www.childrensrabbi.com

50 issues - wow! What progress Hamaor has Contents made over the years, from a typed booklet to the glossy Diary 2 colour magazine you see View from the President – Alan Finlay 4 today, it is so exciting for me Back to the Future – Dr Eli Kienwald 6 to be a part of it and for everyone whom I have worked with over the past 6 years since I took on Reflections on Hamaor at Fifty – the Editorship of this journal of the Federation Professor Geoffrey Alderman 10 of Synagogues. Thanks to all those who’ve made Knowing What We Do Not Know - it possible over the years - and to all of you who’ve Chazzan Michael Simon 14 read it! Prayer – Not a Spectator Sport – Elana Chesler 17 To mark this significant milestone, Poems – Steven Schonberg 18 we have the very first edition available to view A Request for Information About The Greenstein online. Just look under Hamaor at www.federationofsynagogues.com – I hope you Family of Stepney – Jonny Greenstein 19 enjoy reading it. In addition, we’re very Miracles in Poland – Rabbi Garson 21 fortunate that Professor Geoffrey Alderman, a Alternative Health and the Torah – Ilana Freedman 25 well-known figure in the Jewish Community The Financial and Tax Benefits of Gift Aid – and member of the Federation, enlightens us on Charles Pascoe 28 some of the history from 50 issues ago From Stettin in the Baltic and we’d love to hear from you - you could share your memories of growing up with the to Trieste in the Adriatic – Mark Harris 33 Federation for a special section to be Rosh Hashanah Recipes – Denise Phillips 35 printed in the next magazine. Please email Journey to Morocco and Gibraltar – Rabbi Garson 38 [email protected].

This Rosh Hashanah magazine also has Personal 41 articles for all interests, an insightful article by Kashrus Directory 44 Chazzan Michael Simon, Ilana Freedman Federation of Synagogues Contact Details 45 explains Alternative Health from a Jewish Cemetry Times 46 perspective and we have plenty of travels from Mark Harris to Rabbi Garson with Ohr Yisrael List of Synagogues 47 (Elstree Federation) across Poland, Morocco and more… There’s also a competition to win Denise Phillips’ latest Recipe book!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this edition, to the staff at Head Office and to Published by The Federation of Synagogues 65 Watford Way, London NW4 3AQ Richard Gordon for his invaluable assistance. Tel: 020 8202 2263 Fax: 020 8203 0610 Here’s to the next 50! Email: [email protected] www.federationofsynagogues.com Wishing you all a Kesiva v’Chasima Tova Editor/Advertising: Eva Chapper Eva Hamaor / September 2012 Page 1 DIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARY

NEWS & EVENTS

Rebbetzin juggles a young family and her work in and Croydon outside of the community. Croydon has introduced a new social group called “Our Club”. The community are enjoying a number of social events, meeting once a month for Sunday Lunch and Tea.

In April we had an “In House Quiz” afternoon with about 30 attendees, who all had an enjoyable time.

On the first day of Shavuot after the service we had a sit down lunch followed by a tea. 25 people joined us.

In July we had a guest speaker, David Goodman, from the JNF. 50 people came to hear this interesting talk. Ilford JACS Jubilee Party - Photography by Melvyn Wienberg lford JACS, based at Ilford Federation, had the pleasure of listening to the Ilford Jewish Primary School choir. The All New Diploma in Judaism including the Bluffers Guide to Judaism, taught weekly by Rabbi Chapper, has just completed its year long programme and again was a tremendous success. This is now the third year that the community has run this innovative course and brings the total number of graduates to over 150. The Diploma is also being replicated in other communities based on Rabbi Chapper’s model.

JACS is run by Ilford Federation member Gloria Rones, who plans lots of exciting and interesting events and speakers. Recently a Diamond Jubilee party was held at the home of Lilian Jay to celebrate the Queen’s wonderful achievement, bearing in mind JACS members all remember the time the Queen became our ruling monarch in Watching the Olympic Torch - Photography by Melvyn Wienberg 1952 and could share memories of this exciting As part of the Redbridge community’s diverse events to time in history. Recently celebrate London 2012, Ilford Federation hosted an Eva Chapper spoke to Olympic Torch bagel breakfast. Having watched the JACS about her life and flame pass by the top of Coventry Road, those who had experiences of being the assembled made their way back to the Shul where Rabbi’s wife, this was a around 60 people enjoyed a bagel breakfast. The event Olympic Bagel Breakfast wonderful opportunity for was organised in conjunction with the Redbridge Photography by Melvyn Wienberg people to find out how a Jewish Community Centre.

Page 2 Hamaor / September 2012 DIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARY

NEWS & EVENTS

interactive discussion on various themes. Rabbi Garson Ohr Yisrael initiated the first session with a talk on Communal Shabbaton in honour of Responsibility and used a clip from Spiderman™ to Yom Haatzmaut springboard the discussion, using Torah texts. The Our shul was honoured to host Chazan Jonathan second session was run by expert scribe Bernard Murgraff the week of Yom Haaztmaut. The esteemed Benarroch who illuminated the secrets and power of Chazan’s beautiful voice moved the whole community. Tefillin to the kids and dads. Other sessions to He showed an interest in singing from a young age, commence in September will be run by other guest performing in musicals and also conducting speakers including Rabbi Andrew Davis, Deputy Head synagogue services. His interest in cantorial music was and Head of Kodesh of Yavneh College. influenced by the late Chazan Korn and numerous visiting cantors who appeared at Hendon’s Raleigh BBM – Relaunch Close Synagogue. While studying in Israel, Jonathan The Borehamwood Beit Hamedrash spring term was was chosen to perform as a soloist in the Jerusalem relaunched with a special Chinese dinner and guest Theatre to inaugurate the World Bnei Akiva Congress. speaker Rabbi Dovid Kaplan. An event kindly sponsored He was also selected to attend the prestigious Stuart anonymously by an Ohr Yisrael member. Rabbi Kaplan, Burrowes Master Class in classical and operatic singing originally from Chicago attended Northeastern and also participated in the competition for Young University and received his rabbinical ordination in Jewish Performer of the Year. He became Chief Cantor Jerusalem. He has lectured widely in Israel and America of the Central Synagogue in London in 1996 and and is presently a senior lecturer at Ohr Somayach studied liturgical music under Richard Rosten and Jerusalem. His modern, streetwise approach to Cantor Moshe Haschel. clarifying Jewish issues is an inspiration to people Sunday Night Speakers around the world. He engaged and inspired the packed A monthly initiative of guest speakers continued the crowd discussing approaches to maintaining Shalom past few months with sell out lectures given by Rabbi Bayit. Jeremy Kagan. He was Born in Boston, raised in Hawaii, and attended Yale University, graduating with a BA in 4th Annual Cross Communal philosophy. Rabbi Kagan is the principal of Midreshet Tisha B’Av Event Tehillah, a post-high-school seminary under the This year’s 4th cross communal Tisha B’Av organised by auspices of Neve Yerushalayim. Rabbi Garson commenced with an inspiring talk by Mr Ziggy Shipper. Ziggy was only 14 when he was sent to In May we hosted Rabbi Yisrael Roll who is a Licensed Auschwitz concentration camp. He described himself Clinical Professional Counsellor in private practice in as lucky to have survived and said he felt he owed it to Baltimore, Maryland, specializing in self-esteem those who did not survive to keep talking about what enhancement. He is the founder of the LIFE Task Force had happened. "Whole families were wiped out - who together with Dr. Abraham Twerski, M.D., which will tell their story? Many of our stories are very similar promotes self-esteem enhancement at home and at so I feel I should tell people what can happen." At 82, school. Rabbi Roll conducts workshops on Building Zigi is a true inspiration, he still runs his own stationery Children’s Self-Esteem, a Teen Esteem Dynamics business, but much of his time is spent in lecturing for workshop and the Self Esteem Diet-A Pathway to the Holocaust Educational Trust in schools around Healthy Living. He is a former attorney from Toronto Britain, at least twice a week, sometimes as far away and served as the Rabbi of the New West End from his home in north London as Edinburgh and Synagogue in London, England where he founded the Glasgow in Scotland. He recently spoke to the England Encounter outreach organization. Team during the Euro 2012 games and is a true Jewish hero. Over 250 people packed the shul to hear him Smile – The Sunday Morning speak. This was followed by a selection of moving films Interactive Learning Experience and two mincha services, each of which had over 100 Rabbi Garson and Dr. Danny Summerfield organised a men davening. The event brought together the pre-barmitzvah seminar which brought together communities of Borehamwood And Elstree United, fathers and sons on Sunday mornings. The sessions Radlett United, Shenley United, Rambam Sefardi Shul begin with a power breakfast, followed by an and Ohr Yisrael.

Hamaor / September 2012 Page 3 VIEW FROM THE PRESIDENT - Turning a Chore into a Chesed By Alan Finlay A story is told about Rabbi Yaakov next “round”, they will offer to pour for you first. Both of you Kamenetzky, of blessed memory, by a have benefited. You have both ceased to be “water pourers” grandson. After the passing of the and are now ba’alei chesed. Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Yoel Teitlebaum z’tl in 1979, his What is interesting is how people react when they are the successor, the Sigeter Rebbe, went to recipient of an act of chesed. You would think that the act of pay his respects to Rabbi Yaakov chesed would be appreciated and the recipient would say Kamenetzky, who at the time thank you. Someone hands you a prayer book, you would say was the oldest rosh yeshiva thank you. Not everyone is like you. of the Lithuanian yeshiva world. Along with the People’s reactions can be mixed. Just look at the comments Sigeter Rebbe came a that are made if someone is given the responsibility of significant group of his handing out sheets for a lecture. There is often a cacophony chasidim, who were of calls along the lines of “come on then”, “what’s taking you curious to experience this first encounter between the so long?”, “you missed me out” and “I don’t want to share, I chasidic leader and the renowned Lithuanian sage. The want one for myself”. chasidim piled into the house and began pushing to the front During weekday shul services, someone usually volunteers to of the table. Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky, who was accustomed take round the charity box. This is an act of chesed. Some say to orderly conduct, asked that the chasidim be seated as well. thank you. Others make jokey comments such as “are you on He mentioned that there were folding chairs in his basement. commission?”, “how is the holiday fund going?” “make sure One by one, each of the chasidim brought up a chair from the you pay the meter”. These comments are viewed as part and basement, unfolded it, and sat down. After watching this parcel of male bonding, although they usually confirm the scene repeat itself, Rav Yaakov could not contain himself. view, correctly held by women, that boys will be boys. Others “When somebody carries a chair from the basement and then actually complain. sits on it, all he becomes is a shlepper. But, if each of you would bring a chair for someone else, then you become When Shabbat Spice was first published, I wanted to ensure elevated. Instead of shleppers, you become ba’alei chesed, that many members of my shul were aware of the publication kindhearted men who are helping each other. With almost the and so I went round shul during the haftorah handing copies same action, you are transformed from chair-haulers into holy out. Apart from the male bonding comments such as “if people who sweat on behalf of their friends. Let us bring our they’re free, I’ll take two”, “can I have an autographed copy?” actions away from ourselves and closer to Hashem!” “read all about it”, I received some quite sharp comments. Some people objected as a matter of principle to having to Have you ever walked into shul with someone who just takes share, others complained that I was late, others asked a siddur for themselves and does not offer you one? Have you aggressively what the publication was costing them in their ever been at a shiva house where someone takes a prayer book shul bill. As I did not need to go round there were times when just for themselves? Or where they have run out of prayer I wondered why I bothered. books and the person standing next to you does not offer to share? Ever been at a meal where the person next to you pours Shuls cannot function unless members volunteer their himself a glass of water and does not offer to pour a glass for services. This transforms them from shleppers to ba’alei you? All of these are situations where someone could turn an chesed. Such volunteers need to be appreciated and thanked. action for their own benefit into an act of chesed for someone If they are not valued, they may not volunteer again and then else. everyone is a loser. So, on behalf of the Federation, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has carried out an act of chesed I cannot speak for girls’ seminaries but when I am invited to a for their shul over the High Holydays. Whether it is organising boys’ yeshiva and want to gauge the character of the student and participating in the services, changing the Ark curtain, body, I ask for a tour of the toilets. If I find the floor strewn checking the light bulbs, buying the apples and honey for the with paper, towels and sometimes worse, I form the view that children’s services, washing the kiddush tablecloths, carrying the boys are self-centered, only thinking about themselves out security, collecting the pledge cards, welcoming strangers and would not “demean themselves” by cleaning up for or any other such acts. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You others. Speaking personally, some form of national service are appreciated. And from now on, we are all going to express would do wonders for their learning. that appreciation. Yes, we are! The ideal is that you carry out an act of chesed for the benefit My fellow Honorary Officers join with me in wishing all of others. It can however, also benefit you. Everything we do Federation members and their families a kesiva v’chasima has a consequence. If you pour a glass of water for your meal- tovah. May we all have the merit to give and receive acts of companion, unless they are particularly insensitive, come the chesed throughout the year which are fully appreciated. Page 4 Hamaor / September 2012 CST: working together with Jewish communities CST is the Community Security Trust, antisemitism and terrorism against both a charity that provides security for Jewish Jews and Israelis. communities throughout Britain; ensuring that we are all able to lead the Jewish life Our enemies do not distinguish one type of our choice. of Jew from another; and they are targeting both large and small communities. CST is also available - 24 hours a day - for CST’s work is therefore sadly necessary, those of us who are unfortunate enough but we should be determined to keep to suffer, or witness, antisemitism. a sense of perspective about the situation.

CST is part and parcel of our communities, Today, our community is largely able drawing upon a long and proud tradition to express its Jewishness in whatever way of British Jewish self-defence. Security it wishes. That can be religious, cultural, can only be done with the help, cooperation political, charitable, sporting or whatever and participation of the members of our sort of Jewish life you do, or do not, wish community, its leaders and institutions. to have. Our community is, on the whole, successful and well integrated into the We need to share responsibility, together. rest of society. We have come a very long This means contacting your local CST and way indeed since the newly arrived asking what role you can play with our immigrant generations of the late 19th local security teams. It means understanding and early 20th centuries. why we do security and cooperating with our local teams. It means contacting CST Antisemitism and the threat of terrorism if you happen to have information that you most certainly do not define our lives think may be of use to us, or to the Police. as British Jews. At CST, we want to keep it that way. This is why we work so closely Sharing responsibility also means trying with synagogues from across our Jewish to keep a healthy balance between keeping communities; and it is why Police and calm and being aware of the physical Government encourage our efforts. threats that unfortunately do exist. CST can, however, only be as strong Since last Rosh HaShana, three separate as the communities we serve. We need terrorist plots against British Jews have you to play your part: by reporting been revealed. One concerned Golders suspicious and antisemitic activities to us; Green and Stamford Hill, two Jewish and by joining our local teams or helping neighbourhoods in London; one to fund our work. concerned Broughton Park, a Jewish neighbourhood in Greater Manchester; Thank you and Shana Tova. and the other concerned two British synagogues. Then, we have the dreadful shootings at a Jewish school in Toulouse; and, from Iran, appalling state-sponsored

Then call CST London 020 8457 9 999 IN AN EMERGENCY Emergency 24hr pager 07659 101 668 ALWAYS DIAL 999 Manchester 0161 792 6666 Non-emergency number 101 Emergency 24hr number 0800 980 0668 www.thecst.org.uk Community Security Trust registered charity number: 1042391    

 

  

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                                                                              BACK TO THE FUTURE                               By Dr Eli Kienwald - Chief Executive !  # # $   #  " %#%                    press  the ‘fast  forward’   button   and tr y to  imagine     what a day in the life of the Federation Chief      Executive   might  be fifty years from now. * * * * * The i-pott (personal on-line thought transmitter) on his bedside table sprang into life at 6.00am. An     integral   micro-projector    cast a tiny  beam  of blue      light towards  the  opposite wall,  the  customary vote   of thanks neatly scrolling in front of his eyes:       “ ;((
       “.(

   David  Rosenberg  was  a young-looking   47-ye ar old   My twice-yearly contributions to Hamaor seem to father of four, tall, handsome and energetic. He had               have been well received and I am grateful to those been Chief Executive of the Federation of of you who have taken the trouble  to  e-mail me  Synagogues    for five  years.  Going  through  his  early  with your words of appreciation.  In an era of global  morning  routine,   washing,  dressing  and  having  a communications, immediate    availability    of  cup of  coffee,   he  was  already  planning   the  day information through the web and unfettered access ahead. It was Monday 2 October 2062, two days to all types of media through portable   computers  before  Erev Rosh Hashanah   and there  was  much to   and tablets, creative writing  is an  unenviable task. be done  before then. He heard his own voice  talking  Constructive comments  are always  welcome  and to him from  the  i-pott:  “David, you have  a one such that I felt was particularly well made was: conference meeting with the communal Chief “I like your stories but I fail to see how they relate Executives at 9.00am”. He already knew of course to the Federation of Synagogues!” You are right, and he sighed thinking that he could really do dear reader.        without  that  –  this was  the last day  for  putting       together  the Rosh Hashanah edition of Hamaor and  This Rosh Hashanah 5773 edition of Hamaor marks he had not even thought about the subject matter the beginning of the second half-century of the that he wished to cover. magazine. This is a tremendous achievement and we need to pay tribute to the editors and He left the house where he lived in Golders Green contributors who have ma de this possible. The before any member of his family was up and he Federation is a broad family of synagogues decided to walk to the nearest minyan, Keter adhering to different hues of orthodox Judaism and Shlomo, in the new multi-purpose development at Hamaor is one of the cementing factors that binds the corner of Princes Park Avenue and Golders us all into a single-minded and lively community. Green Road. As soon as he turned into Golders May Hamaor go from strength to strength and Green Road, he found himself immersed in the hive provide hours of enjoyable and educational reading of activity that was a hallmark of this main to all of us for many years to come. thoroughfare, even at that early time in the morning. A steady stream of EPCs (electric person Somebody suggested to me that an appropriate carriers) and HATs (hydro active transporters) was theme for my art icle in this birthday edition of flowing silently along the elevated carriageway Hamaor would be ‘A day in the life of the while pedestrians milled around at ground level and Federation Chief Executive’. A good idea, but went in and out of the many shops, superstores, fraught with danger. My days are busy but I would trading centres, offices and the impressive not wish to become self-indulgent when describing Montague Court, built in 2055 on the site of what a selection of the multitude of issues of all kinds was once upon a time a famous public house. The which present themselves daily to the current block had been built as a joint project by several holder of that position. I thought I would rather Jewish communal organisa tions. Within Montague Page 6 Hamaor / September 2012 Court, as well as the Keter Shlomo synagogue was a great student of astrology. He believed that (Nusach Sfard), the Federation owned a mikvah, a all beings in the terrestrial world are influenced by banqueting hall with separate milkich and fleishich the configurations of the stars and the zodiac and kitchens, a training centre for mashgichim and a that most men are entirely enslaved b y the powers suite of offices. of the seven planets. Nonetheless, it is within the power of man to free himself from the dictates of About 100 men attended the 6.30am minyan but the stars by perfecting himself spiritually. Ibn Ezra there would be dovening and learning in Keter interpreted the word ‘mishpat’ (Law) in the phrase Shlomo all day long and well into the night; it was ‘choshen mishpat’ (the breastplate of the Law – one of the most successful batei midrashim in the Shemot 28:30) as an allusion to astrology. In his whole of London, mainly because there was food opinion the ‘Urim v’Tumim’, the breastplate of the available at all hours, at very competitive prices to High Priest, was an astrological instru ment, with all, but heavily discounted to Federation members. which it was possible to read the future. After dovening, David afforded himself the luxury of some delicious cheese blintzes and went up to The two positions are difficult to reconcile. the sixth floor where he could take advantage of a Maimonides is a heavy weight posek and yet, in our multi-media office, one of the several locations tradition there is plenty of evidence linking our from which he performed his duties of Chief daily life to the signs of the zodiac (mazalot). Every Executive. There was a good hour and a half before time we wish somebody Mazal Tov, we make a the conference meeting and he could devote it to reference to a “good sign, a good star!!” Hamaor. A lucid explanation of this apparent contradiction He placed the i-pott on the table, inserted the pill- was given by the g reat Italian Rabbi and like RTP (remote thought processor) in his ear and philosopher, Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (the Ramhal – started to think. The i-pott lit up, the micro- 1707-1746). In Derech Hashem, Section II, ch 7, he projector switched itself on and David’s thoughts gives two reasons for the existence of stars and appeared as typed text on the screen in front of planets. The first is that stars and planets maintain him. the existence of all physical things on earth. The * * * * * second is that events on earth are also initiated The Jewish perspective on the Zodiac. Strange. through planetary and stellar activity. The Ramhal Astrology is not even mentioned in the Torah and states that each earthly pheno menon is assigned to there is a definite negative commandment (Vayikra a specific star, which controls it. Quoting the 19:26) – lo senachshu velo seoneinu – you shall not Gemara in Shabbos (156a) “for Israel, there is no practice divination and you shall not believe in mazal”, he states that the higher powers of the lucky times. Some early authorities learnt this ‘lav’ Almighty may overcome the influences of this as a prohibition against all forms of telling the system, and that they typically do so for us Jews. future – others thought that the limitation applied Because of the Divine Superpower, while astrology to other forms of soothsaying, and therefore as a science has valid principles, it is often permitted astrology. The leading exponent of the inaccurate. opposition to astrology was the Rambam, * * * * * Maimonides, who rejected it completely, referring The i-pott buzzed – “video-linked conference call to the astrologers’ beliefs as vain superstitions on-line”. David removed the RTP from his ear and unworthy to be called a science. He called it “….a concentrated on the meeting now in progress. The mere foolery….and it behoves us never to engage President of the Board of Deputies was addressing in…. I know that you may seek and find in the all Chief Executives of Jewish organisations, to Talmud and the Midrashim isolated sayings inform them of the latest British Government implying that the stars at the time of a man ’s birth declarations on the final settlement of the Iran- will have a certain effect on him…..but this need Israeli war. David was disappointed with the lack of not perplex you”. support from HM Government and made his v iews known. At one point during the very long Abraham Ibn Ezra, the author of the Torah conference meeting, a red light flashed on the i- commentary included in all editions of Mikraoth pott indicating an incoming call. David recognized Gedoloth, held a diametrically opposite view and John Mitchell on the screen, the manager of

Hamaor / September 2012 Page 7                                                      

Rainbow Town, the Federation township in Essex, course the Balance built on the land owned by the charity outside the Scales are a symbol of cemetery walls. The London Olympic games in 2012 judgement and Tishri is had brought new life to the area and Rainham had the month of Rosh become the ‘in’ place for wealthy businessmen and Hashanah and Yom entrepreneurs. Kippur – the Days of







































Judgement. The day







































“What is it, John?” – David asked. “You need to 0 when  the  constellation        come straight here – said John – we have a problem 0  of  Moznayim    appears,      with the high-frequency tele-cinetic masts.  the 1st of Tishri, is the Somebody is broadcasting on our frequency,  day  when man was jamming the lines, and our members will not be This 6th century mosaic created and man’s role able to receive Hamaor”. pavement in a synagogue on  earth is to  ‘weigh’       different factors so incorporates Greek-Byzantine                         David sighed impatiently. He could have done that he may strike the elements,  Beit Alpha,  Israel              without this unexpected interruption but this was   right balance  between        important and the completion of his piece for the world of   ‘gashmius’  (the  material    world)   and                 the world of ‘ruchnius’ (the spiritual world). On Hamaor would have to wait. The trip to Rainham to                                 identify the offender, use David’s diplomatic skills Rosh Hashanah   man uses his i nner  scales  to make           choices. And on  the 1st of Tishri  the Almighty  uses          to persuade the culprit to change wavelength               without having to invoke the UBP (unique the scales to judge   us as  individuals   and as                   broadcasting protocol) and returning to base, took communities. Each year  a judgement takes  place on         him just over one hour, driving his EPC around the the day  when Moznayim  appears  in  the sky as to                      M2-5. Back at his desk, still no luck with the piece whether  we have lived according   to  the Creator’s        for Hamaor. The Rosh Beis Din was on the screen intentions when he  uttered the   word    (in7         which the Hebrew  letters  can  be rearranged to spell         from Argentina wanting to make arrangements for

  a large consignment of Kosher meat and the  

– on the  1st of Tishri). President called, anxious to know whether any * * * * * progress had been made with the de velopment of David removed  the   RTP   from   his   ear  and  scanned                 the hydroponic system for growing esrogim on the through the text of  his latest   thought.   The  familiar                     face of Yaakov Bloom, editor in chief of Hamaor, Brecon Beacons. Finally David was able to settle                    down, RTP in his ear, focusing on Hamaor. David’s was looking at him from the screen on his right. thoughts started to scroll on the screen again. “Have you finished thinking your article, David?” – Yaakov said rather impatiently.     * * * * * It is interesting therefore to note how important                               The digital  clock   was  showing    5.00pm.   David                     the signs of the Zodiac appear to be in the Jewish pressed the ‘Send’ button on his i-pott. “Here you lore. The twelve symbols of the constellations have have it, Yaakov,  leave   it to you   now”.   David  heard  h is  often been part of Synagogues’ décor, they have own voice from the i-pott saying “consultative provided the subject for Israeli meeting  with   the  Federation     Trustees   at 7.00pm”               postal stamps and, according to and he  realized that  he had  not yet prepared his         some Machzorim, are included in              monthly report   on the  charity’s   funds   generation         some of the piyutim recited by drive.                 some communities. What is the        reason? Is there a deeper By the time he walked into his home, the children meaning? had already gone to bed. David sat in his favourite anatomic armchair and adjusted the multi-function Take for example the sign of parabolic spectacles on his nose. A soft blue light Moznayim, the Balance Scales, or appeared on the lenses and he started to read: Libra in Latin, the constellation “Hamaor, Rosh Hashanah 5823. A thought from Stanley Gibbons that is about to appear next your Chief Executive. The Jewish perspective on the 210 - 1961 Wednesday, on 1st Tishri. Well, of Zodiac….”.

Page 8 Hamaor / September 2012 JMC’S Commitment to the Future of Family Life

Sixty six years after its inception, the Jewish Marriage service of Family Therapy. This was initiated in Council – JMC – is still running a busy, successful response to pleas from school teachers and other counselling programme. organisations within the Jewish community for a dedicated Jewish agency to deal with problems Founded by Lord Jakobovits, and currently chaired by within the ‘family’ – be it children and parents (many His Honour Judge Martyn Zeidman QC, the of whom are no longer living together); children and organisation remains faithful to its original principles grandparents/aunt/uncle/cousins - any combination as the institution of marriage itself, but is keenly of people who are considered close family members. aware that the threats to the stability of Jewish marriage from the outside world have presented it Presently, there are 14, voluntary counsellors, all of with serious challenges. whom are experienced and qualified, operating under the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Although the majority of the JMC’s work is in couples Psychotherapy) guidelines for ethics and practice. counselling, individuals are very welcome. Many of these individuals are, in fact, married but choose to Of paramount importance in any counselling come alone for a variety of reasons: organisation, but especially within the Jewish ‘I want to come with my husband/wife – but just community, is the essential requirement of strict can’t persuade him/her to do so.’ confidentiality. Systems are in place to guarantee the integrity of all confidences. ‘He/she is so controlling, that I’m frightened that if he/she comes with me, I’ll be too nervous to speak.’ In order to keep their counsellors up to date, the JMC ‘I’m thinking of leaving him/her but I want to talk it runs counselling training sessions every 6 weeks at through with someone. I want you to help me sort their premises and invites all Jewish counsellors to out my thoughts.’ attend. Topics covered have included Internet Porn Addiction; Working with Descendents of Holocaust ‘I think it’s my fault that the marriage is going wrong. Survivors and Trauma; and Working with Personality I wasn’t shown a good example by my parents. Can Disorders. you help me?’ Charges are made for these services, but nobody is ‘I recently got divorced. I’m not coping.’ turned away through lack of funds: the reason why ‘We’re about to get engaged but should we be the JMC is continually looking to the community for concerned about x, y or z?’ financial help, as they receive no government funding. Our Clients come from all sections of the Jewish community and, at an initial interview, are asked whether they prefer to see a man or a woman For more information, please visit the JMC’s website counsellor and what level of orthodoxy they would www.jmc-uk.org; or call Yasmine on 0208 203 6311. like. All counsellors work within halachic guidelines and under the rabbinic supervision of Rabbi Mirvis. The organisation is keen to emphasise that counselling should not be seen as simply a ‘breakdown service’, but that people can seek help at a very early stage if things are starting to go wrong. Prevention is better than a cure and the JMC is here to help. Recently, the JMC has embarked on a new

Hamaor / September 2012 Page 9 REFLECTIONS ON HAMAOR AT FIFTY By Professor Geoffrey Alderman Michael Gross Professor of Politics & Contemporary History, University of Buckingham

The Federation of Synagogues acknowledge the authority of the ‘Chief Rabbi,’ is currently celebrating its whose office authorised all marriages in 125th birthday, and Hamaor, Federation constituents. its biannual magazine, its By 1918 the Federation was, in terms of male 50th. Fifty years ago there membership, the largest synagogal were many within the organisation in the UK, and under its third Federation, and even more president, the controversial Morris Davis outside it, who doubted (president 1928-44) the Federation began that the organisation flexing its communal muscles. But between would survive the decade. the Federation and the Anglo-Jewish gentry There were some, indeed, who hoped that it that ran the United Synagogue there was would not. mutual suspicion and occasional open Founded in 1887, the Federation was the hostility. In the inter-war years, for example, brainchild of the then Liberal MP for the Federation became an avowedly Zionist body, whereas the United Synagogue was at Whitechapel, the banker Samuel Montagu. best neutral towards the Zionist project. The Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, then Federation declined to take part in the election flooding into London’s East End, rejected the as Chief Rabbi of either Joseph Hertz (1913) - elaborate formalism of the United Synagogue despite the fact that Hertz was a Zionist – or – the so-called Minhag Anglia. They abjured of his successor, Israel Brodie (1948). In the the authority of the United Synagogue’s United Synagogue the Chief Rabbi is the ‘Delegate’ [acting] Chief Rabbi, Hermann Adler, ultimate religious authority. The contention of whom they did not regard as authentically the Federation was and has remained that no orthodox. They could not, in any case, afford rabbi – however ‘chief’ – should be able to United Synagogue membership fees. overrule or override the authority of a Beis Montagu – one of the few Jewish MPs whom I Din. know to have been Sabbath observant – But the decade of the 1940s dealt several very empathised with the immigrants (he was a severe body blows to the Federation’s status fluent Yiddish speaker) but feared schism and standing. To begin with the dictatorial rule within Anglo-Jewry. The Federation was his of Morris Davis and his close-knit circle of compromise, funded by his very considerable cronies alienated the Federation’s rank-and- wealth. An East End shtiebel that agreed to file. Secondly, it was already apparent that join the Federation had a remarkable degree of Jews, ever upwardly mobile, were moving out internal self-government – it was indeed a of the Stepney ghetto into the suburbs, where legally autonomous entity. Its members could there were simply no Federation synagogues to join the Federation’s burial society - the welcome them. Thirdly, this process was Edmonton cemetery was established on land radically and irreversibly accelerated by donated by Montagu. But they had to wartime bombing.

Page 10 Hamaor / September 2012 FAMILY HAMAOR SomeThe within Financial the United Synagogue and hoped thatTax manyBenefits feared, but rather of of Gift a fascinating Aid new theBy Charles Federation Pascoe would die a death that then chapter in a history that has had – let’s be seemed inevitable. But this did not happen. frank - more than its fair share of controversy Gift Aid - the statistics (a) where the amount of the Gift does not exceed £100, Why? HMRC published figures shows and25% crisis,of the amount some ofof itthe self-inflicted. Gift. Lederman’s presidency,(b) where the amount once soof the full Gift of exceeds hope, £100 ended but does in It is a matter of historicalthat record, it made Giftbut Aidalso basic- of rate tax credit payments to ignominynot exceed £1,000,and personal £25. disgrace. Yet there has, the deepest irony, that the survival of the (c) where the amount of the Gift exceeds £1,000, 5% of charities totalling £1.075bn in mercifully, never been a shortage of leadership Federation at this criticalthe year juncture to April 2012, (I am and the amount of the Gift (but with talent – male and female - within the speaking of the 1950spAid and an earlyadditional 1960s) £360m was back a maximum of £2,500). to higher-rate taxpayers in tax Federation’s ranks. Now this talent is being due primarily to the policies of successive relief on charitable donations. harnessedMost importantly, to Gift refocus Aid is only the possible Federation if the individual for the honorary officers of the United Synagogue. has a UK tax liability which is greater than the basic-rate 21st century. The post-war jockeying forThe presidential data also shows office that tax refund to be claimed by the charity. within the Federation endedsince with Gift the Aid triumph replaced The mission of the Federation’s Strategy Sub- of Morris Lederman, in hiscovenants way every (the bit previous as In which situations will a payment never tool used for claiming tax Committeequalify for isGift to Aid?assist in this necessary task of controversial as Morris Davisrelief (if onnot donations) more so) in refocusing. One of the most salient features of but2000, with basic-rate more tax consummate repayments made political to charities skills. has orthodoxIt should be Jewish clear therefore communal (especially life given in Britain the ‘no Ledermangrown almost formed 60 per cent.a close And alliance higher-rate – taxit was relief todaybenefit’ is condition) the formation that in no and circumstances growth of whatsoever small but morereturned than to taxpayers a mere has friendshipballooned by –260 with per cent Rabbi over may Gift Aid be used for: the same period. very• the vibrant paying ofindependent school fees for kehillas. a specific personOn the right Michael Fisher, a Talmud Chochum of (so•the to purchasing speak) of these books, flourishfood etc. owing to the internationalIn the year to 5 repute April 2011, who the shared latest year Lederman’s for which corporate• the paying stagnation of the price of the of Union admission of Orthodox to events information is available, individuals made donations to communal ambition. In the early 1960s, as Hebrew(concerts, dinners, Congregations shiurim etc.) and its opposition to charityBrodie totalling approached £4.91bn through retirement, the Gift Aid system these – a • the purchase of advertising in a brochure rise from £1.84bn in the year to 5 April 2001. Eruvin.• the purchasing On the of left raffle they or lottery have tickets sprung (including up in aspirations reached a climax. Had Lederman reaction100 clubs etc). to the The philosophypayment to purchase of command-and- a raffle ticket beenThese areoffered big numbers a position and demonstas an honoraryrate that individuals officer controlfrom a charity that is is not the a Gift,abiding but a characteristicpayment for the right of the to who do not take advantage of the Gift Aid system when of the United Synagogue (a vice-presidency Unitedenter the Synagogue. raffle. It doesn’t The matter Federation that the chance offers or a wasmaking mooted), donations and would had be significantlyFisher been and offered needlessly a expectation of winning a prize is small or that the prize is diminishing the income of both their chosen charities as thirdof little wayvalue. – an enlightened and intelligent positionwell as themselves. as a Dayan of the United Synagogue’s orthodoxy, backed by a Beis Din that is Beis Din – perhaps that of Rosh Beis Din – the intellectuallyWhat are the the general most vibrant tax and in the financial UK and What are the criteria for a donation to obtain Federation might have been snuffed out. probablybenefits ofin thedonating whole byof GiftEurope. Aid? the Gift Aid tax advantages? ButA Gift this of was money not made to be. by Rebuffed an individual by the to aUnited charity, WhenGift Aid Hamaorrelief enables: first appeared it is fair to say providing it is ‘a qualifying donation’ (as defined below), will Synagogue, Fisher and Lederman that in the main its readership looked to a unhesitatinglyattract tax relief cut under the the umbilical Gift Aid scheme chords (similar that • the charity to reclaim from HMRC an amount equal to managed decline in the fortunes of the provisionshad hitherto and rules tied apply the forFederation company donations, to it. A butquite for the basic-rate of tax on all the qualifying donations made simplicity this article will refer to individuals' donations Federation. This did not happen then. It is up separate Federation Beis Din was established, by individuals. This can be an extremely valuable source of only). toadditional us – its income; present and, readership – to ensure that with its own, independent marriage it• does higher-rate not happen taxpaying now. individuals (40%) and authorisationTo be ‘a qualifying office. donation’ A Kashrusthe following division conditions, was interset additional-rate taxpayers (50%) can claim up.alia, must And be the met: programme of establishing new higher/additional-rate tax relief on their qualifying • the Gift is a payment of a sum of money donations (see ‘Paradigm case’ below). constituent• the Gift is not synagogues subject to any in condition areas of as significantto repayment Jewish• the Gift settlement is not part of in an post-wararrangement London for the charity was -to If the sums ‘donated’ for Gift Aid purposes were invalid, belatedlyacquire property – accelerated. from the individual or a connected person neither of these benefitsHAVE would YOU be possible. • the individual must derive no benefit from the Gift Aid considered including the Federation of Synagogues in your payment (i.e. a ‘Gift’ by definition means that nothing, or How do charity vouchersWILL? (charity cheques) virtuallyIn 1962, nothing* when is received the first in return). edition of Hamaor appeared, the Federation was therefore on the work?A tax-effective way of helping the Federation to work for the community *Minor benefits are permitted. These currently are: An individual can open ‘a charity voucher’ or ‘charity verge not of extinction, as some hoped and cheque’ account by making a Gift Aid payment to a

Hamaor / September 2012 Page 3111 ZAKA – ALWAYS THERE

In the aftermath of the terror The attack in Bulgaria was not new to ZAKA, the elite attack in Bulgaria two weeks ZAKA International Rescue Unit offers assistance at ago, photos of ultra-orthodox natural disasters, terror attacks and other mass casualty male volunteers, wearing yellow incidents wherever they happen around the world. The vests emblazoned with the ZAKA International Rescue Unit has assisted in major letters ZAKA, appeared in international disasters, including the earthquakes in newspapers around the globe. Japan and Haiti, Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in While familiar in Israel - for Thailand and, of course, terror attacks in Turkey, people living outside Israel, they are a strange sight indeed. Who are these civilian volunteers who command the respect of professionals and the public alike, who flew from Israel in cooperation with the police, emergency services, and government officials?

They are volunteers in ZAKA, Israel’s dominant rescue and recovery volunteer organization. ZAKA is the Hebrew acronym for Disaster Victim Identification and, although this organization started out over twenty years ago working in the aftermath of terror attacks and road accidents, they have grown over the years into a wide- reaching, internationally-acclaimed body that even has recognition from the United Nations. Mombasa and Mumbai, among others. In a recent meeting in his Jerusalem office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to ZAKA volunteers,“I would like to commend you for the many things you have done, and are doing, in the country and around the world... you carry the name of the State of Israel and the Jewish People with you around the world and I would like to thank you for it. You are messengers who deserve all blessings.”

ZAKA volunteers began planning departure from Israel hours after the terror attack at the Burgas airport, landing the following morning. Israeli survivors greeted the volunteers with overwhelming relief, knowing that people had arrived that could help them. Volunteers spoke privately with authorities on the ground to ensure that the ZAKA could fulfill the mission they had come to fulfill, to give proper respect to the dead by collecting For more information and donations: www.zaka.org.uk and returning all human remains to Israel. In the chaos or contact British Friends of ZAKA, that ensued in Bulgaria, ZAKA was able to make a strong 233A Golders Green Road, London NW11 9ES. impression, and accomplish their purpose. Tel: 020-8458-5391 or [email protected]

Page 12 Hamaor / September 2012 The President and Honorary Officers extend their warmest wishes for A Ksiva Vachasima Tova Don’t forget to look out for to all Members of the Federation of Synagogues Shabbat Spice and their Families Out now, and in your local Shul

The Dayanim, Chief Executive and Head Office Staff extend their warmest wishes for A Ksiva Vachasima Tova

to all Members of the Federation of Synagogues and their Families Knowing What We Do Not Know By Chazzan Michael Simon

The more one learns, the chapter of Tehillim. The Rema explains that greater is the appreciation one of the reasons for saying Tashlich near the of how little one knows. banks of a river or overlooking the ocean is We sometimes forget that that, by considering the expanse of water, we everything in Yiddishkeit recognise that Hashem created the world. We has a depth of meaning are reminded that two-thirds of the earth is that, once grasped, can composed of water and it is only through truly uplift us. This is no Hashem’s grace that man is granted the less the case throughout opportunity to live securely on dry land. A the Yamim Noroim period. passuk in the Tehillim of Le’Dovid Mizmor There are many fascinating and meaningful [24:2] states, “For he founded it upon seas and insights into this significant time in our established it upon rivers”. The fact that the calendar. Space permits only a few to be land defies the relentless ebb and flow of the presented below. waves, says the Divrei Yoel, is proof that “the earth is Hashem’s and all that it contains”. This The date of Rosh Hashanah realisation arouses a person to teshuvah When describing the date of Rosh Hashanah, (repentance) and it is fitting to be recited on the Torah [Vayikrah 23:24] states, “In the the High Holydays. seventh month, on the first of the month”, mentioning the month before the day. By To extend this concept to every day, we are contrast, the dates of Yom Kippur and Sukkos advised, wherever possible, to gaze up at the are referred to as “the tenth day of this month” sky momentarily before beginning to say the and “the fifteenth of this seventh month” Amidah. Reminding ourselves of the expanse respectively, so that the day precedes the of the universe under Hashem’s control month. HaRav Yissachar Dov of Belz explains engenders appropriate humility in our requests that this may be because it is on Rosh of Him (Kuntres Hischazkus Hatefilah). Hashanah that the Jewish people are judged. In His abundant mercy Hashem wishes to Le’shanah Tovah credit us all for the mitzvos that we are about The Shulchan Aruch notes that whilst to perform such as fasting on Yom Kippur and throughout the year one should always daven those associated with the Sukkos as if they had the Amidah in a low voice, it is permitted on already been performed, so that our merits the Yomim Noroim to raise one’s voice slightly. before the Heavenly Court should be enhanced. In his gloss, the Rema writes that on the first night of Rosh Hashanah it is customary to wish This concept of Hashem reckoning in to the each other “Le’shanah tovah tikoseiv balance future mitzvos, though not future sins, ve’seichoseim” (or one of its variants), also features prominently in the Haggadah. expressing the wish that the other person will be inscribed and sealed for a good year. The Le’Dovid Mizmor Sifsei Shimon queries the connection between At the end of Ma’ariv on both Rosh Hashanah the Rema’s comment and the Shulchan Aruch’s and Yom Kippur we add this well-known statement. He explains that a beggar collecting

Page 14 Hamaor / September 2012 FAMILY HAMAOR almsThe for himselfFinancial will mumble inand a low voiceTax metaphorBenefits for the Torah, of is ourGift primary Aidconcern becauseBy Charles of Pascoe his embarrassment at his plight. Yet whereas the honey is subsidiary. We emphasise someone collecting tzedakah for a worthy this contrast through making a brachah on the Gift Aid - the statistics (a) where the amount of the Gift does not exceed £100, cause will speak up loudlyHMRC and published clearly. figures Since shows he apple25% of but the amountnot on ofthe the honey, Gift. demonstrating the is collecting for others,that he it does made not Gift feel Aid basic- the precedence(b) where the thatamount we of give the Gift to exceedsthe Torah £100 over but does our reticence of the beggar.rate tax credit This payments thought to materialnot exceed £1,000, needs. £25. Yet, we cannot totally elucidates the Rema, whosecharities concern totalling is £1.075bn how we in disregard(c) where the material amount ofconcerns. the Gift exceeds As Chazal £1,000, tell5% ofus the year to April 2012, and the amount of the Gift (but with could raise our voicepAid inan additional supplication £360m back to [Pirkeia maximum Avos 3:21]of £2,500). where there is no flour – Hashem when we knockto higher-rate on His taxpayers door, so in to tax meaning sustenance – there is no Torah. speak, as paupers withoutrelief on merit,charitable seeking donations. his Therefore,Most importantly, the petitionGift Aid is onlywe recite possible over if the the individual apple divine tzedakah. The answer is that by wishing andhas a honey UK tax liabilityis that which Hashem is greater should than renew the basic-rate for us The data also shows that tax refund to be claimed by the charity. each other “le’shanah tovah”since we are Gift praying Aid replaced for a good and sweet year. A good year connotes the welfare of our fellow Jews,covenants not (the solely previous for theIn which Torah situations and our spiritual will a payment advancement, never ourselves, and we need feel toolno embarrassment.used for claiming tax whilstqualify afor sweet Gift Aid? year refers to our material relief on donations) in needs. 2000, basic-rate tax repayments made to charities has It should be clear therefore (especially given the ‘no grownApple almost dipped 60 per into cent. Andhoney higher-rate tax relief Beyond the obvious connection between the HaRavbenefit’ condition)Shlomo ofthat Lentchitz in no circumstances points out, whatsoever on this returned to taxpayers has ballooned by 260 per cent over may Gift Aid be used for: thesweetness same period. of the taste and the heartfelt wish theme,• the paying that of we school wish fees each for a otherspecific bothperson a good for a sweet year ahead, there are many and• the a purchasingsweet year, of books, because food etc.a good year on its additionalIn the year to connotations 5 April 2011, the to latest this year universal for which own• the will paying not suffice. of the priceNo matter of admission what befalls to events us information is available, individuals made donations to custom. we(concerts, say “gamdinners, zu shiurim letovah”, etc.) this too is for the charity totalling £4.91bn through the Gift Aid system – a • the purchase of advertising in a brochure rise from £1.84bn in the year to 5 April 2001. best.• the What purchasing we earnestly of raffle or wish lottery for tickets ourselves (including and The Tchernobler Maggid, quoting a passuk in for100 clubs others etc). is The that payment the to year purchase should a raff alsole ticket be ShirThese areHashirim big numbers [2:3], and demonstrates demonstrate that how individuals the sweet;from a charity a year is notwhere a Gift, all but the a payment good thatfor the Hashem right to who do not take advantage of the Gift Aid system when Shechinah, Hashem’s divine presence in the bestowsenter the raffle. on us It doesn’t is only matter experienced that the chance in an or making donations would be significantly and needlessly expectation of winning a prize is small or that the prize is diminishingworld, is likened the income to of a both fruitful, their chosenfragrant charities apple as unmistakablyof little value. good and positive way. tree.well as By themselves. dipping the apple symbolically into the sticky honey, we express our attachment to MayWhat you are and the all of general Klal Yisroel tax be and blessed financial with HashemWhat are asthe the criteria passuk for saysa donation [Devorim to obtain 4:4], abenefits shanah oftovah donating umesukah. by Gift Aid? “ve’atemthe Gift Aid hadeveikim tax advantages? B’Hashem” – you who A Gift of money made by an individual to a charity, Gift Aid relief enables: cleaveproviding to it isHashem ‘a qualifying are donation’all alive (as today. defined below), will attract tax relief under the Gift Aid scheme (similar Theprovisions Midrash and rulesPinchas apply pointsfor company out thatdonations, a bee but has for simplicitytwo diametrically this article opposed will refer qualities; to individuals' its donationssting is only). painful, while its honey is sweet. By dipping HEBREW CLASSES Tothe be apple ‘a qualifying into honey, donation’ we the symbolically following conditions, yearn forinter Hashemalia, must beto met: release us from the pain of midas AVAILABLE AT hadin,• the Gift His is a attributepayment of a ofsum strict of money justice, and •instead the Gift to is not judge subject us to by any the condition sweetness as to repayment of his • the Gift is not part of an arrangement for the charity to Loughton Hebrew Classes, midasacquire propertyhorachamim, from the His individual attribute or a connectedof mercy. person Borders Lane, Loughton • the individual must derive no benefit from the Gift Aid Thepayment Vayaged (i.e. a ‘Gift’Yaakov by definition explains means from that a passuk nothing, in or Co-ordinators: Tehillimvirtually nothing* [119:103] is received that in honeyreturn). is symbolic of Mrs D Shilton and Mrs S Shine *Minormaterial benefits values. are permitted.Through These dipping currently an apple are: into honey, we hint that this apple, used as a

Hamaor / September 2012 Page 1531 Small talk can lead to big opportunities

If you think about it, you’ve probably spent much of your life networking, though you might not have realised it. At school, at work, making new friends and acquaintances, doing someone a good turn which is returned later...

Have you thought how useful it target your efforts. As you talk to people try to would be to sharpen and focus these find common ground; you’ll be surprised just skills so that they are really useful in how small the world is. finding work in these difficult times? Always be positive, polite and friendly. Remember So, how do we turn just getting along with that first impressions are critical as you seldom people or organisations into securing a get two bites at the cherry. Also you need to give as job? Arguably networking is one of the more well as take, networking is a two way process. And, important job-search skills, especially when you don’t just talk; learn to be a good listener as well. realise that well over half of all positions are filled without being advertised. Do you have a business card? If not, maybe you should. Somehow you need to make sure your You managed at school, but in the employment contacts remember you, and of course will take market you need a plan, a strategy. You won’t your call when you follow up on meetings. You get an offer if no one knows about you and you need to keep hold of good contacts, so cannot rely on getting lucky. A quote, attributed relationships need to be nurtured. to various successful people, goes “The more I practise the luckier I get”. So what can I do to These are just a few pointers. But we could get lucky? usefully apply a couple of observations by Jack Nicklaus, arguably the world’s greatest golfer: If you are unemployed you should call Resource, the Jewish employment advice centre, in Finchley “A lot of people say, ‘This course doesn’t suit and Redbridge, on 020 8346 4000. Their services my game’, which to me is the most ridiculous are free and are run by employment professionals. statement you ever hear...The golf course is not Networking is one of the key areas covered by supposed to suit your game. You’re supposed Resource and they can advise you how to make to suit your game to the golf course.” networking work in a positive way for you. And finally whatever else you do, follow Jack For instance, how much do you know about the Nicklaus’ advice and “Resolve never to quit, people in your shul? Did you keep up with friends never to give up, no matter what the situation.” from school or university? Be proactive and get to know people. Target your efforts with the medium Resource can be contacted by phone and long term in mind and remember that if those Monday to Thursday 9:00 – 5:00 and you make friends with cannot help, they may be Friday mornings on 020 8346 4000, email at able to give you a lead or offer an introduction. offi[email protected] or visit the website Plan ahead and do your research so that you can www.resource-centre.org FAMILY HAMAOR The Financial and Tax Benefits of Gift Aid PrayerBy Charles Pascoe - Not a Spectator Sport By Elana Chesler Gift Aid - the statistics (a) where the amount of the Gift does not exceed £100, HMRC published figures shows 25% of the amount of the Gift. When you that are unfamiliar it made Gift with Aid Hebrew basic- internal(b) where selves the andamount not of observable the Gift exceeds to the £100 outside but world.does and unusedrate to tax the credit format payments of the to Hirschnot exceediv provides £1,000, a working £25. definition of purity/tahara as a synagoguecharities service, totalling sitting £1.075bn through in state(c) wherewhere the the entirety amount of of our the being Gift is exceeds in total synchronisation£1,000, 5% of hours ofthe prayers year might to April be regarded 2012, andas withthe life amount and the of ultimatethe Gift Source(but with of life. It is a state of being in penancepAid itself. an additional There’s no£360m getting back total alignmenta maximum with of the£2,500). primal life force of the universe. Its away to from higher-rate the fact that taxpayers the Jewish in tax counterpart, Tuma is entered into by coming into physical Highrelief Holidays on charitable are prayer donations. orientated proximityMost importantly, with death, Gift the Aid cessation is only ofpossible physical if thelife, individualthe end of and the services comprise a lot of thehas humanising a UK tax liabilityability to which make is choices. greater than the basic-rate lengthy prayers.The data Although also shows this fills that tax refund to be claimed by the charity. many people with dread or worse, Making moral, consequential choices lies at the heart of what since Gift Aid replaced it means to be human. Not preferential choices (vanilla ice actually spendingcovenants time (the during previous the In which situations will a payment never service concentrating on what the cream v chocolate) but consequential choices of how to tool used for claiming tax respondqualify to for our Gift circumstances; Aid? to make uninspiring, short prayers are aboutrelief and on what donations) prayer is in meant to accomplish makes prayer what it is supposed to be, sighted, selfish, destructive choices or meaningful, aspirational, 2000, basic-rate tax repayments made to charities has inspirational,It should be selfless, clear eternal therefore choices. (especially These choices given the are ‘no not a grownmeaningful almost and 60energising per cent. exercise. And Prayer higher-rate is not a spectator tax relief sport or a form of cheap entertainment; it is largely an necessarilybenefit’ condition) physically demanding,that in no evencircumstances the choice whatsoeverto smile and returned to taxpayers has ballooned by 260 per cent over individual process, often conducted in a communal setting, saymay hello Gift to Aidsomeone be used is afor: choice to go beyond self. That choice the same period. with the aim of developing internal skills of focus and to• align the with paying our of better school selves, fees ourfor agood specific part, person our yetzer tov, v concentration to allow us to go beyond the mundane and the our• soul the ispurchasing to really live of outbooks, what food life etc.is about . physicalIn the to year connect to 5with April our 2011, deepest the selves latest and year with for G-d. which • the paying of the price of admission to events information is available, individuals made donations to Our(concerts, choices dinners,in life either shiurim move etc.) us towards Godliness or away. Prayercharity is referred totalling to £4.91bn as ‘service through of the the heart’ Gifti rather Aid system than the – a When• the we purchase say “from of alladvertising your sins in shall a brochure you be purified”, we acknowledge that when we step away from G-d, from lips.rise The from formalised £1.84bn in words the year of the to 5 service April 2001. provide a starting • the purchasing of raffle or lottery tickets (including goodness, from our better selves, we take a step away from life. point for the internal journey, the ongoing conversation that 100 clubs etc). The payment to purchase a raffle ticket In this vein, requesting a return to a state of purity is an weThese have arewith big our numbersCreator. ‘L’hitpallel’, and demonst the Hebrewrate that verb individuals ‘to pray’ from a charity is not a Gift, but a payment for the right to is who a reflexive do not verb take literally advantage meaning of the to Giftjudge Aid oneself system and when by acknowledgement that on Yom Kippur we set out to reorientateenter the our raffle. choices It doesn’ttowards matterlife in its that most the elevated chance sense. or implicationmaking donations to change would oneself. be significantly The aim of and prayer needlessly is to expectation of winning a prize is small or that the prize is transformdiminishing us, athe spiritual income exercise of both providing their chosen a mechanism charities to as Theof daylittle of value. Yom Kippur itself has the potential to return us to refinewell ouras themselves. inner selves and help redefine what is important in a state of purity, reconnected to the ultimate meaning of life, life and why. providingWhat context are thefor the general year ahead tax and the and choices financial that will vi HelpfulWhat translations are the criteriaof the prayer for booka donation can revolutionise to obtain the facebenefits us . But ofto donatingallow the power by Giftof Yom Aid? Kippur to purify us experiencethe Gift ofAid the tax service advantages? (see suggestions belowii). 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Hirsch, see also “The Jewish Dietary Laws” Dayan What is purity? As an approximate translation of the Hebrew Grunfeldwork? (Soncino) vSee Rabbi Weinberg & Salomon ‘What the Angel word Tahara, it is clear that purity is not visible to the eye. Just Taught You’ (Artscroll) viSee “Man of Faith in the Modern World” R’A. *Minor benefits are permitted. These currently are: An individual can open ‘a charity voucher’ or ‘charity as electromagnetic radiation surrounds us but is only detected Besdincheque’ for an account extended by discussion making of a the Gift mechanism Aid payment by which to Yom a by suitable equipment, purity is a state experienced by our Kippur provides atonement and purity.

HamaorPage 32 / September 2012 Hamaor / SeptemberPage 20121731 Poems By Steven Schonberg

The Jew: a Vision The End of Days The Jew, with his combination of Heart and Soul – We know but little about the End of Days, Prophet and Priest, only Divine Mind to control – Except for what the navi Yeshaya says –

For G-d, in His wisdom, deprived the Jew of his Land – Complaining that the Jews ‘anger Me to My face’, As the Prophet declaimed - punishment was at hand, That this was the cause of the suffering of our race.

And the sins of soul, for which Priest used to atone, But the navi did say that Jews would be recreated as ‘Joy’ Became seeds of miracles, in a Land unsown; And Yeshaya spoke as a Man, not as a boy – Saying that Hashem would let Zion give birth While History tried, the Jew, to the depths of his Soul, Granting, finally, Peace – for all this is worth. And rabbis tried, with success, the Heart to control, To Jerusalem, and the Jews in their holy Land – The Jewish mind overdeveloped became – Having sworn to Avraham that his seed as A mind that Religion, on its own, became unable to uncountable be as sand; maintain; For Hashem did not let him, his only son, kill, Until the nations turned on the talented race, As this could never have been His will; And G-d Himself, from the Jew, hid His face – But, as Avraham passed his tenth, and final test – A face He had shown to His prophet Moses only; The Sacrifice was not, finally, consummated, in the A face to be redeemed in a Vision holy, Christian West –

To eventually reward, the Jew, for his constant virtue, The remainder of our People being given leave to live, In being true to the Law, the commandments he did Though, with enemies all around we had to strive; persue. For Hashem’s face will be restored to the Jews once again, For History, which brought a seeming Eternity of grief, A new Revelation will come, at the end of Time, when – Will culminate in an end, that will make this eternity seem brief. The wolf with the lamb will, by a miracle, lie down – As the seeds of Peace will, with a holy Temple be sown. London, 19.4.12 27th Nisan 5772 Yeshaya also talks of the Resurrection of the dead, 12th Day of the Omer But of this mystery, nothing specific is said.

London, 25.4.12 3rd lyar 5772 18th Day of the Omer To see the latest from the Federation, click on www.federationofsynagogues.com

Page 18 Hamaor / September 2012 FAMILY HAMAOR AThe request Financial for informationand Tax Benefits about of the Gift Aid By Charles Pascoe GreensteinGift Aidfamily - the statistics of Stepney• the Gift is not subject to any condition as to By Jonny Greenstein HMRC published figures shows repayment that it made Gift Aid basic- • the Gift is not part of an arrangement for the charity Just over a hundred years ago myrate father, tax Rev credit Solomon payments Greenstein to whoto was acquire also originally property from from Lublin. the individualThey got divorced or a connectedin London in was born in London. Less than acharities year ago totalling he passed £1.075bn away in 1928person and for some reason registered the Get in Lublin a few months Liverpool where he had lived for the past year 45 toyears. April He was 2012, the andlast later.• Esther the individual apparently must had derivetwo children, no benefit one of from whom the was Gift a careerAid of the siblings. Here he is with mypAid mother an additional in a picture £360m taken aboutback soldierpayment in the (i.e. British a ‘Gift’ Army. by definition means that nothing, or 10 years ago. to higher-rate taxpayers in tax

Outvirtually of interest, nothing* the sameis received Gershon in return). Bronszpigel (son of Yodel or Yehuda) got divorced again eight years later in Lublin from a different*Minor woman! benefits Hereare permitted.is the surname These copied currently from thatare: book. The In his declining years I began tracing theorigins of his family in relief on charitable donations. handwriting of the Rabbi-Registrar is very flowery. Poland and in London. Even though he had a phenomenal memory, Our(a) family where lost the trace amount of Esther of Greenstein the Gift doeswho maynot haveexceed gone £100, to live Dad was able to tell me little about his family, as he was the youngest The data also shows that since Gift Aid replaced covenants in25% the USA. of the amount of the Gift. in(the his familyprevious and tool most used of hisfor siblingsclaiming had tax married relief onand donations) left home (b) where the amount of the Gift exceeds £100 but does whilstin 2000, he was basic-rate still a small tax child. repayments made to charities has notOther exceed children £1,000, of Alter £25. and Feige were Lewis, Bracha, Eddie, Jesse, Thegrown Greenstein almost family 60 left per Lublin cent. in Russian And Poland higher-rate and settled tax in relief the (c) where the amount of the Charlie and Lottie (Solig). My father Eastreturned End around to taxpayers 1905, at thehas time ballooned of the Kishinev by 260 pogroms. per cent over Gift exceeds £1,000, 5% of the the same period. amountSolomon ofwas the the Gift youngest. (but with They lived at 61 Beaumont Square and in 1915 my grandfather Aftera mymaximum grandparents of £2,500). came to Rabbi Alter Nathan Greenstein, known as Reb Alter, got a job for a In the year to 5 April 2011, the latest year for which the UK, two or three out of my year as administrator of the Dunk St Synagogue (Bet Hamidrash information is available, individuals made donations to Mostgrandfather's importantly, five sisters Gift also Aid came is Hagadol). He then obtained a position at the Stepney Orthodox charity totalling £4.91bn through the Gift Aid system – a onlyover topossible London. if Onethe marriedindividual into Synagogue at 53 Stepney Green, where he served for over 25 years. rise from £1.84bn in the year to 5 April 2001. Reb Alter c. 1925 hasthe a Oberman UK tax liability family, onewhich to is a A number of years ago it amalgamated with the Fieldgate St Gutcher and one possibly to agreater Tairstein than (?). Zelig the Oberman basic-rate was Synagogue. These are big numbers and demonstrate that individuals mentionedtax refund as to a be brother claimed in lawby the to charity. Alter but I couldn't see the Stepneywho do Orthodox not take was advantage a very busy of shul the and Gift my Aid father system recalled when his connection on an Oberman family tree I checked. Additionally the father,making Reb donations Alter, regularly would organizing/conducting be significantly and up to needlessly a half a GolkerIn whichfamily have situations some connection will to aours. payment never dozendiminishing chupot on the the incomesame day! of The both chazan their at chosenthe time charitieshad a similar as qualify for Gift Aid? Readers of 'Hamaor' may have ketubot, photographs of parents or surnamewell as tothemselves. ours, Chazan Grundstein. grandparents who were married at the Stepney Orthodox It should be clear therefore (especially given the ‘no My grandparent’s house was totally destroyed in the war and no Synagogue. What are the criteria for a donation to obtain benefit’ condition) that in no circumstances whatsoever documentation survived it. No letters, no ketuba and very few may Gift Aid be used for: pictures.the Gift I did Aidfind one tax letter advantages? from my grandfather in the Dunk Street • the paying of school fees for a specific person ShulA Giftarchives. of He money spoke a made number by of anlanguages individual including to aHebrew charity, in If • anyone the purchasing remembers of any books, of the food Greenstein etc. family or has any whichproviding he was it proficient is ‘a qualifying to the extent donation’ that before(as defined Rosh Hashanah below), will he memorabilia• the paying - photos, of Rosh the Hashanah price of cards admission etc I would to be events grateful wouldattract send tax out reliefpersonal under greeting the cards Gift written Aid in scheme Hebrew prose. (similar provisions and rules apply for company donations, but for if (concerts,they would dinners, contact me,shiurim ideally etc.) to my email [email protected] I amsimplicity writing this this for articlethe Federation will refer newsletter to individuals' in the hope that donations some or• by thephone purchase to Israel of +972 advertising 54 546 in1627 a brochure (call me and I'llcall you ofonly). your readers may remember the Greenstein family. My back)• theor by purchasing mail c/o my mother of raffle 39 orHilltop lottery Road, tickets Liverpool (including L16 7QL. grandfather Alter died in 1937 and my grandmother, Feige in 1946. Another100 clubs option etc). isThe calling/messaging payment to purchase via Skype a raffle to t icket user from a charity is not a Gift, but a payment for the right to TheirTo be eldest ‘a qualifying child was donation’ Rachel followed the following by Esther conditions, (Estera Malka). inter jonny_greenstein enter the raffle. It doesn’t matter that the chance or Estheralia, mustpossibly be first met: married someone called Morris Dibnah in 1926 Shana Tova and thanks in anticipation, expectation of winning a prize is small or that the prize is but• then the Gift definitely is a payment married someoneof a sum calledof money Gershon Bronszpigel Jonny Greenstein, 11/1 Hatekufa Street, Jerusalem 92628, Israel HamaorPage 32 / September 2012 Hamaor / SeptemberPage 20121931

FAMILY HAMAOR Miracles in Poland by Rabbi Garson This past June, I was deeply moved to lead a 5th trip to Poland group of 50 if they felt claustrophobic, despite the doors being together with 50 community members and a very special wide open. Now imagine another 100 inside, for anything survivor from Southend, Mr. Leslie Kleinman and his wife from 4-10 days. No food, no water, no sitting space. A Miriam. Leslie is a survivor of 3 different Concentration Camps travelling mass of misery and death and pain. This sadly was and a death march to Dachau. A remarkable man, with a story the lot of our people for so many years. that is beyond description. I told the group the story of Leon. Burnt into memory, his Leslie Kleinman, formerly Lazar Kleinman, was born in 1929 to mother was holding him by his shoulders, her eyes burning Martin (Mordka) and Rosa, Hasidic Jews who lived in the small with love and fear – tears streaming down her cheeks – village of Ombod in Romania, near Satu Mare. Martin was a begging him to watch over her siblings. rabbi and Hebrew teacher in Ombod. Leslie had seven siblings: Gitta, Herman, Olga, Irene, Ilonka (Chaia Sara), Abram, and Leon was 12, the oldest of the Saplinski brothers. The Nazis Moshe. Leslie was the second eldest of his siblings. entered their town and broke apart families. More than ever he knew his mother would want them to stick together. Leslie vividly remembers being moved into the ghetto in Satu Mare on Shabbos morning the first week of April 1944. His His youngest brother, a mere 4 year old, could not deal with father had been taken to work on the Russian front three the screaming of orders and blocked his ears to dim out the weeks earlier. Leslie painfully recalls his father’s goodbye: “My sounds of gunshots. Leon became mature beyond his years mother was crying and said, ‘We will never see you again.’” His and tried to shield his brothers from the bloodshed around father disagreed with her, saying that he would be home in them. no time. Leslie never saw his father again. He also remembers riding the train from the ghetto to Auschwitz, where he The entire group of several 1000s were marched together to arrived on May 16, 1944. “It was so crowded, and the children the distant railway tracks. He prodded his brothers on – urging were all screaming.” them to ignore their desire for food or rest. When our group arrived in Lodz, we made our way to the They were herded like cattle onto stuffed cattle carts and Leon most powerful memorial to the Holocaust in all of Poland. had heard the rumours of such trains. He didn’t tell his brothers but tried to comfort them. The thoughts of “if only The Radegast is a former railway station in Lodz, Poland. It was you knew what lay ahead” pierced his mind. built during World War II just beyond the boundary of the Lodz Ghetto to serve as the ghetto's main transport link to the There were130 people in all – old and young - crammed in outside world. one carriage. Near him lay a young woman and an infant. How the infant survived is beyond comprehension. Maybe In the course of the Holocaust, the station was the place she had hid him under her shawl. where Jewish inhabitants of Lodz were gathered for transport out of the ghetto and the city to the Kulmhof and Auschwitz The train travelled for hours. Those inside the carriage had to death camps. About 150,000 Jews passed through the station endure the unbearable stench and the oppressive thirst due to on the way to their deaths in the period from January 16, the lack of air. Jan parched his lips for a few drops of water. 1942, to August 29, 1944. But there was none. Leon felt the anguish of helplessness as In 2004, the commemoration ceremonies on the sixtieth he had promised his mother to look after his brothers. anniversary of the destruction of the Lodz Ghetto in 1944 and It was snowing and flakes had collected on the window ledge the departure of the last transport from Radegast spurred of the carriage. Leon managed to squeeze his hand through efforts to transform the former station into a Holocaust the iron bars to gather some. He struggled and struggled, memorial. cutting and grazing his hand and eventually collected a small Crying in unison whilst singing the words of “Gam Ki Elech”… amount of snow. even when I pass through the valley of death, no harm will He was proud not to have let his mother down. Then he befall me, because You are with me”, we entered the cattle cars. became acutely aware of the young infant. The starving baby had cried continuously for hours. He looked down at his We often think of trains as fun things, trips to exciting places. brother and then at the infant. Trains in Poland during the war meant death. We asked the He knew what he had to do. Tearfully he stretched out his

Hamaor / September 2012 Page 21 FAMILY HAMAOR hand and offered the snow to the thankful young lady. She Wodzisław is a dead town. Life goes on, but since the Jews left, parched her infant and soothed him. their economy has not been thriving. In the centre of the town stands the shell of the once beautiful shul. The Nazis He slowly then looked at his brother and held him close and blew up the bima of the shul. Most Polish synagogues were apologised for not giving him to drink. Hiding his own tears constructed with the bima being the main support for the of sadness Jan squeezed his brother and bravely responded. shul, and hence within a short time the whole roof caved in. “It’s ok. I wasn’t thirsty anyway”. What remains is essentially the shell of the shul with no roof. How quickly a young boy of 4 matures. Leon wept for what As a result of being exposed to the elements, many shrubs and he had lost, for what was to come – yet he knew in the depths small trees had taken root in the main sanctuary and the once of his heart that his mother would be proud of her children at holy shul had become a garbage dump. this moment and a vague smile passed across his face. “Mi Keamcha Yisrael”, there is none like the nation of Israel, a nation whose compassion shines forth even in the darkest of hells. We then asked Leslie to speak. Time stood still and we all witnessed that his eyes and memories were reliving his childhood experiences on such a train. He could not speak. But his tears, and silence, spoke volumes and moved the whole group to inconsolable sobbing. Our journey in Lodz followed that of many of its Jews and we made our way to Chelmno. This first Nazi extermination camp was located in the small Polish village of Chelmno nad Nerem and is located 60 km northwest of Lodz. The Nazis chose an Clearing Shul Wodzislaw - Photography by Stuart Asher empty manor house in Chelmno (called the "Castle") for We crawled through the doorway through thick bushes and extermination purposes. entered the area of the shul. Tzvi suggested we clear some of the rubbish. Suddenly 2 of our members became possessed. It The SS and police began killing operations at Chełmno on was as if each tree and bush was a Nazi. Within minutes December 8, 1941. The first people brought to the camp to be everyone one was involved in ripping up the bushes and huge murdered were the Jewish population of Kolo. The Jews were shrubs. Some of them were so large and had thick deep roots, brought from Kolo to Powiercie by rail. Using whips, the Nazis that it took several people to uproot them. drove them towards the river near Zawadki, where they were locked overnight in a mill, without food or water. The nextday, A conveyor system was created so that the rubbish, broken they were loaded into trucks and taken to the nearby forest, televisions, bushes and trees could be removed from the shul gassed with exhaust fumes along the way. Their bodies were grounds. After about 45mins, the Bima’s foundations and the dumped in deep pits, and then the gassing trucks returned to Aron became visible. the mill for more victims. I then told the group we were about to do 3 special things. Within Chelmno, trials of the first gas vans took place. These Firstly make a bracha on a destroyed shul. Not a blessing one were specifically designed to murder the Jews of the makes every day. Secondly we were going to light two candles surrounding villages. in the Aron. Many of the bones of our people are still visible, scattered over Our congregant Stuart Asher carefully lit the two tealights I a large field. Our group solemnly and tenderly gathered some had placed on a brick in the Aron. It was a windy day and the of these bones. I then officiated at a levaya, as we brought flames blew out. When I mean out, I mean totally them to kever Yisrael, a Jewish burial. The tehilim and prayers extinguished! No smoke left in the wicks. We lit another we sang together pierced our hearts, as we envisioned the last match and it blew out. We lit a third match, and by this stage moments of our brothers and sisters. some 20 seconds had elapsed. Then the miracle occurred…. The flames flickered back to life. I mentioned in the title “miracles.” Let me tell you about 3 miracles we witnessed. All who witnessed this, understood what they had seen. A miracle! King Solomon taught For G-d's candle is the soul of On the second day we arrived in Wodzisław, a place where Man. The souls of the community of Wodzisław helped us in 3000 Jews lived prior to the war. The entire community was our efforts to perpetuate and daven in their memory. I still massacred outside the town in mass graves. cannot believe what I saw. Page 22 Hamaor / September 2012 FAMILY HAMAOR

And then we davened Mincha. The very first Mincha in that dignity, but you will not take my soul.” He then made a shul since 1939. That Mincha was like Neila, and even the promise to G-d that if he survived he would spend one year most disconnected amongst us, felt moved to tears. How I in a yeshiva, studying the Talmud and the Torah. Almost wish every Mincha we pray, would be like that Mincha! instantly a camp guard appeared with bread and coffee for the prisoners. Leslie considered it a sign from G-d. Later, Leslie In the forest of Wolbrom, a place where 1000s of men, was transferred to Flossenbürg in Bavaria, Germany. “The women and children were brutally killed, I shared the simple thing I remember about Flossenbürg is the lice. There were lice message of appreciation of families and children. Our tears flowed as one person and then Leslie came over to me and as big as my fingernail there. It was terrible.” hugged me tight "thanking me". He was thanking me? This Leslie was liberated after experiencing several death marches moved me to tears again. After all he had gone through, he to Dachau on April 23, 1945. He remembers marching thanked me for my message. I was humbled. through the forests and watching his fellow prisoners who Leslie told us that upon arrival at Auschwitz, the Kleinman couldn’t walk any further being shot by the camp guards who family stood in a single line waiting to be addressed and were escorting them. Zoltan and Erwin Farkas, two Jewish questioned by camp guards. A small group of Polish Jews brothers, helped save his life during this ordeal. Weakened by spoke to Leslie in Yiddish and asked him how old he was. starvation, Leslie could barely walk; Zoltan and Erwin helped When he replied that he was 15 years old, they suggested that him to continue on and let him lean on them when he didn’t he lie to the guards and tell them that he was 17. Then they think he could go any further. said, “You will be all right.” Unbeknown to Leslie at the time, this lie would make him more likely to be chosen for forced Leslie still recalls meeting an American for the first time on labour in the camp. April 23, 1945. He was lying in a ditch by the side of the road, exhausted, sick, and starving, when someone appeared above him. The man asked him, “Are you a Jew?” When Leslie confirmed that he was indeed Jewish, the man said, “Shalom, I’m a Jew from New York.” The soldier took off his army jacket, wrapped it around Leslie, and carried him to an American Army field hospital. Leslie doesn’t recall the name of the American Army sergeant who helped save his life, but to this day he still cherishes his coat. He would like to thank this American and all the Americans in the Army field hospital where he was treated in Bavaria. He considers April 23, his liberation day, to be a holiday, and he celebrates it every year.

Leslie arrived in the Kloster Indersdorf displaced persons camp on August 27, 1945, and was reunited with his friends Zoltan Leslie and the group in Peshischa - Photography by Stuart Asher and Erwin. Greta Fischer, one of the administrators at Indersdorf, took Leslie to Regensburg, Germany, to buy him a The guards moved Leslie into a line to the right while his suit to wear before he emigrated to England in November mother and seven siblings were moved to the left. Leslie went 1947. He wants everyone to know how wonderful people on to stand in more lines that day: the line where his clothes and shoes were taken away and he was given a prisoner were to him after the war. The nuns at Kloster Indersdorf, uniform and a pair of wooden clogs, as well as the line where Greta Fischer, and the American soldiers who would his Auschwitz prisoner number, A-8230, was tattooed on his occasionally drop in on the children to check on them “were left forearm. Later, during his first night in Auschwitz, he asked very kind to us.” the other prisoners in his barracks where his mother and siblings were. They told him that they had been murdered by When he arrived in England he stayed in a Jewish hostel in gas, and that their bodies had probably already been Manchester. In Yiddish we have a word called Eirlech. Leslie is cremated. an Erlicher Yid. He is virtuous and upright, a word is a word…. And he kept his promise to G-d and went to yeshiva for one His labour assignments in Auschwitz-Buna included working year. on the camp’s railroad tracks, unloading cement from train cars, and mining coal. On January 17, 1945, as Russian After that he worked in the East End of London helping to liberating troops got closer to Auschwitz, Leslie and other make handbags, buttons, bows, and belts. Leslie went on to prisoners were transferred to Oranienburg, north of Berlin. He open his own dress manufacturing company, Roslyn Fashions, remembers wondering about the guards there, “What do you whose labels read Eve Rose of London. He married his late guys want from me? You’ve taken my family. You’ve taken my wife, Eve, in 1956. After having lost nearly all of his relatives, Hamaor / September 2012 Page 23 FAMILY HAMAOR

Leslie “wanted a family more than anything.” In 1979, Leslie civilizations. He found the Jewish People to be an historical and Eve moved to Canada. They were married for 49 years anomaly. before Eve’s death from leukemia in 2004. Leslie and Eve had two children, Roslyn and Steven. Leslie has one Leo Tolstoy wrote, “The Jew is the emblem of eternity. He granddaughter. whom neither slaughter or torture of thousands of years could destroy, he who neither fire nor sword nor inquisition Several years after Eve’s death, Leslie moved back to England was able to wipe off the face of the earth, eh who was able to be close to his daughter. At the age of 83, he married his to produce the oracles of G-d, he who has been for so long second wife, Miriam, on April 3, 2011, in Tel Aviv. Leslie the guardian of prophecy, and transmitted it to the rest of the considered himself to be non-religious for about 40 years. world such a nation cannot be destroyed. The Jew is as Now, however, he lives close to a synagogue, where he goes everlasting as eternity itself.” to pray every morning. He also speaks frequently about his wartime experiences. It was Mark Twain too who observed and wondered aloud, “All things are mortal but the Jew; All other forces pass but he His favourite audiences are schoolchildren and teachers. “I remains. What is the secret of his immortality?” don’t hate anyone. From hate everyone suffered. We should have love for one another. I speak from my heart. I lost all of Rabbi Yakov Emden wrote in the early 1700’s “Many have my family because of my faith. I want you, your children, and tried to injure us but they were not able to destroy or wipe us your children’s children to remember.” He wants to spread this out. While all the great civilizations have disappeared and message to everyone. been forgotten- the Nation of Israel who clings to G-d is alive After hearing his inspiring story in the ladies’ barracks (we today! What will the wise historian answer when he examines took refuge from the heavy rain), Leslie recited the bracha of this phenomenon without prejudice? Was all this purely by “sheasa li nes”… He who made for me a miracle in this place. chance? By my soul, when I contemplated these great wonders of our continued existence, they took on greater With the rain pelting down, we made our way to the site of significance than all the miracles and wonders that Hashem, the infamous gas chambers. There we lit nine candles for his Blessed be He, performed for our fathers in Egypt, in the family and said Kaddish and Kel Maale Rachamim. We sang desert and when they entered the Land of Israel. And the Mizmor Ledavid and Hatikva. And then it hit me… longer this exile extends, the miracle of Jewish existence becomes more obvious to make known G-d’s mastery and Yes miracles can and do happen. Dead candles don’t reignite, supervision over Nature and History!” and yet they did. However the miracles were with us throughout the trip. First, every survivor is a miracle. Nature We are all indebted to Leslie and Miriam for making such dictated they all should have died. Leslie stood before us herculean efforts to join us for 3 days. As I mentioned on the proud and full of chein. He knew that Hashem above had bus, there are memories that will be eternal. Being in the protected him and helped him live. presence of the walking miracle that is Leslie Kleinman was The other miracle was the group and beyond. The Jewish such a tremendous merit. His infectious smile, sparkling eyes, People, the most spurned, hunted and persecuted of all warmth, cheyn (grace), courage, honesty, humour and nations. We are still here! Alive and well. We rebuilt after the resilience are something all of us will remember for eternity. Shoah and flourished in all areas. According to historic rules The way his dear wife Miriam cares for him with such we should no longer be here. Just like the Egyptians, Greeks tenderness and love, brought tears to our eyes. and Romans have faded into history we too should no longer be here. Our survival is indicative of protection from our Creator, and is nothing short of miraculous. Leslie and Miriam - we will never forget you and your family. THANK YOU! May Hashem bless you both with THE Jewish People, are an unnatural people. We do not exist infused strength to continue your holy work, in good is a normal and natural way. And perhaps this is the meaning health for many more years. AMEN! of, “There is no Mazel in Israel!” (Shabbat 156A). It doesn’t mean we have no-good mazel but rather we are not locked- I also pay tribute to my esteemed colleague, in and limited to the normal format of national existence. director of JRoots, Tzvi - the one and only!!! THANK YOU. Arnold Toynbee in his monumental work, The Study of History, explores the rise and fall of not less than 21 We will be exploring the demandfor a sixth trip next year.

Page 24 Hamaor / September 2012 Alternative Health and the Torah By Ilana Freedman

How many of us today have In the last few decades, alternatives to Western purchased homeopathic medicine have become increasingly popular. In treatments at the most if not all cases, evidence to back up these pharmacy? Did you know practices is sparse, but personal anecdotes of its there is no empirical effectiveness are many. Interested consumers, evidence that they work? wanting to know if their money will be well Does that matter? Should it spent, doing a simple internet search, will no matter to us as Jews? way be able to find out if the proposed therapy is going to actually help them or not. Despite Up until the 1800s, this, homeopathic remedies are now available in Galen’s1 ideas on the four humours were de rigour in most pharmacies alongside flower remedies, so called ‘western medicine’. With the advent of and chiropractors, osteopaths and reflexologists Edward Jenner (1749-1823) and the vaccine, advertise their services in our dentist offices. medicine started to be based on empirical scientific Where does the thinking Jew turn when evidence-based research, rather than acceptance of debating whether or not to use these methods, what had been previously thought. The introduction and does Judaism consider these to be of antibiotics in the 1950s meant most ‘killer’ problematic? diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and dysentery were mostly eradicated. The concurrent Jews are endorsed to look after their health. The discovery of bacteria led to concept of sanctity of life, ‘pikuach nefesh’ the concepts of cleanliness (preservation of a soul), is a major tenet of and hygiene, also reducing Judaism. It allows us to transgress almost all the the rate of both bacterial commandments of the Torah, including and viral infections. The Shabbat, except engaging in forbidden movement of pre-19th relationships, murder and, importantly for our century ‘herbalism’ into discussion, desecrating G-d’s name, specifically trialled and tested uniform in the practice of idolatry. For these exceptions, medications transformed the Torah endorses us to die rather than pursue medicine to increase the them. life span of Western citizens from 35 in the There is a halachic (Jewish law) based concept Edward Jenner early 1900s to the 80s we in Judaism that medical practices can only be have today. discovers smallpox vaccine pursued if there is a valid tradition for them or Here in the West, we use the expression ‘placing a scientific ‘al pi teva’ (according to the way of our faith’ in modern science and doctors. nature) explanation for them. The Rambam, However, we are increasingly troubled by long Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, discussed various term, chronic conditions where modern science practices done in his time frequently in his may have answers but few remedies, or in some writings, and determined whether they were cases no answers at all. Eczema, asthma, based on forbidden practices or not. However, irritable bowel syndrome, stress-related his own version of medicine contained many disorders, and immune dysfunction are almost practices that have been dismissed by our as debilitating as the big western killers of heart modern empirical methods. How do we know if disease and diabetes. just because certain alternative methods do not Hamaor / September 2012 Page 25 have a scientific explanation now, they will not pills are just sugar! It appears that the effect of have one in the future? And does it matter what the brain, and personal belief, can have a the explanation is, if the therapy works? tangible physical effect. The person is basically ‘willing’ themselves better without realising it. Studies usually compare a treatment to placebo to ascertain if it works, but the placebo effect on its own cannot be dismissed.

As a pharmacologist by training, and a biology teacher by profession, I am an evidence-based consumer of medicine. The placebo effect is a real, measured effect and personally I believe that most alternative health practices tap into this effect, to no detriment to anyone, unless the practitioner starts advocating removal of actual medication.

Homeopathy Let us look at other, perhaps more problematic Jewishly, alternative health practices. Let us examine homeopathy. The basic concept Reiki is becoming increasingly popular. It is behind homeopathy is that water possesses a based on the concept of a spiritual life force, or memory, and in extremely diluted states a energy force, flowing through all things, called substance that in pure form may be harmful, ‘chi’ (ki or qi). By laying hands on or above the can actually achieve the opposite and do good, recipient, the practitioner channels this energy even if the dilution is to such an extent that not and effects healing. This chi is described by even one molecule of the original substance practitioners in terms of divinity. It is ascribed remains. Practitioners from a conventional to have a will of its own, knowing where to medical background tend to use lower dilutions, heal, is unlimited, requires meditation and focus whereas others use higher and advocate vital to attain. Practitioners must receive their force, miasms and a spiritual interpretation of attunement from someone already attuned, disease. These concepts may pose a problem if tracing their training back to a Buddhist monk they propose a force other than G-d that Mikao Usui. These are idolatrous concepts. affects our lives and is unseen and unknowable, a fundamentally idolatrous concept. There have The concept of idolatry is when a force other been no studies done that have shown, in a than G-d is looked at as a source for something, peer-reviewed, double blind controlled good or bad, and focused on to the exclusion of experiment that homeopathic remedies achieve G-d. The Rambam and Ramban (Rabbi Moses any more effect than placebo. ben Nachman) disagree as to whether idolatrous practices have any validity, the What is placebo? The placebo effect is a known Rambam says they are rooted in trickery and concept that a certain percentage of patients, illusion, the Ramban says they may have power being given a medication that they are told will but are not for the Jews, we are a different help them, show a positive effect, even if the people, bound to G-d and to worship and medication in question is actually completely receive directly from Him. fake. The closer the pills look to real pills, the stronger the effect, but interestingly effects Some reflexologists also claim their practice is have been shown even if the patient knows the based on this body-energy ‘chi’. Others, Page 26 Hamaor / September 2012 however, point to the proven effects of that it is as helpful as conventional treatments acupuncture to release endorphins (natural for ailments such as lower back pain, although opioids) and say their practice works on the there is evidence lacking for many of the same principles. It also has little evidence to purported benefits. In parts of America, cranial support its claims, and whether it is permitted osteopathy is now standard care for newborns. or not may depend very much on how the This is an example of a practice, once vilified, practitioner believes it works. Dowsing is also now become part and working alongside similar to this, with some rabbis claiming valid conventional medicine. traditions into its practice and others saying it is completely forbidden. Crystal therapy, which As Jews, we have an obligation to look after our advocates powers to a stone, is almost pure health, and are told to seek medical advice idolatry. Any practice that attributes powers to without delay. We are also told however that G- an object, whether it be a stone or a prayer d is responsible for our health and must be book (or a red string), is idolatry, no matter how prayed to if we want to be well. We have a many Jews we may see performing it. direct line to him and are not permitted to use any intermediaries, whether ‘chi’ or other energies. Therapies without scientific explanations, even if as yet unproven, should be looked at with suspicion, as even if they work, they may be totally forbidden to us.

Chronic conditions which so often assail us nowadays should be looked at as a message. Many of them are a simple message to remove stress from our lives, to slow down and enjoy the time we have here, now we are blessed by technology to have so much more of it, please G-d. Whilst we are working on our lifestyles, and the doctors have told us there is no more they can do, we may seek out alternative health Reflexology practices only where they are approved by our rabbis, who look into the theories of how they This is a major issue for us, because even if in work and determine if this is acknowledging G- the future there are valid scientific explanations d’s hand in our lives, or seeking to deflect from for any of these effects (or are placebo) the fact it. Anything else is not what G-d wants from us, that the practitioner believes them to be from a his Holy nation. source other than G-d means they are prohibited for us, and we should die rather than Ilana Freedman is the Rebbetzin of Northwood pursue them. United Synagogue and is a Suzi Bradfield Fellowship graduate. She currently teaches at Osteopathy is a method that has recently been moving more into the mainstream, now Hasmonean High School where she is a Biology recognised by most insurance companies as a teacher and incorporates Torah concepts into valid treatment for certain conditions. It her teaching. concentrates on the whole body and mind, and the body’s innate ability to heal itself. It does 1Claudius Galen 130-200 CE physician and not purport spiritual or energy related reasons philosopher of Pergamum whose ideas for its efficacy, and has significant evidence dominated medical thought until the Middle Ages Hamaor / September 2012 Page 27 The Financial and Tax Benefits of Gift Aid By Charles Pascoe Gift Aid - the statistics virtually nothing* is received in return). HMRC published figures shows *Minor benefits are permitted. These currently are: that it made Gift Aid basic- rate tax credit payments to (a) where the amount of the Gift does not exceed £100, charities totalling £1.075bn in 25% of the amount of the Gift. the year to April 2012, and paid (b) where the amount of the Gift exceeds £100 but an additional £360m back to does not exceed £1,000, £25. higher-rate taxpayers in tax (c) where the amount of the Gift exceeds £1,000, 5% relief on charitable donations. of the amount of the Gift (but with a maximum of £2,500). The data also shows that since Gift Aid replaced Most importantly, Gift Aid is only possible if the covenants (the previous individual has a UK tax liability which is greater than tool used for claiming tax the basic-rate tax refund to be claimed by the charity. relief on donations) in 2000, basic-rate tax repayments made to charities has grown almost 60 per cent. And In which situations will a payment never qualify higher-rate tax relief returned to taxpayers has ballooned for Gift Aid? by 260 per cent over the same period. It should be clear therefore (especially given the ‘no In the year to 5 April 2011, the latest year for which benefit’ condition) that in no circumstances information is available, individuals made donations to whatsoever may Gift Aid be used for: charity totalling £4.91bn through the Gift Aid system – a • the paying of school fees for a specific person rise from £1.84bn in the year to 5 April 2001. • the purchasing of books, food etc. • the paying of the price of admission to events These are big numbers and demonstrate that individuals (concerts, dinners, shiurim etc.) who do not take advantage of the Gift Aid system when • the purchase of advertising in a brochure making donations would be significantly and needlessly • the purchasing of raffle or lottery tickets (including diminishing the income of both their chosen charities as 100 clubs etc). The payment to purchase a raffle ticket well as themselves. from a charity is not a Gift, but a payment for the right What are the criteria for a donation to obtain the to enter the raffle. It doesn’t matter that the chance or Gift Aid tax advantages? expectation of winning a prize is small or that the prize is of little value. A Gift of money made by an individual to a charity, providing it is ‘a qualifying donation’ (as defined below), What are the general tax and financial benefits of will attract tax relief under the Gift Aid scheme (similar donating by Gift Aid? provisions and rules apply for company donations, but for simplicity this article will refer to individuals' donations Gift Aid relief enables: only). • the charity to reclaim from HMRC an amount equal To be ‘a qualifying donation’ the following conditions, to the basic-rate of tax on all the qualifying donations inter alia, must be met: made by individuals. This can be an extremely valuable • the Gift is a payment of a sum of money source of additional income; and, • the Gift is not subject to any condition as to • higher-rate taxpaying individuals (40%) and repayment additional-rate taxpayers (50%) can claim • the Gift is not part of an arrangement for the charity higher/additional-rate tax relief on their qualifying to acquire property from the individual or a connected donations (see ‘Paradigm case’ below). person • the individual must derive no benefit from the Gift Aid If the sums ‘donated’ for Gift Aid purposes were invalid, payment (i.e. a ‘Gift’ by definition means that nothing, or neither of these benefits would be possible.

Page 28 Hamaor / September 2012 How do charity vouchers (charity cheques) work? of £25 (£125 multiplied by 20% i.e. the 40% higher-rate of tax less the 20% basic-rate of tax) resulting from his An individual can open ‘a charity voucher’ or ‘charity donation. cheque’ account by making a Gift Aid payment to a Therefore at a net cost to Mr Gevir of £75 (£100 donation charitable body such as SOFT (Society of the Friends of less the £25 higher-rate tax relief), the charity has the Torah). The organisation will open such an account received total payments of £125 (£100 from Mr Gevir plus (similar to a bank account) with the amount of the Gift the £25 basic-rate tax credit from HMRC). Aid payment. They will claim back the basic-rate tax from HMRC and credit the amount on receipt to the Alternatively Mr Gevir could make the £100 Gift Aid individual's charity voucher account. The individual is donation to a charitable organisation that operates provided with the equivalent of a charity cheque book, charity voucher accounts as described earlier. The and vouchers can be written to any valid charity up to organisation would reclaim the £25 basic-rate tax credit the limit on the account (i.e. the Gift Aid donation and from HMRC and apply it to Mr Gevir's charity account to the accompanying tax credit). Most charitable result in a total balance of £125. Mr Gevir could still give organisations that cater for such account holders charge the Vaad Harabanim a charity cheque/voucher for £100. a small fixed percentage commission based on the gross In this case however the Vaad Harabanim could not claim donation. back the £25 as Mr Gevir’s account has received this benefit. Mr Gevir could of course have given a charity Personal charitable trusts function in a similar way - voucher for £125 - ignoring the above mentioned except that instead of using the third party charitable commission normally charged - to enable the Vaad organisation to make the Gift Aid payments, the Harabanim to be in the same financial position (the individual, in his capacity as trustee, sets up a charitable higher-rate tax refund of £25 claimed by the individual trust for the purpose and makes the basic-rate tax credit on his tax return is not affected). reclaim from HMRC for the benefit of the trust. The financial benefits to the 50% additional rate taxpayer As with Gift Aid payments, charity vouchers (or payments are even greater. Using the ‘Paradigm case’, the net cost from a charitable trust) can be used for voluntary to Mr Gevir of a £100 donation would be £62.50 (£100 donations only. They cannot be used to pay for any of donation less £37.50 tax relief) with the charity receiving the non-qualifying examples set out above. the same £125. The paradigm case – The above is not intended to be comprehensive or the benefits set out in numbers formal advice and is strictly without liability. Readers should consult an accountant on any matter Mr Gevir who is a 40 per cent higher-rate taxpayer, concerning the above. donates £100 by Gift Aid to the Vaad Harabanim. Assuming this is ‘a qualifying donation’, the Vaad The author is Tax Principal at the London Offices of Harabanim can reclaim from HMRC an extra £25 Accountants BDO LLP. (£100/0.80 less £100, being the basic-rate tax credit on the grossed-up £100 donation). Mr Gevir can make a You can contact him on [email protected] claim on his tax return for a refund of the higher-rate tax or by calling him on 020 7893 2469.

CHARLES PASCOE BSc (Econ) FCA CTA Tax Principal

[email protected] Direct line: +44 (0)20 7893 2469 Dircet fax: +44 (0)20 7893 3104 Mobile: +44 (0)7980 866793

55 Baker Street London W1U 7EU Tel: +44 (0)20 7486 5888 Fax: +44(0)20 7487 3686 DX 9025 West End W1 www.bdo.co.uk

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Hamaor / September 2012 Page 29 Jewish Legacy By Carolyn Addleman As a specialist in legacy fundraising, I know just how much survive. And whilst family and friends must of course remain charities rely on legacy income (gifts left to charities in people’s the priority, there is room to recognise everyone who is wills). The single biggest source of unrestricted funds for important to us; both the individuals and the organisations. charities today, legacies account for 12 per cent of the sector’s revenue as a whole. But while the Jewish community is an The Government share this view and are actively extremely generous one - almost 80 per cent of us give during encouraging more of us to leave a legacy. All charitable our lifetime - only one in fourof us leaves a gift in our will to legacies are exempt from inheritance tax (with no upper a Jewish charity. limit), which makes it a very tax efficient way to give. In addition, from April this year if you leave 10 per cent or more If we could increase the number of legacies left by the of your taxable estate to charity, the inheritance tax rate will community by even 5 per cent it would mean, over a 10 year be reduced from 40 per cent to 36 per cent, a significant time frame, that an additional £100m could be raised to decrease. It is clear the Government wants to encourage support the causes we care about and rely on. An extraordinary people to remember their favourite charities in their wills difference made possible through a simple act. and make leaving 10 per cent the new norm in our country. So when I was asked to help launch a groundbreaking cross- Without charitable legacies many of the causes that we care communal initiative charged with raising awareness about the about will simply not survive. We all have the power to importance of giving to charity through gifts made in wills, I ensure that this never becomes a reality and that our knew I wanted to be a part of it. generosity can live on through a gift of this kind. Moreover we all have a responsibility to make sure that the wonderful I realised from the outset when I joined as a board member of work carried out by the vast array of fantastic Jewish Jewish Legacy that we were treading on new and difficult charities out there continues, for our children, our children’s territory. Traditionally legacy giving has been a somewhat children and beyond. taboo subject because of its obvious connotations. But with many charities receiving up to a third of their voluntary income So please – when making a will or changing an existing one from this source, relying on it to deliver day-to-day activities, – think about leaving a legacy to charity. as well as plan ahead for future projects, I felt strongly that it Carolyn Addleman is a lawyer specialising in Wills, Trusts and was time to break down the perceptual barriers to this kind of Probate work and she runs the legacy department of KKL charitable giving and start seeing that it is in fact not just a vital Executor & Trustee Company, a subsidiary of JNF UK. She is source of income for our charities but also a celebration of also a board member of Jewish Legacy – a non-profit,cross- everything someone has stood for and believed in during their communal initiative, whose aim is to encourage members of lifetime. the Jewish community to leave a gift in their Will to a charity of their choice. The brainchild of three key professional charitable figures, Jewish Legacy now has 39 charities on board, drawn from across the spectrum, all of whom are committed to making Carolyn is a member of Edgware Yeshurun Shul. legacy giving as normal as making a donation during one’s lifetime. For more information www.jewishlegacy.org.uk or call 07768 551 639. We know that changing people’s habits and behaviours is not an easy task and it is not something that one charity working alone can achieve. But by pooling our resources and working together, we believe we have a unique opportunity to increase the number of legacies left to Jewish charities, vital in ever more challenging times, if they are to continue to be able to meet the needs of those they serve. As most people know, charity income is under increasing pressure. With significant cuts in government spending, people’s savings and portfolios worth less, rising costs of living and economic uncertainty, many charities are struggling to Page 30 Hamaor / September 2012 From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic By Mark Harris

ON 5th MARCH 1946, during and ringed by hills at the head of the Adriatic Sea. The his acceptance speech for an stylish simplicity of the synagogue’s architecture, honorary degree at dominating downtown’s Piazza Giotti, is based on a 4th Westminster College in century CE Syrian design. Constructed in 1912, its faux Fulton, Missouri, USA, ex- marble and granite, columned, domed and wide-aisled wartime Prime Minister Sir interior, attractively embellished and boasting huge Winston Churchill famously rosette windows, was built to seat a 2,000-strong declared that, “From Stettin congregation. in the Baltic to Trieste in The vast and proudly towered house of worship (with its the Adriatic an iron curtain elegant menorahs, copper chandeliers and crowning, has descended across the Continent [of Europe]”. The Babylonian-inspired and ziggurat-shaped Aron Kodesh) “iron curtain” description alluded to the post-war division replaced two Sephardi and two Ashkenazi shuls in the old between the Western powers and the territory controlled ghetto quarter (at a time when the overall Jewish by the Soviet Union, and marked the beginning of the community numbered 6,000). Fascinatingly, the then “Cold War”. rabbi of the newly combined grouping laid down a Pre-war both the port compromise minhag (custom), still extant, for the nussach town of Stettin, German (davening format): Ashkenazi on the High Holydays, until 1945 and since Shabbos and festivals; and, subject to that, Sephardi on then Szczecin in Poland, weekdays. and the Italian harbour city of Trieste were In its way, the majestic new synagogue reflected the home to sizeable Jewish commercial, professional and cultural accomplishments populations with of the city’s dynamic and flourishing Jewish citizenry at intriguing histories. that time. Nowadays, the community totals about 600 Sadly, the rise of Nazism individuals. Save generally for the Yomim Noraim and and Fascism, the Second Pesach, the synagogue building’s 70-seater Tempietto World War and the (Beis Hamedrash) is more than sufficient for regular Holocaust took their worshippers. It was half-full on my Shabbos attendance, tragic toll. Having but crammed to bursting on my Purim visit. That was for The Tempo (Synagogue) in Trieste travelled extensively in the first reading of the Megillah, when several families what had been, until 1989, Soviet communism’s sphere of with young children in fancy dress packed into the wood- influence in Eastern Europe, I considered a visit to the panelled prayer room. extremities of Churchill’s imagined metal (but, in actuality, very real) barrier between democracy and communism The welcoming Rabbi Yitzchak David Margalit recited the would enlighten me about their “Jewish” situations today. Megillah with feeling. Whenever “Haman” echoed in the I was especially enthusiastic about being in Trieste for chamber, I waved eagerly the noisy rattle that I had been Purim; and, serendipitously, in the centenary year of the handed earlier. The kids seemed more reluctant than me “Tempio Israelitico di Trieste” its orthodox grand to halt a persistent clamour, to the chagrin of the minister synagogue, one of the largest and most impressive in who stopped reading from time to time to glance Europe. disapprovingly at the youngsters. The second Megillah reading, also by the rabbi, was given in the Beis Trieste, part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1919 Hamedrash of the Carlo and Vera Wagner Jewish Museum and with fewer than 250,000 citizens, stands graciously (Via del Monte 5). Its exhibition area displays a

Hamaor / September 2012 Page 31 remarkable collection of Judaica, including a Torah scroll inaugurated, electric tram which climbs the steep inclines dating from 1594, archived documents (such as the “Edict and affords some breathtaking panoramic vistas over the of Tolerance” issued by Austrian Empress Maria Theresa) “white” city and its sun-splashed crescent bay. and a special exposition on the Holocaust (with jewellery and other items formerly confiscated by the occupying Nazis). The building housing the museum was once occupied by the Jewish Agency which, in the early decades of the 20th century, assisted many thousands of European Jews to immigrate to Palestine. Indeed, Trieste came to be known as “The Gateway to Zion”. Next door in Via del Monte is the Jewish day school, most of whose pupils attended the Megillah recital that morning. They were accompanied by two teachers (one, a young woman, in full Scottish regalia) to maintain decorum during the boisterous “Haman” interludes. Afterwards, as I was departing, Rabbi Memorial entrance to Risiera Di San Sabba, Trieste Margalit and his rebbetzin Yona called to me. I was I have hinted at the darkest days experienced by Triestine delighted to be presented with a gift-wrapped parcel of Jewry. Despite a significant amount of so-called patriotic Mishloach Manot. Opening it later, I found a home-made assimilation and conversions to Catholicism from the honey cake and lots of chocolate hearts! 19th into the 20th centuries, Trieste’s Jews began to grow Much of Trieste’s 19th century architecture is reminiscent seriously uncomfortable as Fascism grabbed hold of Italy. of Hapsburg Vienna or Budapest; though its ambience is Gradually increasing Jewish emigration prompted very much Italian. Author James Joyce adored the city, allegations that Jews lacked national allegiance. Italy’s and resided there from 1904 to 1915. The writer had “Axis” alliance with Nazi Germany led in 1938 to Race several local Jewish friends, on one of whom (Italo Svevo) Laws akin to those promulgated at Nuremberg in 1935. he based the character of Leopold Bloom in his novel As a result, Italian Jews were forcibly removed from “Ulysses”. The Triestine community’s chequered history education and employment. extends back to the time of medieval Venetian rule, when Jews were confined to a ghetto. I strolled its restored, With Italy’s surrender to the Allies in September 1943, narrow, shadowy and atmospheric alleyways now Nazi troops, the SS and Gestapo moved quickly to occupy interspersed with bars, bookshops and antiques and annex (previously Austrian) Trieste to the Reich. The emporiums (some having Jewish owners). When Austria synagogue was desecrated and around 900 Jews were took control in 1719, Trieste began to thrive as a free port transported to extermination camps in Poland (only 20 and its Jews prospered. Empress Maria Theresa survived). Very soon a concentration/transit camp was set acknowledged their contribution; and the ghetto was up in a former rice husking factory, Risiera di San Sabba, abolished by her successor, Joseph II, in 1785. on the city’s outskirts; this was the only prison of its kind Once freed from the ghetto mentality, as they saw it, the to be established on Italian soil. Jews of cosmopolitan Trieste seized the available After visiting Trieste’s suburban Jewish cemetery (Via della commercial and professional opportunities. One of Italy’s Pace 4), opened in 1842, with its opulent and more principal insurance companies, Assicurazioni Generali, was founded in the town by Giuseppe Lazzaro Morpurgo, modest tombs (including that of a ship captain, Umberto a Jewish businessman. I spoke with some congregants Beniamino Steindler, who in the 1930s sailed some about this at the splendid wine and pizza Kiddush 150,000 European Jewish refugees to Haifa) and a following the Shabbos morning service (I was pleased to Holocaust monument, I walked to the Risiera about a mile be given the second aliyah) in the Tempietto. The away. Now a national memorial and museum, its restored community runs a summer youth camp, where it also wartime cell blocks exude a shockingly bleak atmosphere hosts disabled Israeli children, near the hillside village of of evil. Thousands of its inmates, Jews, partisans and Opicina. I rode there from Trieste in a quaint 1902- political opponents, were tortured and executed here. At Page 32 Hamaor / September 2012 war’s end, the Nazis fled the camp after attempting USA, England, South Africa, Palestine and even Shanghai. unsuccessfully to destroy evidence of its existence. When Those who had failed to escape before war began were the British 8th Army liberated Trieste in May 1945, they deported to camps near Lublin, in German-occupied discovered some 450 destitute Jews. Poland, in February 1940; and, as just noted, they perished in the Holocaust. Although by the war’s end the Jewish community (of what had then become Polish Szczecin) had ceased to exist, thousands of surviving Jews gravitated to the city. Some 90 percent of them emigrated, largely to Western Europe or Palestine. Most of those who remained in Szczecin under the repressive and anti-Semitic communist regime went abroad, including to Israel, especially after the serious problems in 1968. Nowadays there are estimated to be somewhere up to 100 Jews in the city, which Plaque commemorating the great synagogue in Stettin (Szczecin) had been almost completely ruined by There are records of a Jewish community in Stettin on the Allied bombing in WW2; River Oder (now Odra), under the rule of Pomeranian and whose picturesque dukes, in medieval times. A few centuries later, when the castle, heritage squares region fell to Swedish occupation, Jews were allowed into and churches have been the town only on certain occasions. In the mid-18th restored only gradually century, Prussia’s Frederick II declared that Stettin was not over the years. Prior to obligated to accept Jews as residents. Not until the my arrival in Szczecin proclamation in 1812 of the Edict of Emancipation by (population: 400,000), I William III were Jews given an equality of civic status. As had exchanged emails the 19th century progressed, the fledgling Jewish Memorial at the old jewish with the leader of the community grew and prospered alongside the developing cemetery area, Szczecin small Jewish community economic success of the German port city. By 1934, a (based at ul. Niemcewicza 2). But unfortunately, and for year after the Nazis attained power, the community logistical reasons, I was unable to meet its members numbered over 2,500 (a figure that apparently swelled to personally or to attend a service. over 20,000 by 1939); and it possessed a beautiful I managed, however, to walk around areas once inhabited synagogue, a Cultural Association and its own newspaper. by a reasonably well-off Jewish population; and to visit a The synagogue and much other Jewish property were set park (ul. Jacka Soplicy), that had been a Jewish cemetery. ablaze by the Nazis on Kristallnacht, 9th November 1938; Its past is acknowledged now by a memorial, which was and hundreds of Jewish men were despatched to the consecrated in November 1988 (50 years after Kristallnacht) and comprises 11 attached gravestones (the Oranienburg concentration camp. Coincidentally, the wording on five of them is still legible). Two nearby shul had stood prominently across the way from what is plaques (one etched in Polish, the other in Yiddish) state now the hotel in which I was staying. From the window identically: “A Jewish cemetery was located here from of my room, I could gaze upon the tree-covered ground 1821 to 1962”. Since that latter year, burials have taken where the Stettin community had once worshipped. In place in the Jewish section of the municipal Central 1999, a plaque was affixed to the area’s surrounding wall Cemetery (ul. Ku Sloncu 125). which not only commemorates the destruction of a “magnificent synagogue” but also the murder of the city’s Today the Jewish communities of the Churchill-linked Jews at the Belzec death camp in October 1942. cities of Szczecin and Trieste may be poles apart in terms of their numbers and infrastructure. But, to my mind, After the November pogrom, several hundreds of Jews they do share a single important motivation; and that is (who could do so) left the city and its persecution for the Jewish continuity. Hamaor / September 2012 Page 33 COMPETITION To win a copy of Denise Phillips latest recipe book, just answer the question below and email your name, email address and telephone number to [email protected] by November 30th 2012. How many recipe books has Denise Phillips written? a) 3 b) 2 c) 4 d) 5 Good Luck! Ingredients: Rosh Hashanah Recipes 900g cubed turkey (white or brown meat) by Denise Phillips 1 lemon – sliced Tel: 01923 836 456 4 garlic cloves – peeled and finely chopped www.jewishcookery.com 100ml white wine 2 eating apples –cored and sliced 300g frozen garden peas – defrosted 2 tablespoons fresh mint – roughly chopped

Honey Mayonnaise 100ml mayonnaise 1 tablespoon honey 2 teaspoons Dijon style mustard 1 teaspoon lemon juice Pinch of salt

Garnish 50g walnuts 75g pomegranate seeds Turkey and Pomegranate Salad 75g dried cranberries With Honey Mayonnaise Baby gem lettuce leaves The ingredients in this recipe will appeal to the whole Method: family and make an ideal colourful buffet main course for 1) Preheat the oven to 200 C/ 400 F/ Gas mark 6. Yom Tov or Shabbat lunch. Roasting turkey drumsticks is 2) Place the cubed turkey in an ovenware dish. Add the an economical way of making a meal for when extra lemon slices, garlic and season well with salt and guests come round. The recipe uses apples, pomegranates pepper. Pour over the white wine. and honey which all have symbolic connections for a 3) Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until the forthcoming year of good fortune and luck. meat is cooked. Preparation Time: 25 minutes 4) To toast the walnuts, place on a tray and bake at the Cooking Time: 40 minutes same time as the turkey for 10 minutes or until just Serves: 6-8 people golden. Remove and set aside. 5) When the turkey is cooked, discard the cooking juices and leave to cool. 6) Make the mayonnaise by combing all the ingredients. Set aside and refrigerate until ready to use. 7) Add the apples, peas, mint to the turkey mixture. 8) Stir the mayonnaise into the salad and mix well.

To serve the stylish way: Arrange the baby gem lettuce around the edge of a large round plate. Transfer the chicken salad to the centre of the plate, top with the toasted walnuts, pomegranate seeds and dried cranberries.

Hamaor / September 2012 Page 35 Beetroot and Apple Fudge Cake Ingredients: 250g cooked beetroot – vacuum packed non vinegar To celebrate Rosh Hashanah the culinary way, apple cake 200ml vegetable oil has got to be on the menu. Beetroot is also symbolic at 75g cocoa this time of year as it represents thoughts of prosperity 180g plain flour and a life of good fortune. Combining beetroot and 2 teaspoons baking powder apples subsequently fulfills a meaningful tasty experience. 250g caster sugar Beetroot is a remarkably healthy and delicious vegetable. 2 eating apples – peeled and cored Beetroot gets their distinctive colour from betanin 3 large eggs antioxidant pigments. Betanin also helps the body make 2 teaspoons vanilla extract carnitine which is a nutrient that helps the body turn fat into energy. These nutrients have been shown to provide Garnish good sources of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory and Dusting of Icing Sugar detoxification support. In addition beetroot is high in vitamin C. If you are lucky enough to buy beetroots with Method: their leaves, remove them, keep them and use like 1. Grease and line a 1kg loaf tin with bakingparchment spinach – they taste amazing! paper. This cake is an unusual mix of ingredients but they merge 2. Pre-heat the oven to 180 C/ 350 F/ Gas mark 4. well to produce a very moist recipe that is full of 3. Whizz the beetroot and apple into a purée and add goodness. It slices easily and can be used as a dessert the eggs, and then the oil. with chocolate custard or ice cream or for tea with thick 4. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl and add the cream. beetroot purée mixture. NB: If you have a family member who says they don’t like 5. Bake in the preheated oven for about an hour or beetroot ~ don’t tell them the ingredients as they will until a skewer is inserted and comes out clean. never know! they might change their mind on discovery!! 6. Leave to cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a plate. Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 1 hour To serve the stylish way: Serves: 8-10 people Dust the plate with icing sugar.

Page 36 Hamaor / September 2012

LEARN TO COOK - THE STYLISH DATE ON A PLATE WAY This is a really successful format Join Denise Phillips for a fun “hands-on” for meeting new people –six men & class, presented in my trademark simple six women learn to cook a three- but stylish manner. Enhance your love of course meal, and then eat it! food and add to your cooking repertoire:

Wed 12th Sept New Ideas For Yom Tov th Sun 9th Sept Age: 30 -45 Yom Tov Feast Thurs 13 Sept Thinner Dinners th Sun 14th Oct Age:45- 60 Marvellous Med Wed 17 Oct Middle Eastern Vegetarian th Thurs 18th Oct Something Different With Chicken Sun 28 Oct Age: 30 -45 Halloween Special st th Sun 21 Oct Simple Indian Sun 4 Nov Age: 35 – 50 Fancy Fusion th th Wed 14 Nov Show Off Dinner Parties Sun 11 Nov Age: 28 – 38 Turkish Delights th th Thurs 15 Nov Chocolate Cooking Sun 25 Nov Age: 40 – 55 Thai Banquet th nd Sun 18 Nov Sushi & More Sun 2 Dec Age: 50 – 60 Lebanese Wed 5th Dec Easy Buffet th Sun16 Dec Age: 35 -45 Chanukah Special Thurs 6th Dec Pasta, Pasta, Pasta Sun 9th Dec Classy Canapés Venue : Northwood. Times : Weekdays 10am –1.30pm. Sunday : 6pm-10pm Cost : £65 including three course meal and all ingredients More info : www.jewishcookery.com or [email protected]

Or phone Denise on 01923 836 456

Don’t forget to look out for Shabbat Spice

Out now, and in your local Shul

To see the latest from the Federation, click on www.federationofsynagogues.com

Hamaor / September 2012 Page 37 Journey to Morocco & Gibraltar by Rabbi Garson This past May, Tzvi Sperber, executive director of JRoots & I led a second JRoots Jewish Journey to Morocco. Forty people, who participated in the trip, experienced living JRoot's mantra of "connecting generations" and experienced a Journey to retrace the roots of the Sefardic world. Raphy Elmaleh, the only Jewish Guide in Morocco, rejoined us. Once again in Marrakech we met with the President of Moroccan Jewry Jaqui Kadoch who shared his memories and vision for the future of Moroccan Jewry. Our first visit was to the Atlas Mountains. We headed to the kever of R’ Shlomo Ben Lhans – the story of this Casablanca - Photography by Alan Fish Living World Tzaddik appeared in the last edition of Hamaor. The route passed some of the many original houses of the Berber Jews, whose communities are established in the Atlas We visited many of the places and shuls from the first trip, mountains. It was in these homes that Raphy Elmaleh including the only Jewish museum in Islamic world. At spent some 4 months doing research into the surrounding each location I shared with the group the stories and “once” Jewish communities. We entered one of these messages taught by the great Chachmei Maroco of the houses set back into the mountain stone. Most of them past. Morocco served as a transient place where many of housed a cow in one of the downstairs rooms and a huge our greatest Torah giants passed through and served as oven which heated water used for a sort of personal leading Rabbis for some years. These include, the Rambam, sauna. The houses have not changed in centuries and the Ran, the Rif, the Orach Chaim to name but a few. So remain almost frozen in time. The question was asked many other names, less well known, needed to be “Why did these Jews not do up their houses?”, “A lick of discussed and I shared their legacies in the places where paint, some carpet?”. The answer, written in many books they lived. Our group became familiar with R’ Shmuel and told over by older surviving Berber Jews, is unanimous Elbaz; R’ Yaakov Abuchazera, also known as the Abir – “What is the point? Mashiach is going to take us to Israel. Yaakov; R’ Refael Baruch Toledano and R’ Shmuel Ibn Why bother!”. This notion of “emuna peshuta”, simple Denan and several others. This journey was organised to unadulterated faith, is something that hit us hard. We in coincide with Lag b’Omer. We arrived in Fez on the eve of the diaspora are generally so concerned about where we Lag b’Omer and visited the stunning Ruben Besadoun live and how we live, what will others think of us… As a synagogue where a Hilula, according the Jewish Moroccan People we have lost track of our glorious past and the custom, was taking place. 8 men were in attendance and reality of our future - a future in Israel with mashiach. That the mood was sombre, not joyous. Two tables were in the mindset of “ani maamin” that He could really come any centre of the shul, one laid out with delicacies, the other day, is something we have lost. Rabbi Shwab put it this with huge vats of dyed oils, each corresponding to a great way: Imagine you are at a wedding. The band is playing, tzaddik. Tzvi then auctioned off the merit of lighting the the reception is lavish, everyone is dressed in their finest, candles. Our group then broke out into song with the the groom is immaculately dressed, the bridesmaids are traditional Bar Yochai and began to dance, infusing the gorgeous, the mechutanim are beaming – there is only shul with life and song. The elderly members were one thing missing. The bride, the KALLA! No matter how beaming with happiness, as they were not expecting a wonderful and attractive the hall and the surroundings – surge of a further 40 people. As we left the shul, we all felt a wedding without a bride is NOT A WEDDING! What an content that we had brought a little life back to a once indictment! A world without Mashiach is like a wedding vibrant community. On Lag b’Omer itself we made our way without a bride! And as Rabbi Frand points out – only one to Ouzanne to the kever of Rabbi Amram Ben Diwan zs"l. difference we don’t even realise the bride is not here! This Although his yahrzheit is on 15th Av, thousands fly across is the lesson we learnt whilst standing in a house in the the globe to be there on Lag b’Omer. He really did not Atlas mountains, a place where time stood still. come from Ouzanne. He was born in Yerushalayim in 1700 Page 38 Hamaor / September 2012 and died 1782 and was know as one of the great I told the group how we often see how God is hidden and tzaddikim of Chevron in Israel. A man by the name of there is so much pain and suffering. How do people find Rabbi Yitzchak Demeo opened a special yeshiva for 10 the strength to continue. Rabbi Diwan explained, the excelling students. He was beloved by all, but when there Torah says in Devarim 31: “I will conceal my face on that was terrible poverty in Chevron and famine threatened the day”…. community, someone needed to be sent to the cities of Imagine a father is hiding from his child. Then the child Morocco on an emergency fundraising mission. They comes into a room and he sees the father is hiding under decided the most befitting person to dispatch to raise a tallit, he can not see the father but he knows it is the funds was R’Amram. He travelled through Algeria, Tunisia father hiding. Said R’Amram even if we live in a situation and Morocco and he represented the community there. of “I will conceal my face” we should remember it is When he came to Ouzanne he was moved by the need and “Anochi aster aastir panay” “It’s me your father who is plight of Torah Education needed in the area and built a hiding!”. During this time in exile each and every one of us Yeshiva and Talmud Torah. He made his living as a Baal has their problems, their issues and concerns, but we have Mofet, miracle worker, and amazing stories abound of how to know that even during this dark time for the Jewish he helped so many with different problems. His blessings People its “Anochi”, it’s the father hiding. A father who always were fulfilled. People travelled throughout loves us unconditionally, even if He has to say no, He morocco to come to him. After 10 years his cravings and knows what is best for us. desire to be in Israel were so great he left Morocco. He went back to Chevron and intended to stay there. One day he wanted to pray at Maarat Hamachpelah, the gravesite of our forefathers and foremothers, in Chevron. In those times Jews were not allowed in. So he dressed up like an Arab. But during the prayers he lost control and broke down crying. When they saw this they understood he was a Jew and police were called and they were coming to his home to arrest him. His crime was sacrilege! He was warned by a Muslim family and was told that he needed to escape. So, in the dark of night, he escaped with his son Chaim. At that time Israel was under the control of the Ottomans and the Mamelukes – various groups from Turkey, and so he was concerned to go back to Jerusalem. Hilula - Photography by Alan Fish Living World If the Sultan had issued a decree for his arrest it would be We had the unique opportunity to meet and dine with the heard from Teman all the way to Algeria, the only place Governor of Morocco. He attends the Hilulah annually, as that he could come back to, that was not in Turkish even the Muslims understand the power and control, was Morocco. He went to stay in the home of righteousness of the Tzaddik. Our group travelled up to family Elbaz in the city called Safro near Fes. This family Tangiers catching the ferry to Spain, then arriving in my had no children andhe prayed that they would have a son hometown of Gibraltar for Shabbat. I felt humbled to lead and that year a son was born. He was given the name of a tour of Jewish Gibraltar. Peaking out above the straights R’ Amram because in the interim this special man died. of the Mediterranean is the old Jewish Cemetery located Chaim, R’ Amram’s son, became very sick. His son was on high on the Rock. The oldest Jewish graves in Gibraltar are his death bed and R’ Amram prayed he should be taken to be found here, the earliest known dating back to 1746. instead and sure enough he died and the son lived. He was Why this cemetery began is really a mystery. The Christian buried in the outskirts of Ouzanne. Tremendous miracles population at that time were burying their dead in an area have happened by his gravesite. A Fr ench Army officer now covered over by the airport runway. So why did the had a son who was crippled. People told him to come and Jews use the more distant and less accessible site on pray by R’ Amram’s grave. But they said it is very difficult Windmill Hill? Rabbi Hassid of Gibraltar suggests, that this road to navigate and access. He declared that he will bring connects with the fact that the area used by the his son and if he is healed, he will rebuild the road so that Christians, was in practice a sort of no-man’s-land access is easier. His son was healed and he paid for the between British Gibraltar and Spain, it was in fact Spanish road to be paved. territory, subject to the laws of the Decree of Expulsion Hamaor / September 2012 Page 39 disallowing Jewish presence. Many great Rabbis and Barmitzvah in Gibraltar was a wonderful experience for Dayanim are interred in this cemetery, including former the group, whilst leaving me with a calm sense of Chief Rabbis of Gibraltar, such as Rabbi Shelomo nostalgia. During melaveh malka, we were privileged to Abudarham, who is related to R’ David Abudarham who dine together with the Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Hasset. He lived in Seville in late 13th-14th Century Spain and enlightened our group with Gibraltar’s history and vision authored the famous book ‘Sefer Abudarham’ on prayers for the future. On Sunday morning, I took the group to the and blessings. Within the area enclosed for the Tzaddikim Catalan Bay beach to Daven a Sunrise Shacharit. It was a is also buried Rabbi Yosef Elmalech ben Ayush. He took his beautiful experience and one none of us will forget. Prior first rabbinical post in Rabat-Sale(Morocco) in 1788. He to returning home we all experience the magic of fled from the authorities in his home town and fully Hashem’s creations and enjoyed the Dolphins that swim intended to return when possible. The first leg of his freely in the Straits. The trip was powerful and one’s journey took him to Gibraltar, where he accepted the emotions went on a rollercoaster. It was a very bittersweet position of Dayan and remained till his passing. His trip. On the one hand we learned about the richness of Responsas, entitled Tokfo shel Yosef , also contain responsa Moroccan Jewry, the warm traditions, the amazing Shuls, from Gibraltar from 1809 till 1821. the famous tzaddikim and baalei mofet, and the pride that they have had in their culture. On the other hand we saw I took the group to Europe Point, which is the how quickly its disappearing, and how there are but a southernmost point of Gibraltar. On a clear day, views of handful of Jews in places like Meknes, Fes, and Marrakesh North Africa can be appreciated across the Strait of that were once major centres of Jewish culture and Gibraltar including Ceuta and the Rif Mountains of learning. Ending our trip with Gibraltar’s community raised Morocco; as well as the Bay of Gibraltar and the Spanish our hopes that one of the last vestiges of authentic towns along its shores. But that is from a Tourist community life is flourishing, growing and is strong as the perspective. As Jews we see life through the prism of Rock itself. Torah. The Talmud has a debate regarding the identification of Rabbi Yehuda's “Yam Hagadol”, over which blessing must be made. The most obvious candidate for Rabbi Yehuda's blessing is the Mediterranean Sea, for the Bible refers to this body of water as Yam Hagadol. The Almighty told this to Moses when defining the borders of Israel (Bamidbar 34). Some commentators argue that the Mediterranean Sea barely justified the appellation Yam Hagadol; indeed it is a significant sea when looking at it from Eretz Yisrael, however it hardly stands out in relation to other bodies of water around the world. It is unlikely that Rabbi Yehuda would suggest a special blessing for a body of water that only has local significance. Yam Hagadol must therefore be referring to the ocean (Rosh, The Group in Rabat - Photography by Alan Fish Living World 13th-14th centuries, Germany-Spain). A third opinion Third Jewish Journey to Morocco Either sought a middle ground: The Yam Hagadol refers to the 4th – 7th February 2013 or 26th – 29th May 2013 vast body of water that encircles planet earth. All waters (dates to be confirmed) that are connected this body are to be considered part of Yam Hagadol. Thus the oceans of the world and the Following our 2 initial successfuls trip to Morocco, Rabbi Mediterranean Sea would justify the recitation of the Garson together with Tzvi Sperber director of JRoots and blessing. Since there is a doubt amongst the authorities, Raphy Elmaleh (Morocco’s only Jewish Tour Guide) are we generally make the blessing without God’s name. leading a third group on a “Jewish Journey of Morocco”. However standing at Europa Point one can see both the They will be retracing the roots of the Sephardic world; Med and the Atlantic Ocean at the same time and thus a visiting Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fes and bracha with Hashem’s name can also be said. After a Essouira and the Atlas Mountains. whirlwind tour of the local beautiful Shuls, each telling a different story, we ushered in the Shabbat. An invigorating For more details please email at [email protected] or call 07966-105-609. Shabbat of Song and Torah Learning, and experiencing a Page 40 Hamaor / September 2012 PERSONAL Mazal Tov wishes are extended to the following people: Mr and Mrs Avi Levison on the birth of a granddaughter, BIRTHS Mr and Mrs Yosef Meshulam Englarrd on the birth of Mazal Tov to the following: grandsons Dayan and Mrs Y Lichtenstein on the birth of a grandson in Mr and Mrs Ralph Klajn on the birth of a grandson Eretz Yisrael Mr and Mrs Dovid Rosenthal on the birth of a Dayan and Mrs Elzas on the birth of a granddaughter and a granddaughter grandson Mr and Mrs Lezer Bloch on the birth of a granddaughter Mr and Mrs Alan Finlay on the birth of a granddaughter Mr and Mrs Moshe Adler on the birth of grandsons Dr and Mrs Yossi Adler on the birth of a grandson and a Croydon granddaughter Sonya Brett on the birth of a great grandchild Rabbi and Mrs CZ Cohen on the birth of a grandson Danny and Beila Harris on the birth of a granddaughter Mr and Mrs Benny Dzialowski on the birth of a grandson Mr S Dzialowski on the birth of a great grandson Finchley Central Mr and Mrs Danny Rotenberg on the birth of a grandson Mr Harold and Louise Greenberg on the birth of a grandson Mr and Mrs Andrew Cohen on the birth of a grandson Mr and Mrs E Amron on the birth of a great grandson Mr and Mrs Doni Kaufman on the birth of a grandson Mr and Mrs J Blau on the birth of a grandson and Mr and Mrs Binyomin Bokor on the birth of a grandson granddaughter Mr and Mrs Leiby Levison on the birth of a grandson Dr and Mrs M Boyden on the birth of a son Mr and Mrs Yehoshua Steinhaus on the birth of a Mr and Mrs M Caller on the birth of a granddaughter granddaughter and a grandson Mr and Mrs H Greenberg on the birth of a grandson Mr and Mrs Mendy Itzinger on the birth of a Mr and Mrs D Jonas on the birth of a son granddaughter Prof and Mrs I K Smith on the birth of a grandson Mr and Mrs Julian Cohen on the birth of a grandson Mr and Mrs D Toledano on the birth of a granddaughter Mr and Mrs Yitzchok Kruskal on the birth of a grandson Machzikei Hadath Shomrei Hadath Ian and Judy Beider on the birth of a granddaughter Louise and Alfred Goldschmidt on the birth of a grandson Mr and Mrs Daniel Biro on the birth of a daughter Zvi and Penina Sacho on the birth of a son Yeshurun Mr and Mrs Brian Resnick on the birth of a granddaughter Dayan and Mrs Judy Lopian on the birth of a granddaughter Mr and Mrs Eric Graus on the birth of a great grandson Mr and Mrs Rochelle and Mark Goldwater on the birth of a Mr and Mrs Ari Kiselstein on the birth of a grandaughter grandson Mrs Renee Preston on the birth of a grandson Ohr Yerushayim Mr and Mrs Muriel and Philip Rapport on the birth of a Eric and Glenda Deacon on the birth of a granddaughter granddaughter Richard & Racheli Kaye on the birth of a daughter Mr and Mrs Estelle and Ronnie Salomon on the birth of a grandson Ohr Yisrael Mr and Mrs Joy and Edwin Solomon on the birth of a Rabbi and Deborah Garson on the birth of a daughter grandson Jez and Gemma Roskin on the birth of a son Mr and Mrs Mandy and Mel Estrin on the birth of a Martyn and Debbie Slyper on the birth of a grandson and granddaughter granddaughter Mr and Mrs Suzanne and Stanley Kushner on the birth of a Harold and Shona Bergson on the birth of a daughter grandson Richard and Louise Shama on the birth of a son Mr and Mrs Lily and Mayer Samuel on the birth of a David and Rimonit Chriqui on the birth of a son daughter Martyn and Gabby Niman on the birth of a daughter Mr and Mrs Marilyn and Bob Vertes on the birth of a grandson Sinai Mr and Mrs Susan and Stuart Lustigman on the birth a Rabbi and Mrs B Knopfler on the birth of a grandson granddaughter Mr and Mrs Marc Nerden on the birth of a daughter Mr and Mrs Miriam and Leonard Specterman on the birth of Mr and Mrs John Simmonds on the birth of a grandson a grandson Mr and Mrs Zalman Hoff on the birth of a granddaughter Mr and Mrs Marlene and Ahron Hadjizade on the birth of a Rabbi and Mrs E Klyne on the birth of a grandson great grandson Mr and Mrs Moshe Grun and Mrs J Leitner on the birth of a Mr and Mrs Ruth and Lawrence Simberg on the birth of a grandson great grandson Hamaor / September 2012 Page 41 PERSONAL

Mr and Mrs Michelle and Jeremy Fisher on the birth of a Mr and Mrs Yitzi Bamberger on the marriage of their son granddaughter Yechiel to Miss Faigy Segal Mr and Mrs Nadia and Brian Lebetkin on the birth of a great granddaughter Yeshurun Rabbi and Mrs A Lewis on the marriage of their daughter ENGAGEMENTS Rina to Yechezkel Nemeth Mazal Tov to the following: Mr and Mrs Rochelle and Mark Goldwater on the wedding Sinai of their son Gideon to Tamar Zneimer Mr and Mrs Leiby Levison on the engagement of their son Dr and Mrs Elissa and Max Bayer on the wedding of their Yossi to Miss Chayele Gurwicz daughter Michelle to Jonathan Behar Mr and Mrs Renata and Leonard Lowy on the wedding of Machzike Hadath their son Alex to Rachel Laurence and Cynthia Kleerekoper on the engagement of Mr and Mrs Barbara and David Shapiro on the wedding of their son Alexander to Abby Aarons their son Ariel Mr and Mrs Carol and Mark Addleman on the wedding of Yeshurun their daughter Hannah to Rafi Kon Mr and Mrs Sheryl and Richard Sandground on the Mr and Mrs Zoe and Peter Goodman on the marriage of engagement of their son Daniel to Esther Learman their daughter Amy to Alex Graves Mr and Mrs Huguette and Aharon Menczer on the engagement of their daughter Sabrina Finchley Central Mr and Mrs Gail and Barry Blain on the engagement of Mr and Mrs M Caller on the marriage of their son their daughter Rachel to Steven Kaye Jonathan WEDDINGS WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Mazal Tov to the following: Mazal Tov to the following: Mrs Jeya Thavachjothy, a valued bookkeeper at the Yeshurun Federation Head Office, on the marriage of her sister in Sri Mr and Mrs Alma and Ivan Kuber on their Diamond Lanka wedding anniversary Mr and Mrs Rochelle and Phillip Baigel on their Pearl Hendon Beis Hamedrash wedding anniversary Cecil and Rene Landsman on the marriage of their Mr and Mrs Toni and Charles Green on their Ruby wedding grandson anniversary Mr and Mrs Marilyn and Michael Becker on their Golden Ilford wedding anniversary David and Deborah Hiller on the marriage of their son Mr and Mrs Karen and Peter Gaunt on their Silver wedding Malcolm to Julia Cooper anniversary Cyril and Jacqui Leader on the marriage of their son Daniel to Karen Sherwood BAR MITZVAHS Mazal Tov to the following: Ohr Yisrael Ohr Yisrael Martin and Ros Landau on the marriage of their son Aaron Paul and Sascha Levein on the barmitzvah of their son to Katherine Rose Zach

Sinai Shomrei Hadath Rabbi and Mrs Doniel Goldman on the marriage of their Anton Bolchover on his barmitzvah daughter Sara to Mr Elimelech Kornbluth Joshua Olsburgh on his barmitzvah Mr and Mrs Dovid Rosenthal on the marriage of their daughter Shoshana to Mr Yechiel Kogan Sinai Mr and Mrs Dean Kaye on the marriage of their son Mr and Mrs Julian Cohen on the barmitzvah of their son Shmuel to Miss Nechama Masserano Zvi Rabbi and Mrs Clive Baddiel on the marriage of their son “Pinty” to Miss Sara Horry Yeshurun Mr and Mrs Allen Cohen on the marriage of their son Mr and Mrs Ellen and David Gaunt on the barmitzvah of Gavriel to Miss Talia Rosenthal their son Ruben Gaunt Rabbi and Mrs Robert Chevins on the marriage of their Mr and Mrs Eunice and Russell Grossman on the daughter Estie to Mr Doniel Halter barmitzvah of their son Harry Grossman Page 42 Hamaor / September 2012 PERSONAL

Mr and Mrs Nina and Andre Ingram on the barmitzvah of Jonathan and Andrew Stone on the loss of their father their son Ben Ingram Ilford BAT MITZVAHS Mrs Ruti Roche on the loss of her mother Mazal Tov to the following: Shomrei Hadath Machzikei Hadath Eli Wacks on her batmitzvah Dr S Rosen on the loss of his father Talia Rudofsky on her batmitzvah Clarice Hanstater on the loss of her mother SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Ohr Yisrael Ohr Yisrael Nimi Kamara on the loss of her father Mr Freddy Ezekiel Well done to five year old Jodi Deacon who had 12 inches of hair cut, and donated the hair to Camp Simcha. The hair Shomrei Hadath will be used to make a wig for a child who needs one as a Rabbi Moshe Mayerfeld on the loss of his father result of their cancer treatment. Sinai Mrs S Klajn on the loss of her brother Mr B Newman Shomrei Hadath Mazal tov to Rabbi Daniel and Melissa Glass on their Yeshurun appointment as Rav of Shomrei Hadath Mr Selwyn Stitcher on the loss of his brother Paul Stitcher Wishing Aliyah Tovah to Jul and Elaine Kornbluth and Aliza Mr Jonathan Holmstock on the loss of his father David Deschampes Holmstock SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS The family of Mrs Freda Fisher The family of Mrs Lily Preshner Finchley Central Mrs Zoe Goodman on the loss of her mother Junis Davies Mrs A Bernstein on her 75th Birthday Max Silver on the loss of his brother Cyril Silver Mr B Bernstein on his 80th Birthday The family of Mrs Sylvia Zara Burstein Mrs Helene Littlestone on the loss of her husband Dr Yeshurun Wilfred Littlestone Louis Broomberg on his 80th birthday Mr and Mrs Suzanne and Stanley Kushner on the loss of Ivor Felton on his 85th birthday their daughter Hayley Kushner Leonard Brahams on his 90th birthday Mrs Anne Millis on the loss of her husband Mr David Millis Henry Caplin on his 95th birthday Mr Bernard Masters on the loss of his wife Anne Masters Mrs Frances Rubeck on the loss of her mother Dora Kaye CONDOLENCES Max Silver and Jonathan Silver on the loss of their wife and mother Murial Silver We offer condolences to: Mr S Pack, President of the United Synagogue, on the loss Finchley Central of his mother Mrs L Cohen on the loss of her sister Mr Jeremy Jacobs, Chief Executive of the United Mr M Cohen on the loss of his sister Synagogue, on the loss of his brother Dr D Gertner on the loss of his mother Family of Mr Sidney Frosh, former President of the United Mr D Green on the loss of his brother Synagogue, on his passing Mr A Liebert on the loss of his mother Mrs Hirsch on the loss of her sister Mrs D Montague on the loss of her husband Rebbetzin J Freilich on the loss of her husband Rabbi Yosef Mrs B P Needleman on the loss of her brother in law Freilich Mr D Toledano on the loss of his father Mrs E Polikoff head office administrator on the loss of her sister. Ilford Dr Maxim Segal and family on the loss of his mother Mrs Croydon Cissy Segal Pam Berg on the loss of her husband Manny Shelly Nason on the loss of her husband David Yeshurun Melanie Bond and family on the loss of her father David The family of Mr Leslie Epstein, past Treasurer of the Brian Jaye and family on the loss of his wife Frances Federation Burial Society and Life Warden of Yeshurun Lila Stone on the loss of her husband Sam Synagogue Hamaor / September 2012 Page 43 DIRECTORY

FEDERATION OF SYNAGOGUES KASHRUS BOARD Chairman: Mr A. Finlay Director of Kashrus: Dayan M. D. Elzas The following establishments are licensed by the Federation Kashrus Board and are under the Supervision of the Beth Din of the Federation of Synagogues:

CATERERS: K GRILL (Meaty) 60 Edgware Way, Edgware HA8 8JS 020 8958 7062 PARK LANE HOTEL Piccadilly, London W1Y 8BX 020 7499 6321 K PIZZA/ FISH K CHIPS (Milky) Mobile: 079 4115 3575 66 Edgware Way, Edgware HA8 8JS 020 8958 9087

STARGUEST CATERING MET SU YAN (Meaty) Aryeh Wagner - www.starguest.com 020 8458 7708 134 Golders Green Road, London NW11 8HB 020 8458 8088 MET SU YAN (Meaty) THE PILLAR 1-2 The Promenade, Edgwarebury Lane, 19 Brent Street, NW4 2EU 020 8457 4000 Edgware HA8 7JZ 020 8958 6840 DELICATESSENS AND SHOPS: PAPALINA (Meaty) 313 Hale Lane, Edgware HA8 7AX 020 8958 7999 LA BOUCHERIE EXPRESS LTD 78 The Broadway, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4DU 020 8954 6020 PITA (Meaty) 98 Golders Green Road, NW11 8HB 020 8381 4080 MATOK BAKERY 1 Bridge Lane, London NW11 0EA 020 8458 0280 PITA (Meaty) 339 West End Lane, Hampstead, London NW6 1RS 020 8743 5554 MR BAKER PIZAZA (Milky) 119-121 Brent Street, London NW4 2DX 020 8202 6845 53 Brent Street, London NW4 2EA 020 8202 9911 PELTER STORES PIZAZA (Milky) 82 Edgware Way, Edgware, Middx HA8 8JS 020 8958 6910 100 Golders Green Road, London, NW11 8HB 020 8455 4455 PELTER STORES (Meaty & Parve Delicatessen) SLICE (Milky) 7 Edgwarebury Lane, Edgware, Middx 020 8958 4536 8 Princes Parade, London, NW11 9PS 020 8458 9483

THE KANTEEN BAKERY SOYO (Milky) 23 High Road, Bushey, Herts WD23 1EE 020 8950 0400 94 Golders Green Road, London, NW11 9HB 020 8458 8788

MENDY’S FOOD (Delicatessen) THE KANTEEN (Milky) 17-19 Edgwarebury Lane, Edgware, Middx 020 8958 3444 23-25 High Road, Bushey, Herts WD23 1EE 020 8950 0747 THE KANTEEN (Milky) RESTAURANTS: Unit 22 Brent Cross Shopping Centre, London NW4 3FD 020 8203 7377 AVIV RESTAURANT (Meaty) 87-89 High Street, Edgware, Middx HA8 7DB 020 8952 2484 THE GRILL HOUSE 020 8381 1722 1 Bridge Lane, London NW11 0EA BEIT HAMADRAS (Meaty - Indian) TWINS EXPRESS 105 Brent Street, London NW4 2DX 020 8203 4567 21 Bell Lane, London NW4 2BP 020 8202 8367

Page 44 Hamaor / September 2012 65 Watford Way, London NW4 3AQ Tel: 020 8202 2263 Fax: 020 8203 0610 Constituent Synagogues Email: Affiliated [email protected] Synagogues www.federationofsynagogues.com CLAPTON FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE. AISH HATORAH COMMUNITY. (Sha'are Shomayim). 379 Hendon Way, London NW4 3LP. Tel: 020 8457 4444. (in association with Springfield Synagogue) Rav: Rabbi J. Roodyn. Website: http://aish2.moonfruit.com 202 Upper Clapton Road, London E5 9DH. Secretary: W. Jacobs. Tel: 020 8989 5211. CONGREGATION OF JACOB SYNAGOGUE. Federation of Synagogues351/355 Commercial Road, London E1 2PS. Contact: Mr David Behr. CROYDON & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE. Tel: 020 7790 2874. Website: www.congregationofjacob.org The Almonds, 5 Shiriey Oaks Road, Croydon, Surrey CRO 8YX. Tel: 020 8662 0011. Minister: Rev. David Gilinsky. FIELDGATE STREET GREAT SYNAGOGUE. Mrs B Harris. Tel: 020 8726 0179. Mrs V Harris. Tel: 01883 348939. 41 Fieldgate Street, E1 1JU. Tel: 020 7247 2644. Website:Honorary www.croydonsynagogue.org.uk Officers BurialSecretary: SocietyMrs F. Treep. EAST LONDON CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE. FINCHLEY ROAD SYNAGOGUE. 30/40 Nelson Street, E1 2DE. Tel: 020 7790 9809, (Sassov), 4 Helenslea Avenue, London NW11 8ND. Rav: President:Rabbi Y. Austin. Secretary: Mr AlanMr J. Beninson. Finlay Tel: 020 8529 8146. Administrator:Rav: Rabbi S. Freshwater. Mr Tel: Thomas020 8455 4305 Zelmanovits LEYTONSTONE & WANSTEAD SYNAGOGUE. FINCHLEY CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE. Vice-Presidents: Mr Henry Dony & Sexton:2 Fillebrook Mr Road, Noson London E11 Kahler 4AT. 2 Redboume Avenue, N3 2BS. Tel: 020 8346 1892. Secretary: Cllr. L. Braham. Tel: 020 8539 0088. Rav: Rabbi Y. Hamer. Secretary: Mrs P. Wittner. Tel: 020 8346 1892 Mr Benjamin Mire Tel:LOUGHTON, 020 8202 CHIGWELL 3903 &Fax: DISTRICT 020 SYNAGOGUE. 8203 0610 HENDON BEIT HAMEDRASH. Borders Lane, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3HT. Tel: 020 8508 0303. 65 WatfordTreasurers Way, Hendon, (Federation):London NW4 3AQ. OutMin: of Rabbi hours Y. Aronovitz. answerphone: Secretary: Mrs M. Lewis. 020 8202 3903 Tel: 020 8202 2263. Rav: Dayan Y.Y. Lichtenstein. Website: http://loughtonsynagogue.com Contact: P. Burns. Tel: 020 8203 7757. Mr Leon Newmark & Mr Malcolm Greenbaum SPRINGFIELD SYNAGOGUE. ILFORD FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE. 202 Upper Clapton Road, London E5 9DH. Tel: 020 8806 2377 14/16 Coventry Road, llford, Essex, IG1 4QR. Tel: 020 8554 5289. CemeteriesRav. Dayan I. Gukovitski. Secretary: Mr. R. Conway. Tel: 020 8806 3167 Rav: TreasurersRabbi A. Chapper. Secretary: (Burial Mrs L.Society): Klein Website: www.ilfordfeds.org STAMFORD HILL BEIS HAMEDRASH. Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen & Montagu50 Clapton Common, Road, London Edmonton E5 9AL. Rav: Dayan N18 D. Grynhaus.2NF MACHZIKEI HADATH V’SHOMREI SHABBAT Secretary: M. Chontow. Tel: 020 8800 7369. SYNAGOGUE. Tel:WALT 020HAM 8807 FOREST 2268 HEBREW CONGREGATION. 1-4 HighfieldMr Michael Road, London NW11Ezra 9LU. TEL: 020 8455 9816 (Queens Road) 140 Boundary Road, London E17 8LA Tel: 020 8509 0775. Rav: Rabbi CH. Z. Pearlman. Secretary: R. Shaw. 416Rav: Upminster Rev. S. Myers. Secretary: Road Mrs North, B. Rose. Rainham, NETZACH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE EssexWEST RM13 END GREAT 9SB SYNAGOGUE. 281 GoldersBeth Green Din Road, London NW11 9JJ Tel: 020 8455 0097 (Beth Hasepher & Soho), 32 Great Cumberland Place, W1H 7TN. Rav: Rabbi Doron Ahiel. Tel: 020 7724 8121. Tel:Minister: 01708 Rev. Ari552825 Cohen. Secretary: Mrs R. Koten. OHRRosh YERUSHALAYIM Beth Din: SYNAGOGUE. Dayan Y Y Lichtenstein 69 Upper Park Road, Salford, Manchester M7 4JB Tel: 161 792 9242 Rav: Rabbi Berel Cohen. Website: www.ohryerushalayim.org.uk During the winter months both cemeteries Dayan M D Elzas OHR YISRAEL SYNAGOGUE. are open daily, except Shabbos and Yom 31/33Registrar: Theobald Street, Elstree, Rabbi Herts ZWD6 Unsdorfer 4RN Rav: Rabbi R. Garson. Secretary: Mrs L. Cohen Tel: 020 8207 5728 Website: www.ohr-yisrael.org.uk Tov, from 9am until dusk. Enquires to the Registrar SHOMREI HADATH SYNAGOGUE. 64 Burrard Road, Hampstead, London NW6 1DD. During British Summer Time gates are Rav: Tel:Rabbi Mordechai020 8202 Fachler. Secretary:2263 Mrs P. Schotten. Tel: 020 7435 6906. open until 5pm and during the month of SINAI SYNAGOGUE. 54 WoodstockChief Avenue, Executive London NW11 9RJ. Tel: 020 8455 6876. Ellul until 6pm. Rav: Rabbi B. Knopfler. Secretary: Mr E. Cohen. Tel: 020 8455 6876

YESHURUNDr Eli SYNAGOGUE.Kienwald Corner of Fernhurst Gardens and Stonegrove, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7PH. Rav: Rabbi A. Lewis Emeritus Rav: Dayan G. Lopian. Administrator: Lisa Demby. Tel: 020 8952 5167. Website: www.yeshurun.org

Edmonton 0 Edmonton 0

Constituent Synagogues Affiliated Synagogues

CLAPTON FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE AISH HATORAH COMMUNITY (Sha'are Shomayim). 379 Hendon Way, London NW4 3LP. Tel: 020 8457 4444. (in association with Springfield Synagogue) Rav: Rabbi J. Roodyn. 202 Upper Clapton Road, London E5 9DH. Website: http://aish.org.uk Secretary: W. Jacobs. Tel: 020 8989 5211. CONGREGATION OF JACOB SYNAGOGUE CROYDON & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE 351/353 Commercial Road, London E1 2PS. Contact: Mr David Behr. The Almonds, 5 Shiriey Oaks Road, Croydon, Surrey CRO 8YX. Tel: 020 7790 2874. Tel: 020 8662 0011. Email: [email protected] Website: www.congregationofjacob.org Mrs B Harris. Tel: 020 8726 0179. Rav: Rabbi N. Asmoucha Email: [email protected] Website: FIELDGATE STREET GREAT SYNAGOGUE www.croydonsynagogue.org.uk 41 Fieldgate Street, E1 1JU. Tel: 020 7247 2644. Secretary: Mrs F. Treep. EAST LONDON CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE Email: [email protected] 30/40 Nelson Street, E1 2DE. Tel: 020 7790 9809, Rav: Rabbi Y. Austin. Secretary: Mr J. Beninson. Tel: 020 8529 8146. FINCHLEY ROAD SYNAGOGUE (Sassov), 4 Helenslea Avenue, London NW11 8ND. FINCHLEY CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE Rav: Rabbi S. Freshwater. Tel: 020 8455 4305 2 Redboume Avenue, N3 2BS. Tel: 020 8346 1892. Rav: Rabbi Y. Hamer. Secretary: Mrs P. Wittner. LEYTONSTONE & WANSTEAD SYNAGOGUE Tel: 020 8346 1892 2 Fillebrook Road, London E11 4AT. Website: www.finchleyfed.org.uk Secretary: Cllr. L. Braham. Tel: 020 8539 0088.

HENDON BEIS HAMEDRASH LOUGHTON SYNAGOGUE 65 Watford Way, Hendon, London NW4 3AQ. Borders Lane, Loughton, Essex, IG10 1TE. Tel: 020 8508 0303. Tel: 020 8202 2263. Rav: Dayan Y.Y. Lichtenstein. Rav: Rabbi Y. Aronovitz. Secretary: Mrs M. Lewis. Contact: P. Burns. Tel: 020 8203 7757. Email: [email protected] Website: http://loughtonsynagogue.com

ILFORD FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE SPRINGFIELD SYNAGOGUE 14/16 Coventry Road, llford, Essex, IG1 4QR. Tel: 020 8554 5289. 202 Upper Clapton Road, London E5 9DH. Tel: 020 8806 3167 Rav: Rabbi A. Chapper. Secretary: Mrs L. Klein Rav. Dayan I. Gukovitski. Secretary: Mr. R. Conway. Tel: 020 8806 3167 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ilfordfeds.org STAMFORD HILL BEIS HAMEDRASH MACHZIKEI HADATH V’SHOMREI SHABBAT 50 Clapton Common, London E5 9AL. Rav: Dayan D. Grynhaus. SYNAGOGUE Secretary: M. Chontow. Tel: 020 8800 7369. 1-4 Highfield Road, London NW11 9LU. TEL: 020 8455 9816 WALTHAM FOREST HEBREW CONGREGATION Rav: Rabbi CH. Z. Pearlman. Secretary: R. Shaw. (Queens Road) 140 Boundary Road, London E17 8LA Tel: 020 8509 0775. NETZACH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Rav: Rev. S. Myers. Secretary: Mrs B. Rose. Email: [email protected] 281 Golders Green Road, London NW11 9JJ Tel: 020 8455 0097 Rav: Rabbi Doron Ahiel. WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE OHR YERUSHALAYIM SYNAGOGUE (Beth Hasepher & Soho), 32 Great Cumberland Place, W1H 7TN. Tel: 020 7724 8121. 470 Bury New Road, Salford, Manchester M7 4NU Tel: 0161 792 9242 Minister: Rev. Ari Cohen. Secretary: Mrs R. Koten. Rav: Rabbi Berel Cohen. Website: www.ohryerushalayim.org.uk Email: [email protected] OHR YISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 31/33 Theobald Street, Elstree, Herts WD6 4RN Rav: Rabbi R. Garson. Secretary: Josephine Kay Tel: 020 8207 4702 Website: www.ohr-yisrael.org.uk

SHOMREI HADATH SYNAGOGUE 64 Burrard Road, Hampstead, London NW6 1DD. Rav: Rabbi D.Glass. Secretary: Mrs P. Schotten. Tel: 020 7435 6906. Website: http://shomrei-hadath.com

SINAI SYNAGOGUE 54 Woodstock Avenue, London NW11 9RJ. Tel: 020 8455 6876. Rav: Rabbi B. Knopfler. Secretary: Mr E. Cohen. Tel: 020 8455 6876

YESHURUN SYNAGOGUE Corner of Fernhurst Gardens and Stonegrove, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7PH. Rav: Rabbi A. Lewis Emeritus Rav: Dayan G. Lopian. Administrator: Lisa Denby. Tel: 020 8952 5167. Email: [email protected] Website: www.yeshurun.org We are delighted to print this edition of Hamaor Magazine

A WISHINGHAPPY NEW THE COMMUNITYYEAR FROM A ALL SHANA AT EXCO TOVA

CONTACT STEWART SINCLAIR 56A GLENGALL ROAD PHONE: 020 8958 7000 EDGWARE,14 MIDDLESEXKINGS DRIVE HA8 8SX MOBILE: 07976 707 916 EDGWARE,OPEN SUNDAY MIDDLESEX MORNINGS HA8 8EE E-MAIL: [email protected] FREE PARKING