Volume 64 June, July, August 2018

Southend & Westcliff Hebrew Congregation

R GREETING ME S 5 M 77 SU 8

This page is kindly sponsored by Jill and Lawrence Collins who wish their children and grandchildren, together with their entire family and their many friends a Happy Summer Cyril and Joseph, care home residents

It’s gifts in Wills that keep many people like Cyril and Joseph in touch with their Jewish roots

#PeopleOfJewishCare

Cyril and Joseph are just two of the many people in our care, who we make sure can always enjoy Friday night dinners, attend shul services, celebrate festivals and remain part of our community. Gifts in people’s Wills mean that every single one of them can always stay in touch with their Jewish roots.

We depend on gifts in Wills for £1 in every £4 we need to raise. To find out more about our free Will Writing Service, please call Alison Rubenstein on 020 8922 2833 or email [email protected]

Jewish Care Charity Reg No. 802559

2 Contents Organisations Within Page 3 Diary of Events, Organisations within the Community, Page 4 Chairman’s Report, AGM Results The Community Page 6 Social & Personal, Stone Settings AID Society Jeffrey Greenstein 477617 Page 7 Who Will Bear Witness? A.J.E.X. Jeffrey Barcan 343192 Page 8 Editorial, Genealogy Bereavement Support Group Janice Steel 07752 874065 Page 10 Fay Sober, Pop-In, Pepper in Board of Deputies (Southend) Peter Baum [email protected] Page 11 Stamps of Israel Cheder Head Teacher Rebbetzin Chaya Faigie 393535 Page 12 Simchas Community Care Committee Janice Steel 07752 874065 Page 14 Gabbaim Diary, Purim in South Africa, Shul Library Community Security Trust David Ramet 07946 650339 Page 15 Israeli Club, Hamentasch Bake, Council of Christians & Jews Stuart Jacobs 432967 Communal Seder Emunah Rochelle Spector 436791 Page 17 Mighty Pen of Chutzpahdick, Dear Editor Essex AJR Karen Diamond 07966 631778 Page 18 S&WHC Cheder Fair Reporting Lewis Herlitz 520759 J.A.C.S. Allan Goldstein 01268 771978 Diary of S&WHC Events J.N.F. Impact Anthony Larholt 348221 Jewish Community Centre Hilary De Martino 334655 June 2018 Jewish Genealogical Society Anne Marcus [email protected] 2nd Kiddush Jack De Metz 80th Birthday Jewish Press (Southend) Geoffrey Pepper [email protected] 9th Kiddush Geoffrey Cohen 70th Birthday Ladies’ Guild Lisa Berg/Sara Vandermolen 07760 141162 16th Kiddush Roy Barnes 70th Birthday MDA (Southend) Simon Belson 07774 778383 17th Father’s Day Tea, Youth Club Meals on Wheels Hilary De Martino 334655 23rd Kiddush Lawrie Millstone 80th Birthday Monday Friendship Club Maurice Symons 351845 30th Cholent Kiddush, Council Shabbat Pop In Centre Janice Steel 07752 874065 July 2018 Southend Security Trust Michael Yaffe 07742 599304 1st Fast of Tammuz Tuesday Nighters Lawrence Collin 353416 14th AID Society Shabbat Youth Club Sarah Miller 07818 412425 17th Cheder End of Term W.I.Z.O. Jackie Kalms [email protected] 22nd Fast of Av 28th Auf Ruf – Joshua Marcon August 2018 11th Kiddush Lisa and Graham Berg Pearl Wedding Anniversary 25th Kiddush Maurice Lesley 83rd Birthday September 2018 9th Erev Rosh Hashanah 10th 1st Day Rosh Hashanah 11th 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah 12th Fast of Gedaliah 15th Kiddush Joy and Eric Harris Golden Wedding Anniversary 18th Kol Nidrei 19th Yom Kippur 23rd Erev Succot 24th 1st Day Succot 25th 2nd Day Succot October 2018 1st Shmini Atzeret 2nd Simchat Torah 6th Auf Ruf – Alex Taylor SYNAGOGUE OFFICE HOURS Normal Hours - Monday to Wednesday 9.00am – 3.00pm Thursday 9.00am – 5.00pm Friday 9.00am – 1.00pm Saturday – CLOSED Sunday 9.00am – 12.00noon Tel: 01702 344900 Fax: 01702 391131 If the office is closed, please leave a message and your call will be returned Email: shuloffi[email protected] Website: www.swhc.org.uk

Advertising Waitresses Contact Shul Office – 01702 344900 If you are having a function on the Communications addressed to: Synagogue premises and Editor, Rochelle O’Brart, Community Voice waitresses are required, they MUST be booked through the Copy Deadline for Rosh Hashanah issue: Synagogue Office at all times. No later than 20th July 2018 Under no circumstances are the waitresses to be booked privately unless for a personal All dates and times correct at going to print private function.

3 Chairman’s S&WHC Board of Management Report Chairman: Mr Michael Nelkin I thank all of you who attended Vice Chairman: Mr Michael Franks the AGM and voting for the Hon Secretary: Mr Rodney Stone new Board of Management on Sunday 13th May 2018. Because Committee: Mr Roy Barnes of the large attendance, voting was Mrs Yael Bebb extended until 10:40am, which Mr Tony Dix showed how much our members Lord David Gold feel for S&WHC and that we are not a ‘dying’ Mrs Rita Roth community. We want to go forward to being the together with the following who have a further Community we once were and respected throughout the year in office:- UK. Hon Treasurer: Mr Ronald Shinegold The new Board of Management have fresh and exciting Committee: Mr Kevin Leigh ideas for the future of S&WHC. We hope gradually to Mrs Marilyn Salt implement them and, as promised, any big issues that Mrs Janice Steel might arise (and I am sure there will be several) will be advised to the Community so that they can have their Wardens: Mr Geoffrey Pepper say. Mr Stanley Robinson On your behalf, I would like to welcome the new Board Co-opted: Mr Alan Cohen of Management and hope that we can all work well Mr Aron Engel together as every one of you have only our future at Thank you all once again for your support and enjoy heart. I know, with your experience in different fields, the a wonderful Summer and look forward to greeting you Community will go from strength to strength. all to our Cholent Kiddush on Shabbat 30th June, to The future of the Talmud Torah building is of great welcome the new Executive and Board of Management. importance, as is the Youth of our Community, who are Michael E Nelkin our future. The seniors of our Community need to be Chairman of S&WHC catered for through different social activities and I hope this will be achieved. Deadline Due to the high number of votes cast, there were Date!! recounts and the Auditor said to the previous Your articles! Chairman that even after this she would have another So that the recount at her office together with her staff the next day, magazine can be proofed and even though an announcement was made. circulated on time, please would all our read- I therefore have have much pleasure in declaring the ers pay attention to the deadline vote:- date which is printed on page 3. Thank you E. BEDINI & SONS DĞŵŽƌŝĂůDĂƐŽŶƐKĨŝƐƟŶĐƟŽŶ ϱϬLJĞĂƌƐŽĨƐĞƌǀŝŶŐƚŚĞtĞƐƚĐůŝīͲŽŶͲƐĞĂ:ĞǁŝƐŚŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJŝŶƟŵĞŽĨŶĞĞĚ͘ ƵLJĚŝƌĞĐƚĨƌŽŵƚŚĞŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌĞƌƐ͘ĞƐƉŽŬĞĚĞƐŝŐŶƐĂŶĚƌĞŶŽǀĂƟŽŶƐƵŶĚĞƌƚĂŬĞŶ͘ &ŝƌƐƚϭϬϬůĞƩĞƌƐĨƌĞĞ͘WŚŽŶĞŶŽǁĨŽƌĨƌĞĞĂĚǀŝĐĞŽƌĂƋƵŽƚĂƟŽŶ͘ 01702 467944 (24 hours) hŶŝƚϳ͕ZŽƐƐŚŝůů/ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂůWĂƌŬ͕^ŽƵƚŚĞŶĚŽŶ^ĞĂ͕^^ϮϱW;ŶĞĂƌ^ƚŽĐŬZŽĂĚŽƉƉŽƐŝƚĞ&ŽƌŵƵůĂϭƵƚŽĞŶƚƌĞͿ SHOWROOM OPEN 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday (Sunday by appointment) If you cannot call in person, we are able to call on you in the comfort of your own home by appointment with no obligation. [email protected] www.bedinimemorials.co.uk

4 Our simcha team is waiting to talk to you 020 8505 2725 / 07910 285115 www.tobylevy.com [email protected] Glatt Kosher under the supervision of the Sephardi Beth Din

5 Announcements Condolences – Our deepest sympathy to: Steven, Adam and Oliver Linden on the loss of a wife and mother, Births – We wish Mazel Tov to: Sally Linden Geoffrey Pepper, together with Jennifer, on the birth of a Sophie Zetter on the loss of her sister, Betty Decker granddaughter The family of the late Joan Bryer Laraine and Roy Barnes on the birth of a grandson Sherry and Gary Jacobs and Suzanne Wood on the loss of a husband Rachel and Shlomo Fink on the birth of a son and father, Roy Jacobs Rachelle Rubin and Mark Rubin on the birth of a grandson Sharon Ordever on the loss of her grandfather, Hyman Breger Anne and Anthony Green on the birth of a granddaughter and Joan The family of the late Ruth Leigh Green on the birth of a great granddaughter Pamela and Melvyn Diskin on the birth of a granddaughter Stone Settings at Stock Road Bar Mitzvah – We wish Mazel Tov to: June Rochelle and Colin Samuel on the Barmitzvah of their grandson, 17th 11.00am Renee Wallrock Chaim Moshe Music, son of Naomi and Shimon and brother to Brocha, Elya and Nechama Music (Manchester) 24th 2.45pm Jack Burns

Engagement – We wish Mazel Tov to: July Natalie and Simon Belson on the engagement of their daughter, 15th 3.00pm Marilyn and Leonard P. Belson Rebecca to Danny Latner, son of Shelley and Gary Latner 29th 2.30pm Renee Levine

Wedding – We wish Mazel Tov to: August Joanne and Stephen Marcon on the marriage of their son, Joshua, to Madeleine Burns, daughter of Nicola and Gary Burns and to 26th 2.45pm Evelyn Walters grandmother, Lois Pelz Natalie and Simon Belson on the marriage of their daughter September Hannah to Lance Ormsky, son of Michelle. Mazel Tov too to 2nd 9.30am Nita Conway (Waltham Abbey) grandpa, Meyer Manushewitz Late mother of Susan Aarons Stacey Lichtenfeld on the marriage of her son, Robert Goldstein, to Emma Sherling. Mazel Tov too, to grandparents, Milly and Michael 2.30pm June Brick Nelkin 16th 11.00am Lily Marks Milly and Michael Nelkin on the marriage of their daughter, Sharon, Late mother of Rita Roth to Ralph Last 2.30pm Barbara Rayleigh

Birthdays – Many Happy Returns to: October Sonia Helper 95 years 7th 2.00pm Roy Jacobs Henry Harris 90 years Helena Graham 90 years 14th 2.00pm Lily Bloch Jeffrey Phillips 90 years 2.45pm Sadie Freedman Cyril Black 85 years 21st 2.00pm Myra Solomons Zena Keizer 85 years 2.30pm Sally Linden Maurice Lesley 83 years Maurice Jacques 83 years 28th 2.30pm Gertie Denenberg Lawrie Millstone 80 years Beverley Miller 80 years Hazel Ward 80 years Editor’s Note May I respectfully remind you the CV We wish Mazel Tov to: Anniversaries – cannot announce births, engagements Irene and Jack Burston Platinum 70 years or marriages which are not halachically Norma and Anthony Silverstein Diamond 60 years acceptable to the Orthodox Community. Sandra and Leslie Royston Emerald 55 years Barbara and Stirling Baker Golden 50 years The same must be said for holding Stephanie and Danny Greenbaum Golden 50 years functions not under Supervision. Louise and Julian Nyman Sapphire 45 years Hilary and Derek Lee Sapphire 45 years Lord and Lady Gold Ruby 40 years Apology Ruth and Tony Dix Ruby 40 years Taylor: The Editor wishes to apologise to Suzanne Taylor Freda and David Harris Ruby 40 years and Laurie Taylor for inadvertently including Neville Peters Irene and Peter Baum Coral 35 years in the Engagement announcement in the Pesach edition of Lisa and Graham Berg Pearl 30 years the CV magazine. This was totally wrong. She apologises Sharon and Steward Bronitt Pearl 30 years for any stress this has caused. The notice should read:- Miranda and Jamie Royston Silver 25 years Sharon and Mark Gordon Silver 25 years Engagement We wish Mazel Tov to Suzanne Taylor and Laurie Taylor Youth Parliament – We wish Mazel Tov to: on the engagement of their son Alexander to Lara, daughter of Neil and the late Ruth Moscow. Mazel Tov Alexander Small for being elected a Member of the UK Youth also to Corinne and grandmother Leila Moscow. Parliament for Southend-on-Sea. 6 Who Will Bear Witness On Sunday 28th January 2018 we were invited by our very When the film finished Leslie came onto the stage and own Leslie Kleinman to join him at an event which was held at received a standing ovation from the entire audience which the Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue to honour him. It was he so richly deserved. arranged and sponsored by JRoots, an organisation which takes groups of people, especially youths, to Eastern Europe, the lands of our forefathers and above all to see the sites where our brothers and sisters were murdered. The evening started with an excellent discussion hosted by Zvi Sperber (who is co-director of JRoots) between Simon Schama the noted historian and Andre Singer who directed the documentary “The night will fall” which was shown on TV about how to keep the Shoah in the public gaze and to avoid it becoming a footnote in history. There then followed a most moving film called “Auschwitz A8230: a legacy of love” the number being tattooed on Leslie’s forearm. It covers Leslie’s life starting with his origins in the village of Ombud in Transylvania beneath the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains living with his father (who was a Chassidic Rabbi), mother, seven brothers and sisters. In the Leslie then spoke: film Leslie emphasised whilst they were materially very poor they were spiritually very rich. His mother said I am the richest Quote “As I often say to Naftali and Zvi (co-founders Jroots) person in the world - I have eight healthy children. also Rabbi Garson and Rabbi Bar, I could never have imagined 73 years ago any of this, but then who could Leslie then explained the details of their transportation to imagine any of history as a people. Someone once said - a Auschwitz in a cattle truck into which were crammed 120 Jew who does not believe in miracles is not a realist- So the people in a space for 50 with one bucket of water amongst first thing I would like to ask you to do is something that I have them all. learned in my 73 years in England On a recent visit to Auschwitz the film makers showed Leslie A Toast ! Please take out the bags in front of you. A glass and pacing up and down in one of these trucks. Upon arrival at bottle of JRoots 18 year old Whisky and please join me in a Auschwitz his life was saved by a Polish Jew who told him to toast. L’Chaim to life! JRoots does not take kids to Poland in tell Joseph Mengele, who was in charge of selection, that he order to just talk about death and sadness. They talk about was 17 (younger went straight to the gas chambers). One LIFE. A LIFE that was and a LIFE that can still be. Am Yisrael cannot imagine what he must have felt when after about Chai. I just wanted to thank JRoots for giving me so much three days asking the whereabouts of his family, the smoking and for giving me so much love and respect. They have given chimney was pointed out to him and the realisation dawned me back my own Yiddishe Neshama. I know that my Mama that his mother along with six of his brothers and sisters had Rochel and Tattie (father) would be so proud of me today. been murdered. In fact probably within three hours of arrival. JRoots, the way you have embraced me without judgement is the way I have seen you relate to every single young Jew He talked about the horrors of the camp and the eventual who comes your way. At JRoots I have seen the love the death march of about 300 miles into Southern Germany tolerance and the embrace you have given every Jew where he was one of only 5,000 to survive out of 50,000 irrespective of how religious. You give them love and reasons and his final rescue by a Jewish American army Sergeant. to want to connect. I have seen literally thousands and thousands of young Jews reconnect in their own chosen way His final tragedy was to discover his eldest sister Gitte with with the Jewish story as a result of what you do. Thank you whom he was close and he knew had survived Auschwitz JRoots for what you have done for me, thank you for what because he saw her at a distance leaving the camp at the you have done for my past for my present and for my future. beginning of the death march, died in Bergen Belsen. I know that with you there will be a future for our people and that our future will be brighter than our past. Dear friends if Against his narration were film clips of Auschwitz. my words and thoughts that I share with people all over and The film then went on to show his post war life how he met the film you saw this evening connect you with where we come and married his first wife Evelyn with whom he had two from, then JRoots manages to connect our children with our children, Rosalyn and Steven, also film of his marriage to future. I haven’t been asked to say this to you and anyone Miriam solemnised in Tel Aviv by Rabbi Bar. who knows me knows that I only speak the truth straight from my heart. Friends please do what you can to help JRoots to Miriam along with both of his children gave interviews. do what it does best. It brings our people to visit the past, to reflect on the present and to ensure the future. Rosalyn and Steven said as children they were shielded from Thank you” unquote the Shoah as Leslie did not discuss it. Both of them consider how remarkable it is that he is so free of hatred. After Leslie spoke there followed a film about the work of JRoots and the effect upon the young people who went on Some of the most moving moments in the film was Leslie with these trips many of whom had little knowledge of the Shoah the children of Rabbi Garson (a friend of his from London) and who came back galvanised both with knowledge and and his helping the youngest, scarcely more than a baby, light energy to refute Holocaust denial they may encounter the Chanukah candles. especially at our Universities. Eric Harris

7 Editorial Philip Leibow This year seems to be rushing A Very by! The trees and flowers are beginning to look super and Generous Man Summer will be here very Sometime around 1900 shortly. Philip Max Leibow, together We have recently had S&WHC’s with his wife Fanny and his Annual General Meeting, Mother in Law, Edith Moses, moved from Poplar to voting this time for a new Southend. Philip was a pawnbroker and general Executive and members of the salesman and they lived above their shop at 67 London BdfMBoard of Management. t A full report will be given by our Road, they had no children. Philip soon became an new Chairman, Michael Nelkin on page 4. active member of the growing Southend Jewish On Monday, the Friendship Club meets in the Shul Hall community and was shortly appointed Treasurer – in and very often see “hoards” of young school children fact he was the very first Treasurer of S&WHC. Philip of all ages going into the Synagogue, where Jeffrey was a very successful business man and it didn’t take Greenstein, who is Chairman of the AID Society, gives long for him to become financially comfortable enough talks on Jewish Life. This programme is also given to to enable him to retire in 1911 at the age of 55. Towns Women’s guilds and various non Jewish Sadly, Philip died in 1917 and although his loss was organizations. He deserves a public “Thank You” a huge blow to the S&WHC, they were to become because it must be jolly hard work and I am sure he is the recipients of a very large part of his estate, worth much appreciated for what he does! roughly £8,500 which in today’s money equates to The next publication of your Community Voice will be around £550,000. Philip Leibow was so generous that the Rosh Hashanah Edition and all copy should be in by his will was published in the Jewish Chronicle. I thought 20th July, 2018, including photos, reports and adverts. you might be interested to read of his generosity so here Yom Tov comes in early this year! is what his will bequeathed – and bear in mind the value I hope you all have a good Summer! in today’s terms: Rochelle O’Brart £50 to his wife Fanny to distribute to Jewish charities Editor in Southend £50 to the Jewish Home for Incurables £25 to Victoria Hospital Southend £25 to Poplar Hospital £25 to the Poplar Synagogue £25 to the Hospital for Diseases of the Heart Soho Square £10 to the Jewish Soup Kitchen £10 to the Jewish Deaf and Dumb Home £10 to Rev. M Gollop ‘for the efficient way he has carried out his duties as Minister in Southend’ There were many other small personal bequests too. However – the most interesting and puzzling bequest in the will relates to two houses, 80 and 82 Milton Street Southend, which were left to S&WHC to be used as a Minister’s house and a school. Researching several years either side of 1917 I can trace no record of them ever being used by the Jewish community and can only speculate that they were sold, and the money used by S&WHC. The two properties still stand and look very much as they would have looked in 1917. They are located almost opposite the Short Street Royal Mail sorting office in Central Southend. Mrs Leibow, Philip’s widow, was well looked after following her husband’s death. She eventually moved to Brondesbury in North London where she took an active role in Hampstead Synagogue. She died in 1937 and her probate record shows that she left a very healthy sum of money too - £17,000 – which translates to just over £1,000,000 in today’s value. Anne Marcus

8 9 Celebrating Jennifer and Geoffrey Fay Sober’s 88th birthday Pepper’s Visit to Israel Garry and I were honoured when Merrill, one of the The Towering wonderful Fay Sober’s daughters invited us to join family and Belzer Chassidic Shul in . friends to celebrate Fay’s birthday with them. This photo was taken during a personal We went to the lovely Kun pre-arranged tour just before Pesach which was the Moor Residential Home in the Shul`s 18th anniversary. The Belz Chassidic Main Jewish Care complex at Synagogue is huge. Work started in 1984 and Muswell Hill and over to the Day finished in year 2000. They are always building and Centre where we were greet- further construction and an additional floor is being ed so warmly by Merrill, Bebe undertaken. No other Shul in the World has been and their families. Fay looks built by Chassids who had immersed themselves just as she did and seems very in a ritual bath, given to charity and said special happy and it was great to see prayers beforehand. her and all her family and some The Plaza/Courtyard includes a residential area of their friends. An amazing tea where, among others, the Belzer Rebbe lives. was provided, the mini scones Everyone was looking forward to the Rebbe`s in particular were fantastic and eldest grandson`s Chupa scheduled to take place reminded me of Fay’s amazing after Shavuot. 12,000 people are expected for this mini eclairs which she made Simcha. Inside, the largest imposing Aron Kodesh (Ark) in the World, made regularly for the ‘Pop In’ after- in Israel and weighing 23 tonnes and all hand carved. A Congregation of noons, amongst other delights. 10,000 is expected for Rosh Hashanah all under one minyan. The Shul never An added bonus was seeing the shuts, 24 hour learning and there is a minyan every five minutes. The pear- shaped Chandeliers and furniture are specifically designed so the voices lovely Minn Rose who lives in bounce off the roof and every sound can literally be heard in all corners of the same residential home who the Shul. also came along to the party. I had a lovely time catching up One gentleman has the job of being the “clapper”. He is situated on the with her about events in West- Bima and everyone keeps their eyes on him. At certain points in the service, cliff, the people she knew and he raises his hand holding a wooden club and bounces it down against her family. She looks amazing!! a hard cushion. He lets everyone know where the leader is up to in the davening. One clap to let everyone know what comes next but for specific After beautiful musical enter- important areas, such as Kaddish, three claps quietens everyone down. tainment from the very talented and hospitable family, Garry You are never thirsty at the Belzer Shul, specific running refreshments for the and I then went to Gants Hill to visit our good friend Dorothy ladies during the services and generally 10,000 are drunk every day. Young who is currently staying at the Vi and John Rubens The tour was conducted by Rabbi Yechezkel Friedman brother of Yaakov who Home. We were fortunate that her devoted husband Sam was has been leining for us over recent months. visiting at the same time and we really enjoyed chatting to them both. Sam is there most days, but Dorothy would be MDA pleased to see anyone who would like to visit her. A photo of Jennifer and Geoffrey Pepper on a pre-arranged ‘Pop In’ tour of the MDA National Blood Ser- April 2018 vices Centre in Yigal Alon Street. Seen This month we met in the Shul at first hand how Hall for the first time and thanks every blood unit is to James for setting up the processed into com- tables for us. We had a good ponents, red blood crowd on the day. After a cells, plasma and delicious tea prepared by platelets etc. All donations of blood are tested for blood types, detection Sandra Symons and Sophie of irregular antibodies including identifying transfusion-transmitted diseases Zetter with help from Maurice such as Hepatitis and HIV. They have a reference laboratory which supports Symons and I was there(!), we the hospitals` blood-banks in identifying patients with rare blood types. celebrated two birthdays, Josie Afterwards, a tour around the National Medical Dispatching Centre Pitch and Harvey Shear. Sandra operating 24/7 with the most cutting edge technology. MDA are looking to iced a cake for each of them establish and operate the first Breast-milk bank in Israel in 2018. and they were both presented Geoffrey Pepper with a card and gift from the

‘Pop In’ Centre. If anyone Car Parking would like to celebrate a When parking birthday or Anniversary or in indeed any special occasion at one of our ‘Pop In’ after- Finchley Road noons, please let us know in and the surrounding area, kindly be advance. We will be only too happy to do so. aware of people’s driveways and park considerately.

10 The Stamps of Israel The Lion and the Heron A bone got stuck in a lion’s throat Parables of the Sages as it ate its prey. The lion promised a reward to anyone who could In Rabbinic literature, in both the Babylonian and Jerusalem dislodge the bone. The Egyptian Talmuds and the Midrashim, we find many parables – some Ammoperdix (which is what the relating to plant life and others to animal life. These are in fact, bird is called in the Midrash) used fables: very short stories in which plants or animals speak, feel its long beak to perform the task. and act as humans in every way. The stories have a moral and When he came to claim his teach a lesson. The Sages called these stories “fox parables” reward, the lion said to him: Is it or palm parables”. Examples of this literary genre already ex- not enough that you escaped the isted in the Bible: the parables of Yotam (Judges 9:7-20), the jaws of the lion, now you seek a reward, as well? parable of the Thistle and the Cedar (2 Kings 14:9-10) and the parable of the Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7). Midrash Genesis Rabbah 64:10, The Hebrew translation is found in Sefer Ha’Aggada Fables flourished in Ancient Greece, where Aesop’s Fables originated and were known as early as the 3rd century BCE. The Reed and the Cedar The three stamps in this series are based on the Parables The mighty cedar with its many of the Sages, which are notably similar to some of Aesop’s roots can be uprooted by a strong Fables. wind. The reed, which is supple and flexible, bends in the wind The Fox in the Vineyard and suffers no harm. The moral: A fox saw a vineyard of ripe A Man should always be as grapes and wished to taste them. gentle as the reed and never as The hole he found in the fence was unyielding as the cedar. too small for him to pass through, Babylonian Talmud, Ta’anith 20a, so he fasted for three days, the fable is written in Hebrew. entered the vineyard, and feasted Sefer Ha’Aggada on grapes until he was full. When he then tried to leave, he was The stamps were issued in September 2016 and designed by again forced to fast for three days Rinat Gilboa. With acknowledgments to Prof. Yair Zakovitch – in order to fit through the hole The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in the fence. What pleasure, then, did he derive from the Sonny Kosky vineyard? Midrash Kohelet Rabbah 5:21, the language of the fable is a mix of Hebrew and Aramaic. The Hebrew translation is found in Sefer Ha’Agadah

Not under the supervision of S&WHC 11 Simcha Page

Mazeltov

Sylvia and Alan Wand are delighted to announce the wedding of their granddaughter Ilana Hoff to Rigel Janette of the USA which took place in Jerusalem in March. Ilana’s friends from England, including Katie Burns, all came to Israel to be her bridesmaids.

Joseph Salt (left) winning Maccabi Leslie Royston young player of 83rd Birthday the year 2017

12 Mirella & Philip Eli & Alexander of Montine Food Company

Wish children, grandchildren, Machatunim, family and friends a Happy Summer

13 Gabbaim Diary Purim in Cape Town 10th February – Mishpatim Shekalim Stephen and I found ourselves in Cape Town for Purim this year and Rabbi and Mrs. Sufrin and family joined us for what was an uplifting decided to go to Marias Road Shul for the reading of the Megila and the Shabbat. Rabbi Sufrin leined and addressed the community. He spoke stay for the party afterwards. about the weekly Sidrah, Purim, Shekels and Mitzvos which number 53 – The Shul was fairly packed. Rabbi Dovid Wynberg lead the services almost 10% of the overall mitzvos in the whole Torah. Later on, after the reciting an excellent drosha. The Chazan and choir were really melodic. service over 80 congregants joined for a sing-along-a-Shabbat lunch Everyonejoined in the banging when Haman was mentioned and the and were entertained by Rabbi Sufrin and daughter Chavi. atmosphere was great. She is a child, adolescent and adult psychotherapeutic Counsellor currently for Chai Cancer Care and as the School Therapist for the Lots of people were dressed Royal Ballet School. Chavi spoke about her experiences a Counsellor in up, especially the children, Wormwood Scrubs and as well has had a longstanding involvement with and it reminded us of Drugsline in various roles. home. When the service finished, we tucked into a 17th February – Teruma beef burger, chips or jacket 140 congregants including lots of visitors potato and supper descended on the Shul and also packed the Shul followed by ice cream. Not Hall afterwards for a bumper Kiddush sponsored by a lot different from home. Mirella and Phillip to celebrate Philip Walters 70th What was different was the birthday. exotic dancer on Stilts. This was very African. While we ate, we met some 24th February – Tetzavah Zachor charming people from The dignitary Shabbat was postponed. In the absence of Rabbi Bar, Reb Cape Town who told us life Yaakov Friedman stepped in at short notice and leined beautifully the was not so bad there. Ashkenazi trop. He has also been leining for us weekdays during some weeks when the Rabbi has been away. The reading for Shabbat Zachor Marilyn Salt fulfils the Mitzvah in the Torah to remember the attack Amalek made on our ancestors and as such is one of the most important readings of the year. Thanks to all who helped with the services.

17th March - Vayikra Hachodesh on Rosh Chodesh Shul Library Books For You Rabbi Motti Schochet from London was guest Rabbi as we celebrated the second Barmitzvah of Leslie Royston (83rd Birthday) who has been Following on from the article in the a member of this community his entire life. We thank Sandra and Leslie last Community Voice (page 27) for sponsoring the wonderful after service Kiddush. which detailed the library’s It was a lovely atmosphere in Shul. We had the beginnings and explained how to great pleasure of welcoming the Royston`s close borrow books etc., we have family from all over. Rabbi Schochet presented a unfortunately been unable to fully Certificate to Leslie. In his sermon the Rabbi said complete the task inasmuch as the for many generations there has been a custom to website search facility is not yet up begin a child`s learning of the Chumash with this and running and nor is there a listing attached to cupboard Sidrah - Vayikra. Since the sacrifices are pure and F as promised. the Children are pure let the pure come and deal with the pure. However, this does not stop anyone at this time who wants Shabbat Haggodol Tzav – 24th March to borrow or browse as outlined in our article as The Great Shabbat – Myra and David Gordon entertained us to mark mentioned above. We are hopeful of completing Myra`s birthday. Reb Yaakov Friedman leined for us once again. outstanding issues, so if you would like to check on the The Kiddush was marked by the fact some gentlemen came up to me books available please help yourself. Please don’t forget to to say they would support a return to the 8.00pm evening minyan but sign out any books you borrow in the book attached to Actions Speak Louder than Words and we look forward to seeing them the side of cupboard F. at the service. Sonny Kosky 01702 589105 [email protected] 28th April - Shabbat Acharei-Mot-Kedoshim Leo Plaskow can now make up a minyan! Great and memorable performance today when close to 200 Southendcarpets.com people packed out the Shul to witness a towering Carpet/Vinyl samples brought to Maftir and Haftorah from Leo. Well done and your home or office Mazeltov! The Congregation was great as well, very well behaved and impeccable decorum - We never had to sound one SHOOOSH on the Bima!! Smiling friendly faces during the service and later on sardines in the Shul Hall for a celebratory Kiddush generously sponsored by the family. Roy Barnes, who has taught brothers Max and Jake, presented a Certificate and Siddur to Leo. Quote from a member: “Great service on Shabbat morning. Much Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning enjoyed by all. It was also amazing to see the community pulling 07950 414773 01702 258812 together.” Geoffret Pepper [email protected]

14 Israeli Breakfast Club S&WHC Communal Seder After completing an exhilarating trek across the Negev last In the absence of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Bar, who organized November, Linda Burns and Simon Belson decided, after the 2017 Communal Seder, it was decided, in the interests of seeing the wonderful work that MDA do, not just with members of our Community who may not have had a Seder ambulances but with collecting and distributing blood and Night to go to, this was definitely a function that would be many other services, to start a branch of MDA in Southend popular and well supported! and Westcliff. Marilyn Salt, with assistance from Rochelle O’Brart, helped On 18th February the organize this function. Should we have a hot or cold meal Israeli Breakfast Club – better a nice hot meal!. Soup or egg and onions – a nice launched the group with drop of Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls – the Soup Shissel an amazing and deli- (Saucepan) has disappeared – Buy a new one! Don’t forget cious breakfast Shakshu- the hard boiled eggs and salt water. A Seder Plate with all ka, eggs, , pastries, the ‘bits’ for each table, Matzos, Wine, Crockery – a never cheeses, salmon, her- ending list! rings, etc etc. These days, the ornate plastic crockery and cutlery look Professor Eilat Shinar, beautiful and very presentable – so the Seder began to take Head of the Tal Hashomer shape. A table for the Yom Tov candles, which would be for Blood Centre, came to the ladies present to light, individually, was prepared. explain about the services along with Ido Gutin the Rabbi Motti Schochet had been booked to take the Seder Head of MDA UK desk Service and he made sure everything was as it should be. He from Israel, and Daniel was excellent and made the Seder Night a happy and joyful Burger CEO of MDA UK. occasion. Professor Shinar explained that the urgent need to build, On the night of the Second Seder it was not a quiet service – and indeed work has already commenced, on a new Blood everyone joined in! Centre in Ramlah, 15m underground, to protect the Blood Rabbi Schochet gave explanations of the service so that Centre, and its personnel, from possible attacks and also everyone understood the meaning of what was being possible earthquakes, which are not uncommon in the Tel read out to them! Then suddenly some lovely young faces Hashomer area. appeared next to Rabbi Schochet who announced some of Southend MDA have committed to raise £30k over the next 3 the young Charedi children were going to sing some of the years for a room in this centre. £4K, a great start, was raised service to us. What a pleasure. Everyone beamed with on the day. A great time and a great breakfast was had by delight whilst listening to their sweet young voices! all. A very big thank you to all who helped on the morning. As usual the hard boiled eggs in salt water were the “culinary If you would like to help raise this money please donate at delight” of the Seder meal and the ONE MATZO Ball in the www.mdauk.org or phone Linda on 07968 103269 or chicken soup was a sight to behold, it was so big! A quick in Simon on 07774 778383. depth discussion took place – How big should a Matzo Ball be? Should it have Shmaltz mixture or not? Was it fattening The Trek we did last November, is being repeated this or indigestible!! Anyway, the whole meal was delicious, Matzo November. If anyone is interested, please call us for further Balls included details. It would be great to see more Southenders take on this personal challenge and raise some cash for a great cause. Our thanks must go to the kitchen and waiting staff, who were all excellent. Watch out for our next great event in the Autumn. Next year P.G. not only “NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM” but Linda Burns and Simon Belson definitely in FINCHLEY ROAD SYNAGOGUE. WESTCLIFF ON SEA! Rabbi Schochet was excellent, making sure we left the Shul by Hamantasch Bake midnight – nearly (!?) It is never too late for a great evening! Although the Beast I am sure everyone will want a Communal Seder in 2019!! from the East cancelled the S&WHC Hamantasch Bake, the women gathered instead a week later for a fantastic post- Rochelle O’Brart Purim experience. Rebbetzin Chaya Faigie Bar invited all women to the 3D Purim Effect: Design - delicious Hamantashen, Discover – the mystical significance of Hamantashen, Delight – in the spirit KASHRUT of Purim with great company. The women arrived to a hall that was packed with baking ingredients and supplies. Rebbetzin Bar first presented a shiur We cannot be held responsible for the through a power-point that explained the symbolism behind Hamantaschen. Then, the women followed her recipe to Kashrut of any function or ad unless create the dough and used their creativity in choosing fillings. The result: much laughter and delicious it states ‘Under supervision of hamantaschen. Some women even designed extra hamantaschen for those who were unable to attend. Southend & Westcliff Kashrut Commission’

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16 From the Mighty Pen of Chutzpahdick… Dear Editor, Chronically Jewish Communal Seder Angela and I thoroughly enjoyed the S&WHC’s Second Night Seder. As the Shabbat ritual draws closer this Friday, Chutzpahdick will seek the Although there were not the massive numbers of guests that there have usual familiarity of the JC. Such a purchase will mean embracing that been present in previous years, the buzzing and warm atmosphere more familiar warm overcoat, with the reassuringly similar articles and headlines than made up for it. Rabbi Schochet is a true professional and, despite his based on these recurring three themes – youthful appearance, held the Seder together well. ‘they are out to get us’; I am so pleased that you fulfilled my request for Angela and myself to be ‘they nearly got us but we escaped’; placed close to the younger people present. You put us on the top table, ‘this time they got us’. The threat from ‘they’ to our existence, whether real or alongside the Rabbi on one side and the Lyons family on the other. imagined, has become ingrained into our psyche, the JC reassuringly man- At one point Rabbi Schochet invited three Chasidic children to join us. And aging to serve as a most effective weekly conduit for this primeval archetype. one of them stood on a chair and gave an impromptu recital of a couple of Chutzpahdick believes that there are two types of Jews who buy the JC: those Pesach songs, in Yiddish; the boy had the guests enthralled. who leave the newsagents with the front page boldly facing outwards (the The food and waitress service was excellent. But one gripe that I had was that defiant Jew) and those who leave with their JC concealed in the national daily there was only Palwin wine or sparkling water on the tables to drink, and no (the cowering meek apologist ‘best not to draw attention to ourselves’ angst grape juice! So teetotallers like myself were not properly catered for. ridden Jew). Sadly Chutzpahdick admits to falling into the latter category, After the meal was over, the Rabbi thankfully sped through the remainder of and can attest to the crick in his neck from glancing automatically over his the service and we were home by midnight, with very few people leaving to shoulder on his extremely short journey back to his car from the newsagent. go home before the end of the Seder. Chutzpahdick’s fears are further confirmed by the surreptitious positioning A successful night by all accounts. of the JC in his Asian owned newsagents – the paper is invariably hidden Best regards, underneath one of the local papers, as if the owner himself is too David Shaffer. embarrassed to display the JC more publically. It is as if Chutzpahdick and the newsagent are colluding in this covert process. Buying the JC here –dis- Dear Editor, cretely hidden from view – must be akin to buying naughty magazines from Communal Seder the small room at the back of the shop (readers’ experiences please for next I just feel it necessary to record our thanks to all who organised a most CV – Ed). enjoyable second Seder at the Shul Hall. Chutzpahdick’s favourite column is the weekly obsession: discover a famous I believe that special thanks are due to Marilyn Salt for organising the person with a Jewish connection then proudly proceed to claim them, arms occasion; every aspect of the Seder was provided for and the food was open, in the most tribal of manners, kvelling with pride like a Jewish mother excellent. whose son has just returned home from his first camping trip. Thanks also to Rochelle O’Brart for overseeing the kitchen and ensuring that we all had a hot and delicious meal. How do they find these Jewish celebrities? Chutzpahdick is told by a JC Although the service was delivered at the speed of light, it was interspersed insider that they have a journalist who heads up the ‘Find the Famous Jew with explanations and jokes and everyone had an opportunity to participate. Department’, whose role is to ferret out likely candidates. Best wishes to all. Here is a typical scenario at the weekly meeting: Ruth and Tony Dix ‘Kuennsberg, Laura. Got a ‘Berg’ on the end so might be Jewish’ (score one point). ‘Perhaps short for Koenigsberg? But…she doesn’t look Jewish ‘ (subtract one point). ‘How far back can we go? Three generations? No luck. But she’s been the victim of internet trolls and the BBC have now provided her with a security guard!’ Verdict: almost Jewish. ‘But wait, hang on a minute, although the name ‘Kuennsberg’ sounds Jewish but she isn’t…..Nick Robinson and Robert Peston don’t sound Jewish…but they are!! We’ll have them instead. And that poor old Robert Peston always looks like such a shlump. And…his bio says he is ‘culturally Jewish’ – that’s good enough for next Friday! Plus, a lot of Jewish mothers will then write in letters about how he needs to tidy up, have a decent haircut and stop slouching half way across the chair on News at Ten. Sorted!’

Dear Editor, Chutzpahdick sadly cannot disclose his identity (Rony Kornbluh’s letter, CV, Spring 2018) because he is now suffering from advanced senility and can no longer remember. However he is delighted to know that at least one person has read his latest article, and so a signed copy of his book, “The Life and Times of the Chutzpahdick Kid – Notes from a Small Shtetl”, is waiting for Rony in the Synagogue Office! Kind regards Mrs Chutzpahdick Dear Editor Communal Seder We are very lucky to have these events to go to and thank everyone who gave up their time to organise it. Marcia and Michael Goldberg

17 S&WHC Cheder Head Teacher: Rebbetzin Bar Aleph Champ Talent Show The children continue to make excellent The S&WHC Cheder children are very talented! They progress with their Hebrew reading/writing presented original acts of ribbon dancing, poem recitals, using the Aleph Champ system. chair swinging, magic tricks and choregraphed singing. All contestants were awarded with prizes.

Purim After learning the story of Purim, the Cheder children created adorable ‘graggers’ to shake during the Megillah reading.

Pesach The children learned about the story of Pesach and the miraculous redemption of the Jewish nation. Many parents and grandparents joined for the Mock Pesach Seder. The Rabbi and Rebbetzin used visual props and interactive techniques to create an exciting atmosphere. It was a great experience for all! Everyone had a grand time baking Hamantaschen! Every child then received a Mishloach Manot from the Rabbi and Rebbetzin packed with delicious goodies.

Sefira/Lag Biomer Land of Israel The children learned about Sefirat Haomer, and why the Through the use of maps and pictures, the children learned students of Rabbi Akiva died. They created “emotion” faces about Israel, the Jewish Nation’s country. They watched a to be aware of each other’s feelings. They also portrayed live show. The Kotel during Yom friendship scenarios with Ha’atzmaut and a video which dramatic and funny acting. portrayed the diverse Israeli citizens. They enjoyed pita and falafel. Each child wrote a letter to Hashem, which is being placed in the Kotel wall by the Rebbetzin’s friend.

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