ESTMINSTER UARTERLY Volume IX No.1 January 2018

Luis de Torres - contemporary engraving

Luis de Torres - Explorer Two-Gun Cohen Queen Alexandra Salome The Jews of Luxembourg

From the Rabbi

In my first piece in this wonderful process of building the Tabernacle, one

Westminster Quarterly, I want to to which everyone contributes a unique

introduce myself as the Rabbi of this talent. community. The story above may be a I want each of us to contribute to making

risky introduction. After all, your new this community one in which we grow

Rabbi is only in his mid-thirties and has together, forming meaningful the rather informal name Benji and now relationships; a community to which we he introduces himself with a teenage can bring our full selves - forming an story! extended family, sharing in each others’ joys, pain and questions. How many of Let me explain why. Those conversations you have formed friendships for life with my father were, without my through this community? How many of knowing, the introduction to what I you have found in one or all of our deeply value in the Jewish community - Rabbis Reinhart, Friedlander, Salamon the capacity to grow up by working and our outgoing Chief Executive Renee together, both to share and to shape each Salamon, the pillars of an extended

others’ lives. Those conversations family, warm and supportive ? showed me the power of grappling When does a person grow up? With the introduction of a new Rabbi and simultaneously with words and people a new Chief Executive, the family is I remember starting at St Paul’s at age that you care about - and is that not the thirteen, schlepping across town from changing, but the commitment to warm business of Westminster Synagogue? and transformative relationships will be Belsize Park and feeling nervous and Reading together was crucial to the as strong as ever. I will endeavour within inadequate - not very grown up at all. relationship I had with my father. my first year to have conversations with Everyone in my class seemed so clever! I Learning together is the way I met my each of you and to help you to have began to enjoy English Literature - my wife, Rabbi Leah Jordan, now a Chaplain important conversations with each other. outstanding teacher, Ms McClaren, for University Students across the If you would like to bring eight or so introduced me to the play Pygmalion - country. The buzz of getting to know members or potential members of the and to feel that literature might help me people across the generations through community together to eat, learn and to reflect, listen and express myself Judaism at Westminster Synagogue, is talk, then please count me in! We’ll find a date that works. If you would like a one- amidst my nerves. the way in which more than two hundred on-one conversation just email me at of us this year enjoyed our new learning In my enthusiasm (partly to be good at [email protected] day, Chai. These conversations are the something) I would read the first draft of or call Kent House. I look forward to my essay - creative or critical - to my heart of our community. growing together with you all. father, Jack Stanley, whenever I had an I could introduce myself more along the assignment. He came from the States to lines of a CV (grew up at Belsize Square London as the creative director of an Synagogue; St Pauls; English at Oxford; advertising firm and had a talent for gap year in Israel with Reform Judaism; linguistic clarity. As I read, he sat on the Director of Youth at Westminster sofa, patiently listening and frequently Synagogue; Leo Baeck College; a year of Rabbi Benji Stanley asking: ‘Sorry, Benji, read that bit again; training in Israel and then New York; a what do you mean by that? Can’t you say Rabbi at West London Synagogue; Rabbi it more clearly?’. for Young Adults at Reform Judaism. My Although I always initiated this father- passions include film, literature, travel son ritual, I almost always got angry, as I and Tottenham Hotspur). Yet I suspect that growing up means not clinging to felt increasingly criticised, and would often shout some of my own criticism modest achievements but becoming back before possibly storming out. Yet I more open and more honest, recognising would then quietly recognise my father’s that we work on ourselves perennially and miss and need others. Moses Our wisdom and get back to work on the essay before reading it to him again, to Teacher - never again will there be a his great pride. He helped me to get prophet like him - what marks him out? much better marks, but far more than His self-doubt, his impetuousness and his profound commitment to that, my father, who passed away almost exactly a year ago, gave us this invaluable relationships with Ultimacy and people. time together, sharing a love of words. I In the book of Exodus which is read at miss him. this time of year, Moses oversees the

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ANGLO-JEWISH HISTORY Two-Gun Cohen Harry the Ganef (Yiddish for thief). In Sen’s anti-Manchu 0rganisation. He soon April 1900 however, Cohen was arrested became an advocate for the Chinese. for pickpocketing and he was sent to an The first World War saw him fighting institution called the Hayes Industrial with the Canadian Railway Troops where School, a school to train and care for he supervised Chinese labourers, as well wayward Jewish boys. He remained there as seeing action on the Western Front. for five years. After the War he returned to Canada but, When he was released his parents because the economy had declined, in borrowed money from relatives and sent 1922 he headed to China intending to

him to Canada hoping that he would work as a railway developer. However, change his ways. He ended up in a place after arriving in Shanghai, he had an called Whitewood in Saskatchewan, interview with Sun’s English language

where he stayed for a year working on a Secretary, Eugene Chen, and was hired. Morris Cohen (1887-1970) farm. There he learned to shoot a gun In Shanghai and Canton he trained Sun’s with either hand and to play cards well. small armed force to box and shoot and

He left the farm and wandered through I often wonder how many people read the Western Provinces making a living a skilled boxer, fighting obituaries in newspapers. I do, but not doing various things including being a because I am looking to read about the carnival barker and professional gambler. under the names of Fat death of someone I know but because the One of his favourite pastimes on a Moisha or The Cockney people that are written about in these Saturday night was to eat in a Chinese columns have, in the main, led Cohen restaurant and then go to the rear and fascinating lives. gamble. One night in Saskatoon he went he told people that he was an acting Some little while ago I was reading the into his regular restaurant and found the colonel in Sun’s army. He soon became obituary of an ‘old fashioned general Chinese owner being held up. He sidled one of Sun’s main protectors, shadowing reporter’ called Brian Cashinella. He up to the robber and hit him on the head, Sun at conferences and in war zones. In provided various stories to three national disarmed him, and threw him out of the addition he lived at Sun’s house at 29 Rue newspapers and after his retirement from restaurant. Moliere. the Daily Express he tried to sell a film At that time, anti-Asiatic (Chinese, Cohen could only speak a few words of script about ‘Two-Gun’ Cohen, a lad from Japanese, Korean) feeling in Canada was Chinese - he spoke a pidgin form of London’s East End who ended up even greater than its anti-Semitism. He Cantonese at best - but this was not a becoming a general in the army of Sun became a hero in the Chinese community problem since Sun’s wife, Soong Ching- Yat Sen in China and lived out his days in and was the only white man admitted to ling, and many of their associates were Manchester. There were only a few lines the ranks of the secret Tong-Sun Yat, Western-educated and spoke English. about this in the article but I was so intrigued that I had to learn more. Morris ‘Two-Gun’ Cohen was born in Poland in 1887. Shortly after his birth his parents fled the pogroms of that country, came to England and settled in the East End. Although he was eventually enrolled at the Jews Free School, he preferred the local streets – and fighting. He was a stocky boy with a rather large head and at the age of eight, when taunted by Christian boys, he knocked out a twelve-year old. By the time he himself was twelve he was a skilled boxer, fighting under the names of ‘Fat Moisha’ or ‘The Cockney Cohen’. He never fought on a Friday night because he feared the wrath of his father who was not averse to meting out a thrashing.

Cohen was also a fairly skilled pickpocket, Morris Cohen, on the right in the white suit, with Chinese recruited by and working for a man called President Sun Yat Sen and future President Chiang Kai-Shek

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Cohen’s colleagues started calling him Ma The session on language (very Kun (‘clenched fist’). Board of oversubscribed) was by a representative from the Three Faiths Forum, who spoke After one encounter where he fought off Deputies on ways to address those whose faith was three assailants attacking Sun on a train neither Jewish nor Christian, and that on he was nicked by a bullet in his left hand. On 5th September the Board held a Telling the Story was by the Director of The wound made him think and he said training day for a new national initiative Pikuach - the body which inspects later ‘Supposing it had been my right arm. to train volunteer ambassadors to bring Jewish schools - who explained how to As soon as we got back to Canton, I got me Judaism to schools and other keep an audience interested by the use of a second gun, another Smith and Wesson organisations. The seminar was held at humour and Jewish tales. revolver’. Cohen started to wear a second the Jewish Museum under the auspices pistol. The Western community, intrigued of Jewish Living, the mobile exhibition An excellent lunch was provided (though by Sun’s gun-toting escort, began calling sponsored by the Board. sadly there was insufficient food for all him ‘Two-Gun Cohen’. delegates to participate) and the Eighty-five volunteers were present on afternoon sessions were all crowded and In 1931 Two-Gun was named to command the crowded study day, which consisted followed with much interest. the Chinese 19th Field Army and was of workshops, lectures and finally a gazetted Brigadier General by the Canton question and answer session. Perhaps the most intriguing session of all government. He led Nationalist troops was the Question and Answer panel, the The Board’s Vice-President, Sheila against both the Japanese and the panellists being Clive Lawton, Jeffrey Gewolb, opened the event by welcoming communist Chinese. Leader, Maureen Kendler, Anne Angel, delegates. ‘The concept of having an Steve Miller and Pamela Hartog - all When the Japanese entered World War II accredited training programme for educationalists and academics in their in 1941 Cohen was captured in Hong Kong Outreach Ambassadors,’ she said, ‘has own fields. The questions came thick but because he identified himself as a grown from the increasing demand for and fast, all relevant to the subjects Canadian businessman, he fooled the Jewish education from non-Jewish studied and it was clear that the session Japanese and was eventually exchanged in schools and other organisations. Our could have gone on longer than the a rare prisoner swap for some important aim is to provide and support a national allotted time. Japanese officials held in the US. He network of trained ambassadors to meet returned to Canada and married, but the this demand by providing quality Jewish The Board’s Chief Executive, Gillian marriage did not last. education.’ Merron, thanked the session leaders and the delegates, some of whom had come In 1945 when the United Nations was After morning coffee, delegates went off from Wales, Yorkshire and Devon. ‘The being formed in San Francisco, he flew to their chosen sessions, two in the Board of Deputies’, she said, ‘will enable there when he learned that a resolution morning and two in the afternoon, the establishment of a national network was to be submitted to this new consisting of : of accredited Judaism ambassadors who organisation proposing the partitioning of Jews Play Football Too - Choosing will promote a proper understanding of Palestine into two states - one Jewish and Content and Nurturing Understanding; the Jewish faith and culture among non- the other Arabic - and that the Chinese What is an Artefact and How To Use It; Jewish children and adults.’ The government proposed to oppose partition. Responding to Challenging Questions; delegates left, feeling tired but well He met with the head of the Chinese Talking to Tots - delivering early years satisfied with a hard day’s study; most delegation and convinced him to abstain. sessions; were anxious to take up the idea of That abstention ultimately helped ensure Telling the Story - Prioritising and becoming ambassadors and explaining the passage of the measure partitioning Selecting Topics to Deliver; Judaism to a wide audience of young Palestine and thereby allowed the creation and The Power of Language. people throughout the country. of the State of Israel All the speakers were experts in their

In the 1950s Cohen returned to England field, with long experience of addressing and lived in Manchester with his widowed young audiences and explaining the Philippa Bernard sister and died there in 1970. He was Jewish way of life in simple, graphic Deputy representing buried in Blakeley Jewish Cemetery. On terms, with the use - where appropriate - Westminster Synagogue his tombstone his name appears in of artefacts used by Jews. These English, Hebrew and Chinese characters. included those for Shabbat meals, such His funeral was attended by as a challah and candlesticks, the use of a representatives from China. The stone was kippah and a tallit, and Scrolls. paid for by Sun’s widow Soong Ching-ling. Several of the lecturers explained the use of stories to illustrate a point, particularly for young children, as well as Miles Laddie how to put a point over and to explain clearly what a speaker wished to say.

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Jewish History Saul, David & Jonathan slipped out of the building and הבּרוּ קוֹרנר took out his mobile phone, dialling David’s

Jonathan - number. ‘Where the hell are you? The old man’s hopping mad. Look, when we go Hebrew Corner A Modern Tale back I’ll text you. If he’s reasonable after

lunch I’ll sign off ’Johnnie’, if he’s still in a The story of David’s absence from Saul’s foul temper, I’ll make it ‘Jonathan’. OK?’ In today’s Hebrew the word Avrech banquet, told in the First Book of Samuel, David agreed and kept well clear. means a married student of a (20, 18-42) when Jonathan secretly Yeshivah. But in the Torah where we communicates to him Saul’s reaction and The meeting reconvened, Saul watching find the word for the first time, we warns him to keep away, has echoes in for David. The chair remained empty. He read that Joseph was appointed by our daily life, as do so many events in the rounded on Jonathan. ‘He’s still not here. Pharaoh to become his prime Bible. Translated into modern idiom, it What on earth is he up to?’ Jonathan tried might have happened like this. minister. ‘And he made him ride in to explain. ‘It’s probably the traffic – he the second chariot which he had: ------may be stuck on the motorway. He did ask and they cried before him: Avrech me if it would be OK to go to this do.’ An international corporation needs a and he set him over all the land of strong man as Chairman. For some time ‘You should have said no. You knew this Egypt.’ (Genesis, 40:43). Some

the Board had worried about the state of meeting was important. You always take commentators argue that Avrech is a Saul’s mind. He was becoming irrational, his part. You’re my son, aren’t you? kind of word that the Egyptians used sounding off at Board meetings and You’re a disloyal, unprincipled lout – I’m as an exclamation - an interjection .

subjecting his fellow directors to ashamed to have you in my family. Get In the beginning of the nineteenth conspiracy theories, mostly centred the bastard here – I’ve had enough. He’s century, the word started to be used around his son-in-law David whom he out, out of my business and out of my life.’ for a student who excelled in Torah suspected of making a bid for control of ‘Come on, father. What’s he done? You studies. Over the course of that the company. His son Jonathan, now his don’t need to sack him.’ By now Saul was century the word began to mean that CEO, tried to persuade him that David’s all the students who studied Torah intentions were based on a seething, incandescent with rage. He swung out at Jonathan who dodged the on behalf of the community were straightforward attempt to maintain the blow. The meeting resumed in a state of called Avrech. This was the period high position the business held in the when the Yeshivah became the main global economic climate. He and David shock. But Jonathan played no part in it, furious with his father for shaming him in institution for learning the Torah were good friends, in the office as well as and the Talmud. at home, meeting for family parties, public.

playing golf together and going off on As soon as he could he escaped to contact Among modern Bible commentators shooting expeditions into the countryside. David. He sent a brief text, telling David the assumption is that the word to keep away, and signing it ‘Jonathan’. Avrech describes the role of Joseph, At the Annual General Meeting the Board and is similar to the Akkadian word Room was crowded. Saul sat at the top That evening he found David where he for a high clerk. (The Akkadian table, with Jonathan on his right. The knew he would be, on a seat by a fountain language was the international chair on his left was empty – David’s not far from the city headquarters. He put tongue in the ancient world until the chair. Saul called the meeting to order his arm round his shoulders, no words seventh century BCE when Aramaic and then noticed the empty chair. needed. Their friendship was strong, but took over). Other commentators ‘Where’s that bloody man got to? He’s late what the future held, neither of them claim that the word stems from the again,’ he whispered to Jonathan. ‘He knew. Hebrew root: beit reish chaf may be my son-in-law, but he can’t take making up the word Berachah liberties like this.’ (Blessing). An important man who is ‘He said he’ll be here,’ he replied, ‘but I blessed by God is called therefore think he had to go to a family wedding out Avrech. The truth is that we do not of town somewhere. I’m sure he’ll turn know the meaning of the original up.’ Saul looked thunderous and the word Avrech but the transformation shareholders shuffled their feet in and usage of words throughout the embarrassment. The meeting dragged on, centuries is always a fascinating discussing the financial statement and subject. plans for expansion. They broke for lunch, Ilana Alexander served in the canteen – sandwiches and water, no alcoholic drinks while they were working.

6 Community

Our Three Rabbis breast plates and most of the mantles for wrote for The Independent, Rabbi Lionel our Torah Scrolls. In 1969 he died Blue said, ‘But he was more than all his Since our inception, we have been peacefully, with his wife and closest honours because he was one of the blessed to have had three outstanding friends around him, at the end of a full kindest human beings I have ever Rabbonim, each of whom was very and happy life of service and love. known’. different, with different strengths and qualities and each of whom precisely met Albert Hoschander Thomas Salamon our requirements and delivered just what Friedlander Rabbi Thomas was born in the community needed at the time that After the death of Rabbi Reinhart, Czechoslovakia and started training as a he took over. Westminster Synagogue flourished for Rabbi in Budapest, serving as a student Rabbi in Prague. When the country was some time under its capable and scholarly lay leaders. But clearly it taken over by Russia he came to England

needed a spiritual minister to lead its and entered the Leo Baeck College, rapidly growing membership. Albert improving his English, and was ordained Rabbi in 1972. He served first at the Friedlander was born in 1927 in Berlin, West London Synagogue and then escaping with his family to Cuba and then to Mississippi, when the Nazis came He became Executive Director at Norwood. studied at the University of Chicago and He qualified as a solicitor, with his own then the Hebrew Union College where he law practice, while still serving as a part- time Rabbi. was ordained Rabbi in 1952. On a brief visit to London he met his future wife Happy to follow in the footsteps of Albert Evelyn and they went back to America Friedlander, he was appointed Rabbi of where he worked at Columbia University. Westminster Synagogue in 1997 where he Returning to London he served as Rabbi found reciprocal love and affection from Harold Frederic Reinhart at the Wembley Liberal Synagogue. his congregation. Under his guidance the synagogue has expanded considerably, Harold Reinhart came to England in 1929 renewing its house, and building an as Senior Minister of the West London extensive programme of cultural and Synagogue. With the threat of war, religious events. The religion classes Harold Reinhart set about rescuing some have expanded and many applicants have of the German ministers and their been accepted into Judaism. The families, oppressed under the Nazis, presence of the Czech Memorial Scrolls at many of whom established new Reform Kent House, has been a particular joy to synagogues in this country and he helped him. to give sanctuary to many refugees fleeing Germany. Reinhart celebrated After many years of research Thomas was twenty-five years of service at Upper awarded a doctorate from Budapest Berkeley Street, but there were tensions University where he studied originally. arising within the congregation and at a Thomas, like his predecessor, loves tendentious meeting in 1957, he resigned football (though his team is Manchester his post. United) and with his wife Renée and his Westminster was fortunate to have Albert son Aaron, has made a comfortable But this was not the end of Harold helping out with services and forming a religious home for himself and his Reinhart’s ministry. Senior members of youth group, until he joined the congregation. the congregation discussed the possibility congregation permanently in 1971, living of forming a new synagogue. In July 1957 in a newly constructed flat on the second the New London Jewish Congregation floor of Kent House. By this time he had was formed with a nucleus of some eighty two daughters, Ariel and Michal, with a families with Reinhart as the Minister. third, Noam, born at Kent House. With the name changed to Westminster Albert had other interests outside his Synagogue and a beautiful new home at ministerial career. He was a fervent Kent House, Reinhart continued with all supporter of Queens Park Rangers his youthful vigour, his energy renewed football team, and had a great sense of by the enthusiasm and affection of his humour – he loved being teased in the new congregants. He continued to lead synagogue’s annual Purim them, imbuing them with all the religious entertainment. Albert died in 2004. But and social fervour that was his nature. A it was perhaps for his gentle humanity he talented artist and poet, he designed the will be remembered. In the obituary he 7 Jewish Culture

Jewish Poets 1 and then King’s College, London. From which was to colour much of his poetry. the age of about eleven, he had begun He did later offer to go to Belsen to help Dannie Abse writing poetry, encouraged by his in the relief, but he was refused, perhaps brother Leo, who was already intrigued because he was a Jew. ‘But I'm glad I (1923-2014) by socialist theory and the civil war in didn't go. We knew it was bad but we Spain. Dannie wrote warmly and didn't realise it was that bad.’ Later, he evocatively about these times in his went to Krakow for a poetry festival, and brilliant autobiographical novel Ash on a visited Auschwitz. ‘Auschwitz made me Young Man’s Sleeve, first published in more of a Jew than Moses did’. 1954. Writing of the Holocaust his poem A Dannie published his first book of Night Out tells of a visit to see a Polish poetry, After Every Green Thing, in film about it: 1949. He was still a medical student at

the time, playing football and cricket in We saw the Camp orchestra between lectures. He later wrote, assembled, ‘Initially I wanted to write poetry with a We heard the solemn gaiety of political colouration, but later on I just Bach, Scored by the loud arrival of an wanted to write good poetry. I've always engine, disliked the word career because I've The impotent cry, and its guttural Dannie Abse, doctor, poet, novelist, never thought poetry is a career. I know trucks. playwright and keen supporter of Cardiff it sounds romantic, but I think poetry is We watched as we munched milk City Football Club, was born in 1923 in a destiny, certainly a vocation.’ His chocolate, Trustful children, no older than our Cardiff, to a Jewish family, many of father, however, was contemptuous of own, whom achieved distinction in their own his efforts. After an ‘inept’ poetry drama Strolling into the chambers without fields. His father, Rudolph, was a was published, Dannie was invited to fuss, cinema manager who played the violin. become a sporadic critic for a theatre While smoke, black and curly, oozed from chimneys. Dannie’s love for his family appears magazine. Boasting to his father about often in his poetry and in the several this new achievement, he was told, ‘Stop memoirs he wrote about himself. Of his wasting your time and get on with father he said, ‘He was a wonderful studying medicine.’ On another occasion In 1950 Dannie qualified as a doctor and failure all his life and I loved him. He when his first play was performed at a the following year he married Joan always backed the wrong horse, and leading amateur theatre in Ealing, his Mercer who worked for the Financial lived vicariously through his sons.’ The father said sadly, ‘An amateur theatre! Times. They bought a house in Golders family, while of modest means, sent all That won’t bring the butter home son.’ Green where they lived until Joan’s the children to grammar schools and the death in a car accident in 2005 - their three boys to university. Dannie’s elder he was soon first neighbour was Bob Monkhouse. brother Leo was a lawyer, Labour Joan and Dannie had three children and Member of Parliament and a gay rights acquainted with the several grandchildren. Dannie spent campaigner; he was noted for promoting horrors of those who some time as a young doctor in the RAF, private member's bills to decriminalise called up for National Service, and after homosexuality, though he himself was had experienced the returning to his profession in London, married with a family. He often concentration camps specialised in chest medicine, while still appeared in the House in eighteenth continuing to write poetry; ‘I like to century costume, much to the delight of He settled in the Swiss Cottage area, think I’m a poet and Medicine my the press. The other brother, Wilfred, then a home for many German Jews serious hobby.’ He said later ‘Medicine was an eminent psychiatrist, specialising escaping the Holocaust, many of whom has been for me, in some respects, a in the treatment of hysteria. Their sister, became his friends. ‘Sometimes the bus hobby that has been well paid, whereas Huldah, who taught Dannie to dance, conductor would shout out, “Next stop poetry has been a central activity paid was described by him when young, as ‘all Tel Aviv”.’ But the relaxed, cosmopolitan poorly’. He quoted Chekhov’s remark in skin-cream and perfume’. She died in atmosphere was to his liking and he felt a letter, ‘I feel more confident and more France in her nineties. that in such a milieu, writing poetry was satisfied with myself when I reflect that I not so eccentric. He wrote a regular have two professions and not one. This Welsh/Jewish boy was sent to a column for the ‘Ham and High’ – the Medicine is my lawful wife and literature Catholic school and then on to the Hampstead and Highgate Express. is my mistress. When I get tired of one I University of Wales where, at the spend the night with the other.’ suggestion of his brother Wilfred, he However, he was soon acquainted with Medicine did indeed enter into his studied medicine. He went on to the horrors of those who had poetry, so did football, his first love. Westminster Hospital Medical School experienced the concentration camps,

8

Waiting, we recall records, and its own quirky and memorable legendary scores: music.’ Fred Keenor, Hardy, in a royal blue shirt. He was appointed CBE in 2012. Of poetry,

The very names, sad as the old he said: ‘I hope to go into a poem sober songs, open doors and come out a little drunk. And if I do Before our time where someone then that’s a real poem.’ He had a great else was hurt. Now, like an injured beast, the sense of humour which often appears in

great crowd roars. his poems. This is from A Doctor's Register: One poet who had considerable influence With his wife, Joan in 1986 on Abse’s work was Dylan Thomas, whom Dannie always admired. They had the 'I found a thing to do,' said the lover same Welsh background, and the lyrical Book of the Year - reflects on his grief, of Porphyria. Porphyria? Awake you quality of Thomas’s work, stemming remembering some of the happier times add the other pretty names too: in his married life and his childhood, perhaps from the music of the Welsh Anuria, Filaria, Leukaemia, interspersed with selections of poems valleys, appears often in Abse’s. Melanoma, Sarcoma, Euthanasia, both his own and those of other poets. amen. His medical career flourished; he A later selection of his work includes a remained at the Middlesex Hospital, in remembrance of her: charge of the chest clinic at the Central Often referred to as one of the most

Medical Establishment. His was a readable poets of his generation, he lived Behind her a dark mahogany perceptive view of medicine, often seeking as doctor, poet and happy family man, That once had the girth of a lofty to explore beyond the physical problems charming and likeable, not often a of his patients. He wrote of childbirth, tree; manageable achievement. noticing the smile on the face of every A vase of deep red, dropping lovely new mother: things – Aged tulips – untimely ripped from

the earth; That agreeable radiant smile And by the window a canary caged Philippa Bernard No man can smile it Because it sang so beautifully. No man can paint it

As it develops without fail After the gross, physical, knotted, Never an observant Jew, Abse was

granular, bloody endeavour. however a religious man, very much Such a pure spirituality from all aware of his heritage. Often referred to as that! The Poet of Golders Green, many of his

It occupies the face poems have references to his Judaism. And commands it. His Song of a Hebrew includes:

You plant in your daughter the spirit

As well as several volumes of poetry, Abse of Israel wrote novels, plays and autobiographical You plant in your son the soul of the works. A Strong Dose of Myself, desert. published in 1983, muses over his early days in Cardiff, his first efforts at poetry, the clinic in London and some of the Dannie Abse died in 2014. His obituary other poets he encountered, including in The Guardian gave a clear evaluation of his poetry, ‘Abse's poetry is essentially Robert Graves. He was by now becoming well known as a distinguished poet, and traditional, and it is personal in that it in 1973 was invited to Princeton as reflects not only the author's preoccupations and aspirations, but Visiting Poet. Abse’s marriage to Joan greatly influenced his writing. They because it carries in its rhythms the edited books together, Voices in the cadences of his physical voice. Both its strength and weaknesses stem from this Gallery and The Music Lover’s Literary Companion. When she died in 2005 individuality of expression. But the best (Dannie was also injured in the accident), of his poetry merits him a place among the best of contemporary poets. It offers he was devastated; his book The Presence - which won the English Language Welsh entertainment, deep feeling and thought,

9 Jewish History Otto Schiff Albert Medals by the Belgians. By the time the Nazis came to power Otto was (1875-1952) without his brother. He was already involved with the Jews’ Temporary Shelter in Mansell Street in the East End whose workers met ships bringing in refugees from the Continent.

Early in 1933 he extended this work by forming the Jewish Refugee Committee.

Quickly recognising its limitations and assisted by many distinguished members Hugh Sassoon at the unveiling of of the Jewish community, he was the plaque at Otto Schiff House instrumental in the formation of the

Central British Fund – now renamed World Jewish Relief – which he ran up to In February 2014 the Jewish Chronicle the 1940s. The CBF was the prime raiser published an article by Geoffrey of money from the Jewish community Alderman which contained a gratuitous We are grateful to Hugh Sassoon for the which enabled Otto, as a frequent visitor attack on Otto Schiff, decrying the information in this article. Hugh and to the Home Office, to assure the possibility of a memorial in London to his late wife Marion were Founder Government that any Jewish refugee Holocaust victims. Members of Westminster Synagogue. allowed into Britain would not become a Marion was the daughter of Otto Schiff’s In September 2014 David Cameron had charge on the British taxpayer. Some brother Ernst and his wife Betty, also a announced the establishment of the Founder Member. Otto never married. Commission on the Holocaust. It was

Hugh was present at the ceremony this that produced Alderman’s anger, recounted below. calling the membership of the Commission ‘a roll-call of establishment On 4th July 2017, at 14 Netherhall names that omitted the wealth of Gardens in Hampstead, a plaque was expertise that Anglo-Jewry has to offer unveiled to OTTO SCHIFF (1875-1952). on Holocaust education’. He was against It was placed there by the Association of the idea of erecting a memorial to those Jewish Refugees and unveiled by his Jews who were denied entry to Britain great-niece, Julia Shelley. and died at the hands of the Nazis. He Otto came to London from Germany in went on to write, ‘We might perhaps 1896 at the age of twenty-one and was erect a plaque denouncing the followed some time later by his elder superhuman efforts of the banker Otto brother Ernst (1869-1932). The brothers Schiff, who as head of the German came from Frankfurt where in the ghetto Jewish Aid Committee, saw to it that as were helped financially to remain in the Schiff and Rothschild families each few Jews as possible were given refuge in Britain, whilst others were assisted to had a half of the one building. A Schiff Great Britain, and that these few were move on to other countries. By 1940 this cousin married a New York Warburg (of chosen with a view to their readiness to assurance was no longer possible. He Kuhn Loeb - the investment bank). This assimilate easily into British society.’ was also much involved with background helped form a tripartite arrangements for the Kindertransport. Schiff was defended in the June 2014 business relationship, the brothers being For this work for refugees he was issue of the Journal of the Association of stockbrokers in London. In the Russo- awarded a CBE. Jewish Refugees. ‘Schiff was personally Japanese War of 1904-5, together with involved in the rescue of numerous Jews their associates, they raised four million Otto Schiff owned the house in from the Reich’, Anthony Grenville pounds sterling for the Japanese and Netherhall Gardens where the plaque wrote, ‘and took a direct interest in the were later awarded the Japanese was placed. He devoted the building to provision of assistance to them in Imperial Red Cross Society Membership the housing of Jewish refugees, passing it Britain. Enjoying the unreserved Medal. to the Central British Fund. It was later confidence of the responsible passed to Jewish Care as a care home. In the First World War the brothers ran government quarters, his intervention Still later, the residents being rehoused shelters in London for Belgian refugees, resulted in the admission of innumerable in Golders Green, the house was sold. It the Poland Street Refuge in Soho and the immigrants whose cases he made his has recently been modernised as flats, Manchester Hostel in Aldersgate Street. own.’ Otto Schiff House, and the gardens For this Otto was awarded an OBE and rebuilt as Otto Schiff Mansions. Ernst an MBE, as well as 1914-18 King

10 Around the World

The Jewish Library Jerusalem until it was possible to renew The Littman the building and conserve its contents. By of Amsterdam 2000 the Dutch Jews were in a position to Library ask for the return of the collection. The building was extensively renovated,

modern technology was put to good use in conservation and repair of the books and they were returned to Amsterdam, with

the purpose of making the Library available to scholars and visitors around the world.

Israel’s own National Library cooperated

with Ets Haim to digitize the whole At the time of the Spanish Inquisition, collection, so that it can be accessed easily many Jews fled Spain and Portugal to find and without cost. This project, started in

sanctuary in Holland, a more tolerant 2014, will include a vast collection of country where there was already a books and manuscripts from Israeli Louis Littman - Founder flourishing Jewish community. The sources.

Library they founded in Amsterdam in The Library itself, using every modern 1616, beside the old synagogue, is the The Littman Library of Jewish technique to preserve its contents, now world’s oldest functioning Jewish Library. Civilisation was founded by Louis consists of a two-storey wooden building Littman, a founder member of Known as the Livraria Ets Haim, it with a spiral staircase and octagonal Westminster Synagogue, in 1965 in contains some 30,000 volumes and windows in the ceiling to allow in natural memory of his father. Since Louis manuscripts, many of them the light. It is open to visitors on guided tours Littman's death in 1987, his vision has documents of those fleeing the on only limited occasions, though scholars been continued by his family, through a persecution of the Inquisition. In 1675 a may use it more frequently. charitable foundation. Their new building was constructed within the The original founders of the Library were involvement in the Littman Library's Synagogue complex, allowing a more early academics who worked in the fields work and support for its objectives spacious, well-lit area for those wishing to of philosophy, medicine, theology and provide the strong basis upon which use it. Since it was dangerous to have astronomy, and brought their knowledge Littman builds and develops its open flames in a library, skylights and and scholarship to the Netherlands. As founder's legacy and maintains his octagonal openings between the two the Library grew, the collection included traditions of quality in publishing. floors were incorporated into the design books on history, on early maritime Littman is now registered as a UK to let in natural light for reading. Today, technology, on Jewish and Bible studies charity, in recognition of its role as a electric lights - including chandeliers - and many other subjects. It also publisher of quality books that might not light the rooms, and the bookshelves are acknowledged interfaith debates between otherwise be commercially viable. Any floor to ceiling. Christians and Jews, discussion on heresy profits earned from the sale of books are The oldest document in the Library, dated and theological differences, including the all reinvested in the publication of new to 1282, is a Mishneh Torah, written by works of Spinoza, who had been enrolled titles. Maimonides. It shows the destructive at the Ets Haim seminary in Amsterdam. In 2017 the Littman Library formed a marks of the Spanish censor, a converted New discoveries continue to appear in the publishing partnership with Liverpool Jew, who had obliterated passages of the Library’s collection. The Librarian says University Press, which assumed book. He was not the only one to attempt that digitization ‘is one of the possibilities responsibility for the sales, marketing, to destroy the Library. When Holland was to make our manuscripts accessible to a and distribution of Littman titles. At the overrun by the Nazis in 1940, the majority bigger audience. That can lead to more same time the Library entered the field of its Jews were murdered or sent to the knowledge. There are many secrets still to of digital publishing with the launch of camps. However, the Synagogue and its be unlocked.’ its first e-books in the Littman E-Library contents were left unharmed, and the of Jewish Civilization. Following the books were packed up and sent to initial ninety titles, the programme will Germany. When the war ended the eventually include all Littman books. Library’s treasures were returned. Rabbi Thomas has recently been made a Sadly, the decimated Jewish community Trustee of the Library. In the Rabbinic of Amsterdam was unable to cope with Library on the First Floor of Kent House preserving the collection, the Library itself we hold a complete set of the books needed considerable restoration, and it published by the Littman Library. was decided to send the books to 11

Around the World The Jews of elsewhere assisted by the Resistance. One synagogue can still be seen, not far away, of these, a Cabinet Minister, Victor and the new community is particularly Luxembourg Bodson, was later named Righteous proud of its stained glass windows. Among The Nations. Before the war, over The old Consistoire Israelite in The Duchy of Luxembourg was founded 3,500 Jews lived in Luxembourg. A Luxembourg City was re-established in a in 963 when Siegfried, Count of majority of them had emigrated from fine new modern building, with Edmond Ardennes, acquired Luxembourg Castle eastern Europe. In addition, over 1,000 Marx as its leader, and is constitutionally around which the town of Luxembourg German Jewish refugees found shelter in recognized as the representative body of gradually developed. Three Holy Roman the tiny duchy. The Nuremberg Laws the Jewish community in Luxembourg. Emperors came from the House of were introduced in Luxembourg on Luxembourg has one kosher grocery Luxembourg but in 1437 the lack of a September 5, 1940, followed by several store, Boulangerie Philip, which serves male heir to the Duchy led to it becoming other anti-Jewish ordinances. In practice, some thirty families who observe kashrut. a part of the Duchy of Burgundy, and however, Jews were encouraged to leave Services at the main synagogue follow subsequently part of the Hapsburg the country. modern Orthodox ritual and are Netherlands. Jewish restrictions followed, including conducted in French and Hebrew by The seven northern provinces of the the requirement in September 1941, that Moroccan-born Joseph Sayagh. Habsburg Netherlands broke away from all Jews wear a badge with a yellow star Luxembourg is proud of the fact that anti- Spain to form the Dutch Republic in 1581, with the word ‘Jude’ on it. This meant Semitism is hardly experienced in the while the remaining ten southern that Jews were excluded from citizenship Duchy, though there are xenophobic provinces (including Luxembourg) and prohibited from marrying or having political parties, who concentrate their remained under Spanish rule until 1714. After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in 1815, Luxembourg was elevated to a

Grand Duchy and came under the rule of William I of the Netherlands. The Duchy was partitioned in 1839, with the larger

western portion going to Belgium, so that the Grand Duchy then comprised only the smaller eastern portion. The inhabitants

of Luxembourg speak mainly French or German, but the native dialect, Luxembourgish, is currently having a

revival, particularly in literature and drama. The presence of Jews in the Duchy of Luxembourg dates from 1276, when venom mainly on immigrants from Jewish traders established a small sexual relations with Aryans. The southern Europe. Its Jewish heritage is community there; many were blamed for synagogue in Luxembourg City was strongly maintained by those who live the Black Death and were killed or vandalised and razed to the ground, as there and by its many visitors. There is banished. It is recorded that by 1818 was that in Esch. Jewish property was also in New York a small but active some seventy-five Jews lived in confiscated and by November 1941 all congregation, composed of Jews who fled Luxembourg, mostly in the city of Jewish organisations were terminated their country during the Holocaust. They Luxembourg, with a synagogue and and financial operations taken over. Jews call their synagogue Ramat Ora – Samuel Hirsch as Chief Rabbi. He was discovered sheltering in Belgium and mountain of light - or Luxembourg. later a leading exponent of the Reform France were sent to concentration camps, Movement in America. A new synagogue nearly 2,000 losing their lives. was built in Esch-sur-Alzette in 1899. After the war, many of the Jews of With the immigration of Jews from Luxembourg returned, though some went Germany in the 1930s, the numbers grew on to Israel. The old synagogues of to about 4,000. Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette On 10th May 1940, Germany invaded the were restored and rebuilt, with many Duchy; some 50,000 Luxembourgers young Jews from France joining them. escaped to find shelter in neighbouring The new synagogue in Esch is now a countries. Of these some 1,650 were Liberal community, constructed in 1954 on Rue du Canal, with an English rabbi, Jews, either finding refuge with Christian The new Liberal Synagogue neighbours, or helped to find sanctuary Nathan Alfred. The remnants of the old

12 Poetry Page

THE WORLD

So many hours already fled have shortened my life-time

So many days that were far ahead are now far behind

So many suns have risen over the great sea

So many clouds have screened sunset light from me

So many leaves have fallen, so many more

Will go and die as the world spins on for evermore

There were those special hours I tried to hold

Back forever those I would have given a life

To keep longer, others that were so dark

Which outlasted their time, so many in number

Others still that never stirred from sleep

But yet, whether too slow or too fast

Those peaceful days so soon past

Those of sadness that lasted

Those suns so quickly vanished, those clouds so white

Those fallen leaves, the moon so bright

The sky so deep, the mountains so high

That whole world so beautiful, so truly mine

Would have left me untouched

Had I not given it - a soul like mine

Colette Littman

13 Around the World

Luis came across a large native Taino goods, arms and artillery. During the Luis de Torres village. He was greeted in a friendly following months it was decimated by Explorer manner, and found the natives drying internal strife and by the marauding and rolling a local leaf, which they then tribes whose wives the Spaniards had lit, inhaling the smoke – tobacco had taken. When Columbus returned at the come to the Western world. The end of the year he was told that the expedition moved on to Hispaniola (the settlers had spoken disparagingly of the Spanish name originating from the first Catholic faith, hardly surprising in view written account of the voyage in Latin). of de Torres’s forced conversion. Luis de The large island was later to become Torres was dead. French-speaking Haiti and Spanish- The location and fate of this first speaking Dominican Republic. European settlement in the New World But what of de Torres? Columbus had have mystified scholars ever since. An heard that there was much gold to be had article in the New York Times in 1985 It is often suggested that Christopher on the island, so he decided that he suggests an answer. Archaeologists are Columbus was a Jew. It has now been would leave the crew of his wrecked almost certain now that they have proved that this is not so. However, there were at least two Jews who travelled with him to Hispaniola in 1492. One, Luis de Torres, was born Yosef ben Levi Ha-Ivri in Spain. His knowledge of languages - he spoke Hebrew, Arabic and Aramaic, as well as Spanish and Portuguese - made him useful to the authorities of Murcia, where he lived among the large Jewish community. When Columbus needed an interpreter to help in his forthcoming voyage to what he imagined to be Asia he chose de Torres. The explorer believed it would be useful to communicate with the Jewish traders he believed he would meet, possibly even descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes. However, in the year of the Spanish Inquisition de Torres faced expulsion from his native country so he The first landing of Christopher Columbus by John Vanderlyn (1775-1852) converted to Christianity the day before in the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, New York he embarked on the voyage. discovered the site of the Indian town vessel there to make a settlement and On 2nd August 1492 three ships sailed about ten miles east of Cap Haitien, in gather the promised gold. He ordered the from Palos de la Frontera in Andalusia, the part of Hispaniola that is Haiti today. ship dismantled to provide the building the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. They believe they could be on the verge materials for a small fortress. ‘I have It took ten weeks for the expedition to of finding the scant remains of La ordered a tower and fortress to be cross the Atlantic. It sighted land at last, Navidad itself. Perhaps the final resting constructed and a large cellar, not an island which Columbus thought was place of Luis de Torres will yet be found. because I believe there is any necessity the Indies he was seeking, and whose on account of (the natives),’ he noted in However, the name of the first Jew to set inhabitants he called ‘Indians’. It was in his journal. ‘I am certain the people I foot on the American continent is not fact the Bahamas, which he called San have with me could subjugate all this lost. In Freetown in the Bahamas is the Salvador and it is believed that, with de island… as the population are naked and Luis de Torres synagogue. It is the only Torres the first man ashore to interpret, without arms and very cowardly.’ one in the Bahamas. The synagogue was the first language heard from the built in 1972 and is affiliated to the Western visitors was Hebrew. A Jew was Columbus called the port Puerto de la Union for Reform Judaism. It offers the first European to set foot in the New Navidad (Christmas Port), the day he regular Shabbat services from October to World. landed there. Those left behind included April at 8 pm. Services are also held on carpenters, calkers, a physician, a tailor, Columbus then moved on to Cuba which Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and and a gunner as well as his interpreter, he reckoned must be China, the Asian other Holidays. Freeport Hebrew de Torres. Additionally, the settlement land he had been seeking. He sent de Congregation is a member of the Union was supplied with provisions, trading Torres to find the Emperor, but instead of American Hebrew Congregations.

14 The Arts

she was vice president identified her as relationship in 1944, destroying all Gluck (1895-1978) Miss Gluck on its letterhead, she resigned. artefacts of their life together.

She showed her work only in solo In that year, she began a troubled thirty- exhibitions and it was displayed in special year relationship with Edith Shackleton frames which she had designed and Heald, the first female reporter in the Self patented. This Gluck frame rose from the House of Lords. She lived with Edith and portrait wall in three tiers; painted or papered to her sister Norma in Chantry House, 1942 match the wall on which it hung, making Steyning, Sussex, although the her paintings look as though they were relationship was difficult, owing to her part of the architecture of the room. agitated state. She remained with them until Edith’s death in 1976. The women Gluck became close to heavily influenced her art. In 1923, she met American expatriate portrait painter

Romaine Brooks, and the two painted

portraits of themselves and of each My copy of the Oxford dictionary tells me other. Brooks’ painting of Gluck, Peter (a Lilies

the word ‘queer’ means odd, strange, Young English Girl), was controversial for c.1932-36 peculiar, eccentric, dubious, counterfeit. its blatant androgyny and was shown in Why then, did the Tate Gallery choose this solo exhibitions in Paris, London, and

title for its recent exhibition of works by New York. such fine artists as John Singer Sargent, In 1932 Gluck bought Bolton House in Dora Carrington and Duncan Grant and Hampstead and started a relationship In the 1950s Gluck became dissatisfied feature a huge poster showing a self- with society florist and decorator with the artist's paints available and portrait by the subject of this article - Constance Spry. The two collaborated on began a ‘paint war’ to increase their Gluck? The fact that these artists had an exhibition of Gluck’s work at the Fine quality. Ultimately, she persuaded the differing sexual orientation was Arts Society that featured floral British Standards Institution to create a apparently the reason to display pieces of arrangements by Spry in each room of new standard for oil paints; however, the their work in one show. I found the title paintings. Spry popularized Gluck’s campaign consumed Gluck's time and of the exhibition, Queer British Art 1861- androgynous look into haute couture with energy to the exclusion of painting for 1967 to be vaguely irritating. fashion designs by her associates Victor more than a decade. Gluck rallied in her Hannah Gluckstein was born on the 13th Stiebel and Elsa Schiaparelli. seventies to return to painting and August 1895. She was the daughter of organized a well-received exhibition of Joseph Gluckstein - whose brothers fifty-two works at the Fine Arts Society in Isidore and Montague had founded J. 1973, including Rage, Rage Against the

Lyons & Co.- and her mother was Dying of the Light, a work that featured a Francesca Halle, an American opera Medallion decaying fish head. She used special singer. Gluck was educated at the St. 1937 handmade paints supplied free by a John’s Wood School of Art in London manufacturer who had taken her exacting from 1913 to 1916. Her parents provided standards as a challenge. The exhibition her with a trust fund as a twenty-first was successful with critics and with birthday present, despite their buyers. It was her first exhibition since disapproval of her artistic ambitions. This Gluck’s next great love was Nesta 1937 - and her last. Gluck died at the age allowed young Gluck to live a life of her Obermer, a socialite married to an of eighty-two on 10th January 1978, own choosing. She bought a studio in American businessman. This union having lived a life filled with both art and Lamorna, Cornwall to work with resulted in the famous double portrait love. landscape artists of the Newlyn School. called Medallion and showed the two of Claire Connick them together. It celebrated what Gluck In the 1920s and 30s Gluck became called her marriage to Nesta on 25th May known for portraits and floral paintings, 1936. Gluck referred to it as the ‘YouWe’ and the interior decorator, Syrie picture. It was later used as the cover of a Maugham, used many of her floral works. Virago Press edition of The Well of Her will to define herself by her own Loneliness. standards extended not only to her name, but also to every aspect of her life. Gluck Then came World War II. Bolton House cut her hair short and dressed exclusively was commandeered for government use in men’s attire. She insisted on being and Gluck became depressed. She began a known only as Gluck, ‘no prefix, suffix, or pattern of possessive and demanding Credo (Rage, Rage Against the Dying quotes’, and when an art society of which behaviour with Nesta, who broke off their of the Light) 1970-73 15 Jewish History died, she released his brothers from administer justice and religious matters, Women of Worth 2 prison, and married the eldest, Alexander the old Sanhedrin being revived, to care

Queen Alexandra Jannaeus. This action obeyed the biblical for the poor and the sick, those homeless Salome levirate law that a widow without children after the wars, and the orphan children, should be married to her husband’s according to the Torah. Jerusalem was nearest relative, as had happened to Ruth, the spiritual centre of the country. though the Queen was fifteen years older Alexandra reigned for only nine years, but

than her new husband. She made him the during her peaceful and fruitful reign it new King as well as High Priest. was said that ‘the grains of wheat grew as large as kidney beans, oats as large as While Alexander, a clever soldier, like his olives, and lentils as large as gold coins; it brother, was away at the wars, he left the only rained on Friday evenings so that the control of the kingdom to his wife. farmers never lost a day’s work.’ Capable and devout, Alexandra ruled her country with benevolence, setting up In spite of all this growth and prosperity,

schools with religious leaders, and the Queen did not lose sight of the enemy Queen Alexandra Salome was born in 139 removed the Sadducees from the beyond. She strengthened the defences, BCE, the sister of the distinguished Sanhedrin, leaving religious government built fortresses and trained troops to Pharisee Rabbi Shimon ben Shetach. The in the hands of the Pharisees, led by her guard them, using only those men she year before her birth Simon Maccabeus brother Rabbi Shimon. Meanwhile could trust for her commands. Sadly, her had established the Hasmonean dynasty Alexander had enlisted the help of Queen younger son, Aristobulus, was as to rule over Israel, after a revolt against Cleopatra of Egypt, whose troops were led ambitious and ruthless as his father had the oppressive regime of the Seleucid by two Jewish generals, Helkias and been. He began plotting with the King Antiochus IV. The influence of Ananias. She sent an army against her Sadducees to gain power, and no sooner Greece on the people of Israel was son Ptolemy who was fighting Alexander had his mother died than he fought with growing and the priestly caste of the in Cyprus; Ptolemy had to withdraw and his elder brother, Hyrcanus, for power. Pharisees was in conflict with the wealthy his mother planned to take Judea but was He did eventually become King while Hellenized Jews, whom they viewed as dissuaded by the influential Jews of Hyrcanus retained the position of High flouting the Mosaic Law. Simon Egypt. Priest. The land suffered tragic civil wars Maccabeus’s successor, Hyrcanus, held and was finally conquered by the Romans, the joint offices of prince of the people Alexander returned to face his wife the bringing King Herod to power. and of High Priest. Queen, disliking her devout regime and her scholarly leaders. He turned to the Alexandra Salome was one of only three He was succeeded by his son, Judah Sadducees for support, enemies of the women to rule over an integrated Israel. Aristobulus, the first Hasmonean to call ruling Pharisee hierarchy, disturbing the The first was Athalia, wife of King himself King, though he was not prayers of the crowds of worshippers at Jehorah who seized the throne as Queen descended from King David. His wife was Succot. They attacked him with their of Judah, and used her power to establish Alexandra Salome. He initiated a Lulavs and Etrogs, and he came down the worship of Baal in her country. After repressive regime, putting his own strongly against the Pharisees, regardless Queen Alexandra the only other woman to mother in prison, where she starved to of the Queen’s sympathies, and her rule Israel was Golda Meir. death. Three of his brothers, seen as brother, their leader, had to leave the threats to his throne, were also confined The Jewish Encyclopaedia speaks of country. When the King’s troops attacked in chains. His fourth brother, Antigonus, Alexandra as accomplishing what all the the Pharisee stronghold, some eight was his favourite. A fine soldier, he was military genius of her husband had failed hundred scholarly Jews were killed. next in line to the throne, but the Queen to effect; namely, to make Judea However, when he died, in spite of their suspected he wanted to overthrow respected abroad. She combined her disagreements, he left his kingdom to his Aristobulus. The King invited him to a strength of will with something of that wife, Queen Alexandra Salome. At the conference, but in case Alexandra’s same military genius and political acumen time the Judean forces were besieging the suspicions were proved true, he warned unusual in a woman of that time – she is fort at Ragaba (in Jordan) but Alexandra his soldiers to be present and to kill his often compared to her contemporary withheld news of the King’s death until brother if he came in armed. But the Cleopatra – and a regard for the teachings the fort was taken. Queen intercepted the message and of the Torah. ordered him to come armed and in full Again, the country began to enjoy a time Alexandra lived to be seventy-three years armour. The guards ambushed him and of peace, prosperity and piety. Alexandra old. When she died, her son Aristobulus killed him on the spot. freed many of the prisoners, allowed the took the throne, only to bring his country return of those in exile, including her Queen Alexandra was a woman of back to war and turmoil; the Queen did brother, and set the Pharisees back to strength and determination. Her not live to see her work come to naught. rule, with her eldest son, Hyrcanus II, as husband, the King, already unwell, died a High Priest. They formed a High Court to Philippa Bernard painful death; as soon as her husband

16 Jewish history

Immanuel Calvin, a leading protagonist of the Palatine Wolfgang, Duke of Zweibrücken. Protestant cause. However he was highly esteemed for his Tremellius (1510-1580) scholarship, and the Duke appointed him As Strasbourg began to move back to Headmaster of a school he had Catholicism, Tremellius and Vermigli established in Hornbach. found themselves under suspicion and felt they should leave to pursue their His reputation as a Hebrew scholar and

work elsewhere. leading teacher of Bible studies brought him the offer of a position at the In England, now a Protestant country University of Heidelberg, which enabled under the young King Edward VI, him to obtain a doctorate in divinity, and Thomas Cranmer, then Archbishop of from there his career soared. He was Canterbury, welcomed them, giving them twice appointed Rector of the University, both accommodation at Lambeth Palace. was much admired for his teaching, and Johannes was by now married to a published the work on Hosea he had French widow, with a daughter (together started in England. they had two more children). While still in Lucca he had published his first book Further works followed: an Aramaic and

Meditamenta, and now began a major Syriac Grammar, a translation of the work, a commentary on the book of Syriac New Testament (dedicated to the Contemporary engraving Hosea. He found the relaxed and newly enthroned Queen Elizabeth of tolerant atmosphere in England much to England) and a translation into Latin of Although there were no Jews - officially - his taste, particularly when he was the whole of the Old Testament. This was in England in the sixteenth century, the appointed King’s Reader in Hebrew at published in Frankfurt between 1575 and nation was now a Protestant country and Cambridge University. 1579 in five volumes. The work, with new very interested in its Biblical heritage, interpretations of the Rabbinical Hebrew, especially the Old Testament. Several He found the relaxed had considerable bearing on the scholars with a Jewish background were Authorised Version (King James’s Bible) working on Hebrew studies and assisting and tolerant of 1611, for which Thomas Cranmer was Christian academics in their work. atmosphere in England largely responsible. One such was Johannes Immanuel much to his taste The Academy of Sedan, in the Ardennes, Tremellius, born to Jewish parents in founded in 1579 by Huguenots, had a Ferrara, where there was a large Jewish distinguished history of academic At Cambridge he was introduced to the community. He received a Jewish achievement and Tremellius was future Queen Elizabeth, as well as two of education learning Hebrew, and then appointed Professor of Hebrew there, her tutors, Matthew Parker, later Latin and Greek at the University of adding to its reputation as a leading Archbishop of Canterbury, and Anthony Padua. Among those he met there were school of oriental languages. The Chevallier, who married Immanuel’s the future Pope Paul III, then Cardinal Academy was suppressed in 1681. stepdaughter. He was in his element in Alessandro Farnese and the English Tremellius lived out his life in Sedan, the scholarly surroundings of the Cardinal Reginald Pole. Pole was to be dying there in 1580. In spite of his university, teaching, writing and Catholic adviser to Queen Mary, whose chequered religious life, from Judaism, translating into Hebrew some of the aim, without success, was to bring through Catholicism to Protestantism, works which he hoped would encourage England back to Catholicism, and Mary Immanuel Tremellius remained devoted other Jews to convert to Christianity! hoped that Pole might accede to the to his Hebrew ancestry and tradition, Papacy. Tremellius was much influenced When King Edward died in 1553 his sister contributing to the study of the Hebrew by the beliefs of these strongly Catholic Mary, a staunch Catholic, succeeded to language and the Old Testament, which churchmen and in 1540 he was baptised, the throne of England, bringing with her made his name synonymous with the with Pole as his godfather. the persecutions and burnings which Jewish veneration of learning and earned her the name of Bloody Mary. education. In Kenneth Austin’s book Another important figure in Tremellius’s Protestant scholars feared for their lives. about Tremellius, From Judaism to life was a man to whom he had given Tremellius fled with his family back to Calvinism, the author says that there are Hebrew lessons, Pietro Vermigli. He had Strasbourg, no longer able to count on two areas which are illuminated by set up a monastic school in Lucca and the protection of his sponsor, Cardinal Tremellius’s experiences: ‘The Jewish invited Immanuel to join him. Here the Pole. He was unable to find an academic contribution to the culture of the two were intrigued by the Reform post until in Geneva he was helped by sixteenth century and the incredibly movement of Protestantism and fled the Calvin to find work in Germany. No complex issue of Judaeo-Christian inevitable persecution of the Catholic longer was he the renowned scholar, just relations in the early modern period.’ Church to Strasbourg. Immanuel found a a lowly tutor to the children of Count post teaching Hebrew and met John

17 Community thoughts and emotions and entering into just righteous men; their merits support Rabbi Nachman of a dialogue with the Infinite. Many of his the world, and Creation was undertaken aphorisms read like a conversation for their sake; this partnership between Breslov: between good friends, and that in essence God and the righteous is an important The Inextinguishable is how Nachman viewed God - as one's concept in Chasidism It is believed that best friend! It is through mitzvot that we such men have an element of the soul of Fire gain greater access to God’s presence and Moses. This claim gave the leaders of love. Nachman’s theology was simple but communities in Eastern Europe great exacting: to reach for the skies, to gain power and influence; questioning their Most Jews do not go in for saints, sages, dominion over the angels, to continue to authority was regarded as tantamount to cults or even rabbis; we are not that keen rise higher and higher through devotion rebellion. Nachman was different: he on displaying reverence to fellow mortals. to God and realise His presence in the actively encouraged his followers to In some respects this healthy scepticism world, and to be aware of how easy it is to question and challenge not just himself about assumed importance is a good lose sight of one's responsibility on Earth. but God. thing, promoting free-thinking. On the He sums it up thus: ‘For the sake of one Nachman used parables and allegories to other hand it can lead to a closed mind small pleasure lasting a mere quarter of illustrate mystical ideas. One example is and therefore a loss of opportunity to an hour, a person can lose the whole of of a great treasure one wishes to reach share experiences and insights of others. this world together with the world to but the way is blocked by a mountain of But, occasionally, one encounters, either come!’ How often have we heard and read fire. You have no choice but to reach the in reading or in person, an individual who of those who squandered their talents on treasure. In many ways the challenge of makes a lasting impression; this could be materialism, losing not just positions of doing something holy is like passing an outstanding scholar or a person of influence that gave the potential for through a fire; you are uncertain what to enormous moral authority. One such changes that would benefit many people, do, trying to decide the right course of man, in my opinion, stands out as worthy but also loss of self-respect and public action. Barriers appear to spring up, of our admiration, and that is the mystic, esteem. preventing you from doing what your soul Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. His words of wisdom, commands. Nachman's answer to this He was born in 1772, was the founder of dilemma was to cry out to God, indeed to the Breslov Chasidic Movement, a the joy for life he ‘silently scream’ to our Father, as a child revivalist sect that engendered hope and spread among his does to his parent, pouring out thoughts, excitement at the prospect of the fears and complaints. God, like any loving Messianic Age; a counter to despair and followers and his parent, will listen. Speak to God, argue persecution that was experienced by emphasis on with Him, allow time each day for many Jews living in Eastern Europe. He meditation and conversation with God; you will surely be was a great grandson of Israel Baal Shem worthy of finding Him. The language one Tov, who founded the Chasidic Movement extemporised prayer uses is not prescriptive; Nachman used in the Ukraine, but by the time Nachman have had a profound Yiddish, your native tongue will do, the was born Chasidism was in danger of idiot may babble - all the same to God! become too rigid, lacking spontaneity; influence on all Nachman was not a conventional rebbe, this was his impetus to breathe fire into a preferring to walk with his followers in life-affirming variety of Judaism. His The name Nachman means comforter, the fields and hills. He taught his words of wisdom, the joy for life he and throughout his life he showed followers to meditate, to be at one with spread among his followers and his considerable understanding of human Nature: ‘When summer approaches emphasis on meditation and frailty and how easy it was for any of us to seclude yourself and meditate in the extemporised prayer have had a profound fall short of our full spiritual potential. He meadow, outside the city’. Prayer and the influence on all branches of Judaism - his was a dedicated Kabbalist, observing the revival of life in the fields after winter are insights into man’s relationship with God rigours of ablutions and fasting, and by partners, both feeding on each other to transcends sectarian differences. He the time he was thirteen he was married - proclaim God's love for His Creation. made no claims to be superior to others, not unusual for this period - had one Nature, whether it be a blade of grass or believing that any man could strive to disciple and was predicted to become the Man himself, ‘sings out’ to God. But, become closer to God. Nachman, unlike greatest of the tzaddikim. Nachman proclaimed, you don't need to many other prayer leaders, had the ability The fully developed tzaddik, it is believed, be in the open; spending time in a quiet to communicate with ordinary people, to has worked out his relationship with the room to pray and study is equally talk with peasants about spiritual matters Divine and is empowered, through beneficial. I remember the late David without condescension. teaching and example, to help others to Jacobs, broadcaster, saying how he found The core of his teaching (hitbodedut) find their way to God; it is a mystical respite from the demands of his job, centred on getting closer to God through a partnership between the God, tzaddik and travelling and preparing to go on air, by process of purging oneself of negative followers. Tzaddikim means more than finding a Friends Meeting house where he

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could sit quietly and meditate. Nachman Five years later Nachman contracted TB, urged his followers and those seeking and in 1810 he relocated to Uman, dying Jobs People Do - answers to the great questions of in the autumn of the same year, at the age existence to ask ‘what?’. To every of thirty-eight. Keep Fit Instructor condition of life, ask ‘what?’... What is his legacy? Whether Rabbi In 1798, in a state of near poverty, Rabbi Nachman would approve of the Hasidic Nachman, accompanied by a single cult that has developed over the last two companion, went to Eretz Yisrael. It took hundred and fifty years and the vast five months to get there. He felt that he number of pilgrims who visit his imbibed holiness from his visit but within graveside each year, I would not venture a year he was back in Russia. In 1802 he an answer; but his life, wisdom and settled in Breslov where he spent most of writings have inspired many generations the remainder of his life. From 1806 he of Jews to look more deeply into began to tell his wonderful stories - themselves and to the world that is part thirteen of his long stories are extant. of their inheritance. Nachman transcends The telling of stories was, as he stated, definable movements within Judaism. an acknowledgement that conventional Whether you be Chasid, mainstream I was very fortunate to have been able to teaching had failed to communicate his Orthodox or Progressive, there is teach at Kensington and Chelsea College message, so through using parables he something about the man that touches a for most of my working life. Teaching sought to share with his followers the deep well of ancestral longing in all of us. adults ‘How to Keep Fit’ was rewarding wisdom he had accumulated; but also The non-Jewish world may dabble in work and my classes were always very stories were a vehicle to express truths Kabbala, a la Madonna, in search of well attended. One of the reasons for that ordinary, functional language was esoteric answers but ultimately, this was my ability to identify with the inadequate to convey. These stories or Nachman's message was look in, look age range of my students. As they got allegories are rich in symbolism, and out; see God's presence in all creation; older, so did I, and therefore I was able many of us are familiar with the make time to find that divine spark in to understand what the body is representation of God as King and a yourself and fulfil your purpose in this physically capable of performing as one different aspect of the Divine as His world by rescuing ‘the lost Princess’ - matures. daughter; it is She, the beautiful princess, what we call tikkun olam; and the fire My classes also had an important social who lives in the world. This essay is not that lit up the world two and a half aspect. There was always an ‘end of the place to recount these stories but I centuries ago still burns brightly, as a term’ party or a meal in an inexpensive recommend them to the reader. In 1802 beacon for all humanity. restaurant. There are many lonely Nachman went to Uman where, 30 years people in London and the social side of before, thousands of Jews had been the meetings created friendship between massacred. He visited the cemetery Peter Beyfus many of my students. They were where the dead had been laid to rest and always able to come to me to discuss, in commented he wished to be buried there. complete confidence, any of their problems.

Why is it important to keep fit? Firstly, to watch one’s diet - without going mad! Secondly, to keep the body flexible by exercise and thirdly, in relaxation session to rid the body of everyday tensions and stress. This is a philosophy which we need to observe for all of our lives.

In this age of high achievement, many of us can begin to feel inadequate. Aiming to keep ourselves fit is a personal goal towards our own capacity of physical ability within our age range. It can produce great satisfaction – so get out there and get moving!

Gravesite of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov in Uman, Ukraine. Angela Charatan

19 Sixtieth Anniversary Julie was well bred, elegant and educated forthcoming from George III’s eighteen The Story of Kent and refused to be bought off when the children, it fell to Prince Edward to do his

House Prince’s entourage tried to disentangle duty to his country. His beloved Julie – a him from the liaison. She accompanied commoner– was not considered suitable, him to Quebec when the King sent him so he married the widowed Princess

there on a mission of state, and their Victoire of Leiningen. They moved into establishment there was much like that of Kensington Palace, where their daughter, any other rather staid but affectionate Victoria, became Queen of England at the

married couple. Edward was anxious that age of eighteen. Julie, after occupying a his position should be regularised and was house in Ealing for some time, moved to much concerned about Julie’s future. Paris.

Eventually he was recalled to London For some sixty years Kent House was one where he was received warmly by the of Victorian London’s most prominent Royal Family, though of course without centres of political, artistic and social life. Madame. It was taken by the Earl of Morley and

The Prince had a suite of rooms at occupied by the Earl and his family with Kensington Palace but Julie could not join his sister who married George Villiers. him there. However across Hyde Park, The house was split down the middle to

Prince Edward Duke of Kent close to where the new Hyde Park Cavalry accommodate both families with a large (1761-1820) Barracks were being built, was a small but number of children. A door between the handsome house fronting the main road two halves allowed them to visit each

with extensive gardens stretching back to other while retaining their privacy. One of In the eighteenth century the hamlet of Montpelier Street. The Prince, still with a the Villiers, Theresa, married George Knightsbridge lay at the very edge of the very inadequate income, took the house Cornewall Lewis, who became Chancellor most desirable part of London. The royal and Julie was happily installed in a fine of the Exchequer. Another Villiers palace of Kensington was just across the home where she and her Prince could descendant, also Theresa, is MP for park and wealthy families were building or relax in private. He was created Duke of Chipping Barnet. The Crystal Palace, buying large houses within reach of the Kent, with an increased income, and built for the Great Exhibition of 1851, court, the clubs of St. James’s and the named the house after his title. stood opposite the house in Hyde Park. fashionable areas of town. The Kent House estate was considerably Prince Edward’s house was demolished in King George III’s fourth son, Prince larger than it is today. Rutland Gardens 1870 when the area was developed, and Edward, was born in 1761 in Buckingham did not exist, but several large houses the land where it stood was bought by House. As he grew older his relationship stood on South Place. When reproached Louisa, Lady Ashburton. Like most of the with his parents became contentious. by his brother for his rather public liaison, chatelaines of Kent House, Louisa was Lonely and unloved, the Prince went to the Prince said that he felt a total loss of intelligent and well read, but with a streak Hanover for military training and then to parental affection. ‘This motive alone of eccentricity. She was descended from a Geneva where he was given a very induced me to establish Mme de St. Sephardi Jew, Ephraim Baron D’Aguilar inadequate allowance. He was always Laurent in a residence altogether separate who lived in London. His mental health incompetent with money, never having from mine where she was attended by a deteriorated and he was so cruel to his been used to managing his own financial distinct set of servants.’ family that they deserted him. He bought affairs, and remained in debt for the rest a small farm in Islington, known as In Julie’s time the main building stretched of his life. Starvation Farm because of the way he from Knightsbridge halfway down what is treated his animals. Louisa, his great In 1790 Prince Edward was sent to the now Rutland Gardens. The main entrance granddaughter, married into a Scottish garrison at Gibraltar in an attempt to curb was on the east with a long carriage drive baronial family and came to London with both his erratic behaviour and his debts. running round the house down to the her little daughter Maysie when her Here he straightened out his affairs, stables at the end on the west. There was husband died. She was extravagant and though he was still lonely and entrusted to a large semi-circular conservatory jutting tempestuous – a friend called her his staff the task of finding him a suitable out into the extensive gardens, with flower ‘generous, violent, rash and impulsive, companion. The lady was found in beds and gravel drives, with fruit trees and ever swayed by the impression of the Marseilles and agreed to come to meet a kitchen garden at the far end. When the moment.’ him in Gibraltar. Mme Julie de St Laurent house was eventually sold it was described was to remain his beloved mistress for in The Times as ‘a modern, uniform and Among her friends were artists and twenty-seven years, and there can be no substantial mansion, suitable for a family writers, including Robert Browning, doubt that they stayed closely attached to of distinction.’ Thomas Carlyle, George Eliot and each other until, for reasons of state, they Florence Nightingale. She was When no legitimate heir to the throne was had to part. notoriously compulsive, slow to pay her

20

bills – which were many – and unable to Three of the children were married from the Marchioness of Reading, Colonel and keep servants. She was living in Berkeley Kent House, and three of the Mrs. Bowes-Lyon, Harold Nicolson, Square, with a large house in the country, grandchildren were born there. Countess Jellicoe and the Japanese but tiring of her London home she chose Ambassador and Mme Yoshida. The The Nobles made many changes to the to buy the Kent House site in house was not to see such glory again until house with their architect Reginald Knightsbridge and appointed Henry the days of Westminster Synagogue’s Blomfield: balconies to the bedrooms and Clutton as her architect. Her country glittering fund-raising dinners. Saxton to the rooms on the first floor, a skylight home was destroyed by fire and she died in 1942 but Celia lived on in Bath fitted to the raised ceiling above the stairs, brought many of its treasures to Kent until 1962, when her funeral was held at and the two reception rooms turned into House. Louisa ignored all advice on her Bath Abbey. They offered the house to the one L-shaped room as a music room and extravagance, buying great quantities of Red Cross and towards the end of the war ballroom. works of art, including paintings by it was taken over by Telephone Rentals, Turner. She moved into her new house The Nobles brought music to Kent House, who dug holes in the marble hall for office with Maysie, asking for ever more and invited the Catalan artist, José-Maria partitions, while the Nobles’ chauffeur additions and amendments to the lived on in the basement. building. Louisa’s home was very like The Sert murals are now believed to be in Kent House as it is today, with visiting Spain, perhaps in a bank, but no one carriages stopping under the porch to seems to know where. When Westminster allow their passengers to descend, before Synagogue bought the house (for continuing on to the new stable block at £85,000) it was in a sorry state. But the end of the road. Inside, the entrance under the guidance of Mrs. Reinhart it did led straight into what is now the Reinhart not take long for willing volunteers to Library, with a door into the Marble Hall, clean it up. The Rabbi’s wife herself got a perfect cube. The Dining Room (now down on hands and knees to clean the the Friedlander Room) had as its fireplace fireplaces, while the Rabbi climbed the great black and gold feature which is ladders to replace light bulbs and put up now the Holy Ark. It was taken upstairs curtains. The house has been visited by when the congregation moved up to the descendants of the Noble family. They present Sanctuary. Above it, then, were were delighted to know the use to which it the words Eat to Live and Live to Serve. has been put. The offices, of which Louisa was so proud

- and which were very up-to-date for the time – consisted of the butler’s pantry, The Marble Hall kitchen, scullery and butler’s bedroom. Sert to fill the walls of the room with a They lay at the back of the house, but the huge mural in whatever style he thought housekeeper’s room and the servants’ hall best. The painting comprised a huge were in the basement. Family and guest magical landscape, with canals and bedrooms were on the second floor, with a bridges, elephants and camels, strange small mahogany hinged table outside each birds and flowers. Fireworks and rockets for shaving water and breakfast trays, still were being let off and classical temples, there when Westminster Synagogue kings and queens and every other possible bought the house. All the other doors imaginative creation covered the walls to were of mahogany fitting back into the the ceiling. wide walls, as they do to this day. Louisa continued to spend with no thought for Great musicians visited Kent House to the future and when she died in 1903 the play amid the splendour, among them house had to be sold to pay her debts. Pablo Casals, Donald Tovey, Myra Hess, The Marble Hall. Just visible on the Irene Scharrer and many more, who In 1909 the house was bought by Sir right is the magnificent fireplace performed before a splendid audience in which was removed, adapted and Saxton Noble and his wife Celia. She was full evening dress. Diaghilev brought his installed on the first floor as our the granddaughter of Isambard Kingdom ballet company to attend. The supper Aron Hakodesh (Holy Ark) Brunel, and a fine pianist. They had four room faced out over Knightsbridge, where children: Humphrey, who wrote a book a fine meal was served, with the help of about his life in Kent House, Marc, who the twelve live-in servants. died at the battle of Ypres, Cynthia, who married Gladwyn Jebb the diplomat, and When war broke out the Nobles left This article is adapted from Philippa Marjorie, who later became a friend of London to live in Bath. The guests at their Bernard’s book, The History of Flora Reinhart, wife of our first minister. last dinner party at Kent House included Westminster Synagogue.

21 Editorial

So we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of our coming into being! How lucky we were to acquire this beautiful building, shortly after deciding to form a new congregation.

So much has changed over the years, commencing with the refurbishment of the first floor of Kent House, enabling us to move upstairs and take with us the enormous fireplace - from what is now the Friedlander Room - .(ארון הקודש( adapted for its sacred use as the Holy Ark

Then, we ceased the practice of requiring the Wardens to wear Morning Dress to Services. Three Wardens were elected to serve for three years, as Junior, Middle and finally Senior Warden in turn. In those days, the Senior Warden was solely responsible for organising the Mitzvot and, Oil painting of Kent House by late together with the Rabbi, for the running of the Shabbat and High Holyday member J.W. Benson Services.

All the women wore hats - a custom which, to a large extent, finished after the death of Mrs Flora Reinhart.

Flowers were always placed on both sides of the steps to the Ark at Shavuot - another one of the tasks undertaken by the members.

According to the Daily Mail, 1957 was the happiest year of the twentieth century! Harold MacMillan declared, ‘We have never had it so good.’ For many of us, it was certainly one of the happiest, because in that year Westminster Synagogue was founded. But what else happened in that year, we wondered? Here are some highlights:-

JANUARY- Israel withdrew from the Egyptian territories, precipitating the Suez crisis; Humphrey Bogart died

FEBRUARY - Norwich City Council was the first to install a computer; the average weekly wage was £7.50

MARCH - Ghana became the first British African colony to gain independence; it was the warmest March on record

APRIL - The BBC pulled off one of the most notorious April Fools' Day hoaxes when Richard Dimbleby gave a three-minute report on the spaghetti harvest in Switzerland! First performance of The Entertainer with Laurence Olivier

MAY - Britain dropped its first H-Bomb; end of petrol rationing; John Wyndham’s The Midwich Cuckoos published

JUNE - The first Premium Bond winners were announced; a link was shown between tobacco smoking and lung cancer

JULY - Stirling Moss won the British Grand Prix; bus strike by members of the TGWU - violence on the streets

AUGUST - England won the 5th Test Match and the series against the West Indies

SEPTEMBER - Troops ended the Little Rock school crisis, allowing black children into white schools

OCTOBER - Sputnik I was launched; publication of Which? the magazine by the Consumers Association

NOVEMBER - Sputnik 2 launched with a dog on board; number 1 hit – Elvis Presley with Jailhouse Rock

DECEMBER - Ninety people were killed in the Lewisham train disaster; her first Christmas message was broadcast by the Queen on television

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Community Matters

I was reminded of this twice in recent ‘inhaling’ over the past few hours, and Education months. In June, I was fortunate to be carried ourselves back up the hill to our given the opportunity to travel to hotel where a 300 year old Torah Scroll

by Jerusalem to retrieve a Torah Scroll. The was waiting for us! Only in Jerusalem! Scroll, known as MST#1179 was written Then, in August, I found myself in a very Nick in the late 18th century, and had belonged prominent United Synagogue in North to the Jewish community of Pisek- Young London. The Rabbi, highly respected by Strakonice in what is now the Czech his peers, spoke about a Bar Mitzvah Head of Republic. The Scroll had been sent to the that he’d attended in Jerusalem earlier Education Jewish Museum in Prague in 1942 and that month. The ceremony itself took was one of the 1564 Scrolls that had been place at a multi-denominational prayer purchased in 1964 by WS member Ralph space beside the Western Wall. Men and Yablon and cared for by the Memorial women had been standing side by side Scrolls Trust (MST). Many of those During my years as a Middle School before the Torah, it had been an Scrolls have since been repaired and are teacher in Hungary, one of my favourite egalitarian service, and at a time when we serving communities throughout the topics to teach was the Crusades. Aside hear increasingly about divisions world. Over time, however, some of the from examining the history and the between the different strands of Judaism, Scrolls had been passed around without moral and ethical discussions, we would I’d expected this Rabbi, whom I hadn’t the knowledge of the Trust, and so the watch the film, ‘Kingdom of Heaven’. previously known, to pronounce critically MST devotes significant time trying to This film, featuring a stellar cast about what he’d seen. What he said was locate Scrolls that have dropped off the including Orlando Bloom among others, quite the opposite. With a room full of radar. is the epic saga of a young knight who is Bar and Bat Mitzvah children (the girls drawn from his parochial life as a Scroll #1179 was one such Scroll which were upstairs) young families as well as blacksmith in France into joining the recently emerged - in Jerusalem of all older members of the community, he told Crusades and defending the ‘Kingdom of places. I was planning a short trip to us all how wonderful he had found it that Heaven’, in other words Jerusalem, from Israel to take my wife there for the first all Jews, of every denomination, find the Muslim armies of Saladin. time, but was very happy to add further their spiritual home in Jerusalem. He resonance to our holiday and build it said how important it was that no one One of the most memorable moments of around the collection of the Scroll which group should lay claim and set rules that what is an imperfect, historically flawed was handed over to us by a Torah Scribe exclude others from our most holy sites. but I think highly watchable film, is when at our hotel. because to do so would lead to further Orlando Bloom’s character, Balian, rides fragmentation of the Jewish community. out to the middle of the desert to parlay Something we discovered was that As in the words of Saladin in the film, with the great Saladin himself after a Jerusalem itself, especially the Old City, ‘Kingdom of Heaven’, Jerusalem is worth three -day siege of Jerusalem in order to doesn’t sleep, with worship taking place ‘everything’. I was stunned - and agree terms for surrender. Balian then twenty four hours a day. We walked delighted! asks Saladin the question, ‘What is through the modern parts of the town by Jerusalem worth?’, which Saladin day, and by the time we reached the Old The Jerusalem that fires the imagination considers, shrugs and says ‘...nothing’, City it was late at night. We lingered and stirs the emotions, Yerushalayim leaving Balian baffled. Then, moments around the compound of the Western shel zahav, must surely not be a place of later, as Balian looks up again he sees Wall, meandered through the streets of fanaticism and exclusion but of peace, Saladin turn back towards him, smiling, the Jewish quarter, reached the Muslim coexistence, tolerance and harmony - and clasping both fists together, he says: Quarter as the shutters were being closed among the finest values of humanity. ‘Everything!’ for the night, (not quickly enough to stop Let us hope that in the new year more my wife from finding a way to spend Jerusalem may not be the world’s most voices like those of that Rabbi are heard, more money than either of us had beautiful city in purely aesthetic terms. It - and let them be an inspiration to all of intended!), took in the Armenian quarter is dusty, overcrowded in places, us in 2018. and, eventually found our way to the inhospitable at times, not so easy to Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is hard reach, and the people, as Israelis will tell to imagine how such a busy place could you, are not the most friendly in the maintain such serenity with people country, but its symbolism, aura and MST Scroll #1179 can now be found in milling around, and Greek Orthodox, significance outshine almost any other the Czech Scroll Museum which tells the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic services city on earth especially to the three fascinating story of the whole collection. among those taking place. Finally, as Abrahamic faiths. Hence the term, It is on the 3rd floor of the Westminster daylight approached, we picked our way ‘Kingdom of Heaven’, or for the Jewish Synagogue building. Please contact the out of the Old City somewhat dazed by people, Yerushalayim shel zahav MST at [email protected] to organise a tour. the spiritual vapours that we’d been (Jerusalem the golden).

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WESTMINSTER SYNAGOGUE Kent House, Rutland Gardens, London SW7 1BX

Planning Your Diary Contacting the Synagogue

RABBI Rabbi Benji Stanley [email protected] T: 020 7052 9712

CHAIRMAN OF THE Jeffrey Ohrenstein [email protected] Erev Tu B’Shevat EXECUTIVE Tuesday 30th January EDUCATION Nick Young [email protected] T:020 7052 9714

Tu B’Shevat EVENTS & Jon Zecharia [email protected] COMMUNICATIONS T: 020 7052 9711 st Wednesday 31 January MANAGER

MITZVOT & Hilary Ashleigh [email protected] Erev Purim KIDDUSHIM T: 020 7052 9717 Wednesday 28th February MEMBERSHIP David Connick [email protected]

Purim LIFECYCLE Melissa Hamilton [email protected] ENQUIRIES Thursday 1st March GENERAL Caitlin Potter [email protected] ENQUIRIES T: 020 7584 3953/020 7052 9710 Seder Night

th Friday 30 March ROOM HIRE Gary Sakol [email protected] Executive Director T: 020 7052 9713

First Day Pesach Jeffrey Ohrenstein [email protected] Saturday 31st March CZECH SCROLLS MUSEUM T: 020 7584 3741

Seventh Day Pesach EMERGENCIES Monday to Friday: Friday 6th April in the first instance, please call the Synagogue Office: 020 7052 9710

Evenings & weekends: please e-mail Rabbi Benji Stanley [email protected]

Please send letters, articles, photographs or other items of interest for publication in the Westminster Synagogue Quarterly directly to the Synagogue office or e-mail to [email protected]

WESTMINSTER SYNAGOGUE Kent House Rutland Gardens London SW7 1BX