Pesach 2015/5775

Pesach hag C

In this Issue

Flowers in Hatch End The Israeli Kibbutz Blood Sweat and Hummus The story behind the blooms Movement Working with the MDA in An exclusive update report Genocide Memorial Day Celebrating Purim Keeping the memory alive Making Aliya An alternative approach First year in Israel About our members From the editor’s desk

HWPS BIRTHDAY WISHES TO: MAZEL TOV TO: BIRTHDAY WISHES TO: Ray Frost, 80 Janet and Alan Solomon on the Robert Benson, 21 Woolf Heymann, 90 occasion of their Golden Wedding Elaine Shoffman, 60 Anniversary David Mushlin, 80 Jordan Grabski, 21 Dear Reader Highlights Estelle Raynaud, 75 Sam Dysch, 21 BIRTHDAY WISHES TO: David Solomon, 70 How time flies. It and life as a career civil servant, are just 24 Ursula Gross Veronica Lansman, 70 was only a year a few of the offerings this month. GET WELL WISHES TO: Genocide Dennis Mitchell ago that the first So as I begin to delete a multitude of Stanley Morris Memorial Day Nina Morris GOOD LUCK IN THEIR NEW Kehila magazines files from my computer and life returns Joy Pearson HOME TO: were coming off the to normal, I need to think about the 30 Phyllis Sanderson Ellen Cook printing press. Over annual task of unpacking the stored The music lives MOSAIC REFORM Deborah and Victor Davis on Jeanette Shindler MAZEL TOV TO: the months we have boxes of Pesach crockery, pans and Richard Sontag Margaret and Michael Abrahams on CONDOLENCES TO refined the contents and presentation cutlery. With my role as an editor ‘on 34 their 50th anniversary of both the monthly and seasonal pause’ till later this year, I am alas, no Flowers in GET WELL WISHES TO: Paul, David and Madeline on the Gloria and Melville Faber on their 65th death of their mother, Rene Bernson Kehilas. With monthly editions now in longer protected from household chores! Hatch End Val Spilfogel anniversary Stephen and Mark on the death of a smart smaller format there is a clear Oh by the way – a reminder to check 37 Dorothy and David Rauch on their 35th their mother, Marie Rowan distinction between the two magazines. out the new Mosaic web site. It is superb Celebrating CONDOLENCES TO: anniversary The monthly edition focuses mainly on and well worth a visit at Purim The family and friends of David Stein Mary and Raymond Sorene on their happenings in the community whereas www.choosemosaic.org – you will not be The family and friends of Passy Gellman 40th anniversary 40 Hilary and Richard Stanton on their 45th this seasonal magazine, now at Pesach disappointed. (See page 9) The Israeli anniversary and Chanukah, commissions stories and Chag Pesach Sameach. Kibbutz HEMS Myra and Greg Wand on their 45th articles from a wide source. Movement MAZEL TOV TO: anniversary This edition has an exclusive feature 42 Jackie and Anthony Alexander on the Rachel and Joe Wayne on their 65th written for Kehila on the kibbutz Blood Sweat occasion of their 25th anniversary anniversary movement in Israel, as well a story again Rosemary and Maurice Hoffman on the and Hummus For children’s birthdays see page 49 from Israel, about a family who recently Robert Pinkus birth of their grandson 44 made Aliya. Interviews with a notable Editor Making Aliya community figure, flowers in Hatch End, [email protected]

THE PlAgUES HAvE CHANgED, BUT THE PROBlEmS REmAiN... Discrimination Exclusion Financial harDship Family What is Mosaic? brEakDownAND u nNEORmploymwOODEnt aDD HASiction BEEN bullying sElF Mosaic is a vibrant new Jewish community which comprises the members of three partner harm loss anD bErEavEmEnt havE Financial harship PiCKiNg UP THE PiECES FOR synagogues. The three synagogues represent the Masorti, Reform and Liberal strands of aDDictionOv bERullying 200 sE ylEARSF harm mEntal hEalth Judaism respectively providing Mosaic members with a choice of emphases and ritual across the

bErEavEmEnt harDship Family brEakDown To: FREEPOST, RTJU-RHJK-RRTT, Norwood, Progressive spectrum. Indeed, the providing of choice is a key Mosaic principle which extends Broadway House, 80-82 The Broadway, beyond ritual. Mosaic provides its members with a wide range of social, educational, cultural and The ten plagues that blighted the We can’t eliminate all of society’s HA7 4HB recreational activities designed to appeal to diverse interests and age groups. Egyptians before the Jewish people problems, but if we don’t take action I enclose: £25 £50 £100 £250 were set free have now been replaced now, our problems will get worse. There is an excellent religion school for younger members with innovative opportunities to Other amount £ by new ‘plagues’. extend Jewish learning beyond bar/bat mitzvah. Help make a difference to 7,000 lives Name: Norwood’s social work teams are by giving Norwood a gift this Pesach. Most important, we look out as well as in and offer exciting opportunities to get involved with supporting children and their families, Address: influential social action and inter-faith programmes, whether locally, nationally or internationally. and adults with learning disabilities to Chag Sameach and thank City: Postcode: Mosaic is living proof of what can be achieved with goodwill, mutual respect and a willingness overcome everything from family Email: to work together. breakdown to discrimination. you for your support Norwood would like to keep in touch with you in the future. However, please let us know if you would prefer for us not to. I do not wish to receive information about Norwood by: post email I do not want an acknowledgment Find out more at www.choosemosaic.org or contact

Donate online by phone or send a cheque Membership Officer Lindsey Cohen on 020 8420 7498 www. norwood.org.uk/appeal 020 8420 6970 with the attached form

Patron Her Majesty The Queen Registered Charity No. 1059050 MCEU

2 3 be changed by strength of will, strategic reasoning and positive ‘people-skills’. Members of our small HWPS A Rabbi’s Word care group give Paul support. But we also realise that we need to challenge Paul’s current approach to caring as he needs to develop some boundaries so that he will many times over the years. Nina How could not drown. Easier said than done. was born in Greece in 1925; her Recently, I involved Paul in a family was prosperous and well- it be that a multifaith conference concerning educated. I once asked Nina if her dementia where he was able to ancestors had fled to Greece as a very successful share his story and to raise his result of the Spanish Inquisition. businessman finds concerns about institutional lack ‘No!’, she replied emphatically, ‘We of care and struggling to engage came to Greece because of the himself in a position effectively with NHS and local Roman conquest of Palestine.’ Nina authority bureaucrats. regarded the Spanish-Jewish exiles where he feels life is We have also shared with Paul Joy Katz, Nina Morris and son Paul light Shabbat candles on Nina’s as mere ‘Johnny-come-latelies’. a few joyous times, too. At the 90th birthday During the Second World War, not worth living? In a end of February, Paul prepared Nina and much of her family survived because they were hidden word, ‘dementia’ up in the mountains with the help Members of our small HWPS care group give Paul support. of partisans. There were some very own mental decline and eventually © Portrait by Italiaander – www.italiaander.co.uk close calls and Nina felt herself to a diagnosis of Alzheimers. Paul But we also realise that we need to challenge Paul’s current be extremely lucky to have come then cared for Sandra as long as have been an entrepreneurial out of the war alive. I so admire the he possibly could at home but her approach to caring as he needs to develop some boundaries so businessman… And have courage of Nina and her family as illness included severe paranoia that that he will not drown ‘Ibeen able to solve logically all well as those who helped them. made it impossible for Paul to cope. manner of problems and achieve the At the end of the war, Nina was He then found what he thought impossible when I have been told I charmed by an English-Jewish was a good care home and visited will never do it. soldier and came to this country as every day and supplemented the a small party to celebrate Nina’s Paul Morris, the son of long- his bride. Son Paul was then born care provided in many ways. But all 90th birthday. Despite her illness, HWPS care group members Vivianne Lakra, Joy Katz and Maria Landau time HWPS member Nina Morris, but, sadly, Nina’s marriage didn’t was not as it seemed in the home she enjoyed every moment. She help Nina Morris celebrate her 90th birthday wrote recently this sentence in a last. Determined and skilled, Nina and Paul had to resettle Sandra in appreciated receiving the gifts of summary of his life. But Paul’s life then got a good job with British a new home. Due to her paranoia, clothing and the loving attention of story evolved in a way that he never Airways and stayed on for decades. Sandra lashes out at Paul virtually her son and members of our care could have imagined: ‘I now find Dear family members either every day when he visits and Paul, group as well as her carers and myself unable to cope with life in remained in Greece or went to live as a loyal and caring husband, is fellow residents where she lives. And general and I was diagnosed with in Israel. Nina and Paul went to visit struggling with himself as to whether Nina especially enjoyed conversing depression. I am frustrated [and] at her family often. Loving to travel, his mental health is being destroyed in Greek with care group member the end of my tether...’ Paul went into the industry himself by the time and energy he devotes Vivianne Lakra. While we can’t How could it be that a and set up Americana Holidays, one to Sandra. change the course of a disease, very successful international of BA’s biggest agency clients. In the meantime, Nina had we can offer support, dignity and businessman, operating a company Eventually, Paul married become quite elderly and was comradeship. We will continue to with over 170 employees, find Sandra. But Sandra’s mother diagnosed with vascular dementia. support Paul, too, in his struggles himself in a position where he feels later developed dementia and, Paul’s daily routine revolves around as a carer and encourage him to life is not worth living? In a word, due to apparent misdiagnosis by long visits to both his wife and try to take some regular time out ‘dementia’. No, Paul is hardly health professionals and neglect mother. His great determination for himself so that his depression afflicted with the disease but his by her carers. attempted suicide. as an entrepreneur compelled him might become less severe. This mother has been diagnosed with The final suffering of her life was to pour all his energy and strength talented and loving man must not vascular dementia and his wife has highly traumatic for Sandra and, it into what he has learned is really sink further. Alzheimer’s. is possible, that this coupled with a tragic, no-win situation. Some I have visited Paul’s mother bereavement triggered Sandra’s problems in life simply cannot Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith

4 5 Mosaic board

when we chose the name of our new community, we were looking at a mosaic – a combination of diverse elements forming a more or less coherent whole – let Reports from the Barbara Grant – us continue to work together to create that ‘whole’, so Mosaic Reform that we can build a truly progressive Jewish centre of Chairman community and understanding, which will be for the Chairmen It hardly seems possible benefit of us all. that Pesach is now upon us and that we have reached the end of the first year of the Mosaic Jewish Community. Only twelve months ago, almost twelve Harry Grant – Mosaic music, varying from rare soul music to rock music and hundred souls took a leap of faith to form this new, Neil Mendoza – Chairman beyond to rare female vocalists. Well, you are about to pluralistic community with all the potential that it had HEMS Chairman I am particularly fortunate discover something else about me and that is I am an to offer. Our plans and dreams had all now become The subject of Mosaic being the first Chairman of avid tennis player, admittedly I came late to the game a reality and it was time for the hard work to begin in throws up a range of Mosaic, as so many things finding it in my mid 40s but better late than never. earnest. Our friends in the wider Jewish community interesting and varied that happen are ‘firsts’ and Game playing sometimes brings out the worst traits are still watching our progress with great curiosity views and opinions within are events to be so proud of. of a person’s character but equally and more often and interest. For all we know, in ten years’ time, there HEMS. From the outset, The first few days of March gave us two such very it elicits a sense of fairness, justice, mutual respect may be many new, pluralistic Jewish Communities the prospect of this new federation of synagogues special occasions. and support, a sense of community, sharing and who have taken a long hard look at themselves and generated great excitement and, at long last, the On Shabbat Zachor, the Shabbat before Purim, quite often nurturing, despite the fact that it can still decided that they too need to take control of their opportunity to move from our rented accommodation Bessborough Road hosted 120 teenagers from RSY, be competitive. A competitiveness based on mutual future, rather than allowing fate to decide the way to a permanent home. Reform Synagogue Youth, who were on a training excellence and the pursuit of excellence. I have made forward for them. As time has passed the excitement has, to some weekend as part of a programme to become leaders many tennis friends over the last 15 years from all Mosaic has experienced a great year of change extent, been replaced by a slight cynicism and on Youth Movement holidays. After the Kiddush Mosaic walks of life. for all of us, as we think long and hard about all the concern as to a potential loss of identity with no Reform held one of its popular interviews with one of Freddie Krivine moved from the UK to Israel in 1982 implications of all that we do – and how it affects us tangible benefit being measured in bricks and mortar. the elder statesmen of the synagogue, as Humphrey some 12 years after being one of the six founders of all – and like all new situations, it has taken the tireless Of course, the problem is that you can never please Phillips spoke of his life growing up in the 20s and 30s, the Israel Tennis Centres. Sometime after moving to efforts of many hard working volunteers to arrive at 100% of the membership 100% of the time and in a and serving during the war as a flight engineer. Israel he asked the question at one of the ITC major brave new decisions, some of them for the better and small community like HEMS with around 120 adult The Shul was bursting at the seams as several of competitions “Out of the 600 entrants how many were others that we may not choose to repeat. Everything members you will always get something approaching our young guests led Shacharit, and try to imagine the Arab ?” The answer I suspect he already knew – that we have done, we have done for the first time and 170 opinions! Like many other small shuls, HEMS is a atmosphere as the sounds of grace after meals coming hardly any. Freddie immediately set about establishing that has meant long hours of meetings, discussion, fairly close-knit community with a pioneering spirit and from upstairs wafted over Humphrey’s fascinating and a charitable tennis foundation that aimed to promote consultation and debate, and all too often no real an informality that somehow almost benefits from its sobering reflections of his sorties over Nazi Germany. coexistence and equal opportunity for all Israelis no conclusion. But with time pressing on, we have forged lack of resources and facilities. However, time doesn’t On Sunday the training weekend continued, as did matter what their ethnic background. The Foundation ahead and simply got on with the job in hand, only stand still and, as the years go by, those attributes Mosaic HaMakom, Cameo, and other meetings, as encourages Arab children to play tennis in a variety to find that we can sit back and pat ourselves on the inevitably fade, with the challenge being the search for the building was stretched and being used by literally of different programmes across the country with new back at a job well done. new opportunities to take the community along a new hundreds of members in a wide variety of activities. programmes opening every year. The Foundation We all owe so much to the very many volunteers phase of its development. Later that week, on Purim, the building saw different works closely with local Councils in a number of Arab throughout the entire Mosaic Community who have In that context, Mosaic presents nothing but a strands of services, with readings of the Megillah by and Jewish communities. Their experienced trainers given endlessly of their spare time to so many areas golden opportunity at precisely the right time. Just a and for young and old. More than 100 members from and coaches introduce young children to a new sport of communal life. Although we don’t always admit it at quick look through the pages of Kehila demonstrates all three Shuls then came together to socialise and eat and those with the aptitude and enthusiasm are offered the time, there is a certain masochism which makes the huge range of activities that are now available Hamentashen. All this was followed by a presentation the chance to develop their skills. By the time they us come back for more, as we all know how much we which HEMS simply could not contemplate on its own. by Dr Lisa Peschel based on recently discovered reach 16 some of them will train for Assistant Coaching gain personally from giving something of ourselves Sadly, and like many other synagogues in the 21st fragments of a Purim Spiel written in the Ghetto at Certificates, taking them back to their communities to this Community, and enriching our own lives in the century, HEMS struggles to achieve a large turnout Theresienstadt. to teach a new generation of boys and girls in a process. to what ought to be the mainstay of its very function, I wish you all a joyous and reflective Pesach, as sustainable educational cycle. We are about to embark on the second year of namely the services. But flourishing synagogue we move into the second year of this exciting unique In 2009 the Foundation was awarded a grant from Mosaic Jewish Community, which will bring with it communities have to offer so much more in addition project which is Mosaic. It is your Mosaic, and I look the National Lottery to refurbish courts and build a club many new challenges and decisions that will affect to keep their members engaged, and it is here that forward to sharing some of what we do with all of you. house in Beit Hanaya, an Arab village. This is now a us all. I am only too well aware that none of us likes Mosaic offers a new and exciting prospect that should permanent home base for the Foundation and children change, but I am also very conscious of the fact that attract existing and potential members and thereby from a nearby moshav and from Jisr El Zarka practise we have put ourselves firmly in control of our own promotes growth. there together on a regular basis. They also have plans future and it is not being decided for us by laziness, When one drills down into the concerns of to extend these programmes into the Druze community. lethargy, languor or lassitude. There really is a place for the cynical, it often seems that there is a lack of Adrian Cohen – Through togetherness and sharing we can foster trust everyone in our Community and we are all the richer appreciation of the numerous advantages that are HWPS Chairman and respect. Separation only increases resentment, for being a part of it. I do understand that everyone is there to be grasped; our small parochial world is For those of you who read misunderstanding, distrust and hatred. This is why, I time pressured these days, as the pace of life makes changing and if we stand still we will simply age my list of Desert Island am proud to say, HWPS has made the Freddie Krivine it increasingly difficult for us to be where we want to and get left behind. Mosaic is the future of modern Discs a few issues back Foundation one of its minor recipients of funds from be, doing what we want to do. Our Jewish lives are progressive Jewish communities, it is our future. Its in Kehila, you discovered the High Holy Day Appeal. Let much of what we do as important to us all and what better way of securing our creation has been both brave and visionary and we my eclectic taste in Jews help make a difference in this world now. future than becoming a part of it! You will remember should be proud to be the Masorti part of it.

6 7 About Goats The Mosaic Website

Hopefully you have noticed that the new Mosaic suggestions on choosing your Jewish Life at and Freedom website, www.choosemosaic.org is live. What home – resources to use for Shabbat and for we have set out to do is provide a site that our festivals, members find useful and worth visiting, and also choosing Mosaic – information for visitors By Rabbi Kathleen a site for visitors, prospective members and and prospective new members Middleton anyone wanting to know more about us. If you use an electronic calendar on your What you’ll find on the site includes: computer, tablet or phone you can subscribe our upcoming events and activities, to our calendar – just email us at information about each of our constituent [email protected] and we’ll send synagogues, you an invite. our latest news We hope you find our new website informative But if there the Ottoman Empire. Finally God what we’re up to “beyond” Mosaic – our and enjoyable. Do please give us your feedback. conquers all, which seems like a tikkun olam / social action activities and If you would like to get involved, we are looking is no real good ending, except that the little more, for volunteers to offer just 30 minutes a week to goat does not miraculously jump out thoughts about key moments in your Jewish add news and other items to the web site. happy ending, why of the cat’s belly! But, if there is no life from birth onwards, very evening I read to my real happy ending, why do we sing children before bedtime. To the do we sing this this extraordinary song? After all, Elittlest one, I read whichever extraordinary song? Pesach is a festival of deliverance; happens to be his favourite story at where is the deliverance in this the time, many, many, many times After all, Pesach song? Although there is no over. At the moment his favourite deliverance for the goat, there is story is the big bad wolf and the is a festival of a much greater deliverance for seven little baby goats. Actually, humanity. We have to accept that, it is a rather terrifying story: the deliverance painful as it is, history cannot be wolf impersonates the little goat’s undone; deliverance doesn’t depend mummy and so, forces his way into on miracles, but on the choices we their home to gobble them all up, probably started its life as a German make in life. except for the littlest one who hides nursery rhyme in the middle ages. Chad gadya starts with abba in the clock. Because it is often sung quickly (‘father’; i.e. God), who redeems the Terrifying as it may be, I can see and with great relish, no one seems goat from oppression and ends with the appeal of the story for little ones. to notice just how much this song abba, for it is ultimately ha-Kadosh There is suspense (will the wolf embodies a cycle of revenge and Baruch Hu (the Eternal One) who outwit the little goats or won’t he?) retaliation. conquers the seemingly indomitable and horror. The story teaches young According to the most common oppression of death. Death, we children the basics of ‘stranger interpretation, the song represents learn in Deuteronomy 30:15 & 19 danger’ and, to top it all, there is Jewish history: the little goat is is synonymous with evil. See, I even a happy ending (because the Israel, redeemed (‘bought’) by God set before you this day life and little goats are rescued from the through his two representatives, goodness, death and evil… choose wolf’s tummy by their mummy and Moshe and Aaron (‘two zuzim’). The life, so that you and your offspring little brother). cat is Assyria, who conquered Israel: will live. I have never done much research the Northern Kingdom. The dog is The insurmountable lust for into fairy tales, but I do have a Babylon, who conquered Judea: dominion and oppression, which strong suspicion that the story has the Southern Kingdom. The stick motivated the mightiest powers in been modified over the centuries is Persia, who conquered Babylon. history, leads inevitably to death. and that in the original there was no The fire represents the Greeks, who Pesach, however, is a festival of such happy ending, for old stories defeated the Persians; the water, freedom: chad gadya assures us often don’t have a happy ending. the Romans and the Ox represents that, ultimately, freedom cannot be One only needs to think of another the Muslims, who defeated the achieved through military power and story/song about a goat: chad Romans in the 7th century. The aggression, but from following the gadya, that jolly song we sing at butcher represents the Christians, moral imperative which comes from the conclusion of the seder, which while the angel of death stands for God. Visit the website at www.choosemosaic.org

8 9 A Rabbi’s Word

By Rabbi Paul Arberman

he comedienne Amy Schumer of Egypt?” In other words, why not says in her stand-up routine: just say that the locusts filled up T“I took my mom to a football the Land of Egypt, or that they were game, because I wanted her to see everywhere — like in the plague of what boundaries look like.” In the the frogs. break, her mother responds: “I don’t The answer given is that the see them!” To which Amy responds, farmers at that time would plant “I know, I know!” “kusemet” or spelt at the borders I can relate to this. My parents of their land to demarcate the visit Israel once a year for two area. This is like the practice of weeks with enough advice about Palestinians planting olive trees parenting for the entire year. It’s not around the edge of their property. easy, I know. The onus is not just on them to respect the boundaries, but for me as well to establish them The question © Portrait by Italiaander – and defend my boundaries. A good of boundaries exist www.italiaander.co.uk sentence to remember is: “I really appreciate the advice, but I want to in any relationship handle this differently…” whether it be married medicine (losing their boundaries). Boundaries are what set the I began with the personal space between where you end and partners, children and now I’d like to end with a the other person begins. Personal and parents, and personal thought about the Mosaic boundaries are the limits we set in even bosses and community. There are a lot of relationships that allow us to protect challenges for me and for HEMS ourselves. They make it possible employees regarding our joining Mosaic. Many for us to separate our own thoughts of those challenges revolve around and feelings from those around The medieval commentator, Rashi, the question of boundaries. Which us. The question of boundaries explains that the kusemet/spelt on programme is appropriate for all of exists in any relationship, whether the borders of Egypt were the only Mosaic? Which programme is good 07894 911 060 it be married partners, children plants that were not destroyed in for the other communities, but is L and parents, and even bosses and the earlier plague of hail — they are not good for HEMS? employees. a softer plant which bent instead of Did I think we could “get it right” The Torah discusses boundaries breaking in the storm. So in sum, in a month or two? Not really! Heck, in the telling of the eighth plague in the locusts landed there to eat the I’m still working on boundaries Egypt: “And Moses stretched forth remaining plants. with my parents. Relationships 75% first time pass rate with HEMS youth his rod over the land of Egypt, and I would like to offer another take time, effort and constant the LORD brought an east wind explanation. Perhaps there is adjustment. But every member Also Available upon the land all that day, and all an aspect of a “midah k’neged community has an opportunity now the night; and when it was morning, midah’ or “measure for measure” to strengthen their identity; to learn Confidence building for qualified drivers the east wind brought the locusts. punishment. The Egyptians enslaved what is rigid and what is flexible. And the locusts went up over all the Israelites and destroyed their Self-discovery is not easy, but it Eco-driving course: get more mpg the land of Egypt, and rested in all personal boundaries. A slave can be highly rewarding. and reduce your repair bills the borders of Egypt; very grievous cannot decide on their hours, work We are called upon to identify were they; before them there were conditions or even personal space. our boundaries while the rest of no such locusts as they, neither God’s punishment was to destroy Mosaic is asked to acknowledge after them shall be such.” the borders of Egypt. The borders and respect them. And in a positive The midrash asks the question: are literally removed to set the spin on “midah k’neged midah”, we “Why does the Torah emphasise Israelites free — but also to give must be aware of, and respect the that the locusts settle in the borders the Egyptians a taste of their own boundaries of others.

10 11 A working life... Edward Kafka reflects on his working life as a career civil servant

aving left university in1968, I wearing overalls and coloured hard initially joined the Ministry of One of my hats scurrying around. HTransport. more interesting At the end of 1993, I was After a relatively short while, I seconded to Eurostat (the statistical moved to the Government Statistical jobs in the late office of the European Commission) Service, which was a slightly in Luxemburg for three years. Again, unusual career choice for a nice 1980s included I was concerned with transport Jewish boy. However, I was not “the statistics, in particular aviation only Jew in the village”. Indeed, statistics relating statistics. Working with colleagues when I started, the Director of the from a variety of EU countries Central Statistical Office was Claus to cross-Channel was a fascinating, if sometimes Moser, (now Baron Moser) who frustrating, experience. While in came to the UK as a refugee before passenger and the Civil Service every Division is World War 2. freight traffic run in more or less the same way, The statistics which are used, I was surprised to find that at the and sometimes misused, to Commission, there was no common assess whether government policy local government, moving to a work culture. How an individual is working, do not come into different job every few years. The unit was run would depend on the existence of their own accord. It departments in which I worked nationality of the head of the unit. is Government Statisticians, either changed over the years, as the The head of my unit was an Italian, working in individual departments or structure of government changed. and it was run very differently from PRIMARY TUITION in the Office for National Statistics During my career, the department a nearby unit where the head was (formerly the Central Statistical concerned with transport was German. Living in Luxemburg was Help your child to Office), who are professionally twice merged with the department very pleasant, with a mere 15 minute catch up > keep up > get ahead responsible for the compilation and concerned with housing, local drive to work. In addition, Metz in publication of government statistics. government and the environment, in France and Trier in Germany were Preparations for SATs, 11+ and all In addition to formal publication, 1970 and 1997, and twice separated less than an hour’s drive away. At entrance exams like other Government Statisticians, again, in 1976 and 2002. I started Eurostat, the main project I worked I was involved in providing briefs at the old Ministry of Transport in on was a Regulation to collect Qualified and experienced primary teacher for Ministers, drafting answers to 1968, and retired from the Office aviation statistics from member offers helpful and supportive lessons in English, Parliamentary Questions and dealing of the Deputy Prime Minister states. Having obtained agreement maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning to raise with ad hoc requests for information. (later renamed the Department at a technical level from all of the standards and boost confidence Collecting statistics is a long for Communities and Local EU member states, the Regulation • Highly recommended • References on request term activity, since they cannot be Government) at the end of 2004. was ultimately stopped by a dispute • Excellent track record • DBS/CRB checked turned on and off like a tap, whereas One of my more interesting jobs between the UK and Spain over the the needs of policy makers can in the late 1980s included statistics status of Gibraltar. Spain objected to change rapidly. In addition, the relating to cross-Channel passenger statistics relating to Gibraltar airport resources available limit what can and freight traffic, and statistical being included in the UK returns; 90% be done, particularly in periods of aspects of the Channel tunnel on this occasion, the UK was not austerity. This means that at any project. On one occasion, I was prepared to give way to Spanish of pupils get into the school of their choice point in time, there will be some able to go on a trip to see the vast “blackmail” and preferred to let mismatch between the information Channel Tunnel construction sites Spain veto the draft Regulation. For more details call that is available and the information at Folkestone and Calais. Looking After 37 years as a career civil required. down from the top of the enormous servant I called it a day and retired 020 8200 0766 In my case, I spent my career shaft, one saw a scene that could in 2004, to spend more time with ‘Record of success with our working on statistics relating have come from a James Bond the family – since then, I have never to transport, housing and film, with tiny construction workers looked back! members’ children’

12 13 Who would you turn to for help if the person you loved most in the world was diagnosed THIS PESACH, with dementia so severe, that he or she was Israel Pre-Election Evening no longer able to live with you at home? will have been held by the time this Fineberg and Michael Reik who also As a spouse or family member, who would you is read, new parties have appeared chaired it. IVOR ASKS YOU rely on to support you, emotionally, practically and previous parties have split or An important and welcome aspect and – perhaps – fi nancially? metamorphosed into new ones. All of the speakers’ contributions was extremely confusing! It was therefore that these were informative and TO REFLECT ON How would you ensure that your loved one was an excellent idea to have an evening explanatory rather than promoting looked after in a professionally run care home, where experts in their field were able any particular party line. With the to discuss the form of the elections, multiplicity of possible coalitions by expert Dementia Specialists? as well as the policies and leaders of after the results were known, FOUR DIFFERENT Michael Reik and Tony Fineberg (back the different parties. predictions of the outcome were And who would you trust to provide that row) organised an Israeli Election Night. level of care within a warm, familiar Jewish The speakers were Professor very difficult. There seemed to Front row – Alan Johnson, Arieh Miller, Alan Johnson of BICOM who is be a feeling however that even if Jerry Lewis (speakers) QUESTIONS environment where festivals, Shabbat active in promoting and explaining Netanyahu’s would not be the and kashrut were enthusiastically observed? Israel’s case to the media, Jerry largest party in a new government, Lewis a prominent veteran member he himself would remain as Prime If you need help with these questions, ask By George Vulkan of the Board of Deputies and Minister. Ivor Perl. Because when Rhoda, his wife of 60 correspondent for Israel Radio The speakers were followed by years, was diagnosed with acute dementia, ntil recently British elections and the Jerusalem Post and Arieh questions and comments from the it was Jewish Care who helped provide the have rarely resulted in Miller, Head of Jewish Community floor. These included concern about Ucoalition governments, and Relations at the Israel Embassy. Israel’s standing in the world, the answers. As he himself says, “Without Jewish the names of parties remained As well as the speakers in the hall, future of settlements, Netanyahu’s Care, my life would have imploded”. reasonably constant. In Israel thanks to a team of our IT experts, speech to Congress and the effect This Pesach, Ivor, Rhoda and their children however, because of its proportional there were also contributions via on his relationship with President representation system, it is almost Skype, with Rabbi Paul Arberman Obama and the Democratic Party, will continue a lifelong tradition of impossible for a single party of Hatch End Masorti, currently and most importantly how the peace celebrating Seder night together. Only this government to be elected. Moreover, in Israel. The meeting, on Sunday prospect could be affected by the time, their family circle will include other particularly with the election which 8 March, was arranged by Tony composition of the new government. residents and staff at one of our communal Seders at Lady Sarah Cohen House, where Rhoda is now a permanent resident. It’s another tangible example of how we ensure that, in our work, Jewish and Care are one and the same. So, this Pesach, as you contemplate what you would do when faced with the same questions as Ivor, please ask yourself one more. How can I afford NOT to support Jewish Care? To make a donation just call 020 8922 2600 now, or visit jewishcare.org/donate Charity Reg No. 802559

Ivor Perl photographed in the synagogue at Lady Sarah Cohen House 14 REMEMBER 15

Pesach Ivor AD - Hendon Reform A4.indd 1 04/02/2014 15:39 Desert island discs A warm welcome to Gay Saunders

would like to introduce myself as also worked as a volunteer at Alyth the new Community Care co- synagogue, World Jewish Relief and Iordinator for Mosaic Reform. It is the Dementia Research Centre. a pleasure to have the opportunity My work with Mosaic Reform will to work with your community be to assist families and individuals and help to develop the excellent with any needs they may have, co- For this edition we invited Vivienne Shreir from HWPS to be our ‘guest’. services you already provide. ordinate the volunteer programme Vivienne’s says that her luxury item would be a bed – with maybe a water mattress!? I have been a social worker for and recruit new volunteers, and many years (I won’t say quite how to initiate any new projects that On a personal note, I am originally many!) and have worked with you feel would be useful for the from Manchester although I have I was fortunate to be born into a imposing opening and am particularly Mahler, Symphony No. 1 in D children, families, older people and Synagogue. I look forward to lived in for the last thirty music-loving family, in the beautiful moved by the haunting melody of the When I was first asked to do children and adults with disabilities. meeting you and to listening to your years. I am married with two adult city of Edinburgh, where I was 2nd movement: especially the horn 7 this, a friend said ‘Don’t forget I have worked for local authorities views about future development. sons. Outside work I enjoy travelling able to attend concerts and opera and violin playing in unison towards Mahler’, and how could I? This is a and voluntary organisations but I will be in the Synagogue most and have just returned from visiting regularly, and, from 1947, enjoyed the end. huge work for large orchestra. Mahler most of my working life has been Mondays and Thursdays but can Argentina and Uruguay. I also the Edinburgh Festival. Most of said ‘A symphony should be like the Schubert, String Quintet in C spent with Norwood where I helped be contacted any time through the enjoy cooking, sculpture, art and my choices as a castaway are world; it should embrace everything’, Major to run the adoption service. I have Synagogue office. swimming. classical, but not all. My collection and this does. Much of his music is Few things improve as we age is inspired by the role music plays 4 beautiful, but he can also be strident, but, for me, the appreciation of music in evoking memories of dear family sardonic, and even raw. I have good matures, and I find myself listening and friends. It will also show my memories of learning about him and more and more to chamber music. ignorance of rock, pop and hip- his output at music appreciation There is so much that I love, but it hop, etc, although, thanks to my classes. has to be Schubert. His writing for children, I did, at one time, manage piano and for chamber ensembles Mozart, The Marriage of a passing acquaintance with The is frequently sublime. I have chosen Figaro Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel. this String Quintet. It was scored, 8 I love opera. (But how will I unusually, for 2 violins, 1 viola and manage without Verdi or Puccini?) Twelfth Street Rag 2 cellos, giving it a rich texture. It is I have made this choice because, This was composed in 1914 but beautiful throughout, and the slow with the libretto by Lorenzo it became popular again when I 1 2nd movement is deeply affecting. Ponte, after Beaumarchais, it was a student (in the late 1940s), and This work was written in 1828, the has wit, sparkle and yet, tender I associate it with relatively carefree year of Schubert’s death. emotion and hints of tragedy. The days and fun with friends. The war music is wonderful and melodious: was over; there was still rationing, Beethoven, Triple Concerto unsurprising that it is universally so but who cared? We were young and in C well loved. safe. 5 Composed as a concerto My choice of book Tubby the Tuba for piano, violin and cello (a piano I understand that the Bible and I am not sure how funny I trio?), this is a great and noble work. Shakespeare are already provided, would find Danny Kaye now, Beethoven did not write a cello 2 so I would like a comprehensive and but Lionel (my late husband) and I concerto: this is the nearest he came well-illustrated book on the history of had great pleasure listening to this, to it. Another good memory for me; art. Looking at endless sea and sand and my imitations of the bullfrog I first enjoyed it at an Edinburgh and palm trees may sound appealing made him laugh. It tells a good story Festival concert. on a holiday, but, if I’m to be there for too, and, of course, there is the link Ravel, Introduction and longer, I might need something more. with classical orchestral music. Allegro for harp, string My luxury item Brahms, Symphony No.1 in C 6 quartet, flute and clarinet A comfortable bed (or, at least, a Minor There is something different about mattress). No, I would not attempt to Brahms worked for some 20 French music which I am unable 3 use it to escape. I wouldn’t dare. years before he was satisfied with to explain, but I have come to love this symphony, fearing that his work much of Ravel’s work (with the could be adversely compared with exception of Bolero). This is a short that of Beethoven. In the event, it work: a piece of extended chamber was highly acclaimed. I love the music, and I think very wonderful.

16 17 Letters to the Editor Soap box A Limmudnik

Edwin Lucas writes: Moishe Ben Idorm (real name withheld) writes: writes: By Michael Marx © Portrait by Italiaander – www.italiaander.co.uk

There are so many This whole European ha’Am [trans. “One of the People”], composer and instrumentalist, exciting things going on who, while committed to the no such attempt to create such language schmeer physical Zionist project, advocated an oeuvre, nor to recruit other which need support from a parallel commitment to Jewish musicians to it, had happened. makes me broyges, identity through culture rather than Zorn is a force of nature, utterly the membership. We especially when I hear theology. committed to the need to create In my view, it has taken the best such a movement. The record Ahad Ha’Am John Zorn do need to excite more these erstwhile mavens part of a hundred years for Ahad label (Tzadik), on which this work immud offers so many learning Ha’Am’s doctrine of “Cultural is documented, has a substantial members from all three and luftmenschen opportunities and requires Zionism” to start to be realised. And, section (Radical Jewish Culture), Lthose attending to choose perversely, this realisation has not which contains the work of Zorn and communities to come to kvetching about needing between them. At the Harrow Day originated in Israel, where a much other musicians. Limmud last March there were over more complex interplay of factors Zorn makes no attempt to define events to learn a new language 100 presenters and around 1000 has marginalised the essence of the Radical Jewish Culture. attendees. I shared my presentation idea, which, while acknowledging “I do not and have never am one of the Mosaic members and – what chutzpah! with around a dozen Limmudniks, Jewish history as a key influence in espoused the idea that any music delighted to be part of it. I am a small cog in all of whom were polite enough to the development of Jewish culture, a Jew makes is Jewish music, Ia big wheel and I am looking forward to the here may be those among you who remain until I had finished. This is a rather adopting nor do I pretend to be the sole advancement and development of Mosaic in the have heard of the European Language summary of what they heard. “a dextrous, principled serious arbiter of what is Jewish or what new building. I would like to thank all those who T Integration Project or was I dreaming? The late nineteenth and of accommodations, a successful is not. There have been occasions arrange events for Mosaic which are published Well if it is true I for one am absolutely against early twentieth centuries saw exercise in creative integration, in when the Jewish content of the in our bulletin weekly as well as Kehila monthly. it. Fellow Mosaicians we must band together the biggest and most diverse which Jews absorbed the best from music delivered has been unclear, There are so many exciting things going on & preserve the exclusivity of the purity of the explosion of Jewish thought ever. other cultures while emphatically or even non-existent…If (artists) which need support from the membership. English language, and to all the shlemiels, Commencing with the Haskalah making one of their own.” can articulate a well thought out We do need to excite more members from all shlemazels, nebbishes, nudniks, klutzes, (or enlightenment), successive (“Free Improvisation: John Zorn response and their sincerity and 3 communities to come to events and I am as putzes, shlubs, shmoes, shmucks, nogoodniks, generations of socially emancipated and the Construction of Jewish honesty is clear and unquestionable, guilty as many others. What is my excuse? Is and momzers that are out there pushing this Jews entered the professions and Identity through Music” Michael I go with it…” (John Zorn) it time, or is it the topic, or is it that I cannot be idea – I say never! the universities, where they were Scott Cuthbert, pub. Harvard The Tzadik label has brought bothered? Sometimes I cannot make events I for one, and also my lovely wife bless her, able to turn a voracious appetite College Library 2001) together a diverse community for a variety of reasons and as my reputation believe that English and only English deserves for learning to the most diverse of In my view, the notion of “Cultural pursuing a collective agenda, not of falling asleep at events precedes me, I am linguistic prominence in our British culture. To areas, all of which were previously Zionism” can’t be dealt with least acknowledging the historic careful not to go to anything where I would be tell you the truth, it makes me so farklempt, I’m forbidden to them: politics, by individual Jews expressing place of the Jew in society and a an embarrassment. Some folk would say I am fit to plotz. economics, medicine, philosophy, themselves as Jews, for example by strong response to it. always an embarrassment! I would like to ask This whole European language schmeer science, psychiatry music, art, saying that because they are Jews, “Jews have a real sense of the co-readers from all communities to look at makes me broyges, especially when I hear literature, in all of which they took the books that they write contribute doing right, of justice. Jews have the event menu and to try and come along to these erstwhile mavens and luftmenschen leading roles in revolutionising each to the canon of Jewish literature, believed, maybe naively, that if they something which they have not done previously. kvetching about needing to learn a new discipline. regardless of intent or content. devoted themselves and contributed I recently went to TuBshevat and really enjoyed language – what chutzpah! Within this “Big Bang” of There is a need for collective action, selflessly to their host culture, that the evening. These shmegeges can tout their shlock Jewish thought was to be found a movement to create a developing, they’d be accepted. And the truth is There are things about any event, which we all about the cultural and linguistic diversity of revolutionaries who sought Jewish ongoing body of work that can that they’ll never be accepted.” can say could be done better, but nobody can our country, but I, for one, am not buying their self-determination – hardly a be at the same time innovative, John Zorn’s body of work is suggest new ideas unless they come along and shtick. surprise given the oppression collaborative, diverse but at the a realization of Ahad ha’Am’s experience what is on offer. Spring is about to I exhort you all to be menshen about this that formed much of the Jewish same time quintessentially Jewish. philosophy, which I believe will spring on us all and let us all have a look to see and stand up to their fardrayte arguments and experience in pre-Haskalah greater This body of work may reflect survive the test of time. that we maximise what Mosaic has to offer from meshugganah, farshtunkene assertions. It Europe. As students of early things past, but should not slavishly If you want to explore Zorn’s our communities ahead of the new building. wouldn’t be kosher to do anything else! Zionism will know, its development memorialise it. music, early (pre-Masada) works followed the “two Jews, three Until the advent of John Zorn’s (Spillane, Naked City, Spy vs Spy opinions” route. One of the less “Masada” project, a consciously plays Ornette Coleman) can be well-know figures within the Jewish body of work, but which found on Spotify. You Tube has movement was Asher Ginzberg also embraced Zorn’s previous substantial amounts of Masada (better know subsequently as Ahad experiences as an “avant-garde” material.

18 19 Adrian Cohen Antiques – quality silver, silver plate and objets d’art

Looking for a unique and unusual gift for that special occasion? Antique kiddush cups, Shabbat candlesticks or pretty and useful items for the table will make excellent gifts and/or enhance your own home. An enormous variety of carefully selected good quality Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco tea sets, cutlery, baskets etc is always in When not editing Kehila, Robert Pinkus spends much of his stock. Prices from £30 to £10,000 so there’s sure to be something to suit your budget! time working with patients and health professionals I also arrange silver repairs and replating work

ome years ago, my wife Anne to be the best use of quite limited FREE verbal valuations to Mosaic members suffered a back strain which Having no resources, so over a six month Swas very painful and required period, I made contact with the a number of doctor visits. Regular knowledge of the NHS Chairs of the 35 surgeries across visits to the doctor up to this time was a bit daunting but the Borough and late last year, I set were an unusual event, as during up the Harrow Patient Participation our forty five years of marriage, we I soon learnt that in Network. This group now broadly have been fortunate in only needing Harrow there were a represents around 200,000 patients, to visit the doctor a handful of times. and amongst a whole range of However, I soon learnt that sitting number of established activities, we sit with NHS , in a GP’s waiting room is not the patient groups and I Healthwatch Harrow and the Harrow best experience for anyone, but Clinical Commissioning Group, to www.adrian-cohen.co.uk Tel:+44 (0)7973 222520 [email protected] for Anne it proved impossible, as learnt from them how help shape a healthier future for all the chairs offered no support and it they operate our citizens. Earlier this year, we was agony for her to sit. Eventually, met with the Secretary of State for I spoke to the reception staff and Health, Jeremy Hunt, and two of asked whether a supportive chair group. One by one over several the Harrow MPs – we have also Simon and Elaine Glass from could be placed in the waiting weeks, I met local people and had contact with the CQC, the HEMS – just returned from area. The young lady behind the enrolled them onto our committee. organisation that inspects hospitals, their Indian holiday said: counter referred me to the practice With a grant of almost £2000 from care homes and surgeries – so life is manager – at this stage, I had no the ‘making a difference’ fund and never dull! idea that such a position existed. a £400 cheque from the Waitrose This model of bringing patients We discussed my wife’s problem Charity Support Scheme and a groups together is unusual, but “Every day was a and, for good measure, I added a top-up from the surgery, we were it has been so successful that I new day, what a few other suggestions as to how on our way. Support also came from believe it will eventually be adopted the surgery could be improved. He the National Association of Patient across London and maybe the UK. wonderful vacation. We are your local tour operator based in Harrow. was receptive and said that he was Participation Groups, who also In terms of the Government’s health We offer tailor-made holidays to India, Nepal, Bhutan Thank you Indus for keen to hear patients’ comments. provided me with all the material I agenda of putting patients first, it Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and putting together this We went on speak about a Patients’ needed to develop a constitution. allows us, the patients, to question Burma. Our destination consultants will offer you Group and he enquired whether I The group thrived and now meets the decision makers and ensure that advice and help you plan your holiday. holiday for us” would be interested in forming one. on a regular basis at the local local Health Services meet agreed Given that I had just retired and had surgery – patients are encouraged standards. Perhaps at this time If you like more information please call us or some time on my hands, I tentatively to comment on any aspect of when a day rarely passes without book an appointment to see our consultant 020 8901 7320 agreed – from there on, life has health delivery. Of course, with some issue about the NHS in the for the destination you wish to visit. [email protected] Call: 020 8901 7320 or never been quite the same! more and more patients and media, it is more important than ever www.indusexperiences.co.uk Having no real knowledge of diminishing funds, all surgeries to ensure that the patients’ voice is email: [email protected] the NHS proved to be somewhat are being squeezed, so I began heard. daunting, but I soon learnt that in to wonder what was happening in Indus Experiences | KBC Harrow Exchange | 2 Gayton Road | Harrow | HA1 2XU Harrow, there were a number of other surgeries in Harrow. Surprise, If you would like further established patient groups and I surprise! I soon found out that there information on the role of Patient learnt from them how they operate. were many patient groups in Harrow, Groups, please do contact me at However, first I needed to find but each one worked in isolation of Indus is fully ATOL bonded and a member of ABTA patients to join my newly formed the others. This didn’t seem to me [email protected]

20 21 Mosaic | book club Wobbly legs? P e r f e ct creaky arms? Established 20 years ago For everydaynai ls or just Genesis in poetry special occasions Our guest reviewer Rosemary Wolfson reviews ‘Genesis in Poetry’ by Jeffrey M Cohen • Experience the delight in a set of beautiful natural Just generally falling apart? his book from our Library was a joy to read. There is an interesting dilemma – Noah asks God looking artificial nails I can’t fix you, but I can I had the confidence that because Jeffrey why He punishes with rain – is it because drowning repair your furniture TCohen is a biblical scholar, he was an expert involves the most pain? But the Lord answers • Enjoy a relaxing at putting this ancient text at times into a modern that the rain is chosen “To save mankind” by the manicure or pedicure... setting. This work is very suitable as a gift for building of the Ark. children of Bar Mitzvah age upwards. It is not a The animals’ care in the Ark is amusingly Or both! All in the Philip: coffee table book, there are no illustrations, and described such as the elephants requiring their comfort of your own 07443 625 602 although it often appears to be light-hearted, vine branches to be dipped in chive! Also the home some interesting philosophical conflicts are asses wanted 020 8723 4275 covered. This work could be used to read out …their barley soufflé loud at a literary evening. Much of the poetry is And sweet apple pie.” [email protected] humorous, and Rabbi Cohen’s use of language is The consequences following Abraham’s 020 8866 9879 outstanding. relationship with Sarah’s maid Hagar come over Indeed, in his introduction, the author states well. Sarah was barren for many years, and Hagar that his text is not a replacement for the Bible, had a son, Ishmael, with Abraham. This story has but an “attempt to stimulate further interest in relevance to our own times with its complications it.” In parts Cohen brilliantly exposes various as a result. Likewise the account of Sodom and Sweet Tree characters’ “inner mental torment and emotional Gomorrah with the lawlessness involving gangs struggle.” of thugs, with men carrying daggers and plunging Home Care Services helping you to The section headed “Creation” contains a them into strangers’ hearts at the slightest remain at home good introduction to the work. We are instantly provocation. concerned with the original biblical text. “A The business deal for Abraham’s negotiations for cheery cherub from the Milky Way” is amusingly Sarah’s burial plot sounds familiar with its talk of a involved. The animals are charmingly described. prime site and the property market! I am especially fond of the “Nifty mice”, and the Isaac and Rebekah also had difficulty in Don’t know what to do “lofty giraffes”. conceiving, with no “bundle of joy” to light up their with your used inkjet Regarding Eve, in Cohen’s version of the lives. Eventually she became pregnant with “Two Adam & Eve story, his wife seems to have been little beings doing a jig” within her stomach. printer cartridges? a bit of a feminist! Although she appears to be The death and burial of Jacob is very moving, a marvellous homemaker, in fact she is like a when he “lioness in her lair”! “…gave up his soul Want to help a local charity? God Himself created world evil before the story Ending his troubled earthly role.” Then all you need to do is to bring the • Personal care • Household of Noah, which has some parallels with today. Although I haven’t covered the stories of some cartridges in to the Synagogue, and chores • Handyman/Driver • There was famous Genesis episodes contained in Jeffrey we will pass them on to the Harrow MS Cohen’s work, I hope I have given a flavour of this “…theft, murder and selfish design, Therapy Centre in Road, Harrow, Activities/Outings Gluttony, whoring and dependence on wine” brilliant translation. who can recycle them and receive cash. To request a brochure or a FREE They will also take your unwanted mobile phones. assessment contact us on: Mosaic has a book club that reviews and discusses a whole range of books. For further information contact Janet Solomon on 020 8866 0335, Let’s all help local MS 020 7624 994 or [email protected] sufferers in this way www.sweettree.co.uk

22 23 Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Day woman martyr who was safe in Israel who decided to come back to help the resistance in Hungary. Keep the Memory Alive The third and final speaker was a Rwanda genocide survivor, Sophie Masereka, who described her account of a 100-day period in 1994, where it was a thought provoking approximately 1 million of the Tutsi down in 1938 when Hitler’s regime took evening, leaving me a bit numb people from Rwanda were murdered. over Austria. He was expelled from Sophie recounted her many near-death his school for being Jewish and then hearing about the atrocities, while at experiences and, if it was not for the subsequently attacked outside his new the same time, cautiously encouraged fact she was standing right in front of totally Jewish school. This school was us, we would have thought her life was later closed down by the authorities and by the testimonies of survival, courage lost. Each time there was a seemingly Jews were also banned from visiting and caring for others miraculous intercession that saved her parks, cafés and shops; he was cooped life. Sophie shared how she witnessed up at home not being able to go out. her family being murdered; never mind Eventually, George made it safely to Holocaust, which she stated may be the torture and that there was no medical England via Paris unlike some members controversial. She suggested that if the treatment given for her malnutrition and of his family who were murdered in facts of the Armenian genocide, when malaria. After the genocide was over, camps. George’s father wrote many about 1.5 million were slaughtered during Sophie discovered the remains of most By Kevin Ziants n 27th January 2015 Brent letters, which George was able find later and after World War 1, had not been of her perished family members. She was Council hosted a Memorial Day along with correspondence from other repressed then that knowledge might able to exhume and wash their remains Photos by Rabbi Oto remember all victims of the family members. He displayed a letter have changed the course of events during and lay them to rest. Holocaust and other genocides. This day written by his aunt written in pencil which World War 2. She then reminded us of the Although able to leave Rwanda she Frank and daughter was the 70th anniversary of the liberation George and his parents deciphered over 1 million Roma Gypsies who were was highly traumatized. Despite suitable Miriam Smith of Auschwitz concentration camp. As part describing horrendous conditions but murdered along with the Jews. In Nazi offers of marriage she could not trust any of their introductions Muhammed Butt, still hope in God hands she will be safe. Germany, anyone considered imperfect man. Sophie eventually met someone of Brent Council and Rabbi Frank Sadly, this was not the case and the and was deemed unfit for the Aryan who offered to be her ‘very protective Dabba Smith reminded us that we are coded note then served as a farewell master race had to be destroyed. She husband, father and brother’. She married still a long way from living in a truly free letter. George again emphasised that his was concerned that today Gypsies over him and he and her beautiful daughters society. whole experience was a “mild one “ and Europe are still being badly mistreated. were present to hear her tell her story. The Nomad Explorer Scout Unit then he finished with a warning quote, “For evil Ruth lit one candle in memory of the Sophie’s testimony powerfully represents lit memorial candles and each individual to succeed it is only necessary for good suffering of the Armenian Christians and renewal and hope. eloquently gave their personal Holocaust people to do nothing” (Edmund Burke one for the Roma Gypsies. I was unsure The whole evening concluded with reflections. It was comforting to know 1729-1797) how this could offend anyone unless they Rabbi Simon Harris chanting ‘El Male that these youth have such sensitivity The London Cantorial Singers then sang felt the Jews had some kind of exclusivity Rachamim’ followed by a two-minutes and insight as we hope the “baton” will a song in Hebrew that was chanted by when it comes to the pain and suffering silence. Too little time to try to absorb be taken over by them when it comes to pious Jews as they were herded to gas of those in Holocaust. the events of the very moving evening remembering such events in the future. chambers. A shiver went down my spine There were then two more songs and to reflect on the human condition in The first speaker-witness was George as this was sung. performed by the London Cantorial today’s world. All in all, it was a thought Vulkan, an HWPS member, who is a The second speaker was Ruth Barnett, Singers. One was a very strident Yiddish provoking evening, leaving me a bit numb Holocaust refugee. He declared that also from HWPS, and a Kindertransport partisans’ song associated with the hearing about the atrocities, while at the he believes his experiences should be refugee. She chose not to speak about Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Jews and then same time, cautiously encouraged by regarded as a “mild story”. Born in Vienna her particular experience but offered there was ‘Eli, Eli’, a song based on a the testimonies of survival, courage and in 1929, his childhood was turned upside a view regarding other victims of the poem written by Hana Senesh, a young caring for others.

24 25 Mosaic moments (March ‘15) HaMakom children getting ready for Purim! (February ‘15)

Tu B’Shevat celebrations

Freddie Knoller, a Holocaust survivor, speaking to young children about his experiences

Mosaic Reform Civic Service attended by (L to R) Honorary Alderman Keith Toms, Carla & Andrew Morrow’s The Worshipful The Mayor, Cllr. Ajay Maru, wedding day Rabbi Kathleen, Barbara Grant

26 27 Sanctifying Shabbat

The following volunteering tasks are required by Mosaic Reform. If you are interested in any of the jobs list please contact the Shul Office on For approximately 30 020 8864 0133 minutes, we turn off all TVs, [email protected] music etc and devote this time for ourselves

A Progressive view by Kevin Ziants paper being torn Friday afternoon to take time out from their normal The MOSAIC in advance, so as not performing routine. I then wonder how different n my formative years I was the “sin” of tearing on Shabbat. I are the Shabbat moments for COMMUNITY encouraged by my parents to still haven’t got my head round why anyone who takes a more “Liberal” REQUIRE: Iattend, with my brother, nearly putting Sellotape over the fridge view? Hands up all Shul goers who every Shabbat morning service light avoids yet another potential check emails/text before attending at Mill Hill United Synagogue. My transgression. I respect anyone who (or even during) the service? I for brother seemed to gain something makes the effort to preserve their one plead guilty on both accounts. out of these services, while I Shabbat, but in my view there were Whether you attend Shul or not do The Friendship was more intent on performing too many contradictions to serve its you actually take time out just to rest 1Club needs mischievous acts with Cheder purpose. from the daily routine and to reflect helpers on friends, in between counting down My life moved on, I lived away on life, either on your own or with a Mondays at the pages in the Singer’s Prayer from a Jewish community for many loved one? Bessborough Road book to Adon Alom. I still remember years and became a virtually lapsed Olivia and I have created a page number 223. I also noted at Jew. A set of circumstances enticed weekend ritual, not necessarily Kehila delivery each service the regulars just before me back to Judaism via HWPS. At within the exact Shabbat framework, 2helpers Ein Kelahaynu, page 219, sneaking that time, I was not familiar with but for us it works well. For required for a out to their discreetly parked any kind of Progressive/ Reform approximately 30 minutes, we turn number of local cars so as leave on time for their Service. At first I was astonished off all TVs, music etc and devote this areas afternoon ritual of watching Arsenal seeing congregants parking in time to ourselves. Each of us either or Tottenham, after spending most the Synagogue car park, instead recites a prayer or quotes from a School visit of the service discussing the form of of nearby “hidden” side roads. meaningful source. We will then 3hosts to their teams. Women wearing Tallit and Kippot reflect on three significant events of explain our rituals My brother followed the ultra also took me some time to get used our week and share a thought for to visiting school religious route but I was confused to. However, I eventually become the future. This ritual is concluded children. Full on what this was all about. Gradually comfortable in this environment by us both lighting a candle. I became less religious. I found it and increasingly became spiritually While this method would not suit training given difficult to understand, why on the enriched by the services. I am now a everyone, I believe there is scope day of rest, my brother, so as not regular Shabbat attendee and for my for using this as guide on choosing to carry on Shabbat, wore our front sins HWPS Chairman of Rites and how a particular period of time door key round his neck and made Practices. can be sanctified. Shabbat gives the strenuous effort of opening the I still think back to my early us this ideal opportunity where we door without having to carry the Orthodox days and am struck by can devote some time to unwind,to key in his hands at any stage. Then how for the Shabbat observers it reflect, to think ahead and to realise there was a situation with toilet was a special opportunity for them that life is precious.

28 29 Collections of the following:- Clothing The music lives on Bric-a-brac Jewellery ....raising money for Linen Household items By Phil Austin, Vice Chair, Mosaic UK Registered Jewish Charities can be arranged by contacting us!

the soprano part, Mercury sings in his natural baritone voice rather than forced tenor, which was common in his other recordings. The song has been described as a rare textbook example of a combination of pop and opera singing which accentuated their differences. Whereas Mercury articulates his every word, Caballé focuses on the tone; NOW COLLECTING her lines are much harder to comprehend, and further, MONDAY TO FRIDAY she uses both English and Spanish languages. Mercury was reportedly amazed by the legendary ability of Caballé to control her voice; for example, in the fadeout, A d ll t he had to step away from the microphone to decrease A L bo ps his voice intensity, whereas she didn’t move at all. ard Sho This cassette experience reminds me that ‘old’ y car is getting old and month by month I technology can of course still be highly functional – and more importantly, it has reminded me that beautiful notice little problems, little failures. One of the We turned your unwanted items into much needed equipment and services for over 50 charities in 2013! Mmost irritating is the demise of the CD system. music is beautiful in itself – the audio technology is Music is important to me as I drive to work each day merely an enabler. The music lives on if you can find a and the radio, with its constant adverts, is more of a way to listen to it. bane than a pleasure. It then occurred to me that this idea of enduring value But old cars do have some virtues – and in addition to has meaning in terms of what we are striving to achieve a (defunct) CD system my BMW sports an old-fangled within Mosaic – our new community. audio device called a cassette player. For the benefit of Mosaic is new and fresh – and in the context of Anglo- younger readers, a cassette player plays things called Jewry, quite unprecedented. It is a new kind of Jewish pre-recorded music cassettes. Before the CD came Community in so far as being a diverse, dynamic and along offering clear digital sound audio purists enjoyed pluralist Jewish community. the analogue sound that comes from the small classic But, importantly, Mosaic is also a Community which cassette. espouses the core values that characterize all Jewish Of course I didn’t have any cassettes so I went online Communities. We seek to enhance and sustain Jewish and found it was possible to buy them. Unfortunately life – and we do this by offering a range of quality they are now deemed to be collector’s items – and they cultural, educational and social activities. And our role can be very expensive. However I did buy a cassette in the world extends beyond our Community – as we called Barcelona featuring the brilliant Fredie Mercury contribute to the repair of the world (tikkun olam / social and the incomparable Monteserrat Caballe. It cost me action). Additionally we support Jews in need, both £2 – and it is wonderful. within our Community and beyond. Mercury loved opera and was a huge fan of In December I was privileged to attend the Mosaic Montserrat Caballé. In 1986, he mentioned on Spanish over 80s lunch at Bessborough Road where senior TV that he would be glad to see her in person. They had citizens from all three constituent shuls enjoyed good a friendly meeting in Barcelona in February 1987. Later, food and entertainment. There were smiles, jokes, when the city had been chosen for the 1992 Summer disagreements and loud and lively banter – and for a Olympics, Caballé was asked to help with producing couple of hours Jewish Life was indeed enhanced and a song for the games. She summoned Mercury for the sustained – which, in essence, is what Mosaic is all task. about. The song starts with an orchestral introduction, which I am extremely proud to be part of Mosaic – it is fades and is followed by Mercury and Caballé singing new and exciting. But perhaps more importantly it will alternately their solo lines, sometimes merging into a ensure that the beautiful music of Jewish Community is duet. Mercury leads the song whereas Caballé provides sustained and heard in our part of London in the years a powerful “background” soprano. Since Caballé covers ahead.

30 31 © Portrait by Italiaander – www.italiaander.co.uk Irwin children Maya, aged 3, and Jake, Communication Studies. Zara says aged one. Ilana is well suited to her chosen became So how did they come to HEMS? career in Marketing and Events When they moved to , Zara Management as she is an excellent and Irwin, having both grown up in organiser – organises her mother as involved in smaller communities, decided to join well as her friends and she makes HEMS, preferring its smaller more things happen. Ilana has completed services and intimate services. Irwin became some interesting internships, involved in services, and has been including organising events at the has been our our Shammas for about five years. Science Museum, interviewing What do they do in their spare time? Ranulph Fiennes, as well as Shammas Well, Irwin is very keen on learning volunteering and fundraising. But and studies a wide range of subjects before she starts her career, she is ranging from Judaism to Richard anticipating an exciting trip with her for about five III. Zara is currently involved with sister, Talia, to Las Vegas, California Harrow Limmud and edits their and New York, before heading off to years handbook. Together they love going South Africa for three weeks, as well to the theatre. as celebrating her 21st birthday. Their lovely daughter Ilana (you And has bridge been sustained? Switzerland, Jersey, Israel and South may have been served by her on Unfortunately not but there is always Africa, which is particularly useful as Sundays in Noshers as she worked time in retirement…? his twin daughters, Talia and Avri, there for four years) is in her last still live there, together with his and year at Nottingham Trent University, Zara’s two grandchildren, Talia’s completing her degree in Media & Meet a family Gill Gurner meets Zara and Irwin Spilka from HEMS

ara and Irwin met at a looking after the bank’s account at mitzvah classes (well qualified to do beginners’ bridge class for the Bank of England (“more 0000s so as he achieved the highest mark Zsingles at Harold Schogger’s than in my account”) monitoring in his bar mitzvah certificate). He club in Hendon. As soon as Irwin and tracking money movements spent a year in Israel, studying for came into the room, Zara told me and every day at 3.20 pm, waiting an MBA, but decided to return to she knew he was the one for her but for the Bank of England to advise South Africa, where he started the they didn’t actually meet until five whether NatWest was in credit! By first of his three careers. He qualified weeks later when they played on the time Ilana was born, Zara was a as an attorney, joined Old Mutual the same table. But good things are project manager which was difficult as a legal adviser and became worth the wait and they eventually to fulfil when bringing up a child, so involved in training which was the married in 1991, moving to Pinner she decided to leave and went to start of a 15 year training career. in 1992 where their daughter, Ilana, university to take a degree in Early Moving to the UK in 1987 to head was born in 1994. Childhood Studies. This led to work up the training function for a new Originally from Finchley, where in nurseries, schools and voluntary acquisition, Irwin became involved her parents were founder members organisations such as the Preschool in the new world of Compliance of Finchley Central Federation Learning Alliance under the auspices and found himself in charge of the Synagogue (her father being the of different local authorities. Zara Compliance and Legal department shul secretary and her mother ran loves teaching and for the last five at Old Mutual. Irwin has now been the Ladies Guild), Zara started years has worked at the College of at Stonehage, which manages the her career with NatWest, first in a North West London as a lecturer in affairs of about 150 ultra-high net branch, then moving to the City Early Childhood Studies. worth families, for the last 15 years. where she was working in lending Irwin came from Durban where Irwin is the Global Head of Risk and quality assurance. Eventually there was a small congregation of and Compliance, spending a lot of she worked in the Treasurer’s office, 120 families and he took post-bar time travelling to offices, mainly in

32 33 A Blooming Great Spotted! Sponsorship!

Anyone driving through Hatch End could not fail but to see the lovely flower stands – particularly in the summer. Rachel and Ben Rickayzen have sponsored the flowers for the last five years for a very special reason – here is their story

Robert & Anne Pinkus stumbled across this store in Hemel Hempstead. They attempted to explain to the owner that they too were members of the Mosaic Edwin Lucas spotted this store on a recent Community – which was not easy! He listened e were sitting in Shul Gill’s – but without the sheep! Alan trip to Stoke on Trent. Could it be that carefully, smiled, and eventually said that the on Rosh Hashanah and shared Louise’s love of plants but the Jewish Joint Burial Society (JJBS) is deal of the week were homemade chapatis! Wlistening to Edwin Lucas’ left their care to her, being totally diversifying into retail food – surely not! review of the year. Our ears pricked un-green fingered. However, when up when he mentioned that the Shul the opportunity for sponsorship was looking for sponsors of the came up he readily agreed to join flowers from the community since in as he felt it was a fitting tribute Please send your photos of Mosaic establishments to the editor for the next edition of Kehila the Shul could no longer afford to to both Louise and Gill. Very sadly, fund them from its own resources. Alan died in 2011 and we think that Rachel’s mother, Louise, had he would now be very happy to be sadly passed away the previous included in this memorial. December and, knowing how much When the first plants went into she had adored flowers, it seemed the pots at Hatch End, Adam a fitting tribute to her to take on a plentiful supply of organic, drug and Jacob were given special n Sunday 1st March, sixteen Mosaic walkers the sponsorship. In addition, Ben free meat. dispensation to miss a morning’s set off on the fourth in a series of five jolly recalled how much his own mother, The Rickayzens were completely school – much to their delight A London Ointeresting walks in London based on the Gill, had loved flowers in her self sufficient – and they had got – so that they could have their book ‘Miles of London’ by Sir Bernard Miles, from lifetime. She had passed away in there even before “The Good Life” photograph taken with the Mayor of the once cosmopolitan, now sleazy, Soho to the once 2001 and Ben had always felt that was ever made! However, there Harrow for the local newspaper. stroll! aristocratic, now just disgustingly rich, Mayfair. We such a special person deserved a were no beautiful flower beds…. We all still get great pleasure heard about the Great Beer Disaster of 1814, significant legacy. the sheep would have seen to that! every time we drive through Hatch and why you must not run or Although the flowers are equally Yes, the sheep acted as 24/7 lawn End and see how the plants have whistle in Burlington Arcade. in memory of Gill, Louise and Alan, mowers; their only disadvantage beautified the road so nicely. We We saw the street where the the running joke in our family is was the periodic Alcatraz-type feel that our parents would have Prince of Wales and the Duke the concept of sponsoring pretty escape attempts. In fact, they were approved. of York were mugged, yet we flowers in memory of Gill who was successful in their bid for freedom still found time to window- so completely incapable of growing on more than one occasion. Their shop in New Bond Street. them herself. This is because she most daring escapade resulted in The weather was fine albeit was a practical and instinctive a rescue mission worthy of Indiana a little blustery, and the walk gardener; in her case this was Jones, when Ben’s brother, Asher, concluded with an enjoyable mutually exclusive to aesthetics. had to round them up single- lunch at a Turkish restaurant Her passion with horticulture was handedly just before they reached in Shepherds Market, the bound up with functionality and the slip road of the A2 on the heart of Mayfair. Such self sufficiency; the four acre family morning of his Art O-Level exam. fun – and £75 was raised garden in Canterbury was put to Louise’s father was a very keen for Bereavement Care, a good use with a large vegetable gardener, so Louise grew up with a Mosaic Reform charity. patch, a duck house for eggs and love and appreciation of flowers and 30 Black Welsh Mountain sheep for plants. So a very similar outlook to

34 35 An unusual approach Mosaic|HaMakom to celebrating Purim Head Teacher’s Report

By Jacky Martin

January and February 2015 people’s (age 70+) lives better. Various r Lisa Peschel, Lecturer During the first two months of 2015 classes at Mosaic HaMakom have in Theatre Studies at the each class had their Parents Morning. really enjoyed creating posters, such DUniversity of York and author Parents are invited in to work in the as the one below of the book Performing Captivity, classroom with their children and The second guest was Gabriel Performing Escape concerning the experience a morning at Mosaic Webber who came from LJY (the history of theatre and cabaret in HaMakom. They also have a chance to youth movement of Liberal Judaism) Theresienstadt, joined us for our talk to the class teacher and myself on and ran a session on Tikkun Kehila Purim activities. Through a dialogue anything which they may be concerned (repairing the community) for all with Rabbi Frank, Lisa discussed about. There was a lot of well-earned classes from Alef to Hay. Everyone the role of theatre and cabaret praise and many positive comments had to make a word cloud for our in maintaining the humanity and for all the teachers and assistants. synagogues. We have been lucky courage of those incarcerated by Kitah Dalet helped Rabbi Frank take enough to have representatives from the Nazis in Theresienstadt. We then the Friday night service at HWPS in the youth departments of our different held a reader’s theatre workshop Photos by FDS February. Parents and grandparents, movements visit Mosaic HaMakom and engaged with three acts of the as well as their teacher Miriam Smith, and run sessions for us on a number of Purim spiel written by Zionist youth were rightly very proud of them. occasions. leader Walter Freud for teenagers This was the first time that most of At the time of writing we are looking to perform. We learned that the these children had stood in front of a forward to hearing Freddie Knoller, humour operated on many levels congregation to read both Hebrew and a Holocaust Survivor, talk to our reflecting the cultural upbringing of English as they led the prayers. The older pupils at Mosaic HaMakom. All these young Jews as well as their experience of doing this is invaluable parents and other adults from all the sheer love of life. All in all, an unusual in giving them the confidence they will communities are invited to hear his topic and approach that was greatly need in a few years’ time for their B’nei fascinating story. appreciated by all who attended. mitzvah. We had two special guests this term. The first was from the Six Point Foundation. The Six Point Foundation makes grants to provide Holocaust survivors and refugees of Jewish origin, who are resident in the UK and STOP PRESS facing difficult financial circumstances, SUPPORTING with extra support so that they can live BREAKTHROUGH BREAST a better life. They told us about the Last minute items CANCER On Sunday May 3rd at 2.45pm Better Life Poster Competition they are Gavriella Morris please join us at the Mosaic running to give people the opportunity Someones Grandad – Movement Reform Shul for afternoon to think about and celebrate what is – climbs trees! Worker RSY- tea and entertainment. Our and can be – done, to make all older Netzer Guest speaker will be Barrie We want to say thank you so much for hosting our Hadracha Segal who has appeared on radio & TV, and is an amusing event at Mosaic on March 7th. Although over 120 people raconteur. attended, the space was fantastic and incredibly good for TICKETS AVAILABLE ARE £12.5O EACH FROM our needs. We really appreciated all of the changes that MAUREEN LUBERT ON 0208 904 3205 AND AUDREY Mosaic made to accommodate us and we know that our PHILLIPS ON 0208 954 2185. participants felt very welcomed there. Have an enjoyable afternoon whilst supporting a very The Kiddush was lovely and we hope your congregants worthy cause enjoyed the RSY style service.

36 37 “There are three types of accountants... Those who can’t count... And those who can!” For all your accounting requirements contact: Ronald Spiegel Chartered Accountant Michael Reik in conversation with Humphrey Phillips

5 Ledway Drive, Wembley HA9 9TH By Antonia and ichael Reik’s interview with Howard Berger Humphrey Phillips after the When asked to do Tel/Fax 0208 930 2485 MShabbat Service on 28th an eye test, the doctor February was an interesting and detailed insight into a fascinating life story. curiously commented Email: [email protected] For a man of 94, Humphrey gave a very fluent account of growing up in the 20s that Humphrey was and 30’s and it was a delight to hear him reading the letters from recount so much social history. Due to his childhood illnesses, his right to left. This was education was curtailed; however it has not impeded his life or success in any because Humphrey way. received his education At the outbreak of the Second World War, his determination to get involved in at a Jewish boarding the Armed Services was proven, by his ability to join the RAF just a week after school! being rejected by The Navy on health grounds. When asked to do an eye test, the doctor curiously commented that and touching and involved joining the Humphrey was reading the letters from local tennis club... right to left. This was because Humphrey He then worked in Transport for a large received his education at a Jewish corporation for some 20 years, having boarding school! had a family of 3 daughters along the The RAF trained Humphrey well and way. Humphrey latterly moved into a gave him enormous responsibility. He mixture of education and government became a flight engineer for Bomber work. Command. This resulted in Humphrey Iris and Humphrey lived next door to courageously flying some 29 bombing us in Wembley for 8 years before retiring missions to Essen and Berlin and to Northwood. Sadly Iris passed away in later over Caen to enable an Allied 2012. They were the best of neighbours breakthrough. and many thanks for your hedge cutters, His apprenticeship in motor mechanics which still work after 25 years! before the war certainly paid off and gave The time passed quickly as we were him a very successful career in flights engrossed with his stories and anecdotes and training. His story of meeting his late and we thank him for being such a wife Iris after the war was both amusing captivating speaker.

38 39 The first difficult discussions There are three networks of religious ‘Garin Torani’ communities about working together for the greater in MAKOM, including two which are ‘Modern Orthodox’ / A New Kibbutz good of Israeli society resulted in ‘National Religious’ – the Bnei Akiva youth movement (which the establishment of a democratic, historically built many religious ‘traditional’ kibbutzim) graduate Movement Revisited representative umbrella body movement and the huge Keren Kehillot community network – and and communities nationwide. There (in the wider sense of the also the Nettiot network which is a partnership slowly developing arts, including drama, music, includes Ultra Orthodox and ‘Baal between these five movements, sculpture, painting, literature, Teshuva’ (‘returning to the religion’) known as ‘Histadrut HaChalutza’ poetry etc). communities. James Grant-Rosenhead is a founding – ‘The Pioneer Union’. There are Another stream within MAKOM member of the biggest urban kibbutz several key characteristics of In addition to the development and is Local Residents’ Community in Israel. He was born in Leeds in the these five ‘Pioneer Union’ kibbutz growth of these six new kibbutz Networks. There are three networks UK and became interested in Jewish movements which differentiate them movements of cooperative activist of immigrant activist communities, leadership and intentional communities from the Ma’agal HaKvutzot. For communities, there has also been based primarily upon local example: a more general renaissance of young adult leadership groups at 16 years old by going to the Habonim activist intentional communities taking responsibility for their own Dror youth movement. Since 1999 he has a) Many members have ‘missions’ across Israel. They do not define community’s neighborhoods and been building fully cooperative intentional (daily activism work) together in themselves as kibbutzim because thereby improving Israeli society communities, community networks and order to continue to strengthen they are not financially cooperative at large. Hineini and Chaverim activist projects all over Israel. and develop their own youth communities. B’Teva are networks of Ethiopian movements; For the past three decades, the immigrant communities and M’ In this exclusive article for Kehila, he contact between these communities L’Dor is a network of Caucasian provides an insight into the modern day b) In addition to those who was rare and usually confrontational (ie from the Caucasus mountain Kibbutz Movement. work together in their youth – based on political and ideological region) immigrant communities. In movements, most other members antagonism and rivalry, as terms of the process of forming the work together daily in other social these different communities and communities and their social action action ‘missions’, primarily through movements competed and fought projects, the Druze network Ofakim Every now and again I am surprised growing in parallel. Furthermore, federative network. Generally education, which they have to influence and lead Israel in L’ is similar to the immigrant to see that the article ‘A New these six new kibbutz movements a minority of members work established and run through their opposing directions with regard networks, in that the community Kibbutz Movement’, which I wrote exist within a wider context of together through their own non- own non-profit NGO’s; and to many key issues. In recent members are also local groups way back in 2003, is still online some eight thousand members of profit NGO’s in social, educational years however, social and political of young adults who are coming and getting hits. I wrote then about intentional, activist communities and neighborhood projects with c) There are significant cooperative developments such as the struggle together in order to improve their the possibility of the ‘Ma’agal from fourteen national movements disadvantaged populations whilst financial, educational, cultural and against the privatization of the wider communities and Israeli HaKvutzot’ (Circle of Groups) uniting and networks which together have most community members work decision making infrastructures land of Israel and the growing society. various new ‘kvutzot shitufiot’ formed ‘M.A.K.O.M.’ – the Hebrew separately in their own professional between the kibbutz communities poverty gap have brought the The first difficult discussions about (cooperative groups) such as urban acronym for the Israeli Council of careers. Whilst many of the nationwide as movements. various community movements working together for the greater kibbutzim and ‘Tnuot Bogrim’ Communities for Social Action. individual members of the Ma’agal and networks together, putting good of Israeli society during 2011 (adult graduates movements) under Ma’agal HaKvutzot is today HaKvutzot communities were aside some of their differences in resulted in the establishment of a it’s umbrella as some kind of new a federative network of eight originally members of various youth Specifically, the five ‘Pioneer order to work together towards democratic, representative umbrella kibbutz movement. independent cooperative movements, as adult graduate Union’ kibbutz movements are: mutual aims such as democratic body in 2012. Together, the Israeli Looking back now, not only has communities. The older 1980’s groups they have ‘separated’ from • Dror Israel – the first and the Zionism, social solidarity, social Council of Communities for Social that article been completely out ‘urban kibbutz’ communities (Tamuz their youth movements to form biggest such movement, which action and community building. By Action today includes fourteen of date for years, but it was also in Bet Shemesh and Migvan in independent communities which do grew out of the HaNoar HaOved the time that the massive socio- different movements and networks, from the outset overly simplistic Sderot) were joined by six younger not take on collective responsibilities VeHaLomed youth movement; economic protests swept Israel in representing over two hundred regarding the potential of Ma’agal groups during the 2000’s. They have for their youth movements of origin. • Kvutzot HaBechira – from the 2011, there were already fourteen communities nationwide, about half HaKvutzot as a unifying movement. varying levels of intensity to their The five other new kibbutz youth movement HaMachanot different community movements and of which are cooperative ‘urban The reality is that whilst that urban cooperative community lives movements are usually known HaOlim; networks representing, networking, kibbutz’ style communities. MAKOM particular umbrella for inter-group internally, for example regarding as the ‘Tnuot HaBogrim’ – ‘adult • The adult graduate movement of and creating social action oriented includes some eight thousand adult contact has indeed grown and cooperative housing, finances, graduate movements’ or ‘Tnuot Hashomer Hatzair; and communities across Israel. These community members are running developed to become some kind Jewish culture, decision making HaMechanchim’ – ‘educator • Kvutzot Am – the graduate movements and networks have social action enterprises which of new kibbutz movement, it is just and education. There is no major movements’. Together they include groups of Habonim Dror. together formed ‘MAKOM’ – the positively affect approximately one small network amongst six new daily financial or other cooperation about two thousand adults in over • Tarbut – cooperative educator Israeli Council of Communities for 350,000 Israelis. Our work is just kibbutz movements, all of which are between the communities in this one hundred cooperative groups communities of artists groups Social Action. beginning...

40 41 Mosaic|Youth

A delicious recipe from one Blood sweat and hummus of our younger members Joanna Phillips’ account of working with Magen David Adom during her gap year Hello my name is Max Alexander, I am 14 Method: years old. I am writing in this magazine 1. Fry the beef in the sun flour oil until as part of my Duke of Edinburgh brown. Whilst that is frying peel and Joanna (right) Volunteering Award. I chose to help the chop the onions and fry that in the olive shul, as I so love shul services!! I have oil in a large pot on a medium heat. the Baha’i, the Druze and a Muslim an extremely strong interest in cooking Once the beef has browned add that to sect called the Ahmadis. The visit and I have acted upon my interest the onions. to the Ahmadi mosque was really and talent. In November last year I 2. Peel and chop the carrots and add important for me as we met a group completed a course at the Westminster that to the pan. Pour in the stock. Dice of people perhaps equivalent, in Kingsway College School of Hospitality. the tomatoes and add it to the pan wash the Muslim world, to and its I attended Saturday for five weeks (of and chop the celery and add that to the beliefs regarding other religions. course after Shabbat went out!). I learnt pot. We learned that it is halachically many things during this time, such as 3. Remove the stalks of the mushrooms permitted to pray in a mosque, so knife and advanced culinary skills. I also and quarter them, add them to the pot. our leaders thought it would be learnt how to butcher certain animals, as Crush or super finely chop the garlic and a nice idea to hold a shortened well as how to fillet fish. add to the pan. Add in the wine. Wait for shacharit service in the mosque in I completed this course which gave 5 minutes then add the bay leaves and order to share a spiritual space with me a qualification as a junior chef. I all of the herbs. Boil for 20 minutes. these people. have worked as a chef in the Blue Check 4. After boiling put the pot into the oven One of the key themes of tour restaurant in Bushey, and during my on 150oc (make sure the pot is oven safe was that of the current conflict next school break will be working in the or use a deep baking tin) and cook for with Gaza. One of the things that kitchen of Grimsdyke Hotel in Harrow about 45 minutes. When you bring it out “Regardless of made this aspect of tour particularly Weald. remove the bay leaves. The meat should race, religion or special was that we were spoken I have written several recipes for be super tender and will be enhanced oam tour was a very to by a wide variety of people with Kehila which will be printed during with all of the other flavours. important and meaningful nationality, all of an equally wide variety of views. the year. Here is a recipe of beef 5. Serve warm/hot. Can be eaten with Nexperience for me. Not only This meant that we were shown an bourguignon which can be kosher for new potatoes and garnish with a piece was it an opportunity to visit all of our patients get unbiased view of the conflict and Pesach. I highly recommend to you. of coriander. the sites and attractions of the land were able to form our own opinions. of Israel, it was also an opportunity the same medical Now that tour is over, I feel like I Serves 6 Tip: If it was not Pesach fry the beef to learn about the history of the treatment” have a well informed, balanced view 900g of beef chuck cubes in flour as it will give it a bit more of a country and the facts regarding the of the conflict. All of these talks and 1.5 litres of beef stock darker colour. current conflict. being able to do so with those of my meaningful group experiences meant 650ml of red/cooking wine As one would expect from this gender. that I didn’t feel like I was missing 4 table spoons of olive oil kind of trip, we spent a good This is why I’m particularly glad out on anything despite the fact that 4 garlic cloves amount of time going to iconic that I chose to go on tour with certain activities were cancelled in 2 large tomatoes places around the country such as Noam. They really made a point of order to ensure our safety. 9 large peeled diced carrots Masada and the Kotel. What really emphasising the equality within the As someone who has been to 6 celery sticks finely chopped made those places special for me, movement and the equality of the Israel before, I can safely say that 3 large onions finely chopped however, were the different angles way they view those outside the Noam Tour was the best Israel 350g mushrooms quartered from which we saw them (figuratively movement. Not only did this make experience I could have hoped 5 bay leafs and literally). An example of this is me feel very accepted amongst the for. Not only did it give me the 1 teaspoon salt/pepper that rather than going to the main group, it also gave us the chance opportunity to see Israel and all of its A bunch of thyme area of the Wall, where we would to learn about the different groups highlights, but it showed me how the Small handful of super finely chopped have been gender segregated, we of people living in Israel. One of people there live. I am also incredibly coriander went to the egalitarian section of the most meaningful experiences I thankful for the group with whom I Sunflower oil to fry the beef in the Wall. This made the experience had on tour was the day we spent spent those three and a half weeks. To serve with– 1kg of new potatoes far more evocative as I was able to in . During the day we went Tour has given me new friends, share it with people with whom I had around the city, meeting people of well informed opinions and brilliant made relationships, instead of just different religions. These included: memories of the country.

42 43 So far so good...

Peter and Ofra Walker made Aliya about 18 months ago. In this article, Peter reflects on the family move from Pinner to Ra’anana

ON SHABBAT 9th MAY MOSAIC ur final decision to move We chose to live in Ra’anana was taken just a few weeks COMMEMORATES 70 Obefore August; the ‘Jewish just outside Tel Aviv mainly for its agency’ wasn’t even sure whether YEARS SINCE VE DAY it was possible to make all the excellent schools and its large Anglo arrangements in time. Whilst I am WITH A SPECIAL “STREET PARTY” not sure that I would recommend community KIDDUSH LUNCH AFTER THE a whirlwind exit, it did have many unexpected advantages for us. we were straight in at the deep-end! Israeli hi-tech company that she SHABBAT SERVICE Anyone who knows us will know that The girls integrated well straight worked for in the UK, which has our decision-making can be rather away and made friends; it was certainly helped for a smooth There will also be live music and an exhibition of protracted (children excluded). certainly an advantage that they transition, whilst I continue to create However, with such an enormous were already bilingual. The school design and marketing, mostly for personal photos and memorabilia from 1935 – 1945 time pressure for our move, we is well versed in taking care of new UK companies via the internet. This had to be counter intuitive and families and guiding them through works really well and is not very make quick, instinctive decisions; the first year, with the teachers being different from how I was already this in itself was quite liberating. easily available. It seemed strange working before we left. Note: This will be held at 39, Bessborough Road With everything happening so to be given the mobile number of We enjoy spending the Hagim fast, we had little time to build our your teacher with the invite to call and Shabbat visits with our family expectations and make detailed any time – this is the more relaxed in and around Jerusalem, and have plans – we were just happy to be but quick to respond the Israeli way. a good network of friends, which able to make it to Israel in time. We are very happy with the schools we maintained through our visits to Ironically, the way we did, it really here and so are the girls, and Israel over the years. We consider helped us to make a good start over without that I don’t think that much ourselves fortunate to have all of CELEBRATE YOM HA’ATZMAUT here, as we accepted whatever was else would fit into place here. this, as I know one or two people to be, especially as not everything It’s also a much more relaxed who have bravely come, knowing no is done over here in a way that you atmosphere here for children; one here. might expect! they have more freedom and so, There are of course some things We chose to live in Ra’anana, much more happens on the spur that we miss about England; just outside Tel Aviv, mainly for its of the moment, and refreshingly, favourite parks and weekends away, excellent schools and its large Anglo they usually make their own play but mostly we miss people: family, community. It is also considered arrangements – no more putting friends and community. to be a ‘soft landing’ for new dates in the diary weeks’ ahead for a Israel is an amazingly vibrant immigrants. We took to the place play date! I can now see why all the place to live, with it fusion of straight away and with our new Israelis we knew in England thought cultures and people from all over the sense of acceptance, decided not the endless diary entries were such world. For us, it still feels like a new to ask ourselves why we liked it, a strange idea. exciting adventure, and we are still at the Friday night service and “pot luck” but just to accept that if it felt good, One of our highlights of last year finding our way with lots to discover supper on Friday 24th April. then it must be right. We found in was Ellia’s Bat Mitzvah. We were – I would say, so far so good! time that the city has so much to so happy that we were in Israel (As a design consultant, Peter Bring a dish to share (fish or dairy – offer with its excellent and well-run for this. Ellia had a fantastic party offered HEMS great support in facilities, events, lots of beautiful for ‘friends only’ (as they do here), producing an ‘up-market’ shul savoury and/or sweet) green spaces and one of the best which was followed at a later date magazine. The expertise gained parks in Israel. by a big family event. It was all easy by the editorial group came into its Please let the office know you are coming (020 8864 0133) Two weeks after our arrival, the to arrange, so well done and made own when the Mosaic Community girls had started school, Ofra was fantastic by everyone who came. decided that it would follow HEMS back at work and I was at Ulpan – Ofra is still working for the same lead and produce Kehila.)

44 45 Mosaic: Walk Hampstead Village – Sunday 26th April

In central London one is often walking past, over or through history – a history that includes the bizarre as well as the beautiful, and verges on the improper as often as on the impressive. Mosaic: Walk is a series of five jolly interesting walks in London led by John Ashmele, who will be referring to a guide book that was published over 30 years ago – such fun! Hampstead has always attracted both enthusiasm and artists. Join Mosaic: Walk for the last (and possibly shortest) in a series of five jolly interesting walks in London, from the streets that hold the key to Hampstead’s origins as a fashionable village to the Heath, just four miles from the start of the first of these walks. Please note that this walk includes several steps and inclinations and may not be suitable for anyone with mobility problems. Numbers are limited for this Sunday afternoon walk, so please contact John Ashmele or email [email protected] for further information. There is no fee for this walk, but a suggested donation of £5 pp to a Synagogue charity would be appreciated.

46 47 Unless otherwise stated, all events take place at 39 Bessborough Road, Harrow HA1 3BS. The times/locations of weekly services are as below, unless otherwise stated: HWPS: Bessborough Road: Friday 19:00, Saturday 11:00 (Chavurah Supper last Friday every month, after the evening service) HEMS: Girl Guide Headquarters (GGHQ), Hatch End: Saturday 9:30 am Mosaic Reform: Bessborough Road: Friday 19:00, Saturday 10:30

April Every week: Monday 11:00 Thursday 9th Erev 7th day Pesach Harrow Friendship Club (See below) Friday 10th 7th day Pesach. Erev 8th day Pesach Monday 20:00 Saturday 11th Shabbat shira. 8th day Pesach HWPS Group 326 Wednesday 15th Luncheon Club Yom HaShoah event at Pinner United Sunday 09:45 HWPS Yom HaShoah event HaMakom Thursday 16th Mosaic Reform Yom HaShoah service & talk Sunday 19th HaMakom – new term Friday 24th Pot Luck Yom Ha’atsmaut supper

May Saturday 2nd Parashat haShavuah with Rabbi Dabba Smith Sunday 3rd Tea in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer Sunday 10th Bereavement Group recruitment Tombstone consecration – Philip Daniels 14.45 at Cheshunt Sunday 17th Tea & Mosaic AGM 4.30 pm Tuesday 19th Photo group Wednesday 20th Luncheon Club Book Group Sunday 31st Tea & talk on Larry Adler

Mosaic Reform marks Yom HaShoah Children’s On Thursday 16th April Mosaic Reform will hold a special service at 8 pm with music and poetry and speakers Bob and Ann Kirk, Birthdays who both came to this country on Kindertransport. (12 years and under) Bob met Ann at a club for young Jewish refugees, run by Woburn House. They were married on 21 May 1950 and live locally. Abigail Luffman (6) Today both Bob and Ann both work tirelessly to raise awareness of the Holocaust and the experience of the Kindertransport through speaking at activities for Holocaust Memorial Day and throughout the rest of the Freya Luffman (6) year. They have two sons and three wonderful grandchildren. Remy Marsh (12) Max Newman (11)

48 49 .

RWG2450 Rawlinson Gold A4 ADVERT qxd:Layout 1 17/03/2014 13:40 Page 1

NSON G LI O W L Get in touch! Rawlinson Gold are celebrating D A R

The Offices for all 3 shuls are now at 39 Bessborough ★ 20 years of successfully selling ★ ★ ★ ★ Road and all are open 09.00-15.00 Monday-Thursday ★

and letting property in your area. YEARS 1994 - 2014

Office: 020 8864 0133 Office 020 8864 0133 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Chairman: Barbara Grant: 01923 711 991 Address: 39 Bessborough Road, Hon. Secretary: Juliet Grainger 01923 822 682 Harrow HA1 3BS Rabbi Kathleen Middleton: 020 8866 9225 (use only when Chairman: Harry Grant 01923 711 991 Office is closed) Email: [email protected] Bereavement Support (Bobbi Riesel): Membership Officer: Lindsey Cohen 020 8428 7977 020 8420 7498 JJBS: 020 8989 5252 Email: [email protected] Website: www.choosemosaic.org

Office: 020 8864 5323 Email: [email protected] Chairman: Adrian Cohen: 020 8420 7498 Vice Chairman: Alan Solomon: 020 8866 0335 At Rawlinson Gold we can offer you unrivalled, expert advice, a tailored Office 020 8864 0133 Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith: 020 8864 5408 marketing solution and a customer service that is second to none. Email [email protected] Membership Secretary: Lindsey Cohen: Chairman: Neil Mendoza 07710 146 353 020 8420 7498 Hon. Secretary: Edwin Lucas 07973 312851 Rites and Practices: Kevin Ziants: 07841 375458 Rabbi Paul Arberman (via email in Israel): Care Co-ordinator: Joy Katz 020 8904 8037 If you are considering selling or letting a property, call us today for expert advice [email protected] Liberal Judaism: 020 7580 1663 on the current market conditions and for a free, no-obligation valuation. Burials Officer: Edward Kafka: 020 8904 5499 Undertakers: Michael King Funeral Directors JJBS: 020 8989 5252 020 8368 7453 / 07595 956 936

Pinner Harrow Jonathan Shaw David Goldman Free transport to Shul telephone: telephone: 020 8866 2300 020 8861 2020 HWPS and Mosaic Reform members who are unable to travel to Shul for services email: [email protected] email: [email protected] are welcome to use a specially funded minicab facility. Please contact Lindsey Cohen on 020 8420 7498 or the Synagogue office on 0208 864 0133 for more rawlinsongold.co.uk ESTATE AGENTS information.

50 51 www.choosemosaic.org

Published by Mosaic, Limited company number 08825132, © All rights reserved