June-July 2021
the magazine of finchley progressive synagogue
Jews in the UK
From the Editor... Even
though I went to a very well-known London Jewish school, my best friend from school days was born in Leeds and grew up in Manchester. After he first arrived at our school, many of our fellow 15-year-olds would hear him speak, and treat him like a curio almost akin to a Pacific Islander in the court of a Georgian king. A real-life Jewish northerner? It may seem hard to believe, in a world that has become smaller thanks to technology and travel, but even as recently as the 1980s this kind of attitude persisted. Could we really not see beyond the end of our, ahem, noses to realise that Anglo-Jewry didn’t begin in Edgware and end in Gants Hill? While there is some truth that London is a magnet for many British Jews, it’s not and has never been the full story. Just ask actor Maureen Lipman (Hull), footballer Joe Jacobson (Cardiff), author Anthony Clavane (Leeds), football manager David Pleat (Nottingham) and broadcaster Jeremy Isaacs (Glasgow) - all of whom were born and brought up Jewish in the regions. Not to mention a number of members of our own community who have a rich variety of backgrounds from every pocket of the UK. The number of young Jews who go to university in increasingly popular regional centres such as Nottingham, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Warwick (Coventry) are without doubt an invaluable asset to these communities. It will be interesting to see how the results of this year’s census bear this out, but the most recent statistics (from 2011) show that the 2
darren beach
regions are still holding up. Of a nationwide total of 263,000 who identified as Jews, around 60 per cent lived in London. Greater Manchester was the second biggest centre, with 38,000, primarily in Bury and Salford. Further back were Leeds (8,000), Glasgow and Brighton (4,000 each), while significant populations lived in Birmingham, Southend-on-Sea, Liverpool, Bournemouth and Gateshead (the latter predominantly Charedi). An estimated 21,000 lived in Hertsmere (Radlett, Borehamwood and Bushey), a number which has more than likely increased since 2011. The Charedi population is definitely a factor in demographic movement, with Hackney, Salford and Gateshead all seeing vast increases. Conversely, major regional cities such as Liverpool and Leeds saw a decline in their mainstream Jewish population. However, it is worth pointing out that there are likely to be a significant number of secular or assimilated Jews who may not have answered ‘Jewish’ on the census form, particularly outside of the major population centres. Nonetheless, Jews are all over the UK, contrary to what some may think. Following the census, the JC in 2012 noted that “for the first time there are known to be Jews in every local authority in England and Wales”, all the way down to four in Merthyr Tydfil and the Scilly Isles respectively. Staying in Wales, Newport, home to perhaps Europe’s smallest synagogue building, actually saw an increase from 87 to 99 Jews. So no, it’s not ‘weird’ to hear a Jew with an accent like Coronation Street or Billy Connolly, it’s a reflection of the strength of a confident community that can exist and thrive all over this nation.
From the Rabbi
rabbi rebecca birk
I
t may well have been Alexander the Great’s radical and permissive relationship with the Jews that changed demographics. That extraordinary leader who’d conquered the known world by his death at age thirty two is remembered positively in Jewish history. As long as they paid their taxes (a system that admittedly became quite corrupt) Jews were allowed to practise their Judaism in peace. Indeed many Jewish children were named Alexander in homage and that is why Alexander and Sender are such Jewish names still. It was that period, before the Maccabis rose up, that saw the exodus from agriculturally based communities to towns. People could earn a living, buy produce rather than exchange and bartering, and follow cultural pursuits alongside their Jewish tradition. Jews have always moved. The custom of reading Torah on a Monday and Thursday, in addition to Shabbat, was to catch those who attended markets and offer a minyan and Torah on those days too. In his book Refugees or Migrants: PreModern Jewish Population Movement, Professor Robert Chazan suggests that Jews usually emigrated not necessarily because they were exiled or expelled and not only because they were fleeing from persecution. The Babylonians exiled them after the temple was destroyed. After the Roman decimation of the second temple many Jews were forcibly taken as slaves, but a significant community remained, indeed the Jerusalem Talmud is testament to that. Until the Iberian expulsion in the fifteenth century Jews, he argues, did not move en masse. He says, Jews Cover: A Magen David map of every synagogue in the UK designed by Zoe Jacobs
were not always refugees but migrants, looking for economic opportunities and a better life. It’s an interesting argument that bettering oneself was, and still is, a valid reason to move and help one’s family. The idea of Jewish migration and settlement is the theme of this double Shofar. How Jewish life grew up in cities across the UK. There is now a Jewish community on the Isle of Skye, known as the Black Shed Shul led by Rabbi Judith RosenBerry, a graduate of Leo Baeck College. Rabbi Jonathan Romain’s High Wycombe congregation has been the fastest growing synagogue in the UK. Liberal communities have sprouted in the Lake District, in Hertfordshire, and covering the three Counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. I grew up in Oxford, always mindful of being a tiny minority, but whose synagogue community thrived. Many say the success and uniqueness of the Oxford Jewish Congregation is because there is no rabbi. Jews have been building and grafting for generations and that can’t help but create an understanding and empathy for other peoples that do the same. Copy deadline is the 10th of each month.
Please email all content to shofar@fps.org
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From the Chair elections! elections!
Congratulations to Stanley and Maureen on their re-election as our Deputies! They’ve both represented us for many years, but this is the first time they’ve been in a contested election. Contested elections are the sign of a vibrant and engaged community. This election raised the profile of the Board and its work within FPS. I know that Stanley and Janet are feeling a new sense of legitimacy and of the importance of regular and effective communication with us all. We are fortunate to have had such a strong field of candidates vying for the opportunity to represent us. Each of them gave an excellent account of themselves at the meeting. I wanted to vote for every one of them! But our team of representatives is not yet complete. We still have a vacancy for an Under 35 Observer. Please get in touch if you are interested in taking up this opportunity. FPS Council elections are at our AGM on 15 July. Council is elected by our members to oversee and manage all the activities of the synagogue. There are three officers, the Chair, Treasurer and Hon. Sec and five elected ‘General Members’ one of whom is also Vice-Chair. Council can also co-opt additional members. This year we will need to elect at least one new member to council. Could that be you? If you feel a part of the FPS community and are interested in contributing to how the synagogue is run, then yes, it could! Being involved in what’s going on at FPS is the real requirement in order to contribute effectively. That means participating in FPS activity at least 3 times a month – e.g. Services, Café Ivriah or volunteer activities. Council needs to be broadly representative of the FPS community and while
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tamara joseph
it’s important to have particular skills on Council we don’t all need to have all of them. The main job of Council is to lead the community and support it to flourish. We’re responsible for setting our strategic direction, and for the practicalities of managing our building, staff and money. FPS is both a registered charity and a company listed at Companies House. Members of Council are trustees of the charity and directors of the company. We meet monthly for 10 months of the year (currently at 7:30 pm on the second Tuesday of the month). Council members need to attend meetings regularly and to read the agenda, reports and papers circulated in advance. Different members of Council often take on areas of particular interest or responsibility. For example, Paula is our Council member for children’s education (including Ivriah and KT) and Beverley is coordinating community care and pastoral support. These areas of responsibility are not set in stone and Council members can develop and follow their own interests. However, if you have an interest in synagogue security and liaising with the CST or in the maintenance of the synagogue building and grounds then that would be particularly useful and welcome! Any member of Council would be delighted to talk to you about what it’s like. Our names and e-mail addresses are on the back of Shofar. The deadline for nominations is 15 June, so don’t miss it! Please come and join us and help FPS to be the best community it can be!
The Future of the Jewish Community A
s I write this article members of FPS – in common with Jews and others outside our community - will have been shocked by a video which showed a convoy of cars bearing Palestinian flags driving through a Jewish community in north London and broadcasting anti-Semitic messages from a megaphone and calling for the rape of Jewish girls. This incident is the ugliest of a spike evidenced by the Community Security Trust which has recorded 106 anti-Semitic incidents between the 8th and 15 May compared to 19 in the 11 previous days, a fivefold increase. It is important to say, of course, that sadly this is the unsurprising result of increased tension in Israel/Palestine where the proponents of antiSemitism are unable to distinguish between a love of, or connection to, the people, Land and State of Israel and support for the given policies of any Israeli Government. There are also many Jews who have difficulty making this distinction. In spite of this, I would still propose that the United Kingdom was, is and will remain a good place for Jews to live and thrive. My family is typical of so many Jewish families who not only found refuge in the United Kingdom but, who by hard work and loyalty to their new country coupled with opportunity and a relatively tolerant population, thrived in so many fields including business, the arts, education, the professions and so much more. Although there were occasional hiccups, the Jewish community of the United Kingdom was left alone to develop synagogues and other aspects of religious life, to create a welfare system which could serve as a model even today, and to build a capacity to absorb Jews from other places.
rabbi danny rich
It is my view that it is not any external threat which will disrupt Jewish life in the United Kingdom although there are two internal matters which may impact on the quality of Jewish life here in the United Kingdom. First, will the community and its structures be nimble enough to provide for the changes in Jewish life? These may well include geographical divergence whereby a smaller number of centres of Jewish population will be required to support widespread Jewish communities elsewhere, the continued and growing impact of new technology and its implication for synagogue membership, and the ability to provide for the new complex and multi-identities of what were once known as ‘Jewish families’. All of these challenges are less important to me than what I perceive as a growing intellectual polarisation and an increased intolerance in the Jewish community itself. The recent discussion around the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s nonlegally binding definition of anti-Semitism is a case in point. Whilst this is a reflection of society elsewhere I remain hopeful that a community of the ‘People of the Book’ who have prized intellectual debate for generations will soon return to a healthy respect for alternative opinions and become a Jewish community, the slogan of which can be ‘unity not uniformity’.
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START READING YOUR FIRST HEBREW WORDS IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.
The Rosenwasser Method has been used successfully for over 40 years. Now it’s available online and the first lesson is free. Take a look at:
www.rosenwasser.co.uk 6
FPS People’s Page people welcome to new members
happy anniversary
Eleanor Davis & Samuel Colbert
to the following couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries in June and July: Gillian Stern and David Leibowitz their 30th, Nell and Blake Weltman their 35th, Kitty and Roger Lyons their 50th and Jackie and Roger Marks their 55th
mazal tov
to Anna Simon and Patrick Cook-Fowler celebrating their formal wedding in July condolences
to the family of Irene Kahan who died after a short illness in May stone setting
for Sybil Marcus-Kanner will be officiated by Rabbi Rebecca Birk at Edgwarebury Cemetery at 9.30am on Sunday 20 June happy birthday
to the following members who celebrate milestone birthdays in June and July: Ann Andrews, Ronald Arlen, Alan Banes, Derrick Bass, Monty Bixer, Wika Dorosz, Gary Hyams, Zoe Jacobs, Howard Joseph, Matthew Levy, Dan Luxon, Amelia Mendel, John Norman, Helena Pugh, Anna Simons, Janet Tresman, Lisa Werth, Peter West
thank you
to Beverley, Susanna, Barry, Emma, Bill and Daniel for creating and delivering beautiful Shavuot gifts to FPS members 50/50 club draw winners, may 2021:
1st Kate Lassman-Long 2nd Ben Golan 3rd Fergus Myer
£25 £15 £10
A note about Family Announcements. Please let the office know when you have good news to share, grandchildren born, photos, joy to mark. We want to capture them all. So please help us not to miss your life cycle moments. shofar@fps.org/pauline@fps.org
Thanks to Jackie Marks for this wonderful photo of her mother Amelia Mendel. Jackie writes: “As you may know, my amazing mother will hopefully be 105 on 23 June and I thought you might like the attached photograph for the June edition of Shofar, as she is probably the Synagogue’s oldest member. As you can see, she really enjoys receiving Shofar and reads it from cover to cover. I took this today, just before she raced off into the dining room for lunch with her friends at Sunridge”
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Beit Tefillah
services at fps
FPS services have returned to the synagogue and places can be booked. They are also
services – june / sivan leading tamuz being held via Zoom video conferencing, linksinto to which are included in FPS emails
services- june & july / sivan into tamuz into av Friday 4 June
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 5 June
11.00am Shabbat Service
Friday 11 June
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 12 June
11.00am Shabbat Service
Friday 18 June
6.30pm Shabbat Resouled
Saturday 19 June
11.00am Czech Scroll Service
Friday 25 June
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 26 June
11.00am Shabbat Service
Friday 2 July
6.30pm Shabbat Resouled
Saturday 3 July
11.00am Shabbat Service celebrating Aaron Pennisi-Glaser Bar Mitzvah
Friday 9 July
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 10 July
11.00am Shabbat Service 2.00pm Bar Mitzvah service for Jonah Brandon-Rocks
Friday 16 July
6.30pm Shabbat Resouled
Saturday 17 July
11.00am Shabbat Service celebrating Ben Abrahamson Bar Mitzvah
Friday 23 July
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 24 July
11.00am Shabbat Service
Friday 30 July
6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 31 July
11.00am Shabbat Service Photo: Shabbat Resouled back at FPS for the first time in a year
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Beit Knesset
community events, all welcome!
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Beit Midrash
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coming up at fps
Gluten Free Challah Sarah Rosen-Webb shared this photo of the magnificent gluten-free challah baked for her by Valerie Boyd-Hellner. The recipe follows and the use of a challah mould pan, available online, is recommended. ingredients
1 tbsp active dry yeast 1 1/4 cups warm water 1/4 cup honey (add another 1/4 cup for extra rise and a touch of sweetness) 1 1/2 cups gluten-free oat flour 200 grams 1 cup tapioca starch/flour 140 grams 1/2 cup brown rice flour 40 grams 1 tsp kosher or course salt 1 tbsp xanthan gum 2 large eggs *or egg-free version at end of recipe 1/4 cup avocado or vegetable oil of choice 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
recipe by sarah rosen-webb
3. Mix oil, eggs, apple cider vinegar and yeast mixture.
4. With your mixer running on low (or by hand - with some determination!) slowly add dry ingredients until well combined or for about 1 minute. Scrape the sides to ensure all flour is incorporated.
5. Add dough to a lightly greased challah mould pan (recommended). Cover with dish towel and let it rise in a warm place for at least two hours. The dough should double in size (if it doesn’t it may need more time, a warmer location or your yeast is old).
6. Preheat your oven to 375º F and bake for about 28-32 minutes until lightly browned on top. Allow less time if using a metal pan, and more in a silicone mould.
7. Remove from oven and allow 5-10 minutes to cool before flipping it onto a wire rack to continue cooling. Enjoy and Shabbat Shalom!
instructions
1. Activate yeast by combining warm water, yeast and honey in a small bowl. Whisk it together and allow it 4-6 minutes to begin to bubble and froth.
Egg-Free Version: Swap two eggs for two tablespoons of flaxseed meal combined with 6 tbsp of warm water. Allow the mixture to gel for five minutes before adding.
2. While yeast is activating, combine the oat, tapioca, and brown rice flour, xanthan gum and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
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Board of Deputies Update S
tanley Volk and I reiterate our thanks for reelecting us to the Board as your Deputies, and our commiserations to Barry Kafka and Elliot Levey. There’s never a dull moment at the Board; during the last couple of weeks we have wished it was. You will have seen the Board’s statements and events lined up to show solidarity with Israel and “seek peace not rockets.” I serve on the Defence Division, we alerted all the UK Jewish communities about heightened anti-Semitism during adverse publicity for Israel. Last Sunday a car procession with loud speakers went up the Finchley Road from St John’s Wood to Golders Green screaming vile anti-Semitic abuse. It was streamed as it was happening thanks to a neighbouring Jewish household. CST and police were contacted immediately and the community made aware. The last Plenary session was taken up with the Presidential and honorary officers elections. Don’t forget to watch the next one on Sunday 20 June at 10.30am on Facebook or on the Board’s website www.bod.org.uk
janet tresman
I also serve on the Family Law Group. Our April meeting focused on the Domestic Abuse Bill as it travels through the Lords. The discussion whether withholding the Get from Agunot was coercive and/or abusive behaviour within the Bill took centre stage. Earlier this year I invited Rabbi Charley Baginsky to take part in the discussion of the Law Commission’s proposals on review of the marriage laws. She was welcomed by the chair and treated respectfully. This topic will affect Liberal Judaism concerning regulations such as notice of the wedding to be given, the officiant and venue to name a few issues. A major concern expressed is the training of the officiant and their role apart from the celebrant. Rabbi Charley confirmed that LJ will continue to hold religious marriage ceremonies for same sex and heterosexual marriages, but will not carry out such ceremonies for mixed faith couples. A blessing will be offered which will not be a wedding or purport to be a marriage ceremony. Stanley will continue to post up to date news from the Board on the FPS Facebook group.
lost languages?
Renzo Fantoni responds to Stanley Volk’s article in last month’s Shofar. I was sad to read that Stanley Volk had to translate the Yiddish words Zayde and Bubba. It seems strange that I, a Sephardi Jew, should say that and Yiddish is not the only part of our tradition that is lost. My early life was spent in the Venice Ghetto and from my mother and my grandparents I learned to speak a lot of Ladino which we used mostly when we did not want to be understood by others. Needless to say, when I went to school I had some difficulties with
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the other children in understanding and being understood. After the war I spent a few years in a sanatorium with survivors of concentration camps and there I picked up several Yiddish expressions which were useful when I met Adele’s family here in London. Yiddish expressions were used with my mother-in-law very frequently and I am very sorry that my grandchildren do not seem to understand any ‘old fashioned expressions’. Have we Liberals thrown out the baby with the bathwater?
Why Cowes on the Isle of Wight? W
hen I was 30 a friend introduced me to the joys of sailing. We took a ferry to his moored yacht and motored out of Portsmouth harbour, set the sails and suddenly we were travelling in total silence at the same speed, just powered by the wind – I was hooked. Since then sailing has been a very important part of my life. I have joined and taken part with a number of yacht clubs over the years and always find that I’m amongst friends. I was a founder and later commodore of the Jewish sailing club – High Seas Sailing Club - which is still going after more than 30 years. When Barbara and I decided to buy a holiday home our first choice of destination was Cowes. It is a very small town that we had visited many times by sea. Ten years ago we went house hunting and found a delightful flat in the centre of town, with a view over the sea and parking. There are just 13 flats and all of the occupants are now good friends. Shortly after buying it, we bought a boat to keep in Cowes and are now on our third motor boat which lives in a marina in town just a short walk from our flat. We have joined two local yacht clubs and now there are many familiar and friendly faces there. When we walk down the High Street, someone will always stop us for a chat. In Stanmore where we live in London this never happens.
nigel reese
As Jews we stand apart from the crowd. Our clubs respect that we don’t eat pork or shellfish but we do see them looking for the horns from time to time! I’m told that there’s a very small Jewish community in Ryde but we think that we may be the only ones in Cowes. We are accepted as friends for who we are and for our common interest in yachting. So why Cowes? It’s very friendly (and unlike many places the natives welcome holiday home owners), very different from London, the natives speak English and some people think that it’s abroad! The ferry crossing from “the North Island” is one of the most expensive crossings in the world (but there are discounts for Islanders). We just love being there where the pace of life is slower
Photos: Left: Our new boat Snowbird; above: Sunrise from our flat over the rooftops of Cowes looking towards Portsmouth
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Racial Justice Group update The eagerly awaited report by Stephen Bush, chair of the Commission on Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish Community (CRIJC), has recently been published. The recommendations relevant to FPS are being discussed by our own Racial Justice Group and we hope soon to adopt a range of initiatives within the synagogue, drawn directly from some of the suggestions. Indeed, it is pleasing to see that some are already part of our practice. By keeping the community up-to-speed with ideas and proposed changes, we hope to build wide-ranging support for our work. With that in mind, perhaps it is worthwhile exploring one of the issues involved in our anti-racism work plan. Unconscious bias is a term used to define the biases that we are unaware of, occurring outside of our control. Bias happens automatically and is triggered by judgments and assessments we make of people and situations that are influenced by our learning and experiences (particularly during formative years), culture and background. No-one is completely free of bias. Judgements made as a result of unconscious bias could be defined as prejudice. If prejudice is ignored it can inform behaviour, potentially resulting in discriminatory practice. It is when
michael lassman
an individual’s biases are brought to a conscious level, then they can be explored and dealt with, enabling control of any potential prejudice or discrimination. It is some of these biases that we have as individuals (and possibly at a community level too) that may be thought by some to be racist or discriminatory. Our aim is, that by implementing the recommendations of the CRIJC, we will be in a better position to reduce our personal and collective bias and offer more equal access to our community and its activities. The Racial Justice group have had reports that some of the black members of FPS have been victims of Unconscious Bias at FPS, as both security and welcoming personnel have treated them differently from other people. On one occasion, a long-standing and regular service attendee was asked by a well-meaning member, “is this your first time here?” Instead of feeling welcomed, the person felt unnoticed and separated from the community, with the assumption, that because this person was black, that they were a visitor. It can be seen from this example how delicate the work is, being undertaken by the Racial Justice Group, but totally valuable for the FPS community. KT Ice cream: Maia, Rafael, Tom, Asher, Hannah, Joe and Hannah after Shavuot ice cream tasting
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Rabbi Rebecca’s Return on Shabbat Morning
patricia j tausz
To mark Rabbi Rebecca’s safe return to us after surgery
It’s Shabbat morning again We can hear the sounds of the piano coming from afar today Soon the service will be underway And we’ll also hear Dean and his guitar Our rabbi has returned at last We’ve missed her these weeks past But those who filled her shoes did us proud Now I can hear Rabbi Rebecca’s voice speaking aloud. I can feel my body in time to the music swaying As I find my place Ever so gently is the piano playing In this sacred space The camera and microphone pick up everything But I’m muted so alone only I can hear myself sing. Gratitude is our theme Grateful in fact for everything – from the largest to the smallest Grateful for a night’s sleep without any disturbing dream Grateful again to see morning light when I feel at my best Rabbi Rebecca is grateful indeed for her return to good health This is far more precious than any amount of wealth. Good health can’t be taken for granted in any way Good health you can’t count in any denomination in money Each day for good health we all pray And if possible may the day for us all be sunny We need light to help us to survive, live And also some of this light to others to be able to give. I am grateful for the precious gifts You, Eternal One, to me have given For each one I daily give thanks For it is by Your power, Your spirit that I am driven The gifts spread over countless river banks Thank You, Shechinah, for guiding my steps each day To You alone I turn, to You alone I pray.
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My Jewish Journey from cardiff to finchley
What a great theme the Shofar team decided upon for this month. The UK and its Jews. Made me think about my upbringing in the Orthodox movement (as we called it then) or the United as we know it now, in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. In those days Cardiff had a couple of Orthodox synagogues and a Reform one. It may still be that today. Why my family were members of the Orthodox was always a mystery to me. I could never understand why, like everyone else, we drove to shul and parked round the corner. I never knew why over the years we changed our plates at Pesach – then didn’t; why we had milk and meat cutlery as we never used them right or the worst thing – why we had to get up early on a Sunday morning to go to Cheder. We definitely weren’t a proper Orthodox family – but we were part of a pretty big group of people who did Judaism just like us.
As the only girl in a family of boys I found the United movement quite alienating. With the women sitting upstairs the boys always got a bigger part of the action – parts in the Service, up and down from the Bimah and Bar Mitzvah fun. I do wonder though if there were times 16
deb hermer
they had wished our family was a little less of the action when one of my brothers catapulted a stone through a stained glass window during a Service and everyone ran for cover. So the actual religion part of growing up in Cardiff didn’t do much for me (although, it turns out, I did learn more in Cheder than I realised). But being part of a big Jewish community was the warmest, safest, most fun part of our religion. There wasn’t much antisemitism in those days – even my dad who was the first Jewish Lord Mayor of Cardiff – experienced very little, and our large group of Jewish friends were always welcoming and never questioned a stream of Catholic friends I brought from my Convent school. When I left Cardiff I left Judaism too – and apart from regular trips to Israel I never thought of joining another community until recently. But finding FPS has been a breath of fresh Jewish air. Women, as it turns out, can have a front and centre part of our religion, everyone’s welcome and we can even park outside. I’m delighted to have introduced my young teen to this branch of Judaism too. Being part of a community – with its invisible thread tying us together – is enriching and hopefully will last her a lifetime. As it turns out, those early days in United Synagogue have given me a life-long pride and happiness in being Jewish too – just not with them!
Adult B’nei Mitzvah - The Class of 2021 ‘E
motional, exciting and rewarding’, ‘my first opportunity to wear a tallit’, ‘so much more than learning to read a few verses of Hebrew’, a chance ‘to get to know and connect with other members of the community’ and ‘to deepen my roots and connections to my Jewish heritage’ were just some of our reflections on the months of studying together which culminated in our B’nei Mitzvah service in April. Rabbi Rebecca’s original idea - that a few adults who would like the opportunity to read Torah might prepare together to read Acharei Mot and Kedoshim gained momentum as people joined the group via various routes. Eleven people, Angela Wharton, Maureen Lobatto, Bobbie Hood, Annabel Robin, Paula Kinchin-Smith, Sharon and Paul Silver-Myer, Zoe Jacobs, Chris Nash, Steven Valens and me, formed the group to prepare our parasha for 24th April. Rabbi Rebecca devised a study programme which focused first on understanding and translation of our text, then on historical context and a reading of commentary, and finally on preparing our D’var Torah responding to our – to us, as modern readers - highly controversial verses from Leviticus. We were greatly supported by John Rubinstein, who recorded his reading and leyning of our verses, by Zoe’s energetic and efficient organisation and by our Chavruta study partners. While we were sorry that Rabbi Rebecca was not well enough to officiate at our Zoom ceremony (her ‘virtual’
louise meltzer
support was greatly appreciated, as was Danny Rich’s willingness to stand in at short notice), and disappointed not to read from the Torah scrolls in synagogue (but see below), Dean and Franklyn’s music made the occasion feel special. Josie, Valerie, Michael and David ensured that all the technology worked perfectly and guests from Finchley and South Korea were able to attend! We found the experience surprisingly emotional, and were moved to receive souvenir certificates kindly prepared by Josie. Rabbi Rebecca has scheduled 11 September for us to read a second time, in the hope that we will be able to be physically in the building. We will also be arranging some Tzedakah fundraising for our chosen cause, Keshet (which provides support to LGBT+ members of the Jewish community); this seemed an appropriate response to the controversial verses we read. Do look out for opportunities to learn more about Keshet to be arranged shortly. Finally, if you are considering being part of a future Adult B’nei Mitzvah group, our advice is ‘go for it’! We struggled with our Hebrew (remaining in awe of FPS 13-year-olds who prepare much longer passages than any of us individually!), but all feel the experience was highly meaningful and enjoyable. We are very thankful to Rabbi Rebecca for creating this opportunity.
stop press! zoom breakfast shiur
26 June at 8.45am, with Peter Brennan George Oppen, Paul Celan, Martin Heidegger: Two Psalms, Three Encounters Further details available from FPS office and Zoom link in weekly emails
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dora hirsh bbc interview
A (reduced) transcript of Dora Hirsh’s interview on BBC Sheffield about the impact of antisemitism on Sheffield students: What is the impact of antisemitism on students? Jewish students in Sheffield are concerned about what’s going on in Israel; they’re concerned about friends and family who have been sitting in bomb shelters for much of the last 11 days, they’re concerned that Israel can’t and doesn’t live in peace with its neighbours. They want a peaceful and equitable solution with the Palestinians and Israel’s other neighbours. But more than that is the racism and antisemitism that we’ve seen increase here at home, much of which uses imagery and rhetoric to connect Jews here with Israel and Gaza, and blaming Jews here – thousands of miles away – for actions of the Israeli state. What is happening? Many people have reported in-person antisemitism in Sheffield. One person was called a ‘dirty Jew’ and spat at in Tesco just the other day, and that’s not the only incident. Fortunately those are rare, though they are happening, but more common is abuse on social media – and of course that can come from anywhere in the world. But I know some is coming from students here in Sheffield which is pretty frightening for our members experiencing hostility from people they go to university with. We took an antisemitism motion to the Students Union who voted in support of it. To be honest, when I talk to students about reporting incidents, many are reluctant, a lot of them feel like it’s more trouble than it’s worth, that they won’t get the support– rightly or wrongly, I can’t comment on whether it’s true or not – 18
they feel they won’t be taken seriously by the university and won’t get the support they need. They are more likely to turn towards their Jewish society, or UJS or CST to keep them safe and look after them. What’s it like to receive antisemitism? It’s hugely upsetting and distressing, I can’t understate the impact it has on my mental health and wellbeing and that of my friends. Jews make up a tiny proportion of people in the world and in Britain, and the hate and violent rhetoric and extreme hostility can feel overwhelming and that the world is closing in. All of us have some generational trauma – my grandparents were refugees from Nazi Germany – many friends have similar stories, grand or great grandparents who were from Poland or Russia or the Middle East. So we know what happens when a country turns against their Jews. I’m not saying that we’re in that situation here in the UK or Europe but certainly we can see how it can begin when people turn all their hostility and anger towards Jews and use violent rhetoric or even acts of violence. What advice do you give? Remember it’s a minority of people who behave like this towards the Jews. We have the right to live without worrying about this. Jewish students are just like everyone else – diverse in our interests and politics. I want Jewish students to get on with their life and not worry about this. But also I realise how concerning it is, that people are afraid and the toll taken on people’s mental health. I want to get the balance right between not making people panic or feel like this is the whole world. We must acknowledge and listen to people’s experiences which, at the moment, are really unpleasant.
benjamin abramson bar mitzvah
I am Benjamin Abrahamson and I am 13 years old. My name and Hebrew name are significant in many ways. Firstly, I am left handed, yet my name means ‘son of my right hand’. I was named after my paternal grandmother whom I sadly didn’t meet because she passed away just before my birth. We live in Potters Bar and I’m at Chancellor’s School. I am looking forward to my Bar Mitzvah and have thoroughly enjoyed learning my portion with John. I love languages and can do different accents and impressions. I am also an avid Chelsea supporter. My Bar Mitzvah portion comes from Devarim and explains that after the disaster at Kadesh, Israel finally decamped and set out toward Mount Seir, the place where Esau settled. Hashem commands Moses not to attack the Edomites because they were given this land as their possession. This sadly reminds me of the current conflict in the Middle East and alerts me to the fact that we, as humans, need to be kind to other nations, and encourage peace not violence. jonah brandonrocks bar mitzvah
Hi, my name is Jonah Brandon-Rocks and my Bar Mitzvah is on 10 July. My Parasha is Bo, and my section is about telling your children how God led our ancestors out of Egypt. It has a lot of meaning for me as I
believe that traditions should be maintained and I like the idea of passing stories down to keep memories of our Jewish ancestors alive. I am looking forward to my Bar Mitzvah as it celebrates me becoming a Jewish man. My maternal grandmother, about to celebrate her 90th birthday, has also been looking forward to my Bar Mitzvah since I was born. We used to see her every week but this stopped during lockdown and my Bar Mitzvah date was delayed so she could attend in person. It is the first ever Bar Mitzvah in my dad’s family as he was raised a Catholic, so my other grandma will be at her first ever Bar Mitzvah - at the age of 92 - along with other family members who are excited to be there. aaron pennisi-glaser bar mitzvah
I’m Aaron Pennisi-Glaser and I’m 13. My bar mitzvah will be on 3 July. Thanks to the pandemic it’s third time lucky as it was postponed from January and then May! It’s the first Bar Mitzvah in my mum’s immediate family for several generations and the first one in my dad’s family ‘full stop’ as he was born and raised a Catholic. So I’m feeling the pressure, but luckily, I have the fantastic John to guide me all the way – I know he’ll get me there! My mum makes me practise my parasha and the prayers I’ll be saying almost every evening. My parasha is Bechukotai which means ‘my laws’. I love reading Manga which are Japanese graphic novels and me and my friends at JCoSS are really into them.
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Contacts
fps website: www.fps.org
finchley progressive synagogue
President: Paul Silver-Myer, paulsm@fps.org
54 Hutton Grove N12 8DR 020 8446 4063 www.fps.org facebook.com/finchleyprog
Life Presidents: Sheila King Lassman, Alan Banes Vice Presidents: Cathy Burnstone, Renzo Fantoni, Josie Kinchin, Alex KinchinSmith, Laura Lassman, Lionel King Lassman, John Lewis, Andrea Rappoport, Joan Shopper
Rabbi Rebecca Birk – rabbi@fps.org Emeritus Rabbi: Dr Frank Hellner Community Development Manager: Zoe Jacobs – zoe@fps.org
contacts
Musicians in Residence: Franklyn Gellnick, Dean Staker Synagogue Manager: Pauline Gusack pauline@fps.org
Beit Midrash (Adult Education): Adrian Lister adrian@fps.org Beit Tefillah (Rites & Practices): Valerie Joseph valerie@fps.org
executive 2021
Chair: Tamara Joseph, chair@fps.org Vice Chair: Roy Balint-Kurti, roybk@fps.org Treasurer: Chris Nash, treasurer@fps.org Honorary Secretary: Ann Pelham, honsec@fps.org
Board of Deputies Reps: Janet Tresman, Stanley Volk
Community Support Coordinator: Beverley Kafka, beverley@fps.org Website Editor: Philip Karstadt fpswebsite@fps.org Shofar Editor: Darren Beach, shofar@fps.org
board members
Gordon Greenfield, gordon@fps.org Beverley Kafka, beverley@fps.org Paula Kinchin-Smith, paula@fps.org Sam King, sam@fps.org Phillip Raphael, security@fps.org
Shofar Team: Deb Hermer 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
ashley page insurance brokers Commerce House 2a Litchfield Grove London N3 2TN Tel. 020 8349 5100
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