UP AND DOWN, IN AND OUT WHY WE NEED OUR JEWISH FAITH AND VALUES Shalom Chaverim,

Some of the conversation surrounding Jews lived in Baghdad for centuries What happened in so short a period of the Brexit vote (shock) in the UK, until they were caught up in its gradual time? There are all kinds of explanations followed by the Presidential vote (further decline and finally invasion by Mongol – unrest in Egypt following his shock) in the United States, has been invaders in the 13th century. incursions, leading to fear of another quite startling. There’s been a significant war there; souring of the economy; and questioning of democracy, of stability, of The Jews of Spain, who lived in relative most importantly, a growing intolerance our values with a not so subtle dose of comfort for centuries, bouncing between towards the “differing practices” of the uncertainty and anxiety about our Muslim and Christian overlords, found Jews Belsize Square collective future. themselves cut off by the rise of fundamentalist Christianity, culminating Hence, the first religious persecutions in My own view is that we have not even in their expulsion from the entire Iberian history, the three-year Maccabean revolt Synagogue come close to reaching catastrophic peninsula, Spain in 1492 and Portugal in and the subsequent cleansing of the results in either country. However, this is 1497. Jewish havens in Poland and Temple, leading to our holiday of as good a time as any to take stock and Ukraine also came to a sudden end. Chanukah. be aware that history can change dramatically, unexpectedly, and catch us In our own lifetime, Jews who had lived So, what does this all mean for us? To Chanukah Marketall off guard. in Germany since the 9th century and by me, it means that there are no the 20th century had reached positions guarantees in history; that things can We Jews know that reality more than of influence, creativity and even power, change rapidly; that we need to be ever any other people. Safe in in became the centre of Nazi extermination alert and ready to check any emergence 3 - 4 December the 6th century BCE, suddenly there designs.Then came the virtual end of of anti-Semitism. arose a Babylonian Empire to destroy Russian Jewry. the Temple and exile two thirds of our We must always be mindful that the people. And that is a major reason why we countries we love so much and which should remember the lessons of the have given us abundant freedom, hold Following last year's success the A Jewish state, Judea, the last coming festival of Chanukah. Before no rock-solid guarantee that this will last sovereign Jewish state until 1948, Antiochus Epiphanes IV began his forever. Chanukah Market will be back onexisted in strength and in peace until the religious persecution, his Seleucid Saturday 3 December from expanding power of Rome in the west predecessor, Antiochus III, followed up What is forever is God, Torah and the eroded Jewish independence, leading to his victory over the Ptolemaic ruler of people of Israel. We must never forget 5.00pm - 8.00pm and Sunday the outbreak of the doomed Jewish Egypt in 198 BCE by giving the Jews that reality. So light those Chanukah revolt in 66CE and destruction of the freedom of worship and relief from candles, cherish our current freedom, December 4th from 9.30 until Second Temple in 70CE. heavy taxation. implant in our children the resolve to 4.00. resist any onslaught on our people and Our entire history since those debacles, Antiochus IV continued this policy for faith. Let them know that our spiritual while living in galut (exile) or diaspora the first seven years of his reign. But in strength and vision will last for eternity. Introducing a street food court, spa,(dispersion), children's has been a story of marketa complete reversal, in 167 he initiated and all your other favourites in a “securitynewBelsize and and safe Square haven” exciting one day, only the first major pagan persecution of any My wishes to all of you for a festival of to be eventuallySynagogue shocked into disarray. Jewish community, forbade the study of light and hope, of lots of oily food layout. Torah, prohibited circumcision (latkes, sufganiyot) and the joy of Chanukah Market and forcibly imposed emperor- freedom. Chanukah Market worship on the Temple in 51 Belsize Square, London, NW3 4HX Chag Chanukah Sameach! 3 December:3 - 4 December 5-8pm Jerusalem. Rabbi Altshuler 4 December: 9.30am-4pm

020 7794 3949 www.synagogue.org.ukFollowing last year's success the HOLOCAUST FollowingChanukah lastMarket year's will besuccess back on theSaturday Chanukah 3 December Market from is back. MEMORIAL SHABBAT IN THIS ISSUE 5.00pm - 8.00pm and Sunday Friday 27 January December 4th from 9.30 until Page 2 - Shabbat UK & HHD Review 4.00. 6.45pm Page 3 - Simchat Torah Tale & Israel Introducing a street food court, spa, children's market Children's Camp Report and all your other favourites in a new and exciting A Service to commemorate the Page 4 - Peter Eden Interview layout. Anniversary of the end of the Page 5 - Ruth Young Obituary Introducing51 a Belsizestreet Square, food London,court, spa,NW3 4HX children's Holocaust to include Mazkir for all Page 6-7 - Irene White Obituary Page 8-9 - The Merchant of Venice market and020 all7794 your 3949 other www.synagogue.org.uk favourites in a new, those who died Al Kiddush exciting layout. HaShem Page 10 - Klopstick

No 686 - Kislev/Tevet/Shevat 5777 - December 2016/January 2017 Our Congregation - Page 2 The Shabbat UK Challah Bake – Year 2 This year saw over 50 participants at our Thursday evening challah-baking session, a mixed crowd with enthusiastic children and males of all ages competing with seasoned housewives. The long interval, otherwise known as the dough rising, was joyously filled by a budding 25-year-old master (or mistress?) baker, Georgia Green, who specialises in cakes that look far too artistic to spoil by actually eating. Though the former JFS pupil, daughter of an architect, surprised all her family by abandoning the art world for cookery, she has obviously retained her artistic training and instincts to produce eye- watering confections at her Golders Green base. She delighted her audience with her verve and enthusiasm, not to mention the gingerbread biscuits she handed round, before we all returned to our stations to perfect the art of challah plaiting.

Pictures, clockwise from top right:

Brothers at work: Sam, 14 (on left), and Max Steiner, 17, nephews of our member Cheryl Davis. Max's verdict: "Last year I did a huge challah bake at Brent Cross. This has much more of a community spirit."

"Is my yeast rising?" Head chef Jennifer Saul assures Clive Goldstein that all is well while Jacqueline Goddard, who brought her own wholemeal flour, looks on.

Another fine dough you've got us into! Daisy, 9 (on left), and Bella, 7, display their kneading prowess to their mother, Karen Kidson.

A BUSY FOUR WEEKS High Holydays 5777 Review

This year (2016/5777) the Belsize who are also learning to lead Shabbat on our Succah, which was decorated Square High Holyday Services were Morning Services. (Do ask at the office with plenty of fruit, flowers and art work. another resounding success and if you would like to participate and The Bimah this year was bedecked thanks are due to everyone involved. learn). Our Torah Readers, including with beautiful flowers in a change from So many people in our community work those for Maftir and Haftarah, were our usual fruit. so hard in preparing and presenting excellent, again raising the bar for them that it is not possible to list them quality. There were plenty of Arba Minim (Lulav all but Rabbi Altshuler and Cantor and Etrog). Thanks to our Rabbi and Heller are to be thanked for leading Over Kol Nidrei and Yom Kippur the Cantor, every congregant was able to such a splendid season. talented younger members excelled, say the blessings and wave the Arba particularly in the expert way they led Minim before the start of Hallel. Attendances were very good Minchah on Yom Kippur to a large and throughout with standing room only in appreciative congregation. By the final We finally we reached the end of four our beautiful renovated shul for Kol Shofar blast on Yom Kippur, the Bimah busy weeks as the sadness of saying Nidrei, Ne'ilah and 1st Day Rosh was full of children eagerly waiting to goodbye to the Succah and of Mazkir Hashanah. Our 2nd Day Rosh join in Havdalah, which they had learnt on Shemini Atzeret was replaced by the Hashanah Service is boosted by at Cheder. joy of Simchat Torah. Men and women friends from other synagogues who can danced round the centrally placed take advantage of our invitation to This year the Youth Services benefitted Bimah before all congregants were attend this service on producing their enormously from their new, colourful called up for group aliyot. own synagogue ticket. Please and updated Machzorim, which give remember this initiative and remind more children the chance to participate. The round of services climaxed with friends and family next year. Services were largely filled to capacity Cantor Heller leading Kaddish Titkabal, – a tremendous reflection on their skilfully weaving in all the beautiful We were again blessed to have our atmosphere or ruach. melodies of the year, including Maoz Rosh Hashanah Shacharit Service led Tzur, to signal the next festival on the by younger members of the community, Straight after Yom Kippur, work began horizon – Chanukah. A VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY PARTY A Simchat Torah Tale Those who attended the Simchat Torah Under-5s Service had a very special treat this year, a story written specially for them by Victoria Slotover and read out to them by Caroline Loison.

Do you like stories? Then listen and lots and lots of chocolate. It wasn’t ready, the party’s about to start." carefully because I’m going to tell you a a party for his friend Bruce Bear or story that’s more than a thousand years Daisy Dog. And it wasn’t a party for his Little Mouse dressed quickly and old. It’s a story about music and Grandma or Grandpa Mouse who were hurried to synagogue where all his dancing and a little mouse who didn’t both so old their fur was white and their friends were waiting. Some were want to go to sleep. teeth were yellow. waving flags they’d made. Others were holding balloons. Everyone was singing "Go back to bed, Little Mouse," said This birthday party was for the Torah, and eating sweets. Then the Rabbi and Mummy Mouse. "It isn’t time to get up who was even older than both of his grown-up mice took the Torah scrolls yet. I promise we’ll wake you when it grandparents. In fact, it was a thousand out of the ark and all the children is." years older than them, if Grandma followed them round and round the Mouse was to be believed. She’d told synagogue dancing and waving their "What if you forget?" said Little Mouse. Little Mouse that the Torah was actually flags and balloons. "What if we miss the party?" five thousand years old and that the stories in it were so amazing, people That night "I won’t forget," said Mummy Mouse, were still reading them today. Little Mouse kissing Little Mouse on the tip of his slept well. He pink nose. "I’m as excited to go as you But not just that. Grandma Mouse had dreamed are but we won’t be able to if you don’t said every year, when the Rabbi has about the have a rest first." finished reading the Torah in Torah’s next synagogue, there’s a huge party to birthday party So Little Mouse went back to bed but celebrate – and then the Rabbi starts and about he couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t because the reading it all over again. how very birds were singing outside his window special this and it wasn’t because he could hear his Little Mouse closed his eyes. He didn’t year’s one Mummy and Daddy talking down the want to go to sleep but he did want to had been. hall. Little Mouse couldn’t sleep go to the Torah’s birthday party. Six-year-old because he was too excited. Joey displays "Wake up, Little Mouse," said Mummy his very own Tonight his parents were taking him to Mouse, opening his curtains and illustration for a very special birthday party with handing him his smart going-to- his mother's dancing and singing and flag waving synagogue clothes. "It’s time to get story ISRAEL CAMP WITH A DIFFERENCE Sam Percival gets an inside view

western Galilee, and bonding as a Our varied programme was often tzevet, or team, before starting at 7.30 broken up to take the kids to the local on Sunday morning. The camp was at pool to cool off from activities like the Raymond Centre, built by the UJIA, cooking or searching for every item on who helped co-ordinate the entire trip, an "adventure day" list. At teatime the along with our educational programme. English madrichim attempted to teach the kids English songs. A special Highlights of our visits around the favourite was Heads, Shoulders, Knees Over the summer I spent a fortnight region included the community centre and Toes, where they were encouraged leading a summer camp for 80 in the neighbouring Arab town of Dir al- to sing along whilst learning the words youngsters aged 5-9 in Karmiel, in the Assad and Kibbutz Eshbal, a kibbutz for parts of the body. north of Israel. I did this through my for troubled and at-risk youth. involvement as a madrich, or leader, at Although the language barrier was RSY-Netzer, the youth movement of Despite a fair amount of advance initially frustrating, it was quickly Reform Judaism. planning, nothing can really prepare overcome and it was a joy to help run you for leading 80 manic children with the camp. Enormous credit must go to I was one of four Brits, aged 18-20. On whom you cannot communicate the Israeli madrichim, without whom arrival we were shown to our home, a directly, due to the minor inconvenience this operation would not have been small flat close to our work base. Since of a language barrier. I say minor as, in possible. we arrived on a Friday evening, we practice, the British leaders were let off could only do one thing – have a big tricky situations such as a recently My two weeks in Israel were fun and Friday Night Dinner. That meant all 10 converted (and circumcised) young incredibly rewarding. I cannot thank of us, six Israelis and four Brits. Russian Jew who needed help with the RSY and the UJIA enough for this toilet. After that incident, our esteem for fantastic opportunity to be a youth We spent the rest of Shabbat getting to Elad, the poor Israeli landed with the leader while learning about this know Karmiel, which sits high up in the problem, shot up sky high. fascinating country from the inside.

No 686 - Kislev/Tevet/Shevat 5777 - December 2016/January 2017 - Page 3 Our Congregation - Page 4 LOOKING BACK AT 95 Larry Miller interviews Peter Eden

He’d heard the glass Army, Peter was returned breaking on . to the UK and ultimately He’d seen the synagogue transferred to the Royal go up in flames, and he Engineers Explosives experienced far more at Company. His change of the hands of the Nazis. name came when he But Peter Eden, a Belsize was sent on service member since 1955, overseas. It was on a when it was the New troop carrier heading to Liberal Jewish North Africa, Peter says, Congregation, says he is that “A guy from not overly concerned by Liverpool said something this latest rise in anti- nasty to me. I went for Semitism in Britain and him and that was the first elsewhere – with the and only time I’ve caveat, "as long as the experienced anti- economy doesn’t get Semitism since coming worse.” Peter (2nd from right) in "The Avengers" unit to Britain.”

Sitting in his home not far He drops his smile, though, when While British Jews from the synagogue he helped develop, talking about the established Anglo- distanced themselves, his experience Peter, who was 95 in June, says: Jewish community of the time, whom as a solider in Algiers was different: “Germany was different, we lived in he recalls did not want to have much to “On the first day a Jewish family took cuckoo’s paradise.” His Jewish friends do with him and other refugees. “I went me home, but not here.” and family ”had all the best, we were to synagogue nearly every Friday night, affluent.” During Hitler’s rise “we didn’t and only once in a whole year did It was a long war for Peter. He wasn’t want to know, we thought it would be someone ask me to come home with demobbed until two years after fighting alright.” But for his family in Breslau them and share a Sabbath meal.” ended. Transferred to Intelligence, he (now Wroclaw in Poland), as for was ordered to track down Nazis. “We millions of other European Jews, it was Suddenly, in 1940, Peter and other were looking for 30,000 Nazis. We had not going to be “alright”. foreign nationals were rounded up, to interview them. Most of the hundreds taken to an internment camp on the Isle of thousands coming through were Much would change Peter’s view very of Man, and then put on a ship (the returning German soldiers, but we quickly. The family business was lost infamous Dunera) for a brutal two- found plenty who weren’t. We identified and, in 1938, the teenager born Werner month voyage to Australia. All their a woman, a terrible guard at Auschwitz, Engel was interrogated by the Gestapo belongings were stolen, and the who was ultimately hanged.” after being falsely accused of having an "passengers" mistreated. Aryan girlfriend. Not long after that, Taking out a faded black and white Peter came to England and safety. He Yet, he insists he holds no animosity. photo of a group of young uniformed was, he says, "lucky". “Churchill said ‘Collar the Lot.’ We were men, he explained: “My unit was made German, the British were fighting for up of ten British soldiers, eight of us Not so his family. In 1941, trying to their lives. How could I complain?“ were Jewish. We were known as ‘The escape the horror, Peter’s parents were They would eventually receive an Avengers.’ One of our guys found sold dodgy visas for Mexico and China, official apology. William Joyce, Lord Haw-Haw, in the before being herded on to the first Nazi forest near Hamburg and when Joyce transport train to Lithuania and shot the After volunteering to join the British reached for his pocket, he was shot, next day. By then Peter’s sister was in wounded and captured.” Joyce was Palestine. Eleven years later later hanged for his traitorous she would be killed by an Arab Nazi radio broadcasts urging terrorist’s bomb in Haifa. the British to surrender.

After training to be a welder at Peter also took part in the war the ORT school in , Peter crimes trial in Essen (the came to the UK on a child’s Essen Lynching Case, visa, sponsored by a north December 1945). “We had 22 London gentile couple, who Germans who captured British employed him in their factory. fliers, then shot them. We At 16 he had a small room in a went by the book, they were house in Edgware for 7 all hanged. I hated the bloody shillings and 6 pence a week lot, but I never felt it was (37.5p). “I lived on 30 shillings revenge for what happened to a week (£1.50). Every day fish my parents.” The Imperial War and chips for lunch and in the Museum has in its files a two- evening, pie. I was always hour recording of Peter hungry,” adding with a wry reflecting on his military smile ”but had a better figure.” experiences. Peter Eden today at 95 Taking off his uniform for the last time knew nothing about restaurants. His person makes his own luck. “I got by in 1947, Peter left his welding career £1,000 wasn’t enough, but with my and I have to be grateful. Few of my behind. On his return to London, he thousand we became partners and friends are still around. The other day applied for a job with a clothing opened Bistro 17 on Moscow Road my company had a military reunion. manufacturer owned by Jewish family. (Bayswater). Even with a three-course Just three of us showed up. These With no “shmatta” experience, he was meal under £1, we still made money.” days there are so few I know at the initially turned down, but it seems the synagogue.” sister took a liking to him and the job Enough money to ultimately have 14 was his. In fact, Peter worked at three London restaurants operating at the Some who have had Holocaust jobs. He was an office cleaner in the same time, including the Kabaret Night experience say they no longer believe morning, then the day job, finally being Club and Restaurant in New Bond in God. Peter Eden pauses when a driver at night. It all added up to £12 Street. He is now only left with La asked if after losing his parents, a week. Brasserie on Brompton Road. “At my relatives and friends, the killing of his age? I’m retired, but I still have an sister, and everything he’s seen, he He went on to become a "pretty good" interest in it.” believes in God? “There is no answer. I travelling salesman, hawking women’s had great luck because, without luck in wear on the south coast and Peter puts nearly everything down to life, you have nothing.” developing the business acumen he’d being "lucky.” Lucky that he left later need. “Big fashion buyers, they Germany when he did and found British Then he recalls a High Holiday sermon were tough."’ The newly introduced sponsors. Lucky that two torpedoes years ago by Rabbi Kokotek, who said: bikini was a major line. heading for his ship missed their target. "God gives you life but he doesn’t tell Lucky that he survived a shrapnel you what to do with it. That always Then, Peter explains: “I had a friend wound in his groin. Lucky in business. stayed with me. Do I believe? I believe who had a friend who wanted to open a God has not had one hand over me, restaurant. He’d been a waiter and I Yet he dismisses the notion that a but two hands.”

RUTH YOUNG An appreciation by Walter Goddard

in Stirling. They had a passage booked Aldermaston March, she always to the USA, where they had found a packed a picnic for Henry and the sponsor, but the purser turned them children. (There were annual "Ban the away from the ship at Hamburg on the Bomb" Easter marches from 1958-63.) grounds that there were already enough Jews on board. After Henry's death in 1988, Ruth rekindled her friendship with her But they persuaded the skipper of an teenage sweetheart, Rolf Weinberg. He English fishing boat to take them. accompanied her in 1999 on a visit to There were already 10 refugees on Ulm with her children and board. When they disembarked in Hull, grandchildren. “It was a bittersweet the local Jewish Committee arranged experience”, she later wrote in a family for their jobs in Scotland. memoir when contrasting the Older readers will remember Ruth enjoyment of spending time together Young, a regular patron of our annual Ruth had a busy social life in Stirling against facing the Mayor and a former bazaar over the last 30 years in the and at a Jewish refugee centre in youth club organiser, who had insisted company of our member, the late Rolf Glasgow. There she met Heinz that as a Jew she had to leave the club. Weinberg, and surrounded by her Weinberg (no relation to the family and friends, who all loved the aforementioned Rolf!), a fellow German But she appreciated the fact that Ulm food served at the bazaar. refugee, whom she married in 1942. had gone to great lengths to address its On joining the Pioneer Corps, he past, inviting back previous residents. "I Born in Ulm on 27 June 1921, Ruth’s followed British Army policy in had been lucky to be able to start a formal education was cut short when anglicising his name to Henry Young. new life here and I am grateful for it," the Nazis came to power in 1933. A she declared. "Home is definitely here pro-Nazi teacher ordered her to dive Ruth was a caring, loving mother and a in Britain!” into a half-empty swimming pool, supportive wife for 46 years. Their four causing her to hit her head. As a children, Eva, John, Susan and Helen, Ruth and Rolf lived in Wembley but trainee nurse in Hamburg, she was grew up in the leafy suburb of Harrow moved 13 years ago to Sidcup, Kent, to witness to the events of Kristallnacht in and Pinner and, over the years, they be near Ruth's oldest daughter. Rolf, 1938 when Nazi hordes stormed the gave their parents a steadily increasing who joined General de Gaulle's Free Jewish hospital, pulling male patients in number of grandchildren and, lately, French Forces and was awarded the their beds out of the wards to be sent to great-grandchildren. Medaille Militaire (equivalent to the concentration camps. Victoria Cross) in 1945, received the Ruth and Henry were founder members highest level of the Legion d'Honneur Ruth, an only child, and her mother, of the Harrow Humanist Association (Chevalier) while in a hospital bed in Rosa Laupheimer, a young widow and were both politically active. They his final years. Ruth was his loving whose husband had died of heart supported CND (Campaign for Nuclear companion at services and events at problems, were lucky in obtaining jobs Disarmament) right from the beginning. our synagogue until his death in 2011. as housekeeper/cook and housemaid While Ruth did not go to every Ruth died on 18 October.

No 686 - Kislev/Tevet/Shevat 5777 - December 2016/January 2017 - Page 5 Our Congregation - Page 6 Obituary IRENE WHITE A full life Germany. Her operational partner in not been possible to sit formal exams. Palestine was the better known Her £25 tuition fee had been covered , daughter of an by a grant from the Jewish Refugees American Reform rabbi and founder of Committee at Bloomsbury House. Hadassah Hospital, which became the major supporter of . The next stage of her life came in 1943 when she married a fellow-refugee, Ilse went to kibbutz Ein Harod in early Adolf Weiss, three years her junior, 1934. At 18 she trained as a children's whom she met at a dance. He was nurse at the Wizo clinic in Jerusalem, born in Berlin of Polish parents, which under the patronage of British Zionists. meant that in Britain he was a friendly Her work included home visits to alien, not an enemy alien. His father impoverished families. Jewish medical died when he was three and he grew services were dire under the Ottoman up in a Jewish orphanage, which Empire despite hospitals built by the apprenticed him to a locksmith. Rothschilds and Moses Montefiore. The dedicated British and American He left Germany in August 1939 on a Zionist ladies sought to change youth permit through hachsharah and primitive conditions and practices. was sent to pick potatoes in the Cambridgeshire fens. In 1941 he Irene White, one of our early members, The following year Ilse left to work on a moved to London and joined our who died at her home in Hendon on 22 children's ward in a Jaffa hospital, then synagogue, then called the New Liberal July aged 99, did not engage in trained in a general hospital in . Jewish Congregation. community life until retirement. She Her parents had reached Palestine then burst on the scene, producing separately. Her mother, who brought When called up to the army in 1944 – tape recordings for sight-impaired Fredy, made a living by selling her having been turned down earlier by the elderly refugees and enriching the good German baking – biscuits and RAF and refusing to serve with the Chanukah Bazaar with her stall of stollen (yeast cake). After Georg's notoriously anti-Semitic Free Polish books and berets, which she death in 1958, they moved to Ecuador. Army – his name was changed to Allan respectively wrote and crocheted. White. He was transferred from the One of Ilse's patients in Tel Aviv, Royal West Kent Regiment to No 10 But this was just her last role in an suffering from a chest infection, was Commandos, containing Jewish eventful life which matched her Colonel John Patterson who had been refugee volunteers, and fought in Italy. resourcefulness with extraordinary visiting an old friend, Ze'ev Jabotinsky, opportunities and coincidences. Born in a hero of right-wing Zionism. Patterson, In May 1945, he was sent to Hamburg Dessau in eastern Germany on 8 June an Irish Protestant and Christian as translator for interrogating German 1917, she moved at two to Berlin. Her Zionist, was an equally colourful police. He discovered that his widowed father, Georg Michelsohn, had studied character, a First World War hero who mother and younger sister had dentistry but preferred to be a poet. He had commanded the Zion Mule Corps perished in the camps but his other and his wife separated and his parents and a Jewish Legion battalion. sister and her husband had survived. finished up supporting the family. He suggested she take her nursing The Whites had two children, Joan But though impractical, her father was diploma in England, where he would be born in 1944 and named after the far-sighted and realised that Germany's her guardian since she was under 21. Colonel, and Peter in 1946, before instability after the First World War was He also taught her English. Through his Allan was demobilised in 1947. When dangerous for Jews. In 1926 he sent and his wife's efforts in writing to the she married (at Hampstead Town Hall), his oldest son, Gidon, to Palestine, Home Office and St Mary's Hospital, Ilse had to leave her hospital work , recently placed under British mandate Paddington, Ilse sailed to England in which was the rule then for women in by the League of Nations. Gidon spring 1938. She paid her passage by institutions like medicine, teaching and became a successful orange-grove looking after the twin babies of a British civil service. But she carried on working owner and producer. The next son, diplomat's wife on board. She for private doctors. Fredy, was sent to study in France. corresponded with the Pattersons until the Colonel's death in California in She also had her mother to help with Ilse, as she was originally known, was 1947, when he was 80. child care in their rented house in the youngest. After leaving school, she Golders Green. Margaret Michelsohn worked briefly as a window-dresser. Wartime disruption in London from the came from Ecuador on a 12-month She also belonged to a Jewish youth blitz and alien regulations sent her to permit shortly before Peter's birth. group preparing for kibbutz life in Israel different locations. She worked at a TB Eventually she was allowed to stay through hachsharah, agricultural sanatorium in Hertfordshire, then permanently and lived with her training, organised by Jugend-Alijah returned to London to Hampstead daughter until her death in 1981. (Youth Aliyah). General Hospital (since absorbed into the Royal Free Hospital). In 1948, as their lease was running out, This organisation was created in 1932 the Whites bought a substantial semi in in Berlin by Recha Freier, a rabbi's wife, Her training and experience were Hendon for £3,000, borrowed from as a solution to Jewish youth eventually recognised as equivalent to friends. To finance the purchase, Ilse unemployment in anti-Semitic SEN (state enrolled nurse) since it had opened a nursing home and took in nine single Jewish refugee 10 years, she recorded over women, thereby also fulfilling 1,000 religious services, light government policy of occupying and classical music concerts, empty bedrooms in the post- cabaret and talks. war housing shortage. After attending an art course, While Allan was working in she started art classes for the Hamburg as staff sergeant on elderly and arranged a highly the Control Commission of the successful show of their work. Public Safety Board, Margaret She also organised several wrote to ask if he could trace an visits to York, and visited the old friend, Dr Weber, a bereaved and volunteered at Lutheran whose Jewish wife the AJR Day Centre. On one had died from TB before the occasion a man objected to the war. While ill, she had been in colour of his cloakroom ticket. the same Swiss sanatorium as It was yellow and reminded him Margaret, also suffering from Irene and Allan White with baby Joan too much of the yellow star he TB, and the friendship between was forced to wear in Germany. the families continued even after that This next stage in her life, as a widow, death. saw a transformation. Ilse now became She recalled that poignant incident in Irene (her second name, pronounced her 1991 memoir, I Came As A Allan found Dr Weber and he, in turn, with three syllables and followed by Stranger, the first of her six self- asked Allan if he could trace the Jewish Felicitas Edna, with Bela, originally published books. Reflecting her owner of the animal serum veterinary Bilha, as her Hebrew name). She wore personality, it is a chronicle of short, company he had worked for and been trousers, a revolutionary step then for a clearly delineated incidents, each ordered to take over under Nazi rule. woman in her mid-60s. making a specific point. Her other He wanted to return the company, still a books were fiction, based on her going concern. She had promised her husband that experiences. she would look after "our people” The owner was a Dr Hans Enoch who (unsere) and she always kept a After 23 years of volunteering she turned out to live opposite the Whites' promise and loved a challenge. She retired in 2005, aged 88, to be cared for new Hendon home. Dr Enoch promptly was fearless. When she had to stop by her daughter, Joan Arton, who visited Hamburg to reclaim his driving, due to a crash, she rode a followed her into nursing. Her son business, the International Serum scooter. She once chased a burglar out predeceased her in 2013. She is Company, and relaunched it from of her house with a broomstick. survived by Joan, five grandchildren London. The serum was produced from and five great-grandchildren. horses kept in a paddock in Mill Hill. Dr At Rabbi Rodney Mariner's Enoch offered Allan a job in the new suggestion, she visited The Bishop's company. Avenue homes near Kenwood (Heinrich Stahl House, Leo Baeck Allan had started work in a sheet metal House, Osmond House and, in factory but took the opportunity to Hampstead, Otto Schiff House – now become a rep. He used the car he had all sold and redeveloped) and spoke recently bought for £60, a 1934 Ford in German to residents who never Model T. He had no medical or received visitors. laboratory background but, driving all round Britain, he saw that customers' Her visits revealed the hunger in the access to drugs and equipment was refugee circle for keeping up with fractured and inefficient. events. It started with a wheelchair- bound lady bemoaning the fact she In 1952 he set up his own business, the could no longer attend services. With Veterinary Drug Company (York). York the rabbi's and cantor's consent, was chosen as the midpoint between Irene taped a service for her. The the north of Scotland and south of result was so popular she had to England, and he liked the place and its make a new recording every few people. He stayed on good terms with months. his former employer and bought products from him as part of his one- This led to her recording lectures and stop supply and distribution hub. music to play to residents. Because so many of them could no longer see With her mother looking after the home well enough to read, she collected a and children, Ilse took on a new role in team of five volunteers to read and York as hostess of the many social record the monthly publications of functions that helped cement the Belsize Square Synagogue and the company's relations with suppliers and Association of Jewish Refugees. customers. She was fully occupied with this for 30 years until her husband's The postal service was in a healthier In 10 lessons you’ll be able to read death in 1982 from leukaemia, a month state then. Cassettes in special Hebrew with Antge Nisimblat Heller before he was due to retire. Their son- returnable black plastic wallets were in-law, the late Michael Arton, published sent out and returned as a free Contact: his story in One Day in York (1989). library service. During the course of [email protected] / 07980 344116

No 686 - Kislev/Tevet/Shevat 5777 - December 2016/January 2017 - Page 7 Our Congregation - Page 8 THE SHYLOCK PROBLEM News and reviews of anniversary productions and discussions The Merchant of Venice has Indeed, he was probably first been the play of the year, staged as the Pantalone thanks to the coincidence of character who, in the the 400th anniversary of commedia dell'arte theatrical Shakespeare's death (on April troupes which started in 16) with the 500th anniversary northern Italy in of the establishment of the first Shakespeare's time, was the ever Jewish ghetto in Venice. archetypal stingy Venetian businessman. The forced concentration of Jews in the Gheto Nuovo But Shakespeare couldn't do (New Foundry, which in time cardboard characters. He had became the Gheto Vechio, Old to round them out. That was Foundry), was soon copied his genius and that is what around Europe. It was situated makes Shylock such an in Cannaregio (Royal Canal), interesting, if embittered, the historic northernmost Phoebe and Jonathan Pryce in personality. He has good district of Venice. Jews had to The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare's Globe. reason for his hatred and return there every evening and vindictiveness. the gates were locked from sunset to his audience, it was undoubtedly a dawn. The gates were removed by comedy, clinched by the final scene And nobody is really nice in this play. If Napoleon in 1797. where the newly-wed grooms, Jewish spectators are uncomfortable at Bassanio and Gratiano, have to explain the naked anti-Semitism, male viewers In the play, the actual merchant of to their wives the loss of the rings their can feel surprisingly hurt by the two Venice is Antonio, a Christian citizen. wives just gave them. women's trickery after they have got But its central character is Shylock the the rings off their husbands, at least, Jew, the outsider, and this is one of But this is a play with a serious and, according to Dr Edelman. People talk Shakespeare's more uncomfortable indeed, savage heart. Is it really a up gentleness and mercy but no one plays for modern times and comedy or, as lawyer and critic Anthony practises it. Hypocrisy rules, and there sensibilities. England had no Jewish Julius has suggested, a revenge is a definite lack of fair play. community at the time but people were comedy, as opposed to the more still obsessed with Jews. common genre of revenge tragedy? So, how to put on the play? Every This was one of the points made in an generation has to remake its view and They had been expelled from England interesting and highly interactive talk at version of Shylock. Historically, in 1290 by King Edward 1 and did not the Adult Discussion Group given in Edmund Kean was the first actor to return until negotiations between Rabbi mid-October by Dr Joshua Edelman, discard the standard wig and false Menasseh ben Israel, leader of the lecturer in theatre studies at nose in 1814 and play the character Amsterdam community, and Oliver Manchester Metropolitan University. with a real range of emotion. Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, quietly paved the way in 1656, eight Dr Edelman previously spent over 12 More recently there have been notable years after Holland shook off Spanish years as a theatre director in Dublin, performances by Laurence Olivier as a rule to become the Dutch Republic. where he put on The Merchant. He was respectable Victorian Anglo-Jewish struck by the sudden switch from gentleman (1970, director Jonathan There were exceptions. Queen Shylock's vague first proposal for the Miller), Anthony Sher suffering trial by Elizabeth I had a Jewish doctor, loan's collateral, or bond, to be "an mob rule (1987, director Bill Alexander) Roderigo Lopez (Portuguese by birth, equal pound of your fair flesh cut off and Henry Goodman under a 1930s brought up as Catholic and converted and taken in what part of your body fascist regime (1999, director Trevor to Protestantism but always considered pleaseth me" to his curt demand in the Nunn). an ancestral Jew), who was executed trial scene for that location to be on a false charge of poisoning – "nearest the merchant's heart". This year Shakespeare's Globe another obsession of the day. There Theatre near Southwark Bridge staged may also have been some Jewish court Dr Edelman's point was that its impressive production under musicians. contemporary audiences would have Jonathan Munby with Jonathan Pryce immediately taken the first statement to as Shylock and Phoebe Pryce as But in practice, Jews were an unknown mean castration. To complicate Jessica, father and daughter playing quantity, so anything went – and did, as matters, he reckoned there was also a father and daughter. Like most post- in Christopher Marlowe's 1589 hit, The conflation of castration with war productions, it features genuine Jew of Malta. Shakespeare's play came circumcision (which people did not Jewish elements, like a tallit or kaddish, out some eight years later, which was understand but, again, were fascinated as opposed to the stereotypical and about four years after Lopez's death by by), together with the myth of ritual inaccurate representations that Kean hanging. Lopez's trial may have given slaughter and the Christian belief in the rejected. This one also incorporates the Shakespeare the idea for staging a trial redeeming power of Jesus' blood – a Christian ritual of baptism. scene centred round a Jew. potent mix. But does this stage-business The play weaves together various In any one else's hands, Shylock's innovation add anything? I am not sure. strands of old stories (Shakespeare character would have been a With this production, the "Jewish was never concerned with originality of straightforward villain and played as a element" took the form of (to me) an plot). But is it a comedy or tragedy? To pantomime clown or semi-clown. unintelligible Yiddish argument between Shylock and Jessica. Perhaps being had the wrong Jewish education. And in the final scene, sitting in the Welsh, as Jonathan Pryce is, has moonlight and still at the honeymoon something to do with it. I also thought the director did not bring stage, where was that lyricism and out the key facets of Jessica's sheer delight in her new-found status? As a child, I heard Welsh-Yiddish character, although she came over as a (I often wonder what happened later to speakers and couldn't understand them strong and independent personality. that marriage, especially when the in Yiddish or English (ditto Glaswegian She is so obviously itching to join the money ran out.) But this was still a Jews of my youth). And the Hebrew (Christian) party but what we got was Shylock, and Antonio, well worth singing, which I am sure was correct, the highly plausible, if not strictly seeing. had no familiar cadences. Obviously, I Shakespearean, row with Daddy. Ruth Rothenberg THE MERCHANT IN VENICE Philippa Strauss describes a "unique experience"

As mentioned in the last issue of Our It was clear that Shylock could not The play sold out well before the Congregation, Philippa and Jimmy respond in kind and harboured deep opening night in July with queues for Strauss travelled to Venice to see a grudges against his antagonists. At one returns. Starting at twilight, the open-air version of The Merchant of Venice put point the five Shylocks were mocked performances in the square (visible to on in the ghetto itself. and taunted by the Venetians to people who actually live there) lasted illustrate why he had no mercy left for two hours with no interval and the Renamed The Merchant in Venice, it Antonio later at the trial. narrative thread was easy to follow, was staged in the main square of the even for those new to the play. ghetto with an international cast In contrast to the bitter divide between including Italians, Americans, French Jew and Gentile, the director used an Each performance was enthusiastically and British. international expert in commedia received, with prolonged applause and dell'arte (clowning and slapstick) to a standing ovation from many in the The director emphasised themes of relieve the mood with humour and audience. The experience was unique, alienation, intolerance and the power of irreverence. This expert performer who profoundly moving and an outstanding the wealthy and well-connected, played Lancelot Gobbo, here dubbed interpretation of Shakespeare’s text in especially men. Shylock was played by Lancilotto, came on at the opening to this historic venue, with clear five different actors (including one tell risqué jokes in Italian, the only resonances for us today. woman), each wearing a wide, yellow language she used. Her slapstick sash. He was presented not just as “the removed the need for translation. The New York-based company, Jew” but as the symbolic outsider, Compagnia de' Colombari, specialises distinct from Venetian society; an easy Her posture and movement personified in site-specific theatre and is highly target for taunting and cruelty, due both the comic exaggeration and swagger recommended. It will reprise this to widespread ignorance of Jewish typical of this very specific style. She production in and around New York in culture and also set the mood with a song not in September 2017. If you would like traditions the original text. Her Italian mixed well details, news of dates and venues will and to his with the sprinkling of Ladino, French be posted on their website, here: own low and Yiddish from other actors, lacing http://www.themerchantinvenice.org/ status. the piece with a highly Venetian flavour. #the-show. And Another View of Venetian and Jew From Rebecca Nisbet By way of BSS’s own Helen and Peter Toeman, audiences as a victim of Israeli might, preparation newly graduated from Cambridge and taking the part of the Jew? I have heard for studying on his RSC debut. The programme it said that part of the message of the the text for notes were by Howard Jacobson and play is that, however much one thinks GCSE, I Jonathan Freedland, the community of Shylock as the victim and worthy of Shakespeare's statue went last writers so often reeled out to comment the audience’s sympathy, by the end of in Poets' Corner summer to on Jewish community matters. So far, the play, the inherent untrustworthiness at Westminster Abbey see The all was familiar. arising from his Jewish birth comes to Merchant of the fore. Certainly, with this in mind, the Venice performed by the Royal And yet this was a strangely alien Israeli accent was disconcerting, as Shakespeare Company. Considering production. Shylock was played by was seeing the Jew wearing a kippah this is a play about being an outsider, a Makram Khoury, an Israeli Arab born in throughout. play about Christian virtues pitted Jerusalem, who speaks English with an against Jewish morality, a play beloved Israeli accent. Was that an attempt to Overall, there was much to enjoy in this by the Nazi regime, this was a universalise the play beyond its production. The relationship between surprisingly homely production. inherent anti-Semitic theme or was it Antonio and Bassanio was portrayed in yet another step on the road to suggest a new light. The sets were simple and Travelling to Stratford-upon-Avon, one that the new prejudice of anti-Zionism dramatic, with the three caskets is reassured by being in the familiar is just the old prejudices recast? dropping from the roof. And more Warwickshire countryside and the importantly, I was able to read the text beautiful modern theatre. The Assistant What was meant by this role reversal? at school, with at least one Director was Oscar Toeman, son of Someone who could be seen by British dramatisation in my mind.

No 686 - Kislev/Tevet/Shevat 5777 - December 2016/January 2017 - Page 9 Our Congregation - Page 10

Dear Fellow Members election when Donald Tramp trumped on Hillary Clinton. For me the choise between this two was even more I am pleased to announce that my wife Mrs Klopstick oblivious that the choise between the Remains und has earlier this month been aworded a browns medal Leave from the UE. I can’t believe that the Americans for coming third in the over eighties Jewish Ladies also voted to the right just like here in little minded Gymnasium competition. She did especially well in Briton. I heard for the first time in my live the warts the parallel bras und on the bima. ‘Jew SA’ come from some Tramp supporters what was relative to this ridiculous conspiracy theorem. For my part I am very flattered to have been invited to make up a table to the BGM Super Quiz last I have a few weeks ago been shown an article from month. I hat to refuse this kind offer as I have never the Jewish Chronic ridden by a Morsati Rabbi, Neil been able to make a good table und my hearing is Altschuler. He is claiming to be ours at Belsize not strong enough in these days for me to write the Square. Of cause no one of our members would be answers in time. fooled by this proposter. Our Rabbi is Steward und has long in the ians of time abandoned the ‘c’ in his name. I hope that Of cause at this time of year with the trees having shredded as many from you will right to the JC und put the matter their leaves und the air full with frost we come to think of correctly. Imagine that someone would write in the Chronic what used to be our traditional Bazaar but now is the Belsize as the Sheaf Rabbi, Egbert Mirvisch, there would be Chanukah Weinachts Markt. In the olden days most from us protestants mounted from every corner. were in business und we brought our own whares to sell. Unfortunately there was never enough room for my button Soon it will be Chanuka itself und out will come Mrs K’s collection. Mrs Klopstick used to give a free from charge recipe for doenuts. This compromises of doe with nuts. My message to anyone who was a stiff neck oder had bag wive really is a Godsent to all local dentists und orthodoxies. problems. There also was the bottle tumbler, Sargent From now you will not here from my kolumn till the new year Balzheimer’s first aids stand und many different schmutter of 2017. For those from you who are going on a winter sport, schtalls. please take care not to break any limps und don’t course an avalunch. I take this opportunity und on behalve of Mrs These days are gone long now und we have to brace the Klopstick two, to wish you all the best seasoned greatings new ways. I am very much alongside my wive in welcoming possible und a very happy und preposterous New Jahr. change. Too many of my condempories like to live in the passed. They to easily forget that once there ideas were With the best of intentions ejected by the old funny duddies of their time.

I am writing this column too days after the USA president Fritz Klopstick Scripture Readings Candle Lighting Date Sidrah/Festival Torah Haftarah

Friday 2 December 3 December Tol'dot Genesis 26:23-27:27 Malachi 1:1-2:7 Denise Jacobson Kislev 3 28:7-9

Friday 9 December 10 December Vayeitzei Genesis 30:14-31:16 Hosea 12:13-14:10 Annicka Terry Kislev 10 32:1-3

Friday 16 December 17 December Vayishlach Genesis 34:1-35:15 Obadiah Book Deborah Jay Kislev 17 36:40-43

Friday 23 December 24 December Vayeishev Genesis 38:1-30 Amos 2:6-3:8 Michelle Wayne Kislev 24 40:20-23

Friday 30 December 31 December Mikeitz Genesis 41:53-43:15 Zechariah 2:14 - 4:17 Jackie Alexander Tevet 2 Shabbat Chanukah (7th) Numbers 7:48-53

Friday 6 January 7 January Vayiggash Genesis 45:28-46:27 Ezekiel 37:15-28 Karen Green Tevet 9 47:25-27

Friday 13 January 14 January Vay'chi Genesis 49:1-26 I Kings 2:1-12 Pat Hinson Tevet 16 50:23-26

Friday 20 January 21 January Sh'mot Exodus 3:1-4:17 Isaiah 27:6-28:13 Sara Collins Tevet 23 5:22-6:1 29:22-23

Friday 27 January 28 January Va'eira Exodus 7:8-8:15 Isaiah 66:1-24 Lucy Bergman Shevat 1 Rosh Chodesh Numbers 28:9-15 The copy deadline for the next issue of Community News Our Congregation is Friday 13 January 2017 REGULAR SERVICES BIRTHS Saturday 3 December and 7 January at 11.00am Congratulations and best wishes to: Kikar Kids Lydia Goldblatt, on the birth of her daughter Saturday 5 November and 3 December at 11.00am NEW MEMBERS Under-5s’ Service in the Crèche We extend a cordial welcome to: 5-9 year-olds Service in the Library Jack Farkas 11.30am – Kids’ Kiddush Eddie Sternberg Often followed by a Pot Luck Lunch Daniel & Michelle Samson with daughter Lottie Contact Frank Joseph on 020 7482 2555 to bring a dish Zippy Woolfson Religion School Susan & Patrick Storring Sunday mornings: 9.30am-12.30pm BAR/BAT MITZVAH End of Term: 11 December 2016 Congratulations and best wishes to: Next Term Starts: 8 January 2017 Eben, son of Annicka & James Terry who celebrates his Bar Mitzvah on 10 December LOCAL LUNCHEON GROUPS BIRTHDAYS Still running and happy to welcome new members Congratulations and best wishes to: Please let us know if you plan to attend Mrs A Goodwin (93) on 2 December Mr G Goodwin (93) on 6 December The NW3 Group Mrs A Badian (105) on 11 December Giacomo, 428 Finchley Road, London NW2 2HY Mrs A Balint (93) on 28 December 1.00pm on Wednesday 14 December & 11 January 2017 Mrs C Haar (95) on 29 December Please phone Irene Strauss on 020 7435 3538 DEATHS The Edgware Group We regret to announce the passing of: Edgware & District Reform Synagogue (EDRS) 118 Stonegrove, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 8AB Randolph Mercer on 13 November 1.30pm on Tuesday 13 December & 10 January 2017 Please phone Inge Strauss on 020 8958 9414 Sunday Morning Adult Discussion Group 4 December No session – Chanukah Market CANTOR HELLER'S KABBALAT SHABBAT CHAT 11 December An invitation and opportunity for Bar Mitzvah class pupils 10.00-11.15: Rabbi Altshuler on The Great Philosophers and to make Kiddush, sing Lecha Dodi and the Jewish Response: Jewish Mysticism and Gershom learn the lessons of the Parsha. Scholem, Part 1 11.15-12.30: Michelle Huberman, Creative Director of Harif On the second Friday of the month, (association for Eastern Jews) and businesswoman, on The 5.30pm in the Library French Jews in London: who are they, why are they here, and Next session: 9 December 2016 how will they be affected post-Brexit? No January Session 18 December - 1 January No sessions – Chanukah break BELSIZE BOOK CLUB 8 January Wednesday 14 December at 8.00pm 10.00-12.00: Rabbi Altshuler on The Great Philosophers and the Jewish Response: Jewish Mysticism and Gershom We will be discussing The Paying Guest Scholem, Part 2 by Sarah Waters 12.00-12.30: Open Forum discussion Contact Paul Lindsey on 020 7435 5296 or email Dorothy White at [email protected] 15 January 10.00-11.15: Rabbi Altshuler on The Great Philosophers and the Jewish Response: German Jewish Reform – Abraham Vital Meetings on our Synagogue's Future Shape Geiger DON'T JUST SAVE THE DATE – BE THERE! 11.15-12.30: Speaker TBC Sunday 15 January at 11.00am 22 January Tuesday 17 January at 8.00pm 10.00-11.15: Rabbi Altshuler - the Great Philosophers and the Do you remember the exhibition of potential Synagogue Jewish Response: Wissenschafts des Judentums — Leopold development plans in September last year? Zunz, Zechariah Frankel, Heinrich Graetz and the birth of Masorti Judaism Following further work on this project from our highly 11.15-12.30: Mia Hasenson-Gross, Director, René Cassin committed team and a positive response in principle from the (human rights organisation): The Jewish Voice in Human London Borough of Camden, we are ready to tackle the next Rights – Slavery in Judaism stage – to finalise the design brief and develop a programme to turn it into reality. 29 January 10.00-11.15: Rabbi Altshuler - the Great Philosophers and the There will be two Open Meetings at the Synagogue to meet Jewish Response - Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch and Neo- the team and hear more detail about the project. This will also Orthodoxy be an opportunity to put forward any ideas you may wish to 11.15-12.30: John Heyderman on Spinoza (TBC) be considered and possibly taken on board.

No 686 - Kislev/Tevet/Shevat 5777 - December 2016/January 2017 - Page 11 Our Congregation - Page 12

Meet Our New Youth Workers SYNAGOGUE HELP LINES After winding down over the THE BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE summer, travelling to 51 Belsize Square, London, NW3 4HX different corners of the earth Tel: 020 7794 3949 and having lots of fun in the Email: [email protected] sun, it’s time to bring our SYNAGOGUE OFFICE HOURS younger members of the 9.00am - 5.30pm congregation back to Belsize Fridays: 9.00am-2.00pm Square and introduce the CHIEF EXECUTIVE new youth leaders, Melanie Lee Taylor - 020 7794 3949 Nathan (left) and Zoe BELSIZE MEMBERS’ GROUP Cowan. Co-chairs: Marion Nathan - 020 8361 2443 and Dilys Tausz - 020 7435 5996 CHEVRA KADISHA Having grown up in Chairman: Rabbi Stuart Altshuler Belsize, taken part and Joint Vice Chairs: Helen Grunberg - 020 8450 8533 lead numerous activities, Cantor Dr Paul Heller the pair are delighted to be COMMUNITY CARE CO-ORDINATOR & taking over the youth. BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE Contact Eve Hersov on 020 7435 7129 There are lots of fun or email [email protected] activities planned for the or call the Synagogue Office for a leaflet forthcoming year including FUNERALS a Skeet Machaneh (15-17 During Synagogue Office hours phone 020 7794 3949. September 2017), Evenings/weekends phone Calo’s (Undertakers) trampolining, quasar, 020 8958 2112 climbing and lots more. JUDAICA SHOP Open during office hours and on Sunday morning during Look out for the upcoming term time only events on the last Sunday KIDDUSH of every month and join in Rota enquiries to Jennifer Saul in the Synagogue Office the fun!! (not Thursdays or Fridays) LIBRARY Open Wednesdays 10am - 12 noon At other times please check first with the office CHEDER Enquiries to the Head, Jeanie Horowitz, in the Synagogue Office, or email [email protected] PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION Chairperson: Mandy Brass - 020 8452 6936 YOUTH ACTIVITIES Email the Youth Workers, Melanie Nathan & Zoe Cowan [email protected] EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CONGREGATION Emails to: [email protected] or to the Editor: [email protected] LAYOUT AND DESIGN Philip Simon: www.philipsimon.co.uk CHAIRMAN Jackie Alexander [email protected] RABBI Rabbi Dr Stuart Altshuler [email protected] CANTOR Cantor Dr Paul Heller [email protected] EMERITUS Rabbi Rodney Mariner [email protected] / 020 8347 5306

Charity Number 1144866 Company Number 7831243 The Belsize Square Synagogue