The Jewish Weekly Issue 277 - May 4th

The Board of Deputies of British Jews, on behalf of all its affiliated congregations and organisations, congratulates Their Majesties ahead of the coronation.

God Save the King and Queen. Long Live the King and Queen.

45 Aid Society • Aberdeen Hebrew Congregation • AJEX • Alei Tzion Synagogue • Alliance of Jewish Women and their Organisations (AJWO) • Armed

Forces Jewish Community • Association of Jewish Refugees • B'nai B'rith UK • B'nai B'rith Youth Organisation • Barnet Synagogue • Bedfordshire

Progressive Synagogue • Belmont Synagogue • Belsize Square Synagogue • Bevis Marks Synagogue • Birmingham Central Synagogue • Birmingham

Hebrew Congregation • Birmingham Progressive Synagogue • Bnei Akiva • Board of Deputies of British Jews • Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue

• Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation • Bournemouth Reform Synagogue • Bridge Lane Beth Hamedresh • Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation •

Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue • Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue • Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation • Bristol Hebrew Congregation • Bromley Reform Synagogue • Brondesbury Park Synagogue • Bushey and District Synagogue • Cambridge Traditional Jewish

Congregation • Cambridge - Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue • Cardiff Reform Synagogue • Cardiff United Synagogue • Catford and Bromley

Synagogue • Central Synagogue • Cheltenham Hebrew Congregation • Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue • Cockfosters and North Southgate

Synagogue • Community Security Trust • Cranbrook United Synagogue • Crouch End Liberal Jewish Chavurah • Croydon Federation Synagogue •

Darlington Hebrew Congregation • David Ishag Synagogue - Neveh Shalom Sephardi Community • Ealing Liberal Synagogue • Ealing United

Synagogue • East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue • Edgware Adath Yisroel Congregation • Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue • Edgware

Masorti Synagogue • Edgware United Synagogue • Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation • Emunah • Exeter Hebrew Congregation • Federation of Zionist

Youth • Finchley Progressive Synagogue • Finchley Reform Synagogue • Finchley Synagogue • Gibraltar Jewish Community •

Glasgow - Garnethill Hebrew Congregation • Glasgow - Giffnock Newton Mearns Synagogue • Glasgow Jewish Representative

Council • Glasgow Reform Synagogue • Habonim Dror UK • Hadley Wood Jewish Community • Hampstead Garden Suburb

Synagogue • Hampstead Synagogue • Harif • Harlow Jewish Community • Harrogate Hebrew Congregation • Hendon

United Synagogue • Highgate Synagogue • Hull Hebrew Congregation • Ilford Federation Synagogue • JAMI • Jewish

Action for Mental Health (JAMH) • Jewish Care • Jewish Labour Movement • Jewish Lads & Girls Brigade • Jewish

Police Association • Jewish Small Communities Network (JSCN) • Jewish

Womens Aid • jLiving • Kehillat Kernow • Kenton Synagogue •

Kingsbury Synagogue • Kingston, Surbiton and District Synagogue •

Kisharon • Kol Chai - Hatch End Jewish Community • Kol Nefesh

Masorti Synagogue • Lancaster and Lakes Jewish Community •

Lauderdale Road Synagogue • League of Jewish Women •

Leeds - Sinai Synagogue • Leeds Jewish Representative Council •

Leicester Hebrew Congregation • Liberal Jewish Synagogue •

Liberal Judaism • Liberal Synagogue Elstree • Limmud •

Lincolnshire Jewish Community • Liverpool - Allerton Hebrew

Congregation • Liverpool - Childwall Hebrew Congregation • Liverpool

Old Hebrew Congregation • Liverpool Reform Synagogue • LJY Netzer •

Loughton, Chigwell and District Synagogue • Luton United Synagogue

• Maccabi GB • Machzike Hadath V'Shomrei Shabbat Synagogue •

Magen Avot • Magen David Adom UK • Maidenhead Synagogue • Manchester -

Cheetham Hebrew Congregation • Manchester - Great, New and Central

Manchester Synagogue • Manchester -

• Manchester - Jewish Representative

Manchester - Manchester Reform

Holy Law South Broughton Congregation

Council of Greater Manchester & Region •

Synagogue • Manchester - Menorah

Synagogue • Manchester - Sale and District Hebrew Congregation • Manchester - Shaare Hayim

Synagogue • Manchester - North Salford

Congregation • Manchester - The Shrubberies - Prestwich Hebrew Congregation • Manchester - Whitefield Hebrew Congregation • Manchester -

Yeshurun Hebrew Congregation • Manchester United Synagogue • Masorti

Judaism • Memorial Scrolls Trust • Mill Hill Synagogue • Mitzvah Day • Mosaic Liberal Synagogue • Mosaic Masorti Synagogue • Mosaic Reform

Synagogue • Movement for Reform Judaism • Muswell Hill Synagogue • Ner Yisrael Community • New Essex Masorti Synagogue • New London

Synagogue • New North London Synagogue • New West End Synagogue • Newcastle Reform Synagogue • Newcastle United Hebrew Congregation

• Noam • North West Surrey Synagogue • North Western Reform Synagogue • Northampton Hebrew Congregation • Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue • Northwood United Synagogue • Norwich Hebrew Congregation • Nottingham Hebrew Congregation • Nottingham Liberal Synagogue •

Oxford Jewish Congregation • Pinner Synagogue • Plymouth Hebrew Congregation • Portsmouth and Southsea Hebrew Congregation • Potters Bar & Brookmans Park United Synagogue • Pro-Zion • Radlett Reform Synagogue • Radlett United Synagogue • Reading Hebrew Congregation • Redbridge Synagogue • Richmond Synagogue • RSY Netzer • Sadeh Farm • Sandy's Row Synagogue • Scottish Council of Jewish Communities • Sha'arei Tsedek, North London Reform Synagogue • Sheffield - Kingfield Synagogue • Shenley United Synagogue • Shomrei Hadath Congregation • South Hampstead Synagogue • South Herts and Edgware Masorti (SHEMA) • South London Liberal Synagogue • South Tottenham Synagogue • Southampton Hebrew Congregation • Southgate Progressive Synagogue • Southport Hebrew Congregation • Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, Holland Park • St Albans Masorti Synagogue • St Albans United Synagogue • St Annes Hebrew Congregation • St Johns Wood Synagogue • Staines and District Synagogue • Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue • Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire Hebrew Congregation • Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue • Sutton and District Synagogue • Thanet and District Reform Synagogue • The Friendship Circle • The S&P Sephardi Community

• Tsur Yisrael - The Gibraltar Minyan • UJIA • Union of Jewish Students • United Synagogue • University Jewish Chaplaincy Board • Watford and District Synagogue • Welwyn Garden City Synagogue • Wembley Synagogue • Wembley United Synagogue • West End Great Synagogue • West London Synagogue • Western Marble Arch Synagogue • Westminster Synagogue • Wimbledon & District Synagogue • WIZO.uk • WLJC (Wessex Liberal Jewish Community) • Woodside Park Synagogue • World Jewish Relief • Yachad • Yeshurun Synagogue • York Liberal Jewish Community

BOARD OF DEPUTIES OF BRITISH JEWS

Heads of State to attend King’s Coronation

BY DAVID SAFFER

100 Heads of State will attend the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

King Charles is the 40th reigning monarch crowned at the Abbey since 1066.

Joining The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort for the service will be over 2,200 people including Royal Family members, world leaders, politicians and representatives from 203 countries.

Prince William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Prince Harry will attend.

The King’s siblings, Anne, the Princess Royal and Edward, Duke

of Edinburgh will also be present. Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is expected to attend.

King Charles and Camilla’s grandchildren will be present, some taking part in the ceremony. Prince George will be one of several ‘pages of honour’.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be at the State occasion alongside cabinet ministers and House of Lords peers. US First Lady Jill Biden will represent US President Joe Biden.

The first Coronation for 70 years will see a shorter ceremony than Queen Elizabeth II’s in 1953.

The King will use historic items from the Royal Collection worn

The official portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla

PHOTO: HUGO BURNAND

Continued

by previous monarchs at past Coronations. His Majesty will be crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Coronation Chair.

The King and Queen Consort will be seated in Chairs of Estate and Throne Chairs during the service.

The Chairs of Estate were made in 1953 for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. They will sit in the Throne Chairs for the Enthroning and Homage. These chairs were made for the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937.

Security will be at its highest for the largest military ceremonial operation in seven decades. Over 6,000 members of the armed forces will be on duty.

To this end the Public Order Bill came into law yesterday giving police extra powers to act against ‘serious disruptions’ and interference to key national infrastructure.

The Act includes a penalty of up to six months’ imprisonment or unlimited fine for ‘locking on’ to others, objects or buildings. Police stop and search powers have also been bolstered.

Police in London may attach conditions to a protest or prohibit a trespassory assembly.

Anti-monarchy groups, including Republic, will be able to protest at the coronation but are aware of legislation following details in a letter sent at the end of April by the Home Office’s Police Powers Unit.

Plans are set for 1,700 people to protest at Trafalgar Square on Saturday.

Minister of State for Security Tom Tugendhat confirmed on BBC’s Today

programme that groups have the “liberty” to protest but not to “disrupt others”.

King Charles and Camilla have invited 850 community representatives in recognition of charity work including 450 British Empire Medal recipients and 400 young

people selected by the Royal Family.

Thousands of veterans and NHS workers have been invited to watch the coronation.

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Among faith representatives is Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis. Board of Deputies President Marie van de Zyl is among community leaders invited. There will be representatives from The Queen patronages, Defence Services, Prince’s Trust and Prince’s Foundation, Diplomatic Corps, public and emergency services, Nobel Prize Winners and British Empire Medal recipients.

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Celebrity guests are headed by Dame Joanna Lumley and Prince’s Trust Goodwill Ambassadors Ant & Dec, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who have supported the Trust for over 20 years.

Formal proceedings begin with The King’s Procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey before The Coronation Service followed by The Coronation Procession from Westminster Abbey to the Palace.

King Charles and the Queen Consort will be in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach rather than the Gold State Coach.

Huge crowds are expected along the Mall, Whitehall and Parliament Square.

Public access is on a first-come, firstserved basis. Official screening sites will be available in Hyde Park, Green Park and

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St James’s Park. Stands for guests, including armed forces’ veterans and NHS and social care staff, are outside Buckingham Palace. The procession will be smaller than in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. The King and Queen will greet crowds from the Buckingham Palace balcony. Parades, huge crowds and parties across the country will mark the Coronation weekend.

A Coronation Concert on Sunday will showcase cultural heritages in music, theatre and dance. Iconic locations around the UK will be lit up.

On Bank Holiday Monday the public will take part in The Big Help Out to raise awareness of volunteering.

22 Judaism

BoD President, Marie van der Zyl

Ant & Dec

Dame Joanna Lumley

King Charles meeting with The Chief Rabbi

PHOTO: OCR

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Ceasefire after 100 rockets from Gaza

BY HARRY SIMONS

A ceasefire is holding after 100 rockets were fired at southern Israel in a wave of attacks from the Gaza Strip this week.

The IDF announced yesterday that schools and agricultural fields would reopen after the cessation of violence brokered by Egypt, Qatari and UN officials according to reports.

The rocket onslaught followed news of the death of Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant Khader Adnan on Tuesday. Islamic Jihad vowed to retaliate. Adnan, 45, had been on hunger strike for 86 days. Prison authorities said he had refused medical assistance and was found unconscious.

The IDF struck Hamas targets in Gaza including a weapon production and storage site, underground tunnels, military bases and training facilities.

Some 70 rockets were fired through the night from the Strip to Ashkelon and Sderot. No injuries were reported. Of 104 rockets fired into Israel around 60 landed in uninhabited areas, 14 did not cross the border. The Iron Dome recorded 90% successful interceptions.

Bicom note that Israel and Hamas do not want an escalation of fighting in the south. But there is concern Hamas and PIJ are taking advantage of domestic unrest in Israel. And there are reports of some MKs in the Israeli coalition calling for a

strong response to rocket fire and targeted assassinations of senior terrorists to restore deterrence.

Adnan, who came from Jenin, conducted a number of hunger strikes and was seen as a ‘spiritual’ leader. He was arrested by security forces on suspicion of terror activity and incitement to terror.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held security assessments with IDF officers at the Glilot Base at Camp Dayan following rocket fire from Gaza.

Gallant said: “Anyone who attempts to harm the citizens of Israel will be sorry.”

It was reported that UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland and Egyptian mediators tried to negotiate the release of Adnan’s body for a cessation of rocket fire. Israel rejected surrendering the body.

The National Jewish Assembly strongly condemns social media posts made by two Tory local election candidates, Ashley Sykes and Stanley Murphy.

Both trivialise and made light of the Holocaust, and targeted the LGBTIQA+ community.

The NJA is deeply troubled by these candidates' insensitivity and lack of understanding of the atrocities committed against Jewish people during the Holocaust.

Their posts have caused significant pain and offence to Jewish communities around the world and have no place in any society, let alone in political discourse.

The organisation calls on the Conservative Party to do better in screening their candidates to avoid situations like these in the future. The Holocaust is not a subject for jokes or political points scoring. It is essential that candidates who hold offensive views or have engaged in hate speech are held accountable for their actions.

NJA commends the South West Devon Conservative Association for their swift action to suspend Stanley Murphy and initiate an investigation into his comments on social media. However, it urges them to take further steps to ensure that candidates with antisemitic views or those who trivialise the Holocaust are not permitted to run for public office.

We call on all political parties to take a stand against hate speech and ensure that their candidates uphold the values of

respect, tolerance, and inclusivity. The NJA stands with Jewish communities around the world in condemning these reprehensible actions and urge all political parties to act with the necessary sensitivity and care required in addressing sensitive and emotive subjects like the Holocaust.

Defense Minister Gallant and Prime Minister Netanyahu PHOTO: GPO

Calls for Guardian editor to resign

BY DAVID SAFFER

The Guardian’s editor-in-chief Katherine Viner is under pressure from Jewish groups to step down after the newspaper published an antisemitic cartoon last Friday.

Martin Rowson’s now-deleted cartoon, drawn by Richard Sharp, who last week resigned as BBC chairman, was slated by various organisations for evoking antisemitic tropes.

Campaign Against Antisemitism observed that Sharp, who is Jewish, is portrayed with a ‘large nose and gruesome features commonly seen in Nazi propaganda about Jews’ on its website.

Sharp is carrying a box appearing to read “Goldman Sachs and includes a puppet of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a squid. The cartoon also features a pig vomiting blood.

Sharp, who worked at Goldman Sachs, was described in a Rolling Stone article as a “vampire squid”.

Ronson has apologised for the cartoon.

Gideon Falter, CAA Chief Executive, said the incident was a “resignation offence”.

He noted: “Today, whilst Jews observed the Sabbath and were unable to respond, the Guardian saw fit to publish a depiction of a Jew that would not have looked out of place on the pages of Der Stürmer. Though the cartoon has now been deleted, and the cartoonist has apologetically declared that the catalogue of anti-Jewish imagery, from bags of gold and a reference to banking, to a tentacled animal, to an outsized nose, and a pig apparently vomiting blood were all a mistake, it was waved through by editors.”

Falter added: “The newspaper has become known in the Jewish community for its platforming of antisemitism deniers, incitement during the Corbyn years, and occasional relapses into raw medieval anti-Jewish imagery of the kind published today. Under her editorship, The Guardian has given a veneer of genteel legitimacy to antisemitism and helped to fuel hatred against Jews.”

CAA noted that The Guardian published an inflammatory cartoon in 2020 that featured Labour Leader Keir Starmer presenting the head of former leader Jeremy Corbyn on a platter in a pose reminiscent of the Caravaggio painting ‘Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist’. This was a depiction of the New Testament event of King Herod having Jesus’ mentor, John the Baptist, beheaded at the request of his Jewish stepdaughter Salome.

The Board of Deputies has called for an urgent meeting with Viner on Twitter following the “shocking” cartoon in the paper which contained antisemitic tropes.

“This is far from the first time that the

paper has crossed the line in terms of highly questionable content connected to the Jewish community,” they noted.

Action Against discrimination called for Viner to be sacked.

Jonathan Metliss, AAD chairman, said:

“So it goes on. The Guardian is happy to continue its record of antisemitism with the despicably antisemitic cartoon of the outgoing BBC chair. This follows on from the publication of the appalling Diane Abbott letter in the Observer last month containing unacceptable comments on “Jewish people” and regular anti-Israel vitriol emanating from The Guardian and Observer sister newspapers owned by Guardian Media Group.

“The Rowson cartoon is unacceptably antisemitic and offensive and is reminiscent of the offensive graffiti mural whose artist was originally supported by Jeremy Corbyn, showing Jewish bankers playing a game of monopoly with their tabletop resting on the bowed naked backs of several workers.

“If the same cartoonist had drawn a black politician in a similar form it would

obviously be racist. Notwithstanding the swift withdrawal of the cartoon and apologies from both Rowson and the Guardian, AAD calls for the Guardian editor to be sacked immediately and for appropriate action to be taken against Rowson for the anti-semitic content of his cartoon.”

The National Jewish Assembly said the cartoon was “blatantly antisemitic” and the latest in a string of the newspaper’s “entrenched biases and flirtations with antisemitism” in various cartoons, articles and editorials.

The NJA recalled a cartoon of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the puppet master of William Hague and Tony Blair in 2012, another exonerating Jeremy Corbyn over Labour antisemitism and characterising Rabbi Jonathan Sacks as a racist in 2018.

A spokesman said: “When a publication with a reputation for progressive values, and supposedly upholding “anti-racism,” repeatedly flirts with antisemitism, it sends a message that antisemitism is somehow less important than other forms of prejudice.

This is not just morally repugnant. It's also dangerous. Antisemitism is on the rise across Europe and the UK is no exception to this trend, with attacks on Jews increasing in frequency and severity. The Guardian and other left-leaning media outlets need to take concrete steps to root out antisemitism from their publications and media outlets, and hold individuals accountable when they engage in antisemitic behaviour.”

NJA called on The Guardian to appoint a dedicated ombudsman to ensure antisemitic content is not published and engage with the Jewish community.

Cartoonist Ronson reportedly said: “Satirists, even though largely licenced to speak the unspeakable in liberal democracies, are no more immune to ******g things up than anyone else, which is what I did here…I know Richard Sharp is Jewish; actually, while we’re collecting networks of cronyism, I was at school with him, though I doubt he remembers me. His Jewishness never crossed my mind as I drew him as it’s wholly irrelevant to the story or his actions, and it played no conscious role in how I twisted his features according to the standard cartooning playbook.”

In a statement, a Guardian spokesperson said: “We understand the concerns that have been raised. This cartoon does not meet our editorial standards, and we have decided to remove it from our website. The Guardian apologises to Mr Sharp, to the Jewish community and to anyone offended.”

The offending cartoon PHOTO: FACEBOOK

“Today, whilst Jews observed the Sabbath and were unable to respond, the Guardian saw fit to publish a depiction of a Jew that would not have looked out of place on the pages of Der Stürmer."

CER convenes in Warsaw

BY HARRY SIMONS

Conference of European Rabbis and European Beth Din held a three-day convention in Warsaw.

Delegates discussed halachic and communal issues facing Jewish communities.

Chief Rabbi of Poland, Rabbi Michael Schudrich, and CER President Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt spoke about the recent growth of Central and Eastern European Jewish communities. Guests of honour included Polish politicians Tomasz Grodzki, Wojciech Kolarski and Bartosz Grodecki.

A dinner highlighted the history and cultural contributions of the Jewish community.

Delegates visited Warsaw cemetery and Warsaw Ghetto monument. Dayan Menachem Gelley, Rosh Beth Din of London, led Kaddish and a memorial prayer at the site. This tour was a reminder of the tragic history of the Jewish people in Europe.

In the evening, Rabbi Yisrael Freedman of the Gedolei Yisrael in Israel relayed his personal reflections on the challenges and opportunities facing European Jewry.

Recently, Poland has been the subject of controversy over the Government's announcements to stop funding of Holocaust research it deems "insulting to Poland".

Rabbi Goldschmidt said: “The history of Jews in Poland is a long and complex one,

worldjewishrelief.org

illustrious at times yet tragic in others. The period of the Holocaust in Poland is still an open wound for many and until today casts a shadow on our relations. The best way to deal with the past is to enable independent academics to do their work without Government involvement, letting the historical truth be discovered, bringing a clearer

understanding to this dark chapter in our shared history. Attempts to revise history and manipulate research are bound to fail. Only truth and honesty can bring us to a wiser and future-oriented partnership."

“Today, it should be noted, Jewish communities are supported in Poland, and the CER has worked well with the Government,

helping to pave a positive future for Jewish life in the country. Poland has been a centre of present-day Eastern European Jewish life, and its communities have grown. The CER is concerned, first and foremost, with supporting them and their rabbinic leaders.”

Throughout the convention, participants discussed the work of CER's European Beth Din, led by Dayan Gelley, and explored ways to strengthen and expand its services and impact across Europe. The Beth Din provides comprehensive and reputable Jewish legal services to communities across the continent, especially those that have no such infrastructure themselves.

Last March, the European Beth Din signed an agreement with the Union of Jewish Communities in Poland, becoming the sole Beth Din to service the Jewish communities in the country.

Dayan Gelley described the events as inspiring. He said: “Our discussions with fellow rabbis and community leaders from across Europe showed the critical role that CER plays in challenges facing our communities, such as protecting our religious practices and ensuring we have a strong halachic infrastructure in place. The visit to the Warsaw cemetery was a poignant reminder of the tragic past. Through our work, we are committed to strengthening European Jewry for the future."

Mazel Tov to our Royal Patron the former Prince of Wales, and Her Majesty Queen Camilla, on the occasion of their Coronation.

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt and Daniel Lawton, US Embassy in Poland

PHOTO: ELI ITKI

Netanyahu will visit the White House “at some point” says Kirby

BY DAVID SAFFER

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s first visit to the White House since taking office will occur at “at some point” this year.

The delay, due to the protracted judicial reform debate and controversial statements by far-right Cabinet members, has been a thorny issue for US President Joe Biden, but US House of Representatives’ newly elected speaker Kevin McCarthy, who is in Israel on his first visit in the post, has called for Israel’s leader to make the trip.

And White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters during a press conference that he expected Netanyahu to make the journey. McCarthy had told the packed media that he would invite Netanyahu to Congress if Biden failed to extend an invitation to the White House.

“Israeli leaders have a long tradition of visiting Washington,” Kirby noted.

Kirby, however stated that the White House position Israel’s judiciary was unchanged.

Israeli leaders, meantime, held positive talks with McCarthy

President Isaac Herzog hosted McCarthy. The two met for a private working meeting, followed by a wider diplomatic meeting with members of the bipartisan delegation.

Herzog and McCarthy discussed ways to deepen cooperation between the countries.

Herzog said: “Our relationship with the US runs in our DNA, America is a very close ally of ours. We are pleased with full integration in the region as a result of the Abraham Accords, which came after peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt. On the other hand, there is a great enemy threatening us (Iran). Half an hour in any direction from here is an enemy state, and we believe that the alliance with America is of great importance.”

McCarthy responded: “There is no other democracy in the Middle East, there are only two countries that were created with the idea, conceived in liberty but dedicated to the idea that everybody's equal. Sometimes you have tough neighbours, but we want to make sure that changes, and I think the Abraham Accords was one of the greatest milestones that we could do towards this, and we need to build on that. You've developed an amazing country, especially when it comes to technology.”

Netanyahu met McCarthy at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem.

Israel’s PM said McCarthy was an “old and trusted friend” of the State of Israel.

“He has been a champion of the Israeli-American alliance,” Netanyahu noted. “I think we have no better friend. You've brought with you a bipartisan delegation to express solidarity with Israel on its 75th anniversary. You're going to be the second

speaker who speaks in the Knesset, and you will be welcome with open arms.” he added: “The recent statement by 400 members of Congress in support of Israel was tremendous. To get 95% agreement on anything today is no mean matter. I think it expresses the strength of that alliance and the strength of that support.”

McCarthy noted: “It's on purpose that I came to Israel, because there is no greater ally to America than Israel. To be able to say to my longtime friend, the Prime Minister, just your leadership, your character and your courage, you inspire us in America as well. You're right about our resolution honouring 75 years of Israel. We're proud of the history that 11 minutes after you became a country, America recognised you.

“Our bonds have only grown each and every year. The world is better when

American and Israel are tighter. The world is safer. I think of what we've been able to accomplish.

“Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. As we continue to grow that, I think the world will be safer, be stronger and our children will have a much beautiful world in the future.”

Netanyahu, in comments at the Opening of the Knesset Summer Session with McCarthy present, spoke about the joint effort of Israel and the US to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“The IDF and the US Armed Forces recently completed the largest military exercise in the history of Israel and for this I would like to thank the Biden administration,” he observed.

“We correctly view the threat emanating from the fanatic regime in Iran, which

threatens not only Israel but also the US and the entire free world. The need to block the nuclear arming of Iran will continue to be at the top of Israel's priorities during the Knesset summer session, as will our determination to confront Iran's regional proxies. We will not allow Iran to place a noose of terrorism around us, not in Syria, not in Lebanon, not in Gaza, and not in Judea and Samaria. We will also not allow Iran to entrench itself militarily on our borders and we will do everything to prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons.”

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana opened the session by thanking McCarthy for accepting his invitation. McCarthy was well received by MK’s when he gave an address.

“America is grateful for our friendship with Israel, we are a better nation because of it and we must never shy away from defending it,” he said. “We have come so far in 75 years but the promise of years ahead is just as compelling. I believe the best days for Israel and our unbreakable bond are ahead of us.”

Netanyahu spoke about judicial reform issues and reaching a “broad consensus” as it was at the heart of the Israeli national debate.

He noted: “Most Israelis understand nowadays that amendments to the legal system are necessary, amendments that will return the appropriate balance between the branches of government, a balance that is necessary in a democracy.”

In a lighter moment away from the political debate, footage of Ohana displaying his guitar prowess with a rendition of The Eagles' classic Hotel California alongside legendary player Kfir Ohayon has gone viral.

US Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

PHOTO: GPO

President Isaac Herzog welcomes Kevin McCarthy and the US delegation PHOTO: GPO

David Saffer looks back at the timeline of King Charles III’s assention to the throne

1971-2 Joins Royal Navy. Serves on HMS Norfolk then HMS Minerva.

1974 Serves on HMS Jupiter, qualifies as helicopter pilot, joins 845 Naval Air Squadron on HMS Hermes. Makes first speech in House of Lords.

1975 Awarded Master of Arts Degree at Cambridge University.

1976 The Prince’s Trust founded. Serves on HMS Bronington

1977 Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Silver Jubilee.

1979 IRA assassinate Lord Louis Mountbatten off West coast of Ireland.

Northern Ireland to celebrate Diamond Jubilee, Prince Charles and Camilla visit Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Prince William and Kate visit Tuvalu.

2013 Prince William and Catherine’s first child, George born, third in line to throne.

2015 Prince William and Catherine second child, Charlotte born. Queen Elizabeth becomes longest reigning monarch after surpassing Queen Victoria.

1948 November 14, Charles Philip Arthur George born 9.14pm at Buckingham Palace. First child of Princess Elizabeth and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

1949 Charles and his parents move to Clarence House, London.

1950 Charles’s sister Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise born at Clarence House.

1952 January 31, Princess Elizabeth and Philip begin tour of East Africa, Australia and New Zealand. February 6, Queen Elizabeth II ascends to the throne following death of King George VI. Funeral of King George VI at St George’s Chapel Westminster Abbey.

1953 Great-grandmother Queen Mary death. June 2, Charles attends Queen Elizabeth II coronation at Westminster Abbey and appears on balcony of Buckingham Palace. First coronation to be televised. Prince Charles becomes Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Lord of the Isles and Baron Renfrew.

1956 Attends Hill House School, London.

1957 Philip, Duke of Edinburgh granted HRH. Charles attends Cheam Preparatory School, Berkshire.

1958 Created Earl of Chester and Prince of Wales.

1960 Charles’s brother Andrew Albert Christian Edward born at Buckingham Palace.

1961 Attends Gordonstoun School in Scotland.

1964 Charles’s brother Edward Anthony Richard Louis born at Buckingham Palace.

1966 Spends two terms at Geelong School in Australia and visits Papua New Guinea.

1967 Studies anthropology and archaeology at Trinity College, Cambridge University. Attends University of Wales, Aberystwyth where he studies Welsh for a term.

1968 Begins flying lessons with Royal Air Force

1969 Made Knight of the Garter. July 1, Charles invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle.

1970 Takes seat in House of Lords. Charles graduates with a BA degree.

1981 February 24, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Frances Spencer engagement. July 29, Marriage at St Paul’s Cathedral. Newlyweds make their home at Kensington Palace and Highgrove House.

1982 Birth of Prince William Arthur Philip Louis, second in line to throne.

1984 Birth of Prince Harry Charles Albert David

1986 Marriage to Princess Diana breaks down.

1992 PM John Major announces Charles and Diana’s separation in Parliament. Windsor Castle fire. Queen Elizabeth ‘annus horribilis’ speech.

1994 Charles gives up flying after crashing a BAe 146 aircraft in Henredes

1996 Charles and Diana formally divorce.

1997 31 August, Lady Diana Spencer killed in car crash. Charles flies to Paris with Diana’s sisters to retrieve her body back to Britain for funeral.

2002 Death of Princess Margaret and Queen Mother.

2005 Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles engagement then civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall. Queen and Prince Philip attend a blessing.

2007 Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrate diamond wedding anniversary.

2011 Prince William marries Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey.

2012 Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit England, Scotland, Wales and

2016 Queen Elizabeth turns 90 years of age.

2018 Prince William and Catherine’s third child, Louis born, third in line to throne. Prince Harry marries Megan Markel at St George’s Chapel.

2019 Queen Elizabeth hosts event to mark 50th anniversary of Charles’ investiture as Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace. Prince Harry and Meghan’s first child, Archie is born.

2020 Prince Harry and Meghan step back as senior royals.

2021 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s death. Prince Harry and Meghan’s second child, Lilibet Diana is born.

2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. September 8, Charles becomes King Charles III following death of Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle. Camilla made Queen Consort and William is Prince of Wales. September 19, King Charles III and Camilla Queen Consort attend funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle.

2023 May 6, Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey.

Being invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle

With Her Majesty at her Diamond Jubilee

Charles with his mother, then Princess Elizabeth

Porush criticises Netanyahu over draft law

BY DAVID SAFFER

Jerusalem Affairs Minister Meir Porush has criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not advancing the proposed Charedi draft law.

Media reports last weekend noted Netanyahu had informed Chareidi MKs of a delay due to ongoing judicial reform opposition.

Uncertainty has seen Netanyahu’s bloc in the Knesset lose support in the polls according to Israeli media.

Porush reportedly said: “Why did we sign an agreement? Does a Prime Minister sign an agreement not to fulfil it? Netanyahu said before the elections everything would be fine, suddenly he is Prime Minister and it doesn’t exist.”

Porush lamented hearing the same excuses from Finance Ministry officials during the Bennett and Lapid era.

Regarding the draft law, Porush noted: “If we have to be scared (to advance a draft law) then Netanyahu should say that he can’t be Prime Minister because I can’t give you what you need.”

Pressure is increasing and according to some reports the proposed legislation will be debated in the Knesset’s summer session.

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich is working on a deal to satisfy Chareidi parties.

Negotiations continue in the defense, finance, justice ministries and Chareidi parties. It is believed Chareidi MKs will not vote on a budget until the draft issue is resolved as per the coalition deal. Legislative amendments include amending the age Chareidim contribute to the economy and length of mandatory service in the IDF.

Israeli TV channels meantime show Likud support has dipped with the continued uncertainty.

Israel’s opposition centrist bloc includes Benny Gantz’s National Unity and Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid.

Polls indicate Gantz has gained the most from mass protests against the judicial reforms.

Channel 13 News projected this week that Netanyahu’s bloc would slump from its 64 majority in the 120-seat Knesset to 46 seats. The opposition would win back control with 62 seats from its current 51.

A Kan 11 News poll has the Netanyahu bloc on 51 seats with Likud on 28 seats, Gantz’s National Unity would be the biggest party on 30, a resurgence from the last election.

Channel 14 News has Likud on 30 seats. Netanyahu’s bloc on 58 seats would lose power.

Large demonstration continue on both sides of the judicial reform debate across Israel.

Around 150,000-200,000 government supporters held a rally in Jerusalem last weekend.

Protestors at the rally chanted, “No compromise, Bibi, don’t back down”

Government ministers addressed the crowd including Smotrich who vowed: “The people demand judicial reform and will get one. We will not give up.”

Justice Minister Yariv Levin said: “What other democracies allow the legal advisers to make decisions instead of the government?” Taking a swipe at the Supreme Court, he noted: “We need a court that protects soldiers, not terrorists.” Levin added, “Since I presented the judicial reform, more and more people understand the need for the legislation. I believe we can reach an agreement in negotiations.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid countered that he was “deeply ashamed and saddened” at the demonstrators on the High Court of Justice. “The inciting speeches by the ministers and MKs have only continued to pull Israeli society apart,” he said.

Netanyahu did not attend the rally, but wrote on Twitter, “I thank the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who came to Jerusalem tonight to support our government. Your passion and patriotism move me deeply.”

The rally was branded the ‘Million Man March’ with Likud and the Religious Zionist Party raising funds to pay for transportation and logistical costs. Supporters of ultra-Orthodox parties did not participate after the United Torah Judaism Party warned them not to.

The rally followed mass anti-government protests for 16 weeks on a Saturday night across the country. Anti-government protests are expected to continue despite talks to find a compromise.

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Jerusalem Affairs Minister Meir Porush

PHOTO: GOV.CO.IL

Plant Research Reaches a New High

BY ADAM MOSES

Weizmann Institute scientists have revealed a groundbreaking production process for cannabinoids in a South African plant.

The ‘woolly umbrella’, or Helichrysum umbraculigerum, is unrelated to the cannabis plant but makes compounds found in cannabis that may have new medical uses. In a study published in Nature Plants, Weizmann Institute of researchers identified over 40 cannabinoids.

The cannabis plant makes over 100 different cannabinoids. But the woolly umbrella, a fast-growing perennial plant, is a respectable runner-up.

“We have found a major new source of cannabinoids and developed tools for their sustained production, which can help explore their enormous therapeutic potential,” commented Dr. Shirley Berman, who led the study in Prof. Asaph Aharoni’s lab at Weizmann’s Plant and Environmental Sciences Department.

Cannabinoids relieve pain, nausea, anxiety and epileptic seizures. Molecular receptors that respond to these compounds are common in humans suggesting cannabinoids that bind to them might be used to treat cancer to neurodegenerative diseases.

The woolly umbrella belongs to a different family of plants from cannabis. Relatives include sunflowers, daisies and lettuce. German scientists studied the plant over 40 years ago and found evidence it contains cannabinoids. Modern studies failed to reproduce their findings.

Now Berman and colleagues, using stateof-the-art technologies, confirmed that early report.

They used advanced analytical chemistry, including high-resolution mass spectroscopy, to identify cannabinoids it contains. Using nuclear magnetic resonance, researchers revealed the structure of over a dozen cannabinoids and related metabolites. They traced the biochemical pathway in the production of cannabinoids and determined where in the plant they are made.

The woolly umbrella manufactures cannabinoids primarily in its leaves, possibly giving it an economic advantage over cannabis, which makes compounds in the shorter-lived and harder-to-harvest flower clusters, or inflorescences.

Scientists found similarities between the woolly umbrella and cannabis. In particular, enzymes used in the cannabinoid production belong to the same families, throughout the first half of the biochemical pathway.

Six found in the woolly umbrella are identical to those in cannabis. The six do not include the two most famous ones, THC and CBD, but they do include cannabigerol, or CBG, a rising star of cannabinoid research.

It has potential therapeutic applications but lacks mood-altering effects. The acid form of CBG serves as a precursor for the production of classical cannabinoids supporting the idea the woolly umbrella could become a valuable source of plant-based cannabinoids.

“The fact that in the course of evolution two genetically unrelated plants independently developed the ability to make cannabinoids suggests that these compounds perform important ecological functions,” Aharoni noted. “More research is needed to determine what these functions are.”

His team are generating the newly discovered cannabinoid-making enzymes in tobacco plants.

Researchers used these enzymes to create

finished cannabinoids in yeast, pointing to a new way of manufacturing compounds for research and the biotech industry.

The study’s findings might lead to engineering cannabinoids that don’t exist in nature. These could be designed to better bind to the human forms of the cannabinoid receptors.

The cannabinoids in the woolly umbrella might open new possibilities.

Berman noted: “The next exciting step would be to determine the properties of the more than 30 new cannabinoids we’ve discovered, and then to see what therapeutic uses they might have.”

Berman led the study with postdoctoral fellows Dr Luis Alejandro de Haro, Dr Adam Jozwiak and Dr Prashant D. Sonawane.

Prof Aharoni’s research is supported by the Laura Gurwin Flug Family Fund and Wolfson Family Charitable Trust & Wolfson Foundation. He is incumbent of the Peter J. Cohn Professorial Chair.

Trusted wealth management for the community

Weizmann Institute scientists

BY DAVID SAFFER

Barbra Streisand is the recipient of the 10th anniversary $1 million Genesis Prize.

The Academy Award winning icon of stage and screen will be honoured at a ceremony in Los Angeles in October.

The Genesis Prize Foundation awards its prestigious accolade, dubbed the ‘Jewish Nobel’ by TIME Magazine, to individuals for outstanding achievements, contributions to humanity and commitment to Jewish values.

Since the launch of the prize in 2013, Streisand has received tens of thousands of nominations for the Genesis Prize. Recognising her display of support for global Jewry, judges unanimously endorsed Streisand as the 10th laureate.

She has asked the Foundation to direct her prize funds to non-profit organisations to protect the environment, women’s health, combating disinformation in the media and aiding people of Ukraine.

She said: “I am delighted to work with Foundation to support organisations that seek to better society and our shared humanity. I am very proud of my Jewish heritage, and have always been moved by the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam, to repair the world. I hope to inspire others in their own commitment to build a better world.”

Genesis Founder and Chairman Stan Polovets noted: “Streisand is one of the world’s most beloved and admired performers. In addition to delighting audiences all over the world for the past six decades with her amazing talents, Barbra has dedicated her time, resources and passion to

numerous important causes, speaking out whenever and wherever she saw injustice.”

He added: “Her sense of responsibility to heal the world grows out of her Jewish values and her Jewish identity, which Barbra has displayed proudly since the very beginning of her extraordinary career. Barbra’s innovative philanthropy has had significant impact in so many areas, including health, environment, and gender equality.”

The ceremony will take place a decade

after Michael R. Bloomberg, 108th Mayor of New York City was the inaugural Genesis Prize laureate.

Bloomberg said that Streisand was an “incredibly deserving” recipient of the Genesis Prize.

“From her groundbreaking leadership on women’s health, to longstanding support for stronger gun safety laws and invaluable partnership revitalising Lower Manhattan through the soonto-open Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center, Barbra has made an enormous impact on her native New York and far beyond,” he noted. “She has used her voice, on and off the stage and screen, to inspire generations.”

Streisand follows Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, who was honoured for his leadership in delivering the COVID-19 vaccine in record time, in receiving the accolade.

“Barbra is the embodiment of Jewish talent who has touched the hearts of millions,” he said. “Her passionate activism and philanthropy has made the world a better place.”

First Lady of Israel Michal Herzog added: “Barbra is not only my idol but an inspiration for women around the world. She is a true friend of Israel, an exemplary leader in the Jewish and human rights spheres, the definition of a woman of valour!”

As an activist and philanthropist, Streisand has donated and raised millions of dollars to address pressing issues in the US and around the world. Streisand and her Foundation have provided extensive funding to over 2,000 non-profit organisations and causes over the past 37 years.

Most recently, she assumed the role of

Ambassador for United 24, an organisation that provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The Genesis Prize contributed to United 24 in Streisand’s honour this year and other Jewish activists and NGO’s working to alleviate suffering of the Ukrainian people.

Streisand was born in Brooklyn and attended an Orthodox girls’ yeshiva. She built on her Jewish upbringing by introducing and portraying Jewish characters in many of her movies. Known for her generosity to Jewish causes and support of Israel, Streisand is an outspoken critic of antisemitism.

An icon in entertainment, she has achieved unprecedented success as a recording artist, actor, director, producer, screenwriter, author and songwriter.

One of 23 people, including eight women, to have achieved an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award, Streisand has also received the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honour, National Medal of Arts from President Bill Clinton, Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barak Obama and France’s Légion d’Honneur.

She is the first woman to direct, produce, write and star in a major motion picture, the first woman composer to receive an Academy Award, the only recording artist who has achieved Number 1 albums in six consecutive decades, and first woman to receive a Golden Globe Award for Best Director.

Previous Genesis Prize laureates include Michael Douglas, Itzhak Perlman, Sir Anish Kapoor, Natalie Portman, Robert Kraft, Natan Sharansky and Steven Spielberg.

Since inception, The Genesis Prize has leveraged the annual award into philanthropic initiatives totalling over $50 million with grants going over 220 non-profit programs in 31 countries.

Streisand receives $1m Genesis Prize CENTCOM Israel visit EJC welcomes Swiss Holocaust site

BY ADAM MOSES

Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant met with CENTCOM Commander General Michael E. Kurilla at MOD headquarters in Tel Aviv last week.

The parties discussed developing regional challenges, with a focus on Iran’s activities in the Middle East region. This includes Iranian aggression in the maritime arena and delivery of weapons to terror organisations and proxies in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and wider region.

During the discussion, Gallant expressed concerns regarding Iran’s progress in its nuclear program and nuclear military capabilities.

Gallant and Kurilla expressed a shared commitment to deepen intelligence-sharing between respective militaries and defense establishments. They also stressed the importance of widening military cooperation with regional partners under CENTCOM leadership.

Gallant concluded by expressing his commitment of the US to the security of the

State of Israel, and for Kurilla’s contribution to the ties between the countries.

The meeting was attended by the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Head of the IDF’s Strategic Directorate, Israel’s Defense Attache to the US, and Director of the Policy and POL-MIL Bureau in the MoD.

BY HARRY SIMONS

European Jewish Congress has welcomed Switzerland’s executive body financially backing the country’s first national Holocaust memorial in Bern.

The site at an unspecified central location in the capital will honour the six million Jews and victims of Nazi persecution.

The Federal Council approved 2.5m Swiss francs for the proposed memorial. The initiative comes as Holocaust survivors dwindle and antisemitism across Europe rises according to global reports.

Federal and local officials have not confirmed when the memorial will be completed.

EJC wrote on social media: “Switzerland's first national memorial honouring Nazi victims is a testament to the power of collective memory and the importance of preserving history. The move has been warmly welcomed by the Swiss Jewish community.”

“The Federal Council considers it of great importance to keep alive the memory of the consequences of National Socialism, namely the Holocaust and the fate of the

six million Jews and all other victims of the National Socialist regime,” a government statement said.

Switzerland and its capital were “creating a strong symbol against genocide, antisemitism and racism, and for democracy, the rule of law, freedom and basic individual rights,” it added.

The Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities and federal officials said Switzerland had some 60 private sites remembering the Holocaust and other crimes of the Nazis.

“There is, however, no official or national memorial for the numerous Swiss victims of persecution, for the thousands of refugees repelled at the borders or deported, but also for the many courageous helpers in this country,” the federation observed. The memorial created will “honour them al”.

The group noted recent studies have shown a “sizable number” of Swiss citizens were victims of the Nazi regime, “persecuted because they were, for example, Jews, socialists, Sinti or Roma.”

Sinti and Roma are peoples who live predominantly in eastern Europe.

Barbra Streisand PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and General Michael E. Kurilla

PHOTO: IMOD

Premonition

OPINION PIECE

BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN

Diane Abbott. Two words which never fail to raise the temperature. Her letter to The Observer last week in which she downplayed the experience of Jews in relation to anti-Semitism. The fact that the Labour whip has been withdrawn is encouraging but this to some extent covers up a darker problem which, if Labour is returned to power may make our lives very much more difficult.

When Jeremy Corbyn was leader we knew exactly what we were dealing with. The Labour Party was led by someone who claimed the party was not antisemitic and by his inaction encouraged all those who sought to drive Jews from the party. With him gone, many people both inside and outside the party have wedded themselves to the idea that the anti-Semites have either left or been neutralised.

Sadly this is absolutely not the case.

Diane Abbott is not a lone voice in claiming that because Jews are white they are not victims of racism. The view of her

and her hard left friends is that because Jews are middle class, white and relatively prosperous, they cannot possibly be victims of racism. This is significant in the context of Labour Party policy on Israel/Palestine.

If Labour is returned to power it is very likely they will recognise Palestine as a state. I am sure that in doing so they will believe they are being even-handed in their approach to what they describe as ‘both sides’. This is of course nonsense. Leaders in the Palestinian Authority and Gaza have been open in their desire to drive all Jews out of Israel or alternatively,

just kill them. It is sickening that despite their clearly stated aims that the Western powers continue to apply an equivalence between them and Israel. The reality is that the Palestinian leaders want to kill the Jews and the Jews don’t want to be killed. No real equivalence there.

So how does this make life more difficult for us? Simple. By recognising the entity which seeks to kill us, it will encourage Diane Abbott’s friends to increase their attacks on Israel and condemn all of those who point out the murderous policies of the Palestinian leadership as being opposed to peace. There will be far less

condemnation of terrorist attacks and those who support Israel in the UK will become increasingly isolated.

Those antisemites still in the Labour party will be able to scream about Israel with impunity because of the new policy. Whereas now the magic words to gain admittance to the progressive parties is ‘two state solution’, under a Labour regime which has promoted Palestine to a ‘state’ these magic words will not be enough. More likely anyone supporting Israel will be required to agree to withdrawal to pre-67 ceasefire lines or perhaps an acknowledgment that the lack of peace is down to Israel. The IHRA definition notwithstanding on these demands, I believe that life will be more difficult for us under a Labour Government. For once, I hope I am wrong.

Robert Festenstein is a practising solicitor and has been the principal of his Salford based firm for over 20 years. He has fought BDS motions to the Court of Appeal and is President of the Zionist Central Council in Manchester which serves to protect and defend the democratic State of Israel.

The Labour Party was led by someone who claimed the party was not antisemitic and by his inaction encouraged all those who sought to drive Jews from the party.

With Harold Schogger

Dealer: South Vuln: N/S

1. Michaels, at least five hearts and five cards in an unspecified minor.

2. Good spade raise by bidding the opponent’s known suit.

This board occurred in a team match where North/South were in need of a swing. Accordingly, North punted the grand slam when South showed a first-round heart control by bidding five hearts.

West led the six of trumps. Declarer took this with the jack and drew the remaining trump with a spade to dummy’s ace. Next he cashed the ace of diamonds followed by the ace and king of clubs, throwing the queen and nine of hearts from hand. A club ruff confirmed that West had started with 1:5:5:2 shape. So, declarer led the queen of diamonds. West covered this with the king, which cheered up declarer, because otherwise he would have been in the rather nervous position of having to discard a club or a heart. Declarer ruffed in dummy, ruffed a club back to hand and led a confident nine of diamonds. West covered with the ten and this was ruffed in dummy. After a second club ruff to get back to hand declarer led the eight of diamonds. West covered this with the jack and, after trumping this in dummy, declarer claimed his contract: he made five trumps, one heart, two diamonds (after a lot of persistent hard work) , three diamond ruffs and two clubs to bring home his Grand Slam.

3. Cue Bids here showing first round control.

Adon Olam for the Coronation

Scout group go camping!

Immanuel College, together with United Synagogue and Wienerworld, announced the release of a new arrangement of Adon Olam, commissioned for the forthcoming Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. The recording features the combined talents of the Immanuel College Prep School Choir, members of Mr Levey’s Year 8 Boys’ Choir, and choirs from other Jewish schools.

Adon Olam is a hymn that has been part of the Jewish daily and Shabbat liturgy since the 15th century. The new adaptation, composed by Stephen Levey and arranged by The Portnoy Brothers, features a musician ensemble based in the Ukraine, providing all the strings and orchestration. The recording also includes the voices of 200 primary-school children from five Jewish schools in the London area, who were

invited to learn the song and participate in the recording.

King Charles III has always been a stalwart personal friend to the Jewish community, and this new recording of Adon Olam is a tribute to the community’s affection for the Royal Family.

The single has been released on all streaming and download platforms, along with a video. Proceeds from the release will go to charity.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this historic recording of Adon Olam,” said Stephen Levey, Immanuel College’s Director of Music. “It is a privilege to work with such talented musicians and singers from the Jewish community, and we hope that this new adaptation will bring joy and inspiration to all who hear it.”

‘Guardian of the Memory’ Yizkor, Never Forget.

Name of victim to remember: Beniamin Eizenberg

Place of Birth: Walachia,Romania

Date of Birth: 1934

Place of Death: Bessarabia,Romania

Date of Death: 01/07/1941

www.yadvashem.org.uk

The 20th Finchley Scout group was delighted to hold camp over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Some 75 campers with children included Beavers, Cubs and Scouts who enjoyed an activity-packed time at the camp site. Children learnt to be responsible by packing for camp and helping set up tents, making a Scout village and preparing for meal times.

Activities included, archery, aeroball, crate stacking, fire lighting, pioneering and a group camp fire where everyone enjoyed roasting marshmallows and hot chocolate. ‘Coronation’ themed activities took place

too including making lego crowns and an invitation treasure hunt. A group of Scouts took part in an expedition challenge and a presentation was made for the first ever Kings Scout award.

Camp leader Debra Morris said: “We are so pleased everyone had a fun and positive weekend making life long memories. A lot of planning was involved, we are so grateful for the help of parents, leaders and children for making it a truly wonderful camp to remember. Children enjoyed taking part in outdoor activities, forming new friendships and building on current ones. There was a special atmosphere from start to finish.”

NWLJDS shortlisted at TES Awards

North West London Jewish Day School has been shortlisted in the Primary School of the Year category at the prestigious TES School Awards 2023.

Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at London’s Grosvenor Park Hotel on Friday 23rd June.

The Willesden-based school has completed successful Ofsted and Section 48 Kodesh inspections, as well as being awarded ADHD-Friendly School status and WAS and SENDIA accreditation.

Headteacher Judith Caplan said: “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, Trustees and Governors, parents and pupils who have all contributed to creating a positive and nurturing learning environment where children can thrive academically and personally.

“Our school is committed to providing a high-quality education that caters to the individual needs and abilities of each and every pupil. We believe that education is not just about achieving academic excellence, but also about fostering personal growth, promoting social and emotional wellbeing, and instilling a lifelong love of learning.”

She added: “I am incredibly proud of our staff and their dedication and hard work which makes a difference to the education of our pupils. Being shortlisted for this prestigious award is a wonderful achievement, one we are all very proud of.”

Tes Schools Awards recognises the best

teachers and schools from UK state and independents, including early years settings, primary and secondary.

The panel of awards judges include school leaders, experts and education researchers.

Tes editor and chief judge Jon Severs said: “We honour the education community, whom we have served for over 112 years. This year has seen some incredibly high-quality entries. Every teacher and school who has been named in this shortlist should be very proud, it’s a fantastic achievement.”

Pupil-focused initiatives championed by the school have included the inaugural North West Award, which was designed by the senior leadership team for pupils in years 3-6 to enhance pupils’ personal growth and understanding of the world around them.

The programme forms part of the school’s commitment to empowering children to ‘be the change they want to see’.

From its inception at the end of the Second World War, when it provided for a hugely inflated refugee community, the school has been at the forefront of educating the community’s children and, in doing so, ensuring the future of UK Jewry.

North West, in spite of changes in the Jewish community over 77 years, has helped generations of children achieve their potential and develop a strong sense of pride in their Jewish heritage and identity, and educating community leaders.

20th Finchley Scout group go camping

Schools Chiors come together to record Adon Olam

New emergency service launched by Camp Simcha

Camp Simcha is extending its services to families where children have suffered a serious accident or severe short-term illness.

The charity, which provides practical, therapeutic and emotional support services to families coping with serious childhood illnesses, will now be able to say ‘yes’ to children who have had severe physical trauma requiring surgery or hospitalisation, as well as serious short-term illnesses which result in intensive care stays, such as meningitis.

“We have been providing unique, bespoke support to countless families with seriously ill children for over 25 years; extending our criteria to families in this traumatic situation is an obvious next step and will fit seamlessly with the work we already do,” explains Camp Simcha’s Head of Services Daniel Gillis.

“When a child suffers from an unexpected trauma or illness, even a short-term one, the whole family’s life can be turned upside down.

“While we hope all cases like these will have a positive outcome, the focused support Camp Simcha offers can really help mitigate some of the impact for the family – and stabilise them through the trauma.

“We have supported a couple of families recently following trauma and emergency surgery.

“They were, of course, reeling from the shock of what had happened, but we were able to quickly put in place practical support

such as hospital transport and crisis meals so that they could focus on their child’s recovery.

“They were given family liaison officers who arranged support for siblings including volunteers, therapeutic arts sessions and activities to keep them entertained, as well as treats and visitors to boost the child in hospital.

“We also arranged respite childcare to help make the hospital logistics manageable for the parents.

“Camp Simcha supported the families for a few months until life began to return to normal.”

StandWithUs UK raises over 600K

StandWithUs UK are thrilled to announce the results of our recent fundraising campaign. In just 72 hours, the community rallied behind us to raise over £600K, hours before the 9pm deadline. This was an astounding achievement, and we want to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who supported us.

Isaac Zarfati, Executive Director for StandWithUs UK said, “As a charity that empowers and educates students and communities, this campaign’s success is a powerful affirmation of the value of our work and the trust the public has instilled in us. Most importantly, the campaign’s

success is a resounding assertion of the strong ties between the British community and the people of Israel.”

Lana Saffrin Betesh, Chair of StandWithUs UK added, “We believe that education is the key to building a better future for all. By providing students with the tools they need to navigate complex issues and promoting dialogue and collaboration, we empower the next generation of leaders”.

The support and generosity from over a thousand donors will enable us to continue to advance our mission and commitment to fighting antisemitism and Israel misinformation.

Daniel Gillis Camp Simcha Head of services

StandWithUs celebrating their successful fundraising campaign

Last week, the National Jewish Assembly (NJA) successfully hosted an event in celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. The event was held at the Kinloss Banqueting Suite, with close to 300 guests.

The event was filled with joy and festivity, with guests enjoying traditional Israeli food, music, and dancing. The NJA was honoured to have several distinguished guests in attendance, including community leaders and representatives of international Jewish organisations.

In his remarks, NJA Managing Director Steve Winston expressed his deep pride in the State of Israel and highlighted its many accomplishments since its founding in 1948. He praised the resilience and strength of the Israeli people and reaffirmed the NJA’s commitment to supporting Israel, saying “Israel is here to stay, and that is something we must always celebrate.” Winston also made a special welcome to the NJA’s Christian friends and underscored that “Your love for the Jewish people and Israel means so much to us.”

The NJA was delighted to receive video messages which were screened at the event, including from Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, Yaakov Hagoel, Chairman of the World Zionist Organisation, and Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, and Tzipi Hotovely, Ambassador of Israel to the UK.

Commenting on the event, NJA Chairman Gary Mond said, “The NJA’s Yom Ha’atzmaut party was a fantastic success, with an amazing band, great food, and a great celebratory atmosphere. It was particularly wonderful to be supported by amazing organisations like the World

Zionist Organisation, JNF UK, Stand With Us, and CAMERA UK, as well as El Al.”

The live band, led by Guy Barzily, delighted the guests with a mix of Israeli classics and contemporary music which had everyone up and dancing.

The NJA would like to especially thank its

for her tireless efforts in organising this fantastic event, and is grateful to the sponsors and supporters, as well as all those who attended. To join the NJA as a member, or for more information about the NJA’s upcoming events, please visit the website, www.nja.org.uk.

NJA hosts inaugural Yom Ha’atzmaut event Belmont cricket chat with Rafiq

Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq attended a fundraising event at Belmont & Edgware Cricket Club in Mill Hill featuring, interviewed by Nigel Rothband interviewed Rafiq, who represented England U15s and 19s, on topics relating to his career.

Rafiq, who now lives in Dubai, spoke frankly about his relationship with Yorkshire CCC when there was racism directed towards him in the dressing room, which left him mentally scarred especially after the stillbirth of a son. He took numerous questions to offer a clear picture of the racism directed towards him and where he stood in this respect.

Rafiq acknowledged his error in making antisemitic comments in the past for which he apologised. He has met Jewish community leaders and visited Auschwitz concentration camp on March of The Living where he met Holocaust survivors, visited synagogues and the Jewish Museum.

Questions also covered Jewish cricketers who played in England and elsewhere, particularly South Africa.

Rafiq mentioned his forthcoming book due for publication in August.

Belmont is one of the two remaining Jewish cricket clubs in London.

The evening, which raised around £2,000 was compèred by Jonathan Evans, chairman of the cricket club. He said: “It was a fantastic night. Azeem was a compelling speaker and we raised a significant sum to keep costs low to provide ongoing opportunities for Jewish cricketers.”

Hundreds of boys across Manchester, London and Gateshead, greeted Shabbos with the weekly Shir Hashirim. In Manchester at the Machzikei Hadass Shul, led by Rabbi Dovid Weisfish. Guest speaker was Rabbi Y Marmorstein.

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL Rabbi Dovid Weisfish leads Shir Hashirim greeting Shabbos

Details: Jonathan Evans 07825 041002 or becc.hitscricket.com

Events Manager Dalia Hajioff,

NJA Israeli Independence Day event

Azeem Rafiq and Jonathan Evans at Belmont & Edgware CC

ASK THE RABBI

Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com

IS THE CORONATION A JEWISH THING?

Dear Rabbi

What must the Jewish stance be regarding the coronation? I know that we are enjoined to pray for the well-being of the monarchy, but should we really involve ourselves in all the celebrations? To me this smacks of dual loyalty – to G-d and to the King. We have only one King, and it is surely Him, and only Him, that we should celebrate.

Kalman

Dear Kalman

The Mishna in Ethics of the Fathers teaches that we are obligated to pray for and concern ourselves with the welfare of our country and government. Without authority there is no law and order. We’ve all seen footage of events when there is disregard for the law and anarchy prevails. R. Samson Raphael Hirsch notes that goes so far as to advise that we pray for the welfare of monarchy each Shabbat, as indeed we do in many Synagogues. There lies, however, a significant dilemma in this. For most of the past 2,000 years Jews have resided in sometimes less-than-welcoming host countries. We have been eyed with suspicion as not being wholly loyal to the host country. Raising a serious and valid question: Are such suspicions justified? Isn’t it true that our primary devotion is to G-d, His Torah and the Jewish people - over and above our host country and its laws?

Are our enemies justified in viewing us as foreign nationals? At first blush, we would have

to answer yes. Certainly, our highest calling is to G-d. Our mission is eternal and unchanging; it knows no geographical boundaries. We might be good and law-abiding citizens in our host country, but far above all, we are obligated to be loyal to G-d - regardless of whether or not we have the support or even the permission of the temporal authorities. The inescapable conclusion would therefore seem to be that we identify with Judaism and our fellow Jews first, and our places of residence a far second.

However, the truth is hardly so simple. The Torah places great emphasis on our being good, law-abiding citizens. When the Jews were exiled to Babylon at the destruction of the First Temple, G-d, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, exhorts the people: “Seek the peace of the city to which I have exiled you, and pray to G-d for its sake.”

The Jews of the time were departing for a mere 70 years, yet they were instructed to make themselves quite at home. This is where G-d wants us to reside, and from our perspective it is home - and its natives are our hosts.

The Talmud further asserts a principle known as “the law of the land is binding.” This means that there is a Torah obligation that we observe the laws of the country in which we reside - unless they outright contradict our own laws. (One reason for this, as offered by the commentators, is that since the territory of, say, the United Kingdom belongs to the royal Family, they or the government has the right to state the conditions upon which

we are permitted to dwell there.)

But it is far deeper than this. G-d did not spread us out so far and wide to stir up discontent, to oppose or even to ignore our surroundings. He did so in order that we spread the truth of His existence and set an example of holiness and virtuousness for the world to see.

In the words of the Talmud: “G-d exiled the Jewish People among the nations of the world only in order that converts join them.” In other words our objective is to open the eyes of the world to recognise the great Divine potential of the human being.

Rabbeinu Yonah asks: Are we concerned with the welfare of our own host nation alone? What of the rest of the world? True, we must occupy ourselves first with the needs of our own, as the Talmud says, “The poor of your own city take precedence” and of course we have a vested interest in the social well-being and economic prosperity of our own place of residence. But, explains R. Yonah, this should not be taken to imply a lack of concern for the rest of the world.

So yes, in the final analysis we are good citizens. But we are much more. We must be devoted and caring towards our countries, our neighbours, and the world at large. Patriotism may not be our end goal, but within the framework of Judaism, we are given the leeway - and the obligation - to be decent, devoted, and prominent citizens wherever we find ourselves. We yearn for Moshiach and the ingathering of the exiles, but meanwhile we can and should devote ourselves to

our provisional homelands - to humanity as a whole, but in particular to our benevolent host country.

And so, in short, we do not

suffer from dual loyalty. We have a single loyalty - to G-d alone. He just happens to be a G-d who wants us to be caring and gracious to all.

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Weekly Dvar Torah FROM ERETZ YISRAEL

Iyar – A Month Like No Other

BY RABBI DORON PEREZ

Iyar is the only month where the religious experience today is the opposite of what it was designated to be in Biblical times. Iyar in the Torah was designated as a month of total anticipation and elation as we count up to the receiving of the Torah. The Sefer HaChinuch tells us that each day we count signifies a step of growing excitement as we prepare to re-experience our rendezvous with Divine revelation.

Yet, Jewish experience in the 2nd century changed all this, and it is now primarily a time of pain, tragedy and mourning. The sudden and tragic death of the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva, which happened predominantly in the month of Iyar, sharply altered the religious and emotional experience of this month.

Why did this particular tragedy, as opposed to so many other tragic massacres, evoke a time of collective mourning for

future generations?

Undoubtedly, the death of such a large quantity and quality of Talmudic scholars effectively resulted in the decimation of Torah learning in Judea – an enormous tragedy in and of itself. But there is a twist in the plot. Although the Talmud mentions that they died of a disease called הָרָכְסַא , perhaps diphtheria, Rav Shreira Gaon maintains that they died as a result of דָמְׁש – a religious war. This means that they died during the Bar Kochba rebellion, as this was the only religious war at that time. Not sickness alone, therefore, caused this destruction but rather their death at the hands of the Romans.

Understanding the depth of the tragic failure of the Bar Kochba rebellion is crucial to understanding the depth of the loss and mourning that ensued.

The fall of Beitar and the vanquishing of the rebellion is one of the greatest tragedies of Jewish history. The Rambam goes as far as to say that this loss was as tragic as the day of the destruction of the

Emor Sidra Summary

is ritually impure (tamei) can neither bring nor eat an offering until he is pure (tahor). The laws of terumah, the first crop tithe given to the Kohanim, are stated. Whilst this tithe should not be eaten by a non-Kohen, a Kohen’s wife and his Cana’anite servant are permitted to eat it.

3RD ALIYA (SHLISHI) – 22:17-33

Temple itself. Why?

Because of both the unparalleled loss in human terms as well as the devastating impact of these events on the national psyche. Historians at that time write that, in terms of human loss, the Bar Kochba rebellion was even more tragic quantitatively than in the Churban of Yerushalayim 65 years prior.

An additional element is that while many were killed and exiled, and Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed, the vast majority of Jews remained in Judea, building thriving communities with the Sanhedrin relocating to Yavneh. There was still hope for an imminent rebuilding of Jerusalem, just as it had been rebuilt following the previous 70-year Babylonian exile. Indeed, this was the aim and hope of Bar Kochba’s rebellion, supported by Rabbi Akiva. However, with the horrific fall of Beitar, a new period in history was ushered in. Judea was laid waste, the national infrastructure was destroyed and hope for imminent return

was lost. This exile would be longer. Iyar, the great month of spiritual exhilaration, was turned into a darker time of mourning for the destruction of the Torah world, and the loss of hope of the return to Jerusalem.

In the modern era, the month of Iyar has begun to be redeemed!

In addition to Lag BaOmer on the 18th of Iyar, we have two new modern miracle days of exhilaration – both signifying the beginning of redemption. The 5th of Iyar – the miraculous establishment of the State of Israel, and the 28th of Iyar – the liberation of the Old City of holy Jerusalem. Baruch Hashem, Iyar is slowly returning to its former glory from days of mourning of ‘Sefira’ to days of ‘Sefirat HaOmer’ – the anticipation with exhilaration of the wheat offerings in the Temple and the collective national acceptance of our treasured Torah.

“These are the appointed festivals of God, the holy seasons which you shall fix in their appropriate time.”

(Vayikra 23:4)

1ST ALIYA (KOHEN) – VAYIKRA 21:1-15

G-d instructs Moshe to tell the Kohanim not to come into contact with a corpse, with the exception of when burying specific close relatives. They are not allowed to shave their heads or wound themselves during a mourning period (Rashi). There are restrictions on whom Kohanim can marry. There is a mitzvah to show Kohanim specific forms of respect (Rashi). A Kohen Gadol is not allowed to bury a close relative, nor marry a widow.

2ND ALIYA (LEVI) – 21:16-22:16

Specific types of physical blemishes on a Kohen disqualify him from bringing offerings in the Temple; however, he may still eat from the offerings. A Kohen who

Offerings brought to the Temple must be free of certain blemishes which disqualify them. An animal cannot be brought as an offering until it is at least eight days old. Offerings have to be eaten within a certain time. There is a mitzvah to sanctify G-d’s Name.

4TH ALIYA (REVI’I) – 23:1-23:22

Laws of Shabbat and the festivals are listed. On Pesach, which lasts seven days, we eat matzot. The first and last days are Yom Tov, on which we refrain from specific prohibited activity (melacha). On the second day of Pesach, the barley Omer offering is brought. There is a mitzvah to count 49 days from 16 Nisan (the second night of Pesach) until the night before Shavuot. On Shavuot itself, the double bread wheat offering (shtei ha’lechem) is brought and melacha is forbidden.

5TH ALIYA (CHAMISHI) – 23:23-32

Rosh Hashana is called ‘a day of shofar blasts’. Yom Kippur is a day of fasting. On these days, melacha is also forbidden, but the punishment for doing melacha on Yom Kippur is more severe.

6TH ALIYA (SHISHI) – 23:33-44

On Succot we bring the four species (arba’a minim) and dwell in temporary booths (succot). The seven days of Succot are followed by Shemini Atzeret. On the first day of Succot and on Shemini Atzeret, we refrain from melacha.

7TH ALIYA (SHEVI’I) – 24:1-23

Moshe is told by G-d to instruct the

people to bring pure olive oil for the daily Menorah lighting in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Moshe is commanded to provide flour for the showbread (lechem hapanim) that is placed on the table (shulchan) and remains there for an entire week. A man is caught blaspheming and is sentenced and put to death.

Point to Consider: Who was the father of the blasphemer? (see Rashi to 24:10)

HAFTARAH

The prophet Yechezkel (Ezekiel) details the halachot which will pertain to Kohanim in Messianic times. Some of these laws are more stringent than those listed in the sidra.

Rabbi Doron Perez is the Executive Chairman of World Mizrachi.

Transcending Ego to Connect with the Infinite

BY RABBI SHMUEL REICHMAN

A boy is born locked inside of a small house with no windows and no way out. He is provided with food and clothing, as well as books and some toys for entertainment, but that is all. He never once sees the outside world, never once sees anything beyond his extremely limited surroundings. Raised in such a way, he comes to believe that this house is all that exists. One day, someone comes along and breaks down the door to the house, letting him out into the world for the first time. Naturally, he is in absolute awe of what lies around him. The grandeur, the sheer magnitude and marvel of the surrounding world astounds him and leaves him wondering how he ever considered his previous existence to be a full life.

A FASCINATING CASE STUDY

There is a lifechanging concept that lies at the center of the shocking sin and deaths of Nadav and Avihu. The pasuk describes how, during the chanukas haMishkan (inauguration of the Tabernacle), Nadav and Avihu offered the Ketores (spice offering) and were engulfed by Divine flames (Vayikra 10:1–2). This episode is both striking and perplexing, as the pesukim do not clarify what their sin was or why it warranted such a harsh punishment. At face value, one might think that they acted righteously, sacrificing an offering to Hashem in the Mikdash. What, then, was so egregious about their actions? We will go through a range of possible answers to these questions as we ultimately develop a deeper understanding of this topic.

A FEW OPINIONS IN BRIEF

Rashi quotes Rav Eliezer’s position, which understands Nadav and Avihu as having violated the prohibition of being moreh bifnei rabo (teaching halachah in front of their rebbi), Moshe Rabbeinu (Vayikra Rabbah 12:1).

Another opinion, mentioned in the Sifra, is that Nadav and Avihu sinned by entering the Kodesh Hakodashim. As the holiest place in the world, it is completely off limits to all except the Kohen Gadol and even for him, it is only allowed on Yom Kippur. Evidence for this position is in Acharei Mos, the very next parashah, in which the Torah links the Yom Kippur avodah with the deaths of Nadav and Avihu (Vayikra 16:1). The Sifra suggests that this connection is due to the fact that the avodah of the Ketores, precisely what Nadav and Avihu performed, is done exclusively on Yom Kippur in the Kodesh Hakodashim. The fact that Nadav and Avihu are associated with this exclusive avodah hints to the fact that they performed it at the wrong time and were therefore punished. (Interestingly,

Rabbi Akiva suggests that the problem was where the fire came from; they sinned by bringing a forbidden fire (aish zarah) onto the Mizbei’ach.)

Rashi also quotes Rabbi Yishmael’s position, namely that their error lay in the fact that they were intoxicated while performing the avodah. This is based on the fact that the very next passage in the Torah prohibits a Kohen from being drunk while performing the avodah. The juxtaposition of these verses is a hint toward the essence of their wrongdoing, as the prohibition follows an instance in which it was violated.

[Taking a deeper look at the concept of drunkenness, there is an interesting idea embedded in this position of Rashi. The spiritual concept of intoxication is related to the theme of transcendence and the expansion of consciousness. Although done inappropriately, Nadav and Avihu were attempting to transcend their physical state and connect to Hashem on the deepest level. This explains why they specifically chose to do the avodah of the Kodesh Hakodashim, a place that transcends all physical dimensions of time and space. Their “sin,” therefore, was that they were not yet ready to enter such an exalted spiritual realm. This explains their distinctive, strange punishment: The pasuk states that they were engulfed by Divine flames, and Rashi explains (based on the Gemara) that their physical bodies remained intact while their souls alone were engulfed by the fire. Nadav and Avihu transcended to a completely spiritual level, one they were neither yet ready for nor capable of handling, and they were therefore spiritually consumed.]

THE BIG QUESTION

There is, however, something missing from all of these approaches. Rashi quotes the Midrash which explains that Moshe already knew that two of the holiest people in Klal Yisrael would die on this very day, the day of the chanukas haMishkan. Moshe originally thought

that these two people would be Aharon and himself, but it turned out to be Nadav and Avihu instead (Vayikra 10:3). This Midrash makes it clear that Nadav and Avihu were on a tremendously lofty level. If so, how could they have done something so egregiously wrong — something that resulted in such a harsh heavenly punishment?

NOT COMMANDED

The Ramban therefore takes a different approach, suggesting that the only problem with Nadav and Avihu’s avodah was that they brought the Ketores offering without being commanded to do so. This view is drawn from the explicit statement of the pasuk itself, as it says that Nadav and Avihu brought an offering “Asher lo tzivah osam — That they were not commanded to bring” (Ibid. v. 1).

Based on this, however, we face a new difficulty. If Nadav and Avihu’s sin was only that they did something that they were not commanded to do, our question is actually strengthened: What was so abhorrent about their actions that it merited such extreme punishment? Granted, Hashem did not command them to bring the Ketores, but they did nothing prohibited, only something that was not specifically commanded. In order to understand the answer to this new question, we must understand what it means to be commanded in the first place, as well as the difference between being metzuveh (commanded by Hashem) and eino metzuveh (not commanded by Hashem).

GADOL HA’METZUVEH V’OSEH MI’MI SHE’EINO METZUVEH VE’OSEH

The Gemara states that it is greater for one to do something that they have been commanded to do by Hashem than to do something of their own volition, without being commanded (Bava Kama 38a, 87a: “Gadol ha’metzuveh v’oseh mi’mi she’eino metzuveh v’oseh.”). Meaning, it is better to perform a mitzvah (commandment) out of obedience to Hashem’s will

than to do so spontaneously of your own will. At first glance, this appears counterintuitive. Would it not be better to do it of your own volition? Is this not a more genuine expression of Divine service? Instead of doing it because you have to, you’re doing it because you want to!

EGO

The first explanation for this puzzling statement lies in the concept of ego. As human beings, we are naturally resistant to external instruction or direction, preferring to do things only when we want to do them. Obedience to others requires sacrificing our ego, our sense of control, and our illusion of being ultimately superior. The essence of a mitzvah, however, is negating our ego and submitting to the will of Hashem. Hashem gives us instruction in the form of mitzvos; we obey them because He told us to, and by doing so, we submit our ego to Him. We may not understand or agree with everything, but in performing mitzvos, we acknowledge Hashem as the ultimate source of truth and His instructions as the guide to ideal living in this world. We affirm that the source of truth does not lie within our limited selves but within the infinite source of reality, i.e., Hashem.

The second explanation for why the performance of a mitzvah is superior to an act of one’s own volition requires a deeper understanding of mitzvos. In our next article, we will delve deeper into this fascinating topic and see how it fundamentally affects the way we understand Nadav and Avihu’s sin.

Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is a bestselling author, international speaker, and the CEO of Self-Mastery Academy. He has lectured internationally on topics of Torah thought, Jewish medical ethics, psychology, and leadership. His bestselling book, The Journey to Your Ultimate Self, serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought. He is also a business, executive, and leadership coach, with a unique approach based on Torah values. After obtaining his BA from Yeshiva University, he received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s RIETS, a master’s degree in education from Azrieli Graduate School, and a master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Bernard Revel Graduate School. He then spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Scholar. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and son where he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago. To enjoy more of Rabbi Reichman’s content, to contact him, or to learn more about his services, visit his website: ShmuelReichman.com

We may not understand or agree with everything, but in performing mitzvos, we acknowledge Hashem as the ultimate source of truth and His instructions as the guide to ideal living in this world. We affirm that the source of truth does not lie within our limited selves but within the infinite source of reality, i.e., Hashem.

LSJS Education Page

Are we Hebrews, Israelites or Jews?

BY RABBI DR RAPHAEL ZARUM

Sometimes the most basic of questions can uncover deep truths. Who are we? By what name should we be known? You might say we’re Jews, but if that is the case, then why are we not called Jews anywhere in the Torah?

In Genesis, both Abraham and Joseph are called Ha’Ivri, the Hebrew, and from Exodus onwards our ancestors are generally referred to as Bnei Yisrael, which translates to “Children of Israel” or “Israelites”. Sometimes they are just called Yisrael, Israel. Only in subsequent biblical books are we called Yehudim, Jews. For instance, Mordechai was known as HaYehudi, the Jew.

So are we Hebrews, Israelites or Jews? Each of these names appear numerous times in the Bible – which is more correct? Are we suffering from a kind of

group identity crisis? The truth is that the longevity of our people has gifted us multiple names, each referring to a vital aspect of our national character.

Our people were not indigenous to Canaan. Abraham travelled across the Euphrates river, from a place called Ur, now located in southern Iraq. The word Ivri, Hebrew, means “across” or “the other side”, and so it recalls that our ancestors were outsiders, counter voices, people who came from afar with a different value system. That is why Potiphar’s wife called Joseph a ‘Hebrew’.

After wrestling with each other, a messenger of G-d told Jacob: “No longer will it be said that your name is Jacob, but

Are

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The

aspect

Israel (Yisrael), for you have striven (sarita) with G-d and man, and have overcome.” Thus the name Yisrael recalls how our ancestors overcame many challenges to survive, and would even argue with G-d, as Abraham and Moses did, if they felt there was a just reason to do so.

After the Exodus from Egypt and Revelation at Sinai, these Israelites travelled a long way to settle in the place G-d had promised them. This came to be known as Eretz Yisrael, the “land of the Israelites”.

David and Solomon were great kings of Israel, but then there was an internal conflict and the country split into two separate kingdoms. The Assyrians then

of group identity

wiped out the northern kingdom and took away ten of the Israelite tribes, never to be seen again. This left only the two tribes of the southern kingdom, which was known as Eretz Yehudah, the “land of Judea”, due to the tribe of Judah from which the royal line of David had sprung.

So Yehudi actually means ‘Judean’ rather than ‘Jew’ and refers to the surviving people that were eventually exiled to Babylon and Persia. They are who we encounter in the Purim story with Mordechai and Esther.

We have retained all three names to this day. Hebrew is now our language, Israel is our country and Jewish is our religion and culture. When we educate our children at home and in school, we must remember to teach them these three names. They reveal so much about who we are.

Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum is the Dean of LSJS and holds the Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought, established by the Zandan family.

What is the best part of your job?

Finding and recognising talent and seeing it come to fruition. There is no greater joy or satisfaction when this happens.

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we suffering from a kind

crisis?

truth is that the longevity of our people has gifted us multiple names, each referring to a vital

of our national character.

During the Days of Sefirah, Learn How to Really Love Your Fellow Jew!

BY RABBI DAVID SUTTON

Because We Want the Best For Our Children

In his brilliant essay on ahavas Yisrael, the Beis HaLevi, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, beautifully explains the mitzvah of loving your fellow Jew. Who does the mitzvah apply to? When does it apply? What do I need to do to fulfill it properly? The Beis HaLevi also provides incentives to help us do the mitzvah in the best possible way.

Translated and elucidated by Rabbi David Sutton, Beis Halevi on Ahavas Yisrael contains wonderful insights, uplifting stories, and indepth appendices, as well as a special section of touching anecdotes about gedolim from a range of generations and communities.

By

Tefillas HaShelah is the prayer asking Hashem for righteous and successful children. In this timeless prayer written over 400 years ago, the Shelah HaKadosh shows us how to ask and what to ask for, sharing with us the keys to open doors for our children.

Now, bestselling author Yisroel Besser uses stories and classic commentaries to bring the tefillah to life. Traditionally recited on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, Tefillas HaShelah is actually a guide to the most effective way to pray for our children – and, yes, ourselves – all year round. This is a book for parents, for those who dream of becoming parents, and for anyone who hopes to create an impact on future generations.

the author of the bestselling Beis HaLevi on Bitachon and Daily Dose of Bitachon

Dedicated by Mutchy and Zeesy Neuman

Dedicated by Naomi and Moshie Horn

Family Fun Emor

Parshat Emor opens with the laws affecting Kohanim. As the privileged members of the Jewish nation, higher levels of purity are expected of them. They may only attend to their deceased relatives if they were of the closest 7, which the Torah lists as a father, mother, unmarried sister, brother, son, daughter, or wife.

The Kohen could not marry a divorcee or one who has had a forbidden marriage in the past. The Kohen Gadol could not marry anyone who had been married before. There is a special Mitzvah of “Vekidashto” which means that Kohanim must be accorded special levels of honour and respect. For example, you may have noticed that in shul, the first Aliya is

given to the Kohen.

Only unblemished Kohanim may serve as representatives of the Jewish people.

The Torah then discusses the fact that a new-born animal must remain with its mother for seven days before it can be brought as an offering. A further law is that one may not slaughter the mother and kid animal on the same day.

The Parsha continues with the laws of the festivals but opens with a reminder that Shabbat falls every week.

First, we learn about Pesach, beginning on 15th Nissan following which we count 7 weeks until Shavuot which is the 50th day

from Pesach. On Pesach we bring the Korban Omer and therefore the period of counting is called the counting of the period following the Omer offering.

Shavuot obviously is also the day we commemorate receiving the Torah on Har Sinai. We learn about Rosh Hashana, the first of Tishrei, being a day of remembrance of the sound of the Shofar. We know all about Rosh Hashana being a day of sounding the Shofar, besides for when it falls on Shabbat. Ten days later we have Yom Kippur on which adults fast, then we have Sukkot on the 15th Tishrei. Immediately after the 7th day Sukkot we have the festival called “Shemini Atzeret” on which G-d requests of us

to “stay an extra day” and engage in being close with Him as it were.

The Torah then talks about the lighting of the Menorah and describes the Lechem Hapanim, the bread placed on the Shulchan each week.

The end of the Sidra describes the sad story of the man who used Hashem’s name in a negative way. He was put to death.

Finally, we learn of the laws of one who murders a fellow Jew or one who destroys their property. We must take care not only of ourselves, but of other people too. And not only do we do what is best for our own possessions, we must do the same for others’ too.

About 75% of your brain is made of water. Elephants are the only animal that can’t jump.

Hawaiian pizza was actually invented in Canada.

Ketchup used to be sold as medicine. That’s right; the popular condiment was once thought to be a cure for indigestion.

Tangram Challenge!

Using all the shapes on the left can you make the horse shape on the right?

Word Wheel

The goal of a word wheel puzzle is to create as many words possible with the letters in the word wheel.

Each word must contain at least three letters. You can only use each letter once and every word must have the letter in the centre of the wheel.

Last week’s words

N

Use the area below to write the words you have found. O L U A M P G H

Here are some words you may have found from last week – you may have found more!

age dig dug erg fig gad rag

reg rig rug aged ague drag dreg

drug egad frig gear gird grid rage

urge argue auger dirge fudge grade grief

guard guide raged ridge urged argued arguer

figure fridge girder grader guider regard figured

Jokes Riddles

Q: What do you call a thieving alligator?

A: A Crookodile!

Q: What do you call a bee that can’t make up its mind?

A: A Maybe!

Parallel lines have so much in common. It’s a shame they’ll never meet.

Q: What kind of music are balloons afraid of?

A: Pop Music

figurer gaudier guarder fireguard

1. If there are four sheep, two dogs and one herds-men, how many feet are there?

2. I answer you, although you never ask questions. What are you?

3. I’m a four-letter word can be written forward, backward or upside down, and can still be read from left to right? What am I?

3. NOON!

2. A telephone.

Answers 1. Two. Sheep have hooves; dogs have paws; only people have feet.

EXPERT ADVICE

I am often asked why shipping costs have risen so much in the last year. There is no simple answer to this. There are several components to the increases.

1. The cost of packing materials: – cardboard has risen in price from the day the pandemic started. Cartons are historically made largely from recycled paper and board and manufacturers gave the reason for increases as being due to people not re-cycling during the pandemic. The truth, I think, is that just a few large companies control the world market for board and they use that to their financial advantage!

2. The cost of sea freight: - This was not affected by the pandemic but shipping lines chose to place vessels into dry dock and then share the available space remaining with other shipping lines so as to maximise returns. Those partnerships are now falling apart and I hope to see freight rates reduce over the next 12 months.

3. Fuel: - Ships use a lot of fuel and the war in The Ukraine has increased the proportion of shipping charges that relate to fuel costs. Again, we watch for changes.

4. Container haulage: - There is no doubt that Brexit sent a lot of drivers home to the EU causing a shortage in the UK along with a shortage of containers due to the pandemic’s demand on PPE from the far east and the backlogs in shipping that this caused. This situation is, however, improving.

Stephen Morris Shipping has qualified for The MTC – a consortium of movers – allowing us to now buy freight at the most favourable rates and ensure that containers and transport are generally available when we need them. We will use this buying power to keep our rates as low as possible and provide containers for shipment when required!

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JEWISH CARE

Jewish Care is the largest health and social care organisation serving the Jewish community in London and the South East. Our vital services touch the lives of 10,000 people every week. We provide services and offer a wide range of support groups to older people, people with mental health needs, Holocaust survivors, people living with dementia, people with a variety of needs and carers support.

FINANCIAL SERVICES (FCA) COMPLIANCE

JACOB BERNSTEIN

A member of the APCC, specialising in financial services compliance for: Mortgage, Protection and General Insurance Intermediaries; Lenders, Credit Brokers, Debt Counsellors and Debt Managers; Alternative Investment Fund Managers;

• E-Money, Payment Services, PISP, AISP and Grant-making Charities.

Contact: 020 7781 8019 info@richdale.co.uk www.richdale.co.uk

WEALTH MANAGMENT

MARC OVITS – BA (HONS) APFS CERT PFS (DM)

Over 25 years of successful experience in financial services including 11 years of investment banking experience.

Offering expert independent financial advice to individuals, businesses, charities and trusts. Individual services:- Wealth Management, Investment, Retirement, Estate/IHT, protection planning, Tax Mitigation and Cash Management Solutions

Business & Charity services:- Investment Planning, Business Succession & Business Exit Planning, Business Protection, Corporate Pensions, Employee Benefits, Cash Management Solutions, Profit extraction strategies

Alpha Wealth Management

Contact: 020 8203 6920 info@alphawm.co.uk www.alphawm.co.uk

BUTCHERS

KOSHER DELI

Kosher Deli was established with the intention of making kosher meat and poultry affordable for all with the convenience of multiple locations and a comprehensive delivery service. All this without compromising on kashrus or quality.

Locations in: Golders Green, Hendon, Temple Fortune, Edgware, Borehamwood & Manchester

ESTATE AGENT

Contact: 020 8381 4450 info@kosherdeliuk.co.uk www.kosherdeli.co.uk

MARTIN FRYDENSON - ROUNDTREE REAL ESTATE

Roundtree Real Estate are your local experienced Estate Agent having been established on the High Street since 2009. We are both ARLA and NAEA Propertymark regulated and we are here to offer you expert advice in Property Sales, Lettings, Commercial and Full Management Services, covering Hendon, Golders Green, Finchley, Colindale and surrounding areas. We have built long standing relationships with all our clients and should you have any property related queries please do contact us.

Contact: 020 8922 2222 helpline@jcare.org www.jewishcare.org

Contact: 020 8203 2111 mail@theroundtree.com www.theroundtree.com

YOUR FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPLIANCE EXPERTS in association with richdale

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

MARTIN HEIMAN – SMARTINET

We’ve been providing businesses with all of their communication needs since 2010. We specialise in supplying businesses with VoIP Packages, Mobile Plans, Broadband, Card Merchant Services, Leased Lines, On-Hold Marketing, and Call Centre Services. Smartinet, your reliable and efficient business communications provider.

UK ALIYAH ADVISORS

UK ALIYAH ADVISORS – WEALTH MANAGEMENT ISRAEL – BRAUDE WEALTH

Braude Wealth was founded to provide wealth management services for English-speaking people in Israel.

Coming from the UK, America and South Africa – our team has a deep understanding of the many challenges that face their fellow “expatriates” in Israel when trying to navigate its complex financial services sector. We are THE SPECIALISTS for helping English-speakers to manage their wealth, and particularly to access international investment opportunities. Do NOT use a non-Israel based wealth manager once you have made Aliyah! If you are or know someone planning Aliyah or already living in Israel, contact us today to discuss your circumstances.

Contact: 0333 613 0000 connect@smartinet.co.uk smartinet.co.uk

BUILDING AND PARTY WALL SURVEYING

MATRIX SURVEYORS LIMITED

Offering a range of building surveying services and specialising in party wall matters, nationwide, for both consumers and businesses, including; -

• Pre-acquisition Surveys

• Party Wall Matters

• Defect Inspections

• Schedules of Condition

• Insurance Reinstatement Costs Assessments

Contact: Toli Moscovitz BSc (Hons) MRICS

0161 823 6973 info@matrixsurveyors.co.uk www.matrixsurveyors.co.uk

• Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedules

• Construction Project Management

• Licence for Alterations

• Insurance claims

Contact:

+972 (0)2 992 1519 pbraude@anglocapital.com braudewealth.com/about/

FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

STEPHEN COLMAN – INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

An independent mortgage broker directly authorised by FCA specialising – for over 25 years - in the more ‘challenging’ situations. We take care of the whole mortgage process on your behalf, handling all aspects of buying your residential or investment property. In addition over the past 5 years we have been at the forefront in arranging Equity Release mortgages for the over 55’s

Contact:

07956 234 524 020 8458 9137 stephencolman2@aol.com

The King’s Coronation Quiche

BY DENISE PHILLIPS

The King’s Coronation weekend commences Friday 5 May and will be a huge national celebration throughout the country with street parties and personal gatherings. The recipe ‘Du jour’ is quiche. The Coronation quiche recipe was chosen by the Queen Consort as a way of marking the occasion. It is a short crust pastry recipe filled with spinach, broad beans, and fresh tarragon. A recipe that can easily be made kosher and perfect over Shabbos as it can be enjoyed hot, cold or warm with salad.

Although quiche is known as a dish of classic French cuisine, historical records indicate that quiche actually originated in the Middle Ages in Germany which the French later occupied and renamed Lorraine. The word ‘quiche’ is from the German ‘Kuchen’, meaning cake. The King Charles III Coronation quiche recipe is vegetarian, but it can easily be made vegan with a few substitutes. Using tofu, vegan cheese, non-dairy margarine, cornflour and plant-based milks like almond/ oat or coconut milk would create a delicious alternative.

I thought I would share some tips for the perfect quiche.

FOR THE PASTRY

• Don’t overwork the dough when making. I like to make it in the food processor.

• Use a metal tart tin with a loose base.

• Roll and handle shortcrust pastry as little as possible as overworking it can produce tough and unpleasant results.

• Don’t stretch the pastry when rolling.

• Repair tears and don’t roll too thinly as it will break and burn quickly.

• Allow a little overhang before trimming.

• Rest the pastry for about 30 minutes in the fridge before baking.

• Bake it blind for 20 minutes at 200C/400F, then remove foil and baking beans and brush the base with egg yolk to ensure it is golden and completely cooked.

• If your oven’s element is at the bottom, put your pie on the lower rack to heat its base quickly and evenly.

FOR THE FILLING

• The ratio of liquid to every egg you need is 120ml milk/ cream.

• Season well as the liquid ingredients mellow the flavours.

• The secret to keeping the filling ingredients from sinking to the bottom of this deep-dish is to beat the liquid ingredients until the mixture becomes extra-frothy using a hand mixer or a stand blender.

• Leave to rest and cool for 5 –10 minutes before cutting. It cuts best when completely cold.

Enjoy this very special Royal Occasion. Above is ‘My Coronation Quiche’ recipe.

City edge ahead of Gunners in title race

BY DAVID SAFFER

The Premier League title race and relegation battle has reached the final month of the season with everything to play for at both ends of the table.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City wrestled control of the title race after convincingly defeating the Gunners 4-1 at the Etihad last weekend. They will lift the title if they win their remaining games whatever the north London side do after an enthralling campaign.

City next welcome relegation strugglers Leeds United, who rolled the dice this week by sacking manager Javi Garcia and appointing veteran manager Sam Allardyce who has

performed the ‘great escape’ at a number of clubs.

Arsenal, meantime, after a torrid run of form halted by a 3-1 won over Chelsea, travel to high flying Newcastle United in what will be an intriguing weekend of football in the title race.

In the battle for Champions League spots Newcastle and Manchester United are almost there, the Reds travelling to West Ham who are four points clear of the relegation fight.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have finally found a run of form to move into fifth spot ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, though don’t discount Brighton & Hove Albion who have games in hand over the Reds.

The relegation battle is turning into the hardest to predict with four games remaining. Two teams from Leicester City, Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Everton will most likely join Southampton in the Championship. One point splits the quartet with Saints half a dozen points back.

Leeds have arguably the toughest run of the quartet starting with City and Newcastle before clashes against the Hammers and Tottenham. Desperate to avoid the drop, United rolled the dice this week by sacking manager Javi Gracia, following a dismal run of form in his 11 games at the helm, replacing him with Allardyce. Director of football Victor Orta also left Elland Road.

Allardyce, apart from his last post at West

Brom two years ago, has performed the relegation magic trick at Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle, West Ham, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Everton. But Big Sam’s latest appointment is arguably his toughest given an unenviable run of fixtures and the Yorkshire sides dreadful form, four points from seven games in April. The Whites have shipped 23 goals in that period! But if anyone can perform the escape act Allardyce can though the odds though are stacked against him. The Elland Road faithful will be praying Big Sam can pull off a miracle.

Aside from Leeds, Everton are arguably favourites to be relegated. They play Brighton, Manchester City, Wolves and Bournemouth. But it won’t be easy for Leicester who face Fulham, Liverpool, Newcastle and West Ham while Nottingham Forest take on Southampton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Crystal Palace. Saints have to beat Forest before clashes with Fulham, Brighton and Liverpool.

The final month of the season is shaping up to be nerve jangling for a number of clubs at both ends of the table.

Our Bar and Bat Mitzvah Project ensures that young people, on their special day, can share it with a child Holocaust victim who was denied a future.

Over the past 10 years we have twinned over 1000 children. Complete the on-line Twinning Form and researchers at Yad Vashem will use the information to find a suitable twin.

Celebrants will receive a comprehensive Twinning Pack which contains:

• A Page of Testimony, with details of your chosen twin

• A Study Guide

• A Certificate

• A letter from a Holocaust survivor

• A Yad Vashem pin

• Memorial and Shabbat Candles

• An invitation to become a Guardian of the Memory

46 Albert Road London NW4 2SG

Charity No. 1099659

Phone: 020 8187 9881

Email: office@yadvashem.org.uk

www.yadvashem.org.uk

www.guardianofthememory.org

@yadvashemukfoundation

@yadvashemUK

@yadvashemukfoundation

The retreat portion of the tour will allow you to experience joy, approach wellness, encounter charisma and practice success-thinking, while exploring together the beautiful Pacific Northwest. You will acquire understanding of Laibl’s Ten Spriritual Laws of growth and how to apply these practically into everyday life, gaining renewal and balance, while enjoying the surrounding national parks and iconic landmarks of this remarkably beautiful area.

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