of these unresolved tensions. Or worse, one of you will break trying to bend too far.
Let me be very clear: This isn’t about judgment. This is about clarity. She may be wonderful, kind, intelligent, and deeply respectful. But she’s not on the same path. And marriage demands unity of vision, especially in the realm of religion and identity.
– was coming to a close. A new age of hidden miracles was about to begin, and that change was to have been signified by Moshe speaking to the rock. Alas, that did not happen, and Moshe would suffer the consequences.
There were three miracles in the desert: The pillars of cloud and fire that shielded the nation; Miriam’s well of water that quenched our thirst; and the mahn that fell from Heaven and sustained us. I suggest that these very same wonders exist in Israel today! The protective pillars are our holy, courageous soldiers of the IDF – they guard and defend us night and day, fending off our many foes despite incredible odds. The well of water is the Torah; we are blessed in modern Israel with more people learning Torah than at any other time in our history, in more than 2,000 yeshivot! And the mahn? That is the amazing bounty and vibrant economy in Israel, where we enjoy a standard of living that rivals that which is bestowed upon kings and queens – the shekel is
Too many people confuse compatibility with chemistry. Chemistry ignites. Compatibility endures. And when it comes to faith - especially in a world already pulling hard in the opposite direction - you need mutual compatibility; someone who strengthens your flame, not just tolerates it from across the room.
So yes, it will hurt. Breakups always do. But better the pain of parting now than the heartbreak of building a future on a divided soul. Marry someone who will gracefully and wholeheartedly join you for kiddush at the Shabbat table, come along with you to Synagogue, and raise children who walk proudly in the light of your shared convictions. Don’t settle for love that can’t grow roots in your sacred soil. Because when it comes to the rest of your life - almost right is all wrong.
one of the world’s strongest currencies and million-dollar homes are the rule rather than the exception!
But one has to able to see these subtle, hidden miracles in order to appreciate them. That is what Hashem wanted Moshe to explain to the people: Whether Hashem carries a big stick or speaks softly, G-d is surely watching over us and providing our every need. The rabbis say, “the recipient of a miracle often does not recognize that miracle.” If we only open our eyes – wide – we will surely witness the Age of Miracles in which we live.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss is director of the Jewish Outreach Center of Ra’anana, a popular columnist for the Jerusalem Post and a member of Mizrachi’s Speakers Bureau (mizrachi.org/speakers).
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Family FunCHUKAT
Last week, Hashem told us that we must be pure to offer korbonos or enter the Mishkan. what if you become impure by going near a dead body?
The parah adumah, the red cow. Hashem teaches Moses the laws of the parah adumah, red heifer, whose ashes purify a person who has been near a dead body. This law is called a chok. We just don’t understand it. But then, we’re not G-d. Hashem is waaay cleverer than us. He created the whole world and us and all that was as easy for Him as saying the letter hey. Sometimes He reminds us that we don’t really
understand the mitzvois by making one we can’t understand at all. This teaches us that even mitzvois we think we understand are much deeper than we know.
After forty years of journeying through the desert, the people of Israel arrive in Sin. Miriam dies, and since not enough people come to her funeral (she was Miriam!), Hashem takes away her well. The people are very thirsty. Hashem tells Moses to speak to a rock and command it to give water and Hashem will make a miracle. Moshe goes but the people start grumbling, moaning and shouting at
Parasha Stats
him. Moses gets angry at the people and hits the stone. Water issues forth, but Moses is told by Hashem that neither he nor Aaron will enter Israel. After doing so much for Klal Yisrael, they stop him from achieving his life’s goal.
Hashem tells Moshe to take Ahron and Elazar up a mountain called har hahor. At the top, in a cavern, Aharon lies down, closes his eyes and dies at Hor Hahar. His son Elazar takes over as Kohen Gadol, high preist.In Aharon’s merit we had the clouds of glory and now they are gone. When the people complain after we have to go the long way
around (Edom and Moav won’t let us through) , snakes attack the people Moshe davens and Hashem tells Moses to place a copper snake on a high pole, and all who will look to the heavens and remember Hashem will be healed. The people sing a song in honor of the miraculous well that provided them water in the desert which crushes mountains together to kill the enemies hiding in caves.
Moses leads the people in battles against the Emorite kings Sichon and Og (who seek to prevent Israel’s passage through their territory) and conquers their lands, which lie east of the Yarden, Jordan.
Facts about Parashat Chukat
Number of Verses - 87
Number of Words - 1,245
Number of Letters - 4,670
Jewish Riddle
This week’s Question: Of which two people in the Torah can it be said that their names spelled backwards are words used by the Torah to describe them? IF YOU KNOW IT, EMAIL US THE ANSWER
Last week’s answer: When would you really prefer not to say Yaaleh V’yavo, but you have to?
The answer is BIRKAT HAMAZON ON YOM KIPPUR
*WELL DONE TO YAELI GORDON!!!*
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
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M R R P M E G O A
Use the area below to write the words you have found.
Jokes
Q: What did the digital clock say to the grandfather clock?
A: Look! No hands!
Q: What did one tonsil say to the other?
A: Better get ready. The doctor’s taking us out tonight
Q: What do you do if you see a spaceman?
A: Park your car, man!
Riddles
1. Who makes it, has no need of it. Who buys it, has no use for it. Who uses it can neither see nor feel it. What is it?
2. A mile from end to end, yet as close to as a friend. A precious item, freely given. Found on the rich, poor, short and tall, but shared amond children most of all. What is it?
