September 2020
the magazine of finchley progressive synagogue
Awaiting This Month’s Honey From the Editor... darren beach
September is always around us seems bonkers, from exam algorithms a unique month for to Brexit, from Twitter racism to Covidiots. us. Not only is it ‘back We keep reading about ‘the new normal’. to school’ and ‘back But what is normal? Isn’t it just the same but to work’, but the new slightly different, like every day tends to be? year (ok, the exact We are far more adaptable than we realise. My dates vary) allows favourite modern author is Matt Haig. A mental us to recharge our illness survivor, he has become one of Britain’s spiritual batteries. best-loved adult and children’s writers with That may sound his engaging style, keen eye for an aphorism trite and obvious but I think it is true, whether and vivid characterisations. In his best-selling you’re a regular shul-goer or an infrequent memoir Reasons To Stay Alive he wrote: “There attendee. There’s something comforting about is no standard normal. Normal is subjective. the familiarity of the Torah reading at Rosh There are seven billion versions of normal on Hashanah, the timetable of what to do, where this planet.” to go and when, the warm bath of nostalgia that For sure, many of us have been off on reminds you (well, me anyway) of childhood days holiday, or just getting out in the fresh air and doing tashlich by the stream, and teen years showing off our stylish face coverings. For many seeing who else from my school had turned up. of course it is still a difficult period to deal with. The High Holy Days period is a reminder that And this time of year is an ideal time to take in the midst of uncertainty there are some things stock, and to help those who are currently not that don’t change. Islands of stability to keep us as able as us to deal with the cards they’ve been grounded, that show that life goes on, that it’s dealt. To finish, one more line from Matt Haig. ok to ‘keep calm and carry on’ even when we “Everything is going to be all right. Or, if not, don’t always feel ready to. Even when the world everything is going to be, so let’s not worry.”
Photo: Find out more about Dean Furman and Joe Jacobson’s experiences as Jewish footballers on page 16, as detailed on an entertaining and informative Zoom call with Maccabi GB.
Cover photo: Zoe Jacobs Copy deadline is the 10th of each month. Please email all content to [email protected]
2 From the Rabbi rabbi rebecca birk
How will we mark the new year of 5781? I ask this because we are still so much entrenched in the strangeness that is 2020 and the ludicrous experiences we are becoming used to. This year has seen us weather (poorly at times) Covid 19 and the global pandemic status. Brexit, remember that? And most recently the shambolic handling of our public exams, A Levels, GCSEs and BTECs. Some of us have been hit harder than others; COVID-19 in particular may have had On Rosh Hashanah it is written, on Yom Kippur particular impact. I know well that some of you it is sealed: have struggled terribly. But now as we approach That this year people will live and die, the New Year this September, we might consider some more gently than others what we can bring with us into our High Holy and nothing lives forever. Day Season. But amidst overwhelming forces No matter what happens in our lives, for some of nature and humankind, of us these days from Rosh Hashanah through we still write our own Book of Life, to Yom Kippur have always kept us Jewish, and our actions are the words in it, kept us tethered, grounded and connected. 54 and the stages of our lives are the chapters, Hutton Grove has been historically critical to this and nothing goes unrecorded, ever. process; standing within our building has been Every deed counts. powerful, pulled back by this time of year and Everything you do matters. its services. ‘Zochreinu L’chayim’ Remember us And we never know what act or word for life. will leave an impression or tip the scale... In Achad Ha’am’s words, ‘More than the Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews.’ This is the only way to embark on this new I think for many of us this applies to the HHD year, this Rosh Hashanah. As we gather in a too. The memories and associations we make different way than ever before. We are still from them. It’s at this moment in our calendar directed to the same goal. We will still hear the that we set intentions and resolutions with the Shofar. We will still eat the tart apples and the hope to return more fully to ourselves and to be sweet honey. We will still dive into the reflection our best version. I’ve taken these words from a and hopefully the renewal that comes with it. prayer written by a contemporary Reform Rabbi, Life and the waxing and waning of our days Joseph B. Meszler because they capture this year would be the poorer without it. I look forward so well; to marking this together. Differently, yes, but still together. Let us be strengthened by what it offers us.
3 From the Chair cathy burnstone
Last month I thought that I had written my final they reconsidered and Chair’s article for Shofar before Tamara takes on settled on a pared the role, but here I am again! I started thinking down wedding with ten about how we often get another chance or an guests, one friend each opportunity unexpectedly arises. and the other guests It was only well into my late 40s that I were family members. I really got to know my late father’s twin sister was Annie’s only relation and her husband and I am grateful to Carmen and I was overjoyed to be for encouraging me to get in touch with Pamela a part of their wonderful and Hymie. I was able to visit them in Worcester celebration. and learn much more about my paternal family I am sure that like as well as Hymie’s family too. My paternal first many members of FPS I did not envisage that cousins, Annie, Martin and Simon are also part synagogue life would become virtual, nor that of this story and it has been so good to get to this way of engaging could be so meaningful know them too. or enriching, but it has. Of course when the This weekend we went to Harrogate for my opportunity arises for us all to be together first cousin Annie’s marriage to her long time again I will be there, but in the meantime I am partner Hugh. When lockdown started Annie and so grateful that our synagogue is thriving. I wish Hugh thought they would need to postpone their every member, your families and friends a happy wedding and notified their 100 guests. However New Year and a good fast.
4 Cut It Out lesley urbach
“We have learned to fly the air like birds and hate crime statistics According to an article swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned in the Guardian in October 2019 the number of the simple art of living together.” Martin Luther hate crimes reported to police have more than King. doubled since 2013. There were 103,379 hate Grime artist Wiley’s recent anti Semitic crimes recorded by the police in England and rants on social media must be dealt with under Wales in 2018/19, an increase of 10% compared the law as a hate crime. to 2017/18. what is hate crime? Hate Crime is defined as what can we do? Support René Cassin’s ‘Cut “an act of hostility towards an individual as a It Out‘ campaign which aims to bring people result of their race, religion, nationality, sexual together to call out abusive or inflammatory orientation, gender identity or disability” speech. Write to every media source every “Hate crime is merely the final act of time they use unacceptable language. Use a a sequence of stages. It is the final, most template letter from the website to ask MPs extreme symptom of various ideologies which to support Rene Cassin’s campaign. Challenge express intolerant and dogmatic views. In order people when they make prejudicial remarks to combat hate crime, we must effectively about any group. There is no hierarchy of challenge hateful discourse and the circles in discrimination and hate. As Jewish sources say: which it circulates.” - Board of Deputies of British “Thou shalt not abhor the Edomite, for he is Jews thy brother; thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian, because thou was a stranger in his land” “Groundless hatred is considered Deuteronomy 23:7 as serious an evil as idolatry, “Groundless hatred is considered as serious an evil as idolatry, immorality, and bloodshed immorality, and bloodshed combined.” Talmud, Mas. Yoma 9b combined.” www.hopenothate.org.uk/research/state-of- types of hate crime Any criminal offence hate-report-2019 carried out with hostility based on race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or www.cps.gov.uk/hate-crime disability. Hate crime includes: physical assault, verbal abuse and incitement to hatred through www.amnesty.org.uk/files/Against-Hate- pictures, videos, words and music. Briefing-2.pdf what is hate speech? Hate speech is speech expressing hatred of a particular group and can result in increases in hate crime. For example after Boris Johnson referred to veiled Muslim women as ‘letterboxes’, anti-Muslim incidents rose by 375%.
5 FPS People’s Page people welcome to new members happy anniversary to Michael Gorodi & Chloe Azulay; Robin Heller Nina Steiger & Andrew Muir celebrating their mazal tov to 10th wedding anniversary; to Tessa & Derek Michael Gorodi & Chloe Azulay on their Phillips their 59th wedding anniversary and marriage in August to Miriam & Monty Bixer their 66th wedding happy birthday to anniversary. Mazel tov to all of you! the following members who celebrate milestone stone setting birthdays in September: for Betty & Harry Cohen, officiated by Rabbi Lilian Kramer, Sylvia Mendoza, Joan Phillips, Rebecca at Edgwarebury Cemetery at 12:30pm Howard Shopper, Stanley Volk, Gunter Lawson, on Wednesday 9 September Sammy Sofizade, Godfrey Mellins, John Michelson, Jacquie Fawcett, Tamara Joseph, Richard Logue, Paul Anticoni, Jonathan Kudlick.
The Shul apple tree. Photo: Zoe Jacobs
6 Beit Knesset community events, all welcome!
At the time of writing, all FPS activities are delving into judaism being held via Zoom video conferencing. Wednesdays @ 7.00pm. Adult class with Links to access will be included in FPS emails. Rabbi Rebecca exploring the building blocks of bridge group Judaism plus Hebrew classes. Closed during lockdown 2 September: Welcome back with Introduction rosh chodesh to Hebrew Monthly celebration of the New Moon by 9 September: Introduction to Hebrew women who enjoy meeting, sharing and 16 September: Birthday of the World learning. 23 September: Sin, Original and Otherwise *The next meeting will be in October - no Rosh 30 September: Shelter and its Jewish Meaning Chodesh in September learn book club Thursdays @ 1.00pm Wednesday 8 September @ 8.00pm An hour’s learning with Rabbi Rebecca – with or Book Club meetings are held on the second without your own lunch. Wednesday of each month. Contact Sheila King 3 September : Tying up Loose Ends: Ki Tavo and Lassman [email protected] or Edgar Attitudes to Each Other Jacobsberg [email protected] 10 September: Netzavim, The Point of It All 17 September: Torah on Rosh Hashanah - the breakfast shiur Meaning for Us 12 September @ 9.30am A Renewal of Hope 24 September: Haazinu, Last Words presented by Paul Silver-Myer. 1 October: Sukkot and Shelter and Torah We just need to listen to or watch the news to feel a daily helplessness or even hopelessness. pilates Wherever we look, at home and abroad, Our excellent instructor Tali Swart teaches there are so many issues, both pressing and several classes a week on Zoom, all levels. For depressing, and many fears about what is in schedule and payment information, contact store. [email protected] Yet, at this season, Jews come together and look inward to search, contemplate and renew. T’shuvah involves a renewal of hope, but where does this hope come from? How and why do we pledge ourselves to do better, to challenge ourselves, to find the spirit to believe in a better self and society? Can we believe like Anne Frank who wrote: ‘I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.’
7 Beit Tefillah services at fps
services- september / elul leading into tishrei / sivan leading into tamuz servicesAt the time of writing,– june FPS services are being held via Zoom video conferencing. Links to access them will be included in FPS emails.
Friday 4 September 6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service Saturday 5 September 11.00am Shabbat Service Friday 11 September 6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service rosh hashanah Saturday 12 September 9.00pm Selichot Service joined by Kingston Liberal Synagogue Friday 18 September 6.00pm Ready for Rosh Hashanah Family Kiddush 6.30pm Erev Rosh Hashanah Service Saturday 19 September 10.00am Rosh Hashanah Family Service 11.30am Traditional Rosh Hashanah Service 5.00pm Tashlich and Havdalah Friday 25 September 6.30pm Shabbat Resouled Saturday 26 September 11.00am Shabbat Shuvah Service
kol nidre Sunday 27 September 7.30pm Kol Nidre Service yom kippur Monday 28 September 11.00am Shabbat Service 10.30am Rise and Shine – a family moment 11.00am Traditional Yom Kippur Service 12.45pm Dramatised Musaf with NPLS 1.00pm Family Musaf: A Short History of Nearly Everything...Jewish with LJY-Netzer 2.00pm Prayer and Study options with Liberal Judaism 2.00pm Yom Kippur Afternoon Services with LJY-Netzer 3.00pm Reflections on Jonah 4.30pm Family Service 5.30pm Yizkor 6.30pm Ne’ilah and Havdalah
8 Beit Midrash coming up at fps
Thursday@ 7.00pm: Adult education 6 September: Can we make London the world’s programme to which everyone is welcome. greenest city? 3 September: Can we make London the world’s 13 September: I’m Jewish but not in public. Do greenest city? Supporting London Citizens’ we hide our light under a bushel? listening campaign on climate change. With Adrian Lister and Karen Glaser cafe Sunday @ 10.00am: All welcome to join for a friendly chat and topical discussion (bring your own coffee!). Suggestions for discussion topics welcome, to Adrian: [email protected]
9 High Holy Days
This has been a strange year. Our services this year will be different. This offers so much opportunity but also some uncertainty. We have tried to build in alternatives throughout the High Holy Days as we know Zoom fatigue can set in! But we are here, and we will be together – in a new way. Join us however and whenever you are able to. We wish you Shana Tova – a sweet and healthy new year.
10 High Holy Days
11 High Holy Days
12 FPS At Lockdown
From top left, clockwise: Aaron making matzah in our cook-along – April; Beit Tefillah (services committee) meeting – May; Rebecca’s Zoom Bat Mitzvah – June; our speakers at the Black Lives Matter Beit Midrash discussion – July
13 Shul Never Walk Alone darren beach
In 1967 Mark Lazarus scored the winning goal born in South Africa but moved to England at for QPR as the R’s beat West Brom 3-2 to lift the age five. He was once a much-vaunted youth League Cup, still to this day their only major prospect at Chelsea but never quite made it at honour. Until 13 July this was also the only goal the highest level. Nonetheless, he has had a ever scored at Wembley by a Jewish footballer. good career since in the lower leagues and in his That ‘record’ finally ended with a 79th-minute native country, and has captained South Africa penalty from Cardiff-born Joe Jacobson that several times and played in major international sealed the 2-1 victory that promoted Wycombe tournaments. Wanderers to the second-tier Championship for Close friends and (at Oldham) former the first time. housemates, Joe and Dean are articulate, So why has it been so long between the two? personable men who were happy to share their Well, Jewish footballers have long been thin on experiences not only of the football world at the ground in English football. For sure, there large, but of what it has meant for them being have been a handful of Israeli players in the Jewish footballers. Dean said that there was Premier League, but when Nick Blackman (now often a lot of naivety among many team-mates of Maccabi Tel Aviv) appeared for Reading in who had never met a Jew before and he still 2012 he became the first Anglo-Jew to start a top- gets a lot of questions. Joe added that in such flight match since Barry Silkman at Manchester multicultural, multinational dressing rooms City more than 30 years earlier. it’s really just another background to add. Both Jewish footballers weren’t always so few. were keen to highlight that they had never heard As Anthony Clavane’s magnificent book Does anything anti-semitic from football crowds. Your Rabbi Know You’re Here sets out, long- It was refreshing to hear from two successful forgotten pre-war pioneers such as Les Goldberg young men, each comfortable in his own skin (Leeds United), Louis Bookman (Bradford City as footballers approaching the twilight of and a full Ireland international) and the prolific their careers but also as Jews. They are great Harry Morris (Swindon Town) all made a name ambassadors for all of us. And good luck Joe for for themselves. However,as the community the season ahead in the Championship! became more aspirational, less working-class and more integrated, the numbers tailed off and Jewish involvement became much more at the boardroom level we are now familiar with. A couple of weeks ago I was one of 70 who joined an evening in with Dean Furman & Joe Jacobson, hosted on Zoom by BBC sports broadcaster Rob Nothman for Maccabi GB. Joe Jacobson, 33, was born in Cardiff. There weren’t many Jews but he went to FZY and JLB, and at just 14 was picked to represent Britain at the Maccabiah Games. Dean Furman, 32, was
14 15 Social Justice Work During Lockdown zoe jacobs
We want to say an enormous thank you to helping school children in haringey: In everyone who has been involved in the social neighbouring Crouch End Rabbi Sandra Kviat action and social justice work during lockdown. called for help through Citizens UK. A local FPS has made an enormous difference in so primary school needed games, puzzles and arts many ways – here are just a few stories… and crafts equipment for families struggling in lockdown. The Assistant Headteacher caring for carers: Many members of FPS said simply: “Thank you for offering. What a have had loved ones cared for by care workers blessing!” as both FPS and Crouch End Chavurah when they are ill or coming to the end of came together with huge donations. their lives. And as lockdown highlighted the amazing work carers do, we stood with Citizens food bank aid: Perhaps the biggest success UK to ask for a Real Living Wage for carers is the continued donations to Food Bank Aid across the country. Margot Katz had both her – an organisation set up just before Pesach to parents cared for by care workers in what she make sure local food banks were getting the calls “extraordinary ways”. Margot, like so donations they needed. With extraordinary many of us, believes “the work carers do at such commitment and determination from Alison an important stage in life is outstanding and and Peggy, Food Bank Aid was advertised priceless”. And they should be paid a decent throughout the postcode groups. Sharon wage for doing so! decided to take it a step further by doing a street collection she said: “the result was collecting unwanted tech: Susanna was heartwarming with generous donations of food inspired by a tweet from Barnet Youth Forum and cash and around 15 bags of essential food who worked alongside Social Box to help and household items!”. collect and clean up unwanted tech ready to be donated to families in need. “It just seemed like the most sensible thing,” Susanna said. “We complain about old tech cluttering up our cupboards, and now it can help bring education into the home of a family who need it.” baking for nhs workers: Along with 6 other bakers (all on zoom) we made biscuits and cakes for NHS workers. Hannah, a friend of a member and newly qualified doctor in Barnet General said: “It was so amazing to have hot food and cakes available at the end of a shift. Thank you so much”.
16 hannah grossmith-dwek bacp child/adolescent counsellor
I am an experienced, accredited counsellor offering support for young people and their families. Based in East Finchley
Please contact me on:
Tel: 07855601335 Email: [email protected] Website: www.hgd-counselling.com
17 mazel tov to our fantastic a level students! • Ben is going to Nottingham University to • Evie is going to Birmingham University to study Mechanical Engineering study Educational Psychology • Eddie is going to Israel to study and travel • Hannah is going to Cambridge University • Eimonn is continuing study in the UK after to study music a school swap • Raphy is going to Nottingham University to • Ella is going to Leeds University to study study Economics Psychology • Ruben is going to Glasgow University to study Economics We know you’ll do us, your family and more importantly yourselves proud at university, and that you’ll all be well-equipped to cope with whatever student life throws at you.
18 19 Contacts fps website: www.fps.org
finchley progressive synagogue Life President: Sheila King Lassman 54 Hutton Grove N12 8DR Vice Presidents: Renzo Fantoni, Josie Kinchin, 020 8446 4063 www.fps.org Alex Kinchin-Smith, Laura Lassman, Lionel King facebook.com/finchleyprog Lassman, John Lewis, Paul Silver-Myer, Andrea Rabbi Rebecca Birk – [email protected] Rappoport, Joan Shopper Emeritus Rabbi: Dr Frank Hellner contacts Board of Deputies Reps: Janet Tresman, Community Development Manager: Stanley Volk Zoe Jacobs – [email protected] Beit Midrash (Adult Education): Adrian Lister Musicians in Residence: Franklyn Gellnick, [email protected] Dean Staker Beit Tefillah (Rites & Practices): Valerie Joseph Synagogue Manager: Pauline Gusack [email protected] [email protected] Keep In Touch Team (contacting members): executive 2020 reached via Pauline in FPS office Chair: Cathy Burnstone, [email protected] Website Editor: Philip Karstadt Vice-Chair: Anjanette Pavell, [email protected] [email protected] Shofar Editor: Darren Beach Treasurer: Chris Nash, [email protected] [email protected] Honorary Secretary: Tamara Joseph, Shofar Team: Sarah Rosen-Webb, Deb Hermer [email protected] FPS Office: [email protected] board members The Finchley Progressive Synagogue is a company limited by Sam King, [email protected] guarantee (Company No 9365956) and a registered charity Phillip Raphael, [email protected] (Charity No 1167285) whose registered office is 54 Hutton Ann Pelham, [email protected] Grove, Finchley, London N12 8DR Roy Balint-Kurti, [email protected] President: Alan Banes
ashley page janet tresman insurance brokers mediator & collaborative family law solicitor Commerce House Altermans Solicitors 2a Litchfield Grove 239 Regents Park Road, London N3 3LF London N3 2TN Office phone: 0208 346 1777 Tel. 020 8349 5100 Email: [email protected]
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