WESTMINSTER Bar of Misha Sofaer Zoom Etiquette for Westminster Synagogue services To ensure services are running as smoothly as possible, please have a look over the following ground rules. Mute You will be muted while entering the Zoom session. Make sure you stay muted unless you are invited to un-mute. This is to ensure that the person leading the service can be heard. You will find the mute button in the left-hand corner, as shown below. The microphone should have a red line over it when you are muted. If you are joining the session via your phone (landline or mobile) rather than via the internet, you can mute/un-mute yourself by pressing * followed by 6 Raise your hand to ask questions If you have a question, please click on the button “Raise hand”. This button can be found when you have the list of participants/chat open on the right-hand side. You can also type your question in the chat window, but we recommend that you raise your hand virtually as well, to catch the leader’s attention. Video Video can be on, and is nice to see (though be mindful of what you do behind the camera). If you don’t feel comfortable with having the camera on, feel free to keep it off. Introductions and Latecomers The Zoom session will open 10-15min before the Service starts. Do join in early to make sure we’re all ready at the set time. The minutes before can be used as introductions and catch ups. Latecomers will be muted upon entry, please keep it that way. If it’s your first time using Zoom, we recommend arriving 10-15 mins before the session starts, to make sure everything is set up correctly. Kippot during Services During our services our regular dress code still applies, which includes men covering their heads (if you don’t have a kippah at home, you can use a hat).

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WESTMINSTER SYNAGOGUE

שַׁ בָּ ת שָׁ ל וֹ ם Shalom Saturday 26th June 2021 16th Tamuz 5781 שַׁ בָּ ת בָּ לָ ק Shabbat Balak

Readers: Benji Stanley; David Connick; Misha Sofaer; Denisa Scarcova-Sofaer; Phillip Sofaer; Mark Shamash; Phillip Bekhor; Jack Bekhor

Torah Service Numbers 22: 2 – 12 (pages 7 – 8 of this booklet)

Bar Mitzvah: Misha Sofaer מישה בן מיכאל ו’דניסאה Misha ben Michael v’Denisa

Haftarah Micah 5:6 – 6:8 (pages 9 – 12 of this booklet)

Mourner’s Kaddish Page 37 in the Siddur (pages 15 – 16 of this booklet)

Address: Rabbi Benji Stanley Singer: Betty Makharinsky Warden: David Connick Zoom Warden: Hadassah Lingenheim

WELCOME TO OUR SYNAGOGUE

2 Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah According to Jewish Law, when Jewish children reach the age of maturity, they become responsible for their actions. At this point, a child is said to become Bar or Bat Mitzvah, which can be translated as “one to whom the commandments apply”, or literally, “a son or daughter of the commandment.” Before this age, all of the child’s responsibility to follow Jewish law and tradition lies with the parents. After this age, the child is privileged to participate in all areas of Jewish life and to bear their own responsibility for Jewish ritual law, tradition and ethics. A child becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah automatically upon coming of age. No ceremony is needed. In fact, there is no reference to a Bar Mitzvah ceremony at all before the 15th century, when the custom developed that a boy would be called to the on the first possible Shabbat after his 13th birthday. He would also give a D’var Torah - an exposition of the Torah portion. In contrast to the 500 year plus history of a Bar Mitzvah celebration, Bat Mitzvah can only be traced back to the 19th century, when a celebratory meal would be held on the girl's 12th birthday. Modern traditional and Progressive affirm the absolute equality of boys and girls, so that all young persons may become B’nei Mitzvah or B’not Mitzvah (singular a Bar or a Bat Mitzvah) and all are encouraged to read from the Torah. It is recognised that a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration is but a stepping stone on the road to religious, spiritual and physical maturity.

3 A Message from Misha’s Parents The Bar Mitzvah ceremony represents the passage of a Jewish boy to manhood and we are honoured to have our family and closest friends here today to witness and celebrate with us this wonderful occasion. Misha’s Bar Mitzvah ceremony takes place during this morning’s Shabbat service. The word Torah means law or teaching and refers to the five Books of Moses. A set portion is read aloud on each Shabbat and holiday over the course of the year. Misha’s portion comes from Numbers. He will share his reflections on the meaning of his portioned about becoming a Bar Mitzvah in his introduction. Misha has asked members of his family who he wishes to honour to participate in today’s service: his mother Denisa will read a prayer, his uncle Phillip Sofaer and cousin Mark Shamash will read from the book of Psalms; cousin Jack Masri will open the Ark. Misha’s father Michael will elevate the Torah Scroll (Hagba), Misha’s cousin Phillip Bekhor will say the blessings before and after the Haftarah reading, and cousin Jack Bekhor will read the Haftorah portion from Micah 5:6 – 6:8. Our family is fortunate to have avoided the horrors of religious persecution in Europe 80 years ago. However, along with many other Jewish families, our family has experienced persecution in Iraq after 1948 when religious persecution swept through the Middle East. It endures today although there are very few left now in the Middle East. We are also fortunate that we were able to emigrate to England to start new lives. Where we are able to practice in the way we choose, and where we are protected by law from the sort of persecution we fled from. We would like to thank Rabbi Benji Stanley for his leadership of the community and mentorship of Misha; Michal Ish-Horowitz for her patience and application in teaching Misha Hebrew and guiding him through his portion and the entire process. Due to Covid, remarkably Misha’s learning was entirely online! We would also like to thank Maya Kay and the Westminster Synagogue team for so effectively and professionally organising all the parts of what makes today so special. And finally, to our eldest son Misha, you must know how incredibly happy we are today on your Bar Mitzvah and how proud we are of the man you have become.

And to all, Shabbat Shalom, Denisa and Michael

4 Misha’s D’var Torah My Torah portion is from the Book of Numbers, Chapter 22, Numbers 2-12. The name of this portion is “Balak”, who was the ruler of the Moabites. My portion concerns how the Moabites reacted to newcomers entering their land, and how their leader responded. The story raises questions about the way in which we treat immigrants today and, particularly, how leaders and leadership can play a very important role in defining the way we live our lives. In my portion, the Moabites were very worried about the large number of Israelites that had entered their land and camped there. The Moabites were fearful that these foreigners would take over their land and consume their resources. Balak, responding to the fears of his people, came to the elders of Midian to find and hire Balaam, one of the best-known sorcerers, to put a curse on the Israelites and drive them away from Moab. It is tempting to say that Balak and his people were wrong to want to expel the Israelites. There are many parallels in history and in the modern day. Walls have been built between countries and peoples, sometimes to keep their people in, like with the Berlin Wall, and many to keep others out, for example, Hadrian’s Wall, the Great Wall of China and many others. Today, everyone also needs passports to travel and work permits to work so we aren’t free to do what we want and go where we want. Sometimes immigrants come from countries they are forced to flee from; Syrian refugees for example. When immigrants move to a new place they are often judged quickly and unkindly by others who don’t even know what they might have been through. So, should we be surprised that the Moabites and their leader Balak resisted the Israelites settling in their land? My father’s family were refugees from Iraq in the 1960s as the persecution of the Jews there intensified following the establishment of the State of Israel. My father’s family went to the U.K. where religious tolerance was and is practiced. My father tells me that his father met with minor racism at the time and my father’s time at school was also largely without trouble. Part of my father’s family also went to India and Burma in the first part of the twentieth century. I’ve seen from photographs that the Jews who emigrated there also wore local clothing in order to blend in with their surroundings while at the same time observing their own customs. Returning to the story of Balak, Balak was keen to please his people and, rather than speak with the Israelites about their intentions and how they may work alongside his people, he sought to drive them away from Moab by placing a curse on them through Balaam. I can see that it was perhaps easier for Balak to make that decision as he felt that it was in the interests of his people. I suppose sometimes the easiest way forward for a leader is not always the best or smartest solution to a problem.

5 I think a good leader needs to be someone who is a good listener, so that you take on board what other people want, decisive, because you need to get things done, and also someone who focuses on doing the right thing. If I encounter a situation where one of my friends has an idea I think is wrong, then I think about what I could suggest we do instead and what the consequences might be. It’s a bit like in football, when someone fouls someone else, you can’t just carry on playing, you have to do something about it. My father doesn’t set my brothers and I many rules but one he repeats often is to recognise when we are in the wrong with others, especially when we are part of a group, and have the courage and strength to be prepared to stand apart from that group when it is necessary. My father said it is a very difficult thing to do but it is a big part of being a man and I believe that I have had to do that on more than one occasion at school. The great thing is I didn’t lose any friends by doing that!

6 Numbers 22: 2 – 12 ב וַיַּ ֥ רְ א בָּלָ ֖ק בֶּ ן־צִפּ֑ וֹר אֵ ֛ ת כָּ ל־אֲשֶׁ ר־ﬠָשָׂ ֥ ה יִשְׂרָאֵ ֖ ל לָ ֽאֱ מֹרִֽ י:

ג וַיָּ֨גָ ר מוֹאָ֜ ב מִפְּנֵ ֥י הָﬠָ ֛ם מְ אֹ֖ ד כִּ ֣ י רַ ב־ה֑ וּא וַיָּ ֣ קָ ץ מוֹאָ֔ ב מִפְּנֵ ֖י בְּנֵ ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ ֽ ל:

ד וַ יֹּ֨אמֶ ר מוֹאָ֜ ב אֶ ל־זִקְנֵ ֣י מִדְ יָ֗ן ﬠַתָּ֞ ה יְלַ ֽחֲ כ֤ וּ הַקָּהָ ל֙ אֶ ת־כָּ ל־סְבִ ֣ יבֹתֵ֔ ינוּ כִּלְ חֹ֣ � הַשּׁ֔ וֹר אֵ ֖ ת יֶ ֣ רֶ ק הַשָּׂדֶ ֑ה וּבָלָ ֧ק בֶּ ן־צִפּ֛ וֹר מֶ ֥לֶ � לְ מוֹאָ ֖ ב בָּﬠֵ֥ ת הַ הִ ֽ ו א :

ה וַיִּשְׁ לַ֨ ח מַ לְאָ כִ֜ ים אֶ ל־בִּלְﬠָ ֣ם בֶּ ן־בְּע֗ וֹר פְּ ת֠ וֹרָ ה אֲשֶׁ ֧ ר ﬠַ ל־הַ נָּהָ ֛ ר אֶ ֥רֶ ץ בְּנֵ ֽי־ﬠַמּ֖ וֹ לִקְ רֹא־ל֑ וֹ לֵ אמֹ֗ ר הִ֠ נֵּ ֠ה ﬠַ ֣ם יָצָ ֤א מִמִּצְרַ ֨ יִם֙ הִנֵּ ֤ה כִסָּה֙ אֶ ת־ﬠֵ ֣ין הָאָ֔רֶ ץ וְה֥ וּא ישֵׁ ֖ ב מִ מֻּ לִ ֽ י :

ו וְ ﬠַ תָּ ה֩ לְכָ ה־נָּ֨ א אָ ֽרָ ה־לִּ֜ י אֶ ת־הָﬠָ ֣ם הַ זֶּ֗ ה כִּֽי־ﬠָצ֥ וּם הוּא֙ מִמֶּ֔ נִּ י אוּלַ ֤י אוּכַ ל֙ נַכֶּ ה־בּ֔ וֹ וַ ֽאֲגָ ֽ רְשֶׁ ֖ נּוּ מִ ן־הָאָ ֑רֶ ץ כִּ ֣ י יָדַ֗ﬠְתִּ י אֵ ֤ ת אֲשֶׁ ר־תְּ בָרֵ �֙ מְ בֹרָ ֔ � וַ ֽאֲשֶׁ ֥ ר תָּ אֹ֖ ר יוּאָ ֽ ר:

ז וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜ וּ זִקְנֵ ֤י מוֹאָב֙ וְזִקְנֵ֣ י מִדְ יָ֔ן וּקְסָמִ ֖ ים בְּ יָדָ ֑ ם וַיָּבֹ֨ אוּ֙ אֶ ל־בִּלְﬠָ֔ ם וַיְדַ בְּר֥ וּ אֵלָ ֖יו דִּ בְ רֵ ֥ י ָ ב לָ ֽ ק :

ח וַ יֹּ֣אמֶ ר אֲ לֵ יהֶ֗ ם לִ ֤ינוּ פֹה֙ הַ לַּ֔ יְלָ ה וַ ֽהֲשִֽׁ בֹתִ ֤ י אֶתְ כֶם֙ דָּ בָ֔ ר כַּ ֽאֲשֶׁ ֛ ר יְדַבֵּ ֥ ר יְהוָֹ ֖ה אֵלָ ֑י וַיֵּ ֽשְׁ ב֥ וּ שָׂרֵ ֽ י־מוֹאָ ֖ ב ﬠִ ם־בִּ לְ ﬠָֽ ם:

ט וַיָּבֹ֥ א אֱ �הִ ֖ ים אֶ ל־בִּלְﬠָ ֑ם וַ יֹּ֕ אמֶ ר מִ ֛ י הָ ֽאֲ נָשִׁ֥ ים הָאֵ ֖לֶּ ה ﬠִמָּ ֽ �:

י וַ יֹּ֥אמֶ ר בִּלְﬠָ ֖ ם אֶ ל־הָ ֽאֱ �הִ ֑ ים בָּלָ ֧ק בֶּ ן־צִ פֹּ֛ ר מֶ ֥לֶ � מוֹאָ ֖ ב שָׁלַ ֥ח אֵלָ ֽ י:

יא הִנֵּ ֤ה הָﬠָם֙ הַ יֹּצֵ ֣א מִמִּצְרַ ֔ יִם וַיְכַ ֖ס אֶ ת־ﬠֵ ֣ין הָאָ ֑רֶ ץ ﬠַתָּ֗ ה לְכָ ֤ה קָ ֽ בָ ה־לִּי֙ אֹת֔ וֹ אוּלַ ֥י אוּכַ ֛ל לְהִלָּ ֥חֶ ם בּ֖ וֹ וְגֵ ֽ רַשְׁתִּֽ יו:

יב וַ יֹּ֤אמֶ ר אֱ �הִ ים֙ אֶ ל־בִּלְﬠָ֔ ם לֹ֥ א תֵלֵ ֖� ﬠִמָּהֶ ֑ ם לֹ֤ א תָ אֹר֙ אֶ ת־הָﬠָ֔ ם כִּ֥ י בָר֖ וּ� הֽ וּא:

7 Numbers 22: 2 – 12

2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many; and Moab was overcome with dread because of the children of Israel. 4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian: 'Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field.'--And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.-- 5 And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying: 'Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me. 6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me; peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.' 7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spoke unto him the words of Balak. 8 And he said unto them: 'Lodge here this night, and I will bring you back word, as the LORD may speak unto me'; and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. 9 And God came unto Balaam, and said: 'What men are these with thee?' 10 And Balaam said unto God: 'Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me [saying]: 11 Behold the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth; now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.' 12 And God said unto Balaam: 'Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed.'

8 Micah 5:6 – 6:8 ו וְ הָ יָ ֣ ה | שְׁאֵרִ ֣ ית יַ ֽﬠֲ קֹ֗ ב בְּקֶ֙רֶ ב֙ ﬠַמִּ ֣ ים רַ בִּ֔ ים כְּטַ ל֙ מֵאֵ ֣ ת יְהוָֹ ֔ה כִּרְ בִ יבִ ֖ ים ﬠֲלֵ י־ ﬠֵ ֑שֶׂ ב אֲשֶׁ֚ ר לֹֽ א־יְקַ וֶּה֙ לְאִ֔ ישׁ וְ לֹ֥ א יְיַחֵ ֖ ל לִבְנֵ ֥י אָדָ ֽ ם:

ז וְהָ יָה֩ שְׁאֵרִ ֨ ית יַ ֽﬠֲ קֹ֜ ב בַּ גּוֹיִ֗ם בְּקֶ֙רֶ ב֙ ﬠַמִּ ֣ ים רַ בִּ֔ ים כְּאַרְ יֵה֙ בְּבַ ֽהֲמ֣ וֹת יַ֔ﬠַ ר כִּכְפִ ֖ יר בְּﬠֶדְרֵ י־צֹ֑ אן אֲשֶׁ ֧ ר אִ ם ﬠָבַ ֛ר וְרָמַ ֥ ס וְטָרַ ֖ ף וְאֵ ֥ ין מַצִּֽ יל:

ח תָּ רֹ֥ ם יָדְ �֖ ﬠַ ל־צָרֶ ֑ י� וְכָ ל־אֹֽ יְבֶ ֖י� יִכָּרֵ ֽ תוּ:

ט וְ הָ יָ֚ה בַ יּֽוֹם־הַ הוּא֙ נְאֻ ם־יְהוָֹ ֔ה וְהִכְרַתִּ֥ י סוּסֶ ֖ י� מִקִּרְבֶּ ֑� וְהַ ֽאֲבַדְתִּ ֖ י מַ רְ ְ כּ בֹ תֶ ֽ י � :

י וְהִכְרַתִּ ֖ י ﬠָרֵ ֣ י אַרְ צֶ ֑� וְהָ ֽרַ סְתִּ ֖ י כָּ ל־מִבְצָרֶ ֽ י�:

יא וְהִכְרַתִּ֥ י כְשָׁפִ ֖ ים מִ יָּדֶ ֑� וּֽמְﬠֽ וֹנְנִ ֖ים לֹ֥ א יִֽהְ יוּ־לָ ֽ �:

יב וְהִכְרַתִּ ֧ י פְסִ ילֶ ֛י� וּמַצֵּ ֽבוֹתֶ ֖ י� מִקִּרְבֶּ ֑� וְ לֹֽ א־תִשְׁתַּ ֽחֲוֶ ֥ה ﬠ֖ וֹד לְמַ ֽﬠֲשֵׂ ֥ ה יָדֶ ֽ י�:

יג וְנָ ֽתַשְׁתִּ֥ י אֲשֵׁ ירֶ ֖ י� מִקִּרְבֶּ ֑� וְהִשְׁמַדְתִּ ֖ י ﬠָרֶ ֽ י�:

יד וְﬠָשִׂ֜ יתִ י בְּאַ ֧ ף וּבְחֵמָ ֛ ה נָ קָ ֖ ם אֶ ת־הַ גּוֹיִ ֑ם אֲ שֶׁ ֖ ר ֹ֥ ל א שָׁ מֵ ֽ ע וּ :

9 Micah 5:6 – 6:8 6 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples, as dew from the LORD, as showers upon the grass, that are not looked for from man, nor awaited at the hands of the sons of men. 7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he go through, treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and there is none to deliver. 8 Let Thy hand be lifted up above Thine adversaries, and let all Thine enemies be cut off. 9 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and will destroy thy chariots; 10 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and will throw down all thy strongholds; 11 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thy hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers; 12 And I will cut off thy graven images and thy pillars out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thy hands. 13 And I will pluck up thy Asherim out of the midst of thee; and I will destroy thine enemies. 14 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the nations, because they hearkened not.

10 Micah 5:6 – 6:8

א שִׁמְ עוּ־נָ֕ א אֵ ֥ ת אֲשֶׁ ֽ ר־יְהוָֹ ֖ה אֹמֵ ֑ ר קוּם רִ ֣ יב אֶ ת־הֶ ֽהָרִ ֔ ים וְתִשְׁמַ ֥ﬠְ נָ ה הַ גְּבָﬠ֖ וֹת קוֹלֶ ֽ�:

ב שִׁמְ ע֚ וּ הָרִ ים֙ אֶ ת־רִ ֣ יב יְהוָֹ ֔ה וְהָאֵ ֽתָ נִ ֖ים מֹ֣סְדֵ י אָ ֑רֶ ץ כִּ ֣ י רִ֚ יב לַ ֽיהוָֹה֙ ﬠִ ם־ﬠַמּ֔ וֹ ְ ו ﬠִ ם ־ ִ י שְׂ רָ אֵ ֖ ל ִ י תְ ַ ו כָּ ֽ ח :

ג ﬠַמִּ ֛ י מֶ ֽ ה־ﬠָשִׂ֥ יתִ י לְ�֖ וּמָ ֣ ה הֶ לְאֵתִ ֑ י� ﬠֲנֵ ֥ה בִֽ י:

ד כִּ֚י הֶﬠֱלִתִ֙ י�֙ מֵאֶ ֣רֶ ץ מִצְרַ ֔ יִם וּמִבֵּ ֥ ית ﬠֲבָדִ ֖ ים פְּדִ יתִ ֑ י� וָ ֽאֶשְׁלַ ֣ח לְפָ נֶ֔ י� אֶ ת־ מֹשֶׁ ֖ ה אַ ֽהֲ רֹ֥ ן וּמִרְ יָ ֽם:

ה ﬠַמִּ֗ י זְכָ ר־נָא֙ מַ ה־יָּﬠַ֗ ץ בָּלָק֙ מֶ ֣לֶ � מוֹאָ֔ ב וּמֶ ה־ﬠָנָ ֥ה אֹת֖ וֹ בִּלְﬠָ ֣ם בֶּ ן־בְּﬠ֑ וֹר מִ ן־ הַשִּׁטִּים֙ ﬠַ ד־הַ גִּלְגָּ֔ ל לְמַ ֥ﬠַ ן דַּ ֖ﬠַ ת צִדְק֥ וֹת יְהוָֹ ֽה:

ו בַּמָּה֙ אֲקַדֵּ ֣ם יְהוָֹ ֔ה אִכַּ ֖ף לֵ ֽא�הֵ ֣ י מָר֑ וֹם הַ ֽאֲקַדְּמֶ ֣נּוּ בְ עוֹל֔ וֹת בַּ ֽﬠֲ גָלִ ֖ ים בְּנֵ֥ י שָׁ נָ ֽ ה :

ז הֲ יִרְ צֶ֚ ה יְהוָֹה֙ בְּאַ לְפֵ ֣י אֵ ילִ֔ ים בְּרִֽבְב֖ וֹת נַ ֽחֲ לֵ י־שָׁ ֑מֶ ן הַ ֽאֶתֵּ֚ ן בְּ כוֹרִ י֙ פִּשְׁ ﬠִ֔ י פְּרִ֥ י בִ טְ נִ֖י חַ טַּ ֥ את נַפְ שִֽׁ י:

ח הִגִּ֥ יד לְ�֛ אָדָ ֖ ם מַ ה־טּ֑ וֹב וּמָ ה־יְהוָֹ ֞ה דּוֹרֵ ֣ שׁ מִמְּ�֗ כִּ ֣ י אִ ם־ﬠֲשׂ֚ וֹת מִשְׁ פָּט֙ וְאַ ֣הֲ בַ ת חֶ֔ סֶ ד וְהַ צְ נֵ֥�ַ לֶ ֖כֶ ת ﬠִ ם־אֱ �הֶֽי�:

11 Micah 5:6 – 6:8

1 Hear ye now what the LORD saith: Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. 2 Hear, O ye mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye enduring rocks, the foundations of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with His people, and He will plead with Israel. 3 O My people, what have I done unto thee? And wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me. 4 For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of bondage, and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. 5 O My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him; from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteous acts of the LORD. 6 'Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt-offerings, with calves of a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?' 8 It hath been told thee, O man, what is good, and what the LORD doth require of thee: only to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.

12 Misha’s Bar Mitzvah Prayer Today, I become a Bar Mitzvah, a son of the commandment, which means I am becoming a Jewish adult and have to think about the decisions I make in my life. Before now, my parents have been responsible for looking after me and impacting how I behave. Now, as I mature I need to look out for other people. It’s been difficult at times, especially at the beginning, learning Hebrew letters and vowels, but now it feels much easier, and I now know how to read another language, which is great. I’m looking forward to speaking in Hebrew, being able to communicate when I go on holiday to Israel or even just taking part in the service. A lot has changed since I started, when I didn’t really understand what was happening – not just with the Hebrew but with the whole Bar Mitzvah process. Since then, I’ve learned about the origins of the Jewish people by looking at my Torah portion, and thought about what they went through on their journey in the desert. I feel privileged to be Jewish and to have had the chance to get to know more about my religion and feel more connected to my Jewish identity. I enjoy spending time celebrating Shabbat and making Kiddush with my family, and the fact that being Jewish gives me the chance to connect and share with others. I would like to thank a number of people. Rabbi Benji and his team at Westminster Synagogue for their support and organisation of my Bar Mitzvah. Michal who has taught me Hebrew, my portion and about many aspects of Jewish life - she has been alongside me every step of the way. And my parents who have given my brothers and I a wonderful loving life, and instilled important values which I will treasure forever. שְׁמַ ע יִשְׂרָ אֵ ל יְיָ אֱ �הֵ ינוּ יְיָ אֶחָ ד Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One. Amen.

13 The story behind today’s Scroll The Torah Scroll from which today's portion is read is from from Hořovice, a small town in Bohemia some 50km South West of Prague. The Scroll is one of 1564 that survived the Shoah in Czechoslovakia and were brought to London in February 1964. It has always been the desire of the Memorial Scrolls Trust that their Czech Torah would be returned to use in Jewish life and as a memorial to the communities in Europe so tragically destroyed. Jews settled in Hořovice as early as the 15th century, but were not permitted to reside in the town during the 17th and 18th centuries. In the mid-1800s six Jewish families lived in Hořovice. Later, other families came from the surrounding villages. A religious congregation was established in 1875. Fifty Jews lived in Hořovice in 1930. The synagogue of Hořovice was built in 1903 in Valdecká Street, near the town square. where services were held until the Nazi occupation. Only a few members of the community survived and the synagogue was not re-established after the war. Since 1947 the synagogue has been used by the Czech Brethren’s Protestant Church. There is a memorial tablet from 1903 and a showcase in the building displaying documents about the Jewish community of Hořovice. The current congregation’s website describes some of the history of the building and the Jewish congregation who built it. Torah MST#931 (Czech catalogue no,23999) was allocated on loan to the Westminster Synagogue in 1968. It stands in the fourth position in our Ark, a poignant reminder of this destroyed community that continues to have a meaningful life with us.

14 Mourner’s Kaddish

ִ י תְ ַ גּ דַּ ל Yitgadal ְ ו ִ י תְ קַּ דַּ שׁ v’yitkadash שְׁ מֵ הּ רַּ בָּ א sh’mei raba בְּ ﬠָ לְ מָ א דִּ י בְ רָ א כִ רְ עוּתֵ הּ ,b’al’ma di v’ra chiruteih וְיַמְ לִ י� מַ לְ כוּתֵ הּ v’yamlich malchutei בְּחַ יֵּיכוֹן וּבְ יוֹמֵ יכוֹן b’chayeichon uv’yomeichon וּבְחַ יֵּי דְ כָ ל בֵּ ית יִשְׂרָ אֵ ל ,uv'chayei d’chol beit Yisrael בַּ ﬠֲ גָ לָ א וּבִ זְמַ ן קָ רִ י ב ,ba’agala uvizman kariv וְ אִ מְ ר וּ אָ מֵ ן: .v’imru amen יְהֵ א שְׁמֵ הּ רַ בָּ א מְבָרַ � Y’hei sh’meih raba m’vorach לְ ﬠָ לַ ם וּלְ ﬠָ לְ מֵ י ﬠָ לְ מַ יָּא: .l’alam ulal’mei al’maya ִ י תְ בָּ רַ � ְ ו ִ י שְׁ תַּ בַּ ח Yitbarach v’yishtabach ְ ו ִ י תְ פָּ אַ ר ְ ו ִ י תְ ר וֹ מַ ם v’yitpa’ar v’yitromam ְ ו ִ י תְ ַ נ שֵּׂ א ְ ו ִ י תְ הַ דָּ ר v’yitnasei v’yithadar ְ ו ִ י תְ ﬠַ לֶּ ה ְ ו ִ י תְ הַ לָּ ל v’yitaleh v’yithalal שְׁ מֵ הּ דְּ קֻ דְ שָׁ א. sh’mei d’kudsha בְּרִ י� הוּא. b’rich hu לְ ﬠֵ לָּ א L’eila מִ ן כָּ ל בִּרְ כָתָ א ְ ו שִׁ י רָ תָ א min kol birchata v’shirata תֻּ שְׁ בְּ חָ תָ א ְ ו ֶ נ חֱ מָ תָ א tushb’chata v’nechemata דַּ אֲ מִ י רָ ן בְּ ﬠָ לְ מָ א. da’amiran b’al’ma וְ אִ מְ ר וּ אָ מֵ ן: .V’imru amen יְהֵ א שְׁ לָמָ א רַ בָּ א מִ ן שְׁמַ יָּא וְחַ יִּים Y’hei sh’lamah raba min sh’maya v’chayim aleynu v’al kol Yisrael, v’imru ﬠָ לֵ ינוּ וְ ﬠַ ל ָ כּ ל ִ י שְׂ רָ אֵ ל. וְ אִ מְ ר וּ אָ מֵ ן: .amen עוֹשֶׂ ה שָׁ לוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָ יו הוּא יַﬠֲשֶׂ ה Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya’aseh שָׁ לוֹם ﬠָלֵ ינוּ וְﬠַ ל כָּ ל יִשְׂרָ אֵ ל וְאִמְ רוּ shalom aleynu, v’al kol Yisrael, v’imru אָ מֵ ן: .amen

15 Mourner’s Kaddish Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen. May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honoured, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen. May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

16 About Westminster Synagogue Founded in 1957 and worshipping since 1960 within the splendid surroundings of Kent House, Westminster Synagogue has recently celebrated its 62nd anniversary year, a significant landmark in the life of any community. A key feature of Westminster Synagogue is its founding principles. Their clarity and passion guided the Synagogue’s – , and Thomas Salamon – throughout their ministries and serve to inspire Rabbi Benji Stanley as he continues the spiritual leadership of the community. The Synagogue offers a wonderful combination of the traditional and the progressive. It is a warm, welcoming independent community which is committed to the well-being of its members and their families. The Sanctuary in which we are sitting is the spiritual heart of the Synagogue and it occupies the former ballroom and music rooms of one of the more remarkable historical buildings in London. Downstairs, the Reinhart Library and the Friedlander Room provide further space for meditation, learning or communal gathering, while extensive educational facilities in the lower ground floor areas of the building have ensured a new vibrancy for the Synagogue, as generations of children and young adults become part of the regenerated Westminster Synagogue story. For more information visit: www.westminstersynagogue.org. About the Memorial Scrolls Trust The Memorial Scrolls Trust (MST) is an independent Charity that was formed by the Westminster Synagogue to care for the 1564 Torah and other scrolls that survived the Shoah in Prague and were brought to London in 1964. The MST has their Czech Memorial Scrolls museum on the third floor of Kent House, where they store and display 150 scrolls as well as over 400 binders and wimples (one of the largest collection of its type in the world). These scrolls, from communities so tragically destroyed by the Nazis, are now dynamic messengers given a second life, many for ritual use, others for education and interfaith work. Some 1400 scrolls have been allocated on loan to synagogues and institutions around the world. The museum has received visitors from all over the world and from all faiths, who have been deeply moved by the human tragedy implicit in what they have seen, but at the same time uplifted by the story with its positive message of hope and continuity. If you wish to visit the MST museum or receive the newsletter please contact [email protected] For more information please visit our website www.memorialscrollstrust.org and follow us on our Memorial Scrolls Trust Facebook page.

17 UPCOMING EVENTS AT KENT HOUSE – For more information, contact details below: Monday evening learning, Monday, 28th June, at 7:30pm On Monday, 28th June, at 7:30pm, we will continue to 'Explore the Divine' in our Monday evening learning. We delve into the notion of the hidden God. When can we ascertain that God is indeed hiding? And when is the hiding itself hidden from us?

B’Yachad Service, Saturday 3rd July at 10:30am

On Saturday 3rd July, our Shabbat Morning service will be a B’Yachad Service. Members of all generations will come together to celebrate Shabbat together as a community, led by Yael Roberts, Dudi Appleton and Yoav Oved.

18 WESTMINSTER SYNAGOGUE

Kent House, Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1BX

Tel: 020 7584 3953 Email: [email protected] www.westminstersynagogue.org