December ‘19 - January ‘20
Shofar the magazine of finchley progressive synagogue
FPS building outside & in
From the Guest Editor... I’m delighted to have been involved in the guest editing of Shofar this month as a new member to FPS. When I first arrived Rebecca asked me what I thought of the building and in honesty it’s part of what appealed to me about this community. Yes it’s a bit shambolic, yes it has a long, dark corridor and we have frozen through winter services and could only hear muffled sounds through the PA system. It’s very obviously a 60s prefab with
Shofar is always interested in hearing your news and including photos of FPS members, and their families, near and far. We welcome your articles on any relevant topic. Please send these to shofar@fps.org 2
deb hermer
added bits but to me it’s a welcoming space and the heart of a community I craved. You’ll see in this edition that thankfully others have far more fully formed ideas than me. And I love that too. Jews have long held views and opinions on every subject and you’ll see inside some grand ideas and some more down to earth schemes. Everyone’s views are welcome, so please keep them coming and hopefully together we can develop a space fit for all members of our fantastic community. Finally, we introduce a monthly recipe slot, starting with Claudia Prieto-Piastro’s for bimuelos on page 14.
Cover photos: Zoe Jacobs
Copy deadline is the 10th of each month. Please email all content to shofar@fps.org
From the Rabbi
rabbi rebecca birk
I love visiting synagogues wherever I go. There is something about witnessing the style and atmosphere of synagogues, so often true to their surroundings that makes the Jewish story that bit more real. See my recent photos of the Rome Synagogue and the tiny one in Stellenbosch outside Capetown on page 4. I loved the Reform synagogue in Greenpoint too where I went for Shabbat for its beauty and light with the South African sun shining through. The Roman synagogue was funded by members (in itself intriguing - with marble and ornate tiling and gold balustrades). Built in the early 20th century on the banks of the Tiber overlooking the former ghetto, it’s pretty fancy and has a square dome - the only one in the city making it easy to identify. Intriguingly the Mishnah says it’s more important to build a Mikveh than a synagogue, the ritual bath used for life transforming moments such as conversion, Shabbat, Yom Kippur and Family Purity for orthodox women. I like to think Mikveh represented community life and so actually our synagogue buildings, whilst not containing ritual baths, do hold all community events. I love our synagogue home. I see it as a beautified scout hut. I have called it our messy synagogue with a soul: the mosaic at the front door to mark our 60th anniversary; the overflowing plant pots softening the external walls; the rose garden nurtured by Lionel Lassman and others; the wooden doors of our ark and the tribes etched delicately in the glass; my cosy nook of an office with the skylight being my access to the clouds. There are parts of our FPS building I love. Indeed even as a student visiting I used to admire the wide Bimah and the multitude of green pot
plants growing over it like a 1970s health food restaurant. No-one can say our building lacks character and charm. But I believe we could improve it without embarking on a million pound drive. I am certain we could match-fund some of Maurice Needleman’s legacy to enhance what we have. Let me share some of my ‘modest’ hopes. They do not include marble and gold balustrades; balconies and Persian carpets, but they do involve improving the spiritual possibilities of our building. 1. We need a second large space/sanctuary. We have grown out of the small hall when we gather for Family Services, Ivriah assemblies, lectures and shiurim. Extending the small hall and that side of the building would take over just 8 parking spaces. 2. Change the windows and fire door in the sanctuary so it looks more like a room of prayer and less like a bathroom! 3. Perhaps we can raise the hall roof and bring more light flooding into our sanctuary. 4. Develop the Sukkah area to have a year round courtyard and garden of beauty that is then ready for Sukkot every year. What do you think? Add your thoughts to those of members who have written in to this edition of Shofar.
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From the Chair Writing the monthly Chair’s article for Shofar provides me with another opportunity to reflect on our Synagogue. I had been a member of two synagogues before joining FPS and although each had much to offer, FPS for me is in a different league. What has engaged me the most is the Social Action and Social Justice activities that are central to our Synagogue. Some members of FPS recently attended the London Citizens Delegates Assembly. Our work with Syrian refugees really stands out as does our winter night shelter. It’s so easy to feel despondent and powerless when we see and read about the state of our country riven with the endless discourse about Brexit and our politics of polarisation, not to
Left: Rome Synagogue right: Stellenbosch Synagogue, both taken by Rabbi Rebecca Birk
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cathy burnstone
mention the state of our world. I’ve found that doing something for our community and Synagogue helps me to feel that I’m doing something, albeit small to improve things. It’s also very enjoyable and making new connections counts for a lot too. As a Synagogue we always welcome ideas for social or other activities that engage and also encourage people to participate in the many interesting activities that are already on offer.
Chanukah Notice Board Put your Chanukah photos on our Facebook page, or send them to us to upload! Prizes will be awarded for the photo with the most chanukiot, for the photo taken furthest afield, and for the photo with the most deliciouslooking food!
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Notice Board ajex parade
We were delighted to attend the AJEX Parade today where over 2000 people turned out to march to remember the brave men and women who served in our armed forces. Rabbis Margaret and Richard laid a wreath in memory of Rabbi Harry Jacobi. It was a very moving occasion enhanced by marching to the Bands of the JLGB and Scots Guards. Many young people were also present - a worthy tribute to our parents & grandparents who served in the war. Stanley, Maureen, Melvyn, CA and Brenda ‘cleaner and greener’ - mitzvah day 2019
Our Mitzvah Day events this year were on the theme ‘Cleaner and Greener’, as we helped clear Highgate Cemetery, and made dog toys from recycled T-shirts for Battersea Dogs Home, ecobricks from plastic bottles and nonrecyclable plastic for Highgate Primary School,
and snowglobes from reused jam jars! With thanks to Ollie and Ann Pelham, Ruth Logue and Michael Hudson and Barry and Beverly Kafka. We also joined the Somali Bravanese at their new home in Tarling Road to plant bulbs alongside many locals!
From left: Rabbi Danny Rich, Ruth Logue, Rabbi Rebecca Birk, Michael Hudson planting bulbs at Highgate Cemetery. Photo taken by Yakir Zur for Mitzvah Day
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Beit Tefillah
services at fps
services – december / kislev leading into tevet Friday 6 December
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 7 December
11.00am Musical Shabbat B’yachad
Friday 13 December
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 14 December
11.00am Shabbat Service
Friday 20 December
6.30pm Shabbat Resouled
Saturday 21 December
11.00am Shabbat Service
Friday 27 December
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 28 December
11.00am Shabbat Service
services – january / tevet leading into sh’vat Friday 3 January
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 4 January
11.00am Shabbat Service
Friday 10 January
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 11 January
11.00am Shabbat B’yachad
Friday 17 January
6.30 pm Shabbat Resouled
Saturday 18 January
11.00am Shabbat Service
Friday 24 January
6.30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 25 January
11.00am Shabbat Service
Friday 31 January
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
people mazeltov to Abi Wharton & Al Cooper whose
Rosalind Miller, Louise Gellman, Jonathan Karstadt, Rabbi Frank Hellner, Barry Kail, Alison Pilpel, Alison Rees
baby Evie will be blessed at FPS on 7 December
congratulations to Gabriel & Manuela
condolences to Michael Hart on the death of
Kanter-Webber on their marriage in November; Four couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries: Gabi Highman & Dan Luxon their 20th, Doreen & Hugh Isaacs their 53rd, Myra & Gunter Lawson their 58th and Katalin Aradi & Michael Posylkin their 25th
welcome to Anna Simons & Patrick Cook Fowler
his mother Hilda, long-standing member of FPS, in October happy birthday to the following members celebrating milestone birthdays in December and January: Betty Gould, Lionel King-Lassman, Ruth Hoffmann, John Olbrich, Barbara Vigon,
Continued on page 8 7
Beit Knesset bridge group
Mondays @ 7.30pm, £4. There are even small prizes for winners! For details: Paul Silver-Myer via the synagogue office 020 8446 4063 art with eden
5 December @ 6.00pm, 16 December @ 7.30pm, Monday 20 January @ 7.30pm Relaxed experimenting with art for those who are interested to try but fear they ‘can’t draw’. From January, monthly with Eden Silver-Myer. Book via www.edensilvermyer.com book club
Wednesday 11 December @ 8:00pm & Wednesday 8 January @ 8:00pm The Book Club meetings are held in people’s homes on the second Wednesday of each month. Contact Sheila King Lassman skinglassman@gmail.com or Edgar Jacobsberg e.jacobsberg@gmail.com
community events, all welcome!
such as sandwiches, soup and cake. Not on 26 December or 2 January pilates
Thursdays @ 5.30-6.30pm. Led by Tali Swart. Beginners to intermediate; individually tailored instruction. Payment in blocks of six, about £8 per lesson. Contact taliswort@btconnect.com cafe ivriah
Saturdays (Ivriah term only), 9.45-10.45am All welcome to an informal discussion, on a wide range of topics, over coffee and biscuits, between Ivriah drop-off and morning service. Weekly Torah portion to current affairs.
people / cont. from p.7
rosh chodesh (tevet & sh’vat)
stone settings
Monthly celebration of the New Moon by women who meet for sharing, learning and spiritual exploration @ 8.00pm in FPS library. Tevet, Wednesday 30 December: Book Talk & Swap session Sh’vat, Wednesday 27 January: ‘Does Tolerance Really exist in Islam?’ with Nisrin Akkam, Arabic law legal advisor, interpreter and Syrian refugee Contact Wika Dorosz on vdorosz@gmail.com
The stone setting for David Kahan will be at 10.15am on Sunday 1 December at Edgwarebury Cemetery. Rabbi Rebecca Birk will officiate.
delving into judaism
50/50 club draws winners, october
Wednesday 7.00-9.00pm. Weekly adult class exploring the building blocks of Judaism plus Hebrew classes. Not on 25 December or 1 January
1st 2nd 3rd
50/50 club draws winners, november
lunch & learn
1st Lionel King Lassman 2nd Kate Lassman Long 3rd Eden Silver
Thursdays, 12.00-1.00pm An hour’s learning in the small hall with Rabbi Rebecca with a bring-and-share lunch 8
The stone setting for Lorna and Harry Roberts will be at 10.30am on Sunday 7 February at Edgwarebury Cemetery. Rabbi Rebecca Birk will officiate. Sadie Westbury £20 Andria Charilaou £10 Emilia Lassman-Watts £5 £20 £10 £5
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Beit Midrash
coming up at fps
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Building for the Future Our congregation has a vibrant, welcoming community with an inspiring yet approachable rabbi and talented, enthusiastic musicians. What it does not have is a building of the same calibre. The problem isn’t that it’s a little bit down at the heels – I don’t think many of us mind that (very much). The problem is that, having grown piecemeal over the decades, it is neither attractive nor fit for purpose. That’s why, about a year ago, Council and I invited my friend Dean Willars, an architect, to take a look at Finchley Progressive Synagogue with an eye to making it more beautiful, functional and environmentally friendly. Since then, he has surveyed the site and produced industry standard architectural drawings of the current building and grounds. We’ve hosted a special Cafe Ivriah session to discuss what we like and don’t like about the building, surveyed all the clubs, groups and renters of the space, established a committee to drive the project forward, and sought feedback on some of Dean’s initial design suggestions which were posted for examination during the High Holy Days. The main ideas included creating a more inspiring place for prayer by raising the roof of the sanctuary and replacing windows so we have more sight of greenery; placing solar panels and a garden on the roof to make the building more eco-friendly; and rendering the exterior walls to
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richard greene
make the building more attractive. With this issue of Shofar, we continue the discussion around key questions including: Should we make the building larger? What improvements will make it easier to use the classrooms, small hall and other common spaces? How can we make it easier for everyone to hear what’s happening during services? And
Our congregation has a vibrant, welcoming community with an inspiring yet approachable rabbi and talented, enthusiastic musicians.What it does not have is a building of the same calibre. critically, how can our building be as green as possible? I’ve been delighted by the amount of feedback that I’ve heard so far and by the enthusiasm for making improvements. Within the next couple of months, we should have an updated set of design ideas from the architect, and from there I hope we can move towards planning permission, costing the project, and fundraising. (You’ll hear more about that from me soon....) As a congregation, we are approaching our 70th anniversary in 2023. I hope to use that milestone as a cornerstone for this project: creating an inspiring, functional, eco-friendly space that will house Finchley Progressive Synagogue for a generation to come – perhaps even until our 100th anniversary!
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Building for the Future : 4 Responses Following Richard Greene’s introduction, we include four responses written by FPS members and musicians on the building and changes being considered:
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franklyn gellnick, musician
The ‘building & beautification’ programme affords a wonderful opportunity to enhance the music at FPS, whether for services or concerts. Ideally - assuming the bimah remains in its current place - Dean and I would like it extended full width and for us to make a permanent ‘aliyah’ there, alongside those who lead and participate in services. One immediate advantage of this is greater ease of communication with Rabbi Rebecca and others. Whatever form the ark takes, an area either side could incorporate secure, hidden storage for all our music, instruments and accessories - as at other shuls. If you’re not already aware of the countless hours Dean spends setting up and packing down for Shabbat Resouled and other services, spare a thought for him now! You might also bear in mind that it’s not his fault when we get howling feedback from our inadequate sound system. An upgrade is long overdue and, when finally installed as part of the programme, should put to rest this disturbing (and occasionally embarrassing) issue. Being ‘on show’ naturally has its drawbacks: I shall no longer be able to eat a three-course meal behind the piano on Yom Kippur, but overall I think the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages. I’m sure many of you will have some useful suggestions of your own, so please come forward over the weeks and months ahead and make them known. Given the nature and scale of the project, it’s important we get it right first time.
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michael lassman: a place to worship
All the discussion over the past few months and the release of possible plans for the FPS building development has got me thinking about the sort of building I want to worship in. Firstly, I want to be part of a community with common values and understandings as well as differing views for challenge. I want a place to discuss the issues of the day with people who I may have known all my life or just a few months. Our lovely FPS building has been my second home for most of my life. It was built in 1961 as a utilitarian and functional space to accommodate the needs of the community in prayer and not. Liberal Judaism of the 1960s was very different. Services almost exclusively in English (save the central prayers), hardly a head covered and barely a tallit except on the rabbi. To me it was religion almost devoid of spirituality – like “the baby thrown out with the bath-water”. Now we want something more. A deeper connection to the global family of Israel, a closer link to our past and a sense that there is something deeper. I seek a purpose and a path, founded in my Jewish heritage and connecting me to a cosmic energy (spirit) that I believe binds all people across the world. I want to be able to worship in a place that is a testament to that spirit – a House of Prayer and a House of God. I believe one of our charms is our humility as a congregation so it would not be fitting to have great spires, towers or ornate carvings in marble and gold. But why shouldn’t we have a more expansive view for our synagogue? A vision beyond tinkering around the edges, even though we certainly could do with some of that. Money is clearly an issue. We do not have Continued on page 12 11
Building for the Future : 4 Responses michael lassman / cont. from page 11
millions in a kitty marked “building fund”, but I would like us to seek new inspiration. In Torah, God tells our forebears in the desert, in great detail, how to build the Mishkan, its size and its decoration – our own IKEA instruction booklet for a flat-pack space, fit for divine presence. Surely, as a community, we could have a new sanctuary, not one that doubles as a dance studio, karate dojo, or yoga hall. FPS is nearly 70; it’s time for a dedicated space to be our House of Prayer and maybe with a new plan that inspires the community with passion and expectation, we might be able to raise the amount needed for a beautiful home for our Liberal Judaism in Finchley.
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sarah rosen-webb: some thoughts on the fps building development plans
A Midrash When house hunting as a young couple, Neil and I were sent by estate agents to at least 30 wrong-for-us houses before we met another agent who took a different approach. He showed us two photographs in distinctly different styles, sadly well beyond our limited funds. ‘Never mind’, he said, ‘look at these two pictures and tell me which one you would have if you had unlimited funds’. Fortunately we both choose the same house. ‘Ah, now that I know the direction we are heading in, I think I can find a good house in your price range’. And he did! A Commentary As we make decisions regarding changes to FPS I ask myself ‘what kind of synagogue space do I want?’ We could aim for awe inspiring or go in the direction of the cosy-functional-humble human and humane style that I think is more in keeping with the underlying philosophy and tenets of Liberal and Progressive Judaism. 12
I would like to come into a space that sings of community. There would be a wide open space lit by a skylight and perhaps with a ‘living wall’ along one side. From this atrium, offices and activity rooms including a sanctuary could be reached without going up and down a corridor. Perhaps this communal area would house a gallery illustrating our history as a movement and as a synagogue. Old photographs of North Finchley in the ‘60’s, or our community when it was housed in the North Finchley Library and/or Northside School would be nice. I know two architecturally forward looking synagogues each with its own distinctive history that in my mind meld tradition, function and modernity well. These are New North London where the synagogue hall is regularly used for concerts, but is still essentially a quiet, respectful space and Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto where elements of the original 1935 buildings have been retained and a large atrium added to bring the different buildings together with light and additional activity space. While both of these congregations have had more funds than we will, I believe we can gain from looking at what they have done. (I’d hope we might be able to get some money from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help fund historical and educational aspects of our works.) It might also be worthwhile to take a look at the newly repurposed office block on the High Road which operates as St Barnabas Church. If we were to buy the piece of land adjoining our site we could develop separate vehicle entrance and exits and at the same time reorient our building entrance and/or the direction of our sanctuary so our congregation can face towards Jerusalem in prayer (rather than turning our backs on Jerusalem as we do now).
Building for the Future : 4 Responses 4
melvyn newman: plans & ideas
Our Shul has a heart and soul with a vibrant community led by a committed and gifted team that is let down only by its fabric. The debate on how and what changes should be made to address the shul’s tired exterior has been wrangling for some time with many different thoughts on the improvements required, including possibly building a second storey. To go forward, we need a comprehensive plan that will incorporate the most important and relevant ideas with a strategy that may extend several years.The strategy should include monetary targets: if, for instance, £1m - 2m was our total target we could then stage our scheme to kick in at certain levels of finance thereby achieving a gradual transformation over time with the final goal always in mind. Funding will not be easily achieved. It will require commitment and dedication from a committee that would need to focus on donations, legacies, and possible lottery money. Realistically there would be many hurdles as we go through the process of planning, including disruptions involving timing, as inevitably there will be delays. In spite of this there is an indomitable spirit within our community that will deal with the inevitable disruptions while focussing on the much awaited transformation. Change hurts, but it is necessary for us as a synagogue to move forward and to attract new members. The initiative we are taking will benefit the whole of our community. The other alternative is to look for new premises although finding a suitable and affordable new home would be difficult. The advantage would be that any disruptions involved in moving would be minimal by
comparison, and we could start with a clean canvas. We might even have a bimah that faces in the right direction. It might be a pipe dream but it is possible. The only change we shouldn’t make is to our generous welcoming and friendly spirit that is inherent within our synagogue. Lastly, as we discuss the plans and ideas we would like to implement, there is an idea of my own that would be inexpensive and a great project for younger members. This would involve designing narrative stained glass windows, which would certainly add to the beauty of our Shul (whether it’s here or elsewhere). This is a beautification project that can be achieved in the near future with funding available. Many thoughts to dwell on as Autumn seems to have rapidly evolved into Winter.
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The Sephardic History of Sufganyot They say that a little bit of fat makes everything taste better; and there is no question that although we are sometimes afraid of the impact that fried food has on our health, we all love a deep fried treat from time to time. Chanukah of course gives us the perfect excuse to indulge in deep fried pastries, fritters, latkes, etc. Each Jewish community around the world has their own “frying traditions� but sometimes, they are more connected that they might seem. A perfect example are the sufganyot particularly popular in Israel where around Chanukah more that 18 millions of these sweet fried treats are sold. Their history dates back to the 1920s when the Histadrut, the Israeli workers union, promoted their consumption and most home cooks preferred to buy the delicious treats rather than bake them. But the story of sufganyot started in Spain with their Sephardic ancestors; the Bimuelos. By the thirteenth century these Spanish fritters were the chosen Chanukah treat of the Sephardic community that later took different forms: some of them took a Middle East twist and were drowned in a sweet syrup, in Greece they were covered with honey and cinnamon or lemon juice, and in Germany they were filled with jams and became what we now know as sufganyot; although originally they were known as gefulte krapfen. Nowadays, little bimuelos are called in Spain bunuelos de viento and eaten during All Saint Day festivities in November. There is a rumour that those Christian families that have a tradition of making these fritters probably have Jewish ancestors that decided to keep the tradition of eating the fritters during the late Autumn even when they have been forced to change the festivity they marked with them. 14
claudia prieto-piastro
Here you have a recipe of bimuelos, they are a bit more simple to make than sufganyot. Ingredients 250ml water 150g plain flour 30g butter 40g sugar 1tsp salt 4 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional) Oil to fry Method 1. In a pan, mix the butter, sugar, water, and salt. Bring it to a boil and add the flour. Reduce the heat to medium and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the dough comes easily from the sides of the pan. 2. Turn off the heat and start adding the eggs one by one and the vanilla if using, while constantly stirring. Leave the dough to rest for at least two hours. 3. Heat gently the oil for frying on a medium flame. Slowly, drop spoonful of the dough just a few at a time as they will puff up and will need space. Turn them at least once to make sure they are cooked through. Once they are golden brown take them out of the oil and put them on paper towels. You can then cover them with sugar or syrup or just eat them as they are. Remember to serve them as soon as possible as they become soggy after a few hours.
THIS WEEK, LIKE EVERY OTHER WEEK, JEWISH CARE WILL TOUCH THE LIVES OF 10,000 PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
Just as a chanukiah needs a shamash to make the other candles come alight, we need your help to bring light to the lives of Holocaust survivors in our community. Zigi lived through a Polish Ghetto and Auschwitz. Now he always celebrates Chanukah at Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre together with other survivors, like Jan, who have shared his experiences. Our Holocaust Survivors’ Centre supports more than 500 members. With your kindness and generosity, we can continue to enable Holocaust survivors to celebrate Chanukah together with people who understand what they’ve been through.
Please make a gift by calling 020 8922 2600 or visit jewishcare.org/donate
Charity Reg No. 802559
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Citizens UK Delegates Assembly Six FPS members represented us at the London Citizens Delegates Assembly on 20 November. Zoe Jacobs was one of three co-chairs of the meeting of more than 500 people representing churches, mosques, schools, synagogues and other institutions from across London. Campaign Teams presented each of the five issues of the London Citizens Manifesto for the Mayoral Election. Adrian Lister was part of the Climate Change Campaign Team. There was powerful and moving personal testimony from a six year old boy about the impact of poor air
quality on his health and quality of life; from a woman talking about how she had feared to call the police when she was abused by her expartner because of her irregular immigration status; from a representative from the Salvation Army who has officiated at six funerals of people he knew personally from their projects supporting the homeless in the last year. The diversity of the people speaking from the stage was really striking – people of all ages, races, religions and walks of life from all over London. Delegates from each voted to prioritise the issues. It was clear how vital they all are and how much impact they have on the lives of 16
tamara joseph
Londoners. We discussed what issues had been most important to FPS members in our listening campaign in the spring, which had the most winnable and meaningful campaign asks, and whether to give all three of our votes to climate change. Youth Safety and Violence emerged as the highest campaign priority, then Housing and Homelessness, Climate Change, Welcome and Living Wage. Each institution discussed how many people we would bring to the Mayoral Assembly at the Copper Box on 21 April. We pledged to bring 30 people from FPS. Please put the date in your diaries and come and see the power London Citizens in action on 21 April! Between us all we pledged to bring over 5,000 people! That’s a great start, but we need 7,000 to fill the Copper Box, so there is still some way to go. We left the hall feeling powerful, inspired and motivated to build the campaign. Rebekah and I are going to join the (refugee) Welcome Team for a demonstration at 5pm on 19 December at City Hall. Come and join us! Keep up to date with the Mayoral Campaign at https://citizensuk.org/London-2020-plan.
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KT in Amsterdam T
he photos below and on the next page capture our Kabbalat Torah Trip to Amsterdam led recently by Zoe and me for our 10 young people (school year 10s). Hopping on Eurostar direct to Amsterdam shortly after 7.00am on Friday morning enabled us to visit the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue and the adjacent Jewish Museum by lunch time. We followed a chronological journey of Jewish history from exiles from the Iberian Peninsula through the Second World War and the family stories that emerged. Two followed their own
The group outside the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue (left to right) Ollie, Alex, Leo, Jess, Maya, Noah, Rachel, Rachel, Alex and Elias. 18
rabbi rebecca birk
family names through the Holocaust Memorial and narratives they learned from the Resistance Museum and Anne Frank’s house. Whilst some might be remembering the toppings they chose for their pancakes, and the coffee shops they were not allowed to enter, they all engaged fully in the learning whilst we were there. Observing the pianist and chazan at the Amsterdam Liberal Synagogue they noted, “Oh they have their own Dean and Franklyn!” That is how well trained they have been.
Meet Our Ivriah Teachers As our first term of Ivriah comes to a close, we asked our wonderful teachers to report back on their experiences of being part of the Ivriah world.
own temples there is never a dull moment on a Saturday morning!
class alef/bet/gimmel & their teachers evyatar & evie:
class daled/hay & their teachers eddie & rebekah:
Being a teacher at Ivriah enables me to be at the heart of the FPS community, working with its youngest members. I enjoy planning lessons and working as a team to develop the children’s understanding of Jewish studies while of course having as much fun as possible! I loved coming to Ivriah as a student and was taught by great teachers who inspired me to follow in their footsteps. From tefilla with Dean, to designing and creating our
I love teaching at Ivriah! It is a great way to give back to my community whilst having fun, and retain an active role in synagogue life. I’ve also learned so much in my time as a teacher, from Jewish history to improving my Hebrew (as well as gaining so many transferable skills). The kids are all so sweet and it’s lovely to see them bond as a class and learn more about their Jewish traditions and identities. My favourite session this year so far has been playing snakes and ladders in Hebrew!
a word from john, our hebrew teacher
I’m the old fella in the Ivriah staff. But not an old fuddy duddy – I hope! The youngsters to whom I teach Hebrew in Vav and Zayin inform me as much as I like to think I teach them. This give and take in the welcoming and inclusive environment of FPS’ Ivriah is what makes teaching here such a unique experience. And a special mention to the teaching assistants. Your energy and ideas make all the difference. A big thank you from an old hand.
Our Ivriah assistants (from left) Maya Stubbings, Alex Treganna & Elias Rosenthal
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Contacts
fps website: www.fps.org
finchley progressive synagogue
Life President: Sheila King Lassman
54 Hutton Grove N12 8DR 020 8446 4063 www.fps.org facebook.com/finchleyprog Rabbi Rebecca Birk – rabbi@fps.org
Vice Presidents: Renzo Fantoni, Josie Kinchin, Alex Kinchin-Smith, Laura Lassman, Lionel King Lassman, John Lewis, Paul Silver-Myer, Andrea Rappoport, Joan Shopper
Emeritus Rabbi: Dr Frank Hellner
contacts
Community Development Manager: Zoe Jacobs – zoe@fps.org Musicians in Residence: Franklyn Gellnick, Dean Staker Synagogue Manager: Pauline Gusack pauline@fps.org executive 2019
Chair: Cathy Burnstone, chair@fps.org Vice-Chair: Anjanette Pavell, ViceChairAP@fps.org Treasurer: Chris Nash, treasurer@fps.org Honorary Secretary: Tamara Joseph, honsec@fps.org board members
Sam King, sam@fps.org Phillip Raphael, security@fps.org Ann Pelham, apelham@fps.org Roy Balint-Kurti, roybk@fps.org
Board of Deputies Reps: Janet Tresman, Stanley Volk Beit Midrash (Adult Education): Adrian Lister adulteducation@fps.org Beit Tefillah (Rites & Practices): Valerie Joseph Keep In Touch Team (contacting members): reached via Pauline in FPS office Website Editor: Philip Karstadt fpswebsite@fps.org Shofar Guest Editor: Deb Hermer Shofar Team: shofar@fps.org Sarah Rosen-Webb, Wika Dorosz FPS Office: administrator@fps.org The Finchley Progressive Synagogue is a company limited by guarantee (Company No 9365956) and a registered charity (Charity No 1167285) whose registered office is 54 Hutton Grove, Finchley, London N12 8DR
President: Alan Banes
ashley page
janet tresman
insurance brokers
mediator & collaborative family law solicitor
Commerce House 2a Litchfield Grove London N3 2TN
Altermans Solicitors 239 Regents Park Road, London N3 3LF
Tel. 020 8349 5100
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Office phone: 0208 346 1777 Email: janet@altermans.co.uk