McDonald Magazine–Pesach 5780/2020

‫בס׳׳ד‬

‫עבדו את ה׳ בשמחה‬ ‫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

‫בית כנסת מרכז קחילתי ע׳׳ש גולדשטיין‬

McDonald International Shul Pesach 5780

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

Coming Home ‫קהילה דתית לאומית אשכנזית נתניה‬

2 |Pesach 2020

Pesach 2020 | 5780

‫פסח תש׳׳פ‬

Contents 5

Letter from the Editor

6

Board Members and Committees

7

A Message from the Rabbi By Rabbi Raphael Katz

8

A Message from the Chairman By Jeremy Rosenstein

10 In Every Generation We Are Obligated To Feel As If We Have Just Left Egyptian Slavery By Malka Taub 12 Why I Love Living in Israel By Bernie Wolff 15 Our Synagogue Family 18 Living in Israel By Miriam Feigelman 20 An Only in Israel Shopping Experience By Suzie Schwartz 23 It Is Not Far – Poem By Therese Berkowitz 25 Blessings Abound By Melissa Dubinsky

34

Roma non si è fatto in un giorno di Devid Moscati Translation by Federica Reiss Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day

38 Henry Koor Judaica Library – Lecture Series By Tsipi Wexler 39 Israel Is My Home – Poem By Andee Goldman 40 Reflections for Yom HaShoah By Katharina Höftmann 42 Personal Reflections on 72 Years of Medinat Israel By Dr. Michael Bliss 47

Nos ennemis n’ont pas réussi à nous détruire par Gérard Fulop* Translation by Monique Korolnyk Our Enemies Have Failed To Destroy Us

50 Purim Shpiel 5780 — Review By Melissa Dubinsky

26 Shiurim 28 Amazing Mamala By Linda Hirsch 29 Birthright – Poem By Miriam Feigelman 30 We Love Israel By Tsipi Wexler 32 What I Like About Israel By Joseph Berger

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‫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 | fax 09 887-0059 email: macshul@netvision.net.il | www.macshul.org

Rabbi Raphael Katz: Office 09 887-5079 | Mobile 054 767-3421 Chairman: Jeremy Rosenstein – 09 862-8328 Vice Chairman: David Marriott – 09 832-1747 Hon. Treasurer: Colin Frankel – 053 530-5751 Hon. Secretary: Barbara Cardash – 09 861-5178 Gabbaim: Israel Shapira – 09 861-7608 | Bernie Wolff – 09 834-0333 Irgun Nashim: Chairs: Betty Olswang and Laurette Pearlman Henry Koor Judaica Library: 09 884-0458 Open: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-12:00, Wednesday 5:30-8:00 Chair: Tsipi Wexler Magazine Team: Therese Berkowitz, Elizabeth Dorfman, Melissa Dubinsky, Jacques Korolnyk, Monique Korolnyk, Laura Shuck, Paulette Woolf Advertising Team: Edward Pearlman, Alegra Green, Anita Leigh, Jacques Korolnyk, Laura Shuck

Our next issue will be Rosh Hashanah 5781. Please submit your articles by August 9, 2020 to: therese.berkowitz@yahoo.com or paulettewoolf@gmail.com

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Letter from the Editor Therese Berkowitz Perhaps you are wondering about our unusual image choice for the cover of this magazine. Given that this is our Pesach edition, we can understand your confusion and why you might feel bewildered. A little background. It started with an innocent kiddush conversation with our rebbetzen, Ora Katz. I inquired about her daughter’s army service, asking how it was going and specifically about her visits home for Shabbat. I mentioned how much I enjoy riding the rails in Israel on Thursday afternoons when our chayalim are all heading home with their duffels of dirty laundry and their M16s. It is one of the things I really love about living in Israel. I told her that I almost always tear up. No country in the world does this. Who sends their entire army home for the sabbath? She agreed and suggested that there might be a theme here. She thought we could easily fill a magazine with stories of moments just like these, stories about our day to day encounters that could only happen here. So when we began discussions for a theme for this year’s Pesach edition, we talked about the idea that at our seder table, we read from our haggadot and tell the story of the generation that left Egypt. But that generation which experienced the most amazing miracles were not fortunate enough to

reach the Promised Land. We, on the other hand, have been immeasurably blessed to have completed their journey several thousand years later! Of course, life today in Israel is nothing like what the children of that generation encountered when they finally arrived. And, more importantly, life in 2020 Israel is unlike any other place in the world! So we decided to devote this year’s Pesach issue to our own personal stories of life in this place we call home. Indeed, we have received wonderfully moving, emotionally connecting and laugh-out-loud funny contributions from the members of our community that we are delighted to share with you. We would like to thank all of our contributors for sharing their personal experiences with us. We hope you will enjoy reading them as much as we have. I would like to personally thank the editorial team—Elizabeth Dorfman, Melissa Dubinsky, Jacques Korolnyk, Monique Korolnyk, Laura Shuck, and Paulette Woolf—for their patience, creativity, integrity, diligence and humor. Together, we wish the entire kehillah Chag Pesach Kasher V’Sameach, welcome home.

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McDonald International Shul

Board Members and Committees 5780: 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 Melissa Dubinsky Shlomo Garber Henry Hirsch Linda Hirsch Renie Hirsch Ruth Marriott Betty Olswang - Irgun Nashim Israel Shapira - Gabbai Bernie Wolff - Gabbai

Blank Committee: Michael Bliss Barbara Cardash Melissa Dubinsky 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 Monique Korolnyk **Volunteers needed Landscaping Committee: Susan Wolff Sharon Wilensky Steven Rose Therese Berkowitz Table Tennis Group (weekly): Nobby Smith

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

Directory of Advertisers David Hersh................................................... page 45 El Hats............................................................. page 39 Katie Woolf .....................................................page 14 Kwik Kopy...................................inside front cover Manino Prestige...........................................page 37 Marrakesh.......................................................page 27 Millenium Laundry.................................. page 36

Peggy................................................................ page 46 Pope-Geri....................................................... page 45 Pronat.............................................................. page 50 Tamir Cars...................................................... page 30 Yochanan Nalkin ........................................ page 46 Yossi Yeffet .............................. page 52 back cover Zyvotel Hotels............................................... page 22

We are grateful for our advertisers and their support. We encourage you to patronize these local businesses and let them know that you saw their ad in the McDonald Shul magazine.

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A Message from the Rabbi By Rabbi Raphael Katz Exaltedness of Renewal

On seeing the wonders and beauty of the natural world, the Halacha requires one to recite blessings. For “small scaled wonders” such as beautiful trees or animals, in contrast to magnificent mountains and oceans, one recites the blessing: “Blessed are You Hashem our G-d, King of the Universe, who has [created] such things in His world.” [Shulchan Aruch 225.] When experiencing a sight which is so appealing aesthetically, we are inspired to give praise to Hashem who created such a beautiful and perfect natural world. Such is the Halacha throughout the year. YET, on Rosh Chodesh Nissan we recite somewhat of a different blessing when going out and seeing the blossoming and flowering of the trees. “Blessed are You Hashem... who has withheld nothing from His world, but has created in it beautiful creatures and trees for human beings to enjoy.” [Shulchan Aruch 226.] During the year when looking at a beautiful scene, we recite a blessing on the aesthetic inspiring sight per se, but on Rosh Chodesh Nissan we emphasize

the fact that these beautiful things were given to man as a source of pleasure. Why the difference? The explanation is as follows: The blossoming of the trees in Spring [the month of Nissan], parallels the renewal of the Jewish people during this season. To use an expression of Rav Kook: “Israel’s going out of Egypt will remain forever the Spring time of the entire world”. The beauty and renewal of nature works in unison with the beauty and renewal of Jewish History. Chag sameach. o

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A Message from the Chairman By Jeremy Rosenstein

This year is the 40th year since I came to finish high school in Israel and first got to know our Shul and Kehillah. I have many memories over the years—including sitting in my matriculation exams in June of 1982 in my school just outside Haifa and hearing Israeli aircraft flying overhead from the nearby airbase during the 1st Lebanese war; or one year later when I was a soldier in the Nahal corps not knowing how much I would have to pay for the bus every week when going out for Shabbat, as there was very high inflation and bus fares changed every week; or spending days in South Lebanon in 1986 looking for kidnapped Israeli soldiers. There were two special occasions during my army service that I will always remember.

8 |Pesach 2020

The first was 24th December 1983 when our unit, made up of many “Olim”, was taken to do guard duty in Bet Lechem for the local celebrations. I spent that evening on the roof of the Church of the Nativity guarding and listening to the carol music below. My friend and member of our Kehillah, Ralph Portner, who was one of the sergeants in our unit, was with a group of English speaking soldiers walking the narrow streets, when he came across a group of English tourists (who could not understand how Israeli soldiers were speaking with broad “Mancunian” accents) and managed to explain to them that he was part of an elite British army unit who travel the world protecting British tourists! My second memory is of Pesach 1985. At the time I was based as a Sergeant in “Machane 80” of the Nahal brigade with soldiers doing their basic training. It was decided that our unit would come to Netanya for Seder night and that the soldiers would spend the evening patrolling the streets of Netanya. The idea was to have two soldiers patrol in the square, two patrol south of the square and two patrol north of the square on David Hamelech

Street. Having arrived in Netanya in the morning before the Chag, we set up base in the dining room of the police station that was at the time near the Kupat Cholim on Raziel Street. (This was the first and only time that I slept in a police station!). Our officer immediately went off to the local hotels to arrange for them to take groups of soldiers in for the Seder meal. At the time my parents lived just off the square on Ussishkin Street so I arranged to be able to be at home for the Seder with a walkie talkie. Throughout the evening when we had a change in shift with the soldiers, they would meet under our apartment, I came down and supervised the shift change and went back to continue the Seder – with my walkie talkie. The following night, Motzei Chag, we were patrolling the square when someone thought that there was a suspect car parked. So there was Sergeant Jeremy with his soldiers clearing Kikar Haatzmaut of people. My brother and friends of ours from the Dor Hemshech who were on holiday from the army were out in town and cheering us on, shouting “Jeremy, Jeremy, savior of Netanya!”

I would like to take this opportunity to thank once again all those who keep our Shul and Kehillah running smoothly – Laura and Moshe, our beloved Rav & Rabbanit Raphael & Ora, ladies of the Irgun Nashim, our Gabbaim, those working behind the scenes, members of the board and executive and our members who participate in activities. ‫ חג כשר ושמח‬o

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In Every Generation We Are Obligated To Feel As If We Have Just Left Egyptian Slavery (Haggada shel Pesach) By Malka Taub

Pesach celebrates the most famous journey that the “Wandering Jews” ever took. Leaving Egyptian bondage on their way to Kaballat Hatorah and Eretz Yisrael was nothing short of a dream come true. The Seder is celebrated with a great degree of simcha, yet when one pauses to think about it, for these thousands of years since the Exodus the majority of Pesach-seder experiences have been “celebrated” under adverse circumstances. Despite this, we as a people of extraordinary emunah and trust in Hashem have managed to draw out the simcha in our sedarim. Through the grace of G-d we “Netanyatim” are celebrating Pesach right here in Eretz Yisrael, the realization of the collective dream of Bnei Yisrael. Of course the Geula

closer. My husband often says that Netanya is the best kept secret in Eretz Yisrael and I know you would all agree. The majesty of the sea (the Yam Hagadol), the Torah diversity, hundreds of Batei Knesset (shuls), Yeshivot, Kollelim, Chabad centers and the unique Chassidic Kiryat Zanz community; not to mention the expansive and beautifully rebuilt kikar and of course the availability of kosher eateries. While perhaps we do not quite have the kedushah of Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh, if one listens and observes closely one can feel the kedushah of Eretz Yisrael in Ir Hakodesh Netanya and in the sacred walls of our Beit Knesset Hechadash.

For me growing up in a home where Eretz Yisrael was always at the ...for these thousands of years since the Exodus the forefront — majority of Pesach-seder experiences were “celebrated” making aliyah under adverse circumstances. was always my dream. Nine years Shlaiyma is not here yet and the Beit ago, that dream came true. Hamikdash must still be rebuilt. But To leave our families and especially one cannot deny that the footsteps of our grandchildren was very difficult for redemption are approaching closer and both of us and we hope and pray that

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in the not too distant future our children and grandchildren will join us. We look forward each year to when we are able to parent our grandsons and granddaughters as they come to learn in Yeshiva or in seminary. Netanya has welcomed us with open arms. We have renewed old friendships and discovered many new ones. Learning to be patient when driving has not been easy, neither has realizing that if one does not assert oneself while waiting in line at the supermarket one will land up at the back of the queue. We have learned what a “fraiyer” is (sucker) and we now know to take a ticket whereever we

have to be. A hundred small things remind us every day that this is not the land of our birth. And yet…so different and so familiar it all seems. Like so many sedarim over so many hundreds of years, the journey is often tinted with sadness. The “marror” aftertaste of what we had to sacrifice to be here lingers in our mouths, but like every generation that came before us we are unwavering. We don’t regret for one moment our decision to leave our birth places and come to our Promised Land. There can be no mistaking that we are finally home. o

‫ְבכָ ל דֹור וָ דֹור ַחיָב ָא ָדם לִ ְראֹות ֶאת עַ צְ מֹו כְ ִאלו הוא יצָ א ִמ ִמצְ ַָרים‬

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Why I Love Living in Israel By Bernie Wolff

Israel is like no other country on earth when it comes to its people and doing business. How do I know? Well, for a start I have lived in 6 different countries, and visited more than 35 countries during my working life. So, I have some knowledge of how people think and do business. So, what’s different about Israel and Israelis? 1. Israel is not a country but a large village: About fifteen years ago we traveled north to Haifa to visit a friend whom we hadn’t seen in more than 30 years. Although we had the address in Kiryat Ata, these were the days long before WAZE and GOOGLE. Consequently, we drove with our trusty printed map. As we approached the outskirts of Haifa, we stopped alongside a pedestrian in the street, and asked if he could point the way to the suburb of Kiryat Ata. “What address are you looking for?” he asked. “Oh it’s in this neighborhood”, said Susan, pointing it out on the map. “I know the area well”, he responded. “Great”, we replied, “just tell us the direction we need to go in“. “Who are you visiting?” he again asked. “Oh, you wouldn’t know them, they haven’t lived there long”. “What’s 12 |Pesach 2020

the family name?” he continued. “Well, you couldn’t possibly know them, but here it is”. Whereupon, he opened the rear door, jumped in the back of the car, and said “No problem, I know them and I’ll take you right there”. “By the way thanks for the ride”. 2. Israelis know best what’s good for you: Just after we purchased our apartment, we decided to buy garden furniture for our balcony. We shopped around and finally decided to choose a table and four chairs from a garden furniture store in the old industrial area. They had quite a large selection, and we were served by a very attentive young salesman who could sense that we were new to the country, with money to spend, and who would be less likely to haggle over price. “We have a fairly large balcony with a corner area where a nice large oval table with five chairs would fit nicely”, we explained. “No problem at all, we have several models and colors for you to choose”, he replied. “Follow me to the back of the store, and I will show you exactly what you are looking for”. “We have a very stylish set, and it’s very new to Israel”, he announced with much enthusiasm. “You won’t find

another one like this anywhere else”. Susan and I were certainly impressed, and after mulling it over and doing some bargaining, we made our decision. “OK, we are sold – we will take the oval glasstop table and five chairs”. “What color would you prefer?” he asked as he started writing out the order. “We will take the white color”. “The only problem with white is that we will have to order it, and may take six weeks to deliver”. “That’s fine”, we replied, “We are in no rush”. We paid the deposit and left the store, with a very happy salesman who we anticipated was already spending his commission. Six weeks later, the store called and informed us that our order had arrived and would be delivered the same week. As our elevator was too small to fit the large table, we had already arranged with the store for a crane to be on hand to hoist the table and chairs from the street directly onto our balcony. Two days later, the truck arrived together with the crane. It took an hour to hoist all the furniture onto the balcony, but we stood there in modest triumph. We were soon to be very disillusioned. On unpacking the box

with the table, the expected White table was Green. “That’s not what we ordered”, I argued over the phone to the store manager. “White, green, what’s the difference? It’s still a table” was the response. “We ordered white, and we’ve waited six weeks to get it”. “Well, you can ship it back to us, and we will order you a white one if that’s what you prefer, but it will take another six weeks”. Needless to say, we kept the green table. The moral – never argue with an Israeli – he knows what’s best for you!! 3. E l Al – where the left hand doesn’t know what the right is doing: Twelve years ago in 2008, we decided to make a trip to the US in November to visit our grandchildren. Three months prior to our planned dates, I called El Al to make reservations, and requested economy seats on a day flight, as I don’t sleep well on overnight flights. El Al placed the reservations and sent a continued on the following page

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confirmation by email. One week before the outbound flight El Al called to say that unfortunately the 747 we had been booked on, had

on two accounts – firstly, that I had booked three months in advance and only late bookings should be moved, and secondly, that I was a Platinum Card holder, and should be given priority over other passengers. “Mr. Wolff, would you be OK if we They said this was not possible upgraded you and your wife to Business and no matter how much I argued, Class as we are overbooked in Economy?” they were not swayed. Two days before the flight, I been dispatched to Mumbai in an received another call from El Al emergency to evacuate the survivors of (different person) who asked me if we a terrorist attack. Instead, they had to would be prepared to switch to the day switch to a smaller plane to New York, flight as the night flight was and as a consequence, they had to overbooked. I could not help chuckling move a number of passengers to the to myself, and replied “absolutely yes”. night flight. I objected strongly to this We were now back on the original flight

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14 |Pesach 2020

we had booked, and a few hours later the amended flight confirmations were sent by email. Arriving at the airport, we checked in, and as we were completing the procedure the clerk told us that there was a note in our file to go to the El Al counter inside the departures area. When we arrived and gave our name, the attendant said, “Mr. Wolff, would you be OK if we upgraded you and your wife to Business Class as we are

overbooked in Economy? As compensation, we are offering you two return tickets to any destination that El Al flies worldwide, and they are valid for one year”. You could have knocked me down with a feather. Not only were we on the flight originally booked, but for doing absolutely nothing we were now sitting in Business Class with two return tickets to a destination of our choice. El Al – the airline we love to hate!! o

Our Synagogue Family Mazal Tov to those enjoying S’machot: Births Daphni Apter..................................................great-granddaughter Sonya & Lawrence Benjamin..................a first great-grandchild – a girl Margaret Berger............................................great-granddaughter, Alana Drora Brenda & Michael Bliss.............................great-granddaughter & great-grandson Philippa & Mitch Caller.............................granddaughter Sally & Warren Cohen.................................grandson Leah & Moti Edelstein................................granddaughter Bella Fielding.................................................great-grandson Rivka Leah & Avraham Goldstein.........daughter Yaffa & Solly Hurwitz.................................grandson Leila & Joe Manasseh.................................2 great-grandsons Betty & Peter Olswang................................great-grandson, Yosef Zvi Helene & Arthur Opolion..........................great-granddaughter Laurette & Edward Pearlman.................granddaughter, Sadie Leor Elisheva Gene & Alan Portnoi...................................a first great-grandchild – a boy Stephanie & Leslie Portnoy.....................a first great-grandchild – a boy Renee Rabinowitz........................................great-grandson Laura Shuck...................................................great-granddaughter, Henna Rivka Sandra & Jessel Sundy................................great-granddaughter, Netta Rennie Swirski..............................................great-grandson Betty Warach..................................................great-granddaughter Roseruth & Alan Webber...........................great-granddaughter & 2 great-grandsons continued on the following page

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Bar/Bat Mitzvah Sonya & Lawrence Benjamin..................grandson, Eden Orit & Menashe Cibulka............................granddaughter, Ruth Miriam & Edward Feigelman..................grandson & granddaughter Anita Hochstein...........................................grandson Cecile Maurer.................................................grandson, Benjy Sara & Arthur Rosenstein.........................grandson, Shai Felix Seiler.......................................................grandson Special Birthdays Ivor Baum Margaret Berger Menashe Cibulka Dov Dorfman Al Dubinsky

Melissa Dubinsky Maureen Frankel Joseph Gemeiner Alegra Green Henry Hirsch

Wedding Anniversaries Melissa & Al Dubinsky Renie & Henry Hirsch

Stephanie & Leslie Portnoy Susan & Bernard Wolff Sara & Arthur Rosenstein

Aliyah Anniversaries Monique & Jacques Korolnyk

Jorgen Konigshofer Gerald Levy Edith Lieberman Yosef Shinar

Stephanie & Leslie Portnoy

Engagements Brenda & Michael Bliss.............................grandson, Yosef Bella Fielding.................................................granddaughter, Avital Dick Miriam & Edward Feigelman..................granddaughter, Zahava Menucha to Shlomo Oppen Judith & Yitzchak Fineberg......................granddaughter, Zahava Menucha to Shlomo Oppen Linda & Ernie Hirsch..................................granddaughter, Ronit Hammer to Shimmy Balsam & grandson, Alon Hammer to Yael Roe Gene & Alan Portnoi...................................son, Josh to Victoria Adelman Doreen Usden................................................granddaughter, Michali Marriages Zelia Abramson............................................granddaughter Judy & Joseph Berger...................................granddaughter, Elena Moshe Chakimi.............................................son 16 |Pesach 2020

Nina & Elhanan Diesendruck.................granddaughter, Yael to Aviel Elizabeth & Dov Dorfman........................granddaughter, Shira Bella Fielding.................................................grandson, Lior to Netta, and granddaughter, Amira to Gavriel Biton Andee Goldman............................................daughter Rivka & Martin Himmel............................son, Binyamin to Atara Ruth & David Marriott...............................granddaughter, Aliza to Moshe Steinberg Leila & Joe Menasseh..................................granddaughter, Chaya Rivka to Benjy Ellison Helene & Arthur Opolion..........................granddaughter, Danielle to Shahar Naomi & Paul Rosenstein.........................son, Itzik to Tamar Laura Shuck...................................................granddaughter, Chaya Mushka Kiddushim —we are grateful to our sponsors Beth Knesset (15) Alegra & David Green Iris & Yaacov Bar Tov Rivka & Martin Himmel Sonya & Lawrence Benjamin Elaine & Jorgen Konigshofer Philippa & Mitch Caller Monique & Jacques Korolnyk Moshe Chakimi Carol & Meir Lev Orit & Menashe Cibulka Rita & Gerald Levy Trudy Coleman Stephanie & Leslie Portnoy Melissa & Al Dubinsky Yosef Shinar David Friede Susan & Bernard Wolff Ex-Londoner Kiddush: Brenda & Michael Bliss, Barbara & Henry Cardash, Sally & Warren Cohen, Carmel & Raphael Cutler, Elizabeth & Dov Dorfman, Shary & Manfred Goldberg, Linda & Ernie Hirsch, Evelyn & David Isaacs, Ziggy Landschaft, Ruth & David Marriott, Renee & Gerald Moss, Lynette & Michael Ordman, Karen & Charlie Sacofsky. Thanks to the sponsors of the Parshiot Videos: Judy & Joseph Berger Keren Kazachinsky Judy Berger Monique & Jacques Korolnyk Alan Berkowitz Edith Ognall Elizabeth Dorfman Suzie Schwartz Melissa & Al Dubinsky Elaine & Eric Smith Renanah Gemainer Susan & Bernard Wolff

continued on page 44

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Living in Israel (where sometimes plans and reality converge, but sometimes not) By Miriam Feigelman Despite being greeted by a bevy of girls singing and dancing to welcome our arrival on a Nefesh B’Nefesh flight, making Aliyah has been a humbling experience. In a good way. We have learned to live life day by day by day. Outside of Israel we conceptually understood we were not in charge. But given that there was an apparent cause and effect between our plans and the expected outcome, we were hard pressed to realize how little control we actually had. We have learned not to take anything for granted. Here, we make plans and then, whatever actually happens, happens. Sometimes plans and reality converge, but often not. The repairman actually shows up within the expected timeframe? A gift! The correct appliance is actually delivered? A special surprise! Mussar lessons abound in the most unexpected places: • Girls in mini-skirts and low cut blouses kissing the mezuza as they walk into a public building • Cab drivers giving us hearty welcomes and brachot for an easy yishuv; not complaining when we’re short a shekel or two, telling us it’s OK (we ran out of change) • Repairmen with uncovered heads lauding our decision to make Aliyah and emphasizing how we should thank G-d we are able to live here 18 |Pesach 2020

• A t a restaurant, a loud and hearty Amen coming from men, gold chains dangling around their necks, who look like they belong in the mafia • T he waitress in skinny pants concerned that we are mixing fish and dairy (a Sefardi custom, not ours) • T he bareheaded waiter telling a friend who is obviously wearing a wig that she shouldn’t be having coffee at his café since it is open on Shabbat • T he Egged bus driver, who, after the bus breaks down TWICE on our way to Jerusalem, says, “It’s all in Hashem’s hands, not to worry. Let’s get out and daven maariv while we’re waiting.” And the bus proceeds to empty of all the men. We have undergone a cleansing process for the ego, tossed about like the laundry in our front loaders, to ensure that it is crystal clear just WHO is in charge. Certainly not us. I find myself too easily intimidated by some cab drivers and delivery men who overcharge; do they see an American and think “Now is my big opportunity”? Part of me views this as my contribution to the Israeli economy. A strange highlight in this saga is my very humbling encounter with Varda, the Russian Israeli ozeret. She is somewhat of a cross between a Soviet colonel ferociously attacking any smidgen of dirt (dislodging shower

doors off their tracks in the process) and a trapeze artist, with her lithe figure ably clambering up to the highest shelves, sans ladder. She comes loaded with a backpack full of products and proceeds to tell me this is what she needs to use, and it will be 535 shekel please. She gives me a lecture on the need to keep windows and cabinet doors open to avoid mold and mildew buildup. She even aggressively attacks a stain on the beautiful forest green black-veined marble kitchen counters with toilet cleaner. The result is a large

On the other hand, experiences that evoke feelings of exhilaration, exuberance, and a deep sense of contentment. They provide a wonderful counterbalance: Walking home in Netanya at sunset with stunning pinks and orange stretching across the horizon over the sea as the waves rhythmically crash on the shore. Strolling on the lovely tayelet and finding the shop of the artist Abecassis. Working at his The Egged bus driver, who, after the bus breaks down TWICE table, he is surrounded by on our way to Jerusalem, says, “It’s all in Hashem’s hands, large paintings not to worry. Let’s get out and daven maariv while we’re filled with blazing waiting.” And the bus proceeds to empty of all the men. colors and small figures floating patch of white disfiguring the stone. Chagall-like around the canvas. The [But Divine intervention intercedes door is open and he takes the time to here with a strange thought: what if I graciously serve me. I walk out with a treat the area with warm olive oil, it beautifully illustrated, illuminated works for hair, doesn’t it? For two days Sefer Tehillim. All totally unplanned. and nights the stone soaks up olive oil, EVERYONE, no matter what covered with paper towels and plastic, affiliation or degree of observance, then voilà the deep green black-veined wishing each other Shabbat Shalom. marble returns! But I digress.] And I learned my favorite expression She also lets me know she normally from a Moroccan cab driver. charges 100 shekel an hour but is giving ‫כל דעביד רחמנא לטב עביד‬ me the bargain rate of 350 for 4 hours. All that Hashem does is for the good. Not to worry; that relationship was short-lived. ‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬19

An Only in Israel Shopping Experience By Suzie Schwartz

It was one Friday, a mere 3 days after our initial arrival on aliya in June, 2016. With the Sabbath almost upon us, we decided it was time for our first foray into an Israeli supermarket. I was used to the Australian supermarkets where getting hold of a trolley was a simple matter of taking (for free) the first one in the row and getting on with the job (of shopping). I didn’t imagine it would be any different in Israel. I soon discovered my assumption was wrong. Outside the supermarket, we eyed a

the customer service desk and the person behind the counter demanded that we leave our teudat zehut as collateral for the use of a green, plastic shopping basket on wheels. I looked at my identity card and thought ‘I have to hand over this in exchange for a green bucket?’ With her arm insistently stretched out, she twiddled her fingers, while waiting for me to hand it over. I had no choice but to give in and place it in her clutches. Now, we were ready to get started on the actual shopping. With She had her doubts about our family ties and asked him our plastic wagon exactly what was the nature of our relationship. ‘Were we in tow, it felt as uncles, aunts, cousins?’ Then he blurted our ‘Horim’. though we were being put through our paces and it man who was slipping his trolley into was beginning to resemble an obstacle the row lined up and asked if we could course with various hurdles designed take it over from him. I wondered why to test our manoeuvrability skills. he was giving us such dagger looks and Eventually we were ready to check out then I noticed he was retrieving a 10 and stood in line, awaiting our turn. shekel coin from the slot. A light bulb Processing the queue seemed to be went on and we realized supermarket taking longer than we anticipated so trolleys in Israel didn’t come for free Lionel and I started chatting about our and we needed to put down a deposit experience so far in English. There was for the use of one. Except on this a man, in his 40s in front of us and he occasion, we hadn’t come prepared must have overheard our conversation. with small change. So I went inside to He suddenly turned around and asked, 20 |Pesach 2020

‘Have you got one of these?’ ‘What is it?’ I asked, bending closer to have a look. ‘A discount card,,’ was his reply. When we answered in the negative, he said, ‘You can use mine.’ After the cashier was done with him, we were next. As we moved closer to unpack our purchases, he proffered his card and told her to swipe it for us. She glared at him and asked in Hebrew, ‘Are they family?’ ‘Yes,’ he answered curtly. Even with my very basic Hebrew, I was able to get the gist of the conversation that ensued between them. She had her doubts about our family ties and asked him exactly what was the nature of our relationship. ‘Were we uncles, aunts, cousins?’ Then he blurted out, ‘Horim’. Even I knew what that meant. ‘Parents!’ I looked down to hide my smile. Her look said it all, ‘I don’t believe you!’ That’s when he decided to take greater charge of the situation and made his announcement, ‘They are my parents. End of story!’ He plainly let her know that he would no longer be

messed around and she fell silent. By now I was in a state of shock and awe. Never before, had I ever witnessed anything such as this in a supermarket. Besides I was smiling at the irony that we were this man’s parents when he was a complete stranger. He waited behind to help us pack our groceries and even assisted in carrying them some of the way. We chatted with each other while walking along together. I didn’t know why he had gone out of his way for us but I could only guess that it gave him a chance to practice his English. When it was time to part ways, we thanked him and he gave us a smile. Though we hardly knew anything about each other, for a short while we were his parents and he was our son. I suppose our encounter demonstrated a deep truth that we really were one big and sometimes dysfunctional family but nothing could sever those deep familial bonds existing between us in Klal Israel and Eretz Israel. o

‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬21

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‫א־רח ָֹקה ִ ֽהוא‬ ְ ‫וְ ֹֽל‬ It Is Not Far By Therese Berkowitz

They left with everything on their backs. Kids, carpets, kitchen things, clothes, and let us not forget the celebrated unleavened bread. For forty years across many deserts and over many waves of hot dry sands. Did they leave the great grandparents behind? Me? I needed the 40 footer. 2,393 cubic feet packed with 217 boxes and bubble wrapped objects of necessity. Hauled by a tractor trailer to a pier, then loaded onto a cargo ship. For forty days across many seas and over many waves of cold dark waters. I had to leave the great grandparents behind. Still, I was luckier than that generation that came before. I sailed through the air and landed on the land flowing with milk and honey and met my stuff when it arrived on my street. I watched the delivery men haul every box and bubble wrapped chair and table and bed and sofa on their backs up the stairs to my new home. And still I went out to buy more. A new shabbat plata. With very wide smiles and genuine joy, the brother and sister who worked continued on the following page

‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬23

in the appliance store near Herzl Street welcomed me — the olah chadasha. They wanted to know where I was from and where I was going. “How far do you have to walk”, they asked, “with your new shabbat plata? It is heavy”, they said. “Not far”, I said, “my new place is just down the block”. They tied it up with a rope and handle. They tested the rope and they tested the handle to make sure it would all hold. Then they made me test it too. “Are you sure you can walk with it?” they asked. “Yes”, I said, “It is not far”. o

24 |Pesach 2020

Blessings Abound By Melissa Dubinsky

It is an interesting observation that if one asks people if they are blessed to be living in Israel, almost everyone gives an enthusiastic “yes!” followed by an example of feeling blessed by Hashem in their own lives. Ask these same people to write about it, and almost everyone gives an emphatic “no! – I couldn’t – it’s much too personal.” Our theme was intended to have people think about the blessings in their own lives, in addition to the obvious ones in which Hashem is watching over Israel and our chayalim every day. Below are some “sanitized” examples people have shared with me of their own personal blessings. Perhaps reading them will allow each person to pause and reflect on his or her own experiences. During the Seder, between the many courses of a meal sure to be delicious, perhaps there will be an opportunity to introduce this theme and engage everyone around the table in a discussion of the many blessings that we all are blessed to receive. Completely anecdotal, with names and details changed to protect privacy, in no particular order, consider the following blessings received by our communal family and friends in Israel: • “ We found family and friends in

Israel.” Whether blood relations or not, whether hailing from the same street or not, it is nearly impossible to make Aliyah and not find kindred spirits with which to share our new lives. • “Our children are doing well.” Married children who make Aliyah have found fulfilling jobs quickly, putting to rest a common fear. • “Our child with Asperger’s Syndrome was accepted into the IDF, and his life was dramatically changed for the better.” The IDF’s program for accepting volunteers who are otherwise automatically exempt is a model for the world. • “My surgery was completely paid for.” We have a funny, somewhat difficult, medical system, not perfect, and not able to be successful for everyone, but many of us have received major treatments without additional cost. Medical costs can bankrupt people who live in other countries. • “I lost my wallet and someone found it and returned everything to me – even the cash.” Not a trivial blessing if you carry your entire life around with you. • “I was stranded late at night on a dark road and a stranger took me where I continued on the following page

‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬25

needed to go.” Tremping is definitely not a good idea, but it is definitely possible to be rescued when in need. • “I got to meet the Prime Minister/ President/Member of the Knesset/ Mayor.” Our little country gives us many opportunities for the politically interested to meet the folks responsible for governing our country. • “I live in the same country as our children.” An expectation of Grandparent Duty is written into the social (and economic) fabric of Israel; but the grandparents all seem to consider it a number one blessing to live so close and be able to participate in their lives.

• “I had a car accident and so many people stopped to help me.” Israelis may lean on their horns as they blast through traffic, but let there be a problem and people stop to help. Did you see the photo of the chatan who stopped on the way to his wedding to render assistance? • “The sea is outside our front door!” Need we say more? Al and I are happy every day that both of our children live less than an hour away. From the time our son went away to high school, one or the other was not living at home. We are blessed to have everyone together! Chag Pesach Sameach! o

Shiurim At this writing, guidelines and restrictions from the Ministry of Health are changing daily. The following diary is subject to change. Please check with the office to confirm.

Date

Time

Event

Speaker

Sun. March 29 20:00

Pre-Pesach Shiur

Rabbi Raphael Katz

Mon. April 20

evening

Holocaust Memorial Service

At Young Israel

Tues. April 21

09:45

Yom Hashoah Lecture

Susan Shalev

Tues. April 28

19:00

Remembrance & Independence Day

In our Beth Knesset

Wed. April 29

08:30

Annual Independence Day Breakfast for Members

Tues. May 19

20:00

Summer Lecture Series

Mon. May 11

evening

Lag B’Omer Annual Bonfire

Tues. June 30

20:00

Summer Lecture Series

To be announced

Tisha B’Av programme

To be announced

Thurs. July 30

Dr Rachel Levmore

Tues. Sept. 15

20:00

Yamim Noraim Lecture

To be announced

Tues. Sept. 22

20:00

Yamim Noraim Lecture

To be announced

26 |Pesach 2020

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Amazing Mamala By Linda Hirsch January 2020 The sky was grey, the clouds looked grey, almost black, I was cold and I was suddenly fed up with the traffic. I would take a short cut home (coming from the square). Instead of waiting for a long line of cars to go down David Hamelech, I turned right opposite the Park Hotel into Bialik opposite and then left into Harav Kook. Suddenly, I noticed as I turned, a police car at the curb and the policeman waving me to stop. I stopped and asked him very innocently if I had done something wrong and he replied you have committed three road offences. I looked at him absolutely amazed and he said, number one, you did not stop at the stop sign before you turned. Number two, you did not allow the woman waiting at the crossing there the right to cross and number three you are not wearing your seat belt. I was stunned and mumbled something like…so sorry, I don’t usually turn into this road, always wear my seat belt, I’m a very careful driver, 20 years here and no offences but I don’t feel well and need to go home to bed. He looked at me and said – driving licence, you have got one haven’t you and please wait at the curb. 28 |Pesach 2020

I waited for about 20 minutes, wondering what on earth he was doing so long in his car, maybe having a snack or something, but mostly worrying about the enormous fine and what I would use as an excuse to explain it to my husband, Ernie. He came back, knocked on the window, and first thing he said was could you just confirm your age. I thought oy vey this is it, they will take my licence away and what will I do! I said in a whisper, 84, but I never did this before. He looked at me and said – AMAZING MAMALA – I KNOW. I CHECKED AND THAT IS WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG AND THIS IS WHAT I WANT YOU TO DO – GO HOME, GO TO BED, TAKE A HOT DRINK AND SLEEP. TOMORROW, B’EZRAT HASHEM, YOU WILL FEEL BETTER. Of course, I have to give you a warning, and he handed me a paper all rolled up. So this warning will be on your record for some time – go, he said, and I went. WHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD COULD THAT HAPPEN TO ME? – NOWHERE! I THOUGHT, AS I DO EVERY DAY, HOW LUCKY I AM TO LIVE IN THIS WONDERFUL COUNTRY, ISRAEL, OUR HOMELAND. o

Birthright By Miriam Feigelman

I savor each sight of the sea, White crested waves rise, crash. Horizon endless, soothing, serene. I savor the sound of each street name, Sweet nougats of Jewish history. I savor the blooming prismatic cascades Along alleys, roads and byways And sultry jasmine-scented summer nights, Perfumed air shadowing my nocturnal flights. I savor each sun-drenched day with azure sky, And winds that roar to bring us rain. And the six million mothers who tell us why And how to run our lives on bus or train. I savor the sight of each soldier, Jaunty, determined, steely calm Primed to forfeit life for comrade, nation, land. I savor the serpentine ascent to Jerusalem, Hazy dusk, all undulating hills and twinkling lights. I savor crowded Old City cobblestoned alleys, Where endless eateries burst with laughter and food, (Here, seventy years ago, throngs trembled, starved, besieged). I savor the teeming, vibrant, noisy multitudes, Ready to die, more ready to live. I savor each tree, each flower, each hill, each grain of sand, And the countless hallowed sacred places, Ancestral spirits hovering above. I savor each tear-drenched stone of our Holy Wall, Worn smooth by millennia of supplications. I savor G-d’s bounteous blessing: A home in our birthright, Born of miracles and blood, I savor each step I can tread On this Holy, Holy, Holy Land. o ‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬29

We Love Israel By Tsipi Wexler

Several years ago while visiting relatives outside the country, someone asked me why I live in Israel. I blanked out. How do I explain Zionism and moledet, homeland, to someone who is not Jewish, has never been to Israel, lives near my parents, and possibly thinks Zionism is evil? How do I explain the concept of moledet? Israel is home to my forefathers and mothers. It is my homeland even though I grew up elsewhere; Israel is the home to Jews from across the globe.

I will leave the explaining to those more eloquent than myself. The Henry Koor Judaica Library has a number of books about people who explain why they love Israel and make Israel their home: o Belonging: Conversations with Men and Women Who Have Made Israel Their Home by James McNeish The title expresses the idea - this book collects stories from an assortment of people, places and

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backgrounds. o Courage and Hope: Inspirational Writings by Youth in Gush Etzion published by the Gush Etzion Foundation Israeli teenagers living in Gush Etzion write about the specialness of living in the Gush and in Israel. This booklet was written in 2003, in reaction to the intifada. Although life was dangerous and difficult, the youth show much optimism and inspiration. o To Dwell in the Palace: Perspectives on Eretz Yisroel edited by Tzvia Ehrlich-Klein This collection of essays and anecdotes is about making Aliyah and living in Israel, all from a religious perspective. Many essays underline the uniqueness and quirkiness of living here. o 101+ Reasons Why We Love Eretz Yisroel This booklet bases its reasons for loving Israel on our classic texts and encourages us to delve deeper into them. The library has many individuals' Aliyah stories. A couple of them are mentioned here:

o From Bogota to Madrid to Jerusalem: A Family's Fascinating Journey by Chaya Diane Hager The author and her family made Aliyah from Madrid to Bayit Ve'gan. Although their absorption was difficult, they knew that they reached the right place. o Coming Home by Rahel Yanait Ben-Zvi The author, a young high-school teacher, made Aliyah as part of the Poalei Zion movement. Her dream was to work as a pioneer to develop this desolate land, which she did in Nahalal. Later, she became the wife of Yitzhak Ben-Zvi. Our library has a growing number of books on Israel as a start-up nation. I won’t enumerate here. The last book on my list hasn’t yet been written (as far as I know). It would parallel Israel's amazing innovations and inventions in the physical realm. It would describe our awesome progress in the spiritual realm – learning Torah, doing good deeds, giving charity, and praising G-d and his land. Anyone have a pen in hand?! o

‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬31

What I Like About Israel By Joseph Berger

We have just celebrated the first year of our Aliyah. This gives us an opportunity to put the change in perspective. Because it has certainly been a change in many different ways. The most obvious perhaps, is the climate, moving from the very long, cold winter of Toronto to the mostly warm and sunny weather in Israel. This is more than just enjoying the warmth and sunshine. For many years I would say that older people should not be in cities like Toronto and Montreal in the winter. It was not just

has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of living in Israel. Accompanying that, the range of large, fully-kosher supermarkets, with such a wide variety of delicious food, is a great Israeli benefit. Celebrating Shabbat and Chagim and having Batei Knesset across the road or a ten minute walk away, makes living a Jewish life so much easier. We lived in Toronto for many years in very Jewish areas, but there were main roads that were unavoidable on our walk to shul, and on Shabbat and Chagim those, of course, were busy with buses and cars, detracting from the peaceful atmosphere My delight was that an apparently secular that we enjoy here. And that person was using a phrase straight out of positive “Jewish� mood is one the machzor. of the most inspiring things about this country. Even secular radio stations the cold. The frequent ice and snow are on Friday announce the times of actually quite dangerous for older Shabbat coming in and going out and people, who fall, break a large bone, what the weekly parsha is. This would which sadly, can often lead to very be unimaginable elsewhere. serious complications. So Israel is a We have been very warmly welcomed safer place to be, as well as enjoying by the communities here, with an walking along the beach for at least 8 attitude that we have found quite months of the year. different from the communities where For me, the profusion of kosher we lived before. restaurants, offering a variety of foods, During this first year, we, along with 32 |Pesach 2020

all other Israelis, have been quite troubled by the seriously dysfunctional political system. And yet, it is remarkable that for the most part, with the exception of certain border areas, people get on with their lives in an everyday normal manner, and the country keeps on running. People outside of Israel always express concerns and fears about the violence from our Arab neighbours. Yet, that is mostly kept under very good control, in spite of our government being unable to fully function for some time. Torah learning exists chutz la’aretz, but it has quite a different flavour here. There is depth in Jewish learning elsewhere, but it is very limited outside a few major urban areas. In Israel there is a huge amount of in-depth Torah learning everywhere. It still pleasantly surprises me to hear people that outwardly do not appear to be observant frum Jews, almost casually saying “Baruch Hashem” or “Toda La’El ”, wishing each other “Shabbat Shalom,” “Shavua Tov” or “Chag Sameach”. I heard today on the radio while I was

driving, somebody responding to an interviewer’s question with the words:

‫אני לא בוחן כליות ולב‬

Literally translated that means ‘I am not an examiner of people’s hearts and kidneys’, meaning I don’t know what is really in people’s minds. But the beauty is that this is a phrase from the Yamim Noraim Machzor and refers to Hashem being able to see “inside” a person and see what are a person’s true inner thoughts and feelings. My delight was that an apparently secular person was using a phrase straight out of the machzor. This is something that outside a frum community is nonexistent in chutz la’aretz, and is one of the most pleasurable things about being here. There are various material comforts and benefits that we gave up to come and live in Israel, but I have tried to outline some of the many great positives that we have experienced in our first year—the combination of physical and spiritual delight. o

‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬33

Roma non si è fatto in un giorno di Devid Moscati English follows. Translation by Federica Reiss

Mi chiamo Devid Moscati e sono stato insieme ad altre persone, uno dei fondatori della costruzione di un nuovo tempio italiano all’interno del Tempio McDonald. Come prima cosa, prima di raccontare come è nata l’idea, permettetemi di ringraziare, anche a nome di tutto il Va’ad del nostro “piccolo minyan”, Rav Katz, una persona veramente fantastica, umile, sempre disponibile per ogni cosa, e lui sicuramente ci ha dato una bella carica per questo progetto. Così come anche Jeremy, il quale fin dal primo giorno ci ha sostenuto dandoci tutto il sopporto di cui necessitavamo, e anche (non ultime per importanza) tutte le persone della comunità i quali ci sono sempre stati vicini e i quali ci hanno sempre fatto sentire come parte di una grande famiglia. L’idea del progetto nasce dal fatto che qui a Netanya vi sono alcuni Ebrei Italiani (sopratutto Romani) i quali andavano a pregare nei vari tempi della città. Avendo noi un nostro rito (Benè Romi), per molte persone frequentare altri tempi con riti diversi non era affatto semplice, molti non riuscivano a seguire la tefillà. Da qui nasce l’idea di chiedere al Rav, a Jeremy, ecc....se vi era la possibilità di poterci dare una 34 |Pesach 2020

piccola sala per iniziare un nostro minyan. Come detto, ci è stata data subito la massima disponibilità, dandoci una stanza usata di tanto in tanto come Bet Midrash, la quale però necessitava (dovendoci pregare dentro) una ristrutturazione totale. Essendo questo un minyan composto non da tante persone, non posso non negare che l’inizio è stato molto difficile. Trovare una ditta che ci potesse fare questi lavori, trovare dei fondi per farli, insomma le domande erano tante. Come d’altronde si dice qui in Israele, tutti gli inizi sono difficili. E come diciamo sempre con Jeremy, c’è un detto che dice ROMA NON SI È FATTA IN UN GIORNO. Una volta passate queste paure, abbiamo iniziato, con l’aiuto di Hashem Yitbarach, siamo riusciti a mettere in piedi questo nuovo piccolo tempio Benè Romi. Tempio che deve essere la casa di tutti, E NON SOLAMENTE DI NOI ITALIANI. Pertanto ci fa un enorme piacere se di volta in volta le persone ci vengano a trovare per passare uno Shabat insieme. Questo piccolo tempio è bene ricordarlo rimane di proprietà della struttura di McDonald e non è diventato una proprietà degli Italiani. Ne approfitto e concludo, porgendo

le nostre scuse se nella costruzione di questo progetto abbiamo involontariamente creato dei problemi. Il nostro scopo è che B”H possiamo esser un unica famiglia e crescere sempre di più tutti insieme. Amen kenYei Ratzon. Grazie di nuovo a nome tutto il Va’ad.

Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day By Devid Moscati Translation by Federica Reiss My name is Devid Moscati, one of the founders together with others, of the construction of a new Italian synagogue on the premises of the McDonald Synagogue. Before I start telling you how this project came about, allow me to thank, also in the name of the Va’ad of our

small minyan, Rav Katz, a very special man, so modest and always ready to help. His positive outlook helped us immensely in the development of our project. The same can be said for Jeremy, who has been there for us from day one and helped us, giving us all the support we needed, as well as to all the members of the community that made us feel welcome and part of a larger family. The idea came about when we realized that some Italian Jews, mostly from Rome, living here in Netanya, were attending services in different places of worship with different Nusachim. Many of them found it extremely difficult to follow the tefillot. This is how the idea to ask the Rav, Jeremy and others if there was a small space available within McDonald where the Italians could have their own minyan. As I mentioned, our request fell on

continued on the following page

‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬35

36 |Pesach 2020

open ears and a room that had been used as a Bet Midrash from time to time, which was in disarray and needed a total make over (as we wanted to use it as a prayer hall), was made available to us. Since the minyan was small, not too many people were part of the group. The start, I must admit, was quite difficult. Finding the right builder to complete the needed work, organizing the funds to pay for them...in a word, a lot to think about. As they say here in Israel, all beginnings are difficult, and as we always remind ourselves and Jeremy, Rome wasn’t built in a day, either! Once our hesitations and fears subsided, with the help of Hashem Yitbarach, we were successful in

getting our small Benè Romi Praying Hall going. This place of worship is a home for all congregants, not only for us, the Italians. We would be very happy to welcome visitors to our minyan, and to spend Shabbat together. Our small Shul remains the property of the McDonald Synagogue complex and has not changed hands. At this time, I would like to take the opportunity to ask to be forgiven for all the unintentional hardships we might have caused during construction. Our aim is B”H to grow together and go from strength to strength all together. Amen ken Yehi Ratzon. Again, thank you, in the name of the Va’ad. o

‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬37

Henry Koor Judaica Library – Lecture Series By Tsipi Wexler

The Henry Koor Library, in addition to being a lending library for Jewish and secular books, has a Wednesday evening winter lecture series, a Holocaust Memorial Day morning lecture and an activity in June to coincide with Hebrew book week/ month. Most of our lecturers are from Netanya to showcase the talented people in our community. Until recently, Clive Leigh z”l coordinated our lectures. We miss him. This year, we began our winter lecture series in mid-November. Neil Landsman, a professor of Russian and Soviet studies, was active in campaigning to free Soviet Jewry. Although he has lectured extensively, this lecture was his first one on “Personal Reminiscences of Soviet Jewry”. Our December speaker was Tova Mordechai who spoke of her personal journey from being an evangelical minister to becoming an observant Jew. Her powerful talk was titled “The Power of the Jewish Soul”. In January, Dr. Don Silverberg spoke about Jewish and Israeli contributions to modern medicine. He also included welcome advice on how to take care of ourselves.

38 |Pesach 2020

Dr. Joseph Berger, psychiatrist and recent immigrant, spoke on “Why do so many Jews become psychiatrists?”. His answers with a wide review of psychiatry were fascinating. As of this writing, Arnold Kaplan’s lecture, “The Jewish Involvement in the Persian Carpet Industry”, on his professional experience in the textile industry and his extensive trips to Iran, has unfortunately been postponed. Our next scheduled lecture is at 9:45 am on Yom Hashoah, Tuesday April 21, 27 Nissan. Speaker Susan Shalev will talk about the book she authored “Of Bitter Herbs and Sweet Confections”, an inspiring story based on true events of survival, resilience and optimism in the face of adversity. (Yes, her book is in the library.) Would you like to help volunteer for the lecture series or in the library? Please drop by the library or contact us. 09-8840458 koorlib@gmail.com Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:30 am – noon Wednesday evening 5:30-8:00 pm Wishing everyone a happy and kosher Passover o

Israel Is My Home By Andee Goldman

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I am the daughter of Abraham Moses I lived most of my life in the Diaspora Yet, I gave up my life in America To make Israel my home I am a person with values I care about life My family, friends and neighbors Israel is my home To those who came before me You had the fortitude and courage To build cities, towns and farms Israel is your home To those who are trying to find the way home The first step is the hardest Take control of your destiny Israel welcomes you home. To those who come after me, Appreciate your legacy, Continue to grow and build Israel is YOUR home! o

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‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬39

Reflections for Yom HaShoah EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article was originally published on January 29, 2020 in ZWISCHENZEILEN MAGAZIN – LEBEN IN ISRAEL (Israel Between the Lines Magazine – Life in Israel). This year Yom HaShoah will be commemorated on the 21st of April. While there are many personal and important stories shared in conjunction with the commemoration of the Shoah, we hope you will agree that the article featured here brings a different and meaningful perspective to this difficult subject. We would like to thank Jacques Korolnyk for his recommendation. It is reprinted here with the author’s permission. About the author: Katharina Höftmann is a German-Israeli journalist and author of several books.

Comment on Holocaust Memorial Day: We Need Sirens By Katharina Höftmann

I lived for almost 22 years without ever commemorating a Holocaust memorial. It is not that there is no Holocaust Remembrance Day in Germany. It actually takes place today, like every year on January 27, the day Auschwitz was liberated 75 years ago. But the German Holocaust Remembrance Day has no connection to normal life, or to the citizens. Ceremonies are attended exclusively by

40 |Pesach 2020

high-ranking politicians and dignitaries. At most, it flutters briefly into the German living room as a news report, and with the word “Holocaust”, you can be sure that the average German sticks his nose into his beer glass while on his sofa and thinks “not again”. There is usually very little in my country of birth between “never again” and “not again”. So for almost 22 years I was not

really aware that there is such a thing as a Holocaust Memorial Day in Germany. Shortly before my 22nd birthday, on April 25, 2006, I saw Yom HaShoah in Israel for the first time. Yom HaShoah cannot be ignored in Israel. A siren howls across the country for two minutes and everything comes to a standstill. Even on the highway, the cars stop and people stand next to them and commemorate the six million victims of the genocide. Two minutes can be very long if you stand on the side of the road and a siren screeches over your head. Two long minutes in which you actually have no choice but to think of the Shoah. In the ten years that preceded my first Yom HaShoah in Israel, I occasionally thought about the Holocaust and its victims (at around the age of 12 I had a phase in which I literally devoured books on the subject, especially biographies). I also saw “Schindler's List” and “Life is Beautiful” and cried my eyes out for hours. But never before had I been forced to stop and think. I had never stood in the midst of a lot of people who also just stood still to remember. I do not know whether it is this completely inactive two minutes or the collective experience that makes Yom HaShoah so haunting, but I know that from the first time I experienced it, I thought: Why is there nothing like this in Germany? Especially in Germany! This thought was followed by the question of whether all people would stop in Germany? Would all the cars

stop on the Autobahn and would people get out? For two minutes, being silent for the victims of the Shoah also means being aware of the guilt for two minutes – at least that’s how I feel. For two minutes my brain darts between “Oh G-d, all the poor people” and “Oh G-d, how could we?” It is two exhausting minutes, and I never want to do without it again. It is an irony of fate that as a German I only really began to understand the full extent of the Holocaust in Israel. It is something that I criticize in the way Germany handles the memorials of the Holocaust. Yes, we do have memorials, but no Holocaust memorial in the world can do what Yom HaShoah does in Israel: two minutes of silence in which you only hear yourself and the siren. In which the horror is raised every year anew. In which you are confronted by it, and can not just wipe it out with excuses like “What do I have to do with it?” In these two minutes, the Holocaust becomes a personal matter. It is not the “never again” speech of a politician, or a commemoration of the six million victims, but the question: “What do I have to do with it?”. It is a siren that we need urgently in Germany to wake us up. Soon there will be no direct survivors. Most of them are already too old to tell. If we don’t have a functioning culture of remembrance in Germany, one with which German citizens identify, “never again” may become “never say never”. o ‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬41

Personal Reflections on By Dr. Michael Bliss

72

War of Independence How Israel survived the attack by 5 Arab armies in 1948, determined to wipe the fledging state off the face of the earth, was miraculous. The government sent representatives around the world desperately seeking arms. Holocaust survivors detained by the British in Cyprus came to Israel after the British left and immediately went to the front line. Israel survived by the skin of its teeth, but lost 6,000 soldiers in the process. This was equivalent to America losing 2,500,000, or Britain 500,000. An enormous loss! Israel was to be involved in 5 more wars during its short existence, plus intifadas involving bus and restaurant bombings, suicide bombing, rockets, attack tunnels, amphibious attacks etc. The resilience of its people has been amazing. But over the 72 years of its existence, Israel has transformed itself into the start-up nation, with its innovative products and services demanded all over the world. Its military has become the strongest in the Middle East, its intelligence and security services the envy of the world. It has made peace with Jordan and Egypt (albeit a cold one) and agreed diplomatic relations with major countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. What has been even more remarkable 42 |Pesach 2020

Years of Medinat Israel

is that at no time has democracy been under threat, despite the fact that most immigrants came from non-democratic countries! There is no doubt that if Israel had existed in the 1930s millions would have been saved from the Holocaust. International Pressure on Israel The EU has been particularly supportive of the Palestinian claims to its own state on the 1967 borders ('The Auschwitz borders’ as Abba Eban put it) in Judea/Samaria and East Jerusalem and Gaza. The logic of this demand was dealt a strong blow when Israel uprooted all the settlements in Gaza and left in 2005, only to see a terrorist organization (Hamas) take over Gaza and subject the South of Israel to numerous rocket attacks. Similarly, in Lebanon, Hezbollah (supported by Iran) continued to attack Israel after it had pulled out entirely from the country. Pressure was always on Israel by the international community to give ‘land for peace’, culminating in the ‘Oslo Accords’ in 1993 set up by Foreign Minister Peres and Prime minister Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995. Under the 1993 Accords Israel had been divided into 3 areas, A, B and C. The Palestinians were in full control of Area A, Israel of Area C, with Area B under the Palestinian Authority, with Israel having security responsibility. Terrorist

attacks were constantly mounted from areas A and B. The International community continued to pressure Israel to accede to Palestinian demands (1967 borders, return of 5 million refugees and a Palestinian State in East Jerusalem and the ‘West Bank’). Generous offers were made to the Palestinian Authority led by PA Chairman Arafat by Prime Minister Barak in 2000 (95 per cent of Judea/ Samaria) and an even more generous offer to PA Chairman Abbas by Prime Minister Olmert in 2008. Both were rejected and followed by Intifadas. Trump Peace Proposal When President Trump came into office he sympathized with Israel's position, recognized its control of the Golan Heights, and Jerusalem (and moved his embassy there). His new Peace Proposal confirmed Israel's control of an undivided Jerusalem, 30 per cent of Area C (where all the settlements are located) control of the Jordan Valley and no return of Palestinian refugees. The remainder of Area C, plus Areas A and B is to be kept for a future Palestinian State Minus i.e. it is to be demilitarized, including Gaza, with Israel responsible for controlling the borders. The Palestinians would have $50 billion invested in the new state, which would have to recognize Israel, end all hostile propaganda against Israel and the Jews, stop ‘pay for slay’ (rewarding terrorists and their families) and end all hostilities with the Jewish state. If Israel accepts this peace proposal when a new government is

formed (hopefully!), it would be able to create sovereignty over all settlements and the Jordan Valley, giving the Palestinians four years to agree to the terms required for their own state. It is most unlikely that a Palestinian State would emerge during this time frame, which would require a complete change of leadership dedicated to improving the economic fortunes of its population in Gaza and the West Bank. But Israel has to agree to the broad terms of the proposal before being allowed sovereignty over 30 per cent of Area C and the Jordan valley. It can't have its cake and eat it. It looks to be too good an offer to turn down. The Future Israel has never enjoyed settled borders and since 1946 there have been 100 UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) Resolutions and a 100 UN continued on the following page

‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬43

Security Council Resolutions on Israel without bringing peace any closer. The Trump Peace Proposal changes the tired old way the international community looks at the Israel/ Palestinian dispute. Israel deserves a genuine peace after 72 years of wars and terrorist activities. Iran is still its implacable enemy and Israel is

determined to prevent it setting up bases in countries around it and acquiring nuclear weapons. Whatever happens with the Palestinians, Israel will have to maintain its military ascendency in the Middle East and depend on itself when the chips are down. o

continued from page 17

Seudah Shlishit We are grateful to our sponsors, some of whom have given more than once: Elsa Adler Judith Fineberg Rita Levy (2) Elsa & Tommy Adler Yitzchak Fineberg Marcos Mashiah (3) Tommy Adler (2) Gemara Express Miryam Mashiah (3) Iris Bar Tov Participants Ellen Minaker Yaacov Bar Tov Rivka Leah & Avraham Arthur Opolion Alexey Bogoslavsky Goldstein Leslie Portnoy Michal Burganski David Isaacs Stephanie Portnoy (3) Tali Burganski Ayalah Kaplan (2) Judy Shafarman Sellem Mitch Caller Ephraim Katzman Akiva Warach (4) Menashe Cibulka Shana Katzman Betty Warach (2) Mervyn Cohen Jorgen Konigshofer Bernard Wolff (2) Sandra Cohen Anita Leigh Susan & Bernard Wolff Benjamin Dayan Carol Lev Paulette Woolf Miriam Feigelman Gerald Levy (2) Sincerest Condolences to: Cora Bieler on the death of her husband Ron, ‫ז"ל‬ Family of Helen Brooks, ‫ז"ל‬ Henry Cardash on the death of his brother, ‫ז"ל‬ Moshe Chakimi on the death of his brother, ‫ז"ל‬ Eliezer Greener on the death of his wife, ‫ז"ל‬ Adele Itzkowitz on the death of her husband, our member Gerald, ‫ז"ל‬ Jeannette Jacobson on the death of her husband, our member Gerard, ‫ז"ל‬ Monique Korolnyk on the death of her mother Dora Bloch, ‫ ז"ל‬ Anita Leigh on the death of her husband, our member Clive, ‫ז"ל‬ Jeremy, Paul & Lawrence Rosenstein on the death of their father, our member Harold, ‫ז"ל‬ Anna Rosenfelder on the death of her granddaughter, Nehora ‫ז"ל‬ 44 |Pesach 2020

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Nos ennemis n’ont pas réussi à nous détruire par Gérard Fulop* English follows. Translation by Monique Korolnyk

Mes parents Germaine et Zoltan de mémoire bénie se sont mariés le 2 novembre 1941. Le 19 décembre à l'aube, des coups retentissent à la porte de leur logement. Ce sont les Allemands qui viennent arrêter mon père. Les autorités allemandes ont pris prétexte, soit de l'assassinat d'un officier soit de la déclaration de guerre des Etats-Unis à l'Allemagne pour arrêter 1000 Juifs Français. Il était prévu d'arrêter des notabilités, mais il y a eu "des fuites" et ils se sont contentés des artisans. Mon père, après avoir reçu un coup de crosse, est monté dans un autobus, en direction du camp de Royal-Lieu, dans les faubourgs de Compiègne, laissant ma mère sans nouvelles. Beaucoup de semaines plus tard, mon père a réussi à faire passer un message: il fallait aller au consulat de Hongrie pour rapporter des documents prouvant sa nationalité hongroise. Or, il avait fait l'armée en France et était naturalisé Français. A l'époque, il n'existait pas de double nationalité. Ma mère, accompagnée de mon oncle qui parlait hongrois, se sont présentés au consulat de Hongrie. Après de longues minutes de palabres, ma mère a obtenu le précieux "sésame", le certificat de nationalité hongroise. A peine sortie du Consulat, elle s'est

précipitée à la gare du nord, en direction de Compiègne. A Compiègne, ma mère a rencontré une dame dans la même situation qu'elle. Elles ont pris un fiacre, faute de taxi, en direction du camp de RoyalLieu (que les père et fils Drucker ont bien connu). Arrivées à l'entrée du camp, l'officier de garde les informe qu'elles doivent s'adresser à la Kommandantur, au centre ville. Aussitôt, elles se précipitent dans le fiacre en direction de la Kommandantur. Un officier supérieur de la Wehrmacht les reçoit, les écoute attentivement, en examinant les documents. Puis, il attrape le téléphone et discute en allemand avec un interlocuteur, d'abord doucement, ensuite beaucoup plus autoritairement. Quelques longues minutes plus tard, un véhicule arrive et décharge deux hommes amaigris. Les deux couples reprennent le train vers Paris. C'était le 19 mars 1942, quelques jours plus tard, les autres internés sont partis vers une destination inconnue … Ma mère a redonné un peu de santé à mon père qui ne pesait plus que 35 kg, avant de partir en fraude en zone libre. A Marseille, ils ont obtenu, grâce à des faux papiers, un statut de réfugiés pour partir en Auvergne. Avec l'aide de ‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬47

D. et à la ténacité de ma mère, un miracle a eu lieu. Mes parents ont eu deux garçons. Actuellement la tribu Fulop Zoltan compte 30 personnes dont 19 en Israël, B”H. Nos ennemis n'ont pas réussi à nous détruire. Quelle victoire contre les vantardises du "Reich de 1000 ans". *Gérard et Mireille Fulop sont membres de notre choule. Ils ont fait leur alya il y a 10 ans pour rejoindre leurs enfants qui les ont précédés dès le bac en poche. Les Fulop ne purent les suivre immédiatement car il fallait que

Our Enemies Have Failed To Destroy Us By Gérard Fulop* Translation by Monique Korolnyk My parents, Germaine and Zoltan of blessed memory, were married on November 2, 1941. At dawn on December 19, knocks rang at the door of their home. It was the Germans who came to arrest my father. The German authorities used the pretext of either the assassination of an officer or the declaration of war by the United States against Germany to arrest 1000 French Jews. It was planned to arrest nobility, but there were “leaks”, so they made do with craftsmen. 48 |Pesach 2020

Gérard repasse l'examen de chirurgiendentiste très difficile et assure la pension et les études des enfants. Ils sont restés seuls une vingtaine d'années en France et les enfants seuls en Israël. Ils ont attendus la retraite pour l'alya et ont pu rejoindre leurs enfants malgré la difficulté de l'apprentissage de l'hébreu dans leur tranche d'âge. Mais l'expérience est magnifique car ils se sont rapprochés de leurs enfants et de leurs petits-enfants. Ces derniers sont tous nés en Israël. Combien leurs parents auraient été heureux et admiratifs de les voir tous installés en Erets Israël! o

My father, after being hit with a rifle butt, got on a bus, headed for the Royal-Lieu camp in the suburbs of Compiègne, leaving my mother without news. Many weeks later, my father managed to get a message across: one had to go to the Hungarian consulate to get documents proving his Hungarian nationality. However, he had served in the army in France and was a naturalized French citizen. At the time, there was no dual nationality. My mother, accompanied by my uncle who spoke Hungarian, went to the Hungarian consulate. After long minutes of talking, my mother obtained the precious “sesame”, the certificate of Hungarian nationality. As soon as she left the Consulate, she

rushed to the North Station, in the direction of Compiègne. In Compiègne, my mother met a lady in the same situation. They took a horse-drawn carriage, for lack of a taxi, in the direction of the Royal-Lieu camp (which father and son Drucker knew well). When they arrived at the entrance to the camp, the officer on duty informed them that they had to go to the Kommandantur in the town centre. Immediately, they rushed into the carriage in the direction of the Kommandantur. A senior officer of the Wehrmacht received them, listened to them attentively and examined the documents. Then he grabbed the telephone and spoke in German with someone, first quietly, then much more authoritatively. A few long minutes later, a vehicle arrived and unloaded two skinny men. The two couples took the train back to Paris. It was March 19, 1942. A few days later, the other internees left for an unknown destination... My mother gave my father, who weighed only 35 kg, a little bit of health back before smuggling him into the free zone. In Marseilles, thanks to false papers, they obtained refugee status to go to Auvergne. With G-d’s help and my mother's tenacity, a miracle happened. Our enemies failed to destroy us. What a victory against the boasts of the "1000 Year Reich”! My parents had two boys. Currently the Fulop Zoltan tribe numbers 30 people, 19 of them in Israel, B”H.

Editor’s note: *The Fulops are members of our shul. Gérard and his wife, Mireille, made aliyah 10 years ago joining their children, who made aliyah when they completed high school. Gérard and Mireille were unable to follow immediately because he would have had to take the very difficult dental surgeon exam again. Therefore they remained in France for nearly twenty years, ensuring their children's boarding and studies. Gérard and Mireille waited until their retirement to make aliyah and join their children. Despite the difficulty of learning Hebrew as older adults, the experience has been wonderful as they have grown closer to their children and grandchildren, all of them born in Israel. How happy and impressed Gérard’s and Mireille’s parents would have been to see them all settled in Eretz Yisrael!o

‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬49

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Laughter and groans filled the room as puns and clever repartees were used to tell the story of The Shlumpers of Netanya Winter Pond. The Shlumpers tried to be fierce in protection of the poor, but their archery was quite poor as their arrows were all aquiver! O Mar Sherif of Netanya hatched a plot to capture Rubin Hoodie by first capturing Maid Miriam. One idea was to use a helicopter to winch the wench. Ultimately, all came out right; Rubin Hoodie got his Maid Miriam, Sherif fell out the window, and the Shlumpers emerged from the forest and entertained with a final song. Betty Olswang’s clever and creative Purim shpiel is widely anticipated each year. This year’s cast, Jane and Irvine Polakow, Sharon Wilensky, Suzie Schwartz, Laurette and Ed Pearlman, Gene Portnoi, Liz Morley and Betty and Peter Olswang, all contributed to a very enjoyable evening. In appreciation to Betty, the cast made a donation to the Emunah Gan Amalia Playground Refurbishment Project. The evening would not be complete without enjoying the light supper catered by the Irgun Nashim. With a variety of salads, bread, crackers, crisps, vegetables of many kinds and the highlight of the meal, delicious soup-fromscratch, everyone broke their fast on healthy food before moving onto a variety of desserts including sweet clementines and hamantaschen in addition to cakes and cookies and wine. o

RUBIN HOODIE & THE SHLUMPERS

‫ | פסח תש׳׳פ‬51