20078 Hamoar cover 2009 18/3/09 13:23 Page 1 Many types of freshly cooked food. Cold cuts available. l HOME MADE l LOW PRICES ALL YEAR ROUND l FRESHLY COOKED ON THE PREMISES 20078 Hamoar April 2009 18/3/09 13:53 Page 1 EDITORIAL Contents I’m delighted to present this packed Diary 2 Pesach edition of Hamaor – the Birchas Hachama – Journal of the Federation of Blessing over the Sun 8 Synagogues. It offers something for everyone to enjoy and even Communal Urban Myths 10 share at the Seder table. Matza Crunch v. Credit Crunch 12 Always looking to bring you a fresh approach, we Love and Survival 14 welcome two new contributors, Michael Simon and Appearances can be deceptive 16 Zviki Rotsztein, in addition to your familiar favourites. Dayan Lichtenstein provides a fascinating guide to Yetzias Mizraim – Birchas Hachama - the once in 28 year mitzvah, that Leaving one’s confines 18 we can fulfil this Erev Pesach. Mr Alan Finlay has some News from Manchester 20 communal urban myths for us to mull over and Dr Eli Kienwald keeps to matters topical with a perspective CST News 22 on the current credit crunch. Jewish Marriage Council 24 Another new feature to look out for is the Rebbetzin’s Shaare Zedek’s News 26 Recipes, and lots more… Who is the fifth son? 28 Wishing you all a Chag Kasher VeSameach, Family Hamaor Pesach Recipes 30 Eva Book Review 32 Restaurant Review 33 Personal 34 Kashrus Directory 41 Federation of Synagogues Contact Details 42 Sale of Chometz form 43 List of Synagogues 44 Published by The Federation of Synagogues 65 Watford Way, London NW4 3AQ Tel: 020 8202 2263 Fax: 020 8203 0610 Email: [email protected] www.federationofsynagogues.com Editor: Eva Chapper Advertising: Roberta Rubenstein Hamaor / April 2009 Page 1 20078 Hamoar April 2009 18/3/09 13:53 Page 2 DIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARY NEWS & EVENTS Croydon Finchley A walk for Croydon On Friday 16 January, 2009, a distressing incident On Sunday 2nd November 2008, the Croydon Social occurred as members left the minyan. In the early Club organised its first ever Sponsored Walk. A total of morning light they found graffiti painted prominently 23 members (ages ranging from 4 to 85) plus a white on the pavement, next to the shul building, across the Highland terrier (age unspecified) took the pleasant road, and on a telephone cable box. “Kill the Jews” and walk twice round the Kelsey Park lake on a dry, bright, “Jihad 4 Israel” were painted in large letters for all to and pleasant autumn afternoon, and were rewarded at see. The police arrived at 9.30am to take statements. the end with drinks and biscuits. They were also Due to the prompt action of Ian Needleman, the rewarded by the knowledge that they had raised over secretary’s son, the local Council were alerted to the £800 from their sponsors for Synagogue funds. situation by the leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Freer. They arrived at 10.30am to remove the unpleasant racist wording. Antiques Roadshow In another first for Croydon, an Antiques Roadshow took place in the Synagogue on Sunday 23rd Ilford November 2008. Historian, lecturer and antiques Chanukah Party dealer Tim Anthonisz entertained and educated the On the 3rd night of audience in equal measures, as he talked about, and Chanukah, Rabbi valued, the antique possessions they had brought Alex Chapper and his along. wife Eva hosted a There were plenty of “ooh”s and “aah”s as he informed Chanukah party in the owners of a 1950’s glass vase that it was worth their home attended £180, a gold necklet bought 15 years ago in Tel Aviv for by over 70 people. £200 was now valued at £1,500. A set of books of During the party they stamps commemorating the marriage of Prince launched Chinese Charles and Princess Diana (bought for £10 at a car wish lanterns as a boot sale) would now sell for at least £1,400. symbol of the festival of light. Guests The event utilised for the first time Croydon’s newly were asked to bring acquired projection and sound system. The equipment presents with them costing £1,000 was funded by sponsors, and represents which were collected a great basis for many future functions and film shows and distributed by at Croydon. Rabbi Chapper the following day at the Vi & John Ruben Home (for the elderly) where he lit their Menorah. Jewish Cookbook Croydon Synagogue has just celebrated its centenary, Rabbi Chapper commented, ‘The lanterns were and to mark the occasion has compiled a lovely spectacular and it was a very innovative way of cookery book which has just been printed and is celebrating Chanukah and at the same time it was very available for sale. For further details please contact: moving to be able to distribute so many presents to the Secretary on 020 8726 0172. residents of the Home.’ Page 2 Hamaor / April 2009 20078 Hamoar April 2009 23/3/09 12:48 Page 3 DIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARY NEWS & EVENTS The Re-Opening of Ilford Mikveh During the proceedings, a presentation was made by Dr Kienwald to the attendants Mrs Deborah Hiller and The Federation of Synagogues was proud to mark the Mrs Ruti Roche as a sign of appreciation for the many re-opening of the Ilford Mikveh with a marquee years of dedication and hard work that they put into reception on Sunday 18th ensuring the day to day running of the Mikveh. January. The event was attended by Dayan Lichtenstein, Rosh Beis Din, New Magistrate for Redbridge Federation President Mr Alan Rabbi Alex Chapper has been appointed a Justice of the Finlay, Chief Executive Dr Eli Peace for the Redbridge judicial area. Kienwald, Vice President of the United Synagogue Mr Peter Zinkin, local Rabbonim Ohr Yisrael and other invited guests HLX – Hertfordshire Learning representing the neighbouring communities. Dayan Lichtenstein standing Experience - Yahrzheit Dinner by the Ilford Mikveh Close to 250 people Rabbi Alex Chapper of Ilford Federation Synagogue, were privileged to who was instrumental in the refurbishment of the attend a memorial Mikveh and supervised the work, welcomed everybody dinner, in Yavneh and commented, ‘I’m very College, Borehamwood, pleased that the Federation to mark the first yarzheit of Rabbi Shmuli Kass z”l, has shown its commitment Rabbi Garson & Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz to the Mikveh by investing a (Photography by Alan Fish) Rav of the Shenley substantial amount of Community in Hertfordshire. The guests included money in its refurbishment. Rabbonim, Lady Amelie Jacobovits, family, congregants, This Mikveh is an important past pupils and close friends. communal resource serving The evening was organised by the HLX committee a wide area as far afield as under the leadership of Rabbi Raphy Garson. Rabbi Southend and Cambridge Dr Eli Kienwald Chief Kass’s dream was to set up a centre of learning where Executive of the Federation and now we can be very all the Jews of Hertfordshire could come together and of Synagogues with Mrs D proud that we have a first Hiller on the left and Mrs R learn the beauty of Yiddishkeit in an environment Roche on the right class facility.’ where they felt accepted and nurtured. His vision and passion for education spurred his dear friend Rabbi In his address, Dayan Lichtenstein spoke about his Garson to spearhead the project with a team of work in overseeing construction and refurbishment of dedicated members of the Shenley United and Ohr Mikvaot throughout Yisrael Federation Shuls and thus HLX, the Europe and noted Hertfordshire Learning Experience was created. that in communities where a Mikveh is in The dinner served to launch the next session of HLX, and use there has often gave a deeper understanding to all present, how been a resurgence in education can be inspirational, exciting and interesting. religious life. The theme of the evening was “Follow your Leaders & Dayan Lichtenstein, Dr Eli Kienwald, Find Inspiration” and that in itself was true testimony to Mr Alan Finlay & Rabbi Alex Chapper Rabbi Kass. It is remarkable to still see the amount of Hamaor / April 2009 Page 3 20078 Hamoar April 2009 18/3/09 13:53 Page 4 DIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARY NEWS & EVENTS people he deeply touched, who continue to live his vision The evening was generously sponsored by Mr Mendy and incorporate the important lessons of our mesorah Tajtelbaum, who spoke passionately about his late into their daily lives. father’s wish to pass on to the next generation the horrors of the Holocaust – so that it is never forgotten. Guest speaker Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz, senior lecturer at Father Desbois presentation was extremely moving and the JLE tried to help the audience navigate through harrowing. His project has huge ramifications for the the challenging responsibility we have of being happy Jewish community and for the first time in 60 years, even in times of difficulty. His presentation infused the Jews who had suffered so much at the hands of the audience with hope and faith for the future. Mr the Nazis – were finally given some zikaron – mark of David Kass, (Rabbi Kass’s father) showed the striking remembrance. Kaddish has been said at many of the parallel between Avraham Avinu and Rabbi Shmuli graves he has located. who both left their birthplace to an unknown land to help develop the love of yiddishkeit and share the Mr Benjamin Perl, President of Yavneh College, beauty of our rich heritage. Rabbi Yitzchok Sandler, attended the evening’s event, together with other local Rabbi Kass’s brother in law spoke on behalf of the Kass dignitaries.