AN INTER-GENERATIONAL CONVERSATION Rabbinic discussion through the ages Shalom Belsize Square Synagogue,

What is Judaism? My teacher in Talmud 2) Tanach, Hebrew Scripture, the three- behind in Babylonia pored over its and co-signatory of my rabbinical fold division of our Bible, written in words. Gemara, Aramaic for “learning”, ordination diploma, Rabbi Dr Saul Hebrew. The word Tanach is made up covers rabbinic discussion on virtually Lieberman z"l, perhaps the foremost of TA – Torah, the Five Books; NA – every facet of Jewish law and practice talmudist of the 20th century, was Nevi’im, the Prophets, from Joshua to from 200 to about 550CE, when all 22 interviewed by Time Magazine in the the last prophet, Malachi; CH—Ketuvim, tractates were edited by the Saboraim. 1970s in his office, crowded with books. the Writings, including Psalms, The earlier "lesser" Jerusalem Talmud, Asked if he really knew all these books, Proverbs, Esther, Jonah, Lamentations, still an important text, also combines he replied: "Test me.” Song of Songs. We do not call it the Old Mishnah and rabbinic views. Testament. That is a Christian term for The reporter pulled out two books at Hebrew Scripture. For us, there is no 7) Rashi, Tosefta/Tosafot: later random and held up the text. The “old” Scripture leading to a “new” one. commentaries (literally, additions) with Rabbi’s immediate response to the first Rashi (11th century France) the was: "12th-century Rabbi Eliezer of 3) Apocryphal Literature: all those books supreme master. He created his own Lublin’s commentary on the talmudic written in antiquity that did not make the commentators, the Tosafot (Hebrew tractate of Ketubot, a pearl of wisdom.” canon of Hebrew Scripture, such as the term) and Tosefta (Babylonian). His enthusiastic response to the next books of Maccabees, Judith, Tobit, was: “A 6th-century compilation of Jubilees and other treasures of the 8) Codes of Jewish Law: the Mishneh talmudic commentary, rare and hard to Jewish past such as, for some, the Torah (Maimonides' late 12th-century comprehend, but one of our earliest Dead Sea Scrolls. "Torah Repetition") and Shulchan Aruch sources of post-talmudic wisdom.” (Joseph Caro's mid-16th-century "Set- 4) Philo of Alexandria, first-century BCE out Table") helping people apply Jewish Impressed, the reporter said: “I can see philosopher and Josephus, the first law in a different environment. you treat these authors and books as century CE historian. Both are important Maimonides' codified Jewish law was a classroom mates. It is as if you see historical resources from the turn of the master work. Rabbi Caro of Safed’s Judaism as a conversation between millennium 2,000 years ago. comprehensive code is still referred to. generations.” Saul Lieberman responded: “Young man, that is the best 5) Mishnah, meaning “teaching”, refers With ever-changing circumstances, the definition of Judaism I have heard. A to the Oral Law, finally written down in conversation between generations conversation between generations is Hebrew by Rabbi Yehudah, known as never stops. May we hand it on to the exactly what Judaism does." HaNasi (the Prince), around 200CE. next generation! Wishing you all a The Mishnah is the first code of Jewish joyous and healthy winter and a That story has influenced my law and contains some of the earliest wonderful beginning to the third decade own understanding of Judaism. When I texts of our rabbis who shaped the of the 21st century. open a page of any sacred Jewish text, Judaism still practised today. For I feel I am communicating with tens of example, the Mishnah says it is the Rabbi Altshuler generations before me. So I would like woman's obligation to to share with you a brief rundown of our light Shabbat candles IN THIS ISSUE most sacred books. After all, we are Am in the home. There is Hasefer, the People of the Book. no reference to this in Page 2: Photo Gallery: J-Pod; Mitzvah Day; the Torah. Jazz Concert I) Torah means Instruction, not Law. The Page 3: Mitzvah Day; J-Pod (Jewish Practical Five Books of Moses – Genesis, 6) Talmud/Gemara: Open Day) Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, once the Mishnah was Page 4: Mossad Mission Deuteronomy – are our foundation put into writing, the Page 5: Reflections on Synagogue Changes stone, read every Shabbat and Festival. Jews who had stayed Review of Thomas Harding's book, Legacy Page 6-7: Story of Liturgical Music Page 8: Obituary for Ben Lachmann HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SHABBAT Page 9: Klopstick's "Fairwell" Friday 24 January at 6.45pm Page 10: Community News Including Mazkir for all those who died Al Kiddush Page 11: Lives of Our Three Centenarians HaShem for the sanctification of God's name Page 12: Rally Against Antisemitism

No 705 - Tevet/Shevat/Adar 5780 - January/February 2020 Our Congregation - Page 2 Jewish Practical Open Day

Clockwise from top left Tefillin demonstration by Cantor Paul Heller Lulav demonstration by Adam Rynhold Annette Nathan explains the Chanukah candle order Chanukiya preparation Rehearsing for Chanukah John Alexander shows Cheder boys the scrolls in our Ark

Harry Kornhauser receives a Mitzvah Day The Music Committee's third and final concert of the year, Jazz In The biscuit package delivered by a volunteer Square, featured the superb Ralph Freeman Jazz Quartet playing classical jazz numbers as well as Ralph's own compositions. It followed Cheder Mitzvah Day this year's Mini Market and super supper choices.

Cheder years 7 & 8 (age 11 & 12) on Mitzvah Cheder years 3 & 4 (age 7 & 8): Cheder year 5 girls (age 9) add edible Day project outside Tesco Express in Creating "Get Well" cards for decorations to biscuits which were England's Lane collecting food for the children undergoing surgery in packed by the boys for delivery to older Camden Food Bank Israel members of the congregation MITZVAH DAY 2019 Adam Hurst describes a breathless sequence of events Mitzvah Day 2019 took place on to decorate and pack almost 500 singers in a music-hall style sing-along Sunday 17 November and once again biscuits which were delivered to senior and joke-telling extravaganza. This Belsize Square contributed members of our congregation by our was our third Mitzvah Day visit to the energetically to this inspiring national volunteer drivers. They also sorted out care home, who are always extremely event, organising multiple activities and and boxed up the mountains of food grateful for our support. involving members and volunteers from donated for the Camden Food Bank. throughout the community. There are too many people to thank Elsewhere the synagogue library was individually for their contributions but it In the morning the synagogue was vibrant as some of the sorters and would be remiss not to mention the buzzing with the sound of the Cheder packers went on to create around 500 heroics of the Cheder and, not least, children, who threw themselves into a bags containing generously donated our head teacher, Caroline Loison, who variety of tasks across every age toiletries, which were split between the made over 80 phone calls to our senior group. homeless and refugees in Barnet and members to arrange logistics for Camden. There was a great distributing biscuits! So a huge thank * Years 1 & 2 (ages 5-6) decorated atmosphere and the group were you to all our organisers and tissue box covers for Jewish Women’s delighted to share a home-made cake volunteers as none of this could Aid. to celebrate Helen Grunberg's birthday! happen without you. * Years 3 & 4 created “Get Well Soon” cards which were sent to the Israeli The Adult Discussion Group rolled up It’s truly heartwarming that so many charity “Save a Child’s Heart” for their sleeves and, together with Rabbi members of our community are children due to undergo or recovering Igor Zinkov and congregants from the prepared to get involved in this annual from surgery. Liberal Jewish Synagogue, St Johns event, which continues to go from * Years 5 & 6 made “dog rags” for our Wood, cleaned the library bookshelves strength to strength. local Animal Welfare Rescue Centre to in Keats House in Hampstead. give their rescue dogs. And if anyone would like to get more * Years 7 & 8 stood outside Tesco on We also continued our outreach to the involved next year in organising England’s Lane and collected food for Wellesley Road Care Home in additional events or helping to co- the Cheder Food Collection for the Camden. Kikar Kids visited in the ordinate the overall day’s activities, Camden Food Bank. morning, singing nursery rhymes and then please don’t hesitate to contact meeting the residents. In the afternoon, Adam Hurst or Lee in the Synagogue The whole Cheder then came together Stephen Wiener led a group of Belsize Office.

JEWISH PRACTICAL OPEN DAY Explaining J-POD Sunday 10 November saw Belsize activity, explaining how to set up the explaining the plants' significance and Cheder's first J-POD (Jewish Practical candles whilst also teaching the symbolism, and showing how to shake Open Day) of this academic year, a brachot that we recite as we light them them correctly, with the right bracha. termly project initiated by Cheder and finishing each group session with Head, Caroline Loison, last April. The a rousing version of Maoz Tsur! Rob Walking around the shul, the buzz was idea is to have six activities set up Nothman led the Chumash/Tanach palpable and the learning evident. This around the shul for anyone and activity, teaching everyone the term's J-POD @ BSS Cheder was everyone, whether they attend Cheder meaning behind these words (Torah or highly successful and will be repeated or not, to "have a go" at practising, or Pentateuch, and Bible respectively), on 1 March. Please put this date in perfecting, their practical Judaism showing participants how to navigate your diary and join us for what we skills. their way through to find specific hope will be an equally successful chapters and verses rather than listen morning of Practical Judaism, where Children, parents, staff and members out for page numbers. we can learn, practise and perfect of the congregation with no connection together. to Cheder came together for a Alongside our Board Members were wonderful morning of learning and, three Cheder Staff members who also ANNUAL more importantly, of “doing”. We were led activities. Our Cantor led the HENRY KUTTNER Z”L lucky to have three Board Members to Tefillin activity and demonstrated how CHOIR SHABBAT lead three of the activities. John to lay Tefillin, with everyone having a Friday 13 March at 6.45pm Alexander led the Gelilah activity, go, using one of his many sets. Marion showing everyone our amazing Godfrey led the Mezuzah activity, Each year we honour the Belsize collection of Torah scrolls and explaining its purpose and how to fix a Square Synagogue professional choir explaining how to "dress" the Torah mezuzah to the doorpost, as well as in memory of Henry Kuttner z”l. correctly before it is put back inside the the bracha we recite for the purpose. Join us in thanking the choristers who Ark at the end of the Torah Service. Last, but by no means least, Adam make our choir so special and Annette Nathan led the Chanukiyah Rynhold led the Lulav & Etrog activity, unique.

No 705 - Tevet/Shevat/Adar 5780 - January/February 2020 - Page 3 Our Congregation - Page 4 MOSSAD MISSION Peter Leon describes a fascinating tour of Israel's security service's work

Have you seen the film The Red Sea People near the border have at most On another day we went to the Erez Diving Resort (available via Netflix)? It 15 seconds to reach a shelter. We Crossing Terminal at the Gaza border tells the story of the rescue of were taken to two IDF (Israel Defence and were briefed by its Commander. Ethiopian Jews from starvation in Forces) border command centres, first Gazans who have consent to cross into Sudanese refugee camps. In 1977 a Border Patrol Office, where we were Israel – often for hospitalisation or to Menachem Begin ordered the Mossad, shown various weapons which fire visit relatives – are told by Hamas to Israel’s intelligence agency, to start a rubber bullets of different kinds. One of carry objects such as bombs etc. rescue mission. Rubi Viterbo – a us volunteered to put on the protective Mossad Special Agent – was part of “armour” worn when on patrol. Therefore all have to be searched and that mission and came to talk to us with permission denied if anything untoward many stories that were not in the film. The other visit was to a military is found. A special unit has been set up intelligence base, where girl soldiers to shoot down the kites and helium My wife Sue and I joined 45 others on monitor the tech screens and balloons trailing fire onto the growing a Mossad Mission in Israel in communications of every inch of the wheat and other crops. Burning has November for a week’s tour run by borders. Apparently, girls are better been reduced from many thousands of Shurat Hadin, the Israel Law Center. than boys at monitoring and instantly dunams to 500 dunams. Rubi Viterbo was just one highlight. recognise anomalies to alert their (female) commander. We were Shurat Hadin (Israel Law Center – Fauda, another Netflix film, is a fictional escorted that day by Brigadier General literally the line of the law) – is at the story, based on real events, of (Res.) Gal Hirsch, who was full of forefront of fighting terrorism and undercover operations to capture anecdotes about Israel’s many wars safeguarding Jewish rights worldwide. terrorists in Judea and Samaria. The she has had to fight. It is dedicated to taking action to authors included a woman in the team protect the State of Israel and its without realising there was indeed a In the 1973 Yom Kippur War, for citizens through putting terrorists and woman in the team. Shir Peled was the instance, the tank divisions on the their supporters on trial to compensate first woman in such a combat unit. Now Golan Heights had to wait for the victims and blocking funding of terror, retired and a designer, she told us the reservists to arrive, while their tanks as well as fighting to end the use of reality of being part of the squad. and equipment were assembled and social media for inciting violence and ready. Does one withdraw against the promoting terror. It was founded and is What do you need to be a Mossad onslaught of the Syrian army and live run by Nitsana Darshan-Leitner. member? Uzi S explained and to fight another day, or go in guns demonstrated that the most important blazing and hope that the Syrians think Among its recent successes was taking feature is self-confidence. Four of our that the reservists have already Airbnb to court last spring to stop them group were taken to our hotel lobby arrived, but risk the ultimate sacrifice? adopting BDS (Boycott, Disinvestment and told to approach a stranger there & Sanctions) policy over listing West and engage in conversation – find out Of the two "7-tank groups" trying to Bank properties. Do see their website as much as possible about the stranger hold the Golan [the newly arrived 7th for their many and varied activities. without having to tell the truth about Brigade and the dug-in 188th “Barak" yourself (i.e. work out a cover story). Brigade], each commander took a Shurat Hadin has close relations with separate view. Although the 7th Mossad and the IDF in general and is Reporting back to the group, we Brigade who went in “guns blazing” did therefore privileged to be able to set up discovered that an approach from a indeed pay the ultimate price, the such missions or tours which, as well man to a woman is much harder Syrians thought the reservists had as the above, included talks by other than any other combination. Some of arrived and fled. prominent Israelis. us were asked to approach Uzi, who pretended to be crossing a street. We each had to make up a reason to get Uzi to return to the pavement from which he started. A fascinating talk!

We were taken to Lebanon and the Golan Heights on the Syrian border to see and hear first hand what it is like to live on a kibbutz right on the border. We saw Hezbollah’s rocket emplacements, which are disguised as houses without glass in their windows! The roofs slide back hydraulically and the rockets English translation of "The Spirit of the IDF", distributed to all IDF soldiers, launched. laying out the underlying values and ethics governing military activity The whole programme was guided by Rami Shemesh, a fount of knowledge GERALD HELLMAN ON SYNAGOGUE CHANGES from biblical times to the modern day. As I sat in synagogue during the High all who attend. His well researched We were accompanied by Or Hikry Holydays I reflected on the changes in sermons and trips abroad have (Project Manager), Rachel May the synagogue. My first "Continental" contributed to making our Synagogue Weiser (lawyer for Shurat Hadin) and service was in 1942 in Buckland more than just a house of prayer. Rev Ellie Geller (starting law studies) for Crescent. At Belsize Square the building Paul Heller has helped both male and day-to-day organisation and further has been altered several times and now female youngsters to conduct a part of information. caters for all, whereas in days gone by the High Holy Day services, which are services were held variously at Swiss well executed and a pleasure to follow. Other speakers were Ram Ben Barak Cottage, Kilburn, Willesden, Bounds Female participation in services was (former deputy Head of Mossad); Green. Progress indeed! something that was not even considered, Yossi Melman (investigative say, 20 years ago. Yet today it is a journalist); Uzi Arad (ex-Mossad, I have listened to five Cantors and now regular feature. National Security Advisor and Israeli Rev Paul Heller gives wonderful strategist). All extremely interesting, renditions to prayers. Each has added The dress code by the Rabbi and Cantor giving us the “inside story”. something to the service and I am truly has also changed but, for me, the most appreciative of every one. One must also important change is that I am now able The week was based in three hotels in remember the choirs, both youth and to follow services from home on my Tel Aviv, Tiberius and Jerusalem, and adult, who expressed music in a computer. Yes, I too have changed from included some more touristy events, meaningful way, and young singers who a regular attendant. There have been such as a trip on Lake Kinneret, a visit visited old-age homes bringing pleasure many changes in society, most positive, to the Kotel on Friday evening and a to the elderly. some not so. What has not changed for lovely Friday evening Shabbat dinner. me is my strong attachment to religion. We recommend that you look at their My friend Antony Godfrey wrote a book, As I sat during the High Holy Days, I website for future missions. Anyone Three Rabbis in a Vicarage. There has prayed and thanked the Almighty for can go and, while the group was of course been an addition since, in the giving me such a good life, blessed with predominantly American, some came form of Rabbi Dr Stuart Altshuler, whose a happy marriage, children and from Canada, New Zealand, Germany Adult Discussion classes have inspired grandchildren. Changes indeed! and of course the UK. There were about 10 Christians with us, some visiting Israel for the first time. RUTH ROTHENBERG ENJOYS A NICE CUP OF TEA LEGACY: One Family, a Cup of Tea and a Company that took on the World by The last highlight took place during Thomas Harding, published by Heinemann, £25. our closing dinner when Nitsana Thomas Harding, son of our members and all drinks were alcoholic. Darshan-Leitner interviewed and Frank and Belinda Harding, is a well- translated for Nadia Cohen, widow of known non-fiction writer who has mined By selling decent food and tea far more the famous spy Eli Cohen (see the Eli his father's side in German-Jewish cheaply, he created a social revolution. Cohen series, also on Netflix). Nadia history. Now he turns to his mother, Women could now eat out safely. But talked about her life with Eli, who Belinda nee Salmon, descended from a because his family was uncertain of necessarily was away for many man sent to London in 1843 to see if this venture, Monte could not use their months at a time. He was in Syria his parents could escape the name or money. He paid an amiable and, before being caught, was about persecution, poverty and insecurity of stallholder, one Joseph Lyons, to give to become a minister in the Syrian Prussia, Holland and Belgium. his name and act as front man. government. Nadia of course knew nothing of this until his execution by Taking a room in Whitechapel, Samuel J. Lyons & Co opened tea shops and the Syrians in 1965. She was Gluckstein (the next generation produced its own goods for them at depressed and lonely with Eli being dropped the umlaut) married the Cadby Hall, a former piano factory. It away for long periods and only with manager's daughter, and started to went public on the London Stock her for short times. I asked if it would hand-roll cigars, perfecting an art he Exchange in 1895, with the family have been better if she had been had seen in Holland. His parents retaining voting rights, and went on to aware of Eli’s secret work for Mossad. arrived in 1847 with his eight siblings renovate restaurants, build hotels and Her response was an emphatic “no” and their families. All worked on cigars, create venues. This provided jobs for as she would have begged Eli not to ending up with 60 tobacco shops the men in the family and took them all go back to Syria. around the country. out of the East End and into Bayswater.

Sue and I were quite overwhelmed Samuel married his older daughter, In the next generation, between two with a week of seeing the inner Lena, to his business associate, locally world wars, the word “Nippy" was workings of Mossad and the IDF born Barnett Salmon. Belinda is their officially recognised in 1924 as a Lyons border units. They have a tough job, great-granddaughter. The family moved waitress, and Lena's son, Sir Isidore protecting Israel and Jews into catering when Samuel’s gifted fifth Salmon (knighted in 1933), had the everywhere. We recommend you join child, Monte, spotted a gap in the education and confidence to serve in the next mission of Shurat Hadin. Not market after the 1851 Great Exhibition Jewish and public life. cheap but eminently worthwhile. spawned shows around the country, www.israellawcenter.org where the food was bad and expensive (Continued at foot of Page 10)

No 705 - Tevet/Shevat/Adar 5780 - January/February 2020 - Page 5 Our Congregation - Page 6 TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY, THAT IS THE QUESTION Cantor Paul Heller looks back at Jewish music-making from Bible times to the modern era

My interest in the organ as an essential connected pipes that sound remarkably musical feature in Jewish liturgy started like bagpipes; Nekev, flute (Ezekiel 3); when I served as Cantor in and the Magrepha from the Hebrew Stockholm’s Great Synagogue from root g-r-ph, meaning grasp. This is 2000-2011, in the footsteps of the late assumed to refer to an organ which, great Leo Rosenbluth, who served according to the Talmud, produced a from 1931-76. This was my sound audible from Jerusalem to introduction to it. I have been a fan Jericho, four leagues (nearly 16 miles) ever since, demonstrating how our away. liturgy benefits from it. While judging this an exaggeration, The organ was known, and even Naumbourg noted that the hydraulic normal, in Hungary and Italy as early organ was invented by Ktebesios in as the 17th century. Its wider use was 3rd-century BCE Alexandria. With the result of the late 18th-century regular contact between Jerusalem Enlightenment (Haskalah) movement, and Alexandria in the Hellenistic era, it bringing Jews into general society. In was likely that this feat of musical 1810 a synagogue featuring organ and engineering reached Jerusalem but choir, the Seesen Temple, opened near took time to be accepted in Temple Hannover. The 1818 Hamburg new Cantor Salomon Sulzer services. His list of percussion prayer book stamped Reform's path, instruments covers the Tof – drum or marking its differences with traditional right, at other times it appears to tambourine; Tziltzilim or Metzilot – Orthodoxy. This included abandoning indicate a pause. We do know that the cymbals divided into "noisy" and the rabbinic prohibition on instrumental orchestra of the Temple in Jerusalem "jubilant" types; Metzaltayim – a pair of music on Shabbat as a sign of consisted of string instruments: the copper castanets; Mena'anim – mourning for the destruction of the Nevel (big harp) and Kinnor (small "sistrum" or rattle of sorts; and Second Temple – still a major division harp). The Shofar (ram's horn) was Shalishim (literally a threesome) – between the two streams of Judaism. used only to provide rhythm in the form triangle. of Tekiah (a single long blast) and Looking at the Bible, musical Teruah (a series of short staccato Most scholars of this obscure subject instruments to accompany song have a notes), not for Nagen (melody). There agree that 20 musical instruments were long history and there is a range of were also Chatzotzrei (trumpets), used in Temple service. Six are named them: the Tof (tambourine), Nevel mentioned in the Bible and distinct in Torah: Kinnor, Ugav, Tof, Machol (an (lyre) and Kinnor (a sort of reed from the Shofar. unknown instrument always instrument). Miriam's song at the Red accompanying dance), Chatzotzorah Sea (Exodus 15:20) brings in the Tof, The talmudic tractates Arachin and Shofar. Seven are in Judges, which is associated with women's (Dedications) and Chullin (Non-holy Kings and Psalms: Neve Gittith dance songs and not part of divine matters) note that both these (possibly a stringed instrument from worship. The only one mentioned in "signalling" instruments were blown by Gath), Tziltzilim, Kinnor, Chalil, Keren connection with sacrifices (the regular Priests, not Levites, the "professional and Shalishim. Samuel (6:5) has a expression of man’s communication Temple musicians". They also mention single mention of Mena'anim. with God in that culture and period), is wind instruments: Ugav (small pipe); the Shofar (ram's horn trumpet, as in Chalil (big pipe, today a flute); Alamot The Book of Daniel lists five Psalm 150:3). In fact, music is not a (double pipe – as listed in 1 Chronicles instruments, familiar to the Persian feature of worship till we come to 15:20); Metziltzayim (cymbals); and court – Mashrokitha (3:5), a flute or David, the poet and musician. Pa'amonim (bells). No drums. pipe; Kitarath/Kataros, similar to a lyre; Sabecha/Sabekka, another stringed For me, the most striking biblical As to the singers, the minimum choir instrument; Psanterin, probably also reference is David's Psalm 29: Mizmor, number was 12, with no upper limit. strung; and the Sumphonia. Shir l'Yom HaShabbat (A Psalm, a There are several mentions of a 4,000- Song, for the Sabbath Day): It is good strong choir. Members had five years Going back to the Magrepha, this was to praise the Lord/ And to make music of training and generally served from a mechanical version of the syrinx or to Your name, O Most High/ 30 to 50. Boy choristers were added for set of banded panpipes. The invention Proclaiming Your love in the morning/ sweetness and a fuller range. was to stand them on a box, the And your faithfulness at night/ To the hydraulis or water cistern, containing music of the ten-stringed lyre/ And the The French cantor Samuel Naumberg an air reservoir. The air was driven by melody of the harp. (1817-1880), a post-Enlightenment hand pumps into the pipes to produce scholar of Jewish music, lists the a sound. Basically, this is the first There is also the mystery of the instruments mentioned in ancient organ. Later, bellows took over from recurrent word Selah, often translated sources: the Mashukita, a transverse water-and-pump but the name as "forever". Sometimes this seems flute cited in Daniel 1; the Sumphonia, hydraulis stayed. It is described and discussed in the Prosnitz in Moravia, for instance, a touchstone of acceptability in Jewish Talmud (Arachin page 10b), which says embraced it enthusiastically. In the practice. From now on, the debate over there was one in the Temple. All 1590s Prague, capital of Bohemia, not "instrumental music" in services marks descriptions give it 10 holes but vary as only had several synagogues using tiny a dividing line between Orthodox and to how many sounds each hole organs on Friday evening services to Reform – though not the only one. produced. One version gives the accompany Kabbalat Shabbat psalms "organ" a total of 100 notes, another but even a Jewish organ builder, Meir Similar arguments came up in 1859 says 1,000. This leads to many Mahler. when building started on the Neue accusations of exaggeration, including Synagoge in Berlin's from the 10th/11th-century Rabbi Other places condemned the practice, Oranienburgerstrasse. Two years later Gershom and his successor, Rashi. especially as the organ became a 30-member committee was formed, But at least, this organ existed. increasingly used in church music from including four rabbis, Music Director the 15th century. Interestingly, Julius Stern and composer/Cantor There is a slight mystery about its other Christianity's founding fathers thought Louis Lewandowski (1821-1894). use, as a rake to clear up the mess of this style of music, with its instruments, Lewandowski's argument centred on the sacrificial fires every morning. Was too Jewish. But once it was accepted the undeniable ability of the organ to it played to drown out the noise? Or did in church services, there was a Jewish lead a large body of singers "in the the word have two meanings and those reaction against it. Italian rabbis immeasurably vast space of the new involved knew which was which? We strongly opposed the organ in synagogue" and still retain the shall never know. synagogue. This attitude spread, "distinctive features of the ancient although Prague kept its organ until Jewish style of singing". The organ was The destruction of the Temple by the 1745, while the famous organ at approved in 1863 and inaugurated at Romans in 70CE changed the whole Budapest's Dohany Street Synagogue, the official consecration in 1866. procedure of religious services, built in 1859, was played by Franz replacing the Temple service with a Liszt and Camille Saint-Saens. The organ is absent in Lewandowski’s Synagogue service led by a prayer contemporary, composer/Cantor leader or cantor. As a sign of mourning Another major development of the Salomon Sulzer (1804-1890). Based at for loss of the Temple, instruments 17th-century Baroque period was the the Seitenstettengasse Synagoge in were forbidden and prayers chanted adoption of polyphonic singing, Vienna for 55 years and known as the without musical accompaniment. especially through the work of father of modern synagogue music, Salomone Rossi (1570-1630), who had Sulzer focused on reforming The tradition of using some sort of rabbinic approval for his resetting of synagogue music by refining melodies vocal ensemble or choir can be traced liturgical texts. Throughout all this and setting them for choirs. Initially back to the third century when the ferment, the cantor kept his role as opposed to instrumental synagogue cantor had an assistant or two, called prayer leader and keeper of the music, he later favoured the organ as Meshorerim. The practice became Nusach, the style and modes, or involving the congregation and refused standardised over time. By the melody, of liturgy for each occasion, as to see it in conflict with religious values. mid-16th century, Ashkenazi practice he has done to this day. Lewandowski, on the other hand, later frequently saw the cantor accompanied doubted if he had done the right thing. by both a boy soprano (occasionally, a The next radical change came with the Evidently, a tricky subject for both. trained falsetto) and bass. Enlightenment and the sharp difference of reactions to an organ installed in the The organ can embody visual elements They usually alternated with the cantor, Jacobstempel of Israel Jacobson that distinguish it from a church organ providing both contrasting sonority and (1768-1828) in Seesen in 1810, as and reflect Temple sounds. Stockholm dramatic support, and moments of mentioned earlier. Fear was now rising Synagogue's organ, for example, vocal rest for the cantor. Choristers over the future direction of the Jewish resembles a Torah scroll and has (Meshorerim) also served as prompters community. It seems the organ became sounds replicating plucked strings for the cantor and were often (Kinnor), woodwind (Chalil, Ugav) "keepers of the melodies." The and brass horns (Chatzotzrei). alternation between soloist and ensemble that developed through But at heart, it is the keeping of the use of Meshorerim became a the Nusach, the basic modes so standard element of liturgical finely preserved by tradition and practice. They were all paid for composers and singers like by the community, a practice Lewandowski, Sulzer, some scholars believe goes back Naumbourg and Leo Rosenbluth, to Temple times. all of blessed memory, that has kept Jewish liturgy alive and The development of choral music brought the echo of the Temple with organ in West European Organ inside today's Synagogue. synagogues spread to Central Europe, especially larger cities, This article is based on a lecture as khorshuls (choral that was given by Cantor Heller synagogues). Reaction to the at Limmud held in Birmingham, in organ plus choir was mixed. The organ of Prague's Jerusalem Jubilee Synagogue December 2018.

No 705 - Tevet/Shevat/Adar 5780 - January/February 2020 - Page 7 Our Congregation - Page 8 Obituary BEN LACHMANN Soldier in pre-state Israel, the Jewish Brigade and IDF A stalwart member of our congregation month before he started there. visited his and a true yekke, Ben Lachmann did mother and not actually join us till his marriage in In 1942, aged 18, he joined the sister and 1961 (he was 37) to Steffi Blum, who Palestinian Buffs Company, then being decided to look grew up in the then New Liberal Jewish upgraded from security duties to the for work in England. Congregation. He grew up in Germany, Palestine Regiment (where he guarded where he was born in Gleiwitz, Upper prisoners) and absorbed into the A Czech-owned furniture company Silesia (now Gliwice in Poland), on 12 Jewish Brigade in 1944. In the Brigade applied for a work permit for him to July 1924, went to school in Italy and he was sent first to the Western inspect goods in Eastern Europe prior became a carpenter and soldier in Desert, then from Alexandria to south to import. He ended up as technical British-mandate Palestine and Israel. Italy, following the Allied invasion from and import director. But until he got his Sicily. His platoon's job was mine work permit, he had to stay with his His mother, Rose Lachmann, ran the clearance and marking. mother in Frankfurt. With her failing family store with her husband Josef, health, he then brought her to London. selling household furnishings. After his With war over in 1945, Ben and his In December 1960, aged 62, she died tragic death in a car accident in late fellow-soldiers, stationed in northern of a heart attack and is buried at the 1928, when Ben was four, she ran it on Italy near the borders with Austria and Liberal Jewish Cemetery, Pound Lane. her own and sold it, fortuitously, in (former) Yugoslavia, brought displaced 1932, with completion in early 1933. Jews from the Soviet-occupied zone Ben became British in 1963, two years into Italy and sent them to Palestine in after marrying Steffi, to whom he was The family moved to Berlin in 1934, boats waiting at the port of Bari. This introduced by a mutual friend. His son where Ben attended the Theodor Herzl was carried out by Jewish Brigade Jonathan, known as Yonni, was born in School. Coming home one day, he was officers from the Haganah without the 1968 and led him to join the Religion shot in the arm with an air rifle by two knowledge of the British Army. The School's parents association. After Hitler youths. He rushed up to his Brigade was then sent north to guard retiring in 1989, he became treasurer second-floor flat and hurled a flower tanks and heavy weapons. of the Leo Baeck Lodge and served on pot from the balcony at them. He was the Synagogue board and executive, pretty sure he hit one of them. In 1936 Returning home in June 1946, Ben chairing the Israel Committee. On his he was sent to a Jewish boarding worked in furniture factories in Tel Aviv, frequent visits to Israel, he followed up school in Florence set up for German while rejoining the Haganah and the projects supported by the annual speakers, while his older sister was completing two years' army service. Israel Dinner appeal. sent to a similar school in Maderno. Between the November 1947 UN vote on partition and Ben-Gurion’s Despite suffering a massive stroke in His mother showed great foresight in declaration of independence of 14 May January 2014 which significantly her timing. Because she sold just 1948, the Haganah defended Jewish impacted his left side, his brain function before Hitler came to power, she could areas from Arab attacks, especially was untouched. Sadly, in June Steffi claim her widow's pension and all her near Jerusalem. Ben joined convoys died. He was enormously helped by his rights from her husband's estate. In bringing supplies. But at Hartuv (now devoted carers and Lynn Marcus, who 1933 she visited Palestine, where her within Beit Shemesh) they had to helped him produce his memoir in brother had settled, and decided this evacuate at night, with the children 2016. Although no longer able to serve was their future. She paid £1,000 for injected to make them sleep. Ben as warden, he valued his call to open the legal immigration certificate. On 23 carried out a child in a rucksack. the Ark during Ne'ilah on Yom Kippur, June 1937 her children sailed on the which involved the rarely-used Galileo from Trieste to Haifa. When the Arabs declared war, Ben wheelchair lift, and enjoyed the unloaded weapons, ammunition and livestreaming of services. They settled in Ramat Hadar, then a unassembled aircraft flown in from small village north east of Tel Aviv, Czechoslovakia. He fought in the The highlight of his later life was specialising in chicken farming. Ben Negev against Egyptian Forces, then Yonni's marriage to Beth in 1999 and turned 13 at sea and celebrated his the Jordanians. He was put in charge the B’nei Mitzvah of their children, Sam barmitzvah in Tel Aviv. He learned of the Shekem canteen (like NAAFI) and Maya, who all survive him. He died Hebrew at school, worked on the farm and promoted to sergeant but was glad peacefully in London on 13 November and learned how to handle a rifle. The to be discharged in 1950. Called up for 2019, aged 95. village was twice attacked by Arabs. the 1956 Suez Campaign, he did his last reserve duty in 1957. From Yonni Lachmann to the At 15, he was sent to a kibbutz south of Belsize Square Community: Haifa, where a technical school taught Living conditions in 1950s Israel were German-Jewish boys metal and and harsh. His mother left in 1957 to rejoin Thank you for the messages of woodwork. He did woodwork. He also old friends in Frankfurt. His sister got support following the passing of Dad. joined the Haganah, Israel's pre- state married in London in 1958. The family They provided great comfort and army. The Second World War began a sold their farm in Ramat Hadar. Ben warmth during a difficult time. Dear Fellow Members Rothenberger. They have always guided me it the write direction und tolerated my individual style of It is with a heavy hard that I write this kolumn. It is the yawnalism. day of the general election und it is my believe that we again will end up with a well-hung parliament. So Now I would like to extent my thanks to my reader nothing will be achieved. But this is not the real whoever he oder she is. Not in the last forteen years reason for my down hardedness, I have decided that have I receive won compliant. This must mean that I it is time for me to hang up my pen. Therefore this is have often hit the nail on the hat. If I can hold myself the last of my kolumn. I am hoping that someone together I would like to continue riding in sum form else can fill up this half page gab as the voice from oder other. So maybe you have not herd the last from the people on the downside from the bima. me. I have an idea to ride a series of Jewish detective novel featuring a Rabbi sleuth. I don’t think this has been done I was not alone in coming to this conclusion, Mrs Klopstick before. told me what to do. She said I am now a relig from the passed und long over my sell buy date. As I have to agree Now it is time to say good buy. It has been a grate with what she said I have managed to persuade her to shug stimulation for me to be a loud to occasionally course some away her krampons. She will give up her mountaineering amusement if I have. adventures und concentrate on fighting against global warning. From Mrs Klopstick und I (she is now stuffing a chicken for Shabbat. Her new hoppy is taxidermy), we wish all of you a I wish to express my thanks to Rabbi Altschuler und Cantor very heppy and preposterous new year. Paul Heller for never taking a fence to my comments. I am particularly grateful to the encouragement of the two editors With the best of intentions under witch I have toiled, first E.N. Lee und then Ruse Fritz Klopstick RALLY AGAINST ANTISEMITISM Claire Walford writes: Dressed to brave the cold, several BSS members joined 3,500 Jews and non-Jews in Parliament Square for the Together Against Antisemitism rally on Sunday 8 December, organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism. Unlike the Dayenu protests of 2018 this rally, four days before the general election, was non- political with speakers from the world of entertainment and law: Tracey-Ann Oberman and Judge Robert Rinder, author and historian Tom Holland, representatives of the Hindu and Muslim communities, including Muslim activist Fiyaz Mughal, founder of Faith Matters, and Gideon Falter, founder and chief Sarah Percival, Robert Sachs, executive of CAA. The aim Claire Walford with placard. was to raise awareness of "Jew hatred in politics and mounting Jew hate crimes".

I’m not sure how much of this objective was achieved with the election so much in the news. The only reports I have seen were in the Jewish Press. But the tourists on open-topped buses got loud cheers when they took photos of us with our placards. Will there be a need for more such rallies? Sadly, I fear there will.

From left: Philippa Strauss, Naomi Levy, Albert Levy and Jimmy Strauss at the rally. Philippa said the atmosphere was calm, police presence low- key, and Tracy-Ann Oberman outstanding.

SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING Friday 3 January: Jackie Alexander Friday 10 January: Emma Alter Friday 17 January: Lucy Bergman Friday 24 January: Deborah Cohen Friday 31 January: Phoebe Jerome Friday 7 February: Natalie Godfrey Friday 14 February: Hollie Gold Friday 21 February: Vivienne Linton Friday 28 February: Ruth Kersley

No 705 - Tevet/Shevat/Adar 5780 - January/February 2020 - Page 9 Our Congregation - Page 10

The copy deadline for the next issue of Community News Our Congregation is Friday 7 February

NEW MEMBERS REGULAR SERVICES We extend a cordial welcome to: Friday evenings at 6.45pm & Saturday mornings at 10.00am Mostyn Barnard Kikar Kids Saturday 4 January, 1 February, 7 March BIRTHS Mazal Tov to: Under-5s Service in the Crèche (Crèche opens 10am) Orly & Robert Cohen on the birth of their son Harry Junior Service for 5-9 year-olds in the Library 11.30am – Kids’ Kiddush BIRTHDAYS Congratulations and best wishes to: Often combined with a Shabbat Breakfast for Families Mrs A Goodwin (94) on 2 December Contact Synagogue Office for details Mr E Kaczynski (81) on 5 December Religion School Mr P Sussmann (85) on 23 December Sunday mornings: 9.30am-12.30pm Mrs C Haar (98) on 29 December Term begins: Sunday 12 January Miss M Kinstead (93) on 3 January Half Term: Sundays 16 & 23 February Mr R Mattes (96) on 6 January CANTOR HELLER'S KABBALAT SHABBAT CHAT Mrs R Eisenfeld (88) on 8 January Mrs D Lichfield (84) on 13 January An invitation and opportunity for Bar Mitzvah Mrs V Kendall (86) on 14 January class pupils to make Kiddush, sing Lecha Mr H Carlton (83) on 14 January Dodi and learn the lessons of the Parsha. Mrs L Simmonds (96) 18 January On the second Friday of the month Mrs I Wolffberg (100) 20 January 5.30pm in the Library Mrs G Oblath (95) 27 January Next sessions: 10 January, 14 February, 13 March DEATHS TEFILLIN We regret to announce the passing of: Sunday 19 January Estelle Maier, who died on 1 November CLUB Ben Lachmann, who died on 13 November 9.30am - 10.00am Michael Glyn, who died on 13 November (within Cheder morning) Freda Fleischer, who died on 29 November Paul Lindsay, who died on 4 December Denise Israel, who died on 12 December SUNDAY MORNING ADULT DISCUSSION STONESETTING 12 January 10.00-12.30 Film morning (title TBC) Peter Batkin on Sunday 13 January at 1.45pm at Edgwarebury Lane Cemetery 19 January 10.00-11.15 Rabbi Altshuler: Prayer Part 5 - The Amidah and Kedushah (rescheduled due to illness) 11.15-12.30 Rabbi Chaim Wiener, Director of Masorti Europe: NW3 WEDNESDAY LUNCHEON GROUP Portuguese Jewry and our forthcoming trip Giacomo, 428 Finchley Road, London, NW2 2HY 1.00pm on 15 January & 20 February 26 January 10.00-11.15 Rabbi Altshuler :The Shoah Part 6 - WW1 Please call Judy Field (020 8455 0614) if you wish to attend and its Aftermath 11.15-12.30 Charlotte Littlewood: Honour Killings of Palestinian Women SECOND NIGHT SEDER 2 February 10.00-11.15 Rabbi Altshuler: Prayer Part 6 - The Kaddish Thursday 9 April 11.15-12.30 Jonathan Charles: Why Putin's Russia believes the Rabbi Altshuler and Cantor Heller together with their families Middle East is key invite you to join them for Second Night Seder at the 9 February 10.00-12.30 John Barton FBA Anglican priest, biblical Synagogue after the Service which starts at 6.45pm. scholar and author of The History of the Bible: The book and its faiths Members: £30 Non Members: £35 Under 13s: £15 (rescheduled) Please contact the Synagogue Office if you wish to attend. 17 & 24 February No session (Half Term)

(Continued from page 5) bombs in a secret factory near Bedford entered the Common Market in 1969, He dissuaded the Daily Mail's owner, he used eurodollar loans to buy Viscount Rothermere, from backing Things were hard for the post-war Continental meat producers. Inflation Oswald Mosley and his British Union of generation. But the company still from the 1974 oil shock made the loans Fascists, threatening to withdraw innovated, notably with LEO, Lyons unrepayable. Assets, then voting rights advertising. Like Monte, he was quiet Electronic Office, an early computer. were sold. Lyons merged with Allied and anti-Zionist, fearing accusations of The 1950s benefitted from Wimbledon Breweries in 1978. A non-family dual loyalties. For him, Judaism was style events and the coronation. Troops chairman was appointed in 1979. solely a religion, not a peoplehood. were billeted at Olympia, bought from bankruptcy by Monte in 1893. The end of a 130-year history, With the Second World War looming, he compellingly told. No wonder this set up the Army Catering Corps. But Neil Salmon, Isidore's nephew, looked book was recommended by the Lyons' real war work lay in making abroad for acquisitions. When Britain Financial Times. OUR RECENT CENTENARIANS RICHARD FISHER Richard was born in Vienna on 10 September (not 9th, as in last issue) 1919. Forced to scrub pavements with a toothbrush after the 1938 Anschluss, he left for Riga where his friend's sister lived and worked in a Russian factory. When Hitler attacked Russia in 1941, he was sent as a foreigner to a Siberian camp for a year, then to Kazakhstan. Returning to Vienna in 1947, he found his widowed mother had been gassed in a death camp but learned from the Red Cross that his two older sisters were in England. He was sent to a farm in Aylesbury but preferred indoor work and started learning the fur trade from his brother-in-law.

The Home Office, displeased, expelled him. A friend had contacts with a shoe factory in Montevideo so he sailed with a visa to Uruguay in 1948. There he met his wife Marion who was visiting her aunt. She left Berlin at 18 for England and trained as a nurse. They married at a local registry office in 1950 and, with aid from MP Maurice Orbach, returned home. Their Jewish marriage was conducted by Rabbi Kokotek in 1951. Their son Lesley was born in 1957. Settling in Edgware, Richard established a business in leather belts, selling out at 85. At 70 he began 25 years of volunteering for Jewish Care and Leo Baeck Lodge, where he was president for seven years and chaired its Housing Association. He stopped when he could no longer read the accounts. Marion died in 2017 after being cared for in Clara Nehab House for six years. He has two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

HENRY BROOK Henry Brook's son Stephen writes: My father was born Helmut Brod on 19 October 1919 to a German mother and Czech father. He spent his early years in Germany before the family moved to Prague in the early 1930s. His brother Alfred had some business interests in England and the two young Brods moved there in 1938. When the Nazi threat was clear, my father returned to Prague to try to bring his mother and grandmother to safety, but without success. They both perished in camps. He joined the Pioneer Corps and then the 5th Royal Tank Regiment, where his name was changed to Henry Brook. During the war he married my mother, Dita. He took part in the 1944 D-Day landings and was awarded the Légion d'Honneur by the French ambassador a few years ago. After the war he became a textile salesman, travelling extensively abroad. I was born in 1947.

Peter Godfrey (Henry's Sadly, my mother died in 1971. My father remarried a few years later and enjoyed another stepson), Stephen Brook happy marriage with Madeleine Godfrey until her death in the late 1980s. My father (son), Alfie Evans (Maria’s continued to work until he turned 80. With Madeleine and his subsequent companion, Lisbeth grandson), Maria (Stephen's Buchler, he travelled for pleasure and led a rich cultural life, attending concerts, operas and wife), Lee Evans (Maria’s son- plays. He continued to do so well into his 90s. He was well enough to live at his own flat until in-law), George Evans he turned 99, when it was decided he should move to the Spring Grove care home, where he (Maria’s grandson), Nina has lived contentedly to this day. He enjoys good health but failing memory. Evans (Maria’s daughter) WILLIAM (BILL) HOWARD Bill was born Horst Adolf Herzberg in Berlin on 21 November 1919. In 1938 his father sent him to his supposedly rich uncle in New York. But the uncle was too poor to pay for his immigration process, so he returned to the UK. Kristallnacht, which occurred while his case was being considered, changed the British authorities' attitude and he was allowed to stay.

In 1941 he joined the Pioneer Corps. In 1944, following the British Government's decision to send vital arms and food supplies by sea to Russian troops marooned in the Arctic Circle, the Royal Navy broke its rule of enlisting only British-born citizens and advertised in the Pioneer Corps for German speakers and translators for their Arctic convoys in the summer seasons of 1944 and 1945. As the sea passage involved sailing parallel to the Norwegian coast, occupied by Germany, it was vital for the Navy to intercept and understand German communications. With his gift for languages, Bill was the ideal recruit and passed the stiff test with flying colours. On his first day, the Navy changed his name to William Ashley Howard. In his 90s he received the British Armed Forces' Arctic Star medal. He had already received one war medal from Russia and was later awarded another.

After the war, he married Marianne and they settled in their home "'Castle Howard'" in Kingsbury. They enjoyed life and culture, going to concerts and theatre, had a flat in Tenerife and went on annual skiing holidays. Bill worked for many years selling telephone systems and was a very successful salesman. They loved parties and Bill always had a few jokes up his sleeve. His command of English is superb and he wrote many beautiful and amusing poems for special friends. He still lives in "Castle Howard" with the aid of his devoted carer, Betty.

Bill Howard (centre) with old friend and lifelong neighbour Michael Shelton and Helen Grunberg from left and Judy Field and Sue Arnold at right.

No 705 - Tevet/Shevat/Adar 5780 - January/February 2020 - Page 11 Our Congregation - Page 12 SAVE THE DATE! SYNAGOGUE HELP LINES Tuesday 28 April Celebrating Yom Ha’atzma'ut THE BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE ISRAEL'S 72nd BIRTHDAY 51 Belsize Square, London, NW3 4HX Tel: 020 7794 3949 •A great evening of music and dancing with Shir, Email: offi[email protected] London's leading Jewish band Website: www.synagogue.org.uk •Superb dining by our own chef, Adam Nathan SYNAGOGUE OFFICE HOURS 9.00am - 5.30pm •Help support our Fridays: 9.00am-2.00pm deserving chosen CHIEF EXECUTIVE Israeli charities Lee Taylor - 020 7794 3949 CHEVRAH KADISHA Further details on Chairman: Rabbi Stuart Altshuler tickets and speaker Joint Vice Chairs: Helen Grunberg - 020 8450 8533 to come shortly. Cantor Dr Paul Heller COMMUNITY CARE CO-ORDINATOR & BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST Contact Eve Hersov on 020 7435 7129 Congratulations to: or email [email protected] Lilian Levy, appointed MBE for Services to Holocaust FUNERALS Survivors During Synagogue Office hours phone 020 7794 3949. Marianne and Peter Summerfield, appointed BEM for Evenings/weekends phone Calo’s (Undertakers) Services to Holocaust Education and Awareness 020 8958 2112 KIDDUSH Rota enquiries to Jennifer Saul in the Synagogue Office (not Thursdays or Fridays) LIBRARY Open Wednesdays 10am - 12 noon At other times please check first with the office CHEDER Enquiries to Caroline Loison, in the Synagogue Office or email [email protected] PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION Chairperson: Frank Joseph - 020 7482 2555 YOUTH ACTIVITIES Lucy Bergman Email: [email protected] EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CONGREGATION Email: offi[email protected] LAYOUT AND DESIGN Philip Simon: www.philipsimon.co.uk CHAIRMAN Jackie Alexander [email protected] RABBI Rabbi Dr Stuart Altshuler [email protected] CANTOR Cantor Dr Paul Heller [email protected] EMERITUS Rabbi Rodney Mariner [email protected] / 020 8347 5306 / 07956 352267 Charity Number 1144866 Company Number 7831243 The Belsize Square Synagogue