Red Shield
IRAN ATTACKS. MAGEN DAVID ADOM RESPONDS.
As the ceasefire began and the last missiles landed on Israel, the people of Magen David Adom continued to do what they had so bravely done for the eleven days before. They saved more lives.
From the declaration of a special state of emergency on Friday 13th June, Magen David Adom raised its alert level to the highest state of preparedness. All MDA ambulances and mobile intensive care units (MICUs), emergency medicycles, and rapid response vehicles were fully staffed, and the organisation’s 35,000 volunteers and employees were mobilised to provide swift and efficient medical care for any need.
Magen David Adom teams were dispatched to provide medical treatment at multiple
scenes, arriving in large numbers. MDA’s EMTs and paramedics provided medical treatment to 1,347 casualties, including: 28 fatalities, 17 seriously injured, 29 in moderate condition, 872 lightly injured, and 401 suffering from anxiety. Magen David Adom remains on high alert, ready to provide immediate medical response when needed. Paying tribute in person to the heroic medics, paramedics and volunteers of Magen David Adom were President & Mrs Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Herzog said, “Magen David Adom is one of the best early responders in the world. An incredible organisation, which has become so sophisticated. I want to thank the volunteers and I want to encourage all those
who support Magen David Adom to keep on doing it.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu was equally thankful for the work of MDA over the campaign. “What you’re doing here, is unparalleled in the world. Primarily in terms of the equipment, the technology. But the structure of the activists, the volunteers — that is the people of Israel and the State of Israel at their best”.
@Magen David Adom UK
@mda_uk
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Bulletin from Magen David Adom UK | Number 56 | Summer 2025
President and Mrs Herzog, with Director-General Eli Bin and MDA volunteers at the Marcus National Blood Services Centre in Ramla.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits MDA Headquarters in Ramla, with Director-General of MDA, Eli Bin, and President of MDA, Gilad Erdan.
LIFE IS PRECIOUS
The name Kfir Bibas is one that none of us will ever forget. The pictures of the youngest hostage, taken at just 9 months and murdered along with his mother, Shiri and brother Ariel, will be etched in our memories forever. The ginger hair, the Batman pyjamas and the smile on the face that lives eternally as a babydeprived of the opportunity to ever grow up. It was incumbent on us to do something to preserve his tragically short life and those of his mother and brother. As such, it was an absolute honour to dedicate a First Responder Community Vehicle in their memory earlier this year. To be joined by the surviving members of their family, together with our Vice President Judy Saphra, who made the dedication possible, was one of the most moving events I have ever attended.
Life is precious, but life is also precarious. Our dedications, whilst offering meaning and memory, also provide new opportunities to save lives in the future. In these di fficult times, we can be proud that our support for Magen David Adom is directly saving lives every single day. However, we do not just invest in the ambulances and equipment, but also in those tasked with using them. Our teams in Israel, 35,000 strong, incorporating more volunteers than any other organisation in the country, are heroes. But beyond that, they are ordinary people too. Teachers and shopkeepers, mothers and fathers, who give up so much to save lives. I am always humbled when they thank us for enabling them to do what they do. It goes without saying that we cannot thank them enough.
Daniel Burger Chief Executive Magen David Adom UK
MDA UK DEDICATES EMERGENCY VEHICLE IN MEMORY OF BIBAS FAMILY
In a moving ceremony, Magen David Adom UK Vice President Judy Saphra dedicated a first-responder community vehicle to the people of Israel in loving memory of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas. The dedication took place in Tel Aviv, bringing together family members and representatives of MDA to honour the Bibas family, whose heartbreaking story has echoed around the world.
Surviving members of the Bibas family were in attendance together with MDA Director-General Eli Bin and MDA personnel, family and friends. Renowned IDF Chief Cantor and senior Magen David Adom volunteer medic, Shai Abramson, performed at the dedication.
Daniel Burger, Chief Executive of Magen David Adom UK, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the generous gift “The Bibas story is one that touched every single one of us. It is an honour for us that a Magen David Adom lifesaving vehicle has been dedicated by our Vice President Judy Saphra in
the memory of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir to the benefit of all the people of Israel. Amidst the destruction of life, this lifesaving vehicle is a symbol of hope, resilience and saving lives. And dedicating this vehicle on the very day of the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe) is a particularly touching reminder that good always triumphs over evil”.
The ceremony concluded with a poignant release of orange balloons — the colour now symbolic of the Bibas family — serving as both a reminder and a message of hope for the hostages who remain in captivity.
EVERY COMMUNITY COUNTS
The first half of the year has been busy for Magen David Adom UK’s local committeesraising much needed funds for Magen David Adom in Israel.
Steven Jaffe, a community fundraiser for MDA UK and Northern Ireland Friends of Israel, led Christian-focused outreach. He addressed two Presbyterian churches and attended a Passover event hosted by an independent Methodist Church. These gatherings spread awareness and raised generous donations.
At another event organised by the MDA National Council and CFMDA’s Annette Powell, Steven Jaffe, together with Marc Meyer (CFMDA Honorary President and MDA UK Trustee), Efrat Perri (Israeli Embassy), and a representative of the Hostages Family Forum, addressed the attendees. Steven also met with a Prayer for Israel group in Cardiff, continuing his MDA UK outreach efforts.
In April, the MDA Impromptu Committee hosted a Q&A in Hendon with Rachel Riley MBE, a
prominent advocate for Israel and MDA. The brunch was attended by 100 supporters.
A bridge tournament took place at the Hartsbourne Golf Club in aid of MDA UK this May. 90 supporters attended and raised over £10,000 Also in May, MDA UK CEO Daniel Burger spoke at the Glasgow Friends of Israel’s 10th Anniversary Conference.
MDA UK sincerely thanks all committees for their tireless dedication to saving lives. If you want to organise an event to raise funds for our teams in Israel, please be in touch.
Daniel Burger, MDA UK CEO; Ilan Klein, MDA Israel; Judy Saphra, MDA UK Vice President, and Ronit Glaser, MDA Israel
Brenda Elton (MDA Impromptu Committee) in conversation with Rachel Riley MBE
Bibi & Trump hold ceasefire talks
BY DAVID SAFFER
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump are in talks at the White House to finalise a 60-day hostage and ceasefire deal.
As Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza reaches 10 months, mediator negotiations in Doha are intensive as 50 hostages remain in captivity after 643 days. It is thought 27 hostages are dead. Trump is reported to have applied “heavy pressure” on Netanyahu to end the war.
prevents Hamas re-establishing in the south.
said: “Gaza is a tragedy. He (Netanyahu) wants to get it solved. I want to get it solved. I think the other side wants to solve it too.”
Before meeting Trump, Netanyahu held talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Witkoff and Israeli Minister Ron Dermer.
The fate of hostages is key to any agreement. Hostage families met members of Witkoff’s team.
Earlier this week, Netanyahu presented Trump with a nomination letter for the Nobel Peace Prize.
US Special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Doha to make an announcement should an agreement be reached.
According to reports a deal would see the release of 10 living hostages in two stages, eight on the first day and two more on day 50. The bodies of 18 hostages would be returned in three phases.
Palestinian prisoners would be released from Israeli jails and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
It is unclear when Netanyahu will return to Israel as discussions continue.
Issues are reported to be aid distribution, military redeployments, end of war military conditions and post-war Gaza governance.
Israel’s military does not see the Philadelphia Corridor along the border with Egypt as critical as it used to be but the Morag Corridor divides the Gaza Strip and isolates Hamas in Rafah. Deemed ‘Philadelphia II’, it
“The corridor is critical to our security, it enables us to put greater pressure on Hamas and secure the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu has stated.
Israel’s leader released a video yesterday about the leaders’ second meeting in less than 24 hours.
“We focused on efforts to release our hostages,” he said. “We are not giving up on this for a moment, this is made possible by the military pressure exerted by our heroic soldiers.”
Netanyahu added: “This effort is taking a painful toll on us with the fall of the best of our sons. But we are determined to achieve our goals… the release of all our hostages, the living and the fallen alike, and the elimination of Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities. This ensures Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.”
He concluded: “There are opportunities to expand the circle of peace, to expand the Abraham Accords. We are working on this tirelessly.”
Prior to the Oval Office meeting, Trump
Asked about relocating Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said Israel was working closely with the US on finding countries to give Palestinians a better future.
“We’re close to finding some countries, that gives free choice,” he said.
Trump added: “We’ve had great cooperation from Israel’s neighbouring countries. So, something good is going to happen.”
Regarding a two-state solution, Netanyahu said: “We can reach peace between us and the entire Middle East under President Trump’s leadership and cooperation. We are working toward peace with our Palestinian neighbours, those who don’t want to destroy us.”
Netanyahu described the Israel-US operation in Iran as a “historic victory” that eliminated “two cancerous threats to Israel’s survival, the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat”.
In terms of Syria, Netanyahu observed that with Hezbollah “on its knees” and Iran “out of the picture” there were possibilities for “stability, security and ultimately peace”.
President Trump meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu in the White House PHOTO: AFP
Herzog meets Muslim leaders
BY DAVID SAFFER
President Isaac Herzog met a delegation of Imams and Muslim community leaders from Europe to promote peace, coexistence and partnership in Jerusalem on Monday.
The delegation, led by ELNET, included leading Muslim figures from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and United Kingdom.
Herzog spoke about Israel’s commitment to inclusion and peace in the Middle East. He also recognised the integral role of the Muslim population in Israel.
The delegation spoke with Herzog about their kinship to Israel and the Jewish people, and a need to show an alternative to extremism.
“We are all children of Abraham and I believe the historic progress in our region is a progress of dialogue between Muslims and Jews, and Jews and Muslims,” said Herzog.
“In the face of radical forces that try to block this progress and the true desire of Isaac and Ishmael to live together, there are other forces, growing stronger every day along the arc of history, that are advancing this vision. What you’re doing on this visit, and in your courageous work, reflects the silent majority in the Middle East and around the world who yearn for this kind of shared life.”
Herzog spoke about visits to Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva the day after the October 7 terror attack and more recently when a rocket hit the hospital.
“The staff, Jews, Muslims, Christians, people of all faiths, worked together in a way I wish the whole world could see,” he noted.
Herzog added: “You are people of spirit, people of faith, religious leaders, you carry an important message of love for humanity, and ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. This is how we repair the world. I ask you to bring back to your communities and societies a message of peace, salaam, perhaps even a message of peace
yet to come. I hope that peace will come with Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, and we continue moving forward. Tell your leaders, in Israel, we want peace. We want to see our hostages back home and we want to see an end to the suffering of the people in Gaza. We want to see better lives for everyone.”
Imam Hassen Chalghoumi, chairman of the Conference of Imams of France, told Herzog: “What we have witnessed since October 7 is not merely a conflict between Israel and Hamas, nor between Israel and Hezbollah. It is a confrontation between two fundamentally different worlds. You represent the world of
brotherhood, humanity and compassion. You stand for the values of democracy and liberty.”
Herzog, meantime, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of his diplomatic visit to Washington. Herzog said the trip could advance a hostage deal and enhance regional developments in the spirit of President Donald Trump’s Abraham Accords initiative.
Regarding a hostage deal, Herzog said: “The Prime Minister carries with him an important mission, advancing a deal to bring all our hostages home,” he said. “This is a supreme moral duty. I fully support these efforts, even when they involve difficult, complex and painful decisions. The cost is not simple, but I am confident the Cabinet and security establishment will manage these challenges as they have until now.”
“An entire nation is watching, hoping and praying to see all our hostages return home,” Herzog added.
Herzog thanked Trump for his support in eliminating Iran’s nuclear threat and ongoing backing for Israel.
“I call on world leaders and international partners to use their influence to help achieve a breakthrough,” he said. “This is a humanitarian, moral and national mission, we have no time to waste.”
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President Herzog meets European Muslim leaders
PHOTO: GPO
CAA national antisemitism march
BY DAVID SAFFER
Campaign Against Antisemitism is holding a national March Against Antisemitism in central London on September 7.
The move follows the BBC’s live Glastonbury Festival coverage when punk duo Bob Vylan frontman Pascal Robinson-Foster chanted “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF” then told huge crowds he’d worked for a “****ing Zionist” in a 20-minute set.
Jewish organisations have dismissed a BBC internal review into its live screening of the festival.
For CAA, the broadcast to millions of people was a “turning point” for the Jewish community.
“This must be the moment the country wakes up,” a spokesperson said. “People need to see that they are not alone in feeling this way, the authorities need to see it too. We must stand together. Britain is losing its soul and losing the plot. The authorities have been appeasing extremists and bigots, letting them radicalise our children and run rampant on our streets and campuses, while arresting those who stand up against them.”
CAA and Action Against Discrimination have called for Director General Tim Davie to resign.
There have also been calls for TV
licence fees to be suspended pending an independent investigation.
Seven acts including Bob Vylan were deemed ‘high risk’ yet cleared by the BBC for live streaming.
The broadcaster in a statement acknowledged ‘language or content warnings without the need for a delay’ were a mistake and vowed to ensure accountability. It has been reported a number of staff members have been moved off ‘day-to-day duties’ from the music and live events team.
Future music performances deemed high risk will no longer be broadcast live or streamed live. A detailed, practical guidance on the threshold for withdrawing a live stream is being produced.
CAA lambasted the review, commenting: “This is the classic BBC approach of kicking it into the long grass with yet another internal review which will doubtless propose some new policy or other negligible change.”
They added: “The problem at the BBC has become so endemic and structural that they themselves cannot see it, just like antisemitism in the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn. They have had ample opportunities to address the rot at their core. Change must now come from the top. Davie must resign and the TV licence fee must be suspended, pending an independent investigation… there is a deeply embedded problem at the
Corporation?”
Steve Winston, National Jewish Assembly, said vile chants revealed a “catastrophic lapse of judgement” at the highest levels of the broadcaster.
“The BBC cannot hide behind technical excuses or internal reviews,” he said. “This was not just an operational failure, it was a moral failure. The Jewish community has every right to feel outraged and betrayed. Accountability must not be cosmetic. Heads must roll, and serious reforms must follow.”
AAD chairman Jonathan Metliss called for the BBC to “get its house in order”.
“The BBC’s record of anti-Israel bias with bigoted journalists and a failure to address antisemitic behaviour is deplorable,” he said. “Davie must accept full responsibility and resign. The BBC is on notice and about time from OFCOM.”
BBC chair Samir Shah apologised to viewers, listeners and the Jewish community for allowing Bob Vylan to express “unconscionable antisemitic views” live on the BBC as it was “an error of judgement.”
Shah said Davie, who was visiting BBC staff at Glastonbury at the time, quickly instructed the team to withdraw the performance from on demand coverage. The executive, Shah added, have
strengthened editorial practices and policies for live music programming to safeguard future live broadcasts.
A new process ensures accountability for failings in the Bob Vylan episode.
“While it is important the process is carried out fairly and correctly, it is equally important that the Executive takes decisive action,” Shah said.
Bob Vylan has been dropped by the United Talent Agency, axed from summer festivals and had US visas for a 16 show tour revoked.
A further development is over 10,000 people have signed a petition to boycott the BBC licence fee until meaningful changes occur after the Glastonbury hate chants.
The relevant government department must now provide a written response within 21 days.
The petition was initiated by Hertsmere Borough Cllr Natalie Susman.
Bob Vylan performing on the West Holts Stage PHOTO: KIERAN FROST/REDFERNS
Police arrest Palestine Action protesters
BY ADAM MOSES
South East counter terrorism police have charged four people on suspicion of a terror offence after military planes were sprayed with paint at RAF Brize Norton.
Palestine Action claimed responsibility for the incident causing over £7m of damage.
Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, Jony Cink, 24, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 36, and Lewis Chiaramello, 22, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last Thursday. All will appear at the Old Bailey in July charged with conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK, and conspiracy to commit criminal damage.
A 41-year-old woman, arrested last week on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released on bail until 19 September.
Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man detained on Saturday was released without charge.
In related news, Met Police arrested 29 people in central London holding Palestine Action signs at a demonstration in Parliament Square last Saturday.
The Met confirmed officers made the arrests on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act 2000.
“Palestine Action is a proscribed group and officers will act where criminal
offences are committed,” a spokesman noted.
Palestine Action was officially banned last Friday under anti-terrorism laws. Being a member of, or expressing support for, the organisation is a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The group reportedly launched a recruitment drive before it was proscribed where participants discussed tactics to target factories and military bases without detection.
A CAA spokesperson said: “For Palestine Action to seek to surge its membership and activity following a proscription should be regarded as an insult to law enforcement and a repudiation of British values of decency, law and order and respect for our armed forces. It was said at the meeting, according to the newspaper (The Telegraph), that activists should be ready to make ‘sacrifices’ for the cause. If they breach the law, police and prosecutors should ensure that they are enforced.”
They added: “The prospect of a network of autonomous cells using encrypted messaging platforms to conduct a wave of attacks on British military installations represents a dangerous escalation and, fundamentally, an attack on Britain. There can no longer be any doubt that Palestine Action should be proscribed as a terrorist organisation.”
Jewish organisations welcomed Home
Secretary Yvette Cooper announcing a draft proscription order against Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act.
MPs backed the decision, which does not affect lawful protest groups and organisations campaigning on issues around Palestine or the Middle East.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the Brize Norton incident as an “act of vandalism”.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard has launched a comprehensive review of security at military bases.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the breach was “politically motivated criminality”.
Met Commissioner Mark Rowley described Palestine Action as an “organised extremist group” and backed Cooper’s decision.
Since the start of 2024, methods have been more aggressive with a willingness to use violence.
Palestine Action has targeted
VOICES FROM ISRAEL SERIES
Join us for a powerful and deeply moving episode of Voices from Israel, featuring Shahar Horovitz — a survivor of the October 7th Nova Music Festival massacre and author of the poignant memoir “We Were the Sun”. In this heartfelt conversation, Shahar recounts her brave experience from that tragic day, the path of healing that ensued, and the powerful inspiration behind her extraordinary book.
government buildings, financial firms, Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit, museums, universities and Jewish institutions, business and charities. Attacks included Thales in Glasgow, Instro Precision in Kent and Elbit Systems UK in Bristol have cost millions of pounds.
The attacks at Elbit Systems and Instro Precision in Kent remain sub judice.
Palestine Action’s ‘Underground Manual’ encourages the creation of cells and
CAA to prosecute Waters
BY HARRY SIMONS
Campaign Against Antisemitism is preparing a criminal prosecution against former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
The controversial musician reportedly posted a video supporting proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action. CAA acted after reviewing footage.
Waters reportedly said in a post: ‘Parliament has been corrupted by a genocidal foreign power. Stand up and be counted - it’s now.’
Waters also reportedly condemned the Government’s move to proscribe Palestine Action as a betrayal of justice and democracy and said Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government had been ‘corrupted by agents of a genocidal foreign power’.
“Palestine Action has been proscribed,” a CAA spokesman said. “Anyone expressing support for it contrary to section 12 commits a criminal offence. We stand ready to privately prosecute offenders where an offence has been made out and the authorities fail to act.”
The case requires the consent of Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson.
The act states: ‘A person commits an offence if the person expresses an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed
organisation, and in doing so is reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression is directed will be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation.’
Section 17 of the Terrorism Act 2006 makes the criminal offence apply worldwide.
CAA released a documentary film, ‘The Dark Side of Roger Waters’, in 2023 that made global headlines with details of antisemitic rhetoric.
Leading politicians spoke out against Waters the same year over antisemitic rants during his farewell tour in Europe of the same year.
Over 4,000 people signed a CAA petition to ban Waters from performing at music venues in Birmingham, London and Manchester following a concert in Berlin when he wore what appeared to be a Nazi SS-style uniform.
CAA’s petition noted Waters has a ‘long history of baiting Jews’.
Israel’s foreign ministry accused Waters of “desecrating” the memory of Anne Frank and six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center called on German authorities to prosecute Waters for ‘Holocaust distortion’. The Centre’s Top 10 antisemitic events of 2013 and 2018 feature Waters.
In other CAA news, US stand-up comic Reginald D. Hunter has appeared at
Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Hunter is charged with three offences under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003, relating to social media posts on X that he allegedly published in August and September 2024.
The private prosecution case, brought by CAA, is adjourned until November.
Deputy District Judge Louise Balmain told Hunter: “There is going to be an initial legal argument as to whether the case should proceed.”
The first hearing took place last at Westminster, but Hunter failed to appear.
A warrant was issued for him to attend
court on a future date. Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “This is one of a number of private prosecutions that we are bringing, and there will be more to say on the case in due course.”
Hunter performs across the UK and has appeared on panel shows including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats. Hunter has reportedly posted that he is “fighting a private prosecution for my comedy” in a crowdfunding appeal to cover £50,000 legal costs.
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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.
PALESTINE ACTION
Without doubt, Parliament’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group - a decision now upheld by the High Court and Court of Appeal - has courted some controversy. With this letter, I hope to offer a fair analysis of the issues, but ultimately to illustrate that, wherever you sit on proscription, this group is one for which nobody should hold any candle whatsoever.
We have seen many Palestine Action members reject this label, claiming that terrorism, somehow, only involves violence against people. These members, no doubt bullish in their use of complex legal terms of art like “genocide”, may wish to look up our legal definition of terrorism. Admittedly, that definition is very broad. However, it captures *not just* serious violence against a person, but also serious damage to property and serious risks to public safety or public systems, if done to influence the government or intimidate the public, to advance a political or ideological cause.
One can see how these criteria were met by Palestine Action’s most recent infiltration into RAF Brize Norton, taking military aircraft out of service during a critical time in national security terms. See also their consistent attacks against, seemingly, a scattergun set of targets, such as Jewish businesses and charities, and munitions firms who are, ironically, already banned from directly supplying Israel with offensive military arms that could be used in Gaza.
Fine - critics will say - but that doesn’t mean you should label the entire group terrorists and put them in the same blacklist as ISIS, Al Qaeda and Hamas, when the ordinary criminal law can be used, through established offences like criminal damage, nuisance and aggravated trespass.
Now, I will express a modicum of sympathy with that argument. While many Palestine Action attacks meet “terrorist” criteria in a way that those of other allied groups don’t (more on this later), to put this group in the same category as those household names does provoke some eyebrow-raising. And it’s worth digressing slightly here, to see this argument in the broader political context of recent weeks.
The announcement that the Home Secretary was seeking to proscribe Palestine Action came imminently after the incident at Brize Norton. The timing gave rise to many question marks. Why proscribe
now? Why not other ‘direct action’ groups like Youth Demand and Just Stop Oil?
What about its supporters, who simply share sympathy with the wider pro-Palestinian cause? And, as some MPs asked: why would you cynically force us to vote on Palestine Action simultaneously with two other unrelated, slam dunk terrorist groups, so that if we were only against proscribing Palestine Action, we would be against proscribing all three of them?
To me, this wider context suggests there has been a recognition inside Whitehall of some kind of default; an inexplicable failure by the police, law enforcement and government itself in using the ordinary criminal law against these thugs. And that can only heighten suspicions that the Government has taken this course as a knee-jerk response, motivated more by politics than law. That should be highly objectionable to all of us - not least because there is good reason to believe these were the same forces behind its entirely optional, and highly flawed, suspension of 30 arms export licences to Israel.
However, these broader questions don’t necessarily detract from the individual merits of treating Palestine Action as terrorists, rather than criminals. Because what distinguishes terrorist acts from ordinary criminal ones is the presence of an additional tier of motive, over and above the intent to commit the specific act. That is, of influencing the government or intimidating the public in relation to a political or ideological cause.
It is *this* additional ingredient, that more publicly-orientated motive, which separates terrorism from ‘ordinary’ acts of private violence. And for Palestine Action, this motive is clear to see. Their raison d’etre is the use of direct action to end UK arms sales to Israel, as peaceful protest isn’t working.
What of the argument that the entire pro-Palestinian cause and right to protest is now under threat?
Well, those making it need only see that no other allied group has been singled out, precisely because those groups have managed
to advance identical views *without* resorting to the same attacks. In a free and democratic society, you have the right to protest. You certainly do not have the right to win the argument - and to rain down merry hell on the rest of us, including our own military assets, if you don’t. That is where free and democratic society breaks down.
To end with perhaps the biggest irony in all this, Palestine Action demonstrated their disgust at being banned for flouting their right to peaceful protest, by… organising a peaceful protest. So there we have it: an accidental admission that you *can* attract attention to your cause if you use non-violent peaceful methods.
All this should be enough to show why, even if you don’t think proscription itself is the correct response to Palestine Action, the principle behind doing so is very much the right one.
Naji Tilley, London NW4
POLITICIANS AND OUR EXPECTATIONS
I refer to the letter, “Trump derangement syndrome - Will they ever find a cure?”published in The Jewish Weekly, 26 June. I happen to agree with the comments about President Trump, in terms of how good he has been for Israel and the Jewish people. Mr. Witriol has indeed quoted quite a few excellent examples to justify his view.
However, many Jewish people in the USA and diaspora, do object to his policies, and / or as well, President Trump as person who holds one of The World’s most powerful, political positions. I am not sure that referring to them as having, “TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome),” is appropriate or helpful in getting across Mr. Witriol’s opinions (which as I have said I do agree with).
Benjamin Netanhayu, referred to by Mr. Witriol, is, likewise, for many a divisive politician as are many others in all governments.
Reading the letter I began thinking, on a broader scale, what we should rightfully expect of an elected political leader
under a democratic regime. Whether it is President Trump we are referring to, or any other politician, should these criteria be applied by voters and others in their political party in terms of the job that they are doing:
• Should their behaviour in their personal lives (to whatever extent we know since we are not privy to it and only know from what we read or hear), affect our decisions as to how good they are doing their job?
• Should their personal characteristics (We know from his public behaviour – that he has many dubious or even obnoxious ones), affect how we think he is doing in his political post?
• Do any of us have personal experience of engaging with them to be able to in any way judge (even if we feel that we should) how they are performing at work?
• From what we do know – are they keeping to the promises made in a Manifesto and / or the policies which they proposed to carry our when in office, and so the platform which they were elected upon?
• As a Jewish person living in that country (in this case the USA), to what extent should we judge them, and vote at an election based upon their policies towards Israel and / or matters closer to home?
• Do we have any traits that others might or do find unsavory?
• Would we want to be judged (if at all – on our behaviour at home or when not at work), as against how we perform in our jobs?
I raise these issues as I feel that they are fundamental to what our expectations are of politicians. I would appreciate a response from any Observant / Knowledgeable Jewish person – Rabbi or Rebbetzin re the Halacha, and other sources in our Jewish books that can provide a perspective on the matter.
Whatever our views – may we continue to live under a democratic regime and be well-served, in terms of our Judaism and the State of Israel by the elected governments of the day.
J D Milaric
Joyous community celebration to welcome a new Sefer Torah
On Sunday 6th July, the streets of Hendon filled with music, singing and dancing as 1000 members of the community came together for a moving and uplifting Hachnasat Sefer Torah celebration.
Organised by Jewish Futures, the event marked the completion and dedication of a new Sefer Torah for the Kehal Yedidim community, to be used by the Jewish Futures family of organisations including Aish, Eilecha, GIFT, JRoots and Chazon. The Torah was lovingly dedicated in memory of David Yisrael Ben Ephraim (David Hall) z’’l - a close family friend of Rabbi Schiff, CEO and Founder of Jewish Futures, and someone who was passionate about Jewish education.
The day began with a touching letter-writing ceremony, where families
and friends gathered to witness the final letters of the new Torah being penned. From there, the streets came alive as the Sefer Torah was joyously escorted to the
Jewish Futures Hub on Brent Street in true Jewish spirit. Accompanied by the soulful and spirited music of Shloimie Gertner, the crowd erupted in singing and dancing, with children on parents shoulders and people joined arm in arm. The air was filled with joy and simcha. The event wasn’t just a celebrationit was a statement of pride in who we are, of unity in our
NJA Condemns Inadequate Response to Violent Islamist Sermon at UK Charity
The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) strongly condemns the deeply disturbing incident involving Nottingham Islam Information Point and its former trustee Harun Abdur Rashid Holmes, whose October 13 sermon - delivered just days after the Hamas massacre - invoked violent antisemitic imagery and rhetoric. The language, including calls to “fight and kill the Jews,” was drawn from a hadith but stripped of any scholarly context or ethical framing, rendering it inflammatory, provocative, and dangerous. The fact that this was delivered at a time of acute Jewish grief and vulnerability makes it even more egregious.
It is entirely unacceptable that such rhetoric was allowed to pass under the banner of charitable activity. While the Charity Commission’s disqualification of Holmes from senior charity roles for three years is a step in the right direction, it is ultimately inadequate. A mere formal warning issued to the charity itself does not reflect the seriousness of the misconduct. Charitable organisations that operate in good faith should be furious that such a blatant abuse of charitable status is being met with little more than a slap on the wrist.
NJA Vice Chairman Laurence Julius
commented: “This episode represents a fundamental failure of regulatory oversight and moral leadership. For a UK charity to give a platform to such hatefilled rhetoric in the wake of the October 7 attacks is beyond reprehensible. The authorities must stop treating these incidents as isolated lapses and start addressing the broader pattern of hate being spread through so-called community groups.”
The NJA urges the Charity Commission to launch a broader and more proactive investigation into the ecosystem of UKbased organisations that have ties to extremist ideologies, radicalised narratives, or have repeatedly platformed antisemitic figures and messages. There must be a robust reassessment of how charities are screened, regulated, and held accountable. This must include mandatory reviews of speaker protocols, financial transparency in support of foreign-linked entities, and meaningful sanctions for those who betray public trust.
A culture of antisemitism is festering within too many such groups. The only appropriate response is zero tolerance. Britain’s Jewish communities, and the integrity of the charitable sector itself, demand nothing less.
community, and of deep appreciation to Hashem for the miracles of recent times. Men, women, and children of all ages joined in the festivities, with delicious treats provided by Uncle Doovy’s adding a sweet touch to an already heartwarming day.
Rabbi Schiff said: “In a time when the world feels fragmented, the Hachnasat Sefer Torah was a testament to the strength, resilience, and beauty of the Jewish people and how each one of us is a letter in the scroll, part of the ongoing Jewish
story. This was a wonderful celebration of Torah, tradition, and togetherness – and a chance to say thank you to Hashem.”
May the memory of David Yisrael Ben Ephraim z’’l continue to inspire light and love, and may the Torah dedicated in his honour serve the Kehal Yedidim community and all Jews who are positively impacted by the family of Jewish Futures’ organisations for many years to come.
For more information about Jewish Futures or to partner with us – visit https:// www.jfutures.org/
“Paid-Up Genocide Denier”? NJA Slams Disgraceful Smear Against Chairman on GB News
The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) strongly condemns the vile and defamatory remarks made by Novara Media political columnist Kieran Andrieu during a live segment on GB News on 7 July. In a heated exchange over the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, Mr Andrieu, clearly rattled and unable to respond to the factual points raised by NJA Chairman Gary Mond, resorted to slander - accusing Mr Mond of being a “paid-up genocide denier.”
This baseless personal attack is not only offensive but emblematic of the intellectual and moral decay at the heart of much of today’s anti-Israel discourse. Rather than engaging in reasoned debate, activists such as Mr Andrieu repeatedly fall back on ad hominem smears and false accusations when they cannot substantiate their arguments. To call anyone a “genocide denier” is a grave accusation. To direct such a charge at a Jewish communal leader committed to truth and human rights is an outrage.
Let us be unequivocal: Israel is not committing genocide. It is defending itself against genocidal threats - from
Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah - while striving to uphold international law and protect civilians, including Palestinian ones. The true genocide deniers are those who refuse to acknowledge the goals of Hamas, a terrorist organisation explicitly committed to Israel’s destruction and the murder of Jews worldwide.
The NJA is proud to stand with Israel, a democratic state fighting for its survival in a region where too many of its neighbours remain dedicated to its eradication. We will not be cowed by insults or bullied into silence by ideologues who masquerade as journalists.
This disgraceful moment on GB News must serve as a wake-up call. The public discourse around Israel is poisoned by those who weaponise language not to illuminate, but to intimidate. It is long past time for broadcasters to draw the line between rigorous debate and defamatory bile.
We stand firmly behind NJA Chairman Gary Mond and his principled advocacy. The NJA will continue to speak the truth, support Israel, and confront slander with clarity and courage.
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The Jewish Art Fair
Join us for the Annual Art Fair at Finchley United Synagogue (Kinloss)!
We’re excited to welcome you to another successful Art Fair featuring 50 talented Jewish artists on Sunday, 20th July, from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to explore a wide variety of original artwork, meet and connect with the artists
Year
and purchase unique pieces directly from the creators. All raffle proceeds will go to Chai Cancer Care and Ezra Umarpeh –two vital organisations in our community. Whether you’re an art lover, collector, or simply looking for inspiration, this is a special evening you won’t want to miss!
6 bake sale raises £800
Year 6 pupils at Sacks Morasha Jewish Primary School hosted a deliciously successful bake sale last Friday, raising an amazing £800 for JNF UK.
From brownies to cupcakes, every bite supported vital projects in Israel.
JNF UK is especially grateful to pupil Asher Bloch, whose brilliant idea sparked the whole event, and to his family for
helping make it all happen.
Elan Gorji, CEO of JNF UK, said, “It’s incredibly heartwarming to see students unite with such energy and passion in support of JNF UK. We are deeply grateful to all the pupils who dedicated their time and effort to baking and fundraising for us.”
A Gift That Goes Both Ways
By “Debbie,” a GIFT Cuppa Kindness attendee*
I first heard about Cuppa Kindness when a little invite arrived with my weekly GIFT food delivery. I wasn’t sure if it was “for me,” but I was intrigued. I’ve never seen something like this in our community. A welcoming space that’s for all ages, all types, no pressure, no labels.
Cuppa Kindness is a new social club by GIFT. It’s relaxed, inclusive, and run with one beautiful goal: to bring people together for food, fun and community, where everyone can give and receive at the same time. There’s a light meal (we had amazing soup and fresh bridge rolls made onsite), board games, activities and the chance to do something kind for someone else. No expectations. Just people being people.
I have a physical disability and usually feel anxious going into new spaces. But this was different. The GIFT team invited me to come a bit early, which helped me settle in. From the moment I entered, I felt at ease. There were warm smiles, a hot drink and cake, and the kind of
genuine welcome you don’t often find.
I recognised the names of Carly from the food delivery notes and Roxanne from the volunteering messages, so meeting them in real life felt like meeting old friends, not strangers.
I ended up leading the Rummikub table, which is my speciality. I even split us into two games, one for serious players and one for chatting. It was such a fun atmosphere and everyone joined in however they felt comfortable.
We were also given the opportunity to make up small thank-you packages for emergency service workers. That part really stood out. So often, being on the receiving end is not easy. It can feel vulnerable, or like you’re always the one needing help. But in this space, I wasn’t just included. I was needed. I had something to contribute. That meant a lot.
I didn’t win at Rummikub, but I left smiling. GIFT doesn’t just give. It creates community. It makes everyone feel they matter. And that, to me, is the biggest gift of all.
*name has been changed for privacy
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The GIFT of Giving | To Give and Give
BY AVROHOM ZEIDMAN
This week’s question:
With my friends, I feel that I’m giving much more emotionally, with effort, time, and support, than they are. They do give, but not nearly as much as I do. Should I back off and give less, or keep giving more even if it feels imbalanced?
Answer:
This question touches on a common misunderstanding. The greatest relationships aren’t about give-and-take; they’re fundamentally about give-andgive. Each person ideally focuses entirely on the other, creating a space of mutual care and trust. The reason trust is crucial in any relationship is precisely
so I don’t have to worry about myself, I can freely dedicate myself to the other person, trusting they will reciprocate. Rav Dessler beautifully expressed this to couples on their wedding day, “Right now, each of you wants to make the other happy. As long as you both keep this attitude, you’ll remain happy. The moment the focus shifts from ‘what can I give?’ to ‘what are my rights?’ the relationship starts to deteriorate.”
Nowadays, there’s an unspoken “11th commandment” - “Thou shalt not be taken advantage of.” But
I’m genuinely doubtful that this mindset leads to happiness. Constantly assessing what’s in it for me fosters resentment. It places my happiness in someone else’s hands, outside of my control.
Instead, if I focus on what’s within my control, my decision to give, even if it feels I’m giving more, I’ll likely find greater happiness and fulfilment. Perfect 50/50 balance is impossible. Even in my own marriage - with the most important person in my world, my wife, I know she gives more to me than I give to her (though she mistakenly believes the opposite!).
Of course, if a relationship is genuinely abusive, safety takes priority, and it must end. But if we’re speaking about a healthy friendship that simply feels uneven, try to let it go.
The moment you start measuring what you’re getting from the relationship, cracks appear.
Sometimes such evaluation is necessary, but once you’ve opened that door, it’s challenging to return to pure, selfless giving. The relationship then risks becoming a transactional agreement rather than a genuine, loving connection.
Focus on giving, because true happiness comes from what you contribute, not what you receive.
Rabbi Zeidman is an experienced educator of young people, young professionals and parents and is the Senior Educator at GIFT UK.
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ASK THE RABBI
CAN LOVE BRIDGE A RELIGIOUS DIVIDE?
Dear Rabbi
I read with interest your piece in last week’s Jewish Weekly where Glen asked if he should marry a girl who was not aligned with his religious beliefs and observance. I thought your answer was poignant. It was written respectfully but also without mincing your words. It resonated with me because I was in a similar situation and followed similar advice. Today I am married to someone else who is religiously compatible. We have two children, and our home thrives on our traditions. I assume you’ll get some flack from readers for being honest, but I, for one, just wanted to say thank you for speaking truth.
Benny
Dear Benny
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate you taking the time to write, and I’m heartened to hear how your story turned out—may your home continue to be blessed with peace, joy, and shared purpose.
To reiterate the core point from that column: when there’s no religious
compatibility at the outset, the relationship often begins with imbalance. One partner inevitably feels the need to guide or educate the other in areas that are deeply personal and spiritual. And while growth is always possible, it’s neither fair nor sustainable for a spouse to be cast in the role of teacher.
A marriage thrives on mutual respect, shared values, and spiritual alignment. A spouse is not a student, and a home is not a classroom. Love someone for who they are—not for who you hope they’ll become. That’s not just a recipe for disappointment; it’s also a burden no partner deserves to carry.
Thanks again for writing - and for reminding us that truth, even when uncomfortable, can lead to beautiful outcomes.
ARE THREE WEEKS NECESSARY?
Dear Rabbi
The three weeks start on Sunday. Do I really have to keep all these rules during the Three Weeks? No music, no weddings, no fun? Why should I mourn something that happened 2,000 years ago? It feels irrelevant.
Daniella
Dear Daniella
You’re not alone in wondering that. After all, many people move past a grieving process after a few years, let alone two millennia ago. So why does Judaism ask us to sit in mourning over a Temple we never saw, in a city we might never have visited?
Because it’s not just about the past. It’s about what we lost and what we still don’t have. The destruction of the Temple wasn’t just the demolition of a building. It was the collapse of a world where G-d’s presence was felt openly, where unity among Jews was more than a slogan. The world grew dimmer. We’ve been living in spiritual exile ever since; scattered, divided, vulnerable.
And those divisions? Still here. That disconnection from G-d, from each other, from ourselves? Still here. We’re not just mourning history. We’re confronting the fact that something is missing. And it matters.
The customs of the Three Weeks aren’t punishments. They’re reminders. They say: don’t get too comfortable in a broken world. Don’t dance while your soul still limps. And most of all they say that redemption isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a real
future. But you only rebuild what you remember.
So yes, it’s been 2,000 years. But until the world heals, we keep yearning. And that yearning is what keeps the Jewish people alive.
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WHAT3WORDS/// THREADS OF ONE
BY RABBI NAFTALI SCHIFF
There are few words that evoke more hope, more longing, and more heartbreak for the Jewish people than “Unity.”
In Hebrew, achdut or achdus, from the root echad, meaning one, lies at the very heart of our national calling. Unity is not just a poetic ideal or feel-good slogan; it is the bedrock of Jewish destiny, and perhaps the single most potent force that determines whether we stand, rise or fall as a people. As such, doing all we can- as individuals, organisations, and communities - to make unity a core value that is nurtured, protected, and actively promoted is not a luxury or idealistic bonus, but a critical and urgent imperative.
As we enter the Three Weeks, the period of mourning for the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, we are reminded that the Temple was not destroyed solely by foreign enemies. The Talmud teaches that the Second Temple fell because of sinat chinam- baseless hatred (Yoma 9b). And the Yerushalmi adds a devastating line:
Any generation in which the Temple has not been rebuilt, it is as if it was destroyed in its time.” (Yerushalmi Yoma 1:1).
Rav Noach Weinberg zt”l would challenge us: How can our generation be held responsible for a destruction that occurred nearly 2,000 years ago? His answer was piercing: If we were truly living the way we are meant to- united in purpose, anchored in Torah, and facing Yerushalayim as one- the Temple would naturally be rebuilt- for that is the natural state of our union. If it remains in ruins, it is because the fractures and the mistakes that tore it down still haunt us.
King David describes rebuilt Jerusalem as “
- “a city that is joined together” (Tehillim 122:3). The Jerusalem Talmud interprets this as: “A city that brings all Jews into friendship with one another.” Yerushalayim is meant to be the unifying heart of the Jewish people- a place where differences melt into purpose, and where all tribes converge. Tragically, this has not yet become our lived reality.
Despite the remarkable reality of modern-day Israel, the return of Jewish sovereignty, the amount of Torah studied, the plethora of worthy institutions, this period remains as relevant as ever- painfully
evidenced by the ongoing lack of unity among us, and the toxic intolerance that all too often erupts into baseless hatred between Jews across political and religious divides.
At its core, the Jewish mission is about revealing the hidden Oneness that underlies a world of seeming separation. The Jewish world indeed appears fractured: different opinions, different priorities, disparate groupings, opposing worldviews. But beneath the surface, everything is truly connected. It must necessarily be so.
The People who represent the One in the world must be genuinely linked as one, to one another and to the One. This is our ultimate raison d’etre. Without unity, we are nothing.
This truth is hinted at in the very structure of the Torah’s creation narrative. Each verse in the first chapter of Genesis begins with the letter vav- a conjunction meaning “and.” And there was evening. And there was morning. And G-d said. Why? Because the story of creation is not a series of disconnected events- it is a unified, unfolding process and its message to us? Hidden in creation is its directive to us! Connect! Bro g it all together! The vav links horizontallyevery aspect of creation to one another in addition to past to future, earth to heaven, individual to collective. The message: all must be connected! All is one!
documentary we are producing about his harrowing journey through the Holocaust. After hours of emotional and historical reflection, I asked him what concerns him most about the Jewish future. His response was instant, and quite franklyheartbreaking. “Despite all we have been through and all our great achievements, the one elusive goal we still haven’t fixed,” he said, “is unity- This is our undoing and this is what I worry about constantly”
To survive against all odds, then live to see Jewish families bitterly divided over ideology, dress, and politics? That is a tragedy too painful to accept. I feel that Manfred’s aching observation was not a condemnation; it was a plea, a prayer. We can and must do better.
Unity in Judaism has never meant uniformity. The twelve tribes of Israel each had their own banners, territories, and roles. Yet they all camped together around the Mishkan. They marched together through the wilderness. They made pilgrimage to Jerusalem together. Each tribe retained its uniqueness, but all faced the same direction in prayer, fought side by side in battle, and participated in a collective destiny. “
דחי”— “The tribes of Israel united” (Tehillim 122:4).
This week I had the privilege of spending time with Holocaust survivor Manfred Goldberg MBE, finalising the JRoots
At Jewish Futures, unity is not a token value- it is a strategic imperative. Across our family of diverse organisations-Aish, GIFT, JRoots, Chazon, Ta’amim, Legacy Live, Time4Torah, Eilecha, Forum for Jewish Leadership, Kehal Yedidim and more, we work daily to bring together Jews of all backgrounds and beliefs. Not by erasing differences, but by building shared purpose, respect and appreciation. Unity requires a deliberate choice to see the best in others, to listen before labelling, and to collaborate were possible, rather than compete. It’s tough but we try. We actively work to avoid the ego-driven turf wars that can internally fracture even the most well-meaning institutions. We strive to be a living expression of the idea that achdus- not conformity, is what brings the Shechina- the Divine Presence into our midst.
Let’s be real: Unity is hard. The Jewish people are passionate, independent-minded, truth-seeking individuals. We argue, we analyse, we critique. That’s part of our greatness. But left unchecked, it becomes our greatest liability. The very traits that make us thrive can also tear us apart.
Unity doesn’t mean everyone agrees. It means we build a shared foundation and a clear vision that can hold our disagreements. It means holding onto the humility
to believe that no single person or camp holds the entire truth. It means remembering that what unites us is far deeper than what divides us.
So how do we begin? I don’t know but perhaps some places to start:
At home- Create space and listen to every voice- young and old. Validate different opinions. Replace judgment with curiosity. Welcome all to participate in Shabbat meals imbued with fun, friendship and Torah relevance.
In community- Step outside your inner circle. Listen to another opinion. Perhaps visit a different shul or set up. Host someone from another stream. Teach children to appreciate rather than mock other authentic expressions of Judaism even when different from your own.
In organisations or groupings- genuinely attempt to champion collaboration over competition. Share resources. Celebrate each other’s successes. Work for the mission, not the spotlight.
As part of Klal Yisrael- Remind ourselves that we are not just a random collection of people with common ancestry- we are a diverse People with a shared purpose. Our destiny is intertwined. Together is the only way forward. Unity is not simply the cure for our protracted exile- it is the very foundation upon which our destiny is built. Each time we recite Shema Yisrael, we affirm the Oneness of G-d, a truth that calls for reflection in the oneness of His people. So long as we remain fragmented, our declaration remains incomplete.
So, during these Three Weeks, let’s move beyond mourning to proactively mending. The call to unity isn’t about erasing our differences, but about understanding that our differences are the very tools through which wholeness and togetherness can be achieved.
We are, after all, just diverse Threads of One.
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
SMALL ACTIONS
BY RABBI JONATHAN TAWIL
The great Sage Rav stated (Gemara Nazir 23b) a person should always endeavor to study Torah and perform Mitzvot, even if he is performing the Mitzvot for an alternative reason and not for the sake of Heaven (Afilu SheLelo Lishma –Shemitoch Shelo Lishma Ba Lishma). For, through performing the Mitzvot even for the wrong means, he will eventually come to perform the Mitzvot through the right means.
This is an awesome statement inferring that even though a person might have ulterior motives when performing G-d’s command, nevertheless, he is encouraged to carry out the Mitzvah, rather than not to perform it at all. For eventually it is guaranteed that he will perform the act appropriately.
Such a statement requires written verification from the Torah and Rav goes on to bring proof from none other than Balak! The Torah states that in his enthusiasm to curse Am Yisrael, he applied all weapons possible at his disposal, including offering up Korbanot – sacrifices to Hashem! In total he offered up 42 Korbanot (14 sacrifices in 3 different places) in order to pray and supplement Hashem to destroy Am Yisrael.
There is no greater Shelo Lishma than that; using such a holy thing as Korbanot, a form of coming closer to Hashem, in order to ask for the destruction of Hashem’s People. Yet nevertheless, states Rav, Balak was rewarded for this action with a great descendant – Rut, who in turn was the
great grandmother of King David. Thus even Balak HaRasha has a hand in the coming of Mashiach Ben David!
Although this is difficult to comprehend, nevertheless this is a fact - the power of a Mitzvah. Every act is judged by Hashem and reward and punishment are dealt accordingly.
The Gemara Sota (47a) states that in the time of Elisha, 42 children were devoured by Bears. The Gemara ascribes this tragedy in essence to the 42 Korbanot that Balak offered up. His intention was to destroy Am Yisrael and even though Hashem protected Am Yisrael at that time, nevertheless his intention was fulfilled in some respect many generations later in Elisha’s time.
How does this compliment with the statement of Rav? Surely we see over here that the outcome of Balak’s action was destructive and not beneficial? The Gemara goes on to explain, that although the outcome of his action was good (Rut), the outcome of his intention led to bad (the death of the 42 children).
Rav Nevensal comments that there are three stages involved with performing a mitzvah, each one with its own level of reward and each one worthy of performing. First, is the performance of the mitzvah even without the correct intention. Second we should vanquish all bad intentions, and third we should perform it for the sake of Heaven.
When a Non-Jew gives his wife a cup of coffee he is making her happy and ensuring a content and peaceful coexistence. Where is the difference between a Non-Jew and a Jew? It is in the intention
of the action. When a Jew does the same action, if he were to pause before the action and think that he is about to perform multiple Mitzvot - VeAhavta LereAcha Kamocha – love your neighbor as yourself, Gemilut Chasadim, Vedavakta Bo –clinging to Hashem - then he would be transforming his action into one that will not only ensure him Olam Hazeh, but also Olam Habah.
There are so many Mitsvot that we perform daily. Some are due to performance from our youth, such as Tefilla – prayer, and others because it is the norm, such as preparing the meal, giving children to eat. All these actions are Mitzvot, yet with the addition of one small thought, one can transform the Mitzvah into a Mitzvah Lishma. And if Balak who performed a Mitzvah but lacked the Lishma was rewarded with a hand in the Mashiach, so much more so, will we be rewarded when we perform each Mitzvah Lishma!
Rav Shalom Schwadron’s zs”l daughter once became seriously ill with a disease. The Rav was worried that she would transmit the disease to the rest of the children and decided that he was going to take his children to stay with their grandparents until her disease would cure. On his way to the grandparents he came across the revered Mashgiach of Slobodka, HaRav Isaac Sher. Rav Isaac asked him where he was going. “Unfortunately my daughter is very sick, so I am taking my children to the grandparents until Bezrat Hashem she gets better.” Rav Isaac looked at him and said “So what?”
Rav Shalom didn’t quite understand Rav Isaac’s question and thought maybe he didn’t hear him the first time, so he repeated the reason to him again. Rav Isaac told him the cow leads the calf. Now Rav Shalom really was confused!? The Rav continued… “you take your children because you are worried for their safety, but so does the cow take his calf when they are in need of help. What is the difference between you? Of course you need to take care of your childrens’ health, but not because you are worried, rather because Hashem has commanded you Venishmartem MeOd Lenafshotechem (Devarim 4:15), VeAhavta LereAcha Kamocha (Vayikra 18:19), Loh Ta’amod Al Dam ReAcha (16:19). That is why you are taking the children to their grandparents!”
One small thought changes going to Savta into spiritual actions and helps bring the Mashiach!
Amen.
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Adina Nyman describes inspiring students to connect, and how a BA (Hons) at LSJS helped her qualify as a teacher alongside some fairly challenging circumstances.
I jumped straight into teaching without formal training, simply because I loved it and thrived in the classroom environment. However, I soon realised that if I wanted to build a long-term, professional career in education, I needed the right tools and qualifications. That’s when I decided to train properly. I had left sixth form early to pursue an apprenticeship with the Manchester Police Force, so I hadn’t completed my A-levels. Later, when I returned from seminary and got married, I needed to find a path that would allow me to learn while also supporting my family.
My husband had completed a Teacher Training course with LSJS the year before and their BA degree course turned out to be exactly what I needed—allowing me to study in a Jewish environment, tailored specifically to Jewish education, with flexibility for people balancing multiple responsibilities. I don’t think there’s anything else quite like it in the UK.
LSJS were so accommodating regarding a crazy amount of life events during my degree. They allowed me to take maternity leave early as I was expecting twins, pausing my fees while I wasn’t studying.
At a time when my childcare plans needed to change, they accommodated me with online options and class recordings. When I needed to move house in the middle of my training, LSJS not only extended my essay deadlines and were so understanding. They advocated for me with Middlesex University, who accredit the degree, all along and ensured I would come out with the qualifications I deserved. They’re even accommodating my upcoming move to Manchester with the ability to continue my studies remotely. After my degree, LSJS offers a few pathways to qualifying as a teacher, and I’m confident that they’ll help me choose the best one for me.
I initially realised I was going to be a teacher after my year in seminary in Israel, when I became a seminary madricha. That role pushed me to learn with others and prepare and deliver Torah content, and I found the experience so energising. It was incredibly fulfilling to share knowledge and see it spark something in others.
I’ve taught in several schools and across a range of subjects. I began teaching Jewish Studies in Manchester. After getting married and moving to London, I transitioned into teaching secular studies. Currently, I’m teaching Jewish Studies in a Primary School, but this summer I’ll be moving back to Manchester and returning to a high school to teach a
combination of Jewish and secular studies.
From lesson planning and classroom management to understanding different learning styles, my training at LSJS gave me a solid foundation. It wasn’t just theoretical—it was hands-on and practical, rooted in the unique needs of Jewish schools. Even now, I constantly draw on what I learned to improve my teaching and connect more deeply with my students
My goal is to inspire students not just to learn, but to love learning. Whether it’s Jewish or general studies, I want to give my students the tools to think critically, grow in confidence, and feel proud of who they are. Especially in Jewish education, it’s about building connection—to their heritage, their community, and to G-d.
At the moment, I teach in a school where many of the students don’t come from religious homes. However, after one particular lesson about Shabbat, a student came up to me and said, “I asked my mum if we could light candles this Friday—it just sounded so nice.” It reminded me that even small seeds can take root, and our impact can go far
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beyond the classroom.
To aspiring teachers who are studying now, I would say, “Don’t underestimate the power of a passionate, dedicated teacher. If you feel drawn to teaching, explore it. There’s no ‘perfect’ path—you can start small and grow. And remember, you’re not just teaching a subject; you’re shaping lives. Be open to learning from every experience, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance along the way.”
For more information about the BA (Hons) in Jewish Education, or about the Assessment Only, Schools Direct or SCITT routes to QTS, visit lsjs.ac.uk/ teach.
Qualified teacher, Adina Nyman
Family FunBALAK
King Balak, the newly appointed head of Moav was terrified of the Jews. They had just won a battle against two mighty kings -Sichon and Og. How could he beat the Jews? He had a grand plan to hire a certain individual with the power of the tongue – Bil’am who was known to be able to bless or curse people.
Balak sent messengers to Bil’am. Bil’am was able to communicate
with Hashem, who warned him not to go, but eventually, Bil’am was allowed to go but informed that only what Hashem allowed him to express would be able to be said. Indeed Bil’am leaves on the journey with his donkey, but the donkey acts strangely on the journey and Bil’am gets injured and ends up hitting his donkey three times! The donkey actually has been given the power of speech
and tells Bil’am off for hitting him! Bil’am then realises that an angel is blocking the way and once the angel warns him to behave, it was time to continue.
Eventually, Bil’am arrives at the hilltop and begins giving some awesome blessings to the Jewish people – some of which we are very familiar with, such as Mah Tovu. Balak is frustrated but Bil’am gives him a different idea of how
to harm the Jews – get them to sin! Indeed this is what happened but at the end a big hero named Pinchas brought an end to the terrible plague that fell upon the Jews after they sinned.
G-d protects us from our enemies, but we must be careful to do the right thing at all times!
Jewish Riddle
This week’s Question:
Name 6 couples mentioned in Tanach whose first names start with the same letter in Hebrew
IF YOU KNOW IT, EMAIL US THE ANSWER
Last week’s answer: 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?
The answer is Noach and Er, son of Judah. Concerning Noach the verse says “Noach found favor (chein) in Hashem’s eyes.” In Hebrew, Chein is Noach spelled backwards. Concerning Er the verse says “And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil (rah) in Hashem’s eyes. In Hebrew, Rah is Er spelled backwards.
*WELL DONE TO MICHAEL BAYER!!!*
Tangram Challenge!
Using all the shapes, can you make the shape on the right?
Word Wheel
The goal of a word wheel puzzle is to create as many words possible with the letters in the word wheel. Each word must contain at least three letters. You can only use each letter once and every word must have the letter in the centre of the wheel.
Last edition’s words
Here are some words you may have found from last week – you may have found more!
Use the area below to write the words you have found. L N A E S T S I E
Jokes
Q: What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple?
A: Finding half a worm!
Q: What do you call a group of disorganised cats? A: A Cat-tastrophe Q:
Riddles
What can’t be burned in fire, nor drowned in water
more to me than my
I come across as flat, But theirs more to me than my surface; You climb my moutains from top to bottom, And fall from bottom to top. What am I?
Who always enjoys poor health?
OUR DONORS' DEDICATIONS
The first half of 2025 has seen a staggering amount of MDA UK supporters dedicate critical lifesaving vehicles. These include a Mobile Intensive Care Unit, ambulances, community response cars and motorbikes, as well as an MDA ambulance station.
FROM NORTHERN LINE TO SAVING LIVES
Last year, my dad and I cycled to every station on the Northern Line in one day to raise money for Magen David Adom. It was hard (and needed lots of snacks!), but totally worth it.
In April, we visited Israel and saw where the money went. MDA’s underground blood bank was amazing, with cool tech to keep blood safe during rocket attacks. We even saw a milk bank that helps tiny babies, and a command
centre that looked like a movie scene!
The best part? The Intensive Care bus that can carry eight critically ill people—it’s like a hospital on wheels.
Everyone at MDA was so kind and passionate. This year, we’re cycling the Piccadilly Line to raise even more!
Asher Mass outside the Marcus National Blood Services Centre in Ramla.
MDA Ambulance donated by Eric Murciano in memory of the 1200 innocent Israeli civilians murdered on 7th Oct 2023
MDA First Responder Community Car donated by the Southend and Westcli ff Hebrew Congregation
MDA Motorbike donated by Victor and Hilary Batchat
M D A M otorbike donated by the Wildbrook Charitable Trust
Dedication of MDA Herzliya Ambulance Station with Lady Joy Bourne
Dedication of a room donated by Peter and Belinda Black at the MDA Makor Chaim Station.
MDA Motorbike donated by an anonymous donor
MDA First Responder Community Car donated by MDA UK VP, Judy Saphra, in memory of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas
MDA First Responder Community Car donated by Anita Royston
MDA Mobile Intensive Care Unit donated by MDA UK VP, Barry Segal, of The Joseph Storehouse Trust and Vision for Israel
MDA First Responder Community Car donated by an anonymous donor