KolKol KehillatKehillat KernowKernow Voice of the Jewish community in Cornwall Issue 14 kehillatkernow.com Adar 5766/March 2006 A double dose of good news Harvey Kurzfield Louise Garcia and Jacqui Rickett have good news to tell: they have successfully converted to Judaism. From what I heard the final meeting in London was a "wonderful and emotional" experience. Both ladies were already a credit to Kehillat Kernow with their clear sense of devotion and their commitment to our group. But now, even more so! I hope their experiences with Kehillat Kernow will continue to give them pleasure and also a sense of fulfilment. Elkan Levy: this years lecturer Harvey Kurzfield In June we have a weekend visit from Elkan Levy. Elkan works alongside Malcolm Wiseman on behalf of small synagogue communities. Several of our members have seen Elkan take workshops and we have all been impressed with his eloquence and his ability to relate to his audience. Elkan will be our guest lecturer on Sunday 25th June at Carnon Downs Village Hall near Truro. The subject of his lecture will be Cromwell and the Rabbi a fitting topic as we celebrate the 350th anniversary of Cromwells relaxation of the laws relating to the settlement of Jews in England. Gloria and Milton Jacobson have kindly agreed to host a special Friday night Congratulations to Louise Garcia and Jacqui Rickett who have successfully completed their conversions to Judaism through the RSGB. supper and evening Shabbat service, so please continued on page 2... Kehillat Kernows song fest LotsLots moremore inside,inside, Vera Collins insists that everybody is able to sing, proved including...including... her point by getting us all singing. She amazed At a recent Shabbat service, a new note was us as we found ourselves singing in full Andorra ........................2 added to our worship. Certain harmony, producing a wonderful sound members were asked to that we hadnt dreamed we 2005 exhilaration........3 stand and, ably had in us. conducted by Pat, Michelle has now Love and Darkness......4 who was taking the agreed to coach us service, they sang from time to time. Kosher controversy...5 Hashiveinu in Do try to come unison and, along to these A hard Sudoku .............6 moreover, in sessions; learn how harmony. to participate in On the previous the liturgy, and, Designed and printed by Noah Hearle. Saturday, some of better still, discover Phone: 08709 770088; us had spent the for yourself how much fun web: www.designextreme.com. afternoon learning Hebrew can be had making a joyful Need: newsletter/website/sudoku? Contact me. songs with Michelle Brown. Michelle, who noise unto the Lord. Do you want to share your Kol Kehillat Kernow? Visit: kehillatkernow.com/newsletter for an online version of the newsletter! 2 March 2006 Kol Kehillat Kernow Louise directs Andorra Vera Collins Members of Kehillat Kernow recently visited Truro School to see Max Frischs play Andorra performed by members of the Sixth Form under the direction of Louise Garcia. The play shows how underlying prejudice can exist in an ostensibly tolerant society; how the growth of the individual can be harmed as he is forced into a role imposed by the stereotyped attitudes of those around him; how seemingly harmless events can, in time, lead to injustice and tragedy. The play concludes by showing how this process is destructive not only of the victim but also of the community that engenders The soldier and the Jew confront one another it. The label Jew is the one used in this play and also of the fate of those who had to each individual. but it is clear that any of the collective titles remain in Europe. The sensitive treatment of this difficult used to identify someone as being an In this production, the anguish of the plays subject and the sincerity of their outsider could equally apply. concluding scenes was resolved on a note of performance would suggest that, through The plays message was brought home to hopefulness as the cast gathered, by this, these young people have learned much the young people by their meeting with Liesl candlelight, and sang, in Hebrew, Nishmat that will stand them in good stead as they Munden and hearing, at first-hand, of her kol chai, The soul of every living go out into life. own experiences with the Kindertransport creature .., stressing the divine worth of Well done, Louise and all who took part! Little Limmud weekend Harvey Kurzfield further details emerge later in the year. Their visit will take place from 21st July to 23rd In July 2006, David Jacobs, Synagogue director July so please keep this date free in your of small communities for the RSGB, will be diaries. spending a weekend here in Cornwall, with We are also hoping that members of the his wife Hannah. They will be coming down Exeter Hebrew congregation will join us at here specifically to lead us on a the beginning of June. Details of this have training/limmud/How can we help you? not yet been finalised, but as Exeter has an weekend, so we would hope as many interest in how we use their scroll, a good members as possible will sign up to that when turn out of members would be most welcome. 2006 lecture: Levy on Cromwell continued from front page... from Totnes, Exeter, Plymouth, Bristol and let us know if you would like to attend that elsewhere in the South West. as numbers will be limited. Elkan and his Elkan has also agreed to do our 'annual' wife, Celia, will also be attending our normal lecture in 2006: Cromwell and the Rabbi Shabbat service in Truro to which all are, as a fitting subject for this special year, the usual, welcome. 350th anniversary of the relaxing of English The two young lovers The lecture, on Sunday, June 25th will be law to allow Jewish people back in to Britain. either in the afternoon or evening. Exact times will be published in forthcoming posters. This is a fund raising event for the Sensational singing UJIA so tickets will be on sale to the general public as well as to members of Kehillat Harvey Kurzfield Kernow. Elkan Levy has been taken on to work with Anne Hearle arranged an enjoyable and Malcolm Wiseman's small communities instructive singing session with Michelle Brown office. Since our first meeting with Elkan, - indeed so successful and so well received, members of our group have attended a that a fourth session has already been arranged Passover Preparation Day in Bristol and a with the possibility of further activities during Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur day in Plymouth 2006. The level of singing ability and (kindly hosted and catered for by members confidence has already increased enormously of Plymouth's Hebrew Congregation). Both and with some more practice we should easily of these events were well received and we Elkan Levy demonstrating the art of blowing be on a par with the Zemel Choir! were able to meet with members of shuls the shofar in Plymouth. Kol Kehillat Kernow March 2006 3 Review of 2005: an exhilarating year Annual Literary Harvey Kurzfield these occasions. Festival Kehillat Kernow's financial situation remains Before I begin my review of the year I would healthy (largely thanks to Mr Schulof's legacy) Harvey Kurzfield like, on behalf of the members of Kehillat but our income only just matches our Kernow, to say a big thank you to all your outgoings, so it is essential that our paying Once again in July we had a very successful committee members who do a tremendous membership continues to grow. A £60 annual literary afternoon, and, what's more, the amount behind the scenes, whether it's subscription must be one of the most weather was exceptionally kind to us. travelling regularly to London to reasonable in the country (if not Hopefully there will be another performance maintain our profile at RSGB the World!). in 2006. Please do not be shy about letting headquarters, keeping our finances Numbers have fluctuated - we've us see and hear how talented you are. Poets, up to date, lovingly caring for our lost a few who have moved away singers, actors, jugglers and instrumentalists library or writing up and and gained a few who have come are all welcome! distributing the minutes of our to Cornwall. What is clear, meetings. however, is that, gradually, more Without a committee to organise Jewish people are seeing Cornwall events and services our as a good place in which to settle organisation would collapse. So, and bring up young children. My if you feel that you have something long-term view is therefore very to contribute to the running of upbeat. Kehillat Kernow, be it 'youth' (badly needed!), Highlights of our past year have been the enthusiasm or any specific skill, then please expansion of those people willing and able feel free to volunteer as a committee member to take or participate in Shabbat services. yourself. You will be most welcome. This pool of talent helps to lend originality The cheder classes continue and with an and new ideas to both the shape and increase in the number of children attending. appreciation of Sabbath services in particular. All the children are gradually learning new The Pesach Seder at Trevarno Gardens proved Hebrew letters and words ably supported by so popular (please view Noah's photos on the mums and dads. We were delighted when website) that we will be basing our Pesach Anthony reading at the Literary Festival one of the cheder boys, Michael Rose, event there again ...