McDonald International Synagogue Rosh Hashanah 5782

‫בס׳׳ד‬

‫ל־ה ָא ֶרץ‬ ‫וְ ָ ֽא ַמ ְר ָת ֲאלֵ ֶהם כִ י ָתבֹאּו ֶא ָ‬ ‫ֲא ֶשר ֲאנִ י נ ֵֹתן לָ כֶ ם וְ ָ ֽש ְב ָתה ָה ָא ֶרץ‬ ‫ַש ָבת ַלֽה׳‪ֵ :‬שׁש ָשנִ ים ִתזְ ַרע ָש ֶדָך‬ ‫וְ ֵשׁש ָשנִ ים ִתזְ מֹר כַ ְר ֶמָך וְ ָ ֽא ַס ְפ ָת‬ ‫ת־ת ֽב ָּוא ָ ֽתּה ּ‬ ‫ֶא ְ‬ ‫ַּוב ָשנָ ה ַה ְש ִב ִיעת ַש ַבת ַש ָבתֹון ִי ְֽהיֶ ה‬ ‫לָ ָא ֶרץ ַש ָבת ַלֽה׳‪:‬‬ ‫‪Rosh Hashanah 5782 | 2021‬‬

‫ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬

‫בית כנסת מרכז קחילתי ע׳׳ש גולדשטיין‬

McDonald International Shul

O R T H O D O X A S H K E N A Z I C O M M U N I T Y N E TA N YA

‫קהילה דתית לאומית אשכנזית נתניה‬

New Synagogue of Netanya 7 McDonald Street P. O. Box 1115 | Netanya 42262 | office 09 861-4591 email: macshul@netvision.net.il | www.macshul.org

Rabbi Raphael Katz: Office 09 887-5079 | Mobile 054 767-3421 Chairman: Jeremy Rosenstein – 0779628328 Vice Chairman: David Marriott – 09 832-1747 Hon. Treasurer: Colin Frankel – 053 530-5751 Hon. Secretary: Barbara Cardash – 09 861-5178 Gabbaim: Bernie Wolff – 09 834-0333 | Israel Shapira – 09 861-7608 Irgun Nashim: Chair: Betty Olswang Henry Koor Judaica Library: 09 884-0458 Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 9:30 am until noon Chair: Tsipi Wexler Magazine Team: Therese Berkowitz, Elizabeth Dorfman, Melissa Dubinsky, Jacques Korolnyk, Monique Korolnyk, Ed Perlman, Laura Shuck

Join the honorable company of our past and present community by linking your name, or the name of a loved one with the McDonald International Shul.

Memorial Boards • Sponsorships • Philanthropic Donations are all available and can be easily arranged through the shul office: 09 861 4591 • Monday to Thursday 8:30–11:00 am

2 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

‫ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬

Rosh Hashanah 5782 | 2021

Contents 4

cDonald International Shul M Board Members and Committees

32 The Sea and the Endless Waves

By Joseph Berger

5

Letter from the Editor Therese Berkowitz

34 The Vaccination War in Late 19th Century Jewish London

By Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sinclair and Prof. Yehuda Lerman

7 Rosh Hashanah 5782– Connecting and Reconnecting

By Rabbi Raphael Katz 8

From the Chairman

By Jeremy Rosenstein

10

Simchat Torah 5782 Chatan Torah Chatan Bereshit

13

Our Synagogue Family

16

Reconnections with Man and God

By Rabbi Dr Jeffrey M. Cohen

37 Poem – Identity of Dots

By Miriam Feigelman 38 Tehillim, Chapter 47

By Leslie Portnoy 42 Missing Haircuts

By Suzie Schwartz

20 Rosh Hashanah Greetings 21 Regrowth

By Sharon Wilensky 24 What Does Reconnecting Mean?

By Melissa Dubinsky 26 Remembering Raphael Cutler ‫ז׳׳ל‬ 29 Poem – On Being a Link in the Chain

By Judith Fineberg 30 Connections

By Tsipi Wexler

p21 ‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬3

McDonald International Shul

Board Members and Committees: McDonald International Shul Board: Executive: Jeremy Rosenstein - Chairman David Marriott - Vice Chairman and Cultural Committee Colin Frankel - Financial Representative Barbara Cardash - Honorary Secretary Laura Shuck - Shul Secretary Management: Ivor Baum - Shammas Elizabeth Dorfman Al Dubinsky Shlomo Garber Henry Hirsch Linda Hirsch Renie Hirsch Ruth Marriott Betty Olswang - Irgun Nashim Bernie Wolff - Gabbai Israel Shapira - Gabbai

Blank Committee: Michael Bliss Barbara Cardash Colin Frankel - Chair Jacques Korolnyk David Marriott Henry Koor Judaica Library: Tsipi Wexler Hospitality Committee: Jacques Korolnyk Good Neighbours Scheme Volunteers who will visit housebound members Barbara Cardash **Volunteers needed Landscaping Committee: Susan Wolff Sharon Wilensky Therese Berkowitz Table Tennis (weekly): Nobby Smith

Volunteers are always welcome. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

4 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

Letter from the Editor Therese Berkowitz One of my least favorite questions, usually asked of me by a fellow Jew, is something along the lines of “Why would I want to live in Israel?” If it’s an Israeli asking the question, the next line usually has something to do with how great New York is. How could I leave? Let me assure you, shoveling out the car in the blowing icy snow to get to work, the ridiculous cost of real estate, or sitting in hours of traffic after a tiring day, are all I need to picture to remind myself of why New York is NOT great. If it’s an American asking, it is often followed by my next least favorite question: “Aren’t you afraid?”

The short answer: no. First of all, I’m from New York. Afraid? You can’t scare me. While I did grow up in the safety of a New York City suburb, I moved into Manhattan in 1975, when the city was severely crime ridden and covered in graffiti. There were no safe streets, only slightly less dangerous ones.

This past May was my first “war” here, and while I was pretty concerned for our soldiers and fellow citizens in Sderot and the communities near the Gaza border, I never felt afraid. Perhaps that is me just being naïve, or having too much faith in our army or in Hashem. But the truth is, and I have a hunch that everyone reading this will

agree, there is no place on earth that I would rather be. Heavens, I’m one of those people who tears up every time I see a big pile of our soldiers clustering at a bus stop or I hear Hatikvah!

Why do I mention all of this?

Because this year we will be celebrating Shemita. My first!

Just as every seven days we carve out a sacred space and time to enjoy the beauty of Shabbat and its holiness, as Jews living in Haaretz, every seventh year we are commanded to carve out a sacred space and time for this land, because it too is holy. And just like Shabbat, it is a gift from Hashem. A whole year! And it can only happen here.

These past few weeks, I have been blessed to be able to attend Rabbi Katz’s classes on Shemita. I know many of you have joined in on Zoom. The classes have been so informative and enlightening, I feel truly inspired to be living here and able observe this mitzvah for the first time.

As a volunteer in our shul garden these last two years, I am happy to report that the gardening team has been working diligently in preparation for the sacred year ahead, mindful of the prohibitions and grateful for the exceptions. While our garden is not a ‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬5

source of fruit or grain, it is a part of our ecosystem and contributes to the balance in our atmosphere and environment. Selfishly, I also enjoy its beauty, and spiritually I am awed by its growth or decay, reminded each week that it is all from Hashem.

I feel blessed to be able to work with an amazingly knowledgeable and devoted team. Thank you Susan Wolff and Sharon Wilensky! Each Monday morning we meet not only to connect with this holy land, but to connect with each other. We work and talk, sweep and sweat, lug and laugh. It is a joy.

Add to this the learning that we have been engaging in as a part of our Shemita prep, and you can understand why we find the experience so rewarding. It’s a perfect trifecta.

And to my fellow Jews who ask me why I would want to live here, I answer: It’s the holiest place on earth!

When we chose the theme of Reconnecting for this edition of our magazine, it seemed like a no-brainer since at the time we were breathing a sigh of relief as we were beginning to 6 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

de-mask and reengage. But as I write this, we have once again been instructed to mask-up and maintain social distances, while our chagim plans are all in limbo. I think it is safe to say that the year has had its challenges. So, while Reconnecting in person may not yet be an option, we hope that you will find the articles included in this publication a thought provoking reconnection with our community of writers, chroniclers, historians and poets.

Additionally, please find information on the back cover on how you can support our farmers during this year of Shemita.

I would like to personally thank the magazine team—Elizabeth Dorfman, Melissa Dubinsky, Jacques Korolnyk, Monique Korolnyk, Ed Pearlman and Laura Shuck—for their patience, creativity, integrity, diligence and humor. And a special thank you to Bernie Wolff.

Together, we wish the entire kehillah a safe and healthy year, ketivah v’chatimah tova. n

Rosh Hashanah 5782– Connecting and Reconnecting

by Rabbi Raphael Katz Rav Kook makes a fascinating observation regarding Rosh Hashanah night.

On each chag the mitzvah of the chag is observed also at night.

On Sukkot, we are commanded to sit in the sukkah at least on the first night.

On Pesach, we are commanded to eat shmurah matzah on Seder night.

On Shavuot, we have a custom of “tikkun leil” – learning the entire night.

On Yom Kippur, fasting begins from nightfall.

Question: On Rosh Hashanah, what mitzvah is performed at night?! The only mitzvah of the day, hearing the shofar, is done only during the day.

Answer 1: The “technical” answer is, that Rosh Hashanah is a day of Judgement and judgement in Jewish law takes place only during the day, hence there is no mitzvah associated with judgement on Rosh Hashanah eve.

Answer 2: Rav Kook explains that in fact there is a Rosh Hashanah mitzvah at night! and that is to wish one’s friend a “‫כתיבה‬

‫ — ’’וחתימה טובה‬that one’s friend be

inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life.

Note, the Rema [Ch’ 582], uniquely codifies the nusach of blessing on Rosh Hashanah night.

Nowhere in Shulchan Aruch is there mention of having to greet one’s friend with a “Shabbat Shalom” or “Gut Yom Tov” greeting.

By blessing one’s friend on the night of Rosh Hashanah we are connecting with one another and strengthening our communal bond. This serves as a mitzvah of preparation for the Judgement, which takes place in the day and also is of a collective nature.

Rav Kook clarifies: The Torah states that Hashem is constantly vigilant over Eretz Yisrael, ensuring that the land receives rain to sustain it. “…The eyes of God are on it at all times, from the beginning of the year until the end of the year”. (Devarim 11:12).

The Talmud Rosh Hashanah derives a second meaning from the above passuk regarding rain, namely that the ‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬7

day of Judgement occurs at the beginning of the year.

The verse is interpreted: ‘At the beginning of the year, man is judged as to his fate (from now) until the end of the year’.

The Torah connecting God bringing rain to Eretz Yisrael with the schedule when Judgement takes place, is to teach us that Hashem’s Judgement has a universal and collective element.

Just as Hashem does not send rain to each individual or private farm, but rather to an entire area, and the individual who is part of that area benefits, so Hashem judges us not only as individuals but also as a community, each connecting with the other.

Many commentators conclude from this that the way to receive and “ensure” a favorable verdict is to attach and contribute to the broader kehillah of the Jewish People.

May this year not be one of “stop-start, stop-start” regarding Covid, but one of complete recovery and may Hashem help us to achieve true unity, prosperity and peace. Ketivah v’chatimah tova. n 8 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

From the Chairman

by Jeremy Rosenstein As I write these words and watch the news, I am not sure whether we are “reconnecting” or “disconnecting” for the coming Chagim! But as our members know, we will find the best way to adapt to the situations as they change.

The last 18 months have been quite a challenge for the world, for our beautiful country, for Am Yisrael, for our families, for us individually and for us as a Kehillah.

We have met many challenges, from Corona, from not being able to travel, from a short war and much more.

As a Kehillah we have over the last few months slowly increased our numbers at Shabbat services, reinstated two daily Minyanim, continued the Rav’s Shiurim both live and by Zoom, and most importantly hosted “Kiddushim and Seuda Shlishit”! (until last week).

I have received many compliments (and a few complaints) on the way that the Kehillah has functioned over the last 18 months, but it has been great team effort from a number of individuals that have made it work and succeed.

The usual thanks go to Laura, Laurie and Moshe for keeping the office and facility running and to Bernie for his perfect Gabbaut, not even taking proper leave and rest when he was recently unwell. Thanks to Elizabeth, Ruth and David and Therese for their work on the Yizkor book; thanks to Edoardo for keeping the shul “digital”; to Jacques and Elizabeth for the website

updates; Therese and team for our magazine; Betty and ladies of the Irgun Nashim for reinstating the Kiddushim; thanks to the men (and couple of ladies) who attend the shul every morning and every evening keeping the Minyanim alive.

We have seen over the last year a number of new members joining our Kehillah. Unfortunately, we have also lost a few long-standing members who passed away or moved out of the Netanya area.

As we are entering a “Shemita Year” we owe really special thanks to Susan, Therese and Sharon for the magnificent work they have done in the garden and amphitheater to make the shul grounds so beautiful. There is a massive amount of work that our “garden angels” have done and it is a great way to start the day meeting them at 6:30 am when going to the first Minyan and seeing such smiles, enthusiasm and positive vibes beaming out from them.

As I have mentioned on a number of occasions the finances of the Kehillah are very challenging. There are a few individuals who have been extremely generous and have enabled the Kehillah to remain viable. We have finally

finished the re-tiling of the hall, which is being used more for semachot; carried out some cosmetic work in the kitchen including the addition of a new industrial fridge; installed a new air conditioner in the shul and more, all financed by generous donations. These individuals have not been part of our Kehillah for many years, but since getting involved with the Kehillah have really shown such generosity which must not be taken for granted.

However much we have tried to keep in contact through these trying times with our members and friends, we have not always succeeded completely and mistakes have been made. I would like to apologize to any member or friend of the Kehillah who feels that we have not done enough to keep in contact.

I would finally like to thank our beloved Rav Katz and Rabbanit Ora, for all they continue to do to keep our Kehillah the special place that it is.

Let us pray that this coming year will bring us all good health, friendship, cooperation, Semachot, success, Parnasa and Nachat from our families.n

‫נה טובה – חתימה טובה‬

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬9

Simchat Torah 5782

‫שמחת תורה תשפ׳׳ב‬

Chatan Torah Yitzhak Moshe Fineberg What! Me, Chatan Torah? Why would Jeremy, the Chairman, and his Board consider this honor for me when there are many other members who held up the minyan throughout the difficult days of Corona and who dedicate their time and resources to the shul.

Ah! Then, several restless nights later, the proverbial nickel dropped ... (from Heaven)!!

Almost a year ago, just before Yom Kippur, at the funeral of Yehuda Harris, a former Macshul member, his bereft widow Rona had asked me to say Kaddish for him. Now, I really had to get to a daily minyan. B”H, the McDonald minyan enabled me to fulfill her request, with occasional stand-ins, Meir Lev and Menashe Cibulka. As Yehuda’s first yahrzeit approaches, I see how her unexpected request may have been connected to Jeremy’s unexpected offer.

For more than fifteen years, until Corona hit, I had been davening shacharit at the Moshav Zekanim, connected to the Beit Avot, in Kiryat Sanz. For many years a Sanz resident, Dr. Baruch Schmidt and I had been 10 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

learning together there, after the morning minyan and a Mishnah Brurah shiur with Rabbi Baum. Later, we would go to MacShul and join Rabbi Katz’s gemorrah shiur, fostered for many years by Bernie Wolff.

Several years ago, when Yehuda Harris, as a new resident of the Kiryat Sanz Beit Avot, joined Rabbi Baum’s morning minyan, my previous relationship with Yehuda strengthened into a bond. Due to his modesty, I had no inkling of his life’s accomplishments, until the time of the funeral.

There, at the gravesite, lying next to his only child, Mitchell, who left this world prematurely while in his 20’s, eulogies continued on page 12

Chatan Bereshit Yacov Ishai We met at my childhood synagogue in North Bergen, New Jersey, Temple Beth El. It was Rosh Hashanah, and my plans to spend the holidays with my brother in Virginia Beach were suddenly cancelled. I went to Shul wearing a metaphysical sign saying: NO JOB, NO BOYFRIEND, DON’T ASK. Little did I realize that Hashem had decided that today was the day that the union of Shashi and Yacov could not wait one more day...November, which was the month that Hashem decided that the world could not exist one more day without the presence of both Shashi and Yacov, (our shared birthday month, our Hebrew birthdays being one day apart, albeit, different years.) And, in November, two months after we met, we became engaged. When I phoned my Mom to tell her “Guess what Yacov bought me for my birthday”...”A coat?

You need a winter coat.” “No, an engagement ring”. My mother swallowed her Carlton, low tar cigarette whole. I didn’t know whether to call the Fire Dept or Crisis Creation Center...

Here is the trilogy of our oral pre-nups: NO SMOKING, NO CHILDREN, NO

MOVING TO ISRAEL. Happy to report, Yacov has never smoked a cigarette since 1994. A movie, CIDER HOUSE RULES, suddenly awoke in Yacov’s soul a desire to have a child. Actually, dormant longings for a dog awoke in me. Both would have to be adopted. continued on page 12

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬11

continued from page 10

from those present, and from abroad, painted a fuller picture of his life of Torah dedication and his important communal contributions.

In his simple, institutional room, I had previously noticed the beautiful paintings of their son, rendered by Rona, and some of his honorary plaques. Among his many projects, he had focused on programs for special needs children. He became the Rabbi of Bnei Shalom, an Orthodox synagogue in Waterbury, Connecticut. In that role, in order to upgrade the Jewish community, he recruited a Rosh Yeshiva from Brooklyn. He and Rona worked tirelessly and patiently, in coordination with civil authorities, over a three year period, to establish the first Kollel. This endeavor flourished and has garnered an ever growing Orthodox Jewish community.

Always pleasant, never complaining, he, and his wife Rona, served as role models for me in navigating the inevitable ups and downs of life.

Now, enter the Corona element. A year and a half ago, the Beit Avot shacharit minyan was forced to close down, albeit temporarily. This was several months before Yehudah’s petirah. As a result, I resumed davening with the MacShul morning minyan, as I had done years before, with the intervening years of participating in Rabbi Katz’s gemorrah shiur easing the “coming home”.

Now, this year, two weeks after Yehuda’s first yahrzeit, this Simchat 12 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

Torah will bear more special meaning to me. It will bring to mind how one couple, Yehuda and Rona, so enhanced many Jewish lives in their Diaspora community by activating their love of Torah and the Jewish people.

I thank Rabbi Katz and the many members of McDonald’s shul who give so generously of their time, talent and dedication, providing all of us with an inspiring house of prayer and learning.

Chag Sameach, Yitzhak Moshe Fineberg n continued from page 11

China yielded one of her daughters, Li Yu (symbols of a bending tree in the wind, but not breaking; and abundance). Six years later, Zehava demanded a baby brudder...W hen the Israelites left Egypt, widows and children “were adopted by other fleeing families” - We went to Guatemala and redeemed Yitzhak Moshe (Zaki), our son of laughter, on Shavuot.

Hashem had made many decisions concerning us Ishais. Then, the final leap of faith...should this microcosm of the UN take a flying leap of faith and return Home? I had learned to swim when I was thrown in the deep water of a pool. Not Esther Williams, but I did not hear the theme from DELIVERANCE, either, so Hashem encircled us, replaced our fears with euphoric joy, and we made our home, here, in Netanya....and the blessings never cease to amaze us.

With love and gratitude, Shashi, Yacov, Zehava and Zaki n

‫מזל טוב‬

Our Synagogue Family

Mazal Tov to those enjoying S’machot:

Births Brenda & Michael Bliss.............................great-granddaughter & 2 great-grandsons Barbara & Victor Cohen.............................great-granddaughter Eric Feust.........................................................2 great-granddaughters Bella Fielding................................................. twin great-grandchildren, a boy & a girl, and a great-grandson Shana & Ephraim Katzman.....................great-grandson Ruth & David Marriott...............................2 great-granddaughters Nuchy Morowitz...........................................grandson Renee & Gerald Moss..................................great-granddaughter Malka & David Osborne............................grandson Stephanie & Leslie Portnoy.....................great-grandson D’vora & Israel Shapira..............................granddaughter Fernanda Shapiro........................................great-granddaughter Hillel Walters..................................................grandson Cyril Watson...................................................twin great-granddaughters Bar/Bat Mitzvah Rosalind & Leslie Artzi..............................great-granddaughter Barbara & Victor Cohen.............................great-grandson, Eliya Bella Fielding.................................................great-granddaughter Evelyn Isaacs.................................................grandson, Noam Shana & Ephraim Katzman.....................grandson, Shalev Anita Leigh.....................................................grandson, Tommy Joshua Carole & Meir Lev.........................................grandson, Elisha Gene & Alan Portnoi...................................grandson Ruth & David Marriott...............................grandson, Lavi Special Birthday Bernard Chazan Michael Raz

Hannah Frank Jeremy Rosenstein

Michael Ordman Cyril Watson continued on the following page

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬13

Wedding Anniversaries Rosalind & Leslie Artzi Lynette & Michael Ordman New Members Basil Platzky & Rita Potash

Philippa & Mitchell Caller

Ken & Eileen Goldblatt

Aliya Anniversary Lynette & Michael Ordman Engagements Judy & Joseph Berger.............................................. grandson, Avishai Betty Olswang.......................................................... grandson, Alex Sara & Jeremy Rosenstein.................................... daughter, Dana Laura Shuck.............................................................. granddaughter, Noga Susan & Bernard Wolff......................................... grandson, Darren Marriages Elizabeth Dorfman................................................ granddaughter, Tayla Liz & Gidon Fishman............................................. grandson Evelyn Isaacs............................................................ grandson, Benjamin Gene & Alan Portnoi.............................................. son Laura Shuck.............................................................. grandson, Shalom Roseruth & Alan Webber...................................... granddaughter, Abby Thanks to the sponsors of Parshiot Videos & Lectures: Malka Abrahamson & family Janet Lewis Zelia Abramson & children Reuven & Miriam Lewis/Heimler Philippa & Mitchell Caller Ruth & David Marriott Ruth Marriott & Elizabeth Dorfman Ellen Minaker David Friede Elaine & Eric Smith Colin & Maureen Frankel Sadie Symon Evelyn Klaff Doreen Usden Kiddushim Jeremy & Sara Rosenstein The Beth Knesset (3) Seudah Shlishit Yaacov & Iris Bar Tov

Susan & Bernard Wolff

Shmaya Avraham

Sincerest Condolences to: Judy Berger on the death of her mother, ‫ז׳׳ל‬ 14 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

Therese Berkowitz on the death of her father-in-law, ‫ז׳׳ל‬ Carmel Cutler on the death of her husband and our member Raphael Cutler, ‫ז׳׳ל‬ Vivienne Lauer on the death of her brother, ‫ז׳׳ל‬ Marcos Mashiah on the death of his sister, ‫ז׳׳ל‬ Sadie Symon on the death of her brother, ‫ז׳׳ל‬ David Zahavi on the death of his mother, ‫ז׳׳ל‬ Donations in honor or memory of a loved one or in celebration of a simcha are always welcome and can be made by Credit Card by phoning during office hours: 09 861 4591 Mondays to Thursdays from 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Notifications received at the Shul Office will appear in the next issue. A phone call to the office with your “news” will ensure its appearance on the Family Page.

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬15

Reconnections With Man And God

By Rabbi Dr Jeffrey M. Cohen When Bernie invited me to write an article for this edition of the shul magazine, he not only tied me down to the number of words and to a deadline of five days, but also to the topic of “reconnection” and to the specific aspects that he wished me to deal with, namely “reconnecting” with each other after eighteen months of Corona lockdown and isolation, or reconnecting with Hashem during the Yamim Noraim. If ever a writer’s hands were ‘bound’!!

But, why should they not be ‘bound,’ given that that is precisely the rootmeaning of the word, “(re)connection,” as derived from the Latin, con (‘together’) + nectere (‘to bind’)? Indeed, in a real sense this nuance is applicable to both the contexts I have been asked to discuss.

To be ‘bound’ suggests a state of restriction. In the case of lockdown that situation certainly requires no elucidation, given the multiple restrictions it imposed on our daily lives. But Jews are fatalists, in the sense that we believe that a higher purpose 16 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

directs our destiny, to which our ready response has always been ‫גם זו לטובה‬, ‘this is also for the best!’ And no matter how dire the threat to our nation, that guiding principle of faith has always seen us through. It was poetically and lyrically enunciated by the psalmist in one of the most familiar of his psalmverses, one which, coincidentally, also opens with the word gam: ‫גם כי אלך בגיא‬ ‫ – צלמות לא אירא רע כי אתה עמדי‬Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil for You are with me (Ps. 23:4). He taught us thereby a lesson that is vital to the full appreciation of life: namely to be aware of its fragility, and, in consequence, to take nothing for granted, to be grateful for every small blessing, and to set every setback or sorrow against contemplation of the manifold joys, achievements and enriching relationships that make life so interesting, challenging and full.

King David experienced all the agonies and ecstasies of life, and described them as they were, no holds barred. And hence his employment of

Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Cohen retired from the rabbinate in January 2006 after a distinguished career, the last 20 years of which he was rabbi of Stanmore Synagogue in N.W. London, with the largest membership of any Orthodox congregation in Europe. He is the brother of our long time member Victor Cohen.

the imagery of “the shadow of death” as a metaphor for the brevity of life, its many pitfalls, and the speed with which it rushes by. But his belief was that, however short life may be, it is long enough to be used to the greatest and noblest advantage by those who wish to avail themselves of the glorious potential with which God has endowed it. To waste a moment of life, therefore, is to squander an irrecoverable spiritual resource, which may be subsumed under the Torah prohibition of Bal Tashchit (Deut. 20:19-20; Sefer Ha-Chinukh 529).

So, while serious effects of Covid restrictions on mental health have been widely recorded, the committed Jew should be endowed with the capacity to cope more stoically, given the regulated way-of-life that our Torah prescribes. Far from being viewed as burdensome, its prescriptions are valued for the discipline and focus they give to our lives, with its blessings and rituals allowing us to pause for the expression of awe and gratitude before enjoying the fruits and beauty of

nature. The joyous home rituals of Judaism – which make it an extension of the Bet Kneset – should ensure, therefore, that a family ‘restricted’ to its home should remain ‘shielded’ from so much of the boredom, discord, and mental afflictions that have been widely reported.

The very term ‘religion’ – from the Latin, religare, ‘to bind’ - serves to emphasize that positive aspect of guiding its adherents towards such a ‘regulated’, constructive, and contented, life.

At the outset we explained the etymology of ‘reconnection’ in terms of ‘binding together.’ In religious terms this refers to our desire to ‘bond’ with Hashem. This is expressed in the Shema blessing, with its plea for divine aid in that quest – ‫ויחד לבבנו לאהבה‬ ‫‘ – וליראה את שמך‬And unite our hearts in love and awe for Your name.’ Every day, the ritual of ‘binding’ tefillin on the arm symbolises that desire for union, effecting thereby a most intimate embrace with Torah teaching.

Continued on the following page

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬17

RE-CONNECTION WITH FELLOW MAN So far I have dealt with the term ‘connection.’ But my commission was, more accurately, to discuss ‘re-connection,’ whose prefix connotes the restoration of a relationship that was fractured. This may also be applied to the contexts of our response both to Covid, on the one hand, and – lehavdil – to our impaired relationship with God, on the other.

One of the most unpleasant social aspects of Covid has been the great fear of contamination that the pandemic engendered. Humans are social beings, with the faculty of language as our defining feature. Employing that gift, we can express our every thought and emotion, enhance the quality of our relationships, and expand our knowledge through interactive education. Animals, on the other hand, are restricted to a set of predefined messages, confined via the emission of basic sounds. In the modern age, man is also highly mobile, traversing national and international boundaries in the course of work and leisure.

So, for a human being to feel constrained to distance himself from family, friends and acquaintances - to muzzle his face, take regular tests in order to determine his freedom or

18 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

otherwise from contamination, to be wary of travelling or entering shops, offices, or areas where people congregate – creates a climate of isolation, alienation, and suspicion of ‘the other’. The Torah describes a similar attitude towards the leper who must warn anyone approaching of his condition by calling out the words, tamei tamei – ‘Impure! Impure!’ (Lev. 13:45). We are also, in effect, proclaiming our neighbours a potential source of contamination, generating an attitude of suspicion whose psychological ramifications, especially for the young, cannot yet be predicted.

The ending of lockdown, followed by its later reintroduction; the required isolation when contact with an infected person was notified, followed by various changes in the regulations and fear of travellers and immigrants importing deadly variants of the virus from abroad, to say nothing of the differing quarantine regulations imposed internationally – all add to the global confusion, uncertainty and fear.

But no one knows how, or if, trust will be regained and a ‘re-connection’ - or restoration to the status quo ante, will be made for decades yet to come, and how many lives and businesses will be ruined in the meantime!

When the Ark is closing and we recite the words ‫ חדש ימינו כקדם‬- ‘Restore our days as of old’ – we should offer a fervent prayer for the ending of our current plight, for the neutralisation of the virus, and for a return to life as it was. But the most pressing question is, would that be sufficient? Was pre-Covid life an ideal? Were people anywhere observing the Torah’s plea for – ‫ואהבת‬ ‫ לרעך כמוך‬- ‘loving our neighbour as ourself’? I am not suggesting, as fundamentalists might, that Covid was a heaven-sent wake-up call. But I am calling for us all to take to heart the lessons of Covid, and how vital it is to replace suspicion and fear of fellowman with love and concern for him or her. To use the well-known caution of Rabbi Yechezkel Taub of Kuzmir (1755– 1856): ‘Just as the destruction of the Temple came in the wake of causeless hatred, so its reversal can only come in the wake of causeless love’ - wherein man demonstrates concern for his neighbour with no ulterior motive.

Where our generation has experienced societal disconnection, may generations to come work indefatigably toward achieving its ‘reconnection’.

RECONNECTION WITH HASHEM While it may surprise my readers that I have dealt exclusively with inter-

human connectivity, and have left what many would regard as the far more important challenge of reconnecting with God for the concluding paragraph, this was purposely done. And our previous paragraph provides the rationale by indicating that our relations with fellow man are more significant in the eyes of Hashem than our relationship with Him. To return to R. Yechezkel Taub’s source: the Talmud states that the population of the first Temple was largely unobservant and steeped in the most heinous of cardinal crimes, whereas those of the second Temple were mainly observant, though quarrelsome and riven with causeless hatred (Tal. Yoma 9b). Now, the fact that the first Temple was speedily rebuilt whereas the second lay in ruins for centuries convinced our sages that God readily forgives religious sins, as specified in His Torah, whereas for sins against fellow man no heavenly forgiveness is extended. So, if we want to ‘reconnect’ with God, we have first to put our society in order and reconnect emotionally and ethically with our fellow man. May we make an earnest start this Rosh Hashanah, and may all our tefillot be answered.

,‫כתיבה וחתימה טובה להרב קץ שליט׳׳א‬ ‫ בברכת‬,‫ ולכל חברי בית הכנסת‬,‫להגבאים‬ n ‫הרב ג׳פרי כהן‬

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬19

Rosh Hashanah Greetings We take this opportunity of expressing our gratitude and appreciation for the continued support, kindness, friendship and warmth which you bestow to our family. We wish our wonderful kehillah a ketiva vechatima tova. May you and your loved ones all be blessed with a good and sweet year.

In appreciation and fondness, Raphael & Ora Katz, Eitan, Chaya Rivka, Avraham Yitzchak and Eliyahu.

Greetings for a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year are extended to Rabbi Raphael and Ora Katz, their children and to all to members and friends by: Zelia Abramson Elsa & Thomas Adler Judith Weinrach & Herbert Anmuth Daphni Apter Rosalind & Leslie Artzi Ina Averbuch Yermiahu Avtabi Jean & Leslie Baron Iris & Yaacov Bar Tov Valerie & Ivor Baum Sara Bendayan Aizika & Eugène Benhamou Elisabeth & Robert Benhamou Sonya & Lawrence Benjamin Judy & Joseph Berger Margaret Berger Adina & Oren Berkowitz Therese Berkowitz Elaine & Eddie Bielawsky Brenda & Michael Bliss Geula & Alexey Bogoslavsky Gill & Martin Boxer

Philippa & Mitch Caller Barbara & Henry Cardash Bernard Chazan Irene & Percy Choritz Orit & Menashe Cibulka Rebecca & Hank Citron Barbara & Victor Cohen Carmel Cutler Gloria & Jeffrey Cohen Sally & Warren Cohen, Bet-El, Daniel, Meital, Zvi, Lior, Eliel & Bareket Nina & Elhanan Diesendruck Elizabeth Dorfman Melissa & Alan Dubinsky Shoshana & Herman Duizend Leah & Motti Edelstein Karin & Ariel Eder Esther & Isaac Eliezer Norma Ellins Karen & Carl Evans Marcelle Eytan Ralph Fagelston Continued on page 22

20 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

Regrowth

By Sharon Wilensky On a slope on the far end of the shul property, grew a cactus tree that’s trunk diameter was way more than 60cm. It grew with only the annual rain as nourishment and when it was no longer able to stand securely, it succumbed to the elements and fell over. The tree feller was called in to cut it up and dispose of it, but in true ‘sabra’ style, the cactus tree has started flourishing and is sprouting beautiful, colourful shoots which aspects to the resilience of this Land and the people.

When I saw the shoots growing on what is left of the hacked-up tree, I was immediately transported back to the days leading up to our Aliyah – feeling splintered and emotionally shattered but with a knowledge that what we were embarking on a ‘growth spurt’ that would forever change our lives and that with huge emunah, a positive attitude and tons of savlanut, we would be nourished, guided and able to set up roots and re-grow a life in this Land that has been given to us.

As we recite the Rosh Hashanah prayers and particularly in these uncertain times of Covid, I hold fast to these words: “And every object shall know that You have made it; and every

creature shall understand that You have created it; and every thing that has the breath of life in its nostrils shall proclaim: Gd, the Gd of Israel, is king, and His sovereignty rules over all...” n

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬21

Continued from page 20

Miriam & Edward Feigelman Bebe Feldman Vanessa & Robert Felton Bella Fielding Eric Feust Gillian & Ian Fine Yehudit & Yitzchak Fineberg Jeannette & Werner Fink Barbara & David Finn Liz (Fried) & Gidon Fishman Edna Floyd Simone & Jean-Jacques Franck David Frankel Maureen & Colin Frankel Miryam & Gerard Fulop Solange & Pinchas Gamliel Shirley Garber & Shlomo Anne-Marie & Bernard Geller Shary & Manfred Goldberg Ruth & Michael Goldberg Colin Goldberg Minnie Goldman Andee Goldman Joanne & Donald Gough David & Alegra Green Eliezer Greener Yvonne & Shraga Haber Esther & Eitan Haimovitz Natalie & Natan Halachmi Polina & Philip Halperin Yaffa & Laurie Hamilton

22 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

Leah & Isak Harouni-Cohen Yocheved Hillman Linda & Ernie Hirsch Renie & Henry Hirsch Joan Hitman Doreen & Michael Hocherman Anita Hochstein Solly, Yaffa & Dan Hurwitz Evelyn Isaacs Shashi & Yacov Ishai Adele Itzkowitz Jannette Jacobson Jim Jurgens Ayalah & Arnold Kaplan Heshy Katz Shana & Ephraim Katzman Jeanine & Claude Kern Eleanor & Gerald Kirsh Evelyn & Michael Klaff Bernard Klein Barbara & Stephen Kliner Jorgen Konigshofer Monique & Jacques Korolnyk Chana Korzen Sylvia & David Krasner Zigmund Landschaft Vivienne Lauer Sara & Haggai Layst Evelyn Leff Irvin Lefkowitz Anita Leigh Freyda & Nahum Lemkus Meira & Erez Lerner Carol & Meir Lev Anny Levy

‫שנה טובה ומבורכת לרב רפאל ואורה קאץ ומשפחתם‬ ‫– לקהילה ולכל בית ישראל‬ Rita & Gerald Levy Toni Levy Elkan Levy Miriam & Reuven Heimler/Lewis Edith Lieberman Andy Liggett Ellen & Abi Litt Shulamit Lotter Micol & Edoardo Marascalchi Ruth & David Marriott Myriam & Marcos Mashiah Cecile Maurer Ellen Minaker Nuchy Morowitz Devid & Giorgia Moscati Renee & Gerald Moss Edith & Ron Ognall Betty Olswang Patricia O’Neill Hélène & Arthur Opolion Lynette & Michael Ordman Malka & David Osbourne Rachel & Yehoshua Paterfreund Laurette & Edward Pearlman Lila Platman Jane & Irvine Polakow Michal & Ralph Portner Gene & Alan Portnoi Stephanie & Leslie Portnoy Ev & Sigi Pugatsch Renee Rabinowitz Federica & Jack Reiss Basha Rick Claudine Ries Suzy & Steven Rose

Anna Rosenfelder Sara & Arthur Rosenstein Sara & Jeremy Rosenstein & family Karen & Charlie Sacofsky Shira & Baruch Leibowitz / Schmidt Suzanne & Lionel Schwartz Sara & Avraham Schwartz Felix Seiler Fernanda & Michael Raz/Shapiro Devorah & Israel Shapira Judy Shafarman Sellem & family Yosef Shinar Laura Shuck Anne & David Silverman Irene Simpson Elaine & Eric Smith Shelagh & Nobby Smith Ralph Steigrad Miriam & Meyer Stender Sandra & Jessel Sundy Rennie Swirski & family Sadie Symon Malka & Rabbi Baruch Taub Doreen Usden Dorothee Valier-Grossman Hillel Walters Betty Warach Cyril Watson Roseruth & Alan Webber Sharon & Fred Wilensky Beatrice & Jarron Williams Susan & Bernard Wolff Paulette & David Woolf Denise (Temime) & Avigdor Yonah Melanie & David Zahavi n ‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬23

What Does Reconnecting Mean?

By Melissa Dubinsky When this theme was introduced in early summer, this essay was ready to write itself. I had just returned from a very satisfying trip to visit family in the US, Israel was reopening, you could finally greet people and see their entire faces, and the sun was shining every day. People were returning to shul and thus reconnecting closer with Hashem as well as the kehillah. Truly, we were rapidly reconnecting with the world.

But I come today, in late summer, without feeling very reconnected in the

“how do I get back to the old country to see family.” I believe it is healthier now to form first thoughts of “who can I reach out to more frequently within my current circle.”

Over the generations, people who left the family unit could not expect to see them again, whether they traveled to the next town or across the world. They carried within them the essence of their families and their communities, through maintaining traditions and naming their children the old family names. Today, we have been blessed Over the generations, people who left the family unit with the ability to could not expect to see them again, whether they keep one foot in traveled to the next town or across the world. each world, but maybe it is time ways that I had forecast in the spring. to consider more deeply how our Since I am a forward-looking person, I parents and grandparents handled have thought about how to define separation. There is a scene in “Fiddler “reconnectedness” in light of the new On the Roof” where Anatevka is being reality. To me, it means strengthening dismantled, and two enemies, finding ties with family and friends whom I out they are both going to America, can see, and learning to accept that look forward to meeting up there. Why those who are far away will be is this? – because they recognize that connected by technology only. I know two enemies become family when many people whose first thoughts are removed to a foreign country.

24 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

The new reality means learning how to connect closer to Hashem while davening alone at home. Last year, this was a novelty and I always thought we would soon return to the shul. This year, I am not so sure, but I do know that I can no longer defer the work of finding this connectedness within myself.

The current situation is no longer a matter of “man plans and Hashem laughs.” There is a need to define for ourselves a way of living which does not cause Hashem to laugh quite so readily.

As always, we cannot ask Hashem to conform to us, we must conform to Hashem within the limits of what we understand, and today, it is that local travel (even to local shops) poses challenges, and international travel to visit family is almost impossible. We must form a plan in which we can live within the limits of who and what we have around us today and not keep tugging to live in the old way. This requires, for each of us, considerable thought and perhaps an actual action plan. Maybe some of you already find yourselves in a comfortable place within this new reality. Kol hakavod to you, and I ask you to reach out to the others of us who are still on this path, and help us to get there as well.

May this coming year be one of spiritual, mental and physical health, and bring a strengthening of our

wish all the Kehillah

‫שנה טובה‬ ‫ומתוקה‬

www.pronat.co.il

connectedness and reconnectedness. n ‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬25

Remembering Raphael Cutler ‫ז׳׳ל‬ Raphael Cutler ‫ ז”ל‬was a very special person. With his wife Carmel we were close neighbours for 10 years, living in the same building, until they left Netanya shortly before Pesach this year, to begin a new phase of their lives in a retirement facility in Yerushalayim.

Sadly Raphael passed away three days after Tisha b’Av, just four months later.

We are saddened by his passing and will miss him.

For ten years, the community was blessed by Raphael’s presence – when he layned, he was telling a story that we had to follow, and no matter that it took longer than usual; when he gave a lecture for the library his knowledge of history, nature, architecture and Judaism all rolled into an unforgettable evening; and his love of history, his humour and creativity left their mark on all who knew him.

Among his attributes was his ability to deliver a good sermon, which he did with modesty and humility, in McDonald’s shul, usually during the summer when Rabbi Katz was away.

Raphael would write his script by hand, and rewrite it till he was satisfied, and 26 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

from the pulpit he would read it - slowly and clearly; loudly and expressively; capturing his audience with his original ideas.

With Carmel’s permission I have transcribed the sermon Raphael gave on Shabbat 6th July 2019, ‫פרשת חקת‬.

Raphael had his own style, and nothing has been edited. Be it many commas, hyphenating the words ‘to-day’ and ‘Yahr-zeit’ or his shorthand ‘&’s, here is an unforgettable message.

– Elizabeth Dorfman “To-day could well be called the ‫שבת‬ of anniversaries. Firstly, in the Hebrew calendar, to-day’s date is the third day of Tammuz, which commemorates the 25th Yahr-zeit of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, better known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

In the secular calendar, to-day is the nearest ‫ שבת‬to the fourth of July, which is, of course, American Independence Day. But July 4th is also the anniversary of the day when, in 1976, Israeli commandos rescued 102 Israeli citizens, who were held hostage, waiting to be exchanged for Palestinian

terrorists.

July 4th 1776, & July 4th 1976 are therefore the same day in the year, but separated by 200 years, that celebrate, in different ways, a defeat for tyrants, & the gift of freedom to those recently captured or enslaved. The word tyranny, is not out of context, just as the first seal of the American Republic, after the revolution, depicted the overthrow of Pharaoh in the Red Sea, with the motto “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to G-.”

Clearly, the revolutionaries viewed the English king, George III, as the tyrannical pharaoh, & themselves as the Children of Israel, seeking freedom to establish a theocracy.

When the American Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, it was accompanied by the ringing of the Liberty Bell, so called, because it was inscribed with the verse: “You shall proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all its inhabitants”. (Lv. 25:10).

Biblical influence is also evident in the very wording of the Declaration, such as: “All men are created equal, & are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness”. And if George Washington was the American Joshua, leading his army towards independence, then descendants of the ancient Israelites either served under him, or provided financial assistance.

© SMITHSONIANMAG.COM 2018

As previously stated, 200 years after the Declaration of Independence, the necessity of opposing a tyrannical despot, once again became apparent.

On this occasion, the despot was an African dictator, called Idi Amin, who had instigated a reign of terror in his native Uganda. He worked in league with Arab & German hijackers, who forced an Air France airliner, bound from Tel-Aviv to Paris, to land in the Ugandan airport of Entebbe.

When the non Jewish captives were freed, it was reminiscent of a W.W.II concentration camp selection, when Jews who [were] about to die, were separated from those allowed to live.

Eventually 102 hostages were retained against the release of terrorists, held mainly in Israel.

Continued on page 28

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬27

Continued from page 27

It says in the Book of Samuel (2S.22:17), “He sent from above, He took me”, & this verse has been used to describe how, despite the vast distances involved, (2,500 miles or 4,000 kms), Israeli commandos were flown to & from the heavily guarded airport, to bring back the hostages. This was one of the greatest rescue operations, ever carried out.

During the operation, Yonatan Netanyahu brother of Israel’s present Prime Minister, lost his life. But undoubtedly, the rescue struck a blow against terrorism, & raised Israel’s esteem at home & abroad.

All the soldiers who participated in the Entebbe operation were volunteers, & none had more admiration for them, than the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose Yahr-zeit is today. He spoke of the bravery of the soldiers, who had risked their lives, (being volunteers), to save the lives of others. And he even praised the greatness of those who go out to war, to protect the Jewish people, over those who study the Torah.

Common to all Fourth of July celebrations is the underlying theme of deliverance from various kinds of tyrants. And so, on the Yahr Zeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, let his own words point out the lesson for all these various acts of deliverance. And so he states: “In every generation, an Amalek rises up against us, but G- ensures that every tyrant in every age, who seeks 28 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

our destruction is himself destroyed.

The Jewish people lives, only by virtue of divine protection. Time & again, the Jews in Eretz Yisroel have been threatened with destruction. Time & again they have floundered & stumbled … Yet time & again, with G-’s help, they have weathered every storm, withstood every test, & at the end of the day, emerged stronger than before. That is Divine Providence (‫”)השגחה‬.

But in addition to the well being of the Jewish people, the Rebbe’s concern embraced all mankind, especially in the realm of education. And so in 1983, on the occasion of his 80th birthday, the U.S. Congress proclaimed the occasion Education Day, & awarded him the National Scroll of Honour.

Even the phrase “The Chosen People”, the Rebbe interpreted as meaning, that the Jews were chosen to teach mankind about G-. And so it is, that through the Jews, the concept of One G-, has become known throughout the world.

And finally, after his death in 1994, the Rebbe was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest awards an American can receive for contribution to American life. The first such medal was given to George Washington, thereby associating the name of the Rebbe, with the greatest of historical figures.”

May his memory be for a blessing.

‫יהי זכרו ברוך‬. n

On Being a Link in the Chain Judith Fineberg we always walked up the back staircase to the top of the ‘triple-decker’ house straight into the kitchen; the walls were papered in a large floral green swirl, spotless linoleum covered creaky wood floorboards, a scrubbed oilcloth brightened the table, always laden with delicacies from Grandma’s oven, the selection like the year’s calendar: sticky teiglach, honey cake, potato latkes, hamantaschen, coconut macaroons every week notes of mama lashon floated upon vapors of simmering chicken soup; linguistic stem cells leached out from the boiling bones formed the full range of human affect: espressivo exhalations, jubilant, proud meant for all to hear sotto voce utterances, secretive, sorrowfulnot words for tender ears (they should never know from it!) unspoken stories remained marrow deep a displaced generation left their known world behind crossed world’s oceans laden with little more than history wisps of dreams fervent prayers they were gone before I understood the questions who will tell their stories now? oh, not knowing I am diminished n ‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬29

Connections

By Tsipi Wexler

Many books in the library talk about connection of some sort, connection to G-d, Judaism, Israel, history, rituals, community, family and oneself. If any library books show disconnect, they would be murder mysteries, Holocaust books or books about extinguished Jewish communities. I’ll list an assortment of books from the library collection which, to me, show connection.

Chumashim and Siddurim are basic books for connecting us to G-d; through them G-d talks to us and we talk to G-d. The library has an assortment of commentaries; I won’t specify here.

Carta’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem by Israel Ariel and Chaim Richman connects us to the Temple, the priests, and rituals, especially sacrifices. It’s published by the Temple Institute. I read this book recently because I felt disconnected from our

30 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

Temple; the many illustrations helped me visualize Temple life.

Shemita: From the Sources to Practical Halacha by Yosef Tzvi Rimon helps us connect to our land and the sabbatical year.

Yearning to Return: Reflections on Yom Kippur by Yemima Mizrachi connects us to our G-dly self and inspires us to return/ reconnect and then move forward to our future, better self.

Living Mussar every Day by Zvi Miller collects mussar from Hovot HaLevavot, the Ben Ish Hai, Pirkei Avot and other sources. Arranged by parasha, each day of the year has a short inspirational mussar message.

Jewish Cooking for Pleasure by Molly Lyons bar-David.

Why am I including a cookbook?! A cookbook, especially a Jewish one, connects us to holidays and family and friends. This particular one is from my childhood so it connects me to childhood memories.

While mentioning childhood memories, Generation to Generation: Personal Recollections of a Chassidic Legacy by Abraham J. Twerski tells us of Rabbi Twerski’s connection to his father and other chassidic ancestors.

From Generation to Generation: How to trace your Jewish Genealogy and Personal History by Arthur Kurzweil connects us to family by tracing our genealogy.

Several books encourage our connection with others.

Harmony with Others: Formulas, stories and insights by Zelig Pliskin encourages us to peacefully resolve differences that arise between individuals.

Along the same lines Zelig Pliskin’s Marriage uses many stories to illustrate both good and bad marriages while providing advice to work through difficulties in any marriage, including good ones.

Ahavat Chessed by the Chafetz Chaim examines the trait of chesed and how it applies to loans, debts, hospitality, visiting the sick, and other interactions among others.

Please (re)connect with your library!

We’d love to connect you with good books! n

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬31

The Sea and the Endless Waves

By Joseph Berger During the time of corona and since, we in our part of Netanya have been privileged to have the sea right beside us, and to be able to walk on a tayelet or on the beach itself, and I have done that for many months.

We know that water, especially the great oceans, cover a significant part of the surface of our planet earth. The estimate is about 71%. Much of that is one big ocean that we conveniently divide into different sections such as Pacific, Atlantic, etc, but is actually continuous, and it is this water that may be the essential reason why there is life on this planet and not on any other, and as religious Jews we can certainly thank Hashem and say this is Hashem’s special blessing to us.

Walking along the beach next to the sea inevitably makes a person aware of the constant rhythm of the sea. Even someone caught up in thoughts about issues in their lives, hears and sees the waves that keep rolling in, at times more strongly, crashing against stone walls that have been set up to protect

32 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

against erosion.

What a person walking along the beach must surely be aware of, some of the time, is how this sea was here long before me, and will still be here long after me. Whether in fifty years time Netanya will be a city of ten million people, or whether Netanya will have become a suburban part of the spread of the Greater Tel Aviv area, the sea will still be here.

Many North Americans who have visited the Grand Canyon in Colorado agree that it is probably the most beautiful and spectacular of Hashem’s creations here on earth. (Brits, South Africans, who haven’t seen it, should.)

But if you listen to or read about some of the explanations about its formation, and if you are standing at the top and look down to the path of the Colorado river, you can understand why people who study Geology and Geography, and Engineers who study the effects of different pressures that lead to erosion, will mostly suggest that the erosion caused by water carved out

these fissures, these spaces in the earth that we call canyons.

You don’t even have to go as far away as Colorado to see such beauty. Drive past Beersheva in Southern Israel, and you will see there canyons or craters, and especially in the smaller ones you can see how a river carved a path over a long period of time. In the Negev it is between stretches of dry sand. But in the North of Israel, these paths are usually filled with some water and are therefore called ‫נחלים‬.

The Rosh Kollel of the Kollel Avereichim in Toronto, a talmid chacham, highly respected as the ultimate authority on halacha in that city, is a firm fundamentalist. The world was created 5781 years ago, no debate, no discussion.

There is another rabbi, solidly orthodox, but who also had the benefit of secular education in areas of science related to zoology and anthropology. He has been the recipient of vehement critical attacks from the Rosh Kollel.

There have been many debates over the years between fundamentalists committed to the belief in the short age of the earth—or is it of human life, as we know it?—and other very religious Jews with secular education, who seek understandings that will make comprehensible the disparities between scientific perspectives and the fundamentalist view.

The debate may never be resolved, essentially because no-one was present at The Creation, no-one filmed a video of our earliest ancestors. We rely on our faith to accept that there are some things we shall never understand. In the meantime the waves of the sea keep crashing on the shore and against the stones, as they have done for thousands of years before us, and will continue to do so for millenia after us.n Dr Joseph Berger is a Psychiatrist who made Aliyah two years ago. He has published two books on Psychiatric topics, the second “Life’s Lessons: How We Cope With Life’s Challenges” (Amazon. 2018) was based upon his experiences with his patients during more than forty years practice. More recently he has been writing short stories, his first collection titled “Twenty Seconds... and Other Psychological Dramas” was published as an e-book by Kindle, and as a paperback, this year.

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬33

The Vaccination War in Late 19th Century Jewish London Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sinclair and Prof. Yehuda Lerman In early 18th century Europe it is estimated that small pox was responsible for the deaths of approximately 400,000 people annually and a third of all cases of blindness. The death rate decreased dramatically as a result of inoculation, and rabbinical opinion tended to permit it notwithstanding reports that it resulted in a very small number of deaths. Medical and epidemiological information was a feature of several rabbinic works in this period permitting the use of inoculation against smallpox on both halakhic and theological grounds.

In 1798 the English physician Edward Jenner created the much safer smallpox vaccine and by the middle of the 19th century, laws mandating the compulsory vaccination of young children were becoming the norm. The first such law to be passed in the UK was the Vaccination Act, 1853. Towards the end of the century, stories of serious side-effects and distrust of the government and the medical establishment fueled a backlash against these laws, and there were numerous demonstrations in London and elsewhere against compulsory smallpox vaccinations. Parents who

34 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

refused to vaccinate their children were routinely arrested, fined and in some cases, sent to jail.

In 1896, one Henry Levy, a Jewish Londoner, refused to allow his child to be vaccinated and was duly charged, tried and imprisoned. At a public meeting in support of their jailed co-religionist a letter from Joseph Hiam Levy (no relative), a lecturer in economics at Birbeck College and an important figure in the Personal Rights Association was read out to the large crowd. The main points in the letter were that compulsory vaccination was an infringement of personal liberty; the statistical evidence in favor of vaccination had been “doctored” to make it look better than it was in reality, and that vaccination constituted an infringement of Jewish law and theology. Levy was wellinformed in Jewish matters and cited the Biblical prohibition on mixing different kinds (Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22: 9-11) together with the hygienic thrust of the Jewish dietary laws which in his view would undoubtedly be opposed to placing diseased animal matter into the body of a healthy child in favor of his

© WELLCOME TRUST

anti-vaccination message. The Jewish magistrate who had prosecuted Henry Levy was present at the meeting and sent the gist of the letter to Chief Rabbi Hermann Adler with a request for comment. The Chief Rabbi wrote back that “Mr. J.H. Levy was not justified in the statements contained in the letter; that the most competent medical authorities were agreed as to vaccination being a prophylactic against smallpox and that its use was in perfect consonance with the letter and spirit of Judaism”.

Shortly afterwards, J.H. Levy’s letter was published in the local press and was read by Henry Levy in his cell in Pentonville Prison. Levy sent it to the Chief Rabbi in the hope that it would influence him to intervene on his behalf but was to be deeply disappointed. In his reply to Levy, Rabbi Adler wrote that disobeying the law of the land was a “great folly” especially since “vaccination has been instituted solely for the welfare of the citizens and in obedience to sound

science”. In any case said Rabbi Adler, J.H. Levy was not an authority on medical science and “his opinions on the subject have, therefore, no value”.

This letter was also published in the press and J.H. Levy promptly penned a sharp refutation which the newspapers duly printed. He reiterated his opposition to vaccination on the basis of the right of the minority to resist domination by the majority, and reminded his readers that English Jews were a minority who had fought hard for their right to remain Jews and still participate fully in public life. He was clearly rankled by Rabbi Adler’s remark that he was not an authority in the medical field, and in addition to criticizing Jenner for amongst other things, cruelty to animals, he argued that established authority has generally stood in the way of progress and in the case of vaccination was continuing to do so. In any case, the issue was solely one of scientific Continued on page 36

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬35

Continued from page 35

evidence and on that score, it was very clear to him that the statistical evidence cited by the medical establishment in favor of vaccination against smallpox was unsound. He concluded by repeating his claim that vaccination constitutes a breach of Jewish law.

The next round in what the East London Observer of October, 1896 described as “the vaccination war” began with a speech given by J. H. Levy to a packed audience at a Jewish event in the East End in which he repeated his criticisms of smallpox vaccination and urged those present to send petitions to political figures calling for the speedy abolition of the compulsory vaccination law on the grounds of justice and hygiene. He also invoked the prophet Nathan and Lord Rothschild as figures to emulate in their resistance to established authority. His speech received a standing ovation. In December, 1896, Rabbi Adler published an open letter in the Jewish Chronicle in which he wrote that “there is no foundation whatsoever for the allegation by a Jew who had been summoned for neglecting to have his child vaccinated 36 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

that there were religious objections to the use of vaccination”. The combination of eminent medical support for vaccination and an Act of Parliament mandating it was more than sufficient to make any Jewish vaccine opponent “guilty of a grave infraction of the Divine Law and the law of the land”. Rabbi Adler relied upon both the credence given to medical opinion in various areas of Jewish law including Sabbath observance, Yom Kippur and family purity matters, and the halakhic principle of “dina demalkhuta dina”, namely, the obligation to obey the law of the land in matters that do not partake of a purely religious nature.

Rabbi Adler’s view was accepted by all the leading Anglo-Jewish institutions but Levy continued to air his anti-vaccination position whenever the opportunity arose.

In the light of the increasing public opposition to compulsory vaccination a new Vaccination Act was passed in 1898 allowing parents who did not believe vaccination was efficacious or safe to obtain a certificate of exemption.

Continued from page 40

Identity of Dots

By Miriam Feigelman Questions of identity: Is man’s identity defined by the dots on a scatter diagram?

Data points of traits and drives and trends, Neatly arranged on the x/y axis Like a beautiful piece of wood, with intricate carvings and swirly grains Reduced to a pile of sawdust?

Or is it the dotcom identity?

Little sparks of communications, Hit and run messages, Email threads, Facebook thumbs, Twitter tweets, Blogging egos Txting, txting, txting, in bastardized English?

Or is man the infinitesimal speck In the infinite vastness of An ever expanding universe, The dot of a soul Throbbing, pulsating, yearning, Yearning and aching To fulfill its destiny, To cleave to G-d, To seize transcendence By creating legacies, Like a pebble in the ocean, With ever widening ripples, expanding, expanding Silently reverberating into Eternity? n

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬37

Tehillim, Chapter 47

By Leslie Portnoy There is only one Torah mitzvah that must be performed on Rosh Hashanah, namely, to hear the shofar sounded.

There are differing customs as to many aspects of the ritual surrounding the performance of this Mitzvah, but one practice that is near-universal is the recital beforehand of the 47th chapter of Tehillim. We say it as a community, seven times over. When a bit of research reveals that this custom is of relatively recent origin, one is constrained to wonder why. Why do we recite any psalm communally? Why Psalm 47, and not some other chapter of Tehillim? Why seven times?

The communal recitation is clearly designed to “get us in the mood”. In many synagogues, each individual says it quietly at his own speed. However, this means that some finish early and stand waiting, while others take their time – with the almost inevitable consequence that some start talking.

That is why many Rabbis say that this recital should be a communal one, with everyone joining in, word by word.

I have already mentioned that the practice is of relatively recent origin, but the association of this psalm with 38 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

Rosh Hashanah is very old indeed. In Massechet Sofrim, one of the so called “Minor Tractates”, dating from the Geonic period (the eighth century of the current era), the various chapters of Tehillim that were read in the Temple on special days are enumerated. The prescribed psalm for Rosh Hashanah is given (Sofrim 19, 2) as this Mizmor, chapter 47 of Tehillim.

There were special tehillim for many other special days, but those are largely ignored in modern times. The revival of the practice to read Psalm 47 on Rosh Hashanah is relatively recent. It is mentioned in the Siddur of R. Yaakov of Emden, written in the period 17451748. It is said that the earliest editions of the Roedelheim Siddur, early in the 19th century, did not mention it, while later editions did. It seems likely that the practice of saying this Mizmor before Tekiat Shofar has its origins in Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, the study of which was becoming more and more widespread at the time when the practice seems to have taken root.

Certainly many of the words in Psalm 47, and many of the ideas expressed in it, are highly relevant to Rosh

Hashanah and to the shofar. Some parts of the wording render it especially appropriate for this time on this holy day. Verse 2 includes words with the roots “tekiah” and “teruah”.

Verse 6 refers to G-d “ascending” with the teruah sound, and with the sound of the shofar. Verse 8 refers to Him as the King of the whole world, and Verse 9 to His ruling over the nations of the world while “sitting” on His holy throne. These are all anthropomorphic expressions, but their imagery is familiar to us all on Rosh Hashanah, and they are striking in their effect.

For those fond of gematria, the use of the numeric values of letters to convey hidden messages, look at the third and fourth words of Verse 2 - “tiku chaf”, usually translated as “clap hands”. However, the Hebrew word “tiku” can also mean “sound the shofar”. The word “chaf” is spelled “chaf pei”. The numerical value of “chaf” is 20, and that of “pei” 80.

Add them together, and the result is 100. Viewed in this light, these words say “Sound

[the shofar] 100”, the number of times we customarily do sound the shofar on Rosh Hashanah.

As to the seven recitals, the name of G-d in the form “Elo-kim” appears seven times in the Mizmor. Multiplying 7 x 7 produces 49. This is the number of degrees of Tumah below which there can be no salvation. The name “Elokim” represents the strict judgemental aspect of the Creator. By using it 49 times, we signify our prayer that He may raise us from the depths of our Tumah to the heights of holiness. This is also the idea at the heart of the saying that the function of the shofar is to arouse G-d to move from the Seat of Judgement to the Seat of Mercy

‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬39

Continued from page 39

Continued from page 36

(another anthropomorphism), so as to temper strict judgement with mercy.

The number seven also corresponds to the seven levels of heaven that the blasts of the shofar are expected to pierce to reach G-d's “ears”, another anthropomorphic concept, but one that is, again, instantly comprehensible to the human reader.

Finally, one lesson to be drawn from this Mizmor is clear. Its first words attribute its authorship to “bnei Korach”, the sons of Korach. Tradition tells us that these were at the very brink of their descent alive into the unnatural grave prepared for them when their teshuvah (repentance) made itself manifest and they were miraculously spared the terrible fate of their father and his followers (Numbers 26, 11).

R. Yaakov Culi writes (in Me'am Lo'ez) that anyone who is disconsolate as a result of taking stock of his life and past deeds on this solemn Day of Judgement should be reminded by this psalm, and its reference to the sons of Korach, that it is never too late to repent. Their story shows that even at the last moment, when all seems lost, G-d will still accept genuine teshuvah.

This year, may we all succeed in achieving real teshuvah, and be inscribed in the Book of Life. n

Another acrimonious debate was conducted in the Anglo-Jewish press in 2019 regarding the measles vaccination in the wake of a move by the Health Secretary to make measles vaccination compulsory for all school pupils in the UK. Jemma Wayne published an article in the Jewish News containing a number of arguments remarkably similar to those of J. H. Levy in relation to both the science behind vaccination and human rights. She also made two allusions to the Holocaust in her arguments against compulsory vaccination. The following week, the Jewish News published a letter by Dr. Avi Korman of University College Hospital strongly criticizing Wayne’s piece both from a scientific perspective and with respect to her “abhorrent references to the Holocaust”. His letter received the endorsement of 47 fellow doctors.

In the words of Ecclesiastes: “there is nothing new under the sun”. n

40 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sinclair has been a scholar in residence on multiple occasions at McDonald. We are delighted to include his article in these pages. He is an ordained Rabbi and Emeritus Professor of Law at the Striks Law School, Israel. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute on Religion, Law and Lawyer’s Work at Fordham University Law School, New York and Visiting Professor of Law; Adjunct Professor of Public Health Law at Tel-Aviv University and at the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victoria University Law School, Melbourne, Australia where he specializes in the in the area of law and religion. Prof.

Sinclair’s publications in the field of Jewish Law and Comparative Biomedical Law comprise over 60 articles and several books.

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Missing Haircuts

By Suzie Schwartz I missed the simple, mundane aspects of life such as a regular haircut during the covid lockdowns. I realised how I had previously taken it so for granted that I could get one whenever I wanted with my hairdresser, Marian who assiduously observed the mandatory guidelines even while working from home. She herself had contracted covid from her husband who, in turn, had caught it after attending Rosh Hashanah shul services last year.

After getting the vaccination, it was a great feeling to be able to visit her salon again. One morning, looking forward to catching up and spending some time in her company I set off. It was perfect weather for a leisurely stroll down Netanya’s tree-lined streets until eventually reaching her road. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a car driving by. Then it stopped suddenly and I heard ‘Suzie!’

I looked around. It was Marian. ‘Don’t say you have an appointment!?’

‘I think I do, don’t I ?’ I asked.

‘I forgot to write it in the book!’ she responded. ‘I feel so bad.’

To tell you the truth, so did I. Really disappointed as if I had been badly let down. That’s when I was about to ….. say something. However, I just couldn’t 42 | Rosh Hashanah 2021

because she started explaining where she was going. I soon realised my haircut could wait since she was on a more important mission of collecting and re-homing a poodle that its elderly owner could no longer take care of. She explained that they had always wanted one but couldn’t afford the price tag and this was their chance.

I had come to know Marian well through our chats and she and her husband worked so hard to provide for her family as best they could. She had a heart of gold and chose to work from home so that she could be there for her 3 teenage girls. She kept on saying how bad she felt and I tried reassuring her that it was no big deal.

I walked back home sans haircut and a couple of hours later I texted Marian to ask whether she had picked up her dog. She sent me a beautiful picture of a brown poodle sitting next to her.

‘What’s his name?’ I asked.

‘Choko’ I was so pleased that I hadn’t let this oversight get in the way of a friendship we had both worked hard to cultivate and grow. I have something to look forward to in the future which hopefully are the moments we will spend in each other’s company while she is working on my hair. n

yosi@yeffet-jewelery.co.il ‫ | ראש השנה תשפ׳׳ב‬43

As we approach the holiness of the Shemita Year, in which we are commanded to desist from all new agricultural work on the land of Israel, please spare a thought for the livelihood of our farmers, kibbutzim and moshavim whose income and existence are totally dependent on agriculture.

Under the guidance of our great Rabbis, several halachic solutions have been devised to strengthen Israeli agricultural, while simultaneously connecting the public to the observance of Shemita in the Land of Israel.

One such solution is called Otzar Haaretz— the optimal way to observe the Shemita Year.

By logging on to the following website, you can add your support: https://otzar-haretz.co.il The site is in Hebrew, but when accessed using Google Chrome the option to translate it into English will be available. Additionally, Rabbi Katz has generously offered his assistance to anyone unable to navigate the site.

In this way, we are fulfilling an important Mitzvah that can only be observed by those living in the Holy Land, while protecting the livelihood and markets of our dedicated farmers.