The Jewish Weekly Issue 397 - 9 Jan 2026

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Israel on High Alert: Growing Fears of an Iranian Strike

BY YOSSI SAUNDERS

Israel has raised its security posture amid mounting concerns that Iran, or its regional proxies, may be preparing a direct or indirect strike in the coming period. Senior defence officials are warning that the Middle East is entering a particularly volatile phase, with miscalculation now posing as great a danger as deliberate escalation.

According to security assessments, Iran has been steadily expanding its mili- Despite the ceasefire, the IDF remain on High Alert tary capabilities across the Tehran continues to deny seeking open region, particularly through allied militias confrontation, Israeli officials believe Iran is in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. While

BEGINS 15:57 15:55 15:48 15:56 15:56 16:37 16:04 15:42 16:16

Continued on page 4

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increasingly confident in testing Israel’s deterrence, especially as global attention remains divided by other international crises.

In recent days, the Israel Defense Forces have increased readiness levels across multiple fronts. Air defence systems have been reinforced, intelligence surveillance intensified, and emergency response units placed on higher alert.

Officials stress that these measures are precautionary, but acknowledge that the risk environment has deteriorated.

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4 NEWS Continued from page 1 A senior security source told The Jewish Weekly that Israel is preparing for “multiple scenarios,” ranging from cyber attacks and drone launches to long-range missile fire. “We are not predicting a specific date or form of attack,” the source said, “but the direction is clear. Iran is pushing boundaries.”

The concern in Jerusalem is not limited to Iran acting alone. Hezbollah in

TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488 Lebanon remains a central factor, with its vast arsenal of rockets posing a persistent threat to civilian population centres.

Meanwhile, Iranian-backed groups elsewhere in the region have demonstrated increasing coordination and sophistication, raising fears of a coordinated, multi-front assault designed to overwhelm defences.

International diplomacy is continuing behind the scenes, with Western and regional powers urging restraint. However,

Israeli leaders remain sceptical that diplomatic pressure alone can curb Iran’s ambitions. Privately, officials warn that Tehran may view the current moment as an opportunity to strike without triggering a full-scale international response.

At the same time, Israeli authorities are keen to project calm to the public.

There have been no changes to civilian guidelines, and officials stress that daily life should continue as normal. “Preparedness does not mean panic,” one official

9 JANUARY 2026 said. “Israel has faced threats before and will face them again.”

For many Israelis and Jews worldwide, the situation is a sobering reminder of the fragile security reality facing the Jewish state. As tensions simmer and rhetoric hardens, the coming weeks may prove critical in determining whether the region steps back from the brink — or moves closer to confrontation.

World Jewry Grieves as Yosef Eisenthal is killed

BY YOSSI SAUNDERS

Jews around the world remain in shock and mourning following the tragic death

of Yosef Eisenthal, z”l, a young Chareidi boy who was killed after a bus driven by an Arab driver ploughed into a group of Chareidi teenagers during a demonstration. The devastating incident has left a family shattered and an entire community struggling to comprehend the loss.

Yosef, described by those who knew him as a gentle and sweet-na-

tured child, was fatally injured in the collision. Despite rapid response by emergency services, his injuries proved unsurvivable. The news spread quickly through Jerusalem’s Chareidi neighbourhoods, casting a heavy pall of grief over the city.

He was laid to rest in a heart-rending levayah attended by family members, friends, neighbours and community leaders, many openly weeping as Tehillim were recited. Mourners spoke quietly of a life full of promise that was cruelly cut short, offering words of comfort to the broken-hearted family as they began the painful process of aveilus.

Anger and anguish deepened further this week following a controversial legal decision. Acting contrary to the position of the police, the Jerusalem District Court on Thursday accepted the appeal

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of Fakhri Khatib, the Arab bus driver involved in the incident, and released him to house arrest. The decision has sparked outrage among many in the community, who say it compounds the family’s pain and sends a deeply troubling message.

Community leaders have called for calm and dignity, urging the public to focus on honouring Yosef’s memory rather than allowing anger to spiral. At the same time, there have been renewed calls for justice, accountability and improved safety measures to protect pedestrians, particularly children, on Jerusalem’s busy roads.

As the world mourns Yosef Eisenthal, z”l, candles continue to be lit and tefillos whispered. World Jewry, united in sorrow, prays that his neshama should have an aliyah — and that no family should ever again endure such unbearable loss.

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Jewish teens killed in Swiss tragedy the Niddam family thanked people for their support.

Three Jewish teens are among 40 vic“It is with great sadness that we antims of the Crans-Montana ski resort fire nounce the passing of our beautiful disaster at New Years Eve celebrations in daughter and sister Charlotte,” a statethe Swiss Alps last week. ment read. “Details regarding the funeral The family of former Immanuel College arrangements will follow shortly. It is and Jewish most Free School likely on pupil Thursday Charlotte in Paris.”

Niddam The announced United her death Synafollowing gogue formal idensaid in a tification statement on Monday. they were The funeral “hearttook place broken earlier this by the week. tragedy”, The death adding toll is 40, all that the victims Charlotte have been was Bat Charlotte Niddam who attended Immanuel College identified.

Mitzvah Of 116 at Bushey injured, 83 were still hospitalised on United Synagogue.

Monday, a number remain in critical Senior Rebbetzen, Jacqueline Feldman, condition with serious burns. reportedly said that Charlotte was a Swiss authorities have opened a crimi“warm, lively and loved young lady”. nal investigation against Le Constellation A number of her friends attended shul bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti of last Shabbat to pray for a miracle. Prayers suspected negligent manslaughter. were said around the world for the vicIn a heart-rending social media post, tims and injured.

BY DAVID SAFFER

The Crans-Montana resort website noted that Charlotte, who held French, British and Israeli citizenship, worked as a babysitter.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been in contact with local authorities and family.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said her thoughts were with family and friends after a “devastating loss”.

Alicia and Diana Gunst Twenty-four hours earlier the Jewish community in Lausanne announced Italian sisters Alicia, 15, and Diana Gunst, 14, were among fatalities.

“The community shares in the family’s grief and will stand by its side in whatever is required,” a statement read.

As news of the tragedy unfolded, Swiss President Guy Parmelin called the fire “one of the worst tragedies” experienced by the country.

Immanuel College issued a statement: ‘Charlotte was a student at Immanuel College, and her family has now moved back to France. The families have asked that we all keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time. We are all praying for a miracle for

9 JANUARY 2026

Charlotte and the others and want the families to feel the full strength of the Immanuel College community’s support.’

JFS called for ‘love and prayer’.

Charlotte was at the school for two years before her family returned to France.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Pevzner of Geneva told local reporters three Jewish teenage girls were among the missing.

His son, Rabbi Levi Yitzhak Pevzner, offered support at the site.

Sparklers on bottles carried close to the ceiling has been reported to be the most likely cause of the fire according to an initial investigation.

Beatrice Pilloud, Valais canton lead prosecutor, said in a statement that investigators were evaluating if acoustic foam on the venue’s ceiling caused problems and also whether it complied with regulations.

Victims and the injured, aged 14-39, are from over a dozen nationalities including the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, Belgian, France, Israel, Romanian, Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg and Poland.

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STILL STANDING Doctors told us to say goodbye GUESTS ELI & LEAH SELIGER

After contracting COVID, Eli was placed in a coma as his organs began to fail, and doctors warned his wife Leah to prepare to say goodbye. But against all odds, Eli fought his way back from the brink of death. In this gripping and deeply moving conversation, Eli and Leah share how faith, family, and an extraordinary outpouring of community support carried them through the darkest hours and how they rebuilt life, piece by piece, after everything changed.

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Birthing a Future: A Mission for Life

BY HADASSAH BAY

In Parshas Shemot, we learn about two courageous women, Shifra and Puah, the Hebrew midwives. The Torah testifies that it was their yirat Shamayim that gave them the strength to defy Pharaoh’s command to murder newborn Jewish babies.

Instead, they preserved their lives while empowering their mothers, becoming the heroines of our national survival.

Their legacy of courage and compassion is the spiritual blueprint for EFRAT. With unrivaled dedication, the organization provides emotional and practical support to women in crisis pregnancies, empowering them to choose life with dignity, not despair. Today, over four decades and over 93,000 babies later, EFRAT’s mission extends far beyond the moment of birth.

SUPPORTING THE WHOLE JOURNEY EFRAT provides women with emotional support as well as a generous baby package containing all the essentials for bringing the baby home: a full layette, diapers, formula, a stroller, crib, bathtub and more.

But that’s just the beginning. EFRAT also provides additional services and specialized programs to promote emotional wellness and economic independence

— two critical building blocks for confident parenting. The goal is to help mothers achieve stability, self-respect, and long-term success.

EFRAT’s work is powered by both professionalism and heart: a team of trained professionals, including 170 dedicated case managers, and a network of 7,000 volunteers in Israel and around the world. Together, they stand beside women from the moment of crisis through every stage of motherhood, helping each one build a secure, dignified, and hopeful future.

IMAPEDIA: THE PATH TO BETTER MOTHERHOOD Last month marked the launch of

Imapedia, EFRAT’s groundbreaking new online parenting portal. The platform is designed to guide and empower new mothers through the first years of parenting, a period that is thrilling, emotional, and often overwhelming.

Currently available in Hebrew, Imapedia offers over 280 expert-led courses ranging from postpartum recovery and baby nutrition to emotional resilience and toilet training.

Whether she has ten minutes before bedtime or a quiet afternoon, each woman can learn at her own pace, in a way that suits her needs and values.

“The courses I took helped me connect to my internal mother,” shares Danielle Shahaf, 26. “It gave me tools not just for my baby, but for myself.”

Imapedia is built on EFRAT’s core belief that every woman has the right to

full, honest information so that she can make the best decisions for herself and her family. It reflects EFRAT’s holistic approach, recognizing that no two women are alike, and that motherhood can’t be navigated with a one-size-fits-all solution.

When further support is needed, EFRAT is there, too, offering job counseling, daycare assistance, and personal guidance for women ready to return to the workforce.

CARRYING THE LEGACY FORWARD EFRAT’s legendary founder Dr. Eli Schussheim, z”l, was known to exclaim, “You don’t end a life for lack of funds!”

With these poignant words, he captured the tragic predicament of so many women in Israel today. It’s not that they don’t want their babies; they simply can’t see a way forward. That’s where EFRAT steps in.

In the spirit of Shifra and Puah, EFRAT offers vital emotional support and substantial material assistance both at birth and beyond. From crisis to confidence, from pain to purpose, EFRAT is there.

Because choosing life is only the start.

For more information contact us at info@cribefrat.org and visit www. cribefrat.org

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9 JANUARY 2026

EDITORIAL

Surge in Self Harm and Suicide Concerns Among Young People, Warns JTeen JTeen, the UK’s award winning helpline supporting Jewish young people aged 11 to 24, has reported an alarming surge in messages about self-harm and suicidal thoughts, revealing the highest levels of distress seen since the service began over 5 years ago.

In 2020, around 4% of teens reaching out to JTeen were struggling with self-harm or suicidal ideation. By the beginning of 2026, that number has risen to 7.5%, an almost 50% increase in just five years. This past year alone, over 400 young people have contacted JTeen expressing thoughts of harming themselves or wanting to end their lives.

“We are seeing levels of despair we have never seen before,” said Yaakov Barr, psychotherapist and CEO of JTeen. “The

messages are darker, more urgent, and more hopeless. These are not cries for attention, they are cries for relief from unbearable emotional pain. What used to be occasional has become nightly. We are witnessing a generation at breaking point.”

While self-harm among teens has long been a concern, the intensity and frequency of suicidal ideation have escalated sharply, reflecting a wider national pattern of worsening youth mental health. Recent national studies show that more than one in four young people in the UK report having mental health struggles, with self-harm and suicide attempts among teenagers continuing to rise.

To respond to the growing crisis, JTeen has expanded its volunteer division and

introduced new specialist training focused on managing high risk and suicidal presentations. The charity has also widened its reach beyond secondary schools through the launch of JStudent, offering young people aged 18-24, a place to turn when loneliness, pressure, or emotional pain become overwhelming.

Ari Leaman MBE, JTeen’s Safeguarding Lead, said: “The rise we are seeing is deeply concerning. It is not just the numbers, it is the intensity of distress.

We are hearing from young people who feel completely trapped, who have lost all sense of hope. As safeguarding professionals, we are doing everything possible to ensure that every contact is treated with the utmost seriousness and care.

But we also need a wider community

response. Prevention must start long before crisis hits.”

In light of these statistics, JTeen is strengthening its prevention work through its new 3 volume, Mastering Your Mind workbook and curriculum, now being rolled out in schools nationwide. The project helps students build resilience, self-awareness, and emotional tools to manage distress before it spirals into crisis.

“Every number represents a life,” said safeguarding trustee Riki Greenberg,.

“We cannot accept a future where feeling suicidal becomes normal for teenagers.

We must act, in our homes, our schools, and our communities, to equip young people with the strength and support they need to survive and to thrive.”

Honouring 101-Year-Old Stanley Fisher BEM Stanley Fisher BEM: 101-Year-Old Veteran and Community Pillar Honoured At 101, Stanley Fisher has lived a life few could imagine—and yet he speaks of it with remarkable humility. Recently awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s Awards, Stanley’s recognition celebrates not only his wartime service but decades of dedication to

Holocaust education, Judaism, and his local community.

A D-Day veteran, Stanley marched with his unit across Europe, enduring some of the fiercest fighting of the Second World War. He fought through the Battle of Arnhem—immortalised as “A Bridge Too Far”—and continued across the continent before arriving outside

Bergen-Belsen. As the only Jewish soldier in his unit, he quietly helped his fellow Jews wherever he could. The horrors of Belsen left deep, lasting scars, and for decades he could not speak of what he had witnessed. Nightmares were a constant companion, and silence was his refuge.

It was a family connection that

finally broke through that silence.

Stanley’s grandson

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King leads tributes to Eva

BY DAVID SAFFER

King Charles has led tributes to Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss who died aged 96 last Shabbat.

Born in Austria in 1929, Schloss dedicated her life to global peace and Holocaust education, talking about her experiences during the Shoah around the world.

The King and Queen Camilla, Patron of the Anne Frank Trust UK, were “greatly saddened” by the news.

“The horrors that she endured as a young woman are impossible to comprehend,” he said.

The King added that Schloss devoted her life to “overcoming hatred and prejudice, promoting kindness, courage, understanding and resilience”.

“We are both privileged and proud to have known her and we admired her deeply,” the King said.

Schloss is survived by daughters Jacky, Caroline and Sylvia, and extended family.

In a statement the family said they hope to hold a memorial event at a future date to be decided.

“Eva was a remarkable woman, an Auschwitz survivor, a devoted Holocaust educator, tireless in her work for remembrance, understanding and peace,” they said. “We hope her legacy will continue to inspire through the books, films and resources she leaves behind. We are incredibly proud of all that Eva stood for

and accomplished.”

The Schloss family escaped the Nazis by moving to Amsterdam where they were neighbours of Anne Frank. Eva and Anne, both born in 1929, often played together.

Both families went into hiding the same day in 1942. Eva’s family were betrayed and sent to concentration camps in 1944.

Eva and her mother Elfriede survived Auschwitz, but her father and brother were murdered by the Nazis. After the war, Eva settled in London, marrying Zvi Schloss. The following year, her mother married Anne’s father Otto Frank.

For over 40 years, Schloss, co-founder and honorary president of the Anne Frank Trust, remained silent. In 1986, she began speaking publicly about her Holocaust experiences.

The Trust was set up to empower young people aged 9 to 15 to challenge prejudice through learning from Anne Frank and the Holocaust.

“I was far from politics, but I realised that the world had not learned any lessons from the events of 1939 to 1945, that wars continued, that persecution, racism, intolerance still existed,” she said. “Then I began to share my experience, to call for changes in the world.”

In 2024, the Trust worked with over 132,000 young people through the Schools Programme and trained over 5,000 people as Peer Educators whose education reached a further 45,500 peers.

Schloss said: “We must never forget the terrible consequences of treating people as ‘other’. We need to respect everybody’s races and religions. We need to live together with our differences. The only way to achieve this is through education, and the younger we start the better.”

Dan Green, Anne Frank Trust CEO, described Schloss as a “beacon of hope and resilience”.

“Her unwavering

9 JANUARY 2026

commitment to challenging prejudice through Holocaust education has left an indelible mark on countless lives,” he said. “Her legacy will continue to guide and empower young people to build a world free from hatred and discrimination.”

Nicola Cobbold, Chair, added: “Eva remained an engaged and passionate supporter of its work until the end, determined that it should deliver Otto Frank’s vision. She shared her memories, stories, fears and aspirations. Above all she believed that to enable peace people should work together as human beings, recognising and challenging prejudice and promoting love and reasonableness.

Her tireless work over the decades was remarkable and she will be sorely missed

In 2017, Eva, then 88 years old, came to Amsterdam at our request to mark Anne Frank’s 88th birthday. In Anne Frank’s former home at Merwedeplein 37-2, across from her own former home at number 46, Eva shared her life story with thirteen 13-year-old students from the Amsterdams Lyceum, the same secondary school she had attended as a girl, together with her brother Heinz. Eva told the pupils about her childhood, going into hiding and deportation to Auschwitz, and the loss of her father and brother. At the request of a pupil, she showed the tattooed number on her arm. It fell silent.”

Schloss wrote three books: Eva’s Story: A Survivor’s Tale, After Auschwitz and The Promise aimed at children.

In the book and documentary Eva’s

by so many.”

Gillian Walnes, Honorary Vice President, met Schloss when she opened the Anne Frank exhibition in Bournemouth in 1989.

“Eva went on to share her story across the world, honouring her father Erich Geiringer and teenage brother Heinz, who were murdered in the Shoah,” Walnes said. “Into her 90s, Eva spoke with tireless passion, often giving several talks a day, including in prisons and schools.

Eva’s legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the history she so bravely kept alive.”

The Anne Frank House said in a statement: “We could always call on her.

Promise, Schloss recounted a promise made to her father and brother during the train journey to Auschwitz to retrieve paintings and poems hidden under the attic floor of their hiding place. Schloss kept her promise and donated 30 paintings, created by her brother, to the Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam.

Schloss was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law at the University of Northumbria, Newcastle, and the decoration Knight of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

As a gesture of reconciliation with her homeland, Eva’s Austrian citizenship was restored to her in 2021.

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OPINION

Familiarity breeds acceptance

BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN

I remember when some years ago I went to a function with senior Israeli guests, I knew I was getting close to the venue when I saw CST people. I knew I had pretty much arrived when I saw armed police. I also being slightly amused by this, just because it was so extreme. It didn’t occur to me that I might be in danger or that the fire power which was available might actually be used.

It will come as no surprise to anyone reading this, that this took place before October 7. How the world for us has changed since then. Or perhaps not.

When our eldest son started primary school I am fairly sure there was a fence around the school. I am also sure there was some form of security. That was 25 years ago. Sometime later a fence was erected around our Shul. CST were present at major Jewish functions and we accepted that this was a normal way of living.

What I do not remember was an outcry at the time that we had to undertake

these precautions. They were just accepted in order that we should all be safe from attack. The attack we had in mind was of a brick through a window, or verbal abuse with a threat of violence.

Things got worse in 2014 when the IDF undertook Operation Protective Edge and for 7 weeks we saw a massive increase in anti-Semitism. When the ceasefire was agreed and the troops left Gaza, the overt Jew-hate subsided. From then on, under the surface as we are now painfully aware, that hatred grew and spread so that on October 8, the anti-Israel barrage was already under way, having been a work in progress for 9 years.

The hate marches, unprecedented up to October 7 created a new low for us and finally, on Yom Kippur last year in Manchester the reality of the hatred against us manifested itself with the deaths of two of our brothers.

All this is not news. What is new though is that even though we have been aware of the risks of violence against us, for 25 years we didn’t think it would happen to us. Sure enough there had been outrages in other

countries, but not here. Our non-Jewish friends have been horrified to discover that our children at Jewish schools have been educated behind high fences. We just treated it as a fact of life, a routine to accommodate, something else to deal with on our way to the classroom or the Shul.

I don’t believe that anyone thought the security measures were unnecessary,

only that there were there ‘just in case’.

Well, that case has arisen and we are truly under attack. For real. So what now?

Leave the country, or perhaps move

to a less Jewish area or a more Jewish area. There are no easy answers. For me though, how the dishonest individuals from the West Midlands who have lied about Israeli football fans are treated will be a litmus test for me. If the police officers in question have indeed told the lies that have been alleged and are not charged with misfeasance in public office or some other similar criminal offence, then not only will we have witnessed a conspiracy against us as a community but one which has been recognised and gone unpunished.

Our existence in the UK is not only about our security, it is also about there being an environment where those who attack us in whatever way are held accountable. If it is demonstrated that police and local officials in the West Midlands have acted criminally and escape prosecution, then it really will be time to start thinking about a new place to live. I sincerely hope not, but we have moved so much further on from the days of ‘just in case.

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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.

NOTHING CHANGES IN OUR BELOVED UK Dear Editor, Notwithstanding the New Year break, antisemitic and anti-Israel activity continues apace.

The Egyptian political activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who has made ferocious anti-Israel and antisemitic comments, has been welcomed back into this country and remains here.

The opening and inauguration of the Palestine Embassy has further encouraged pro-Palestinian marches and activity, much of which is explicitly hostile to Israel.

Nazi slogans were recently drawn on coffee cups at the Coffee Cup restaurant

in Hampstead.

Following a House of Commons inquiry, pressure is mounting on senior West Midlands Police officers to be dismissed after the improper banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from the Europa League match against Aston Villa — a clear and disturbing example of unadulterated antisemitism.

The UK Jewish community and its leaders must not be afraid to confront this antisemitic and anti-Israel behaviour.

They must stand up and be counted. It is long overdue.

Yours faithfully, Jonathan Metliss Chairman , Action Against Discrimination

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Kicking off 2026 with Story, Strategy and Bold Innovation Starting 2026 on a high, Jewish Futures once again invested in its 100+ staff and educators from across the country with a week of intensive strategy, learning and team building – this year united by a powerful theme: the importance of Our

young professionals across the UK came together for an immersive and dynamic week. From dinners to inspirational speeches and interactive workshops, every session was designed to sharpen creativity, professionalism and innova-

organisations, teams shared knowledge and explored values-led leadership and authentic Jewish storytelling. The consistent message throughout the week was clear: the story of the Jewish people does not change – but the ways we bring

Story, and the responsibility to keep telling it boldly, creatively and with relevance for each new generation.

Educators working across 65 schools, 23 campuses, five communities and with

tion – not for innovation’s sake alone, but to ensure the timeless story of the Jewish people continues to engage, connect and inspire.

Across the network of 11 Jewish Futures

people into it must continue to evolve.

Reaching more than 20,000 young Jews reached in person, Rabbi Naftali Schiff, CEO of Jewish Futures, emphasised the need to equip educators and leaders to

How can we remain uninspired?

BY RABBI CHANAN UNTERSLAK

One Friday afternoon, just over a hundred years ago, a young man went to bathe to get ready for Shabbat. He was an orphan from a poor Polish home and every coin he earned came through hard work and major effort. When he returned to the changing room, he discovered that his week’s wages had been stolen from his trouser pocket. The loss hit him hard, but what stayed with him was something far greater.

At that moment he contemplated how a person can spend years building something and yet lose it all in a moment. Not because of carelessness or failure, but simply because the world is fragile.

That young man became Rabbi

Yechezkel Levenstein, a wise and inspiring leader who would later guide the Mir Yeshiva on its epic escape from Nazi occupied Europe to the Far East, guiding hundreds of students through war, exile, and upheaval.

Standing there, he asked himself a question that would quietly shape the rest of his life: If so much can be taken away so easily, what is truly worth investing in? From that day on, he chose to invest in what lasts, character development and inner strength. These are real assets that cannot be stolen.

Years later, after everything he had lived through, Rabbi Levenstein returned again and again to a question that never lost its force: How is it possible to remain inactive when there is so much to accomplish?

So many people are struggling, lonely

or waiting for help. So many acts of kindness are unfinished. And beyond the needs of the world lies another task: the slow, demanding work of becoming better human beings, more patient, more generous, more awake.

With so much to do, the real challenge is not so much about motivation, rather about finding direction. Where should I act?

What is my responsibility? Rabbi Akiva Tatz offers a simple analogy. Imagine a building site. The foreman does not tell every worker exactly what to fix. He places them on the site, hands them tools, and expects them to begin. Each builder looks at what is broken, and begins there.

Life works the same way. We are not meant to fix everything.We are meant to fix our something. Our toolbox is already in our hands. It includes our strengths and sensitivities as well as the things that

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meet the questions and challenges facing Jews in Britain today.

“The energy, excitement and enthusiasm of our teams – from GIFT to JRoots to Aish, FJL and Chazon – has been electric. These educators and leaders are on the front line of Jewish life, adding light to what can often be a lonely or even hostile environment for Jews. This bonding and training week is a vital annual reset, regroup and strategic rethink, reminding us that serious work can – and must – also be engaging, stimulating, informative and fun too!”

A particularly moving moment of the week came from special guest speaker Shari Goldberg, wife of Holocaust survivor Manfred Goldberg MBE z”tl.

Continuing the theme of storytelling and the power of guides throughout our lives, Shari shared Manfred’s story as a young boy in the Riga Ghetto – including the extraordinary account of a Jewish teacher who secretly taught him his bar mitzvah there.

Her reflections brought into sharp focus why storytelling sits at the heart of Jewish Futures’ work: stories do not just preserve memory; they guide, strengthen identity, help us learn from the past and shape the future.

As Jewish Futures looks ahead to the year to come, the message from the week was both grounding and galvanising: we are custodians of a 3,500 year story – and it is our responsibility to keep innovating so that every generation can see themselves within it.

move us, and those that trouble us.

It includes our upbringing, our experiences, even our wounds.None of this is accidental.

It quietly points us toward the contribution only we can make. Judaism asks us to take responsibility for the part of the world within reach.

A young boy stood at a crossroads that Friday afternoon and decided what kind of life he would build. His choices impacted generations of students.

We too need to ask ourselves: ‘What is in my toolbox and how can I play my unique part in fixing this world?’

Rabbi Chanan Unterslak is a rabbi and educator with Aish in London. Originally from South Africa, he spent many years in Israel and is new to the London community, where he works closely with young professionals.

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New leadership for YJJC – Young Jami Jewish Care After three years of outstanding leaderraise nearly £20 million this year and ship as Chair of YJJC (Young Jami Jewish many of the life-changing services we Care), Nicole Ashton steps down as provide receive no government funding three new young leaders step up to lead. and are entirely dependent on the comClark Norton is the new Chair of YJJC munity’s support.” and Emilia Isaacs and Louis Zenios have Jami’s life-changing mental health been appointed as Vice Chairs. support is becoming ever more crucial Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising for the community as the prevalence of & Marketing, Ellisa Estrin, says: “I’d like mental health issues grows. Jami, now to thank Nicole for her part of Jewish Care, dedication and comsupports people from mitment. Under her the age of 11 upwards leadership, we’ve seen through to adults, as three hugely successful well as family carers Young Patron Dinners, of those who are the growth of YJJC struggling with their events, and the launch mental health. There of Super Sundays is also an increased volunteering. We wish need for dementia Nicole every success in and end-of-life care her next chapter and as many people in the we are delighted to community are comwelcome our new Chair ing to Jewish Care Clark Norton and Vice older and frailer, and Chairs Emilia Isaacs with more complex and Louis Zenios. medical needs.

“The YJJC events Talking about her and the involvement time as YJJC Chair, of the next generation Nicole Ashton says, YJJC Chair Clark Norton of young leaders and “I’m incredibly supporters is vital for proud of what we’ve Jewish Care now and in the future, to achieved together. It’s been inspiring continue to respond to the increasing and rewarding to help relaunch Super needs of individuals and families in the Sundays volunteering, welcoming new Jewish community. Jewish Care must and familiar faces, and to strengthen the

Family Carnival Fun for Rabbinic Families Rabbinic families attended a fun Sunday afternoon carnival-style event organised by the Rebbetzens Representatives of the United Synagogue (RRUS), with support from the Chief Rabbi’s Centre of Community Excellence. The event,

held at Bushey Synagogue, celebrated the role played by children growing up with rabbinic parents and was designed to show the children and teens how much they are valued and appreciated for the support they give their parents.

Nearly 20 rabbinic families from across the United Synagogue joined together. Children enjoyed a variety of activities, including a magician, slime station, selfie station, popcorn and candyfloss. Hair braiding and face painting stations were run by teenagers Naama Shindler, Malka Feldman, Diddles Wollenberg, Miri Kett, Dassy Kett and Doniel Kett – themselves children of rabbinic families. The afternoon also provided an opportunity for the Rabbis and Rebbetzens to meet and talk together, whilst their

conversation around mental health as Jami and Jewish Care came together under YJJC, helping to ensure that support, understanding, and connection remain at the heart of all we do.

“I’m excited to stay involved and I look forward to seeing our community continue to grow and inspire. I know Clark, Emilia, and Louis will lead YJJC from strength to strength, and I wish them every success.”

Newly appointed Chair of YJJC for 2135 year-olds, Clark Norton, has served on the Young Patrons Dinner Committees for five years and participated in the Lay Leadership Programme.

“I’m proud to continue the incredible work of Nicole Ashton, and excited to inspire more young people to engage with the charity,” says Clark. “My parents instilled in me the importance of Jewish Care’s role in our community. Whilst our generation tend to face rising living costs, I believe if we can find it within ourselves to give Tzedakah, we demonstrate the true strength of our community and age group. You never know who may one day need to use the myriad of incredible services that Jewish Care and Jami provide—where the ‘Jewish’ in Jewish Care truly shines through.”

New Vice Chair, Emilia Isaacs, who has been involved with YJJC for several years, says, “I’m excited to make a real difference in the community and connect

with like-minded people. Volunteering showed me firsthand the life-changing impact of Jewish Care and Jami – from giving dignity to older people to supporting those facing mental health challenges which can take a huge toll on individuals and their families.

“Fundraising is vital to ensure this work continues, and it’s so important for young people to get involved, support one another, and help build a compassionate, thriving community for the future.”

New Vice Chair, Louis Zenios, who is a YJJC Law Committee member, and a YJJC volunteer, has been involved for as long as he can remember. He says, “I’m excited to think creatively about engaging young Jewish people through new events and initiatives. I’ve always been involved with Jewish Care – it has taught me what it means to give back to the community and Jami is doing amazing work for young people’s mental health.

“We know that the cost of care is increasing almost as fast as the demand for it, so young people need to give as much as we can as often as possible to maintain the crucial services for our community. For many young Jews, this a dark moment. but simply showing how the community unites under Jewish Care can bring light.”

To find out more about being part of YJJC contact Lily Elleswei on lily. elleswei@jcare.org

children could connect with others who shared their same unique experience.

“Thank you so much to the RRUS for the incredible carnival you put on today - it was a lot of hard work, so well thought out, planned and executed to perfection. Everyone had the best time; it was a really special event for all our kids!!!

Thank you for always thinking of how to support our families and going the extra mile above and beyond,” Rebbetzen Rina Schindler, Cockfosters & North Southgate Synagogue

the kids feel special and connect. It was great to see everyone. Thank you RRUS for creating a sense of community among us all.” Rebbetzen Hadassah Fromson, Golders Green Synagogue “This was such an important event and sent such a strong message to our kids that we value all their efforts in coming along for this crazy and wonderful ride!

Thank you to the organisers for all the thoughtful details!!” Rebbetzen Abi Kurzer, Golders Green Synagogue.

“Thank you. It was an incredible event and thanks to everyone who worked really hard on it. The kids loved it and it was so nice to see everyone.” Rebbetzen Chai Cohen, St John’s Wood Synagogue “What a brilliant event. Such a good way to make

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ASK THE RABBI Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com

THE UNITED NATIONS – REALITY CHECK Dear Rabbi I often hear Jews complain about “anti-Israel bias” at the United Nations, but frankly I don’t buy it. Israel occupies territory, wages wars, and claims moral exceptionalism, so why shouldn’t it receive more scrutiny than other countries? Isn’t the UN simply doing its job by holding Israel to account? Or is the claim of bias just a way to silence criticism?

Barry Dear Barry Criticism of Israel is not antisemitism, and no serious person claims otherwise.

States should be scrutinised, and Israel is no exception. The question, however, is not whether Israel should be criticised, but whether it is being treated fairly, proportionately, and consistently.

On that measure, the record is deeply troubling. Israel is the only country in the world singled out with a permanent investigative body at the UN Human Rights Council - a standing committee whose sole mandate is Israel, regardless of circumstances or conduct. No such mechanism exists for Iran, China, North Korea, or Syria. That is not “more scrutiny” - it is structural discrimination.

In practical terms, according to a report just submitted this week, this means that roughly $100 million a year is poured into

UN reports, committees, and investigative bodies focused overwhelmingly on Israel, including $4 million annually for a permanent Human Rights Council inquiry dedicated to Israel alone. All this money devoted to repeatedly investigating one small democratic state, while far graver human rights crises across the globe are addressed sporadically, or not at all. That’s selective accountability and has absolutely nothing to do with justice.

The same distortion is evident with UNRWA. Created over seventy years ago as a temporary relief agency, it has grown into a permanent bureaucracy with no parallel anywhere in the world. Unlike every other refugee framework, UNRWA does not aim to resettle refugees or resolve their status. The result is not people being helped to rebuild their lives, but people being kept in place. Instead of solving a humanitarian problem, the system keeps people dependent on aid and locked into a sense of ongoing injustice, with no clear path forward. In documented cases UNRWA has allowed its facilities, personnel, and resources to be exploited

by Hamas. Whatever its original mandate, it no longer functions as a humanitarian agency and more as a mechanism for perpetuating conflict.

None of this requires “moral exceptionalism” from Israel, nor does it deny Palestinian suffering. Judaism teaches that suffering anywhere demands compassion. Hence Israel is often first on the

scene at any given disaster anywhere in the world.

But Judaism also insists on truth. When one nation is obsessively condemned while others are systemically excused, then it has nothing to do with human rights and everything to do with anti-Zionism and often enough, by extension, antisemitism.

Accountability that isn’t universal, to include especially rogue nations, is utterly meaningless. And when international institutions abandon even-handedness, they are not protecting the vulnerable; they are eroding their own moral authority. Calling that out is not “silencing criticism.” It is absolutely essential in a world which claims to pursue justice.

I will say it loud and clear: The United

Nations is no longer a guardian of justice as it was created to be. In its current form, it is a moral sham.

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Your Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act

BY MARTIN FRYDENSON

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 represents one of the biggest transformations to the UK private rented sector in decades. Aimed at improving fairness, accountability and housing conditions, the Act affects both landlords and tenants and will be rolled out gradually over the coming years.

While the legislation has generated debate, the objective is clear: to create a more stable and transparent rental system, while still allowing responsible landlords to operate effectively. This guide explains what the Act includes, how it will be implemented, and what it means in practice for landlords and tenants.

WHY HAS THE LAW CHANGED? The private rented sector (PRS) makes up 19% of the housing market, based on data for the year ending March 2024, with many households renting long-term rather than temporarily. Government reviews concluded that the previous framework, especially fixed-term contracts and no-fault evictions, did not always provide security or consistency for tenants.

At the same time, landlords have long expressed frustration about inconsistent enforcement across local authorities and unclear routes for resolving disputes.

The Renters’ Rights Act seeks to simplify expectations and create a more balanced framework for everyone involved.

SUMMARY OF KEY CHANGES IN THE ACT End of Section 21 Evictions One of the most significant reforms is the removal of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions. Landlords will now need a legally recognised reason to end a tenancy. Possession will remain possible when there is a clear justification such as selling a property, moving in personally or for close family members, carrying out major renovations, or when a tenant

has breached their agreement or fallen significantly behind on rent. These scenarios will follow a structured legal process, supported by updated Section 8 grounds and longer notice periods. In short, landlords will need to rely on the existing Section 8 notice, which requires you to provide tenants with the reasons behind your grounds for possession.

To do this, landlords serve a Section 8 notice, which is the formal starting point for ending a tenancy on specific legal grounds. These grounds cover a wide range of situations, from unpaid rent to conduct issues and breaches of the tenancy agreement. For example, persistent rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, property damage, or failure to comply with tenancy obligations may all justify a landlord seeking possession.

If the tenant chooses not to leave after receiving the notice, the case moves to the courts. There, a judge will assess whether the evidence supports the claim for possession. Some grounds require the court to grant possession if the landlord can prove the issue exists, serious rent arrears being one of the most common examples. Others give the judge discretion, allowing them to decide whether eviction is reasonable, even if the landlord has demonstrated a breach. These typically include persistent rent arrears damage to the property, or general breaches of tenancy terms. This change aims to give tenants greater stability while providing landlords with defined and enforceable routes when a tenancy must end.

SHIFT TO PERIODIC TENANCIES Fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) will be replaced with open-ended periodic agreements.

Tenants will have the flexibility to stay as long as they comply with the tenancy terms and may leave with two months’ notice if they choose.

For landlords, the reforms require careful attention to existing paperwork and an understanding of where updates may be needed. Any new tenancy starting from May 2026 must use documentation that meets the new legal requirements, while existing tenancies will not need to be re-issued with a fresh contract.

However, landlords will still be required to provide tenants with the forthcoming government ‘information sheet’ outlining the changes under the Act, and to distribute it by the specified deadline.

RENT REVIEW RULES Rental increases will be limited to once every 12 months, and tenants must receive at least two months’ written notice.

If a tenant believes a proposed increase isn’t in line with the local market, they may challenge it through the First-tier Tribunal. This ensures rent adjustments remain possible while introducing transparency and fairness to the process.

NEW PROPERY PORTAL AND OMBUDSMAN A national Property Portal will be introduced, acting as a central register for landlords and a place to ensure

compliance. Tenants will be able to check whether a landlord is properly registered and whether their home meets safety and legal standards. Alongside this, a new Renters’ Ombudsman will be established to resolve disputes quickly and without cost to tenants, helping avoid lengthy court involvement. These changes are designed to improve housing standards and ensure the rules are enforced fairly.

RIGHT TO REQUEST PETS Tenants will be able to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords will need reasonable grounds to refuse. In most cases, landlords will be able to require pet-related insurance to safeguard against potential damage.

WHEN THE CHANGES TAKE EFFECT AND KEY DEADLINES Although the Act formally became law in October 2025, changes will not take full effect immediately. The rollout will take place in stages. This staggered approach gives landlords and tenants time to adapt.

KEY DATES AND DEADLINES • 27 October 2025: Act received Royal Assent.

• 1 May 2026: Main reforms come into force. o All tenancies (new and existing) convert to open-ended periodic tenancies. Fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) are abolished. o “No fault” evictions under Section 21 are abolished. o Possession can only be sought under valid grounds via Section 8 (as amended). o New tenancy agreements (from this date) must comply with the terms required under the Act. • By 31 May 2026: Deadline for existing tenancies (with a written agreement) to receive the Government-issued “Information Sheet” explaining the changes under the Act. • From Late 2026: Phase 2 begins.

The rollout of a mandatory national PRS Database for private rented properties begins regionally. Landlords will be required to register themselves and their properties and pay an annual registration fee.

• After PRS Database launch (Phase 2): Establishment of a mandatory Landlord Ombudsman scheme, providing a route for tenants and support/ guidance for landlords.

• TBC (Phase 3, future years): Further changes are expected, including possible new minimum standards for rental properties and wider responsibilities for fixing safety issues.

WHAT LANDLORDS MUST DO AND WHEN • For new tenancies starting 1 May 2026 or later: use tenancy agreements that meet the new legal requirements under the Act. • For existing tenancies (with a written agreement existing before 1 May 2026): landlords don’t need to re-issue

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a full contract but must provide tenants with the official “Information Sheet” by 31 May 2026.

• If your letting was previously only a verbal agreement: you must provide tenants a written summary of the main tenancy terms by that same 31 May 2026 deadline.

• After the PRS Database launches (late 2026): you must register yourself and each property, supply the required property and safety information (address, property type, occupancy, gas/electrical/ EPC certificates, etc.), pay the registration fee or you may be barred from using most Section 8 grounds for possession.

PROS AND CONS FOR TENANTS AND LANDLORDS For landlords, the Act brings clearer possession grounds and a more consistent regulatory landscape for landlords, but it also introduces additional compliance duties and procedural steps that may require changes to how properties are managed.

For tenants, the Act offers a more settled renting experience, backed by stronger rights and accessible help if issues arise. Knowing that evictions must now follow clear legal grounds may give renters more peace of mind and encourage longer-term tenancies.

HOW TO PREPARE Landlords may wish to: • Review and update tenancy documentation • Ensure maintenance, communications and rent records are clearly logged • Register on the Property Portal once launched • Seek legal advice before issuing notices to ensure compliance with new legal grounds • Plan ahead if intending to sell, redevelop, or change property use Tenants may wish to: • Understand their rights under periodic tenancies • Keep communication with landlords constructive and documented • Familiarise themselves with the role of the Ombudsman and tribunal processes As the rental landscape evolves, understanding the reforms and preparing their practical impact will be essential.

We remain on hand to offer informed support and help clients move forward with assurance.

DISCLAIMER:

Please note that we provide general guidance only and do not constitute advice or provide any liability whatsoever.

Readers must obtain their own independent advice before taking any action or relying on the content. Information may be subject to change.

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Weekly Dvar Torah

9 JANUARY 2026

F R O M E R E TZ Y I S R A E L

The Measure of Gadlus

BY RABBI ZEV LEFF

“The child grew up… It happened in those days that Moshe grew up and went out to his brethren and observed their burdens” (Shemot 2:10–11). Ramban explains that this seemingly repetitive description refers to two stages of growth: physical maturity, followed by intellectual and spiritual maturity, becoming “a man of understanding.” The sign of this spiritual growth was that Moshe went out to his brothers and saw their labors. Rashi explains that Moshe contemplated their suffering and applied his eyes and heart to be with them.

The mark of a gadol, a person who possesses greatness and maturity, is defined by the Torah in terms of his ability to be concerned with others. The Ribbono Shel Olam is called HaGadol, the Great, and Chazal explains this appellation to refer to Hashem’s trait of goodness and kindness. Therein lies His gadlus. The concern that envelops and permeates all existence is the mark of His unlimited greatness.

Hence, He is HaGadol.

We are commanded to walk in Hashem’s ways and emulate His attributes: just as He is merciful, so must we be merciful. If Hashem is called HaGadol, we too must strive for gadlus – developing concern that encompasses all Creation.

Rabbi Shimon Shkop zt”l, in the introduction to Sha’arei Yoshor, addresses an apparent paradox: man is created with natural self-concern, and “Love your fellow as yourself” assumes self-love, yet we are commanded to care for others. He explains that the resolution lies in how we define the self. Everyone possesses their “ani” – the essence of their being. As the Mishnah clearly states in Pirkei Avot (1:14), “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?” However, the definition of this selfhood can be expanded beyond the parameters of one’s physical person.

Many people view their spouse as part of themselves, “one’s wife is like his own body,” Chazal teaches, so concern for a spouse is included in self-concern.

Others extend this sense of self to family or neighbors. The more a person perfects himself, the more his definition of self

expands, until the truly great person feels all of Klal Yisrael, and even the entire world, as part of himself. Thus the Mishnah in Avot concludes, “When I am only for myself, what am I?” – when my ani is limited to myself alone, what value does it have? Perhaps this idea is hinted to in the word ani itself: the aleph represents the individual, the final yud the tzibbur, and the nun, the fifty gates of wisdom, connects them into one ani.

A baby enters the world with a clenched fist, and after 120 years, the hands are opened in preparation for burial. At birth, a person is closed to the world, focused only on himself. With maturity, that fist opens, reaching out to others and embracing the world, and one must leave this world with an open hand. This outreach is not mere sympathy, but deep empathy and identification, requiring one to apply his eyes and heart, to observe, assess, and understand the needs of others.

But that is not sufficient, for once one has assessed his neighbor’s situation with his eyes, he must open his heart to what he

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sees – to actually experience emotionally the hurt and pain, the fears and apprehensions, the joys and satisfaction of one’s extended self.

Appreciating gadlus should inspire us to broaden our concern to include all our fellow Jews. When we do so, Hashem responds in kind, as He did in Egypt. Just as Moshe turned his eyes and ears toward his people, Hashem did the same, as the Torah says: “G-d heard their moaning…

G-d saw the children of Israel, and G-d knew” (Shemot 2:24–25). Rashi explains that Hashem placed His heart with their suffering and did not turn His eyes away.

This concept is especially needed at this time to empathize with the spiritual and physical plight of Jews in Eretz Yisrael and the plight of Jews the world over with the rise of antisemitism.

Rabbi Zev Leff is the rabbi of Moshav Matityahu, and a renowned author, lecturer and educator. He is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau (www. mizrachi.org/speakers).

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