No.52 October 2005 Tishri 5766

Israel - Where Now? - Rabbi David Rose

Ukraine - Kenneth Collins

MPH - Maurice Naftalin

Festival Fun - Julian Goodman

David Daiches - Jenni Calder Views & Reviews

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE EDINBURGH JEWISH COMMUNITY Contents From the Editor

What could be more tragic than to build up your hopes and dreams of a better future for your children and then to have them cruelly dashed? But cruelty did not feature in The Edinburgh Star Editorial 1 the way soldiers, overcome with emotion themselves, had to carry out their Synagogue Chambers Rosh Hashanah message - Rabbi Rose 2 heartbreaking task. Despite the terrible possibility that lives might be lost, or that IDF 4 Salisbury Road Make poverty history - Maurice Naftalin/Hilary Rifkind/Janet Mundy 3 rebellion could unbalance the only democracy in the Middle East, it never happened. Edinburgh EH16 5AB Rather, Israelis expressed their frustrations in a battle of orange and blue. Cover Picture The knitted kippar unravels? - Rabbi David Rose 6 Disengagement took place in a remarkably short space of time affording a greater Fresh start for the orange and blue Kovshevata - Kenneth Collins 8 chance for the wound to heal and for the desert to continue to flower under the responsibility of Mahmoud Abbas, more so then was ever possible under Yasser Editor Commemorating the Holocaust in Berlin 10 Arafat. You may not agree with Ariel Sharon or even like the fact that he has reneged Judy Gilbert Halakhah - Rabbi Professor Daniel Sinclair 12 on his original policy to encourage settlement in sensitive areas after 1967, but it takes great courage to do what he has done; like a parent who is willing to risk Editorial Board Oy! to the world - Julian Goodman 14 temporary hatred of his child in order to avoid an even deeper pain. Rabbi Rose Peter Bennett New year greetings 18 explores this highly emotive topic in ‘The knitted kippah unravels’? Sidney Caplan (Treasurer) Around and about - Ian Shein 22 Philip Harris It appears that in the last three months settling the world and No issue would be same without a comprehensive update of Lindsay Levy Society reports - CCJ/Lit 24 its problems has been uppermost in the news, and it can only community events. Ian Shein covers those that have been and Janet Mundy Dunfermline honours its last Jewish minister 25 be to the credit of ordinary people, that they truly believe that those we have yet to enjoy. Eve Oppenheim they can persuade the powers that be. And how much more Rabbi Cohen's 90th Birthday Celebration 26 Rabbi David Rose powerful can you get than the combination of eight of the We are most sad to see the passing of a remarkable man. - Kaufman/Golda Friedler/Hazel Rubin/Stefan Reif Ian Shein most influential countries in the world coming together? Some Jenni Calder remembers her father, David Daiches, and allows Reviews... A concert to remember - Berl Osborne 30 might feel, however, that the millions of pounds spent us a privileged insight, unique to the Star. Design West, East and Andelucia - Janet Mundy managing this highly commendable show of solidarity, might Debbie Bennett have been better spent on the people for whom ‘Make Poverty Regretfully we say farewell to Lindsay Levy whose contribution Karl Emil Franzos - Michael Mitchell 32 History’ was intended. Read how MPH impressed Maurice to the Board has been greatly appreciated. She will be sadly Artwork Obituaries - David Diaches by Jenni Calder 34 Naftalin. missed. Helen McFeely Dear editor 36 Being on the side of the underdog has always been one of As ever thanks go to all our contributors. As Peter observed Printing Announcements Britain’s most endearing qualities but have we gone too far? before I took over; you start off with nothing and then Meigle Colour Printers Ltd In the wake of not just one, but two attacks on London, some suddenly you find you have difficulty trying to fit it all in. I am Forthcoming Events Tweedbank Galashiels TD1 3RS pressure groups are still unable to see that most people do thankful for that! not need political correctness forced down their throats to acknowledge that most Muslims are decent law abiding It is only left for me now, on behalf of the Editorial Board, to The Editorial Board wish to thank the citizens who value the humanity Britain has to offer. That is say to all our very supportive readers, L’Shanah Tova and may advertisers and the following for their Apologies to: all the people who made donations and contributions, which added to the success of the why they are here. Why then jeopardise our way of life and you be inscribed for a happy and peaceful New Year. support since the last edition: 50th Star celebrations and who were not mentioned by name. Thanks to you all. theirs for the sake of pacifying a very small but dangerous Professor A and Mrs J Kaufman, group, who even Muslims would not recognise as brothers? Judy Gilbert Dr & Mrs L Kaufman, Ms A Brydon They must be challenged even at the risk of hurting some A generous, anonymous, donation people’s feelings. Israel has managed to institute reasonable was made of £100, Rev. R B W Walker and effective procedures following 119 attacks; few get past them now and we should learn from their experience.

Israel is a remarkable example of life continuing to go on despite everything, and this can be seen so markedly in the joyful celebration of Rabbi Cohen’s 90th birthday in Jerusalem. We hear from a few people who were lucky enough to be able Support The Edinburgh Star to participate in this event and pay tribute to a well respected and loved gentleman. Send us your letters and articles. Next Copy date: Monday 13 February We move swiftly from one continental meandering to another, from Germany to the Ukraine, to Dubrovnik and back again The Editior, The Edinburgh Star, 4 with pride to one of Scotland’s greatest institutions; the Edinburgh Festival. Did Jewish shows make an impression this Salisbury Road, Edinburgh EH16 5AB The Board would also like to thank Mr & Mrs Harold Mendelssohn for kindly defraying the cost of sending The Edinburgh Star overseas. year? Julian Goodman fills the gap left by our inability to see All pieces are accepted for publication at the absolute discretion of the Editor. The Editor has the right to make such amendments to any piece chosen for publication as may in his absolute discretion be required in the editorial interests of this publication and to avoid exposing this publication or its staff to any criminal or civil liability or otherwise to avoid bringing this publication or its staff into disrepute. absolutely everything, try as we may. Copyright subsists in this publication and in its typeset. No part of the publication may be reproduced by any means, including electronic, without the express written consent of The Edinburgh Star and without an acknowledgment of such consent, when given, being clearly printed together with an identification of The Edinburgh Star as being the source of such material. 1 The views expressed in The Edinburgh Star are those of the contributors and are not necessarily those of The Edinburgh Star, its staff or publishers. MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY a Jewish Perspective Rabbi David Rose Rosh Hashanah Message Maurice Naftalin

We again approach Rosh Hashanah and the beginning of a and blaming others, are recipes for disaster, not salvation. new year. The forty days between the beginning of Ellul and Ignoring the facts will not change them. Not seriously Yom Kippur are called in Jewish tradition, ‘Days of Mercy’. contemplating the future will not make it go away. One of the During these days G-d is especially close to us and, hopefully, great strengths of the Jewish people has always been its we to Him. It was during these forty days that Moses again ability to be critical of itself. Other communities seem to have ascended Mt Sinai to receive the Second Tablets; symbolising more problems in achieving this. We can all see the the reconciliation between G-d and Israel after the sin of the consequences of this failure. We should therefore learn the Golden Calf. It is interesting, therefore, that these days are lessons and not follow the same path. Whether in our own also ones of introspection and self-criticism. community, British Jewry as a whole or in Israel, a fundamental reappraisal of ourselves is in order. We need to Indeed, they are the essential ingredients of the reconciliation ask ourselves the very questions that are central to the liturgy and forgiveness experienced during this period. It appears that of these holy days. Where are we, and are we satisfied with the closer the relationship, between G-d and Israel the more it that? Can we carry on in the way we have or do we need to Make Poverty History–what a remarkable slogan! I can before. In itself this was significant, more so in that the must be based on the ability to be honest and even critical of change? How can we best change and ensure a better future? remember exactly my thoughts on first seeing it: how daring coalition worked effectively both within the larger movement to the other. Without that honesty and introspection, no change These are the challenges of the hour and there is no better and ambitious an idea it seemed, how unrealistic, and how give a voice to Jewish involvement and commitment, and is possible. Without our ability to examine ourselves truthfully time of the year to start answering them. Drawing on a long much worth working for. Two months after the extraordinarily within our own community to popularise the goals of the and openly we can never restore our relationship with G-d. For history of self-appraisal and the introspective nature of these successful Edinburgh demonstration, it is possible to review campaign. The climax of the campaign for the first half of this reason Maimonides regards confession, i.e. self-criticism, days, we can seriously and honestly look at ourselves and the progress so far of the campaign around this slogan, and 2005 was of course the great demonstration of July 2nd. as the central mitzvah of Yom Kippur. It is the essential begin the process of change. In doing so we cannot only the verdict has to be mixed. The same can be said of the ingredient in having a decent relationship with those around us ensure our own salvation but even be a light to others. Let us Jewish contribution to it; we worked hard and achieved a Here the Edinburgh communities really came into their own - and G-d. As we look at the often-disturbing events of the last rise to the challenge that we all may merit to see a better great deal, more than ever before on such an issue, but in we recognised our responsibilities as the hosts for the UK year and contemplate the future; this is possibly the most world in the years ahead. terms of concrete achievement, there is far to go. Jewish community who were in Edinburgh that weekend, and important lesson we can learn. Whether as a community, a we worked with the Coalition to provide programmes people or a nation, only by an honest appraisal of ourselves A Happy and Peaceful New Year Why was—and is—the campaign to Make Poverty History so combining observance with activity for both Orthodox and and the world around us, can we hope to make things better. Rabbi David Rose important in 2005? Of course, what made it particularly Progressive Jews. In spite of the inevitable problems, we Denying the obvious, seeking to stick our head in the sand relevant to us in Scotland was the G8 meeting at Gleneagles, achieved better co-operation between the Edinburgh at which Britain took the chair. But the background is an communities than ever before, in pursuit of a greater aim. increasing understanding that poverty in the developing world July 2nd was an organisational success for the Coalition, in is not inevitable or accidental, and that the policies of the our provision both for Jews who had come to Edinburgh and developed economies can hold sway over the life and death of also for non-Jews, through the wonderful outreach event in millions. People responded to the G8 summit because they the Faith Tent. recognised the responsibility of our leaders to repair the situation, and of themselves to influence our leaders to do it. The demonstration itself was outstandingly successful. Its MUSSELBURGH support exceeded everyone’s hopes - not the expected What has this to do with Judaism and Jewishness? Many hundred thousand but a quarter of a million people were words have been written on this, but the first of them all is prepared to come to Edinburgh to declare publicly that ending OLD COURSE Justice. The publicity for the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY poverty must be a major commitment of the world’s Jewish Coalition bore at the top of every leaflet the words of developed nations. No-one who was present will forget the Deuteronomy: “Justice, justice shall you pursue”. And clearly atmosphere of the day - universally good-tempered but united there is no justice in a world in which every day 30,000 and passionate on the issue. And just as significant was the GOLF CLUB children die from poverty, while in the rich world we spend variety of the support - old and young, people from the The Club at the World’s Oldest Golf Course more on cosmetics or ice cream (and far, far more on Scotland and the South of England, of all ages and race and weapons) than would provide all the world’s poor with basic social class. You could truly feel that this was a movement education, or sanitation and clean water. And what does it being born. mean to be Jewish if we can look on this injustice and do With Best Wishes nothing? The Talmud glosses the words from Deuteronomy But now, two months later, we should look back - and forward from Lionel Freedman, former Honorary Secretary & Treasurer like this: - and ask: was a movement really born on that day? I think “Why is the word ‘justice’ written twice? To teach us that we that it was, though if I were accused of letting hope colour must practice justice at all times, whether it be for our profit or judgement, I would have to agree. The vital signs are good: our loss, and towards all people, towards Jews and non-Jews popular support is strong, the goals were clear and concise, MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES WELCOME alike”. and the emotional and political appeal of the cause is 10 Balcarres Road, Musselburgh EH21 7SD In 2005, the Jewish community in the UK obeyed this call as undeniable. My biggest concern is the political weakness of t. 0131 665 6981 never before. Nearly 20 communal organisations, including all the campaign. Its media-friendly nature has made it hostage the main synagogue federations, came together to form the to the pronouncements of a few pop stars. The strategy of e. [email protected] www.musselburgholdlinks.co.uk MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Jewish Coalition – a broader working closely with the government blunted its focus but in alliance of our community than has ever been achieved the end didn’t produce the results from the G8 that some had

2 3 hoped for. But despite all that, I believe that the plain demand huge impact on the the problem of world poverty. What is with the group who were marching for global justice has taken root in people’s minds. daring and ambitious is to imagine finding the political will to Three Generations from the shul. Apparently, I missed do it. Worth working for? Actually, as Jews we don’t have involved in Making them by moments, and never caught Looking forward: where will the campaign go next? By the any choice: the Talmud tells us, “Whoever is able to protest up with them. By the time I got back time you read this, the Millennium Development Goals Summit against the transgressions of the entire world and does not do Poverty History to the Meadows there were so many will already have passed. The Millennium Goals, agreed in so is held responsible for the transgressions of the entire queues and so many people that it was 2000 by every member of the United Nations, would end world.” Janet Mundy impossible to find anyone. So I was extreme poverty and disease by 2015. Their future hangs in delighted to bump into Elaine Samuel, the balance as the new US ambassador to the UN begins to But will we succeed? I don’t know the answer to that, but I and we agreed to give up on the idea exert his influence. After the Summit, the World Trade do know that it’s the wrong question to ask: of marching, this being late in the day, Organisation meets in December. By now we are informed “He [Rabbi Tarfon] used to say: It is not your duty to finish the and we listened to Baaba Maal, one of enough to know that these meetings, remote and uninteresting work, but neither are you free to abandon it”. (Pirkei Avot, Ch the few African artists appearing. My mother felt that she was not quite as they seem, actually make decisions that mean life or death 2) Everything and everyone came up to attending or marching herself. to millions. Our leaders need to know that we understand together later at the Faith Zone to hear However, she showed that everyone this, and we expect results. You can learn more about the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Clive Lawton lead a large and could do something to help. In her Jewish Coalition at www.eljc.org/mph, or by contacting World enthusiastic group of Jews and non- own words, “I offered accommodation Because of the success of MPH, there is discussion of Jewish Aid at 74 Camden Street, London NW1 0EG Jews in singing. Edinburgh Hebrew as a small contribution to the activities carrying it on past 2005. Unfortunately the need for it will not Congregation supplied refreshments, taking place and the young lady from end in December! Similarly the MPH Jewish Coalition will which I helped a visiting Rabbi to hand Leeds who applied was most continue in some form that can preserve the hard-won Highlights from the Millennium Goals Remember the David Daiches book round to the impromptu choir. Despite appreciative and a delightful organisational gains of the campaign and carry it forward on All UN member states pledge that they will, by 2015: “Between Two Worlds”? That summed a lack of amplification (this being companion. My flat, which is very issues of special interest to Jews—for instance Trade Justice, up my problem on the day of the Make Shabbat), Clive’s wonderful voice still close to the Meadows, proved to be where our tradition is very strong: as Maimonides said, the • halve the number of people living on less than $1 a day Poverty History march. I spent the carried to the back of the tent. convenient for friends popping in for highest degree of charity is setting a poor man up in business • halve the number of people who don’t have clean drinking whole day torn between politics and Hinei ma tov u ma nayim shevet achim cold drinks and other facilities. I religion. I started with friends who are thoroughly enjoyed the service on so that he is no longer dependent on outside help. We need water gam yachad, indeed. loosely affiliated to the Green Party. Friday evening in the Pollock Halls and to look at our own practice too: as consumers, there is a lot • provide a full course of primary school to every boy and girl In the meantime, my daughter, far However, when it became obvious that it was a joy to meet up again with we can do to favour trade that pays a fair price instead of • reduce by two thirds the number of children dying before the wiser than I, decided to go the political pennies a day for sweated labour. there was going to be a very long wait route (in more ways than one) and Rabbi (Dame) Julia Neuberger, whom I age of five to march, I gave up on my idea of queued up for nearly 3 hours to march had met on several occasions.” • reduce by three-quarters the number of women who die in So, how right were my first impressions of that slogan? marching twice (which now seems with her civil service union. Good on giving birth Daring and ambitious, unrealistic? Hardly so in material terms: ridiculous) and rushed off to meet up her! it would take very little resource, relatively speaking, to make a

‘We're a very small group, should we dinner for both vegetarians and The MPH weekend cater ourselves'?’. "Holiday time - chicken eaters, and I would augment the logistics for the EHC probably not many people around to the Kiddush food with big bowls of help". "Lots of vegetarians - need substantial salads. Hilary Rifkind alternatives" - - -" Be sensible - order the main food for the dinner and Relax - we would cope! ‘…. there could be 200 Jewish people Kiddush from Simcha Catering in coming to Edinburgh for the MPH Glasgow". The weekend arrived: - yes, there had March and we have to feed them!!’ been urgent emails with last-minute This we arranged to do; careful pleas for hospitality, the checking of I had just been given the news that costings were made; a booking form numerous `to-do' lists, the marathon the EHC had been asked by the Make was published on the Liberal shopping expeditions, the collection Poverty History Jewish Coalition to Community's web site - we were of the caterer's food from Glasgow host Shabbat meals for this event. committed!! and the in-house food preparation. How was the Shul Events Committee What worries then beset me? Sixty-five people came to Friday going to cope? Night dinner, liberals and orthodox How would I cope with heating all the eating and singing together in a On Friday night we wanted to provide food if there were more than 120 for wonderful atmosphere of unity and a traditional Shabbat Dinner following dinner? …I would rely on the late start community. This ruach extended to the Kabbalat Shabbat services held of the meal causing a natural the pre-walk kiddush/lunch at which by EHC and Sukkat Shalom; on restriction on the numbers booking. there were about ninety people and Saturday, following the morning onto the Seudah where forty people services, there would be a substantial How would we accommodate the joined to bring Shabbat to a close. Kiddush for everyone going to walk to inevitable last minute requests for the Meadows for 2pm; and in the meals without incurring unnecessary It had been a truly memorable evening a Seudah between Minchah expense by over-ordering? - - I would Shabbat. and Maariv. prepare some extra food for the ten years at least, it has been clear to plane of Israel is even more crowded. of the army and business, straddle most Israelis that this is an The State of Israel has a pressing both worlds. They talk the language of The Knitted Kippah Unravels? impossibility, Religious Zionism finds strategic and environmental need to both sides. They are a living example Rabbi David Rose itself in deep crisis. A whole generation disperse its population. The highly of how to be fully engaged in Israeli has grown up whose religious, political motivated National Religious are the society and yet religiously committed Traumatised children and weeping especially in Eastern Europe; or a of the historic Jewish homeland that and national identity has been perfect group to be at the vanguard of and knowledgeable. Yet Religious adults. Acid poured on soldiers and messianic expectation that the had been off limits to Jews for nineteen inextricably linked with the settlement this change. What they achieved in the Zionism, in its fixation with settlement, people wearing tefilin dragged from settlement of the Land would lead to years galvanised the new generation of project in the West Bank and Gaza. West Bank and Gaza they can replicate has sorely neglected this historic task. synagogues. Utter anguish and the ultimate redemption. Rabbis such religious youth. Many in Israel, not only Their very religious faith, national in the Galilee and the Negev. Indeed By settling the West Bank and Gaza, Holocaust imagery. Few of us who as Reines, Maimon and Kook the religious, had never really accepted credentials and even Jewish identity the process has already begun. they have created self-imposed watched these scenes would have supported the Zionist movement and the partition of the country in 1948. has been based on a Messianic-Zionist Communities, even of a left-wing ghettos in Bet El and Netzarim as been left unmoved. Our emotions took part in its institutions. They The heart of the ancient Jewish vision of the Greater Land of Israel. persuasion, have thrown open their surely as the Haredim have in Bnei probably ran the whole gamut: from created kibbutzim and moshavim, homeland; Bethlehem, Shechem, Now that this vision is being doors to evacuees from Gaza: even Brak and Mea Shearim. They have sympathy to anger; resignation to relief. joined the Haganah and created their Hebron had been denied to Jews, now dismantled, we should not be surprised building synagogues where none have effectively cut themselves off from Yet we must ask ourselves, where did own political movement; Mizrachi, the they were ours again. Led by the at the scenes we see on our television existed before. They understand the Israeli society; which is why these images come from? Why were forerunner of today’s National Religious ideology of Tzi Yehudah Kook, son of screens. We should not be shocked at tremendous potential of this hard- disengagement came as such a adults tearing their garments and Party. They took a full part in the the renowned first Chief Rabbi, the use of Holocaust imagery by youth working, idealistic and enthusiastic traumatic shock to so many of them. children their hearts? Why the emotion; establishment of the State, fighting in Religious Zionist youth saw the for whom their whole identity as Jews group of people and how they can be This process now needs to be from where the passion? To answer the the War of Independence and joining opportunity of taking the Zionist mantle is being undermined. We should not be their saviours. Indeed, one aging reversed. Religious Zionism must re- question we must realise that the the first, and successive, Labour led from the secular left. They too would astounded to see soldiers grappling moshav, whose future looked bleak, engage with Israeli society, first of all disengagement from Gaza has governments. settle the Land, creating Jewish with tefilin-clad men whose very will have from this autumn a hundred by living among them. They must reach provoked first and foremost an settlements in inhospitable terrain just religious foundations are being shaken. new children to fill its school and give out to both an alienated secular existential crisis in one of the most Yet the early years of the State were as the Labour movement had a We should not be amazed at the new hope for the future. There is no Russian population and to the important and influential movements in not easy ones for the National- generation before. They would be the passion of people for whom not only doubt that the National-Religious disaffected ultra-Orthodox. They must Jewish history: Religious Zionism. It is Religious, as they were now called. new vanguard of Zionism and thus their home, but the very ethos of their community has a vital role to play in create a new compact between an important question for all of us. Not Israel was dominated by a secularist- make a place for themselves at the existence is being destroyed. The this regard. religious and secular, creating a only because many of our young socialist Labour party who benignly forefront rather than at the sidelines of disengagement from the territories definition of a Jewish State that both Rabbis, educators and youth leaders in tolerated the religious; provided they Israeli society. This rebellion, for that is captured by Israel in 1967 has But it has an even more important and can comfortably live with. Not only this country, including myself, count did as they were told. While not in effect what it was, profoundly undermined the very foundation on pressing task. Religious Zionism was should Religious Zionism fill this role; themselves as members of this ostracised like Menachem Begin’s changed the whole Religious Zionist which Religious Zionism has been built always seen as a bridge between probably, they alone can fulfil this role. movement, but because the survival of right-wing nationalists, the National- movement. The National Religious for the last thirty years. It has secular Zionism and the religious This is the historic challenge now Religious Zionism is vital for the future Religious were always a poor second Party went from being a dovish voice in destroyed the basis of their self- community. That bridge is needed now facing us. Can Religious Zionism, of Israel. So what is Religious Zionism, fiddle in an orchestra clearly conducted a Labour cabinet in 1967, to being the esteem and identity within Israeli more than ever. The most pressing traumatised and perplexed, redefine its how did it get to where it is today, and and controlled by Labour. This led to most hawkish part of a Likud cabinet in society. It is indeed a catastrophe internal issue facing Israel today is identity in a new world for the benefit where do we go from here? poor morale among the youth and 1997. Religious Zionism created Gush unparalleled in the century-old history creating a united society. This is of itself and the whole of the Jewish increasing secularisation. To combat Emunim, one of the most successful of the movement. The question especially true in religious-secular people? Can they become the catalyst this, Religious Zionism devised in the extra-parliamentary movements in the remains whether Religious Zionism can relations. Reconciliation is urgently for positive and vital changes in Israeli “The desire of the Jewish 1960’s what has become one of its world, which in twenty years put over survive this disaster and reconstruct a required and none are better placed to society? I believe they can and will people to return Jewish hallmarks and strongest assets: the 250,000 settlers in the territories different identity and why this is effect it than the National-Religious succeed. We, indeed, must help them sovereignty to the Land of Yeshiva High School. Here young captured in 1967. Religious youth also important for the future of Israel and camp. They who are integrated into succeed. For, that they succeed is vital Israel is a basic part of Jewish religious Jews could be given a strong stormed the citadel of the army, so that the Jewish people. Israeli society, at the highest echelons for us all. belief. ” Religious Zionist identity that could today 30% of the officers and the compete with the secular world majority of members of elite units outside. Here youth were imbued with come from a National-Religious “What they achieved in the In some ways all Zionism is religious. the idea that they were not only the background. Yet all this success hid a West Bank and Gaza they can The desire of the Jewish people to equal of the ‘Zionist Vanguard’ on the fatal flaw at the heart of the project; a replicate in the Galilee and the return Jewish sovereignty to the Land kibbutzim or in the army, but even time bomb that has exploded in recent Negev. ” of Israel is a basic part of Jewish belief. superior. What was needed was a weeks with results we all have seen. Yet the modern Zionist movement that chance to show it and in 1967 they put that belief into practice was a got it. The Religious Zionist movement has It is clear that, whatever the final mostly secular movement rising out of indeed proved it can settle and fight borders of the State of Israel, the vision the Haskalah or Jewish enlightenment. The Six Day War of June 1967 with the best of them. But in doing so of a Greater Israel on which Religious For this reason many Rabbis, while not profoundly transformed Israeli society it has made itself a hostage to fortune. Zionism has built its identity, is not necessarily disagreeing with its but nowhere more so than in the For the new Religious Zionist identity feasible in the foreseeable future. What ultimate aims, were deeply suspicious Religious Zionist camp. For the first was not based on merely settling the sort of future therefore remains for this of the movement or even hostile to it. time religious youth from Zionist Land, an important Torah movement? Firstly, I would argue, one Religious Zionists were those who were Yeshivas had been in the forefront of commandment. It created as its sole of settlement. Large areas of pre-1967 not. This stemmed either from a belief the fighting, among the paratroopers raison d’étre the settlement and Israel are under populated. Gaza may that this was the solution to the parlous who liberated Jerusalem, for example. retention of all the Land captured by be one of the most densely populated state of most of the Jewish people, Furthermore, the capture of large parts Israel in 1967. Ever since, for the last areas of the world but the coastal

6 7 guide before setting out we had to Hebrew characters illustrating the referred to the murder at that spot of wretched as it ever was. the menorah. Kovshevata correct their impressions of the day tenacity which bound the local the last 44 Jewish inhabitants of ahead. The tour company had never community to their cemetery. There Kovshevata by the ‘German fascists’ in We returned to Kiev for a couple of We had time also to visit Podil – the A VISIT TO THE UKRAINE heard of Kovshevata and presumed was nothing there that we could early September 1941. During those days before leaving for home. We old ghetto area and the site of the only Kenneth Collins that we were heading towards Korsun identify. few days the einsatzgruppen moved visited the Brodsky Shul, named after functioning synagogue from Soviet Sevchenko, scene of the major tank through the countryside between the wealthy sugar magnate who had times. Again we saw a lovingly restored From my earliest battles of the Second World War on the A few miles later we entered Boguslav and Tarasha killing every Jew built it in the 1890s and admired not synagogue with some new features years the village road to Stalingrad. Kovshevata. It was just as I had they encountered. My grandfather’s just its beautiful restoration but the added during the restoration. A triptych name Kovshevata pictured it. The countryside was truly contemporaries and their families had Jewish activities going on within it. A of stained glass windows in the carried a special beautiful. Graceful hills and valleys, been cruelly murdered in this peaceful lunch club, educational programmes – entrance hall showed the traditional At the entrance fascination. It was “The town square, like hundreds of to Kovshevata lakes and streams were spread out valley. We felt deeply saddened and it was a hive of activities and we were Jewish life of the shtetl in the first, the over there, in ‘der others, boasted a Soviet tank, before us. The onion-domed Orthodox emotionally drained. Yad Vashem had happy to sit at a pavement table dislocations and massacres under heim’, the ancestral Jewish heartland mounted on a display plinth as a Church sat at the top of the hill and not received the names of all the 44 – outside the kosher snack bar. There we fascism and communism and finally in the Pale of Settlement, backward memorial to the sacrifices of the was being lovingly restored. Our guide some have never been identified - but reflected on the transformation of rebirth and aliya in the modern period. and poverty stricken, but certainly ‘Great Patriotic War’ against the spoke briefly to the workmen. No, the there were no Kagarlitzkys amongst Jewish life for the 60,000 community The signs of the zodiac round the possessed of a special charm. My Nazis. ” Jewish community had not been re- them. Family members had been members left after the major wave of gallery had survived the refurbishment grandfather occasionally referred to the established after the war but there was moving west to Britain and America or aliya of the early 1990s and other but the twin girls (Gemini) had been village of his birth, but we all knew it We headed south stopping first in a Jewish monument we should visit. east and north to Moscow and migrations – to America and also to replaced by a pair of candlesticks and was very different from the Scotland Kagarlyk. This small town, about 20 We drove along the paved road past Leningrad and were beyond the reach Moscow. The shul building had been the maiden (Virgo) had also been round about us. We were also grateful miles from Kiev, had been founded in horses and carts and off into an area of of the murderers. confiscated by the communists in the transposed into a more neutral image. to him for leaving it behind to seek 1135, and had a small Jewish simple farm houses. The original 1920s and converted into a puppet safer pastures, firstly in London at the theatre but had been returned to the At the back of the community dating back to the houses of Tsarist times had gone We discovered that the local sugar end of the nineteenth century before “ Jewish community and had become building a small eighteenth century. It was here that the during the communist era to be factory had run out of money to pay settling in Glasgow in 1912. the centre of local Chabad activity. yeshiva with about family adopted the name Kagarlitzky replaced by standard white-washed their workers and were paying them in probably at the time of their migration buildings with corrugated roofs. I took 20 students was For many years visiting the Ukraine bags of sugar instead. ” south to Kovshevata in the 1830s. The a picture from the spot I remembered The next day we visited Babi Yar. We The ravine where the functioning and I seemed hardly practical. It would have massacre took place town square, like hundreds of others, seeing in a photograph of the village stepped out of the Metro into a large joined them for been possible though difficult enough boasted a Soviet tank, mounted on a from the 1920s. Unfortunately, when I Returning to Kiev on the main north- park area surrounded by fairly mincha. We also visited the matzah to get to Kiev, and Babi Yar – the display plinth as a memorial to the got back home and compared the south highway that stretches from Kiev characterless tenement blocks. Our factory. We were told that it functioned ravine at the city’s edge where so sacrifices of the ‘Great Patriotic War’ pictures I realised that I had got the to Odessa we stopped briefly to visit a map was none too clear and using the through all the communist years and many of the city’s Jewish community against the Nazis. After a brief stop we domes of the church the wrong way road stall selling sugar. We discovered Ukrainian phrases from the back of a that the Jews of Kiev had always were murdered during the Nazi headed south once more stopping next round, so I had been standing at the that the local sugar factory had run out guidebook and showing pictures of the registered in large numbers to buy their occupation. To travel the sixty miles at Boguslav, just a few miles from our other side of the village! of money to pay their workers and Babi Yar monument, we tried to get matzah even in the darkest times. It further south of Kiev to visit the village destination. Boguslav is a medium size were paying them in bags of sugar directions from passers by without certainly looked very ancient, but we of my grandfather’s birth would have market town which in pre-war days We stopped briefly instead. Our guide checked the prices success. Eventually some German were assured that it still worked simply been off limits. The trip had to had a lively and literary Jewish for some further and returned to the car. No point, she tourists led us to the communist era efficiently and to the strictest religious wait for the fall of communism and the community. In earlier years there were directions at a said, I can buy the sugar cheaper in monument which had been erected requirements. The mikvah had also slow and hesitant opening up of the Jewish printing presses and Hebrew farmhouse Kiev. Our driver was more interested in about a kilometre from the massacre. been restored and kosher foodstuffs Ukraine to western tourism. schools but very little Jewish remains The Holocaust Memorial surrounded by the stall selling tyres just a few hundred The monument had only been provided were available from a small shop. At there today. in Kovshevata to 44 mulberry trees. A metres further own. The stall holders after the poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko the side of the shul were several My grandfather referred to his village Jews killed by the 'German fascists' woman was drawing had the same story. They too were wrote his heroic poem about Babi Yar containers loaded with foodstuffs as Koshoveta in the Yiddish The information we water from the well and she gave us trying to sell factory produce to pay bewailing that there was no memorial brought from Israel and America to pronunciation. There had been about had was that some to drink. We followed the dirt their wages when the factory ran out of for the slain tens of thousands. When feed the local Jewish poor. 600 Jews there when he left but there Kovshevata did not track till the car could travel no further. money. the impressive memorial was was to be a steady decline in the local have its own Jewish We set off on foot, past barefoot eventually built, the Jews of Kiev Our trip to the Ukraine proved to be a Jewish rural population. While he was By the lake in Kovshevata cemetery and the children, well aware that the village Just outside Kiev and not far from an bewailed the absence of a Yiddish highly emotional experience. While leaving for London, his brother Zalman burial grounds at Tarasha, about 5 probably looked little different from the estate of dachas for the wealthy elite inscription which was only grudgingly there is much to celebrate in the newly set up in business in Nikolaev, while his miles beyond Kovshevata, had been day my grandfather had left over a who have benefited most from the fall added in later years. emergent Jewish life, especially in Kiev, father Zev settled in Novomirgorod destroyed during the War. The few hundred years previously. Walking of communism we visited another the country has destroyed Jewish with his second wife and still enlarging remains from pre-war times did not gingerly past a skinny tethered cow small village. This collection of muddy Now there is a new memorial, in the communities by the hundreds. Much family. By the time of the Soviet census survive the Soviet era. We decided to and then a tethered goat we found pathways, broken down houses, form of a menorah, closer to the site of good work is being done by of 1926 there were only 300 Jews left visit the Jewish cemetery in Boguslav ourselves in a small valley. There were collapsed wooden fences resembled the massacre. There are also smaller organisations like the Joint, World in Kovshevata. instead. This was situated at the edge stone steps cut into the hillside more the traditional shtetl than the memorials for the murdered children Jewish Relief, the Jewish Agency for of the town overlooking a wooded opposite, and we made our way village we had just visited. It reminded and the destroyed Jewish community Israel and Chabad, but it is likely that Before leaving Glasgow we booked our valley. The cemetery itself was a across. us of the real poverty which continues centre. The new memorial still had a the Jewish population will continue to day’s travel from Kiev into the shambles. Headstones at all angles, to blight the Ukraine, one of the wreath of flowers from the recent visit leave for Israel and other destinations. Ukrainian countryside. We had some with inscriptions that could There was a small stone monument at poorest countries in Europe, and how, by President Katzav from Israel and The Ukrainians welcome Jewish arranged a driver and a translator/ hardly be read through weathering and the top of the steps and we just a few miles from the opulence while we stood there a young woman, visitors in search of family roots and guide who were to meet us in our hotel age. Some from the Soviet era were approached this with our guide. The shared by some of the Kiev city carrying a single rose, slowly walked we can certainly recommend the in the morning and take us round our inscribed in what only resembled inscription was simple and poignant. It dwellers life continues to be as past leaving the flower at the base of experience. chosen route. When we met with our Kenneth Collins, is a Glasgow physician and research fellow at the University 8 of Glasgow's Centre for the History of Medicine. 9 The visitor commemorates their lives as much as, if not more so, than their Commemorating the Holocaust in Berlin death. REFLECTIONS ON THE MEMORIAL TO THE MURDERED Jews of Europe Outside, in (and on) the field of steles, K. Hannah Holtschneider couples pose for each other while taking photographs. Children and And yet, Scotland’s Jewish population also took in Jewish teenagers jump from pillar to pillar, or refugees from the continent, and relatives of Scottish Jews in play hide and seek between the steles. Europe became victims of the Holocaust. Many European cities Even adults cannot resist the have established their own Holocaust memorials, often in temptation to join in such activities. reference to the local Jewish population which was affected by ‘Codes of conduct’ have been Nazi persecution and murder. This is the case particularly on mounted on all sides of the memorial in the continent, but Britain has a national Holocaust exhibition in direct response to such irreverent the Imperial War Museum (opened in 2000) – even before that, behaviour. The lower pillars are great private initiatives established memorials such as the one in places to sit on, congregate, take a Hyde Park, London, and the Beth Shalom museum in break or eat one’s lunch. Naturally, Nottinghamshire. Scotland does not have its own nationally reverential silence and hushed voices instituted Holocaust memorial, but one may speculate that this need not be the only appropriate way is only a matter of time. For what reasons are these memorials to commemorate. Conventions of erected, and what could we, as Jews, expect of a Scottish remembrance are also there to be memorial? From the gamut of local and national initiatives of Berlin Memorial broken and reinvented in order to make museums, memorials, days and ceremonies, let me pick out present the process of persecution and the context of life for Jewish families sense to generations fortunate enough one, controversial effort, opened to the public in May this year, murder as envisaged and carried out across Europe, noting the fates of not to have experienced such brutality The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin. As by the perpetrators. There are no individual family members during and and violence. Thus a memorial can – Jews living in Europe today, what does this memorial tell us original documents, no prominent after the Holocaust. Here one and maybe should – break our about Jews in Europe and the memory of their persecution and images of perpetrators, no biographies encounters Ashkenazim and assumptions of how we should behave murder? of Nazis. This one can find in other Sephardim, religious and secular, when commemorating. Being built by In between the Brandenburg Gate and the Sony Centre of Holocaust exhibitions around the politically-active and culturally- non-Jews, with a mainly non-Jewish Potsdamer Platz, built onto the waste land formerly leading up world, and also nearby in Berlin at the engaged, Jews of all ages and walks of audience in mind, the memorial is to the east side of the Berlin Wall, lies Germany’s newly opened exhibition Topography of Terror, still life. I am impressed by the exhibition in supposed to offer non-Jews, in national Holocaust memorial. A gestation period of more than a temporarily mounted in the place the documentation centre which, particular in Germany, possibilities for decade, cluttered with many public rows about its where once the headquarters of the though not without its flaws, addresses reflecting on what they lost through the appropriateness and necessity, and in particular about its secret police, the Gestapo, stood. In the experiences of victims of the murder of Jews in Europe. It is a design, finally, for better or worse, resulted in a memorial and the documentation centre, the victims Holocaust through their own voices memorial for the society which an information centre. The memorial is a ‘forest of steles’ of are people with dignity and and perspectives. It is an exhibition succeeded Nazi Germany. As a different height, built on a sloping, uneven cobblestone surface: expectations and hopes for their lives, that unabashedly does not see the memorial it is supposed to disorientate, 2,711 pillars of concrete, ranging in height from floor level to 4.5 which were interrupted and destroyed. need to produce lots of artefacts, or to and in the information centre it seeks meters, arranged in rows on an area of 19,000 square metres. to remember the Jewish victims of a Walking through this field, one is meant to reflect on the murder previous generation of Germans to a of Jews during the Holocaust, a deliberately disorienting society in which relatively few Jews experience in which visitors are left alone with their thoughts remain (now c. 120,000). This is a and imagination. No commentary is offered, no visual or audio difficult task. One might be outraged aid is given, individual contemplation is sought, the aisles about ‘stele jumpers’, couples posing between the steles being too narrow to accommodate more Berlin Memorial for photos, or people playing hide-and- than one person. The memorial is accessible 24 hours a day, seek. Alternatively, one may ask 365 days a week, one only needs to step off the pavement and Commemoration of the Holocaust is a topic regularly whether and how these activities can into the forest of steles. addressed in Jewish circles: there are annual Yom be forms of Holocaust remembrance, which remains topical in German public HaShoah ceremonies in Israel and the Diaspora, Jewish Attached to this is an information centre which allows visitors to discourse. contributions to the recently instated British Holocaust access narratives about the Holocaust. Descending below the Memorial Day on 27 January (the anniversary of the memorial, one finds a variety of textual and visual information Dr K. Hannah Holtschneider is a liberation of the Auschwitz camps by the Red Army), on offer, ranging from historical narrative to points for Lecturer in Modern Judaism at the establishment of Holocaust memorials and contemplation. A timeline introduces the visitor to the Edinburgh University museums, and thoughts about one’s own family history development of what came to be known as the Holocaust. Thereafter narratives of and about the victims take the lead. in relation to the years 1933-45. In some ways Scotland She specialises in Jewish and Christian One can read reproductions of letters and postcards of victims may seem an odd place in which to talk about responses to the Holocaust, Holocaust sent from various locations in Nazi-occupied Europe to their commemoration of the Holocaust, remote as it may Remembrance and Jewish-non-Jewish families and friends, or diary entries of people held in ghettoes seem from the parts of Europe where the Holocaust relations. and camps. Panels with photographs and short texts illustrate was perpetrated.

10 11 dealing, and the packages of drugs Rabbi Professor Daniel Sinclair removed from his stomach were entered in evidence against him. His continues his theme on Halakhah defence was that the evidence was inadmissible since he had refused to THE APPLICATION OF HALAKHAH IN ISRAELI LAW IN AREAS OTHER consent to the operation, and it had, THAN FAMILY LAW AND JEWISH IDENTITY – MISHPAT IVRI therefore, been obtained by illegal The dream of a number of 19th and The prosecution in the Cohen case means. Non-consensual life-saving early 20th century Zionist jurists that argued that the word "illegal" should medical procedures are incompatible the legal system of the Jewish State be understood, not in the light of the with the right to privacy in Israeli law, would be based upon the halakhah did Common law, but in accordance with and the general principles of patient not come to pass for both practical Jewish law, since Moshe Cohen was autonomy. The Supreme Court ruled and ideological reasons. However, the an Israeli Jew and, as such, was bound that the heroin was admissible study of halakah from the perspective by the halakhah in relation to matters evidence, and Beiski J.cited Mishpat of modern legal analysis (Mishpat Ivri) of personal status. Biblical law grants a Ivri in support of the Court's ruling. did become a popular and dynamic wife a right to sexual gratification from According to the halakhah, a sick field of study for academic jurists, and her husband (Exodus 21: 10) but not person is under an obligation to accept courses in Mishpat Ivri are taught at all vice versa. The halakhah provides that life-saving medical treatment, and if he Israeli Law Schools. Furthermore, the a wife who refuses to have sex with her refuses it, coercion may be applied as selective application of halakhic rules husband may be divorced; she is in the case of any refusal to perform a and principles by the secular Courts to certainly not compelled to give her positive halakhic precept (R. Jacob a diverse range of legal problems has body to him. Indeed, the use of force is Emden, Mor Ukeziah, Orah Hayyim no. always been a feature of Israeli specifically forbidden in the context of 328). This obligation is predicated upon jurisprudence, and two cases marital sex (Maimonides, Laws of the principle that bodies are owned by illustrating this trend will be described Marriage 15:17). The Supreme Court in God, and Divine property may not be below. rejecting the appeal held that the destroyed at will. Citing the extrapolation from the realm of Foundations of Law Act mentioned The Foundations of Law Act, 5740- halakhic prohibitions to that of rape in above, Beiski J. ruled that the drugs 1980, also provided Mishpat Ivri with the criminal law was perfectly were admissible evidence since, under an official legal basis: legitimate, and the guilty verdict of the Jewish law, "the patient's wishes are of first instance court was upheld. no account.. .and his lack of consent is "Where a court finds that a question It is noteworthy that only in 1991 did irrelevant". requiring a decision cannot be the House of Lords finally abolish the answered by reference to an ancient and pernicious doctrine that a In a later Supreme Court decision, Elon enactment or a judicial precedent or by husband could not be charged with J. clarified the issue of mandatory way of analogy, it shall decide the raping his wife. medical treatment in the halakhah, and same in the light of the principles of pointed out that the patient's wishes freedom, justice, equity, and peace of “Non-consensual life-saving certainly do possess normative weight, the heritage of Israel". medical procedures are especially in the case of a terminally ill incompatible with the right to patient who is likely to suffer greatly as A striking illustration of the role played privacy in Israeli law, and the a result of any attempt to force life- by Mishpat Ivri in secular Israeli law is general principles of patient sustaining treatment upon him (Yael the case of Moshe Cohen v State of autonomy.” Sheffer v State of Israel C.A. 560/88, Israel Cr. A 9 1/80, P.D.35 (3) 281, in P.D. 48 (1) 87). which a husband was found guilty of In the Cohen case, the application of raping his wife on the basis of the Mishpat Ivri resulted in an Coercive life-saving therapy is now a halakhic principles governing marital unimpeachably liberal result, to the statutory option under Israeli law. intercourse. At the time of the trial, the satisfaction of halakhists and secular Section 15 (2) of the Patient's Rights relevant section of the 5737-1977 democrats alike. The result in Kurtam v Law, 5756-1996, provides that a Penal Code governing rape provided State of Israel Cr.A. 480/85, P.D. 40 (3) hospital ethics committee is authorized that a charge of rape could only be 637 however, whilst not necessarily an to approve non-voluntary therapy if the brought if the act of intercourse was an illiberal one, would probably not be patient is fully informed of the medical "illegal" one. This term reflected the acceptable across the entire spectrum background and prognosis, all the Common law doctrine that a husband of contemporary liberal thought. In this treating doctors agree that coercive could not be charged with the rape of case, the appellant, a suspected drug therapy is the only sure way to save his wife which was, in turn, based dealer, was operated on by a police the patient's life, and "that there is a upon the Christian concept of the surgeon against his express wishes, reasonable possibility that the patient wife's obligation to pay the `marital and two packages of pure heroin were will consent retroactively". Clearly, the debt' i.e. to provide her body to her removed from his stomach. The last requirement is an attempt to husband. Under the Common law, ostensible justification for the actions combine patient autonomy with therefore, coercive intercourse with a of the surgeon was the need to save halakhic obligation, which is, after all, wife could never be illegal, and the the drug dealer's life. Upon his the hail mark of Mishpat Ivri in modern Israeli law was interpreted in this light. recovery, he was charged with drug Israeli law. where Blacks and Jews were being pointed out fairly early on, he had Jews had won. This Jew, anyway! blamed for everything, growing up with apparently been to see Boothby a mother who was white and Jewish Graffoe in a previous show who had In telling this tale Lederer asked many but thought she was actually a black simply said, "Hitler sells tickets", and questions of the audience to trigger the OY! TO THE WORLD militant activist, the difficulties in being circumstances reminded him of this! In debate; however, he picked on me as I Jewish in Black company and being fact it is the first question Lederer was trying to blend into the The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2005 Black in Jewish company, and the asked the audience, "Why have I got background (as usual), and was rather difficulties with her father’s addictions Hitler in the title of my show?" taken aback because I'm not quite as Lord Julian Goodman and subsequent suicide attempts. The "Is he doing the encore?" asked one shy as I may appear, and I ended up show as a whole wasn't quite as bright spark in the audience, and that asking him for Equity Rates! At one OY! Indeed. It's that time of year again, when Edinburghers grit their teeth, hilarious as had been implied in the more or less set the tone for the show. point, to illustrate who survives in an and show their true ambivalence towards the half a million plus visitors to promotions; however it was extremely It was a very interactive comedy show, argument, he told a tale of the origin of the city. Traffic snarls up in the city centre, a ten-minute bus journey takes heart-warming and her mimicry was not once did Lederer sit on the chair the Mars Bar. However, another Jewish an extra hour, tourists take up ALL the pavement space, lunatics accost excellent. Her impersonations of her provided on the stage, but sat amongst lady in the audience and I sidetracked anybody with a pulse with a rainforest's worth of flyers, and a lot of father, her Jewish grandmother and the audience benches at the front, the debate to include Cadbury's, hostelries suddenly require one to take out a second mortgage to pay for a Black great grandmother were quite almost conducting a debate. Rowntrees's, Nestlé's and Duncan's. glass of water! Yes, the world's biggest Arts Festival is in town, and boy, is brilliant and worth seeing alone. There He seemed quite at ease with all the it fun to watch!. We fight our way through everyday life, taking no prisoners, was a definite Yiddishe ruach to the When the Brooklyn-based comedian audience participation, but he did ban but, when we allocate our time to viewing performances, our chests swell and we say with great pride, "No-one does it like Edinburgh"! whole performance, her opening line met the fabled Nazi documentarian me from answering any more being "Shalom to the Mishpuche" and Leni Reifenstahl, he realised he was questions, saying "judging by your past My first port of call this year was to The Assembly Rooms to was his Middle her throw away lines such as "If Jewish now only two degrees of separation record we'll just ASSUME you know see Steve Furst - Behind The Net Curtains. Creator of Lenny Eastern former guilt doesn't kill you - a depressed from Adolf Hitler. Later, a chance the answer!" Roll on next year's Quiz Beige and now star of the Orange Mobile adverts and Little terrorist now in Jewish woman WILL"! Despite having encounter with the doctor who'd Night I say! Britain, Steve returned to The Fringe with his 10th one-man a London Safe the sniffles and being a bit heizedik, ministered to Hermann Goering during show. Behind The Net Curtains was a cornucopia of House, who in Kit and the Widow she ended with a charming rendition of wonderfully bizarre character sketches linked together by an attempt to G-d Bless The Child and we all left with video films of a beautifully inept and accident prone stunt man. take a journalist hostage, once kidnapped the crossword contentment having been to a funny, As ever, all his characters were brilliantly portrayed with great compiler for The Ham & High. However his best character in moving, feel-good show. humour and some pathos. Of particular note was his Scottish this show was Queenie, a grotesque, velvet-jacketed fop, with husband; a man with a penchant for extremely overweight sinister criminal tendencies and the most hideous make-up it On the way out I bumped into a women, whose wife is now so huge after his feeding her, she has ever been my delight to see! The show was very darkly promoter of another Jewish performer, needs a block & tackle to get out of bed and hasn't been comic, but exquisitely portrayed, as one would expect from and very kindly she invited me along to downstairs for some considerable time. Also extremely funny Mr. Furst. I look forward to seeing him on television soon in see her show. Jackie Loeb was his own show, which surely must be on the cards now. appearing at the Gilded Balloon Teviot. A very talented Antipodean The next show was at The Smirnoff Baby Belly. Rain Pryor, Singer/Songwriter. One of her early the Jewish daughter of comedian Richard Pryor, was making triumphs was a brilliant Love Song her debut in Fried Chicken And Latkes. As we sat in the sung in pidgin French. She took us caves awaiting the start of the show, we heard the radio through the world of jingle writing, did newsreels of the assassinations of Kennedy, King etc., and a a wonderful sketch taking off a few zemiros thrown in for good measure. Rain appeared on relaxation tape with ALL its sounds and stage and gave an anecdotal account of what life was like music, a very funny song on text being Black AND Jewish, growing up "proud but guilty"! Her messaging whilst driving, and a topics covered the 60s, a time of war and assassinations wonderful piece of comedy where she Balagan shamelessly took of her top, stood the Nuremberg Trials, found Andrew Lederer is a gifted storyteller, and there in an outrageous purple bra & wearing Goering's watch and ring. It adapts to the changing flow of topics less than fashionably perfect body, reminded him of the time he'd worn a with consummate ease. He didn't have dancing about with gay abandon and tuxedo that had been owned by the any backing tracks or music, so on wobbles that even put me to shame! late Mel Blanc to an animation awards running out of time, which was a great She then pulled out a press cutting that ceremony in Los Angeles. Another shame, he serenaded the audience as slated that very performance AND voice artist was complaining that he'd they left the venue with broad grins on body, and brilliantly dismissed it as done many voices in Warner Bros. their faces! obviously being some other woman cartoons but that Blanc, who did Bugs who must've stolen her act! Bunny and Daffy Duck among others, My next show was The Bubonic Play had hogged all the credit. Andrew told at The Pleasance Dome. I had chosen Also at the Smirnoff Baby Belly was him, "You're still around to complain this because I had recognised one of another great find, Andrew J. Lederer but all that's here of Mel is his suit, the actors, Jamie Glassman, from in Me And Hitler. I have to admit that I which I'm wearing. You've won." being a few years below me at school, was rather intrigued as to how Likewise, the architect of the Jews' and his occasional appearances on TV. someone had got Hitler into the title of extinction was gone and a Jewish I also learned that he had been a writer, a comedy show, but as Mr. Lederer comedian was wearing his ring. The co-creator and co-producer for Da Ali

Rain Pryor 15 G show on Channel 4 and HBO. The atmospheric and held the audience all talented Caesar Twins (also appearing in Hunting Pink. This started an the ensemble, Phil Alexander, with honest, I personally feel that to be play was a lighthearted romp of a love the way. in their own sell out show at The amusing debate. "My grandfather rode Peter Garnett on the Accordion, Greg proper Klezmer there has to be at least story set during the Black Death. The Assembly Rooms). This was billed out with Siegfried Sassoon!" Lawson on the Violin and Mandolin, a clarinet, (it was the wind instruments Minstrel played by Mathew Baynton At the Gala Launch, I was intrigued by under comedy, and quite rightly so too. "I'm sure they both had a lovely time, Mario Caribe on Bass and Guy that lifted Balagan's music at the end), appeared on stage, singing in a falsetto Balagan. Everyone seemed to be It was tremendous fun, and it was just but this is a song about hunting in the Nicolson on Percussion. They but Moishe's Bagel was full of voice and whistling a very amusing making quite a balagan about Balagan like being a kid again (except for the bit USA!" specialise in Klezmer music and Balkan extremely talented musicians and introduction to the tale. He falls in love and their Gypsy style performance of with the naked lady - as I don't Folk Music with a wee smattering of plenty of ruach, with Phil Alexander with Mathilde, played by Clare Klezmer sounding music. So off I went remember THAT from Chipperfield's There were other great lines as well - tunes from all over Europe, describing positively bouncing up and down on Thomson, servant to the villain of the to The Assembly @ St. George's West Circus or The Blackpool Tower). Chairs "Life is like a sewer. What you get out themselves as a bit Jewish, but not too his piano stool, yet the ‘nisht frum piece, George of Ponsonby, played by to see what it was all about. Balagan were cleared away, a dance floor, of it depends entirely on what you put much. They opened with a Freilach (a inzerer’ musicians were just as Jamie Glassman. The play was a very was essentially a collection of Eastern emerged and the mellow music of into it!", and more much loved songs; frenzied dance), starting off with passionate, with the violinist, Greg funny spoof of period tales and old- European circus acts, nicely put Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald were including The Wiener Schnitzel Waltz, traditional Jewish melodies, building Lawson looking almost possessed fashioned melodramas, almost like together with jazzy and atmospheric played. A perfect way to end the The Masochism Tango. However my into a jazzy middle section and settling during some of the pieces. I had been Panto in parts and full of wonderfully sets and music. Traditional evening! favourite was The Irish Ballad, a back to the traditional feel for the equally carried by the more melancholy hammy acting at times. It was full of contortionists, clowns, juggling et hilarious song about a girl killing off her close. This first piece was about 12 themes as I had by the upbeat themes. double entendres, and quite a few cetera and I was quite impressed. My penultimate show was at the Stage family one by one, with a spirited and minutes long but most of their pieces The whole evening was an immense single ones as well! George of There wasn't much Klezmer until the by Stage Edinburgh Academy, where I lively spoof of the Riverdance jig in averaged about 10 minutes, giving success and greatly appreciated by a Ponsonby's evil sneer EVERY time he end when they marched round the went to see Kit and The Widow and each chorus. The show was brought to them plenty of time to explore each varied audience. left the stage was a favourite with the audience playing Chossen, Kolleh Dillie Keane in Tom Foolery - The a close with a celebration of the end of piece's possibilities. They played audience, as was Mathilde's naïve Mazeltov, but that was it really. Songs of Tom Lehrer. It was quite a the world by intercontinental ballistic several Freilachs over the evening, Folk All in all there had been plenty of responses to nearly every situation. treat to see Kit and The Widow team missiles in We'll All Go Together, songs from The Balkans, France, some Jewish content in this year's Fringe. The dances were ridiculous, as were As circuses go, I much preferred La up with Dillie Keane (of Fascinating however the audience gave such with a Spanish style, but all of them Not all of it covered here. Some that the sex-scenes and many of the Clique - Un Spectacle Sensuel at The Aïda fame) for this showcase of Tom tumultuous applause, that for the first still retained a Jewish feel to them. The had been advertised, only made situations, but I mean this as a great Spiegeltent. This was much more Lehrer's best loved songs. They gave time in their run we were treated to second half opened with the piano passing reference to any form of compliment. George's use of Yiddish circus-like with the audience sitting in a him a fine introduction as the greatest TWO encores of the fabulous Vatican playing the rich theme from the Erev Yiddishkeit, others made no mention at words here and there was wonderfully circle around the stage. We were all Jewish American creative genius in 200 Rag! I think that was rather my fault Shabbos melody Sholom Aleichem, all in their information and I found them incongruous, as was his singing of welcomed in at the door by all sorts of years, and gave detailed and though, yelling like a banshee from the then joined by the violin, and gradually purely by accident. Some of it was Yerushalayim Shel Zahav as they finally circus characters. It was much more informative insights into his work. They back tier! all the rest joining in to a crescendo as good, and some not so good, which is arrive at their destination of fun too, blade swallower & clown Miss explained his "prolonging" adolescence the piece moved into post chuppa how it should be. This was just a Leamington in search of a cure. This Behave, doing paper cutting tricks to a - "He is 79, but prefers to think of it as The final show was Moishe's Bagel at wedding themes. There was a piece sample of the best that was on offer. was a brilliantly performed piece of fun, jazzy rendition of Bei Mir Bist Du 26, (degrees Centigrade!)". The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh. set in the 1920s Chicago, with greatly received by the audience. Shoen, then swallowing the scissors. Furthermore, his quote got everybody This was a 5 piece Klezmer/Folk band gunshots, police chases in hot pursuit Trapeze artistes, roller skaters, belly in the right frame of mind to appreciate based in Edinburgh and Glasgow, led and the chaos that ensues, charmingly I went to Augustine's to see The NPLS dancers, torch-song performers, a the rest of the show - "If, after hearing from the piano by the yiddishe bit of titled Flying By Jewish Radar! To be Spectrum Youth Theatre Company brilliant pianist changing her clothes my songs, just one human being is production of Golem. This was a new while still playing, a very revealing inspired to say something nasty to a musical based on the tale that was the handkerchief trick performed by Ursula friend, or perhaps to strike a loved one, inspiration for Mary Shelly's Martinez (who also appeared in her it will all have been worthwhile". Frankenstein. Set in 16th Century own show at The Assembly Rooms), The second half opened with the Prague and opening on the first Seder and the acrobatic feats of the very Hunting Song, prompting Kit to appear night in 1523, it tells of the persecution of the Jews by the Monk Thaddeus, and how it led Rabbi Loëv, leader of the Prague Jewish Community, to create the Golem in order to protect the Jews, and what happened when it all went wrong. The Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue Spectrum Youth Theatre is noted for having one of the youngest casts at The Fringe. Their previous shows have mostly been upbeat and cheery so this was a definite departure. A very dark, spooky opening set the scene of this gothic tale. The children all gave a spirited performance, but special mention must go to Raymond Sacks as Rabbi Loëv, and James Lewis as Thaddeus the Monk. It was really impressive to tell the tale musically in just an hour or so, but the performance was highly

16 Best Wishes for a Happy New Year and well over the Fast

Alex and Betty Abrahams Martin and Janis Abrahams Sarah and Harold Abrahams Joyce Davidson and family Sylvia and John Donne Betsy Dorfman 26 Terrars Croft 24/5 Whitehouse Court 13 The Pottery London Edinburgh Avon Road, Edinburgh Edinburgh

Jackie and Frank Abramson Mrs Jean Abramson Jonathan and Susie Adler Rachel and Bernard Dorfman Fay, Max and Rodney Dorfman Norman Dorfman 3 Gloucester Mews West Nightingale House Samuel and Ruth and family 72 Pentland View London London Edinburgh

Michael Adler and Sue Fyvel Ena Amitai (née Dorfman) Joe and Margaret Aronson Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation Rose and Shimon Elkana David Ellison 9 Warriston Crescent 8B/18 Nitza Boulevarde, 15 Arden Street 120/21 Maalot Dafna Edinburgh Netanya, Israel Edinburgh Jerusalem

Sally, James and Samuel Barker Clarice and Joe Been Shirley and Peter Bennett Ruth and David Fluss and family Caroline and Lennie Freedman Judy and Anthony Gilbert London 49 Parkside Drive and family Edgware

Avril and Norman Berger Marcia and Lennie Berger Kalman & Cynthia (nee Reif) June and Arnold Glass Mrs Bessie Glass Sylvia, Gerald and David Glass 3 Kirk Park Yvonne, Gillian, Gary and Talia Bielak & family, 53 Danby 17/1 Wyvern Park 1/14 Kinellan Road Edinburgh 19 Springwood Park, Edinburgh Avenue, Downsview, Canada Dick Place, Edinburgh Edinburgh

Doreen and Laurence Bowman, Micheline, Michael, David and Rachelle Braverman and family David and Philip Goldberg Lord Julian Goodman Kate and Ronny Goodwin Benjamin, Jacqueline and Joseph Duncan Brannan, 22 West 29/1 Cameron March 22 Mid Liberton Foot o' the Walk 2 Mayfield Gardens and Michelle and Josh Preston Street, Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh

Douglas and Rosalind Brodie Norma Brodie, Simon, Sarah, Christine and Dave Burns Gerald Gordon Gillian and Edward Gordon Frances Gordon, Deborah, Eli, 25 Park Crescent, Elstree Caitlin, Eilidh, Maia, 55 Rodney Road Maya, Avi, Alan, Ari and Mark Daniel and Michael West Bridgford, Nottingham 14 Woodcock Dell Avenue Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex

Andrew and Kathy Caplan, Ian and Rachel Caplan Sandra and Sidney Caplan Nat and Arlene Gordon Maryla and Edward Green Rebekah Gronowski Benjamin, James and Zoe 6 The Crosspath 30 Duddingston Road West David, Moshe and Sharon and Freddie 73 Loom Lane, Radlett Radlett Edinburgh 8 Yahalom, Petach Tikva, Israel

Shari, Martin and Hannah Kenneth and Irene Collins John and Hazel Cosgrove Vicky Gruneberg and family Millie and David Harris and family Sheelagh and Phillip Harris Cohn-Simmen 2 Orchard Brae Gardens 20 Buckstone Drive Edinburgh Edinburgh

Nick, Caroline, Juliette Andrea and Malcolm Cowan Elliot, Caroline and Danielle Irene, David and Gary Hyams Susan and Steven Hyams, Rosalyn, Bernard & Iain Jackson and James Cosgrove, 49/5 Mortonhall Road Cowan, 16 Hodgkins Mews James and Amanda Liverpool 3 Hollyview Close, London Edinburgh Stanmore, Middlesex

Carole and Mickey Cowen Joyce and Norman Cram Lesley, John, Samuel, Howard, Valerie Charles, Ruth and Judith Kaplan Sheryl and David Kaplan 58 Fountainhall Road Benjamin and Jonathan Danzig and Jacqueline Kahn Stanmore, Middlesex Edinburgh 7 East Castle Road, Edinburgh 27 Blinkbonny Road, Edinburgh Best Wishes for a Happy New Year and well over the Fast

Myrna and Morris Kaplan Cassie, Jonty and Lily Karro Isobel King, Freda Riffkin Hilary and Arnold Rifkind Richard Rifkind 20 Barntongate Terrace Melbourne, Australia Melrose 40/7 Littlejohn Road 114 Downham Crescent Edinburgh Edinburgh Prestwich, Manchester

Arthur and Alex Kleinberg Abby, Joel, Deborah, Sam Latter Sharon, Michael, Eli, Natan Malcolm, Edith, Caroline Rabbi David Rose 1 Lussielaw Road Saul and Joshua Korn and Avigayil Rifkind and Hugo Rifkind Edinburgh 13 Glover Road, Pinner, Harrow 348 Forest Avenue, Teaneck New Jersey, USA

Ian and Joan Leifer Moshe and Kleile (nee Fluss) Anita Levinson and family Dave, Layne, Melia and Sonya Martin and Phyllis (nee Stoller) Karen, Ben and Sam Ross and family Lerner, 21 Massada Street, 3 Ross Road, Rosen, 9 Ormidale Terrace Rosenberg Ramat Gan, Israel Edinburgh Edinburgh 27 Hillside Gardens, Edgware, Middlesex

Carol Levstein, Tom, Maurice and Emma and Bert Levy Hilda Levy and family Alec and Pearl Rubenstein Brenda and Julius Rubin Jonathan, Molly, Ben and Joanna Benjamin Griffin Glasgow 16 Hillpark Crescent 16a/27 Nitza Boulevard Seckl, 67 Murrayfield Gardens, Edinburgh Netanya, Israel Edinburgh

Esti and Ron Lewis David and Elaine Litman Vicky and Tom Lowrie Philip and Juliet Segal Hilda and Colin Seftor Yehudith and Rabbi Shalom 3418 Deer Run Road Daniel and Michael 11 Greenhill Place 4914 Van Masdag Court Shapira Blacksburg, Virginia, USA 23 Beeston Fields Drive, Edinburgh Annandale, Virginia, USA Raanana, Israel Beeston, Nottingham

Rena Lurie and family Sharon and Mike Lurie Sheva and Ann Lurie Pearl and Ian Shein Vivienne Shrier (nee Goldberg) Vivienne, Charlie and Ruth Kate and Debra 26 South Lauder Road 37/4 Orchard Brae Avenue Simenoff, Naomi and Shumli 82 Belstead Road, Ipswich Edinburgh Edinburgh Goldberg

Irene and Philip Mason Rabbi David, Elisheva, Hodaya Deborah, Jonathan and Zack Valerie and Bill Simpson Rabbi Professor Danny and Edinburgh Star, Editorial Board 3 Oxgangs Road and Netanel Mason Mason 3 Hallhead Road Debbie, Yonatan and Noam Edinburgh Edinburgh Sinclair and the Bermans

Joe, Rosa and Clara Massie David and Anita Mendelssohn Harold, Esther and Roy Sam and Rachel Skop Carolyn and Mervyn Smith Gladys and Laurence Smith 22 Silverknowes Midway 23 Braid Hills Road Mendelssohn 2 Greenbank Gardens 43 Shirley Avenue 20 Cammo Road Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh Cheam, Surrey Edinburgh

Gershon Mendick Rose and Hannah Newman Eve Oppenheim and family Nobby and Shelagh Smith Jonny, Joyce and Avigal Sperber Stephen and Leila Steel 1 Bellevue Gardens 10 Ravelston Dykes 3/7 Nitza Boulevard Jonathan, Wendy, Paul and Edinburgh Edinburgh Netanya, Israel Anthony Goldberg

Mrs Rose Orgel Clarice and Berl Osborne Maurice, Dinah & Samantha Penn Harold Sterne Sukkat Shalom, Cis and Henryk Szpera 89 Polwarth Terrace 56/2 Spylaw Road 47 Fountainhall Road, 12 Harduf St, Ramat Poleg Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Kinghorn, Fife Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh Netanya, Israel Community

Elaine Pomeransky (aka Pomm) Charles, Gillian and Jonathan Stanley, Elaine, Aaron and Joel Jackie, Raymond, Lawrence Carole Weinberg, Hilary and Graham West 6/5 Restalrig House Raab and Anna and Tim Dover Raffel, 31 Leamington Terrace, and Michael Taylor Manchester Martin and Laura 22 Restalrig Gardens, Edinburgh Edinburgh 14 Leighton Avenue, Pinner, Harrow Best Wishes for a Happy New Year and well over the Fast

Centre Committee took place on 22 East coast spotting seals, heron, community for their hospitality and for Sheila and Alfred Yarrow Syd and Paula Zoltie Angela andJames Brydon June when the proceedings were cormorants and deer among other his, and his colleague’s pleasure at the 9/4 Nof Harim 3 Wellington Street opened by the President, Philip Mason. delights. Returning to the clubhouse for visit which brought about friendship Jerusalem, Israel Edinburgh He gave a résumé of the progress welcome refreshments, the ramblers and understanding. made during the previous year, which raised over £100 with additional had been highlighted, in the Open Day comprehensive Financial A Festival open day took place Statement and Report previously within the Synagogue and the Dr Dov (Bertie) and Elizabeth Ruzenna Wood distributed to members. He called Community Centre on 21 August Dorfman 50 Spotiswode Street upon the Hon. Treasurer when visitors and artistes from 19/32 Shlomo Hamelech Street Edinburgh Lawrence Bowman, to present the the Festival were welcomed. Netania, Israel balance sheet which although not Rabbi Rose and members of the unsatisfactory did show a deficit. community escorted visitors After discussion it was agreed around the Synagogue, whilst that seat rents would be raised downstairs, non-stop retrospectively from the beginning refreshments were served and Around and About of the year. It was pointed out that performers from the Fringe, this was the first increase since interviewed by David Neville. literally failed to dampen their spirits or 2002. Dr. Mason thanked the Vice The Shein Scene year. His hour-long repertoire of songs, They included author Michael enjoyment. Six prominent ladies from Presidents, Executive and interspersed by witty and hilarious Mail who read extracts from his Yom HaShoah Glasgow WIZO made the journey from Council for the excellent support stories, made him the perfect choice to novel ‘Coralena', Karen Fodor The annual Yom HaShoah took place in West to East renewing contact with received during a busy year. who sang excerpts from her the attractive surroundings of Princes end a perfect day. Talented Rachel friends and participating in the Cohen again accompanied him on the show ‘The Silver Swan’ and Street Gardens Peace Park on 5 May. pleasurable afternoon. Over £800 was The following were appointed. piano. Thanks were given by the Daniel Cainer performing from The weather was pleasantly dry as the realised for WIZO funds. President, Dr. Philip Mason; Hon. ‘The Surbiton Washerama'. President, Dr. Philip Mason, welcomed President to all concerned. Treasurer, Mr. Lawrence Bowman; Ramblers watch seals cavorting at Aberlady Musicians David Vernon and Dick the Lord Provost Lesley Hinds, civic Cheder Prize giving and Picnic Hon. Secretary, Mrs. Jackie Lee displayed their sheer Shabbat Service dignitaries and members of the On Sunday 19 June, Myrna Kaplan Taylor; Administrator; Mr. Arnold professionalism in their playing Another very successful Shabbat community to the short ceremony. distributed prizes marking the end of Rifkind; Council; Messrs. Steven sponsor money from generous non- Klezmer and Cajun music on clarinet evening dinner took place on 3 June Rabbi David Rose conducted the the Cheder year. Chalah covers were Hyams; Gershon Mendick; Dr Anthony participants. and piano accordion to an enthusiastic when more than 60 members of the service and Lord Provost Hinds handed out for regular attendance to Gilbert; Dr Howard Kahn; David Neville; Festival Service community attended the service and expressed her pleasure at being invited Morris Kaplan's ever-popular family Raymond Taylor; Mrs. Hilary Rifkind; The annual service the subsequent dinner organised by to attend. She commented on the service. Isaac Ansell-Forsyth was Mrs.Anita Mendelssohn. Mr. David celebrating the the Shul events committee under the strong rapport, which existed between awarded the ‘cup for effort’ and Goldberg and Mr. Sas Judah were re- opening of the convenership of Hilary Rifkind. A the Jewish community and the city. Dr. Jacqueline Kahn received the ‘girls elected respectively Senior and Junior Edinburgh International familiar and popular guest was Rabbi Mason reminded the audience that it Chanukia’ donated by Sylvia Donne. Wardens. Hon. Vice-Presidents re- Festival took place on Rubin who, with his wife and children, was exactly ten years since the City Murices Griffin collected a certificate elected were Messrs John Cosgrove, 20 August when a had travelled from Glasgow. The Council initiated the Memorial plaque confirming a a future trip to Israel and Malcolm Cowan and Alec Rubenstein. large congregation following morning he gave Rabbi Rose commemorating the liberation by Rabbi Rose awarded ‘The Rabbi’s Mr.Steven Hyams, Co-Chairman, gave witnessed the arrival of a respite by delivering the sermon. At British forces of Bergen Belsen and prize’ in memory of his grandmother a resimué of the activities of the Councillor Rev. Ewan the Kiddush the President extended a which had been unveiled nearby. David Freda Buetow, to James Hyams. A Commnity Centre Committee. He Aitken, deputising for warm welcome to the Rubin family and Goldberg, a victim of the Holocaust, lit buffet picnic prepared by parents was thanked all who had helped in the the Lord Provost, city all other visitors. the memorial candle and, after one consumed in the Shul yard, followed by many and varied functions held within councillors and High minute silence, recited the Kadish. teachers, parents and children, and on behalf of the Centre. Constables entered the WIZO Lunch ambling, to the foot of Holyrood Park, Synagogue preceded Yom Ha’atzmaut The Goodwin residence was again the for sports as good weather held Lunch Club Outing by officials carrying the On 11 May a service was held in the popular venue for the annual WIZO despite adverse forecasts. Children On 28 July members cooks joined mace and sword of the city. In his audience to round off a most pleasant Synagogue to celebrate Yom lunch on 12 June. The summer sun, disappeared and reappeared from members of the luncheon club to go on sermon, Rabbi Rose commented on and stimulating afternoon. Ha’atzmaut. David Mendelssohn led ever unpredictable, hid behind beneath the colourful parachute, which a trip "doon the watter", which in the excellent relationship, which the Synagogue choir, which greatly threatening clouds and intermittent Edinburgh parlance, meant they existed between the community and Musical Evening enhanced the proceedings. Rabbi Rose rain, drove the 70 guests from the (see Society Reports partook of an elegant "cruise" down the city and the opportunity given by for a more in depth account) recited the Memorial Prayer for Israeli garden into the house on occasions, the river Almond. Embarkation at Ratho the Festival for people of all Another most entertaining evening Fallen Soldiers and read the opening of but proceeded smoothly, and no sooner nationalities to meet together. Interfaith under the auspices of the Literary Israel’s Declaration of Independence. was the anchor raised on the barge, meetings contributed greatly to this. Society occurred on 24 August when The service concluded with Bill then an excellent tea was served. This the Shalom Ensemble, under the Simpson blowing the Shofar and the and non-stop chatter from the After the service the congregation leadership of Madeleine Whiteson, singing of Adon Alam and Hatikvah by contented group catching up on the joined for Kiddush in the community played a selection of music for various the choir and congregation. latest gossip compensated somewhat centre when the President reiterated combinations of strings and piano. The for the disappointing weather. the Rabbi's comments and mentioned programme, which included items by Afterwards the congregation moved the fact that the city's population Vivaldi, Bruch and Gershwin, also downstairs to the community centre to doubled during the Festival giving featured descriptions of Jewish be greeted with an appetising buffet of billowed and gleamed in the sun, which Community ramble everyone the opportunity of meeting so composers by Madeleine. She also falafel, pita bread and Israeli salads. Dr. obligingly shone also on the cricket Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation set many visitors from all over the globe. portrayed a fascinating background to Mason introduced the entertainer David team, as Rabbi Rose went in to bat! out on their annual ramble to raise He presented Councillor Aitken with an Jewish music. On behalf of an Apfel from Leeds who was reappearing Synagogue AGM money for the Synagogue. Starting at illustrated book on Jerusalem. In reply appreciative audience a vote of thanks by popular demand after his The Annual General Meeting of the Aberlady golf course, the group ambled Councillor Aitken thanked the Rabbi, was extended by Bill Simpson. barnstorming performance the previous Congregation and the Community in a circuit of about five miles along the the President and members of the

22 23 Dunfermline honours its last Jewish minister Society Reports Ian Shein On 29 June, for the first time in 60 Families included the Sclares, years, a Jewish ceremony was held in Brodskys, Millers and Bernsteins. A Jews as ‘dearly beloved brothers, older brothers’. In March Council of Christians & Jews: Cardinal O’Brien the town of Dunfermline. The local few Jewish families resided in nearby 2000 Pope John Paul cemented this relationship with his council headed by Provost John Fife towns, setting up businesses in 40 years on in Jewish Christian relations pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and the Cardinal could not forget Simpson honoured the former tiny Methil and Cowdenbeath. In 1941 Micheline Brannan him standing at the Western Wall placing a prayer in the Wall community by naming a street on the the community consisted of seven and his visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial. On Tuesday 17 May site of the old Synagogue after its families who as far as possible Referring to the unforgettable horror of the Holocaust, the 2005 the Edinburgh minister, Reverend Morris Segal. The managed to uphold Jewish Cardinal moved on to consider where the dialogue is going Council of Christians area has been redeveloped into a traditions. now. He said that the relationship must be future orientated and Jews was new housing estate and community and that the World needs the common witness of Jews and honoured to welcome centre and it was decided by the Mr. Philip Segal commented that his Christians who have the potential to teach the World their His Eminence Cardinal council to commemorate the old father, being a very modest man, shared values – such as the inalienable sanctity and dignity of O’Brien to address the Jewish presence. Local councillors, would have been astonished and every human being, rejection of immorality and idolatry, Branch. This was a representatives of the Council of delighted at the ceremony. Reverend standing up for justice and peace, and family life, and very well attended Scotland Jewish Communities, the Segal and family moved to Dundee in testifying to the sanctity of G-d’s name in an ever more meeting with around Scottish Jewish Archive Centre, and 1944 when the Dunfermline secular World. He recognised the work of Action of Churches 60 in the audience, visitors from out of town including Synagogue closed. Here he very Together in Scotland, which links Christian churches, and also testifying to the members of the Jewish Hebrew soon established himself within the the Scottish Interfaith Council, but he felt that the bond importance of Cardinal Congregation, headed by Rabbi slightly larger community of about between Jews and Christians was special. Concluding, he O’Brien and his popularity. The Cardinal had been 40 years a David Rose witnessed the unveiling thirty families. His appealing dry called for an intensified dialogue which needed to discover its priest and 20 years a bishop. His family had moved to of the plaque at Segal Place by Philip sense of humour would often very existential and religious depth, and said that our ethical Glasgow from Ireland when he was a boy and later to Segal, son of the minister. At a pervade his thoughts and it was a and spiritual common heritage requires a common stance on Edinburgh where they worshipped at St Columba’s Upper reception in the town hall, Depute Provost Andrew Paterson delight to be in his company listening to his wise counsel. He political issues such as human rights. In furtherance of this Gray Street. Despite the proximity of the synagogue it was a emphasised the multicultural tradition of the Kingdom of Fife. combined sheer humanity with great insight, making for close Pope Benedict XVI had already signalled his commitment to closed world to him but over the years he gradually got to lasting relationships with Jewish and non-Jewish citizens who continuing the approach of Pope John Paul II to the Jewish know what went on there and developed a closeness to the The earliest mention of Jews in Dunfermline is in the census of knew him as the "Rabbi of Dundee". He died in 1975 leaving a people. Jewish community, having spoken at the synagogue in his 1881. Isidore Lyons, a jeweller from Poland, is shown residing wonderful legacy of a man who inspired all within and outwith early days as a bishop. He described the developments in the in the town whilst two travellers of Russian extraction called the Scottish Diaspora. The meeting was chaired by Rabbi David Rose in the absence Roman Catholic attitude to the Jews over the years since the Cronson and Rubeins lodged nearby. The actual community of co-Chair Mr Robert Munro. Best wishes to Mr Munro for a 2nd Vatican Council which condemned every form of was not founded until 1908 and ultimately consisted of a The only other occasion when a street in Scotland was named speedy recovery from illness were recorded. There were persecution of the Jews and all displays of anti-Semitism. dozen or so families. Reverend Sega succeeded Reverend after a Jewish minister was in Edinburgh several years ago numerous questions from the floor and this was a highly This was a historic breakthrough after a long and sad history. Balanow (father of the minister of Netherlee and Clarkston when Daiches Brae was named after Rabbi Salis Daiches. successful, as well as a moving and significant occasion for Now we have reached the 40th anniversary of that historic congregation in Glasgow) in the mid l920s. The Synagogue everend Segal was a brother to Mrs. Packter of a well-known our sharing of faith. The vote of thanks was given on this declaration. During the last 18 of those years, the Catholic was a small stone hall in Pittencrieff Street, which had been Edinburgh family and great-uncle to Jonathan Roberts, a occasion by Mr Michael Brannan. Church was led by the late Pope John Paul II who described built as a small sectarian religious meetinghouse either by member of the Edinburgh community. Seventh Day Adventists or Jehovah's Witnesses. The children Edinburgh Jewish Literary Society - A Musical Evening with the ‘Shalom Ensemble’ were taught in Cheder and kosher meat was obtained from (Acknowledgments are due Mr. Harvey Kaplan for permission a special department (within the Dunfermline Co-operative to use part of his article recently printed in the Jewish Bill Simpson The music ranged from duos, trios and popular tunes and the concert finished Society. In the 1930s there existed a Lady Zionist Group. Telegraph) the full quartet playing music from a with a vigorous and beautifully On Wednesday 24th August, in the variety of Jewish composers. Among performed version of the popular Marian Oppenheim Hall, we were the works performed were:- “Gypsy Carnival” by Yascha Krein. treated to a talk by Madeleine Answers to Star Trek Issue 51 Whiteson entitled “Jewish Medley” with A beautiful cello and piano duet The Shalom Ensemble comprising Cousins picture taken at the wedding of Toby & Bella Cohen, Edinburgh 1933: musical illustrations by the Shalom composed by the cellist David Popper Madeleine Whiteson (violin & piano), Ensemble. The evening was organized and played with feeling by Ann and Juliet Davey (violin & piano), Lucy by the Edinburgh Jewish Literary Madeleine. White (viola) and Ann Sheffield (Cello Back Row LEFT TO RIGHT: Society and proved to be a highly & piano) have been together for ten successful and enjoyable event, even A string quartet by the Russian/British years and give concerts in London Boris Caspi, Joe Goldberg, Berl Cohen, though the evening had mistakenly Jewish liturgical composer, Samuel and Edinburgh. They aim to present Anne Plotkin, Abe Plotkin, Rose Rifkind been billed as a singer/guitarist and Alman. Although I cannot recall the programmes varied in style, mood and Jack Rifkind, Zelda Baker, David Rifkind, then announced in Shul as a talk by a name of the piece it was my personal instrumentation and provide pleasant Joseph Rifkind, Elky Rifkind, Ellis Wolfe distinguished “Author/Composer”. favourite of the evening. listening to suit all musical tastes. This was certainly the case on Wednesday. Middle Row LEFT TO RIGHT: Madeleine Whiteson, who is a good Works by Ernst Bloch, the Swiss A most enjoyable evening. Michle Morron (Dorfman), Annie Cohen, and valued friend of the Edinburgh composer and Castelnuovo Tedesco Hebrew Congregation, discussed the Italian composer followed. Leah Rifkind, Bessie Rifkind, Esther Rifkind, references to music in the Bible, spoke Jeannie Wolfe, Kate Plotkin, Rebecca Sless briefly about the music and We then heard “Hebrew Melody” composers, and led the Shalom perhaps the most famous work by Front Row LEFT TO RIGHT: Ensemble in various examples of Lithuanian composer Joseph Achron. Esther Covitz, Rae Lurie, Rose Nathan, Jewish music and music by Jewish This was followed by a quartet version Rachel Sless, Millie Nathan, Becky Goldberg composers. of one of George Gershwin’s most

24 25 Rabbi Cohen's 90th A most memorable, nostalgic and touching gathering was held at Ticho House Jerusalem on 14th June to celebrate the 90th Who are they? birthday of Rabbi Isaac Cohen. About 40 ex ‘Auld Reekians’ Birthday Celebration travelled from all over Israel, from Tsfat in the north to kibbutz Answers on the back page. Sde Boker in the south, to celebrate together this remarkable Honouring Rav Isaac Cohen occasion. Both Rabbi and Mrs Cohen were immaculately The quiet gardens of an elegant restaurant in central turned out - just as we all remember them in their Edinburgh Jerusalem were recently host to a most unusual event. Some days. It was hard to believe we were celebrating a 90th forty-six Israeli citizens, most of whom had lived in Edinburgh birthday. Rosie Gordon, who had played a large part in the half a century ago, gathered together to honour Rabbi Dr Isaac organization of the party, ushered us all into an attractive and Rebbetzin Fanny Cohen and to mark their ninetieth corner of the outdoor restaurant and we all had a chance to birthdays. Isaac and Fanny Cohen had led the 300 Jewish renew old acquaintances until the arrival of Rabbi and Mrs. families of the Scottish capital from 1947 until 1959, when he Cohen, who greeted each guest personally. Rabbi Cohen was appointed Chief Rabbi of Ireland. Caplan, Rubenstein, Dorfman, Fluss, Rubenstein and Rapstoff showed a remarkable memory for each one of us and were also recalled in various ways by some speakers. Others welcomed us warmly. Before the meal Professor Zelik Kaufman The idea of honouring the Cohens in this way was born in the recalled the new discipline in the Cheder classes, the relations set the tone by giving us a thoughtful devar Torah. During the Bet Shemesh home of Shulie and Stefan Reif a few months with the Synagogue officials, and how shidduchim had been meal a number of guests mentioned the hospitality and ago when they were entertaining Nat and Arlene Gordon to inspired by the Rebbetzin. guidance they were shown at the home of Rabbi and Mrs dinner. Rose Elkana (née Gordon), Nat’s sister, made all the Cohen. Mention was made more than once of Mrs. Cohen’s necessary enquiries in order to establish whether there would The group that had apparently enjoyed the most major impact cooking and also her impressive hats. But the emphasis was be any interest in such a function on the part of the Edinburgh from the Cohens had been the Cheder class that included on the love of Yidishkeit Rabbi Cohen instilled in his expatriates in Israel, and found a very enthusiastic response. Sonia (née Levinson) Cohen, Barry Fluss, Edwin Hoffenberg, congregation. The evening was informal but ably chaired by She set about making the arrangements and a dinner was and Mervyn Warner, and they all described that impact in their Professor Stefan Reif. At the end of the meal, Rabbi Cohen planned for 14 June, the day after Shavuot, at the Anna Ticho own ways. The other member of that class, Rosalind (née treated us to an inspiring sermon. Everyone there felt the vibes House in central Jerusalem. Adelman) Landy, was unable to be present but sent a of affection and respect. It was an evening never to be delightful message from Cambridge. This was read out, forgotten. The Cohens were very excited to meet each of the guests as together with an amusing anecdote from Arnold Rifkind, about Golda Friedler, Nee Greenstone. they arrived and it was astonishing just how well the Rebbetzin the suit that Abe Rabstaff made Rabbi Cohen, and how the remembered all those that she was meeting again after such a Rabbi had come to think about his tailor during the Yom thought how wonderful it would be if Rabbi Cohen could long time. Many memories and comments about Edinburgh in Kippur service. Harold and Anne Sterne also spoke, as did marry them, and much to their delight after several the late forties and early fifties were exchanged even before Klellie (Fluss) Lerner, Ruth Fluss, Nat Gordon, Maurice Rabbi and Mrs Cohen meetings together Rabbi Cohen willingly agreed to come to the formal proceedings got under way. When they did, they Dorfman and Brenda (Burns) Habshush. Tuval, which for a retired couple was quite a journey. Their It is a great pleasure to have this opportunity of writing a began with some tributes to the Cohens from Stefan Reif, presence was greatly appreciated with Mrs Cohen, as few words about Rabbi and Mrs Cohen as our family have always, beautifully turned-out with an attractive hat and (who chaired the dinner party) for the warmth, hospitality and In a powerful, moving and amusing response that belied his had a long association with them. Rabbi Cohen officiated at Rabbi Cohen, smiling yet so dignified. The "chuppa" was guidance they had provided. He himself particularly ninety years, Rabbi Cohen assured those present that the Joe's brother's Julius's wedding to Brenda Gordon in held outdoors and the evening sun, shining over the hills, remembered sitting on the Rebbetzin’s knee in synagogue, happiest ministry that he and the Rebbetzin had enjoyed, had August 1952, at Joe’s and my wedding in May 1953 and provided an atmospheric background. In his address Rabbi being introduced to “duchaning” by Rabbi Cohen, and been their years in Edinburgh. They had loved the community then my sister Golda's marriage to Sail Freidler in 1957. Cohen said that he had married me to a S. African (though receiving lessons in Talmud as a teenager, keen to go to Jews’ and had always thought of the youngsters as taking the place After that there was a long pause till 1988. Our daughter brought-up in Scotland) in Edinburgh and now he was College. in their hearts of the children that they had themselves had not had. They had often asked themselves whether all their efforts Rachel had gone to live on Kibbutz Tuval in the Galilee doing the same again for the young couple, but this time in where she met her future husband Stanley from Port Eretz Yisrael. While the first course was being cleared, Asher Selig Kaufman, had been fruitful and productive, and the evening’s Elizabeth. They were looking for a rabbi to conduct their Hazel Rubin (nee Greenstone) who thought that he was probably the most senior of those proceedings had brought them the satisfaction of knowing that marriage ceremony, when they heard that the rabbi who present, gave an interesting and well-planned “dvar Torah”, many Edinburgh natives of that period appeared to think so. had married us had retired to Jerusalem with his wife. They setting the tone for the recurrent theme of the evening. This They were deeply moved by the tribute and the presentations was undoubtedly the centrality of Jewish traditional practice and hoped to remain in contact with all those present. and learning, as well as of Zionist ideology, to the identity and the future of the Jewish people. As the courses proceeded, Ninety trees were planted in Israel in their name and they were many of the participants simply stood up and offered their presented with a special certificate, an album of messages Honouring Rav Isaac Cohen and a bouquet of flowers, the presentations being made by reminiscences of the synagogue, the Cheder, and the kosher Some forty former Edinburgh folk and their spouses met on 14 June 2005 in the Anna Ticho restaurant, Jerusalem, to celebrate Rose Elkana and Harold Sterne. Eddie Hoffenberg led the shops, as well as of the social functions that the Cohens had the 90th birthday of Rav Isaac Cohen. In the Jewish calendar it was Isru Hag Shavuot for people living in Israel; 2nd day ‘bentshing’ and Mervyn Warner the ma’ariv service that ended led, and the warm hospitality that they had provided in their Shavuot for people in the Golah. home. the formal part of the function, but the Edinburgh “blether”, encouraged by wee drams of a single malt, continued late into Rav Cohen was the spiritual leader of the Community from 1947 to 1957. the evening and it was generally agreed that we should not There was talk of their sukkah, of the new flavour of Simhat The gathering in the restaurant was presided over by Prof. Stefan Reif. Credit is due to Shoshanah (Rose) Elkana (née Gordon) wait so long before another Edinburgh get-together in the Torah that they had introduced, of the Cheder and its move and Nathan Gordon for the meticulous organization of the function. During the course of the meal Asher Selig Kaufman was Jewish homeland. from Sciennes to Duncan Street and eventually to the asked to speak and below is an almost verbatim account of his Devar Torah. Communal Centre across the street from the Synagogue. The Stefan Reif Cohens’ kindness to the elderly members of the community ‘When I look around, there are here more eloquent speakers than I could ever be. Nevertheless, I am told that I am the senior of and their warm relations with such as Messrs Nathan, Rifkind, the Edinburgh-born. So I am honoured to be given the opportunity of delivering Devar Torah on the occasion of Rav Cohen having passed his 90th birthday.

26 . It would seem Rosh Hashanah First of all Isaac, I am going to remind you of a sermon that you gave in Edinburgh about the second day of Yom Tov. The reason for keeping the second day is no longer valid, except for that you were worried about how to explain to people why the second day should still be kept. Yom Tov. At the time, I am not sure that I After a long discussion, you came up with the idea that on the first day, one has not overcome the transition from the weekday atmosphere. A second day is needed to enjoy the was convinced by this argument. Golah. For what reason? By comparing with life in Yom Tov, even weeks ahead. One of my gym classes is on Today, I have somewhat changed my mind for people in the . And so Torah on Shavuot Israel. Here, in a Jewish country, one is aware of a Sunday morning. And so on Sunday a week ago, we were informed that there would be no class Erev Shavuot. Shortly afterwards, I heard one of the ladies of the class referring to the Giving of the this brings me to the raison d’être of my speaking.

Would it surprise you that in the original? tradition of Erez Yisrael, there is no mention of the association of the Torah with Shavuot Giving of the 1 Mishnah , that great depository of law and custom redacted about 200 CE. In tractate Let us turn to the Shavuot is the portion beginning Deuteronomy 16/9 “You shall count off seven Torah reading for Megillah the weeks”. There is2 no mention of thereading portion befits alluded an agricultural to the Ten festival, Commandments. the time of This the firstis confirmed fruits in Israel. by the minor . Such a Torah tractate Soferim Amidah (standing prayer) as given in the ancient rite of Torah ”. So I turned to the Cairo Genizah, of My son Shmuel said to me: Why don’t you look at the Erez Yisrael? In our Siddur we have “Season of the Giving of our 3 which Stefan here is the director of the. Cambridge Collection. In the rite of Erez Yisrael, there is no mention of Torah in the Amidah the Giving of the 4 . should be read Shavuot, Deuteronomy 16, as in the Mishnah.Torah But there is an This is not the end of the story.Torah In thereading: Tosefta, On a later compilation of laws and customs than the Mishnah, we have the following about the addition - and some say (in another version, others say), the portion of the Giving of the This is supported by the Jerusalem Talmud, as might be expected. , Deuteronomy 16, as in the Mishnah. Others say, the Shavuot Tosefta statement. But5 then it adds: Talmud is more explicit. On . That is, on the The Babylonian Torah . This appears to be a repetition of the , Deuteronomy 16, and this portion of the Giving of the Golah today, now that there are two days of Yom Tov, we read both portions, but in the reverse order Torah (also in Erez Yisrael) on theTalmud second, as day,in the for majority the of cases, won the day, much to first day, Giving of the is the practice even to this very day. The Babylonian my regret. Erez

What can one learn from all this? It may be that in ancient times there was already a tradition that the date of Torah on Mount Sinai coincided with that of Shavuot. For the people living here in the Giving of the Torah . Yisrael, Shavuot was a harvest festival - the wheat harvest and first fruits. No particular significance was attached to the coincidence of the Giving of the was placed first in the public reading from the Golah, in Babylon, conditions were quite different.Torah The people were divorced from the land. However, in the They had to cling to something. And so the Giving of the Torah . halakhah (Jewish law). Conditions, social and otherwise,

For me, this is a good example of the mutability of change in the course of time, and so laws have to be adapted accordingly.

Procedure at the gathering was very democratic. The opportunity was given to everyone present to speak. Many did so, especially those who were in their teens when Rav Cohen was in Edinburgh. They were very appreciative of his spiritual guidance, aided by his wife Fanny. References 1. Mishnah Megillah 3,5. Asher Selig Kaufman 2. Soferim 17,6. 3. Fleischer, Ezra 1988 Eretz-Israel Prayer and Prayer Rituals as portrayed in the Geniza documents, pp. 102, 105, 106. Jerusalem: The Magnes Press (Hebrew). 4. Tosefta Megillah 3,5. 28 5. Babylonian Talmud Megillah 31a. realised that I too have “to see things from the other point of view” – Barenboim’s, the orchestra’s and music. Taken on its own merits, I came A concert to remember to appreciate that the overture is an Berl Osborne exquisite piece of music, performed Reviews with a combination of sensitivity and On the 15th August I attended a remarkable concert in the Thus this concert had a socio-political as well as a musical zest by this extraordinary grouping of Usher Hall that will live long in my memory. It was remarkable significance. young people, who will not allow both for the music and for the sense of occasion. West, East… and Andalucia personal and political differences to get I found the music thrilling and inspiring; the centrepiece was a in the way of the music they love. A hall that was packed to the rafters stood to applaud and blazing account of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Janet Mundy a performance of Beethoven’s welcome the players as soon as they walked on to the stage Symphony No 5 in C Minor. No matter An extraordinary, thought-provoking and before they had played a note, how come? There have been adverse comments by some music critics It is impossible to discuss the West- how many times one hears the familiar evening. Barenboim admits that the about Barenboim’s control of the orchestra, but for me the Eastern Divan Orchestra without four note motif at the commencement orchestra itself cannot solve any Well, the international Maestro Daniel Barenboim, assisted by evening was totally absorbing. But then, although I am a music reference to Middle Eastern Politics. of the symphony, it never ceases to political problems but if it can lover, I am not a trained musician. The sum total of my musical The orchestra was formed in 1999, the his friend the late Edward Said a distinguished Arab journalist, thrill, especially under the command of encourage a few more people to listen assembled the orchestra. accomplishment is an ability to belt out a tune in the brainchild of Daniel Barenboim and such an assured conductor in a live “from the other point of view” it will Synagogue choir, which I can just as so long as nobody is too Edward Said, to bring together young The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is made up of young performance with young performers have achieved a great deal. musicians from both Israel and the Arab world. The only fastidious about my always sticking to the correct key; my musicians from Israel, Palestine and commencing their musical careers. singing is ‘can belto rather than ‘bel canto’. other Arab countries. qualifications are a willingness to talk one to the other, and an Thoughts of the Israeli withdrawal from And Andalucia? The only non-Middle acceptance that there can be no military solution to the Arab- the Gaza Strip that day and all the Eastern musicians in the orchestra hail Israeli conflict. Barenboim is ever mindful of the fact that Jews The finale of the evening was the un-programmed Prelude and However, most of the audience, and impenetrability of the Middle Eastern from this area of Spain where, Liebestodt from Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde. This inclusion certainly the orchestra and conductor, and Arabs lived together quite harmoniously for six centuries conflict disappeared as the harmonies according to the concert programme, during the golden age of Spanish Jewry. was surely a statement of faith by Barenboim. As Geoff Brown gathered on Monday 15th August at washed over the audience in a way “Muslims, Christians and Jews have wrote in the Times ‘May the harmony continue’ – and so say the Usher Hall to listen to the music, as that the political world sadly cannot lived peacefully in Andalucia for seven all of us. part of the Edinburgh International match. centuries” and where the orchestra is “Barenboim is ever mindful of the fact that Jews and Festival which came into being, like the permanently based today. Arabs lived together quite harmoniously for six centuries modern state of Israel, in 1948. ” this orchestra is not about “ Apologies for omitting relevant information in the The programme commenced with Carl politics but about working together review by Janet Mundy. The book ‘Outwitting Maria Von Weber’s overture to his in spite of political differences” History by Aaron Lansky is published by Souvenir opera Abu Hassan, appropriately Press and priced £20. based on one of the tales in “One Thousand and One Nights”. There was, of course, a standing MERZ GALLERY EDINBURGH Enthusiastically performed by the large, ovation at the end of the published youthful orchestra, it nevertheless was programme. The audience was With Compliments from Stella Steyn 1907-1987 more redolent of 19th century Europe delighted when Barenboim addressed Green & Frederick than Arabian nights. us, unamplified, but with a clear The Female Self message that this orchestra is not Jewellery This brief opening was followed by a about politics but about working 0131 226 7000 swift reorganisation of the orchestra to together in spite of political differences. Portraits and nude self-portraits by this friend allow the four soloists to take centre stage for Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante and illustrator of James Joyce who worked in for oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon. but this particular Jew was Paris and pre-war Germany, and later in During this performance, the “ unprepared and initially angered at relationship between Barenboim and London having Wagner imposed his protégés began to come through. ” The interpretation was very much the With Compliments conductor’s, both lyrical and from passionate, especially in the second 25 November to 10 December He said that the members have to Jessie Franklin movement, the Adagio. However, the agree to listen to what each other has 10.30 to 14.30 and 16.30 to 18.30. soloists’ individual performances and to say and “to see things from the the interplay of the instruments were other point of view”. Closed Wednesday and Sunday superb and Barenboim was happy to This lesson was not lost on me when stop conducting at one point to enable Barenboim announced that, as a result the four musicians to perform as a of requests from the Israeli contingent quartet, setting their own tempo, a during rehearsals, the concert would Merz Gallery 87 Broughton Street EH1 3RJ reflection of the mutual respect conclude with the prelude and between the leader and his ensemble. Liebesetodt from Tristan and Isolde. With Compliments tel/fax +44(0)131 558 8778. The oboist, in particular, was Barenboim’s campaign to reinstate from [email protected]. outstanding, a young man (unnamed in Wagner for Jewish audiences is well the programme, as were all the known, but this particular Jew was Mark & Judith Images on www.merzart.com after members of the orchestra) very much unprepared and initially angered at 21 November, or phone for illustrated brochure at one with his instrument. having Wagner imposed. But as I Sischy began to listen to the music and not The second half of the programme was just the pounding of my heart, I

30 31 culturally and socially. Jews made up some 12% of the ignoring arrears of rent. Judith, however, takes it at face value. population, the largest proportion of any province; two-thirds Similarly she believes the protestations of the young lord of Karl Emil Franzos of the Empire’s Jews lived in Galicia. Besides being mostly the local estate when he falls in love with her. Count poor, the shtetl Jews were strict, conservative Hasidim, Baranowksi is basically a decent man, but he is weak and Michael Mitchell shutting themselves off as far as possible from their Christian gives in to the proposal of a vagabond monk, who performs a Karl Emil Franzos was a popular German author of the last neighbours, who responded in kind. Poor orthodox Jews from fake baptism and marriage. Judith goes through many the east were a not uncommon sight in Vienna and were humiliations, not least of which is the exclusion from her family quarter of the nineteenth century. His works, both reportage probably regarded with even greater hostility by many of the and community. Even after she has shamed the count into and fiction, concentrate on the multi-ethnic corner of Eastern westernised Jews of the city than by the Christian population. marrying her properly and accepting their son as his heir, her Europe, now largely in Ukraine, where the Habsburg and Russian empires met. This area became so closely associated The rigidity with which the eastern Jewish communities shut with his name that one critic called it “Franzos country”. themselves off from outside influences is the theme of A number of his books were translated into English, and Franzos’s most ambitious work, Der Pojaz, completed in 1893, but not published until after his death in 1905. Gladstone is said to have been among his admirers. The hero, Sender Glatteis, is the son of a shnorrer, a vagrant, The main focus of his writing is the meaning, there being no state called but is brought up by a poor washerwoman as her own child. relationships between the different “Germany”. He was steeped in the His talent for mimicry becomes evident at an early age and nationalities of the region—Poles, humanistic ideals of the German brings him the name of the ‘pojaz’, (payats: clown). He works Ukrainians, Russians, Germans and Enlightenment as expressed by Kant, as a carter and one evening in Czernowitz he happens to go Jews—and his sympathies clearly lie Lessing and, especially, Schiller. This to the German theatre. It is an event that transforms his life. with the oppressed groups, in brought certain isolation: for the Poles He is determined to become a “proper” actor. Encouraged by particular the Ukrainian peasants and and Ukrainians he was German, for the attempt to conceal his liberal outlook, the theatre director, an assimilated Jew himself (probably shtetl Jews. He insisted that he was Germans a Jew and for the Jews a having, for example, tried to organise a based on the famous German-Jewish actor Dawison), he free from racial prejudice and that his renegade, a deutsch. In the first half of celebration for the liberal poet, decides to learn German. He has to do this in secret; in the attacks on particular nationalities were the nineteenth century, liberalism and Ferdinand Freiligrath. Jewish community only those for whose work it is absolutely Jewish family group in Rava Russka because they oppressed others: “I nationalism went hand in hand, and essential were permitted to learn German; if he were spoke out against the oppression of Franzos’s father was one of the first He studied law, that being a shorter discovered he would be excluded. He bribes the janitor of the brother will not recognise her. At the end she commits suicide. the Ukrainians and Poles by the Jews to join the student fraternity course. When he graduated, he found local monastery (with schnapps) to let him secretly into the Her gravestone inscription - “Judith Countess Baranowska, Russians, but where the Poles do the whose ideal was a German nation state himself in a similar situation: he did not library, which the ignorant monks do not use, and is later daughter of Nathan ben Manasse, of the tribe of Israel” - same, as is the case in Galicia, then I with a liberal constitution. It is ironic want to become an advocate, and a helped by a monk who has been sent to that distant outpost asserts her belonging to both communities, but that expresses speak out against their oppression of that by the time Franzos, who shared position as judge was closed to him as as a punishment for suspected heresy. (The blinkered a future hope rather than a present reality, as the end of the the Ukrainians, Jews and Germans.” his father’s ideals, went to university, a Jew. Having had a number of pieces conservatism is on both sides; in his novel Judith inscription makes clear: “She died in the darkness, but one the German student fraternities had published while he was a student, he Trachtenberg Franzos talks of “the stale air of the ghetto day dawn will come.” He also “spoke out” against the rigid “dejudaised” themselves. went into journalism and worked for mixing with other, though not purer air heavy with the incense attitudes and practices of orthodox * newspapers and magazines for the rest of fanatical belief”). Sender eventually cuts off his sidelocks, In Franzos’s last novel, Leib Weihnachtskuchen and his Child, religion, and in this his attacks were Karl Emil Franzos was born in 1848. of his life, at first in Vienna, after 1886 the long skirts of his caftan and his ties with the ghetto, and the critical picture of 19th-century Hasidic Judaism is replaced directed above all at his fellow Jews: His father died when he was ten and in Berlin. The move was caused as sets out for the city, only to die before he gets there from by a sympathetic portrayal of an individual Hasid. The other “I stand up for the Jews because they his mother moved to Czernowitz much by the greater opportunities for pneumonia; his weak chest is the result of winter hours spent central male character is Janko Vygoda, a Slav peasant whose are enslaved, but I attack the slavery (Chernivsty). The first languages he publishing there as by his “Germanic” in the unheated monastery library. parents drink themselves happily to an early grave, leaving the orthodox Jews impose on the spoke were Ukrainian and Polish, tendencies. Indeed, the increasing their farm under a burden of debt. Janko swears to keep his liberal members of their faith.” learnt from his nurse; his first school virulence of anti-Semitism in Germany Why this novel, which Franzos regarded as his major work, inheritance intact; his obsessive work to achieve this makes * was attached to the local Dominican meant that later on he had difficulty remained unpublished during his lifetime is a mystery. It is him an outsider among his easy-going neighbours. Franzos’s family came from Spanish abbey, where the teaching was in Latin placing pieces, which were felt to be possible that he thought his critical portrayal of the ghetto Jews who fled the Inquisition to and Polish; in Czernowitz he attended too pro-Jewish—which was often might be exploited by anti-Semitic elements which were The man he holds responsible for his misfortune is the village Holland and later settled in Lorraine. the German Gymnasium, graduating another way of saying “not sufficiently becoming increasingly active in Germany in the 1890s. innkeeper, Leib Weihnachtskuchen. When he discovers the Around 1770 his great-grandfather with honours in 1867. By now the anti-Jewish”. Today Franzos is best Jew is the opposite of the bloodsucking monster he imagined, established a factory for one of his family was in reduced circumstances known as the man who saved Georg The relations between the Christian and Jewish communities the little shenker becomes his only friend. Gradually the sons in East Galicia. This was the time and he supported himself by giving Büchner’s works from oblivion, editing come into sharpest focus in sexual matters—as a young man Christian Janko falls in love with the Jew’s daughter. His when the Austrian administration lessons, later, as a student, from his them from the already fading Franzos fell in love with a Christian girl but renounced her determination to marry her is as obsessive as his insisted on all Jews having “proper” writing. manuscripts (which is why Woyzeck because of the barrier between the two groups. This problem determination to retain his farm and can only lead to tragedy. surnames, so that “Franzos” became first appeared as Wozzeck, giving that forms the subject of a number of his works, including two of his grandfather’s name, from his He would have liked to study classical title to Alban Berg’s opera). He died in his best novels, Judith Trachtenberg (1890) and Leib In Leib, a painfully honest man who has a profound, living French background, even though he philology with the aim of becoming a 1904. Weihnachtskuchen and his Child (1896). faith, Franzos has demonstrated his ability to portray regarded himself as German. teacher, but no scholarship was * sympathetically a person who has the religious belief he forthcoming. Jews were not eligible for Galicia was the most backward, the Judith Trachtenberg is the beautiful daughter of a wealthy Jew. himself lacked. His depiction of anti-Semitism also goes below Franzos’s father was a highly teaching posts, and even though he poorest province of the Habsburg The upper floor of their house is rented by the Polish district the surface. Like his flock, the village priest responds respected doctor in Czortkow was non-religious, he refused to Empire, so that Franzos saw his commissioner, whose family treats Judith as an intimate friend. automatically to the word “Jew” with the common prejudices. (Ukrainian Chortkiv). He regarded convert to advance his career. An promotion of Germanisation as part of Her father is well aware that this treatment is put on to ensure But that does not stop him respecting Leib for the very himself as German, a term which at the additional reason for the refusal of a an attempt to improve conditions there the favours the commissioner expects from him, such as qualities he believes Jews cannot by their very nature time had mainly linguistic and cultural scholarship was that he did not politically and economically as well as

32 33 possess. He is so unaware of the that Germanisation was the way forward In July, he and Billie were married, Essays; in 1957 Milton; in 1960 A Critical graced, with insight, wit and an contradiction between his was based on the idealistic strain in without the knowledge of David’s family History of English Literature. It was an inimitable penchant for puns. His family attitude to Jews in general and German culture and will have looked very whom he knew would be deeply extraordinarily productive period, and it and friends will remember a man of huge the way he sees individual Jews, different in his day to our post-Holocaust distressed by his marriage to a non- was the prelude to the next chapter of intellectual stature who was a warm and that he can express both views perspective. He believed, following the Jewish girl. Shortly afterwards he was his life. gifted communicator. A man who could almost in the same sentence. example of Schiller, that literature should offered a job at the University of turn his talents as readily to making up Franzos also uses the institution have an ethical purpose, but he managed Chicago. He accepted the position, he But 1961 marked a change of direction nonsense songs for his grandchildren as of the shabbes goy to show that to express that purpose through a range said in Two Worlds, for his father’s sake, for which he was more than ready: he to developing an elegant and close-knit the two communities can live of vivid characters who still have the to save embarrassment to the family. For became Professor of English and analysis of the Scottish Enlightenment. together in harmony when they power to move the modern reader. the same reason, in Chicago he and American Studies at the newly founded When he lectured it was often without see and know each other as Billie had an orthodox Jewish marriage. University of Sussex. The approach at notes, and he was renowned for his individuals.* (Michael Mitchell’s translation of Leib Weihnachtskuchen and In the summer of 1939 they were back in Sussex was innovative and extempore performances. * his Child is published by The Ascog Press, Scotland for a holiday with both their interdisciplinary, and David played a key Franzos showed the attitudes of 0-9545989-0-3, price £7.50.) families, making real the ‘inclusive world’ role in shaping it. He responded with Salis Daiches and Flora Levin brought the 19th-century assimilated Jew they had always hoped for. vigour and excitement to the challenge, their internationalism to Scotland; David in their best light. His conviction and relished the opportunity to escape had opportunities to re-connect with It was in the US that David’s career took from the confines of Cambridge. At the some of the countries whose languages Galician orthodox Jews in Vienna off. It rapidly became apparent that he same time he became involved in he heard at home, and to explore new was a gifted teacher, and in addition, developing The Norton Anthology of territory. He lectured in the USSR and from 1938 to 1942 he published a book English Literature, with his former Germany, Hungary and Yugoslavia, a year, mainly on modern poetry and colleague at Cornell, M H Abrams. It France and Italy, India and Hong Kong. fiction. His interests expanded to would become an invaluable collection Obituaries Although David moved beyond American literature. With the outbreak of for students of English literature, still in surprise to anyone that literature was his Edinburgh, became acquainted with a war he tried in vain to return to Britain, demand over 40 years after its first orthodoxy, of any description, the passion. much wider range of Scottish writers. and in 1943 he joined the British publication in 1962. spiritual and cultural richness of his Throughout his career as scholar, critic Information Service in New York, going Jewish inheritance informed his whole He was born in Sunderland, where his and teacher, Scottish writing, from the on to Washington as Second Secretary In the 1960s and ’70s David continued to life. Without being thirled to tradition he father Salis Daiches was rabbi, on 2 Makars to the poets and novelists of the at the British Embassy. He continued to teach and publish on literary themes, but valued it, and maintained a very real September 1912. In 1919 his father late twentieth century, claimed his write, often scribbling on the train he was moving into more wide-ranging continuity with his family’s past. His own became rabbi of the Edinburgh Hebrew attention. No one did more to revitalise commuting to work; the result was cultural and historical areas, with parents had also instilled a receptiveness Congregation, and it was in Edinburgh interest in Scottish culture and to re- Robert Louis Stevenson – a revaluation Scotland continuing as a major focus. to the cultural environment of Scotland. that David grew up with older brother focus critical scrutiny of Fergusson, (1947). But not only Scotland. Alongside ‘The Just as the resonance of the Scottish Lionel, sister Sylvia, and much younger Burns, Scott, Stevenson, and other less Paradox of Scottish Culture’ (1964), Enlightenment influenced his father and sister Beryl. The family lived first in prominent figures. By this time he had accepted a position ‘Scotch Whisky’ (1969) and ‘Charles the way he saw his role in Scotland, so Millerfield Place off the Meadows, and as Professor of English at Cornell Edward Stuart’ (1973) were ‘More the language, literature, music and then in Crawfurd Road in Newington. He In 1934 David completed his degree at University, but the intention was always Literary Essays’ (1968), his sequel to intellectual climate of Scotland were went to George Watson’s College. His Edinburgh, having collected a clutch of to return ‘home’. Eventually, in 1951, ‘Two Worlds’, ‘A Third World’ (1971), profound currents throughout David’s Edinburgh boyhood is described in what awards and distinctions. He had also after several unsuccessful attempts at ‘Moses’ and ‘Was’ (both 1975), the latter personal and professional life. And there is perhaps his best-known book, Two met the woman he was to marry, Isobel jobs in Scotland, he took up a an impossible to categorise were tantalising analogies and Worlds (1956), which celebrates the city (Billie) Mackay, the daughter of William lectureship in Cambridge. He had added autobiographical celebration of language correspondences: a shared respect for as an environment in which a family Mackay, an agricultural journalist, and books on Robert Burns and Willa Cather and diversity. He continued to write and education, a long history of living with could sustain its Jewish heritage. His Janet Lauder, both from farming stock. In to his publications, as well as numerous lecture on Scottish themes at the same problematic neighbours, a shared father, born in Vilna, that extraordinary that year he published his first two major articles and reviews. He was a regular time as maintaining his involvement with tradition of migrancy, Jewish pedlars in vibrant centre of Jewish life and learning critical articles, on John Donne and Hugh broadcaster in the US, and in 1949 the more mainstream canon of English Scotland and Scottish pedlars in David Daiches which flourished amid continual shifting MacDiarmid. They signalled key began to write for The New Yorker. literature. He would describe himself as Poland… Both David’s Jewishness and From his boyhood David Daiches of borders and rulers, was committed to preoccupations of his future career. ‘the last generalist’. his Scottishness travelled with him delighted in words. He was exposed to the idea of synthesis, Jewish tradition in David, Billie and their three children wherever he went, and it was profoundly several languages. Visitors to his the context of European secular culture. He went to Balliol College, Oxford, to settled in a small village outside In 1977 David retired from Sussex and important to him that he was able to parents’ Edinburgh home might speak When David grew up he evolved his own research his DPhil on translating the King Cambridge, and after six years David returned at last to Scotland. In that year spend the Russian, German, Yiddish, or indeed an particular way of keeping faith with his James VI bible, but the range of his became a Fellow of Jesus College. His Billie died of cancer. He never came to last decades amalgam of more than one language. inheritance and at the same time interests soon became apparent. In 1935 early years at Cambridge were not terms with her loss. But he at once took of his life in With his grandfather in Leeds he could responding to the creative richness of his first book, The Place of Meaning in entirely comfortable. His US reputation his place as a leading figure in the city that communicate only in Yiddish or Hebrew, many other cultures. Poetry, was published, followed the next and manifest interests in contemporary Scotland’s cultural and academic world, had and as a student he read literature in year by New Literary Values: Studies in writing and Scottish literature cut little ice becoming Director of Edinburgh nourished Scots and learnt Gaelic. He also The process began with Scotland, of Modern Literature. He was in his twenty- with Cambridge traditionalists. But as a University’s Institute for Advanced both. absorbed a musical tradition: his mother course. Although an early ambition was fourth year. teacher he was enormously influential, Studies in the Humanities in 1980, and Flora Levin and her sisters were gifted to be a second Shakespeare, he and of course he continued to publish. In contributing through lectures, publishing Jenni Calder musicians. And he grew up in a house identified with a literary figure much The following year, 1937, was a 1951 came Willa Cather: A Critical and broadcasting to the vitality of full of ideas, not just related to Judaism closer to home, Robert Louis Stevenson, watershed, both personal and Introduction; in 1956 Two Worlds: An Scottish life. He also contributed, in but to the wider world of intellectual and as a student at the University of professional. He was awarded his DPhil. Edinburgh Jewish Childhood, Critical ways those who knew him will never engagement. It can’t have been a Approaches to Literature and Literary forget, to every social occasion that he

Jenni R Calder, writer, has been living in Edinburgh for over 20 years. Her books include Scots in Canada. 34 (2004); her latest biography, ‘Not Nebuchadnezzer;’ and she is now working on Scots in America. 35 go to the shop to collect the meat. If Mathematics (Prof Hyman Levy, have placed in the permanent records past. This brought me to suggest that Dear Editor ever I had inflated views of myself as Imperial College, London, also Dux of of the archives, where they are The Edinburgh Star could prepare a Gordon Highlander! an English, (oops) Scottish gentleman George Heriot's School) available for any visitor to see, a special section to which people can With Compliments this visit quickly brought me down to Physics (Asher Selig Kaufman) memoir of Whittinghehame, and a write letters in search of their families. from May I just say how earth. One thing I could never photograph of several children in the much I look forward understand was how Joe's father, who, Asher S. Kaufman Shul, shortly after their arrival in I am offering assistance and guidance John & Hazel Cosgrove to and enjoy the at that time always made up the Edinburgh. It has meant the world to to anyone who may want to start a ‘Edinburgh Star’? I parcels, could break the string with his Like Meechie Pinkinsky, who wrote in me to think that I am in some way search over the web. was particularly bare hands; and he thirty years older the last edition, and whom I remember carrying on the work that my parents interested in the than me! well, I was born in Edinburgh, and lived started so many years ago. Good Luck, Brenda Habshush (formerly article concerning there until shortly after the war ended, Burns) Kibbutz Sde Boker, Israel the origins and My wife Sheila writes – Nick omitted to when my husband Jerry and I with our Yours sincerely, and with best wishes e-mail: [email protected] history of the mention Joe Lurie’s (unique?) culinary two-year-old son emigrated to the for the New Year community in achievement – the kosher haggis. A United States in 1951. My father, L.J. Hilda Seftor Synagogues abroad Aberdeen, which marvellous delicacy though I cannot Cohen was treasurer of the Jewish On the 19th May David and I embarked appeared in the last personally vouch for its authenticity. congregation for many years, and Dr. Family Roots on the P&O Ship ‘Oceana’ for a 17 issue. My Several months after our removal to Daiches was one of his closest friends. One fine morning I discovered that I night Mediterranean cruise. Although grandfather Barnet London in 1973 we were amazed to I have such wonderful memories of the am not a "pure" Ashkenazi Jewess as I we shored at various places, the more Gordon was a find an emissary from Joe, bearing a warm friendly congregation, and of always thought; it was revealed that a interesting stops we made were in founder member of kosher haggis, on our doorstep. This is how much we were involved in every larger part of my family are Sephardim Dubrovnik and Corfu where we visited the original Shul just a tiny example of Joe’s kindness. aspect of the community. and live in Cuba, Uruguay and France! the Synagogues. The one in Dubrovnik having arrived in In the wider community it was said that Me being Yorkshire lass born in Leeds is the second oldest in Europe and Aberdeen around 1890 from Janova in no-one ever went without meat During the war: the weekly dances that and raised in Edinburgh for the best mainly kept as a Museum. In the Lithuania along with my father, his because they could not afford it. He we held in Duncan Street for Jewish part of my youth, suddenly discovering museum shop one could purchase brother and sister. was a very special person whom it was servicemen who were in town; the 35 the family roots was a very exciting souvenirs and paintings depicting life a privilege to know. refugee children that my mother, in revelation that grew into a as it was in pre-war days. The In 1914 when World War I broke out Alfred Yarrow charge of the Children's Refugee concentrated effort to search near and Synagogue in Corfu was well kept. my father Alexander Gordon was called Committee brought into the city after far for clues to discover relatives. Interestingly, instead of a Mechitza, up to the army and became a ‘Gordon finding homes for them in the Small world seats were arranged back to back. The highlander’ and wore the kilt! He was congregation, (two brothers made their Following your article ‘60 Years Ago’ I The story behind the Sephardim came delightful lady who showed us around sent to the trenches in France and home with us for six years); the would like to add the name of Shimon from the fact that Napoleon's army told us that services were still held on elsewhere. There he experienced many Whittingehame Farm School, the Poliwansky who served in the British arrived in Jonava, a shtetel near Kovna the Yom Tovim. There was also a room horrors including the loss of friends beautiful house near Dalkeith, given to army during WWII. Shimon and his (19th century) There were Jewish where the forty or so Jewish People and colleagues. After the war he joined the Jewish Community by Lord family lived opposite mine in South soldiers in Napoleon’s army. They still living in Corfu could go for Kiddush Caption his family business, which sold boots Traprain, nephew of Lord Balfour. My Clerk Street. We shared our Pesach made acquaintance with the local after the Service. Before the War the and shoes to farmers in the area until parents together with a chosen order. I think it came from London. It is Jewish girls, the result being that some Congregation numbered several Competition he married my mother Ada Simenoff Committee furnished it, hiring a still sad to report that he never marriages came about. Thus… ‘the thousands. Although neither and settled in Edinburgh. My cousin qualified teaching staff and then returned home: reported missing French connection!’ Synagogue was easy to find, it was unearthed the photo showing my father brought 165 refugee teenage children through enemy action. During the recent years, thousands of interesting to note that each had many in his kilt. from Dovercourt camp in England to Jews from Russia arrived in Israel. I visitors, comprising English, Scottish, Brenda (Gordon) Rubin make their home there until after the It is interesting to note too, that the began to wonder if possibly I might Israeli and American, illustrating that war. There they were schooled and small area of South Clerk St, including discover some relatives amongst those we all tend to gravitate towards our taught how to farm in the event that Memories Lutton Place, bounded by Preston St. families. And eventually, from the own People wherever they are. they would eventually make their home We always look forward to our and Lutton Place, produced the French part of the family living here in Rose Orgel, Photograph by David Goldberg in Palestine. Edinburgh Star. I have spent ten years following academics in the first half of Israel (all born in Jonava) we of my life in Edinburgh, five as a the 20th century: discovered a distant cousin Now after 54 years, I am living with my student and five, with my family, as a who had arrived in Tel-Aviv. youngest son Cohn, in this beautiful medical civil servant between 1968 and 7 in medicine (Sir Abraham Goldberg, state of Virginia, close to the Capital, 1973. I first learned to play bridge with Cyril Hyman, Mossie Hyman, my The possibilities are endless. and for the last eleven years, have Berl Osborne in the students union brother Leon [Mordechai] Kaufman, There are many sites for root volunteered at the United States over 60 years ago. We were delighted Berl Osborne, my brother Abe searches on the Internet. Holocaust Memorial Museum, working to see the photograph of Irene and Pinlcinsky, Julius Zucker [son of Rev. The most amazing thing is in the photo archives and now in David Hyams; they don't look a day Zucker]) that so many people are collections. I have recently finished older. Somewhere we still have a looking for their lost recording the names of the 14,500 Barbara Kwiecinska will benscher from a son's barmitzvah. Dentistry Jack Hyman (brother of Cyril identities, some contact with children who were in the Lodz ghetto and Mossie) family, lost parents, siblings donate a bottle of for an exhibition about the ghetto. This It was with nostalgia that I read Nick Engineering (Max Zucker [son of Rev. and names. is scheduled to open at the museum in Champagne to whoever Cosgrove's memories of the Lurie Zucker) 18 month's time, and I am now sends in the best shop. I used to leave meetings at the, Languages (my sister Meechie Many search for relatives transcribing histories of survivors. I then, Scottish Office and, once a week, Pinkinsky) who lived in Edinburgh in the caption to this picture. Mechitza in Corfua

36 37 On behalf of the committee of requested by the day case the Scottish Friends of Alyn, I centre. Announcements should like to thank all those who so generously I should also like to thank all speedy recovery from her Congratulations responded to our recent those who have marked the successful cataract operation appeal. Alyn Hospital is celebration of birthdays, David and at the age of 100! Elisheva and Israel’s only orthopaedic anniversaries and other hospital and rehabilitation happy events by making a grandparents Susie and centre for physically donation to Alyn. This is most Irene and Jonathan handicapped children, caring appreciated. Philip Mason Adler on the for children, regardless of We wish all our friends and on the arrival of birth of their religion or ethnic background, donors a happy and healthy Netanel Menachim Peretz. daughter Ruth suffering either from crippling New Year. Heather born diseases or from trauma after Clarice Osborne Judy Sischy on her new on 17 August 2005. appointment as President of accidents. Chairman of Edinburgh Alyn the Rotary Club of Edinburgh. Thank you As a result of this generosity Ian Shein would like to Edinburgh WIZO organisers we have been able to fund express his sincere thanks Katie Lurie would like to thank all who who attained an the purchase of two special for the many cards, supported them in their mattresses to prevent telephone calls and good LLB (Hons.) various junctions during the degree from pressure sores for children in wishes received during his past year and are very the rehabilitation wing of the stay in hospital. He Cardiff pleased to report that a total University. hospital, and a digital camera is happy to say that he is of £5795 has been sent of for this ward to record the now recuperating at hom. Head Office of WIZO in Amanda Hyams who progress of the children’s London, an impressive steps to recovery. In addition celebrated her Bat Mitzvah amount from a small group! on Saturday 6th August. we have been able to Sylvia Donne – co chairman Wishing Bessie Glass a purchase a pack of of Edinburgh WIZO therapeutic games and toys Forthcoming Events October November 17 Saturday Senior Maccabi meets on Community Centre Social Sunday evenings in members’ 1 Saturday 6 Sunday Evening 7.30pm homes. WIZO; Theatre/Supper Scotland Day Limmud evening “Stones in his ‘Windows of Opportunity’ – For further information, 19 Monday Pockets”; Kings Theatre Hutceson’s Grammar School, contact Alice Kelpie Lodge Solomon 7.00pm Glasgow (337 1894) 4,5 Tuesday & Wednesday 13 Sunday 8.00pm 26 Monday meets 1st, 2nd day Rosh Hashanah The Luncheon Club EJLS; Jenni Calder Professor 1st Day Chanukah every Tuesday and Thursday David Daiches, personal at 12.30pm. 10 Monday memories of her father’ January 2006 Lodge Solomon 7.00pm All meetings take place in the 16 Monday 21 Monday Community Centre, Salisbury Lodge Solomon 7.00pm 12 Wednesday Lodge Solomon 7.00pm Road, unless otherwise Kol Nidre stated. All are subject to Junior Maccabi: For details 27 Sunday 8.00pm alteration. EJLS; Literary Society please contact Jonathan 13 Thursday Danzig on 0131 229 3054 Yom Kippur Susanna Heschel will talk about the 19th century These along with dates of Jewish thinker, Abraham 18 Tuesday future WIZO lunches to be Geiger 1st Day Succot confirmed in next edition. 30 Wednesday 26 Wednesday WIZO; Lunch in Hilary Answers to Who are they? Simchat Torah Rifkind's home 1 Rose Elkana (nee Gordon), Nattie Gordon, 30 Sunday December Sharon Elkins(nee Reif), Stefan Reif, Shuli Reif. 8.00pm 4 Sunday EJLS; Bernard Jackson EJLS Nathan Abrams; The 2 Brenda Rubin (nee Gordon), Judith Reefe (nee ‘History and Authority in the Jewish Dream Factory: Jews Rosin), Ena Amitai (nee Dorfman), Sarah Dorfman Halakhah: the Problem of and the American Film the Agunah’ Industry.