12 December 2015/30Kislev 5776 Ministers: Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld Rabbi Sam Taylor Chazan Emeritus: Moshe Dubiner Parshat Miketz –Shabbat Rosh Chodesh—Shabbat Chanukah Announcements Hertz Cohen Stone Gutnick Shabbat begins 3.36pm Bat & Bar Mitzvah Sedra 155 252 222 268 Shabbat ends 4.46pm Mazal Tov! Sefer 2 695 944 890 1062 We wish a hearty Mazal Sefer 3 599 830 768 902 PLEASE NOTE SHACHARIT Tov to Kate & Max Lipton STARTS AT 9AM THIS SHABBAT Haftarah 987 857 1210 1449 on their Bat & Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat. Mazal Tov to Chanukah: The Hellenist Challenge parents Alex & Elliot Lipton, sister Phoebe and Grandparents Ruth & Stuart “When the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all of the oils. After the Hasmoneans defeated them, Lipton and Susan & Alan Miller. Alex & Elliot invite the they searched and found but one cruse of oil, untouched and sealed with the seal of the High Priest. The congregation to Kiddush after the service to celebrate!

cruse had only enough oil for one day, but a miracle occurred and they were able to light from it for eight Birth & Brit—Mazal Tov! We wish Mazal Tov to Sarah & days. The following year they established these days as a holiday for praise and thanksgiving.” (Talmud, Alex Rayden on the birth of a son, brother to Leo. Mazal Shabbat 21b) Tov to grandparents Nora & Clive Rayden and Patricia & Yachar Benamran. The Brit will take place in the Synagogue We may ask a number of questions on the Talmudic account of Chanukah: on Shabbat at approximately 12.30pm.

1. The Jewish people have fought many battles in their long history. Some of these battles were Seuda Shlishit: We thank Adrien Guez for sponsoring accompanied by miracles, such as the walls of Jericho that fell and the sun that stood still during the Seuda Shlishit and giving the D’var Torah to mark the 20th battle at Givon. Why was only the Hasmonean victory chosen to be commemorated as a holiday for Anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah future generations?

2. Why celebrate a military conflict in which the Temple was defiled and many Jews were lost to a foreign Weekday Morning Breakfasts After Shacharit: culture? We thank Eitan Eldar from , a regular attender of our morning minyan, for sponsoring the Festive Breakfast for

Rosh Chodesh Tevet and breakfasts for the entire week. 3. Why is there no mitzvah to celebrate Chanukah with a festive meal, unlike other festivals? Why only ‘a holiday of praise and thanksgiving'? Happy Birthday to: Sophia Pears Clara Topiol Philip Tomei 4. What is the significance of the miracle of the undefiled cruse of oil? Jonathan Winton Elliot Woolf Alison Hanbury Nathalie Esfandi Luci Galan Kalmon Hener Culture Clash Stuart Levy Jacqueline Chody David Sage The military victories of the Greek empire brought about the spread of Greek culture and philosophy, and Jamie Giliniski Marcia Green Ruth Phillips the superficial charm of Hellenism captured the hearts of many Jews. These new ideas undermined Nasser Khalili Marion Reichwald Carole Bloom fundamental teachings of the Torah and central mitzvot. The danger was so great that this clash of Michael Lewis Rebecca Lewis cultures could have caused permanent damage to the spiritual state of the Jewish people. The Talmud emphasizes the significance of the small cruse of oil in the rescue of the Jewish people. The Happy Anniversary to: sealed jar of pure oil is a metaphor for the kernel of pure faith that resides in the depths of the Jewish Eloise & Alexandre Margoline Amanda & Daniel Lyons soul. It was this inner resource of pure holiness that guarded the Jewish people in their struggle against Nicole & Yoram Allalouf Iris & Georgio Laurenti Levi Hellenism. Angela & John Kessler Naomi & Harold Klug Elissa & Anthony Isaacs The Sages understood that Chanukah needed to be established as a permanent festival. They realized

that the battle against an overwhelming foreign culture was not just the one-time struggle of the We wish a Refuah Shlemah to: Hasmoneans. All generations require the strength and purity of inner faith to protect the Torah from the John ben Yetta Irena - John Turnbull corrupting influences of foreign beliefs and values. Zorach ben Sarah, Yehuda Meyer ben Pesh Yerachmiel ben Katya, Zeev ben Rachel The Contribution of Hellenism Tinok ben Nava Shoshana, Moshe Pesach ben Rochal Malka The Sages also realized that this conflict with Hellenism, despite its disastrous short-term effects, would Hayeled Yehuda Avner ben Margalit Sarah ultimately bestow great benefits. This is a basic rule of life: those challenges that confront us and Eliyahu ben Devorah Avraham ben Miriam threaten our beliefs and way of life will in the end invigorate the sources of truth. Greek wisdom, after it Yaakov ben Ruth Eliyahu ben Esther has acknowledged the Divine nature of Torah, will serve to further honour and strengthen the Torah and Sultana bat Tamar Emily bat Sarah its ideals. Therefore it is fitting to celebrate these days, despite the trauma of the Hasmonean period. Tsofi bat Dina Channah bat Miriam Significantly, the festival of Chanukah is celebrated without feasting and wine. There were two sides to Daliah bat Patricia Shulamit bat Tamar Hellenism: its intellectual aspects, like Greek philosophy and literature, and its popular culture of physical Devorah bat Avraham pleasures and crass entertainment. One might mistakenly think that Hellenism’s positive contribution also Esther bat Mordechai HaCohen includes its hedonistic delight in wine, parties, and naked wrestling matches. Therefore we specifically Avraham Mordechai ben Chaya Basha Sarah Nesya Gittel bat Naava Shoshana celebrate Chanukah with spiritual rituals — lights and Hallel, praise and thanksgiving. For the true Moshe ben Gittel contribution of Hellenism is its intellectual side, that which posed such a grave challenge to the Torah in Shayna Mindel Chava bat Raizel the times of the Hasmoneans. It is this aspect of Greek culture that will defend and enhance the Torah in Tamara Reitzel bat Mina Rochel the future. Sara Lieber bat Leah A D’var Torah from ‘Silver from the Land of Israel’, by Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook (1865-1935), first Chief Rabbi of Palestine Condolences: We wish Long life to Annabelle Josyfon and sister Nathalie on the passing of their father Hugh Walker z”l.

SERVICES ON FRIDAY EVENING, SHABBAT MINCHA AND WEEKDAYS TAKE PLACE IN THE MINTZ BETH HAMIDRASH FORTHCOMING EVENTS@WMA Friday 11 December Shabbat 12 December 7.15am Shacharit followed by Haftarah Shiur by Ervin Special Children’s Service Landau 3.20pm Mincha followed by 6th Chanukah Light and Join Emma and make Candle Lighting at 3.36pm. Kabbalat Shabbat, edible dreidels, eat doughnuts followed by a D’var Torah by Rabbi Sam Taylor SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER BAGEL BRUNCH Shabbat 12 December 1st day Rosh Chodesh Tevet WITH RABBI 8.30am Shiur by Alan Goldberg 9.00am Shacharit PLEASE NOTE EARLIER START AKIVA TATZ— TIME 8.30AM 3.45pm Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit & D’var Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz Torah by sponsored by Adrien Guez Senior Lecturer at the JLE 4.45pm Ma’ariv & Havdalah was born in , . After practising as a doctor in both South Africa and the U.S., Sunday 13 December—2nd day Rosh Chodesh Tevet he moved to Israel where he practised both in hospital and 8.30am Shacharit followed a festive Bagel Brunch general in and engaged in a number of with Rabbi Akiva Tatz years Talmudic study and later teaching in Jewish thought and medical ethics in Jerusalem Suggested donation £5 Monday 14 December—”Zot Chanukah” 8th Day Sunday 13 December Young Professionals 7.15am Shacharit followed by festive breakfast and Chanukah Party in the Grand Ballroom of D’var Torah by Rabbi Taylor the Montcalm Hotel Pre Booking essential via Eventbrite 10.30am Ladies Shiur with Rabbi Rosenfeld 6.45pm Cheder for Grown-Ups” with Rabbi Rosenfeld MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 7PM OVER 60S SINGLES all levels welcome! Come and meet like-minded people and enlarge your circle of friends. 7.00pm Krav Maga @ WMA for women A NEW CLASS Our first event is a buffet supper with wine and 8.00pm Krav Maga @ WMA for men spirits at the home of Rabbi Lionel & Natalie Rosenfeld. The Donation is £25. Several exciting Tuesday 15 December events are planned for the group and we would welcome your suggestions for the future. Booking is 7.30am Shacharit followed by breakfast and essential and as numbers are limited please book D’var Torah early. Please contact Pam Harris at 8.00pm Gemara Shiur with Rabbi Taylor [email protected] or 020 7262 7911.

Wednesday 16 December WEDNESDAY 16 DECEMBER 7.30am Shacharit followed by breakfast and WMA Dining Club will visit one of NW D’var Torah by Ervin Landau London's kosher restaurants, the acclaimed Indian restaurant Beit Madras in Hendon. Thursday 17 December It will be a lovely evening with great company and delicious food. Price: 25 GBP for a three course meal and 7.30am Shacharit followed by breakfast and drinks. Booking essential http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/western- D’var Torah marble-arch-synagogue-7845851184 1.00pm Rabbi Tali Lowenthal’s lunchtime learning session for men NEWLYWEDS SHABBAT 19 DECEMBER

On Shabbat morning we will be welcoming all Friday 18 December newlywed couples who were married 7.30am Shacharit followed by breakfast and recently, as we formally welcome them into Haftarah Shiur by Ervin Landau our WMA family. After a special Shabbat service there will be a festive Kiddush to mark SUNDAY 13—THURSDAY 17 DECEMBER the occasion. If you wish to be part of this WEEKDAY MINCHA AT 3.30PM FOLLOWED BY wonderful program please be in contact with MA’ARIV [email protected] Next Shabbat: Parshat Vayigash 18 December 2015 commences—3.37pm Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat - 3.45pm SAVE THE DATE Please see our Website: For full details of times of services and events by month go to WE ARE HONOURED THAT CHIEF RABBI MIRVIS WILL www.marblearch.org.uk BE WITH US ON SHABBAT MORNING 9 JANUARY 2016 You can contact Rabbi Lionel & Natalie Rosenfeld at: SHABBAT VA’ERA—SHABBAT MEVARCHIN [email protected] Tel: 020 7535 0458 mobile: 07811 202244 Book Club with Emma on Tuesday 12th January at 11 Contact Rabbi Sam and Rebbetzen Emma Taylor at: [email protected] / [email protected] where we will read Brooklyn by Colm Toibin Tel: 020 7723 9333

Western Marble Arch Synagogue, 1 Wallenberg Place, London W1H 7TN Tel: 020 7723 9333 Email: [email protected] Website: www.marblearch.org.uk — Registered Charity No: 1154188