Aleph (Winter 2023)

Louis Danker on community away from home - Talya Masters on religion in a small JSoc Olly De Herrera on Jewish identity in Jewellery - Jacob Rozenberg on punk rock

Magazine of the Union of Jewish Students | Winter 2023

‫חזק חזק ונתחזק‬

Image credit to Gil Blackman (via www.design-duty.com)

The Op-Ed(ward): A Term Like No Other Edward Isaacs

As I sit on the floor of my second train of the day navigating numerous cancellations and ‘signal failures’ back from an inspirational shabbat with Edinburgh JSoc, I have been reflecting upon the first term of my time as President of UJS. It truly was a term like no other.

Come the beginning of the term, both the UJS team and Jewish students were insatiate for campus life like never before. JSocs were breaking records for attendance at Friday night dinners, and the UJS sabbatical team attended more freshers’ fairs than ever before. JSoc socials were a hive of activity and excitement, with Jewish student appetite for JSoc sport and Jewniversity challenge more than ever seen before. At UJS, we visited our last freshers’ fair at the University of Essex on October 6th, with our sabs recharging for the term ahead that weekend.

Yet less than a month into the new term, we were hit by the shockwave that was the October 7th massacre. Events perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th along with the ensuing unprecedented rise in antisemitism have profoundly impacted Jewish people around the world. It

2

ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

would be a mistake to think that both Israel and the Jewish people more widely will return to a state we recognised pre-October 7th, 2023. For the first time since the 1948 War of Independence, we saw Israel’s enemies make an incursion into the land of Israel with the largest number of Jewish people murdered in a single day since the Holocaust. To think that Israel can continue to ‘tolerate’ Hamas is unthinkable.

We are at a turning point, where we will witness wholesale regional change in the Middle East both geographically in terms of questions regarding Gaza’s future status, and regarding power structures including the influence of nefarious states such as Iran and others.

Closer to home, to guarantee our ability as British diaspora Jewry, and particularly as Jewish students, to live outwardly meaningful Jewish lives, we need to recognise what it will take to ensure effective allyship, representation, and Jewish pride.

First, let’s address effective allyship. While numerous terrorist attacks such as those perpetrated against Charlie Hebdo in Paris as well as Russia’s illegal

It is at times like these that we understand who our true friends are. invasion of Ukraine have prompted global solidarity movements which have been reflected on campus, the silence of students’ unions and campus groups to publicly state their zero tolerance of those who celebrate and glorify the actions of Hamas is deafening.

From the outset of this situation, we wrote to every students’ union leadership across the country, giving them an opportunity to sign an open letter addressed to Jewish students committing to zero tolerance of those who glorify and celebrate actions of Hamas. At time of writing, only 5 students’ union leaders have signed the letter.

This lack of support is a moral failure. To echo Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, ‘We must redraw the lines of moral clarity without delay’.

Nonetheless, it is meaningful and effective allyship which will demonstrate to wider society that antisemitism is unacceptable in any of its manifestations, and as Jewish students, we have a key role to play.

While I have heard from several JSocs who have had phenomenal interfaith relations which have stood the test of October 7th, I have also heard reports from JSocs whose interfaith relationships have sadly deteriorated. However, it is these same JSocs who have taken it upon themselves to go for coffee with those who have offended them and explain the offence, and to begin to rebuild the relationship. While it may seem trivial to many, this is how long-term allies are built, and as Jewish students, I have hope in our capacity to sustain and grow our ally base.

I have also seen immense allyship off campus too. I wanted to share with you an email from a non-student in Germany that particularly touched me: ‘Dear Edward, [I] would like to reach out to give you, and the whole Jewish community in universities in the UK, my entire support. ... I am German. I am not Jewish, but grew up with an enormous sense of shame about what happened in the 1930’s and 40’s ... Please know I am thinking of you all and that the vast majority of the German population would say exactly the same thing’.

While at times you may feel alone, you must know that we do have allies and it is these allies whose voices we must amplify to demonstrate to those who consider aligning with our detractors that antisemitism has no place within our society, especially on campus.

Second, let’s address representation. Peer-leadership is core to UJS’ values.

Some may question why. ‘Shouldn’t we just leave it to the grown-ups?’ they may ask. In short, no. It is our focus on peer-leadership that enables the future Jewish leaders of tomorrow to develop on campus, representing their peers. Now more than ever before, effective representation has been key to the success of sustaining meaningful Jewish life on campus. Since October 7th, I have participated in countless meetings with Jewish student leaders. Whether it be JSoc Presidents conveying the Jewish student experience to their Vice-Chancellors, or welfare officers taking the time to meet with students to see how they are feeling, Jewish student leaders have never been more important. Seeing the effectiveness of our student community’s peer-led representation on campus, the rest of our Jewish community should have immense hope for the future.

Finally, I’d like to address Jewish pride. Because it is at times like these that we understand who our true friends are, and it is at times like these that we understand what matters most to us. Having travelled to several campuses since October 7th, I’ve met with Jewish students who are on their JSoc committees, I’ve met with Jewish students who attend the odd Friday night dinner throughout the year. I’ve met with Orthodox students, reform students, Masorti students. I’ve met with deeply Zionist students, as well as those who have no personal connection to contemporary Israel. And despite the ideological differences between these varying students, they all are nonetheless impacted by the unprecedent-

NEWS

COLUMNS

4 Freshers’ Week Recap 5 Student Minyanim 5 A Note On Our Front Cover 6 Thriving Jewish Life On Campus 8 Israel Vigils

9 Olly De Herrera | Bringing Light To The Soul 12 Talya Masters | The Rise Of Sheffield 24 Macy Hall | A Home Away From Home 25 Dylan Stein | Will I Fit In?

It is through our collective efforts that we will continue to thrive. ed wave of antisemitic hatred on campus.

It is this commonality of feeling amongst Jewish students that has arisen since October 7th, that has brought them together like never before. Because despite the ideological differences between the varying sects of Judaism, there is nonetheless a core ideology which has throughout time led key commentators to describe the Jewish people as ‘one person with one heart’, to quote Rashi. But unity does not mean conformity, and I have been heartened to see UJS’ focus on peer-leadership lead to some phenomenally nuanced debates and discussions within JSocs regarding their thoughts and feelings on the current crisis.

For Jewish students to retain a capacity to live meaningful Jewish lives on campus, we must be an example to our peers in moral clarity, in allyship, and in love and respect. Be the beacon of moral clarity required when those around equivocate, be those who stand in allyship with those who are discriminated against - regardless of their background. Show the same love and respect that I have seen Jewish students show to one and other in recent weeks to those across campus. Because it is through our collective efforts that we will continue to thrive.

#BringThemHomeNow

13 Pull Out ‘This Seat Is Reserved’ Poster

FEATURES

THE LOSH

The Aleph Team

10 Agne Kniuraite | Vilnius, Who Am I To Love You? 17 Louis Danker | Nice Jewish Boys Vote Yes 20 Jacob Rozenberg | Punk Jews 22 Ainsley-Kay Rucker | FInding Faith

26 Q&A With The Editors 27 Meet the JSoc Presidents 28 Crossword

Sarah Wilks, Editor-in-Chief Guy Dabby-Joory, Editor-in-Chief Dora Hirsh, News Editor Edward Daniel, Design Editor

AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 3

Freshers’ Week 2023 In the bustling weeks leading up to the start of the academic year, UJS embarked on a nationwide journey across the UK and Ireland, bringing a wave of enthusiasm and support to Jewish students. Our team of Sabbatical Officers visited freshers’ fairs, spanning from Glasgow to Exeter, with a singular goal in mind: to bolster Jewish societies (JSocs) and support vibrant, inclusive spaces for Jewish life on campus.

Over the course of three weeks, UJS Sabbatical Officers engaged with more than 65 JSocs and distributed over 2000 freshers’ packs to Jewish students.

Inside the packs were goodies from a range of Jewish communal organisations, as well as the latest edition of Aleph and leaflets full of information and special deals for Jewish students, all wrapped up in a beautiful, limited edition tote bag. These packs served as not just welcome tokens, but symbols of the unity and strength within the Jewish student community. From small societies with a humble membership of 10 to larger ones boasting over 1000 members, JSoc stalls were met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Freshers’ events, including BBQs and welcome drinks, witnessed a remarkable turnout, with more than 1000

students participating in these gatherings.

One standout success story emerged from the University of the Arts London (UAL), where a record-breaking 20 students attended their first event.

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, highlighting the potential for growth even in smaller JSocs. Additionally, York JSoc’s Friday Night Dinner saw a packed venue, demonstrating the deep-rooted sense of community and warmth that these events can cultivate.

However, amidst the celebration of these achievements, it’s essential to recognise that the true heroes of this narrative are the Jewish Societies, committees, and Jewish students themselves. The enthusiasm, passion, and determination exhibited by these student-led groups are the driving force behind the flourishing Jewish student community on campuses nationwide. Their creativity, inclusivity, and unwavering commitment to fostering meaningful Jewish life among their peers are the cornerstones upon which the success of these events was built. By shining a spotlight on the achievements of JSocs and individual students, we celebrate their resilience, creativity, and ability to create spaces where every member feels valued and supported.

Freshers’ Fairs at: Sheffield, Salford, and Leeds JSocs 4

ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

As the dust settles after the whirlwind of freshers’ fairs and events, the message echoes loud and clear: it’s not too late to get involved. For those who may have missed the initial festivities, the opportunity to join JSocs and participate in the diverse range of activities they offer is still very much open. Whether you are a firstyear student looking to connect with fellow Jewish peers or an returning student seeking new experiences, there is a place for you within the thriving Jewish student community.

In conclusion, the success of the JSoc freshers’ stalls stand as a testament to the resilience and unity of Jewish students across the UK and Ireland. While UJS played a supporting role, the true champions of this story are the passionate and dedicated students who breathe life into these communities. As the academic year unfolds, let us embrace the spirit of togetherness, inclusivity, and shared heritage that defines the Jewish student experience. Join us in shaping a future where every Jewish student feels empowered, supported, and inspired within their campus community.

Student Minyanim Across campuses in the UK, Jewish student communities have a rich tradition of establishing peer-led prayer spaces - both Orthodox and egalitarian.

Remarkable minyanim have thrived on campuses like Leeds, Birmingham, Oxford, and Cambridge, showcasing the dedication of students to engaging in their religious traditions while at university. Recognising the significance of these prayer spaces, both socially and religiously, UJS is committed to enhancing our support for existing minyans and supporting students in establishing new ones.

A shining example of Jewish students taking the lead in prayer spaces can be witnessed annually at UJS Convention, where an array of meaningful student-led Shabbat evening and Shabbat morning services are led beautifully by students. UJS aspires

to extend this sense of community and spirituality to every corner of campus life, and amplify the availability of prayer spaces, making them accessible and supportive for every student who seeks solace and connection through prayer.

Getting involved in student-led prayer is a fantastic way for students to gain practical leadership skills. By helping to organise these minyanim, students learn how to communicate effectively, work in teams, and manage events – all skills that are valuable in academics and future careers. It’s not just about spirituality; being a part of these services also deepens one’s appreciation of Jewish tradition. Plus, actively participating in these activities looks great on a CV, showing future employers your commitment to community engagement and your ability to take on responsibilities. But perhaps the most rewarding aspect is the sense of

belonging it brings. You get to be a part of a warm, welcoming community, making friends and sharing a spiritual journey together. It’s an experience that not only helps you grow personally but also contributes to creating a more inclusive and understanding campus atmosphere.

If you are a student and want to establish or participate in a prayer group on your campus, please do reach out to us. Dora, the Sabbatical Officer for Jewish Engagement and Enrichment, is available to offer guidance and support. Together, let’s cultivate a campus environment where every Jewish student can find the spiritual nourishment and community they seek. Join us in embracing the power of prayer and unity, creating meaningful experiences that resonate throughout your time as a student.

Email Dora at dora@ujs.org.uk

A Note On Our Front Cover

This artwork used for our front cover has been created by Israeli artist Gil Blackman. This work and others like it can be found at design-duty.com. This website holds numerous pieces of artwork conveying the harsh reality of the current situation in Israel. All the artwork has been created by Israeli artists. We chose this piece as a reminder that no matter how dark times may be, we hope to always find support in the arms of our friends, family and neighbours.

You can take a look at more of Gil’s art on Instagram @gil.blackman.

Scan The QRs To Get Involved!

Subscribe To Aleph For FREE!

Yalla: The Podcast of Jewish Students

UJS Careers Hub

Register for Jewniversity Challenge

AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 5

Jewish Campus Life: Since the 7th October when Hamas launched a despicable terrorist attack against Israel, and the start of the subsequent war, Jewish students on campuses in the UK have been at the forefront of antisemitic incidents which are now at unprecedented levels. Jewish students have not let their identity and their experiences be defined and defiled by such hate. Take a look at the incredible work JSocs and Jewish students have put in to ensure that Jewish life on campus continues to thrive and grow despite the circumstances in which they find themsleves.

6

UCL JSoc

Bristol JSoc

St Andrews JSoc

Royal Veterinary College JSoc

Central School of Speech And Drama JSoc

Warwick JSoc

ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

Thriving and Vibrant

UJS Visit to Central Gurdwara

LSE JSoc

Leeds JSoc

Nottingham JSoc

Edinburgh JSoc

UAL JSoc AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 7

Student Vigils Taliah Hammell

London JSocs Vigil Everything changed on the 7th October. Hamas’ senseless massacre of 1,400 and kidnapping of 200+ innocent Israeli civilians left Israelis and Jews across the diaspora shocked, hurt and terrified. Jewish students were no exception. As many spent the next days and weeks glued to the news, it became clear that this academic year would not be the same as the last.

Immediately JSoc committees up and down the country started rethinking events. It didn’t feel right having parties, going to club nights and preparing for Jewniversity challenge heats during a war. The promise of an exciting and dynamic Jewish life on campus was put on hold and in its place stood fear and anger.

The times were unprecedented, and students felt it. Many Jewish student leaders found themselves unprepared - after all, who prepares for a war in Israel of a scale not seen since

Vigil On Whitehall 8

ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

Bring Them Home Rally At Trafalgar Square 1973? Nevertheless, Jewish students are no strangers to securing their events and dealing with antisemitism. Statistics show us that any flare up in violence in Israel results in increased campus antisemitism in the UK. Sadly, this time was no different with students dealing with a year’s worth of campus antisemitism in a fortnight.

Despite everything, Jewish students carried on. They lit candles. They prayed. They sang. They planned vigils for those killed and kidnapped and they came together to mourn. In the face of unimaginable darkness and pain, Jewish students prevailed. The atmosphere at these vigils was extremely powerful and made us all proud. Vigils were held in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh and Bristol to name a few, as well as many JSocs across the country holding spaces for students to express their feelings on the events unfolding before them. In the weeks that followed we have seen the very best of what a Jewish student community

Vigil In Leeds

can be. In the last month, lunch and learns, Friday night dinners and educational sessions have been seen in abundance as students across the country try to come to terms with what has been happening in Israel.

It is clear that support for those affected by recent events in Israel is at the forefront of many people’s minds. Charity football and netball matches raising money for those impacted by this war between Leeds, Birmingham and Nottingham have taken place throughout November. It is unsurprising that Jewish students are finding ways to simultaneously come together and find ways to show our support during this challenging time.

UJS and the wider Jewish community are immensely proud of all Jewish students who have been on campus holding space since the 7th October. We hope and pray for peace and safety at this time and always.

Bringing Light To The Soul Olly DeHerrera I adorned you with jewellery: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty because the splendour I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD. Ezikial 16:9 What’s on your necklace? A Magen David, the Evil Eye, your Hebrew name, the Hamsa, Chai, maybe even a pomegranate or a Menorah? Each classic symbol says something about how we choose to identify with our Jewishness. Sadly, it is also true that many of us choose to wear no symbols at all. Surveys have shown consistently that half of British Jews avoid wearing symbols of their Judaism publicly, for fear of discrimination or harassment. Generations of antisemitism have demonised many of the beauty features and symbols classically associated with Jews, and 75 years on from the mass violence of the Holocaust there is still an expectation that Jews must hide, as well as the tragic negativity associated with ‘looking Jewish’.

Those of us who wear our Judaism in this way every day, or maybe just on a Friday night, understand that there is deep resonance and choice behind even a simple necklace. The act of beautifying a Mitzvah is considered especially praiseworthy to G-d and deepens the meaning of the actions we perform in the name of our Judaism. Rabbi Naftali Silberberg views the Magen David as more than just a symbol, explaining: “The fact that in a triangle each of the three corners are connected to the two other ones demonstrates that the Jewish soul is itself knotted to G-d. Torah study and observance doesn’t create a connection between the Jew and G-d—it merely brings it to light.”

Central to Judaism is the struggle to reveal the light and the qualities of the soul within all of us, a notion that can be a source of inspiration for Jews across the spectrum of religiosity, even in times of turmoil. The beauty of Judaism is innate, and our elaborate jewellery and symbolism merely reveals the pride and community that thrives. It is for this reason that Judaica made with the passion and devotion of Jewish craftsman has become a favoured collector’s item since the early Babylonian era.

The simple joy of recognising a fellow Jew from their jewellery is a blessing we can nearly all relate to.

Imbued with meaning, every single aspect of the Torah is to be studied and pondered by Jews, and much of the design of Jewish jewellery reflects this value. A small look into the history of this depth of meaning was unearthed in 1836 in the small French town of Colmar.

During the Black Death pogroms, Jews of Colmar buried jewellery and precious objects deep under their houses on Rue de Juif (Jew Street), perhaps hoping to recover them later. Among the objects found under Jew Street was a beautiful and elaborate wedding ring in the form of Solomon’s Temple, with the Hebrew words Mazel Tov inscribed delicately. It is one of only four Medieval European Jewish rings to survive, all of which bear the similar Temple design. Against all odds, the Jews of Europe had survived too, and the display of the Colmar treasures delights and inspires Jewish Museum visitors.

Jews in exile constantly seeking new opportunities for peace have helped

spread design influences across the globe. The movement of Sephardic Jews has been responsible for bringing Spanish influence into Moroccan and Latin American art, whilst Mizrahi Jewish artists have had notable influence on Yemeni art. The close and trusting networks of Jewish communities provided opportunity to move precious metals and stones across continents safely, giving Jews a central role in the history of trade. To this day dynasties of Chassidic diamond craftsmen dominate trade in London’s famous Hatten gardens, making Yiddish an active lingua franca of London’s jewel trade.

With no race, fellow Jews are not always easy to identify, and the simple joy of recognising another Jew from their jewellery is a blessing we can nearly all relate to. We also know it is far easier to scapegoat and hold prejudice against a group that seems completely elusive in everyday life. Our resistance and desire to live as Jews is a Mitzvah we embody every day, and we should feel empowered to beautify ourselves and our Judaism with decorative expressions of our existence without shame. To all the flaring antisemitism, our response must continue with uncompromising pride. The beauty of your soul is innate to you, regardless of whether you believe you owe this beauty to G-d, your ancestors, or something more personal. Now, perhaps more than ever, we should seek out the small but powerful ways to assert expressions of the Jewish soul wherever we are.

Magen David

AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 9

Vilnius, Who Am I To Love You? Agne Kniuraite offers an exploration of Vilnius’ Jewish history and the profound fissure running through it.

I am the city! A thousand doors to the world, To the frowsy cold blue – roofs above roofs.

I – the blackened flame, greedily licking walls And twinkling in the sharp eye of a Litvak somewhere.

I – the grey! I – the blackened flame! I – the city!

Vilne, Moyshe Kulbak, 1926 (my translation, published in 2023)

I find myself standing at Hospital St. 01309, Vilnius, Lithuania, staring at Leonard Cohen’s tiny frame. The statue,

by Romualdas Kvintas, is hunched over, fists curled, as it stares into the distance, forlorn. A hundred meters away from me is the city’s Choral Synagogue – I have been there once (to pray for a college acceptance letter) and never dared step foot through its front gate again.

The synagogue is closed to visitors these days, or at least it was when I last saw it: apparently, its roofing is crumbling. With great sorrow, I find that quite symbolic of the rest of the city’s Jewish history.

I often think my home city has fissured, and trying to repair those cracks would be impossible. A crater runs through Vilnius’ history, one opened

10 ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

eighty years ago and never filled: for how could it be? While the city was celebrating its 700th year this year, its Jewish population acknowledged a much darker anniversary: on the 23 to 24 September 1943, eighty years ago, under the command of Bruno Kittel, the Vilnius ghetto was liquidated, marking the end of a centuries-long era of Jewish life and culture in the city.

Judaism and the Lithuanian capital city have profound historical connections. Before WW2, 45% of the city’s inhabitants were Jewish, with a community of nearly 100,000 people living there.

Today, only a few thousand remain (although it is difficult to find an actual figure for the number of Jewish residents of the city, as they vary from a few hundred to thousands depending on different

sources). Yet, walking around town will open one’s eyes to a rich Jewish history; a tourist would only need to glance up at the buildings in the city’s Old Town to see relics of the past. Yiddish-language store signs painted above doors, arched bridges connecting houses between narrow, cobbled streets, a century-old etching of a Magen David unsuspectingly carved up high into the side of a brick building… the city’s history breathes quietly yet imposingly, reminding the passersby of the life it once hosted and the tangibility of its loss.

Before the Second World War, Vilnius was home to over one hundred places of worship, among them the now-destroyed Great Synagogue of Vilna, a masterpiece of Renaissance-Baroque architecture. Jewish Vilnius was busy

with trade, academic and community life.

There is a rule of thumb for understanding the city’s layout: every place in which now stands a square or park used to be a quarter, and a great many of them were Jewish.

What could not be preserved in architecture is preserved in history and folklore, crucial to Eastern European Jewry.

Before WW2, Vilnius was a centre for Yiddish scholarship and opposition to Hasidism.

Vilnius is sometimes referred to as Yerushaliym D’Lita, or ‘Jerusalem of Lithuania’, due to the importance of the community to the broader Jewish world. The city is often associated with three things, all intertwined: Litvaks, the Yiddish intellectual tradition and the Misnagdim. Litvaks (or Lita’im) are Jews with origins stemming from historical Lithuania, which was a larger territory than the modern country. It encompassed parts of Poland, Belarus, Latvia, Russia and Ukraine. An interesting detail about Lithuanian-territory (or ‘purebred’, Yid. gerotene) Litvaks from the cities of Vilna (Vilnius), Kovno (Kaunas), Shavli (Šiauliai), and western Zamut (Žemaitija/ Samogitija) is that they have a peculiar reputation in Jewish folklore. Unlike their brethren in Europe’s Southeastern territories (Austria, Poland…), known for their hospitality and warmth, Litvaks were perceived as cold, unwelcoming, aloof, calculating, critical and also, on some accounts, heretical. This perception is reflected in Yiddish writing and cultural artefacts of the time. It can be reasoned through the assumption that the stereotypes were based on the Litvaks’ focus on the development of Talmudic studies and academia (as opposed to popular culture, developed in Ukraine, Hungary or Poland) as well as vocal opposition to Hasidism. These factors contributed to the view of Northeastern Jews as opposite to Southeast European Jews, seen as more pious, spiritual and ‘emotive’. These days, the characterisation ‘Litvak’ is also sometimes used by modern Israeli Haredi Jews to describe non-Ha-

Vilnius Synagogue sidic Orthodox individuals or institutions.

Before WW2, Vilnius was a centre for Yiddish scholarship and opposition to Hasidism. Most of the Yiddish language writing from the city was of an academic nature, used for Talmud studies and other scholarly matters. The city was home to many Yeshivas, the most famous of which was the Volozhin Yeshiva: founded around the year 1803, it is considered to have been the first ever ‘modern’ yeshiva, upon which the designs of all subsequent yeshivas were based. Individuals such as the Vilna Gaon (Rabbi Elijah ben Solomon Zalman), famed Talmudist, halakhist and kabbalist, mostly known for leading the Misnagdic (anti-Hasidism) movement, resided and worked in the city, making it a central location for intellectual Jewry of Eastern Europe seeking to join and study the non-Hasidic way of Jewish Or-

Vilnius, the city in which my ancestors lived, laughed, danced and hoped for a bright future, a city now wounded and cracked.

thodoxy. Even nowadays, the monument erected at the Vilna Gaon’s old place of residence is visited by many Jews from all over the world, who come to pay their respects by placing pebbles and stones they bring from their home countries next to it.

Some other notable individuals to have walked the city’s cobbled streets are Zemach Shabad, a doctor and political activist beloved by the Jewish and Gentile communities alike. Shabad served as a prototype for Korney Chukovsky’s Doctor Aybolit, a fictional doctor character loosely inspired by Doctor Dolittle, a prominent icon of 20th century Russian children’s literature; Chaim Soloveitchik (Gra”ch), Talmudic scholar and founder of the Brisker method, widely used in Talmud studies to this day; and Chaim Grade, considered one of the most important Yiddish language writers of the twentieth century.

Vilnius has long been a centre of Jewish culture, science and community, advanced by the brilliant people residing in it.

I love my city, its people and its culture. I love walking through the old streets and listening to their timeless sounds. I love Vilnius when it snows, and in summer during unbearable heatwaves and unpredictable hails. I love how, no matter where I go, my city is recognised, be it from one’s grandparents’ childhood tales, history classes or stories of the Vilna Gaon. Vilnius will always have my heart, and yet, it is no place to call home. I ache for what the city has lost and is yet to find, and sometimes, looking at the old ruins, I feel as though I will never be able to walk its streets without feeling a profound sense of emptiness. Vilnius just now begins its rebirth following years of stagnation under barbaric oppression and destruction.

Vilnius, the city in which my ancestors lived, laughed, danced and hoped for a bright future, a city now wounded and cracked. Sometimes I feel as though I am undeserving of being a proud Vilniusian: who am I, a product of a city newly reshaped from its very foundations, a city that has little to do with its past other than to try not to forget it, to love it? On what grounds does my fondness for Vilnius stand? I feel a deep affection for the city’s past: perhaps it is the blood that runs through me, or the mythology I’ve grown up with, that makes me believe in the city’s future despite the ruins of its tortured past, even if I cannot help but look at it with Kvintas’ Cohen’s forlornity.

AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 11

The Rise of Sheffield Talya Masters Being a student is no easy feat.

A religious Jewish student?

Remaining observant at a university with a small Jewish society can sometimes feel like an impossible hurdle.

Many will avoid that territory altogether and attend a ‘Jewni’ with an established religious student community. But for me, the course I chose initially (Structural Engineering and Architecture) is still only offered at the University of Sheffield – and so began my ventures as the token Shomer Shabbat and Kashrut student.

Of course, reactions to being Jewish will vary person to person. I can remember meeting my course cohort where I would often be the first Jewish person they have met, resulting in the daunting prospect of potentially representing the entirety of the Jewish community. Poignantly, some have prior knowledge of Judaism and are inquisitive, testing me with questions such as “Could the paternoster lift (continuously moving chain of open compartments) be considered a Shabbat lift?”. Explaining about being offline for three consecutive days during a first year project, I was positively taken by surprise when asked, without any prompts, if I kept kosher. Other times, a tutor might enquire whether I could just do ‘a few quick, relaxed sketches’ over Saturday. Clarifying the intricacies can, evidently, be interesting to say the least.

As with the majority of universities, starting term on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar year and most actively participated in festival, Yom Kippur, it is challenging to commence a year already being behind in work. With a course such as Architecture, studio culture forms much of the teaching, and tutors are generally supportive where possible. However, studio days which finish at 5pm falling on Fridays means missing the majority of those contact hours. Jumping ahead to next term, Pe-

12 ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

Sheffield Freshers’ Fair

Whilst our numbers are in the minority of the faith groups, we are undoubtedly active. sach 5784 falls just a week after returning to teaching post-Easter break, which will likely mean travelling home to be able to observe to its fullest extent. Any attempt to explain the nuances of switching over our entire inventory of kitchen utensils, only cooking 5 different recipes with the same 3 ingredients,and pulling an all-nighter to recount a story which we recite every day anyway will certainly be one for the (holy) books.

Those who are familiar with Sheffield JSoc will agree that whilst our numbers are in the minority of the faith groups, we are undoubtedly active. Having held a committee position since my second year and as the current President, I can certainly ensure that we cater for all denominations, of which our JSoc has a wide range. Growing up in a United Synagogue is, ultimately a rarity, but within our JSoc there is a strong, supportive network in which everyone respects the variety of practices. I am especially appreciative of having a Hillel house (thanks to the Jewish community and Sheffield Hillel

Association) that provides residential spaces - albeit limited to 4 – for both University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University. It also provides a dedicated kitchen and space for the use of the society which, as a committee member, allows me to keep a close eye on the kashrut observed within the space.

We are extremely fortunate to be supported by a plethora of organisations; from UJS to Chabad on Campus, Aish to University Jewish Chaplaincy, each bring personalised discussions and welcomed food to the table. Shopping at Waitrose is, naturally, frowned upon by a student population who, after three consecutive nights out, will enter their arranged overdraft, but I’ll often find myself with a near full basket due to its substantial Kosher section. As various Chagim approach, the supermarket will update products as best they can: Chanukah candles for Shavuot and Osem’s finest especially for Yom Kippur.

It would be remiss of me not to highlight this year’s Activities Fair which generated more than 20 sign-ups within the fresher cohort, and almost 30 attendees for our Welcome event – a Sheffield JSoc record on all accounts. Over the duration of my time in the city of steel, I have witnessed this number increase year on year. I can only hope for Sheffield JSoc to go from strength to strength and with that, the knowledge that observant Jewish students can thrive in a world outside of the ‘Jewnis’.

FND Prep

Bring Them Home Now

AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 13

Raz Ben Ami, 57 Ron Benjamin, 53 Agam Berger, 19 Gali Berman, 26 Ziv Berman, 26 Ariel Bibas, 4 Kfir Bibas, 10 months Shiri Bibas, 32 Yarden Bibas, 34 Elkana Bohbot, 34 Rom Braslavski, 23 Yagev Buchshtab, 34 Esther Amit Buskila, 28 Tal Chaimi, 42 Itai Chen, 19 Eliya Cohen, Nimrod Cohen, 19 Sapir Cohen, 29 Amiram Cooper, 84 Ariel Cunio, 26 David Cunio, 33 Ema Cunio, 3 Sharon Aloni Cunio, 34 Yuly Cunio, 3 Yaakov Yair, 59

Maya Goren, 56 Shani Goren, 29 Ilana Gritzewsky, 30 Ran Gvili, 24 Gad Haggai, 73 Yotam Haim, 28 Inbar Haiman, 27 Luis Har, 70 Ditza Heiman, 81 Maxim Herkin, 35 Orión Hernandez, 21 Polin Hersh Goldberg, 23 Eitan Horn, 37 Iair Horn, 45 Tsachi Idan, 51 Guy Illouz, 26 Or Jacob, 17 Yagil Jacob, 13 Erez Kalderon, 12 Ofer Kalderon, 53 Sahar Kalderon, 16 Segev Kalfon, 25 Dror Kaplun, 68 Samuel Keith Siegel, 64 Arbel Yehoud, 28

Oded Lifshitz, 83 Amit Shani, 16 Alexander Lobanov, 32 Eli Sharabi, 51 Shlomo Mansour, 85 Yossi Sharabi, 53 Nili Margalit, 41 Oron Shaul, 30 Clara Rosa Marman, 63 Omer Shem Tov, 21 Fernando Simon Marman, 60 Tal Shoham, 38 Almog Meir Jan, 21 Idan Shtivi, 28 Avera Mengistu, 37 Eden Yerushalmi, 24 Tamar Metzger, 78 Stela Moran Yanai, 40 Yoram Metzger, 80 Amit Soussana, 40 Omri Miran, 46 Doron Steinbrecher, 30 Eden Zecharya, 28 Itai Svirsky, 35 Shlomi Ziv, 40 Merav Tal, 53 Joshua Loitu Mollel, 21 Gali Tarshansky, 13 Abraham Eitan Mor, 23 Irena Tatti, 73 Gadi Moshe Mozes, 79 Elia Toledano, 27 Abraham Munder, 78 AlexanderTrupanob, 28 Omer Neutra, 22 Yelena Trupanob, 50 Tamir Nimrod, 19 Ofir Tzarfati, 27 Michel Nisenbaum, 59 Judy Weinstein, 70 Yosef Ohana, 23 Ilan Weiss, 56 Alon Ohel, 22 Omer Wenkert, 22 Avinathan Or, 30 Chanan Yablonka, 42 Dror Or, 48 Eitan Yahalomi, 12 Liam Or, 18 Ohad Yahalomi, 49

This is the most complete list of confirmed names available from Bring Them Home Now. We hope that by the time you get this, it will be obselete.

In addition, we honour around 25 other non-Israelis, mostly manual labourers, whose names we do not have at this time.

Finally, we honour the two Israelis who have been held in Gaza for almost a decade. Their names are Avera Mangistu and Hisham al-Sayed. Both require ongoing mental health care.

anguish and captivity, whether on sea or on land: May the Divine have compassion upon them, and bring them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, from subjugation to redemption, now, speedily, soon, and let us say: Amen.

A baby has also been born into Hamas captivity to a hostage mother.

We also hold in our hearts the loved ones of the hostages we know to have died in Hamas captivity. Their names were Noa Marciano, Yehudit Weiss, Clemens Felix Matanga, and Aryeh Zalmanovich; and the ongoing trauma of the five hostages who have been freed. Their names are Ori Megidish, Nurit Cooper, Yocheved Lifshitz, Natalie Raanan and Judith Raanan.

BRING THEM HOME NOW

14 ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

Tamir Adar, 38 Tomer Ahimas, 20 Hisham Shaaban Al-Sayed, 35 Liri Albag, 18 Edan Alexander, 19 Matan Angrest, 21 Noa Argamani, 26 Karina Ariev, 19 Aviv Atzili, 49 Elma Avraham, 84 Noralin Babadilla Agojo, 60 Sahar Baruch, 24 Uriel Baruch, 35 Liat Beinin Atzili, 49 Nik Beizer, 19 Ohad Ben Ami, 55

Alexander Dancyg, 75 Ori Danino, 24 Evyatar David, 23 Sagui Dekel Chen, 35 Itzhk Elgarat, 68 Mika Engel, 18 Ofir Engel, 17 Ronen Engel, 54 Yuval Engel, 11 Karina Engelbert, 51 Carmel Gat, 39 Itzhak Gelerenter, 56 Daniel Gilboa, 19 Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 22 Hadar Goldin, 32 Romi Gonen, 23

‫אַ חֵ ינ ּו ּ ָכל ֵּבית ִי ְׂש ָראֵ ל הַ ּנְת ּונִים‬ ‫צ ָ​ָרה וּבַ ׁ ּ ִשבְ יָה הָ עו ְֹמ ִדים ֵּבין ַּב ּיָם‬ ּ ‫ַּב‬ ‫שה הַ ּ ָמקו ֹם י ְַרחֵ ם ֲעלֵיהֶ ם‬ ָ ׁ ‫וּבֵ ין ַּב ּי ַָּב‬ ‫ָחה ּו מֵ אֲ פֵ לָה‬ ָ ‫צ ָ​ָרה לִ ְרו‬ ּ ‫וְ יו ֹצִ יאֵ ם ִמ‬ ‫ש ָתא‬ ָ ׁ ָ‫לְ או ָֹרה ּו ִ מ ׁ ּ ִשעְ בּ וּד לִ גְ אֻ ּלָה ה‬ ‫ַּבעֲגָ לָא וּבִ ְז מַ ן קָ ִריב וְ ִא ְמר ּו אָ מֵ ן‬ For all our family of the House of Israel, who face

Dolev Yehoud, 35 Ravid Katz, 51 Elad Katzir, 47 Ofra Keidar, 70 Denil Kimenfeld, 65 Rimon Kirsht, 36 Andrey Kozlov, 27 Bar Kupershtein, 22 Mia Leimberg, 17 Gabriela Leinmberg, 59 Eitan Levy, 53 Matan Zangauker, 24 Eden Yerushalmi, 24 Naama Levy, 19 Or Levy, 33 Elyakim Libman, 24

Gelienor Pacheco, 33 Chaim Peri, 79 Nadav Popplewell, 51 Itay Regev, 18 Maya Regev, 21 Ofelia Roitman, 77 Yarden Roman Gat, 36 Raaya Rotem, 54 Lior Rudaeff, 61 Ada Sagi, 75 Mordechai Yonathan Samerano, 21 Almog Sarusi, 26 Mia Schem, 21 Ron Scherman, 19 Alon Lulu Shamriz, 26

This seat is reserved in honour of around 200 men, women and children, currently being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas

Remember their names:

AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 15

LOOK THEM IN THE EYES

IT’S OUR DUTY TO BRING THEM BACK

16 ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

“Nice Jewish Boys Vote Yes” Lessons in Jewish Activism from Australia Louis Danker

AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 17

When UJS campaigns guru Guy Dabby-Joory belied the ten-hour time difference to commission a piece for Aleph on my year abroad in Australia, I was stumped. Surely the readers of such a prestigious publication would find no joy in stories of Vegemite sandwiches (overrated), Aussie rules footy (underrated), or crocodile encounters (ill-fated). I wish I could tell tales of fighting off shredded kangaroos with my bare hands.

But I’m a northwest London Jewish boy, so the best I’ve fought off is a mild cold.

Surfing is difficult, the sun is all-conquering, and surprisingly few people are actually called Cleo. Turns out wallabies are basically just small kangaroos – who knew? The Melbourne Jewish community has been incredibly welcoming, and uncannily familiar – their Golders Green is Caulfield, Daniel’s is Glick’s, and UJS is AUJS (pronounced ORR-juss).

And it’s the Australian Jewish community that I actually want to write about. Or, more specifically, the role that young Jewish Australians played in the recent Indigenous Voice referendum.

For Aleph’s northern hemisphere readers, a (semi-)brief explanation. Australia, in its modern form, was effectively established in 1901 with the union of six self-governing British colonies. It still retains close ties to Britain, including a certain King Charles III as head of state.

Each year on 26th January, Australia Day marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788, the beginning of British colonial rule. However, on arrival the Brits and their convicts encountered as many as a million Indigenous Australians, who had lived in the land for at least 65,000 years previously. Far from discovering ‘terra nullius’ – the land of no one – they had stumbled across the oldest continuous living culture in the entire world: the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the First Nations of Australia.

What followed were years of atrocities committed against Indigenous Australians, with thousands slaughtered during the frontier wars. No treaty was ever signed. Diseases introduced to the previously-uncontacted peoples killed thousands; smallpox alone killed more than half the Indigenous population. Forcible assimilation was instituted through missionary schools, as recently as the 1980s, creating ‘Stolen Generations’ of Indigenous children. Indigenous people were employed by settlers and paid 18 ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

with measly food rations. The rise of social Darwinism and scientific racism influenced the racialisation of Indigenous Australians as an inferior Other.

Equality still feels far, far away.

Indigenous rights movements have always existed, but progress has been painfully slow. Not until 1962 was suffrage achieved. A 1967 referendum finally allowed Indigenous Australians to be counted as part of the population.

In 2008, then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a famous formal apology for forced removals of the ‘Stolen Generations’. Most events, including lectures at uni, now start with an acknowledgement of the ‘traditional owners’ of the land. As I’ve travelled Australia, I’ve experienced fascinating aspects of Aboriginal culture, from their beautiful ideas about the connection between humanity and nature, to the stunning rock paintings in Kakadu National Park dating back 20,000 years.

But equality still feels far, far away.

There is an eight-year gap in life expectancy between non-Indigenous Australians, and the 3% of the population who are Indigenous. The suicide rate is far higher. A disproportionate number of Indigenous Australians live in poverty, and have higher incarceration rates. Reconciliation has not gone near far enough, and Australian society still struggles with systemic racism.

In 2017, a petition written by First Nations leaders set out constitutional changes and structural reform for Australia. The Uluru Statement from the Heart called for ‘voice, treaty, and truth’.

The latter two call for a “process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations, and truth-telling about our history”. They seek to undo the erasure of Indigenous Australians from its history, recognise the rightful ownership of the land, and build towards a more equal future for all Australians. In fact, Australia remains the only ex-British colony without a legally-binding, negotiated treaty between government and Indigenous people.

The Statement called for these steps to be preceded by the establishment of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The Voice was to be a formal advisory body to the Australian Parliament, where Indigenous leaders could be consulted on issues that affect them. It would signify constitutional recognition of First Nations Australians, and institute the high-level representation needed to start undoing centuries of injustice. The Voice would not have had any legislative decision-making powers, nor any ability to veto decisions of parliament; it was simply the constitutional recognition of an advisory body of Indigenous leaders.

Last year, newly elected Labor Party Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, committed to holding a referendum to enshrine the Voice. Referendum day was October 14th, 2023, with voting com-

Australian Union of Jewish Students’ Campaign

pulsory in Australia. 60% voted ‘no’. The Australian people resoundingly rejected the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

If you’re asking yourself why such a seemingly no-brainer referendum could turn out like this, you are far from the only one. Much analysis has focussed on why the No campaign won – better campaign organisation, populist tactics, misinformation. But, despite my attendance at AUJS’s ‘Political Training Seminar’, where we met senior politicians including the big man himself (Albanese), I remain seriously underqualified to commentate on Australian politics.

And I suppose, given everything, now would not be the most sensitive time for a Brit to march in and claim to understand Australia better than Australians...

Instead, I wanted to focus on a positive; something that inspired me during the campaign, and that I think us British Jews can genuinely learn from: the ‘Jewish Youth For Yes’ campaign.

The power of a strong, united, young Jewish movement is really something to behold.

The machers at AUJS HQ saw strong links between First Nations peoples and our own community. They too are a community with a distinct, complex and continuous culture, who often see their experiences minimised. They are also a community who have long stood

by Jewish Australians. In 1938, a Yorta Yorta man and Indigenous rights activist, William Cooper, organised one of the only protests worldwide against Kristallnacht, and the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany. Even as the government in his own land did not recognise his right to be counted in the census, he stood with us.

The Jewish Youth For Yes team wanted to build on a strong history of Jewish leaders supporting First Nations communities, and create a strong grassroots campaign to support the implementation of the Voice. The social media campaign (@

jewishyouthforyes) was a hit, with Jewish MP Josh Burns snapped with a “Nice Jewish Boys Vote Yes” t-shirt, and the frankly genius tagline, “you can be barbie, we’re just ‫‘( ”כן‬Ken’ meaning ‘yes’ in Hebrew).

But beyond memes and photo ops, the ideals behind the campaign got me thinking. The power of a strong, united, young Jewish movement is really something to behold.

First, and close to home – it shows the power young Jews can have within their own communities. Perhaps as expected, the Yes campaign saw greater support from younger people. The campaign encouraged Jewish youth to talk about the Voice around their Rosh Hashanah tables, to engage with older family members and the wider community. Not only did this help spread truth in a climate rife with misinformation, but it showed to the rest of the community that young people can be incredibly powerful when they organise together. This is not just true of the Voice – an organised, motivated Jewish youth can campaign effectively in our community on other issues that affect us, like cost of living, mental health, and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Secondly, it can provide a platform for young Jews to connect with progressive movements. Progressive spaces can often feel unsafe for Jewish students, particularly on campuses. But, as the Aussie BJOCs (big Jews on campus) will tell you, instead of shying away from our Jewishness and our progressive values, we need to be even louder in these spaces. Jewish Youth For Yes created a way for Jewish students to work with other progressives: from the broader Students For Yes movement, to young First Nations people part of the Uluru Dialogue

We have the infrastructure, the network and the desire to make meaningful change, in our own community and far beyond.

As Jews, we may be small in number, but we can make real change. campaign. By establishing a presence in a young, progressive campaign, not only are Jews feeling more comfortable entering progressive spaces, but progressive spaces are more welcoming to young Jews. Jewish Youth For Yes has created real allyship and mutual understanding between groups of young people through painfully tough times for us all, and the mutual support shown has been amazing.

And this is the third, and most meaningful, reflection of all. This campaign was a poignant example of Jewish youth uniting to show genuine solidarity with a group suffering greatly. I’ve always been struck by the incredible organising power of young Jews, from my home at Edinburgh JSoc, to UJS, and now AUJS. We have the infrastructure, the network and the desire to make meaningful change, in our own community and far beyond. We are uniquely positioned as a group that truly understands the meaning of suffering and discrimination, but simultaneously a group that is empowered by amazing organisations like UJS and AUJS to take a stand and do something about it.

As Jews we may be small in number, but we can make real change. Here in Australia, the issue of the day is the Voice; and whilst the referendum failed, the bonds built between communities will persist.

But the issue of tomorrow will be different, and the issues back home will be too.

It may be the climate crisis. The treatment of refugees. Discrimination against trans people. It may be something that affects the entire world, or something that impacts just your campus. But as Jewish students in Britain, we have the opportunity to use our collective voice to stand up for ourselves, and for others. We shouldn’t shy away from the chance to have a real, positive impact on the world. Like the wonderful people behind Jewish Youth For Yes, we should embrace it with both hands.

AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 19

Punk Jews Jacob Rozenberg on Richard Hell, John Zorn, and “Radical Jewish Culture” At the end of last year, I watched a low-budget debut feature film from 1982 called Smithereens. It was the first feature from Jewish-American director Susan Seidelman - perhaps otherwise best known for her follow-up, Desperately Seeking Susan. At the time, Smithereens was a modest cult success while also becoming the first American independent film to compete for the Palme d’Or at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival.

Smithereens now offers a time capsule of a world that has ceased to exist.

The movie depicts Wren (Susan Berman), a young woman from New Jersey who comes to New York City in hopes of joining the punk rock scene. She meets Eric, the former frontman of a now-defunct 70s punk band. Eric is played by Richard Hell, born Richard Lester Meyers, who made a name for himself as an influential musician in punk rock, precipitating No Wave.

This scuzzy downtown NYC that Wren discovers is one barely recognisable from the stylish, ultra-gentrified neighbourhoods that stand today. Following the city’s period of urban decay and near-bankruptcy during the 1970s, artists, students, and bohemians moved back to places such as the Lower East Side, Tribeca and SoHo due to low-rents brought on by the economic recession.

Part of this movement of creatives included punk rock musicians in the 1970s, followed by avant-garde musicians at the end of that decade - who would become known collectively as No Wave - a pun based on the rejection of ‘New Wave’ acts that followed in the commercial acceptance of punk into the mainstream.

Seidelman and Hell, as I discovered, are both Jewish artists - and this led me to wonder whether there was a wider connection to be made between Jewishness and the world of the punk vanguard in downtown Manhattan in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

When I started researching this article, I found a 2013 Vice interview with 20 ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

Hell, where he seemed to find the question of whether there were jokes between the multiple Jewish artists in the CBGB punk and New York music scene rather irksome. He claims there weren’t any more “Jewish dudes” in the scene than anywhere else in New York, he ‘didn’t have any kind of Jewish identity whatsoever’, stating: ‘I’m just a person. It wasn’t an issue.’

However, in an essay from his book Massive Pissed Love released just two years later, Hell appeared to claim for himself a Jewish identity, remarking “I’ve concluded that a Jew is anyone whom anyone else calls a Jew.”, after musing on his inclusion in a book titled Jews Who Rock. In these two interviews, Hell seemingly appears to underscore the difference between the lack of overt cultural Jewishness in the punk rock scene of which he was a part against his feelings towards his own Jewish identity.

However, the very scene (Bowery’s CBGB club) addressed in the first interview, where Richard Hell talked down the potential community of Jewish creatives, appears to have revolved around a great volume of Jewish acts.

The list of those who helped make

While punk rock and Judaism may not be initially pictured together, critics have argued that punk rock and Jewish history are closely intertwined.

CBGB’s name: Lou Reed, Joey and Tommy Ramone, Chris Stein of Blondie, Jonathan Richman, Martin Rev and Alan Vega of Suicide - appears to have no end in sight.

CBGB’s was founded by Jewish club owner Hilly Kristal in 1973, with its letters standing for Country, Bluegrass, and Blues (Kristal’s original vision) before the club metamorphosed into a venue predominately for punk rock and new wave acts.

While punk rock and Judaism may not be initially pictured together - the Sex Pistols and Jerry Seinfeld rarely occupy the same headspace - critics have argued that punk rock and Jewish history are closely intertwined.

The CBGB generation of Jewish punk artists, as is argued by critics such as Jon Stratton and, more extensively, by Steven Lee Beeber, channelled the yetto-be expressed generational trauma of the Holocaust into their nihilist music.

Stratton writes: ‘punk can be understood as the less or more choate, affective expression of the cultural trauma of the Holocaust as it surfaces into memory and cultural consciousness, and into representation.’ In other words, the children of Holocaust survivors and diaspora Jews who lived through the war - the generation that moved out from NYC into the suburbs - saw their children move back to the city, and attempt to make art that, deliberately or not, channelled the nihilism that resulted out of their generational trauma.

Hell’s reluctance to be included amongst a project examining the Jewish contribution to the CBGB generation forces Beeber to reckon with the whole idea behind his project. In response to a potential adversary viewing his extrapolation of various artists’ Jewishness as self-serving, he clarifies: “I am not stating that Jewishness is everything. I am only saying that it plays, to various degrees, a part.”

On Hell, who Beeber views as perhaps viewing his Jewishness as at most ‘tangential’, the critic writes: ‘elements that

‘Radical Jewish Culture’ was as much a timely response to the Jewish Defence League as it was, simply, a coming together of Jewish free jazz musicians who were blending their work with klezmer. seem to stem largely from a Jewish history and culture can be found in each performer’s work’. For Hell, an avowed communist and atheist, who was adamantly not raised Jewish in Lexington, Kentucky - his elusive Jewishness certainly appears to spring up in a very unexpected place. Beeber finds certain ‘elements’ in a half-Puerto Rican, half-Jewish sex worker alter-ego of Hell’s creation named Theresa Stern.

Beeber states that for Hell, Theresa was ‘the Jew as Gypsy tough-gal exotic’, or ‘the Jew as sexual threat and intoxicant’. The ‘otherness’ of Hell’s poetic voice is not simply an ‘othered’ Jewish voice, but a voice of a Jewish-Latina sex worker - a kind of outsider’s outsider.

Perhaps it is only through this fictitious, feminine voice that Hell can start to make sense of his scattered Jewish identity.

Whilst his Jewishness may not be something he wants to directly confront, there is still a part of him which feels a certain desire to creatively explore it. He chooses therefore an alter-ego in his writing - a fellow outsider, and a fellow Jew - someone who does not sit squarely in one culture but finds themselves nestled between the fringes of various minority groups.

Leaving behind Hell and punk rock, another offshoot of the NYC downtown scene one can depicted in Seidelman’s Smithereens is No Wave - a scene whose progenitor John Zorn ex-

hibited a form of music that went about as far in the opposite direction - in regard to acknowledging Jewish heritage.

Zorn is perhaps best-known for his releases in the mid-80s, his acclaimed radical reworkings of Ennio Morricone film scores The Big Gundown and Spillane, and his collage-like avant-garde jazz on releases such as Spy vs. Spy and Naked City. After a period in Japan in the late 1980s, Zorn returned to New York. In collaboration with the guitarist Marc Ribot, Zorn began to put together work that was Jewish-themed and klezmer-inflected, following a period of reckoning with his Jewish identity while feeling like an outsider in Japan - despite not having been raised Jewish.

Their movement was dubbed ‘Radical Jewish Culture’ and was as much Zorn’s timely response to the “radical” nature of the Jewish Defence League (a Jewish far-right organisation with the goal to “protect Jews from antisemitism by any means necessary”) as it was, simply, a coming together of Jewish free jazz musicians who were blending their work with klezmer, rock, blues and punk.

Along with the jazz producer Kazunori Sugiyama, Zorn established the Tzadik label in 1995, where his releases varied from avant-garde releases of his own (including one entitled Kristallnacht) to redefinitions of the work of popular Jewish musicians such as Burt Bacharach and Marc Bolan of T. Rex. Zorn stated that the project was

not to say, of Jewish music, ‘this belongs to us’, but rather to “celebrate what we [Jewish musicians] do, trying to show people that this music, this culture, can move into another century in a celebratory way. It doesn’t have to be crying about the Holocaust, or yelling and screaming.

It doesn’t have to be something underneath. We can be visible and still survive.”

John Zorn’s point here that Jewish influences don’t have to be ‘underneath’ in the No Wave avant-garde - the downtown scene - is one that, I think, especially hits home. While, if the Jewish energy of punk, the nihilism of the Holocaust, that was channelled through the music of Richard Hell and Lou Reed - no longer had to be ‘underneath’ the surface of this alternative music - then Zorn had achieved something substantial. The ‘radical’ part of ‘Radical Jewish Culture’ was putting Jewishness first - whereas beforehand in the punk and experimental music scenes it had often been somehow obscured from view.

Even if, as Ribot pointed out, there were ways in which the music of ‘Radical Jewish Culture’ that stereotyped Jews - feeding a “growing theology of Holocaust and redemption” - the gorgeous, ethereal-sounding work that was produced as a result of the many collaboration of the series surely means that Tzadik’s legacy can be championed as a force for new and exciting modes of reinterpretation for Jewish music - with a punk ethos - on the fringes of the diaspora.

Richard Hell AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 21

Finding Faith: How Running Away Makes Coming Home Even More Beautiful Ainsley-Kay Rucker All things can be known. Life is not one big unknowable mystery; through careful investigation it is possible to discover every secret of the universe and uncover what makes it tick. As a young child, I prided myself on my appreciation for science, knowing in my heart that, despite the push back I received from the adults in my life, if I tried it was possible to take every bit of evidence to its logical conclusion, to truly know and understand the universe.

The more enraptured I became with this idea, the more I implemented it into every sphere of my life, and the more terrified I became of the world, masking my fear with stubborn certainty about it all. This ideology was my golden calf throughout secondary school, reaching a crux as I entered university in 2019, on track to study biology and law. In my mind, these were the only two courses which could possibly coincide with my pursuit of logic.

My first semester at university proved to be difficult. I went to a college far from any friends I had at home and fell out of touch with most of them shortly after. This wasn’t due to any fault of our own, college is difficult, and all of us had incredibly lofty goals. The workload proved

22 ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

exhausting, each of my lectures requiring a paper, detailed lab report, case study, or brief each week, totalling to about 25 pages of writing alone per week, not including the labs, reading, and research which went into them all. On top of this, I was involved in a strenuous debate program, competing nationally by the end of that first semester, meaning my weekends consisted of travel and prep instead of the course work I was barely floating on top of.

My need for certainty in these times didn’t come from nothing, after multiple years in therapy as a teenager it was only natural to be grasping for a flotation device, it just so happened that the

I read voraciously, searching for some answer I was certain I could find somewhere in the philosophical canon.

one I found was rationality. Alongside the incredibly difficult workload and the mental toll which went along with it, I found myself having increasingly sleepless nights, both poring over books, hunched in front of a screen, or just staring at the streaky paint job on the ceiling of my student accommodation, listening to cars pass listlessly outside. And in those hours, I couldn’t help but think. I thought about life, family, love, friendships, religion, and the universe I was so certain I understood.

Tossing and turning in a restless sleep, I found myself looking out the window, watching as people passed, and I couldn’t help but wonder where they were going.

Where am I going?

On March 11th, 2020, a mass email was sent out to the whole University telling us we would be taking the next two weeks off on an “extended winter break.” Within the next week, I completely moved out of student accommodation and back in with my parents to continue my course online. Part of my law course involved taking a significant number of philosophy lectures, and over the course

of the semester I felt what has previously just been a slight interest become my life. I read voraciously, searching for some answer I was certain I could find somewhere in the philosophical canon. Surely, I was not the first person to feel depressed,

But here I was, praying for a sign that my life would fall into place. and what started as a pursuit of rationality shifted into a desperate longing to be understood in some less-than-superficial way. My memories of the first two lockdowns are hazy, but by the end of my first year at university I switched to doing a philosophy course, thankful to be leaving biology and law behind. As I continued to read with desperation, my fruitless search drove me into an even deeper depression, and I felt everything lose meaning. The things which used to mean everything to me became meaningless, and philosophy, which I believed was comforting me, drove me to the brink.

When I felt I had truly reached rock bottom, grasping at straws for anything that would fuel me like rationalism had, I turned back to God. As a young person I became so disillusioned with religion, and after leaving I told myself I would never go back, thus launching me down the path I found myself at the end of now. But here I was, literally on my knees on the splintered wood floors of my first apartment, praying for a sign that my life would fall into place.

After another sleepless night, I was walking across campus, running woefully late to class as always, and I passed a stand for the International Education department at the University I was attending at the time. In proud, bold letters their poster bragged that their partner school, the University College Cork in Ireland offered all classes at credit value, meaning they would transfer back as my course requirements and I wouldn’t graduate late, like most study abroad students did.

I had always floated the idea of just running away from my problems, and equally liked the idea of completely leaving my home in Virginia behind, so on a whim I signed up, doubting I would be approved by my university or accepted at UCC.

A week later, I awoke to an acceptance letter informing me the following spring I would be able to continue my studies in Ireland for at least a semester.

My sign. I had just shy of a year to pull everything together, which I completed in less than a month, now just anxiously awaiting January 5th, the day I had decided my new life would begin. The months flew by, and before I knew it, I was on the plane.

Flying over was the second time in recent memory I prayed. Unknown to me prior to take off, I am actually terrified of flying, and flying alone, across the ocean, for the first time, is not an enjoyable way to find this out. Unable to sleep on the red eye, I instead spent the whole time journaling in a small notebook I nearly filled over the course of the 7 hours. This is still one of the most important forms of prayer for me, and I set aside about an hour each day to not only put my thoughts on paper, but have a chance for a oneon-one with God. Over those 7 hours, I found myself reinventing and rediscovering my relationship with religion and God as a whole. The plane landed at exactly 4:30 in the morning Irish time, and after passing through immigration, collecting my luggage, and finding my way through Dublin Airport, my feet touched Irish soil at 5:02am on the 6th of January 2022. It was softer than I expected.

On the train to Cork, I watched as a winter sun rose. There was a thick mist and an ever so slight rain as the countryside rolled by my window, and I found myself beginning to cry, in awe

of the beauty of it all. It was at this moment, a tear running down my cheek on the Cork-Dublin line that I found God, and I felt a hole in my soul begin to fill.

The hole would later fully close upon joining the Cork JSoc the next fall, after ultimately falling so deeply in love with Ireland that I never went back home and transferred to UCC to finish my studies.

In the meantime, however, I built up a deeply personal practice, emphasizing my relationship with God and, through this finding who I was and who I wanted to be. I continued to study philosophy and channelled this into my religious practice as well, using this in conjunction with the Jewish culture and philosophy I was familiar with since I was a young child.

Having been involved in the Cork JSoc for a year now, this practice is fuelled more by traditional aspects of Judaism than the more personal practice I developed on my own during some periods of isolation from a Jewish community. Now having a community, I find myself more certain than ever in my belief in God, but feeling no shame about my uncertainty as a young person. In times of uncertainty or distress in my life, my first thought is always to turn to my community, and through this turn to God, a God who I love and see as helping provide me with such a beautiful life with those I love. More than anything, I am comforted in knowing that finding something you lost is just as beautiful as having it the whole time, if not helping you appreciate and love it even more.

River Lee, Cork, Ireland.

AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 23

A Home Away From Home Macy Hall Sometime last year, a close friend of mine excitedly told me that he’d met other Jewish students at our university. At that point, I was preparing to start my second year and hadn’t found a community, so I naturally shared his enthusiasm when it came to introducing us. Had someone told me then that meeting them would shape my experience in the coming year entirely, I wouldn’t have believed it, but I can confidently say now that this was a turning point for not just me, but for all of us.

Recently, at the welcome fair for the new students, I was sat with my committee when someone from the student’s union came up to our stall. “Sell your society to me, why should someone join the Jewish society?” was the first thing she said to us and admittedly, for a few moments, I couldn’t think of an answer. Why should someone join? What difference did it make?

The answer I gave was that JSoc gives us, as Jewish students, the space to find a connection that we can’t achieve elsewhere; our community is what makes Judaism so special. I recalled something my Rabbi from back home said to me once – we can have as much faith as possible and yet, without our community and the connections it brings, we have very little. In hindsight, this is one of the most valuable lessons that I’ve been taught.

Since the welcome fair, I haven’t quite been able to shake the question from my mind, though. From the moment we decided to start our JSoc towards the end of 2022, I have felt immense joy, a deeper relationship with my faith, and unrelenting pride in my Jewishness, as I’m sure my other committee members have too, but I never stopped to ask myself why that is.

What changed so much between my first and second year of studying to have such an extensive impact on my identity?

It seems too obvious to say that JSoc was the catalyst, but I truly believe that this new beginning for my newfound friends and I was, at its core, what changed everything. With the start of the new academic year, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on how we want to continue 24 ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

Charlie, Macy, and Becky at UJS Student Awards 2023 to build our community and connect with others around us, and it’s made me more appreciative of how far we’ve come in such a short time.

When I think back, there are a few moments that stand out to me, particularly our excitement and the joy we experienced throughout the year. I remember the first time we saw ourselves on the university’s clubs and societies list and how we all eagerly scrambled to get ourselves a copy to take home. We’d practically squealed with happiness at the time, jumping from one foot to the other with giddy overexcitement and hugging one another. It might be considered embarrassing to have such a big reaction to simply seeing ‘Jewish Society’ printed neatly amongst a long list of societies, but none of that mattered because, in that moment, we’d achieved something amazing.

Despite our enthusiasm, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect when it came to finding new members. At one point, it seemed as if it would just be the three of us, though we were eventually proved wrong as, during the first few weeks, whilst I was still constantly checking my committee dashboard to see if anyone had joined, we had our first member.

To any of the bigger JSocs, this probably wouldn’t have been anything to celebrate, but for us, this was huge; we had gone from a small group of friends to a community, building something we wished we had when we started university ourselves.

From that moment onwards, every new member was met with the continued, unfiltered delight, and by the end

of the year, when we had just under ten members in total, we still held onto that same joy. We were under no illusion about how small of a society we were, but we quickly found that none of that mattered.

What was important was that we had been given the opportunity to share our ebullience with others and it was that same shared love of our community that made it so special.

There hasn’t been a moment since where we’ve lost the joy of building a community and I now understand why. When we’re together, there’s an understanding that you can’t find elsewhere, and with that comes a sense of belonging.

It’s undeniably easy to feel alienated as a Jewish person, especially for those of us who live in cities like Bath without their own synagogue, but when we have one another, when we have a community like our JSoc, we have a family, regardless of how far from home we might be.

Another thing my Rabbi once told me was how any place could technically be a synagogue, provided you had the right things inside, and I’ve found myself relating that to our community, too.

We might be away from easily accessible Jewish spaces and other Jewish people, but when we’re together for events or Friday night dinners, it feels no different.

Our shared identity, no matter your observance level, whether you’re Jewish by birth or by choice, brings us together and provides a place for us to belong. That, above all else, is why having a JSoc is so important.

Will I Fit In? Dylan Stein

Dylan Stein As a brand new arrival to this country from South Africa, I was still determining what to expect concerning Jewish student life on the many University campuses. Thankfully I was directed to commence my post-graduate studies at the University of Nottingham, a University that is renowned for its high quality of Jewish student life. Like many other ‘freshers’, I attended many of the Jewish society events, learning about the various organisations facilitating the large Jewish presence on campus.

Initially, I was highly apprehensive, I knew virtually no-one and asked myself “will I fit in?” These reservations vanished upon attending the very first event. I met several people who I now speak with regularly.

What I discovered, is that in a similar fashion to South Africa and other Jewish Student Unions across the world which I had the pleasure of interacting with in my time with the WUJS (World Union of Jewish Students) board, the British Jewish student community maintains a welcoming atmosphere as well a sense of togetherness. It was only later I would discover the extent to which this closeness encompasses.

Trotting along with the trials and tribulations of a new entry to university, sorting out accommodation, and learning my way around the city, all seemed to be running facilely.

Then on the 7th of October, I awoke to the single most horrific attack

on Jews in my adult life. Immediately I felt dismayed. I began to draw parallels to my family history in Germany,. Again, I thought, “Jews are being massacred”. Currently, I must concede that I, like many others have not fully processed what has transpired. While it is important not to acquiesce to despair as this is ultimately the goal of terrorism, it remains a demanding undertaking. Simply put these thought processes gave way to loneliness.

Thankfully, however, the closeknit bond which exists in the British Jewish student community eliminated any of these fears and thoughts of desperation. I witnessed the community standing proud in the face of hatred. At the number of unity events organised by the Nottingham Jewish Society, Chabad and Aish the feeling of belonging I sampled earlier was cemented.

In conversations I have had with other students, similar inclinations were echoed. Whilst the hatred spewed at Israel and at Jewish people is disheartening, poor arguments against Israel are frustrating and perhaps a sense of judgment directed at Jewish students by both fellow students and staff is of course a challenge which by the very virtue of having to overcome is exhausting, there is a refrain which provides a sense of refuge: “The community is there for us and we are there for the community”.

Following the initial tragedy, I was unhealthily glued to the breaking news - further exacerbated by my continuing work for the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF), where scouring the major news outlets remains a daily chore.

However, there is one instance where this labour did at least yield the discovery of one of the more profound statements I have encountered regarding the sentiments I have attempted to convey throughout this article.

In a joint press conference with Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin encapsulated both the grief many of us have experienced as well as our strength and unity:

“Now, Israel is a small country — a place where everybody knows everybody.

And in times of trial, the intimacy of your society deepens the intimacy of your grief.

But that’s not a weakness.

It is a profound strength.

And in times of testing, Israelis know what to do.”

One could easily extend the above quotation to the Jewish people. The intimacy of our community facilitates a profound strength in troubling times.

Therefore I must thank the various Jewish student organisations on campus for the incredible yet difficult work they are undertaking.

They have, and I have no doubt they will continue to remain steadfast in ensuring Jewish student life thrives around the country.

It is important to remember it is Israelis who are immediately impacted by the violence brought on by Hamas. It is the members of IDF (Israeli Defense Force) who are working tirelessly to finally put an end to the sinister tyranny of Hamas. While the IDF are risking their lives against the axis of evil, the Jewish community abroad must continue its unwavering support.

Across social media, a common statement has been disseminated “never again is now”. It is through the courage of those on the frontlines that ‘never again’ carries its meaning.

While the situation in Israel remains tense here in the United Kingdom, students seem to be managing in their own right.

I have personally encountered many who find that simply attending Shabbat dinners allows a sense of calm in these difficult weeks. This is not surprising. The welcoming atmosphere and the familiar friendly faces will always be there.

At the time of writing, this conflict is not over. There may still be arduous times ahead before there is peace. Yet with the ever-growing support of the community, as we have done in the past, we will continue to remain unyielding.

AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 25

Q+A With The Editors Sarah Wilks & Guy Dabby-Joory Summarise your bar/bat mitzvah d’var Torah in 1 sentence

What’s the most challenging thing you’ve ever done?

Sarah: Powerful Jewish women and how great they are.

Sarah: Working with Guy Dabby-Joory

Guy: There’s a revolt but a big hole opens up in the ground and there’s no longer a revolt.

If you had the power to add one Jewish dish to every menu in the world, what would it be?

Sarah: Latkes- why wait for Chanukah Guy: I think a lettuce-matzah-charoset sandwich just to confuse people If you could create a new Jewish holiday, what would it celebrate, and how would people observe it?

Sarah: UJS day, everyone would have to wear UJS merch Guy: Sarah Wilks’ birthday. We’d all go up North.

What advice would you give to a monkey?

What’s the name of your favourite playlist, and what’s the best track on it?

Sarah: ‘Slumber Party’ and Olivia by One Direction Guy: ‘Daily Mix’ (thank you AI overlords), Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift If you could own one historical artefact, what would it be?

Sarah: Something from the Cairo Geniza

Guy: This interview If you could donate a large sum of money to any cause, which one would it be and why?

Sarah: The Sarah Wilks Gail’s Support Fund Guy: The Union of Jewish Students.

Leading, defending, enriching Jewish life on campus etc.

What is your dream Shabbat itinerary?

Sarah: Convention obviously Guy: Do I have to say UJS convention?

If you could visit any synagogue in the world, where would it be and why?

Sarah: I’d go to the Israel museum, 3 synagogues in 1 Guy: Barbados, for the free holiday

Sarah: Bananas taste better with peanut butter

Guy: Ark of the Covenant. Would be cool.

If you won £1,000 tomorrow, how would you spend it?

Guy: Shakespeare’s not that great, and infinite time is a long time.

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever visited?

Sarah: Holiday, somewhere sunny - I’m thinking Bali

If you could have any Jewish historical figure as a mentor, who would it be and what advice would you seek?

Sarah: Gails, West Hampstead

Guy: I’d give every Jewish student 11p, and then I’d use the remaining £90 to buy a lot of rogelach

Sarah: Esther, I’d ask her how she dealt with all those problematic men.

Do you sleep with socks on?

Guy: Moses. I’d ask him for some career advice.

26 ALEPH | AUTUMN 2023

Guy: The Oxford Jewish Centre

Sarah: No (& judge people that do). Please see below.

Guy: Depends

Meet The JSoc Presidents Highlighting just a few of our brilliant volunteers from across the country at JSocs big and small, leading and supporting their community!

Roi Gill, Gloucestershire

Eddie Vohs, Nottingham

Course: Computer Science

Course: Geography + Business

Best JSoc memory: Darts at our first FND

Best JSoc memory: JSoc Ball

When you’re not at JSoc where can you be found?: On the football pitch!

When you’re not at JSoc where can you be found?: I enjoy playing tennis, cooking, going out with friends

Favourite Jewish song/prayer: Hallelujah

Favourite Jewish song/prayer: Hatikvah

Cidney Miller, Nottingham

Emma Sherrard, Central School of Speech and Drama

Course: Youth Justice

Course: Drama, Applied Theatre and Education

Best JSoc memory: This year’s Freshers’ BBQ with over 170 people!

Best JSoc memory: Friday Night Dinner with The Principal of the University - and her attempting to sing Shalom Aleichem with the students!

When you’re not at JSoc where can you be found?: Chilling with my housemates Favourite Jewish song/prayer: Oseh Shalom

When you’re not at JSoc where can you be found?: Either the uni library or at the Holocaust survivors centre Favourite Jewish song/prayer: Shema Koleinu or Ani Maamin

Noah, Sadie, and Joe, Huddersfield Course: History, Graphic Design, and Mechanical Engineering Best JSoc memory: Priday Night Dinners, and winning a UJS Student Award last year!

When you’re not at JSoc where can you be found?: Appreciating trains, woodworking, or watching cat videos!

Favourite Jewish song/prayer: Adam Sandler’s Channukah song, and Forever Young by Bob Dylan (Sadie says it counts as Jewish)

AUTUMN 2023 | ALEPH 27

The Aleph Crossword

ACROSS

DOWN

3. The food eaten on the answer to 5 Across (9) 5. The best Jewish weekend of the year (10) 7. Dip it in salt (7) 8. We do it three times a day (4) 11. Light that hangs above the ark in synagogue (8) 12. We do this on Chanukah and Shabbat (14) 14. Day of spiritual renewal (7) 15. The UJS core value of cross- (11) 16. Edward (6) 19. UJS president 22/23 (9)

1. Festival being celebrated at time of publication (8) 2. If you have an idea, submit a... (6) 4. Where you can have your voice heard ! (10) 6. The bags you get your UJS freshers goodies in! (10) 9. UJS podcast (5) 10. How many editions of Aleph we’ve had so far (4) 12. Big name on (6) 13. Another word for Maccabee (9) 17. Number of Jewish societies in the UK and Ireland (12) 18. Rams horn (6)

With thanks to the contributors: Adi Peled | UJS Senior Shlicha Agne Kniuraite | Dublin JSoc Ainsley-Kay Rucker | Cork JSoc Cidney Miller | Nottingham JSoc Dora Hirsh | UJS Jewish Enrichment & Engagement and Inclusion Officer Dylan Stein | Nottingham JSoc Eddie Vohs | Nottingham JSoc

Edward Isaacs | UJS President Emma Sherrard | CSSD JSoc Guy Dabby-Joory | UJS Head of Campaigns Jacob Rozenberg | Bristol JSoc Joe Katz | Huddersfield JSoc Louis Danker | Edinburgh JSoc Macy Hall | Bath Spa JSoc Noah Kolinsky | Huddersfield

Olly DeHerrera | Oxford JSoc Roi Gill | Gloucestershire JSoc Sadie CK | Huddersfield JSoc Sarah Wilks | UJS Head of Programming Taliah Hammell | UJS Mental Health Awareness and Sixth Form Sabbatical Officer Talya Masters | Sheffield JSoc

All views expressed in this publication represent those of the contributors and are not those of the Union of Jewish Students.