A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE BOOK FOR VISITORS AND LONDONERS Rachel Kolsky and Roslyn Rawson Reviews UK Press US Press Israel Press Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com Hebrew Other / Readers Comments CONTACT RACHEL KOLSKY [email protected] / www.golondontours.com for more information, signed copies and book events A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE BOOK FOR VISITORS AND LONDONERS Rachel Kolsky and Roslyn Rawson Reviews UK Press Jewish London - Reviews - [email protected] - www.golondontours.com 9 THE ARCHER - www.the-archer.co.uk MARCH 2012 KALASHNIKOV KULTUR Ultimate guide to Jewish London By Ricky Savage, the voice of social irresponsibility Two authors have compiled the ultimate guide to Jewish London and will introduce it in person at a special event at the Phoenix Cinema this month. Rachel Kolsky, an Lizzie Land East Finchley resident since 1995 and a trustee of the Phoenix since 1997, co-authored Yes, it’s here, and the world of theme parks will never be Jewish London with Roslyn Rawson. the same. Why? Because the French have decided that what The 224-page guide covers holidaymakers need is a whole new experience based on where to stay, eat, shop and pray, with detailed maps, practical the life, loves and battles of a small Corsican. Welcome to advice, travel information and Napoleon Land! more than 200 colour photo- There in a eld just outside Paris you will be able to celebrate the man graphs. who conquered Europe and then lost it again, marvel at the victories, Special features include attend the glorious coronation and sign up to join the Old Guard. You eight self-guided walking will be able to go from Toulon where he beat the Royal Navy one-nil to tours, restaurant reviews of Austerlitz, where he duffed up the Austrians. By the time you’ve nished over 40 eateries for all budgets you too will be able to feel what it feels like to be French and understand and tastes, information on 44 why they are even more arrogant than the British. synagogues and sections dedi- Then there is the downside. How will they deal with Nelson’s demolition cated to the Jewish Museum, of the French Fleet at Trafalgar? Probably by giving you a 3D opportunity Holocaust memorials, Jewish to be the sniper who shot him. The retreat from Moscow? Who could art and artists, lms and litera- want more than the chance to throw snowballs at a bunch of retreat- ture, Jewish cemeteries and day ing unemployed actors as they re-enact the tragedy? I bet they won’t trips out of London. mention that Napoleon did a runner and dashed back to the warmth of Rachel said: “Despite a Josephine, leaving his troops behind to freeze. growing interest in Jewish And that’s all before we get to Waterloo, Wellington or the small heritage in London, no house on a small island in the Atlantic where the Brits dumped Napoleon guide-book existed to ensure in 1815. Yes, come to Napoleon Land for a rollercoaster ride through visitors and residents have French history, see the greatness that was France (Mickey Mouse not all the information they need included). in one easy-to-read format. In the glorious world of historical theme parks should we be wor- With Roslyn’s knowledge ried? No! Why? Simple really, the French will have to build their own, of the Jewish community, Jewish London co-author Rachel Kolsky but us Brits don’t have to bother, because we live in one already. We particularly the synagogues Special event Rains on Sunday. Book via have battleelds, palaces, cathedrals and slums. So what if some of and food, matched with my You can meet the authors at www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/ them are falling down, there’s very little that can’t be improved with a knowledge of the history of a launch event at the cinema on whatson/ or phone the box few holograms and a bit of CGI. Yes, welcome to Lizzie Land, an entire Jewish London, it seemed that Sunday 25 March at 2pm. The ofce on 020 8444 6789. country looking over its shoulder at the pomp, circumstance, bloodshed we must write the book.” varied programme will include To purchase a copy of the and squalor that made it great. a virtual tour of Jewish London, book contact New Holland the delightful short The Tenth Publishers and at the checkout Man, which was lmed in the use the Special Discount Code Life in a winter shelter East End, Searle Kochberg’s “Jewish London Rachel” for By Angela Anderson introduction to Jewish London a £3 discount off the price of Many of us know what it is like to feel cold outside in the winter, longing to get back on lm and one of the best, £10.99 (valid until 31 March but often overlooked, Jewish 2012), with free postage and to our home and its warmth. What of those who don’t have that comfort, who don’t lms from the 1940s, It Always packing. have a home at all and who sleep in shop doorways? A winter shelter began eight years What does the Barnet shelter mean to the people that ago as an initiative by Churches use it? This poem by James Lamb, one of the homeless Together in Finchley, using their guests, probably says it all. premises and providing volunteers and funding. Over the years the scheme has expanded to include 16 The Night Winter Shelter churches and synagogues, including They walk along the lonely street recent additions New North London Every now and then stop to rest their feet Synagogue and Holy Trinity Church Hair all matted and ngernails black in East Finchley, with volunteers from And carrying their life upon their back both faith groups working at Trinity That shop doorway looks good or that sheltered bench Church in North Finchley. To get out of the rain before they get drenched Food, warmth and safety God love them, these people have nowhere to go Shelter is offered by a synagogue Hoping for help but no-one wants to know or church for one evening a week on Poor rejects of life’s rich tapestry a rotational basis to rough sleepers in Walk through life without hope, wearily Barnet from 7pm to 8.30am the follow- What is the purpose, where will it end ing morning, operating from October to March. Guests are referred by Home- No home, no job, no family or friend less Action in Barnet Day Centre in Some of them beg for hot food and tea North Finchley Others will beg for beer or whiskey Each faith community provides an A few of them won’t ’cos they have too much pride evening meal, a warm and safe living And suffer in silence by the roadside and sleeping area, and a breakfast in They were in a dark tunnel, at the end was a light the morning. The bedding, consisting It wasn’t easy to see ’cos it wasn’t that bright of a self-inated mattress, sleeping bag But as they drew nearer the light became clearer and pillow, goes into a private, labelled The illumination was a place to stay for the night bag and is transported by volunteers Greeted with a smile and a hot cup of tea to the next night’s venue. Accommo- Friendly people said, “Come with me” dation is provided for a maximum of 15 guests (because of the size of the And led them to a place that they could rest smallest hall) who move on when they Just like a bird keeping young warm in a nest can obtain accommodation either from Even though it seemed strange it was plain to see the council or private rental. This was a place lled with harmony What is striking about the winter Generous, caring, considerate and kind shelter scheme is that different faith A place they could leave their horrid day behind groups are working together. Members And when they nally rest their head of other religious communities from A chance of comfort on an unconcrete bed Finchley are most welcome to join the Given time to reect on the next coming day scheme so that services can expand. For Secure in the knowledge they’ll have somewhere to stay Stephen Hiscock, a volunteer from Holy So thank you, Night Shelter, for the service you run Trinity Church, working with people Helping the homeless, all the good you have done from the synagogue on a local, shared project was one of the most enjoyable Your pure human kindness is a joy to behold !"#$%"%& % aspects of the scheme. For taking less fortunates in from the cold. Jewish London - Reviews - [email protected] - www.golondontours.com Jewish London - Reviews - [email protected] - www.golondontours.com Rachel Kolsky and Roslyn Rawson have written a guidebook on everything from kosher restaurants to synagogues, writes Rosy Moorhead By Rosy Moorhead Thursday 12th April 2012 If you've ever wished there was just one book that listed all of London’s kosher restaurants and shops, gave information on historic Jewish Londoners and places, and provided walking tours of historic Jewish areas, then wish no more. Local authors Rachel Kolsky and Roslyn Rawson have put together the definitive guidebook for Jewish tourists and Londoners alike - Jewish London, out this month from New Holland Publishers. The book is one of a kind. "We couldn't believe there was no other book on the market," says Rachel, from East Finchley. "Well, there was one - self-published back in the 1980s with no pictures! People have been writing to say how glad they are there's finally a Jewish guidebook." Packed with fascinating and practical information, Jewish London is broadly divided into two parts: historic Jewish London and present.