April
Sussex Jewish News was conceived on a coach trip to the synagogue in Portsmouth in September 1993. Arnold Lewis z’l and Doris Levinson learned that Irene Noah, who had been producing a magazine called Jewish Life with her husband for some years, had decided to give it up because of ill health. As members of the Representative Council, Arnold and Doris felt that the essence of the magazine – the Communal Diary, so lovingly and carefully produced every month by Pauline Fifer z’l – should continue to be available for members of the Jewish community in Brighton and Hove. Read more...
The very first issue of Sussex Jewish News came out in October 1993 and consisted of a letter from Herzl Sless z’l, the then President of the Brighton & Hove Jewish Representative Council, with the Communal Diary on the reverse. It was sent out to members of synagogues and organisations asking for membership of £5.00 and a request for articles and advertisements. It was hand-typed and photocopied (no electronic equipment in sight at the time) and stuffed into envelopes and posted out to arrive on people’s doorsteps on the first day of every month.
And so it has continued – arriving on the doorsteps on the first day (or as near to the first day) of every month (except for a combined 2-month New Year issue). The price has of course had to be increased, due to printing and postage costs, but it is still very affordable and fantastic value for money, as well as being a lifeline for many members of the community, especially those who do not have computers or are housebound.
After a few months, Steven Morris very kindly offered to produce the information on his computer in his back room, often working until 2.00 am. Gradually, advertisements and more copy arrived, and the magazine grew to four, then eight and even twelve pages – still in black and white and still being photocopied, collated by hand before being sent out.
In November 1996, Hilary Miller designed the first colour cover and proudly SJN now boasted 16 pages of information, rising to 20 or even 24 for the Rosh Hashanah issue.
Every month, each of the four synagogues contribute a page with inspiring messages from each of the rabbis. News came in from Worthing, Eastbourne, Hastings & Bexhill. Most of the community organisations send in stories and messages, including personal announcements, details of events and photographs, charity reports, information from the JACS and Historical Society team and also the very full programme at Ralli Hall. There continue to be film and theatre coverage, book reviews, reminiscences, personality profiles, poetry, history and information about Israel.
SJN has no reporters as such, but is grateful for all those who send in articles, comments, letters and advise the team of what has or is about to happen. All the major community events have been covered, such as the Holocaust Memorial at Meadowview Cemetery, the launch of Jewish Continuity; the Anne Frank Exhibition at Brighton College; the Brighton Jewish Film Festival; the deaths of our greats – Yitzhak Rabin, Rabbi Erwin Rosenbloom, Rev. Kalman Fausner; MBEs and OBEs awarded to members of our community; the Torah Academy; Hillel House; the Centre for German-Jewish Studies at Sussex University as well as the induction of Rabbis Efune and Rader by Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks; the visit of Chief Rabbi Efraim Mirvis; the induction of Rabbis Meyer and Zanardo at the Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue and Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah at the Progressive Synagogue.
The SJN team is very small, but very dedicated and there have been a few changes. Katie Lyons took over from Steven Morris for a while with her computer expertise and helped to redesign the SJN look. The blind and partially-sighted were delighted when Stewart Macintosh recorded each month’s issue onto cassette tapes and then floppy disks which were sent out free of charge every month to ten or twelve subscribers in special envelopes which they returned free of charge in the post.
Over the years, SJN benefited from the knowledge and support of a number of wonderful helpers – Laurence Temerlies, Calum Turner, Myra Winston, Deanna Samuels, Laura Sharpe, Angela Goldman, Sharon Rubin, Karen Pettit and Ivor Miskin z’l. Doris Levinson stepped down in 2006 as her husband was very ill and sadly passed away in 2007. Arnold Lewis, who had been the Administrator, also sadly passed away in 2007. But miraculously, Linda Freeman, who had come back down to live in Brighton from London, stepped up to the mark and offered to take over the editorship of the magazine for a couple of years, with Ivor Sorokin as Administrator, assisted by David Seidel, Sharon Rubin and Ivor Miskin, who sadly is also no longer with us.
Out of the blue, SJN had the extreme good fortune to be joined by Stephanie and Brian Megitt who had come to live in Eastbourne from Manchester and they have been and still are an immense asset, working tirelessly with great expertise together with Ivor Sorokin, Bernard and Lydia Swithern, David Seidel, and Michael Rich Doris Levinson, who came back on board,.
The magazine has been completely transformed into a full colour production with amazing front covers and interesting articles. Two weeks of every month are dedicated to the production of SJN, sourcing information, editing and proofing copy, chasing people for articles in time for the deadline, sourcing Communal Diary events, obtaining advertisements, sending out invoices and organising the printing and posting of the magazine. It is a professional production, produced by a team of dedicated volunteers.
Sussex Jewish News has become an archive for the Jewish community in Brighton, Hove and Sussex. It is sent to the East Sussex archive and to the Jewish Museum in Jerusalem. There are readers all over the world.
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Issue 295
April 2019
1 april 2019 • aDar ii – NiSaN 5779 • iSSUE 295 SUSSEx SUSSEx JEwiSh JEwiSh NEwS NEwS what’S iNSiDE.... MaGEN DaViD | BENNY thE Shirt | thE aMBEr CUp | pESaCh rECipES | what’S ON | aND MOrE Whats 2 A Tribute to Evelyn Lipman by Sidney Lipman 3 As we all know, a legacy can manifest itself in more ways But why should I regret the years that fled, than one. For me, it is the writings and poetry of my late wife, Evelyn, who bequeathed them to me. I will forever treasure them in my mind. Share with me this poem of hers from 1990. For what nostalgic dream should I repine? I laughed and loved through magic moonlit hours And felt the throbbing heart beat close to mine Reflections Relentlessly the years have sped away Sweeping along the hopes, the dreams, the fears; Longings, half stifled but still deep within Disturb the even rhythm Have I not known the warmth of glowing sun And strolled amid crisp leaves of autumn gold – And gazed, enchanted by a baby’s smile, Filled with the solemn wonder of it all? of the tide It seems that only emptiness Oh half-forgotten phantom that was youth, What quenched the fiery spirit on the way And dimmed the vital spark that shone within Like dusk descending at the close of day? remains – Yet, dwelling deep within the heart’s retreat, A sad sweet something lingers wistfully – Maybe the distant echo of a dream. Cover: Passover Food for Thought by Brian Megitt. EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson, Stephanie Megitt, Winston Pickett, Michael Rich, David Seidel TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, announcements, people, congregations, communities, contacts and more. Delivered at ADMINISTRATOR Hazel Coppins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ivor Sorokin the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by COMMuNAL DIARy sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating each edition. It has become the cornerstone of the Jewish community across the region. issue 295 | april 2019 COVER IMAGE Brian Megitt PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 8 APRIL 2019 Email address for submissions and correspondence: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS SUBSCRIPTION Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode:____________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ Subscription (tick one) ❑ I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £20 p/a ❑ I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £27 p/a. ❑ I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ ❑ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. 2 Sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Hove BN3 3SZ Telephone: 07906 955 404 Contents 3 sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk FEATURES 1 PESACH FOOD FOR THOUGHT by Brian Megitt 2 REMEMBERING... Sidney Lipman offers Reflections of his wife Evelyn z’l 6 OBITUARY & TRIBUTES– RABBI JEREMY COLLICK Z’L by Ivor Sorokin, Gweni Sorokin and Gerry Crest 9 MAGEN DAVID Barbara Gordon hugs the Jewish world 10 ZEH RAK DA’ATI – 6 Godfrey Gould on moving to Brighton 10 BENNY THE SHIRT Rochelle Oberman and Natalie Wrightman look back on a cousin 12 CHAG PESACH SAME’ACH Recipes and the Chief Rabbi’s Message REGULARS 4 SUSSEX AND THE CITY Your news and stories from across the county 14 CULTURE The Amber Cup, book review and the Historical Society 20 WHAT’S ON – APRIL Regular and special events in your community YOUR COMMUNITY 16 HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 17 BRIGHTON & HOVE PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE 18 BRIGHTON & HOVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE 19 BRIGHTON & HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION Full page (A4 size) £170 Half page (A5 size) £100 Quarter page (A6 size) £65 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 Personal Announcements in a box (up to 6 lines): £25 Announcements up to 3 lines £10 Flyers: £40 per Flyer Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are not necessarily those of SJN; • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews. com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 New Roman font, size 12. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. issue 295 | april 2019 MARTIN GROSS Memorials All aspects of stone-masonry undertaken from new to renovation and cleaning 01273 439792 07801 599771 4 Sussex and the City 5 Your News Special Birthdays Mazel tov to Jacqueline Heyworth, Daniel Lachs, Stella Lawrence, David Lyons, David Melcher and all who have special birthdays this month. Bar Mitzvah Mazel tov to Claire and Sam Barsam and family on the bar mitzvah of their grandson Nathan Herz. Wedding Anniversaries Mazel tov to: • Cecile and Sidney Levine on the celebration of their Diamond (60th) wedding anniversary • Barbara and Ian Gordon on their wedding anniversary • Philippa and Julian Lazarus on their special anniversary (10 years) Get Well We wish Refuah Sheleimah to all who are in hospital or unwell at the present time. Deaths We wish Long Life to the families of: • Walter Bush z’l • Rabbi Dr Jeremy Collick z’l Ralli Hall by Maxine Gordon If you came to our recent Barn Dance we hope you had fun, enjoyed the band’s music and tucked into our Wild West food! Bookings are already selling fast for our next event. If you fancy a delicious kosher salt beef sandwich on rye, latkes, cucumbers and refreshments, accompanied by a fabulous feature film, then join us at our next Film Club at Ralli Hall on Sunday 14 April. The Best of Men is a truly inspirational film, based on real WWII events and with a real WWII Jewish hero who deserves to be recognised for changing patients’ lives and creating the birth of the Paralympic Games that we so enjoy watching today. Remember that parking isn’t a problem either, as Hove Station Car Park only charges £2.25 all day on Sundays! Whilst we’re on the subject of Ralli Hall events, we are always happy to talk to members of the community who have always wanted to run their own club (with a Jewish theme of course), but don’t have anywhere to run it. Well, that’s where we can help from our Community Centre. If you have an idea, we can offer you an available, suitable space and work together. Many of our clubs are run by volunteers on a simple arrangement that suits you and more importantly, provides a service to the local Jewish community. We look forward to hearing your ideas. issue 295 | april 2019 BHHC plans get the green light On Wednesday 20 March the Planning Committee of the Brighton & Hove City Council approved the plans for the redevelopment of the BHHC site. Readers may recall that SJN reported on the original consultation meeting held at Ralli Hall in September 2017 (SJN Issue 279, October/ November 2017). Much water has flowed under the bridge since then and there have been numerous meetings and doubtless many challenges faced those involved. The sponsor of this important regeneration project, the Bloom Foundation, has expressed its delight at receiving the go-ahead from Brighton & Hove City Council. The Foundation’s vision, to build high-quality, sustainable facilities open to the entire local community, while at the same time revitalising Jewish life in the city, is becoming a reality. The project will provide a beautiful synagogue, new housing and a range of educational, workspace and social amenities for all to enjoy. 4 5 issue 295 | april 2019 6 Sussex and the City 7 Rabbi Dr Jeremy Collick A Tribute from Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue by Ivor Sorokin By 1986, our wonderful founding Rabbi Erwin Rosenblum had become very unwell and a search was instigated for a replacement. We knew that he would be a hard act to follow, but after many enquiries chanced upon the name of a young Rabbi who was assistant at Edgware Reform Synagogue. He was invited to come down for a weekend to take part in some services: thankfully, we knew that our search was well and truly over. Apart from having a wonderful and engaging personality, Rabbi Dr Jeremy Collick was a very traditional Rabbi, who was well able to follow in the footsteps of Rabbi Rosenblum. What a wonderful choice this was to be. He was an ideal congregational Rabbi, giving solace to any of our congregants who had personal troubles and always having the right words of comfort to say at the right moment. His sermons were always wonderful and inspirational, often with a little joke at the end and he made many real friends among our congregation. One of his many talents was a feeling for our youth. The cheder quickly expanded to number over 100 children, and he encouraged our post-bar mitzvah youths to stay on to help with teaching the younger ones. He met and married one of our local girls, Cindy Dicks, and they had two boys, Joel and Jacob: the fairytale seemed complete. However, in 2001, he felt that the boys needed more of a Jewish life and education and he accepted a call from Edgware Masorti synagogue. He was there for some 14 years until deteriorating health forced him to retire. He bore this with great fortitude and still managed to have a laugh and a joke with his visitors. Many members of our large congregation, who greeted him when he came down last November, will fondly remember his ultimate sermon, which he delivered before he and Cindy were due to go on Aliyah in January. Sadly, this was not to be. Due to the rapid deterioration of his condition, he tragically passed away in February. We wish Cindy, Joel, Jacob and Hilary, Jeremy’s sister, a long and fruitful life. Rest in peace, Jeremy, our Rabbi, mentor and friend. issue 295 | april 2019 Tribute from Gweni Sorokin When Rabbi Jeremy Collick came to BHRS he worked with Rabbi Rosenblum, of blessed memory, who was a tough act to follow. When he arrived in Hove for the first time, Ivor and I gave him hospitality. Subsequently, he became a frequent visitor to our house, giving us a real insight into his personality. Ivor, chairman at the time, was instrumental in persuading him to become our Rabbi and as I was the choir leader, we worked together very closely on all aspects of music in the services. Every sermon he gave was clear, concise and deeply meaningful. At funerals there were no platitudes - just always the right words. When my mother died, he flew back from his holiday to give me comfort and nine days later, when Ivor’s mother died, he was there for us again. He married Cindy, a local girl, whom we have known since she was a child and together they raised two wonderful boys who will always be a credit to them. After fifteen years as our Rabbi he moved to Edgware Masorti in order to give his family a more Jewish environment, but kept constantly in touch. We were invited to his children’s bar mitzvahs and to his farewell service. His desire to live in Israel was not to be, due to his failing health but I’m sure his spirit will be there. Tribute from Gerry Crest When Rabbi Rosenblum, of Blessed Memory, had to retire, we knew that it would be more than difficult to find a rabbi who would understand and maintain the established traditions. So, it was as if the lights had been switched on when Jeremy Collick entered the boardroom. Even on that first meeting his outstanding personality shone through. The picture became complete when he and Cindy married and then Joel and Jacob arrived. Since that time Rabbi Jeremy and I shared a wonderful relationship. He was our Rabbi, friend and colleague. He officiated at the bar mitzvah of our son David and when Sharon and I married. Jeremy shared with us our times of sadness and joy. At times of sad loss in our family, he appeared as if out of nowhere. He had been a guiding light in my life. The treasured memories of our Rabbi Jeremy will live permanently with all members of the Crest family. May his dear soul rest in peace. 6 Sussex and the City 7 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club by Jacquie Tichauer In the next few months we have some great things planned at the Lunch Club. On 30 May the lovely Doris Levinson is going to give us a talk about her very interesting life. Please come and join us for lunch and listen to Doris’s talk afterwards. On the first Thursday of each month we welcome JACS who join us for lunch and always have an interesting speaker afterwards. On the 30 June we are so excited that Top Hats and The Lunch Club are getting together for a Sunday night bagel supper and cabaret by Top Hats. Tables will be limited (tables of 10) for this event so please call Laura for tickets on 01273 722173 early to avoid disappointment. On Tuesday 2 July we are having a musical afternoon with the Silver Strings Orchestra coming to entertain us, which will be a very enjoyable afternoon. If you would like to join me on a Tuesday morning for some light exercise, which will help with posture and also put a smile on your face, please come around 11.00 am. Our exercises are seated so you will get a good workout in complete safety. Come and improve your range of movement, At the beginning of May we are going on our regular weekend breathing and general health. away to Eastbourne and it looks like we have a record number of people joining us. We are still hoping that some of you will come and join us in the afternoon to enjoy a good game of cards: bridge or I keep on telling you how good our food is so I thought I kalooki or even rummikub. would give you an idea of a few of our menus: On a sad note we would like to wish the family of the late • The menu for Tuesday 16 April: Soup of the Day, Salt Beef Betty Solomon long life. Betty was a lovely lady and a with Sweet and Sour Cabbage, Broccoli, Potato Latkes dedicated volunteer at the Lunch Club for many years, we will followed by Banana Splits. miss her. • The menu for Thursday 18 April: Soup of the Day, Fresh Everyone at The Lunch & Social Club wishes you a good Salmon with Cauliflower, Peas and New Potatoes, followed Pesach. Just to let you know we will be closed on Tuesday by Fruit Trifle. 23 and Thursday 25 April for Pesach and we will be back to On 21 March Rabbi Efune and the Lunch Club enjoyed our normal on Tuesday 29 April. annual Purim party. Sussex Jewish Golfing Society by Richard Simmons The first meeting of our busy golfing season on 17 April will be at Seaford Golf Club, high on the Sussex Downs. Laurence Alexander, our new Captain, will “drive-in” from the first tee and the meeting is sure to be very well attended and enjoyed by all. It will be a great day with an excellent dinner in the evening. This will be a busy year for us with matches against Dyrham Park, Coombe Hill, Abridge and Hartsbourne, the prestigious London golf and country clubs, as well as TOP HATS and THE LUNCH & SOCIAL CLUB entering teams in the Association of Jewish Golf Clubs and Societies’ national tournaments. We are looking for new members to join us, both male and Proudly present “OUR FAVOURITE THINGS” female, accomplished golfers or beginners, young or not so young. For more information please contact our Hon Secretary Ashley Woolfe at: ashley@sportscastnet.com CABARET & SUNDAY NIGHT BAGEL SUPPER Important message On June 30th at 6.30pm HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY VISITS at Ralli Hall, 81 Denmark Villas, Hove BN3 3TH If you are in hospital or know anyone being admitted into hospital, please get in touch with info@ Tickets: £15 each, from Laura: 01273 722173 sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or telephone 07789 (tables of 10) 491279 so that a Jewish chaplain can be contacted to visit. issue 295 | april 2019 8 9 issue 295 | april 2019 8 Features 9 The Magen David speaks for itself by Barbara Gordon Luciana Berger, great-niece of Manny Shinwell, resigned from the Labour party because of antisemitism. We Jews are bewildered at the turn of events in the country that nurtured our grandparents and in which we have prospered. In January, my husband Ian and I were fortunate to take a cruise to South Africa where we stayed in Cape Town and also toured the ‘garden route’. On the ship we had Friday night Shabbat services attended by 30-40 people but we rarely encountered our co-religionists during the trip. Here I must digress; after the atrocities in Paris I started to wear my Magen David around my neck to show solidarity – something that had never seemed particularly important to me when I lived in NW London. The demonstrations in London last year, that ‘enough was enough’, just strengthened my resolve. (a small protest, but my own!). On arrival in Cape Town we went to the large shopping mall - where else? There we were accosted by two charming ladies from Washington because they spotted my Magen David and stopped for a chat, delighted to meet their fellow Jews. After a fairly long conversation and exchange of email addresses we parted with hugs and kisses. The following day we set out for the Jewish Museum – but forgot to take with us any form of identification (although we had been advised to do so). Quite correctly the security guards refused us entry on those grounds. What to do? Ian said he wasn’t going to be defeated and very soon I saw him talking to a lady who was just coming out. After learning of our predicament and knowing us for at least 10 minutes, Merle then vouched for us with the security people, stating that she had known us for umpteen years and gave her details as security for us. Of course, Merle had taken one look at us and ‘it takes one to know one’ doesn’t it? We parted with our thanks and, again, hugs and kisses with a stranger. Fast forward to our last day in Cape Town when we attended a ‘Jazz Brunch’. The musical quartet was led by a middle-aged drummer who seemed to be Jewish and, sure enough, approached us during the interval. This time we parted with a hand–shake. However, just as we were leaving, a Dutch couple from Amsterdam approached Ian to congratulate him on his colourful choice of clothing. On seeing me, however, the lady opened the neck of her blouse to reveal her Star of David. More hugs and kisses. So, what am I trying to say? We experienced these hugs and kisses with perfect strangers but, of course, they aren’t strangers, are they? No, they’re family and through our mothers aren’t we all members of that CLUB where membership lasts a lifetime – whether we may wish it or not. Now, I’m not advocating that Ian and I hug and kiss every Jewish face we see in Waitrose in Hove but shouldn’t we acknowledge each other more? So next time we attend our particular Synagogue or e.g. Ralli Hall, let’s remember the proud heritage we all share and greet each other with warmth and smiles - perhaps then things won’t seem so bad. issue 295 | april 2019 Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board provides affordable accommodation in Central Hove It currently has a vacancy for a one bedroom unfurnished flat, suitable for single occupancy and a one bedroom unfurnished flat suitable for a couple. The rent includes central heating; constant hot water; use of garden; television and telephone points. For further information or to request an application form please telephone 07716 114012 or email bahjha@googlemail.com Voluntary Support Agencies • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre) 01273 739999 ralliday@tiscali.co.uk • Norwood/Tikvah, Rachel Mazzier House 01273 564021 • Hyman Fine House 01273 688226 • Helping Hands 01273 747722 helping-hands@helping-hands.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board 07952 479111 or info@bhjwb.org; website: www.bhjwb.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association. bahjha@googlemail. com • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue/L’chaim project 01273 737223 • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform. (Sue Rosenfield) 01273 735343 • Brighton & Hove Jewish Community Foundation at Ralli Hall. Tel: 01273 202254 or rallihallcentre@gmail.com Brighton and Hove Jewish Housing Association provides sheltered accommodation in Central Hove It currently has a vacancy for a one bedroom unfurnished flat, suitable for single occupancy. The affordable rent includes central heating; constant hot water; use of garden; television and telephone points. For further information or to request an application form please telephone 07716 114012 or email bahjha@googlemail.com 10 Features 11 Zeh Rak Da’ati - 6 by Godfrey R Gould On 1 April 1966, 53 years ago, I started an improved salary. We had by then, work in Brighton. anyway, rationalised our finances First, I had to find somewhere to live. Coming from North East England I found house prices, certainly of the kind of house and in the area in which we wanted to live, ridiculously high. My (shortly to be) wife, Maureen, (we had met the year previously in Israel), who lived then in Wembley, thought the house prices perfectly reasonable. What actually determined what we could afford was what I earned. And so we purchased on a substantial endowment mortgage (it worked out fine in the end) a very nice three bedroom semi in Portslade just north of the Old Shoreham Road and but one street from the border with Southwick. Even my in-laws approved. They thought it would be good to have somewhere on the coast to visit. Indeed, when my father-in-law retired they actually moved and were able to move to a much larger semi in Neville Road - even with a Jewish family next door and another just around the corner. The late Jean Spector commented that we had moved “further in”. Maureen wondered further in to what, as if we moved again we didn’t want to move past it. Jean didn’t quite get the quip! However, things did not work out quite so simply. After a while Maureen found it increasingly difficult to get around. As she suspected she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease which progressively deprives the sufferer of all capabilities. Maureen had worked with the MS Society in Wembley and Harrow before we were married and so was fully aware of the condition. So we set about trying to find a suitable bungalow or flat into which to move. to Hove. We thought it somewhat away Not that easy! There is a general dearth from Jewish life, but it was amazing of bungalows locally and we needed how many other Jewish families we one on level ground and with enough soon found nearby. space to manage a wheelchair. Flats However, by 1969 I had obtained a much better post in Lewes and at were not that much better. In the 1970s concern about accessibility was not Benny the Shirt by Rochelle Oberman [née Sugarman] and Natalie Wrightman [née Sugarman] issue 295 | april 2019 anything like the priority it is today. By the end of 1975 we had sold our house at the full asking price but had nowhere into which to move. However, I managed to rent a small two-bedroom bungalow from East Sussex County Council in Peacehaven and so began nine horrendous months. Our second bedroom was crammed to the door with surplus furniture, and the garage with tea chests full of books, crockery and anything else we did not actually need for day to day living. Peacehaven may be better now but in 1976 I would not wish it on my worst enemy. We survived, especially due to the support we received from, amongst many others, former, now retired colleagues who lived nearby. But one day at the end of March 1976 I received a telephone call from one of my estate agents to say that the ideal property was about to come on the market. I arranged to view it the following morning. By the end of that afternoon I had received notification of the same property from another three agents! I had to pick up Maureen from her parents with whom she had The photo, taken around 1927, shows our grandfather, Abraham Sugarman. He is on Brighton beach with his eldest grandchild, our first cousin, Arthur Sugarman, who was known as Benny and then as Ben Sherman. Benny was 25 years older than me. He first left Brighton for New York just a few months before I was born in 1950. There he met and married his third wife Ruth Minken in 1953. Soon afterwards, he joined his father-in-law’s shirt manufacturing business in Los Angeles. In the early 1960s he returned to England together with Ruth and their three young sons, Danny, Marty and Jimmy. And it was in Brighton where he opened a factory above Burton’s at the Clock Tower. There he came up with the idea of the tight-fitting shirt with button-down collars which were to become such a favourite of the young ‘Mods’ and fashionable young men in those ‘swinging’ years, not just in England but around the world. The Sherman family moved to Furze Croft overlooking St Ann’s Well Gardens in Hove, and lived in two flats which had been knocked into one large apartment for the boys to run around in. Unfortunately, the marriage was not to last and Ruth and the boys returned to America. Benny then married his fourth wife, actress Daphne Cuddis. Later he moved to Australia where he met his new love. Benny died in Australia on 26 November 1986 and is buried in Macquarie Park Cemetery, New South Wales, Australia, in the Jewish Monumental C13. 10 Features 11 spent that day (she had to have 24 When Maureen and I married in 1966 hours a day care) but before I did so, I and set out on our life together we had decided to have a look at the property. no idea what lay in store. But we knew But I could not find it. I had just about we wanted to own our own home. We given up when I spotted a man down a used our savings to find the deposit on narrow lane and then discovered that a house and a huge slice of my salary he was the vendor. Discovering who I went every month on an endowment was, he showed me around. I knew at policy to cover the mortgage, and much once that this was THE place for us. on the interest on that mortgage. It The following morning, we offered the was a struggle. We lived from month full asking price without quibble and to month. Travelling abroad we might although I was gazumped, the vendor do every other year. Eating out was stuck to our verbal contract. As we for special occasions only. And we did were living in rented accommodation, not have a television until we’d been we had all the work done that we married for over five years. It was the needed to do before we moved in, in best decision we could have made. September that year. Our joy was all Now I own a very special one-off too short-lived as, after only two years, architect designed bungalow which we Maureen’s condition became so critical could not even have dreamed of when that after being admitted to the County we set out. Today young people simply Hospital with a consequent problem, cannot do what we did. House prices we were advised that she needed are astronomical. And everybody has to permanent medical care. The only have the latest gismo, travel widely and suitable available place for her was in eat out regularly. So they simply do not Linton Hospital near Maidstone, where have the money to cover the expenses she went Erev Succoth 1978 at the age of acquiring their own home. Looking of 41, and where she remained for the back, I can pity them. rest of her life. The prognosis was three months, but simply because of her total determination to stay alive, she survived for another eight years. Of course, it is not really so good. I do not have Maureen to share my contentment with me. But I am inspired by her example, her fortitude, her All this brings to my mind two points. resilience and her total passion for life. issue 295 | april 2019 She made everything positive. All her physical bodily functions failed one by one. When she lost her sight it was no great issue. Asked if she liked watching television she would reply, “No, but I like listening to it”. For Maureen every day was a special day to be used to the maximum. She did amazing things, like going to Rome and meeting the Pope - yes, really! I have a photograph of the two of them together to prove it. As her body functioned less and less, all that was left was her hearing and her speech. And when her vocal cords occasionally failed to accept the instructions of her brain and all she could utter was meaningless gibberish, then our distress was mutual. Today everybody has so many problems. Believe me, you don’t. When you are alive but your body will not function, then, maybe - only, maybe - you might have problems. Every day is special. Don’t waste it. Do what you can, and what you can’t do, don’t. It’s as simple as that. Be positive - think of all the good things. Then every day will be a reward. You will sleep happy and content to wake up tomorrow to discover something else again very special. 12 Features 13 Pesach Cakes and Desserts: a few old favourites Cinnamon Balls by June Jackson • 2 egg whites • 4 oz/110g caster sugar • 8 oz/225g ground almonds • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon Whisk egg whites until stiff and fold in all other ingredients. With wet hands, form into balls and place on greased baking tray. Bake at Gas 3 or Electric 325C for 12 minutes then remove from the oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes. Place in bag of icing sugar and shake to coat the balls. Easy Pesach Almond Cake by Laura Sharpe • 4 eggs • 4 oz/110g granulated sugar • 4 oz/110g ground almonds Cream the eggs and sugar until fluffy and fold in ground almonds. Pour into a greased loaf tin or line with paper liner and bake at Gas 5/ Electricity 375C for approximately one hour, putting flaked almonds on top after half an hour’s baking time. Apple and Almond Pudding by Doreen Walker • 8 eggs • 4 large Bramley apples • sugar or sweetener to taste • 8 oz/225g ground almonds • 10 oz//280g caster sugar Stew the apples with the sugar until soft. Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add ground almonds and beat for 10 minutes (in machine). Put into a greased pie dish on top of sweetened stewed apple (with raisins if desired). Bake for 50/60 minutes at Gas 3/4 Electric 325C. Serve cold. Double Dark Chocolate Cake • 4 eggs • 200g dark chocolate (for Pesach) • 200g unsalted butter • 200g ground almonds • 100ml very strong coffee • 150g sugar Melt chocolate and butter together in a pan over a very gentle heat. As soon as the chocolate is melted, remove pan from heat and stir in ground almonds and coffee. Separate eggs. Mix yolks with sugar and mix with the chocolate and almond mixture, beating until thoroughly issue 295 | april 2019 blended. Whisk egg whites until stiff and fold carefully into the chocolate mixture a third at a time. Pile into a greased, lined cake tin with spring form (or lined with greaseproof paper). Bake in a preheated oven at 170C for about 30 minutes. Cake will rise a little, then settle back as it cools. Serve warm or cold with cream or ice cream if desired. Matzo pudding by Janet Cowan • 4 eggs • 7 large matzos • 200g caster sugar • 120g Tomor margarine, melted • 60g ground almonds • 150ml kiddush wine • 1 cooking apple peeled and grated • 140g sultanas (if you use dried fruit) • 100g chopped walnuts • 1tblspn cinnamon • 2tblspns chocolate powder For the topping: • 2 tbsp caster sugar; • 1 handful walnut pieces. Preheat oven - 150c/300f/gas mark 2. Break matzos into bite-sized pieces and wet them in a colander. When soggy, squeeze out any excess water and mix matzo pieces together with all other ingredients. Grease ovenproof dish, approximately 22cm square by 5cm deep. Pour in the matzo mixture. Mix topping ingredients together and sprinkle over pudding. Bake for approximately 45 minutes. 12 13 issue 295 | april 2019 14 15 With the opening of the Brighton Museum’s new Elaine Evans Archaeology Collection this past February, the public now has a rare glimpse into the history and the pre-history of Brighton and Hove. From the moment you step into this compact but amazingly comprehensive exhibit, the visitor is taken back to a time that pushes the boundaries of historical consciousness – from the Ice Age to the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age and across the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods. Despite the leap across millennia, this time-travel experience is made easier by the engrossing use of computer- generated imagery, life-size DNA-based recreations of our early ancestors and an evocative sound and landscape depicting an era when wild, furry bison- like animals roamed our region and far outnumbered humans and the British Isles weren’t islands at all but attached to mainland Europe. This was an age when tribes buried their dead with jewellery, axes, whetstones and other precious objects – all of which were unearthed in the greater Brighton & Hove area, thanks to painstaking efforts of preservation carried out since the 1800s by historically aware members of associations like the Sussex Archaeological Society. It is a stunning collection, more than 20 years in the making and full of high-tech installations and original artefacts that stimulate the imagination and, for this visitor, at least, an uncommon sense of child-like wonder. Nowhere is this feeling amplified more than by what the museum’s curator, Dan Robertson, calls the collection’s ‘treasure’ – the Amber Cup. Previously known as the ‘Hove Amber Cup’ because of its former residence in a corner of issue 295 | april 2019 the Hove Museum, this hand-carved goblet fashioned from hardened resin from the Baltic region is straight out of the Bronze Age (3000-1200 BCE), making it some 3,200 years old. More intriguing still – as if a bottom-lit display rendering the Amber Cup visible with a roseate glow weren’t evocative enough – this one-of-a-kind artefact has a Jewish story behind it. Whilst the exhibit only briefly touches on the cup’s disinterment – it was discovered in the 1800s when workmen were clearing away what was popularly known as the ‘Hove Barrow’ (burial mound) in order to level the area that would become Palmeira Square – it was none other than Sir Isaac Lyon Goldsmid, Bart., who saw to it that the cup was preserved for posterity. In a captivating eyewitness account digitally reproduced on- line from an 1848 publication by the Sussex Archaeological Society we learn that during the excavation of the Hove Barrow, workmen came across an oak-hewn coffin containing a hand-carved cup made of amber, together with an iron- stone battle axe head, a whetstone and a bronze dagger. Cognisant of their significance, the news was relayed within hours to Baron Goldsmid, who owned the land and who, according to the 1848 account, instructed the Committee of the ‘Literary and Scientific Institution’ to present them to the Town Museum, which it very handsomely did, merely stipulating, “That these antiquities should, until the formation of the Town Museum, be placed in the Society’s reading- room, with particulars when and where they were found, and by whom presented”. For Jewish historians, Goldsmid’s biography has always been a multifaceted one: indefatigable champion of Jewish Emancipation during the Victorian Era, successful partner, with the father of architect David Mocatta, in the gold bullion business, founding director of the London and Brighton Railway that opened in 1841 and who helped create Brighton’s first purpose-built synagogue on Devonshire Place as well as the man who developed Adelaide Crescent and Palmeira Square itself. Goldsmid’s official title, Baron e da Palmeira, was granted him by the Portuguese for settling a financial dispute of Brexit-like complexity with Brazil in 1846. Now, it seems, Isaac Lyon Goldsmid was also an exemplary civic-minded Jewish philanthropist whose own innate historical consciousness helped put Hove on the map of archaeological preservation for generations to come. “The Amber Cup”, said Brighton Museum’s curator Dan Robertson, “is this institution’s greatest archaeological treasure; it wouldn’t be in our hands if it wasn’t for the generosity of Baron Goldsmid”. To access the 1848 publication by the Sussex Archaeological Society online, please go to http://www.digitaldigging. net/amber-cup-hove-barrow-brighton- archaeology From the Bronze Age to the 21st Century: A Jewish Story by Winston Pickett Culture 14 Culture 15 Jewish Historical Society – Sussex Branch by Michael Crook As an introduction to Jewish History Month, the branch welcomed Professor Michael Berkowitz to our February meeting with a bumper attendance. Michael is a leading member of the JHSE, editor of the Society’s annual publication ‘Jewish Historical Studies’, and lectures at UCL on a wide range of Modern Jewish History topics. His subject for the talk was ‘Jews and filmmaking during the Second World War in America and Britain’. He began by reminding us briefly that, whilst there were a very significant number of prominent Jewish filmmakers in Hollywood, America was, at least in theory, neutral until December 1941. However, Michael’s researches reveal that the US Government was already taking steps to prepare their nation for a war role at least a year earlier. He highlighted the role of Leo Rosten, better known as an author, and scriptwriter in Hollywood, but appointed as deputy head of Roosevelt’s Office of War Information and head of the Office’s motion pictures division. Rosten was probably instrumental in enlisting the help of some of the best-known Jewish filmmakers from Hollywood, but their involvement was rarely made public, due to fears that it would encourage antisemitism, which was by no means unknown in the US at that time. Michael continued by explaining how Rosten and his colleagues began by making films to be shown to the troops, The Pope’s Son - Rick Friend Review by Gillian Rich issue 295 | april 2019 which emphasised the wide variety of origins of the people of the US, although without mentioning the Jews. Later, they took many ideas from the British War films already in existence, not least in making their films informative, rather than lecturing, and using graphics, such as had been used by Disney. We were than shown some examples of the films Michael mentioned, the most interesting being one called ‘Don’t be a sucker’. This illustrated ways in which people can be taken in by clever methods, but when it showed a speaker attacking blacks and ‘foreigners’, his audience realised that he was referring to the Jews, and turned away from his ideas. All in all, a most interesting evening. Our final meeting for this session will be on Tuesday 30 April at 7.45 pm at Ralli Hall, when our speaker will be Lyn Julius, from the London School of Jewish Studies, who will speak about her recent book, ‘Uprooted – How 3000 years of Jewish Civilisation in the Arab World Vanished Overnight’. This should be another fascinating talk, and will be preceded by a short AGM of the branch. All are welcome to join us; free for members, season ticket holders and students, £5 for very welcome visitors, to include light refreshments after the talk and question period. I must start this review by thanking Rick Friend for introducing me to this story. What a worthwhile read! I knew nothing about Edgardo Mortara, the main character in this book. The author spins a tale to take the reader through the amazing twists and turns of Edgardo’s life. Edgardo is a six-year old Jewish boy who lives in Bologna with his family. Due to one incident, he is abducted by the Catholic Church to be reared as a true Christian. This is 1858 in pre-unified Italy, where the Pope was all powerful and there was virulent antisemitism. Pope Pius IX adopts Edgardo and gives him a privileged childhood, grooming him to become a priest. He is paraded as a converted Jew, even being taken into the Rome Ghetto, the description of which is heart breaking. His parents travel down every avenue to bring him back into the family. They are told by the church and Edgardo, that he can only go back if they convert to Christianity. This they cannot do. They are prevented from seeing him and are desperate to get help. The French, British and US governments send envoys, to no avail. Particularly interesting is the account of Sir Moses Montefiore’s trip to Rome and the Vatican. With the Unification of Italy in 1861, the political balance shifts. Edgardo is sent to Austria and then France, where he is ordained, becoming Father Mortara or Brother Pius. Taking this name is his way of honouring his adoptive father. We learn Edgardo’s story through the device of a fictional novice monk, Raoul. He is given the task of looking after the ageing Father Mortara in a Priory near Liège, Belgium. It is now 1939, another period of political turmoil. Raoul sees a parallel between himself and Edgardo, both leaving their parents at a young age. He is deeply moved by the old man’s story. This book engaged me from the start. It is a page-turner, transporting the reader between mid- nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It is so poignant. I keep asking myself why I did not know about this. It gives a history lesson without being heavy- handed. The author brings these periods of great change to life, with all the sights, smells and emotions of the time. Almost 90% of the story of Edgardo Mortara’s life and events are based on fact. Rick Friend discovered a small article about baptism in the Jewish Chronicle in 1980. This led him to research more evidence, leading to the writing of this book. The information about Sir Moses Montefiore comes from his own diaries. I am so glad I read this book and would recommend it for anyone interested in social, political and Jewish history. 16 HHC Rabbi Hove Email: Hebrew hollandroadshul@btconnect.com Samuel Congregation, de 79 Beck Holland Road, Spitzer www.hollandroadshul.com Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 17 “Thou shalt not stand idly by the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord”: Leviticus 19/16 by Rabbi Samuel de Beck Spitzer I feel it incumbent upon myself to address a subject which, And now, allow me to state my position unequivocally so unfortunately, has become ever more relevant and closer that there is absolutely no ambiguity: anybody who is privy to home. I beg your indulgence and I beg your pardon in to information regarding any sort of paedophilic behaviour advance if I touch upon sensitive issues that may cause should report it forthwith to the police, whose special discomfort to some. However, as a Community Rabbi I branches are adequately trained in the investigation of would like to clarify my position and perspective on certain such matters. For often the twisted mind of a paedophile topics that are unfortunately also prevalent within certain is cunning and highly persuasive, covering up their tracks religious circles. and destroying evidence, living split personality lifestyles The subject is that of paedophilia and let me clarify for and going by various aliases. those who are not aware. More often than not, paedophile We cannot eradicate this scourge from humanity, but we perpetrators are not (as is often imagined) austere can and we must protect children whenever confronted men on the edge of society running around in long rain with potential physical and psychological molestation, coats attempting to lure little children into their web of sexual or otherwise. We do expect higher standards of perversion. Oh no, some of these culprits live among us, behaviour from those who espouse Torah values, from lay sometimes dressed as observant Jews with Yarmulke and people who strive for a moral code as outlined in the Torah Tzitzit, praying three times a day and often fathers to large and certainly from the Rabbinate... unless of course they families with a doting wife by their side. Their crimes are themselves have something to hide. nothing new and the phenomenon known as “grooming” is not a novel one. What is particularly shocking however (and I speak with authority, for I am privy to official court Wishing you all a Kasher LePesach and Chag Sameach in advance. transcripts) is that these despicable individuals, who are often unrepentant, are often protected by certain Community leaders who go by the title of Rabbi and even Dayan. Pesach Information Thursday April 18th: • Bedikat Chametz(Searching for the Chametz): 20:36 hrs These spiritual leaders hide behind their mercurial minds and façades of piety to sit tight in the belief that they will be able to ride the turbulent waves of time until things ‘blow over’ so that their Synagogue and Community does not fall into disrepute. Well, let me tell you that for the victims of these acts of molestation, which often spans over several years, who have had their youthful innocence Friday April 19th: • Finish eating Chametz before: 10:38 hrs • Sell and burn Chametz before: 11:49 hrs • Candle lighting: 19:44 hrs • Sunset(Shkiah): 20:02 hrs • Nightfall (Tzeit HaChochavim): 20:38 hrs - Kiddush for first night Seder! robbed for all time, often brutally, there is no such thing as ‘blowing over’. They carry their scars, their angst, their pain, their sense of treachery, their dysfunction, their cynicism, their destruction of faith and much more, for many years and often a lifetime. It affects future relationships and families for generations. Shabbat/Yom Tov - April 20th: • Latest Shema: 09:25 hrs • Latest Schacharit: 10:37 hrs • Sunset(Shkiah): 20:03 hrs • Candle lighting after: 20:57 hrs - Kiddush for second night Seder (Havdalah to be included within!) What I am particularly deeply sad to see is that the Sunday/Yom Tov - April 21st: Rabbinical establishment still, in 2019, hides behind walls • Latest Shema: 09:24 hrs of silence and cowardly whitewashing. These crimes • Latest Schacharit:10:36 hrs should be called out by name and the perpetrators • Sunset(Shkiah): 20:05 hrs brought to justice. It is not good enough for Rabbanim or • Holiday Ends: 20:59 hrs Dayanim to simply resign behind a guise of righteousness when in fact they have blood on their hands for effectively ‘aiding and abetting’ these despicable crimes against Thursday April 25th: • Candle Lighting: 19:54 hrs • Sunset (Shkiah): 20:12 hrs vulnerable children by covering up and covering for guilty individuals who often abscond to Israeli jails for a few years (sometimes on a plea bargain with the Israeli authorities so that their prolonged criminal activity in the UK goes unnoticed) only then to return and be allowed free access to children once again. The governing body of these ‘so called’ Rabbinical Leaders should take pride in the public shaming of these men of the Rabbinical cloth to humiliate them globally and strip them of their title for posterity. Confusing and obscure articles in the Jewish press of neutral content simply does not suffice. Friday/Yom Tov - April 26th • Latest Shema: 09:19 hrs • Latest Shacharit: 10:32 hrs • Candle Lighting: 19:55 hrs • Sunset (Shkiah): 20:13 hrs Shabbat/Yom Tov - April 27th • Latest Shema: 09: 18hrs • Latest Shacharit: 10:31 hrs • Sunset (Shkiah): 20:15 hrs • Shabbat/Yom Tov Ends: 21:10 hrs issue 295 | april 2019 16 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: info@bhps-online.org www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk 17 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 Pesach: Let’s raise our glasses to human courage by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah This year, Pesach begins on the evening of 19 April with the Seder. The centrepiece of the Seder is the telling of the tale of the Exodus related in the Haggadah that features several ‘fours’: four questions asked by the youngest child, four types of children, and of course, four cups of wine. Traditionally, the four cups are related to the four promises of redemption set out majestically near the beginning of parashat Va-eira in the context of the concluding part of Moses’ encounter with the Eternal at the burning bush. We read (Exodus 6:6-7a): ‘Say to the Israelites: I am the Eternal, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians (first promise), and I will deliver you from their bondage (second), and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgements (third), and I will take you to be my people and I will be your God’ (fourth). The Eternal is the hero of the Haggadah, where we find no mention of the three sibling human leaders of the Exodus: Miriam, Aaron and Moses. But the Torah makes it clear that the liberation of the slaves involved a crucial human component. First, at the beginning of the Exodus story, the midwives, Shifrah and Pu’ah, defied Pharaoh’s genocidal decree against the new-born baby boys of the Hebrews, and saved their lives (Sh’mot, Ex. 1:15-21). issue 295 | april 2019 Next, a mother and sister – unnamed in the story – saved the life of one particular baby by making a water-proof basket and placing it in the reeds of the river. More than this, when Pharaoh’s daughter found the basket and the baby, the baby’s sister arranged with her that the baby’s mother would be his wet-nurse. The baby was adopted by the Princess, who named him Moses (Ex. 2:1-10). The sister, of course, was Miriam. The succession of Divine plagues did their work, but significantly, the Israelites learnt that to avoid the final plague, the death of the firstborn, they had to daub the door-posts and lintel of their houses with the blood of a lamb, so that the Eternal would ‘pass over’ them (Bo, Ex. 1-13). Hence the festival is called Pesach, ‘Passover’. By daubing the blood, the slaves demonstrated their readiness for liberation. Finally, they made a dash for liberation so swift there was no time for their dough to rise (Ex. 12:37-39) – which is the story behind the defining ritual of the festival: the eating of matzah, unleavened bread. So: Four human acts of redemption. This year, as we raise our glasses to drink the four cups, let us dedicate each one in turn to remembrance of the human courage that contributed to our ancestors’ deliverance. Chag Samei’ach! Events@BHPS Communal Seder – Friday 19 April Reserve early as we always have a full house! Doors open 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm start. Members £25- Under 16s accompanied by Members – Free. Non-Members and Friends £35.00 - Under 16s accompanied by non-Members: £10. Reserve by Tuesday 11 April including payment! Contact Sarah Winstone: 01273 501604 or 07841 488620 or sarah.winstone@ ntlworld.com. Payment can be made by cheque made payable to “BHPS” or by bank payment to Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue, Sort Code 40-25-03, Account Number 01593870 with the Reference: Seder Onagim Join us on Friday evenings at 7.30 pm for a shortened service, light refreshments and an interesting talk and discussion. 12 April: ‘The Lost Jews of Kastoria, Greece’ Betty Skolnick. DVD with introduction, questions and discussion. All items available to purchase on the day together with tea, cake and beautiful cards. People’s Campaign to get a disabled toilet at Old Shoreham Road Cemetery North There will be a short informal meeting at 3.00 pm Monday 1 April at BHPS where interested parties, including representatives from the Reform Synagogue, a local councillor and possibly a representative from Brighton and Hove Council Bereavement Service, will meet to discuss the way forward to remedy this discrimination against disabled people wishing to visit the cemetery. This initiative is organised by BHPS under the guidance of Frida Gustafsson, Co-ordinator of CitizensUK, Brighton and Hove. For further information please contact Michael Austin at roag6b@ btinternet.com Brighton Youth Orchestra String Ensemble The Youth Orchestra will perform at BHPS on the evening of Sunday 30 June. Programme: Bach’s Concerto for 3 Violins, Pastoral Suite’ by Avril Coleridge Taylor, 5 Greek Dances by Nikos Skalkottas. More details to follow. Exploring Judaism with Rabbi Elli for those who wish to broaden and deepen their Jewish knowledge. Classes are held at 2.15-3.45 pm on Shabbat after the Access to Hebrew class. 6 April: Pesach in the Torah 13 April: The Haggadah and the Seder 20 April: Omer Period I and Yom Ha-Sho’ah 27 April: Omer Period II Yom Ha-Atzma’ut and Lag Ba-Omer Please note no classes on 4 May. Access to Classical Hebrew with Rabbi Elli is held on Shabbat afternoons, 1.00-2.00 pm. Classes are open to students of all levels. To join, please contact the synagogue. Open Wednesdays BHPS is open on Wednesday from 11 am – 4 pm for social activities. Please bring a packed lunch (vegetarian or permitted fish). Hot drinks are available. All are very welcome to our events, but if you are not a member or friend of our synagogue please let us know you are coming on info@bhps-online.org or by ringing 01273 737223. 18 BHRS Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org https://www.facebook.com/BrightonReform 19 BrightonReform Nashir – Let us sing in prayer by Jason Lever “Music arouses emotions... it is the melodies, the repetitions created through music that enables us to leave our everyday stressful life and enter the realm of Utopia.” (Eszter Susan). We like to think of members and visitors coming into our synagogue as experiencing, if not quite Utopia, at least a warm sanctuary in which our shirata are nechmata. When songs in our services are true comforts and praise which help make sense of our prayers. We have embarked on a Nashir (let us sing) initiative, a new participatory and more engaging musical approach. Some new tunes or different arrangements during Shacharit are coming in alongside popular, regular ones. Why? Because we want to make our Shabbat services more engaging and uplifting for current and new members, based around the strengths of our excellent Rabbi Andrea, choir and growing team of lay readers. This is evolution not revolution. It’s in the spirit of gradual change that we’ve made musically in recent years, which the congregation has embraced. For example, we open the ark every week for Anim Zemirot led by Cheder children. And how many other Reform synagogues have the Torah portion leyened, musically, every week by Rabbi, Steve Field, Roger Berlin, and others like me, not to mention some of our Bar/Bat Mitzvah students learning the ropes (or should I say tropes!)? We already have much singing in Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday nights, including a monthly Kolot (voices) service with musical instruments when we also daven the Amidah silently. This is alongside fully egalitarian services and great work through our thriving Cheder and Netzer Youth activities to involve the children and young people in leading parts of services and in bringing in some of their tunes, such as for the Ma Tovu or Shema, into main services. Whilst studying at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem last year, I had the privilege of trying out various Erev Shabbat services. The two most popular were also the most different. Yet had two major features in common – the music and 100-120 people there every week. There was the most amazing ruach (spirit) at Raz’s minyan, an Orthodox verging on Hassidic service with twenty-minute rendering and conga dancing of L’Chai Dodi. Down the road, with a woman Rabbi leading the Nava Tehila ensemble of musicians, there were queues out of the door 15 minutes before the service of four generations of progressive Jerusalemites. So, at BHRS, come and see the journey we’re on in trying out more “joinable in” melodies, providing musical variety within a familiar structure. As Sioned Vos, our choir leader says, the whole point is that it’s not “singers” - it’s everyone! There’s a commitment to the enjoyment of the youngest to the oldest of our community, through the spirit of Nashir in our services. Jason Lever is shaliach tzibbur during Rabbi Andrea’s sabbatical. issue 295 | april 2019 Bulletin Board – April Fridays Kuddle Up Toddler Group, 10.30 am Erev Shabbat service, 6.30 pm Saturdays Shabbat morning service, 10.30 am Sundays Cheder, 9.50 am Friday 5 Shabbat Kolot, 6.30 pm Saturday 6 The ‘Z’ Word with Rabbi, 9.00 am (*) Shabbat Doroteinu & Shabbaton, 10.30 am Sunday 7 Cheder Last Day of Term, 9.50 am Helping Hands Community Tea, 2.30 pm Saturday 13 Torah Breakfast, 9.00 am Friday 19 Erev Pesach Saturday 20 First Day Pesach Service, 10.30 am Shabbat Yeladim, 10.30 am 2nd Night Communal Seder, 6.30 pm Friday 26 7th Day Pesach Service, 10.30 am Saturday 27 Torah Breakfast, 9.00 am Sunday 28 Cheder New Term (starts with Mimouna), 9.50 am (*) Please book your place by calling the Shul Office The diary is subject to change. 18 BHHC Rabbi Hershel Rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.bhhc-shul.org 19 Pesach – This You Call Freedom? by Rabbi Hershel Rader There is no festival more rigorous, both in its preparation The same applies to freedom. The Israelites may have and execution, than Pesach. The cleaning, changing over escaped from their Egyptian bondage but liberty does not to Pesach dishes, making sure we have everything required equate with escape; rather it is an opportunity to reshape our for the Seder and the subsequent eight days can be taxing lives. In the case of the Israelites they were no longer ‘slaves and stressful. Yet when we think of freedom, we usually think to Pharaoh in Egypt’ but became dedicated to a higher in terms of being free of care, worry and the burdens of life. purpose. As Moses said to Pharaoh “the G-d of the Hebrews Pesach seems to contradict this with its laws on banishing has sent me to you saying ‘send out My people that they every crumb of leaven from every nook and cranny of our may serve Me in the wilderness’”. The details of our Pesach home and then the requirement to eat precise amounts of preparation and observance symbolise the rigors of everyday Matza and drink a certain measure of wine with each of the life which, if viewed in the proper way become elevated to a ‘four cups’. Strictly speaking — without eating and drinking form of divine service. In the words of King Solomon ‘Know the specified amounts, we have not really celebrated the Him in all your ways’ (Proverbs 3:6). If we appreciate the ‘soul’ Seder. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to celebrate freedom of Pesach the physical practicalities become more meaningful with a more relaxing festival? and, relative to the extent of that appreciation, less arduous. I read recently of a fascinating study, reported in the Wall ‘In every generation a person must view themselves as Street Journal. People who work under high pressure though they had left Egypt’. Egypt symbolises a situation conditions will often take time off to get away from it all, in which we are restricted; freedom is opportunity. May relax and ‘decompress’. This, common wisdom assumes, this coming Pesach inspire us to make the most of our is the way to alleviate the cumulative effects of stress. Alas, opportunities for a higher purpose. This will obviously require the study’s findings indicate that a cycle of intense stress effort and exertion but, ultimately, will be infinitely rewarding. followed by complete relaxation does nothing to counter the negative physical and mental health effects of stress. The only thing that really helps is learning to respond in effective ways to stress-inducing situations as they arise. Relaxation is not what heals stress but reshaping our day-to-day behaviour in a way that makes for a less stressful life. We cannot combat stress by escaping from it but by learning how to deal with the situations which create it. Communal Seder Pesach We will be holding our Communal Seder on Friday 19 April in the Mark Luck Hall. The Seder will feature a beautiful meal including a fish starter and a meat main course served with red and white wine. Vegetarian option available. We are holding the price at £12.50. Final booking date Sunday April 14th. For further details please contact the Shul office on 01273 888 855 or office@bhhc-shul.org All welcome - irrespective of synagogue affiliation! Planning Application - Status Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation is pleased to have received planning permission for our redevelopment. It has taken a long time and a lot of endeavour to get to this stage. We are immensely grateful for the support we have received from the Bloom Foundation as well as from our members, the wider community and the professional teams. This is an important milestone and we are very excited but we recognise there is more hard work necessary The front and back of Purim to realise our redevelopment. issue 295 | april 2019 20 What’s on: April 2019 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Please note that our next issue will be May 2019 Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SJN Email: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk 20 COMMUNITY EVENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER: Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events. Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SHABBAT SHALOM – BRIGHTON TIMES In Light candles Out Havdalah EVENTS IN APRIL Wednesday 3 Jewish School Meeting at Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove 7.30 pm Sussex Jewish Outreach with guest speaker on the story of Israel Zangwill and his wife. East Preston venue. Contact: nick@ sussexoutreach.com Thursday 4 JACS with guest speaker Peter Hill ‘A tale of two cities – Tallin and Venice’. Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove 2.00 – 4.00 pm. £3.00 to include refreshments Sunday 7 Helping Hands Community Tea at AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove 2.30 – 4.30 pm Monday 8 Sussex Jewish News – Submission deadline for the May 2019 issue. Please send your articles, thoughts, photos and announcements to: editor@sjn.org.uk or sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com Sunday 14 Ralli Hall & Sussex Jewish Film Club Special Evening showing the film ‘The Best of Men’ – the story of Ludwig Guttman and the history of the Paralympic Games. RH members free/ non-members £4.00. In addition, enjoy Salt Beef sandwiches (& vegetarian options) - Food (including refreshments) £10.00 Wednesday 17 Sussex Jewish Golfing Society at Seaford Golf Club. For more information please contact our Hon Secretary Ashley Woolfe at ashley@sportscastnet.com Tuesday 30 Jewish Historical Society, Sussex Branch. Guest speaker Lyn Julius ‘How 3000 Years of Jewish Civilization in the Arab World Vanished Overnight’ at. Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove. 7.45 pm. Members free. Visitors £5.00. Contact amcrook321@gmail.com or g.gould915@btinternet.com IMPORTANT INFORMATION For visitors using a satellite navigation system in their vehicle. JEWISH CEMETERY, MEADOWVIEW, BRIGHTON The post code for this cemetery is BN2 4DE JEWISH CEMETERY, OLD SHOREHAM RD, HOVE The post code for this cemetery is BN3 7EF. issue 295 | april 2019 REGULAR ACTIVITIES Please cancelled. note Please that during check the with Pesach the event week, organisation. some events may be Fri 5 7.21 pm Sat 6 8.31 pm Fri 12 7.32 pm Sat 13 8.44 pm Fri 19 7.44 pm Sat 20 8.57 pm Fri 26 7.55 pm Sat 27 9.10 pm SPECIAL DATES Friday 19 – Erev Pesach: Fast of Firstborn: First Seder Night: Bank Holiday Eat Chametz until 10.38 am: Burn Chametz by 11.49 am Saturday 20 – First Day Pesach: Prayer for Dew: Second Seder Night Monday 22 – Bank Holiday Saturday 27 – Eighth Day Pesach: Yizkor: Yom Tov & Shabbat end 9.10 pm Mondays Shiur for the Actively Retired with Rabbi Efune 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm at 11 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Hove. Tel: 07885 538 681 Talmud for the Thinking Man with Rabbi Efune. 8.15 pm – 9.15 pm at Chabad House, Upper Drive, Hove 01273 321919 Torah & Tea with Penina Efune. Weekly Discovery and Discussion Group based on Jewish texts focusing on the personal meaning and relevance to our lives. 8.00 pm - 9.00 pm at Chabad House, Upper Drive, Hove. Tel or Text 07834 669181 Tuesdays Something to Say? - Discussion Group with Rabbi Samuel, every other Tuesday, Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove 10.30 am Tel: 01273 732035 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly Ralli Hall Mummy and ME Music with Penina Efune @ Montessori Nursery from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm. Enjoy a stimulating environment with your baby/ toddler, some meaningful discussion, music and movement Painting with Rochelle (JAS) Studio at Ralli Hall, 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm. Tel: 07811 601106 Chutzpah Choir Yiddish singing in 4 parts with Polina Shepherd. 11.00 am – 1.00 pm weekly. For Hove venue contact chutzpahchoir@gmail.com or tel. Betty on 01273 474795 Israeli Dancing 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm Ralli Hall. Email: nicolahyman@ talktalk.net or miriambook1@gmail.com Wednesdays Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism) Coffee morning, 11.00 am, 1st Wednesday of each month, Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 Thursdays Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Weekly. Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH JACS members are invited on the first Thursday of every month to the RHL&SC. Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune - men and ladies welcome - 8.15- 9.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 321919 Fridays Kuddle Up Shabbat parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and her guitar (during term time) Free Happy Hour at Montessori Nursery 12 noon – 1.00 pm ALL WELCOME. Come and celebrate, see, taste, hear and feel the joy of Shabbat. Tel: 01273 328675 Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Service at 6.30 pm, 4th Friday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 Saturdays Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation Shabbat services at 22 Susans Road, Eastbourne, 10.00 am. Contact 01323 484135 or 07739 082538 Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Service at 12.30 pm, 2nd Saturday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 -
Issue 284
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Issue 273
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Issue 262
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Issue 229
April 2013
1 APRIL 2013 • NISAN / IYYAR 5773 • ISSUE 229 whA t’S INSIdE.... ALAN KUPFER’S ESCAPE tO PARAdISE | YOM hAShOAh | YOM hA’A tZMAUt | LAG B’OMER | whA t’S ON | ANd MORE SUSSEx JEwISh NEwS SUSSEx JEwISh NEwS OUR NEw EMAIL AddRESS IS sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com 2 3 issue 229 | april 2013 2 3 pause for thought by Alegra Adler Yom Ha’azmaut! A day of celebration for the establishment of the State of Israel. A day that matters. A day that matters to me because it is my country - even if Israel was the British Mandate of Palestine when I was born there! Is it still my country given that I live here? What is it that you and I are celebrating? My relatives who live in Haifa echo the mood around them, “The World hates us! Even many Jews in the Diaspora hate us!” When were these Jews last in Israel, I wonder? Do they have any idea of how Israel has developed over the last 65 years? Have they seen or heard of Israel’s achievements in the fields of medicine, agriculture and the Arts? Do they ever consider how generously Israelis give their beloved children to a superb army which protects them and their – and our – land? Go! Witness the beauty of the country; see how people bother to plant flowers on derelict wasteland. Admire the ingenious development of previously useless, apparently barren, areas. Be aware of the huge efforts in the Universities, on the borders and in various communities of people trying to bridge and heal the cultural and political differences between Arab and Jew. Enjoy the creativity and success of the people – our people - who, instead of wallowing only in their misfortunes and injustices, proceed with the business of living and thus preserve both the spiritual and physical Land of Israel for us all. We have much reason to sing and rejoice! susseX JeWisH NeWs suBsCripTiON Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode:____________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ Subscription (tick one) I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £15 p/a I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £20 p/a. I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, announcements, people, congregations, communities, contacts and more. Delivered at the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating each edition that has become the cornerstone of the Jewish community across the region. EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt David Seidel/ Michael Rich TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt ADMINISTRATOR Bernard Swithern ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS Ivor Sorokin, Lydia Swithern, COMMuNAL DIARy info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org COVER pHOTO israelimages pRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 8 APRIL 2013 New email address for submissions and correspondence: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com We have much reason to sing and rejoice! 2 3 2 3 issue 229 | april 2013 Contents FeaTures 1 THe FlaG Flies prOuDlY Yom Ha’atzmaut 65 is upon us. Photo courtesy israelimages 8 esCape TO paraDise Bernard Swithern talks to Alan Kupfer about his life before and after the Holocaust 11 YOM HasHOaH Simon Hatchwell wonders Why It Had to Happen reGulars 4 YOur NeWs aND VieWs Your announcements and thoughts 5 COMMuNiTY liFe News from across the county 11 CulTure Sussex Jewish Film Club presents a film for Yom Hashoah 16 WHaT’s ON Regular and special events in your community YOur COMMuNiTY 12 HOVe HeBreW CONGreGaTiON 13 BriGHTON & HOVe reFOrM sYNaGOGue 14 BriGHTON & HOVe prOGressiVe sYNaGOGue 15 BriGHTON & HOVe HeBreW CONGreGaTiON sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Ho Telephone: 07906 955 404 Full page (A4 size) £170 Half page (A5 size) £100 Quarter page (A6 size) £65 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 Personal: £4 per line Flyers: price on application Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to editorial decision. BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 ADVERTISING IN SJN GUIDELINES Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are • not necessarily those of SJN; accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or • services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or • submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman as a font. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. 4 5 issue 229 | april 2013 4 5 Community life Your news Births Mazel tov to Samantha and Matt Kaiser on the birth of Esther Rose, a granddaughter for Jenny and Richard Priestman and great-granddaughter for Joyce Rose. special Birthdays Mazel tov to Clive Bach, Walter Bush, Ruth Green, Lee Matofska-Dyer, Simon Pearl, Mef Sharpe (75) and Ronnie Taylor (80) who are celebrating special birthdays this month. Bat Mitzvah Mazel tov to Claire and Sam Barsam and family on the Batmitzvah of their granddaughter Amira Jade. Weddings Mazel tov to Jodie Graham and Marc Sacks and their families on their marriage at Holland Road shul. Mazel tov to Pam Rosen on the wedding of her grandson. anniversaries Mazel tov to Bryan & Juliette Huberman on their special wedding anniversary. Get well We wish a refuah sheleimah to Mona Losner, Simon Cobbs and all who are unwell or in hospital. Deaths We wish Long Life to the families of Harold Day z’l, Ronnie Gee z’l, Sylvia Moseley z’l and Barry Smith z’l. We wish Long Life to Irvyn Isaacs on the death of his sister, Louise Crown. errata The Editorial Board apologises for the following errors in the March issue of SJN: • The date for Yom Ha’atzmaut in our editorial last month was incorrect • Alegra and Gerry Adler celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary (not 30th) Your Views The following is an email from Doris Levinson, Founding Editor of Sussex Jewish News to Andrew Comben, CEO of the Brighton Festival regarding the scheduling of Jewish content in this year’s Festival to which no reply has been received. I was fortunate enough to have been invited to the Press Launch of the 2013 Brighton Festival and at the time, the lady in charge of the classical music events, spoke to me saying that she was so proud to have been able to put into place a number of items relating to the Holocaust. She spoke to me in particular about the concert on Friday 10 May at the Royal Pavilion and I expressed concern that it was such an inappropriate day of the week to put on such a concert because there would be little, if any, Jewish audience, as Friday night is the beginning of our Sabbath. She said that this was the only day available for that concert. On looking through the programme, I notice that there is another item on that same night at the Sallis Benney Theatre, when Judith Kerr is in conversation with Michael Rosen. After the sad experience of the 2012 Festival when the Saturday performance of the Batsheva Dance Ensemble was cancelled, leaving only a Friday night available, I would have thought that you would have given much more thought to the sensitivities of a Jewish audience who would have liked to attend the Theresienstadt concert or the interview with Judith Kerr. I realise that planning the Brighton Festival is a huge undertaking and it has become such a successful item in the British calendar of cultural events. However, I am very sad that so little consideration has been given to your very loyal local Jewish concert and theatregoers. Thank you Alan Bass and family thank the rabbonim, relatives and friends for all their kind thoughts, support and sympathy at the sad time of the passing of their beloved Jill z’l. SJN ReadeRS: bRiNg thiS adveRt iN aNd get a 10% diScouNt 4 5 4 5 issue 229 | april 2013 ralli Hall lunch and social Club by Jacqueline Tichauer I hope that everyone is having a good Pesach and is ready to enjoy the lovely weather. The Lunch and Social Club has had a busy few weeks. We have now added a book and play club to our programme. Kitty, one of our valued members, has written a play and we have now discovered some budding actors and actresses who took part in the first reading. This is an exciting new feature so if you are interested please join us. On 14 February we held a Valentine’s Day party with all the tables colourfully decorated, much appreciated by all of our members. Wonderful Richard was our entertainer and all the ladies received a red rose. It was a great day; everyone went home with a smiling face. Our Purim Party was a great success; over 65 people enjoyed the salt beef lunch and afternoon tea with homemade hamantaschen. George, our new entertainer, made sure everyone got up to dance, so everyone had a fun afternoon. We are now planning a once-a- month special event day to add variety to our programme. In April, 30 members are joining us for a weekend away in sunny Eastbourne at the newly refurbished Cumberland Hotel. We are all very excited and are also busy making plans for some spring days out. Our menus are varied and delicious; we now have people popping in for lunch, so if you are free and have a big appetite it is really worth coming in. You can always see the lovely menus on our website or just give me a call. In the afternoons we have bridge, kalooki, chess or scrabble, so why not come along and join in? Remember, we also hold bridge classes and computer classes, so please contact us if you are interested. Unfortunately, in the last few months a few of our members have been in hospital. We wish them a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing them back very soon. One even told the doctors that she had to get better very soon as she missed her Lunch and Social Club! We look forward to meeting you on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Once you have been you will want to come back again and again. If you would like to volunteer for a few hours a week or month please give me a call; it’s great fun. Community life Important message HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY VISITS If you are in hospital or know anyone being admitted into hospital, please get in touch with info@ sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or telephone 07789 491279 so that a Jewish chaplain can be contacted to visit. Malcolm Green Catering The selection of your menu is an important part in the planning of your Simcha. For that reason our Chefs continue to create exciting and tasty menus to meet your every need. We can tailor a menu to fit your specific requirements and help create the function you will be proud of. Let us introduce you to a cuisine that has made us one of Israel’s leading Caterers & the world’s foremost glatt kosher destination wedding specialist. KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST Contact Malcolm on 0203 393 6823 koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk www.kosherservicesworldwide.com www.kosherexperiences.co.il UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION OF THE LONDON BETH DIN (For functions in the U.K.) “You’ve eaten the food now read the blog” www.koshersericesworldwide/blog/ Thursday Mornings at Torah Nursery Plenty of treasure baskets, books, activities, hot teas, biscuits and good company in a warm cosy environment. Includes a half an hour music session, with action rhymes, Hebrew songs, percussion instruments, movement and Jewish lullabies. 10.00am – 12.00 noon for babies and toddlers 0-2years 31, New Church Rd, Hove BN3 4AD Donation £4.00 For more info: call Penina on 01273 328675/321919 Mummy, Me and Music 6 7 issue 229 | april 2013 6 7 Community life Hyman Fine House by Beverly Barnett and Natasha Carson We enjoyed Purim celebrations both inside and outside the Home. We started early by watching children from the Reform Cheder perform their play. Then on the day itself Rabbi Zalman Lewis and his family kindly joined us to read the Megillah. The following day, staff and volunteers enjoyed a Purim party dancing along to the music provided by the entertainer and eating a delicious tea. Celebrations were rounded off when some of our residents went to another Purim party at Ralli Hall, which they enjoyed very much indeed. On Valentine’s Day, Brian came to play music for us and our residents enjoyed a lunchtime dance. Joey, one of our new volunteers, started a cookery group and they made some biscuits, which were then promptly eaten. We are delighted that we have now got 7 new volunteers from the universities and we will all be working together to find new activities for our residents. For those who can use the computer, we have installed ‘My Life’, a new software package which encourages residents to play games and keep their minds and memories active, as well as create life stories which can then be shared and kept as mementos. Inside Hyman Fine the refurbishment of the lounge area is well underway and will be completed in time for Pesach. We are very grateful for the donations that have made this possible. As always, if you feel you could spare us some time to help volunteer as a regular or for a one-off event, please contact Natasha Carson or Mark Pady on 01273 266882. We would also like to thank the Ladies Fundraising Committee, which gives us invaluable support in terms of financial aid and volunteering. Voluntary Support Agencies • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre), 01273 739999 or ralliday@tiscali.co.uk • Norwood/Tikvah House, 01273 564021 • Hyman Fine House, 01273 688226 • Helping Hands, 01273 747722 or helping-hands@ helping-hands.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board, 07952 479111 or sussexjwb@googlemail.com • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association, bahjha@ googlemail.com • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue / L’chaim Project, 01273 737223 • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform (Annette Norris), 01273 735343 We specialise in Building Maintenance contracts for private clients with small to medium sized investment property portfolios. We can provide the following services at competitive rates: • Pre-purchase surty. • Advice on Local Authority registration requirements and planning permission for small, medium or large sized houses in multiple occupation. • Advice on optimum floor space use within existing letting proper create additional units. • We carr maintenance and obtain competitive tenders from reputable building contractors. • We can oversee any repair work to ensure that Freeholders and leaseholders achieve good value for money. Contact: Clive Voller MRICS for a no obligation consultation. 01273 843916 or 07860 927505 15 Station Road, Burgess Hill, RH15 9DE 6 7 6 7 issue 229 | april 2013 Community life Hyman Fine House Fundraising Committee by Shirley Burke A very successful card afternoon was held at Ralli Hall on Sunday 17 February. There were 82 people playing bridge and kalooki. The afternoon raised £1600 for committee funds. In addition to prizes for the best scores, the players had a delicious tea catered by the committee and a very enjoyable time was had by all. The event was organized by the ‘team’ of Shirley, Raymond, Alan, Linda & Sheila, together with our wonderful hard working committee. This event has now been held every year since 2002, raising a total of around £17,000 for the benefit of the residents. The funds are used by the committee to provide the residents at Hyman Fine House with extras over and above the normal excellent service provided by Jewish Care. In addition to providing all sorts of in-house entertainment and facilities at the home, the residents also enjoy organized outings such as visits to the cinema, the ice show and Theatre Royal. Thank you for your continued support and generosity, which enables us to provide these extra benefits that the residents so enjoy. ralli Hall by Roger Abrahams Irit and I have just returned from a family visit, over Purim, to Ramat Hasharon in Israel. It was mainly cool and dry and we watched a heart-warming and uplifting community street parade, with magnificent floats and large groups of young people from local drama and dance groups. Unfortunately, we missed two Purim parties at Ralli Hall, put on by Rabbi Efune and by the Lunch and Social Club, which were both most successful: this is very much what Ralli Hall is all about. We will try to make sure that we are here next year, so that we do not miss out on all the fun. Since last month, we have taken on John Davies as our new caretaker. Over the last twenty years or so, he was a school caretaker so he should really know the ropes with regard to looking after a community building. He is due to start at Ralli Hall just after Pesach and I will therefore give him a fuller introduction in the next edition. The planned further upgrades to the Magrill Lounge and the restaurant area are now well under way, with the lower ground floor redecoration due to commence shortly. The Ralli Hall Annual General Meeting – the date to be confirmed - after our next Board Meeting will be either at the end of May or the beginning of June. We really are keen to welcome some younger members on to the Management Committee, as the current members are becoming more and more geriatric as the years go by. However, from a brief perusal of the draft annual accounts, I am pleased to mention that we appear to have kept our heads above water for yet another year, despite quite generous expenditure on maintenance and upgrades. Full details will be available from our Hon Treasurer at the AGM. We would also welcome new members who are prepared to show their commitment to our almost unique non- denominational Jewish Community Centre, whether or not they currently have the need to use our excellent facilities. You may not need us this year but, ‘as sure as G-d gave us little green apples’, there will come a time when you will be grateful that Ralli Hall is there for you to use. See you at Ralli Hall. 8 9 issue 229 | april 2013 8 9 sJN spotlight Allen Kupfer lives in the idyllic retirement community of Sun City in Hilton Head, South Carolina, where the lifestyle facilities offered include championship golf courses, swimming pools, fitness centres and even a 540-seat performing arts theatre. Community organisations provide every kind of opportunity. There are arts and crafts schools, woodworking classes and in fact everything that one could desire in retirement. Allen has had a successful business life, children who have succeeded in their own professions and wonderful grandchildren. As a gentleman in his ninetieth year, he appears to be a contented, lucky man. He has indeed been lucky. He has been lucky not to have been exterminated by the Nazis, as were his parents and 143 family members, including most of his uncles, aunts and cousins. He was lucky to survive a labour camp. He was lucky to have been able to walk 55 miles in wooden shoes and lucky to find the shelter of a hole in the ground before meeting up with advancing Russians. Allen had led a reasonable life until, when he was sixteen, the German hordes invaded Poland, desecrated all that lay in their path and destroyed a people and a way of life. From that point on Allen was to need every bit of luck that came his way. Happiness died. Life on the edge began. Two weeks after the invasion, on the eve of Rosh Hashonah, the Jewish quarter of Warsaw was bombed. The apartment where his family lived was destroyed, together with all their possessions. They were then put up by an aunt and survived from day to day in the ruined city with little food. Before the war, his parents had made and sold garments. Those skills and contacts eventually enabled them to survive by selling clothes in the flea markets. When the Ghetto was established, they were at first able to obtain permits to travel outside. This enabled visits to their extended family in the town of Nowy Korczyn where Allen’s father was born. Although it was only 42 miles away, the journey in the Polish winter of 1940 took a whole two days. Six months later, when news came of the intended liquidation of the Ghetto and the rumours of the extermination camps spread, Allen and his parents and sister realised that they were no longer safe and, together with their sewing machine, they joined their relatives in Nowy Korczyn. They lived there in a rented room for the next eighteen months. In October 1942 when the town was liquidated, the four of them escaped to nearby Opacowiec and lived there in the forlorn hope of being liberated by the Russians. Meanwhile those who did not get away were marched 18 kilometers to the rail-head, from whence they were transported to Belzec extermination camp. The family had to keep on the move. It was decided that the next destination would be nearby Koszyce. Allen did not immediately join them, but travelled back to Nowy Korczyn in order to find out what had become of his relatives. In retrospect he has never forgotten the worry in his parents’ eyes when he said good-bye to them - not realising that he would never see them again - not knowing that they would be herded into a box- car destined for extermination. He was alone, separated from his family, and an ‘illegal’. He was sent to a labour camp, where he was tasked with collecting and dispatching to Germany the final possessions of the slaughtered local Jews. After three weeks he was selected for duties in an outpost, where he became the houseboy of a vicious SS officer. He was devastated by the cruelty that he saw there. He witnessed a family being loaded onto a truck, destined for the local cemetery. Shortly afterwards he was handed their clothing to be laundered and sold in the local market for the benefit of that officer. He could only guess about the fate of those who were stripped of their clothes. In the spring of 1943 he was transferred to a German munitions factory. Meanwhile, his ten year old sister and her parents had been herded towards a train bound for an extermination camp. Her mother and father told her that she must get away. As a result, she was alone, surviving in the countryside by pretending to be a Polish peasant. Miraculously, she later turned up at the same factory where Allen was working. Allen is unable to keep back his tears as he recalls the joyful moment of their reunion. He was lucky not to have been exterminated by the Nazis, as were his parents and 143 family members, to survive a labour camp and have been able to walk 55 miles in wooden shoes. allen Kupfer’s escape to paradise Bernard Swithern relates a life story that should not be forgotten 8 9 8 9 issue 229 | april 2013 In 1944, in the face of the Russian advance, the factory was dismantled and the machinery loaded by the Jewish labour onto trains for transporting back to Germany. At two o’clock on one freezing morning, Allen and four others managed to jump from the train and escape towards the forest. When caught in the beam of a searchlight, they dispersed. Only two of them survived, by walking the fifty-five miles back to Nowy Korczyn in their wooden shoes. There they had a nasty brush with local partisans, but were tipped off by the less antisemitic Socialist faction and escaped to safety. Eventually they were able to obtain false papers and worked on farms as ‘non-Jewish Poles’. Freezing, starving and utterly desperate, Allen begged Jozef, the Polish business partner of one of his cousins, for shelter. At first he was concealed in a hayloft and then after 3 days was hidden in a five by ten foot hole underneath the house. When he got there he discovered that he was to join a Jewish family of six, who had been hidden there for the past two years. He now understands the dilemma that Jozef must have faced; to admit him and overcrowd the hiding place, to turn him over to the Germans who would then return with unanswered questions or even to kill him. Jozef made the only decision that, even in the midst of barbaric chaos, a decent human being could reach. Allen describes Jozef as ‘the righteous Christian to whom I owe my life’. It was a brave decision because, unbeknown to Allen, the house had been commandeered as a German command post. Allen recollects New Year’s Day 1945, when he could hear the officers playing Waltz music. It was twelve days later that the Russians returned. When he finally emerged on his knees from the hole, his war was over. Allen then returned to Nowy Korczyn for a few weeks, in the hope that any surviving relatives might return. No-one came. He then travelled to Warsaw, which was completely devastated. In place of the largest Jewish community in Europe, there was nothing. Even the rubble was flattened. He went on to Lodz, which had been Poland’s second city Allen was able to find his sister and rather than enter a Displaced Persons Camp (DP camp), together they made their way to Berlin, which offered the security and welfare organisations that came with being governed by the four powers. And then, onward to Munich, a city where he had friends and a city where the Americans were in charge. Three years later, they emigrated to the United States and went to live in Chicago where they had relatives. He never forgot the man who saved his life. Once established, he sent money to Jozef and arranged for him and his family to visit him in Chicago. Allen’s mother and my father were cousins; our grandmothers were sisters; yet it has only been in recent years that I have had the enriching privilege of spending time with this humorous congenial relative. Time to discover that there is more to Allen than his modest good nature or his good fortune in the face of existential adversity. He admits to always having sadness in his heart, but balances that by accepting that there is no point in harbouring hate, which, he says, “only makes you miserable”. His appreciation of life seems to be summed up by the license plate on his car - ‘Keyn-ayn- hora’; which means ‘no evil eye’ or ‘all is good’. Allen is aware of his responsibility to keep his memories alive so that they can be understood by modern generations. For many years he has been committed to lecturing in schools and to being interviewed for the archives. He is now in his ninetieth year. But he still finds the time to continue to visit and to talk to young people, to share his story and has, despite all, retained his good humour. Jozef made the decision that only a decent human being could reach, a brave decision because, unbeknown to Allen, the house had been commandeered as a German command post. Allen describes Jozef as ‘the righteous Christian to whom I owe my life’. MARTIN GROSS Memorials All aspects of stone-masonry undertaken from new to renovation and cleaning 01273 439792 07801 599771 10 11 issue 229 | april 2013 10 11 HaVe YOu GOT YOur TiCKeTs YeT??? iF NOT, applY TODaY usiNG THe eNClOseD leaFleT 10 11 10 11 issue 229 | april 2013 Yom Hashoah Full details of the Sussex Jewish Film Club’s next offering on Sunday 7th April were given in the March issue of SJN, issue 228 (page 15). We thought it best to give you advance notice so that you had time to mark it in your diaries. This is just a reminder! On that evening, which is Yom Hashoah, we’ll be showing Skokie, an American film made in 1981 and starring Danny Kaye (125 minutes), based on the true story of how a community of Holocaust survivors and their neighbours in Skokie, Illinois, stood up to a group of neo-Nazis planning to hold a rally in their town. Refer to last month’s SJN for a full description. Some might find that this film has some parallels with recent events locally but this is up for debate. As usual it’s 7.00 for 7.30 pm at Ralli Hall (83 Denmark Villas) with hot and cold drinks available. All are welcome even if you haven’t been to a Club film before. Just make a small donation on the door (free to students). Soon after the end of World War II some of the survivors of the Shoah moved to Paris, the capital of France. I distinctly remember the emaciated face of the man who was employed as a cleaner at the school where I was studying. In his spare time he painted pictures, but there was always an expression of sadness in his paintings. The history of the Shoah has deeply affected me for years, and it still does. We all ask the question, “Why, why did it happen? Why? Why?” We read in the Torah that God intervened in comparatively minor events, but we ask ourselves why did he do nothing when so many millions of his/our people were slaughtered? In despair, on the 40th anniversary of the Holocaust, I wrote to my teacher Mr. Emmanuel Levinas, z’l telling him that I could no longer believe that God was the Guardian of Israel and that we Jews were His people. He replied by sending me a lecture that he had given at one of the meetings of eminent philosophers, which he, as well as the Pope of the time, occasionally attended. I have read that paper many, many times. Levinas is not an easy read. But finally I think I found his answer to my question. He referred to the 28th chapter of the Book of Numbers which tells us some of the sacrifices God ordered Israel to perform, and to the 15th verse of that chapter which says, “and one male of the goats for a sin offering to God“. God in His majesty and humility admits that He has sinned and ordered us to offer a sacrifice to Him in atonement. The nature of the sin is not the point of importance here, (I shall tell you in the next issue what God’s sin was). The important idea is that the Torah accepts the idea that God himself had sinned. He might well have sinned again by allowing the Shoah to happen. skokie: a film for Yom Hashoah Why did it happen? by Simon Hatchwell TORAH NURSERY invites you to an inspiring afternoon tea with TOVA MORDECHAI, author of ‘PLAYING WITH FIRE’ Sunday 21st April 2013 at Ralli Hall from 3.00pm to 5.00pm Coffee, teas and cakes will be served. Admission is £7.00 in advance, £8.50 at the door Men and Women are welcome Tova, who now lives with her family in Tzfat, was born Tonica Marlow, to an English evangelist father and Egyptian Jewish mother. At the age of sixteen she was accepted into a noted Christian theological college and within four years she had become an ordained minister. Signed copies of the book will be for sale following the talk. And yet with all of her successful activity she could not explain the deep pain she felt inside. She began to doubt some of the church’s teachings and because she did not receive adequate answers she started exploring her mother’s Jewish faith. Her life story is truly remarkable. COME AND LISTEN to Tova as she retells her quest for the truth about her Jewish heritage. 12 13 issue 229 | april 2013 12 13 HHC rabbi Vivian silverman Ho ve BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com Chief rabbi Hertz Centenary by Rabbi Vivian Silverman One hundred years ago this month, in April 1913, Joseph Hermann Hertz was installed as the fourth Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation of the British Empire. His predecessors in office had hailed from Germany, but he was born in Hungary in September 1872. When he was a youngster of twelve, his parents emigrated to the United States where he received his education, both religious and secular. In 1894, Hertz became the first rabbinical graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, at that time a fully traditional rabbinic establishment. After serving the Syracuse congregation, he was invited to become rabbi to the recently-built Witwatersrand Hebrew Congregation in Johannesburg. The year was 1898 and for the next thirteen years he lived in South Africa. So outspoken was he in support of Britain during the Anglo-Boer war (Oct 1899-May 1902) that he was expelled from the Transvaal, returning there only when peace was declared. During the years that followed, Hertz was an active Vice-President of the South African Zionist Federation and Professor of Philosophy at the Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg. In 1911, he was invited to return to America to become Rabbi of the Hungarian congregation, Orah Hayyim in New York City. That same year, Chief Rabbi Hermann Adler died and Hertz declared himself interested in the vacant office. When Lord Milner (former Governor-General of the Cape) heard that Rabbi Hertz was one of the candidates, he informed Lord Rothschild (President of the United Synagogue) that Hertz was the ideal man for the Chief Rabbinate because he had been so pro-British at the time of the Boer war. And so it was that in late 1912, Joseph Hermann Hertz (having already been interviewed in London) was declared Chief Rabbi Elect. The other candidates were Dayan Moses Hyamson of the London Beit Din, who took the position at the Orah Hayyim shul when Hertz left, and Rabbi Bernard Drachman, one of Hertz’s teachers at the Jewish Theological Seminary. The Hertz Chief Rabbinate began the year before World War One and ended a few months after the end of World War Two. He was an orator and writer of distinction and a fearless advocate for traditional Judaism. His publications were much sought after. A Book of Jewish Thoughts was originally written for the Jewish members of HM Forces in World War One, subsequently reissued in World War Two for all allied Jewish troops and contains uplifting words of comfort and encouragement from Jewish and non-Jewish literature across the ages, in reference to Judaism and the Jewish people. It was republished in the 1960s. The Hertz Chumash, for which he was the overall editor, was published during the dark days of the 1930s, to show the beauty and timeless application of Jewish ethics and morality as found in the Torah. It also aimed at countering Nazi propaganda against the Jewish people. The Hertz Siddur was first issued in 1941 with a second edition in 1946. Annotated by the Chief Rabbi and like the Chumash, it is filled with outstanding essays which have never dated. Sermons, addresses and studies comprises three volumes and covers his life in America, South Africa and Britain. Before and during the Second World War, together with his son-in-law, Rabbi Solomon Schonfeld (of Hasmonean Schools fame), the Chief Rabbi tried to save as many Jewish lives as possible by imploring and importuning the British authorities to issue visas and permits of entry, through the Chief Rabbi’s Religious Emergency Council. Hundreds of Jewish scholars, teachers and others from Nazi Europe were able to escape to this country. In fact, Rabbi Schonfeld continued to save Jewish lives after the war ended when he scoured DP camps and convents looking especially for Jewish children. Sadly, Rose Hertz had died in 1930 aged only fifty, though their children gave him strength and joy. The tragedy of European Jewry (the Nazi death camps were known about from 1941/2), preyed constantly on his mind and taxed his strength. He took ill and passed away in mid-January 1946, aged seventy-three. Y’hi Zihro Baruch / May his memory be a blessing to us all. ApRIl DIARy 7 Sunday Yom Hashoah Service at West Hove 9 Tuesday Talmud Shiur, 11.00 am 15 Monday Yom Ha’atzmaut 65 16 Tuesday Ladies Discussion, 10.30 am, followed by Shiur 28 Sunday Lag b’Omer You and your family are invited to a LAG B’OMER FUN AFTERNOON AND B-B-Q Sunday 28th April 1.45 pm At Hove Croquet Club on Kingsway between Westbourne Villas and Princes Crescent. B-B-Q, Bouncy Castles, Kit Flying, Circus Activities, and loads more fun…. Tickets: ADULT: £11 on the day or £9 in advance, CHILD: £8 on the day or £6.50 in advance FAMILY TICKET (2 Adults and 2 Children): £35 on the day or £30 in advance CHILDREN UNDER THREE YEARS: Free The above prices include the B-B-Q and a drink For further details or to book please call Rabbi Efune on 321919 or 07885 538681 THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO THIS UNITY EVENT ReMeMBeR OuR New eMAIl ADDReSS sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com 12 13 12 13 issue 229 | april 2013 BHrs Brighton & Ho Palmeira Avenue, Ho Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org Bulletin Board – April 2013 1 Monday 7th day Pesach service, 10.30 am 6 Saturday Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am Shabbat Doroteinu – Our Generations, 10.45 am 7 Sunday Yom Hashoah 10 Wednesday Rosh Chodesh Group, 7.30 pm 13 Saturday Shabbaton - 10 yrs+, 10.30 am 14 Sunday Cheder new term, 10.00 am 15 Monday Yom Ha’atzmaut (Celebrations at Hove Town Hall), 7.00 pm 19 Friday Kuddle Up Shabbat, 10.00 am 20 Saturday Rabbi’s Shiur - Siddur Surgery, 9.00 am 26 Friday Kuddle Up Shabbat, 10.00 am 27 Saturday Rabbi’s Shiur - Pirke Avot, 9.00 am 28 Sunday Lag B’omer – Treasure Hunt, 10.30 am more details to follow Moving moments by Rabbi Andrea Zanardo A few months ago, as soon as I arrived in Brighton, I was offered the honour of teaching at Lishmah. I chose to teach about Zionism because I am a Zionist and an Israeli citizen and because Zionism has, in certain circles, a bad reputation, which I think we Jews should work to change. Lishmah is now finished and I must say I highly enjoyed the experience of reading, commenting and debating the writings of different Zionist thinkers together with other fellow Jews. In a few days we will be celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli independence day, which has rightly become part of the Jewish calendar all over the world (at least where Jews are free to live and celebrate). This is only but one of the several examples of the many changes that Zionism had brought to the Jewish world. But this is not the only way Zionism has changed the Jewish calendar. Before Yom Ha’atzmaut there is Yom Ha Shoah: another date established by the Israeli Parliament in 1959, and thus observed throughout the Diaspora. There is of course logic in such a progression: as a movement, Zionism challenged the political naivete of traditional Jewry. For this reason, for a long time, Zionism had not always been extremely popular among the Rabbis. Even in recent times there had been attempts to memorialize the Shoah on a different date (e.g. Tisha be Av), as if the Israeli and Zionist calendar was somehow mistaken. These attempts have not been successful, and I doubt they will ever be. Zionism has already proven to be a matter about which the Jewish people are wiser than some of the Rabbis. Despite their hesitation, Jews of some generations ago, took their destiny in their hands and literally changed history, establishing after millennia of exile and homelessness, a place that they could call home. And this fact in itself is hugely beneficial, so that very few of us Jews call themselves anti-Zionist nowadays. The vast majority of Jews, Rabbis included, will thus celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut in a few days. To me, Zionism is an historical opportunity: the chance to build a society according to the Jewish ethics, to contribute to the improvement of the world as a Jew, together with other Jews, who share with me inspiration from the treasures of Jewish spirituality and Jewish thought. This is something that thrills me and I celebrate. On YouTube there is a video clip that I highly recommend. It is the maiden speech of Ruth Calderon, a recently elected Israeli MP. And it is also a Talmudic class on a passage in Ketubot 62b, which narrates a story about reciprocal responsibility and the urgent need for Jewish education. Prior to the speech MK Ruth Calderon, following the style of her teacher (Rabbi David Hartman z’l) handed copies of the text to the other Knesset members. You can even see how she welcomes observations from other MKs of different factions. A woman, a secular woman, reclaiming Talmud for her, and for the Jewish people: all of this in the opening session of the Israeli Parliament. A very moving moment, enough to say Shehecheyanu! the blessing to celebrate special occasion. The same blessing to be said on Yom Ha’ atzmaut. Ruth Calderon’s historical speech can also be read at http://www. thejewishweek.com/editorial-opinion/opinion/heritage-all-israel. A video clip can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/RuthCalderon or on our Facebook page. purim with a difference The celebrations commenced with mask making for the children and learning how to make sushi for the adults. The service this year was the first ever multilingual Megillah reading, where members of the congregation read portions in 11 different languages including Japanese, Chinese and, of course and to no one’s surprise, Italian too! The traditional Fancy Dress Parade was followed by a Chavurah Brunch, where over 80 members and guests socialised and celebrated together. COFFee MORNING Wednesday 10th April 2013 11.00am 1 Park Avenue, Hove Donation: £3.00 by kind permission of Rosa and Stuart Panto 14 15 issue 229 | april 2013 14 15 BHps rabbi elizabeth Tikvah sarah Brighton & Ho ve BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: bhps@freenetname.co.uk www.brightonandho Brighton & Ho Twitter@BHPS2011 Day By Day by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Every year the Jewish people journeys from Shabbat to Shabbat, from Festival to Festival, in an endless cycle, year after year, l’dor va-dor, from generation to generation. Nevertheless, the journey from Pesach to Shavuot is unique. Connected by the seven weeks of counting, day by day, from the second day of Pesach until Shavuot on the 50th day, this particular journey is marked by a daily rite that recalls the presentation of the omer, the sheaf of grain that was waived by the priest each day during this period in Temple times (see Emor, Leviticus 23:9-20). What are we doing when we count the omer? Are we simply practising a ritual prescribed by the rabbis? The journey from Pesach to Shavuot mirrors the Exodus journey of our ancestors from Egypt to Sinai. The Haggadah, the ‘telling’ of the Exodus tale at the Seder, reminds us that in every generation ‘each one of us should consider ourselves as if we had, personally, gone out of Egypt.’ So, do we think about being on a journey from slavery, through liberation, towards commitment and responsibility, as we count the omer? Of course, our ancestors probably thought only about taking flight as they went out of Egypt and had no notion of what awaited them as the third month began, following the departure. That is because what lay ahead of them, really was unknown. So, how can we really identify with their experience? After all, we know their story inside out. We cannot be them. But what we could do is make our own journey, day by day, from Pesach to Shavuot. We could think about the ways in which we live in bondage – chained to the endless routines of our daily schedules, in thrall to the god of consumerism, dependent on the familiar structures that govern our lives. If we do this, then we might begin to acknowledge that although we are not oppressed by a tyrant and persecuted by cruel taskmasters, in a significant sense, like our ancestors, we, too, are slaves. We could also think about what freedom means to us: Do we long for it? Do we fear it? And we might also consider what we would do with our freedom, if we had it. Our ancestors’ journey out of Egypt took them to the foot of Mount Sinai. As Shavuot approaches, we are challenged to reflect about our own relationship to the Eternal. According to the Torah, when Moses read from the Book of the Covenant, the people responded, na’aseh v’nishma – ‘we will do and we will listen.’ (Mishpatim, Exodus 24:7). Some of us are very scrupulous about the doing side of this equation, but are we as good at listening? Do we listen out for the voice of the Eternal in the context of our own lives? The unique Omer period invites us to go on a journey. May the ritual of the daily counting, encourage us to make our ancestors’ journey, our own. 14 15 14 15 issue 229 | april 2013 At New Church Road Shul A great occasion for the whole family. An opportunity to go out for a Kosher meat lunch and for the children to enjoy the facilities of the BHHC. A choice of burgers, sausages and chicken together with salads and drinks, followed by a great dessert. Adults £13.00 Children £6.00 Vegetarian option available if ordered in advance. Please book your place by Monday 1st Jul office@bhhc-shul.org BHHC rabbi Hershel rader Brighton & Ho ve BN3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.webjam.com/bhhc10 lag B’Omer: What Have the romans ever Done For us? by Rabbi Hershel Rader What have the Romans ever done for us? So many of us are familiar with this scene from Monty Python’s Life of Brian in which Roman contributions such as roads, public baths and aqueducts are dismissed as insignificant. What we may not know is that the Talmud relates a very similar story which actually took place. Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Yose, and Rabbi Shimon [bar Yohai] were sitting. And Yehuda ben Gerim was sitting near them. Rabbi Yehuda began and said, “How great are the deeds of this [Roman] nation! They made markets; they made bathhouses; they made bridges.” Rabbi Yose was silent. Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai answered and said, “What they made, they made for themselves. They made markets so they could set prostitutes there, bathhouses to anoint themselves, bridges to collect a toll.” Yehuda ben Gerim went and repeated their words which were heard by authorities. [The authorities] said, “Yehuda who elevated will be elevated, Yose who was silent will be exiled to Sepphoris, and Shimon who disparaged will be killed.” (Babylonian Talmud Tractate Shabbat 33:b) Rabbi Shimon hid from the Romans for 13 years. He is remembered as one of the great Rabbis of the Mishnaic period both a Halachic authority and author of the great Kabbalistic work the Zohar. He requested that the day of his passing be celebrated as a holiday. He passed away on the 18th of Iyar, the 33rd day of the Omer, known as Lag B’Omer and this day is celebrated throughout the Jewish world. In Meron, the burial place of Rabbi Shimon and his son Elazar, thousands of Jews gather to pray at his tomb, light torches, sing and dance. But how could Rabbi Shimon discount the Romans’ achievements? Why did his colleague Rabbi Yehuda take such a different view? Rabbi Shimon was a mystic. He viewed the world not merely in terms of its material or physical aspect but rather from a deeper spiritual perspective. Rabbi Yehuda was content to appreciate the Romans’ deeds as advancements in construction and administration. Rabbi Shimon had to examine their intent which, if undesirable, would undermine their material accomplishments. This difference of approach is reflected in various Halachic disagreements between the two sages. For example, Rabbi Shimon is of the opinion that, in certain circumstances, a person’s intent performing an act forbidden on Shabbat can render him guiltless. As a mystic Rabbi Shimon did not view this world as the sum of a person’s existence rather a small part of a soul’s journey. He regarded the soul as infinitely more important than the body which he saw as a vehicle through which the soul can impact the world. Death was not something which scared him and he felt that when G-d took his soul to a better place he would be ready and no one should be sad for him. Rabbi Shimon is mentioned in every chapter of the Talmud. His decisions and actions have impacted every subsequent generation of our people and he left us the joyous day of Lag B’Omer. The grave of Rabbi Shimon bar yohai, z’l 16 16 issue 229 | april 2013 What’s on: april 2013 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org email: info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org COMMuNiTY eVeNTs – iMpOrTaNT reMiNDer: Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events! info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org sHaBBaT sHalOM – BriGHTON TiMes In Light Candles Out Havdalah Fri 5 7.21 pm Sat 6 8.32 pm Fri 12 7.33 pm Sat 13 8.45 pm Fri 19 7.44 pm Sat 20 8.58 pm Fri 26 7.55 pm Sat 27 9.11 pm NOTaBle DaTes Tues 2 Pesach, 8th day Sun 7 Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Day) Mon 15 Yom Hazikaron (Israel Remembrance Day) Tue 16 Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) Sun 28 Lag b’Omer reGular aCTiViTies Sundays Carmel Tennis Club 10.00 am - 12.00 noon. Weekly. All levels welcome. Tel: Leon on 07717 222744 Mondays lunch & learn with Rabbi Efune 11.30 am-12.30 pm at the Brighton Hillel Centre, 66/67 Middle Street, Brighton Tel: 01273 321919 afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Ralli Hall Tel: Reba 01444 410435 rubber and Duplicate Bridge 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm £2.00 Ralli Hall. Tel: Reba 01444 410435 Contemporary Basic Talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Tanya (Kabbalah) Learning Group with Penina Efune - Ladies only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Tuesdays ralli Hall lunch and social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly at Ralli Hall art in the studio with Martin 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm Ralli Hall painting with rochelle (Jas) 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Ralli Hall Tel: 01273 503708 israeli Dancing 7.45 pm - 9.45 pm Ralli Hall. Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Wednesdays JaCs at the AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2 members / £2.50 non-members (see programme in Events listings but note no programme during Pesach) art in the studio with Martin 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm Ralli Hall Thursdays Mummy, Me and Music (0-2 years) at the Torah Nursery , 29 New Church Road, Hove. All mums welcome, 9.30 am to 11.30 am. Each session will include a half an hour music time. ralli Hall lunch and social Club 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 (RH) Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad House Tel: 01273 321919 Fridays Kuddle up shabbat , parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and her guitar at AJEX Centre, 10.00 am – 12 noon eastbourne progressive Jewish Congregation service on the 4th Friday of each month, WVRS, 24 Hyde Road, Eastbourne, 6.00 pm eVeNTs FOr april Wednesday 3 JaCs QuiZ with prizes, prizes, prizes. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2 members and £2.50 non- members Sunday 7 aJeX service for Yom Hashoah 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm at Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, 31 New Church Road, Hove sussex Jewish Film Club presents ‘Skokie’ at Ralli Hall, 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm Monday 8 aJr (association of Jewish refugees Ralli Hall, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm sussex Jewish News – submission deadline for May issue Send your submissions to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews. com Wednesday 10 Youth aliyah Coffee Morning at 1 Park Avenue, Hove at 11.00 am. Donation £3.00 JaCs with guest speaker. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2 members and £2.50 non-members Sunday 14 Helping Hands Tea 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove Monday 15 Yom Hazikaron, followed by Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations for israel’s 65th birthday Hove Town Hall. Doors open 6.15 pm. Tickets £20 adults/£10 children (11-17 yrs) Contact 07789 491279 or email: info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Sunday 21 Tea at ralli Hall with guest speaker Tova Mordechai, author of ‘Playing with Fire’. Ralli Hall 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm. Tickets £7 in advance/£8.50 on the door. Contact Penina Efune on 01273 321919 Wednesday 24 JaCs with guest speaker Helen Poole on Shoreham: a patchwork of history. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2 members and £2.50 non-members Sunday 28 lag b’Omer Fun and BBQ with at Hove Croquet Club, Kingsway, Hove from 1.45 pm. Contact Rabbi Efune on 01273 321919 or 07885 538681 Tuesday 30 Jewish Historical society of Great Britain (Sussex Branch) with guest speaker Dr Helen Spurling (University of Southampton) on Jewish Apocalyptic Literature as a response to historical events. Ralli Hall, 7.45 pm – 9.15 pm. Members free and £4 donation for non-members Grodzinski’s challos, rolls and Kosher bread available weekly by courtesy of lubavitch Brighton are available from Premier. Tel: 01273 735 131. Please be sure to reserve your challos etc at Premier Convenience Store on Hove St. so that we know how many to supply. Orders can be collected on Thursdays or Fridays hA vE GOt ICKEtS? April 15th 2013 -Yom Ha’atzmaut A party for the whole of the Sussex Jewish Community to celebrate Israel’s 65th birthday. Tickets £20 adults/£10 children (11-17 yrs) Contact 07789 491279 or email info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org -
Issue 251
April 2015
1 SUSSEx JEwiSh NEwS NEw Whatswhat’S iNSidE.... BriGhtON JEwrY at 250 | a JEw iN GErMaNY | SUFFraGE & aNti-MilitariSM | YaChad | what’S ON | aNd MOrE april 2015 • NiSaN / iYYar 5775 • iSSUE 251 2 Pause for thought 3 The recent Israeli elections could peace, security and tranquillity. and more importantly, generally not have come at a better time. We can only hope that the next speaking people do not vote The lead-up to and lessons of government finds the wisdom to on issues. Votes are cast for Pesach and the subsequent lead the country into becoming a varied reasons; personal wants, Exodus should provide the next new Promised Land. the more attractive candidate, government with a valuable the better speaker, the person guide. who comes across as more The lessons of Pesach Just as Moses led the trustworthy, etc. Hebrews out of Egypt and should guide the next With the UK general election one into the wilderness and then government in Israel. month away, will Britain be able into the Promised Land the to show Israel and the rest of next Israeli government the world that its electorate has has a similar mission. Strong Public opinion in other countries done anything different? leadership is required to lead the has been disappointed by the Here, as in Israel, only time will country out of the wilderness of result of the Israeli election. tell. international opinion and into That is hardly surprising for two a time of economic prosperity, reasons. First, outsiders have a social cohesion as well as different perspective. Second, EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt David Seidel/ Michael Rich SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt announcements, people, congregations, communities, contacts and more. Delivered at ADMINISTRATOR Bernard Swithern the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS Ivor Sorokin, Lydia Swithern volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating COMMuNAL DIARy info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org each edition. It has become the cornerstone of the Jewish community across the region. COVER IMAGE Brian Megitt PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 8 APRIL 2015 Email address for submissions and correspondence: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS SUBSCRIPTION Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode:____________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ Subscription (tick one) I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £18 p/a I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £24 p/a. I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. issue 251 | april 2015 2 Contents 3 Sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Hove BN3 3SZ Telephone: 07906 955 404 FEATURES 1 BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW, DIET OF BRICKS Brian Megitt captures the essentials of Pesach 8 YACHAD Hannah Weisfeld on an organisation dedicated to peace between Israelis and Palestinians 9 WHY JEWS LIKE ME ARE RETURNING TO GERMANY Amber Rose on moving to Germany despite her initial misgivings 10 FEMINISM, SUFFRAGE AND ANTI-MILITARISM Dr Sonya Baksi on Aletta Jacobs and Rosika Schwimmer 15 CHIEF RABBI’S PESACH MESSAGE Thoughts from Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis REGULARS 4 YOUR NEWS Your personal announcements 4 YOUR VIEWS Your thoughts and opinions 4 COMMUNITY LIFE Stories from across the county 12 CULTURE JACS, history, art and more 20 WHAT’S ON Regular and special events in your community YOUR COMMUNITY 16 BRIGHTON & HOVE PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE 17 BRIGHTON & HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 18 BRIGHTON & HOVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE 19 HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION Full page (A4 size) £170 Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers Half page (A5 size) £100 are not necessarily those of SJN; Quarter page (A6 size) £65 • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 TISING and Personal Announcements in a box (up to 6 lines): £25 • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your Flyers: Price on application submissions by email, please send them ONLY to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews. Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration for publication. To editorial decision. assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman font, size 12. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 ADVER IN SJN GUIDELINES unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. issue 251 | april 2015 4 Your News & Views 5 Births Mazel tov to: Get Well • Dovid and Mushkee Efune from Manhattan, NY, on We wish a refuah sheleima to Rose Ani, Alan Burke, the birth of a baby boy, a brother for Zvi. Mazel tov Zena Cutler, Malcolm Daniels, Alan Glynn, Lewis Mann, also to grandparents, Rabbi Pesach and Penina Angie Morland, Jill Richards and all who are unwell or Efune. in hospital at the present time. • Gweni and Ivor Sorokin on the birth of a Deaths granddaughter, Olivia, to Matthew and Siobhan. We wish Long Life to the families of • The Cobbs and Sharpe families on the birth of Scarlett to Olivia and Kevin. • Jack Davis z’l • Sonia Lowe z’l Special Birthdays • Phyllis Peters z’l Mazel tov to Michael Brummer (100), Simon Cobbs, • Julius Rubin z’l (brother of Dr Joe Rubin) Zena Cutler (90), Linda Firsht, Shirley Hecht, Mark Hyams, Phillip Levene, Ada Levy, Peter Marks, Alfred Morley, Anne Pincus and all who have special birthdays Rutherford this month. Sandra, Amanda and Fiona would like to thank Anniversaries their many friends for their support, messages of condolence and love received on the passing of Mazel tov to Linda and Raymond Felsenstein on the Ronnie, a much loved husband and father. celebration of their Golden Wedding anniversary. Your Views Hyman Fine House by Natasha Carson I have just opened the latest copy of the Sussex Jewish News and was most touched and honoured to find such a wonderful review of the Centre for German-Jewish Studies 2015 Holocaust Memorial Day event. It was really kind of you to write in such detail about the occasion. We do hope that your readers will take your advice and join us next year. We welcome the audience from near and far and the event grows in size every year. We particularly appreciate the support of the local community. With renewed thanks and greetings to your readers, Diana Franklin Centre Manager Centre for German-Jewish Studies We are now drawing to the end of our puppetry University of Sussex project. This innovation, which has been entertaining E: d.franklin@sussex.ac.uk and amusing us for the past couple of months, will be missed by both residents and staff. It seems that puppets help people to relax, talk to each other and feel generally content and happy. Muriel said, “When I was in the group it was like a family birthday. Everyone Important message was so smiley, it felt at home”. HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY VISITS If any puppeteers out there would like to join us, please If you are in hospital or know anyone being admitted ring Natasha or Mark on 01273 688226. into hospital, please get in touch with info@ sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or telephone 07789 491279 so that a Jewish chaplain can be contacted to visit. issue 251 | april 2015 4 Community life 5 Helping Hands Message in a Bottle Scheme What is it? It’s a simple idea designed What does it cost? The scheme is free to the public and to encourage people to keep their is funded by Brighton Lions Club. basic personal and medical details on a standard form and in a Where can I get one? We have a supply at Helping common location - the Hands or you may find the bottles displayed in 01273 747722 fridge! your local GP’s surgery or pharmacy. What does it do? It saves the Who knows about it? All Emergency Services Emergency Services valuable time are aware of the Message in a Bottle scheme. if they need to enter a property in By displaying the green stickers in your home, an emergency situation. Not only the emergency services will locate the bottle in does it help to identify who you are, the fridge and use the forms inside to ensure it also identifies if you have special you are treated quickly, which can save time medication or allergies. It is not and save lives. only a potential lifesaver, but also What’s in the bottle? A form you fill in with it provides peace of mind to you, your name, medicines, allergies and relatives’ your friends and family by knowing contact details. And also two green stickers. that prompt medical treatment is provided and that the next of kin and What do I have to do? Fill in the form, put it emergency contacts are notified. in the bottle. Put the bottle in your fridge. Put one green sticker on your fridge door and the other Who’s it for? Anyone. Although focused on the more green sticker on the INSIDE of your house door. vulnerable people in a community, anyone can have an accident in the home, so this scheme can benefit anyone. Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club by Jacquie Tichauer First of all I would like to wish you all a Happy Pesach lunchandsocialclub.co.uk, so please have a look. If and hope you will all enjoy lots of matzo. you are interested in any of the above, please contact On Sunday, 8th February we held a fund-raising card Jacquie on 01273 739999. afternoon at Ralli Hall with a delicious afternoon tea. This was a great success and I would like to thank our volunteers for their hard work and especially Laura Voluntary Support Agencies Sharpe, who made sure the afternoon ran smoothly. • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre) Here is a listing of our future events. 01273 739999 ralliday@tiscali.co.uk In April we are going to sunny Eastbourne for the fifth • Norwood/Tikvah, Rachel Mazzier House 01273 564021 time (I cannot believe this is our fifth time). Wow! How time flies and all our members can’t wait. We are all • Hyman Fine House 01273 688226 getting very excited and are hoping the sun will keep its • Helping Hands 01273 747722 hat on. helping-hands@helping-hands.org On the 10th May we are having a Race Night with a • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board 07952 479111 or Bagel Supper, which is a new venture for us. Tickets info@bhjwb.org; website: www.bhjwb.org will be £17.50, so if you would like to go to the Races • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association and help us raise funds for the Lunch and Social Club, bahjha@googlemail.com please phone Laura for tickets on 01273 722173. • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue/ Remember we are open on a Tuesday and Thursday all L’chaim project 01273 737223 day. We offer a great day for all from exercise classes, • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform quizzes, discussion groups, crosswords, card games, entertainment and a lovely three course meal. (Sue Rosenfield) 01273 735343 • Jewish Community Centre at Ralli Hall. We are glad to say that our own website is up and running, with details of our lunch menu and Various communal activities. 01273 202254 upcoming events. It can be found at http://www. or rallihall@tiscali.co.uk issue 251 | april 2015 6 Community life 7 Torah Montessori Nursery An Outstanding Montessori Nursery based on Jewish Values by Penina Efunef We would like to create a strong group of supportive friends Shall we from the community around us: parents, grandparents and visit you? those who care about Jewish continuity and our future. Do you We sincerely believe that we have a real gem in our midst, know one validated by Ofsted when we got our Outstanding award someone this year. We would love to interact more with our community who would and welcome your suggestions. Below are some of ours. like us to Come and Take a Peek visit them? We like You are always welcome to join us for our Shabbat parties to chat every Friday at 12.30pm where we simulate the Shabbat, and have sing songs and celebrate special individual efforts, work and lots of mitzvahs the children have achieved that week. questions. Spend some time We also Do you enjoy children? Would you like to see our nursery and know how how we do our work? to sing and make people smile. It is very beautiful, full of many activities that we are free to Do have a look at our website and let us know what you choose independently. We enjoy having guests and showing think... and be sure to spread the word and make sure them how we can do practical life activities, develop our everyone knows about us at www.torahnurserybrighton.co.uk senses, learn our letters, numbers and many aspects of the Why don’t you give us a call on 01273 328675? We look world around us. forward to hearing from you. Maybe you would like to read us a story? Or maybe you can tell us about some different countries you went to visit? Our topic next term is Children Like Us, about those who live in different countries around the globe. Ralli Hall by Roger Abrahams Firstly, I would like to thank Adam Style and his team of Community Security Trust volunteers for running a further security course for caretakers and administrators of Jewish community organisations. This was held at Ralli Hall on Wednesday 4 March and I understand there was a full house, which is gratifying. Long may the CST continue with its excellent and important work, especially in these troubled times. I can now announce the date of the upcoming Annual General Meeting - it will be held on Wednesday the 10 June, probably at 7.30pm. There are likely to be a number of important announcements concerning the future running of B&HJCF at the AGM, so I would very much like to see more than the usual twenty stalwarts attending this meeting. I have previously mentioned the on-going upgrading of the lower ground floor accommodation and it is important to announce that the security of the main Maccabi door, which previously was left closed, but unlocked during normal opening hours, has now been suitably improved. We have had an entry-phone system fitted which is linked to each of the three rooms concerned – the gymnasium, the youth lounge and the Abrahams sports room. After a few initial hiccups, the system is now on track and works in the same way as the main ground floor entrance. The person running an activity will have to check who is pressing the bell so that they can let them in. People can let themselves out by opening the door in the usual way. These precautions are always a bit of a nuisance but unfortunately it is now a necessary precaution. I expect to be able to announce some further lower ground floor improvements next month. See you at Ralli Hall! issue 251 | april 2015 6 Community life 7 The Sussex Jewish Historical Society - Brighton Jewry 250 by Michael Crook As many of you will know, next year, 2016, will mark 250 We have also approached the Council with a view to holding years since the first known record of a Jewish resident in an exhibition of 250 years of Brighton Jewry at Brighton or Brighton. Israel Samuel Cohen was married at the Great Hove Museums, in conjunction with the new local records Synagogue in London, and gave his address as 22, East office at the Keep. Street, Brighton. Finally, we are working on an anthology to bring together The Sussex Branch of the Jewish Historical Society is a record of the activities and accomplishments of Brighton preparing a programme of events to commemorate this first Jewry over 250 years. This would be about 120 pages, and is record of a Jewish resident in the town and we wanted to let intended as a permanent record of the community. So far we you know in good time what is planned, and how you can get have met with an enthusiastic response, and send our thanks involved. to all contributors. Whilst we were hoping for contributions by the end of March, we are able to accept material up to the We have decided to hold a competition for a logo to use on all end of May. We shall be inviting individuals and organisations publicity and publications about the commemoration, and this to support the publication by becoming Subscribers for a will be open to all members of the community and to students donation of £25. In return for this they will receive a copy of at the Arts Faculty at the University of Brighton. We will also the anthology and their names will be recorded in it (likely sale be running a Junior competition, for children up to age 12. price £10). Details are available from Arthur Oppenheimer at tulgy99@ gmail.com. Entries are required by 31st May 2015, and these Watch this space, we will be updating the community on will be judged by a panel comprising Rochelle Oberman from progress later in the year. the Jewish Arts Society, Godfrey Gould, Arthur Oppenheimer and Michael Crook. We have applied to erect a Blue Plaque at 22 East Street, and Design a Logo competition are planning for this to take place on 19th or 26th June 2016, For entries, contact Michael Crook on 01273 followed by an Open Day at Middle Street Synagogue, with civic dignitaries and special guests in attendance. 776539 or email amcrook@ntlworld.com Hastings and District Jewish Society by Stella Harris THE LUNCH & SOCIAL CLUB Thank you so much for the fantastic cover of the March issue At Ralli Hall of SJN. It inspired me to make Hamentaschen for the HJS and brought back wonderful memories of making “Hamen’s PRESENT Ears” with my 15 year old grandson and his friend. THEIR SUPPER RACE NIGHT Not many people were able to come to the last service but the seven of us really enjoyed the “Across the Nations” AT RALLI HALL, choir. They are so happy and we all joined in and had a joyful 81 DENMARK VILLAS, HOVE evening. We heard the story of Esther from Brian Linke and munched our pastry “hats” or “ears”. I really recommend this choir of about 12 enthusiastic singers. ON SUNDAY MAY 10th 2015 Lilly Crabtree is now out of hospital and we wish her better. AT 6.30pm TICKETS £17.50 We were sorry to hear about the death of Julia Sheridan. Unfortunately we don’t know to whom to write to offer condolences. If anyone does know please email me at TICKETS FROM stellalaharris@gmail.com LAURA - 01273 722173 and MODERN HEBREW LUNCH CLUB OFFICE- 01273 739999 For beginners Experienced Israeli teacher (£2 Parking Fee at Hove Railway Station on Tuesdays or Thursdays 2.30 - 3.30 pm Sunday) Reasonable rates – Brighton & Hove area Please call 07413 701053 issue 251 | april 2015 8 Features 9 Yachad by Hannah Weisfeld Since Israel’s independence, enriched my sense of Jewish supporters of Israel that self- Anglo-Jewry has stood shoulder peoplehood. I’d been in Israel determination for the Palestinian to shoulder with her. Yet, over the through the withdrawal from and Jewish people did not have to past five years or so, the nature Lebanon, hitchhiked freely across be a zero-sum game. It would have of this relationship has begun to the country and travelled through helped to reduce the polarization change. Many members of the the West Bank. As far as I was of the debate. In short, had Yachad community are taking heed of concerned, Israel was booming and been around 15 years ago, my the strong voices within Israel, a Palestinian state was around the experience of Sussex would have such as those of former heads of corner. been dramatically different. Israel’s security services, who are expressing deep concern about I arrived at Sussex University as an In times of heightened tensions, the how little time is left to make a undergraduate a few months later reaction of our community is often two-state solution a reality. There is at the exact same time the second to circle the wagons and shut down increasing discontentment with the intifada erupted. I could never have debate. But the question we have notion that one’s job as a friend of imagined the strength of hostility to ask is whether in this increasingly Israel is to express support for all that would come to exist towards hostile atmosphere, that is the best that the government of the day says Israel on my campus. Those who strategy? One cannot deny that and does. Today, many members of claim that severe criticism of when tensions flare in Israel, global Anglo-Jewry believe that one of the Israel and at times its anti-semitic anti-Semitism increases; that is a biggest threats to Israel is the lack undertones is a recent phenomenon well-documented statistic. However of a political agreement with the of the past 5 or so years, probably we have no proof that if we are all Palestinian people. did not witness life at Sussex singing from one hymn sheet that university 15 years ago. I remember will somehow make things better. Yachad was founded in May cartoons of Sharon and Hitler, The conflict between Israel and 2011 to respond to this changing marching side by side with swastika the Palestinian people cannot be dynamic and to build support armbands, being put up on the reduced to a football match analogy within Anglo-Jewry for a two- university campus, to name just one where we pick sides. Even if at state solution. An educational example. times we feel we are faced with and campaigning organisation those that do wish to conduct that that has at its core the notion that I had no serious ability – although debate in an infantile way, surely it diaspora Jews must do all they can more than some of my fellow is incumbent upon us, not to just to support a two-state solution, students - to distinguish between simply ‘shout’ back, but to help Yachad has, in a short time, what was legitimate criticism of shape the public discourse? attracted the support of thousands Israel that I may or may not have of British Jews through its hundreds agreed with, and what was wholly Yachad is providing a voice for of activities. illegitimate. That is not to say that members of our community who I could not tell when a serious red want to see the Jewish state survive There are those within the line had been crossed - but when and thrive, and who believe that this community who believe this to be it came to the nitty-gritty of the is not possible without the creation a dangerous dynamic and that debate about policy, I just did not of a Palestinian state alongside a debating issues or expressing have enough information. Because, safe and secure Israel. The different concerns about the current political despite my passion for Israel, I had shades of opinion that exist within trajectory in Israel, plays into the no real understanding of what it Anglo-Jewry about Israel are no hands of enemies, and weakens meant when people said the word different to those that exist within support within the community occupation. Our lack of education Israeli civil society and the Knesset. for Israel. However, in reality, the about the conflict did not make us Never have the Jewish people growing support base that the better advocates for Israel. It helped spoken in one homogenous voice organisation is attracting and the to create a reactionary and hostile as to what the manifestation of a deep and expanding network atmosphere for which everyone was Jewish state should look like. It is of Jewish students and Zionist to blame. that freedom of speech and robust youth movement activists that are civil society that we as Jews hold so involved in Yachad, would suggest Had my fellow Jewish students dear, and should continue to protect otherwise. and I been given the opportunity to explore and learn properly about and defend in this increasingly In July 2000 I returned from a the conflict, we would have been troubled world. 10-month gap year in Israel, much better equipped. It would an experience that cemented have allowed more non-Jewish my relationship with Israel and students on campus to hear from issue 251 | april 2015 8 Features 9 Why Jews like me are returning to Germany by Amber Rose Germany would never have been on families coming from around the world Jews and Israel. None more so than my list of countries to live in. As a - including Brazil, Sweden, France, the the gathering in Berlin, which Angela British Jew I have grown up with a US, and Israel. Ceremonies are sung in Merkel attended, stating that Jews nauseating uneasiness about anything English, Hebrew and German, to reflect were unequivocally part of Germany. and everything German, a wariness the internationality of our community. My London friends would point that had been instilled in me as a child Star architect Daniel Libeskind’s plans fingers at Germany’s history and tell through my parents and grandparents. to build a spectacular synagogue for me that antisemitism is still rife. Just But ten years ago my own prejudices our community have been on the cards look at the 15,000 people who joined changed when I met my future German for years. Raising money for such Pegida (Patriotic Europeans Against husband. Three years ago we packed a grand scale project has been the Islamisation of the West) marching in up everything, left London, my Heimat, greatest challenge. But with our current Dresden in the guise of “only” being and moved to the small city of Munich. community space, in an office block, against Islamic fascism. The middle There were so many reasons why we bursting at the seams, a scaled down classes joining the neo-Nazis, and left London - it was too expensive, the project looks likely to go ahead in 2018. stirring the crowds with Nazis phrases, quality of life, the weather. With a job The recent increase in the Munich such as the Lügenpresse. But more as a BBC journalist, I knew bringing up Jewish population is primarily to do people marched against Pegida across a family in London was inconceivable with a very buoyant job market. Last Germany, especially in Munich where - I was already working out the costs year, the Bundesregierung extended its there was a turnout of around 20,000 of child-care and schooling before my opportunity to bring more professional against a meagre 1,500. daughter had even been born. Israelis, with their great talent and I don’t deny that antisemitism Both of us knew that in the Hintergrund skills, to Germany by offering visas still exists in Germany. The two of my thoughts I silently observed a to live and work here. This included policemen sitting in their car outside sinister rise in antisemitism. Violent an automatic working visa to young my synagogue are a reminder of just crime on Jews, the boycott of Israeli Israelis who wanted to earn some cash how dangerous it is to be a Jew. We academics, the rise of aggression during their travels. are always living under some threat. against Jewish students on university The relationship between Germany and But I think British Jews will always campuses, were just some of the Israel is at an all-time high. You could view Germans harshly - as long as shameful acts happening on British even call it a “love-in”. In a recent poll, antisemitism continues to exist in soil. 68 per cent of Israelis rated Germany Deutschland. I could not stand to live in Britain positively and 81 per cent wanted a Berlin’s streets are filled with anymore. After my husband was close relationship between the nations. remembrance of the Holocaust - offered a job in Germany he simply More than half think the “average more so than in Munich. All these couldn’t refuse, I wondered how I’d German” is a strong supporter of Israel. gifts, like the plaques on a house feel about moving to the country that Many of my Israeli friends plan to stay or on a pavement, are proof of murdered 6.5 million of us? in Munich. They feel safe here - both as just how far Germany has come in analysing and contemplating how While French Jews are leaving citizens and Jews. Munich, the capital this could have happened. Of course, France in their droves, Germany is of the Bavarian state, has the lowest there are attitudes and perceptions experiencing a Jewish renaissance, crime rate in the country. But more of Jews where the lines between especially in Munich and Berlin. Over importantly, there were no reported antisemitism and criticism of Israel the last 22 years the growth in the violent antisemitic attacks in the whole become blurred. More than one in four number of Jews almost quadrupled to of Bavaria in 2012 and 2013, according Germans equated Israel’s treatment today’s figure of around 102,000. to government statistics. of Palestinians to Nazi persecution of Standing at the heart of Munich’s Antisemitic crimes in Germany fell in Jews during World War Two, according city centre is one of Europe’s most the first half of 2014 with 350 incidents, to a survey last year. One in five impressive contemporary synagogues, compared to 409 in 2013. Many of respondents said Israel’s policies made Ohel Jakob. Clad in Jerusalem stone, these crimes, which ranged from Jews less likeable. it is a celebration of the return of Jews desecration of graves to violence, were To eradicate antisemitism is, sadly, not only in Munich, but countrywide. attacks from Neo-Nazis. Even during not feasible. More work needs to be Surrounded by a kindergarten, school, last year’s Israeli/Gaza conflict, there done in educating Germans. Having cultural centre and museum, there had been no rise in antisemitic attacks the opportunity to meet more Jews are 9,500 members of this Orthodox in Germany. would be helpful. But as long as congregation. It is a statement that Nevertheless, during that time, German the government continues to meet says loud and clear: “We are back, and Jewry felt vulnerable. Standing with antisemitism with zero tolerance, we are here to stay”. 800 Jews in Munich last year against and politicians continue to show I joined the Liberal Jewish community antisemitism and to support Israel their strong support, I not only feel when I moved to Munich. Within three was, for me, one of the most moving comfortable living here, but happy years I have seen its membership experiences. Politicians from both living here as a Jew. grow from around 200 to more than the SPD and CDU made passionate Reprinted from the Jewish Chronicle of 400, with many young people and speeches about their support for 5 Feb 2015 with kind permission. issue 251 | april 2015 10Features 11 Feminism, Suffrage and Anti-militarism: Two Remarkable Women: Dr Aletta Jacobs and Rosika Schwimmer by Dr. Sonya Baksi I cannot remember when I first knew examination or restraint. The British Visiting London in 1880, at a meeting of the 1915 Hague Peace Congress - Medical Association objected to this of the Malthusian Society, she met the women’s attempt to halt the First absurd Act but it took 20 years of Bradlaugh and Besant and became World War. Recently, whilst attending campaigning, led by Josephine Butler, convinced of the woman’s right to a course about the British suffragette to have the Act repealed. This work choose when to have children. Jacobs movement at Sussex University, our did not just pertain to Britain, but visited Elizabeth Garrett Anderson’s class examined how in the Great War Abolitionists were also active on the Hospital and praised it as the best nationalism had abruptly divided the continent where similar “locking up” she saw in London. Garrett Anderson suffrage committees. Who were the was practised. Meantime, in Britain, introduced Jacobs to her sister, women who had organised this? How Charles Bradlaugh and Annie Besant Millicent Garrett Fawcett. (Women who did they know each other and make had challenged the suppression of believed in gender equality, linked their contact across frontiers, even across information on contraception by family name with that of their husband. enemy lines? publishing the leaflet about withdrawal Jacobs married but kept her maiden by men and the use of seaweed name.) Millicent introduced Jacobs I searched Professor Norman Davies’s sponges by women (methods of to suffrage meetings where some 50 substantial tome, Europe: a history. dubious effect). They faced legal well off women took tea together and Not a word about the Hague Congress. indictment. argued the great issue of the day. The only women who are mentioned Back in Holland, Jacobs pioneered the in the BBC’s magnificently illustrated Into this pot-pourri of rage against contraceptive pessary, campaigned book The Great War and the Shaping of sexual double standards, inequalities for reform of prostitution controls and the Twentieth Century are Nurse Edith and ignorance that churned the London in 1883 she challenged the Mayor of Cavell, shot in Belgium by the Germans scene, came the 26 year old doctor Amsterdam to place her name on the for helping prisoners to escape, and from Holland, Aletta Jacobs. Born in electoral roll. Rosa Luxembourg, the anti-war German activist who was brutally murdered. On her 1899 London visit, Jacobs met the two Hamburg Abolitionists, If you are a woman, do you have to be Lida Gustava Heymann and Dr Anita martyred to be remembered? Then my Augspurg. In their London discussions tutor recommended Anne Wiltsher’s with Jacobs, they advocated the need book, Most Dangerous Women: for an International Women’s Suffrage Feminist Peace Campaigners of the Alliance (IWSA). In 1902 Augspurg Great War, published in 1985. This became President of the German exciting account triggered new reading. Union Women’s Suffrage, with her life- Wiltsher’s book introduced me to Dr partner Heymann as Vice-president. Aletta Jacobs, the first Dutch woman Two years later they organised the doctor, who was at the centre of the first international congress in Berlin. organisation of the Hague Congress and Jacobs was by then widowed, her to Rosika Schwimmer, the Hungarian only child had died shortly after birth. journalist and life-long political activist, Having retired from medicine at age 50 who at the end of her life had been years, she dedicated herself to IWSA nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. work. At the Berlin Congress, she met It was she who had moved the Hague the 24 year old Rosika Schwimmer. resolution calling for a women’s 1854 to a country doctor, the young Schwimmer’s friend and co-founder delegation to meet Heads of State to Aletta had been aware of her father’s of the Hungarian suffrage movement, urge a mediation conference. Both activities and had watched her elder Vilma Glücklich, also Jewish, was the women were non-practising Jews but brother’s medical training. Aletta first woman to have been admitted to steeped in Jewish culture. was sent to a ladies’ establishment a Hungarian University. Writing about where she learned the conventional the suffrage movement to Schwimmer The links between the various Hague smattering of foreign phrases and how in 1906, Jacobs notes: “We have women can be traced back to the to lower her eyes before gentlemen. recruited some good young workers. 1870s, when women were challenging After a couple of weeks, she left, It is remarkable that they are always the sexual double standard, which refusing to return and insisting to her Jewish girls. With us and everywhere encouraged males to be sexually father that she too wished to train as a else, courage and spirit are found in experienced before marriage whilst doctor. He took advice from two close these girls”. women were kept in modest ignorance. friends, Dr. Ali Cohen and Professor Moreover, in the 1860s it was argued Rosenstein (both observant Jews), IWSA congresses were held biannually that locking up prostitutes with infected who gave encouragement. After strong and hosted in Copenhagen, Amsterdam discharge for 9 months, would stop campaigning, Aletta enrolled, studied and London, with the 1913 Congress the spread of venereal infection. The and qualified as the first Dutch woman organised by Schwimmer in Budapest. consorting men were exempt from any doctor. In 1911-12 Jacobs together with the issue 251 | april 2015 10 11 American President of the IWSA, of Belgium, urging contact with the not inconsistent with patriotism, but Carrie Chapman Catt, had made a Tsar of Russia. Both women attended transcending it”. The long years of ‘world tour’ meeting suffrage women the Congress and led the welcome slaughter aroused the women’s call in South Africa, India, China and given to the Belgian group. The Hague for a committee for permanent peace. Japan. Parting company at the Pacific, women were cruelly castigated, mocked Meeting in Zurich in 1919, the parlous Jacobs returned alone to Europe on and reviled by the press and public of state and testimonies of the German the trans-Siberian Railway, carrying belligerent nations. Bringing together and Austrian delegates instructed that the Nanking banner with her. It was women from across enemy lines was, peace and freedom were indivisible. presented to high acclaim at the 1913 as Schwimmer said, a remarkable feat. It was there that the Women’s Budapest Congress. The Chinese silk Schwimmer herself was a remarkable International League for Peace and embroidered characters translated as woman: her dynamism, charisma, and Freedom was founded. Helping Each Other: All of One Mind. oratory were powerfully influential. She Writing to a Dutch colleague in 1936, was erudite, witty and well educated, Jacobs lived to be nationally honoured Schwimmer reflected: “We learned as speaking nine languages and had on her 70th birthday in 1924 for her we toiled in our campaign that sermons range of achievements. Schwimmer and logic never convince. Emotions was appointed Hungarian Ambassador stir us to action. Human beings move to Switzerland in 1919, but when Horthy because they feel, not because they came to power, she was forced to think. For that reason we began to flee to the USA where she was given march to Vote-for-Women music,…. to the right to stay but never granted dance about our cause.... instead of citizenship, never enfranchised. She sitting in corners and arguing”. lived to witness the rise of fascism and wherever the Nazis held sway, WILPF German anti-suffragists saw feminism sections were suppressed, the Dutch and internationalism as a world Jewish and German archives were destroyed. conspiracy aimed at overthrowing Heymann and Augspurg took refuge in the nation-state in general and the Switzerland in 1933: both died there ten German state in particular. Heymann, years later. The Dutch Jewish activist Augspurg and other German feminists Rosa Manus, keeper of the archive, were wrongly marked out by the was deported and died in Ravensbrück. German anti-suffrage press as Jewish. The Czech WILPF leader, Frantiska The Hungarian Liberal party was Plaminokova was hanged. After 1945, almost entirely Jewish, the Hungarian WILPF sections reformed and, today, suffrage movement was led by Jewish the linked construct of feminism and women. In an article written in 1924 travelled widely on lecture tours. At the pacifism continues to find expression entitled “Women Pioneers of a New outbreak of hostilities, she had been both in WILPF and in the anti-nuclear International Order”, Schwimmer refers working in London as the International movement. Today, such work proceeds to Jacobs, Augspurg and Glücklich as Press secretary of the IWSA. Following alongside international organisations “... a few of the most brilliant Jewish the assassination of the Archduke, campaigning for a more stable and women of our time”. Augspurg actually she sought a working breakfast with equitable world. came from a family of evangelical Lloyd George, expressing her fears for pastors and Heymann’s family were Europe. She worked on the London upper -class Hamburg merchants. Peace Rally and urged mediation not Further reading: Thus the struggle over prostitution war. It was her impassioned eloquence • Jacobs, A. (1996, first published 1924) control, sex education and at the Hague that swayed the vote on Memories: My life as an International contraception, together with the fight the resolution to send a delegation Leader in Health, Suffrage and Peace. against restrictive practices against to argue for mediation. Addams, Feminist Press, City University New professionally qualified women and accompanied by Jacobs and others, led York involvement in the welfare of working the delegation to the warring nations. women, had linked women across the Schwimmer led the delegation to the • Randall, M.M. (1972, first published Atlantic and the Channel. Many of these Scandinavian and other neutral capitals. 1915) re-issue: Women at the campaigning women also believed that Wiltsher’s exciting account shows how Hague . The International Congress female franchise would be a force for close they were to having influence, but of Woman and its Results. The mediation without recourse to war. the war continued to its bitter end. Macmillan Company Re-issue Garland Publishing, Inc. New York and London The Hague Congress in April 1915, Reminiscing about the Hague Congress, organised by Jacobs, assisted by Emily Balch, the American Professor of • Wiltsher, A. (1985) Most Dangerous her co-patriot Jewish colleague Economics who was later awarded the Women. Feminist Peace Campaigners Rosa Manus and supported by a Nobel Peace Prize, commented, of the Great War. Pandora. 1000 Dutch women, was chaired by “what stands out most strongly among the American Welfare Worker Jane all my impressions of those thrilling Addams. Meantime, Heymann and and strained days at The Hague is the Augspurg had secured an interview sense of wonder at the beautiful and with the Bavarian War Minister and brave, self-controlled women who dared had denounced the German invasion ridicule and every sort of difficulty, issue 251 | april 2015 12Culture 13 Jewish Historical Society of England, Sussex Branch The speaker at our next meeting on Tuesday, 28 April will Everybody is invited to these meetings, which are held at be Dr Shirli Gilbert. The title of her talk is ‘Music and the Ralli Hall, commencing at 7.45 pm prompt. Entrance is free to Holocaust’. Dr Gilbert is the Ian Karten Senior Lecturer at the members and students, the charge of £4 to visitors includes Parkes Institute, University of Southampton and a specialist in the always welcome refreshments and informal discussion. modern Jewish history with a focus on the Holocaust period. For further information please contact Godfrey Gould 01273 Her book, ‘Music in the Holocaust’ (Oxford University Press, 419412 or email g.gould915@btinternet.com or Michael 2005) examines the role of music in the Nazi ghettos and Crook 01273 776539 or email amcrook@ntlworld.com camps and the insight it offers into victims’ responses. It was also the basis for a large-scale educational website ‘Music and the Holocaust’. Speakers We Enjoyed at JACS were all small movements, some of which could be done sitting down, others lying on a bed, or just standing, waiting by Shirley Jaffe and Elaine Guppy for the lift, or holding on to the kitchen counter. She had all At JACS this last month we had two very interesting the members up and trying things. As hip trouble also affects speakers. David Fisher, who is one of the people running the groin and perhaps the knee, she showed us leg exercises the ‘Our Brighton Hippodrome’ campaign, came and gave to build up strength round the pelvis, which helps to reduce us a fascinating afternoon with excellent slides showing pain. Other exercises were to help foot and arch problems. how it developed from an ice-rink to a circus to a theatre She spoke about the size and depth of our lungs – I for one, (and sadly, to a bingo hall). We saw pictures of the sweeping was surprised how high in the body and how far down they circus-designed auditorium, all the delightful decorations and went - and we did some deep breathing through an open plasterwork, the stained glass and carved doors and also mouth, trying to push the breath deep down to open up the pictures of posters, performers and even part of a film that bottom of our lungs. She showed us a model of the spine and showed the lovely auditorium as I remember seeing it from spoke about the natural curves in it. To help us exercise, she the stage. (I was in the panto “Sleeping Beauty” in 1954 – did gave us all large stretchy bands. Ann explained about how anyone remember seeing it? Or know someone else who was our posture affected our health, and how sitting properly (and in it? Members of the chorus were mainly local girls). not for too long at a time) could help to prevent pain around the spine. She also talked about the psychology of health and David reminded us all to sign the petition to save the happiness, and how we must be open to everything. If we Hippodrome and told us how negotiations were going and become closed, it affects our posture, and we can become that there was more hope now that the film company who unhealthy easily. We ended up with trying to laugh, because had been planning to develop it as multi-screen cinema with laughter changes chemical reactions in our bodies, and we shops had pulled out. If you want to help, or just to contribute tend to laugh less in our old age. something to the fighting fund, do look at the website or contact my husband, Tony Jaffe, Chairman of the Trustees, on We unexpectedly had a very entertaining afternoon with 01273 775461. Various entertainments and events are being jazz guitarist Raffael Bizzoca, who not only played some planned to help raise money and interest, so do get onto the wonderful standards for us but also told us most movingly of mailing list and inform friends or relatives who are not online. his journey from Italy and how he gradually established a life If you know influential people in the entertainment world who in England. could possibly help, please let us know. We are going to have talks in the next few weeks about Youth Ann Coxhead, is a dancer, osteopath and hypnotherapist Aliyah, and about stained glass; also a tribute to Stanley who gave us a beautifully focussed talk demonstrating her Holloway, and a fun quiz – why don’t you come and enjoy work. She told us that it is likely that the discomfort that Wednesday afternoon at JACS? It only costs £2.00, which comes with age is from osteoarthritis, and she showed us includes tea and biscuits. There is no lower age limit. You various exercises that help to lubricate the joints and keep might make new friends, or meet old ones there. And if you the muscles strong, thus avoiding pain and weakness. They have something you enjoy talking about, or you know of an interesting speaker, do contact me. MARTIN GROSS Memorials All aspects of stone-masonry undertaken from new to renovation and cleaning 01273 439792 07801 599771 issue 251 | april 2015 12 Culture 13 Life Before The Nazis All are welcome on the basis of a small Yom Hashoah is on 16 April. The film donation on the being shown by the Sussex Jewish Film door (free to Ralli Club (at Ralli Hall) a few days later on 19 Hall members and April will serve to remind us about the full-time students) ordinary lives that Jewish people were and it’s 7 for leading in all parts of Europe in the 1930s, 7.30pm as usual as respected and integrated members of their societies, with hot and cold before the Nazis finally spread their net. drinks available. We hope to see The film is The Garden of the Finzi Continis (94 mins), an you there. Italian movie (with English subtitles) directed by Vittorio de Sica, that won several awards including Oscar for Best Although a bit further into the future, we’d also like to Foreign Language Film. mention our forthcoming evening on Sunday, 7th June, so that you can save the date. We’re calling it An Evening In the late 1930s in Ferrara, Italy, the Finzi-Continis are with Phil Grabsky. Phil Grabsky is an award-winning one of the leading families - wealthy, aristocratic, urbane documentary film-maker for cinema, TV and video, - and they are also Jewish. Their adult children, Micol with a film career spanning 25 years. His subjects have and Alberto, gather a circle of friends for constant rounds included artists, composers, history, social documentary, of tennis and parties at their villa with its lovely grounds, the making of War Horse, etc. We’re honoured that he’s keeping the rest of the world at bay. Into the circle steps agreed to put on an evening for us when he’ll talk about Giorgio, a middle class Jewish man who falls in love with his film-making and show excerpts from some of his films. Micol. While his love can’t seem to break through to her to This evening in June with Phil Grabsky promises to be draw her out of her garden idyll, the forces of politics close something a bit different for the Film Club. in. A visit to The Keep finished with a visit to the Conservation Room where we saw one of the staff at work. She had laid out for us the original by Godfrey R Gould drawings by Thomas Lainson of the Prayer House at Florence The Keep is a purpose-built building at Falmer opened by Place. What none of us had ever realised was that there was the Queen in November 2013. It houses three Collections also a Caretakers Cottage, looking very art deco - but was it formerly dispersed across several, often unsuitable, sites. ever built? They are the Archives held by East Sussex County Council, We were all very grateful to Andrew and his colleagues for the Local History Collections held by Brighton & Hove City their time and enthusiasm. It was a pleasure and privilege Council and the Special Collections held by the University of to make a financial contribution to the Friends of the East Sussex. Sussex Record Office for them to purchase more historical In the early days of the Sussex Branch of the Jewish treasures for all to enjoy. The Keep is open to all (not Historical Society of England a special visit was made to Mondays) so please visit, but take some identification to the then East Sussex main site at the Maltings in Lewes. register. However, now that this splendid new facility is available, a We are all also most grateful to Gordon Franks for his help in new visit was made by 16 members and guests of the Society organising the visit. Branch to Falmer, on 9 March 2015. It was organised and conducted by Andrew Bennett, a good friend of the Branch, who has a particular responsibility for material relating to Brighton and Hove. After an overall explanation, Andrew took us into the Search Room, where he gave us a run down on the Collections and how the facility ‘works’. He had also laid out some exhibits of special interest. These included a 1792 plan of ‘Brighthemstone’ (sic), just as the local Jewish Community was being established, but showing no evidence of this. We were entranced by the original 1874 architectural drawings by Thomas Lainson of Middle Street Synagogue, and a plan c.1908 of Florence Place Cemetery. Amongst other exhibits were drawings and paintings by Arnold Daghani, Holocaust survivor, who lived and died here in Hove, and which he had bequeathed to the University of Sussex. We had to be dragged away to visit one of the temperature-controlled store-rooms with their 10 miles of shelving. Here we had an explanation of storage and the computer controlled retrieval methods. Just looking at the huge storage is quite remarkable - more remarkable is how such a system works and how any item can be traced to any individual. We issue 251 | april 2015 14Culture 15 A Line in the Sand James Barr relations with Metropolitan Simon & Schuster, 2012 France were deemed crucial and mandatory 464 pages, paperback responsibilities put on the £8.99 back burner. Once France Review by Ivor Richards collapsed, Britain took the I have just finished reading “A Line in the Sand” by James opportunity of seeking to Barr. The subtitle is “Britain, France and the struggle that oust her ally’s influence in shaped the Middle East”. the region by encouraging Arab independence for I thought I was well informed about the history of the past 100 Syria/Lebanon, hoping years in the Middle East, from The Sykes Picot agreement in to divert aspirations 1915 to today, but after reading this book, I have a completely for Palestine, deemed new perspective on the subject. This is a meticulously absolutely essential to researched book, from British, French, Arab and Zionist be controlled by Britain sources, and the skulduggery has to be read to be believed. for the then foreseeable Alliances were as stable as quicksand and just as durable. future. The story covers the period to the end of the British Mandate, The gradual realisation the results of which are with us today. There are no heroes, of what was happening only people with their own agendas and Powers with their to Europe’s Jews, led specific objectives. Promises made in the heat of the moment to the Yishuv’s growing were replaced by others deemed more expedient in changed militancy, led by the Irgun and the Stern Gang. Britain, caught circumstances - all against a background of the titanic between this rising force and Arab anger at perceived double-struggle on the Western Front. dealing, was in an impossible position and departed the scene in May 1948. What a mess! In brief, it was the struggle between Britain and France for mastery of the Middle East that led to the two countries Anyone who wishes to try to understand why the Middle East carving up the Ottoman Empire between them. is such a political minefield must read this book. The Balfour Declaration was not a gratuitous gesture but a coldblooded rational decision, based on securing perceived American backing (from their vocal Jewish Community) and heading off a similar proclamation being considered by the Kaiser’s Government with similar motives. Britain’s approach to Palestine was simple. It was seen as a necessary bulwark to control the Suez Canal. Similarly, France’s sponsorship of a Christian dominated Lebanon was designed to strengthen their position. Both policies were believed to secure the gratitude of their respective minorities, but overlooked entirely the effect on the Muslim populations. The policy oscillations that followed only made the Colonial powers deeply unpopular with everyone. Before 1940 and a war with Germany looking more and more likely, Britain’s issue 251 | april 2015 14 15 issue 251 | april 2015 16 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: bhps@freenetname.co.uk www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 17 ‘This year, slaves; next year, free people’ by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah On Erev Pesach, Jews throughout the world will sit down at It is shocking that slavery is still a reality today – and not the seder table: observant Jews of all denominations and just in countries dominated by pre-modern ideologies and none, secular and cultural Jews, humanist, socialist, feminist practices. Slavery and human trafficking is rife in Britain, and LGBT Jews. Why? Why is it that not only observant Jews across Europe, and in the United States. Of course, we must of all persuasions, but Jews who do not generally observe not forget that every time we buy a cheap item of clothing in a the rites and practices of Jewish life, choose to gather around shop on our own local high street, there is a huge probability the seder table? Why is it that in addition to the vast array of that it has been produced by slave labour – including, child traditional haggadot, and the expanding variety of editions, labour – in another part of the globe. published by the various progressive movements, there are This year, T’ruah, ‘the rabbinic call for human rights’ in the so many other creative versions available? What draws so United States, which has been engaged in an anti-human many variously identified Jews to Pesach? trafficking campaign for some time, has produced a new It is our story, of course: the tale of the liberation of our Haggadah, The Other Side of the Sea: A Haggadah on ancestors from slavery. It is also clear that the first rabbis, Fighting Modern Slavery (2015) to raise awareness and to who re-crafted the observance of Pesach, after the inspire people to take action. But in doing this, T’ruah is not destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, by bringing the festival simply investing the festival of Pesach with new life. One of into people’s homes, and creating the first Haggadah the key passages in the traditional Haggadah, Ha Lachmah (Mishnah, Seder Mo’eid: Pesachim), helped to ensure that Anya, ‘This is the Bread of Affliction’, concludes with the the obligation to transmit the remembrance of the Exodus words, in a combination of Aramaic and Hebrew: Ha-shatta, through the generations, as stated in the Torah (Exodus avdey; la-shanah ha-ba’ah, b’ney chorin – ‘This year, slaves; 13:8), would be fulfilled. And there is something else besides next year, free people’. And so, we fulfil our obligation to the compelling story of our people’s beginnings and brilliant observe the festival of Pesach, not simply by retelling and rabbinic initiative: the tale of the Exodus is a source of re-living the story of the liberation of our slave ancestors, but continuous inspiration for all those, who still live in chains by committing ourselves to the struggle against slavery and and for all those who, in solidarity with the enslaved, are human trafficking today. Chag Samei’ach! determined to eradicate slavery. Events@BHPS BHPS Communal Seder Purim BHPS celebrated Purim with a Megillah reading, while at the Purim Shabbaton the children made Hamantaschen and enjoyed Purim craft activities. Everybody joined in with the singing of Purim songs and watched the Purimspiel written and presented by the children of the religion school. Hebrew Lessons Rabbi Elli is now leading Hebrew lessons on Saturdays after the Shacharit service. These are for every level of proficiency. Bring your own lunch (vegetarian or permitted fish) or order a bagel from the office by Thursday. The Six Point Foundation Ayala had to choose an older people’s charity to which the The Six Point Foundation is a charity that gives grants to Six Point Foundation would donate £250 on her behalf. She improve the lives of older people who are Jewish Holocaust has chosen the BHPS L’Chayim project, which works with survivors and refugees in the UK. The foundation recently ran older members of the synagogue. a poster competition to give people the opportunity to think The winning pictures will be turned into posters which will be about and celebrate what is – and distributed to different care homes can be – done to make all older with the aim of brightening them (age 70+) people’s lives better. up, bringing a smile and challenging The brief was to design a poster stereotypes. to celebrate what is possible and achievable in making an older For more information about the Six person have a better life. Point Foundation, please visit the website www.sixpointfoundation.org. Ayala Romem (aged 14), whose uk/for-individuals family belong to BHPS, won the second prize in the 12 – 18 The Foundation contact is Renata year old section. Ayala based McDonnell, Communications and the poster on her visits to BHPS Grants Officer, Six Point Foundation, member Rose Cannan. 25-26 Enford Street, London W1H 1DW or by ringing 0203 372 8882. issue 251 | april 2015 16 BHHC Rabbi Hershel Rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.bhhc-shul.org 17 The Timely & the Timeless by Rabbi Hershel Rader The ancient yet timeless message of the Pesach At this time Pesach comes along with its annual narrative, recounted in many millions of Jewish homes reminder that our people have a G-d given freedom for over three millennia, is as relevant now as it has which no one can take from us. That we have survived ever been. In recent months we have witnessed continuous and seemingly insurmountable challenges attacks on freedom of speech, education and religious and attacks. That, in an expression of indomitable expression. Not verbal or theoretical attacks but very faith, Jews have celebrated the Pesach Seder in the real and tangible attempts to curb both individual hellholes of the Warsaw Ghetto and Auschwitz. That and communal freedom. In an age when so many of we have outlived the Assyrian, Babylonian, Greek, the liberties we take for granted are under fire it is a Roman and Nazi empires that sought to dominate and message of liberty. destroy us. That the liberty we cherish was given to us Pesach must occur in spring. Every few years our so that we may aspire to G-d’s mission to be a ‘light calendar incorporates an extra month in order to to the nations’ by living by the ways of the Torah. For ensure that we celebrate this festival in the same us, liberty and faith are inextricably connected and month our ancestors left Egypt. There is a profound should lead to an exemplary life inspired by that faith. symbolism in this, for spring represents the culture The historian Paul Johnson wrote the following: and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians and our liberation All the great conceptual discoveries of the intellect at this time demonstrates the error of that culture and seem obvious and inescapable once they have been those beliefs. revealed, but it requires a special genius to formulate When Moshe, as G-d’s emissary, first asked Pharaoh them for the first time. The Jews had this gift. To them to release the Hebrew slaves Pharaoh responded ‘I we owe the idea of equality before the law, both divine do not know G-d and I will not send out the Children and human; of the sanctity of life and the dignity of the of Israel’. When Pharaoh made this declaration, it human person; of the individual conscience and so was not a confession of ignorance, but a positive of personal redemption; of the collective conscience statement of his disregard for the kind of deity Moshe and so of social responsibility; of peace as an abstract represented. The Egyptians believed in creations not ideal and love as the foundation of justice, and many creator; they believed in the forces of nature. For them other items which constitute the basic moral furniture the River Nile was a god, it was a natural resource of the human mind. Without the Jews it might have which provided the irrigation required for their crops. been a much emptier place. The sun was a god, providing warmth and light. The As a historian there are things Johnson cannot write; lamb was revered as a god, for it represented the as a Rabbi, not only can I write those things but I forces of nature, resurgent in the spring. Before the must. The gift the Jews had was twofold; the liberty Exodus the Israelites were commanded to take a they were granted on Pesach which enabled them lamb, sacrifice it to Hashem and smear its blood on to receive the Torah, another gift, at Mount Sinai their doorposts to identify themselves as believers in seven weeks later. A Torah replete with the concepts the true G-d, creator of the natural resources deified mentioned above; the Creator’s plan for His creation by their Egyptian oppressors. Not only creator but with both uniquely Jewish observances and universal controller, as demonstrated by the Ten Plagues teachings for all mankind. A Torah to live by and which turned the Nile to blood, blotted out the Sun to share; the purpose of the first Pesach and our and showed Hashem’s dominion over creatures and miraculous, continued survival. creations of all kinds. Perla and I wish the entire community a very happy Before emerging from slavery the Israelites were and inspiring Pesach. called upon to affirm their allegiance to their G-d. We celebrate Pesach in the spring to affirm our belief that nature is subordinate to Hashem and that we owe our freedom to Him. At the time of the Pesach narrative we were Wednesday 15 April 7.30 pm dominated by our oppressors. In no way are we now in a comparable situation, but in some measure we This year’s Joint Yom Hashoah Service in memory of all feel the scourge of antisemitism growing. Any the 6 million will take place at Holland Road shul. thinking Jew with a sense of history cannot fail to be concerned. issue 251 | april 2015 18 BHRS Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE https://www.facebook.com/BrightonReform Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org 19 The Four Sons I believe that this page of the Haggadah can be by Rabbi Andrea Zanardo read in another way, meaning that every Jew is the embodiment of the four sons. At one time in our life, In some of the most ancient Haggadot, the Four Sons each of us has been a rebellious son and after that a are portrayed as very different. For example, in the simple one too. Each of us is wise in something, either Altona-Hamburg Haggadah, edited in Germany in 1739, as the result of reading or out of experience. And, the simple son is a schoolchild, the one who does not especially, each of us has been unable to ask at least know how to ask is a peasant, the evil son is a Roman one time or maybe many times. soldier and of course, the wise son is a Rabbi. Not being able to ask does not necessarily mean not On the same note, in the Szyk Haggadah, printed knowing the language, or being unable to speak. It in London in 1940, the simple son is a pious but an could mean feeling lost or disorientated. It could mean unintelligent Jew, the wise son is a Hassid, the son being faced with some part of our religion and culture who does not know how to ask is a kibbutznik and the that we struggle to understand. This is especially true wicked son an assimilated Jew attempting to look like for the younger generation of Jews, many of whom, in a German. increasing numbers, are looking to know more about On the other hand, sometimes the four sons are their culture and religion but at the same time feel portrayed in very similar ways. For example, in the Cecil as though they are alienated and lost. This is either Roth Haggadah (with drawings by Donia Nachsen, 1st because of personal experience or because of some edition 1934), the four children look almost like twins. rulings for which they don’t see the rationale. They have the same teen-ager-ish face, they have the It is up to us, those who keep Shabbat, who go to same curly hair, they wear the same clothes (a tie and a shul, who organise the Seder, to educate the young jacket like a school uniform) and only their expressions generation, to teach to them the beauty of Judaism are different. and its high moral values. Around the Seder table there We can think of the four sons as if each one of them is room for every kind of Jew, even for those who feel has a different personality. On the one hand, the text remote from Judaism. I would say that the Seder is teaches us that there are different ways to teach particularly for this son, for this generation, for this different children. On the other hand, these four sons kind of Jew. The Haggadah says: “You shall begin the are anonymous, we don’t know who their parents are narration” for their benefit. (very strange in a Jewish context!) and probably, they have at least something in common, otherwise they would not be around the same table on Pesach. Bulletin Board for April Friday 3 Erev Pesach - 1st Night Seder Saturday 4 1st Day Pesach Service, 10.30 am Shabbat Doroteinu Communal 2nd Night Seder, 6.30 pm Friday 10 7th Day Pesach Service, 10.30 am Saturday 11 Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am Shabbaton 10yrs+, 10.30 am Sunday 12 Cheder new term –Mimouna, 10.00 am Wed 15 yom Hashoah Service, 6.30 pm Friday 17 Shabbat Kolot, 6.30 pm Saturday 18 Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am Havdala on the beach, 8.30 pm Monday 20 Rosh Chodesh, 7.30 pm Wed 22 yom Ha’zikaron Thursday 23 yom Ha’atzmaut Sunday 26 Stonesetting of Scarlett Epstein z’l, 2.30 pm issue 251 | april 2015 18 HHC Rabbi Vivian Silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btconnect.com and rabbivcsilverman@gmail.com Web: www.hollandroadshul.com 19 Pesach and the meaning of freedom by Rabbi Vivian Silverman Pesach marks the freeing of the people of Israel from over But freedom does not mean the right to do whatever we two centuries of abject slavery to the Egyptian Pharaohs. want. Just as over three thousand years ago, the people of This freedom led, seven weeks later, to the giving of the Israel submitted themselves to the will of the Almighty at Torah (God’s Laws) to his people. In other words, freedom the foot of Mount Sinai, so freedom means respecting the from the tyranny of the king of Egypt led to freedom under rights of others and keeping the laws of the country where the law of the God of Israel. we live. This applies to all, of whatever faith, colour, ethnic We, who, ever since Sinai, have understood what it background and, equally important, it means retelling the means to be subjugated to others (and over the past two vital importance of true freedom constantly, which is what thousand years, the Jewish people have been the victims Judaism does, at Pesach time and throughout the year. of many regimes and religious authorities) and then to obtain some measure of freedom – be it of worship, movement, speech, everyday living. We, the Jewish 15 April at 7.30 pm people have never taken the word freedom lightly, which Please join us at Holland Road shul together with the is why we have been in the forefront of movements that members of Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation cry out for freedom: the southern United States during the for a joint Yom Hashoah Service in memory 1960s (the freedom marches); South Africa in the 1960s of the 6 million. and 70s. Diary – April 2015 Thursday 2 Home ceremonial search for Chametz after dark Friday 10 Seventh day Pesach Erev Pesach - Fast of First Born Shachrit 9.30 am Shachrit at West Hove Shabbat ends 7.33 pm, Mincha 7.30 pm Latest time for eating, drinking Chametz: 10.18 am Shabbat 11 Eighth day Pesach Latest time for burning Chametz: 11.41 am Shachrit 9.30 am First Seder after dark Song of Songs, yizkor Mincha 7.15 pm. Shabbat and yom Tov begin 7.21 Shabbat and yom Tov end 8.43 pm pm Tuesday 14 Ladies Discussion Circle 10.30 am Shabbat 4 First day Pesach Wednesday 15 Joint yom Hashoah service with West Hove 7.30 Shachrit 9.30 am. Prayer for dew at Musaf pm Mincha 7.25 pm, counting of Omer Thursday 16 Holocaust Memorial Day –yom Hashoah – for Six Shabbat ends 8.30 pm Million Second Seder 19-20 April Rosh Chodesh Iyyar Sunday 5 Shachrit 9.30 am Wednesday 22 yom Hazikaron – Memorial Day for the fallen in yom Tov ends 8.32 pm defence of the State of Israel 6-8 April Chol Hamoed services at West Hove Thursday 23 yom Ha’atzmaut Thursday 9 Chol Hamoed service at West Hove Shabbat 25 Kiddush to mark the centenary birthday of Mr Eiruv Tavshilim home ceremony before yom Tov Michael Brummer begins 7.31 pm Mincha 7.30 pm issue 251 | april 2015 20What’s on: April 2015 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Email: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com COMMUNITY EVENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER: Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events! 20 SHABBAT SHALOM – BRIGHTON TIMES Grodzinki’s challos, rolls and Kosher bread available In Light Candles Out Havdalah weekly (BUT NOT DURING PESACH) by courtesy of Fri 3 7.17 pm Sat 4 8.27 pm Lubavitch Brighton from Premier Convenience Stores in Hove Street (tel. 01273 735131) Fri 10 7.28 pm Sat 11 8.39 pm Fri 17 7.40 pm Sat 18 8.52 pm Please be sure to reserve your order so that we know how many to supply. Fri 24 7.54 pm Sat 25 9.07 pm Orders can be collected on Thursdays or Fridays. Notable Dates REGULAR ACTIVITIES Fri 3 Erev Pesach Owing to Pesach, please contact activities organisers to determine Sat 4 First Day Pesach – beginning counting Omer if there are any changes to activity dates and times. Fri 10 Seventh Day Pesach Sat 11 Eighth Day Pesach Sundays Thu 16 Yom Hashoah Carmel Tennis Club 10.00 am - 12.00 noon. Weekly. All levels welcome. Tel: Thu 23 Yom Ha’atzmaut Adam on 07720 598087 Mondays Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Efune 12.30 - 1.30 pm at the Brighton Hillel Centre, EVENTS IN APRIL 66/67 Middle Street, Brighton Tel: 01273 321919 Wednesday 1 Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Ralli Hall Tel: Reba 01444 484839 JACS with guest speaker Ken Pollock on Stanley Holloway, his life Rubber and Duplicate Bridge 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm £4.00 + £1.00 transport and monologues. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. Ralli Hall. Tel: Reba 01444 484839 £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members Contemporary Basic Talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Wednesday 8 Sussex Jewish News - Submission deadline for the May issue. Send Study Session with Rabbi Efune at Chabad House 8.15 pm All men welcome your articles, thoughts, photos and announcements to sjneditor@ Torah & Tea with Penina Efune. Living with the times – an in depth look at the sussexjewishnews.com weekly parsha and its relevance to our times. All ladies welcome. 8.15 pm at JACS NO MEETING owing to Pesach Chabad House 01273 321919 SARID (Association of Jewish Refugees) meets every 3rd Monday of the Wednesday 15 month at 10.45 am, Ralli Hall. £1.50 Tel: 0208 385 3070 or email esther@ajr. JACS with guest speaker David Barnett on An Indomitable Victorian co.uk – PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO MEETING IN APRIL Woman – the story of Judith Montefiore. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2.00 members £2.50 non-members Tuesdays BHHC / HHC Joint Yom Hashoah Service at Holland Road Shul, 7.30 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly at Ralli Hall Painting with Rochelle (JAS) Studio at Ralli Hall, 2.00 – 4.00 pm. Sunday 19 Tel: 01273 503708 Sussex Jewish Film Club presents The Garden of the Finzi Continis. Israeli Dancing 7.45 pm - 9.45 pm Ralli Hall. Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 7.00 for 7.30 pm. Drinks available. Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove. Wednesdays Monday 20 JACS at the AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2 members / £2.50 SARID NO MEETING non-members Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Congregation afternoon tea at the Cavendish Wednesday 22 Hotel, Grand Parade, Eastbourne at 3.00 pm – on the first Wednesday of every JACS with guest speaker Piers Arthur-Crow on Why Christians month should support the Jewish Community. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members Thursdays Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Weekly Friday 24 Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 (RH) Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Congregation Erev Shabbat Service 6.00 Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am pm Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad House. Tuesday 28 Tel: 01273 321919 Jewish Historical Society of England, Sussex Branch with guest Fridays speaker Dr Shirli Gilbert on Music and the Holocaust. Ralli Hall 7.45 pm. Members free/Guests £4 to include refreshments. Contact Kuddle Up Shabbat parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and her guitar Godfrey Gould on 01273 419412 or email g.gould915@btinternet. 10.00 am – 11.30 am AJEX Centre com Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Congregation service on the 4th Friday of each month, WRVS, 24 Hyde Road, Eastbourne, 6.00 pm Wednesday 29 Saturdays JACS with guest speaker & photographic exhibition presented by David and Jean Gerard. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation Shabbat services at 22 Susans Road, pm. £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members Eastbourne, 10.00 am. Contact 01323 484135 or 07739 082538 Ori Gersht: Don’t Look Back. Exhibition at Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Congregation afternoon services 2.30-5.30 pm, Devonshire Park, Eastbourne - ends 26 April CTK Church Hall, Langney Roundabout, Eastbourne issue 251 | april 2015 -
Issue 240
April 2014
1 SUSSEX JEwiSh NEwS NEw Whatswhat’S iNSidE.... happY pESaCh | CaNada taKES a StaNd | OpEratiON EXOdUS a wOMEN’S SEdEr | what’S ON | aNd MOrE april 2014 • NiSaN 5774 • iSSUE 240 2 Pause for thought 3 We Jews are enjoined to be kind to the Had the word existed at the time of the the founding of the modern State of stranger for we were once strangers Exodus, the Jewish people would have Israel. According to the World Jewish in Egypt. It is a fundamental ethic that been considered refugees. They fled Congress there were approximately recognises how the Hebrews were Egypt and the persecutions of Pharaoh. 850,000 of them. welcomed into Egypt and, despite being The term refugee is a value-laden But it did not stop there. The Canadian slaves, practised their religion. That one. It invokes several background government also recommended kindness only extended until the tale of concepts such as lack of power, being that the direct negotiating parties be Pesach. downtrodden, of being an underdog. encouraged to “take into account all By Moses’ birth Pharaoh, concerned It is a word that remains a hot topic refugee populations as part of any that Jews would soon outnumber just and comprehensive resolution to Egyptians, commanded the killing of the Israeli-Palestinian and Arab-Israeli all first-born Jewish males. Moses conflicts”. This is not a proposed only survived through a combination Had the word existed at solution but the start of a major talking of subterfuge by his family and the point now affecting both sides. the time of the Exodus the burgeoning maternal instincts of We do not know what impact Canada Pharoah’s daughter. Later in life Jewish people would have will have on Middle East peace Moses and Pharaoh engaged in a negotiations. However, it needs to be different power struggle. For each been considered refugees. applauded for taking a significant step plague – each show of Divine power in trying to balance the refugee issue. - that befell Egypt, Pharaoh chose to make the Hebrews’ earthly life more Refugees are refugees regardless of miserable. within the context of Middle East peace who they are or who they were. What is relevant is what those refugees do The word “refugee” has French origins, negotiations within the subject of afterwards. Those who contribute from the migration of Huguenots Palestinian refugees from 1948. to new lands should be lauded. after the revocation of the Edict of In a surprising development, on 4 March Those who choose not to make any Nantes. At less than 350 years old, it the Canadian government formally contribution to a new life should not be is a relatively new word. It is the label recognised as refugees all Jews who treated in a similar fashion. given to a person who flees to avoid fled or were expelled from states in the some danger, problem or persecution. Middle East and North Africa following EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, David Seidel/ Michael Rich announcements, people, congregations, TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt communities, contacts and more. Delivered at ADMINISTRATOR Bernard Swithern the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS Ivor Sorokin, Lydia Swithern each edition that has become the cornerstone of COMMuNAL DIARy info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org the Jewish community across the region. COVER IMAGE Felicia Quick PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 8 APRIL 2014 New email address for submissions and correspondence: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS SUBSCRIPTION Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode:____________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ Subscription (tick one) I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £15 p/a I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £20 p/a. I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. issue 240 | april 2014 2 Contents 3 Sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Hove BN3 3SZ FEATURES Telephone: 07906 955 404 1 MIRIAM Art from Felicia Quick, please see page 4 for more 9 COMMUNITY PESACH REMEMBERED Doris Levinson provides recipes from the community cookbook 10 A WOMEN’S SEDER Chana Moshenska on the seder held by Jewish Women Friends in Sussex 11 EBENEZER OPERATION EXODUS The organisation that helps Jews make Aliyah REGULARS 4 COMMUNITY LIFE Your news, your views plus stories from across the county 8 CULTURE Film and history 16 WHAT’S ON Regular and special events in your community YOUR COMMUNITY 12 BRIGHTON & HOvE PROGRESSIvE SYNAGOGUE 13 BRIGHTON & HOvE HEBREW CONGREGATION 14 BRIGHTON & HOvE REFORM SYNAGOGUE 15 HOvE HEBREW CONGREGATION Full page (A4 size) £170 Half page (A5 size) £100 Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are Quarter page (A6 size) £65 not necessarily those of SJN; 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or TISING services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and Personal: £4 per line • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or Flyers: Price on application submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their editorial decision. consideration for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman as a font. Receipt of submissions may not BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 ADVER IN SJN GUIDELINES be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. issue 240 | april 2014 4 Community life 5 Your news Achievements Births Mazel tov to the Firsht and Pincus families as: Mazel tov to: • the Cobbs, Graham and Sharpe families, Jodie and Marc on the • grandson Joshua Firsht came third birth of a baby daughter, a sister for Elliott in the under-15 minimile race in Brighton’s half-marathon and was • Angela Goldman on the birth of her granddaughter Charlotte on congratulated by the Mayor of 22nd February Brighton & Hove; and Special Birthdays • grandson Adam, who is Head Boy at Windlesham School and has been awarded a Music Scholarship to Shoreham College Mazel tov to Charles Bloomstein, Daniel Breuer, Michael Brummer where he starts in September, came seventh in the same event. (99), Suzi Collard, Estelle Kaye, Daniel Lachs, Stella Lawrence, Mazel tov to Lydia and Jeffrey Stanford who won the Sussex Ada Levy, David Melcher, Angela Morland, Malcolm Stern, Dona County Contract Bridge Association’s Mixed Pairs final on Sunday Strauss, Faye Tanner and all others who are celebrating a special 2nd March as well as to Katie Lyons and her partner who came birthday this month. second. Mazel tov to Marc Abraham who has been nominated for the Chris Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Laurence Vet of the Year category at the Ceva Animal Welfare Mazel tov to: Awards to take place in Birmingham on 2 April. • Wendy and Ronnie Bloom on the bat mitzvah of their granddaughter, Katie, daughter of Darren and Nicola Get Well • Judy Irwin on the bar mitzvah of her grandson Aden, son of Carl and Danine We wish a refuah sheleimah to Barbara Comiskey, Michael Missler, • Marilyn Magrill on the bar mitzvah of her grandson Ben, son of Pat Moss (Shoreham), Julian Woolfe, Carol Zuckor and all who are Paul and Hayley unwell or in hospital. Weddings Deaths Mazel tov to: We wish Long Life to: • the Efune and Kaye families on • the family of Trudie Singer z’l the marriage of their children • the family of Anthony Weinstein z’l Chaya Mushka and Dovid • the family of Gertroude Blake z’l Nochum. • the family of Geela Caiden z’l • Debra Goodman on the marriage of Charlotte to Ivor Richards z’l (BHHC), Nicholas Levy. 18th February, 2014 • The Cobbs, Sharpe and Jackie Richards would like to express her sincerest Graham families on the appreciation to the Rabbonim and the whole community for marriage of Olivia Cobbs and the kind wishes and support she and her family have received Kevin Burgess. upon the loss of her dear husband. Chaya Mushka and Dovid Nochum Russell’s Bridge Teaser ABOUT OUR COVER Contract – 6 D by South North: South: Miriam S – AK S – 32 This month’s cover design was created for us by the H – AJ2 H – K103 artist Felicia Quick, using authentic models from a D – 65432 D – AKQJ10 book of Sephardi culture and attempting to tell the C – AK2 C – 543 story from the Torah more accurately. West leads the QS captured by dummy’s Ace. At the stage that Miriam is dancing, after the Reed How can South make his slam contract a cast iron Sea deliverance, she is estimated to be approximately certainty – with no guessing involved? 90 years old and has waited all her life before seeing her baby brother, Moses, whom CARER AVAILABLE – PRIVATE she had guarded carefully in the Over 25 years experience bullrushes, lead the People out Qualified to administer medication from oppression in Egypt. She is intended to look very Hourly rates and references available joyful. She also plays a timbrel - Further information ring Jenny King as described in the Torah. 01273 880013 issue 240 | april 2014 4 5 issue 240 | april 2014 6 Community life 7 Your views From Ruth Sless, Israel From Ivor Richards Thank you for sending me SJN. I find it interesting catching up on local news. I refer to the Thought for the Day article by Clifford Longley I recently went to a charity concert. Three eminent Chazanim sang published in the March issue of SJN. both religious and secular songs. It was an exciting and wonderful Setting aside the theological comment at the end of the first concert. paragraph, Mr. Longley puts his finger on the key message Towards the end of this lovely session, Chazan Hershtig called on of recent discoveries. We are all descended from the same his grandson - not yet bar mitzvah, to come onto the platform and ancestors. There is no such thing as racial superiority – only sing, which he did admirably. He was introduced as Galli Temerlies. different environments and upbringing which have led to different This was an unusual family name that I remembered from Hove and cultures and moral codes. sure enough, when I contacted the parents, they confirmed that Should we feel ‘superior’ in that our ancestors passed on a set they were the family I had remembered. Jewish geography goes to of ethical, moral and practical guidelines as to how life should be many parts and is particularly strong in Israel. lived? Best wishes to all in Brighton and Hove and good luck to I don’t think so – it was our duty to be a ‘light unto the nations’ Sodastream, which is much in the news here. and may we always live in a society that respects difference in Editorial Note: Galli is the grandson of June and Laurence approaches to life, but which all follow the basic guidelines for a Temerlies. good life. Prize Winner Ralli Hall The winner of last month’s competition for the by Roger Abrahams, Hon Chairman Shabbat Travel Away Kit was Mark Hyams. The answer was of course ‘C’, the Havdalah candle Please join us on Sunday 13 April for an afternoon of fun at the “Ralli Hall Take Heart Shuffleboard Event” in support of is lit at the close of Shabbat. B&HJCF and the Sussex Take Heart Group. The latter group is affiliated to the National Heart Foundation and does such good Still on the subject of finances, many of you will know that the work with all those who have suffered a cardiac event, including Brighton & Hove Jewish Community purchased Ralli Hall in me! Don’t forget that car parking all day Sunday at Hove 1975 initially as a youth club. Before it was officially opened Station car park, just around the corner, costs only £1.00. by Frankie Vaughan the following year, substantial works were As a trustee of the Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club as well as carried out to modernise the 1913-built structure as well as of B&HJCF, I strongly support Jacquie’s remarks in the last the electrical installation. Since then safety regulations have issue of SJN concerning the necessity of fundraising for the changed dramatically and we are now faced with the urgent Lunch Club. I would, however, like to put the record completely and very substantial updating of the entire electrical installation. straight concerning their payment to Ralli Hall for the use of This is now in hand, but will very likely cost between £13,000 accommodation and services. and £15,000. We are waiting for the final quotes. The initial major works are provisionally booked for the Easter weekend, For the sum of £5,000 pa, apart from one small meeting room, as the building must be completely empty and the electricity the Lunch Club has the use of all the rooms on the ground floor turned off while the work is carried out. as well as the milk kitchen on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It has the benefit of the full time use of a large office plus regular use You can imagine that the whole Board of Management of other accommodation for meetings as well as car parking swallowed very hard when they were told about this. At least and includes caretaking, cleaning, heating, lighting, wear and we already have the required Gas Safety Certificate, Health tear and the use of equipment, etc. As a separate registered and Safety Certificate and Asbestos Safety Certificate. It is not charity, B&HJCF has a duty to run its affairs in a diligent and easy running a large building that is open to the public, with all business-like fashion and the £5,000 per annum contribution of the modern UK and EU safety requirements now in force, as made by the Lunch Club nowhere near covers the cost of the I am sure that the Boards of the various synagogues and other above, which I am sure you will appreciate. community buildings will agree. See you at (a safe) Ralli Hall. Voluntary Support Agencies Important message • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre) 01273 739999 ralliday@tiscali.co.uk HOSPITAL • Norwood/Tikvah, Rachel Mazzier House 01273 564021 CHAPLAINCY • Hyman Fine House 01273 688226 VISITS • Helping Hands 01273 747722 helping-hands@helping-hands.org If you are in hospital or know • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board 07952 479111 or info@bhjwb.org anyone being admitted into hospital, • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association bahjha@googlemail.com please get in touch with info@ • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue/L’chaim project 01273 737223 sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform (Sue Rosenfield) 01273 735343 telephone 07789 491279 so that a Jewish • Jewish Community Centre at Ralli Hall. chaplain can be contacted to visit. Various communal activities. 01273 202254 or rallihall@tiscali.co.uk issue 240 | april 2014 6 Community life 7 Hyman Fine House by Natasha Carson and Beverly Barnett The highlight of the last month at the home was on Friday 21 February when one of our residents, Charlotte White, celebrated her 100th birthday. We all enjoyed Fred, the entertainer, who was accompanied by Henry, his performing and mind-reading dog. Thanks to the Ladies Fundraising Committee who paid for this activity. Denise Cobb, the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, presented Charlotte with her telegram and flowers. Refreshments were enjoyed by all. The weather has not put us off going out and about with some of our residents enjoying an excursion and tea at Middle Farm where they bought food for our pet chickens. There was also a trip to an art gallery in Eastbourne. Spring is coming and residents have begun planting seeds and potting up, so that the garden will be an attractive place to enjoy the sunshine - when it comes. The many indoor activities including music, art, cookery and games have continued and we look forward to more outside Photo by Tabatha Fireman activities once the weather improves. We are very pleased and proud to be the top scoring home in The above are just some of the many activities and events that Brighton in a recent national survey of residents’ views about take place in and out of Hyman Fine and if anyone has some the care homes that they live in. Full details of the survey can free time and would like to help out as a volunteer then please be found online at ‘Your Care Rating’. contact Mark Pady on 01273 688226. Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club by Jacquie Tichauer In February we celebrated three birthdays, one for our loyal volunteer Mickey (our famous Bingo caller!) and also for our lovely members, Jeanette and Kitty. We enjoyed cake and good entertainment. On Wednesday 5 March there was a bagel brunch for our volunteers, including a meeting and discussion. It was well attended and a few good ideas were put forward. Our Purim Party took place on 18 March and we hope to have great photos for the next edition. The afternoon tea and entertainment on that day were subsidised by Peggy Sherwood, the daughter of the late Joyce Sherwood who was one of our much-loved members. Rabbi Efune will be leading our Pre-Seder on 10 April. Ralli Hall Take Heart We are excited about our weekend away to Eastbourne on Shuffleboard Event the 25 - 27April and places are still available if you would like to join us. Sunday 13th April 2014 There is a special event on 22 June when the Sussex Police 2pm to 5pm Choir (of which Sue Rea is a member) is coming to entertain (please arrive at 1.30pm) us with a lovely programme of popular music and readings. During the interval there will be a tea with sandwiches and Tickets £5 (includes tea & biscuits) cakes. Tickets are now on sale. Hove Station All Day Sunday Parking £1.50 Another new event to look forward to, will be a Salt Beef For further information and tickets contact Brunch and Bingo, at Ralli Hall on Sunday 14 September Adrian Williams from 12 noon - 4.00 pm. Also don’t forget to put 30 01273 564375 November in your diaries, when we are holding our annual www.englishshuffleboard.co.uk Dinner Dance with a surprise theme, delicious food and live entertainment. If you are interested in any of the above, please contact me on 01273 739999. issue 240 | april 2014 8 Culture 9 Three generations of a Jewish An excellent film, so Hungarian family come and join us (7.00 for 7.30 pm Sunday 6 April is the date for the next as usual at film to be presented by the Sussex Ralli Hall Jewish Film Club. It’s called SUNSHINE with drinks (Germany/Austria/Canada/Hungary, 107 available). mins, subtitled). This romantic historical Small drama has a star cast including Ralph donation Fiennes, Rosemary Harris, Jennifer Ehle on the door and Rachel Weisz. It follows a Jewish for non family living in Hungary through three generations, rising from Ralli Hall humble beginnings to positions of wealth and power in the members. crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire. The patriarch becomes Students a prominent judge but is torn when his government sanctions free with anti-Jewish persecutions. His son converts to Christianity to proof of advance his sporting career but is caught up in the Holocaust. status. What will be the ultimate allegiance of the grandson after he survives war, revolution, loss and betrayal? Henry Solomon Unveiled Jewish Historical Society of England, On 14 March 2014, at a reception in the Mayor’s Sussex Branch Parlour, the blue plaque in honour of Chief Constable Henry Solomon was unveiled. The plaque – which was Alteration to published lecture co-sponsored by 12 local Jewish organisations and Tuesday April 29th 2014 - Ralli Hall 7.45 pm Sussex Police – is to be placed in position at Brighton Town Hall later this year. We are delighted to have arranged a lecture by Rose Holmes who has just completed her Ph.D. research project at the Centre for German-In alphabetical order, the 12 local Jewish organisations Jewish Studies at Sussex University and will talk on A Moral Business: involved in this blue plaque are Brighton & Hove The work of British Quakers with Refugees from Fascism, 1933-1939. It Hebrew Congregation, Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing covers the extensive campaigning and support work done by British Association, Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, Quakers to support refugees during this period, primarily from Spain, Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Hove Hebrew Congregation, Jewish Historical Society – Sussex Austria, Germany and Czechoslovakia. Branch, Jewish Welfare Board, Ralli Hall, Ralli Hall There were only around 20,000 members of the Society of Friends Lunch & Social Club, Sussex Friends of Israel, Sussex in Britain in the late 1930s and evidence suggests that nearly every Jewish News and Sussex Jewish Representative Quaker household contributed towards refugee relief in some way; Council. whether serving on a local refugee committee, fostering a child, contributing to a local hostel, or donating funds. A research paper by Rose Holmes can be found at http://tinyurl.com/pdzuofv Rabbi Rader, Martin Cooperman, Gordon Franks, Godfrey Gould at the ceremony of the unveiling. Photo © Tony Mould: My Brighton and Hove The ceremony of the unveiling of the Henry Solomon plaque, which is to be placed in position at Brighton Town Hall. larer must score three Heart tricks. If he leads a Heart dec . other larer will ruff in one hand and discard his Heart loser in the dec or a Club, If he leads a Spade wn in. lub will be thro ptures the c Whichever defender ca lub. w c lead with the lo He then gets off Ace and King of Clubs. and the plays off the King of Spades, ws trumps, South dra Ace of Spades, After winning the first trick with the w-In. Thro tion and South can guarantee his contract with a simple Elimina easer - Answer s Bridge T Russell’ issue 240 | april 2014 8 Features 9 Community Pesach Remembered by Doris Levinson Turkish Charoset 6 tbs kosher white wine In 1999, Sussex Jewish ½ cup pitted dates, finely chopped 2 oz butter Chocolate Refrigerator Cake Continuity organised an ½ cup dried figs, finely chopped Salt, pepper, ground ginger, oil and 2 6 oz margarine event called ‘The Passover ½ cup dried apricots, finely chopped tsp sugar 6 oz castor sugar Experience’- a most interesting ½ cup almonds or walnuts, finely Lay fillets on a buttered dish. Sprinkle 1 oz cocoa and exciting cross-communal chopped with salt, pepper, ginger (fresh and 2 eggs (separated) event, held at Ralli Hall, the 1 medium apple, peeled, cored and ground), spring onions. Pour wine Pinch of salt highlight of which was a grated mixed with oil/melted butter and sugar 6 matzot wonderful show written by Janet Kiddush wine over the fish. Bake at 180C/350F, gas About ¼ pint kosher wine Smith and performed by the Combine all the ingredients, adding mark 4 for 20 minutes. Grated chocolate and blanched children of the Torah Academy. enough wine to make a paste texture almonds for decoration There were exhibitions and food Passover Cheese and Potato and even two mini-Seders held Chicken Salad Pudding Cream together the margarine and by Rabbi Efune to acquaint 1 lb diced cooked chicken 1lb grated raw potatoes sugar until very soft. Beat the egg people with the Pesach festival. 1 small cubed fresh pineapple 2 large grated raw onions yolks and sifted cocoa. Beat the egg whites and salt until very stiff and Gil Ingram and Stella Joory 3 cubed apples 1 large grated raw carrot fold in the mixture. Place 1 matzoh produced a Pesach cookery 2 chopped oranges 6oz kosher hard cheese on a sheet of foil, moisten well with book – ‘A feast of festival foods 2 tbsp ketchup sauce 2oz matzo meal Salt and pepper to taste wine and spread it with some of the prepared for The Passover 1 tbsp mayonnaise chocolate cream mix then repeat Experience’ which contained 1 tbsp Pesach brandy Mix all the grated ingredients well the process until all the matzot are a selection of favourite recipes Mix all these ingredients together and together (reserving 2oz of the grated used up, ending with a layer of the sent in by members of the serve cold as a starter or on a buffet cheese for the topping). Pour into a chocolate cream mix, spreading it to community, “recipes traditional table well oiled baking tin and bake in a cover the sides. Decorate with grated and new, Ashkenazi and Fish in Ginger and Spring moderate oven for about 45 mins. chocolate and blanched almonds. Chill Sephardi –but not a cinnamon Onions Then open the oven and sprinkle the in the refrigerator, but remove about ½ ball in sight!” 2lbs fillet of sole or bass rest of the grated cheese on top of the hour before serving. Here are a few of them. Enjoy a 1 small piece of fresh ginger, chopped mixture. Bake for a further 35 mins. yummy Pesach! 1 bunch spring onions – thinly sliced HYMAN FINE HOUSE FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE (Registered Charity No. 1111793) PRESENTS A BRIDGE & KALOOKI AFTERNOON AT RALLI HALL, DENMARK VILLAS, HOVE (£1.00 Parking Fee at Hove Railway Station) FRIENDLY COMPETITION – WITH PRIZES ON SUNDAY 11th MAY 2014 AT 2.00PM DONATION £10.00 INCLUDING TEA TICKETS FROM ALAN BURKE - 01273 416335 AND RAYMOND FELSENSTEIN - 01273 505056 issue 240 | april 2014 10Features 11 A Women’s Seder? by Chana Moshenska Every year since 2003, 30-50 women have working with others to overcome an members so we changed the Haggadah gathered in the Meeting House at the oppressor and unite behind a cause. to reflect that. We’ve included a selection University of Sussex on an April evening These are issues that are relevant today, of readings which explore the core themes to celebrate Passover with a women’s not only for us as Jewish women. A Seder of the Seder and of women’s lives. The Seder. There is a very special atmosphere, offers a time and ritual to explore these Haggadah contains traditional and new like no other Seder or no other women’s issues, and to reiterate our community’s songs so that at the end of the Seder celebration. Why do we do this? Why do commitment to change the world. we relax, sing and enjoy each other’s so many women return year after year? company – a key element of women’s time (Why all the questions?) Obviously many of us try to live with together and an integral aspect of all JWF this struggle foremost in our minds, events. I’d been thinking about a women’s Seder not simply once a year, but we can feel for years, and when Half Empty Bookcase isolated. Celebrating a story of liberation We have maintained many traditional started in Brighton I thought the time had encourages us to keep going; the rituals elements of the Seder and subverted come. We were busy with other plans so link us with a world of people engaged others. We remember our foremothers as I put it on hold, but when HEB folded and with the same endeavour. well as our forefathers; we have an orange Jewish Women Friends grew phoenix- on the Seder plate and a glass of water in like from its ashes I tried again. We didn’t Why a Seder for women? Sarah’s cup; the Afikomen is searched for have an agenda for JWF, or a shared list Most JWF events are women only and this by the oldest women there, rather than the of aims, but simply a philosophy that we’d has helped create the unique atmosphere children. be inclusive and welcoming of everyone at our meetings. We wanted to extend and their ideas. This seemed to include Food is all important and we share a well that to the Seders, but we also wanted both me and my Seder plan! planned three course meal. The practical the emphasis of the Seder to be on one arrangements are as liberating as we can JWF members were divided between particular oppressed group: women. For make them: we share food preparation asking ‘why a Seder?’ and ‘why a many JWF members our feminism is a to an agreed menu; we hire crockery and women’s Seder?’. For those who are given, something we live by rather than cutlery, which we can send back dirty; we agnostic/atheist JWF offered a haven from philosophise about. But there are times employ people (men if possible) to work in expectations that they’d have a religious when it’s good to be reminded that the the kitchen and to help serve. aspect to their Jewish identity. Did holding battle is not yet won and that we need a religious celebration endanger that safe to link with other women to challenge Over the years a core group of women place? So some were sceptical about sexism, to highlight aspects of the have attended every Seder, and each year holding a Seder. However, the wide variety oppression of women, and to celebrate more join us bringing friends, daughters, of events in the JWF diary, and the lack being women together. and mothers. For some women it is their of pressure on anyone to do everything, first Seder, for others it replaces the family With these ideas in mind we have meant that they were generally happy for celebration, and for a few it is the second changed some of the rituals – including people to mark Pesach if they wanted to. or third Seder they go to each Pesach. the contents of the Seder plate – and Some decided not to attend, but others But for us all it is something unique and written our own Haggadah. Hours were did and continue to do so. precious: a celebration of ourselves and spent discussing key passages, individual each other as women. We’ve been asked So ‘why a Seder?’ words and phrases. We borrowed from why we only hold a Seder once a year, but other publications, liberally cutting in this regard we are going to stick to the Judaism isn’t about handing over your and pasting! For the first few years the traditions! intellect and accepting anything on trust. Haggadah included a lot of references We are encouraged to question, and to the Shekhinah, the ‘female’ aspect of This article first appeared in the Jewish expected to act in rational and liberating God, which was at the forefront of many Women Friend’s Anthology. Copies ways. Pesach is all about challenging women’s Haggadot from the USA. We can be obtained from Maxine Toff - oppression, about the difficulties of realised that this didn’t resonate with JWF JWFsussex@gmail.com MARTIN GROSS Funeral Director and Funeral Consultant to Jewish communities 01273 439792 07801 599771 07540 066566 issue 240 | april 2014 10 Features 11 A Helping Hand to Go Home to Israel or A Modern Tale of Exodus from 50 Countries by Felicia Quick Recently, a conference was held at Kibbutz Ramat There was also an update of EOE’s work in the UK. Some Rahel, Jerusalem, by the Aliyah-assistance organisation, of the olim receiving help here have included local Jewish Ebenezer Operation Exodus, (EOE). This charitable group families from the South Coast of England. (We only tell works alongside the Jewish Agency, and is active in over stories of those who give permission.) One lady was 50 countries. Unusually, it consists entirely of non-Jewish preparing to move to Israel after devoting many years workers, Christian Zionists, who love Israel’s life-story, selflessly to her wider family. EOE was able to give her and want to serve her ever-growing, rich cultural mosaic. much-deserved help with packing and house-clearance. Many of the organisation’s workers also have life-long When heavy snow blocked her departure, our colleague friendships within their local Jewish communities. was able to drive her to the airport just in time. In autumn The organisation draws inspiration from parts of the 2013 we were able to help with the shipping needs of a TaNaKh, such as that of the prophet Isaiah, Yeshayahu. lovely couple from Sussex, together with their dog. He wrote, in chapter 49, that The Holy One of Israel would It was an honour to hear Israeli guest speakers, also call foreigners to befriend and assist Jewish people in working in the field of Aliyah, such as Michael Freund. He the process of making Aliyah. These friends would “carry fought in the Knesset to establish the Israelite heritage Israel’s daughters home on their shoulders and her sons, of the B’nei Menashe from Northern India, and gradually protected, in the folds of their garments”. In ancient times, secured the necessary permissions for their return to people did indeed carry their treasures, or small children Israel. in this way, whilst travelling. The choice of tender words shows that the continuing Aliyah is so important to Israel’s The first EOE conference was held during the Gulf War of Maker that He will even inspire the loving care of other 1991, where delegates had to wear gas masks. Despite nations. It sounds like poetic language, but its pragmatic that, they excitedly gathered to hear the founder, a Swiss and living fruition can be seen today. businessman named Gustav Scheller, who shared his vision; how he felt called by G-d to help with Aliyah, as Around 200 of the organisation’s workers, representing all described in the TaNaKh, which promised that Israel’s continents, attended the Jerusalem conference. As well descendants would return from “the four corners of the as updating working practice, news was given of the olim earth.” The new organisation began supporting the Jewish who had been helped in every region represented. For Agency, firstly by chartering flights. It then organised 3 example, in many former Soviet countries, conditions have Aliyah ships from Odessa to Haifa, which culminated in remained adverse for Jewish communities, over many over 170 sailings. Today, in addition to Aliyah aid, EOE generations. EOE provides parcels of clothing and locally-carries out supporter-education. It teaches Christians to sourced, kosher food for the most needy, as well as vital appreciate the peerless enrichment that Israel gives to medicines for Holocaust survivors. Our teams also bring the rest of the world. It organises groups who pray for the information about Aliyah opportunities, and the benefits well-being of olim and their new life in Israel. The young and challenges of a new life in Israel. They are also able to adults’ initiative, called Engage, leads study tours around help with gathering essential documents, which give proof Israel, where the young people also experience work on of the Jewish identity of these would-be olim, required several humanitarian projects. by The Jewish Agency. It would often be too difficult and costly for them to pursue this alone, as their papers are There are government agencies in Israel which assist with sometimes stored in regional capitals hundreds of miles Klita, olim absorption/ integration, and EOE has a help-away. centre in Jerusalem which gives practical assistance. Yet on a personal level, we enjoy visiting the olim we have In some countries, there are governments so hostile that befriended, hoping to bring encouragement, (as well as Aliyah would be almost impossible without non-Jewish items from UK, which they miss.) Also we love to celebrate helpers. However, the people who receive our help with with them their flourishing lives, work and new babies. Aliyah are not all impoverished or battling Anti-Semitism. Moving to another country is often a struggle where extra There is now quite a wide range of organisations across help is needed to overcome the obstacles. Recently the UK which support Israel in many excellent ways, but in the Netherlands, Marc, a famous artist, and his wife we feel humbled by the privilege of witnessing and serving Henny, decided to retire to Israel, taking his vast collection the modern-day Aliyah. of paintings and sculpture, based on his Holocaust If anyone wishes to find out more about Ebenezer experiences. During the war, a Christian couple had Operation Exodus, please email your questions to hidden him from the Nazis. This encouraged him to seek opexsussex@gmail.com the sympathetic support of EOE, who found a team of 29 volunteers to load Marc’s container transporting the treasured artworks. issue 240 | april 2014 12 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: bhps@freenetname.co.uk www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 13 As Simple As Matzah by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah The Festival of Pesach has three names. Pesach refers The bread of freedom and the bread of affliction: this specifically to the last plague visited on Egypt: when is not just an issue of chronology; our ancestors ate ‘the messenger’ of the Eternal One ‘passed over’ – the bread of affliction, and then baked the bread of pesach – the houses of the Israelites that had been freedom. We too, are called to go on this journey marked out with the blood of a yearling lamb daubed from slavery to freedom. But to do so we have to on their doorposts and lintels (Bo, Exodus 12:23). The acknowledge the oppression we experience in our own second biblical name tells us more about the enduring lives and take steps to liberate ourselves. We can begin character of the Festival: Chag Ha-matzot – ‘the Feast this process by taking matzah more seriously. What is of Unleavened Bread’ (Ex. 12:15-17): during the festival, matzah after all, but flour and water – plus a maximum leaven banished completely, bread is replaced by an of 18 minutes baking-time. Instead of removing unleavened variety. leavened foods and replacing them with as many scrumptious non-leaven substitutes that we can find, The rabbis gave the festival another name: Z’man how about taking an eating cue from modest matzah cheiruteinu – ‘The Season of our freedom’, reminding and simplifying our diet: eating plenty of ‘greens’ in us of the purpose of the annual celebration. As we read honour of karpas, and simple carbohydrates and in the Haggadah, the tale of the Exodus crafted by the proteins in honour of matzah. Judging by the amount rabbis and included in the first code of rabbinic law, the of exhausting effort it takes to prepare for Pesach, Mishnah: B’khol dor va-dor hayyav adam lirot et atzmo wouldn’t it be nice if once the festival begins, it could k’illu hu yatzah mi-mitzrayim – ‘In every generation truly be ‘the season of our freedom’? Chag same’ach! each person is obliged to see him/herself as if s/he had gone out from Egypt.’ Events@BHPS So, celebrating Pesach is not just about recalling what happened then, it is also about re-enacting the experience of liberation now. We do this by retelling L’Chayim Spring Lunch the story at the Seder and sampling all the symbols, in 9th April, 12.00-2.00 pm at Ralli Hall. particular: karpas, the spring ‘greens’ of new life and Ring Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue by 1st the maror, the ‘bitter herb’, representing slavery – and April to reserve your place. 01273 737223 by removing leaven and eating matzah, the hallmark symbol of the Festival. Celebrate Pesach with BHPS - Seder at the Ralli Hall But unlike the other symbols, matzah is not Monday 14 April 6.30pm. (Arrive from 6pm) straightforward in its meaning. The Torah connects it with the haste of the slaves and their dash for freedom, Members £10. Non-Members £15 carrying the dough that had not yet had time to rise Time is running out, but if you would like to book a place, (Ex. 12:39). And so matzah may be seen as ‘the bread please call Sarah on 07841 488620/01273 501604 sarah. of freedom.’ By contrast, the Haggadah ‘telling’ of the winstone@ntlworld.com. Exodus story opens with a passage, written in Aramaic, The new Liberal Judaism Haggadah is available from the that begins: Ha lahma anya – ‘This is the bread of synagogue office. affliction our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt.’ This Haggadah offers several options for conducting a Seder, both at home or in a communal setting. There are all the traditional elements of the service, and the opportunity to supplement these with additional study passages, poems, songs and readings. For families with younger children, a shorter, child-centred version of the Seder can be found at the other end of the With best wishes for Passover Haggadah, ensuring that this new book will fulfil the biblical requirement to transmit the story of Pesach from generation to generation. Sunday 8 June - Sponsored walk in aid of the synagogue Following last year’s success we are holding another sponsored walk. We will be walking from Brighton Pier to the View Restaurant, where the walkers and their supporters will have lunch together. If you would like to 87 Old Shoreham Road, Hove BN3 7AQ walk, sponsor a walker or just join us for lunch please Tel: 01273 880022 contact Sarah on 07841 488620/01273 501604 or at Email: bdsanders1@tiscali.co.uk sarah.winstone@ntlworld.com issue 240 | april 2014 12 BHHC Rabbi Hershel Rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.webjam.com/bhhc10 13 Heroines of the Exodus Chevra Kadisha Training Day – 25th May by Rabbi Hershel Rader Preparing a Jewish person for burial is an especially Rashi explains the Talmudic dictum that ‘our ancestors were great Mitzvah. Throughout Jewish history, being a redeemed from Egypt in the merit of the righteous women of member of the Chevra Kadisha (Burial Society) has that generation’ (Sotah 11b). But who were these righteous been regarded as a great honour. Members of the women? Six are mentioned in the Sidra Shemot. Chevra are selected for their character, integrity and The first two are Shifra and Puah, the midwives who defy personal devotion to Jewish tradition. These men and Pharaoh’s instructions to kill all Hebrew boys at birth. The women take upon themselves the responsibility to Torah tells us they ‘feared G-d and did not do what the King ensure that the laws and traditions of Jewish burial of Egypt had commanded’ (Exodus 1:17). Their significance are followed properly. Their greatest concern is the cannot be over-emphasised. In possibly the first recorded sensitive care, modesty and dignity of the deceased. case of an attempt to wipe out a nation, they gave the lie to Men care for men. Women care for women. Jew cares the justification ‘we were just following orders’. for fellow Jew. There is no better way to ensure the The third is Moshe’s mother, who we know as Yocheved dignity of the deceased than by entrusting his or her but in the Pesach story is referred to simply as ‘a daughter care to the Chevra Kadisha. of Levi’. Prepared to give birth despite Pharoah’s inhuman On Sunday 25th May we will be holding a Training Day decree,she displays great courage and resourcefulness by placing Moshe in a box by the side of the river to avoid for current and potential volunteers for the Chevra detection by Pharoah’s agents. Kaddish. Training will be led by Rabbi Shmuel Arkush, Rabbinic Head if the Birmingham Chevra Kadisha and a The fourth is Miriam, whose role is pivotal. As the Talmud renowned teacher and lecturer. relates (Sotah 12a) Amram, Miriam’s father, was the most eminent man of his generation. After Pharaoh’s decree If you would like to attend, please contact me on 0777 he separated from his wife and his example was followed 565 3897 or email me at rabbibhhc@gmail.com by the other Israelite men. Miriam said to her father ‘your decree is worse than Pharaoh’s for he has decreed only Rabbi Hershel Rader against the males and you have decreed against both males and females’. Miriam exhibited the incisive vision of youth, FORTHCOMING EvENTS AT BHHC something which all parents are confronted with at some time. Her father bowed to the veracity of her argument 14 April Pesach, first night Seder, £27.50 a head resulting in the birth of Moshe. It was also Miriam, the 10 May TGIS - Thank G-d It’s Shabbos. quintessential elder sister, stood watch over the Moshe after he is placed by the river (Exodus 2:4). featuring a Guest Chazzan, Exploratory Service and Children’s Service a Shabbos Buffet Lunch This brings us to the fifth heroine: Pharaoh’s daughter. with smoked salmon, hot Cholent, dessert, wine Although not mentioned by name in Shemot, we encounter and spirits is being sponsored by the Sinclair her in the Book of Chronicles (1 4:18) as Bityah which means Family in memory of Dr Leonard Sinclair z’l ‘daughter of G-d’; a fitting name for the savior of G-d’s Everybody welcome. Absolutely no charge. greatest prophet. She finds the baby by the river and raises him as her own, fully cognisant that he is ‘one of the Hebrew 11 May Traditional Jewish Dinner with guest speaker children’ (Exodus 2:6). She epitomises the ethic of caring for Mike Weatherley MP the stranger resulting in the incredible situation of an Israelite Salt beef and latkes, wine/beer/soft drinks being raised in Pharaoh’s palace. (vegetarian option available), £17.50 a head. Finally there is Moshe’s wife Tzipporah who is willing to 27 May Annual Holocaust Memorial Day accompany her husband on his improbable mission to save Joint Service with Hove Hebrew Congregation, the Israelites. Her timely action saves his life (see Exodus 5.00 - 6.00 pm. 4:20 – 26) and enables him to continue with his divine task. 31 May Shabbos Seudah and Afternoon Service with Were they the only heroines of the Pesach story? Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. Undoubtedly not! Every woman who gave birth or raised For full details or to book your place at any event, please a child in the faith of its ancestors during that terrible contact the Shul Office on 01273 888855 or email oppression was a heroine. Every woman who exhibited faith office@bhhc-shul.org. in times of the cruelest oppression and cried out to G-d for deliverance was a heroine. Every woman who cared for and supported others during that reign of terror was a heroine. But these six are women who played a known and crucial role. They served as examples to Jewish women of their time Mark Hyams - Men’s Hairdressing and all times. The hairdresser who comes to you Regarding the Messianic age the Prophet Micah tell us ‘As Available up to 7.00 pm in the days when you left the Land of Egypt I will show you miracles’ (Micah 7:15) The Pesach narrative is an instruction Phone: 01273 726826 /Mobile: 07581 442541 regarding the future redemption of our people which will be Email:markhyams1965@hotmail.com hastened by our ‘heroism’ in emulating these great women. issue 240 | april 2014 14 BHRS Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE https://www.facebook.com/BrightonReform Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org 15 Where are the Jews? with the anti-semites. It’s sad, but Jewish life, have a job to do. A duty, anti-semitism often brings the Jews a mitzvah. And this is to include in by Rabbi Andrea Zanardo together. For example, when our ‘Jewish life’ all of these people, who According to the results of the new synagogue held activities open to the for one reason or another, have found Census, there are more than 3,000 whole community, such as the open themselves at the margin of Jewish Jews in Brighton and Hove. This day at Cheder, some ‘unaffiliated’ life, and maybe left it completely. is quite good news: our City is still Jewish families popped in, and many They are like the child of the Pesach one of the major centres of Jewish considered affiliation after discovering Seder; the one who does not know population in the UK. But I have a that Jewish learning can be fun - how to ask questions. Some of the question: where are they? which is one of our core values! ancient words still come to his mind. Let me elaborate: 3,000 is a high I was recently at an Interfaith event. A spark of the flame still lingers in number. But if we add up the number Quite a few of the visitors who were the dark. It is a mitzvah to make a of the ‘registered members’ of all the attending the event, told me that they big light out of such a spark. And this synagogues in the City, we reach a were Jewish. They were attending out can be done with the help of all the number that is well short of 3,000. of a general interest in ‘spirituality’, community. This means, that there are more than although they are currently involved We believe that someone who is one thousand ‘unaffiliated’ Jews in with other ‘spiritual’ traditions, such born of a Jewish mother is Jewish. Brighton, who, for whatever reason, as Buddhism, Magic, Paganism. I Therefore, we have the responsibility have chosen not to declare their believe that only in Brighton can to reach out and help those Jews ‘Jewishness’ to public officers. They you find pagan Jews! Some of who may be looking for a more active can, of course, keep this identity to them could even tell me in which way to live their ‘Jewishness’ and to themselves. Religion was the only synagogue, up North or in London, express that sense of belonging they voluntary question in the Census. their parents were married. These are declared to the Census. Because I Those Jews, who are active in what the sociologists call “anecdotal believe there are many of them out ‘organised’ Jewish life in Brighton, evidences”, which is a jargon there, waiting to be contacted. do not know that much about these expression that means nice stories, other Jews. That they exist, I am sure. yet to be studied, I meet some of them in front of the or analysed. Ecostream shop, where they join the I believe that counter demonstration organised this tells us that by Sussex Friends of Israel. They we Jews, who are involved in some of the funny, are involved energetic moments of confrontation in ‘organised’ BULLETIN BOARD FOR APRIL 2014 Saturday 5 Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am Shabbat Doroteinu, 10.30 am Sunday 6 Cheder Mock Seder, 1.00 pm Wednesday 9 Stone setting of Sylvia Lester, 2.30 pm Saturday 12 Rabbi’s Shiur on Pesach, 9.00 am Shabbaton 10yrs+, 10.30 am Monday 14 Erev Pesach Tuesday 15 1st day Pesach Service, 10.30 am 2nd Night Communal Seder Night, 6.30 pm Monday 21 7th day Pesach service, 10.30 am Friday 25 Shabbat Kolot, 6.30 pm Saturday 26 Havdalah, 5.00 pm Sunday 27 Yom Hashoah Service, 6.30 pm Wednesday 30 Rosh Chodesh, 7.30 pm issue 240 | april 2014 14 HHC Rabbi vivian Silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com www.hollandroadshul.com 15 Pesach by Rabbi Vivian Silverman Three thousand four hundred and fifty years ago, Moshe In today’s society, when it is becoming so easy to immerse led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery. He was the oneself in one’s own little online world – to the extent Moshia (Deliverer) that God had promised the people and that conversation is not necessary any more – Judaism the Torah tells us that, “not one dog barked” at these continues to stress the importance of family sitting down strangers as they made their way through the alleyways of together and the art of talking to one another. Indeed, one Goshen towards the Egyptian frontier. of the meanings of the word Pesach is Pe-sach: “open your mouth and talk and discuss”. Pesach, after Shabbat, is the oldest of the Jewish Festivals and, every year, we retell and re-enact that very Conversation and debate (exemplified over many centuries first Seder night – all of us, young and old, we relive the by the Yeshiva world) has always been the hallmark of experiences our ancestors felt and went through and Judaism and the Jewish people. May it never disappear so empathise with them in some little way. This is so from our midst. important, especially in today’s world where there is so much poverty, deprivation, hardship, cruelty and injustice. Lynette and I wish you all a chag kasher v’sameiach. A joyful and vibrant Pesach. We, the Jewish people have always been able to feel for such people and situations, precisely because of our past The document for the sale of Chametz will be available for experiences. Kavod Habri’ot (respect for human beings) signing from Tuesday, 1 April. has ever been one of the essential Jewish tenets: putting ourself into another’s situation and realizing what that other person is going through. PEsAch TImEs & DIARy – APRIL 2014 Janet’s Column 13 Sunday Ceremonial home search for Chametz, 8.45 pm by Janet Cowan 14 Monday Erev Pesach. Fast of Firstborn Shacharit at West Hove. A special mazel tov to the Sharpe, Graham and Cobbs Latest time for eating/drinking Chametz, 10.05 am families on the wedding of Olivia to Kevin and on the Latest time for burning Chametz collected previous evening, birth of a daughter to Jodie and Marc. Congratulations to 11.33 am parents, grandparents and great-grandparents on these Mincha at Holland Road, 7.30 pm. lovely occasions. First Seder after dark 15 Tuesday First day Pesach at Holland Road Under the supervision and direction of Michele, our Prayer for dew at Musaf Talmud Torah Hall is having a facelift. Not the Botox kind. Shacharit 9.30 am, Mincha 7.30 pm We look forward to having our Kiddushim in the newly-Second Seder after dark decorated hall in the very near future. Counting of the Omer begins Our next AGM will be held on 11 May, so keep the date 16 Wednesday Second day Pesach at Holland Road free. More details will follow shortly. Shacharit 9.30 am, Mincha 7.55 pm Yom Tov ends, 8.53 pm Here is my final Passover Recipe for this year! 17 Thursday Chol Hamoed, Shacharit at West Hove Lemon Pudding 18 Friday Chol Hamoed, Shacharit at West Hove • 50g soft margarine 19 Shabbat Shacharit, 9.30 am at Holland Road • 125g caster sugar Song of Songs read • 1 heaped teaspoon potato flour Mincha and Ma’ariv at West Hove Shabbat ends, 8.59 pm • 4 eggs (separated) • rind and juice of 1 lemon 20 Sunday Fourth day Chol Hamoed, Shacharit at West • 5 fl.oz water Hove Mincha 7.30 pm at Holland Road Beat margarine and sugar until creamy. Beat in egg yolks one at a time. Add potato flour. Add finely grated rind 21 Monday Seventh day Pesach at Holland Road and juice of lemon, then the water. Slowly pour the egg Shacharit 9.30 am, Mincha 7.30 pm and lemon mixture onto the whisked egg whites until well 22 Tuesday Eighth day Pesach at Holland Road folded. Pour into 2-pint greased souffle dish. Place in Yizkor pan of boiling water and cook in heated oven at 170c, or Shacharit 9.30 am, Mincha 8.05 pm gas 3 for about 45-.60 minutes. This recipe also makes 6 Yom Tov ends, 9.05 pm individual ramekins, which take about 30 minutes to cook. 26 Shabbat Kiddush for Mr Michael Brummer’s 99th Place in fridge and serve chilled. birthday 27 Sunday Yom Hashoah - Memorial Day for the six million With all my good wishes for a Happy Pesach. martyrs issue 240 | april 2014 16What’s on: April 2014 Grodzinki’s challos, rolls and Kosher bread available weekly by courtesy of Lubavitch Brighton from Premier Convenience Stores Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org in Hove Street (tel. 01273 735131) COMMUNITY EvENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER: Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events! Please be sure to reserve your order so info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org that we know how many to supply. Orders can be collected on Thursdays or Fridays. 16 SHABBAT SHALOM – BRIGHTON TIMES REGULAR ACTIvITIES In Light Candles Out Havdalah Fri 4 7.19 pm Sat 5 8.29 pm pESaCh Please note that some of these activities will not be taking place during Pesach. Fri 11 7.30 pm Sat 12 8.41 pm Please check with the various organisations Fri 18 7.41 pm Sat 19 8.54 pm The Ralli Hall office will be open on 14 and 17 April, but closed on 15, 16 and Fri 25 7.53 pm Sat 26 9.07 pm 18 April No Monday Club on 14 April • No Day Centre on 15, 17 or 22 April NOTABLE DATES No Israeli Dancing on 15 April • No Jewish Arts Society on 22 April Mon 14 Erev Pesach - First Seder Night, light candles 7.35 pm Tue 15 1st day Pesach - Second Seder Night, light candles 8.47 pm Sundays Sun 20 Eve of 7th day Pesach, light candles 7.44 pm Carmel Tennis Club 10.00 am - 12.00 noon. Weekly. All levels welcome. Tel: Adam on 07720 598087 Mon 21 7th day Pesach, light candles 8.58 pm Tue 22 8th day Pesach / Yizkor Mondays Discover, Play and Dance! Torah Montessori Playgroup for 0-2 year olds. 10.00 am to 12.00 noon. Tel Penina on 01273 328675 or email torahacademy@btconnect.com EvENTS IN APRIL Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Efune 12.30 - 1.30 pm at the Brighton Wednesday 2 Hillel Centre, 66/67 Middle Street, Brighton Tel: 01273 321919 JACS with guest speaker David Barnett on ‘The Story of Daniel Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Ralli Hall Tel: Reba 01444 484839 Mendoza. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove, 2.00 pm. £2 members / Rubber and Duplicate Bridge 1.30pm – 4.30pm £4.00 or £5.00 with £2.50 non-members transport. Ralli Hall. Tel : Reba 01444 484839 Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Congregation (ELJC) Afternoon tea in the Library Contemporary Basic Talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men only 8.15 pm Room, Cavendish Hotel at Chabad House 01273 321919 Tanya (Kabbalah) Learning Group with Penina Efune - Ladies only Sunday 6 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Sussex Jewish Film Club presents “Sunshine”, 7.00 for 7.30 pm. Drinks SARID (Association of Jewish Refugees) meets every 3rd Monday available from 7.00 pm. Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove of the month at 10.45 am, Ralli Hall. £1.50 Tel: 0208 385 3070 or email esther@ajr.co.uk – Note: there will be no meeting in April Tuesday 8 Sussex Jewish News – submission deadline for the May issue. Send Tuesdays your articles, thoughts, photos and announcements to sjneditor@ Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm sussexjewishnews.com Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly at Ralli Hall Art in the studio with Martin 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm Ralli Hall Wednesday 9 Painting with Rochelle (JAS) Studio at Ralli Hall, 7.00 – 9.00 pm. JACS Balloon Debate at AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove, 2.00 pm. £2 Tel: 01273 503708 members / £2.50 non-members Israeli Dancing 7.45 pm - 9.45 pm Ralli Hall. Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Saturday 12 ELJC Shabbat afternoon service, 3.00 – 5.00 pm. Christ the King Church Wednesdays Hall JACS at the AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2 members / £2.50 non-members (see programme in Events listings Sunday 13 but note no programme during Pesach) Helping Hands Tea 2.00 – 4.30 pm at AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove Art in the studio with Martin 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm Ralli Hall Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Congregation monthly afternoon tea at the Tuesday 15 Cavendish Hotel, Grand Parade, Eastbourne at 3.00 pm – on the ELJC Communal Seder on 2nd night of Pesach, 5.30 – 8.30 pm. Christ first Wednesday of every month the King Church Hall. Please contact Suzanne 01323 726767 or Angela 01323 725650 if you would like to join us Thursdays Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Weekly Wednesday 23 Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 (RH) JACS with a guest speaker from the National Lifeboats Institution. Ladies Who Learn 10.30 at Chabad House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove, 2.00 pm. £2 members / £2.50 non-2.30 – 4.15 pm, to include herbal teas and healthy treats. All ladies members welcome Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am Friday 25 Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad House. ELJC Friday night service, 6.00 pm, followed by dinner club at Christ Tel: 01273 321919 the King Church Hall. To attend the lunch or dinner club,, please book at least 3 days before the event by contacting Suzanne (Chairman) on Fridays 01323 726767 or Angela 01323 725650 or email eljcommunity@gmail. Kuddle Up Shabbat parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and com or malka.seltzer@gmail.com if you would like to join us her guitar 10.00 am – 11.30 am Ajex Centre Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Congregation service on the 4th Friday of Tuesday 29 each month, WVRS, 24 Hyde Road, Eastbourne, 6.00 pm Jewish Historical Society with guest speaker Rose Homes on The work of British Quakers with Refugees from Fascim 1933-1939. 7.45 pm at Saturdays Ralli Hall. Members free/non-members £4. For further information, ring Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation Shabbat services at 22 Susans Godfrey Gould on 01273 419412 or email g.gould915@btinternet.com Road, Eastbourne, 10.00 am. Contact 01323 484135 or 07739 082538 Wednesday 30 Stand Up for Israel at Ecostream, Western Road, Brighton, 1.00 JACS with a guest speaker to be announced. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, pm - 3.00 pm Hove, 2.00 pm. £2 members / £2.50 non-members issue 240 | april 2014 -
Issue 196
April 2010
SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS WWW.SUSSEXJEWISHNEWS.COM | £2 | APRIL 2010 | NISAN/IYAR 5770 | ISSUE 196 COMMUNITY BUILDING • THE AMERICAN MENTALITY • AND MORE 2 Pause for thought A welcome note from the Editorial Board We are in the midst of counting the Omer, symbolically marking the time that the Jewish people wandered “ until the Torah was given before being admitted to the Promised Land. That time was important, necessary to change the Israelites. Their slave mentality needed to be eroded. They needed the forty years in the desert to become a nation. They needed to gird themselves, gird their faith and take responsibility for themselves and build their community. It is a given fact that the Sussex Jewish communities are smaller than thirty years ago. Whilst the decline in our numbers has been a source of regret for many years, what we are now seeing is a commitment to rebuilding our communities, a dedication to our future by finding new ways for making Sussex Jewry not only viable, but vibrant as well. Over the past months there have been so many events and many initiatives. Each of these has been designed to bring people of all ages together to be an active community. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a cabaret night, a painting party, a lecture, a discussion group, the development of a new Hillel House at Middle Street, local websites or anything else. Each shows that we can entertain each other, can educate each other and can build together. There can be no better testament to how desirable Sussex is for Jews than the announcement that this year’s Limmudfest will be held at Windlesham, just north of Worthing, from 26-30 August. Today our communities have the potential for walking out of our metaphorical desert and once again making Jewish Sussex a promised land within our country. Long may our community building continue and be sustained. SubmiSSionS deadline for next iSSue: 8th april 2010 ” Sussex Jewish News • PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ •Telephone 07906 955 4040 • email: editor@sussexjewishnews.com ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 3 contents featureS 1 IMAGES OF cOMMunITY BuILDInG adVertiSing in SJn Together we are stronger, whether by entertaining each other at the BHPS cabaret night or by redecorating our full page (a4 size) B/W: £160 Col: £260 facilities at the BHHc Painting Party half page (a5 size) B/W: £90 Col: £160 Quarter page (a6 size) B/W: £50 Col: £90 11 THE AMERIcAn MEnTALITY 1/9 page (credit card size) B/W: £35 Col: £50 Rabbi Russ Shulkes reacts to a recent protest in personal: £4 per line Brighton after learning the difference between uK flyers: Price on application and uS attitudes Local Jewish charities wil not be charged, subject to editorial decision. 20 EMEK uPDATE One year later, Susan conway reports on progress at the booK noW! 07906 955 404 editor@sussexjewishnews.com hospital and its Eye Department SJn brings local news, events, articles, reviews, announcements, people, congregations, communities, contacts and more. regularS Delivered at the start of each month, SJn is run entirely by volunteers 2 PAuSE FOR THOuGHT for reporting, editing, printing, and circulating each edition that has become the cornerstone of the Jewish community across the region. 4 PERSOnALS AnD LETTERS Your thoughts and views Editorial Board communal Diary 6 cOMMunITY LIFE Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt Angela Goldman / Ivor Miskin / David Seidel diary@sussexjewishnews.com Pictures and news from the past month Administrator Photographer 12 cuLTuRE community entertainment and education Ivor Sorokin Sophie Sheinwald 14 cAMPuS LIFE Admin Assistant E-Publishing JSoc success at the uSSu Election and more Gweni Sorokin Gary Weston / Andy Devon 19 WHAT’S On community Issues Design/Production Regular and special events in your community Laura Sharpe Katie Lyons Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: Your CommunitY • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are not necessarily those of SJN; 15 Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or services and do not 16 Hove Hebrew congregation accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and 17 Brighton & Hove Hebrew congregation • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or submit the content to others for comment. 18 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to editor@sussexjewishnews.com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman as a font. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. SuSSex JeWiSh neWS SubSCription name: Date: Address: Postcode: Email: Telephone: Subscription (tick one) I would like to receive electronic copies of SJn. £15 p/a I would like to receive printed copies of SJn. £18 p/a. Payment (tick one) I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish news at PO Box 2178, Hove Bn3 3SZ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish news at Lloyds Bank, Sort code 30-98-74, Account no. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. or You Can SubSCribe online at WWW.SuSSexJeWiShneWS.Com and paY With paYpal! ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 4 Personals and letters Talking to a Mop was the curious heading in last month’s SJn, Following your recent enjoyable item about Brighton Maccabi coupled with an invitation by the Worthing & District Jewish beach, I thought I would add my own memory. community to come and hear Stewart Macintosh elaborate on this rather odd title, followed by lunch. In 1964, many of the local young Jewish population were enjoying a hot May bank holiday afternoon on Maccabi beach. The audience consisted of some forty people who were The mood was happy, with pirate radio stations caroline and rewarded with a catalogue of Stewart’s adventurous career London competing loudly from numerous transistors. interspersed with humorous anecdotes. Many will agree that his delightful presentation coupled with clear diction made all the It was the year of the Mods and Rockers invasion, when hearing aids redundant! Brighton witnessed mass breakouts of fighting, piles of deckchairs being set alight and many windows smashed along Final y, a special thanks to our host and hostess, Barbara and the seafront. Ian Gordon, who made everyone welcome and for the delightful lunch they prepared and served to one and al . It just goes to Suddenly, there appeared at the railings above Maccabi beach prove that Jewish life extends beyond Boundary Road, Portslade. a large crowd of Mods obviously looking for trouble. Everyone turned off their radios and the beach fell silent. As if by some YourS SinCerelY, SidneY lipman secret command and without saying a word, every Jewish male stood up and turned to face the Mods. The message was After years of controversy regarding the closure of Middle Street clear, and after a scary few minutes, the Mods decided against shul, the Board of Management must be congratulated for their pursuing their obvious intent to come onto the beach and cause hard work and perseverance in selling the building at the back more mayhem, and moved off. to Hillel. I am sure the students will enjoy residing in the centre Surely a sign of the legacy of the heroic Maccabees living on in of Brighton. 60s Britain! I was in fact very vociferous in my opposition to the closure of Middle YourS SinCerelY, daVid felSenStein Street, but realise that it was inevitable. Suffice to say, however, the problem now is funding for the shul itself to restore it to its former glory; but I know it can be achieved if we al pul together. There was a great response to the Maccabi Beach article and photo in the February issue. YourS SinCerelY, elizabeth Caplin Confirmed sightings are Malcolm Sharpe, Rita Laurier (Halpern), naomi Phillips (da costa), Myra Ross (Taub), Louis Ross and his I was thrilled to be given a copy of the February 2010 issue little daughter Lydia (now Swithern). Possibles are Jill Gold z”l by Myrna carlebach, as she now lives near me in Finchley and (da costa), and Big Johnnie Gold, who went on to own Tramps knows that I grew up as part of the Maccabi crowd in Brighton. nightclub in London. Lydia’s brothers were Arthur, and Stanley Looking at the article by Ivor Sorokin and the picture sent in z”l, who will be remembered for his amazing impressions of by Malcolm Sharpe, I quickly identified myself (born Naomi da Jerry Lewis. costa, and living in Somerhill Avenue at the time) in the lower The couple snogging in the front have not been identified. This section, towards the right, sitting up, with my left hand fiddling was scandalous behaviour in those days. with my ever-annoying curly light-brown hair! YourS SinCerelY, iVor SoroKin Thank you so much. What wonderful memories. I just hope that other people in the photograph will contact you and identify themselves. We’ve mainly lost touch with each other, but we As I have previously expressed, Sharon and I eagerly open were certainly a happy group of youngsters. the SJn envelope and immediately read the contents. It is so good to read of our friends celebrating simchas and the many Life was so much more stable in the 1950s. We didn’t have a activities provided for the community. fraction of the choices which are in front of today’s teenagers, but neither did we have the difficulties. Overall I believe it On page 18 norina wrote of vibrancy at Ralli Hall. It thrills me was much easier for our generation. The only thing I do envy to read this. Many years ago a community meeting had to be is their opportunity for travelling the world before they settle called because Ralli Hall was in dire straits. Roger Abrahams down to “the real world”. extolled the virtues of trying to keep the Jewish centre alive and I can clearly remember opposing him and wanting to YourS SinCerelY, naomi phillipS relocate to a smaller less costly building which would warrant the then use. I heartily congratulate Roger on his superb achievements of not only keeping Ralli Hall open but making constant improvements to the building and together with his team, making Ralli Hall the Jewish centre it should be. The SJN Hall of Fame By the way, doesn´t cyril Jacobs look handsome on the front cover! Our new look has been the talk of the town. But we want more than just talk. We want to see who is looking at us. Send us a picture of yourself with Sharon and I send our sincere good wishes to all who a celebrity. Each month we’ll pick one celebrity pic and print it. If it’s yours, remember us and chag same’ach. you’ll get a free 1 year subscription (or subscription renewal) to Sussex YourS SinCerelY, Sharon & gerrY CreSt, Spain Jewish News! Have fun and get snapping! ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 5 Personals and letters I am rather puzzled at the front cover of SJn’s 195th issue. I bar mitzVahS wonder if you are aware of the background and associates of Mazel tov to Mendel Rader on his bar mitzvah the lady appearing on your front cover spread this month. Mazel tov to Shirley & Stanley Lerner on the bar mitzvah of their In fact, I wouldn’t describe this image on a Jewish publication grandson Harry Ginsburg at the Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue as a little inappropriate, I would call it downright outrageous. Mazeltov to Hazel & Joe Rubin on the bar and batmitzvah of If you truly do not know her history, I would suggest you take their twin grandchildren Shira and Zak Hirsch in Israel a look at the following links and then you will see where I’m coming from: Wedding • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Bardot Mazel tov to Wendy & Michael Lovegrove on the marriage of their daughter chloe • www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/may/15/france. davidhearst anniVerSarieS • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Marie_Le_Pen, issue 4.2 Mazel tov to Jean & Ivor collins on their golden wedding on the left-hand side of the page. anniversary Who will your next front cover feature? Mel Gibson, or maybe Mazel tov to Linda & Raymond Felsenstein on their sapphire Nick Griffin? wedding anniversary from a VerY diSappointed SubSCriber, hilarY blaCK Mazel tov to Michelle (née Seligman) and neville newman on their silver wedding anniversary perSonalS get Well We wish a refuah shelaimah to Phillip conway, carole Lever, Thank You Frank Miller, Julia Milton, Michael Porthouse, Sidney Posner, Joe Rubin, Paul Samrah and Hymie Sheftz Barbara and Irvyn Isaacs (pictured) would like to thank deathS all their family and friends for We wish long life to: the generous donations to • the family of Anne Bridges z”l Shaare Zedek Medical centre, • the family of nina Franks z”l Jerusalem and the many gifts, • the family of Helen Leibling z”l flowers and cards sent to • the family of Reuben Mazar z”l them on the occasion of their • the family of John Savage z”l Golden Wedding anniversary. • the family of Eddie Shaw z”l • the family of Michael Jeremy Tack z”l birth We extend our condolences to Alathea Samrah on the death of her sister. Mazeltov to corinne Silver on the birth of a grandson, and to Muriel Elkin-Rose on the birth of a great-grandson Michael Jeremy Tack z”l passed away peacefully on Thursday 18th February 2010 at the Martlets Hospice, Hove. He was a Birth: Doreen and Malcolm Lasky are thriled to announce beloved son, husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather the birth of a granddaughter, celia Rose, born February 18th who will be sorely missed. to Alex (nee Lasky) and Simon Rutsein. A darling sister for Harrison. THANK YOU; Helen Epstein and her family thank all their friends for the kind letters and phone calls they have received at this very sad time. aChieVementS Mazel tov to Dennis Hollis on receiving a certificate from Jewish care for ten years of loyal service Stone SettingS The memorial stone in loving memory of Ida Bloom z”l will be SpeCial birthdaYS consecrated on Sunday 18 April 2010 at 4.00 pm at the Jewish Mazel tov to Faye Anner, Jill Bass, Alison Bateup, Stella cemetery, Meadowview, Bear Road, Brighton Beckerman, Lena Boam, Jonathan Burgh, natasha conn, Linda The stone setting to commemorate the life of David Mazzier z”l Firsht, Estelle Rose Graham, Shirley Hecht, Alan Hershman, will take place on Sunday 25 April 2010 at 1.00 pm at the Philip Levene, Joanna Levinsky, Lewis Mann, Peter Marx, Rachel Jewish cemetery, Old Shoreham Road, Hove Marx, Pearl Miller, Alfred Morley, Anne Pincus, Beryl Sharpe, Louis Strong, Josephine Taylor, Doreen Walker and Tamir West, The memorial stone in loving memory of Trudy Zaft z”l will be all of whom are celebrating special birthdays this month. consecrated on Sunday 25 April 2010 at 2.30 pm at the Jewish cemetery, Meadowview, Bear Road, Brighton ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 6 community life ben gurion uniVerSitY foundation There is also the Open Apartments programme. university students are encouraged to live in the poorer areas of Be’er bY Sharon rubin Sheva by being charged lower fees if they do so, and for The Brighton & Hove Friends of Ben Gurion university helping the children in their areas, both Arab and Jewish, with welcomed Jamal Alkirnawi to Ralli Hall on 18 February. anything they need, from school work to help with abusive parents and helping their pupils to overcome the difficulties that Ben Gurion university is in fact the heart of the city of Be’er Sheva they may experience with the social system. and has had more applicants than any other university in Israel in the last two years. Thirty-five percent of students are studying It has been proved that if children are better educated they can for advanced degrees and half of al students come from the Be’er get better jobs, fit into Israeli society and integrate better. If Sheva area with the other half from the rest of the country. they are uneducated, they are isolated, marginalised and tend to become more radical. Jamal’s role is to help the Arab students Jamal Alkirnawi is the Students are understand the bureaucracy of the university, and to cope with Academic counselor for a new Western lifestyle. It is a cultural shock for both parents encouraged to live in Arab Students at Ben- and children when they come to university and they need help in Gurion university. He is the poorer areas and coping. They come from a col ective society to the open individual 30 years old and recently society of the Western way of life and have trouble accepting that. help children, both married a Bedouin girl. There are family expectations, particularly for female students, Arab and Jewish, He did his undergraduate and he tries to help them adjust to the changes. Jamal helps degree at Ben Gurion with anything they the students take advantage of al that the university offers. He university and then did provides counsel ing, tutoring, mediation between parents and need his Masters in Social students and the university. Work at McGil university. He lives in Rahat, one of the recognized Bedouin vil ages near He is involved in his own research which examines the use Be’er Sheva. He also works for a non-profit organisation that of storytelling as a method for sparking dialogue between offers support and counsel ing to promote social change. He Sephardic Jewish immigrants living in a marginalized area of speaks fluent Hebrew and has been on the March of the Living to Be’er Sheva and Israeli Arab Bedouin from the nearby Bedouin Poland and says this affected him very deeply. city of Rahat. The Bedouins have lived in the area for centuries. Today they That these programmes are successful is amply illustrated in are semi-nomadic and have the lowest socio-economic level in that the Medical Faculty alone has some fifteen Bedouin who the country. Rahat has a population of about 40,000 and in the are training to be doctors. The first women medical graduates Be’er Sheva area there are about 160,000 Arabs and 450,000 have been practising medicine now for two years. Jews consisting of Russians, Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews. Thursday evening at Ralli Hall was noted for confounding the The problem for the Bedouin is to find a new identity in a changed usual anti-Israel diatribes one hears in some of the uK media. western world. Many parents have never had any education and We were being informed of diverse cultural groups coming cannot help them with their studies but understand that in order to together, studying together, and providing an environment for improve their standard of living, their children need an education. The both Arab and Jew which could lead to a better tommorow. matriculation pass rate for Arab students is very low compared with the rest of the local population. The university offers help in various ways. If you are interested in stemming the tide of Antisemism/Anti- Israelism then why not join the Brighton and Hove Friends of On Fridays, although the university is closed, many academics Ben Gurion university by contacting Sharon Rubin on 01273 volunteer to teach school children who need help with their 727676 or Sam Barsam on 01273 508323. schoolwork. Many schools come en masse for extra lessons and benefit from this extra tuition. ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 7 community life board of deputieS: defenCe diViSion the CounCil of ChriStianS and JeWS bY Sam barSam bY angela CoStleY, The Jc (Jewish chronicle) is replete with tales of antisemitism CommunitieS for Change manager and anti-Israelism and, closer to home, I applaud our own For many years the Brighton & Hove branch of The council Sussex Jewish news which has recently published articles of christians and Jews (ccJ) has been proactive in promoting highlighting the presentations and seminars full of prejudice Jewish-christian dialogue in the local area. The local branch that are now offered to the local student population on campus. has held talks by prominent speakers and organised social Some will no doubt say that being anti-Israel is not necessarily activities such as ‘bring and buy teas’. Together, christians antisemitic and this of course has a semblance of truth. There and Jews have worked alongside one another to develop their are those of us who disagree with current Israeli policies and understanding of each other, coming together in friendship. laws which sometimes seem harsh and not in accordance with Together, the Brighton & Hove CCJ has helped in the fight the principles of rabbinic Judaism. However, there is now a against antisemitism, proving that Jews and christians can work different dimension which has invaded this debate. It is a move together and make a difference in the community. towards the delegitimisation and the demonisation of Israel. Sadly, over recent years the once-thriving Brighton & Hove ccJ It should be remembered that this relates probably (we has seen a fall in numbers. It has come to the point where we hope) to a minority of extremists. A recent poll of the general need to consider its viability. There have been as few as six population in the uK’s attitude to Jews, found that eighty people attending meetings – a disappointment to speakers and percent were unimpressed in any way and really not interested. an embarrassment to those arranging speakers. However, the remaining twenty percent who replied positively You are invited to a special meeting to be held on Monday could create mayhem, and destabilise the equilibrium of the Jewish 12 April at 7.30 pm at Hove Hebrew congregation, Holland population in this country by forcing government policies that can Road, Hove. At the meeting we will be discussing and deciding damage Israel and the Jewish population as a whole. The enactment whether to close the branch. of the law on universal Jurisdiction is but one such example. If the branch does close, there will be no forum for Jewish- So what is to be done? christian dialogue which is essential to heal the rift caused by centuries of suspicion and hatred, the result of blood libels and We need to work closely with community organisations such as misunderstandings. It is precisely because we are bilateral that the cST, synagogues, organisations and universities etc. We need the ccJ has succeeded and is now the oldest national inter-faith to establish close links with the police at al levels. We need to organisation in the UK. We are able to tackle difficult issues monitor and assist with press and public relations. And we need to head on whilst others are just breaking the ice. It would be very maintain close links with European monitoring centres for racism and sad if the Brighton & Hove branch did close, particularly as it in xenophobia. And we need accurate analyses so, for example, we can an area where Judaism and christianity thrive. determine where the next antisemitic event is likely to occur. We urge everyone to attend this meeting to ensure closure To this end, it is suggested that we set up expert groups - does not happen. We are looking for support of all sorts, but including social psychologists, anthropologists and futurologists above all we are looking for people with a vision for the future to understand the dynamics of contemporary antisemitism and to lead Brighton & Hove ccJ with new ideas and a fresh mind. anti-Israe 2 li 0sm 0 . 8 We also need to provide pro-Semitic propaganda CCJ POSITION STATEMENTS Whatever you have to offer, even if it is only your time, please campaigns and even methods to pre-empt the vicious campaigns come along. resonating with the blood libels of mediaeval Europe. Final y, we need to be involved with the analysis of systematic reviews to see what policies work and which don’t, and determine the direction CCJ: Urgent Special Meeting and forms of appropriate strategies. Brighton & Hove Council of If anyone is interested and willing to join groups that we are Christians and Jews going to establish for these purposes, please contact me. Sam Barsam is a Deput y for Hove Hebrew congregation and a An open invitation to attend a special meeting to discuss the future of the member of the Defence committee of the Board of Deputies of Brighton & Hove Council of Christians & Jews. Hove Hebrew Congregation, Holland Road, Israel Hove. Monday 12 April at 7.30 pm. RSVP to Angela on British Jews. He can be contacted by e-mail at sambarsam@ 020 7820 0090 or by e-mail at c4c@ccj.org.uk hotmail.com or b y ringing 07810 550572. emergenCY training at bgu and Israelis to pool resources and create a partnership so The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) that in the ev believes that ent of such a crisis, their two countries wi justice and a sustainable peace m ll ha ust ve be based bY Sam barSam emergency forces in place to handle the worst. upon the right for self‐determination for Israelis and Palestinians. Israel has been a sovereign state Historical y, major quakes hit the Holy Land area every hundred years or so with one potential y due at any time. Are medical Launched in October, the three-year academic medical since 1948 and its continued right to exist free from attacks on its existence must be beyond personnel in Israel and neighbouring regions prepared for the worst? emergency training programme is in the process of teaching young Jordanians and Israelis how to work together as a question. Self‐determination for Palestinians is also likely to include a sovereign state alongside A new joint project between the Jordan Red crescent and Ben frontline team in a concerted regional response to emergency Gurion Iusniv ra ersi el, t y of the with b n oegev is the catalyst f th being econ or Jordanians omically and legally scenarios. sustainable and with secure recognised borders. ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM CCJ believes that this must include mutual respect across all faiths and access to the numerous religious sites. CCJ is particularly concerned to encourage support for the minority Christian communities. CCJ acknowledges the intense centuries‐old relationship of the Jewish people with the land of Israel, just as we recognise the tragedy of the Palestinian people who left their historic homes. Each group must seek to understand the other’s history. We believe that future peace and security in the region will be based on looking forward and recognition of the human rights, civil liberties and religious freedom of all. We abhor violence and the abuse of human rights, whoever the perpetrator and whatever the pretext. Neither can act as a building block to a just and sustainable peace. To bring about a just and sustainable solution in the region CCJ promotes a strategy of positive engagement, investment and dialogue. CCJ opposes and deplores boycotts: these hinder the opportunity for dialogue. We welcome links with institutions and organisations which encourage cooperation and co‐existence between all faiths. We support initiatives designed to increase understanding and respect for the individual. 8 community life eaStbourne hebreW Congregation Worthing & bY linda taYlor diStriCt JeWiSh On a wet and windy morning Eastbourne Hebrew congregation CommunitY welcomed the many brave men, ladies and children who gathered bY barbara & to hear the megil ah expertly read by a young American student cal ed cheski, ably assisted by our own Tzachi. There was a great ian gordon deal of noise which did not even upset the baby present. We were ‘swept off our feet’ on Thursday 18th It was a shame that cheski had to dash back to Brighton before March when Stewart sampling the excellent brunch that was enjoyed by the rest of Macintosh gave us his the congregation. By the time we left, the sun was shining! entertaining talk entitled haStingS & diStriCt JeWiSh SoCietY Talking to a Mop. bY Stella harriS Stewart is an announcer on the BBc World Service Approximately 250 people, led by Mayor Maureen charlesworth, and in his spare time (!) attended the national Holocaust Memorial Day service at St chairman of Brighton & Mary-in-the-castle in Hastings. The service was organised by the Hove Reform Synagogue. Society, the christian Friends of Israel and the council of christians His appearance attracted and Jews with the support of Hastings Borough council. Fol owing a sizeable and appreciative audience. Thanks must also be the service led by Rev chris Sears MBE and Frank Mil er, Stel a given to Stewart’s lovely wife Jenny who could not resist Harris and christophe Lennard gave an inspiring account of the life helping us in the kitchen. of Irena Sendlerowa, a Polish health worker who rescued 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto. Opera South East, led Since the talk, Ian has been seen clutching various brooms and by Roger Wilcock, provided musical accompaniment with Bernard mops – much to Barbara’s delight. But little does she know that Perkins singing the Mourner’s Kaddish. Ian is making a last ditch attempt to forge his own career in broadcasting. We heartily thank claudette Woolfson for all of her hard work in contributing to Sussex Jewish news on behalf of the Society. We were very pleased to welcome visitors from Hove. Those of you reading this article who have not yet ventured as far as The first Friday of each month (except January), the Hastings & Worthing should ‘cross the border’ into West Sussex on Sunday District Jewish Society meet in Bexhill to enjoy a Reform service 18th April at 7.00 pm when we wil be delighted to welcome Elkan led by a member of the Society or an invited person. February’s Levy, a dynamic speaker whom many may have heard at Brighton service was followed by a most enjoyable talk and slide show by Limmud. His talk is entitled Smal communities in the uK. architect and historian Peter Lennard on the history of Paris. In March Trish Russell presented a slide show on aspects of India. Between now and then, of course, we in Worthing will be The Society thanks Eric Stanley for his kindness in serving celebrating second Seder night. This will be catered for the first refreshments after each meeting. time for many years with the service conducted by Roger Berlin at a cost of £16. ralli hall Enquiries to Ian and Barbara Gordon on 01903 779 720 and bY norina duKe, Centre manager barbaraian@talktalk.net The sun has come out, and there is a spring feel in the air, Our details are also on Sussex Jewish Online. Unless notified although it is still very cold. I must say it is hard not to feel otherwise, all our meetings are held at The Quakers Meeting envy on reading the regular travel reviews received from Roger House, 34 Mill Road, Worthing. and Irit on their world cruise. Having written this column last month, I realize how difficult it aJex is for Roger to write something different every time. I have had bY JudY gabriel, pro brighton & hoVe good feedback from people who read my article last month, and The AJEx Summer Quiz wil be held on Sunday August 8th at AJEx people have expressed surprise at the variety of activities which Hal , Reform Synagogue. This wil be an afternoon quiz with lunch, take place at the centre. so sharpen up your brains and your appetite, cal Aubrey cole on Although it really is hard to think ahead to chanukah when we 737417 to book. Please keep the date in your diary. are just at Pesach, I can tell all those people who are thinking AJEx is the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen & Women. We of holding a function at Ralli Hall, especially around the festive are a national organisation of those who have served and keep time, we are getting booked up with many of the “choice slots” on serving. Whether you served in peacetime or in war or are already taken. People are rather taken aback when I tell them serving now, there is a warm welcome for you in AJEx. Why not that certain dates are taken, so, to avoid disappointment, as give our chairman Aubrey cole a ring and see how you could soon as you know that you want to hold an event, personal or become involved? communal, please get in touch – even if it is a year in advance. I would like to give you advance notice of our AGM which will be held at 8.10 pm on 10 June. ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 9 community life peSaCh prep at torah aCademY hYman fine houSe bY penina efune bY alan fine The current buzz word in education, especially for young I have attached a photo taken at Hyman Fine House of the children is Sustained Shared Thinking or SST. This involves residents who acted in the Purim Play. It was delightful and was the adult engaging with the child in a subject of interest and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Punch and refreshments were served enabling them to think and solve problems, a much needed skill and a wonderful time was had by all. in our day and age. In our lessons on Pesach, the three and four year old children at nursery engaged in some delightful SST. I was dressed as a slave and after we sang Pesach songs, I explained how the work was hard. Then the children offered their solutions to the problems of slavery. One boy asked why I didn’t call 999 so the police would come and arrest King Pharaoh. After explaining that there were no telephones at the time, one girl suggested that I run away. I said this was impossible because Egypt had guards so no one could escape. It was like a prison. Back row: Muriel Lewis, Anetta Green, June Solomon, Priscil a Sugarman Front Row: Bettie Mendoza, Hettie Pepper, Rose Simons. JeWiSh hiStoriCal SoCietY bY Joan melCher, SeCretarY The Sussex Branch of the Jewish Historical Society held an interesting evening attended by over 30 people on the 23rd February, when Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah, Minister at the Brighton & Hove Liberal Synagogue, gave a fascinating talk on Rabbi Regina Jonas, the First Woman Rabbi. There is little information about this remarkable woman, When another girl told me that I could get a sword and kill although papers concerning her were found in state archives the guards, I reminded her that I was a slave. I didn’t have after 4 decades. Leo Baeck and his wife natalie were friends of any swords and because of all of the hard work, I wasn’t that Regina, who spent most of her life teaching and doing pastoral strong. The advice of one boy followed. I could catch a bird and work, until she perished in Auschwitz in 1944. The lecture was fly away. When I asked if a bird could carry me, he changed his followed by questions and a lively discussion. mind. He told me to hide. Please note that the next lecture to be given by the Jewish Finally, one girl who had been quiet until this point was asked Historical Society will be on the 27th April 2010 at Ralli Hall at for her thoughts. She said, “Hashem could save any people 7.45, when Howard Falksohn, archivist at The Wiener Library, who’s in ancient Egypt.” will talk about children of the Third Reich. SJn hall of fame Acumen Business Law founder Penina Shepherd enjoys a conversation at number 10 with various people including Lord Sugar. Mazel tov to Penina who receives a free year’s subscription of Sussex MARTIN GROSS Jewish news for the Acumen Business Law reception area. Funeral Director and Funeral Consultant to Jewish communities 01273 439792 07801 599771 07540 066566 ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 10 community life the generation game exactly how we could help. She gave her name and when asked her address said that she lived in Monmouthshire. Sarah explained bY JaniCe greenWood that we only covered part of Sussex. “Oh” said the lady, in a very Some time ago Sarah Wilks had a call disappointed tone. She then uttered the classic punch line “does from Russ Shulkes, the Southern Region that mean you’re not coming?” chaplain at Sussex university. Several members of the JSoc wanted to be involved The next Helping Hands tea will be held at the AJEx centre on with Helping Hands in some way. Sarah and Sunday 25 April from 2.30-4.30 pm. We would like to extend Russ got together and thought it would be a good idea for the a big thank you to Beryl Sharpe for kindly sponsoring the April students to visit some of our clients in their own homes. As tea to celebrate her special birthday. Beryl is a relatively new Purim wasn’t too far away the idea was for students to take member on the Executive committee of Helping Hands, and Mishloach Manot to their hosts. Permission was asked of the besides giving advice gleaned from all of the other charities said hosts and all were keen to participate. with which she has been involved, she is also one of the “backroom girls” of the Tea Afternoons. We heard from Russ that the outcome was a resounding success. The students enjoyed meeting and talking with our We would also like to thank the Sussex Jewish Golfing Society clients and were regaled with tales of their youth and early days. for generously sponsoring a Helping Hands Tea. Our clients reported that the students were charming, kind and Please consider sponsoring a tea yourself. You don’t need considerate. The “experiment” was successful and we hope we a special occasion to do so although it is a great way to can continue this partnership with the JSoc in the future. acknowledge one! As well as the Helping Hands guests who Sarah also had a phone cal from a lady with a very strong Welsh are regularly invited to come to our teas, we would love to accent. After introducing herself, the would-be client asked exactly have more visitors from the community. Anyone who comes what Helping Hands could do to help people. Sarah went into her will be made very welcome and it is an opportunity to see what spiel with the lady interspersing with murmurs of “wonderful”, happens at the teas and for us to show you what an enjoyable “how helpful”, “just what I need” and then proceeded to tel Sarah time we all have. Norman Grant of Gary Green Memorials The Approved Mason for the B & H Reform Community and all Jewish Cemeteries Countrywide Renovations and Additional Inscriptions Home Visits by Appointment Brochure on request 01273 885874 mobile: 0776 951 5045 ngrant37@gmail.com Your Maccabi Football Team from 1967. Back Row: Jack Kaye; Brian Harris; Michael Spector; Wayne Gordon; Gary Lester; Will Lyons; John Boofty; Sid Glass (Manager). Front Row: Jonathan Gilman; Stuart Lawrence; David Gordon; Alan Israel; Michael Marks. Helping Hands We invite you to check out our new website: www.helpinghands.org Our join us for our next tea afternoon on 25 April at AJEx centre from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm Telephone: (01273) 747722 / Email: helping-hands@ntlworld.com ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 11 Opinion The American Mentality by Rabbi Russ Shulkes On Monday 16 January, approximately two hundred masked Sussex protestors had no intention of hurting anyone. Most protestors attempted to gain access to the EDO/ITT complex in of the mob wished to simply raise awareness of EDO’s alleged Moulsecoomb. The group alleged that weapon parts employed complacency in alleged war crimes perpetrated against the against Gaza by Israel last year were manufactured on site. Palestinian people without intending to pose any real danger Organizers publicized the event via the internet and flyers, to the compound or its staff. Accordingly, from the students’ advising protestors to arrive dressed in black with face masks perspective, any police response was too much of a response. concealing their identity. Their objective was to storm through The police’s usage, then, of batons, riot shields and horsewhips police lines, force their way into the building and cause such against the protestors was excessive in their eyes. negative publicity for EDO that the company would sever all ties with Israel or even close their doors. unfortunately the mob But, as an outsider, it seems to me that there is good reason was unable to push its way past the police, who repelled the to question the Sussex students’ assumption of a good-natured protesters with batons, riot shields, and horse- mob. They were, after all, storming a building. Moreover, there whips. is no telling what one rogue protester may do amongst a mob. Who’s to say that one member of this mob did not hide a small One Sussex student was bewildered by what weapon on his/her person or even something worse? Wouldn’t she regarded as disproportionate use of that bring the most publicity to their plight? Are we to believe force by the police against the rioting mob. that angry masked mobs are above suspicion? Terrorists are a “Such a shame we didn’t manage to break clear and present threat throughout the world. no rational into the EDO compound, that would have person would believe that Brighton is immune to such been brilliant,” she was quoted in the 25 extremism. January edition of The Badger before going on to say that “the police have Furthermore, the protesters set out to disrupt massively over-responded, and it was the very social contract. Of course, the they who closed the whole of Brighton mob could have legally protested, non- centre.” violently. But in their estimation they deemed that their position would As an American who had not be as widely disseminated. experienced the harsh reality of In other words, in the name of terrorism on 9/11, I was taken publicity, they were ready to put aback by the student’s apparent people in harm’s way. Indeed, in naiveté. Over-responded? I that same article in The Badger, was astonished that the police the Sussex police press put out weren’t more aggressive and the statement that “we have forceful in quelling the mob. seen intimidating behavior and Indeed, this was neither sporadic outbursts of disorder” a legal nor a harmless from the mob. They continued protest. They intended, that “Members of the public… it seems, on inflicting have clearly been frightened by damage to the staff the behavior of a small minority and edifice of the EDO of protestors and many have faced building, and indirectly disruption.” undermining the Brighton and Hove police force’s authority. Had their ploy been successful, one can In truth, this was not only a protest, but a criticism of the uK’s only conjecture regarding the damage they would have inflicted very law system. Apparently, the protest’s organizers were upon a legal and tax-paying institution. unwilling to widely broadcast their message legally – through the internet, newspapers, in public speeches, a Facebook To my surprise, group, legal protests, a writing campaign to their local MP, etc. I was taken aback by after discussing my Instead they decided to traverse the low road by endangering the student’s apparent perspective with a local residents and businesses hoping the police will respond number of Sussex “proportionately” to their aggression. naiveté and astonished JSoc (Jewish society) that the police weren’t students, I found In America this would be unacceptable. Protest legally, or suffer that my American the consequences. But in the uK, at least among the student more aggressive and sentiment was not population, there is no fear of attacks, violence, or carnage forceful. reflected among the from extremist groups even in the form of storming masses. student body. Except Accordingly, if police respond with any measure of force, by for a Venezuelan girl who has also personally experienced the definition, it is viewed as disproportionate, as most students dangers of terrorism, the Sussex students believed that the wouldn’t hurt a fly. One can only laud such a utopian worldview, police did respond disproportionately. Are they naïve or am I and pray for its eventual actualization. However, while the uK overly forceful? might enjoy exclusively noble and righteous mobs, one cannot but feel sympathy for those who must save us from the still- It seems that the disconnect between the Sussex students’ harsh reality. opinion and my own is rather straight-forward. Apparently the ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 12 culture reading and e-reading three ChoirS eVening bY the SuSSex JeWiSh online team bY maxine toff Over the next year Sussex Jewish Online believes that people Who would have thought of starting a concert by making the will become even more technology and internet dependent. audience learn a new song in Yiddish, and then sing it on the Instead of mass-producing everything, more items will be pretext that it was to help the Yiddish choir warm up? Wel , this centralised on the internet. We won’t need each to buy is how Polina Shephard started this glorious February evening software off a shelf when we can download what we need from of song at Brighthelm centre featuring the chutzpah choir, the the internet. Brighton & Hove Russian choir and the Westdene Decibel es. newspapers can now be downloaded and read from our The audience were in good form and sang splendidly. Then Pcs, laptops, iPods, mobile phones, or e-readers. Think of the chutzpah choir strode on stage from the back of the hall the massive savings, not only in production costs but in singing Jam-da Jam-da, a lively song in Yiddish with fine verve environmental benefits. No more printing means paper (tree) and gusto. This set the evening off to a great start. After the saving. no more distribution (road transport and postage), chutzpah choir performed several songs in Yiddish, Hebrew and going out to get the newspaper, daily waste (refuse collection, Ladino, then there were beautifully sung solos from members of landfill savings, etc), energy savings, labour costs. The cost both the chutzpah choir and the Russian choir. efficiencies are multiple. An exciting fashion show gave us a chance to rest our ears and look We have seen the recent growth in popularity of smart at wonderful clothes with a ukrainian theme. The clothes were al phones such as the iPhone, which utilise Wi-Fi. More people model ed very professional y by the members of the Russian choir, are investing in these gadgets. More importantly, massive finishing with Polina model ing a stunning evening dress. After a companies such as Sony, Google and Amazon have launched short break to try and eat as many pancakes as possible, the e-readers. The Sun, Britain’s biggest daily newspaper, has now audience enjoyed the jazzy Westdene Decibelles who had launched its own online digital version. everybody tapping their feet and swaying to the great rendering of some jazz favourites. E-readers are pocket-sized computerised book-like gadgets, sophisticated but simple to use, able to hold thousands of The Russian choir followed with an interesting programme of books and various periodicals – from magazines to your daily folk songs - some beautiful and sad, others cheeky and funny newspaper. They are lighter than the average book and provide but all beautifully rendered. All the members live locally but a realistic page view. In addition, there are search and index they have four Russian speakers among them. It was a splendid functions, bookmarking, dictionaries and print size can be evening of music. Watch out for another performance later in changed to suit eyesight along with many other features. the year. It is not to be missed. If you are interested in joining any of these choirs please get in touch with Polina Shepherd Some will scoff at e-reading preferring to stay with printed (details in What’s On). publications. Books won’t become obsolete soon, but e-reading is becoming more popular much in the same way that computers and mobile phones have become part of everyday life. We welcome your thoughts and feelings on this subject at info@sussexjewishonline.co.uk 01273 930931 info@lyonsrankin.com www.lyonsrankin.com ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 2 YOUNG LIMMUD CONFERENCE 2009 E Contents CNER FENO Welcome to Young Limmud Conference 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 C Introducing the Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 13 culture Practical Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Afternoon Club and Night Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Rules on Young Limmud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Time Out on Young Limmud. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Listen and Learn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Guidance for Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 JaCS WatChing the Games bY nina taYlor, hon Chairman uKJff on tour Before the recent blizzards we enjoyed Part 2 of The Heart bY CeCilY Woolf Word Search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 of London and had a most interesting and illuminating talk The French language film Comme Word Scramble. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 by Rabbi Wallach on the festival of chanukah. Sidney Lipman Ton Père (Father’s Footsteps) was presented a lively chanukah programme of comedy and music a fine piece of work artistically Kakuro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 which was very enjoyable. There was also a talk by chris Shaw with excellent acting throughout. Colouring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 on climate change. However it was also an We then had a visit from Laurie Moss, a Fire Prevention Officer, Doodle Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 uncomfortable slice of reality, projecting a sordid image of who gave us advice about safety in the home and offered Sephardi Jews and Israel in general. While we do have our share to install smoke alarms and check our homes. A few of our of violent criminals, there are plenty of antisemites to focus on members took advantage of his offer and were visited within a them. Nevertheless the film succeeded Pwrel o ignr itas p murp m oese, which week. That’s what I call service! was tel ing the tale of the Tunisian Maimon family, who moved Reception – Year 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Helen Poole told us about cleopatra – Serpent of the nile. This from Israel to Paris in the 1970s. lady (cleopatra - not Helen Poole!) was so desperate for her Years 3 & 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Father Felix turned to crime to support his wife Mireil e and family to retain control of Egypt ,that she married two or three their two sons, Eric and 11-year-old Mic Yheela (rasn o 5 u ts & ta n 6 ding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 of her brothers and even her own son! performance by Jules Angelo Bigarnet). Settling in Paris’s Bel evil e Years 7 & 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 committee member Barbara Blume gave us a very pleasant district, they encounter the Sephardi godfather, Serge (Richard afternoon reminiscing about her childhood and teenage years. Berry), resulting in Felix’s arrest and imprisonment by the French Years 9 & 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 police. An interfering mother-in-law Maryam arrives to complicate Our AGM was attended by Harold newman MBE, the national matters and – of course – blames Mireil Y e e faorr se ve 1 ry 1 t hi & n g. 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 chairman of JAcS. Harold was awarded his honour for services to the community in Mill Hill. He has also done sterling work Then Serge commits a horrendous crime which is glossed for AJEx and is a past national chairman. Harold was most over in the film. He teaches little Michel to use a gun and Presenters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 charming, meeting and greeting all our members, some he manipulates him into killing a troublesome colleague. no remembered from AJEx. The meeting ended on a high when mention is made of the impact on the child. Instead Serge Keep in Touch with New Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Harold showed photographs of the Prince of Wales investing arranges for false documents. Felix escapes from prison under him with his MBE along with others of himself and his family at cover of a 15-minute parole to say Kaddish f Notes or his Mum (who . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Buckingham Palace. by now has died of a broken heart, since you ask); and the Building maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 family are safely reunited back in Israel. We have another super programme planned for this month. unfortunately, due to rising costs, it was agreed to raise the As Michel’s beleaguered parents, Gad Elmaleh and Yael weekly attendance fee to £2 for members and £2.50 for Abecassis prove that it is possible to act with children and make visitors, but what good value! Tea, biscuits, a speaker and best the audience really care what happens to the adults. of all, friendly faces. Finally, if you or anyone you know is taking part in Brighton We have, in the past, sent programmes to members but as our Festival Fringe or the artists’ Open House’ scheme, please let funds are rather low, we have suspended this service for the me know as soon as possible by e-mailing me at cecilywoolf@ time being. In the event of bad weather, if you want to know talktalk.net. It will be my pleasure to promote your talent. if there is a meeting, please phone either Janice on 772812 or Limmud myself on 720390. Bournemouth Day Unit 1 Tel +44 (0) 20 8458 7965 We look forward to seeing all members and non-members at Limmud 23 May 2010 Tudor House Fax +44 (0) 20 8381 4005 our meetings and can assure you of a very warm welcome. Llanvanor Road Email office@limmud.org Tickets are available by sending your cheque (payable to Limmud) together London NW2 2AR Web www.limmud.org Essential listening with your name & address to Alex A company limited by guarantee and registered in England, company no. 3903050. Segal, 17 Spencer Road, Poole, Registered office as above. Registered as a charity, no. 1083414 Get up: Dan nichols & Eighteen Dorset BH13 7ET. Limmud Fest 2010 www.cdbaby.com YOUNG LIMMUD Vos Vilstu: The Polina Shepher www.polinashepherd.co.uk u Alternatively you can book tickets online at www.limmud.org/day/ 26-30 August at d Experience bournemouth. Earlybird tickets are Windlesham now available at the special rate of (north of Worthing) £22 per person if purchased before May 1. Thereafter, the ticket price We’ll be filming our exciting new is £28 per person. A bus has been Advance notice video, Fest By Any Means, on April hired by the community for anyone 11th. If you’d like to be part of it, Portsmouth city wanting to go to the Bournemouth please e-mail fest@limmud.org Museum Day Limmud. Friday 2nd July to To book your return place or for more For more information about Fest, Tuesday 20th July information, please e-mail please contact us on info@sussexjewishonline.co.uk fest10-chairs@limmud.org 2010 ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 14 campus life Student union getS the neW home floW, Jo and more thanK YouS bY rabbi ruSS ShulKeS Last month we reported on the JSoc’s visit to their future new Every year Sussex university students home at Hil el House, Middle Street elect six ful time Student union (uSSu) which is stil under renovation. staff members. These Student union nevertheless, this project would officers are either current students, never have come to fruition without or more commonly, students who the involvement of several people. are finishing their third year and are graduating. Before entering the “real Steven Samuels is the Treasurer world,” they spend an additional year of Hil el and was key to forming or two giving back to their university, Brighton Hil el as an independent whilst the university flips the bil . local charity. He was also involved with many aspects of creating the new centre. Other active This year saw the best student turnout ever in Sussex history with members of the committee are Hilary Freedman and Doreen Lasky. over three thousand students voting. This was almost a thousand more voting than last year. not only were the students more Hil el, JSoc and the community thank Steven, Hilary, Doreen involved in the election process, but more candidates came out and everyone involved in the new Hil el House for their past and of the woodworks than normal as wel . Twenty-nine candidates continuing efforts with this exciting project. ran for six positions, with nine competing for the student welfare position alone. BRIGHTOn & HOVE JEWISH HOuSInG ASSOcIATIOn That’s what made the election of Jo Goodman – a third year anthropology student and events’ organizer on the board of TO LET the Jewish Society (JSoc)– to the student welfare position that Ground floor studio flat in central Hove. Newly refurbished. much more impressive. Touting the campaign slogan “Jo: she Affordable rent includes: central Heating, constant hot water, use of got the Flow,” along with an army of friends and supporters, Jo garden. Please telephone 01273 277225 for an application form wooed countless students. Throughout the week, her troop of close to twenty supporters lobbied their fel ow students to “get the Flow.” Besides the traditional routes of speeches, pins, flyers, and a Facebook page, Jo and her cohorts even made a creative and funny dance video, which can be seen at youtube.com/ Malcolm Green watch?v=Bkxk5qlgZj8. The election process at Sussex is somewhat complicated. Students Catering not only had to choose a candidate for each position, but also had to list their second, third, etc. choices as wel . In each round the candidate with the least votes is eliminated and that next choices The selection of your menu is an important part in for that candidate are then counted. For the position of welfare officer, there were eight rounds until the two final candidates went the planning of your Simcha. For that reason our head to head. Chefs continue to create exciting and tasty menus to meet your every need. We can tailor a menu to fit your Besides Jo’s ascension victory, the Jewish student body has more to celebrate. Three of the six elected USSU officials are Jewish. specific requirements and help create the function you are proud of. Let us introduce you to a cuisine that has made us one of Israel’s leading Caterers. giftS from the JSoC Plus summer holidays in Italy, Ireland and weddings throughout the world. bY eSther ShulKeS On Purim day, the Sussex JSoc joined with Helping Hands to KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST deliver Mishloach Manot (Purim baskets) to local elders. After the students prepared these baskets at his house, Rabbi Shulkes acted Contact Rachel on 01273 726495 as chauffeur and drove them around throughout Hove. or Malcolm on koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk One community member described the delivery as the highlight www.kosherservicesworldwide.com of her week and extended a regular invitation to the students to come whenever they want. After three hours of deliveries, the UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION group sat down for a Purim seudah (feast). OF THE LONDON BETH DIN ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 15 BHRS Rabbi charles Wallach Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue www.bh-rs.org Palmeira Avenue, Hove Bn3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org haftarah for Chol hamoed peSaCh the early kibbutzim not far from Jerusalem is in fact cal ed Kibbutz nachshon. In fact, in the very early days of the modern 3 april 2010: ezeKial 37:1-14 Zionist movement Pesach was seen as being effectively Zeman Bold steps to freedom by Rabbi charles Wallach Haatzmaut – the time of Independence and in the writing of The Haftarah reading for the Shabbat in Pesach is taken not the haggadot which were used by kibbutz movements, pieces so much because of its connection with the festival but more such as this very text were used. so because of what the festival in part represents. Pesach For the text is, as Hertz says, a parable: the dry bones traditionally is called Zeman cheruteinu – the Time of our referred to are seen as the Jewish people being restored, Freedom. Freedom implies rebirth, growth, a chance to begin having new life breathed into us. As with much of Ezekiel again. The vision of the prophet in seeing himself as it were in who was prone to writing in visionary terms, it is difficult to a valley where the scattered dry bones are made live is thus see whether he was speaking in real or imagined terms. He a theme of renewal, a renewal both of the physical sense and was witness to the Babylonian exile. As such one can see his especially of the spiritual in us all. words as being balm in a time of national calamity. However, For freedom carries with it the ability to stride out as it were, there is also the traditional idea of physical resurrection to to be bold in faith and deed. This idea is of course given added consider – and Pesach was seen as being the time of that in force by the midrash concerning the crossing of the Red Sea time to come. where it is said that it was nachson ben Aminadav who entered The fact that the negroes in America turned part of this into the sea prior to the rest of the people. That in turn gave rise to a famous spiritual is of course no accident: for they, like the early word for “bold” in modern Hebrew being nachshoni. our ancestors, saw the need to dream and strive for a new With the rise of the early kibbutz movement the chalutzim tomorrow! or pioneers saw themselves as being “nachshonim”. One of Portraits of Posterity To commemorate Yom Ha’Shoah this year we wil be hosting the Pictures of Posterity exhibition, which was recently on display at Brighton Library. The exhibition tel s stories of individuals who escaped the Nazis as young men and women, and features six members of the local Jewish community. The exhibition wil be on display from the end of Pesach through April in the AJEX Centre. Some of those featured wil also be participating in our Yom Ha’Shoah Service on 11th April. These recol ections, often of daring and remarkable resilience, are themselves a living and lasting testament not only to those who have thankful y lived the latter part of their lives in relative peace, but are a further reminder to us al that not so long ago there was indeed a force in this world that when left unchecked became an instrument of hate and utter devastation. In showing the exhibition we hope that through us the message remains. Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue bulletin board for april 2010 Friday 2 Late night service at 8.00 pm YOM HA’SHOAH. Reading of Megillat Saturday 3 Rabbi’s Shuir at 9.00 am Service at 10.30 am Ha’Shoah, The Shoah Scroll Sunday 4 Service at 6.30 pm Sunday 11th April 2010. 26 Nissan 5770 at Monday 5 Seventh day of Pesach Service at 10.30 am 6.30 p.m. Saturday 10 Book club at 9.00 am Sunday 11 Yom Hashoah service at 6.30 pm If you have family members who perished in the Shoah, Sunday 25 cheder begins please let the Shul office know their names below so that they After Pesach ends, we have the following regular activities: can be read out at this Memorial Service • Friday night services commence at 6.30 pm At this service we shall pay tribute to six residents of Brighton • Saturday morning services at 10.30am & Hove whose stories will form an exhibition on show in the • Mondays at 11.00 am. Seated exercise to music with Adele. • Wednesdays at 1.00 pm. Rabbi’s Discussion Group AJEX Centre called ‘Portraits of Posterity’ • Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. JAcS ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 16 HHc Rabbi Vivian Silverman Hove Hebrew congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove Bn3 1Jn Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hovehc@btinternet.com Janet’S Column april diarY bY Janet CoWan 4 Sunday Yom Tov begins with candles to be lit before 7.23 pm Many of us feel that HHc is an ageing community, but we know Mincha at 7.30 pm 5 Monday 7th day of Pesach how to celebrate our longevity! Shachrit at 9.30 am. Mincha at 7.30 pm We have just had our second 50th wedding anniversary. 6 Tuesday Last day of Pesach. Shachrit at 9.30 am. Yom Tov ends at 8.34 pm. Barbara and Irvyn Isaacs celebrated their golden wedding 11 Sunday Yom Hashoa service recently and once again our shul had many visitors to help Joint with Brighton & Hove Hebrew congregation celebrate and enjoy a fabulous Kiddush. More importantly we 7.30 pm at Holland Road heard Irvyn daven a very tuneful maftir. It is certainly the first 12 Monday council of christians and Jews time I have heard Irvyn in singing mode. Should a vacancy for Emergency meeting in the Talmud Torah, 7.30 pm with David Gifford, Director of the council of ccJ a chazzan occur at our shul, I hope Irvyn will apply! I would like 13 Tuesday Talmud shiur at 11.00 am to wish Barbara and Irvyn and hearty mazel tov and many more 18 Sunday Stonesetting of Ida Bloom, 4.00 pm at Meadowview happy and contented years together. 19 Monday Yom Hazikoron - Remembrance Day for all who have given their lives in the defence of Israel Pearl Miller celebrated her 75th Birthday and made a Kiddush. 20 Tuesday Yom Haatzmaut Joint Shachrit service at Holland Alan Hershman also celebrated his 75th Birthday and made a Road, 7.30 am, followed by festive breakfast. Ladies Kiddush. Both Pearl and Alan do so much for our shul. Pearl Discussion circle followed by Talmud Shiur, 10.30 am always helps with our Kiddushim, and Alan helps the shul 25 Sunday Stonesetting of Trudy Zaft, 2.30 pm at Meadowview behind the scenes. We are all so grateful to you both and hope to share many more birthdays with you. So, in spite of our age, we do know how to celebrate and enjoy Recipe of the ourselves. month: Our AGM will be held on Sunday 9th May at 10.30 am. Make a Almond Sweetmeats note of the date in your diary and join us. (approx 30) Happy Pesach, and keep celebrating. Mix 1 cup ground almonds, 2 cups icing sugar, 1tbsp ground cinnamon Hove Hebrew Congregation and 1 tbsp fine matza meal. Beat 3 egg whites and fold into almond mixture. We require a part-time office administrator with Make balls about 1 inch in diameter bookkeeping experience and knowledge of Sage accounts/ and place them well spaced on greased baking tray. Bake for about 25 minutes payroll. To commence in early May. Please apply by e-mail at 250F/Gas1-2. Makes approximately to the Financial Representative at hovehc@btinternet.com 30 to enjoy. haftarah for paraShat Shemini Suddenly, the oxen stumbled and uzza, one of Avinadav’s sons, put out his hand to steady the Ark. For this act of 10 april 2010: ii Samuel 6:1-7:17 irreverence he paid with his life. David was so alarmed at A question of dignity by Rabbi Vivian Silverman what happened that he refused to go any further and had The story of this Haftorah has its antecedent in events the Ark taken to the home of Oved Edom, where it remained recorded in I Samuel, chapters five and six, where we learn for three months before he finally brought the Ark to the city that the Ark of the covenant was captured during a battle of David. Every few paces sacrifices were offered and David with the Philistines. joyfully danced the entire way while the Shofar sounded. The Ark was displayed as a trophy in the Temple of Dagon at Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s wife, observed her Ashdod and remained in the land of the Philistines for seven husband through the palace window and disapproved of him months. But calamity befell the Philistines and their priests in what appeared to her to be an unseemly display in front and magicians recommended that the Ark be returned to of the people. The King had the Ark set down within the the Israelites. It was placed on a brand new cart, with two sanctuary and then distributed bread and cake to everyone oxen pulling it, and allowed to make its own way over the before the people went home. border. The Ark came into the field of Joshua, a citizen of The tragedy relating to Avinadav’s son uzza parallels that of Bet Shemesh, where it stayed until the men of Kiryat Y’arim our sedra where Aaron’s two elder sons, nadav and Avihoo, brought it to the home of Avinadav. There it remained for a forfeited their lives because of a public display of irreverence. full twenty years. Michal, daughter of the first king of Israel and wife of the now we take up the theme of our Haftorah. David, King of second king, felt that dignity and regal bearing should be on Israel, decided to bring the Ark of the covenant to his new display at all times. David, full of joy and utter happiness at capital, Jerusalem. It was placed on a cart with the two sons having been given the privilege of bringing the Ark to the city of Avinadav leading it. All manner of musical instruments were named after him, did not feel it was inappropriate or beneath played by King and people to express their great joy. his dignity to show his enthusiasm together with his subjects. ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 17 BHHc Rabbi Hershel Rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew congregation www.bhhc-shul.org 31 new church Road, Hove Bn3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org haftarah for paraShat metzorah Our Haftarah begins with the four men suffering from tzara’at quarantined outside the city. They too were hungry, victims of 17 april 2010: ii KingS 7:3-20 the famine. They made a simple calculation – ‘if we stay here Ya gotta believe! by Rabbi Hershel Rader we will die and if we return to the city we will die’ – so they This week’s Haftarah discusses the story of four men stricken decided to approach the enemy camp to beg for food. They by Tzara’at, a skin ailment caused by sins - one of the main arrived only to find a deserted camp for G-d had caused the topics of this week’s Torah reading. Aramean camp to hear the sound of chariots and the sound of horses; the sound of a great army. The Arameans said to one The background is that King Ben-Hadad of Aram had besieged another, ‘Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the Samaria, the northern Kingdom of Israel. The resulting famine kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack was catastrophic. Rampant inflation for the scant supplies of us.’ The entire enemy army fled, leaving behind their tents, food reduced some to cannibalism. King Jehoram of Israel horses, donkeys and provisions. wanted to execute the prophet Elisha after deciding that the prophet’s prayers could have prevented the entire tragedy. The four men went to the city and reported their findings to the (This is surely a classic case of ‘blame the Rabbi’!) Elisha gatekeepers who, in turn, informed King Jehoram. Initial y the reassured the king: “So has G-d said, ‘At this time tomorrow, king thought that this was an ambush planned by the enemy a seah of fine flour will sell for [merely] a shekel, and two (he seemed to have lost his faith in Elisha’s ability!) but, on seahs of barley will sell for a shekel in the gate of Samaria.’” advice, he sent messengers who confirmed the miracle. The One of the king’s officers scoffed at the prophecy: “Behold, if people swarmed out of the city and looted the enemy camp, G-d makes windows in the sky, will this thing come about?” thus breaking the famine and fulfil ing Elisha’s prophecy. Elisha responded, “Behold, you will see with your own eyes, And the officer who scoffed at the prophecy? The king placed but you shall not eat from it.” him in charge of the city gates. He was trampled to death by the rampaging crowds - after seeing the fulfil ment of Elisha’s words. SplaSheS of paint: twenty volunteers from around the community, from age 2 to 72, came together to eat, drink, laugh and paint as the music played. Together they made a difference as The Mark Luck Hall was quickly re-decorated. The congregation thanks all of our volunteers from across the community. Our adult painters were Rachel Barnard, Leslie Carlin, Jonathan Conway, Martyn Cooperman, Jonathan Corb, Shani Corb, Mike Flashman, Judith Greenwood, Susan Greenwood, Winston Pickett, Rabbi Rader, David Seidel, Nick Werner and Gary Weston. The wall beneath the serving window was expertly painted by the children: Leah Corb (age 3) Gabriel Barnard Seidel (age 2) and Moses Barnard Seidel (age 6). Refreshments - including pizza, beer and cider – were served by Linda Boyask, Roz Flashman and Doris Levinson. Special thanks are also due to Mike Flashman and caretaker Chris Jones who prepared the room in the week prior. Afterward, Chris also cleaned and waxed the floors. The Mark Luck Hall is looking much brighter and better and will be rededicated at a special Kiddush to be held in the near future. ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 18 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk 6 Lansdowne Road Hove Bn3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: bhps@freenetname.co.uk haftarah for paraShat K’doShim Did not I bring up Israel out of Egypt, and the Philistines from crete, and the Arameans from Kir?’ (9:7). 24 april 2010: amoS 9:7-15 When We Don’t Put Theory Into Practice Amos lived in the 8th century BcE and was a Judean shepherd and tree farmer who moved to Israel, where he railed against by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah corruption and injustice. In 722 BcE the Assyrians conquered The double portion Acharey-Mot K’doshim, includes at its Israel and scattered its inhabitants – so that all that remained heart, arguably the most important verses in the Torah. were the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin in neighbouring Known appropriately as the ‘Holiness code’, because it is Judah. Like Isaiah, Amos shows us that the people Israel, predicated on the understanding that the congregation past and present, is not intrinsically holy – sacred, set of Israel shall ‘be holy’, because the Eternal One ‘is holy’, apart – rather the people only becomes holy by acting as a parashat K’doshim teaches us what ‘holiness’ means: acting ‘kingdom of priests and a holy nation’ (Exodus 19: 6) – by compassionately and justly towards those who are vulnerable engaging in right conduct; and if we don’t, we will suffer the and marginal in society – in particular, ‘the stranger, the consequences. orphan and the widow’ – behaving ethically in our business dealings, loving both our neighbour and also the stranger in And so, the words of Amos teach us that the Haftarah serves our midst (Leviticus 19) not only to ‘conclude’ the sacred reading on Shabbat and the festivals, but also, frequently, to remind us that being a Jew is If we turn to the Haftarah connected with K’doshim, we are about how we behave towards others, and that the theory – reminded that, actually, the ‘Holiness code’ is all about the all those rules and laws we find in the Torah – is meaningless theory of ethical behaviour; in practice, our ancestors failed if it is not translated into practice. When I was a Marxist (in again and again to ‘be holy’ – which is why Amos proclaimed my youth!), I was rather taken by the notion of praxis – the in the name of the Eternal One that ‘the eyes of the Eternal unity of theory and practice – a concept used by the Italian God are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the Marxist, Antonio Gramsci. Of course, when it comes to our face of the earth’ (9:8a). From the perspective of the Eternal everyday Jewish lives in the world, it may be rather idealistic One, the kingdom of Israel is but a sukkah, a temporary to think that we can achieve such a unity, but we can try… abode (:11), and, ultimately, the creator of all the earth, and maybe reading the Haftarah each week is a good way of will not give Israel special preference: ‘Are you not to Me, O keeping us on our toes! people of Israel, like the Ethiopians? – says the Eternal One. brighton festival fringe open house - may As part of our 75th Anniversary celebration, our congregation’s history will be displayed, showing the memories, memorabilia and ceremonies that have marked the lives of our members. Tea and delicious cakes available. Every Sunday during the Brighton Festival, 12.00 noon – 5.30 pm april diarY Purim & Cabaret Access to Hebrew Thursdays, 11.00 am – 12.30 pm Sunday 4th Erev Seventh Day Pesach Service, by Ivor Miskin 7.30 pm. Led by Steve Field In terms of dressing up, our Purim evening was a riot of creativity, Monday 5th Seventh Day Pesach Morning Service, almost matched by the range of voices used to read each portion 10.30 am. Led by Rabbi Sarah of the Megillah. Cabaret night proved a revelation! While the “adults” performed with their usual panache, the highlights of the Thursday 8th The Monthly Shiur: study of Jewish evening were provided by the young members, meaning those aged from 17 down to 6. Sam Segal showed his talent on guitar Sources, 7.30 – 9.00 pm while his sister Miriam played brilliantly on flute. Josh Winstone Led by Rabbi Sarah showed he had recovered from his recent bar mitzvah by being accompanist, soloist and musical director. Jake Zoob was Wednesday 7th L’chayyim Spring Lunch, 12.00 – 2.00 pm. really bluesy on mandolin, and Sam Levy played a Dylanesque Cost £2.50. Please let the office know on composition of his own, then brought the house down with an a 01273 737223 if you are coming. capello rendition of Mr Cellophane from Chicago. The word on everyone’s lips was “WOW”. Friday 9th Oneg: (after service @ 8pm). claudia Gould on her recently published book ‘Jesus in America and other short stories’ Saturday 24th Exploring Judaism (after service @ 11.00 am). Led by Rabbi Sarah 1.00 – 2.30 pm: Birth Fundraising Piano Recital and supper - 7.00 pm - Lewes ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 19 What’s on: April 2010 diary@sussexjewishnews.com Shabbat Shalom - brighton timeS Fri 2nd in 7.15 pm and out Sat 3rd 8.25 pm Fri 9th in 7.27 pm and out Sat 10th 8.36 pm Fri 16th in 7.38 pm and out Sat 17th 8.50 pm Fri 23rd in 7.49 pm and out Sat 24th 9.03 pm Fri 30th in 8.01 pm and out Sat May 1st 9.17 pm notable dateS Sun 4th - 7th day Pesach - light candles 7.19 pm Mon 5th - 8th day Pesach - light candles 8.29 pm Tues 6th - Yom Tov ends 8.30 pm ONLINE... Between issues of regular aCtiVitieS Sussex Jewish News, you can get community news bulletins and Ralli Hall will be closed on the Pesach Yom Tovim and the bank features from these websites: holidays. For activities during chol Hamoed, please contact the activity Sussex Jewish News on www.sussexjewishnews.com organiser for information. Sussex Jewish Online on www.sussexjewishonline.co.uk SundaYS Brighton & Hove Online Jewish Community on www.webjam.com/indi • Shalom Programme Breakfast Show on www.radioreverb.com as well as 97.2 FM 9.00-9.55 am and is also available at any time as a Each website has different features and all should be supported. podcast in the music room at www.sussexjewishonline.co.uk • carmel Tennis club 10.00 am-12.00 noon. All levels welcome. Tel: eVentS thiS month Leon on 07717 222744 WedneSdaY 7 mondaYS • JAcS – A Hundred Years an Hour with guest speaker clive Hamblin. • Afternoon club with tea 1.30pm. Tel: Reba on 01444 410435 RH 2.00 pm at AJEx centre, Eaton Road, Hove. Members £2.00/ non-Members £2.50 • Rubber and Duplicate Bridge, 1.30 – 4.30 pm. £2.00. Tel: Reba on 01444 410435 RH WedneSdaY 14 tueSdaYS • J:TOTS – now monthly! 10.00 am - 12.30 pm at Ralli Hall. contact Rachel on 01273 204334. • Advanced Oil Painting Group, contact Martin 01273 327403 RH • JAcS - charles II and his Escape through Sussex with guest speaker • Painting with Rochelle (JAS), 7.00-9.00pm - Tel: 01273 503708 RH Helen Poole. 2.00 pm at AJEx centre, Eaton Road, Hove. Members • Israeli Folk Dancing, 7.45-9.45pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 RH £2.00/non-Members £2.50 • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social club, Tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 SundaY 18 10.30am-4.30pm RH • Worthing & District Jewish community - Small communities in the • Ivrit classes at Ralli Hall, 6.45–7.45 pm. contact Sara Allen on uK with guest speaker Elkan Levy. 7.00 pm at Quaker’s Meeting 566416 or norina on 202254 House, 34 Mill Road, Worthing WedneSdaYS WedneSdaY 21 • chutzpah choir (Singing in Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Russian and • JAcS - Far East Journey with guest speaker Phillip Freeman. ukrainian) with Polina Shepherd 7.00-8.45pm Tel: 01273 541031 2.00 pm at AJEx centre, Eaton Road, Hove. Members £2.00/ (Rosalind) RH. note: the chutzpah choir will not meet on non-Members £2.50 7 April 2010 SundaY 25 thurSdaYS • Helping Hands Tea. 2.30-4.30 pm at AJEx centre, Eaton Road, • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social club Tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 10.30am- Hove. Donation £2.50 4.30pm RH tueSdaY 27 • Experimental Drawing with Dany Louise, 7.00-8.30 pm Tel. 07971 • Jewish Historical Society – children of the Third Reich with guest 417098 RH speaker Howard Falksohn, Archivist at The Wiener Library. To be preceded by a short AGM. 7.45 pm at Ralli Hall. All welcome. Members free/non-Members £4. For more information, please Youth aliyah contact Godfrey Gould on 01273 419412. Coach trip to iKea WedneSdaY 28 12 may 2010 • JAcS – Across the Tibetan Plateau with guest speaker Alan Grey. 2.00 pm at AJEx centre, Eaton Road, Hove. Members £2.00/ On May 12th the Youth Aliyah non-Members £2.50 coach trip to IKEA in Purley will be leaving Hove Town Hall at 10.50 am. Grodzinski’s challot and rye bread are available Return fare £12.00 from Premier Convenience Stores in Hove Street For further information or to every Thursday morning until supplies run out. book tickets please call 01273 776671. ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM 20 Emek update by Susan conway On a beautiful sunny day in February Phillip and I joined to make the building “bomb proof”. This building will house, ophthalmic surgeon Daniel Briscoe to make the journey to amongst others, the Ophthalmic Department, as currently it is the Emek Hospital near to Afula situated in the Valley of in one of the oldest buildings on the campus. Armaggedon - very close to the West Bank and the town of Jenin. It is located in a beautiful valley on a lovely campus and Thanks to the generous kindness of Mr. Briscoe, Phillip learned is beautifully landscaped. of a serious problem with his own eye and we shall be forever grateful for the time he gave to check us both out in respect of Many of you may have read my report last year on the different eye problems. They say that one good turn is repaid Emek Hospital and in particular, the work of the Opthalmic generously. In our case, we have to record and extend our Department. You have supported the Israel Solidarity Group great appreciation for everything that Mr. Briscoe has done for most generously in raising approximately £5,000 for this us personally. By the time readers receive this small report, department to purchase a new and necessary equipment. Phillip will have had eye surgery in London to save the sight of his eye. He had been unaware that he had lost the sight We were greeted by Larry Rich, the public relations officer for completely because the lens implant had slipped, so much that the hospital who gave us a guided tour and walked with us he no longer had vision in that eye. through the eye department. We were met by young interns. Among them was a young Muslim girl, beautifully spoken and The hospital was sparkling clean. Everyone was working fluent in English who had been educated by Christian nuns in efficiently in the eye department, and it seemed so quiet that nazareth, and also a young Arab intern. The nursing staff were we were surprised to learn that fourteen patients had been both Jewish and christian. registered for surgery during the short time that we were there. We heard first-hand the problems of being so near to We lunched in the staff canteen where, again, Arabs and Jews the border with the Gaza Strip and realized how near the talk and work in totally harmony. For those who may visit in the hospital was to the shelling and its potential for disastrous future, we can recommend soup. This is first class. Mr. Briscoe, consequences to the hospital buildings and for some of the staff originally from Ireland, pointed out that the beautiful tiny on their way to and from work. potatoes that were offered with our lunch were grown in Israel, with seeds originating from Ireland. Larry recounted that he himself had been in serious danger but was miraculously saved one morning when he decided to take The opportunity to see the activities of the Ophthalmic an alternative route to work. Had he driven on his usual route, Department was a privilege. It was a great joy to learn that he would have been subject to shelling from Gaza falling on the monies we had raised had been used so wisely and to such that road and would most probably have lost his life. advantage. For those readers wishing to learn more about Emek Hospital we can recommend their website which has an He was delighted to tel us that he was celebrating the birth of a excellent film. grandchild in the maternity department, where approximately 4,000 babies are delivered each year. It is a very busy department! It is our intention to run further fund-raising functions for the hospital’s eye department, and we hope that the community will There is a new surgical and research building under again support such events. construction that has been slightly delayed by the decision SPECIALISTS IN SECURITY SYSTEMS SINCE 1974 Access Control Gates & Barriers Door Entry Systems CCTV Surveillance Care Call Systems Sales Service FREE SURVEYS Repair & QUOTATIONS Installation Maintenance TRADE & PUBLIC Technical Advice SHOWROOM Design 0800 068 5447 info@dorcom.co.uk www.dorcom.co.uk Unit 3, St Josephs Business Park, St Josephs Close, Hove, BN3 7HG ISSuE 196 / APRIL 2010 / WWW.SuSSExJEWISHnEWS.cOM -
Issue 207
April 2011
SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS Whats WHAt’S INSIDE.... tHE RISKS IN FLAtS | WORLD SACRED MUSIC | ALBANIA’S INtERFAItH RELAtIONS | WHAt’S ON | AND MORE WWW.SUSSEXJEWISHNEWS.COM | £2 | APRIL 2011 | ADAR II / NISAN 5771 • ISSUE 207 2 Pause for thought 3 Donald Rumsfeld once spoke about, “unknown the trade markets and, as in Israel, we have no control unknowns – the ones we don’t know we don’t know”. and can only hope that all will turn out for the best. Over the past two months some of these unknowns have become knowns – they have turned out to be One factor that has come to the fore is the way the unforeseeable events. world has joined together to help Japan. Benjamin Netanyahu was offering help within an hour of the We have seen political change unfolding in the Middle disaster; giant corporations such as Canon and Nikon East and we donated 400 million Yen to have no idea the Japanese Red Cross; WheRe theRe is A disAsteR, countRies where any of Apple turned its stores into that change will And oRgAnisAtions PuLL togetheR. homes for its staff and their lead. Israel has families, providing food When WiLL they do thAt foR isRAeL? to contend with and shelter and also paying neighbours undergoing change which is not welcomed for hotel accommodation if necessary. Where there is a by the existing ruling classes. The Jewish state can disaster, countries and organisations pull together. only look on; it has no control and no idea what its developing neighbourhood will turn out to be. When, we have to ask ourselves, will they ever do that for Israel? Further east, natural disaster has combined with man-made nuclear technology to bring one of the world’s Next Year in Jerusalem, maybe! most prosperous nations to its knees. Japan provides the world with so many consumer and industrial items We wish you all a happy, peaceful and kosher Pesach. that a major failure in its economy will cause panic in SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, ADMIN ASSISTANT Gweni Sorokin announcements, people, congregations, communitites, contacts and more. Delivered at the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by volunteers for reporting, editing and COMMuNITy ISSuES Laura Sharpe circulating each edition that has become the cornerstone of the Jewish community across the region. COMMuNAL DIARy Angela Goldman diary@sussexjewishnews.com EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt / Brian Megitt COVER ILLuSTRATION Ronnie Bloom Karen Pettitt / David Seidel ADMINISTRATOR Ivor Sorokin PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 8 APRIL 2011 susseX JeWish neWs suBscRiPtion Name: ____________________________________________________ Date: _________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode: _________________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone: _________________________ Subscription (tick one) I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £15 p/a I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £18 p/a. 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Or you can subscribe online at www.sussexjewishnews.com and pay with PayPal! issue 207 | APRiL 2011 2 contents 3 sussex Jewish news feAtuRes Po Box 2178 hove Bn3 3sZ 1 the sedeR tABLe Ronnie Bloom depicts the wine and seder plate telephone: 07906 955 404 e-mail editor@sussexjewishnews.com 9 fLAts Shula Rich outlines the risks you need to know 11 ALBAniA T Scarlett Epstein looks at the history of interfaith relations and Holocaust commemorations in Albania, and what can be done to help this country 12 Luscious LeMon Pudding A recipe for Pesach and all year round 18 chief RABBi’s MessAge foR PesAch 5771 ReguLARs 4 youR neWs & VieWs 5 coMMunity Life News from across the county 12 cuLtuRe Programmes from the Film Club, World Sacred Music and more 19 WhAt’s on Regular and special events in your community Norman Grant of Gary Green Memorials The Approved Mason for the youR coMMunity B & H Reform Community and all Jewish Cemeteries Countrywide 14 BRighton & hoVe heBReW congRegAtion Renovations and Additional Inscriptions Home Visits by Appointment 15 hoVe heBReW congRegAtion Brochure on request 16 BRighton & hoVe PRogRessiVe synAgogue 01273 885874 mobile: 0776 951 5045 ngrant37@gmail.com 17 BRighton & hoVe RefoRM synAgogue Full page (A4 size) £160 Half page (A5 size) £90 Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are Quarter page (A6 size) £50 not necessarily those of SJN; 1/9 page (credit card size) £35 • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or TISING services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and Personal: £4 per line • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or Flyers: Price on application submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to editor@sussexjewishnews.com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration editorial decision. for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 using Times New Roman as a font. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of volunteers, editor@sussexjewishnews.com ADVER IN SJN GUIDELINES any response may be subject to delay. issue 207 | APRiL 2011 4 your news & views 5 special Birthdays Recently, I went to watch Spurs play A C Milan in the Champions League. It was a great day for a Spurs fan as • Mazel tov to Zena Alexander, Michael Bloomstein, Beryl we won 1-0. After the match, I went to a trendy bar and sat Booker, David Forman, Shirley Korner, Alexandra Lawrence, down to eat. A group of two men with their two sons sat next Barbara Moss, Olivia Olorenshaw, Gillian Rich, all of whom to me and started speaking Hebrew. Of course I started to are celebrating special birthdays. talk to them and found out they were Israeli and had come to over to see the same match. Anniversaries They had come to England to watch Manchester United • Mazel tov to Ruth & Cecil Josman on their golden wedding play Manchester City in the Premiership on the Saturday. anniversary They stayed in Manchester and came down to London for the Fulham v Chelsea match on the Monday. They stayed Thank you in London and travelled to Milan for the A C Milan v Spurs match. The next day they were going by train to Rome I would like to thank everyone who so kindly sent flowers, fruit, to watch Roma play Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions cards and good wishes and especially the ‘meals-on’wheels’ League. That was the final match before they went home. ladies who ensured that we never missed a meal or went They told me that this trip was a Barmitzvah present for one hungry after my recent operation. I am truly grateful to you all. of the boys. I told them that for my Bar Mitzvah all I got was Beryl Sharpe £20. How times have changed. get well Andrew Devon • We wish a refuah shelaimah to Martyn Cooperman, Sally Remembering Rev chaim Zack z”l Crook, Dennis Hollis, Alan and Carole Lever, Cecile Levine, by Ronnie Taylor, Chairman Pam Magrill, Sue Rae, Sashiya (granddaughter of Penina Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation and Pesach Efune), Lesley Shaw, Lydia Swithern, Gloria Taylor. Rev Chaim Zack was born in Liverpool. He was a visiting minister to the Jewish internees on the Isle of Man at the deaths beginning of World War II. In 1946 he was appointed minister to the Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation following We wish long life to: the retirement of Rev Wolfe. Chaim endeared himself to • the family of Ivor Miskin z”l the congregation and was respected by the Eastbourne • the family of Phyllis Schrifreen z’l community both Jewish and non-Jewish. Besides his accomplished Chazanut, he was a Shochet and also found Letters the time to run a watch and jewellery shop in the town. I was interested to read in SJN issue 206 information In 1986, after forty years as minister to our congregation, a provided by Godfrey Gould, that ‘The first recorded Brighton tribute to Rev Zack and his wife Margaret took place in the Jew’ had a place of business at 22 East Street. Shul. A special service was held in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Eastbourne, in which the former spoke of It was at this address in 1969, at the tender age of 25, that I his long association with our Minister. set up business as Jules Henri and traded there for more than In 1997 Rev Zack retired and he and Margaret moved to twenty-five years. London to be near to their children. He had served the Congregation for 51 years, which probably The business, prior to my tenancy, was a pharmacy owned made him the longest serving Minister in the country. He has by the father of Dr Arthur Curtis and unsurprisingly was called been sorely missed. Curtis The Chemist. He is survived by his lovely wife Margaret and daughters I recognised the corner position in Brighton’s prime shopping Shirley and Rosalind, to whom the Congregation wish long district as being absolutely ideal to open a ‘modern’ jewellers life. with emphasis on quality and style. However, jewellers in the immediate area took the trouble to advise me that the town was ‘saturated’ with shops of this nature and I was Ivor Miskin z”l bound to fail. Filled with youthful ambition together with the As we were going to press, we learned with sorrow of the necessary self-belief, I proceeded regardless and happily my passing of Ivor Miskin z”l. Ivor worked tirelessly within assessment proved to be the outcome. Jules Henri surpassed our community with various organisations including all my expectations and was perceived, dare I say far beyond Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, the Sussex Jewish Brighton, as a measure for the future of progressive jewellery Representative Council and Sussex Jewish News. An design and retail presentation. appreciation of Ivor’s sterling contributions to our community will be featured in our next issue. Stanley Cohen issue 207 | APRiL 2011 4 community life 5 only as good as our volunteers Brighton by Liz, Liz & Sarah @ Helping Hands Marathon: “My friend Taya Amit and I have been Jo runs for given the opportunity by our school, Michael Sobell Sinai [in London], to helping fundraise for a charity of our choice hands on Open Evening. We are going to raise money by selling biscuits/muffins by Jo Greenwood that have been kindly donated to us from Tony Page Ltd. As Taya and I After my first both come from Brighton, we would Marathon in London very much like to give the proceeds to in 2005 I said “never Helping Hands.” again”. But watching Elise Aben, Age 11 years the first Brighton marathon last year All of us at Helping Hands thank Elise and Taya for caused a momentary nominating us and wish them luck for their Open Evenings. blip in my sanity and We are delighted to receive these Helping Hands from our I registered that same young supporters in the capital. day. So now I am running (if I can stop limping) the Brighton Marathon on 10 April this year. Not long to go now. We would also like to thank all our volunteers for their continuing help. As a charity we are totally reliant on the If any of you good people would be nice enough to make a dependability and dedication you show to our cause. We are small donation to my favourite charity - Helping Hands - that only as good as our volunteers! would be really cool! Just go to the online donation link at http://www.helping-hands.org/donate/index.html were you can be assured that 100% of your donation plus gift aid goes to Helping Hands (unlike a lot of the popular on-line How to contact Helping Hands sponsorship websites). • Email us at helping-hands@helping-hands.org • Call us on 01273 747722 Helping Hands provides practical and emotional support across all of the Sussex Jewish Community. Thank you for • Please visit our website on www.helping-hands.org your support from me and from Helping Hands. hastings & district Jewish society by Claudette Woolfson Hastings Holocaust Memorial Day took place once again Sunday 27th March, which featured Polina & Merlin Shepherd in the magnificent St Mary in the Castle venue in Hastings and the Chutzpah Choir. with the participation of the Society, the CCJ (Council for Christians and Jews) and the CFI (Christian Friends of Israel). We meet again on the first Friday in April and hope to see as many of you there as possible. Over 200 attended, including the Mayor, Kim Forward, Council Leader Jeremy Birch and Local MP Amber Rudd. For all enquiries please contact the Society on 07743 99 22 Opera South East provided the Choral Support. There 95 or write to HDJS, PO Box 74, Bexhill, East Sussex were several readings - all ‘Untold Stories,’ that gave us an TN39 4ZZ understanding of the past and an inspiration to work together for the future. It was a most dignified and poignant occasion, a time to remember the victims of the Holocaust and more recent genocides. Hyman Fine House At our February meeting we had a most enjoyable illustrated Volunteers’ Lunch talk on aspects of art. In March we held a discussion on the forthcoming festival of Purim followed by refreshments and 12.00 noon on 10 April 2011 a lively quiz. On Tuesday 8th March there was an outing to at Ralli Hall the Jewish Museum in Camden organised by the CCJ. Many By invitation only members attended the Klezmer concert in Eastbourne on issue 207 | APRiL 2011 6 community life 7 Ralli hall anniversary with a weekend in Brighton just before the end of March. Ralli Hall is hosting the Friday night supper as well by Roger Abrahams, Hon Chairman as the Shabbat lunch. Then B&HJCF is donating the use of the Great Hall for the Representative Council to hold a Irit and I have just come back from a family visit to Israel, Saturday night supper with cabaret for the Brighton and Hove where we were blessed with fine weather almost every day community to welcome the delegates formally and to meet - except for one, when it rained so hard that the weather them in a more social and informal setting. I am sure that the forecasters confirmed that the Kinneret had risen an amazing weekend will be a great success. 5cm. Hopefully, the planned upgrade of the toilets will be As mentioned last month, I am pleased to announce that we completed in time for the Board of Deputies weekend except, have now appointed a successor to Suzanne Collins, who perhaps, for some wall tiling and decorating,. So far the is retiring as the co-ordinator for the Lunch and Social Club quality of the finish has been to an excellent standard and we at the end of March. She is Ms Jacqueline Tichauer, who should no longer be “let down by our toilets” when functions is very experienced in all aspects of social work, and who I are held at Ralli Hall. am sure will be a worthy successor to Suzanne. I would like to very sincerely thank Suzanne for all of her hard work and Next month I will be able to confirm the date of the 2011 dedication and am sure that she will still have an involvement Annual General Meeting. It is likely to be towards the end of with the club in one way or another. May. As in previous years, we are still keen to welcome new blood to the Board of Management, which is currently too Again as mentioned last month, we have just hosted a small to organise any functions or events. Our only criteria Shabbaton for Hashem Boys School, hopefully the first of for new board members are a wish to help B&HJCF to move many such weekends. The school was introduced by Rabbi “onwards and upwards” and to have been a fully paid-up Efune and I understand that the absolutely delightful and well-member of the Foundation for at least one year. So please behaved youngsters had a great time in the city by the sea. come forward and join us in our mission. You will have read in last month’s edition of SJN that the See you at Ralli Hall. Board of Deputies of British Jews is celebrating their 250th issue 207 | APRiL 2011 6 community life 7 Jewish historical society He promoted positive Jewish/ Christian relations and the establishment of authentic histories of the Jewish people. by Joan Melcher After a lifetime’s work of collecting records relating to the Jewish experience, the Rev. Dr. James Parkes presented the On 22 February, Dr Helen Spurling, Outreach Officer at the Parkes Library to the University of Southampton in 1964 with Parkes Institute, gave a fascinating and unusual talk on the aim of providing ‘a centre for research by non-Jewish and Jewish and Christian Interpretations of the Flood Story in late Jewish scholars... into the field of relations between Jews and antiquity. Dr Spurling is a teacher, researcher and student of other peoples and between Judaism and other religions.’ Jewish Affairs at the Institute. She stressed the importance of looking at the past before understanding how the present Southampton’s links with Anglo-Jewry began at the beginning has come about. A lively question and answer session was of the last century when Claude Montefiore, an outstanding followed by tea. scholar of the Bible and early Christian/Jewish relations, became President of the College of Southampton, later the The Parkes Institute is at the University of Southampton. University of Southampton. Much of his personal library was Its patrons include screenwriter Ronald Harwood, Frederic incorporated into the massive private collection of James Raphael, Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks, Archbishop of Canterbury Parkes. Rowan Williams. It is a community of scholars, archivists and students, whose work is based around the rich resources of Marcus Roberts spoke on 29 March about Jews of the Lake the unique Parkes Library and provide a world class centre for District. the study of Jewish/non-Jewish relations through the ages; to study the experience of minorities and outsiders; and to examine the power of prejudice from antiquity to the present The next meeting of the Society will be at 7.45 pm on day. Tuesday 3 May at Ralli Hall, when Professor Miri Rubin will present ‘Church & Synagogue: From Sisters to Enemies in Its founder, James Parkes - who died in 1981 aged 85 - was a Medieval Europe’. The meeting will be preceded by a brief remarkable Christian pioneer in the fight against antisemitism. AGM. JAcs youth Aliyah by Nina Taylor, Hon Chairman child Rescue Once again, we have had a great variety of speakers. Ceska Abrahams’ Memories of the Holocaust was about how A record sum of £1,340 was Jewish parents in German-occupied Europe tried to save raised at the Coffee Morning their children by sending them abroad. In Ceska’s case, generously hosted by Rosa members of her family were hidden under cowsheds in the and Stuart Panto on 16 March country by poor Polish farmers who shared their meagre in aid of the reconstruction of rations with them for some years. With all the horror stories of the children’s village of Yemin Orde, much of which was World War II, it gave one faith in the goodness of some Polish devastated by fire in the Carmel Forest in November last people. year. Sydney Levine gave an excellent talk and convinced us Liz Posner, Chair of the local committee was overwhelmed that “The Merchant of Venice” is not an antisemitic play. by the generous response to the charity’s request for help. As a preface to his talk he asked how many thought it was antisemitic with 80% of our members raising their hands. At the end of his talk, when after a lively debate, he asked the same question. This time only 5% raised their hands! Lea Mitchell, who is a tour guide at the Brighton Pavilion, opened the doors of The House of Hanover and told us about the numerous Georges who ruled Great Britain after the Stuart dynasty was terminated by Parliament. AJEX AGM Ian Gledhill’s World of Art Deco showed wonderful examples Our Annual General Meeting wil be held on Sunday of architecture, design and new ideas for engineering. Our dear friend Godfrey Gould stepped in when one of our April 3rd at 10.30 am at Ral i Hal . speakers was unwell. He told us about Rufus Isaacs, the first Marquess of Reading. The Rufus family were originally fruiterers who came to England from Belgium. If you would like to know more about what AJEX does and why, We meet at the AJEX Centre every Wednesday afternoon at 2.00 pm. Why not join us? You can be sure of a warm come along and find out. welcome. issue 207 | APRiL 2011 8 Board of deputies of British Jews 9 March news from the Board of deputies The following is a summary of current news from the Board of Deputies of British Jews released in advance of the regional assembly held in Brighton & Hove at the end of March. offering the EBacc if one of the subjects studied by all of their Board complaint over Palestine Advert upheld GCSE pupils did not count towards their achievement. The Following a Board complaint, the Advertising Standards omission of RE will also impact on the way in which young Authority (ASA) adjudged a ‘Travel Palestine’ advertisement to people in all schools across the country learn about Judaism, be misleading. a vital tool in building understanding of our faith and traditions in wider British society. In January 2011, an advertisement promoting tourism to the Palestinian Territories appeared in the National Geographic There is currently an EDM tabled on this issue which has 45 Traveller magazine. The advertisement suggested a State of signatories - http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-11/1375. Palestine already existed, that it occupied the area between We are working with our colleagues to increase the number of the Mediterranean Sea and Jordan River and that Jerusalem signatories and to spread awareness as far as possible. was part of ‘Palestine’. In response to the advertisement, the Board of Deputies of British Jews sent a letter to the ASA. Attached is a template letter which can be sent to MPs to encourage them to sign the EDM. A list of further ways to The Board is pleased that the ASA recognised that the take action can be found at http://www.retoday.org.uk/news/ advertisement was misleading and that it will not appear re-ebacc-further-action-needed-now again in that form. If or when ‘Travel Palestine’ re-submits this advertisement, it will be without content which denies the If you are able to contact your MP regarding this issue it existence of Israel. The letter from the ASA can be found on would be appreciated. If you require any further information, the Board’s website at www.bod.org.uk. please contact Hannah Ashleigh on 020 7543 5400 or hannah.ashleigh@bod.org.uk The Board believed it was necessary to respond to the advert as the State of Israel is currently enduring an assault on its Recent comments by John galliano legitimacy from certain sections of society, the media and the On the subject of John Galliano’s recent comments and political sphere. the Board of Deputies felt that the assertions the reaction to it, please find the following comments from made by the advertisement denied Israel’s very existence Jon Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies, which, intentionally or otherwise, feed directly into this anti-commented on the recent comments made by fashion Israel campaign. The Board felt that action was necessary designer John Galliano. when such obvious de-legitimisation had taken place in a national publication. “We deplore the comments alleged to have been made by John Galliano and applaud the subsequent action of english Baccalaureate (eBacc) Christian Dior, along with the universal condemnation of these The EBacc has been introduced by the government as a way comments,” said Mr Benjamin. “In the context of other recent to measure achievement across a range of “core academic reports of comments critical of Jews for no other reason subjects” studied at GCSE. It is not a new qualification in than their faith, this should send an unequivocal message itself, but is awarded to any student who passes GCSEs in that antisemitism and indeed racism of any kind is not to be English, Maths, Science, a foreign language and a humanities tolerated.” subject. In the 2010 league tables, Religious Education was impact Assessment on daylight savings time Bill not included as a humanities subject which could count The Board of Deputies has submitted an impact assessment towards the EBacc. on the Daylight Savings Time Bill. The Bill is currently in the Committee Stage in Parliament. The report outlines the Professional RE associations, together with faith groups effects of any change to the current GMT arrangements and and many concerned teachers and parents have been was formulated following a series of consultations across the campaigning to ensure that RE is included in next year’s entire range of the Jewish community. listing of EBacc qualifying subjects. This is important as RE must be recognised as the valuable subject that it is, The analysis noted the arguments from some quarters that but also because it runs the risk of being marginalised and the changes would improve road safety and save lives, but under-resourced by schools if it does not count towards their also the difficulties resulting from darker mornings and lighter position in the league tables. evenings and the impact on Jewish practice. This would include the effect on prayer and Shabbat times, fast days and In particular this issue is of concern for the Jewish community women’s use of the mikveh. On balance, the Board’s position as in the vast majority of Jewish schools GCSE RE (Jewish is not to support a change in the current arrangements. studies) is a compulsory subject for all students. This means Please email public@bod.org.uk for more information on the that our schools would be at a particular disadvantage when Impact Assessment. issue 207 | APRiL 2011 8 features 9 flats – risks we need to know by Shula Rich the Buy self-Managing Risk sometimes as one paragraph with to Let another attached, and then in another In our professional lives many of us run contract it has migrated and attached to Risk businesses far more complicated than another section. any block of flats, so surely a committee Landlords of wisepersons can run a property who buy The advantage of keeping the without an agent? flats, think of same terms in contracts is that they themselves as are understood and tested. The The danger here is that we don’t landlords first, disadvantage is that the job itself has know what we don’t know and any leaseholders changed but the contract hasn’t, so leaseholder second these old contracts don’t suit anyone: who feels aggrieved at the size of the (if ever?). the agents can’t make enough money maintenance bill will soon find out if However what because new tasks aren’t costed, so we haven’t served an S.153 with our use are the they have to rely on percentages. S.166 or that we are missing an S.20. landlord’s calculations about whether the property The leaseholders can get an inferior Flats of all sizes, from the one-up one- will ‘wash its face’or not, in the event of service because the agent works on down owned by the resident freeholder, unpredictable service charge bills? percentages which can encourage to the block of 100, down the bottom A repair bill as part of the service charge disrepair. 10% percent of a big repair of First Avenue are, every one of them, can be many thousands more than the job is a lot better than 10% of a little subject to the same convoluted legal usual service charge. Perhaps you one for the agent. regulations. remember my block Kingsway Court where our maintenance bill was two I am dealing with sensitive issues here, It’s not beyond the skill of wise persons million pounds in the 1990s - £20,000 and those in the field may find what to run their own block but it must be each, not the usual £2,000. I say controversial – I hold a drop-in done with absolute respect for all these for leaseholders twice a week at the regulations. This is time-consuming Wasting Lease Risk Friends Meeting House (details 01273 and responsible work, which, if unpaid 705432) see www.leaseholdrights. Recently I was welcomed home and unappreciated, one may begin to co.uk. You are invited to bring me your by a fine pot of flowers from some resent. In addition, if the right Notices leasehold woes or, even better, share neighbours (themselves landlords) who are not served, the service charge your own experiences. reckoned my advice had saved them is not payable, and the major works £30,000 or more. They had received an contribution is limited to £250.00, no alarm bell letter from a firm touting lease matter how much is needed. Shula Rich is Honorary Consultant to extensions, and were being hurried the Federation of Private Residents into a deal to lengthen their lease at a the Risk in the Agent’s Associations and advises members of ‘bargain’ price. contract the Southern Landlords Association on leasehold issues. But do you really want a lease I am looking at this from both sides. As extension, I asked them, and what for? a managing agent, have you thought It may add value if you want to sell it, about the otherwise you’ve paid for air time you transparency don’t need or want. of your own management My friends didn’t want to sell the flat, contract? Many and on consideration, the purchase management of expensive air time they didn’t need contracts in at the expense of money which would Brighton & Hove pay for some excellent holidays, wasn’t are what I call such a good idea. I advised them to Desk Hoppers. really look closely at their own needs People take and decide for themselves whether this them with when deal was in their own interests. they leave one firm and start up Lawyers and estate agents may not be on their own. thanking me for this – but how many of you are looking at the question of I see the same lease extensions in the clients’ real ‘grant and interest? And how many of you know reservation’ whether in twenty years time conversion (what you do, to commonhold will not have become and what I keep so much easier that leases won’t even for me to do) exist? all the time, issue 207 | APRiL 2011 10 features 11 A visit to the Leo The Leo Baeck School has over 2000 • After school care for Arab and Jewish pupils who attend from six months to 18 children at risk. Baeck centre, haifa years. We witnessed various aspects of the teaching, including dedicated tuition In addition, Jewish identity is taught in by Sharon & Gerry Crest for children requiring special needs. the school and there is the wonderful Hugo Gryn Outdoor Synagogue and We have just returned from Israel, visiting There is also: Garden. A visit to this centre dispels so family and touring hundreds of miles in • Social outreach serving thousands of many of the myths created by the media. that wonderful country. The highlight of Arabs, Jews, Druze, veteran Israelis our trip was a prearranged visit to the and new immigrants There is so much more than mentioned Leo Baeck Centre in Haifa. • Special integration teaching for here. If you want to know more, please Our very dear friend Jacki Gryn (wife Ethiopian immigrants do contact us by e-mail at gerrycee@ of the late great Rabbi Hugo Gryn) • Leadership training for youth at risk yahoo.co.uk arranged this visit for us and we are both • Arab-Jewish coexistence overwhelmed with the work carried out at We wish the whole community a Pesach • Early childhood learning therapeutic the Centre. It would take many pages to Sameach. centre for Arab children at risk describe fully the activities, but here are some of the key points. • Arab-Jewish summer camp A funny thing fencer, and competed in five successive Tom Monk. By the way, Carole’s maiden Olympics, winning two silver medals. name was also Monk. happened… They are now retired and live in a lovely cottage in Somerset, with wonderful Gweni and I had discussed the possibility by Ivor Sorokin flower and organic kitchen gardens. that they might be vaguely related, as Carole, however, still works part- Tom had previously told us that there In February, I was visiting a friend in a time in her complementary medicine were some Jewish roots in his family. local residential hotel at the same time practice, specialising in reflexology When we got together for a pre-game as Jill Goodman. While we were chatting, and acupressure. Allan, having been snack at our Falmer club, Carole asked she mentioned that her sister, Carole, England’s team captain for a number Tom for his father’s name. He told her was staying with her for a few days that of years, now travels the world, most that it was Michael. She also asked week. As Carole was a girlfriend of mine recently to Israel, as a representative of whether he had two aunts called Valerie some 55 years ago, I told Jill that I would the International Fencing Federation, and Pamela. When he replied in the be delighted to catch up with her, and overseeing World Cup competitions. affirmative, she told him that she was his see how life had treated us. father’s first cousin. What an amazing Otello’s is quite a public place, and Carole did phone, and we arranged to coincidence! there were several of my acquaintances meet up in Otello’s coffee bar. When looking quizzically at us, and wondering We had a super game of tennis, (one set she arrived, looking great for her years, at the connection. I did explain the each). After the game, Carole picked up we sat for nearly two hours reminiscing situation to two local girls who were the phone to speak to her cousin Michael about old times as far back as the really interested, but left others to draw and his wife Moira. Apparently they got Cordoba Coffee Bar days and chatting their own conclusions. On discovering on famously after all this time and caught about our current lives. that we were both still tennis nuts, I up with news of various members of the She had married Allan Jay, a solicitor, invited Carole to have a doubles game family, hoping to meet up with them in who also became a world champion with Gweni and me, along with our coach the near future. MARTIN GROSS Memorials All aspects of stone- masonry undertaken from new to renovation and cleaning 01273 439792 07801 599771 issue 207 | APRiL 2011 features 11 interfaith relations & holocaust commemorations in Albania by Dr. T. Scarlett Epstein OBE Albania’s tribal culture has an age-old Now that I have reached old age, I money, I volunteered my developmental Code of Honour called BESA which feel I should begin to repay the debt I expertise, which was readily accepted. obliges every family to treat guests owe the country and its population. I better than their own kin and offer decided to make the movie, Back From My first objective was to get Albania them help if they need any. BESA The Brink, which includes three stories the long overdue recognition for having is even now an important part of by Jewish refugees, including my own. saved so many Jewish lives. Together Albanian culture. It was BESA that These stories show that each one of us with Dr. Teuta Starova, the deputy was responsible for allowing Albanians survived the Holocaust only because Albanian ambassador to London and to disregard their own religions and individuals, organisations and/ two of London’s Jewish organisations, provide a safe asylum for over 2,000 or countries helped us. we arranged several functions during Jewish refugees before and during the recent Holocaust memorial period. World War 11, often at the risk The Jewish Museum and to their own lives. Even under the London Jewish Cultural German occupation not a single Centre (LJCC) screened my Jewish refugee was handed movie and the Albanian movie over to the Nazis. Already in the Rescue in Albania for large mid-1930s King Zog of Albania audiences. The LJCC arranged instructed his embassies to a well-attended reception at offer visas to Jews who had which the Imam member of passports and issue Albanian the interfaith forum presented passports to those who had the Golden Interfaith Medallion no documents, thus offering to the Albanian ambassador persecuted Jews asylum. in recognition of the many Jewish lives Albanians had I personally benefitted from this saved before and during the support. At the beginning of last war. In Tirana there is an August 1938 I was granted a Association of Albanian Friends three months Yugoslav Tourist of Israel, of which the President Visa. I was staying with my and a number of its members parents at my aunt’s home in are Muslims. It seems that this Zagreb. When our visas were is the only organisation of its due to expire in November 1938, imam Maulana shahid Raza of three faiths forum and kind in the world. the authorities threatened us, h e Mr Zef Mazi, Ambassador of Albania. that unless we could find another In Albania I met many poor women in country that would accept us, they To make the film I returned to Albania the Highlands who produce beautiful would send us back to the German after 72 years. There I saw the level handloom, crocheted and knitted items border. We knew that if that happened of poverty that still persists among for which there is unfortunately very we would end up in a concentration the population. This made me decide little demand. With the help of Mike camp. This made my parents suicidal, that it was high time I did something Lyons’ website, I met a Jewish lady who whereas as a 16 year old girl I still more effective to repay the debt I owe teaches design at Brighton University. wanted to continue living. the Albanians for having saved my She has kindly agreed to allow her life. Since I am not rich enough to give students to advise these women on the Thus, I went to all the type of items to produce Western Consulates in and for which there will Zagreb, trying to obtain be a demand in Western visas but at every one of countries. Once these them the door was shut goods are available, we in my face when I showed will have to help to sell our passports with a them in Europe. big red “J”. This made me extremely worried. Your help and support When I was about to would be greatly despair, a friend advised appreciated. Please me to go to the Albanian contact me via Sussex consulate. I rushed there Jewish News. and, to my most pleasant surprise, I was ushered clive Marks, President of into the Consul’s office LJcc, imam Maulana shahid where he granted me Raza of three faiths forum, h e Mr Zef Mazi, Ambassador visas straight away. Thus of Albania and sir sigmund Albania saved my life and sternberg. that of my parents. issue 207 | APRiL 2011 12culture 13 Repertoire Their brother Jacob, 9, sang solo in a clear and sweet voice. There was also a string quartet made up of Lazar’s friends, who acquitted by Stephanie Megitt themselves admirably. All played with astounding flair, expertise and maturity beyond their years. The Eastbourne community were treated to a concert with a difference. Meticulously The opening piano piece, entitled planned by Lazar Liebenberg, 15, it took Heartbeat, had been written by Lazar in place in a packed and intimate theatre, response to a friend going into hospital ideally suited to the programme. for a heart operation. The beautiful composition told the whole story, building Well-loved classical pieces for piano shades of tension and the relief of and cello by such composers as Mozart, survival. This was received with rapture Beethoven and Mendelssohn, were by the audience, who were not to be interspersed by others, including a sonata, disappointed by the remainder of this written by Lazar, a promising composer. In varied and adventurous ‘Repertoire’. addition, there were modern renditions of jazz pieces such as 12 bar blues and songs The concert was a great success and a by Rihanna and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lazar, testament to this talented family, whose a confident compere and conductor, was evident time and effort paid off so well. a masterful pianist, as was his sister Nina, An overall profit of £400 was raised for 13, who also played cello magnificently. Photo by Brian Megitt repairs to Eastbourne shul. Luscious lemon pudding from the kitchen of June Temerlies zest and juice of 1 lemon Whisk the egg whites until firm. Slowly pour 5 fl oz water the egg and lemon mixture into the stiff A light-as-air sponge tops a refreshing lemon Preheat oven to gas mark 3 (170 C). Lightly egg whites, folding gently together with a mousse. It is a dessert for Pesach and all grease a 2-pint soufflé dish or 6 individual spatula, then spoon carefully into the dish or the year round too. ramekins with a little softened margarine and dishes. Pour boiling water into the roasting stand in a roasting tin. tin to surround the dishes and bake for 45 2 oz (50g) soft margarine minutes-1 hour for the large dish or 30-35 4 oz (125g) caster sugar Beat the margarine and sugar until pale. Beat minutes for individual dishes, until pale 1 heaped teaspoon potato flour in the egg yolks one at a time and then add golden on top and spongy to touch. When the potato flour. Next, add the finely grated cool, refrigerate for several hours and serve 4 eggs separated zest and juice of the lemon and the water. chilled. Animal Magic Vet on Call by Marc Abraham Ebury Press, at £6.99 ISBN 9780091937874 Review by Doris Levinson It was buzzing and crowded with friends, colleagues, musicians and supporters at the Kemptown Bookshop on 3 March when our own celebrity ‘pet vet’, Marc Abraham, Take the next step on your Jewish launched his first book Vet on journey at Sussex Day Limmud. Call about his experiences in his first year as an emergency out-of-hours vet. Sunday 22 May 2011 at the University of Sussex He writes amusingly about his early mistakes, and the The event, delivered in Limmud’s unique style, has a range terror and joy involved in saving an animal’s life. It is a of local, national and international presenters including: heartwarming Mark Abraham, Nathan Abrams, Geoffrey Alderman, and enjoyable Jeremy Beecham, Sally Becker, Alex Brummer, Daniel book which Cainer, Edie Friedman, Luke Holland, Clive Lawton, Gail is thoroughly Louw, Jonathan Schneer and Merlin & Polina Shepherd. entertaining. A great Visit www.limmud.org/day/sussex for more information, read, giving and latest updates on presenters and programme. touching insights Book now, either online or phone 01273 206456, to avoid into the disappointment. unpredictable world of a vet. Look for us on Facebook! Photo by Mike Mendoza issue 207 | APRiL 2011 culture 13 two for the price of one! in a whirlwind of caterers, guest lists, hairdressers and Torah study as his mother by the Sussex Jewish Film Club prepares him for his Barmitzvah. But Eliot is about to experience an acute case of The next screening by the Sussex Jewish Film Club at Ralli Hall cold feet.... This witty time capsule of 1970s will be a double bill. On Sunday 10th April we’re showing Oedipus Britain was first shown by the BBC in their Wrecks (USA, short Woody Allen film, 37 mins) together with Play for Today slot and won a BAFTA award. Barmitzvah Boy (UK, Jack Rosenthal, 75 mins). So come along and enjoy an evening of The Woody Allen film includes all his trademark neuroses and wit. It’s comedy (7.00 for 7.30 pm – hot or cold about a single Jewish New Yorker (played by Allen) whose mother is drinks available). Non-members are welcome with a donation and constantly trying to get him settled down with a nice Jewish girl. Then parking at Hove Station costs only £1 on Sundays. she suddenly disappears. Is this his chance of freedom at last? Our full programme of dates and films for 2011 was published last Jack Rosenthal’s story is about Eliot, aged 13, who is caught up issue. Jewish music from the strauss/Warshauer Jewish tradition is a concert on Thursday 5 May with the Strauss/ Warschauer duo from New York. duo on 5 May Performances by this husband and wife team are an integrated and intimate blend of songs, translations and instrumental music, drawing The Brighton-from klezmer, Yiddish, Hasidic and liturgical music and culture, based World adding their own original compositions and song settings. Jeff Sacred Music Warschauer plays guitar and mandolin, while Deborah Strauss plays Festival violin and accordion. Both of them do vocals. promotes They will be joined by our own Merlin and Polina Shepherd, who inspirational bring together the Ashkenazi traditions of East and West Europe. music from spiritual Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this concert, which will be held traditions on 5 May at Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton (the one around that looks like a Greek temple) at 8.00 pm. the globe. This year’s Tickets are £12 (concessions £9) and are available online from www. contribution from the worldsacredmusic.org or from Resident Music (01273) 606312. Sussex Jewish Representative Council Tuesday, 10th May 2011 Ajex Hall, Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Eaton Road Entrance, Hove 4.00 - 6.00pm Children’s entertainment followed by supper To reserve your place contact Tessa Bass On 01273 558884 or 07962870642 by 30th April 2011 Donation £2 per child Tea/coffee/cakes for sale issue 207 | APRiL 2011 14 Bhhc Rabbi hershel Rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.webjam.com/bhhc10 15 Pesach is an eternal message of hope some do not. But no thoughtful man can deny the fact that they are, beyond any question, the most formidable and the by Rabbi hershel Rader most remarkable race which has appeared in the world.” Pesach approaches with its eternal message, a message Pesach commemorates the emergence of that remarkable of hope for an oppressed nation. We celebrate Pesach in race as an independent nation, an emergence that was the spring to affirm our belief that nature is subordinate to contingent on our faith and preparedness to be G-d’s people. Hashem and that we owe our freedom to Him. As we face the future let us remember that important lesson which is the basis of our unique identity. Winston Churchill said, “Some people like the Jews, and Purim rocks Bhhc Over 75 people celebrated together at Purim, including over 30 children. Everyone was provided with handmade greggers made by the Cheder children and used for the reading of Megillat Esther. Before a festive Kiddush, the children also put on a Purim spiel and handed out mishloach monot to everyone in attendance. services and special events – April 2011 Weekdays 20 April: Pesach – 2nd day Shacharit services are held in the Bais Hamidrash in conjunction with Hove Wednesday 20: Shacharit – 9.15 am Hebrew Congregation (Holland Road) on Mondays and Thursdays at 7.30 am and Mincha / Maariv – 7.50 pm, yom tov ends - 8.58 on Sundays and Bank Holidays at 8.30 am, except where otherwise stated. pm Shabbat and Yom Tov Services 22/23 April: Shabbat Chol Hamoed Shacharit services for Shabbat and yom Tov begin at 9.15 am and are followed by Friday 22: Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat at 7.49 pm Kiddush. Saturday 19: Shacharit – 9.15 am Mincha / Maariv – 7.40 pm, Shabbat ends – 9.03 1/2 April: Shabbat Parshat Tazria - Hachodesh pm Friday 1: Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat at 7.15 pm Saturday 2: Torah readings: Tazria/Hachodesh 24/26 April: Pesach – 7th and 8th Days (Leviticus 12:1-13:59/ Exodus 12:1-20) Sunday 24: Mincha / Maariv and light candles – 7.52 pm Rabbi’s Shiur, 6.30 pm Monday 25: Shacharit – 9.15 am Mincha followed by Seudah and Maariv – 7.00 Mincha / Maariv- 7.55 pm, light candles after pm 9.07 pm Tuesday 26: Shacharit – 9.15 am followed by yizkor 8/9 April: Shabbat Parshat Metzora Mincha / Maariv – 7.55 pm, yom Tov ends – 9.09 Friday 8: Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat at 7.26 pm pm Saturday 9: Torah Reading: Metzora (Leviticus 14:1–15:33) Rabbi’s Shiur, 6.45 pm 29/30 April: Shabbat Parshat Kedoshim Mincha followed by Seudah and Maariv - 7.15 Friday 29: Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat at 7.50 pm pm Saturday 30: Torah Reading Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1–20:27) Rabbi’s Shiur, 7.20 pm 15/16 April: Shabbat Acharei Mot - Hagadol Mincha followed by Seudah and Maariv - 7.50 Friday 15: Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat at 7.37 pm pm Saturday 19: Torah reading: Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1– 18:30) Yahrzeit / Kaddish Rabbi’s Shiur, 6.45 pm If someone has yahrtzeit or is saying Kaddish and would like a minyan to be Mincha followed by Seudah and Maariv – 7.30 organised, please contact Rabbi Rader on 0777 565 3897 or rabbibhhc@gmail. pm com. 18 April: Erev Pesach, Fast of the Firstborn Adult Education Monday 18: Shacharit followed by Siyum – 7.30 am Rabbi Rader holds a weekly Lunch and Learn on Wednesdays 12.30 – 1.30 pm Mincha / Maariv & Light candles – 7.42 pm and a Ladies’ Shiur on Thursdays at 11.00 am. The topic for the Lunch and Learn, which aims to be of current interest, is publicised on the Shul Website www. 19 April: Pesach – 1st day webjam.com/bhhc10 and by email to the Shul membership at the beginning of the Tuesday 19: Shacharit – 9.15 am week. All are welcome and lunch is £2.50. The Ladies Shiur deals with a variety of Mincha / Maariv – 7.45 pm, light candles after subjects, often generated by the attendees. 8.56 pm issue 207 | APRiL 2011 14 hhc Rabbi Vivian silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com 15 A Pesach fAQ Which food is kosher for Pesach? Please be very by Rabbi Vivian silverman sure that whatever you buy has a recognised Beth Din What is Hameitz? Leavened food or drink from any label, whether from this country or overseas, stating of the five types of grain: wheat, barley, oats, rye, that the product is for Pesach 5771/2011. Stating that it spelt. This means that flour, bread, rolls, cake, biscuits, is “Kosher for Passover” is not sufficient. cereals, together with matzoh and matzoh meal from What is Hafsaka? This is the latest time for eating a previous year (even if unopened) are all hameitz. and drinking hameitz on erev Pesach. This year it will Whiskey must not be drunk because it is distilled from be on Monday 18 April at 10.00 am. From then on barley. until 11.30am we can dispose of, and lock away, our Yet we eat matzoh? True, matzoh is made from one of hameitz. those five species, but it is kneaded into the flat bread What about lunch on erev Pesach? Fruit and we call matzoh, and prepared within eighteen minutes vegetables, fish and matzoh meal fritters prepared from the moment water comes into contact with the under Pesach conditions can be enjoyed, but matzoh flour until the matzoh comes out of the oven. The time should not be eaten until the Seder so that the taste will factor prevents it becoming hameitz. be new and delicious. This is also why many families do Why must I lock away all hameitz, including pots not eat matzoh from Purim onwards. and pans, dishes and cutlery? This is based on a Why the unusual greeting for Pesach? We wish Torah passage which explains that hameitz must not each other a “hag kasher v’sameiah” – a kosher and be seen or found on our premises over Pesach, and so happy Pesach, in the hope that, with all the intensive we must not own the hameitz from erev Pesach till after preparations beforehand, nothing will have gone wrong Yom Tov. A document of sale is drawn up and signed and that no hameitz will be unexpectedly found in our by members of the synagogue before 10.00 am on the home over Yom Tov. day before Pesach authorising the rabbi to sell their hameitz to a specified non-Jewish person till until after Yom Tov. PesAch tiMes – APRiL 2011 18 Monday Erev Pesach Malcolm Green Catering Latest time (Hafsaka) for eating/ drinking hameitz – 10.00 am The selection of your menu is an important part in the Burn hameitz from last night’s home ceremony (Bedikat Hameitz) by 11.30 am. planning of your Simcha. For that reason our Chefs continue Mincha 7.30 pm and 1st Seder to create exciting and tasty menus to meet your every need. We can tailor a menu to fit your specific requirements 19 Tuesday 1st Day of Pesach. Shacharit 9.30 am. Prayer for Dew – Tal. and help create the function you will be proud of. Let us Mincha 7.30 pm and 2nd Seder introduce you to a cuisine that has made us one of Israel’s Counting of the Omer begins leading Caterers & the world’s foremost glatt kosher destination wedding specialist. 20 Wednesday 2nd day Pesach. Shacharit 9.30 am Join us for our glatt kosher June/July tour of “Mystical Ireland” Mincha 7.55 pm – Yom Tov ends 9.00 pm KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST 21 Thursday Chol Hamo’ed. Shacharit at West Hove 22 Friday Chol Hamo’ed. Shacharit at West Hove Contact Malcolm on 0203 393 6823 Erev Shabbat Mincha 7.30pm koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk 23 Shabbat Shacharit 9.30 am - Song of Songs read www.kosherservicesworldwide.com 24 Sunday Erev Yomtov - Mincha 7.30 pm www.kosherexperiences.co.il 25 Monday 7th of day Pesach Shacharit 9.30 am, Mincha 7.30 pm UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION 26 Tuesday 8th day Pesach OF THE LONDON BETH DIN Shacharit 9.30 am followed by Yizkor (For functions in the U.K.) Yom Tov ends at 9.12 pm “You’ve eaten the food now read the blog” Document for the sale of Hameitz is available from 5th April till Erev www.koshersericesworldwide/blog/ Pesach on 18th April issue 207 | APRiL 2011 16BhPs Rabbi elizabeth tikvah sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: bhps@freenetname.co.uk www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk 17 Remembering the Warsaw ghetto uprising troops – and held out against them for 27 days. The first major blow came on 8 May when the Germans captured the ZOB’s by Rabbi elizabeth tikvah sarah headquarters and killed their leader, Mordecai Anielewicz, and The first day of Pesach this year coincides with the anniversary of a large number of his colleagues. By 16 May it was all over. the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising which began on Erev Pesach 1943, Approximately 300 Germans and 7,000 Jews were killed during 19th April 1943. the Uprising. Another 7,000 Jews were deported to Treblinka. Today you can still meet a handful of surviving ghetto fighters at By the end of 1942 approximately 300,000 people had been Kibbutz Lohamei Ha-gheta’ot in the Western Galilee. rounded up in the Warsaw Ghetto and transported to Treblinka. In January 1943, with approximately 60,000 people left, a This Uprising became so important in the collective psyche small group of mostly young Jews, using a stash of smuggled of the nascent Jewish state that when Jewish scholars began weapons, attacked German troops rounding up more Jews for discussing a date to commemorate the Sho’ah, the Israelis deportation. Within a few days the troops retreated. Emboldened argued for one coinciding with the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. As by this small victory, the ghetto’s Zydowska Organizacja Bojowa Pesach itself wasn’t possible, Yom Ha-Sho’ah was eventually (ZOB or Jewish Fighting Organization) set about acquiring more fixed for a few days later on 27 Nissan and eight days before Yom weapons and making plans to defend the Ghetto. The Germans, Ha-Atzma’ut – Israel Independence Day. however, also made sure that they were ready to meet resistance. With the first day of Pesach this year coinciding with the first day On the eve of 18 April 1943 the Ghetto fighters made sure that of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, it seems appropriate that as we the remaining Jews went into hiding. By morning 750 fighters celebrate the ‘Season of our Freedom’ – Z’man Cheiruteinu – and armed with a handful of pistols, rifles, and Molotov cocktails remember that the process of liberation begins when people take took on more than 2,000 heavily armed and well-trained German action to liberate themselves. Pesach same’ach! Jews and the pursuit of justice oneg on israel by Marguerite Wright Members who went to Israel in October, many who had never Distinguished academic and philosopher Dr Brian Klug delivered been to Israel before, presented a very interesting account of their the 2011 biennial Aubrey Milstein Community Lecture. He trip at our Friday Night Oneg in February. The evening began spoke to a multi-faith audience of around sixty on “Living in the with a slide show that included images of kibbutz Natan, where World: The People of God and the Pursuit of Justice”. beautiful buildings are constructed from mud and discarded object,s as well as dramatic salt formations at the Dead Sea. A Quoting from the Hebrew Bible, he said that although the Jews description of the trip was then given by Rabbi Elli and others. may have been chosen by God, it was a poisoned chalice requiring the difficult if not impossible task of doing justice in The group was accompanied by an Israeli guide with an the world. Defining his interpretation of justice, Dr Klug drew encyclopaedic knowledge of the history and geography of the a parallel to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights region. From Jerusalem they visited the southern Arava desert arguing that it was rooted in the same scriptures. (a crater formed by a prehistoric sea), Sde Boker (Ben Gurion’s kibbutz), Beer Sheva, Ein Gedi, the Dead Sea and Masada. “Judaism means nothing if it does not mean social justice” said Dr Klug, who has published widely on race, anti-Semitism, Moving north they went to the Galilee, including the Hula valley Jewish identity and other subjects. He believes that to be (an important habitat for migrating birds) and the Lebanese border Jewish is to be rooted in the here and now, taking Tanakh as an before returning south to Jerusalem via Acre, Haifa, and Tel Aviv. ideal but not for each word to be followed unquestioningly and without interpretation. The lecture was followed by a question Highlights included praying at the Western Wall, seeing the and answer session, refreshments and a book signing. Arab Israel Centre in Acre where Arab and Jewish children play together, and visiting Ben Gurion University (housing the world’s leading desert research institute) and, visiting progressive synagogues in Haifa, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. This intensive itinerary provided everyone with a memorable experience of the diversity of the land and its people. A few tickets are still available for the BHPS communal Seder on 18th April at 6.30 pm. Tickets cost £10 for members and £15 for non- members. Please contact Sarah Winstone to reserve a place. Tel home 01273-501604, mobile 07841 488620 or BHPS hosted a Fairtrade kiddush after the Shabbat service on 1st March. BHPS is also contributing towards a record-email sarah.winstone@ntlworld.com. breaking line of bunting for the Fairtrade Foundation which we hope will be shown at the World Trade Organisation talks Details are also available from Chandra at the in November. synagogue office. issue 207 | APRiL 2011 16 BhRs Rabbi charles Wallach Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org 17 cry “freedom!” times. What had happened here was that our caretaker had forgotten his passbook at home, had gone to help set up the by Rabbi charles Wallach Seder, had stayed on and did not even think he might be found I always recall the first Communal Seder I conducted as a young without that hated passbook when walking home. Naturally rabbi in South Africa. My congregation was a small one so the I telephoned the police station but, as it was quite late and Seder was held at a nearby communal hall two streets away. It there was nobody to whom I could speak. So it was prior to was a success and we all went away with a joyous spirit in our commencing the service that Pesach morning I first had to go to souls. Our caretaker – a black man – had been involved in the the police station, assure the officials that the gentleman was in nuts and bolts of the evening and he and I were the last to leave our employ and have him released. the premises. I bade him farewell and headed home, having been assured that he was happy to walk back to his flat at the Naturally enough my sermon that morning was somewhat synagogue. It was about an hour later when I had a knock different to that which I had planned! Indeed, the congregation on my door: A young man who also lived in the building was sat in dumbfounded silence as I told my tale. In retelling it 36 there. “Aren’t you the Rabbi of the synagogue down the road? years later its meaning and message remain clear: we must: (1) Your caretaker has been arrested and taken to the local police value freedom; (2) recognise our fortune at living in freedom, and station!” (3) be dutiful at ensuring that the freedoms we enjoy are not the envy of others but for the preserve of all. Chag same’ach This was the bad old days of South Africa, when black people in the designated “white” areas had to carry a passbook at all BULLETIN BOARD – APRIL 2011 Mondays Exercise to music with Adele, 11.00 am Wednesdays JACS. 2.00 pm Friday 1st Friday night late Service, 8.00 pm Saturday 2nd Rabbi Shiur, 9.00 am Sunday 3rd An evening with Polina Shepherd & The Chutzpah Choir, 7.30 pm Tuesday 5th Discussion Group, 12.30 pm Monday 18th First night Seder Tuesday 19th First Day Pesach Service, 10.30 am Tuesday 19th Second Night Communal Seder, 6.30 pm Friday 22nd Evening Service, 6.30 pm Saturday 23rd Shabbat Service, 10.30 am Sunday 24th 7th Night Pesach, 6.30 pm Monday 25th 7th Day Pesach, 10.30 am Advance Notice for May - Sunday 1st Yom Ha Shoah Service, 6.30 pm Best wishes for Passover 87 Old Shoreham Road, Hove BN3 7AQ Tel: 01273 880022 Email: bdsanders1@tiscali.co.uk issue 207 | APRiL 2011 18 19 issue 207 | APRiL 2011 18 What’s on: April 2011 diary@sussexjewishnews.com 19 shABBAt shALoM – BRighton tiMes In Light Candles Out Havdalah Fri 1 7.14 pm Sat 2 8.23 pm Grodzinki’s challot and Fri 8 7.25 pm Sat 9 8.36 pm Fri 15 7.36 pm Sat 16 8.49 pm rye bread are available Fri 22 7.48 pm Sat 23 9.02 pm from Premier Convenience Fri 29 7.59 pm Sat 30 9.15 pm Stores in Hove Street Pesach candle lighting times every Thursday morning Mon 18 – Erev 1st day Pesach 7.41 pm until supplies run out. Tues 19 – Erev 2nd day after 8.54 pm Sun 24 – Erev 7th day 7.51 pm (Not during Pesach.) Mon 25 – Erev 8th day 9.05 pm Tue 26 Holiday ends 9.07 pm ReguLAR ActiVities eVents foR MARch Ralli Hall will be closed from 18-26 April for Pesach. For J:tots – for parents, toddlers, grandparents and carers - is held monthly activities during Pesach, please contact the organisers at Ralli Hall.For information regarding the next session, please e-mail for more information. Rachel at jtots@rocketmail.com Sundays or ring 01273 204334. shalom Programme on www.radioreverb.com and 97.2 FM Friday 1 9.00-9.55 am. Repeated Thursdays at 3.00 pm Tel: 01273 5404647. hastings & district Jewish society – for details Tel: 07743 992295 Radio Reverb theatre programme, ‘curtain up’ 97.2 FM 4.00 pm. Repeated on Wednesdays at 7.00 am, Tel: 01273 Sunday 3 5404647. AJeX AgM – 10.30 am RH carmel tennis club 10.00 am-12.00 noon. Weekly. All levels welcome. Tel: Leon on 07717 222744 Wednesday 6 Mondays JAcs – guest speaker – Sarah Hornsby from Care Link Plus the ethics of our fathers with Rabbi Efune 11.30-12.30 pm Chabad House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove. Tel:. 01273 321919 Sunday 10 Afternoon club with tea 1.30 pm. Contact Reba 01444 hyman fine house – Volunteers’ Lunch at RH 12 noon, by invitation only 410435 Monday 11 Rubber and duplicate Bridge 1.30-4.30 pm £2.00. Tel Reba 01444 410435 RH sARid – guest speaker Mark Perry-nash – In the Footsteps of the contemporary Basic talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men only Legions: The Romans in Britain. Donation £1 with light refreshments 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 10.45 am RH tanya (Kabbalah) Learning group with Penina Efune - Ladies only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Wednesday 13 Tuesdays JAcs – guest speaker – Geoff Mead ‘Burton St Leonards – Regency New Town Painting with Rochelle (JAs), 7.00-9.00 pm Weekly Tel: 01273 503708 RH. Wednesday 27 israeli dancing, 7.45-9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Weekly RH JAcs – guest speaker – Cliff Dargonne ‘Climbing Everest’ Ralli hall Lunch and social club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Weekly Tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 RH Art in the studio with Martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH Wednesdays chutzpah choir (singing in Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Aramaic and other languages) with Polina Shepherd. 7.00-8.45 pm Tel: Rosalind 01273 541031 RH. Art in the studio with Martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH JAcs at the AJEX Centre 2.00 pm, Eaton Road, Hove IMPORTANT REMINDER - £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members. See Events for details of speakers To help ensure the planning of another success, Thursdays please co-ordinate your community event with Ralli hall Lunch and social club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Weekly Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH the Communal Diary Weekly torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad diary@sussexjewishnews.com House. 01273 321919. issue 207 | APRiL 2011 -
Issue 218
April 2012
SUSSEX JEwISh NEwS NEw Whats whAt’S INSIdE.... NEw hILLEL CENtRE OPENS | ISRAEL BOXING tEAM | wOOdEN SYNAGOGUES OF POLANd | whAt’S ON | ANd MORE APRIL 2012 • NISAN / IYYAR 5772 • ISSUE 218 2 pause for thought 3 by ivor sorokin Pesach is upon us again. I am looking forward to THEY”. As always, it provides some of our thought-celebrating the Seder nights in our home. Others will be provoking discussions, especially with so many doing the same whether in their own or families’ homes, oppressed peoples in this world. or perhaps at a communal Seder organised by any of our local shuls. We also sing an English adaptation of “The Four Sons” to the tune of “Clementine” and always end Like most other families, we have our own minhags and up with “There’s No Seder Like Our Seder”, to the traditions that make our Seder nights joyous affairs. tune of “There’s No Business Like Show Business”. The festivities end with some post-Seder brandies, Our several Haggadahs are all different. With different whereupon all the guests leave in a very happy mood. translations and Other families will conduct commentaries, there their Seders in their own ways are perennial cries of We all have our oWn minhags and and this diversity of customs “Where are we now?” is a part of being Jewish or “I have lost the traditions that make seder nights today. place!”. It would be so joyous affairs easy to buy a new set In the TV film of Masada, a that are all the same, Roman general is asked how but it would very much detract from the fun of the to deal with the rebellious Jews. He replies, “Do nothing readings. and they will destroy themselves”. Any participant can stop the proceedings if they feel There are rumours of schisms within some of our local that a particular sentence has a current relevance. One organisations. I hope that the spirit of diversity will of the most important sentences, “We should all regard prevail and those problems will soon be resolved. We ourselves as if WE have been set free, rather than must tread carefully. SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, ADMINISTRATOR Ivor Sorokin announcements, people, congregations, communitites, contacts and more. Delivered at the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by volunteers for reporting, ADMIN ASSISTANT Gweni Sorokin editing and circulating each edition that has become the cornerstone of the Jewish community across the region. COMMuNAL DIARy info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org EDITORIAL BOARD COVER PHOTO Brian Megitt Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt / Sue Rea David Seidel PRODuCTION/LAyOuT TECHNICAL ADVISOR Anand Day Brian Megitt SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 10 APRIL 2012 susseX jeWish neWs suBsCription Name: ____________________________________________________ Date: _________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode: _________________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone: _________________________ Subscription (tick one) I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £15 p/a I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £20 p/a. I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. issue 218 | april 2012 2 Contents 3 sussex jewish news features po Box 2178 hove Bn3 3sZ 1 matZah in the morning room telephone: 07906 955 404 April is Pesach month e-mail: editor@sussexjewishnews.com 5 the neW ujs hillel Centre Tony Bloom opens the new student facility 9 jeWish arts soCiety eXhiBition 2012 Brian Megitt’s photo diary of the event 12 hoW hoWard Came to hyman fine house The making of a carer 13 thoughts aBout my grandmother Sue Rea remembers regulars 4 your neWs Announcements, correspondence and more 6 Community life News from across the county 14 Culture Film Club, Wooden Synagogues and a look back at 1957 20 What’s on Regular and special events in your community your Community 16 Brighton & hove reform synagogue 17 Brighton & hove progressive synagogue 18 Brighton & hove heBreW Congregation 19 hove heBreW Congregation Full page (A4 size) £170 Half page (A5 size) £100 Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are Quarter page (A6 size) £65 not necessarily those of SJN; 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or TISING services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and Personal: £4 per line • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or Flyers: Price on application submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to editor@sussexjewishnews.com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration editorial decision. for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman as a font. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 ADVER IN SJN GUIDELINES unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. issue 218 | april 2012 4 your news & views 5 your news get Well Births We wish a refuah sheleimah to Rose Cannan, Sylvia Cato, Ivor Goldman, Dennis Hollis, Joanna Seldon and Sue Sheftz. • Mazel tov to Brian Gordon & Bernice Gordon on the birth of another grandson. A son for Jonathan and Deborah and brother for twins thank you Emily and Olivia. • Mazel tov to Sue & Tony Rosenfield on the birth of Benjamin Saul - The family of the late Derek Jay greatly appreciates the kind another grandson for us and Alex & Tricia Brummer, a son for Dan thoughts, support and expressions of sympathy which they have and Jessica, a brother for Rafi and Natasha, and a great-grandson received following their sad loss. for Michael Brummer and Jacqueline Magrill. • Mazal tov to Fleurise and Darren Lewis on the birth of their son deaths Bertie, named after his great-grandfather. We wish Long Life to the families of Mark Alexander z’l, Barbara Glass z’l (a former member of BHPS who died in Birmingham), Yetta special Birthdays Kimmelman z’l, Edward ‘Eddie’ Park z’l, Rosslyn Randall z’l and Mazel tov to Eileen Berlis, Marcus Dollow, David Felsenstein, Cyril Raymond Wise z’l. Kay, Sara Kerpel, Diane Style, Michael Edwards, Phyllis Kaltz (80), Louis Strong and Faye Tanner, all of whom are celebrating special Stone Setting birthdays this month. The memorial stone in loving memory of the late Doreen Freedman will be consecrated at 2.30pm on Sunday 29th April Wedding 2012 at the Jewish Cemetery, Meadow View, Brighton. Congratulations to Sue Rea on her recent marriage to Michael Shaw. anniversary On behalf of our community, the Editorial Board extends sympathies to the Jewish community of Toulouse, France Mazel tov to David & Elizabeth Sharpe on their Ruby Wedding and in particular the families of the victims in the recent Anniversary. terrorist attack. your views could meet. Susan is in her late 60s and a lively, friendly person. She has joined many groups in Crawley, but would very much like to meet I wonder if you would be able to help with my request. I have a friend up with some friendly Jewish neighbours, if possible. living in Crawley whose name is Susan Jacks. I have met her through her sister who lives near me in Beckenham, Kent. Susan is a widow Although we live in Beckenham, my husband, Joe Burchell, grew up who spent all her married life in South Africa, returning to England in Hove and we still have a flat there as he likes to keep in touch with about four years ago. Apart from her daughter who lives nearby, she the community. has no contact with any other Jewish person or family. Many thanks, Marilyn Burchell If any of your readers knows anyone in or near Crawley, perhaps they Note: any communications concerning this will be passed on by the could be given my friend’s name and contact number so that they Editorial Board directly to the writer. remembering... derek jay z”l 29 july 1921 – 6 february 2012 A gentleman to his fingertips, a generous man with the utmost After commuting to London integrity, whose unassuming demeanour and humility belied his for many years, where he strength of character, Derek lived a long life, celebrating his 90th worked with his father, Derek birthday last July. His death is a loss to his family and friends, the transferred his business congregation at Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue and the activities to Brighton, taking wider Jewish community. over and extending the Brighton Sheepskin Shop Derek was involved in the Jewish life of Brighton and Hove, and in Duke Street. He later especially the life of the Liberal synagogue (today’s Brighton and purchased Wisdens Sports Hove Progressive Synagogue) for 67 years. He inherited his passion and with his wife Jean, for Liberal Judaism from his parents, who belonged to the Liberal transformed it into one of the Synagogue in St John’s Wood, where Derek attended religion school. best-stocked sports shops in the area. While Derek was on active service in WWII, his parents, Phyllis and Jake Jay, moved out of London to Sussex and joined the Brighton Delighting in family life and and Hove Liberal Synagogue. Returning to Brighton after the war the accomplishments of his years, Derek and others founded the Liberal Youth Club, where children, he was always warm, lifelong friendships, not to say marriages, were formed. Derek served engaging, courteous and on the Synagogue Council, becoming Chairman and then President kind. Derek will be missed by and was later honoured with the title of Emeritus President of the many people – his family, friends, the members of his congregation congregation. Derek also served as a Vice-President of the Jewish at Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue and the wider Jewish Representative Council and was active, too, on the Jewish Youth community. Zichrono livrachah – may his memory be a source of Council when Ralli Hall was purchased. blessing. issue 218 | april 2012 4 Community life 5 ujs hillel Centre opens in middle street by Doris Levinson Local celebrity Tony Bloom was the guest of honour at the joined launch of the brand new UJS Hillel Centre on Sunday 12 the many March 2012. visitors and guests to The former caretaker’s accommodation at the rear of Middle marvel at the Street Synagogue has been transformed, having been totally wonderful renovated and refurbished. It has all the latest up-to-date new home facilities for the activities and events run by the members for the of our local universities’ Jewish Societies. With conference Jewish rooms, comfortable furniture, a shul, a dining room for Friday students night dinners, a kitchen and caretaker’s accommodation, at Brighton the former rather dilapidated building has been revamped to and Sussex modern-day standards. Not to be missed is a magnificent Universities. new, specially commissioned, stained glass window facing He paid tribute to Aileen Hill and her committee in overseeing east as one mounts the stairs to the upper floors. and achieving the finalization of this wonderful facility after several years of struggle and heartache to get the job done. As the building formed part of the Synagogue’s Grade 2* listing, all the renovations had to comply with stringent It was also pointed out that the Centre can be made available building guidelines, resulting in a Highly Commended Public for hire to local and national Jewish organisations. Community Award in 2011 from the Sussex Heritage Trust. For more information, please contact Aileen Hill at hill.aileen@ gmail.com Gerry Lucas, Operations Director of UJS Hillel along with a number of his colleagues and the national chairman of JSoc, Pictures by Sophie Sheinwald issue 218 | april 2012 6 Community life 7 ralli hall lunch and social would like to thank everyone who gave us a donation. We Club cannot say enough how important that is to us and we really appreciate how generous you all are, especially in the current by Jacquie Tichauer financial climate. In particular, a huge thank you goes out to Brighton & Hove Reform Congregation and its members for I would like to thank all my volunteers who attended our raising £1,612 from their Kol Nidre Appeal. meeting on the 6 February. This meeting was very productive and we have come up with some great ideas. On Valentine’s Day we decorated all the tables with red napkins, hearts and flowers and love hearts sweets. We also Our Tuesday computer classes, which are instructed by Sue had music playing all morning. Everyone commented on how and myself, are well attended and membership is rising week lovely the hall looked and there was a great atmosphere. It’s by week. One of our members now orders her food shopping amazing what you can do with a little colour! online, showing that our members are learning something new and gaining in confidence week by week. In place of an entertainer one afternoon, we decided to have a discussion in the Beckerman Room which is very cosy We also have a few new Scottish members, so you can and relaxing. We all spoke about our lives, which was very imagine how much I enjoyed meeting them! Members of interesting. One of our ladies told us about her life in South AJEX usually join us for lunch once a month before their Africa and one man told stories about his life in Japan. The meeting and we always look forward to it. Gloria, one of our time just flew by and we have decided that we are definitely most popular entertainers, put on a cabaret performance for going to have more discussion groups in the future. us, and we all joined in. Any excuse for a dance and sing-along! We also had a games afternoon on 28 February, when members from Hyman Fine Home joined us; great fun. In the Last July there was an important change in our status, in that next edition of the SJN I hope to have great photos of our the Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club became its own charity Purim Party which took place on the 8th March 2012. On the with its own charity number. We have been actively trying to 5th April we are going to have a pre-Seder with Rabbi Sarah. raise funds and are delighted to be able to report that there Everyone is welcome, so if you would like to come along just was a very positive response to our mail out in February. We give me a call. did you do it? ten years ago and they haven’t spoken since”. “Him? I went to school with him and he thinks he knows it all but knows nothing.” by Janice Greenwood “I don’t want to be with him”. You get the picture. We also tried We had a terrific response to our Helping to arrange matters so that we didn’t end up with four on one Hands Pub Quiz with over a hundred team and fifteen on another. quizzers taking part. It’s now over until next year, but the exultant winners are That was not all - the couriers who delivered the quizzes and then still patting themselves on the back and collected them had to polish their Vespas and make sure that the kvelling. Helping Hands bus, which was making the rounds, had a special wash and brush-up. Our Committee meetings (oh yes, we have those, too) preceding the quiz were We hope everybody enjoyed the evening. Here’s to the next time. like being in a dating agency or arranging table plans at family weddings. Many quizzers were hosting Just to remind you that our next Helping Hands tea will be on participants in their own homes but those who weren’t able to Sunday 29 April, at the AJEX Centre, 2.30 to 4 p.m. Donation £3 host preferred to be guests in someone else’s home. That caused including raffle. If you’d like to come along, please phone us on a number of problems, because it was then up to us to match 01273 747722. up hosts with quizzers so that there was no confusion or upsets. You can imagine the conversation at the meetings. “Oh no, you We look forward to seeing you. can’t put her in that team, she had a falling out with the family In the meantime - see you at Ralli Hall. Mention SJN and get a discount on your purchases issue 218 | april 2012 6 Community life 7 eastbourne hebrew Congregation’s february Barbecue by Manny Godfrey Having a barbecue in February is not a very common event, unless you live in Australia. But this did not deter Melanie and Dan Liebenberg because it was held indoors at their home. Forty members, including family and friends attended. Fortunately, most of the snow and ice had melted, making their journey less hazardous. The food, cooked on the purpose-built indoor barbecue, was delicious, the drinks varied and plentiful, and background music was provided on the piano by Lazar Liebenberg, when he wasn’t acting as barman! Everybody appeared to thoroughly enjoy the afternoon and the surprisingly large amount of £400 was raised towards the Shul maintenance fund. Come to the ajeX agm anxious to arrange more social functions, but are in need of help, such as entertainers in music and song, quiz masters, or by Judy Gabriel any other ideas you may have. Our AGM will be held courtesy of Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Please do step forward; your reward will be most fulfilling. Hove, on Sunday, 22 April at 11.00 am. We anticipate a visit by our National Chairman, Dr. Arnold Phelops, who will update us on the latest news and views Malcolm Green from Head office, including a report on the outcome of the National AGM, which was held in Hendon on 25 March. We would like to see as many of you, members and non-Catering members, at our meeting; your views, comments and The selection of your menu is an important part in the hopefully, suggestions, to assist AJEX to maintain its aims planning of your Simcha. For that reason our Chefs continue and objectives, would be most welcome. In particular we are to create exciting and tasty menus to meet your every need. We can tailor a menu to fit your specific requirements and help create the function you will be proud of. Let us hastings and district jewish introduce you to a cuisine that has made us one of Israel’s society leading Caterers & the world’s foremost glatt kosher destination wedding specialist. by Claudette Woolfson Join us for our glatt kosher June/July tour of “Mystical Ireland” On Friday 1 March, we held our monthly Shabbat service. KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST As part of the proceedings, Brian Linke recounted aspects Contact Malcolm on 0203 393 6823 of the story of Purim. This in turn became the basis of a very koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk lively discussion. After tea and hamantashen, Peter Lennard www.kosherservicesworldwide.com and Stella Harris talked about their outreach work in the local www.kosherexperiences.co.il schools in the Hastings area. It is very hard but rewarding work to inform youngsters about elements of Judaism. UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION In April there will be no Friday service. Members do, however, OF THE LONDON BETH DIN have the opportunity to join either Eastbourne Hebrew (For functions in the U.K.) Congregation on the second night and/or the Eastbourne “You’ve eaten the food now read the blog” Progressive Community for a third Seder evening. Please contact Stella on 0774 399 2295 or Claudy on 01323 521283 www.koshersericesworldwide/blog/ for further details. issue 218 | april 2012 8 Community life 9 jewish historical society – sussex Branch by Gordon S. Franks The fourth meeting of the 2011/12 season of the Sussex and influence in the Middle East, the emphasis shifting from branch of the Jewish Historical Society took place at Ralli Hall the current Arab domination. In addition, the support of the on Tuesday evening, 28 February 2012. The well-attended oppressed Kurdish nation for their Jewish neighbours was meeting was most privileged to be addressed by Edwin powerfully expressed. Shuker, Vice-Chairman of the World Sephardi Congress, whose subject was entitled “The Jews of the Arab World”. The committee was encouraged by the attendance of several first-time guests and we hope to see all of them and many Concentrating in particular, on the Jews of Iraq [ancient other new faces, as well as our regulars at future meetings. Babylon] and their presence there during a period of 2,600 Refreshments and the chance to socialise after the lectures years, as well as his own dramatic experiences in that now are features that also help to make our meetings well worth troubled land, the speaker vividly illustrated the highs and coming to. lows of life in the region during the longest diaspora of any community in the world. Our last meeting takes place on Tuesday 24 April 2012 at 7.30 for 7.45pm at Ralli Hall. The speaker will be Mark Perry-Nash He also drew attention to the emerging change in the balance on being “A Stranger Among Friends”. This will be preceeded of power as Iran and the Turks jockey for increasing power by a [hopefully] very brief AGM. ralli hall I am sure that you will be suitably impressed with this latest improvement to the Jewish Centre, for the benefit of our by Roger Abrahams members and the community, which, finances permitting, will hopefully also include the upgrade of the restaurant area. This month’s message comes from sunny California, The date of the 2012 Annual General Meeting will be decided compliments of the internet, as I am currently visiting my upon at our next Management Committee meeting at the brother, who has lived in the Bay area of San Francisco for end of this month. It is likely to be at or around the end of the last thirty-five years. As I look out of the window, there is May and will be announced in the SJN. As usual, we shall be not a cloud in the sky and a short while ago we were out in very pleased to welcome new members to the Management just shirt-sleeves. Committee who wish to be involved in the long-term running and improvement of our magnificent Jewish Centre. However, to business; the work is booked to commence now, at the beginning of April, on the replacement of the current See you at Ralli Hall! servery (well past its sell-by date) with a new, all stainless steel and fully equipped vegetarian (plus milk and fish) kitchen, which will be available for use with either the Great Hall, the Magrill Lounge, or even on its own. I expect the work to take about a month or so, and while this is in progress, the adjoining milk kitchen will be temporarily downgraded to take its place. Once the work is complete, this kitchen will be fully re-koshered by an approved person, who will receive my grateful thanks in due course. Are you free on a Monday afternoon, recently retired, or have time to spare? Why not come to Ralli Hall Community Centre, Hove, where you can enjoy a variety of arts & crafts or if you like to play cards join us for a game of bridge, available at all levels; (if you need a little instruction, we are here to help!) We serve a lovely afternoon tea of fresh sandwiches and delicious cakes all for £3.00 (or £4.00 including transport, if required) every Monday afternoon from 1.45pm till around 4.00pm If you would like further information please call Reba on 01444 410435 or 07742 130991 We hope to see you at Ralli Hall very soon! issue 218 | april 2012 8 9 issue 218 | april 2012 10 11 issue 218 | april 2012 11 issue 218 | april 2012 12features 13 how howard came to hyman for a month while he became familiar with procedures fine house and duties. After just two weeks, Mr Baslei was so pleased with Howard that he rang Avram up, telling him by Lily Korn-Bernstock that Howard would make an excellent carer and could How did I know that my son Howard would be a good be employed permanently at the home from then on. carer? To tell the truth, I didn’t! Howard stayed there for fourteen years during which time he married Claudia and they produced my wonderful When Howard lived with me in Frankfurt with my second granddaughter Natalie, who still lives in Germany and husband Avram, we were having lunch at Schneider’s, keeps in touch constantly. a famous department store. We all noticed a couple of elderly ladies struggling to get their coats off. Howard In 1997 Howard missed our close family very much and immediately jumped up and rushed over to assist them, decided to leave Frankfurt and come back to England. He ensuring that they were seated comfortably. Avram replied to an advertisement for Ravenswood to work with observed that if Howard showed the inclination and mentally handicapped children. He left Ravenswood a year compassion to help others at his tender age of 18, then later at the suggestion of his sister Tracy, who told him maybe he would make a good carer. that there were several care homes in Brighton, although unfortunately, he was not able to get work as a carer down Avram had many influential friends and contacted Mr here. Instead, he took up a position at Gatwick airport and Baslei, director of a very famous residential home, to ask then did some private caring. if there were any vacancies or facilities to train Howard as a carer. The home in question was called the Henry and At a dinner in Hove Town Hall for Yom Ha’atzmaut I met Emma Baiderechim Trust and had a very special mission. the lovely, late Ruth Graham with whom I chatted and of Henry was Jewish and Emma was not, and together course our children were the subject of the conversation. they founded the trust to enable the Jewish and Gentile Ruth was the chairperson of the Ladies committee of elderly to live alongside each other, while following their Hyman Fine House and was interested to hear that my own separate laws and customs. With that in mind, there Howard was a carer, but that he also spoke excellent were two kitchens, one kosher with a shomer and one Yiddish, which none of the staff at the Home was able to non-kosher, each with an elevator to their separate dining do. Ruth arranged an initial interview, which resulted in his areas. being asked to report for duty on Monday, 3rd July 2003. He has worked there diligently and faithfully for the past Unfortunately, there were no vacancies for training nine years. He is an asset to the Home, to me and to my provisions at the time, so in order to help Howard get into family and I feel so very proud when people stop me and this profession, Avram offered to pay Howard’s salary tell me how wonderful he is. the torah academy purim party in pictures issue 218 | april 2012 features 13 thoughts about my having given a glare to the poor butcher, she would hover grandmother over the chickens piled up in a heap on the floor. No health and safety in those days! She would then proceed by Sue Rea to pick up each chicken, look it over, squeeze it and if it I have a photo of my grandmother on my bedroom wall. did not pass her scrutiny she would throw it back on the I look at her every time I pass by. She is sitting in a floor in disgust. I would cower in the corner, scarlet with deckchair on Brighton Pier. It must have been one of the embarrassment. This did not stop her and finally she times we came down to Hove for a holiday by the sea. It’s would select one of the creatures and there was always a a black and white photo, not very big, but it reminds me row with the butcher over the price. As I have said before, about her and the sort of person she was. she had a hard life and old habits die hard. I remember that she used to boil the washing on the stove despite my Born Sarah Minsky, she then married my grandfather mother begging her to use the twin tub, and that next to and became Sarah Viner. She had a hard life. My the washing, on a Friday morning, was the soup pan. I grandfather was a tall handsome man but he was not swear she used to use the same spoon in both pots! so good at keeping jobs and my mother used to tell me how they would be forced to “rent hop” around the East Back home, my grandmother would prepare the chicken End when they could not pay the rent. Eventually he for the Shabbos soup and she was extra happy if there ended up working for a tailor in a shop in Islington and was a shellless egg or two secreted in the insides. This my grandmother used to “finish” the garments, sitting up would be carefully lifted out and put aside to boil in the late at night hand sewing buttonholes and seams for a soup. Then she would take the feet and scald them, pittance. They moved from the Guinness flats in Stamford taking off the skin and paring the nails. I was fascinated Hill, a flat without a bath, to a more salubrious house in by this process and used to watch across the table as Golders Green which is when I was born. she would extract the heart, liver and stomach from the multicoloured kishkes and clean them up especially the Still my grandmother was used to hard times and she stomach from which she scraped the digested grain. used to run her household with a firm hand. Because Nothing edible was wasted. Oh that soup! The kreplach my mother went out to work in London, my grandmother savoury as anything, knaidlach like clouds, and my used to look after me during the day and one of my favourite, the stuffed neck! Mind the feet though, they earliest memories of her is going shopping. This may were always popping up when you did not expect it! sound rather dull, but actually she made it into an art form. There was the trip to what she insisted on calling “Max One day out of sentiment, I thought I would try out these Fisheries” where she would squeeze each herring until the recipes on my own children. I performed the ritual with roe came out and insist on buying only the ones with the the feet, to the horror of the children who watched me soft roes! with disbelieving eyes. I sat and sewed up the neck into a pocket and stuffed it with schmaltz and flour, with lots of But for real drama there was the kosher chicken shop. pepper. I lowered it gently into the soup and when all was Every Thursday we would get on a bus and go to the ready and everyone was sitting down, I took it out and kosher chicken shop in Cricklewood. This provided a cut it up ceremoniously, to be greeted with cries of “Yuk! scenario I will never forget. My grandmother would enter What’s that? We’re not eating that; it looks disgusting!” the shop like a ship in full sail (she was a big woman) and Well I suppose it did really if you thought about it! MARTIN GROSS Memorials All aspects of stone-masonry undertaken from new to renovation and cleaning 01273 439792 07801 599771 issue 218 | april 2012 14Culture 15 sjfC presents: mrs henderson presents This British film (103 mins) will be shown at Ralli Hall on Sunday 29th April, with hot and cold drinks from 7.00 pm and the film starting at 7.30 pm. By the way, we’re now showing sub-titles even with films in English to help those who are hard of hearing. This is a comedy drama, based on a true story. It was nominated for two Oscars as well as for other awards. Recently widowed and well-to-do Laura Henderson (Judy Dench) is at a bit of a loose end in inter-war London. On a whim she buys the derelict Windmill Theatre in the West End and persuades impresario Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins), who is Jewish, to run it despite the fact that the two don’t seem to get on at all. Although their idea of a non-stop revue is at first a success, other theatres copy it and disaster looms. Laura suggests that they should put nudes into the show but Van Damm points out that the Lord Chamberlain, who licenses live shows in Britain, is likely to have something to say about that! Luckily, however, Mrs Henderson is friends with him.... So come along on 29 April and enjoy a fun film. All are welcome and, as usual, non-members just make a donation on the door. Local trivia: One of the Millerettes is played by Vicki Davids, daughter of Adrienne & Michael Davids of Hove. Wooden synagogues of poland – exhibition in miami by Linda Boyask In November 2011, when I last visited our daughter Katy in Miami Beach, I made a point of visiting The Jewish Museum on Washington Avenue, where there is a display of model Polish synagogues constructed by the late Peter Maurice. Peter Maurice and his wife Wendy were well-known members of the Jewish community in Brighton & Hove, but retired to Spain in 2001. Peter, a talented artist and qualified flight engineer, spent the last four years of his life making miniature architectural models of Polish wooden synagogues, which he donated to the Jewish Museum of Florida so they could be seen and enjoyed in the hope of bringing to life a heritage that was destroyed through hate and antisemitism. No doubt many of you will be familiar with the example that has been on display in the foyer of the Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue for a long time. But from 2003 to 2007 Peter constructed numerous similar 1:40th scale models based on extensively researched pictures and drawings. Before he sadly passed away in 2007, Peter had twice visited the Jewish Museum in Florida to assure himself that this was to be the appropriate home for his exceptional artworks. It was good to see so many Floridians viewing the exhibits, as many of their ancestors came from Poland, and none of the original synagogues now exist. The exhibition is made up of ten detailed wooden models depicting synagogues in Poland from the 18th and 19th centuries from the villages of Przedborz, Gombin, Zabludow, Gwozdziec, Wysoklie Mazoweckie, Lutomiersk, Kornik, Narowla, Glinne and Pilitz. The photo depicts Peter’s model of Zabludow Synagogue, originally constructed in 1635 and destroyed by the Nazis in 1940. He donated it to the Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue in Palmeira Avenue, where it is exhibited. Photos by Brian Megitt issue 218 | april 2012 14 Culture 15 1957: our community welcomes israel Boxing team by Cyril Jacobs I was privileged to be seconded to chaperone the team for their three-week visit to England for two contests, the first against London and district and the second against Manchester and district. The visit had originally been arranged to take place in1956 but was thwarted by the Suez crisis. The subsequent rearranged visit for 1957 was almost ruined due to the Israel High Command banning demobilisation until the last Egyptian had evacuated the Sinai desert. Many Egyptians were reluctant to return to Cairo for fear that they would fall into the hands of the secret police, which would have meant instant death for ‘surrendering to the enemy’ Thus, the Israeli boxing team, all serving soldiers, were forced to live in their tanks or under canvas until demobilised. Some arrived in London with Israel National Boxing Team - 1st left: Cyril Jacobs Sinai sand on their boots. I met the team at Heathrow and annually for 42 years, but on each occasion the numbers on the journey into central London, the Captain told me that of the boxing team were reduced due to loss of life from there were three last-minute changes to the Israel team from terrorism, intifadas, wars of attrition, the Six Day War and the the list previously provided for programme printing purposes, Yom Kippur War. After that, we saw none of the team again since the three had been shot by Egyptian snipers. as, by then, they had sadly all perished. That was the high Jack Solomons, the famous boxing promoter, had agreed to price they paid to enable the Jews in Israel to live in freedom. arrange the London match at the prestigious Harringay Arena, where he reigned supreme. He phoned me from his home in Hove to tell me that the previous evening he had been in the company of Lewis Cohen (later Lord Cohen), Chairman of the Alliance Building Society who, on learning of the Israeli visit, invited the entire party to be his guests for the day. I was charged with making the arrangements with Cohen’s secretary. We arrived in Brighton on the agreed date, to be met by Cohen’s secretary, who had arranged a coach. We were transported to Cohen’s office for drinks, where we were greeted by Mrs Cohen and six or seven other people. This was followed by lunch at the Grand Hotel. I proposed a vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Cohen for their hospitality and the day was rounded off with a coach tour of Brighton, ending up at the Royal Pavilion, where the photograph was taken. We then returned to London. Israel lost the first bout by the creditable score of 6 bouts to 4 in front of a packed house of 14,000. Subsequently we went to Manchester. where control was in the hands of Gus Demmy, who had arranged the tournament at the prestigious Free Trade Hall, the Israelis winning by 7 bouts to 3. At Manchester’s Midland Station we were greeted by the Lord Mayor, the Chief of Police and a crowd of many thousands. Then, at the Midland Hotel, where accommodation had been booked, there was almost a riot. Thousands had turned out to greet the Israeli heroes and part of my task was to reject offers of hospitality, with great reluctance. After all, the team was there to box, not to socialise. We returned to London and the visit ended tearfully as I waved them off at Heathrow. I kept in touch with the team and in 1960 my wife Sheila and I made our first visit to Israel where we were welcomed by the team, who treated us like royalty. We continued to visit issue 218 | april 2012 16Bhrs rabbi Charles Wallach Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org 17 a letter from the Chairman As regards future arrangements, we have already initiated a programme to find a Rabbi. We must expect this to take a little by Michael Harris while and it is too early to speculate on the time scale or the Rabbi Wallach will retire from his full time employment with the candidates. In the meantime, arrangements are being put in place Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue with effect from 30 April for services and bnei mitzvah tuition to continue as normal, led 2012. by our very excellent lay readers. Murray Hecht, currently Deputy Head at Cheder, has agreed to become Head of Cheder with Rabbi Wallach’s retirement has unfortunately been brought effect from the start of the summer term. about due to the difficult financial times that we all face and he retires with the full blessing and approval of our Board. Our Of course, some members may feel uncertainty at this time. I Board extended its thanks and gratitude to Rabbi Wallach for his am confident that we will pass through this period and can look devoted service to the local community and I am very pleased to forward to the future. And finally, I would like to repeat my own tell you that he has agreed to stay on as Consultant Rabbi which best wishes and I am sure the very best wishes of all members will enable us to continue our association with him from May of the community, to Rabbi and Marilyn for their future and wish 2012. The Chairman and all members of the Board send best them a long and happy retirement. wishes to Rabbi and Marilyn for a long and very happy retirement and look forward to seeing them again on future occasions. Bulletin Board for April 2012 As Consultant Rabbi, Rabbi Wallach will be available to officiate at several functions, particularly life cycle events, over the Saturday 7 First Day Pesach Service, 10.30 am coming months and will hopefully still be leading our High Holy Communal Second Night Seder, 6.30 pm Day services. Rabbi Wallach intends to leave for the USA to be with his daughter and her family in mid April, following second Friday 13th Seventh Day Pesach Service, 10.30 am night Seder. He and Marilyn will be returning in the last week of Wednesay 18 Erev Yom Hashoah, 6.30 pm April. We are not losing contact with Rabbi Wallach and it is our intention to hold a retirement Kiddush later in the year, at a time Sunday 22 Cheder - new term starts, 10.00 am convenient to him and Marilyn. Saturday 28 Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am purim at Bhrs by Yael Breuer Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue held a special Purim service, at which Rabbi Wallach read the Megilla whilst dressed up as a rabbi from the North Pole. There was a children’s dressing up competition and a Purim feast for synagogue members. Prior to the service, the Cheder children performed a Purim play to an audience of fifty parents and members of the synagogue that was directed by Murray Hecht, drama teacher and Cheder co-ordinator . The children were involved in the whole project - the acting, the singing, working on the backdrops and the props. After the show Murray said: “The play was such a success, thanks to the dedication of the teachers namely, Netta Segev, Gabriel Webber, Olivia Sasson and Oliver Harris. All the children worked extremely hard on this project, but special mention must go to actors Max Pearlman, as King Ahasuerus, and Ellie Sassienne-Honeywell, as Queen Esther, who learnt their lines perfectly and gave strong performances”. issue 218 | april 2012 16 Bhps rabbi elizabeth tikvah sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: bhps@freenetname.co.uk www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 17 the new slavery? the benefits of all the new technologies, I have no idea how by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah they work, and not a clue what steps to take, when things go Just before 6:00 on Thursday, March 1, I was sitting at my wrong. There was no alternative; I had to wake up Jess: she computer enjoying the wonders of modern technology, as would know what to do. I dictated an article for Kemp Town News on to the screen in front of me. Since developing RSI two years ago, as a Getting a message to my e-mail provider was the first hurdle, result of typing furiously with one finger, I have been using a but, eventually, Yahoo got to work. It took all morning. Well, voice recognition programme. Once I had completed the first it didn’t take me all morning. It took Jess all morning. After paragraph, I came out of the document and at around 6:30, I phoning the fraud squad, at the advice of another friend, and logged on to my e-mail. responding to some of the texts and phone calls that had begun pouring in, I left home at 10:30 in order to get to my But then, as they say, all Hell broke loose. When I got into my Thursday morning 11:00 Hebrew class. e-mail account, it was empty: nothing in my ‘inbox’, except a single ‘holiday response’ message that had just arrived; I felt deeply shaken. I was also taken aback by the number of nothing in my ‘sent’ folder; nothing in my subject folders; no people, who phoned, concerned that, actually, I was stranded contacts. Nothing. I tried not to panic. I got out of Mozilla in Mallorca. I even had three calls from Spain – that is, from Firefox, and tried Internet Explorer. But the result was the people, who really were on hand to help with my emergency: same. What had happened? a member of the Barcelona progressive congregation, the daughter of a deceased congregant, and a cousin. Just as that question was pounding insistently and pointlessly in my head, the phone rang. It was one of my friends, calling Recalling the liberation of our ancestors from slavery in Egypt, to find out if I was okay? She’d just received an e-mail from Pesach is z’man cheiruteinu, ‘the season of our freedom’. me saying that I was in Mallorca, and had lost my bag, money While we celebrate the festival this year, perhaps, we might and credit cards, and needed her assistance. pause to think about our relationship with modern gadgetry. It’s all supposed to liberate us – but, increasingly, it dominates So I had an answer: my e-mail had been hacked into. But our lives completely. Are we the ‘masters’ of it, or have we what to do about it? The truth is, while I’m happy to reap become ‘slaves’? purim at Bhps By Louise Mordecai BHPS celebrated Purim at the Ralli Hall with a new take on the Megillah – a minute by minute account told by news reporters at Shushan as the story of the events in the palace unfolded. This was followed by a rhyming Purim poem, written and performed by member Geela Caiden. Congregants then enjoyed hamentaschen and alcoholic refreshment! (from left to right) Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah, Louise Mordecai, Ian Elliot, Anna Elliot, Sue Rea, Steve Field and Dany Louise in the Purim spirit. (Photo by Matthew Andrews, © 2012) Book launch of trouble-making judaism Sixty people attended the book launch of Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah’s book “Trouble-Making Judaism” which was held at the Friends Meeting House in Brighton on Sunday 4 February. The book contains a selection of essays, sermons and talks reflecting the key areas of Jewish life with which Rabbi Sarah has concerned herself since being ordained as a Rabbi in 1983. Rabbi Sarah read extracts from the book, spoke about some of the content and answered questions from the audience which was composed of people from a wide spectrum of the community. She then signed copies of the book, which is available from publisher www. davidpaulbooks.com at £9.99. Photo by Matthew Andrews, © 2012 issue 218 | april 2012 18BhhC rabbi hershel rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.webjam.com/bhhc10 19 Creator and creations, freedom and by the Ten Plagues which turned the Nile to blood, blotted out oppression the Sun and showed Hashem’s dominion over creatures and creations of all kinds. by Rabbi Hershel Rader Pesach approaches with its eternal message, a message of Before emerging from slavery the Israelites were called upon hope for an oppressed nation. to affirm their allegiance to their G-d. We celebrate Pesach in the spring to affirm our belief that nature is subordinate to Pesach must occur in spring. Every few years our calendar Hashem and that we owe our freedom to Him. incorporates an extra month in order to ensure that we celebrate this festival in the same month our ancestors left At the time of the Pesach narrative we were dominated by our Egypt. There is a profound symbolism in this, for spring oppressors. In no way are we now in a comparable situation, represents the culture and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians but in some measure we all feel the scourge of anti-Semitism and our liberation at this time demonstrates the error of that growing. It seems almost trendy to criticise Israel and anti– culture and those beliefs. semitic comments, while of questionable legality are recorded regularly in the media. Surely we all recognise the threat to When Moshe, as G-d’s emissary, first asked Pharaoh to the well being of Israel and its citizens. Any thinking Jew with release the Hebrew slaves Pharaoh responded ‘I do not know a sense of history cannot fail to be concerned. The tragic G-d and I will not send out the Children of Israel’. When events in Toulouse served to highlight an existing problem not Pharaoh made this declaration, it was not a confession of presage a new phenomenon. ignorance, but a positive statement of his disregard for the kind of deity Moshe represented. The Egyptians believed in Despite experiencing much, much worse we have survived creations not creator; they believed in the forces of nature. and flourished in a miraculous way. Winston Churchill said, For them the River Nile was a god, it was a natural resource “Some people like the Jews, and some do not. But no which provided the irrigation required for their crops. The sun thoughtful man can deny the fact that they are, beyond any was a god, providing warmth and light. The lamb was revered question, the most formidable and the most remarkable race as a god, for it represented the forces of nature, resurgent in which has appeared in the world.” Pesach commemorates the spring. Before the Exodus the Israelites were commanded the emergence of that remarkable race as an independent to take a lamb, sacrifice it to Hashem and smear its blood on nation, an emergence that was contingent on our faith and their doorposts to identify themselves as believers in the true preparedness to be G-d’s people. As we celebrate our G-d, creator of the natural resources deified by their Egyptian freedom and contemplate the future let us remember that oppressors. Not only creator but controller, as demonstrated important lesson which is the basis of our unique identity. purim pleasures big and small The reading of Megillat Esther on the evening of 7 March was not only accompanied by a comic book of the the story being projected on a screen, but more importantly the sounds of a few dozen adults and over 40 children making noise whenever Haman’s name was mentioned. All of the children were in fancy dress and many adults also getting into the spirit of the holiday. Whilst all of the costumes were superb, Sydney Levine came well-dressed as a leprechaun and deserves special mention for bringing a smile to so many faces. With gifts for all of the children and a superb Kiddush afterward (for which special thanks are due to Chantal Smith and Roz Flashman), a fun time was had by all. New music for your Pesach listening pleasure: The Feast of the Passover by David Gould – songs of the Seder and more in dub The Hallelujah Land by Noah Budin – songs of faith of many musical genres with the title track telling the story of the Haggadah to bluegrass in four minutes Brother Moses Smote the Water by the Klezmatics - a klezmer/gospel crossover about Pesach and the fight for freedom Exodus: An Oratorio in Three Parts narrated by William Shatner who tells the story of leaving Egypt over new classical music All CDs are available from amazon.co.uk and other internet retailers of fine Jewish music. issue 218 | april 2012 18 hhC rabbi vivian silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com 19 the festival of the unleavened bread It is very important to know that, despite other matzah by Rabbi Vivian Silverman varieties being on sale (e.g. egg matzah, chocolate covered matzah) and which have a hechsher (rabbinic certificate), Matzah is the food we associate with the festival of Pesach, they should only be used by: the elderly who find it difficult and the Yom Tov is widely known as The Festival of to chew the proper matzah; infirm and the sick; little children. Unleavened Bread. It must be supervised from the moment The reason is that once egg or fruit juice has been added, the the flour comes in contact with water, kneaded into dough, matzah is no longer regarded as bread, and becomes cake or which is then shaped, marked with holes (to make it flat), biscuit. That is why the matzah (i.e. bread) we use on Pesach placed in the oven, and reappears as matzah. Incidentally, is one that states on the box: made with flour and water only. machine baked matza tends to be square or rectangle shaped, whereas hand baked is round. Any unopened boxes from a previous year, including matzah meal, may not be used the following year because they The entire process should not take longer than eighteen become fermented and are therefore hameitz. minutes, otherwise the matzah becomes hameitz. It is why matzah produced throughout the year cannot be used The only difference between the Hebrew letters that spell on Pesach, since its manufacture was not under Pesach matzah and hameitz is that matza has a hay at the end, and conditions, and the time factor need not be adhered to. hameitz a het at the beginning. The other two letters are the same for each word. From which we learn that the slight Shemura matzah is so named (guarded matzah) because the opening in the hay is all that prevents matza from becoming supervision begins the moment the wheat is cut in the field to hameitz. In other words, we must be so careful to make sure the second it comes out of the oven as matzah. that our Pesach preparations are exact and do not lead to mistakes. DIARY – APRIL 2012 That is why we wish one another not only Hag Same’ach, but 5 Thursday Bedikat Hameitz (home ceremony to search for Hag Kasher V’Sameiach. May we all have a Kosher Pesach leavened), after dark and enjoy it in good health and happiness. 6 Friday Fast of the First Born. • Shacharit at West Hove • Stop eating/drinking hameitz by 10.14am • Burn hameitz collected night before by 11.38am • Shabbat and Yom Tov begin at 7.27pm • Mincha at 7.30pm • First Seder 7 Shabbat Pesach - first day • Shacharit at 9.30 am • Mincha at 7.35 pm • Second Seder • Counting of The Omer begins 8 Sunday Pesach - second day • Shacharit at 9.30 am • Mincha at 7.40 pm • Yom Tov ends at 8.37 pm 9 Monday to Chol Hamoed 12 Thursday Services at West Hove. 12 Thursday Erev Tavshilin - ceremony before Yom Tov Mincha at 7.30 pm 13 Friday Pesach - seventh day • Shacharit at 9.30 am • Mincha at 7.30 pm With best wishes for Passover 14 Shab. Pesach - eighth day • Shacharit at 9.30 am, includes Yizkor • Shabbat and Yom Tov ends at 8.50 pm 17 Tuesday Ladies discussion circle followed by Germara Shiur, 10.30 am 19 Thursday Yom Hashoah for The Six Million. 22 Sunday Rosh Chodesh Iyyar. to 23 Monday 87 Old Shoreham Road, Hove BN3 7AQ 25 Wednesday Yom Hazikkaron (Memorial Day) for The State of Israel’s fallen Tel: 01273 880022 26 Thursday 64th Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Email: bdsanders1@tiscali.co.uk issue 218 | april 2012 20What’s on: april 2012 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org email: info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org shaBBat shalom – Brighton times In Light Candles Out Grodzinski’s challot and rye Fri 6 7.23 pm bread are available from Sat 7 8.34 pm Sun 8 8.36 pm Premier Convenience Stores Fri 13 7.35 pm Sat 14 8.47 pm Fri 20 7.46 pm Sat 21 9.00 pm in Hove Street every Thursday Fri 27 7.57 pm Sat 28 9.13 pm morning until supplies run out. speCial dates Not during Pesach. Friday 6 – Erev Pesach Saturday 7 – 1st Day Pesach Saturday 14 – 8th Day Pesach Thursday 19 – Yom Hashoah Wednesday 25 – Israel Remembrance Day Thursday 26 – Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel Independence Day regular aCtivities events for april Sundays Wednesday 4 Carmel tennis Club 10.00 am - 12.00 noon. Weekly. All levels welcome. Tel: jaCs Guest speaker Jane Terry on Weather Leon on 07717 222744 Patterns. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2 members / £2.50 non-members Brighton jlgB (jewish lads and girls Brigade) The youth club is open to 8-18 year olds and meets every Sunday during school term from 4.15 – 6.00 pm Wednesday 11 at Ralli Hall. Tel; Diane 07963 552920 or Alison 07951 499215 jaCs No meeting Mondays Thursday 12 Centre for german-jewish studies, university of the ethics of our fathers with Rabbi Efune 11.30 am - 12.30 pm at the new sussex Gideon Reuveni - Work in Progress Brighton Hillel Centre, 66/67 Middle Street, Brighton Tel: 01273 321919 Seminar, ‘The Bridge, the Door, and the Cultural- Economy Approach to History’ 4.00 pm Arts A, afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Ralli Hall Tel: Reba 01444 410435 A155. University of Sussex. All welcome, booking rubber and duplicate Bridge 1.30 - 4.30 pm £2.00 Ralli Hall.Tel: Reba 01444 not necessary 410435 Wednesday 18 Contemporary Basic talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men only 8.15 pm at Chabad jaCs Guest speaker Mark Perry-Nash on Chicago House 01273 321919 in the Roaring Twenties. AJEX Centre, Eaton tanya (kabbalah) learning group with Penina Efune - Ladies only 8.15 pm at Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2 members / £2.50 non-Chabad House 01273 321919 members khorovod of songs at Ralli Hall, 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm Tuesdays Sunday 22 ralli hall lunch and social Club, 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 ajeX agm 11.00 am at Ralli Hall 739999 Weekly at Ralli Hall Tuesday 24 art in the studio with martin 2.00 - 4.30 pm Ralli Hall jewish historical society – sussex Branch Guest painting with rochelle (jas) 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm. Tel: 01273 503708 (RH) speaker Mark Perry-Nash on Stranger Among israeli dancing 7.45 pm - 9.45 pm Ralli Hall, Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Friends, 7.45 pm – 9.30 pm Ralli Hall Wednesday 25 Wednesdays jaCs Guest speaker Brian Chattock on The art in the studio with martin 2.00 - 4.30 pm Ralli Hall Yangtse River. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2 members / £2.50 non-members jaCs at the AJEX Centre 2.00 pm, Eaton Road, Hove - £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members. Weekly details in Events section. Sunday 29 sussex jewish film Club: mrs henderson presents Thursdays 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm at Ralli Hall mother & Baby group (0-2 years) at the torah nursery, 29 New Church Road, Hove. All mums welcome 9.30 am to 11.30 am. A warm welcoming atmosphere, with cosy carpet, lots of sunlight and treasure baskets for your COMMUNITY EVENTS – babies and plenty of herbal teas, coffee, chocolate biscuits and chat for the mums. IMPORTANT REMINDER ralli hall lunch and social Club 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly Tel: Jacqueline Contact the Communal Diary before 01273 739999 RH planning your events! Bridge at ralli hall 11.00 am Email: info@ Weekly torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad House. Tel: 01273 sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org 321919 issue 218 | april 2012 -
Issue 185
April 2009
Editorial Board Doris Levinson Stephanie Megitt Ivor Miskin David Seidel Administrator Ivor Sorokin Admin Assistant Gweni Sorokin Front Cover Sophie Sheinwald Community Issues Laura Sharpe Communal Diary Angela Goldman PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ. Tel: 07906 955404. Email: editor@sussexjewishnews.com www.sussexjewishnews.com Editorial In our pages, weʼre reaching out to our children, asking them From this month, Sussex Jewish News is embracing the to write about things that interest them. Depending on age, a technology of the modern generation to reach out and welcome child may need help from parents or grandparents who more people to our community. patiently ask questions to sort and structure thoughts into something of which the child, the family and our whole Weʼre now offering you the choice of receiving future issues in community can be proud. print or electronically. The e-version is exactly the same as the one you hold in your hands, except it will be on your computer Conversely, although many in our community did not grow up screen and can be printed at home. with electronic technology, our children have. We hope everyone will take a look at our new website. If you have any To sample an electronic issue, simply go to our new website at trouble, speak to your children or grandchildren. They can www.sussexjewishnews.com, which we are also launching as easily teach you how to come to grips with the modern age. part of Sussex Jewish Online, our internet community centre at www.sussexjewishonline.com. Working together we become closer and stronger and better. From generation to generation may we go from strength to When Moses directed the children of Israel to teach their strength. children, it was so that, as the generations followed, the Jewish people would never forget their history. In a month where we Chag Pesach Same’ach celebrate Pesach and commemorate Yom Hashoah, it is a lesson that remains as current as it is important. Volunteers are the unsung heroes of our community. Weʼre profiling a few of them as part of the launch of Sussex Jewish Community Care to show how our generations take care of our generations. Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board • Are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are not necessarily those of SJN; • Accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; • Welcome readersʼ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or submit the content to others for comment. Useful Contacts: Submission deadline for next issue: 7 April 2009. SJN email: editor@sussexjewishnews.com Sussex Jewish Representative Council: 01273 206456 To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, Helping Hands: 01273 747722 Security telephone: 07973 419772 please send them ONLY to Ralli Hall: 01273 202254 Hyman Fine House: 01273 688226 editor@sussexjewishnews.com, otherwise we cannot Welfare Board: 01273 722523 SJN Advertising: 07906 955404 guarantee their consideration for publication Day Centre at Ralli Hall: 01273 739999 SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS - SUBSCRIPTION FORM Name…………………………………………….................................................................... Date ............................... Address………………………………………………………………………………………….............................................. .......................................................................................................................................... Postcode ……….................... Telephone………………………...................................... Email ........................................................……………........... ( ) I enclose a cheque for my payment of £15.00 ( ) I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News Bank Account at Lloyds Bank. Sort Code 30-98-74 Account No. 00289447. Or subscribe and pay with PayPal online at www.sussexjewishnews.com I have included my name as a reference to ensure that my subscription will be noted 2 sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 announcements Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration – 28 April The community will be celebrating Yom Haʼatzmaut at Ralli Hall Personal at 7 pm on 28 April 2009. The evening will feature Colin Shindler, author of A History of Modern Israel and What Do Births Zionists Believe? Prof Shindler [see profile on page 5 – eds] Mazel tov to Cynthia & Ronnie Arden on the birth of a will be talking about the birth of the modern state of Israel and granddaughter. how it has had an impact on the recent conflict in Gaza. Prof Mazel tov to Sharon Gross on the birth of another Shindler will also be signing copies of his books and looks grandson. forward to meeting our community. Birthdays Afterward, enjoy light refreshments whilst browsing our market of books, music and Judaica, all of which will be available Mazel tov to Leslie Carlin, Suzi Collard, Estelle Kaye, through our friends at City Books, Daveʼs Comics, Jewish Music Daniel Lachs, Rose Levin (100 years young), Laura Distribution and Rimmon Judaica. Sharpe, Louis Strong and Faye Tanner, all of whom are celebrating special birthdays. Admission is free and we look forward to you joining in the celebrations! Engagement Mazel tov to Jane & Tony Morcowitz on the Drivers’ get together to be rescheduled engagement of their daughter. Helping Hands is rescheduling our volunteer driversʼ get Mazel tov to Cheryl Margo, daughter of Alan Margo, on together to the afternoon of Sunday 7 June. The time will be her engagement to Jonathan Green of Leeds. announced in the next issue of Sussex Jewish News. Anniversary Our drivers are a very important part of Helping Hands. Without them, we would be unable to run our monthly teas and a great Mazel tov to Francine & Ivor Miskin on the celebration part of our activities in general. Taking clients to appointments of their 45th wedding anniversary. might not always seem necessary. We are not a taxi service Get Well but many people want company, reassurance, a friendly face Refuah shelaimah to Janice Greenwood, Jack and often have no family near them. Lackland and Dolly Ross. At the get together we would like driversʼ feedback on such topics as claiming expenses, insurance, difficult and Achievements complicated journeys, clients with special needs and MIDAS Mazel tov to Richard Harris who has won our Mea tests. Culpa Competition. Weʼve sent Richard the CD The Jewish Songbook: The Heart and Humor of a People. The start of a new e-era All of our entrants have been invited to help us ITEM! Sussex Jewish News is now available online at our proofread future issues of Sussex Jewish News. revamped website, www.sussexjewishnews.com. During the month of April youʼll be able to read this issue on any Condolences computer and our website has a user guide to help you get We wish long life to: started. In future, our website will also have updates on • the family of Annie Blakeley z”l activities in and the news affecting our community. • the family of Betty Clark z”l ITEM! • the family of David Gaiman z”l Our communityʼs new online Jewish community centre, Sussex Jewish Online, is now launched! Go to • Derek Kesyton on the loss of his stepfather www.sussexjewishonline.com to check out the many fun • the family of Valerie Morelle z”l features and learn more about our organisations who have • the family of David Rubins z”l come together as one big e-community! • the family of Maurice Weissberger z”l ITEM! You can now listen to songs by Emil Skobeloff and the FunkeyMonkeys, whose music has been reviewed in our pages. These talented musicians are kindly allowing you the Brighton & Hove Jewish chance to hear their songs. And there are links to where you can purchase CDs and downloads for your personal listening Housing Association pleasure. ITEM! To celebrate the launch of our new website, the An unexpected vacancy has arisen FunkeyMonkeys are offering their childrenʼs song about Noah and the Ark, Rise and Shine – Children of the Lord, for FREE in respect of a two bedroom flat in download. Parents and children love music by the one of our sheltered housing FunkeyMonkeys. Simply go to our website, click on the music room and get your own copy of this song. schemes in central Hove. CARER AVAILABLE PRIVATE For further information please contact 20 years experience. Qualified to administer medication. Mrs Georgie Phillips on Hourly rates and references available. Further information ring Jenny King 01273 880013 01273 277225. sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 3 community life Eastbourne Jewish Social Scene Bexhill & District Jewish Friends Sally Taylor, We are holding our usual Seder night on Thursday 9 Claudy April. This will be attended by members, their families Woolfson, and friends. Anyone wishing to come please contact us Sharon Gross on 07724 172880. and Dana The ladies meeting for April is being held at the home of London are Jeanette Kaye on Tuesday 22 April. pleased to report that the Purim Party AJEX held at the The characters of EJSS WRVS centre The AJEX Annual General Meeting will be held on in Eastbourne on Sunday 8th March was a fantastic Sunday 5 April at 10.30 at Ralli Hall. Please try to attend. success. Fifty-six people from Hastings and Fairlight in On Sunday 14 June we will be holding the AJEX Summer the East, to Brighton & Hove in the West, gathered Quiz and Tea at the Mark Luck Hall. Make up a table, together to listen to superb trad jazz, enjoy Hamentashen bring your friends, and call Aubrey to book on 737417. and other delicious edibles and to socialise. Put the date in your diary! Judy Gabriel In the middle of the proceedings we had a short prayer PRO AJEX Brighton & Hove on Purim led by Andrew Jay, Chairman of the Eastbourne Progressive Congregation. The Purim Story, narrated by Hastings & District Jewish Society Stephen Rosenberg, was accompanied by a tableau of Purim characters from the community including Menashe We were all saddened to learn of the death of Valerie Harounoff and Ronnie Taylor, President and Chairman Morelle early in March. We admired her fortitude in the respectively of Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation. An face of an illness which had cast a shadow over her life appreciative audience found the presentation to be most for the last two years. She was determined to live life to entertaining! the full as far as possible and continued to see friends and family and to take holidays. Notwithstanding her own Many thanks to all those who made cakes and helped fragile health she maintained a cheerful demeanour and behind the scene preparing and clearing teas. We are recently visited one of our members in hospital. This hoping to hold more events later in the year and we gesture was typical of her consideration and kindness to welcome your support and ideas to make such occasions others. She will be much missed by us all and we extend enjoyable and memorable for all. our condolences to her husband Steve and his family. Eastbourne Progressive Jewish We had an excellent turnout for the latest afternoon tea at the home of Kath Bluh. There was a delicious spread of Congregation cakes and biscuits and everybody enjoyed seeing each other and having a good chat. We are looking for more The Eastbourne Council of Christians and Jews met on volunteers to host these very popular afternoons. Thursday 26 February. Canon Gordon Rideout, Chairman of St. Wilfridʼs Hospice and Andrew Jay, On Friday 6 March, we held our monthly service at the Chairman/Lay Reader of Eastbourne Progressive Jewish Hugh Smith Hall in Bexhill. This occasion was also very Congregation discussed Jewish and Christian beliefs and well attended and we had an interesting discussion on approaches to the subject of death. the subject of Purim. This was followed by an illustrated talk by our special guest, Ken Brooks, who spoke about Our monthly Coffee Mornings continue to be very popular Pompeii, a place where time has stood still. So much of it across the community in Eastbourne and Brighton. Our remains intact, yet Vesuvius remains a live volcano and next Coffee Morning will be on Wednesday 1 April at who knows when it might erupt again? 11am in the Garden Room (Conservatory) of The Hydro Hotel, Mount Road, Eastbourne. All can be assured of a Many members travelled to Eastbourne for a Purim Party very warm welcome. on the 8 March organised by Eastbourne Jewish Social Scene and drew guests from a wide area. Our Services, which are held at The Friends Meeting Place, Eastbourne, Wish Road, will be on: - The Society, together with the Council of Christians and Jews, is in the midst of planning a joint Passover Meal 10 April - Erev Shabbat Service – 7.00 pm and Service. It promises to be a fascinating evening and 24 April - Chavurah Supper 5.30 pm, we anticipate a good attendance. Please do not delay in Erev Shabbat Service – 7.00 pm reserving a place as bookings are on a first come first Please direct all enquiries to Administrator on 01323 served basis. 7256750 or email on epjcong@aol.com For all enquiries please contact the Society on 07743 Andrew Jay 992295 or write to HDJS, PO Box 74, Bexhill, East Chairman /Lay Reader Sussex, TN39 4ZZ 4 sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 community life Colin Shindler to speak at Ralli Hall on Yom Ha’atzmaut Colin Shindler is a Colin Shindler will be speaking to us at the Yom courageous man. As the UKʼs Haʼzikaron/Yom Haʼatzmaut event at 7.00 pm on Tuesday first Professor of Israeli 28th April at Ralli Hall when he will speak on the birth of Studies, in July 1998, he Israel and the current situation in Gaza. He will be chose to work at Londonʼs signing copies of his book which will also be available for SOAS (School of Oriental and sale at discounted prices. It will be a fascinating evening. African Studies), a hotbed of Cecily Woolf hysterical anti-Israel propaganda. There have Lighting another SPARKS even been swastikas daubed on posters advertising his On 1 March, lay representatives from Jewish communities latest book; but he is in Sussex, Surrey and Kent met at Gatwick Airport for the unfazed, insisting that “my second of the four SPARKS Programme training students number both Arab Muslims and Israeli Jews – seminars. This Programme focussed on what it is to be and it has always been perfectly OK in class.” Jewish in the UK and on some of the emerging issues. His explanation for the continuing and well-publicised Ahron Bregman, lecturer in the Department of War brouhaha is simple: “A year or two ago, my union, UCU Studies at Kingʼs College London, started off the (University and College Union) added lecturers in supply leadership and management sessions by talking about and higher education. Within that small group thereʼs a Israel after last monthʼs general election. In the afternoon, highly radical leadership dominated by the Socialist the group was joined by Dr Winston Pickett who focussed Workersʼ Party with its own ideological agenda which they on media relations, especially on the presentation of put before trade unionism.” oneself and oneʼs community to the wider world. Tensions during and following the recent Gaza conflict Prof Shindler himself has not hesitated to attack the were an important issue under discussion highlighting the “selective outrage” of UCU which, whilst condemning relevance of both topics. Israel, remains silent about the Hamas bombardment that has halted classes in Sapir College, Sderot and the The education sessions looked at how to speak to Ben-Gurion University in the Negev. “I take my stand and non-Jews about being Jewish, either when invited to donʼt bow to intimidation,” he declares, but he is more speak to a local school, or when groups came to visit the charitable to other opponents. “I often find that people synagogue, or just in general conversation or at a social who use stereotypes do it out of ignorance rather than event. The morning session was led by Hannah Ashleigh, malicious intention. The dividing line for anti-Semitism is the Education Projects Manager in the Community Issues when people use Zionism to attack the Jews.” Division of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Rachel Heilbron, Programme Director of the Three Faiths Forum Prof Shindler passionately campaigns against the presented interesting research on approaching the boycotting of Israeli academics and universities. “Israeli commonalities and differences found in the different Arabs can be Israeli academics,” he points out. “Besides, Abrahamic religions. the majority of my Israeli colleagues are sympathetic to the peace camp; and thereʼs no similar advocacy for All the delegates who attended this second session found boycotts elsewhere. Any fair-minded person must be the subject matter and discussions most interesting and of against this action.” great value and are looking forward to the remaining sessions of the programme. In 1982 Prof Shindler helped to found the British Friends of Peace Now and is currently involved in the Olive Tree The third of the SPARKS Programme seminars is to be Project which brings groups of ten Israeli and ten held on 26 April at Salomons in Tunbridge Wells, where Palestinian students to study at City University and live the subjects will be social action in the community; making together as a community. He notes that, although times the most of volunteering; as well as Jewish education for are difficult, itʼs remarkable to see how young people children and adults. To facilitate attendance, the Board of attempt to overcome their preconceived ideas and Deputies have organised a bus to transport a number of emotions, He says that he is a realist, but we must have delegates from Hove Station to Salomons and back. The hope and if you donʼt strive to bring both sides together, final session is to be held on 31 May at Ralli Hall. then you are destined for eternal war. There is a limited number of spaces still available for the A member of the New North London Masorti synagogue, remaining sessions. All sessions are free and travel Prof Shindler is married with 4 children and 6 expenses are reimbursed by the Board of Deputies. For grandchildren. He is primarily a historian. His latest book, more information or to register to attend sessions, please A History of Modern Israel is published in paperback by contact Hannah Ashleigh at the Board by e-mail to CambridgeUniversity Press at £14.99. It covers 60 years hannah.ashleigh@bod.org.uk or by telephone on in just under 400 pages, with the connecting thread being 0207 543 5400. ideology from Ben-Gurion to Hamas. David Seidel sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 5 community life Community policeman reviews the Jewish beat PC Jake Rolf recently completed his community policing Brighton and Hove today, although the threat to individuals placement with the Brighton & Hove Jewish community and may be small (because of socio-economic demographics it has provided Sussex Jewish News with the following précis could be argued that a Jewish person is actually less likely to of his report on the time he spent with our community. be a victim of crime than other groups). Also, in reality most Jewish people are unidentifiable as the stereotypical beard My two week placement was within the Jewish community of and black hat are really only worn by a small minority of Brighton and Hove. I had a schedule which included a Jewish people descended from some European sects of Jewish nursery, day centre for the elderly and visits to Judaism. As an exercise for myself I took a short walk various synagogues. through Brighton wearing the Kippa hat and hardly anyone My knowledge of Judaism and Jewish custom was not very even appeared to notice, although I did feel slightly advanced however I have previously studied with many uncomfortable as one person did a “double take”. Israelis and held no prejudices. I have always kept informed However the threat to the community is real and continues, of world politics and do not agree with some recent Israeli hateful literature still gets disseminated, cemeteries still get actions in the Middle East and do have sympathies with the vandalised as do synagogues. The table below shows the Palestinian people. number of incidents during 2007 (figures taken from CST To begin the placement I met with a local Jewish historian material): and one of the editors of the Sussex Jewish News to gain an Category Number of incidents 2007 understanding of the Jewish Community. Brighton and Hove Extreme violence 1 has historically had a large Jewish minority, and at present Damage and desecration 62 Literature 19 there are approximately 3,000 affiliated (to a synagogue) Jews in Brighton and Hove and the surrounding area with Speaking to Rabbi Sarah, one of her main concerns was possibly another 9,000 non-affiliated Jews. This community is not to personal safety but the demonisation of the Jewish an aging one with a large number of ʻ60-plusesʼ. There are people. The figures for literature shown above do not four working synagogues in Hove which therefore forms the include anti-Semitic web sites or some of the historically centre of the community. anti-Semitic literature, some of which dates back centuries. Rabbi Sarahʼs concerns are insightful. She The community has few needs and actually provides a large amount of services and funding internally. The needs are was concerned that hate crimes would not stop against those of any aging community; day care, sheltered the Jewish people until the levels of anti-Semitic accommodation, home help, community transport and other materials were cut. Even today new conspiracies theories social services. These needs are, if anything, catered to well, demonise the Jewish people. One increasingly common better than outside of the Jewish community. A history of story with a modern twist is that the neo-conservative charitable benefactors and bequests has allowed the Jewish American government that has lobbied for aggressive community to provide excellent day care, homes, nurseries action (these “neo-cons” are often referred to as hawks and a minibus. The only gap in services appears to be the or being hawkish in the news) in the Middle East is apparent difficulty and high price of obtaining kosher food in actually controlled by a cartel of powerful Jews. Other Brighton. stories which refer to the “New World Order” often suggest the world is increasingly being controlled by The other perceived need is for security and safety to malevolent Jewish cartels. practice their religion. Anti-Semitism has, to varying degrees, existed for thousands of years. The Jews have had no The relationship between the police and the Jewish homeland for hundreds of years and have therefore settled community in Brighton and Hove is good. All of the in many countries. They have always been respectful of the Jewish people I spoke to said that they supported the countries they have settled in and have always tried to Police and that they would feel comfortable to speak to contribute to the local community and economy. During the the Police if they needed to. Most people felt that the community placement programme was a good idea even if it was not immediately relevant to them. The CST team I took a short walk wearing a provides an extra, highly organised, level of Kippa and hardly anyone noticed. communication between the communities. They also I felt slightly uncomfortable when provide training above and far beyond the training which one person did a “double take”. police neighbourhood watch and similar schemes offer. From my placement I have taken an understanding of Holocaust, six million Jews were killed. Many more were what it means to be Jewish. All of the people I met were displaced. To put this in perspective there are only 13 million kind, genuine and had a great feeling and commitment to Jewish people worldwide today and over half of them live in community. I personally would feel much more Israel which was given to the Jewish people by the allies comfortable, and able, to deal considerately with after World War 2. Continuing problems in the Middle East problems involving the Jewish community. I will maintain and the existence of right-wing, neo-Nazis and Holocaust contact with people from inside the community, and, deniers still pose a threat to Jewish culture. because it is such a close knit community, would hope to A feeling of threat still exists in the Jewish community of be made aware of any concerns they have. PC Jake Rolf 6 sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 heritage Creating a JTrail in Brighton and Hove The history of the Jewish community in England stretches You can also do this through our website, back well over 1,000 years. JTrails, the National Anglo-www.jtrails.org.uk, where you can click on Get Involved. Jewish Heritage Trail, is an initiative of Spiro Ark, working From April 2009 we will be working with Sussex Jewish to raise awareness of this rich history among both Jews Online, www.sussexjewishonline.com, to bring you an and non-Jews through the creation of heritage trails and interactive project site where you will be able to add community projects across the UK. contributions or volunteer. We need budding or active During 2009-2010, with funding support from English illustrators and artists as well as people able to Heritage, JTrails is running a community history project in advise on physical access issues along trail routes and Brighton & Hove to develop a trail and tour and you can assist with Braille or audio content to ensure the project get involved. We are looking for memories and stories of is accessible to all. Brighton & Hove to compile a history of the area We will be reflecting experiences pre and post World War II right up compiling all of to the 2000s. The Brighton & Hove JTrail will be launched your contributions with an exhibition and heritage festival day in 2010. into a community We will be holding a series of Heritage Meets at several archive. We venues during 2009, with our first at the Limmud Day in would also like to Roedean on 29 March. Memory Roadshow Days in work with you to Brighton & Hove will run during the summer and autumn select a number of 2009, starting in May. Details will be posted on our of memories to turn into digital stories to create a learning website and advertised locally. Feel free to turn up on the resource for future generations on the Jewish experience day and share a tale, a memory, bring an old photograph, and heritage in Brighton & Hove. video clips and historical data or simply find out more If you would be interested in recording an oral history at about the project. the May Roadshow, or want to get in touch, please Progress at Middle Street contact the Outreach Project Manager by email at philip.kiberd@mypostoffice.co.uk. For more information There are many people who are interested in the fate of and other JTrail locations visit our website at Middle Street Synagogue, not just the members of www.jtrails.org.uk or write to us at JTrails c/o Oxford Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation. Many supporters Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies, Yarnton Manor, locally belong to other shuls and there is a large number Yarnton, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, OX5 1PY. who are not Jewish. Middle Street receives visitors and interest from all over the world. It is not surprising Philip Kiberd therefore that English Heritage, who has awarded a grant for the first part of the building works, regards this project Jewish history, Franks-ly as high profile. On 24 February Gordon Franks gave an interesting and well-researched talk at the Jewish Historical Society To proceed with the work, the building had to be made entitled Jacob and his 12 Sons, Their Journey to England, safe from wind and watertight. Scaffolding was erected Sussex Links and the Pirate Connection? in February and repairs have started. As is common with old buildings, some areas were found to need more work The theme was based on the 16th century Spanish artist than anticipated, but to a degree this was set off by the Francisco de Zurbaran's interpretation of Jacob's final fact that the roof timbers were in much better shape than words to his sons as recorded in Genesis. It has long might have been expected. been believed that the 13 paintings were brought to England, possibly by pirates. Some of the paintings were The task is to get all the necessary work done within brought together for viewing at the National Gallery in budget. This may be difficult because of the necessary 1994, having passed through many hands over the extras. We shall need more immediate help to get our centuries. The many adventures of the paintings were appeal for the Phase II works under way and perhaps highlighted, as well as their brief reunion in 1994. Several also some additional funds for Phase I. We need people links were mentioned including one to Middle Street to come forward to help raise funds and manage the Synagogue and Glynde Place in Sussex. on-going project. Some have already The next meetings of the Sussex Branch of the Jewish volunteered. If you Historical Society will be on 31 March and on 5 May at would like to be 7.45 pm at Ralli Hall. On 31 March Professor M. Alpert, involved please President of the national society, will speak on The Jews contact me through of Spain and the Inquisition. Then, on 5 May, Mr Elkan the BHHC office on Levy will give a talk on The Road to Emancipation. 01273 888855. Martyn Cooperman Joan Melcher sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 7 commercial For all your printing requirements please contact ANDUS PRINT ON 01273 558880 email: andus@mistral.co.uk www.andusprint.co.uk Telephone: 07906 955404 LOOKING FOR THAT UNUSUAL GIFT? Ever thought of giving a subscription to Sussex Jewish News? Not just one but twelve gifts throughout the year. Complete the form on page 2 and send it to SJN, PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ or phone 07906 955404 and tell us who the gift is for . We will do the rest. 8 sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 children’s music FunkeyMonkeying around with Joshua Sitron Why I Like the FunkeyMonkeys “Kids are cooler than adults,” FunkeyMonkeys founder Joshua The first time I Sitron explained. “They are more real and more entertaining. heard Jewish Adults have too many layers of self-consciousness to really let FunkeyMonkeys, I down their guard.” Sitron, with colleagues Carey White, Mike was in the car Gold and Brian Carter, dress in monkey costumes and with my Mum, entertain families with music and comedy that crosses Dad and little generations. Monkey Josh, as he is known in costume, let his brother Gabriel guard down to talk to Sussex Jewish News from his Brooklyn who is one year home. old. When the Sitron is best known for writing the theme song to Dora the first song came Explorer even though he left the cartoon before it had even on, Gabyʼs legs aired. Although he is thankful for what it has done for his started kicking like career, he found the he wanted to experience frustrating. dance and my “I grew up with The head started swaying to the music. Muppet Show and Free To Be You and Me,” he I like all of the twenty-two songs on this CD, but my says. “The music was favourite was Ma Nishtanah. I really liked it because, magical and the best even though I learned a lot of the songs at the Torah musicians were involved, Academy nursery, this version was faster and more fun. like Ray Charles, Diana I also thought Tatala and Bubula was funny because the Ross and Michael singer had a lot of fun with the Yiddish words. My Jackson. It was about Boobie and great-Boobie (dadʼs mum and grandma) content. Dora was more say these words to me whenever I speak to them. about merchandising.” It is why the only Because we were listening to the CD so much, Mum FunkeyMonkeys and Dad got us other FunkeyMonkeys music. The merchandise is their newest one is Jewish ʻTil Youʼre Satisfied. There are CDs. only seventeen songs but I really like to dance to the songs for Purim, Pesach and Chanukah. There is a fast The FunkeyMonkeys version of Dayenu in Hebrew and English. My dad told were born, to an extent, out of Monkey Joshʼs growing up in a Jewish family as well as Dora. “In 2000 I was in the studio me that he used to sing Rise and Shine – Children of with Harrison Chad, the voice of Boots the Monkey,” Sitron the Lord when he was a little boy. He has been recalls. “We were bored so I started playing a heavy drum teaching me the words. beat. Harrison started singing Ma Nishtanah to it.” It was the Since getting their CDs, Gaby and I listen to the seed of an idea that would take one year to germinate on FunkeyMonkeys a lot. I really like that children sing with record and three years to blossom into a proper group that the adults but also on their own. My favourite songs are now features Monkey Carey, Monkey Mike, Monkey Brian as the fast ones because they are easier and more fun to well as soul musicians of the highest calibre who now help dance to. If weʼre not too tired at night, we listen to a co-write their original songs. CD after our bath. Dancing makes us tired so we can Two of the groupʼs six CDs are Jewish FunkeyMonkeys and go to bed. Jewish ʻTil Youʼre Satisfied. Both originated from Sitronʼs love of soulful songs written in minor keys. “I wanted to bring out I think my friends would like all the music by the the spiritual aspect of Judaism and Jewish music,” he FunkeyMonkeys too. revealed, noting that he also loves the joyous aspect of gospel Moses Barnard Seidel, Age 5 and would one day love to work with Kosher Gospel singer Joshua Nelson. You can listen to songs from Jewish FunkeyMonkeys and However, songs in sad, minor keys do present a challenge. Jewish ʻTil Youʼre Satisfied on our “Itʼs hard to be happy and joyous in minor keys unless you website www.sussexjewishnews.com make it more Latin or disco,” Sitron commented. “I did that in Bashana Habaʼa. Otherwise, the song is too dark and is FREE GIFT! re-arranged in a major key. I did that with Hatikvah.” Joshua Sitron hopes every FunkeyMonkeys song will help As a gift to celebrate the launches of our new website and the connect parent and child through music. And watching e-publishing of your community magazine, Josh Sitron and the parents sing songs with their children is, for Sitron, a FunkeyMonkeys are offering readers a free download of Rise and magical moment of inner fulfilment. Shine – Children of the Lord, a song about Noah’s Ark, through David Seidel our website at www.sussexjewishnews.com All FunkeyMonkeys CDs are available from www.cdbaby.com sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 9 travel China – a land of contrasts railway and, from the outside, looks like something from In November 2008 a London tour operator had a science fiction film. advertised a China Highlights & Jewish Heritage Tour in The JC. I was one of eleven who were curious enough Beijing has a population of thirteen million. Normally very to sign up for it. Our group never met until we left for hot and humid in summer, at this time of year the Beijing. We were four married couples and two single temperature was a pleasant 65oF. There was some pollu-widows from northwest London and me. tion apparent because bicycles have virtually disappeared since 2000. Now the roads are jammed China is the worldʼs third largest country in area – after with cars. Drivers are prohibited from using their cars for Russia and Canada. It is the worldʼs most populated one day each week. Which day a car must remain idle is country with over 1.3 billion people. It is wider than the determined by the last figure of a carʼs registration plate. continental United States, yet it is only on one time zone. There are six ring roads. The Chinese invented gunpowder, paper, porcelain and Two hours after meeting our tour manager, local guide the compass. More people read Chinese than any other and bus driver, unpacking and having something to eat, language. Chinese is a tonal language, which makes it we started four days of sightseeing that included the very difficult to speak. Each written character has up to Olympic Stadia, Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City ten different meanings and each one represents one (the former Imperial Palace), the Summer Palace and the syllable. A Chinese child aged nine or ten is expected to Great Wall of China. know at least one thousand different characters. Adults to whom we spoke said that they know at least ten From Beijing we flew west to Xiʼan, where we spent two thousand. days. About 1,400 years ago Xiʼan – then called Chang-an – was Chinaʼs capital and was at that time English is very much a second language. Although the reputedly the worldʼs most civilized city.The highlight here Olympic slogan – One World, One Dream, was seen was our visit to see the Terracotta Warriors, and this everywhere on hoardings in Chinese and English and all certainly exceeded our expectations. main roads are ʻsub-titledʼ in English, there are no foreign newspapers available. There are, however, two English Next we flew south to Guilin where it was warm and language newspapers: China Daily and Shanghai Daily humid. We enjoyed a very scenic trip on the River Li News, that are both government-controlled and given out surrounded by limestone outcroppings. Oxen and water by hotels. buffalo worked in fields on the riverbank. We also visited farms, rice paddy fields, banana plantations and bamboo The overnight flight from Heathrow to Beijing was ten forests. hours. The British-designed Beijing Airport was built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. It is vast, very spacious - Travelling east, we arrived at 1.00 am in Shanghai, a very we collected our baggage from carousel number 47, and vibrant city of 18 million people. We were surprised to be is shaped like a Chinese dragon. It has its own internal stuck in a traffic jam on the highway into the city at that time of night! Even though a 50% car tax is imposed to ease the traffic congestion, it doesnʼt look as though itʼs working. Like Beijing, Shanghai has large areas of skyscrapers of modern design with cranes everywhere. Both cities have a very large, modern underground system. Ticket machines are operated by touch and work in English. A ticket covering the entire system costs less than 20p. Taxis are very cheap – I did an 111/2 mile journey for only £4.00 and the drivers donʼt expect a tip. I also travelled on the Mag-Lev train. This operates by magnetic levitation on a purpose-built track above the A chilly day on the Great Wall of China rooftops. It connects the 10 sussex jewish news . . april 2009 travel International Airport to the city centre. Trains go every fifteen minutes. The ride is very smooth, even at speeds of over 270 mph. It took exactly 7 minutes 20 seconds to go 21 miles. At a cost of £5.00 single or £8.00 return, it is quite an experience. In both Shanghai and Beijing we spent Shabbat with the local Chabad House. In Beijing we ate at a kosher restaurant which had opened just before the Olympics. In Shanghai, Chabad House had its own ʻin-houseʼ restaurant and we ate our evening meals there. Our visit coincided with that of the Israeli Minister for Three Gorges Dam, way down upon the Yangtse River Construction who was accompanied by the Deputy Is- raeli Ambassador to China, who had previously served at help navigation and stop the floods that in recent years the Israeli Embassy in have killed tens of thousands. It also provides London. Speaking to both of them, I learned that in the hydro-electric power to all parts of the country. late 1930s Shanghai was the only place in the world that We finally disembarked at the city of Yichang (ʻFemale took in Jewish refugees from Nazi oppression without Pigʼs Mouthʼ) and flew back to Beijing where we spent any examination of their papers. Over 20,000 Jews - our last two days. Since we left a fortnight before, the mainly from Eastern Europe but some from Russia, lived temperature had dropped and it was now down to about there until 1945. An Israeli photo-journalist, Dvir 40oF but felt chillier due to strong, cold north winds. Bar-Gal, runs a terrific half-day tour, visiting various Thankfully, we had dry weather throughout the trip except places of interest, that was very enjoyable. for our first two days in Shangai when we had to endure After twelve days our tour manager left us and we were continuous torrential rain. on our own. Three of our number flew back to London On the first of our final two days in Beijing, our group kept whilst another three travelled on to Hong Kong before together and visited some places such as the Temple of returning to London. I, together with the remaining four, Heaven. On the second day we split up to do some flew to Chongqin, formerly Chunking, which was Chinaʼs shopping and met up for dinner in the evening. Stores in World War 2 capital when they were fighting the the city centres of Beijing and Shanghai are open seven Japanese. It is the worldʼs most populated city with over days a week, up to 10.00 pm. I noticed that both cities thirty-three million people. have a C&A store. We cruised the Yangtse River for three days and nights. Wages generally are low in China compared with the The river rises in the extreme west of the country, flowing West. The Chinese government now expect over 40 for over 3,900 miles and emptying into the East China million unemployed in 2009. In 2007 one million Sea just north of Shanghai. The scenery was superb as undergraduates would have expected to be employed we passed mountains up to 4,000 feet high and saw with salaries of some £2,500 to £3,500 per annum but many newly-built large cities. Each day we had a have yet to find employment. Over 800 million different shore excursion, including a two hour trip Chinese live in the countryside, many hundreds of down the Narrow Gorges. millions of them existing on an income of 20p to 25p per We sailed for 410 miles through the Three Gorges where week. Education facilities and healthcare are poor, a new dam and reservoir are now, after fifteen years, compared to what is available for city-dwellers. complete. It is the worldʼs largest dam at nearly 11/2 miles I found the entire trip to be fascinating. For the visitor, wide. Whilst we were there, we could only see half of it, China can certainly be a shock – culturally, visually and since half was lost to view in the mist. Thanks to the linguistically. It is a land of contrasts indeed. dam, the Yangtseʼs water level has now risen 350 feet to Phillip Freeman sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 11 our unsung heroes Volunteering: explaining the inexplicable? Volunteering. Just say the word and it conjures up a host Security Trust, Helping Hands, Brighton & Hove Hebrew of associations. On the altruistic side thereʼs selflesness, Congregation, Limmud and Sussex Jewish News came doing good and helping others. On the negative side about because of one simple act: I was asked. there is the notion of work-substitute, too much time on And the rewards? If the personal accounts of the oneʼs hands or an inability to find ʻa real jobʼ. volunteers on these pages are any index, the benefits As with all stereotypes, none is anchored in reality. None transcend the deeds themselves. For me, each explains what drives humans to this basic act. For organisation I have offered my time to has brought me volunteering can range from the episodic – an ad hoc a wider circle of friends, made me realise just who and giving an assist when called upon – to the near what really make this community ʻworkʼ, and given me a permanent, exemplified by those who take their keener sense of what the Pirke Avot means when it says responsibilities so seriously that they constitute ʻthe reward of the mitzvah is the mitzvah itselfʼ. daily or weekly routines. As a personal example, when I was first approached by And yet, chances are if you ask volunteers why they Helping Hands to drive a clutch of octogenarians to a do it, youʼll be met with an eloquent loss of words. As a Sunday tea, I didnʼt hesitate. To me, it was a no-brainer. full-time journalist working for a string of Jewish Any one of the ladies could have been my mother in newspapers in the US and Florida: aged, living Israel I would always take alone (sometimes with Ten reasons to Volunteer a deep breath when assistance) and happy seeking its ʻroot causesʼ. to have (blissfully, by I would invariably come up 1. You can do the small things that make a big difference, comparison) ʻyouthfulʼ empty-handed. and remember a little time goes a long way. company. Each was almost embarrassingly Time after time Iʼd find my 2. You can learn interesting stories about people, the appreciative of what interviewees – from the community and their history. seemed like a modest ʻJew in the streetʼ to 3. There are many varied volunteering opportunities within donation of time and high-flying executives and the community or behind the scenes. effort. Touchingly, some captains of industry – 4. Youʼll feel good about doing something worthwhile. of my charges have astoundingly unanimous in 5. There are many clients who need you. even tried to repay me the simplicity of their 6. Youʼll be an integral part of the organisation and the with sweets for my answers. “Because one community. children or myself. does it, doesnʼt one?” Or; 7. Volunteers say they get more out of volunteering than “Because itʼs part of what But there is more than it means to be Jewish”. what they put in. just the feel-good factor, 8. Itʼs an opportunity for you to learn new skills. which should not be But if Iʼd dig just a bit 9. Volunteering looks great on your CV. dismissed lightly. deeper into their personal 10. Daytime television is lousy anyway. Spending time with my narratives I could get passengers is a window beyond a generalised into their lives, their ethos of doing good or a variant of the mitzvah-impulse. memories and personal Jewish histories of Brighton and Sometimes I would even hear, matter-of-factly: “I do it Hove. Combine this with regular banter, occasional because I was asked.” kibitzing and discussions prompted by music (playing That was the clue I was waiting for – and perhaps the Bette Midler singing Bei Mir Bis Du Shoen once sparked key to understanding the volunteering phenomenon. a resplendent free-association of memories that are best kept private) and I now simply come away feeling From childhood Jews are taught the mitzvah of giving singularly enriched – all the more so since my own (tzedakah) and of donating our personal time for the mother passed away two years ago. sake of a greater communal good. On the one hand this tendency is woven into our Jewish consciousness. Even So whatʼs the secret behind volunteering? ʻacculturatedʼ and non-religious Jews seem to gravitate Perhaps it really boils down to this: it makes us towards it at the same time that other forms of Jewish feel good, whole, complete, satisfied and enlarged expression may fall by the wayside. by the deed. Not better. Just good. But we only activate this latent impulse when we are So when someone from one of our many organisations asked. happens to ask for your help, consider the Nike slogan Could it be that simple? Looking at my own involve-and Just do it. Just volunteer. It may just change your ments since moving to Brighton & Hove almost 10 years life. ago I saw that each of my own involvements (past and Winston Pickett present) – Brighton Jewish Film Festival, Community 12 sussex jewish news . . april 2009 sjcc Local care organisations launch new joint effort Sussex Jewish Community Care was initially the idea of As with all new organisations we have evolved and Helping Hands in partnership with Jewish Care. It changed and are now far nearer in our aim for started approximately 18 months ago as Helping Hands co-ordinated community care. With this issue of were becoming more aware that we needed to work with Sussex Jewish News you will find a new directory with the other welfare organisations to identify common contact information of the main organisations involved needs and concerns. with Sussex Jewish Community Care. We intend to Sussex Jewish Community Care (SJCC) consists of: distribute this leaflet to reach the wider community • Helping Hands through doctorsʼ surgeries, hospitals, libraries, coffee shops etc. • The Jewish Welfare Board, • The Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association Our ultimate goal is to reach every Jewish person in Sussex who needs any of the services provided by our • The Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club constituent organizations. • Hyman Fine House (Jewish Care) Sarah Wilks • The Brighton & Hove Jewish Centre • Sarid Lending Helping Hands • The Monday Club Helping Hands is a support • AJEX network run for the community, by the • Mother & Baby Group community. We work with • Sussex Tikvah synagogues and other • all the synagogues voluntary organisations to provide practical and SJCC is facilitated by Sonia Douek, Head of Community emotional care as well as Development and Family Carers at Jewish Care and assistance for the entire Ronnie Silverman on the co-chaired by Sarah Wilks of Helping Hands and Fiona community. first HH bus run Sharpe of the Jewish Welfare Board. The idea is for all of our welfare organisations to share news and views, offer Our carers and administrators are all volunteers. There further training and support for our volunteers and to are many different volunteering opportunities, and we are become a cohesive group for the benefit of the whole always in need of new recruits either on a one-off basis, Jewish community. or for a regular commitment. Our aim is to be an umbrella body for the entire So please register as a volunteer at Helping Hands. You community that will enhance the lives of Jewish will be making a valuable contribution to the community, individuals living in Sussex, support anyone within the as well as making new friends and having some fun Jewish community with a specific need, and support along the way. If you or someone you know is in need of those organisations in the area that provide services to our assistance, please get in touch and we will do our meet the needs of the community. best to help. Our mission is to identify common issues for member We need help with: organisations in providing services and to work jointly to • grocery shopping – taking the client shopping or do the address those issues, and to identify hidden issues shopping for them. within the community and work together to support • grocery Internet shopping – order goods on the clientʼs people affected by those issues. behalf and arrange for door to door delivery. • delivery and collection – prescriptions, dry cleaning, How to book the Helping Hands Community Bus library book collection and return, • assisted transport and assisted trips to personal The bus is available for hire by any Jewish organisation in Brighton & appointments such as doctors, dentists, hospitals Hove and surrounding areas. All you have to do is phone the ‘Bus Line’ on 01273 701467 or by email to hhbusline@googlemail.com • in the home - to just sit with the client and have a chat We need at least three weeks’ notice to book the bus unless you have a and a cup of tea regular booking with us throughout the year. There will be a returnable • the Helping Hands Community Bus is available – deposit of £25 on booking to cover cancellation fee. We need at least fifteen seats with wheelchair access and you could seven days’ notice to cancel the booking. There is no charge for the become a MIDAS driver. hiring of the bus BUT you will need to pay for fuel. • monthly teas held on the last Sunday of every month. You will need a MIDAS licensed driver. Helping Hands have 3 volunteers • keeping in contact through the telephone who are MIDAS trained and if one is not available, Community Transport can supply a driver. The current charge is £8/hour. • sensitive helpline We encourage organisations to find people to take the MIDAS test. • help with form filling They must have a D1 category on their licence. If they are prepared to How can we help? Call us on our community information drive for Helping Hands at least twice a year we will be happy to help help line on 01273 747722. with the cost of the test. sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 13 sjcc volunteers Marc Carlton sing to the residents but now Iʼm older and my voice has changed. I prefer to just go and talk. My uncle lives there now and so I am still a regular visitor. Most of the residents donʼt remember me from one visit to the next, but I still enjoy chatting to them and making them smile. In recent years, I have done several fundraising events for charity, such as swimming a mile in aid of Torah Academy and The Martlets Hospice, and I have cycled half-way from London to Brighton for Norwood-Ravenswood. This year I am already in training to cycle the whole 60 miles. I like helping others because itʼs nice to see a smile on an old and lonely personʼs face, and I like to help others who may not be as fortunate as I am. Community, to me, means taking care of each other. When I returned to Brighton in 2002 I was going to need a lot of support from my family and friends, but equally I Prue Baker had the ability to help others. I was asked to join the Brighton and Hove Jewish Welfare Board taking responsibility for a small number of ʻclientsʼ, often vulnerable people, helping with their day to day needs. Some clients would simply require an occasional phone call or visit. Others would need the full spectrum of support including re-housing, financial aid and regular supervision. After a couple of years I took on the role of Assistant Treasurer. Full Board meetings are held once a month and, on average, I probably spend three or four hours each week undertaking voluntary work. My volunteering probably dates from wobbling up the The Board is financed from within our community and Iffley Road on my bike to help at a girlsʼ club for young simply redistributes money and resources to those in offenders. The significance is that a very hunky boy greatest need. It changes, and very occasionally saves, cycled there with me. lives. To be a part of that process, and a part of this community, is a huge responsibility and privilege. And the moral is that we volunteer most honestly when we recognise that we gain as much as we give. From then volunteering was mostly linked with where we Daniel Seligman were living – starting a baby-sitting circle, in order to have a ready supply of reliable baby-sitters; helping to build bridges between our New Town estate and the old village which pre-dated it. Result: a jointly built and owned community centre. My housing training equipped me to help reconstruct an old charity - The Jews Temporary Shelter. By 1990 it was clear that there was no longer the need for a physical shelter and we started to make grants to do with housing. Every Sunday we have a three-way phone call to allocate funds. For me the bonus is the speed with which we are able to make grants. In Brighton our Jewish Housing Association asked for My name is Daniel Seligman and I am 13 years old. someone with experience of sheltered housing. Up to Iʼm at Blatchington Mill School in Year 8. retirement I was managing almshouse charities dotted around London. So joining the committed Board of the When I was little I went to Yavneh Nursery and Torah B & H JHA gives me a deal of satisfaction in continuing Academy School. At both, we used to visit the old age to use those skills. home in Brighton and that is where I started to enjoy volunteering. As little people, we used to go there and And who said grandparenting wasnʼt volunteering? 14 sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 in their own words Vivienne Stockman In later years I was a governor at a local school and became involved in helping children who needed support with their reading. The most important thing in my life has always been my family. I am pleased to have the time and opportunity to be one of the many volunteers who are involved with Helping Hands. My role involves visiting and supporting people who no longer have the comfort of a surrounding family and I would like to think that my being there makes a difference. Through these activities I am fortunate to have met a lot of admirable and lovely people, many of whom I count as close friends. Vivienne with Rita Gordon There was almost a sense of inevitability that we would both spend time “volunteering”. Both mum and I grew up Sandra & Chaz in homes where working for the community was perceived as natural and to be actively encouraged. Mum saw her parents involved in the very early days of Hyman Fine House (then the Brighton & Hove Jewish Home) and, together with my father, continued those worthwhile efforts. I have recently continued with the tradition. We both derive a great deal of pleasure in visiting the residents at Hyman Fine House and if it were not for volunteers such as us, many of the residents would have no visitors and they do so enjoy feeling that that they are still part of the wider community. The Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club is also very important to us - from serving coffee in the morning to bingo in the afternoon – it is Hello everyone. Itʼs me again, Chaz. Remember, Iʼm so gratifying to see everybody mixing and having fun. the West Highland Terrier who volunteers with Helping Hands. I visit people who would like to see a dog, and We both enjoy the rewards that volunteering brings - a have the occasional chat with my mum Sandra. I smile and “hello” from a lunch club attendee whilst thought Iʼd let you all know what Iʼve been up to lately. walking around Tesco says it all. It is just so lovely to be told how much they appreciate all that we do – even if we I absolutely love my outings to see people and think that it is not a lot – as they say - every little helps! sometimes Iʼm given treats, although my mum is very careful that I donʼt have too many and put on weight. Itʼs been a busy few months! Just before I was due to Lydia Swithern have my last haircut for the winter, I had to have a little operation. Nothing to worry about and Iʼm in total tiptop condition. Anyway, not getting to the dog groom means Iʼm looking very longhaired and shaggy at the moment. Iʼm sure mum will have me booked in for my hair cut very soon and Iʼll be back to looking clean and smart, hopefully in time for Seder Night! I hope that spring and the better weather will be here soon as when I go to the park for my walk every day I have been getting very muddy. Itʼs not much fun being pulled about by mum or dad Martin, as they try to clean me off with a towel. Maybe it would help if I stopped rolling about in the wet mud and puddles that I find at the park!! When my children were small, I devoted some time to helping with Meals on Wheels. It was then that I realised Wishing you all a happy Passover and donʼt forget if that the regular appearance of someone who cared was youʼd like to meet me Iʼm sure I can get my mum to as important as the food that was delivered. introduce us! sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 15 culture For the love of art The Jewish Arts Society held its annual exhibition at the Great Hall, Ralli Hall, Hove on Sunday 22nd February 2009. The exhibition also included works by the residents of Hyman Fine House and children in our community. Joseph Davisʼ painting, Master of All He Surveys won the main prize. Marilyn Panto acted as judge of the childrenʼs works. The exhibition was enjoyed by all of the more than 150 people in attendance. Rochelle Oberman, Chairman sussexjewishonline.com We all like a freebie and the internet is full of them. Three websites are a good starting place: www.totallyfreestuff.com, www.thunderfap.com and www.free-stuff.co.uk. For free computer advice, programmes, games and Prize-winner Master of All He Surveys applications, head for www.computeractive.com. Another gem of free advice is www.moneysavingexpert.com, run by (nice Jewish boy) Martin Lewis. And at www.lightbulbs4free.com you can get free energy saving jacs light bulbs. Free hotel weekends away? At www.travel-offers.co.uk, you can pay for a meal and your room comes free. For a free car hire for a day, or even a weekend, search out the car February proved a “trying” month. We cancelled the first manufacturers dying for you to road test their latest cars. I meeting as, two days beforehand, snow and icy booked and borrowed a top of range Mondeo estate on a conditions made us fearful of accidents. Of course, by Ford promotion from my local dealer and took the family Wednesday it had cleared up but by then it was too late shopping, the parents to the airport in the afternoon followed to re-organise. Then Janice became ill, but TG is now “on by a night out with the wife. On the Sunday we had a nice the mend” and quietly organising us again. Unable to family day out and delivered the car back first thing Monday morning on the way to work. prepare for the March AGM we have had to postpone it with the consent of National Chairman, Sidney Grant. Free phone calls are available from www.skype.com. Sidney informed us of the death of Annette Pearlman Download Skype to your PC and add a USB internet phone who, with the late Rev. Saul Amias had founded the to your computer and start talking free from home or JACS movement. anywhere in the world. You can also download Skype to your wifi-enabled mobile phone and make free calls from any ʻwifi hot zoneʼ to other Skype users. An easier Away from the gloom we enjoyed further meetings. alternative to Skype is an Israeli company offering free Godfrey Gould illuminated the history of the railways and internet calls to landlines at www.jajah.com. the rearrangements and closures made by Dr. Beeching at the time of Margaret Thatcher, and the benefits as well Donʼt miss out on the numerous discount vouchers just waiting to be downloaded to your printer and cashed. Just as the defects caused by them. We also had a Hat search Google for your favourite family diner (eg Pizza Debate – always popular, as people enjoy expressing Express, Slug & Lettuce, etc), and usually there are free their views. Later in the month a most glamorous money saving discount vouchers waiting to be grabbed. Mongolian lady, accompanied by her artist husband (in Finally, just add the magic word ʻfreeʼ before anything youʼre full Mongolian costume), told us about the history of looking for with your favourite search engine. Youʼll be Mongolia, politics, population and literacy. She is the surprised how many freebies are out there just for the founder member of the English Speaking Union of asking. As the great man once said, “If you donʼt ask, you Mongolia. See the Diary for our April programme. Due donʼt get”. Happy web hunting and savings. Let us know to the occurrence of Pesach we will only have two your favourites and weʼll share them with the community. meetings this month. The Committee join me in wishing Next issue weʼll look at PC virus protection. all members of JACS and SJN readers, a happy and The Sussex Jewish Online Team kosher Pesach. www.sussexjewishonline.com Nina Taylor 16 sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 pesach Chief Rabbi’s Message Why was it so hard? Why was the Jewish journey to the the people and state of Israel. May the angel of death be land of promise and freedom so fraught with obstacles, defeated by the God of life, and may Israel and its people setbacks, diversions and delays? That is a question that find the peace for which they and we long. must haunt us as we prepare, again, to relive our Be-birkat chag kasher ve-sameach, ancestorsʼ journey from slavery on Pesach, the worldʼs Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks oldest ritual, the Westʼs most powerful story. No sooner does Abraham arrive in the land than he is Music for the festival within earshot forced to leave because of famine. Isaac too faces difficulties. There is another famine, and there are David Itkin quarrels about wells. Jacob dies in exile, as do his conceived, children. A new pharaoh, one who forgets how Joseph composed and saved his nation from starvation, afflicts his people, conducted turning what was once a refuge into a vast labour camp. Exodus: An Even when God has chosen Moses to lead the people to Oratorio. Yet the freedom there are further delays. Pharaoh increases the featured artist is peopleʼs burdens. He defies Godʼs request to let the narrator William people go. Plague after plague hits the Egyptians, but Shatner. The still Pharaoh refuses and hardens his heart. Even after libretto is well he has finally given them permission to leave, days later crafted and very he pursues after them with his chariots and army. interesting, owing more to parashat Might it be that the difficult events of the past few months Bo than Cecil B and years contain an answer? Israel has suffered much: De Mille. first the years of suicide bombings, then the Katyushas Listening to it is a from Lebanon, then the missiles from Gaza and the good primer in advance of reading the agonising conflicts each has involved. Haggadah. Although the music augments the story well, Could it be that, at the very dawn of our history as a the narration is delivered in a style that can only be people, God was telling our ancestors and us that the called “Shatnerian”. Some may find this either annoying road to freedom is never easy? That it involves much or comical; however, Exodus is a must-have for fans of suffering along the way? That it needs faith and courage, Captain Kirk and all things Star Trek. It is available from memory and hope? Could that be why we tell the story www.cdbaby.com every year and pass it on to our children, so that they will Recognising that the Jews and African-Americans share never forget that freedom must be fought for, and that a musical heritage focussing on freedom, Brother Moses whatever setbacks there are along the way, to be a Jew Smote the Water is a CD by The Klezmatics with special means never to lose hope? guests Joshua Nelson and Kathryn Farmer. The album The very existence of the state of Israel after 2000 years mixes traditional songs for or about Pesach with of exile is as near to a miracle as any you will find in the spirituals about the release from slavery. It is an sober pages of empirical history. Faith brought the amazing crossover album that combines klezmer with Jewish people back to the land. Faith has sustained the gospel. Tracks of particular note are Eyliyohu Hanovi, Ki people and state of Israel through some of the most Lue Noy and the title track. Brother Moses Smote the agonising threats and dilemmas faced by any nation in Water is available from our friends at Jewish Music the contemporary world. And faith will one day bring Distribution. Contact them by telephone on peace, whatever the setbacks and obstacles. 0800 7811 686 or order online at www.jewishmusic-jmd.co.uk Not by accident does the Seder service, at least as we observe it today, end with Godʼs victory over the angel of Basya Schechter is the leader of the band Pharaohʼs death. So as we relive our peopleʼs history, we gain Daughter. And with a name like that, how could they not strength for the struggles ahead. For what Jews, be included in music reviews at this time of year? Judaism and Israel represent is not a small thing. It is Daddyʼs Pockets was originally released in 1999. It is a nothing less than the proposition that a nation can strong album of beautifully written songs. Strong lyrics survive against all the odds by the power of its faith in combine with modern music that makes good use of freedom and the God of freedom, in life and the God of middle-eastern rhythms and instrumentation. Highly life, in ultimate peace and the God of peace. recommended, especially for the title track, the opening Niggun and Nevermore. CDs by Pharoahʼs Daughter This year, as we lift our glasses for the four cups of wine, are also available from Jewish Music Distribution as we sing Dayenu and thank God for all the miracles of our survival, let us also have in our hearts a prayer for David Seidel sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 17 Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Palmeira Avenue, Hove, BN3 3GE bhrs Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org Rabbi Charles Wallach Sedra for 4 April 2009: T’tzav Rituals of purity Parashat Tzav opens with details on three clear sacrificial allowing people to come with their sacrifices any time during rituals – the olah (burnt offering), the minchah (meal the day. Today of course the concept of sacrifices has fallen offering) and the chatat (purgation offering). In addition, the away, but the threefold function of olah, minchah and chatat role of the priests is discussed including the linen raiment has effectively remained. The olah eventuated into the they had to wear during the performance of these rituals. shacharit or morning service, the mincha became the afternoon service and the evening service moved from being There follows detail of the inauguration into office of priests. the sin offering to a votive or freewill offering. This involved further ritual accompanied by the wearing of specific clothes of office including the tunic, the sash, the One further comment: The portion is entitled Tzav from the robe, the ephod, a further decorated band, the breast piece first key word which means “command”. Later we find and the headdress on which was a gold frontlet. reference to the priests eating matzot or unleavened bread, not as a Pesach ritual but as part of the process referred to At the heart of all of this was a sense of purity: purity of the before. The fact that this sedra comes just before Pesach altar so that the rituals that would in time have to be per-gives added weight to this: the mitzvah of Chag HaMatzot formed could so be done; purity of the priests so they could (in the Torah the two words for matzot and mitzvot appear act on behalf of the community. Indeed, their identical as there is no vocalisation) is upon us – a fact inauguration or dedication was to take place in full view of underscored by this also being Shabbat HaGadol – the the community. “great Sabbath” on which traditionally the laws and requirements of Pesach were explained and discussed. From the Book of Chronicles we learn that the priests did in fact fulfil these tasks and that in the period of the Rabbi Charles Wallach Second Temple a standing group of priests acted, thus Romans seemed to espouse. The Jews of that time had but The festival of freedom limited freedom: they were free to an extent but not to pursue Pesach – Chag Heruteinu, the Festival of our Freedom Judaism fully. Often out of necessity, they hid away in caves beckons and dominates. From the cleaning of our homes to or in far off distant parts of the land. the purchase of the foodstuffs we seem to be on a path of gastronomic concern. This is of course ancillary to the As the songs at the end of the Seder remind us, other religious observance of Pesach, where we celebrate our privations were later to be forced upon the Jews, including freedom not just in word but in deed. during the Second World War with a plaintive cry for forgiveness for having to eat bread in order to survive – a Without the Exodus there would have been no freedom to decree issued by a Rabbi in one of the ghettoes who insisted celebrate, no concept of our peoplehood, no belief in a that the inmates did so rather than die. More recently, Jews single, unseen God. Pesach is effectively the basis of all that within the former Soviet Union used the Seder to highlight we are, and, not to stretch it too far, the base of Christianity their plight – as some of us did by not only leaving the Cup of and Islam. The somewhat snide remark found in the Elijah undrunk but actually laying a place “for absent friends”. Haggadah concerning the wicked son – that if he did not respect this he would remain a slave, is a salutary Pesach and its message are timeless. Our responsibility is to reminder of the importance of this festival. enjoy it and celebrate: be it with a full scale Seder at home, be it with the help of others, or perhaps by joining a communal We call the Seder the Meal of Freedom. Developed in Seder such as the one we have at the Reform synagogue. Mishnaic times some two thousand years ago it was a Roman meal – ironically perhaps aping the largesse of the Roman May the festival of Pesach – that Chag of our freedom, be overlords but nevertheless glorying in the freedom that the enjoyed by all…and be yet a further springboard towards a fuller Jewish life for us all. Rabbi Charles Wallach Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue is seeking a Part Time Synagogue Administrator Bulletin Board for April 2009 Mondays 11.00 am – Seated exercise with Adele (but not on 13th) to facilitate the efficient and effective running of the Synagogue Wed nesdays 2.00 pm – JACS, AJEX Hall (but not on 8th and 15th) The successful applicant needs to demonstrate the following: Fri 3rd 8.00 pm - Late Service • previous experience providing an efficient administrative service Tue 7th 12.30 pm - Lunch/discussion group facilitated by • a good knowledge of Excel, Word, Publisher & Outlook (experience working Scarlett Epstein. How can we ensure that the with computerised accounts and payroll desirable but not essential) Holocaust experience will never be forgotten? • a knowledge/understanding of the Jewish community • excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills Wed 8th 1st night Pesach • ability to prioritise and work with great attention to detail and accuracy Thurs 9th 1st day Pesach - Service 10.20 am • time management skills, the ability to accept responsibility and work as part Thur 9th 2nd night Communal Seder - 6.30 pm of a team Tues 14th 6.30 pm - Seventh eve of Pesach service • an understanding of the importance of diplomacy and confidentiality Wed 15th 10.30 am - Seventh day of Pesach service • the ability to retain composure and work effectively under pressure Mon 20th Service for Yom Hashoah - 7.30 pm Sun 26th For further details please contact the Chairman on chairman@bh-rs.org 10.00 am - Cheder term starts 18 sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove, BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 hhc Email: hovehc@btinternet.com Rabbi Vivian Siverman Sedra for 11 April 2009: Pesach Readings Janet’s Column Spring’s rebirth, renewal and redemption Yes, it is almost upon us - Pesach I mean. The shopping lists are probably made, the panic is setting in because The festival of Pesach marks redemption, renewal and not all the main supermarkets here stock all the required rebirth. The Haftorah for Shabbat Chol Hamoed (taken ingredients - and we all spend our time running to each from the 37th chapter of Ezekiel) and the scroll of Song supermarket in turn for probably only one or two things of Songs (Shir Hashirim) together emphasise these that the others don't supply. Never mind, it will soon be special qualities: rebirth, renewal and redemption at over and we will be worrying about Rosh Hashanah! springtime. Breakfast cereal is always a problem for Pesach, and I The prophetic portion describes how Ezekiel was set discovered this one in a new recipe book I recently down in a valley filled with bones. The voice of God acquired. asked him if those dry bones could possibly live. Passover Granola - makes approximately 8 portions. Then, the Almighty commanded Ezekiel to prophesy that the bones should be covered with sinew, flesh and Crumble 150g of matzo into very small pieces (crumb-like) skin. Finally, the dead bodies were to be filled with the and fry it with 6 tablespoons of runny honey over a low breath of God. Then, they all stood up like a great heat. Cook gently until the matzo is covered with the army. The Almighty exclaimed "I will open your graves honey. Add 100g chopped hazelnuts and 100g chopped and bring you to the land of Israel". walnuts and place under a hot grill and toast for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally so the mixture does not When this Haftorah was read during Pesach 1945, burn. soon after Auschwitz and Belsen had been liberated, When cool, add 100g prunes, 150g raisins, 150g dried these words were given poignancy - the death camp apricots and 100g dates (all these dried fruits to be survivors were literally skeletons brought back to life. chopped). Add the fruit to the matzo mixture and stir well. Song of Songs describes the love between the Store your granola in an airtight container. Almighty and the people of Israel. Among its To serve, just add milk or yoghurt and enjoy! famous verses are: I wish you all a Happy Pesach, and more importantly, • “The birds appear - songtime has arrived and the good health to those who are going through a rough patch sound of the turtledove is heard in the land”; at this time. Chag Sameʼach. • “My beloved is mine and I am his, feeding among the lilies”; Janet Cowan • “I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, tell him I am lovesick”; • “Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers wash it away”. Shir Hashirim was composed by King Solomon when he was a young man, and so it is appropriate to read it at springtime when there are thoughts of love, rebirth and renewal. And whenever we replace the Sefer Torah inside the Ark we sing: "Bring us back to you, Lord, and we shall return / Renew our days as of old" (Chadeish yomeinu k'kedem). Renewal (reattachment with Jewish practice) is to be a constant reminder for all of us. Rabbi Vivian Silverman APRIL DIARY: Tue 7: Ceremonial search for Chametz after dark Wed 8 Erev Pesach. Fast of the first born. No Chametz to be eaten or drunk after 10.12 am Chametz collected previous night to be burned before 11.37 am. Eruv Tavshilin to be made. Yom Tov and mincha 7.30 pm. First Seder after dark Thu 9-Fri 10 Pesach Wed 15-Thu 16 7th and 8th days with Yizkor on 8th morning. Tue 21 Yom Hashoa for the six million victims of The Holocaust Tues 28 Yom Hazikaron Wed 29 Yom Ha'atzmaut sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 19 Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation bhhc 31 New Church Road Hove, BN3 3AD 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org Mala Tribich to speak at Yom Sedra for 18 April 2009: Shemini Maintaining our spiritual integrity Hashoah service With construction completed, Aaron, the High Priest, Mala Tribich will be our and his sons bring the offerings to formally dedicate the guest speaker at the Yom Sanctuary. But the festivities are suddenly and tragically Hashoah evening service interrupted. Two of Aaron's sons, Nadav and Avihu, on Monday April 20th at “brought before God an alien fire that He had not 7.30 pm. commanded them. A fire came forth... and they died.” Born in Piotrkow What had they done to deserve this fate? Rabbi Trybunalski in Poland in Yishmael says that they entered the sanctuary while 1930, she was sent to intoxicated with wine because, in the very next section, Czestochowa when the the remaining Kohanim are enjoined not to drink Nazis invaded. Staying intoxicating wine when they enter the sanctuary ʻso that with a Christian family until they may not dieʼ. It is interesting that in many the deportations were over, life was uncertain. She often communities the Kohanim bless the congregation on hid in a wardrobe until visitors left. On returning home, Simchat Torah during the earlier Shacharit service her father was waiting although her mother and younger rather than Musaf because later in the day there is a sister had already been murdered. good chance that they will be in a state of intoxication! Mala became a slave labourer until November 1944 when For the contemporary Jew the message is clear and the remaining Jews were deported. Separated from her powerful. However enthused we may be about a new father and brother, she was sent to Ravensbruck idea or practise we discover, it is important to realise concentration camp and then to Bergen-Belsen. that an ʻalien fireʼ has no place ʻbefore G-dʼ. On liberation by the British Army, Mala, suffering from Assimilation is not necessarily official conversion to typhus, was transferred to hospital and a childrenʼs home. another faith. That threat, real enough in Jewish history, Three months later she was sent, with other children, to is not necessarily the most imminent today. Sweden where she spent nearly two years. Contemporary assimilation is more of a blending - acquiring the characteristics of the society in which we Not expecting any of her family to be alive, Mala was live. Jewry and Judaism lose their uniqueness in two surprised to receive a letter from her brother Ben in ways. First, specifically Jewish modes and qualities (in England. In March 1947 she came to England and was religion, language, culture, etc.) are abandoned. reunited with Ben. Secondly, the Jew adopts the manner of the Gentile. In 1949 she met Maurice and they married in 1950. It is difficult enough to maintain the purity of Judaism in Whilst her children were growing up Mala studied and our individual lives. The pressures of society and of gained a degree in Sociology from London University. earning a livelihood create formidable, though not Mala Tribich also has three grandchildren. insurmountable, challenges to the path of Torah observance and a traditional Jewish way of life. A Pesach insight However, Jewish institutions, because of their influence on the community, have a responsibility to rigorously A great part of our history is, tragically, a tale of suffering. maintain the highest standards of Judaism. If Pesach, Purim and Chanukah are all festivals emanating assimilation is permitted to adulterate the spiritual from historical periods of oppression. Tragically, we are still integrity of these institutions then what future can we not free from anti-Semitism. But is suffering all there is to expect? being Jewish? Rabbi Hershel Rader When Moshe is about to liberate the Jewish people from Egypt, does he lecture them on the virtues of freedom? educate the next generation in a meaningful fashion. First Does he speak of their destination, a land flowing with milk and foremost we educate by example. We say ʻthis and honey? No! He states, in great detail, exactly how Matzoh which we eatʼ. We donʼt just look on, we take Pesach should be observed. He tells them, on three part. The rites of Pesach donʼt just symbolise oppression. separate occasions, if your children ask you about this day They also symbolise a faith bolstered by over three thou-and its practices; this is how you shall answer, each child sand years of survival against the most horrendous odds. according to its individual level of understanding. This is the origin, together with a verse in Deuteronomy, of the The Haggadah involves us in an actual observance of Haggadahʼs four sons. Judaism in which eating, singing, washing our hands and how we sit all become religious experiences. For to know Moshe understood that to be a Jew is to be educated, to and appreciate what Judaism is all about, we must live it! put oneʼs education into practice and, most importantly, to Rabbi Hershel Rader 20 sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Adat Shalom Vereiu’t-Al Sefat Hayyam 6 Lansdowne Road Hove BN3 1FF– Tel 01273 737223 Email:bhps@freenetname.co.uk bhps Website:wwwbrightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Sedra for 25 April 2009: Tazri’a-M’tzora The Imperative to Set Apart With the double parashah, Tazriʼa-Mʼtzora, the concerns of describes them as ʻgreenishʼ and ʻreddishʼ – which we the Book of Leviticus turn to child-birth, bodily emissions, might identify as mildew or wet-rot. As the anthropologist skin eruptions and house ʻplaguesʼ. What has all this got Mary Douglas observed in her book, Purity and Danger, to do with ʻholinessʼ you may wonder? Well, the Hebrew what connects all these conditions is that they involve a concept of ʻholinessʼ, kʼdushah, means to ʻseparateʼ or to breaking of boundaries and a disruption of order: the birth ʻset apartʼ. There is a holy logic here, which connects of a child involves a very tangible break out of the womb Tazriʼa-Mʼtzora to the other themes of Leviticus – to the list into the world; menstruation and seminal emissions both of sacrifices, the consecration of the Priesthood, the food involve fluids breaking out of the body – fluids, which laws, the sexual prohibitions, the ethical injunctions, the would otherwise be directed to the generation of new life; festival calendar, the sabbatical and Jubilee years – the skin eruptions break out of the skin, just as mildew breaks imperative to create order, make separations and set out of the walls of a house – in both cases a boundary is apart. And so: offerings are set apart for God; the priests broken. And so it is that the ritual solution to all of these are set apart from the people; creatures that may be eaten disruptions involved a seven day period of separation and are set apart from those that may not be eaten; the cleansing. Israelites are set apart from the other peoples in every Significantly, when the rabbis developed the laws aspect of their behaviour from the most intimate realm to governing Jewish life following the destruction of the the domain of economic relationships; the sacred days are Temple in 70 CE by the Romans, the only rules to survive set apart from daily life; the seventh year is set apart from from this ancient system were those relating to women, the six that precede it; and after seven cycles of seven, the which were then made more stringent, and given a new fiftieth year is set apart as a year of release and freedom. rationale: taharat ha-mishpachah – the ʻpurity of the In Tazriʼa-Mʼtzora the imperative to set apart translates into familyʼ. I will leave you to ponder for yourselves why the rules concerning child-birth, menstruation, seminal rabbis chose not to maintain the rules relating to men, emissions, skin eruptions, tzaraʼat – translated as ʻleprosyʼ, which, according to the Torah, also involved a seven-day and connected to the word mʼtzora, translated as ʻleperʼ – period of purification (Lev. 15:13)… and a similar affliction as it affects houses, which is also Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah called tzaraʼat: the discoloured blotches – the text Purim fun and feast DIARY FOR APRIL 2009 Access to Hebrew Thursdays 11.00 – 12.30 & 6.30 – 7.30 pm Some fifty weird and wonderfully disguised people turned (except on Pesach, 9th April) up for a really fun evening on erev Purim. From the identifiably biblical through “modern gangster” to Aussie Access to Judaism Saturday, 1.00 – 2.30 pm after service cricketer, the range of outfits was amazing. We did not Saturday 4th 5th Annual Quiz, 7.00 pm prompt! know, for example, that our Rabbi was really a Welsh Tickets £8.00 to include light refreshments Wednesday 8th Pesach Service & Communal Seder 6.30 pm rugby international! Tickets £15 non-members, £10 members, bring After a shortened Maʼariv service, a succession of a dish to share. Children under 13 free. characters was called upon to read the Purim story. Thursday 9th April Pesach Morning Service 10.30 am They did so with performances that would have Led by Rabbi Sarah impressed any TV talent show jury. Friday 10th April Pesach Erev Shabbat Service 8.00 pm Led by Claudia Gould After the Megillah, six candidates came forward each Followed by Oneg : ʻTea & Plavaʼ staking a claim to be recognised as the Messiah. They Relax and chat over tea & chametz-free cake had two minutes each to justify their potential ability to Tuesday 14th April Erev 7th Day Pesach Service 8.00 pm save the world - and if comedy was going to do this, Led by Steve Field they were all qualified. Wednesday 15th 7th Day Pesach Morning Service 10.30 am Led by Rabbi Sarah The evening ended with the quaffing of wine and Monday 20th April Erev Yom Ha-Shoʼah Service 8.00 pm consumption of vast quantities of hamantaschen, no Led by Rabbi Sarah doubt followed by indigestion aids for many. Wednesday 29th LʼChayyim Yom Ha-atzmaʼut Lunch 5th Grand Annual BHPS Quiz 12.00 – 2.00 pm Saturday 4 April for prompt 7 pm start. All welcome Special Advance Notice Come on your own, or with a friend, or make up a table Sunday 3rd May Antiques Road Show 2.00 pm Tickets £8.00 from the office 01273 737223 Have your goodies valued by professionals @ Light refreshments included. £4 per item, maximum 2 per person Questions for the light hearted and fainthearted of all ages ALL WELCOME sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 21 Brighton & Hove Jewish Community Foundation ralli hall 81 Denmark Villas Hove, BN3 3TH 01273 202254 Day Centre: 01273 739999 Email: rallihall@tiscali.co.uk Out for new blood & AGM announcement Please note that the Annual General Meeting of the more hair and far less girth! I am prepared to stand Brighton & Hove Jewish Community Foundation will be again for the time being but I would really like to be able held at Ralli Hall on Thursday 30 April 2009, at 8.10 pm, to retire from the position of Hon. Chairman in the which means that you wonʼt have to pay to park. knowledge that Ralli Hall will be in good hands with a suitable successor waiting in the wings. I am happy to say that, although we have a good membership base, for the past few years there have not You will no doubt remember that in last monthʼs SJN, been many members coming to the AGM. Instead of Alan Burke, the Chairman of the RH Lunch and Social being disappointed, I take it as a compliment and Club (and also my Vice Chairman) has decided to take approval of the way that this charity is being run by the retirement and I do hope that the right person will be Board of Management and the staff. It is very gratifying willing to step into his successful shoes and lead the club to feel that we are doing it right, but would be delighted to into the next decade. see a few more of our friendly faces at the AGM. After The Jewish Centre at Ralli Hall is busier than ever with all, why not take the opportunity of meeting up with an increasing number of activities and functions taking friends and discussing with the Board what you would place by and for the community. Also now, after many like to see for the future of our Community Centre? It years, we have a Sunday evening Youth Club led by two would be nice too to encourage a few more members to dedicated youth workers, Liron Greenberg and Raquel join and benefit from the many events that are on offer at Buckland. Ralli Hall. Unfortunately, we no longer have a Modern Hebrew As this is the last message before the AGM, I would like teacher and we would be pleased to hear if there is to thank everyone, staff and volunteers, for their hard anyone in the community who would be interested in work, dedication, enthusiasm and loyalty during the past taking over this activity – I understand that there are still year. a number of students keen to renew their studies. All Board members (including me) are willing to stand for Previously, the teacher has retained weekly student fees another year but we are all becoming ʻrather geriatricʼ while Ralli Hall just retains annual membership of and we would like to welcome some new recruits to the B&HJCF and I would expect this arrangement to Management Committee. We need younger members continue. Anyone interested, please contact the office on with fresh ideas and the willingness to take over the reins 01273 202254. of what we believe is a most important institution in the See you at Ralli Hall and especially at the AGM. Brighton and Hove Jewish community. Members of B&HJCF are therefore invited to stand for election – Roger Abrahams nomination forms, plus the other AGM papers, will be Children’s Book Sale sent out in good time to all current members, and also to those whose memberships have lapsed within the last Usborne Books for children will have a stall at few years. However, please note that only fully paid-up the Ralli Hall Toddler Group on members can attend the AGM or stand for office. If Wednesday, 29 April 2009 between anyone wishes to have an informal chat before possibly 11.00 am and 12 noon. A percentage of book sales committing themselves, please do not hesitate to phone on the day will be put towards books for the me on 01273 415433. Toddler Group. For more information, contact Sharon on 07900 443874. I have been in the driving seat since 1990 when I had has pleasure in inviting you to hear Simon Morris, Chief Executive of Jewish Care speak about its services after a film presentation, An Inconvenient Truth on Wednesday 1 April 2009 at 2.30pm in Ralli Hall, 81 Denmark Villas, Hove BN3 3TH Tea will be served • There is no charge for this event • All welcome Charity Registration Number 802559 22 sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 Shabbat Shalom In Fri 3rd 7.7 pm out Sat 4th 8.27 pm In Fri 10th 7.28 pm out Sat 11th 8.39 pm diary april 2009 In Fri 17th 7.40 pm out Sat 18th 8.54 pm In Fri 24th 7.51 pm out Sat 25th 9.05 pm Notable Dates 1st Seder Night Wed 8th 7.25 pm 1st day Pesach Thur 9th 8th day Pesach Thur 16th Wednesday 1 JACS no meeting -Pesach Monday 20 SPARKS Programme Session 3 Mothers and Toddlers Chutzpah Choir (Singing in Sarid with guest speaker Sydney at Salomons, Tunbridge Wells 10.00 am-12.00 noon Weekly Tel: Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Russian Levene: The Case of The Yorkshire Monday 27 Meg 779966 or 07962 828877 RH and Ukrainian) with Polina Ripper.10.45 am at Ralli Hall. Shepherd 7.00-8.45 pm Tel: Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Painting with Gwyneth Rose Donation £1.00 with tea/coffee. 01273 541031 (Rosalind) RH. For further information contact Contact Greta 01273 721987 RH (JAS) 10.00 am-12.00 noon Tel: Fausta Shelton 01273 734648. Rubber and Duplicate Bridge 01273 540464 Weekly RH Thursday 9 Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. 1.30-4.30 pm £2.00. Shalom Programme on Ralli Hall Lunch Club will not Contact Greta 01273 721987 RH Tel: Reba 01444 410435. www.radioreverb.com as well as take place due to Pesach Rubber and Duplicate Bridge Tuesday 28 97.2 FM 11.00-11.55 am Sunday 12 1.30-4.30 pm £2.00. Advanced Oil Painting Group: JACS with guest speaker Shalom Programme on Tel: Reba 01444 410435. Tel: Martin 01273 327403 RH Naomi Tucker ‘The Work of the www.radioreverb.com as well as Yom Hashoa with guest speaker Painting with Rochelle (JAS) Dogs’ Trust’ 97.2 FM 9.00-9.55 am Mara Tribish at 31 New Church 7.00 pm-9.00 pm weekly Chutzpah Choir (Singing in Carmel Tennis Club 10.00 am- Road, 7.30 pm Tel: 01273 503708 RH Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Russian 12.00 noon Weekly. All levels wel- Israeli Folk Dancing 7.45 pm- and Ukrainian) with Polina come. Tel: Simon 01273 235607 Tuesday 21 9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Shepherd 7.00-8.45 pm Tel: Advanced Oil Painting Group: Weekly RH 01273 541031 (Rosalind) RH. Monday 13 Tel: Martin 01273 327403 RH Bank Holiday - Ralli Hall closed Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Painting with Rochelle (JAS) Thursday 2 Club. Tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 7.00 pm-9.00 pm weekly Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club Tuesday 14 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly RH Tel: 01273 503708 RH Tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 Advanced Oil Painting Group: Yom Ha’zicharon/Yom Israeli Folk Dancing 7.45 pm- 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly RH Tel: Martin 01273 327403 RH Ha’atzmaut 7.00 pm– Everyone 9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Sunday 5 Painting with Rochelle (JAS) invited to Ralli Hall on this Weekly RH 7.00 pm-9.00 pm weekly important day in the Jewish Shalom Programme on Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Tel: 01273 503708 RH calendar. Listen to renowned www.radioreverb.com as well as Club. Tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 historian and author Colin 97.2 FM 9.00-9.55 am Israeli Folk Dancing 7.45 pm- 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly RH 9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 688538 Weekly Shindler. Refreshments and Carmel Tennis Club 10.00 am- RH Wednesday 22 much, much more 12.00 noon Weekly. All levels wel- Mothers and Toddlers 10.00- come. Tel: Simon 01273 235607 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Wednesday 29 Club. Tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 12.00 noon Weekly Tel: Meg Sale of Usborne Books for Monday 6 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly RH 779966 or 07962 828877 RH children at RH toddler group Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Painting with Gwyneth Rose 11.00 am-12 noon Tel: Sharon Contact Greta 01273 721987 RH Wednesday 15 (JAS) 10.00 am-12.00 noon Tel: 07900 443874 Mothers and Toddlers Rubber and Duplicate Bridge 01273 540464 Weekly RH 10.00 am-12.00 noon Weekly Tel: Mothers and Toddlers 10.00- 1.30-4.30 pm £2.00. Meg 779966 or 07962 828877 RH Shalom Programme on 12.00 noon Weekly Tel: Meg Tel: Reba 01444 410435. www.radioreverb.com as well as 779966 or 07962 828877 RH Shalom Programme on Tuesday 7 97.2 FM 11.00-11.55 am Painting with Gwyneth Rose www.radioreverb.com as well as (JAS) 10.00 am-12.00 noon Tel: Advanced Oil Painting Group: JACS with guest speaker David 97.2 FM 11.00-11.55 am 01273 540464 Weekly RH Tel: Martin 01273 327403 R Leech A.R.P.S ‘Through the Red Painting with Gwyneth Rose Light’ Painting with Rochelle (JAS) (JAS) 10.00 am-12.00 noon Tel: Shalom Programme on 7.00 pm-9.00 pm weekly Chutzpah Choir (Singing in 01273 540464 Weekly RH www.radioreverb.com as well as Tel: 01273 503708 RH Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Russian 97.2 FM 11.00-11.55 am JACS No meeting - Pesach and Ukrainian) with Polina Israeli Folk Dancing 7.45 pm- JACS with guest speaker Chutzpah Choir (Singing in Shepherd 7.00-8.45 pm Tel: 9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Chutzpah Choir (Singing in Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Russian 01273 541031 (Rosalind) RH. Weekly RH Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Russian and Ukrainian) with Polina and Ukrainian) with Polina Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club Shepherd 7.00-8.45 pm Tel: Thursday 23 Shepherd 7.00-8.45 pm Tel: tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 10.30 01273 541031 (Rosalind) RH. Ralli Hall Lunch and Social 01273 541031 (Rosalind) RH. am-4.30 pm Weekly RH Club. Tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 Thursday 16 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly RH Wednesday 8 Thursday 30 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Mothers and Toddlers Club. Tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 Sunday 26 Club. Tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 10.00 am-12.00 noon Weekly Tel: 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly RH Shalom Programme on 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly RH Meg 779966 or 07962 828877 RH www.radioreverb.com as well as Ralli Hall AGM. 8.10 pm in the Painting with Gwyneth Rose Sunday 19 97.2 FM 9.00-9.55 am Stephen Magrill Room. Further (JAS) 10.00 am-12.00 noon Tel: Shalom Programme on Carmel Tennis Club 10.00 am- information from Norina on 01273 01273 540464 Weekly RH www.radioreverb.com as well as 12.00 noon Weekly. All levels wel- 202254. 97.2 FM 9.00-9.55 am Shalom Programme on come. Tel: Simon 01273 235607 www.radioreverb.com as well as Carmel Tennis Club 10.00 am- Helping Hands Tea at the Mark 97.2 FM 11.00-11.55 am 12.00 noon Weekly. All levels wel- Luck Hall 2.30-4.30 pm. come. Tel: Simon 01273 235607 Donation £2.50 Except during Pesach, Grodzinski’s challot and rye bread are available from Premier Convenience Stores in Hove Street every Thursday morning until supplies run out. sussex jewish news . . .april 2009 23 DÉJÀ Shoes Brighton Hove and Worthing Exclusive Ladies Shoes and Handbags for all occasions All at High Street prices odeon 1A Kensington Gardens, Brighton North Laines Head Office 88 George Street, Hove 01273 323675 30 Brunswick Road, Shoreham-By-Sea Opposite the Main Post Office 10% off with this advert (not on Sale or discounted goods) sussex jewish news . . .april 2009