2011
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 214
December 2011
SUSSex Jewish news n Whats what’s inside.... cHANUKAH GIFTS | hOwaRd JaCOBsOn (PaRt ii) | crAFTY OLD crOW | what’s On | and MORe December 2011 | KISLeV / TeVeT 5772 | • ISSUe 214 2 Pause for thought 3 One of my pals in my student days was from Persia. His family programme between the two countries was formed and Israeli were the sole importers of Wedgwood products into that country. companies became involved in re-construction projects. Furthermore, he chose to live in a very Jewish area whilst he was in England. Where would an Iranian student like him live now, I wonder? Now we are faced with an Iran developing nuclear weapons, Doubtless the international decline in Wedgwood’s popularity would threatening the very existence of Israel. If Israel takes preliminary have affected his ability to seek an education in the UK. The wealth military action what is the likely outcome? and position of his family, made under the Shah’s regime, may have been radically altered under the Ayatollahs’ rule. Iran’s acolytes, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and Syria, to name but a few, surround Israel and are well armed and belligerent. Surely, Interestingly, the Israel would not stir up the viper’s change that surely nest so close to home? However, affected my friend Let’s Pray that the oDD miracLe might political moves by the Western has also affected countries appear to do little to just bring about a change of fortune relations between bring Iran’s leadership to heel. Israel and Iran. In the 1980s, The World’s media has been when America supported Iran in the Iran/Iraq war, supplying it with making much of a recent visit to Israel by a senior British Army armaments, including military aircraft, the Ayatollah of the day was leader and of recent military exercises in the region. Israel needs not so antagonistic towards the West. Move on a few years, and Iran support in fighting the very real threat from Iran but it does not need had changed. It was now isolationist in its approach and its air force unnecessary publicity and stories better suited to the world of fiction. stood on the tarmac, virtually unusable because the Iranians had no spare parts and almost no avionics expertise. As we enter the Chanukah period, let us pray that the odd miracle might just bring about a change of fortune, not only for Israel but also Who came to their rescue? Israel. It provided parts and maintenance for the entire region. capability. What is more, a joint ballistic missile development 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, editing and ADMIN ASSISTANT Gweni Sorokin circulating each edition that has become the cornerstone of the Jewish community across the region. COMMuNAL DIARy info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt / Sue Rea David Seidel COVER IMAGE courtesy of Brian Megitt TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 6 DECEMBER 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. 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 214 | December 2011 2 contents 3 sussex jewish news features Po box 2178 hove bn3 3sZ 1 the Lights of re-DeDication telephone: 07906 955 404 Brian Megitt shines some lights on the Festival e-mail: editor@sussexjewishnews.com 9 crafty oLD croW Sue Rea looks at the crafts of Monica Crowe MARTIN GROSS 10 the finKLer Questions anD ansWers Funeral Director and Part II of our exclusive interview with Howard Funeral Consultant Jacobson to Jewish communities 12 Poetry corner 01273 439792 Requiem for a Proper Charlie by Moss Rich 07801 599771 07540 066566 13 an sjn guiDe to chanuKah gifts Books and music of interest reguLars 4 your neWs & VieWs Letters and announcements 6 community Life News from across the county 14 cuLture Reviews on Inside Nuremberg Prisons and Blonde Poison HELPING HANDS We invite you to check out our new website: www.helping-hands.org 20 What’s on Telephone: (01273) 747722 Email: helping-hands@ntlworld.com Regular and special events in your community your community 16 brighton & hoVe reform synagogue 17 brighton & hoVe hebreW congregation 18 hoVe hebreW congregation 19 brighton & hoVe ProgressiVe 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 214 | December 2011 4 your news & views 5 a dip at the mikvah awaiting another response As a born and bred Brightonian I must confess, in my I take great exception to Mr. Finestone’s comments in self-acclaimed ignorance, that I never knew that we had a November’s SJN, in which he calls my “judgement and mikvah in Brighton until it was mentioned at the BHHC annual criticism” in September’s issue “misguided”. general meeting. Now it seems to have become an issue for debate. If he takes the trouble to read my letter thoroughly he will notice that my primary “criticism” is that nobody in the In Middle Street Synagogue we used to have hundreds of forefront of the “new” mikvah matter has stepped forward visitors and students but no-one ever asked about a mikvah. to state whether their endeavours are in fact to create a Now, after giving it much thought, I cannot understand why new mikvah or restore the old one. At the time I wrote the we need one at all in the 21st century, when we all have our previous letter, we had not even been given a comprehensive own baths, unlike the women of yesteryear. statement as to why the Prince Regent mikvah had been closed and why it was now unsuitable to restore to use. We must also consider the hygiene implications of such an important decision. Is the water changed after each use? If To some degree that has since been explained, in that the not, I cannot see the Health and Safety authority giving it the rain water collection method there results in polluted water go-ahead. but also the location is considered unsuitable for the times of use needed. My previous letter also asked why any non-The upkeep and maintenance would be enormous and I polluting method of operation that would be legal in a new doubt if the members of the BHHC will be willing to have mikvah could not be applied to the old one. the cost added to their already large bills, making the whole However, nothing further has been publicly stated as to concept suffer the same fate as the Eruv. whether a new mikvah is definitely proposed for placement in New Church Road, or planned to be elsewhere. Yours sincerely, Nothing has been formally stated as to who may be allowed Elizabeth Caplin (Miss) to use any such new mikvah if built. Hove The main purpose of my letter was that it was time for some clarity. I asked simply that those in favour of advancing this a plea for clarity project clearly state WHERE they intend it to be, WHO they will permit to use it, and whether ANY funds from the rather Just when I thought I was beginning to understand the issues hard-pressed finances of the New Church Road synagogue regarding the mikvah, along comes Mr Finestone from East would be diverted for use in construction and/or operation of Saltdean to throw me yet again into confusion! the mikvah, if indeed that is the site for which it is destined. I think that as BHHC members who have been continuously He appears to write with some expertise, but the word paid up for nearly 40 years, we do have some right to ‘ostensibly’ leads me to wonder ever so slightly. I had information such as this. thought that the mikvah will be under the authority of the Joint Kashrus Committee (i.e. Holland Road and New Church Perhaps Mr. Braham Finestone feels that I and numerous Road Congregations), be built using some private funds but others I have recently heard from with similar concerns, will also with local contributions and probably be at New Church be considered misguided, or indeed even impertinent, to Road, where some initial investigatory work has already taken politely request the answers to these and any other relevant place. queries? However, Mr Finestone tells us that it will be funded privately, that it will be run by a Joint Committee of the various shuls Dr. Martin Boyask with Mrs Efune in charge and seems to query the possible Hove site of the mikvah as maybe being at New Church Road. Please, please, PLEASE, somebody who can speak with for the birds total authority put the whole matter straight. I have previously My friends and I are hoping that the new mikvah for Brighton asked for an authoritative statement. The Chairman of the & Hove will be built soon. At the very least it will provide a Kashrus Committee should appear now and tell us if that great perching place and the rainwater tanks Committee is the responsible body and if so what the facts will act as a much needed trough. Flapping are. If Mr Weinstein is not the responsible official please around and pecking at the garbage bags left let him tell us who is; then let him or her give us all the everywhere is thirsty work. indisputable facts, once and for all. The time for rumour, innuendo and supposition is well past. Sincerely, The Brighton & Hove Albion Seagulls And by the way - Southampton and Canterbury are both well over 50 miles from Brighton, even as the crow flies. Godfrey Gould Hove issue 214 | December 2011 4 your news & views 5 births edmundo ros, a tribute by Sharon and Gerry Crest Mazel tov to Lisa and Ivan Pearlman on the safe arrival of Our dear friend Edmundo Ros passed away late on Friday Louis Jacob, a darling brother for Max, Georgia and Zak and a October 21st. Besides being the king of Latin American new grandson for Susanne and Lawrence Sissling and Ros and dance music, Edmundo was a great friend to the Jewish Len Pearlman people. He became very involved in Jewish life soon after entering the United Kingdom due to the warmth of friendship extended to him by fellow students at the Royal Academy of • Mazel tov to Suzanne Freedman, who is delighted to announce the safe arrival of a grandson, Oscar Samuel, Music. born in Paris to Danny & Sabrina and named after beloved great grandfather Oscar Pressburger z’l He became extremely successful and donated generously to • Mazel tov to Ann Lewis on the birth of her grandson Jewish charities. He was a life governor of the then Jewish Benjamin Fraser in October Home in Brighton. He often attended services conducted by the late Rabbi Dr Louis Jacobs. In addition to his music, birthdays Edmundo had his famous club along with the late Lord Mishcon and the late Sir Maxwell Joseph, a restaurant owner. • Mazel tov to Simon Conn, June Harris, David Jacobson, Jeff Lyons, Rosslyn Randall, Bobbie Silver, Alan Style, Robin Wood, all of whom are celebrating special birthdays Edmundo had a wonderful life and in December would have this month reached the amazing age of 101. Weddings We have lost a dear friend but we celebrate his life. He is survived by his darling wife Susie and children Douglas and • Mazel tov to Brian Gordon and Bernice Gordon on the Luisa and grandchildren. marriage of their daughter Karen to Aron Barnes in Glasgow • Mazel tov to Rabbi Hershel and Perla Rader on the marriage of their daughter Mushka to Sholem Gorelik ajeX Wedding anniversaries by Judy Gabriel We have recently received the following from Lt-Cdr • Mazel tov to Adele and Harold List on their 57th wedding Jack Rose, one of our long-standing members, about his anniversary daughters: Deaths “Eva, a musician (violin and clarinet) in the Royal Marines We wish Long Life to the families of Rhoda Bober z’l, Marion Music Service, was promoted to Corporal earlier this year and Davids z’l, Mr L Dean z’l, Harry Englander z’l, Jack Mazzier has been posted to the NATO band in Naples for six months z’l, Sam Rodin z’l, Esther Rosen MBE z’l, Anthony Simmons as the representative for the Royal Marines Music Service. z’l and Rene Steidam z’l. She recently organised a traditional Trafalgar Night ceremony for the NATO band with all the traditional naval music, including Hearts of Oak, Inebriated Sailors and Rule Britannia. Esther Rosen MBE She didn’t say what the French members thought! The wife We are deeply saddened by the passing of our patron and of the officer in charge of the band is Jewish, so Eva had original mentor. Esther was there from the beginning, her good somewhere to go for the recent festivities, as well as having advice, humour, conversation and endless encouragement the opportunity of attending the synagogue in Naples. enabled us to start Helping Hands. She will be missed. - Sarah, Liz & Liz and the Helping Hands Team “Mariamne, who got engaged to Dan earlier this year, has set her marriage date for August Bank Holiday 2012, after she has finished her doctorate in clinical psychology. Dan recently received his doctorate in computing.” Congratulations Jack, and to Elaine too, and many thanks for sharing your news with everyone. Forward booking date for 2012: Holocaust Memorial Service at the Jewish Cemetery, Meadowview, Bear Road, Brighton A date for your diary 11.00 am on 29 January. Wednesday 28th March 2012 Coach trip to the Jewish Museum in Camden Details to be confirmed, but if you wish to be put on the list to come along, please phone 01273 776671 issue 214 | December 2011 6 community life 7 ralli hall nearby (albeit costing £1.00 for all day on Sundays), it will hopefully prove successful as an indoor event and profitable by Roger Abrahams, Hon. Chairman for the operators. As mentioned last month, on arriving home from three weeks I am also delighted to inform you that we have been able to escaping our autumn weather, I was very pleased to walk renovate the kosher milk cooker by the replacement of the between the imposing pillars of an entrance porch with a rusty innards with bespoke stainless steel parts, thus making completed facelift – it certainly makes a remarkable difference it available again for use by those wishing to hold a Milchik and the work is well up to my expectations. The last two Simcha at Ralli Hall - please contact the office on 01273 remaining rear elevation windows have now also been 202254 for more information. replaced, so Jacqui will not have to face our coming winter in a draughty office! We have decided to hold the cost of annual membership at the present level for a further year and 2012 membership The Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue appears to renewal forms should be with all current members, as have settled well into its temporary home at Ralli Hall and well as those whose membership may have lapsed within I hope that its stay will be a comfortable one. We are very the last couple of years. Please renew your membership pleased to be of assistance during their time of temporary ASAP. Those not currently or recent members are invited to homelessness. apply for membership by contacting the office. The cost of membership is definitely not exorbitant and, although some of Although we are continuing to do quite well with our room you may be thinking “What is in it for me?”, we are constantly lets, we have not been left entirely untouched by the current struggling to not only keep Ralli Hall afloat for our community, serious economic climate and a number of new lets have but also to keep improving the facilities, so that you have a fallen by the wayside due to poor attendances, which centre for you to use and to be proud of, in good times and have not allowed them to remain economically viable. I am bad. therefore delighted to announce the new weekly Sunday Craft Fair in the Gymnasium and Youth Lounge. This has relocated See you at Ralli Hall. from Brighton Marina and now, with the rail station car park Worthing & District jewish hyman fine house community by Shirley Burke, Chair – Fundraising Committee A very successful card afternoon was held at Ralli Hall A Chanukah Evening with Daniel Cainer on Sunday 6th November. There were around 65 people playing bridge and kalooki, and the afternoon raised Saturday 10 December 2011 at 6.45pm £1,600. The Quakers Meeting House, 34 Mill Road, Worthing West End entertainment at Worthing prices! A very special In addition to prizes for the best scores, the players had a evening – not Tom Lehrer, not Jackie Mason....but one man, delicious tea catered by the committee and all had a very one piano, much laughter, some tears. Enjoy Daniel’s hilarious enjoyable time. journey in song through Jewish culture. Daniel Cainer brought the house down at Sussex Limmud and The event was organized by the team, consisting of now you can meet him in Worthing. Sandwiches, cakes, tea/ Raymond and Linda Felsenstein, Alan Burke and Sheila coffee will be served Hart, together with our wonderful hardworking committee. £7.50 members / £8.25 non-members This event has now been held every year since 2002, Space is limited – so hurry to get your tickets and don’t miss out! raising a total of around £15,000 for the benefit of the Cheques made payable to WDJC asap to Ian Gordon, residents. 2 Madehurst Close, East Preston, W.Sx. BN16 2TH, tel: 01903 779720 The funds are used to provide the residents at Hyman Fine House with extras over and above the normal excellent join us for a trip to the jewish service provided by Jewish Care. In addition to providing all sorts of in-house entertainment and facilities at the museum home, the residents also enjoy organized outings, for We are planning a visit to the Jewish Museum in Camden, London example visits to the cinema, the ice show and the Theatre on Thursday 19 April 2012. Coach leaving Marine Gardens, Royal. Worthing at 9.30 am, returning approx 5.30 pm. Price for return coach fare and entrance approx. £20.00 per person (not including Thank you for your continued support and generosity, food). which enables us to provide these extra benefits that the Please phone Ian Gordon on 01903 779720 if you are interested in residents so enjoy. coming along, so that we have some idea of the number of people who would be interested in this lovely day out. issue 214 | December 2011 6 community life 7 ralli hall Lunch club We have received a very generous grant from the Lottery’s Awards for All, which has enabled us to buy laptops, printers and a digital by Jacquie Tichauer camera. With this equipment we are now able to offer computer classes from scratch for members: these have already started on I would like to thank Alan, Fiona, Georgie and Vivienne as well Tuesday mornings. Our members are enjoying learning about the as all the volunteers for looking after the Lunch and Social Club when computers, writing e-mails, looking up information on the internet, I was enjoying my holiday in Israel. using Skype, and on-line shopping, amongst many other things. In the future we would like to print our own newsletter. If anyone out In October we welcomed some new members, and they enjoyed the there can spare a couple of hours on a Tuesday morning to help company and our wonderful programme. One afternoon we played teach or support, please let me know. charades and word games and also listened to a lot of interesting stories from our members. On Tuesday 20 December we are joining with Helping Hands to put on a special Chanukah Lunch with lovely food and entertainment, so In November, we were entertained by the Israeli Dancers who meet at please call to reserve your place. Ralli Hall on Tuesday evenings. Many of our members and volunteers joined in this lively performance (which brought back many memories At this time of year we need to put our minds to some serious of my Habonim days), and the atmosphere was vibrant. fundraising to support the Lunch Club and all that it offers our senior citizens. If anyone has any information or can offer any advice on the fundraising issues, I would love to hear from you. We will soon be starting our new beginner Bridge Classes on Thursdays so please let me know if you are interested and please do not forget our Computer Classes on Tuesdays. Georgie will be running Genealogy classes in January 2012, so please contact us so that we can keep a space for you. We are still looking for new volunteers and entertainers. If you have a few hours to spare on a Tuesday or Thursday during the week, please give me a call, especially if you are good at taking computer classes, writing stories, dancing or singing. No need to feel lonely or bored, just give us a try and I promise you will not regret it! bexhill and District jewish eastbourne Progressive jewish friends congregation by Bernice Lee by Angela Jay This is our first report for several months and I am pleased to say that We are delighted to announce that for the foreseeable future, Rabbi our group is as lively and vibrant as ever. Our regular meetings are Anna Gerrard, who has been allocated to us as our part time Rabbi, very well attended and have included quizzes, speakers and a couple will now lead the services on the 4th Friday of each month. of ‘fish suppers’. Of course we also celebrated Rosh Hashanah. All the events have been thoroughly enjoyed by all our members. Our small but friendly congregation holds regular services at The Friends Meeting House, Wish Road, Eastbourne on the 2nd and 4th The women of our group meet regularly in different homes for Fridays of each month. For information, please ring 01323 725650 an afternoon of tea, chat and delicious homemade cakes. These or email EPJCONG@aol.com pleasurable afternoons include a lot of laughter and some stimulating conversation, which is always enjoyed by all who attend. Brighton and Hove Council of Christians and Jews Our future plans include a Chanukah Tea Party, trips to the theatre and several outings. In April 2012 we are planning our regular Christmas/Chanukah Get-Together communal Seder Night. Date/Time: Sunday December 11th at 3.00 pm. Address: Court Barn, The Green, Rottingdean. Speaker: Rabbi Vivian Silverman In January 2012 two of our members, Iris & Stanley Goldklang, will be celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. We all wish them Followed by festive food that everybody brings a hearty mazel tov and may they have many more happy and healthy and shares years together. Please phone 01273 302611 if you wish to find out how to get to For further information about our friendly group please ring Court Barn, or if you can get a lift. We hope that many people 07724172880. will come as there is plenty of room. issue 214 | December 2011 8 community life 9 hastings and District jewish Bexhill. It was very well attended and equally well received. Not only society did Rabbi Solomon speak about the recent High Holidays, but he also blew the Shofar for us and explained the history of this special by Claudette Woolfson ram’s horn. In a wonderfully resonant voice, no doubt enhanced by the acoustically favourable venue, he sang some beautiful Hebrew We have just held the 36th AGM of our Society. In honour of the songs, including the moving Kol Nidre, traditionally sung by cantors occasion the Rev Malcolm Weisman, Minister for small communities, on the eve of Yom Kippur. He also brought along with him an etrog, delighted us with his presence. He reminded us of the Society’s the lemon-style fruit of Sukkot, together with the lulav, which he founding days and was most heartened to learn of our plans and proceeded to shake in all the right directions. opportunities for the future. He also added a few suggestions of his own! It was a very agreeable meeting, which was followed by a tasty Once again, in conjunction with the local branch of the Council of ploughman’s lunch, cakes and refreshments, ably prepared by Nicole Christians and Jews, Christian Friends of Israel, and Hastings Council Lennard and Stella Harris. the Society is preparing for next January’s Holocaust Memorial Day event. It will take place at St Mary’s in the Castle on the seafront in In recent months we have had two interesting talks. The first was a Hastings. Admission is free, but by ticket only, which will be available fascinating illustrated talk on the charity, Demelza, which provides a from the Hastings Tourist Information Office or from members of the hospice for children. The second was lighter in tone and resembled Society. an after-dinner speech entitled Jokes and Quips. It certainly kept us all amused. Our next Service and Social will take place on Friday 2 December. Trish Russell will be presenting a talk on her travels. Stella is hosting The Bexhill & District Council of Christians & Jews, with which we are a Chanukah celebration at her home on Wednesday 21 December, associated, is thriving under the leadership of Gillian Myers and the which starts at 6.30pm. Please let Stella know if you would like to supporting committee. This year there have been many CCJ events; attend. Please note, there will be no Friday service in January. highlights included a sunny summer garden party in Little Common. For all enquiries please contact the Society on 07743 992295 or write In October, Rabbi Solomon gave a talk at St Barnabas Church in to HDJS, PO Box 74, Bexhill, East Sussex, TN39 4ZZ jewish historical society – sussex branch Sussex Jewish Representative Council by Godfrey R Gould, Chairman Established in 1746, the Portsmouth Jewish Community is the oldest Sussex Jewish Representative Council are continuous provincial Jewish community in Britain. This was the pleased to announce that our 2011 AGM will subject of the address by Rabbi David Katanka, former Minister to be held in the newly opened that community, on 25 October. Hillel House, Middle Street Brighton Rabbi Katanka began by outlining the Naval and maritime history of the town and the interrelationship between the port and the on Wednesday 14th December at Jewish community. He followed this with a fascinating account of 8.00pm the development of the community and its relationship with the early Ashkenazi community in London. Amongst the many personalities There will be a Park and Ride service mentioned was Emanuel Emanuel, the first Jewish Lord Mayor of from Hove Town Hall Portsmouth, who was allowed to take office despite refusing to take the oath “on the true faith of a Christian”. An ‘angel’ statue is his Please phone 02173 206456 to book memorial opposite Southsea Pier. As well as the election of new officers for the Amongst the many anecdotes was the fate of a group of Jewish Representative Council, this meeting will traders, all of whom except one perished when they were returning give delegates a chance to look at this great to the harbour Erev Shabbat. As was a local custom, they had been trading on board a ship in the Solent but were drowned when their new facility as well as to meet other little boat capsized. Rabbi Katanka reinstated the special communal members of the community and to talk service on their Yahrzeit. It was a truly fascinating evening, for which about their organisation’s plans for the Rabbi Katanka was enthusiastically thanked. coming year. There will be ‘drinks and Our first meeting of 2012 will take place at Ralli Hall on 24 January nibbles’ to help everyone enjoy the event! commencing at 7.45pm. Raphael Langham will speak on the Bevin We do hope that you will be able to come. Enigma, a subject of seminal interest to all those concerned with the role of the United Kingdom in the establishment of the State of Israel. ALL WELCOME Visitors are most welcome to join members at this and indeed, all our RSVP info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org events. issue 214 | December 2011 8 features 9 crafty old crow! charity, which supports the homeless bed) with two dolls to represent a loving to help themselves by working full time couple who place their doll in whichever by Sue Rea in restoring donated goods for sale. pocket suits today’s mood!” She and some others have formed a group Monica is the sister of Maxine Toff, called the Goodwill who runs the Jewish Women’s Group Cooperative, which in Brighton. She hails from Carshalton meets regularly on and has been in Brighton for about 33 a social basis to years. She told me proudly about her promote their crafts. son, Ben Crowe, a well-known actor, It is not surprising who has now moved to live down here that an industrious with his two young children. Asked person such as what inspired her to work in the medium Monica should agree of wool in particular, she replied that with Emmaus’ work there was an element of nostalgia in it, values. which makes people smile and reminds To fully appreciate her them of their childhood. Monica said work please go to her she would be happy to exhibit her work website, Crafty Old to us if requested, so maybe we will all Crow. Monica’s work soon have the opportunity to appreciate has been presented the huge talent of this charming and At an exhibition in the city arts festival on the BBC and ITV and there is a unassuming member of our community. Brighton Youth Centre for White video of it on You Tube. Looking at Night, I was lucky enough to have the the website it opportunity to see the most amazing becomes obvious piece of craft work by Monica Crowe. that Monica’s Amongst other pieces, Monica has talents do not stop produced a knitted home and garden, at creative knitting; by which I mean that she has actually there are examples knitted a full size piano, fireplace, of commissions flowers, vegetables and animals. A which include verbal description can hardly do justice children’s clothes, to these items, which often have a knitting patterns, tongue-in-cheek angle to them, for and a “marital instance, a seagull with a Brighton scarf aid hangup” – I round his neck, and a flattened cat quote, “This is an emerging from a mangle! amusing set of 12 pockets which Monica donates the proceeds of her can be hung up work to Emmaus, the Portslade-based (possibly over the issue 214 | December 2011 10 features features 11 finkler Questions and answers: Part ii by Stephanie Megitt Jewish boy that has grown up as a but not for fun; when it’s rhetorical SJN is pleased to present the fervent Jew, I am not a fervent Jew. but not for the pleasure of it and not conclusion to an exclusive interview I didn’t grow up as a Zionist, I never playing games; when it is single- with Howard Jacobson. Stephanie went to Israel as a boy. I have been minded; when it’s certain about things Megitt conducted the interview on there a few times but almost always one should not be certain about; 1 September 2010 as part of the professionally, for example, when I and when it’s obsessive. And when authors’ series organised you see language that by City Books on Western has all those qualities, Road. The first part of the you wonder what is going interview appeared last on here. I believe that I issue. saw that language being used of Israel, first of all, You provide a refreshing and then I thought, could and valued voice against there be such a place as self-hating Jews and this? Now they’re Nazis, the myth of Zionism = now they’re Fascists. Nazism, as well as anti- Why would people want Zionists who are really to call Jews Nazis? What anti-Jewish. I can’t think cruelty would make you of another writer who’s want to call a Jew, who doing it. It’s courageous has suffered as they have of you to put your head suffered at the hands of above the parapet. When Nazis? Why would you call and why did you first feel a person a thing that their that you had to speak most cruel tormentor was? out? Why would you do that unless your will is ill? Well, there are a few I suppose, but I can’t think There are many things you of another person doing could call Israelis whom it in novels. I suppose you don’t like, but that is there are people like Anthony Julius, made a television documentary series malevolence and cruelty. So you look who wrote that wonderful book called Roots Schmoots (from my at that and little by little, a picture about antisemitism. There’s Jonathan book of that title) for which my wife emerges of people whose politics is Freedland, who’s really good, and Jenny was the director. We looked suspect. I am a non-political person, yes, there are a several people. I at Israel, but I went there, not as a I mistrust everybody’s politics – there have done it in novels and in some fervent Zionist Jew, but I got there are people who say they can detect of the essays in Whatever It Is I much more through my profession as my politics, but I actually don’t believe Don’t Like it, although some of the a teacher of English literature and as I have any: I mistrust ideologies most angry articles I have written are a writer. and politics: I mistrust the person not in that, because who looks at Israel I am still thinking I do not see Israel as a model of political rectitude... it’s and says that this is about bringing out a a country, and one which has been at war for a long the most wonderful selection of articles time and it’s made many huge mistakes. The people country in the world about Jewish things. and that it can do no with whom it’s been at war have also made many huge So I held back one or wrong, in the same mistakes. two. There’s a piece way. For me Zionism about Auschwitz and does not interest me one about Holocaust denial in there. as a current ideology, but rather as I didn’t trust the language of some a historical fact. It is the story of the I don’t see it as being courageous. I of the people that I was reading on Jews’ pursuit of a homeland, and how never seemed to have a choice in the this subject. And I think that people anyone can deny that they needed a matter and I didn’t get there through should not trust the language when homeland, I don’t know. politics. I haven’t got there as a it is suspect; when it’s hyperbolical issue 214 | December 2011 features 11 finkler Questions and answers: Part ii So when I read people who want to been given. They are made to feel by often neurotic business of the Jew attack the very basis of Zionism it’s their abuser that they have deserved that has to do this, that or the other. at that point that I say, hang on, what it in some ways. So that in the history I must say I like that; that’s my idea you are attacking is not a political of Jewish suffering, I would be very of a perfect Jew actually, the secular system and not something going surprised if there were not some Jew who’s looking at orthodoxy and on in Israel at the moment, you are Jews who felt they deserved what thinking, I wouldn’t mind a piece of attacking an ambition, a Jewish had happened to them. I do believe that. The problem with growing up aspiration. Why would you do that? that that operates sometimes, but I orthodox is that I don’t think many of Why is it not necessary to say, for see that it’s not fair to somebody who them wouldn’t mind a piece of that example, that Zionism, whatever one wants to be a critic of Israel to call secularity. thinks of it, was a particular ideal, and them a self-hating Jew. People can be now it seems to have been corrupted. as critical as they like: you must look It’s too closed for me, I don’t like I would have no difficulty in saying at the language of their criticism and closed worlds, and I don’t like that, or that many of Israel’s foreign judge that accordingly. That’s been unreason. And many of the things policies are cruel, and that some of my little mission as far as this subject belong to unreason. I can’t tell you them are misguided. why I’m doing that, When I was in Israel What’s best about Judaism is that it’s funny… it’s except that God says and I saw with my disputatious… It’s free, it’s welcoming of other ideas. I should do it. I mean own eyes Israeli my Jewish G-d says I soldiers pushing should argue with him. Palestinians around, and worse, in is concerned: it’s not political on my My Jewish God says, “Howard, are my view, were Orthodox Jewish boys part, I am a literary critic. Literary you going to shul this morning?” and with fringes flying about doing it too. criticism can take you a long way; it I go, “No,” and when I tell him why, I was horrified and said so. I have no will tell you when someone’s motives he thinks, fine. My Jewish God is not objection in people saying that; I do are false or fallacious. the one that says you must do this, not see Israel as a model of political you must do that, you must do the rectitude: I don’t see anywhere as Readers will be very interested other. What’s best about Judaism is a model of political rectitude, it’s a to know if you have any views on that it’s funny, well, the orthodox can country, and one which has been the current growing orthodox/ be funny sometimes; it’s disputatious at war for a long time and it’s made non-orthodox polarization. What and the orthodox aren’t disputatious many huge mistakes. influence do you think this has on enough with each other, they’ve made the future of European Jewry? their mind up. It’s free, it’s welcoming The people with whom it’s been at of other ideas. One of the great war have also made many huge Well I just don’t know enough about Jewish things has always been its mistakes. I have no interest really this, but I can tell you that in the openness to the ideas of others, not in saying whose mistakes are larger, Manchester Jewish world in which its closedness. There wouldn’t have but I do worry when other people do I grew up, which didn’t know much been Judaism had those wandering that, when they assume that people about being Jewish, and was very tribes down there not been interested have absolute probity or absolute secular, it respected all aspects of in what was going on in neighbouring wickedness – that can’t be right, or is Jewishness. Had we wanted to be middle-eastern countries. We very rarely right. So I began from an orthodox we could have been; it was adopted Yahweh from other people, examination of the language of your possible. Some of my friends were we have always taken in ideas, and professional anti-Zionist. able to be orthodox. We were bar when the Jews close their minds, I mitzvahed, we were sent to Cheder, don’t like them as much, so that’s What comes next, of course, is the we learned Hebrew, some of us where I am. question of why there are some Jews didn’t make a very good job of it; who themselves embrace that. I’d be we were expected to marry within Howard Jacobson’s newest book, very wary of talking about self-hatred, the faith, and our religion was made Whatever It Is I Don’t Like it as well as because we’re not allowed to any very clear to us. We heard Yiddish his novels are available at City Books, more. My wife is a therapist and in the being spoken, so there was never any Western Road, Hove language of therapy I know that it is moment in which we didn’t know we understood that when a person has were Jewish, or indeed very Jewish, been abused they often take upon but it didn’t go with the obsessive, themselves the identity they have and I think, it would be fair to say, issue 214 | December 2011 12Poetry corner 13 Requiem for a Proper Charlie t.m. Charlie Chaplin (1889 – 1978) Charlie, when I saw you clown Inches deep on all the floors, At the cheapest flicks in town, Jumping in the baker’s dough, On edge, in the cheapest seats Dripping paint from head to toe, Cackling at your clownish feats Dragging your laundry through the slime – Fearfully crunching acid drops You made our laughs the more sublime. While you were chased by angry cops Little – Charlie – did I know For you were Us and We were you The picture that you tried to show: And you did what we wanted to – Except that in our simple youth The little man that’s pushed about We couldn’t know the bitter truth Taking clout on painful clout That all the world’s most useful chaps Revolving round revolving doors Are little men who take the raps. And then escaping on all fours Through splayed-out legs of wicked guys Charlie, now your act is done Who wouldn’t see beneath their eyes – Trip off into that silver sun Those beefy blokes with heavy pecs Beyond the flea-pit forest floor Who did their thinking with their necks, Past orange peel and apple core, The big men who just strode about Peanut shells and lolly sleeves, Oblivious to the down-and-out. Toffee-wrappers, autumn leaves. Charlie, when you bucketed water And as you fade out, we’ll remind you: Over that nasty station porter, Charlie, boy, we’re all behind you. Didn’t we cheer your little game! We would have loved to do the same. January 1978 And when the cop with wicked grin Crept behind to do you in Remember, Charlie? We’d remind you “Look out, mister, he’s behind you!” by Moss Rich from his new book of Selected Poems Then as you waddled reels to reels A Psalm of Consequences for Those Who Can’t Swinging your cane through orange peels, Keep Up Monthly Payments Peanut shells and apple cores ISBN 978-1-906742-33-1 £10 issue 214 | December 2011 chanukah 13 an sjn guide to chanukah gifts of books and music The Great Partnership: God, Science and the Search for Meaning This illustrated anthology contains original stories by notable writers by Jonathan Sacks and artists. Through essays, illustrations, a complete one-act play and comics, four major themes concerning the Yiddish language Lord Sacks responds to the modern are explored: culture, performance, assimilation and revival of the atheism of people like Richard language. It is a sincere and thoughtful compilation that skilfully Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. reveals the far-reaching influence of Yiddish. He looks at how religion has tempered and developed scientific understanding in order for us to be fully human. Metaphor and The Hallelujah Land and Other Songs by Noah Budin Drawing comparisons from different cultures and delving Cleveland’s Noah Budin writes into the history of language and songs that use Jewish history as a western civilisation, Lord Sacks touchstone on Jewish values and shows how the predominance ethics. His music is diverse: from of science-oriented thinking pop to rock to acapella to gospel. is embedded in our religious understanding, calling on us On Metaphor, Let It Burn is a to recognise the centrality of modern song for Chanukah, telling relationship to true religion. the story of the Maccabees and what they were fighting for. The Edge of the Ocean looks at questions about Start-Up Nation existence. by Dan Senor and Saul Singer The title track of The Hallelujah Land retells the story of How is it that Israel – with its the exodus in four minutes whilst Joshua’s Band looks at the population of 7.1 million, a country relationship between God and humanity in Biblical, extra-Biblical and approximately 60 years old, modern history. surrounded by enemies and in a constant state of war - produces Both CDs are available at cdbaby.com and oysongs.com more start-up companies than large, peaceful and stable nations like Japan, China, India, Korea, Canada and the UK? Kosher Nostra: Jewish Gangsters Greatest Hits Compiled by Shantel and Oz With the savvy of foreign policy Almog insiders, Senor and Singer examine the lessons of Although claiming to be a the country’s adversity-driven compilation of the favourite culture - which flattens songs loved by Jewish hierarchy and elevates informality – gangsters such as Bugsy Seigel and government policies focused on innovation. In a world where and Meyer Lansky, this CD economies as diverse as Ireland, Singapore and Dubai have tried to also includes versions songs re-create the “Israel effect”, there are entrepreneurial lessons well by later artists. The usual worth noting. As America reboots its own economy and can-do spirit, suspects are here: Al Jolson there’s never been a better time to look at Israeli clues. (The Old Piano Roll Blues), The Andrews Sisters (Bei Mir Bistu Sheyn) and Sophie Tucker’s definitive My Yiddishe Mamma, to name just a few. However, it is the later versions of those songs that are a Yiddishkeit: Jewish Vernacular in surprise. Included here are The Anniversary Song and Oh Mein Papa the New Land by Connie Francis and Misirlou by Twist legend, Chubby Checker. by Harvey Pekar and Paul Buhne (editors) The most surprising track is a powerful live recording of My Yiddishe Mamma, in English, sung by Tom Jones. According to the CD’s We hear words like ‘nosh’, ‘shlep’, notes, Jones learned the song from his father and used to perform it and ‘schmutz’, all the time, but regularly in concert. how did these little bits of Yiddish come to pepper American English? All of the above books and CDs are available from Amazon unless Harvey Pekar and Paul Buhle trace otherwise noted. the influence of Yiddish from the popular author Sholem Asch, who wrote in the early 1920s-1950s, to the modern day archivist Aaron Lansky, who started the National Yiddish Book Centre. issue 214 | December 2011 14culture 15 blonde Poison - a play by No matter what your knowledge gail Louw of this period of history, for me Review by Michelle Kay this is a story Blonde Poison: if the name doesn’t captivate you, then the you must be performance certainly will. From the moment I arrived, I told. It is not a focused on nothing else. typical black and white account of The [true] subject matter is a beautiful yet deadly heroine, the Holocaust. Stella Kuebler-Goldschlag, who gave the lives of her fellow It is not easily Jews in return for her own and her parents’ safety and the digestible and trappings of Nazi comfort. While the data varies, she was said audiences will to have ‘caught’ anywhere up to 3,000 victims during WWII. not walk away unaffected. You Stella was intelligently portrayed by Elizabeth Counsell, who will engage in gave an engaging interpretation of Gail Louw’s clever script. dialogue about The stage was simply set with Counsell’s stark blonde profile this. But perhaps almost glowing against the dark cold set of Stella’s furnished more so than other Holocaust stories, you will be forced to flat. Counsell’s remarkable 90-minute monologue, conveyed look at all sides, and you will have to ask yourself the ultimate the mixed bag of character traits that were wrapped up inside question “What would I have done?” this woman. She laid out the case before us, pulling us into her confidence while simultaneously pushing us away with Marvellously written and wonderfully acted, Blonde Poison her arrogance and provoking our revulsion at what she had is scheduled for another performance at the Jermyn Street done. Despite all this, there were incongruous moments of Theatre on 5 March 2012 and there is a UK tour in the humour that almost caught you off balance. planning. For more details, please contact Gail Louw on gailzlouw@gmail.com issue 214 | December 2011 14 culture 15 inside nuremberg Prison by helen fry Review by Prof T Scarlett Epstein This is the kind of book that, when Howard’s parents, meanwhile, were we begin to read it, we cannot put being transported to Auschwitz. down. It makes us remember, not The last news from them was a only how the post-war Nuremberg moving letter to Margot written by trials documented the world’s most Howard’s mother while travelling horrific war crimes committed under appalling conditions. She by the accused Nazi leaders, but managed to throw this letter out of how they also provided novel and the carriage and quite miraculously, lively accounts of the personalities it reached its destination. of the accused. We see how they The most interesting part of the themselves viewed the world’s most book recounts Howard’s role as inhuman war crimes for which they German interpreter for the famous were responsible. American psychiatrist Dr. Douglas Helen Fry has written numerous Kelley, whose job it was, not to interesting books about the refugee collect evidence for the trials, but experiences of Austrian and German to discover what had motivated Jews. She contacted one such these leading Nazi prisoners refugee by the name of Howard to carry out the “cleansing” of Triest and immediately realised German society by arranging the unique nature of his story. He the most cruel genocide of 6 then became the central figure in million Jews as well as of many her recent publication. She lucidly other minority members. It is interweaves his personal life story, admirable, yet somewhat difficult and his time as a sergeant in the to understand, how Howard, a American Forces with the fate of his young Jewish refugee, managed parents and the rest of his family. He to establish a rapport with those was among the first Americans who landed in Europe in 1945 Nazi prisoners, knowing that they were the perpetrators of his and witnessed the shocking conditions in the Buchenwald own parents’ death in the Auschwitz gas chambers. Howard concentration camp. even collected books the prisoners had published and got the authors to inscribe them. Some of them wrote nice words He subsequently acted as German interpreter to the American in appreciation of their interrogator. For example, one Julius psychiatrists, whose task it was to establish whether or not Streicher, a most extreme anti-Semite who prided himself that the Nazi prisoners were mentally fit to appear as defendants he could always identify a Jew, failed to realise that Howard at their trials. These psychiatrists wanted to discover whether was Jewish and looked upon him as a friend. One cannot the Nazi prisoners showed any mental or physical features help but wonder how these Nazi prisoners would have felt which might account for their atrociously inhuman treatment had they known that he was Jewish. of millions of innocent men, women and children. The content of the many interviews with leading Nazi Howard’s fair hair and blue eyes gave him an Aryan prisoners, including Herman Goering, clearly show that in appearance and the Nazi prisoners did not suspect that he their private lives they were ordinary loving husbands and was Jewish. Some of them even came to regard him as a fathers. friend and a fellow Aryan. This put Howard in a very difficult position, because by this time he was pretty certain that his Hardly any one of them showed any regret at their extreme parents had perished in the Auschwitz gas chambers under persecution of the Jews nor felt in any way responsible for the orders of those very Nazi prisoners. the heinous crimes. Each claimed that he was just carrying out orders. All this did not prevent them from receiving the Howard was born in Munich in 1923 into a reasonably affluent punishment they so well deserved - most of them were and highly assimilated German-Jewish family. He grew up just committed to death by hanging. when Hitler began to gain power. At first, his parents did not believe that Hitler would succeed but then, when they saw “For Howard Triest, living in retirement in Florida in the what happened on Kristallnacht, they made arrangements United States, Nuremberg is ever present in his memory on for Howard to set sail for America in 1940 in the hope that a daily basis. Time does nothing to erase his extraordinary they themselves, together with their younger daughter experience. Through a twist of fate he survived Nazi Germany Margot, would soon follow. Alas, as the war developed, to become a witness to justice and part of history in the they were caught in Vichy France. Margot was left in the making” (p.110). care of a friendly French NGO who encouraged her to walk Kindle edition, £4.29 including wireless delivery and VAT from into Switzerland where she was taken in by family friends. Amazon issue 214 | December 2011 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 acharei hachagim and chanukah punctuated, thank goodness, with the festival of Chanukah – the festival of light brightening up the gloom as it were. by Rabbi Charles Wallach There is in Judaism, or rather there has sprung up in Judaism, This year we have Chanukah to be sure, but those already in the a phrase Acharei Hachagim: after the Chagim or festivals. know have realised it will occur very late in December. The reason It covers, principally in Israel, a concept that whatever was for this is the Jewish calendar and the fact that because we had unable to occur during the busy festive season would now be a leap year in the Jewish calendar last year (well this year if we go attended to. However, as one who has had the opportunity by the secular calendar) everything will be late until we come to to observe communities around the world this idea applies next Purim when things return to the more recognisable again. differently wherever one is. In the southern hemisphere where the seasons of spring into summer are currently in full swing Acharei But this Chanukah has just a chance of being “lost” as it were: Hachagim seems to imply wind down; preparing for vacation, Overpowered for some by the festivities of Xmas, which so long hot days of summer and sun! permeates everything especially its commercial element. In Israel, where the phrase originates, one sees a lot of scurrying Last year we at the Reform Synagogue started something which around. The weather is definitely cooler; rain is in the air, was almost stymied because of the snow; that, in addition to particularly in the north and in Jerusalem; but this is, as of old, our Chanukah observances, over the Shabbat of Chanukah in the busiest time of the year. Certainly limited in joyous occasions, the synagogue, families would go to each others’ homes and it nevertheless is one of much activity, the school and university celebrate together. year now in full swing. One hopes that even if it is dark and cold that the snows will And here? With the nights drawing in and the temperature falling hold off despite the lateness in the year and maybe we can not to mention the effort at attendance over the recent festive all celebrate Chanukah together, with friends, in groups. For season, it seems harder to make the effort to attend synagogue, Chanukah is not just a festival acknowledging the defeat of communal events and so on. And yet this may be precisely Antiochus. It is also an occasion for one to feel the warmth when such an effort may be most rewarding as we join others in beyond the candles - the warmth of togetherness, the warmth prayer, in study and in communal activity. Normally this period is that can be between people, the warmth of faith. Chanukah Sameach! New Jewish Mother and Toddler group starting at Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Thursday 12th January 2012 at the AJEX Hall 9.15am - 11.15am Toys, games, story time and singing with refreshments £1 Synagogue members, £2 non-members. Come along and make new friends! For more details, call Sara Newton on 07971 226103 issue 214 | December 2011 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.webjam.com/bhhc10 17 more than Doughnuts and the Menorah was still full. This miracle continued until the end of the eight days. Hence, a miracle occurred on all of the by Rabbi Hershel Rader eight days. Why do we celebrate Chanukah for eight days? Everyone knows the answer; because there was enough oil for only There are other approaches to answering this question. The one day and it lasted for eight. Yet Rabbi Yosef Cairo, author Pri Chadash points out that if there had been no miracle of of the Shulchan Aruch, poses the following question: if there the oil we would still celebrate one day to commemorate the was enough oil to last for one day then then should not the great Jewish victory over the Greeks. It follows that the first miracle of the oil be for the subsequent seven days? He day of Chanukah celebrates the victory and the other seven offers three different answers. the miracle of the oil. First, those who were preparing the Menorah for lighting knew Whatever the answer, it is clear that Chanukah, which marks it would take eight days until fresh oil arrived. They divided our triumphant resistance to assimilation, has a connection the existing flask of oil into eight parts, so that the Menorah with oil. For that matter the Temple Menorah, a major symbol would be lit every day, albeit not for the entire day. A miracle of Judaism, was fueled by oil. The Rabbis describe oil in two occurred and the small amount of oil put in the Menorah each very different, almost contradictory, ways. On the one hand day lasted the entire day. Hence, there was a miracle on the it ‘spreads and penetrates’ into places a liquid such as water first day as well. does not reach. On the other hand ‘oil floats on water’ and has the ability to remain totally separate. Second, on the first night, the entire contents of the flask were emptied into the Menorah, which should have enabled The history of the Jewish people is one of dispersion. We the Menorah to be lit for one entire day. However, after filling have been exiled from our homeland and spread throughout the Menorah the flask was miraculously still full. This miracle the world, penetrating and enhancing alien societies. The occurred on each of the eight days. genius of Jewish survival has been our ability to maintain our unique and separate spiritual heritage and identity. Being Third, on the first night the entire contents of the flask were Jewish means living amongst others with different beliefs and emptied into the Menorah. When the Menorah was checked cultures. Judaism demands that we resist assimilating and in the morning it was found that none of the oil had burned retain our own belief and religious identity. our Women of the year Shabbat Chanukah 24th December We are delighted to welcome back guest Chazan Adrian Alexander who officiated so beautifully over the Yomim Tovim. The service will be followed by Kiddush and then a full Shabbat Lunch. Lunch will be a very reasonable £12.50 and bookings must be made in advance at the Shul office on 01273 888855. Alma Caplin and Sarah Amram were named as BHHC’s Chanukah Service and Tea Women of the Year for 5772. 27th December Alma is a stalwart volunteer in our community, helping out with, among other things, Kiddushim. Recently she was seen climbing up the tree on our grounds picking pears to make We are delighted to be hosting this year’s Chanu-dessert for our Sukkot lunch. kah Service and Tea on Tuesday 27th December. Sarah has been very active with the Cheder, organising events Mincha will be at 3.30 pm followed by lighting involving the children and other parents. She is always willing of a full menorah and then tea in the Mark Luck to help when necessary. Hall. Maariv will take place after the tea. Both women were honoured for their dedication, their love Everyone in the community is welcome. of our community and their humour, making everything an enjoyable experience for all involved. issue 214 | December 2011 18hhcrabbi Vivian silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com 19 on chanukah seven-branched golden menorah were extinguished, since the enemy knew that the lights on the candelabrum signified by Rabbi Vivian Silverman the light of Judaism. The translation of the festival’s name is “Dedication”, because, after the desecration of the second Temple (it was After the Syrians were driven from Judea, and the Temple turned into a Greek pagan place of worship) the building was cleaned and dedicated, the priests went to the chamber cleared, every last vestige of idolatry was removed, and the where pure olive oil for the lighting was stored in jars. To Temple was re-consecrated to the service of the one God. their dismay they found that the oil had been used for pagan The re-dedication took place on 25 Kislev in the year 165 worship, the seal on each jar having been broken. Then, a BCE. Ever since, the Jewish people commemorate this date small jar was found intact. It had been overlooked among as the first day of Chanukah. the larger containers. There was sufficient oil to light each of the seven branches of the menorah, but only for twenty-four We know about these events, since they are recorded in the hours. The miracle was, that when a messenger returned with two Books of Maccabees, which are part of the Apocrypha. stocks of fresh olive oil from groves several days journey from Matityahu and his five sons - Yohanan, Yonatan, Yehuda, Jerusalem, the lights of the candelabrum were still burning. Elazar, and Shimon) are called the Hasmonean family. They led the Jewish people in rebellion against the Syrian Greek Symbolically, this is meant to remind us that though the forces under King Antiochus IV, who wished to impose enemy tried to destroy Judaism and the Jewish people, we Hellenism (Greek culture and religion) on the Jews and survived – and this has happened throughout the last two invaded Judea in order to do so. thousand years of Diaspora history. The light of Judaism still burns brightly. Yehuda is known as The Maccabee because the Hebrew “Macav” means a hammer, and, following his father’s death during the first year of the revolt, Yehuda assumed December Diary the leadership and began to hammer the enemy with all 13 Tuesday Ladies discussion circle, 10,30 am his might. Similarly, in French history, Charles Martel was 20 Tuesday First Chanukah light after dark Charles the Hammer and in English history Edward I was 26 Monday Bank holiday called “the Hammer of the Scots”. 27 Tuesday Bank holiday Judaism did not dwell on the battles, but concentrated on 28 Wednesday Last day of Chanukah the spiritual aspect. For three years, the lights of the Temple’s 31 Shabbat Bar Mitzvah of Joseph Gabriel 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. Join us for our glatt kosher June/July tour of “Mystical Ireland” KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST MARTIN GROSS Contact Malcolm on 0203 393 6823 koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk Funeral Director and www.kosherservicesworldwide.com Funeral Consultant www.kosherexperiences.co.il to Jewish communities UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION 01273 439792 OF THE LONDON BETH DIN (For functions in the U.K.) 07801 599771 “You’ve eaten the food now read the blog” www.koshersericesworldwide/blog/ 07540 066566 issue 214 | December 2011 18 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 19 Winter challenges and opportunities For Jews living as a minority, Christmas brings other challenges. For some, the Christian aspect of the Christmas by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah season has become so peripheral, that it is simply an We are in the midst of the darkest time of the year. Some opportunity to get away from the harsher aspects of winter people welcome the darkness and the opportunity it offers and enjoy time with family and friends. For others, the to hibernate. Some look forward, hopefully, to crisp, crystal-domination of Christmas is a source of annoyance and clear days. Some escape to holidays in the sun. For those a reminder, if one were needed, that Jewish life is lived who have to commute to work, venturing out before sunrise on the margins. Fortunately, in recent times, the annual and returning after sunset, winter can feel like one long dark Limmud Jewish education conference, held for five days tunnel they just have to get through. For those living on a tight over Christmas each year, has not only provided a means of budget, winter may bring with it anxiety: can I afford to heat getting away from Christmas for those Jews who want to, my home? For those who are elderly and live alone, the hours but also, whether or not it coincides with Chanukah, as it of darkness may accentuate feelings of loneliness. does this year, a wonderful alternative celebration that brings hundreds of Jews together of all dominations and none – Whatever our experiences and circumstances, living as we orthodox and progressive, cultural and secular. But it does do in a country regulated by the Christian calendar, winter more than this: Limmud also proclaims the distinctive feature is also punctuated by Christmas, providing opportunities for of Judaism: Limmud – learning; learning which is engaging, distraction, not just for one day, but for at least two months dynamic and interactive. beforehand as Christmas merchandising dominates the High Street, and all advertising outlets. In recent years, Christmas What better way to celebrate and perpetuate Jewish life has also meant a protracted closedown for many workplaces. than by generating a learning extravaganza that informs and But this year, as economic recession begins to bite, perhaps stimulates and equips Jews of all colours to engage actively it will not be quite as easy to indulge in Christmas distractions with our shared inheritance. So why not ‘Google’ ‘Limmud’ and spend money on presents and celebrations… and join the fun. bhPs on the move: Project going Places The Last Pew looking a bit lonely as it waits for its new Freecycle owner to collect. When we move back we shall be sitting in chairs so that we can feel a closer more personal connection with the service. On the day after Yom Kippur, over thirty members came Our postal address, phone and email have not changed, and to help clear Farm Road of the last of its furniture and to our website is always lively and up to date! Shabbat morning move everything in to the Montefiore Hall until it is put into services and Cheder are in Ralli Hall at 11.00 am courtesy of permanent storage or sold. Sarah W and Francine M provided the Ralli Hall Board, and our Shabbat evening services are us with a splendid lunch and the whole day felt like a party, being held in members’ homes. For details please ring the even if rather more energetic than most parties. office. issue 214 | December 2011 20 What’s on: December 2011 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org email: info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org shabbat shaLom – brighton times In Light Candles Out Havdalah Fri 2 3.40 pm Sat 3 4.54 pm Grodzinki’s challot Fri 9 3.37 pm Sat 10 4.52 pm and rye bread are Fri 16 3.37 pm Sat 17 4.53 pm available from Premier Fri 23 3.40 pm Sat 24 4.56 pm Fri 30 3.45 pm Sat 31 5.01 pm Convenience Stores sPeciaL Dates in Hove Street every Chanukah - light first candle Wednesday 21 Thursday morning until Chanukah - light eighth candle Tuesday 27 supplies run out. Communal Chanukah Candle Lighting Sat 26 at 6.30 pm in Palmeira Square, Hove eVents for December reguLar actiVities j:tots – for parents, toddlers, grandparents and carers - is held Sundays monthly at Ralli Hall. For information regarding the next session, carmel tennis club 10.00 am-12.00 noon. Weekly. All levels please e-mail Rachel at jtots@rocketmail.com or ring 01273 204333. welcome. Tel: Leon on 07717 222744 Monday 5 Mondays centre for german-jewish studies University of Sussex Arts A 155, Dr Shirli Gilbert ‘Forgotten Letters: A Refugee from Nazism in Apartheid the ethics of our fathers with Rabbi Efune 11.30-12.30 pm South Africa’ 4.30 pm Chabad House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove. Tel: 01273 321919 afternoon club with tea 1.30 pm. Tel: Reba 01444 410435 Wednesday 7 rubber and Duplicate bridge 1.30-4.30 pm £2.00. Tel: Reba jacs Winter break in eastbourne – no meeting 01444 410435 Saturday 10 contemporary basic talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men only Worthing & District jewish community chanukah evening with Daniel 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 cainer – 6.45 pm at Quakers Meeting House, 34 Mill Road, Worthing. tanya (Kabbalah) Learning group with Penina Efune - Telephone 01903 779720. £7.50 members/£8.25 non-members Ladies only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Sunday 11 Tuesdays ccj brighton & hove branch christmas/chanukah get-together – ralli hall Lunch and social club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm Tel: festive food to bring and share at 3.00 pm Court Barn, The Green, Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly RH Rottingdean with speaker Rabbi Vivian Silverman. Telephone 01273 302611 art in the studio with martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH Painting with rochelle (jas) 7.00 pm-9.00 pm Tel: 01273 Wednesday 14 503708 RH jacs – with guest Speaker Mark Perry-Nash on Feminism. AJEX israeli Dancing 7.45 pm-9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2.00 members / £2.50 non-RH members sussex jewish representative council agm – Hillel House, Middle Street, Wednesdays Brighton at 8.00 pm. Telephone 01273 206456 to book a place on the Park & Ride from Hove Town Hall chutzpah singers (Singing in Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Aramaic and other languages) with Polina Shepherd 7.00-Sunday 18 8.45 pm Tel: Rosalind 01273 541031 RH sussex jewish film club – at RH - The Jazz Singer - 7.00 pm for art in the studio with martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH 7.30pm jacs at the AJEX Centre 2.00 pm, Eaton Road, Hove - £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members. Monday 19 sjr sarid (brighton group) annual chanukah Party – 10.45 am at RH. Thursdays Donation £1.50 to include light refreshments ralli hall Lunch and social club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Weekly Wednesday 21 Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH jacs – with guest Speaker Leah Mitchell on The Life of William 1V. Weekly torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove at 2.00 pm. £2.00 members / £2.50 House. 01273 321919. non-members Saturday 26 COMMUNITY EVENTS – communal chanukah candle Lighting – IMPORTANT REMINDER in Palmeira Square, Hove 6.30 pm Contact the Communal Diary before planning Wednesday 28 your events. jacs –no meeting info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org issue 214 | December 2011 -
Issue 204
January 2011
sussex Jewish news Whats what’s inside.... LOOKinG FORwaRd | LOOKinG BaCK | hMd 2011 | MitZVah daY 2010 | and MORe WWW.SUSSEXJEWISHNEWS.COM | £2 | JANUARY 2011 | TEVET/SHEVAT 5771 • ISSUE 204 2 Pause for thought 3 January, named after a Roman mythological god, From a religious perspective we look back as Brighton Janus, is often depicted as having two heads facing & Hove Hebrew Congregation celebrated the induction opposite directions with one looking back at the past of Rabbi Rader and Brighton & Hove Progressive and the other looking forward to the future. Synagogue happily marked ten years with Rabbi Sarah as its spiritual leader. Looking forward this month Looking back last year was not a happy one for Israel not only finds us completing our cycle of haftarah with its image in the world at a possible all-time commentaries, but also holds the celebration of a low and the peace process at stalemate. Months new Torah Scroll being welcomed at Hove Hebrew of relentlessly high temperatures and no rain were Congregation. followed by a real disaster: Still, looking back on as a community we can look back on unprecedented the nation’s favourite raging forest fires. mitzvah Day anD all that we DiD to bring topic – the weather – we Following the vast look back on how Britain ourselves closer together. destruction and was rocked and almost 41 deaths, we now look forward to Tu B’Shevat, the brought to a standstill by cruelly cold weather and the new year for trees which falls on 20th January, and pray worst snowfalls for many years. that it heralds an environmental renewal. Again we look forward to the days getting longer with As a community we can look back on Mitzvah Day the promise of more light. We hope that the cold, harsh and all that we did to bring ourselves closer together. winter will be followed by a warm, gentle summer when Looking forward to later this month, on National we in Sussex can continue to count our blessings, Holocaust Memorial Day we commemorate and make the most of every day and be of practical help contemplate on all that the Jewish people and the to our own community as well as to our wider family in world have lost. Israel. SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, ADmInIsTRATOR Ivor Sorokin announcements, people, congregations, communitites, contacts and more. Delivered at the start of each month, ADmIn AssIsTAnT Gweni Sorokin SJN is run entirely by volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating each edition that has become the cornerstone of COmmunITy IssuEs Laura Sharpe the Jewish community across the region. COmmunAL DIARy Angela Goldman diary@sussexjewishnews.com PhOTOgRAPhER Sophie Sheinwald EDITORIAL BOARD E-PuBLIshIng Gary Weston Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt / Ivor Miskin / David Seidel PRODuCTIOn/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 10 JANUARY 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 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 2 contents 3 sussex jewish news Features Po box 2178 hove bn3 3sz 1 yaD vashem’s hall oF names telephone: 07906 955 404 8 community ProFile e-mail editor@sussexjewishnews.com Meet Anthony Bloom 9 holocaust memorial Day 2011 A listing of this year’s events 10 mitzvah Day 2010 Cakes and wildlife regulars 4 your news & views Personals and Letters 5 community liFe News from across the county 11 culture Film and more 11 what january holDs Astrologer Val Aviv looks at the stars 14 culture Film and more 19 what’s on Regular and special events in your community your community Norman Grant 12 hove hebrew congregation 13 brighton & hove Progressive synagogue of Gary Green Memorials The Approved Mason for the 14 brighton & hove reForm synagogue B & H Reform Community and all Jewish Cemeteries Countrywide 15 brighton & hove hebrew congregation Renovations and Additional Inscriptions Home Visits by Appointment Brochure on request 01273 885874 mobile: 0776 951 5045 ngrant37@gmail.com 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 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 4 your news & views letters 5 births edmundo ros Abrahams and his wife Irit, as with others too many to • Mazel tov to Rabbi Zalman and Shterna Lewis on the birth mention, in the Brighton & of Yaakov Bentzion. You may be interested to know that Mr Edmundo Ros Hove Jewish Community. special birthdays OBE was 100 years old on I know this is a bit belated but I felt it was necessary • Mazel tov to David Black, Reaca Branston, Clare Driver, 7th December. to relate this sad event to Paul Feinson, Melanie Firsht, Miriam Flexer, Muriel Lewis, Throughout his exceptionally the many people who would Berny Lowenthal, Annette Norris, Victoria Pashaei-Nia, successful career, Edmundo have known him. Eva Carris Smith and Solomon Tarragano, all of whom are proved to be an outstanding celebrating special birthdays this month. friend to the Jewish Tony Green engagements Community. In fact, soon after arriving in the UK to • Mazel tov to Saonie Lyons and Jeremy Crown on their the media, the middle study music at the Royal engagement. Academy he was so warmly east and israel special anniversaries welcomed by members of the Jewish Community I noticed a letter in the SJN • Mazel tov to Sioned and Peter Vos on their 35th wedding that he quickly developed a with concern raised on how anniversary. strong affinity with them. He to handle data about Israel. also forged close friendships I highly recommend the get well with many prominent Jewish Honest Reporting website We wish a refuah shelaimah to Joy Barnett, Sally Crook, Pam figures of the day. for any concern on the Magrill, Ivor Miskin, Barry Smith, Edella Sutcliffe and Cecily Middle East situation is being Woolf. One of the many charitable reported in the media. acts Edmundo performed Achievements was for the then Brighton & HonestReporting was Hove Jewish Home, of which founded by a group of It is with great joy that we wish to inform you that our he became an honorary life concerned individuals beloved daughter Faye has qualified as a Medical time governor. Edmundo who affiliate neither to the Consultant in emergency medicine. was sometimes to be seen right nor to the left. The Lynda & Simon Weinberg amongst the congregation organization is interested of the late Rabbi Dr Louis only in ensuring that Israel Jacobs and in our own receives the fair media Thank You home, regularly joined in coverage that every nation We would like to thank our wonderful family and very Friday night kiddushim. deserves. HonestReporting special friends for their love and support during Bernie’s scrutinizes the media for recent bout of ill health. He is now on the road to recovery Edmundo is now living in a examples of bias, and then and we so appreciate the kindness shown to us during this care home in Javea, Spain informs subscribers of worrying time. close to the lovely villa where any problematic articles, Doreen and Bernie Walker he lived with his wife Susie asking them to respond for many years. directly to the relevant news Deaths agency. This is not merely We wish long life to Gerry Crest an information service - it’s • the family of David Benzecrit z”l a way we can respond to • the family of Deborah Boder z’l the media in an informed, • the family of Monte Boam z’l stan green coordinated fashion. So • the family of Stanley Green z’l. 1936 -2010 far, they have had a lot • the family of Elizabeth (Betty) Harris z’l’ of success in getting • the family of Rosa Kent z’l news agencies to change It is with regret that I editorial policy, and to think • the family of Edna Roseman z’l announce the death of my twice before publishing an • the family of Myra Bedford (previously Jackson), mother of brother Stanley Green in unbalanced report. Virginia Craig and Avril Leon (previously Myers) Vancouver BC on the 8th of November 2010. Stan would To register with Stonesetting – Nina Franks z”l have been remembered by honestreporting.com and many of your older readers. receive their user-friendly The memorial stone in loving memory of Nina Franks will He was quite well known communiques, visit be consecrated at Meadow View Cemetery, off Bear Road, around town prior to his honestreporting.com, or send Brighton BN2 4DE on Sunday, 2nd January 2011 at 2.00 move to Canada in 1975 with a blank email to hreporting@ pm. Please join the family afterwards. For details, please his late wife Paula & children list.netatlantic.com contact angela.moore@tfigroup.com Damon and Shelley. They or mgrover@emirates.net.ae were very friendly with Roger Sophie Sheinwald issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 4 community life 5 eastbourne hebrew jewish historical society congregation by David Melcher by Manny Godfrey On a cold and frosty night, Rabbi Hershel Rader gave a talk to the society on Rationalising the Miracle of Chanukah. The reason that the celebrations go on for 8 days is that the first day is to celebrate the victory over Antiochus and the remaining seven days are to celebrate the miracle of the oil. Another theory, put forward in the first Book of Maccabees is that the Jews were unable to celebrate Succot in the Temple at the proper time, but they celebrated it when the Temple had been cleansed and rededicated. Rabbi Rader pointed out that as we do not know who wrote the Books of the Maccabees, we cannot place any reliance on this theory. Interested questions were put to the Rabbi , one being on the significance of light in the Temple. (l to r) glen scrivener, james smith, rev malcolm weisman, rev Peter owen-jones, lynda lindfield, abdel rahim and tony lobl at ehc The next meeting of the Society will be held at the Ralli Hall on Tuesday 25th January 2011 when Dr Sam Barsam, In support of the aims of National Inter-Faith Week, Board of Deputies Defence Committee, will talk on The Eastbourne’s Faiths Forum held a Question Time event Enlightenment. at the Winter Garden. The panel was chaired by the Rev Peter Owen-Jones and six different religious faiths were represented by the Rev Malcolm Weisman (Judaism), Abdel ajex Rahim (Islam), Glen Scrivener (Christian Churches), James Smith (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), Lynda by Judy Gabriel, PRO Brighton & Hove Branch Lindfield (Paganism) and Tony Lobl (Christian Science). Questions were submitted by members of the audience and covered a wide range of religious issues. It was no surprise that the answers were as diverse as the representative faiths, but if there was one theme that emerged, it was respect for the people and beliefs of all religions. Unfortunately, there was not enough time for discussion or supplementary questions from the floor, but audience members were able to chat to individual panelists at the end of the meeting. Ronnie Taylor, Chairman of the Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation, found the Forum very interesting and hoped that the different faiths in the Eastbourne Community would have a better understanding of each other’s religions, which might lead to more tolerance and respect. (l to r) bert gabriel with our banner, angie morland, elaine rose, lt. commander jack rose and bernard Frost at horseguards Parade The London Remembrance Parade and Rally, on 21st November went very well with attendance of about 300 including a good number of younger people. Our group may be small but those that do go find it a very moving Bereaved and seeking friendship and worthwhile experience. On behalf of everyone we are indebted both to Helping Hands, who let us use their bus, and support from others in the and to Gary Weston, who very kindly did all the driving. same situation? The Holocaust Memorial Service at Bear Road will be held at 11.00 am on Sunday 30th January. Please try to attend. Contact Susan Sheftz on Finally, the AJEX Music Quiz, presented by Stewart 01273 279745 or e-mail Macintosh, will now be held at AJEX Hall on 6 February at 1.00 pm and will include lunch. Call Aubrey on 737417 to hymie.sheftz@sky.com book your place. issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 6 community life 7 worst fire in israel’s history brighton and sussex jsoc causes evacuation of yemin by Sigal Spirman orde from Brighton & Hove Youth Aliyah Committee At least 40 people were killed when a massive forest fire spread from Israel’s northern city of Haifa into the surrounding hills and incinerated a bus carrying prison guards. It was the deadliest fire in Israel’s history, according to rescue workers, who struggled to contain flames that raged late into the night. The students of Yemin Orde, our Youth Village situated close to Haifa, were preparing to celebrate the second night of Chanukah when the whole village was evacuated on an emergency basis. “Many of our youngsters who have already survived tragedy and trauma, often of the worst order, have had yet again experienced deep shock. Memories of loss, pain and fear are jsoc joins mitzvah Day never far away from our students,” said Director Dr. Benny As part of his programme to meet with the diverse ethnic The Fisher of Yemin Orde, “but a forest fire of such proportions autumn term has seen many developments. Following the big engulfing our village is simply dreadful. Many were crying, others were just stunned and very difficult to get out of the social in week one, a balance of spiritual, fun, socially active, room”. educational, and purely recreational activities took place. The weekly Soul Food lunch and learn sessions gathered a strong “As yet, it cannot be determined when we will be back in our following, while Shabbat dinner continues to be a success. houses, when classes will resume and what the exact extent of the damage is that has been caused. There will be a huge As the new committee has now fully taken over, JSoc has amount of work to be done, both with the children and at the instituted new weekly members’ newsletters, planned village”, added Susan Weijel, Director of Outreach. The forest social events and developed stronger links with UJS, UJC, fire had already devastated nearly a thousand hectares (2,470 Jeneration, as well as the local Jewish community. acres). The presidential UJS debate came to Sussex campus for the last elections, and Marcelle Jennings, a University of A steady stream of cars, police vehicles, fire trucks and Sussex sociology student, ran as one of the two candidates. ambulances crowded the road leading out of Yemin Orde and Moreover, the new Hillel House on Middle Street is due to be Ein Hod, the artists’ village opposite. Sirens sounded and ready next term as the venue for future events and Shabbat shouts from the megaphone filled the air. “Get out of here -- dinners. quickly! The flames are coming!” Brighton and Sussex JSoc traditions have continued. It was noted that staff were absolutely tremendous. They November’s Mitzvah Day proved to be a great success: JSoc remained calm and supportive to each and every child. They is looking forward to working with Helping Hands again, and continued to do their utmost to ensure that the children felt engaging with the local Jewish community. The day left all the safe and cared for. students in a joyous mood. Chaim Peri, Founder of Yemin Orde wrote that at least 20 buildings, including staff and children’s homes, the library and For the first time in years Chanukah fell during term-time and more were lost. The Village was now uninhabitable and he so students celebrated together before the winter break. was operating from Yemin Orde Initiative’s sister village Neveh With a candle-lighting and latke-eating session to start off Amiel, while the army searched for an installation where the the week and a Chanukah party in one of the local bars to entire Village could stay together until its home on the Carmel end it, JSoc found many ways to conclude the term with was rehabilitated. Jewish celebrations as snow hit Brighton. Rabbi Avi Neuman, the Southern Coast chaplain, concluded: “Our first term in Liz Posner, Chairman of the Brighton & Hove Youth Aliyah Brighton has been really sweet. Committee, would be pleased if all donations towards the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Yemin Orde, in the first The students are open and vibrant, and I believe that the instance be sent to her, and addressed to Youth Aliyah Child relatively small size of the JSoc adds an intimacy - lends a Rescue, c/o Flat 18 Baltimore Court, 74 The Drive, Hove BN3 feeling of family. Hopefully we’ll explore that more together in 3PR. the coming term.” issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 6 community life 7 ralli hall lest we forget – on two by Roger Abrahams, accounts Hon Chairman by Sidney Lipman The Ralli Hall Jewish For many decades ex-Servicemen and Women have paid Film Club held its tribute to those who have fallen in conflict when serving their third session last country by taking part in the Annual Parade in the Old Steine, month with a Sing-Brighton and elsewhere in the country. Along with Fiddler on the Roof. It was This year, I received a personal invitation to another service, a great success but with a greater significance to me, as it was from the and Irit and I look Downs Junior School, who not only received an historical forward to the Club’s lesson in an important part of our history, but in the effect and consequences which followed. its 2011 programme. This year, the Royal British legion, in conjunction with the school and others, provided marquees for all against the The toilet for the inclement weather. The service was attended by the Lord disabled is ready for Lieutenant of East Sussex, the Mayor, the Mayoress, the High use, complete with Sheriff, civic and ecclesiastical dignitaries. The playground a baby changing was ringed with many coloured standards. The programme facility. Work on included wreath-laying by the children who recited poems the ladies’ toilets is and sang popular songs from WW11 in perfect harmony. under way. I was very impressed by the military precision of the whole golda & tevye sorokin sing-a-long at ralli hall event and mainly by the transformation of the school hall. This was decorated with a multiple arrangement of red Suzanne Collins will be taking well-earned retirement from streamers suspended from a high point with down-drops the end of next March we sincerely hope that the right person bearing many large poppies. (The organisers at the Albert Hall will come along to take over this most important post. The should look to their laurels!) The atmosphere was further Lunch Club is most important to a good number of our Senior enhanced by the ladies, bless’em, who provided everyone Citizens, providing an essential service to our Community. with a smile plus hot soup! Membership renewal forms will be sent to all members We should also remember the present conflict as, last week, within the next few weeks as our membership year will re- we read of Platoon Commander Lt Craig Shepherd who, with commence at the beginning of January. Membership fees his brave men of the Grenadier Guards, fought off the Taliban for six weeks in an isolated compound where they were are not changing from last year. Those who are currently attached day and night. At one stage, the enemy were so not members are invited to join us. Membership forms are close that soldiers were ordered to fix bayonets. available from the office – please either pop in or phone 01273 202254. See you at Ralli Hall. The enemy were finally repelled, all without loss, and the platoon returned to the UK. For his prompt actions, extreme bravery and leadership in saving his patrol, Lt Shepherd was wizo Quiz on 12 February 2011 awarded the Military Cross. Please remember this. The quiz@home has been running successfully for over 5 years. Would you like to host a team at your house? You feed your guests whatever you choose and ask for a suggested donation of £15 per person. All the quiz materials are sent you to you by post & you have from 7.30pm on 12 February 2011 to 10.30pm to answer as much as you can & enter all your answers online. The results are displayed by 11pm. All passwords and logging on information are supplied. You will just need computer access & a CD player. It is a fun evening that you can do at your own pace amongst your friends and family. The winning team last year came from Oxford WIZO, perhaps you could be a winner in 2011? If you would like to register please supply your home address and telephone contact details & let me know approximately how many people would be on your team.- email nicky@ wizouk.org sidney lipman with the mayor and mayoress issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 8 community profile 9 anthony is aged 40 Anyone who has driven past the Falmer stadium site cannot fail to have been hugely impressed by the sheer magnificence of by Ivor Sorokin the building, which is a smaller version of the Olympic Stadium I chatted with in Sydney, Australia. It is really set to become an iconic part Anthony at of the Brighton and Hove area. Hopefully, the stadium will his parents’ house concerts and conferences, and of course “Albion in the lovely home Community” will play a major part in local charities events. in Tongdean Road, Hove Tony recently completed the first Brighton Marathon in 3 hours where he 57 minutes, famously winning a large bet that he would do the stays when run in under 4 hours, thereby raising £150k for the Rockinghorse he comes Appeal, enabling them to contract a new respite care wing in down to Woodingdean for the families of terminally-ill children. B r i g h t o n His involvement in betting has spread to a love of horseracing in order to and he has a stable of very promising racehorses. check on the progress of his wonderful project – the magnificent stadium at Falmer, soon to be the new home of Brighton & His mathematical skills have also elevated him to the top rank Hove Albion Football Club. of world-class poker players and, anyone watching the poker championships on Sky Sports will probably have seen Tony, Anthony is now aged 40, was brought up in Hove, educated “the Lizard” in daredevil action, having won two very major at St Christopher’s School and Lancing College, prior to events. In December we spent six nail-biting hours from 7.00 graduating with a First in Maths at Manchester University. His pm to 1.00 am watching him in the televised final of the $1 first job was working as an accountant in London subsequently million championships, reaching the final two out of the eight joining Victor Chandler in Gibraltar. His entrepreneurial spirit finalists, but losing out to the winner with the turn of just one led him to setting up a betting company ‘Premierbet’ which card. he subsequently sold to go on to other betting, business and property interests. Now a family man, married to Linda and father of 2-year old Joshua, Tony is no longer willing to travel the world on the His family have always been strong Albion supporters, notably poker circuit, so he now spends half the year in his North his grandfather, Harry, who was vice-chairman in the days of London home and the other half in Melbourne, Australia, from Mike Bamber and Brian Clough. Uncle Ray is still on the board, where Linda hails. and Tony is of course chairman. My interview with Tony left me with the strong impression that It is well documented that the finance for the new Amex here is a truly modest, highly successful young man, but most Community Stadium at Falmer was arranged by Tony, and it of all, of a real “mensch”. is really doubtful whether the stadium would have ever been able to be built had Tony not opted in. At the present time the RALLI HALL LUNCH & SOCIAL CLUB Albion is sitting proudly at the top of the League Table. Is it a pipe dream to hope that the first game, in August 2011, will be Part Time Co-ordinator Required in the Championship League? Our present Lunch Club Co-ordinator, Suzanne Collins, will be retiring early this year and a replacement will be required to run the very successful Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club. The appointment is part time - 2.5 days per week (18 hours) at a starting salary of c. £10,500 per annum. Whilst understanding and experience of working with elderly people is desirable, good interpersonal skills and commitment to the job are of paramount importance. Full “on the job” training will be available to the selected candidate. There is a full team of experienced volunteers already in place to provide support and back-up. This is an exciting opportunity for the right person to continue to provide a stimulating environment for our senior citizens, offering a creative programme of activities that will promote independence, combat social isolation and maintain elderly people in their own homes. Please apply in writing with a CV to: Lunch Club Management Committee Brighton & Hove Jewish Centre, 81 Denmark Villas, Hove BN3 3TH Closing date for applications: 15th January 2011 issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 8 9 issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 10 mitzvah Day 2010 11 cakes across the delivered them to Brighton. Hospital and residents of Hyman community On the morning of Mitzvah Day, children from the BHHC and BHRS Chederim Fine Home. decorated and wrote mitzvah messages We also had a team making sandwiches from Helping Hands on white cake boxes. and putting cakes on plates for the Rabbi Avi Neuman, afternoon tea, which was attended by the UJC Chaplin, approximately 140 people of all ages his wife Debbie and including the elderly, students, young their girls, along children and their parents, as well as with JSoc students, residents of Tikvah and the Hyman Fine some teenagers and Home. There was a magic show, after other community which one of the students played the volunteers, packed piano. After all the fun was over we took each box with three the surplus food to St Patrick’s, our 3 cupcakes with the local shelter for the homeless. message “Enjoy your cakes, thinking of We send a big thank you to all our you”. volunteers for their amazing help. Helping Hands Mitzvah day in Brighton HH volunteers and the students Some were volunteering for the first & Hove was a big success. Our slogan delivered over 100 cake boxes across time. Everyone loved Mitzvah day, was “Cakes across the Community.” the community to the housebound, because it connected people across the A volunteer collected 400 cupcakes patients in Royal Sussex County community. from Grodzinski in Golders Green and embracing the house and the hospital to mitzvah Day food growing and deliver cakes to those who appreciation of wildlife. jewish value were not able to make it to at bhPs More accustomed to of giving back the tea. supporting troubled Ellen Segalov, in charge of by Marguerite Wright teenagers, the Project’s from the Brighton & Sussex Education and Social Action organisers were impressed JSoc for the Brighton and Sussex Determined to give more with our efficiency as JSoc said, “Thanks to all the than money and verbal a whole new plot was great work by Helping Hands support to the wider local terraced for planting while Sunday 21 November was there was plenty of worthwhile non-Jewish community, the younger members this year’s Mitzvah Day. With things for us to be involved 15 members of Brighton of the group weeded an the theme of “Cakes across with. It was amazing that & Hove Progressive existing vegetable plot and the community”, Brighton and whilst we were supposed to Synagogue, ages spanning planted garlic cloves. Sussex JSoc teamed up with be the ones doing the mitzvah 70 years, went out and did Energy was restored over Helping Hands to do just that. we all had such an enjoyable things a little differently on lunch with vegetables Twelve members of the local afternoon and got to chat with November 21st. grown on site, cooked universities’ Jewish Society some fascinating people both On Mitzvah Day, when on and eaten round the volunteered for the day’s at the team at Hyman Fine actions speak louder than campfire before tackling events to show the essence of House and even the people words, the hardy bunch an even more challenging the Jewish communal spirit: we visited at the hospital. It of from BHPS met in the woodland area. transgressing generational was great to spend some time woods to donate time and A tour of the site, including gaps. with the rest of the Brighton energy to Moulsecoomb the beehive, thatched The day began at 12:30 pm community and we hope Forest Garden and Wildlife roundhouse and clay pizza with members of the JSoc see a lot more of this in the Project which operates on oven, confirmed that this and Helping Hands meeting future.” former derelict allotments was an ambitious and up with the children of the What may have began as a in one of Brighton’s least worthwhile cause. community to wrap and day of simple volunteering affluent areas. The Project decorate cakes in the AJEX continued into pure has social, community and Centre. As the day continued, enjoyment. By the end, the environmental benefits, the team split up. Some students were dancing with working with local residents stayed for the tea party, where the children, mingling and who volunteer, school the communities’ elders and hearing the adults’ stories, pupils, young people residents of the Tikvah home and one student shared his having problems at school where brought together for passion as a musician by and people with learning a lunch and magic show. playing the piano for the difficulties, to give an Others went to Hyman Fine versatile audience. experience of sustainability, issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com culture 11 Freedom begins with an act of Defiance by the Sussex Jewish Film Club Planning Group After our fun evening in December we return to a more singing along with Fiddler on the Roof, serious subject for our January screening. You’re invited to come and see the American film Defiance on Sunday, 23rd January at Ralli Hall. This movie, starring If you’re not yet a member of the Daniel Craig, revolves around the true Sussex Jewish Film Club you can come story of three Jewish brothers living in as a guest on the basis of a donation. Nazi-occupied Poland. They escape We meet at 7pm for drinks, with the film into the Belarussian forest, where they starting at 7.30pm join Russian resistance fighters in – and remember battling the Nazis. Throughout the war there’s free parking they build a village inside the forest and at Hove Station on save the lives of more than 1,200 Jews. Sunday evenings. The screenplay is based on Nechama We hope to see Tec’s book Defiance: The Bielski you there. Partisans. ralph, irene & zoe may jacs As usual, we have had a varied afternoon we had two for the price programme lately: Veronica Walton not of one! Janice presented a general by Nina Taylor, Hon Chairman only showed the beauty of minerals knowledge quiz and then she and Anne and crystals but gave us the history Conn read stories they had written Along with many other organisations of their use in medicine and folklore. whilst attending a creative writing class. we had to cancel our meeting at the Of great relevance to senior citizens in We have another full and interesting beginning of December due to the our community was a talk by Christine programme arranged for this month inclement weather. Ian Gledhill, who Simpson about the very comprehensive (see Diary page) and we look forward was to tell us about the world of Art world of Age Concern. Leaflets were to welcoming old and new members. Deco, will be coming to speak to us in available for any person who was in We meet at the AJEX Centre every February. need of advice and assistance. One Wednesday and 2 p.m. you can lead a goat to a water bearer: Val Aviv is an accomplished astrologer. For more information january’s stars view her website www.valaviv.com by Val Aviv Aries Cancer Libra Capricorn With so much going on within the public There’s a lot going on in your relationship A new feeling of optimism and buoyancy Impulsive buys are not eye, it’s no wonder you’ve been feeling the sector, no wonder you’re giving more could be the start of something special. A usually your style but after all your efforts pressure. All that grafting is paying off and thought to significant others. While the full relationship which expands your world view recently you may feel you deserve a treat your deep wish will become a reality, the moon in your sign on the 19th may make is set to make an appearance soon, isn’t it and rightly so. The new moon in your sign time for neglecting social invitations has you overtly sensitive, it will enable you to about time you let your hair down? means a fresh start and what a wonderful finally ended. express your feelings honestly. new year this will be! Scorpio Taurus Leo With a new lease of life coming to your Aquarius If you need to make a change, getting into a If partners seem more explosive than usual, home, this is a perfect time for a reshuffle A small part of you may be in the mood for strop will rock the boat but not necessarily you can thank the rather unruly influence of or renovation. Things are sure to go well as winter hibernation and indeed it won’t be help you stay afloat. As usual co-operation Mars in your relationship sector. Nearer the long as everyone agrees on what needs to a great time to kick start new projects until wins the day. While tact and diplomacy may end of the month a lucky phase starts and be done. Finances are set to soar. nearer the end of the month. After which not come naturally this month; drive and important people are taking notice of you. point you’ll be re-energized and raring to passion will. Sagittarius go get ’em! Virgo Are you ready for a whirlwind of excitement Gemini The temptation to over exhaust yourself and perhaps a new expanded vision of Pisces As you like variety and exploration, this with work commitments may leave you a the world? It could be a new romance or You’re looking your best and finally striking month won’t disappoint you as you’re little frazzled especially if someone in the creative project either way there is joy in this the right balance with your public persona. thinking big and going beyond your work place seems to be placing higher world and you are going to own it. Friends are truly on your side and while you ordinary perceptions of the world. While this demands on you. Save a little time for the might feel that some have a hidden agenda stimulates your senses, it also helps you to fun stuff! it could be you that has hidden frustrations. redefine your ambitions. issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 12hhcrabbi vivian silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN 13 Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com words of the Prophets Twenty-seven years later on 1 Nisan 560 BCE, a second haftarah for Parasha va’eira prophecy came to Ezekiel telling him that the king of Babylon 1 january 2011 – ezekiel 28:25-29:21 was about to bring a great army against the Phoenician city of Tyre. Egypt, too, would fall into the power of Babylon. the messianic vision Then, the Almighty’s promise to rescue Israel from her enemies would be truly fulfilled. by rabbi vivian silverman The haftarah parallels the thought of the Sidra, in that both In the last verse of the Haftarah we have the phrase “Atsmiah speak about the breaking of the power of Egypt. The first keren l’veit Yisrael” - “ I shall cause a horn to spring forth verse encapsulates the Messianic vision (also described in for the House of Israel”. Wherever “keren” (a horn) is found the haftarah for Vayigash) that when the Almighty will have in the bible or Siddur, it refers to pride/power, since the ox’s gathered the dispersed of Israel back to her land, God’s name horn is its most potent and powerful weapon. will be sanctified through them in the sight of the nations of the world. So, our phrase now means: “I will cause the House of Israel to feel proud” since I will have carried out my promise to Chapter 29 unfolds the prophecy that came to Ezekiel on destroy their enemy and restore them to their land. 12 Tevet 587 BCE, 10 years after he was carried into exile. Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is pictured as a crocodile in the Diary - january 2011 River Nile, imagining he is all powerful. However, the Divine Fisherman puts hooks into the crocodile’s jaws, drags it from Tuesday 11 Talmud Shiur the Nile and throws it onto the open fields, where it will be destroyed. Sunday 16 Dedication of Rabbi Efune’s Sefer Torah Such will be the fate of the Egyptian Empire. For 40 years, she will remain desolate and her population scattered Tuesday 18 Ladies Discussion Circle, 10.30 am throughout the Mediterranean. Finally, God will gather her and bring her to Patros (the original seat of power in Upper Thursday 20 Tu B’Shevat/15 Shevat – New Year for Trees Egypt) where she will remain, a shadow of herself. 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 are proud of. Let us introduce you to a cuisine that has made us one of Israel’s leading Caterers. Plus summer holidays in Italy, Ireland and weddings throughout the world. KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST Contact Rachel on 01273 726495 or Malcolm on koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk www.kosherservicesworldwide.com UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION OF THE LONDON BETH DIN issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 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 13 words of the Prophets Judah was conquered by Babylon in 586 BCE; however, that haftarah for Parasha bo wasn’t the end of the story. One of the purposes of the haftarah is homiletical – to chastise and denounce wrong-doing and conclude 8 january 2011 – jeremiah 46:13-28 with words of hope or consolation. Haftarat Bo closes with Jeremiah the meaning of omnipotence also predicting the end of the people’s captivity in Babylon and their return. This came to pass when the Persians defeated the by rabbi elizabeth tikvah sarah Babylonians and King Cyrus allowed the exiles to come back to the land and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Jeremiah was an isolated visionary whose words were rarely heeded. He spent forty years prophesying in Judah during the late 7th century It feels very neat, but something else is going on. Having defeated and early 6th century BCE when the two great powers of Babylon Egypt, why did the Eternal One allow Babylon to triumph over and Egypt were contending for supremacy in the region. There is Judah? By focusing on the eventual restoration of Judah, one may an obvious connection with the parashah which relates the final ignore a more powerful theological message in verses 18 and 28: plagues against Egypt and the defeat of Pharaoh by the Eternal One. Adonai Tz’va’ot – ‘the Eternal One of Hosts’, who punished Egypt, Similarly, Jeremiah prophesies that Egypt will be defeated by Divine also punished Judah; the Eternal One, who is ‘with’ Israel is also, intervention once again. ha-Melech – the Sovereign – of all, who condemns wrong conduct in every place. As we read in the final phrase of the haftarah: v’nakkeih Despite the obvious similarities, the context in which prophet was lo anakkeka – ‘I will not, indeed, exempt you’. delivering his message was very different. Jeremiah speaks out against the alliance Judah has made with Egypt in order to keep Babylon at bay and predicts that Babylon will prevail. His critique exposes the realpolitik for a tiny nation at the mercy of superpowers. celebrations at chanukah shabbaton Our Shabbat morning service was crowded with well-wishers who, in lieu of a sermon, received testimonies from 10 people who had joined our congregation during each of the past 10 years. Rabbi Elli thanked each one for their heartfelt and humorous words with a kiss! She was then presented with a cheque of donations from members. Chairman Peter Speck read out good wishes sent by Lucian Hudson and Rabbi Danny Rich. benjamin 2010 After a splendid kiddush and lunch (including latkes and an enormous three-tier anniversary fruit cake made by a generous congregant), visitors were welcomed for a discussion on what it is or feels to be Jewish, entitled “Are you Jewish or Jew- andrews ish?” The adults were then entertained by professional storyteller atthew m Sef Townsend who often tells stories in reconciliation events around the world. As it was Chanukah, the hour was light-hearted with a Ladino song about the eight little candles. Photo © The children joined in for Havdalah and Chanukah candle Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue celebrated 10 years lighting. Many people brought their own Chanukiyot. The with Rabbi Elli at a Chanukah Shabbaton on Saturday 4 flames burning at once, surrounded by children, made a very December. Although icy weather caused the cancellation of moving sight. our erev Shabbat service and chavurah supper, overnight the temperatures soared. Some suggested Divine intervention! 2011 aubrey milstein lecture 84th year, worked to foster racial harmony and challenge injustice by Marguerite Wright with various organizations including Brighton & Hove Council, Sussex Jewish Representative Council, Interfaith Contact Group, This year’s Aubrey Milstein Lecture will be delivered by Dr Brian Racial Harassment Forum and as a member of the Independent Klug at 3.00 pm on Sunday 6 February and is certain to be a Advisory Group. thoroughly thought-provoking event. Further information about the lecture, please contact the Dr Brian Klug has published widely on race, antisemitism, Jewish synagogue office on 01273 737223 or by e-mail at bhps@ identity and other subjects. His latest book - Being Jewish and freenetname.co.uk Doing Justice: Bringing Argument to Life - will be on sale after the lecture. Rabbi Elli describes the book as a “must read” and claims it one of the best books she has ever read. Aubrey Milstein Memorial Lecture As part of its commitment to interfaith relations and racial and Living in the World: religious harmony, Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue established in 2005 a biennial lecture to be given by speakers The People of God and the Pursuit of Justice who have made a significant contribution in a related field. by Dr Brian Klug The Aubrey Milstein Lectures, by speakers who have made Chaired by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah a significant contribution to interfaith relations and racial and religious harmony, were established in 2005 and held biennially. Sunday 6th February 2011 at 3.00pm The lectures are named to honour the memory of Aubrey Milstein, Free admission. Refreshments. a former prominent member of our congregation who, until his issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 14 bhrs rabbi charles wallach Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE 15 Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org words of the Prophets patriotic song and praise of the Almighty reaches crescendo. haftarah for Parasha beschallach Indeed, if one looks at the text of the poem, its format is 8 january 2011 – judges 4:4-5:31 stunningly similar to that of Moses with short, half sentences presented mainly in three groups of three or four words on a the foretelling of unity line. by rabbi charles wallach The importance of this moment needs also be considered. The alternative name for this Shabbat is Shabbat Shira – The world of the Tribes of Israel was just that, individual tribes the Sabbath of Song, because a central part of the Torah loosely confederated in what scholars call the amphictyony reading is Moses’ famous song after the crossing of the Red of Israel. Deborah, with the help of Barak as her general, Sea by the Israelites. In the Torah the song follows an actual was able to bring fighters from two tribes – Zebulun and description of the crossing complete with Pharaoh’s soldiers Naphtali – together. The success achieved was to be seen as being drowned in the returning waters following the parting a forerunner for such cooperation between other tribes under of the waves. The haftarah echoes this motif by describing an threat and something that eventually was so necessary that a event first, then following it up with a more poetic description. unified kingdom was the eventual outcome. This is also the case of Deborah and Barak’s victory over One final parallel between Torah and haftarah is that Deborah Sisera, general to King Jabin of Canaan. As with the passage is called a neviah– a prophetess - as Miriam is when she in Torah, we are almost forgetful of the bloodshed as the leads the women in the final refrain of the Shirah. truly a fine array of events! The following day, we were honoured to host the AJEX Annual Remembrance Service involving members of AJEX and our choir. Of particular note were the readings by two of our teenagers, Olivia Sasson and Eden Shepherd, and to experience the wonderful support by the community in the presence of several dignitaries. This moving service was followed by a splendid tea catered by our Guild. This would have been, to coin a phrase, “dayenu!” But two weeks later, in response to Helping Hands, our Cheder youngsters were in there as well: drawing colourful greetings on scores of boxes, which were packed with delicacies to be delivered around the community. The children also helped blow up balloons to help decorate the AJEX Hall ahead of a tea attended by the elderly in the community who were also entertained by a magic show. In between, our Kids Club turned their monthly meeting to create a “Mitzvah Tree” – made up of numerous sticks on which the children wrote what they thought a mitzvah was. Finally, the snow and cold forced us to change our plans for Chanukah. We celebrated in shul on Friday evening when we held We celebrated what we plan to be the first of a regular, once a term, a communal lighting of chanukiot, and on Sunday held a disco and child and family focused Shabbat morning service. A shortened, yet array of stalls. For the first time we held gatherings in private homes, meaningful service, was led by our upcoming Bar and Bat Mitzvahs including the families of our Cheder, who went nightly around the area and was followed by a fine Kiddush prepared by our wonderful to join in the celebrations. Parents’ Committee, under the leadership of Melanie Firsht. thank you to saonie lyons Melanie Firsht, chair of the Cheder Parents Committee, expressed the gratitude that was felt by all for Saonie’s hard work and commitment. Saonie Lyons, our Cheder Administrator of sixteen years, has She said: ‘Saonie has done an amazing job and has always been decided to step down. The Cheder children, parents and synagogue involved with the Jewish education of the Cheder children.’ representatives presented Saonie with a thank-you card and a gift. cheder children with saonie lyons, melanie Firsht and rabbi charles wallach at the back (photo by michael harris) bulletin board - january 2011 Mondays Exercise to music with Adele re- starts on 10th January Wednesdays JACS starts again on 5th January Saturday 8th Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am Sunday 9th Cheder term begins Sunday 16th Members Tea Saturday 22nd Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 14 bhhc rabbi hershel rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD 15 Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.webjam.com/bhhc10 The Induction service for Rabbi hershel & mrs Perla Rader was held on sunday 28 matter how small - to give to our community to ensure its continuity and strength. By november 2010. The event also marked the 50th anniversary of our West hove shul. rededicating ourselves to giving what we can and by stressing the positives in each Those present received an inspiring message from Chief Rabbi Lord sacks, who other and in what we do, our community will – like the increasing number of candles reminded us in advance of Chanukah, each and every one of us has something – no on the chanukiah through the festival – grow stronger and brighter. Left: Ruby Bass, 7, and Tal Lewis, 8, after presenting the Chief Rabbi with a gift commissioned from local artist Martin Wertheim- Gould. The painting sets out our Congregation’s history in Brighton & Hove from Devonshire Place to Middle Street to our current shul in West Hove. Lord Lieutenant of Sussex Peter Field, Mayor of Brighton & Hove Geoffrey Wells, Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks, Rabbi Hershel Rader Member Stanley Faull and Left: Chief Rabbi Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks Lord Sacks as in conversation at the he delivers the celebratory reception. Induction Address MARTIN GROSS Memorials All aspects of stone- masonry undertaken from new to renovation and cleaning 01273 439792 07801 599771 issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 16 what’s on: january 2011 diary@sussexjewishnews.com shabbat shalom – brighton times notable Dates In Light Candles Out Havdalah Thu 20 Tu B’shvat – new year for trees Fri 31 Dec 3.46 pm Sat 1 Jan 5.02 pm Fri 7 3.54 pm Sat 8 5.09 pm Fri 14 4.03 pm Sat 15 5.18 pm Fri 21 4.14 pm Sat 22 5.28 pm Fri 28 4.26 pm Sat 29 5.39 pm regular activities events For january Sundays j:tots – for parents, toddlers, grandparents and carers - is held monthly at Ralli Hall. For shalom Programme on www. information regarding the next session, please e-mail Rachel at jtots@rocketmail.com or ring radioreverb.com as well as 97.2 FM, 01273 204334. 9.00-9.55 pm. Wednesday 5 carmel tennis club 10.00 am-12.00 noon. All levels welcome. Tel: Leon jacs – Hat Debate, a lively discussion presided over by Dr Nina Taylor, 2.00 pm at AJEX on 07717 222744 Centre, Eaton Road, Hove. Members £2.00/Non-Members £2.50 Wednesday 12 Mondays jacs – Memories of the Holocaust with guest speaker Ceska Abrahams, 2.00 pm at AJEX the ethics of our Fathers with Rabbi Centre, Eaton Road, Hove. Members £2.00/Non-Members £2.50 Efune 11.30-12.30 pm Chabad House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove. Tel:. Sunday 16 01273 321919 completion and welcoming into the shul of the new torah scroll, 1.30-2.30 pm, Wavertree afternoon club with tea 1.30 pm. Contact Reba 01444 410435 House, corner Furze Hill & Lansdowne Road, followed by procession to Holland Road Shul. Everyone welcome. rubber and Duplicate bridge 1.30- 4.30 pm £2.00. Tel Reba 01444 celebratory Dinner in honour of the new Sefer Torah at 6.30 pm RH. £25.00 per person. For 410435 tickets tel: 01273 32919 or email rabbiefune@hotmail.com (no appeal) contemporary basic talmud with Wednesday 19 Rabbi Efune - Men only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 jacs – The Merchant of Venice with guest speaker Sydney Levine, 2.00 pm at AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove. Members £2.00/Non-Members £2.50 tanya (kabbalah) learning group with Penina Efune - Ladies only 8.15 pm Sunday 23 at Chabad House 01273 321919 sussex jewish Film club at ralli hall: Defiance - Drinks at 7.00 pm. Film begins at 7.30 pm. Tuesdays Non-members can attend one Club session free as a taster on the basis of a donation Painting with rochelle (jas), 7.00- 9.00 pm Tel: 01273 503708 Weekly Tuesday 25 RH. New term commences 11 jewish historical society – The Enlightenment with guest speaker Dr Sam Barsam, Board of January. Deputies Defence Committee, 7.45 pm RH. Members free/Non-Members £4.00 Tel: 01273 419412 israeli Dancing, 7.45-9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 RH Wednesday 26 jacs – The House of Hanover with guest speaker Lea Mitchell, 2.00 pm at AJEX Centre, ralli hall lunch and social club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Tel: Suzanne 01273 Eaton Road, Hove. Members £2.00/Non-Members £2.50 739999 RH Sunday 30th art in the studio with martin 2.00- 4.30 pm RH ajex holocaust memorial service at The Jewish Cemetery, Meadowview, Bear Road at 11.00 am. Please try to attend. Wednesdays Advance Notice radio reverb theatre programme ‘Curtain Up’ 7.00 am Sussex Jewish Representative Council chutzpah choir (singing in Yiddish, General Meeting for representatives of all organisations and the community Ladino, Hebrew, Aramaic and other When - Wednesday, 2nd February 2011 at 8.05 pm languages) with Polina Shepherd. 7.00-8.45 pm Where: - Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove Tel: Rosalind 01273 541031 RH. Please put the date in your diary Thursdays VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ralli hall lunch and social club, 10.30 Your Sussex Jewish News is going from strength to strength! Our success means we need am-4.30 pm. Tel: Suzanne 01273 more help. If you have time to help us, we’re looking for help with: 739999 Weekly RH ADVERTISING SALES REPORTERS * WEBSITE EDITORS weekly torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad House. Training will be provided. For more information, e-mail editor@sussexjewishnews.com 01273 321919. or call 07906 955 404. issue 204 | january 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com -
Issue 210
July 2011
SuSSEX jEwISh NEwS NEw Whats whAT’S INSIdE.... MAGIC IN NEw yORK | FESTIVAl REVIEwS | SuSSEX dAy lIMMud | whAT’S ON | ANd MORE july 2011 | SIVAN / TAMMuZ 5771 | £2 • ISSuE 210 2 Pause for thought 3 Sussex Day Limmud is now over and, once again, one wonders how they view themselves. proved to be very successful, providing a superb educational event covering a wide range of Jewish Perhaps it has something to do with our perceived topics, showing the variety of interests of the anti-Semitism which, in Britain, has always been more presenters and the audiences. But who or what were implicit and less malevolent than elsewhere in Europe. our audiences? – British Jews or Jewish Brits? Except in the United States, nowhere are Jews better organised as a community. Nowhere are they more It’s an interesting question – who are they, who are we integrated; nowhere is their contribution to public life and how do we more telling. Yet, for all see ourselves? that, British Jews are timid. “jewish is beautiful” may go down “Jewish is beautiful” may Let’s look at well in new york, but not yet in go down well in New York, some prominent but not yet in London. london British Jews Britain’s tolerance and whose names appear regularly in the media. Take, reticence seem to have made British Jews all the more for example, Simon Schama, Alan Sugar, Phillip wary of letting their Jewishness show. Green, Isaiah Berlin, Jonathan Sacks, John Frieda, Anthony Julius, David Baddiel, the Grade Family, Lord It would be interesting to hear from our readers on this Weidenfeld, Lionel Blue, Sheila van Damm, people we really interesting topic. So please, all you who do read see and hear about daily. Do we know them merely as the editorial and feel that you have something to say, famous people or do we define them as British Jews or please do so by writing to us with your thoughts and Jewish Britons? And what is more interesting, comments. We look forward to hearing from you. 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, editing and ADMIN ASSISTANT Gweni Sorokin circulating each edition that has become the cornerstone of the Jewish community across the region. 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Or you can subscribe online at www.sussexjewishnews.com and pay with PayPal! issue 210 | july 2011 2 Contents 3 sussex jewish news features Po box 2178 hove bn3 3sZ 1 susseX day limmud in PiCtures All photos on the cover and pages 10 and 11 telephone: 07906 955 404 by Sophie Sheinwald e-mail editor@sussexjewishnews.com 8 four days of magiC in new york Hans Levy reports on his trip 8 the mikVah Penina Efune on the old and her hopes for the new 9 my jewish roots Suchitra Chatterjee on her mother’s family 10 susseX day limmud 2011 12 a fluffy tale and the dash 13 the hebrew Club regulars 4 your news & Views 5 Community life News from across the county 14 Culture SJFC, Festival reviews and more Norman Grant 20 what’s on of Gary Green Memorials Regular and special events in your community The Approved Mason for the B & H Reform Community and all Jewish Cemeteries Countrywide your Community Renovations and Additional Inscriptions Home Visits by Appointment 16 brighton & hoVe reform synagogue Brochure on request 17 brighton & hoVe hebrew Congregation 01273 885874 mobile: 0776 951 5045 ngrant37@gmail.com 18 hoVe hebrew Congregation 19 brighton & hoVe ProgressiVe 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 210 | july 2011 4 your news & views 5 births Sally Crook (nee Jackson) z’l passed away Monday 6th June • Mazel tov to Rabbi Vivian and Mrs Lynette Silverman on the aged 92. A devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother birth of their granddaughter, Shira. First child for Lauren who lived for her family. She will be deeply missed by Michael, and Richard. Angela, and all the family and will always be in our thoughts. May she rest in peace. special birthdays • Willie Albert (100), Jack Alexander, Stan Baker, Joe Blume, Sally Crook (nee Jackson) z’l Cheryl Brook, Gordon Franks, Godfrey Gould, Susan Liz Posner and the members of the Brighton & Hove Youth Aliyah Committee deeply mourn the loss of Sally Crook, Jacobson, Derek Jay, Gary Levene, Michael Linde, Cyril a founder member, staunch worker and supporter for many Selby, Zev Solomon and Roberta Spink. decades. She will be greatly missed. Sincerest condolences and Long Life to Angela and Michael and their families at this sad Thank you time. Joe and Julia Benjamin would like to thank their dear relatives Barry Lennard z’l and friends for the many cards and expressions of good wishes Beloved son of Gloria, brother to Derek, father to Paul, Daniel received on the occasion of Joe’s 100th birthday. and Sarah-Jane died peacefully on 23rd May 2011.He bore his illness with great courage and dignity, never losing his wonderful sense of humour. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. achievement • Lexi Pickett for being offered a place at the National Youth Barry Lennard z’l Gloria, Derek, Paul, Daniel and Sarah-Jane would like to thank Theatre this summer. their dear family and many friends for all the support and many kindnesses shown during their recent sad bereavement. engagements • Mazel tov to Rose Ani and to Jill and Alan Bass on the engagement of their grandson Aaron Bass to Naomi Shaw. sally Crook - a full life weddings by Michael Crook Sarah Buskovitch, as she was officially known, was born in Bethnal • Mazel tov to Sue Rea and family on the marriage of Louise Green on 30 November 1918, only a few days after the end of the Great War. Her parents, Ben and Polly were immigrants from to David Goodman of Leeds. Lithuania and Roumania, and both worked in the fashion business. Her father was a ladies tailor, eventually having premises in the West End, and her mother ran a milliners, quite unusual for a lady to have a a golden mazel tov business in those days. Sister Jean arrived six years later, and after a while the family moved away from the East End, to Shepherd’s Bush. Ben and the family were naturalised in 1926, and changed the family name to Jackson. The family used to take holidays at a boarding house in Eastbourne, but soon after little brother Stanley arrived in 1931, they moved from London to Brighton, with its much larger Jewish community. As a teenager, Sally started attending Maccabi, and there met Harry about 1936. She became a war bride on 30th October 1940 at Middle Sandra and Derek Street, and lived in Imperial Arcade whilst Harry served on searchlight batteries across Southern England. Carlton at their Golden Wedding Michael arrived in 1947, and Angela in 1951. Sally devoted her time celebration. to her family, and to her support for Youth Aliyah, where she had (photo by Lisa been a founder member of the local group, which continues today. Levene). She and Harry played a very full role in the local community, both being active in many charitable and other activities. After Harry died get well in 1986, she continued to work for Youth Aliyah, even insisting on having their meetings in her flat in later years so that she could offer We wish a refuah sheleimah to Michael Linde. her advice to the younger members. Sally inherited an appreciation of music from her mother, and deaths introduced Michael and Angela to this, and to the theatre. She took a keen interest in the outside world, and was not slow to comment We wish Long Life to when she saw fit. • the family of Sally Crook z’l After her serious illness in 2000, her activities became more limited, • the family of Alfred Huberman z’l but she never lost her ability to get to the root of an issue, and let her • the family of Barry Lennard z’l family know that she was watching over us. • Len Lewis on the loss of his mother Betty Lewis z’l As a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and latterly great • the family of Cissy Luper z’l grandmother of eight (affectionately known as Grandma-grandma), she kept her sense of humour and ability to give them wise advice, • Zelda Samuels on the loss of her sister always with love and affection. Sally will be sadly missed by all her • Paul Waldman on the loss of his brother Neil z’l family, and her many friends in the Brighton & Hove community. May she rest in peace. issue 210 | july 2011 4 Community life 5 ralli hall lunch and social Club by Jacqueline Tichauer We are starting Bridge classes for beginners so please let Well, another month has gone by and I am truly enjoying me know if you are interested. If you are researching your immersing myself in the role of the Ralli Hall Lunch and Social family history you will look forward to our genealogy classes club co-ordinator. starting in October. I also have some new plans to make our programme even more exciting, which I am keeping under In May we screened the film ‘The King’s Speech’ which wraps at the moment. proved a huge success, both greatly attended and thoroughly enjoyed. As a result of the positive feedback, we are now We are always looking to include more volunteers and planning a ‘film afternoon’ once every month. entertainers at the Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club and would be pleased to welcome you. As opinions are always welcome, we have started a new discussion group, debating topics covered in the daily If you have access to the internet, please have a look at our newspapers and are finding out that our members have lots new web site: http://www.webjam.com/lunch_social which to say. We have also introduced some new entertainment, includes our Tuesday and Thursday programme and of course which is proving really popular with our members, especially details of the fantastic three course kosher lunch. the incorporation of singing and dancing into the programme. If you feel like becoming a member or just want to come and I am also pleased to announce that we have three new socialise whilst having lunch, please call me (01273 739999) members, and I am looking forward to seeing many more! and I can answer all your questions. eastbourne hebrew Congregation by Manny Godfrey Harounoff and Security Officer, Sally Brown. A warm On Saturday 30th July, the Eastbourne Hebrew welcome will be given to all members, family and friends - Congregation’s Shabbat Morning Service will commence as please make every effort to attend. usual at 10.00 am, but there will be a special Kiddush in the shul hall to celebrate the birthdays of President, Menashe For further information, please call Secretary, Linda Taylor on 01323 484135. hastings and district jewish society by Claudette Woolfson nation of avid tea drinkers, we can now sip our lattes in revamped indoor/outdoor cafes. Following our Friday night service in June, which was ably led by Brian Linke, we discussed the Anne Frank exhibition, On 10th July the local branch of the CCJ will be holding its currently on tour at Brighton’s South Coast University campus annual summer tea. Please contact a member of the Society in Hastings. The exhibition is located within the new Campus for further details. building, adjacent to Hastings Station. Please look out for more details of this event in next month’s SJN. Hastings and District Jewish Society, was founded in 1974 to bring together all people interested in Jewish life in Hastings, After refreshments we were treated to a most interesting Bexhill, Rye and the surrounding areas. For all enquiries illustrated talk, by Peter Lennard, on the architectural history please contact the Society on 07743 992295 or write to of the docks on London’s South bank. In warehouses, where HDJS, PO Box 74, Bexhill, East Sussex, TN39 4ZZ once mountains of tea stood ready for consumption by a issue 210 | july 2011 6 Community life 7 ajeX London Parade & Rally. This film was taken and edited by Judy Gabriel. PRO AJEX Brighton & Hove and will be shown for us by Stewart Macintosh, one of our members, who just happened to have his cine camera on Firstly, a reminder: the AJEX Summer Quiz with Cream hand at the time. Tea will be held on 17 July from 3.00 pm. If you’ve not organised your tables and booked with Aubrey on 737417, If you have never managed to get to London in November please do so now. and wish you could, this will be an ideal chance to see the Parade, Service and Rally without leaving your armchair! AJEX celebrates its 90th year this year, and by way JACS have very kindly allowed us to join with them on of celebration we are getting together with JACS on their Wednesday afternoon slot, so we look forward to Wednesday 31st August to show a film of the last AJEX seeing you there. jaCs i.e. people calling at your door offering to “fix a few tiles on your roof that, as they were passing, noticed were by Nina Taylor, Hon Chairman missing”. On inspecting the roof they report, with indrawn breath and much sucking of teeth that “It’s much worse Variety is the spice of life and the JACS committee does than I thought” and the householder can find that he’s its best to stimulate the interest of the members. In May, parting with thousands of pounds unnecessarily. Helen Poole took us with Napoleon through his two major land battles and his marriage to the Empress Josephine, Mike Holland told us about the Engineerium in Hove which which established him and some of his descendants into should, after re-furbishment, re-open during the coming European Royalty. However, after losing the Battle of year. I am particularly interested in this project because Waterloo, he was exiled to the island of Elba, from where two of my dear husband’s Uncle Jim’s Model Engines he escaped, but was caught and then taken to live out the are on exhibition at the Museum. It will be much more rest of his life on the Island of St. Helena. Many years later than a museum: there will be an area for children to work Napoleon’s body was reburied with honour in the Arc de mechanical models, a restaurant and a functions room for Triomphe in Paris. Helen also told us of about Nelson’s weddings etc. heroic sea battles, his victories against the French Navy and his final death at sea. His body was preserved in We ended the month with a rousing Hat Debate. Nobody brandy, taken back to England and buried in St. Paul’s sleeps when we get going! Cathedral. Come and visit us and for a modest fee, join us. You can Mike Finch, who is a Fair Trading Officer for Brighton and be sure of a warm welcome. We meet at the AJEX Centre Hove Council, told us of the perils of “door-step scams” every Wednesday afternoon at 2.00 pm. ralli hall almost continual redecoration. By the summer another nine windows in poor condition in the main rear elevations by Roger Abrahams, Hon Chairman will have been replaced with UPVC double glazed units, leaving only two more to be replaced next year, as we do Firstly, thank you Norina, for stepping in at quite short not yet need to replace those in the gym that are sheltered notice and penning my message last month while Irit and I by the overhang nor those in the end west elevation. were on the ocean waves in the Eastern Mediterranean. The replacement commercial cooker in the milk kitchen My 22nd AGM as Hon Chairman has gone with no larger has been ordered and I am drawing up plans to enlarge an attendance than last year. I suppose that we will have and improve the servery kitchen with a full vegetarian to have a crisis before the numbers increase. In the first (including fish) facility as soon as funds permit. In the good AGM following my being voted on as Hon. Chairman, old days we made most of our room lets income in the ten there was a challenge from a rival faction and there were, week summer season, leading to mayhem and purgatory to my recollection, well over 120 members in attendance. for the staff, with almost 900, mainly very young, English Need I say more! Details of the AGM will be included in my Language students. Times have fortunately changed, with next message, but in advance I thank my loyal board, all of a more even flow of income, although now winter is busier whom have stated that they will also continue in office for than the summer. a further year. We have no new clubs since the Film Club commenced Although the costs of running Ralli Hall increase every last winter: this is going very well I am pleased to say. I year with inflation we are, fortunately, still holding our once again invite our community to use our facilities for own with the income received from room lets, even if our more of their activities, as that is why we are here! income from annual membership is, if anything, dropping slightly. This allows us to carry on improving our facilities, See you at Ralli Hall. as well as carrying out essential maintenance, including issue 210 | july 2011 6 Community life 7 macmillan Cancer support Another development with the project is the recruitment of Geoff Brown, Project Implementation Manager. Geoff by Harriet Fairbrother, Sussex Fundraising Manager will work part-time and is employed by Macmillan to work on the development of the support services that Macmillan Cancer Support’s latest appeal in Sussex will be delivered within and from the new Centre. To to build the Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre is develop the right services Geoff – with the Project Steering getting closer to its target. Macmillan needs to raise £3.7 Group - will enlist the help of people affected by cancer, staff million to build the innovative centre. The current total now from the NHS Trusts, the Councils, and community services stands at £1.23 million and we would like to say a huge thank and groups. Macmillan want to make sure that cancer you to all those who have supported the project so far. support services will be well co-ordinated and joined up with local communities. This latest total has been reached with the help of many people becoming involved including over 140 people putting Coming up in September is another way that people can get their running shoes on for the Brighton Marathon back in involved with fundraising for the appeal. Macmillan’s World’s April. So far they have raised over £34,000 towards the Biggest Coffee Morning is in its 21st year and we are hoping appeal, with sponsorship still pouring in! Also, a recent ball at to that it will be the biggest ever. For more information, please the Grand Hotel, Brighton, held by supporter Della Lamden, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee raised £20,000 towards the appeal. This was thanks in part to some amazing auction prizes that included a skiing holiday, If anyone is interested in getting involved in the appeal or signed football shirts and jewellery. It is hoped that building finding out anything more please do get in touch with the work on the new centre will start at the beginning of 2012. Sussex Fundraising Team on 01273 746601 or emailing us at eastsussex@macmillan.org.uk. don’t miss the bus! Our next Tea will be on Sunday 31st July at the AJEX Centre. by Janice Greenwood Regular attenders will be notified but if you haven’t been We nearly did and it was all my fault. before, give us a call and we’ll be pleased to put you on the Several people took advantage of list. the opportunity to use the Helping Hands Shuttle Bus Service to Brighton Limmud a few weeks ago. We arranged to meet the bus at the side of the Hove Town Hall but yours truly told the passengers the wrong side. So there was David Wilks, our driver for the day waiting in Norton Road and there we were waiting in Tisbury Road. I sent a scout on a “recce” and everything got sorted. The Helping Hands Bus was also used to ferry Joe Benjamin, his family and some guests to his 100th Birthday Party, which was held in the grounds of 31 New Church Road. This is what the Bus is for. Remember, it’s your bus and we want you to use it. If a few people from a block of flats want to go shopping, or perhaps a group would like a ride in the country, stopping off for a Sussex Cream Tea, give us a call on 01273 747722 and we will do our very best to help. After winning the Certificate for the best Mitzvah Day competition last year, you may think we are resting on our laurels. Not at all! Plans are already in hand for this year’s competition, which will be on Sunday 20th November. This will be one week after our “Stay at Home Helping Hands Pub Quiz” so, as you can imagine, it’s all happening at the HH HQ. Last month the Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation made a Kiddush in recognition of help given by Helping Hands. We are delighted to tell you that this month Hove Hebrew Congregation will also be honouring us. Everybody is invited to the Kiddush on 25th July. Don’t forget, if you need any shopping, or if you are recently home from hospital and need to keep outpatients’ appointments, please get in touch with us. issue 210 | july 2011 8 features 9 four days of magic in new york! by Hans Levy theatre for a matinee performance of with shopping until we dropped. In As I, together with Jack my brother- Adam’s show. the afternoon we indulged ourselves in-law and Adele his sister, arrived with tea at the very elegant Palm Court at our Manhattan Hotel “Le Parker The New York critics had already Restaurant at the Plaza Hotel, and in the Meridien” at 8.00 pm New York time, reviewed the show very favourably, evening we treated ourselves to another we were met by our friend Jon with so we were looking forward to being musical show “People in the Picture”. bottles of water to combat the 90°F well entertained and we were not This is the sad story of the Jewish heat and an apple, an orange and a disappointed. With the superb singing people in Germany before and during banana. Adam my nephew wasn’t and dancing and Adam’s hilarious the reign of Hitler and his Nazi party. able to meet us, because he was on caricature of Lord Oakleigh, which the stage on Broadway playing the had already won him two awards and The following day was spent with more English Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in Cole a nomination for the Tony award, we shopping and sight-seeing and a walk Porter’s “Anything Goes”. Before were treated to an afternoon of fun and in Central Park. On the fourth and last leaving us, Jon made sure that we laughter. After the show we had dinner day I had a wonderful reunion lunch were comfortably settled into our hotel with five relatives who had made a with two friends, whom I last saw in rooms. special journey to come and see us. the hostel in Manchester after we had escaped from the Nazis in Holland in The next morning, despite our jet lag, The next morning we took a ferry to 1940. Bedtime was early that evening, Adam and Jon came to meet us to look Staten Island and on the way back saw as the wakeup call came at 5.30am the around the neighbourhood for a nice the famous Statue of Liberty together next morning in time for our flight home restaurant and a hearty brunch. At 2 pm with the dramatic Manhattan skyline. from JFK airport at 8.00 am. we had to be at the Stephen Sondheim The rest of the morning was taken up the mikvah by Penina Efune daughters with young children who’d In many ways the Mikvah is the For eighteen years my husband and I come to spend a weekend as well as threshold separating the unholy managed and looked after the Mikvah women from nearby towns and some from the holy; in fact it signals an at the Prince Regent Swimming baths. who had never had the chance before elevation in status. It has the power My husband would regularly clean it they were married. of transformation, an ability to effect and refill it with a special combination metamorphosis. of water and rainwater that had been The Mikvah offers the individual, the collected in a reservoir dedicated for community, and the nation of Israel the The case of the convert is most that purpose. I looked after the women remarkable gift of purity and holiness. dramatic. The individual who descends who came from all stripes and shades No other religious establishment, into the Mikvah as a Gentile emerges of the community, especially in the structure, or rite can affect the Jew from beneath its waters as a Jew. summer. in this way and, indeed, on such an essential level. Its extraordinary For the post-menopausal woman, one I have been told that it was the late Rev power, however, is dependent on its final immersion in the Mikvah offers Josephs who managed to persuade the construction in accordance with the purity for the rest of her life. Most local authority to build a Mikvah at the numerous and complex specifications importantly, women who use the Mikvah Prince Regent swimming baths complex as outlined in Halachah, Jewish Law. bring holiness and G-d’s blessing into to attract more tourists to the town, their homes, their marriage and their which it certainly did. Most Jews see the synagogue as the children. central institution in Jewish life, but In the past, many Chassidic families Jewish Law states that constructing a Let us reclaim our heritage. Brighton would come and take over the Mikvah takes precedence even over desperately needs a Mikvah. Together Polytechnic each summer and there building a house of worship. This is let us make it happen. were a number of religious holiday- because communal prayer can be held makers in the Sussex area who no in virtually any location, but preserving For more information go to http://www. longer come, as the Mikvah has now the holiness of Jewish married mikvah.org.uk/index.asp or have your been out of action for the past six years. life is possible only where there is own tour of a mikvah at http://www. accessibility to a Mikvah. In fact, in the mikvah.org/tour or you can watch a Contrary to popular myth, not only the eyes of Jewish law, a group of Jewish video documentary at http://www. wives of the Rabbis used the Mikvah families living together do not attain the mikvah.org/ but also local brides, older women, status of a community if they do not visiting relatives, and especially married have a communal Mikvah. issue 210 | july 2011 8 features 9 my jewish roots by Suchitra Chatterjee, Caseworker at Looking back on my childhood I realise was lost so long ago. I know that is Brighton Police Station that I have been very lucky in many certainly the case for my mother. She ways. I was raised by a mother who gets upset with people who dismiss the My mother makes me laugh. No, believed in racial equality for all, long Holocaust as being history that should honestly, and in the nicest and most before the laws in this land changed, be forgotten or with people who criticize humorous way possible. Watching TV and unlike some of her family, she never Israel for being too militant. She says, with her is a blast. She will perch on denied her Jewish ancestry. She often “Blood begets blood, you might want the sofa, peer at the TV as we watch a says to me, “It’s there, it’s part of us all, peace but how do you get it when all film together and then out of the blue what’s the problem?” around you are your enemies who won’t say to me about one of the actors, let you have peace?” “He’s Jewish” and then add, “Doesn’t She has a wonderfully wicked sense of have a Jewish name mind you, but he’s humour, especially when it comes to my Although they are becoming frail, I am Jewish.” This from a woman whose father, saying to me after she has had going to work on my 80 year old father family buried their Jewish roots so deep an argument with him, “From such a about having a holiday in Israel with my you’d be hard pressed to find them man you could die” to which my father 70 year old mother and maybe I will also other than in fragments of information replies from behind his newspaper, be able to persuade her to come with passed down through time, fragments “I’m dead already, what more do you me to Poland, as I have a desire to see like, “Your father is such a schmo at want?” However, she can reflect on the Auschwitz. I know that is a pilgrimage times” or “I’ve had to schlep all over more sombre things in life, like when we she too would like to make, despite the town to find that book!” Others include were watching a documentary about many tears we would both shed. my mother’s love of chopped egg and disabled people and the Holocaust and For now, we will sit together watching onion, salt beef on rye (much to her she turned to me with tears in her eyes TV and I will laugh out loud when she Hindu husband’s disgust). She also and said, “They’d have put you in the says to me, “He was a nice Jewish boy, has a degree in making her children gas chambers if you’d been born in who was he trying to kid with a name feel guilty when they don’t call her. Her that time.” I remember thinking; they’d like Kirk Douglas?” biggest regret is that I didn’t try and have put me in the gas chambers twice, make a go of it with a wonderful Jewish once for being boy I grew up with and who was one the daughter of of my brother’s best friends. I regret it a woman with too now, but when you are young and Jewish blood foolish you think you know it all. and the second time for being in My lovely Indian father indulges my a wheelchair! mother’s very Jewish ways mainly because he sees his own upbringing I think our in her values, love of family, food and upbringing friendship. My father has become more defines who we religious as he has got older, but if my are, and though mother is unwell and not eating as she I have been should, he will trot down to the local raised as a Hindu deli and buy her a quarter of salt-beef, there is a part saying “Golda, look what I’ve got you of me that is for lunch but for G-d’s sake keep it subconsciously away from my cheese in the fridge!” drawn to what issue 210 | july 2011 10 sussex day limmud 2011 by gordon kay 11 Over 400 people enjoyed the adult and children’s lessons Government to grant asylum fourth Day Limmud held on a on wholesome Challah baking. seekers the right to work after they sunny Sunday, 22 May, at the Spirituality and healing and the arts have been here for six months, University of Sussex. Participants were well-represented, celebrating a move which would lift tens had the choice of 75 sessions all kinds of local talent in painting, of thousands of people out of by over 60 presenters. There is photography, film and theatre. destitution, with Jeremy Beecham simply no space to list them all, but one of the first to sign her petition. participants could attend sessions Children were entertained with a ranging from The Powerful Jew/ess full programme of activities, from Co-chairs Michelle and Gordon Kay and the Kabbala of Reincarnation to magic with Russell Levinson to said that the day showed what the German Rabbis in British Exile and Israeli dancing with Marilyn Wallach. Sussex community can achieve, the Nazarene Sect. The Holocaust Celebrity vet Mark Abrahams gave and hope this inspired participants. was a recurrent thread, featuring an animated animal talk and Jessica They also are very grateful for the striking and moving personal Rosenfield from the Jewish Museum hours of work put in by the 16 accounts. ran a candle-making session members of the committee, the inspired by real artefacts she generous donations by private There was a strong Israel theme brought from the museum. and communal donors and also throughout the day, with lively give thanks to the volunteers who debates chaired by well-known J-CORE founder Edie Friedman helped on the day. It would not have local luminaries. There were talks chose Sussex Day Limmud at been a success without everyone’s and hands-on practical sessions of which to launch her new campaign, contribution. all kinds, such as Penina Efune’s No Way to Live, calling on the issue 210 | july 2011 11 issue 210 | july 2011 12features 13 a fluffy tale kept and, what do you know?, the dog luck, the poor thing had been killed stone came running up the garden with a dead dead by his dog. He wondered whether by Doris Levinson rabbit in his mouth – all covered in earth! he should have the dog put down. “No”, The neighbour was shocked and horrified. said his wife. “How do you know he Before I forget, I must tell you this story He had no idea that his beloved pet dog actually did it?” “But he must have killed which was told to me some years ago by was a killer. What could he do? What it”, retorted the husband. “He came up my then hairdresser and, apparently, it is could he do? the garden with it in his mouth.” And so absolutely true. it went on all night long and most of the He decided to take the rabbit home to next morning until the neighbours returned A client of his was due to go away for the his wife, having first reprimanded the after their weekend trip. weekend with her husband and children. dog very severely. He then set about the They were all worried about the rabbit task of thinking of a way out of this awful The family spilled out of the car and which lived in a hutch at the bottom of the situation. went indoors. Suddenly, about ten garden and they wondered who would minutes later there was a loud knock on feed the poor thing while they were away. His wife had the answer. She would wash the neighbours’ door. “Oh goodness, So they went next door and asked their the rabbit and blow-dry it. “Yes, that was gracious, they have found out! What are neighbour whether they would be so kind a good idea”, thought the husband. So we going to tell them?” as to feed the rabbit the following day, they washed all the dirt off the dead rabbit thus making life so much easier for the and then gently blow-dried it with the So both husband and wife who had family as a whole. This was agreed – no hairdryer. Then the husband took the poor been on holiday came indoors – they problem – all the food was left out and the dead thing and placed it back in the cage were white with shock. “What’s the rabbit would be fed. in the next door garden, where it should matter?” “What’s the matter”, said the have been when he went there earlier in holidaymakers. “The matter is that we So off went the family for the weekend. the day. Perhaps, he thought to himself, went on holiday yesterday morning and They did not even stop to say goodbye to when the neighbours returned, they would have come home to find our rabbit in its their neighbours - and that, my friends, is think that it had died during the night. He cage”. “But isn’t that where it’s supposed an important part of the story. still had grave doubts of course. to be?” “Oh dear no”, said the holiday- makers. “You see, our rabbit died during On the following morning, the neighbour He did not sleep that night. Not a wink. the night before we went off and we took his pet Doberman dog and went to He wondered what would happen. After buried it in the garden – and now it’s lying the garden next door to see to the rabbit. all, it was hardly a big thing to look after in the cage all clean, fluffy and beautiful. He checked to see where the food was a rabbit for a day. But with his lousy We just can’t make it out!” I read of a man who stood to speak For it matters not how much we own The way other people feel At the funeral of a friend The cars, the house, the cash And less quick to anger He referred to the dates on his tombstone What matters is how we live and love And show appreciation more From beginning to the end. And how we spend our “dash” And love the people in our lives He noted that first came the date of birth Like we never loved before And he spoke the following date with So think about it long and hard If we treat each other with respect tears Are there things you would like to And more often wear a smile But he said what mattered most of all change? Remembering that this special “dash” Was the dash between those years For you never know how much time is left Might only last a little while For that dash represents all that time That can still be re-arranged That he spent alive on earth If we could just slow down enough And now only those who loved him To consider what is true and real Know what this little line is worth And always try to understand - Anonymous issue 210 | july 2011 features 13 the hebrew Club Yael usually based on a specific changes the rest of us have retained subject, for example; colours, items close relationships. We think this is by June Rozanski of clothing or varieties of fruits. The particularly important for the fourteen host family will then provide a simple to eighteen year old age group as In September 2005, my family and I meal of pizza, chips and salads, after it is at this age when teenagers can were invited to join a most exclusive which the children will go off and play be distracted from a purposeful life club about which my husband together, giving the adults a chance to onto a more destructive path. The seemed very enthusiastic! “It’s a relax and catch up. club helps and supports families to group for teaching Hebrew to the promote family ties and values. kids,” he explained. Special emphasis is given to Jewish holidays and anniversaries, and this is For Doug and Lenoy Kidd who attend When we arrived we discovered usually followed by a big party giving with their daughter Zania, the club that we were all in mixed marriages, us the opportunity to indulge in Israeli has made some important changes mostly British and Israeli and that the style food and invite some other to their lives, having enabled Doug majority our children spoke little or no guests to join us. “It creates a nice and Zania to speak and read enough Hebrew, probably because English balance between the Christian and Hebrew so that they can participate was the language spoken at home. Jewish faiths,” says Sarah Sasson. more in family life when they visit We all hoped that the class could “Like minded people come together Lenoy’s family in Israel. Penina offer us something positive in relation to celebrate because they want to. Shepherd comments that she knows to our Jewish/Israeli side of the Although our family always celebrates that because of this club, her children family, even if it was just a chat and the Jewish holidays at home, not will hold some wonderful memories a cuppa. The children seemed to gel everyone does. “ of all the times they have spent immediately, and soon “The Hebrew celebrating and having fun together Club” as it came to be known, was an The emphasis is not only on the study which will strengthen their ties to important part of our social calendar. of Hebrew. In the summer it could Israel. be a barbeque followed by a football It was Jonathon LeRoy who had game - dads versus the teenagers, As most of the adults had voiced originally approached Yael Breuer and in November 2009 we all enjoyed their opinions, I thought it only fair to and Penina Shepherd with the idea of a weekend together at Knowles Tooth ask one of the children exactly what forming a club to teach their children outdoor centre. they thought. I asked Ellah aged five. Hebrew. Initially it proved difficult to “What do you like best about coming find a venue, so it was decided that Five years on, the club is still going to the Hebrew Club?” Her answer? each family would take turns to host strong although the meetings have “The chips!” the event in their home every three been reduced to ten a year due to weeks or so and Yael kindly agreed other commitments. Alas, Jonathon to be the teacher. Each get-together no longer attends with his family, always begins with a lesson from but apart from one or two other MARTIN GROSS Memorials All aspects of stonemasonry undertaken from new to renovation and cleaning 01273 439792 07801 599771 issue 210 | july 2011 14 Culture 15 brighton fringe festival: ‘the hoping for his demise and, eventually, celebrating it. Kafka’s quirky imagination weaves within this seemingly metamorphosis’ by steven unbelievable canvas a host of thought-provoking possible berkoff interpretations at many different levels. It is up to the reader, or in this case, the spectator, to decide whether it is about diversity or dependency, exploitation Review by Fausta Shelton or, more simply, the limitations of human solidarity and the This is an adaptation for the stage overrated bonds of love. of the short novel by Franz Kafka. It is the story of Gregor Samsa, a Murray Hecht skilfully directed the Exit Stage Left Company young, hard-working salesman, at the Marlborough Theatre in this exciting and imaginative who turns overnight into a huge production, showing great sensitivity and insight into beetle-like insect, thus upsetting Kafkaesque leaden expressionism. the carefully balanced and complacent dependency of his The casting was excellent: Rob Leach’s physical performance family on his ability to be their as Gregor conjured up haunting pictures of the confined only provider. condition of the disabled, of ethnic minorities and of all those who, for whatever the reason, appear to be ‘different’. Father, mother and sister embark on a journey of disbelief, concern, annoyance and repulsion, that slowly and painfully will alienate them completely from Gregor to the point of my music sound like Jewish themes (somewhere I read he had by Robert Carrington studied Kletzmer, but maybe my memory is playing tricks). Over the last few years, the Brighton and Hove Jewish More overtly he gives a picture community have played an important role in my working life of Jewish village life in a cycle as a tutor for the Workers Educational Association where they called “From Jewish Poetry”: have attended many of my courses and been very supportive, 11 Songs written in 1948, but as well as being intellectually very stimulating. This support not performed until 1955. There has extended into the courses run at the Brighton and Hove is also Benjamin Fleischmann’s Progressive Synagogue: set up by the wonderful Maxine opera “Rothschild’s Violin”. Toff. As if that wasn’t enough, they have also supported my This was completed and concerts. For those of you who haven’t met me or been part orchestrated by Shostakovich of my courses, I thought I should introduce myself and share after Fleischmann died during some thoughts. the siege of Leningrad. It takes a story by Pushkin and begins with the music of a Wedding I came to Brighton from Lincolnshire and spent 30 years as Band. a music teacher at many schools but also as a composer/ performer when time allowed it. I studied and Goldsmiths Shostakovich’s most dangerous piece was the setting of College, London and over the years I have composed many Yevtushenko’s “Babi Yar” as part of Symphony no.13. This works, as well as having my own rock band where I wrote work was presented in defiance of Soviet anti-semitism and the songs and was lead singer. I have always had an eclectic narrowly missed being performed. Soloists and conductors taste in music! were scared off by the Soviet authorities, but with a change to the poem (stating that it was not the Jews alone who were Since coming to Brighton, I have continued with my Early massacred, but good Russians also!), the performance did Music group The Pastores Ensemble and given concerts that take place. combine all my musical interests with lute, mandolin, guitar and viols creating the sounds. To many of these events, the I attended an extraordinary performance of this piece Jewish community have been and encouraged my creative conducted by Rostropovich at the Barbican in London, where efforts. So I feel a bit as if I am part of this Community- and an elderly lady had taken her grandson so as not to forget this long may it last!! awful episode in Russian history. In October in Hove I will be presenting a course entitled I hope over the next few years to present a few more “Russian Music from Glinka to Shostakovich”. One of the courses. Next year it’s Spanish/Mexican music in June (my sessions will be about Shostakovich and Judaism. He was so present course is Ralph Vaughan Williams and his British supportive to Jewish musicians and artists, that some critics Contemporaries) and also write lots more music. Thanks wondered whether he had some kind of Jewish ancestry, again to you all, and to the Brighton and Hove Progressive or indeed other links. In works such as the 2nd Piano Trio, Synagogue. early String Quartets and Violin Concertos he quotes what issue 210 | july 2011 14 Culture 15 welcome monsieur shlomi 31st july The Sussex Jewish Film Club will If you’re not yet a member of the Sussex Jewish Film Club be a screening of another Israeli at Ralli Hall, you’re still welcome to come on the basis of a film at Ralli Hall on 31st July. It’s donation on the door (free to full-time students). As usual it’s Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi (not an 7pm for drinks and chat, 7.30pm for the film. exact translation of Ha-Kochavim Shel Shlomi) and lasts for 94 minutes. The story is about 16-year old Shlomi, who lives with his restless mother, his soldier brother and their grandfather, who is unwell. Although not doing so well at school, Shlomi is a gifted cook and takes care of most of the household chores. One day the school’s principal finds out that Shlomi is actually a genius and tries to get him into a more suitable curriculum. However, Shlomi is more interested in taking care of his family and his new love interest, the beautiful girl next door. Charleston literary festival: simon sebag montefiore and dame eileen atkins by Stephanie Megitt Simon Sebag Montefiore held the audience spellbound for The finale of the Charleston Festival this year was the one hour, without a pause and without recourse to a single Triumphant Actress, a tour de force by the magnificent note, in summing up his book, Jerusalem, The Biography, Dame Eileen Atkins, who took the stage single-handedly for (Weidenfeld & Nicholson). This has meant years of research two hours as Ellen Terry. Lynne Truss, who had conceived and is a labour of love for this great-great nephew of the the event and adapted two of Terry’s lectures on playing Sephardic philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore, who, as he Shakespearian heroines, gave us a witty introduction. We explained, loved Jerusalem as much as he loved England, learned that Ellen Terry wasn’t just the Elizabeth Taylor of her and built an English-style group of houses for poor people day, but a highly intelligent analyst of Shakespeare as well as outside the city walls at the end of the 19th century. We know a consummate actress. this as Yemin Moshe, which is now very upmarket, near the Windmill, which he also built. We were then left open-mouthed at the versatility of Dame Eileen as, without costumes or Skilfully weaving for us the historical tapestry of all the props, she seamlessly incarnations of the great city, from the destruction of played one the Temple through to 1967 and beyond, this historian part after successfully avoided taking a political stance and was even-the other handed in presenting the multi-faceted roots of this Holy (in extracts) City and all its religious adherents. The scene of countless with graceful bloody wars and home to the birth of Judaism, Christianity expertise and and Islam; all its larger-than-life characters and momentous subtlety. events were described with fluency and charm. Mention was made of the fact that Judaism today is practised very much Her ageless as it was in early times, that is, with a deep respect for the performance law and for human kindness. When he reached the stage of was a virtual the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, he casually mentioned that masterclass: it this was a punishment regularly meted out by the Romans was a privilege to everyone, as well as the Jews, and that of course, JC was to be there. just one of them. I for one, found this more than pleasing. Simon Sebag Montefiore, a highly respected historian, is a quintessential urbane Englishman who showed himself proud to be Jewish. He was warmly applauded by this largely non-Jewish audience. issue 210 | july 2011 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 ten Commandments and first fruit These words are being written in the wake of Shavuot – in times past, this chag was traditionally on a par with Pesach and Sukkot as one of the three Shelosh Regalim – the three Pilgrim Festivals. Often, though, it has been sadly lost or seen as being of lesser importance. This year at BHRS, Shavuot was able to regain its status: erev Shavuot saw over 40 people in shul, and of particular delight, was seeing many families gathering as part of our congregation. Perhaps it was the delicious fruit Kiddush and the cheesecake that attracted them (four cheesecakes no less were there for the tasting!). However, with the children being due to end on a high note with a trip to the London Jewish very involved in the service, perhaps more than cheesecake museum, as well as to our movement headquarters and then was retained in the memory! finally, the annual prize giving and picnic. The two elements of the chag – the giving of the Ten Mention of our famed stain glass windows is a reminder of a Commandments, and the idea of Bikkurim (or First Fruits), special ceremony that took place at the beginning of June. were highlighted by Rabbi Wallach: pointing to the stained Many years ago, Rabbi Collick had an idea to extend the glass doors of the Aron Kodesh, showing the artist’s depiction windows and invited our member, Linda Firsht, to prepare a of Mount Sinai, with the flames, out of which the Eternal, prototype. The project did not go ahead, but Linda retained according to the text, expressed the commands or maxims her original model. Some short time ago, she and husband which we now know as the Asseret Dibrot or Ten Sayings. David approached Rabbi Wallach and Gweni Sorokin to do Our upcoming bar mitzvah, Archie Charach, then read them something in memory of her late mother. Rabbi suggested out. This was followed by several young children coming that we might enhance the Rosenblum prayer room, which up to the bimah carrying pictures of the seven species or is used more often than not for Shabbat Eve services and bikkurim, which grow naturally in the Land of Israel. for study and meeting purposes. So Linda’s handiwork was officially dedicated on Friday morning 3rd June with a short Mention of Archie is a reminder of what will beckon over the ceremony in the presence of family and friends. Focusing as coming summer months: for after Archie in June, we will be it does on the festive calendar, it makes a strong and most celebrating the bar or bat mitzvah of five more. These are pleasing addition to the prayer room, and a lasting memorial Noah Williams, Lauren Gardner, James Seltzer, Ariel LeRoy to Linda’s mother, Sarah. and Sophie Lincoln. Before all these celebrations, cheder is Bulletin Board – July 2011 Wednesdays Cheder JACS, 2.00 pm Saturday 2nd at BHRS Rabbi Shiur, 9.00 am Sunday 3rd Last day of Cheder Tuesday 5th Concludes for 2010/11 year on Discussion group facilitated by Mark Perry-Nash Sunday 3rd July “Feminism: women. Culture and Tradition” With Prize Giving followed by Sunday 10th Members Tea Picnic in the Park Saturday 16th (St Ann’s Well Gardens) Rabbi Shiur, 9.00 am Sunday 17th AJEX Quiz & Tea, 3.30 pm Classes resume on 11th September 2011. Monday 18th Those wishing to register for next term Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue AGM, 7.30 pm please contact the shul office on Tel 735343 Saturday 30th or by email on office@bh-rs.org Rabbi Shiur, 9.00 am (TBA) issue 210 | july 2011 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.webjam.com/bhhc10 17 willie’s century! the fast of tammuz & three weeks Willie Albert celebrated his hundredth birthday on by Rabbi Hershel Rader Sunday 5th of June in the company of family and friends at Hyman Fine The Mishna (Taanit 4:6) tells us that five tragic events took place on the House. Until Seventeenth of Tammuz: Moshe broke Tablets of the Ten Commandments, the moving to the Daily Sacrifice ceased, a breach was made in the wall of the city of Jerusalem, Fine Willie was the Roman general Apostomos burned the Torah and erected an idol in the a stalwart of the Sanctuary of the Temple. The 17th of Tammuz is the first of four fast days BHHC. He was mentioned in the prophets. It also marks the beginning of a 3-week period of a regular minyan mourning, leading up to Tisha B’Av. The purpose of a fast day is to awaken our man and for many sense of loss over the destroyed Temple - and the subsequent Jewish journey years led the into exile. P’sukei D’zimra section of the Agonizing over these events is meant to help us conquer those spiritual Shabbat Morning deficiencies which brought about these tragic events. Through the process service. of “Teshuva” - self-introspection and a commitment to improve - we have the power to transform tragedy into joy. In fact, the Talmud says that after the future Willie, who took redemption of Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple, these fast days will be the opportunity re-dedicated as days of rejoicing and festivity. For as the prophet Zechariah to put on Tefillin says, the 17th of Tammuz will become a day of ‘joy to the House of Judah, and with Rabbi Rader gladness and cheerful feasts’. and say some prayers, attributes Aspects of mourning observed during the Three weeks are: No weddings are his longevity to a held. (However, engagement ceremonies are permitted.) We do not listen to ‘love of life’. joyous music. We avoid all public celebrations - especially those which involve Mazel tov, Willie – singing, dancing and musical accompaniment. No haircuts or shaving. We do Biz zu 120!!! not say the blessing Shehechianu on new food or clothes, except on Shabbat. sussex Cheder Sussex Cheder concludes another successful year on Sunday 17 July with its Annual Prize Giving and includes a presentation by the children to be followed by our Annual Barbeque. Thanks are due to the teaching staff of Mrs Perla Rader, Mushka and Tzippi Rader, Shaina Efune and Gabi Markham. New pupils, reception age and upwards are welcome. Please contact Rabbi Rader on 0777 565 3897 or rabbibhhc@gmail.com. Sussex Cheder offers a varied curriculum of both academic and practical content. Attendance is free to members of the Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation. Last month Sussex Cheder gave out medallions for proficiency in reading Hebrew under the Alef Champ programme. Jacob Anderson and Ryan Walker were proud to receive their orange medallions. Services and Special Events Brighton & Hove Hebrew Weekdays Congregation Shacharit services are held in the Bais Hamidrash in conjunction with Hove Hebrew Congregation (Holland Road) on Mondays and Thursdays at 7.30 Summer Barbeque am and on Sundays at 8.30 am. Shabbat 12.00pm, Sunday 17th July Shacharit services are held in the Bais Hamidrash in During the summer Friday night services, followed by a Kiddush, take place at 7.30pm. Candle At New Church Road Shul lighting is at 7.50pm. Shabbat morning services, also followed by Kiddush, are at 9.15am. On Shabbats the Rabbi’s Shiur is followed half an hour later A great occasion for the whole family. An opportunity to go by Mincha, Seudah and Maariv. out for a Kosher meat lunch and for the children to enjoy the 2 July Rabbi’s Shiur – Parshat Chukat – begins at 8.15 pm facilities of the BHHC. 9 July Rabbi’s Shiur – Parshat Balak – begins at 8.15 pm 16 July A choice of burgers, sausages and chicken together with salads and Rabbi’s Shiur – Parshat Pinchas – begins at 8.05 pm drinks, followed by a great dessert. 24 July Adults £9.00 Children £4.00 Rabbi’s Shiur – Parshat Matot – begins at 8.00 pm 31 July Rabbi’s Shiur – Parshat Massei – begins at 7.50 pm Vegetarian option available if ordered in advance. The Fast of Tammuz Please book a place by Tuesday 12th July by contacting the Shul The Fast of Tammuz takes place on Tuesday 19 July beginning at 2.27am and ending at 9.50pm Office on 01273 888 855 or office@bhhc-shul.org issue 210 | july 2011 18hhCrabbi Vivian silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com 19 the three weeks forces in Galilee. He had defected to the Romans in the final stage of the war; been given permission to live in Rome; by Rabbi Vivian Silverman and taken the name Flavius in honour of the Flavian Dynasty The saddest period of the Jewish calendar begins this year under whose patronage he lived and wrote his works. Though on Tuesday 19 July with the fast of Tammuz (Dawn till Dark), regarded by many as a traitor, were it not for his writings (“The and ends on Tuesday 9 August with the twenty five hour Fast Antiquities of the Jews”, and “The Jewish War”) we would of 9 Av (Tisha B’Av). know little about the events leading up to, and during, the first war against Rome. During these twenty-one days, the Roman Army, under the command of Titus (son of Emperor Vespasian), having broken Josephus informs us about the groups that comprised through the walls of Jerusalem, fought its way through the Jewry in his day: the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes and streets of what is now the Old City, till it reached the Temple the fourth Philosophy – assumed to be the Zealots, a hard Mount. A lighted torch was thrown through one of the line section of the Pharisaic Party which resisted all calls for Temple windows, and the magnificent building was eventually accommodation with the occupying power. burnt to the ground, during the 8/9 Av. During the four year siege of Jerusalem (66-70 CE) it is estimated that up to a However, the Talmud relates that it was the leader of the million people perished through starvation, disease, and in Zealot Party who allowed his uncle, Rabban Yohanan Ben the fighting. Thousands more were transported as slaves to Zakkai, to be taken out of besieged Jerusalem in a coffin. By Rome and paraded through the streets of the capital during this subterfuge, the Rabbi was able to make his way to the the triumphal procession. enemy camp, and managed to persuade Vespasian, then the general commanding the Roman legions, (68 CE) to give him The trauma of the loss of their homeland, and of their spiritual the town of Yavneh and its sages. Thereby, Rabban Yohanan focal point, towards which Jewry of the Holy Land, and was able to re-build Judaism (Rabbinic Judaism) once the of the Diaspora, had directed their hopes and aspirations, Temple fell and the trauma of the aftermath was felt. longings and prayers, was terrible and prolonged. It was also aggravated by the Gentile world which claimed that the Even though these three weeks are ones of semi-mourning Almighty had brought about this devastation because the – no weddings take place; many do not shave; we do not Jews had rejected their saviour. go to the hairdresser; listen to music in public; or go to the theatre and cinema – Judaism and the Jewish people did Our knowledge of this period comes from the writings of not disappear, and our hope for restoration to our spiritual Josephus, who had been one of the commanders of Jewish homeland remained constant. holland road noos by Alan Hershman We’ve had several things to celebrate this past month. First we Malcolm Green Catering had the 96th birthday of one of our more respected members Michael Brummer which we all celebrated with a sumptuous The selection of your menu is an important part in the Kiddush provided by the Ladies Guild. planning of your Simcha. For that reason our Chefs continue to create exciting and tasty menus to meet your every need. Then we helped celebrate the golden wedding of Mr & Mrs We can tailor a menu to fit your specific requirements Carlton with another great Kiddush. and help create the function you will be proud of. Let us And we were all delighted to hear from Rabbi Silverman that introduce you to a cuisine that has made us one of Israel’s Lauren and Richard had had a daughter. leading Caterers & the world’s foremost glatt kosher destination wedding specialist. We have, of late, been having only nine men to our Friday night Join us for our glatt kosher June/July tour of “Mystical Ireland” services and would appreciate any help in getting a minyan. KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST july diary Contact Malcolm on 0203 393 6823 5 Tuesday Talmud Shiur, 11.00 am koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk www.kosherservicesworldwide.com 12 Tuesday Ladies Discussion Circle, 10.30 am www.kosherexperiences.co.il followed by Talmud Shiur 17 Sunday “Sing for your Supper” Karaoke and UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION Bar-Be-Cue, 6.45 pm OF THE LONDON BETH DIN (For functions in the U.K.) 19 Tuesday Fast of 17 Tammuz, ends 10.02 pm Beginning of The Three Weeks “You’ve eaten the food now read the blog” www.koshersericesworldwide/blog/ issue 210 | july 2011 18 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 19 the time for the dream of peace to become recall the feeling of ecstatic joy that I have often imagined I a reality would have felt had I been there in Independence Hall on 14 May 1948. by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah When I woke up that I realised the significance of the date: One of the names for Shavuot is Atseret which means I 5 June, the anniversary of the outbreak of the Six Day War had a dream in the early hours of the morning of Sunday in 1967. I remember that time so well. I was 12 years old, 5 June. I was outside a building not unlike Independence anxiously watching the television in the home of Israeli friends Hall on Rothschild Blvd in Tel Aviv where David Ben Gurion of my parents, Ofra and Henry. I remember my parents and declared the establishment of the State of Israel on 14 May my older brother going to Alyth Gardens synagogue to give 1948 – 5 Iyyar 5727. There were thousands of people singing, blood. I remember standing on a chair in the classroom at shouting, dancing - and crying tears of joy. I was crying, too. school at break time and declaiming to my classmates about the valiant Israelis - until our form mistress insisted that I ‘get Suddenly, I realised my partner Jess was no longer standing down immediately!’ beside me. A friend said: ‘she’s run inside ‘. Before I knew it I was running inside, too. The hall was packed. There was So much has happened since 1967: a litany of dates and a long table at one end and rows of chairs but no one was moments, of violence and destruction, of fear and loss, of sitting. Everyone was standing and talking and laughing and defiance and anguish, of new hope and hope destroyed - on hugging. Eventually, I saw Jess and we hugged. Then I saw both sides of the conflict. And now: the possibility of a new one friend and another - each time, a huge hug, while we beginning… jumped for joy - and more tears. What happened was a few minutes earlier the person in the middle of the long table had A new initiative was launched in the Jewish community declared the independent State of Palestine. recently to promote support for a two state solution: Yachad - the campaign ‘for Israel and for Peace’. You may have met I can’t tell you, the date. It hasn’t happened yet. A naive the director of Yachad at Limmud, an inspiring young woman fantasy? Maybe. It was a dream, one of the most vivid called, Hannah Weisfeld. Two sovereign states: the only dreams I’ve ever had. For years I have nurtured the hope that outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will also ensure one day there would be a sovereign, democratic State of a safe, secure future for both peoples. I guess I dreamt Palestine alongside the sovereign, demo cratic State of Israel. that dream, because, like all those members of our Jewish That’s why I wear a badge on my lapel, displaying the flag of community, who have already got behind Yachad, the time Israel alongside the flag of Palestine with the words “Justice, has come for all of us to do what we can to make our hopes Peace, Life”. I was, actually dreaming the moment and still for peace become a reality. lecture by Professor UPCOMING BHPS EVENTS yakov rabkin BHPS Cabaret Night – 2 July 2011 at 7.00 pm by Dona Strauss By popular demand following last year’s sell out event, the BHPS Cabaret returns for A lively full audience gathered to hear another evening of music, food and enjoyment with performances by our own talented Professor Rabkin’s very informative, members and friends. Tickets are on sale now £8 in advance, £10 at the door and are thought-provoking and wide-ranging available from the office. talk on May 19th, entitled “Israel’s Peace between Israelis and Palestinians: If not Now, When? reactions to recent turmoil in Arab A talk by Hannah Weisfeld, Director of Yachad countries”. Yakov Rabkin is a Professor Tuesday 19 July, at 8 .00 pm @ BHPS of History at the University of Montreal. Yachad is the recently established pro-Israel, pro-peace movement in the UK, which He pointed out that the Israeli supports a two state solution as the best option for Israel’s long term peace and security. government’s reaction to the pro- Yachad seeks to harness large numbers of British Jews, through education, debate or democracy upheaval in the Arab world advocacy in support of the steps needed to achieve this goal. Hannah Weisfeld will had initially been negative, but that discuss Yachad’s vision and its plans to foster a new type of relationship between the several Israeli leaders had subsequently British Jewish community and Israel. expressed support for the pro- Ralph Vaughan Williams and his British Contemporaries democracy movement. He felt that it Robert Carrington’s music course continues on Wednesday afternoons from 2.00-4.00 should be supported and believed that, pm until 27th July. This 8 week course started on 8th June but participants can pay £6 for in the long term, Israel might have a individual sessions. Call the office to reserve your place. greater chance of living in peace with Pimms on the Prom democratic neighbours. Sunday 28th August at 6.00 pm Norma Waring is opening her beach hut for a Pimms evening. There will be Pimms, soft drinks and snacks. The hut is at the bottom of Hove These ideas prompted many searching Street South. Do come and meet old friends and make new friends beside the seaside. questions and the evening concluded with a warm vote of thanks and Donation £5. For further details ring the synagogue office. presentation of Royal Pavilion souvenirs For tickets or information about these or future events, please call the office on 01273 to Professor Rabkin. 737223 or bhps@freenetname.co.uk issue 210 | july 2011 20 what’s on: july 2011 website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org email: info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org shabbat shalom – brighton times In Light Candles Out Havdalah Fri 1 8.59 pm Sat 2 10.28 pm Grodzinki’s challot and Fri 8 8.56 pm Sat 9 10.23 pm Fri 15 8.51 pm Sat 16 10.15 pm rye bread are available Fri 22 8.44 pm Sat 23 10.04 pm from Premier Convenience Fri 29 8.34 pm Sat 30 9.52 pm Stores in Hove Street sPeCial dates every Thursday morning Tue 19 Fast of Tammuz until supplies run out. eVents for july regular aCtiVities j:tots – for parents, toddlers, grandparents and carers - is held Sundays monthly at Ralli Hall.For information regarding the next session, shalom Programme has been suspended for the time being please e-mail Rachel at jtots@rocketmail.com or ring 01273 204334. Carmel tennis Club 10.00 am-12.00 noon. Weekly. All levels welcome. Tel: Leon on 07717 222744 Wednesday 8 Mondays jaCs – guest speaker Sally Becker, ‘The Angel of Mostar’. 2.00 pm at the AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove. £2.00 members / £2.50 the ethics of our fathers with Rabbi Efune 11.30-12.30 pm Chabad House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove. Tel:. 01273 321919 non-members. afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Contact Reba 01444 410435 Sunday 10 rubber and duplicate bridge 1.30-4.30 pm £2.00. Tel Reba norwood Capital to Coast bike ride – finishing at Hove Lawns 01444 410435 CCj – Council of Christians & Jews) Annual Garden Party with Israeli Contemporary basic talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men only 8.15 Dancing, Court Barn, The Green, Rottingdean 01273 302611 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 tanya (kabbalah) learning group with Penina Efune - Ladies Wednesday 13 only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 jaCs – guest speaker Andy Thomas on ‘The Crop Circle Mystery’ at 2.00 pm at the AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove. £2.00 members / Tuesdays £2.50 non-members. ralli hall lunch and social Club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly RH Sunday 17 art in the studio with martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH ajeX summer Quiz – 3.30 pm at AJEX Hall, BHRS, Eaton Road, Painting with rochelle (jas), 7.00 pm-9.00 pm Tel: 01273 Hove. 01273 737417 503708 RH Wednesday 20 israeli dancing 7.45 pm-9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 RH jaCs – guest speaker Mark Perry-Nash on ‘To Build a Dream’ at Wednesdays 2.00 pm at the AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove. £2.00 members / £2.50 non-members. Chutzpah singers - No Chutzpah Singers during July and August. Commences again on September 14th Wednesday 20 – Saturday 23 art in the studio with martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH ‘in holland stands a house’ – by Southwick Players at The Barn jaCs at the AJEX Centre 2.00 pm, Eaton Road, Hove - £2.00 Theatre, Southwick Street, Southwick 7.30 pm £9/£10 01273 597094 members/£2.50 non-members. Wednesday 27 Thursdays jaCs Quiz – presented by Janice Greenwood, 2.00 pm at the AJEX ralli hall lunch and social Club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Weekly Tel: Centre, Eaton Road, Hove. £2.00 members / £2.50 non-members Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH weekly torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad Friday 29 House. 01273 321919. worthing & district jewish Community – Friday night service followed by a Kiddush led by Rabbi Charles Wallach of BHRS at The Gordon Room, Worthing Town Hall (entrance Stoke Abbott Road) 6.15 pm COMMUNITY EVENTS – Sunday 31 IMPORTANT REMINDER helping hands tea – 2.30 pm at the AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove Contact the Communal Diary before sussex jewish film Club at ralli hall: ‘Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi’, 7.00 planning your events! Email: info@ for 7.30 pm sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org issue 210 | july 2011 -
Issue 211
August 2011
SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS NEW WHAT’S INSIDE.... BREAST CANCER AND JEWS | STOLPERSTEINE | SIR SYDNEY SAMUELSON TRIBUTE | WHAT’S ON | AND MORE Whats AUGUST 2011 | AV / ELUL 5771 | • ISSUE 211 2 Pause for thought 3 The ability to govern The Moody Blues sang that “a thousand pictures can be Also gone is the fact that today there are an equal number drawn from one word, only who is the artist we’ve got to of Palestinian refugees in Syria as there are in Israel and agree”. When you wish to paint a picture or tell a story, the Territories. Yet no one mentions them. we need to decide whose narrative we will accept. What becomes apparent, as rumours abound that today’s Israel is currently losing the battle for the narrative of Palestinians may unilaterally declare statehood this modern history outside – and sometimes inside - Jewish autumn, is that at no time in recent history have today’s communities. Palestinians been in control of their own country. Before 1948, Palestine was properly Gone is the called British Palestine or WHEN YOU WISH TO PAINT A PICTURE OR fact when Israel Mandate Palestine (and we gained control of TELL A STORY, WE NEED TO DECIDE WHOSE should continue to use the the Gaza Strip correct term) as it was under NARRATIVE WE WILL ACCEPT in 1967, it was direct British control. from Egypt. Under the 1979 peace treaty with Egypt Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula. However, Egypt also chose This is not to take anything away from the aspirations of not to have the Gaza Strip returned to it. today’s Palestinians who should be able to show that they are capable of building and sustaining their own country, Gone is the fact that at the same time Israel gained control However, there must be more to being a viable state that of Judea and Sumeria (the West Bank) from Jordan. When relying upon and using a false history. It shows how one Israel made peace with Jordan in the early 1990s, Jordan can find a scapegoat. But it does not prove an ability to left the West Bank under occupation. govern. 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 info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt / Sue Rea David Seidel COVER PHOTO courtesy of Martin Perry TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt ADMINISTRATOR Ivor Sorokin PRODUCTION/LAYOUT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 2 SEPTEMBER 2011 OWING TO THE YOMIM NORAIM, THE DEADLINE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED 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. 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 211 | AUGUST 2011 2 Contents 3 Sussex Jewish News FEATURES PO Box 2178 Hove BN3 3SZ 1 FOOTBALL’S NEW HOME Telephone: 07906 955 404 The Albion takes up residence at the American e-mail: editor@sussexjewishnews.com Express Community Stadium. Photo courtesy of Martin Perry, Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 10 BREAST CANCER & GENETICS Some thoughts and professional advice The September / October issue will be published late September before the Yomim Noraim. The deadline for submissions is 2nd September. 12 STOLPERSTEINE Remembering individual victims of the Holocaust in Germany with Miriam Book and Doris Levinson REGULARS 4 YOUR NEWS & VIEWS Letters and announcements 6 COMMUNITY LIFE News from across the county 14 CULTURE Sir Sydney Samuelson, The Film Club, the Israeli Dance Group and more 20 WHAT’S ON Regular and special events in your community YOUR COMMUNITY 16 BRIGHTON & HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 17 HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 18 BRIGHTON & HOVE PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE 19 BRIGHTON & HOVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE Full page (A4 size) £160 Half page (A5 size) £90 Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: s 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 s 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 s 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 211 | AUGUST 2011 4 Your news & views 5 Letters to the Editors I have read Penina Efune’s opus in the recent edition of SJN, and note the demand for a new mikvah to be built in We accept letters by post or by email only. Please include the grounds of BHHC. I am told that the cost of this venture name, address, work and home telephone numbers. would be about £150,000. I do wonder whether it would perhaps be a greater mitzvah to Heads over and under the parapet help the poor and the hungry of both the Jewish population, In your July issue editorial you pose the question as to why here, and in Israel, (yes there is poverty even in Israel); and are British Jews so timid - presumably as a community there even give aid to the desperate in Eritrea, than provide a are plenty of extrovert individuals. second mikvah to this town when the existing mikvah in the Although there are a number of contributory factors, I believe Prince Regent swimming complex has been neglected and there are two that stand out. allowed to fall into disrepair. After all, the existing mikvah had Firstly, when Jews were readmitted to Britain by Oliver been in use for some eighteen years. Furthermore, I have Cromwell, one of the conditions of entry was ‘no been reliably informed that to get the existing mikvah up and proselytization’. This would tend towards creating an inward running would cost perhaps a maximum of £30,000. looking community. The existing mikvah was originally meant to be available to Secondly, the problem British Jews faced during the later the totality of the Jewish population. I cannot see that the years of the British Mandate in Palestine (as the country was proposed new mikvah would not discriminate in some form then known), the bitter struggle with the Stern Gang and the against some members of our religion. Irgun - raising one’s head above the parapet at that time was not a good idea. Yours sincerely, My generation, growing up in the 40’s and 50’s, took a rather Sam Barsam low-key approach to life, and probably still do. It will be interesting to see if the generations now coming into The article by Penina Efune prompts me to make a few leadership roles follow the same pattern. comments and to ask a few questions. So far as I know the original mikvah was in Brill’s Baths at Ivor Richards Pool Valley, although another was subsequently built but Vice-President never used. Brill’s closed in 1929, but a new mikvah was Sussex Jewish Representative Council opened in the current Prince Regent Swimming Complex in 1981. The complex was on the site of North Street Swimming The Mikvah Pool, opened in 1895, and the inclusion in the Council’s plans It was interesting to read Mrs. Efune’s request for funding for of a communal mikvah was largely due to the efforts of Rabbi a new mikvah. Her article raises several issues. Erwin Rosenblum z’l, the revered founder Rav of the Reform Congregation. 1. What are the costs of the construction of the new mikvah It served the needs of the Community well, but, as Mrs. and the annual costs? Efune admits, for 18 years she and Rabbi Efune have taken 2. Two advantages of the current mikvah are that (I believe) it upon themselves to control this communal facility. For the the council picked up some of the running costs and that last six years it has not been acceptable. Why? How have the mikvah was available to all members of the community the guardians of our mikvah allowed this to happen? How – irrespective of their affiliation. A new mikvah, built much would it cost to put right that which needs to be done outside council premises would presumably not benefit to make it ‘kosher’ once more? We need to know, before the from either of these. community is asked to spend yet again unnecessarily on a 3. Another possible explanation for Mrs. Efune’s wish to project which now seems to be a Lubavitch fiefdom, rather construct a new mikvah is, I have been told, that whereas than a communal facility. I do not understand the relevance of Orthodox Jews view a Lubavitch-designed and managed the needs of Chassidic visitors. How much do they contribute mikvah as Kosher, the reverse is apparently not always to our community and to the local community in general? Did true. they use or contribute to our shuls and did they pay their fair 4. Cecily Woolf wrote the following in the 26 September 2008 share for the use of our mikvah? We should know. issue of The Jewish Chronicle: And where is this new mikvah to be built. At New Church “The mikvah in Brighton’s Prince Regent Swimming Pool Road? Excavations have already taken place. Perhaps complex is to reopen after a five-year hiatus. Sussex Jewish Mrs Efune wants to demolish or at least move our recently Representative Council delegates were told that funding was extended Succah? And are we strapped members of BHHC in place to carry out repairs. to pay yet more to support communal, or at least orthodox, facilities in this town (sorry, City). As Yitzchak Rabin wisely “Originally opened in 1935, the mikvah is the responsibility said “Enough is enough”! A communal mikvah paid for and of Brighton and Hove Kashrus Committee, whose eight owned by the community must be on an independent site, members are from the city’s two Orthodox congregations. controlled by the community, and for the use of all Jews “According to the kashrus committee, it should be ready whatever their allegiance. for use in three months. Local Reform and Progressive rabbis have welcomed the mikvah’s availability to the entire And one more thing - “Brighton desperately needs a mikvah”. community.” All signs of such desperation have so far eluded me. When I Has something changed since then? see such signs I might be more enthused. Arthur Oppenheimer Godfrey Gould ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 4 Your news & views 5 Births Bar Mitzvah s Mazel tov to Kirsten and Simon Hatchwell on the birth of s Mazel tov to Naomi Tadmor on the Bar Mitzvah of her son another grandchild, Eliana Isobel, a baby daughter for Allan Daniel. and Joanna. Anniversaries Special birthdays Mazel tov to: s Mazel tov to Jack Alexsander, Stan Baker, Judith Boxer, s Sandra and Ronnie Rutherford on their Golden Wedding Julia Casson, Leah Elkin, Richard Harris, Katy Jackson, anniversary. Derek Jay, Michael Line, Martha Lyons, Liz Posner, Leah s Laurel and Julian Woolfe on their Golden Wedding Prevost, Marianne Roland, Hazel Rubin (from July), Joshua anniversary. Style and Leoni Yaffe, on their special birthdays. Achievements Engagements s Mazel tov to Lexi Pickett on being named Head Girl of s Mazel tov to Rabbi Hershel and Perla Rader on the Shoreham College. engagement of their daughter Mushka to Sholom Gorelik of Melbourne, Australia. New Home Weddings s Mazel tov to the Brighton & Hove Albion as they move s Susan Rea on the wedding of her daughter Louise Rae to into their new home at the American Express Community David Goodman. Stadium. s Laura Gordon and Alastair Taylor (pictured) on the occasion of their wedding. Thank you Gloria Taylor would like to thank all her wonderful friends and relatives for the invaluable help and support, cards and good wishes, following her recent accident. You are all truly amazing! Deaths We wish Long Life to: s The family of Sandra Foxwell z”l s Jeffery Rose and family on the sad passing of his wife Wendy z’l Submissions to SJN Paper/Page Size – A4 create a title as a Header, just write it At the bottom of page 3 of every edition Font - please use Times New Roman, as the first line of the document. The of SJN we publish a note about how regular, no bold, no italics, no underlines second line should state who wrote the material should be submitted to the Font Size - 12 article. editorial team at the magazine. Font Colour - Black Also, please leave the title and writer’s These guidelines are designed to help Language - please ensure that your name as regular text, not bold text. you, as the providers of editorial matter, Windows PC is set to use UK English Abbreviations – Please, no and also to help the very small team or your Mac to British English and that ampersands (&) and no abbreviations who have to read, edit and define what your word processing software is set to other than standard titles, such as Mr. should go into each issue. default to English UK / British English. and Mrs. Over the past 3 or 4 months, these If you are not sure how to do this, Photographs - We are happy to accept guidelines have been totally ignored, please email us and we will try to help. photos that illustrate your articles. even by regular contributors and it is Email – Please send your articles, Pictures should be of a good quality, making life extremely difficult for the however small, as Word Attachments well lit and sharp with a reasonably high editorial team. to your emails. It saves us a lot of work resolution. We would like jpg files not So, to help everyone, here is a slightly having to cut and paste and reset the RAW and a file size of approximately expanded set of guidelines. text. 700 Kb to 2 Mb. Please don’t send files Document Headings - Please don’t of 3 or more Mb. ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 6 Community life 7 Ralli Hall vegetarian kitchen in place of the current rather minimal by Roger Abrahams, Hon. Chairman servery kitchenette. Hopefully the extra summer income will help to bring this project forward, perhaps even to The 2011 annual general meeting has now taken place before the end of this year – so watch this space. and, as prophesied, the numbers attending have shrunk still further - to only fourteen, with formal apologies from I have just noticed that the external entrance porch area is twelve more. The membership must therefore be extremely now getting a little worse for wear – it is rather exposed, confident that there are no crises on the horizon and they being so near the corner of the street – so my Forth must have full confidence in the board of management, Bridge comments of last month are not out of place. Yet which is, at least, most gratifying. We had no new another job to help keep the building looking fine and up prospective members clamouring to join the board, so the to scratch. The new replacement windows are looking very line up is as follows; me again as Hon. Chairman, Alan smart – just two more to go to finish all of the two main Burke as Hon. Vice-Chairman, Paul Waldman as Hon. rear elevations. Treasurer, Philip Simons as Hon. Secretary, and Marilyns Magrill and Fisher as committee members. Thank you all Now is the time to start thinking about how you in the for agreeing to continue on the board, but we are always community can use the ever improving facilities at Ralli looking for “new blood” and would be prepared to co-opt Hall to their best advantage – do you want to start a new the right people to join us in what we all believe is a most club or society, or to book a simcha (with or without an important function for the community. alcohol licence) in either the Great Hall or the Stephen Magrill Lounge – using either a supervised milk or meat As a pleasant surprise, we have been quite inundated with kosher kitchen, or an unsupervised vegetarian/fish kitchen foreign students this summer so, many thanks to the staff – you will soon be able to take your pick. You can even for pulling out all of the stops to organise the classrooms, have a dance or a party in the gymnasium or a meeting keeping the place clean and tidy and generally making in various rooms around the building. Our terms are sure that all is running as smoothly as possible. The most competitive and you will find us to be very flexible. outside toilet block, built about fifteen years ago for only The railway station car park just around the corner is the cost of one summer’s hire of Portaloos, has now once available throughout the week and for just £1.00 all day on again been a godsend – forward planning is definitely the Sundays.– name of the game. It will soon be the autumn, with the High Holy Days looming, so… Earlier this week I met someone from a company which can provide the equipment to build our proposed See you at Ralli Hall. for ladies only along Hove Promenade Saturday 10 September, 2011 - 11 Ellul 5771 Join us for a night to remember! Spa for the Soul. Foundation for our future community. For more details and registration/sponsorship form contact Penina 01273 321919 or mrsefune@hotmail.com ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 6 Community life 7 Alfred Huberman: date of birth quicklime. Conditions were horrific, the toilet was a pit at the end of the huge barrack with a tree trunk over it. Alfred not recorded to 28th May 2011 was then sent to the Camp at Buchenwald and then on to its Obituary by Caroline Spencer subsidiary Rehmsdorf. Since the barrack was not completed, they were forced to spend the night sleeping on the ground in Born in Pulawy Poland, a snow-covered field. They were then loaded on to a cattle the only boy with five train and during the journey the American Air Force bombed sisters, he had the the train and the surviving prisoners then began a death most wonderful family march, during which anyone who could not keep up was life, shattered by the shot. Alfred was among the few remaining prisoners who outbreak of the Second arrived in Theresienstatdt. World War. At the age of 13 he was torn away Malnourished and suffering from TB, he was liberated and from his family and given sanctuary by the British Government, who agreed for thrust into the centre of 1000 Jewish orphans to come to England, Alfred was one of the Nazi Holocaust. only 732 who could be found. This group were and are still known as ‘The Boys’. His war was spent in the horrific world of He then began the search for his family, and discovered that 5 slave labour and they had all been murdered. This was his perception until he concentration camps. was reunited with his eldest sister Idesa, who had survived The War started for him Auschwitz. He described this as his personal miracle. Her when on 1st September legacy provided him with two wonderful nieces and their 1939 his family home families of whom he was so very proud. He married Shirley was destroyed by who he adored. He worked tirelessly and built his very German bombs. They successful tailoring business. Having arrived as an orphaned were ordered into the Ghetto from where he was separated, refugee he built a wonderful family, with 3 children who he first from his mother and sisters and then from his father. His encouraged to achieve so much, along with 6 grandchildren first Concentration Camp was Skarzysko-Kamienna, where and a warm extended family. he was put to work in the ammunition section. A loving, caring, thoughtful and above all extremely sensible The Polish staff worked four-hour shifts with meal breaks and man, with a marvellous sense of humour and an intelligence because of the toxicity in the atmosphere were given milk way beyond his meagre schooling. He cycled, played, chess, to drink. Alfred worked twelve-hour shifts, night or day on tennis and football and won medals for table tennis in the ersatz coffee, a so-called soup and one piece of bread. The County League. He had an exceptional talent for languages average life expectancy for prisoners was three months. and the written word. Alfred survived for 18 months, in these conditions where Despite his early life experiences, he was never bitter, made the TNT powder ate into the skin and also internal organs, many friends, only seeing the best in people. He overcame causing the workers to have yellow coloured skin. He put many serious illnesses, and maintained his zest for a life. his survival down to a woman who secretly would sometimes Loved and admired by everyone who met him, Alfred made pass him the burnt scrapings from the bottom of the milk pan. an immediate and lasting impression and will be missed by From there he was selected to work in Czestochowianka many. where he unloaded railway wagons, containing iron ore or Hastings and District Jewish Society by Claudette Woolfson The subject matter may form part of the school curriculum For most of June members of the society have helped to run but its message was universal for all to take on board. One the travelling Anne Frank exhibition, which has been based in exhibit stood out in my mind – a screen with changing Hastings. It was housed in the modernistic atrium-style hall of portraits. the new South Coast University campus. The caption underneath asked which of these people are Designed primarily for the younger person, it was informative Jewish. The answer was all of them. How many people in the for all ages. The enlarged photos, with written accounts wider world would have had their assumptions tested by that posted next to them, never failed to impress. question? ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 8 Community life 9 Board of Deputies of British Jews: University College Union (UCU) Update Following the Jewish community’s and the Board’s swift Guildhall, in the historic City of London, was the perfect and resolute condemnation of UCU and the accusation setting on 5 July 2011, as the Board marked the conclusion of of institutional anti-Semitism, the Secretary of State for its 250th Anniversary Celebrations with a Summer Banquet, Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles MP, issued with guests of honour HRH the Prince of Wales and HRH the a strong rebuke to the Union in an article in the Jewish Duchess of Cornwall. Chronicle. During his address, HRH Prince Charles remarked on the The Board, together with the Jewish Leadership Council “deep and vibrant contribution from British Jews to every and the Community Security Trust, applaud the strong sphere of British life: in the arts, sciences and medicine, in response from the Secretary of State and we welcome the trade and commerce.” The Prince also expressed regret that Government’s support for our call to the Equality and Human the contribution of British Jews is not sufficiently known or Rights Commission to investigate institutional anti Semitism celebrated by the public at large. inside UCU. Methodist-Jewish Relations Striding Shechita and the Dutch Bill Forward The Dutch Parliament recently voted to make it compulsory for animals to be stunned before slaughter. Holland now joins The Board co-organised a sell-out fringe event with the Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg and Switzerland in banning Methodist Church and the Council of Christians and Jews, the slaughter of animals according to the method of Shechita. and Board’s Senior Vice President met the new President of the Methodist Conference in the first week of his taking This new piece of Dutch legislation has been passed based office. After serious Methodist-Jewish tensions following the on flawed and unsubstantiated science. Shechita UK, of Methodist Conference in 2010, this represented real progress which the Board is a constituent member, will continue to towards better understanding. offer support to the Jewish community of the Netherlands and will continue to work with other European Jewish lobby The Board has also been active in seeking to build better organisations in an attempt to overturn this damaging piece relations with the Quakers in Britain, following concerns about of legislation. extremist groups using their buildings and the imbalance in their positions on Israel and the Palestinian territories. Whoops!! by Janice Greenwood Sorry, sorry, sorry. It seems that in the I know that self-praise is no recommendation but as the last issue of the Sussex Jewish News following doesn’t concern me personally I will carry on… I am I was a mine of misinformation, with usually to be found at the Helping Hands tea, and know very wrong dates and wrong telephone little about the main workings of our organisation. Recently numbers. I do apologise and can Liz Posner, the “voice” on the telephone helpline, was on only put it down to a series of Senior holiday and I offered to hold the fort for a few days. I was Moments. amazed at the number of calls I took and so impressed by how quickly things were arranged for “clients”. The Helping Hands Bus, which is in regular service these days, taking We have a network of volunteers who are pleased to give up shoppers shopping and “ladies who lunch” lunching can be their time to help get people to hospital appointments etc. If booked by calling the Bus Line on 01273 701467. you would like to be part of this wonderful team please give us a ring on 01273 747722. We are always pleased to hear I understand that a group of people are going to Chichester to from would-be drivers, shoppers or perhaps you could spend see “Singin’ in the Rain”. They have been warned not to get a few minutes visiting one of our house-bound clients. It’s a front row seats or they will get soaked. Perhaps they give out wonderful thing that Liz, Sarah and Liz have set up and all plastic macs. Sounds like a cross between a visit to Niagara credit to them. Falls and the Globe Theatre and yes, I’m only a very slight shade of green! Apparently it is a terrific show. At the time of writing, our next tea is scheduled for Sunday 21 August at the AJEX Centre. 2.30 to 4.30 p.m. Donation £3 The Kiddush given at New Church Road to acknowledge the including raffle. Regular attenders will be contacted by phone. work done by Helping Hands was excellent and very well If you have not been before please join us. Just phone 01273 attended. By the time this issue goes to print, Holland Road 747722 and we will put you on the list. will also have welcomed us to a Kiddush. ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 8 Community life 9 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club by Jackie Tichauer Jewish Refugees from London joined for beginners which are on Thursday June was a busy month for the Lunch us for our lunch, which included salt mornings at 11am. Also don’t forget, and Social Club. On Wednesday 22nd beef and latkes! It was lovely to have if you are interested in your family June there was a fund-raising coffee such a large crowd attending the club, history we will be starting our genealogy morning at Wendy Bloom’s house, which created a vibrant atmosphere, classes in October. with Myra Bianco selling her beautiful and everyone felt very welcomed by our costume jewellery; we also sold home- volunteers and members. After a brief The Club is actively looking for more made cakes and raffle tickets. The trip to look at the sea, they returned and members. If you have an elderly parent coffee morning was well attended and joined us for a sing-along and afternoon or know of someone who you think enjoyed by everyone who came. Many tea and cake. This was an amazing day might enjoy a stimulating and nourishing thanks to Wendy for opening up her and it was really sad to see such a large environment (both physically and lovely house on a rainy morning for crowd get back on their buses back emotionally!) please give me a ring on this occasion – we hope your carpets to London. I would like to thank the 01273 739999, 01273 502929 or 07738 have recovered! Also thanks to Myra volunteers very much for their very hard 760250. Everyone can be sure of a for her generous donation. A big work which helped to make this day run warm welcome and helpers or family thank you also goes to Laura Sharpe so smoothly and successfully. members are also welcome to join us for organising this event and to the and stay as long as they wish. wonderful volunteers for their hard work In June we screened the film ‘Mama and delicious baking. Mia” which was enjoyed by our Please have a look at our web site: members, and in the near future we http://www.webjam.com/lunch_social, We also enjoy entertaining visitors intend to show “The Jazz Singer’ and where you can find further details of our from other areas. On Thursday 23rd ‘Funny Girl”. Owing to popular request programme. June 30 members of the Association of we have now started Bridge classes The Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club programme 10.30-11.00 am Arrival time with coffee/tea and biscuits. Everybody is met at the door and helped with their coats. Newspapers are available or just sit and chat. 11.15-12.15 pm Tuesdays there is a choice of T’ai Chi (a mild exercise class) or a quiz. On Thursdays you can do Yoga or Crosswords, or there is now Bridge for Beginners. 12.30-1.30 pm Three course home-cooked kosher meal (eg vegetable soup, roast chicken and a choice of pudding) 1.30-2.15 pm Discussion Group 1.30-4.00 pm Card players go to the Pink room and play Bridge or Kalooki. 2.15-3.15 pm Entertainments (varies from singers, piano or guitarists etc and members are encouraged to join in) 3.15-3.30 pm Tea/Coffee Biscuits 3.30-4.00 pm Bingo 4.00-4.30 pm Bus arrives to take members home. ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 10 Features 11 One woman’s cancer story by Pat Wakely Approximately two years ago, my niece had to go to a subsequently been back for three appointments to Family Genetics department at her local hospital for a discuss the way forward for myself. I have been seen blood test. She was told that she may have inherited a by a gynaecologist, a clinical psychologist and two faulty gene from her father, my brother, due to the fact genetics specialists. The recommendation is that I that our family are Ashkenazi Jews. The gene is called have my fallopian tubes and ovaries removed as the BRCA2. My brother had a blood test and the result cancer I have already had could return to a “Primary” proved positive, consequently the rest of the family site. I have decided to go ahead with this and am needed to think about whether we should be tested waiting to hear from them regarding a date. or not. If anyone has this gene it means they have a higher risk of getting breast and or ovarian cancer if This all sounds very clinical and straightforward but they are female and prostate cancer if they are male. emotionally, it is a roller coaster not only for myself but My mother died of ovarian cancer and I have had for my daughters - have they inherited the gene and breast cancer, so after some consideration I decided to should they be tested? However, I know that ovarian be tested. cancer is very difficult to detect until it is too late, so in some ways there seems to be little choice in the Having discussed this with my GP I was referred to the matter. I recognise that this could be a challenging Department of Clinical Genetics at Guy’s & St. Thomas article to read, especially if you are Ashkenazi. I would where I was given a blood test and counselling. The recommend anyone to look up the information about result proved to be positive so I was enrolled into their this gene on the internet and due to how it affects you research programme for which there is funding. The and your children, to discuss the seriousness of it with monitoring from this hospital is excellent. I have their GP. ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 Features 11 Breast Cancer in Should I ask my GP to refer me whenever you or your family require families directly to a Regional Genetics it. They have a wealth of up to date Unit? experience and knowledge and are by Gary Rubin and Susan Heard very sensitive to both the long and Not directly. There are specialist short term needs of their patients. For Jewish women who are worried Family History Breast Clinics in all that they may have an increased the NHS hospitals in Sussex and What about children and risk of breast cancer or have your GP should refer to the one teenagers? inherited an abnormal breast cancer most local to you. A consultation at It is natural to worry about your gene, we offer the following advice. the Family History Clinic will provide you with professional advice own children developing breast cancer if you have been told you Should I go to my GP? tailored to you and your family. You will be seen by a Specialist Nurse are at an increased risk or that You should go to your GP for a Practitioner with genetics training, you have inherited a faulty gene. referral to your local Breast Unit if who will assess whether or not Be reassured that breast cancer you have any concerns about your your risk of breast cancer is higher almost never occurs in children or family history. However it is worth because of your family history and teenagers. You will be given ample pointing out that in the general whether further action is needed. advice and support at all stages population breast cancer is the regarding your children’s needs, most common type of cancer in You may be offered extra both from local and regional Breast women in the UK. So even if you do mammographic screening over Clinics. have a relative with the disease it and above that provided by the doesn’t necessarily mean that you NHSBSP (National Health Service What else can I do? are more likely to get breast cancer Breast Screening Programme) All women should be ‘Breast aware’ yourself. Most breast cancers which screens all women in the U.K. and go to their GP if they notice are not due to inherited (genetic) regardless of their family history, any changes or anything unusual factors, so if your relative’s breast every 3 years from the age of 50. in either breast or armpit. They will cancer is in the non-inherited group then be referred to a local a Breast then this does not increase your You may also be offered the Unit within two weeks. We advise risk. opportunity to be seen in a Regional Genetic Unit in London, where all women to attend their NHSBSP mammogram appointments when The problem is that it is difficult a more in depth analysis of your invited. to be sure whether a cancer in a individual case may be carried out. relative is due to inherited factors. This may result in genetic testing We advise Jewish women to see and/or participation in research Dr. Gary Rubin is a consultant their GP. There are a small number studies involving both the Jewish radiologist X-ray department Royal of families who will be at a high and non-Jewish population. These Sussex County Hospital. Susan risk because they carry certain studies may be linked to other Heard is a nurse practitioner, Park faulty genes which are found in major London hospitals such as Centre for Breast Care, Brighton. some Jewish people more than the The Royal Marsden and University general population, although still in College London. very small numbers. If there is a faulty gene in the family Further resources are available at: The common breast cancer genes this can be inherited from either s are called BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 parent. Men with an abnormal gene s and if you are found to have a fault rarely develop breast cancer but are ucl.ac.uk/academic_research/ (mutation) in either of these you will able to pass it on to their children. gynaecologicalcancer/gcrc/ have a higher risk of developing It is therefore important to consider gcapps/lay/ breast and sometimes ovarian both paternal and maternal family s cancer. This is more likely if you history equally. (If there is a man in cancer/cancer-questions/is-there- have a close blood relative with the family with breast cancer, he a-link-between-breast-cancer- breast cancer on either your mother is more likely to have a faulty gene and-jewish-origin and has links to or father’s side, particularly if they than a woman with breast cancer.) the National Institute of Clinical developed breast cancer at an Excellence early age. If there is more than one You will be offered a high level of s relative who has been affected or support both from the local Breast s if there is also a history of ovarian Clinics and the Regional Genetic allows you to calculate your level cancer, then the risk is greater. Units, the professional teams from both work closely with each other of risk and will provide help and advice ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 12Stolpersteine What are Stolpersteine? Stolpersteine – stumbling stones - are the brainchild of a Cologne artist Gunter Demnig and are individual memorials to victims of the Holocaust. Small brass plaques laid in the pavement outside houses read “Here lived…”, followed by a name and date of birth. Then: “deported on…” followed by “murdered… [name of concentration camp]”. They are designed to be stumbled upon and remind the passer by of the terrible past and that the victims lived and walked where the reader is now. Over 27,000 have been laid so far, usually at the request of current inhabitants of the houses. Hugo and Flora attention, I think she felt that this evening my mother looked at the long was, finally, after so many years, an table set for dinner for 24 people and Phillips opportunity to say goodbye to her said “This is how it was for Seder.” parents. She did not go alone; four The next day was the actual dedication by Miriam Book generations of the descendants of ceremony. Those involved in the Hugo and Flora Philips travelled undertaking spoke of the need to On a sunny March weekend this year together to Berlin to the dedication commemorate the past as a warning my mother, Ilse Newton, nee Philips, ceremony of the stones. We went to to the future and of their wish for stood on a Berlin pavement outside support her, to pay our own tributes reconciliation. her childhood home in 12 Gieselerstrasse. It A piano and flute concerto was the first time she was played and through tears, had stood there for the inhabitants read out the nearly 72 years when plaques outside their homes she left her home and and placed white roses beside parents to take the the stones. I spoke on behalf of Kindertransport to the family explaining that Hugo England and safety. & Flora Philips were ordinary Since that time she had German citizens who happened adamantly refused to to be Jewish. Both their families return. had lived in the Rhineland for hundreds of years. What changed her mind? By a circuitous My grandfather served his route the present day country in the trenches of the inhabitants of the flats First World War, they belonged where she had lived to a B’nei B’rith lodge and managed to contact the attended the Prinzregentstrasse family to tell us that they synagogue which no longer had laid Stolpersteine exists. Then we said Kaddish outside the building to commemorate and to bear witness that “Am Yisroel and put stones on the plaques. The her parents and other inhabitants of Chai” – the people of Israel live. long ensuing silence was broken by the building who had been victims of It was a memorable weekend. We the babbling of 10 month old Maya, the Nazis. received wonderful hospitality from the the great-great granddaughter of Hugo current inhabitants of the building, who and Flora, the voice of the future for It was the personal nature of this had carried through the project and their family. memorial that caught my mother’s managed to track us down. On the first ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 Stolpersteine 13 Jenny Dreifuss and family had moved across the by Doris Levinson border to France and her brother (my father) had emigrated to England. It was by sheer coincidence that Since then, of course, with our being my cousin’s son Marc, who lives in the next generation, our names Strasbourg, had changed through was surfing the marriage. internet and noticed that It was Klaus Riebel and the name of his wife, both of them my aunt Jenny teachers at the school Dreifuss came and members of the up as having a Mannheim Friends of Stolpersteine Israel, who had inspired set in her some of the pupils to memory in research and prepare the city of a ‘Book of Life’ for my Mannheim. late aunt. Its public emotional and traumatic time for us Our family had presentation took both. never been place on 27 January In fact, Jenny Dreifuss, my late aunt, contacted and 2008 at the city of was one of the eight Mannheim were not aware that Jenny had been Mannheim’s Holocaust Jewish citizens who felt it was more commemorated in this way. Memorial Day event. He and the honourable to take the ultimate step headmistress of the school organised themselves on 22 October 1940, I had planned to visit my cousin the Stolpersteine to be laid outside than the degradation of being taken Laure early in May. She lives in the main entrance to the school by by the Nazis on the following day Wissembourg, a beautiful little Alsace the artist Gunther Demnig, and here for deportation to the concentration town east of Strasbourg and on a dedication to honour her memory camps. the French/German border. I was took place. determined to find out more and In 1933 she had come under to visit the memorial site with her. I Of course when they heard that we Hitler’s dictat that, as a Jew, she read on the Mannheim website that were coming, Klaus immediately was not a suitable person to teach a Stolpersteine had indeed been laid invited us for lunch, but we declined, German children and was therefore thanking him for his generosity, as dismissed. However, as there were we felt that we could not insist on the still some Jewish children at the school providing a kosher meal for school, she was reinstated in 1936, us. But we did agree to a nice cup of but with heavy restrictions and severe coffee in the canteen. discrimination, her life as an upright and honest German Jewish citizen Laure and I were absolutely had become for her quite unbearable. overwhelmed by the welcome that There were just thirteen pupils left we received and to hear how much in her class in the Elisabeth-Schule our aunt had been venerated and and the title of her last lesson was on loved by her pupils. We were shown the subject of ‘Shame’. It is recorded the Book of Life and introduced to that, after a lively and interesting the teachers and the students who discussion, she ended the lesson with in memory of my aunt Jenny in 2008 had done the research. Amazingly, these last words, “But one day all 13 in front of the main entrance of the they had received a letter from of you will feel ashamed, because all Elisabeth-Gymnasium (previously one of Jenny’s pupils who was of you are decent people.” known as the Elisabeth-Schule) still alive saying in glowing terms where she had been a professor of what an exceptionally talented and languages from 1933 onwards. I inspirational teacher Jenny had been. contacted the headmistress of the We were shown round the school and school who was overjoyed to hear then taken to the Glas Kubus (a huge from us and could not wait to see glass cube) situated in the centre of us. The teachers were so happy to Mannheim, on which are inscribed learn that members of Jenny’s family 2000 names of the Jews from that still existed, despite all the research city who had died at the hands of the that they had done to try and trace Nazis, my aunt’s among them. We them in 2007. It had proved to be an also went to the Jewish cemetery impossible task in view of the fact to say Kaddish at the gravestone that Jenny never married, her sister where Jenny is buried. It was a very ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 14Culture Sir Sydney Samuelson: a President of what was then to be called the Brighton Jewish fitting tribute Film Festival. He was keen to get involved since he had been brought up in Lancing, and his early passion for film had been The British Cinema and born and nurtured in this region.” Television Veterans (BCTV), During those early Brighton years Sir Sydney was a real ‘star’! established in 1921 in Not only did he bring such celebrities as, Jack Rosenthal, recognition of cinema’s Miriam Margolyes, Zoe Wanamaker and Stephen Fry to our founding father William city for his special film festival interviews - but he went that Friese-Green, is hosting a bit further and personally travelled on the train to Brighton special event for the UK film bringing with him a full set of lights to be used for his Duke industry on Thursday 22 of York’s interviews! That was above and beyond the call September 2011 to salute of duty but he was, and still is, a perfectionist where film is the work and commitment to concerned. the British film industry of Sir Sydney Samuelson CBE. Over the years as the Festival has changed and developed, Sydney has become a friend as well as a loyal supporter of “In January1997,” recalls what is now the UK Jewish Film Festival. We meet regularly Judy Ironside, founder for lunch and he is always full of good advice and anecdotes of the UK Jewish Film Festival, “I approached Sir Sydney about the world of film. We rarely hold an event without Samuelson CBE with trepidation, since I knew that he was Sydney gracing us with his presence and he is now our one of the legends of the UK film industry and I was just Honorary Lifetime Patron and this remains a huge honour. He starting out and knew very little about film. Sir Sydney was deserves all the tributes and all the admiration and affection totally charming and immediately agreed to become the first and we wish him well, always. JACS Israel she heard of a Jewish boy in Bosnia who was trying by Nina Taylor , Hon. Chairman to get help for his wounded grandfather. This was when the In spite of adverse weather in June, our friends in JACS Serbs and Croats were at war. Sally tried to get to Bosnia but supported a Hat Debate and a Musical Afternoon presented had trouble getting a visa, however Rabbi Collick was able to by Barbara Blume, which as usual included her favourites arrange a visa and she went to the Jewish quarter in Mostar. from the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. She also saw many Muslim children who had been wounded and traumatised by the war. After many adventures, being Ian Gledhill gave us a wonderful history of the Crystal Palace, fired on by snipers and having difficulty with the language, built in Hyde Park in 1851, to show the wonders of “the Sally was able to evacuate some of the children with their Empire”. The site was near a complex of museums. The mothers. She then came back to England to raise money for Palace was closed after six months and moved, all 900,000ft ambulances and medical supplies, and for volunteers to help of glass and iron structure, to Sydenham. Although millions her. The Evening Argus and The Daily Mirror raised funds of people went to visit the Palace, it went bankrupt due to the which enabled her to go back to Bosnia to continue her work enormous costs of the upkeep. The then Mayor of London there. took it over and it became the Imperial War Museum in 1924 but burnt down in 1936. We have another varied programme for this coming month. Come and visit us and for a modest fee, join us. You can be We were privileged to be visited by Sally Becker “the Angel sure of a warm welcome. We meet at the AJEX Centre every of Mostar”. Sally told us that when working as a volunteer in Wednesday afternoon at 2.00 pm. ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 14 Culture 15 Leon discovers his real father As a change, after several Israeli films, the next screening by Non-members are always the Sussex Jewish Film Club will be the English comedy film: welcome at the Club on the Leon The Pig Farmer (99 mins), on Sunday 18th September, basis of a donation (free to Ralli 7.00 for 7.30 pm as usual, at Ralli Hall. It stars Mark Frankel, Hall members and to full-time Janet Suzman and Brian Glover. students). Leon is a Jewish estate agent who, during a routine check-up at an infertility clinic, discovers that due to a mix-up his Our remaining dates for 2011 biological father is not quite as Jewish as he’d thought and are as follows: is in fact a Yorkshire pig farmer! Despite their differences Leon is welcomed into the family but loyalties are torn when 13 November – Waltz with Bashir (Israel, 90 mins) – he accidentally breeds the first kosher pig.... Come and find NOTE CHANGE OF DATE (no film in October now) out what happens (or enjoy again if you’ve seen this hilarious comedy before). 18 December – The Jazz Singer (USA, 110 mins) We never close! Most regular groups stop for a summer break during August – except one, the HOVE ISRAELI DANCE GROUP! We meet every Tuesday at Ralli Hall, 7.45 – 9.45 pm, all the year round except when the building is closed for holidays. Dancing is a wonderful way of keeping fit and having fun, so why not come along and give us a try over the coming weeks? You pay by the session: £3 for Ralli Hall members, £4 for others. We’re a mixed bunch of Jewish and non-Jewish people, of varying ages and both sexes, at all dancing stages from beginners to very experienced. The group has been going for 15 years but of course there’s been some change of membership over that time. We dance a variety of Israeli dances to a huge range of wonderful Israeli music, both old and new. We Israeli dancing join-in session at Council of Christians & Jews garden party, have dances for all tastes, all moods, and all levels of Rottingdean, 10 July 2011 (photos by Howard Fitzgerald) ability. Every dance has its own steps so there’s quite a lot to learn, especially for beginners. But nobody wants to be find some familiar steps like ‘grapevines’ (but we call them learning all evening, so sometimes we just get up and dance ‘mayim’ after the Israeli dance of that name). and those who don’t yet know the dances can just muddle along or relax for a while and watch. And we don’t expect perfection - although of course we do try to get things right if we can. We’re amateurs and we We also socialise - there’s always time for a joke between dance just because we love it. Most of the dances don’t need dances and a chat during the break. partners - everybody just joins in. The few couple dances we We don’t aim to be a ‘performance’ group, although we’re do don’t involve intimate clutches so we just pair up as we always happy to organise join-in sessions at other people’s please. events. For example, we regularly organise a join-in session We know not everyone can make it every week, but obviously at the summer garden party of the local Council of Christians the more often people come, the quicker they learn and are & Jews (see photo). then able to move on to more dances. There are thousands You don’t need to have previous dancing experience, of Israeli dances - we’re really pushed on Tuesday evenings although it does help to know your left foot from your right! deciding which ones not to do! When we have absolute beginners we do mostly easy dances If you’re new, it’s best to tell us in advance that you’re and we repeat them over the following weeks so that new coming. Here are three contact names and numbers: Ella dancers get the chance to memorise them. Of course any (07766 877613), Jacky (01273 688538) and Nicola (01273 dance experience is always an advantage and if you’ve ever 10682) – we’ll all be happy to help and to welcome you. done circle, folk, or line dancing even better, as you’d Maybe see you at an Israeli dancing session sometime soon? ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 16BHHC 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 Sussex Cheder ends academic year on New pupils, reception age and upwards are welcome. Please high note contact Rabbi Rader on 0777 565 3897 or rabbibhhc@gmail. com Sussex Cheder concluded another successful year on Sunday 17 July, with its Annual Prize Giving to all children as Sussex Cheder offers a varied curriculum of both academic well as a play and songs by the children. The academic year and practical content. Attendance is free to members of the formally ended with our Annual Barbeque. Thanks are due Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation. The new Cheder year to the teaching staff of Mrs Perla Rader, Mushka and Tzippi begins on Sunday 18 September. Rader, Shaina Efune and Gabi Markham. Services and Special Events – August 2011 Weekdays Shacharit services are held in the Bais Hamidrash in conjunction with Hove Hebrew Congregation (Holland Road) on Mondays and Thursdays at 7.30 am and on Sundays at 8.30 am. As Monday 1 August is Rosh Chodesh, Shacharit will begin at 7.15am. Shabbat During the summer Friday night services, followed by a Kiddush, take place at 7.30pm. Candle lighting is at 7.50pm. Shabbat morning services, also followed by Kiddush, are at 9.15am. Shabbat afternoons begin with the Rabbi’s Shiur which is then followed by Mincha, Seudah and Maariv at the following times: • Parshat Devarim – 6 August beginning at 7.40 pm with Maariv at 8.10 pm • Parshat Va’etchanan –13 August beginning at 7.30 pm with Maariv at 8.00 pm • Parshat Eikev – 20 August beginning at 7.15 pm with Maariv at 7.45 pm • Parshat Re’eh – 27 August beginning at 7.00 pm with Maariv at 7.30 pm Tisha B’Av Tisha B’Av is a day of mourning and repentance on which we recall the destruction of the First and Second Temples, and other tragic events in Jewish History that took place on this day. By carefully observing the laws and customs instituted by our Sages, we are able to feel the full impact of what we have lost. We also come to contemplate our individual and national shortcomings, which have prolonged our exile, and renew our personal and collective effort to merit the building of the Third Temple. The Fast of Tisha B’Av takes place on Monday 8 August & Tuesday 9 August beginning at 8.35 pm on Monday and ending at 9.14 pm on Tuesday. There will be a service on Monday evening beginning with Mincha at 8.15pm followed by Maariv and Eichah, the Book of Lamentations. Shacharit on Tuesday morning will commence at 6.30am and Mincha on Tuesday afternoon will be at 7.30pm. In the merit of mourning properly over Jerusalem, may we be rewarded to rejoice in its rebuilding! ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 16 HHC Rabbi Vivian Silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com 17 The Jews of England (1656 – 66) Jacob Sasportas, rabbi to the community, who returned to Amsterdam during the great plague of 1665, wrote to Joshua Pardo by Rabbi Vivian Silverman (translated into English): “We live at a time when God has seen fit to ameliorate the condition of His people – in that we are free to The Jewish community of pre-expulsion England, which had practise our own true religion – a written statement was issued from arrived with William of Normandy in 1066, was expelled by an edict him (Charles II) duly signed affirming that no untoward measure had of Edward I, signed on 18 July 1290. The date corresponded with been or would be initiated against us and that we should not look the saddest day in the Jewish calendar – 9 Av (Tisha B’Av). It would towards any protector other than his majesty.” be another 366 years before Jews were unofficially welcome in the country again. This all confirms the fair-mindedness of King Charles, “the merry monarch” and his advisors towards the newly established Sefardi Rabbi Menashe Ben Israel petitioned Oliver Cromwell to let the community. In 2022 the Jewish people will have been domiciled in Jews return, and the following year (1656) the first families of England for 366 years. Sefardi merchants from Amsterdam, who already traded with London, began to settle permanently in the capital. Cromwell died in 1658, and two years later Charles I’s son returned Diary for August as King Charles II. Immediately warrants were issued for those Monday 1 Rosh Chodesh Av regicides still alive who had signed the death warrant for Charles I in 1649. Tuesday 9 Tisha B’Av Then questions began to be asked about the Jews who had fast begins at 8.37 pm on Monday night recently taken up residence in London. Had they not been allowed fast ends at 9.24 pm on Tuesday night back by that arch regicide Oliver Cromwell? The new king was petitioned to remove them from the realm (30 November 1660). Monday 15 Tu B’Av (Jewish Valentines’s Day) Wednesday 31 Rosh Chodesh Elul – Shofar Blown When the tiny Jewish community realized this they began to feel very agitated, especially when London merchants demanded that heavy taxes be imposed on them, and that those who did Diary for September not possess a licence to live in England be expelled. Fortunately, Tuesday 6 Ladies Discussion Circle, 10.30 am parliament was satisfied to let the whole matter rest without further followed by Talmud Shiur at 11.00 am enquiry. 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. Join us for our glatt kosher June/July tour of “Mystical Ireland” 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/ ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 18BHPS 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 19 Tishah B’Av – A day to remember our suffering – and the suffering of others? August 6th and 9th 1945, shouldn’t all the peoples of the world be observing these anniversaries? by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah This year, Tishah B’Av, the day which commemorates destruction And what about us? Having endured more catastrophes than any of the first and second Temples, falls on August 9th – the other people, we might feel that the immensity of our suffering anniversary of the atomic bombing of the Japanese city of leaves little room for the suffering of another people. On the other Nagasaki in 1945, which, finally, precipitated the end of World hand, we might argue that it is because we have endured so War II. much pain that we are able to feel more keenly the pain of others. Certainly, the Torah urges us to draw on our own experience to The Americans dropped the first atomic bomb on the Japanese reach out to others in distress: ‘You shall not oppress a stranger; city of Hiroshima three days earlier on August 6th. As we are you know the nefesh – the inner being – of the stranger, seeing aware, those bombings caused destruction on a completely you were strangers the land of Egypt’ (Exodus 23:9). Of course, unprecedented scale – as well as hundreds of thousands of we must remember our own particular history of churban – deaths. In addition, the survivors, not only suffered terrible destruction – but does that mean we should remain exclusively injuries, but also fell victim to the toxic effects of radiation, preoccupied with our own suffering? which then continued to blight the lives of their children and grandchildren… Significantly, a global century of destruction was ushered in around Tishah B’Av, with the outbreak of the First World War in The Japanese people will be marking those devastating events, late July /early August 1914. And so, it seems that Tishah B’Av both in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and throughout has become an appropriate day to commemorate, both, our Japan. And no doubt, this year the commemorations will have an people’s long history of suffering, and momentous devastating added poignancy, following the tsunamis in north-eastern Japan events in the life of humanity – not least, during the 20th century. in February, and the subsequent nuclear fallout at the nuclear The service which BHPS will be holding at 8pm on Erev Tishah plants that were damaged by the tsunamis. But surely, in the B’Av (08.08) will include both these aspects of remembrance. All global nuclear age, which began with the atomic bombings of are welcome to attend. Our Life is a Cabaret by Sarah Winstone On Saturday 2nd July we held our annual cabaret, which gave great enjoyment to over 80 people. With 15 different acts of all ages we enjoyed watching singers, instrumentalists and even a play by the children of our Religion School. We heard classical opera and West End show music. Harry Atkins performed a scene from “Joseph” with our young performers and Anne Carr did a fantastic job as compere. For the finale, our own talented young musician Joshua Winstone had written a song all about our synagogue called “Our BHPS” which reminded us that we are about to begin the first phase of the major redevelopment of our building. It was very inspiring and emotional to see all the performers singing along to this while Joshua played the piano. With a standing ovation at the end everyone had the most fantastic time. Keep a watch for details of our next performance! Project Going Places Forthcoming Events Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue is delighted to have Pimms on the Prom exchanged contracts (completion 24 October) on the sale of Sunday 28th August at 6 pm - Norma Waring is opening her beach hut for a the rear section of their building (Archie Fay House) to a private Pimms evening. There will be Pimms, soft drinks and snacks. The hut is at the buyer. bottom of Hove Street South. Do come and meet old friends and make new friends beside the seaside. Donation £5. For further details ring the synagogue The capital raised from the sale will help fund the redevelopment office. 01273 737223 of a fully accessible, energy-efficient, attractive synagogue for our growing membership, and provide a progressive Jewish cultural High Holyday Tickets focus for Sussex and the south coast. The work is expected to Non-member tickets for High Holyday services cost £50 and are available take a year. from the synagogue office. Students and members of other Liberal and Reform synagogues are free, but for security purposes please contact the office. Shabbat morning and festival services and cheder will be held Members of other local synagogues are welcome to visit us on production of at Ralli Hall courtesy of the Board, to whom we are extremely their synagogue High Holyday tickets. grateful. Shabbat evening services will be held in members’ homes. Details of the rebuilding and all other activities will be Erratum posted on our website at www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue. org.uk. Last issue, Rabbi Sarah’s article contained an inadvertent reprint of the first line from another article the previous month. Her article should have begun with the words “I had a dream in the early hours of the morning...” The Editorial Board apologises for this error. ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 18 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 19 A busy summer by Rabbi Charles Wallach our AJEX Hall, was enjoyed by many. This was followed by Whilst normally quiet, this summer at BHRS seems to be the Shabbat Eve service, which was geared to the children. amongst the busiest times. For adults, a Quiz has been Then, on the Sunday, we held our annual prize giving. Each organised for 7th August. These are always very popular of the 37 children who have attended this school year occasions and if you wish to spend a summer Sunday received a certificate, whilst ten of them were presented with evening in this delectable way, bookings will still happily be further awards. I am delighted to say that most of these had taken. been donated by members of the congregation. In addition, At the children’s level we have seen much activity over the special thanks were expressed to the teachers and trainees last few weekends of the Cheder year. On 18 June we and helpers, to Melanie Firsht as Chair of the Parents and celebrated the bar mitzvah of Archie Charach. Archie did to Laura Topper, who co-ordinates our once a month Kids’ himself really proud on the day, and it was lovely to see him Club. Particular thanks were given to Barbara Blume who has and his family the following week among the party of over retired after teaching both children and adults for 40 years, 33 thirty that gathered at the Jewish Museum in Camden. in our congregation. Following the prize giving, the families moved across to nearby St. Anne’s Well Gardens for a lovely The renewed museum is a sight to behold and includes a “picnic in the park”. programme geared to the youth. Our youngsters had a ball dressing up in costumes, using the equipment in vogue a In late August we will be celebrating five successive century or so ago, and participating in a “hands on” learning Shabbatot with our bnei mitzvah Noah Williams, Lauren experience. The families then enjoyed a picnic in nearby Gardner, James Seltzer, Ariel LeRoy and Sophie Lincoln. Regent’s Park, taking advantage of a pleasant change in As is our wont, we offer our youngsters encouragement by the weather. The outing was a huge success, and thanks allowing them to participate in the Shabbat services. This has are due in particular to Melanie Firsht, Chair of the Parents’ been a great success in helping them become familiar with Committee and to the staff at the museum. the service and its rituals, and will undoubtedly help them for their own big day. In wishing them mazel tov, we salute The first weekend in July saw a formal end to the Cheder them and their families – and hope of course that the sense of year. On the Friday evening a Shabbat Eve dinner, held in camaraderie that has developed amongst them will remain. Cheder goes to Jewish Museum Bulletin Board for August 2011 by Oliver Harris On Sunday 26 June twelve children from Cheder went Wednesdays JACS, 2.00 pm, AJEX Hall accompanied by parents, grandparents, teachers, Rabbi, Tuesday 2 Discussion Group, 12.30 pm and others all the way to London to go to the Jewish Saturday 6 Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am Museum. Upon arrival David Jacobs from MRJ led us to the museum and, from there, to a room where Judith Vanderveld Sunday 7 Function Committee Quiz Supper, 7.00 pm introduced us to the museum. This was a first visit for Sunday 21 Helping Hands Tea, 2.30 pm, AJEX Hall everyone. It was such an impressive experience for adults and children. Judith conducted a great workshop including performances by the children at the end, so good in fact, that many of the parents simply stayed with the workshop! Just as the visit BHRS QUIZ NIGHT finished there was a local power cut and for security reasons the Museum had to close. But we happily adjourned to including Israeli supper Regents Park and enjoyed a picnic in the sunshine. It was all a great success. Everyone would like to make a return visit. Sunday 7 August 2011 7.00 pm £10 per person, 10% discount for tables of 6 or more Please call the Shul office for tickets Presented by the Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Functions Committee ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 20 What’s on: August/September 2011 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Email: info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org SHABBAT SHALOM – BRIGHTON TIMES In Light Candles Out Havdalah Fri 5 August 8.23 pm Sat 6 9.38 pm Fri 12 8.11 pm Sat 9 9.23 pm Grodzinki’s challot and Fri 19 7.57 pm Sat 20 9.07 pm Fri 26 7.43 pm Sat 27 8.51 pm rye bread are available from Premier Convenience Fri 2 September 7.28 pm Sat 3 8.35 pm Fri 9 7.12 pm Sat 10 8.18 pm Stores in Hove Street Fri 16 6.56 pm Sat 17 8.02 pm every Thursday morning Fri 23 6.41 pm Sat 24 7.45 pm until supplies run out. SPECIAL DATES Tuesday 9 Tisha b’Av EVENTS FOR AUGUST REGULAR ACTIVITIES ¢ J:Tots – for parents, toddlers, grandparents and carers - is held monthly at Ralli Sundays Hall.For information regarding the next session, please e-mail Rachel at jtots@ rocketmail.com or ring 01273 204334. ¢ Carmel Tennis Club 10.00 am-12.00 noon. Weekly. ¢ Chutzpah Singers on holiday until September All levels welcome. Tel: Leon on 07717 222744 ¢ Jewish Arts Society on holiday until 14 September Mondays Saturday 13 ¢ The Ethics of our Fathers with Rabbi Efune 11.30- ¢ Concert with Polina & Merlin Shepherd – 3.00 – 6.00 pm, MS Centre, Southwick, £7.50 to include refreshments. Chutzpah Singers singing in second half. 12.30 pm Chabad House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove. Tickets must be booked in advance £7.50 from 01273 400914/01273 592284. Tel: 01273 321919 ¢ Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Tel: Reba 01444 Monday 15 410435 ¢ SARID (Brighton Group) – Shirley Huberman. 10.45 am A film presentation of “The Boys”. In tribute to the late Alfred Huberman, one of “The Boys” Tea ¢ Rubber and Duplicate Bridge 1.30-4.30 pm £2.00. Coffee and light refreshments. Donation £1.50. RH Tel: Fausta Shelton 01273 Tel: Reba 01444 410435 734648. ¢ Contemporary Basic Talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men Wednesday 17 only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 ¢ JACS – Hat Debate. ¢ Tanya (Kabbalah) Learning Group with Penina Efune - Ladies only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 Sunday 21 321919 ¢ Helping Hands Tea – 2.30 pm AJEX Hall Tuesdays Sunday 28th ¢ Pimms on the Prom – (Norma Waring’s beach hut, bottom of Hove Street) 6.00 ¢ Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm pm. Donation £5. Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly RH ¢ Art in the studio with Martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH E VENTS FOR SEPTEMBER ¢ Wednesday 7 Israeli Dancing 7.45 pm-9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 RH ¢ JACS – Guest Speaker Heather Woodward “Igtham Mote: Life Upstairs Downstairs”. Wednesdays Saturday 10 ¢ Art in the studio with Martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH ¢ Mikveh Moonlight Walk – for ladies only along Hove Promenade. For more ¢ JACS at the AJEX Centre 2.00 pm, Eaton Road, details and Registration/Sponsorship Form contact Penina 01273 321919 or mrsefune@hotmail.com Hove - £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members. Wednesday 14 Thursdays ¢ JACS – Guest Speaker Karen Antoni ¢ Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Weekly Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Sunday 18 ¢ Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at ¢ Sussex Jewish Film Club at Ralli Hall – ’Leon the Pig Farmer’ 7.00 for 7.30 pm Chabad House. 01273 321919. Monday 19 ¢ SARID (Brighton Group) – Rob Lowe. 10.45am A musical presentation on Gilbert and Sullivan. Tea Coffee and light refreshments. Donation £1.50.RH Tel: Fausta Shelton 01273 734648. COMMUNITY EVENTS – Wednesday 21 IMPORTANT REMINDER ¢ JACS – by popular demand, video presentation ‘That’s Entertainment’ Part 2 Contact the Communal Diary before Wednesday 28 planning your events! Email: info@ ¢ JACS – no meeting, Erev Rosh Hashana sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Advance Notice: JACS Winter Holiday Break in Eastbourne, 4-8 December. Enquires to Hon. Secretary Janice Greenwood 01273 772812 ISSUE 211 | AUGUST 2011 -
Issue 205
February 2011
SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS Whats WHAT’S INSIDE.... MITZVAH DAY AWARD | MOSSAD SPIES | MOSTAR | WHAT’S ON | AND MORE WWW.SUSSEXJEWISHNEWS.COM | £2 | FEBRUARY 2011 | SHEVAT/ADAR 1 5771 • ISSUE 205 2 Pause for thought 3 We wish a refuah shelaimah to Arizona February Blahs; the Winter Blues; or Seasonal congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who, last Affective Disorder or SAD. Instead, it is a time to month, was attacked and shot in the head. When get angry. this act was somehow connected to the Tea Party’s objectives against Democratic rivals, with Whether such statements are erroneous or a map showing targets in the crosshairs of a rifle trivialise our history, our standing or our value, no less, Sarah Palin pleaded for people to stop it is our duty to refute them. It is for everyone’s the “blood libel” against her. In so doing Ms Palin benefit for if we are complacent and permit the has trivialised inaccuracies Jewish iF we ARe comPlAcent And PeRmit the and falsehoods, history and then we cannot inAccuRAcies And FAlsehoods, then we cAnnot antisemitism complain when and used it comPlAin when otheRs Believe them. others believe for her own them. We must purposes. One has to question whether there is stand up for what is right and true. a difference between this and the rhetoric that regularly issues from Iran. We hope Sarah Palin’s ignorant use of language will serve as a call to action for our community It is a time of year when many succumb to to better defend itself against those who would depression after the lack of sunlight of the past trivialise Jewish history, the Jewish people and/or few months. There are many names for it: the the Jewish nation. SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, ADmInIsTRATOR Ivor Sorokin announcements, people, congregations, communitites, contacts and more. Delivered at the start of each month, ADmIn AssIsTAnT Gweni Sorokin SJN is run entirely by volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating each edition that has become the cornerstone of COmmunITy IssuEs Laura Sharpe the Jewish community across the region. COmmunAL DIARy Angela Goldman diary@sussexjewishnews.com COVER PHOTOGRAPHy Sophie Sheinwald EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt / Ivor Miskin / David Seidel PRODuCTIOn/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 10 FEBRUARY 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. 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 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 2 contents 3 sussex jewish news FeAtuRes Po Box 2178 hove Bn3 3sZ 1 uP FRont Rabbi Silverman greets Rabbi Efune with his telephone: 07906 955 404 new Sefer Torah at Hove Hebrew Congregation e-mail editor@sussexjewishnews.com 8 sPotliGht on isRAel British Olim, How to Understand Israel and Mossad Vultures 11 mostAR Sally Becker brings us up to date 16 on the BAcK More on the arrival of the new Sefer Torah ReGulARs 4 RememBeRinG... Buddy Simmons z”l and Alvin Noah z”l 5 YouR news & views 6 communitY liFe News from across the county 8 FRom AQuARius to the Fish Astrologer Val Aviv looks at the stars 11 cultuRe Film and more 15 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 12 BRiGhton & hove PRoGRessive sYnAGoGue Renovations and Additional Inscriptions Home Visits by Appointment 13 BRiGhton & hove ReFoRm sYnAGoGue Brochure on request 14 BRiGhton & hove heBRew conGReGAtion 01273 885874 mobile: 0776 951 5045 ngrant37@gmail.com 14 hove heBRew conGReGAtion 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 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 4 Remembering 5 maurice “Buddy” simmons He leaves his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Jean, four children; Pamela, Diana, Stephen and Andrew and ten Obituary by his family grandchildren; Alexander, Olivia, Shaul, Hava, Atara, Avigail, Jessica, Jacqueline, Katie, Drew and eight great- grandchildren; Anna, Sophia, Dillon, Zak, Amber, Noam, Shoham and Noya. We are all proud of him and he will be greatly missed but never forgotten. obituary for Alvin noah Helping Hands was introduced to Alvin Noah when he had recently moved down to Brighton from London with his lovely wife June. From the moment HH and Alvin met it was a perfect match and he became one of our most important volunteers. Alvin was at all times obliging, courteous, cheerful and was always happy to answer calls from HH, even if he was walking along the sea front or finishing his regular swim. He It is with great sadness that we report the passing, on very rarely turned down a job and was always on hand to Shabbat, Vayishlach, 20th November 2010 at the age of 85 help in any way he could. Not only was Alvin one of our most competent and busy bus drivers, he also looked after the years, of our friend and regular contributor Maurice Simmons. administration for our monthly teas. He became a qualified first-aider after he and June attended our successful and Dad would have described himself as a simple often hilarious First Aid course. unsophisticated graduate of the school of life. Like so many of his generation he followed a path to Brighton via Alvin was integral to the success of our Pub Quiz held last his family’s immigration from Eastern Europe to London’s October, driving the bus throughout the evening, always East End and his own upbringing in Stamford Hill. There he with a smile, even when he got stuck in someone’s drive in became a vibrant, enthusiastic member of the Jewish youth Henfield. club and made many lifelong friends. Later, when married and a self-made businessman in Hove, he was known for We were looking forward to working with him on a new project for Helping Hands this year. his acumen (at one time he had 10 dry cleaning shops in the area). He will be very sadly missed. We wish June and all the family Long Life. Quite late, he discovered a natural flair for story-writing. His colourful life in an evolving Jewish immigrant community was often a source of inspiration for his humorous stories and poems (to be published). He became a regular contributor to this publication, the JC and the Argus. Such was his fun- loving eye for a story that it wasn’t unusual for the Argus to ring him on a slow news day and ask if he had any ideas for them! His fervour and talent for working his multi award-winning organic allotment helped grace our and many other tables and Succahs. Only a few weeks before his death he invested an inspiring amount of energy in creating a competition to guess the weight of a heavy home-grown pumpkin which he and his army of helpers ran to raise over £1500 for the Martlets Hospice. Maurice, Buddy, darling husband, wonderful father, father- in-law and dearest grandfather and great-grandfather - you were, above all, a family man, supporting and guiding us through our lives, and a unique member and friend of our community: your wise words of advice, great humour and charitable nature have left an indelible imprint on our lives. issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 4 Your news & views 5 Births • Mazeltov to Jodie and Marc on the birth of Elliott Leo. Proud Thank You grandparents Lisa & David Graham and great-grandparents I would like to thank everybody who so kindly sent Beryl & Mef Sharpe and Leslie Graham. flowers, plants, cards and so many good wishes, whether by phone or internet, for my birthday and my • Mazeltov to Norina Duke on the birth of her 4th recent operation. (Both on the same day!) I was very granddaughter, Leia Grace Doukakis, first baby for Alex and touched by them and I am very grateful to you all. Rebecca. Ann Crook special birthdays Carer/Companion • Shirley Bach, Sorrel Bourne, Helen Gellert, Geraldine South African Jewish lady, 3 years experience, requires Gilmore, Ivor Goldman, Liliane Jordan, Michael Kean, live-in, long-term position. Lorraine Meltzer. Own transport, enjoys outings, great cook. Apply robin.44@hotmail.co.uk wedding Anniversaries or phone 0783 819 4945 • Mazeltov to Rochelle and Gerald Oberman on their 40th wedding anniversary. helping hands mitzvah day honours Award • Mazeltov to Rabbi Tony Bayfield on being awarded a CBE Helping Hands has been chosen as in the New Year’s Honours list for his services to Reform the winner of the JC contest for the Judaism in Britain. best project on Mitzvah Day across the country. shalom and lehitraot Helping Hands was selected by a • To Carolyne and Alan Davis who made aliyah in December panel of judges including Transport Minister Theresa 2010. Villiers, JC editor Stephen Pollard and Rabbi Jeremy Gordon of New London Synagogue and Mitzvah Day founder Laura Marks, who said the panel had Refuah sheleima MARTIN GROSS been impressed that although “supporting our own • Joy Barnett, Alma Caplin, Ann Crook, Malcolm Lasky, Ivor community, Helping Hands also gave back to a local Miskin, Ivor Richards (BHHC), Dorothy Rosen, Frances & cause”. Funeral Director and Cyril Selby, Margaret Smith, Edella Sutcliffe. Funeral Consultant We at HH are really thrilled to be chosen, as we always to Jewish communities hope to be a little bit original with what we do and we deaths think we achieved our aim to bring people together 01273 439792 • We wish Long Life to the family of Alvin Noah z’l in that Mitzvah Day saw so many strands of the • We wish Long Life to the family of Blanche Mannering z’l 07801 599771 community - young, old, students, people who had 07540 066566 never volunteered before - was fabulous. congratulations A big thank you to all our volunteers and everyone in • To Emilio Crescenzo who, having finished in the West the community who took part in “Cakes across the End production of ‘Oliver’, will now take the part of Zak, Community” the Jewish boy, in the theatrical version of the hit TV play ‘Goodnight Mister Tom’. The show opens at the Chichester Festival Theatre on 2nd February before going on a national tour. stitching and Bitching Would anyone like to join me at my house on a Thursday afternoon for a few hours of needlework (any type including knitting and crocheting). Tea and HELPING HANDS chatter will be served. Please ring Jane on 01273 We invite you to check out our new website: 501978 if you are interested. www.helping-hands.org Telephone: (01273) 747722 Email: helping-hands@ntlworld.com issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 6 community life 7 eastbourne hebrew We are still very keen to host further suitable activities at congregation Ralli Hall, preferably with a Jewish theme and hopefully on a regular basis. I once again invite members of the community Due to the non-use of the shul library, it is proposed to sell who may have ideas for a new group to approach us – you the books, which are of wide-ranging Jewish interest and/ will be made very welcome and invited to include your group or by Jewish authors. They are of all genres, both fact and at a cost, and with facilities that you will be hard-pressed to fiction, and will be sold from 50p each. match elsewhere! The sale will be held on Thursday 03 February at the shul Details of the “Lubavitch Celebratory Dinner” which will 2 - 4pm. Tea will be served and it will be an opportunity to have used our strictly Kosher facilities and Great Hall will be browse, socialise and help to boost Shul funds. We welcome given in my next message. We were pleased to welcome the all members of the wider community to come and have a day inaugural meeting of this year’s Brighton Limmud group and out in sunny Eastbourne and grab a Jewish literary bargain. look forward to Limmud 2011! See you at Ralli Hall! ejss Roger Abrahams, Hon. Chairman Klezmer Music in Eastbourne at the WRVS on Sunday 27th March at 3.00pm. By popular demand, Eastbourne Jewish Phoenix from the Ashes Social Scene is proud to present the return of Polina and By Liz Posner Merlin Shepherd, the internationally acclaimed duo, for an afternoon of exciting music. A really delicious tea will also be The Chair and committee of Youth Aliyah Child Rescue served. More information next month. thank you all for your generous cheques towards the restoration Ajex of Yemin Orde, one of our villages in Israel which was LAST CHANCE to book your table for the AJEX Music Quiz destroyed by fire. The children on February 6th at Ajex hall, Reform Synagogue. If you’ve not are now dispersed across Israel, done so call Aubrey NOW on 737417 ! initially without any of their personal belongings. Watch this space next month for reports on the above and the Holocaust Memorial Service. It is our aim in Brighton and Hove to put all funds collected towards helping the rebuilding of the dormitories, much as we did 50 years ago when we put all funds towards their initial worthing & district jewish construction. Thank you again for your support. society FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICE Brighton and hove chabad DATE Friday 18th February. TIME 6.15pm. PLACE Gordon Room, nr Assembly Rooms, Worthing hosts a ‘spa night for Body Service to be conducted by Roger Berlin. and soul’ All welcome. If you have any queries or wish further By Yael Breuer information - please contact either JOY BARNETT on 507 557 or ROGER BERLIN on 764 967 Twenty-five women from across the community attended a ‘Spa Night for Body and Soul’ at Brighton and Hove Chabad House, hosted by Mrs Penina Efune. The participants were invited to take part in workshops including Shiatsu, make-up Ralli hall and Art Therapy. The disabled toilet is now ready for use and we are busy Local diagnostic shiatsu practitioner who uses wholefood upgrading the ladies toilet with plans for the gents later. medicine , Amanda Wright, gave a talk about the Healing However, there is always more to do and our next task is to Attributes of the month of Kislev, and also demonstrated her replace windows and doors to ensure thermal efficiency and expertise. £200 was raised during the evening for the Torah security. We have started interviewing prospective candidates Nursery. for the post of part-time co-ordinator for the Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club, to replace Suzanne Collins who retires in the Due to popular demand, Amanda ran two follow-up spring. workshops about food, well-being, energy medicine and universal principles for living in balance. Unfortunately, one of our “good little earners”, the use of the two-room suite at the rear of the stage, has come to an end, Those who couldn’t make the evenings and would like as Jamie, the “Alternative Therapy Practitioner”, is re-locating to have a Shiatsu and nutrition session with Amanda, to the West Country. I believe that a number of our members can contact her on 070503220959 or via email address successfully used his services, and we are now looking for a rochelmands@hotmail.com. suitable successor, perhaps one with similar skills? issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 6 community life 7 sussex day limmud holocaust memorial day Sussex Day Limmud returns to Brighton on Lag B’Omer, exhibitions Sunday 22nd May, and set in the beautiful new venue of the University of Sussex. By Yael Breuer The venue The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Geoff Wells, The University of Sussex is the ideal picturesque location Mayoress Lucy Wells, Mr. John Barradell, the city’s Chief for Sussex Day Limmud. This heritage-listed campus, Executive, and members of the Jewish and wider community surrounded by the South Downs National Park, will be at its attended the official opening of Absence and Loss, a best in late spring and is the perfect place in which to be photographic exhibition by the award-winning photographer inspired in your Jewish journey. The University has a long Marion Davies at Brighton’s Jubilee Library. track record of hosting Holocaust Day and other Jewish- related events. The location offers excellent parking as well The exhibition portrays a variety of memorials found around as direct train and bus transport links from central Brighton. Berlin, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust. Ms The modern facilities provide easy access and have great Davies gave an illustrated talk, referring to her own family accessibility, with lifts and ample space in which to cater for members who became refugees during the War. She thanked the wide variety of activities and the usual rich variety of local, Doris Levinson, Ivor Richards and Arthur Oppenheimer for national and international presenters on offer. their help and advice. Who’s presenting? The exhibition was hosted by at the Brighton Jubilee library Over 30 presenters have now confirmed including: Nathan and the Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue. Abrams, author of The New Jew in Film, Director of the Centre for Film Studies, Bangor University; Geoffrey Alderman, Jewish Chronicle columnist and historian; Jeremy Beecham, Labour Lord and former leader of Newcastle City Council; Alex Brummer, Daily Mail City Editor and Jewish Chronicle media columnist; Edie Friedman, Director of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality; Luke Holland, film director; Clarissa Hyman, food writer and chef; Clive Lawton, co- founder of Limmud; Gail Louw, playwright; Maureen Kendler, Head of Educational Programming at the London School of Jewish Studies; Jonathan Schneer, Professor of modern British history at the Georgia Institute of Technology and author of The Balfour Declaration: The Origins of the Arab- Israeli Conflict and Christian Wiese, Professor of Jewish History at the University of Sussex’s Centre for German- Jewish Studies. In addition, we have a number of local presenters from across the community confirmed. For these and future updates, (left to right) Photographer marion davies, Rabbi charles wallach, please view our webpage www.limmud.org/day/sussex. We mayoress lucy wells, mayor Geoff wells and john Barradell, chief are planning an art exhibition of local and national artists, executive of Brighton & hove city council and there will be a strong performance theme, as well as films from the UK Jewish Film Festival. Invite your friends storytelling competition and family. We hope to have a warm spring day to enjoy for the event, which will take place during the Brighton Festival, making it a great opportunity to invite family and friends Are you an established or even a budding writer? Do you from outside Sussex to visit for the weekend. For those relate to children and can you write stories for them? If so, with younger family members, we are planning a children’s here is a challenge with valuable rewards. programme and crèche, giving inspiring and fun sessions The Academy of Children’s Writers announce their 26th for the children, while give parents (and grandparents) the annual Write a Story for Children Competition. Entries may chance to enjoy the main sessions as well. either be short stories of up to 2,000 words or the opening 2,000 words of a longer story or novel. Applying - Application forms will be available online, leaflets will be in all Jewish community areas by early February, and a All entries must be received by 31 March 2011. First prize is copy will also appear in the March SJN. £2,000, second prize is £300 and third prize is £200. Entry forms can be downloaded from the website www. Tickets will go on sale from March 2, both online at www. childrens-writers .co.uk or are available by post from Write limmud.org/day/sussex and by calling 01273 206456. We are a Story for Children Competition, Academy of Children’s finalising the prices with Limmud, and are looking to keep Writers, PO Box 95, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 5RL (please these as low as possible to ensure that the widest audience enclose self addressed envelope) or ring/fax 01487 832752. can attend. If you have any questions, email us at: sussex@ For more information, please email: enquiries@childrens- limmud.org We look forward to seeing you at Sussex Day writers.co.uk Limmud. Let’s see what real talent lies hidden in our community and Gordon and Michelle Kay get those grey cells to work. Co-chairs, Sussex Day Limmud 2011 issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 8 israel 9 israel Recruiting winged scavengers as spies? by Brian Megitt the tag with the heinous inscription and we expect during the Vulture Cartoon by Rochelle Oberman immediately raised the alarm regarding rest of the year? the obvious “Zionist plot” (quotes from Nothing, it appears, creates more Saudi Arabia’s Al-Weem newspaper). One does have to ask paranoia in Arab States than Israel and the obvious question. Mossad in particular. As 2011 moved The world being what it is, the news Would it be possible in to first gear, the Ma’ariv newspaper soon spread across the internet and for Israel to train reported that a vulture has been arrested the accusations became even more birds or fish for nefarious purposes? The in Saudi Arabia, as a Mossad agent. paranoid and almost beyond belief. Americans have trained dolphins to carry Hundreds of posts on Arabic language out military tasks, such as mine detection. Exactly how you arrest a vulture was not websites claimed that the “Zionists” Training birds to spy on neighbours may made clear but by all accounts it is in had trained the birds for espionage. The not be that stupid an idea. If you know custody. What led to this amazing state claims then moved from the skies to the their migration patterns, then a bird is of affairs, you might ask? seas. Mossad, were apparently training a bit cheaper to run than an unmanned sharks to kill tourists in Egyptian Red Sea drone or an F16. The bird, through no fault of its own, resorts in order to sabotage the Egyptian was a volunteer in a long-term research tourist industry. This follows the death It may well be some time yet before a bird project into bird migration patterns and and maiming of tourists in the Red Sea can be dispatched to a particular location had been tagged by a team at Tel Aviv in 2010. This was so convincing that The at a particular time in order to perform University with a GSM transmitter and a Sun newspaper printed the accusation. whatever spying tasks are required. The tag bearing the university’s name. Arab world can probably rest in peace So, if this is just the start of 2011 what from Zionists of the feathered variety. The locals who found the vulture, spotted further wild and outrageous claims can the stars this month Aquarius Pisces For the best part of the month you’ll be Around the full moon 18th it might be hard by Val Aviv feeling at your best when you find an outlet to know which side of the fence you’re on Val Aviv is an accomplished astrologer. For more for all that physical energy. Your will is regarding your duel desires which seem to information view her website www.valaviv.com strong so now is a good time for combating be for two equal and opposite goal posts. and completing challenging tasks, Use dogged discipline to harness your Aries Virgo especially ones you can do alone.! imagination in productive ways Sometimes being set free from day to day You are able to express yourself with a limitations can be as daunting as being dignified charm. With Venuses influence caged. Grab any and every opportunity to you are able to ease the tensions of others take the lead and spitfire your way through and deflate inflated egos in a way which February. Appreciate the teams efforts as improves your productivity and popularity. that is what will win the day. Libra Taurus The most interesting place is where many Keeping a cool head will keep the cogs people gather. You have a contagious and within the team well oiled and everything electric aura of fun all about you; people Malcolm Green Catering ticks over like clockwork; with ease. You will want you near them. Unexpected can feel in control of your destiny as the developments could leave you swooning lens of your focus sharpens and intensifies. around the full moon 18th. The selection of your menu is an important part in the planning of your Simcha. For that reason our Gemini Scorpio Chefs continue to create exciting and tasty menus to Allowing yourself to embrace the possibility With a new lease of life coming to your You that forward thinking and idealistic might find yourself playing out a parental meet your every need. We can tailor a menu to fit your imaginings can actually bring you closer role when family news stir up confusion. specific requirements and help create the function you to the fulfilling kind of future you desire for The home or family activity could feel like a are proud of. Let us introduce you to a cuisine that has yourself. Don’t let the criticism of others tornado is rifling with your personal affairs. steer you away from your hearts longing. Often mischief is caused by people over made us one of Israel’s leading Caterers. talking a situation. Cancer Plus summer holidays in Italy, Ireland and While you’ve been looking deeply into Sagittarius weddings throughout the world. matters of the heart further probing can Are you ready for a whirlwind of excitement help you strike the right balance between Your values are being tested, especially KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST the distribution of power between yourself in regard to fun, romance or children. and significant others. The winds of positive Traditional or inherited ideas related to Contact Rachel on 01273 726495 change are well on their way these subjects might undergo a powerful transformation, which leave you not only or Malcolm on koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk Leo ever changed but also a lot happier. www.kosherservicesworldwide.com You may find the opinions of others seem to contain more gravity than usual and Capricorn UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION you’re inclined to devote more thought for Impulsive buys are not usually your style OF THE LONDON BETH DIN them. The full moon in your sign 18th gives but Your sense of identity might well be you a chance to reflect on the personal changing in irrevocable ways and the family implications of your mutual associations. or home will be a positive catalyst in this process. People around you are sensitive to your power and influence, so don’t abuse it. You have genuine reasons to be cheerful. issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 8 israel 9 no easy answers, no easy explanations How to Understand 2007 Sarah Glidden and her friend Sarah’s beliefs about Israel – as learned Israel in 60 Days or Melissa participated in one of those in America and in books - are challenged Less tours. by reality and her doubts are expressed Sarah Glidden. in an engrossing way. Vertigo, 2009 But Sarah is in conflict. She has There are many emotional sequences difficulties with Israel’s actions toward including Sarah’s inability to speak to Review by David the Palestinians. She has a Muslim Israeli soldiers who are younger than she Seidel boyfriend. She reads to prepare “for is. Although the one story I wanted to whatever propaganda they throw at me.” For those who know more was Melissa’s, who reveals Her supportive boyfriend doesn’t want sometimes feel she is on the trip because being Jewish her to become a “brainwashed raging uneasy about was something her family never spoke Zionist” and dump him. Israeli policies about. Why is not explained but that is or the Middle The Israeli countryside seems plain, no not Sarah’s story. East, Sarah different to rural Pennsylvania until Sarah In the end, Israel is seen as a place with no G l i d d e n ’ s is confronted by the security wall. From easy explanations and no easy answers. autobiographical here, the reader learns much along with Sarah Glidden writes and shows how graphic novel How to Understand the author as she travels up to the Golan that to truly begin to understand Israel, Israel in 60 Days or Less is timely, well Heights then down to the Kinneret, Tel one must keep asking questions and not researched, incisive, honest and emotive. Aviv, the Negev (Masada, the Dead Sea take things at face value. This is a highly Her story is complemented beautifully and a night with Bedouins) and back up recommended book for anyone with an by her pen, ink and watercolour artwork, to Jerusalem. interest in the Middle East. making it easy to read. This compelling book has a great deal of How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Birthright is a charity that takes young history that her Israeli tour leaders do not Less is currently available at Dave’s Comics American Jews to Israel for free to better always present in the most favourable on Sydney Street, Brighton. It will be understand the Jewish homeland. In light. During the course of the trip published in the UK on 25 February 2011 by Titan Books British olim arrive on the “Red carpet” flight by Carolyne Davis than London! An Aliyah fair had been our arrival in Eilat we were met by our arranged where we could open bank own personal Shaliach, who guided us The group met at the Hendon Hall accounts, meet our Shaliachim, and through each process to complete our Hotel where ELAL checked in all our register for many things, ranging from absorption. baggage there and then. We were then the “Jerusalem Post” to the army. By the accommodated in a 4-star hotel in time lunch was served we all knew where Operation Exodus is an London before being driven i n t e r d e n o m i n a t i o n a l to the airport. Despite the Christian organisation snow and ice approximately with headquarters in 70 people from the UK arrived Bournemouth that only a couple of hours late into was founded in 1991 Ben Gurion. The group flight by Gustav Scheller, a (Red Carpet) is an initiative Swiss businessman. It between the Jewish Agency has helped more than for Israel and a Christian group 119,000 Jewish people called Exodus, making Aliyah make Aliyah from the easier than ever before. A lands of the former Soviet further scheme was launched Union. Having started by the Ministry of Absorption, with just three people, whereby all legalities and Ebenezer, which funds paperwork were seamlessly Exodus, now has a team completed in a specially- of around 300 working in equipped hall in the airport. Alan & carolyne davis arrive in jerusalem the fSU, an International Board with headquarters Within hours, ID cards had been were going, and how, and were fully in Bournemouth, UK and offices in the completed and medical cover effected. equipped to start our new lives. We were USA, Switzerland and Germany. We were transported as Israelis with treated like VIPS as buses, coaches, We are very grateful to them for making Shekels in our pockets from the airport taxis and planes were arranged. The our Aliyah so easy and enjoyable. They to a Jerusalem hotel. highlight of the proceedings was when added the icing on the cake that the By morning we had met up with the South we all gathered at the Western Wall for the Jewish Agency has made available to all African, Australian and New Zealand presentation of our citizenship. Everyone Jews. groups who had arrived overnight. The was called by name to receive their Tudat Russians had arrived just ahead of Zehut after which an emotional Hatikva More information is available at www. us - Moscow copes better with snow was sung by Israel’s newest citizens. On operation-exodus.org issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 10 mostar 11 mostar Revisited aged three and five were carried from the back of By Sally Becker the vehicle. Their small bodies were covered in Upon my arrival in war-torn Bosnia, blood and they writhed I was approached by Damir Rozic, and screamed in agony. a fifteen year old Jewish boy whose Behind them their mother grandfather had been shot by a sniper was led from the car in a in Mostar. The hospital did not have the state of shock. She was antibiotics he needed and Damir was carrying a newborn baby afraid the old man would die. Most of girl the Jewish community were elderly and with shrapnel wounds in need of help, so I began ferrying aid to her legs and face. into the city in an old Renault 4. =The doctors needed to stabilise them before One day I was approached by a UN they could be moved so officer, who asked me if I would try I agreed to return in two to help a sick Muslim child who was days. trapped on the east side of the river. I approached Dr Ivan Bagaric, head of Sadly the eldest boy the Croatian Military Health authorities, couldn’t be saved, but and asked him for permission to enter I was able to evacuate the area which had been besieged by Elmir and his baby sister the Bosnian Croats for three months. together with their mother He told me I could bring out all the sick and grandmother. I was and injured children and their families also asked to bring out and he also asked me to try and an elderly Jewish couple who were Since the war, the city remains divided, help the children of Nova Bila, where trapped there. Erna, who had been in a with the majority of Croats living on the Catholics were besieged by Muslims concentration camp during the Second West side of the river and Muslims and and Serbs. It was very quiet as I drove World war, had just lost her grandson Serbs in the east. Even the schools are through No-Man’s Land except for who was killed while playing in the segregated and Lela and her friends are the odd explosion in the distance, but school yard: she and her husband were afraid to venture across the river after all of a sudden I heard a loud crrrack suffering from trauma. I drove them dark. as a sniper targeted my vehicle. I across the front line to the UN base was terrified but ducked beneath the in Medjugorje but we were refused In Mostar there are graveyards where steering wheel and carried on going, assistance. A message was sent to the there used to be park: most of the finally reaching the besieged hospital. Croats and Dr Bagaric arrived with a gravestones bear the date of 1993. fully equipped ambulance manned by The first time I saw Lela I was preparing five doctors, who removed shrapnel Damir, who is now married with two to leave with an ambulance filled with from the little boy’s eyes, saving his children, is a doctor at West Mostar children in urgent need of medical sight. hospital. I also found Erna, who at 78 treatment. Suddenly a car screeched is President of the Jewish community. into the compound. There was no glass We lost touch when the war ended, but She told me of their plans to build a in the windows, the bodywork was a few months ago I received a message Jewish Cultural Centre and synagogue scarred with bullet holes and a crude through Facebook from Lela Greljo, who close to the Old Bridge where the front red cross was daubed on the side. I wanted to add me as a friend. line used to be. There have been some watched in horror as two little boys problems but I promised to help, for ‘I am the baby you brought the synagogue will stand between a out of Mostar together with church and a mosque and will represent my three year old brother’ the traditional multi-ethnic and multi- she wrote. ‘Now I am religious values for which Mostar was seventeen and would very once so well known. much like to see you.’ When I arrived in Mostar we drove to Lela’s house Sally has written a book about her on the east side of the experiences which she is hoping to get city. Lela and Elmir were published. For further information about hesitant and shy but their her work, please visit: mother hugged me tightly. www.sallybecker.co.uk issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com culture 11 And now a film with that ‘feel good’ factor From the Sussex Jewish Film Club planning group After the gripping of Isabelle Grossman, who works for a 6th March and drama of Defiance New York bookstore. When the author enjoy. We meet in January, we Anton Maes comes to the store to at 7pm for drinks turn for our 6th give a reading, he shows an interest with the film March screening in Isabelle, who is enamoured with the starting at 7.30pm to a romantic intellectual world that’s very different (arrive by 7.15pm comedy. The from her traditional Jewish upbringing. latest). There’s no Club screening in American However, Isabelle’s grandmother is February, so put 6th March in your film Crossing anxious for her granddaughter to settle diaries now. If you’re not yet a Club Delancey, starring down and has other ideas..... member, you can come as a guest on Amy Irving, tells This is a film with that ‘feel good’ factor, the basis of a donation. See you there! the fictional story so come along to Ralli Hall on Sunday jewish Book week on the website, jewishbookweek. Happy com/2011, and if you’re on the mailing New Year, Tickets for JBW 2011 are now on sale. list, your hard copies of the programme and see Join in for nine riveting days of debate, should be with you very soon. you in discussion, learning and inspiration Book in advance to avoid February from 26 February to 06 March. The best disappointment. To be in the loop for (if not in cutting-edge debate, contemporary ticket giveaways, opportunities to win before for fiction, spoken-word performance and books and links to related articles, join some of much more will be brought to you. the Facebook page or Twitter feed (or the pre-fest events). You can access the full programme both to be really well connected!) issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 12BhPs 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 13 why are there two months of Adar? The reason for adding a 13th month is to ensure that the lunar year does not fall out of step with the solar year, which by Rabbi elizabeth tikvah sarah is 11.25 days longer. If the calendar was not adjusted to keep pace with the sun, festivals like Pesach, for example, would Unlike the civil calendar where months do not correspond to no longer take place in the right season. But adding a 13th ‘moons’, the Jewish calendar observes both: the 365.25 day month is not like adding one extra day to February every solar year, and the 354 day lunar year consisting of twelve four years: In the fourth century, Hillel II established a fixed moons. So, as the days of the Jewish month pass, the moon calendar, still in use today, which standardised the length waxes until it becomes full in the middle of the month and of months (29 or 30 days – because a lunar month is 29.5 then wanes. days), and determined the addition of an extra month seven times over the course of a 19 year cycle. The result is that an The trouble is, very few of us tend to know what the Hebrew additional Adar is added in the 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 17th month is at any time, let alone the date. As it happens, this and 19th years of the cycle. We are currently in the 19th year February corresponds, more or less, to the 12th month of of the cycle. the Jewish calendar, Adar – yes, the Jewish year starts in the spring and not the autumn when the Jewish year for years As you may be aware, the Festival of Purim is on the 14th begins. But that’s not the end of the story. The last month of day of Adar. In a leap year it falls in Adar II – so, unfortunately, this Jewish year is actually next month because the current this means no festival to celebrate this month! Why don’t you Jewish year has 13 months, not 12. So, there is Adar Rishon spend your time becoming a moon-watcher instead! (or Aleph), the first Adar, and Adar Sheini (or Beit), the second Adar. Aubrey milstein memorial lecture 2011: 6 February 2011 All who wish for peace, human rights and reconciliation have a unique opportunity on 6 February 2011 to attend the 2011 Aubrey Milstein Memorial Lecture delivered by Dr Brian Klug. The title of his lecture is Living in the World: The People of God and the Pursuit of Justice. It will be a thoroughly thought-provoking event. Dr Klug is Senior Research Fellow in Philosophy at St. Benet’s Hall, Oxford; member of the faculty of philosophy at the University of Oxford; Honorary Fellow of the Parkes Institute for the Study of Jewish/non-Jewish Relations, University of Southampton; and Fellow of the College of Arts & Sciences, Saint Xavier University, Chicago. He has published widely on race, anti-Semitism, Jewish identity and other subjects. His latest book “Being Jewish and Doing Justice: Bringing Argument to Life”, will be available to buy at a special reduced price. The biennial Aubrey Milstein Lectures were established in 2005 by Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue as part of its commitment to interfaith relations and racial and religious harmony. The lectures are delivered by speakers who have made a significant contribution in a related field. The lectures are named to honour and to keep alive the memory of Aubrey Milstein, a former prominent member of the congregation who worked tirelessly to foster racial harmony and challenge injustice with various community and city organisations. Further information is available from Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue. Please contact the Administrator on 01273 737223 or email: bhps@freenetname.co.uk Aubrey Milstein Memorial Lecture Living in the World: The People of God and the Pursuit of Justice by Dr Brian Klug Chaired by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue Sunday 6th February 2011 at 3.00pm Free admission. Refreshments. issue 204 | jAnuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 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 13 thought for holocaust memorial day With the passage of time and the loss of independent Jewish control on the land of Israel, all but what we call Rosh Hashanah fell away. by Rabbi charles wallach However, in 1949, just months after the establishment of the State of Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates the date in 1945 when Israel, on 15 Shevat , citizens - especially schoolchildren together Auschwitz was liberated. with their teachers - went into the hills around Jerusalem and started planting trees. This became the basis of the afforestation programme BHRS embraced Holocaust Memorial Day, holding a photographic controlled by the Keren Kayemet LeYisrael, or Jewish National Fund. exhibition on the Lost Lives of German Jewry. It was a timely reminder that along with the six million lives that were lost, whole So it is all the sadder when forests are attacked or suffer fires. A swathes of Jewish life and history, built up over centuries, fell apart. number of years ago when I was living in Jerusalem it saddened Some of the families may have survived, but the intimacy and integral me terribly when, in the aftermath of a forest fire near Shoresh just nature of those societies are gone. outside Jerusalem, I would see the denuded hills as I travelled along the main road. Those trees had been hand planted and, as things are As I said when opening the exhibition at our shul, Yom HaShoah has in Israel, also carried stories. Remains of trucks and other transport become the day when we remember the Holocaust, and we shall do vehicles that formed convoys sent to Jerusalem in the siege of the so again then in our usual solemn ceremony of prayers and readings. city during the War of Independence are kept as memorials to those But there was something quite fascinating about Holocaust Memorial who had fought and died. Some of the people were themselves Day this year and especially the start of the showing of that exhibition refugees, brought to the land as survivors of the Holocaust. for just a few days earlier we celebrated Tu Bishvat, the New Year for Trees. And what of the trees in the Carmel, which were ravaged in recent weeks? Beyond the 42 lives that were tragically lost there, were Tu Bishvat was an ancient, Mishnaic observance, going back two the forests, many planted by those who had come to Haifa and its thousand years. It formed one of four new years in the Jewish neighbourhoods in the 1930s. The lives are sadly lost, and the trees calendar. The first is Rosh Hashanah, as we know it. The three turned to ash. But perhaps through concerted effort by the Jewish others are a new year for Kings just before Pesach (this was how the world at large, new trees can be planted, to grow, to bloom and Book of Kings in the Bible would announce events that happened breathe new life into the ancient Carmel Hills. during a King’s reign), a new year for cattle on 1st Elul and Tu Bishvat. Bulletin Board - February 2011 HYMAN FINE HOUSE Mondays Exercise to music with Adele, 11.00 am FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE Wednesdays JACS, 2.00 pm (Registered Charity No. 1111793) Tuesday 1st Discussion Group , 12.30 pm INVITES YOU TO Speaker Godfrey Gould on Sponsoring “A NOSTALGIC CABARET TEA” The Arts? Saturday 5th Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am AT RALLI HALL, 81, DENMARK VILLAS HOVE Sunday 6th AJEX Music Quiz and Lunch ON SUNDAY 20th FEBRUARY 2011 Contact Aubrey Cole for details AT 2.00 pm. Saturday 12th Book Club, 9.00 am DONATION £15.00 Sunday 13th Members Tea Saturday 19th Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am TICKETS FROM VIVIENNE 01273 207112 (to be confirmed) (free parking at Hove railway station) Sunday 20th Cheder Half Term Sunday 27th Cheder Half Term Advance notice Tuesday 22 March New Ideas for Pesach, 3.00 pm with Denise Phillips, well known Jewish cookery writer Tickets from the office, £7.50 donation Sunday 3 April Polina Shepherd & the Chutzpah Choir AJEX Centre, 3.00 pm Tickets £7.50 includes tea & biscuits issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 14 Bhhc hhc Rabbi hershel Rader Rabbi vivian silverman Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation Hove Hebrew Congregation 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 888855 Tel: 01273 732035 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com www.webjam.com/bhhc10 15 A leader’s dilemma: the second month of Adar the Parsha of Ki tissa by Rabbi vivian silverman by Rabbi hershel Rader This year 5771 (2011) will be a Jewish leap year where there The alternative name for this Shabbat is Shabbat Shira – will be thirteen months. This extra month is called Adar The episode of the Golden Calf is full of dilemmas. There is Sheini (or the second Adar). Leap years occur seven times the dilemma of the Israelites who have just witnessed Divine in a nineteen year cycle, every two or three years with an extra month of thirty days. revelation but now find themselves without a leader. There is the dilemma of Aaron, in an unfamiliar position of leadership The reason why it occurs so often is to make sure that the and pressured by the people Jewish (Lunar) calendar falls in line with the solar, which has 365.25 days. Since the Jewish calendar (Nissan to Adar) is Then there is Moshe’s dilemma. G-d said to Moshe, ‘I have made up of twelve months of either 29 or 30 days, totalling seen this people and behold it is a stiff necked people. 354 days, there is a shortfall every year of 11.25 days Now, desist from me. Let my anger burn against them and between the calendars. Adar Sheini occurs every two or I shall annihilate them and I shall make you a great nation.’ three years in order to make up the difference and bring the (Exodus 32:9-10) Rashi asks an obvious question: What Jewish calendar in step with the secular. does Hashem mean by ‘desist from me’? Moshe has not said anything yet! Rashi explains that the Almighty was But why is it necessary to do this? After all, the Islamic giving Moshe an opening and informing him that the matter calendar is also lunar, and yet there is no necessity to do so. depends upon him; that if he prays for the people G-d will Hence, Ramadan, for example, moves gradually backwards not annihilate them. So Moshe is given the stark choice; you through the year. It falls as now in the autumn, and will soon can save this people or have your own people, a nation of be in summer, then spring and back to winter. your descendants. The answer lies in the words of the Torah. In chapter 13 of This is the classic dilemma of leadership, does the leader do Shmot it categorically states that the festival of Pesach must what is good for him, or what is best for those he is leading. fall B’Chodesh Ha’Aviv (in the spring month) which is March/ April in the Northern Hemisphere. And so, based on this, all Moshe, the faithful shepherd of his flock, has no doubts. our festivals and special occasions occur at the same time Immediately, he pleads with G-d on behalf of the Israelites. of year. Since the extra month has thirty days, and there are He does not deny that they have sinned. He breaks the years when it does not occur, the Jewish festivals fall within Tablets of the Covenant, acknowledging that the people a thirty day period from year to year. For example, Pesach do not deserve them. But he also says to G-d ‘Now if You can fall any time from the end of March to the end of April; would but bear their sin, but if not erase me from Your book Rosh Hashanah from early September to the first week of that You have written’ (Exodus 32:32). October; Chanukah from the last week of November to the end of December. Here is Moshe, the consummate leader, who, while cognisant of his people’s shortcomings, remains faithful to So if you have ever wondered why it is that Yom Kippur, for his responsibility to them, ignoring any possible personal example, falls one year in the second week of September ambition. and the following year in early October, the reason is that there was an Adar Sheini that year. To find out when there will be a second Adar, just take any Jewish year, for example, 5771 divide it by 19, if there is no remainder, or the following number is left over (3.6.8.11.14.17.) then that year is a leap one. Incidentally though we always refer to the second month of Lead by aspiring young musicians Adar as Adar Sheini, the actual leap month is the first one, because it consists of 30 days. Whereas the next month A variety of popular music from light classical has 29 days. to hit musicals The Underground Theatre Grove Road Eastbourne Sunday 13 February 2011 February diary 3pm-5pm £5 or £3 for under 12s Tuesday 1 Talmud Shiur, 11.00 am, weekly For tickets or more details contact Shabbat 5 Rosh Chodesh Adar I Melanie: 01323 503672 Sally: 07739 082538 Tuesday 15 Ladies Discussion Circle, 10.30 am Proceeds go towards building renovations of Eastbourne Hebrew Sunday 27 Stonesetting for Mr R Mazar, 3.00 pm Congregation Synagogue issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 14 what’s on: February 2011 diary@sussexjewishnews.com 15 shABBAt shAlom – BRiGhton times In Light Candles Out Havdalah Grodzinski’s challot and rye Fri 4 4.38 pm Sat 5 5.50 pm bread are available from Premier Fri 11 4.51 pm Sat 12 6.01 pm Convenience Stores in Hove Street every Thursday morning until Fri 18 5.03 pm Sat 19 6.13 pm supplies run out. Fri 25 5.15 pm Sat 26 6.24 pm ReGulAR Activities events FoR FeBRuARY Sundays j:tots – for parents, toddlers, grandparents and carers - is held monthly at Ralli Hall. For information regarding the next session, please e-mail Rachel at jtots@rocketmail.com or ring shalom Programme on www. 01273 204334. radioreverb.com as well as 97.2 FM, 9.00-9.55 pm. Tuesday 1 carmel tennis club 10.00 am-12.00 lunchtime discussion group – spkr Godfrey Gould, ‘Sponsoring The Arts?’ 12.30pm Brighton noon. Weekly. All levels welcome. & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeira Avenue, Hove Tel: Leon on 07717 222744 Wednesday 2 Mondays jAcs – Guest speaker theresa sundt – ‘The Jews of Salonika’ 2pm Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, Hove the ethics of our Fathers with Rabbi sussex jewish Representative council meeting – 8.05 pm Ralli Hall – all representatives are Efune 11.30-12.30 pm Chabad urged to attend House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove. Tel:. 01273 321919 Sunday 6 Afternoon club with tea 1.30 pm. Ajex music Quiz – 1.00 pm at Ajex Hall. Donation £6 to include lunch. Call Aubrey on 01273 Contact Reba 01444 410435 737417. Aubrey milstein memorial lecture ’Living in the World: The People of God and the Pursuit of Rubber and duplicate Bridge 1.30- Justice’, by Dr Brian Klug, Chaired by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah. 3.00 pm, At Brighton 4.30 pm £2.00. Tel Reba 01444 and Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove 410435 contemporary Basic talmud with Wednesday 9 Rabbi Efune - Men only 8.15 pm at jAcs – Guest speaker ian Gledhill – ‘The World of Art Deco’ 2.00 pm Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, Chabad House 01273 321919 Hove. Members £2.00/Non-members £2.50 tanya (Kabbalah) learning Group with Saturday 12 Penina Efune - Ladies only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 wizo Quiz & food - In people’s homes, commencing at 7.30 pm. Donation £15. Contact 01273 508323 Tuesdays Sunday 13 Painting with Rochelle (jAs), 7.00- ‘Repertoire’ – Musical fundraiser for renovations of Eastbourne Heb Cong Synagogue. 3.00-9.00 pm Weekly Tel: 01273 503708 5.00 pm, The Underground Theatre, Grove Rd, Eastbourne. £5.00 adults, £3.00 under 12s. RH. Tel: Melanie 01323 503672 or Sally 01323 488513 israeli dancing, 7.45-9.45 pm Tel: Wednesday 16 Jacky 01273 688538 Weekly RH jAcs -Guest speaker mark Perry-nash – ‘To Build a Dream, John Nash, The Royal Pavilion Ralli hall lunch and social club, 10.30 and Rakish, Raffish Brighton’ 2.00 pm Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, Hove. Members £2.00/Non-am-4.30 pm. Weekly Tel: Suzanne members £2.50 01273 739999 RH Friday 18 Art in the studio with martin 2.00- worthing & district jewish society, Friday night service – 6.15 pm, Gordon Room (nr Assembly 4.30 pm RH Rooms), Worthing, conducted by Roger Berlin Wednesdays Sunday 20 hyman Fine house Fundraising committee - nostalgic cabaret tea – 2.00 pm Don £15.00 Tel: Radio Reverb theatre programme Vivienne 01273 207112 RH ‘Curtain Up’ 7.00 am chutzpah choir (singing in Yiddish, Monday 21 Ladino, Hebrew, Aramaic and other sARid – Guest speaker howard Falksohn – ‘Children of the Third Reich’ 10.45 am Donation languages) with Polina Shepherd. £1.00. Tea, coffee and light refreshments. RH 7.00-8.45 pm Tel: Rosalind 01273 541031 RH. Tuesday 22 jewish historical society – Dr Helen Spurling – Outreach Officer, Parkes Institute, University Art in the studio with martin 2.00- 4.30 pm RH of Southampton –‘Jewish and Christian interpretations of the Bible in late Antiquity’. 7.45 pm RH Thursdays Wednesday 23 Ralli hall lunch and social club, 10.30 jAcs – From a wilderness to a cornfield – A personal anecdote by Vanessa Underwood and am-4.30 pm. Tel: Suzanne 01273 readings from Sir Osbert and Dame Edith’s writings 2.00 pm Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, 739999 Weekly RH Hove. Members £2.00/Non-members £2.50 weekly torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 321919. issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com 16 issue 205 | FeBRuARY 2011 | www.sussexjewishnews.com -
Issue 206
March 2011
SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS Whats WHAt’S INSIDE.... BOARD OF DEPUtIES | FILM CLUB | LIMMUD | HIStORICAL SOCIEtY | WHAt’S ON | AND MORE WWW.SUSSEXJEWISHNEWS.COM | £2 | MARCH 2011 | ADAR 1/2 5771 • ISSUE 206 2 Pause for thought 3 Without your help we would have no magazine, Editorial Board has already begun to put the issue so it goes without saying that we value and together. If your submission is late, we will try to appreciate all your contributions. We are a very include it; however, if it doesn’t get published in small team of volunteers who are proud to work in the next issue, we will hold it for the following a professional manner on this community asset, month’s issue. It may not, alas, be possible to and we hope to continue to improve the quality of publish time-sensitive material which comes in our output. One aspect of producing a magazine late. which looks good and You, our readers, can reads well is help us go from strength that there is A HeARtfelt PleA to strength in several much hard ways, for we know that work and you prize your SJN. planning which is not visible, and indeed should not be evident at all. In order to maintain our Here’s how: you can volunteer to help edit, house style and high standards there is checking, procure ads and contribute your own articles. editing and compiling to do for almost every The more the merrier! But please, please, if you submission, including advertisements. If regular do the latter, make it before the deadline for the pieces continually come in after deadline we next issue, as printed every month. This is your cannot possibly maintain these standards. magazine. Help us help you. The submission deadline for the next issue of We wish you all a happy Purim! Sussex Jewish News is 08 March and indeed the 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 COVER ILLusTRATION Ali Levinson Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt / Ivor Miskin / Brian Megitt PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day BADCHAN David Seidel SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 8 MARCH 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 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 2 Contents 3 sussex jewish news feAtuRes Po Box 2178 Hove Bn3 3sZ 1 DRessinG uP foR PuRiM Ali Levinson helps us celebrate telephone: 07906 955 404 e-mail editor@sussexjewishnews.com 5 BoARD of DePuties RetuRn to BRiGHton & HoVe Join in with representatives of Jewish communities from around the country 14 sussex DAY liMMuD 2011 Gordon Kay interviews Clive Lawton ReGulARs 4 YouR news & Views Personals and letters 6 CoMMunitY life News from across the county 11 CultuRe Programmes from the Film Club, the Historical Society and more 15 wHAt’s on Regular and special events in your community YouR CoMMunitY 15 BRiGHton & HoVe RefoRM sYnAGoGue 16 BRiGHton & HoVe HeBRew ConGReGAtion 17 HoVe HeBRew ConGReGAtion 18 BRiGHton & HoVe PRoGRessiVe 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 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 4 Your news & views 5 Births Mazel tov to: Thanks for Condolences • Doreen and Malcolm Lasky, who are thrilled to announce June Noah and family would like to thank the Brighton & the birth of a darling granddaughter, Anya Poppy, born Hove community for demonstrating their warmth and support January 19th to Louise and Jamie Lasky. following the loss of our dear Alvin. In particular, we would like to thank Rabbi Silverman, the Helping Hands executive and • Beryl & Frank Lazarus on the birth of their first grandchild the kind friends who ensured we never went hungry. We are Jacob Louis, a beautiful son for Julian & Phillipa. extremely grateful. Thank You. • Gillian & Michael Rich on the birth of Zoe Fay Spanbok, a second daughter for Naomi and Gary. Mazel tov Car parking at Hove station Please note that the Car Park at Hove Station now charges to Irene and Raymond Wise on the birth of their fourth £5.30 for parking at any time of the day or night Monday to grandson, Archie Lewis Wise, a second son for Louise Saturday. Sunday parking charges are £1.00 at any time of and Clive Wise and an adorable brother for Sam. the day or night. special Birthdays the first recorded Brighton jew • Mazel tov to Maurice Bloch, Wendy Bloom, Janet Cowan, In a directory of 1766-7, Israel Samuel is recorded as trading Nathan Esterman, Alan Israel , Micheal Korby, Louis as a silversmith and toy man at 22 East Street, Brighton. Shaer,Kumrija Shlomo, Edella Sutcliffe, Arthur Thai, Clive Wise, Peter Zelnik and Rachel Zoob, all of who are This is the first mention of a Jew locally and thus 2016 will celebrating special birthdays. be the 250th anniversary of a continuous Jewish presence in Brighton (and Hove). Surely such an event is worthy of engagements a major celebration by all of our many institutions. The Mazel tov to: contribution of the Jewish community to life and landscape in • Rose Ani on the engagement of her granddaughter in New this city has been immense as the recent exhibition by JTrails York at the Friends Centre aptly demonstrates. • Katie Lyons on her engagement to Darren Firsht So here’s the challenge. There’s only five years to go, and they’ll pass all too quickly. Let’s get started and make 2016 a Anniverseries year for us all to remember and of which to be very proud of Mazel tov to: our heritage and achievement. • Doreen & Bernie Walker on their golden wedding anniversary Godfrey Gould • Stanley & Blanche Brickman on their golden wedding anniversary Get well • We wish a refuah shelaimah to Julia Benjamin, Rose Cannan, Phillip Conway, Bernie Goldberg, Sandra Gross, Shirley Lerner, Pam Magrill, Julia Milton, Ivor Miskin, Moss Rich, Raynor Samuel, Marilyn Seligman, Beryl Sharpe, Gloria Taylor and Sarah Winstone. Deaths We wish long life to: • the family of Nick Russell z’l, husband of Vicky and son-in-law of Sorrel & Tony Bourne • the family of Carmela Davies z’l • the family of Maurice Shalam z”l • the family of Harry Shepherd z’;l • the family of Nancy Sussman z’l • the family of Rev Chaim Zack z”l issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 4 Board of Deputies of British jews 5 Board of Deputies returns to Brighton & Hove by Sam Barsam & David Seidel The Board of Deputies of British Jews has been representing Anglo-Jewry since 1760. It is a cross-communal organisation with Deputies representing synagogues of all practices and A limited number of spaces is available for members of the Jewish organisations (not just religious ones) across the community wishing to attend Shabbat lunch. The cost is £35 United Kingdom. The Board meets several times a year to per person. discuss issues affecting Jewish communities around the country. Meetings are usually held in London; however, saturday 26 March - evening one meeting per year is held outside London. It has been The Sussex Jewish Representative Council will be hosting approximately 15 years since the Board visited our city. a SATURDAY NIGHT SUPPER at Ralli Hall at 8.30pm, to formally welcome the Board of Deputies of British Jews to As the two Deputies in Sussex, we are proud to welcome Brighton & Hove. The evening will provide an opportunity the Board of Deputies to Brighton & Hove during its 250th for our community to meet members of the Board in an anniversary year on informal social setting over 25-27 March 2011. We a light supper, with cabaret it HAs Been APPRoxiMAtelY 15 YeARs sinCe hope that many in our performed by members of our community will join own community. tHe BoARD VisiteD ouR CitY. we HoPe MAnY Deputies from around in ouR CoMMunitY will join DePuties At tHe the country at various Tickets will be £10.00 per events that have been VARious eVents. person – please support your planned. Representative Council by joining us to give our special guests a warm welcome. 1-24 March – Board History To celebrate its 250th anniversary, an exhibition of the History sunday 27 March of the Board of Deputies of British Jews will be at our City’s The Board of Deputies of British Jews will be holding a synagogues for a month, before moving to Ralli Hall and Hove plenary session in the Council Chamber at Hove Town Town Hall for the Board of Deputies weekend. Hall from 11.00 am until approximately 4.00 pm with lunch between 1.00 and 2.00 pm. friday 25 March During the day we expect that many Deputies will be arriving Members of the community are welcome to attend the for the weekend, particularly those coming from long plenary session and witness the Board’s activities firsthand. distances. There are a limited number of spaces to join Deputies for lunch by pre-paid ticket only at a cost of £15 per person. All Deputies will be welcomed at Ralli Hall at 7.15 pm for a special Friday night dinner where Godfrey Gould, Chairman On Sunday Marcus Roberts of JTrails will be at Hove Town of the Jewish Historical Society – Sussex Branch, will be Hall to talk about the Brighton & Hove Anglo-Jewish Heritage speaking about the Jews of Brighton. A limited number of Trail. This will be followed by a walk along our JTrail for all spaces are available for members of the community wishing interested persons at no charge. to join this event. The cost is £35 per person. Sam Barsam is the Deputy for Hove Hebrew Congregation The History of the Board of Deputies exhibition will also be on and is a member of the Defence Committee of the Board of display until Sunday morning when it will move to Hove Town Deputies. David Seidel is the Deputy for the Sussex Jewish Hall for the plenary session. Representative Council including Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue and saturday 26 March - Morning Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue. After Shabbat services at the shuls of their choice, Deputies will be returning to Ralli Hall for a Shabbat lunch at 1.00 pm. we looK foRwARD to seeinG You! During lunch Professor Eric B Litwack will be giving a talk To attend any event or for more information please contact entitled Raoul Wallenberg: Learning from Totalitarianism, and Martin Frey on 020 7543 5400. will be looking at the question of strengthening democratic For the Saturday Night Supper tickets please contact the Sussex Jewish culture today generally and fighting antisemitism in particular. Representative Council on 07771 210186. Professor Litwack is a director of a newly-formed charity, Booking is essential as soon as possible as numbers are limited. The Raoul Wallenberg Society, and a lecturer in philosophy Please make cheques payable to Board of Deputies of British Jews and at the Bader International Study Centre of Queen’s University send to: Administration Department, Board of Deputies, 6 Bloomsbury (Canada) at Herstmonceaux Castle in Sussex. Square, London WC1A 2LP issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 6 Community life 7 Ajex so there is a personal viewpoint from whichever Rabbi is Chaplain for Ajex in a particular year, and so Rabbi Charles by Judy Gabriel, PRO Brighton & Hove Wallach led us at this poignant and moving event. The official parade of the Ajex Standard service was carried out, as always at the beginning and end, by Standard Bearer Michael Phillips with Lt.Commander Jack Rose and Bernard Frost as escorts. This service holds meanings and memories for all who attend and is a tribute to all those held dear. On a lighter note, the Music Quiz on 06 February in the Ajex Hall at the Reform Synagogue was a very merry event. The room was filled with anticipation when Stewart Macintosh, our Quiz Master, listed all the sections on a large board for everyone’s perusal, to give us a chance to pick a topic on which to play our jokers. A joker enables you to score double points, so correct selection is paramount. Needless to say hardly any team ever gets it right! Alongside the Quiz there are the ever important refreshments, and Jennie and her team never disappoint We all settled down to soup and a vast array of sandwiches, followed by tea,coffee and cake. This is always a fun event, and we were fortunate to have with us the Mayor with Chairman Aubrey Cole the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Geoff Wells with Mayoress Lucy Wells and Mace Bearer Robert Robertson, Sunday 30 January, a lovely bright but chilly morning, saw who all agreed it was a most enjoyable afternoon. So, a sizeable gathering for the Holocaust Memorial service at Stewart, you’ll be busy now preparing the next one ! Meadow View Bear Road. There is no set run of service, Watch this space. worthing & District jewish Memorial Day on 27th January. Our Jewish Community will continue to play our part in this important commemoration. Community Our very best wishes go to Roger’s wife Lilian on her recent illness. by Barbara Gordon We are also organising our Seder to be held on 2nd night Very recently I heard someone say that ‘Worthing wasn’t Tuesday 19th April and a series of coffee mornings at the café doing anything and was finished.’ I was suitably astonished in Marine Park. and so I’m here to tell you that ‘reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated’. Of course we’re still here - although In particular we send our love to Frances Selby and Dorothy I must admit that we’ve been a little quiet of late. This has Rosen – we miss you both on our Committee. much to do with the weather and, sadly, illness to some of our valued committee members. The Worthing & District Jewish Community exists to perform a worthwhile function of putting Jewish people in the area in So what are we doing? We were due to have our Chanukah touch and running social events so that we can get together party in early December but, along with so many others, from time to time. We constantly receive messages from unfortunately this had to be cancelled owing to the snow. people new to West Sussex and are always delighted to help Over 45 of our members were coming and had promised and inform. sumptuous food for our Chavurah meal. Ian had worked so hard and also engaged a tutor and members of Chichester So, as you can see, we are very much alive and running and College of Music to perform for us. continue to offer a warm welcome to visitors to our functions. But are we down-hearted? NO. We intend to have our party entitled Chanukah’s Here at Last on Sunday 13th March: Our future functions are: same venue, time, music etc. and ask our members to raid • Sunday 13th March – “Chanukah’s Here at Last - £4.50 their freezers in search of all the goodies they put in last (Chavurah supper) 6.45 pm – approx. 10.00 pm at the December. Quaker Meeting House, 34 Mill Road, Worthing I would add that the marvelous response we had did not • Tuesday 19th April – 2nd night Seder - £18.00 6.30 pm at come about by accident. Ian in particular made countless the Quaker Meeting House telephone calls: announcements and reminders were sent • Wednesday 6th April. Coffee morning @ Marine Park, out by email and ordinary mail and we are indebted to our priceless Secretary Joy Barnett for all her help and, of course, Worthing. 10.45 am our members for their enthusiasm. We would like to thank Roger Berlin (in our absence on Any enquiries please ring Ian & Barbara Gordon on 01903 holiday) and Worthing Council for arranging Holocaust 779720 or e-mail barbaraian@talktalk.net. issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 6 Community life 7 Visit to jewish Care by Helping Ralli Hall Hands by Roger Abrahams, Hon. Chairman by Karen Pettitt, Administrator To date, the upgrade of the ladies toilets is progressing well, and I am sure that you will be more than a little pleased with We were warmly welcomed to the Maurice & Vivienne the finished product. Six double windows have now all been Wohl Campus in Golders Green by Sonia Douek, head of replaced to an excellent standard, and I am happy to advise volunteering and community development at Jewish Care. that we do have enough funds to complete the scheme to refurbish the gents toilets, without further delay. Finances After a chat with Sonia, we met Naomi, who runs the Jewish have been helped by our caretaker, Martyn Coblenz, carrying Care Direct phone helplines. Our aim was to make Jewish out the decorating himself. He is a dab-hand at this, but Care aware of Helping Hands and what we can offer to their please accept our apologies for his having to curtail the day-clients. to-day cleaning temporarily. Martyn is also busy decorating the servery & the entrance lobby, giving them a fresh look. Sarah outlined the services offered by Helping Hands including befriending, accompanying on hospital visits, We have now found a suitable successor to our Alternative shopping, DIY etc. The Helping Hands bus was purchased Therapy Practitioner. Sarah is now fully ensconced in the two by fundraising and is now an essential part of the community. smartly redecorated rooms at the rear of the stage, which Helping Hands also organizes the monthly teas, so enjoyed would otherwise be little used. I understand that she is an by the elderly; our recent Mitzvah Day was so successful that expert in acupuncture and also lectures on this practice. If we received an award from the Jewish Chronicle. And the you would like to avail yourselves of Sarah’s services, please Pub Quiz too was a great success, both as a fundraiser and a speak to Norina, who will put you in touch with her. community event. The interview process for prospective candidates for the new Some of the Jewish community in the Brighton & Hove area part-time co-ordinator for the Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club are not affiliated to a synagogue, but when they need help is ongoing, and so I hope to be able to announce Suzanne they may go back to their roots and contact Jewish care for Collins’ successor in the next edition of SJN. advice and support. You may recollect that some time ago we regularly hosted Naomi was very impressed by the range of work done by weekends at Ralli Hall for orthodox Jewish youth groups. Helping Hands, especially since it is run solely by volunteers, I am pleased to advise that we have just booked such a and told us that Helping Hands could be a really useful weekend, with a likely second booking soon thereafter. These resource once it was better known within Jewish Care. were rather special and an excellent use of our quite unique facilities. After a lovely lunch with Sonia & Jo Masters in the Michael Sobell Commumity Centre, they took us on a tour of the My family all thoroughly enjoyed the recent excellent MARTIN GROSS campus. The Community Centre has a café and restaurant, Lubavitch Celebratory Dinner at Ralli Hall, as well as the a synagogue and offers a wide range of social and physical special ceremony for the completion of the Scroll of the Law Funeral Director and , activities. Plus a hairdressing salon and wellbeing salon! presented to Rabbi Efune for his fiftieth birthday. Funeral Consultant The Otto Schiff care home offers specialist, personal and Our next Management Committee Meeting takes place in to Jewish communities nursing care for people with dementia. Bedrooms are March, when, among other matters, we will be deciding on clustered in groups of 12 and each group has its own main the date of the 2011 Annual General Meeting, most likely in 01273 439792 lounge, kitchen, dining room and quiet lounge. There are 54 May. 07801 599771 bedrooms, with six dedicated to respite care. Selig Court has 45 independent living apartments. There is a Kosher 07540 066566 See you at Ralli Hall! restaurant serving an evening meal and the tenants have access to communal facilities, plus 24 hour on-site support team. We were then taken around the offices, including the KC Shasha Centre for Talking News & Books, which produces an edited audio version of the Jewish Chronicle and offers a library of over 1300 books on CD. We felt that this would be of benefit to our clients and that perhaps Sussex Jewish News could be made available in this way. During our visit we were introduced to Debbie Fox, a trustee with responsibility for Care Homes and to Jamie, a manager in the Youth & Community department. It was a very worthwhile visit and we were all overwhelmed by HELPING HANDS the campus and by the different facilities available, all on one site. The attention to detail and quality was amazing! We invite you to check out our new website: www.helping-hands.org Telephone: (01273) 747722 Email: helping-hands@ntlworld.com issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 8 Community life 9 Brighton jlGB takes part in The afternoon finished with Final Parade. Brighton JLGB proudly marched into the hall parading their unit standard, banner competition which had been in storage since Brighton JLGB closed some years ago. Following a hugely exciting day and extremely by Diane Style fierce competition, Redbridge were crowned the worthy winners. Other awards were presented and one of the members from our unit, L/Sgt Marcus Dollow, was delighted to be called up to receive his Jack Petchey Achievement Award as an Outstanding Achiever. Marcus also received a cup during JLGB National Senior Summer Camp last year, his first JLGB Camp, as well as promotion to Lance Sergeant last October. All participants, especially those from Brighton, thoroughly enjoyed their day at the Banner and can’t wait to take part next year. The JLGB Commandant, Jill Atfield, spoke briefly and said she was delighted to see so many young people representing our town. Brighton is now on half term, returning on Sunday, 27th February with a packed programme. The first session concentrates on making costumes from re-cycled materials. Future sessions include Film Making, ‘Go Ape’ and a Treasure Hunt around Brighton. Members of the recently formed Brighton JLGB (Jewish Lads For further details about JLGB, please go to wwwjlgb.org. and Girls Brigade) took part in their first ever JLGB Banner For Brighton JLGB, please call Diane Style: 07963 552920 or Competition, held at Haberdashers Aske’s school in Elstree, Alison Dollow: 07951 499215 or go to www.jlgb.org/brighton. Herts. eastbourne Hebrew The Brighton JLGB team consisted of Kimberley Style, Rose Paterson, Danielle Phillips, Charlotte Seligman, Rachel Congregation Seligman, Oren Shaer, Saul Rowland, Henri Ben Ezra, Robert Burgh and Marcus Dollow. They joined 8 other units from by Stephanie Megitt Borehamwood, Bushey, Edgware, Hendon, Ilford, Kingston, Radlett, Redbridge and Woodford. A winter barbecue lunch was held at the home of Dan and Melanie Liebenberg to raise funds for the shul building The JLGB Banner Competition comprises four sections: repairs. The event was very well attended and guests sport, drill, inspection and Brigade and General Knowledge. were treated to delicious meats cooked on a most unusual Each section earns points towards a final score and the industrial-sized indoor barbecue, South African style. The overall winners are awarded the Challenge Cup and the hospitality of the family and the bonus of the opportunity to Edward Greenbury Memorial Banner. The winners meet hear the piano playing of the three children, including Lazar the winners of the Walton Trophy, held for members of Liebenberg with his own piano composition, made for a lovely Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester January treat. and Newcastle. The two winning companies then go on to compete for the prestigious Ancil Trophy, awarded to the best Chairman Ronnie Taylor gave a warm vote of thanks. The sum unit in JLGB. of £300 was raised. Brighton Company did extremely well in sport, having only been introduced to the game of handball two weeks ago. A farewell from eastbourne There was huge excitement when they found out they had won one of Hebrew Congregation their matches 12-4. Then came the inspection which went extremely by Stella Harris well. They all looked very smart in their uniforms. On Saturday 15 January 2011, we sadly said au revoir to Tzachi and Nichole Mizrachi and daughters, who are returning The groups’ biggest challenge was to live in Israel. the drill section. Brighton executed their routine perfectly, having been Although we enjoyed Tzachi’s service at Susans Road, excellently tutored by BSM Carly Eastbourne, it was with heavy hearts, for we knew we Szasz and PSM Felice Cartz. An probably would not hear his lovely singing voice again. We officer from the British Army had shall miss his enthusiastic rendering and explanations of our been invited to mark the children prayers. A delightful service was followed by a sumptuous in their drill and they certainly did Kiddush provided by Linda, Stella and Diane. themselves (and us) proud. The final section, Brigade and General We wish the Mizrachi family the best of luck in the future and Knowledge quiz, also went very hope we will see them on a visit to Eastbourne soon. well. issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 8 Community life 9 sussex jewish Representative Helping Hands Council During the snow towards the end of The meeting on 2 February at Ralli Hall jointly chaired by last year, however beautiful it looked, Debra Goodman and Jessica Rosenthal was well attended. it really wasn’t so good for those of The following is an extract of the minutes of the meeting. us that had to get out and about. At this time our volunteers were phoning Detective Inspector Neville Kemp and Sergeant Peter our clients, asking if they needed any shopping, or if they Castleton were in attendance to discuss community relations needed to be taken to appointments etc. This was much with Sussex Police. It was reassuring to hear that hate/ appreciated by all and we would like to thank our volunteers anti-Semitic crimes were still reassuringly low in Sussex and who were able to help us. despite planned budget cuts, DI Kemp was confident that front line services would be maintained. However, the problems caused by the bad weather, made it difficult, if not impossible, for volunteers to visit clients in Sussex Day Limmud is taking place at the University of different parts of the city, so we had to rely on volunteers who Sussex on 22 May. A wide- ranging adult and children/youth were in walking distance to get to clients who needed help. programme is being planned and ticket sales would open on 2 March. We have therefore come up with a new project called ‘HH Neighbourhood Care’ which is in its planning stage. The A children’s party with an Israeli theme is planned for Yom idea is to have a volunteer phone contact, who would be Ha’atzmaut on 10 May. Parents and other adults welcome. responsible for a number of clients in a certain area, not necessarily the area in which they live. A number of poignant events took place during the week surrounding 27 January for National Holocaust Memorial We would use our existing phone volunteers to start with, and Day which events were put together by Brighton & Hove City phone calls could be made every week or two (maybe more in Council and the University of Sussex. very bad weather). It was disappointing that so few people from the local Jewish If a client needs anything, the phone contact would ask a community had taken part and it was hoped that in future volunteer in the client’s neighbourhood, to call and help where better support should be organized. There were also HMD necessary. Volunteers and clients could be matched by post-events in Eastbourne, Hastings and Worthing. code, in this way; the address of the volunteer would not be made known to the client. The SJRC Chair Team are preparing a website for the Council, which in no way duplicates any of the excellent existing web-We are very keen to hear your feedback as it will help us to sites serving the local community. develop the project further. The SJRC website and a new SJRC telephone will be a Please call us on 747722 or email us on helping-hands@ central point of contact with the Council and will provide helping-hands.org a portal to all member organizations and access to people outside of the area to information about Jewish life in Sussex. Our next Tea will be on Sunday 27 March at the AJEX Centre. The website should go live by the end of March 2011. Regular guests will be notified, but if you haven’t been before, give us a call and we’ll be pleased to put you on the list. It is most important that anyone organizing a function should contact the Communal Diary before deciding on a function date to avoid any future clashes. Then they must notify the Diary of the date when it has been fixed, so that other organizers can avoid it. Synagogues will also be asked to notify the Diary of any Sussex Jewish Representative Council private functions that could affect attendance at other events, although details of these private functions would, of course, YOM HA’ATZMAUT not be made public. CHILDREN’S PARTY A full copy of the report can be obtained from the Representative Council by e-mailing info@ To celebrate Israel’s 63rd Birthday! sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Tuesday 10th May 2011 AJEX Hall, Eaton Road, Hove 4.00 – 6.00 pm Children’s entertainment followed by supper To reserve your place, contact Tessa Bass 01273 558884 or 07962 870642 by 30th April 2011 Donation £2.00 per child Tea/coffee/cakes for sale issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 10 Community life 11 jsoc update Back on campus this term saw the annual Remembrance Day programme put on by the centre by Ellen Segalov for German-Jewish Studies. The theme this year was ‘Holocaust Remembrance in the 21st century: Since returning to Brighton five weeks ago Brighton Listening to Untold Stories’ and a lot of us students and Sussex JSoc has been filled with opportunities were privileged to hear the speakers and also watch a and activities for the Jewish Students of the South. We film about the life of Tomi Reichenthal, who was there in have continued to have our fortnightly Shabbat dinners person. together in Ralli Hall and many of us have enjoyed spending the alternate weeks at the home of our lovely Coming up in the next few weeks we are all off to chaplains Avi and Debby and their family. Our weekly Bournemouth for the UJS Southern weekend away. soul food sessions have also continued to be thought- Those of us who went last year are looking forward provoking and inspiring, all of this helped along of to reliving the fun to be had and we have a lot of new course by the delicious home cooked-food that comes members who will be experiencing this for the first time. with it. This month we also had the chance to prepare our own food, as we were guided through a sushi JSOC will also be continuing the link that was started at making and, more importantly, sushi eating evening. Mitzvah Day with Helping Hands: a group of us will be coming to the next AJEX tea party, something we hope This term we also celebrated Tu B’Shevat with an will become a permanent part of our calendar. urban gardening project. We put together flower beds and made pots that we hope to move to the new Hillel On top of all this the main excitement on everyone’s Centre’s garden in the near future. We also started work mind is the opening of the Brighton Hillel Centre in the on a mosaic to be put in the centre. next few weeks. We already have lots of big plans for the Centre and can’t wait until we have somewhere to base ourselves and to continue growing as a Society. COFFEE MORNING & BEAUTY BAR In aid of the restoration of the dormitories at Yemin orde which were original y funded by Brighton & Hove 50 years ago and recently destroyed by fire Malcolm Green Catering Wednesday, 16th March 2011 at 11.00 am The selection of your menu is an important part in 1 Park Avenue, Hove the planning of your Simcha. For that reason our Chefs continue to create exciting and tasty menus to Raffle meet your every need. We can tailor a menu to fit your Donation £3.00 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. Plus summer holidays in Italy, Ireland and weddings throughout the world. KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST Contact Rachel on 01273 726495 or Malcolm on koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk www.kosherservicesworldwide.com UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION OF THE LONDON BETH DIN issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 11 issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 12Culture 13 jewish Historical society - sussex Branch significant and detailed research which were well received by the many members and visitors present. It is certainly worthy by Godfrey Gould, Chairman of publication for more detailed study. The first meeting of 2011 was held on 25 January when the The final two meetings will be held on 29 March and 3 best attended audience this session heard Sam Barsam May. At the first we will welcome Marcus Roberts, Director, speak on The Enlightenment. Sam started by reference National Anglo-Jewish Heritage Trails, who will speak on The to secular philosophers such as Voltaire, Descartes and Jews of the Lake District, and at the second by Professor Rousseau and their influence on early modern thought Miri Rubin of Queen Mary, University of London, whom in general, before dealing with the impact on Jewish many will remember from her inspiring address to our 2009 practice with consideration of such writers as Spinoza Limmud. After our very brief AGM (five minutes!), she will talk and Mendelssohn. Later Sam brought the topic right up about “Church and Synagogue - from Sisters to Enemies in to date with current changes and developments in Jewish Medieval Europe”. Sure to be brilliant. All are invited - come thought and practice. Sam’s address was an intellectual along. You will not be disappointed! and comprehensive study which bore all the hall marks of Carola Grindea (1914-2009): her husband Miron an appreciation and their early lives as intellectuals by Susan Conway in London. Their wonderful open I first met Carola in my capacity as solicitor. Rabbi Wallach house was spoken had informed me that her sister was dying in one hospital and of by many. Old her brother-in-law Arnold Daghani was gravely ill in another: film was shown both needed wills. Sadly, Carola’s sister died within twenty-of Myra Hess four hours of my professional visits, and Arnold, the famous and Carola giving holocaust survivor and painter, died shortly thereafter. It recitals at the was Carola who had brought Arnold’s work to the public’s National Gallery attention. She ensured that the remainder of his art collection throughout the war. would remain intact. His work is now in an archive at Sussex Myra had intended University. to cease playing during the war, Carola Grindea was a pianist, but the concerts continued largely teacher and therapist due to Carola’s Carola and I became friends, leading to my being instrumental determination. in the drafting of the charity trust of the International Society One lady, now aged 95, had come from Rumania to explain for the Study of Stress in Performance, which became one of how she played for Carola when young, and enjoyed a her lasting legacies to the world of music. She also founded musical career, thanks to Carola arranging a scholarship for the European Piano Teachers’ Association in 1978, which her in the UK. Carola loved to help poor young artists from enhanced the status of piano teachers throughout Europe. her native Rumania: many came to tell stories of her giving On the 17th October 2010, at the Guildhall School of Music, them a good start in their careers. where she had been a professor of piano, I was privileged to One violinist told of the scholarship offered to him at The join the family and a full concert hall of friends and students, Guildhall School of Music. He had arrived, almost penniless, for a celebration of her life. Hostess Nadia Lasserson, her at Victoria Station with little English and no one to meet him. daughter, wore a dress which, when young, Carola had made He waited for coins to be left in the public coin box with from old velvet curtains for a first piano recital. which to phone Carola. She collected him and then provided Following a musical introduction by some of Carola’s him with a home for several months. Many former students grandchildren, the occasion took the form of moving and told of similar generous hospitality. interesting “vignettes in music and speech” from many of She and her late husband Miron were famous for their parties the people whose lives had been enriched by Carola The and intellectual soirees. Miron left his legacy in the famous president of EPTA Norway had flown in especially to pay magazine ADAM. Carola left hers with her many students, tribute to Carola. The Norwegians were the first EPTA group friends, and her beloved ISTIP and EPTA. to be formed outside of England. Claire Bloom, the actress, praised Carola’s teaching, and told of her family friendship I feel privileged to have known this tiny lady of enormous spanning many years. determination and strength of character, whose memory will live on. Stories were told of her arrival with very little in England with issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM Culture 13 films for the rest of this year • 26 June: The Schwarz Dynasty (Israel, 104 mins) by the Sussex Jewish Film Club • 31 July: Bonjour Monsieur Schlomi Don’t forget to come to our screening of the American film (Israel, 94 mins) Crossing Delancey (97 mins) starring Amy Irving, on Sunday 6th March at Ralli Hall. Refer to the February issue of SJN for • 18 September: Leon the Pig Farmer further details of this much loved ‘feel good’ movie. As usual (UK, 99 mins) it’s 7.00 pm for hot or cold drinks, with the film starting at 7.30 pm. • 30 October: Waltz with Bashir (Israel, 90 mins) Dates and films for the rest of 2011 are as follows: • 18 December: The Jazz Singer (USA, 110 mins) • 10 April: Oedipus Wrecks (USA, short Woody Allen film, 37 mins) together with Barmitzvah Boy (UK, Jack It’s £27 per year to join the Club (Brighton & Hove Jewish Rosenthal, 75 mins) Centre), which works out at only £3 per evening (free to full-time students). Occasional guests are welcome for 1 or • 15 May: The Band’s Visit (Israel, 87 mins) 2 screenings on the basis of a donation. We hope to see you there! untold stories: HMD 2011 A question and answer session with Tomi and Irish film makers Gerry Gregg and Oliver Donohoe followed. The by Stephanie Megitt striking aspect of it all for me was that he displayed no I attended this event put on by the Centre for German-bitterness. Jewish Studies and sponsored by the Association of Jewish It is strange to say that one enjoyed a day like that, but I Refugees. The lecture theatre was almost full to capacity with did find it uplifting, probably because of the evidence of the survivors, members of the community and many students. power and strength of the human spirit on display. The work Several prominent citizens, including Gordon Greenfield, undertaken in schools by Tomi Reichenthal and others like the director of the AJR, gave fine introductory speeches him is priceless. It cannot be stressed enough how difficult it stressing in different ways the need for accurate Holocaust is for them to revisit the horror they suffered – the fact that so remembrance. Most impressive among these was Cameron many survivors never spoke about it afterwards at all speaks Tait, President of the Student Union: I am sure his name will volumes. be one to watch in the future. As a Jewish person born only a few years after the end We were then treated to a riveting lecture by Professor of World War II, one feels that one has seen and heard it Eaglestone, whose field is contemporary literature and all. Although I didn’t expect to learn anything new about thought. His arguments against ‘kitsch’ storytelling and the Holocaust, I was struck, not for the first time, by the turning the Holocaust into fable were well made and backed uniqueness of this and every victim’s story. The message up with evidence. He referred both to specific novels and was loud and clear: not only must we remember and educate films, and demonstrated both the good done by faithfully successive generations to an awareness of this history, but recorded accounts, and the harm done by false ones such do so with accuracy, so that it does not happen again. And as “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas”, which contain glaringly the important question was posed: how will we do this when inaccurate scenarios. there are no Holocaust survivors left? We were then privileged to hear personal testimony from Tomi Centre for German-Jewish Reichenthal, a survivor. He had not talked to anyone for nearly 60 years about his horrific experiences in 1944 as a Slovakian Studies, University of Sussex Jewish boy of nine. Although, miraculously, his immediate Tuesday 29 March 2011, 14:00-15:00 family survived, Tomi lost his childhood and his way of life. Many of his close family members were murdered. The Panel on ‘Jewish Enlightenment’ for the Conference of the British outstanding film about his life story, Till the Tenth Generation, Society for the History of Philosophy was shown. It is a seamless blend of re-enactment, actual Organised by Prof. Christian Wiese and hosted by the Centre wartime footage and film of Tomi recently returning to his for Intel ectual History and the Philosophy Department at the childhood home in Slovakia and the camps, for the first time University of Sussex. since the war. It succeeds in telling the wider story of the Speakers will include Prof Shmuel Feiner (Bar Ilan University), atrocities committed by the Nazis through this particular one. Dr Andrea Schatz (Kings Col ege) and Prof Christian Wiese The story is inspiring: he went on to settle in Dublin, have a (Frankfurt). successful career in engineering and after marrying a Jewish For details check website girl, to have a family of his own. http://www.sussex.ac.uk/cgjs/1-1.php issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 14 Culture 15 limmud: “it’s usually more satisfying to be a driver than a passenger” Gordon Kay, co-chair of Sussex Day Limmud 2011, Assimilation is one symptom of the real problem, which is that interviews Clive Lawton, co-founder of Limmud. many Jews are not finding Jewish stuff interesting, engaging and exciting enough for them to live their lives in such a way that being Jewish makes a difference to them and makes them make Jewish choices in their lives. GK: Limmud is largely volunteer-led, what impact does this have? CL: This is one of the features that has caught the imagination of Jews all around the world. Volunteer power in Limmud means that volunteers not only do stuff but make all the key decisions. This really is people power. It’s extremely rare - which is why it becomes so exciting when people finally get that Limmud is absolutely serious about empowerment. It’s not just a recruiting strategy. GK: This is the fourth Limmud to be held in Sussex, what do you think this says about the community? CL: It says several things. Firstly, that quite rightly, Sussex GK: With Limmuds now happening around the world, why do is a key Jewish population in the UK. Local people have you think it has been so successful? decided that it’s only right that Sussex Jews should have their own Limmud. CL: The wonderful thing about Limmud is that it liberates energy. It says to people ‘Make it happen. Don’t judge. Don’t Secondly, that there is a band of enthusiasts who are not only divide. Just bring everything you can think of that might be going to dream of Jewish stuff in Sussex but they’re actually Jewish into one space and let people explore’. Limmud is going to make it happen. also optimistic - about Jews, about the future, about how Thirdly, it tells us that it’s possible in Sussex for Jews of every brilliantly Jewish stuff works when you just give people stripe and none to get together, celebrate and develop their access to it without guarding the entrance. Jewish learning under one roof with warm mutual respect GK: There always seems to be a positive buzz at Limmud despite their sometimes deeply held differences, offering a events. Why do you think this is? model of an ideal Jewish world on your own doorstep. CL: Limmud capitalises on people’s energy. The can-do Finally Sussex Jews aren’t stupid! When such a thing atmosphere of Limmud, where everyone is a participant, not happens in Sussex hundreds turn up in their droves because just a consumer, means that people feel more involved - and they know a good thing when they see one. After all, it’s therefore more energised -, than in many Jewish contexts virtually unimaginable that a worldwide phenomenon, where you just go along to hear stuff or be told what to do. (Limmuds are happening in every continent), would come to your own locality and you wouldn’t want to see for yourself GK: There is much discussion on Jewish education as a way what all the fuss is about. of countering assimilation. What do you think Limmud can contribute to this? Of course, readers of this article will make sure they’re there on May 22nd. Naturally you won’t want to miss it. But a CL: I’d rather talk about learning than education, since moment’s thought will show you that you’d enjoy it even learning is what we do. Education is what is done to us. At more if you actually got involved in making it happen. I have Limmud events, the only thing we ask is that people should no doubt that the organising team will be happy to receive learn and we define Jewish learning as widely as is humanly you. Limmud teaches Jews worldwide that it’s usually more possible. satisfying to be a driver than a Limmud isn’t telling anyone what they must do with their passenger. It’s learning. Does it intensify this person’s Jewish practice? no different in Great! Does it confirm that Jewish practice is not for them? Sussex! Well, people make their own choices, but at least this choice is a more informed one. See you in May. Actually, most of the evidence suggests that Limmud results in people being more Jewishly involved. Some people get angry when they find out from Limmud that there is so much vibrancy in the Jewish world out there but they can’t find it in their own community. Some will use that anger to demand Sussex Day Limmud is on 22 May. Tickets go on sale and organise greater activity, and others will use that same from March 2, check the back page and inserted flyer anger to justify dropping away from their community because for more details. it isn’t providing what they want. issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 14 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 15 Clowning around with Purim by Rabbi Charles wallach Bulletin Board for March 2011 The month of Adar means just one thing: Purim! Though, it has to be said, its popularity was probably Mondays Exercise to music with Adele, 11.00 am something that grew on Judaism. For example, in the time of the Maccabees, it was probably not celebrated. Its customs seem to have developed over time. Today Wednesdays JACS, 2.00 pm we readily recognise the reading of the Megillah, the fancy dress parade, the eating of hamantaschen and Saturday 5th Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am the Purim play. The latter seems to have developed in the Middle Ages, Sunday 13th Members Tea, 2.30 pm featuring perhaps influenced by the Christian passion plays, but Jonathan Elvey: A Life in Music quite different of course. The first known text has been dated 1697, in Germany, and actually in the keeping of Saturday 19th Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am a Christian. Indeed, in the eighteenth century, these plays were performed not just amongst Jews, but were shown to mixed audiences. Indeed, some people got Sunday 20th Service & Megilla Reading, 10.00 am so excited that, in at least one instant, the police had to includes Purim Schpiel and Fancy be called to keep the peace! Dress Parade In time the badchan, or clown, became synonymous with Purim, alongside the main characters of Esther, Tuesday 22nd Cooking Demonstration with Denise Mordechai and Haman. This was merged with the idea Phillips, 2.30 pm of the ‘fool’ that became part of the Yiddish theatre, which so dominated the life of Eastern European Jewry. This was then extended to the immigrant communities here and in the new world. Purim thus became a time of jolliment for young and old alike. Amongst the adults, parodying the community and the Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue wider society became the thing; whilst for the children, Ladies Guild the merriment of dressing up and song and dance became the thing. “NEW IDEAS FOR PESACH” So, enough of the analysing – on with the show: Purim with chag sameach to one and all! DENISE PHILLIPS The well known cookery writer Tuesday 22nd March 2011 2.30pm Ajex Hall, Eaton Road, Hove It’s getting towards the time of year when we all start to think, Pesach: “what shall I cook?” JONATHAN ELVEY – A LIFE Come and explore new possibilities in an exclusive cookery demonstration by DENISE PHILLIPS. IN MUSIC Denise will be revealing some of her creative recipes and ideas, and you Join us for afternoon tea on Sunday, 13 March 2011 will be able to see how it’s done.They say “the proof of the pudding is in the eating” SO COME AND TASTE. at AJEX Centre Denise will be happy to answer your cookery questions and queries. Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Tickets available from the office 01273 735343 (Eaton Road entrance), 2.30-4.30 pm £7.50 donation Flying in from Athens semi-professional jazz pianist Jon PLEASE BOOK EARLY AS WE NEED TO ENSURE A GOOD wil be talking about his life with musical excerpts. ATTENDANCE TO COVER COSTS. Gweni Sorokin will be performing Yiddish songs. Tickets in advance from the Shul Office 01273 735343 (Donation £3.00) issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 16BHHC 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 17 A Brief Purim Guide services and special events – By Rabbi Hershel Rader March 2011 Details of our communal Purim celebrations are listed in the Services and Special Events on this page. We hope you will Shacharit join us and we look forward to welcoming you. shacharit services are held in the Bais Hamidrash in conjunction with Hove Hebrew Congregation on mondays and Thursdays at 7.30 am We are all familiar with the story of Mordechai and Esther and on sundays at 8.30 am, except for Rosh Chodesh Adar II when and the miraculous deliverance of the Jews from their services will be held on sunday 6 march at 8.15am and on monday oppressors. This potentially tragic episode in Jewish history 7 march at 7.15am. On shabbat, shacharit begins in the shul at 9.15 has given us one of our most joyous festivals – Purim. Below am. is a brief description of the personal Purim observances we should keep. 4/5 March: Shabbat Parshat Pikudei – Shekalim On Friday 4 march, mincha and Kabbalat shabbat begin at 5.28 pm. Listen to the Megillah: To relive the miraculous events On the morning of saturday 5 march services will be followed by of Purim, listen to the reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Bumper Buffet Lunch. There is no charge and all welcome. Our Torah Esther) twice - once on Purim eve (Saturday 19 March) and readings will be Pikudei (Exodus 38:21- 40:38) and shekalim (Exodus again on Purim day (Sunday 20 March). 30:11-16). The Rabbi’s shiur begins at 4.45 pm and will be followed by mincha, Give to the Needy: Concern for the needy is a year-seudah and maariv at 5.15 pm. round responsibility; but on Purim it is a special mitzvah to remember the poor. Give charity to at least two, (but 11/12 March: Shabbat Vayikra preferably more) needy individuals on Purim. On Friday 11 march, mincha and Kabbalat shabbat begin at 5.40 pm. On the morning of saturday 12 march, services will be followed by Send Gifts of Food to Friends: To emphasise the Kiddush. Our Torah Reading will be Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26). importance of Jewish unity and friendship, send gifts of food The Rabbi’s shiur begins at 5.00 pm and will be followed by mincha, to one or more friends. Gifts should include at least two seudah and maariv at 5.30 pm. kinds of ready-to-eat foods (e.g., pastry, fruit, drink). 18/19 March: Shabbat Tzav - Zachor Eat, Drink and be Merry: Celebrate with a special festive On Friday 18 march, mincha and Kabbalat shabbat begin at 5.52 pm. meal on Purim Day, at which family and friends gather On the morning of saturday 19 march services will be followed by together to rejoice in the Purim spirit. Kiddush. Our Torah readings will be Tzav (Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36) and Zachor (Deut. 25:17-19). The Rabbi’s shiur begins at 5.10 pm and will Recite Al Hanissim: The prayer Al Hanissim is inserted into be followed by mincha, seudah and maariv at 5.40 pm. the Amidah prayer and Grace After Meals. 19/20 March: Purim We are delighted to be celebrating Purim together with Hove Hebrew Congregation at the West Hove synagogue on the following dates and Purim Teach-In for Adults times: • Saturday 19 March at 7.10 pm: Maariv service followed by the first 6th March in the Mark Luck Hall at 11.20am megillah reading and refreshments. • Sunday 20 March at 9.45 am to noon: second communal Megillah Join Rabbi Rader for an investigation of the reading followed by a Purim shpiel, gifts and refreshments in the Purim story and the origins of our Purim mark Luck Hall. Everyone (children and adults) are requested to traditions. please come in fancy dress. All Welcome – No Charge. 26/27 March: Shabbat Parshat Shemini – Parah We are delighted to be welcoming members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews who will spending the weekend in Brighton & Hove. On Friday 26 march, mincha & Kabbalat shabbat will begin at 6.03 pm Communal Seder On the morning of saturday 27 march services will be followed by We will be holding a Communal Seder in the Kiddush. Our Torah Readings will be shemini (Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47) and Parah (Numbers 19:1-22). Mark Luck Hall on the first night of Pesach The Rabbi’s shiur begins at 5.20 pm and will be followed by mincha, Monday 18th April. seudah and maariv at 5.50 pm. Adults £25, Children £10. Yahrzeit / Kaddish For more details or to book a place please If someone has yahrtzeit or is saying Kaddish and would like a minyan contact the Shul Office on 01273 888 855 or to be organised, please contact Rabbi Rader on 0777 565 3897 or rabbibhhc@gmail.com. office@bhhc-shul.org issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 16 HHC Rabbi Vivian silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com 17 Did you know this about Purim? all the Jews in his power. The word sounds so similar to the name of the Grand Vizier that it ended up being called Haman by Rabbi Vivian silverman Taschen. Purim point: God’s name is absent from the Megillah because it was a letter sent to the Jewish communities Purim point: Communities, families or individuals, whose throughout The Persian Empire, explaining how their lives lives were spared through a miraculous event often kept the were spared by Divine Intervention. A secular letter would be Hebrew date of The “Miracle” as a special Purim of their own. thrown away afterwards. Down the generations a letter would be read explaining how the “Miracle” came about. Purim point: The Persian Empire stretched from India to Ethiopia, and consisted of 127 Provinces. Purim point: Esther is actually a Persian name (as mentioned in chapter 2 v. 7.). Her Hebrew name was Hadassah. Purim point: The Fast of Esther marks the date (13 Adar) Mordechai (also a Persian name) was her first cousin, though that Haman fixed for the massacre of the Jews of Persia. he was much older than her. Since, this year, 13 Adar falls on Shabbat, the Fast is on the preceding Thursday. Purim point: Haman cast lots (chapter 3 v. 7) to determine in which month to destroy the entire Persian Jewish community: Purim point: Hallel (Psalms of Praise113 – 118) is not recited Men, women, children, babies. The Persian word Pur means on Purim because the reading of The Megilla is itself praise to “a lot” – hence the name of the festival – Purim. The Almighty for sparing the Persian Jewish communities. Mishenihnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha / When Adar Begins We Purim point: Haman’s name (which occurs more than fifty Increase Our Joy! times in The Megillat Esther) is noisily blotted out during the reading, to fulfil the passage from The Torah (Devarim ch. 25 v. 19): “Timheh Et Zeiher Amalek.”(Blot out the March Diary memory of Amalek). Amalek was a warlike tribe which tried Tuesday 1 to destroy The Israelites soon after they left Egyptian slavery Talmud Shiur – Weekly in the Talmud Torah Hall and according to tradition, Haman the Agagite was a direct Tuesday 15 descendant. This is the only time of year when one is allowed Ladies Discussion Circle, 10.30 am to make a noise in Shul. Thursday 17 Purim point: The Four Mitzvot of Purim are: (1) Kriat Fast of Esther, ends 6.49 pm Hamegilla – the reading of The Scroll of Esther evening and Shabbat 19 morning on the 14 Adar; (2) Mishloah Manot – the sending of Zachor - Erev Purim. Reading of the Megillah after gifts to one another consisting of a minimum of two ready to Shabbat. Joint service at West Hove eat foods; (3) Mattanot La’evyonim – distributing gifts to the Sunday 20 poor and needy – i.e. charitable donations; (4) Seudat Purim – Purim - Reading of the Megillah and festivities at West enjoying a festive meal on the afternoon of Purim. Hove, 9.45 am Purim point: Hamantaschen are the distinctive food Monday 21 associated with this festival: Three-cornered pastry filled with Shushan Purim poppy seeds. The original pronunciation was mohntaschen (a Sunday 27 pocket of Mohn [poppy seeds]) symbolising the ten thousand Plenary session of The Board of Deputies in Brighton and silver talents which Haman paid the king in order to have Hove 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 issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 18BHPs 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 19 selective memory Just think about our memory of memories: the Exodus from Egypt. Again and again the Torah exhorts us to remember by Rabbi elizabeth tikvah sarah that we were slaves in Egypt. But the point of remembering As the current Jewish year contains thirteen months, we this defining episode is that we were liberated. And so, not look forward to Purim on the 14th Adar II. The Shabbat just Pesach, each Shabbat is zeicher itzi’at mitzrayim – ‘a before Purim is called Shabbat Zachor because we read an memorial of the Exodus from Egypt’ (birkat ha-yom - ‘the additional portion from Ki Teitzei (Ki Teitzei, Deuteronomy blessing for the day’ - recited as part of Kiddush on Erev 25:17-25) which opens with: ‘Zachor – Remember what Shabbat) Amalek did to you along the way when you were going out from Egypt / how he met you along the way, and attacked the Of course, the Exodus only happened once: one moment stragglers at the rear, when you are faint and weary, and he of liberation a long journey through the ‘vale of tears’? If we did not fear God. (see B’shallach – Exodus 17:8-16). look back on our history, it is clear that despite oppression and slaughter we have flourished, again and again, making What is the connection with Purim? In the Book of Esther, a stunning contribution to the world in almost every field of the wicked Haman is presented as a descendant of Amalek. endeavour. So, in addition to ‘remembering’ every ‘Amalek’, Thereafter the worst persecutors of the Jewish people in we should also remember with pride all our achievements – every generation have been identified as Amalek, including not least, the modern State of Israel, and the revival of Jewish Hitler. life in Eastern Europe and throughout the world after the We have taken the injunction to ‘remember Amalek’ seriously. Sho’ah. But we have done more than this. The focus on ‘remembering Amalek’ has also shaped our memory altogether. Czech scroll exhibition Heinrich Graetz (1817–1891) was born in Posnan, Prussia In honour of National Holocaust Memorial Day, Brighton & (now Poland). He was one of the first historians to write a Hove Progressive Synagogue held an Open Day exhibiting comprehensive history of the Jewish people from a Jewish the Torah Scroll which originally belonged to the community perspective. His History of the Jews from the Earliest Times of Frydek-Mistek in Czechoslovakia. Our members, Steve to the Present Day (published in English in five volumes, Field, who, with Hans Levy, was a prime mover in our being 1891-2) described Jewish history as a ‘vale of tears’. For the entrusted with the scroll, held visitors enthralled with his lucid most part our remembering has focused on our experience of explanation of its construction and use. churban – ‘destruction’. Of course, Graetz wasn’t wrong – but there has been much more to Jewish history than persecution The poignant, graphic exhibition of photographs telling the and genocide. story of the Frydek-Mistek community was open all day. The many synagogue members, friends and members of the public who braved the cold weather to attend, were obviously March Events moved by what they saw. Saturday 1st March To mark Fair Trade Fortnight which begins on 28th February, BHPS will be holding a Fair Trade Kiddush after the Shabbat Morning Service on Saturday 1st March. Saturday 12th March There will be a Mishaberach during the Shabbat Morning Service to mark 60 years since Anne Carr first joined BHPS. Saturday 19th March 7.00pm Purim We will celebrate Purim with a short service and Megillah reading. Please come and join us whether in fancy dress or not. Communal Seder Night: 18th April 2011 The BHPS communal Seder will take place on Monday 18th April 2011 at 6.30pm in the Montefiore Hall at the synagogue. Book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited to 70 people. Tickets cost £10 for members and £15 for non-members. Please contact Sarah Winstone to reserve a place. Tel home 01273 501604, mobile 07841488620 or email sarah.winstone@ntlworld.com. Details are also available Dr Brian Klug delivered the 2011 Aubrey Milstein Memorial lecture on 6 from Chandra at the synagogue office. february. Photo by Matthew Andrews issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | www.sussexjewisHnews.CoM 18 what’s on: March 2011 diary@sussexjewishnews.com 19 sHABBAt sHAloM – BRiGHton tiMes In Light Candles Out Havdalah Grodzinski’s challot and rye Fri 4 5.27 pm Sat 5 6.36 pm bread are available from Premier Fri 11 5.39 pm Sat 12 6.48 pm Convenience Stores in Hove Street Fri 18 5.51 pm Sat 19 7.00 pm every Thursday morning until Fri 25 6.02 pm Sat 26 7.12 pm supplies run out. ReGulAR ACtiVities eVents foR MARCH Sundays j:tots – for parents, toddlers, grandparents and carers - is held monthly at Ralli Hall.For information regarding the next session, please e-mail Rachel at jtots@rocketmail.com shalom Programme on www. or ring 01273 204334. radioreverb.com as well as 97.2 FM, 9.00-9.55 pm. Wednesday 2 Carmel tennis Club 10.00 am-12.00 jACs – AGM – 2.00 pm Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, Hove noon. Weekly. All levels welcome. Tel: Leon on 07717 222744 Sunday 6 sussex jewish film Club ‘Crossing Delancey’ – 7.00 for 7.30 pm RH Mondays Tuesday 8 the ethics of our fathers with Rabbi jlGB junior Group (8-11 year olds) launch Meeting – Young people and adult volunteers Efune 11.30-12.30 pm Chabad welcome. Contact 020 8989 8990 or email brighton@jlgb.org by 3 March 7.45 pm RH House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove. Tel:. 01273 321919 Wednesday 9 Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. jACs – Guest speaker theresa sundt – ‘The Jews of Salonika’ 2.00 pm Contact Reba 01444 410435 Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, Hove Rubber and Duplicate Bridge 1.30-4.30 Sunday 13 pm £2.00. Tel Reba 01444 410435 Afternoon tea with jonathan elvey: A life in Music – BHRS, Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, Hove Contemporary Basic talmud with 2.30 – 4.30 pm, Donation £3.00 Rabbi Efune - Men only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Wednesday 16 Coffee Morning – Youth Aliyah 11.00 am onwards in aid of Yemin Orde – tanya (Kabbalah) learning Group with Penina Efune - Ladies only 8.15 pm village destroyed by fire. All details from 01273 776671 at Chabad House 01273 321919 jACs – Pot Pourri – Members Reminisce 2.00 pm Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, Hove Monday 21 Tuesdays sARiD – Guest speaker Doris levinson – Co-Editor of the Sussex Jewish News ’18 Years of the Painting with Rochelle (jAs), 7.00-9.00 Sussex Jewish News’ 10.45 am at Ralli Hall. Donation £1.00. pm Weekly Tel: 01273 503708 RH. Tea, coffee and light refreshments served. israeli Dancing, 7.45-9.45 pm Tel: Tuesday 22 Jacky 01273 688538 Weekly RH new ideas for Pesach – Cookery with Denise Phillips – Donation £7.00 BHRS 2.30 pm Ralli Hall lunch and social Club, 10.30 Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, Hove am-4.30 pm. Weekly Tel: Suzanne 01273 739999 RH Wednesday 23 Art in the studio with Martin 2.00-4.30 jACs – Guest speaker Godfrey Gould – ‘Jews of Brighton and Hove 1766-2011’ pm RH 2.00 pm Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, Hove Weekend 25-27 Wednesdays Board of Deputies of British jews are coming to Brighton and Hove for the weekend. There Radio Reverb theatre programme will be events at Ralli Hall on Friday evening (Shabbat dinner), Saturday afternoon (Shabbat ‘Curtain Up’ is on Wednesdays at lunch) and Saturday night (food and entertainment). 7.00 am, 10.00 am-12.00 noon Tel: On Sunday afternoon there will be the Board meeting at Hove Town Hall and JTrails walk on 01273 540464 Weekly RH Sunday afternoon. Chutzpah Choir (singing in Yiddish, Sunday 27 Ladino, Hebrew, Aramaic and other Helping Hands tea – AJEX Centre 2.30 pm. Donation £2.50 languages) with Polina Shepherd. 7.00-8.45 pm Tuesday 29 Tel: Rosalind 01273 541031 RH. Centre for German-jewish studies, university of sussex, Panel on ‘Jewish Enlightenment’ Art in the studio with Martin 2.00-4.30 (organised by Prof. Christian Wiese) 2.00 – 3.00 pm pm RH For details check website http://www.sussex.ac.uk/cgjs/1-1.php Thursdays jewish Historical society – Marcus Roberts, National Anglo/Jewish Heritage Trails ‘The Jews of the Lake District’ 7.45 pm RH Ralli Hall lunch and social Club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Tel: Suzanne 01273 Wednesday 30 739999 Weekly RH jACs – Guest speaker Dr scarlett epstein oBe – ‘Rescue in Albania’ a film that shows why Muslims saved the lives of thousands of Jewish Refugees before and during WW2 weekly torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 2.00 pm Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, Hove 321919. iMPoRtAnt ReMinDeR: Please contact the Communal Diary before planning your events. issue 206 | MARCH 2011 | 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. 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 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 208
May 2011
SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS WHAt’S INSIdE.... SUSSEX dAY LIMMUd | BRIGHtON FEStIVAL PREVIEW WHAt’S ON | ANd MORE WWW.SUSSEXJEWISHNEWS.COM | £2 | MAY 2011 | NISAN / IYAR 5771 • ISSUE 208 2 Pause for thought 3 Now that the Pesach pots and pans have been put away for This is not a rant at the Big 3, Tesco, Sainsburys and another year (apologies if this statement affects your personal Waitrose, but it would be good to see them responding to fundamentalist rights, it’s not intended to) we can look the needs of their local ‘minorities’. Sainsburys and Waitrose forward to another year without having to worry about how threw the towel in early; their Pesach offerings were abysmal. many verses of Had Gad Yah we can remember or even feel Tesco had far and away the biggest selection of Kosher for that we should sing. Passover products. But they could only be purchased from one store in all of Sussex. If you wanted to purchase on-Maybe what we should be thinking about, is how well are we line, use your computer for home delivery, Tesco’s systems being served - as a Jewish Community. Members of those prevented you from doing that. If you live in Eastbourne large communities in North London or Manchester or Leeds or Uckfield or wherever, your post code links you to your may not have nearest Tesco store. If that given their Pesach We are facing uP to another attemPt by the euroPean does not stock kosher goods, shopping much of you cannot buy those goods Parliament to kill off shechita and it looks as though a thought. Their on-line, even though Tesco only concern the suPermarkets Would be more than haPPy to stoP advertise and sell them. So, would be how to finding shelf sPace for kosher food Products. you have to drive to the choose from the nearest store that does stock vast amount of Passover fare on offer. Out here, where the them. OK, you can order on-line from Titanics in Manchester Jewish population is somewhat sparser, the choice was not and they will deliver, but that cuts out freedom of choice, and what to buy but where can we buy anything at all. it raises the question of how well the Jewish Communities around Sussex are being catered for by the big supermarkets. For years the dwindling local communities failed to provide the necessary level of economic support required by their We are facing up to another attempt by the European Jewish butchers and bakers so they have all gone and there Parliament to kill off shechita and it looks as though the is now a reliance on the edifices that replaced them - the supermarkets would be more than happy to stop finding shelf supermarkets. How well did they do? Did they really support space for kosher food products. So maybe they should be the Jewish communities of Sussex East and West? Well, the told about how badly they served the Jews of Sussex and answer is not very well at all. If you can shop in Brighton and maybe how little they appear to understand about kosher Hove you had a chance at Tesco. If you lived beyond that products, how to display them and what they need to supply area you were very poorly served, especially by Tesco. for the different holidays. Putting up signs wishing their Jewish customers a happy holiday really does not do the job. SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, ADMINISTRATOR Ivor Sorokin announcements, people, congregations, communitites, contacts and more. Delivered at the start of each month, ADMIN ASSISTANT Gweni Sorokin 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. COMMuNITy ISSuES Laura Sharpe COMMuNAL DIARy info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt / Brian Megitt David Seidel COVER phOTOgRAphy Brian Megitt (Mamilla Mall in Jerusalem) EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Karen Pettit pRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 12 MAY 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 208 | may 2011 2 contents 3 sussex Jewish news features Po box 2178 hove bn3 3sZ 1 a touch of glass A glass sculpture in Jerusalem telephone: 07906 955 404 e-mail editor@sussexjewishnews.com 5 nachus from amsterdam Alan Lever and team win a special award 8 elseWhere Benidorm, Buis les Baronnies and Jerusalem 10 susseX day limmud 2011 What’s happening on 22 May 12 board of dePuties of british JeWs A new threat to Shechita regulars 4 your neWs & VieWs 5 community life News from across the county 13 culture Brighton Festival, SJFC, Follow the Writers and more 20 What’s on Regular and special events in your community Norman Grant of Gary Green Memorials your community The Approved Mason for the 16 hoVe hebreW congregation B & H Reform Community and all Jewish Cemeteries Countrywide 17 brighton & hoVe ProgressiVe synagogue Renovations and Additional Inscriptions Home Visits by Appointment 18 brighton & hoVe reform synagogue Brochure on request 01273 885874 19 brighton & hoVe hebreW congregation mobile: 0776 951 5045 ngrant37@gmail.com 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 208 | may 2011 4 your news & views 5 births deaths • Mazel tov to Derek Berman on the birth of a granddaughter We wish long life to • Mazel tov to Corinne and Robert Blass on the birth of a • The families of Dennis Cohen z’l, Elizabeth Curtis z’l, Cyril grandson Davidson z’l, José Goldman z’l, Pam Magrill z’l, Ronnie • Mazel tov to Lesley and Michael Shaw on the birth of a Markovitch z’l, the family of Ivor Miskin z’l, Beatrice Park z’l grandson and Susan Prince z’l • Mazel tov to Sarah and David Wilks on the birth of a • Rabbi Charles Wallach and family on the loss of his mother granddaughter Ida in South Africa Corinne and Robert Blass are thrilled to announce The Youth Aliyah committee mourns the passing of Pam the birth of their grandson, Oliver Shai to Daniel and Magrill z’l, a much-respected member of the committee Melanie on 14th March, a great grandchild for Frances who, along with her husband Mac, worked so hard to Bloch. fundraise for our children in Israel. special birthdays Tombstone consecration • Mazel tov to lan Abrahams, Joe Benjamin (100), Russell The memorial stone in loving memory of Billie Levine z’l will Brown, Alan Burke, Dr. Alan Glynne, Cynthia Laurie, Muriel be consecrated on 5 June 2011 at the Jewish Cemetery in Old Marcus, Jack Nathan, David Pincus, Marjorie Seldon, Shoreham Road at 2.00 pm. Maisie Shepheard, Helen Andrews-Silver and Sheila Zimbler, all of whom are celebrating special birthdays this month. Ivor Miskin z”l Thanks for your Generosity The members of the Chair Team of Sussex Jewish Representative Council will sadly miss Ivor’s warm and friendly personality as well as Judy Irwin would like to thank all her friends who so generously the sound common sense and insight he brought to the work of the donated towards the Royal National Lifeboat Association in team. We have lost a good friend as well as a colleague. celebration of her 70th birthday. Over £500 was raised for this most worthy cause. On behalf of those who put their lives at risk on a regular & voluntary basis - “thank you”. Ivor Miskin z”l I was so delighted when, in July 1994, Ivor agreed (after some cajoling and persuasion) to become a member of the editorial board of Sussex bar mitzvahs Jewish News and from the moment that he was on board, he proved to • Mazel tov to Vivien and Richard Harris on their grandson’s be an inspiration to us all. his love of wordplay, sense of fairness and bar mitzvah in Manchester sense of humour inspired us to carry on what was and has continued to • Mazel tov to Rita Blomenberg on the bar mitzvah in London be a complicated and daunting task. he believed in the commitment of of her grandson, Simon SJN to serve the whole community, from whatever level of observance and none. his wisdom and knowledge supported us through some Wedding difficult decisions and we will all be ever grateful to him. • Mazel tov to Saonie Lyons and Jeremy Crown on their wedding 1 May 2011 We will all miss him very much and wish long life to Francine and to sons • Congratulations to Prince William and Kate Middleton on David and Stuart and their families. On a personal note, I shall always their wedding 29 April 2011 treasure his friendship, kindness and support. Doris Levinson seagulls flying high • Congratulations to Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club on being promoted to the Championship League helping hands Wedding anniversaries very own marathon Mazel tov to • Sandra and Derek Carlton on the celebration of their golden runner wedding On an unseasonably • John and Adrianne Harwood on their 45th wedding hot sunny day in April, anniversary about 8,000 runners set off early from get Well Preston Park to start the Brighton Marathon. Included in this number was our very We wish a refuah sheleimah to Rose Cannan, Sandra Gross, own Jo Greenwood, who completed the 26.2 mile course in Ruth Maxwell and Natalie Smith. 5 hours 30 minutes. Jo was exhausted but delighted with all the support she received en route, including that of all her Erratum very kind sponsors, which spurred her on her way. Jo has The notice in the April issue stating that there was a private raised a fantastic total of £666 for Helping Hands - there may volunteers’ lunch for the hyman Fine house Ladies Committee was be a sign there not to do it again. We really appreciate all her inserted by mistake and we apologize for any misunderstanding or efforts on our behalf, not only as a runner, but also as one of embarrassment that this has caused. our most valued volunteers. issue 208 | may 2011 4 community life 5 nachus from amsterdam and accommodated into a very adequate room. I felt by Alan Lever peace of mind knowing I could go to Amsterdam Quite a few years ago I was approached by Gordon Leicester with her being properly a close school friend of my son Bruce, to develop a new cared for. safety harness for the construction and property maintenance industry. Gordon owns a well known company “Facelift” We won the international which supplies access machinery, such as “cherry pickers” award for our safety hoists, and all forms of complicated products for rapid access harness and our table to bridges roads high and not so high buildings. upon hearing the announcement had total The current safety harnesses in the industry can cause quite lift off! With nearly 300 serious personal body damage if a sudden accident should people there from all over occur and the wearer is jerked into mid-air only supported by the world, it was just like a connecting rope. The ZT (Zero Trauma) Harness is designed an Oscar award event. to allow the person to drop into a far safer sitting position thus reducing any trauma by at least 40%. We returned home the next day and I After many trials and modifications the ZT Harnesses was went straight from Gatwick to see how Carole was doing selected for a possible award by The International Powered at the Hyman Fine House. All was absolutely fine and it Access Federation (IPAF). to be held at the Krasnakofsky was suggested Carole stay one day longer so we could Hotel Amsterdam on 14 April 2011. Gordon and the both attend the seder instead of being home alone. development team (including me of course) were totally What a fortunate suggestion. It was perfect for us to overwhelmed by being selected for the 5 global finalists in be with company sharing the festival. The service was that category from many applicants. comprehensively conducted by Rabbi Wallach and the meal was unsurpassable! Compliments to the chef and the staff. In order that I could attend for the three days involved it They fully deserved the applause in appreciation. would mean obtaining good care for my wife Carole, who has Parkinson’s Disease and other disability problems. Finally As a full-time carer I am full of gratitude to the Hyman Fine we settled on respite care at the Hyman Fine House for that House for an experience such as this, which helps so much week. Carole was warmly welcomed by the wonderful staff to boost one’s morale. ralli hall lunch and social club hastings and district Jewish by Jacqueline Tichauer society My name is Jacqueline and I am pleased to introduce myself by Stella Harris as the new Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club coordinator. Suzanne has retired after working for over five years with the On the first Friday of each month except January we meet at Lunch and Social Club. She was appreciated and loved for 7.00 pm at the Senior Citizen’s Club, Eversley Road, Bexhill. all her hard work and will be sadly missed. I have it under good authority that she will come and help out as a volunteer, On 1 April, as usual, Brian Linke led our Shabbat evening which will be a great asset. service in his usual inimitable way. We always learn about aspects of Judaism from him. I am excited about this new adventure and hope that our Lunch and Social Club, with great help from our volunteers, We usually have a Kiddush followed by tea and biscuits, but will keep on growing from strength to strength. on this evening we had a birthday cake. Our wonderful vice-chairman, Velma Krever, was 85 and she was presented with The Lunch and Social Club has lots to offer, such as quizzes, a bouquet of flowers. discussion groups, yoga, entertainment (we all love a sing song and dance), bridge, kalooki, chess, bingo, and the The evening was so enjoyable: the icing on the cake (pardon occasional film, plus the chance to have a good chat. We also the pun) was a programme presented by Ruth and Robin have tea breaks with tasty biscuits, morning and afternoon Foster from Eastbourne. Robin talked about their visits together with our fantastic three course kosher meal. to Israel and Ruth played some delightful music on the Transport can be arranged in the Brighton and Hove area. keyboard and harp, while we joined in with some of the songs. Anyone who would like to come and volunteer for a few hours on a Tuesday or Thursday morning or afternoon please give In May we are having a humorous talk from Richard Herman me a call; you will find this so worthwhile and very much entitled “Letters from Doha”. The letters are from when appreciated. Richard helped to set up a school in Qatar. One promise from me is that I will welcome new and old We were invited to join the Hebrew Congregation in members with a warm smile and an open ear. I can be Eastbourne for the second Seder night. reached on 01273 739999 and I look forward to hearing from new members and volunteers. issue 208 | may 2011 6 community life 7 aJeX at first were quite suspicious of this slim red-headed young British soldier. He soon won them over with his kindness, but by Judy Gabriel until my father conversed with them in perfect Yiddish, they Our AGM went very well. Being a small but elite group we had no idea that he was a fellow Jew. managed to agree on everything without any hitches! We shall be having our Summer Quiz, date to be announced, so do He made friends for life, and the highlight of his week were watch this space. In my capacity as PRO I did and do ask for the wonderful Shabbat meals and the warm hospitality any items of interest that we can send to SJN for members with his new found friends Margot and Ishay, in contrast to and everyone to read, a grand example being the article the awful army rations to which the rest of the troops were below from Sue Sheftz for which we thank her. subjected and which my father endured during the week. He eagerly awaited the approach of Shabbat. a family`s association with aJeX by Susan Sheftz My father also served in Monty’s third army at El Alamein. Having watched the first of the series of “The Promise” shown Being rather an unassuming man he did not speak too much on Channel 4, I was transfixed in total amazement at the of his army exploits apart from the information I have outlined, opening scenes which follow the main character Len, one of but nevertheless this was a very emotional part of history the British soldiers assigned to liberating the camps, and his and I do hope the amazing parallels to the storyline will be of posting to Stella Maris, the British army camp on the Carmel. interest to AJEX members. The opening storyline is of a young Jewish soldier being This for me was very nostalgic. Both my father, and my questioned by Len as to his stance with the populace and darling late mother, who also served in the forces abroad in his capacity to stay on the beach to stop the refugee boats Heliopolis, were extremely proud of their long association with landing. My darling late father, Mark Levine, was the only AJEX. Jewish soldier in his battalion stationed at Stella Maris at that time, and he too was ordered to go to the beach and fire at Having myself spent four years in Israel, and met and married the refugees trying to land. My father flatly refused, stating the my husband there, one year of which was also on the Carmel, “he could not fire on his people” and for his stance he was I realize how very nostalgic, emotional and Zionist my father disciplined. was during my parents’ frequent visits to me. I was both proud and honoured to watch them march each year on It was whilst he was stationed in Stella Maris on the Carmel parade. near Haifa that he was befriended by an Israeli family, who ralli hall My thanks go to our staff, all of whom worked very hard to help make the meals such a success. Although the meat by Roger Abrahams, Hon. Chairman kitchen is used almost constantly to good effect, the milk Firstly, I am pleased to advise you that this year’s AGM will be kitchen is rarely used and we discovered that the cooker, held in the Stephen Magrill Room at 8.10 pm on Tuesday 14 which is well over twenty years old, was rusting internally. June. We desperately need new blood. We just do not have We shall be purchasing a replacement cooker as soon as enough manpower to run functions as a committee, although possible. we are still able to carry out our major roles of maintaining and constantly improving the building and bringing in enough Although the bookings for the above weekend were made income to cover our costs, the latter being dealt with very well after the arrangements were finalised with the builders, efficiently by the office. the disabled and ladies’ toilets were finished, while part of the gents’ toilets were completed. They have now been finished Jacqueline Tichauer has now taken over from Suzanne Collins to an excellent standard and will, I am sure, make a lot of as the Lunch and Social Club coordinator and has, pleasingly, difference to everyone who uses our constantly improving hit the ground running. facilities. Therefore, please consider using Ralli Hall when you next plan a simcha and wish to have a (supervised) kosher Ralli Hall hosted the Board of Deputies’ Shabbat meals last meal – our charges are very reasonable and reductions are month – in fact there were four community functions held in available for members of B&HJC. Ralli Hall that weekend, which was far from easy, especially for the caterers, who were using both of the kosher kitchens. See you at Ralli Hall and particularly at the AGM. helping hands join hyman fine for tea On 3 April we held our regular provided by the home and enjoyed by all, to the musical tea at the Hyman Fine House. It accompaniment of Jonathan Adams on the accordion. We was a good crowd with a lively would like to also thank our new bus driver, Barry Hill, who atmosphere. A lovely tea was joined our volunteer team recently issue 208 | may 2011 6 community life 7 aJr and sarid and mitigate the loneliness and isolation some members experience. by Michael Newman, AJR Director The AJR is also delighted to support several projects that will perpetuate the legacy of the Holocaust and deliver Holocaust educational and research to school pupils, University students as well as researchers and scholars. As well as being one of the principle sponsors of The Journey at the Holocaust Centre in Newark, which portrays the story of the As we celebrate our 70th anniversary it seems that the Kindertransport, we are proud to be a leading supporter to Association of Jewish Refugees has come full circle. The both the Wiener Library and the newly refurbished Jewish AJR was created as a self-help organisation with a focus on Museum. All this is in addition to our own groundbreaking social and welfare provision; recently arrived refugees helped Holocaust testimony project, Refugee Voices, a collection each other to settle amidst the uncertainty of war. The two of 150 filmed interviews with AJR members providing over departments today that most of our work – social services 450 hours of film as well as transcripts and materials for and outreach – are the same two that featured prominently in researchers. the early days of the AJR during the Second World War. Recognising that there needed to be greater support and Our team of committed and experienced social workers engagement from government for the restitution of Holocaust travel the country to visit members and offer support through era assets as well as the long term maintenance of archives a number of programmes that we administer including the AJR worked closely with the government to create the Homecare and an emergency fund as well as assistance with position of UK Envoy for Post-Holocaust issues and we are applications for pensions and local authority benefits. delighted that Sir Andrew Burns has been appointed to this historic post. Amongst his other responsibilities Sir Andrew Unquestionably, the area of work that has reinvigorated AJR will also head the UK delegation to the International Task membership in recent years is our outreach programme, Force on Holocaust Education, Research and Remember of which again echoes the early days of the AJR when we which the AJR is a member. operated provincial groups. Our group that meets in Britain is one of 43 nationwide that gathers and provides members with Alongside all the personal contact we have with our a unique setting to socialise, reminisce and enjoy an array of members, the AJR Journal continues to deliver sharp entertainment. At our summer regional get-togethers several analysis of current affairs and developments of interest to groups join for day-long gathering, discussion groups and our readership. Undoubtedly, the letters page with widely lunch and to hear from a guest speaker. contrasting opinions, some controversial, best reflects the feelings of our members. We are also delighted that an Earlier this year, we organised a three-day visit to London that archive of the AJR Journal – including every edition stretching included the Jewish Museum, War Horse at the New London back to the first publication in January 1941 – now features Theatre, a tour of the House of Commons and meeting with on our website at www.ajr.org.uk alongside news, articles and Speaker John Bercow MP, a visit to the site of the Olympic information about our services and activities. Games and Folmans’ smoked salmon factory and a guided tour of the centre of London. With the recent announcement that one in five Britons will celebrate their 100th birthday we do not envisage any let up One of the growing areas of ours is our volunteers’ service in the provision of our work and very much hope others will with our dedicated coordinator arranging for befrienders be able to avail themselves of our services. to visit members and for members to offer their services to help the less-able of our members. In recent years the lives The Brighton Group meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of of several of our members have been enhanced by regular each month from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm at Ralli Hall and we visits from a befriender, someone who will come and chat welcome new members. bexhill & district Jewish On 24th March we were all very pleased to welcome The friends Rev Malcolm Weisman MA, OBE to our group again. After some stimulating discussions and friendly chat a tea with homemade cakes was provided by our members. This is our first report for several months but our Friendship Group is still going strong and we are very pleased to Over the next few months we have several outings and events welcome several new members who have recently moved planned for our members to enjoy. into the area of Bexhill. We hold regular meetings every third Friday in the month The group recently held two very successful events, a card for a Service at a local hall and the women of the group evening and at another meeting a quiz session. Both of these meet every month for an afternoon of tea and chat. These occasions were very enjoyable and we all agreed that we afternoon meetings take place in different members’ homes would make these regular events in the future. and are always very pleasant and well supported. For further information about our group and its activities please contact us on 07724 172880. issue 208 | may 2011 8 elsewhere 9 Jewish community based in and at Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur the services are conducted by Rabbi Sam Anselem of Paris. An active Social benidorm & Cultural Committee arranges a wide range of activities throughout the year, one of the regular attractions being Visitors to Spain’s Costa Blanca can be assured of a very the Monthly Luncheon, which has an average attendance warm welcome from the Jewish Community when they visit of some 50 persons. Some idea of the range of activities the synagogue in Benidorm. With the great majority of its organized by the Community can be gauged by reference to members originating from the UK, visitors always say it is like the community website. home from home, as they are usually able, very quickly, to establish connections when they meet other Jewish people At Pesach, the community holds a communal Seder. This residing in Spain. annual event is highly popular and it normally attracts an attendance of around 100 people. The Community also The actual Spanish name of the Community is “Comunidad obtains supplies of matzo, passover wine etc., for distribution Israelita de Alicante” (www.comisral.com), and its to its members and other Jewish people. Although it is not membership is drawn from an area extending from Gandia possible to obtain Kosher food supplies from within the in the North to Torrevieja in the South of the Costa Blanca. immediate area, deliveries can be arranged by the company In between these two coastal resorts, the majority of the Kosher Tov, located in the city of Valencia. Further information members reside in the towns of Javea, Moraira, Calpe, Altea, is available on the website www.koshertov.com Playa de Albir, Benidorm and Alicante. The membership also includes a substantial number of country members who pay The Community has its own well-cared for Jewish cemetery, regular visits to the area. located within the main grounds of the Benidorm cemetery. Tahara is carried out by the Chevra Kadisha. It is a very close-knit, friendly and welcoming community, as anyone visiting for the first time soon discovers. Being far Anyone planning to visit or reside on the Costa Blanca is from their UK “home” most people soon come to regard the invited to visit the Synagogue, where you will be well received other members of the Community as their surrogate family. and treated like a long lost friend – which you may well The Community is one of a number of Jewish communities in be! For reasons of security, we would ask anyone wishing Spain belonging to the Federation of Jewish Communities in to make a visit to contact one of the following persons, in Spain (FCJE), with whom we maintain close contact. advance: Mr Brian Imber, President on + (34) 96 649 7154 or by email brianimber@gmail.com, or Mrs Helena Winestone, The synagogue, which opened in 1987, has been extended Vice-President on +34 96 585 5418 or email: leshelena@ more recently to include a large community centre. Weekly gmail.com or Mr Laurence Baehr, Hon. Secretary on +34 96 services which are held on Friday evenings, are well attended, 649 5633 or by email: laurencebaehr@mac.com it’s a small world school in Manchester, albeit at different times, and his wife had attended the same grammar school as our daughter. He by Linda Taylor had also worked at one time in Heathlands, a large Jewish rest/nursing home in Manchester, where my father happily On a recent holiday in France in our motorhome, we headed spent the last three years of his life. Just a chance meeting, for an area called the Drome, south east of Montelimar. This but what a coincidence. had been recommended by our daughter, as being good for bird watching, and not too ‘touristy’ We stopped near a small town in the mountains, called Buis les Baronnies. Torah Academy Nursery Bazaar On wandering round the narrow streets, we found Rue des Sunday 26th June at 11.30 am. Juifs. There are similar streets in many parts of Europe as evidence that our fellow Jews had once lived there. We hadn’t The Nursery, 29, New Church Road, Hove. gone very far, wondering about the people who might have lived there, when a voice from a window above us, said ‘Hello All readers of SJN are invited to support this event, – I thought I heard a Manchester accent, I’ll come down ‘. He in whatever way they can. While Spring cleaning, invited us into his house, which he had worked very hard to please put aside any sellable items and bring them repair and improve, and now in semi-retirement, lived there along to the Nursery, any weekday morning. permanently. It really was very beautiful, on four floors and many levels. He told us, although not Jewish himself, he Please make sure to tell your friends and come along found out that a Jewish community of about 600 people had on the day. lived in two small streets (the other being Rue des Temple) presumably where the Shul was, several hundred years ago. There will be delicious refreshments and a lovely At that time, Buis was an important centre of trade in that part of France. opportunity to socialise. All proceeds in aid of the Nursery. During the course of the conversation, it transpired that he and my husband Ronnie had gone to the same grammar issue 208 | may 2011 8 elsewhere 9 Jerusalem - a city of contrasts by Brian Megitt Many SJN readers will have family in Israel. Some, like myself, will find themselves boarding a Nesher sherut at Ben Gurion airport and taking the highway up into the hills into Jerusalem. Having family there means that you can no longer claim to be just a tourist. So, you don’t necessarily follow the obvious tourist trail taking in the Old City, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the museums, Mini Israel, the Tank Museum and shopping on Ben Yehuda. There are parts of Jerusalem that I find amazingly vibrant. The highly orthodox areas buzz with activity. Stop on a street and just observe for a few minutes. The view changes constantly, people move so fast, joggling for space on the pavements and frequently taking up road space as well. The shops sell everything but to imagine the scene, you might have to travel back in time, probably more than sixty years, to find such a vision in England. These are individual shops, selling everything from men’s ties and shirts to millinery and dresses; books; hardware; electronics and appliances and with a fair sprinkling of felafel stands. No specialist outlets here and always a deal to be be done. The Yehuda Mehane market, the shuk, is both a tourist attraction and a necessity. Friday mornings for us always include a trip there. The market is packed with superb fresh produce. The fishmongers display fish that is so fresh it can be seen flapping about in big blue plastic boxes. The descaling machines operate non-stop with scales flying about like snow-flakes. The pomegranates, plums, strawberries are huge and piled high. The spice stalls display mountains of colourful powders. The crowds jostle for a way through the narrow alleyways. The stall-holders shout out to attract business. Outside the shuk, the streets throng with people. Here there are even more shops to crowd into or to just stand outside and pass the time of day. You might even be treated to the occasional street entertainer. One of Jerusalem’s newest attractions is the Mamilla Mall. This is a complete diversion from the traditional Israeli shopping mall such as the Dizengoff Centre in Tel Aviv. Mamilla is an open-air mall, which stands in the shadows of the Old City and provides an upmarket shopping experience. The crowds of Meah Shearim or the shuk are not to be found here. You stroll past works of art - sculptures are exhibited along its entire length. There are very high-class jewellery stores, Israel’s first GAP and enough restaurants to feed the IDF. It provides an almost peaceful haven, an oasis in the middle of one of the most crowded cities anywhere in the world. Of course, if you want a break from the shopping and the crowds, you might wish to spend some time in the Biblical Zoo, always worth a visit. It is extremely popular at Pesach. The animal enclosures are large and open. Information boards abound and in a couple of instances, the meerkat compound being one, children can crawl through tunnels and surface in viewing bubbles right next to the animals. The primary point of the zoo, is that all the animals in it are mentioned in the bible and much of the fodder is provided free of charge, by way of it being a tenth of the donor’s produce. And at the end of the trip? There is always the Nesher sherut or a taxi back down the hill to the airport. Or, you might want to take the train. The old route, which dates back to1892, leaves the new Malha railway station in south Jerusalem for Tel Aviv via Beit Shemesh. The journey winds slowly downhill, through the mountains and forests, before it emerges past the Jerusalem Stone quarries and stops at Beit Shemesh. This rail trip is one of the gems ignored by most tourists and is inexpensive. If, by any chance, you can claim Israeli citizenship and are over sixty, you get a fifty percent discount. Be warned though, your cases will be inspected by the security staff at the entrance to the station, a reminder of the ever-present security threat which has come to seem normal in Israel. issue 208 | may 2011 10 limmud 11 a Personal invitation to sussex day limmud by Michelle & Gordon Kay Hello, Agnes Grunwald-Spier will talk about her new book, the Other Schindlers, concerning 30 individuals who rescued Jews in Limmud returns to Sussex for the fourth time on 22 May at the over 10 countries. Aid worker Sally Becker, known as the Angel University of Sussex. As co-chairs of Sussex Day Limmud, we of Mostar, will also give her first-hand experience of the Balkan welcome you to join us for a truly inspirational day of Jewish wars in the early 1990s. culture and learning. israel and co-existence track Limmud is a global Jewish learning experience running in Israel themes are well represented, ranging from David locations as varied as Israel, New York, Melbourne, Winnipeg, Goodman, CEO of JNF to Hannah Weisfeld, pro Israel, pro-Rio de Janeiro and Budapest. By holding our event in Brighton peace activist (and University of Sussex alumnus). We are we share in this ever growing Jewish educational and cultural very pleased to also welcome Jeremy Beecham, Labour Lord phenomenon. and board member of New Israel Fund, as well as Sussex and Israel’s own Gerald Adler. Football for Peace, an activity-based Our last three Limmuds had over 500 participants each and we community relations and reconciliation initiative, run in part by anticipate similar numbers for 2011. So, why do people choose the University of Brighton, brings together Jewish and Arab to come in their hundreds? We believe it is due to the choice of communities through the focus of football. excellent presenters on offer - and this year is no different. Continuing the theme of coexistence, Fiyaz Mughal and Donald Franklin will talk about the future of Jewish and Muslim history track communities, while Scarlett Epstein will consider Albania as a For the historians amongst you, we are pleased to have both model country of co-existence, particularly reflected by their Jonathan Schneer, Professor of History at Georgia Tech acceptance of Jews. University, and a world authority on the Balfour Declaration, and Jewish Chronicle columnist and historian Geoffrey Alderman, art exhibition who will talk about the current chief rabbinate. We have two Since Sussex has a great reputation for the arts, we asked representatives from the University of Sussex’s Centre for Brighton-based artist Orna Schneerson Pascal to curate a German-Jewish Studies: centre director Christian Wiese on Leo special Day Limmud art exhibition. Her painting, Lag B’Omer, Baeck’s Spiritual Resistance and Astrid Zajdband on German has been commissioned in celebration of Sussex Day Limmud. Rabbis in British Exile during World War 2. David Lawson will This reflects both the day of the event and the fire of Jewish talk about the Ostrava Torah Scroll from the Czech Republic inspiration Limmud creates amongst participants. The painting now in permanent loan at Kingston Synagogue and the impact will be on sale at Limmud, along with works from five other that has had for the shul. Holocaust survivor, local Jewish artists. Lag B’Omer and the Omer period will be the subject of a number of sessions at Limmud this year. Performance track We have developed a strong performance track, with singer, songwriter and Sussex Jewish Representative Council storyteller, Daniel Cainer, Yom Ha’atzmaut Children’s Party famous for his Jewish To celebrate Israel’s 63rd Birthday! Chronicles; playwright Tuesday, 10th May 2011 Hove Town Hall, Hove 4.00 – 6.00 pm Gail Louw will be giving an Children’s entertainment followed by supper exclusive reading of her To reserve your place contact Tessa Bass new one-woman play with On 01273 558884 or 07962 870642 a renowned actress due to Donation £2 per child Tea/coffee/cakes for sale read (check out www.limmud.org/day/sussex to find out who issue 208 | may 2011 limmud 11 it is nearer the time). Musicians Polina and Merlin Shepherd and our team is committed to giving you a fantastic enjoyable will bring their rich range of klezmer music and song to our event that all can enjoy. There are few events where you can event with a number of workshops and performance sessions. start your day with Daily Mail and Jewish Chronicle columnist Renowned film director Luke Holland will present and introduce Alex Brummer, explore the world of Jewish genetics with Judith films from his collection; short films from the UK Jewish Film Offman, find out about life as a US Navy Chaplain with Rabbi Festival will also be shown. Daniella Kolodny, then hear from renowned former Conservative MP and QC Ivan Lawrence, but that’s what makes Limmud charity track such a unique event... and that’s why we would like you there. We have also given some focus to local, national and international charities and the impact of their work. Director of Our venue has excellent facilities, ample parking, and is easily the Jewish Council for Racial Equality (J-CORE), Edie Friedman accessible. Book now at www.limmud.org/day/sussex or will talk about the status of refugees, and mother and daughter telephone 01273 206456. Book early to avoid disappointment, charity workers Sarah Wilks of Helping Hands and Emma and please don’t miss out. Grant of Kisharon will discuss volunteering. David Harris will talk about the Tikva Odessa children’s home in the Ukraine, We look forward to seeing you all on 22 May. And look for us while Leah Gaffney from Tzedek, the Jewish charity that helps on Facebook too! third world communities, will talk about the charity’s work. In addition, Jeremy Beecham will show an Oscar-winning film about a fantastic children’s project in Jaffa. healing tent and spiritual track Our healing tent offers tasters in shiatsu and free spine check-ups with a local qualified chiropractor. Sessions on Jewish philosophy with Daniel Anderson and spiritual childbirth with doula Debby Neuman, sessions with Marvin Shaw on Kosher Happiness and Poetry Power, and Ruach and Rhythm with Jackie Winter. There will also be a range of text-based sessions. Take the next step on your Jewish young limmud Teens (11+ years) are well catered for with 17 sessions either journey at Sussex Day Limmud. specifically for this age group or open to. These include Clive Sunday 22 May 2011 at the University of Sussex Lawton, co-founder of Limmud, Rabbi Daniella Kolodny, describing her time as chaplain in the US Navy, drama with The event, delivered in Limmud’s unique style, has a range Elena Markham and magic with Russell Levinson. of local, national and international presenters including: Mark Abraham, Nathan Abrams, Geoffrey Alderman, Children (6-10 years) can also enjoy a full programme, including Jeremy Beecham, Sally Becker, Alex Brummer, Daniel local Mark Abrahams, resident vet for BBC Breakfast bringing Cainer, Edie Friedman, Luke Holland, Clive Lawton, Gail in some of his furry friends, art with Orna Schneerson Pascal, Louw, Jonathan Schneer and Merlin & Polina Shepherd. football with Football for Peace, show-and-tell artefacts from Visit www.limmud.org/day/sussex for more information, the Jewish Museum and storytelling with Alison Levinson. and latest updates on presenters and programme. There will also be a crèche for the under 5s, with storytelling and songs. Book now, either online or phone 01273 206456, to avoid disappointment. Limmud happens because our community wants it to happen Look for us on Facebook! MARTIN GROSS Memorials All aspects of stone- masonry undertaken from new to renovation and cleaning 01273 439792 07801 599771 issue 208 | may 2011 12 13 Plenary at brighton & hove new threat to shechita by Yael Breuer by Vivian Wineman, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Henry Grunwald OBE QC, Chairman of Shechita UK You may recall the latest challenge to Shechita at the European Parliament was at the end of last year and involved a proposed amendment to food information legislation. If passed, it would have required the pejorative labelling of shechted meat and could have disastrous consequences for the provision of kosher meat in the UK and across Europe. After an intensive lobbying campaign, and some excellent support from the Jewish community, the amendment was rejected by the Council of the European Union. Since that time however, Shechita UK has been at pains to point out that the battle to safeguard shechita is far from over. We regret to inform you that, once again, two amendments have been tabled which will require the labelling of meat - one which would require the label, ‘from slaughter without stunning’ and another requiring, ‘slaughtered according to the shechita method.’ The effect of each of these labels is to single out the Jewish (and indeed Muslim) community. Photo by debra goodman The meeting’s main speaker was Geoffrey Smith, the director of This is a bill which deals primarily with food nutrition labelling, the Christian Friends of Israel, who told delegates: “As Weizmann and we have therefore argued that any amendments about famously remarked, the Jewish people had Jerusalem when animal slaughter are inappropriate. In any event, if one does London was a marsh.” consider it appropriate to label meat with the method of slaughter, then one must label the meat with all methods of During the weekend of 25-27 March, 170 Board representatives slaughter, including methods of stunning such as, electrocution, and guests enjoyed a fish and chip supper and cabaret captive-bolt gun, gassing and clubbing. To ignore all of these performed by community members at Ralli Hall in a “Taste of practices and only inform consumers where animals have been the Sea” evening. Debra Goodman, co-chair of Sussex Jewish slaughtered according to religious law is nothing less than direct Representative Council, presenter, emphasised how pleased the discrimination. community was to host the event. She mentioned the loss of the Rep’s co-chairman, Ivor Miskin, who had passed away a few days Our deep concern is that we may be unable to challenge these earlier. amendments with the same force as we have done before because the Jewish community will feel that this is a tired issue The plenary included an exhibition of the history of the Board, and with which they are already familiar and which probably doesn’t a talk about the Jews of Brighton by Godfrey Gould, chairman of deserve their attention yet again. We can assure you that we the local Jewish Historical Society. would not be asking for this support if it were not absolutely crucial and that, without the efforts of our community, we can The Deputies attended Shabbat services in the city’s synagogues expect opponents of Shechita to be successful. and addressed the congregations. We would therefore urge you to convey to the members of your community the urgency of this threat and encourage them once again to visit www.shechitaUK.org and use the draft letter available there, to write to the British members of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee. If you have any questions about the campaign or the challenges to Shechita that we’re facing both in Europe and in the UK, please don’t hesitate to email shechita@theproffice.com. Many thanks for your continued support at this challenging time. Council of Christians & Jews - Diary of Events May 17th Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah wil be speaking about ‘Trouble-making Judaism’ at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue at 7.30 pm July 3rd Annual Summer Garden event at Court Barn, The Green, Rottingdean from 2.30 – 6.00 pm. issue 208 | may 2011 culture 13 brighton festival and the fringe festival - the Jewish link by Yael Breuer theatre Also, Joe Davis, a member of the Jewish Arts Society at Ralli Hall will be exhibiting paintings through all the weekends in Anima is a performance by an international band of actors, May at the Open House, 121 Hollingdean Terrace, Brighton dancers and musicians, combining dance, physical theatre, BN1 7HF, which is part of the Fiveways group of open music, visual imagery and intimate encounters. Created houses. It will be no. 3 on the Fiveways trail. by the Karavan Ensemble (A Ship of Fools). At West Hill Community Hall (Fringe venue 329), Compton Avenue, Seven Dials, Brighton BN1 3PS on 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, May at 8 pm Tickets £8 / £6. Or take the free Big Lemon Bus books and debates from the Corn Exchange at 7:45 pm. Peter Taylor will present Talking to Terrorists in conversation Brighton Fringe Festival features Steven Berkoff’s adaptation with David Aaronovitch at the Corn Exchange on 10th May at of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis at the Marlborough Theatre, 7.30 pm. (£10). Prince’s St., Brighton, on 26th 27th and 28th May at 7 pm. Peter Taylor - BBC investigative journalist and author of Entrance Fee: £8.00, (£6.00 Concessions). Suitable for people Talking to Terrorists - addresses complex and controversial over 15 years. Murray Hecht, Deputy Headteacher of the issues in this special event. Reform synagogue’s Cheder, is directing this seminal play. I Shall Not Hate is the title of an extraordinary account by Arthur Miller’s powerful drama All My Sons is on at the New Izzeldin Abuelaish Venture Theatre and has been described as ‘the best play ever written by Miller’. Suitable for all ages, at New Venture in conversation with writer and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe. Theatre, Bedford Place, Brighton, 7:45 p.m. on 7th May, £9. Join this inspirational speaker and tireless peace campaigner as he tells his remarkable story. 28th May at 3 pm. at the Hydrocracker- The new World order by Harold Pinter is on Corn Exchange. at the Brighton Town Hall and features chilling promenade performances of five Pinter short plays which premiered at In The Psychopath Test, journalist, documentary maker and Brighton Festival 2007. From 7th-29th May, £17.50. humourist, Jon Ronson shares the truths he unearthed about madness and power in his latest investigative escapade. 26th Also by Pinter is Shorts, eight micro-plays including comedy May, Pavilion Theatre, £8.50. revue sketches of the 50s and 60s to political satire of the 80. 6th-8th May at Upstairs at Three and Ten. music American husband and wife duo Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer join Brighton’s own Merlin & Polina Shepherd for a r Sussex Jewish Representative Council emarkable evening of Jewish music that spans klezmer, Yiddish and Hasidic traditions, and combines the sacred and the secular. Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton BN1 1UF, 5th May. Tickets £12 (concs £9). Available in advance from Resident 01273 606312 or http://www.worldsacredmusic.org/ From New York, acclaimed pianist Shai Wosner will perform Handel, Knussen, Beethoven and Brahms. 27th May at the Pavilion Theatre, at 1 pm. Tickets £8.50. comedy An unlikely combination of Alzheimers and comedy will be presented as part of the Fringe Festival with Funnies, by Lynn Ruth Miller on 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th May at the Iambic Arts Theatre in Gardner Street (entrance in Regent St.), Brighton, and is suitable for people over 18 years old. This is an evening of Jewish Comedy- cabaret. open houses Brighton resident Orna Schneerson will have her colourful art on display in her house on 65 Brading Road, Brighton BN2 3PE. ‘Art in the Purple House’ features “a world of exploding colours and exciting art. Orna’s paintings are all about the celebration of life, positive images and the vitality of nature.” issue 208 | may 2011 14 culture 15 Jewish historical society – sussex branch by Godfrey Gould, Chairman In 1940 I was not a Jew OF the Lake District but with Joachim Gaunse was one of the metallurgists who actually hundreds of others, a Jew IN the Lake District. sailed with Sir Walter Raleigh to the new colony of Virginia, However, it was not about these War Time evacuees that thus the first Jew in the still to be created United States, Marcus Roberts spoke to the local Branch of the Jewish hitching a lift back with Sir Francis Drake - how’s that for Historical Society on 29 March about the Jews of the Lake chutzpah? What a pity so many missed the talk. District. Marcus, who is the Director of the National Anglo-Jewish Heritage Trails, addressed a small but enthused Our last meeting of this session will be on 3 May (Ralli Hall audience about German-Jewish miners and metallurgists who 7.45 pm) when I will be speaking on the Rise and Rise of worked in and around Keswick in the sixteenth century. And Gateshead. this was a time when officially there were no Jews in England! Preceded by our very brief AGM, it will be a fitting finale to His very well illustrated presentation was most warmly our programme for 2010-11. received. It was informative, interesting and quite unusual. a century of bakers Max and Sylvie Rinkoff, the boys’ parents, ran the shop in Old Montague Street, before being rehoused in Jubilee Street, for by Esther Rinkoff over 60 years, servicing the Jewish community with a warm and friendly smile. Many people travelled far and wide coming Rinkoff’s Bakery was established in 1911 by Hyman Rinkoff from across the Thames on monthly visits, bringing suitcases and this year celebrates its centenary. to take the delicious bread and cakes back home. It was originally housed in Old Montague London E1, home Today the shop is still in Jubilee Street and there is also a to an influx of Jewish migrants fleeing from the pogroms in small café at 79 Vallance Road, the original home to the Eastern Europe. Krays. Hyman came to London with his unique speciality recipes Today, Rinkoff’s can be found selling their wares in the - challah, cheesecake, apple strudel and danish pastries - hallowed halls of Harrods and Selfridges. It still remains which today are still being baked and sold in 2 shops that a bastion of Jewish tradition, serving appropriately, remain in Whitechapel. Hamantaschen at Purim, plavas, mixed biscuits at Pesach and honey cakes for Rosh Hashanah. Currently four generations of the family work alongside each other with newest member Jennifer, daughter of Hyman’s A family business with 100 years experience: youngest grandson Ray. Alongside Ray are Derek and Harvey visit www.rinkoffbakery.co.uk to see more. his elder brothers and Lloyd his nephew who, like himself, is a Master Baker. eastbourne Jewish social scene by Claudette Wolfson On Sunday 27 March, EJSS had the pleasure of presenting indeed privileged to have such talented artists within our to the community a fantastic Klezmer concert given by Polina midst. and Merlin Shepherd and members of the Chutzpah choir. Polina and Merlin are amongst the world’s leading players of It was an extremely well received concert and we welcome traditional East European Klezmer-style music and they really suggestions and ideas for future events. were a treat not to be missed. The Chutzpah choir singers Polina and Merlin Shepherd were a pleasure to listen to. photo by Brian Megitt Our event, which took place in the WRVS centre in Eastbourne, started off with yet another great afternoon tea. We have found that people love to chat and eat when they first arrive. Now is there any surprise in that? Naturally we wanted everyone to greet one another, enjoy and be satiated by the home made cakes and then give 100% attention to the musical treats in store. We were not disappointed. The Chutzpah choir began and ended the concert with some wonderful songs in many languages. In between, Polina regaled us, in her wonderful voice, with songs of love in Hebrew, Ladino and Russian. For his part Merlin enthralled us with some totally inspiring and mesmerising clarinet playing. Our audience loved every minute of their concert. We were issue 208 | may 2011 14 culture 15 a visit from the band on 15 may The next screening by the Sussex that there’s no-one to meet them and help them get to their Jewish Film Club at Ralli Hall will destination. Through a simple mistake they end up in entirely be the Israeli film ‘THE BAND’S the wrong place – a remote town where the owner of the local VISIT’ (Bikur Ha-tizmoret, 87 mins) diner offers to put them up for the night until they can go on on Sunday 15 May (7pm drinks, their way the following morning. Each band member attempts 7.30pm film as usual). Among this to get along with the locals in his own way. It’s a special night movie’s many awards are those of quiet happenings and confessions and the band makes its from the Cannes Film Festival and own impact on the town and the town on them. the Israel Film Academy. The film is in Hebrew, Arabic and English, with Definitely a film with a ‘feel good’ factor, so come along and English subtitles where needed. enjoy. Non-members are welcome with a donation and it’s free for full-time students. The plot concerns the Ceremonial Police Orchestra from Alexandria that arrives in Israel for a cultural event only to find follow these Writers…in sussex This book represents a travel guide The guide transports you from place to place, on foot with a concept that differs from others. or by car, with detailed route guidance through beautiful It is one of a planned series of literary countryside as well as by the sea. guides through southern counties of England, taking you to all the places This guide is designed to be small, easy to handle and easy associated with famous authors, past to read. It is beautifully produced with many illustrations and present. It is destined to become relating to the places you will visit. The text is fully a small but indispensable addition to comprehensive, packed with information, anecdotes and any tourist’s guide to the highlights biographical detail without being too intense. of English literature. Each of the individual towns covered in the book includes Judith and Derek Bastide and both individuals as well as the areas around. For example, Gillian and Michael Rich, who, one Lewes includes an account of Tom Paine as being a person day over lunch in a small Sussex of, ultimately, international importance. pub (mentioned in the book - see if you can find it), decided to write There is also a description of the members of the Bloomsbury about all the famous (and not so famous) Set, who were based at Charleston. The Weald and Ashdown writers in Sussex and other counties along the south coast Forest chapter features Winnie the Pooh and the associated of England. Gillian and Michael live in Eastbourne and are country walk. members of both Eastbourne HC and BHHC. Gillian is a maths teacher and published writer of maths textbooks and The book can be obtained directly from Basrich Books via Michael is a practising dentist. their website, http://www.basrichbooks.co.uk, or by email to: books@basrichbooks.co.uk, giving your name, details of your order and your email address. Jacs descendants became prominent citizens: the eldest son of Emanuel Hyman started the Brighton and Hove Gazette and by Nina Taylor, Hon. Chairman Henry Solomon was Chief Constable (unfortunately he was murdered whilst questioning a suspect). Henry Cohen was March was a memorable month for the club, beginning with the inspector of bathing water, and more recently the Cohen our AGM, which was attended by National Chairman Harold brothers were largely responsible for planning and building Newman OBE, and his charming wife, Barbara. During the the Marina. month we had some excellent speakers including Theresa Sundt, who told us about the Jews of Salonika who had We were very moved when Dr Scarlett Epstein braved the settled in Greece from the beginning of the Roman Empire. At rain to give the history of our brethren who fled from Nazi the beginning of WW2 there were 58,000 Jews in Salonika; at Germany to Albania, and how they were welcomed and the end of the war there were 1500; now there are about 500. sheltered by the Albanian Authorities. She also told us of the ordinary people who helped her as a young girl to get visas Variety is the spice of life and we had a very interesting for many people at risk. “Pot Pourri” afternoon when members gave pen portraits of themselves and told their interesting life stories. We meet at the AJEX Centre every Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 pm. Why not join us? You can be sure of a warm Godfrey Gould, a good friend of JACS, gave a comprehensive welcome. history of how Jews came to the Brighton area after the advent of sea-bathing became popular. Many of their issue 208 | may 2011 16hhcrabbi Vivian silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com 17 the omer period of 49 days in the war and they gave their lives in the process. In by rabbi Vivian silverman fact, there is a passage in the Haggadah that alludes to this tragic episode in Jewish history. It is the one During Temple times, this part of the year was a joyous mentioning the five sages (among them Rabbi Akiva) one, The Omer (measure of barley) was offered before who are discussing at great length throughout the The Almighty, and prayers were recited for a plentiful Seder night, until their disciples remind them that it is harvest. time to read the morning Shema. Pesach marked the barley harvest and Shavuot the Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Ferber, Rav of the London West End wheat harvest, and so the forty-nine days between the Synagogue during the first half of the twentieth century, two festivals acted as a bridge between the two. remarks in his commentary to the Pesach Haggadah, With the destruction of Jerusalem and the burning of that the passage describes the sages absorbed in their The Temple in 70 CE, together with the revolt against battle plans at a secret location. So absorbed were they Rome, known as the Bar Kochba Rebellion (between that with day breaking, their pupils (on the lookout for the years 132 and 135 CE), these seven weeks became Roman soldiers) urged their masters to escape before ones of sadness and semi mourning. they were apprehended. The emperor Hadrian issued decrees forbidding – on Though Rabbi Akiva was mistaken in having hailed Bar pain of death - the circumcision of Jewish infants, Kochba as the anointed redeemer of Israel (Mashiah) the keeping of the Shabbat, and study of the Torah. who would free the people from foreign domination and Rabbi Akiva, the outstanding sage and spokesman usher in an era of peace, he is still recognised as one of of the generation (coinciding with the great rebellion the greatest sages of all time, whose teachings are set against Rome) supported Simon Bar Kochba when out in the Mishna and Gemara. he raised the banner of revolt and declared Jewish The fall of Betar, together with the death of Bar independence. Kochba in battle, and the martyrdom of Rabbi Akiva, Akiva and many of his disciples took an active part are remembered during the Omer period as heroic episodes in our history. may diary 1 Sunday Yom Hashoah – Remembrance Day for the Six Million Joint service for West Hove and Holland Road Malcolm Green Catering shuls at Holland Road at 5.00 pm The selection of your menu is an important part in the 8 Sunday Shul AGM at 10.30 am planning of your Simcha. For that reason our Chefs continue to create exciting and tasty menus to meet your every need. 10 Tuesday Joint Yom Ha’atzmaut service with breakfast, 7.30 am We can tailor a menu to fit your specific requirements Talmud Shiur, 11.00 am 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 17 Tuesday Ladies Discussion Circle followed by Talmud Shiur, 10.30 am leading Caterers & the world’s foremost glatt kosher destination wedding specialist. 22 Sunday Sussex Day Limmud at Sussex University Join us for our glatt kosher June/July tour of “Mystical Ireland” 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/ issue 208 | may 2011 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 17 remembering ivor miskin Two years ago Ivor celebrated his 70th birthday and a week later Ivor and Francine celebrated their 45th wedding by rabbi elizabeth tikvah sarah anniversary. I recall thinking at the Kiddush held at the Ivor was born on March 15th 1939, the eldest son of Gertie synagogue to mark this double celebration, that Ivor was in and Ben Miskin, who lived in South Tottenham in North the prime of his life; that they were both in the prime of their London. His brother Michael arrived four years later. life together: radiant, full of energy and purpose. After leaving school at the age of 18, Ivor did a four-year Sadly, Ivor died of pneumonia on 21st March – just a day sandwich degree course in Chemical Engineering. It was just before what would have been their 47th wedding anniversary, after he had started work that he met Francine at a dance, and six days after his 72nd birthday. Having been ill for and they started going out together soon afterwards. As it several months – and in hospital for the last three – Ivor had happens, their parents had been acquainted, and Ivor and begun to make a recovery, so his death, when it came was Francine had gone to the same primary school. But this was sudden and unexpected. quite different. They courted for three years and were married on March 22nd 1964. There are no words to express the loss felt by Ivor’s family, and also by his friends – not least his friends at the Because London was so expensive, the newly-weds went to synagogue. As president, he facilitated and supported live in Southend, which was where their two sons, Stuart and his fellow lay leaders; he gave advice and wise counsel, David were born at home. After gaining an MBA, Ivor got a he helped sort out difficulties. He also represented the job with Parker Pen in Newhaven, and the family settled in congregation; addressing the congregation at significant Woodingdean in 1973 – in the house, which has been their moments and was a wonderful ambassador for us. The loss home ever since. of Ivor is also felt in the Jewish community of Sussex as a whole. As a co-chair of the Sussex Jewish Representative Although they were both brought up in families that were Council, and a member of the Sussex Jewish News editorial affiliated to United synagogues, not long after moving, team, Ivor didn’t simply contribute to the effectiveness of Ivor and Francine decided to join ‘the Liberal synagogue’, both these concerns, his interpersonal skills, and leadership as BHPS was called at that time. While Ivor and Francine ability, enabled everyone involved in these important arenas became very active in the Friends of the Religion School, of Jewish communal activity to contribute to the best of their both Stuart and David became Bar Mitzvah, and were also ability. confirmed. Ivor will be deeply missed by his beloved family and friends, Ivor enjoyed being part of the community and was keen to and all who knew him, and our hearts go out, in particular, to help shape and guide its activities, so it wasn’t long before Francine, Stuart and David. Zichrono livrachah – May Ivor’s he was on the synagogue council, and then chairman – and memory be a source of blessing for all our lives. then after many years of active service, became president. In recent years, both he and Francine also donated their time as volunteers in the shul L’Chayyim project, which focuses on the pastoral care of our older members. kiddush for ann carr by Louise Mordecai Mitzvot and Confirmation ceremonies at BHPS and daughters Ann Carr held a Kiddush to celebrate 60 years of association Mandy and Sarah also married in the synagogue. with BHPS. In a short speech, she said that during this time Most recently Sarah and Martin’s son Josh was Bar Mitzvah she had enjoyed happy celebrations as well as sad times. at BHPS. Over the years Ann has been involved in many Aged 21, she was married to Ivor Maykels by Minister Archie synagogue groups and committees. She thanked Rabbi Elli Fay. Their three children had all celebrated Bat and Bar and members of the congregation, whom she considers as extended family, for making the day so special for her. Best wishes for Passover 87 Old Shoreham Road, Hove BN3 7AQ Tel: 01273 880022 Email: bdsanders1@tiscali.co.uk issue 208 | may 2011 18bhrs rabbi charles Wallach Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org 19 our first event! The audience totally participated, clapping in time, singing along and, judging by the amount of phone calls and emails What a fabulous evening! Polina Shepherd and the Chutzpah we got afterwards, really enjoyed themselves. Choir came and entertained us at the AJEX Hall, an event attended by over seventy people. This was the first event of the newly formed BHRS Functions Committee. This is the first of a whole exciting programme of We had Yiddish songs, Russian songs, Ukrainian and, of events to suit all sections of the Community. course Hebrew; not forgetting the hand clapping, foot- stomping variety, to the melancholic, tear-jerking and So whatever Shul you belong to, keep an eye open for our downright beautiful! adverts in SJN! Preparing for Pesach in hove during Pesach. Among these delights were Spanish onion and almond soup, sole with salmon mousseline (served with On a bright, sunny Spring afternoon in Hove, over forty a compote of tomatoes), and chocolate roulade. women and three men congregated at the Reform Shul to learn more about “cooking for Pesach”. This was an For nearly two hours Denise, in a very engaging and friendly informative and fun event arranged by the Synagogue’s style, told those assembled how the Seder meal can be Ladies Guild. Their teacher, and inspiration, was the popular prepared in a fresh and slightly new way without removing and well known Jewish cook and writer Denise Phillips. any of the meal’s traditions. The participants were keen to glean every tip they could, and asked pertinent questions With her pots, pans, mixers, a gas cooker, chopping throughout. And best of all, at the conclusion of the boards, bowls and dishes, Denise was surrounded with her afternoon, they got a chance to taste Denise’s creations. implements at the front of the hall. There, she demonstrated Heaven! those creations she suggested would be great to devour Park – a – thon As part of their concern for others, the Cheder, (and their BULLETIN BOARD – MAY 2011 parents and grandparents), held a “park – a – thon” in Hove Wednesdays JACS Park early in Spring. They ran, walked and cycled – and raised over £500 for the Jewish children’s charity Norwood. Fridays Friday night service 6.30 pm Well done!! And of course we had Purim – with the megillah (except 1st Friday of each month – 8.00 pm) reading, a Purim shpiel and, as our two youngsters pictured Saturdays Shabbat service at 10.30 am show – lots of lovely costumes! Sunday 1st Yom HaShoah service at 6.30 pm Tuesday 3rd Discussion group: Dr Sam Barsam on ‘W(h)ither Jerusalem?’ Friday 6th Late Friday night service at 8.00 pm Saturday 7th Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am Sunday 8th Cheder returns Cheder Kids Club at 12.30 pm Saturday14th Evening Service, 6.30 pm Sunday 15th Member’s Tea Saturday 21st Rabbi’s Shiur at 9.00 am Monday 23rd Exercise to music with Adele resumes Join us on Sunday, 15 May 2011 for a MEGA QUIZ and SCRUMPTIOUS TEA followed by Oliver Harris in a short piano recital. The AJEX Centre BRIGHTON & HOVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE Eaton Road entrance – 2.30 to 4.30 INDIVIDUAL PRIZES FOR THE WINNING TABLE FREE RAFFLE For security and catering reasons, ring the Office on 01273 735343 if you wish to attend. (Donation £3.00) issue 208 | may 2011 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.webjam.com/bhhc10 19 Pesach sheni – it’s never too late! And G-d spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying: Any person who is contaminated by death, by rabbi hershel rader or is on a distant road, whether among you now or in future G-d spoke to Moses in the Sinai desert saying: ‘The generations, shall prepare a Passover offering to G-d. They children of Israel should prepare the Passover [offering] at shall prepare it on the afternoon of the fourteenth day of its appointed time. On the fourteenth of this month, in the the second month, and shall eat it with matzahs and bitter afternoon ... in accordance with all its decrees and laws....’ herbs....’ (Numbers 9:1-12) There were, however, The institution of Pesach Sheni (the Second Pesach) was certain persons who had prompted by the heartfelt desires of those who, despite become ritually impure their impurity, pleaded, ‘Why should we be prevented from through contact with a bringing the offering of G-d?’ The Mitzvah was given, not as dead body and therefore a commandment from above, but as an expression of man’s could not prepare the inner need to establish a bond with G-d. Passover offering on that day. They approached This need exists in potential in every Jewish heart. Man’s plea Moses and Aaron and for ‘one more chance’ reflects the mode of divine service said: ‘Why should we be called Teshuva (repentance; lit., ‘return’). For everyone, deprived, and not be able even a person who is ‘on a distant path’ possesses a Divine to present G-d’s offering potential, which always seeks to realise itself. in its time, amongst the children of Israel?’ How do we celebrate Pesach Sheni nowadays? We remember that it had practical significance during Temple And Moses said to them: times and refrain from Tachanun (prayers of supplication) ‘Wait here and I will hear and many have the custom to eat matzah. Most importantly, what G-d will command Pesach Sheni teaches us the profoundly important lesson concerning you.’ that ‘it’s never too late’ – particularly if we are prepared to ruby bass making matzo step up and take the initiative. services and special events –may 2011 Wednesday 18th May Weekdays pesach Sheini Shacharit services are held in the Bais hamidrash in conjunction with hove hebrew Congregation (holland Road) on Mondays and Thursdays at 7.30 am and 20/21 May on Sundays at 8.30 am, except for Rosh Chodesh Iyar when Shacharit services Shabbat parshat Bechukotai will be held on Thursday 5th May at 7.15am. Friday evening services are held throughout the summer at 7.30pm. See What’s Saturday 21 May On for Shabbat times for lighting candles. Shacharit at 9.15 am followed by Kiddush Torah readings: Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3 – 27:34) Sunday 1st May Rabbi’s Shiur, 7.50 pm yom hashoah Mincha followed by Seuda and Maariv – 8.20 pm Joint Service with the hove hebrew Congregation, 5.00 pm at holland Road Shul Sunday 22 May 6/7 May Lag B’Omer Shabbat parshat Emor 27/28 May Saturday 7 May Shabbat parshat Bamidbar Shacharit - 9.15 am followed by Kiddush Torah reading: Emor (Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23) Saturday 28 May Rabbi’s Shiur, 7.30 pm Shacharit at 9.15am followed by Kiddush Mincha followed by Seuda and Maariv – 8.00 pm Torah Readings Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1- 4:20) Rabbi’s Shiur, 8.00 pm 9/10 May Mincha followed by Seuda and Maariv - 8.30 pm yom hazikaron/yom ha’atzma’ut Yahrzeit / Kaddish Tuesday 10 May If someone has yahrtzeit or is saying Kaddish and would like a Minyan Joint yom ha’atzma’ut service with hove hebrew Congregation at holland Road to be organised, please contact Rabbi Rader on 0777 565 3897 or Shul, 7.30am followed by breakfast. rabbibhhc@gmail.com. 13/14 May Adult Education Shabbat parshat Behar Rabbi Rader holds a weekly Lunch and Learn on Wednesdays 12.30 – 1.30 pm and a Ladies’ Shiur on Thursdays at 11.00 am. The Topic for Saturday 14 May the Lunch and Learn, which aims to be of current interest, is publicised Shacharit – 9.15 am followed by Kiddush on the Shul Website www.webjam.com/bhhc10 and by email to the Shul Torah Reading: Behar (Leviticus 25:1 – 26:2) membership at the beginning of the week. All are welcome and lunch is Rabbi’s Shiur, 7.40 pm £2.50. The Ladies Shiur deals with a variety of subjects, often generated Mincha followed by Seuda and Maariv - 8.10 pm by the attendees. issue 208 | may 2011 What’s on: may 2011 20 diary@sussexjewishnews.com shabbat shalom – brighton times In Light Candles Out Havdalah Grodzinki’s challot and Fri 6 8.10 pm Sat 7 9.28 pm rye bread are available Fri 13 8.21 pm Sat 14 9.42 pm from Premier Convenience Fri 20 8.31 pm Sat 21 9.54 pm Fri 27 8.40 pm Sat 28 10.06 pm Stores in Hove Street every Thursday morning until special dates supplies run out. Sun 1 Yom Hashoah Mon 9 Yom Hazikaron Tue 10 Yom Ha’atzmaut Sun 22 Lag B’Omer regular actiVities eVents for may Sundays J:tots – for parents, toddlers, grandparents and carers - is held monthly at Ralli Hall.For information regarding the next session, please shalom Programme on www.radioreverb.com and 97.2 FM e-mail Rachel at jtots@rocketmail.com 9.00-9.55 am. Repeated Thursdays at 3.00 pm Tel: 01273 or ring 01273 204334. 5404647. radio reverb theatre programme, ‘curtain up’ 97.2 FM 4.00 Tuesday 3 pm. Repeated on Wednesdays at 7.00 am, Tel: 01273 5404647. lunch & discussion group – at the Ajex Centre 12.30 pm Jewish historical society – AGM followed by Godfrey Gould on the carmel tennis club 10.00 am-12.00 noon. Weekly. All levels welcome. Tel: Leon on 07717 222744 ‘Rise and Rise of Gateshead’. 7.45 pm. Members free, non-members £4.00 RH. Mondays the ethics of our fathers with Rabbi Efune 11.30-12.30 pm Wednesday 4 Chabad House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove. Tel:. 01273 321919 Jacs – at the AJEX Centre 2.00 pm. Eaton Road, Hove £2.00 afternoon club with tea 1.30 pm. Contact Reba 01444 members, £2.50 non-members. 410435 rubber and duplicate bridge 1.30-4.30 pm £2.00. Tel Reba Thursday 5 01444 410435 RH an evening of Jewish music – World Sacred Music Festival. Unitarian contemporary basic talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men only Church, New Road, Brighton 8.00 pm. Tickets £12 (concs £9) from 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 01273 606312 or www.worldsacredmusic.org. tanya (kabbalah) learning group with Penina Efune - Ladies only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Tuesday 10 Tuesdays yom ha’atzmaut children’s Party – Hove Town Hall, 4.00-6.00 pm, ralli hall lunch and social club 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Tel: donation £2 per child. Contact 01273 558884 or 079628 Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly RH art in the studio with martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH Wednesday 11 Painting with rochelle (Jas) 7.00 pm-9.00 pm. weekly Tel: Jacs – at the AJEX Centre 2.00 pm. Eaton Road, Hove £2.00 01273 503708 RH members, £2.50 non-members. israeli dancing 7.45 pm-9.45 pm. Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Weekly RH Thursday 12 Wednesdays centre for german-Jewish studies – Dr Nicolas Berg ‘On Modern Jews and Jewish Modernity : Political Economy and its Interpretation of chutzpah choir (singing in Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Aramaic Capitalism (1900-1930) University of Sussex, Arts B 127 4.30 pm. (tea and other languages) with Polina Shepherd. 7.00-8.45 pm from 4.00 pm.) Tel: Rosalind 01273 541031 RH. art in the studio with martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH Sunday 15 Jacs at the AJEX Centre 2.00 pm, Eaton Road, Hove - £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members. sussex Jewish film club – The Band’s Visit’ 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm. RH Thursdays Monday 16 ralli hall lunch and social club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Weekly sarid & aJr – spkr Bridget McGing ‘My Father’s Roses’ 10.45 am. RH Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Weekly torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad Tues 17 House. 01273 321919. council of christians & Jews – spkr Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah ‘Trouble-making Judaism’, 7.30 pm. Progressive Synagogue, Lansdowne Road, Hove COMMUNITY EVENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER Sunday 22 Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events email sussex day limmud – University of Sussex – tickets from 01273 206456, sussex@limmud.org or visit www.limmud.org/day/sussex info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or ring 07771 210186 Wed June 1 You can now view the Communal Diary online at www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org youth aliyah child rescue – Spring Outing with Cream Tea - Phone 01273 776671 -
Issue 209
June 2011
sussex Jewish news Whats what’s inside.... sPeCiaL BiRthdaY BOYs | Meet the sChwaRZes | eLsewheRe | what’s On | and MORe june 2011 | IYAR / SIVAn 5771 | £2 • ISSue 209 2 Pause for thought 3 SJN is not a political publication but now and then It has been widely agreed by the international events combine to make it necessary to comment. Over community that Israel acted quite legally in this matter the past month, President Obama has announced the and it is now well appreciated that on one vessel out of death of Osama Bin Laden and also confirmed the right seven, the boarding party was intentionally attacked. of all countries to defend themselves against external The apparently new friendship of the two main anti-warmongers/terrorists. In the Middle East, Hamas and Israel Palestinian groups casts severe doubts on any Fatah became pals again and signed an agreement. peace moves in the region. Why would Israel try to In the House of Commons, Caroline Lucas proposed negotiate with an organisation committed to its total an anti-Israel annihilation? early day now and then events combine to motion based It is quite obvious that on the incorrect make it necessary to comment Hamas and its Iranian and claim that the Syrian backers will try any boarding of the “humanitarian” flotilla by Israeli Defence method to smuggle the most lethal of weapons into Forces was illegal. Gaza, especially by sea, as recent events have made quite clear. Israel has every right to board vessels and President Obama’s words about all countries having search those believed to carry weaponry intended to the right to protect themselves, apparently apply to harm the State. Ms. Lucas should have no support for all countries except Israel. Or maybe Ms. Lucas does this ill-conceived early day motion and this house votes not understand that a sovereign state has that right – firmly against it. especially when fighting for its very existence. SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, ADMINISTRATOR Ivor Sorokin announcements, people, congregations, communitites, contacts and more. Delivered at the start of each month, ADMIN ASSISTANT Gweni Sorokin 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. COMMuNITy ISSuES Laura Sharpe COMMuNAL DIARy info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt / Brian Megitt David Seidel COVER COLLAGE Brian Megitt EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Karen Pettit PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 12 JUNE 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. 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 209 | june 2011 2 contents 3 sussex jewish news Features Po box 2178 hove bn3 3sZ 1 ceLebratinG yom ha’atZmaut A collage from the community’s party. Photos telephone: 07906 955 404 by Laurian Borkum and Sophie Sheinwald e-mail editor@sussexjewishnews.com 5 sPeciaL birthday boys Tributes to Joe Benjamin (100) and Michael Brummer (96) 10 eLsewhere Paris, Gairloch, Prague and Tunisia 14 the times they are a-chanGin’ Janice Greenwood adapts to technology reGuLars 4 your news & views 6 community LiFe News from across the county 14 cuLture SJFC and Anne Frank in the Barn Theatre 20 what’s on Regular and special events in your community your community 16 briGhton & hove ProGressive synaGoGue Norman Grant 17 briGhton & hove reForm synaGoGue of Gary Green Memorials The Approved Mason for the 18 briGhton & hove hebrew conGreGation B & H Reform Community and all Jewish Cemeteries Countrywide 19 hove hebrew conGreGation Renovations and Additional Inscriptions Home Visits by Appointment Brochure on request 01273 885874 mobile: 0776 951 5045 ngrant37@gmail.com 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 209 | june 2011 4 your news & views 5 birthdays the Lyons/crown affair • Mazel tov to Ruth Nguyen-Seltzer on the birth of her grandson, Ismael. Aileen and Barry Hill are delighted to announce the birth of their first grandchild Allegra-Grace on the 23rd April. Mazel tov to her mum and dad, Miri and Warren, uncles Elliot and Darren and great-grandparents Ruth and Monty Goodman as well as the rest of the family. special birthdays • Mazel tov to Joe Benjamin (100), Adele Brooks, Sandra Carlton, Harvey Cyzer, James Dollow, Grace Gertsman, Adrian Gold, James Gold, Benjamin Green (90), Rebecca Infield, Cecil Josman, Sylvia Lester (90), Lynne Oliver, Yvonne Shiff, Sasson Sweiry, and Norma Waring, all of whom are celebrating special birthdays this month. saonie and jeremy crown on the day of their wedding at middle street synagogue on 1 may 2011. it was the first wedding in the historical Engagement synagogue for many years. rabbi hershel rader officiated. (Photo by jenny and stewart macintosh) Brian Gordon and Bernice Gordon together with Laraine and Roy Barnes are thrilled to announce the engagement of their a mile that begins with a Firsht step children Karen and Aron. by Melanie Firsht anniversaries Mazeltov to: • Elaine & John Abrahams on their Sapphire Wedding Anniversary • Diane and John Joseph on their 55th anniversary, having been married at Egerton Road, Stamford Hill on 17 June 1956 • Avril & Wallace Samuel on their Emerald Wedding Anniversary Get well We wish a refuah sheleimah to Lily Bernstock, Sandra Carlton, Mike Lyons (Yofi), Vicky Saxon, Joan Simon and Margaret Smith. Thank you Jackie and I wish to thank the Rabbonim who arranged joshua & adam Firsht with their medals On Sunday 10th April 2011, Joshua and Adam Firsht took for regular prayers on my behalf, and everyone across the community, for so many expressions of goodwill, by means of part in the Mini Mile Run when children between the ages of 8 telephone, texts, cards, and personal messages, during my recent and 17 are able to run the last mile of the Brighton Marathon. illness. - Ivor Richards (BHHC) Joshua and Adam both ran in the under 11 age category. deaths Joshua came 6th out of 153 runners with a time of 6 minutes We wish Long Life to 30 seconds. Adam arrived shortly behind with a time of 7 • the family of Doris Armstrong z’l minutes 1 second. They both enjoyed the day and were • the family of Harold Cantor z’l who, with Sylvia, used to run proud to have raised money for Norwood. the kosher deli in Richardson Road, Hove. If anyone wishes sussex day Limmud in may to write to Sylvia, her address is P.O Box 705 Raanana, 43106, Israel. SJN wish a hearty mazel tov to Michelle and Gordon Kay and • the family of Gerald Grossman z’l all their hard-working volunteers for a most successful and • the family of Barry Lennard z’l enjoyable Limmud. Due to time constraints we are not able to • the family of Gerald Levy z’l publish photos of the day until next month. If you were there • the family of Sheila Perl z’l we look forward to receiving your thoughts and impressions of the day. issue 209 | june 2011 4 special birthday boys 5 joe’s 100 not out tops bhhc celebrations In a month full of celebrations at Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation - including the Bar Mitzvah of Ilan Lewis (son of Len and Lucinda) and the wedding of Jeremy Crown and Saonie Lyons at Middle Street Synagogue - the 100th Birthday of Joe Benjamin still stood out as a truly remarkable Simcha. In his address in shul Rabbi Rader commented on the fact that Joe has been a member of the BHHC for 64 consecutive years and is still a regular Shabbat morning attender. The Rabbi continued that Joe is a true example of someone who utilises G-d’s gift of time to the full. He is an inventor who has written two books, continues to care for his wife Julie and has never missed a day of putting on Tefillin! When called up for his birthday Aliya Joe said that he attributed his longevity to ‘not worrying’. The congregation was visibly moved as Rabbi Rader left his pulpit at the end of his sermon, went over to Joe and gave him the Priestly Blessing normally reserved for Bar and Bat Mizvas and weddings. Bis zu 120, Joe! the 3rd bar mitzvah boy by Alex Brummer Few people even know what a third Bar Mitzvah is, let alone speaking trans-Carpathia – now part of the Ukraine – where his have the chance to celebrate such an event. So when Michael family were dairy farmers. His two older brothers Daniel and Brummer, a pillar of Hove Hebrew Congregation, marked his Joseph ran the coffee shop in the town of Berehovo (best known 96th birthday on May 7 2011 (Iyar 3 5771) it was a very special to many as the birthplace of the late Hugo Gryn). occasion. The years between when he left home at the age of 14-years until So what is a third Bar Mitzvah? A person’s allotted days in this he arrived in Britain, read like an adventure story. As a young world are, according to the bible, three score years and ten. man in Bratislava, where his brother Hillel was studying, he learnt Anything more is a bonus and a second Bar Mitzvah is celebrated Talmud and was apprenticed to a glass merchant. In these early at the age of 83-years. Roll the clock on another 13 years to 96 years he moved frequently living and working across Europe and and you have the answer. returning east to visit his family whenever he could. Many people in the wider community will only know Michael as In the late 1930s he trained to be a Captain (and gained his the smiling elderly gentleman, who is often first in Shul and very Captain’s ticket) in what would become the Israeli Navy at a base keen to make sure that there is a minyan. As a longstanding in Italy. In 1938, with Europe on the verge of war, he sailed to former warden and Vice President, his knowledge of the Palestine where he and his Zionist colleagues were turned back community is encyclopaedic. by the British. On the eve of the outbreak of World War 2 he travelled back to the Czech border in an effort to help younger Those with long memories, dating back three decades to his members of his family escape the Nazi onslaught. Indeed, he retirement, will remember him in his prime in white coat and trilby had lived the life of a John Le Carre novel at an age, in modern hat as the commanding presence on Waterloo Street in Hove – Britain, when most young people are still dreaming of leaving once the Golders Green Road of the South Coast. It was there home and going off to university. that he presided with his son Daniel and his late wife Hilda over the most vibrant kosher butchery and delicatessen in the town. Throughout his life his unstinting commitment to Judaism in all Brummer & Son was a place where people would queue around its aspects had never been in doubt. It was fitting that his third the block for their hot salt beef sandwiches and new green Bar Mitzvah was marked during the period when we read from cucumbers on a Sunday morning. Kedoshim and Emor in which many of the laws and practices which underpin Jewish observance are spelt out in great detail. Michael’s connection to the Brighton and Hove goes back more than seven decades when he arrived in the town as a refugee It is those values which he has passed on to his sons Alex and from the Nazi advance across Eastern Europe. He established Daniel, his grandchildren Jessica, Justin and Gabriel and his a home in Brighton when his late brother, the great and much son-in-law Dan Rosenfield and his great-grandchildren Rafi and revered Cantor Hillel Brummer, came to serve as the chazzan at Natasha. They lit up the Holland Road shul with their smiles and the Middle Street shul. It was on the steps of the Middle Street vitality. synagogue that he was first introduced to his wife Hilda (nee Caplin) and he has played a key role in the community ever since. The highlight of the occasion was, as always, the superb Kiddush prepared by Sandra Gross and Michele Cohen in the Talmud For much of his life, until he acquired the Waterloo Street shop, Torah hall. It was a fitting end to wonderful service conducted by Michael was that rarest of beings: a Jewish farmer. These were Rabbi Silverman (with a little help from Gabriel Brummer). G-d the skills that he brought with him from his home in Hungarian willing there will be many more such birthday celebrations. issue 209 | june 2011 6 community life 7 jewish historical society – more recently. There has been a wonderful resurgence with sussex branch the largest shopping and leisure Centre in Europe, the Sage Concert Halls, the Angel of the North, the Baltic Arts Centre, by Godfrey Gould, Chairman. and the winner of the Sterling Prize for Architecture, the already Grade I listed 2001 Millennium Bridge. The last meeting of the 2010-11 session, on 3 May, was preceded by the AGM. The Chairman, Godfrey Gould, Turning to Newcastle-on-Tyne, Godfrey told of the town’s reported that the Branch had again enjoyed excellent Roman origins with the 120 CE bridge, the Norman period speakers but that the numbers attending had often been (when the town became the first in England to ban Jews rather disappointing. Members and visitors agreed that the from residing there!) and the Mediaeval period. The great Branch should continue and that every effort should be made rebuilding in the early nineteenth century produced one of to encourage more to attend. For 2011-12, the Committee the finest city centres in Britain. In 1881 Zachariah Bernstone will be Godfrey Gould, Chairman, Cecile Levene, Treasurer, left for Gateshead because he was not satisfied with the Sam Barsam, Secretary, Gordon Franks and Godfrey Gould, standards of religious observance in Newcastle. The small Programme Secretaries and Sydney Levene, Committee strictly observant community of Gateshead remained just Member. that until 1927 with the arrival of Reb Dovid Dryan and the creation a year later of the first Gateshead Yeshivah with but Godfrey paid a special tribute to Laurence Temerlies who two students. Rapid growth was enhanced by Rabbonim had been the Treasurer since the Branch’s inception, and had and students from Nazi Europe, over 600 settling in the also organised the publicity and the refreshments. A suitable town between 1933 and 1939, to say nothing of the many recognition was made for all his work. hundreds who owe their lives to the selfless efforts of the Gateshead community. As Professor Miri Rubin was unable to give her booked talk (this will now be given on 19 November), Godfrey Gould Today, with a permanent Jewish population less than half of spoke on “The Rise and Rise of Gateshead”.. Dealing with that of Brighton and Hove, Gateshead can boast nine major Gateshead’s origins as a Gate guarding the southern entrance Jewish educational establishments, over seven orthodox to the Roman bridge across the River Tyne, he charted its Shuls, plus many other institutions. This is surely the development in the Nineteenth century as a typical Victorian depository of Jewish survival in Britain, if not in Europe. industrial town, then its decline in the interwar years and Godfrey was warmly thanked. issue 209 | june 2011 6 community life 7 ralli hall ajeX by Norina Duke, Centre Manager by Judy Gabriel, PRO Brighton & Hove. As Roger has written previously, the refurbishment of the News from the Jewish Museum is that it now has a brand building is continuing, which is resulting in more and more new website at www.thejmm.org.uk. Why not visit it and let use of our improving facilities. We are pleased to report that the people at the Museum know what you think. They love from within the Jewish Community we are getting many more showing people round, but first call them on 020 8201 5656. bookings and happily these involve all levels of Judaism as well as cross-communal Jewish events. We are gratified to AJEX celebrates its 90th birthday this year, along with our have been able to offer a temporary home to Hillel (for their member, friend and Aubrey’s right hand man, Sidney Lipman. Friday night suppers) and The Progressive Synagogue (for Congratulations all round. use on a Shabbat morning during the refurbishment of their Shul building). We have hosted Shabbatons and visits from Stop press: The AJEX Summer Quiz will be held on ultra orthodox boys and girls schools from London and are Sunday July 17 at 3.30 pm in the AJEX Hall at the Reform used extensively by Lubavitch, JLGB, AJR, JHS. Synagogue. It’s a general knowledge quiz with tea, so get booking your table with Aubrey on 737417. See you all During the recent Board of Deputies weekend, much of there. which was held at Ralli Hall, I was personally encouraged to receive many compliments, from delegates, regarding jLGb juniors – taster session our beautiful listed art deco building, and how lucky the Community is to have such a wonderful facility at its & Parents meeting disposal. What we really need is for more people to come forward and A JLGB Juniors (8-11 year olds) taster session and parents show their support for our Jewish Centre by joining up and meeting will be held at Ralli Hall from 5.00 to 6.00 pm on offering to become Board members. Please come to the Sunday 19 June. Kids and their parents are welcome. AGM on Tuesday 14 June at 8.10pm – we need you. You There is already a successful seniors group running during might not realize it, but you would all miss Ralli Hall if it was term time on Sundays at Ralli Hall. We are looking to extend not available to the Community – it is the one place within this to juniors aged 8-11. Regional JLGB will be running the “Jewish” Brighton & Hove, where everyone can meet on an kids session alongside a parents meeting to talk about how equal level. the group will be run and answer any questions. I wish you all Chag Sameach. We hope to see you there. Any queries, please ring Sharon Rose on 07900 443874 or Melanie Sharpe Fisher on 07792 425556 or email brighton@jlgb.org ralli hall Lunch and social I look forward to giving everyone another update next month – in the meantime I hope to be welcoming many new faces to club the Lunch and Social Club. by Jacqueline Tichauer We also have our own website, set up by Mike Lyons, who will be updating it frequently for us. Thank you so much for Well, I have thoroughly enjoyed my first month working at the all your hard work Mike. Please take a look at http://webjam. Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club; Tuesdays and Thursdays com/lunch_social pass far too quickly, although I must admit that I do tend to sleep very well on those evenings! We have lots of new ideas that will hopefully make the Lunch and Social Club even Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club more amazing, and these will be implemented into the club’s programme in the very near future. invites you to a A meeting with the volunteers took place on 28 April and I am COFFEE MORNING & JEWELLERY PARTY excited to say that it was well attended and turned out to be very constructive, with many new ideas contributed by the (fantastic bargains available) volunteers. My thanks go to them all for their contributions as with CAKE STALL well as their dedication and fantastic help. to be held at the home of Wendy & Ronnie Bloom If you would like to become a volunteer at the Lunch and 5 Tongdean Road, Hove BN3 6QB Social Club but are unable to commit to every Tuesday and Thursday, we would be more than happy for you to come Wednesday 22 June 2011 at 11.00 am along for a few hours now and then. We also have new entertainers coming in, so we can twist and sing away, which Donation £3.00 I am enjoying immensely. issue 209 | june 2011 8 community life 9 worthing & district jewish as a community do not complain to Tesco Head Office in Cheshunt, they will repeat their actions next year. Fortunately, community Waitrose was better organized. by Barbara Gordon We held our 2nd night Pesach Seder on Tuesday 19th April. Last year we started to have the meal catered and this made Our belated Chanukah party went so very well and was our Secretary Joy Barnett very happy. She used to make attended by nearly fifty members. The food was good and almond pudding for 50 people but when our caterer, Kerry, we were treated to some wonderful jazz by a group from was given the recipe last year she rose to the occasion. The Chichester College of Music. Their performance brought Seder was again conducted by Roger Berlin and it was a back many happy memories, particularly of our teenage memorable evening with 43 paying guests. It was fantastic. years. We lit just one Chanukah candle and sang just one We again thank Roger for conducting the evening so verse of Maoz Tsur. Happy Birthday was sung 3 times to successfully. members with a total in years of just 273! (We’ve never said we are a young group but we are ‘young at heart’!) Recently we were delighted to find two charming gentlemen in Arundel, a lady in Selsey (who also reports at least three I echo the editorial in the May SJN and will content myself Jewish families local to herself) and also a gentleman in with just a few further comments. When we arrived over 2 Lancing. weeks’ prior to Pesach, Tesco in Hove had only five packets of Matzoh!! There were no cakes, matzo meal, cheese etc. Our future functions are on Sunday 19th June local historian etc. It was an excruciatingly disappointing trip to East Sussex Chris Hare will speak on Worthing in the 20s and 30s. Then to purchase Pesach goods, not only for our communal in July we’ll be holding Tea in the Garden with the Gordons. Seder but also for many of our members who are unable to Details will be announced soon. For further information make the journey. I intend writing to Head Office with my please contact Ian/Barbara Gordon on 01903 779 720 or complaints. I do, however, know what happened. barbarian@talktalk.net Last year we went to Hove over 3 weeks prior to Pesach. Finally, on a personal note, I met the late Ivor Miskin in They had practically everything we required. Subsequently I my capacity as Outreach member of the Sussex Jewish heard that they had sold out and that they only had additional Representative Council. He was always so friendly and made deliveries just a week before Pesach. This was repeated this me feel at home during meetings. His passing is so sad for year and it is obvious to me that they had not adapted to the whole Community who has lost a wonderful man and a the requirements of the Sussex Jewish community on their true leader. We in Worthing extend our sincere condolences computer – thus repeating the mistakes of last year. If we to his family. eastbourne hebrew Torah Academy Nursery congregation Bazaar by Manny Godfrey Sunday 26th June at 11.30 a.m. at the Nursery, Twenty-eight members and friends of the Eastbourne 29 New Church Road, Hove. Hebrew Congregation attended a second Seder Night Service in the Susans Road Shul Hall. Unusually, there were Al readers of SJN are invited to support this event, no late arrivals and the Service started on time! Chairman in whatever way they can. While spring-cleaning, Ronnie Taylor conducted it in his inimitable manner, with occasional interjections by Frank Miller to explain certain please put aside any saleable items and bring obscure passages. them along to the Nursery, any weekday morning. Please make sure to tel your friends and come Linda Taylor and Diane Joseph, together with other helpers, along on the day. served up a delicious meal, during which the conversation and laughter was testament to the relaxed atmosphere of the evening. There will be delicious refreshments and a lovely The songs in the Concluding Service were sung with great opportunity to socialise. gusto and many hands made light work in clearing up the inevitable mess. From the remarks overheard, it appeared to be a very enjoyable Seder. All proceeds in aid of the Nursery. issue 209 | june 2011 8 Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board Caring for Jewish people in need (Registered charity No. 255060) 9 We can help you Are you, or someone that you know, in need of assistance? The Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board was established in 1846 and, since that time, has been assisting Jewish people living in Sussex. Our aims are to al eviate hardship and deprivation by, for example: • Providing financial help, usually in the form of a weekly grant. • Casual help of a financial nature. • Benefits in kind, usually in the form of food, furniture, television sets etc. • Grants to students pursuing a Jewish education, or a recognised course in Higher Education. • The provision of matzot and ‘gelt’ at Pesach and Chanukah. • Day Centre facilities for the elderly at Ralli Hall. • Recuperative holidays. If you or someone you know is in genuine need and would benefit from our help, please call our Welfare Board helpline on 07952 479 111 or email us at SussexJWB@googlemail.com. Please be assured that al information will be treated in the strictest confidence. Or perhaps you can help us..? The Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board derives its funding from you, the local community. We simply distribute your money to other members of our community who are in greater need. Have you considered making a monthly or one-of donation to the Welfare Board? Have you considered leaving a legacy to the Welfare Board in your will? If you are at al interested in making a donation to the Welfare Board, please contact our Treasurer Alan Style on (01273) 597343 during office hours. Alan will be delighted to speak to you or to arrange a brief meeting, in order to explain how you can make a significant difference to the lives of those less fortunate living in our Sussex community. New Board members In addition, the Board is looking to recruit new members to replace long standing members who have recently retired. If you have a caring nature and skills that would enable you to make a valuable contribution to the work undertaken by the Board, please in the first instance contact our Chairperson Miriam Book at SussexJWB@googlemail.com. issue 209 | june 2011 10 elsewhere 11 a Parisian chanukah en Fête a Parisian chanukah toured up one side of the Seine and faded away and the violinist walked to down the other so that we could view the centre of the restaurant. He was by Jean & Willie Shaw en Fête the magnificent buildings. Also we were playing music from the old countries to be entertained by a young violinist as though the violin was a living part by Jean & Willie Shaw and a pianist from the Conservatoire de of himself. Up on his toes for the We live in a small village between the Musique. high notes, eyes closed for the sad towns of Cognac and Jarnac in the sections and a shuffle and stamp for Charente region of the South-West of We were welcomed on board and the traditional dances. With many moist France. Our house is of traditional stone seated at the table of a party of vineyard eyes we cheered and applauded his Charentaise construction with a high owners from the ‘Champagne Cognac’ playing and called for more. arched entrance and a totally enclosed region , while at the next few tables courtyard garden and was originally were the very numerous relatives of I don’t know how we managed to a farriers dwelling and smithy. The our particular friend Jean-Claud. He, fit it in but I later found that we had vineyards surrounding us supply grapes like me, is ex-Navy, he being a Jacque photographed all the prominent to six of the major Cognac houses and me a Jack. J-C seems to know buildings and bridges between La and there are four Chateau producers everyone he meets, especially if they Bibliothèque Nationale (national library) within our commune. When harvest are from show business. and La Statue de la Liberté (replica of time comes round and the pressings the statue of liberty). And so it continued After the first friendship glass commence the perfumed breeze can be for two or three hours. We looked at the the conversation noise level rose quite heady. views, listened to the music and ate the considerably so we took a break and most wonderful food in Paris. One Saturday night we went to the looked around. Surprise !!! We thought When the musicians took a break I unforgettable and spectacular midnight we knew that face and this face among approached the violinist and told him show at the ‘Moulin Rouge’ , but more the hundred other diners. Surely that that my wife cried with happiness at his of that some other time. Fifty of us from was Abie the coat maker and Bernard performance. He stood in front of Jean, the ‘Club de l’ Amitié ‘ (friendship club) the trouser and waistcoat maker from struck his heart with a closed hand and based in Juliac le Coq and all of us of our younger days. And what about bowed low to her. What a moving sight. the Troisième ge (retired) Jean and I, all those people we saw on the AJEX both now eighty, are the only English parade in 1998? We could not help As we were having our coffee at the end amongst them and are called Les but stare at their faces. Every tailor’s of the meal he played again. This time Jeunes (the young ones) because we workshop in France must be closed for he was in a more humorous mood and refuse to grow older. We certainly bask this special day. Faces do not change finished, to the delight of the diners of in the warmth of their friendship. much in this great Jewish family of ours. course, with ‘If I were a rich man’. Sunday was very special . We were We were all richer by far for this dining midday on board a restaurant Suddenly the faint sound of a violin was particular experience. Next adventure: ship with glass walls and roof which heard over the babble. Conversations Amsterdam. a Gairloch Pesach B”H WIT by Aubrey Cole Women In Touch Make the Best of Yourself For the third year I enjoyed Pesach with my cousins in Gairloch, on the west ‘Fashion is Universal but style is personal’ coast of north Scotland - this year only by Judy Bitel, stylist and personal shopper, four generations were present! Frank, with studios in Harley St. who will bend the rules when necessary, decided to postpone the second night because YOU deserve it Seder for three days, so that more Personal testimonies of women who have used the Mikveh, members of the family could be present. But he started to count the Omer on the What is it? Why is it so important? How can it enrich your life? actual second night, so that was alright! On: Wednesday 15th June It was good to see most people, At: 7.45pm including all the children, taking a Venue: Chabad House, 15, The Upper Drive, Hove greater part in the service. As the weather was good, there was plenty Dessert Table • Donation £15 of time to sit on the open balcony and enjoy the superb scenery of Wester All donations will go towards the new Ross - two days were so hot that I had to sit inside out of the sun! Next year, BRIGHTON MIKVEH FUND please G-d, in Gairloch.” issue 209 | june 2011 elsewhere 11 Prague communism led by students, which resulted in the fall of the by Bryan Wood communist government ten days later. In January 2009, I arrived in the city of Prague and, like many tourists, After the fall of communism, knew very little about this beautiful the community in Prague could city in the Czech Republic. My not really remember how it had original period of stay of three been before the Holocaust, months has turned into two years when Jews were able to practise and I would like to share some of their religion without fear. The its history and encourage you to new community that emerged visit and discover this city as I have in the 1990s was led by Rabbi done. Ephraim Sidon. He had been forced to escape in the 1970s, Prague and the Czech Republic lie as he had signed a petition in the very centre of Europe, and against the Communism Charter although some people consider it 77. He came back to restore as an eastern European country, but it the community and encourage the is not. The Czech Republic has had a During my two years in Prague I got new generation to return to practise very chequered history because of its to know the last living member of this Judaism, something they could now do position, being conquered by Romans, group, named Alexander Feuerstein. without fear. Germans, Hapsburgs, Nazis and He was the only member of seven Russians to name a few. The country siblings to survive the Holocaust. He The community today is made up of a and its people seem to be constantly spent the war in labour camps, then few thousand people. Many of them getting caught up in other people’s escaped to Russia, where he joined the are young people who have only been problems. Czechoslovak army in exile that arrived back in May 1945. He had originally able to discover their Jewish roots since communism ended, but many have The Jews have thrived here since the been arrested by the Nazis because done so with great conviction, which 9th century. Notable personalities he had left his Tefillin in the Alt Neu means that the community is growing buried in the old Jewish cemetery synagogue and went back to collect again for the first time in 70 years. include Mordechai Maisel, Avigdor Kara, them. During the communist years he Once again in Prague there is a Jewish Yeheskel Landau, and Rabbi Yehuda continued to practise as a Jew, but was school, which receives funding mainly Lieb ben bezalel Maharal. put in prison for it until they no longer saw him as a threat and released him. from the community, but also from the state. There are two Jewish shops, and Until the Holocaust, there were over 300 Because of his involvement in Jewish four restaurants. thousand Jews living in Czechoslovakia, life, he was never allowed to hold a but the Holocaust and then communism profession or receive any training and Tourists from around the globe are now brought Judaism to an abrupt end here, had to do manual work his whole life. able to visit this thousand year old city. as in all the other European countries The Jewish quarter and its museum in the area. The surviving Jews came The Velvet Revolution, 17 November is the most visited tourist site in the back, but they were a small remnant of 1989, was a protest against Czech Republic, with millions of tourists this once thriving Jewish community. passing through every year. The Holocaust was the physical The museum consists of seven annihilation of the community, but synagogues including the Alt Neu and communism brought a spiritual the famous old cemetery where some destruction. Practising any religion of the above named personalities are behind the iron curtain was dangerous: buried. The former Jewish ghetto, there was constant police surveillance where the buildings of the museum of the Jewish community. are located, was mostly changed at the beginning of the 20th century, with A member of the community was the only buildings remaining from the appointed by the police to spy on the Ghetto Period of 1244 - 1850 being the rest of the community. He had to report synagogues. to the police after every service, telling them who had attended the synagogue The centre of Jewish life throughout and what they did there. This made the history of the community was the it dangerous for people to attend, community centre on 18 Maiselova because they could lose their jobs if Street, built by Mordechai Maisel in the they were seen to have any involvement 16th century. It is almost unique in that in Jewish life. Even if their parents it continues today to serve the Jewish attended, some younger people could community of Prague as its centre. be barred from University. Because of this, most of the people involved in shul Please let me know if you ever come; life were Holocaust survivors, who had maybe we will bump into each other already lost everything and had nothing and I’ll be able to show you around. else to lose. issue 209 | june 2011 12elsewhere 13 a tunisian odyssey amazed to discover that our excellent hotel was by Cynthia Barnett not situated on Djerba, but on the Tunisian mainland. For some time we had wished to spend Having hurriedly booked a holiday on the Tunisian island of Djerba on the telephone, we and last October we flew off to this fertile found that there was not island. Connected to the mainland by an a local representative or ancient Roman causeway, Djerba, with its agent to contact. The proliferation of olive trees, wonderful date nearest town Zarzis, ‘a palms and orchards, is surrounded by pale one camel town’, was sandy beaches. twelve kilometres away and Djerba was a forty Home to an ancient Jewish community kilometre drive. We were dating back around two thousand five the sole English couple hundred years, it is probably the oldest in the hotel, amongst Mediterranean Sephardic community, predominantly French with, at present, about two thousand and German guests. residents. Always accepted by their Oy vey! To say that we mainly Berber neighbours they live were disappointed is an peaceably, well respected and in the past understatement. for their craft as Silversmiths. The local bus service was However on 11 April 2002, a terrorist a mirage, therefore taxis attack took place. A truck, filled with and/or hire cars were a explosives, was detonated close to necessity. We visited the the historic Al Ghriba synagogue. Al Ghriba synagogue after Twenty-one people died, of whom were Succot. Although not sixteen tourists and five Tunisians. The ancient – it is sited over synagogue was damaged, but survived. four previous synagogues, the original built in It is believed that this, Homer’s island 600BCE. The sacking of the ‘Lotus Eaters’, was visited by of Jerusalem in AD70 Odyseus, on his victorious return from brought many Jewish the Trojan War. Once ashore, some of refugees to the island; vast numbers of worshippers. Prior to his crewmen ate the Lotus flowers, which today there are probably descendants of entering the shul building, we were asked induced a soporific, dreamlike state. the original settlers still living there. to remove our shoes and cover our heads. Unwilling to return to sea, they had to be We paid a small entrance fee. The three forcibly removed back on board! Today The synagogue, a white building set well attendants were not Jewish, but were the flowers are no longer there. back from the road, is surrounded by high local people; we established this fact walls and is built around two courtyards. after my husband greeted one with the The morning after our arrival, we were There was a heavy police presence, with words ‘Shalom Aleichem’ and received the a sentry box and Arabic response of ‘Aleichum Salaam’. guards, manned by two armed First impressions astonished – this policemen. was a mini Alhambra. Moorish arches Passports were abounded, painted in broad blue and scrutinised and white stripes. The walls covered in questions asked ceramic blue and white tiles, with flooring before we were of marble paving. The mahogany pews allowed entry. had rush mats as cushions and there More armed was a high central Bima. One entire guards patrolled wall consisted of glass fronted cabinets the flat roofs containing numerous silver bedecked above us. The scrolls, while fine silver chandeliers first courtyard is hung overhead, adding to the exotic small, with tiny atmosphere. bedded rooms to accommodate We were disappointed that no Jewish the ‘pilgrims’ guides were available; in fact we did not who descend in encounter any Jewish folk at all. As the their thousands temperatures rose into the high nineties, at Lag B’Omer. we made no further attempts to seek out The other our brethren. courtyard is huge and could hold issue 209 | june 2011 13 issue 209 | june 2011 14 the times they are a-changin’ 15 machines and me machines, only complicated ones. The salesman at the store suggested we try a charity shop; his grandma had recently by Janice Greenwood died and they gave all her electrical equipment away. We were lucky and bought a “no frills” machine for £15 and it is I am a mature woman. I was married for nearly forty years to perfect. my late husband, helped him in two businesses, raised four children: at one time two of them were under twelve months At my last birthday I was asked what I would like and old. I have driven a car for over thirty-five years and hosted mentioned that although I had over one hundred video tapes, parties for up to thirty friends and relations. So why is it that they were all full and I could do with some more. Came the when confronted by anything mechanical I am reduced to a day they again all marched in, this time with only one parcel, quivering wreck? prettily wrapped with a big bow on top. I opened it “Oh, thank you” I said, “What is it?” Some time ago when my children asked what I would like for my birthday I said that I would like a small radio/cd/ “This, Mum, is a Personal Digital Recorder”. cassette player that I could put on my kitchen table. When the day came the family trouped in. Daughter number one “Yes, but what does it do?” was carrying a very big box. Daughters two and three were carrying smaller boxes. “Happy Birthday, Mum” they “Everything, you can record programmes, two at the same chorused. I opened the boxes. They had bought me a huge time on different channels, you can save them, you can edit machine that was a radio, cd, cassette and record player with them, pause them, fast forward, you don’t have to watch the two large speakers. This was never going to sit on my kitchen adverts. You’ll never have to buy another video”. table! It seemed to me that it did everything but the washing. I Joanne, the mechanic of the family, assembled the machine didn’t want to sound ungrateful but I felt like Michael Caine and gave me a demonstration on how all the various parts in The Italian Job when they blow up the mini-bus and he worked. She gave me the book of instructions, which to shouts “I only wanted to blow the bloody doors off!” I only me seemed to be written in hieroglyphics, and told me I wanted a few bloody videos. Again I got a quick tutorial from would soon get the hang of it. I have had the machine for Joanne. This machine had two instruction books, one with nearly ten years and the only part that I can work is the CD about twenty pages (more hieroglyphics and Morse code as compartment. well), and an edited version. When DVDs came along Joanne thought I should have a When the girls left I was on the verge of tears. Was this DVD player. So on another birthday the girls bought me a another monstrosity to sit in my lounge taking up space? combined Video and DVD player. I already had a video player Every evening my youngest daughter phoned to see how but I was told that I could now tape two items simultaneously. I was getting on with it. I referred to it as “the thing in the Great! I managed the DVD part but not the video side, which corner”. After a week or so I found the courage to turn it on was very complicated. Even Joanne had trouble getting it and refer to the instructions (edited edition) and I am pleased to work. Then the original video machine broke down and to report that I have got the hang of part of it. I am able to was irreparable. Another birthday was coming up and the record, play back and delete programmes. The trouble is I’ve girls said they would get me a new one. I was very firm and forgotten how to use the Video machine. insisted that it be simple. Well, there are no simple video issue 209 | june 2011 14 culture 15 meet the schwarz Family on 26 june Sussex Jewish Film Club at Ralli inherited a blurred Jewish tradition. How will Israeli society Hall will be screening The Schwarz accommodate these new immigrant families, who bring with Dynasty (Shoshelet Schwarz, them a set of problems that didn’t exist in the previous waves Israel, 104 mins) on Sunday 26 of immigration? Another theme of this movie is the views of June. the religious system towards the problems of life and death, which seem to marginalize many of the characters. The Schwarz family have come to Israel from the Soviet Union. This is a film that should encourage some discussion and Although their forbears were a long debate, so do come along. As usual it’s 7.00 pm drinks, 7.30 dynasty of Jewish rabbis, because pm film. Non-members are welcome with donation and it’s of the secularisation of Soviet free to full-time students. society they themselves have only in holland stands a house Danielle Markham and her mother Elena, both well-known members of our local Jewish community. Southwick Players Youth (SPY) are proud to present “In To book tickets, please contact the box office on 01273 Holland Stands A House” (the story of Anne Frank) written by 597094 or through ticket lord on www.southwickplayers.org. Sue Saunders and Cecily O’ Neill. uk This play, based on Anne Frank’s diary, skilfully interweaves Venue: The Barn Theatre, Southwick Street, Southwick, a dramatised account of events in occupied Europe with West Sussex domestic scenes from the secret annexe. It also deals with the issue of racism, as well as ethnic and cultural differences Dates: Wednesday 20th - Saturday 23rd July 2011. which are still problems faced today. This is a must see play for children and adults alike. Times: Evenings: 7.30pm, matinee on Saturday 23rd - 2.30pm. Director Ron Common has thoroughly enjoyed working with such a talented group of children and adults, which include Prices: £9.00/£10.00. ALL YOU NEED FOR A KOSHER* EXPERIENCE ALL YOU NEED FOR A KOSHER* EXPERIENCE Tel: 01273 562464 Mobile: Tel: 01273 562464 0771 267 2768 Mob: 0771 267 2768 *Under the personal supervision of ANGELA *Under SAMUELS the personal supervision of ANGELA SAMUELS issue 209 | june 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 revelation in the desert literally, ‘from a word’ – or ‘from a thing’. As we read in the opening verses of the Torah: the Eternal One spoke the world by rabbi elizabeth tikvah sarah into existence out of tohu vavohu – ‘formlessness and void’ The rabbis called Shavuot – the Festival of ‘Weeks’ – z’man (Genesis 1:2ff.). matan Torateinu, ‘the season of the giving of our Torah.’ They took a feast, which was purely agricultural in nature – Yom Of course this begs the question: Why did the Eternal One Ha-bikkurim, ‘The Day of First Fruits’ (Numbers 28:26) – and address the Israelites in the empty desert? Classical rabbinic transformed it into the celebration of Revelation. Without midrash offers an explanation: ‘The Torah was given in public, this radical transformation, Shavuot would have disappeared openly in a free space. But had the Torah being given in the when the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. land of Israel, Israelites could have said to the nations of the world: “You have no share in it”. But now that it was given in Nevertheless, the rabbis’ inventiveness was rooted in the the wilderness publicly and openly in a place that is free for narrative of the Exodus: the seven weeks between early all, everyone wishing to accept it could come and accept it.’ Pesach and Shavuot (Leviticus 23:15ff.) is mirrored by the (Mekhilta d’Rabbi Ishmael, Vol. 2. Ed. Jacob Z. Lauterbach, journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai. As we read: ‘In the third JPSA, p.198-200 – on Exodus 19:2). month after the Israelites went out of the land of the Egypt, the same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.’ (Exodus In addition to this explanation, there is another one, rooted 19:1). in the language. If once again, we take the consonants of midbar, and substitute the vowels, we can read another word: So, the Torah teaches us that the Eternal One spoke to the m’dabbeir, a verbal form of the same root, which means, ex-slaves in the ‘wilderness’. The Hebrew word is midbar. ‘speaking’: In the midbar, a place devoid of words and things, Significantly, the word midbar is connected to the Hebrew nevertheless, the voice of God ‘speaking’ to the people. root, Dalet Beit Reish, to ‘speak’. A familiar noun, also based Why did the Eternal One address the Israelites in the empty on this root, is davar, meaning ‘word’ – and also, ‘thing’: The desert? Because it was only there, in the barren desert, that wilderness, or more precisely, the desert; a barren, empty they could hear the voice of the Eternal. Perhaps, God is place – devoid of words and of things. Interestingly, the same speaking to us here and now, but we are too caught up in consonants that make up midbar, can also form another the noisy, busy, cluttered world we inhabit to hear the Divine word – if you substitute the vowels: mi-davar, which means, voice, and too distracted and preoccupied to listen. music course: vaughan williams & his BHPS CABARET NIGHT british contemporaries Saturday 2 July 2011 at 7.00 pm BHPS is proud to offer this 8 week course by Robert Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Carrington. The course will focus on Ralph Vaughan Williams, and composers working at the same time. Many By popular demand following last year’s sell out event the BHPS were friends of his whilst others started their careers as Cabaret returns for another evening of music, food and enjoyment Vaughan Williams reached his last years and lived beyond featuring performances by our own talented members and friends. him. Familiar and unfamiliar figures will be featured side by Tickets on sale now and include bagels and cakes during the side. The course details are: interval. Adults £8 in advance; £10 on the door Under 18 family members free – but reservation required. Title: Ralph Vaughan Williams and his British contemporaries Last year we sold out – so reserve yours by sending a cheque, payable to “BHPS”, to Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue, Tutor: Robert Carrington 6 Lansdowne Road Hove BN3 1FF. For more information, please contact us on 01273 737223 or email us at Dates: Wednesdays for eight weeks from 8 June from bhps@freenetname.co.uk. 2.00-4.00 pm Place: Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove Cost: £38 (whole course) or drop in for £6 per session Cheques are to be made payable to Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue and are to be sent to Chandra in the office. For more information, please contact us on 01273 737223 or email us at bhps@freenetname. co.uk. Alternatively, for further information contact Robert Carrington at robert.carrington@tesco.net issue 209 | june 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 Forces sweetheart joins remembrance this fair land, addressed a gathering of 2000 in Johannesburg at the very moment when others were gathering in Hyde Park at the National Holocaust Memorial. We in this city held our observances in the various synagogues. At BHRS our most dignified service was further graced by the presence of Dame Vera Lynn, famed the world over as the Forces sweetheart. Our specially devised commemoration drew from aspects of the weekday service and from readings included in a booklet spawned by the concept of a Shoah scroll. The Shoah Scroll is bound on a single stick and has a cover reminding us of the barbed wire and yellow star that were so much a feature of the period, was duly removed from our Aron Kodesh. Preceding each of the six readings one of six candles was lit. Participating in the service alongside Rabbi Wallach were Michael Harris, Tony Rosenfield, Stewart Macintosh, Marilyn Wallach, Gweni Sorokin and Vivien Harris as readers, and Rene Steidam (a survivor of the war), Bryan Huberman (son of a survivor), Fausta Shelton (our social worker who, amongst others works with and for many who went through that period), Marcus Dollow (representing the youth of the synagogue) and Cyril Sugarman and Virginia Lewis-Jones respectively friend of and daughter of Dame Vera lit the candles. As usual our choir did us proud, with a special mention to Michael Maine who made a point of joining us on this occasion. dame vera Lynn pictured together with rabbi charles wallach and And as congregants entered the synagogue foyer they were michael harris, our chairman, prior to the commencement to the yom confronted by examples of projects undertaken by past bnei hashoah service. mitzvah of the Cheder – projects relating to the Holocaust either of people who had been part of their family or of others, The past month or so brought with it the mixed emotions that not known but in a sense thus remembered. go with the Jewish Spring. For, following the joy of Pesach, celebrated again at BHRS with a wonderful communal It was a truly memorable and stirring occasion. But, as the seder splendidly catered by our Ladies Guild, 1st May saw years move on and those who actually experienced the war the observance of Yom HaShoah. The date, chosen in the thin out surely the question needs to be asked: why can we not aftermath of the Second World War as a day to stop and recall have a joint commemoration? Surely especially with regard to the horrors of Nazism, remains a moment of linkage throughout the Shoah when all Jews were treated despicably we should be the Jewish world. So, for example, Ben Helfgott, who survived the atrocities as a nine year old and eventually finding refuge in one. Rabbi Charles Wal ach wishes to thank al members of the community who sent expressions of condolence to him, Marilyn and his sister Ruth in South Africa on the death of his mother. Bulletin Board – June 2011 Mondays Exercise to music with Adele, 11.00 am Wednesdays JACS, 2.00 pm (not 8 June) Friday 3rd Late service at 8.00 pm SUSSEX IN JUNE - COME AND Sunday 5th JOIN US FOR A TREASURE HUNT Helping Hands Tea Tuesday 7th WITH PRIZES TO BE WON Discussion Group APPROX 35 MILES STARTING AT SHUL AND Tuesday 7th BACK IN TIME FOR A NICE CREAM TEA Erev Shavuot service at 6.30pm Wednesday 8th SUNDAY JUNE 12TH AT 2.30 Shavuot Service at 10.30am £7.50 FOR CAR AND DRIVER + £5 PER Sunday 12th PASSENGER Cheder Kids Club 12.30 to 2.30 Sunday 12th REGISTER WITH SHUL OFFICE BHRS Functions Committee Car Rally 01273 735343 issue 209 | june 2011 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 shavuot - just cheesecake? point of delivery it is just the right temperature (remember agonising over getting the bottle not too hot and not too by rabbi hershel rader cold – no such problem with natural feeding!) and comes Ask yourself, or anyone else, this question ‘what is the in a perfectly accessible container. All the baby has to do first thing that comes to mind when you think of Shavuot?’ is suckle! With a little effort, the little one has a perfectly For many of us the answer will be cheesecake. Now most balanced meal. So too the Torah has all the wisdom and other festivals will have a more ritual or spiritual answer; spiritual nutrients necessary for our soul, we just have to Rosh Hashana – Shofar, Yom Kippur – Fasting, Chanukah – make the effort to access it. This is particularly true in our era Menorah; Pesach – Matzoh. You get the idea. But Shavuot of widely available Torah teaching through various Adult Ed seems to immediately conjure up the cheesecake. courses as well as print and electronic media. If asked to design a logo for this festival, what could we But still, at the end of the day, a cheesecake is …well, just a come up with that would instantly identify it? The Torah cheesecake. Well, that’s it; the Torah was given for ordinary or Ten Commandments given on this day? Well they are times, places and things. It was given for when we go to certainly representative of the festival’s history and religious work, to teach us how to conduct ourselves in the workplace significance but also representative of Judaism as a whole. and business. It was given for when we raise our families, In the context of our traditional observances cheesecake teaching us how to inculcate G-d’s values into our children. It wins by a mile! So how is it that such a pivotal occasion in was given to us for when we sit in our houses and when we our calendar, recalling the day on which we received our walk on the way. For when we lie down and when we rise up religion and became ‘Jewish’, is so strongly associated with (paraphrased from the Shema). something seemingly so mundane and lacking in spirituality? The Torah is not limited to the Synagogue or House of There are many reasons given for eating dairy products on Study, to festivals and ritualistic events. Judaism is relevant Shavuot. My favourite is that the Torah is analogous to milk. wherever we are and whatever we do – including enjoying a For a baby, milk contains all the nutrients it needs. At the piece of cheesecake. tikun Leil shavuot Ruth; (c) the opening and closing sections of each tractate of the Talmud; (d) a list of the 613 mitzvot; and (e) selected The Sages relate that when G-d came to give the Torah to readings from the Zohar and other Kabbalistic works. In many the People of Israel in the early morning of 6 Sivan, He found communities this is studied in its entirety. them sleeping. To rectify this lapse, we spend the first night of Shavuot, till sunrise, studying Torah. We will be holding our Tikun Leil at 11.30pm on Tuesday 7th June and it takes a different form: all members of the There is, in fact, a traditional Tikkun Leil Shavout community are invited to attend and present talks on a Torah (“Rectification for Shavuot Night”) study book that includes: theme. For more info or to offer to give a talk please contact (a) the opening and closing verses of each book of the Written Rabbi Rader on 0777 565 3897 or email rabbibhhc@gmail. Torah (Tanach) and each Parshah; (b) the entire Book of com. Adult Education Rabbi Rader holds a weekly Lunch and Learn on Wednesdays 12.30 Bring your children to hear the – 1.30 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 Ten Commandments publicised on the Shul website at www.webjam.com/bhhc10 and by email to the Shul membership at the beginning of the week. All are welcome and lunch is £2.50. The Ladies Shiur deals with a variety of subjects, often generated by the attendees. First day of Shavuot, Wednesday 8th June at 10.20am Yahrzeit / Kaddish If someone has Yahrtzeit or is saying Kaddish and would like a Followed by Chidren’s Services for both Minyan to be organised, please contact Rabbi Rader on 0777 565 3897 or rabbibhhc@gmail.com. Nursery and Primary age and then a sumptuous Shavuot Lunch A beautiful three course fish meal with wine Ice Cream (vegetarian option available) First Day Shavuot Wednesday 8th June, after the service Kiddush £12.50 for adults, £5 for children under 13 There are a limited number of places so, in order to assure yourself of a place at what promises to be a very popular event, please contact the Shul office on 01273 888 855 or office@bhhc-shul.org All Welcome – No Charge by Monday 30th May. issue 209 | june 2011 18 hhc rabbi vivian silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com 19 shavuot yom hashoah by rabbi vivian silverman This year’s Yom Hashoah Service for both Brighton & Hove One of the names for Shavuot is Atseret which means Hebrew Congregation and Hove Hebrew Congregation was “Conclusion”, since the seven weeks of The Omer form held at Holland Road shul on Sunday, 1st May. a bridge of days connecting Pesach (barley harvest) with Shavuot (wheat harvest). In addition, the leaving of Egyptian After the lighting of six candles by members of our slavery came to its “conclusion” with the receiving of The community who had survived the Nazi atrocities, Rabbi Torah at Sinai. Silverman conducted the traditional ma’ariv service. The mood was reflective, moving and inspirational, enhanced Flowers in the Shul remind us of the time of year, and of the by the reading of Psalms by Rabbis Silverman and Rader transformation of the normally barren slopes of Mt Sinai into a followed by the reading of an extract from Rav Carlebach’s profusion of greenery in honour of the giving of The Torah and book ‘Ish Yehudi’ by Myrna Carlebach. Other readings so we bank flowers and greenery around the Ark (where The were Primo Levi’s poem ‘Shema’ read by Adam Pickett, an Torah is kept) and around the Bimah (from where The Torah is extract from Anne Frank’s Diary read by Doris Levinson and read). an extract from the Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ book The Dignity of Difference which were read by Leo Bieber. The format for Many have the custom to stay up late after the family meal on this year’s Service was an innovative idea suggested by Doris first night Shavuot and to study, in order to recall the scene Levinson and it evoked strong emotion. at the foot of Sinai where the People of Israel waited patiently for Matan Torah (the giving of The Torah). Almost one hundred people attended this moving Service, and were later offered refreshments in the Talmud Torah Hall One of the meals on Shavuot is a dairy meal, to convey the provided by Sandra Gross and the Ladies Guild. thought that, from the Revelation onwards, the mixing of milk and meat, and the eating of the two together, was forbidden. And so the easiest and quickest meal to prepare when the people returned to their tents after that momentous event was a milk meal. The scroll of Ruth is designated as the special reading for Shavuot because Ruth became a convert and so accepted the Hebrew faith – linking this with the acceptance of The Torah by the People of Israel. Finally, the events recounted in the four chapters took place between Pesach and Shavuot. Malcolm Green Catering The selection of your menu is an important part in the annual General meeting planning of your Simcha. For that reason our Chefs continue to create exciting and tasty menus to meet your every need. At our AGM held in the Talmud Torah Hall on Sunday, 8thMay, We can tailor a menu to fit your specific requirements Stanley Cohen was elected Chairman and Michele Cohen and help create the function you will be proud of. Let us was voted Financial Representative. Sam Barsam and Alan introduce you to a cuisine that has made us one of Israel’s Hershman were appointed Wardens with the rest of the Board leading Caterers & the world’s foremost glatt kosher comprising George Abayahoudayan, Martin Gross, Doris destination wedding specialist. Levinson, Winston Pickett, Anthony Weinstein and Gerard Join us for our glatt kosher June/July tour of “Mystical Ireland” Weinstein. KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST june diary Contact Malcolm on 0203 393 6823 1 Wed. Yom Yerushalayim marking the koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 www.kosherservicesworldwide.com www.kosherexperiences.co.il 8 Wed. 1st day Shavuot UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION 9 Thur. 2nd day Shavuot, Yizkor OF THE LONDON BETH DIN (For functions in the U.K.) 14 Tue. Ladies discussion circle 10.30 am “You’ve eaten the food now read the blog” followed by Talmud Shiur 11.30 am www.koshersericesworldwide/blog/ issue 209 | june 2011 20 what’s on: june 2011 website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org email: info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org shabbat shaLom – briGhton times In Light Candles Out Havdalah Fri 3 8.48 pm Sat 4 10.16 pm Grodzinki’s challot and Fri 10 8.54 pm Sat 11 10.24 pm Fri 17 8.58 pm Sat 18 9.29pm rye bread are available Fri 24 9.00 pm Sat 25 10.30 pm from Premier Convenience special dates Stores in Hove Street Wed 1 Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) every Thursday morning Tue 7 Shavuot – 1st day light candles by 8.52 pm Wed 8 Shavuot – 2nd day light candles after 10.21 pm until supplies run out. Thu 9 Shavuot ends 10.22 pm events For june reGuLar activities j:tots – for parents, toddlers, grandparents and carers - is held monthly Sundays at Ralli Hall.For information regarding the next session, please e-mail shalom Programme on www.radioreverb.com and 97.2 FM Rachel at jtots@rocketmail.com 9.00-9.55 am. Repeated Thursdays at 3.00 pm Tel: 01273 or ring 01273 204334. 5404647. radio reverb theatre programme, ‘curtain up’ 97.2 FM 4.00 Wednesday 1 pm. Repeated on Wednesdays at 7.00 am, Tel: 01273 youth aliyah – Annual Coach Trip and Cream Tea to Snow Hill Garden 5404647. Centre. Ring 01273 776671 or email liz.posner@orchidserve for further carmel tennis club 10.00 am-12.00 noon. Weekly. All levels details welcome. Tel: Leon on 07717 222744 jacs – Have your say, speak your mind, at our Hat Debate at the Mondays AJEX Centre 2.00 pm, Eaton Road, Hove. £2.00 members/£2.50 non- the ethics of our Fathers with Rabbi Efune 11.30-12.30 pm members Chabad House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove. Tel:. 01273 321919 afternoon club with tea 1.30 pm. Contact Reba 01444 Sunday 5 410435 helping hands tea – 2.30 pm at the AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove rubber and duplicate bridge 1.30-4.30 pm £2.00. Tel Reba 01444 410435 RH Wednesday 8 contemporary basic talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men only jacs – will not meet because of Shavuot 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 tanya (kabbalah) Learning Group with Penina Efune - Ladies Wednesday 15 only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 jacs – A Musical Afternoon presented by Barbara Blume at the AJEX Tuesdays Centre 2.00 pm, Eaton Road, Hove. £2.00 members/£2.50 non- ralli hall Lunch and social club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm Tel: members Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH wit Ladies evening – ‘Make the best of yourself’ at Chabad House 7.45 art in the studio with martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH pm. Donation £15 in aid of the Mikvah Fund. Painting with rochelle (jas), 7.00 pm-9.00 pm Tel: 01273 503708 RH Monday 20 israeli dancing 7.45 pm-9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 sarid & ajr – Speaker Dr. Sam Barsam ‘Not as bad as it seems – an RH update on Israeli affairs’, 10.45 am. Donation. £1.00 RH Wednesdays Wednesday 22 chutzpah choir (singing in Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Aramaic and other languages) with Polina Shepherd. 7.00-8.45 pm jacs – speaker Ian Gledhill on ‘The Story of the Crystal Palace’ at the Tel: Rosalind 01273 541031 RH. AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove. £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members art in the studio with martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH coffee morning for ralli hall Lunch & social club – 11.00 am at 5 jacs at the AJEX Centre 2.00 pm, Eaton Road, Hove - Tongdean Road, Hove and featuring a cake stall and jewellery party. £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members. Donation £3.00. Thursdays Sunday 26 ralli hall Lunch and social club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Weekly torah nursery bazaar – 11.30 am at the Nursery, 29 New Church Road, Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Hove weekly torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad helping hands tea – 2.30 pm at the AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove House. 01273 321919. sussex jewish Film club – ‘The Schwarz Dynasty’7.00 pm for 7.30 pm RH COMMUNITY EVENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER Wednesday 29 Contact the Communal Diary before jacs – speaker Heather Woodward on ‘Ightham Mote: Life Upstairs Downstairs’ at the AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove. £2.00 planning your events! Email: info@ members/£2.50 non-members sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org issue 209 | june 2011 -
Issue 212
October September 2011
sUssex Jewish news n Whats what’s inside.... YOUR new YeaR GReetinGs | new hiLLeL CentRe | hOwaRd JaCOBsOn at the OLd MaRKet | what’s On | and MORe SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2011 | Ellul 5771 / TiShREi 5772 | • iSSuE 212 2 pause for thought 3 what kind of Jew am i? Our Rosh Hashanah cover theme of “Back to Shul” may possibly be Should they see them as interlopers, interrupting the comfort of the offensive to a few of our readers. Some others may view it as cynical. habitual rituals, and undertaking their collective confessional by rote? However, being realistic, we do all know that a large proportion of our Should they look forward to the end of the Days of Awe when the fellow Jews are just once or twice a year shul goers, on the High Holy synagogue will belong to them again? Days. Or should they be grateful that, even though it is for such a very short The ritual of Yomim Norayim appearances is embedded into time, there is a willingness to identify with our fellows, in the shuls the personal culture of many Jews, most of whom are probably which make up our local religious community? profoundly Jewish, but maybe not quite so profoundly religious. They take an ethical, Surely the tolerant ‘live and let live’ social and historical option should apply and anyone view of their roots maybe we cOuld all make a New year with different ideas of Jewish and see religion as observance should be embraced resOlutiON tO be a bit mOre cOmmitted, part of the whole into the community with open package. They are arms, especially at a time of the tO atteNd services a little mOre OfteN very happy, for this year which preaches this very short period, to identify with their fellows concept. and to satisfy their need for community. Maybe we could all make a New Year resolution to be a bit more While there is now no need for overflow seating, as there was three committed, to attend services a little more often, (you would be or four decades ago, the number of worshippers is certainly hugely welcomed I am sure) and to support some of the events organised by greater than at normal services. our synagogues, Ralli Hall, or other local charities. How should the regulars view their fellow Jews, with their seemingly In addition to the traditional wishes to our readers for a healthy, casual annual appearances, some of them not knowing even the peaceful and prosperous New Year, we wish for a year of tolerance basic prayers? and understanding within our local community. 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 info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt / Sue Rea David Seidel COVER IMAGE courtesy of Brian Megitt TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt ADMINISTRATOR Ivor Sorokin PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 10 OCTOBER 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. 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 212 | september/OctOber 2011 2 contents 3 sussex Jewish News features pO box 2178 Hove bN3 3sZ 1 back tO sHul telephone: 07906 955 404 As children go back to school, the High Holy e-mail: editor@sussexjewishnews.com Day season takes us back to shul. 11 cHief rabbi’s rOsH HasHaNaH messaGe Some thoughts and professional advice 12 yOur New year GreetiNGs Wishes from the community 15 a cHurcH iN keNt 16 tHe dubrOvNik syNaGOGue by Andrew Devon 16 tHe tOrremOliNOs cOmmuNity by Stanley Lerner 17 mOmeNts tO remember An extract from the autobiography of Moss Murray reGulars 4 yOur News & views Letters and announcements 6 cOmmuNity life News from across the county 18 culture Howard Jacobson at the Old Market, Blonde Poison, a competition and more 24 wHat’s ON Regular and special events in your community yOur cOmmuNity 20 HOve Hebrew cONGreGatiON 21 briGHtON & HOve prOGressive syNaGOGue 22 briGHtON & HOve refOrm syNaGOGue 23 briGHtON & HOve Hebrew cONGreGatiON 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 212 | september/OctOber 2011 4 your news & views 5 more on the mikvah Could your correspondents submit evidence of any individual being denied the mikvah when it was operational? Did the The August letters replying to Mrs Efune’s article about the Efunes take it upon themselves to control the communal Brighton mikvah, while addressing the problems of installing facility and if so what was the Kashrus Committee’s response a mikvah on New Church Road synagogue premises, do not over 18 years? really relate to the article to which they are replying. What financial support has been requested of the Mrs Efune makes no reference to New Church Road. She synagogues across the community by the Efunes? What comments on the origins of the Prince Regent mikvah, and knowledge do your correspondents possess relating to the that for 6 years it has been out of use. (She does not tell Halachic requirements of a mikvah? us why). She remarks that in her time it served numerous different categories of Jewish woman (“all stripes and shades I see that in your last edition of the SJN the cover photo was of the community”, as she puts it). She stresses that it served of the new stadium, home of Brighton & Hove Albion football out-of-town Chasidic visitors, i.e. many who have little to do club, whose estimated costs run into tens of millions of with local shul membership, and a mikvah’s considerable pounds. No doubt it is well supported across the community building and operating costs. This would presumably recur if one way or another, but then we must get our priorities right! either a renovated or new mikvah became operational here. Finally, while Mrs. Efune states that Brighton “desperately Ronnie Arden, Hove needs” to once again have an operational mikvah, she does not specify if she means renovation of the Prince Regent one, or the construction of a new one. Nor the proposed location of any new mikvah, or how construction and maintenance stolperstein would be funded. We so enjoyed the edition you sent to us. Your article on If to be located at New Church Road, nobody seems to Jenny Dreifuss was excellent. What a wonderful woman she know who, if anybody, amongst the BHHC membership, must have been to stay on with her remaining students. (We would use it. And if this were to be “for the Community”, both knew the linguistic meaning of “Stolperstein” but not in is the “Community” [apart from the long-suffering BHHC this context.) The trip must have been so moving for you and membership] rushing forward with wallets outstretched to Laura. contribute? The entire edition of the SJN was a “total read” over here for The arguments against restoring the Prince Regent mikvah both of us. We much enjoyed Rabbi Silverman’s article on the seem to be based on new health & safety requirements, history of the Jews In England. What a fine scholar he is. So and that a re-design to prevent, for example, Legionnaires’ erudite. You are so fortunate to have him as your rabbi. Disease, would no longer be compatible with Halachic requirements. So how would it be possible to correctly follow Evelyn and Lee Blum-Harvey, USA Building Regulations and Health & Safety requirements satisfactorily in any new construction at New Church Road? These rules would be mandatory to avoid prosecution and public liability dangers, and if Halachic versions of the necessary systems are available, then they could presumably tesco and planning for pesach be installed just as well at the Prince Regent. After protracted correspondence with Tesco relating to the lack of products suitable for Passover I have finally received So, in view of the above, it is intriguing that the counter-the following and I quote from Frances Hickling of the Chief arguments which appeared in the August SJN (all of which Executive’s office: seem very valid) appear to be directed against an unstated plan to establish a new mikvah at New Church Road, whereas “I can understand your frustration and your further comments the original article appears to propose re-opening the Prince have been noted and forwarded for the attention of our Regent one. Time for some clarity please? Buying Manager and the new Store Manager at Hove, Michael Germain. Michael has recently taken over at the Martin Boyask, Hove store and he is going to make a note in his diary to ensure that in future any appropriate action may be taken to increase I was astonished at the excitement generated by the Efunes’ product availability to meet customer demand in the run up to proposal to construct a new mikvah. I can imagine the Passover. If there are any favoured products you would like to disappointment of all those women who have been denied be ranged to the branch, please ask at the store in advance the opportunity to use the mikvah at the Prince Regent these and where possible they will order them in.” past six years. Before the shutdown, apparently the Efunes were responsible for its maintenance and running for 18 years So, fellow Jews of Sussex, you now know what to do prior to without a whiff of discrimination. Pesach 2012. Your correspondents, in your last edition, besides giving Barbara Gordon, Worthing a history lesson of the Brighton mikvah and the role of the Kashrus Committee, presumably have been in purdah over the past six years in dealing with this issue? issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 4 your news & views 5 births welcome • Mazel tov to Myrna Carlebach on the birth of Theodor Julius Milton Carlebach, a son for Joe and Melanie and a brother Welcome to Dr Gideon Reuveni, the new Director of the for Hannah and Charlotte Centre for German-Jewish Studies at the University of • Mazel tov to Martin and Zippy Gilmour on the birth of Sussex. another grandchild, a daughter for Jonathan and Sharon and sister for Asher Good luck • Mazel tov Trevor and Leah Silverman on the birth of their Mazel tov to Fausta Shelton as she begins a new life with a baby son Eli Simcha, another grandchild for Rabbi Vivian new soulmate. and Lynette Silverman • Mazel tov to Rabbi Avi and Debby Neuman on the birth of Get well daughter Kliel Nehora We wish refuah sheleimah to Sam Barsam, Lena Boam, Geela special birthdays Caiden, Ivor Collins, Cyril Jacobs, Scarlett Epstein, Hannah Levy, Michael Linde, Lee Panto and Dona Strauss. • Mazel tov to Sally Brown, Suzanne Collins, Arthur Curtis, Ruth Donnelly, deaths Reginald Essex, Bill Goodfellow, Angela We wish Long Life to the families of Willie Albert z’l, Phyllis Jones, Gary Kenton, Barry Levene, Lea Bush z’l, Sheila Curtis z’l, Jack Eleini z’l, Doreen Freedman Levy, Judah Lixenberg, Joan Melcher, z’l, Stanley Zeb Jackson z’l and Arthur Ross z’l, and, to Nettie Nissen, Ann Packham, Beatrice Marilyn Fisher and Philip Simons on the death of their mother Reder, Jill Richards, Simon Rickman, Babs Simons z’l. Moss Rich (101), Marjorie Seldon, Joyce Sherwood, Patricia Starr, Marilyn Wallach, Gary Weston, Laurence Wise, Doreen Freedman (nee Barton) passed away peacefully on Joyce Sherwood Pamela Wolfisz and Margaret Wood, Monday 1st August 2011, aged 82, after a long illness bravely celebrates her 90th all of who are celebrating special borne. Now reunited with her beloved Gerald. A kind, sweet birthday with her family birthdays lady who will always be remembered with love by Philip, in Edgware nieces Bettina, Sarah and Jacqueline, their families and a wide bar / bat mitzvahs circle of friends. • Mazel tov to the following B’nei Mitzvah: Lauren Gardner, Ariel LeRoy, Sophie Lincoln, James Seltzer, Talia Wenstone and Noah Williams stonesettings achievements • The memorial stone in loving memory of Ivor Miskin z’l will take place at 12 noon on Sunday 23 October 2011 at the • Mazel tov to Charlotte Goodman on qualifying as a Jewish cemetery, Old Shoreham Road, Hove Registered Midwife and gaining a 2:1 BSc (Hons) Degree in • The memorial stone in loving memory of Beatrice Park z”l Midwifery will be consecrated at 2.30pm on Sunday, October 30th at • Mazel tov to Daniel Seligman on being awarded Deputy Meadowvale Cemetery, Bear Road Head Boy (& Senior Student) of Blatchington Mill School • Mazel tov to Adam Pickett on achieving 4 As in his A-levels • The consecration of the memorial stone in loving memory of Alvin Noah z’l will take place on Sunday 13 November at and gaining a place at Bristol University to study Physics 11.30 am at the Jewish cemetery in Waltham Abbey engagements • Mazel tov to Rabbi Hershel and Perla Rader on their Thank you daughter Mushka’s engagement to Sholom Gorelik of Thank you to all our friends for joining us to celebrate our Melbourne, Australia Golden Wedding on the 10th August and your generosity in • Mazel tov to Rabbi Pesach and Penina Efune on their son supporting The Sussex Heart Charity Mendy’s engagement to Bruria Freeman from Toronto Sandra and Ronnie Rutherford. weddings • Mazel tov to Rose Ani and to Jill and Alan Bass on the marriage of their grandson Aaron Bass to Naomi Shaw Michael Crook and Angela Davis would like to thank all • Mazel tov to Raquel Buckland and Paul Margo on their relatives and friends for their kind thoughts and condolences wedding on the loss of our dear mother Sally. The family were greatly • Mazel tov to Linda and Brian Freedman on the wedding of comforted by knowing how much she will be missed by all the their daughter Liz to David Dymov community. Thanks also to Hyman Fine House for the love and wedding anniversaries care she received there. Mazel tov to Anne & Michael Crook, Ruth & Roy Davis, Angela & Steven Samuels and Sylvia & Adrian Shaw, each celebrating their ruby wedding anniversary. issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 6 community life 7 aJeX occasion would be appropriate, and luckily for AJEX, we had just the thing. Stewart and Jenny Macintosh attended the Remembrance by Judy Gabriel, PRO Brighton & Hove Parade last November in London. They happened to have Jenny’s new cine camera with them and filmed most of events on that Firstly a brief word on past events. The Quiz on July 17th was day. Stewart very kindly agreed to edit this film and the finished enjoyed as always, and our thanks go to everyone involved. result was shown by agreement with JACS for the joint afternoon’s entertainment. It proved to be a resounding success, and made for The yearly Service on behalf of the Canadian Veterans’ Association a very moving afternoon - enlightening for those who have never of the UK and the Royal British Legion, took place on Sunday August managed to go to the London AJEX Parade - and brought back many 14th, and AJEX was represented by Aubrey Cole, our Chairman memories for those who have been involved, recently or in the past. together with Michael Phillips, our Standard Bearer. This is more usually known as the Dieppe Memorial Service although most of the It will be possible to obtain a copy of the film, again thanks to servicemen involved were from Canadian regiments. Stewart, who will organise this for anyone interested. Once we know how many copies will be needed we can ascertain the cost. If you Wednesday August 31st, AJEX shared the afternoon meeting with would like a copy please ring me, Judy Gabriel, on 01273-736774 JACS. As it is AJEX’s 90th year, we thought something to mark the ASAP. eastbourne Hebrew congregation by Manny Godfrey It was standing room only for latecomers to the Eastbourne Hebrew Our High Holy Day Services will commence at 10.00 am, except Congregation’s Shabbat morning service at their Susans Road where indicated, and will be held at Susans Road Shul, as follows: Shul. The special occasion was to celebrate the joint birthdays of President, Menashe Harounoff and Security Officer, Sally Brown. Rosh Hashanah: Thursday 29th September Friday 30th September It was a record attendance, with some 60 people, from as far as Israel, Cambridge, Sheffield, Watford and Hove, including Geoffrey Shabbat: Saturday October 1st Smith, the former UK Director of the Christian Friends of Israel and his wife Margaret; Mayor Gregory and Mrs Claire Szanto; and former Yom Kippur: Friday 7th October - Kol Nidre.6.45 pm. President, David Mindell and his wife Margaret. The service was Fast commences 6.30 pm conducted by David Braunstein, assisted by Chairman, Ronnie Taylor Saturday 8th October - Morning, Afternoon and and guest Shelley Katz, whose Sephardic leyning was a first for the Evening Services. Community. Fast ends 7.30 pm. After the service, the Succoth: Thursday 13th October - Morning Service, one congregation enjoyed day only a lavish kiddush which had been Shemini Atzereth: Thursday 20th October - Morning Service - prepared by Diane Yizkor and John Joseph. During the kiddush, Simchat Torah: Thursday 20th October -Evening Service 6.30 pm the congregation was entertained by guitar- Members, potential members and visitors will receive a warm playing Israeli, Roni welcome. If anyone wishes to become a Friend of the Congregation Yonish, who sang for just £10 per year, please call Secretary, Linda Taylor on 01323 some beautiful Israeli 484135 songs. Roni Yonish, Menashe Harounoff, Sally Brown (Photo: David Cohen) issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 6 community life 7 Hillel student centre Although the Centre was created primarily for by Aileen Hill students, it is hoped that We are proud and the whole community thrilled to announce will benefit from the that at long last, after facility. many months of work (both constructional and Brighton and Hove decorative), the much Hillel has now merged anticipated Brighton with the national Hillel and Hove Hillel Centre is Foundation, who will finally complete and up now be ultimately responsible for the running of the Centre. and running. Their expertise in this field, together with their input will be invaluable. Along with an amount of local support, we Situated at the rear of Middle Street Synagogue in the former expect to have one of the most successful Hillel Centres in offices, cheder classrooms and caretaker’s accommodation, the country, thus achieving our goal, which is to encourage the Centre is non-residential and will be used as a meeting young people not only to identify with fellow Jews across the place for students studying at both Sussex and Brighton denominations, but also to choose to spend their University Universities. Following the national trend, students now years in our City. prefer to find their own accommodation, and use a large independent space to meet for social and educational We are also very pleased to report that the refurbishment purposes, especially for Friday night dinners. The Jewish earned the building a prestigious Sussex Heritage Trust Students Society will run its own events in association with “Highly Commended” public and community award. the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) and the south coast University Jewish Chaplaincy (UJC) (Rabbi Avi Neuman being In the autumn, it is planned to hold an Open Day which will the present Chaplain). A couple of events have already been enable anyone in the community to come and have a look. held during the summer term. There will also be an official opening at this time. The date for this will be announced soon. The facilities in the Centre are “state of the art”, bearing in mind that the building itself is Grade II Star listed which, in turn, created many complications and delays for the Norwood appoints New architects and builders! ceO Norwood, one of the UK’s leading social care organisations, announces the eastbourne progressive appointment of its new Chief Executive, Elaine Kerr. Elaine Kerr, who succeeds Norma Brier, Jewish congregation joins Norwood from Chai Cancer Care. by Angela Jay Eastbourne Progressive Jewish Congregation (Beit Chaverim) is now 10 years old. We are a small friendly congregation that holds regular services at The Friends Meeting House, Wish Road, Eastbourne. Erev Shabbat Services are held on the 2nd Friday of each month, commencing at 7.00 pm prompt and on the 4th Friday of each month, commencing at the earlier time of 6.00 pm. This service is followed by a Chavurah Supper. We are delighted to announce that Liberal Judaism has now allocated us a part-time Rabbi. Rabbi Anna Gerrard will lead the services on the 4th Friday of each month. All can be assured of a very warm welcome. Enquiries to 01323 725650 or EPJCong@aol.com issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 8 community life 9 worthing & district Jewish community by Barbara Gordon I am writing this article at the beginning very firmly crossed. But we needn’t in particular, when we only recommend of August but I know it won’t be seen have worried; the weather was glorious the A24 through Dorking and then past until September when the days are and we were delighted to welcome 44 Horsham where there is virtually no getting shorter and the warmth of people. It was very rewarding that so traffic. One friend ended up with a tour summer beginning to be just a happy many of our members came – old and of West Sussex before calling us from memory. new. Arundel. The ETA has in most cases The last weekend of July was a very Just a thought from me on a problem been exceeded by anything up to 2 busy one for the Jewish population of we have that keeps popping up which hrs. On the return journey our travellers Worthing. We held one of our popular probably doesn’t happen to residents are amazed when they get to Watford Friday night services in the Gordon of Brighton and Hove. We live in East in under an hour and a half. Why is it Room (no, it wasn’t named after my Preston which is between Worthing that we residents of West Sussex are husband Ian!). Friends from Golders and Littlehampton – next to Rustington regarded as half-witted by our brethren Green brought fresh, warm and utterly – and we are always happy to give in London? delicious chollas; we also thank Rabbi new visitors (mainly from NW London) I take this opportunity to wish all our Charles Wallach for leading the Service. directions on how best to get to our Members in Worthing & District and The following Sunday, 31st July, we had home. BUT … more often than not, friends in Brighton & Hove a Healthy our ‘tea in the garden with the Gordons’ we find that our careful instructions are and Peaceful New Year. – our version of a garden party. As totally ignored in favour of Google, any For further information regarding we were so totally dependent on good Sat-Nav, or just because they think they Worthing please contact Ian & Barbara weather Ian and I put out chairs and know better! Gordon on 01903 779 720 or email: tables on the lawn and kept our fingers This has resulted in journeys to Gatwick, barbaraian@talktalk.net issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 8 community life 9 ralli Hall lunch and social club by Jacquie Tichauer to entertain us, and we did a lot of genealogy classes in October. Wow, where does the time go? July and singing and ate a special birthday cake GREAT NEWS!! ! We are starting August have been exciting months with with a photo of the birthday ladies on it. computer classes in October. This is lots going on. I was invited to the Hyman Fine House very exciting and so please call me if The Bridge classes have taken off very for their barbecue. Oy, was it good and you are interested. We can learn to do well and Alan and Vivien are amazing it was the only day in the week when the so much, such as speaking to your teachers. We all enjoyed the film “The sun came out! I was also invited on the family who are all over the world or Jazz Singer”. I don’t think it matters same day to the Jewish Welfare Board even in London via Skype, going online how many times you have seen this film, Housing Meeting and I’m hoping that shopping for food and other items, and it still brings a tear to one’s eyes. We meeting results in some new members. much more. also loved watching “Funny Girl” with I also attended the Helping Hands Tea Please have a look at our web site – Barbara Streisand. at the AJEX hall and it was lovely to see www.webjam.com/lunch_social - which Our entertainers are getting better and many of my Ralli Hall Lunch and Social includes details of our Tuesday and better. One of them was Stuart Reed Club members there plus a few others. Thursday programme and of course who plays the guitar, but we were in On Wednesday 31st August some of the fantastic 3 course kosher lunch and for a surprise as his daughter who the members and volunteers went on an entertainment. plays the violin also came along; she was excellent. On one Tuesday we welcomed the residents from Hyman Fine House who stayed with us for lunch. Mark, their entertainments organiser, brought many musical instruments with him and we had fun playing with them. On Tuesday 30th August some members’ friends came from London and spent the day with us. As they were leaving they could not thank us enough for such an enjoyable outing to Rushfields Garden Centre. We If you have any questions please give day. had a wonderful morning with scones me a call; we look forward to seeing Two of our members have recently and tea, and hopefully in the near future you at Ralli Hall Lunch and Social celebrated their birthdays, Sarah turning we will be going on more outings. Club. I wish everyone at Ralli Hall, my 95 on the 23rd August and Peggy Attention! Attention! Please do not volunteers and members, a good Yom turning 94 on the 22nd August. John forget, if you are interested in your Tov and easy fast. Bruzon one of our regular pianists came family history we will be starting our Bridge Ladies for Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club MARTIN GROSS by Alan Burke Funeral Director and The Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club would like to show its appreciation and thanks to the very generous “Bridge Ladies” Funeral Consultant of Brighton and Hove who have kindly made donations to our Club after paying “table money” into a fund. to Jewish communities This started in August 2005 and a magnificent total of £5000 has now been reached. The Club relies on grants and donations to keep running and needless to say this £5000 has been a real help in balancing our 01273 439792 budget. 07801 599771 In particular, we must pay a special tribute to the late Diane Mann who, together with Lucy Sugarman, initiated the idea 07540 066566 of “playing for charity”. A vote of thanks must also go to Jill Richards as the “banker” of the scheme. issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 10 community life 11 ralli Hall I must yet again praise the Jewish Film Society for yet another excellent evening - the gentle Israeli comedy left a spring in by Roger Abrahams, Hon Chairman one’s step and a smile on one’s lips. Please continue with your excellent choices of material and thanks for all your hard work in Firstly, I would like to wish Shana Tovah and well over the Fast to organising the regular events. all my readers. Yet another year has gone by, and not a bad one for Ralli Hall. We host a number of activities at Ralli Hall for the community, but regretfully, we no longer hold Ivrit lessons. We believe that there I mentioned last month our intention to provide a third kitchen is still a call for this activity, but we need a new teacher and we at the site of the current servery which will be strictly vegetarian also need to have an idea as to who might be interested if the plus “Jewish” fish. The project will definitely be going ahead but activity were to re-commence. Any prospective teachers - please not until next spring, when we can arrange to have no catering in call the office. Please also call the office to express your interest the core building for a period long enough to remove the existing in this activity, and indicate your likely level (beginner, interim or servery facilities and install the new equipment. Therefore the advanced). office will commence taking bookings early in the New Year for a start next May – please call 01273 202254. See you at Ralli Hall. Here we Go again: back by year it was won by Ivan Lyons and I’m sure that he and his team will do their darndest to keep it. We raised over £1,300 last popular demand – the Helping year. This year, we hope to beat that figure and to provide an entertaining evening for the community. Hands pub Quiz The week after the Quiz, November 20th, is National Mitzvah Day. Plans for this are still in the pipeline but as soon as they are by Janice Greenwood & Karen Pettit finalised we will let everyone know. I can’t believe that it’s almost a year since we held our first Helping Hands The Helping Hands bus recently took a group to a Garden Centre Pub Quiz. For those of you who may in Ditchling and a good time was had by all. If you want to use have been out of the country or down the bus, let me remind you of the procedure: phone the Helping a rabbit hole last October, the Helping Hands Bus line on 01273 701467 to arrange a date: you will have Hands Pub Quiz takes place in your own to pay a £25 RETURNABLE deposit: if we can use a Helping home. You invite some friends round for Hands driver there will be no charge except for petrol used: if we supper, snack or dinner and after the have to use a community driver there will be a fee. said meal you answer questions to our Quiz. The winning team will be awarded The next Helping Hands Tea will be held on Sunday 30 October the Helping Hands Pub Quiz Cup. Last at the AJEX Centre. Donation £3, including raffle. We look forward to seeing you. Wishing you all a happy New Year 87 Old Shoreham Road, Hove BN3 7AQ Tel: 01273 880022 Email: bdsanders1@tiscali.co.uk issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 11 issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 12 13 ABRAHAMS Roger and Irit would like to COLLINS Jean and Ivor wish their family FLASHMAN Harry wishes his Mama, wish all our family and friends Shana Tova. and friends a happy, healthy and peaceful Dada, Grandpa, Uncle Rich, friends and New Year. business colleagues a happy, healthy and ARGHEBANT Sylvia would like to wish peaceful New Year and well over the fast. all her dear family and friends a very happy CONN Anne wishes her families and friends New Year and well over the fast. good Yomtov and good health FERRIS Benita wishes her family and very dear friends a happy and healthy New Year. BARNARD/SEIDEL Rachel, David, Moses CONWAY Phillip, Susan and Jonathan wish Shana Tova. and Gabriel wish all the community a Shana all their friends and family Shana Tova. A Tova happy and healthy New Year and well over FREEMAN Philip wishes all his family and the fast. friends a very happy, healthy and peaceful BASS Alan and Jill wish their family and New Year. friends a very happy and healthy New Year CROWN/LYONS Saonie, Jeremy, and well over the fast. Elizabeth and Ghila wish their family and GLYNNE Barbara and Alan wish their friends a happy, healthy and peaceful 5772. friends and all the community a very healthy BERCOWITZ WERNER Shana Tova u and happy New Year. metuka to all our friends and family. CUDDIS Shan and David wish all their relatives and friends a happy, healthy and GOLDBERG Berny and Jenny wish all their BLOOM Wendy and Ronnie wish their prosperous New Year. family and friends a healthy and peaceful dear father, children, grandchildren and all New Year friends a happy New Year and well over the DOCTORS Hilda, Anthony and Philip fast. would like to wish their friends and family a GOODMAN/KORBY Debra, Micheal, happy New Year and well over the fast. Charlotte and Sam wish all our family and BLUME Barbara and Joe send good wishes friends a happy and healthy New Year. to family and friends for a happy and DUKE Norina and all “the Dukes of Hove” healthy New Year. wish their family and friends Shana Tova GORDON Joan wishes all her family and and well over the fast. friends a happy New Year and well over the BOOKER Beryl, Joe and Maurice wish fast. family and friends a happy and healthy New ELKIN-ROSE Muriel wishes her dear Year and well over the fast. family and friends a happy and healthy New GOULD Godfrey sends best wishes to Year and well over the fast. family and friends for a happy, healthy and BORKUM Hilda, Steven, Mark, Laurian peaceful New Year. and Aran wish the community Shana Tova EPPEL May wishes all her relatives and well over the fast. and friends Shana Tova and a happy and GREEN Sheila and Ben wish our family peaceful 5772 and friends good health and every happiness BOYASK Linda, Martin, Ross and Katy in the New Year (Florida) wish friends a happy and healthy EVANS Evelyn and Morris wish their New Year and well over the fast. family and friends a very happy and healthy GREENWOOD Janice, Joanne, Susan, New Year. Jeremy and Judith wish all their friends a BURKE Shirley and Alan would like to happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. wish their family and friends a very happy FAULL Laura, Maurice, Matthew and and healthy New Year and well over the fast. Emily wish family and friends a happy and GROSS Sandra, Martin, Ben and Ryan healthy New Year. Kingsley wish all their family and friends CAPLIN Alma wishes the Rabbonim, Shana Tova for a happy and healthy New family and friends a very happy New Year FAULL Dian and Stanley wish their family Year. and well over the fast. and friends a happy and healthy New Year. HARRIS Karen, Michael and Oliver send CARLTON Sandra and Derek wish all their FELSENSTEIN Linda and Raymond wish everyone their best wishes for the New Year family and friends a happy and peaceful their family and friends a happy and healthy and well over the fast. New Year ahead. New Year and well over the fast. HIRSCHFIELD Morris wishes all and CARR Anne wishes family and friends FLASHMAN Roz and Michael wish everybody in Ralli Hall and Hyman Fine Shana Tova and may it be a good year for their dear family and friends a very happy, House a very happy New Year us all. healthy and peaceful New Year and well over the fast. HOLLIS/NIA Dennis and Victoria wish COLLICK Rabbi Jeremy, Cindy, Joel and all our friends that the coming year brings Jacob send good wishes and Shana Tova to to you and yours all the blessings of peace, all our Sussex family and friends health and happiness. issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 13 INGRAM Gil and John wish family and LYONS Jeff and Gillian wish their dear PANTO Lee sends best wishes for a happy friends a happy New Year and well over the family and friends Shana Tova and well over New Year to her family and friends. fast. the fast. PANTO Rosa and Stewart wish all their IRWIN Judy wishes Shana Tova to all her LYONS Fay wishes Shana Tova to family and friends a healthy and happy New dear friends in and around Brighton. Rabbi and Mrs Silverman and family, the Year. congregation of Holland Road Synagogue, ISAACS Barbara and Irvyn wish all their and her wonderful family and friends. PANTOOCK Rosalind wishes family and family and friends Shana Tova friends living locally a very happy and MAGRILL Marilyn wishes Shana Tova to peaceful New Year and well over the fast. JACOBS Sheila and Cyril wish their family her dear mother, children, grandchildren, and friends a happy, healthy and peaceful family and friends. PASKIN Daphne sends love to all her New Year. family and friends and wishes them a happy MANN Lewis and family would like to and healthy New Year JAY Derek and Jean wish their family and wish all their friends a happy, healthy and friends a happy, healthy and peaceful New peaceful New Year and well over the fast. POSNER Shana Tova to my family, friends Year. and fellow committee members (who are MASON Hazel and Harry wish their also friends!) from Liz. JOSEPH Diane and John wish a happy and children, family and friends a happy, healthy very healthy New Year to all their friends at and peaceful New Year and well over the RENTS Renee and Joe wish their dear EHC, Brighton and Hove. fast. family and friends a happy New Year and well over the fast. JOSMAN Ruth and Cecil wish all our MEGITT Stephanie and Brian wish all their family and friends a happy New Year and friends in Sussex a happy and healthy New RICH Gillian and Michael wish friends and well over the fast. Year. family a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. JOSYFON Sandra and Brian wish all their MELCHER Joan and David wish their family and friends a happy, healthy and family and friends a happy and healthy New RICHARDS Jill and Ivor send greetings peaceful New Year. Year. and best wishes for a healthy New Year to all family and friends. LASKY Malcolm and Doreen and family MISKIN Francine would like to wish would like to wish everyone a very happy everyone a happy and healthy New Year. ROLAND Marianne and Bernard wish and healthy New Year. family and friends a happy, healthy and MITCHELL Rita and Ronnie wish their peaceful New Year. LEVER Carole, Alan and family. May dear children, grandchildren, relatives and this New Year be full of peace, health and friends a healthy and prosperous New Year ROSE Jack and Elaine, together with Eva, success for us all. and well over the fast. Mariamne and Dan, send greetings and wish everyone a happy, peaceful and prosperous LEVINE Sydney and Cecile wish all their MORDECAI Louise and Steve wish their New Year. family and friends a happy, healthy and family and friends Shana Tova, good health peaceful New Year. and happiness in the coming year. ROSENFIELD Sue and Tony wish all their family and friends a happy and peaceful LEVINSON Doris sends warmest wishes MORDECAI Estelle wishes her family and New Year. for health, happiness and Shana Tova to her friends a happy New Year and well over the family, friends and colleagues. fast. RUBIN Brian and Sharon wish their family and friends Shana Tova with much love. LEWIS Leslie wishes all his relatives and MOSS Roland and Pat wish all their family friends a very happy and healthy New Year. and friends a very happy and healthy New RUBIN Hazel and Joe send their best Year and well over the fast. wishes to family and friends for a happy, LUPER Renee wishes her family and healthy and prosperous New Year and well friends Shana Tova. NISSEN Nettie sends greetings and all good over the fast. wishes to relatives and friends for a happy New Year. Recipes for a Sweet Year Kuchen From Angela Samuels Kuchen Mix Topping 1lb Self Raising Flour 3 oz Margarine or Butter Topping Half Pound of Tomar margarine cup flour, cup sugar, 3 teaspoons cinnamon Melt margarine or butter add flour, sugar and 3 Eggs cinnamon Sultanas and Raisins as liked Method (makes 2) A little more or less of above may be required to 6 oz Granulated Sugar Prepare Loaf Tins get a crumbly sticky consistency Dessert Spoon of Marmalade Rub in Flour and Margarine and Sugar until When the mix becomes sticky and crumbly put cup warm milk Crumbly. Add Eggs and Warm Milk on top of Kuchen and bake on 150 C/ 300 F/gas Then Marmalade and Sultanas mark 2, for about 45 mins. Mix together issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 14 15 RUTHERFORD Sandra and Ronnie wish SOROKIN Ivor and Gweni send our sincere TORRANCE Tom and Cherry wish family all their friends good health, peace and good wishes for a joyous and healthy New and friends a healthy peaceful and sweet happiness in 5772, and well over the fast. Year to the whole community. May we all New Year and well over the fast. enjoy life’s most precious blessings. SAMUELSON Doris and Sydney wish all WALKER Doreen and Bernie wish their their South Coast friends the happiest of STANFORD Jeffrey, Lydia and Simon wish dear children and grandchildren (at home New Years. their family and friends a happy, healthy and and abroad), family and friends a healthy peaceful New Year. and peaceful New Year. SCHAVERIEN David wishes friends, family and all who read my blog in Shabbat STEIDAM Rene and Elizabeth wish all WALKER Lesley, Steve, Oliver and Ryan News a healthy, happy and peaceful New their friends a happy, healthy and peaceful wish all their dear family and friends a Year. New Year. Shana Tova and well over the happy and healthy New Year. fast. SCRIVEN Valentine wishes all family and WALKER Sandra and Cliff wish Shana friends good health, peace and happiness for SUGARMAN Lucy wishes her dear family Tova to all of the community. the New Year. and wonderful friends a very happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast. WILKS Sarah and David wish all their SELIGMAN Marilyn wishes her dear family and friends Shana Tova. A very family and friends a very happy and healthy SWITHERN Lydia and Bernard wish their happy and healthy New Year and well over New Year. dear family and friends a happy, healthy the fast. New Year and well over the fast. SHARPE Beryl and Mef wish their WOOLFE Laurel and Julian wish their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren TACK Phyllis wishes her wonderful children, grandchildren, relatives and friends family and friends a happy, healthy and daughter-in-law Tina, Jemma, Sasha, Jamie, a healthy and happy New Year. peaceful New Year. great-granddaughters Jessica and Sophie, Shana Tova. WORTHING DJC Worthing and District SHELTON Fausta wishes the whole Jewish Jewish Community wishes a peaceful and community a very happy New Year, and TAYLOR Nina sends best wishes for a healthy New Year to all our members and peace to Israel. healthy and happy New Year and well over friends in Sussex. the fast to all her dear friends in Hove, SIMONS Jack and Joan wish all their Brighton and East Sussex. relatives and friends a peaceful, happy and healthy New Year. TAYLOR Gloria wishes her family SUSSEX JRC The president, chair and friends a Malcolm Green team and executive of the Sussex Jewish happy, healthy and Representative Council wish all the peaceful New Year. Catering community a happy. healthy and prosperous New Year. Chag Sameuch to you all. TAYLOR Ronnie The selection of your menu is an important part in the and Linda wish planning of your Simcha. For that reason our Chefs continue SLESS Ruth sends affectionate Shana Tova their dear family, to create exciting and tasty menus to meet your every need. greetings to her dear friends in Brighton and friends and Hove. May you all be blessed with good Eastbourne Hebrew We can tailor a menu to fit your specific requirements health, happiness and peace. Congregation a and help create the function you will be proud of. Let us happy and healthy introduce you to a cuisine that has made us one of Israel’s SOLOMON Zev and his sons wish Shana New Year and well leading Caterers & the world’s foremost glatt kosher Tova to all. over the fast. destination wedding specialist. Join us for our glatt kosher June/July tour of “Mystical Ireland” Recipes for a Sweet Year KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST Janet’s Honey Cake by Janet Cowan Contact Malcolm on 0203 393 6823 koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk 1 lb self raising flour ½ pkt Demarara sugar www.kosherservicesworldwide.com pinch salt www.kosherexperiences.co.il 3 eggs ½ pint Mazola oil 1 lb tin golden syrup UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION ½ pint boiling water OF THE LONDON BETH DIN 1 heaped tsp ground ginger, mixed spice, cinnamon (For functions in the U.K.) Heat oil, syrup, water and sugar in pan until blended. Sieve flour and add ginger, spice, salt and bicarb. Mix well and add to warmed “You’ve eaten the food now read the blog” ingredients then add eggs. Use two tins and bake for 1 – 1 ½ hours in www.koshersericesworldwide/blog/ middle of oven 350-375F / Gas No 4. Cake freezes well. issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 14 features 15 a church in kent by Godfrey R Gould Two years later tragedy struck. On 18 September 1963, Sarah and two male As I am writing for the ‘Sussex’ Jewish friends (both scions of the ‘Jewish’ News to include in my title Jewish establishment) were out boating both a ‘Church’ and ‘Kent’ might off the Sussex coast at Fairlight, near seem a bit of an anachronism. But Hastings, when there was an accident. the church of which I write has very The two young men were rescued. strong Jewish connections, as it Sarah’s body has never been found. has with Sussex and with Hove in Dead at 21, in a reminiscence by her particular. The Church is All Saints friends “A Footprint in the Sand”, in her Parish Church of Tudeley cum Capel father’s Preface, he reminded us that with Five Oak Green. It is a very small she had been “neither a bride, a wife church of Norman origin in the village nor a mother”. But a more permanent of Tudeley, near Tonbridge. And the memorial was being considered. The local Manor House is called Somerhill, little church at Tudeley already had, which should arouse anybody with out of a total of twelve, four Victorian even a slight knowledge of the streets stained glass windows. Recalling of Hove. Sarah’s enthusiasm for the works of So use your satnav to find Tudeley Chagall, he was commissioned to and the church. You might notice execute a window for the east wall of that, although the church is small, the the little church where she had prayed. car-park is very large. Enter the church I will not go into the complicated and turn to face the High Altar. The negotiations with the ecclesiastical white altar-cloth has embroidered on authorities, to say nothing of those with it in gold the words “Shema Yisroel the artist himself. But suffice it to say Adonoi Elohenu Adonoi Echod”, but that on 18 November 1967, Chagall’s in Hebrew. And now look up at the great East Window was unveiled. When magnificent glazed east window. The he saw it Chagall exclaimed “ C’est figure of Jesus on his cross has on magnifique. Je ferais les tous”. There his forehead tephillin shel rosh and was trouble ahead. Although raising round his shoulders there is draped a the formidable sum to complete such a tallis. And now walk over to the table huge project was difficult enough, many opposite the entrance where you will in the church were very unhappy with find books, cards and much other the idea. Perhaps an overtly ‘Jewish’ merchandise to do with the church Jesus did not go down too well. Many and its windows. A publication of the did not want their little ‘farm-yard’ windows has a Preface written by church to become a tourist attraction - Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi. as indeed it has. If you were not aware of the very By the time all the other eleven windows special place that this church holds, had been installed on 30 July1985, then you should be, just by being both Chagall and Sir Henry were dead. there. The local Manor House, now But this little church is unique. It is the a school, was that of the D’Avigdor- only church in the world where all the Goldsmid family, major property windows are by Chagall. There are, owners in Hove. At one time the of course, one synagogue and one owner was Major-General Sir Henry chapel - the Chapelle des Cordeliers D’Avigdor-Goldsmid Bt. DSO. MC. DL. TD. MP for Walsall at Sarrebourg. And in England, there is the sole window in South from 1955-1974, and High Sheriff of the County of Chichester Cathedral. So that is what is so special about this Kent. Lady D”Avigdor-Goldsmid was not Jewish but she church in Kent. I’m sure many of you will have been there - if and Sir Henry agreed that any sons of the marriage would you haven’t, can you now resist the temptation? be brought up as Jews (though ignoring hallachah) and One other thing. The four Victorian stained glass windows are daughters as Christians. In the event they had only daughters. still there. At the suggestion of Sir Hugh Casson, they were The eldest, Sarah Venetia, was born in 1942 and at the age reinstalled with specially devised back lighting in the chancel. of 18 she purchased for her mother the first painting ever to I know which I prefer! be sold by David Hockney. A year later Sarah and her mother visited Paris to see the windows created by Marc Chagall for the Hadassah Hospital Synagogue which were on display before being shipped to Jerusalem for installation. issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 16features 17 dubrovnik synagogue Jews in Dubrovnik enjoyed relative freedom, but there were some restrictions on their activities at certain points by Andrew Devon in history. The Synagogue is tiny and delightful, with heavy The Synagogue (1352, the velvet drapes and a richly painted, midnight blue ceiling. second oldest in Europe The museum contains valuable Menorahs and Torah scrolls, after Prague) and Jewish alongside information on the history of the Jewish community museum are set in a building in Dubrovnik. which could be reached from within the surrounding houses in what was once the Jewish ghetto. A permanent Jewish community here was founded at the end of the 15th century following the exodus from Portugal and Spain. The community flourished and included respected doctors, merchants and state representatives. the torremolinos Jewish community by Stanley Lerner As some of your readers may know, we have been associated Sephardi community does not tear itself into communal with this small but vibrant community for a good number of sections. All members, irrespective of their degree of years and we are pleased to report that it goes from strength religious observance, belong and support the communal to strength. religious activities of the synagogue. The beautiful Beth Minzi synagogue, named after Louis Mintz, one of the original founders, is situated on the ground floor of a lovely apartment block called Castillo San Luis. Services are held, not only on Shabbat and Festivals, but every day of the week, three times a day. In addition a Seuda is held after Mincha on Shabbat. It is also noteworthy that I persuaded the local English newspapers to include the synagogue in its ‘Churches’ page. The community has a full-time Rabbi, the current incumbant being Aaron Levy, who supervises the Mikvah, the Cheder, the Chevra Kaddisha and the kosher deli ‘DeliKash’. For those who may be interested, the deli can be contacted by e-mail on prosperedery@telefonica.net, or telephone (00 34) 952 05 81 60. We continue to be amazed that this community of some 300 families can enjoy the facilities that we, here in Brighton and Hove, should only admire. Finally, in view of the question of a joint prayer facility being aired on a communal website, it should be noted that this issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 16 features 17 moments to remember – and Now we enter the world of ‘Believe it or Not’. Mildred told me that her father revealed that he had survived the war dressed forget in the uniform of a Nazi SS officer whose dead body he had found in a back street of what is once again the German capital. No one dared to refuse any demands from an SS by Moss Murray officer. As a result he always slept in a warm bed and was When you’ve been well fed by many German families who lived in fear of his a journalist in Fleet uniform. Only when fellow officers began to ask probing Street for almost questions, did he move on. She assumed that when the twenty years on the Red Army was at the gates of Berlin in 1945 he would simply News Chronicle, have entered a gentleman’s outfitters, bought a new suit and Daily Express and burned the dreaded SS uniform. Daily Mirror, as well as an international When I pleaded with Mildred to allow me to write her dad’s public relations story as a hero and how he survived in Nazi Germany, she consultant for remained adamant in her refusal to let me write anything just as long, you about her father, not even as a novel. However, so many accumulate a years have now passed, that I believe I am entitled to put into volume of memories print in just a few paragraphs about this unique, if hard to of events that made believe, story. headlines and people you have met, interviewed This tit-bit is taken from Moss Murray’s unpublished or worked with. autobiography, provisionally entitled, ‘Things you don’t need Inevitably many were to know‘, or ‘Almost a woman’s world’. Jewish. One of my PR clients for which I provided a complimentary public relations service for several years after the last war, was the Association of Jewish ex-Servicemen (AJEX) which involved promoting and publicizing the annual parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall for Jewish soldiers, sailors and airmen. On one such occasion, the balcony at the Home Office, which a week earlier had been graced by members of the Royal Family, was occupied by the wives of Ajex officials and Jewish ladies who had achieved celebrity status. A former photographer colleague on the Daily Express sidled up to me and said, ”I know you are a member of Mossad…” I stopped him in mid-sentence and replied, “If I were, I would deny it, but as I am not, I cannot help you”. That was the truth. However, it is also true that there were, and are, many journalists worldwide, who provide useful information to their governments much of which has been obtained at ‘off the record’ briefings and not for publication. What follows is a sad story which involves breaking a promise to a lady we will call Mildred, although it is not even similar to her real name. Even now, what you read is little more than the briefest summary of what she told me. She and her mother had been given permission to leave Nazi Germany on a train filled with Jewish refugees a couple of years before the outbreak of war. Her father had to stay behind, and, in any case, by then, her parents had already separated. We now leap forward several decades and Mildred was now a happily married woman. She told me: “I often thought of my father and wondered whether he had survived the six years of war in Germany or whether he was one of the millions who died in the camps or gas chambers. I contacted the International Red Cross and after months of searching, they informed me that my father was alive and they gave me his address in Berlin. I flew there and met him. He had aged, but was still with the woman for whom he had left my mother all those years ago”. issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 18culture 19 in Holland stands a House The use of the young people to show the two sides of living under a by Sharon Rubin fascist regime was very effective, particularly seeing the huge young man with a yellow star being pushed around by children half his size, The menacing figure of an SS soldier, dressed in a black uniform and but with swastikas on their sleeves. They wore masks until the final a stern face, meets you as you walk in to watch the play “In Holland scene, when they removed them and hung them on a pole, which Stands a House” at the Barn Theatre, Southwick. This vision creates left the audience feeling very uncomfortable. The scene where the a mood of discomfort and fear, even in people living in a democracy children cross the stage pointing out the usually normal things that today. Jews were not allowed to do was very moving and really brought home the control the Germans had over the day-to-day lives of Jews. The play tells the story with which most of us are familiar, the story of Anne Frank and her family, showing the fear, hardships and sheer The costumes were of the period, and the performance by Anna frustrations that they lived under while in hiding. Gould as Anne was brilliant – she showed the cockiness, the insecurity and bravado of a typical teenager, accentuated while living The acting by an amateur group of youngsters, with the support of under intolerable conditions. some older members, was touching, if a little naïve, but what saved I believe that these children and many of the audience will always the play was the marvellous production by Ron Common and Jennie remember Anne Frank and her story, and hopefully the message of Du Val. They created the atmosphere, told the story and yet did man’s inhumanity to man will be passed on and never be allowed to not allow the play to become maudlin or overly dramatic. I think the be repeated. understated production was all the more frightening, getting the message across very well. Jump for tourettes The urges include blinking because her eyes water, making little by Hilary Myers noises in her throat, tensing up below her chin in such a way, “that it really hurts my neck but I have to do it”, trapping her fingers in the door and the need to smell everything she touches. “Metal is best because it’s cold; that’s a special treat”. She has had problems at school and staff and children have been told. “I like to show I’m not scared” Grace said. If anyone would like to support this Cinderella of charities please send your donation to: www.doitforcharity/ emma’sjumpfortourettes or contact Beryl Sharpe, Grace’s other grandma on 07711 607743. This article was first printed in Wessex Jewish News. My daughter-in-law, Emma jumped out of a plane this morning; no, it wasn’t in a fit of pique because she was unhappy at their holiday destination but a mature decision after it was confirmed that my nine year old granddaughter has the neurological condition Tourettes, or as their slogan says, “ Tourettes makes you TIC”. From an early age Emma was sure there was a problem and that the violent mood swings, repetitive hand washings, unusual facial movements, the fact that Grace had to have all her possessions placed in a special order and the sniffing at whatever she touched, were more than childish habits which she would outgrow. The one positive aspect has been finding a support group of parents whose children, mainly boys, have this condition to a lesser or greater degree. It was then that Emma discovered there was to be a skydiving event in various parts of the country for this charity. She thought her husband Gary (my son) would love to participate but as the maximum weight for entrants was fourteen and a half stone he was unable to qualify (he is now on a diet!). It was Emma, therefore who took up the challenge in order to make people more aware. She has so far raised almost £1,600 from jumping out of a plane on a sunny July morning over the beautiful Kent countryside. When I asked Grace to describe how she is affected she was remarkably articulate: “I am exactly like everyone else but with the addition of these extra things, tics, I call them urges. I am only moderate”, she said, pointing to a position about 18 inches from the ground, “the worst are up there”, aiming above my head. issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 18 culture 19 Howard Jacobson: city books The lovely venue of the Old Market, with its smart bar and theatre, was a fitting backdrop to an uproariously entertaining evening, in at the Old market which the author read out loud, for the first time, two of the articles and then sat down in the chair provided on stage. Witty, droll and by Stephanie Megitt relaxed, his replies to some extremely good questions from the packed theatre audience prompted roars of laughter. Always self-Howard Jacobson came to Hove deprecating, he was nevertheless fully aware of his prodigious talent, this month to talk about his new and one was left with a very clear idea of how much he enjoys his book, “Whatever it is I don’t like it,” very hard work. a marvellous selection of his weekly articles published every Saturday in the Not a political commentator, he has an informed view on all manner Independent newspaper over the last 13 of subjects, including the future of newspapers since the Murdoch years. The fact that Simon Kellner, the debacle, education, Israel and the Middle East, to name but a few. editor who originally persuaded him to He explained that he sets aside every Thursday to write the column, write for the paper, was a fellow Jew and then part of Friday to revise it. Some weeks there is almost also from Salford, Greater Manchester, too much to write about, and others he doesn’t see a single topic was key to his acceptance. on which he can write. But it is those very weeks when nothing much has happened which often give rise to the most interesting The title is a Marx Brothers’ quotation and entertaining pieces, as he illustrated with “Juicing.” I heartily and although amusing, does not recommend this book: you won’t be disappointed. adequately represent the range of serious and light topics covered by And look out for future Howard Jacobson in his guise, not events put on by City Books this time as a Booker prize-winning novelist, but as in Hove, one of those an accomplished journalist. Far from being the ramblings of an old increasingly rare beasts, man, as the title might suggest, the book could be a practical lesson a precious independent on how to write the perfect essay, how to make the reader roar with bookshop. The owners laughter, or even just how to write the perfect sentence – I could were gracious hosts both go on. Here is a deep thinker who entertains and informs about to the author and to me all manner of topical subjects. “We don’t do justice to life if we are for arranging an interview only solemn about it,” he declared, bemoaning the unwillingness of with Howard before his serious readers to read comic novels. performance. That interview will be featured in next month’s SJN. PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE REDUCE YOUR COSTS Medical History Covered Special Rates Available Personal Claims Service – All P.M.I Insurers ALL YOU NEED FOR A KOSHER* EXPERIENCE For Free Advice; Call: Joanne King We wish all our customers and the entire Private Health Insurance broker community a happy and healthy New Year with 20 years’ experience, on ALL YOU NEED FOR A and well over the fast. 01424 730 987 / 07814 758 753 KOSHER* EXPERIENCE Joanneking.khl@btinternet.com Tel: Website: Joannekinghealth.com 01273 562464 Tel: 01273 562464 Mobile: Mob: 0771 267 2768 0771 267 2768 Registered Office: 17 Whitehorse Yard, Premier Choice Lifecare Ltd & Premier Richmond Road, Towcester, Choice Benefits Ltd are; Appointed *Under the personal supervision of Northants, Representatives of Premier Choice *Under the personal supervision of NN12 6BU Healthcare Ltd, A company Authorised ANGELA SAMUELS Registered in England No. 3910149 and Regulated by Financial Services ANGELA SAMUELS Authority issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 20HHcrabbi vivian silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com 21 rosh Hashanah message? by Rabbi Vivian Silverman Elizabeth, to South Africa in early 1947 and there One of the important themes over the High Holyday marked her twenty first birthday on 21 April that year, Season is that of God as “Avinu Malkeinu” (Our father, she broadcast a message declaring: “Whether my life Our king). The Almighty is close at hand, within reach of be short or long, it shall be dedicated to the service of our prayers, and, at the same time, Supreme Monarch all my people.” She has kept that promise to this very and Lord of the Universe. He is both immanent and day. transcendent: our Heavenly Father who has given mortals the gift of free choice, to be used for good or ill, At Rosh Hashanah time, we the Jewish people renew and He is called the Supreme King of Kings to indicate our pledge to be His people, and The Almighty pledges that monarchs, too, are under His jurisdiction. to be our Eternal God. This coming February, Queen Elizabeth will be “You have singled out The Eternal today to be your God celebrating the diamond jubilee of her reign; sixty years and to walk in His ways. And The Eternal has singled on the throne. Only one other British monarch has you out today to be His treasured people. (Devarim ch. celebrated such an event and that was Queen Victoria 26 vv. 17 & 18) in June 1897. The statue of Victoria, which stands in Grand Avenue, was erected to mark her diamond Lynette and our children join me in wishing you and jubilee. When Princess Elizabeth, as she then was, your family a joyous, healthy and peaceful year. K’Tiva travelled with her parents King George and Queen Vahatima Tova. Holland road Noos by Alan Hershman The ups are a very successful salt beef and karaoke evening in June and two aufrufs - one for Paul Margo It’s been up and down since my last missive from and one for Mendy Efune. We wish them both a hearty Holland Road. Among the downs has been the sad mazel tov. loss of Wendy Rose and we wish a long life to Jeffrey. In addition, Sam Barsam is in hospital but improving We wish all readers a very happy new year and well and we wish him a swift recovery. over the fast. issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 20 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 21 listening to the voices Of the shofar (Mishneh Torah, ‘Laws of Repentance’, Hilchot T’shuvah, 3:4). by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah But what do we make of the different sounds? Commentators have provided various explanations. This year, I suggest we In Temple times, the first day of the seventh month of the might reflect on the following way of ‘listening’ to the blasts: Jewish year was known simply as zikaron, a ‘memorial’ (Leviticus 23: 24); ‘yom t’ru’ah, ‘a day of blasting’ (Numbers T’ki’ah – a straightforward blast: The clear voice of global 29:1) – from the Hebrew root, Reish Vav Ayin, meaning crises – economic, political and ecological – demanding a to ‘raise a shout (of alarm)’, or ‘give a blast’. It was only response from all of us, not just from those in positions of centuries later that the rabbis referred to this day as the New power. Year for years – Rosh Ha-Shanah (Mishnah Rosh Ha-Shanah 1:1). So, from its very inception, yom t’ru’ah was a summons, T’ru’ah – nine short blasts: The anguished groans of the ushering in a period of repentance, culminating on the tenth persecuted and the marginalised, the hungry, the homeless, day of the seventh month, in what the Torah calls Yom ha-and the destitute – pleading with us to open our hearts and Kippurim (Lev. 23:27) our hands. To this day, the blasts of the shofar, the ram’s horn, constitute Sh’varim – three ‘broken’ blasts: The complex message that the centre-piece of the observance of Rosh Ha-Shanah. although it is not for us to complete the work, neither are we And the shofar is not simply blown. At the end of the Torah free to desist from it (Mishnah Avot 2:16), and that even a service, and in three sets during the Musaf (Additional) service ‘third party’ – those who are neither the perpetrators nor the – Malchuyyot, ‘Sovereignty’, Zichronot, ‘Remembrances’, victimised – are called to do what we can to contribute to and Shofarot, ‘Shofar blasts’ – the congregation is summoned tikkun olam, the repair of the world. to attention with a pattern of blasts: T’ki’ah, sh’varim-t’ru’ah, t’ki’ah, t’ki’ah, sh’varim, t’ki’ah, t’ki’ah, t’ru’ah, t’ki’ah – Sh’varim-T’ru’ah – the combination only serves to reinforce culminating in a t’ki’ah g’dolah, a ‘great t’ki’ah’. the sense of urgency. As the blessing preceding the shofar blowing puts it, we T’ki’ah G’dolah – the ‘great t’ki’ah’: And, if not now, when? are commanded lishmo’a kol shofar, ‘to listen to the voice (Mishnah Avot 1:14) of the shofar’. According to Maimonides, ‘the voice of the May the many voices of the shofar reach us all and summon shofar’ is proclaiming: ‘Awake, you sleepers, from your us to act – Shanah Tovah! sleep!... Examine your deeds, and turn to God in repentance’ pimms on the prom How can the enmity between the Once again Norma Waring opened her beach hut so that a peoples of the Middle-East be stopped? cheerful crowd of BHPS could enjoy her Pimms and delicious nibbles. Learn how the modern Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel interacts with its Bedouin and Arab neighbours, changes communities, and has assisted the local communities in learning to live side-by-side in harmony. A free talk and video session presented by Friends of Ben Gurion University Brighton & Hove and chaired by Professor Project Going Places Harold Baum, Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Board From 10 October BHPS will be member of Ben Gurion University, Israel relocating. Saturday morning and Sunday 16th October at Ajex Hall festival services will be in Ralli Hall, Palmeira Avenue, Hove Friday evenings in members’ homes. 2.30- 5.00 Everyone welcome as always. Our Tea included (Donations welcome) phone number will be unchanged and Contact Sharon Rubin for tickets more details will be on our website. 01273-727676 issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 22bHrs rabbi charles wallach Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org 23 the High Holyday season is upon us put ourselves into their shoes, their situations and recognise their view. Then, not only to say the words or give our minds over to by Rabbi Charles Wallach all that, but to do something about it. The High Holyday Season is upon us. That time of the year when, both individually and collectively, we look into ourselves I said the High Holyday Season is upon us. For many it is an and hopefully resolve to be better in the coming year. For endurance contest; but it need not be looked at in this way. synagogues it means a flurry of activity, special services and Indeed, the joyous festival of Sukkot, which follows immediately, attention to some detail, which ordinarily we ignore. can be seen as a way of practically applying those thoughts. Within our congregation, in addition to sukkah building and Our tradition bids us to seek forgiveness; forgiveness from the enjoying the festival, we try to create many baskets of fruit and Almighty to be sure but always included therein, is the seeking provisions to be distributed to the housebound in particular. We of forgiveness from our fellows. That is often hard to achieve. try therefore, not only to bring the sense of harvest to those who During the course of a year, we say and do things sometimes are unlikely to experience the joy of the festival, but also make with, shall we say, “malice aforethought”, or often unintentionally. ourselves aware of a wider group of people being out there – a This can be hurtful, thoughtless or counter-productive. What is community beyond those who will manage to attend. Then even more difficult is that even though we might say the words the festival of Simchat Torah, with its symbolism of the never seeking forgiveness, human nature finds us prone to committing ending Torah, is the final clincher in all this: reminding us of the something akin to the error again. stories and messages, the ideals and ideas out of our Torah and tradition, which should motivate us. To me, one of the aspects of Yom Kippur in particular, is the thought that one full day is given over, not only to the recital of On behalf of Marilyn and myself, may I wish one and all LeShana the prayers but perhaps more especially, to allowing our minds Tova – a good and healthy year. May it be a year of peace in to be cleansed as it were. To allow us to contemplate what we Israel and throughout the world; may our hearts as individuals have or have not done; to think about other people and resolve to and as a community go out to one another, and may those many be kinder, fairer or more considerate towards them; to attempt to positive thoughts we shall think, truly be turned into goodness. bHrs Quiz supper We were all held firmly in check by Stewart Macintosh our quiz by Roger Berlin master, who brooked no argument…”when we’re right we’re right, when we’re wrong we’re also right!”….and the highlight of We’ve all the evening was the world famous Israeli Supper laid on by our been to quiz fabulous Ladies’ Guild. suppers… every shul Of course thanks must go to the Functions Committee, just six has run one of us, who burnt the midnight oil forming the questions, who at some time googled incessantly to ensure the answers were right (usually!), or other and who sold tickets and nagged people to make up tables. But we Brighton & got our reward - a very successful and enjoyable “do” which Hove Reform proves that BHRS is still flourishing. was no exception on August 7th. Bulletin Board for September This turned out to be an enormous success; not only did we get Wednesday 28th Erev Rosh Hashana service, 6.30 pm well over 100 people, there were the usual animated arguments Thursday 29th Rosh Hashana service, 10.00 am over some of the answers (nu, so what’s new?) and the evening went on well after the predicted time…although some I must Friday 30th Erev Shabbat Shuvah, 6.30 pm admit thought it a trifle unfair that the table which played its Joker on the “Israel” round and got maximum points had Rabbi Wallach Bulletin Board for October and two Israelis on the team! Saturday 1st Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am Shabbat Shuvah, 10.30 am Sunday 2nd Cheder , 10.00 am Kids’ Club, 12.30 pm Friday 7th Kol Nidre Service, 6.30 pm Saturday 8th Yom Kippur Service, 10.30 am Sunday 9th Succah building, 11.00 am Stonesetting for Rita Seltzer, 3.30 pm Wednesday 12th Erev Sukkot, 6.30 pm Thursday 13th Sukkot service, 10.30 am Saturday 15th Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am Wednesday 19th Erev Simchat Torah, 6.30 pm Thursday 20th Simchat Torah service, 10.30 am Saturday 29th Rabbi’s Shiur, 9.00 am Sunday 30th Helping Hands Tea, 2.30 pm Friday 30th Erev Shabbat Shuvah, 6.30 pm issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 22 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 23 rosh Hashanah message This power of election, the ability to make such decisions, by Rabbi Hershel Rader is the unique quality of the human being, unshared by any other creature. ‘Choose life’ Moshe pleaded with his people, In Rabbinic literature Rosh Hashanah is considered a because the choice is open to man. This is the teaching of ‘coronation day’, the day on which the Jewish people once Torah, instructing and inspiring man to make the decisions again accept G-d as their king. The word Melech, king, is G-d wishes. a constant refrain throughout the prayers of the Ten Days of Penitence, and Malchut, kingship, is the first of the three How is this connected with Rosh Hashanah? The term Rosh sections unique to the Musaf prayer on Rosh Hashanah. is used deliberately. Rosh means both ‘head’ and ‘first’. The What do we mean by Melech? Furthermore, is G-d not king head is the first, the highest, of the body’s parts, possessing regardless of what we do? If so, what is the significance of higher faculties such as thought, hearing, speech and sight. this ‘coronation’? The head commands other parts of the body to act according to its will. If the head is in good condition, then the rest of the Hebrew, known as Lashon Hakodesh – the Holy Language, body may function well, but the least defect in the brain may which is the language of the Torah, is precise, with often have an immeasurable effect on the body. untranslatable, yet vital shades of meaning that convey profound ideas. Melech is translated as ‘king’. But there are Rosh Hashanah is a day for us to feel, more deeply, our similar words in Lashon Hakodesh; for example, Moshel – relationship with our creator. Rosh Hashanah sets the pace; ruler. How is Melech different from Moshel? The definition as goes Rosh Hashanah, so goes the rest of the year. A will enhance our understanding of the Torah’s attitude to wasted Rosh Hashanah, one lacking in spiritual introspection the relationship between man and G-d and will add to our and resolve, can easily result in a Jewishly indifferent year. appreciation of Rosh Hashanah. A Rosh Hashanah spent in the proper manner gives life and spirit to the whole year. Rosh Hashanah is a time when we A Moshel rules. The consent of the governed is not required. can elect to bring G-d into our lives. His rule might extend over people – as in the case of a dictator. He might be a shepherd or the keeper of inanimate In our prayers over the High Holidays we declare ‘Today, all objects. The Moshel does as he pleases and his subjects are the creatures of the universe stand before you in judgement’. his pawns. G-d is sometimes called a Moshel, for example, Part of G-d’s judgement is whether He elects to be our king He has established laws of nature that are His dictates. Trees over the coming year. Like every judgement, the outcome grow, not because they wish to or because they recognise the is dependent on the decisions and actions of those being wisdom of doing so. There is no consent here. The absolute judged. Let us resolve this Rosh Hashanah to accept G-d as Ruler decrees and there is no violating His law. our king, bringing Him, in some greater measure into our lives. Just as G-d is also a Melech. The Melech, unlike the Perla and I wish the community a Ketiva V’Chatima Tova Moshel, does not impose his rule on unwilling subjects. L’Shana Tova U’Metuka – May you all be inscribed and sealed They must desire his rule, even in the face of a potential for a good and sweet New Year. Melech’s reluctance, a reluctance overcome by the people’s importuning and submission. The key to Malchut is consent. The subjects face alternatives of requesting or rejecting HYMAN FINE HOUSE the ruler. Not by compulsion, but of their own volition, they FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE choose to accept his dominion. We express this concept every evening in Maariv when we say ‘Umulchuto B’Ratzon (Registered Charity No. 1111793) Kiblu Alaihem’ – they accepted G-d’s sovereignty willingly. PRESENTS A BRIDGE & KALOOKI AFTERNOON PERSONAL COMPUTER TRAINING AT RALLI HALL DENMARK VILLAS HOVE (£1.00 Parking Fee at Hove Railway Station) Friendly 1 to 1 training FRIENDLY COMPETITION – WITH PRIZES Specialist in Apple Macs Reasonable Fee ON SUNDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2011 AT 2.00PM Best Wishes for the New Year and DONATION £8.50 INCLUDING TEA Well Over the Fast TICKETS FROM Call Brian Megitt on 01323 507380 ALAN BURKE - 01273 416335 AND or 0777 171 1237 RAYMOND FELSENSTEIN - 01273 505056 issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 24 what’s on: september/October 2011 website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org email: info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org sHabbat sHalOm – briGHtON times In Light Candles Out Havdalah Fri 23 September 6.41 pm Sat 24 7.45 pm Wed 28 –Eve 1st day Rosh Hashanah 6.29 pm Grodzinki’s challot Thu 29 - Eve 2nd day Rosh Hashanah after 7.43 pm and rye bread are Fri 30 6.25 pm Sat Oct 1st 7.29 pm available from Premier Fri 7 October – Eve Yom Kippur 6.09 pm Sat 8 7.14 pm Wed 12 – Eve 1st day Sukkot 5.59 pm Convenience Stores Thu 13 – Eve 2nd day Sukkot after 7.03 pm in Hove Street every Fri 14 5.54 pm Sat 15 6.59pm Wed 19 – Eve Shemini Atzeret 5.44 pm Thursday morning Thu 20 – Eve Simchat Torah after 6.49 pm until supplies run out. Fri 21 5.40 pm Sat 22 6.45 pm Fri 28 5.25 pm Sat 29 6.33 pm eveNts fOr OctOber reGular activities J:tots – for parents, toddlers, grandparents and carers - is held Please note that activities may be subject to Yom Tov monthly at Ralli Hall.For information regarding the next session, cancellations. Please contact the organiser(s) in advance for please e-mail Rachel at jtots@rocketmail.com or ring 01273 204333. more information. Tues 11th – Sat 15th Sundays ‘earthquakes in london’ – starring Tracy-Ann Oberman at Theatre carmel tennis club 10.00 am-12.00 noon. Weekly. All levels Royal, Brighton. Eves 7.45pm, Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm, Box Office welcome. Tel: Leon on 07717 222744 0844 871 7650 (booking fee) or www.atgtickets.com/brighton Ticket prices £13 - £25. Mondays the ethics of our fathers with Rabbi Efune 11.30-12.30 pm Sunday 16th Chabad House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove. Tel: 01273 321919 friends of ben Gurion university – ‘Bedouins & Jews’ free talk and video session with guest chair Prof. Harold Baum. 2.30 – 5.00 pm RH. afternoon club with tea 1.30 pm. Tel: Reba 01444 410435 Tickets from 01273 727676 or email permissions@btopenworld.com. rubber and duplicate bridge 1.30-4.30 pm £2.00. Tel: Reba 01444 410435 Monday 17th contemporary basic talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men only sarid – (Association of Jewish Refugees) with speaker Evelyn 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Friedlander on ‘The History of the Synagogues in Germany’, 10.45 am RH. Donation: £1.50 to include tea/coffee/light refreshments. tanya (kabbalah) learning Group with Penina Efune - Ladies only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Tuesday 25th Jewish Historical society – with speaker Rabbi David Katanka, ‘The Tuesdays Jews of Portsmouth’. 6.45 – 9.00 pm RH ralli Hall lunch and social club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly RH Sunday 30th art in the studio with martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH Helping Hands tea – 2.30 – 4.30 pm Don £3.00 to include raffle AJEX Hall. painting with rochelle (Jas) 7.00 pm-9.00 pm Tel: 01273 503708 RH Advance Notice: Monday 3 November israeli dancing 7.45 pm-9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 centre for German-Jewish studies talk series – University of Sussex, RH Arts A 155, 4.00 pm. ‘From the Third Reich to Postmodernity: The Global History of the Volkswagen Beetle’ with guest speaker Dr Wednesdays Bernhard Rieger, University College London (in cooperation with chutzpah singers (Singing in Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, the History Department ‘Work in Progress Seminar’). All welcome, Aramaic and other languages) with Polina Shepherd 7.00-booking not required. 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 - £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members. COMMUNITY EVENTS – Thursdays IMPORTANT REMINDER ralli Hall lunch and social club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Weekly Contact the Communal Diary before Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH planning your events. Email: info@ weekly torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 321919. sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org issue 212 | september/OctOber 2011 -
Issue 213
November 2011
SUSSEX JEWISH news n Whats what’s inside.... EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HOWARD JACOBSON (PART I) | CENTRE FOR GERMAN-JEWISH STUDIES | what’s On | and MORe NOVEMBER 2011 | CHESHVAN / KISLEV 5772 | • ISSUE 213 2 Pause for thought 3 Israel has negotiated prisoner releases previously; however, Gilad Because of this, it is likely that we can expect a significant setback to Shalit is the first living soldier to be returned in 26 years. Recent the reinvigoration of the peace process. The Hamas commitment to prisoner exchanges have been for the return of bodies and/or further kidnappings will result in greater mistrust between Israel and remains. Some have argued whether Shalit should have been the Palestinians. It may also represent a greater division between rescued or his release negotiated. Others have asked whether the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza. With the cost was appropriate. Yet before the exchange had even been whom is one to negotiate? completed, Hamas declared its intention to commit additional kidnappings in future. What does that mean for the Middle East and The United Nations Security Council also needs to take heed of beyond? what has happened and what it means for the Palestinian attempt at statehood. Leaving aside any The Israeli other issues in the application, Gilad shalit has beeN returNed. government and Gilad Shalit was denied access the Israel Defence to the Red Cross and other rights What does this meaN for the middle Forces must now under the Geneva Conventions. not only protect east aNd beyoNd? Does a Hamas commitment their civilians and to further kidnappings mean soldiers from the recidivism of the released prisoners, but must also that the potential fledgling state has no regard for the borders of be on alert to future kidnapping attempts. Israelis must be even more other nations? Isn’t this all contrary to the principles for which the careful in their own country. United Nations were established? If so, how can it be considered a responsible state? On the Palestinian side, whilst Mahmoud Abbas enjoyed considerable popularity when filing his unilateral declaration of statehood, Hamas In the meantime, Gilad Shalit has come home and that is a cause for has overshadowed him and his government. The Palestinians need celebration now. However, we must be mindful of the many issues to establish reliable and trustworthy principles of governance and his release has raised and how they need to be addressed urgently. government. Who is really in charge? 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 info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson / Stephanie Megitt / Sue Rea David Seidel COVER IMAGE courtesy of Brian Megitt TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt ADMINISTRATOR Ivor Sorokin PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 8 NOVEMBER 2011 COPY NOT SUBMITTED BY 8 NOVEMBER WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR PUBLICATION. 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. 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 213 | November 2011 2 Contents MARTIN GROSS 3 Funeral Director and sussex Jewish News Funeral Consultant features Po box 2178 to Jewish communities hove bN3 3sZ 01273 439792 8 taKiNG a bite of the aPPle telephone: 07906 955 404 An appreciation by Brian Megitt 07801 599771 e-mail: editor@sussexjewishnews.com 07540 066566 9 the fiNKler QuestioNs aNd aNsWers Part I of our exclusive interview with Howard Jacobson 11 Zf triP to tel aviv Carolyne Davis joins the 63rd Zionist Federation trip 12 the JeWish CommuNity of malmo Shelley Nichols on Jewish life in Sweden HELPING HANDS reGulars We invite you to check out our new website: www.helping-hands.org 4 your NeWs & vieWs Telephone: (01273) 747722 Email: helping-hands@ntlworld.com Letters and announcements 6 CommuNity life News from across the county 13 Culture Joogleberry, JACS, CGJS lectures, a competition and more 24 What’s oN Regular and special events in your community your CommuNity 16 briGhtoN & hove ProGressive syNaGoGue 17 briGhtoN & hove reform syNaGoGue 18 briGhtoN & hove hebreW CoNGreGatioN 19 hove hebreW CoNGreGatioN 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 213 | November 2011 4 your news & views 5 even more mikvah musings thank you Mrs Efune’s article on the Brighton mikvah has certainly Just thought I would share with you my view that the SJN has provoked much discussion and interest amongst the younger gone from strength to strength since the joint editorial board people in our community. The recent letter from Martin took it over. Ivor Miskin z’l has been much in my thoughts Boyask in your Rosh Hashanah edition certainly shows how over Rosh Hashanah, and I am sure you miss him as much misguided is his judgment or criticism. as we at BHPS do. Nonetheless, the magazine continues to entertain and inform the community in way of which I am sure It has been said by many that having a mikvah is more Ivor M would have approved. I especially appreciated your important than any shul because anyone can have a October editorial. gathering, and erect a temporary Aron Chodesh: all one needs is a minyan of 10 men or more… Betty Skolnick The whole purpose of a mikvah is for women to cleanse themselves and therefore their families, each month until or in praise of hyman fine house just after menopause, in order to become spiritually fulfilled and reach a higher level of fulfillment. Whether there be 4 or I find it very upsetting when I hear reports criticizing the 40 ladies who use it, Chassidic visitors or not, or even as in home, from people who have possibly never been into Hyman Holland Road in the past few months, out of town weddings Fine House. or home-grown weddings - where is the mikvah? My mother z’l had been in Hyman Fine House for sixteen An estimated Jewish population of between 500 and 1000 months. At first she was reasonably mobile but then she had ladies, some 2500 Jewish families, perhaps 200 or so dementia and sadly could hardly move. The staff, without students, as well as 100’s of Jewish visitors from around the exception, were amazing and managed to deal with all globe, make Brighton and Hove the only large community situations that they met in the course of carrying out their without a mikvah. duties. As for Mr Boyask’s assertion that the intention to site or build The old people become institutionalized; they grumble about one at BHHC would be useless since no-one really would use everything and most of what they say can be ignored. With it, this seems to me a futile argument. an ageing community we have to accept this as they have nothing else to do. As for the building and running costs: it would be funded privately and run ostensibly by a joint committee of the I have visited many people in many homes over the years various participant shuls with Mrs Efune in charge of this and we don’t know when we are well off! Please go and see project. for yourself how the residents are cared for at Hyman Fine House. The home is clean and the amenities are great. All Lastly, if a community as small and diverse as Torremolinos, I can do is to thank Jewish Care and all the many people where 300 families have a kosher deli and mikvah, surely involved with Hyman Fine House. the South coast could have these, whether at BHHC or elsewhere. Not forgetting Portsmouth, Southampton, Marilyn Fisher Worthing, Eastbourne and Canterbury, there are 5,000 Jews or more within a 50 mile radius. Errata Braham D Finestone The Editorial Board apologises for the following errors and East Saltdean omissions in the New Year Greetings from last issue: • Marilyn Fisher’s greeting was inadvertently omitted; and albanians and Jews • in the greeting from Beryl and John Booker, John’s name was misspelled. The following email was sent to Prof Scarlett Epstein by The Editorial Board regrets these errors. Prince Leka of Albania, who is the grandson of King Zog and adopted grandson of Scarlett herself. He refers to the kindness of Albanians to the Jews during WW2, which is Council of Christians & Jews mentioned on the Albanian Royal Household website. Brighton & Hove Branch Dear Scarlett, We will be holding our Christmas/Chanukah get-together on Sunday December 11th at 3.00 I suggest that you follow this site: http://www. pm albanianroyalcourt.al/pages/The%20Holocast%20in%20 Address: Court Barn, The Green, Rottingdean. Albania It is in English as you may notice and the whole page Speaker: Rabbi Vivian Silverman should be of your liking, please note that the translation key is To be followed by festive food, which always on the top right corner, English and Albanian. We have everybody brings and shares. not added other languages as yet. Please phone 01273 302611 if you wish to find out how to get to Court Barn, or if you can get a lift. Leka We hope that many people will come. There is plenty of room. issue 213 | November 2011 4 your news & views 5 special birthdays New director for Centre for German- • Mazel tov to Donald Curtis, Jacinta Dawe, Samuel Firsht, Jewish studies Adrienne Gross, Ian Jaffe, Sue Rea, Sandra Rutherford, Marjorie Seldon, Irene Style and Irene Wise, all of who are As the University celebrating special birthdays this month of Sussex celebrates engagements its fiftieth anniversary this Mazel tov to Jane and Paul Waldman on the engagement of autumn, we are Louise to Simon Shepherd delighted to welcome the anniversaries newly appointed Director of Mazel tov to the Centre for • Barbara & Victor Comiskey on the celebration of their 45th German-Jewish wedding anniversary Studies, Gideon • Alison & Graham Dollow on the celebration of their 25th Reuveni. He will wedding anniversary also hold the • Lynn & Daniel Green on the celebration of their 35th post of Reader in Modern Jewish History in the School of wedding anniversary History, Art History and Philosophy. • Vera & David Green on the celebration of their 65th wedding Dr Reuveni took a BA in Philosophy and Political Science anniversary in 1991 at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, followed by an MA with a thesis on German Historiography after the achievements First World War. He earned his doctorate there (summa cum • Mazel tov to Lazar Liebenberg on acceptance to the Royal laude) in 2001 with a dissertation on Reading Culture and Academy of Music’s Junior Department Consuming Culture in Germany before 1933. Gideon is fluent in Hebrew, German, English and Yiddish. He will be able to draw on a wide range of previous experience as a • Mazel tov to Harrison Faull (age 12), Lecturer or Research Fellow at the Universities of Munich and elder son of Ashley & Heather Faull and Leipzig, Madison-Wisconsin, Melbourne and the Ben Gurion grandson of Stanley & Dian Faull, who University of the Negev. His teaching expertise includes won the National Powerboat Final in courses on the History and Legacy of Weimar Germany, Jews Southampton on 18 September 2011. and the Modern European Economy, Modern Jewish History, He was the toast of the Southampton and Holocaust Controversies. Boat Show after securing a Honda RYA His publications have highlighted certain themes that tend Youth RIB Championship medal. to be overlooked by mainstream research, notably Jewish Consumerism, Advertising and Jewish Ethnic Marketing, restored German Public Libraries, the Sale of Newspapers in Weimar Germany from Railway Station Bookstalls, Everyday Life Congratulations to Alan Besbrode on moving back into his in Nazi Germany, and Sport and the Militarization of house after the fire Jewish Society. His study of Reading Germany: Literature and Consumer Culture in Germany before 1933 has been Get Well published both in English and in Hebrew, and he has co-edited a series of further ground-breaking books, including We wish refuah sheleimah to Sam Barsam, Michael Linde and Jüdische Geschichte lesen, The Economy in Jewish History, Mef Sharpe and Emancipation through Muscles: Jews in European Sport. deaths At Sussex, where he will initially benefit from the continuing support of Christian Wiese as visiting professor, Gideon We wish Long Life to: will be able to build on his wide range of experience as • the family of David Berman z’l a conference organizer. During recent years he has co- • the family of Arnold Oppenheimer z’l organized international conferences on ‘Diaspora, Migration • the family of Teddy Woolf z’l and Jewish Memories of China’, ‘Shopping Ideas, Trading Theories and Hawking Cultural Histories’, ‘Jewish Humour’, stonesettings and ‘Jews in European Sport’. Asked what attracts him about the new opportunities at • The consecration of the memorial stone in loving memory Sussex, Gideon replied that he is most excited to be joining of Alvin Noah z’l will take place on Sunday 13 November at colleagues whose work he has long admired. Christian 11.30 am at the Jewish cemetery in Waltham Abbey Wiese has shown that specialized research groups can become major players in Jewish studies. Building on these achievements, Gideon hopes we will be able to strengthen the study of Jewish History at the University and extend the activities of a dynamic, outreaching Centre that will combine the highest standards of teaching with cutting-edge research. issue 213 | November 2011 6 Community life 7 ralli hall including Jacqui’s upper floor office, which is particularly draughty. In addition, the outer front porch, with its imposing by Roger Abrahams, Hon. Chairman columns, has had a facelift. It was looking rather sad, and definitely not in keeping with our smart new image! I should like to take this opportunity of welcoming Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue to its temporary home at Ralli We have also completed the upgrade to the heating in the Hall, while its premises undergo an extensive and exciting Great Hall, although we still need to replace the ageing gas-upgrade. I understand that this is likely to take at least a fired boiler. Hopefully, whatever the weather this winter, with year, if not a little longer. We are very pleased to be able to the dire warnings of arctic conditions to come, the Great Hall assist this well-established arm of our community, so that should be warm and snug, as we have now fitted a warm air the services and Cheder need not be disrupted while the curtain heater inside the side door, which needs to be opened community is homeless. Their office is elsewhere, but no for the Lunch Club members who arrive by community doubt full details will be announced in SJN. transport. You will possibly be aware that the Ralli Hall Lunch & Social All of our usual community activities are re-starting for the Club is now being run as a separate charity, albeit with mainly autumn, although we are still looking for a Modern Hebrew the same trustees and, of course, still at Ralli Hall. This teacher to give Ivrit lessons and, from a perusal of our two-change will, hopefully, prevent future confusion on the part weekly planner in the office, there are a great many activities of the outside bodies that help with the funding of this most being held throughout each week from our commercial important, and thankfully flourishing, part of our community lettings, some of which could well be of interest to our life. community. In fact, a programme of all regular activities is available at the centre – if you wish a copy to be sent to you, We are continuing with the maintenance and upgrade just phone on 01273 202254 and ask Norina or Maxine. programme of our magnificent building and I am pleased to confirm that I have just given instructions for the last two See you at Ralli Hall. exposed windows in the rear elevations to be replaced, Garden Party for eastbourne hC It was such a jolly gathering. There was entertainment from by Manny Godfrey Ruth, Marguerite and Rosie. Many Jewish songs were sung but sadly, there was no room for Israeli dances! There was All Stella Harris wanted was a warm, sunny day for her garden plenty of food, many prizes won, lots of tea and coffee, party in aid of Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation’s Synagogue and some even got to sit on the patio. It was a lovely building fund - no such luck! Despite the overcast rainy event participated in by folk from the Eastbourne Hebrew day, 42 people came to the party, and although her house Congregation, Eastbourne Progressive Congregation, Bexhill is not big, somehow people made themselves comfortable. CCJ and Hastings Jewish Society. They came from Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings and Bexhill, Seaford and Stockholm...yes, Stockholm in Sweden. Many We raised over £230, so not only was it an enjoyable event, of her friends made scones and cakes, and donated raffle but a profitable one too. prizes. Jewish historical society, 2011-12 Programme by Godfrey R Gould, Chairman All our meetings will take place at Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove commencing at 7.45 pm. After the lecture there will be a short question and answer session, and then light refreshments. It is expected that the whole proceedings will conclude by about 9.30 pm. Entrance is free to all members of the Society, a small charge of £4.00 per head being made to visitors. 29 November 2011 “Church and Synagogue - From Sisters to Enemies in Mediaeval Europe” by Professor Miri Rubin, Queen Mary, University of London. 24 January 2012 “The Bevin Enigma” by Raphael Langham, Vice President and former Hon Treasurer, Jewish Historical Society. 28 February 2012 “The Jews of the Arab World” by Edwin Schuker, Vice Chairman, World Sephardi Congress. 27 March 2012 “Exhibiting Jews and Jewishness - from the Mocatta Library to the Jewish Museum” by Dr Katherin Pieren. 24 April 2012 “Stranger among Friends” by Mark Perry-Nash. Please telephone 01273-419412 or email g.gould915@btinternet.com for further information. issue 213 | November 2011 6 Community life 7 Caroline lucas on hamas The Brighton MP is also reported to have said that she did not believe allegations against British Muslim Initiative’s Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas recently shared a president, Mohammed Sawalha, that he fled to London panel with vocal Hamas supporters in Manchester. The from Israel and masterminded military strategy for Hamas, Mancunion, a student newspaper, reported that Dr Lucas notwithstanding that such allegations are reported on the believes that ties to Hamas are legitimate as she considers BBC’s website. She also did not wish to discuss Ibrahim them a “democratically elected” and “legitimate government Moussawi, a senior journalist at a Hezbollah newspaper, in Palestine” akin to Sinn Fein. who spoke at a Stop the War meeting in London in 2008. Dr Lucas is reported to say that she did not want to discuss him Whilst the European Union classifies Hamas as a terrorist because she had “no idea” who he was. However, an article organisation, Dr Lucas – as a vice-president of the Stop in the New Yorker in 2002 claimed that Mr Moussawi had The War Coalition - states that supporting Hamas is not called Jews “a lesion on the forehead of history.” intrinsically wrong. Whilst she condemns part of the Hamas organisation, she is reported to have said that, “If you were Other notable members of Stop the War include former MP to say to me that you had absolute evidence that I was Tony Benn – the group’s president, George Galloway MP – inadvertently sharing a panel with someone who advocated a one of several vice presidents, and the political commentator military violent response in the Middle East or anywhere else, Tariq Ali. I would be deeply worried about that.” aJeX am for all those who are able to march plus Standard Bearers. The following are the details for your diary of the forthcoming Following the Old Steine Parade, the AJEX Service this year AJEX Remembrance Services and Parades. will take place at Holland Road Synagogue. Those attending need to be seated by 4.00 pm, as the Mayor’s Party usually On Thursday, 10 November our markers will be laid at the Old arrives at 4.15 pm. Steine at 10.30 am, prior to a short service at 11.00 am taken by the Vicar of Brighton in the presence of the Mayor, Anne Sunday, November 20th should be the London Parade & Meadows, with attendance by Standard Bearers. Rally, but at present our Chairman, Aubrey Cole, is waiting for confirmation of the format for this event, so until this is On Sunday, 13 November there will be a Remembrance received, no further information is available. Any queries Service for all military etc. Muster at Madeira Drive at 10.30 please call Aubrey on 01273 737417. ralli hall lunch Club The best news is that we have received a grant from the by Jacquie Tichauer Awards For All lottery, with which to buy laptops so we can I hope you all had a good Yom Tov. September has been an start new computer courses. We hope to start these on 25 enjoyable month and we have added a few new entertainers October, so please contact me if you are interested. to our list, including Richard; I am sure he would win “Britain’s Got Talent” as he is extremely good and a few of our ladies I am going away for two weeks to Israel, so I am leaving the would love to take him home with them! Lunch Club in good hands with Georgie, Fiona and Vivien, all the other volunteers and my line manager Alan. Believe it or not we had a belly dancer, who was fantastic, but what was even more interesting is that some of our members Helping Hands Pub Quiz joined in and showed us volunteers how to move our hips! The following week we had Leo the Salsa dancer to give us Important Announcement a demonstration, which was a lot of fun and even my line manager Alan (Burke) got up to dance, so his wife Shirley had Due to simchas and several of our quiz better watch out… supporters who do not wish to miss the event, being on holiday, we have We also welcomed the AJEX members who joined us for reluctantly decided to postpone our our lovely three course kosher lunch before they had their pub quiz evening which was due to monthly meeting at Ralli Hall. We have recently celebrated take place on 12 November 2011 to 24 three significant birthdays with our members, Michel at 99 March 2012. Please put this new date and Mimi at 96. Sheila, one of our volunteers, also had a in your diary. birthday, so we all enjoyed eating the cakes. The Bridge Classes on Thursdays are running very well and I The Helping Hands Pub Quiz has believe they will soon be joining in with the bridge games in been postponed until 24 March 2012. the afternoon: if anyone is interested in learning bridge please contact me. issue 213 | November 2011 8 features 9 1984 - birth of an icon by Brian Megitt Imagine, if you will, that you are one of The computer did very little, you typed Rank Xerox along over 2,500 people packed into a large a command on the keyboard and the with the graphic auditorium waiting for the show to computer responded. Your vision was user interface and start. Like the rest of the population of usually of white, orange or green text on bought from them the country, you have been subjected a black background. The text font was and developed further, by Apple a year to what, as the years roll by, will be simple and there was no association or so earlier. The entire mix of physical regarded as one of the most iconic between what you saw on the screen box, screen, software, was developed adverts ever aired. and what came out of the printer. Of by Apple engineers to work seamlessly course, the printers were not that as a whole. The concept then, as it is The lights go down and there is a more advanced, so were inherently limited. now, is that it all “just works”. than expectant quiet. A young man, However, this form of computing was smartly dressed in a dark suit and bow a major advance over the way people This wasn’t a mere step forward in tie, takes to the stage. Behind him is a had worked with the big mainframe computing, this was a revolution. large screen and sitting centre stage, computers and the new mini-computers It opened up the way for desktop on a tall plinth, is a box-shaped bag. that were revolutionising the way publishing, without which this magazine The man starts to talk and everyone industry used computers. would not be possible, for digital listens, avidly taking in his every word. Let’s return to that young man, Steve imaging and digital publishing. It He is talking about computers and how Jobs, on the stage. He has talked, he brought the ability to create music and their development over the preceding has shown us that iconic advert again images, to have advanced word and thirty years has shaped an industry and and now he walks over to that box- number processing from the likes of how the biggest name in the game, shaped bag. He unzips the top of the Microsoft, which created Word and IBM, has been very slow to respond to case and one-handed, he lifts a single, Excel for the Mac. the trends. But this is no faceless IBM neat, box out of the bag. The audience person, this is an altogether different gasp in amazement. He connects a 1984 saw the start of a computer being. This is someone who has been few leads into the back and takes out revolution that has never ceased to at the very forefront of the design and of his pocket, a small, flat, rigid piece amaze. Apple has been bringing the marketing of what we now call the of plastic that he inserts into a gap in world innovation in computing since Personal Computer. His company is the front of the box. He has told the it began. In July, Apple launched a number two in the industry. It has a audience that all the images they are new operating system for the Mac and turnover that has made the giant IBM about to see are generated by what changed the way that people would sit up and take notice. So much so that was in the bag. What came out of the interact with their computers and on after denying any demand for a small, bag is the very first Macintosh personal 12th October the world of personal, personal computing device, it has computer. computing will change forever with the entered the market, three years earlier, introduction of iCloud. with a product that the world will call the IBM Personal Computer, What comes It is sad to know that the man who even though the vast majority of out of the brought all this to the world will not those machines will be made by box is a be here to enjoy the innovations he so companies not associated with IBM display of loved to develop and bring to ordinary in any way. words and people to enhance their lives. When he fonts and introduced the iPad and the iPad2 he The date is 24 January 1984. The drawings ended his keynote speeches by pointing theatre in which you are sitting is and out that Apple always tries to be at the in a small Californian town called games intersection of technology and “Liberal Cupertino. Hardly anyone in the world that Arts”. It aims to get the best of both, has heard of Cupertino but what is have to make extremely advanced technical about to be revealed is going to change never products that are intuitive, easy to use, the way consumers and commerce view been fun to use, products that fit the users. the use of computers. seen before on Hold and use an iPad and you realise a computer. The computer how true that is but it is equally true of Let me remind you what computers even speaks for itself. The audience is all their products. It is his legacy and were like up until then. Generally absolutely overcome and the standing part of Apple’s DNA. speaking, “personal” computers ovation goes on and on and on. were big boxes residing on desk tops The Apple logo is a trademark of Apple accompanied by bulky, monochrome, The small rigid piece of plastic will Computer Inc and Apple Inc. cathode ray tube monitors with screens become known as the three and a half that were usually about twelve or fifteen inch floppy; made for Apple by Sony. inches in size. There was a big keyboard Another new invention featured with and one or two five and a half inch the launch of the Macintosh, was the floppy disk drives built in to the box. mouse. This device was invented by issue 213 | November 2011 8 features 9 the finkler Questions and answers - Part 1 Sussex Jewish News is pleased to present an exclusive interview with Howard Jacobson. The interview was conducted by Stephanie Megitt who, like Mr Jacobson, spent her childhood in North Manchester. The interview was held on 1 September 2011 when Mr Jacobson was at the Old Market for City Books, Hove. I read that your primary school What books have most teacher wrote a letter to your parents influenced your life? in which she forecast that you would become a writer. Is this the case? I can’t remember what I read. I am in a constant That’s right. A very nice lady called Mrs. argument with my wife, Herman. She was my teacher at Temple and with myself, because School, Cheetham Hill, Manchester. I try to persuade my wife She set us an essay about the use of that at the age of six I was newspapers, I still remember that. I liked reading late Henry James, writing essays and everybody else had George Eliot and the longer Photo: Brian Megitt finished in about a minute and yawning, Dickens. Jenny thinks this is unlikely reading and writing about my reading. wanting to do something else now – and that I idealise my precocity as a Since being consumed by writing, can we go and beat someone up in the reader, but I don’t remember children’s because I am consumed by it, I don’t playground? And when the bell went books. So I get annoyed when I see really want to give my time to reading I would, say “Miss, can I stay in and children’s books everywhere, because I when I enjoy writing so much. finish my essay?” and the all the other don’t remember being fed them. I must kids would call me a swot. have been fed some; I have a memory And then suddenly, I will feel I need So I was a good boy and stayed in of things like The Water Babies by refreshment. Sometimes you feel your to finish my essay which the teacher Charles Kingsley; things like that rather mind is going stale, or your vocabulary thought was fantastic. She sent my than picture books with tank engines in is going stale, if you are thinking along mother a very nice letter, which my them. I must have been bought things the same lines. But then I am likely to mother then framed, and which sits, in like that but I don’t have any memory of go back to Turgenev or to George Eliot its frame on the telly, or it did for a very them. No doubt I exaggerate with the or something, rather than read avidly long time. Mrs. Herman wrote that she Henry James novels, but I think I did what’s coming out now. My wife is a had never read anything so remarkable read precociously. My mother gave me much better reader of what happens and that she suspected I would become things like novels by Anthony Hope and now, and every now and then she will a great writer! And when my first novel Neville Shute, sort of quite well-written give me something and say, “This you was published, many years later, we middle-brow stuff. I wouldn’t have must read.” The last time she did that, received a very touching note from Mrs read the equivalent of the Harry Potter she gave me a book called Karoo, by Herman’s sister, saying that her sister books. And then I did go into Charlotte an American writer called Steve Tesich, always used to talk about me, and that Bronte, Dickens and even Jane Austen, and it’s a great book; I loved it. And until unfortunately she had only just died, but quite early really as a young teenager. she gives me the next great book I’ll be that she would have been very proud busy writing. that her prophesy had come true. So What book are you reading now? that letter was also framed. Congratulations on winning the Well, right this minute I’m reading Pride 2010 Booker Prize for The Finkler and Prejudice again, but that’s partly Did this govern your ambition, or did Question; a wonderful and well- because I’m about to talk about Jane you have it anyway? deserved achievement. Did it change your life? It didn’t govern it, but it A bit of encouragement from a teacher makes a was an added spur. That big difference, because you feel that someone else Yes, it did change my life. A was the way I always prize like that does change thinks the same way. wanted to go. From your life. We still have not a very early age there was nothing Austen somewhere. But in the main it’s come to the end of the first year of it. else I really wanted to do, but a bit of very hard to have time at the moment We have not stopped, we’ve been all encouragement from a teacher makes to read, because I do write a lot and over the world, and are about to go a big difference, because you feel that have to read books connected with to those countries we have not been someone else thinks the same way. whatever it is that I am writing. So I no to. It changes your life in that you sell longer can call myself an avid reader of hundreds of thousands of copies of your Did it validate your ambition? the contemporary novel. I don’t know books and not just tens of thousands. that much about what’s going on. I used Even saying tens of thousands is to Yes, it did. I will be forever in her debt, to read through my teenage years like flatter what one would normally do. The and the world is in her debt! mad, and then as a teacher of English great problem these days if you are a Literature I had to read and I loved serious writer is to find readers. Readers issue 213 | November 2011 10 features features 11 the finkler Questions and answers - Part 1 are reading all sorts but they are not time to have won. I have got nothing to work out what it was. I put time into reading serious novels in the numbers prove in the way that I would have if I contextualising it, which doesn’t mean that they used to. Most writers are had been a young writer. Some writers it always works. Rather than give them losing readers, as it is hard to sustain win it for their first novel – now what? a dictionary or a glossary, I want them a good readership, and when you win I’ve spoken to some, and they don’t to hear the rhythm, and the sound of a prize like this you are given readers. find it easy, whereas I have just finished it. Because anyway, I want people to That’s a prize beyond rubies, and another novel as it so happens, and it do that when they read me, I don’t it’s just the most want them to care about Most writers are losing readers, as it is hard to sustain a wonderful thing, the story or the plot. I to have readers. It good readership, and when you win the Booker Prize you want them to care about changes your sense are given readers. That’s a prize beyond rubies. the language and how of yourself, because it works, the drama of this is fifty years on from Mrs Herman’s will be judged quite harshly. It will be language, its music, and Yiddish is part letter; it’s a kind of reinforcement of that scrutinised, as I am the person that won of the symphony of my novels. – no, I wasn’t imagining it, no, it wasn’t the Booker prize, but I don’t feel I am on my fancy. Other people think I am the line in the way I would have felt had You have a very distinctive style: how pretty good at what I am doing, that’s I been 25 and won this prize. long would you say it took to hone it? fantastic, a vindication really. It’s a relief, Are you still working on it? because it means I don’t have to worry I marvelled at how much unexplained about why I don’t win prizes or why I Yiddish The Finkler Question First of all you have to find a voice. It haven’t won this prize, that’s now done contained. Have you or your took me a while, for all Mrs. Herman’s and I can forget about it. publishers ever considered and encouragement. I didn’t produce a then rejected the idea of including a novel until my late thirties and it took It reawakens your previous books; either glossary? all sorts of circumstances, a particular books which weren’t out of print but period of my life that made me unhappy, not read much or the odd book which It has been suggested and I have living in a place that I did not enjoy. was out of print and is no longer out of never liked the idea. I have never even Finding a voice in which to express print. And that’s not just in England, but liked the idea of italicising the Yiddish, the despondency, a comic irascible all over the place. You get translations because I want to use it how it was melancholy, a splenetic but amicable of your books. So far twenty-five used by me growing up, as though it voice was the challenge. I finally found it countries where I did not sell before are is part of the English language. I didn’t in that novel, and re-working that voice translating this novel, and you just feel even know when I was a little boy and versions of it has been the thing that you are a writer that’s being read. what was Yiddish and what was just that interests me. The thing that you dream of when you English, in the same way that words like are a writer is that you will write your chutzpah and schlep have passed into What I think is so interesting about books and people will read them. English, so much more difficult Yiddish The Finkler Question is that it is not so words were part of the language we dependent on a single voice as some What you don’t know is how hard it spoke. It’s my gift to English readers of my other novels are. The voice of the is to get people to read your books, who aren’t Jewish – I give you the Mighty Walzer is clearly the Mancunian what a reluctance there is to read Yiddish that I spoke as part of the boy telling his story. Similarly, there among readers. Partly because universal English we spoke. is a much more disturbed voice in there’s so much to read, and they Kalooki Nights, whereas in the FQ need a recommendation. This is the In my earlier novels, particularly The there’s a non-Jewish voice: it’s not a recommendation that breaks down Mighty Walzer, my table tennis novel, I first person novel, in that there are 3 that reluctance, as there is no greater used Yiddish freely. Even Jews would central characters rather than one. But recommendation a writer can have; this stop me sometimes to say they wished there’s a reported first person described is the one, it’s fantastic. And it’s also I would explain it because they did intimately, so that it can sometimes good for your self-esteem. It knocks not speak Yiddish. In Kalooki Nights, seem like a first person, so one feels you out; I’ve been ill a couple of times. a later one, I tried to explain Yiddish one’s hearing from Treslove, from Running around Finkler, and particularly the world knocks I want them to care about the language and how it from Libor, which is you out a bit but I works, the drama of language, its music, and Yiddish is people’s favourite am so glad to have part of the symphony of my novels. character, my favourite done the running character in the novel. around. I am also lucky for this to have words in every context – I sometimes That made a difference, and I think that come at my age: some people have do say the word means this or that. In made me easier to read for people who said what a pity it is that I didn’t win it this novel (Finkler) I want the reader to find my particular voice sometimes earlier, and although it would have been work out what it means by the sound difficult. I don’t know why anyone would nice, if my health doesn’t deteriorate of it or by its placement or context. I want to be in the company of anyone too much I will feel that it’s a wonderful tried very hard to enable the reader to but my hero, but some do and I think issue 213 | November 2011 features 11 the finkler Questions and answers - Part 1 that this voice breaks that down. I think else to do, you are laughing sometimes English, not American. I was brought up that it gives non-Jews an entry into the instead of crying, but I am not light. For to read Jane Austen, not Philip Roth. Jewish world, through Treslove who good or ill I don’t have a light touch; I knew I wanted to be a writer long isn’t Jewish, thinking about what it is I don’t value that. I like to jump into before Philip Roth was writing, let alone to be Jewish and imagining all sorts of the weighty material and then to swim before I read Philip Roth. My influences impossible things about what it is to around in that. So in Kalooki Nights, a were not coming from there, they were be Jewish. That was the non-Jewish or lot of people said what are jokes doing coming from the English tradition. even many a Jewish person’s guide to in a novel about the Holocaust, that I the Jewish world. had made light of it. I wouldn’t dream I don’t think people think you were of it: the comedy that there is in the influenced by him, so much as they So yes, you go on finding other ways of Holocaust is life or death. see similarities, in that Philip Roth is doing it. a writer who is very much influenced I have read that you consider yourself by his milieu, and writes about it, as Your current book, Whatever It Is I a Jewish Jane Austen, and have been you do about yours. Don’t Like It, is a selection of your compared to Woody Allen and Philip weekly articles in the Independent Roth: are you flattered or insulted by And he’s a man, and he’s Jewish, and from the last thirteen years. Many this? he likes writing about sex, and I like of the essays, whilst often being writing about sex. His two subjects on very serious topics, are very That was a little joke, actually, the are Jewishness and sex, and my two humorous. For instance, in “Bad Jane Austen thing, made on the hoof subjects are Jewishness and sex, but Time of the Year” you mention my about six years ago at the Hay-on-Wye still…Jane didn’t write about Jews at all, husband’s cousin, Malcolm Megitt, literary festival, in response to someone or sex, although she did in a way. When who, you say, compiled lists of towns calling me the English Philip Roth. I I’m writing I don’t hear the Americans, containing the largest number of girls now wish I had said I was the male I hear the music in my head, which is in them! Jane Austen instead, (I can’t complain, that of Shakespeare, Dr. Johnson and since I write about Jewish things), but Jane Austen. Those are the sounds that Yes, he rang me yesterday and claimed I get a bit sick of being called a Jewish I hear when I am shaping a sentence; I not to remember doing it. I hope people novelist. There are so few Jewish male don’t mean I am trying to be them, but are laughing at serious things. I say this novelists in this country, so that when they are the examples that influence me. till I am blue in the face, that laughter they compare me it is always to Philip and seriousness are not enemies: they Roth or Saul Bellow. They are great Next issue: Howard Jacobson’s views complement each other. I hope that writers and wonderful to be compared on Orthodox Judaism, Israel and anti- when you laugh at my books you laugh to, but although I see some things we Zionism, all in Part II of our exclusive sometimes because there’s nothing have in common I simply say, look, I am interview. Zf trip to tel aviv the world. The Prime Minister of Israel impressive multimedia presentation of addressed the UN as a “theatre of the Yitzhak Rabin’s life and the brave political by Carolyne Davis absurd”. Israel, in her efforts to defend decisions that led to his assassination in herself, has had more resolutions against 1995. It is nearly four years since the last her than all other countries put together Brighton & Hove Solidarity Mission to including Iran, which is freely threatening We left the Rabin Centre with tears in our Israel, so I was delighted to arrive in to wipe Israel off the face of the earth eyes and travelled to a bakery that made Tel Aviv in time to join the 63rd Zionist whilst developing nuclear weapons. The us cry with joy and hope. There we Federation trip and meet with fellow problems facing Israel are complex and were met by Netta, who, in her previous Brightonians and friends Susan and multi-faceted, and the Arab Spring, while life in New York, had been an extremely Philip Conway. It couldn’t have been offering hope to the many living under successful hedge fund manager. During a more exciting and fearful time, with dictatorial regimes, has left Israel on an enforced rest of six months she had Palestinian President Abbas approaching rocky ground with no clear leadership in arrived in Israel and discovered that the UN in a bid for statehood. It felt Egypt and unrest in many neighbouring some IDF soldiers didn’t go home at especially appropriate to be together countries. weekends in order not to be a burden on with an organisation that has fought their families’ food supply. She now runs relentlessly for the promotion of Zionism On my second morning I was Bakery 29, a wonderful bakery in Tel Aviv since 1899. delighted to meet Colonel Richard that donates all its profits to the IDF food Kemp, a previous Commander of the fund. It was very fitting that our first stop that British Forces in Afghanistan, who, morning was to the Herzl Museum and coincidentally, has fond memories of Unfortunately I had to leave the trip early; then to the Knesset, linking the past Brighton as a child. He has written however, I would thoroughly recommend with the present. But the present is not extensively in Israel’s defence, especially joining a ZF trip if the opportunity arises, the land of milk and honey as hoped concerning the accusation of the IDF’s as it fosters renewed connections, for, but a divided society surrounded by actions in Gaza. Our next visit was to clearer understanding, perspectives and hostile neighbours and delegitimised by the Rabin Centre, which showed a very inspirations. issue 213 | November 2011 12features 13 the Jewish Community in malmö by Shelley Nichols members of a congregation. The congregation in Malmö Back at the beginning of June, has about 800 members, but is I sat in front of my computer, shrinking by about 5% per year, researching an imminent trip unfortunately. to Brighton, and stumbled upon the website of the Middle Prior to 1718, any Jew wishing Street Historic Synagogue. I to settle in Sweden had to be read all about it and looked baptised. It wasn’t, however, at the pictures, and found until 1870 that Jews were it fascinating! I finally pulled allowed to live where they myself together and sent off an pleased, and 209 of them e-mail to the contact address, settled in Malmö that same asking if it was possible to year. In December of 1871 tour the building sometime the Malmö congregation was during the third week of June. founded, and premises were I received an answer from rented in order to conduct Mr. Gordon Franks, who was services. The Jewish cemetery kind enough to accommodate was also founded in 1871, but us on Wednesday, June it wasn’t until 1873 that a Board 15. We spent several very of Directors was formed and a pleasant hours touring the Jewish school was founded. synagogue and talking with Mr. Franks, and presented him with a book entitled Templets sten föll The synagogue was completed in 1903, and is built in the so-called på Föreningsgatan, which was made for Malmö Synagogue’s 100th Moorish style, and after Kristallnacht is one of the few surviving anniversary (built in 1903). The book is, unfortunately, only available in European synagogues built in this style. Malmö synagogue was the Swedish, but there are many pictures to enjoy! Shortly after our return first non-Christian religious building in the city, and is an orthodox to Sweden I received an e-mail from Mr Franks, asking if I would be synagogue. The majority of the early members of the congregation willing to write an article about our own shul here in Sweden. were German or of German descent, but by the end of 1800s and during the first few decades of the 1900s, it saw an influx of Jewish I live in Malmö. Yes, that Malmö. The Malmö that Jews all over the immigrants from the Baltic States, Russia, Ukraine and Poland. world have read about! I am an American, married to a Swede, and During World War II and the German occupation of Denmark and I have lived in Malmö since 1995. We do have a clumsy mayor who Norway, a large number of Danish and Norwegian Jews fled to often blurts out stupid things before he thinks, and according to Sweden, and many were well-received by the congregation in the Simon Weisenthal Center, Malmö is one of the most dangerous Malmö. Today, most members of the Jewish community are survivors places in the world for Jews to visit! I don’t agree with this statement and their descendants. In the 1950s and 1960s, several waves of at all, having lived here for sixteen years. Hungarian Jews came to Swedish to avoid persecution at the hands of the government, and during the late 1960s the congregation Officially, Jews gained emancipation in 1838 (it was revoked later the received an influx of Jews fleeing rising anti-Semitism in Poland. same year), but it wasn’t actually until 1910 that a law was passed giving Jewish men the same civil rights as non-Jewish men. Prior to Directly behind the synagogue is the Community Centre building, 1863 it had been illegal for Jews and Christians to intermarry, but in owned by the congregation and erected in 1962, which houses 1863 the law prohibiting intermarriages between Jews and non-Jews offices, apartments, meeting rooms, a daycare centre for children, a was revoked, and ten years later in 1873 an amendment was added, large banqueting room and a kosher kitchen. The banqueting room stipulating that any children produced by an intermarriage must be and kitchen can be rented for bar/bat mitzvah parties and wedding brought up in the Lutheran faith. receptions, etc. There is no ethnic registration in Sweden and therefore the Jewish For security reasons the synagogue itself is not open to the public, population can only be estimated. According to the Official Council but if one contacts the Community Centre in Malmö it can be of Swedish Jewish Communities estimate that about 20,000 people possible to arrange a guided tour. in Sweden pass halakhic criteria. Of these, only about 7,000 are Submissions to SJN Language - please ensure that your Windows PC is set to use UK At the bottom of page 3 of every edition of SJN we publish a note English or your Mac to British English and that your word processing about how material should be submitted to the editorial team at the software is set to default to English UK / British English. If you are magazine. not sure how to do this, please email us and we will try to help. These guidelines are designed to help you, as the providers of Email – Please do not send your article, however small, as part of editorial matter, and also to help the very small team who have to an email. Do send it as a Word Attachment to your email. It saves us read, edit and define what should go into each issue. a lot of work having to cut and paste and reset the text. Over the past few months, these guidelines have been totally Document Headings - Please don’t create a title as a Header, just ignored, even by regular contributors and it is making life extremely write it as the first line of the document. The second line should state difficult for the editorial team. who wrote the article. So, to help everyone, here is a slightly expanded set of guidelines. Also, please leave the title and writer’s name as regular text, not bold text and do not centre justify it. Paper/Page Size – A4 Abbreviations – Please, no ampersands (&) and no abbreviations Font - please use Times New Roman, regular, no bold, no italics, no other than standard titles, such as Mr. and Mrs. underlines Photographs - We are happy to accept photos that illustrate your Font Size - 12 articles. Pictures should be of a good quality, well lit and sharp with Font Colour – Black a reasonably high resolution. We would like jpg files not RAW and a Justification – Left justified only. file size of approximately 700 Kb to 2 Mb. Please don’t send files of 3 or more Mb. issue 213 | November 2011 Culture 13 JaCs their incarceration in jail, where they experienced the terrible ordeal of force feeding? This was a very interesting talk, illustrated with reports by Nina Taylor, Hon. Chairman from Brighton & Hove Herald, being the local press of the day, Well, “Variety is the Spice of Life”, and those attending the After that harrowing experience we needed some light relief and the JACS meetings in the past months certainly had that! We saw a next week we showed part two of the video “That’s Entertainment”, wonderful video of members of the Brighton and Hove Branch of recalling some of the lovely musicals made by M.G.M. between the AJEX marching past the Cenotaph in London at the annual Jewish thirties and the fifties. They don’t make films like that any more! Remembrance Parade, led by Aubrey Cole, local Chairman. Brian Roussell, who is a Deputy Port Engineer at Shoreham, told us Marilyn Greatorex, from the National Trust, enlightened us on the about the history of the harbour: its extensive business contracts, secrets of running a Victorian household in Sussex, with anecdotes past, present and future. We were reassured that tourism is not the about the family living upstairs and the servants downstairs. Not quite only source of income of the Brighton and Hove region. “Downton Abbey”, but almost. We learned about the welfare and attitude to servants. We have another varied programme planned for this coming month. Come and visit us and for a modest fee, join us. You can be sure of The following week Karen Antoni told us about the “Screaming a warm welcome. We meet at the AJEX Centre every Wednesday Suffragettes of Brighton”. How many of us knew that Brighton was afternoon at 2.00 pm. the “bolthole” for Suffragettes when they needed to recuperate from CGJs sussex lecture series His lecture is in cooperation with the History Department ‘Work in Progress Seminar’ and will be held at 4.00 pm at the University of The Centre for German-Jewish Studies at the University of Sussex is Sussex, Arts A 155. pleased to continue its lecture series. Unless otherwise noted, all are welcome and booking is not required. Holocaust Memorial Day 2012 will be on Wednesday 25 January 2012. For many years the Centre for German-Jewish Studies has On Thursday 3 November 2011, Dr Bernhard Rieger of University organized Holocaust Memorial Day on behalf of the University of College London will be presenting ‘From the Third Reich to Sussex. The theme for 2012 is ‘Speak Up, Speak Out’. Our speakers Postmodernity: The Global History of the Volkswagen Beetle’. This will include Baroness Dr Julia Neuberger DBE (London) and Marion lecture, which is in cooperation with the History Department ‘Work in Blumenthal Lazan (New York). Progress Seminar’, will be held at 4.00 pm at University of Sussex, Arts A 155. Baroness Neuberger is a rabbi, social reformer and member of the House of Lords. In 2011 she took the role of Senior Rabbi at the West On Monday 5 December 2011, Dr Shirli Gilbert of the University of London Synagogue. Southampton, will be discussing ‘Forgotten Letters: A Refugee from Nazism in Apartheid South Africa’. The lecture will begin at 4.30 pm Marion Blumenthal Lazan, a Holocaust survivor born in Hoya, at University of Sussex, Arts B 127. Tea will be served at 4.00 pm. Germany, has published her autobiography under the title Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story (1996). Proceedings will include On Thursday 2 February 2012 we welcome Prof Mark Roseman the screening of the documentary Marion’s Triumph: Surviving of Indiana University who will speak on ‘The Rescue of Memory: History’s Nightmare (2003) that is based on Marion Blumenthal Wartime Experience and Postwar Claims of a Group of German Lazan’s story. Rescuers’. This lecture will be held in cooperation with the History Department ‘Work in Progress Seminar’ and commences at 4.00 pm Our Holocaust Memorial Society event will begin at 1.45 pm, at University of Sussex, Arts A 155. University of Sussex, Chowen Lecture Theatre, Medical School. For further information, please contact Diana Franklin, Centre Manager On Monday 27 February 2012 Dr. François Guesnet of University on 01273 678771 or 020 8381 4721. College London will be discussing ‘Is there a Jewish Political Tradition? The Jewish Intercessor (shtadlan) in Modern History as Case Study’ at 4.30 pm at University of Sussex, Arts B 127. Tea will be served at 4.00 pm. On Thursday 2 May 2012 Dr Gideon Reuveni of the University of Sussex will be speaking about ‘The Politics of Jewish Consumption’. issue 213 | November 2011 14Culture 15 sJfC Waltzes with bashir early 80s. Ari is surprised that he can’t remember a thing about that period of his life any more. For the Sussex Jewish Film Club’s next screening we’re Intrigued by this he decides to moving away from the ‘RomCom’ genre and showing an meet and interview old friends and animated film from Israel, unusual in that it‘s based on real comrades around the world. He people. Waltz With Bashir (90 mins) has won numerous needs to discover the truth about awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign that time and about himself. As Film, an International Documentary Association Award for Ari delves deeper and deeper into Feature Documentary and it was also nominated for an Oscar the mystery, his memory begins to in the Best Foreign Language Film category and for a BAFTA creep back in surreal images... Award for Best Film not in English. The film is in Hebrew with English subtitles and will be shown One night in a bar an old friend tells the film director, Ari on Sunday 13th November, 7.00 for 7.30 pm as usual at Ralli Folman, about a recurring nightmare in which he’s being Hall (7.00 pm drinks and chat, 7.30 pm film). All are welcome chased by 26 vicious dogs - every night the same number (non-members make a donation on the door) and it’s free to of beasts. The two men conclude that there’s a connection full-time students. Invite your friends! to their Israeli Army mission in the first Lebanon War of the Joogleberry’s Got talent! to programme an entire music stage at a festival. Nothing is off limits now and I love that flexibility. by Sue Popper In August I went up to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Some of you will remember was bowled over by the wholehearted way the festival is coming to my old venue, embraced by the city. I have never been to so many shows in Joogleberry Playhouse in such a short time, some breathtakingly good, some requiring Brighton, to see Klezmer major endurance; there are those who should not give up bands like the Matzos their day jobs! and enjoy the sharp wit of comedians like Dave But there’s a lot of talent out there and part of my job is to Lynn. A highlight of our find and use it wisely. Much of the skill lies in knowing what 2004 calendar was a works best in which setting and I love helping people get it special Purim Party where right for their special events. I am lucky to work with many we invited our Jewish Jewish performers so always have Klezmer bands, Yiddish friends to celebrate singers, dancers, comedians, magicians and cabaret acts (with plenty of alcohol of ready to entertain at any event. course!) in the venue. It was a wonderful feeling, as a second generation Jewish refugee, to develop events like this in a Sue can be contacted on 07930 160737 or by email: sue@ venue not dissimilar in feel, though much smaller, to my great joogleberry.com grandparents’ coffee house in Vienna, Café Herrenhof, which www.joogleberry.com they were forced to leave behind in 1938. As, in the 1920’s, Café Herrenhof was the favourite haunt of many writers and philosophers of the day, so Joogleberry HYMAN FINE HOUSE attracted top performers who loved the intimacy of the venue. I will never forget Amy Winehouse singing ‘Summertime’ so FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE movingly. Many celebrities and stars graced our stage while I (Registered Charity No. 1111793) programmed entertainment every night throughout the years. PRESENTS When the time came to sell the venue in 2007 I had developed strong connections with a huge number of A BRIDGE & KALOOKI AFTERNOON performers and it felt like the natural step forward to create a AT RALLI HALL, DENMARK VILLAS, HOVE new platform for Joogleberry. So was born Joogleberry Acts, (£1.00 Parking Fee at Hove Railway Station) my music and entertainment agency which now provides all kinds of acts to every type of event. FRIENDLY COMPETITION – WITH PRIZES Much as I loved having the venue, life has become much more expansive with my agency. Rather than being tied to ON SUNDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2011 AT 2.00PM one space, with the limitations that brings, I now think with a DONATION £8.50 INCLUDING TEA broader perspective and work with a much wider variety of people and events. TICKETS FROM ALAN BURKE - 01273 416335 AND One minute I’m arranging a circus theme for a corporate RAYMOND FELSENSTEIN - 01273 505056 event, the next it’s a harpist for a wedding. Then someone will request a magician for a Bar Mitzvah, and next I’ll get asked issue 213 | November 2011 14 Culture 15 What’s in a name? Quite a lot actually! The Chutzpah Choir has recently changed of those attending had heard Jewish music before but they its name to Chutzpah Singers - we thought the word ‘choir’ didn’t need much encouragement to join in with the choruses! gave the wrong impression of a formal ‘classical’ type choir, Our autumn season has now started, so do come along and which we’re definitely not. give us a try – all ages, both men and women, everyone is When people say ‘But I can’t sing’ or ‘I can’t read music’ or welcome at Ralli Hall on Wednesday evenings, 7-8.50pm. ‘I don’t speak Yiddish/Hebrew etc’ we know they have quite For more information contact: chutzpahchoir@hotmail.co.uk the wrong idea of what we are. We’re open to anybody (no (too complicated to change the email address!) or telephone auditions or anything like that), Polina Shepherd our musical 01273-688538. We’d love to see you and of course let us director teaches us the music and words by ear - though know if we could sing a few songs at your event - we’d be sheet music is available too - and we have a lot of fun. The delighted. only requirement is that you’d like to learn Jewish folk songs! We love sharing our songs through performances. On 27 March we sang at a concert for the Eastbourne Jewish Social Scene. Then on 3 April we provided an evening’s entertainment for the Reform Synagogue in Hove. There are always opportunities for audience participation and there was lots of joining in with the choruses and clapping along at both these events. We were also pleased to contribute to the Finale of Sussex Limmud on 22 May. We chose a Yiddish song referring to Israel, one of the main themes of the day. It was called ‘Snirele Perele’ and the last line was “...veln di yidn in erets-yisroel in sholem aynshteyn” (...then the Jewish people will settle in peace in the land of Israel). We enjoy singing for non-Jewish audiences too. In August the Shepherds performed at the MS Centre in Southwick Photo: Brian Megitt and Polina led us in singing songs from our repertoire. None eastbourne to enjoy blonde Poison Blonde Poison, a new play by Gail Louw, starring Elizabeth an international journalist. Today she will finally speak out in Counsell, comes to the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne her own defence. on Tuesday 8 November. Based on fact, Gail Louw’s stunning new play examines the During the Second World War, Stella Goldschlag worked for devastating actions of a young woman trapped between her the Gestapo as enemies and herself in a world gone mad. a ‘Submarine’ or Tickets £12.50, discounts available, to book call 01323 ‘Greifer’. They 412000 or online at www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk gave her the nickname of ‘Blonde Poison’. After the war she Blonde Poison Competition was accused of informing on Sussex Jewish News has a pair of tickets to Blonde Poison more than three to give away in this free competition. thousand Jews. Although Aryan- Simply answer the following question and send your entry looking with (along with an email address and or daytime telephone beautiful blonde number) to: Blonde Poison Competition, Press Office, hair and blue Eastbourne Theatres, Winter Garden, Compton Street, eyes, she was Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4BP. Competition closes Jewish. Today, on 3 November; the winner will be drawn at random. in her early seventies, she Question: Who stars in Blonde Poison? waits nervously to be interviewed by issue 213 | November 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 the meaning of a mitzvah If we examine the list it is apparent that with the exception of studying and praying with sincerity, the mitzvot included focus by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah on how we treat others, and belong to the category of what What is a mitzvah? An obligation; a duty; a commandment. we call ma’asim tovim, ‘good deeds’. For most Jews, of all The Hebrew root, Tzadi Vav Hei means to ‘command’ and denominations, a mitzvah is first and foremost a very special kind is first found in the Torah in the context of the Eternal One of ‘good deed’, which is also a ‘commandment’; an act that we ‘commanding’ the people Israel, concerning the mishpatim and are obligated to perform. So, Jews don’t carry out good deeds chukkim, the ‘laws’ and ‘statutes’ set out in various legal codes. simply because we are nice – although we may be that as well – but primarily because we understand that it is our duty to help The rabbis took the concept of mitzvah and applied it to and support others. behaviours that are not mentioned in the Torah, like lighting Shabbat and Festival candles. They also spelt out mitzvot that To remind us of the importance of doing good deeds, all they derived from the Torah. So, a rabbinic passage in the siddur sections of the Jewish community across Britain have agreed – prayer book – from the Mishnah (Pe’ah 1:1) and the Talmud to designate an annual Sunday in November as Mitzvah Day. (Shabbat 127a), which opens with the mitzvah of ‘honouring So, November 20th is Mitzvah Day, and a variety of activities one’s father and mother’, stated in the Torah, (Exodus 20:12), have been arranged by the different synagogues in Brighton & also includes: g’milut chasadim - ‘loving deeds’; coming early Hove. For the second year running, BHPS will be helping out to the house of study in the morning and evening; hospitality to at the Moulescoomb Forest Garden, a project set up for the guests; visiting the sick; bringing in the bride [to the chuppah]; local community, which runs programmes specifically targeted accompanying the dead; praying with sincerity; and making at engaging young people who are experiencing difficulties at peace between one person and another. Interestingly, the school. This year we have arranged to volunteer at the garden in passage concludes: v’talmud Torah k’neged kulam – ‘and the conjunction with Brighton Voices in Exile, a local refugee project, study of Torah is equal – or, equivalent – to them all.’ Unless one which we also support. If you are interested in joining us, please understands this to mean that one can fulfil all one’s obligations contact the synagogue office. simply by studying, another translation, used in the Liberal siddur is, ‘And the study of Torah leads to them all.’ l’Chayyim lunch Club If you are interested in attending please contact the office so we know how much food to bring. by Anne Carr On 21st September our last l’Chayyim Lunch before moving to Cyber-Quiz – 26 November temporarily to Ralli Hall was another great success with great food, great company and great entertainment from Steve Field Our 3rd annual Cyberquiz will be held at the Ralli Hall on and his saxophone quartet Saxometer. The whole occasion was, Saturday 26th November at 7pm. The Cyberquiz is an as usual, excellent, interactive and fun quiz evening. Teams are for 6-8 people, so and forty people make up a table or come and make up a team with others. went home with both full stomachs Questions are set by members of South Bucks Progressive and happy hearts. Synagogue, who are the central co-ordinators, who will collate the results and give us feedback about our position versus the 20th November other congregations. 10.30 - 2.30 - Mitzvah Day Tickets cost £12 and include a fish and chip supper from Bankers fish restaurant, tea, coffee and cake. Please ring the office to BHPS will be reserve and pay for your place. joining together with Brighton Creating the Tent – Human Rights Day – 10 December Voices in Exile to once again BHPS is proud to be one of the organisers of Creating the Tent help out the - an inclusive, spiritual gathering with contributions from Jewish, Moulsecoomb Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Quaker perspectives. Forest Wildlife This event – which is will be held at the Brighton Friends’ Meeting Park. House, Ship Street, Brighton from 1.30 pm - is open to all people who welcome the opportunity of listening, sharing, and creating Moulsecoomb the tent together. The programme will include talks, chants, Forest Garden is creative exercises, discussion and silence. You may wish to an amazing place, participate in the afternoon event, or in the evening, or in both. with a treehouse/ shed, an outdoor Please contact the office to register your attendance by Monday, clay oven, a 21st November 2011 or for further information. Suggested wattle and daub donation for the afternoon event is £10 and an additional roundhouse, turf donation will be welcome for the evening. sofa, traditional bee hive and bee Event reservations / further information garden; as well as a compost loo, living willow tunnel and uncultivated areas for To reserve your place for any of the above events or for more wildlife. Last year we weeded, planted garlic and levelled ground information, please contact Chandra in the office by telephone for a polytunnel which is now in position. 01273 737223 (Mon-Fri, 1pm-5pm) or email us at bhps@ freenetname.co.uk We will meet at Moulsecoomb Station at 10.30 am. A hot lunch cooked on a bonfire is included. Wear warm clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and sturdy footwear. issue 213 | November 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 Concerning ourselves with the tasks that are there by Rabbi Charles Wallach The High Holydays will be well behind us. However, the messages and expressions should still hopefully be with us. The sense of responsibility both personal and communal was not only stated within the prayers, but also within the texts we read. In the lead up to the festive season and again in our machzorim of the festivals, emphasis was placed on the challenges before us. Among these was the text found in the latter stages of Deuteronomy: atem nitzavim hayom / You are standing this day, all of you – from the highest to the lowest, men and women, and even the children – all. In the context of the extract from Torah they were on the The High Holydays are really only worth their weight if river’s edge, about to enter the Promised Land. But within we respond to them by concerning ourselves with the a wider context the challenge is to all of us, for we are, as tasks that are there. As stated in the Mishna and found it were, on the threshold or near the start of a new spiritual in our prayer books: respecting our parents, doing acts new year. This message is added to a few verses further of kindness, coming to synagogue, giving hospitality to when it is stated “this command is not too hard for you, strangers, visiting the sick, caring for the bereaved, and nor too remote: It is not in heaven….nor beyond the sea…. making peace. but it is in your hearts and minds to do…” issue 213 | November 2011 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 st Christopher’s visits bhhC The following is an extract from the weekly newsletter from St Christopher’s School for the week ending 14 October 2011. Year 2 had an illuminating visit to [West] Hove Synagogue on Wednesday and were shown round the Sukkah by Rabbi Rader. The Sukkah is an outside booth which is used as a place for family and friends to Year 2 boys made their own kippahs (skull caps) to wear in the Synagogue gather to celebrate Sukkot. of time they spent in the fields, harvesting their food more Sukkot hearkens back quickly as a result. to times in ancient Sukkot is also related to the way the Jewish people lived Inside the Ark Israel when Jews while wandering in the desert for 40 years (Leviticus would build huts near the edges of their fields during 23:42-43). As they moved from one place to another they the harvest season. One of these dwellings was called a built tents or booths, called Sukkot, that gave them “Sukkah” temporary shelter in the desert. and “Sukkot” is Hence, the Sukkot (booths) that Jews build during the the plural holiday of Sukkot are reminders both of Israel’s agricultural form of this history and of the Israelite exodus from Egypt. The Hebrew children were delighted to see all the leaves with the fruit word. and decorations hanging from the Sukkah and they asked These and answered some searching questions. dwellings not only Afterwards Rabbi Rader led the children into the provided Synagogue where he showed them a Torah scroll hand shade but written with a quill pen on parchment. He then opened allowed the the Ark which houses magnificent Torah Scrolls and the workers to children “oohed” and “aahed” at these wonderful holy maximize texts wrapped in velveteen, embroidered in gold and the amount embellished with silver plaques, bells and even a crown! Rabbi Rader talks about the Sukkah A [Megillah] Scroll MARTIN GROSS Memorials All aspects of stonemasonry undertaken from new to renovation and cleaning 01273 439792 07801 599771 issue 213 | November 2011 18 hhC rabbi vivian silverman Hove Hebrew Congregation 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btinternet.com 19 heshvan Babylonian. Ezra introduced the Babylonian system by Rabbi Vivian Silverman on the return from exile. The original names for the months have been lost, with the exception of Nissan, One of the important themes over the High Holyday Iyyar, Tishri and Heshvan, whose Hebrew names are The month following Tishri is frequently called recorded in the Tnach. Nissan was Aviv; Iyyar was Ziv; Marheshvan (Bitter Heshvan) because it has no special Tishri was Eitanim; Heshvan was Bool. Eitanim can be dates, unlike Tishri which is full of occasions: Rosh found in the first Book of Kings, chapter 8. Hashana; Yom Kippur; Succot, and this contrast stands out all the more because the months occur one after Aviv is the most familiar of the four names, meaning the other. spring: the season Am Yisrael left Egyptian slavery. Ziv means brightness and refers to the summer heat. Heshvan together with the following month Kislev are Eitanim means strength and probably refers to the unusual in that they can have either 29 or 30 days, power of prayer during the Yamim Noraim (Days of depending on the year in question. Whereas all the Awe). Bool is derived from the Hebrew Mabool meaning other Jewish months remain constant year in, year out: flood, as in the story of Noah, and refers to the force of either 29 or 30 days. E.g. Ellul 29 days; Tishri 30 days. the rains which came during October/November. The reason Heshvan and Kislev are the exception to Our prayer is that they should be Gishmei Beracha – the rule is in order to make sure that Yom Kippur never rains that bring blessing to the world. falls on a Friday or Sunday. Else we would have two Sabbaths next to each other (Yom Kippur is called The Sabbath of Sabbaths) and this would create many NOVEMBER DIARY halakhic difficulties. Incidentally, that is also the reason 1 Tues - 11 am Talmud Shiur (weekly) why first day of Rosh Hashana never falls on a Sunday, Wednesday or Friday. 13 Sun – Annual AJEX service at Holland Road Shul The names of our months (Nisan to Adar) are actually 15 Tues – 10.30 am Ladies circle followed by Talmud Shiur holland road Noos We hope you all had a thoroughly enjoyable Yom Tov Malcolm Green and that the new year brings you all you wish for. We at Holland Road had very good services, well Catering attended and with many children. It was good to see The selection of your menu is an important part in the and hear them. planning of your Simcha. For that reason our Chefs continue to create exciting and tasty menus to meet your every need. We’re happy that our warden, Sam Barsam, is We can tailor a menu to fit your specific requirements recovering well and was expected to be home during and help create the function you will be proud of. Let us the week of 10 October introduce you to a cuisine that has made us one of Israel’s leading Caterers & the world’s foremost glatt kosher Don’t forget that we are holding the memorial service destination wedding specialist. in November this year and a reminder that we are Join us for our glatt kosher June/July tour of “Mystical Ireland” holding a salt beef bash in December. KOSHER CATERING AT ITS BEST Contact Malcolm on 0203 393 6823 koshercaterer@yahoo.co.uk www.kosherservicesworldwide.com SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: www.kosherexperiences.co.il 8 NOVEMBER 2011 UNDER SUPERVISION KASHRUT DIVISION COPY NOT SUBMITTED BY 8 NOVEMBER WILL OF THE LONDON BETH DIN NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR PUBLICATION. (For functions in the U.K.) “You’ve eaten the food now read the blog” www.koshersericesworldwide/blog/ issue 213 | November 2011 20 What’s on: November 2011 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org email: info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org shabbat shalom – briGhtoN times In Light Candles Out Havdalah Grodzinki’s challot Fri 4 4.14 pm Sat 5 5.23 pm and rye bread are Fri 11 4.02 pm Sat 12 5.12 pm available from Premier Fri 18 3.53 pm Sat 19 5.04 pm Convenience Stores Fri 25 3.45 pm Sat 26 4.57 pm in Hove Street every Thursday morning until supplies run out. eveNts for November reGular aCtivities J:tots – for parents, toddlers, grandparents and carers - is held Sundays monthly at Ralli Hall. For information regarding the next session, Carmel tennis Club 10.00 am-12.00 noon. Weekly. All levels please e-mail Rachel at jtots@rocketmail.com or ring 01273 204333. welcome. Tel: Leon on 07717 222744 uK Jewish film festival, 1st-20th November 2011 – For details of films Mondays and venues, email: info@ukjewishfilm.org website: www.ukjewishfilm.org or phone 020 3176 0048 the ethics of our fathers with Rabbi Efune 11.30-12.30 pm Chabad House, 15 Upper Drive, Hove. Tel: 01273 321919 Thursday 3rd afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Tel: Reba 01444 410435 Worthing & district Jewish society aGm followed by speaker and tea. rubber and duplicate bridge 1.30-4.30 pm £2.00. Tel: Reba 2.00 pm Quaker Meeting House, 34 Mill Lane, Worthing 01444 410435 free lecture 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm at Centre for German-Jewish Studies, Univ of Sussex, Arts A155. All welcome Contemporary basic talmud with Rabbi Efune - Men only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Sunday 6th tanya (Kabbalah) learning Group with Penina Efune - Card afternoon – in aid of Hyman Fine House, £8.50 to incl tea RH. Tel: Ladies only 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 01273 416335/505056 Tuesdays Tuesday 8th ralli hall lunch and social Club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm Tel: ‘blonde Poison’ – play at Devonshire Park Theatre, 7.45 pm, £12.50, Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly RH discounts available, to book call 01323 412000 or online www. eastbournetheatres.co.uk art in the studio with martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH Painting with rochelle (Jas) 7.00 pm-9.00 pm Tel: 01273 Sunday 13th 503708 RH aJeX remembrance service – meet Madeira Drive 10.30 am israeli dancing 7.45 pm-9.45 pm Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 aJeX remembrance service – Hove Hebrew Congregation, Holland RH Road, Hove 4.00 pm sussex Jewish film Club at rh – 7.00 for 7.30 pm ‘Waltz with Bashir’ Wednesdays Mitzvah Day Chutzpah singers (Singing in Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, Aramaic and other languages) with Polina Shepherd 7.00- bhrs – Afternoon Tea 2.30 pm. Donation: £30.00 to include raffle. 8.45 pm Tel: Rosalind 01273 541031 RH Everyone welcome. AJEX Centre art in the studio with martin 2.00-4.30 pm RH Monday 21st JaCs at the AJEX Centre 2.00 pm, Eaton Road, Hove - sarid – (Association of Jewish Refugees) 10.45 am RH Donation: £2.00 members/£2.50 non-members. £1.50 to include tea/coffee/light refreshments Thursdays Mitzvah Day ralli hall lunch and social Club, 10.30 am-4.30 pm. Weekly a presentation by Charities that benefit from mitzvah day – On this day, Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH around the word, thousands of people take part in hands-on projects, without fundraising, to support charities and to build stronger Weekly torah portion with Rabbi Efune 8.15 pm at Chabad communities. Tea, coffee and light refreshments are served at all House. 01273 321919. meetings which are held at RH. Donation: £1.50 Wednesday 23rd Worthing & district – Coffee Morning, From 10.30 am at Marine COMMUNITY EVENTS – Gardens, Worthing (Goring end) – all welcome IMPORTANT REMINDER Tuesday 29th Contact the Communal Diary before planning Jewish historical society – Spkr Prof Miri Rubin ‘Church & Synagogue your events. – from Sisters to Enemies in Medieval Europe’ 6.45 – 9.00 pm RH. Don. £4.00. info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org issue 213 | November 2011