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1,400 candles lit at Western Wall BY DAVID SAFFER
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Civil memorial ceremonies have taken place across Israel to mark 30 days since the massacre of 1,400 people by Hamas terrorists and the fallen IDF soldiers since the start of Operation Swords of Iron in the Gaza war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night told council heads from Judea and Samaria there would be “no ceasefire without the release of our hostages”. In a televised address, on Tuesday night, he said that the IDF, which has lost 33 soldiers, had “eliminated thousands of terrorists above and below the President Isaac and Michal Herzog light a memorial flame ground.” Netanyahu added: Every candle, a world unto itself. And when the “Gaza City is surrounded. We are operating within it, we are deepening the days of war are over, we will take all of these pressure on Hamas every hour, every day... candles and turn them into a great light, a new Hamas is discovering we are reaching places it light.” Families declared a Civil Memorial Day for never thought we would reach”. At the Western Wall, 1,400 memorial candles loved ones and called for a moment of silence were lit by bereaved families of the October 7 which was observed throughout Israel. atrocity. They were joined by citizens across A statement noted: ‘Thirty days after the Israeli society. massacre is a component of our private and Representatives of families read Psalms. national grieving process. It is not the end of Brig. Gen. (res.) Dedi Simchi, who lost his son our grief but marks an important and vital point Guy in an IDF battle, led kaddish. El Male Ra- in our struggle. This day cannot be ignored chamim was recited by IDF Chief Chazan, Shai and marking it is essential for our healing and Abramson. for all of us to gather strength. We call on all Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon recited a citizens, regardless of race, creed, gender or prayer for IDF soldiers and security forces. Rab- political stance, to take part in this day. We are bi Shmuel Rabinovitch, Rabbi of the Western all mourning as one family.’ Wall, recited a prayer for the return of hostages. The government have yet to announce a day He said: “These 1,400 candles will burn here for the nation to remember its fallen. President Isaac and First Lady Michal Herzog in memory of lives that were and are no more.
PHOTO: GPO
launched ‘The Light Will Overcome’ initiative in memory of those murdered and fallen at their residence in Jerusalem on Sunday evening. They called on people in Israel and all over the world to spread light in the face of darkness. Herzog said: “Today, we light a candle and remember the victims, the women and men, babies and the elderly, soldiers and commanders. We remember them all. We all kindle a flame, we light a candle, and stand for the simple, basic truth, together, the light will overcome.” The Israel Ministry of Defense hosted an unveiling ceremony of 394 commemorative plaques for those who have fallen in the ongoing war at the National Memorial Hall on Mount Herzl on Monday. Candles were lit to honour soldiers, police officers and ISA security personnel.
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Goldschmidt meets Pope BY ADAM MOSES
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Families of the 242 hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza have appealed to Pope Francis to gain their release. Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt delivered a letter from family representatives to the pontiff in Rome on Monday. The two religious leaders discussed the hostages’ plight, ongoing violence in Israel and rise of antisemitic demonstrations across Europe. Aside from violence in Dagestan and attacks against synagogues, antisemitic behaviour was strongly condemned by the Pope, who has spoken of a valued relationship with CER and denounced antisemitic violence. “This condemnation highlights the urgent need to combat such violence and uphold values of tolerance and unity,” said the former Chief Rabbi of Moscow and President of the Conference of European Rabbis. “The Pope shared with me the urgency of returning the hostages to their families, we discussed new ideas and thoughts regarding solving the current hostage situation.” The letter from Merav Leshem Gonen, mother of Romi Gonen, Shelly ShemTov, mother Malki Shem-Tov and Robi Hen, father of Itay Hen called for the Pope’s ‘compassionate intervention’ involving the Israeli hostages. The letter noted: ‘The whereabouts and condition of these hostages remain uncertain, causing immense suffering. Your moral voice, Holiness, holds great influence and in these dire cirDelivering the letter cumstances we look to your guidance and prayers for a speedy and positive outcome.’ Time, the letter explained, was ‘of the essence’ following Hamas’ slaughter of over 1,400 Israelis. ‘Every hour that passes the hostages’ situation deteriorates,” the letter explained. ‘Many are wounded, very possibly suffering torture, and a great number of them require urgent medical treatment. As a unique religious and spiritual leader with a moral stature influencing billions of people
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throughout the globe, we believe that Your Holiness can assist in bringing back home to us all of our beloved family members who have been abducted.’ The letter added: ‘Your Holiness, your support and humanitarian call for their release would carry a powerful message of hope and peace to the world. We turn to you to use your influence with the leaders of the relevant countries in the Middle East and beyond which have leverage over Hamas, to immediately bring about the release of the Israeli and foreign nationals who are being held hostage in Gaza, so that they can return home safe and sound as soon as possible.’ Families also called on the Pope to use his influence with the ICRC to increase efforts to ‘obtain a sign of life from the hostages and to obtain ‘immediate access’ to all to supply medical needs. They concluded: ‘We join together in prayer for the safety, well-being and safe return of these individuals, in the belief that your unique moral and religious stature will help alleviate this tragedy.’ Pope Francis called for the release of hostages held in Gaza and a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war when he addressed Italian-speaking pilgrims last week. “Let no-one abandon the possibility of stopping the weapons,” he reportedly said at his weekly blessing in St. Peter’s Square. “We say ‘ceasefire, ceasefire’. Brothers and sisters, stop! War is always a defeat, always.” The Pope added: “I encourage the release of hostages, and the entry of humanitarian aid into PHOTO: CER Gaza.” The pontiff expressed ongoing concern, prayers for those suffering and hope for a path to Middle East peace. World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder appealed to the Pope to help save the hostages during an audience last month at the opening of the first Jewish liaison office on Vatican property. Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, told journalists the Vatican strongly condemned the terrorist attacks against Israel. WHAT’S INSIDE THIS WEEK WHAT’S INSIDE THIS WEEK 02 04 News News 15 Opinion 18 Feature 16 Games 22 18 Community Community Feature 26 Opinion
30 Judaism 28 Cookery 30 Judaism 39 Cooking 36 Kids 40 Family Fun 38 Youth 42 Expert Advice
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CAA call for Braverman to ban anti-Israel protests
BY ADAM MOSES
Campaign Against Antisemitism has written to Home Secretary Suella Braverman to invoke the Police Act 1996 to ensure anti-Israel protests this weekend, which coincide with Armistice Day, are banned. Demonstrations in the past month have seen genocidal chanting, calls for violence and antisemitic banners. CAA have noted the enormous support of Braverman to the Jewish community as the Gaza war continues. The Metropolitan Police Force, however, CAA lament, has failed to enforce conditions on marches and that continues with this weekend’s highly publicised event. Gideon Falter, CAA Chief Executive, said: “On Armistice Day, we honour our military heroes who fought and died to defend our freedom to live in peace and security and without fear, and against antisemitic hatred. It would be a disgrace to their legacy if the streets of London once again become a no-go zone for Jews because they are overrun with antisemites and terrorist sympathisers. “If the Met is unable or unwilling to protect our freedoms and values this Remembrance Day weekend, we call on the Home
Secretary to issue section 40 directives to section 13 of the Public Order Act repreforce the Met into action, and call in the sents an extraordinary lapse, and shows army to do what their predecessors did that the force is deaf to the call of the hour, and uphold the values that our country the march must be banned.” stands for.” CAA continue to The impact for call on the Police Service to impose a British Jewry has ban on the protest been “significant”, noted CAA. and on the Mayor of A CAA spokesman London Sadiq Khan commented: “The to step up. Met’s plea to the orCAA is requesting ganisers of the proBraverman use distest is pathetic. The cretionary powers to slap in the face that direct Mayor Khan the Met received in to remedy police response shows the failures, and for the type of people they army to be called in are dealing with. to reinforce the poWhat makes the police if necessary. lice think that peoThe letter to ple who organise Braverman follows protests featuring Home Secretary Suella Braverman CAA organising an open letter signed by genocidal chants, antisemitic banners and barely disguised top lawyers, including 15 Kings Counsel, sympathy for terrorists would forgo the appealing for the Met to impose restricopportunity for another march that intim- tions on weekly marches through London. idates Jews? The absurd politeness of the To date 25,000 Londoners have signed a Met’s request and its attempt not to simply CAA petition on the matter. use its legal powers to ban the march under Ahead of the ‘National March for
Terrible Events in Israel and Rising Antisemitism:
Palestine’ on Armistice Day, CAA noted legal experts had criticised Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, Sir Mark’s Rowley, for his failure to balance the ‘right to protest’ with the law. Falter said: “Every Saturday, central London is becoming a hostile, no-go zone for many Londoners, including British Jews. It is astounding how quickly this has become the new ‘norm’. We are hearing from Jewish Londoners who have lived in the capital their entire lives that they are now questioning whether they are safe in Britain. With calls now for a ‘million man’ march on Remembrance Day weekend, we cannot accept this any longer. “As these legal experts remind us, the Police Service has powers under existing legislation to impose restrictions on these demonstrations and arrest offenders in greater numbers. Only this would send a message that this scale of criminality and intimidation has no place on our streets, and that law-abiding Londoners have a right to walk through their city without fear. That is the fundamental job of the police. The time for action came weeks ago, but it is not too late to finally uphold the law.”
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Israel Realtime - "Connecting the world to Israel in Realtime" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a powerful address on Tuesday evening to the world. “Citizens of Israel, I would like to update you on the continuation of the war. In the south, the war in the Gaza Strip is proceeding with a fervor that Hamas has never known. Gaza City is surrounded. We are operating in it. We are intensifying the pressure on Hamas on an hourly basis, every day. As of now, we have eliminated thousands of terrorists above ground – and below ground. Among them, we have eliminated arch-murderers who planned and perpetrated the terrible massacre on that black Shabbat one month ago. Since the start of the ground incursion, we have destroyed countless Hamas command centers, tunnels, bases and installations. Hamas is discovering that we can go to places they did not think we could, and the campaign is continuing. I have just come from our soldiers at the Tze’elim base. Some of them were in the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip and fought with extraordinary heroism on the first day of fighting. Afterwards, they fought with the determination and heroism in the north. Now they are preparing to enter the Gaza Strip, equipped with two great advantages. First – the lessons that the IDF is systematically and prudently learning from the operations of our forces inside Gaza, lessons that are improving the results of the fighting even more. The second – and most important – advantage is that they are equipped with
a fighting spirit that is second to none. They have extraordinary heroism. They have faith and, above all, they have a sense of mission. They are defending our home. I salute them; the entire people of Israel salutes them. In the north, we are operating defensively and offensively. We will continue to defend our border. We will not accept a reality in which Hezbollah or those who do its bidding, Hamas in Lebanon, attack our communities and our citizens. We will continue to respond with heavy fire to any attack against us. We have attacked many Hezbollah targets and have eliminated many terrorists. I reiterate: If Hezbollah decides to enter the war – it will be making the mistake of its life. Regarding our hostages, I have spoken with the President of the Red Cross. I demanded from her that the Red Cross act toward the immediate release of our hostages, as required by international law. I also demanded that the Red Cross carry out its obligation and immediately visit all of the hostages in order to verify their health and well-being. Yesterday, I convened all of the foreign ambassadors to Israel. I called on them to join Israel’s demand for the immediate release of all of the hostages. I told them that their abduction is a war crime. I reiterate to our enemies and friends alike: There will be no ceasefire without the return of our hostages. From here I turn to the hostages’ families, who are enduring an ongoing nightmare: I want you to know that we
are using all means, on all fronts, in order to bring your loved ones – our loved ones – back home. The military action is a vital part of this effort. On the diplomatic front, we are working around the clock to provide the IDF with international maneuvering room for continued military activity. We are bringing here leaders from countries around the world. I meet with them and show them the horrors of Hamas. I show them the heroism of our citizens and our soldiers. I tell them: Our war is your war because if we do not win, you are next in line. I always add: We will win. We will not stop until victory. I am in continuous contact with US President Joe Biden. We appreciate his support, that of the US administration and that of the American people. Citizens of Israel, last month, on the black day of October 7th, a brutal war was forced on us by an enemy whose cruelty is unparalleled, and who sought to slaughter us. This enemy will be struck severely. He will be destroyed. We will eliminate Hamas’s military and governing capabilities. Gaza will no longer constitute a threat to Israel. Once again, I call on the civilian population in Gaza – evacuate southward. You are already doing so; complete it. We will not stop. I repeat: There will be no entry of fuel or workers, and there will be no ceasefire without the release of our hostages. On the economic issue, my directive to the government and to the ministers is absolutely clear: Lift all of the
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impediments, open all the taps, attend to all the injured, attend to all the civilians and make certain that nobody is left behind. We have evacuated over 100,000 people from the northern and southern borders. We are working to return them. We are working, first of all, to rehabilitate the communities, including the moshavim and kibbutzim. We will invest all the necessary capital, effort and heart in this. We are giving full and increased payment to reservists, compensation to workers and compensation to businesses. Something else, the home front. Today I visited the command centre for the city of Ashdod. I saw the resilience of the leadership and of the residents. I would like to tell you, citizens of Israel: Your resilience, and your determination to continue until victory, are what gives us – the government and the IDF – the strength to complete the task. Citizens of Israel, all of our hearts are with the families of those who were murdered and the families of the hostages. We embrace the bereaved families of our soldiers who gave their lives for our state. We wish a speedy recovery to the wounded and pray for them. We strongly support our brave soldiers. I tell you with certainty: Out of the darkness and pain, we will emerge stronger, better prepared and more united. Together we will fight and with G-d’s help, together we will win.”
YAEL NEEDS TO TALK ABOUT WHAT SHE HEARD ON 7TH OCTOBER As Yael and her young children were barricaded in the safe room of their house in Netiv Asara, all they could hear was the non-stop sound of screams. For seven hours. Although she had never even held a weapon before, her husband had given her his gun and seven bullets before they went in. As one-by-one her neighbours were hunted down and murdered, one of those bullets would ultimately save her family. UJIA is raising essential funds to provide instant trauma support to those whose lives have been torn apart by the recent terror attacks in Israel.
TO DONATE NOW TO THE UJIA ISRAEL AT WAR COMMUNITY APPEAL, VISIT UJIA.ORG OR SCAN THE QR CODE
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AAD blasts Lineker… again BY DAVID SAFFER
terrorist and likening the current GovernAction Against Discrimination has ment’s immigration policy to that of Nazi voiced disdain over football presentGermany in the 1930s. He is an admitted er Gary Lineker backing a proposed supporter of the disruptive eco group Just pro-Palestinian demonstration on ArmiStop Oil, which compared oil company stice Day and criticising Home Secretary executives to the Nazi architects of the Suella Braverman for calling such a Holocaust including Adolf Eichmann. demonstration a “hate march” on social He also accepted a Sports and Human medium platform X. Rights award in May 2023 from Amnesty Braverman said it was unacceptable International, who are hardly a friend of to desecrate Armistice Day with a “hate the State of Israel. march through London”. “Having been suspended once by the AAD has already blasted football bodies BBC from Match Of The Day, Lineker is and a number of clubs for not stopping self-indulgent, disruptive and dangerous, hostility towards the State of Israel and and should be removed from the BBC UK Jewish comonce and for munity during the all, and for Israel-Gaza conflict, good reason. including waving The same wrath of Palestinian flags could also be at matches. Now directed at jourLineker has incurred nalists Hugo their wrath. Rifkind, in The AAD chairman Times, and MatJonathan Metliss thew D’Ancona, said: “Lineker just in The Evening cannot resist himself Standard, who and has serious have both form in this area that supported includes his criticism the march in of the shooting by the name of the IDF of a Palestin‘liberalism’ and ian footballer who in the belief that turned out to be a cancellation AAD Chairman Jonathan Metliss
9 NOVEMBER 2023
could trigger more antisemitism.” Metliss, who was at the Tottenham Metliss also noted that Chelsea FC’s Hotspur vs Chelsea game on Monday, insistence on removing the Magen Dovid continues to call for the abolition of the from the Chelsea Israel Supporters Club provocative ‘Y’ word chanting by Tottenflag is “equally reprehensible”. ham supporters. “They argue it is a safety hazard on He commented: “AAD will play an advice of the Premier League, who were active role in this process. We call on strongly criticised by Israel football relevant football authorities, clubs, authorities with an ambiguous stance police, politicians of all parties, press, towards atrocities committed by Hamas,” Jewish community organisations and he noted. stakeholders in the UK football world to Metliss, though, admits some progress do likewise.” has been made, although regrettably it has “taken time.” He observed: “The Football Association is clamping down on Palestinian flag waving by supporters and players alike, such as Hamza Choudhary of Leicester. Celtic have removed season tickets of ultra-fans who waved Palestinian flags at a recent home game against Atletico Madrid. In a letter sent to clubs, the Football Association has finally threatened players with police action and banned the use of the pro-Palestine phrase ‘from the river to the sea’, stating ‘posts ‘will face the full force of the law. Former Professional Footballer, Gary Lineker
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Global support continues for Israel BY ADAM MOSES
will remain in solidarity with Israel. We stand strong for the proposition that Isra-
Israeli leaders continue to meet world leaders as the war with Hamas intensifies. The state’s profile on the global stage is essential as it fights the war in Gaza but also public perception. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s war cabinet before meetings with Arab leaders in the region last weekend. Netanyahu and Blinken met for the third time since the October 7 massacre and outbreak of war. Israel’s leader showed Blinken and his delegation footage of Hamas at the start of the meeting in Tel Aviv. Herzog also held talks with Blinken where he presented IDF materials alerting Gazan civilians of military action and appeals to move to safe zones. He also praised Blinken’s Senate speech which gave a “clear picture” of the hostages, the massacre and right of Israelis to defend themselves. Regarding the leaflet, Herzog said: “This speaks for itself as we protect the civilians moving out to safe zones, giving them the necessary humanitarian aid and enabling us to defend ourselves.” Blinken responded: “These are difficult days, but we’re here as we have been and
Benjamin Netanyahu and EC President von der Leyen
el has not only the right but the obligation to defend itself, and to do everything possible to make sure that October 7 can never happen again.” He added: “It is very important when it comes to the protection of civilians, who are caught in the crossfire of Hamas’s making, that everything be done to protect them, to bring assistance to those who desperately need it and who are not responsible for what happened on October 7. We have a shared determination that will not wane. We are also thinking every moment of our hostages. So many Israelis, Americans and other nationals.
We are determined to to bring them back safely to their families.” Netanyahu updated some 80 foreign ambassadors on IDF operations at the Kirya in Tel Aviv on Monday. In a stark warning, he said: “What we see is a broader battle between civilisation and barbarism. The barbarism is led by an axis of terror led by Iran. It includes Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis and other minions to bring the Middle East and world back to a dark age. They seek to torpedo, to derail any progress towards peace and the progress we had in our budding peace treaties with our Arab neighbours. If the Middle East falls to the axis of terror, Europe will be next and no one will be safe. This is a global battle.” Netanyahu added: “We will defeat Hamas. We will dismantle Hamas. We will offer the people of Gaza and peoples of the Middle East a future of promise and hope. But this requires victory.” Netanyahu appealed to diplomats to back Israel’s request to the Red Cross for an immediate, unconditional release of hostages. “You should be part of that call every day,” he said.
Ongoing discussions have also taken place with US President Joe Biden, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides among many leaders.
Myisrael have the experience to help Myisrael was founded 15 years ago by Danni Franks. Three years after making Aliyah from London, she saw the difference that small Israeli charities made on the ground but she realised that the average British Jew on the street would not necessarily have ever heard of them. Her standing principal has always been to do all she can to ‘make a huge difference to people’s lives.’ She decided to set up myisrael which raises money on behalf of these smaller charities. By looking online at myisraelcharity. org, you can see the different types of charities that Danni has brought under her wing. These include money for people to pay for taxis, if they have cancer appointments but can’t afford the taxi to hospital. Otherwise, they would have to take many buses there and back, lengthening an already stressful journey. The fifteen years of experience has
crucially led her team to be ready for the last month that no one ever dreamed of. The devastation wrought on October 7th, the darkest day for world Jewry since the Holocaust, left many more tragedies than people think of.
Myisrael are doing all they can to relieve the post-traumatic stress of the survivors, friends and family members who lost loved ones. Some of these people were already struggling with mental health issues before Simchat Torah and this has compounded their pre-existing conditions.
The emergency Israel appeal that has been raised the last few weeks has helped to pay for counselling for those affected. However, 60% of the budget is being carefully saved for the next few months when vital care is needed after the initial shock wears off and grief sets in.
Danni spent a day this week at a therapeutic centre in the company of many people who are starting the long road of healing from the most unfathomable tragedy imaginable. She saw how young children were making elephants out of clay, including a girl who had lost 3 family members on that tragic day. Another boy was playing with a
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‘chibuki’ teddy bear, a specially made teddy bear with a sad face, that encourages children to embrace it and look after it creating a sense of responsibility in them. These methods go a long way to helping heal Israel’s wounded, but it all cost money. To donate to all the various causes, log on to: https://myisraelcharity.org or call 020 3004 8994.
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Kristallnacht commemorated around the world BY DAVID SAFFER
Jews around the world commemorate 85 years since Kristallnacht at events today. With the war in Gaza intensifying between Israel and Hamas the atrocity of the ‘night of breaking glass’ is more poignant than ever and a reminder that antisemitism is tragically part of history. The horror of Kristallnacht followed the shooting of the Third Secretary of the German Embassy Ernst vom Rath by Herschel Grynszpan in Paris on November 7th. The 17-year-old Jewish student acted following the deportation of his parents to Poland from Hanover to alert the world of the plight of Europe’s Jews. When French police arrested Grynszpan, he exclaimed: “Being a Jew is not a crime. I am not a dog. I have a right to live and the Jewish people have a right to exist on earth. Wherever I have been I have been chased like an animal.” News of Grynszpan’s assassination of vom Rath, who died on November 9th, reached Nazi leader Adolf Hitler who expanded his antisemitic policies after taking power in 1933 to new extremes. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels in a devastating speech declared German Jews would pay for vom Rath’s death. Just before midnight on November 9th, Gestapo chief Heinrich Müller sent a telegram to police units to act against Jews and especially synagogues. Historians have recorded that from November 9th to 10th 1938, rioters, often neighbours, ransacked Jewish homes, hospitals, schools and cemeteries, around 100 Jews were murdered, over 900 synagogues were burnt down across Germany and Austria while 7,500 Jewish-owned businesses destroyed. 30,000 Jewish males aged 16 to 60 were arrested. The following day Goebbels was recorded as stating: “We shed not a tear for them (the Jews.)” Regarding the destruction of synagogues, he said: “They stood in the way long enough. We can use the space made free more usefully than as Jewish fortresses.” Kristallnacht removed Jews from German public life. Within a week, the Nazis circulated a letter declaring Jewish businesses could not be reopened unless managed by non-Jews. The Nazi government barred Jews
from schools on November 15th and authorised local authorities to impose curfews by late November. The Nazis issued the ‘Decree on Eliminating the Jews from German Economic Life’. The Nazis also determined that Jews were liable for damages caused during Kristallnacht. ‘The Decree on the Penalty Payment by Jews Who Are German Subjects’ imposed a one-billion mark fine on the Jewish community, an indemnity for the death of vom Rath. President Roosevelt, who instructed 12,000-15,000 refugees in the US on temporary visitor visas to remain indefinitely, at a press conference on November 15th, said: “The news of the past Kristallnacht, shop damage in Magdeburg few days from Germany has deeply shocked public opinion in They proposed financial support, the United States... I myself could scarceeducation and training and asked that ly believe that such things could occur in the need for German travel documents a 20th century civilisation.” and British visas be waived in order to Tragically his words did not save expedite the mission. the 30,000 Jews arrested who were Chamberlain wasn’t keen initially, sent to concentration camps at an however, Home Secretary Sir Samuel expanded Dachau, Buchenwald and Hoare, himself a Quaker, raised it in Sachsenhausen. Cabinet where Lord Halifax, the Foreign World Jewish Relief formerly known as Secretary, backed it, believing this posiThe Central British Fund for German Jew- tive action could bring America on board ry (CBF), was instrumental in organising as allies against the Nazis. the rescue of children from Nazi Europe. On November 21st 1938, the matter was Immediately after Kristallnacht, CBF raised in Parliament and an agreement founders Lionel De Rothschild and passed for an unlimited number of child Chaim Weizmann, together with a small refugees to be given temporary refuge in delegation of prominent British Jews Britain so long as there was no recourse comprising Lord Samuel, Lord Bearsted, to public funds. Chief Rabbi Dr Joseph Hertz and Neville A special travel permit would be Laski, met with Prime Minister Neville issued to eliminate the need for formal Chamberlain to appeal for his help in res- documents. cuing children from the Nazis by bringing With funding from the CBF, the Chilthem to Britain. dren’s Inter-Aid Committee and The
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Society of Friends (Quakers) swung into action and on December 2nd, the first trainload of 200 children arrived at Harwich. The Movement for the Care of Children from Germany (MCCG) oversaw the rescue effort. The Jewish Refugee Committee, a branch of the CBF, were to take children over the age of 16 and help them gain training and employment whilst the MCCG placed younger children with families. Between December 1938 and September 1939, 10,000 children were brought to safety. After the war, MCCG was absorbed into the Jewish Refugee Committee who took care of ongoing welfare needs of the Kindertransport children. WJR has digitised historic records including thousands of individual case files for children who came on the Kindertransport.
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NEWS 13
Herzog welcomes ambassadors to Israel BY DAVID SAFFER
President Isaac Herzog has received diplomatic credentials of incoming United States Ambassador to Israel, Jacob J. Lew last Sunday. Herzog also welcomed ambassadors to Israel from Thailand, Philippines, Tanzania and Nepal. All had citizens killed or taken hostage alongside Israelis in the October 7 terror attack by Hamas. The ceremonies at Herzog’s residence was conducted without the normal pomp and ceremony due to the Gaza war. Lew presented his credentials before statements were made to the watching media. Herzog spoke of Lew’s public service record and connection to Israel and the Jewish people. “A crisis is always when you’re reminded who your friends are,” he said. “I’m speaking for all Israelis when I say never has American friendship been more evident or valued. We are grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support. We value the repeated visits by Secretary Blinken and high-level officials. We are grateful for everything the USA has done for us and is doing as we speak. “Unfortunately, you begin your service at a tipping point for Israel and the region, maybe for the world. Our army is fighting in Gaza against a terror organisation that uses
its civilian population as a human shield and the source of its attacks, that conceals its forces in ambulances and hides its headquarters underneath a hospital. Yesterday, our forces were opening a humanitarian corridor to get Palestinian civilians to safety when they were attacked by Hamas. This organisation and other Iranian proxies are the threat we face but it’s also what America and civilised world faces. “This war is about more than Israel and Hamas. It’s about whether the world will accept the violation of our most basic values as human beings. We treasure the clarity we’ve heard from President Biden, who called the Hamas threat by its true name, evil. This is an ongoing war crime and anyone concerned with humanitarian aid must act to secure the hostages immediate and unconditional release. “We are committed to humanitarian assistance to the uninvolved civilian population of Gaza. But we know the only way to stop the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians is to remove the threat of Hamas. These are trying times for us all. But as you know, Israel is a country founded on hope. Together we can defeat the forces of chaos and violence and make our hopes for the region a reality.” Lew responded: “These are not normal times and this is not a normal transition. I am told it’s the shortest time from a vote in the Senate to arriving in country reflecting the urgency in the moment.”
President Isaac Herzog welcomed new ambassadors to Israel
President Isaac Herzog and US Ambassador to Israel, Jacob J. Lew
Recalling how he had worked in government to deepen the US-Israel relationship, he added: “This past month has tested Israel and has proven that the bond between our nations is unshakable.” After meeting families of hostages, Lew commented: “There are no words to explain the pain they feel. The release of 200 hostages, including Americans, is a top priority. As President Biden has said, Israel has a right and responsibility to defend this nation. We remain committed to providing the support to be successful in that effort.” Lew continued: “We must remain focused on the longterm strategic challenges that will shape a future of greater stability and security, with better opportunities for all people of goodwill, regardless of religion. There’s much to do, but we’ll do it together. What took place on October 7 is a stain on humanity. The US stands with you. Our resolve remains strong.” Welcoming other ambassadors to Israel, Herzog said that amongst those killed and captured were students studying agriculture, caregivers and farm workers. PHOTO: GPO He also noted that Hamas’
PHOTO: GPO
atrocities did not differentiate between faith, ethnicity or beliefs of victims. Herzog added: “We are here because of the tragedy that has befallen the people of Israel and many people from your nations. We know that many of your citizens in Israel were murdered, killed, tortured, wounded, and unfortunately taken hostage.” The Ambassador of Thailand, Pannabha Chandraramya confirmed that 23 Thai people were murdered and some were still to be identified. She said, “News about Israel is in the Thai media every day. We are concerned about the Thai people living and working in Israel, and those abducted. We want to know how we help them.” Ambassador of Philippines, Pedro R. Laylo, Jr. said that four Philippine citizens were murdered. In one account, a care worker was protecting her ward.” Ambassador of Nepal, Kanta Rizal confirmed that ten Nepali students on a MASHAV program were murdered. And the Ambassador to Tanzania, Alex Gabriel Kallua said two citizens were missing. Herzog told the diplomats: “Your citizens are part and parcel of the people of Israel in facing atrocities of the worst kind. Many lost their lives in tragic circumstances. Thirty-six countries are represented in this tragedy. We know how painful this is and we will work tirelessly to bring everybody back home.”
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9 NOVEMBER 2023
AJEX parade huge numbers Iron Man for Charity BY ADAM MOSES
Huge numbers will participate in the AJEX Remembrance Parade and Ceremony on Sunday 19th November. AJEX also expects large numbers of spectators in light of rising antisemitism in the UK. Community members will proudly celebrate Jewish service to the Crown and British society. This is the only Jewish event where Whitehall is closed. A high level of security will be provided by CST and the Police. Early arrival is recommended. No large bags will be allowed. The event honours thousands of Jewish servicemen and women who served for our freedom. This year is themed ‘Side by Side’ and will witness veterans and families of fallen veterans march. AJEX has been overwhelmed with marchers signing up. Registration ends on Sunday. A CST representative said: “The parade commemorating the sacrifice made by Jewish veterans of His Majesty’s armed forces is an event that CST works tirelessly alongside Police to protect every year and 2023 will be no different. We encourage anyone who is so inclined to attend as normal. Our community is proud of the contribution we have made to the UK and nothing will stand in the way of our community marching proudly.”
AJEX National Chair, Dan Fox said: “The parade sits at the very heart of what it means to be British and Jewish. It is a commemoration of everything the UK has done for Jews and everything Jews have done for the UK. It is a defiance of the most vicious antisemitic libels. Everyone who attends does themselves, their family, their community and their country proud.” AJEX CEO Fiona Palmer added: “We urge all to take pride in our roles as members of the Jewish community, making sure our Jewish contribution is remembered as well as honouring all those who continue to serve. We look forward to seeing people at the parade wearing medals or family medals, whether marching or spectating. This gesture ensures a continuing legacy of remembrance.” This year’s parade marks the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, Dam Busters raid and 70th anniversary of the end of fighting in the Korean War. It is also the end of National Service 60 years ago. British Jews have served the UK’s Armed Forces for 350 years. Marchers gather at Horse Guards Parade at 1pm and march off at 1.45pm. Register to march by Sunday 12th November: www.ajex.org.uk
UK Friends of Yad Sarah Trustees Alistair Marks and IDF Veteran Dor Zakai Complete Half Iron Man Challenge in Support of Yad Sarah Emergency Appeal In a remarkable display of determination and solidarity, UK Friends of Yad Sarah Trustee Alistair Marks and IDF veteran Dor Zakai successfully completed a gruelling half Iron Man challenge on Friday, raising an impressive £30,000 in support of the Yad Sarah emergency appeal. The event, originally scheduled to take place in Israel at Lake Tiberius, had to be cancelled due to the ongoing conflict. Faced with the cancellation of the official event, Alistair Marks was resolute. “I could not let this important fundraising opportunity pass,” he stated. With the unwavering support of Dor , they decided to take on the challenge in London, proving that their commitment to Yad Sarah knows no bounds. The challenge consisted of swimming 1.2 miles, cycling 56 miles, and culminating with a half marathon covering 13.1 miles in Regents Park. Despite the grueling nature of the task, the two heroes managed to complete it
in just 6 and a half hours, demonstrating their exceptional dedication and physical prowess. Alistair Marks expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support they received and the tremendous effort put forth by both him and Dor . The funds raised will go towards supporting the Yad Sarah emergency appeal, which plays a vital role in providing essential services and care to those in need during challenging times. Their unwavering commitment and determination are a testament to the spirit of the Yad Sarah community and the lengths they are willing to go to make a positive impact on those less fortunate. Their achievement serves as an inspiration to all who seek to make a difference. For more information about Yad Sarah and to contribute to the emergency appeal, please visit. www.yadsarah.org.uk
JWA SHABBAT PRESENTS:
24-25 NOVEMBER 2023 This year, Jewish Women’s Aid Shabbat is focused on Healthy Relationships. We invite you to read our toolkit and to take part in the activity which opens conversations about what makes a relationship healthy – or unhealthy.
Scan the QR code or visit jwa.org.uk/healthyrelationships
Jewish Women’s Aid supports and empowers Jewish women and girls aged 16+ (14+ in London) who are experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence. IF YOU NEED OUR SUPPORT, PLEASE CONTACT US: 0808 801 0500 • advice@jwa.org.uk • jwa.org.uk/webchat
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Charity No. 1047045
UNITED HATZALAH OF ISRAEL
ISRAEL IS AT WAR
HELP US BUY VITAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, TREAT THE INJURED AND SAVE LIVES DONATE TO
UNITED HATZALAH OF ISRAEL
Israelrescue.org/en_GB/donate/
BRITISH FRIENDS OF UNITED HATZALAH ISRAEL Suite 12 – The Brentano Suite First Floor, Lyttelton House, 2 Lyttelton Road, London, N2 0EF Phone. 020 3823 4650 I Email. uk@israelrescue.org
Charity no. 1101329
LANIADO HOSPITAL HAS BEEN ACTIVELY PROVIDING CARE AND TREATMENT TO CASUALTIES AND VICTIMS OF TERROR FOLLOWING THE HEINOUS ATTACK CARRIED OUT BY THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION HAMAS Over 50 individuals so far with a range of injuries have been admitted. Many of these patients needed surgery to remove bullets after being shot by Hamas terrorists. We are appealing to you for support in acquiring life-saving medical equipment.
FEEDING PUMP
INFUSION PUMP
Used to deliver nutrition to patients
Provides fluids to patients intravenously
£400
£800
E.C.G
Non-invasive heart activity testing
£2,000
BLOOD PRESSURE & TEMPERATURE GUAGE Used to measure blood pressure & temperature
TRANSFER MONITOR
Used to display physiology parameters
POC ULTRASOUND
£3,000
£4,000
£7,500
Emergency Ultrasound
DONATE NOW! charityextra.com/laniadourgentappeal OR CALL US ON 0208 201 6111
DEFIBRILLATOR
For applying electric shock to patients having cariac arrest
£12,250
Shalva - A beacon of light
18 FEATURE
In the hills of Jerusalem sits the Shalva National Centre, which has become a beacon of light and haven of hope for displaced evacuee families from the war ravaged communities of the Gaza strip and Northern Israel. Shalva is a world renowned centre for children with disabilities run under the expert leadership of Rabbi Kalman Samuels who started Shalva, together with his wife Malki, in 1990. Shalva offers inclusion services and support for those with cognitive and physical disabilities with programmes servicing all ages from babies through to adults. Samuels is passionate about the current situation, “When the war broke
Animals joining the fun
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out, we knew that thousands of families would be displaced. This of course would be extremely difficult for families who have children with disabilities and they would be severely adversely affected. Children with disabilities heavily rely on their familiar infrastructure to cope and so we launched operation, ‘Open Hearts, Open Doors.’ The campaign is currently supporting over a thousand families with a crisis support program that has sees hundreds utilising the Shalva services. Not only is Shalva opening their doors to those with disabilities but to displaced families from Naveh who are using Shalva as their base (for school and sports etc) and to teenage girls from Eden Carmia (youth at risk) who are currently living at Shalva because their centre is now within the military zone. Gaby Hirsch, Chief Development Officer at Shalva is filled with emotion as she describes the situation, “ Shalva has always been a home away from home for our participants. But over the last few weeks, one can’t help but be deeply moved by the daily miracle that has occurred at Shalva.” Hirsch explains that since October 7th, thousands of families have been living in hotels in the area. Every morning, a bus picks up evacuee children with disabilities from six hotels
in the area and brings them to Shalva to attend a day program. “I can’t imagine how traumatised these families are, having had to flee their homes to safety. Compounded with that is having to live in tiny living spaces caring for children with disabilities, which we at Shalva know is more than challenging. Knowing that we have been able to provide them with some respite is very special. Our nation is functioning as one family and we feel so privileged to be playing our part.” Hirsch tells that the Shalva team Arts and Crafts in the Shalva Centre felt they had to step up and provide for these urgent needs as is in keeping Yochanan Samuels. “nobody will be turned with the Shalva policy of providing for the away and we will stand together with our needs of others. However the expense for people until the sun shines once again on this is high and the undertaking will be in our holy land.” the realm of circa $3 million. “This is our sacred duty, and we will do it with a full heart and open d o o r s ,” says CEO The Shalva family having a great time
What is Ezrat Achim doing? What is Ezrat Achim doing to help those affected by the war? Is there anything Ezrat Achim isn’t doing to help? Since the tragic events of October 8th, they’ve been at the forefront of relief efforts. They swiftly established an emergency command centre and provided crucial first aid to soldiers in the South during the initial days of the war. Moreover, they’ve secured accommodations for over 350 families forced to flee from Sderot, Ashkelon, Netivot, and other South regions, and more recently from the North. Their professional kitchen has been a beacon of hope, producing and delivering over 2,000 meals daily. Not stopping there, Ezrat Achim has been a lifeline for women whose husbands were called up for service, orchestrating the evacuation of families to temporary
Ezrat Achim workers in front of their ambulance
housing in Beit w i t h Shemesh. They’ve givspecial en evacuees 100,000 needs. NIS worth of cards They’ve b e e n for Yesh and Bazaar Strauss and organized spreading teams of dedicated positivity women and girls to by giving out green pack meals daily in their kitchen. tzitzit, siIn addition, frei tehillim, and they’ve undertaken “Thank the responsibility of Soldiers sorting through all the donated goods collecting and distriby o u uting dry goods, toiletries, toys, books, and Hashem” stickers to soldiers and offermore, while providing hot meals to grate- ing a Snoezlen room to decrease stress ful soldiers across Israel, even reaching a and tension. There are weekly hafrashat base on Har Dov at the Lebanese border. challah groups for the benefit of soldiers Their support extends to arranging therapy and families, and they’ve been serving hot with licensed Hebrew-speaking therapists chulent on army bases every Friday for traumatized evacuees and a sub- night, with parent and child fun learnstantial toy drive, distributing over ing programs for displaced families on $10,000 worth of games and toys. Saturday night, complete with pizza Ezrat Achim’s commitment also and a raffle. includes advising evacuees about Moreover, Ezrat Achim has been a available government assistance catalyst for local businesses from the and grants, organizing activities and South to set up pop-up shops in Beit entertainment for families, setting Shemesh, providing both commerce up a large clothing store stocked with and discounts to displaced families. donated items, distributing essentials They’re actively seeking more apartto soldiers, and extending hours at ments to accommodate the growing centers for children and young adults demand.
Notably, Ezrat Achim’s capacity has expanded significantly, enabling them to prepare as many meals as necessary in their professional chesed kitchen, dedicated to the memory of David and Ann Steinmetz z”l. Evacuees are encouraged to sign up for meal deliveries at no cost. It’s important to highlight that Ezrat Achim has achieved all of this without any government funding. Their remarkable work has been made possible by dedicated volunteers and incredibly generous donors. If you’re looking for a way to support their mission, their hotline number is 1-800-999-000, and you can find more information at www.CauseMatch.com/ Ezrat-Achim. A heartfelt thank you to all those making this vital work possible.
Soldiers sorting through the donated toiletries
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PROUDLY MEDAL WEARING
SIDE BY SIDE AT THE AJEX PARADE Book now to Parade and join AJEX at the Cenotaph in honouring and Remembering the thousands of Jewish Servicemen and Women who fought and served for our freedom. March ‘Side by Side’ in solidarity, honouring their legacy. Veterans, families, and community groups of all ages are welcome to this unique, historic event. Whether a Parade regular or a first-timer please join us. If you have them, proudly wear your own or your family members’ medals.
T 020 8202 2323 E ajexremembers@ajex.org.uk youtube.com/AJEX_JMA
facebook.com/ajexheadoffice
twitter.com/AJEX_UK
instagram.com/ajex_jma
Please allow enough time to get into the event as there is a high level of security provided by CST and the Police. Please ensure that you bring photographic personal identification and avoid bringing large bags and backpacks. AJEX - The Jewish Military Association Registered Charity No 1129591
AJEX ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE PARADE & CEREMONY Sunday 19th November 2023 Gather Horse Guards Parade: 1pm March off: 1.45pm
BOOK TICKETS TO PARADE BY 12TH NOVEMBER BOOK YOUR TICKET NOW AT: www.ajex.org.uk/paradebooking No ticket is required to spectate just save the date.
WE WILL REMEMBER
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Ovois Ubonois Programme Emunah CEO to step down This Moitzei Shabbos the Kehillah of Ohr Yerushalayim, Manchester, launched their first Ovos U’bonois Programme of the season. The programme is open to girls until the age of 9, and gives them an opportunity to complete their Kodesh homework, Chazara and Kriah practice in a Shul environment together with weekly raffles, prizes and treats. With a wonderful attendance of over twenty girls, the first week was launched with a special personalized gift handed out to
each participant and two gift vouchers to the popular Glida Ice cream parlour were won at the end of the session.
Father and child learning Torah together
The Leonie Lewis Awards Last week, Paperweight hosted the inaugural Leonie Lewis Awards For Outstanding Volunteering. Created in memory of the much-loved Leonie Lewis MBE z’l, a treasured trustee of Paperweight who generously and open-heartedly
contributed her wisdom, experience and unique communal perspective to a cause dear to her heart - helping those who are vulnerable and struggling, through the healing power of volunteering. Three awards were presented at the Paperweight offices in Bell Lane, Hendon. The Outstanding Individual Volunteer Commitment Award was presented to David Taylor by Leonie’s husband, Howard Lewis and by Paperweight Patron, Lady Elaine Sacks to Arlene Barc. The third award for Outstanding Professional Firm Contribution was presented by Paperweight’s CEO, Bayla Perrin to Victoria Constanti from Brightstone Law.. David and Arlene co-run Paperweight’s Award winner, Victoria Constanti of Brightstone Law; Paperweight Family Law Unit and Victoria offers Patron, Lady Elaine Sacks; award recipient Arlene Barc and Paperweight CEO, Bayla Perrin. advice and support pro bono.
LSJS partners up to support students back from Israel The London School of Jewish Studies has been proud to host a special programme for more than 50 gap year students who have had to return from seminaries, yeshivot and other educational programmes in Israel. An initiative of Carine Stanton, whose nieces were affected by current events, the programme launched on Monday 23 October with morning shiurim covering the Tanach, Gemara and Halacha. These included fascinating talks on Hilchot Shabbat and the development of Chanukah, given by St John’s Wood Youth Director Toby Weiniger and Rabbi Michael Pollak. LSJS Chief Executive Joanne Greenaway spoke about her work at the London Beth Din surrounding resolving complex Get cases. Now in its third week, Rabbi Barry Kleinberg and Rabbi Raphael Zarum have engaged the students with Jewish Thought and Practice shiurim, on topics such as the Rambam and Jewish Philosophy. Other educators have included Rabbi Danny Baigel, Rebbetzin Dr Hadassah Fromson, Debbie Meyer and Michelle Sint.
During the afternoons, there were outings such as a Jewish tour of the British Museum, games at a board game café, sporting activities and volunteering opportunities. These were all run in partnership with organisations including Bnei Akiva UK, GIFT and The Warehouse. Sammy Garfinkel, who has returned to the UK from a pre-army Mechina programme, said: “I’ve liked how everyone’s been together learning, I feel that we needed it. I’ve particularly liked Rabbi Zarum’s shiurim and the trip with him to the British Museum – that was awesome. I really enjoyed the boxing and Krav Maga too, it was a chance to be active rather than cooped up.”
Rabbi Raphael Zarum giving a shiur to participants
British Emunah’s CEO, Sharon Dewinter has announced her plan to step down at the end of the year. Mrs Dewinter has been at the helm of the charity which supports projects in Israel for at-risk and vulnerable families in care. It supports over 200 projects throughout Israel and touches the lives of over 10,000. Marking the announcement, Mrs Dewinter said: “It has been a privilege to help shape British Emunah’s path over the last few years and I am so proud of what we have achieved. I believe passionately in Emunah’s cause and I look forward to following the charity’s progress.”
British Emunah’s Chair, Hilary Lewis, said “British Emunah has benefitted immeasurably from Sharon’s guidance over the past five years and we wish her every success for the future. “The Trustees will now form a small committee to recruit a new chief executive officer and ensure a smooth transition.”
Allison Pearson "You are not alone" 200 people attended a Zoom event organised by the National Jewish Assembly (NJA) on the subject of the October Declaration and the formation, last month, of British Friends of Israel. The guest speaker was Allison Pearson, the well-known Daily Telegraph journalist who was one of its founders. Pearson’s message to the audience was that there is profound outrage among many in the non-Jewish community following the massacre in Israel on 7 October, and that the formation of British Friends of Israel, with many prominent figures in different walks of life in the UK demonstrably proves that British Jews are not alone on fighting antisemitism. Gary Mond, Chairman of the NJA, said “For the 200 people who heard Pearson’s address, it was reassuring to know that the Jewish community has many vocal non-Jewish friends. We are not without supporters, and I am confident that, as the barbaric nature of Hamas and its allies becomes obvious, our support will grow. The NJA looks forward to working
with all who champion Israel in the court of public opinion, and Allison’s impressive new group of British Friends of Israel is one important example.” Central to the discussion was the “October Declaration,” a significant statement underscoring solidarity with British Jews against antisemitism. The Declaration has garnered over 75,000 signatures, and will likely exceed 100,000. Pearson revealed that the Declaration’s website had been hit by cyber attacks after it was launched. Pearson’s cautionary message, that “the famous British tolerance is being stretched to the breaking point” by pro-Palestine protesters, emphasised that their actions have created a profound sense of unease in the country. She cited a recent deplorable incident at Liverpool Street Station, where British Legion volunteers who were trying to sell poppies for Remembrance Day faced harassment from pro-Palestine protesters.
Noa Girls making a difference We are all struggling, overwhelmed by the horror and anxiety of what is happening in Israel. Being so far away, we can feel helpless to affect any change. At Noa, we know from experience that the best way to combat this feeling of helplessness, of hopelessness, is to seek to actively make a difference. The girls at Noa have found a small way in which to make that difference and to try to spread that light in whichever way we can. Through the Social Enterprise programme we run, the girls at Noa have created bracelets to raise awareness for the hostages. Each bracelet is beaded with a name of one of the hostages and comes with a card with their photo and name on it. As time unbelievably rolls on with so many still in captivity, we hope that this initiative will keep these men,
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women and children front and centre of our hearts and minds and prayers. We hope that by giving each of them a name and a face, by restoring them as individuals rather than just a number, we can continue to push for action. The project which was only launched last week has been extremely popular and we’ve already had hundreds of orders. Of course, the greater hope is that this initiative will become obsolete very soon, and that our brothers and sisters will be safely back home soon. Until that moment, Noa is going to continue selling these bracelets to build the momentum and pressure to bring them home. All money raised goes to The Bring Them Home Now Campaign.
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Jami and Jewish Care integrate The respective Chairs of Jami and Jewish Care’s Boards of Trustees, Adam Dawson and Jonathan Zenios, have today announced that Jami and Jewish Care are to become one and have issued the statement below: 11 years ago, communal charities Jami and Jewish Care came together to create a single mental health service for the Jewish community. The Boards of Trustees of both organisations have decided that now is the right time to fully integrate their services with each other. Jami currently shares some back-office functions with Jewish Care and recently relocated their primary office to Jewish Care’s Amelie House in the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Campus, to help share running costs. Greater integration of services will bring both organisations closer together and underlines their commitment to invest in mental health services for the community. This move will bring many opportunities for both Jami, Jewish Care, and the whole community, including better use of community resources. Above all, it will ensure that the needs of the community continue to be met effectively, and the future of Jami’s vital mental health services are sustainable and secured for the future. Full integration will also bring greater resources to mental health, focused governance, a stronger capacity
to raise funds, and broader promotion of Jami’s services to the community. This announcement comes at a time when the prevalence of mental illness, distress and trauma among young people and adults is increasing. Jewish Care have committed to all services being offered by Jami being unaffected by this integration. Both organisations remain firmly committed to Jami’s strategy, and to ensuring all services, as well as education and campaigning, continue to be delivered with the values of lived experience, professional expertise, and service-user involvement at their core. Jewish Care has said that they will keep the Jami brand, with Jewish Care’s CEO Daniel Carmel-Brown commenting: “Jami has built up a fantastic reputation in the community over three decades. Keeping the Jami name is a strong part of who they are and what the community relates to. This is an exciting opportunity for both organisations and comes at a time when mental health and its prevalence continues to grow each year. Coming together means that we can ensure Jami’s services are sustainable for generations to come.” Jewish Care’s intention is to transfer across all Jami’s 92 members of staff to the employment of Jewish Care under TUPE regulations, subject to the normal
consultation process, and to ensure that every single one of Jami’s 280 volunteers continues in their vital roles. Jami Chief Executive, Laurie Rackind, will step down from his role after 17 years of leading the charity. Laurie has transformed Jami into a leading mental health provider within the Jewish community and a recognised provider of pioneering service delivery models in the wider mental health and social care sectors. Laurie will remain closely involved with the transition towards full integration of Jami services into Jewish Care over the coming months. Laurie Rackind, commented: “It has been an honour and a privilege to have led Jami for the last 17 years, and I feel proud of the progress that has been made during my time here. Jami has transformed the way mental health services are delivered. Thanks to initiatives like Head Room, Jami delivers support on the high street while tackling the issues of stigma, changing the way the Jewish and local community think about mental illness and distress. The lone figure on the street that was once treated with disdain is now the person sitting in our café being supported with respect. None of this progress would have been possible without the support from the Jami Board of Trustees, my colleagues, Jewish Care, Jami’s supporters and volunteers, and the
wider community.” Jami Chairman, Adam Dawson, commented on the fuller integration: “This is a natural development given how closely Jami and Jewish Care have worked over the last decade. It will expand our knowledge, expertise, and resources to enable Jami to continue providing hope and help to everyone living with mental illness and distress in the community. Over the last 17 years, Laurie has driven Jami to transform the way mental health services are delivered, and as a result thousands of lives have benefited. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Laurie; his contribution to Jami and our community has been enormous.” Jewish Care Chairman, Jonathan Zenios, commented: “This is an excellent and exciting development, a reflection of both organisations’ commitment to continue investing in mental health services, and a natural progression for both charities to offer the very best mental health resources for our community. We can now look forward to build on the services already provided and ensure the community’s needs are met in the most efficient and effective way.”
JWA Shabbat: Exploring Healthy Relationships Ahead of the Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA) cross-communal, awareness-raising Shabbat on 24-25 November, JWA is inviting people to refer to its toolkit which is available for download from its website and will be distributed to synagogues throughout the country. The theme of this year’s awareness-raising Shabbat is, “Exploring Healthy Relationships”. Jewish Women’s Aid is delivering its toolkit on “Exploring Healthy Relationships” to 163 synagogues across the UK, in advance of our upcoming national and cross-communal Shabbat later on this month. The synagogues receiving the resource are under the auspices of official supporters of the Shabbat, the United Synagogue, Reform Judaism, Masorti Judaism, Liberal Judaism and the Sephardi & Portuguese Community. It will also be freely available online at jwa.org.uk/ healthyrelationships. The leaflet has been created to raise awareness and understanding in the Jewish community about healthy and unhealthy relationships and includes an activity to encourage discussion, questions, and change. Also available is a ready-prepared speech or article which can be read out at shul, at home or in social gatherings. These resources
are the latest additions to our popular remains heartbreakingly essential for our community toolkit, which also includes community, offering professional and conversation cards and fact sheets to help compassionate support to Jewish women generate discussion around domestic and their children who have suffered the abuse and healthy relationships. most awful abuse or violence. I heard JWA’s Director of Outreach & Prevenfirsthand from JWA’s frontline workers tion, Carmel Gould, said: “This year that the current spike in antisemitism has we have chosen the theme of Healthy left some of their service users feeling Relationships, drawing directly from our yet more vulnerable and therefore less popular educational and training sessions, which we offer in schools, youth organisations and on campus. We wanted the focus of the Shabbat to be on prevention and presented in a sensitive and accessible way.” Jewish Women’s Aid Shabbat is officially supported by the Office of the Chief Rabbi, United Synagogue, Reform Judaism, Liberal Judaism, Masorti Judaism, S&P Sephardi Community, Jewish Leadership Council, and the Board of Deputies. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis visited our offices last week in a show of solidarity at this difficult time when our clients are feeling particularly vulnerable, and to learn more about our work and the forthcoming Shabbat. Chief Rabbi Mirvis with the JWA team He said, “The work of JWA
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able to access the support they need. Ahead of their awareness raising Shabbat at the end of this month, it is clear that JWA’s work is sadly vital for many, who should not hesitate to use its services.” JWA helpline – 0808 801 0500. JWA Web Chat – jwa.org.uk
PHOTO: YAFFA JUDAH
24 COMMUNITY
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Jewish Care appoints new Director of Fundraising & Marketing Jewish Care is delighted to announce that after a rigorous recruitment process, Ellisa Estrin has been appointed as Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising & Marketing. Ellisa has worked in various Fundraising, Customer Journey, and Marketing roles at Jewish Care over the last 14 years, and has served as Director of Marketing, Communications & Customer Engagement for the last 5 years. Prior to working at Jewish Care, she held fundraising positions at the NSPCC, the RNID, and Guide Dogs for the Blind, as well as a range of fundraising and marketing roles at several prominent agencies, overseeing accounts for WWF, Plan UK, The Salvation Army, John Lewis, and Vodafone. Given the recent announcement Jewish Care shared about the planned integration of Jami within Jewish Care, the organisation has decided to bring the Jewish Care marketing and communications team back together with the fundraising team. This model has existed previously and will bring with it a merger of two core Jewish Care departments. This comes at an exciting and important time for the organisation and renews our commitment to work together with Jami colleagues and extend our collective fundraising reach beyond the existing target of a combined £21million campaign. The Jewish community’s care and
9 NOVEMBER 2023
Duke of Edinburgh opens learning centre
support needs are growing, we are ageing, dementia is on the rise and mental ill health is more prevalent in children, young people and adults. With more people in our community of all ages needing Jewish Care and Jami services, it has never been more important than now that the fundraising, branding and marketing is united and has the leadership to ensure greater funds are raised, wider reach and a strengthened voice. Speaking of the new appointment, Jewish Care CEO, Daniel Carmel-Brown commented “Ellisa will bring the right strategic experience, skills, and passion to help lead the organisation through this exciting and challenging time of change. “I know everyone will be supportive and that she will work closely alongside our lay leadership including our Life President Lord Levy, President Steven Lewis and Chairman Jonathan Zenios, along with the wider senior fundraising lay leadership team and the professional team who continue to play a significant part in raising funds for our vital services by our wonderful and generous community”.
His Royal Highness The Duke of so they can live as independently as Edinburgh officially opened the Wohl possible, aided by advanced educational Campus, Kisharon Noé School, a loftus resources in environmentally sensitive learning centre last week. surroundings. The school, located in Hendon, is one The £13.5 million project combines of the most advanced for pupils with modern facilities within a Grade II listed SEND or complex needs. It is a flagship setting, includes nine classrooms each for the charity’s mission of ensuring with height adjustable desks, interacequal opportunities for people with tive screens, break out areas, specialist learning disabilities and autistic people. lighting and a variety of outdoor spaces. The curriculum is designed to meet the A cutting-edge hydrotherapy pool and needs of pupils from four to nineteen seabed murals by Kisharon designers years of age. have been built to stimulate imagination, The school develops skills of young creativity and mobility. people to prepare for life beyond school. There is a sensory stimulation room, The Duke spent a morning interacting dedicated area for rebound therapy, with students, toured the school and state physiotherapy rooms and a food tech of the art facilities. space designed for young people usGuests were entertained by students. ing wheel chairs. The environmentally Kisharon CEO, Richard Franklin, and friendly space houses a vegetable growPresident Leo Noé spoke. The Duke ing area. Teaching and therapy spaces extended congratulations and unveiled have hoist tracking in the ceiling and an official plaque. hygiene rooms tailored to different ages Professor David Latchman, chairman around the building. of the charitable foundation extended his heartfelt gratitude to The Duke for opening the learning centre. Headteacher, Emily Haddock said: “At Kisharon we believe in providing exciting, creative, relevant, and meaningful learning experiences. The visit by The Duke Of Edinburgh is an experience the children will cherish forever.” With specialist and experienced staff, including an in-house team of therapists, the school strives to enable pupils to develop skills PHOTO: KISHARON NOE SCHOOL Prince Edward in the new school
URGENT CALL TO ACTION Join us at this critical time as we come together to support our community in times of crisis. As we embark on this journey of compassion, resilience, and unity, your presence and participation are a vital part of our collective strength. Yad Sarah is at the forefront of social welfare services in Israel. We are urgently evacuating hundreds of Israel’s elderly, Infirm and disabled trapped in their homes in areas of extreme danger now from the north as well as those close to the war in the south. We have opened additional branches in the safe locations in order to care for these extremely vulnerable people. Almost every hospital throughout Israel has a Yad Sarah branch and they have asked us to dramatically increase availability of medical and mobility equipment. Thank you for standing with Yad Sarah in our commitment to providing essential services during emergencies and times of conflict. Together, we can make a difference and ensure the safety and well-being of those who depend on us. Please help us to help those in the most desperate need by being as generous as you are able.
THOUSANDS OF ISRAEL’S MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON US
DONATE TODAY CALL - 020 3397 3363 | ONLINE - WWW.YADSARAH.ORG.UK/DONATION | SCAN HERE
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Closing Up Shop in Edgware: The Protection of Shabbos BY RABBI CHAIM BURMAN
These have been a very challenging few weeks. Every day “breaking news” seems to break our hearts as we struggle to fathom the tragic loss of life and destruction that has been the outcome of such terrible evil. It is unwise, untrue and unhelpful, however, to assume that we are living in unprecedented times of persecution and that there is nothing that we, here in the UK, can do to help. We must not be paralysed into inactivity but rather focus ourselves towards good deeds, davening and the study of Torah: “When I am confronted by challenging circumstances, I call out to Hashem,” King David wrote in Psalm 116. More recently, English historian Bernard Wasserstein has noted that it is often in times of persecution that the Jewish people come together in solidarity, “yearning to be together…with many who are on the fringe of involvement…deciding to adopt a more assertively Jewish posture”. Now too, the careful observer will note there is a particular readiness amongst Jewish people worldwide to go an extra mile to do a Mitzvah as a merit for our brothers and sisters who are in dire straits. Countless social action initiatives; learning programmes and Tehilim groups have been set up and individuals who might normally be a little less punctilious in their Mitzvah performance have decided that now is the time to set the record straight. Many have returned to Mitzvos like tefillin and tzitzit after not observing them carefully for a very long time. Some have put up a mezuzah for the first time and still others are strengthening themselves in keeping Shabbos. For many who are accustomed to keeping it, Shabbos might not present much of a challenge. These individuals know that keeping it is the right thing to do and are accustomed to the warm atmosphere it provides and the benefits it offers for a healthy family life. For others who are not used to doing so, keeping Shabbos can be a weekly struggle, especially when it is one of the busiest days for their business. We can all, however, learn and be inspired by the example of individuals who are ready to move out of their comfort zone and make the next step on their Jewish journey as their own contribution to the merits that our People so sorely need now. Shutting Shop for Shabbos - A Local Undertaking Craig Morris has operated a barber shop in Edgware for 20 years. The shop on Glengall Road on the Broadfields Estate has become part of the Edgware
scenery and Craig has watched the neighbourhood gentrify from ex-Council estate to a bustling Jewish centre. Deeply concerned by recent events, the 47 year-old father decided that he needed to make an undertaking as a merit for Am Yisrael: “I’ve been so shocked by what’s happening now in Israel; it’s heart-breaking. I wanted to do something that would be a merit for the Jewish people. I’m just one person and I know that whatever I could do is not going to help the frontline in any meaningful way but the Jewish people needs more merits now. “I’m not the most religious person but I decided that closing my barber shop on Shabbos for the coming weeks is the right thing to do. I’m staying home and spend time with my wife and our son and we’re doing it properly. We’re turning off
this, as a kind of spiritual butterfly effect, can have an immense impact elsewhere in the world. This is all the more so for Shabbos for one who observes Shabbos is “considered as if they kept the entire Torah” (Mishnah Berurah). The power of our Mitzvos are huge and we mustn’t underestimate the profound ripple effect influence this can yield, even across the world. Shabbos Keeps the Jewish People The brachah and protection that Shabbos brings is very great and this has been evidenced recently in a number of independent accounts. Adina lives in Sderot with her two young children. On the morning of Simchas Torah she received a message that the town had been infiltrated. She gathered her sons, handed them kitchen knives and ushered them into
Craig Morris, Edgware
our phones and spending quality time together. There are so many in Israel at the moment that just cannot do that. “It’s not easy. I work 6 days a week and I’m constantly chasing my tail. I know that by doing this I will risk losing some of my clientele and I’ll probably have to work later hours during the week but, you know what – this is more important! Closing my shop makes a public statement of solidarity and I hope it will be a merit for Israel. “What will be after the next 4 weeks? I don’t know but I’m taking small steps in the right direction. We’ve already started and it feels good!” And whilst Craig refers to his new undertaking of keeping Shabbos as “small,” Classic Jewish texts see the significance of any personal undertaking to do a Mitzvah as very great indeed, especially when it’s difficult. The Chafetz Chaim writes that when even one individual makes a decision to be dedicate themselves for a Mitvah which they find extremely difficult
the “Safe Room”. “This is like nothing that has happened before,” she told them as she unsuccessfully tried to mask her fear. Hearing the sounds of machinegun fire and Arabic chanting, she peeped out of the key-hole and saw a group of terrorists walking calmly down the street, moving from house to house. Inhaling slowly, she closed her eyes and whispered: “My Creator, we are here alone now and have only You to turn to. I promise that I will start keeping Shabbos just as you want. Please keep my family safe.” Adina opened her eyes; the terrorists passed her house as if it didn’t exist; they didn’t even try to gain entry. She could offer no explanation to her interviewer of why their lives had been saved, except for the zechus of Shabbos Kodesh”. Saved in the Merit of Shabbos Each Friday night, we omit the final words of the blessing of the Shema that asks for peace. This seems odd, why do we not request peace on Shabbos?
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The Shibolei Haleket, a 13th Century German scholar, explains the reason for this substitution: One who observes Shabbos fully requires no further request for protection. Observing Shabbos alone is enough to merit Divine protection (Shabbos 129, see also Tur O.C. 267; c.f. Taz ad loc.). The following story also demonstrates the Divine Protection merited by observing Shabbos. Mrs Amar lived on a secular Kibbutz close to the Southern border with Gaza. Over time, she had been inspired to take some additional steps in her Jewish journey of growth. She was developing steadily in her Jewish observance and knowing that observing the halachah was the right thing to do, she broached the subject with her husband. She explained to her somewhat reluctant husband that she felt it was now time that they started keeping Shabbos in their home and although he agreed to support in this, the couple were soon faced with a difficult dilemma: Keeping Shabbos on a secular Kibbutz is not easy, particularly for a young family. There was no shul; the atmosphere wasn’t right and their children found it very difficult to be around their friends who were involved in all kinds of activities not befitting Shabbos. The family decided that each week, notwithstanding the difficulty, they would travel from the Kibbutz to religious family members around the country who were more than happy to host their growing family members. This would allow the entire family to experience a more suitable and pleasant Shabbos. The Amar family had been doing this for some time but on the fateful Simchas Torah, they had decided to remain on the Kibbutz. Mrs Amar was heavily pregnant and it was getting too difficult to travel every Shabbos, moreover, they had another couple staying with them and travelling just wasn’t an option. So they remained at home. On the morning of Shabbos, Simchas Torah on October 7th, everyone awoke to the sounds of gunfire and abrasive shouting. Looking out their window, they didn’t need any warning or explanation; they saw for themselves what was happening. The family and the visiting couple gathered together inside the house as Mrs Amar locked the door to the room, silently acknowledging that the lock would be a hopeless barrier before the oncoming onslaught. Her heart pounded as she gazed from a gap in the almost-closed window. The attackers were making their way methodically down the street, moving house to house and meeting little resistance. Continued on page 27
26 OPINION
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Letters to the Editor Please note: The views of the letters do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Letters may be edited and publication is at the discretion of the editor.
We must not abandon Israel Dear Editor I would consider myself an optimist. Similar to the author of last week’s opinion piece (Jewish Weekly Issue 299) titled “We must not abandon Britain”, I too believe, at least in the short-to-medium term, that there is still a future for Jews here in Britain. I always encourage my friends and family to fight the paranoia us Jews are only too familiar with and think rationally before deciding that Britain is no longer the safe haven it was for our grandparents 70 years ago. However, I do have to disagree with a few of the other points raised by the author of the above mentioned article. When listing various reasons why British Jews should stay where we are, he mentions that Israel, an isolated nation surrounded by enemies, relies on us diaspora Jews, to lobby on her behalf. In other words, by Jews being scattered around the world, we are in some ways, protecting the State of Israel. I would argue however, that the reality is in fact the other way round: It is not us diaspora jews that protect Israel, but rather Israel that protects us. It is no coincidence that since the establishment of the State of Israel, there has been no pogroms against the Jews of Europe and we have lived in relative safety. (Pogroms were the violent riots that sought to massacre or expel Jews, a phenomenon that didn’t end with the holocaust, but continued even in the few years after – Kielce Pogrom 1946 etc.) I would even go as so far to argue, that had more Jews lived in the land of Israel, or if a state had already been established, during the years 1939 - 1945, the Nazis would have never succeeded in killing as many Jews as they did. Can you imagine Jewish bomber pilots resting on their tarmacs whilst their brothers and sisters, in their millions, were being transported to their slaughter? I can’t. And the Jewish support that you describe; How successful were they in stopping or even shortening the holocaust? It is well documented that 3 days before Yom Kippur 1943, 400 prominent American Rabbis marched to the White House to plead President Roosevelt to rescue European Jews. However, to the Rabbis shock, the president wouldn’t even accept their request to receive the petition. Additionally, whilst the Jewish community in the UK is very grateful for the continued support by our government in
denouncing antisemitism and standing firmly with Israel, I do have to wonder how long this support will last. As the Muslim population grows in the UK, like we are seeing across Europe, I fear that our once supportive politicians, will have to shift their priorities in favor of their majority voters. We are already seeing this play out within the Labour Party. I want to conclude by responding to the second point raised by last week’s author. He mentions that the Jewish nation needs to be dispersed, for if a catastrophe (Heaven Forbid) were to occur in the Jewish State, the Jewish people would continue to survive elsewhere. If however, we were all living in Israel, he adds, we would be an easy target for extinction. Firstly, I would like to remind the author that this fear is contrary to one of G-Ds first promises to Abraham in Genesis 17:7, that the Jewish people are eternal and will never become extinct. Even Mark Twain famously wrote (Concerning the Jews - 1899) “All things are mortal but the Jew”. I therefore do not share his fear that a gathered Jewish nation is at any risk of annihilation. I would take it one step further and argue that our insistence on remaining exiled, is to our own detriment. There is a well known Rashi in Tractate Kiddushin 69b, that accuses the Jews living comfortably in exile, as not wanting to return to Israel in the days when Ezra was preparing to rebuild the 2nd temple. R. Eliezer of Worms writes that when Ezra’s letter arrived in Worms, Germany, requesting the Jews return home from the 70 year exile, the Jews residing there replied “You may dwell in the great Jerusalem; we will dwell here in the small Jerusalem.” Harav Teichtal writes (Eim Habanim Semeicha 1943), that this reluctance to return to Israel, is perhaps why Germany has always been the centre of Jewish suffering throughout history. If only the Jews would have returned Home 2500 years ago. It is understandable that not everyone is able to make Aliyah. As I said in my introduction, I too believe that we should not make hasty decisions to abandon Britain. However, returning and rebuilding our Homeland in the Land of Israel, should ideally be the goal of every diaspora Jew. I would like to end with a question to the author: If - Heaven Forbid - a catastrophe like the one you describe, were to befall the State of Israel, what would the world look like the following day, for
the sole surviving diaspora Jew? Do you think they will be safe? Boruch Stanton Manchester Unbiased reporting Dear Editor Especially since the October 7 atrocities and their continuing aftermath in Israel and the UK, there can be only ONE UK TV channel to watch for an unbiased factual report. Not BBC, ITV Sky nor Channel 4. There is only one channel which MUST always be watched in respect of almost every news programme. That is the lesser-known GB News on Channel 512, which has been exemplary in its reporting and holding informative balanced discussions. I particularly single out presenters Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg and frequent discussion guests Calvin McKenzie, Christine Hamilton, Jerry Hayes and Steven Pound, and also highly commend presenters Patrick Christie, Mark Dolan, Nana Akua, Lee Anderson and Emily Carver as well. It is so important for all people in this country including the Jewish community to hear straightforward news and views from people in this country not of the faith on this highly emotive issue as well as on all other related issues that affect our daily lives. B. Brodkin London Open Heart Surgery Dear Editor Open Heart Surgery, no anesthetic The pain is raw, piercing cries War again, Planes flying, sirens blasting, Chaos, refuge, quiet streets Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad Thank You! Tatte! Abba! Father! For calling us back, Your love is so great, Your Light is so bright Am Yisrael, Your treasured Nation Are coming back Our pulse, our soul, our heartbeat Have come back to life As we unite forever more Hold us tight, so You Hashem, suffer no more. Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad
Yahyar Sinwar, Leader of Hamas
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9 NOVEMBER 2023 Am Yisrael, a spirit so strong Wipe out Amalek! Until the very last one! The enemy within and the enemy outside Then the world will be pure. Please help us to see the Truth To see Only You with utmost joy in all that we do! No more divisions and petty conflictions Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad Take the time- to close your eyes, Breath calmly, with Hashem No more fear, He loves you so dear Prepare yourself, push away the night Am Yisrael, be a vessel for His Light When nothing makes sense, hold on TIGHT Trust in Hashem Shed a tear, of love and connection Hashem, our Master Our Power, The Only One Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad Bracha Dadash A Mirror Image Dear Editor Apparently, the leader of Hamas, Yahyar Sinwar, is currently holed up in his bunker surrounded by the brave IDF and they are getting closer. This is almost a mirror image of 1945 when the allies pushed into defeated Berlin and Hitler entered his underground bunker for his own safety. At least Hitler, in this case, did the right thing and committed suicide along with his entourage. This effectively ended World War 2. There was no protest from the British on the “inhuman” treatment of the Nazis and the German population then so why are British Palestinian sympathisers protesting against the Israeli treatment of “innocent” people in Gaza? Like WW2, this is a war. Yahyar Sinwar, when the fact he has lost his barbaric campaign against the Jewish people and the Israelis sinks in, let’s hope he follows Hitler’s example and follows him to Hell. We pray that Israel finally finishes and eliminates Hamas which the world has prevented her from doing in the past. Richard Ford Ex Presenter Jewish Spectrum and Shalo0m FM
9 NOVEMBER 2023 Continued from page 25 Now they were at the Amar’s next-door neighbour. A minute later they left that house and walked towards their home. Mrs Amar braced herself for the impending approach of their house. It never came and the door remained closed, untouched. The terrorists had bypassed their house and continued on through the Kibbutz. The Amar family and their guests were spared. In the days that followed after the attack, a number of the perpetrators of the heinous attack were apprehended by the IDF. A search of their personal effects yielded maps and lists of names. The terrorists were well-informed and the attack had been well planned and targeted. Apparently, local Kibbutz workers who commuted daily from Gaza compiled a list of household members; children and even pets. In planning their offensive, the terrorists knew that their time in Israel to effect the attack would be limited. They wanted to use every minute to maximise their evil destruction and knowing how many people were in each home allowed them to directly target individuals and ensure that no time was “wasted”. The attackers held accurate information for the entire Kibbutz. Directives had been given for every house of the block, including for Family Amar. But, for their home, instead of a list of family members, the instructions read: “This family are never home on Saturdays. Skip this house.” The informant has assumed that the family would be away for Shabbos as
TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488 they usually were. This saved their life. Just as the Paschal lamb’s blood applied to the doorposts in Egypt was a sign for the angel to skip over the homes of the Jews, so too for family Amar. Their Shabbos observance was the “sign” that led these barbaric murderers to spare the family inside. In the merit of observing Shabbos, the family were saved. In another remarkable incident, the plot of the terrorists to gain access to Moshav Yachini; Kibbutz Sa’ad and Kibbutz Alumim was thwarted. In the early morning of October 7th, the attackers stealthily hid near the gates at all three gated communities, waiting for a car to enter so they could “tailgate” in, gaining easy access. However, since all three communities are Shabbos observant, no cars approached and the gates remained closed. After some time of waiting, the terrorists gave up and moved on. Whilst it is unwise to point to any incident and make sweeping generalisations, these instances are consistent with the teaching of our Sages that the observance of Shabbos merits Divine protection. “V’nischazek!” Now is a time to undertake to do something specific, meaningful and good. Craig, Adina and the Amar family decided to strengthen themselves by keeping Shabbos but even those who already keep Shabbos can do so much to enhance this day. The Chafetz Chaim writes that the best way to meaningfully develop one’s Shabbos observance is to commit oneself
to learning the laws of Shabbos regularly. With so many details and applications, without constant review of their halochos, it is impossible to do this properly. There are many wonderful English books and learning programmes currently available. Consider reaching out to your local rabbi; SEED; Phone and Learn or the Jewish Futures Trust (amongst other wonderful local organisations) who can give you some direction of where to start.
OPINION 27 Doing so would be a great merit even for those who already try to keep Shabbos carefully. May the merit of observing Shabbos be a protection for all of Am Yisrael.
Child getting haircut in Edgware barbers
OPINION
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The Imperative for Met Police to Act Against ProPalestine Antisemitism OPINION PIECE BY STEVEN WINSTON
In the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas, Britain’s streets have been marred by the incendiary chants of protesters calling for an intifada and the eradication of Israel, casting a shadow over the Metropolitan Police’s commitment to maintaining public order. The images that unfolded across London, bearing witness to the unchecked proliferation of vitriolic slogans and pamphlets praising Hamas, send a chilling signal that challenges the very foundations of British law and civility. The Metropolitan Police’s apparent reticence to clamp down on these manifestations of hate is not merely a disquieting oversight but represents a broader failure to uphold the societal compact that safeguards all communities, including the Jewish populace of Britain. The spectre of a multitude traversing the streets, their voices crescendoing into calls for destruction, should be unequivocally classified as incitement to racial hatred. This is not about the silencing of dissent or the quashing of free expression;
it is about drawing a line—a line that demarcates lawful protest from the promotion of terrorism and racial enmity. Peter Bleksley, a former Met detective, has lambasted the force for failing to act decisively, deeming it ‘appalling’—a sentiment that is echoed by the dismay of Conservative MP Simon Clarke, who identifies the scenes as ones of ‘hatred and bigotry.’ These characterisations resonate with a public sentiment that finds such displays abhorrent and deeply un-British. Indeed, when the Home Secretary labels such marches as ‘hate marches,’ one expects a robust and immediate response from law enforcement, not the hesitant, measured reactions we have observed. The laxity of the Metropolitan Police is all the more disconcerting when one considers the profound significance of the locations desecrated by such protests. The streets of London—encompassing historical sites like the Cenotaph and Trafalgar Square—are emblematic of Britain’s commitment to democratic values and must not become stages for extremist propaganda. With pamphlets circulating freely in the vicinity of Parliament Square, extolling the
‘extraordinary heroism’ of Hamas militants, it is obvious that the attendees are endorsing a narrative that glorifies terrorism. As if weren’t bad enough to hear echoes of “Khaybar” invoked as a rallying cry for antisemitic violence, and to antisemitic symbols on placards, it has now been revealed that a Met Police adviser, lawyer Attiq Malik, led “From the River to the Sea” chants at pro-Palestine protest in 2021. One does indeed wonder what sort of “advice” he has been feeding the Met over the years. While the Metropolitan Police grapple with the semantics of legality regarding slogans such as “from the River to the Sea,” they inadvertently wade into a morass of moral uncertainty. The need for clarity and firmness from the police is urgent. It is not only a matter of adhering to the letter of the law but upholding the spirit of British decency. In navigating the complexities of what constitutes free versus hate speech, the Metropolitan Police must also consider the overriding ethical obligations that define our society. The Met’s statement—that the use of certain chants in a protest setting might not constitute an offence—reflects a troubling
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equivocation. The imperative should not lie in assessing the potential offensiveness of a slogan but in recognising the intrinsic harm in calls that insidiously incite violence against a group of people. The demand for action is clear: it is incumbent upon the Metropolitan Police to harness their full authority and legal capacity to counteract the scourge of antisemitism and extremism. In doing so, they will not only protect the Jewish community but also preserve the sanctity of British values and public spaces. Anything short of this robust response would be a disservice to the nation, undermining the collective security and the shared values that we hold dear. At a juncture where the lessons of history weigh heavily upon us, the Metropolitan Police must reaffirm their commitment to those principles that underpin our democratic society. It is a commitment that demands vigilance, decisiveness, and an unwavering stand against the forces of hate that seek to disrupt British society and harm the Jewish community. Steve Winston is the Managing Director of the National Jewish Assembly.
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ASK THE RABBI Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com FAKE NEWS!! Dear Rabbi The most frustrating thing we are encountering is the fake news that is out there. There is so much stuff that people buy into and it is to our detriment. How can we win a war, whether in Israel or in the war of public opinion, when there is so much fake news? Yakir Dear Yakir Did you read that one particularly bad piece of fake news? It was widely reported both in Israel and abroad, and all well-paid “experts” were quick to offer their analysis and conclusions. Obviously, it was difficult for the typical media consumer to tell it was all fake news. But it was. No, I am not referring to the blast in Gaza’s hospital, where news broadcasts blamed Israel for a tragedy it had nothing to do with. I am talking about something else. For months and months, news channels spoke about the deep divide among the Jews of Israel. They told us about rifts that cannot be healed; and divisions between those who wanted the judicial reforms and those who opposed them.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters and counter-protesters. Raging debates that seemed to tear apart the nation, spilling into other topics such as religion, political affiliation, and more. The tension was so high that some people suggested dividing the country into two states! They were genuinely concerned that the people are too divided and would never be able to come together. It was all fake news. The moment the massacre began, on that fateful morning of Simchat Torah in Israel, all of it proved to be wrong. Suddenly, superficial differences such as political ideology, the Kippah on the head or lack thereof, the personal opinions and lifestyles made no difference whatsoever. Once again the people of Israel stand shoulder to shoulder, deeply caring for each other like one big family. It happened as brave soldiers and civilians were rushing to the scene to save people’s lives, and it’s still happening now all over Israel, with an incredible show of unity. Two stories that made their rounds amongst so many are particularly moving. One is about one of the fanciest restaurants in Tel Aviv, where reservations need to be made months in advance. The chef decided to provide food for an IDF platoon near Gaza. On typical
days, observant Jews would never enter this restaurant because it serves all kinds of non-Kosher food. The chef, however, decided to kosher the entire operation so he could provide Kosher food for the soldiers! The second one is about a group of older Hareidi guys traveling every night to another army base, where they set up tables, fire up grills, and serve all the soldiers with prime steaks and burgers. They have taken it as a personal mission to bring the soldiers great food and encourage them as they prepare for battle. The video portrayed the less observant IDF commander going from one bearded “chef” to another and hugging them. These are only two stories from endless stories of unity, care, and compassion. Because we are all brothers and sisters, and anyone who claimed otherwise is simply telling fake news. During the Yom Kippur War, the Lubavitcher Rebbe penned a letter. He pointed out that the attack was against every Jewish person, man, woman, and child, and how our unity will bring G-d’s blessing and protection. Fifty years later, once again, we encountered a heinous attack against men, women, and children, and once again, we are as united as ever. May this compelling unity bring peace and tranquillity to our Homeland Israel, with none to make them afraid. Indeed, may we experience peace and unity throughout the Jewish world and amongst all of mankind.
WHAT’S G-D’S ROLE IN ALL OF THIS? Dear Rabbi I am picking up where your correspondent (Natalia, Nov. 2) asked about G-d’s role in everything that is going on. I appreciate the fact that people have free choice. But surely everything is bashert and there comes a point where G-d can intervene? Keith Dear Keith You’re absolutely right that G-d can intervene against all the Antisemitism we are currently enduring. And to be sure, we don’t have to look to justify G-d’s actions. Abraham didn’t sit idly by when G-d was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Moses cried out to G-d and said, “Why do you allow evil to befall these people?” as they were being challenged in Egypt. While there is a reason for everything to happen as it does, I still reserve the right to cry out to G-d and challenge Him: “Why are you allowing this
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to happen? To be sure, this is not about questioning G-d. This is about challenging G-d which stems from the deepest reservoirs of human faith. So I don’t have to rationalise that Antisemitism is part of G-d’s plan. Nor do I have to just accept it as such. I can challenge, while still balancing that with absolute faith. To cite a Talmudic dictum when faced with the perplexities of life: “Teach yourself to say, ‘I don’t know!’” We might never know enough to comprehend the answer; we must, however, believe and care enough to ask the questions.
Follow Rabbi Schochet at: RabbiSchochet.com Twitter: @RabbiYYS Facebook: facebook.com/Rabbiyys.
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Weekly Dvar Torah F R O M E R E TZ Y I S R A E L
Our Role Models BY RABBI DANNY MIRVIS
In the middle section of this week’s parasha, Avraham orders his trusted servant (who our Sages inform us was Eliezer) to journey and find a suitable wife for Yitzchak. The Torah then describes the story in great detail, as the servant sets out on his journey, holds a discussion with Hashem, witnesses the successful test, presents Rivka with gifts, blesses Hashem and returns with her to her home to finalize the arrangement (Bereishit 24:1–32). As Eliezer arrives at Rivka’s home, we then read the whole story and details of the test again as he retells the events to her family (Bereishit 24:33–49). Why does the Torah include Eliezer’s retelling of the story when we have just read the entire narrative in great detail? Many of the Torah’s fundamental halachic principles are taught almost incidentally, in great brevity or with hints. Why does this servant’s repetition of a story we have just read deserve such attention? In explanation of this seeming lack of balance, Rabbi Acha taught in the
Whilst our educational systems “Example of a living role model, who place great focus on technical how much focus do they embodies and represents the letter and content, place on providing role models who personify Torah and Torah spirit of the Torah can be a far more values? Beyond learning the dos don’ts of Judaism, it is influential educational tool than learning the and essential that our pupils (wheththey be children, students or technical commandments and details alone.” eradults) have exposure to living examples who embody the Torah Midrash: “The chatter of the servants of the forefathers is better before Hashem than the Torah of their children (descendants), for Eliezer’s passage is repeated in the Torah, and many of the Torah’s fundamentals were only taught with hints” (Bereishit Rabbah 60:8). Whilst we can understand the observation which led to this conclusion, what is the reasoning behind it? My Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein zt”l, explained that the Torah has two ways of showing us how to behave. The first one is formulated as commandments, expressed through directions of how to behave and how not
to. The second is expressed through people, whose deeds, behavior and lifestyles give us direction. Sometimes, the presentation of a living example influences and guides far more successfully than the formulation of direction through commandments. Rabbi Acha’s rule comes to teach us that the example of a living role model, who embodies and represents the letter and spirit of the Torah can be a far more influential educational tool than learning the technical commandments and details alone. If this is true of the servants of our forefathers, how much more so is there to learn from the examples set to us from our forefathers themselves.
they teach. On an individual level, whether we like it or not, we are all educators. Regardless of our individual level of observance, there will always be people who look up to us as representatives of Judaism, whether from inside or outside the faith. In addition to paying attention to our technical performance of Torah, we must ensure that our “chatter,” everyday behavior and lifestyles suitably reflect our positions as representatives of Torah and ambassadors of Hashem. Rabbi Danny Mirvis is Deputy CEO of World Mizrachi, and Rabbi of Ohel Moshe Synagogue in Herzliya Pituach.
Chayei Sarah gives her family delicious fruit (Rashi). They eat and drink together, and Eliezer stays overnight. The next morning, Lavan and his mother ask for Rivkah to stay with them longer before leaving. Eliezer is insistent and Rivkah agrees to go immediately. Rivkah meets Yitzchak in the Negev, where he brings her into his mother Sarah’s tent.
6th Aliya (Shishi) – 25:1-11 1ST ALIYA (KOHEN) – BEREISHIT 23:1-16
Sarah dies aged 127, in Kiryat Arba, also known as Hebron. After eulogising Sarah, Avraham negotiates with the head of the local Hittites, Efron, in order to purchase a burial plot for Sarah, Me’arat (Cave of ) Hamachpela. They agree a price of 400 silver shekels. Point to Consider: In what way does the spelling of Efron’s name hint at his greed? (see Rashi to 23:15)
2nd Aliya (Levi) –23:17-24:9
Avraham buries Sarah. Avraham asks his servant (understood to be) Eliezer to seek a wife for his son Yitzchak, making him take an oath only to select a girl from Avraham’s birth town, Charan, rather than from Cana’an. Avraham also insists
that Yitzchak’s future bride must agree to leave her home to come to the Land of Cana’an (later Israel), rather than Yitzchak going to live in Charan.
3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 24:10-26
Eliezer sets out on his journey, with ten camels and presents from Avraham. Towards the evening, Eliezer arrives at a well, close to his destination, where he rests the camels. He prays to G-d to show him a clear sign of the identity of Yitzchak’s future bride: the young lady who would offer water to Eliezer and his camels. As he finishes his prayer, Rivkah appears, with a jug on her shoulder, from which, after drawing water from the well, she gives Eliezer to drink. She then draws water for all of his camels to drink. Eliezer
gives her jewellery and asks her who she is. Rivkah relates that she is the daughter of Betuel, Avraham’s nephew. She grants Eliezer his request for a place to sleep.
4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 24:27-52
Eliezer is amazed that his prayers were answered so quickly and exclaims thanks to G-d. Rivkah runs home to tell her family what has happened. On seeing Eliezer’s gifts to Rivkah, her brother Lavan runs out to greet him and welcomes him in. Eliezer introduces himself and recounts the story of his journey. He asks permission to take Rivkah as a wife for Yitzchak. Lavan and Betuel agree.
5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 24:53-67
Eliezer gives more jewellery, as well as gold and silver vessels, to Rivkah. He
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Avraham marries Ketura, whom the Midrash identifies as Hagar. Their descendants are listed. Avraham dies, aged 175. He is buried by Yitzchak and Yishmael, also in Me’arat Hamachpela, next to Sarah.
7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 25:12-18
Yishmael’s descendants are listed. He dies, aged 137.
Haftarah
This section of the Book of Melachim (Kings) relates the attempt by Adoniyah, the older son of King David, to establish himself as David’s successor. Queen Batsheva and Natan the Prophet manage to foil this plot, by warning King David, who reasserts his younger son Shlomo’s (Solomon) right to succeed him.
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Sight, but No Vision: The Sin of the Spies (Part 2) BY RABBI SHMUEL REICHMAN
In our previous article, we began exploring the deeper nature of the sin of the Meraglim (spies). To review, we explained that the sin of Meraglim lay in the way they perceived Eretz Yisrael. The Meraglim’s physical sight was intact; what they lacked was spiritual sight. They physically saw giants burying their dead, but they interpreted this to mean that the “land consumes its inhabitants” (Bamidbar 13:32). In reality, as the Gemara explains, this was a miracle that Hashem performed to aid the Meraglim in their mission. Hashem killed off the leaders of the giants in each city so that the dwellers would be distracted with their funerals, ensuring that the Meraglim could travel through Eretz Yisrael undetected (Sotah 35a). The death of the giants was the external reality; the Meraglim’s sin lay in projecting faulty meaning onto it. This was their two-fold mistake: the Meraglim not only misunderstood their experience, but they then reported this distortion back to Klal Yisrael. This sheds light on why it was a violation of lashon hara.
Lashon Hara: Corruption of Speech Speech embodies the power of connection. It is the mechanism that enables us to connect with other people and to overcome the barrier between us. Lashon hara takes the very tool of connection, i.e., speech, and uses it to disconnect people from each other. When you speak negatively about someone, you create a wall between the subject of your negativity and the person you are speaking with. The very tool of connection has been corrupted to achieve its opposite goal. As the Ramban explains, everything that the Meraglim said was “true” in the physical sense, but they failed to see what lay beneath the surface (Ramban, Bereishis 2:9). This itself is the epitome of lashon hara: taking the truth and distorting it in order to create harm. Lying is a separate problem, violating the prohibition of “mi’devar sheker tirchak” (Shemos 23:7). The evil of lashon hara is not a fabrication but a corruption of the truth. The Meraglim suffered from a spiritual disease of ayin hara (an evil eye). They had sight, but no vision; they saw, but were blind.
Peh before Ayin The Maharal uses these principles to explain the placement of the peh before the ayin in Megillas Eichah (Netzach Yisrael 9). Proper speech requires first connecting yourself to a deep root of truth and spiritual thought, and then using speech as the medium for revealing that truth into the world. This revelation of truth is performed through the use of tangible, finite words. When Moshe
“The eyes are the window to the soul”
transmitted the Torah, he revealed the essence of spiritual truth in the form of concretized words. The speech and ensuing words were a loyal reflection of the truth. The letter ayin literally means “eye.” As we have previously developed, the spiritual concept of seeing and sight reflects the concept of truth. When you see something, you see it as it is in a static state. When you look at a picture, you grasp it in its entirety, instantaneously. There’s no process of constructing or building the picture in your mind; everything is just there, all at once, without any effort. (This is in contrast to the spiritual concept of hearing, which represents a process; a movement through time; an evolutionary progression; one of effort, concentration, and organization of parts.) Your eye is also the organ that most loyally reflects and reveals who you are. The eyes are the window to the soul; one can see the inner depth of a person through their eyes. The word “ayin” is also connected to the word maayan, a wellspring, a surface that contains endless depth beneath it. (One can draw forth water — the source of life (mayim chaim) — by going into the depths of the wellspring.) Ayin therefore reflects the concept of reaching that which is hidden, higher, and transcendent. (This is why learning Gemara b’iyun means learning Gemara deeply, sourcing the physical expression of many varied opinions back to a higher root and seeing how all the fragmented parts of the sugya connect to form a sophisticated and beautiful expression of a higher truth.) The letter peh literally means “mouth.” The reason ayin comes before peh in the aleph-beis is to portray the ideal process of spiritual speech. First, one must connect themselves to the ayin, to the transcendent truth. The goal of the “peh,” the mouth of speech, is to then take the “ayin,” i.e., the truth, and express it into this world through the medium of speech. Thus, speech is meant to be a loyal reflection of something deeper — of spiritual truth. A corrupted “ayin” (eye) does not reflect anything deeper. It sees only the physical world, disconnected from the spiritual and transcendent. A corrupted “peh” (mouth) is a mouth that speaks without reflecting a higher “ayin” — a higher truth. This is what it means for the peh to come before the ayin. In such a case, the mouth speaks without first connecting to anything deeper, unwilling to source itself back to its spiritual root.
As a result, the “ayin” no longer reflects the spiritual truth. This corrupted eye sees only the surface and projects itself onto this physical surface. This was the sin of the Meraglim: a corrupted eye and corrupted speech. They were unable to see past the surface; unable to see the true depth that lay beneath the surface of Eretz Yisrael. While in truth, this was the place where Hashem most potently connects to this world, all they saw was a physical plot of land. As a result of their corrupted sight, their speech reflected nothing more than their own ego. Their speech was lashon hara, speech that disconnected Klal Yisrael from both Eretz Yisrael and Hashem Himself. This is why it is specifically in Eichah that the peh comes before the ayin. Eichah laments our loss of the Beis Hamikdash and our diminished connection with Hashem in Eretz Yisrael. In a deep sense, Eichah laments the actualization of what the Meraglim attempted to achieve: a disconnect between the Jewish People and Eretz Yisrael, a disconnect between us and Hashem.
Tzitzis: The Correction of Sight Following the sin of the Meraglim, the Torah introduces us to the mitzvah of tzitzis. Why is the mitzvah of tzitzis introduced specifically at this point? Is there any connection between tzitzis and the sin of the Meraglim? To understand the connection between the two, we must first recall an important principle.
The Bent Path and the Straight Path Imagine you are walking along a straight path. At any point along the path, if you turn around, you can see exactly where you came from. However, if the path suddenly takes a sharp turn and bends off its straight course, then if you turn around, you can no longer see the starting point of your journey. The same is true of the physical world in which we live. Originally, the physical world loyally and perfectly reflected its spiritual root. When you looked around, you saw and experienced Hashem, and you knew that He created the world; it was like looking back down a straight path, directly back to the Source of the world. However, when Adam sinned, the entire world fell. The world became a bent path, and it is no longer clear where we come from. When we look around, we no longer see a universe that clearly and loyally
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reflects its G-dliness; instead, we see we see a physical world of multiplicity and twoness.
The secret of Tzitzis This principle of the straight and bent path is the secret behind tzitzis. Tzitzis are only required on a cornered garment. Only when the edge of the garment begins to bend are we obligated to attach tzitzis to the corners. The straight lines of the tzitzis straighten the bent path of the garment. Thus, tzitzis represent our ability to source ourselves back to Hashem even on a bent path. The details of tzitzis beautifully reflect this idea. The tzitzis strings are techeiles, dyed a beautiful ocean-blue color (Bamidbar 15:38). This reminds us of the sea, which reminds us of the sky, which then reminds us of the Kisei Hakavod (Hashem’s throne), and ultimately helps us trace ourselves back to Hashem Himself (Menachos 43b). The gematria of the word “tzitzis” is 600, and when you add the eight strings and the five knots, you get a total of 613, corresponding to the 613 mitzvos we use to connect ourselves to Hashem (Rashi, Bamidbar 15:39).
The Potential of Sight We all have our own unique paradigms: of ourselves, of the world around us, and of Hashem. We have the power of choice; we get to choose how we perceive reality and the meaning we give to our experiences. Many of us have sight, but only a few among us truly see. The goal of life is to embark on a genuine journey of shifting our paradigms, of aligning our spiritual sight with the true nature of reality. We will never achieve perfect spiritual sight, but we can get a little closer every day. The more we attach ourselves to the truth, the more our peh will become a genuine expression of our ayin. May we be inspired to continuously expand our horizons, revolutionize and reconstruct our set paradigms, and build deeper eyes through which we see the world. . Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is a bestselling author, international speaker, and the CEO of Self-Mastery Academy. He has lectured internationally on topics of Torah thought, Jewish medical ethics, psychology, and leadership. His bestselling book, The Journey to Your Ultimate Self, serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought. He is also a business, executive, and leadership coach, with a unique approach based on Torah values. After obtaining his BA from Yeshiva University, he received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s RIETS, a master’s degree in education from Azrieli Graduate School, and a master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Bernard Revel Graduate School. He then spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Scholar. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and son where he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago. To enjoy more of Rabbi Reichman’s content, to contact him, or to learn more about his services, visit his website: ShmuelReichman.com
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Is Celebrating Tzahal a Lack of Emunah? BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN
Growing up in the 70s, in the aftermath of the Six -Day War, I heard a comment which, even as a young boy, troubled me. A Rabbi mentioned that, initially, the great nissim of 1967 carried Messianic potential. Tragically, this opportunity was squandered because too much credit was attributed to Tzahal. The ensuing parades declaring “kol hakavod l’tzahal” reflected a lack of emunah and closed any Messianic window. Though I was too young to fully process my disagreement, something struck me as mistaken. As ma’aminim or believers, we always trace success and failure to Divine decisions. Whether it be financial prosperity, personal health, or military success, we believe that everything in is the hands of Heaven or הכל בידי שמים. Given this perspective, is it appropriate to celebrate the heroism of our soldiers? Does belief in Hashem as an איש מלחמהclash with our culture which venerates the bravery and courage of IDF chayalim?
EMUNAH AND BITACHON
By referring to the generic term “faith”, we often confuse two related but very different theological principles: emunah and bitachon. Emunah is an immutable philosophical conviction, whereas bitachon is a policy decision. Emunah acknowledges fundamental articles of faith, including the role of hashgacha: events aren’t random or haphazard but part of a larger divine trajectory. Events which may appear to be natural are deliberately authored by Hashem. Sometimes Hashem decides to intervene in a supernatural and overt manner, but, more frequently, He scripts history through seemingly “routine” or “natural” events, thereby concealing His authorship. Emunah demands unconditional belief in an absolute set of theological principles including divine hashgacha. Unlike emunah which is unchanging, bitachon is an ever-changing decision about balancing human effort alongside divine intervention. Though emunah affirms that Hashem CAN supernaturally intervene, we don’t have the automatic right to rely upon His miracles, and therefore we must take appropriate human measures to achieve success. Additionally, Hashem often delivers success in response to prior human initiative. Either way, human investment, referred to as hishtadlut, is not a lack of emunah. Though our emunah is unflinching, we don’t possess the right to entirely depend upon Hashem at the cost of diminished or nonexistent human effort. Cautioning us against overreliance upon miracles, Chazal warn that, despite emunah
אין סומכין על הנס. Bitachon is a constantly changing calibration of human effort and divine assistance. Ya’akov provides the paradigm for steadfast emunah coupled with calibrated bitachon. Facing a murderous and vengeful brother, he refused to rely solely upon Hashem’s supernatural miracles for protection. Various concerns drive him to greater hishtadlut: perhaps he already received too much divine benevolence to continue to “draw from the well”. Perhaps his minor transgressions (as he views them), will hinder divine intervention. Because of all these concerns, and despite his stout emunah, Ya’akov prepares for battle rather than passively trusting Hashem for protection. Though his emunah confirms that Hashem will decide the outcome of this skirmish, he feels that, at this moment, he shouldn’t be fully reliant upon miracles. While emunah never wavers or fades, bitachon depends upon the person and the circumstance. All that being said, whether we take greater human initiative or completely rely upon miracles, we always trace success back to Hashem.
WAR IS DIFFERENT
Yet, evidently, war and military success are still different. For some reason, during war, Hashem Himself encourages soldiers to take partial credit for their success, provided they don’t completely ignore His role. One the one hand, we are cautioned against exclusive attribution or even excess attribution to human effort. The 7th perek of sefer Shoftim describes Gidon’s preparations for the war against the Midyanim. Though initially numbering 32,000 soldiers, his army is whittled down to a puny 300, to avoid false pretentions that the victory was due to military skills. Concerned that the victorious army would completely forget Him, Hashem preferred a tiny army so that His role would be unmistakable. On the other hand, the Torah’s well known warning against human attribution or כחי ועצם ידיis not issued surrounding military success but regarding self- aggrandizing financial prosperity. The Torah never explicitly warns against attributing military success to human efforts. Prior to war, a Cohen reminds our armies that Hashem battles with them. However, this isn’t a warning against self- attribution but a “pep talk” to boost morale by informing worried soldiers that Hashem “takes the lead” against our enemies. Moreso, a striking midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, Tehillim 724) illustrates that if we recognize Hashem’s authorship, we are also allowed, and even encouraged to celebrate human military feats. After
his vanquishing of the giant warrior Golyat, Dovid Hamelech was paraded as “a conqueror of tens of thousands”. Immediately, Dovid reroutes the credit to Hashem אמר דוד לפני הקדוש ברוך הוא אתה עושה המלחמה ולך הוא הנצחוןacknowledging that any victory was solely Hashem’s provenance. Surprisingly, Hashem responds by sharing the “credit” with Dovid: , נתת לי הנצחון,א”ל הקדוש ברוך הוא דוד אף אני נותן לך הנצחון: “you attributed the credit to Me I will attribute it to you”. Though, typically, all credit is assigned to Hashem, military success is assigned both to Hashem as well as to human agents. What makes war different? Typically, we attach full responsibility to Hashem, whereas on the battlefield, credit is “shared”.
WAR IS A “MENTALITY”
Success at war doesn’t just demand talent and skill. To be successful at war, a soldier must deeply believe in their abilities and toughness. Courage and bravery demand not just vision of a larger purpose but also self-confidence and deep belief in your abilities. Success at war can’t be achieved without mental toughness and inner strength. A gemara (Mo’ed Katan 16b) captures the hard-edged emotions necessary for military success. The gemara marvels at kindhearted and “tender” scholars morphing into soldiers and becoming as “hard as wood”. Success at war demands not just external skills but inner conviction and inner bravado. For that self-esteem and boldness to develop, a soldier must believe in himself and his potential. For an army culture to succeed human heroics must be celebrated and military feats honored. Every human project demands human initiative or hishtadlut alongside emunah. In general, hishtadlut demands the application of human skills and talents. Unlike other spheres though, hishtadlut in war requires self- esteem and personal pride for courage and bravery. Though it feels like excess self- attribution, military pride and celebration of the courage of IDF chayalim are all part of the necessary hishtadlut Hashem desires during war. Without human beings feeling pride at their accomplishments our military hishtadlut would be hollow and ineffective and we would be fully reliant upon miracles. Ironically, serving in the army is the one area of religious experience in which belief in Hashem and attribution to human effort doesn’t clash. We know that Hashem wages war. We also know that he wants us to take the initiative. To take the initiative which He desires it is insufficient to merely apply skills and
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”WHILE EMUNAH NEVER WAVERS OR FADES, BITACHON DEPENDS UPON THE PERSON AND THE CIRCUMSTANCE” talents. We must also believe in the human courage and bravery which Hashem endowed in us. We hope one day for overt miracles and war fought entirely through supernatural means. In the absence of these miracles, we continue to invest hishtadlut in the battles we know Hashem fights on our behalf. Ideally there should be absolutely no contradiction between our emunah in Hashem as an איש מלחמהand the celebration of human courage. כי הוא הנותן לך כל לעשות חיל אף אני נותן לך הנצחון The two are one. The writer is a Rabbi at Yeshivat Har Etzion/Gush, a hesder yeshiva. He has semicha and a BA in computer science from Yeshiva University as well as a masters degree in English literature from the City University of New York.
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Chayei Sarah
Our great-great (etc…) grandmother Sarah, passes away after living a full life, at the ripe old age of 127! Years later, Queen Esther was to rule over 127 states in Sarah’s merit. Avraham then has to deal with a man who is a bit of a swindler, who begins by offering him a place to bury his wife free of charge, then “graciously” accepts 400 silver coins, a princely sum. It’s now time for Yitzchak to look for a wife. Not just any woman from
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Facts about Parashat Chayei Sarah Number of Lines in the Sefer Torah - 171 Number of Verses - 105 Number of Words - 1,402 Number of Letters - 5,314
CAVE • EFRON • ELIEZER • HEBRON • MACHPELA • RIVKAH • SARAH
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