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what’s inside.... MORE ON JEWRY 250 | A PORTRAIT OF MIDDLE STREET Whats SYNAGOGUE | HAGANAH VETERANS MEET | WHAT’S ON | AND MORE

may 2016 • NISAN-IYAR 5776 • ISSUE 263 2 Pause for thought 3

The Jewish Community in the UK is a Admittedly, there are kosher products shelves of the supermarkets and minority of approximately a quarter of on supermarket shelves but they high prices for the likes of Aviv or a million people. It suffers because of are not marketed as such - most Yehuda matzo. The problem is we its size, and after the Pesach period Kellogg’s cereals fall into that are a minority and we don’t buy has passed over another question category, they have a hechsher, enough to make it economical for comes to the fore. Why does the however Nestlé and Weetabix the supermarkets to stock what we food retail world fail the community at also have kosher products but need for a selling period of about 3 Pesach? no reference whatsoever on the weeks. The algorithms built into the packaging. Many kosher goods do stock control and stock availability It is no longer easy to be Jewish programs used by their computerised and to live by the laws of kashrut systems cannot cater for exceptions in this country. How many shops Does big business wish to like Passover and the accountants knowingly provide kosher products? and buyers do not understand the Where is the nearest kosher baker have a relationship with concept of an intense but extremely or butcher? Brighton and has Judaism? Will we be even short consumer buying period. to rely on very limited support from more limited in the future? the likes of the big supermarkets. Does big business wish to have a The rest of the community in relationship with Judaism? Will we be and further afield has even even more limited in the future? Of not carry a hechsher but can be less retail support. Eastbourne has course, if we can attract more people found in the kosher food guide. After only one supermarket that regularly to the area then the market may just Pesach, we must ask ourselves how provides a kosher Pesach food stand be big enough for someone to open a long before we cannot buy kosher for but the Pesach offering this year was kosher grocery / baker / butcher shop Pesach products in our local stores? very limited. Some might say that you and we can enjoy many Pesachs full reap what you sow. Shopping this year has identified of all the products we missed this many missing products from the year.

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issue 263 | may 2016 2 Contents 3 Sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Hove BN3 3SZ Telephone: 07906 955 404 FEATURES 1 JUDAS TREE AT RAMAT HANADIV The living memorial to Baron Edmond de Rothschild 9 BRIGHTON JEWRY 250 More on our community’s celebrations 10 THE A portrait by Godfrey Gould 12 HAGANAH VETERANS Haganah members from long ago meet for the very first time 12 LIGHTING UP TIME A reflection on the light and its impact

REGULARS 4 COMMUNITY LIFE Your news and stories from across the county 14 CULTURE JACS news, history, Sir Arnold Wesker z’l and more 20 WHAT’S ON Regular and special events in your community

YOUR COMMUNITY 16 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue 17 Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation 18 Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue 19 Hove Hebrew Congregation

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issue 263 | may 2016 4 Community Life 5 Your News Deaths We wish Long Life to the families of Denise Abb z’l, Eva Special Birthdays Hagard z’l, Phyllis Sylvia Hyams z’l, sister of David Cuddis, Robert (Bob) Kaltz z’l, Betty Mendoza z’l, Selda (Zelda) Mazel tov to Alan Abrahams, Arthur Alvarez, Beverley Barnett, Samuels z’l (mother of Steven Samuels and Lauren Wolman) Alan Burke, Sandra Carlton, Rose Cannan, Archie Charach, who passed away peacefully on Thursday 24 March 2016 Margaret Kallen, Peter Kauffman, Cynthia Laurie, Helen aged 95 years, Shirley Smorodinsky z’l and Sir Arnold Wesker Silver-Andrews, Warwick Winston, Sheila Zimbler and all who z’l. have special birthdays this month. Bar Mitzvah Thank You Ronnie Taylor will be celebrating his second Bar Mitzvah on Derek & Jackie, Bethia & Ilan, Jeremy & Adrienne and Jonathan 14 May at Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation, Susans Road, would like to say ‘thank you’ to Rabbonim, family, friends and Eastbourne. community at large for support and condolences on the recent passing of Jackie Richards z’l. Engagements Mazel tov to Maggie and Arthur Oppenheimer on the engage- Thank You ment of their son David to Lucy Burman. David Schaverien would like to thank Rabbonim, family and friends for their concern and support during his recent stay in Wedding Anniversaries hospital and nursing home. Mazel tov to: • Sandra and Derek Carlton on the celebration of their Emer- ald Wedding anniversary. Stonesettings • Ivan Tannenbaum, Sunday 8 May, Meadowview, 12.45 pm • Adrienne and John Harwood on the celebration of their Golden Wedding anniversary. • Henry Aidallberry, Sunday 8 May, Meadowview, 2.30 pm • Rabbi Vivian and Mrs Lynette Silverman on the celebration • Martha Lyons, Wednesday 18 May, Old Shoreham Road, of their Ruby Wedding anniversary. 2.00 pm • Lee Panto, Sunday 29 May, Old Shoreham Road, 3.00 pm Get Well We wish a refuah sheleimah to all members of our community who are in hospital or unwell at the present time. Sunday 29 May, 2.00 pm – The memorial stone in memory of Carole Lever z’l will be consecrated at the Jewish cemetery, Meadowview, Brighton Sussex Jewish Film Club The next meeting of the Sussex Jewish Film Club at will be on Sunday 19th June (and not 12th June as printed on p.14 of the April issue). Details of the film will be given in next month’s SJN. Voluntary Support Agencies • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre) Hastings and District Jewish Society 01273 739999 [email protected] by Stella Harris • Norwood/Tikvah, Rachel Mazzier House On Sunday 3 April, over 100 people celebrated Velma 01273 564021 Krever’s 90th birthday. Her son Jeremy flew over from New • Hyman Fine House 01273 688226 Zealand and her granddaughter gave a touching speech. • Helping Hands 01273 747722 Members of the H & D JS joined her many friends from all [email protected] walks of life. She was our vice-chairman for many years • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board and is still on the committee. There are plaques in Bexhill 07952 479111 or in her and her husband’s names in recognition of all the [email protected]; website: www.bhjwb.org help they gave to special-needs schools. Velma was a • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association teacher and an inspector in various parts of the country. [email protected] For many years she worked and lived in Golders Green. • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue/ Velma has done so many good things in her life and given L’chaim project 01273 737223 so much to charity. She raised money for St Michael’s • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform Hospice by singing with a group at open garden days and (Sue Rosenfield) 01273 735343 at other venues around . • Jewish Community Centre at Ralli Hall. She is the queen of Bexhill. Various communal activities. 01273 202254 or [email protected]

1766 Israel Samuel - first Jewish resident issue 263 | may 2016 4 Community Life 5 A Matter of Pride by Winston Pickett How do you special feeling that comes spell security? with providing a vital service That’s not a that enables us to get on trick question. with our Jewish lives, be it Chances are, if simchas, cultural events, social you’re out and gatherings or simply going to and from shul with confidence. about, heading Please consider joining us. There has never been a better time to synagogue to get involved. or any sizeable Your national Community Security Trust (CST) will be visiting gathering in Brighton & Hove sponsoring a free entry unique ‘road show’ that our community, aims to give a 3-D portrait of the current situation and to explain you’ll come how each one of us can get involved in making our community across secure. In a word… We need you. It may just be the most initials CST – the Community Security Trust, a national satisfying, affirming and rewarding mitzvah you’ve ever done. organisation and network of volunteers throughout the UK, dedicated to protecting the Jewish way of life and making us all National CST with your local CST security team are delighted to feel safe. welcome you to Ralli Hall to hear David Delew, Chief Executive at the Community Security Trust (CST), speaking about the work Yet for me, having been a volunteer with CST for more than a CST is doing here and nationally with the Jewish community. decade, it’s not the national component that’s significant – even though I spent several years working at ‘head office’ in The meeting will be held on Wednesday 18 May at 8.30 pm at and saw the organisation’s impact on the wider, international Ralli Hall. At the meeting you will: sphere. • hear an update on the current situation and threats facing the It’s the local dimension. It’s the specific resonance at which Jewish Community, locally and nationally. each word in its name reverberates whenever I’m asked to • find out about the launch of CST’s Level 1 security training participate – whether it’s co-ordinating an ‘operation’ or simply course. standing outside a function. It’s through my work that I’ve • learn about the work that Sussex Police are doing to combat learned to know and respect the community I live in – Jewish, antisemitism and racism in Brighton & Hove. non-Jewish, other CST volunteers – everything that makes our We look forward to seeing you at this event. 250-year-old kehilla an amalgamation of committed, everyday and frequently colourful individuals. When, through our presence, people feel a sense of security that comes from our vigilance, then trust is the ultimate by- FAITHS TOGETHER FOR A product, an essential and necessary ingredient that allows our BETTER WORLD community to survive and thrive. World Congress of Faiths ‘Doing security’ brings all that? Frankly, yes and, 10 years on, as someone who joined CST because he was simply approached SPECIAL 80TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT and asked to help, the rewards keep coming, especially in the Tuesday 17 May 2016 at 6.00 pm collective pride our work instils across-the-board. Congress Suite (adjoining The Winter Garden) Devonshire Be a part of it… Park, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne In the weeks ahead will have the opportunity to get a sense of what CST is all about first-hand – to learn how Meeting to be chaired by Michael Harris – Member of the to make our community secure, how to liaise with the police, World Congress of Faiths how to perceive and understand the challenges we presently face – all from a realistic, knowledge-based perspective. Speakers: But most of all, you’ll have the chance to be receptive to that • Rabbi Jackie Tabick – Britain’s first female rabbi and Joint President of the World Congress of Faiths • Sheik Dr Hojjart Ramsy – Chair of Muslim Council of Britain’s Education Committee • Vijay Mehta – Distinguished author and leading peace activist • Rev. Dr Marcus Braybrook – Joint President of the World Congress of Faiths MUSICAL INTERLUDE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL VOICE ORCHESTRA (CHOIR) QUESTION AND ANSWER FORUM Entrance free, but it is advisable to reserve a place Tel: 01323 729370 or [email protected]

1782 Emanuel Hyam Cohen - founder of the community • 1792 First Synagogue - Jew issueStreet 263 | may 2016 6 Community Life 7 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club by Jacquie Tichauer On Thursday 19 March, Rabbi Efune and the Lunch The Lunch Club and JACS had a meeting to discuss Club held a joint Purim party attended by over 70 the suggestion that JACS would visit us once a month. people. We had great food cooked by the famous We hope that this joint venture will be a success and chef, Rabbi Efune, assisted by Jill Stark. The wonderful are planning to have a speaker on the first Thursday of Lunch Club volunteers served the meal, the music was the month. great and the atmosphere was very lively. Everyone So we were delighted to welcome JACS to our Lunch enjoyed the afternoon and we hope to have more Club on Thursday 8 April, and some of their members events together in the future. joined us for lunch. Godfrey Gould was the speaker for that afternoon and afterwards we served tea and biscuits. After our very successful and enjoyable Race Night last year, we are planning our next one on the 26t June. Tickets are now on sale from Laura on 01273 7221723. We would like to wish Fiona Sharpe many happy returns on her special birthday and thank her for all the hard work and dedication she gives to the Lunch and Social Club.

Ralli Hall by Roger Abrahams Our Annual General Meeting will be held in the Magrill to an extent by the lack of an efficient and modern Lounge at Ralli Hall on Wednesday 15 June at 8.15 cooker in the Meat Kitchen. Well, that is now a thing of pm. I am pretty sure that this year it will not clash with the past, with the recent delivery of a brand new, state an international sporting event, so please come along of the art, table-top, commercial, fan-assisted electric in droves and hear what exciting things have been oven, capable of cooking from scratch a main meal for happening at Ralli Hall, or are booked in for the next a simcha of up to 120 people! We have even provided few months. further working space by the fitting of a stainless steel cover over a little-used (third) sink, now giving even Once again I am inviting ‘new blood’ to join us on the more worktop space than was previously available. In Management Committee, if only to be ready to take on fact, there was a Community Simcha recently so I am the challenge of overseeing the running of one of the looking forward to receiving a glowing report from the most successful Community organisations in the town, caterer. once our geriatric current committee members can no longer hack it. However, thanks to our impressive We are still in the process of enlarging and upgrading Centre Manager, Maxine, and her Excel wizard the public part of the Portacabin, mainly used during assistant, Jacquie, plus of course our caretaking team, the year as an Art Studio, but which will convert to there really isn’t much that needs to be done on a day- a two-classroom Summer School by means of a to-day basis. proposed concertina partition (the room will be a full 36ft long, with separate doors at each end) while The group, started by Diane Lewis, which has the Art Society is in recess. We have managed this decided to put on a Musical Compilation Show at by moving the dustbins to a corner of the car park Ralli Hall this November, after a gap of eight years – shielded by a fence, providing our licensee with a new the last Showtime was in 2008 – has already started secure store in the area beside the outside toilets where regular rehearsals under the direction of an excellent the dustbins were previously stored, then moving the professional Musical Director. I will keep you up-to-date caretaker’s room from the end of the Portacabin to with its progress over the course of the summer. a newly-built room under the adjacent covered way. I have previously explained that we are concentrating There is more that I could tell you, but this can wait for on expanding our fully-catered functions and simchas, another month. particularly as we now appear to have less direct I very much look forward to seeing as many of you as competition in the town, but we have been held back possible at the AGM at Ralli Hall.

1808 Second Synagogue - Poune’s Court • 1823/4 Brighton Hebrew Congregationissue 263 | may 2016 6 Community Life 7 Helping Hands by Jason Lever While we have a long way to go before about our community having more elderly and isolated reaching the milestone of 250 years members. of recorded Jewish life in Brighton & Across the city’s full population, household size is 2.1 Hove, this October will be the 15th people per household, the smallest household size in anniversary of Helping Hands. the South East. Just less than 70% of people in our Yet we do not have to go back to city (16,401) provide unpaid care for 1 to 19 hours a 01273 747722 1766 to consider how family life and week where there is long-term illness or disability or demographics have changed so much problems related to old age. over just the last few generations. This is where Helping Hands can come in – and does. The Jewish Year Book suggests that within the A recent Jewish Chronicle article set out the worries last twenty years, our city’s Jewish population has of the largest Jewish charities, that they may be too diminished from 8,000 at the turn of the century reliant on very major philanthropists and foundations. (1999) to 3,358 (2003) and now perhaps around Helping Hands, of course, does need financial support, 3,000 “known” Jews now, according to Rep Council benefiting from the Community Renewal Fund and estimates. donations –especially at key moments, as in the As we know, this is part of a wider trend of provincial payment for our wonderful new bus this past year. Jewish populations losing out to the major metropolitan Crucially, too, it’s the time that many of you give to areas of London and , as well as Israel and volunteering with visits, befriending, practical help and due to immediate and wider family members now living transportation which makes Helping Hands such a in different cities and towns. hands-on, responsive and vital resource to the whole One day in December, I was ferrying my heavily community. Yet, with families now so spread out, pregnant second cousin, Linda, who lives in Israel, Helping Hands can particularly be there for those who around North West London for a lavoya and to see our may not have spouses, children, siblings or cousins aunt in hospital. We also went to a shiva and met for living with them or on hand. only the second time in our lives another cousin, who, Over the past 250 years, much progress has been it turns out, has lived 5 minutes away from my mother made in Jewish life but a support network like Helping for the last 20 years. I think what cheered my aunt most Hands for all members of our Jewish community is was to hear how three cousins in their 40s had, albeit needed now more than ever. through two bereavements and illness, connected up on the day and that they will now stay in touch. These are the remaining dates for Helping Hands’ This brings me back to the reality of that extended Sunday teas at the AJEX Centre this year: family which used to be on hand and is, in many cases, no longer, as a result of the changes in family life, 5 June demographic and job dynamics affecting Jewish life 7 August on the south coast. Just a glance at the 2011 Census 25 September findings in Brighton and Hove, reflects what we know 6 November 18 December Hyman Fine House by Natasha Carson and Mark Pady Good news, the Hyman Coming up, our home is putting on an event during the Harmonisers, our ‘in-house’ choir to showcase the creative work done of residents, staff and volunteers, by the residents. We will be at the Yellow Wave down has won an award, for ‘Most Smiley Choir’, in a on Marine Drive for the day on the 20 May from 10am recent competition against other Jewish Care groups. – 6pm to showcase our art, photography, music and Residents enjoyed the experience of taking part and more. Please do come along and support us. the certificate has pride of place in the home. As always, if you feel you could spare us some time A big thank you to our volunteers and to Rabbi Lewis to help volunteer as a regular or for a one off event and his family for helping us to celebrate Purim so please contact Natasha or Mark on 01273 688226. enjoyably. The Hamantaschen were lovely! We particularly need people who might be able to help Our Men’s Club trips to the pub are proving very push someone in a wheelchair outside now that the popular and are now a regular weekly fixture, for spring is here. conversation and passing the time over a few beers.

1824/5 Original Devonshire Place Synagogue • 1826 Florence Place Cemetery (Prayer House by issueDavid 263 Mocatta) | may 2016 8 Community Life 9

An Inspiring Lady by Alan Lever Carole Lever (nee Hart) was born on 24 July 1935 in Portland St. Synagogue, London, on Sunday 29th May Mombasa, Kenya, then British East Africa. Carole’s father, 1960. We moved down here to Burgess Hill where Carole Martin, was a highly proficient hairdresser and due to worked in the maternity department at what was then, the world recession decided, after marrying Dora Davis Hospital. in Middle Street Synagogue in 1931, to go where an Carole decided to have our first son at home because she income could be secured. Dora had was embarrassed that her friends would previously given birth to Maureen z’l be involved at the hospital! In November in Nairobi in October 1933. A short 1961 I was introduced to midwifery time later, when Carole was still quite because the local midwife was detained young, they moved to Capetown, with a birth in Lewes. Fortunately South Africa, where her father went she arrived at almost the last minute into partnership with Sid James, the with a trainee midwife. We moved famous comedian, who at that time to Hove in 1962 and in September was also a hairdresser. With the threat 1964 Carole gave birth to Bruce. She of war looming over Europe, Martin became interested in the Ladies Guild decided that they should move back at BHHC and served as treasurer for to England where he joined the Royal 4 years. Rabbi Fabricant encouraged Artillery, became an officer and served us through my involvement with AJEX in North Africa and Italy. to formulate a young marrieds’ group, Maureen and Carole, then just 4, which we called the Promenade Club. were sent to St. Martha’s Convent, Carole enjoyed the friendship and social , as boarders. There organising this entailed and it was quite were quite a few Jewish girls there, successful for a while. including Carole’s cousin Liz Posner. By 1977 as our children grew older The sisters and staff of St. Martha’s Carole returned to nursing on the treated the Jewish girls with the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Sussex greatest respect. Dora found work County Hospital. She took her duties at the Burma Jewellery Company, very seriously and was interested in Regent Street, London, whilst her the social aspect of the necessary parents Esther and Michael Davis (a counselling and comforting for the retired bookmaker) lived in Hove. With parents who had babies with problems the end of the war Martin returned and that were being treated on the unit. set up a hairdressing business in Chelsea so that Maureen She studied baby massage to encourage mothers and Carole were together in Dolphin Square, London as a with rejection problems to bond with their babies. She family. Carole attended Maida Vale High School and made encouraged me to produce a booklet to illustrate how well friends with the two daughters of Ian Mikado MP. She premature and problem babies progressed to become achieved her O Levels (GCSEs) at the age of 13½. Carole’s successful adults, in order to boost the morale of anxious one ambition was to become a children’s nurse. Because families whilst their babies were being cared for. There she would have to wait until the age of 16 to be accepted are parents in our community who have had first-hand as a cadet nurse she found work at Constance Spry to experience of Carole’s capabilities when she was working learn floristry. there for nearly 23 years. Carole started training at St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, In 1990 she took extended leave to study the ethnic at the age of 16 but unfortunately contracted Polio and attitude to premature and problem babies in the hospitals was out of action for almost a year. This left her with an in Israel. She was very impressed by the very high illness called Chorea, which affected her nervous system. standards at the Shaare Zedek, Hadassah and other baby The doctors advised that she be moved out of the polluted units. She nursed sick Bedouin babies in tents in the atmosphere of London, so the family moved to Haywards Negev and returned to give some very remarkable lectures Heath and then Warninglid. The nearest training hospital of her experiences. for Carole was The Princess Alexandra Children’s Hospital By 1999, when crippled with osteo-arthritis and after in Dyke Road, Brighton. One of her tutor consultants was undergoing a hip and shoulder replacement, Carole Dr. Trevor Mann. She qualified in the early 1950s with a retired. In 2002 she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s very commendable result of being one of the highest in Disease. She tried to resolutely deal with the problem by the country. Carole then found a nursing post at Tite Street being as creative as possible. She enjoyed painting, flower Hospital, Chelsea. arranging, and of course enjoying our 5 grandchildren. By 1958 Carole decided to obtain experience in the USA Erin, the eldest, is now a midwife. Last July, Carole had a and found a position at Williams College, Massachusetts. stroke and died at Hyman Fine House on 25 September, The following year she returned for a short holiday and 2015. May her dear soul rest in peace. that is when we met, fell in love and then married in Great

1838 First purpose built Synagogue - Devonshire Place (by David Mocatta) issue 263 | may 2016 8 Brighton Jewry 250 9

250 Year Anniversary by Ivor Caplin 250th ANNIVERSARY OF THE The year of events is upon us, with the opening day on Sunday May BRIGHTON & HOVE JEWISH 8th. After a year of planning, I really hope that you, your family and COMMUNITY friends enjoy this once-in-a-generation series of events for the 250th The Jewish Community of Brighton & Hove is celebrating its Anniversary of Judaism in our great city. 250th Anniversary this year and there is a full Programme of In addition, and with thanks to the work of the Rep Council and the Events planned. Synagogues, there are also to be four special Shabbat services to celebrate this Anniversary. In May, during the period of the Festival, Three will be as follows:- there are a number of events based in the historic heritage • 18th June - Reform Synagogue Middle Street Synagogue, commencing Sunday 8th May with a • 9th July - Holland Road Shul Concert of “upbeat and fun” Jewish Music by the London Jewish • 23rd July - Progressive Synagogue Male Voice Choir, to be attended by Civic and other Dignitaries. The date of the fourth service, at New Church Road, is yet to be confirmed and will be in my June column. I do urge you to attend (all To obtain tickets, which will cost £25.00, go to www. are welcome at all the services): I am looking forward to attending brightonfringe.org and look for the key word “250th them. Anniversary”, or phone 01273 917272. Also tickets can be Talking of June, the 250th event being staged by the Centre for German obtained by visiting the “One-Stop” Ticket Office in North Jewish Studies will be on 23 June (that may be a familiar date to you Street, Brighton. as, yes, it’s also the EU Referendum that day) and the Centre has partnered with The Keep to deliver an excellent afternoon event. Please Alternatively, please contact Hazel on h.sanger2@ register with the Centre to attend. Cost £5.00 per person, gmail.com, or telephone her on 07886 854041. Next month, I provide a full update and programme for the 14 July, The doors will be open from 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start – the Blue Plaque event. There have already been a series of exciting developments to make this a memorable morning and I will tell you concert will last approximately two hours. more then. BUY YOUR TICKET NOW! Brighton Jewry 250 You can book tickets for any of the ticketed events during the Tuesday 10 May 250th Anniversary by: Special Anniversary Lecture “Middle Street Synagogue and • accessing the web site www.brightonfringe.org from a PC, the Architectural Heritage of Brighton & Hove” by Dr Sharman Mac, tablet or smartphone and searching for the key word Kadish, Director, Jewish Heritage UK. Ralli Hall, Denmark 250th Anniversary Villas, Hove. Doors open 7.15 pm for 7.45 pm. Tickets £6 • or by telephoning 01273 917272 (JHSE members free). Presented by the Jewish Historical Society of England – Sussex Branch. • tickets can also be obtained by visiting the One-Stop ticket office in North Street, Brighton Sunday 15 May Sunday 8 May Conducted Heritage Bus Tour and Middle Street Synagogue Open Day. Bus tour to see local landmarks followed by a short visit to Middle Street Synagogue Times and ticketing arrangements as per Sunday 8 May events. 10.00 am-12.30 pm. Tickets £12 (£8 U16). Pick-up point outside Grosvenor Casino, Grand Junction Rd (near Brighton Thursday 23 June Pier) 250 Years of History. This afternoon event will examine Howard Jacobson, distinguished Mancunian author The Keep’s archive collections, which relate to Jewish life discusses his new novel Shylock is My Name at 5.00-6.00 in Brighton since the 18th century, including the wartime pm, Sallis Benney Theatre, Brighton BN2 0JY. Tickets £10. archives of Jewish refugees, 2.00-5.00 pm, £5.00 at The http://arts.brighton.ac.uk/whats-on Keep, Woolards Way, BN1 9BP. Phone 01273 482349. www. Celebratory Concert thekeep.info The London Jewish Male Voice Choir will perform a Thursday 14 July programme of upbeat and fun Jewish music at Middle Street Unveiling of the Blue Plaque at 22, East Street, Brighton Synagogue. Tickets £25. Doors open 7.00 for 7.30 pm. To (corner of Bartholomews) to commemorate 250 years since obtain tickets for the Concert, see booking notes above, or the first record of a Jewish resident - Israel Samuel - in alternatively, please contact Hazel Coppins on h.sanger2@ Brighton. 10.45 for 11.00 am (no tickets required). gmail.com, or telephone her on 07886 854041. Monday 9 – Thursday 12 May Middle Street Synagogue Brighton Open Days Explore this historic heritage mid-19th Century Synagogue with guest speaker 2.30-4.30 pm. Tickets £3 (U16 Free)

1844 Murder of Chief Constable Henry Solomon • 1846 Brighton Hebrew Philanthropic Society (nowissue Welfare 263 | may Board) 2016 10 Features 11 Middle Street Synagogue by Godfrey R Gould

Dr Anthony Dale wrote of Middle Street Synagogue, in his electricity, a cable from the nearby Hippodrome Theatre “Brighton Churches” (1989), making use of the power generated by its own generator. A plaque in the vestibule records the gift of five electroliers! The “Nothing about the exterior prepares one for the inside. This wonderful stained glass always impresses. All the windows is certainly, after the , the most spectacular on the sides of the ground floor, with the exception of the two interior in Brighton”. single windows at the western end, were a gift from the estate And Dr Sharman Kadish, in her “Jewish Heritage in England” of Mr Lipman Harris of London, who is buried in the Florence (2006), states that it is the “Opulent jewel in the South Coast’s Place Cemetery in Brighton. The two single windows, both most elegant Regency resort”. down and upstairs, were given in memory of Arthur Sassoon CVO of 8 Kings Gardens, Hove, the great friend of King But there had been a Jewish presence in Brighton for about Edward VII who would often stay with Arthur. Other members a century before Middle Street was opened. Israel Samuel of the were also great benefactors of the Cohen, silversmith and toyman (bijou ornaments for a ladies synagogue. The fine Rose Window above the Western Gallery boudoir) had a shop at 22, East Street in 1766/7. It was (it is an interior window) displays the signs of the months of Emanuel Hyam Cohen, a school teacher from Niederwerrn in the Jewish Calendar as formulated during the Babylonian Bavaria, who is credited with founding the Brighton Jewish exile of 579 - 537 BCE, and not the later signs of the Zodiac community. The first place of worship was in a house in Jew as commonly misinterpreted. Upstairs, brass plaques in Street (so named, apparently, because Jewish tinkers plied situ record the donors of individual pairs of windows, but their trade thereabouts) in about 1789. In about 1808 they mention will be made later, specifically, of the two sets moved, again to rooms in a house at Poune’s Court, 75a, commemorating Hannah, Countess of Rosebery. West Street, a close at the southern end and on the eastern side. By 1825 the Congregation had purchased two adjacent Sir , Bart, of 1 Eastern Terrace, Brighton, sites in Devonshire Place and, in 1838, the first purpose-built donated the fine brass Pulpit to commemorate the wedding synagogue in the town was opened. A blue plaque on the of his son, Edward, to Aline Caroline de Rothschild, of the existing, but altered façade records that it was designed by Paris branch of the family. Edward, the second Baronet, David Mocatta. The pediment still has on it in faded letters, donated the two windows on the left of the Ark in memory of “Jews Synagogue AM 5598” (AM - Anno Mundi - the Year of his father. The Ark gates were also a Sassoon donation, this the World). time from David Reuben Sassoon of 7, Queen’s Gardens, Hove, and from his sisters in memory of their parents, Reuben The Jewish community having grown, moved further west, David and Catherine Sassoon. The previous gates are now and the next move was to purchase 66 Middle Street, a at the western entrance to the synagogue. On either side of racquets court, and to commission , a non- the Ark are two very Victorian ornate Menorah. These were Jewish local architect, to design a new larger synagogue for the gift of the Baroness Mayer de Rothschild (of Mentmore) them. Lainson was architect to the Wick Hall and Vallance and her daughter, Hannah, in memory of the Baron Mayer, Estates and was responsible for many local buildings husband and father. Hannah was to marry William Primrose, including some churches. However he also designed the Earl of Rosebery, and Prime Minister in 1894-95, though unique octagonal Ohel (Prayer Hall) at Florence Place she was to die in 1890. Although her marriage was strongly cemetery and the former Jewish Convalescent Home in disapproved of by the family, she, nevertheless, is buried with Montgomery Street, Hove. The Corner Stone of the new other Rothschilds in Willesden Jewish Cemetery, London. synagogue was laid on 19 November 1874 by Louis Cohen Two of her mother’s sisters donated two sets of fine windows of London, in the presence of the Chief Rabbi, Revd. Dr N M at the end and side in the south-eastern corner of the Adler, who was later to retire to Hove, and by the Mayor of synagogue in her memory. And these same two Cohen sisters Brighton, Alderman J L Brigden. The building was completed donated the brass rails round the Duchan, the platform in within a year and opened on 23 September 1875. The total front of the ark, in memory of their parents. One should also cost was £12,000 to which Mr Cohen had donated £200. note other fine features. At the tops of every column there are The synagogue was dedicated by the Chief Rabbi. The brass representations of plants mentioned in the Torah, each same evening a banquet was held at the Royal Pavilion, one supposedly different. The columns themselves are not presided over by Sir David Lionel Salomans, Bart. As built, stone, but cast iron and continuous. They keep the building the structure was of ‘Romanesque Byzantine’ design but the up. And the Chanukiah in front of the Bimah is one of the few interior was quite modest. Fortunately, the architect’s original items definitely to have come from the former Devonshire drawings have been preserved and are in the keeping of the Place synagogue. local records office at The Keep, in . The arrangement was the standard for an orthodox Ashkenazi Synagogue, To quote Anthony Dale again, “All these marvellous fittings in with inward facing pews in the galleries for the women and the Brighton Synagogue make its interior probably the finest similarly for the men downstairs. The central Bimah has one of any synagogue in England and amongst the most splendid set of steps at the back because of the narrowness of the in Europe”. Recognising this, Middle Street Synagogue, site. But at some stage benches were provided at the sides of on the recommendation of English Heritage, was in 1994 the Bimah for the choir. The founding Minister was the Rev A awarded Grade II* status. C Jacobs. From the 1930s onwards, other synagogues, one each But between the opening and about 1912, changes were Orthodox, Reform and Progressive, were opened to to take place to make this building the star attraction that accommodate a growing Jewish community, which also it surely is. It was the first synagogue in Britain to be lit by tended to settle further west, especially in Hove. Even the

1852 c. Philip Salomon private Synagogue - Brunswick Terrace • 1875 Middle Street Synagogue (byissue Thomas 263 | mayLainson) 2016 10 Features 11

Brighton congregation opened a new synagogue in New Church Road in 1960 for their many congregants who now lived in Hove. However, as the numbers living in the proximity of Middle Street Synagogue declined, as has the local Jewish community generally, the very difficult decision was taken not to hold any further regular services in this Middle Street synagogue after December 2005. The building behind it, which had been the Minister’s house, accommodation for the caretaker, classrooms, offices and a communal hall, and even has a Mikveh (Ritual Bath) (though not now accessible), was leased as a Jewish Student Centre. But the synagogue building continues to be used for weddings. There have been many open days, concerts, school and other visits and this year, the Brighton & Hove Heritage Commission will hold their second AGM in the synagogue. Brighton & Hove Jewry 250 This treasure in our midst has a wonderful future, but many hundreds of thousands of pounds are needed to restore it to its The Sussex Branch of the Jewish full glory. A substantial grant from the Lottery Heritage Fund has Historical Society of England presents: replaced the roof. But there is still much repair, restoration and redecoration to be done. When so much of the world’s heritage is A Special Anniversary Lecture by being needlessly and callously destroyed, we can ill afford to let this one slip through our fingers. Dr Sharman Kadish Director, Jewish Heritage UK (Godfrey Gould is a Member of the Council of the Jewish Historical Society of England, and Vice-chairman of the Sussex Branch). ‘Middle Street Synagogue and the Architectural Heritage of Brighton & Hove’ Tuesday 10th May 2016 at Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove BN3 3TH at 7.45 pm (Doors open 7.15 pm). Refreshments served after the lecture. Tickets £6.00 (JHSE members free) - available from Brighton Fringe website at www.brightonfringe.org/box- office/online or on the door.

MARTIN GROSS

Funeral Director and Funeral Consultant to Jewish communities 01273 439792 07801 599771

1892 Sassoon Mausoleum • 1893 Florence Place Prayer House rebuilt (by Thomas Lainson)issue 263 | may 2016 12 Features 13

Haganah Veterans Meet by Brian Megitt Lawrence Collin is currently writing a book entitled She met up with his penultimate interviewee, Menashe Please Don’t Write Me Off Just Yet, about remarkable Cohen Harounoff, whose family was originally from Jewish people in their nineties. Persia. Menashe, who was also in Haganah, was selected to move weapons around Jerusalem on his His first bicycle and later played a part in the Israeli War of interviewee, Independence. He is now president of the Eastbourne Bernice Clarke Hebrew Congregation. (96 years of age), whose The two, who had heard of each other, finally met for family were afternoon tea in a hotel in Eastbourne in April. They from Poland, chatted away in Ivrit for over an hour, discussing their grew up on families and their experiences. Mount Carmel Menashe came to the meeting laden with photographs and joined the from the past, including one of himself taken with the Haganah as a fifth President of Israel, Yitzhak Navon, a personal Morse code operator, being one of only two or three at friend and the very man who had interviewed him for her school chosen for this clandestine activity. his role in Haganah.

Lighting-up Time by Alegra Garner-Adler It came late in my life, bringing memories from the past. so much had happened in my life which had conspired against my acknowledgement of it. But now, today, I Friday Night, time to light the candles in beautiful silver can own it and allow the candle light to echo the joy of Yemenite candlesticks – a wedding present. a table, laid ready to receive family and friends; food I like long candles and I savour fitting them into their and companionship to nourish body and soul; laughter holders. to defy the often cruel world outside the windows. My Mother used to break one candle into two – but Visions of the many times during the persecutions she never spoke of the ceremony – her version of the and Pogroms throughout history, when Jewish people ceremony – and she had not taught me to say the performed this ritual and many others in secret, always Blessing. Nevertheless, as I imitated her with my new in fear, but also in hope - hope that a time would come knowledge, I thought of her and of the history, which when they could be free… had blown me to the place where I now stood. I heard So many images assail me; memories of the child I my voice speaking a language which should have been had been in Jerusalem, passing by house after house, familiar, but wasn’t. looking in at the two lit candles; people singing, ‘Baruch atah Hashem…’ happiness for the moment. I meant what I said. I was grateful to bring in another And then my heart sinks when I think of the loss of Sabbath – as so many members of my strange, diverse so many years of being deprived of this symbol, this family had not been able to… wonderful ceremony; Candle-Lighting Time. For those first moments as the match brought the candle to light, I experienced peace - time almost standing still; nothing else mattered… Reflected in red, orange, yellow of the flame, I felt part of the ancient heritage into which I had been born – part of a history which I could never deny, even though

Important message HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY VISITS If you are in hospital or know anyone being admitted into hospital, please get in touch with info@ sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or telephone 07789 491279 so that a Jewish chaplain can be contacted to visit.

1918 Brighton Congregation renamed Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation issue 263 | may 2016 12 Culture 13

Jewish Historical Society of England - Sussex Branch by Godfrey R Gould The penultimate meeting of our 2015-16 session On 14 July, the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex will was held on 29 March. Despite the poor weather an unveil the Society’s blue plaque to Israel Samuel, the excellent crowd turned up to hear Rachel Kolsky talk first known Jewish local resident, on 22 East Street, about Jewish Suffragettes - to the Booth, to the Gallery. Brighton. All are invited to this highlight in our year. An They were well rewarded with a most enthusiastic incredible amount of original research has gone into address dealing first with the many Women’s Suffrage this and we have found many living descendants of Movements and some of its seminal movers. Two of the Israel Samuel from New Zealand, the United States, Movements were specifically Jewish and we learned London and even still here in Brighton. Some will attend of them and the outstanding figures, female and this surely splendid occasion. male, who were so active in the cause. Finally Rachel But the Society does not rest on such laurels. Our spoke of the efforts made by women, especially in the Programme for 2016-17 is well advanced. Speakers United Synagogue, to achieve equal status with men, will include Dr Jennifer Craig-Norton (University particularly in the lay leadership. of Southampton), Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain Our last meeting this session will be one of our (Maidenhead Synagogue), Vanessa Feldman (University contributions to our 250th celebrations. On Tuesday College, London), Dr Rosa Vidal Doval (Queen Mary, 10 May, Dr Sharman Kadish, Director, Jewish Heritage University of London) and Susan Cohen. And the UK, will speak at Ralli Hall on Middle Street Synagogue subjects will range from Mediaeval Spain to early 20th and the Architectural Heritage of Brighton and Hove. century England and to the River Jews (of the Thames) Details about ticketing can be found elsewhere. Since from the Norman Conquest onwards. What a feast. this anniversary was first discussed at a Meeting of the You are all certain of an enthusiastic welcome and Sussex Jewish Representative Council in September wonderful lectures. 2012, the Sussex Branch of the Jewish Historical Society has rightly taken the lead in placing this event centre stage. Our comprehensive and authoritative Anthology of the History of our Community is about to be published and will be available for purchase at £10 from several booksellers and other outlets. It is certain to be the seminal work on this subject for very many years.

Sussex Jewish Film Club The next meeting of the Sussex Jewish Film Club at Ralli Hall will be on Sunday 19th June and not on 12th June as printed on p.14 of the April issue. Details of the film will be given in next month’s SJN.

ARTISTS OPEN HOUSE 2016 Featuring work by: Anand Day, Claire Johnson, Gill Orsman, Josephine Louise Tyrrell, Helen Morris Clarke, Christos Gavriel, Tibor Eridås, Katy Holford and Gabrielle Anya Rafello Every weekend in May 11.00 - 6pm

29D Vine Street, Brighton BN1 4AG

1921 Bear Road/Meadow View Cemetery • 1927 Hove Hebrew Congregation issue 263 | may 2016 14 Culture 15

Bitter-sweet Memories by Doris Levinson On hearing the news on 13 April 2016 that playwright not continue his life’s work. He often forgot what he Arnold Wesker had passed away, I thought to myself wanted to say, but nevertheless it was a privilege how right I had been in my decision to go for two to be in his company and have some very pleasant weeks’ recovery and rehabilitation at Maycroft Manor conversations with him. He told me that he was waiting Care Home in Carden Avenue after a hip replacement to hear whether his latest play would be performed on operation. stage. Not only did I recover well physically, but I also had Arnold Bloom, the father of Wendy, I knew well and, the immense good fortune of spending almost every despite his failing health, related many stories and lunch and dinner time in the company of two wonderful memories in our time together. He was such a charming Arnolds, both of whom have now sadly died. and graceful person. I understand that when he did pass away, at the grand age of 99, all the staff at One was Arnold Wesker with whom I sat, often with his Maycroft lined up in the hallway to say goodbye. lovely, lively, entertaining and caring wife Dusty. Sadly, at the age of 83, now afflicted with Parkinson’s disease They don’t make them like that any more – they will and wheelchair bound, he was frustrated that he could both be very much missed.

An interview with Arnold Wesker by Cecily Woolf Arnold Wesker has, through sheer talent, made the transition from plumber’s mate to playwright via a variety of other jobs. You can tell, though, from his musical, well-modulated voice, that his first ambition was to be an actor. Born and educated in Hackney, at the age of 71 he is a short dapper man, self-confident and very articulate. He and Dusty, his wife of 45 years, have decided to take a house in Hove where he can work on his current project. It is his first novel, although he has written four books of short stories. into a successful film and even a musical, which was Dusty was the inspiration for Beattie, the shy gentle recently premiered in Tokyo. “It’s a difficult musical Norfolk girl in ‘Roots’ who finally finds her own voice, though, not like your ‘Annie’ or ‘Guys and Dolls’, he under the influence of her Socialist Jewish boyfriend. observed. “In the play he doesn’t turn up but in real life he did and The greatest battle is still to get his play ‘Shylock’ we married,” explained Mr. Wesker, who recalled that, staged in the West End. “I wrote it because after commissioning ‘Roots’, the Royal Court Theatre Shakespeare, although he was not anti-Semitic, wanted changes, which he refused to make. created a portrait of a Jew which I don’t recognise. The battles began when director Lindsey Anderson, It’s a hateful play and I thought an alternative Shylock impressed with the young Wesker’s work, took his play ought to be created.” Negotiations are still in progress. ‘Chicken Soup with Barley’ to the Royal Court Theatre. Meanwhile Mr. Wesker keeps busy. In the past three “They were worried about it – I mean – a Jewish family years alone he has written 3 plays. Long may he story covering 20 years. It was a very strange kind of continue to aggravate the powers-that-be and entertain play for them”, said Mr. Wesker. us with his unique brand of storytelling! Yet, under the direction of his friend John Dexter, the This interview was first published in the February 2004 play went to the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, returning issue of Sussex Jewish News. in triumph to the Royal Court Theatre. The same fate befell ‘Roots’ and his most popular play, although it has 30 characters, ‘The Kitchen’. “I wrote it whilst working as a chef in Paris”, Mr. Wesker recalled, “and I saved up enough money to attend a film course in London.” In fact, he later made the play

1930 Holland Road Synagogue • 1936 Brighton & Hove Liberal Congregation issue 263 | may 2016 14 Culture 15

JACS News by Shirley Jaffe The Jewish Association of Cultural Societies (JACS) chance to listen to stimulating speakers. Our treasurer, opened the Brighton and Sussex Branch in 1988. Moss Kimmelman, and I have had a meeting with Every Wednesday afternoon since, unless it was a Jackie and Maxine from Ralli Hall and have agreed Jewish or State holiday, there has been a Meeting that on the first Thursday of each month there will be at the AJEX Centre, in Hove, attended by up to sixty a speaker at Ralli Hall and JACS members are invited people. Each week the Committee would provide to attend. I am still prepared to chair the event and a speaker, from Members of Parliament to history of course to help Jackie to find speakers and put professors, from local geographers or an ex-dancer our funds at Ralli Hall Luncheon Club’s disposal to from Pan’s People. pay for fees or gifts to the speakers. JACS will also take responsibility for informing members and others Topics have varied from health to holidays, and through the SJN and the Jewish News of the dates members have run quiz, social and music afternoons and times and speakers’ names over the next six or themselves taken over the speaker’s chair months. The stalwarts who attended JACS in the last when a speaker could not be afforded. Excellent struggling six months or so will be invited at some time chairpeople, secretaries, treasurers and programmers to use some of the outstanding funds to have a JACS led hardworking committees to search for speakers, luncheon. And a couple of people have suggested we provide tea, information and a friendly and welcoming could use their gardens for a social meeting during the atmosphere. In the early years there were outings, and summer. There will be a meeting of the old committee many members joined others from the London JACS in the near future to discuss these ideas. branches for holidays in Bournemouth and currently in Eastbourne. Of course members are invited to join in all the other activities around the Ralli Hall Luncheon Club, and on Through the years membership has gradually dropped other Thursdays there are games afternoons. Ideas for – as has happened to so many organisations. The age other activities would be welcome. At our initial JACS- of members caused increasing absence through illness, at-Ralli Hall meeting we had an entertaining talk from problems with transport and members going into care Godfrey Gould about his days of hitch-hiking and youth homes or dying. It became increasingly difficult to hostelling, about 25 people were there and our move recruit new younger members; people worked later, was considered a success. retired later, and took care of their grandchildren. The local Jewish community was shrinking, and more So our thanks to all who made it possible. rival attractions beckoned, from U3A to the Ralli Hall Luncheon Club. In 2000 when I was an occasional member, numbers averaged perhaps 25 and there was concern when only fifteen members turned up. Sadly, in the last year we have sometimes had attendance of only eight members – and eighteen was a rare success. But even more important, with the average age being into the eighties, we were unable to find people to take on the more onerous committee roles. When our brilliant secretary-programmer, Janice Greenwood, decided that it was becoming too much for her to continue, and various attempts to recruit members and helpers from the Community failed, we have reluctantly come to the conclusion that JACS, as we have known it, would have to close. Following our AGM in February, and various discussions, we have reluctantly left the AJEX Centre and the kind umbrella provided by the Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue. However, encouraged by various members of the Ralli Hall Luncheon Club we have tried to find some way that the members of JACS can still meet and have the

1938 Lansdowne Road Synagogue • 1938 Old Shoreham Road Cemetery issue 263 | may 2016 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: [email protected] www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk

16 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 17

The History of BHPS Part 4: The Memories of Anne Carr On 27 February Anne Carr celebrated being part of the Shul for much fun with lots of travelling suppers and outings and made 65 years. This is her story: many friends. One special friend was Marilyn Magrill, who is my My grandparents and my parents were married at Bevis Marks in very best friend to this day. Oh boy! Did we have fun in those London. A year and a half after I was born, the war broke out and days with our Nosh Bar and the Chanukah fairs every year. In my mum and I went to live in Diana White’s kosher guesthouse in 1976, Mandy had her Bat Mitzvah, and then her Confirmation in Burgess Hill. My dad was in the RAF. After the war, we came to 1978. In 1979, the twins had a joint Bar and Bat Mitzvah. This live in Hove. was a unique occasion in our Shul. They were confirmed in 1981. Diana White joined the youth group of the Liberal Shul, and in Unfortunately, in 1988 my darling Ivan passed away. At that time 1951, when I was 13 the Shul formed a junior youth group, so he was Chair of the Shul and I was vice-Chair. Four weeks after I joined. That was the start of my long and eventful time in our Ivan’s death, Mandy got married in the Shul. Rabbi Middleburgh wonderful Shul. I was made secretary because I was attending conducted the service because they had both been in the same night school and learning shorthand and typing. When I was 18, I class at religion school. Sarah was also married later that year. joined the senior youth group. I was in many shows and my mum In 1992 I married Stephen Carr and went to live in Bracknell, but played the piano for most of them. came down most weekends to go to the Shul. In 1993, I moved back to Hove and took over as chair of the Friendship Club, At 19, I got engaged to Ivan Maykels who lived in Bexhill. At 21 which had become so big it had to move to Ralli Hall. we got married and because I had been involved since I was 13, the Council said our wedding (conducted by Archie Fay) was their So, time has gone by. I’m now on the events committee and gift to us. In 1963, my daughter Mandy was born and at three help at the L’Chayyim lunches for our older members. In the last months was blessed. In 1966, my twins, Sarah and Jeremy were few years, my daughter Sarah has become very involved in the born, and they were also blessed at three months. Between the Shul and is on the Council, so the family is continuing the work. two births, I started a ballet school on Sundays in the Montefiore When we moved into our beautiful new Shul building, I was sad Hall. My mum was the pianist. Rabbi Baylinson’s daughter was in when I thought of all the wonderful days of the old Shul. But the class. She was very anxious to learn how to curtsy properly in then I sat down and realised that it’s not a building that makes a case she ever met the Queen. Unfortunately, I couldn’t continue Shul. It’s all the lovely and wonderful people, who have made the with the class too long because I fell pregnant with my twins. Progressive Shul my second home and given me so many great memories of my 65-year journey so far at BHPS. As the children got older and went to the religion school, Ivan and I joined the FRS (Friends of the Religion School). We had so

Events@BHPS May Wednesday 4 Yom Ha-Shoah Service, 7.30 pm Friday 6 Chavurah Supper, 7.00 pm – bring a vegetarian or permitted fish dish to share Saturday 7 Shabbat Morning Service, 11.00 am Guest Speaker, Naomi Wayne from the British Shalom-Salaam Trust “Israel – A light unto the nations?”, 1.00 – 2.30 pm Sunday 8 Bring and Buy Sale. Bring along books, plants, cakes and unwanted gifts! Refreshments available. 2.00-5.00 pm Rededication of the plaque in honour of those from our synagogue who lost their lives in World War Two, 2.30 pm Friday 13 Erev Shabbat service followed by Oneg - Maya Skaarbrevik “On being a Jewish Undergraduate”, 7.30 pm Saturday 14 Shabbat Morning Beit Midrash service, 11.00 am Friday 20 Erev Shabbat Creative service, 7.30 pm Saturday 21 Study Session with Rabbi Elli, 10.30 am followed at 11.30 am by Service led by students of Beit Lamed Friday 27 Erev Shabbat Service, 7.30 pm Saturday 28 Shabbat Morning Service, 11.00 am ‘Israel - a light unto nations?’ A talk by Naomi Wayne June Friday 3 Chavurah Supper, 7.00 pm – bring a dish to share Shabbat, 7 May 2016, 1:00-2:30 PM Saturday 4 Shabbat Morning Service, 11.00 am Naomi Wayne will speak about some of the projects supported by Every Shabbat Access to Hebrew 1.00 – 2 pm led by Rabbi Elli the Shalom-Salaam Trust. Exploring Judaism with Rabbi Elli, 2.15 pm – programme below: The British Shalom-Salaam Trust is a Jewish initiative established in 2004 with supporters from all faiths and none. It is the only • 7 May - Omer Period II: Yom Ha-Atzma’ut & Lag Ba-Omer British Jewish grant-giving charity whose sole role is to work • 14 May - Shabbat I: In the Torah & the Halakhah (Jewish law) both within Israel’s 1967 borders (the ‘Green Line’) and the • 21 May – Please note: no class Occupied Territories (West Bank including East Jerusalem, Golan and Gaza). The groups the charity funds engage in human rights, • 28 May - Shabbat II: Liturgy and rituals education, health, social care, anti-poverty action, inter-communal We now take a weekly collection of toiletries and non-perishable food items to cooperation, refugee rights, the environment, culture and sport. Brighton Voices in Exile (BViE). Your donations of these items should be left in You can learn more about BSST by visiting the website at www. the green box in the foyer. Thank you for contributing to the support of refugees. bsst.org.uk If delivering goods please ring the office first.

1952 Old Age Home • 1961 New Church Road Synagogue (BHHC) issue 263 | may 2016 BHHC Rabbi Hershel Rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD 16 Tel: 01273 888855 Email: [email protected] www.bhhc-shul.org 17

Pesach Sheini – It’s Never Too Late! by Rabbi Hershel Rader Sunday, 22nd May is Pesach Sheini – the Second Pesach. The institution of Pesach Sheni (the Second Pesach) was Its origin is in the Sidra of Beha’alotcha where it is written: prompted by the heartfelt desire of those who, despite their impurity, pleaded, ‘Why should we be prevented from G-d spoke to Moses in the Sinai desert ... saying: ‘The bringing the offer¬ing of G d?’ children of Israel should prepare the Passover [offering] at its appointed time. On the fourteenth of this month, in the The mitzvah was given as a response to an expression afternoon ... in accordance with all its decrees and laws....’ of man’s inner need to establish a bond with G d. This need exists in potential in every Jewish heart. Man’s plea There were, however, certain persons who had become for ‘one more chance’ reflects the mode of divine service ritually impure through contact with a dead body and called Teshuva (repentance; lit. ‘return’). For everyone, therefore could not prepare the Passover offering on that even a person who is ‘on a distant path’ possesses a day. They approached Moses and Aaron ... and they said: Divine potential which always seeks to realise itself. ‘...Why should we be deprived, and not be able to present Pesach Sheini teaches us the profoundly important lesson G-d’s offering in its time, amongst the children of Israel?’ that ‘it’s never too late’ – particularly if we are prepared to And Moses said to them: ‘Wait here and I will hear what step up and take the initiative. G-d will command concerning you.’ And G-d spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying: Any person who is contaminated by death, or is on a distant road, whether among you now or in future generations, shall prepare a Passover offering to G-d. They shall prepare it on the afternoon of the fourteenth day of the second month, and shall eat it with matzahs and bitter herbs....’ (Numbers 9:1-12)

Catered Lunch & Learn A monthly opportunity to enjoy a catered meal together with fascinating Torah insights presented by Rabbi Hershel Rader for just £5, 12.15 – 1.30 pm in the Mark Luck Hall The next Catered Lunch & Learn will be on Wednesday 11th May. The topic will be To Touch the Divine – Exploring Jewish Mysticism

1966 Palmeira Avenue Synagogue (Reform HC - started c. 1956) issue 263 | may 2016 BHRS Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE 18 Tel: 01273 735343 Email: [email protected] www.bh-rs.org https://www.facebook.com/BrightonReform 19 BrightonReform

That Taste of Lettuce by Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo If you, like me, are an assiduous listener to the Archers, you may probably be worrying about Helen’s fate. For Bulletin Board - May those who don’t know where Ambridge is, let me recap: it’s a sad story of domestic violence! There are, at first, Wednesday 4 Erev Yom HaShoah, 6.30 pm psychological abuses, when a manipulative man exploits Friday 6 Shabbat Kolot, 6.30 pm the weakness and the fragility of a woman. These abuses pile up, one after the other. She cannot see her friends, Saturday 7 Shabbat Doroteinu, 10.30 am is cut off from her family, and is even forbidden by her partner to drive a car. Thursday 12 Yom Ha’atzmaut The story led to a physical confrontation (actually, a Friday 13 Kuddle Up Toddler Group Yom Ha’atzmaut Party, 10.30 am stabbing) by the hands of Helen, the wife. While I write, it is not even clear of the fate of Rob, the abusive husband. I Sunday 15 Stone Setting of Renee Phillips, 12.00 noon have read that the story is so convincing that it has led to a surge of donations to charities that help women victims Wednesday 18 Stone Setting of Martha Lyons, 2.00 pm of domestic violence. Saturday 21 Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am The story made me think of Pesach. This is because it Shabbaton 10yrs+, 10.30 am is not clear when the abuse began. Helen found herself pampered and loved by Rob, and certainly enjoyed Thursday 26 Lag B’Omer that at the beginning, thinking that she was in a happy Rosh Chodesh, 7.30 am relationship. But the man gradually turned into an abusive and bullying partner, who persuaded her that she was Sunday 29 Cheder Half Term unable to face the challenges of life without his help and Stone Setting of Lee Panto, 3.00 pm support. Gradually, she became dependent, for his benefit. It is, sadly, a very common story. It is almost a case-study scenario from a psychology handbook. This is also the way slavery began for the Israelites in Egypt. Our ancestors were not conquered by force. Rather, they found themselves initially comfortable in Egyptian society, perhaps benefitting from the good reputation that Joseph had acquired as minister of finances. But gradually, one law after the other, one prohibition after the other, the Israelites ended up at first as second-class citizens (the equivalent of dhimmi in Muslim societies), and then as slaves. The process of enslavement was gradual, and took generations: this is why we have the custom to have lettuce on the Seder plate. This is because lettuce tastes of nothing at the beginning, and only when it is time to digest we realise how heavy it is. That was the way slavery was imposed on our ancestors in Egypt… to make us dependant on the benevolence of the Egyptians. It is well known that there are still, nowadays, Jews who live in a similar situation. Jews who have to hide their Judaism, or their connection with Israel, lest something bad happens to them or their families. Let’s think of the example of the poor Jews living in Iran, where they are forbidden to display any affection for Eretz Israel. Let’s think of those Jews living in Brussels, who were forbidden, after the terrorist attacks, to celebrate Purim for security reasons. Let’s think of those Jewish students and political activists who, even in this country, even these days, are forced to hide their love for Israel. It is like the lettuce: it tastes of nothing at the beginning, but then it goes on to become so heavy. May this Pesach be the beginning of their liberation, as proud and confident Jewish men and women. L’shanah haba’ah biY’rushalaim

2004 Middle Street closed for regular services issue 263 | may 2016 HHC Rabbi Vivian Silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 18 Email: [email protected] and [email protected] 19 Web: www.hollandroadshul.com

Yom Hazikkaron – Yom Ha’atzmaut by Rabbi Vivian Silverman Israel Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut) is preceded people) and the miracle of 1967 (the re-unification by the Memorial Day (Yom Hazikkaron) for all who of Jerusalem), celebrate and commemorate divine have given their lives in defence of the State of Israel intervention in history – how a tiny state in the Middle – beginning with the War of Independence in 1948; East has managed to defeat, on numerous occasions, through to the Suez Campaign of 1956; on to the the hostile forces of surrounding Arab countries, whose Six Day War of 1967; the Yom Kippur War of 1973; sole object is to annihilate her. the incursion into Lebanon in 1982, and on to the Zeh hayom assa Hashem intifadas and terror campaigns of the past fifteen years. Thousands of men and women have died so that the Nagila v’nism’ha vo. only democratic country in the Middle East can survive This is the day, which the Eternal One has made; we and prosper. shall rejoice and be happy on it. On the morning of Yom Hazikkaron, the sirens sound throughout the land and a two-minute silence is observed. That same evening, Medinat Israel and May Diary Jewish communities throughout the world, celebrate Monday 2 Bank Holiday Yom Ha’atzmaut. Shul services include the Hallel Psalms of Praise for the miracle that brought about the Thursday 5 Yom Hashoah – for the six million State of Israel just after the horrors of World War Two. Sunday 8 Stonesettings: The survivors of the Shoah now had a permanent home • 12.45 pm Ivan Tannenbaum, 12.45 pm and no longer would be called displaced persons (DPs). • 2.30 pm Henry Aidallberry, 2.30 pm There was a pioneering spirit – Halutzic – in those first Rosh Chodesh Iyyar twenty-five years. Many who went on aliyah decided to Tuesday 10 Ladies Discussion Circle, 10.30 am live a kibbutz life, in the Negev or the Galil. Talmud Shiur, 11.30 am Since the Yom Kippur War, that feeling has steadily Wednesday 11 Yom Hazikkaron disappeared, to be replaced by those wishing to see Thursday 12 Yom Ha’atzmaut a greater Israel, or a state keeping pace with the best technology the world has to offer. Tuesday 17 Talmud Shiur, 11.00 am Thursday 26 Lag B’Omer However, on Yom Ha’atzmaut (5 Iyyar) and Yom Monday 30 Bank Holiday Yerushalayim (28 Iyyar), all who appreciate the miracle of 1948 (an independent Jewish state for the Jewish

FLOURISH BRIGHTON – FRIDAY 20 MAY 2016 10AM - 6PM AT THE YELLOWAVE CLUBHOUSE A free event for people of all ages to come together and be creative. Experience a range of different creative arts projects all inspired by artists working with residents of Hyman Fine House, a Jewish Care home for older people in Kemptown, Brighton. See how our approach can brighten your lives and the lives of people living with disability and dementia. Come and experience: • Star music • Creation Lace • The Trolley Garden • And more... • Photo exhibition – ‘Positive Aging’ by Ewa Mikraut • Impromptu presentations & performances throughout the day, featuring: • STAR – the band, Healthy Concerts – the duo, and YOU! • At 3pm Paul Chi will demonstrate the purpose of CreationLace and how it relates to dementia mental health, wellbeing and creativity For more information please contact Paul on 01273 688 446, visit flourishbrighton.org or contact Hyman Fine House on 01273 688 226 Yellowave Clubhouse, Seafront, 299 Madeira Drive, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1EN Charity Reg No. 802559

2016 250th anniversary issue 263 | may 2016 What’s on: May 2016 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org For visitors using a satellite navigation system Email: [email protected] in their vehicle. SJN Email: [email protected] or [email protected] JEWISH CEMETERY, MEADOWVIEW, BRIGHTON COMMUNITY EVENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER: The post code for this cemetery is BN2 4DE Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events JEWISH CEMETERY, OLD SHOREHAM 20 [email protected] ROAD, HOVE 20 The post code for this cemetery is BN3 7EF.

Shabbat Shalom – BRIGHTON TIMES Events in may Thursday 5 In Light Candles Out Havdalah „„ JACS invited to join the Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club on the first Fri 6 8.12 pm Sat 7 9.31 pm Thursday of the month. Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH

Fri 13 8.23 pm Sat 14 9.44 pm Sunday 8 Fri 20 8.33 pm Sat 21 9.57 pm „„ Guided Bus Tour of historic Jewish Brighton and visit to Middle St Fri 27 8.42 pm Sat 28 10.08 pm Synagogue 10.30 am (£12) Pick up point Grosvenor Casino (close to southern end of East Street) Book through Brighton Fringe ‘250th NOTABLE DATES Anniversary’ 01273 917272 or at One-Stop ticket office in North Street, Brighton Thursday 5 Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Day) „„ Howard Jacobson discusses his new Novel ‘Shylock is my Name’ at Wednesday 11 Yom Ha Zikaron the Sallis Benney Theatre, Brighton 5.00 pm (Tickets £10.00) T:01273 Thursday 12 Yom Ha Atzma’ut 709709 Thursday 26 Lag B’Omer „„ London Jewish Male Voice Choir at Middle Street Synagogue. Doors open 6.45 pm Tickets £25. T: 01273 709709. Alternatively, contact Hazel Coppins on [email protected], or telephone her on 07886 Regular Activities 854041 Mondays „„ Sussex Jewish News – Submission deadline for the June 2016 issue. Send your articles, thoughts, photos and announcements to sjneditor@ „„ Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Efune 12.30 - 1.30 pm at the Brighton Hillel sussexjewishnews.com or [email protected] Centre, 66/67 Middle Street, Brighton. Tel: 01273 321919 „„ Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Ralli Hall Tel: Reba 01444 484839 Monday 9 – Thursday 12 „ Middle Street Synagogue open to the public 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm (Tickets „„ Rubber and Duplicate Bridge 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm £4.00 + £1.00 „ transport Ralli Hall. Tel: Reba 01444 484839 £3/under 16 free) Book through Brighton Fringe ‘250th Anniversary’ 01273 917272 or at One-Stop ticket office in North Street, Brighton „„ Contemporary Basic Talmud with Rabbi Efune. Men only. 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Tuesday 10 „„ Torah & Tea with Penina Efune. Personalising Prayer – an in-depth look at „„ Sussex Jewish Historical Society presents Dr Sharman Kadish, Director the Morning Prayers and their relevance and meaning for our lives. Enjoy of Jewish Heritage, who will deliver the 250th Anniversary Lecture herbal teas and delicious snacks. All ladies welcome. 8.00 pm at Chabad ‘Middle Street Synagogue and the Architectural Heritage of Brighton House 01273 321919 & Hove’ at Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove 7.45 pm (Tickets £6.00) „„ SARID (Association of Jewish Refugees) meets every 3rd Monday www.brightonfringe.org/box-office/online or on the door of the month at 10.45 am, Ralli Hall. £1.50 Tel: 0208 385 3070 or email [email protected] Tuesday 10 - Sunday 15 „„ Israeli Cabaret & Circus group WCS, Danielle, Namer, Gil, Tomilio, Tuesdays Michal and Yaniv are presenting a self-production show ‘Worst Case „„ Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Scenario’ as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival. The show brings a Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly Ralli Hall unique point of view of personal and daily conflict on various issues, meaningful or common, while living in the Middle East. This is their „„ Painting with Rochelle (JAS) Studio at Ralli Hall, 2.00 – 4.00 pm. Tel: 01273 503708. first project together and it is a great opportunity to show part of the Israeli culture, presented in a divers and abstract way, combining „„ Chutzpah Choir 4 voices – contact [email protected] many abilities. Venue: The Warren, Main House, St Peters Church, „„ Israeli Dancing 7.45 pm - 9.45 pm Ralli Hall. Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Brighton. Tickets from www.brightonfringe.org/box-office/online

Wednesdays Sunday 15 „„ Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Congregation afternoon tea at the „„ Guided Bus Tour of historic Jewish Brighton and visit to Middle St Cavendish Hotel, Grand Parade, Eastbourne at 3.00 pm – on the first Synagogue 10.30 am (£12) Pick up point Grosvenor Casino (close Wednesday of every month to southern end of East Street) Book through Brighton Fringe ‘250th Anniversary’ 01273 917272 or at One-Stop ticket office in North Thursdays Street, Brighton „„ Mummy and Me (0-2 years) Baby Group at Torah Montessori Nursery from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. Enjoy the company, spacious well-equipped Monday 16 area, a light brunch and music time! „„ SARID (Association of Jewish Refugees) with Guest Speaker Eva „„ Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Weekly Clarke ‘Born Survivors’ – her incredible life story at 10.45 am Ralli Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove (£1.50). Tel: 0208 385 3070 or email [email protected] „„ JACS members are invited on the first Thursday of every month to the RHL&SC Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Monday 16 – Friday 20 „ „ Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am „„ The Half Life of Love by Gail Louw at the Rialto Theatre, Brighton „„ Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune - men and ladies welcome - 8.15 T:01273 735230 - 9.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 321919 Tuesday 17 Fridays „„ Faiths Together for a Better World 80th Anniversary Event at The „„ Kuddle Up Shabbat parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and her Congress Suite (adjoining the Winter Garden) Devonshire Park, guitar 10.00 am – 11.30 am AJEX Centre Carlisle Road, Eastbourne from 6.00 pm. Entrance free. T: 01323 729370 or E: [email protected] „„ Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Congregation service on the 4th Friday of each month, WRVS, 24 Hyde Road, Eastbourne, 6.00 pm „„ Alfred Brendl in Conversation at the Royal Pavilion 8.00 pm (Tickets £12.50) T:01273 709709 Saturdays Sunday 22 – Sunday 29 „„ Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation Shabbat services at 22 Susans Road, Eastbourne, 10.00 am. Contact 01323 484135 or 07739 082538 „„ Middle Street Synagogue open to the public 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm (Tickets £3/under 16 free) Book through Brighton Fringe ‘250th Anniversary’ „„ Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Congregation afternoon services 2.30 - 5.00 pm, CTK Church Hall, Langney Roundabout, Eastbourne 01273 917272 or at One-Stop ticket office in North Street, Brighton

issue 263 | may 2016