The Jewish Weekly Issue 322 - 17th April

SEE PAGE 2 FOR SHABBAT & YOM TOV TIMES

THE PAPER WILL BE BACK AFTER PESACH

Israel will respond to Iran

BY DAVID SAFFER

Israel will respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack on Motzei Shabbat.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a judicious response according to some reports as the War Cabinet does not want to escalate a regional war or destabilise the coalition.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz has written to 32 countries calling for sanctions to be imposed on Iran’s missile programme. He has also urged for Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps to be declared a terrorist organisation to weaken the Iranian regime.

IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said Israel’s range of options are “broader and bigger” than Iran.

“Iran must be stopped now before it is too late,” he noted.

IDF Chief of Staff Halevi, speaking at IAF Nevatim base, which was targeted by Iran, said: “Iran wanted to damage the State of Israel’s strategic capabilities. This is something that has never happened before. We are weighing our steps and this strike, with so many cruise missiles and UAVs on Israeli territory, will be met with a response.”

The IDF and Western allies led by the United States intercepted over 300 missiles and drones launched by the Iranian regime. A few missiles landed in Israeli territory.

President Isaac Herzog told Sky News: “We will have deliberations with our partners... we will take the necessary steps to protect and defend our people. We are not war seekers.”

He added: “It’s about time that the world faces this empire of evil in Tehran and makes it clear to the Iranian regime that this cannot

pass by, this is unacceptable. This attack is another example of how they operate, spreading havoc, terror and instability all over the world and especially in our region.”

World leaders led by US President Joe Biden expressed support for Israel, condemned Iran and called on Israel to show restraint.

The G7 reaffirmed a commitment towards its security.

A statement noted that Iran risked provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation.

“This must be avoided,” they noted. “We will continue to work to stabilise the situation… We demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, we stand ready to take further measures.”

Continued on page 2

See page 27

Israel’s war cabinet

PHOTO: GPO

Continued from page 1

US President Joe Biden called on Israel to “take the win” and declared America’s “ironclad commitment” to the security of Israel.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Iran’s “reckless attack” as it risked “destabilising the region”.

Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilan Erdan called on the Security Council to impose “all possible sanctions” against Iran.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was deeply alarmed by Iran’s action and called for an immediate cessation of

hostilities. “I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint,” he said.

Netanyahu said the IDF was “ready for any scenario” in an address to the nation after the attack.

“Whoever harms us, we will harm them, we will defend ourselves against any threat,” he said. “We intercepted. We blocked. Together we will win.”

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant noted: “The campaign is not yet over, we must remain alert.”

Israel will “exact a price” from Iran when the time is right, noted War Minister Benny Gantz.

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari added: “This was the first time that such a coalition worked together against the threat of Iran.”.

Chief Rabbi HaRav Dovid Lau delivered a video message on Sunday.

“We have to remember that in the eyes of our

enemies, we’re all one nation and the time has come that we live up to that,” he said. HaGaon HaRav Shraga Shteinman quoted the Gemara in Chullin Daf 7, noting: “We’re used to a routine that everything works according to nature. But every once in a while, Hakadosh Baruch Hu shakes us up so we’ll remember that He runs the world, nothing can be taken for granted… There are always those who want to destroy us. We need to continue to learn Torah and HaKadosh Baruch Hu will save us today and every day.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to President Biden PHOTO: GPO

Defence Minister Gallant evaluates options PHOTO: GPO

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Sunak and Starmer call for “restraint”

BY ADAM MOSES

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer called for “restraint” in powerful House of Commons statements on Monday afternoon following Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel last weekend.

Sunak said three steps were vital to put the Middle East on a better path - regional security, a two-state solution and an end to the Gaza war. Israel’s security, he noted, was “non-negotiable”.

Sunak told MPs that Iran “sought to plunge the Middle East into a new crisis”. If they had succeeded, he observed, the fallout in the Middle East would have been “catastrophic”.

The “reckless and dangerous escalation” revealed the Islamic Republic’s “true colours”, Sunak explained, adding that “Israel has our full support”.

Sunak praised the RAF for assisting the US in destroying drones and intercepting missiles. UK forces had provided surveillance information to allies.

Sunak said: “Our aim is to support stability and security, because it is right for the region and it has a direct effect on our security”. He added: “We’re working urgently with allies on de-escalation and to prevent further bloodshed. We want to see calmer heads.”

Israel, the US, UK and Jordan halted missiles from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

A long-term sustainable ceasefire, Sunak said was the “fastest way” to get Israeli hostages out of Gaza.

He continued: “Hamas, which is backed by Iran, started this war. They wanted not just to kill and murder but to destabilise the whole region. This weekend they rejected

the Iranian regime… including the actions of the IRGC, poses a significant threat to the safety and security of UK and our allies”.

Starmer, like Sunak, called for restraint. “This is a moment for restraint, escalation will only lead to further destruction,” he said. “For the sake of all those still caught

the latest hostage deal which offered the road to a ceasefire. It is Israel’s right and indeed its duty to defeat the threat from Hamas terrorists and defend its security.”

“Iran’s nuclear programme has never been more advanced than it is today”, Sunak warned, highlighting that “the behaviour of

in the horror and violence, that must be avoided.”

Starmer said his party backed the “defensive action” by the UK alongside allies regarding Iran and commended UK armed forces.

The Iranian attack, Starmer noted, had

left the world in a more dangerous place and would destabilise the region. “It must be wholly condemned by all,” he said.

Israel’s actions, Starmer observed, showed “strength and courage” but Israel must show those same qualities to deescalate tensions in the Middle East.

“We must proceed calmly, carefully and with restraint,” he observed.

Starmer added: “Iran’s response this weekend was unprecedented, a further step towards the destabilisation of the region… This is a regime that sponsors terror across the Middle East and beyond.”

Starmer, who has called for the IRGC to be proscribed, asked Sunak if he was taking new steps with international partners to “pursue sanctions against the regime”.

“Whilst there is no justification to Iran’s actions, we cannot be naive to the fact that one of the drivers of tension in the region is the ongoing war in Gaza,” he noted. “I urge the government to use every ounce of diplomatic leverage we have to make sure the aid to Gaza is drastically scaled up, and for a return to a diplomatic process for a two-state solution.”

Starmer asked about sanctions on Iran, called for aid to Gaza to be “drastically scaled up”, an immediate ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said all sides should agree a ceasefire in Gaza to get hostages released and aid in.

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Flight chaos to Israel and Middle East countries

BY LEAH WAXLER

International airlines cancelled flights to and from Israel following Iran’s missile and drone attack last weekend.

Passengers hoping to travel to Israel for Pesach are experiencing flight cancellations. Routes to all Middle East countries are affected. Travellers are advised to check with airlines for flight schedules.

All carriers are reviewing the situation with relevant authorities on a daily basis. Global leaders condemned Iran and have called for restraint from all sides to avoid an escalation of attacks in the region. However, there are reports Israel’s war cabinet will retaliate “clearly and forcefully” against Iran.

The uncertainty resulted in easyJet stopping flights until Sunday but this has now been extended to October.

In a statement said: “Due to the evolving situation in Israel, easyJet has taken the decision to temporarily pause operations to and from Tel Aviv until 21 April. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.”

Wizz Air is “closely monitoring the situation” and keeping passengers informed. “All passengers affected by the schedule changes will be provided with rebooking or refund options,” they noted.

Carriers including Air Canada, Delta, Iberia Express and KLM suspended flights to Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday and Monday. British Airways ran a service to Tel Aviv on Monday morning.

Lufthansa re-started flights to and from Tel Aviv, Erbil and Amman yesterday. Flights to Beirut and Tehran are suspended

until at least Sunday.

Virgin Atlantic suspended flights to Tel Aviv until September but has now changed routes to avoid Iranian and Israeli airspace.

A spokesman said: “We are not currently overflying Iraq, Iran or Israel, but we continue to monitor the situation for any potential impact on our operations. The safety and security of our customers and people is paramount and always will be. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers by slightly longer flight times.”

Other airlines are re-routing flights. Qantas and Finnair are avoiding Iran’s airspace.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is assessing ‘potential safety risks for EU aircraft operators and be ready to act as appropriate’.

Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon closed its airspace on Saturday night. They reopened airspace on Sunday morning.

El Al, meantime, who were praised for flying reserve soldiers around the world to Israel following the October 7 terror attack, have responded to criticism from customers over price increases.

A statement noted: “With the return of the Ben Gurion International Airport to routine operations, El Al is operating its flight schedule after making certain adjustments. We are working to stabilise the flight schedule as soon as possible and recommend that all passengers verify their updated departure time before leaving for the airport.”

The airline has announced a flexible ‘change and cancellation policy’ without additional fees under certain conditions until a specified date.

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Cameron says Iran suffers ‘double defeat’

BY DAVID SAFFER

Lord Cameron has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ‘take the win’, de-escalate and focus on Hamas following Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel.

Speaking to LBC broadcaster Nick Ferrari on Monday, Cameron explained how British pilots in the Israel Defence Forces ally defensive action were “back-filling for the Americans” over Israeli skies.

“We said to our pilots, if there are incoming drones from that area or missiles then shoot them down,” he noted. “A small number were shot down but we should pay tribute to their bravery.”

Cameron praised the IDF’s effectiveness in shooting down over 300 missiles, weapons and drones.

He said: “Iran suffered a double defeat. A defeat because they failed but a second defeat because the world can now see they are the malign influence in the region. The best thing to do, as Biden put it, is ‘take the win’ and focus on Hamas. There is a deal on the table to release Palestinian prisoners for some of the hostages and have a pause in fighting in Gaza. Take that deal.’

Cameron refuted the Iranian viewpoint that the attack was a result of the bombing of an embassy in Damascus.

He told Ferrari: “The use of ballistic missiles on a state-on-state attack is a very significant move by Iran, very dangerous, very reckless. Fortunately, it was an almost total failure. I don’t think it was justified in any way by reference to Damascus.”

Cameron returned to the G7 call to Israel’s war cabinet for a de-escalation.

He said: “We are asking them, as their friends, to think with head as well as heart, to be smart as well as tough, to recognise Iran failed. The best way to de-escalate the situation is not to attack but focus on Hamas’ failure, to release the hostages and agree a pause in fighting in Gaza.”

Questioned again by Ferrari why Britain had not been critical of Israel regarding the Damascas attack, Cameron would not comment. “It’s a matter for Israel,” he said.

The UK foreign minister, instead, addressed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

IRGC.”

Questioned a third time whether Israel was responsible for the Damacus bombing, Cameron responded: “I won’t get into what Israel has or has not done.”

“They have been backing Hamas who carried out the horrific October 7 attack,” he said. “They have been backing the Houtis bombing ships in the Red Sea, irrespective which country they come from. They back Hezbollah launching missiles into Israel. There are 100,000 people in the north of Israel who can’t go to their homes. I understand Israel’s frustration with the

Ferrari asked Cameron if the IRGC should be a proscribed organisation as former Home Secretary Suella Braverman called for on LBC last week and the Labour Party has backed. He said: “We have sanctioned it in its entirety, we put in place a whole sanctions regime before the end of last year. I keep this under review but the police and intelligence services say they have the powers already to deal with IRGC action either here or elsewhere.”

He added: “I can’t pretend diplomatic relations between Britain and Iran are in a very good state, but nonetheless, having diplomatic relations means that we can deliver a direct message to the Iranians, as I’ve done, speaking to the Iranian Foreign Minister twice in the last seven days. I don’t have to ask my French or German

counterpart to pass a message on behalf of Britain. It’s in Britain’s interest, it makes Britain stronger and more able if we have those direct conversations and direct messages with the Iranians. We should keep it that way.”

Ferrari asked Cameron whether Netanyahu would back down from responding to the Iranian attack with world leaders calling for a de-escalation.

“He has a reputation for being very tough and for caring deeply for security, but there are times when we have to be smart as well as tough, to use head as well as heart,” Cameron observed. “The best way to keep people in Israel safe is to recognise an escalation is not in anybody’s interest. I respect and understand the Israeli system. They are an independent, proud, sovereign nation. They will want to discuss and think about it, it is their decision, it is their right to respond. But I think the smart thing to do as well as the tough thing to do is to take this ‘win’ and focus on Hamas in Gaza.”

Lastly, Ferrari asked how confident Cameron was any hostages were alive. He said: “They’ve been in this hideous captivity for over half a year. Israel has put an offer on the table. They are offering to release dozens of prisoners per hostage released by Hamas, they are offering a pause in the fighting. These are very difficult decisions but they have made them and Hamas has rejected that offer. If anyone is in any doubt who is responsible for keeping this conflict going it’s not Israel, its Hamas, the focus should be on them.”

Hatzola Northwest welcomes seven new responders and celebrate respected recognition

April 2024 marked a significant milestone for Hatzola Northwest as they welcomed seven new responders, following an intensive 1-year training period.

During this this time they have completed rigorous assessments, practical scenarios, and examinations under the guidance of Kevin Cuddon, Hatzola Northwest Clinical Lead and Advanced Paramedic Practitioner. The programme was enriched by the expertise of external lecturers and practitioners who provided specialized insights, broadening the trainees’ understanding of emergency medicine.

The graduation evening was graced by Hatzola Northwest Medical Director, Professor Stuart Rosen, Chairman Shloimie Richman, members of the central committee, Head of Operations Yisroel Abenson, and Laurence Blitz Chair of Trustees.

The new responders were presented with their kit bag and jackets marking their transition to full active responders. Both the Chairman and Medical Director extended gratitude and support to the wives of the new recruits, recognizing their role and welcoming them to the Hatzola Northwest family.

With a commitment to excellent patient care and clinical competency, Hatzola Northwest continues to uphold its reputation as one of the UK’s busiest Hatzola branches, serving Finchley, Golders Green, Hendon and Hampstead Garden Suburb.

With over 6,246 calls annually and an impressive average patient satisfaction rate of 98.7%, Hatzola Northwest operates 24/7 365 days a year to ensure swift and proficient emergency medical assistance to the community, entirely free of charge. This is only possible due to the exceptional dedication of our 60 active volunteer responders, 21 volunteer dispatchers and a fleet of 8 ambulances and Fast Response vehicles. Their dedication and readiness exemplify the unwavering commitment to saving lives and serving the community.

In a significant acknowledgment of its unparalleled commitment to pre-hospital emergency medical care, they have also been honoured with the esteemed 2024 Barnet Civic Award. This prestigious accolade celebrates Hatzola Northwest’s exceptional service and dedication to the community, underscoring its vital role in saving lives and providing care when it

matters most.

Established to recognize organizations and individuals who go above and beyond in their service to the Barnet community, the Barnet Civic Award shines a spotlight on those who make a profound difference. Hatzola Northwest’s receipt of this award is a testament to its tireless efforts, professional excellence, and compassionate approach to emergency medical assistance.

The Barnet Civic Award Committee highlighted Hatzola Northwest’s exceptional service during the selection process, noting, “Hatzola Northwest exemplifies the spirit of community service and dedication.

They are truly deserving of this recognition.”

“Receiving the Barnet Civic Award is not just an honour but a reflection of

the hard work, dedication, and spirit of every volunteer and staff member, who together define Hatzola Northwest,” said Laurence Blitz, Chair of Trustees. “We are committed to providing the highest level of care to those in need and this award is a tribute to their selflessness and the impact of our work on the community.”

For more information about Hatzola Northwest and its services, please contact our office on 0203 432 7753 - info@ hatzolanw.org<mailto:info@hatzolanw. org> www.hatzolanw.org<http://www. hatzolanw.org>

Manhunt underway for Binyamin’s killers

BY ADAM MOSES

Israeli security services are conducting a manhunt for the killers of teenage shepherd Binyamin Ahimeir in a terror attack last weekend.

The 14-year-old, who went missing last Friday morning, was brutally murdered in the Malachei Hashalom area last Saturday.

According to reports Ahimeri left early from his village near Shilo but did not return with his flock. Personal belongings are among items including a weapon and a large stone being forensically investigated . Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to find those responsible for the killing.

“The IDF and Shin Bet forces are actively pursuing the heinous criminals responsible for this act and anyone who may have conspired with them,” he said. “We will track down these murderers and their accomplices, just as we do with anyone who inflicts harm on the citizens of the State of Israel.”

Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau, in a eulogy, said: “This is not the first time that we are standing here in front of murdered people who only seek to live in the holy land… Please G-d, take care of Your children, take care of Your people, take care of Your country… Stand up for us in this difficult and painful time, continue to take care of us.”

Binyamin’s mother Miriam, told

mourners in a heartfelt address: “You chose an innocent boy to be a public sacrifice for all of us, an innocent child who has gone to heaven to atone for all of us. You were all heart, Binny. You always thought of others, you always considered others. You made sure not to offend anyone, not even as a joke.”

His grandmother, Devora Schwartz, added: “Binny, we do not believe that our experiences and conversations with you will remain only in our memories. They say that you were a teenager, a boy, but you were a giant. You were the heart of the family. The entire Jewish People has lost you.”

Ahimeir’s teacher, Rabbi Uri Zucker told Arutz Sheva: “Binyamin did everything

big. He didn’t go to the farm to have fun, even if he was enjoying himself there. To him, it was important that he was going to do something good for the People of Israel. He wanted to protect the Land of Israel and give himself for the Land of Israel. Binny and I spoke about how to properly combine his work at the farm with his studies. He felt the connection between the farm and Torah.”

Border Police, trackers and special forces conducted the search for Ahimeir with aerial reconnaissance. Col. (Res.) Hazi Nehama and Eliyahu Libman, whose son is being held by Hamas, were directed to the area of the body by an IDF drone.

Nehama, a former commander of the Menashe Brigade, told 103FM: “It was a planned attack. Arabs don’t just wander around there during the day. It was someone who came with the intention to kill from the beginning. He came with a knife and ambushed the young boy.”

Nehama said there was a direct connection to October 7.

“The line is clear, a whole society wants to destroy us,” he reportedly said. “The social statement of the Palestinians is one of wickedness

and a desire to murder, and we must cut this off. Certainly, there is a desire to calm the region. Ultimately, healthy people over time encounter incidents they are not supposed to encounter. If they see that deterrence is not being created, they take the law into their hands. To prevent this, it is the government and the IDF’s duty to restore deterrence.”

Libman added: “The site was extremely disturbing. This was particularly cruel and horrifying.”

Benjamin Regional Council head Israel Gantz, told 103FM: “It’s a place that isn’t close to an Arab village and is relatively safe... He was murdered with great cruelty, very close to the place he left from. They waited for Binyamin, whoever came there didn’t just happen by.”

Yesha Council Chairman Shlomo Ne’eman told reporters: “We are shocked and pained by the murder. Binyamin fought bravely against vile murderers who came to do what the enemy did on October 7.” He added: “The agricultural farms are the backbone of Judea and Samaria, and the farmers are the pioneers of today. We are not going anywhere and demand that the IDF respond with such force that the Palestinian Authority will have no doubt they cannot repeat these types of crimes. On the political level, we demand that all the farms throughout Judea and Samaria be immediately strengthened.”

President honours hostages mistakenly killed by IDF

BY ADAM MOSES

President Isaac Herzog honoured three hostages killed by IDF fire in the Gaza Strip in a special ceremony on Monday.

Yotam Haim, Samar Talalka and Alon Shamriz were mistakenly killed by an IDF sniper in Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighbourhood last December.

The triple tragedy highlighted the complexity of the military operation. Herzog presented “Certificates of Honour” to family members.

“This unbelievable story and its horrific end tears our hearts to shreds,” he said. “The pain, the frustration, the utter sorrow, for what could have been, for the bitter turn it took, for the hopes that were crushed, consumed the soul and heart of an entire nation on that difficult Friday evening. The words ‘save us’ written on food wrappers, with remnants of strength, and the cries of ‘hostages’ still echo within us like the cries of an entire nation enduring such a terrible disaster.

“The story of these three heroes is first and foremost a story of supreme bravery. Above all, it is a compelling tale of human spirit. The pain and agony they experienced, Samar, Alon, and Yotam,

stirred within them a unique bravery, a bravery preserved for the chosen few. A bravery that I felt a yearning and duty to acknowledge, to honour, and recognise on behalf of the entire nation.

“Three Israelis not born to the same path in life, bound together, blindly and murderously, by the scorched evil of Hamas, to share one fate and so, they chose to fight together, to rise from the dust and put all their might into choosing life, as one man with one heart.”

Addressing the Shamriz, Talalka, and Haim families, Herzog added: “You have endured such profound agony, endured long nights of fear and worry for the safety of your sons, breathless days, filled with prayer and hope. And after them, shattered

days, crisis, tremendous shock, and terrible grief when the news of their deaths broke, when hopes to ever see them again were dashed. It takes immense strength of spirit to endure all this. To see your courageous coping, it is clear to us all from where Yotam, Alon, and Samar derived their unimaginable bravery, and from where they drew their strength.

“I am filled with hope and prayer that within this pain the spirit of bravery and resilience that Alon, Samar, and Yotam demonstrated will also serve to assure you that days of light and kindness will come. We all draw hope from the courage and spirit of your loved ones, and I pray, wish, believe, and am even certain that you will merit to see days of joy and happiness here in our beloved land.”

Regarding all families of hostages who have endured a “turbulent nightmare” since October 7, he said: “The covenant between the state and its citizens obliges us to act in every way, with creativity, determination, and courage to bring our sons and daughters back home. I know from many conversations with the soldiers that etched in their hearts is the command

‘bring the hostages home’.”

Investigations indicated the IDF Bislamach Brigade’s 17th battalion was not informed about a Hebrew sign on a building that read ‘Help: three hostages’. Also, an IDF sharpshooter did not see Shamriz and Talalka with a white ‘surrender’ cloth. The sniper was authorised to open fire on suspicious figures. Haim retreated to a building but was mistakenly shot by a sniper.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the tragedy as unbearable and all of Israel grieved.

He said at the time: “Everyone who has fought on the battlefield knows that the distance between victory and disaster is a hair’s breadth.”

Haim’s mother, Iris, said her family would not judge or be angry to the troops involved.

The certificates of honour awarded read: ‘The State of Israel hereby expresses its deep appreciation for the bravery of Yotam, Samar, and Alon, each of whom, with great courage and exceptional mutual commitment, acted to rescue himself and his brothers from danger and captivity, and fell with valour in the heart of the battlefield. We will etch in our hearts forever their initiative, determination, and unique courage they showed on the dangerous and turbulent frontline, balanced between peril and salvation, between darkness and light, between bondage and redemption.’

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War still rages in Ukraine.

It’s been two years of hurt and pain, two years of damage and devastation, two years of fear and uncertainty. Parents and children are traumatised. The suffering of war never seems to end. But you can help them today.

This Pesach, will you help Ukrainian families suffering from the trauma of war?

Herzogs hosts healthcare nurses

BY LEAH WAXLER

President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal hosted nurses honoured for their dedication and excellence across the healthcare system yesterday. Ahead of next month’s International Nurses Day the event was attended by the Minister of Health, Uriel Buso, Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Moshe Bar Siman Tov, and Chairperson of

the Nurses Association, Ilana Cohen.

During the event, 30 nurses were also recognised for acts of courage and selflessness to save lives.

The First Lady held emotional conversations with Nurse Nili Margalit, who was taken hostage on October 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz and released after 55 days in Hamas captivity and community Nurse Nirit Honvald Kornfeld from Kibbutz Beeri who fought for hours to treat the wounded.

Nili told the First Lady: “I was with people from my community who knew I was a nurse and quickly realised there was a need to care for them, help them and to understand how we could survive together.”

Nirit recalled: “I didn’t think twice. I left my family and ran to treat the wounded in the Kibbutz. The terrorists were there for two hours outside my hiding place until the army came and rescued me. At that point, I couldn’t leave without rescuing more wounded and returning to my family.”

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State of Israel. Our healthcare system is one of the best in the world thanks to the people, and in particular the nurses who devote themselves to caring for the many wounded and citizens displaced from homes with courage and strength. The nurses have shown how significant their role is in facing the challenges posed by the war. Their efforts and contributions drive the entire system particularly at times of emergency.”

Herzog said: “Truly, you are a source of pride, both for our country and around the world.”

He added, “I wish you all quieter and calmer days. I want to express special appreciation to nurses from the border areas, from the north, from displaced families, and especially from bereaved families, and families of the hostages. We are all grateful to you and wish you only good news, a happy Passover holiday, and that together we will know better days.”

Buso said, “International Nurses Day is overshadowed by the events of October 7 and the ongoing war. These are complex days for the

Bar Siman Tov noted, “The resilience of Israel relies on the healthcare system and professionalism of the nurses in times of routine and crisis. We have witnessed acts of civilian heroism by nurses who fought for the lives of the wounded in the heart of the battlefield, risking their own lives. This bravery is a symbol of dedication, professionalism, love for humanity and compassion.”

He added, “International Nurses Day sheds light on this courage and heroism demonstrated in the face of Hamas’ brutal terror attack of October 7 and since on the battlefield and in the trauma rooms, in mental health and rehabilitation, in hospitals and in the community, in clinics and in the military, and in dealing with life-saving and with grief.”

Cohen, said, “Thanks to the nurses more lives survived the storm and with your help more wounded will be able to smile towards the future.”

Wishing all our customers & the community

BY HARRY SIMONS

Chief Rabbi Goldschmidt prays for peace at Pesach Bibi visits IDF recruits

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited IDF recruits for Golani Brigade and Givati Brigade combat positions at the Tel Hashomer induction centre yesterday.

Netanyahu met a number before addressing the group and answering questions.

Among the Golani Brigade recruits is the grandson of Miriam Peretz, whose father and uncle fell in defense of the State of

mercy and will defeat them. You want to win, you are prepared to fight. Good friends have fallen in this campaign so that we could achieve this victory. Our three objectives are to eliminate Hamas, return the hostages and ensure Hamas never again constitutes a threat to Israel.

“This is part of a greater campaign. Iran stands behind Hamas, Hezbollah and others, but we are determined to win. What is most important is our spirit. It is the readiness that I see in your eyes, in our commanders, in our army, in our people. I rely on you and I stand by you.”

Israel.

“There are amazing stories, determination and commitment to the people of Israel,” Netanyahu said.

“You are joining IDF combat positions to repel a brutal enemy, monsters who attacked us. We are striking back without

He added: “I was here a few years ago. It is the same spirit that continues. With G-d’s help, together we will win. Watch out for each other and the country.”

Netanyahu also met lone soldiers, olim who came to Israel to enlist, graduates of pre-military academies, a recruit from a bereaved family and recruits affected by the war.

Netanyahu’s Chief-of-Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi and senior IDF officers attended.

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER), released his Pesach message. He stated:

“On behalf of the rabbis and rebbitzens of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER), I want to wish Jews everywhere a happy and Kosher Pesach.

Pesach celebrates the triumph of the fledging Jewish nation over the barbarity

of an ancient, evil regime, and the triumph of freedom over enslavement. Yet it marks the present as much as the past. Our Sages instruct that on Seder Night we must view ourselves as going through a similar journey, intertwining our past with the present and with hope for a better future.

Our thoughts are with the soldiers and citizens of Israel, with the 133 hostages, as well as with those Jewish people and communities in Europe that are under unprecedented attack.

The CER will continue our fight for Jewish religious freedom and security throughout the continent. We pray that the Jewish People and indeed the whole world can find safety and security, and that those regimes and terror governments that continue to exercise their power purely to persecute our People be met swiftly with justice and reckoning, reliving the past Exodus in our days.”

Your job as future leaders is to ensure your voice is not lost

On Monday afternoon, StandWithUs UK held a graduation ceremony for its bespoke Emerson Fellowship cohort of 2023/24 at the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Leslie Turnberg and was attended by Lord Stuart Polak and Baroness Ruth Deech. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and pride as 22 students from universities across the UK and their families marked and celebrated their successful completion of the programme. The event was not only a celebration of their achievements but also a

dedication and hard work of the students in countering misinformation and anti-Israel bias on campus. Keynote speaker at the ceremony Mike

Freer MP said in his speech that “I am not Jewish, but I am a gay man. Israel is a country that recognises minority rights, doesn’t matter what faith, sexuality or religion is. That is an oasis of liberalism in the modern world. This is not only a war in Israel, but a bigger war of religion and freedom of speech- where we are seeing Jewish bodies across campuses in the UK being silenced as they are not getting support from university authorities - what society is it when people cannot argue? Your job as future leaders is to ensure your voice is not lost. True leadership is not about being popular, it is about doing what is right even when it is unpopular.”

The StandWithUs Emerson Fellowship is an international bespoke one-year programme that empowers and inspires pro-Israel student leaders at universities. Chosen from universities across the UK, student leaders form a pro-Israel network which inspires their peers and collaborates with

other student groups to run effective educational events, workshops and dialog about Israel.

Through the programme, StandWithUs UK Emerson Fellows receive extensive training and mentorship, deepening their education and developing a unique skillset including critical thinking, public speaking, the practicalities of event-planning, investigative journalism and digital marketing - all with the professional support of qualified SWU staff.

have dealt with on their own campuses.

This year’s cohort faced unprecedented challenges with the 7th October massacre sparking a vicious campaign of anti-Israel student-led demonstrations on UK campuses. With unprecedented levels of hostility towards supporters of Israel, the Emerson Fellows stood firm against politicised and often antisemitic student groups. Some faced being ostracised by peers and faculty, and in some cases, violence and smear campaigns. Highlights over the past year included a roundtable at the House of Lords with Lords Polak and Austin, and Baroness Barran to discuss antisemitism on UK campuses. In March, students from across the globe united at the Emerson Fellowship International Conference in Los Angeles, sharing similar issues that they

The Emerson Fellows complete this programme having fostered deep connections with peers across UK and global campus, tapping into a global network of pro-Israel individuals with whom they can continue to engage. They will also be offered opportunities to build new networks through the Blue & White Club, which empowers young professionals to build relationships with contemporaries and industry leaders: learning from one another, making connections and creating greater awareness of developments affecting Israel and the world.

Want to join our 2024/5 Emerson Fellowship? Applications are currently open for university students. Find out more at https://www.standwithus.com/ emerson-uk

“From start to finish, the Osbornes team were empathetic,

Chag Pesach Sameach

testament to the

Europe’s highest Court condemns France over murder and rape threats against Jewess

BY ANDREW M ROSEMARINE

Europe’s highest Court, the European Court of Human Rights, has condemned the French State for repeatedly ignoring extreme anti-Jewish hatred, accompanied by repeated threats of murder and rape, against a Parisian Jewess, Myriam Allouche. The European Court, in Allouche v. France, criticised France’s courts and police, for failing to take into account the anti-Semitism sufficiently, when punishing the perpetrator, a barman, expressing common Islamist anti-Jewish hatred. After Mme. Allouche rejected the barman’s advances, he sent her very abusive texts, threatened to cut off her head, called her husband a “Jewish monkey”, welcomed the Holocaust, and

Save a seat

OPINION PIECE

BY MARIE VAN DER ZYL

At Pesach we ask the question, “How different is this night from all other nights?” This year, as we prepare for Seder night, we have a very different question to ask. “How different is this Pesach from all others?”

At this normally joyous festival, we celebrate the freedom of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. However, this year has huge poignancy. Even as we give thanks for our deliverance from Pharoah, we are all thinking about the more-than 100 men, women and children who have remained in captivity in Gaza for more than six months, with no communication

sent her a photograph of Hitler. She suffered emotionally from these threats. Because he knew where she lived and taunted her with that too, she moved home. He worked as a barman near her own place of work, a Holocaust Memorial organization. He also wrote “When I see you in the street, I will break your dirty Jewish nose.” The proof of all these was beyond doubt, but the French Courts sentenced him to only 18 months imprisonment for his threats to murder her, and ignored his threats to rape her. French Law provides for 5 years gaol for racist murder threats, but the French Courts repeatedly ignored her requests for the racist and rape components of his threats to be taken into account.

The European Court of Human Rights delivered judgement in her favour, and found that France had breached its duties to protect her rights to a private life

from their family or loved ones. We don’t know who is dead and who is alive, whether they have suffered torture, whether those with medical conditions have any access to treatment. We have no idea how they are coping with the conditions they find themselves in.

Every Pesach our tradition is to invite a stranger in to celebrate the Seder with our families. This year, we are asking every family to invite someone who we may have never met but about whom we all care deeply. For the Seder Seat for a Hostage campaign, we would like everyone to set a place at the table for one of the hostages and to download and print a picture which can be placed at a special seat at the table set for them. We would also encourage everyone to share photos of their laid Seder table on social media with the seat

It was last February that I was diagnosed with high risk Neuroblastoma.

without discrimination, under the European Convention of Human Rights. It binds all European States, their governments, and all public institutions. This judgment is of great importance in its requirement of all European States to fully protect Jews from anti-Semitism in fact, and not just with unenforced laws.

The threats were made against Mme. Allouche ten years ago. She has shown exemplary courage in persisting with legal proceedings over that period. The Court ordered France to pay her 18,840 euros and interest.

The Judgment, issued by judges from 7 different States, binds all 46 member states of the Council of Europe, covering 700 million Europeans.

It binds the UK too, including Scottish police, who have refused to take action over antisemitic social media posts, and English police, who have failed to

set aside for a chosen hostage, along with the #SederSeatForAHostage hashtag.

We are pleased that both the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs in Canada and the South African Jewish Board of Deputies are taking part in this campaign, making this a truly international initiative. In the UK, we have partnered with the Union of Jewish Students and Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

When we cry “let our people go” we will be thinking about the ordeal of the hostages. When we recall the suffering of our ancestors, we will also be remembering the1,200 victims of the 7th October massacres, images of which are etched into our memories, and of course we are thinking of the many families, Israeli and other nationalities, who have suffered the most traumatic loss.

The diagnosis was a real shock as I had no symptoms apart from a tummy ache.

I knew about Chai because they’d helped us when my grandpa was unwell, so it felt really good to know that they would be able to help us all again.

For Dad it was counselling, for Mum it was therapeutic massage and for me and my siblings, a combination of talking, music, art and play therapy.

Thank you Chai.

Ari, 13

WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND KOSHER PESACH

To fi nd out more about Chai’s specialised services, please call our freephone helpline on 0808 808 4567 or visit chaicancercare.org or scan the QR code

take action over anti-semitic abuse in demonstrations.

As the British Prime Minister contemplates withdrawing the UK from the European Court of Human Rights’ Jurisdiction because of expected obstacles from it to his Rwanda scheme for immigrants to the UK, our MPs need to be informed that that would be a highly regressive step for the UK. The European Court of Human Rights is a great protector of individual rights throughout Europe.

Andrew M Rosemarine is a Barrister specializing in religious rights, immigration into the UK, Commercial Disputes and legal problem solving. He has 3 Oxford Law Degrees, and 43 years of law.

The more people who can join this campaign this Pesach, the more the hostages will remain in our consciousness. This is the reason we have held weekly vigils for the hostages at Westminster for the past six months while Parliament is in session. This is why more than 1,000 people gathered at Whitehall last week to listen to the stories the families of those in captivity and to call for their swift release.

The hostages must all come home. When we recite the words “Next Year in Jerusalem”, we will be thinking of all those who are not with us in person this year and praying for their safe return.

It felt really good that Chai was there for me and all my family for

Marie van der Zyl is President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews

OPINION PIECE

our

The 10 Life Hacks

Empowering Teens to Overcome Struggles, Boost Happiness & Strengthen Resilience.

“Written by someone who obviously understands teens... and knows how to speak to them.”

Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz International Lecturer & Noted Author

“It is both hashkofically and psychologically sound and is a must-read for any teen or for those who support them.”

Rabbi Shimon Russell Psychotherapist & renowned expert on parenting teenagers

www.masteringyourmind.today

www.israelbookshoppublications.com

In the shadows of war- the impact on young people

Recent surveys conducted in Israel by The National Security Ministry, the National Child Protection Online Authority, and the Chief Scientist’s Office have revealed the significant impact of the Swords of Iron conflict on children in Israel. Shockingly, 63% of surveyed youth reported experiencing anxiety or negative emotions due to their online encounters with the realities of war. Many of these young people have been exposed to distressing content online, ranging from graphic images to inflammatory conversations, exacerbating their emotional distress.

As a psychotherapist and CEO of JTeen, an organization dedicated to providing emotional support to teens through our support line and in-school programs, these findings resonate deeply. Our experience engaging with teens across the UK has shown the profound toll of exposure to such harmful content and its emotional impact.

Instances of verbal abuse, hate propaganda, and the spectre of violence loom large, leaving many young people feeling anxious, isolated, and uncertain about the future. Our volunteer counsellors and therapists have been supporting many teens who have shared their experiences and fears amid the ongoing conflict. Some express concern about avoiding going out at night after experiencing verbal

abuse, while others share the challenges of facing hateful stares and propaganda on campus. In London, teens particularly voice fears over the weekly protests happening in the city.

It is evident that we are witnessing first-hand the impact of the aftermath of October 7th and the war against Hamas, on the mental well-being of teens. While the tragedies and losses of war are often headline news, the silent suffering of adolescents can go unnoticed. The emotional burden they carry may not be as visible, but it is equally significant and deserving of attention. In light of these findings, it’s imperative that we prioritize the mental health and well-being of our youth.

Creating safe and supportive environments both online and offline is paramount. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in this endeavour by fostering open communication, providing reassurance, and being vigilant about their children’s online activities. Additionally, promoting healthy coping strategies and educating teens about the importance of digital well-being can help mitigate the negative effects of exposure to harmful content.

Yaakov Barr is the CEO of JTeen and the author of “Mastering Your Mind: 10 Proven Life Hacks for Teen Happiness and Success”

SECONDARY PROGRAMMES MANAGER / JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAMMES MANAGER

Full time position for a candidate who could offer Jewish Studies teaching and programme leadership. Alternatively, the role can be split into two parttime positions: Secondary Programme Manager and Jewish Studies Programmes Manager.

This is an exciting and challenging role that would suit a senior educator with leadership experience and understanding of the wider landscape of ITT. You will be highly motivated and passionate about Jewish education, teaching and learning. You will manage, develop and deliver inspiring courses for trainee teachers at secondary level, working with our school partners across the community. You will run LSJS’ flagship secondary training porgramme for trainees across a wide range of subjects.

At LSJS we train and develop inspirational teachers & educational leaders, enabling them to have a transformative impact on our schools and communities.

Visit www.lsjs.ac.uk for a job description

Please send your full CV and cover letter by 3 May to helena. miller@lsjs.ac.uk.

Interviews will be held on 15 May to start on 1 September.

The job involves investigating products for listing in the Isitkosher search and The Really Jewish Food Guide. This entails contacting food manufacturers to ask them for information about the ingredients and manufacture of their products, processing the responses received to request further or missing information, inputting the details to the KLBD food database and submitting products for Rabbinical approval once the information is complete. Some of the time will be spent dealing with product enquiries from members of the public and KLBD licensees, and on occasion there may be a requirement to help with other areas of work at the KLBD.

The ideal candidate will be a quick learner who has good analytical and writing skills and is computer literate. They will be flexible and able to work as part of a team. They will be well organised, with a good eye for detail and will work to a high standard of accuracy.

It would be an advantage, although not essential, if the applicant had spent time learning in a Seminary or Yeshiva. A rabbinical or food technology qualification is not required for this post. Full training will be provided in all aspects of the work.

For further information and to download an application form, visit www.theus.org.uk/vacancies. Closing date for completed applications is 14th May 2024.

If you have any questions, contact the KLBD on 020 8343 6255 or email rcoten@kosher.org.uk

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Previous applicants need not reapply. Registered Charity No. 242552

An impassioned plea to British Jews!

BY RABBI NAFTALI SCHIFF

“Naftali- everything I see in the press cries out the total opposite of the truth! It’s crazy! What’s going on?!”

My response to the close friend who shared this currently too familiar sentiment with me last week was that perhaps this is a reminder to each of us of the very first accolade awarded to the very first Jew. He is described as Avraham Ha’ivri- “Abraham from the other side” the one who had the clarity and strength of conviction to cross over to the other side, place the hammer in the man-made hand of the largest idol, and point out the folly of misbelief and group think of the society he had hitherto been part of. Avraham brought eternal blessing to world civilisation for asserting that which is true and correct, irrespective of peer pressure and world opinion. Perhaps it’s precisely that stiff necked clarity and self-belief that has actually ensured that you and I are still here, as Jews. Even as our forbearer, incidentally a highly assimilated Jew, Benjamin Disraeli informed his protagonist Gladstone in the British Parliament nearly 200 years ago- “sanity is not statistical!” The courage it takes to assert one’s own positive and proud Jewish identity and not be defined by others, is precisely that which preserved our survival.

Indeed, we are rightly incensed at the prevalent injustice of world opinion levelled at Israel and the vitriol spewed forth against Jews everywhere. Yet surely throughout the centuries of our wanderings our survival was predicated on our refusal to allow enemies to define us, nor have we ultimately simply wallowed in self-pity and suffering on Seder Night. We recall our humble beginnings accompanied as they were by hatred and drudgery, however, simultaneously we endured with the deep-seated understanding that our persecution is with ultimate purpose. The message from the outset is not only “bechol for vador omdim aleinu lechaloteinu”, in every generation they seek to destroy us, but in parallel “veHakadosh baruch hu matzileinu mayadam”- that there is a greater plan, a Guiding Hand that eventually brings us to Mount Sinai bequeathing upon us the manifest destiny to become a Light unto the Nations and to build the Promised Land.

Seder Night is an annual affirmation of our own sense of Jewishness, an assertion of faith and belief in the future and our most focussed yearly attempt to share this deep sense of identity and commitment with our younger generation- those who will hopefully carry our beacon of Jewish pride far into the future.

I vividly recall Rabbi Sacks directive to me 20 years ago as together we surveyed the devastation in the wake of the worst antisemitic incident in the UK in many decades. The Aish centre in NW4 had been subjected to a hate fuelled arson attack with Sifrei Torah willfully removed

from the Ark, stripped, ripped asunder and cast on the floor. Rabbi Sacks cited the verse that described the Jewish response to the world’s longest hatred“ka’asher ye’anu oto, ken yirbe, v’chein yifrotz!” In response to the afflictions directed against our People, so we must grow and expand! Naftali, I implore of you, in direct response to this mindless act of antisemitic hatred- to build Aish bigger, stronger and more impactful than ever before! I have walked with this directive each day for the past 20 years.

My friends, we cannot, we must not place all our energies, resources and efforts at this time only towards fighting our enemies from without. Antisemitism has been an inherent part of being Jewish from the very outset of the Jewish story. However, we never let it define us. We cannot afford to do so now. In the UK, worthy and steadfast organisations such as the CST, CAA and others have thankfully ensured our defence, safety and battle against our enemies on the streets of Britain. To each, our deepest thanks is due. Jewish Care, Norwood, JBD, Camp Simcha, Kisharon, Jami and others valiantly care too for the welfare of our aged and most vulnerable. However, as we consider the resilience of our past, the challenges of the present and the uncertainty of our future, I would contend that we ignore prioritisation of ensuring Jewish values, commitment and education of the next generation, at our peril.

It will be futile to protect against our many detractors whilst the predominant Jewish message we give our younger generation appears to be- to be Jewish is to be hated- please stick around for the party! Why would they? Surely, after having survived 3300 years, we have more to share, inspire and foster commitment than merely the fight against? It is a pipe dream to think that young people will positively opt for Jewish engagement and proud Jewish identity, when front and centre that which we prioritise could be summed up on the pages of Der Stormer or Mein Kampf, the reels of Tik Tok and spools of Al Jazeera. In every generation they hate us, now come join the club! How does that work? As the recent JPR report indicated, Jewish identity amongst young British Jews over recent decades has been largely formed around the Holocaust and defence of an embattled Israel and this Jewish connection hovers at all-time low.

At JRoots we facilitate impactful Jewish journeys for over 100 groups a year, predominantly to Poland and Israel. Our educational message is never to languish in self-pity, nor only to place the fight against our enemies, as crucial as it is today, at front and centre. In Poland JRoots begin each day with the life that was, the values that formed Jewish community and only afterwards the destruction. The strongest “take home” sentiment from JRoots journeys, by design, is that of Jewish survival against the odds, a deepened

understanding and embracing of the Jewish values that ensured that survival then and shall fortify us today and tomorrow.

I had the privilege of being present as the children of Hungarian born Holocaust Survivor George Klein zl got up from sitting shiva last week in London. I had rushed round there to catch the end of the last prayers of the shiva in order to share with the family a 100 second clip from an interview I had conducted with Mr Klein a number of years ago. It centered around George talking movingly about the Yellow Star that he had fortuitously saved from his torturous journey and the lovingly preserved oil stained crumbling prayer book that accompanied his wanderings from camp to camp in 1944-5. With trembling hands, he emotionally read out the immortal words he had penned on the yellow star of shame

that subsequently became a badge of honour, perhaps one of the earliest citations of the now famous words “Am Yisrael Chai” and of his defiant adherence to the prayers and customs of his family home.

As we gather all generations around the Seder Table of 2024, anxious as we are about the uncertain direction of Jewish life, one thing is for sure- as much as we recall the denigration of episodes from our past, the loathing and contempt of our foes- old and new, we can be certain that the vibrant Jewish future of tomorrow can only be ensured by positive, purposeful and prescient enlightenment, education and elucidation today!

Rabbi Naftali Schiff is Founder of the Family of Jewish Futures group of educational organisations

JNF UK: A beacon of support for Israel’s war-torn communities

For decades JNF UK has been actively committed to supporting and strengthening communities in the south of Israel, many who have suffered constant rocket attacks from Gaza. Our projects aimed at improving the living conditions and quality of life for the residents can be seen throughout the region.

JNF UK has been a constant beacon of support for these communities and over the years we have built up strong relationships with them, so much so, that many are considered part of the extended JNF UK family. When the tragic events of October 7 unfolded, it dramatically impacted JNF UK’s work and team. Many of the Gaza envelope communities that JNF UK has been supporting were some of the worst hit. Tragically some of our cherished stakeholders lost their lives and some of our projects were destroyed. JNF UK has also been directly impacted by the devastating news that employee Sagui Dekel-Chen was taken hostage from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Six months on Sagui is still unaccounted for. We continue to pray for his safe return to his family, as well as the remaining hostages.

In the days that followed October 7, JNF UK immediately sprang into action, reaching out to the worst-hit communities by providing emergency aid where it was needed most at a time of desperation. We were also in contact with other partner organisations providing help to some of the most vulnerable members of society including children and holocaust survivors in the form of respite activities and food packages.

As rockets continued to rain down on Israel, our team quickly realized that in order to protect its citizens there was a desperate need to clear disused and neglected communal bomb shelters in thousands of residential apartment blocks, whose residents were without a safe space. With this in mind, we initiated Operation Ir Miklat (City of Refuge). We cleared, cleaned, and fixed over 4,000 bomb shelters with the help of 6,500 volunteers. Recent events show how critical this project has been, protecting tens of thousands of lives.

As six months have now passed since that fateful day, emergency assistance is no longer required but the people of Israel still very much need our support. JNF UK has mobilised its resources to provide support to the victims and assist affected communities in their journey towards healing and rebuilding.

With the support of its donors, JNF UK aims to provide mental health services to the most affected victims of October 7. These include Nova festival survivors, victims of sexual abuse and violence, and children who have been bereaved or orphaned. JNF UK is partnering with various organisations that are offering specialised mental health therapy and

support for these victims who have suffered unimaginable trauma.

We are also offering continued assistance to displaced Gaza envelope communities. Since many of the communities cannot return to their homes, JNF UK is providing relocation assistance so the residents can adapt to their temporary locations until their kibbutzim are restored. We are also working to improve the lives of people who have returned to their homes to help them rebuild what was lost. Therapy is also being provided to promote both individual and community healing.

JNF UK is also running its DIY Volunteering programmes for affected communities. One such project was for families of Kibbutz Nirim who have relocated to apartments in Be’er Sheva. These evacuees took part in the construction project to build garden furniture for their temporary home, which not only served a practical need but gave these community members strength and a sense of unity. This is just one of a series of projects that we are leading to restore the lives of the Gaza envelope communities.

JNF UK pledges to continue assisting Israel’s southern cities which have been under the constant threat of terror for decades. The residents of Ashkelon, the most targeted Israeli city, have suffered unimaginably. JNF UK is supporting the Ashkelon Foundation which is providing rehabilitation programmes to the city’s schoolchildren who are experiencing high levels of anxiety and PTSD. Activities and workshops are being run, designed to help strengthen children’s emotional wellbeing and resilience.

In the North, we are directing support to thousands of evacuees who are facing many challenges having suffered a high level of disruption and stress over the past six months. These include adjusting to a new and unfamiliar environment, loss of employment, availability and accessibility of health, education, welfare and leisure services. JNF UK is working with organisations who are running activities designed to help evacuees regain some sense of normality and routine back into their lives.

JNF UK is not only providing support to those impacted by the attacks, but we’re also being proactive by making emergency arrangements in case the conflict in the North intensifies. This includes the JNF UK Disaster Relief Units (DRUs) and supplying emergency equipment to aid communities and citizens to ensure fast and efficient support.

Central to JNF UK’s response is a

steadfast commitment to standing shoulder to shoulder with the affected communities, offering not only tangible support but pledging its solidarity with them. Just as in the past, JNF UK is more committed than ever to its mission of rebuilding Israel’s peripheries and shaping a brighter future for the people of Israel. As

evacuated communities are returning to the Negev, JNF UK will be with them, as always, to rebuild and implement its vision for the development of the region. JNF UK stands by Israel’s side now and always.

To find out more about JNF UK’s work visit www.jnf.co.uk/israelunderattack

Emunah’s Sarah Ronson Counselling Centre in Sderot, offers a beacon of healing and tranquility for those devasted by the attacks of 7th October.

This Pesach we urgently need your support to continue providing critical therapeutic sessions to reduce potential permanent damage to children and families who have been traumatised or displaced by these events.

After six months of immense pain and suffering, JNF UK is committed to healing, rebuilding and strengthening Israel and its people.

Your support could provide:

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR OCTOBER 7 VICTIMS

ASSISTANCE FOR DISPLACED GAZA ENVELOPE COMMUNITIES

REHABILITATION FOR CHILDREN IN ASHKELON

RELIEF FOR EVACUATED NORTHERN COMMUNITIES

RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT IN PREPARATION FOR EMERGENCIES

BY YOSSI SAUNDERS

Ahead of Pesach, editor Yossi Saunders sat down with Rob and Jen Airley, of Ramat Beit Shemesh, who lost their son Sergeant Binyamin Meir Airley HY’D of the Paratrooper’s Brigade’s 101st Battalion in Gaza aged 21 last November.

Read the remarkable story of the true courage of an IDF soldier who tragically gave up his life for the Jewish people.

Born and bred Mancunian Rob Airley attended King David Junior School, followed by Oldham Grammar School. After completing his exams, he went to study at Shapell’s Yeshiva in Israel. Jen Averbuch, of Hollywood, Florida had finished college and decided to take time off from her master’s degree and go to Israel for the summer. She wasn’t specifically planning to meet anyone, but Hashem had other plans. She was staying at her uncle’s house across the road from Shapell’s Yeshiva and she ended up meeting Rob through mutual friends.

When Rob initially asked her out the first time, she came with a bunch of friends, the next time he asked her, she brought her cousins. Before the third time Rob politely asked if they could go to dinner alone without the entourage! Three weeks later and the couple were engaged.

The first person to find out they were engaged was a shattered soldier whom they gave a lift too. He didn’t seem as excited by their news as they were, but he did manage to muster a mazel tov from the back of the car.

Once the family had been told, and wedding plans made, Jen went back to America to finish her studies. Given the choice between living in Manchester far away from his fiancée, or in New York near her, Rob found himself renting an apartment in the big Apple, in the same building as Eli Stefansky. Ironically, he would end up going to Reb Eli’s world fa mous Daf Hayomi shiur in Beit Shemesh many years later.

After getting married in Florida, the newlyweds lived in Brooklyn for three years before subsequently buying a house in Cedarhurst. Whilst Rob enjoyed living stateside and having a Mancunian accent in America certainly went down well with the locals, the desire to live in Israel was always in the couple’s veins. Rob worked in recruitment and felt he could do that from Israel, a deci sion made easier on an inspiring Cedar hurst shul trip to the holy land.

After a couple of years of saving money, they moved to Ramat Beit Shemesh, where they still live today. Making Aliyah is always a challenge for anyone, especially when the builder forgot to waterproof the basement, leading to a bill of thousands of shekels to fix the damage caused by the subsequent flooding. Yet the Airleys persisted and are proud to have raised their children with fierce

loyalty to Israel accompanied by an inbuilt desire to help both grow and protect the Jewish nation.

They had 3 children aged 6,4 and 2 when they moved. Another 3 were subsequently born in Israel. Their oldest daughter Sarah is now 23, married to Dovid and is the proud mother of baby Avital. Binyamin was 21, Yehuda is 19, Akiva 16, Yaakov 12 and Chana 10.

Three things made a huge difference to making Aliyah easier. Firstly Jen already understood Ivrit, she was also comfortable and confident driving on Israeli roads, and they had family already there. Rob adds with a smile the word ‘Parnassah,’ which he quips is ‘more important than knowing how to drive the roads!’

Jen tells me that by residing in Israel, despite the hardships initially endured, she feels like she is literally living the Tanach every day! Additionally, she already has a place to live when Mashiach comes. In Israel, people can walk daily around the same places where our heroes walked thousands of years ago, including the plains where the Mishkan was carried, in Tal Beit Shemesh near Tzomet Yishai.

Weiss, when a concerned parent walked in and asked the Rabbi advice on what to say to his sons who were planning to go to the army and fight on the frontlines in Gaza.

Did he and his wife have the right as parents to tell their boys that they have to do a desk job rather than go to the front line?

Nowadays, parents have to sign a form that they are happy to let their children go to the army, otherwise they will be given a non-combat role. Just then, two soldiers came in for a bracha before going into Gaza. Reb Osher asked them would they rather have desk job or go to Gaza? They wouldn’t hear of a desk job, they both said emphatically

worried as on a typical year without war, not too many soldiers die in the Israeli army. More people die in car accidents on average in a typical year then soldiers on the battlefield.

Rob was recently sitting with Reb Osher

As Binyamin grew up, he was very into his fitness, and ultimately fulfilled his dream of becoming a soldier in the IDF. Jen, a professional fitness instructor fondly remembers how they ran the Jerusalem Marathon together, and he gave her physical support by pushing her up a steep hill as the kilometres ticked on. She was able to return the favour by supporting him in the army with moral support as she watched him run from the sidelines with huge heavy bags on his back.

In Tzfat one Shabbat with friends, Binyamin helped save the lives of a couple of girls who fell off a roof. He used his gun to prop up her head, and without panicking, he calmly called Magen David Adam and didn’t even tell his friend who was with him all Shabbat that he had saved someone’s’ life. Binyamin definitely felt that being in Tzfat was his spiritual place, a second home.

Binyamin had great bitachon, trust in Hashem. He used to volunteer on a farm in his spare time. The farm was located in a dangerous area. One time he called his mum to tell her that there were hundreds of Arabs coming downhill towards him looking threatening. He was on his own with no one else around and no gun by his side; yet he calmly called the IDF and defused the situation safely.

Binyamin wasn’t materialistically driven. He wrote on that note found in his draw that he simply wanted to have enough money to get by. He was happy without a smartphone and with driving a basic car. He once informed his dad that he had bought a cheap car for a few thousand shekels, a big risk in Israel! His dad told him it may not be worth spending anything on it at all, yet the car was bought nonetheless. After driving from Ramat Bet Shemesh to Tzfat, the car was finished, and didn’t make the return journey. Perhaps parents sometimes know best, but Binyamin was fiercely independent, a trait that took him far in life and in particularly in the army.

Jen notes that during the shiva, people were talking about all the things he did, and she wondered to herself if he had only been given more time, he could have done so much more. However, Binyamin is definitely doing even more this way; Hashem perfectly coordinated things- G-d said that by taking him this way he will do even more. Binyamin was so crazy, he could have died a million different ways. It could have been a motorcycle accident, or an illness but this way enabled so much echoism. He could have been killed by friendly fire. He once slipped inside a house in Gaza when terrorists threw a grenade at him, but he managed to get up and out of the way just in time.

Binyamin was a born leader, never someone to shirk his responsibility.

On the Shabbat that he passed away, Binyamin pushed his way to the front to protect others in his unit. He was the first soldier to enter the building after his unit thought all the terrorists inside had been killed. Unfortunately, there was one left inside that hadn’t been noticed.

He said I’m going in, that was always his story, whether on the farm, whether in Tzfat, if something needed doing, he did it. Binyamin died a hero’s death, defending his homeland during a difficult war that is still ongoing. In his death, he abided by the high standards in which he always lived. By jumping to the front and saying I am going to take care of things, his comrades knew Binyamin was always there to help them and that is the highest level of praise for a soldier.

Jen told me she was in shul that Shabbat morning as usual and suddenly she felt extremely emotional and worried and had to leave. She went home and started saying Tehillim with great fervour and tears. When a loud knocking woke her from her sleep later that afternoon and she saw three soldiers in her living room, even before she spoke to them, she immediately said ‘Barach Dayan

Haemet,’ the traditional prayer Jews recite upon hearing about someone’s death. She asked the men what happened, and those soldiers stayed by the family’s side throughout the shiva, and the entire sheloshim too.

Simple things like paying bills and shopping were all taken care of by the army as the grieving family were given the time to mourn. After the sheloshim, different people from the army were assigned to help ease the burden on the family.

One of the school children had asked Jen how she looks so put together. She replied that it’s not always so easy to be put together and looks can be deceiving, telling them to come see her at 3pm on a Friday afternoon! When the guys in his unit got out and came to the house to visit, it was an extremely emotional time.

Binyamin’s brother Yehuda who was studying in KBY Yeshiva now enters the room and dad Rob gives him a big emotional hug before he takes leave to return for the week. He has now just joined army intelligence. Jen tells me they are proud of his decision and have not tried to talk him out of it. Rob tells me with a smile that his wife’s way is the way, and they will support Yehudah throughout. I reflect silently on such an amazing family who simply refuse to give up under the

most difficult of circumstances and will still proudly support another son defending the beloved homeland of the Jewish people.

I ask the Airley’s to tell me what people in the community and around the world have done to remember Binyamin. They show me the WhatsApp group they started in his memory to help people Guard

memory, as well as many thousands of dollars of sponsorships to the shiur in his name.

A book lies open on a chair near the door. Jen shows me the pledges people have written down to take upon themselves in Binyamin’s memory. They have been completely and utterly amazed at the level of mitzvot and Torah observance

“If he had only been given more time, he could have done so much more”

against speaking Lashon Horah. Several hundred people listen to Rob every day as he goes through the Chofetz Chaim’s daily Halachot in Binyamin’s memory, complete with a constant flow of stories and chizuk.

Reb Eli Stefansky’s daf hayomi shiur is the biggest shiur in the world with over 23,000 people following daily around the globe and Rob tells me that the outpouring of love for Binyamin has been tangible. Many participants took on learning extra gemoroh in Binyamin’s merit and altogether finished the entire shas in his

in Benjamin’ merit. One person will try to say kriat shema every night before bed. Another will aim to say a blessing before food. People from all walks of live have taken things upon themselves to try and make the world a better place.

A young man wants to learn two Mishnayot each morning before Shacharit. A local woman will try not to speak Lashon Horah for 1 hour per day. One person pledges to wear tzitzit every day. Uncountable zechusim.

One of the projects Binyamin’s parents have embarked on is Beit Binyamin, a new retreat for soldiers in Tzfat. The aim of this project is to continue to provide a place to rejuvenate and celebrate the best of being Jewish for those holy souls who have given so much for our country, and for Jews around the world. Jen’s face smiles a treasured smile as she talks about how happy Binyamin would be with this project, a smile as deep as eternity.

To help build and grow this project in Binyamin’s memory, see the link below and advert. For any significant sponsorship opportunities, email office@thejewishweekly.com

Yehi Zichro Baruch

Binyamin’s legacy is without a shadow of a doubt that he is stirring up things in Shamayim, helping the Jewish Nation. He is the highest of the high. People think they are doing things for Binyamin, but really, he is a pure Neshama on high who is getting them to do things to improve their relationship to Judaism and their relationship with Hashem.

Parents B’Yachad: From Edgware to Yerushalayim

Living in Edgware, with a son on the front lines in the IDF, the war was naturally an awakening to so many new realities, individual and familial.

This of course not unique to myself, but to tens of thousands of other parents, who in fact often have not just one child, but many children, and sons-in-law, on the front lines.

Yes, we are in much admiration of our children, and derive much chizuk in itself of their passion, determination, and their sense of responsibility and self-sacrifice for the klal, going to battle with a gun in the one hand, and a gemara in the other. Nonetheless, we worry constantly, and for many, have been sleepless at night.

While the genuine outpouring of support, spiritually and materially by so many in the community went above and beyond, as a parent of a child in deadly harm’s way, facing an unparalleled perilous war environment with a genocidal enemy, it is unsurprising that “we parents” find the most chizuk and comfort, with our fellow peers who are experiencing the very same reality.

To this extent, I formed an international support group for parents of IDF soldiers – whether for parents living in Israel or abroad in the U.K. U.S. South Africa, Australia and beyond.

In this closed environment, the support group has thankfully become a safe space for all parents to express their fears and thoughts and gain chizuk and strength from one another.

As part of this support initiative, I also reached out to well-known people across the Jewish world, asking if they would be interested in sending a personal video of divrei chizuk, to parents of IDF soldiers.

B”H the response from infancy – was phenomenal. Some of the very first video messages came from Chief Rabbi

Ephraim Mirvis, Rebbetzin Shoshana Tugendhaft, Rabbi Paysach Krohn, Rebbetzin Slovie Jungreis-Wolff, Rabbi YY Rubenstein, Lori Palatnik, Rabbi Jonathan Rietti and Rabbi Naftali Schiff.

I immediately discovered that all were in fact deeply humbled in being asked and virtually every day a new personal video message has since been posted to the private WhatsApp support group.

The videos now number over 100 and reflect the rich diversity and achdus that has arguably been such a void in our Jewish world.

From singers and entertainers like Yaakov Fried, Yaakov Shwekey, Matisyahu to international comedian Elon Gold. From politicians like the former Senator Joe Lieberman z”l to political pundit Allan Dershowitz and Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy. From Rabbi Doron Peretz of Mizrachi Worldwide to Rabbi Shafran of Agudas Yisrael. From acclaimed film director Rama Burshstein to Rivka Katz, former Chief Advisor to President Rivlin.

While the video messages are of course directed specifically to parents of IDF soldiers, we later additionally created a public website, http://www.parentsbeyachad.org so that others in the Jewish world could see the video messages and the achdus it represents.

One of the profound challenges of parents of IDF soldiers on the front lines, is the reversal of relationship.

We spend our lives as parents, dedicated to the protection and safety of our children. With the war, it is the opposite.

Our children are now not only looking to ensure our protection and safety but risking their very own lives for it.

At the same time, as parents, we are fortunate to bear witness to some of the most poignant lessons of this war.

worry, cry and laugh with one another. And they would die for the other.

Our soldiers are not just fighting to win the war against Hamas, and eradicate such genocidal evil.

They are also fighting for a better Klal for tomorrow.

A return to ‘just’ October 6th would be a defeat.

Unity in a time of war - while acutely necessitated, and for which we have been B”H blessed to see, is nevertheless so much harder – in a time of peace.

Like our children, we as parents seek to nurture a society far more respectful, understanding and importantly, recognizing that the Jewish world since October 7th has profoundly changed.

We see this, especially as group parents of IDF soldiers reflecting the rich breadth of our Jewish world. Parents Chabad, Yeshivish, Dati-Leumi, Chardal and everything in between.

To date, 604 fathers are saying kaddish for children lost in battle, physically defending Eretz Yisrael, and Am Yisrael. And if you look at the faces of these precious lives lost, and the faces of these fathers, there is a striking absence, and for many, a very painful absence in the

“burden” of responsibility.

While an extremely complex issue with deep historical roots and legitimate perspectives to understand, BZ”H we can only daven that sound and pragmatic minds come together and prevail – and that the unity that we as a Klal have shown and worked so hard at, translates into the tangible and long-lasting peace we need so much, within ourselves.

Derek Saker is a parent of a chayal and a chayalot. He lives with his wife Devorah and son Shmuli in Edgware and they are blessed to be part of KNY and have a Rav as in Rabbi Reuven Stepski. He is the co-founder and CEO of JWed.com

Kosher Travelers owners and parents of two IDF soldiers

While we as parents try and provide as much love and support, our children’s real strength at this time, most often comes from their blood-brothers – their fellow soldiers in their units.

As with Natanel, and so many thousands of other units, they are a microcosm of Israeli society and our Jewish world. Ashkenazi, to Sephardi, from Ethiopia from religious to secular homes, from wealthier communities like Netanya, to poorer communities in the Negev.

They protect one another, they watch the backs of the other. They sleep and eat together. They

David and Chana Walles are the friendly face of Kosher Travelers, the world-famous travel company that take lucky guests around the world for the finest kosher traveling experiences, accompanied by fine cuisine, and top-class entertainment.

Their trips include a mixture of cruises, tours around exotic places and of course the fabulous and ever popular Pesach programme in their flagship hotel in Rhodes.

However, the last six months has been a huge challenge for the Australian couple who now reside in Hashmona’im. Their two boys have been serving in the IDF. Their younger son Yona has been serving in Gaza, whilst Ariel has been protecting Israel on the Lebanon border. Whilst perhaps Yona has been in more danger, Lebanon has certainly not been without challenges. Earlier this week, there were reports of badly injured soldiers up north after Hezbollah fired missiles across the Lebanese border.

David tells The Jewish Weekly what it has been like being a parent of children fighting for Israel’s survival. ‘It has been

very stressful’, he admits with both he and Chana constantly worrying about their boys. The boys are rarely allowed on their phones. Often they can go days without hearing from them. They always tried to call on Friday before Shabbat with a brief update, and to receive their weekly Bracha from dad. There is nothing they can do to find out more information except read the news like everyone else and hope not to hear anything negative. Yet they kept themselves busy helping the soldiers. Chana was constantly baking cookies and cakes for soldiers, and the couple ran around the country donating barbeques for soldiers and providing clothing and food to people in places like Sderot. Now that David’s sons have both finished their duties, he can see how much more confidence and pride they have in themselves, having put their lives on the line for the country they love.

Kosher Travelers are raising money this Pesach for United Hatzalah, and founder Eli Beer will be with them in Rhodes to promote his fantastic work.

Replacing Darkness With Joy

Sadly, we have all experienced too much darkness of late following the devastating events of 7 October and the subsequent war against Hamas. But even in the darkest of days, our superhero puppies, along with their big brothers and sisters who have already graduated as guide or support dogs, have been able to bring some joy and light to those who have been affected emotionally, mentally or physically.

As part of their training, our puppies spend the first year of their lives living with puppy raisers who acclimatise them to the sights, sounds and smells of life in Israel. Many of these puppy raisers were called up in the early days of the war but we were fortunate to be able to find others to take on this vital role. And as part of their work, they took the puppies to visit children who had been evacuated from their homes as well as the injured in hospital. These visits brought much joy to those who had little to laugh about before being cheered up in a way that only a waggy tail and wet nose can manage!!

Although these visits did a power of good, the real work of these amazing

animals only happens once they graduate from a full programme of training. After this they become either a guide dog for someone who has lost their vision or was born blind, a support dog for someone suffering with PTSD or an emotional support dog for a child with autism, their path depending on their skills and personality. And now they are ready to be partnered with someone whose life they will transform.

Someone like Dalit who says that working in the IDF Transit Unit was nothing compared to the challenge of raising twin five-year-old boys!! Dalit’s sight has gradually deteriorated over the years, and from the moment her guide dog Suki entered her life, she felt “an overwhelming surge of joy”. As Dalit says “Thanks to Suki’s unwavering companionship, I finally feel my inner confidence matches my outer appearance. I no longer feel burdened by the label of an ‘invisible disability’. Instead, I cherish the label of busy mum”.

Or like famous Israeli actor Imri Biton (you may have seen him in Valley of Tears) who appeared to have everything.

But inside, he was being eaten up by PTSD as a result of his experiences in the IDF. His life was spiralling out of control, until he was partnered with his service dog Chance. Specially trained by the Israel Guide Dog Centre, Chance has transformed Imri’s life: “I feel less anxious. Chance is always with me and he is the best thing that has happened to me.”

Sadly, there are thousands of Israelis whose lives have been destroyed by this debilitating condition, whether through their military service or terror attacks, and we know that there will now be many more. Just as there will now be an even higher demand for guide dogs due to injuries sustained in the current conflict. But thankfully, these specially trained dogs can bring joy and light back into the lives of those who may currently only be experiencing darkness and despair.

But this can only be made possible thanks to the support of generous donors here in the UK and around

the world.

It costs £45,000 to breed, train and support a guide dog from birth until retirement and the Centre needs to raise 90% of this cost from donations. Half of the £36,000 cost of a PTSD support dog is currently covered by the Israeli government but the other 50% needs to be raised from donors. So every £ donated really does make a difference.

To make a donation please go to https://israelguidedog.org.uk/donate-now/ And for more information or to arrange a visit to the Centre in Israel email donorcare@israelguidedog.org.uk

Charity No 1188449

Rebuilding minds amidst the winds of war: charting a path forward for Mental Health Care

BY DR. YOEL HAR-EVEN

It has been over six months since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, marking a critical juncture for the future of our nation. As Israel’s military activities shifted throughout the months, Israeli hospitals adjusted their healthcare priorities to match the new realities on the ground.

In the immediate aftermath of October 7th, our attention was largely devoted to physical rehabilitation and providing urgent medical care to wounded civilians and soldiers. Going beyond the physical challenges, Mental health and rehab have emerged as our top priority.

Across the country, we are seeing efforts to address and mitigate the looming mental health pandemic caused by the war. However, as we delegate resources and manpower to solve this challenge, we must understand and overcome barriers to develop the best solutions to advance mental healthcare in Israel.

The upcoming Passover holiday focuses on the theme of freedom, liberation and redemption, a topic extremely relevant, given everything we have endured. Six months following October 7th, Passover offers us an opportunity to reset, recharge and focus on preparing ourselves for the challenges ahead. By implementing well thought-out programs and processes, we can help a generation heal from a

collective trauma.

INCORPORATING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT INTO TRIAGE

Immediately following October 7th, we established a procedure for psychiatric teams to begin treating injured soldiers and civilians as soon as they arrived in the ER , before any operations were performed. This early intervention was crucial for patients to begin processing their trauma and help prevent further deterioration in their mental health. Throughout hospitalization, the same psychiatric teams continued treating the same patients to ensure continuity and stability.

This proactive approach is crucial to prevent patients from evolving from Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) to PTSD, a far more difficult disorder to treat and manage. This process of psychiatric intervention at the earliest stage of medical care should be established across the country.

CARING FOR VETERANCE

In the weeks and months following October 7th, many veterans from previous conflicts turned to hospitals, mental health centers and primary care physicians for support. Treating these patients requires a delicate balance that prioritizes care without detrimentally affecting patients’ mental welfare.

While treating patients in a hospital

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.

Paracetamol for Children

Dear Editor

Can I use the courtesy of your columns to further advise the public about the use of paracetamol for young children over Pesach .

I have suggested the use of Careway or Aspar paracetamol powders. It should be noted that these are indicated for children over 12 years.

I have suggested that using 10ml of a sachet diluted with 50ml of water would provide a suitable dose for younger children.

I would like to advise however, that since the suitable dose of paracetamol

ward is often preferred, when it comes to mental health patients, this can be detrimental. Remaining in a ward can create feelings of loneliness and helplessness, and some patients can develop stigma about their mental health, feeling they are dependent on medical support to live and are excluded from society. Instead of confining mental health patients to hospitals, we must develop other routes to deliver these important interventions.

Alternative inpatient clinics, situated on hospital campuses and under the supervision of physicians, can offer the best of both worlds - providing critical care while minimizing stigma. Veterans can stay in dormitories for a short period of up to two weeks alongside patients who have similar medical requirements. Together, this group can meet with instructors and therapists to receive personalized treatment and support, helping patients understand that they are not alone.

WINCREASING ACCESS NATIONWIDE

Many people affected by the conflict live in the periphery, far from Israel’s medical centers in the center of the country. For this reason, we expanded our mental healthcare provision, bringing resources to under-supported areas of the country.

ADDRESSING THE PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE

Israel faces a significant physician shortage across all fields of medicine. However, we are particularly lacking psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health workers. To meet increasing demand for mental health services, we must train and certify more professionals. A new center is being established to train 600 new health providers a year, to offer multi-disciplinary treatment for PTSD and mental disorders. We must also think creatively to provide comprehensive mental health support. Psychiatrists and psychologists are the gatekeepers of mental healthcare, yet social workers, art therapists, music therapists and pet therapists, can all improve a patient’s well-being. New technology tools, including user friendly AI solutions, will also play an important role in treating patients. A multi-layered approach to care will enable us to provide each patient with the tailored attention they need, while lessening the burden on psychiatrists and psychologists.

PASSOVER - A CELEBRATION OF LIBERATION

varies depending on the weight and age of a child a pharmacist or doctor should be consulted regarding exactly how much of a diluted sachet should be given.

It should be borne in mind that where necessary ordinary children’s pain relief medication can be given so long as the medication has been sold with the Chometz prior to Pesach as explained in the Hakohol publication.

I can be contacted on 07970868232 or by email to rabbiadlerkashrus@gmail. com

Wishing everyone a Chag kosher Vesomeach

Rabbi Avrohom Adler

In collaboration with several non-profits, we will open new mental health centers and strengthened existing facilities, with a focus on the north and south. These centers will expand access to resources, supporting both patients and their families. We cannot forget relatives and friends of these patients who experience high levels of stress and anguish when seeing their loved ones in pain, they need our support too.

Now is the time to pool our resources together– to provide the necessary staff and technology – to optimize the success of these initiatives.

As we approach Passover, a time of renewal, we hope that this season will enable everyone to heal. The responsibility for mental healthcare does not fall solely on medical staff. When spending time with family this holiday, we can all play our part by checking in, having open conversations about our mental state and supporting one another other. As a nation, we have suffered, but we are undoubtedly, as the last six months have shown, stronger together. With a clear vision, collaboration, training and support, we will succeed in rebuilding minds and lives.

This article was first published in the Jerusalem Post.

87,004

This Pesach, stand with Efrat and help them to help the mothers of Israel have the babies that they so desperately want. Now, more than ever before! Efrat stands by Israel’s mothers

Donate now efrat.org

הנשל

האבה

לארשיב

היונבה

NEXT YEAR IN ISRAEL

The Great is an iconic Aussie attraction

BY DAVID SAFFER

The Great Synagogue in Sydney was built in 1878 and is an iconic tourist attraction not only for Jews as it welcomes groups all year round.

Rabbi Benjamin Elton, who hails from Manchester, heads up the shul and is a proud citizen of New South Wales (NSW). Married to Hinda, they have two children. Nearly a decade on from taking the post, he still recalls walking into the magnificent shul for the first time.

“I sat on the back row of seats when a tour was being given to a group of tourists and I was overwhelmed by the grandeur off the synagogue,” he said. “I’d seen pictures of the shul but it does not prepare you until you are inside. It is very special. On high holidays when it’s pretty full and I want to be heard from everybody I’m pretty hoarse by the end! But you do get used to it and there are features I’ve always loved. The ceiling with the stars and wheel window is very impressive. They face east because in the southern hemisphere Jerusalem is west. So, the ark is on the west wall, not east wall. We daven southwest in Australia.

“We have thousands of Jewish and non-Jewish visitors, lots of school parties and tour groups every year. One of our functions as the mother congregation of Australian Jewry is to act as an ambassador for the Jewish community. It’s part of our responsibility and mine as rabbi to speak to the groups, answer questions and show them around the shul.”

The Australian Jewish community dates back over 200 years but has witnessed the greatest surge in antisemitism since the October 7 terror attack by Hamas in Israel.

The Australian national newspaper reported a 482% rise in antisemitic incidents.

State premiers, industry heads and media personalities signed an open letter denouncing antisemitism whilst Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong days after the October 7 terror attack condemned a pro-Palestine march to the Sydney Opera House.

Weekly pro-Palestinian marches have passed The Great resulting in increased security.

Rabbi Elton, whilst alarmed, said: “The police have been excellent. Wherever there has been a protest through the middle of the city, police are at the front and back. There is distress in the Jewish community, a certain amount of anxiety but increased Jewish identity.”

Regarding his role, he added: “Giving a sermon is the easy bit, being a pastoral support to hundreds of families, each with their own story, that’s the challenge.”

Rabbi Elton sits on the Rabbinical Council of NSW, is an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney, Jewish Chaplain NSW Branch, Orthodox Rabbinic Consultant to the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

David Lewis has been President at The Great almost four years.

The first members of his family, ethnically Danish having travelled from Friedrichstadt, arrived in Australia on February 7 1855 on board the ‘Louise’ following a voyage of four months from Hamburg.

His great-great-grandmother, Rebecca Selig, was a founding member of the shul in 1878, after members formed part of the

York and Bridge Street communities.

David is the fifth member of his family to become president at the Great Synagogue.

Fascinated by genealogy, he follows the maxim quote: ‘You have to know where you came from to know where you are going.’

businesses have been vandalised simply because they are Jewish. Any expression of hate in our society that is directed towards any ethnic or religious group is simply un-Australian and unacceptable and clearly inconsistent with Australian values. As a society we cannot allow this to continue.”

David, whose wife, Caroline, has served as vice-president, is focused on the financial side of the operation, enhancing involvement of women and increasing cooperation between synagogues.

He said: “It takes up an enormous amount of time, but it’s a privilege to serve the community.”

The Great experienced almost daily hate calls and emails prior to the end of 2023. Whilst this has reduced it is still at a level that causes concern.

David addressed 350 members of the legal profession and MPs at the Law Service at the Great, held annually since 1956, in a show of support to the community in January.

This followed NSW Premier Chris Minns, Attorney-General Ron Hoenig and Chief Justice Andrew Bell conducting a review of State laws regulating incitement to violence.

“This review must be to the benefit of all communities as that is obviously consistent with social harmony and Australian values,” David told the packed audience.

He told dignitaries Pope Francis had condemned all forms of anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism after noticing an increase in attacks against Jews around the world.

David explained to the legal gathering: “For many years our synagogue has required a permanent police presence at services and we are forced to engage independent security services throughout the community at an unsustainable cost simply to enable us to attend services and live our lives”.

Many are unaware that Jewish day schools have recently been forced to advise students not to wear school uniforms on public transport, and

David and Rabbi Elton had previously hosted a meeting of senior faith leaders at the shul.

Analysing an unprecedented time, David said: “We are in the centre of town, so there have been enormous difficulties associated with marches weekly on a Saturday or Sunday. They started in the high thousands but have decreased. We have made strong representations to the police to move them away from us but it’s difficult. Protesters come into the city as its the city, not because of us, but there have been incidents of people filming around the synagogue and that’s not acceptable.”

David said an element of Jews in Sydney and Melbourne are scared.

He explained: “In Australia we have the highest per capita of Holocaust survivors of any Jewish community. Many have passed away but there is inter-generational trauma. Antisemitic incidents have pulled the community together, there are more people attending synagogues but its unnerving. Some community members have removed mezuzahs. That is a shame but I understand choices.”

Despite the challenges, large numbers of tourists visit the shul and often for a Shabbat service.

And in spite of time constraints in the role, for David it’s all about serving his community.

He noted: “Synagogues are independent, there is no unifying body. Rabbi Elton and I have a free reign, but it means the board and president does a lot more work. Being The Great, I work with the government on policy to help the community, I do the same with the police and communal bodies. It’s an honour.”

Rabbi Sacks’ personal archive arrives in Israel

The Rabbi Sacks Legacy and the National Library of Israel are delighted to announce a significant milestone for both institutions as the personal archive of the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks arrives at the Library in Jerusalem. Some 50 cartons containing archival material, including files, notes, sermons, lectures, correspondence and books, have been received by Library curatorial and conservation staff.

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (1948–2020) was a global religious leader, philosopher, award-winning author, and respected moral voice. He was the laureate of the 2016 Templeton Prize in recognition of his “exceptional contributions to affirming life’s spiritual dimension.” Described by HM King Charles III as “a light unto this nation”, Rabbi Sacks was a frequent and sought-after contributor to radio, television, and the press, both in Britain and around the world. He served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth for 22 years, between 1991 and 2013.

Official records from Rabbi Sacks’ tenure as Chief Rabbi are housed at the London Metropolitan Archives.

While the archive awaits review and cataloging, an initial survey reveals materials on topics close to Rabbi Sacks’ heart, such as engaging Judaism with the world, community building and Jewish education, with more discoveries anticipated.

The Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe supported the acquisition of the archive. Once catalogued, the National Library of Israel intends to provide extensive access to researchers, according to the terms agreed upon by the Sacks family.

Among the correspondence in the archive is a letter written in April 1998 ahead of Pesach. In it, Rabbi Sacks reflected on a period of disunity within the Jewish world: “The Haggadah is not predicated on a simple concept of Jewish unity. It presents to us a portrait of four children around the table. They are not the same. One is wise, one a rebel, one is simple, and one unable to ask. Their perspectives are different. Their voices are not in harmony. But they sit at the same table. They are members of the same family. They tell the same story. We are the people who carried with us the indelible recollection of centuries of suffering, not because we revel in it, not because we see ourselves as victims, but in order to remember that whatever else divides us, history unites us.”

Lady Elaine Sacks said, “My dear husband expressed great enthusiasm for the new National Library of Israel, which he had described as ‘the Home of the Book for the People of the Book’. It is fitting that his personal archive will be housed there, continuing his legacy of sharing knowledge and wisdom with the world.”

Enthusiastic Local Interest in Borehamwood Kollel

On Sunday 7th April the Borehamwood Kollel bustled with activity for its annual Pre-Pesach Community Learning Programme. Over 70 people attended the morning programme which was split into 4 concurrent tracks for men, women and children.

After an invigorating breakfast, participants divided into various groups to discover new depths and inspiration about Pesach, regrouping again at the conclusion of the morning to hear a keynote address from Jewish Futures Trust Senior Educator, Rabbi Daniel Rowe.

Jewish Weekly spoke with Rabbi Yehuda Boruch Lieberman, the Rosh Kollel, to hear more about the programme and what it sought to achieve: “One of the principle goals of the Borehamwood Kollel is to enthuse local Jewish life through immersive Torah learning experiences. There can be no better way to connect with one’s Jewish identity, heritage and indeed each Yom Tov than by immersing oneself in Torah. This is what this programme sought to achieve and the outstanding feedback attests to its success.”

The morning of learning followed just days after a celebratory “Siyum” held in the Kollel. This marked the

completion of a 5-month learning project between the Kollel members and the local community who together finished the Mishnah’s Tractate of Kiddushin during evening group-study sessions.

“We’re delighted at the local interest in learning and the impact this is having,” remarked Rabbi Chaim Burman, Director of Community Engagement at the Kollel. “We are also excited to be able to partner with local Shuls in numerous recent initiatives such as this and our most recent Haggadah Companion Publication. We encourage anyone who is interested in a bespoke learning experience to reach out and hear what we can offer them.”

Families around the world will recite the FOUR QUESTIONS on Pesach

Does the charity do anything for clients at Pesach?

Welfare is a key pillar of AJEX JMA. AJEX works to support the welfare needs of Jewish veterans and their families, providing assistance and resources to those in need. This pillar underscores AJEX’s commitment to caring for its members and ensuring they receive support. At Pesach, AJEX strives to ensure that Jewish veterans and their families are able to observe Pesach with dignity, community support and the resources they need. Our Pesach grants scheme helps those within the Jewish Veteran community who find it difficult to meet the extra costs of celebrating Pesach.

What are your Pesach memories growing up and does your family have a funny minhag?

I love Pesach - with its uplifting seders, family meals and cinnamon balls! My clearest memory growing up is how every year my Grandpa Jack would eat the horseradish and then with his eyes watering say ‘that really clears your nose! Beyond that I remember being shy singing the Ma Nishtana and beingvery relieved

Does the charity do anything for clients at Pesach?

‘We actively support our clients during Pesach with various initiatives. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we provide small grants to families to help them purchase shoes and clothes for their children, ensuring they have what they need during this important time. Additionally, one particularly generous sponsor has graciously donated funds specifically for afikomen presents, ensuring that children can enjoy this cherished tradition. We’re grateful for the support of our sponsors, which allows us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families in our community during Pesach.’

What are your Pesach memories growing up and does your family have a funny minhag?

‘Reflecting on my childhood Pesach memories, the essence was always about family coming together. It was a time when all generations gathered around the Seder table, creating cherished moments and lasting

when that bit of the Seder was over. Now with four children of my own we have developed traditions including throwing ping pong balls at each other to represent the plague of hail and towards the end of the evening loudly making all the different animal noises in the song Chad Gadya. Passing on traditions and the seder through the generations links for me to how at AJEX we are working to pass the beacon of remembrance onto families and young people in our community, as the numbers of World War two and National Service veterans alive declines.

What is your favourite part of the Seder?

Seeing who is the first person to spill their wine, and eating the meal! I also love the part where we speak about matzah, maror and Pesach as this brings everything together. I think at this time of the freedom we have in our lives as well as the challenges of our generation. In the current climate the phrase in the Hagaddah that ‘In each generation they rise up against us to destroy us’ feels very relevant along with the importance of having faith in G-d.

What are the 4 key facts to know about AJEX?

Nearly every family from

connections. While we didn’t have a particularly “funny” minhag, there was a unique tradition in our family. All the children under bar and bas mitzva age were given the opportunity to recite the Ma Nishtana, making it a special and interactive part of our Seder. This tradition, while not comical, certainly added a lively and engaging element to our celebration, albeit making it perhaps the longest part of the Seder!’

What is your favourite part of the Seder?

every part of the Jewish Community has a connection with AJEX, which is almost 100 years old having been founded in 1928 in the UK by Jewish veterans of World War I.

Over 120,000 Jewish Men & Women served in the British Armed Forces during the World Wars. AJEX ensures that their immense contribution and sacrifice is never forgotten. Our aims are simple: to continue Remembrance of the Jewish contribution to the military; to combat antisemitism through education; and to provide welfare for Jewish veterans and their families.

Through our work we:

Remember and honour our community’s service and sacrifice with our Parade, events and campaigns

Support veterans and those serving today and their families

Educate and hand on the Baton of Remembrance to future

generations

Combat antisemitism with a proud Jewish voice in UK society.

On the evening of Thursday 6th June there will be a Jewish Community’s Beacon Lighting commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.

The National Pageant takes place at a North London venue, registration: www. ajex.org.uk/eventsDonations: www.ajex.org.uk/donate

THE FOUR

We receive no statutory funding towards our costs.

In the past year we have directly supported more than 200 families (1000+ children).’

Donations: https://jewishfamilycentre.org.uk/support-us/ ways-to-donate/

‘Firstly, I enjoy the symbolic act of spilling out the wine for the Ten Plagues, which serves as a solemn reminder of the hardships our ancestors endured. Secondly, I relish the joyous atmosphere and delicious meal that follows. The combination of meaningful rituals and festive celebrations makes these moments truly special to me.’

What are the 4 key facts to know about your charity?

‘We support the most vulnerable families in the community.

There are many one-parent families who have no support system in this Country, they regard the Family Centre as their family.

Does the charity do anything for clients at Pesach?

This Pesach, over 500 community centre members will attend mock Seders across Jewish Care’s community centres and centres for people living with dementia, as well as at Jami’s hubs for people living with mental illness and distress. These Seders are run by dedicated staff and with the support of invaluable volunteers. In addition, more than 1,000 Seder meals will be served to tenants and residents of Jewish Care’s Retirement Living schemes and care homes, together with their relatives.

What are your Pesach memories growing up and does your family have a funny minhag?

Berel, a resident at Jewish Care’s Jack Gardner House, one of its care homes for people living with mental illness, says:

“Taking the afikomen from my parents is one of my Pesach memories growing up. My father would put it under the cushion and my

brothers, sisters and I had to steal it from him and then hide it. We only gave it back after bargaining with our parents to give us something in return. I had my own silver goblet which my great uncle gave to me for my bar mitzvah. When I was younger, my favourite part of the seder was saying the Ma Nishtana. I’ve got two brothers and two sisters, and we would all sing it together. My favourite thing to eat during Pesach was tongue because we only ate it that time of the year.”

What is your favourite part of the Seder?

Berel says: “I lead the seder at Jack Gardner House and have done so for the last 10 years since I first moved here. My favourite part of the Seder

is the meal. I enjoy eating matza the most.”

What are the 4 key facts to know about your charity?

Jewish Care and Jami recently became one organisation to tackle the Jewish community’s unprecedented mental health challenge. Together we can offer even greater support to young people in secondary school through to people in later life.

Jewish Care is the leading health and social care charity for the Jewish community in London and the South-East. Every week, we touch the lives 10,000 people through our nine care homes, four Retirement Living schemes, nine community centres, three centres for people living with dementia, social work and family

support teams, and many more support services and groups.

We deliver care and support services to the community that are Jewish at heart, and share and celebrate Jewish culture and values, which run through all we do.

Jami is here for when mental illness and distress make everyday life a struggle. Through expert support, provided by people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, Jami guides young people and adults through their mental health recovery, supports families and carers, and educates community leaders.

QUESTIONS

Does the charity do anything for clients at Pesach?

“All staff working across Norwood receive comprehensive Jewish way of life training, with regular support and training offered to service-based staff working with people Norwood supports to allow them to celebrate their customs in a way that’s meaningful to them and as they would wish to. This is especially true of the chagim and all staff receive advice and support before Pesach of how to clean and search our homes for chametz, switch over utensils and purchase Kosher for Pesach foods. Two main mock seders are held in London and the South East each year, which are eagerly awaited by staff and people we support, and Norwood’s Rabbi Stanley Coten and Jewish Cultural Manager visit our services to help prepare residents and offer advice and support to staff preparing for Pesach.”

What are your Pesach memories

growing up and does your family have a funny minhag?

“I grew up in a family where there was always space at the Seder table for those who needed and so we entertained a varying cast of characters over the years, each bringing their own customs, tunes and stories which I loved.  My dad used to (and still does!) take immense pride in making his own chrayne from raw horseradish, mixed with vinegar and his own secret ingredients – it was so strong that he was the only one who could eat it!”

What is your favourite part of the Seder?

“I love the generational links that the story of Pesach brings us, which we reflect in having multiple generations round our own table – watching my own children interact with their grandparents is a privilege and brings a richness to the stories that we tell and songs we sing.”

What are the 4 key facts to know about your charity?

Norwood is the UK’s oldest Jewish charity, founded in 1795. It supports people of all ages with learning disabilities and autism and children and their families facing a range of challenges.

Many services, including the majority of support offered directly to

children, parents and families in an individual and group settings from our Kennedy Leigh Family Centre in North London, are funded entirely from donations raised from the community we exist to support.

To raise these vital funds, we run a series of corporate and community events each year, as well as two appeals, at Rosh Hashanah and Pesach.

To find out about vital services for people like Chase and Claudia, who shared stories for this year’s Pesach appeal and to donate visit https://norwood.org.uk/ pesach-appeal.2024/

Thanks to AJEX CEO Fiona Palmer, Jewish Family Centre CEO Sandy Weinbaum, Jewish Care’s Naomi Creeger and Norwood CEO Naomi Dickson for accepting the Pesach 4 question challenge.

ASK THE RABBI

Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com

A LESSON IN HUMILITY

Dear Rabbi

I have had the chutzpah in the past to ask you to share some insight in your column about Pesach. I then like to relay it at my Seder table. (My only risk is if one of my family or guests read your column and then know the idea comes from you. So admittedly, I don’t bring the paper home that week and hope that no one else read it elsewhere). So, I am kindly asking again if you could share some Pesach thought. Thank you in anticipation.

Howy

Dear Howy

You’ll be lucky! Everyone reads this column!

What’s the difference between matzah and chametz? They are both made from flour and water, both baked in an oven, and both provide nourishment. But one stays flat and humble, while the other fills itself with hot air. That’s why matzah is a key ingredient for leaving your personal Egypt: As long as we are full of delusions of self-importance, there’s no way to break out and grow to a new level. Once we make ourselves small, we can fit

through any bars and fly to the highest heights.

Here’s a beautiful little story I came across recently which attests to the power of humility. It takes place back in the eighties and was relayed by Amitabh Bachchan, a famous actor in India: “At the peak of my career, I was once travelling by plane. The passenger next to me was an elderly gentleman dressed in a simple shirt and trousers. He appeared to be middle class, and well educated. Other passengers perhaps recognised who I was. Some stopped to take a picture with me. Others asked me for my autograph. But this gentleman appeared to be oblivious as to my fame and even as he observed others coming over, he seemed unconcerned of my presence. He remained in his seat, reading his newspaper, sometimes just looking out of the window, and when tea was served, he sipped it quietly.

Trying to strike a conversation with him, I smiled. The man courteously smiled back and said, ‘Hello’. We got talking and I deliberately brought up the subject of cinema and movies etc. I asked him: ‘Do you watch films?’ He replied, ‘I don’t have a lot of time, so I watch very few films. The last one I went to see was

quite some time ago.’

That explained why he might not have recognised me, but I mentioned that I worked in the movie industry. He replied: ‘Oh, that’s nice. What do you do?’

I smiled: ‘I am an actor. Quite a well-known one.’ I then listed some movies I appeared in. The man nodded, ‘Oh, that’s wonderful!’ And that was the end of the conversation.

When we landed, I held out my hand and said, ‘It was good to travel with you. By the way, if you ever want to look me up, my name is Amitabh Bachchan!’ The man shook my hand and smiled, ‘Thank you. Nice to have met you. I am J. R. D. Tata!’”

Dear Anna

For those wondering: Mr Tata was a billionaire industrialist that owned the TATA Group of Companies. More than the money he earned was the respect he earned because of his humble demeanour. As Bachchan concluded: “I learned on that day that no matter how big you think you are, there is always someone bigger than you. Be humble, it costs nothing.”

Egypt in Hebrew is Mitzrayim which means constraint. We each have different constraints in our lives – things that hold us back from discovering our greater, truer, selves. When we celebrate Pesach, we don’t just commemorate the exodus from the constraints of Egypt back then, but our ability and commitment to do the same in our own present personal lives as well.

But for that you need matzah. Because the smaller you make yourself the easier it is to escape your cell.

PS: Lest I be accused of hypocrisy, my opening line was tongue in cheek. Or was it?

A PESACH POEM FROM ME TO YOU

Dear Rabbi

I loved your remarks the other week about Pesach cleaning. I still struggle with a mother who criticizes me about how I clean my home just because she goes crazy in her own home, cleaning every nook and cranny. I showed her your comment and she just shrugged her shoulders. Can you write something again, in your humorous style. I’d like to really drive the message home.

Anna

Well, you asked so here goes. A Pesach cleaning questionnaire in poem style: In order for this questionnaire

To work the way it should, You must be very honest, As I know you would;

Go through the questionsOne, two and three, Think through each one, Very thoroughly;

1. How many times

In the past year, Have you served supper, On the chandelier?

2. How often have you served Your guests some food and drink, In the mirrored cupboard

Above the bathroom sink?

3. Just a few weeks ago

Did you have an urgent feeling, To serve the Purim meal

Upon the kitchen ceiling?

If you answered yes

To any of these three, Go ahead, go crazy, Be as busy as can be!

But if you answered negative

Then stop messing around, Look for chametz only, Where it can be found!

Pesach is important, In the life of every Jew, Yes, it should be kosher, But a happy one too;

So instead of going mad, With a krechtz and a krach, Just do it right

And have a Chag Kasher v’Sameach

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continuation of the nine of hearts with his king, declarer ran his four diamond tricks and then led a low club to dummy’s ten. East won this with his jack and shifted to a spade. Now declarer decided that nine of hearts was a signal that he held a spade card and cut his losses by winning the ace of spades for his eighth and last trick going one down.

South complained about his bad luck but North was having none of it. “Yes, if the king of diamonds had been onside or East held the king of clubs without the jack you would have made the contract. However, instead of focussing on what could go right (the diamond finesse) you should have turned your attention to the best option for developing a ninth trick if the diamond king was offside.

“Once you think along those lines you should recognise that the best hope for an extra trick outside of diamonds is in spades. So, after winning the first trick with the ace of hearts, you should lead a spade to the ten. As the cards lay, West would take this with the king and likely shift to a club. Now, after winning this with your ace of clubs, you run the queen of diamonds to East’s king. Then, after winning the heart return with the king, you would cross to dummy with a diamond and take a second spade finesse. After that wins, you have nine tricks: two spades, two hearts, four diamonds and a club.”

West led the queen of hearts. Declarer took this with dummy’s ace then crossed to hand with a low club to his ace to run the queen of diamonds. East produced the king of diamonds. Declarer ducked the heart continuation to West’s jack. On winning the

Next year in Jerusalem

BY RABBI LEO DEE

A number of friends from around the world have asked me what they should focus on this year during their Seder. It seems clear to me that the most important thing to discuss with all our closest friends and family around the table this year is our plans for Aliyah. Let me explain.

My Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, asks a fascinating question about why the story of Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah, Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Tarfon is told at the beginning of the Haggadah. They are talking all night about “leaving Egypt” and then their students come to tell them that it is time to say the Shema.

The whole premise of this story is bizarre, because Shema is said at sunrise, so how could they not have noticed the time? If the whole point of the story is that they were so engrossed in their discussion that they did not notice, then what is the message? That the Biblical mitzvah of saying the Shema is less important than the Seder? Additionally, Rabbi Eliezer states elsewhere in the Talmud that one must spend festivals with one’s family, in which case, what was he doing spending Seder night with Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues in Bnei Brak?

Rabbi Riskin explains that this was the year of the Bar Kochba Revolt and that “leaving Egypt” is actually a codeword for

returning to Jerusalem and building the 3rd Temple. When the Haggadah was (re) written during the years of exile, the Rabbis intended Seder night to be the time to gather and plan our return to Zion. Because were nervous about the response of the Gentiles in whose countries we were living, they encoded this message in a way that only Jews would understand it.

We know that the four cups, the four questions and the four sons are connected to the four expressions of redemption: “I will take you out,” “I will save you,” I will redeem you,” and “I will take you.” (Shemot 6:6-7). That seems very symmetrical. However, there are actually five expressions of redemption in the Torah, the fifth being “I will bring you to the land” (Shemot 6:8). So, of course, there are actually five cups of wine on Seder night, the fifth being the cup of Elijah that is left undrunk until we return to Zion (Rabbi Riskin and others drink this cup of wine at the Seder every year, to celebrate our return to Zion).

Similarly, there is a fifth question mentioned in the Talmud: “Why is the meat eaten roasted?” This refers to the Paschal Lamb (Pesach) symbolized on our Seder plate by the shank-bone, but representing all the sacrifices brought in the Temple, when it is rebuilt.

The Lubavitch Rebbe explained that there are actually five sons; the fifth is so detached from his heritage that he is not even present at the Seder, but he too will

be redeemed in the end.

Let’s face it, if the topic of the Seder was actually the Exodus from Egypt, then we would just need to read the relevant Torah portions - Vaeira, Bo and Beshalach - which narrate the story of the ten plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea, and then we could get down to the real business of eating a delicious meal! Instead, the main text of the Haggadah is the declaration over the first fruits that the farmers say in Sefer Devarim (26:5-8), which describes the suffering we went through in Egypt and how G-d took us out.

In fact, the Haggadah stops short by one verse - Devarim 26:9 - missing out the end of the story: “And He brought us to this place, and He gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Interestingly, the Rambam recommends that we do read to the end of the section, because presumably he wishes us to include this finale.

Of course, the real theme of Seder night becomes clear when we reach the final line of the Haggadah: “Next year in Jerusalem!”

So, with all this in mind, there could be no better activity during Seder night this year than to have a serious discussion with all one’s loved ones assembled around the table. If we were to make Aliyah this year (or next), where would we choose to live? How many housing units would we need? How would we accommodate our grandparents,

FROM ERETZ YISRAEL

college-aged kids, high-schoolers and infants? What jobs would we look for?

October 7th changed everything for Jews in Israel and around the world. It became clearer than ever that life in exile is not what it was cracked up to be. Antisemitism is again overt and dangerous.

Please G-d, the war against Hamas will be won quickly and decisively, and peace will return to our borders. The “land flowing with milk and honey” will again be much more attractive than the “land whose streets are paved with gold”. While academia is teaching the next generation of Western leaders that antisemitism has a legitimate context, our children should consider which society they want to be a part of. While the world is confused about right and wrong, and seemingly doomed by its lack of moral education, there is one place that will always be a center for sanity and Jewish values.

Along with our prayers for the hostages and our valiant soldiers, we are praying for peace and tranquility for all of Israel. This year may we all say, with complete intention and sincerity, “Next Year in Jerusalem!”

Rabbi Leo Dee is an educator living in Efrat. His book “Transforming the World: The Jewish Impact on Modernity” has been republished in English and Hebrew in memory of his wife Lucy and daughters Maia and Rina, who were murdered by terrorists in April 2023.

A Poignant Pesach Weekly Dvar Torah

BY MRS YAEL LEIBOWITZ

A mother finished reading her son his favorite bedtime story for the third time one night. After the final reading, the little boy climbed out of his bed, placed the open book on the floor and then gently stepped one foot after the other onto the pages. He looked down expectantly and then, after a moment, began to cry. The boy’s older sister walked by nonchalantly remarking “he really likes that book,” and only then did the mother understand. Her son loved the story so much that he wanted to step into it; he wanted to be a part of the book.

Bechol dor vador chayav adam lirot et atzmo ke’ilu hu yatza mimitzrayim.

Beyond just remembering our ancestors’ past, the Haggadah tells us, our obligation on Pesach is to conjure that little boy’s desire. Our task at the Seder is to make our story so compelling and so current, that the people sitting around the table don’t simply remember what once happened, they viscerally

comprehend what always happens and choose to remain a part.

Of course, storytelling alone does not always conjure that reaction, which is why our stories are not merely told, they are ritualized. Adults do not tell children that their ancestors rushed to prepare matzah, they consume with those children the very food that was fashioned in haste. And children do not simply lament the bitterness their ancestors suffered, they taste bitterness on their tongues, and they force themselves to swallow. That experiential education, perfected in the Pesach Seder designed by our Sages, was not invented by them. Already in Shemot 13, Moshe’s command to eat unleavened bread annually for seven days is inextricably linked with the command “vehigadeta levincha bayom hahu leimor ba’avur zeh asah Hashem li betzaiti mimitzrayim.” The bodily enactment of our story, Moshe was teaching the people, binds, in a way nothing else can, our past, present, and future.

At points in Jewish history, the Egyptian

experience of servitude and suffering under a foreign dictator was not far removed from reality. At those points, drinking the four cups of wine while leaning was critical because it reminded those drinking of the freedom that necessarily awaited them. At other points, particularly in the past half century, Jews worldwide were lucky enough to have to endeavor to conjure the bitterness of bondage. For them, eating maror and remembering subjugation was critical to enacting the holistic Jewish experience. This Pesach, our bondage and our freedom are, paradoxically, more poignant than ever. On the one hand, like our ancestors after the exodus, we have finally returned to our land. We have an army to fight off enemies we could not have resisted in the past, and the freedom to worship G-d in the manner we choose. On the other hand, that freedom, particularly this year, has taken a painful, bloody toll and innocent members of our nation are still being held captive. Like the midrashic babies used as Egyptian bricks,

we have babies that we have not yet been able to rescue. And like those who suffered under Pharaoh’s cruelty, our people remain underground in certain agony.

This Pesach, both the rituals engendering a sense of oppression and those engendering a sense of liberty will be performed with equal intensity. This Pesach we will remember not to take our freedom for granted because, as we have been so cruelly reminded, in every generation they seek to destroy us. But we will also proclaim that salvation can come at any moment, and it is that salvation that we will remind ourselves, through ritual, to anticipate.

Mrs. Yael Leibowitz teaches at the Matan Women’s Institute for Torah Learning and the Pardes Institute. She is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau (www. mizrachi.org/speakers).

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Beyond the headlines

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read in the news

BY SIVAN RAHAV MEIR - TRANSLATED BY YEHOSHUA SISKIN

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT BIRKAT HA’ILANOT?

Have you heard about Birkat Ha’ilanot, the brachah over trees? We recited it yesterday in Jerusalem and anyone can recite it anywhere until the end of the month of Nisan. The brachah should be said next to two blossoming fruit trees of different kinds.

Rabbi Itamar Heiken, head of a premilitary academy in Kibbutz Be’erot Yitzchak went with his students to recite this brachah and returned with the following valuable insight:

“There is clinical death and psychological death, the latter afflicting a person while he is still alive. It happens when individuals lose their sensitivity and enthusiasm, when they are incapable of seeing the beauty of nature or experiencing the magic of life.

Our Sages say: ’An evil person, while alive, is considered dead. Why is this so? When he sees the sun rising he does not recite a blessing, and when he sees the sun setting he does not bless. But the righteous ones make blessings over every single thing.’

“According to our Sages, refraining from reciting blessings is not a sign of apathy, but of evil! It’s evil also toward oneself, toward a life wasted, with the rising and the setting of the sun going unnoticed. It is the height of ingratitude not to notice all the good and kindness that surrounds us and not to offer thanks for it.”

In the month of Nisan, just once a year, and only in the spring, we go out to recite Birkat Ha’Ilanot. This is an opportunity to take a break from the hassle of work, school and everything else, to go out into nature, or even just a small patch of ground where you can find two blossoming trees, stop for a moment to contemplate, and say: “Blessed are you, G-d, our L-rd, King of the universe, that His world is not lacking anything, and he Created in it good creations and good trees for the pleasure of mankind.”

So beautiful and so simple. Later, if someone asks you what you did today, you’ll be able to say: “Today I said Birkat Ha’ilanot. I took a break from my busy day and remembered to stop and look.”

BE JOYFUL!

Nevo Peretz lost two of his cousins on October 7th. Brothers Ariel Refael and

Roy Chaim Guri sacrificed their lives while protecting their city of Ofakim. The family recently received a poignant gift: Roy’s personal diary, which provided great inspiration and comfort for them all.

On Oct. 4, just 3 days before Simchat Torah, Roy penned the following.

Goals for the next two months:

1. Finish the book, “Fear the L-rd, Your G-d”

2. Call mom at least twice a week

3. Do a minimum of at two 20-minute workouts a week

4. Be JOYFUL

“This entry was written just before Simchat Torah, and now, before Pesach, we see it as a Heavenly message from them,” wrote Nevo. “They continue to speak to us. We wept, but they weren’t tears of sadness but of pride, joy and a sense of mission. They tasked us with making the world a happier place. Wishing all a joyful holiday, in spite of everything!”

ORGANISING OUR CLOSETS, BRINGING ORDER TO THE WORLD

and mothers — that will be redemption.

When the evacuees from the north and the south are still in hotels and temporary housing — that’s exile. When they will live securely in their homes — that will be redemption.

When teenagers feel disconnected and unable to find their place in the world, when older singles continue searching for a spouse, when I am scrolling through WhatsApp instead of focusing on the person in front of me — these are types of exile, too.

With Passover approaching, I was organizing my closets and noticed that a lot of the stuff that I threw out or gave away had been taking up precious space, at the expense of possessions that were much more important to me. I could have discarded those items a long time ago!

When I finished the task, I felt tremendous satisfaction that every item was now in its proper place.

The Maharal defines exile as a state in which things are not in their proper place, and redemption as when things are in their proper place.

When the nation of Israel is in Egypt — that’s exile. When the nation is in its place, in the land of Israel — that’s redemption.

When the hostages are in tunnels in Gaza — that’s exile. When they return, with G-d’s help, to their homes, healthy and unharmed, to their fathers

With the holiday of Passover soon upon us, we pray that everything will return to its proper place. Just as we organize and clean our homes, so, too, should G-d bring order to the entire world (Hamas, for example, should finally be tossed into the dustbin of history), placing every single item precisely where it belongs. This is redemption.

70 YEARS OF RESILIENCE

On 7 Nisan, Miriam Peretz turned 70. Here’s what I learned on the evening that I was privileged to host with her last week, held in the town of Yavneh.

Speaking to Mayor Roy Gabbai behind the scenes, she remarked, “Yavneh is exactly what we need now. After the Romans destroyed the Temple, the Jewish slogan was: “Give us Yavneh and its sages.” From there we returned to life; that’s how our people continued after the crisis. We need to learn from this spirit of resurgence and renewal.”

On stage, I decided not to talk about the Miriam Peretz everyone knows, the mother of Uriel and Eliraz and the widow of Eliezer, but about Miriam as a child. She grew up in Morocco to parents who could neither read nor write. Moreover, there wasn’t a single book in their home. “My mother worked as a cleaner in the house of the rav of Casablanca, and I

came to help her clean,” Miriam shared. “There I saw a book for the first time. Wow! The rabbi of Casablanca made sure I started school, and I am grateful to him for that. In third grade, the teacher asked me to come to her house after school to clean. I cleaned and again saw something I did not recognize: a faucet! You turn the handle – and water comes out!”

The audience laughed at the anecdote, but I think I saw a tear in Miriam’s eyes. That girl from Morocco became a school principal, a senior supervisor in the Ministry of Education, and a recipient of the Israel Prize. From Yavne through the book and the faucet – how much one can grow and build from difficulties. Mazel tov, Miriam, on your first 70 years!

A REMINDER FOR OURSELVES AND OUR ENEMIES

Last Motza’ei Shabbat in Israel was a historic night whose significance has yet to be understood. After hours filled with anxiety followed by relief and gratitude, I believe that these compelling words written by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks best express our feelings the following morning:

“The fear is real, and the pain is deep, and yet that faith that carried our ancestors will carry us as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death into the light of the promised future that still awaits us, when an anguished people will finally know peace, the last of all our blessings, but still the greatest, speedily in our days. This is the moment when the prayers of all Jews – like a single person with a single heart – are with the people of Israel in the Land of Israel, the people and the land that give us so much strength and pride. Let us be strong and strengthen one another, until the city whose name means peace at last becomes a true home of peace.”

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Follow the Leader: What Is True Leadership?

BY RABBI SHMUEL REICHMAN

After years of research and preparation, James had finally secured a slot to speak at the prestigious international physics conference. He would be presenting his studies in the field of quantum mechanics and was looking forward to the largest scale event of his life. He had never before presented at an official conference, let alone one of such prestige. It had taken every ounce of courage within him to even submit his work to such an event, and he knew that a successful lecture could change the trajectory of his career.

When the day of the presentation arrived, James woke up feeling nervous but excited. He was about to present his life’s work before a crowd of the foremost researchers in his field. After preparing his lecture notes carefully, he strode into the conference room. The room was completely empty. “Strange,” he thought. “Maybe the previous sessions went overtime...” He briefly reviewed his notes and then looked down at his watch again. It was now five minutes past the start time, and not a single person had shown up. A bead of sweat rolled down his neck as he weighed his options. “Maybe this was all for nothing!” he thought anxiously. “Maybe I should just pack up and leave!”  “No, just give it another minute or so,” a calmer voice in the back of his head insisted.

Just then, an elegant looking gentleman, probably in his mid-sixties, walked into the room. He slowly strolled to the front row and took a seat, focusing his piercing blue eyes on James.

Slightly taken aback, James forced a smile and began his lecture, surprised by how engaged his single audience member was. Upon concluding his speech, the man came over and thanked James profusely for sharing such an enlightening presentation. “Wow! I’ve been to countless conferences, but this was the greatest presentation I have ever been privileged to hear! You have a bright future ahead of you, son. I wish you all the success in the world and can’t wait to see all the incredible things you accomplish with your life.”

James floated out of the conference, inspired and confident to begin his next big project. While unpacking from his trip, he found a crumpled-up copy of the conference brochure. He proudly looked at it again, when he suddenly noticed something, someone, staring back at him from the cover of the glossy pamphlet. It was his blue-eyed friend. As he looked closer, he remembered feeling that the blue-eyed audience member looked familiar. “Of course he looked familiar!” he gasped, as he realized that this man was the keynote speaker, the featured scientist who had been flown in from London to lead the conference. This was one of the most respected and revered figures in the scientific world, and he had come to

James’ speech!

James spent the next several hours tracking down this man’s phone number. When he finally got him on the phone, James couldn’t contain himself: “I don’t understand! You are the greatest quantum physicist in the world. You knew everything I said and infinitely more. Why did you even bother coming to my presentation?”

There was a small pause, and then a gentle reply: “I will tell you the truth. Thirty years ago, I was a young, ambitious scientist who wanted to make a big impact on the world. I got an opportunity to present at a conference very similar to the one we just came from. This was the most exciting opportunity I had ever been given, and I prepared night and day for months in advance. When it was time for my presentation, not a single person showed up. I was crushed, defeated, and dejected. I seriously doubted my self-worth and almost gave up on my aspirations altogether. It took me years to overcome the emotional hurt. Yesterday, when I finished my keynote address, I was on my way back to the airport to present at another conference. However, when I passed by your room, I saw you standing there in an empty room, and it was like looking at a mirror. A reflection of my past emerged, and I saw myself standing in front of an empty lecture hall. I knew that the best way to encourage you, to teach you, and to ensure that you would continue striving forward was to sit in on your presentation and show you respect, make you feel heard. The greatest form of leadership is empowering others to be leaders.”

James never forgot that conversation.  The topic of leadership is both fascinating and fundamental to human society. The Torah discusses the three categories of Jewish leadership: the Melech (king), the Sanhedrin (courts), and the Kohanim (priests). What is the Jewish approach to leadership, and how does it compare to other perspectives on leadership?

LEADERSHIP TO SERVE YOURSELF

The most primitive form of leadership is selfish leadership, driven by the desire for power and self-gratification. In such a system, the leader represents only himself and his own selfish desires. He demands power, craving it for himself, and generally maintains leadership over his people through fear. In such a system, the leader demands the allegiance of his people and makes promises of food, shelter, and perhaps power and honor, in return for respect and obedience.

This was the system of old, where kings, tyrants, and oligarchs ruled large provinces. Wealth, birthright, or rebellion served as the right to leadership, and the purpose of leadership was focused solely on the leader; the goal was to give the leader increased power, respect, and control. This system is inherently corrupt and resulted in endless bloodshed, as the king killed anyone that stood in his way. There

were pointless wars, as kings sent the young men of their kingdoms to die for no reason other than their own territorial expansion and glory. In essence, the king answered to no one other than himself.

REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE

In response to such corruption, there became an increased desire to shift the focus of power. As history unfolded, leadership moved toward democracy, toward a balance of power. In such a system, the power belongs to the people, not the leader. The leader is appointed to serve the people. If he fails to do so, he is removed and replaced with someone who better fills the people’s needs. This is a far better system than the previous one, as it stabilizes power and creates a society focused on the needs of the people, rather than an individual king or elite few.

Nevertheless, there is still a fundamental problem with democracy: A leader becomes nothing more than a puppet of the people. The flaw in this is apparent. Imagine if parents lost their parental license as soon as their child got upset with their decisions. As soon as the parents put their child to bed, they’d be out of a job. When a leader is fully subject to the will of the people, it is impossible to lead. Democratic leaders may appear to be leading, but in essence, they are following. (It is important to note that this speaks only of ideals. In today’s day and age, the ideal political system is democracy. Additionally, not all democratic leaders share this pitfall. It is only a likely possibility, not a guaranteed outcome.)

The Gemara (Sanhedrin 97a) states that Mashiach (the Messiah) will come at a time when “the face of the generation is like the face of a dog.” Rav Elchanan Wasserman explains the depth behind this statement: When you see someone walking a dog on a leash, it appears as though the dog is leading. He walks ahead of his owner; he appears to be calling the shots. However, this is an illusion. The dog is completely subject to the will of its owner. One small tug and he changes direction. The dog is the follower in an illusory position of leadership.

Many democratic systems suffer from this flaw. Leaders are appointed by the people and are therefore completely subject to the will of the people. They walk ahead, pretending to lead, while they are in fact merely puppets. Whatever the people want, they will do. They create their policies and campaigns around the people and polls, not based on their internal values. They would change their policy in an instant if it meant more votes.

A true leader stands for the truth and for their inner values, regardless of opposition. He or she walks ahead and doesn’t look back. Even if no one follows, they push onward. They never sacrifice their ideals for public approval. A true leader creates a direction for a greater future, a pathway to individual and collective greatness, and inspires people to strive

for that ideal. This is the nature of Jewish leadership. Let us briefly explore this topic.

TRUE LEADERSHIP: CONNECTING TO SOMETHING HIGHER

A Torah leader does not represent himself, nor does he represent the will of the people; he represents Hashem. A Torah leader is an emissary of Hashem in this world, and he will lead the people toward the truth and toward their true destination. Of course, the leader cares for and empathizes with each individual, and deeply so, but the foundational goal of leadership involves driving people toward a transcendent goal.

Traditional kings represented themselves and were therefore no greater than their limited selves. Democratic leaders are chosen by the will of the people and are therefore usually no better than the people who choose them. A true leader is one who strives toward perfection and leads others on their own individual and collective journeys toward perfection as well.

There are three categories of Jewish leadership mentioned in the Torah, and each works toward this goal. While they all serve both a practical and spiritual role, each category maintains its own unique purpose in enabling the Jewish People to fulfill their mission and connect to Hashem.

• The Melech serves as an embodiment and manifestation of Hashem in this world, negating his ego and revealing Hashem in this world.

• The Sanhedrin maintains the Jewish ideals in society, ensuring that the Jewish People live up to their purpose.

• The Kohanim are charged with guiding the Jewish People in their spiritual and religious journey, helping them build and perfect their relationship with Hashem. The Kohanim both help the Jewish People connect to Hashem and help properly manifest Hashem into this world.

It’s important to remember that a leader is anyone who is on a mission, who empowers others, and who always looks for ways to contribute to the greater good. Leaders are great parents, great teachers, and great friends. We are all potential leaders; we are all potential revolutionaries. We can all create change in the world. But to create any external change, we must first learn to develop ourselves and live with higher ideals. Let us all be inspired to become the greatest version of ourselves with the hopes that our own journey of growth will inspire others to become the greatest version of themselves as well.

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.

A Wide Eye’s Look at Eretz Yisrael Weekly Dvar Torah FROM ERETZ YISRAEL

BY RABBI YEHOSHUA FASS

One of the interesting testimonials from IDF soldiers returning from the Gaza battlefield over the past few months was the observation that every home they entered and searched, almost without exception, had a picture of the Al-Asqa Mosque hung on the local living room walls. Many of these chayalim promise now to hang a photo of Yerushalayim, the Kotel, or Har HaBayit in their present homes to dispel any notion that our enemies have a deeper sense of longing or appreciation of what we are fighting for. It seems that for many, this tour of duty through extremely dangerous territory, is a wake-up call to the preciousness of each moment and the need to be connected to our core Jewish values.

Parshat Metzora describes in detail tzara’at – the spiritual leprous infliction of one’s skin, and its extension to clothing and houses. The pesukim describe that if one would find permanent tzara’at in one’s home in Israel, one would be

instructed to dismantle the walls of the edifice and remove the bricks and cinderblocks outside of the camp, implying the negative aspects of tzara’at as a punishment.

Rashi comments that this unique rehabilitative process of “cleansing” the home was actually advantageous for Bnei Yisrael. For when they were demolishing the walls of their homes, they would discover gems and jewels left years earlier by the Amorites who lived in Israel during the time that Bnei Yisrael were wandering in the desert for forty years, a punishment due to the sin of the spies.

Rashi’s commentary requires careful attention and elucidation. Not only for his deviation from the normative approach that tzara’at is a punishment implying rather it is a reward; but also, for his connection of the generation of the midbar/desert to leprous homes.

In an attempt to explain Rashi, we must remember that the Gemara cites that the reason for all of tzara’at is that of tzarot haAyin – literally, a narrowness of the eye – a supercritical, pessimistic, toxic,

negative look at all that is around you.

Perhaps Rashi’s explanation is a lesson tailored for our generation: “Ki tavo el ha’aretz” – after finally having the ability of living in Israel after all these years, some Jews instead of running and embracing that miracle – or that opportunity, respond with tzarot haAyin – a narrowness of one’s sight – a critical negative, pessimistic, outlook on our fortuity to live in the land, or a lack of desire to do so. At that point Hashem will sadly begin to jeopardize our security, and thus our hold on the land. The moment we better comprehend that something of value is at risk, is the moment we actually realize the real treasure that we have before us. Sadly, we need to comprehend that all too often we are repeating our history by exhibiting (or manifesting) the same lack of faith and negativity that was expressed by the spies towards Israel, while neighboring nations who had no covenantal relationship to the land, appreciated and embraced it in our stead.

Our collective heightened sensitivity

Parashat Metzora

1ST ALIYA (KOHEN) – VAYIKRA

14:1- 14:12

The Torah details the process through which a metzora – someone afflicted with the skin disease tzara’at – purified themselves after the period of isolation and the healing of the affliction. This involved a Kohen taking two birds, cedar wood, a crimson thread and hyssop. The Kohen would slaughter one of the birds and –using the wood, thread and hyssop together in a bundle – sprinkle its blood seven times on the metzora.

Point to Consider: What was the significance of the metzora having to shave their head, beard and eyebrows? (14:9)

2ND ALIYA (LEVI) – 14:13-20

The metzora would also bring three animal offerings and three meal offerings. The Kohen would then put blood from the guilt offering and oil on the metzora’s right ear, right thumb and big toe of the right foot.

3RD ALIYA (SHLISHI) – 14:21-3

A metzora who could not afford three animal offerings could instead bring one animal offering, one meal offering and two birds.

4TH ALIYA (REVI’I) – 14:33-53

Tzara’at also affected houses. The house owner would report the suspicious signs to a Kohen. The house would be evacuated before the Kohen’s arrival.

since Simchat Torah has awakened a unity and purpose throughout the wide spectrum of Jewish communities. Through an increase in missions and visits to Israel, a sharp rise in applications for Aliyah, and marches and rallies in cities around the world supporting Israel we are witnessing a widening of positive connectivity to our land and nation. It is our hope and prayer that we all see more obviously the gems and jewels of the treasure of Eretz Yisrael that is sparkling before us without having to be subjected to the painful anguish of additional trauma and dismantling of our foundation – and be zocheh to build our homes, our lives, and future in Eretz Hakdosha.

Rabbi Yehoshua Fass is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. He is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau (www.mizrachi.org/speakers).

If the Kohen saw a deep green or deepred ‘affliction’, he would order the house to be quarantined for a week. He would then re-inspect the house. If the affliction had spread, the infected stones would be removed and replaced. If the affliction nevertheless returned, the house would be demolished. However, if replacing the stones solved the problem, the Kohen would declare the house tahor (ritually pure).

5TH ALIYA (CHAMISHI) – 14:54-15:15

The Torah lists specific circumstances that would cause a man to be considered tameh (ritually impure) and details the purification procedure.

6TH ALIYA (SHISHI) – 15:16-28

A similar set of laws is listed for a woman, as well as the laws of niddah (menstruation), which form the basis of the intimate laws of marital life.

7TH ALIYA (SHEVI’I) – 15:28-33

The Torah emphasises the importance of adhering to the laws of tumah and taharah, in particular warning about the severe punishment for entering the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in a state of impurity.

HAFTARAH (MALACHI 3:4-24)

The special haftarah for Shabbat Hagadol is from the last chapter of the Prophets. G-d chastises Israel for neglecting to keep His laws. Eliyahu (Elijah) can come at any time, heralding a radical improvement in the nation’s fortunes.

Dayenu, Version 2024

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN

As Pesach approaches, our minds and hearts are flooded with a range of conflicting emotions. October 7th was the darkest day in modern Jewish history. Our people were savagely attacked in their homeland. We incorrectly assumed that rape, murder, and torture of innocent and defenseless Jews were scenes from our painful exile and could not occur in Israel. That day left us with so many questions, chief among them: how could Hashem allow this to happen?

For the past six months, as we have battled to defend our land and our people, Hashem’s presence hasn’t always been evident. In a world of pure evil, rabid hatred, and fabricated truths it was sometimes difficult to detect the presence of Hashem. We have lived through an agonizing period of hester panim in which the face of Hashem is concealed. The Pesach hagaddah phrase which best typifies this period is the lament of v’hi she’amda: “in every generation they rise up against us to annihilate us”. So many who we thought were enlightened and who we thought possessed moral conscience have risen up against us in fanatical hatred. The world has felt very dark and very broken.

A week ago, on motzei Shabbat, this reality partially shifted. On one remarkable evening Hashem’s presence became more apparent. We were savagely attacked by an Iranian missile blitz aimed to inflict enormous casualties upon our innocent civilians. Astonishingly, almost none of these death warheads penetrated Israeli airspace and no lives were lost. Hashem enabled our military scientists and engineers to develop a system to barrier us from lethal weapons which, literally, fall from the sky.

The Talmud Yerushalmi reports that on the first Saturday night after creation Hashem gifted Adam with fire, signaling His desire that Man’s divinely endowed creativity be employed to perfect Hashem’s deliberately imperfect world. This past motzei Shabbat we deployed Hashem’s gift of creativity to preserve human life. In the wake of this extraordinary evening Hashem’s hand has become more easily visible.

WHEN REMEDIES COME FIRST

We also felt His love and caring. The gemara I Megillah comments that during dark periods, Hashem’s presence is manifested when a cure appears prior to an illness or the refu’ah prior to the makkah. A few years ago, the world suffered an unforeseen pandemic which disrupted every aspect of our reality. The outbreak of the Corona virus launched a frenzied worldwide campaign to develop a vaccine. Though a vaccine solution was ultimately developed, it arrived too late to save those who had already succumbed

to the disease. In this instance the world didn’t receive the cure before the illness struck.

This past motzei Shabbat was different. We had been developing anti-missile defense systems for years. Yet, despite its importance, this project went relatively unappreciated, save for those directly involved. Until this past motzei Shabbat. Facing a massive and unprecedented attack from a range of different missiles we discovered that, in our case, the remedy was delivered prior to the threat. Through human agents, Hashem delivered a solution even before the peril surfaced.

A WAR IN HEAVEN

The evening wasn’t just miraculous, it was also historically resonant. As I sat in my safe area waiting for the danger to pass, I recalled the Jews of Egypt on the night of yetziat MItzrayim, trapped in

Directing their attention skyward lessoned the Egyptians about a G-d who inhabited the heavens. Hashem lies beyond human imagination and cannot be captured by human thought or terminology. This hierarchy between Man and Hashem is exemplified by the distance and altitude between them. While humans inhabit the Earth, Hashem resides in Heaven. The loud and crackling thunder of barad, cou pled with the fiery hailstorm stressed the awesome might of a G-d who exists beyond human imagination. Shifting the Egyptian’s attention toward heaven visually underscored the difference between Man and Hashem.

This past Saturday night was an extremely loud battle waged entirely in heaven. Unlike the ground invasion of Oct 7th, the entire war was waged above. Ballistic missiles leave our atmosphere and reach the edge of space.

their own homes, waiting for the danger overhead to pass. Just as they awoke the next morning to safety, Israelis awoke feeling sheltered and protected. Death had literally passed over us. It was a night of protection, similar to an earlier original night of protection, at the dawn of Jewish history.

Though the similarities of this miracle to the plague of the first born were obvious, I was more intrigued by the similarities to the plague of barad. This loud and fiery hailstorm was initiated by Moshe Rabeinu lifting his hands to the heavens. All the previous plagues had occurred at ground level. The Nile was converted to blood, reptiles swarmed over the country, Egypt teemed with vermin, and dead animal carcasses dotted the land. The initial series of plagues unfolded beneath the feet of the Egyptians.

Barad, however, redirected Egyptian eyes heavenward. Once their eyes were lifted to heaven they never returned to Earth, as the ensuing plagues of locust and darkness, and the massacre of the first born were all centered in heaven.

Wars in heaven have a divine feel to them. It was deeply symbolic that, with Hashem’s assistance, we defeated our enemies on His turf and in His realm. Hashem delivered us the technology to triumph in His realm.

WE ARE NOT ALONE

Additionally, it was significant that the defense of our land was achieved through international cooperation. For the past 75 years we have stood alone, facing a consortium of hostile enemies as we defended our rights to our ancient homeland. This past Saturday night a collation of our allies helped defend Israel. Jewish history is cyclical. What happened before will happen again. But it also changes and advances. Just as we recall and celebrate the past, we must also appreciate when history evolves. This Pesach we juggle mixed and even contradictory feelings. The long road of Jewish history reminds us that sometimes we see Hashem’s presence and sometimes we don’t. Faith should steady

us, enabling us to both to weather difficult periods and to celebrate our success. Hashem is always present supervising human affairs. Sometimes we understand His ways and sometimes we don’t. Faith should help smooth out the differences between periods of clarity and periods of confusion.

We must also thank Hashem for the minor miracles even if our larger victory isn’t complete. Despite the joy and triumph of this past Saturday night we are still entangled in a very delicate and fragile predicament. The Iranian threat is far from neutralized, and we still face a complex situation in Azza. Our hostages are still suffering and families across Israel face a heartbreaking first Pesach without their loved ones. It is naïve and insensitive to celebrate the past week’s miracle while ignoring the continuing danger and the larger tragedy.

Yet we thank Hashem for mini-victories even if we can’t yet see the fuller picture. Dayenu. Step by Step. We appreciate all we have been given, while we yearn for much that is missing. Even if we don’t achieve everything, we thank Hashem. Dayenu.

Life isn’t binary and doesn’t easily break down into moments of darkness and moments of light. Darkness and light overlap. Joy and sadness go hand in hand. This Pesach, celebrate Jewish triumphs of the past and the present without whitewashing suffering of simplifying struggle.

In every generation they rise against us. Yet we thank You. Dayenu.

The writer is a rabbi at Yeshivat Har Etzion/Gush, a hesder yeshiva. He has smicha and a BA in computer science from Yeshiva University, and a master’s degree in English literature from the City University of New York. He is the author of the upcoming Dark Clouds Above, Faith Below (Kodesh Press, April, 2024), which provides religious responses to the massacres of Oct. 7 and the ensuing war.

Daf TopicsBanknotes and Bitcoil - Bava Metzia 44-45

BY RABBI YAKOV SCHONBERG

We have learnt that we pasken silver coins are considered money, but gold coins are regarded as merchandise. Although they both fluctuate in market value, in order to have a static standard against which to fix prices, silver takes the role of money. It follows that if one borrows a gold coin, one cannot repay later with another similar gold coin, as any increase in the value of gold in the interim involves ribbis infringement under the rule of seah be’seah. We have long moved away from using gold and silver coins, so we need to consider which financial instruments are treated as money.

PROMISSORY NOTES

A promissory note is a document which promises payment at a future date. They may be written by a borrower in return for a loan or by a customer receiving merchandise on credit. If the note holder needs cash immediately, he may sell the note at a discount and the profit that the buyer of the note makes when he later redeems the note is “similar” to interest on a loan. There is a market for buying and selling financial instruments such as promissory notes, and therefore Rambam (Malveh-5:14) does not consider this profit as interest, as there is no loan. The person buying the note is not lending money to anyone; he is purchasing a commodity. Thus, although the profit is similar to interest, it is not considered ribbis. However, this only works if the seller does not guarantee payment of the note and the buyer takes the loss if the borrower does not pay. This is because ownership of a debt is defined by the potential for liability in case of default. If the purchaser of a note accepts no risk by insisting on a guarantee from the seller, he has not truly purchased the note and the seller is still regarded as owning the note. Therefore, the transaction is viewed as a loan rather than a sale. The purchaser of the note is permitted to protect himself from loss by requiring a bank or other third-party guarantee, as the seller no longer carries the risk. The buyer may also demand collateral from the borrower (Shulchan Aruch YD173:4). Ksav Sofer (YD85) suggests another way of the buyer securing his purchase - if he adds a condition at the time of sale: “If the borrower

is presently too poor to repay the loan, the sale is null and void”. This would only protect the buyer if the borrower was incapable of paying at the time the note was purchased. If an appropriate form of Heter Iska is used, the seller may guarantee the note.

BILLS OF EXCHANGE

Promissory notes are commonly used in business as letters of credit and bills of exchange, which are usually discounted. Ownership is only transferred if a formal kinyan is made, so if the purchaser is Jewish, the sale needs to be accompanied by a kinyan. Any process routinely accepted in a business community as binding for the sale of promissory notes, would be regarded as a valid kinyan known as kinyan ‘situmta’, such as endorsing the note. In the case of bearer documents, it would suffice to simply hand the note to the buyer.

CHEQUES

Bank cheques (checks) are promissory notes drawn against monies deposited in one’s bank account, which constitutes a debt due from the bank. When Reuven issues a cheque to Shimon, the bank’s debt is transferred to Shimon. If Shimon then asks Levi to cash the cheque for him, the debt is transferred to Levi at the time he pays cash for it. The bank now owes Levi the money which is on deposit. Like a promissory note, Levi may be offered a discount for cashing the cheque, but only if he suffers the loss arising if the check bounces. Cashing one’s own cheque would be problematic where he has no funds in his account and will go into overdraft when the bank pays out the cheque as there is no debt to sell. Checks drawn on American banks are also questionable because under American law one is entitled to issue a stop payment order, even after selling the cheque, without showing cause. The implication is that in the U.S. ownership of the bank’s debt remains with Reuven, and Shimon is borrowing the discounted figure. The cheque is used as a means of settling the debt, and the discount constitutes ribbis (The Laws of Ribbis, by Rabbi Yisroel Reisman-Chapter12).

BANKNOTES

Rabbi Asher Weiss (Minchas Asher-1:47) was asked about someone whose

pidyan haben was performed using money, but there was uncertainty whether a cheque or banknotes had been used as redemption money. Although one usually uses silver coins, it is permitted to use an object of equivalent value instead. A cheque has no intrinsic value in itself, ןיא ןוְמֶמֶ וְפוְג; it just enables one to acquire funds, and therefore would not be considered a cash equivalent, especially as there are objections to passing cheques to third parties. However, he argues that banknotes are viewed differently. The text on a banknote reads like a promissory note, that the bank promises to pay the bearer the sum stated and they are called bills or תוְרטש. Rabbi Weiss quotes Chasam Sofer (YD-134) who argued that anything that is legal tender by force of dina demulchsa is considered ןוְמֶמֶ וְפוְג, as it is forbidden by law to refuse to accept banknotes. Oneg Yom Tov (YD102) argues against Chassam Sofer that as paper money has no intrinsic value and the value of the paper differs only according to the printed amounts, that cannot be considered ןוְמֶמֶ וְפוְג. Rabbi Weiss takes a different approach following Chazon Ish (YD-72:8) who asserts that the prime factor that cash is considered money is because there is general consensus to use banknotes as a financial medium rather than because of government regulation. This especially relevant nowadays when currency is no longer linked to gold reserves as was the case in the time of these poskim. Banknotes were then officially exchangeable into gold, so that was arguably closer to loan notes which are considered merchandise rather than money. Now that we are no longer linked to the gold standard it is more reasonable to argue that banknotes do not serve just as a medium to acquire money, as they are no longer linked to tangible money. Their value lies solely in their purchasing power and that should be considered וְפוְג ןוְמֶמֶ Accordingly, Rabbi Weiss concludes, there should be no problem in using banknotes of equivalent value to the silver for pidyan haben.

DIGITAL TRANSFERS

Once we establish that banknotes are considered money even though the paper (or polymer) has no intrinsic value, we can be more comfortable with payment using digital transfers. For transactions to be binding, one may need to make a kinyan, which may involve doing something with the money, such as withdrawing cash. As mentioned above, the most practical kinyan is ‘situmta’, which would be the accepted process for finalising the transaction, probably pushing a

button. This discussion has been regarding accepted currency, but what about cryptocurrency?

BITCOINS

Enter the world of cryptocurrency which was created in response to the bank crashes in 2008, to establish a currency which was not reliant on any governmental guarantees or linked to physical assets. Its sole strength is the confidence that the public has in the integrity of its systems and its value is governed by market forces of supply and demand. Bitcoin mining uses cryptographic algorithms to verify new transactions, linking their hash-codes to a blockchain of previous transactions, thus guaranteeing security against alteration by hackers. It was designed to fulfil the key characteristics of money - durability, portability, divisibility, exchangeability, scarcity, and acceptability. Although it is artificially scarce and worthless, it has escalating value because of the high demand and limited supply. The fact that it has no intrinsic value is no different to banknotes, so Chazon Ish would consider it money provided it was used by everyone for regular commercial transactions. We are far from that stage, but looking into the future, if cryptocurrency acquires universal usage, it would be considered money according to Chazon Ish. Chasam Sofer’s approach was that it was dependent on being legal tender with the force of governmental controls, but that is the antithesis of bitcoin’s objective. In 2021, El Salvador became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, but it is mainly used by privileged individuals and has not achieved widespread use. Although it may change in the future, bitcoin currently has the halachic status of a commodity and is not considered money. Tax authorities also tax any profits as capital gains of commodity trading. Thus, if one borrows one bitcoin from a Jew, one would not be allowed to repay one bitcoin, and it would be treated like borrowing foreign currency, which is set in accordance with local currency. If the borrower already owns bitcoin, he will qualify for the exception of ‘yesh lo’, where we view that the commodity that the borrower has in stock is being given to the lender, and merchandise of equal value is being traded.

To find out more, you can sign up at mercazdafyomi.com and receive a free gemoroh.

Another delicious recipe from Denise Phillips

For more recipes and inspiration visit my website:

www.jewishcookery.com

denises_kitchen

Details about forthcoming events, email: denise@jewishcookery.com

Seder Brisket with Pomegranate and Lemon Gremolata

A new recipe that is tried and tested ‘amazing’ is just what one needs for Seder night! This succulent piece of brisket just melts in the mouth. Make it in advance, slice and keep warm. What could be easier…….?

Preparation Time: 25 minutes (plus 2 hours refrigeration)

Cooking Time: 2 hours 40 minutes Serves: 6-8 people

Ingredients

Brisket

4 garlic cloves - peeled and finely chopped

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1 piece beef brisket 1.8kg – 2kg

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 lemons – zest and juice

2 tablespoons beef powder with 300ml hot water- to make beef stock

150ml red wine/ Kiddush wine

Pomegranate Gremolata/ Herb Topping

3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

100g split almonds

1 lemon – zest only

2 garlic cloves – peeled and finely chopped

Flaked sea salt

1 pomegranate – remove seeds

Method

1. Prepare the brisket by mashing garlic and a pinch of salt using a mortar and pestle/ rolling pin or the side of a knife until a paste forms.

2. Smear brisket with the paste and transfer to a baking dish.

3. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 2 hours or overnight.

4. Preheat oven to 160C/ 325 F/ Gas mark 3.

5. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.

6. Sear brisket until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes and then transfer to an ovenware dish.

7. Pour lemon juice, stock and wine over brisket and cook covered for 2 hours. Uncover for a final 15 minutes.

8. To make the gremolata/ herb, combine the parsley, chives, split almonds, lemon zest, and garlic. Season with sea salt. Add pomegranate seeds.

9. Slice brisket. Serve with pan juices and pomegranate gremolata.

Family FunPesach

Its finally here! The highlight of the Jewish year! Pesach may be a bit more low key this year but it’s a Yom Tov nonetheless and we will once again be listening to the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim - how Hashem redeemed the Jewish people from being slaves in Egypt. Special Mitzvot accompany the Chag and you will of course be aware of Matzo and Wine as well as the bitter herbs and the Mitzva of relating the story of the Geula - the redemption on this night. Thousands of years have passed since that great night, but

the story has remained intact, faithfully handed down through the generations. After our first two days Yom Tov, we will have four days Chol Hamoed, more opportunities for spending time with family and earning a Mitzva of eating Matzo each day! Finally

we reach the 7th and 8th day where we remember crossing the Yam Suf and how we sang our hearts out praising Hashem for saving us from what looked impossible! Have a happy Yom Tov!

Parasha Stats

Facts about Parashat Metzora

C W S Q D J Z G K L H X

U H I O R A A C K X K D

Y A A N N Z J U U D J Q

W G F R E E D O M L G W

M A R R O R U U E K L P

S D H P E S A C H Q M S

I A N D C F E Z F G D V

J H E T R C Y T T B W O

Y S N P G O P Q Q A F Q

A K D Z O A W P S W M M

K Q J L J M U M P B P V

R P W R K V E W P J Q U

Number of Lines - 159

Number of Verses - 90

Number of Words - 1,274

Number of Letters - 4,697

Jewish Riddle

This week’s Question:

I have fulfilled a Rabbinical commandment when I was not yet commanded to fulfill a Torah commandment. Therefore, I can no longer fulfill the Torah commandment when I am commanded to fulfill it. How is this possible?

Last week’s Answer: Caterers get a holiday during the ‘Counting of the Omer’ and the ‘three weeks’. When do they take an entire month from:

1) Bar Mitzvahs (but not Bat Mitzvahs)?

2) Bat Mitzvahs (but not Bar Mitzvahs)?

3) Bar and Bat Mitzvahs?

Someone born in Adar of a non-leap year, celebrates his birthday in Adar II during a ‘leap year.’ Therefore, a boy born in Adar of a regular year, and 13 years later is a ‘leap year’, his Bar Mitzvah is in Adar II - while Adar I will have no Bar Mitzvahs! Likewise, a girl born in Adar of a ‘regular’ year, and 12 years later is a ‘leap year’, her Bat Mitzvah will be in Adar II. Adar I will have no Bat Mitzvahs!

Well done Mr B Assor of Edgware!!!

Email your name, age, where you live and the answer to office@thejewishweekly.com! Next week’s paper will feature the answer and will mention one person who gave the correct answer!

Dingbats

Using all the shapes, can you make the shape on the right?

Word Wheel

The goal of a word wheel puzzle is to create as many words possible with the letters in the word wheel. Each word must contain at least three letters. You can only use each letter once and every word must have the letter in the centre of the wheel.

Last edition’s words

Here are some words you may have found from last week – you may have found more!

Riddles Tangram Challenge!

Use the area below to write the words you have found.

Jokes

Q: What kind of music to mummies listen to?

A: Wrap!

Q: What do olympic sprinters eat before a race?

A: nothing, they fast!

Q: Why are penguins socially awkward?

A: Because they can’t break the ice!

Q: Where do you learn to make ice cream?

3. a piano ape hen hep hie pea pen pep pie sea she apes apse heap hens hies nape neap pane peas pens peps pies pine pipe sane seas sine anise apses ashen ashes aspen heaps napes panes penis phase pines pipes sepia shape shies shine snipe spies spine anises aspens happen pepsin phases sepias shapes shines snipes spines happens hessian hipness nappies pansies happiness

6. Midwife

1. I have no life, but I can die. What am I?

2. Shira has four daughters, each of her daughters has a brother. How many children does Shira have?

3. What has keys but can not open a door? Answers

1. A battery

4. Ice cube

2. Five, four daughters and one son

A: Sundae School! Dingbat Answers

5. Captain Hook

3. Tripods

2. The coast is clear

1. Welcome back

Why won’t my Israeli bank just accept my money? (...continued)

The reasons the banks are asking these questions are twofold:

They are scared that they may be helping launder money.

They are even more scared that they may be helping someone avoid paying tax.

While the former has always been a concern to Israel’s banks, and they continue to heavily scrutinize money received from offshore banks accounts in countries like Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, more recently it’s actually the latter that has been taking center stage. The reason for such excessive caution? Getting hit where it hurts following a United States Justice Department crackdown on three Israeli banks regarding tax evasion by its US customers. The probe which began in 2011 uncovered significant amount of tax sheltering activity by US citizens, and initially resulted in nearly USD $1 billion in fines to Israeli banks.

As a result they are no longer taking any chances when it comes to receiving foreign currency from overseas. By the way, the same can even occur if you send shekels from overseas to an Israeli bank account, they can still ask similar questions.

Now, in the simple example we mentioned earlier of you sending money from your account in the UK to your account in Israel, you could probably answer the questions and get the paperwork to the bank within a day or two. However, what if you want to transfer your funds from the UK to Israel, but have it sent to a third party, such as the seller of the property you are purchasing? Short answer: get ready for things to become even more difficult.

Perhaps the most challenging of all though is what happens if you are receiving money from a 3rd party, even if it’s just an immediate family member. In fact, we heard an unbelievable story involving a major shareholder in an Israeli company that was sold for billions of dollars by an American company. This individual received a seven figure payout into his Israeli bank account in US dollars, however, the bank refused to accept the money into his account unless he showed them proof of how he had obtained such a large amount of money.

He explained and proved he had a shareholding in the company, however, the bank then asked to see a copy of the sale contract. Unfortunately, that document was and still is confidential and so he could not give it to the bank. Amazingly, the bank still refused to accept the money and it was ultimately returned to the sender! (final part to come)

Eytan Bennett

ESTATE AGENT

MARTIN FRYDENSON - ROUNDTREE REAL ESTATE

Roundtree Real Estate are your local experienced Estate Agent having been established on the High Street since 2009. We are both ARLA and NAEA Propertymark regulated and we are here to offer you expert advice in Property Sales, Lettings, Commercial and Full Management Services, covering Hendon, Golders Green, Finchley, Colindale and surrounding areas. We have built long standing relationships with all our clients and should you have any property related queries please do contact us.

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ALIYAH ADVISORS - GARY BROWN - PRACTICAL ALIYAH ADVICE

meeting will allow Gary to advise on who you need to speak with for each requirement and when in the year you should approach them. Confidentiality assured.

Contact: +972 (0)2 372 3775 / +44 (0)20 3 989 5080 info@aliyahadvisors.com aliyahadvisors.com/aloh-naaleh/

Contact: 020 8922 2222 helpline@jcare.org www.jewishcare.org

WEALTH MANAGMENT

MARC OVITS – BA (HONS) APFS CERT PFS (DM)

Over 25 years of successful experience in financial services including 11 years of investment banking experience.

Offering expert independent financial advice to individuals, businesses, charities and trusts. Individual services:- Wealth Management, Investment, Retirement, Estate/IHT, protection planning, Tax Mitigation and Cash Management Solutions

Business & Charity services:- Investment Planning, Business Succession & Business Exit Planning, Business Protection, Corporate Pensions, Employee Benefits, Cash Management Solutions, Profit extraction strategies

Alpha Wealth Management

Contact: 020 8203 6920 info@alphawm.co.uk www.alphawm.co.uk

BUILDING AND PARTY WALL SURVEYING

MATRIX SURVEYORS LIMITED

Offering a range of building surveying services and specialising in party wall matters, nationwide, for both consumers and businesses, including; -

• Pre-acquisition Surveys

• Party Wall Matters

• Defect Inspections

• Schedules of Condition

• Insurance Reinstatement Costs Assessments

Contact:

Toli Moscovitz BSc (Hons) MRICS

0161 823 6973 info@matrixsurveyors.co.uk www.matrixsurveyors.co.uk

SHIPPING

STEPHEN MORRIS SHIPPING

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

MARTIN HEIMAN – SMARTINET

We’ve been providing businesses with all of their communication needs since 2010. We specialise in supplying businesses with VoIP Packages, Mobile Plans, Broadband, Card Merchant Services, Leased Lines, On-Hold Marketing, and Call Centre Services. Smartinet, your reliable and efficient business communications provider.

Contact: 0333 613 0000 connect@smartinet.co.uk smartinet.co.uk

MANAGED I.T. SERVICES PROVIDER (MSP)

SIMON MOSCOVITZ BSC (HONS) – EUROTEK UK LIMITED

• Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedules

• Construction Project Management

• Licence for Alterations

• Insurance claims

With almost 40 years experience, our company has the ability to move household and personal effects and antiques and fine art with the professionalism and care that comes from that experience coupled with an attention to detail.

We construct our own Tri-Wall and wooden packing cases on site and employ full-time art installers and handymen for those ‘extra’ jobs that always need doing on a move or installation. And size is no limitation – we have moved trains, boats and planes across the world and even bridges and a 5,000 seater tent!

Contact: 020 8832 2222 info@shipsms.co.uk www.shipsms.co.uk

We are a well-established and successful Managed I.T. Services Provider (MSP) with a clear sense of purpose. We plan, design and enable the procurement, implementation, protection and management of a wide range of modern technologies through an earned and trusted partnership with our clients across the UK. We enable our clients to be operationally efficient by successfully embracing their digital transformation journey.