Israel ’s reverend David Kale is the religious leader of Northern ’s only remaining synagogue By Shai Afsai, Belfast

IN AUGUST 2018, sponsored by a grant hundred Jews remain an uncommon people. more recently, a continuing education univer- awarded to my Rhode Island synagogue, Over the past several decades, many Catholics sity teacher – had been in Belfast for just ten Providence’s Congregation Beth Sholom, I and Protestants in have taken days. The congregation was tremendously traveled to Dublin, Limerick, Cork, and Bel- to using the Arab-Israeli conflict as a proxy for warm and welcoming to us, and Reverend Kale fast to learn about Jewish life in Ireland and their own political and sectarian tensions. More gave me the honor of delivering the Shabbat Northern Ireland, and about contemporary lit- Palestinian than Irish flags decorate various morning discourse at the conclusion of the ser- erature relating to Jews there. Catholic neighborhoods, while in Protestant vices. I spoke on the topic of Benjamin Frank- I was accompanied by my brother, Amir Af- areas there are murals praising the state of Is- lin’s influence on Judaism. sai, a journalist who teaches Hebrew at Jeru- rael. Some of these murals are frequent targets The next day, I visited Kale at his home, salem’s Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School, of vandalism by anti-Israel Catholic activists. which is a three-minute walk from the Belfast and who is acquainted with different conflict This fixation with Israel was also apparent Synagogue, and is where its previous religious zones. Like , Belfast is a city marred during the Belfast Political Tour that my broth- leaders have also lived. (My brother, in the by political and sectarian strife. One of the best er and I took after arriving in the city. As it hap- meantime, had gone off to research Belfast’s anecdotes illustrating Belfast’s long-standing pens, the tours were already fully booked that running culture.) The exchange below with the social divisions, as well as the sometimes-un- day, but when I explained that I was in Belfast reverend and his sister is drawn from that initial certain position of its Jews, is told by the actor to write about its Jewish community and was discussion at their Belfast home, from a round- Harry Towb in his 1984 BBC2 documenta- also seeking some understanding of the city’s table discussion held at the synagogue the fol- ry, Odd Men In, which recounts the Jewish broader historical context, the guides and orga- lowing day, and from the ongoing email corre- community’s history and Towb’s experience nizers of the Belfast Free Walking Tour and the spondence I have had with him since our first growing up in the city: Belfast Political Tour went out of their way to meeting in late 2018. I had hoped for another I used to come here in the ’30s, to the make special arrangements for my brother and meeting in person by now, but COVID-19 in- Jaffe School, for early evening Hebrew me to join. The first part of the Belfast Political tervened. classes. And one dark December night, I Tour was led by an IRA ex-prisoner and its sec- emerged through the gates and I was con- ond part by a retired Northern Ireland police- You are a reverend, or minister. Neither of these fronted by three youths. And the tallest of man, each presenting their narrative of the con- is a title that Jews today in America or Israel the trio got hold of the lapels of my coat and flict without any pretense of objectivity. At the would tend to associate with synagogue lead- he stuck me up against the school railings. start of the tour, the IRA ex-prisoner asked the ership. And he said, “Hear boy! What foot do you assembled group where people were visiting A reverend is an experienced and qualified kick with?” from. A number of countries were named. One person who is authorized by the chief rabbi of Now, I knew what he meant. He meant: couple said they were from England, and my the United Kingdom and Commonwealth to was I a Catholic or was I a Protestant? brother said he was from Israel. The guide then carry out all the duties of a rabbi, or to act as What I was at that particular moment was stated: “We have people here from England hazzan [cantor] of a shul [synagogue], without a terrified ten-year-old. There was only one and Israel. I do not mean to give you offence having semicha [rabbinic ordination]. A rever- thing to do and that was to brazen it out with what you will be hearing today. I am only end carries out all the duties that a pulpit rabbi with the truth, and I said, “Well…I…I…I describing the truth.” in America would carry out. Being a trained don’t kick with either foot. I’m a Jew.” And In actuality, Israel was not mentioned even hazzan also carries with it the title of “Rever- there was a complete and utter silence. once by the guide during the rest of the tour, end.” There are very few reverends today. The And the big fellow looked around at the but the Jewish state has somehow become such position is going to become extinct. other two and he said, “Hear! Do you hear a fixture of Northern Ireland’s conflict that the In a small community such as Belfast, a rev- what your man says? He says he’s a Jew! IRA ex-prisoner instinctively grouped it along erend usually leads all services as hazzan; acts Well hear boy, tell us this: are you a Protes- with England in his introduction. The retired as ba’al koreh [Torah chanter]; delivers a ser- tant Jew or a Catholic Jew?” Northern Ireland policeman, for his part, was mon on Shabbat and Yom Tov morning; deliv- You know, that’s not a music hall joke. visibly delighted to find out that someone from ers shiurim [religious classes]; visits the sick; It actually happened. And I have a hunch Israel was on his tour. conducts funerals and stone settings; is respon- it was quite a common happening around When my brother and I visited Belfast’s last sible for kashrut and acts as a mashgiach [ko- here – common to an uncommon people. remaining synagogue the following morning sher food supervisor], ensuring all kiddushim Towb’s encounter took place in the 1930s, and met Reverend David Kale, it was only his [i.e., refreshments served at the synagogue] but Belfast’s current Jewish residents cannot second Shabbat in Northern Ireland. He and and functions held in the shul are strictly ko- avoid the city’s social divisions either. Its few his sister, Avril Kale – a retired pharmacist and, sher; carries out interfaith work; and attends

THE JERUSALEM REPORT AUGUST 3, 2020 25 Israel [] to remember the District Affiliated United Synagogue, about community is very important. It really needs Jewish men and women who gave their lives two miles from Heathrow Airport, for just someone to guide them more than a large com- in two world wars. Every town and city in the over ten years, and of Barking and Becontree munity. When you are in a small community, UK has its own Cenotaph where services are Synagogue, in North East London, for seven a few people carry the burden. Everyone is held on the Sunday nearest to November 11 to years. What drew you to minister to Belfast’s needed and you feel connected. It is like a fam- remember those soldiers, sailors, and airmen synagogue? ily. People look out for one another. They look killed in both wars. I carry out all the above I consider it to be vital to keep alive all shuls, forward to visitors more and hope people will duties in Belfast. no matter where they are situated. In my per- move in. A small community has a lot to offer. sonal opinion, it is so hard to build a shul. It is Avril Kale adds: No matter your age, when What led you to enter the ministry? very easy to close one down. Years ago, North- you walk into a small shul, people notice. If I wanted to become a rabbi from an ear- ern Ireland had several shuls. It is now down to you don’t attend one week, congregants will ly age. My maternal grandfather was the rav just one. This shul must not be allowed to dis- phone you up to check that you are okay. You [rabbi] of Machzikei Hadas in London’s East appear. If, God forbid, it was to disappear, there build a camaraderie and relationship between End. He came from Lithuania. My paternal would be no Jewish representation whatsoever each and every one. In a short period, newcom- grandfather came from Lodz, in Poland, and in Northern Ireland. ers to a small community become members of was a founding member of Ilford Federation I also think that we should strive to keep a very close family. This is a massive contrast Synagogue. I attended Etz Chayim Yeshiva communities going no matter where they are to big synagogues, such as those in London, in Golders Green, in North West London, and situated. If we do not do this, then in the Unit- where you only know and interact with a small trained privately to become a hazzan, a ba’al ed Kingdom, for example, there will only be number of congregants. kriah, and a ba’al tekiah [shofar blower]. I Jewish life in London and Manchester. If we have been a ba’al kriah and ba’al tekiah since do not support the smaller communities, they Tell me a bit about a reverend’s hiring process the age of 13. I trained as a hazzan with Can- will disappear. This will make it extremely dif- at this Orthodox synagogue. tor Aaron Segal, of blessed memory, who was ficult for Jewish businessmen who still need to I visited Belfast three times: once for an the brother of the late rosh yeshiva [rabbinical travel from place to place to conduct business. interview, once for a weekend to conduct ser- dean] of Manchester Yeshiva. It would also restrict one’s choice of where to vices and meet the congregation, and once to I grew up in Bournemouth, a seaside resort, find work, as there will be no shul to daven meet the outgoing rabbi. On the Shabbat that which had about six big kosher hotels catering [pray] at on a Shabbat, and no other Jewish I conducted services, I also gave a shiur [reli- solely for Jewish people, similar to the hotels people to mix with outside those cities. gious class] at 9:30 in the morning. There was that were in the Catskills in America. Every The presence of smaller communities also a lot of audience participation. My shiur was hotel had its own shul and Shabbat services. enables the members of other religions to see about the question of environmental responsi- Sometimes they had weekday services, as well. and mix with a Jew, and not be frightened bility. What responsibility does a Jew have for The mashgichim [kosher food supervisors] that we are different. It therefore provides an the environment? Does a Jew have a greater were also retired hazzanim, and some gave de- opportunity to foster good relations with other responsibility for the environment than oth- rashot [sermons], too. When these men went religions. er people? In addition, I delivered a sermon out of town on holiday, they needed someone Avril Kale adds: I think that it is very import- during the service which connected the sedra to lead prayers and lein [chant from the Torah] ant to have a functioning synagogue outside [Torah portion] of the week to current affairs. in their place, and my late father, alav hasha- the main Jewish centers of the UK because it lom [peace be upon him], would volunteer me enables Jewish people to live and work out- For me, an exciting part of visiting the syn- to substitute for them. When I was 15, I started side the main Jewish centers and observe their agogue was seeing this large and beauti- shofar blowing at one of these hotels. I started Jewish faith there. It ensures that the Jewish ful building that is so lovingly depicted in leining at age 13, and leining became my forte. cemeteries in the town are maintained. and Harry Towb’s 1984 documentary, as well the memories of those buried in them are kept as meeting in person community members Yet you did not end up becoming a rabbi. alive. It encourages Jewish people to take their who are featured in Aaron Black’s 2014 My parents did not want me to have a career holidays in these regions because they can at- documentary The Last Minyan: A Belfast of a hazzan or a rabbi, but to have a profession. tend a synagogue and obtain kosher food. The Jewish Story, which Aaron’s father, Michael Consequently, I trained and then practiced for members of these synagogues become very Black – the chairman of the Belfast Jewish many years as a solicitor, which in America close to one another and treat one another as Community – and mother, Margaret Black, you would call an attorney. However, I regu- close family, as opposed to acquaintances and had shared with me before my trip to North- larly substituted for rabbonim [i.e., rabbis] in friends. ern Ireland. Were you already familiar with London shuls when they went on vacation. In the Belfast Jewish community before this addition, I regularly undertook rabbinical du- How has it been to be part of such a relatively position opened up? ties for the Yomim Noraim [i.e., the High Holi- small congregation, which has about seventy I have known about the Belfast Jewish com- days: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur]. members? munity since I was a child. It has an illustrious The Belfast Jewish community is known history. One of its former rabbis was Rabbi drastically reduced Northern Ire- for being warm, kind, considerate and caring. Isaac Herzog, who served the Belfast commu- land’s Jewish population, and there may now It tries very hard to reach out and welcome all nity from 1916 to 1919, [later became the first be as few as 300 Jews here, most of whom are Jews. Its doors are always open to visitors, who chief rabbi of Ireland, succeeded Rabbi Abra- not young. You were the minister at Staines and are welcomed with open arms. Serving a small ham Isaac Kook as Ashkenazi chief rabbi of

26 THE JERUSALEM REPORT AUGUST 3, 2020 SHAI AFSAI SHAI

Reverend David Kale and his sister, Avril Kale, at their Belfast home

British Mandate Palestine,] and then became of the year so that our Christian brothers and Christian group in Northern Ireland that set up the first Ashkenazi chief rabbi of the State of sisters can celebrate their festival with family a home in Israel for survivors of the Holocaust. Israel. Rabbi Herzog’s son, Chaim, was born and friends instead of being chained to their job It financially maintains the home. Every year, in Cliftonpark Avenue in Belfast. He later be- of caring for others. I have also been featured close to Kristallnacht, it brings a survivor from came the sixth president of Israel. The Belfast in a video about the Belfast Jewish Commu- the home at its own cost to the Belfast Syna- Jewish community has a reputation for being a nity by the Racial Equality Subgroup. I have gogue to address the community. warm community. spoken on several occasions to hospital staff in the many hospitals across Northern Ireland, The COVID-19 outbreak has deeply altered the This is a city and region known for entrenched explaining the needs of Jewish patients. I have Jewish communal experience in Rhode Island. sectarian strife. Has this affected how you see always found the questions raised after the talk How has it impacted your efforts as reverend your role here? to be extremely sensible, and there is a genuine in Belfast? I have done interfaith work for many years. thirst for information to ensure that the Jewish We are in total lockdown, so there are no The Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom patient feels at home in his or her new sur- services or meetings in shul. I try to send an Ephraim Mirvis feels there should be inter- roundings. The interfaith work has been very email every day to congregants. I also send a faith work among rabbis wherever they live. rewarding. Very good friendships have been very lengthy newsletter, which not only con- This will also help to combat antisemitism struck up. tains news and details of members’ yahrzeits and reduce a feeling of being threatened by The non-Jewish Belfast community is very [anniversaries of their passing], but an in-depth one another. Relationships between Jewish active in remembering and honoring those who look at the sedra of the week and the haftorah and non-Jewish people saved lives during the died, both Jewish and non-Jewish, in the Holo- [weekly prophetic portion]. I phone every con- Holocaust. My grandfather, who was a rabbi caust. There is a lot of support for remembering gregant at least once a week, and sometimes in Machzikei Hadas, gave tzedakah [charity] the Holocaust, as well as for Israel. Each year two or three times. There is a saying, which to the nuns who came around. He said and be- a very impressive memorial ceremony is held is “every cloud has a silver lining.” The silver lieved you must also show non-Jews respect. I in a prestigious part of Belfast. Since I came lining for me is that I have built up a rapport have a role in interfaith work, and in ensuring in 2018, it has been held in the Belfast City with several members who have not attended and promoting better understanding among the Hall. That year, two local councils in Northern synagogue for years. Some congregants have faiths. I am here to serve the Jewish popula- Ireland got together and invited all the various asked of me that if I am phoning every member tion and maybe make Belfast more religiously groups who suffered in the Holocaust to design of the synagogue, could I phone their Jewish vibrant. and produce two stained glass windows. These friends who are living in Northern Ireland who windows were produced in time for Holocaust are not members. I replied, “Of course! It will What has your interfaith work in Belfast, and Memorial Day in January 2019, and they be my pleasure.” in Northern Ireland more generally, involved? toured around the whole of Northern Ireland. I have discovered a few Jewish people There is the Council of Christians and Jews, At the end of the tour, they were presented that the synagogue did not know existed. as well as the Three Faiths Forum. I have spo- to the Belfast Synagogue and installed there. And in a small community every single per- ken on local radio about how Jewish people These are the only two stained glass windows son is extremely important. We are looking celebrate at December time. I highlighted how in the shul. In May 2019, Prince Charles, to- forward to the time when we can get back to Jewish people volunteer to help in the hospi- gether with the chief rabbi, visited the Belfast normal by attending services and socials in tals and old age and care homes at this time Synagogue to unveil the windows. There is one the synagogue. ■

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