The Jewish Weekly Issue 294 - September 21st

UK and Israel sign landmark science and technology deal

BY DAVID SAFFER

The United Kingdom and Israel have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on science, innovation and technology.

Ministers Ofir Akunis and George Freeman met yesterday to ratify the deal at Whitehall.

Israel is the latest country to sign the landmark agreement with the UK. The MOU boosts the bond between the UK and Israel’s research and technology communities.

Freeman commented: “Israel is known as the start-up nation for good reason. From its world-leading approach to R&D, to flourishing biotech, cyber, space and

agritech sectors, it is one of the world’s most innovative economies. I prioritised Israel alongside Japan and Switzerland as one of our network of global collaborations to better attract investment and support the global impact of UK innovation.

“This collaboration is structured in the standard three pillars, research, commercialisation and bilateral government priorities, and will take our longstanding science and technology partnership to new heights, to the benefit of scientists, researchers, investors and companies in both nations.”

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George Freeman MP

Ofir Akunis MK

PHOTO: GOV.UK

PHOTO: GOV.IL

Bibi to address UN General Assembly

BY DAVID SAFFER

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the UN General Assembly tomorrow.

In his first speech to the assembly in five years he is expected to highlight the global threat of Iran, Israel’s’ attempts to expand the ‘circle of peace’ and a potential ‘normalisation deal’ with Saudi Arabia.

During the week Netanyahu met world leaders including US President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Zelensky, German Chancellor Scholtz and President Erdogan of Turkey.

In his first meeting with Biden, who invited him to the White House later this year, Netanyahu recalled a 40-year friendship before speaking about a time of “great promise and grave danger”.

Netanyahu welcomed Biden’s address to the Assembly when he spoke of an economic corridor linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe with Israel an important hub for prosperity.

Regarding the prospect of a historic peace with Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu said it would advance an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict, reconciliation between the Islamic world and Jewish state and a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

“This is something within our reach,” he said. “I believe that working together we can make history and create a better future

for the region and beyond.”

Netanyahu appreciated Biden’s “continuous commitment” to preventing Iran achieving nuclear weapons capability.

He concluded: “One thing will never change, that is Israel’s commitment to democracy. We will continue to uphold the values that both our proud democracies cherish.”

In a first meeting of an Israeli prime minister with Zelensky since the war with Russia began, Netanyahu’s office said the meeting was “friendly” and he made it

clear that Israel would “continue to assist Ukraine in humanitarian issues, including dealing with landmines”.

Zelensky said he “expects a lot from Israel” and described the meeting as “good”.

Tensions however remain between Zelensky and Netanyahu, who for security reasons, is the only Western leader, apart from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, not to have been to Kyiv.

Zelensky told the Assembly that while the world focused on the threat of nuclear weapons, Russia was ‘weaponising’ food

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and energy not only against Ukraine but “all of you” so countries around the world would recognise territories conquered from Ukraine.

“We must be united and defeat Russia so that the world can focus on global challenges,” he said.

Zelensky added: “We are working to make sure that after the war in Ukraine ends, no country dares to attack any other nation.”

Netanyahu welcomed improved ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and in advancing bilateral relations in trade, economic matters and energy.

The two leaders extended invitations to visit Israel and Turkey.

Netanyahu thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his commitment to the security of Israel.

President Santiago Peña told Netanyahu he will return to the Paraguayan Embassy in Jerusalem by the end of the year. Israel reopens its embassy in the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion.

Netanyahu said he would continue to lead strategic change with Latin America countries.

Earlier in the week Israel’s leader met with Tesla Motors CEO and entrepreneur Elon Musk, calling on him to get like-minded states to agree on a code of ethics.

Netanyahu welcomed Musk’s commitment to freedom of expression and opposition to antisemitism.

by UK Atomic Energy Authority.

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Akunis noted: “I'm proud to sign the bilateral memorandum. I believe this signing will contribute significantly to the scientific and technological cooperation and networking between scientists and entrepreneurs across many sectors in both our countries. Over the years, our two countries have developed excellent, cutting-edge technology in many fields. This collaboration will not only benefit our scientific communities but will also benefit the broader economy, and security of our nations.”

Funding includes £1.1 million towards Universities UK International’s UK-Israel Innovation Mobility Scheme. UK-based researchers will work with top Israeli institutions.

As part of the deal, both countries are committing £1.7 million to joint research projects. Over £600,000 will also support the UK-Israel Quantum Collaboration led

The deal forms part of a £20 million commitment for science, research and innovation in the UK-Israel Bilateral Roadmap signed by both countries’ Foreign Ministers in March.

The agreement follows the UK-EU agreement Prime Minister Rishi Sunak secured earlier this month on the UK’s association to Horizon Europe.

Israel is an associate member of the world’s largest programme of research cooperation.

The deal will enable quicker, deeper collaboration on areas including AI, health and the environment.

The UK has signed partnerships with India, Japan, Switzerland and South Africa recently.

By boosting the UK and Israel’s science and research links, the deal builds on the UK Science and Technology Framework championing technology sectors overseas.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Vlodimir Zelensky

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden PHOTO: GPO PHOTO: GPO

German Neo-Nazi group banned Biden confirms US peace commitment

BY ADAM MOSES

President Joe Biden confirmed the US’ commitment to Middle East peace at the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week.

During a wide-ranging speech on Tuesday, Biden said that the leaders had the eyes of the world on them and understood the duty his country was to lead at a critical moment.

“The United States seeks a more secure, more prosperous, more equitable world for all people because we know our future is bound to yours,” he said, adding, “No nation can meet the challenges of today alone.”

Biden called on the UN to preserve peace, prevent conflict and alleviate human suffering.

He added that in every region of the world, the US was mobilising “strong alliances, versatile partnerships, common purpose and collective action” to bring new approaches to challenges.

Biden called for a more sustainable, integrated Middle East.

He observed: “It demonstrates how Israel’s greater normalisation and economic connection with its neighbours is delivering positive and practical impacts even as we continue to work tirelessly to support a just and lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, two states for two people.”

Biden also spoke of a groundbreaking effort announced at the G20 to connect

India to Europe through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel as it would “spur opportunities and investment” across two continents. Regarding Iran, Biden said the US was working with partners to address the regime’s destabilising activities that threaten regional and global security.

Biden strongly supported Ukraine in its efforts to bring about a diplomatic resolution for a lasting peace.

“Russia alone stands in the way of peace,” he said. “Russia’s price for peace is Ukraine’s capitulation, Ukraine’s territory and Ukraine’s children.” He added: “We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow. That’s why the US, together with our allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity and their freedom.”

As for the climate crisis, Biden said it was an “existential threat to all humanity”.

BY HARRY SIMONS

The German coalition government has banned far-right group Hammerskins Germany.

The neo-Nazi group is associated with a white US supremacist group and has existed in Germany for over 30 years. The ban includes regional chapters and affiliate organisation, Crew 38.

“The ban of the Hammerskins Germany is a hard blow against organised right-wing extremism,” said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.

“With this ban, we are putting an end to the inhumane activities of an internationally active neo-Nazi association in Germany. This sends a clear signal against racism and antisemitism.”

Police searched the homes of 28 suspected organisation members in 10 German states.

The coordinated operation took place in Bavaria, Baden-Würt temberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-West ern Pomerania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palati nate, Thuringia and Saarland.

Ahead of the ban, the German federal and state governments cooperated for

more than a year, said Faeser, a member of the Social Democratic Party.

She added that the government had “worked closely” with American partners.

“The right-wing extremist orientation of the internationally networking group manifests itself in particular through the distribution of recordings of right-wing extremist and antisemitic music, the organisation of right-wing extremist concerts, and the sale of right-wing extremist merchandise,” confirmed a ministry statement.

The banning of Hammerskins Germany, is the 20th ban of a right-wing group by the German Interior Ministry.

The extremist organisation propagates Nazi ideology, the ministry noted, adding that the group stands against constiConcerts organised by Hammerskins spread right-wing ideology according to the ministry.

Faeser held meetings with politicians during a visit to Israel last year on public security, cybersecurity and combating antisemitism.

The German minister laid a wreath at Yad Vashem in memory of Holocaust victims and also signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in police training.

Nancy Faeser

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

President Joe Biden PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

Security forces on high alert for Chagim

BY ADAM MOSES

Thousands of Israeli security forces are on high alert following warnings of terrorist attacks over the Jewish holidays.

Maj.-Gen. Sigal Bar-Tzvi, head of Operations at Israel Police, confirmed officers are collaborating with Shin Bet and the IDF to address a surge in alerts during the build up to the High Holidays.

Ahead of Yom Kippur security has been increased at synagogues and centers for prayers across the country.

Although vigilance is normal at this time of year officials have called on civilians with permits to carry weapons for self-defense to shul on Yom Kippur and Succot.

Speaking at a briefing on Monday, Bar-Tzvi said: “Like every year in preparation for the chagim we raise the alert level in certain areas with an emphasis on Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and gathering points of tefillah and recreation.

“Every day, Israel Police holds joint discussions with other security forces, including the Shin Bet and the IDF. The increase in the number of alerts, together with the incitement to terrorism that also increased in preparation for the chagim led us to special preparations in which thousands of police officers, security forces,

and volunteers are deployed throughout the country every day in order to prevent terrorist attacks and to secure places of tefillah, places of entertainment and the public in general throughout the entire period of the chagim.”

She added: “We call on the public who have weapons and are skilled in using them to carry their weapons during these days.”

Police are vigilant that terrorist organisations will encourage Palestinians to carry out attacks in Israel and Judai and Samaria. Bar-Zvi noted police are tracking online posts of incitement.

There is concern for cities with Jewish and Arab populations including Jaffa, Lod and Acre.

On Monday morning there were a number of terror attack attempts including a stabbing attack near east Jerusalem. Border Police reported that the terrorist was shot by security forces at the scene.

Over Rosh Hashonah there were reports of a shooting attack at an IDF post near Shuwaika according to the IDF. No injuries were reported.

Another incident occurred near the town of Dayr Sharaf toward a military post. No IDF injuries were reported. And there were shots fired at an IDF military vehicle near

Meirav.

“Hits were identified on the vehicle and no injuries were reported. IDF soldiers are currently pursuing the suspects,” according to an IDF statement.

Last Friday, as Rosh Hashanah began, a terrorist bombing in a Tel Aviv’s Yarn Park was thwarted by police. There were no injuries.

The IDF targeted a Hamas observation post in the Gaza Strip with a drone during a violent disturbance near the border fence.

The riots at the Gaza-Israel border saw the closure of the Erez Border Crossing.

An IDF spokesperson said: “During the violent breach of order, explosives were activated and grenades were thrown at IDF forces. There were no casualties to our forces. IDF forces acted against the disturbances of order and responded with riot dispersal methods.”

Border Police have detained 371 individuals residing in Israel without proper permits in the past week. Weekly protests, which ended in 2020, have resumed this month. Participation is reported to be a few hundred Palestinians. Security forces are monitoring the situation.

This year has seen over 130 attacks and attempted attacks, resulting in 31 deaths.

The Organisation of the Jews in Bulgaria Shalom has blasted antisemitic comments by a far-right party Vuzrazhdane MP against a fellow parliamentarian.

Tsoncho Gavev, deputy leader of the minority party in Bulgaria’s 240-seat parliament, voiced concerns over the ‘loyalty’ of Daniel Lorer, who has Jewish ancestry, of We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria coalition.

Ganev reportedly said: “I think that Mr. Lorer is interested in another people, his own people and not the Bulgarian people. And perhaps another parliament. Perhaps he is more interested in what is happening in the Knesset than what is happening in Bulgarian Parliament. In the end, everybody has priorities.”

Lorer said that Ganev’s statements breached the definition of antisemitism.

Bulgaria adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2018.

Professor Alexander Oscar, Shalom president, noting: “Antisemitic statements and hate speech from the speaker’s podium of the National Assembly are unacceptable. They represent a threat to the entire society, of which the Bulgarian Jewish community is an integral part.”

Vuzrazhdane is a pro-Russia, anti-EU and anti-Nato party. A petition signed by civil rights activists, Bulgarian Jewish community leaders and academics called for a ban on Vuzrazhdane in July.

The document noted: ‘Vazrajdane systematically uses antisemitism, instils hatred and loathing towards refugees’.

Livingstone withdraws judicial review claim against EHRC

BY ADAM MOSES

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and Pamela Bromley, a former Labour councillor, have withdrawn legal proceedings against the Equality and Human Rights Commission at the High Court.

The EHRC’s landmark report cannot be subject to further review.

Livingstone and Bromley were named in the report into antisemitism in the Labour Party.

The duo brought a judicial review claim against the EHRC to overturn the report which concluded that Labour under Jeremy Corbyn engaged in unlawful antisemitic harassment of Jewish members.

Proceedings were a last ditch attempt to undermine the report. CAA noted that success would have hit the ongoing fight against antisemitism and antisemitism-denial by years.

Gideon Falter, Chief Executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “This is a significant victory for the Jewish community, as it means that the EHRC’s groundbreaking report into antisemitism in the Labour Party stands. Ken Livingstone has been at the heart of Labour’s antisemitism scandal for years, so it is apt that he is also at the centre of this final failure of the antisemitism-denying far-left to overturn the EHRC’s findings.

“Recognising that Campaign Against Antisemitism originally referred the Labour

Party to the EHRC and is an expert body in combating antisemitism, the High Court granted us intervener status in the case. We were keen to defend in court the EHRC’s findings of antisemitism in the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn. Our only disappointment at the dropping of this specious claim is that we will not have the opportunity to demolish the claims made by apologists for Mr Corbyn and his acolytes.

“This is a humiliating end for Mr Livingstone and his co-complain ant, and one that their sup porters, whose funds were squandered, will surely question. They are now re duced to crowing that they cost the EHRC hundreds of thousands in taxpayers’ money and de lighting in their amusingly false assumption that they cost us vast char itable funds.

Having seen off Mr Liv ingstone, we will continue our work to

advocate for zero tolerance of antisemitism in all political parties, without fear or favour.”

Justice Lang ruled CAA provided substantial evidence to support the

“As a Jewish community charity, it is rooted in the Jewish community and it has built up a longstanding expertise on the nature of modern antisemitism,” she noted. “Because of its expertise, it is likely to be able to contribute information, analysis and context more effectively than the other parties (the EHRC and the Labour Party).”

The EHRC supported CAA’s application to intervene, the Labour Party remained neutral. The report followed the EHRC’s investigation in which CAA made the original referral.

CAA was represented by

instructed by Asserson solicitors Shimon Goldwater and Joshua Battat.

Goldwater said Livingstone acted sensibly for the first time by abandoning his judicial review application. “The EHRC’s findings are now final and not subject to further challenge,” he said.

CAA’s website observed the EHRC report is unimpeachable. All findings stand including those of Livingstone and Bromley’s conduct.

It pointed out: “The Labour Party, through their conduct as its agents, was found to have created an intimidating or hostile environment for Party members and prospective members, particularly those who were Jewish. Their statements were unwanted conduct related to Jewish ethnicity, which had the effect of harassing Labour Party members. In other words, their conduct amounted to harassment of Jewish members of the Labour Party on the basis of their Jewishness.

“The EHRC found that, in addition to use of antisemitic tropes, antisemitism-denial, that is, dismissing complaints as ‘smears’ and ‘fake’, can be a form of antisemitic conduct that amounts to unlawful harassment, and that it was in the cases of both of these individuals. The EHRC described these examples of antisemitic conduct as the tip of the iceberg of the issues that it identified in the Labour antisemitism investigation.”

Derek Spitz and Adam Wagner, of counsel,

Ken Livingstone

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

WJC honour Metsola Teen convicted of terrorism

the international stage and ensuring the Holocaust is not forgotten.

“You are one of the special people who we can count on to stand up for us in the missions that we need it most,” he said.

Metsola called for support to Europe’s Jewish communities, noting: “Our commitment to helping foster Jewish life in Europe is not only personal, but it is institutional, and it is collective. The story of Europe is intrinsically linked to the history of the Jewish people and community. It is testimony to the triumph of hope over hate.”

BY ADAM MOSES

A teenager from Swindon has been convicted of terrorism offences at Winchester Crown Court.

The jury, last week, found Malakai Wheeler, 18, guilty of six offences relating to possession and dissemination of terrorist material.

He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on November 3, 2023.

Wheeler was arrested in May 2021 by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South West.

such as these shed light on the kind of rhetoric that is utilised to recruit young people and mobilise them against the Jewish community. We hope that Mr Wheeler's sentencing will reflect the serious danger that he poses to society.”

World Jewish Congress honoured European Parliament President Roberta Metsola at the start of this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Metsola has endeavoured to combat antisemitism and support Jewish life across European Union member-states.

A reception for diplomats and Jewish community leaders took place at the Neue Galerie on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

WJC President Ronald S. Lauder and Metsola addressed the reception.

Lauder praised Metsola for her commitment to the Jewish people, praising her special support for the State of Israel on

Regarding Holocaust remembrance Metosla said: "We are committed to remembering, to breaking the cycle of history, to confronting antisemitism, to ensuring that we remember the devastation of history and that lessons of the past will never be forgotten.”

Metsola has fought antisemitism and is behind the establishment of the European Parliament's first permanent Holocaust memorial, ‘The Refugee’ artwork by Felix Nussbaum, who was murdered in the Holocaust.

World leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the United Nations.

This year’s session is the first time a twoday break ensures no speeches during Yom Kippur.

WJC will be holding bilateral diplomatic meetings away from UNGA.

The investigation centred on an online chat group where individuals were suspected of possessing, sharing and posting extreme right-wing views, content and instructional material. Enquiries revealed Wheeler regularly posted racist and antisemitic propaganda along with details of how to create weapons and explosives.

Wheeler accepted being photographed in a skull mask and performing a Nazi salute.

He was charged with disseminating terrorist publications, contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006 and collecting information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Campaign Against Antisemitism have welcomed the conviction. A CAA spokesperson said: “Contrary to his assertions, Mr Wheeler's obsession with violence went far beyond 'morbid curiosity'. His anticipation of 'social chaos' is indicative of the very real threat that is posed by the far-right. Cases

Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East said: “Although only 16 at the time of his arrest, Wheeler was deeply entrenched in a Telegram chat group committed to extreme right-wing ideology. He was not simply curious, or a passive observer within the group. He clearly shared the same mindset as other members and was very active when it came to promoting racist and antisemitic views and propaganda.

“It is important young people recognise the potential impact of their online activity, before they cross a line into criminality, or engage in harmful or dangerous behaviours. If someone you know is expressing extreme views or hatred, we’d urge you to ‘Act Early’ and get help before the situation escalates into something more serious.”

Wiltshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith added: “This case will cause some concern within our communities in Swindon but I hope it illustrates the commitment across the national police service to work together to apprehend those who share deeply dangerous views. This is a timely reminder that everyone has a part to play in stopping these types of criminal activities.”

To report information anonymously: www. act.campaign.gov.uk

Yom Kippur War archives revealed

BY DAVID SAFFER

The Israel State Archives has released thousands of files from the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

For the first time, as the 50th anniversary approaches, it is possible to research original documents relating to the front lines, home front and government.

Archivists have been collating material for over two years to make files available that tell the story of the historic war which affected every facet of Israeli life for the IDF, leadership and public.

Chief Archivist Ruti Abramovitz said: “In contrast to other archival publications, this time we have chosen to show, as much as possible, the 360-degree story of the war.”

Research was done by numerous departments at the state archives.

This is the largest project of its kind undertaken. Materials are in sections designed to assist in locating information easily, despite the complexity of the archival-raw material.

“I invite the public to search for personal information, listen to the audio clips that can take us back in time, turn to the

State Archives with requests for assistance if needed, and to look for answers to the open, and perhaps still bleeding, questions,” Abramavitz said.

The material covers documents, audio clips, photographs, transcriptions and original files from government ministries, military, diplomatic and civilian documents, testimonies, reports, protocols of government and war Cabinet meetings, discussions and civil defence assessments.

The archival collection shows decision-making by the leadership, fighting

on various fronts, diplomatic contacts with Arab countries (Egypt and Syria) until the May 1974 separation of forces agreements.

The collection offers a fascinating glimpse of a unique period in the history of Israel.

Mossad, meantime, has honoured former Mossad directors who served during the war and revealed documents from original intelligence sources.

Mossad Director David Barnea addressed a gathering at Mossad headquarters. Paying tribute to Shabtai Shavit, the seventh Mossad Director, who passed away earlier this month, Barnea referred to lessons learnt from the war relevant today.

“We must not shrink from dealing with the existential threat facing the State of Israel,” he said. “The victory in 1967 seemingly removed all doubt as to our ability to continue existing forever. Today we know what our purpose is. Our strategic focus revolves around an existential threat that we will deal with and which we will invest in. We must not make light of the enemy and his capabilities. We must not forget that around us are countries and organisations that are continuing to strengthen in order

to threaten our peace here. We must not exaggerate the support of our allies in time of crisis; we will build up our strength and our capabilities. We must not downplay the importance of unity in order to survive. Our strength is in our internal unity.”

Barnea said lessons of the Yom Kippur war continue to affect intelligence and operational activity of the Mossad. “The order of the day is for humility in intelligence and scepticism,” he noted.

Mossad has also published a book containing historical research.

The book reveals information provided by intelligence sources operated by Mossad before the war, including an agent called ‘The Angel’ who warned of the impending attack on Israel.

“The Angel was an important and strategic agent,” commented Barnea.

Mossad Director Zamir played a central role in analysing intelligence for Israel’s leadership under Prime Minister Golda Meir.

Barnea said: “Zamir led Mossad during that war as an intelligence strategist. His role caused a change. The Mossad has become a central actor responsible for the complete intelligence circle.”

Certificates of appreciation were awarded to a number of individuals including former Mossad directors Zvi Zamir and Efraim Halevy.

Roberta Metsola PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

David Barnea thanks a former Mossad member

ATTENTION HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

If you are a Holocaust survivor who has not received any compensation payment (either from the Claims Conference or German or Austrian governments), please call us immediately. You may be entitled.

The Claims Conference has negotiated the following liberalizations of criteria to compensation funds with the German government HARDSHIP FUND – SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT Jewish Nazi victims eligible for the Hardship Fund have been approved for annual Supplemental Payments of approximately €1,200 in 2023 through 2027. If you already received a Hardship Fund Supplemental Payment (meaning payments over the two years of €2,400), you don’t have to apply again. You will only need to provide Proof of Life. Please register with Paneem for the 2023 payment (you will need to do this every year through 2027). You will hear from us to validate via Paneem. If you have moved, or don’t hear from us, please contact us. If you have never applied, the deadline for the 2023 payment is December 31, 2023.

Holocaust survivors who were previously ineligible to receive the Supplemental Hardship Fund payments because they received one-time German government payments (for example from Länderhärtefonds) are now eligible to apply for the supplemental payment. Survivors who receive a German or Austrian pension for persecution during the Holocaust (BEG, Article 2 Fund, Regional Specific Program (RSP), Austrian Victims Pension (Opferausweis)) are not eligible to receive the Hardship Supplemental Fund Payment.

NEWLY APPROVED OPEN GHETTOS: Jewish Holocaust survivors who were persecuted in the open ghettos identified below, for at least three months, may be eligible for a monthly pension from the Article 2 or CEE Fund:

• In Romania, survivors persecuted in Bucharest, Adjud, Beiuş, Blaj, Caracal, Dumbrăveni, Făgăraş, Haţeg, Luduş, Mediaş, Nălaţ-Vad, Oraviţa, Păclişa, Piteşti, Şărmaşu, Sighişoara, Târnăveni, Tinca, Turnu Severin, Arad, Braila, Brasov, Buhusi, Călărași, Deva, Dorohoi, Fălticeni, Huși, Ilia, Lugoj, Ploeşti, Podul Iloaiei, Sibiu, Suceava, Târgu Frumos, Timisoara, Turda, Alba Iulia, BaCau. Barlad, Botosani, Buzau, Costanta, Craiova, Focasni, Galatz, Harlau, Iasi, Pascani, Piatra Neamt, Roman, Romanicu Sarat, Stefanesti, Targu Mures, Targu Neamt, Tecuci, and Vaslui, between August 1941 and August 1944;

• In Bulgaria, survivors persecuted in Dobrich, Kazanlŭk, Kŭrdzhali, Lovech, Nevrokop (a.k.a. Gotse Delchev), Nikopol, Plovdiv, Popovo, Preslav, Provadiya, Turgovishte, and Yambol (Jambol), between September 1942 and September 1944. In addition, all pension recipients who were in one of the open ghettos in Romania or Bulgaria named above and born after January 1, 1928, may be entitled to a one-time payment from the Child Survivor Fund administered by the Claims Conference.

Note: Jewish Nazi victims from these open ghettos in Romania and Bulgaria may also be entitled to a pension from the ZRBG (Ghetto Pension). This pension is not administered by the Claims Conference. Please contact a German embassy or consulate near you or https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/07-Pension/ghetto-financial-compensation/920638

CHILD SURVIVOR FUND

In addition to the other eligible applicants listed above, the Child Survivor Fund may also provide a one-time payment to those who are among the One Thousand Children amounting to €2,500 (approximately $2,500) per person. Approximately 1,400 children were forced to leave their parents behind when they were rescued from Nazi Germany and Nazi-occupied countries and taken to the United States. Please contact us to learn the details of eligibility.

PAYMENT TO SPOUSES OF DECEASED ARTICLE 2/CEE FUND BENEFICIARIES

The Claims Conference will provide payments to eligible spouses of deceased recipients of the Article 2, Central and Eastern European (CEE) Funds. A spouse of an Article 2/CEE Fund beneficiary may, upon the death of the Article 2/CEE Fund beneficiary, be entitled to receive payments for up to 9 months, paid in three quarterly installments, if the following conditions apply:

1. The spouse is alive at the date of the payment; and

2. The spouse was married to the Article 2/CEE Fund beneficiary at the time of death of the Article 2/CEE Fund beneficiary; and

3. The Article 2/CEE Fund recipient passed away at any point while he or she was receiving a payment from the program. The spouse of a Holocaust survivor must be alive at the time of each payment. Other heirs, including children, are not entitled to receive any payment. To download an application from our website, please go to: www.claimscon.org/apply

The German government established a similar program for surviving spouses of monthly Holocaust compensation pensions made under German Federal Indemnification Law, other German federal compensation laws or governmental programs, (sometimes referred to as Wiedergutmachung), for Holocaust survivors who passed away January 1st, 2020 or later. For more information, please check with the BADV or download the application from the BADV website at https://www.badv.bund.de/DE/OffeneVermoegensfragen/UebergangsleistungenEhegattenNSOpfer/antrag.html.

REGION-SPECIFIC PERSECUTION (RSP) PENSION A pension program was created for survivors, who currently do not receive pensions who were, for at least three months in: (i) the Leningrad Siege (ii) persecuted in Romania or (iii) hiding in France. Income/Asset criteria of the Article 2/CEE Funds apply. Meeting the RSP persecution criteria shall entitle a survivor to a payment from the Child Survivor Fund if the age criteria (born in or after 1928) is met.

Claims Conference

Postfach 90 05 43

60445 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Tel: +49-69-970-7010 Fax: +49-69-9707-0140

E-mail: A2-HF-CEEF2@claimscon.org

LFI delegation to Israel

BY HARRY SIMONS

Labour Friends of Israel hosted its largest parliamentary candidate delegation to Israel earlier this month.

The five-day mission provided opportunities to learn about the country’s history, economy and UK-Israel bilateral ties.

LFI vice chair Sharon Hodgson led the delegation which included Dan Tomlinson, PPC for Chipping Barnet, Primesh Patel (Harrow East), Melanie Onn (Great Grimsby), Danny Beales (Uxbridge and South Ruislip), Jo Platt (Leigh), Graeme Downie (Dunfermline and Dollar) and Jake Richards (Rother Valley).

Hodgson said the trip allowed Labour candidates to experience a deep and broad introduction to Israel and wider Middle East.

“LFI has always believed that enabling Labour politicians to witness Israel’s security challenges for themselves, reaffirm ties with our sister Israeli Labour Party, and renew the longstanding friendship between the Labour Party and the Jewish state, is key to ensuring political debate around

Israel in the UK remains well-informed and balanced,” she said.

The delegation met Labor Party Merav Michaeli, British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters together with representatives of the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority.

The delegation visited Jerusalem’s Old City, the Knesset and Yad Vashem where a wreath was laid in memory of the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. The group also met Uri Rotman, Head of the Middle East and Peace Process division at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The delegation travelled to Judea and Samaria. Meetings were held with Tech2Peace, Darkenu and the Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation. They also had a security briefing on Hamas’ rebuilding of its military capacity and tunnel-building strategy before visiting Kibbutz Kfar Aza where they heard about life with indiscriminate rocket attacks.

The bond between the British Labour party was reaffirmed by the Labor party’s Merav Michaeli.

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LFI delgation at Yad Vashem PHOTO: X (TWITTER)

Bibi & Herzog New Year messages

BY ADAM MOSES

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toasted Israel’s security services ahead of the High Holidays.

Addressing the Mossad, ISA, IDF and Israel Police, Netanyahu stressed the importance of unity and said that disagreements should be left outside security services.

Netanyahu and Mossad Director David Barnea presented the annual Prime Minister's Prize to four operations that made significant strategic contributions to the State of Israel.

Senior officials of security and intelligence services attended.

“I believe in you, I rely on you,” Netanyahu said. “I rely on our ability to utilise all of the resources at our disposal, in the IDF and the other security services. First and foremost is our determination as a people not to let our wonderful story be put to an end after 3,500 years by the extremist regime of ayatollahs that will threaten the entire world with nuclear weapons and inter-continental missiles.”

Netanyahu met ISA Director Ronen Bar and senior officials at ISA headquarters for a briefing on operations.

Addressing the gathering, Israel’s leader noted: “The ISA has great responsibility to protect the lives of Israeli citizens. Almost 200 terrorists that have been killed and

over 2,000 arrested, hundreds of actions have been thwarted this year.” He added: “I know how you work around the clock in order to thwart incidents and afterwards to find both the murderers and those who dispatch them.”

Netanyahu also met with members of the IDF General Staff Forum at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv to toast Rosh Hashanah and commemorate 50 years since the Yom Kippur War.

The forum briefed Netanyahu on a multi-year plan.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi attended.

Looking ahead to the coming year, Netanyahu called to reduce divisiveness and increase unity.

“We have one people, one state, one army, with a common past and a common future,” he observed. “We need to ensure this future. We have major challenges and opportunities. The major opportunities are in expanding the circle of peace. The major challenge is from Iran and its proxies who

want to not only thwart this peace but also work to destroy the State of Israel.”

Netanyahu commended the IDF for its “vigorous and relentless action” to defend Israel.

President Isaac Herzog released a video message to Jewish communities around the world.

Herzog stressed the importance of creating a worldwide Jewish conversation to overcome challenges of the past year.

He noted: “It is no secret that this year has challenged us. For so many, this time of reflection takes on new meanings this year, as we have watched Israel struggle with big questions that highlight how big the differences between us can be. But whilst our differences can be painful, they also point to an important comforting truth, we all care deeply about our Jewish people and democratic State of Israel. It is okay to have differences. In fact, having differences and being able to voice them is a sign of strength, strength of our democracy, and strength of our people. Our differences are our greatest asset.”

Herzog noted that his office had launched the ‘Kol Ha’Am: Voice of the People initiative for global Jewish dialogue.

Calling for an inclusive, empowering global Jewish conversation. Herzog wished Jews in Israel and around the world a sweet and happy New Year of renewal.

President Isaac Herzog

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

PHOTO: FLICKR

Oberman’s Shakespeare BoDcast Uman Rosh Hashanah tragedy

Tracy-Ann Oberman has spoken about Shakespeare, antisemitism and misogyny in a Board of Deputies BoDcast.

Oberman, an acclaimed actor and author, tells the story of the Merchant of Venice to illuminate antisemitism faced by British Jews in the 1930s while emphasising ‘matriarchs’ of the community.

Speaking to CEO Michael Wegier, she discussed the Shakespeare classic which opens in Stratford-Upon-Avon to tell the story of Britain’s flirtation with Fascism.

Oberman said: “Brigid Larmour, the director, and I, felt very strongly that this production, set in the London of the 1930s, should have a connection to the legacy of Cable Street and Mosley.”

Oberman explained that British Union of Fascists leader Oswald Mosley assumed the working class of the East End would side with him when he marched through Jewish areas of London in 1936.

She commented: “The Blackshirts fully expected to turn up to find all the other working-class communities with them. But instead, I was always told by my grandmother, that the dockers, the unionists, the Irish working-class neighbours, the small Afro-Caribbean community and the ordinary English working classes, basically said if you come for the Jews, you come for us all.”

Oberman added: “We did a lot of work in schools about how you talk about Jews in the same way as you would talk about any other minority and understanding that we are allies against a greater evil, which is

either far right or far left fascism.”

Oberman said making Shylock into a woman is a powerful statement, noting: “My experience of standing up to antisemitism as a woman is that antisemitism and misogyny go hand in hand.”

She also talks about basing Shylock on matriarchs like her great-aunts ‘Machine-Gun Molly’ and Sarah Portugal in the East End.

“These were tough matriarchs who’d come out of the pogroms of Belarus and the Pale of Settlement, and then in 1936, in the slums, in Cable Street and the Watling Street market, they came face-to-face with Mosley and his blackshirts and the Fascist hordes who marched,” commented Oberman.

She added: “While you may not like my Shylock, you will understand why she is like she is”.

IAA to invest 30m NIS in AI

BY HARRY SIMONS

Israel Innovation Authority is to invest 30 million NIS in seventeen projects focused on creating and providing access to data and language models in Hebrew and Arabic

The initiative is part of the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Plan to create research and development infrastructure and advanced capabilities in Natural Language Processing.

New solutions and applications are emerging on a daily basis. However, the gap between capabilities for Hebrew and Arabic and more common languages (such as English) is significant. To narrow the gap, a wide range of infrastructures are required for application developers dependent on language.

The call for proposals has promoted infrastructure activity to implement natural language-based artificial intelligence technologies and called on researchers, developers, academia, and industry to rise to this challenge.

Funding for approved projects will provide data repositories enabling a wide range of tasks from academia and industry.

Dror Bin, IAA CEO: “In order to promote the integration of Artificial Intelligence into the Israeli high-tech industry and enable Israeli citizens to benefit from the fruits of this technology, we are keen to promote and advance activity in this area.

“This program is crucial for realising Israel's unique data potential in Hebrew and

Arabic, facilitating the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the industry, and advancing innovation in Israel. These infrastructures will lead to significant and open applications for the benefit of Israeli residents and enable companies developing products in this field to sell both domestically and internationally.”

AI is set to dominate large sectors of Israeli high tech with the government determined to be at the forefront of the technology.

Prime Mininster Benjamin Netanyahu and ministers continually discuss AI prospects when world leaders visit the country.

BY HARRY SIMONS

An Israeli pilgrim collapsed and died in Uman on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.

David Mirilashvili, 55, from Netanya, collapsed at the grave of Rabbi Nachman, founder of the Bratslav Chasidic movement. His children witnessed the tragedy. Hazalah paramedics attended but were unable to save his life. Israel’s Foreign Ministry is repatriating his body to Israel.

An estimated 45,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews honoured Rabbi Nachman, at his resting place.

However, according to reports four Israelis were arrested by Ukrainian authorities for drug possession as they crossed from Moldova. The Foreign Ministry are investigating the case.

Three Israelis were also arrested near Vinnytsia after a fatal car crash killed an Israeli woman.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, meantime, said that had Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supplied the Iron Dome missile defense system, Jewish pilgrims would be safe.

He noted: “The responsibility for the safety of tens of thousand of Jews who come to pray at Uman during the Jewish year, is on the Israeli government that does not do enough.”

Zelensky presented 15 Jewish Ukrainian soldiers citations during a meeting with a Chabad delegation. “Thanks to you, a

great Jewish community can thrive here,” he said.

Netanyahu’s office released a statement prior to the Jewish New Year after meeting representatives of the community in Ukraine. “Peace can be achieved only through Ukraine's victory,” he said.

Netanyahu had called on thousands of ultra-orthodox Jews to “act responsibly” if they were travelling to Uman for the High Holidays.

Israeli’s leader rode a political storm from religious politicians following a statement that “The Holy One has not always protected us”.

Netanyahu made the comment on a proposal by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Meir Porush regarding preparations for Israelis' travel to Uman ahead of Rosh Hashanah. He explained that Zelensky confirmed there were not enough shelters for local residents, let alone foreign tourists.

Netanyahu allies clarified: “His entire intention was to appeal to Breslover chassidim to internalise the danger and take appropriate precautions so they can return safely.”

Recent weeks saw Israel's Ambassador in Kiev, Michael Brodsky, hold talks with Ukraine’s Border Control over crossing arrangements for pilgrims to Uman. Borders were open 24 hours according to agreements from Moldova, Poland and Hungary to avoid travel issues from Israel to Oman.

Weizmann Lab grows human embryos

A research team headed by Prof. Jacob Hanna at the Weizmann Institute of Science has created synthetic models of human embryos from stem cells.

Previous studies could not be considered accurate as they lacked defining hallmarks of a post-implantation embryo. The models may shed light on an embryo’s beginnings. Little is known for ethical and technical reasons.

“The drama is in the first month, the remaining eight months of pregnancy are mainly lots of growth,” Hanna observed. “That first month is still largely a black box. Our stem cell-derived human embryo model offers an ethical and accessible way of peering into this box. It closely mimics the development of a real human embryo, particularly the emergence of its exquisitely fine architecture.”

Researchers discovered if the embryo is not enveloped by placenta-forming cells in the right manner at day 3 of the protocol its internal structures, such as the yolk sac, fail to properly develop.

Hanna said: “An embryo is not static. It must have the right cells in the right organisation, and it must be able to progress, it’s about being and becoming. Our complete embryo models will help researchers address the most basic questions about what determines its proper growth.”

It is hoped that Hanna’ s ethical approach may aid development and research including types of infertility.

Hanna’s research is supported by the Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Stem Cell Research, and by Pascal and Ilana Mantoux.

Tracy-Ann Oberman

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

Prof. Jacob Hanna

Dror Bin, IAA CEO

Last Year/Next Year

OPINION PIECE BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN

With Rosh Hashona just behind us and Yom Kippur almost upon us, it is natural to think about those issues which have arisen over the last year and how they might change.

Given the solemnity of these 10 days of awe my mind has turned to the attacks on Jews in various countries. Over the last year, and in previous years we have all been witnesses to various deadly attacks on Jews in Israel and around the world. Generally, Jewish leaders have been quick to offer solidarity in response. The murders of Lucy Dee and her daughters Miaia (12) and Rina (15) in Israel in April of this year struck a chord around the world. If anything pointed to the need to seek a peaceful outcome to the current hostility in Israel, the loss of these three people served as a cruel reminder.

I have been openly critical of the way in which UK Jewish leaders are still slavishly claiming that a Two State Solution – TSS - is possible when it clearly isn’t. I firmly

believe that alternatives need to be considered and debated. Simply pining after the TSS when it is clearly defunct turns attention away from working on something different. I don’t know what that different thing might be, but I do know that we need to start again. The hatred that comes from those in the UK who vilify Israel with lies and biased reporting is exhausting.

Reports from students reveal that as soon as they declare they are Jewish, they are held responsible for Israel’s actions and required to account for them or explain why not. I don’t remember reading any report that those who said they were

Catholic being required to declare their loyalty to the Crown rather than the Pope. For too long we have trod a path of trying to make people like us, hence the devotion to the TSS and more recently projects dealing with Interfaith. I am reminded though that Israel was not born out of a series of polite conversations with the local Arab leaders at the time. I am also aware that when under attack, too often Israel has to rely upon its own resources rather than being able to count on assistance from another nation.

The combination then of a new country born under fire together with a continuing hatred from so many other people has

Reports from students reveal

resulted in a people who have learned that when the going gets tough they only have themselves to rely on. I wonder if this approach has been ignored by those outside Israel who don’t have the experience of wondering if the person walking in the street in Tel Aviv on a hot day with a coat on is carrying a bomb.

I don’t know what the answer is to the question of what is the alternative to the TSS. I do know that if we are to avoid more losses from this last year such as Mrs Dee and two of her daughters we need to try harder to explore possibilities for bringing the conflict to an end. We owe it to them at the very least to make a serious effort so that maybe this time next year there might be an idea worth considering, instead of this impasse with its associated tragic losses.

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.

NJA condemns BBC comments about Jews NJA applauds Cleverly Israel commitment

The National Jewish Assembly is appalled by a recent article published by BBC Arabic, which falsely claims that Jews were the ‘original suicide bombers’.

The offensive statements perpetuate harmful stereotypes and historical inaccuracies. The NJA strongly condemns the BBC's irresponsible reporting.

A spokesman said: “The article, titled ‘The story of suicide bombers throughout history: from the fanatical Jews, through the assassins, to the jihadists’ not only misrepresents historical events but also distorts the truth about Jewish history. The claim that Jewish ‘Sicari’ were the first suicide attackers is not only baseless but deeply offensive. This type of rhetoric only serves to fuel hatred and promote divisiveness.”

Gary Mond, NJA Chairman stated: “It is important not to distort historic events to blame Jews for its development. Suicide bombers have been motivated by hate, including (and especially) hatred of life itself. Jews, on the other hand, honour life and do all they can to preserve it, in all types of circumstances. Jews must not be blamed for Israel seeking to wipe out Islamic terrorism in the Lebanon war, nor for in any way being responsible for suicide bombings organised by Palestinian terrorist factions.”

He added: “The NJA echoes concerns of Lord Carlile, who rightly emphasised that the BBC should exercise caution when publishing articles that raise sensitive issues and avoid propagating antisemitism, deliberate or otherwise. This article not only misrepresents history but also creates a false equivalence that diminishes the gravity of modern acts of terrorism, such as the 9/11 attacks.”

NJA has called on the BBC to issue an immediate public apology and take corrective action to prevent the dissemination of false information and stereotypes.

“As an esteemed news organisation, the BBC should uphold its commitment to journalistic integrity and ethical reporting,” said a spokesman.

The organisation has also urged the BBC to take this as an opportunity to review and address ongoing concerns of inaccuracy and bias in its coverage of topics related to Israel and Jewish affairs, especially from the BBC Arabic desk.

A spokesman observed: “NJA, along with other concerned organisations, has noted over 130 corrections issued by BBC Arabic in the past due to similar issues. It is imperative that the BBC reassesses its editorial processes and takes concrete steps to prevent the repetition of such offensive and inaccurate reporting.”

The National Jewish Assembly commends Foreign Secretary James Cleverly for his visit to Israel and his commitment to strengthening security ties between the United Kingdom and Israel.

The historic visit reaffirms the importance of a strong partnership in the face of regional security threats.

During his visit, Cleverly delivered a speech at an international security conference, where he condemned Iran's support for terrorism in Israel through groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

NJA appreciates his clear stance against Iran's destabilising activities in the region, which pose a significant threat to peace and security.

The Foreign Secretary's support for a twostate solution aligns with the aspirations of many for lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. His emphasis on dialogue and cooperation between Israel and the OPTs to end the cycle of violence is a positive step towards a more peaceful future for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The NJA recognises that a strong and secure Israel is essential for regional stability, and we welcome the Foreign Secretary's efforts to reinforce this partnership.

The visit to Israel's 'Iron Dome' missile defense system underscores the importance of countering threats effectively.

that as soon as they declare they are Jewish, they are held responsible for Israel’s actions and required to account for them or explain why not.

NJA thanked Cleverly for his dedication to promoting security, cooperation and peace in the Middle East. His visit sent a strong message of solidarity and commitment to the region.

James Cleverly MP

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

CHARITY SUPPLEMENT

Jewish Care’s record-breaking 100th Business Breakfast with Chancellor of the Exchequer raises over £120,000

More than 220 people joined Jewish Care for their 100th Business Breakfast with keynote speaker, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, raising a record-breaking amount of over £120,000 for the charity’s core services. The breakfast, held at Mansion House, was generously sponsored by JB Drax Honoré. Since the first Business Breakfast 30 years ago, the event has raised a staggering amount to help the organisation to provide care and support to older people in the community.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, said: “It is a pleasure to support Jewish Care at their 100th Business Breakfast. I’d like to pay tribute to the organisation, to the staff and the volunteers who do truly outstanding work each day supporting older people and their families relying on the charity’s vital services in the Jewish community.”

Lord Howard Leigh of Hurley, Chairman of Jewish Care’s Business Breakfast Committee said:

“We thank the Chancellor for giving us his valuable time this morning. We are so grateful to our sponsor and supporters at our 100th Business Breakfast, as well as to all those who have supported us to reach this milestone today. We thank you for your continued dedication and generosity. It is very fitting for our 100th breakfast that we

raised a record-breaking sum.”

Daniel Carmel-Brown, Jewish Care CEO, added: “We are hugely appreciative of the donations received today which will go towards our core services. I would like to thank our speaker, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Committee for their dedication, our

sponsor and guests for making today’s Business Breakfast such a success.

“Special thanks go to our Committee Chair, Lord Leigh, for his unwavering support and dedication to Jewish Care, together with his predecessors, for steering us through the many breakfasts that have taken us to this

impressive milestone.

“World events and the cost of living crisis continue to exert pressure on all of us and Jewish Care is no exception. We rely on the support of our community during these difficult times to keep our vital services running for all those who need us.”

For Leon, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree

When Leon was diagnosed with dementia, Michael went from being a full-time son to a full-time carer. He moved in with his dad and quickly turned to the Jewish Care Direct helpline.

Michael was referred to our Family Carers Team who provide him with ongoing guidance, whilst Leon attends our dementia day centre, giving his son the respite he needs.

Leon had always been a caring father and now the roles are reversed. As they say, the apple never falls far from the tree.

Jewish Care is supporting Leon, Michael and the hundreds of families in our community who are living with dementia. Please show your support this Rosh Hashanah.

To make a donation, please call 020 8922 2600 , visit jewishcare.org/roshhashanah , or scan here

Thank you.

Leon and his son, Michael, taking part in Rosh Hashanah celebrations at The Sam Beckman Centre for people living with dementia.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP keynote speaker at Jewish Care’s 100th Business Breakfast

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP

PHOTO: JUSTIN GRAINGE

PHOTO: JUSTIN GRAINGE

Hope for a brighter future

Each year around 600 children in Israel are in emergency care due to the harshest forms of neglect, abuse, violence, or other traumatic circumstances. This Rosh Hashanah, JNF UK is raising vital funds to expand the Emergency Centre facilities at Neradim Village in Arad, southern Israel, which are currently old and unfit for purpose. The facilities are essential for the care and wellbeing of the children who, due to their situation, are unable to leave the campus. Every child deserves the warmth of a loving family, the comfort of a safe welcoming environment and devoted care to ensure a bright future. Without adequate facilities, Neradim can’t give the children all they need to thrive.

Rosh Hashanah: putting the Seed back among the pomegranates

BY RABBI DANIEL FINE, SEED DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

When I was growing up there were two memories of Rosh Hashanah etched in my mind and often reverberating in my ears. My father used to lead the overflow services in Raleigh Close Shul, which meant that the practising sounds of Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur were heard throughout the house for weeks beforehand. Second, when I’d call my aunt before Rosh Hashanah to wish her a good year, the reply was always striking: ‘daven well,’ she’d say. Not out of a sense of morbidity, but out of a sense of the seriousness of the day of judgment. These two experiences or sounds sum up the cogent dichotomy of the Yamim Noraim – on the one hand we stand as individuals (‘daven well’) but on the other hand we stand as a community and a nation – we do things for others. So much so that Rav Dessler (d. 1953) writes that the first day of Rosh Hashanah sees a focus on the self, whilst the second day pivots more around the extent we have helped others.

Taking the theme a step further at Seed as a national educational organisation, we seek to put on ‘our own programmes’ but on Rosh Hashanah especially we recognise

our responsibility to communities and the country as a whole – building bridges in assisting others. Thus, whilst the Seed Shul in Edgware and collaboration SoulShul in Borehamwood have a fabulous array of inspiration over Yamim Noraim through its services and breakout sessions and Seed’s Early Years programming is full of Rosh Hashanah family fun, there is so much Seed are helping the communities with.

Seed organised pre-Rosh Hashanah themed fundays in Manchester and Barnet – the latter a key collaborative project between Seed & Barnet, Southgate, Woodside Park and Hadley Wood Shuls. Myself and Rabbi Bazak will be speaking in Borehamwood Shul, Rabbis Bazak & Herman will be leading an explanatory family service in Mill Hill Shul with helping hands from year six children of Mathilda Marks-Kennedy and Etz Chaim schools – the scripts having been prepared by their teachers and practised over the past weeks. Topping this off are the Seed schools parent-child pre-Rosh Hashanah activities across schools, coupled with over 4000 packs given out to 15 schools across the country – full of Rosh Hashanah materials. As the new year beckons as individuals and a community, wishing you all a Shana Tovah!

Chana Champions Collaboration Giving children in emergency care hope for a brighter future

In the midst of the Negev in the city of Arad lies Neradim Village, a place of refuge for children who have been removed from their families. It is more than just a home. Neradim provides a loving family-like environment for children who have experienced unimaginable hardships and trauma.

Chana’s in-house Scientific Advisor, Dr Veronique Berman convened and chaired an important first-ever roundtable discussion on Tuesday the 19th of September, with the heads of various Jewish perinatal charities across London. The event created a platform for each charity to present their aims and target audience to the group, and in so doing define and highlight the differences between each service. Dr Berman explained, “There are so many wonderful and indispensable services being supported by our community, and it is essential to keep reviewing our roles to ensure that no services are overlapping and that we are making the best use of our resources.”

Whilst some charities were well known to each other with long standing working relationships, it was also an opportunity to introduce some new connections to the group. There was a useful discussion on referral

pathways, laying the groundwork for easy and seamless referrals from one charity to another where applicable. Chana, the leading Jewish fertility charity in the UK, also shared examples of their collaborative work with some of the attending charities, highlighting how pooling resources with charities with common aims can not only save time and money, but can often provide the service user with the highest level of support.

Dr Berman and Chana are grateful to Bikur Cholim D’Satmar, Ezer Leyoldos, both the North West London and Stamford Hill branches of the Hansy Josovich Maternity Trust, Hyperemesis Gravidarum Support, Menucha, Mother to Mother Edgware and Yad La’em for attending and helping to make the meeting a great success.

You can learn more about Chana’s services by visiting this website: https://www.chana. org.uk/understanding-your-health

This Rosh Hashanah, JNF UK is raising vital funds to enable Neradim to continue to provide the best care for the children.

The children who come to Neradim Village arrive with heavy hearts and stories that would break anyone’s heart. The Emergency Centre within Neradim Village serves an immediate care unit, where children arrive at very short notice and at times even escorted by the police, having been removed from their homes due to extreme violence, neglect or abuse. But the moment they cross the threshold of the Village, they feel a shift in their lives.

Many of the children who arrive at Neradim are scarred from their upbringing and lack basic life skills. Due to the sheer neglect the children have faced, many of them have never had a home cooked meal, are unable to socialise and lack an educational framework. JNF UK is helping these vulnerable children by building new facilities at the Emergency Centre which are in desperate need of updating. The facilities are housed in a temporary old building that is

not fit for purpose. There are not enough treatment rooms and the classrooms are too small. Money raised from the appeal will fund a new state-of-the-art building which will include much-needed treatment rooms, classrooms, a computer room, a relaxation room and an outside play area. The facilities are essential for the care and wellbeing of the children who, due to their situation, are unable to leave the campus or mix with other children in the main village.

Yaakov Zada Daniel, who plays Eli in the hit series Fauda, is championing JNF UK’s appeal to raise vital funds for Neradim. Having grown up there after losing both his parents at age 3, he knows all too well the impact that Neradim has on the lives of these children. Without Neradim they would have nowhere else to go. Yaakov says the support that the staff at Neradim provided allowed him to have a real childhood.

Every child deserves the warmth of a loving family, the comfort of a safe welcoming environment and devoted care, to ensure that they have a bright future.

Without adequate facilities, Neradim are not able to give the children all they need to thrive.

Help JNF UK to achieve its mission of an Israel where no one is left behind.

To donate to our Rosh Hashanah appeal, please visit https://www.jnf.co.uk/rosh-jw

Seed’s pre-Rosh Hashana fun day

Chana roundtable discussion

Yaakov Zada Daniel PHOTO: DOR MALKA

Christian Wakeford MP speaks at NJA event

The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) were delighted and honoured to host Christian Wakeford MP online on Tuesday evening, 19th September. MP for Manchester’s Bury South since 2019 and a longstanding friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, it was to much surprise, concern, and for some of his his Jewish constituents, a sense of betrayal, when he crossed the floor in 2022, leaving the Conservative party to join the Labour party.

One may well have wondered how his stalwart support of the Jewish people and their homeland, Israel, would fare in the Labour Party which had been mired in accusations and official findings of antisemitism since Jeremy Corbyn became its leader in September 2015, and which was still dealing with the effects in early 2022 at the time of Wakeford’s defection. Wakeford soon put any such concerns to bed.

Describing himself as the “accidental MP”, Wakeford explained that he only got into politics when he wasn’t enjoying his A-Level in Physics and swapped it with A-Level Politics. Realising he actually enjoyed the subject, he went on to serve on Lancashire Council and eventually found himself wanting to help make laws rather

than simply enacting them, so in 2019 he was elected as the MP for Manchester’s Bury South, a post he still holds today, but now as a Labour MP.

On his crossing the floor to Labour, Wakeford explained that around the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, the debate about free meals for school children was raging and he fundamentally disagreed with his Party’s opposition to it. At what turned out to be his last Conservative Party Conference, he was given what he described as a “bollocking” for accusing the party of failing a generation of people. After being approached by some Labour shadow ministers who were liking what he had to say, he eventually met Keir Starmer where half the meeting was spent talking about antisemitism, an issue close to the heart of so many of his Jewish constituents. As Wakeford put it to the NJA’s audience, “If I didn’t believe Keir, I wouldn’t be here now.”

When asked about his very vocal condemnation of the antisemitic former Pink Floyd band member Roger Waters in the House of Commons in May 2023, Wakeford explained that as far as he is concerned, “anti-Zionism and antisemitism are two sides of the same coin” and that antisemitism is

racism and must always be called out. Despite an avalanche of antisemitic abuse on social media, including from Waters himself, Wakeford confirmed he had no regrets in calling out Waters’ anti-Jewish racism.

At the end of the interview, Wakeford responded to a variety of questions from the NJA’s audience and what came across with each question posed was overwhelming evidence of Wakeford’s deep understanding of the Jewish community’s aspirations and concerns, especially relating to Israel and antisemitism in the UK, and his commitment to ensure that the Labour Party, historically the political home of many British Jews until the Corbyn era, will take all necessary action to ensure that there will be zero tolerance of antisemitism.

Gary Mond, Chairman of the NJA, said “It was great that Labour MP Christian Wakeford gave up his evening to speak to us about the Labour Party’s interaction with the Jewish community. Whatever political party we support, it is important to all of us that Labour rids itself of antisemitism. Tonight proved to be a good opportunity for NJA’s members to assess the extent to which Labour has succeeded in this vitally important objective.”

Christian Wakeford MP

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA

How to stay calm in the mortgage rate

As interest rates have risen sharply, you may now be seeing your mortgage payments shoot up and wonder how you will be able to a ord them.

The Government has agreed a Mortgage Charter with most lenders, and this gives you a number of options. These include extending the mortgage term, thereby reducing monthly repayments, or having a period of paying interest- only. Both of these can be done without a ordability checks or a ecting your credit score.

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Little Tides bring Rosh Hashanah smiles

Volunteers as young as three-years-old helped pack Rosh Hashanah boxes, delivered by Camp Simcha to families with seriously ill children.

The group of volunteers from philanthropic project The Tides Foundation and Little Tides, which was established to encourage children to volunteer, packed over 150 boxes full of Rosh Hashanah arts and crafts, themed goodies and toiletries. The children also created a piece of art to be reproduced on gift tags in the boxes.

The boxes are designed to bring an emotional boost to families Camp Simcha supports, at what can often be a difficult time of year.

Camp Simcha Head of Services Daniel Gillis explained: “The High Holy Days often bring extra pressures and can feel isolating for some of our families, who have to grapple with the fact they cannot have a ‘normal’ yom tov. If their child is in hospital or needs round-the-clock care, festivals look very different,” explained Mr Gillis.

“We try to mitigate this in a variety of ways. The boxes are about providing something entertaining for children to do – while also giving parents some respite and creating that community of support from Camp Simcha.

“In addition to the boxes, Camp Simcha

will continue to help users in whatever they can during the Yom Tovim. Hospital transport, crisis meals and household support will all be part of the service, as well as anything individual families may require, such as respite care so a family can sit down to a Yom Tov meal or volunteers to be with siblings.”

One parent, on receiving the box, fed back: “It came as a wonderful surprise at the perfect moment. You created such joy… with the crafts, delicious treats and creative stuff to enhance our yom tov.”

Benny and Ariella Brown receiving their Camp Simcha Rosh Hashanah box

Packing the Camp Simcha Rosh Hashanah boxes

Best wishes

Help us to support deaf people in crisis as only we can

We are living in a hearing world that presents obstacles and barriers everywhere for deaf people. We never know where we’ll be needed next, but one thing is for certain - when nobody else can help, we will move mountains and find a way.

Our services are in greater demand than ever before, so please help us to keep enabling every deaf person to live the very best life they can.

To ensure we can be there for all those who most need us, please support Jami this Rosh Hashanah.

More than half of the Jewish community living with mental illness, distress or trauma are under 25. jamiuk.org/donate

Deborah, mum of Alex (age 14)

When everyday life became a struggle for Alex, Jami was there for us.

British Emunah: A Beacon of Hope and Charity

One of the organisation’s standout programmes is its network of residential homes for children facing adversity. These homes provide a safe and nurturing environment for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. British Emunah’s dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that these young souls not only receive the care they need but also the love and support they deserve.

Moreover, British Emunah understands the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and adversity. The organisation sponsors numerous educational initiatives, including scholarships and after-school programmes, that empower disadvantaged youth to dream big and achieve their goals. By investing in education, British Emunah is sowing the seeds of a brighter future for countless individuals.

As we reflect on British Emunah’s remarkable journey, we are reminded of the Jewish concept of tzedakah, the obligation to give to those less fortunate. British Emunah embodies this principle, dedicating itself to acts of loving-kindness and charity. It serves as an inspiring example of the profound impact that a community rooted in compassion and empathy can have on the world.

In a world fraught with challenges, British Emunah shines as a beacon of hope and charity, embodying the essence of Jewish values in its unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals and families. As we explore the profound impact of British Emunah we find a testament to the enduring spirit of the Jewish community in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1933, British Emunah has

spent nearly a century dedicated to its mission: improving the lives of at-risk children and families through a wide array of programmes and initiatives. The organisation’s ethos is deeply rooted in the principles of tikkun olam, the Jewish concept of repairing the world. Over the years, British Emunah has successfully combined tradition with innovation to address the evolving needs of its beneficiaries.

Throughout its long history, British Emunah has thrived thanks to the unwavering support of the Jewish community in the UK. Generous donors and committed volunteers have allowed the organisation to expand its reach and impact. Furthermore, British Emunah’s commitment to transparency and accountability ensures that every contribution is maximized for the benefit of those in need.

In conclusion, British Emunah stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Jewish community in the United Kingdom. With a legacy spanning nearly a century, the organisation continues to provide hope, support, and opportunity to at-risk children and families. Through its unwavering commitment to charity, British Emunah exemplifies the timeless Jewish values of tikkun olam and tzedakah, reminding us all of our shared responsibility to repair the world and care for those in need.

You too can part of tikkun olam, British Emunah’s ‘Empowering For Generations’ Campaign will be on 22nd and 23rd October. Become an Ambassador and together we will share the responsibility of making the world a better place. For more information please email melissa@emunah.org.uk or visit our website www.emunah.org.uk to make a donation.

“Our family

in every conceivable way

JDA. In a world that doesn’t speak the language of the Deaf community, nor understand the challenges that it creates, JDA literally saves people’s lives.”

Eva and Ross’s daughter

This photo was taken when Eva and Ross were celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary and, for the first time since her stroke, Eva was able to give Ross a smile.

Donations made to Kisharon Langdon this Rosh Hashanah are core to our future together

As one unified organisation, dedicated to offering the best possible opportunities to people within the Jewish learning disability and autism community, we need your support.

To find out more or to make a donation, please visit kisharonlangdon.org.uk or scan the QR code.

, West led the queen of diamonds. Declarer played low from dummy, won in hand and, after drawing trumps ending in hand, he led a club to the jack. East took this with the king and shifted to the queen of spades. Declarer played low from hand and East continued with the jack of spades. Declarer covered with the king but then West took this with the ace and cashed the ten of spades to defeat the contract by one trick.

“That was unlucky – both finesses lost. I was a 3:1 favourite to make.“ declarer cried.

"Luck had nothing to do with the outcome," said a somewhat-miffed partner "All you had to do was to let the queen of diamonds win the first trick. If West shifts to a club, rise with the ace, draw two rounds of trumps with the ace and king before cashing the ace of diamonds. Then, after crossing to dummy with a trump, you can throw your losing club on the king of diamonds before leading the queen of clubs. When East covers with the king you ruff and then return to dummy with a trump to cash the jack of clubs. Either way you make ten tricks: 6 trumps,2 diamonds and 2 clubs and your Spade king was always protected since Eat could not get in".

Dummy continued, "If East played low on the queen of clubs, you throw a low spade from hand. Either the queen of clubs wins or West wins the trick with the king, but that would still leave your king of spades protected on 3 sides".

Families Flock to Mill Hill for Rosh Hashanah Service

was interspersed with explanations of the meaning behind the prayers from both the children themselves and Seed Rabbis Gary Bazak and Malcolm Herman.

Over 110 parents and children from the local area came together for this beautiful and unique event, using a specially made Rosh Hashanah machzor designed by Seed. This child-led explanatory service model - the brainchild of Seed’s Director of Education Rabbi Daniel Fine, developed by Mathilda Marks Kennedy’s headteacher Miriam Kaye – successfully encouraged young families to go to shul who may not have otherwise attended, and could certainly be replicated elsewhere.

A brand new concept in family-friendly explanatory services was piloted at Mill Hill United Synagogue on the second day of Rosh Hashanah thanks to the collaborative efforts of Seed, Mathilda Marks Kennedy School, Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School and the shul. Year 5 and 6 children from these local schools led the special service themselves, with classic Rosh Hashanah tefillot they had prepared together such as Avinu Malkeinu and Zochreinu L’Chaim. The children’s uplifting singing

Rabbi Bazak from Seed commented: "The idea of bringing young families from key local schools into the shul community through a programme that combined the children and rabbis was innovative, enjoyable and worked a treat".

Mathilda Marks Kennedy headteacher Miriam Kaye said: “This inspiring, interactive Rosh Hashana experience allowed what we teach in school to be put into practice, building future shul leaders and consolidating Jewish knowledge and experience of shul for both pupils and parents.”

Mill Hill Shul co-ordinator Josh Bentley described the event as "A big success. Rabbi Bazak and Herman were fantastic."

A Bergson family affair in St Anne’s over the Yomim Noraim

It is a real Bergson Family affair in St Anne's Synagogue this Yomim Noraim. Rabbi Danny Bergson officiates as Chazan Rishon and Baal Tokea and has been joined this year by his son Tzvi Bergson (19) as Chazzan Sheni following the sad passing of Chazzan Lawrence Gorsden (Leeds) who was a fixture at St Anne's for over a decade. Rabbi Danny and Anna's two other sons Ilan (13) and Naftali (9) also come up to the bimah to add harmonies. Rebbetzen Anna

Bergson commented 'the imposing high ceiling in the shul lends itself to the most fabulous acoustics and the traditonal style of the shul really adds to a very powerful spiritual experience. We love to welcome visitors who are in for a treat! '

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Simon Daniels and Simon Braham

Four cyclists raised over £7k in the London to Brighton charity bike ride for Kisharon Langdon.

Rabbi Danny Bergson

Explanatory service - photo not taken on Shabbat or Yom Tov

Charity golf day raises £82K

King David Primary School year

from the

reception display,

Thank you Schneider Children's Hospital

Two hundred golfers raised over £82,000 at Hartsbourne Country Club for Kisharon Langdon.

This is the fourth year volunteer Tony Franks has organised the event sponsored by Steven Eagell Group.

Helping Tony was Adam Bergman whose son benefits from support at Langdon College.

Adam said: “Langdon has been life changing for our family and son. We are so happy to have been able to give something back to this great organisation by helping with this event.”

A silent auction included a break at Bowmore Lake House in the Cotswolds. All proceeds go to the charity.

Tony said: “I’m delighted that everything we raised will go towards enabling people with learning disabilities and autistic people thrive and live their best lives.”

Sara Pollins, Kisharon Langdon, thanked Tony, the golfers, sponsors and those who donated to the prizes. “You have all helped us to empower our members to live their very best lives independently, to have the same opportunities as their peers, and to be their best, true selves,” she said.

UK Friends of Schneider Children’s Hospital held their “Big Heart” Campaign this year just before Rosh Hashana and raised an amazing total of £120,450 which has surpassed their original goal. UK Friends is now able to buy 3 pieces of vitally needed medical equipment for the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Schneider Children’s Hospital in Israel. This is where baby Yaniv, the inspiration behind the campaign, was successfully treated, along with thousands of other babies and children who are cared for by the dedicated medical teams at this wonderful hospital.

box

Nick Doffman (Joint Chair), Richard Franklin (CEO) Tony Franks (Golf Committee)

5 pupils with items

school's

the Shofar, apples & honey, Lulav and Etrog ,a model of a Succah and a tzedaka

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Back row L to R: Eric Cohen, Mikey Edwards, Zac Leigh

Front row L to R: Michael Rosenberg, Immy Gordon, and Izzy Eden.

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ASK THE RABBI

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

A LOST WALLET

Dear Rabbi I was stopped recently by a Rabbi and asked if I was Jewish. I replied that I was. He then asked me if I would like to put on Tefilin. I was caught a little off guard but said yes. It was, after all, a day before the Jewish New Year. It was admittedly the first time since my Bar Mitzvah that I did this. Later, when thinking about it, I felt a little strange. How forward of the Rabbi to approach me. In discussion with a friend I came to find out that it is common practise for Chabad Rabbis to do this. Is there a basis for this in religion? Should there not be some consideration for people’s feelings, risking making them feel uncomfortable? I welcome your thoughts on this.

Marcus

Dear Marcus

The Torah says, G-d will establish you as His holy people as He swore to you, if you observe the commandments of the Lord, your G-d, and walk in His ways. Then all the peoples of the earth will see that the name of G-d is called upon you, and they will fear you.

On this verse the Talmud says, from

where do we know that tefilin give Jews strength? Scripture states, “And all the nations of the earth will see that G-d’s name is upon you, and they shall fear you.”… Rabbi Eliezer the great one said, “This refers to the head tefilin. Why does the Talmud assume that the verse refers to head tefilin? The commentaries explain, because head tefilin are worn high on the head, the verse, “and [the nations] will see,” applies to them. The hand tefilin, by contrast, are generally concealed, congruent with the verse which states, “A sign for you,” and not a sign for others.

In other words, when non-Jews see Jews doing mitzvot it makes them look on in awe. It’s one thing to know theoretically that Jews strive for a connection with G-d; it’s another to actually see it. Therefore, of all the mitzvot, the head tefilin are the best device to strike awe in the eyes of others, as they’re prominently displayed on the head and easily noticeable.

This is the basis for the Chabad Tefilin campaign. It was just before the 6 day war with all the looming danger when the Rebbe launched the campaign insisting that if soldiers and others besides, don Tefilin, then not only will it unite our

people, but indeed strike awe into the hearts of those who threaten us.

One documented story is told about a pending Arab ambush that was thwarted and turned around such that the Israeli soldiers captured those who lay in wait for them. The colonel, as he recounted after, asked the Egyptian he captured: “You had us surrounded. You could have caught us off guard. Why did you panic and abandon your plan?” He replied, “I saw some of your soldiers early morning with your secret Israeli weapon.” By that it turns out he meant he saw soldiers wearing Tefilin which they assumed was some secret weapon that they became frightened from. No explanation other than that is exactly what is says in the verse.

A really meaningful New Year’s resolution is, if you are a male over Bar Mitzvah and you might not regularly put on Tefilin, to consider doing so. It’ll be good for your physical and spiritual wellbeing and go a long way to protect you as you navigate through the year.

Of course, the same applies to women and girls aged three and up, when it comes to lighting Shabbat candles. If you don’t already do so, to endeavour undertaking this special mitzvah each Friday before sunset. It’ll add luminescence in your home and literally light up your life.

On the point about making people feel uncomfortable, I’d like you to consider the following which I heard only recently: A Chabad Rabbi lives in an area where many Jews are seemingly distant from their roots. Over time he built up quite a

community. He shared how it all began with random approaches: “Do you have a mezuzah on your doorpost? Are you planning to hear shofar tomorrow? Do you own a pair of Tefilin? Do you have Shabbat candles?” Someone asked him: “These Jews didn’t know what Tefilin are; they would have looked at you strange when suggesting Shabbat candles; some may have never heard a ram’s horn blown in their lives. Did you not feel somewhat intimidated making those approaches, possibly encountering rude rebuffs?

His answer was simple and profound: You’re walking in the street and you see someone dropping a wallet. You pick it up and it is filled with wads of cash. Will you go up to the person and ask, “Excuse me did you drop this?” Or are you going to worry that you will be rebuffed. That person will thank you profusely for doing him or her the favour. It’s the same thing with every Jew: No one has a monopoly on the Torah. It belongs to every Jew. Sometimes, for one reason or another, some might have dropped or lost their “wallet” – the mitzvot that are invaluable. So long as you recognise that you’re returning something so valuable that actually belongs to them then you have nothing to worry about and no one to feel intimidated from.” And that’s how he built his community.

The Rabbi who stopped you – he’s just returning your “wallet” which evidently you dropped soon after your Bar Mitzvah. Be grateful and thankful. And try not to lose it again. Shana Tova!

Follow Rabbi Schochet at: RabbiSchochet.com Twitter: @RabbiYYS Facebook: facebook.com/Rabbiyys.

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Torah from Israel Yom Kippur: Forgive Us For Forgetting

BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN

The teshuva process can be very vague and elusive. Unwilling to confront our own flaws and face the unpleasant truths of our past, we often spin false narratives, in a futile attempt to justify our botched behavior. For teshuva to be successful we must cut through numerous layers of self- denial. We must also summon the courage to stare at ourselves in the mirror and confront the ugliness looking back at us, without photoshopping it. Authentic teshuva is a difficult journey through the dark recesses of self and the deepest crevices of our psyche.

Viduy or verbal confession is instrumental in helping us pierce the emotional barriers blocking authentic teshuva. Judaism rejects any form of vicarious atonement, and therefore, confession alone can never provide absolution.

Verbal confession is merely one step in a larger process of heartfelt and sincere teshuva. Verbalizing sin helps concretize the painful realities which we would rather not consider. Articulating a sin makes it harder to deny or to explain away. Additionally, enunciating sins makes them more vivid and more disturbing. Without distress and remorse, repentance becomes artificial and formulaic. By lending verbal imagery to sin, confessions assure that our past behavior is painful, and that repentance is genuine. Through confession we clarify, quantify and vivify our religious failures.

REGISTRIES OF SIN

Though, ideally, confession should be personal, throughout history, a rich “liturgy” of confessions developed. Lists of sins were compiled into ritual confessions which were then incorporated into tefillah. Generally, the lists were structured upon the Hebrew aleph bet, with each letter addressing a particular sin or a specific character trait which triggers multiple sins. The two most famous lists are the confessionals recited on Yom Kippur, known as “Ashamnu” and “Al chet”. While these lists provide a common registry of sin, they ignore other important areas of self-improvement. By definition, each of the entries of a viduy list addresses a very specific sin or a very specific area of human behavior. The alphabetized entries are very targeted and narrow, and they do not address deeper or broader character flaws. These foundational character flaws or “super flaws” are responsible for our systemic

and large-scale religious failure and underperformance.

Every sin is rooted in a deep-seated character flaw. Ignoring these flaws and focusing our teshuva solely upon actions or behavior increases the likelihood of recidivism. Addressing symptoms of sin and ignoring the root almost assures that we will slip back into old habits and to familiar behavior. Telescopic viduy lists fail to address seminal character flaws or basic behavioral issues. Though the lists facilitate micro-teshuva they aren’t as helpful for macro-transformation.

FORGETTING

One example of a broader behavioral tendency which causes extensive religious breakdown is our forgetting basic ideas and values of religion. Typically, we trace our sins to the overpowering desires which conquer our will and shatter our discipline. We possess a clear sense of right and wrong but are overcome by powerful needs and wants.

Often, however, sin doesn’t stem from desire but from apathy or neglect. We allow important values to slowly slip out of consciousness and we push important religious principles out of mindview. Often, sins are caused by religious inattentiveness rather than by religious weakness. For teshuva to be holistic and foundational we must repent for the sin of inattentiveness and forgetfulness. To accomplish that we must first ask: what do we forget and why do we forget it?

FORGETTING HASHEM

Sadly, we live in a secular era, in which much of humanity has completely forgotten that Hashem exists. Even believers though, in their own way, sometimes forget Hashem. We don’t deny His existence or His authority, but we become so engrossed in our own lives and our own pursuits that Hashem becomes a sideshow. Instead of fixing Hashem as the epicenter of our lives, we think about Him from time to time, pray to Him when we need Him, but relegate Him to the margins of our consciousness. We don’t deny Him, nor do we even devalue Him, but we do decentralize Him. We don’t forget Him, but we also don’t remember Him often enough.

Additionally, we sometimes “forget Hashem” by not sufficiently attributing our success to Him. Repeatedly, the Torah warns us that success will morally “fatten” us, making us arrogant, ungrateful, and religiously insensitive. The scenes

don’t portray atheism or the crime of marginalizing Hashem, but a scenario in which we are hypnotized by success and slip into ingratitude. As a gateway to numerous other moral failures arrogance is inherently harmful. In additional, too much self-confidence obscures human frailty and human dependence upon Hashem. Success blurs our vision of Hashem. We know He exists, but we don’t trace our success back to Him, so, in effect, we forget him.

We ask forgiveness for the various ways by which we forgot Hashem.

FORGETTING IMMORTALITY

Sin also emerges when we confuse eternity with transience. Wrapped up in the present, we lose perspective of human immortality. A very famous dictum of the mishnah, recited at funerals, urges us to consider “from where we came, where we are headed to, and in front of “Whom” we will be held accountable”. By reminding us of human mortality on Earth, this reductive advice prevents us from being trapped in the present. Often this world captivates us with its glamourous pizzazz, and we ignore duty, mission, responsibility and, of course, eternity. We get stuck in the immediate and lose track of the long term. Every sin is a tragic exchange of eternity for immediate needs, which quickly fade. Endlessly executing these sad transactions of sin, we become stuck in the needs of the present, which often leads us to sin.

We ask forgiveness for forgetting the eternity of Man.

FORGETTING JEWISH HISTORY

A third vision we often forget is the trajectory of Jewish history. We forget that we live as part of a large intergenerational community of people who stand for Hashem in this world. We are all miracles, the product of great sacrifice on behalf of Jewish destiny. Viewing our lives as part of something larger than ourselves amplifies our experience. Forgetting our common Jewish narrative shrinks us into lonely individuals. Sin is always a triumph of small mindedness over large mindedness.

Over the past year, too many Israelis forgetting our common heritage have sinned. Independent of whatever political opinion we believe in, we have spewed too much hate and have generated too much polarization. Eighty years ago, a murderer named Joseph Mengele divided us into “left” and “right”, horrific designations

which decided life and death. Today we glibly use the terms “left” and “right” to cluster people into clumsy political groupings. Once we group them they are easier to assail or to insult.

WE ASK FOR FORGIVENESS FOR FORGETTING OUR COMMON PAST AND OUR COMMON FUTURE? HOW COULD WE?

Hopefully, this Yom Kippur, in addition to repenting for specific sins, we will ask Hashem to forgive us for forgetting. Too often we forgot Him, or forgot to think of Him correctly. Too often, we forgot eternity by tragically exchanging it for the passing needs of transience. Too often, we forgot Jewish history and sank into the dark doctrines of radicalized politics and culture wars.

Forgive us Hashem, for we have forgotten.

The writer is a rabbi at Yeshivat Har Etzion/Gush, a hesder yeshiva. He has smicha and a BA in computer science from Yeshiva University as well as a masters degree in English literature from the City University of New York.

Too often, we forgot Jewish history and sank into the dark doctrines of radicalized politics and culture wars. Forgive us Hashem, for we have forgotten.

FROM ERETZ YISRAEL

This Song Weekly Dvar Torah

BY RABBI DAVID MILSTON

“Now write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the Children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, so this song may be a witness for Me against the Children of Israel. For when I shall have brought them into the Land of which I swore to their fathers, one flowing with milk and honey, and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat. Then they will turn to other gods, serve them, provoke Me, and break My covenant. And it shall come to pass when many evils and troubles have befallen them that this song shall testify against them as a witness. For it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed. For I know their inclination, and what they do, even now, before

Ha’azinu Sidra Summary

(Devarim 32:7–14).

“It then tells of our consequent rebellion against G-d – from an overabundance of goodness – including how we would ultimately end up worshiping idols (Devarim 32:15–18). Our song then records the result of our ungrateful and despicable behavior, incurring the Almighty’s wrath and climaxing with the expulsion of the people from their Homeland, and their dispersal amongst the nations of the world (Devarim 32:19–26). Indeed, this has been our lot.

“It is plain the song speaks of our ultimate redemption, testifying we will suffer Divine reproof yet accompanied by the promise our memory will not be blotted out. Instead, G-d will forgive our sins and repay our enemies for His name’s sake. Thus, as the Sifrei [as we quoted above] has said: ‘Great is this song, as it embraces the present, the past and the future, this life and the hereafter.’

“Were this song merely to constitute an astrologer’s horoscope, we would be justified in believing it, since all of its contents have hitherto been realized, without the slightest deviation. How much more should we wholeheartedly believe in and await the fulfillment of G-d’s words through the mouth of His most trusted prophet.”

The first six aliyot are the Song of Ha’azinu, which starts with Moshe calling on heaven and earth to witness the warning that the nation will rebel after entering the Land of Israel, forsaking devotion to G-d for the pursuit of material possessions. This will lead to terrible consequences. Ha’azinu would then be read to the people, to remind them of the cause of their woes. The Song ends with G-d’s promise to avenge those nations who would attack the Jews. In the seventh aliyah, G-d tells Moshe to view the Land from the mountains of Moab and reminds him that he will not enter the Land because he hit the rock (see Bemidbar 20:12-13).

HAFTARAH

This is a special haftarah, read on Shabbat Shuva, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is made up of three parts, from the Biblical prophets Hoshea, Yoel and Micha. The first part calls on Israel

to return to G-d; even after sinning, their return will be lovingly accepted. The second part emphasises that our Teshuva (return/repentance) has to be sincere and heartfelt, not superficial. The last section states that G-d is unique in His readiness to pardon.

I have brought them into the Land of which I swore. Moshe therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the Children of Israel” (Devarim 31:19–22).

Rashi identifies “this song” as Shirat Ha’azinu (Devarim 31:19). Indeed, Shirat Ha’azinu is so important that the Gemara in Rosh Hashanah (31a) says it should be divided into six chapters and read aloud every Shabbat, during Mussaf.

What is so special about this song? The Midrash tells us, “Great is this song, as it embraces the present, the past and the future, this life and the hereafter” (Sifrei, Devarim: Piska 333).

Let us study the Ramban’s famous comments, based on this Midrash:

“This song, constituting for us a true and faithful witness, plainly tells us all that will befall us. It opens by describing G-d’s kindness to us since He chose us as His people, followed by a record of His unparalleled generosity towards us during the wilderness years, and how He disinherited mighty nations for us

One feels the need to read these words of Ramban time and again. With all the serious challenges that we face in Israel today, we would be wise to take a step back once in a while and see the forest – not just the trees. After two millennia of exile and devastation we are slowly but surely reaching the climax of Shirat Ha’azinu. We are meeting the challenge of kibbutz galuyot, and now we are confronting the next beracha in the shemonah esrei – Hashiva Shofteinu. These are issues that need to be clarified ONLY through positive and tolerant discussion, but one thing is for sure – in the context of the last two millennia, we are closer than ever before to realizing the complete prophecy of this special song, and as long as we share the common goal diversity and discussion will lead us closer to the final redemption.

A complete version of this Dvar Torah can be found in the third essay of Parashat Ha’azinu in The Three Pillars series by Rabbi David Milston. Rabbi David Milston is Director of the Overseas Program at Midreshet HaRova. He is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau (www.mizrachi.org/speakers).

What is so special about this song? The Midrash tells us,

“Great is this song, as it embraces the present, the past and the future, this life and the hereafter”

(Sifrei, Devarim: Piska 333).

The Ribnitzer’s yahrzeit, when tens of thousands visit his kever, is on Isru Chag Succos.

The Three Stages of the Rosh Hashanah Tefillah

BY RABBI SHMUEL REICHMAN

A speaker once started his seminar by holding up a $100 bill. “Who would like this $100 bill?”, he asked.

Every hand in the room went up.

The speaker looked around, and then crumpled the bill in his hand.

“Who wants it now?” he asked.

Every hand in the room remained in the air.

“Well,” he replied, “What about now?” He dropped the bill on the ground and stomped on it with his shoe.

He picked up the now crumpled and dirty bill and showed it to the crowd.

“Who still wants it?”

Every hand was still up in the air.

“My friends, you have just experienced a very powerful lesson. No matter what I do to this money, no matter how crumpled or muddy it gets, it does not decrease in value. Many times in our lives, life has a way of crumpling us up and grinding us in the dirt. We make bad decisions, or deal with poor circumstances, and we begin to feel worthless. We feel that Hashem has abandoned us, that He no longer values us. But no matter what has happened, and no matter what will happen, you will never lose your value. You were created b’tzelem Elokim, and nothing can change that.”

YOM KIPPUR: A MYSTERIOUS DAY

As we approach Yom Kippur, we recognize that it is unquestionably one of the most important days of the year. And yet, in many ways, it is a mystery. While one might assumedly categorize it as a day of suffering and sadness, Chazal refer to Yom Kippur as a spiritually uplifting day of atonement and rebirth (Taanis 4:8). There is even an element of the day that is associated with the happiness of Purim (Yom “Ki”-Purim, a day like Purim). At the same time, though, it is a fast day. We normally characterize fast days as times of mourning and sadness, such as Shiva Asar B’Tamuz and Tisha B’Av. How is Yom Kippur different, and what is the nature of this day?

SOUL QUESTIONS: WHAT ARE WE?

Arguably the most important concept in life, though often misunderstood, is the nature of the soul. Most people believe that they “have” a soul, some spiritual essence they possess within themselves. However, the deeper Jewish sources reveal a profound spiritual secret: you don’t have a soul, you are a soul. In other words, the soul is not an aspect of your self, or some spiritual component of your being; it is your very self. You are a soul, a consciousness, a spiritual being. When you say “I”, you are referring to your soul, your inner sense of self. You have a body, emotions, and an intellect, all different aspects and expressions of your soul. But you are a soul, a neshama, an infinitely expansive consciousness.

THE BIRTH OF FINITUDE

A soul is angelic, perfect, pure, and transcendent. This is what Chazal refer to as your “fetal self”, when you were still in the womb, just before entering this physical world (Niddah 30b). However, the moment one enters this physical world, the infinite expansiveness of the soul is confined within the physical body. The body is the container of the soul, but it is also the soul’s vehicle and tool, allowing the soul to manifest its will in this world. This is our mission in life. We enter this world with an undeveloped vehicle, our limited body. The soul, our existential self, is already perfect, but we don’t yet have access to the fullness of our true self. As we journey through life, we tap into greater and greater aspects of our soul, our self, and we must then manifest them into the world through our physical bodies. In doing so, we uplift our physical vessels, and enable them to tap into greater and greater aspects of our true self. This is the beautiful cycle of life, the endless expansion and expression of self into this physical world.

OUR INNER STRUGGLE

While this perspective is both powerful and fundamental, its implementation is elusive, and perhaps humanity’s most central struggle. Many people believe that they are a body, a physical, finite being. Having forgotten our true selves, we are born with the illusory belief that we are only that which we can see. We look in the mirror, seeing only flesh and bone, and we believe that this is all that we are. However, this is merely our starting point. The turning point in life is the moment we realize that we are angelic souls in a physical casing. We are not physical beings attempting to have a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings trying to uplift our physical experience. This is the central theme of Yom Kippur.

YOM KIPPUR: FLYING WITH ANGELS

Yom Kippur is the one day of the year when we completely free ourselves of

our physical limitations, embracing our angelic self. This day embodies true teshuva, when we return to our ultimate root, to our spiritual, perfect self. Chazal characterize Yom Kippur as the one day of the year when we have the ability to become a malach (angel). On this day, our lower self and physical urges are powerless, they cannot bring us down. They formulate this idea through the following gematria: “Ha’Satan”- the evil inclination, has the numerical value of 364. There are 365 days in the year, but the Satan only has power on 364 of those days. Yom Kippur is the one day where the Satan, the Yetzer Hara, has no power over you. On this day, you can completely transcend and experience angelic perfection (Yoma 20a).

WHY DO WE FAST?

There is a paradoxical relationship between the body and the soul:

• Your soul, which is your “self”, is transcendent, infinite, and purely spiritual. You cannot see, smell, or touch the consciousness, the mind. You will never see someone else’s inner world.

• The body, however, is finite, limited, and physical. Your soul will never die, but your body will eventually age and wither.

If the soul and body are complete opposites, how do they manage to coexist as one? One would expect them to repel each other, like two opposite sides of a magnet.

This is the powerful purpose of food. There needs to be something to keep your soul attached to your body, some kind of “glue”. Eating food generates the energy which keeps your neshama connected to your body. That is why the lack of eating has the opposite effect. What happens when you don’t eat? You become faint. What happens if you continue to fast? You will pass out. And if you still don’t eat, your soul will leave your body and you will die. Eating maintains the connection between your soul and your body; it is what keeps you alive.

This is the depth behind the phrase “u’mafli la’asos- Who performs wonders”, that we recite in Asher Yatzar (the blessing we recite after using the bathroom). What “wonder” are we referring to? The Beis Yosef suggests that it is the wonderous paradox that our soul, infinitely transcendent, can remain connected to our bodies, a physical, finite vessel. We mention this specifically after using the bathroom because we have just filtered out the unneeded parts of what we ate or drank, the very means of forging the connection between body and soul.

We can now understand the concept of fasting, especially on the day of Yom Kippur. On Yom Kippur, we attempt to live as malachim, completely transcending the physical world. We therefore fast, allowing our soul to somewhat transcend our body, enabling us to experience one day of living in an angelic state.

This principle sheds light on all the issurim of Yom Kippur. We don’t engage

in the physical world because Yom Kippur is a day of transcending the physical aspects of human experience.

THE OPPORTUNITY OF YOM KIPPUR

This is the unique opportunity that Yom Kippur presents: to transcend, to experience the infinite. Unlike other fast days, it is not a day of suffering and mourning, but one of spiritual transcendence. As the famous quote goes: On Tisha B’Av, who can eat, on Yom Kippur, who needs to?” This is why the Rambam (Hilchos Shevisas He’Asor 1:4) states that on Yom Kippur we “rest” from eating. This is not a day of prohibition and suffering, it is one of completely embracing the spiritual, tapping into our absolute root, our truest sense of self.

PREPARATION FOR THE YEAR TO COME

The transcendent experience of Yom Kippur lays the foundation for the rest of the year. While the physical can be destructive if misused, the ideal is not to completely transcend the physical, but rather to use the physical in order to reflect something higher. Our goal as humans is not to escape the physical, but to use it as a means of connecting to the transcendent.

This is the key behind the process we undertake throughout the Yamim Noraim. We first experience Elul, then Rosh Hashanah, and then Yom Kippur, a developmental process of elevating ourselves higher and higher above the physical world and deeper and deeper into the spiritual world. Only once we establish this transcendent root can we then re-immerse ourselves into the physical world, but this time on an entirely new level. Sukkos, which immediately follows Yom Kippur, embodies this lesson in embracing the physical. Our root must be transcendent, grounded firmly in the spiritual, and then atop that foundation we can descend into the physical and use it in a transcendent way.

May we be inspired to fully experience our angelic selves this Yom Kippur, and then infuse the totality of our spiritual acquisition into our physical life, elevating our actions and intentions as we move this physical world towards its ultimate spiritual root.

Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is an international speaker, bestselling author, and the founder of Self-Mastery Academy. He is also a business and leadership coach, with a unique approach based on Torah values and principles. His bestselling book, The Journey to Your Ultimate Self, serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought.

Rabbi Reichman’s passion is spreading Jewish wisdom worldwide. His videos, articles, and inspiring content have reached millions of people worldwide and his online courses have revolutionized the way self-development is being taught. To invite Rabbi Reichman for a speaking engagement, to learn more about his services, or to enjoy more of his content, visit his website, ShmuelReichman.com.

As we journey through life, we tap into greater and greater aspects of our soul, our self, and we must then manifest them into the world through our physical bodies.

Another delicious recipe from Denise Phillips

For more recipes and inspiration visit my website: www.jewishcookery.com

Fig and Date ‘Honey’ Cake

Honey cake of all descriptions is a must to celebrate Rosh Hashanah or break the fast. This is my vegan recipe and is made with ‘silan’ date honey which is a thick brown fruity syrup. I have also included dried figs that provide natural sweetness as well as texture in the cake. This is a cake which you will want to make a firm favourite for many years to come to celebrate the sweet New Year!

Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Makes: 1 loaf

150g dried figs – stalk removed and roughly chopped

50g pistachios – roughly chopped

225g silan ‘date honey’

100ml vegetable oil

150ml apple puree

200g wholemeal plain flour – or even gluten free flour – it will work!

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon almond essence

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ tsp salt

50g almonds with skin on – toasted

Method

1. Line a 1 kg loaf tin with baking parchment paper.

2. Preheat the oven to 180C.

3. Soak figs in boiling water while you prepare the batter.

4. Mix chopped pistachio nuts, drained figs and honey, oil, and apple puree.

5. Stir in flour, cinnamon, almond essence, baking powder and salt.

6. Combine until moist. Do not over mix.

7. Pour the batter into the baking tin and smooth the top with a spatula. Top with the toasted almonds.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes till a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

9. Remove it from the tin and when the cake cools down cut into thick slices.

Family FunHa’azinu

Moshe opens this week’s sidra with a call to heaven and earth to be witnesses. Nobody lives forever, but heaven and earth are here for as long as human beings will be here. Witnesses were needed to ensure that no one will ever deny the fact that Moshe was serving notice to the Jewish People that they must continue keeping the Torah after he dies. Furthermore, the heaven and earth would be the first to reward or punish if the Jews did or didn’t keep the Torah as the heaven sends down the rain and the earth produces food, without which we wouldn’t last very long…

Moshe then brings a beautiful comparison of Torah to rain and dew. The Torah is life and the Torah gives life to the world and to the Jewish people. The Jewish people sometimes

unfortunately forget Who gives them everything, but if they turn to their elders and parents, they can most often hope for guidance and wisdom in understanding the world and what G-d wants from them.

Moshe goes on to describe how Hashem kept civilisation going for the sake of the Jewish people and how He protected them in a desolate wasteland – the Midbar, providing for them and caring for them. Hashem treated us as an eagle protects its children, like a pupil of the eye.

Turning to the future, Moshe describes how the Jewish people abandon Hashem and rebel due to their wealth and topquality cattle, fruit and produce. No matter how successful a person is in life, one must always remain loyal and faithful to the Torah and Mitzvot and not

forget about G-d and why He created us. Sadly, once the Jews rebel, Hashem metes out punishment, such as wild beasts, plagues and famine.

The obviousness of G-d’s causing of the punishments should alert the Jews to repent – how else could a small army chase thousands of Jews? Eventually, though, G-d will bring healing and life back to the nation, once they return to Him.

The fact that G-d choses to punish the Jews where necessary is no excuse for the nations of the world to choose to be His agents or to do so with enthusiasm. G-d therefore punishes the oppressors, avenging the blood of the Jewish people killed. This action of G-d will lead the nations to sing the praises of the Jewish people.

Finally, Moshe familiarises each of

the Jews with this song of Ha’azinu and tells the nation to heed the words of the Torah and thereby merit long life on the land.

As Moshe would not be allowed entry into the Holy Land with the Jewish people, Hashem instructs him to climb Har Nevo and see the land from there. This Shabbat is also known as Shabbat Shuvah, and traditionally, the Rabbi of the synagogue would address the congregation, reminding them of the special days which we are currently in, and how G-d is close to all who reach out to Him – especially in the ten days of repentance!

Ha’azinu is “one-before-the-end” of the Torah. The next two weeks are Yom Tov and, at the end of Sukkot (i.e. Simchat Torah) we read Vezot Habrachah.

Facts

Ha’azinu is the 10th Sidra in the book of Devarim.

It contains 52 verses, 614 words and 2,326 letters. It is one of the shortest sidrot in the Chumash.

The ‘song of history’ - the text appears in two columns much like ‘Shirat Hayam’.

Tangram Challenge!

Using all the shapes on the left can

make the seal 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

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

fan fen fin hen ins man men ran

sin amen earn fain fans fens fern fine

fins hens main mane mean mine name near

rain rein sane shin sine amens amine anise

ashen earns ferns finer fines infer infra mains

manes manse means mensh miens miner mines naifs

Use the area below to write the words you have found.

namer names nears rains reins resin rinse risen

saner shine siren snare airmen arisen famine hernia

Jokes Riddles

Q: How do football players stay cool during a game?

A: They stand next to the fans!

Q: What time is it when an elephant sits on a fence? A: It is time to get a new fence!

Q: How do you know carrots are good for your eyes? A: You never see rabbits wearing glasses.

Q: What is the best way to keep your hat from falling off your head?

A: Don’t put it on your head.

infers marine miners namers remain shiner shrine famines

fireman hernias marines remains seminar freshman fisherman

1. What two keys can’t open any door?

2. What does a cat have that no other animal has?

3. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?

you

Answers

1. A monkey and a donkey.

2. Kittens

3. Mount Everest. It just wasn’t discovered yet.

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The Championship

BY RICHARD LIPMAN

North London derby is standout fixture

BY DAVID SAFFER

The north London derby is the standout fixture in this weekend’s Premier League games.

Arsenal welcome Tottenham Hotspur to The Emirates on Sunday for the 2pm kick off giving Jewish supporters time to get home for Yom Kippur’s Kol Nidre service.

The teams are separated on goal difference only with Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu’s side occupying second spot behind defending champions Manchester City, who have an unblemished record.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal start favourites against their great rivals but Tottenham are enjoying life at the moment and will battle to the end as they demonstrated last time out with injury time goals against Sheffield

United.

Pep Guardiola’s team are shorn of five starters but should still have enough in their star-studded squad to account for Nottingham Forest at The Etihad.

Liverpool are the only other unbeaten side and will look to continue their good form although sixth-placed West Ham are no pushovers.

Brighton sit in fifth spot just above the Hammers having won four of their five matches and should be too strong for Bournemouth at home.

In other fixtures, Chelsea are a team under huge pressure and especially boss Mauricio Pochettino who will be desperate for a second league victory, though Aston Villa are a tough outfit to break down.

Manchester United, like the Blues, are also struggling for form and no quarter will be given when they travel to second bottom Burnley at Turf Moor.

The Clarets, Sheffield, Everton and Luton are the only teams still to record a win.

All face tough matches. Aside from Burnley, the Blades host Newcastle United, who showed their resilience in a stellar defensive away display against AC Milan in their Champions League return after 20 years on Tuesday. Everton will be pushed to get a result at Brentford and rock bottom Luton will hope to register their first Premier point at home to Wolves.

Crystal Palace and Fulham meet in a mid-table clash where a draw seems almost inevitable.

With the International break over, the Championship resumed where it had left off, with all three teams occupying the top three spots all winning. The standout result saw Leicester inflict a second heavy defeat on Southampton as they were beaten 4-1 at home, with Jamie Vardy opening the scoring after just 21 seconds. Preston remain top of the table thanks to a 2-1 win over newly promoted Plymouth, whilst Ipswich defeated winless Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Conor Chaplin. Whilst the three teams at the top all won, the three teams at the bottom ironically all lost. Rock bottom Middlesborough lost 2-1 to an impressive looking Blackburn team with Sammy Szmodics netting both goals. Swansea’s dismal start continued with a 2-0 defeat at Cardiff in the South Wales derby. The second goal was scored by ex-Arsenal player Aaron Ramsey, who seems to have resurrected his career there.

Elsewhere, Sunderland came back from a goal down to win 3-1 at QPR. They were aided by the fact that QPR had Jack Colback sent off after just 21 minutes and the result leaves QPR just above the relegation zone. Leeds registered just their second win of the season with a 3-0 win at Millwall. The victory moves Leeds up to 10th in the league and within sniffing distance of the playoffs.

Next week will be a bumper week as we reflect on two rounds of matches, as the Championship had midweek games this week, the results of which were not all available at the time of going to print.