EXODUS – FROM EGYPT OR THE USSR Shalom Chaverim,

Looking back at my own experiences, liberation of Soviet Jewry will rank as world, Egypt, strengthened by hope the events that led to my deep one of the greatest miracles of our and faith in an unseen God and appreciation for our religious tradition, people’s history, second only to the unseen virtues, taught in our Torah. law, narrative and faith that make up founding of the modern state of Israel. Judaism, I would say that despite my Israel absorbed almost a million Jews, We learn from the story of the Exodus many trips to Israel and the incredible the equivalent of the United States from Egypt that the strength of our times I had travelling, studying, living absorbing the entire population of people which has enabled us to outlive there and marvelling at the rebirth of France into its borders, and within just every mighty empire since the the Jewish people in the Land of four years! beginning of time is based not on Israel, nevertheless, the trips I made to chariots, arms or armies, not on the former Soviet Union were the most My many visits to the USSR enabled statues or monuments, power or significant Jewish experiences in my me to understand what it is like to live wealth, but founded upon the humility life. in a nation of oppression, of of belief in the power of God, a God of suppression of basic human rights. redemption, history and vision who has I went numerous times between 1984 They could not study, speak the taught the world that the sanctity of and 1992, some visits more successful language of their choice or learn about human life is non-negotiable, and that than others: visiting refuseniks, their religious faith without fear of human beings are destined to be free, teaching Judaism, Hebrew and Jewish arrest and imprisonment. The bravery not slaves. This is the story of a God history to young and old, dissidents of the Jews I met, from Sharansky to who has maintained this special and students, and smuggling Begun to Edelstein to Astrakhan, is relationship with the people of Israel, dissertations, books and photos, which forever emblazoned in my heart and to be His eyes and ears to the rest of have become part of the legacy of our soul. They taught me what the struggle humanity until our world is redeemed people’s freedom movement for Soviet for freedom is all about, the strength for all. Jewry. that comes from a deeply rooted faith in right versus wrong, and the sacrifice And we tell the story of Passover Between 1988 and 1992, almost 1½ necessary to protect the freedom of around our dinner tables, focusing on million Jews found their way to Jewish life today. the future, on our children. We parents freedom in Israel and outside it. As I and grandparents teach them that our said in the introduction to my book, It is an amazing narrative we are about memories will not be held in From Exodus to Freedom, the to tell once again to ourselves and to monuments but carried through the our children generations in words, values and and hope. This is a faith greater than grandchildren, anything on earth, that binds the past how 3,300 and future, forever a witness to the years ago, a human spirit and its connection to a small slave God Who is the greatest Power on Wednesday 28 February at 5.30pm people, earth, the unseen force of life as we powerless, know it. Our task is to build a world of Falafel Dinner / Fancy Dress Parade, without human freedom, based upon Megilah Reading / Songs performed by the Youth Choir territory or responsibility and the dignity of all. army, left the Booking is required for catering purposes. Please contact the mightiest Office on 020 7794 3949 or [email protected] and empire in the (Continues on page 3) also for parking vouchers as restrictions apply till 6.30pm. IN THIS ISSUE ANNUAL ISRAEL DINNER Page 2: Recent Events: Photo Gallery Join us in celebrating ISRAEL'S 70 BIRTHDAY Page 3: Purim Reflections 100th Birthday Thursday 19 April at Belsize Square Synagogue Page 4-5: Obituary: Eric Moonman • A great evening of music and dancing with Shir, London's leading Page 6: Gay Development Jewish band Page 7: Belinda Harding: Art Show • A conversation with Jonathan Freedland Music of Exile • Superb dining by our own chef, Adam Nathan Page 8-9: Obituary: John Altmann • Help support our deserving chosen Israeli charities Page 10: Klopstick Page 11: Community News Tickets £50.00 from the Synagogue Office

No 694 - Adar/Nissan/Iyar 5778 - March/April 2018 Our Congregation - Page 2 RECENT EVENTS AT BELSIZE SQUARE

CHANUKAH LUNCH 2017 On 16 December, 38 of us enjoyed a special Chanukah celebration, combining songs and stories with a delicious home- cooked warm meal and, of course, latkes.

Gerda Oblath: “It was a beautiful meal. I thoroughly enjoyed it; lovely food and lovely warm atmosphere that enabled us to enjoy the lunch.” Helen Kissen: “As a newcomer I was made to feel at home; a delicious meal and such good company.”

Many thanks to everyone who helped to create what member Maurice Mendel said was “the best ever” of our recent lunches. And warm thanks to Claire Walford, for catering.

1st row on left: Maurice Mendel (partial view), Walter Goddard, Jacqueline Goddard, Malka Baker, Helen Kissen, Cantor Paul Heller, Margot Kinstead, Stephanie Rothner (crown of head) and friend. Volunteer Suzanne Goldstein standing at side.

2nd row: Paul Fraylich and his mother Charly Fraylich, Vivienne Kendall, Vera Kovacs, Gerda Oblath (crown of head), John Hersov (Eve's husband), volunteer Sue Schraer.

3rd row: Volunteer Philippa Strauss, Rabbi Stuart Altshuler (standing), volunteer Jackie Alexander.

4th row: Volunteers Claire Walford (cook), Clive Goldstein, Jimmy Strauss, Jeannie Cohen and Jenny Lake, Brigitte Flynn, volunteer John Alexander, Joe Behrens and his carer, Abi.

Other guests included Alice Frank, Brigitte's Flynn's daughter Enid, and Anne and Gerard Goodwin. Report by Eve Hersov

Cantor Paul Heller (baritone) with the Wallace Ensemble under conductor Ben Wolf at the BSS Music Committee's highly enjoyable Romantic Vienna Concert last November.

SECOND SEDER SATURDAY 31 MARCH

Rabbi Altshuler and Cantor Heller together with their families are delighted to invite you to join them for Second Night Seder at the Synagogue following the Service at 6.45pm.

Members - £30.00 Non Members - £35.00 Children under 13 - £15.00

Please contact the Synagogue Office if From barrister to barista: you wish to attend: Adam Davis, QC in real life, became a barista at our highly successful Chanukah Telephone: 020 7794 3949 Market. Thanks to all who took part, as Email: [email protected] cooks and bottle-washers, stall-holders, suppliers, servers and just plain customers. REFLECTIONS ON PURIM As a member of the Liturgical Kikar Kids. She and they are our future they rock up to the Purim Service after Committee, I chose Purim as my and need our full support at all times. school to do their bit, which they do so "remit". Having a fun time seems a well. No doubt their parents are now good way to move forward and I’ve I suppose I’d like to say that this has wondering where they are in my thanks been having fun playing around with it been a huge undertaking requiring – and, yes, parents, you are good. You for the last five years. amazing skills and great expertise. But are producing our next and continuing of course I’d be lying and doing a Belsizers, a very important job. Fun, however, can be quite problematic disservice to our wonderful Belsize to achieve, one of the reasons being team who are actually the Purim Have I had any worrisome moments possibly that Purim, like other Jewish Producers: Cantor Paul Heller, Jeanie that, actually, Purim isn’t going to festivals and holy days, never seems to Horowitz, Alyson Denza now happen? Well, yes, there have been fall on the right day or at the right time. succeeded by Miles D'Cruz, Lee Taylor, some, which ones would be telling. But Too early, too late – the great parental Adam Rynhold and, last but by no hats get pulled out of bags, voices outcry. And of course you can only means least and always supportive of come out of throats, fingers move the have fun with help! what we undertake, our Rabbi, Stuart puppets and, somehow or another, we Altshuler. have what I hope has been and will Now, however, it is time to let go and continue to be, a fun time. hand over to new, fresh and young I have not mentioned our choir or blood. Michelle Samson is going to be megillah readers but that does not Photos and reports of this year's Lead Purim Player from next year mean they are not included in my celebration will have to wait till the next onwards, although I shall continue to thanks. They are all at school, in some issue of Our Congregation but will, of tuck into what’s on offer if required. I cases doing exams, mocks, and so on. course, be worth the wait. am greatly indebted to her, she’s a Yet they rehearse during cheder hours, young mother and active participant in they rehearse after cheder hours and Pat Hirschovits 100th BIRTHDAY PARTY - Eve Hersov Reports Our member, Dr Geoffrey Radford, celebrated his 100th birthday at a large party arranged by his family at his care home, Jewish Care's Lady Sarah Cohen House. The party included live musical entertainment, accounts of his life and the presentation of the Queen's congratulations card from the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London, Martin Russell, who happens to have been born in Belsize Square itself.

Dr Radford was a GP in Johannesburg and moved on retirement with his wife Grace to be near their children and grandchildren, who were already in Britain. When he married Grace Graff, who was left a young widow, he adopted her four children (three boys and a girl). The Radfords joined our synagogue in 1998 (Grace sadly died in 2012) and many of their younger Graff-Radfords are also Belsize Square members. The three sons and a grandson became doctors. The Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London, Martin Russell, hands the Queen's congratulations card to Dr Geoffrey is known in the family for never missing a simchah. Geoffrey Radford, surrounded by his family. From left: He has attended every Bar and Bat Mitzvah, wedding and grandson Keith, son Neil, daughter Jill. Sitting birth. His birthday was on 30 January but the party was held opposite: granddaughter Mia and grandson Jackson. A two days early to allow guests to come on a Sunday afternoon. carer is seated at the end of the table.

(Continued from page 1) Bibles, sacred Jewish texts. And on the fear that Jewish ideas might almost every entry into the country I destroy the basis of oppression. When we open the Ark in readiness for was grilled, at times for hours, asking the Torah reading, we sing, “Vayehi me what I was bringing and told how What has changed in 3,300 years? binsoa ha'aron vayomer Moshe, kumah “dangerous” these books and items Virtually nothing. Our religious tradition Adonai, v’yafutzu oyvecha, v’yanusu were to the mighty Soviet Empire. I stands as strong as ever today, our m’sanecha mipanecha.” (Whenever the wondered how that was possible. How mission the same: to bring about a Ark set out, Moses said: Arise, O Lord, could an empire with nuclear weaponry world based upon God’s might and not and may Your enemies be scattered be afraid of any book, especially a the ephemeral power of weapons and and those who hate You flee before prayer book or chumash? war. Some day, Elijah will come and You.”) the Jewish people will be free, and But then I understood the fear. then all humanity will be free, under I never understood what that verse Authoritarian regimes are paranoid God. Next year in Jerusalem! from the book of Numbers (10:35) about “ideas”, about values that meant until I went to the Soviet Union. challenge the supremacy of might and My wishes to all of you and your loved How can the Torah scroll “scatter our power. And then I knew the power of ones for a blessed, joyous and enemies, cause those who hate us to my Judaism, the power of the word, the meaningful Passover 5778. flee from us?” On all my trips to the spirit, of God, without armies and USSR, I brought siddurim, tallitot, nuclear bombs. The fear was palpable, Rabbi Stuart Altshuler

No 694 - Adar/Nissan/Iyar 5778 - March/April 2018 - Page 3 Our Congregation - Page 4 ERIC MOONMAN 1929-2017 MP of many parts Eric Moonman, who died on 22 father died the day before the December 2017, aged 88, entrance exam but a week later described himself as being "in he was told he could sit a the advice business". This was special exam under an indeed the common thread in invigilator. He graduated in a his many-sided career, whether diploma course in Social as MP, industrial relations and Studies in 1955. In 1953 he management academic, local worked as a volunteer clearing council leader, health authority rubble from the earthquake that chairman or think tank director struck the Greek Ionian islands. in the wider community – apart from the Jewish field, where he With no openings locally, he held office in the Board of went to London to work for the Deputies and Zionist Federation Eric Moonman with Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown at Daily Mirror on the production and researched terrorism and an event held by the Zionist Federation, where Eric side. But the next year he moved anti-Semitism. served as chairman and president to the British Institute of Management (today the Eric was the child of Yiddish-speaking except one teacher at the third school, Chartered Management Institute) as immigrants from eastern Europe. His who encouraged him to edit the weekly human relations adviser until 1962, father, Borach Moonman, came from school magazine. He also celebrated then lectured for two years at South Berdichev, near Odessa, which he left his Bar Mitzvah, despite getting into West Essex Technical College. after serving in the 1904-5 Russo- trouble for throwing sticky cream cakes Japanese War. His mother, Leah from the back of the ladies gallery. It At the BIM, he dealt with personnel Bernstein, left Lithuania with her sister. was done for a dare and ruined several issues, incentive schemes and They met in Liverpool, where they hats. communications, admitting to “learning settled on landing, and set up a milk on the job". In 1962 he married his delivery service, which included Desperate to leave school, he applied research assistant, Jane Dillon from collecting the churns from a nearby for a vacancy in the local office of the Lancashire, at the New Liberal Jewish farm. They had eight daughters before Liverpool Echo newspaper. This was Congregation (our Synagogue), under Eric was born on 21 June 1929. six months before his 14th birthday, the Rabbi Jakob Kokotek. minimum school-leaving age, and he All the children helped with the milk had to apply for special permission. Eric knew him from when he ran a round. They were part of a poor but Under pressure from wartime Jewish student cultural group and hard-working, close Orthodox shortages, which also affected labour, came into contact with Liverpool’s community. Eric was enrolled in the this was granted. His job was mostly Reform Rabbi. Rabbi Kokotek served children's choir of the historic Princes stamping the latest news – usually there from 1951-1957 before Road Synagogue to keep him out of racing and football results – onto the succeeding Rabbi Salzberger in the cinema. He enjoyed the Stop Press columns of the street London. The newly-weds, now living in camaraderie and singing but took sellers' piles of papers. He loved it. Islington, joined the synagogue and offence at one young singer's higher their three children, Daniel, Natasha earnings and left the choir, as he did After doing this for over a year, he took and Joshua, went to Cheder and were not think the other boys would join him up, with his father's encouragement, a Bar and Bat Mitzvah there. in a strike. seven-year apprenticeship at a small printing firm in Liverpool, where he now Eric served on the synagogue board The other boy became a popular singer commuted daily. Seven years seemed from 1962-2007. He immediately and entertainer from the 1950s-1990s an eternity but Eric used it to catch up entered into its thriving activities, and changed his name to Frankie on his education, studying economics editing this publication from 1964-1967 Vaughan, although there was little at night school at Liverpool College of and establishing the Israel Committee, indication at the time of his future Commerce and taking part in regular which he chaired till 1993. The 1971 career. Eric remained proud of his first talks with members of Southport inaugural dinner was attended by Israel foray into industrial disputes. Labour Party, which he joined at 16, ambassador, Michael Comay. A sub- and formal debates at the YMCA. committee ran a lively cultural With Liverpool a major target for programme. Jane was involved in the German attacks on its port and He imparted his ideas to fellow- 1970s Soviet Jewry campaign. industry, the Moonman family home apprentices and started a Guild of was struck in December 1940 by a Young Printers under the aegis of their When Eric arrived in London, he bomb. The family were dug out of the typographical union. His activity was stayed at the Stepney settlement of wreckage, fortunate to sustain only rewarded with a trade union Toynbee Hall, a vibrant and high- minor injuries, and relocated to a scholarship to an economic and minded centre for social reform. He daughter's small flat in Southport, a political conference at the International entered local politics and was elected quiet seaside resort 20 miles away. His Labour Office in Geneva – his first trip onto Stepney Council in 1961. He was father, deprived of a living, devoted abroad. its leader from 1964 until Stepney himself to the shul, which became merged with Bethnal Green and Poplar packed with evacuees. At 21 he was called up for National in 1965 to become Tower Hamlets, and Service, going on educational courses remained a councillor till 1967. Eric spent the next 18 months at three for the next two years. He then applied different schools, disliking all of them for a place at Liverpool University. His His shock at the terrible domestic circumstances of so many children in He clashed even more strongly when dubious, especially when combined the area made him sympathetic to he refused to implement a left-wing with the unusual name of Moonman. young people who came to him for MP's (Michael Meacher’s) advice. He encouraged their sense of questionnaire on the political affiliation He returned to the academic world as their own abilities and worth and often of health authority members, and visiting professor of management and mentored them. He also helped a shy resigned from the Labour Party in information at the Medicine Research young sculptress, Leeds-born Frances 1990. He rejoined a few months later, Centre of City University, London, from Segelman, by introducing her to friends after the questionnaire was dropped. 1992-2011, and held another visiting who were interested in a sculpted Following his health authority term, he professorship at Liverpool University portrait of themselves. was asked by the International Red from 2007-2009. Cross to advise Namibia in its plans for His parliamentary success came in a national skills and education In 1986 he became a board member of 1966 when he won Billericay in Essex. programme. For three years he went to Bipac, the British-Israel Political Affairs He lost it in 1970 but regained part of it Namibia for a three-month stay to see Centre, a pro-Israel lobby group from in the redrawn constituency of Basildon this project launched. 1976-1999. His extensive research in 1974. He finally lost his seat in the into anti-Semitism and terrorism made 1979 election which brought in the He also became busy in the Jewish him an invaluable adviser but he Thatcher era. He had a promising start community. A self-confessed macher, misguidedly tried to disguise himself as as parliamentary private secretary to he was senior vice-president of the a source, perhaps to exert greater cabinet minister Patrick Gordon Board of Deputies from 1985-1991 and authority, by using a pseudonym which Walker, but it came to an abrupt end 1994-1999, and chaired its Community also served as an address to receive with Gordon Walker's departure from Research Unit. In 1997 he co-led a and distribute fees, including his work Harold Wilson's cabinet in 1968. secret meeting with Yasser Arafat in a on Bicom's EEC Monitor. The resultant London hotel to persuade him to meet fuss when his cover was blown in He remained a backbencher but Israeli leaders – which led to nothing. 1987, inevitably led to his resignation, chaired two parliamentary committees, which he felt very sore about. the all-party mental health committee In 2000 he became president of the and Labour’s new towns and urban Zionist Federation, which he had Other activities included setting up an affairs committee. He also became chaired from 1975-1980. He was also association of ex-MPs, aimed not only known for his strong support of Israel. chairman of Poale Zion (now the at getting easy access to their former In 1968 he opposed a parliamentary Jewish Labour Movement) and served work place but speaking to schools and campaign to ban shechitah. Shechitah on the World Jewish Congress colleges about parliamentary life and was saved, thanks to a devout committee on anti-Semitism. work. In 2010 he became a trustee of Christian MP, Peter Archer, and Eric the Everton Former Players was invited to be his synagogue's He indulged his love of popular Foundation, his lifelong football club, to representative at the Board of entertainment as governor of the help retired players (who in those days Deputies, which he did for the rest of British Film Institute from 1974-80 did not earn vast sums) to deal with his life. (finally allowed to go to the cinema illness and injury later in life – and get without parental disapproval), as a pass to matches. In between his two terms as MP he chairman of Essex Radio from worked as a research fellow at UMIST 1991-2002, and as member of the Among his many talks was one on the (University of Manchester Institute of Natural History Museum Development work of the Board of Deputies, Science and Technology) on Trust from 1989-1991. This involved a delivered in February 2000 to the organisational changes. His work led to visit to Canada to get ideas for the Jewish Representative Council in an MSc in industrial relations and yet presentation of dinosaurs – a project Southport, the town of his youth. The another addition to the 10 or so books which immigration officials thought vote of thanks was given by an he wrote on management and society, optometrist, who told him she had as well as numerous articles for the studied at City University where he press and a 2017 memoir. lectured. When he phoned later to enquire about her, he was told she had After losing his seat, he became enquired about him. Eric and Gillian director from 1979-1990 of the Centre Mayer were married in 2001. for Contemporary Studies, a research group which closed in 1992. It focused He never wanted to retire and on football hooliganism and racism, remained (almost) as active as ever, riots (the Brixton riots took place in commuting between London and 1981), National Front recruitment at Southport. After a fall in his Islington schools and rock concerts, and home in December, where he international terrorism. appeared at first unharmed, he showed signs of deterioration a few days later During this time he chaired Islington and died in hospital. He was buried at Health Authority, retiring in 1990. In Duke Street Cemetery in Southport. 1991, the year of his divorce, he was appointed OBE. Eric was always He is survived by Gillian, his three concerned with the human aspect of children and seven grandchildren. problems rather than ideological purity and clashed with hardline Labour Eric Moonman's stone-setting will take members over private participation in place on 15 July at 3pm at Duke Street the NHS. Realising its endless need Cemetery, 10 Duke Street, Southport, for funds, he was prepared to consider Bust of Eric Moonman by Frances PR8 2LE. A Memorial Service will be outside sourcing. Segelman in the family house in Islington held in Westminster on 22 May, 7-9pm.

No 694 - Adar/Nissan/Iyar 5778 - March/April 2018 - Page 5 Our Congregation - Page 6 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF LEGAL EXISTENCE Helen Grunberg and Sue Arnold appreciate a turning point in social attitudes A celebration marking 50 years since Rinder who spoke on how the change support needed for young people who the passing of the Sexual Offences Act in law allowed him to "come out", as want to "come out". Another group, led 1967 was held on Sunday 29 October well as the contrast between the by Rabbis Colin Eimer and Daniel 2017 at St John’s Wood Liberal Jewish freedom one has in London and other Lichman, looked back over the past 50 Synagogue (LJS). major cities with the position in the years of change. Lev Taylor and Anna provinces and rural areas, where Posner, both Leo Baeck rabbinical Some 150 people were welcomed with people are reluctant to declare their students, looked at "queer themes" in a delicious and plentiful tea and cakes homosexuality. He also emphasised liturgy. in the Montefiore Hall. We then moved the 70 countries that still have laws to the Sanctuary, where Rabbi Rachel punishing homosexuality, in some Rabbi Mark Solomon, who also led the Benjamin introduced us to the Right cases by death. closing session, discussed the Worshipful the Lord Mayor of relevance of LGBT (lesbian, gay, Westminster, Ian Adams, and his Siddurs were then distributed for the bisexual and transgender) marriages. husband. Ian Adams spoke movingly musical Mincha service led by Rabbis In 2005, while minister of LJS, he about his privileged position as a Shulamit Ambalu, Aaron Goldstein, edited the Covenant of Love: Service Jewish and gay mayor, now able to Emily Jurman and Josh Levy. Based at of Commitment for Same-Sex Couples, attend a synagogue with his partner. North West London Reform published by Liberal Judaism in 2005 Synagogue, Alyth Gardens, Rabbi Josh to coincide with the introduction of Civil Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah from Brighton Levy teaches at Leo Baeck College Partnerships in British law. He also and Hove Synagogue spoke on the and is currently its Rabbinic Vice- wrote the text for the new "gender- impact of the "partial decriminalisation" Chairman as well as a governor of neutral" ketubot (marriage documents) of laws aimed at men, through the Akiva School. His special interest is introduced by Liberal Judaism in step-by-step reduction of the age of conversion. September. consent. Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris, All these discussions were so relevant The 1967 Act decriminalised sexual principal of Leo Baeck College, spoke and poignant to all age groups. The acts in private between consenting about the work of Rabbi Dr Leo Baeck combination of Leo Baeck, Keshet, males over the age 21. It was passed and appealed for funds to establish Reform Judaism, Liberal Judaism and 10 years after the publication of the chairs at the Progressive rabbinical JGLG (Jewish Gay and Lesbian Goup) seminal Wolfenden Report, which seminary in the names of the late brought a great mixture of Progressive paved the way for this major shift in the Rabbis Lionel Blue and Sheila Gay Jews together for this celebration, law of the land. In 1990 the age of Shulman. Our speakers and organisers which allowed so many people to consent was reduced to 18 and in 2001 included both "gay" and "straight". follow their Judaism and their natural to 16, in line with the general age of inclination for same sex relationships. consent, except in Northern Ireland A 10-minute break allowed people to which had to wait till 2009. split up into discussion groups. One, Our thanks to St John’s Wood Liberal led by Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner Jewish Synagogue, who so generously Next we heard from Judge Robert and Robert Rinder, discussed the hosted this event.

Invitation to Nominate Candidates for Membership of the Board of The Belsize Square Synagogue (The Synagogue)

The fifth Annual General Meeting of The Synagogue (the AGM) will be held on Monday 4 June 2018. Formal notice will be given in due course. The Board hereby invites the members of The Synagogue to nominate candidates for the Office of Chairman and for election to the Board for a period of three years commencing from the AGM. There are 11 vacancies. Nominations must be in writing, addressed to the Hon. Secretary and submitted to the Synagogue Office by twelve noon on Friday 13 April 2018. Each Nomination must be signed by at least five members of The Synagogue who are themselves entitled to vote at the AGM. Only valid nominations which are received by that date can be considered. No member may sign more nominations for the Board than the number of vacancies (namely 12). In accordance with the Articles of Association of The Synagogue, the following 11 members will be retiring from the Board by rotation but are eligible for re-election if duly nominated: Joe Brookes, Paul Burger, Simon Cutner, Michael Horowitz, Adam Hurst, Dalia Lichfield, Annette Nathan, Marion Nathan, Sam Sanders, Nick Viner, Michelle Wayne. From 23 April 2018, a list of the candidates duly nominated will be available for inspection at the Synagogue Office and the formal notice of the AGM will also include a list of those candidates. Election of Deputies Election of up to two Deputies to the Board of Deputies of British Jews to be undertaken as a postal vote. Nominations should be sent in writing to the Hon. Secretary not later than Friday 13 April 2018, with names and addresses of the persons nominated, whose consent should be obtained. Any person eligible for nomination as a representative to the Board of Deputies must have been, for at least one year prior, not under 18 years of age or an undischarged bankrupt or convicted of a serious criminal offence or a paid employee of the Board of Deputies. Retiring Deputies are eligible for nomination. Should there be more nominations than there are places, a postal ballot will take place.

Our present deputy is: Robert Sacks. BAZAAR 7s , thanmoney done. Surely a message here for a wider populace, and u"l.'lopu for-thJ Tuture ot our congregation. _ .And so it starts all over again the continuous. cycle of pta-nning, coilecting, setting up, seliing, ant BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE ARTISTctearlng away. ON ,,ls it worth SHOW it?,, we agf ourselves, and always come Belinda Salmon Harding, the and, more recently, a Masters Degree up Awtth large the same glass answer _ yES!diptych, Dust to Dust, professional name that Belinda from the University of the Creative Arts which she created following her visit to Harding uses as an artist, is holding a in Farnham, Surrey. She has exhibited WEDDINGSMajdanek, -- FUNERALSis on permanent display at retrospective exhibition of her work at her works in many group and one-man the National Holocaust Centre at Burgh House, the Hampstead shows, including the Royal Academy Qrtt"nLaxton, Notts,fllo*n*t and a second piece is 75 GOTDERS GREEI{ ROAD, N.W.II Museum, on Wednesday-Friday 7-9 Summer Exhibition, the Young due 45sto go57041307s up there soon. March and Sunday 11 March. It will Contemporaries Exhibition and the Mall feature paintings, drawings and Galleries, and the Edinburgh Festival, Belinda’s work reflects her huge The or is nal s ketc h ES of Bazaar mp resst ons by Be inda Sa lmo n (Ha rd ing were prod uced excl usivel for th ) Q+ sculpture from her life’s work. Burgh r ssue.BenHe Urirecent Galleryexh ib tio n anddt the WoodBoundarystock Ga ery Gallery.Bond reet, was mostbreadthfavo u rabl v received of talentan d WE reas she paints in water House is in New End Square, NW3 pr eged to be ab le to use her ta ents to capture th sp r1 of our Bazaar weekendcolour, acrylic and oil and sculpts in 1LT. stone, bronze, metal and glass. “I paint what I see and make what I feel”, is Belinda’s career started at the Byam how she sums it all up. The Burgh Shaw School of Art (now absorbed into House exhibition brings together all the Central Saint Martins College of Art elements of her work. She uses her and Design), where her teachers skills as a draftsman and her visual included Bernard Dunstan RA and capacity to reflect what she sees in the Peter Greenham RA. She won the gaps between forms. Drawing Prize for her year and graduated three years later with a “I love to set myself challenges”, she Diploma in Fine Arts. says. “So the physical effort of sculpture is essential to me, and She has since obtained a BA in Detail from sketch by Belinda Harding learning basic physics and Humanities, majoring in art history, of customers at the 1976 Chanukah Bazaar chemistry has been exciting – better at the University of West London than cooking!” MUSIC OF EXILE: THE GENESIS SUITE Alasdair NisbetPage listens4 to an extraordinary performance Sir Simon Rattle's return the sanctity of the Divine to London has been G v)t\ L,l fu" q L€ 6"fi {t t) A/ promise to Noah. Finally, spectacular. In his first Stravinski gave a a"- i1 7 season as Principal J {r,s 6 downbeat portrayal of the Conductor of the London Tower of Babel story. Symphony Orchestra he Interestingly, he refused, is bringing a series of on religious grounds, to exciting works to the I allow a solo voice to Barbican. A group from represent the voice of Belsize Square went to God. Instead, he assigned hear Music of Exile. At its biblical quotations to the heart was the Genesis chorus. Suite, a little known work written by refugees. In this performance, music and text were Towards the end of World enhanced with a fabulous War II, with the overwhelmingly The Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden film compiled by Gerard appalling news of the projected over the London Symphony Orchestra McBurney and Mike Tutaj. It Holocaust, the destruction of old face of all the earth.” It begins with the was projected onto a screen Europe and the impending migration of evocative chaos of Arnold Schoenberg, arching, like Noah's rainbow, over the millions of refugees filling all the news which gains form, texture and rhythmic orchestra. News reel images of the media of the time, Nat Shilkret, the focus in the Prelude. Shilkret takes horrors of war and plight of survivors New York-born son of Jewish chaos and forms a musical world in and refugees, as well as political immigrants from Central Europe, Creation. Alexandre Tansman depicts figures, were shown with dramatic persuaded six other mainly Jewish Adam and Eve in eight scenes in the effect. composers to come together to create Garden of Eden, ending with their the Genesis Suite. Accompanied by the eviction. The Cain and Abel story is It was fitting that Rattle chose to words of the King James Bible, they described in the 1945 programme include Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra musically depicted the dramatic stories notes as "the story of discord and written in 1943. Bela Bartok had of the first chapters of the Bible. violence deftly underlined in music by originally agreed to write the Prelude Darius Milhaud." section but was prevented by ill health. Shilkret's vision and message were This was a tour de force and a brilliant clear. The stories of Adam and Eve, Europe had been covered by the storm contrast to the earlier suite. Rattle Cain and Abel, the Flood and Tower of clouds of war and Noah's Ark was conducted without the score, Babel are all tales of broken promises, buffeted in the musical storm of Mario demonstrating true mastery of the murder and destruction, leading to Castelnuovo-Tedesco but eventually works. displaced peoples. The piece ends with the sun came out and a Rainbow the words "and from thence did the appeared. The opening fugue, by Alasdair Nisbet is a Trustee of the LORD scatter them abroad upon the Ernest Tochof, is heard underscoring Barbican Trust

No 694 - Adar/Nissan/Iyar 5778 - March/April 2018 - Page 7 Our Congregation - Page 8 JOHN ALTMANN 1930-2018 Kindertransportee, Israel Volunteer Fighter and Cook

John Altmann, who died on 3 January found it was the home of the English 2018 aged 87, had a crowded and Betar leader, Major Weiser, a former active youth. He was a Kindertransport British Army officer now recruiting for arrival who stayed in a hostel run by Begin. John accepted enthusiastically. the Sainsbury family of grocery fame. As a volunteer in Israel's 1948 War of Shortly after the United Nations vote in Independence, he sailed on the ill-fated November 1947 to recognise Israel, Altalena. He fought in three locations John received a train ticket to Paris. He and ended up seeing an Egyptian ex- joined 20-30 other English recruits and prisoner-of-war he had guarded, walk set off for secret army training in a DP into his Edgware Road shop 30 years (Displaced Persons) camp near later as a customer. Stuttgart in the American zone in Germany. When the Americans Born in Stettin (now Szczecin in realised what they were up to, they left Poland) on 14 March 1930, he for a hachsharah (agricultural training) remembered clearly hearing the farm near Munich. windows smashed on the ground floor of their building when the leather One night they were taken in a hay cart clothing shop there was looted on to a spot in the nearby forest and told Kristallnacht, 9/10 November 1938.The to dig. A German soldier had sold the torched synagogue smouldered for two Some of the "Sainsbury Boys" in April secret of his army's weapons cache. days before being pulled down. His 1939 in the garden of the Putney house The recruits dug up the guns, father and two friends hid in the loft as provided by the Sainsbury family. degreased and got them working, then Jewish men were arrested in the street. John, known for his cheeky grin and wrapped them in old clothing and There was nothing of value to take twinkle in his eye, is in the centre of the packed them in boxes as "Used from their flat as his parents had boys kneeling at the front. His Clothes for Palestine". dutifully taken all their cutlery (meat, brother Wilf is 2nd left in the back row. milk and Pesach) to the Finance The American authorities again got Ministry and, of course, been issued When the London blitz started in wind of their activities and told them to with a receipt. September 1940, the boys were leave. The group took their boxes to evacuated. John was fostered by the Munich railway station, where they His father, a trouser manufacturer, tried Owen family in Reading, with whom he were joined by 700-800 DP camp to get permits for all the family but gave remained in touch for over 60 years. survivors as they travelled for three up and sent Hans and his older brother But at school he was bullied as an days on a sealed train through to Wolfgang, soon to be known as John enemy German and told by his social Marseilles. They stayed in a tent camp and Wilfred, on a Kindertransport in worker to forget his dream of staying till their ship's previous cargo was March 1938. John had just turned nine. on after 16 and studying engineering at unloaded. university (his parents' ambition for Wilf, who became a journalist, him) since taxpayers' money should Down at the docks, they saw their ship, described how their parents had driven not be spent on alien refugees. renamed the Altalena, was a large along the route as far as they could go, tank-landing craft. John was told it was waving goodbye to the boys. Their He then became seriously ill with a "revisionist" ship. This meant nothing mother was seven months pregnant osteomyelitis and faced amputation of to him (the name was an alias of but they never saw their baby brother his arm but was saved at the last Jabotinsky) but when the North African Raphael or their parents again. The minute by a young doctor who knew dockers saw the boxes labelled for Jews of Stettin were deported to the about penicillin, which was only mass Palestine, they refused to load them, Lublin Ghetto on 12 February 1940. All produced in 1940, and got some. John so the Jews did it. had died by the following winter. bore a deep scar for the rest of his life. They also loaded cratefuls of guns John and his brother were among Returning to London after the war, he supplied by French army surplus with those children not adopted by a British entered catering college and joined semi-official approval. It took a week to family and placed in hostels. With 25 Betar, the youth wing of the revisionist load and over a week to reach Kfar other boys they were sent to a house in movement founded by Vladimir Vitkin, near Netanya, on 20 June 1948, Putney, rented by the Sainsbury family Jabotinsky and inherited by Menachem five weeks after Israel's declaration of and complete with cook and matron. Begin, commander of the militant Irgun independence by the executive head of They were sent to school and Zvi Le'umi. John had no interest in left the World Zionist Organisation, David introduced to native food such as or right-wing politics but he was angry Ben Gurion. kippers, stew and custard. that Jews were still killed while the rest of the world re-adapted to peace, and At Kfar Vitkin some 800 passengers "Granny Sainsbury" visited daily and he liked the movement's readiness to left, taking 20% of the small arms by her two sons, directors of the grocery stand up and fight as Jews for Jews. agreement with Ben Gurion, and Begin chain (in pre-supermarket days) came came aboard. Next day at Tel Aviv she weekly to check their progress in Hanging around Speaker's Corner at caught on the wreckage of a previous English and dole out pocket money. Hyde Park, a man asked if he was immigrant boat opposite the Kereta “Granny" was born Mabel Miriam Van interested in joining the cause. He was Dan (now the Dan) Hotel. Ben Gurion den Bergh into a Dutch Jewish family would not let the ship land unless the given a prestigious nearby address and of margarine manufacturers. remaining arms were handed to him. Begin, his political rival, refused. War and translated the instructions into controversial issue, causing riots. John The ship was fired on from the hotel English without fully understanding decided to claim from Britain. His balconies by the Palmach, the pre- them. The experienced veteran then compensation for loss of family state army's elite force. It had no effect, translated them into Hebrew. John also property and business was just enough so the soldiers moved along the shore used his school geometry and to buy a second-hand Ford Escort to the site of today's Hilton and fired a trigonometry to plot the trajectory. Estate. He was also called up for 25-pounder field gun. It killed eleven National Service but rejected on the people, including four boys from Cuba They used the same method for the grounds of his malaria. whom John had taught to use guns. He German manual which followed with himself was nearly shot. After that, he Czech night sights, packed as “shoe Staying in Belsize Park with his father’s steered clear of Israeli politics. boxes". These gave the volunteer unit cousin, Julius Rosenbaum, and his a technological edge at Mishmar wife, Adele Reifenberg, both Berlin The ship was exploding and on fire. Hayarden, north of Safed, and Ma'alot- artists, John met his wife, Marlene John was among the 100 or so people Tarshiha close to the northern border. Goldschmidt, on the platform of who jumped into the sea, about two Then John got malaria and went to Belsize Park Station. They chatted and metres deep. But he and another man hospital. That was the end of his front- found they came from the same part of were first ordered by the captain to line duties. northern Germany. Their first date was toss two large crates overboard. He at the legendary Cosmo Restaurant. later found out they were highly Coming out of hospital with two weeks' sensitive detonators which could have convalescence leave, he was sitting in They were the third couple married in demolished the ship and sea front. a cafe in Naharia when his sergeant the newly bought synagogue in what is drove by and spotted him. He now the kiddush room, in 1955. John John, a non-swimmer, made it to the cancelled his leave and sent him to the soon found that Marlene, a Holocaust shore. Everyone became ill from the Negev where the Egyptian army was survivor with her own story, had strong sewage in the sea. John was sent to a surrounded in the "Falujah pocket" by views. With a sick, elderly father she family in Bnei Brak for a few days to Israeli forces. This "siege" lasted for did not want to go to Israel and she did recover. He then walked to the nearest four months till the signing of the not like a chef's unsocial working army camp to volunteer. In July he was Rhodes armistice agreement in hours. John worked by day in a hotel in sent to Latrun, at the foot of the February 1949. Victoria and at night in another of the western road up to Jerusalem, where refugees' favourite haunts, the Dorice the Arab Legion from Transjordan John had to shoot at Bedouin camel Restaurant in Swiss Cottage. blocked access to the city. After two convoys to warn them off smuggling days of severe losses, Ben Gurion food to the trapped Egyptians. Then, With money from his father-in-law, he arranged a ceasefire and sent the when the rest of the Egyptian army bought into a second-hand kitchen surviving men north to the Galilee. surrendered at the end of December equipment shop run by an ageing and the United Nations evacuated the Viennese couple looking for a John was now based in Acco at the ordinary Egyptian soldiers, John was successor. He said the "stock was northern end of Haifa bay, facing 8,000 assigned to escort 30-40 officers, who greasy and dreadful but it was a good Arab irregulars under the Syrian became prisoners-of-war, and guard location – the Marble Arch end of the warlord, Fawzi el Kaukji, who had them at Atlit prison, south of Haifa. At Edgware Road." After a trial fortnight it French 25-pounders. The Jewish side night, he played cards with them. became his living. He switched to had to wait a month before receiving selling new goods, expanding across Czech machine guns and mortars and Because of his malaria, he was three shops and was eventually joined it took another month to push the Arabs released from the Israel Defence by his son-in-law. A customer who out of Galilee to Lebanon. Forces at the end of 1949. His army came to buy a new oven in 1979 service entitled him to free continuation thought the owner looked familiar. He Their problem was that they did not of his interrupted education and he turned out to be one of the Egyptian know to operate these heavy weapons enrolled at the Hadassah School of officers in John's custody in Atlit. He and the instructions were in German. Hotel Management in Jerusalem. He visited John in the shop every time he Having left Germany at nine, John’s worked in a Naharia restaurant and in came to London for over 25 years. linguistic range did not extend to Jerusalem, training under famous Chef technical terms. He sat down with a Nicholai, credited with bringing haute In the 1960s, John was an active Jerusalem veteran of the First World cuisine to Israel. When Yitzhak Ben member of our Synagogue and the Zvi became Israel’s long-running first Chair of Governors at second president in Barclay House, subsequently Mathilda December 1952, his Marks-Kennedy Jewish Primary wife Rahel asked John School, which his children attended. to prepare his special He was a volunteer cook, with Marlene, matzah balls for for the Leo Baeck Lodge day centre visiting dignitaries. He lunches and saw to its equipment. In made this speciality his late 70s he received an award from until his 87th year. the Fire Brigade Service for fighting his way into his neighbour's burning In 1953 his brother house to rescue the occupants. wrote to him from London to say that Marlene predeceased him by nearly Germany was now five months. He is survived by his making reparations. In daughter Alisa, son Daniel, seven Israel this was a grandchildren and two great- John Altmann in front of the Kindertransport hugely emotional and grandchildren. Memorial at Liverpool Street Station No 694 - Adar/Nissan/Iyar 5778 - March/April 2018 - Page 9 Our Congregation - Page 10

Dear Fellow Members on speaking turns with Mrs Klopstick. I can’t tell you how many occasions I have becked my wive not to do We have now dropped out from the winter months any more baking, but she won’t listen to me und und soon will be in the darling butts of spring. I hope plops on regardless. But it is me who hat to explain that you have waived good writtens to the schniffs to the fire brigade why there was black smoke und schnuffs of the commoners cold that most did bellowing out from our balcon window onto Finchley ketch at some junction in recent times. It is a good Road. Und even verse, I also hat to try to calm down sing that the flew academic that was projected did all the inmates from Abernein Mansions who were not turn out. This would have been hard for us olden vacated from the building in there night entire. goldies to come over especially with the NSH in such term oil. This hole sing came from Mrs K’s attempt once again to make Hamantaschen. In the first plaice I recently took an old friend of mine, Hermann because she couldn’t find any poppy seeds, she Steinreich, to a Friday night service. He is semi- decided to use some other seeds witch she brought at orthodox und was blown apart by the musical contempt at the garden center. She said it would be fine. I am happy to Belsize Square. Both the quire und Chasan Heller were on say that I never found out if this was true oder knot. the top of there frum. The Rabbi also made a deep Whatever she made for the pastry und the rest of the filing, it impression shaking him on the hand with great wormth. The turned out to be highly flameable. Why my wive decided to only thing I would remark about the music is that I found the go out yogging to Swiss Cottage vile leaving the oven on, I first part very eglisi-estical. For a moment I sort I was in will never know. Unfortunately, in this time I fell asleep Westminister Abbey. Then it turned more to the traditional watching a documemory programme about narcolepsy. with what I am more used. Hermann new nothing from this When I woke up I was hardly able to breeze as the flat was und was enarmoured with it all. I have to retort that at a enveloped in sick smoke. I am pleased to report that no one recent batmitzvah the children quire were particular standing was hurt und the only sing to become charred to a sinner out. I give them won hunderdt procent out of won hunderdt. were the Hamantaschens.

Maybe it is because I am no longer in the first flash of use, Because Pesach this year collapses right on top of Eastern, but I find that the constant up und down very disturbing. No Mrs Klopstick has come up with the idea of chocolate sooner have I struggled to get up, then we are sitting down covered matzo balls witch she will hide in the communial again. At won point I found myself completely out of sink with garden for the children to find. She is calling them afikommen the rest of the congregation. I would like to suggest that we eggs. I call them chocolate covered cannonballs! have some prayer books marked up for the olderly pre- warning them about when to prepare to go up und when to With the best of intentions prepare to come down again.

I am sorry to have to inform you that I am at the moment not Fritz Klopstick Shabbat Candle Lighting Friday 2 March Leora Hacker Friday 9 March Ruth Kersley Friday 16 March Deborah Samuelson Friday 23 March Susan Schraer Thursday 5 April Hilary Solomon Friday 6 April Gillian Wray Friday 13 April Jennifer Van Der Werth Friday 20 April Hilary Woolfe Friday 27 April Daniela Kotzmann ANNUAL INTERFAITH TALKS RETURN The topic for this year’s course is Exchanging Scripture, responding to each other’s sacred Scriptures 27 February at St Peter's Church, Reverend Nicholson will look at how Christianity understands the 10 Commandments 6 March at Belsize Square Synagogue, Imam Stubbla will look at Mark 10:17-22, which deals with issues of “salvation, life after death, the reward for deeds of lovingkindness”. 13 March at St Peter's Church, Rabbi Altshuler will look at al- An’am, Sura 152-154, which deals with “when it is appropriate to slay another, relations between children and parents, capital punishment, the balance between justice and compassion”. 20 March at Belsize Square Synagogue will take the form of a round-table discussion, including you as participants, on the state of Christian, Jewish and Muslim relations, how we view each other and reviewing lessons from the first three sessions. This is a huge opportunity for us all to welcome visitors from the Muslim community, as well as our “old friends” next door. The copy deadline for the next issue of Community News Our Congregation is Sunday 8 April 2018 REGULAR SERVICES NEW MEMBERS Friday evenings at 6.45pm & Saturday mornings at 10.00am We extend a cordial welcome to: Rosalyn Schofield Kikar Kids Robin & Evy Eden Saturdays 3 March, 7 April, 5 May at 11.00am Nicholas Kissen Under-5s Service in the Crèche (Crèche opens 10am) Mark Kissen Junior Service for 5-9 year-olds in the Library Adam Graham & Sarah Cohen 11.30am – Kids’ Kiddush Dana Rembiszewski Often followed by a Pot Luck Lunch Leanne Thomas Contact Frank Joseph on 020 7482 2555 to bring a dish Hannah Strauss Religion School Jessica Bernberg Sunday mornings: 9.30am-12.30pm Diana Brookes End of Term – Sunday 25 March Tanya Magasiner Term Starts – Sunday 15 April Janine Asserson CANTOR HELLER'S KABBALAT SHABBAT CHAT ENGAGEMENTS Congratulations and best wishes to: An invitation and opportunity for Bar Mitzvah class pupils Melanie Nathan on her engagement to Daniel Cantle to make Kiddush, sing Lecha Dodi and David Kendall on his engagement to Natalya Dorfman learn the lessons of the Parsha. Joshua Kendall and Sarah Goodman on their engagement. On the second Friday of the month Mazel Tov to parents Sue & Steve and Sally & Peter, brothers 5.30pm in the Library and sisters David, Lara and Emily and grandparents Florence Next sessions: 9 March & 13 April & Charles Benaiah, Vivienne Kendall and Jose Levene. BELSIZE BOOK CLUB WEDDING Wednesday 7 March at 3:00pm Mazel Tov to: We will be discussing Imperium by Robert Jacqueline Van Der Werth & David Wiener who were married Harris, a great page-turner. on 7 January Please contact the Synagogue Office for details BIRTHDAYS Congratulations and best wishes to: SUNDAY MORNING ADULT DISCUSSION Mr A Behrens (97) on 23 February Mrs B Flynn (98) on 5 March 4 March Mrs E Block (92) on 9 March 10.00am-2.00pm Jewish Book Week. Book your own tickets. Mrs R Simion (90) on 16 March Meet at 10.00 for coffee at Kings Place, Kings Cross Mrs M Suchy (96) on 20 March 11 March Mrs H Heineman (98) on 22 March 10.00-11.15 David Ruderman Lecture: Baghdad and the Gaonic Age DEATHS 11.15-12.30 Lilian Cordell on Miriam's Table, the Bukharian We regret to announce the passing of: cookbook Eric Moonman who died on 22 December Walter Block who died on 29 December 18 March John Altmann who died on 3 January 10.00-11.15 Rabbi Altshuler on Rabbis Avraham Isaac Kook Philip Evans who died on 7 January & Yehiel Michael Pines: Mizrachi/Religious Judaism Peter Batkin who died on 12 January 11.15-12.30 Jonathan Charles, former BBC World News Alan Kay who died on 22 January London anchor, on Reporting the Middle East: Is the BBC Michael Wheeler who died on 5 February biased? (Rescheduled from December due to snow!) 25 March 10.00-11.15 Rabbi Altshuler on Martin Buber's Zionism: LOCAL LUNCHEON GROUP Vision of a Bi-National State, Brit Shalom (In dialogue with The NW3 Group Mahatma Gandhi) Giacomo, 428 Finchley Road, London, NW2 2HY 11.15-12.30 In the Shoes of Sholom Aleichem - 2014 film co- 1.00pm on Wednesdays 21 March & 18 April written by and starring Theodore Bikel Please phone Judy Field on 020 8455 0614 1 April, 8 April: No sessions - Pesach break SHAVUOT SERVICES & STUDY 15 April 10.00-11.15 Rabbi Altshuler on Intellectuals in Search of 1st Eve: Saturday 19 May at 6.45pm Roots: Bernard Lazar, Edmond Fleg and Ludwig Lewisohn followed at 8.00pm by study session 11.15-12.30 TBC 1st Day: Sunday 20 May at 10.00am 2nd Eve: Sunday 20 May at 6.45pm 22 April (Rabbi Altshuler away) 2nd Day: Monday 21 May at 10.00am including Mazkir 10.00 -12.30 Carvalho's Journey - film and discussion Our Tikkun (study session) theme is War and Peace 29 April 10.00-11.15 Rabbi Altshuler on In the New World: Speakers: Professor Antony Polonsky, Jonathan Paris, Responses to Zionism - Solomon Schechter, Louis Brandeis, Cantor Paul Heller, Susan Storring & Claire Walford, Horace Mayer Kallen and Mordecai Kaplan Rabbi Dr Stuart Altshuler 11.15-12.30 TBC

No 694 - Adar/Nissan/Iyar 5778 - March/April 2018 - Page 11 Our Congregation - Page 12

We make Charity Reg No. 802559 SYNAGOGUE HELP LINES sure Alan THE BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE 51 Belsize Square, London, NW3 4HX celebrates Tel: 020 7794 3949 every Email: [email protected] SYNAGOGUE OFFICE HOURS festival 9.00am - 5.30pm Fridays: 9.00am-2.00pm CHIEF EXECUTIVE Lee Taylor - 020 7794 3949 BELSIZE MEMBERS’ GROUP Co-chairs: Marion Nathan - 020 8361 2443 and Dilys Tausz - 020 7435 5996 CHEVRA KADISHA Chairman: Rabbi Stuart Altshuler Joint Vice Chairs: Helen Grunberg - 020 8450 8533 Cantor Dr Paul Heller COMMUNITY CARE CO-ORDINATOR & There’s something special about coming together to celebrate all BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE festivals. That’s why for someone like Alan, who lives with dementia Contact Eve Hersov on 020 7435 7129 every day of the year, we try and make every festival memorable. or email [email protected] We need to raise £3,000 every single day just to care for people living or call the Synagogue Office for a leaflet with dementia. FUNERALS During Synagogue Office hours phone 020 7794 3949. Will you help make sure that no one has to face dementia alone this Evenings/weekends phone Calo’s (Undertakers) Pesach and beyond? Belsize Squared 020 8958 2112 To donate please call 020 8922 2600 or visit jewishcare.org/donate JUDAICA SHOP Presents… Open during office hours and on Sunday morning during term time only Sleight of Mind KIDDUSH #PeopleOfJewishCare Rota enquiries to Jennifer Saul in the Synagogue Office (not Thursdays or Fridays)

LIBRARY Music at Belsize invites you Open Wednesdays 10am - 12 noon to a Night at the Opera At other times please check first with the office Belsize Square Pesach advert 134x96mm.indd 1 05/02/2018 16:03 CHEDER COSI FAN TUTTE Enquiries to the Head, Jeanie Horowitz, in the Synagogue Office, or email [email protected] Sunday 18 March at 7pm PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION Tickets: £25 Chairperson: Frank Joseph - 020 7482 2555

Mozart’s comic masterpiece, YOUTH ACTIVITIES sung in English by some of Belsize Squared presents Email the Youth Workers, Melanie Nathan & Zoe Cowan London’s finest young opera SLEIGHTSunday 29th April OF 2018 MIND – 6pm [email protected] singers, with by a young EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CONGREGATION FamiliesSunday are 29 invited April to atjoin 6pm the Belsize Squared team for a falafel supper professional orchestra. This Emails to: [email protected] Ourand member, an evening ofJeff mind Salmon, reading and illusion with Belsize’sor to ver they own Editor: [email protected] production premiered at Jeff Salmon. Waterperry Festival in star of TV's "Four Rooms”, LAYOUT AND DESIGN willTickets: recreate Adult - his£10 Childrensell-out- £5 Oxfordshire last summer (All proceeds will go to the synagogue) Philip Simon: www.philipsimon.co.uk and we are thrilled to see it Theatre show, using "five CHAIRMAN sensesPlease contactto create the office the to illusion book your family a Jackie Alexander come to Belsize Square. th of placea sixth by 15 sense". April. [email protected] Due to the number of Email- [email protected] 2 Call- 0207 794 3949 RABBI AdultsBelsize Squared £10, Children £5 B performers, seats are more Rabbi Dr Stuart Altshuler (IncludesPresents… falafel supper) limited than usual. So book B there and B2 AllSlei proceedsght of Mind to the [email protected] your places quickly on the Mel & Zoë CANTOR SynagogueYouth Leaders website or via the Cantor Dr Paul Heller Synagogue Office. Book by Sunday 15 April. [email protected] Contact the Synagogue EMERITUS Office on 0207 794 3949 or Rabbi Rodney Mariner [email protected] [email protected] / 020 8347 5306 / 07956 352267

Watch demonstrations that Sunday 29th April 2018 – 6pm

Familiesare thought-provoking,are invited to join the Belsize Squared team for a falafelfunny supper and an evening of mind reading and illusion with Belsize’s very own Jeffand Salmon .unbelievable. Plus bid Tickets: Adult- £10 Children- £5 (forAll proceeds an wil l opportunitygo to the synagogue)

Pleaseof ancontact theafternoon office to book your family at a place by 15th April. Charity Number 1144866 Emailhis- [email protected] home, where 2 Call- 0207 794 3949 B Company Number 7831243 BJeff there and will B2 teach Mel & Zoë The Belsize Square Synagogue Youthsome Leaders of his skills.